Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to the Chancellor of the Exchequer
2Apologies: 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 the effect of an apology in certain legal proceedings;
That John Howell, John Spellar, Greg Clark, Chris Grayling, Chris Bryant, Kenny MacAskill, Sir Paul Beresford, Sir Roger Gale, Sir Robert Neill, Mrs Heather Wheeler, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Rob Butler present the Bill.
John Howell accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 5 March 2021, and to be printed (Bill 221).
3Business of the House (Today)
Ordered, That, at today’s sitting, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order No. 16 (Proceedings under an Act or on European Union Documents), debate on the Motions in the name of Secretary Matt Hancock relating to the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (All Tiers) (England) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1374) and the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Local Authority Enforcement and Amendment Powers) (England) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1375) may continue until 7.00 pm, at which time the Speaker shall put the questions necessary to bring proceedings on each Motion to a conclusion; and Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply.—(Mr Jacob Rees-Mogg.)
Motion made and Question proposed, That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (All Tiers) (England) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1374), dated 30 November 2020, a copy of which was laid before this House on 30 November, be approved.—(The Prime Minister.)
The Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Question put.
The House divided.
Division No. 174
Ayes: 291 (Tellers: Maggie Throup, Michael Tomlinson)
Noes: 78 (Tellers: Sir Robert Syms, Mr Steve Baker)
Question accordingly agreed to.
Resolved, That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (All Tiers) (England) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1374), dated 30 November 2020, a copy of which was laid before this House on 30 November, be approved.
As it was after 7.00 pm, the Deputy Speaker put the Question necessary to bring proceedings on the remaining Motion to a conclusion (Order, today).
The following Question was put forthwith:
That the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Local Authority Enforcement Powers) (England) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1375), dated 30 November 2020, a copy of which was laid before this House on 30 November, be approved.—(Leo Docherty.)
Question agreed to.
5Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Import of, and Trade in, Animals and Animal Products (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, which were laid before this House on 20 October, be approved.—(Leo Docherty.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Official Controls (Animals, Feed and Food, Plant Health etc.) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, which were laid before this House on 2 November, be approved.—(Leo Docherty.)
Question agreed to.
(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Jurisdiction, Judgments and Applicable Law (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, which were laid before this House on 30 September, be approved.—(Leo Docherty.)
Question agreed to.
(4) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Veterinary Medicines and Residues (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, which were laid before this House on 2 November, be approved.—(Leo Docherty.)
The Deputy Speaker’s opinion as to the decision of the Question was challenged.
Division deferred until tomorrow (Standing Order No. 41A).
A public petition from residents of the constituency of North Ayrshire and Arran relating to support for people excluded from COVID-19 measures was presented and read by Patricia Gibson.
Subject: The HIV Commission (Steve Brine)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Leo Docherty.)
Adjourned at 7.43 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
General Committees: Reports
8Financial Services Bill Committee
Philip Davies (Chair) reported written evidence submitted to the Committee.
Written evidence to be published.
9National Security and Investment Bill Committee
Sir Graham Brady (Chair) reported written evidence submitted to the Committee.
Written evidence to be published.
Reports from Select Committees
10Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee
(1) Net Zero and UN Climate Summits: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 144);
(2) Business preparedness for Brexit: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1001);
(3) Correspondence from the Secretary of State: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence with the Secretary of State relating to Arcadia: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) RIIO 2: energy network price controls: Written evidence, to be published (HC 983);
(6) The impact of coronavirus on businesses and workers: Written evidence, to be published (HC 219)
(Darren Jones).
(1) Pre-appointment hearing for the Service Complaints Ombudsman:
(i) Third Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 989);
(ii) Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 989);
(2) Correspondence with the Minister for the Armed Forces relating to deployment of troops to Mali: Written evidence, to be published
(Martin Docherty-Hughes).
12Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee
(1) Sport in our communities: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 869);
(2) Correspondence relating to an agreement between the English Football League and the English Premier League: Written evidence, to be published
(Julian Knight).
(1) Left behind white pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 279);
(2) Home education: Written evidence, to be published (HC 839);
(3) The impact of COVID-19 on education and children’s services: Written evidence, to be published (HC 254);
(4) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Apprenticeships and Skills relating to a catch-up premium and apprenticeships: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence from the Secretary of State relating to school deficits: Written evidence, to be published
(Robert Halfon).
14Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
(1) Public sector procurement of food: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 469);
(2) Tree planting and woodlands: Written evidence, to be published (HC 814);
(3) UK-Norway Framework Fisheries Agreement: Written evidence, to be published (HC 916)
(Neil Parish).
15European Statutory Instruments Committee
Fourteenth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 787) (Andrew Jones).
(1) The FCO’s role in blocking foreign asset stripping in the UK: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 296);
(2) Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy relating to progress on the trade continuity programme: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Xinjiang detention camps: Written evidence, to be published (HC 800)
(Tom Tugendhat).
17Health and Social Care Committee
Safety of maternity services in England: Written evidence to be published (HC 677) (Jeremy Hunt).
18Health and Social Care Committee and Science and Technology Committee
Coronavirus: lessons learnt: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 877) (Jeremy Hunt).
(1) Appointment of the Chair of the Independent Monitoring Authority: Fourteenth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 954);
(2) The work of the Lord Chancellor: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 225);
(3) Correspondence with the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Court capacity: Written evidence, to be published (HC 284);
(5) The Coroner Service: Written evidence, to be published (HC 282);
(6) The future of legal aid: Written evidence, to be published (HC 289)
(Sir Robert Neill).
(1) Record of the Committee’s decisions relating to e-petitions, to be published;
(2) List of closed e-petitions presented to the House, to be published;
(3) Public engagement on e-petitions: Written evidence, to be published (HC 546)
(Catherine McKinnell).
21Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
(1) The Committee on Standards in Public Life: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1028);
(2) Correspondence from the Commissioner for Public Appointments relating to the Annual Report of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments for 2019–20: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with Mr Steve Baker MP relating to the use of experts in the field of public administration: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Data transparency and accountability: COVID-19: Written evidence, to be published (HC 803);
(5) The evolution of devolution: English devolution: Written evidence, to be published (HC 825);
(6) The work of the Cabinet Office: Written evidence, to be published (HC 118)
(Mr William Wragg).
22Science and Technology Committee
The role of technology, research and innovation in the COVID-19 recovery: Written evidence, to be published (HC 697) (Greg Clark).
(1) Coronavirus: implications for transport: Written evidence, to be published (HC 268);
(2) Reforming public transport after the pandemic: Written evidence, to be published (HC 676)
(Huw Merriman).
(1) Spending Review 2020: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1029);
(2) Correspondence from the Director of Counter Avoidance, HM Revenue and Customs relating to a tax avoidance update: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and lndustrial Strategy relating to the Low Pay Commission: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Decarbonisation and green finance: Written evidence, to be published (HC 147);
(5) Economic crime: Written evidence, to be published (HC 917);
(6) Economic impact of coronavirus: Written evidence, to be published (HC 882);
(7) Tax after coronavirus: Written evidence, to be published (HC 664);
(8) Work of the Financial Conduct Authority: Written evidence, to be published (HC 950)
(Mel Stride).
Brexit and trade: implications for Wales: Written evidence, to be published (HC 176) (Stephen Crabb).
26Women and Equalities Committee
(1) Reform of the Gender Recognition Act: Written evidence, to be published (HC 884);
(2) Unequal impact? Coronavirus and BAME people: Written evidence, to be published (HC 384);
(3) Correspondence from the Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Gypsies, Travellers and Roma relating to inequalities faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Commissioner for Public Appointments relating to the Annual Report of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments for 2019–20: Written evidence, to be published
(Caroline Nokes).
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))
1Raising awareness of signs and symptoms of cancer in teenagers and young adults
Resolved, That this House has considered the matter of raising awareness of signs and symptoms of cancer in teenagers and young adults.—(Jim Shannon.)
Resolved, That this House has considered the matter of hare coursing.—(Gordon Henderson.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.28 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
3The Government's levelling-up agenda and post-COVID-19 economic recovery in North Staffordshire Potteries towns
Resolved, That this House has considered the Government’s levelling-up agenda and post-COVID-19 economic recovery in North Staffordshire Potteries towns.—(Jack Brereton.)
4Parking charges for NHS staff at hospitals during the COVID-19 outbreak
Resolved, That this House has considered the matter of parking charges for NHS staff at hospitals during the COVID-19 outbreak.—(Zarah Sultana.)
5Defence procurement and supply chains
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered defence procurement and supply chains.—(Mick Whitley.)
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)).
Resolved, That this House has considered defence procurement and supply chains.
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.28 pm until tomorrow.
Eleanor Laing
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
1Exiting the European Union (Civil Aviation)
Draft Airports Slot Allocation (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (by Command), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Act) (Secretary Grant Shapps)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Direct Payments to Farmers and Cross-Compliance (Simplifications) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1387), dated 30 November 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary George Eustice)
3Exiting the European Union (Agriculture)
Animals, Aquatic Animal Health, Invasive Alien Species, Plant Propagating Material and Seeds (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1388), dated 30 November 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary George Eustice)
4Exiting the European Union (Capital Gains Tax)
Double Taxation Dispute Resolution (EU) (Revocation) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1383), dated 30 November 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Jesse Norman)
5Exiting the European Union (Immigration and Asylum)
Immigration (Citizens’ Rights etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1372), dated 27 November 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Priti Patel)
Public Lending Right Scheme 1982 (Commencement of Variation) (No. 2) Order 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1370), dated 26 November 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Caroline Dinenage)
Parish and Community Meetings (Coronavirus) (Polls) (Amendment) (England) Rules 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1355), dated 26 November 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Luke Hall)
Value Added Tax (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1384), dated 30 November 2020 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Jesse Norman)
Other papers
Draft Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 (Repeal) Bill (by Command) (CP 322) (Chloe Smith)
Report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills for 2019–20 (by Act), to be printed (HC 972) (Nick Gibb)
Two monthly report on the status of the non-devolved provisions of the Coronavirus Act 2020 (by Command) (CP 334) (Secretary Matt Hancock)
Report on the use of the closed material procedure from 25 June 2018 to 24 June 2019 (by Act) (Secretary Robert Buckland)
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 Orders of 23 September 2020 (Proxy voting during the pandemic) and 3 November 2020 (Proxy voting during the pandemic (No. 2)) 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 below, starting on the dates specified below and ending on Tuesday 30 March 2021, unless the arrangement is ended or the House otherwise orders.
|
Member |
From |
Proxy |
|
Richard Drax |
2 December 2020 |
Stuart Andrew |
|
Selaine Saxby |
2 December 2020 |
Stuart Andrew |
|
Anthony Browne |
1 December 2020 |
Stuart Andrew |
|
Stephen Hammond |
2 December 2020 |
Stuart Andrew |
|
Imran Ahmad Khan |
2 December 2020 |
Stuart Andrew |
|
Bill Wiggin |
2 December 2020 |
Stuart Andrew |
|
Mark Jenkinson |
2 December 2020 |
Stuart Andrew |
|
Julian Sturdy |
2 December 2020 |
Stuart Andrew |
|
Craig Tracey |
2 December 2020 |
Stuart Andrew |
|
Sir Robert Neill |
2 December 2020 |
Stuart Andrew |
|
Craig Mackinlay |
2 December 2020 |
Stuart Andrew |
|
Andrea Leadsom |
2 December 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 Orders of 23 September 2020 (Proxy voting during the pandemic) and 3 November 2020 (Proxy voting during the pandemic (No. 2)) 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 December 2020 the nominated proxy for Andrew Gwynne will be Chris Elmore instead of Graham Stringer.
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 Orders of 23 September 2020 (Proxy voting during the pandemic) and 3 November 2020 (Proxy voting during the pandemic (No. 2)) 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 |
|
Andrew Bowie |
2 December 2020 |
|
Chris Loder |
2 December 2020 |