This week in the Commons: 30 November - 4 December 2020
4 December 2020
This week in the Commons, MPs passed secondary legislation relating to Coronavirus restrictions and the tiered system. The Telecommunications (Security) Bill passed its second reading.
Prime Ministers Questions
The Prime Minister answers questions from MPs in the House of Commons every sitting Wednesday from 12.00pm until the end of Question Time at 12.30pm.
To catch up on this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions:
Urgent questions and statements
This week there were five statements and two urgent questions.
Statements
Ministerial statements are a way for Ministers to bring an important matter to the attention of the House.
On Monday, two statements were made:
- Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, George Eustice MP - the Agricultural Transition Plan.
- Northern Ireland Secretary, Brandon Lewis MP - the response to the Supreme Court judgment in the case of Patrick Finucane.
On Wednesday, Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock - Covid-19: Vaccine.
On Thursday, two statements were made:
- Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson - arrangements for exams and accountability in 2021.
- Lord Chancellor, Robert Buckland - Courts and Tribunals Recovery Update.
Urgent questions
If an urgent or important matter arises which an MP believes requires an immediate answer from a government minister, they may apply to the Speaker to ask an urgent question.
On Monday, Bell Ribeiro-Addy asked an urgent question on the scheduled mass deportation by chartered plane to Jamaica.
- Watch: Urgent question on the scheduled mass deportation by chartered plane to Jamaica
- Read: Urgent question on the scheduled mass deportation by chartered plane to Jamaica
On Wednesday, Ed Miliband asked an urgent question on support for business and the retention of jobs on the high street.
- Watch: Urgent question on support for business and the retention of jobs on the high street
- Read: Urgent question on support for business and the retention of jobs on the high street
Bills and legislation
On Monday, the Telecommunications (Security) Bill passed its second reading.
- Watch the debate: Telecommunications (Security) Bill
- Read the debate: Telecommunications (Security) Bill
- Read the Commons Library Briefing: Telecommunications (Security) Bill
Statutory Instruments (Secondary legislation)
Statutory Instruments (SIs) are a form of legislation which allow the provisions of an Act of Parliament to be subsequently brought into force or altered without Parliament having to pass a new Act.
They are also referred to as secondary, delegated or subordinate legislation.
On Tuesday, MPs approved statutory instruments relating to Coronavirus restrictions and the tier system.
On Wednesday, MPs approved several statutory instruments relating to agriculture and EU exit regulations.
- SIs considered on Wednesday
- Read the debate: EU exit regulations
- Read the debate: Agriculture SIs
- Watch the debates
Backbench Business Committee
On Thursday, the Backbench Business Committee held debates on:
- Future of coal in the UK
- Digital infrastructure, connectivity and accessibility
Select Committees
Catch up on this week's Select Committee evidence sessions, reports, news and more:
Westminster Hall
Westminster Hall debates give MPs an opportunity to raise local or national issues and receive a response from a government minister.
Debates take place in Westminster Hall on Mondays if agreed by the Petitions Committee, and on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
- Monday: See which Westminster Hall debates took place on Monday 30 November
- Tuesday: See which Westminster Hall debates took place on Tuesday 1 December
- Wednesday: See which Westminster Hall debates took place on Wednesday 2 December
- Thursday: See which Westminster Hall debates took place on Thursday 3 December