This week in the Commons: 4 October 2019
4 October 2019
This week in the Commons, MPs debated the second reading of the Domestic Abuse Bill, asked questions about the collapse of Wrightbus and the shorting of the pound, and conducted a landmark PMQs.
Legislation: Government Bills
Domestic Abuse Bill
MPs passed the second reading of the Domestic Abuse Bill in the House of Commons on 2 October 2019.
The purpose of the Bill is raise awareness and understanding of domestic abuse and its impact on victims. It aims to improve the effectiveness of the justice system in providing protection and systematic support for victims of domestic abuse.
Urgent questions and ministerial statements
This week the Speaker granted five urgent questions:
- Urgent question on short positions against the pound
- Urgent question on the collapse of Wrightbus
- Urgent question on the future of the Irish border
- Urgent question on deaths of homeless people
- Urgent question on the conflict in Yemen
There were two oral Ministerial Statements this week:
- The Minister of State for Health outlined the Government's new Health Infrastructure Plan
- The Prime Minister updated the House of Commons on Brexit negotiations and the backstop in Northern Ireland
Prime Minister's Questions
History was made at this week's PMQs, when Diane Abbott, representing the Opposition, became the first black MP to represent their party in the House. The Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State stood in for the Prime Minister. MPs asked Dominic Raab MP about abortion rights in Northern Ireland, special advisers, the Brexit deadline and the threat of the DPRK.
Find out more about this week's PMQs:
Westminster Hall debates
Debates on a variety of different subjects also took place in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 2, Wednesday 3 and Thursday 3 October. 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: UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor
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