House of Commons
Session 2017-19
Votes and Proceedings
Tuesday 12 March 2019
No. 267
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to the Secretary of State for Justice
2Statement: Withdrawal Agreement: legal opinion (The Attorney General)
3Immigration (Armed Forces) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Sir Edward Davey, supported by Jamie Stone, presented a Bill to remove financial requirements and fees for applications for indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom from foreign or Commonwealth members of the armed forces on discharge and their families; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 22 March, and to be printed (Bill 356).
4Election Expenses (Authorisation of Free or Discounted Support): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the Representation of the People Act 1983 to provide that election expenses relating to property, goods, services or facilities provided free of charge or at a discount are incurred only if authorised by the candidate or the candidate’s election agent; and for connected purposes;
That Craig Mackinlay, Paul Farrelly, Alex Chalk, Sir Peter Bottomley, Mr Mark Harper, Frank Field, Gareth Johnson, Mr Jonathan Lord, Jim Shannon, Anna Soubry and Bob Stewart present the Bill.
Craig Mackinlay accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 22 March, and to be printed (Bill 357).
5Business of the House (Today)
Ordered, That, at this day’s sitting, the Speaker shall put the questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on the motion in the name of the Prime Minister tabled under section 13(1)(b) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 not later than 7.00 pm; such questions shall include the questions on any amendments selected by the Speaker which may then be moved; the questions may be put after the moment of interruption; and Standing Order No. 16 (Proceedings under an Act or on European Union documents) and Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply.—(Iain Stewart.)
6Section 13(1)(b) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House approves for the purposes of section 13(1)(b) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 the following documents laid before the House on Monday 11 March 2019:
(1) the negotiated withdrawal agreement titled ‘Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community’;
(2) the framework for the future relationship titled ‘Political Declaration setting out the framework for the future relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom’;
(3) the legally binding joint instrument titled ‘Instrument relating to the Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community’, which reduces the risk the UK could be deliberately held in the Northern Ireland backstop indefinitely and commits the UK and the EU to work to replace the backstop with alternative arrangements by December 2020;
(4) the unilateral declaration by the UK titled ‘Declaration by Her Majesty’s Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning the Northern Ireland Protocol’, setting out the sovereign action the UK would take to provide assurance that the backstop would only be applied temporarily; and
(5) the supplement to the framework for the future relationship titled ‘Joint Statement supplementing the Political Declaration setting out the framework for the future relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’, setting out commitments by the UK and the EU to expedite the negotiation and bringing into force of their future relationship.—(The Prime Minister.)
The Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Question put.
The House divided.
Division No. 354
Ayes: 242 (Tellers: Andrew Stephenson, Iain Stewart)
Noes: 391 (Tellers: Thangam Debbonaire, Nic Dakin)
Question accordingly negatived.
7Statement: Business (Leader of the House)
8Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Conservation of Habitats and Species (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, which were laid before this House on 28 January, be approved.—(Michelle Donelan.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Employment Rights (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019, which were laid before this House on 17 December 2018, be approved.—(Michelle Donelan.)
Question agreed to.
(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Agency Workers (Amendment) Regulations 2019, which were laid before this House on 17 December 2018, be approved.—(Michelle Donelan.)
Question agreed to.
(4) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses (Amendment) Regulations 2019, which were laid before this House on 28 January, be approved.—(Michelle Donelan.)
Question agreed to.
(5) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Mortgage Credit (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, which were laid before this House on 19 December 2018, be approved.—(Michelle Donelan.)
Question agreed to.
(6) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Financial Services (Distance Marketing) (Amendment and Savings Provisions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, which were laid before this House on 28 January, be approved.—(Michelle Donelan.)
Question agreed to.
(7) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Licensing of Operators and International Road Haulage (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, which were laid before this House on 6 February, be approved.—(Michelle Donelan.)
Question agreed to.
(8) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Immigration (European Economic Area Nationals) (EU Exit) Order 2019, which was laid before this House on 11 February, be approved.—(Michelle Donelan.)
The Speaker’s opinion as to the decision of the Question was challenged.
Division deferred until tomorrow (Standing Order No. 41A).
(9) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Investment Exchanges, Clearing Houses and Central Securities Depositories (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, which were laid before this House on 17 January, be approved.—(Michelle Donelan.)
Question agreed to.
(1) A public petition from residents of the United Kingdom relating to regulation of the hair, barber and beauty industries was presented and read by John McNally.
(2) A public petition from residents of the United Kingdom relating to the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework and the Romiley greenbelt was presented and read by Mr William Wragg.
(3) A public petition from residents of Wellingborough, Northamptonshire and the surrounding area relating to the closure of Wellingborough driving test centre was presented and read by Mr Peter Bone.
(4) A public petition from residents of Rushden, Northamptonshire and the surrounding area relating to a planning application for a high intensity chicken farm in Rushden was presented and read by Mr Peter Bone.
Subject: Future of community hospitals (Fiona Bruce)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Michelle Donelan.)
Adjourned at 8.55 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Changes to Notices Given
11Prime Minister (Accountability to House of Commons) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 15 March, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 22 March.
General Committees: Reports
12Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee
Ms Karen Buck (Chair) reported the draft Detergents (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 and the draft Detergents (Safeguarding) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.
13Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee
James Gray (Chair) reported the draft Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.
14Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee
David Hanson (Chair) reported the draft Services of Lawyers and Lawyer’s Practice (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.
15Tenth Delegated Legislation Committee
Joan Ryan (Chair) reported the draft Veterinary Medicines and Animals and Animal Products (Examination of Residues and Maximum Residue Limits) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.
16Nineteenth Delegated Legislation Committee
Siobhain McDonagh (Chair) reported the draft Food and Feed Imports (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 and the draft Official Controls for Feed, Food and Animal Health and Welfare (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.
17Twentieth Delegated Legislation Committee
Mr Virendra Sharma (Chair) reported the draft Uncertificated Securities (Amendment and EU Exit) Regulations 2019.
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).
18Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Detergents (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 and draft Detergents (Safeguarding) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019)
Members: Kevin Hollinrake discharged and Mr Bob Seely nominated in substitution.
19Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019)
Members: Mr John Baron discharged and Jack Brereton nominated in substitution.
20Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Services of Lawyers and Lawyer’s Practice (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019)
Members: Sir David Evennett and Richard Graham discharged and George Eustice and Luke Hall nominated in substitution.
21Tenth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Veterinary Medicines and Animals and Animal Products (Examination of Residues and Maximum Residue Limits) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019)
Members: Kevin Hollinrake discharged and Mr Bob Seely nominated in substitution.
22Eleventh Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Criminal Justice (Amendment etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019)
Members: Helen Whately discharged and Kevin Hollinrake nominated in substitution.
23Twelfth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Chemicals (Health and Safety) and Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019)
Members: Greg Hands, Andrew Lewer and Rebecca Pow discharged and Eddie Hughes, Mr Owen Paterson and Michael Tomlinson nominated in substitution.
24Thirteenth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Law Applicable to Contractual Obligations and Non-Contractual Obligations (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019)
Members: Mr Owen Paterson discharged and Rebecca Pow nominated in substitution.
25Fourteenth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Public Procurement (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2019)
Members: Ben Bradley and Mrs Pauline Latham discharged and Mr Bob Seely and Daniel Kawczynski nominated in substitution.
26Fifteenth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Jurisdiction and Judgments (Family) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2019)
Chair: Mr Virendra Sharma in place of Sir Henry Bellingham
27Nineteenth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Food and Feed Imports (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 and draft Official Controls for Feed, Food and Animal Health and Welfare (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019)
Members: Richard Benyon and Robert Courts discharged and Maria Caulfield and Simon Hoare nominated in substitution.
Reports from Select Committees
28Backbench Business Committee
Transcript of representations made on 12 March, to be published (Ian Mearns).
29Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee
(1) Industrial Strategy: Sector Deals:
(i) Seventeenth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 663);
(ii) Written evidence, to be published (HC 663);
(2) Energy efficiency: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1730);
(3) Future of Audit: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1718)
(Rachel Reeves).
30Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Immersive and addictive technologies: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1846) (Damian Collins).
(1) Accountability hearings: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 341);
(2) Special educational needs and disabilities: Written evidence, to be published (HC 968)
(Robert Halfon).
32Environmental Audit Committee
(1) The Changing Arctic: Government Response to the Twelfth Report of the Committee: Fifteenth Special Report, to be printed (HC 2069);
(2) Planetary health: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1803);
(3) Correspondence with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs relating to the appointment process for the Chair of Natural England: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Draft Environment (Principles and Governance) Bill: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1951);
(5) The work of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1835);
(6) Toxic chemicals: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1805);
(7) UK Export Finance: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1804)
(Mary Creagh).
33European Statutory Instruments Committee
(1) Twenty-first Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 1936), and including the following recommendation:
That the affirmative procedure should apply to the instruments titled:
(i) Animal Health, Plant Health, Seeds and Food (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, the proposal for which was laid before this House on 21 February;
(ii) Financial Services (Miscellaneous) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, the proposal for which was laid before this House on 27 February;
(2) Ministerial correspondence: Written evidence, to be published
(Sir Patrick McLoughlin).
34Exiting the European Union (Committee on)
The progress of the UK’s negotiations on EU withdrawal: role of Parliament: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1962) (Hilary Benn).
(1) The work of the Minister of State for Africa: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 900);
(2) Correspondence with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office relating to the UK’s support for Georgia: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with Universities UK relating to potential foreign interference in the UK higher education sector: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Global Britain: the future of UK sanctions policy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1703)
(Tom Tugendhat).
36Health and Social Care Committee
(1) Kark report on the fit and proper person test: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1792);
(2) Availability of Orkambi on the NHS: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1808);
(3) Drugs policy: medicinal cannabis: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1821)
(Dr Sarah Wollaston).
(1) Immigration detention: Fourteenth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 913);
(2) Serious violence: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1016);
(3) The Macpherson Report: twenty years on: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1829);
(4) EU Settlement Scheme: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1945)
(Yvette Cooper).
38Human Rights (Joint Committee on)
(1) Correspondence with the Investigatory Powers Commissioner relating to children as Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS): Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Legislative scrutiny: Mental Capacity (Amendment) Bill: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1662);
(3) Legislative scrutiny: Offensive Weapons Bill: Written evidence, to be published (HC 2013)
(Ms Harriet Harman).
39International Development Committee
(1) UK progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1732);
(2) DFID’s work on disability: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1880);
(3) UK aid for combating climate change: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1432)
(Stephen Twigg).
(1) Correspondence with the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice relating to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Correspondence with the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice relating to the re-appointment of the Chair of the Judicial Appointments Commission: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Justice relating to the Criminal Justice Board and review of the criminal justice response to rape and serious sexual offences: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Director of Public Prosecutions: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1652);
(5) HMP Birmingham: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1647);
(6) Role of the magistracy: follow-up: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1654)
(Robert Neill).
(1) Record of the Committee’s decisions relating to e-petitions, to be published;
(2) List of closed e-petitions presented to the House, to be published;
(3) Fireworks: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1929)
(Helen Jones).
42Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
(1) The role of Parliament in the UK constitution: authorising the use of military force: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1891);
(2) Governance of statistics: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1820)
(Sir Bernard Jenkin).
(1) The relationship between the UK and Scottish Governments: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1586);
(2) The future of Scottish agriculture post Brexit: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1637);
(3) The future of the oil and gas industry: Written evidence, to be published (HC 996);
(4) Use and misuse of drugs in Scotland: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1997)
(Pete Wishart).
(1) Access to Cash Review: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 2011);
(2) Correspondence between the Chief Executive of Grant Thornton UK LLP and the Treasury relating to the administration of Wonga: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Economic crime: Written evidence, to be published (HC 940);
(4) Impact of business rates on business: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1944);
(5) Securing the tax base: Written evidence, to be published (HC 911);
(6) The UK’s economic relationship with the European Union: Written evidence, to be published (HC 473);
(7) The work of the Payment Systems Regulator: Written evidence, to be published (HC 711)
(Nicky Morgan).
Wylfa Newydd nuclear power station: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1938) (David T. C. Davies).
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))
1Fire safety and sprinkler systems
Resolved, That this House has considered fire safety and sprinkler systems.—(Jim Fitzpatrick.)
2NHS treatment for depersonalisation disorder
Resolved, That this House has considered NHS treatment for depersonalisation disorder.—(Lyn Brown.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.27 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
3Interdependence of modern farming and the environment
Resolved, That this House has considered the interdependence of modern farming and the environment.—(Colin Clark.)
Resolved, That this House has considered online gambling protection.—(Richard Graham.)
5Lower earnings limit for automatic enrolment
Resolved, That this House has considered the lower earnings limit for automatic enrolment.—(Mhairi Black.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.29 pm until tomorrow.
Lindsay Hoyle
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Higher Education (Registration Fees) (England) Regulations 2019 (S.I., 2019, No. 543), dated 11 March 2019 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Chris Skidmore)
2Exiting the European Union (Food)
Food (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I., 2019, No. 529), dated 7 March 2019 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Michael Gove)
Papers laid under paragraphs 3(3) and 17(3) of Schedule 7 to the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018
3Exiting the European Union (Merchant Shipping)
Proposal for an instrument titled Merchant Shipping (Inland Waterways) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Act) (Secretary Chris Grayling)
Other papers
Department for Education Minute, dated 12 March 2019, concerning the notification of a gift relating to the lease of the site of the former Robert Owen Academy, Hereford, to the New Model in Technology and Engineering (by Command) (Nick Gibb)
5Exiting the European Union (Agriculture)
(1) Explanatory Memorandum to the draft Food and Feed (Chernobyl and Fukushima Restrictions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (laid 4 February) (by Act) (Steve Brine)
(2) Explanatory Memorandum to the draft Food and Feed (Maximum Permitted Levels of Radioactive Contamination) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (laid 4 February) (by Act) (Steve Brine)
(1) Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Cabinet Office: Contingency preparations for exiting the EU with no deal (by Act), to be printed (HC 2058) (Clerk of the House)
(2) Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on HM Treasury: Investigation into devolved funding (by Act), to be printed (HC 1990) (Clerk of the House)
Withdrawn papers
7Exiting the European Union (Agriculture)
(1) Explanatory Memorandum to the draft Food and Feed (Chernobyl and Fukushima Restrictions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (laid 4 February)
(2) Explanatory Memorandum to the draft Food and Feed (Maximum Permitted Levels of Radioactive Contamination) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (laid 4 February)
SPEAKER’S CERTIFICATE
Proxy Voting for Parental Absence (Suspension of Proxy Vote)
The Speaker has certified, further to the certificate of 7 March 2019, that Bim Afolami has given notice that he wishes to suspend his proxy vote and vote in person, starting on Wednesday 13 March 2019 and finishing on Thursday 14 March 2019.