Question to the Leader of the House:

To ask the Leader of the House, whether he plans to introduce a ban on second jobs for hon. Members.

Answered by Alan Campbell - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons

As outlined in our manifesto, the Government is committed to the principle that second jobs for Members of Parliament should be banned outside of very limited exceptions, such as maintaining professional qualifications.

The Committee on Standards is currently undertaking an inquiry into MPs’ employment and outside interests, and I look forward to working with the Committee as this work progresses.

I want MPs held fully accountable for lying or misleading the public in any context - on social media, in interviews, speeches, or Parliament. Each lie could incur a fine, be logged in a public register, and if an MP accumulates three lies, a by-election could be triggered to protect democracy.

We want the House of Commons to adopt rules to restrict MPs from using mobile phones and tablets during formal parliamentary proceedings. Clear guidance and appropriate sanctions should ensure compliance and maintain professional standards.

Found: Response: Letter from the Rt Hon Sir Alan Cambell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House

Found: Letter from Lord Strathclyde, Chair of the Constitution Committee to Baroness Smith of Basildon, Leader of the House

Found: Procedural changes to increase the House’s legislative capacity Note from the Leader of the House (PPC

Found: Correspondence from the Leader of the House regarding the Modernisation Committee inquiry dated 11 March

Question

To ask The Leader of the House what plans they have to allow parliamentary time for a debate on the report on the use of copyright works in the development of AI systems and the economic impact assessment, required respectively by sections 136 and 135 of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, in the current parliamentary session.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology wrote to all Peers on 18 March, outlining the Government's approach to the issue of AI and copyright. The report and impact assessment required under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 were published and laid before Parliament on the same date, fulfilling the statutory requirements. There are no plans to schedule a debate in the current parliamentary session.

Question

To ask The Leader of the House what mechanisms there are, if any, to ensure that Parliament is formally notified when legislation proceeds under the urgent measures process before independent regulatory scrutiny, including by the Regulatory Policy Committee, has concluded.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal

Parliament is not formally notified when legislation proceeds under the urgent measures process. However, paragraphs 6.12 and 6.13 in the Better Regulation Framework outlines the process for urgent measures. Under this process, “it is still expected that the required analysis of impacts is presented to Parliament alongside the legislation or, where that is not possible, as soon as practical thereafter”. In regards to scrutiny by the Regulatory Policy Committee this should also be published to accompany the final Impact Assessment.

Found: Lord True, shadow leader of the House of Lords, tabled amendment 13 at report stage to insert a new

Found: Letter from Lord Strathclyde, Chair of the Constitution Committee to Baroness Smith of Basildon, Leader of the House