Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for Wales
(2) the Prime Minister
2Urgent Question: Al-Ahli Arab Hospital Explosion in Gaza (Secretary James Cleverly)
3International Freedom of Religion or Belief Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Fiona Bruce, supported by Dame Andrea Leadsom, Sarah Champion, Sir Desmond Swayne, Sir Stephen Timms, Jim Shannon, Miriam Cates, Dr Lisa Cameron, Tim Farron, Bob Blackman, Caroline Lucas and Taiwo Owatemi, presented a Bill to require the Prime Minister to appoint a Special Envoy for International Freedom of Religion or Belief; to establish an Office of the Special Envoy; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 24 November, and to be printed (Bill 373).
4Government of Wales (Referendum on Devolution) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Mr Rob Roberts presented a Bill to make provision for a referendum on devolution in Wales; to provide that no further such referendum may take place within twenty five years; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 24 November, and to be printed (Bill 374).
5Brain Tumours: Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to set a target for the number of glioblastoma patients who take part in clinical trials each year; to require training for medical oncologists to include training relating to brain cancers; to provide that any drug that has been licensed for use on tumours must be trialled on people with brain tumours; to make provision in relation to neuro-oncology multidisciplinary teams in the NHS, including a requirement that each such team must include a medical oncologist; to require manufacturers of drugs licensed to treat tumours to make those drugs available in specified circumstances for clinical trials relating to brain tumours; and for connected purposes;
That Siobhain McDonagh, Tracey Crouch, Greg Smith, Steve Brine, Mr Alistair Carmichael, Mrs Sharon Hodgson, Tony Lloyd, Dame Meg Hillier, Mr Clive Betts, Jon Cruddas, Paul Blomfield and Sarah Owen present the Bill.
Siobhain McDonagh accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 24 November, and to be printed (Bill 375).
6Energy Bill [Lords]: Programme (No. 2)
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83A(7)), That the following provisions shall apply to the Energy Bill [Lords] for the purpose of supplementing the Order of 9 May 2023 (Energy Bill [Lords] (Programme)):
Consideration of Lords Message
(1) Proceedings on the Lords Message shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion two hours 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.—(Andrew Bowie.)
Question agreed to.
7Energy Bill [Lords]: Consideration of Lords Message
Motion made and Question put, That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment 274B.—(Andrew Bowie.)
The House divided.
Division No. 346
Ayes: 293 (Tellers: Amanda Solloway, Robert Largan)
Noes: 181 (Tellers: Kim Leadbeater, Christian Wakeford)
Question agreed to.
Lords Amendment 274B accordingly disagreed 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 274B.
That Andrew Bowie, Chris Clarkson, Dave Doogan, Mark Jenkinson, Joy Morrissey, Christian Wakeford and Dr Alan Whitehead be members of the Committee;
That Andrew Bowie be the Chair of the Committee;
That three be the quorum of the Committee;
That the Committee do withdraw immediately.—(Julie Marson.)
Question agreed to.
Resolved, That the draft Airports Slot Allocation (Alleviation of Usage Requirements) (No. 2) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 18 July, be approved.—(Jesse Norman.)
9Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority
Resolved, That Lucy Powell be appointed to the Speaker’s Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority in place of Thangam Debbonaire, until the end of the present Parliament, in pursuance of paragraph 1(d) of Schedule 3 to the Parliamentary Standards Act 2009, as amended.—(Penny Mordaunt.)
The Deputy Speaker suspended the sitting.
11Deputy Speaker’s Statement: Election of the Chair of the Business and Trade Committee, Chair of the Petitions Committee and Chair of the Committee on Standards
The Deputy Speaker announced that Liam Byrne had been elected Chair of the Business and Trade Committee, that Cat Smith had been elected Chair of the Petitions Committee, and that Ms Harriet Harman had been elected Chair of the Committee on Standards (Standing Orders No. 122B and No. 122C).
Subject: South Fylde Line (Mark Menzies)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Gagan Mohindra.)
Adjourned at 4.53 pm until tomorrow.
Lindsay Hoyle
Speaker
Other Proceedings
First Reading and Printing of Lords Bills
13Coroners (Determination of Suicide) Bill [Lords]
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 20 October, and to be printed (Bill 372).
Reasons Committees: Reports
14Energy Bill [Lords]: Reasons Committee
Andrew Bowie reported that the Committee had agreed the following Reason:
Lords Amendment 274B
Because the Government has already committed to consulting on barriers to the development of community energy schemes and the Commons do not consider it appropriate to set a timeframe for bringing forward any proposals for the removal of such barriers.
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).
15First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (Amendment) Regulations 2023)
Members: Ben Bradley, Jo Churchill, Mrs Natalie Elphicke, Colleen Fletcher, Fabian Hamilton, Trudy Harrison, John Howell, Ruth Jones, Chris Loder, Marco Longhi, John McDonnell, Mr Khalid Mahmood, Mark Menzies, Lloyd Russell-Moyle, Chris Skidmore, Chloe Smith and Mohammad Yasin
16Second Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Representation of the People (Franchise Amendment and Eligibility Review) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023)
Members: Debbie Abrahams, Fleur Anderson, Mr Richard Bacon, Mr Steve Baker, Mr John Baron, Olivia Blake, Jon Cruddas, Samantha Dixon, Sir James Duddridge, Richard Graham, Damian Green, Tom Hunt, Mr Kevan Jones, Daniel Kawczynski, Robert Largan, Alex Sobel and Giles Watling
17Third Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Public Charge Point Regulations 2023)
Members: Sir Conor Burns, Liam Byrne, Sir Geoffrey Cox, Mr Jonathan Djanogly, Ruth Edwards, Bill Esterson, Nick Fletcher, Antony Higginbotham, Simon Jupp, Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck, Clive Lewis, Jack Lopresti, James Morris, Gavin Newlands, Jesse Norman, John Spellar and Christian Wakeford
18Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications, Deemed Applications, Requests and Site Visits) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2023)
Members: Mr Ben Bradshaw, Sara Britcliffe, Ian Byrne, Alun Cairns, Andy Carter, Neil Coyle, Ruth Edwards, Mary Glindon, Eddie Hughes, Kate Kniveton, Rachel Maclean, Stephen Metcalfe, Charlotte Nichols, Matthew Pennycook, Dr Dan Poulter, Valerie Vaz and Matt Vickers
19Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 (Services Exclusions) Regulations 2023)
Members: Rushanara Ali, Marsha De Cordova, Samantha Dixon, Margaret Greenwood, Nigel Huddleston, Mr David Jones, Sir Greg Knight, Andy McDonald, Kit Malthouse, David Morris, Kate Osborne, Sir Mike Penning, John Penrose, Bob Seely, Alexander Stafford, Richard Thomson and Mike Wood
Select Committees: Reports
20Culture, Media and Sport Committee
(1) What next for the National Lottery?: National Lottery Distributors’ Response to the Committee’s Fourth Report: Twelfth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1913);
(2) British Museum: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1851);
(3) Correspondence relating to standards of behaviour in media: Written evidence, to be published
(4) Gambling regulation: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1010);
(Dame Caroline Dinenage).
21Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
(1) Pre-appointment hearing for the Chair of Ofgem:
(i) Second Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 1833);
(ii) Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1833);
(2) A flexible grid for the future: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1722);
(3) Correspondence from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Heating our homes: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1721);
(5) Keeping the power on: our future energy technology mix: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1723)
(Angus Brendan MacNeil).
22Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Pet welfare and abuse: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1123) (Dr Neil Hudson).
23Environmental Audit Committee
(1) The environmental sustainability of the Department for Education: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1839);
(2) Water quality in rivers: Written evidence, to be published (HC 102)
(Philip Dunne).
(1) The UK’s EU representation: what has changed and how is it working?: Twenty-third Report, to be printed with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 123);
(2) Correspondence with the Minister of State for Europe relating to the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee: Written evidence, to be published
(Sir William Cash).
25Health and Social Care Committee
(1) Expert Panel: evaluation of the Government’s commitments in the area of Pharmacy in England: Government Response to the Committee's Tenth Special Report of Session 2022-23: Thirteenth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1892);
(2) Prevention in health and social care: vaccination: Government Response to the Committee's Tenth Report: Twelfth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1891);
(3) Prevention in health and social care: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 965);
(4) Correspondence from the Chair and Chief Executive of the General Pharmaceutical Council: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence from the Chair of the Professional Standards Authority: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence from the Chief Executive of the Independent Health Providers Network: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Correspondence from the Chief Executive and Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council: Written evidence, to be published;
(8) Correspondence from the Director of Foxglove: Written evidence, to be published;
(9) Correspondence from the Executive Director of INQUEST: Written evidence, to be published;
(10) Correspondence from the Head of Policy of Diabetes UK: Written evidence, to be published;
(11) Correspondence from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman: Written evidence, to be published;
(12) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Mental Health and Women’s Health Strategy: Written evidence, to be published;
(13) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Primary Care and Public Health: Written evidence, to be published;
(14) Correspondence from the Party Leaders in Northern Ireland: Written evidence, to be published;
(15) Correspondence with the Secretary of State: Written evidence, to be published;
(16) Mental Health: right care, right person: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1836);
(17) Pharmacy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1493)
(Steve Brine)
(1) Correspondence from the Home Secretary: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Safeguarding: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Minister of State for Immigration: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care relating to Right Care, Right Person: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Human Trafficking: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1142)
(Dame Diana Johnson).
27International Development Committee
* This item has been corrected since publication. See the correction in the Votes and Proceedings relating to Thursday 19 October 2023.
Correspondence with Minister for Development and Africa relating to the International Development White Paper Consultation Submission: Written evidence, to be published (Sarah Champion).
Public opinion and understanding of sentencing: Tenth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 305) (Sir Robert Neill).
Scrutiny of strategic thinking in Government: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1548) (Sir Bernard Jenkin).
30Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
The effect of paramilitary activity and organised crime on society in Northern Ireland: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 24) (Simon Hoare).
Written parliamentary questions: Written evidence, to be published (HC 289) (Karen Bradley).
32Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
(1) UK space strategy and UK satellite infrastructure: reviewing the licencing regime for launch: Government response to the Committee’s Seventh Report: Fifth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1900);
(2) Delivering nuclear power: Government Response to the Committee’s Eighth Report: Sixth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1897);
(3) Insect decline and UK food security: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1239);
(4) Commercialising quantum technologies: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1812)
(Greg Clark).
33Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)
Forty-eighth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 4 – xlviii) (Jessica Morden).
Air traffic control disruption: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1849) (Iain Stewart).
(1) The work of HM Revenue & Customs: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 783);
(2) Correspondence with HM Treasury relating to the Committee’s Ninth Special Report: Written evidence, to be published
(Harriett Baldwin).
(1) Broadcasting in Wales: Fifth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 620);
(2) First Minister of Wales: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1890);
(3) University research funding: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1261);
(4) Water quality in Wales: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1113);
(5) Welsh Fiscal Framework: Written evidence to be published (HC 1565)
(Stephen Crabb).
37Women and Equalities Committee
(1) Women’s reproductive health: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1773);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for the Cabinet Office, relating to racist language in Government documents: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, relating to the Gulf Co-operation Council Trade Agreement: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Misogyny in music: Written evidence, to be published (HC 317);
(5) The escalation of violence against women and girls: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1739)
(Caroline Nokes).
(1) Plan for Jobs and employment support:
(i) Government Response to the Committee’s Eighth Report: Eighth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1867);
(ii) Written evidence, to be published (HC 600);
(2) Defined benefit pension schemes: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1218);
(3) Benefit levels in the UK: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1126);
(4) Children in poverty: Child Maintenance Service: Written evidence, to be published (HC 272);
(5) Correspondence with the Health and Safety Executive relating to disposal facilities in toilets: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence with the Minister for Disabled People Health and Work: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Correspondence with the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work relating to DWP staff working on fraud and error: Written evidence, to be published;
(8) Correspondence with the Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression relating to RAAC and buildings used to deliver DWP services: Written evidence, to be published;
(9) Correspondence with The Pensions Regulator relating to the Wilko pension scheme: Written evidence, to be published;
(10) Correspondence with the Permanent Secretary relating to Carer’s Allowance: Written evidence, to be published;
(11) Correspondence with the Permanent Secretary relating to NRPF Household Support Fund guidance: Written evidence, to be published;
(12) Correspondence with the Secretary of State relating to the operation of the minimum income floor for people working in cultural and creative industries: Written evidence, to be published;
(13) Defined benefit pension schemes with Liability Driven Investments: Written evidence, to be published (HC 826);
(14) Effectiveness of Sanctions: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1308);
(15) Protecting pension savers—five years on from the pension freedoms: Saving for later life: Written evidence, to be published (HC 126);
(16) Safeguarding vulnerable claimants: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1774)
(Sir Stephen Timms).
Westminster Hall
The sitting began at 9.30 am.
Business appointed by the Chairman of Ways and Means (Standing Order No. 10(6))
1Support for stability in Libya
Resolved, That this House has considered support for stability in Libya.—(Fabian Hamilton.)
The sitting was suspended between 10.33 am and 11.00 am.
2 Staffing of railway stations in Cumbria
Resolved, That this House has considered staffing of railway stations in Cumbria.—(Tim Farron.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.23 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered ports and green energy.—(Stephen Crabb.)
The sitting was suspended between 2.59 pm and 3.13 pm for a division in the House (Standing Order No. 10(3)).
Resolved, That this House has considered ports and green energy.
4Business banking and undesignated client accounts
Resolved, That this House has considered business banking and undesignated client accounts.—(Kelly Tolhurst.)
5Hate crime against the LGBT+ community
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered the matter of hate crime against the LGBT+ community.—(Stephen Doughty.)
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 the matter of hate crime against the LGBT+ community.
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.39 pm until tomorrow.
Eleanor Laing
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
Draft Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (Remedial) Order 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Suella Braverman)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
British Nationality (British Overseas Territories) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 1104), dated 17 October 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Suella Braverman)
Government of Wales Act 2006 (Schedule 9A – Devolved Welsh Authorities) (Amendment) Order 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 1095), dated 11 October 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary David T C Davies)
Misuse of Drugs (England and Wales and Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 1099), dated 16 October 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Suella Braverman)
Other papers
Election for Chairs of the Business and Trade Committee, the Petitions Committee and the Committee on Standards: Results (The Speaker)
Home Office Response to the Thirteenth Report from the Joint Committee on Human Rights: Proposal for a Draft Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (Remedial) Order 2023 (by Act) (Secretary Suella Braverman)
Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Home Office: Reducing the harm from illegal drugs (by Act), to be printed (HC 1864) (Clerk of the House)
SPEAKER'S CERTIFICATE
VOTING BY PROXY
The Speaker has certified, under the terms of Standing Order No. 39A (Voting by proxy), that Angela Crawley is eligible to have a proxy vote cast on her behalf, starting from 8 January 2024 and finishing on 20 July 2024. The nominated proxy is Owen Thompson.