This week in the Commons: 18 - 22 January 2016
22 January 2016 (updated on 22 January 2016)
This week in the House of Commons MPs debated the Energy Bill, Psychoactive Substances Bill, student maintenance grants, public transport and more.
Legislation: Government Bills
Energy Bill
The Energy Bill was presented to the House of Lords on 9 July 2015. It completed its Lords stages on 4 November 2015 and was introduced to the Commons with First Reading on 5 November 2015.
The Bill passed Second Reading on Monday 18 January 2016. The Bill will next be considered by a Public Bill Committee which is taking written evidence.
- Parliament news: Have your say on the Energy Bill
- Parliament news: Energy Bill: Commons Second Reading
- Follow Bills before Parliament: Energy Bill
Psychoactive Substances Bill
The Psychoactive Substances Bill passed Third Reading in the Commons on Wednesday 20 January. Commons amendments will now be considered by the House of Lords.
- Parliament news: Psychoactive Substances Bill: Commons remaining stages
- Follow Bills before Parliament: Psychoactive Substances Bill
Legislation: Private Members' Bills
Two Private Members' Bills were introduced to the House following Ten Minute Rule Motions this week:
On Friday 22 January MPs debated the NHS (Charitable Trusts Etc) Bill. The Bill passed its Report and Third Reading. It has now passed to the Lords for consideration.
The Local Area Referendum (Disposal of School Playing Fields) Bill started Second Reading but the debate was adjourned. Debate is expected to resume on Friday 11 March 2016.
Urgent Questions and Statements
This week Urgent Questions were asked on:
- Parliament news: Urgent Question on Ebola in Sierra Leone
- Parliament news: Urgent Question on the Poppi Worthington case
- Parliament news: Urgent Question on treatment of asylum seekers in Middlesbrough
There were three Ministerial Statements this week:
- Parliament news: Government’s work to support the steel sector
- Parliament news: Statement on the Litvinenko Inquiry
- Parliament news: Statement on Infected Blood
Prime Minister's Questions
On Wednesday 20 January, MPs asked the Prime Minister questions about maintenance grants for students, the strategy for flood defences and more.
Watch PMQs from this week:
Opposition day debates
On Tuesday 19 January MPs debated student maintenance grants in the House of Commons, in the first of two debates to take place on subjects chosen by the Opposition. The second Opposition debate was on the cost of public transport.
- Parliament news: MPs debated student maintenance grants
- Parliament news: MPs debated the cost of public transport
E-petitions debates
On Monday 18 January, in the Westminster Hall Chamber, MPs debated an e-petition relating to the exclusion of Donald Trump from the UK.
Backbench business debates
On Thursday 21 January, in the Commons Chamber, MPs took part in two general debates which had been scheduled by the Backbench Business Committee.
- Parliament news: MPs debate the childhood obesity strategy
- Read Commons Hansard: Holocaust Memorial Day
- Watch Parliament TV: Holocaust Memorial Day
Westminster Hall debates
Debates on a variety of different subjects also took place in Westminster Hall on Monday 18, Tuesday 19, Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 January. See the Parliamentary calendar to find out what subjects were debated.
Select Committees
News from Parliamentary Select Committees, including the publication of reports and details of inquiries and evidence sessions are also available online.
Follow the @HouseofCommons on Twitter for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber.