Ex-minister and Bletchley Park code-breaker became widely known after making a V-sign in the Lords.

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Justice Secretary David Gauke says the bill represents an important step forward for the UK's courts system, which he says are "rightly regarded" as among the best and most independent in the world.

The way courts work "can't stand still", he says, and they must be able to meet the demands and needs of society. They also need to work for everyone who is involved in the system, as well as embracing technological advances. This bill enables them to do that.

The measures in the bill are all part of a wider £1bn court reform modernisation programme, he says, which are making the system work better for everyone, while putting court and tribunal services on a strong footing for the future.

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Business now turns to the second reading of the Courts and Tribunals (Judiciary and Functions of Staff) Bill, external, which has already been through the House of Lords.

The bill makes adjustments to the courts and tribunals system in England and Wales (although there are some ramifications across the UK):

• The bill makes it possible to deploy certain judicial office-holders with more flexibility throughout the courts and tribunals system.
• It also renames the "Chief Bankruptcy Registrar" as the "Chief Insolvency and Companies Court Judge" and makes it easier for similar judicial titles to be changed.
• It also overhauls the regulatory underpinning for delegating court functions, meaning certain court staff can fill certain roles that currently have to be filled by judges.

It is a narrowly drafted measure which does not look vulnerable to amendments on wider justice issues, like legal aid.

With the DUP's confidence and supply agreement with the government on the rocks, the government will be keen to avoid any votes in which they could be defeated.

Justice Secretary David Gauke is tabling the bill.

Allowing the UK to unilaterally halt the Brexit process could lead to "disaster", Europe's highest court is warned by EU lawyers.

Theresa May's political fate - and that of her government - rests on winning the Brexit vote, says our political editor.

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Conservative MP Huw Merriman is now tabling his Minimum Service Obligation (High Street Cashpoints) Bill as a ten minute rule motion.

The bill would require banks to provide cash machines on streets designated by local authorities in smaller communities.

Free ATMs are an important alternative when bank branches are closing, he says, and with 60 bank branches closing this year there is a pressing need for action.

"Cash remains immensely popular and important for consumers," he says, and even with use declining there is still a very great need.

When vulnerable constituents most in need of support cannot access cash, something needs to be done, he says.

The bill proceeds without division.

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Tory MP Bob Seely asks whether the Foreign Office thinks Russia's action is a just continuation of the situation, or whether it is a "ramping up" of economic warfare or even a "shaping operation" for more violent action.

Mr Burt says the government cannot speculate on what might happen, "I don't think it's wise."

The concern Mr Seely raises however is valid, he says, and that is why the government is keen to stress that "what the United Kingdom wants to see is not a further escalation...Russia must recognise the action that it has taken and the concern that it has caused."

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Labour MP Madeleine Moon, who was recently elected, external President of the Nato Parliamentary Assembly, says this is not an isolated incident and endorses the calls for calm and restraint, and warns that Russia is seeking "wider destabilisation" of Ukraine.

It's important that Russia understands that actions have consequences, however, she says.

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Our coverage of the Lords will begin at 2.30pm with oral questions, which today include questions on mental health support in schools and free TV licences for those over 75.

After this, peer will move on to their main business of the day, debating the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Bill on the second day of its report stage.

The bill will reform the process in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 for authorising arrangements enabling the care or treatment of people who lack capacity to consent themselves.

On the first day of its report stage there was one division on an amendment which ensures that the authorisation arrangements for care and treatments are necessary to prevent harm to the cared-for person.

This amendment passed by 202 voted to 188 and was added to the bill.

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Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat, says every time there is Russian weakness - such as falling oil prices or protests in the country - it is expressed and covered up by Russian violence and agression.

He says the UK must stand with the Russian people, activists, democrats and journalists, and protect their interests.

We must defend their interests, he says, and stand against those who seek to profit from Russian aggression.

"The warmongers, yes, but also those in our own House even who are profiting from Russian business."

Mr Burt says the government remains open to a different relationship with Russia, where they do not act in such a way. A different relationship must entail a change in behavior however, he warns.

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SNP spokesman Stephen Gethins says Russia's action is a clear violation of international law and asks what work is being done with European partners, given the importance of Ukraine in European security.

The EU Political and Security Committee is meeting today to discuss action, Alistair Burt says, adding that "he can be in no doubt...that we will continue to do what it takes to deescalate the situation but also make very, very clear where the fault lies."

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Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith says Russia is a "pariah state" that occupies large sections of Ukraine illegally.

He urges the government to make a "very, very big deal of this" at the UN and call for the highest level of sanctions on Russia "as loudly as they possibly can".

Mr Burt says the action is strongly condemned by the government and ministers are discussing with partners what "concrete measures" can be taken against Russia's action.

The agreement must be improved, the ex-minister says, as the PM also comes under attack from the DUP.

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Shadow Foreign Office minister Khalid Mahmood, apologising for the shadow foreign secretary's absence, says recent events are deeply troubling for everyone who wants peace across Ukraine.

Actions like this risk worsening the conflict, he says, and there is no excuse for them.

He asks if the minister will be speaking to Russian counterparts, adding that it is "worrying" that the Ukrainian government has declared martial law - he says there needs to be proper democratic structures during the period.

If the elections don't take place it would be a backward step, he says.

Mr Burt says the this action has come "on the back" of further disruption and since May, Russia has conducted more than 200 stop and search operations of vessels. It is important there is a strong a united international action he says.

He disagrees that Ukraine's response has been concerning, "bearing in mind the the pressure that Ukraine is under, I would have thought this House would support the Ukrainian government's response."

Elections will not be affected, he says, and the government supports the action.

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Tory MP John Whittingdale says he welcomes the Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt's statement that Russia has clearly breached international law, and asks whether the call for the immediate release of the 23 sailors being held by Russia will be reiterated "as a matter of urgency".

Mr Whittingdale says he wants military personnel who have been shown to be involved in coordinating this operation to be sanctioned, and for "stronger sanctions against Russia".

Alistair Burt says the government has no plans to change conduct of activity in the area.

"Russians actions in ramming vessels do not confirm with the UN law of the sea and this is a clear breach of international law," he says.

Mr Burt says the prime minister has received a request to speak to the Ukranian prime minister, and that sanctions were recently considered in terms of the Crimea annexation.

"Any further sanctions will be considered with our European partners to ensure there is unity," he adds. "The House is right to see this as a serious matter and it is right for it to not be escalated further."

Russian border guards intercepted and seized three Ukrainian navy boats off Crimea, in a major escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Why did this happen?

On Sunday two Ukrainian gunboats and a tug were sailing into the Kerch Strait, the only route for ships to enter the Sea of Azov from the Black Sea.

Russia's FSB border guard force says the flotilla violated Russian territorial waters, after the FSB had temporarily closed an area of water to shipping.

Ukraine calls it a flagrant violation of international law, because the incidents happened in the Black Sea, which is free for shipping, and annexed Crimea belongs to Ukraine.

Kiev also cites a 2003 Russia-Ukraine treaty on unimpeded access to the Kerch Strait and Sea of Azov.