To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of (a) increasing the powers of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration and (b) merging the office of that Commissioner with the office of the Health Service Commission for England.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of (a) increasing the powers of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration and (b) merging the office of that Commissioner with the office of the Health Service Commission for England.

Lords motion to consider. Agreed to on question.

Lords motion to consider. Agreed to on question.

Lords motion to consider. Agreed to on question.

Lords motion to consider. Agreed to on question.

My Lords, I shall begin by observing that this is a highly technical order.

The UK welcomes record numbers of visitors to come and enjoy our historic sites and experience our vibrant culture. In the year to June 2015, 9 million non-EEA visitors came to the United Kingdom, an increase of...

My Lords, I shall begin by observing that this is a highly technical order.

The UK welcomes record numbers of visitors to come and enjoy our historic sites and experience our vibrant culture. In the year to June 2015, 9 million non-EEA visitors came to the United Kingdom, an increase of...

I note that the Minister gave me a look when he started by saying that the order is of a highly technical nature, which I think was a suggestion that he hoped that I might not have too much to say, and I am able to grant him his wish....

I note that the Minister gave me a look when he started by saying that the order is of a highly technical nature, which I think was a suggestion that he hoped that I might not have too much to say, and I am able to grant him his wish....

I am most obliged to the noble Lord for his brevity.

I am most obliged to the noble Lord for his brevity.

My Lords, I shall speak to the draft Modern Slavery Act 2015 (Code of Practice) Regulations 2016, which were laid before this House on 14 March.

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 includes important maritime enforcement powers for constables and enforcement officers to use when investigating modern slavery offences committed at sea....

My Lords, I shall speak to the draft Modern Slavery Act 2015 (Code of Practice) Regulations 2016, which were laid before this House on 14 March.

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 includes important maritime enforcement powers for constables and enforcement officers to use when investigating modern slavery offences committed at sea....

My Lords, I think the code of practice is absolutely excellent and I have no comment on it, other than to praise it. I am absolutely delighted that the Modern Slavery Act includes these powers on ships.

I hope the Minister will forgive me for raising an issue that is not...

My Lords, I think the code of practice is absolutely excellent and I have no comment on it, other than to praise it. I am absolutely delighted that the Modern Slavery Act includes these powers on ships.

I hope the Minister will forgive me for raising an issue that is not...

I thank the Minister for his explanation of the purpose and effect of this order, which brings into force a code of practice to be followed by constables and enforcement officers when arresting a person under the maritime enforcement powers set out in the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Without the...

I thank the Minister for his explanation of the purpose and effect of this order, which brings into force a code of practice to be followed by constables and enforcement officers when arresting a person under the maritime enforcement powers set out in the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Without the...

I am obliged to your Lordships. I shall begin by addressing the point raised by the noble and learned Baroness, Lady Butler-Sloss—in particular in the context of her mixed metaphor. Border officials are maintained at ports, particularly ones where there are commercial operations going in and out of the country....

I am obliged to your Lordships. I shall begin by addressing the point raised by the noble and learned Baroness, Lady Butler-Sloss—in particular in the context of her mixed metaphor. Border officials are maintained at ports, particularly ones where there are commercial operations going in and out of the country....

Can I pursue the question asked by the noble and learned Baroness, Lady Butler-Sloss, on small ports? In the news recently was a ship that was detained with a significant number of weapons on board. That highlights the problem, as it was landing at a very small and isolated area....

Can I pursue the question asked by the noble and learned Baroness, Lady Butler-Sloss, on small ports? In the news recently was a ship that was detained with a significant number of weapons on board. That highlights the problem, as it was landing at a very small and isolated area....

I would be willing to write on this matter in general, but I do not believe it would be appropriate to disclose strategies that are being employed by field agents for the purposes of monitoring the

coastline, as that would merely alert those seeking to avoid them to how we...

I would be willing to write on this matter in general, but I do not believe it would be appropriate to disclose strategies that are being employed by field agents for the purposes of monitoring the

coastline, as that would merely alert those seeking to avoid them to how we...

As long as the Minister can say that the matter is in hand, that would be helpful.

As long as the Minister can say that the matter is in hand, that would be helpful.

I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.

I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the potential devolution of powers relating to electoral matters in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the potential devolution of powers relating to electoral matters in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what powers Rail North has in relation to the Northern and TransPennine Express franchises.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what powers Rail North has in relation to the Northern and TransPennine Express franchises.

My Lords, Amendments 12, 13 and 14 are minor and technical amendments to Schedule 4. I promise not to detain the House for long as they are not changes of substance. Under the transparency of lobbying Act, the Certification Officer’s investigatory powers in relation to trade union membership registers are...

My Lords, Amendments 12, 13 and 14 are minor and technical amendments to Schedule 4. I promise not to detain the House for long as they are not changes of substance. Under the transparency of lobbying Act, the Certification Officer’s investigatory powers in relation to trade union membership registers are...

Clauses 109 to 137 agreed to, with clauses 109 to 111 and 119 to 137 agreed to on division (9 votes to 2). Clause 119 discussed with new clause 16 (Review of Bulk Powers). Clauses 128 and 134 agreed to as amended on division. Written evidence reported to the House.

Clauses 109 to 137 agreed to, with clauses 109 to 111 and 119 to 137 agreed to on division (9 votes to 2). Clause 119 discussed with new clause 16 (Review of Bulk Powers). Clauses 128 and 134 agreed to as amended on division. Written evidence reported to the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Office of 24 March 2016, Official Report, column 209, on the Policing and Crime Bill, how her Department defines warranted in the context of warranted officers; and...

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Office of 24 March 2016, Official Report, column 209, on the Policing and Crime Bill, how her Department defines warranted in the context of warranted officers; and...

Amendment to clause 61 negatived on division (2 votes to 9). Clause 61 agreed to on division (9 votes to 2). Schedule 4 agreed to as amended on division (9 votes to 2). Clauses 62 to 66 agreed to on division (9 votes to 2). Amendments to clause 67 negatived on division (2 votes to 9 and 6 votes to 9). Clause 67 agreed to on division (9 votes to 2). Clause 68, discussed with new clause 14 (Authorisations in relation to items subject to legal privilege) agreed to. Clause 69 agreed to on division (9 votes to 2).

Amendment to clause 61 negatived on division (2 votes to 9). Clause 61 agreed to on division (9 votes to 2). Schedule 4 agreed to as amended on division (9 votes to 2). Clauses 62 to 66 agreed to on division (9 votes to 2). Amendments to clause 67 negatived...