Sir Lindsay Hoyle
MP for Chorley · Speaker · United Kingdom
“Before we start questions, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the legendary Sir Billy Boston. He was a pioneer in the rugby world, switching codes from union to league, a record try scorer for Wigan, and the second highest all-time scorer of tries.”
“I inform the House that I have received letters from the hon. Member for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green (Florence Eshalomi) informing me of her resignation as Chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee, the hon.”
“If there is more than one candidate in any election, the ballot will take place on Monday 14 September between 3 pm and 6 pm in the Aye Lobby. I remind Members that new rules in relation to campaigning for Select Committee Chair elections, which were proposed by the Procedure Committee, were endorsed by the House on 28 April 2026.”
“We now come to the statement from the Prime Minister. There has been a lot of speculation over the recess, and I just say that this is in accordance with the rules of government. The ministerial code is clear. For those who have asked why I have not commented, it is because it is within the rules, which I do not make.”
“Before we come to the urgent question on British Steel, can I say that I am amazed that a statement was not brought to the House on this very important matter that affects different constituencies? Nothing ever seems to change, but can the message go back that just telling me is not an answer?”
“Before we come to business questions, I wish everybody a pleasant recess. I hope we get some downtime; it seems to have been a very heavy Session so far.”
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“Before we begin the next item of business, I think it would be helpful to the House if I reminded Members of the decision in question and the procedures for today’s debate. The decision before the House today is not whether a contempt has been committed; it is whether to refer the matter to the Privileges Committee. If such a referral is made, it will be for the Committee to report back to this House in due course and make any necessary recommendations. The debate today may continue until 7 o’clock at the latest, at which time there will need to be a successful closure motion, or the debate will be adjourned to a future date. In recent years, the length of time taken for debates on similar motions has ranged from seven minutes to five hours.”
“Order. The decision was made on the letter that was sent to me, not on whether somebody may be meeting somewhere else. It is judged on the merit of that. I do not need to be questioned again.”
“As I suspected, it is not a point of order. You need to read the rule book. This is a substantive motion; it is not the normal debate. It might be helpful if you took some time out, rather than questioning, because you might be on to something, but not today.”
“Order. In fairness to the right hon. Member, he has given way once already. The hon. Lady cannot stand while he is speaking; she can indicate that she wishes to intervene, but she cannot continue to hang loose like she is trying to summon a taxi.”
“A Member of Parliament has complained to me, as has another Member. When Members are shouting “shame” at others who are voting, it is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. I hope that the people concerned will apologise to those Members they shouted at.”
“The good thing is that the Member has told me about it. I say to Members—whether they are Ministers, shadow Ministers, leaders or whoever—the courtesy is to the inform the Member whose constituency is being visited, unless it is a private visit. Can everybody please take that on board, especially as we are coming up to the election? The fever is already with us, so please adhere to what I believe is good practice.”
“I inform the House that the Government have tabled a new motion in relation to the Lords message and have withdrawn the motion that they tabled this morning. The new amendment paper is available in the Vote Office and online, and was issued at 5.55 pm. It includes a note indicating: “A motion relating to Lords Reason 88X has been withdrawn and a new motion has been tabled.” I can confirm that nothing in the Lords message engages Commons financial privilege. Clause 40 Certain schemes providing money purchase benefits: scale and asset allocation”
“Member has made a case that the House itself should be able to consider, not to decide whether someone is likely to have committed a contempt. If precedence is given, the Member tables a motion for debate. At the end of that debate, the House itself takes a decision on whether the matter should be taken further. Some may be wondering why this issue is being looked at now. To be clear, I cannot determine when an application is made—I have to consider any application when it comes to me. In this case, having taken advice, I have decided to allow the House to come to a view on whether the Committee of Privileges should look at the matter. It is not for me to make any decision or come to any view. Therefore, the Leader of the Opposition will have the opportunity to put the matter to the House tomorrow.”
“Before we come to questions, I wish to make a short statement. Numerous right hon. and hon. Members from across the House have written to ask me to give precedence to a matter as an issue of privilege. One of those letters is from the Leader of the Opposition. The matter concerns the Prime Minister’s answers to the House about the process for the appointment of Peter Mandelson and related issues. I think it would be helpful to the House if I explained my role in deciding whether a complaint should be put to the House. Privilege issues should only be brought to the House sparingly, and it is my duty to act as a gatekeeper to ensure that frivolous applications are not taken forward. As a gatekeeper, my role is to decide whether an hon.”
“Before we come to the urgent question, I remind the House that there is an ongoing police investigation into the incident at Dunmurry. Members should avoid making any remarks that might prejudice future criminal proceedings.”
“I think we are trying to prolong an argument that you have already had. I do not think we need to worry, because I know you have the ability and certainly the time to pursue it in every manner possible.”
“Order. Mr Stafford, please, you are getting very carried away. Enjoy yourself on the Front Bench, but it is not the place to be thrown out from.”
“Since I was brought into that question, I just want to add that the Leader of the House is absolutely correct. We are almost there, and almost ready to bring it forward.”
“Before we come to Prime Minister’s questions, may I extend a warm welcome to the Speaker of the Latvian Parliament and her delegation, who are with us in the Gallery today?”
“Mr Fenton-Glynn, I am glad you have found your feet, because I could hear you shouting earlier. We will not be doing that next week. I call Dr Ellie Chowns.”
“No, you do not look at the clock. You look at me, and you sit down. Ministers have three minutes for responses to urgent questions. I do not know who may have told you differently; there is something wrong in the advice being given. It is three minutes. I presume you are now going to conclude immediately.”
“Order. When I stand up, please sit down—do not remain standing at the Dispatch Box. I am sorry that you were told five minutes, but I think that Ministers should know by now how long they get for a statement or a UQ. It is becoming an impossible situation, where Ministers try to change the rules of the House. These are not my rules; they are the rules of the Back Benches. Please adhere to them.”
“Before we begin proceedings, I would like to note that today would have been the 100th birthday of Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth. She was the longest serving monarch this country has known; her reign saw unprecedented social, cultural and technological change. I pay tribute to her lifelong dedication to public service across the nations, overseas territories, Crown dependencies and the Commonwealth. Her devotion to duty remains an example to us all.”
“Before we come to today’s emergency debate, I remind the House, as I did yesterday, of the rules relating to accusations against individual Members. While certain criticisms may be made about the Government collectively, paragraph 21.24 of “Erskine May” makes it clear that any accusations against individual Members about lying or misleading the House may be made only on a substantive motion drawn in the proper terms. Today’s debate is on a neutral motion: that the House has considered the specific matter. It is not a substantive motion. I encourage all Members to engage in respectful debate, as our constituents would expect. I call the Leader of the Opposition.”
“Order. Bernard, please, you are permanently standing in my line of vision. The hon. Member will give way when he wants to, not because you are standing up.”
“Just to help the House, given how many people we have to speak, I suggest an informal time limit of seven minutes, and Carolyn Harris will set a good example of that.”
“(5) Proceedings on any subsequent Message from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement.— (Taiwo Owatemi.) Question agreed to.”
“2)): Consideration of Lords Amendments (1) Proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at 7.00pm at today’s sitting. (2) The Lords Amendments shall be considered in the following order: 2, 4, 13, 26, 36 and 37, 41, 85 to 87, 89 to 91, 94, 97 to 116, 120 and 121, 123, 155, 1, 3, 5 to 12, 14 to 25, 27 to 35, 38 to 40, 42 to 84, 88, 92 and 93, 95 and 96, 117 to 119, 122, 124 to 154 and 156 to 170. Subsequent stages (3) Any further Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question being put. (4) Proceedings on the first of any further Messages from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion two hours after their commencement.”
“What I will say is that we are not going to carry on the debate. I know that the Member has been here long enough that he will pursue this matter. I am sure that Members on the Treasury Bench will have heard that he does not feel he has had an answer, but I know that this will not be the end of the matter. English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Programme) (No. 3) Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83A(7)), That the following provisions shall apply to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill for the purpose of supplementing the Order of 2 September 2025 (English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Programme), as varied by the Order of 24 November 2025 (English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Programme (No.”
“I can inform the House that Lords amendment 39 engages Commons financial privilege. If the Lords amendment is agreed to, I will ensure that the customary entry waiving Commons financial privilege is entered into the Journal . Clause 2 Areas of competence”
“With this it will be convenient to discuss: Lords amendments 4, 13 and 26, and Government motions to disagree. Lords amendments 36 and 37, Government motion to disagree, and Government amendment (a) in lieu of Lords amendment 37. Lords amendments 41, 85 to 87, 89 to 91, 94, 97 to 116, 120, 121 and 123, and Government motions to disagree. Lords amendment 155, Government motion to disagree, and Government amendments (a) to (f) to the words so restored to the Bill. Lords amendments 1, 3, 5 to 12, 14 to 25, 27 to 35 and 38 to 40. Lords amendment 42, motion to disagree, and amendment (a) to Lords amendment 42. Lords amendments 43 to 55. Lords amendment 56, and amendment (a) to Lords amendment 56. Lords amendments 57 to 84, 88, 92, 93, 95, 96, 117 to 119, 122, 124 to 154 and 156 to 170.”
“Before we start today’s business, I want to make a brief statement about a security matter. I have been informed by the police that a former parliamentary employee was arrested last week under the Computer Misuse Act 1990. The police investigation is ongoing. As the House knows, we do not discuss the details of such issues on the Floor of the House—it is an ongoing criminal investigation. I do not intend to take points of order on the matter, and I will update Members when I am in a position to share more information.”
“Before I call the Prime Minister, I wish to make a brief statement. The subject that we are about to discuss is of the utmost seriousness. I expect the discussion to be focused on the facts and the issues at hand, and not on personal attacks against individual Members. Although certain criticisms may be made about the Government collectively, “Erskine May” makes it clear—in paragraph 21.24—that any accusations against individual Members about lying or misleading the House may be made only on a substantive motion; they may not be made as part of an exchange on a statement. The House rule on this is in place to ensure that Members focus on the substantive matters under discussion. If a debate is needed about matters of individual conduct, that must be drawn in the proper terms with notice.”
“Order. A lot of Members are still trying to catch my eye, so can I help the Prime Minister and everybody in the Chamber? Please help each other; let us speed up the questions.”
“I am about to name you. I have given you the option to leave—I would leave if I were you, very quickly. Move before I read this out; I am giving you one option.”
“Right—I call the Whip to move the motion. Zarah Sultana, Member for Coventry South, w as named by Mr Speaker for disregarding the authority of the Chair (Standing Order No. 44). Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 44), That Zarah Sultana be suspended from the service of the House. —(Gen Kitchen.) Question agreed to. Mr Speaker directed Zarah Sultana to withdraw from the House, and the Member withdrew accordingly.”
“The right hon. Member asks for leave to propose a debate on a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration—namely, the Government’s accountability to the House in connection with the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States of America. I have listened carefully to the application from the Leader of the Opposition. I am satisfied that the matter raised is proper to be discussed under Standing Order No. 24. Does the right hon. Member have the leave of the House? Application agreed to.”
“As there is no objection, the right hon. Member has obtained the leave of the House. The debate will be held tomorrow as the first item of public business. The debate will last for up to three hours and will arise on a motion that the House has considered the specific matter set out in the right hon. Member’s application.”
“Before we begin today’s proceedings, I would like to remind Members of the continuing need to follow the conventions and courtesies of the House as we approach the local elections. Members must inform colleagues in advance if they plan to table questions that specifically affect a colleague’s constituency, or if they intend to visit another Member’s constituency, except for private purposes. I also stress that the Deputy Speakers have no opportunities to raise issues relating to these conventions, or wider issues from their constituency, in the Chamber, so I urge colleagues to be particularly mindful of any activity in their constituencies that might be deemed discourteous—and I do not think it would help the Member’s career in this Chamber, either. All colleagues across the House should take care and treat each other with respect.”
“Order. I expect those on the Front Bench to be quiet. It is the same people: if this carries on, I suspect that next week you will not be at Prime Minister’s questions.”
“Order. I say gently to those on the Front Bench—and I am talking to you, Minister—that these Members want to get in, and I am trying to help them, so you should not be dragging out answers by reminding us about the elections. If nobody is aware of the elections, I am quite shocked.”
“Order. I know that we are into an election period, but we will have to shorten questions if other Members are to get in. I am sure that the Secretary of State will agree.”
“Before we come to Transport questions, I wish to pay tribute to a former colleague, David Winnick, who died yesterday. David served as a Member of Parliament for 42 years, initially as the MP for Croydon South and then, notably, from 1979 to 2017 as the MP for Walsall North. He was a dedicated member of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, including as its co-chair. David was also a long-standing member of the Home Affairs Committee. I am sure that Members from across the House will join me in sending our condolences to David’s family and friends, who are very much in our thoughts today. Let us move on to questions to the Secretary of State for Transport, and may I wish a happy birthday to Lilian Greenwood?”
“Just to let people know, normally Front Benchers would not speak during an urgent question, but for those whose constituency is affected by this issue, and who have direct involvement, there is a dispensation today.”
“Order. We still have a lot of Members to get in. The hon. Gentleman is clearly riled by this issue and keeps raising it, so he might be better off applying for an Adjournment debate.”
“Members: “Hear, hear!”] I have a little bit of other news: today is the birthday of the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon)—he will still be asking questions.”
“Before we begin today’s business, I would like to say a few words of appreciation for a long-serving member of the House service who today is working his final shift as Table Clerk in the Chamber. Liam Laurence Smyth has been a Clerk in the House of Commons for over 40 years. Over the past couple of decades he has worked in a number of senior posts, including Clerk of Legislation, and for the past two years he has been working in a part-time role in the Chamber Business Team. I thank Liam for his service and for the advice that he has given me over many years. He will no doubt continue to play a role in international parliamentary capacity building, which has been a passion of his. I am sure that the House will join me in wishing Liam and his family well. [Hon.”
“Once again, as I said last week, I do not have responsibility for, or authority over, answers. It is incumbent on Ministers to try to ensure that there is an answer, but it is not for me to judge whether the answer is correct. That would be politicising the Chair. If that is what the House wishes to do, it can by all means do that, but I have not got that power.”
“Before I call the Chancellor to make her statement, let me just say that we would not normally have statements on an Opposition day, but this statement is so important. I will not run it for long, though, so please help each other when we get to the Back Benchers.”
“Order. I say to Members on both Front Benches that these are topical questions, and Members from all parties are waiting to ask them. I gave the shadow Home Secretary a lot of leeway during his first question; he has already asked one, and is coming in with another. That is not acceptable to any of the Back-Bench Members who I am trying to look after. Please ask one question during topicals. There will be a statement shortly on the subject that he asked about. It is a very important issue, and I am very concerned about it, but I have to allow Back Benchers time to ask their questions. It is unfair of Members on the Front Benches to take up that time.”
“Order. Dr Hudson, I have the greatest respect for you; you have more knowledge of this than anyone in this Chamber. However, we cannot have five questions. I have to get others in. Secretary of State, pick whichever question you want.”
“A WMS was out there, and I say to the Government that priority should always be given to the House. I am sure that will be noted. Far too many statements are made outside the House, but there was a WMS on this occasion. I will leave it at that because we have other things to get through.”
“I remind Members that, if they are going to mention another Member’s constituency, they should please give them notice. It is a courtesy that should happen.”
“This is an important point: we need tolerance, and it is about respecting one another. You have put your point on the record, but I am not going to enter into a debate. I will leave it at that for the moment.”
“Order. Parliamentary Private Secretaries are not there to chirp all the way through and give solutions to a problem. I have great confidence in the Minister’s ability to answer when he comes to speak.”