Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for Scotland
(2) the Prime Minister
2Statements: (1) Regional growth (Darren Jones)
(2) Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (Mr Hamish Falconer)
3Gaza (independent public inquiry): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision for establishing an independent public inquiry into UK involvement in Israeli military operations in Gaza; to require the inquiry to consider any UK military, economic or political cooperation with Israel since October 2023, including the sale, supply or use of weapons, surveillance aircraft and Royal Air Force bases; to provide the inquiry with the power to question Ministers and officials about decisions taken in relation to UK involvement; and for connected purposes;
That Jeremy Corbyn, Ayoub Khan, Mr Adnan Hussain, Shockat Adam, Zarah Sultana, Apsana Begum, Brian Leishman, Richard Burgon, Kim Johnson, Ellie Chowns, Ann Davies and Brendan O’Hara present the Bill.
Jeremy Corbyn accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 4 July, and to be printed (Bill 254).
4Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords]: Consideration of the Bill, as amended in the Public Bill Committee
New Clause NC1—(Gareth Snell)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time.
Clause, by leave, withdrawn.
New Clause NC4—(Sarah Olney)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The House divided.
Division No. 211
Ayes: 171 (Tellers: Susan Murray, Tessa Munt)
Noes: 274 (Tellers: Vicky Foxcroft, Anna Turley)
Question negatived.
Amendment 16 proposed.—(Dame Harriett Baldwin.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The House divided.
Division No. 212
Ayes: 100 (Tellers: Mr Andrew Snowden, Gregory Stafford)
Noes: 339 (Tellers: Vicky Foxcroft, Anna Turley)
Question negatived.
As it was less than one hour before the moment of interruption, the Deputy Speaker put the Questions necessary to bring proceedings on Consideration to a conclusion (Programme Order, 1 April).
The following Question was put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83E).
That Amendment 24 be made (Amendment selected by the Speaker for separate decision).—(Dame Harriett Baldwin.)
The House divided.
Division No. 213
Ayes: 164 (Tellers: Mr Andrew Snowden, Gregory Stafford)
Noes: 273 (Tellers: Vicky Foxcroft, Anna Turley)
Question negatived.
Consideration completed.
5Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [Lords]: Third Reading
Motion made and Question put, That the Bill be now read the third time.
The House divided.
Division No. 214
Ayes: 264 (Tellers: Vicky Foxcroft, Anna Turley)
Noes: 99 (Tellers: Rebecca Paul, Gregory Stafford)
Question agreed to and Bill passed with Amendments.
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 41A(3)), That, at this day’s sitting, Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply to the Motion in the name of James Murray relating to Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill: Money.—(Christian Wakeford.)
Question agreed to.
7Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill: Money
Resolved, That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable under or by virtue of any other Act out of money so provided.—(Rushanara Ali.)
8Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Investigatory Powers (Codes of Practice, Review of Notices and Technical Advisory Board) Regulations 2025, which were laid before this House on 31 March, be approved.—(Christian Wakeford.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Contracts for Difference (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 2025, which were laid before this House on 2 April, be approved.—(Christian Wakeford.)
The Deputy Speaker's opinion as to the decision on the Question was challenged.
Division deferred until Wednesday 11 June (Standing Order No. 41A).
A public petition from residents of the United Kingdom relating to early detection of pancreatic cancer was presented and read by Wendy Chamberlain.
Subject: Street parking on estates in Bracknell Forest (Peter Swallow)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Christian Wakeford.)
Adjourned at 7.27 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Private Business
11Examination of Bills brought from the House of Lords (Standing Order 74)
Report from one of the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills laid upon the Table by the Speaker, That, in the case of the following Bill, originating in the Lords and referred after the First Reading, no Standing Order not previously inquired into is applicable:
Norwich Livestock Market [Lords]
Bill to be read a second time.
General Committees: Reports
12Licensing Hours Extensions Bill Committee
Sir John Hayes (Chair) reported the Bill without amendment.
Bill, not amended, to be considered tomorrow.
13Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee
David Mundell (Chair) reported the draft Payment Services and Payment Accounts (Contract Termination) (Amendment) Regulations 2025.
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).
14Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill Committee
Members: Rushanara Ali, Dr Scott Arthur, Irene Campbell, Wendy Chamberlain, Harriet Cross, Graeme Downie, Mark Ferguson, Peter Fortune, Tracy Gilbert, Graham Leadbitter, Charlie Maynard, Chris Murray, Joani Reid, Martin Rhodes, Greg Smith, Euan Stainbank and Kirsteen Sullivan
15Mental Health Bill Committee
Members: Chris Bloore, Aphra Brandreth, David Burton-Sampson, Dr Danny Chambers, Jen Craft, Josh Dean, Anna Dixon, Dr Luke Evans, Zöe Franklin, Leigh Ingham, Sojan Joseph, Stephen Kinnock, Joe Morris, Taiwo Owatemi, Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst, Gregory Stafford and Rosie Wrighting
16First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 (Extension of Duration of Non-jury Trial Provisions) Order 2025)
Members: Fleur Anderson, Josh Babarinde, Mrs Sureena Brackenridge, Alex Burghart, Lizzi Collinge, Charlie Dewhirst, Cat Eccles, Mr Richard Holden, Taiwo Owatemi, Dr Al Pinkerton, Jo Platt, Mr Connor Rand, Martin Rhodes, Matt Rodda, Robin Swann, David Taylor and John Whitby
17Second Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Relevant Public Authorities and Designated Senior Officers) Regulations 2025)
Members: James Asser, Catherine Atkinson, David Baines, Alex Ballinger, Sarah Bool, Jade Botterill, Graeme Downie, Tracy Gilbert, Dan Jarvis, Katie Lam, Kit Malthouse, Keir Mather, Lisa Smart, Rebecca Smith, Luke Taylor, Tony Vaughan and Jo White
18Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Payment Services and Payment Accounts (Contract Termination) (Amendment) Regulations 2025)
Members: Daisy Cooper discharged and Mr Joshua Reynolds nominated in substitution.
Orders relating to Select Committee Reports
19International Development Committee
The Order (11 February) for publishing written evidence submitted by the NRC on Humanitarian access and adherence to international humanitarian law (HC 526), reported by the International Development Committee on 11 February, was read and discharged.
Select Committees: Reports
20Business and Trade Committee
Correspondence relating to a further session on UK arms exports: Written evidence received by the Sub-Committee, to be published (Liam Byrne).
21Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
(1) The cost of energy: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 736);
(2) Building support for the energy transition: Written evidence, to be published (HC 734);
(3) Correspondence from the Department: Written evidence, to be published
(Bill Esterson).
22Environmental Audit Committee
(1) Environmental sustainability and housing growth: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 439);
(2) Environmental protection policies of DEFRA: Written evidence, to be published (HC 805);
(3) Governing the marine environment: Written evidence, to be published (HC 551)
(Mr Toby Perkins).
23Health and Social Care Committee
(1) The First 1000 Days: a renewed focus: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 802);
(2) Black maternal health: Written evidence, to be published (HC 895);
(3) The work of the Care Quality Commission: Written evidence, to be published (HC 562)
(Paulette Hamilton).
24Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
(1) The Government's new approach to addressing the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland: Written evidence, to be published (HC 586);
(2) The operation of the Windsor Framework: Written evidence, to be published (HC 491)
(Tonia Antoniazzi).
(1) Written parliamentary questions: Departmental performance in Session 2024–25: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 828);
(2) Call lists: Written evidence, to be published (HC 536);
(3) Electronic voting: Written evidence, to be published (HC 710);
(4) Status of independent Members of Parliament: Written evidence, to be published (HC 534)
(Cat Smith).
(1) Problem drug use in Scotland follow-up: Glasgow’s Safer Drug Consumption Facility: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 630);
(2) Correspondence with the First Minister of Scotland relating to the invitation to give oral evidence on the state of intergovernmental relations: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Industrial transition in Scotland: Written evidence, to be published (HC 729);
(4) Scotland Office and the Office of the Advocate General 2025–26 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published
(Patricia Ferguson).
Speaker’s Conference on the security of candidates, MPs and elections: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 570) (The Speaker).
28Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)
Twenty-sixth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 291-xxvi) (Sir Bernard Jenkin).
Work of HM Revenue and Customs: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 416) (Dame Meg Hillier).
(1) Farming in Wales in 2025: Challenges and opportunities: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 785);
(2) Correspondence with the Minister for Water and Flooding relating to the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) The environmental and economic legacy of Wales’ industrial past: Written evidence, to be published (HC 560);
(4) Wales Office 2025–26 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published
(Ruth Jones).
31Women and Equalities Committee
(1) Equality at work: Shared parental leave and paternity leave: Sixth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 502);
(2) Female entrepreneurship: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 711);
(3) Correspondence from the Equality and Human Rights Commission relating to its code of practice: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Evidence base on the safety and effectiveness of puberty blockers: Written evidence, to be published (HC 503);
(5) Misogyny in music: On repeat: Written evidence, to be published (HC 573);
(6) Tackling non-consensual intimate image abuse: Written evidence, to be published (HC 336)
(Sarah Owen).
(1) Pensioner poverty: challenges and mitigations: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 465);
(2) Correspondence from the Chancellor of the Exchequer relating to the Pensions Investment Review: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Minister for Employment relating to Flexible Support Fund expenditure: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Minister for Pensions relating to the recruitment of the Chair of the Pensions Regulator: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Get Britain Working: Pathways to Work: Written evidence, to be published (HC 837);
(6) Get Britain Working: Reforming Jobcentres: Written evidence, to be published (HC 653);
(7) Pensions Dashboard: Written evidence, to be published (HC 742)
(Debbie Abrahams).
Sir 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))
1Government support for disadvantaged communities
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered Government support for disadvantaged communities.—(Mrs Sureena Brackenridge.)
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)).
At 11 am, the Motion lasped (Standing Order No. 10(6)).
2Performance of the Environment Agency in the East of England
Resolved, That this House has considered the performance of the Environment Agency in the East of England.—(Steve Barclay.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.26 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
3Impact of changes to business rates relief on high street businesses
Resolved, That this House has considered the impact of changes to business rates relief on high street businesses.—(Sir Gavin Williamson.)
4Government support for prosecutions relating to violence against women and girls in the West Midlands
Resolved, That this House has considered Government support for prosecutions relating to violence against women and girls in the West Midlands.—(Warinder Juss.)
5Government support for swimming facilities
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered Government support for swimming facilities.—(Joe Robertson.)
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 Government support for swimming facilities.
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.29 pm until tomorrow.
Ms Nusrat Ghani
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
Draft Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Amendment, etc.) Regulations 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Steve Reed)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Electricity (Individual Exemption from the Requirement for a Supply Licence) (JG Pears Power Limited) (England) Order 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 638), dated 2 June 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Ed Miliband)
Immigration (Citizens’ Rights Appeals) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 639), dated 2 June 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Yvette Cooper)
Other papers
Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Improving local areas through developer funding (by Act), to be printed (HC 945) (Clerk of the House)
Initial proposal for an amended National Policy Statement for Ports (by Act) (Secretary Heidi Alexander)
6Political Parties, Elections and Referendums
Fourth Report in 2025 from the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission on the Work of the Committee for 2024–25 (by Act), to be printed (HC 935) (The Speaker)