Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for Scotland
(2) the Prime Minister
2Conveyancing Standards: Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to establish minimum standards regarding searches and assessments of risk for solicitors and licensed conveyancers acting on behalf of purchasers of residential properties; and for connected purposes;
That Marco Longhi, Nicola Richards, Gareth Bacon, Sir John Hayes, Peter Gibson, Jamie Stone, Sir David Amess, Lee Anderson, Paul Howell, Ian Levy, Jim Shannon and Sally-Ann Hart present the Bill.
Marco Longhi accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 27 November, and to be printed (Bill 193).
3Pension Schemes Bill [Lords]: Second Reading
Bill read a second time.
4Pension Schemes Bill [Lords]: Programme
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83A(7)), That the following provisions shall apply to the Pension Schemes Bill [Lords]:
Committal
(1) The Bill shall be committed to a Public Bill Committee.
Proceedings in Public Bill Committee
(2) Proceedings in the Public Bill Committee shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion on Thursday 5 November 2020.
(3) The Public Bill Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the first day on which it meets.
Proceedings on Consideration and up to and including Third Reading
(4) Proceedings on Consideration and any proceedings in legislative grand committee shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour before the moment of interruption on the day on which proceedings on Consideration are commenced.
(5) Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption on that day.
(6) Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees) shall not apply to proceedings on Consideration and up to and including Third Reading.
Other proceedings
(7) Any other proceedings on the Bill may be programmed.—(Michael Tomlinson.)
Question agreed to.
5Pension Schemes Bill [Lords]: Money
Queen’s Recommendation signified.
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 52(1)(a)), That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Pension Schemes Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise:
(1) the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable under any other Act out of money so provided; and
(2) the payment of sums into the Consolidated Fund.—(Michael Tomlinson.)
Question agreed to.
Motion made and Question proposed, That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (North of England and North East and North West of England etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1074), dated 1 October 2020, a copy of which was laid before this House on 2 October, be approved.—(Helen Whately.)
The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Question put and agreed to.
7Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Consumer Protection (Enforcement) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, which were laid before this House on 14 September, be approved.—(Rebecca Harris.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Adjacent Waters Boundaries (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Order 2020, which was laid before this House on 7 September, be approved.—(Rebecca Harris.)
Question agreed to.
A public petition from residents of the constituency of Kilmarnock and Loudoun relating to financial support for the self-employed during COVID-19 was presented and read by Alan Brown.
Subject: Policing in south-west London (Sarah Olney)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Rebecca Harris.)
Adjourned at 6.11 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Changes to Notices Given
10Pregnancy and Maternity (Redundancy Protection) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 12 March 2021.
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 6 November.
12 General Election (Leaders' Debates) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 6 November.
13Hospitals (Parking Charges and Business Rates) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 6 November.
14Parliamentary Constituencies (Amendment) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 6 November.
General Committees: Reports
15Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee
Yvonne Fovargue (Chair) reported the draft European Qualifications (Health and Social Care Professions) (EFTA States) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020.
16Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee
Julie Elliott (Chair) reported the draft Electricity (Risk Preparedness) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020.
17Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee
Mark Pritchard (Chair) reported the draft Debt Respite Scheme (Breathing Space Moratorium and Mental Health Crisis Moratorium) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020.
General Committees: Appointments
The Speaker appoints the Chair of General Committees and members of Programming Sub-Committees, and allocates Statutory Instruments to Delegated Legislation Committees.
The Committee of Selection nominates Members to serve on General Committees (and certain Members to serve on Grand Committees).
18Education and Training (Welfare of Children) Bill Committee
Members: Shaun Bailey, Ian Byrne, James Daly, Mary Kelly Foy, Jonathan Gullis, Rachel Hopkins, Gillian Keegan, Grahame Morris, Kate Osborne, Sarah Owen, Toby Perkins, Nicola Richards, Angela Richardson, David Simmonds, Laura Trott, Christian Wakeford and Mike Wood
19First Delegated Legislation Committee (Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (North East and North West of England) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1010) and the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (North East of England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1012))
Members: Nickie Aiken, Margaret Beckett, Virginia Crosbie, Ms Nadine Dorries, Rosie Duffield, Gareth Johnson, Fay Jones, Scott Mann, Jerome Mayhew, Alex Norris, Mr Barry Sheerman, David Simmonds, Maggie Throup, Stephen Timms, Jon Trickett, Matt Western and James Wild
20Second Delegated Legislation Committee (Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings in a Relevant Place and on Public Transport) (England) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations (SI, 2020, No. 1026), Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings in a Relevant Place) (England) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1028) and the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings in a Relevant Place and on Public Transport) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (SI, 2020, No. 1021))
Members: Rob Butler, Judith Cummins, Jo Gideon, Chris Green, Dame Diana Johnson, John Lamont, Cherilyn Mackrory, Rachel Maclean, Justin Madders, Gagan Mohindra, Holly Mumby-Croft, Neil O’Brien, Kate Osamor, Christina Rees, David Rutley, Mr Virendra Sharma and Liz Twist
21Third Delegated Legislation Committee (Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Protected Areas and Linked Childcare Households) (Amendment) Regulations (SI, 2020, No. 1019) and the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Collection of Contact Details etc and Related Requirements) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1005))
Members: Paula Barker, Apsana Begum, Andrew Bowie, Jo Churchill, Alberto Costa, Gareth Davies, Miss Sarah Dines, Steve Double, Julie Elliott, Katherine Fletcher, Yvonne Fovargue, Shabana Mahmood, Joy Morrissey, Alex Norris, Maggie Throup, Edward Timpson and Matt Western
22Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Obligations of Undertakings) (England) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1008) and the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Obligations of Undertakings) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1046))
Members: Bim Afolami, Ian Byrne, Andy Carter, Elliot Colburn, Geraint Davies, Mrs Flick Drummond, Gill Furniss, Jo Gideon, David Johnston, Steve McCabe, Lucy Powell, Angela Richardson, Sam Tarry, Michael Tomlinson, Craig Williams, Beth Winter and Nadhim Zahawi
23Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Electricity (Risk-Preparedness) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020)
Members: Tom Hunt discharged and Dean Russell nominated in substitution.
24Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Immigration Skills Charge (Amendment) Regulations 2020)
Members: Kevin Brennan, Chris Bryant, Felicity Buchan, Gareth Davies, Dr James Davies, Ms Angela Eagle, Chris Elmore, Laura Farris, Kevin Foster, Patrick Grady, James Grundy, Andrew Lewer, Holly Lynch, Dr Kieran Mullan, Taiwo Owatemi, Tom Pursglove and Gary Sambrook
25Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Debt Respite Scheme (Breathing Space Moratorium and Mental Health Crisis Moratorium) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020)
Members: Lia Nici discharged and Jane Stevenson nominated in substitution.
26Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (Pension Protection Fund (Moratorium and Arrangements and Reconstructions for Companies in Financial Difficulty) (Amendment and Revocation) Regulations (SI, 2020, No. 990))
Members: Bim Afolami, Tahir Ali, Lucy Allan, Tonia Antoniazzi, Sarah Atherton, Mr Clive Betts, Leo Docherty, Jack Dromey, Florence Eshalomi, Nick Fletcher, Mark Garnier, Meg Hillier, Lia Nici, Guy Opperman, Mark Pawsey, Owen Thompson and Martin Vickers
27Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Common Rules for Exports (EU Exit) Regulations 2020)
Members: Debbie Abrahams, Rushanara Ali, Maria Caulfield, Brendan Clarke-Smith, Alex Davies-Jones, Bill Esterson, Ben Everitt, Colleen Fletcher, Antony Higginbotham, Mike Hill, Andrew Jones, Alan Mak, Anthony Mangnall, Alexander Stafford, Graham Stuart, Owen Thompson and Suzanne Webb
28Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Citizens’ Rights (Restrictions of Rights of Entry and Residence) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, draft Citizens’ Rights (Application Deadline and Temporary Protection) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 and draft Citizens’ Rights (Frontier Workers) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020)
Members: Jack Brereton, Jon Cruddas, Chris Elmore, Simon Fell, Kevin Foster, Darren Henry, Dr Caroline Johnson, Andrew Lewer, Holly Lynch, Taiwo Owatemi, Tom Pursglove, Tom Randall, Nicola Richards, Greg Smith, Nick Smith, Owen Thompson and Stephen Timms
Reports from Select Committees
29Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee
Post Office and Horizon: Written evidence, to be published (HC 143) (Darren Jones).
30Future Relationship with the European Union (Committee on the)
Progress of the negotiations on the UK’s future relationship with the EU: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 203) (Hilary Benn).
Channel crossings, migration and asylum-seeking routes through the EU: Written evidence, to be published (HC 705) (Yvette Cooper).
32International Trade Committee
(1) UK Freeports: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 258);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister of State relating to trade remedies: Written evidence to be published;
(3) UK Export Finance: Written evidence, to be published (HC 700)
(Angus Brendan MacNeil).
Correspondence with the Home Secretary relating to people with no recourse to public funds (NRPF): Written evidence, to be published (Sir Bernard Jenkin).
34Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
(1) Cross-border co-operation on policing, security and criminal justice after Brexit: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 766);
(2) Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol: Written evidence, to be published (HC 767)
(Simon Hoare).
Procedure under coronavirus restrictions: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 300) (Karen Bradley).
36Science and Technology Committee
A new UK research funding agency: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 778) (Greg Clark).
37Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)
Twenty-Fifth Report, to be printed (HC 75-xxv) (Jessica Morden).
38Statutory Instruments (Select Committee on)
Twentieth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 73-xx) (Jessica Morden).
Young and novice drivers: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 169) (Huw Merriman).
Tax after coronavirus: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 664) (Mel Stride).
(1) Protecting pension savers—five years on from the pension freedoms: Pension scams: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 648);
(2) Correspondence from the Permanent Secretary relating to the Health and Safety Executive’s report on DWP’s offices in Leeds: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence relating to the Pension Schemes Bill: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Universal Credit: the wait for a first payment: Written evidence, to be published (HC 204)
(Stephen Timms).
Lindsay Hoyle
Speaker
Westminster Hall
The sitting began at 9.30 am.
Business appointed by the Chairman of Ways and Means (Standing Order No. 10(6))
1Reports of China's rapid expansion of the labour programme in Tibet co-published by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China
Resolved, That this House has considered reports of China's rapid expansion of the labour programme in Tibet co-published by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China.—(Sir Iain Duncan Smith.)
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered the rule of law in the UK.—(Neale Hanvey.)
At 11.30 am, the Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 10(6)).
The sitting was suspended between 11.30 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered online harms.—(Holly Lynch.)
At 4.00 pm, the Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 10(6)).
4Financial implications of COVID-19 for schools
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered the financial implications of COVID-19 for schools.—(Gareth Thomas.)
At 4.30 pm, the Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 10(6)).
Resolved, That this House has considered flooding in Staffordshire.—(Theo Clarke.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.30 pm until tomorrow.
Eleanor Laing
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
Draft Definition of Qualifying Northern Ireland Goods (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Michael Gove)
2Exiting the European Union (Public Procurement)
(1) Draft Defence and Security Public Contracts (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Jeremy Quin)
(2) Draft Public Procurement (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Julia Lopez)
Draft Non-Domestic Rating (Rates Retention, Levy and Safety Net and Levy Account: Basis of Distribution) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Luke Hall)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
4Miscellaneous Series No. 6 (2020)
Amended Schedules to the Agreement on Government Procurement as a result of the Protocol, done at Geneva on 30 March 2012, Amending the Agreement on Government Procurement entering into force for Switzerland (by Command) (CP 304), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Act) (Secretary Dominic Raab)
Official Controls (Plant Health and Genetically Modified Organisms) (England) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1089), dated 7 October 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary George Eustice)
Other papers
Report and Accounts of the British Library for 2019–20, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 725) (Secretary Oliver Dowden)
Report and Financial Statements of Birmingham Organising Committee for the 2022 Commonwealth Games Limited for 2019–20, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Command), to be printed (HC 769) (Secretary Oliver Dowden)
Office for Nuclear Regulation: Report to Parliament on the exercise of powers under Part 3 of the Energy Act 2013 by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, 2019–20 (by Act) (Secretary Alok Sharma)
9Housing, Communities and Local Government
Government Response to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee Report on the Long-term Delivery of Social and Affordable Rented Housing (by Command) (CP 299) (Secretary Robert Jenrick)
Report of the Law Commission on Search Warrants (by Act), to be printed (HC 852) (Secretary Robert Buckland)
Report and Accounts of the Imperial War Museum for 2019–20, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 782) (Secretary Oliver Dowden)
Report and Accounts of South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust for 2019–20 (by Act) (Secretary Matt Hancock)
(1) High Speed Two: Phase 2b Design Refinement Consultation Response (by Command) (CP 287) (Secretary Grant Shapps)
(2) Volumes 1 and 2: High Speed Two Phase 2b Western Leg Design Refinement Consultation (by Command) (CP 288) (Secretary Grant Shapps)
Government Response to the Freeports Consultation (by Command) (CP 302) (Steve Barclay)
SPEAKER'S CERTIFICATES
Voting by proxy
1. New pandemic proxy voting arrangements
The Speaker has certified, under the terms of Standing Order No. 39A (Voting by proxy), as amended by the temporary Order of 23 September 2020 (Proxy voting during the pandemic), that the Members listed in the table below are eligible to have a proxy vote cast on their behalf by the nominated proxies listed in the table, starting on the dates specified and ending on Tuesday 3 November 2020, unless the arrangement is ended or the House otherwise orders.
Member |
From |
Proxy |
Jack Dromey |
8 October 2020 |
Chris Elmore |
Margaret Ferrier |
8 October 2020 |
Jonathan Edwards |
Jake Berry |
12 October 2020 |
Stuart Andrew |
Jamie Stone |
12 October 2020 |
Wendy Chamberlain |
Alison Thewliss |
12 October 2020 |
Patrick Grady |
Chi Onwurah |
12 October 2020 |
Chris Elmore |
2. Variation of existing pandemic proxy voting arrangements
The Speaker has certified, under the terms of Standing Order No. 39A (Voting by proxy), as amended by the temporary Order of 23 September 2020 (Proxy voting during the pandemic), that the following Member has given notice that they wish to amend their proxy voting arrangement.
From 8 October the nominated proxy for Paul Holmes will be Bob Seely instead of Stuart Andrew.
3. Ending pandemic proxy voting arrangements
The Speaker has certified, under the terms of Standing Order No. 39A (Voting by proxy), as amended by the temporary Order of 23 September 2020 (Proxy voting during the pandemic), that the following Members have given notice that they wish to end their proxy voting arrangement with effect from when the Speaker takes the Chair on the dates specified below:
Member |
From |
Jake Berry |
7 October 2020 |
Imran Ahmad Khan |
12 October 2020 |
Gareth Bacon |
8 October 2020 |
Alex Davies-Jones |
12 October 2020 |
Ms Nadine Dorries |
8 October 2020 |
Emma Hardy |
12 October 2020 |
Mr Ranil Jayawardena |
8 October 2020 |
Julian Knight |
8 October 2020 |
CORRECTION
Monday 5 October 2020
Under Speaker's Certificates, Voting by proxy, Item 2 should have read:
2. Variation of existing pandemic proxy voting arrangements
The Speaker has certified, under the terms of Standing Order No. 39A (Voting by proxy), as amended by the temporary Order of 23 September 2020 (Proxy voting during the pandemic), that the following Members have given notice that they wish to amend their proxy voting arrangements.
From 5 October:
the nominated proxy for Jon Trickett will be Dawn Butler instead of Ian Byrne.
From 6 October:
the nominated proxy for Geraint Davies will be Dawn Butler instead of Chris Evans.
And in Item 3 (Ending pandemic proxy voting arrangements), the table should have included:
Margaret Ferrier 5 October 2020