Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 9.30 am.
Prayers
1Observation of a period of silence
The House observed a minute’s silence in memory of Sir Tony Lloyd.
2Questions to the Minister for the Cabinet Office
3Business Question (Leader of the House)
4Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism
Resolved, That the draft Terrorism Act 2000 (Proscribed Organisations) (Amendment) Order 2024, which was laid before this House on 15 January, be approved.—(Tom Tugendhat.)
(1) Loan Charge
Resolved, That this House is deeply concerned that HMRC has confirmed the suicides of 10 people facing the Loan Charge and that, despite the Morse Review, thousands face unaffordable demands, with the risk of further suicides; notes that HMRC has also confirmed 24 cases of serious harm, including 13 suicide attempts; believes that many people who used schemes were victims of mis-selling, and that in other cases employers and agencies pushed people into using them, yet HMRC is demanding all disputed tax from scheme users, not from those who recommended, promoted and operated the schemes; further notes that section 44 of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 deems agency workers to be taxable as employees of those agencies and that HMRC should have collected tax from agencies at the time; criticises HMRC transferring the liability to individuals despite its own failures; observes that HMRC is pursuing open enquiries for schemes before 2011 despite the Morse Review; also notes that HMRC is seeking additional payments from those who settled; further believes that the Morse Review was limited and not genuinely independent of HM Treasury and HMRC; highlights the resolution proposed by tax professionals; calls on the Government to work with all parties to find a fair resolution and for a full independent investigation, including into the conduct of HMRC; and believes that taxpayer rights must be enshrined in law and enquiries closed after four years if HMRC fails to act.—(Sammy Wilson.)
(2) HS2 compensation
Resolved, That this House calls on the Government to provide compensation to people who have been affected by the construction of HS2.—(Theo Clarke.)
A public petition from residents of the United Kingdom relating to Morecambe Town Council was presented and read by David Morris.
Subject: Governance of Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (Shaun Bailey)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Ruth Edwards.)
Adjourned at 5.30 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
General Committees: Reports
8Criminal Justice Bill Committee
Hannah Bardell (Chair) reported written evidence submitted to the Committee.
Written evidence to be published.
9Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill Committee
Dame Caroline Dinenage (Chair) reported written evidence submitted to the Committee.
Written evidence to be published.
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).
10First Delegated Legislation Committee (Iran (Sanctions) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 1314)
(1) Chair: Peter Dowd
(2) Members: Luke Hall discharged and Paul Howell nominated in substitution.
11Second Delegated Legislation Committee (Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 1367) and Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 1364))
Chair: Graham Stringer
12Third Delegated Legislation Committee (Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure (HC 341) and the Church of England Pensions (Application of Capital Funds) Measure (HC 342))
(1) Chair: James Gray
(2) Members: Mr Richard Bacon discharged and Mr Philip Hollobone nominated in substitution.
13Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Sentencing Act 2020 (Amendment of Schedule 21) Regulations 2023)
Chair: Martin Vickers
14Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (Remedial) Order 2023)
(1) Chair: Stewart Hosie
(2) Members: Colleen Fletcher and Peter Grant discharged and Holly Lynch and Stuart C McDonald nominated in substitution.
15Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Local Government Finance Act 1988 (Prescription of Non-Domestic Rating Multipliers) (England) Regulations 2023)
Chair: Mrs Sheryll Murray
16Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Legal Services Act 2007 (Approved Regulator) Order 2024)
Chair: Mr Virendra Sharma
17Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2024)
Chair: Mr Philip Hollobone
Select Committees: Reports
18Backbench Business Committee
Determination of business to be taken on Thursday 25 January in the Chamber and in Westminster Hall (Ian Mearns).
Lindsay Hoyle
Speaker
Westminster Hall
The sitting began at 1.30 pm.
Business determined by the Backbench Business Committee (Standing Orders No. 10(7) and No. 14(4))
1COP10 to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
Resolved, That this House has considered COP10 to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.—(Andrew Lewer.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 2.54 pm until Monday 22 January.
Eleanor Laing
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
Draft Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 (Consequential and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Jacob Young)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
(1) Register of Overseas Entities (Annotation and Removal) Regulations 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 53), dated 17 January 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Kevin Hollinrake)
(2) Registrar (Annotation, Removal and Disclosure Restrictions) Regulations 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 54), dated 17 January 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Kevin Hollinrake)
Criminal Legal Aid (General) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 58), dated 16 January 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Alex Chalk)
Police and Firefighters’ Pensions (Remediable Service) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 59), dated 17 January 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary James Cleverly)
Other papers
Report and Accounts of the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority for 2022–23, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 337) (Secretary James Cleverly)