What's on in the Lords 5-9 December
2 December 2022
Highlights of what’s coming up this week:
Questions
Look out for questions on waiting times for children’s mental health services, employment policy, cross-government cost-cutting, and the Scottish government policy paper 'Building a New Scotland: a stronger economy with independence'.
Debate
Members will debate plans to improve rail services in the North of England, the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, and the Independent Cultural Review of the London Fire Brigade.
Read on for more.
Wednesday 7 December
From 3pm
Questions
Members will question the government for 40 minutes on:
- cost of travel between Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- 'Building a New Scotland: A stronger economy with independence' policy paper
- violence towards minority faith and non-faith groups in Nigeria
- Strike action: impact on services over the Christmas and New Year period.
Legislation
Members of the House of Lords will have a further opportunity to examine and make changes to the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill at report stage.
Thursday 8 December
From 11am
Questions
Members will question the government for 40 minutes on:
- the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo
- media freedom
- wait times for granting of probate
- impact of rail strikes over the Christmas period.
Debates
Members will debate the following topics:
Short debate
The House will debate the Independent Cultural Review of the London Fire Brigade.
Friday 9 December
From 10am
Debate
The House of Lords will debate asylum and refugee policy.
Catch up
Monday 5 December
Questions
Members quizzed the government for 40 minutes on:
- the peace process in Ethiopia
- accreditation for teacher training providers
- waiting times for children’s mental health services
- Sustainable Farming Initiative grants.
Private notice question
Members pressed the government on guidance to doctors and parents in light of the increase in Strep A, iGAS and Scarlet Fever cases.
Legislation
Members examined the Healthy Homes Bill at committee stage, and debated the key principles of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation, etc) Bill at second reading and all remaining stages.
Short Debate
The Hosue discussed plans to improve rail services in the North of England.
Regulations
In Grand Committee, work away from the chamber, members considered regulations relating to the following topics:
- combined authorities (mayoral elections)
- local authorities (mayoral elections)
- Police and Crime Commissioner elections
- animal health
- animal products
- US legislation
- immigration (skills)
- immigration (sanctions).
Tuesday 6 December
Questions
Members questioned the government on:
- ethics of the use of x-rays to determine age of child refugees
- employment policy
- cross-government cost-cutting
- Outcome of COP27.
Statement
Members questioned the government following a statement on prison capacity.
Legislation
The House of Lords had its first chance to debate the key purpose of the National Security Bill at second reading.
Regulations
Members considered food promotion regulations with a motion to regret.
In Grand Committee, members debated regulations relating to the following:
Get involved
Watch
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Read
All business in the House of Lords chamber and in Grand Committee is transcribed and available to read from around three hours after it happens. Read it free online in Lords Hansard.
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Image: copyright House of Lords / photography by Roger Harris