What's on in the Lords 15-19 April
12 April 2024
Questions
This week members return to business to question the government on the social impact of the Port Talbot Steelworks blast furnace closure, the UK's preparedness for the next pandemic, Ofsted funding, postponement of the UK-Africa Investment Summit and the introduction of an independent property-agent regulator.
Questions to Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton, are coming up on Tuesday. Topics include the state of freedom of religion in India, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a bilateral meeting between the UK and French Republic on security issues and the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of London.
Bills
The House of Lords debates the key principles of the Litigation Funding Agreements (Enforceability) Bill and continues to check and change the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, Victims and Prisoners Bill and Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill.
Debates
The long-term sustainability of the NHS and the number of young people being committed into the care of local authorities are both on the agenda in Lords debates.
Committees
- The Science and Technology Committee begins its inquiry into engineering biology by taking evidence from a panel of experts.
- The Communications and Digital Committee continues its inquiry into the future of news, focussing on impartiality, trust and technology.
- The Food, Diet and Obesity Committee hears from food entrepreneur and business owner, Charlie Bigham.
Read on for more.
Thursday
From 11am
Questions
The Lords presses the government on:
- receipts from right-to-buy sales
- UK–Africa Investment Summit
- independent property-agent regulator
- ceasefire in Sudan.
Debates
The long-term sustainability of the NHS and the number of young people being committed into the care of local authorities are both on the agenda in Lords debates.
Orders and Regulations
From 1pm
In Grand Committee, work away from the chamber, members consider regulations on:
Friday
From 10am
Debates
Members discuss:
- the Built Environment Committee report, 'the impact of environmental regulations on development'
- the Horticultural Sector Committee report, 'Sowing the seeds: A blooming English horticultural sector'
the Artificial Intelligence in Weapon Systems Committee report, 'Proceed with Caution: Artificial Intelligence in Weapon Systems'.
Catch up
Monday
From 2.30pm
Questions
The Lords questioned the government on:
- closure of Port Talbot blast furnaces
- special education needs in schools
- treatment of former Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson
- preparedness for next pandemic.
Legislation
The Lords debated the key principles and main purpose of the Litigation Funding Agreements (Enforceability) Bill at second reading.
From 3.45pm
In Grand Committee, work away from the chamber, members continued to check and change the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill.
Orders and Regulations
The House of Lords debated regulations on the Economic Growth (Regulatory Functions) (Amendment) Order 2024 and considered a 'motion to regret' the regulations put forward by Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville.
Tuesday
From 2.30pm
Questions
Members questioned the government on:
- bullying in midwifery report
- virus immunisation programmes
- 200th anniversary year since the death of Lord Byron
- flooding compensation for farmers.
Members also asked four questions to the Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton, on:
- freedom of religion in India
- Russia's invasion of Ukraine
- UK and French Republic on security issues
- Treaty of London anniversary.
Legislation
Members made further changes to the Victims and Prisoners Bill and considered Commons changes to the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill in 'ping pong'.
Wednesday
From 3pm
Questions
The Lords pressed the government on:
Statement
Members also quizzed the government following statements on the UK's rail manufacturing sector, the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Afghan refugees and the Cass Review.
Legislation
Members continued to check and change the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill at committee stage and considered Commons changes to the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill.
Get involved
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.
Follow on X
Visit @UKHouseofLords on X for highlights of each day’s work in the House.
Follow the hashtag #HouseOfLords for what’s happening, or #LordsQs for details of questions put to the government at the start of business Monday to Thursday.
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Image credit: House of Lords / Roger Harris
