Monday, 20 November 2023
The Secretary of State was asked—
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of UK arms sales to Israel on (a) civilian deaths and (b) compliance with international humanitarian law in Gaza.
What steps he is taking to encourage de-escalation of the conflict in Israel and Gaza.
What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of service accommodation for armed forces personnel.
What discussions he has had with his US counterpart on increasing awareness of (a) non-combat incidents and (b) jurisdictional constraints affecting the armed forces.
What steps he is taking to support veterans.
If he will make an estimate of the annual maintenance and running costs of the Trident nuclear programme.
What steps he is taking to increase the number of RAF aid flights to the middle east.
What steps he is taking to support Afghan citizens who are eligible for the Afghan relocations and assistance policy.
What steps his Department is taking to provide military support to the Ukrainian armed forces.
What steps his Department is taking to ensure that the armed forces have the skills required for the future.
What steps his Department is taking to recruit armed forces personnel.
What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of the operational MGS employment contract on applications for promotion in the Ministry of Defence Guard Service.
What steps his Department is taking to help ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
What steps his Department is taking to help support the medium-sized helicopter industry in the south-west.
What steps his Department is taking to support defence jobs across the UK.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of RAF surveillance aircraft on UK strategy and operations overseas.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.
With permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to make a statement on levelling up. This Government are committed to levelling up and creating opportunities across all regions and nations of the UK....
Motion made, and Question put forthwith ( Standing Order No. 83A(9)), That the Order of 17 May 2023 in the last session of Parliament (Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill: Programme)...
Consideration of Bill, as amended in the Committee
“(1) Where the CMA considers that— (a) the conditions in section 38(2), (3) and (4) are met in relation to a single transaction between the designated undertaking and two or more...
“In the Public Interest Disclosure (Prescribed Persons) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/2418), in the table in the Schedule, in the entry for the Competition and Markets Authority, in the right hand...
Amendments made: 2, in clause 15, page 8, line 34, leave out from “that” to the end of line 35 and insert “the undertaking or digital activity, as the case may be, remain...
Amendments made: 4, in clause 17, page 9, line 23, at end insert— “(2A) In Chapters 6 (investigatory powers and compliance reports) and 7 (enforcement and appeals), references to a...
Amendments made: 6, in clause 19, page 10, line 30, leave out from “requirement” to the end of line 35 and insert “or a combination of conduct requirements on a designated...
Amendment made: 8, in clause 20, page 12, line 9, leave out from “to” to “in” on line 10 and insert “materially increase the undertaking’s market power, or...
Amendments made: 9, in clause 21, page 12, line 28, after “requirement” insert “or, as the case may be, each conduct requirement as varied,”. This amendment clarifies how...
Amendments made: 11, in clause 26, page 14, line 11, leave out “a designated” and insert “an”. This amendment, together with Amendments 12, 16, 29, 37, 38, 40, 42, 43 and...
Amendment proposed: 187, in clause 27, page 15, line 8, at end insert— “(2) The CMA may have regard to any significant benefits to users or potential users that the CMA considers have...
Amendment proposed: 188, page 15, line 21, leave out clause 29.—(Alex Davies-Jones.) This Amendment is consequential to Amendment 187. Question put, That the amendment be made.
Amendments made: 13, page 15, line 30, at end insert— “(ba) those benefits could not be realised without the conduct,” This amendment, together with Amendment 14. clarifies how...
Amendment made: 15, page 16, line 14, leave out subsection (5) and insert— “(5) Subsection (1) does not apply— (a) where the CMA closes the conduct investigation under section...
Amendment made: 16, page 16, line 20, leave out “a designated” and insert “an”—(Saqib Bhatti.) See the explanatory statement for Amendment 11.
Amendments made: 17, page 20, line 4, leave out paragraph (b) This amendment is consequential on Amendment 18. Amendment 18, page 20, line 8, at end insert— “(5A) A commitment under...
Amendments made: 19, page 21, line 18, leave out subsection (6) This amendment is consequential on NC5. Amendment 20, page 21, line 22, leave out “designated” in the second place it...
Amendments made: 21, page 22, line 6, at end insert— “(3A) After giving a final offer initiation notice, the CMA may— (a) change its view of the transaction or the third party,...
Amendment made: 23, page 22, line 23, leave out “only one of the designated undertaking and the third party” and insert “either the designated undertaking or the third party...
Amendments made: 24, page 24, line 1, after “revoke” insert “, or partially revoke,” This amendment provides that the CMA may partially revoke a final offer order....
Amendment made: 29, page 24, line 17, leave out “a designated” and insert “an”—(Saqib Bhatti.) See the explanatory statement for Amendment 11.
Amendment made: 30, page 24, line 32, leave out paragraph (b) and insert— “(b) it would be proportionate to make the PCI for the purposes of remedying, mitigating or preventing the...
Amendments made: 31, page 30, line 28, leave out paragraph (b) This amendment is consequential on Amendment 32. Amendment 32, page 30, line 31, at end insert— “(6A) A commitment under...
Amendment made: 33, page 34, line 29, leave out from “P” to end of line 31 and insert— “that it has begun an investigation for the purposes of deciding whether it has to...
Amendment made: 34, page 35, line 31, leave out subsection (6)—(Saqib Bhatti.) This amendment is consequential on Amendment 149.
Amendment made: 35, page 36, line 3, leave out “(as defined in section 61)”—(Saqib Bhatti.) This amendment is consequential on Amendment 149.
Amendment made: 36, page 37, line 20, leave out “106” and insert “203”—(Saqib Bhatti.) See the explanatory statement for the motion to transfer clause 203, which...
Amendment made: 37, page 39, line 4, after “undertaking” insert “or an undertaking that is the subject of a breach investigation”—(Saqib Bhatti.) See the explanatory...
Amendment made: 38, page 39, line 25, after “undertaking” insert “or an undertaking that is the subject of a breach investigation”—(Saqib Bhatti.) See the...
Amendment made: 39, page 40, line 25, leave out from “116(3))” to “, the” on line 26 and insert “the undertaking that is the subject of the digital markets...
Amendments made: 40, page 41, line 28, leave out “designated” See the explanatory statement for Amendment 11. Amendment 41, page 42, line 20, leave out subsection (9) —(Saqib...
Amendment made: 42, page 46, line 12, leave out from the first “undertaking” to “for” on line 13 and insert— “, an undertaking that is the subject of a breach...
Amendments made: 43, page 47, line 35, leave out “a designated” and insert “an” See the explanatory statement for Amendment 11. Amendment 44, page 47, line 36, leave out...
Amendment made: 47, page 49, line 8, leave out “A designated” and insert “An”—(Saqib Bhatti.) This amendment clarifies that clause 82 (duty to appoint a nominated...
Amendments made: 48, page 53, line 13, leave out from “group” to “, to” on line 14 This amendment provides that the references to any person’s turnover in clause...
Amendments made: 51, page 53, line 31, after “instalments)” insert “, 114 (appeals)” This amendment, together with Amendments 52, 53, 55 and 56, ensures that appeals...
Amendment made: 54, page 57, line 23, leave out subsection (2)—(Saqib Bhatti.) This amendment is consequential on Amendment 148.
Amendments made: 55, page 60, line 29, leave out paragraphs (b) and (c) and insert— “(b) a decision about the imposition of a penalty under section 84 or 86 (but see section...
Amendments made: 57, page 64, line 14, at end insert— “(da) whether to make, and the form of, an enforcement order, other than an interim enforcement order, under section 31 of the...
Amendment made: 61, page 65, line 4, leave out clause 106.—(Saqib Bhatti.) This amendment would leave out clause 106 (notices under Part 1), which will no longer be needed following the...
Amendments made: 62, page 69, line 33, after “undertaking” insert “or an undertaking to which an obligation applies by virtue of provision made in reliance on section 17(1)...
Amendment made: 64, page 71, line 1, leave out subsection (4) and insert— “(4) Before publishing guidance (including any revised or replacement guidance) under this section, the CMA...
General interpretation Amendments made: 65, page 71, line 17, leave out from “whether” to the end of line 18 and insert— “an undertaking is breaching or has breached a...
“(1) Part 1 of CA 1998 (competition) is amended as follows. (2) In Schedule 3 (planning obligations and general exclusions) omit paragraph 8 (coal and steel). (3) In section 3 (Chapter 1:...
“(1) In section 47C(9) of CA 1998 (collective proceedings: damages and costs), for paragraph (c) substitute— ‘(c) “damages-based agreement” has the same meaning as...
“Schedule (Mergers of energy network enterprises) makes provision amending Part 3 of EA 2002 and Schedule 16 to the Energy Act 2023 in relation to mergers involving energy network...
“(1) Section 131B of EA 2002 (market studies and the making of decisions to refer: time limits) is amended as follows. (2) In the heading, after ‘time-limits’ insert...
“(1) In Chapter 4 of Part 4 of EA 2002 (market studies and market investigations: supplementary), section 168 (regulated markets) is amended as follows. (2) In subsection (3) omit paragraph...
“(1) Part 3 of EA 2002 (mergers) is amended as follows. (2) In Chapter 1 (duty to make references)— (a) in section 25 (extension of time limits)— (i) in subsection (1), after...
“(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about the following descriptions of fees, namely— (a) fees to be paid by applicants for accreditation under section...
“(1) The CMA may require an undertaking involved in, or connected with, the distribution, supply or retail of motor fuel (‘U’) to give specified information to it where it...
“(1) The CMA may impose a penalty on an undertaking where it considers that the undertaking has, without reasonable excuse— (a) failed to comply with an information notice under...
“(1) Sections 112 (penalties: main procedural requirements), 113 (payments and interest by instalments), section 114 (appeals) and 115 (recovery of penalties) of EA 2002 apply in relation...
“(1) The CMA must prepare and publish a statement of policy in relation to the exercise of powers to impose a penalty under section (Penalties for failure to comply with notices under...
“Destroying or falsifying information (1) A person (“P”) commits an offence if, having been required to give information to the CMA under section (Power to require information...
“(1) The CMA may not impose a penalty on a person under section (Penalties for failure to comply with notices under section (Power to require information about competition in connection...
“In Schedule 14 to EA 2002 (provisions about disclosure of information) at the appropriate place insert— “Chapter A1 of Part 5 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer...
“(1) This Chapter, apart from subsection (5) of this section and section (Information sharing), expires at the end of the relevant period. (2) The “relevant period” means the...
“In Schedule 2 to EA 2002 (the Competition Appeal Tribunal), in paragraph 2 (tenure etc) omit sub-paragraph (2).”—(Kevin Hollinrake.) This new clause (which would be inserted...
“(1) Before a trader enters into a subscription contract with a consumer where section 247(2) applies, the trader must ask the consumer whether they wish to opt-in to an arrangement under...
(1) Before a trader enters into a subscription contract with a consumer where section 247(3) applies, the trader must ask the consumer whether they wish to opt into an arrangement under which the...
Ordered, That Clause 124 be transferred to the end of line 39 on page 219.—(Kevin Hollinrake.) This amendment would move clause 124 (offenders assisting investigations and prosecutions:...
Amendment made: 69, page 82, line 36, at end insert— “(2) The Secretary of State may by regulations amend— (a) any sectoral enactment, or (b) section 168 of EA 2002 (regulated...
Amendment made: 70, page 99, line 19, leave out “persons” and insert “consumers”.—(Kevin Hollinrake.) This amendment, which ensures consistency of drafting with the...
Amendment made: 71, page 103, line 18, at end insert— “and the proposed variation or release has not been requested by the respondent.”—(Kevin Hollinrake.) This amendment...
Amendment made: 72, page 104, line 12, at end insert “of any kind that the enforcer concerned is authorised under this Chapter to apply for”.—(Kevin Hollinrake.) This amendment...
Amendment made: 73, page 105, line 7, at end insert “of any kind that the enforcer concerned is authorised under this Chapter to apply for”.—(Kevin Hollinrake.) This amendment...
Amendment made: 74, page 119, line 25, at end insert— “and the proposed variation or release has not been requested by the person who gave the undertaking.”—(Kevin...
Amendment made: 75, page 124, line 3, at end insert— “(5A) Where a final breach of directions enforcement notice includes provision under subsection (5) that varies an enforcement...
Amendment made: 76, page 130, line 19, at end insert— “(4A) Except in the case of an appeal relating to a final false information enforcement notice, in addition to the powers...
Amendments made: 77, page 136, line 5, leave out from “person” to end of line 6 and insert “— (a) under this Act by the CMA, or (b) under Part 3 by another enforcer...
Amendments made: 81, page 142, line 36, before “profession” insert “trade, craft or”. This amendment ensures that trades and crafts will fall within the definition of...
Amendment made: 85, page 148, line 32, leave out “set out in subsection (2)” and insert “which is— (a) set out in subsection (2), and (b) not already apparent from the...
Amendment made: 86, page 156, line 8, at end insert— “(5A) If the affairs of a body corporate are managed by its members, subsection (5) applies in relation to the acts and defaults...
Amendment made: 87, page 157, line 7, leave out subsections (3) to (6).—(Kevin Hollinrake.) This is a drafting amendment to ensure that the time limit for prosecuting an offence under...
Amendment made: 88, page 161, line 25, at end insert— “(4A) In EA 2002— (a) in Schedule 14 (provisions about disclosure of information) at the appropriate place insert—...
Amendments made: 89, page 164, line 13, leave out from “information”)” to end of line 15. This amendment and Amendment 90 clarify that the information set out in paragraph 12 of...
Amendments made: 91, page 166, line 16, after “consumer” insert “that does not include a concessionary period”. See the explanatory statement for Amendment 93. Amendment...
Amendments made: 95, page 167, line 11, leave out from “given” to end of line 13 and insert “within the period specified by the trader for the purposes of this section in the...
Amendment made: 99, page 169, line 29, at end insert— “(ca) the duty set out in section 252(3A) to specify in key pre-contract information a reasonable period for the giving of a...
Amendment made: 100, page 169, line 36, after “(c)” insert “, (ca)”—(Kevin Hollinrake.) This amendment enables a consumer to cancel a subscription contract where a...
Amendment made: 101, page 175, line 32, at end insert— “(2A) If the affairs of a body corporate are managed by its members, subsection (1) applies in relation to the acts and defaults...
Amendment made: 102, page 177, line 9, at end insert “in accordance with this Chapter”—(Kevin Hollinrake.) This is a drafting amendment to clarify that it is for the consumer to...
Amendment made: 103, page 180, line 14, at end insert— “(1A) In EA 2002— (a) in Schedule 14 (provisions about disclosure of information) at the appropriate place insert—...
Amendments made: 104, page 180, line 33, before “profession” insert “trade, craft or” This amendment ensures that trades and crafts will fall within the definition of...
Amendment made: 107, page 182, line 9, leave out “Section 273(1)” and insert “Section 312”.—(Kevin Hollinrake.) This amendment corrects a cross-referencing error.
Amendment made: 109, page 187, line 17, at end insert— “(2) In EA 2002— (a) in Schedule 14 (provisions about disclosure of information) at the appropriate place insert—...
Amendments made: 110, page 187, line 22, leave out from “reward” to end of line 24.—(Kevin Hollinrake.) This amendment would omit some superfluous words from the definition of...
Amendments made: 112, page 192, line 33, at end insert “or 2”. This amendment and Amendment 113 secure that the power in subsection (2) of clause 288 can be used to amend Part 2 of...
Amendments made: 114, page 193, line 25, at end insert “, and (b) pay to the Secretary of State the appropriate application fee (if any) prescribed by regulations under section (ADR fees...
Amendments made: 120, page 194, line 15, leave out “extension” and insert “the variation”. This amendment is consequential on Amendment 115. Amendment 121, page 195, line...
Amendments made: 126, page 196, line 22, leave out “alter” and insert “vary”. This amendment changes the word “alter” for consistency with other provisions...
Amendments made: 128, page 197, leave out line 21 and insert “as may be prescribed, the appropriate prescribed fee (if any).” The amendment (with NC13 and Amendment 129) secures that...
Amendment made: 130, page 201, leave out paragraph (d). —(Kevin Hollinrake.) The amendment omits unnecessary words in clause 297(3). Amendment 175 secures that Part 9 of the Enterprise Act...
Amendment made: 131, page 202, line 32, leave out “extension” and insert “variation”.—(Kevin Hollinrake.) The amendment is consequential on Amendment 115.
Amendments made: 132, page 205, line 19, leave out sub-paragraph (ii). This amendment, and Amendment 141, replace the current prohibition on a regulator providing investigative assistance to an...
Amendments made: 136, page 207, line 29, leave out from “are parties to” to end of line 31 and insert “a cooperation arrangement;”. This amendment is consequential on...
Amendments made: 144, page 208, line 35, leave out “a convention or treaty” and insert “an arrangement or agreement (other than a qualifying cooperation arrangement)”....
Amendment made: 146, page 209, line 26, at end insert— “(1A) But subsection (1) does not apply where O’s request is made under or in accordance with a qualifying cooperation...
Amendments made: 150, page 220, line 37, leave out “or under primary legislation” and insert “an enactment”. This amendment is a drafting clarification to ensure that the...
Amendments made: 152, line 35, leave out “subsection (2)” and insert “subsections (2) and (2A)”. See the explanatory statement for Amendment 154. Amendment 153, page 222,...
“Mergers of energy network enterprises 1 Part 3 of EA 2002 (mergers) is amended as follows. 2 (1) Section 22 (duty to make references in relation to completed mergers) is amended as...
Amendment made: 155, page 232, line 14, at end insert— “5A “(1) Schedule 5A (energy network mergers affecting comparative regulation: modifications of Chapter 1 of Part 3) is...
Amendment made: 156, page 236, line 2, at end insert— “8A “(1) In Chapter 3 of Part 3 of EA 2002 (mergers: other special cases), Schedule 5A (energy network mergers affecting...
Amendment made: 157, page 260, line 30, leave out “intentionally”.—(Kevin Hollinrake.) This amendment corrects a drafting error and brings the amendment being made to section...
Amendments made: 158, page 265, leave out lines 12 to 19 and insert— “(1) The CMA may, in accordance with section 35B, impose a penalty on a person— (a) from whom the CMA has...
Amendment made: 161, page 283, line 13, leave out “or 62” and insert, “, 62, 62B or 68C”.—(Kevin Hollinrake This amendment provides that notices given under section...
Amendment made: 162, page 326, line 18, at end insert— “Power to amend amounts 16HA (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations amend the following provisions of this Schedule for...
Amendment made: 163, page 330, line 24, at end insert— “6A In Schedule 15 (enactments conferring functions) at the appropriate place insert— “Chapters 3 and 4 of Part 3 of...
Amendments made: 164, page 345, line 40, omit “or Wales”. This amendment is consequential on Amendment 165. Amendment 165, page 346, line 2, at end insert— “(aa) in...
Amendment made: 171, page 351, line 31, at end insert— “9A The period within which reminder notices in relation to the contract will be given in accordance with section...
Amendments made: 172, page 357, line 2, at end insert— “Contracts regulated by OFCOM 2A (1) A contract for the supply of goods, services or digital content by a person who is bound,...
Amendment made: 174, page 359, line 33, leave out from “has” to end of line 35 and insert “appropriate knowledge and skills— (a) for carrying out the ADR that it carries...
Amendment made: 175, page 361, line 25, at end insert— “Enterprise Act 2002 1A In EA 2002— (a) in Schedule 14 (provisions about disclosure of information) at the appropriate...
Motion made, and Question put forthwith ( Standing Order No. 118(6)),
That the Northern Ireland (Ministerial Appointment Functions) (No. 2) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 1061), dated 2 October 2023, a copy of which was laid before this House on 2 October, in...
That the Alcohol Licensing (Coronavirus) (Regulatory Easements) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (SI, 2023, No. 990), dated 11 September 2023, a copy of which was laid before this House on 7...
That the draft Dormant Assets (Distribution of Money) (England) Order 2023, which was laid before this House on 11 September, in the last session of Parliament, be approved.—(Mark...
Ordered, That Hilary Benn be discharged from the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee and Mick Whitley be added.—(Mr Marcus Jones.)
Ordered, That Sir Mike Penning, Angela Richardson, Katherine Fletcher, Ben Bradshaw and Keir Mather be added to the Holocaust Memorial Bill (Select Committee).—(Mr Marcus Jones.)
Ordered, That Navendu Mishra to be discharged from the International Development Committee and Dr Rosena Allin-Khan be added.—(Mr Marcus Jones.)
Ordered, That Ruth Cadbury and Mike Amesbury be discharged from the Transport Committee and Fabian Hamilton and Mick Whitley be added.—(Mr Marcus Jones.)
Ordered, That Rushanara Ali be discharged from the Treasury Committee and Keir Mather be added.—(Mr Marcus Jones.)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mark Fletcher.) House adjourned.
Debates in the House of Commons are an opportunity for MPs from all parties to scrutinise government legislation and raise important local, national or topical issues.
And sometimes to shout at each other.
