This week in the Commons: 16-20 November
20 November 2020
This week Boris Johnson became the first Prime Minister to take PMQs remotely via video. MPs approved both the second reading of the National Security and Investment Bill and remaining stages of the Pension Schemes Bill and more.
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.
This week Boris Johnson became the first Prime Minister to take PMQs remotely via video.
To catch up on this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions:
Urgent questions and statements
This week there were three statements and five urgent questions
Ministerial statements
Ministerial statements are a way for Ministers to bring an important matter to the attention of the House.
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson MP - the Integrated Review
Nigel Huddleston MP, Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage - financial support for the sport sector
- Watch: Statement on financial support for the sport sector
- Read: Statement on financial support for the sport sector
Select Committee statement
Select Committee statement - procedure under coronavirus restrictions: virtual participation in debate.
- Watch: Statement on virtual participation in debate
- Read: Statement on virtual participation in debate
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.
John Baron MP - participation in debates
- Watch: Urgent question on participation in debates
- Read: Urgent question on participation in debates
Emily Thornberry MP, Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade - proposed parliamentary scrutiny of future Continuity Trade Agreements
- Watch: Urgent question on Continuity Trade Agreements: Parliamentary Scrutiny
- Read: Urgent question on Continuity Trade Agreements: Parliamentary Scrutiny
Louise Haigh MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland - the preparations for the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol
- Watch: Urgent question on Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals
- Read: Urgent question on Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals
Justin Madders MP, Shadow Minister (Health and Social Care) - the Towns Fund
Sir Christopher Chope MP - the Department for Health and Social Care's performance in answering written questions from Rt Hon. and Hon. Members
- Watch: Urgent question on the Department for Health and Social Care's performance in answering written questions
- Read: Urgent question on the Department for Health and Social Care's performance in answering written questions
Bills and legislation
On Monday, MPs approved the remaining stages of the Pension Schemes Bill.
On Tuesday, MPs approved the second reading of the National Security and Investment Bill.
- Watch the debate: National Security and Investment Bill
- Read the debate: National Security and Investment Bill
Backbench Business Committee
On Thursday, the House held Backbench Business debates on:
- Regulation and Prevention of Online Harms
- International Men's Day
General debate
On Wednesday, the House held a debate on Covid-19.
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 16 November
- Tuesday: See which Westminster Hall debates took place on Tuesday 17 November
- Wednesday: See which Westminster Hall debates took place on Wednesday 18 November
- Thursday: See which Westminster Hall debates took place on Thursday 19 November