This week in the Commons: 3 February 2020
7 February 2020 (updated on 7 February 2020)
This week in the Commons: the second day of opposition debates of 2020 were held in which MPs debated local government finance and transport. MPs debated the Agriculture Bill: Second Reading, as well as the NHS Funding Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages. Two general debates were held on historical stillbirth burials and cremations, and the persecution of Christians. British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation of Prime Minister's Questions was trialed for the first time. The Presentation of Private Members Bills also took place.
Prime Minister's Questions
On Wednesday 5 February, MPs asked the Prime Minister about the climate crisis, US trade deals, Huawei, NHS funding, the Windrush report and more.
Urgent Questions and Statements
There were four statements on:
- Health Secretary gives update on Wuhan Coronavirus
- Statement on the Streatham incident
- Dominic Raab MP tells MPs of plans for a ‘Global Britain'
- Health Minister gives statement on the Paterson inquiry
There were two urgent questions on:
- Ministers from DWP questioned on Universal Credit delays
- Cabinet Office asked about journalists' access to lobby briefings
British Sign Language trial for PMQs
The House of Commons trialed live British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation of Prime Minister's Questions.
Opposition Day debates
The second Opposition Day debates of this Parliament were held on Wednesday 5 February. An Opposition Day is where the Opposition are able to choose the subject to be debated n the Chamber. The chosen subjects were policing and crime, and homelessness.
Read more:
General debate on historical stillbirth burials and cremations
On Thursday 6 February, the House held a general debate on historical stillbirth burials and cremations.
- Read in Hansard: historical stillbirth burials and cremations
- Watch on Parliament TV: historical stillbirth burials and cremations
General debate on the persecution of Christians
On Thursday 6 February, the House held a general debate on the persecution of Christians.
- Read in Hansard: general debate on the persecution of Christians
- Watch on Parliament TV: general debate on the persecution of Christians
Agriculture Bill: Second Reading
This Bill passed its Second Reading on Monday 3 February 2020 and is now being considered by a Public Bill Committee which will scrutinise the Bill line by line and is expected to report to the House by Tuesday 10 March 2020.
NHS Funding Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages
First reading took place on 5 February. This stage is a formality that signals the start of the Bill's journey through the Lords. Second reading - the general debate on all aspects of the Bill - and all remaining stages - are scheduled for 26 February.
- Read more: NHS Funding Bill 2019-20
- Watch on Parliament TV: NHS Funding Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages
Private Members Bills
The Presentation of Private Members Bills took place on 5 February.
- Read more: Private Members Bills presented to Parliament
- Watch on Parliament Live: Presentation of Private Members Bills
Westminster Hall debates
Debates on a variety of different subjects also took place in Westminster Hall on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. See the Parliamentary calendar to find out what subjects were debated.
Image: UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor
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