Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 2.30 pm.
Prayers
1Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence
2Speaker’s Statement: Leak of the Prime Minister’s announcement
3Statement: COVID-19 update (The Prime Minister)
4Business Statement (Leader of the House)
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.
6Business of the House (4 November)
Ordered, That, at the sitting on Wednesday 4 November, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order No. 16(1) (Proceedings under an Act or on European Union documents), debate on the Motions in the name of Edward Argar relating to the draft Blood Safety and Quality (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, the draft Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, the draft Human Tissue (Quality and Safety for Human Application) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 and the draft Quality and Safety of Organs Intended for Transplantation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 may continue for up to three hours after the commencement of proceedings on the first such Motion; the Speaker shall then put forthwith the Questions necessary to dispose of each such Motion; proceedings may be entered upon, though opposed, after the moment of interruption; and Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply.—(James Morris.)
Subject: Support for rugby league during the COVID-19 outbreak (Yvette Cooper)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(James Morris.)
Adjourned at 10.29 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
General Committees: Reports
8First Delegated Legislation Committee
Philip Hollobone (Chair) reported the draft Agriculture (Payments) (Amendment, etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 and the draft Common Organisation of the Markets in Agricultural Products (Producer Organisations and Wine) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020.
9Second Delegated Legislation Committee
Caroline Nokes (Chair) reported the draft Nutrition (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) 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).
10Environment Bill (Programming Sub-Committee)
Members: Caroline Ansell and Jessica Morden discharged and Bim Afolami and Gill Furniss appointed in substitution.
Members: Caroline Ansell and Ruth Edwards discharged and Anthony Browne and Fay Jones nominated in substitution.
12Pension Schemes Bill [Lords] (Programming Sub-Committee)
Members: Guy Opperman, James Morris, Mrs Flick Drummond, Rob Roberts, Mrs Karen Buck, Florence Eshalomi and Neil Gray
13Pension Schemes Bill [Lords] Committee
Chairs: Graham Stringer in place of Julie Elliott.
14First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Agriculture (Payments) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020) and (draft Common Organisation of the Markets in Agriculture Products (Producer Organisations and Wine) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020)
Chair: Mr Philip Hollobone in place of Julie Elliott.
Members: Claire Coutinho and Colleen Fletcher discharged and Gill Furniss and Lia Nici nominated in substitution.
15Second Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Nutrition (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020)
Members: Jeff Smith discharged and Bambos Charalambous nominated in substitution.
16Third Delegated Legislation Committee (Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (High) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1128) and the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Very High) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1131))
Members: Saqib Bhatti, James Cartlidge, Jo Churchill, Theo Clarke, Steve Double, Dr Rupa Huq, Gareth Johnson, Mr Kevan Jones, Siobhain McDonagh, Justin Madders, Grahame Morris, Angela Richardson, Mr Virendra Sharma, Jane Stevenson, Maggie Throup, Matt Western and James Wild discharged.
17Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft State Aid (Revocations and Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020)
Members: Lucy Powell and Gary Sambrook discharged and Chi Onwurah and Nicola Richards nominated in substitution.
18Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Competition (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020)
Members: Lucy Powell discharged and Chi Onwurah nominated in substitution.
19Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Reciprocal and Cross-Border Healthcare (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020)
Members: Edward Argar and Alex Norris discharged and Jo Churchill and Liz Kendall nominated in substitution.
20Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Timber and Timber Products and FLEGT (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020)
Members: Gill Furniss and Peter Gibson discharged and Felicity Buchan and Colleen Fletcher nominated in substitution.
21Tenth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Sanctions (EU Exit) (Consequential Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2020)
Chair: Mr Philip Hollobone in place of Graham Stringer.
Reports from Select Committees relating to orders for printing made during the adjournment under Standing Order No. 137
Tuesday 27 October
22Science and Technology Committee
(1) A new UK research funding agency: Written evidence, to be published (HC 778);
(2) UK science, research and technology capability and influence in global disease outbreaks: Written evidence, to be published (HC 136);
(3) UK telecommunications infrastructure and the UK's domestic capability: Written evidence, to be published (HC 450)
(Clerk of the House).
Correspondence with the Secretary of State relating to Universal Credit: Written evidence, to be published (Clerk of the House).
* This item has been corrected since publication. See the Votes and Proceedings from 5 November 2020 for details.
Wednesday 28 October
24Science and Technology Committee
UK telecommunications infrastructure and the UK’s domestic capability: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 450) (Clerk of the House).
Friday 30 October
25Human Rights (Joint Committee on)
Correspondence from the Home Secretary relating to handling COVID-19 outbreaks in accommodation for asylum seekers: Written evidence, to be published (Clerk of the House).
Reports from Select Committees made on Monday 2 November
Record of the Committee’s discussions at its meeting on 2 November, to be published (Sir Charles Walker).
27Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Supporting our high streets after COVID-19: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 624) (Mr Clive Betts).
28Public Accounts (Committee of)
(1) Digital transformation in the NHS: Twenty-second Report, to be printed, with formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 680);
(2) Delivering carrier strike: Twenty-third Report, to be printed, with formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 684);
(3) Selecting towns for the Towns Fund: Twenty-fourth Report, to be printed, with formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 651);
(4) Specialist skills in the Civil Service: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 686);
(5) Correspondence from HM Treasury relating to the Spending Review 2020: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence from the Home Office relating to the Windrush scheme: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Correspondence from the Ministry of Justice relating to the Ministry of Justice Report and Accounts 2019–20: Written evidence, to be published;
(8) Correspondence relating to the Committee’s previous Reports: Written evidence, to be published;
(9) Restoration and Renewal: Written evidence, to be published (HC 549);
(10) Tackling the tax gap: Written evidence, to be published (HC 650)
(Meg Hillier).
Lindsay Hoyle
Speaker
Westminster Hall
The sitting began at 4.30 pm.
Debate on an e-petition (Standing Order Nos. 10(1)(a) and 145A(7))
Resolved, That this House has considered e-petition 276425, relating to the sale of fireworks.—(Tonia Antoniazzi.)
The sitting was suspended between 5.49 pm and 6.00 pm.
2School attendance during the COVID-19 outbreak
Resolved, That this House has considered e-petition 300399, relating to school attendance during the COVID-19 outbreak.—(Jonathan Gullis.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 7.03 pm until tomorrow.
Papers Laid
Papers presented and delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on the undermentioned dates during the adjournment under Standing Orders No. 158 and No. 159:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
Monday 26 October
Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Medium, High and Very High) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1176), dated 26 October 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Matt Hancock)
Thursday 29 October
Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Medium, High and Very High) (England) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1183), dated 29 October 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Matt Hancock)
Friday 30 October
Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (High) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1189), dated 30 October 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Matt Hancock)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Monday 26 October
Income Tax (Pay As You Earn) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1150), dated 22 October (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Jesse Norman)
Health Protection (Notification) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1175), dated 26 October 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Matt Hancock)
Tuesday 27 October
Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention and Work In Fishing Convention) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1166), dated 22 October (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Grant Shapps)
Value Added Tax (Refund of Tax to Museums and Galleries) (Amendment) Order 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1167), dated 23 October 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Jesse Norman)
Thursday 29 October
8Exiting the European Union (Education)
Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1181), dated 28 October 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Michelle Donelan)
Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1178), dated 26 October 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Grant Shapps)
Friday 30 October
Bank Levy (Loss Absorbing Instruments) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1188), dated 29 October 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (John Glen)
Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (England) (Amendment) (No. 21) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1190), dated 29 October 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Grant Shapps)
Other papers
Monday 26 October
12Exiting the European Union (Agriculture)
(1) Explanatory Memorandum to the Common Organisation of the Markets in Agricultural Products (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (laid 19 October) (by Command) (Secretary George Eustice)
(2) Explanatory Memorandum to the Common Organisation of the Markets in Agricultural Products (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (laid 19 October) (by Command) (Secretary George Eustice)
Thursday 29 October
13Exiting the European Union (Customs)
Explanatory Memorandum to the Export Control (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (laid 15 October) (by Command) (Secretary Elizabeth Truss)
Withdrawn papers
Monday 26 October
14Exiting the European Union (Agriculture)
(1) Explanatory Memorandum to the Common Organisation of the Markets in Agricultural Products (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (laid 19 October)
(2) Explanatory Memorandum to the Common Organisation of the Markets in Agricultural Products (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (laid 19 October)
Thursday 29 October
15Exiting the European Union (Customs)
Explanatory Memorandum to the Export Control (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (laid 15 October)
Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 2 November
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
Draft Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland (Democratic Consent Process) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Brandon Lewis)
17Exiting the European Union (Agriculture)
(1) Draft Aquatic Animal Health and Alien Species in Aquaculture, Animals, and Marketing of Seed, Plant and Propagating Material (Legislative Functions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary George Eustice)
(2) Draft Official Controls (Animals, Feed and Food, Plant Health etc.) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary George Eustice)
18Exiting the European Union (Food)
Draft Veterinary Medicines and Residues (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary George Eustice)
Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (High) (England) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1192), dated 30 October 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Ms Nadine Dorries)
Draft Business and Planning Act 2020 (London Spatial Development Strategy) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Christopher Pincher)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Energy Information (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1195), dated 2 November 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Kwasi Kwarteng)
Harwich Haven and Walton Backwaters (Application of the Pilotage Act 1987) Order 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1187), dated 27 October 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Grant Shapps)
Papers laid under paragraphs 3(3) and 17(3) of Schedule 7 to the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018
23Exiting the European Union (Agriculture)
Proposal for an instrument titled Animals, Aquatic Animal Health, Invasive Alien Species, Plant Propagating Material and Seeds (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Act) (Secretary George Eustice)
Other papers
Report by the Secretary of State for Transport on the use of his powers under section 70 of the Charities Act 2006 (by Act) (Secretary Grant Shapps)
25Exiting the European Union (Customs)
Explanatory Memorandum to the Export Control (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (laid 15 October) (by Command) (Secretary Elizabeth Truss)
Explanatory Memorandum to the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (High) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1189) (laid 30 October 2020) (by Command) (Secretary Matt Hancock)
27Statutory Instruments (Notification)
Communication declaring that the undermentioned Statutory Instrument had come into operation before copies were laid before Parliament, and explaining why such copies had not been so laid before the Instrument came into operation: Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (High) (England) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1192) (by Standing Order) (The Speaker)
Withdrawn papers
28Exiting the European Union (Customs)
Explanatory Memorandum to the Export Control (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (laid 29 October)
Explanatory Memorandum the the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (High) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1189) (laid 30 October)
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 |
Neale Hanvey |
2 November 2020 |
Patrick Grady |
Mr Clive Betts |
2 November 2020 |
Chris Elmore |
Imran Hussain |
2 November 2020 |
Judith Cummins |
Kevin Brennan |
2 November 2020 |
Chris Elmore |
Trudy Harrison |
2 November 2020 |
Stuart Andrew |
Gerald Jones |
2 November 2020 |
Chris Elmore |
Caroline Lucas |
2 November 2020 |
Bell Ribeiro-Addy |
Julie Elliott |
2 November 2020 |
Chris Elmore |
Brandon Lewis |
2 November 2020 |
Stuart Andrew |
Owen Thompson |
2 November 2020 |
Patrick Grady |
Beth Winter |
2 November 2020 |
Rachel Hopkins |
Chris Stephens |
2 November 2020 |
Patrick Grady |
Stephanie Peacock |
2 November 2020 |
Chris Elmore |
Dean Russell |
2 November 2020 |
Stuart Andrew |
Claire Coutinho |
2 November 2020 |
Stuart Andrew |
Jeff Smith |
2 November 2020 |
Chris Elmore |
Abena Oppong-Asare |
2 November 2020 |
Chris Elmore |
David Simmonds |
2 November 2020 |
Mike Freer |
Robert Halfon |
2 November 2020 |
Julie Marson |
Liz Twist |
2 November 2020 |
Chris Elmore |
Andrew Stephenson |
2 November 2020 |
Stuart Andrew |
Jessica Morden |
2 November 2020 |
Chris Elmore |
Christine Jardine |
2 November 2020 |
Wendy Chamberlain |
Mohammad Yasin |
2 November 2020 |
Chris Elmore |
Ruth Cadbury |
3 November 2020 |
Chris Elmore |
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan |
3 November 2020 |
Chris Elmore |
Tahir Ali |
3 November 2020 |
Chris Elmore |
Ms Nadine Dorries |
3 November 2020 |
Stuart Andrew |
Kirsten Oswald |
3 November 2020 |
Patrick Grady |
Julian Sturdy |
3 November 2020 |
Stuart Andrew |
Kelly Tolhurst |
3 November 2020 |
Stuart Andrew |
Heather Wheeler |
3 November 2020 |
Stuart Andrew |
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 Member has given notice that he wishes to amend his proxy voting arrangement:
From 2 November the nominated proxy for Imran Hussain will be Judith Cummins instead of Mohammad Yasin.
* This item has been corrected since publication. See the Votes and Proceedings from 5 November 2020 for details.
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 |
Marco Longhi |
2 November 2020 |
Christian Matheson |
2 November 2020 |
Patricia Gibson |
2 November 2020 |
Kirsten Oswald |
2 November 2020 |
Nickie Aiken |
2 November 2020 |
Mr Gregory Campbell |
2 November 2020 |
Feryal Clark |
2 November 2020 |
Louise Haigh |
2 November 2020 |
Simon Jupp |
2 November 2020 |
Ian Levy |
2 November 2020 |
Dr Jamie Wallis |
2 November 2020 |
Neil Gray |
2 November 2020 |
Dr Caroline Johnson |
2 November 2020 |
Alison Thewliss |
2 November 2020 |
Steve Double |
2 November 2020 |
Edward Timpson |
2 November 2020 |
Matthew Pennycook |
2 November 2020 |
Julian Knight |
3 November 2020 |
Gareth Thomas |
3 November 2020 |
Owen Thompson |
3 November 2020 |
Nigel Mills |
3 November 2020 |
Sarah Champion |
4 November 2020 |
Holly Lynch |
4 November 2020 |
Henry Smith |
4 November 2020 |
MEMORANDUM
Pursuant to Standing Order No. 118(1), the Speaker has rescinded the allocation of the following instruments, made on Wednesday 21 October, to the delegated legislation committees cited.
Third Delegated Legislation Committee: Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (High) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1128) and Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Very High) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1131).