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Votes and Proceedings
Thursday 22 October 2020

Read the agenda for business in the House of Commons chamber, Westminster Hall and Commons Committees.

Find out more about the Votes and Proceedings

Contents

Chamber business

The House met at 9.30 am.

Prayers

1National Audit Office (Answer to Address)

The Vice-Chamberlain of the Household reported to the House, That the Address of 1 July, praying that Her Majesty will appoint Dame Fiona Reynolds DBE to the Office of Chair of the National Audit Office from 10 January 2021 was presented to Her Majesty, who was graciously pleased to comply with the request.

2Local Government Boundary Commission for England (Answer to Address)

The Vice-Chamberlain of the Household reported to the House, That the Address of 7 September, praying that Her Majesty will re-appoint Colin Mellors OBE as chair of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, with effect from 1 January 2021 for the period ending on 31 December 2025, was presented to Her Majesty, who was graciously pleased to comply with the request.

3Electoral Commission (Answer to Address)

The Vice-Chamberlain of the Household reported to the House, That the Address of 7 September, praying that Her Majesty will re-appoint Alasdair Morgan as an Electoral Commissioner with effect from 1 October 2020 for the period ending on 30 September 2022, was presented to Her Majesty, who was graciously pleased to comply with the request.

4Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport

5Business Question (Leader of the House)

6Statement: Economy update (Chancellor of the Exchequer)

7Royal Assent

The Speaker reported that the Queen had signified Royal Assent to the following Acts and Measure under the Royal Assent Act 1967:

Sentencing Act 2020

Extradition (Provisional Arrest) Act 2020

8Statement: Update on the disparate impact of COVID-19 (Kemi Badenoch)

9Marriage (Authorised Belief Organisations) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)

Rehman Chishti, supported by Crispin Blunt, Ms Angela Eagle, Steve McCabe, Jeff Smith, Rachel Hopkins, Wera Hobhouse and Daisy Cooper, presented a Bill to amend the law on marriage to permit authorised belief organisations to solemnise marriages; and for connected purposes.

Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on 15 January 2021, and to be printed (Bill 203) with Explanatory Notes (Bill 203–EN).

10COVID-19

Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered COVID-19.—(Secretary Matt Hancock.)

The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).

Question put and agreed to.

11Proceedings during the pandemic (No. 5)

Ordered, That the Orders of 2 June (Proceedings during the pandemic (No. 2)), of 4 June (Virtual participation in proceedings during the pandemic), and of 23 September (Proxy Voting during the pandemic) shall have effect until 30 March 2021.—(David Duguid.) 

12Public petitions

A public petition from residents of the constituency of Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford relating to support for rugby league was presented and read by Yvette Cooper.

13Adjournment

Subject: Down syndrome awareness month (Dr Lisa Cameron)

Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(David Duguid.) 

Adjourned at 5.29 pm until tomorrow.

Other Proceedings

Lords Messages

14Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill

The Lords do not insist on their amendments to the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill to which the Commons have disagreed, and propose an Amendment in lieu of a Lords Amendment, to which they desire the agreement of the Commons.

Printing of Lords Amendments

15Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill

Lords Amendments to be considered tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 204).

General Committees: Reports

16Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill Committee

Graham Stringer (Chair) reported

(1) written evidence submitted to the Committee; and

(2) the Bill, without amendment.

Written evidence to be published.

Bill, not amended, to be considered tomorrow.

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).

17Second Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Nutrition (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020)

Members: Alexander Stafford discharged and Danny Kruger nominated in substitution.

Reports from Select Committees

18Backbench Business Committee  

Determination of business to be taken on Thursday 5 November in the Chamber and Tuesday 10, Thursday 12 and Tuesday 17 November in Westminster Hall (Ian Mearns).

19Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee

(1) Post-pandemic economic growth: Levelling up—local and regional structures and the delivery of economic growth: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 675);

(2) Correspondence from the Pubs Code Adjudicator relating to the investigation into Star Pubs & Bars Limited: Written evidence, to be published;

(3) Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport relating to the sale of ARM holdings: Written evidence, to be published;

(4) Correspondence relating to the British Business Bank: Written evidence, to be published;

(5) Delivering audit reform: Written evidence, to be published (HC 266);

(6) Post Office and Horizon: Written evidence, to be published (HC 143);

(7) Post-pandemic economic growth: industrial strategy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 674);

(8) UK Emissions Trading System Common Framework: Written evidence, to be published (HC 890);

(9) Work of the Department and government response to coronavirus: Written evidence, to be published (HC 301)

(Darren Jones).

20Environmental Audit Committee

(1) Biodiversity and ecosystems: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 636);

(2) Electronic waste and the circular economy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 220) 

(Philip Dunne).

21Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee

(1) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State relating to Supported Housing pilots and the National Statement of Expectations: Written evidence, to be published;

(2) Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Building Safety Bill: Written evidence, to be published (HC 466)

(Mr Clive Betts).

22International Development Committee

Correspondence with the Minister of State relating to official development assistance staff terms and conditions on sexual relations with beneficiaries: Written evidence, to be published (Sarah Champion).

23Public Accounts (Committee of)

(1) Starter Homes: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 88);

(2) Digital transformation in the NHS: Written evidence, to be published (HC 680);

(3) Correspondence from the Ministry of Defence relating to delivery of the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carrier Programme: Written evidence, to be published

(Meg Hillier).

24Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

The work of the Cabinet Office: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 118) (Mr William Wragg).

25Standards (Committee on)

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan:

(i) Ninth Report, with Appendices, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 904);

(ii) Written evidence, to be published (HC 904)

(Chris Bryant).

Lindsay Hoyle

Speaker

Westminster Hall

The sitting began at 1.30 pm.

Business determined by the Backbench Business Committee (Standing Orders Nos. 10(7) and 14(4))

1Select Committee statement

Publication of the Fourth Report of the Foreign Affairs Committee, A brave new Britain? The future of the UK's international policy, HC 380 (Tom Tugendhat)

2Transparency of the Integrated Activity Fund

Resolved, That this House has considered the transparency of the Integrated Activity Fund.—(David Linden.)

3Spending of the Ministry of Justice on legal aid

Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered the spending of the Ministry of Justice on legal aid.—(Sir Robert Neill.)

At 4.30 pm, the Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 10(14)).

Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).

Adjourned at 4.30 pm until Monday 2 November.

Eleanor Laing

Chairman of Ways and Means

Papers Laid

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution

1Exiting the European Union (Agriculture)

Draft Agricultural Products, Food and Drink (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary George Eustice)

2Exiting The European Union (Arms and Ammunition)

Draft Law Enforcement and Security (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Brandon Lewis)

3Exiting the European Union (Immigration)

Draft Immigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Order 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Priti Patel)

4Exiting the European Union (Sea Fisheries)

Draft Common Fisheries Policy (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary George Eustice)

5Public Health

Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Medium, High and Very High) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1154), dated 22 October 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Matt Hancock)

6Road Traffic

(1) Draft Heavy Commercial Vehicles in Kent (No. 1) (Amendment) Order 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Grant Shapps)

(2) Heavy Commercial Vehicles in Kent (No. 2) (Amendment) Order 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1155), dated 21 October 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Grant Shapps)

Papers subject to Negative Resolution

7British Nationality

British Nationality (General) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1141), dated 20 October 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Priti Patel)

8Civil Partnership

Marriage and Civil Partnership (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1143), dated 20 October 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Robin Walker)

9Exiting the European Union (Immigration)

Immigration and Nationality (Replacement of Tier 2 and Fees) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1147), dated 21 October 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Priti Patel)

10Immigration

Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command); to be printed (HC 813) (Secretary Priti Patel)

11National Health Service

National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) (Amendment) (No.3) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1152), dated 21 October 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Edward Argar)

12Road Traffic

Heavy Commercial Vehicles in Kent (No. 3) (Amendment) Order 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1146), dated 21 October 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Grant Shapps)

13Social Security

Social Security (Coronavirus) (Prisoners) Amendment Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1156), dated 21 October 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Will Quince)

Other papers

14Broadcasting

Report and Financial Statements of Channel Four Television Corporation for 2019 (by Act) (Mr John Whittingdale)

15Government Resources and Accounts

(1) Report and Accounts of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for 2019–20, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 795) (Secretary Grant Shapps)

(2) Report and Accounts of the Ministry of Defence for 2019–20, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 811) (Jesse Norman)

(3) Statement of Accounts of Returning Officers' Expenses (Northern Ireland) for 2019–20, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 887) (Jesse Norman)

16Health and Social Care

Government Response to the Fifth and Seventh Reports of Session 2019–21, from the Joint Committee on Human Rights, on the detention of young people with learning disabilities and/or autism and the implications of the Government's COVID-19 response (by Command) (CP 309) (Secretary Matt Hancock)

17Home Office

Government Response to the Annual Report from the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, on the Operation of the Terrorism Acts in 2018 (by Command) (CP 310) (Secretary Priti Patel)

18Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (Ratification of Convention)

Ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Combating Violence Against Women and Girls and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention): Report on Progress 2020 (by Act) (Secretary Priti Patel)

19Social Security Administration

Report and Accounts of the National Insurance Fund Investment Account for 2019–20, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 923) (John Glen)

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), and extended by the Order of 22 October 2020, 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 30 March 2021, unless the arrangement is ended or the House otherwise orders.

Member

From

Proxy

Ms Nadine Dorries

23 October 2020

Mike Freer

Ben Bradshaw

23 October 2020

Chris Elmore

Rehman Chishti

2 November 2020

Stuart Andrew

Lyn Brown

3 November 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), and extended by the Order of 22 October 2020, that the following Members have given notice that they wish to amend their proxy voting arrangement. 

From 23 October 2020

the nominated proxy for Nickie Aiken, Mr Richard Bacon, Mr John Baron, Sir Paul Beresford, Jake Berry, Bob Blackman, Crispin Blunt, Mr Peter Bone, Ben Bradley, Andrew Bridgen, Conor Burns, Sir William Cash, Mr Simon Clarke, Damian Collins, Alberto Costa, Mr Geoffrey Cox, Mr David Davis, Steve Double, Ruth Edwards, Sir David Evennett, Michael Fabricant, Mr Mark Francois, Dame Cheryl Gillan, Mrs Helen Grant, Sir Oliver Heald, Dr Neil Hudson, Mr Ranil Jayawardena, Dr Caroline Johnson, Simon Jupp, Alicia Kearns, Sir Greg Knight, Julian Knight, Ian Levy, Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger, Marco Longhi, Mr Jonathan Lord, Karl McCartney, Mark Menzies, Stephen Metcalfe, Nigel Mills, David Morris, Anne Marie Morris, Guy Opperman, Mr Owen Paterson, Sir Mike Penning, Selaine Saxby, Chloe Smith, Henry Smith, Sir Gary Streeter, Mel Stride, Edward Timpson, Dr Jamie Wallis and David Warburton will be Mike Freer 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), and extended by the Order of 22 October 2020, 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

Stewart McDonald

23 October 2020

Deidre Brock

2 November 2020

Stephen Farry

2 November 2020

4. Variation of existing parental absence proxy voting arrangements

The Speaker has certified, under the terms of Standing Order No. 39A (Voting by proxy), that Siobhan Baillie has given notice that she wishes to vary her proxy vote arrangement. Her nominated proxy will be Mike Freer with effect from 23 October.

CORRECTION

Monday 18 May 2020

Item 14 (Other Proceedings) should have read:

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee 

(1) Waste Strategy: Implications for local authorities: Government Response to the Committee's Nineteenth Report of Session 2017–19: First Special Report, to be printed (HC 363);

(2) Correspondence from the Local Government Association relating to waste strategy: Written evidence, to be published;

(3) Correspondence from the Secretary of State relating to funding for domestic abuse and homelessness charities: Written evidence, to be published;

(4) Impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on homelessness and the private rented sector: Written evidence, to be published (HC 309);

(5) Long-term delivery of social and affordable housing: Written evidence, to be published (HC 173);

(6) Progress of devolution in England: Written evidence, to be published (HC 174);

(7) Work of the Department: Written evidence, to be published (HC 302)

(Clerk of the House).