[Mrs Maria Miller in the Chair]

Before we begin, I have a couple of preliminary announcements. I encourage Members, if they are able, to wear a mask when they are not speaking, to try to accommodate the fact that we are quite a large number of people in this room. Please can you also give members of staff space when you are seated, and think about social distancing when you enter and leave the room? Hansard colleagues would always be grateful if Members could email their speaking notes, if they speak. Can you also all ensure that electronic devices are silent? Teas, coffees and food are not allowed during the sittings.

Today, we will first consider the programme motion on the amendment paper. If you do not have a copy of that before you, please see one of our officials sitting at the side. Then we will consider a motion to enable the reporting of written evidence for publication, and a motion to allow us to deliberate in private about our questions before the oral evidence starts. In view of the time available, I hope that we can take those matters formally without debate. I call the Minister to move the programme motion standing in his name, which was discussed this morning by the Programming Sub-Committee for the Bill.

Ordered,

That—

(1) the Committee shall (in addition to its first meeting at 11.30 am on Thursday 9 September) meet—

(a) at 2.00 pm on Thursday 9 September;

(b) at 9.25 am and 2.00 pm on Tuesday 14 September;

(c) at 11.30 am and 2.00 pm on Thursday 16 September;

(d) at 9.25 am and 2.00 pm on Tuesday 21 September;

(e) at 11.30 am and 2.00 pm on Thursday 23 September;

(f) at 9.25 am and 2.00 pm on Tuesday 19 October;

(g) at 11.30 am and 2.00 pm on Thursday 21 October;

(h) at 9.25am and 2.00pm on Tuesday 26 October;

(2) the Committee shall hear oral evidence in accordance with the following Table;

Date

Time

Witness

Thursday 9 September

Until no later than 12.20pm

Sir Ken Knight CBE QFSM, Independent Expert Advisory Panel; National Fire Chiefs’ Council

Thursday 9 September

Until no later than 1.00pm

Construction Industry Council; Royal Institute of British Architects

Thursday 9 September

Until no later than 2.45pm

Construction Products Association; The British Standards Institution

Thursday 9 September

Until no later than 3.30pm

The National Housing Federation; Local Authority Building Control; Local Government Association

Thursday 9 September

Until no later than 4.15pm

UK Cladding Action Group; End Our Cladding Scandal

Thursday 9 September

Until no later than 5.00pm

Landmark Chambers; Anthony Gold Solicitors LLP

Tuesday 14 September

Until no later than 10.15am

The Health and Safety Executive; Office for Product Safety and Standards

Tuesday 14 September

Until no later than 10.45am

Long Harbour; Home Builders’ Federation

Tuesday 14 September

Until no later than 11.25am

Councillor Jayne McCoy, Sutton Council; The Institute of Residential Property Management

Tuesday 14 September

Until no later than 2.45pm

Leasehold Knowledge Partnership; Association of Residential Managing Agents

Tuesday 14 September

Until no later than 3.30pm

BRE Global Limited; Association of British Insurers; National House Building Council

Tuesday 14 September

Until no later than 4pm

Fire Brigades Union

Tuesday 14 September

Until no later than 4.30pm

UK Finance

Tuesday 14 September

Until no later than 5.00pm

Alison Hills; Stephen Day

(3) proceedings on consideration of the Bill in Committee shall be taken in the following order: Clauses 1 to 2; Schedule 1; Clauses 3 to 21; Schedule 2; Clauses 22 to 26; Schedule 3; Clauses 27 to 42; Schedule 4; Clauses 43 to 54; Schedule 5; Clause 55; Schedule 6; Clauses 56 to 120; Schedule 7; Clauses 121 to 128; Schedule 8; Clauses 129 to 133; Schedule 9; Clauses 134 to 147; new Clauses; new Schedules; remaining proceedings on the Bill;

(4) the proceedings shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at 5.00 pm on Tuesday 26 October.—(Christopher Pincher.)

Resolved,

That, subject to the discretion of the Chair, any written evidence received by the Committee shall be reported to the House for publication.—(Christopher Pincher.)

Copies of written evidence that the Committee receives will be made available in the Committee Room and will be circulated to Members by email. I am sure that you have already received that initial email. Thanks to all the Clerks and all the staff, who are doing an amazing job on what is a lengthy and complex Bill.

Resolved,

That, at this and any subsequent meeting at which oral evidence is to be heard, the Committee shall sit in private until the witnesses are admitted.—(Christopher Pincher.)

We will now go into private session to discuss lines of questioning.

The Committee deliberated in private.