Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
(2) the Prime Minister
2Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Reform): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Motion made and Question proposed, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision about licences authorising the driving of motor vehicles of certain classes; and for connected purposes.—(Dr Thérèse Coffey.)
Motion opposed (Standing Order No. 23(1)).
The House divided.
Division No. 78
Ayes: 63 (Tellers: Mrs Flick Drummond, Justin Tomlinson)
Noes: 81 (Tellers: Jeff Smith, Christian Wakeford)
Question negatived.
3Speaker’s Statement: Selection of Amendments
4Opposition Day: Leader of the second largest opposition party (5th allotted day (Standing Order No. 14))
Ceasefire in Gaza
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel; notes with shock and distress that the death toll has now risen beyond 28,000, the vast majority of whom were women and children; further notes that there are currently 1.5 million Palestinians sheltering in Rafah, 610,000 of whom are children; also notes that they have nowhere else to go; condemns any military assault on what is now the largest refugee camp in the world; further calls for the immediate release of all hostages taken by Hamas and an end to the collective punishment of the Palestinian people; and recognises that the only way to stop the slaughter of innocent civilians is to press for a ceasefire now.—(Brendan O'Hara.)
Amendment proposed, in line 1, to leave out from 'House' to the end of the Question and add 'believes that an Israeli ground offensive in Rafah risks catastrophic humanitarian consequences and therefore must not take place; notes the intolerable loss of Palestinian life, the majority being women and children; condemns the terrorism of Hamas who continue to hold hostages; supports Australia, Canada and New Zealand’s calls for Hamas to release and return all hostages and for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, which means an immediate stop to the fighting and a ceasefire that lasts and is observed by all sides, noting that Israel cannot be expected to cease fighting if Hamas continues with violence and that Israelis have the right to the assurance that the horror of 7 October 2023 cannot happen again; therefore supports diplomatic mediation efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire; demands that rapid and unimpeded humanitarian relief is provided in Gaza; further demands an end to settlement expansion and violence; urges Israel to comply with the International Court of Justice’s provisional measures; calls for the UN Security Council to meet urgently; and urges all international partners to work together to establish a diplomatic process to deliver the peace of a two-state solution, with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state, including working with international partners to recognise a Palestinian state as a contribution to rather than outcome of that process, because statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people and not in the gift of any neighbour.'.—(Mr David Lammy.)
Question proposed, That the Amendment be made.
The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Mr William Wragg moved, That the House sit in private.
Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 163).
The House divided.
Division No. 79
Ayes: 20 (Tellers: Mr William Wragg, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown)
Noes: 212 (Tellers: Mark Tami, Christian Wakeford)
Question negatived.
6Opposition Day: Leader of the second largest opposition party (5th allotted day (Standing Order No. 14)) (resumed)
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
Question agreed to.
Main Question, as amended, put and agreed to.
Resolved, That this House believes that an Israeli ground offensive in Rafah risks catastrophic humanitarian consequences and therefore must not take place; notes the intolerable loss of Palestinian life, the majority being women and children; condemns the terrorism of Hamas who continue to hold hostages; supports Australia, Canada and New Zealand’s calls for Hamas to release and return all hostages and for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, which means an immediate stop to the fighting and a ceasefire that lasts and is observed by all sides, noting that Israel cannot be expected to cease fighting if Hamas continues with violence and that Israelis have the right to the assurance that the horror of 7 October 2023 cannot happen again; therefore supports diplomatic mediation efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire; demands that rapid and unimpeded humanitarian relief is provided in Gaza; further demands an end to settlement expansion and violence; urges Israel to comply with the International Court of Justice’s provisional measures; calls for the UN Security Council to meet urgently; and urges all international partners to work together to establish a diplomatic process to deliver the peace of a two-state solution, with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state, including working with international partners to recognise a Palestinian state as a contribution to rather than outcome of that process, because statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people and not in the gift of any neighbour.
7Speaker’s Statement: Proceedings and decisions on the Opposition motion today
8Statutory Instruments: Motions for approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Bank of England Levy (Amount of Levy Payable) Regulations 2024, which were laid before this House on 22 January, be approved.—(Mark Fletcher.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (Pension Scheme Amendment) Regulations 2024, which were laid before this House on 19 December 2023, be approved.—(Mark Fletcher.)
Question agreed to.
A public petition from residents of the constituency of Linlithgow and East Falkirk relating to a ceasefire in Palestine was presented and read by Martyn Day.
Subject: Water pollution on the east Durham coastline (Grahame Morris)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mark Fletcher.)
Adjourned at 7.50 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
General Committees: Reports
11Licensing Hours Extensions Bill Committee
Mrs Sheryll Murray (Chair) reported the Bill without amendment.
Bill, not amended, to be considered on Friday 15 March.
12Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee
James Gray (Chair) reported the draft Local Elections (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Order 2024 and the draft Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling etc.) (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2024.
13Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee
Mr Philip Hollobone (Chair) reported the draft Carer’s Leave Regulations 2024 and the draft Maternity Leave, Adoption Leave and Shared Parental Leave (Amendment) Regulations 2024.
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).
14Zoological Society of London (Leases) Bill Committee
Members: Simon Baynes, Bob Blackman, Steven Bonnar, Fiona Bruce, Sarah Champion, Dr Thérèse Coffey, Barry Gardiner, Trudy Harrison, Dr Neil Hudson, Rebecca Long Bailey, Julia Lopez, Charlotte Nichols, Jim Shannon, Cat Smith, Sir John Whittingdale, Sir Bill Wiggin and Sir Jeremy Wright
15First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft West Midlands Combined Authority (Transfer of Police and Crime Commissioner Functions) Order 2024)
Members: Jack Brereton, Michael Fabricant, Jo Gideon, Mary Glindon, Jonathan Gullis, Kate Hollern, Kim Johnson, Afzal Khan, Jim McMahon, Scott Mann, Ian Mearns, Grahame Morris, James Morris, Wendy Morton, Jesse Norman, Chris Philp and James Sunderland
16Second Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Limited Liability Partnerships (Application of Company Law) Regulations 2024, draft Service Address (Rectification of Register) Regulations 2024, draft Principal Office Address (Rectification of Register) Regulations 2024 and draft Registered Office Address (Rectification of Register) Regulations 2024)
Members: Sarah Champion, Peter Grant, Kevin Hollinrake, Rebecca Long Bailey, Justin Madders, Julie Marson, David Morris, Jill Mortimer, Neil O’Brien, Dean Russell, Andrew Selous, Alexander Stafford, Jon Trickett, Shailesh Vara, Andrew Western, Mick Whitley and Mike Wood
17Third Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Paternity Leave (Amendment) Regulations 2024)
Members: Adam Afriyie, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, David Duguid, George Eustice, Ms Nusrat Ghani, Mrs Sharon Hodgson, Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck, Justin Madders, Selaine Saxby, Jeff Smith, Alexander Stafford, Sam Tarry, Richard Thomson, Kelly Tolhurst, Matt Vickers, Giles Watling and Mike Wood
18Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Local Elections (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Order 2024 and draft Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling etc.) (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2024)
Members: Steve Double discharged and Aaron Bell nominated in substitution.
19Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Occupational Pension Schemes (Collective Money Purchase Schemes) (Amendment) Regulations 2023)
Members: Shaun Bailey, Siobhan Baillie, Aaron Bell, Stella Creasy, Richard Drax, Gill Furniss, Darren Henry, Mr Kevan Jones, Kim Leadbeater, David Linden, Paul Maynard, John Spellar, Derek Thomas, Mrs Heather Wheeler, James Wild, Beth Winter and Sir Jeremy Wright
20Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Non-Domestic Rating (Rates Retention: Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2024)
Members: Olivia Blake, Virginia Crosbie, Mary Glindon, Chris Grayling, Chris Green, Margaret Greenwood, Simon Hoare, Ian Levy, Jim McMahon, Alan Mak, Rachael Maskell, Navendu Mishra, Mr Gagan Mohindra, Priti Patel, John Penrose, Mary Robinson and Zarah Sultana
21Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Data Protection Act 2018 (Amendment of Schedule 2 Exemptions) Regulations 2024)
Members: Sir Simon Clarke, Dr Thérèse Coffey, Sarah Edwards, Colleen Fletcher, Sally-Ann Hart, Eddie Hughes, Imran Hussain, Dame Diana Johnson, Stephen Kinnock, Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger, John McDonnell, Scott Mann, Mark Menzies, Dr Kieran Mullan, Lia Nici, Tom Pursglove and Alison Thewliss
Select Committees: Reports
22Culture, Media and Sport Committee
(1) British film and high-end television: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 157);
(2) Creator remuneration: Written evidence, to be published (HC 156);
(3) Gambling regulation: Written evidence, to be published (HC 176);
(4) Promoting Britain abroad follow-up: Written evidence, to be published (HC 158)
(Dame Caroline Dinenage).
Future aviation capabilities: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 51) (Sir Jeremy Quin).
24Environmental Audit Committee
(1) The work of the Office for Environmental Protection: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 512);
(2) Enabling sustainable electrification of the UK economy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 278);
(3) The financial sector and the UK’s net zero transition: Written evidence, to be published (HC 277);
(4) The role of natural capital in the green economy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 280)
(Philip Dunne).
(1) Retained EU law: the progress and mechanics of reform: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 376);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business relating to recognition of the CE marking for a range of product regulations: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Business and Trade relating to the Retained EU Law Parliamentary Report: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence with the Minister of State for Legal Migration and the Border relating to the introduction of the EU’s Entry/Exit system and its potential impact on the UK: Written evidence, to be published
(Sir William Cash).
26Human Rights (Joint Committee on)
Human rights of asylum seekers in the UK: Part of the oral evidence, to be published (HC 182) (Joanna Cherry).
(1) Policing of Protests: Third Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 369);
(2) Human Trafficking: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report: Fourth Special Report, to be printed (HC 566);
(3) Non-contact sexual offences: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 504);
(4) Correspondence from the Home Secretary: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence with the Minister of State for Countering Illegal Migration: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence with the Permanent Secretary: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Fraud: Written evidence, to be published (HC 125);
(8) Migration and asylum: Written evidence, to be published (HC 408)
(Dame Diana Johnson).
28International Development Committee
Correspondence with the Secretary of State relating to the health care situation in Gaza: Written evidence, to be published (Sarah Champion).
Correspondence from the Leader of the House of Commons and Leader of the House of Lords relating to Section 13C of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018: Written evidence, to be published (Dame Karen Bradley).
30Public Accounts (Committee of)
(1) Cabinet Office functional savings: Sixteenth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 76);
(2) HMRC performance in 2022–23: Seventeenth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 423);
(3) Government resilience: extreme weather: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 454);
(4) NAO Main Estimate 2024–25: Written evidence, to be published (HC 510)
(Dame Meg Hillier).
31Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
(1) Cyber resilience of the UK’s critical national infrastructure: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 559);
(2) Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Harnessing the power of fungi: Written evidence, to be published (HC 544)
(Greg Clark).
32 Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)
Twelfth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 36-xii) (Jessica Morden).
Future of transport data: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 83) (Iain Stewart).
Economic forecasting: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 565) (Harriett Baldwin).
(1) Prisons in Wales: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 101);
(2) Water quality in Wales: Written evidence, to be published (HC 104)
(Stephen Crabb).
36Women and Equalities Committee
(1) The National Disability Strategy: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report: Second Special Report, to be printed (HC 563);
(2) The escalation of violence against women and girls: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 131);
(3) Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Justice relating to the Rape Review: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Impact of the rising cost of living on women: Written evidence, to be published (HC 128);
(5) The rights of older people: Written evidence, to be published (HC 132)
(Caroline Nokes).
(1) Fiduciary duties: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 486);
(2) Benefit levels in the UK: Written evidence, to be published (HC 142);
(3) Correspondence from the DWP relating to PIP and the MM Judgment: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence with the Health and Safety Executive: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Cost of living support payments: Written evidence, to be published (HC 143);
(6) Safeguarding vulnerable claimants: Written evidence, to be published (HC 146);
(7) Statutory Sick Pay: Written evidence, to be published (HC 148)
(Sir Stephen Timms).
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))
1Future of the steel industry in Wales
Resolved, That this House has considered the future of the steel industry in Wales.—(Dame Nia Griffith.)
2Junction 10A on the A14 at Kettering
Resolved, That this House has considered junction 10A on the A14 at Kettering.—(Mr Philip Hollobone.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.24 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order 10(1)(b)).
3Access to education in south east Northumberland
Resolved, That this House has considered access to education in south east Northumberland.—(Ian Lavery.)
The sitting was suspended between 3.27 pm and 4 pm.
4Government support for cavity wall insulation
Resolved, That this House has considered Government support for cavity wall insulation.—(Hywel Williams.)
5Independent school fees and VAT
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered independent school fees and VAT.—(Andrew Lewer.)
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 independent school fees and VAT.
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.30 pm until tomorrow.
Eleanor Laing
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
Draft Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Steve Barclay)
Draft Accounting Standards (Prescribed Bodies) (United States of America and Japan) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Kemi Badenoch)
Draft Strategy and Policy Statement for Energy Policy in Great Britain (by Act) (Secretary Claire Coutinho)
Draft Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations (Amendment) Order 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Mark Harper)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Customs (Preferential Trade Arrangements: Error in Evidence of Origin) Regulations 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 166), dated 19 February 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Nigel Huddleston)
Extradition Appeals (Scotland) Order 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 172), dated 20 February 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary James Cleverly)
* This item has been corrected since publication. See the Votes and Proceedings relating to Tuesday 21 May 2024.
International Coffee Agreement 2022, adopted at London on 9 June 2022 (No. 1030) (by Command), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (David Rutley)
Crime and Courts Act 2013 (Application and Modification of the Extradition Act 2003) (England and Wales) Order 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 175), dated 20 February 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary James Cleverly)
Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 170), dated 19 February 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary James Cleverly)
Tax Credits (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 176), dated 20 February 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Nigel Huddleston)
Other papers
Draft Strategy and Policy Statement for Energy Policy in Great Britain: Summary of the Consultation Response (by Act) (Secretary Claire Coutinho)
12Levelling Up Housing and Communities
(1) Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Minute, dated 21 February 2024, concerning notification of a contingent liability relating to an indemnity for Petition Officers at recall petitions (by Command) (Simon Hoare)
(2) Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Minute, dated 21 February 2024, concerning a DLUHC indemnity for Police and Crime Commissioner elections (by Command) (Simon Hoare)
(3) Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Minute, dated 21 February 2024, concerning a DLUHC indemnity for recall petitions (by Command) (Simon Hoare)
(4) Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Minute, dated 21 February 2024, concerning a DLUHC indemnity for UK Parliamentary elections (by Command) (Simon Hoare)
(5) Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Minute, dated 21 February 2024, concerning notification of a contingent liability relating to an indemnity for Police Area Returning Officers and Local Returning Officers at Police and Crime Commissioner elections (by Command) (Simon Hoare)
(6) Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Minute, dated 21 February 2024, concerning notification of a contingent liability relating to an indemnity for Returning Officers and Acting Returning Officers at UK Parliamentary elections (by Command) (Simon Hoare)
CORRECTION
Tuesday 20 February 2024
The following item should have appeared under item 12 (General Committee: Reports):
Second Delegated Legislation Committee
Hannah Bardell (Chair) reported the draft Bank of England Levy (Amount of Levy Payable) Regulations 2024.