Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Speaker’s Statement: Election of the Chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
2Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
(2) the Prime Minister
3Statement: Illegal immigration (Secretary James Cleverly)
4Deputy Speaker’s Statement: Election of the Chair of the Backbench Business Committee
The Deputy Speaker announced that Ian Mearns had been elected as Chair of the
Backbench Business Committee (Standing Order No. 122D).
5King's Speech (Motion for an Address) (last day)
Debate resumed (Order, 14 November).
Question again proposed, That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, as follows:
Most Gracious Sovereign,
We, Your Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament.
Subject: Reducing serious violence and violence against women and girls, and raising confidence in policing and the criminal justice system
Amendment proposed, at the end of the Question, to add ‘and submit to Your Majesty that this House wishes to see an end to the violence in Israel and Palestine; unequivocally condemn the horrific terrorist attack and murder of civilians by Hamas, call for the immediate release of all hostages and reaffirm Israel’s right to defend its citizens from terrorism; believe all human life is equal and that there has been too much suffering, including far too many deaths of innocent civilians and children, over the past month in Gaza; reaffirm the UK’s commitment to the rules-based international order, international humanitarian law and the jurisdiction of the ICC to address the conduct of all parties in Gaza and Hamas’s attacks in Israel; call on Israel to protect hospitals and lift the siege conditions allowing food, water, electricity, medicine and fuel into Gaza; request the Government continue to work with the international community to prevent a wider escalation of the conflict in the region, guarantee that people in Gaza who are forced to flee during this conflict can return to their homes and seek an end to the expansion of illegal settlements and settler violence in the West Bank; and, while acknowledging the daily humanitarian pauses to allow in aid and the movement of civilians, believe they must be longer to deliver humanitarian assistance on a scale that begins to meet the desperate needs of the people of Gaza, which is a necessary step to an enduring cessation of fighting as soon as possible and a credible, diplomatic and political process to deliver the lasting peace of a two-state solution.’.—(Yvette Cooper.)
The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The House divided.
Division No. 2
Ayes: 183 (Tellers: Mary Glindon, Samantha Dixon)
Noes: 290 (Tellers: Robert Largan, Mike Wood)
Question negatived.
Another Amendment proposed, at the end of the Question, to add ‘but respectfully regret that the Gracious Speech fails to include measures that would require the Government to uphold international law and protect all civilians in Israel and Palestine; unequivocally condemn the horrific killings by Hamas and the taking of hostages; reaffirm that there must be an end to the collective punishment of the Palestinian people; call for the urgent release of all hostages and an end to the siege of Gaza to allow vital supplies of food, fuel, medicine and water to reach the civilian population; note the growing calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire from the United Nations and its aid agencies; and therefore call on the Government to join with the international community in urgently pressing all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire.’.—(Stephen Flynn.)
Question put forthwith, That the Amendment be made (Standing Order No. 33).
The House divided.
Division No. 3
Ayes: 125 (Tellers: Kirsty Blackman, Gavin Newlands)
Noes: 293 (Tellers: Robert Largan, Mike Wood)
Question negatived.
Another Amendment proposed, at the end of the Question, to add ‘but respectfully regret that the Gracious Speech does not include measures to tackle the cost of living crisis, address food price inflation, reach net zero or support households with mortgage payments and energy bills, fails to establish an industrial strategy to facilitate economic certainty and boost growth, does not include measures to address the crises in the NHS and social care, does not include provision for 40 new hospitals, fails to include a two month cancer treatment guarantee or commitment to improve ambulance, dentist and GP waiting times, fails to introduce measures to stop the pumping of sewage into waterways or introduce a new tougher water regulator to hold water companies to account, provides no extra support to farmers transitioning to nature-friendly farming, neglects backlogs in the overwhelmed asylum and court systems, fails to restore community policing to protect neighbourhoods, fails to tackle the education attainment gap which has grown since the pandemic or issues including crumbling schools, mental health support, improving teacher recruitment, retention, and SEND provision, fails to include steps to fix the UK’s broken relationship with Europe, which is harming businesses, farmers and fishers, and ignores standards in public life, which have been eroded under this Government.’.—(Ed Davey.)
Question put forthwith, That the Amendment be made (Standing Order No. 33).
The House divided.
Division No. 4
Ayes: 25 (Tellers: Jamie Stone, Daisy Cooper)
Noes: 303 (Tellers: Robert Largan, Mike Wood)
Question negatived.
Main Question put and agreed to.
Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, as follows:
Most Gracious Sovereign,
We, Your Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament.
Address to be presented to His Majesty by Members of this House who are Privy Counsellors or Members of His Majesty’s Household.
6Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (Risk of Being Drawn into Terrorism) (Revised Guidance) Regulations 2023, which were laid before this House on 7 September, in the last Session of Parliament, be approved.—(Joy Morrissey.)
Question agreed to.
7Business of the House (16 November)
Ordered, That at the sitting on Thursday 16 November, the Speaker shall put the Questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on:
(1) the Motion in the name of Sir Charles Walker relating to the Speaker's Conference not later than one hour after the commencement of proceedings on that Motion; such Questions shall include the Questions on any Amendments selected by the Speaker which may then be moved; and
(2) the Motion in the name of the Prime Minister relating to COP28 not later than two hours after the commencement of proceedings on that Motion or at 5.00pm, whichever is the later;
proceedings on those Motions may continue, though opposed, after the moment of interruption; and Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply.—(Joy Morrissey.)
A public petition from residents of the United Kingdom relating to energy bills support was presented and read by Anne McLaughlin.
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Joy Morrissey.)
Adjourned at 7.43 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
General Committees: Reports
10Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee
Mrs Pauline Latham (Chair) reported the draft Northern Ireland (Ministerial Appointment Functions) (No. 2) Regulations 2023.
11Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee
Julie Elliott (Chair) reported the Alcohol Licensing (Coronavirus) (Regulatory Easements) (Amendment) Regulations 2023.
12Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee
Mr Virendra Sharma (Chair) reported the draft Dormant Assets (Distribution of Money) (England) Order 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).
13First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Justification Decision (Scientific Age Imaging) Regulations 2023)
(1) Chair: James Gray
(2) Members: Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, Edward Argar, Shaun Bailey, Kevin Brennan, Miss Sarah Dines, Sarah Edwards, Barry Gardiner, Jonathan Gullis, Gerald Jones, Scott Mann, Mark Pawsey, Chris Skidmore, Chris Stephens, John Stevenson, Maggie Throup, Jon Trickett and Steve Tuckwell
14Second Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Immigration (Age Assessments) Regulations 2023)
(1) Chair: Stewart Hosie
(2) Members: Lucy Allan, Sir Jake Berry, Paul Blomfield, Alberto Costa, Sir James Duddridge, Simon Fell, Colleen Fletcher, Kevin Foster, Robert Jenrick, Stephen Kinnock, Karl McCartney, Scott Mann, Ms Marie Rimmer, Michael Shanks, Chris Stephens, James Sunderland and Karl Turner
15Third Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Occupational Pension Schemes (Amendment) (Equal Treatment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023, draft Pensions (Pension Protection Fund Compensation) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023, (draft Pensions Act 2004 (Amendment) (Pension Protection Fund Compensation) Regulations 2023 and draft Pensions Act 2004 and the Equality Act 2010 (Amendment) (Equal Treatment by Occupational Pension Schemes) Regulations 2023)
(1) Chair: Sir George Howarth
(2) Members: Sir Conor Burns, Miriam Cates, Jon Cruddas, Ruth Edwards, Gill Furniss, Nick Gibb, Fabian Hamilton, Kim Johnson, Kim Leadbeater, Sir Brandon Lewis, David Linden, Paul Maynard, Sir Mike Penning, Tom Randall, Bob Seely, Alistair Strathern and James Wild
16Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Aviation (Consumers) (Amendment) Regulations 2023)
(1) Chair: Derek Twigg
(2) Members: Ian Byrne, Neil Coyle, Michael Fabricant, Mr Marcus Fysh, Margaret Greenwood, Dr Neil Hudson, Mike Kane, Sir Greg Knight, Ian Levy, Mr Jonathan Lord, Holly Lynch, Mr Gagan Mohindra, Charlotte Nichols, Guy Opperman, Kelly Tolhurst, Valerie Vaz and Matt Warman
17Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2023)
(1) Chair: Sir Gary Streeter
(2) Members: Caroline Ansell, Liam Byrne, Jackie Doyle-Price, Dr Luke Evans, Mark Fletcher, Chris Green, Darren Henry, Andy McDonald, Rachael Maskell, Damien Moore, Wendy Morton, Kate Osamor, Graham Stuart, Liz Twist, Shailesh Vara, Christian Wakeford and Dr Alan Whitehead
18Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (Alcohol Licensing (Coronavirus) (Regulatory Easements) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 990))
Members: Chris Philp discharged and Laura Farris nominated in substitution
19Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Design Right, Artist’s Resale Right and Copyright (Amendment) Regulations 2023 and the draft Intellectual Property (Exhaustion of Rights) (Amendment) Regulations 2023)
(1) Chair: Judith Cummins
(2) Members: Adam Afriyie, Sarah Atherton, Fiona Bruce, Dan Carden, James Daly, Dehenna Davison, Laura Farris, George Freeman, Andrew Griffith, Gareth Johnson, Ian Lavery, Rebecca Long Bailey, Keir Mather, Nigel Mills, Kate Osborne, Matt Rodda, Mark Tami and Suzanne Webb
20Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Public Service Obligations in Transport Regulations 2023)
(1) Chair: Sir Robert Syms
(2) Members: Anthony Browne, Rob Butler, Dr Lisa Cameron, Chris Clarkson, Chris Elmore, Richard Fuller, Mrs Paulette Hamilton, Sir Oliver Heald, Danny Kruger, Simon Lightwood, Mr Gagan Mohindra, Jill Mortimer, Gavin Newlands, Cat Smith, Sam Tarry, Derek Thomas and Mick Whitley
21Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Green Gas Support Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2023)
(1) Chair: Mrs Sheryll Murray
(2) Members: Alan Brown, Richard Burgon, Steve Double, Mrs Flick Drummond, David Duguid, Dr Luke Evans, Mark Fletcher, Andrew Jones, Mr Khalid Mahmood, Dame Amanda Milling, Anne Marie Morris, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Graham Stuart, Julian Sturdy, Christian Wakeford, Dr Alan Whitehead and Beth Winter
22Ninth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Health Protection (Coronavirus, Testing Requirements and Standards) (England) (Amendment and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2023)
(1) Chair: Ian Paisley
(2) Members: Debbie Abrahams, Duncan Baker, Maria Caulfield, Tracey Crouch, Ruth Edwards, Preet Kaur Gill, Sally-Ann Hart, John Howell, Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck, John McDonnell, Mark Menzies, Mary Robinson, Greg Smith, Alex Sobel, Christian Wakeford, Giles Watling and Mohammad Yasin
Select Committees: Reports
Introductory session with the Defence Secretary: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 52) (Robert Courts).
24Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
(1) Keeping the power on: our future energy technology mix: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 116);
(2) Correspondence from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: Written evidence, to be published
(Angus Brendan MacNeil).
25Environmental Audit Committee
(1) Enabling sustainable electrification of the UK economy: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 278);
(2) Heat resilience and sustainable cooling: Written evidence, to be published (HC 279);
(3) The environmental sustainability of the Department for Education: Written evidence, to be published (HC 282);
(4) The role of natural capital in the green economy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 280)
(Philip Dunne).
(1) First Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 166-i);
(2) Correspondence with the Minister of State for Food, Farming and Fisheries relating to UK/EU Fisheries negotiations for 2024: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Business and Trade relating to the Government’s response to its retained EU employment law consultation: Written evidence, to be published
(Sir William Cash).
(1) Human Trafficking: First Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 124);
(2) The work of the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 126);
(3) Fraud: Written evidence, to be published (HC 125);
(4) Correspondence with the Security Minister relating to the Draft Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill: Written evidence, to be published
(Dame Diana Johnson).
28Human Rights (Joint Committee on)
(1) Daesh Inquiry: Part of the oral evidence and written evidence, to be published (HC 179);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister of State for Crime, Police and Fire on the use of tasers: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Minister of State for Immigration on the Brook House Inquiry: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Human rights at work: Written evidence, to be published (HC 181)
(Joanna Cherry).
(1) Constitutional relationship with the Crown Dependencies: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 30);
(2) Correspondence from the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Minister for Courts and Legal Services relating to implementing increases to selected court and tribunal fees: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Minister for Prisons and Probation relating to the draft Mental Health Bill update: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence with the Chairman of the Sentencing Council relating to sentencing guidelines: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Future prison population and estate capacity: Written evidence, to be published (HC 29)
(Sir Robert Neill).
30National Security Strategy (Joint Committee on)
Ransomware: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 194) (Margaret Beckett).
31Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
(1) Renewable Heat Incentive - recent developments: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 48);
(2) The funding and delivery of public services in Northern Ireland: Written evidence, to be published (HC 46)
(Sir Robert Buckland).
(1) Correspondence with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, relating to e-petition 642809: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Correspondence with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, relating to e-petition 643611: Written evidence, to be published
(Cat Smith).
33Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
(1) Commercialising quantum technologies: Written evidence, to be published (HC 270);
(2) Correspondence from the Information Commissioner relating to facial recognition technology: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Minister for Nuclear and Networks relating to a consultation on Sizewell C licence modifications: Written evidence, to be published
(Greg Clark).
34Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)
Second Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 36-ii) (Jessica Morden).
35Statutory Instruments (Select Committee on)
First Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 35-i) (Jessica Morden).
Work of the Secretary of State for Transport: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 86) (Iain Stewart).
(1) Sexism in the City: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 240);
(2) Correspondence with HM Treasury relating to investment company cost disclosures: Written evidence, to be published
(Harriett Baldwin).
(1) Defence industry in Wales: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 102);
(2) Broadcasting in Wales: Written evidence, to be published (HC 292);
(3) One-off evidence session on the Shared Prosperity Fund: Written evidence, to be published (HC 291)
(Stephen Crabb).
39Women and Equalities Committee
(1) Attitudes towards women and girls in educational settings: Government, Ofsted and Office for Students responses to the Committee’s Fifth Report of Session 2022-23: First Special Report, to be printed (HC 258);
(2) The escalation of violence against women and girls: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 131);
(3) Correspondence from the Equality and Human Rights Commission, relating to the Istanbul Convention: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, relating to the EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Impact of the rising cost of living on women: Written evidence, to be published (HC 128)
(Caroline Nokes).
(1) Defined benefit pensions with Liability Driven Investments: Government Response to the Committee’s Seventh Report of Session 2022–23: First Special Report, to be printed (HC 259);
(2) Safeguarding vulnerable claimants: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 146);
(3) Benefit levels in the UK: Written evidence, to be published (HC 142);
(4) Defined benefit pension schemes: Written evidence, to be published (HC 144)
(Sir Stephen Timms).
Lindsay Hoyle
Speaker
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
(1) Draft Immigration (Employment of Adults Subject to Immigration Control) (Maximum Penalty) (Amendment) Order 2023 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary James Cleverly)
(2) Draft Immigration Act 2014 (Residential Accommodation) (Maximum Penalty) Order 2023 (by Act), and an Economic Note and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary James Cleverly)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Agreement, done at London on 26 January 2023, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Georgia concerning Air Services (CP 976) (by Command), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Act) (David Rutley)
Other papers
Draft Code of Practice on right to rent: Right to Rent Scheme for landlords and their agents (by Act) (Secretary James Cleverly)
4Immigration, Asylum and Nationality
Draft Code of Practice on preventing illegal working: Right to Work Scheme for employers (by Act) (Secretary James Cleverly)
Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities: Levelling Up funding to Local Government (by Act), to be printed (HC 191) (Clerk of the House)
Report and Accounts of sportscotland National Lottery Distribution Fund for 2022–23 (by Act), to be printed (HC 19) (Secretary Alister Jack)
(1) Report and Accounts of The Executive Office for the year ended 31 March 2023 (by Act), to be printed (HC 20) (Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris)
(2) Report and Financial Statements of Land & Property Services Trust – Rate Levy Accruals Account for the year ended 31 March 2023 (by Act), to be printed (HC 23) (Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris)
(3) Report and Financial Statements of the Department of Education for the year ended 31 March 2023 (by Act), to be printed (HC 21) (Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris)