Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 9.30 am.
Prayers
1Private Bills: Monken Hadley Common Bill: Consideration of Lords Amendments
Ordered, That the Lords Amendments be now considered.—(The Chairman of Ways and Means.)
Question agreed to.
Lords Amendments 1 and 2 agreed to.
2Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(2) the hon. Member representing the Church Commissioners and the hon. Member representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
3Urgent Question: Homes for Ukraine: visa application centres (Kevin Foster)
The Speaker suspended the sitting until 12.20 pm (Order, 26 April).
5Message to attend the Lords Commissioners
A Message from the Lords Commissioners was delivered by the Lady Usher of the Black Rod:
Mr Speaker,
The Lords, authorised by virtue of Her Majesty's Commission, for declaring Her Royal Assent to Acts agreed upon by both Houses, and for proroguing the present Parliament, desire the immediate attendance of this Honourable House in the House of Peers, to hear the Commission read.
Accordingly the Speaker, with the House, went up to the House of Peers, where a Commission was read, giving, declaring and notifying the Royal Assent to the following Acts, and for proroguing this present Parliament.
Local Government (Disqualification) Act 2022
Down Syndrome Act 2022
Animals (Penalty Notices) Act 2022
Professional Qualifications Act 2022
Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022
Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022
Subsidy Control Act 2022
Cultural Objects (Protection from Seizure) Act 2022
Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) Act 2022
Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022
Approved Premises (Substance Testing) Act 2022
Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022
Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Act 2022
Building Safety Act 2022
Health and Care Act 2022
Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022
Pension Schemes (Conversion of Guaranteed Minimum Pensions) Act 2022
British Sign Language Act 2022
Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022
Nationality and Borders Act 2022
Elections Act 2022
Monken Hadley Common Act 2022
And afterwards Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech was delivered to both Houses of Parliament by the Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal (in pursuance of Her Majesty's Command), as follows:
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
My Government has acted to address the unprecedented issues the United Kingdom has faced, from the global pandemic to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As the nation has recovered from COVID-19, my Ministers have taken action to build a strong and prosperous United Kingdom. My Government has continued to address the impact of the pandemic on business and the NHS and to level up opportunities, jobs and growth across the country. My Ministers also worked with international partners to protect and promote freedom and democracy across the globe.
My Ministers continued to implement the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy. My Government invested further in our gallant Armed Forces, spending more money last year than in any of the past thirty years. It has also worked with international partners to support the people of Ukraine and respond to the crisis. Legislation was passed to tackle economic crime and ensure transparency in property ownership. My Ministers also ensured that punitive sanctions were imposed on individuals and organisations undermining the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
My Government has taken forward a programme of modernisation for the Armed Forces and reinforced the United Kingdom's commitment to NATO. My Ministers honoured and strengthened the Armed Forces Covenant, placing it in law. Measures were introduced to provide relief from National Insurance contributions for employers of veterans.
My Government took action to protect the health of the nation. The vaccination programme delivered over 140 million doses and additional funding was provided to support the NHS. Legislation was passed to empower the NHS to innovate and reduce bureaucracy. As a result, patients will receive more tailored care, closer to home. My Ministers set out proposals to secure the long term funding of adult social care.
Building on the success of the vaccination programme and new ways of funding research and innovation, my Ministers oversaw the fastest ever increase in public funding for research and development. This will support pioneering new treatments against diseases such as cancer and secure jobs and investment across the country.
My Government introduced measures to increase the safety and security of its citizens.
Legislation strengthened police powers to tackle crime and disorder, increased sentences for the most serious and violent offenders and ensured the timely administration of justice. Measures were passed to establish an immigration system that strengthens the United Kingdom's borders and deters criminals who facilitate dangerous and illegal journeys.
My Government introduced legislation that will ensure internet safety for all, especially for children, while harnessing the benefits of a free, open and secure internet. Legislation was passed to better protect digital infrastructure.
My Government invested in new green industries to create jobs, while protecting the environment. The United Kingdom hosted the COP26 Summit in Glasgow.
Legislation was passed that will set binding environmental targets.
My Government strengthened economic ties across the union. My Ministers invested in improvements to national infrastructure and brought forward measures to strengthen connectivity by rail. Measures to extend mobile coverage and gigabit capable broadband were introduced.
Legislation was passed to encourage investment and competition across the United Kingdom and drive economic growth. Legislation established a new approach to the recognition of professional qualifications, supporting international trade. My Government has created new freeports, which will drive regeneration by bringing investment, trade and jobs. My Ministers delivered legislation to increase the National Insurance starting thresholds, benefitting almost thirty million people.
My Government took action to address lost learning during the pandemic and ensure every child has a high quality education. Legislation was passed to support a lifetime skills guarantee to enable flexible access to high quality education and training throughout people's lives.
My Government helped more people to achieve home ownership. The practice of charging ground rents was ended for most new leasehold properties. My Ministers delivered legislation to ensure that the tragedies of the past are never repeated by establishing in law a new Building Safety Regulator.
My Government reduced bureaucracy for the voluntary sector, enabling charities to focus on their core work. Legislation was passed to ensure that more dormant assets can be released, so funds can help those in need.
My Government strengthened and renewed democracy and the constitution. Legislation was passed to ensure the integrity of elections and restore the balance of power between the executive, legislature and the courts. Measures were brought forward to protect the freedom of speech in higher education. My Ministers promoted the strength and integrity of the union. Laws were passed to strengthen the devolved Government in Northern Ireland.
The United Kingdom hosted the G? Summit and supported the global effort to secure a robust economic recovery from the pandemic. My Government has committed £1.4 billion pounds of aid to the international effort to tackle the pandemic. My Ministers deepened trade ties around the world, beginning negotiations on trade deals with India and Canada, and negotiations to accede to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
My Government continued to provide aid where it had the greatest impact on alleviating human suffering, promoting global prosperity, and upholding human rights and democracy. While holding the Presidency of the G?, my Ministers led a global effort to get forty million more girls across the world into school and twenty million more girls reading by 2026. The United Kingdom has supported countries globally to provide clean and reliable infrastructure through British Investment Partnerships, helping countries to build back after the challenges in recent years.
Members of the House of Commons
I thank you for the provisions which you have made for the work and dignity of the Crown and for the public services.
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.
After which the Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal said:
By virtue of Her Majesty's Commission which has now been read, we do, in Her Majesty's name, and in obedience to Her Majesty's commands, prorogue thie Parliament to Tuesday the tenth of May, to be then here holden, and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Tuesday the tenth of May.
Other Proceedings
Reports from Select Committees
(1) Twenty-first Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 121-xx);
(2) The UK’s new relationship with the EU: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 122);
(3) Ministerial correspondence: Written evidence, to be published (HC 121);
(4) Retained EU Law: Where next?: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1113)
(Sir William Cash).
7European Statutory Instruments Committee
Correspondence from the Leader of the House relating to statutory instruments laid under the European Union (Future Relationship) Act 2020: Written evidence, to be published (Andrew Jones).
8International Trade Committee
(1) Correspondence with the Leader of the House of Commons relating to free trade agreement scrutiny and the Secretary of State’s correspondence: Written evidence, to be published (HC 127);
(2) Correspondence with the Secretary of State relating to the work of the Department for International Trade: Written evidence, to be published (HC 128)
(Angus Brendan MacNeil).
Lindsay Hoyle
Speaker
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
(1) Draft Pharmacy (Preparation and Dispensing Errors – Hospital and Other Pharmacy Services) Order 2022 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Maria Caulfield)
(2) Draft Pharmacy (Responsible Pharmacists, Superintendent Pharmacists etc.) Order 2022 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Maria Caulfield)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Genetically Modified Food and Feed (Authorisations) (England) Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 486), dated 27 April 2022 (by Statutory Instrument), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Maggie Throup)
Agreement, done at London on 18 March 2022, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Canada on Customs Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters (by Command) (CP 668), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Act) (Secretary Elizabeth Truss)
Export Control (Amendment) Order 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 491), dated 27 April 2022 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Penny Mordaunt)
Food Information (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 481), dated 25 April 2022 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary George Eustice)
Phytosanitary Conditions (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 484), dated 27 April 2022 (by Statutory Instrument), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary George Eustice)
Other papers
7Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Up Next: The Government’s vision for the broadcasting sector (by Command) (CP 671) (Secretary Nadine Dorries)
Rebalancing medicines legislation and pharmacy regulation programme (by Act) (Maria Caulfield)
9House of Commons Members' Fund
Account of the House of Commons Members' Fund for 2020–21, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 1275) (Clerk of the House)
Report by the Independent Expert Panel: The Conduct of Mr Liam Byrne (by Standing Order), to be printed (HC 1272) (Clerk of the House)
(1) Sixth Annual Report on the Implementation of the Scotland Act 2016 (by Command) (CP 662) (Secretary Alister Jack)
(2) Tenth Report by the Scottish Government on the Implementation and Operation of Part 3 (Financial Provisions) of the Scotland Act 2012 and Sixth Report by the Scottish Government on the Implementation of the Scotland Act 2016 (by Act) (Secretary Alister Jack)
Report of the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation on the operation of the Terrorism Acts 2000 and 2006, and the Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Act 2011 in 2020 (by Act) (Secretary Priti Patel)
Report of the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration: An inspection on Country of Origin Information, Ethiopia, Iran and Zimbabwe: January 2022 (by Act) (Secretary Priti Patel)