Summary

  • Private members' bills in the Commons

  1. Report from the backbenchespublished at 12:15 British Summer Time 15 June 2018

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  2. Will the bill be talked out?published at 12:13 British Summer Time 15 June 2018

    Mental Health Units (Use of Force)

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Norman LambImage source, HoC

    Philip Davies has now been speaking for two hours about amendments to the bill.

    Lib Dem Norman Lamb intervenes on his speech to raise his "very real concern" about the amount of time Mr Davies is taking. He says he doesn't "think it's his intention" but "we could end up with this bill being talked out today".

    He urges the Conservative backbencher to "reach a conclusion" on his speech, which has forensically explained every one of his amendments, and allow someone else to speak.

    Proceedings today must end at 2:30pm and the bill could run into trouble if debate on report stage has not ended by then.

    Philip Davies dismisses his concern - he says all he's trying to do is "deliver the bill that [Steve Reed, who introduced it] wants to see".

    Fellow Conservative backbencher Christopher Chope says the bill is "unsinkable" because it has the support of all parties and the government and says Mr Davies is merely trying to "improve" the bill.

    Minister Jackie Doyle-Price also intervenes to urge Mr Davies to drop his amendments, which she calls "unnecessary".

  3. Government to support bill to ban 'upskirting'published at 11:32 British Summer Time 15 June 2018

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Gina Martin campaigned for the law to be changed after a man took a picture up her skirt.
    Image caption,

    Gina Martin campaigned for the law to be changed after a man took a picture up her skirt.

    Another of the bills on today's order paper is the Voyeurism (Offences) Bill, introduced by the Lib Dem MP Wera Hobhouse.

    The bill would make taking photos underneath someone's clothing without their knowledge, known as "upskirting", a specific criminal offence.

    Ministers have been persuaded to act to close loopholes in the law which didn't make all instances of upskirting illegal.

    Minister Lucy Frazer called the practice a "hideous invasion of privacy".

    The bill is 8th on the order paper so, given the slow progress of business today, it is unlikely to be debated at second reading.

    Usually at the end of the day bills that haven't been debated have their titles read out by the clerks and government whips or other MPs shout "object" to prevent them proceeding to their next stage.

    The government has said that they will allow the bill through without debate at the end of the day so it can move to committee stage.

    But any other MP can prevent that happening by shouting their objection, which would force the bill to the back of the queue.

    Learn more about the campaign here.

  4. MP: backbencher's rights being curtailedpublished at 10:45 British Summer Time 15 June 2018

    Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Bill

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Conservative backbencher Philip Davies, a fixture of backbench Fridays, is speaking about his series of amendments.

    He tells the House he has no idea if the government support or oppose them because they set their own deadline on amendments to bills.

    While the Commons allows MPs to put forward amendments until three days before a private members' debate, the government will only support amendments put forward eight days beforehand. He says this is a curtailment of the rights of backbenchers and that laws will be passed which are "not fit for purpose".

    Philip Davies calls the situation a "farce" but speaks to introduce the amendments anyway, offering the minister in attendance the chance to offer her input.

    Philip DaviesImage source, HoC
  5. Today's bill: what does it do?published at 10:08 British Summer Time 15 June 2018

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  6. Labour hold Lewisham East in by-electionpublished at 10:03 British Summer Time 15 June 2018

    Party's majority is cut as Lib Dems push Tories into third place in pro-EU constituency.

    Read More
  7. MP calls for proper investigation of deathspublished at 10:00 British Summer Time 15 June 2018

    Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Bill

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Steve ReedImage source, HoC

    Steve Reed is speaking to introduce a clause outlining how deaths in mental health units should be investigated.

    He says that the family of Olaseni Lewis had to "fight for seven years" to get an inquest into his death.

    He says proper investigation of deaths would reveal that what often seem like "isolated tragic incidents" could actually be wider institutional failures.

    The amendment would make the government appoint an independent investigator to prepare a report on a death in a mental health unit following a use of force.

  8. Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Billpublished at 09:54 British Summer Time 15 June 2018

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Seni LewisImage source, Justice for Seni website
    Image caption,

    Seni, as he was known to his family and friends, died on 4 September 2010 after being restrained

    Today's first bill was introduced by Labour’s Steve Reed following the death of a constituent, Olaseni Lewis. Mr Lewis was a mental health patient who died after being restrained for an extended period of time by police at the Bethlem Royal Hospital, Beckenham.

    An inquest found that the police officers’ use of force had been “unnecessary and unreasonable” and had, on balance of probability, contributed to the death. A tribunal hearing cleared the six officers of gross misconduct.

    The bill would introduce a statutory framework around the use of force in mental health units. This framework would include the mandatory recording of any use of force, a written policy around the appropriate use of force and commitments to reduce the use of force. Patients would also have to be given information about their rights.

    Under the bill the health secretary will have to publish information about the use of force and police officers attending incidents at mental health units will have to wear body worn cameras.

    So far in its progress through Parliament the bill has had cross party support and been amended by Steve Reed in consultation with the government.

  9. Today in the Commonspublished at 09:34 British Summer Time 15 June 2018

    What's on today in the Commons?

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    It is a private members' bill Friday in the House of Commons, where MPs debate bills put forward by backbenchers.

    First up is the Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Bill introduced by Labour’s Steve Reed.

    The bill aims to create a statutory framework around the use of force in mental health units and make people running units to keep a record of instances. The bill is due to undergo both report stage and third reading today.

    Private member’s bills have a limited amount of time in the Commons, and debate today must end at 2:30pm.

    If there is time MPs will get to consider the Freedom of Information (Extension) Bill, tabled by Labour’s Andy Slaughter. The bill wants to make social housing providers, electoral registration officers, returning officers and the Housing Ombudsman subject to Freedom of Information requests.

    The third bill on the list today is Richard Benyon’s Armed Forces (Statute of Limitations) Bill, which would set a time limit for court proceedings against members of the armed forces.

  10. Government legislating in 'spirit' of devolution settlement - Mundellpublished at 17:33 British Summer Time 14 June 2018

    Statement on Sewel Convention

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell told MPs that through the passage of the EU Withdrawal Bill, the government has abided by the "spirit" of the devolution settlement.

    "From the outset, we have been clear" that leaving the EU would bring back powers from the EU, and Brexit was not anticipated in the original Scotland Act, he said, in a statement to the Commons.

    He added that "these are not normal times".

    SNP MPs were furious after amendments to the EU Withdrawal Bill affecting Scotland were passed after less than 20 minutes of debate, with the only speech being from Cabinet Office minister David Lidington.

    The SNP's Westminster Leader Ian Blackford told MPs that these were "very serious times for Scotland".

    He said the current state of affairs is an "inversion" of the Scotland Act, and "the security of the devolution settlement" was threatened.

    Mr Mundell said the government was legislating in line with the Sewel Convention.

    The Sewel Convention states that the UK Parliament has the authority to legislate on any issue, whether devolved or not, but will "not normally" do so in devolved areas without the consent of the Scottish Parliament.

    Mr Mundell said: "I think anyone would accept the UK leaving the EU are not normal circumstances."

  11. Today in the Commonspublished at 17:19 British Summer Time 14 June 2018

    What happened?

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    The day in the Commons started with Exiting the EU questions and an urgent question asked by Labour's Nia Griffith on the Galileo European satellite programme.

    A further urgent question was asked by Labour's Margaret Beckett on the announcement by Rolls Royce of 4,600 redundancies over the next two years.

    After the Business statement, a further statement was made on the Sewel Convention relating to legislative consent for the UK government to take over some aspects of Brexit powers for the devolved assemblies for a period of time. This has caused outrage from the Scottish government.

    Finally, the day closed on a debate on Windrush.

    The Commons returns tomorrow at 9.30am for private members' bills.

  12. Windrush arrival has become 'synonymous' with multicultural Britainpublished at 17:11 British Summer Time 14 June 2018

    Empire Windrush Anniversary

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Nigel AdamsImage source, HoC

    Housing, Communities and Local Government Minister Nigel Adams says that it is incumbent upon teachers and schools to teach children about what the Windrush generation has contributed to the UK.

    He says that the arrival of Windrush has become synonymous with the UK becoming a multicultural society.

    Many arrivals received a "hostile reception", he says, referring to "no blacks, no Irish and no dogs" signs.

    There was an "enduring spirit" of the Windrush generation to overcome this "adversity", he states.

    Labour's Helen Hayes, who opened the debate, thanks all members for taking part.

  13. What happens at ping pong?published at 16:54 British Summer Time 14 June 2018

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  14. They genuinely thought they were coming to the mother country - Labourpublished at 16:46 British Summer Time 14 June 2018

    Empire Windrush Anniversary

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Diane AbbottImage source, HoC

    Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott says "they genuinely thought that they were coming to the mother country".

    "Nowadays there's a narrative around migrants, which claims that they don't understand or appreciate British culture, but I'm glad to tell the House this afternoon that there was no group of migrants more enthusiastically British than that Windrush generation."

    The original Windrush generation "is passing", she says, adding that every week she hears of members of the original community who have passed away.

    "They came to address a labour shortage" and helped to build the NHS in its early years, she says. Her own mother was a student nurse recruited in Jamaica, she adds.

    "Who was it who said 'we will deport first and ask questions later'?" she says, referring to the prime minister.

    "Your chance of the removal decision being overturned are vanishingly small," she says, "this was all about chasing UKIP votes".

  15. Minister: EU citizens will not face Windrush treatmentpublished at 16:45 British Summer Time 14 June 2018

    Hostile environment debate

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Earlier, Home Office Minister Baroness Williams of Trafford responded to the debate on the government's "hostile environment" policy.

    She told peers: "As well as having a fair and humane immigration system, we need one which actually clearly distinguishes between those who are here legally and those who are here illegally.

    "It is important to recall that successive governments have put in place controls to deter illegal migration and protect public services."

    She pointed out it was the previous Labour government which had coined the term "hostile environment" in relation to illegal immigration when Alan Johnson was home secretary.

    She insisted a clear process was being put in place "so that what happened with Windrush is not in future years seen to happen to EU citizens", applying for settled status.

  16. Situation is 'xenophobic' - SNPpublished at 16:35 British Summer Time 14 June 2018

    Empire Windrush Anniversary

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Deidre BrockImage source, HoC

    The SNP's Deidre Brock says that most people just want a secure livelihood. She decries the inability of members of the Windrush generation to get housing, get a job, all because they didn't have payslips going back 50 years.

    "It is xenophobic, it is racist, and it should end," she says.

    The old government immigration act "should go," she says. "It is an arbitrary cut-off point," for those who came before the 70s.

    "Many will be buried in graveyards on these islands" without ever officially becoming citizens, she adds.

    The state should be nurturing immigrants, she adds, rather than seeing them as a nuisance.

  17. May 'shoulders full responsibility for the hostile environment' - Labour MPpublished at 16:32 British Summer Time 14 June 2018

    Empire Windrush Anniversary

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Dawn ButlerImage source, HoC

    Labour's Dawn Butler says that her father, when he came to the UK, walked past buildings which said "no Irish, no blacks and no dogs" before finding accommodation in east London.

    Eventually, she says, he sent for her mother once he had settled down, and her mother was surprised when she arrived that British people only bathed once a week and cooked food without any seasoning.

    "I don't think in the history of this Parliament, that we have a prime minister who was actually the home secretary, and therefore shoulders full responsibility for the hostile environment," she adds.

  18. This subject is so 'toxic' - Lib Dem MPpublished at 16:11 British Summer Time 14 June 2018

    Empire Windrush Anniversary

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Wera HobhouseImage source, HoC

    "It is the dehumanisation of immigration that has made this subject so toxic," says Liberal Democrat Wera Hobhouse.

    She says a change in language on the immigration debate, referring to immigrants as people, changes the public's perception of this part of society.

    "We must foster cohesion and not do the opposite, and we should not blame immigration for rising inequalities, job insecurity...or poor public services," she adds.

  19. The Windrush generation came 'because they were begged to come'published at 15:56 British Summer Time 14 June 2018

    Empire Windrush Anniversary

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Peter GrantImage source, HoC

    The SNP's Peter Grant says the Windrush generation came to the UK "because they were begged to come." At this point, he believes, the Windrush generation means the UK has a "non-removable debt" as the UK recovered so quickly due to their legacy.

    He says that members of the Commonwealth "were enslaved by the mother country" but still came to the UK to help when the country needed assistance.

    "I'm of immigrant descent," he says, "we all are," "none of us are truly indigenous".

    "None of us is 100% pure bred anything, and it is just as well, because any dog or horse breeder will tell you pure breds don't live very long," he adds.

  20. Windrush generation 'still facing desperate uncertainty'published at 15:42 British Summer Time 14 June 2018

    Empire Windrush Anniversary

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    David LammyImage source, HoC

    Labour's David Lammy says his parents are part of the Windrush generation and wants to reflect on the challenges they faced and the challenges still faced by first-generation migrants in Britain.

    He says Windrush migrants and their children were told there was "no space under the British flag for them, and no black in the Union Jack".

    But that the likes of Jess Ennis, Daley Thompson, Linford Christie, Kelly Holmes and Colin Jackson wrapped in the Union Flag celebrating their victories acted as a repudiation of that view, as does the presence of Raheem Sterling, Chris Smalling and Danny Rose in the England squad about to play in the World Cup in Russia.

    He says the Windrush generation and their children are now part of the "fabric of British society" because at a time of "desperate need, Britain called and they came".

    He goes on to cover the injustices of those caught up in the Windrush scandal. Raising a constituent arrested on an immigration warrant at a "routine appointment with the Home Office", the "hundreds of victims still waiting for an appointment" with the Home Office's Windrush taskforce and many more "still facing desperate uncertainty".