Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to (1) the Minister for Women and Equalities
(2) the Prime Minister
2Energy Pricing (Off Gas Grid Households): 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 about the application of the energy price cap in relation to households without mains gas supply; to require the Secretary of State and Ofgem to make proposals for measures to ensure that households do not have to pay more for energy because they do not have access to mains gas supply; and for connected purposes;
That Drew Hendry, Ian Blackford, Brendan O'Hara, Jamie Stone, Pete Wishart, Angus Brendan MacNeil, Alan Brown, Ben Lake, Liz Saville Roberts, Hywel Williams, Richard Thomson and Stephen Flynn present the Bill.
Drew Hendry accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 18 March, and to be printed (Bill 258).
3Opposition Day: Leader of the Opposition (13th allotted day (Standing Order No. 14))
(1) Countering Russian aggression and tackling illicit finance
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House expresses solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and supports their sovereignty and Ukraine’s territorial integrity; condemns Russian aggression and emphasises the UK’s commitment to NATO; resolves to end illicit finance that rewards and sustains the Putin regime in Russia; calls on the Government to introduce an Economic Crime Bill, an Overseas Entities Bill and a register of beneficial ownership by the end of March 2022; and further calls on the Foreign Secretary to make a statement to this House on the implementation of the recommendations of the Intelligence and Security Committee’s Russia Report, HC 632, published on 21 July 2020.—(Mr David Lammy.)
The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Resolved, That this House expresses solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and supports their sovereignty and Ukraine’s territorial integrity; condemns Russian aggression and emphasises the UK’s commitment to NATO; resolves to end illicit finance that rewards and sustains the Putin regime in Russia; calls on the Government to introduce an Economic Crime Bill, an Overseas Entities Bill and a register of beneficial ownership by the end of March 2022; and further calls on the Foreign Secretary to make a statement to this House on the implementation of the recommendations of the Intelligence and Security Committee’s Russia Report, HC 632, published on 21 July 2020.
(2) The impact of poor quality non-commissioned exempt accommodation
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House notes the significant increase in the numbers of people housed in non-commissioned exempt accommodation under successive Conservative Governments; regrets the opportunities that this increase has provided for unscrupulous operators to exploit vulnerable individuals for financial gain at the taxpayers’ expense; recognises that a range of factors have driven the marked growth of this sector including a chronic shortage of genuinely affordable housing, reductions in funding for housing-related support, new barriers to access for single adults requiring social rented housing or mainstream privately rented housing, and a weakening of regulation and oversight; further regrets the detrimental impact that the growth of poor quality non-commissioned exempt accommodation is having on the health and well-being of those vulnerable individuals placed in it and on the public purse; and calls on the Government to introduce a package of emergency measures designed to secure immediate improvements in the quality of non-commissioned exempt accommodation and associated support, to ensure claims for exempt Housing Benefit consistently provide value for money and to drive unscrupulous operators out of the sector.—(Lisa Nandy.)
Lilian Greenwood claimed to move the closure (Standing Order No. 36).
Question put, That the Question be now put.
Question agreed to.
Main Question accordingly put.
The House divided.
Division No. 192
Ayes: 142 (Tellers: Mary Glindon, Navendu Mishra)
Noes: 0 (Tellers: Mark Tami, Gerald Jones)
Question accordingly agreed to.
Resolved, That this House notes the significant increase in the numbers of people housed in non-commissioned exempt accommodation under successive Conservative Governments; regrets the opportunities that this increase has provided for unscrupulous operators to exploit vulnerable individuals for financial gain at the taxpayers’ expense; recognises that a range of factors have driven the marked growth of this sector including a chronic shortage of genuinely affordable housing, reductions in funding for housing-related support, new barriers to access for single adults requiring social rented housing or mainstream privately rented housing, and a weakening of regulation and oversight; further regrets the detrimental impact that the growth of poor quality non-commissioned exempt accommodation is having on the health and well-being of those vulnerable individuals placed in it and on the public purse; and calls on the Government to introduce a package of emergency measures designed to secure immediate improvements in the quality of non-commissioned exempt accommodation and associated support, to ensure claims for exempt Housing Benefit consistently provide value for money and to drive unscrupulous operators out of the sector.
4Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Social Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments and National Insurance Funds Payments) Regulations 2022, which were laid before this House on 17 January, be approved.—(Stuart Andrew.)
The Deputy Speaker’s opinion as to the decision of the Question was challenged.
Division deferred until Wednesday 2 March (Standing Order No. 41A).
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Tax Credits, Child Benefit and Guardian's Allowance Up-rating Regulations 2022, which were laid before this House on 17 January, be approved.—(Stuart Andrew.)
The Deputy Speaker’s opinion as to the decision of the Question was challenged.
Division deferred until Wednesday 2 March (Standing Order No. 41A).
Subject: Support for levelling up rural communities in Cumbria (Dr Neil Hudson)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Miss Sarah Dines.)
Adjourned at 7.38 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Lords Messages
6National Insurance Contributions Bill
The Lords agree to the National Insurance Contributions Bill with Amendments to which they desire the agreement of the Commons.
The Lords agree to the Finance (No. 2) Bill, without amendment.
The Lords agree without amendment to the amendment made by the Commons to the Charities Bill [Lords].
Printing of Lords Amendments
9National Insurance Contributions Bill
Lords Amendments to the National Insurance Contributions Bill to be considered tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 259), with Explanatory Notes (Bill 259–EN).
Changes to Notices Given
10Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Status) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 25 February, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 18 March.
11Child Criminal Exploitation Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 25 February, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 18 March.
12Evictions (Universal Credit) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 25 February, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 18 March.
13Housing Standards (Refugees and Asylum Seekers) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 25 February, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 18 March.
14Asylum Seekers (Permission to Work) (No. 2) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 25 February, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 18 March.
15Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (Powers) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 25 February, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 18 March.
16Under-Occupancy Penalty (Report) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 25 February, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 18 March.
17Social Security Benefits (Healthy Eating) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 25 February, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 18 March.
18Benefit Sanctions (Warnings) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 25 February, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 18 March.
19Universal Credit Sanctions (Zero Hours Contracts) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 25 February, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 18 March.
20Asylum Seekers (Accommodation Eviction Procedures) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 25 February, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 18 March.
21Disability Benefit Assessments (Recording) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 25 February, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 18 March.
Order for Second Reading on Friday 25 February, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 18 March.
23Health and Safety at Work Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 25 February, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 18 March.
Order for Second Reading on Friday 25 February, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 18 March.
25Workers (Rights and Definition) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 25 February, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 18 March.
26Rule of Law (Enforcement by Public Authorities) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 25 February, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 18 March.
General Committees: Reports
27British Sign Language Bill Committee
Mrs Maria Miller (Chair) reported, That the Committee had gone through the Bill and made an Amendment.
Title accordingly amended as follows: A Bill to recognise British Sign Language as a language of England, Wales and Scotland; to require the Secretary of State to report on the promotion and facilitation of the use of British Sign Language by ministerial government departments; and to require guidance to be issued in relation to British Sign Language.
Bill, as amended, to be considered on Friday 18 March and to be printed (Bill 260).
28Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee
Dr Rupa Huq (Chair) reported the draft Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 and the draft Mesothelioma Lump Sum Payments (Conditions and Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations 2022.
29Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee
Clive Efford (Chair) reported the draft Somerset (Structural Changes) Order 2022.
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).
30First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Cumbria (Structural Changes) Order 2022)
Members: Mike Amesbury, Kemi Badenoch, Harriett Baldwin, Paula Barker, Apsana Begum, Jake Berry, Fiona Bruce, Miss Sarah Dines, Simon Fell, Dan Jarvis, Mark Jenkinson, Siobhain McDonagh, Jessica Morden, John Stevenson, Stephen Timms, Matt Vickers and Jacob Young
31Second Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) (Amendment) Regulations 2022)
Members: Dawn Butler, Richard Drax, Sir David Evennett, Gill Furniss, Barry Gardiner, Jo Gideon, Lilian Greenwood, Trudy Harrison, Sally-Ann Hart, Gordon Henderson, Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck, Jack Lopresti, Huw Merriman, Christina Rees, Nicola Richards, Amanda Solloway and John Spellar
32Third Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Airports Slot Allocation (Alleviation of Usage Requirements) Regulations 2022)
Members: Kevin Brennan, Miriam Cates, Robert Courts, Yvonne Fovargue, Lilian Greenwood, Ms Harriet Harman, Sir Mark Hendrick, Paul Howell, Dr Neil Hudson, Simon Jupp, Mike Kane, Anthony Mangnall, Nicola Richards, Amanda Solloway, James Sunderland, Richard Thomson and Edward Timpson
33Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 (Disability Assistance and Information-Sharing) (Consequential Provision and Modifications) Order 2022)
Members: Mhairi Black, Andrew Bowie, Ruth Edwards, Rebecca Harris, John Howell, Dr Caroline Johnson, John Lamont, David Linden, Nigel Mills, Navendu Mishra, Mr Gagan Mohindra, Robbie Moore, Ian Murray, Kate Osborne, Iain Stewart, Graham Stringer and Zarah Sultana
34Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers' Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 and draft Mesothelioma Lump Sum Payments (Conditions and Amounts) Regulations 2022)
Members: Virginia Crosbie discharged and Nick Fletcher nominated in substitution.
35Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Somerset (Structural Changes) Order 2022)
Members: Colleen Fletcher discharged and Taiwo Owatemi nominated in substitution.
Reports from Select Committees
36Environmental Audit Committee
(1) Carbon border adjustment mechanisms: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 737);
(2) Green jobs and the just transition: Written evidence, to be published (HC 75);
(3) Net zero aviation and shipping: Written evidence, to be published (HC 520)
(Philip Dunne).
37Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
(1) Australia FTA: Food and Agriculture: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 870);
(2) Fisheries negotiation outcome: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1061);
(3) Labour shortages in the food and farming sectors: Written evidence, to be published (HC 713);
(4) Work of the Department: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1124)
(Neil Parish).
(1) Eighteenth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 121-xvii);
(2) Ministerial correspondence: Written evidence, to be published (HC 121)
(Sir William Cash).
(1) Police conduct and complaints: Sixth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 140);
(2) Drugs: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1128);
(3) Spiking: Written evidence, to be published (HC 967);
(4) Violence against women and girls: Written evidence, to be published (HC 138);
(5) Work of the Home Office: Written evidence, to be published (HC 625)
(Dame Diana Johnson).
40Human Rights (Joint Committee on)
(1) Protecting human rights in care settings: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 714);
(2) Human Rights Act reform: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1033);
(3) Ministerial scrutiny: human rights: Written evidence, to be published (HC 896)
(Ms Harriet Harman).
41International Trade Committee
(1) Department for International Trade: Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2021-22: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) UK trade negotiations: Agreement with Australia: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1002)
(Angus Brendan MacNeil).
42Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
Investment in Northern Ireland: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 792) (Sir Robert Goodwill).
43Public Accounts (Committee of)
(1) Achieving Net Zero: Follow up: Forty-first Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 642);
(2) Financial sustainability of schools in England: Forty-second Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the report (HC 650);
(3) NAO Estimates 2022-23: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1067);
(4) BEIS Annual Report & Accounts 2020-21: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1052)
(Dame Meg Hillier).
44Science and Technology Committee
(1) Diversity in STEM: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 903);
(2) Biometrics and forensics: follow-up: Written evidence, to be published (HC 467);
(3) Reproducibility and research integrity: Written evidence, to be published (HC 606);
(4) UK space strategy and UK satellite infrastructure: Written evidence, to be published (HC 98)
(Greg Clark).
45Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)
Twenty-fifth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 56-xxv) (Jessica Morden).
46Statutory Instruments (Select Committee on)
Sixteenth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 57-xvi) (Jessica Morden).
Bank of England Monetary Policy Reports: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 142) (Mel Stride).
Responsibilities of the Secretary of State for Wales: Oral evidence, to be published (HC282) (Stephen Crabb).
49Women and Equalities Committee
* This item has been corrected since publication. See the Votes and Proceedings from Thursday 24 February 2022 for details.
(1) Equality in the heart of democracy: a gender sensitive House of Commons: Fifth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 131);
(2) Menopause and the workplace survey results: Fourth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1157);
(3) Equality and the UK asylum process: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 726);
(4) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Primary Care relating to UK menopause taskforce: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Menopause and the workplace: Written evidence, to be published (HC 115);
(6) The rights of cohabiting partners: Written evidence, to be published (HC 130)
(Caroline Nokes).
(1) Protecting pension savers—five years on from the Pension Freedoms: Saving for later life: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 989);
(2) Correspondence from Baroness Neville-Rolfe relating to the Independent Review of State Pension Age: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Money & Pensions Service relating to debt commissioning advice: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence with the Minister for Pensions relating to the payment of arrears to members of the Financial Assistance Scheme: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Health and Safety Executive’s approach to asbestos management: Written evidence, to be published (HC 560);
(6) Health assessments for benefits: Written evidence, to be published (HC 604);
(7) The cost of living: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1058);
(8) Universal Credit and childcare costs: Written evidence, to be published (HC 871)
(Stephen Timms).
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))
1Food and farming in Devon and Cornwall
Resolved, That this House has considered food and farming in Devon and Cornwall.—(Sir Geoffrey Cox.)
2Sale and future use of Teddington police station
Resolved, That this House has considered the sale and use of Teddington police station.—(Munira Wilson.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.22 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
Resolved, That this House has considered the Muslim community in Wales.—(Ruth Jones.)
The sitting was suspended between 3.44 pm and 4.00 pm.
4Organ donation and transplantation strategy
Resolved, That this House has considered the organ donation and transplantation strategy.—(Anthony Mangnall.)
5Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse report on child sexual exploitation by organised networks
Motion made and question proposed, That this House has considered the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse report on child sexual exploitation by organised networks.—(Sarah Champion.)
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)).
At 5.30 pm, the Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.30 pm until tomorrow.
Eleanor Laing
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Faculty Jurisdiction (Amendment) Rules 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 155), dated 9 February 2022 (by Measure) (Clerk of the House)
Personal Injuries (NHS Charges) (Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 166), dated 21 February 2022 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Edward Argar)
Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel and Operator Liability) (England) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 168), dated 22 February 2022 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Sajid Javid)
Other papers
(1) Department of Health and Social Care Minute, dated 23 February 2022, concerning notification of a contingent liability in relation to an indemnity granted to vaccine producers of the Covid-19 Vaccine for Booster Vaccination (by Command) (Maggie Throup)
(2) Department of Health and Social Care Minute, dated 23 February 2022, concerning the notification of a contingent liability in relation to an indemnity granted to vaccine producers for the Covid-19 Vaccine for Children and Young People (by Command) (Maggie Throup)
Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Department of Health and Social Care and Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme in England (by Act), to be printed (HC 1106) (Clerk of the House)
Naval, Military and Air Forces Etc. (Disablement and Death) Service Pensions (Amendment) Order 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 147), dated 16 February 2022 (by Act) (Secretary Ben Wallace)