Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Private Bills: Bishop's Stortford Cemetery Bill [Lords]: Second Reading
Bill read a second time.
2Private Bills [Lords] (Suspension)
Ordered, That so much of the Lords Message (23 October 2023) as relates to the Royal Albert Hall Bill [Lords] be now considered.—(Chairman of Ways and Means)
Resolved, That this House concurs with the Lords in their Resolution.
Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.
3Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
4Urgent Question: War in Ukraine (James Heappey)
5Statement: Illegal migration (Robert Jenrick)
6Parliamentary Sovereignty (Referendums): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to prohibit Ministers of the Crown from making or implementing any legal instrument which is not consistent with the sovereignty of the United Kingdom Parliament, unless it has been approved by a referendum; and for connected purposes;
That Andrew Bridgen and Mr Philip Hollobone present the Bill.
Andrew Bridgen accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 24 November, and to be printed (Bill 377).
Resolved, That the draft Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Removal of Prisoners for Deportation) Order 2023, which was laid before this House on 16 October, be approved.—(Damian Hinds.)
8Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill: Consideration of Lords Message
Lords Amendment 22B
Motion made and Question put, That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment 22B.—(Rachel Maclean.)
The House divided.
Division No. 347
Ayes: 292 (Tellers: Joy Morrissey, Scott Mann)
Noes: 177 (Tellers: Colleen Fletcher, Mary Glindon)
Question agreed to.
Lords Amendment 22B accordingly disagreed to.
Lords Amendment 45
Motion made and Question put, That this House insists on its disagreement with the Lords in their Amendment 45 but proposes Amendment (a) in lieu.—(Rachel Maclean.)
The House divided.
Division No. 348
Ayes: 292 (Tellers: Joy Morrissey, Scott Mann)
Noes: 176 (Tellers: Mary Glindon, Colleen Fletcher)
Question agreed to.
Disagreement with Lords Amendment 45 accordingly insisted upon and Amendment (a) accordingly made to the Bill in lieu of Lords Amendment 45.
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 22B.
That Sara Britcliffe, Mary Glindon, Paul Holmes, Rachel Maclean, Mr Gagan Mohindra, Matthew Pennycook and Ms Anum Qaisar be members of the Committee;
That Rachel Maclean be the Chair of the Committee;
That three be the quorum of the Committee;
That the Committee do withdraw immediately.—(Mr Gagan Mohindra.)
Question agreed to.
9Business of the House (24, 25 and 26 October)
Ordered, That—
(1) at this day’s sitting, the Speaker shall put the Questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on the Motion in the name of Penny Mordaunt relating to Correcting the record not later than one hour after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion for this Order; such Questions shall include the Questions on any Amendments selected by the Speaker which may then be moved; the business may be proceeded with, though opposed, at any hour; and Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply;
(2) at the sittings today and on Wednesday 25 October, the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until any Message from the Lords has been received and any Committee to draw up Reasons which has been appointed at that sitting has reported; and
(3) at the sitting on Thursday 26 October—
(a) the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until any Message from the Lords has been received; and
(b) in the event that a Message from the Lords Commissioners is expected, the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until that Message has been received.—(Penny Mordaunt.)
Resolved, That this House approves the Fourth Report of the Procedure Committee, Correcting the record, HC 521.—(Penny Mordaunt.)
11Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (Amendment) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 4 September, be approved.—(Mr Gagan Mohindra.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Representation of the People (Franchise Amendment and Eligibility Review) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 4 September, be approved.—(Mr Gagan Mohindra.)
Question agreed to.
(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Public Charge Point Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 11 July, be approved.—(Mr Gagan Mohindra.)
Question agreed to.
(1) A public petition from residents of the United Kingdom relating to Bescot Stadium station disabled access was presented and read by Valerie Vaz.
(2) A public petition from residents of the United Kingdom relating to Botley West Solar Farm was presented and read by Robert Courts.
(3) A public petition from residents of the constituency of North Devon relating to dental provision in North Devon was presented and read by Selaine Saxby.
Subject: Cost of energy in Dalmarnock (Alison Thewliss)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Gagan Mohindra.)
Adjourned at 5.23 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Lords Messages
The Lords do not insist on their Amendment to the Energy Bill [Lords] to which the Commons have disagreed.
15Private Bill: City of London (Markets) Bill
The Lords agree with the order made by the Commons concerning the City of London (Markets) Bill set out in their message of 23 October.
16Private Bill: Bishop’s Stortford Cemetery Bill [Lords]
The Lords communicate that they have considered the Commons message of 23 October in respect of the Bishop’s Stortford Cemetery Bill [Lords] and have come to the following Resolution in respect of the said Bill—
That the promoters of the Bishop’s Stortford Cemetery Bill [Lords], which was originally introduced in the House of Lords in this session on 23 January 2023, should have leave to suspend any further proceedings on the Bill from the day on which the current session ends in order to proceed with it, if they think fit, in the next session of Parliament according to the provisions of Private Business Standing Order 150A (Suspension of bills).
Reasons Committees: Reports
17Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill: Reasons Committee
Rachel Maclean reported that the Committee had agreed the following Reason:
Lords Amendment 22B
Because local authorities should continue to meet in person to ensure good governance.
General Committees: Reports
18Second Delegated Legislation Committee
Sir Robert Syms (Chair) reported the draft Representation of the People (Franchise Amendment and Eligibility Review) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023.
19Third Delegated Legislation Committee
James Gray (Chair) reported the draft Public Charge Point Regulations 2023.
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).
20Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications, Deemed Applications, Requests and Site Visits) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2023)
Members: Ruth Edwards discharged and Robert Largan nominated in substitution.
21Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 (Services Exclusions) Regulations 2023)
Members: Mr David Jones and Kit Malthouse discharged and Alberto Costa and Virginia Crosbie nominated in substitution.
Select Committees: Reports
22Backbench Business Committee
Transcript of representations made on Tuesday 24 October to be published (Ian Mearns).
23Business and Trade Committee
(1) The performance of investment zones and freeports in England: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1492);
(2) Batteries for electric vehicle manufacturing: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1070);
(3) Correspondence from the Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business relating to the draft Companies (Amendment) Regulations 2023: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Minister for International Trade and the Minister for Industry and Economic Security relating to trade negotiations with Canada and Switzerland: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) The Post Office: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1501);
(6) Three-Vodafone merger: implications for competition: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1869)
(Liam Byrne).
24Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Women’s sport: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1205) (Julie Elliott).
(1) The work of the Service Complaints Ombudsman: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1856);
(2) Defence in the Grey Zone: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1852);
(3) Future aviation capabilities: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1822);
(4) Women in the Armed Forces: follow-up: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1855);
(5) Work of the Chief of Defence Staff: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1689)
(John Spellar).
(1) Ofsted’s work with schools: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1507);
(2) Screen time: impacts on education and wellbeing: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1823);
(3) Support for childcare and the early years report: Written evidence, to be published (HC 969)
(Mr Robin Walker).
27Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
(1) Species reintroduction: Government Response to the Committee’s Fifth Report: Fifth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1931);
(2) Marine Mammals: Government Response to the Committee’s Sixth Report: Sixth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1942);
(3) Rural Mental Health: Government Response to the Committee’s Fourth Report: Seventh Special Report, to be printed (HC 1945);
(4) Work of Defra: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 705);
(5) Correspondence from the Minister for Biosecurity, Marine and Rural Affairs relating to APHA preparedness: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence from the Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries relating to Plant Protection Products (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2023: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Correspondence from the Secretary of State relating to the Border Target Operating Model: Written evidence, to be published;
(8) Education and careers in land-based sectors: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1847);
(9) Fairness in the Food Supply Chain: Written evidence to be published (HC 1363);
(10) Pet welfare and abuse: Written evidence to be published (HC 1123)
(Sir Robert Goodwill).
(1) Countries at crossroads: UK engagement in Central Asia: Tenth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 1158);
(2) Artificial Intelligence and diplomacy: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1927)
(Liam Byrne).
29International Development Committee
*This item has been corrected since publication. See the correction in the Votes and Proceedings relating to Wednesday 25 October.
(1) UK Small Island Developing States Strategy: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1298);
(2) FCDO and disability-inclusive development: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1747);
(3) FCDO’s approach to sexual and reproductive health: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1216)
(Sarah Champion).
(1) Record of the Committee’s decisions relating to e-petitions, to be published;
(2) List of closed e-petitions presented to the House, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, relating to e-petition 633108: Written evidence, to be published
(Cat Smith).
31Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
(1) Pre-appointment Hearing: Chair of the House of Lords Appointment Commission:
(i) Tenth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 1906);
(ii) Oral evidence to be published (HC 1906);
(2) Correspondence from the Chair of The Electoral Commission relating to the change of Election Commission Chief Executive: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster relating to the NAO audit of Cabinet Office expenditure: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Membership of the House of Lords: Written evidence to be published (HC 1554);
(5) Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman scrutiny 2022–23: Written evidence to be published (HC 1820)
(Mr William Wragg).
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))
Resolved, That this House has considered the matter of IVF provision.—(Kate Osborne.)
The sitting was suspended between 10.52 am and 11 am.
2Oversight of BBC commissioning
Resolved, That this House has considered the matter of oversight of BBC commissioning.—(Mr Gregory Campbell.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.26 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
Resolved, That this House has considered the future of the NHS.—(Margaret Greenwood.)
4Importation and sale of foie gras
The sitting was suspended between 4pm and 4.24 pm for divisions in the House (Standing Order No. 10(3)).
Resolved, That this House has considered the matter of the importation and sale of foie gras.—(Giles Watling.)
The sitting was suspended between 4.43 pm and 4.49 pm.
Resolved, That this House has considered funding for parks.—(Jeremy Corbyn.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.34 pm until tomorrow.
Eleanor Laing
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
1Country Series Georgia No. 2 (2023)
Amending Agreement No. 2, done at Tbilisi on 2 and 14 December 2022, between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Georgia Amending the Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Georgia (by Command) (CP 955), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Act) (Secretary James Cleverly)
Amending Agreement No. 2, done at Chisinau on 25 May 2023, between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Republic of Moldova to amend the Strategic Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Republic of Moldova (by Command) (CP 956), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Act) (Secretary James Cleverly)
Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) Order 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 1110), dated 23 October 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Rachel Maclean)
Other papers
4Civil Aviation, Harbours and Transport
Account Substitutes relating to issues from the National Loans Fund for 2022–23, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 1941) (Clerk of the House)
United Kingdom Labour Market Enforcement Strategy (by Act) (Secretary Suella Braverman)
Report of the Appointed Person for England and Wales 2022-23 (by Act) (Secretary Suella Braverman)