House of Commons
Session 2017-19
Votes and Proceedings
Tuesday 8 October 2019
No. 349
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to the Secretary of State for Justice
2Urgent Questions: (1) Withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria (Dr Andrew Murrison)
(2) Customs arrangements: HMRC impact analysis (Jesse Norman)
3Statement: Preparations for leaving the EU (Secretary Michael Gove)
4Nurse Staffing Levels: 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 about National Health Service bodies establishing nurse staffing levels.
That Maria Caulfield, Alberto Costa, Kate Hoey, Stephen Lloyd, Andrea Jenkyns, Andrew Lewer, Andrew Griffiths, Lloyd Russell-Moyle, Charlie Elphicke and Eddie Hughes present the Bill.
Maria Caulfield accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 439).
5Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6), That the Prospectus (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I., 2019, No. 1234), dated 5 September 2019, a copy of which was laid before this House on 5 September, be approved.—(Maggie Throup.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the Risk Transformation and Solvency 2 (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I., 2019, No. 1233), dated 5 September 2019, a copy of which was laid before this House on 5 September, be approved.—(Maggie Throup.)
Question agreed to.
6Exiting the European Union (Plant Health)
Resolved, That the draft Plant Health (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, which were laid before this House on 22 July, be approved.—(Rebecca Pow.)
7Exiting the European Union (Environmental Protection)
Resolved, That the draft Environment and Wildlife (Legislative Functions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2019, which were laid before this House on 24 July, be approved.—(Zac Goldsmith.)
8Business of the House (Prorogation)
Resolved, That, at this day’s sitting, the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until a message has been received from the Lords Commissioners.—(Colin Clark.)
Resolved, That this House has considered baby loss awareness week.—(Caroline Dinenage.)
10Changes to membership of select committees
Ordered, That Julia Lopez be discharged from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments and Maria Caulfield be added. —(Bill Wiggin, on behalf of the Selection Committee.)
The Deputy Speaker suspended the sitting (Order, today).
12Message to attend the Lords Commissioners
A Message from the Lords Commissioners was delivered by the Lady Usher of the Black Rod.
Mr Speaker,
The Lords, authorised by virtue of Her Majesty’s Commission, for declaring Her Royal Assent to Acts agreed upon by both Houses, and for proroguing the present Parliament, desire the immediate attendance of this Honourable House in the House of Peers, to hear the Commission read.
Accordingly the Speaker, with the House, went up to the House of Peers, where a Commission was read, giving, declaring and notifying the Royal Assent to the following Acts, and for proroguing this present Parliament.
Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Act 2019
Census (Return Particulars and Removal of Penalties) Act 2019
And afterwards Her Majesty’s Most Gracious Speech was delivered to both Houses of Parliament by the Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal (in pursuance of Her Majesty’s Command), as follows:
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons.
My Government’s legislative programme has laid the foundations for the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union while pursuing wide-ranging domestic reform.
Landmark legislation was passed, and has now been commenced, to repeal the European Communities Act. Other laws are in place to enable the United Kingdom’s smooth exit from the European Union, establishing new arrangements on international sanctions, nuclear safeguards, customs, and reciprocal healthcare arrangements. Over 600 Statutory Instruments have been made to ensure a functioning statute book following the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union.
The stability and strength of the union that joins England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland has been at the forefront of my Government’s agenda. Preserving and promoting the social, economic and cultural bonds that unite this nation remains of the utmost importance to my Government. My Government continues to work to ensure that locally-accountable politicians can take decisions in Northern Ireland at the earliest opportunity.
It has been an enduring focus of my Government to strengthen the economy to support the creation of jobs and to generate the tax revenues needed to invest in the National Health Service, schools and other public services. Improving public finances, while keeping taxes low, has been a priority for my Government. Legislation passed this session has provided one hundred per cent relief from business rates for agricultural nurseries and, for a period of five years from April 2017, properties used for the purpose of new fibre infrastructure.
My Government has set out a programme of work to improve productivity and help businesses create high quality, well paid jobs across the United Kingdom. In 2019, more than a million workers benefited from the largest increase to the National Living Wage since it was first introduced. My ministers have worked to attract investment in infrastructure to support economic growth. Legislation has been passed to ensure that the United Kingdom remains a world leader in new industries, including electric cars and commercial satellites.
My Government has continued to support international action against climate change, including implementation of the Paris Agreement. Recognising the need for bold steps to protect the planet, a commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 was enshrined in law, making the United Kingdom the first major economy to do so.
Draft legislation was published which will establish a new body to ensure the United Kingdom’s high environmental standards are maintained and to protect and improve the environment for future generations. My Government has legislated to protect animals, including bans on the sale of ivory, puppies and kittens by commercial third parties and the use of wild animals in travelling circuses in England.
Voyeurism offences have been recognised as the crimes that they are and legislation has been passed to ensure the courts have powers to take swift action to protect children who are identified as at risk of female genital mutilation.
In presenting the long-term plan for the National Health Service in England, my Government strengthened its commitment to ensuring there is a world-class health system that supports everyone from birth, through the challenges that life brings, and into old age. My Government is committed to ensuring mental health support is available to all who need it and to protecting the fundamental human rights of the most vulnerable in society. Legislation enacted this session will increase access to protections and put in place robust safeguards for those who are deprived of their liberty.
In recognition of the need to make renting fairer and more affordable, and to promote fairness and transparency in the housing market, legislation has been enacted to reduce costs at the outset of, and throughout a tenancy, by banning most letting fees paid by tenants in England.
My Government has taken steps to ensure fairer markets and to protect consumers from unfair practices and financial losses. Legislation has been passed to ensure people have access to free and impartial financial guidance and debt advice and to introduce a ban on nuisance calls in relation to pensions. Measures have been enacted to reduce insurance costs for motorists by tackling the high number and cost of whiplash claims.
The security of the nation and its citizens remains of the highest importance to my Government. In this session, legislation has been passed to ensure the police and security services have the powers they need to keep the population safe in the face of evolving threats of terrorism.
Legislation passed this session marks a significant step towards my Government’s commitment to tackle serious violence on the streets of the United Kingdom. Laws are now in place to prevent young people from purchasing dangerous weapons and to prosecute those who possess such items, or sell them without imposing rigorous age verification.
The defence of the Realm remains an utmost priority for my Government, which it has supported through investment in our gallant Armed Forces.
As a leading member of the international coalition against Daesh, the United Kingdom played a critical role in the military defeat of Daesh’s so-called caliphate in March of this year. While the Middle East continues to suffer from serious conflict, my Government has played a leading role in de-escalating regional tensions. My Government has also played a key role in international efforts to protect the United Kingdom and its allies from hostile threats, including in response to the chemical weapon attack in Salisbury.
As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, my Government has provided political and diplomatic support to peace efforts in Yemen, Libya and Syria, as well as mitigating the human cost of these tragedies through the provision of substantial humanitarian assistance.
Prince Philip and I were pleased to welcome Their Majesties King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain and we also welcomed King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the President and First Lady of the United States of America, on State Visits.
Prince Charles and I were delighted to attend a national commemorative event to honour and remember the heroism, courage and sacrifice of the many servicemen and women who participated in the D-Day Landings.
Members of the House of Commons.
I thank you for the provisions which you have made for the work and dignity of the Crown and for the public services.
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons.
I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.
After which the Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal said:
By virtue of Her Majesty’s Commission which has now been read, we do, in Her Majesty’s name, and in obedience to Her Majesty’s commands, prorogue this Parliament to Monday the fourteenth day of October, to be then here holden, and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Monday the fourteenth day of October.
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).
13Twenty-third Delegated Legislation Committee (Heavy Commercial Vehicles in Kent (No. 2) Order 2019)
Chair: Joan Ryan appointed in place of Ian Austin.
14Twenty-fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Common Organisation of the Markets in Agricultural Products and Common Agricultural Policy (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2019)
Members: Sir David Evennett discharged and Stephen Kerr nominated in substitution.
General Committees: Reports
15Eighteenth Delegated Legislation Committee
Ian Paisley (Chair) reported the Prospectus (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I., 2019, No. 1234).
16Nineteenth Delegated Legislation Committee
Philip Davies (Chair) reported the draft European Elections Etc. (Repeal, Revocation, Amendment and Saving Provisions) (United Kingdom and Gibraltar) (Amendment) Regulations 2019.
17Twenty-first Delegated Legislation Committee
Sir Roger Gale (Chair) reported the draft Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (Legal Aid for Separated Children) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2019.
18Twenty-second Delegated Legislation Committee
David Hanson (Chair) reported the draft Heavy Commercial Vehicles in Kent (No. 1) Order 2019.
19Twenty-third Delegated Legislation Committee
Joan Ryan (Chair) reported the Heavy Commercial Vehicles in Kent (No. 2) Order 2019 .
20Twenty-fourth Delegated Legislation Committee
Mike Gapes (Chair) reported the draft Common Organisation of the Markets in Agricultural Products and Common Agricultural Policy (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2019.
Reports from Select Committees
21Backbench Business Committee
Transcript of representations made on Tuesday 8 October, to be published (Ian Mearns).
22Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee
(1) BBC Annual Report 2018–19: TV licences for over-75s:
(i) Sixteenth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 2432);
(ii) Written evidence, to be published (HC 2432);
(2) Lessons from the First World War Centenary: Government Response to the Committee’s Thirteenth Report: Eleventh Special Report, to be printed (HC 2677);
(3) Garden design and tourism: Government Response to the Committee’s Fourteenth Report: Twelfth Special Report, to be printed (HC 2678);
(4) Disinformation: Written evidence, to be published (HC 2204);
(5) The future of the National Lottery: Written evidence, to be published (HC 2598);
(6) Reality tv: Written evidence, to be published (HC 2203)
(Damian Collins).
23European Statutory Instruments Committee
Ministerial correspondence: Written evidence, to be published (Sir Patrick McLoughlin).
(1) Stemming the flow: An urgent look at tackling a culture of leaks: Government Response to the Committee’s Nineteenth Report: Twenty-fourth Special Report, to be printed (HC 2681);
(2) Economic foreign policy: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 2686);
(3) Autocracies and UK Foreign Policy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1948);
(4) Correspondence from the Brazilian Embassy relating to the Committee’s report on Global Britain and South America: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence with the Foreign Secretary relating to post-study work visas for international students: Written evidence, to be published
(Tom Tugendhat).
(1) Home Office preparations for Brexit: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 2612);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister of State for Crime, Policing and the Fire Service relating to revisions to the PACE code: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Minister of State for Security relating to the UK/US Bilateral Data Access Agreement: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) The Macpherson Report: twenty years on: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1829);
(5) Work of the Home Secretary: Written evidence, to be published (HC 434)
(Yvette Cooper).
26International Development Committee
(1) DFID’s work on disability-inclusive development: Government Response to the Thirteenth Report of the Committee: Fourteenth Special Report to be printed, (HC 2680);
(2) Tackling violence against aid workers: Government Response to the Fourteenth Report of the Committee: Fifteenth Special Report to be printed (HC 2691);
(3) Follow-up on Yemen, Syria, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories: Oral evidence to be published (HC 2682);
(4) Correspondence from the Department for International Development, relating to Burma, Bangladesh and the Rohingya crisis: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence between the Committee and (i) the Department for International Development and (ii) IMC Worldwide, relating to classroom rebuilding by IMC in Pakistan: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) UK Government support for SDG 16: Written evidence, to be published (HC 2529);
(7) UK aid to Pakistan: Written evidence, to be published (HC 2481)
(Stephen Twigg).
27International Trade Committee
Trade in seafood: exports in a no-deal scenario: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 2683) (Angus Brendan MacNeil).
(1) Correspondence from the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice relating to crime and justice announcements: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Correspondence from the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice relating to reforms to regime for disclosure of criminal records: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice relating to Settlement for 2020-21, prison security funding and prison estate update: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, relating to placements at Feltham ‘A’ Young Offender Institution: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, relating to publication of Youth Custody Service Safeguarding Review: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Pre-legislative scrutiny: draft personal injury discount rate legislation: Written evidence, to be published (HC 374);
(7) Prison Governance: Written evidence, to be published (HC 2128);
(8) Small claims limit for personal injury: Written evidence, to be published (HC 659)
(Robert Neill).
29National Security Strategy (Joint Committee on)
(1) Biosecurity and human health: preparing for emerging infectious diseases and bioweapons: Written evidence, to be published (HC 2564);
(2) Ensuring access to safe technology: the UK’s 5G infrastructure and national security: Written evidence, to be published (HC 2553)
(Margaret Beckett).
Exiting the European Union: scrutiny of delegated legislation: Written evidence, to be published (HC 386) (Sir Charles Walker).
31Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
(1) Strategic Leadership in the Civil Service: Sustaining Self-Governance and Future Capability while Supporting the Government of the Day: Government Response to the Committee’s Nineteenth Report: Seventeenth Special Report, to be printed (HC 2687);
(2) Prorogation and the implications of the Supreme Court Judgement: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 2666);
(3) Role of Parliament in the UK Constitution: Scrutiny of International Treaties and Other Agreements: Written evidence, to be published (HC 2672)
(Sir Bernard Jenkin).
32Science and Technology Committee
(1) Commercial and recreational drone use in the UK: Twenty-second Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 2021);
(2) Digital Government: Government Response to the Committee’s Eighteenth Report: Fourteenth Special Report, to be printed (HC 2673);
(3) Brexit, Science and Innovation: Preparations for No-Deal: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1857);
(4) Commercial genomics: Written evidence, to be published (HC 2020);
(5) Impact of social media and screen-use on young people’s health: Written evidence, to be published (HC 822);
(6) Japanese knotweed and the built environment: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1702);
(7) Technologies for meeting Clean Growth emissions reduction targets: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1454);
(8) Work of the Science Minister and the Chief Scientific Adviser: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1826)
(Norman Lamb).
(1) The work of the Financial Conduct Authority: the perimeter of regulation: Government Response to the Thirty-fifth Report of the Committee: Fifteenth Special Report, to be printed (HC 2674);
(2) Decarbonisation and Green Finance: the economic opportunity: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 2233);
(3) Bank of England Inflation Reports: Written evidence, to be published (HC 596);
(4) Correspondence from the Financial Secretary relating to Duty Free Policy: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence from the Interim Chief Executive and Permanent Secretary of HMRC relating to the resignation of the HMRC Chief Executive and First Permanent Secretary and the appointment of an Interim Chief Executive: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) HM Revenue and Customs Annual Report and Accounts: Written evidence, to be published (HC 315);
(7) Impact of Business Rates on Business: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1944);
(8) IT failures in the financial sector: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1766);
(9) Regional imbalances in the UK: Written evidence, to be published (HC 2234)
(Catherine McKinnell).
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))
1Government plan to reach net zero by 2050
Resolved, That this House has considered the Government plan to reach net zero by 2050.—(Sarah Newton.)
2Transport infrastructure in North East Bedfordshire
Resolved, That this House has considered transport infrastructure in North East Bedfordshire.—(Alistair Burt.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.29 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
3Procedure for appointing judges
Resolved, That this House has considered the procedure for appointing judges.—(Stuart C. McDonald.)
The sitting was suspended between 3.31 pm and 4.00 pm.
4Future of Tata's Cogent Power steelworks in Newport
Resolved, That this House has considered the future of Tata's Cogent Power steelworks in Newport.—(Jessica Morden.)
5Pension age of prison officers
Resolved, That this House has considered the pension age of prison officers.—(Gordon Henderson.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.28 pm.
Lindsay Hoyle
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
(1) Social Security (Capital Disregards) (Amendment) Regulations 2019 (S.I., 2019, No. 1314), dated 3 October 2019 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mims Davies)
(2) Social Security (Capital Disregards) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019 (S.I., 2019, No. 195), dated 3 October 2019 (by Statutory Instrument), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mims Davies)
Other papers
Cabinet Office Report on No-Deal Readiness (by Command) (CP 179) (Secretary Michael Gove)
(1) Report under section 56(7) of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 on the making of a call-out order in support of the United Kingdom's contribution to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's (NATO) Assurance and Adaptation measures under section 56(1B) and 3 of that Act, dated 7 October 2019 (by Act) (Mark Lancaster)
(2) Report under section 56(7) of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 on the making of a call-out order in support of the United Kingdom's contribution to the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) under section 56(1B) and 3 of that Act, dated 7 October 2019 (by Act) (Mark Lancaster)
(3) Report under section 56(7) of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 on the making of a call-out order in support of the United Kingdom's Operations in Afghanistan under section 56(1B) and 3 of that Act, dated 7 October 2019 (by Act) (Mark Lancaster)
Withdrawn papers
Report and Accounts of The Patent Office for 2018–19, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (HC 2458) (laid 25 July 2019)
SPEAKER’S CERTIFICATE
Proxy Voting for Parental Absence
The Speaker has certified, under the terms of the temporary Standing Order on voting by proxy for parental absence and the Resolution of the House of 28 January, that Mark Pritchard is eligible to have a proxy vote cast on his behalf, starting from 14 October 2019 and finishing on 20 October 2019. The nominated proxy is Sir Charles Walker.