13 Feb
General Debate
Point of Order: Rectification Procedure

The General Debate session, marked by a point of rectification and a Bill presentation, unfolded with professionalism, embodying the procedural adherence and cultural shifts within UK parliamentary functions.

1. Point of Order by Navendu Mishra: Navendu Mishra, representing the Labour Party from Stockport, took proactive responsibility for a procedural oversight during the tabling of questions to governmental figures without declaring relevant interests. This action signifies the importance attributed to transparency and compliance with House rules, as MPs openly correct such infringements to maintain integrity.

24 April 2024

Date Navendu Mishra tabled a parliamentary question without declaring an interest.

2. Role of the Deputy Speaker: Judith Cummins, fulfilling the role of the Deputy Speaker, acknowledged Mishra's point of order, effectively closing any further discourse on the matter and setting the stage for the session’s transition to the subsequent legislative agenda.

13 May 2024

Date of second instance when Mishra failed to declare his interests.

3. Presentation of the Church of Scotland Bill: The latter part of the session introduced the Church of Scotland (Lord High Commissioner) Bill, spearheaded by Pat McFadden with support from influential government officials including the Prime Minister. This bill aims to reframe antiquated religious titles, symbolically advancing inclusivity by facilitating Roman Catholics' eligibility for ecclesiastical representation roles.

Chronologically, the debate progressed from addressing individual accountability concerns to tabling groundbreaking legislative proposals, exemplifying how parliamentary sessions fine-tune policy oversight alongside societal modernisation.

Bill 185

Designation of the Church of Scotland (Lord High Commissioner) Bill.

Outcome

The House accepted the apologetic point of order by MP Navendu Mishra, showcasing procedural accountability. The introduction of the Church of Scotland (Lord High Commissioner) Bill underscored the session's theme of modernity and inclusion, marking a step towards religious equality within UK ecclesiastical positions.

Key Contributions

Navendu Mishra
Labour

Apologised to the House for not declaring interests linked to questions posed to government officials.

Judith CumminsDeputy Speaker

Acknowledged the point of order and closed the matter, transitioning the session seamlessly to legislative proceedings.

Original Transcript
Navendu Mishra
Stockport
Lab

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker.

I would like to apologise to the House for failing to declare an interest when tabling a written parliamentary question to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology on 24 April 2024, and then when tabling a written parliamentary question to the Deputy Foreign Secretary on 13 May 2024.

When I tabled these questions, I inadvertently failed to declare two interests: a reception at the Labour party conference that was sponsored by the high commission of India, and a visit to India that was funded by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

This was in breach of the rules, and I apologise to the House for this error.

Madam Deputy Speaker
Judith Cummins
13:21

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his point of order. There will be no further points of order on that issue. Bill Presented Church of Scotland (Lord High Commissioner) Bill Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No.

57) Pat McFadden, supported by the Prime Minister, Secretary Angela Rayner, Secretary Ian Murray, Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Nick Thomas-Symonds, presented a Bill to make provision for persons of the Roman Catholic faith to be eligible to hold the office of His Majesty’s High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Monday 24 February, and to be printed (Bill 185) with explanatory notes (Bill 185-EN).

All content derived from official parliamentary records