Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to the Chancellor of the Exchequer
2Statements: (1) Türkiye and Syria earthquake (Secretary James Cleverly)
(2) Digital pound (Andrew Griffith)
3Social Security (Additional Payments) (No. 2) Bill: Presentation (Standing Orders No. 50 and No. 57)
Secretary Mel Stride, supported by the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary Grant Shapps, Mims Davies and Dr Andrew Murrison, presented a Bill to make provision about additional payments to recipients of means-tested benefits, tax credits and disability benefits.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 244), with Explanatory Notes (Bill 244–EN).
4Seizure of Russian State Assets and Support for Ukraine: Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require the Secretary of State to lay before Parliament proposals for the seizure of Russian state assets to provide support for Ukraine; and for connected purposes;
That Sir Chris Bryant, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Dame Margaret Hodge, Liam Byrne, Sir Robert Buckland, Alicia Kearns, Layla Moran, Joanna Cherry, Colum Eastwood, Stella Creasy, Chris Grayling and Mr Tobias Ellwood present the Bill.
Sir Chris Bryant accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 24 February, and to be printed (Bill 245).
5Seafarers’ Wages Bill [Lords]: Programme (No. 2)
Ordered, That the Order of 19 December 2022 (Seafarers’ Wages 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.—(Mr Richard Holden.)
6Seafarers’ Wages Bill [Lords]: Consideration of the Bill, as amended in the Public Bill Committee
New Clause NC3—(Mr Richard Holden)—brought up, read the first and second time and added to the Bill.
New Clause NC2—(Louise Haigh)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The House divided.
Division No. 173
Ayes: 215 (Tellers: Liz Twist, Jessica Morden)
Noes: 274 (Tellers: Amanda Solloway, Robert Largan)
Question accordingly negatived.
As it was two hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill, the Deputy Speaker put the Questions necessary to bring proceedings on Consideration of the Bill to a conclusion (Programme Order, Today).
The following Questions were put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83E).
(1) That New Clause NC4 be added to the Bill (Question on any new clause selected by the Speaker for separate decision).—(David Linden.)
The House divided.
Division No. 174
Ayes: 210 (Tellers: Peter Grant, Marion Fellows)
Noes: 278 (Tellers: Amanda Solloway, Robert Largan)
Question accordingly negatived.
(2) That Amendment 1 be made (Question on any amendment moved by a Minister of the Crown).—(Mr Richard Holden.)
Question agreed to.
(3) That Amendment 24 be made (Question on any amendment selected by the Speaker for separate decision).—(Louise Haigh.)
The House divided.
Division No. 175
Ayes: 213 (Tellers: Liz Twist, Jessica Morden)
Noes: 285 (Tellers: Amanda Solloway, Robert Largan)
Question accordingly negatived.
(4) That Amendments 25 and 2 to 7 be made (Single question on any amendments moved by a Minister of the Crown).—(Mr Richard Holden.)
Question agreed to.
(5) That Clause 6 be transferred to the end of line 24 on page 10 (Question on any motion made by a Minister of the Crown).—(Mr Richard Holden.)
Question agreed to.
(6) That Amendments 8 to 10 be made (Single question on any amendments moved by a Minister of the Crown).—(Mr Richard Holden.)
Question agreed to.
(7) That Clause 7 be transferred to the end of line 24 on page 10 (Question on any motion made by a Minister of the Crown).—(Mr Richard Holden.)
Question agreed to.
(8) That Amendments 11 to 16, 26, 17, 18, 27, 19, 20, 28, 29 and 21 to 23 be made (Single question on any amendments moved by a Minister of the Crown).—(Mr Richard Holden.)
Question agreed to.
Consideration completed.
7Seafarers’ Wages Bill [Lords]: Third Reading
Bill read the third time and passed with Amendments.
8Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill: Programme (No. 2)
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83A(7)), That the following provisions shall apply to the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill for the purpose of supplementing the Order of 12 July 2021 in the last Session of Parliament (Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) 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 two hours after their commencement.
(2) The Lords Amendments shall be considered in the following order: 10, 1 to 9, 11 and 12.
Subsequent stages
(3) Any further Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question being put.
(4) 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.—(Steve Double.)
Question agreed to.
9Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill: Consideration of Lords Amendments
Motion made and Question put, That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment 10.—(Claire Coutinho.)
The House divided.
Division No. 176
Ayes: 283 (Tellers: Robert Largan, Amanda Solloway)
Noes: 161 (Tellers: Liz Twist, Mary Glindon)
Question accordingly agreed to.
Lords Amendments 1 to 9, 11 and 12 agreed to.
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83H(2)), That a Committee be appointed to draw up a Reason to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their Amendment 10;
That Claire Coutinho, Mary Glindon, Robbie Moore, Joy Morrissey, Toby Perkins, Suzanne Webb and Matt Western be members of the Committee;
That Claire Coutinho be the Chair of the Committee;
That three be the quorum of the Committee;
That the Committee do withdraw immediately.—(Stuart Anderson.)
Question agreed to.
10Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament
Resolved, That Stewart Hosie be removed from the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament under Schedule 1 to the Justice and Security Act 2013 and Owen Thompson be appointed to that Committee under Section 1 of that Act.—(Stuart Anderson.)
11Restoration and Renewal Programme Board
Resolved, That this House
(1) notes the report from the House of Commons Commission and the House of Lords Commission on the membership of the Restoration and Renewal Programme Board, HC 1071, dated 24 January 2023;
(2) notes the names of the Members of the House of Lords proposed to be appointed by that House;
(3) appoints the Leader of the House and the Shadow Leader of the House, or their delegates, as member of the Restoration and Renewal Programme Board, together with Mr Nigel Evans, Wera Hobhouse, and the Clerk of the House of Commons;
(4) appoints Paul Duffree, Steve Hails and Sir Jonathan Stephens as external members of the Board; and
(5) appoints Mr Nigel Evans as Chair of the Board.—(Sir Charles Walker.)
Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.
12Statutory 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 2023, which were laid before this House on 16 January, be approved.—(Stuart Anderson.)
Question agreed to.
(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 2023, which were laid before this House on 16 January, be approved.—(Stuart Anderson.)
Question agreed to.
(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Nuclear Regulated Asset Base Model (Revenue Collection) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 15 December, be approved.—(Stuart Anderson.)
The House divided.
Division No. 177
Ayes: 283 (Tellers: Robert Largan, Amanda Solloway)
Noes: 35 (Tellers: Marion Fellows, Peter Grant)
Question accordingly agreed to.
A public petition from residents of Wellingborough, Rushden, and the surrounding areas, relating to Spinneyfields Specialist Care Centre closure was presented and read by Mr Peter Bone.
Subject: Asylum seekers in Bournemouth West constituency (Conor Burns)
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.—(Stuart Anderson.)
At 7.00 pm, the motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 9(3)).
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.
Adjourned at 7.18 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Reasons Committees: Reports
15Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill: Reasons Committee
Claire Coutinho reported that the Committee had agreed the following Reason:
Lords Amendment 10
Because they consider civil proceedings to be an important means of obtaining a remedy for breach of duties imposed by the Bill.
Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members
16Procedural Protocol in respect of the Code of Conduct
Ordered, That the Procedural Protocol in respect of the Code of Conduct be printed (HC 1084).
General Committees: Reports
17Procurement Bill [Lords] Committee
David Mundell (Chair) reported written evidence submitted to the Committee.
Written evidence to be published.
18Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee
Sir Robert Syms (Chair) reported the draft Authority to Carry Scheme and Civil Penalties Regulations 2023.
General Committees: Appointments
19Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Local Government (Structural Changes) (Supplementary Provision and Amendment) Order 2023)
Members: Chris Loder discharged and Dr Kieran Mullan nominated in substitution.
Select Committees: Reports
20Backbench Business Committee
Transcript of representations made on Tuesday 7 February, to be published (Ian Mearns).
21Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee
(1) UK plc 2050: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1120);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Energy and Climate relating to the European Emissions Trading System and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Secretary of State for International Trade relating to critical minerals: Written evidence taken before the Sub-Committee, to be published (HC 944);
(4) Decarbonisation of the power sector: Written evidence, to be published (HC 283)
(Darren Jones).
22Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee
(1) The work of the BBC: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 382);
(2) Connected tech: smart or sinister?: Written evidence, to be published (HC 157)
(Damian Green).
Government proposals for compulsory maths to age 18: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1059) (Mr Robin Walker).
Record of the Committee’s decisions taken at its meeting on 7 February, to be published (Mr Clive Betts).
The FCDO’s approach to state-level hostage situations: Part of the oral evidence, to be published (HC 166) (Alicia Kearns).
26Health and Social Care Committee
* Both HC 631 (see Votes and Proceedings relating to 19 July 2022) and HC 780 were incorrectly labelled as the Committee’s Fourth Special Report.
(1) The Health and Social Care Committee’s Expert Panel Report: Evaluation of Government commitments made on the digitisation of the NHS: Fourth Special Report, to be printed (HC 780);
(2) Ambulance delays and strikes: Written evidence, to be published (HC 984);
(3) Assisted dying/assisted suicide: Written evidence, to be published (HC 711);
(4) Digital transformation in the NHS: Written evidence, to be published (HC 223);
(5) Food Standards Agency Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 2022–23: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) The situation in accident and emergency departments: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1056);
(7) Work of the Department: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1093)
(Steve Brine).
27International Development Committee
Aid spending in the UK: Written evidence, to be published (HC 898) (Sarah Champion).
(1) IPP sentences: Government and Parole Board Responses to the Committee’s Third Report: Ninth Special Report, to be printed (HC 933);
(2) The prison operational workforce: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 917);
(3) Correspondence from the Minister for Courts, Legal Services and International: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Minister for Prisons and Probation: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence from the Minister of State for Justice relating to Section 28: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence with the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State relating to the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Public opinion and understanding of sentencing: Written evidence, to be published (HC 305);
(8) The future of legal aid: Written evidence, to be published (HC 665)
(Sir Robert Neill).
29Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
(1) The effectiveness of the institutions of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 781);
(2) The effect of paramilitary activity and organised crime on society in Northern Ireland: Written evidence, to be published (HC 24);
(3) Correspondence with the Minister of State for Immigration relating to the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme: Written evidence, to be published
(Simon Hoare).
30Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
The role of Non-Executive Directors in Government: Written evidence, to be published (HC 318) (Mr William Wragg).
Precautionary exclusion: response to the House of Commons Commission’s consultation:
(i) Fifth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 1049);
(ii) Written evidence, to be published (HC 1049)
(Sir Chris Bryant).
(1) The work of the British Transport Police: Written evidence, to be published (HC 520);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Aviation relating to the Civil Aviation Authority Annual Report: Written evidence, to be published
(Iain Stewart)
Retail banks: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1117) (Harriett Baldwin).
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)
Resolved, That this House has considered the matter of saving for later life.—(Sir Stephen Timms.)
2Government support for the proposed redevelopment of Bolton’s High Street
Resolved, That this House has considered Government support for the proposed redevelopment of Bolton’s High Street.—(Yasmin Qureshi.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.28 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
3Potential merits of a public inquiry into Cammell Laird workers imprisoned in 1984
Resolved, That this House has considered the potential merits of a public inquiry into Cammell Laird workers imprisoned in 1984.—(Gareth Thomas.)
4Children’s mental health services in Lincolnshire
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered children mental health services in Lincolnshire.—(Gareth Davies.)
The sitting was suspended between 4.11 pm and 4.48 pm for divisions in the House (Standing Order No. 10(3)).
Resolved, That this House has considered children mental health services in Lincolnshire.
5Levelling Up Fund round 2 bidding process
Motion made and Question put, That this House has considered the Levelling Up Fund round 2 bidding process.—(Anne McLaughlin.)
The Chair’s opinion as to the decision of the Question was challenged.
Question not decided (Standing Order No. 10(13)).
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 Negative Resolution
Market Measures Payment Schemes (Amendments, Revocation and Transitional Provision) (England) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 124), dated 7 February 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Thérèse Coffey)
Other papers
Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Department for Health and Social Care: Progress in improving mental health services in England (by Act), to be printed (HC 1082) (Clerk of the House)
The digital pound: a new form of money for households and businesses? (by Command) (CP 797) (Andrew Griffith)
MEMORANDUM
EXAMINER OF PETITIONS FOR PRIVATE BILLS
In pursuance of Standing Order 69 relating to Private Business (Appointment of Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills) the Speaker has appointed Mr Justin Charles James Leslie as an Examiner of Petitions for Private Bills in place of Mr Daniel Isaac Greenberg.
CORRECTION
Monday 6 February 2023
The following item should have appeared after item 28:
Work and Pensions Committee
Correspondence with the Minister for Pensions relating to saving for later life: Written evidence, to be published (Sir Stephen Timms).