Dr Rupa Huq (Ealing Central and Acton) (Lab)
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I wish to raise an all-party parliamentary matter that is causing international ructions. Before Christmas, a report surfaced in the name of the all-party parliamentary group for the Commonwealth. Basically, to the annoyance of APPG officers and many members of the public, it was a hatchet job on the interim Government of Bangladesh. On a delegation to the high commission in London during recess, I was picked up on this. Even when I went to Bangladesh, the interim leader, Professor Yunus, a Nobel prize winner, also said, “What are your Government doing issuing these falsities in the name of Parliament?”
I wish to seek your advice on this, Madam Deputy Speaker. Can I get clarification on the significance of such things being issued? When I inquired into this, I was told that a pressure group had put out this report without final sign-off. So do these things constitute policy in any way, and is it right that a partisan organisation can hijack an APPG and then besmirch the name of our Parliament and our Government?
Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)
I am grateful to the hon. Member for giving notice of her point of order. She has put her point on the record. I am happy to confirm for the benefit of the House that all-party parliamentary groups represent a wide range of views across both Houses and their reports do not necessarily reflect the views of His Majesty’s Government or indeed of the wider membership of this House.
I now have to announce the results of today’s deferred Divisions. On the draft Electricity Capacity Mechanism (Amendment) Regulations 2024—[Interruption.] I can see that the right hon. Member for East Hampshire (Damian Hinds) is incredibly excited by this. As I was saying, the Ayes were 418 and the Noes were 78, so the Ayes have it.
On the draft Official Controls (Amendment) Regulations 2024, the Ayes were 423 and the Noes were 77, so the Ayes have it.
On the draft Clean Heat Market Mechanism Regulations 2024, the Ayes were 424 and the Noes were 109, so the Ayes have it.
[The Division lists are published at the end of today’s debates.]
Bill Presented
Outdoor Education
Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)
Tim Farron presented a Bill to require that every child be offered at least one outdoor education experience during primary school years and at least one such experience during secondary school years; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Friday 11 July, and to be printed (Bill 161).