House of Commons
Parliament

There's an urgent question from Labour MP Emma Hardy on relationship education lessons in schools in about an hour's time in the Commons.

That will be followed by two ministerial statements - the first from Culture Minister Mims Davies on lotteries regulation; the second from Minister for Women Victoria Atkins on domestic abuse.

Those will come after backbench MPs get the chance to put questions to business ministers, including Business Secretary Greg Clark.

Later today, MPs will have the chance to debate the Courts and Tribunals (Online Procedure) Bill, which has come from the House of Lords.

House of Lords
Parliament

Peers are debating the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Bill at committee stage.

It's the chance for peers to debate amendments.

There's more on the bill and what's happening here:

Northern Ireland bill - what happens next? - BBC News

Image source, Reuters

MPs are now debating the High Speed Rail (West Midlands - Crewe) Bill - legislation authorising the next stage of the controversial HS2 high speed rail project.

Labour has tabled amendments calling for a compensation scheme for tenants affected by construction, and quarterly reports on the environmental impact.

The party has also put down another amendment calling for a review by independent experts of the scheme's environmental impact, engineering, and governance.

House of Commons
Parliament

Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry says the Intelligence and Security Committeee report was "damning" in its conclusions.

She says it is important a judge-led inquiry does go ahead, so ministers can "truly learn the lessons from what has happened".

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

In reponse, Ken Clarke says the government made "firm undertakings" under David Cameron that there would be a judge-led inquiry into the issue.

He says the previous inquiry was "postponed" because of police investigations and because of the parliamentary report from the Intelligence and Security Committee.

He says there have been “years and years" of ministers putting the issue "into the long grass".

He says he hopes MPs would hold ministers to account is they try to "slip out" of the previous commitment to hold a judge-led inquiry.

House of Commons
Parliament

Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington says the government will make a "definitive statement" responding to the calls for a judge-led inquiry later this week.

House of Commons
Parliament

That’s questions to Home Office ministers finished.

Next, Conservative MP Ken Clarke will ask an urgent question on whether there should be a judge-led inquiry into UK knowledge of alleged mistreatment of US detainees after the 9/11 attacks.

In June last year, a parliamentary committee report concluded British agencies continued to supply intelligence to allies despite knowing or suspecting abuse in more than 200 cases.

Mr Clarke scrapped plans for a judge-led inquiry into the issue in 2012 whilst he was justice secretary, but has since called for one to go ahead.

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Another Conservative MP, Stephen Kerr, says churches in Scotland are "struggling" with new immigration rules for getting visas for visiting priests.

The government now requires 'ministers of religion' to apply for a tier 2 visa instead of the tier 5 version - meaning a language check is required.

Defending the change, Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes says it is "absolutely imperative" people involved in preaching or pastoral care have a good standard of English.

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Conservative MP Steve Double asks when the government app allowing EU citizens to apply to remain in the UK after Brexit will be available on Apple phones.

The government's 'settled status' scheme is currently not available on Apple devices because of issues regarding the scanning of passport chips, a requirement of applying online.

Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes says the home secretary "has been tireless in pursuing this issue".

She says ministers are "very hopeful" that the app will be available on Apple phones in the autumn.

House of Lords
Parliament

Business in the Upper House also gets underway at 14.30 BST, with questions to ministers on topics such as BBC funding, childhood obesity and automation in the NHS.

This afternoon peers will be debating legislation on the re-establishment of devolved government in Northern Ireland which was amended in the Commons last week.

MPs voted to change Northern Ireland's abortion law and introduce same-sex marriage if devolution is not restored at Stormont by 21 October.

Some have said the amendments breach the principle of devolution, whilst others have argued the abortion amendment is not workable in its current form.

Peers will also consider an attempt to make it harder for a future PM to force through no-deal Brexit against the wishes of Parliament.

The amendment will be debated by peers tonight, although it may not be pushed to a vote until the bill reaches the report stage, due on Wednesday.

House of Commons
Parliament

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of today’s business in the House of Commons. The day will begin at 14.30 BST with questions to Home Office ministers.

After this, Conservative MP Ken Clarke has an urgent question on whether there should be judge-led inquiry into the UK’s role in alleged mistreatment of US detainees after the 9/11 attacks.

This afternoon, MPs debate and vote on amendments to the legislation which authorises the next stage of the HS2 rail project.

After a short debate on changes to fees for building planning applications, the closing debate will be on motorsport events in Northern Ireland.