What's on in the Lords 11-14 March
8 March 2024
Questions
This week, members question the government on the needs of unpaid carers, deforestation, power generated from biomass, Scottish devolution and threats to democratic freedoms in India.
Questions to Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton, are coming up on Tuesday. Topics include meetings with the President of the European Commission, countries facing debt crises, humanitarian aid to Gaza, and support for the BBC World Service.
Bills
The Lords 'tidies up' the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, and continues making changes to the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill, Victims and Prisoners Bill and Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill.
Debates
Strengthening the union of the UK, regulation of news broadcasting companies and the housing needs of young people are all in the spotlight in Lords debates.
Committees
- The Preterm Birth Committee hears from a range of academics as part of its inquiry.
- The Science and Technology Committee speaks to Michelle Donelan MP, Secretary of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
- The International Relations and Defence Committee considers the lessons that can be drawn from the war in Ukraine for UK Defence.
Read on for more.
Wednesday
From 3pm
Questions
The House questions the government on:
- power generation from biomass
- costs and benefits of Covid-19 lockdowns
- Scottish devolution
- pay disparities between mothers and fathers.
Legislation
Members will continue their detailed examination of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill at report stage.
Regulations
The House debates secondary legislation on West Midlands combined authority plus a motion to regret the regulations put forward by Lord Bach.
Thursday
From 11am
Questions
Members press the government on:
- telecommunication cables in the Red Sea
- training for the Royal Navy on climate change
- democratic freedoms in India
- fourth question to be determined.
Debates
Strengthening the union of the UK, regulation of news broadcasting companies, and the housing needs of young people are all in the spotlight in Lords debates.
Legislation
The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill begins its committee stage in Grand Committee.
Catch up
Monday
From 2.30pm
Questions
Members pressed the government on:
- child health and wellbeing
- military aircraft
- allegations against Sir Edward Heath
- Regulator of Community Interest Companies.
Legislation
Members continued to check and change the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill at report stage.
Tuesday
From 2.30pm
Questions
The House questioned the government on:
- a national strategy for carers
- deforestation
- land use framework for England
- taxpayer-funded legal costs incurred by ministers.
Members also asked four questions to the Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton, on:
- meeting with the President of the European Commission
- countries facing debt crises
- humanitarian aid to Gaza
- support for the BBC World Service.
Urgent question
Members pressed the government in an urgent question on Haiti.
Legislation
The House 'tidies up' the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill at third reading and continues making changes to the Victims and Prisoners Bill.
Orders and regulations
In Grand Committee, work away from the chamber, members consider regulations on:
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
