Mr Speaker
I inform the House that I have published a revised version of the proxy voting scheme, which takes effect today. As agreed by the House last Wednesday, the scheme extends proxy voting on a pilot basis to Members experiencing serious long-term illness or injury. The pilot will run until 30 April next year. Copies of the revised scheme are available from the Vote Office.
I also wish to inform the House that I have received a letter from the right hon. Member for South West Surrey (Jeremy Hunt) informing me of his resignation as Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, following his appointment to the Government. Arrangements for the election of his successor will be as follows.
Nominations will close at 12 noon on Tuesday 1 November. Nomination forms will be available from the Vote Office, the Table Office and the Public Bill Office. Following the House’s decision of 16 January 2020, only Conservative party Members may be candidates. If there is more than one candidate, the ballot will take place on Wednesday 2 November from 11 am to 2.30 pm.