Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to the Chancellor of the Exchequer
2Equal Pay (Information and Claims): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision for a right for employees to obtain information relating to the pay of a comparator; to reform remedies and time limits relating to equal pay; to provide a right to equal pay where a single source can rectify unequal pay; to amend the statutory statement of particulars to include equal pay; to provide for requirements on certain employers to publish information about the differences in pay between male and female employees and between employees of different ethnic origins; and for connected purposes;
That Stella Creasy, Caroline Nokes, Ms Harriet Harman, Neil Gray, Christine Jardine, Caroline Lucas, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Florence Eshalomi, Chris Bryant, Nadia Whittome, Chris Evans and Anne McLaughlin present the Bill.
Stella Creasy accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 13 November, and to be printed (Bill 199).
3Non-Domestic Rating (Lists) (No. 2) Bill: Committee of the whole House
The House resolved itself into a Committee (Programme Order, 30 September).
(In the Committee)
Clauses 1 and 2 agreed to.
Bill to be reported without amendment.
The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair.
Michael Tomlinson reported, That the Committee had gone through the Bill and made no amendment.
4Non-Domestic Rating (Lists) (No. 2) Bill: Third Reading
Bill read the third time, and passed.
Black History Month
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered Black History Month.—(Abena Oppong-Asare.)
The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Question put and agreed to.
Resolved, That this House has considered Black History Month.
6Statement: COVID-19 update (Secretary Matt Hancock)
7Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (Coronavirus) (Extension of the Relevant Period) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1031), dated 23 September 2020, a copy of which was laid before this House on 24 September, be approved.—(Eddie Hughes.)
The Speaker’s opinion as to the decision of the Question was challenged.
Division deferred until tomorrow (Standing Order No. 41A).
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1045), dated 27 September 2020, a copy of which was laid before this House on 28 September, be approved.—(Eddie Hughes.)
The Speaker’s opinion as to the decision of the Question was challenged.
Division deferred until tomorrow (Standing Order No. 41A).
(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (North of England, North East and North West of England and Obligations of Undertakings (England) etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1057), dated 30 September 2020, a copy of which was laid before this House on 30 September, be approved.—(Eddie Hughes.)
The Speaker’s opinion as to the decision of the Question was challenged.
Division deferred until tomorrow (Standing Order No. 41A).
(4) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Community Infrastructure Levy (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2020, which were laid before this House on 28 September, be approved.—(Eddie Hughes.)
The Speaker’s opinion as to the decision of the Question was challenged.
Division deferred until tomorrow (Standing Order No. 41A).
8Church of England (General Synod) (Measures)
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the General Synod (Remote Meetings) (Temporary Standing Orders) Measure (HC 879), passed by the General Synod of the Church of England, be presented to Her Majesty for her Royal Assent in the form in which it was laid before Parliament.—(Andrew Selous.)
Question agreed to.
(1) A public petition from residents of Glasgow North relating to the closure of the Partick branch of TSB Bank in Glasgow was presented and read by Patrick Grady.
(2) A public petition from residents of Glasgow North West relating to the closure of the Anniesland, Drumchapel and Partick branches of TSB Bank in Glasgow was presented and read by Carol Monaghan.
(3) A public petition from the residents of the constituency of Kilmarnock and Loudoun relating to Universal Credit uplift was presented and read by Alan Brown.
Subject: Remote education for pupils self-isolating during the COVID-19 outbreak (Siobhain McDonagh)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Eddie Hughes.)
Adjourned at 8.39 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Changes to Notices Given
11Decarbonisation and Economic Strategy Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 23 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 5 March 2021.
12Sexual Offences (Sports Coaches) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 23 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 5 February 2021.
Order for Second Reading on Friday 23 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 12 March 2021.
14European Citizens’ Rights Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 23 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 13 November.
15Remote Participation in House of Commons Proceedings (Motion) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 23 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 13 November.
16Death by Dangerous Driving (Sentencing) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 23 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 6 November.
Explanatory Notes to Bills
Explanatory Notes to the Bill to be printed (Bill 15–EN).
General Committees: Reports
18Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill Committee
David Mundell (Chair) reported written evidence submitted to the Committee.
Written evidence to be published.
19Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee
James Gray (Chair) reported the draft Communications Act (e-Commerce) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020.
20Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee
Christina Rees (Chair) reported the draft Higher Education (Fee Limits and Student Support) (England) (Coronavirus) (Revocation) 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).
21Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Higher Education (Fee Limits and Student Support) (England) (Coronavirus) (Revocation) Regulations 2020)
Members: Gareth Bacon discharged and Dean Russell nominated in substitution.
Reports from Select Committees
(1) In Search of Strategy—The 2020 Integrated Review: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report: Third Special Report, to be printed (HC 910);
(2) Progress in delivering the British Army’s armoured vehicle capability: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 659)
(Mr Tobias Ellwood).
23Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Broadband and the road to 5G: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 153) (Julian Knight).
Accountability hearings: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 262) (Robert Halfon).
25Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
(1) Flooding: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 170);
(2) Air quality: Written evidence, to be published (HC 468);
(3) Government support to the dairy sector during the COVID-19 pandemic: Written evidence, to be published (HC 598);
(4) Labour in the food supply chain: Written evidence, to be published (HC 231);
(5) Public sector procurement of food: Written evidence, to be published (HC 469);
(6) The work of DEFRA: Written evidence, to be published (HC 261)
(Neil Parish).
The UK’s role in strengthening multilateral organisations: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 513) (Tom Tugendhat).
27Health and Social Care Committee
Workforce burnout and resilience in the NHS and social care: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 703) (Jeremy Hunt).
28Human Rights (Joint Committee on)
Judicial review and enforcing human rights: Written evidence, to be published (HC 871) (Ms Harriet Harman).
29International Development Committee
(1) Sexual exploitation and abuse in the aid sector: next steps: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 605);
(2) Correspondence with the Foreign Secretary relating to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's review of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact: Written evidence, to be published
(Sarah Champion).
(1) Sentencing Council consultation on sentencing guidelines for firearms offences: Tenth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 827);
(2) The Coroner Service: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 282);
(3) Correspondence from the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Minister of State for Justice: Written evidence, to be published
(Sir Robert Neill).
31Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
(1) The evolution of devolution: English devolution: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 825);
(2) Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman scrutiny 2019–20: Written evidence, to be published (HC 843);
(3) The Government’s Constitution, Democracy and Rights Commission: Written evidence, to be published (HC 829);
(4) The work of the Cabinet Office: Written evidence, to be published (HC 118)
(Mr David Jones).
32Science and Technology Committee
UK science, research and technology capability and influence in global disease outbreaks: Written evidence, to be published (HC 136) (Greg Clark).
The House of Commons and the criminal law: protocols between the police and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and the Committee on Standards: Tenth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 883) (Chris Bryant).
Young and novice drivers: Written evidence, to be published (HC 169) (Huw Merriman).
(1) Tax after coronavirus: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 664);
(2) Correspondence from the Chancellor of the Exchequer: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct Authority relating to bank account closures: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Economic Secretary to the Treasury relating to the Annual Reports and Accounts for 2019–20 of the Financial Conduct Authority and of The Payment Systems Regulator Limited: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence relating to the FinCen Papers: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Decarbonisation and green finance: Written evidence, to be published (HC 147)
(Mel Stride).
36Women and Equalities Committee
(1) Unequal impact? Coronavirus and gendered economic impact: Written evidence, to be published (HC 385);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Women and Equalities: Written evidence, to be published
(Caroline Nokes).
Lindsay Hoyle
Speaker
Westminster Hall
The sitting began at 9.55 am.
Business appointed by the Chairman of Ways and Means (Standing Order No. 10(6))
1Support for children and families during the COVID-19 outbreak
Resolved, That this House has considered support for children and families during the COVID-19 outbreak.—(Danny Kruger.)
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 local clean air targets.—(Jeff Smith.)
At 4.00 pm, the Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 10(6)).
3Historical discrimination in boxing
Resolved, That this House has considered historical discrimination in boxing.—(Gerald Jones.)
4Role of colleges in a skills-led recovery from the COVID-19 outbreak
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered the role of colleges in a skills-led recovery from the COVID-19 outbreak.—(Peter Aldous.)
The Chair announced a time limit on backbench speeches (under the authority of the Chairman of Ways and Means and Standing Order No. 47(1)).
At 5.30 pm, the Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
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
1Exiting the European Union (Animals)
Draft Import of, and Trade in, Animals and Animal Products (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary George Eustice)
2Exiting the European Union (Environmental Protection)
Draft Waste and Environmental Permitting etc. (Legislative Functions and Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary George Eustice)
3Exiting the European Union (Medicines)
Draft Human Medicines (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Jo Churchill)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
(1) M1 Motorway (Junction 2) (50 Miles Per Hour Speed Limit) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1136), dated 14 October 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Grant Shapps)
(2) M25 Motorway (Junction 5) (50 Miles Per Hour Speed Limit) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1135), dated 14 October 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Grant Shapps)
Universal Credit (Earned Income) Amendment Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1138), dated 19 October 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Will Quince)
Other papers
Report of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for England and Wales for 2019–20 (by Act), to be printed (HC 856) (Secretary Robert Buckland)
(1) Explanatory Memorandum to the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Very High) (England) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1105) (laid 12 October) (by Command) (Secretary Matt Hancock)
(2) Explanatory Memorandum to the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Obligations of Hospitality Undertakings) (England) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1008) (laid 17 September) (by Command) (Secretary Alok Sharma)
Report under section 56(7) of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 on the making of a call-out order under section 56(1B) of that Act, dated 19 October 2020, in support of HM Government contingency planning relating to the end of the transition period under the agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (by Act) (James Heappey)
Withdrawn papers
9Exiting the European Union (Customs)
Draft Customs Safety, Security and Economic Operators Registration and Identification (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 and Explanatory Memorandum (laid 14 October)
10Exiting the European Union (European Union)
Draft European Union Withdrawal (Consequential Modifications) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 and Explanatory Memorandum (laid 8 October)
(1) Explanatory Memorandum to the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Very High) (England) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1105) (laid 12 October)
(2) Explanatory Memorandum to the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Obligations of Hospitality Undertakings) (England) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1008) (laid 17 September)
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 |
Julian Knight |
21 October 2020 |
Stuart Andrew |
Marsha De Cordova |
21 October 2020 |
Rachel Hopkins |
Ben Bradley |
21 October 2020 |
Stuart Andrew |
Christina Rees |
21 October 2020 |
Chris Elmore |
Jess Phillips |
21 October 2020 |
Chris Elmore |
Mr Simon Clarke |
21 October 2020 |
Stuart Andrew |
Conor McGinn |
21 October 2020 |
Chris Elmore |
Stephanie Peacock |
21 October 2020 |
Chris Elmore |
Stella Creasy |
21 October 2020 |
Chris Elmore |
John Lamont |
21 October 2020 |
Stuart Andrew |
Carol Monaghan |
21 October 2020 |
Patrick Grady |
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 he wishes to amend his proxy voting arrangement.
From 21 October the nominated proxy for Mr Marcus Fysh will be Craig Mackinlay 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 arrangements with effect from when the Speaker takes the Chair on the dates specified below:
Member |
From |
Apsana Begum |
21 October 2020 |
Katherine Fletcher |
21 October 2020 |
Dr Ben Spencer |
21 October 2020 |
Guy Opperman |
2 November 2020 |
Cherilyn Mackrory |
21 October 2020 |
CORRECTION
Wednesday 16 September
The title of item 4 should have read:
Remote Participation in House of Commons Proceedings (Motion): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)