Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to (1) the Minister for Women and Equalities
(2) the Prime Minister
2Urgent Questions: (1) UK sanctions regime: Yevgeny Prigozhin (James Cartlidge)
(2) Self-disconnection and energy bills (Graham Stuart)
3National Parks (Camping) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Richard Foord presented a Bill to provide for a right to camp in National Parks; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 24 March, and to be printed (Bill 235).
4General Election (Public Support) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Richard Burgon presented a Bill to provide for a mechanism for an early general election to be held in certain circumstances, where the public has demonstrated support for such an election; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 17 March, and to be printed (Bill 237).
5First-Aid (Mental Health): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make mental health first-aid part of first-aid training requirements; and for connected purposes;
That Dean Russell, Andy Carter, Jonathan Gullis, Jim Shannon, Virginia Crosbie, Dr Neil Hudson, Nick Fletcher, Lia Nici, Siobhan Baillie, Sarah Atherton, David Duguid and Debbie Abrahams present the Bill.
Dean Russell accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 24 February, and to be printed (Bill 236).
6Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill: Further consideration of the Bill, as amended in the Public Bill Committee (second day)
New Clause NC14—(Tom Tugendhat)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time.
The Deputy Speaker announced the results of the Divisions which had been deferred to this day (Standing Order No. 41A).
(1) Environmental Protection
That the draft Environmental Targets (Biodiversity) (England) Regulations 2022, which were laid before this House on 19 December 2022, be approved.
Division No. 154
Ayes: 302
Noes: 166
Question accordingly agreed to.
(2) Environmental Protection
That the draft Environmental Targets (Woodland and Trees Outside Woodland) (England) Regulations 2022, which were laid before this House on 20 December 2022, be approved.
Division No. 155
Ayes: 302
Noes: 166
Question accordingly agreed to.
(3) Agriculture
That the draft Environmental Targets (Water) (England) Regulations 2022, which were laid before this House on 19 December 2022, be approved.
Division No. 156
Ayes: 300
Noes: 170
Question accordingly agreed to.
(4) Environmental Protection
That the draft Environmental Targets (Fine Particulate Matter) (England) Regulations 2022, which were laid before this House on 19 December 2022, be approved.
Division No. 157
Ayes: 301
Noes: 170
Question accordingly agreed to.
(5) Environmental Protection
That the draft Environmental Targets (Residual Waste) (England) Regulations 2022, which were laid before this House on 19 December 2022, be approved.
Division No. 158
Ayes: 301
Noes: 170
Question accordingly agreed to.
8Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill: Further consideration of the Bill, as amended in the Public Bill Committee (second day) (resumed)
The House resumed the debate.
Question put, That New Clause NC14 be read a second time.
Question agreed to.
Clause added to the Bill.
New Clause NC3—(Layla Moran)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The House divided.
Division No. 159
Ayes: 220 (Tellers: Mary Glindon, Colleen Fletcher)
Noes: 290 (Tellers: Steve Double, Robert Largan)
Question accordingly negatived.
New Clause NC26—(Stephen Kinnock)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The House divided.
Division No. 160
Ayes: 222 (Tellers: Mary Glindon, Colleen Fletcher)
Noes: 289 (Tellers: Robert Largan, Steve Double)
Question accordingly negatived.
New Clause NC27—(Stephen Kinnock)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The House divided.
Division No. 161
Ayes: 221 (Tellers: Mary Glindon, Colleen Fletcher)
Noes: 289 (Tellers: Steve Double, Robert Largan)
Question accordingly negatived.
Amendments 44 to 50, 57, 51 and 58 to 100 made.
Consideration completed.
9Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill: Third Reading
Bill read the third time and passed.
10Statutory Instruments: Motion for Approval
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Bereavement Benefits (Remedial) Order 2022, which was laid before this House on 13 October 2022, be approved.—(Joy Morrissey.)
Question agreed to.
(1) A public petition from residents of Da Vinci Court, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire relating to North Northamptonshire Unitary Council’s care provider services strategy was presented and read by Mr Peter Bone.
(2) A public petition from residents of the United Kingdom relating to pre-payment meter energy customers and higher costs was presented and read by Anne McLaughlin.
Subject: Government support for Britishvolt (Ian Lavery)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Joy Morrissey.)
Adjourned at 6.57 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Private Business
13Private Bill Petitions: Report from Examiners (Standing Order 70 relating to Private Business)
Report from the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills laid upon the Table by the Speaker, That, in the case of the Petition for the City of London (Markets) Bill, the Standing Orders have been complied with.
Changes to Notices Given
14Microplastic Filters (Washing Machines) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 3 February, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 24 March.
15Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner (Appointment by Parliament) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 3 February, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 24 March.
General Committees: Reports
16Electricity and Gas Transmission (Compensation) Bill (changed to Electricity Transmission (Compensation) Bill) Committee
Stewart Hosie (Chair) reported the Bill as amended.
Title amended as follows: A Bill to require proposals to be drawn up for the use of alternative dispute resolution processes to determine the compensation payable to landowners in certain cases where land is acquired for the purposes of electricity transmission.
Bill, as amended, to be considered on Friday 24 February; and to be printed (Bill 234).
17Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill
Sir Mark Hendrick (Chair) reported the Bill without amendment.
Bill, not amended, to be considered on Friday 17 March.
18Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee
Derek Twigg (Chair) reported the draft Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (Amendment of List of Responders) Order 2023.
19Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee
Judith Cummins (Chair) reported the Plant Health and Trade in Animals and Related Products (Amendment) Regulations 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).
20Equipment Theft (Prevention) Bill Committee
Members: Shaun Bailey, Mr Ben Bradshaw, Kevin Brennan, Rob Butler, Brendan Clarke-Smith, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Stella Creasy, Ben Everitt, Tim Farron, Vicky Ford, Jane Hunt, Tom Hunt, Holly Lynch, Grahame Morris, Ian Paisley, Chris Philp and Greg Smith
21Procurement Bill [Lords] Committee
Members: Caroline Ansell, Saqib Bhatti, Kirsty Blackman, Alex Burghart, Brendan Clarke-Smith, David Duguid, Florence Eshalomi, Chris Evans, Nick Fletcher, Mr Louie French, Peter Gibson, Jo Gideon, Lilian Greenwood, Gerald Jones, Julie Marson, Lloyd Russell-Moyle and Mick Whitley
22First Delegated Legislation Committee (Health and Safety and Nuclear (Fees) Regulations 2022 (SI, 2022, No. 1378))
Members: Debbie Abrahams, Caroline Ansell, Jo Churchill, Mims Davies, Samantha Dixon, Katherine Fletcher, Mrs Helen Grant, John Howell, Imran Hussain, Mr David Jones, David Linden, Mark Logan, Navendu Mishra, Jill Mortimer, Tom Randall, Jon Trickett and Andrew Western
23Second Delegated Legislation Committee (Energy Bill Relief Scheme (Non-Standard Cases) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 9) and Energy Bills Support Scheme and Alternative Fuel Payment Pass-through Requirement (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 10))
Members: Adam Afriyie, Mike Amesbury, Hilary Benn, Olivia Blake, Alan Brown, Anthony Browne, Vicky Ford, Jo Gideon, Gordon Henderson, Adam Holloway, Jessica Morden, Joy Morrissey, David Simmonds, Jane Stevenson, Graham Stuart, Sam Tarry and Dr Alan Whitehead
24Third Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) (Revision of Code H) Order 2023)
Members: Shaun Bailey, Scott Benton, Kevin Brennan, Richard Burgon, Rob Butler, Robert Courts, Virginia Crosbie, Jackie Doyle-Price, Chris Elmore, Darren Henry, Kim Johnson, Holly Lynch, Scott Mann, Kate Osborne, Mr Barry Sheerman, Tom Tugendhat and Sir Jeremy Wright
25Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Higher-Risk Buildings (Descriptions and Supplementary Provisions) Regulations 2023)
Members: Siobhan Baillie, Paula Barker, Ben Bradley, Sir James Duddridge, Colleen Fletcher, Damian Green, Sir John Hayes, Jane Hunt, Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger, Andy McDonald, Anne Marie Morris, Kate Osamor, Taiwo Owatemi, Lee Rowley, John Spellar, Karl Turner and Jacob Young
26Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Packaging Waste (Data Reporting) (England) Regulations 2023)
Members: Ian Byrne, Andy Carter, Damian Collins, Rosie Duffield, Ben Everitt, Mary Glindon, Margaret Greenwood, Luke Hall, Emma Hardy, Sally-Ann Hart, Fay Jones, Ruth Jones, Ian Lavery, Jerome Mayhew, Rebecca Pow, Royston Smith and Shailesh Vara
27Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (Legal Aid: Family and Domestic Abuse) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2023)
Members: Dr Julian Lewis discharged and Sara Britcliffe nominated in substitution.
Select Committees: Reports
28Environmental Audit Committee
(1) Environmental change and food security: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 880);
(2) Sustainable timber and deforestation: Written evidence, to be published (HC 637);
(3) Technological innovations and climate change: onshore solar energy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 856);
(4) The environmental protection policies of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Written evidence, to be published (HC 478)
(Philip Dunne).
(1) Thirteenth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 119-xii);
(2) Ministerial correspondence: Written evidence, to be published (HC 119);
(3) The UK’s new relationship with the EU: Written evidence, to be published (HC 120)
(Sir William Cash).
30Human Rights (Joint Committee on)
(1) Human rights of asylum seekers in the UK: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 821);
(2) Correspondence with the Trades Union Congress relating to the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) The right to family life: adoption of children of unmarried women 1949–1976: Written evidence, to be published (HC 270)
(Joanna Cherry).
31International Trade Committee
(1) UK trade negotiations: CPTPP accession: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 13);
(2) UK trade negotiations: Written evidence, to be published (HC 15)
(Angus Brendan MacNeil).
32Science and Technology Committee
(1) Governance of artificial intelligence: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 945);
(2) Coronavirus lessons learnt: Written evidence, to be published (HC 908);
(3) Delivering nuclear power: Written evidence, to be published (HC 626)
(Greg Clark).
33Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)
Twenty-fourth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 4-xxiv) (Gareth Johnson).
Rural connectivity: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1062) (Iain Stewart).
(1) Scam reimbursement: pushing for a better solution:
(i) Thirteenth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 939);
(ii) Written evidence, taken before the Sub-Committee on Financial Services Regulations, to be published (HC 939);
(2) Correspondence from the Financial Conduct Authority: Written evidence, taken before the Sub-Committee on Financial Services Regulations, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Prudential Regulation Authority relating to increased level of reporting: Written evidence, taken before the Sub-Committee on Financial Services Regulations, to be published
(Harriett Baldwin).
Nuclear energy in Wales: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 240) (Stephen Crabb).
37Women and Equalities Committee
(1) Equality and the UK asylum process: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 93);
(2) So-called honour-based abuse: Written evidence, to be published (HC 831)
(Caroline Nokes).
(1) Plan for Jobs and employment support: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 600);
(2) Defined benefit pensions with Liability Driven Investments: Written evidence, to be published (HC 826);
(3) Health assessments for benefits: Written evidence, to be published (HC 128)
(Sir Stephen Timms).
Lindsay Hoyle
Speaker
Westminster Hall
The sitting began at 9.30 am.
Business appointed by the First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means (Standing Order No. 10(6) and Order, 19 December 2022)
1Reform of public procurement processes
Resolved, That this House has considered reform of public procurement processes.—(Mick Whitley.)
The sitting was suspended between 10.46 am and 10.56 am.
Resolved, That this House has considered the matter of regulation of cryptocurrency.—(Dr Lisa Cameron.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.22 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
3Contribution of the steel industry to the UK economy
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered the contribution of the steel industry to the UK economy.—(Jessica Morden.)
The Chair announced a time limit on backbench speeches (under the authority of the First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means and Standing Order No. 47(1)).
At 4.00 pm, the Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 10(6)).
4Construction of a Silsden and Steeton bridge
Resolved, That this House has considered the matter of the construction of a Silsden and Steeton bridge.—(Robbie Moore.)
The sitting was suspended between 4.23 pm and 4.29 pm.
5Violence against women and girls in Plymouth
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered the matter of violence against women and girls in Plymouth.—(Sir Gary Streeter.)
The sitting was suspended between 5.12 pm and 5.50 pm for divisions in the House (Standing Order No. 10(3)).
Resolved, That this House has considered the matter of violence against women and girls in Plymouth.
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 6.08 pm until tomorrow.
Rosie Winterton
First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
Draft Postponement of Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Value Added Tax (Margin Schemes and Removal or Export of Goods: VAT-related Payments) Order 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 68), dated 24 January 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Victoria Atkins)
Other papers
Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Department for International Trade: Supporting investment into the UK (by Act), to be printed (HC 1080) (Clerk of the House)
CORRECTION
Tuesday 24 January 2023
In Papers Laid, item 4 should have read:
Report of the House of Commons Commission on Members of the R&R Programme Board: Nomination of Candidates (HC 1071) (The Speaker)