This week in the Commons: 15 March 2019
15 March 2019 (updated on 15 March 2019)
This week in the House of Commons saw MPs debate and vote on the Government's Brexit deal, a 'no deal' Brexit, extending the Article 50 period and more.
Motions
Debate on the second 'meaningful vote'
The House of Commons voted to again reject the Government's negotiated withdrawal agreement in a second 'meaningful vote'. Despite additional documents on the Northern Irish backstop secured by the Prime Minister from the EU, on 12 March 2019, MPs voted 391 to 242 to reject the Government's deal.
Debate on no-deal Brexit
On Wednesday 13 March 2019, the House of Commons voted to reject leaving the European Union without a Withdrawal Agreement and a Framework for the Future Relationship, 321 to 278 a margin of 43.
Debate on Article 50 extension
The House of Commons voted 412 to 202 to approve a motion to seek to extend the Article 50 period. This extension will be until 30 June 2019 if the Brexit Deal is approved by 20 March 2019. It notes that if a deal is not approved, the length of the extension will depend on its purpose.
Legislation: Government Bills
Children Act 1989 (Amendment) (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill [Lords]: remaining stages
The FGM Bill had its remaining stages in the Commons on Monday 11 March 2019. No further amendments were made and the Bill is now awaiting Royal Assent.
Legislation: Private Members Bills
Two Private Members Bills were introduced to the House following Ten Minute Rule Motions this week:
- Election Expenses (Authorisation of Free or Discounted Support) - Craig Mackinlay
- Tenancy (Deposits and Arbitration) - Lloyd Russell-Moyle
On Friday 15 March, MPs debated Lords amendments to the Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration etc) Bill. The House of Commons approved all Lords amendments and the Bill is awaiting Royal Assent. The Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) (Amendment) Bill and the River Authorities and Land Drainage Bill both passed their Commons stages and will now be debated in the House of Lords.
Find out what further Bills were considered on Friday 15 March:
Other bills presented by backbench MPs this week:
Urgent questions and ministerial statements
This week urgent questions were asked on:
- Parliament news: Changes to the EU Withdrawal Agreement - Jeremy Corbyn
- Parliament news: Shamima Begum - Diane Abbot
There were also five ministerial statements this week:
- Parliament news: Syria - Alistair Burt
- Parliament news: Commonwealth Day - Alistair Burt
- Parliament news: Brexit - Stephen Barclay
- Parliament news: Legal opinion on changes to the Withdrawal Agreement - Mr Geoffrey Cox
- Parliament news: Spring Statement 2019 by the Chancellor of the Exchequer - Mr Philip Hammond
Prime Minister's Questions
On Wednesday 13 March MPs asked the Prime minister questions about Brexit, knife crime, schools funding and more.
Watch PMQs from this week:
What became law this week?
The following Bills received Royal Assent this week and became Acts of Parliament:
- Organ Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill
- Stalking Protection Bill
- Parking (Code of Practice) Bill
- Northern Ireland Budget (Anticipation and Adjustments) (No. 2) Bill 2017-19
- Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) (No. 2) Bill 2017-19
Westminster Hall debates
Debates on a variety of different subjects also took place in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 12, Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 March 2019. See the Parliamentary calendar to find out what subjects were debated.
Select Committees
News from Parliamentary Select Committees, including the publication of reports and details of inquiries and evidence sessions are also available online.
Image: Parliamentary Copyright/Jessica Taylor
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