Caroline Nokes
MP for Romsey and Southampton North · Conservative · United Kingdom
“I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his point of order. He will be conscious that there are in the region of 15 more Members wishing to speak in this debate, and we have not yet heard from the Minister, so I am not minded to accept a closure motion at this point.”
“(3) For paragraph (3A) substitute— “(3A) The returning officer shall also provide each polling station with such equipment as is necessary to ensure that relevant persons are able to vote independently and in secret, including— (a) tactile equipment that enables the voter to navigate the ballot paper and accurately mark their chosen candi…”
“(2) During the period commencing 30 minutes before the time appointed for the taking of a poll at an election, and ending 30 minutes after the close of the said poll, a person shall not, in or in the curtilage of a polling station or in any place within 50 metres of such station, for the purpose of promoting the interest of a political pa…”
“New clause 97— Power of Electoral Commission to require disclosure from financial institutions — “In Schedule 19B of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (investigatory powers of Commission), after paragraph 1 insert— “Power to require disclosure from financial institutions 1A(1) The Commission may give a disclosure n…”
“() In paragraph 6 of schedule 6 (Donations from impermissible donors), after “section 54(1)(a)” insert— “or section 55B.” (8) In Schedule 20, in Table after Section 56(3) or (4) (failure to return donations) On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months On indictment: fine or 1 year” Insert— Section 55A(8) (cap on donations) On sum…”
“(2) The specified elections for the purposes of subsection (1) are— (a) UK parliamentary elections, and (b) local government elections in England and Wales.”
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“Order. The hon. Lady really does need to get to a question. There is a really important piece of legislation still to come and this statement will finish at 6.40 pm, so many Members are going to be disappointed unless questions are very brief.”
“The Father of the House got the timing bang on without my having to put a time limit on him, but I will now put a five-minute limit on speeches.”
“I thank the hon. Member for giving notice of his point of order, and for informing the right hon. Member to whom he has referred. The document entitled “Rules of behaviour and courtesies in the House of Commons” deals with this matter. When a Member visits another Member’s constituency, except on a purely private visit, they should take reasonable steps in advance to tell the Member in whose constituency the visit is taking place. The guidance states that a “failure to do so is rightly regarded by colleagues as very discourteous.” A party political activity is not a purely private visit, and I hope that by stating this very clearly from the Chair, it will reduce the frequency of such discourtesies in future.”
“I thank the hon. Member for his point of order. Let us not dwell on the secrets of the barmen. However, he will know that this is not a matter for the Chair, even though this occupant of the Chair might have a keen interest. I am sure we all wish Richard well for his retirement.”
“I thank the Minister for his answers this afternoon. I remind Members that large slogans are not appropriate and perhaps Members might do up their jacket so I cannot see any. If I had spotted the one he is wearing, I would not have called the right hon. Member for Beverley and Holderness (Graham Stuart).”
“I thank the hon. Member for his point of order. This is a matter for Government Ministers rather than the Chair, but Ministers are expected to provide timely responses to correspondence from Members. I have no doubt that those on the Front Bench will be able to pass his concerns on to the relevant Minister, and the hon. Member will have the opportunity to raise the issue with the Leader of the House at business questions tomorrow.”
“I have to notify the House, in accordance with the Royal Assent Act 1967, that His Majesty has signified his Royal Assent to the following Act and Measure: National Security (State Threats) Act 2026 Clergy Conduct Measure 2026. Bill Presented Public Procurement (British Goods and Services) Bill Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) Sarah Champion presented a Bill to make provision about public procurement in respect of British goods and services in relation to social value and contract award notices; and for connected purposes. Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Friday 4 September, and to be printed (Bill 112).”
“Resolved, That this House regrets the combination of the rise in employers’ National Insurance contributions, the impact of the Employment Rights Act 2025, and the regulations that make it more difficult for young people to get their first job; further regrets the destructive impact that the Government’s policies have had on entry-level, flexible and seasonal work in particular; also regrets the Government’s plans to give Mayors powers to introduce an overnight visitor levy, making staycations in England less attractive and less affordable, while risking jobs in the tourism and hospitality industries that depend on domestic visitors; calls on the Government to change course to support summer jobs, flexible working and seasonal work, on which the hospitality, leisure and retail sectors depend; and further calls on the Government to abolish business rates for high street businesses, to boost the economy and save summer jobs.”
“Before I put the Question, let me say that it is a shame that those at the Burnley summer school have left. The Minister will want to be careful about using the word “hypocrisy” in the Chamber. Question put and agreed to.”
“Order. Because of a fire evacuation of the Palace, the Serjeant on duty is requesting a suspension of the sitting. I have been advised by the Serjeant at Arms that the Chamber and Gallery should be evacuated, using the nearest available exits. Please proceed in an orderly manner and follow the directions of Doorkeepers or security staff.”
“Order. The hon. Gentleman might heed the fact that Members are on a very tight time limit, and he has not been present for any of the debate until this point.”
“Order. Before I call the next Member, I wish to say three things. First, the Secretary of State for Defence will commence his statement at 2.30, so time is limited; Members may help each other if they ask short questions. Until then, the Macmillan Room in Portcullis House and Committee Room 7 are available as reading rooms for the defence investment plan. The plan will be made available from the moment that the Secretary of State for Defence begins his statement at 2.30.”
“I am grateful to the hon. Member for giving notice of her point of order. The House will know that everything that hon. Members say in the course of proceedings in this House is protected by the privilege of freedom of speech set out in article 9 of the Bill of Rights. However, when it comes to what hon. Members say outside this place, that is a question of the operation of the law, and it is not a matter on which I can offer advice from the Chair.”
“I am grateful to the hon. Member for having given notice of her point of order. As she will know, the content and timeliness of ministerial answers, either to parliamentary questions or correspondence from Members, is not a matter for the Chair. However, it is important that Members receive replies. I would advise her to consult the Table Office on her options for pursuing this matter further. She may also wish to write to the Procedure Committee, but I know that the occupants of the Treasury Bench will have heard what she has said.”
“I thank the hon. Gentleman for his point of order, which he will know was not a matter for the Chair, but he has put his point on the record.”
“The debate will be opened by the Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, and there will be an immediate three-minute time limit on Back-Bench contributions. I call Dame Caroline Dinenage.”
“The hon. Lady will know that that is not a point of order for the Chair. I am sure that if the Minister wishes to correct the record, she will.”
“The debate will be opened by the Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee. Before I call her, I wish to alert Members that the same time limit of three minutes will be imposed in this debate, and I am sure the Chair of the Select Committee will be cognisant of that during her opening remarks. I call Layla Moran.”
“Order. I am going to reduce the time limit to four minutes from the next speaker. Clearly passions run very high in this debate, but may I remind Members that debates should be conducted with good temper and moderation? When Members are either taking an intervention or responding to an intervention, that carries on through the Chair. Twirling around and facing the person behind you, or wherever they may be in the Chamber, means you will not be picked up by the microphones and it is extremely discourteous. I call Justin Madders.”
“We now come to the Select Committee statement on behalf of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee. Dame Chi Onwurah will speak for up to 10 minutes, during which no interventions will be taken. At the conclusion of her statement, I will call Members to ask questions on the subject of the statement. These should be brief questions, not speeches. I emphasise that questions should be directed to the Select Committee Chair and not the relevant Government Minister. However, Front Benchers may take part in questioning.”
“We now come to the Select Committee statement on behalf of the Justice Committee. Andy Slaughter will speak for up to 10 minutes, during which there will be no interventions. At the conclusion of his statement, I will call Members to ask questions on the subject of the statement, which should be brief questions directed to the Select Committee Chair, not the Minister. Front Benchers may, of course, take part should they wish.”
“I thank the hon. Gentleman for his point of order. I have had no notice that the Government intend to bring a statement, but I am sure that those on the Government Front Bench have heard him, and should that change, we will doubtless hear before the Adjournment.”
“I thank the hon. Gentleman for his point of order. He will know that comments made outside the Chamber are not a matter for the Chair, but he has put his point on the record.”
“Order. The hon. Gentleman has been here long enough to know that we do not refer to Ministers by their name. Could he perhaps make sure that his question finishes briefly?”
“I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for notice of his point of order, and I understand that he also notified the Minister that he intended to raise it. As he will know, it is not a matter for the Chair, but I am sure that Government Front Benchers have heard him, and if the Minister wishes to respond, he can of course do so through a further point of order.”
“Order. Before I call the next speaker, it may be helpful if I point out that all we are really arguing about this evening is the revival of the Bill, not whether it is a good Bill. Obviously, however, Members will want to set some context.”
“I thank the right hon. Gentleman for giving notice of his point of order. I have not been informed that the Government wish to make a statement on this matter or on the timetable for the publication of the defence investment plan, but those on the Government Front Bench will have noted what the right hon. Gentleman said.”
“I thank the hon. Member for giving notice of her point of order. Those on the Government Front Bench will have heard her point. This is not a matter for the Chair, but I suggest she consults the Table Office to explore the other mechanisms through which she can pursue the matter further.”
“Order. Mr Stone, we are here to debate the steel industry, not new nuclear or the pros and cons of the Scottish Government. Perhaps it is better if we stay within the confines of this Bill.”
“Order. I just want to make it clear that I did allow some latitude, but this is a debate on the nationalisation of the steel industry, not tariffs.”
“I am going to allow the Minister to respond, but I am not going to allow this to turn into a debate on tariffs and how they may or may not impact individual companies around the entire country, which I fear is where we are headed.”
“Before we proceed to the next business, I have a short statement to make. I have received a report from the Tellers in the No Lobby on the Division that took place in Committee of the whole House at 8.27 pm yesterday on new clause 2 to the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill. The hon. Members for Bangor Aberconwy (Claire Hughes) and for Wells and Mendip Hills (Tessa Munt) have informed me that the number of no votes was erroneously reported as 257, rather than 251. I will direct the Clerk to correct the numbers in the Journal accordingly. The ayes were 65 and the noes were 251. —[ Official Report , 8 June 2026; Vol. 787, c. 111.] Third Reading”
“25), That this House, at its rising on Thursday 16 July 2026, do adjourn until Tuesday 1 September 2026; and at its rising on Tuesday 15 September 2026, do adjourn until Monday 12 October 2026.— ( Gregor Poynton .) Question agreed to. Delegated Legislation (Committees) Church of England (General Synod) (Measures) Ordered, That the Measure passed by the General Synod of the Church of England, entitled Clergy Conduct Measure (HC 221), which was laid before this House on 3 June, be referred to a Delegated Legislation Committee.— ( Gregor Poynton .)”
“I thank the hon. Lady for her point of order, and indeed for notice of it. She obviously knows more about the contents of this Thursday’s business statement than I do. I understand that the Bill was published when it was presented, just after 3 pm, but that a technical problem meant it was not easy to access online. I understand that copies are now available in the Vote Office. It would have been courteous for Ministers to offer the hon. Lady advance briefing on the Bill—particularly if they intend to expedite its passage through the House—but I am afraid that I have no power to compel them to do so. Adjournment (Summer and Conference) Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No.”
“I thank the hon. Gentleman for his point of order. The Minister will know that in the first instance statements should be made to the House. Today we have had an urgent question to address the issue. If there has been any inadvertent misleading of the House from the Minister’s use of language, I am sure that those on the Front Bench have heard that and will want to clarify the matter.”
“(2) The statement made under subsection (1) must include— (a) the value of any contingent liabilities to be acquired; and, (b) the steps the Secretary of State will take to seek to minimise taxpayer exposure to any contingent liabilities so acquired.” This new clause would require the Secretary of State to make a statement to Parliament on contingent liabilities acquired before they exercise a principal transfer power under this Act.”
“(2) Any report published under subsection (1) must include— (a) a strategy for the operation of any blast furnaces which form part of the steel undertaking, (b) an investment plan for the steel undertaking, (c) a vision for the future of the site of the steel undertaking, and (d) consideration of the need for a steel procurement strategy which prioritises British steel to support the steel undertaking, for the following 10 years.” This new clause would require the Secretary of State to publish a 10-year strategy for any steel undertaking nationalised under this Act. New clause 8 —Contingent liabilities— “(1) The Secretary of State may not exercise a principal transfer power in relation to a steel undertaking unless they have made a statement to Parliament on the value of contingent liabilities associated with the use of the power.”
“New clause 5 —Duty to report: 10-year strategy for nationalised steel undertakings — “(1) Within three months of exercising a principal transfer power in relation to a steel undertaking under this Act, the Secretary of State must publish and lay before both Houses of Parliament a report containing a 10-year strategy for the steel undertaking.”
“(2) A strategy under subsection (1) must explicitly set out how the Government's investment and transition plans for the specified steel undertaking will— (a) protect skilled employment, (b) provide and support reskilling and redeployment opportunities for the workforce, and (c) deliver tangible economic renewal and support economic resilience in the local communities dependent on the steel undertaking. (3) The strategy must be laid before Parliament within six months of the day on which the regulations exercising the principal transfer power take effect.” This new clause requires that the Secretary of State publishes a report on jobs and industrial transition strategy where it exercises a principal transfer power.”
“(3) The Secretary of State must consult, and have regard to the advice of, the Committee before making a determination that the exercise of a principal transfer power is necessary in the public interest under section 2.” This new clause requires the Secretary of State to establish a stakeholder advisory committee. The Secretary of State would be required to seek the committee's advice before making a determination that the exercise of a principal transfer power under the Act was in the public interest. New clause 3 —Jobs and industrial transition strategy— “(1) Where the Secretary of State has exercised a principal transfer power in respect of a steel undertaking, the Secretary of State must prepare and publish a jobs and industrial transition strategy.”
“Clauses 45 to 51 stand part. New clause 2 —Stakeholder Advisory Committee— “(1) The Secretary of State must establish a Stakeholder Advisory Committee to provide advice on the exercise of principal transfer powers under this Act (“the Committee”). (2) The Secretary of State must ensure that the membership of the Committee includes representation from stakeholders, including but not limited to— (a) industries that rely on the supply of steel, including the defence sector and critical national infrastructure, (b) representatives of the workforce of the steel undertaking, and (c) local authorities for the areas in which the steel undertaking operates.”
“This amendment changes the procedure for share transfer regulations from the negative procedure to the affirmative procedure. Clauses 4 to 14 stand part. Amendment 3, in clause 15, page 8, line 21, leave out “negative” and insert “affirmative”. This amendment changes the procedure for property transfer regulations from the negative procedure to the affirmative procedure. Clauses 15 to 38 stand part. Amendment 18, in clause 39, page 25, line 32, leave out “negative” and insert “affirmative”. This amendment would require regulations relating to continuity obligations to be subject to the affirmative procedure. Clauses 39 to 44 stand part. Amendment 19, in clause 45, page 28, line 37, leave out “negative” and insert “affirmative”. This amendment would require regulations related to enforcement to be subject to the affirmative procedure.”
“Amendment 17, page 2, line 20, at end insert— “(2A) The Secretary of State may not exercise a principal transfer power under subsection (1) unless they have laid a report before Parliament containing full details of the criteria used to assess whether the exercise of power would be in the public interest.” This amendment would require the Secretary of State to publish full details of the criteria used to assess the public interest test before exercising the principal transfer power. Clause 2 stand part. Amendment 12, in clause 3, page 2, line 10, leave out subsections (3) to (5). This amendment would prevent the Secretary of State extending the sunset of the principal transfer powers. Clause 3 stand part. Amendment 2, in clause 4, page 2, line 30, leave out “negative” and insert “affirmative”.”
“Amendment 16, page 2, line 20, at end insert— “(2A) The exercise of a principal transfer power may only be considered to be in the public interest under subsection (1) if the Secretary of State has is satisfied that the exercise of the power would provide value for money for the taxpayer.” This amendment would require the NAO to have concluded that the exercise of the principal transfer power was good value for money before the Secretary of State could consider it to be in the public interest.”
“(2B) The Secretary of State may appoint such independent person as he thinks fit to carry out an independent assessment under subsection (2A) above, and may pay remuneration and allowances to that person.” This amendment would require an independent assessment of whether the public interest test had been met before the Secretary of State could exercise the principal transfer powers.”
“Amendment 1, page 2, line 20, at end insert— “(2A) The Secretary of State may not exercise a principal transfer power unless they have laid a statement before both Houses of Parliament explaining their reasons for concluding that it is necessary to exercise the power in the public interest.” This amendment would require the Secretary of State to lay a statement before Parliament explaining their reasons for concluding that it is necessary to exercise a principal transfer power in the national interest, before exercising that power. Amendment 15, page 2, line 20, at end insert— “(2A) The Secretary of State may not exercise a principal transfer power unless he has commissioned an independent assessment of whether the exercise of the power is in the public interest, and that assessment has demonstrated that it is in the public interest.”
“With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: Clause stand part. Amendment 14, in clause 2, page 1, line 14, leave out “includes (but is not limited to)” and insert “means”. This amendment would limit the public interest test to the areas set out in subsections (a) to (c). Amendment 23, page 1, line 20, at end insert— “(d) preventing the closure of, or the loss of jobs at, a steel undertaking in Wales.” This amendment includes the public interest in preventing the loss of jobs in Wales and the prevention of the closure of a steel undertaking in Wales in the meaning of public interest for the purposes of the Act.”
“Order. The hon. Lady has been here nearly two years. We must stop referring to Members by their names—it has been rife today. Members must be referred to by their constituencies, please.”
“Order. May I reiterate the comments made by the Chairman of Ways and Means earlier? The point that the hon. Lady and others have raised is not in the scope of this Bill, so perhaps it is best if we move on.”
“Order. I will try to get all Members in, but I encourage them to ask very short questions. There are two more statements and the main business to come this afternoon, and we are getting a little tight on time.”