Previously called Standing Committees, Public Bill Commitees study proposed legislation (Bills) in detail, debating each clause and reporting any amendments to the Commons for further debate.
There are at least 16 MPs on a Committee, and the proportion of parties reflects the House of Commons, so the government always has a majority.
Morning
Signe Norberg, Edward Lockhart-Mummery and Martin Baxter gave evidence.
Martin Curtois, Andrew Poole and David Bellamy gave evidence.
[Sir Roger Gale in the Chair]
Mayor Philip Glanville gave evidence.
Dr Diane Mitchell, Alan Law, Dr Sue Young and Judicaelle Hammond gave evidence.
Rico Wojtulewicz gave evidence.
Ruth Chambers, Rebecca Newsom and Ali Plummer gave evidence.
[Sir George Howarth in the Chair]
Sarah MacFadyen, Liam Sollis, Katie Nield and Professor Alastair Lewis gave evidence.
Stuart Colville, Ian Hepburn and Chris Tuckett gave evidence.
[Sir George Howarth in the Chair]
George Monbiot and Dr Richard Benwell gave evidence.
Libby Peake and Richard McIlwain gave evidence.
Dr Michael Warhurst, Bud Hudspith and Nishma Patel gave evidence.
Lloyd Austin, Alison McNab and John Bynorth gave evidence.
(Morning)
I beg to move amendment 79, in clause 1, page 1, line 7, leav e out “may” and insert “must”. This amendment seeks to ensure the power given...
[Sir Roger Gale in the Chair]
Amendment moved (this day): 178, in clause 1, page 1, line 17, at end insert— “(3A) Targets set within the priority area of air quality must include targets...
I beg to move amendment 23, in clause 2, page 2, line 20, lea ve out subsection (2) and insert— “(2) The PM2.5 air quality target must— (a) be less...
I beg to move amendment 81, in clause 3, page 2, line 33, lea ve out subsection (1) and insert— “(1) Before making regulations under sections 1 or 2,...
I beg to move amendment 82, in clause 4, page 3, line 24, at end insert “and, (c) interim targets are met.” This amendment places a duty on the Secretary...
I beg to move amendment 84, in clause 5, page 4, line 1, at end insert— “(c) include a timetable for adoption, implementation and review of the chosen...
I beg to move amendment 183, in clause 6, page 4, line 21, at end insert— “(3A) In considering whether the natural environment would be significantly...
[Mr Nigel Evans in the Chair]
(Morning)
I beg to move amendment 88, in clause 7, page 5, line 7, leave out subsection (4) and insert— “(4) The environmental improvement plan must include, as a...
I beg to move amendment 89, in clause 8, page 5, line 32, at end insert— “and, (c) consider biodiversity reports published by authorities under section 40A of...
I beg to move amendment 91, in clause 16, page 10, line 6, leave out “proportionately”. This amendment removes ministerial estimates of proportionality as a limitation on the policy...
(Afternoon)
Amendment moved (this day): 91, in clause 16, page 10, line 6, leave out “proportionately”.—(Dr Whitehead.) This amendment removes ministerial estimates of...
Amendment proposed: 92, in clause 18, page 11, line 13, leave out subsection (2).—(Dr Whitehead.) This amendment removes the proportionality limitation on the requirement to consider the...
I beg to move amendment 195, in clause 20, page 12, line 16, a t end insert— “(1A) The Secretary of State must— (a) consult on the criteria and...
I beg to move amendment 179, page 121, line 16, at end insert “with the consent of the Environmental Audit and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committees of the House of Commons”....
[Sir George Howarth in the Chair]
I beg to move amendment 157, in schedule 1, page 124, line 40, at end insert— “12A (1) At the start of each five-year period, the Secretary of State must publish...
I beg to move amendment 189, in clause 22, page 13, line 16, leave out subsection (5). This amendment removes the restriction on the OEP overlapping with the Committee on Climate Change.
[Sir George Howarth in the Chair]
I beg to move amendment 190, in clause 24, page 14, line 29, at end insert— “(g) a Scottish local authority, (h) a Scottish housing association, or (i) a...
I beg to move amendment 98, in clause 25, page 15, line 26, a t end insert “including setting out what action will be taken”. This is a fairly simple and...
I beg to move amendment 99, in clause 26, page 15, line 31, at end insert “(including international environmental law)”. Again, this it is a fairly straightforward amendment. For the...
I beg to move amendment 4, in clause 27, page 16, line 16, l eave out “may, if the Minister sees fit,” and insert “must”. At first sight,...
I beg to move amendment 117, in clause 28, page 16, line 30, a fter “means a” insert— “Minister of the Crown, a government department and...
I beg to move amendment 192, in clause 29, page 17, line 5, le ave out subsection (4). This amendment would allow public bodies to report the actions of other public...
I beg to move amendment 5, in clause 30, page 18, line 6, le ave out “may” and insert “must” Where the OEP carries out an investigation this...
I beg to move amendment 6, in clause 32, page 18, line 40, l eave out “may” and insert “must”. Where the OEP has reasonable grounds for...
Amendment made: 206, in clause 33, page 19, line 36, at end insert— “(aa) explains why the OEP considers that the failure is serious, and” — Under clause 33 the OEP may...
I beg to move amendment 207, in clause 35, page 20, line 40, l eave out “Upper Tribunal” and insert “court”. This amendment replaces a...
I beg to move amendment 217, in clause 36, page 22, line 11, a t end insert “, and (b) the urgency condition is met.” This amendment provides that the...
(Morning)
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
We now come to amendment 113. No member of the Committee has signed the amendment, but anyone may move it if they wish. No one has signalled that they wish to, so we will move straight on.
I beg to move amendment 31, in Clause 42, page26, line 1, after “considering” insert “advising”. Member’s explanatory statement
I beg to move amendment 127, in clause 43, page 26, line 6, le ave out “mainly”. This amendment ensures that any legislative provision that concerns...
Amendments made: 35, in clause 44, page 27, line 7, le ave out “the National Assembly for Wales” and insert “Senedd Cymru”. See Amendment...
Amendment proposed: 194, page 127, line 6, schedule 2, leave out sub-paragraph (4) and insert— ‘(4) An environmental improvement plan must set out— (a) the...
Amendment made: 66, in schedule 3, page 133, line 33, at end insert— “(2A) But the OEP must not monitor the implementation of, or report on, a matter within the...
[James Gray in the Chair]
Question proposed, That the schedule, as amended, be the Third schedule to the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 16, in schedule 4, page 151, line 12, leave out “may” and insert “must”. It is still a pleasure to serve under your...
I beg to move amendment 17, in schedule 5, page 157, line 9, leave out “may” and insert “must”. Earlier this afternoon, I noted how important the Bill...
Amendment made: 38, in clause 49, page 29, line 36, leave out “Assembly” and insert “Senedd”.—(Rebecca Pow.) See Amendment 28.
I beg to move amendment 18, in schedule 6, page 161, line 21, leave out “may” and insert “must”. This is another “may” and “must” amendment. Hon....
[Sir George Howarth in the Chair]
Amendments made: 39, in clause 50, page 30, line 20, l eave out “the National Assembly for Wales” and insert “Senedd Cymru”. See Amendment 28.
I beg to move amendment 19 in schedule 7, page 165, line 30, leave out “may” and insert “must”. It is a pleasure to see you back in the Chair, Sir...
Amendments made: 41, in clause 51, page 31, line 3, le ave out “the National Assembly for Wales” and insert “Senedd Cymru”. See Amendment 28.
I beg to move amendment 20 in schedule 8, page 170, line 9, leave out “may” and insert “must”. The amendment appears in my name and those of my hon. Friends. The schedule...
I beg to move amendment 21 to schedule 9, page 174, line 28, leave out “may” and insert “must”. This amendment is another case of “may” and...
[Sir George Howarth in the Chair]
Question proposed, That the schedule be the Ninth schedule to the Bill.
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 128, in clause 55, page 41, line 33, leave out “including” and insert “excluding”. Clause 55 adds new text to the Environmental Protection Act...
I beg to move amendment 7, in clause 56, page 43, line 4, leave out “may” and insert “must”. This amendment, again, is focused on language and the...
I beg to move amendment 177, in clause 59, page 50, line 19, a t end insert— “(1C) The Secretary of State must by regulations make provision to prohibit...
Amendments made: 45, in clause 60, page 54, line 14, l eave out “the National Assembly for Wales” and insert “Senedd Cymru”. See Amendment...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 8, in clause 71, page 61, line 25, leave out “may” and insert “must”. The clause provides for the Secretary of State to...
[James Gray in the Chair]
I beg to move amendment 9, in clause 75, page 66, line 11, l eave out “may” and insert “must”. We start this morning with an amendment...
I beg to move amendment 200, in clause 76, page 68, line 17, a t end insert— “(ca) the water quality and impact of the discharges of the...
I beg to move amendment 132, in clause 80, page 78, line 1, le ave out “2028” and insert “2021”
I beg to move amendment 135, in clause 81, page 80, line 28, l eave out subsection (9) and insert— “(9) Regulations under this section are subject to the...
(Afternoon)
Amendment proposed (this day): 135, in clause 81, page 80, line 28, leave out subsection (9) and insert— “(9) Regulations under this section are subject to the super-affirmative...
Amendments made: 53, in clause 82, page 81, line 19, leave out “the National Assembly for Wales” and insert “Senedd Cymru”. See Amendment 28.
Amendment made: 55, in clause 87, page 85, line 9, leave out “the National Assembly for Wales”
Amendment made: 56, in clause 88, page 87, line 33, leave out “the National Assembly for Wales”
Amendment made: 57, in clause 89, page 89, line 9, leave out “the National Assembly for Wales”
Apologies, Mr Gray, but we had previously notified the Committee that our amendments to the natural environment and environmental protection elements of the Bill would be moved by my hon. Friend...
I beg to move amendment 10, in clause 91, page 91, line 37, leave out “may” and insert “must”. I am sure you will be delighted, Mr Gray, that we...
I beg to move amendment 11, in clause 92, page 93, line 5, le ave out “may” and insert “must”. I am afraid that this is going to sound...
I beg to move amendment 140, in clause 93, page 94, line 13, after “biodiversity in England” insert “, including in particular the species and habitats listed in section...
(Morning)
Amendment made: 223, in clause 93, page 95, line 21, a fter “England))” insert— “(a) in subsection (1), after ‘conserving’ insert...
I beg to move amendment 142, in clause 94, page 95, leave out lines 28 and 29 and insert— “(a) all public authorities and persons or bodies exercising functions of...
I beg to move amendment 13, in clause 96, page 97, line 27, l eave out “may” and insert “must”. This is one of the most exciting provisions....
I beg to move amendment 143, in clause 97, page 98, line 6, at end insert— “(c) a statement of how the strategy is expected to contribute to achievement...
[Sir George Howarth in the Chair]
I beg to move amendment 146, in clause 98, page 98, line 45, a t end insert— “(3A) The Secretary of State must produce a strategy to inform the...
Amendment proposed: 147, in clause 99, page 99, line 16, leave out “95” and insert “93”.—(Dr Whitehead.)
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Amendment made: 224, in clause 107, page 105, line 10, after “1975” insert “(as substituted by paragraph 3 of Schedule 5 to the Infrastructure Act...
Amendment made: 225, in clause 116, page 109, line 13, after “1975” insert “(as substituted by paragraph 3 of Schedule 5 to the Infrastructure Act...
I beg to move amendment 14, in clause 121, page 111, line 17, ;leave out “may” and insert “must”. I will be brief. This is a further clause...
I beg to move amendment 71, in schedule 17, page 222, line 36, leave out from beginning to end of line 9 on page 223 and insert— “Demesne land 3 (1) Where land...
I beg to move amendment 187, in schedule 19, page 229, line 9, at end insert— “provided that such regulations do not regress upon the scope or purpose of REACH...
Amendments made: 58, in clause 126, page 113, line 28, leave out “the National Assembly for Wales” and insert “Senedd Cymru”. See Amendment 28....
I beg to move amendment 149, in clause 127, page 114, line 11, ;leave out subsection (1)(b). I have alluded to this amendment previously. I must admit that, having...
[James Gray in the Chair]
I beg to move amendment 231, in clause 130, page 116, line 31, at end insert “except that section (Use of forest risk commodities in commercial activity) and Schedule (Use of forest risk...
I beg to move amendment 2, in clause 131, page 117, line 21, ;leave out “on such day as the Secretary of State may by regulations appoint” and insert...
Amendments made: 63, in clause 132, page 119, line 38, leave out “the National Assembly for Wales” and insert “Senedd Cymru”. See Amendment 28.
“(1) The OEP and the Committee on Climate Change must prepare a memorandum of understanding. (2) The memorandum must set out how the OEP and the Committee intend to co-operate with one...
‘(1) The Secretary of State may issue guidance to the OEP on the matters listed in section 22(6) (OEP’s enforcement policy). (2) The OEP must have regard to the guidance in— (a)...
‘(1) Natural England may prepare and publish a strategy for improving the conservation status of any species of fauna or flora. (2) A strategy under subsection (1) is called a...
‘(1) Natural England may prepare and publish a strategy for— (a) improving the conservation and management of a protected site, and (b) managing the impact of plans, projects or other...
‘(1) In section 10 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (exceptions to section 9 of that Act), in subsection (1)— (a) in paragraph (a), omit the final “or”; (b) at the...
‘(1) In Schedule (Use of forest risk commodities in commercial activity)— (a) Part 1 makes provision about the use of forest risk commodities in commercial activity, (b) Part 2 makes...
‘(1) The environmental objective is to achieve and maintain a healthy natural environment. (2) Any rights, powers, liabilities, obligations, restrictions, remedies and procedures arising...
‘(1) The Secretary of State has a duty to ensure that there is no diminution in any protection afforded by any environmental standard which was effective in UK domestic law on IP completion...
“(1) No well consent which permits associated hydraulic fracturing may be issued by the Oil and Gas Authority (‘OGA’). (2) Sections 4A and 4B of the Petroleum Act 1998 (as...
“(1) The Secretary of State must, within the period of six months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed, publish a draft Bill on mandatory environmental and human rights due...
“(1) The Secretary of State must, within 12 months of this Act coming into force, by regulations make provision for a register of the end use of all recycled waste created, collected or...
[James Gray in the Chair]
“(1) The Secretary of State must by regulations set targets for the replacement of types of tests on animals conducted to protect human health and the environment within the scope of the...
‘(1) If the OEP is satisfied that a public authority has failed to comply with a decision notice, the OEP may, by written notice (a “penalty notice”) require the public...
(1) A “public authority” must follow the course of action set out in a recommendation made by the OEP in a report issued under sections 25 or 26 unless the public authority has...
“(1) The OEP must maintain a register of communications between it and Ministers (or government departments). (2) The OEP may omit from the register communications which it considers...
“(1) Section 2 of the Water Industry Act 1991 (general duties with respect to water industry) is amended as follows. (2) In subsection (2A), at the end insert— “(c) to...
“(1) The Secretary of State must make regulations to grant the Environment Agency additional powers to require water companies and other connected agencies to manage reservoirs to mitigate...
“(1) In interpreting responsibilities under Part 3 of this Act and in all matters relating to waste and resource efficiency the Secretary of State must take account of the requirements of...
“(1) The Secretary of State must by regulations establish and execute in conjunction with the devolved administrations a target for the percentage of land in the UK under forest or woodland...
“When exercising any function of a public nature that could affect the achievement of— (a) any targets set under sections 1 or 2; (b) interim targets set under section 10; or (c) any...
“(1) The Government must prepare a Tree Strategy for England as set out in subsection (2) and (3). (2) The strategy must set out the Government’s vision, objectives, priorities and...
“(1) The Secretary of State must publish documents setting out how the Government will exercise the power conferred in section 1 to set a target to reverse the decline in the state of...
“(1) The OEP must, for the purposes in subsection (2), co-operate with any devolved environmental governance body in Scotland or Wales. (2) Those purposes are the consideration of matters...
“(1) A public authority must apply the environmental principles in section 16 in the exercise of its functions. (2) In this section ‘public authority’ has the same meaning as in...
[James Gray in the Chair]
(1) The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is amended in accordance with subsections (2) and (3). (2) After section 5(c)(viii) insert— “(ix) any form of lead ammunition used in a...
‘(1) In interpreting and applying this Act, any party with duties, responsibilities, obligations or discretions under or relating to it must comply with— (a) the environmental...
“(1) The Secretary of State must, no later than six months after the day of which this Act is passed, lay before Parliament a report containing an assessment of the adequacy of...
“(1) The Secretary of State will by regulations introduce a producer responsibility scheme in England to tackle smoking related waste. (2) The scheme will compel those tobacco companies...
‘(1) Section 114 of the Planning Act 2008 is amended in accordance with subsection (2). (2) At the end of subsection (2) insert— “(3) Before approving an application for an...
“(1) The Secretary of State shall within 12 months of the commencement of this Act amend the Building Regulations 2010 Part G to— (a) require all fittings to meet specified water...
‘(1) The Secretary of State must prepare and publish an annual policy statement setting out how the Government is working to improve air quality, and must lay a copy of the report before...
Meaning of “forest risk commodity” 1 (1) In this Schedule “forest risk commodity” means a commodity specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State. (2) The...
General power 8 The Secretary of State may by regulations (“Part 2 regulations”) make provision about the enforcement of requirements imposed by or under Part 1 of this Schedule...
Review 17 (1) The Secretary of State must review the effectiveness of the Part 1 requirements and any Part 2 regulations (“relevant provisions”) in accordance with this paragraph. (2)...
Committee membership and attendance (out of 22)
Chairpersons
Members
[ Committee memberships can change partway through ]
