What’s on in the Lords 16– 19 May

Catch up

Monday 16 May

Questions

Members pressed the government for 40 minutes on:

• negotiations with the European Commission on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland
• the economic situation in Sri Lanka
• the new model history curriculum
• restoring legal aid funding in social welfare law.

Private notice question

The Lord Speaker granted an urgent question to Lord Forsyth of Drumlean (Conservative), on the governments consideration to the location of the House of Lords chamber during the restoration and renewal programme.

Debates 

The debate on the Queen’s Speech continued on day 3 of 5. The main topics were the economy, energy and the environment.

Motion to regret 

As part of the debate on the Queen's Speech, members discussed the governments response to the climate and nature emergencies, in a motion to regret put forward by Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party).

Tuesday 17 May

Questions

Members question the government for 40 minutes on:

• the human rights situation in Indian-administered Kashmir
• the impact of climate change on food security and biodiversity loss
• the effectiveness of the social security system in the context of the rising cost of living
• claims by the gambling industry that proposed gambling reforms will reduce tax revenues.

Statement 

The Lords questioned the government following a statement on the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Urgent question repeat

The House questioned a government statement on the killing of Shireen Abu Aqla.

Debates

The debate on the Queen’s Speech continued on day 4 of 5 and the key topics were education, welfare, health and public services.

Regulations

In Grand Committee, work away from the chamber, members considered regulations relating to:

• agriculture and horticulture
• the importation of animals and animal products
• Contracts for Difference.

Wednesday 18 May

Questions

Members questioned the government for 40 minutes on:

• reforming the current system of appointments to the House of Lords
• supporting the heritage steam sector
• the impact of dual registration for specialist touring hauliers
• patient deaths at St George’s Hospital.

Debates

The debate on the Queen’s Speech concluded and members discussed foreign affairs, defence and trade.

Thursday 19 May

Questions

Members questioned the government on:

• metrics used to inform the government's annual Levelling Up report
• regulating loot boxes as a form of online gambling
• health care outcomes
• export of cereals from India.

Urgent question repeat

The Lords questioned a government statement on food price inflation.

Debates

Members debated the following committee reports:

• Catapults: bridging the gap between research and industry, by the Science and Technology Committee
• Working practices: one year on, by the International Agreements Committee
• The politics of polling: an update by the Liaison Committee.

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Watch

Questions, debates and scrutiny of legislation are streamed live online for free. Watch chamber and Lords committee meetings on Parliament TV.

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 Annabel Moeller