House of Commons
Session 2017-19
House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Wednesday
28 February 2018
No. 102
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Answer to Address)
The Vice-Chamberlain of the Household reported to the House, That the Address of 23 January, praying that Her Majesty will appoint Jacqui Smith to the office of ordinary member of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority for a period of five years with effect from 19 February 2018, was presented to Her Majesty, who was graciously pleased to comply with the request.
2Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for International Development
(2) the Prime Minister
3Urgent Questions: (1) Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland: border arrangements (Mr David Lidington)
(2) International Development Committee: Burmese visas (Mark Field)
4Social Media Service Providers (Civil Liability and Oversight): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make social media service providers liable for online publications in respect of civil proceedings in specified circumstances; to establish and confer functions upon a commissioner for online safety; to make provision about the disclosure of certain information by social media service providers; and for connected purposes;
That John Mann, Ruth Smeeth, Luciana Berger, Dr Matthew Offord, Nicky Morgan, Andrew Percy, Anna Turley, Lilian Greenwood, Liz Saville Roberts, Dr Lisa Cameron and Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi present the Bill.
John Mann accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 27 April, and to be printed (Bill 170).
5Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Bill: Second and Third Reading (Standing Order No. 56)
Motion made and Question put forthwith, That the Bill be now read a second time.
Question agreed to and Bill accordingly read a second time.
Motion made and Question put forthwith, That the Bill be now read the third time.
Question agreed to and Bill accordingly read the third time, and passed.
6Business of the House (Today)
Ordered, That, at this day's sitting—
(1) the Speaker shall put the Questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on the Motion in the name of Andrea Leadsom relating to Independent Complaints and Grievance Policy not later than three hours 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; proceedings may continue, though opposed, after the moment of interruption; and Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply; and
(2) notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order No. 20 (Time for taking private business), the Private Business set down by the Chairman of Ways and Means shall be entered upon at the conclusion of proceedings on the motion relating to Independent Complaints and Grievance Policy (whether before, at or after four o’clock) and may then be proceeded with, though opposed, for three hours, after which the Speaker shall interrupt the business; and the business may be entered upon after the moment of interruption.—(Andrea Leadsom.)
7Independent Complaints and Grievance Policy
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House endorses the recommendations of the Working Group on an Independent Complaints and Grievance Policy; and asks the House of Commons Commission to authorise House officials, reporting regularly to a steering group of Members and others, to undertake the work necessary to establish:
(1) a Behaviour Code for Parliament that covers bullying and harassment, and sexual harassment, and applies to all persons working for or with Parliament, or who are lawfully on the parliamentary estate;
(2) an independent complaints and grievance scheme to underpin the Code, together with associated policies, appropriate sanctions and the contractual arrangements necessary for delivering the scheme;
(3) particular procedures to deal with reports of sexual harassment, including the provision of a specialist Independent Sexual Violence Advocate;
(4) a system of training to support the Code;
(5) a human resources support service for staff employed by Members of Parliament or jointly by political parties, delivered by a third-party provider, and a handbook for these staff; and to identify any amendments that may be necessary to Standing Orders and the Code of Conduct, for the approval of the House.—(Andrea Leadsom.)
Amendment proposed, in line 3, after 'others,', insert 'in consultation with the Committee on Standards and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards,'.—(Sir Kevin Barron.)
Question put and agreed to.
Main question put and agreed to.
Resolved, That this House endorses the recommendations of the Working Group on an Independent Complaints and Grievance Policy; and asks the House of Commons Commission to authorise House officials, reporting regularly to a steering group of Members and others, in consultation with the Committee on Standards and the parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, to undertake the work necessary to establish:
(1) a Behaviour Code for Parliament that covers bullying and harassment, and sexual harassment, and applies to all persons working for or with Parliament, or who are lawfully on the parliamentary estate;
(2) an independent complaints and grievance scheme to underpin the Code, together with associated policies, appropriate sanctions and the contractual arrangements necessary for delivering the scheme;
(3) particular procedures to deal with reports of sexual harassment, including the provision of a specialist Independent Sexual Violence Advocate;
(4) a system of training to support the Code;
(5) a human resources support service for staff employed by Members of Parliament or jointly by political parties, delivered by a third-party provider, and a handbook for these staff; and to identify any amendments that may be necessary to Standing Orders and the Code of Conduct, for the approval of the House.
The House proceeded to consider Private Business set down by the Chairman of Ways and Means (Order, 20 February).
Middle Level Bill: Consideration of Bill, as amended
New Clause NC1—(Sir Christopher Chope)—brought up and read the first time.
Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time.
Clause, by leave, withdrawn.
Amendment 14 proposed.—(Sir Christopher Chope.)
Question put, That the amendment be made.
The House divided.
Division No. 125
Ayes: 5 (Tellers: Mr Peter Bone, Philip Davies)
Noes: 177 (Tellers: Wendy Morton, Amanda Milling)
Question accordingly negatived.
Middle Level Bill: Third Reading
Bill read the third time, and passed.
9Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Works Detrimental to Navigation (Powers and Duties of Inspectors) Regulations 2018, which were laid before this House on 18 January, be approved.—(Chris Heaton-Harris.)
Question agreed to.
A public petition from residents of Dudley South relating to nature reserves in Dudley South was presented and read by Mike Wood.
Subject: Deaths abroad in suspicious circumstances and support for British nationals (Hannah Bardell)
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.—(Paul Maynard.)
At 7.00 pm, the Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 9(7)).
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Paul Maynard.)
Adjourned at 7.30 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
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 Selection Committee nominates Members to serve on General Committees (and certain Members to serve on Grand Committees).
12Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Bill Committee
(1) Chairs:Mrs Madeleine Moon
(2) Members: Edward Argar, Luciana Berger, Jackie Doyle-Price, Kevin Foster, Helen Hayes, Caroline Lucas, Shabana Mahmood, Tom Pursglove, Will Quince, Mr Steve Reed, Paula Sherriff, Gareth Snell, Maggie Throup, Mrs Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Mike Wood, Mr William Wragg and Daniel Zeichner.
13First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft International Tax Enforcement (Bermuda) Order 2017 and the draft Double Taxation Relief and International Tax Enforcement (Kyrgyzstan) Order 2017)
(1) Chairs: Stewart Hosie
(2) Members: Adam Afriyie, Ann Coffey, Thangam Debbonaire, Anneliese Dodds, Peter Grant, Kirstene Hair, Dr Caroline Johnson, Mr David Lammy, Steve McCabe, Lucy Powell, Mr Mark Prisk, David Rutley, Iain Stewart, Mel Stride, Martin Vickers, Thelma Walker and Giles Watling.
14Second Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Carrying on Regulated Activities by Way of Business) (Amendment) Order 2018)
(1) Chairs: Sir David Crausby
(2) Members: Mr John Baron, Fiona Bruce, Richard Burden, Ms Angela Eagle, Gordon Henderson, Robert Jenrick, Dr Caroline Johnson, David Linden, Catherine McKinnell, Stephen McPartland, Mark Menzies, Bridget Phillipson, Jonathan Reynolds, David Rutley, Sir Nicholas Soames, Mark Tami and Thelma Walker.
15Third Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Enhanced Partnership Plans and Schemes (Objections) Regulations 2018)
(1) Chairs: Andrew Rosindell
(2) Members: Jo Churchill, Vicky Foxcroft, Mr Mark Francois, James Frith, Ms Nusrat Ghani, Chris Green, John Grogan, Nick Herbert, Dan Jarvis, Jack Lopresti, Alison McGovern, Craig Mackinlay, Sir Mike Penning, Matt Rodda, Douglas Ross, John Spellar and Gareth Thomas.
16Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Automatic Enrolment (Earnings Trigger and Qualifying Earnings Band) Order and the draft National Employment Savings Trust (Amendment) Order 2018)
(1) Chairs: Mr Adrian Bailey
(2) Members: Mike Amesbury, Mhairi Black, Mr Jonathan Djanogly, Jack Dromey, Vicky Foxcroft, John Howell, Mr Ranil Jayawardena, Liz Kendall, John Lamont, Mr Chris Leslie, Guy Opperman, Priti Patel, Naz Shah, Grant Shapps, Alec Shelbrooke, Matt Western and Craig Whittaker.
17Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Electronic Commerce Directive (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2018)
(1) Chairs: Ian Austin
(2) Members: Nigel Adams, Peter Aldous, Sir Paul Beresford, Liam Byrne, Colin Clark, Neil Coyle, David Duguid, Chris Elmore, Chris Evans, Kate Green, Nigel Huddleston, Margot James, Gavin Newlands, Mr Bob Seely, Ruth Smeeth, Royston Smith and John Woodcock.
General Committees: Reports
18Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee
Mr Laurence Robertson (Chair) reported the Draft Waste Enforcement (England and Wales) Regulations 2018.
19Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee
Siobhain McDonagh (Chair) reported the Draft Passport (Fees) Regulations 2018.
20Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee
Mr Laurence Robertson (Chair) reported the Draft Building Societies (Restricted Transactions) (Amendment to the Prohibition on Entering into Derivatives Transactions) Order 2018, the draft Financial Services Act 2012 (Mutual Societies) Order 2018 and the draft Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 (Amendments to Audit Requirements) Order 2017.
Reports from Select Committees
21Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee
(1) Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Bill: Government Response to the Fourth Report of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee: Fifth Special Report, to be printed (HC 865);
(2) Industrial Strategy: Sector Deals and Productivity: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 663)
(Rachel Reeves).
22Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Fake news: Written evidence, to be published (HC 363) (Damian Collins).
23Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
(1) 2 Sisters and Standards in Poultry Processing:
(i) Food Standards Agency Response to the Committee’s First Report of Session 2017-19: Sixth Special Report, to be printed (HC 861);
(ii) Written Evidence, to be published (HC 490);
(2) Labour Constraints: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 776);
(3) Post-Brexit Trade in Sugar: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 824);
(4) Brexit: trade in food: Written evidence, to be published (HC 348);
(5) Correspondence from the Groceries Code Adjudicator: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence from the Secretary of State relating to Bovine Tuberculosis in England: Written evidence, to be published
(Neil Parish).
24Environmental Audit Committee
(1) Nitrates: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 656);
(2) 25-year environment plan: Written evidence, to be published (HC 803);
(3) Chinese Waste Import Ban: Written evidence, to be published (HC 741);
(4) Correspondence with the Chair of the European Scrutiny Committee relating to European Reporters on Select Committees: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Green Finance: Written evidence, to be published (HC 617)
(Mary Creagh).
(1) Sixteenth Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 301-xvi);
(2) Correspondence: Written evidence, to be published (HC 301)
(Sir William Cash).
26Human Rights (Joint Committee on)
(1) Proposal for a draft Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Remedial) Order 2018: Second Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 654);
(2) Legislative Scrutiny: Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill: Third Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 568);
(3) Human Rights: attitudes to enforcement: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 669)
(Ms Harriet Harman).
27International Trade Committee
(1) Continuing application of EU trade agreements after Brexit: First Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 520);
(2) UK-US trade relations: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 481);
(3) Trade and the Commonwealth: Australia and New Zealand: Written evidence, to be published (HC 521);
(4) Correspondence from the Rt Hon Greg Hands relating to the interaction between the programme of trade agreement continuity and the implementation period with the EU: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence from the Rt Hon Greg Hands relating to the Trade Remedies Authority: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Supplementary Estimates 2017–18: memoranda from the Department for International Trade and UK Export Finance: Written evidence, to be published
(Angus Brendan MacNeil).
28Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
(1) Devolution and democracy in Northern Ireland–dealing with the deficit: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 613);
(2) Brexit and Northern Ireland: tell us what you think: Written evidence, to be published (HC 686);
(3) Fisheries: Written evidence, to be published (HC 687)
(Dr Andrew Murrison).
29Public Accounts (Committee of)
(1) Alternative higher education providers: Twenty-third Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 736);
(2) Care Quality Commission: Twenty-fourth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 465);
(3) Adult social care workforce: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 690);
(4) Implementing EU exit: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Written evidence, to be published (HC 647)
(5) Sustainability and transformation of the NHS: Written evidence, to be published (HC 793)
(Meg Hillier).
The future of working practices in Scotland: Second Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 449) (Pete Wishart).
31Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)
Fourteenth Report, to be printed (HC 542-xiv) (Derek Twigg).
Household finances: income, saving and debt: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 565) (Nicky Morgan).
33Women and Equalities Committee
(1) Older people and employment: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 359);
(2) Correspondence from Dawn Butler MP, Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, relating to the evidence session on Women in the House of Commons held on 15 November 2017: Written evidence, to be published (HC 507);
(3) Correspondence from Melanie Field, Equality and Human Rights Commission, relating to the evidence session on the Race Disparity Audit held on 7 February 2018: Written evidence, to be published (HC 562)
(Mrs Maria Miller).
(1) European Social Fund: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 848);
(2) Assistive technology: Written evidence, to be published (HC 673);
(3) Carillion: Written evidence, to be published (HC 769);
(4) Collective defined contribution pension schemes: Written evidence, to be published (HC 580);
(5) Correspondence with the Minister of State for Employment relating to Universal Credit guidance and unit costs: Written evidence to be published (HC 336);
(6) Correspondence with the Minister for Pensions and Financial Inclusion relating to Defined Benefit pensions: Written evidence to be published (HC 579);
(7) Correspondence with the Minister for Pensions and Financial Inclusion relating to the review of automatic enrolment: Written evidence to be published;
(8) Correspondence with Lesley Titcomb, Chief Executive, The Pensions Regulator, relating to Arcadia pension scheme: Written evidence to be published (HC 579);
(9) Correspondence with Megan Butler, FCA, relating to British Steel Pension Scheme transfer advice: Written evidence to be published (HC 404);
(10) Correspondence with Jimmy Barber, Chief Operating Officer, Financial Services Compensation Scheme, relating to Active Wealth (UK) Ltd: Written evidence to be published (HC 404);
(11) Correspondence with Secretary of State relating to PIP and ESA data and costs: Written evidence to be published (HC 355);
(12) Correspondence with the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work relating to Assistive technology Inquiry: Written evidence to be published (HC 673);
(13) Correspondence with Sir Philip Green relating to Arcadia pension scheme: Written evidence to be published;
(14) Correspondence with the Chairman, European Scrutiny Committee relating to the EU proposal for a Working Conditions Directive: Written evidence, to be published;
(15) Pension freedom and choice: Written evidence to be published (HC 404);
(16) Support for carers: Written evidence to be published (HC 581)
(Frank Field).
John Bercow
Speaker
Westminster Hall
The sitting began at 9.30 am.
Business appointed by the Chairman of Ways and Means (Standing Order No. 10(6))
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered funding for higher education.—(Mr Gary Streeter.)
At 11.00 am, the Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 10(6)).
2Death by dangerous driving and sentencing
Resolved, That this House has considered the matter of death by dangerous driving and sentencing.—(Eddie Hughes.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.19 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
3Anti-corruption strategy and the illegal wildlife trade
Resolved, That this House has considered the anti-corruption strategy and the illegal wildlife trade.—(Dr Rupa Huq.)
4Equality of voting ages in the UK
Resolved, That this House has considered the equality of voting ages in the UK.—(Danielle Rowley.)
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered pensions auto-enrolment.—(Michelle Donelan.)
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 5.30 pm, the Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.30 pm until tomorrow.
Lindsay Hoyle
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
Draft Welsh Ministers (Transfer of Functions) (Railways) Order 2018 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Chris Grayling)
Draft Legislative Reform (Regulator of Social Housing) (England) Order 2018 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Dominic Raab)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Compulsory Purchase of Land (Written Representations Procedure) (Ministers) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Electronic Communications) Regulations 2018 (S.I., 2018, No. 253), dated 26 February 2018 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Dominic Raab)
Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Fees and Frequency of Inspections) (Children’s Homes etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I., 2018, No. 246), dated 26 February 2018 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Nadhim Zahawi)
Education
Bolton College (Designated Institution in Further Education) Order 2018 (S.I., 2018, No. 247), dated 26 February 2018 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Anne Milton)
Higher Education and Research Act 2017 (Consequential, Transitional, Transitory and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2018 (S.I., 2018, No. 245), dated 26 February 2018 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Sam Gyimah)
Electricity (Connection Offer Expenses) Regulations 2018 (S.I., 2018, No. 254), dated 27 February 2018 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Claire Perry)
Energy Information (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I., 2018, No. 255), dated 27 February 2018 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Claire Perry)
London Government (London Fire Commissioner and Policing) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I., 2018, No. 269), dated 27 February 2018 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Amber Rudd)
Street Works (Charges for Occupation of the Highway) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I., 2018, No. 215), dated 20 February 2018 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Chris Grayling)
Portability of Online Content Services Regulations 2018 (S.I., 2018, No. 249), dated 26 February 2018 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Sam Gyimah)
Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2018 (S.I., 2018, No. 242), dated 20 February 2018 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Chris Grayling)
Road Traffic
Agricultural and Forestry Vehicles (Type-Approval) Regulations 2018 (S.I., 2018, No. 236), dated 21 February 2018 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Chris Grayling)
Motorcycles (Type-Approval) Regulations 2018 (S.I., 2018, No. 235), dated 21 February 2018 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Chris Grayling)
15Senior Courts of England and Wales
Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2018 (S.I., 2018, No. 239), dated 23 February 2018 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary David Gauke)
Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2018 (S.I., 2018, No. 257), dated 27 February 2018 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mel Stride)
Compulsory Purchase (Inquiries Procedure) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Electronic Communications) Rules 2018 (S.I., 2018, No. 248), dated 26 February 2018 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Dominic Raab)
Value Added Tax (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I., 2018, No. 261), dated 27 February 2018 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mel Stride)
Other papers
Explanatory Memorandum for the Waste Enforcement (England and Wales) Regulations 2018 (laid 25 January 2018) (By Command) (Michael Gove)
20Government Resources and Accounts
Accounts of the Returning Officer's Expenses Northern Ireland for 2016–17, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 799) (Mel Stride)
21Higher Education and Research
Office for Students Regulatory Framework (by Act) (Sam Gyimah)
Eighth Report to Parliament on the Application of Protocols 19 and 21 to the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and the Treaty on the Functioning of the Union (TFEU) in Relation to EU Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Matters for 1 December 2016–30 November 2017 (by Command) (Cm. 9580) (Mr David Lidington)
Withdrawn papers
23Explanatory Memorandum for the Waste Enforcement (England and Wales) Regulations 2018 (laid 25 January 2018)
CORRECTION
Tuesday 27 February 2018
Part (5) of Item 6 (Remaining Estimates) should have read as follows:
(5) Supplementary Estimates 2017–18
That, for the year ending with 31 March 2018:
(1) further resources, not exceeding £146,208,006,000, be authorised for use for current purposes, in accordance with HC 786, HC 788, HC 796 and HC 808,
(2) further resources, not exceeding £12,431,023,000, be authorised for use for capital purposes, in accordance with HC 786, HC 788, HC 796 and HC 808, and
(3) the sums authorised for issue out of the Consolidated Fund be reduced by £7,361,664,000, in accordance with HC 786, HC 788, and HC 808.—(Paul Maynard.)
Question agreed to.