Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 2.30 pm.
Prayers
1Speaker’s Statements: (1) Anniversary of the death of PC Keith Palmer GM
(2) Suspension to resolve broadcast connection problem
2Questions to the Home Secretary
3Statements: (1) Human rights update (Secretary Dominic Raab)
(2) Integrated Review: Defence Command Paper (Secretary Ben Wallace)
4Trade Bill: Consideration of Lords Message
The House proceeded to consider the Lords Message received on 24 February relating to the Trade Bill (Programme Order, 19 January).
The Deputy Speaker announced that Lords Amendment 3E engaged Commons financial privilege.
The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Commons Amendments 3C and 3D and Lords Amendment 3E
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House insists on Commons Amendments 3C and 3D and disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment 3E.—(Greg Hands.)
Amendment (a) proposed.—(Sir Iain Duncan Smith.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The House divided.
Division No. 243
Ayes: 300 (Tellers: Jeff Smith, Bambos Charalambous)
Noes: 318 (Tellers: Maria Caulfield, Michael Tomlinson)
Question accordingly negatived.
As it was more than one hour after the commencement of proceedings on the consideration of the Lords Message on the Trade Bill, the Deputy Speaker put the Questions necessary to bring proceedings to a conclusion (Order of 19 January).
The following Question was put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83G).
That this House insists on Commons Amendments 3C and 3D and disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment 3E (Question on a motion made by a Minister on or relevant to any of the remaining items in the Lords message).
The House divided.
Division No. 244
Ayes: 319 (Tellers: Maria Caulfield, Michael Tomlinson)
Noes: 297 (Tellers: Jeff Smith, Bambos Charalambous)
Question agreed to.
Commons Amendments 3C and 3D accordingly insisted upon and Lords Amendment 3E disagreed to.
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83H(2)), That a Committee be appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for insisting on Commons Amendments 3C and 3D and for disagreeing to their Amendment 3E to the Trade Bill.
That Greg Hands, Maria Caulfield, Michael Tomlinson, Emily Thornberry and Drew Hendry be members of the Committee.
That Greg Hands be the Chair of the Committee.
That three be the quorum of the Committee.
That the Committee do withdraw immediately.—(Tom Pursglove.)
Question agreed to.
5Fire Safety Bill: Consideration of Lords Message
The House proceeded to consider the Lords Message received on 17 March relating to the Fire Safety Bill (Order, 24 February).
The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Lords Amendments 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendments 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E.—(Christopher Pincher.)
As it was one hour after the commencement of proceedings on consideration of the Lords Message to the Fire Safety Bill, the Deputy Speaker put the Question necessary to bring those proceedings to a conclusion (Programme Order, 24 February).
The following Question was put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83G).
That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendments 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E (Question already proposed from the Chair).
The House divided.
Division No. 245
Ayes: 322 (Tellers: Maria Caulfield, Michael Tomlinson)
Noes: 253 (Tellers: Bambos Charalambous, Jeff Smith)
Question agreed to.
Lords Amendments 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E accordingly disagreed to.
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83H(2)), That a Committee be appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their Amendments 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E to the Fire Safety Bill.
That Christopher Pincher, Tom Pursglove, Mike Wood and Sarah Jones be members of the Committee.
That Christopher Pincher be the Chair of the Committee.
That three be the quorum of the Committee.
That the Committee do withdraw immediately.—(James Morris.)
Question agreed to.
6Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Bill (No. 2): Programme
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83A(7)), That the following provisions shall apply to the Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Bill for the purpose of supplementing the Order of 9 June 2020 (Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Bill (Programme)):
Consideration of Lords Amendments
(1) Proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement.
Subsequent stages
(2) Any further Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question being put.
(3) The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement.—(James Morris.)
Question agreed to.
7Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Bill: Consideration of Lords Amendments
Lords Amendment 1 agreed to.
Lords Amendments 2 to 17 agreed to.
Lords Amendment 18 disagreed to.
Amendments (a) to (e) made in lieu of Lords Amendment 18.
Lords Amendments 19 to 77 agreed to.
8Trade Bill (Reasons Committee)
Greg Hands (Chair) reported that the Committee had agreed the following Reason for insisting on Commons Amendments 3C and 3D and disagreeing with Lords Amendment 3E:
Because Amendments 3C and 3D make appropriate provision for taking reports of genocide into account during parliamentary scrutiny of trade agreements, and because Amendment 3E would impose a charge on public funds; and the Commons do not offer any further Reason in respect of Amendment 3E, trusting that this Reason may be deemed sufficient.
The Reason was agreed to.
9Fire Safety Bill (Reasons Committee)
Christopher Pincher (Chair) reported that the Committee had agreed the following Reasons for disagreeing with Lords Amendments 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E:
Lords Amendments 4B and 4C
Because the issue of remediation costs is too complex to be dealt with in the manner proposed.
Lords Amendment 4D
Because it is supplemental to Lords Amendment 4C to which the Commons disagree.
Lords Amendment 4E
Because it is consequential on Lords Amendments 4C and 4D to which the Commons disagree.
The Reasons were agreed to.
10Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill [Lords]: Programme (No. 2)
Ordered, That the Order of 2 February 2021 (Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill [Lords] (Programme)), be varied as follows:
(1) Paragraphs (4) and (5) of the Order shall be omitted.
(2) Proceedings on Consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion two hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion for this Order.
(3) Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion three hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion for this Order.—(James Morris.)
11Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill [Lords] (Report Stage): Consideration of the Bill, as amended in the Public Bill Committee
New Clause NC1—(John McDonnell)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time.
Clause, by leave, withdrawn.
12Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill [Lords]: Third Reading
Bill read the third time, and passed with Amendments.
Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that Her Majesty will appoint John Pullinger CB as the Chair of the Electoral Commission with effect from 1 May 2021 for the period ending on 30 April 2025.—(Mr Jacob Rees-Mogg.)
14Deputy Speaker’s Statement: Discretion of the Chair on matters sub-judice
Subject: Health and safety regulations and cranes (Apsana Begum)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(David T C Davies.)
Adjourned at 11.52 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
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).
16Second Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Nuclear Safeguards (Fissionable Material and Relevant International Agreements) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2021)
Members: Rushanara Ali, Stuart Anderson, Stuart Andrew, Richard Burgon, Dawn Butler, Maria Caulfield, Bambos Charalambous, Rosie Cooper, David T C Davies, Mark Fletcher, Mr Marcus Jones, Scott Mann, James Morris, David Rutley, Nick Smith, Anne-Marie Trevelyan and Dr Alan Whitehead discharged.
Reports from Select Committees made on Monday 22 March
Record of the Committee’s discussions at its meeting on 22 March, to be published (Sir Charles Walker).
18Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Economics of music streaming: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 868) (Julian Knight).
19Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
(1) Protecting the homeless and the private rented sector: MHCLG’s response to Covid-19: Sixth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 1329);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing: Written evidence, to be published
(Mr Clive Betts).
20National Security Strategy (Joint Committee on)
(1) National security machinery: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1122);
(2) Conflict, Stability and Security Fund annual report: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1151)
(Margaret Beckett).
The procedure of the House of Commons and the territorial constitution: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 838) (Karen Bradley).
22Public Accounts (Committee of)
(1) BBC strategic financial management: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 939);
(2) Correspondence from the National Association of Head Teachers relating to pupil premium: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence relating to the Committee’s previous Reports: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Department for Transport recall: Written evidence, to be published (HC 850);
(5) Immigration enforcement: Written evidence, to be published (HC 407);
(6) Improving broadband: Written evidence, to be published (HC 688);
(7) The Industrial Strategy Challenge fund: Written evidence, to be published (HC 941)
(Meg Hillier).
(1) Correspondence from the Economic Secretary relating to the Government’s sale of NatWest Group shares: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Future of financial services: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1158)
(Mel Stride).
Lindsay Hoyle
Speaker
Westminster Hall
The sitting began at 4.30 pm.
Debate on an e-petition (Standing Orders No. 10(1)(a) and No. 145A(7))
1Consent for a referendum on Scottish independence
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered e-petition 570779, relating to consent for a referendum on Scottish independence.—(Chris Evans.)
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 e-petition 570779, relating to consent for a referendum on Scottish independence.
The sitting was suspended between 5.55 pm and 6.15 pm (Order, 25 February).
2Government's Spring 2021 COVID-19 roadmap
Resolved, That this House has considered e-petitions 313310, 557167, 563904, 566718 and 567492, relating to the Government's Spring 2021 COVID-19 roadmap.—(Nick Fletcher.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 7.26 pm until tomorrow.
Eleanor Laing
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers presented and delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 19 March 2021 under Standing Orders No. 158 and No. 159:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Patents (European Patent with Unitary Effect and Unified Patent Court) (Repeal and Revocation) Regulations 2021 (SI, 2021, No. 355), dated 17 March 2021 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng)
Papers laid under paragraphs 3(3) and 17(3) of Schedule 7 to the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018
2Exiting The European Union (Climate Change)
Proposal for an instrument titled Climate and Energy (Revocation) (EU Exit) Regulations 2021, with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Act) (Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng)
Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 22 March 2021
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
Draft Food and Feed Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2021 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Jo Churchill)
Draft Electricity Trading (Development of Technical Procedures) (Day-Ahead Market Timeframe) Regulations 2021 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng)
Draft Air Quality (Legislative Functions) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary George Eustice)
(1) Draft Asian Development Bank (Twelfth Replenishment of the Asian Development Fund) Order 2021 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Nigel Adams)
(2) Draft Caribbean Development Bank (Tenth Replenishment of the Special Development Fund (Unified)) Order 2021 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Nigel Adams)
Draft Mobile Homes (Requirement for Manager of Site to be Fit and Proper Person) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Eddie Hughes)
(1) Draft Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cash Searches: Code of Practice) Order 2021 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Priti Patel)
(2) Draft Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Investigations: Code of Practice) Order 2021 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Priti Patel)
(3) Draft Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Investigative Powers of Prosecutors: Code of Practice) Order 2021 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Attorney General)
(4) Draft Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Recovery of Listed Assets: Code of Practice) Regulations 2021 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Priti Patel)
(5) Draft Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Search, Seizure and Detention of Property: Code of Practice) (Northern Ireland) Order 2021 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Priti Patel)
(1) Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Steps) (England) Regulations 2021 (SI, 2021, No. 364), dated 22 March 2021 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Matt Hancock)
(2) Public Health (Coronavirus) (Protection from Eviction) (England) (No. 2) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (SI, 2021, No. 362), dated 19 March 2021 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Robert Buckland)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
10Exiting the European Union (Food)
Meat Preparations (Amendment and Transitory Modification) (England) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (SI, 2021, No. 366), dated 22 March 2021 (by Statutory Instrument), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary George Eustice)
Papers laid under paragraphs 3(3) and 17(3) of Schedule 7 to the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018
11Exiting The European Union (Energy)
Proposal for an instrument titled Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Motor Fuel Emissions (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2021, with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Act) (Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng)
Other papers
Return of expenditure incurred and prosecutions taken under the Animal Health Act 1981 and incidences of disease in imported animals for the year 2020 (by Act) (Secretary George Eustice)
One year report on the status of the non-devolved provisions of the Coronavirus Act 2020 (by Act) (Secretary Matt Hancock)
Defence in a competitive age (by Command) (CP 411) (Secretary Ben Wallace)
Business Plan of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, April 2021 to March 2024 (by Act) (Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng)
Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Investigation into government funding to charities during the COVID-19 pandemic (by Act), to be printed (HC 1236) (Clerk of the House)
(1) Investigations: draft Code of Practice issued under Section 377 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (by Act) (Secretary Priti Patel)
(2) Investigative Powers of Prosecutors: draft Revised Code of Practice issued under Section 377A of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (by Act) (Attorney General)
(3) Recovery of Cash: Search Powers: draft Code of Practice issued under Section 292 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (by Act) (Secretary Priti Patel)
(4) Recovery of Listed Assets: Search Powers: draft Code of Practice issued under Section 303G of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (by Act) (Secretary Priti Patel)
(5) Search, Seizure and Detention of Property (Northern Ireland): draft Code of Practice issued under Section 195S of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (by Act) (Secretary Priti Patel)
Treasure Act Report for 2018 (by Act) (Caroline Dinenage)
Withdrawn papers
19Exiting The European Union (Energy)
Proposal for an instrument titled Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Motor Fuel Emissions (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2021, with an Explanatory Memorandum (laid 18 March)
Secretary of State determination of fishing opportunities for British fishing boats (laid 25 January)
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 |
|
Leo Docherty |
22 March |
Stuart Andrew |
|
Maggie Throup |
22 March |
Stuart Andrew |
|
Liz Twist |
22 March |
Sir Alan Campbell |
|
Sir Iain Duncan Smith |
23 March |
Stuart Andrew |
|
Chris Loder |
24 March |
Robbie Moore |
2. 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 |
|
Sir Iain Duncan Smith |
22 March |
|
Jeff Smith |
22 March |
|
Tom Hunt |
23 March |
|
Scott Mann |
23 March |
|
James Morris |
23 March |
CORRECTIONS
Tuesday 16 March 2021
Item 29 (Other Proceedings) should have read:
Science and Technology Committee
(1) Work of the Biometrics Commissioner and Forensic Science Regulator: Government Response to the Nineteenth Report from the Committee of Session 2017-19: Third Special Report, to be printed (HC 1319);
(2) A new UK research funding agency: Written evidence, to be published (HC 778);
(3) The role of Hydrogen in achieving net zero: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1066);
(4) UK science, research and technology capability and influence in global disease outbreaks: Written evidence, to be published (HC 136)
(Greg Clark).
Thursday 18 March 2021
This should have appeared after item 9 (Other Proceedings):
Fixed-term Parliaments Act (Joint Committee on the)
Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 1046) (John Spellar).