This week in the Commons: 11 May 2020
15 May 2020
This week in the House of Commons, there were several Covid-19 related statements. They covered the Government's Covid-19 strategy, business, transport and housing.
First ever remote vote
This week in the House of Commons saw a historic moment when MPs voted in the first ever remote divisions.
The successful vote reflects the brilliant efforts of colleagues across Parliament including the Parliamentary Digital Service, procedural experts and Broadcasting Teams.
The House set an ambitious target to deliver this critical piece of work, and we can be proud it was delivered so successfully.
This week MPs around the UK voted in five separate divisions.
The first was, unusually, on a motion on a General Debate.
General debates are not usually voted on, but, on Tuesday 12 May, in order to ensure that the new remote voting system worked, MPs voted on this motion from locations around the country.
According to social media, MPs were successfully able to vote from their homes, whilst out on their daily exercise or even whilst enjoying some cheese.
The remaining remote votes took place on Wednesday 13 May.
The votes allowed the Agriculture Bill to progress through its remaining stages and move to the House of Lords for scrutiny there.
The new voting system uses the existing online MemberHub, which MPs currently use for tabling parliamentary questions or early day motions. MemberHub can be accessed by MPs on any device and uses single sign on and multifactor authentication to ensure it is secure.
Getting to grips with a new way of registering votes can take a little time, as Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing MP mentioned on Wednesday after some MPs struggled to register their vote as they intended.
Fortunately, the technical and procedural side of the system worked very well, thanks to those Parliamentary staff who have worked so hard to make this historic step possible.
Hybrid Parliament
Parliament continues to carry out its constitutional function of scrutinising the government.
Whilst strict social distancing measures are in place in both Chambers, video conferencing technology is allowing MPs and Peers to question Ministers and participate in debates from the comfort of their homes.
Watching MPs interrogate the Prime Minister on Zoom has become part of the new normal, and Parliament's broadcasting team are making sure that this key event, alongside other other crucial Parliamentary business, is available to be viewed by the public live on Parliament TV.
MPs this week agreed to extend the Hybrid measures to 20 May.
Prime Minister's Questions
On Wednesday 13 May, MPs questioned the Prime Minister about Covid-19 related deaths in care homes, childcare for those returning to work, air pollution, homelessness and more.
Statements and urgent questions
This week there were four statements and two urgent questions.
Statements
- Statement on Covid-19 strategy - Prime Minister, Boris Johnson
- Statement on Covid-19 and business - Business Secretary, Alok Sharma
- Covid-19 guidance for transport users and operators - Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps
- Housing update - Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick
Urgent questions
- Urgent question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, on the Government's economic package - Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, Anneliese Dodds
- Urgent question to the Education Secretary on the Government's plans to reopen schools - Layla Moran
Bills
On Wednesday 13 May, the Agriculture Bill passed all remaining Commons stages.
- Read more about the Agriculture Bill
- Read the Commons Library Briefing Paper on the Agriculture Bill
- Watch a short video explaining the Agriculture Bill
- Passage of a Bill
Covid-19 general debate
On Tuesday 12 May and Wednesday 13 May the House debated Covid-19 in a general debate.
A general debate gives MPs the opportunity to discuss a topic - chosen by the Government - in the House of Commons Chamber.
Members take it in turns to speak and there are rules and conventions that are followed.
Day 1
Day 2