[Esther McVey in the Chair]

Before we begin, I have a couple of preliminary announcements. I remind hon. Members that they are expected to wear face coverings and to maintain distancing, as far as possible. This is in line with the current Government guidance and that of the House of Commons Commission. Please give one another and members of staff space when seated and when entering and leaving the room. Hansard colleagues would be grateful if Members emailed their speaking notes to hansardnotes@parliament.uk. Please switch electronic devices to silent mode. Tea and coffee are not allowed during sittings. Today, we will first consider the programme motion on the amendment paper and then consider a motion to enable the reporting of written evidence for publication and a motion to allow us to debate in private about our questions before the oral evidence session. In view of the timetable available, I hope that we can deal with those matters formally, without debate. Nods all round—thank you very much. The programme motion, standing in the Minister’s name, was discussed yesterday by the Programming Sub-Committee for the Bill.

Ordered,

That—

1. the Committee shall (in addition to its first meeting at 9.25am on Tuesday 9 November) meet—

(a) at 2.00 pm on Tuesday 9 November;

(b) at 9.25 am and 2.00 pm on Tuesday 16 November;

(c) at 11.30 am and 2.00 pm on Thursday 18 November;

2. the Committee shall hear oral evidence in accordance with the following Table:

Date

Time

Witness

Tuesday 9 November

Until no later than 10.30 am

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; Dogs Trust

Tuesday 9 November

Until no later than 11.25 am

Monkey World; The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums; Zoos Expert Committee

Tuesday 9 November

Until no later than 3.00 pm

National Farmers’ Union; Compassion in World Farming; The National Police Chiefs Council

Tuesday 9 November

Until no later than 3.30 pm

Canine and Feline Sector Group

Tuesday 9 November

Until no later than 4.00 pm

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home

Tuesday 9 November

Until no later than 4.30 pm

British Veterinary Association

Tuesday 9 November

Until no later than 5.00 pm

Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Tuesday 9 November

Until no later than 5.30 pm

Farmers’ Union of Wales

3. proceedings on consideration of the Bill in Committee shall be taken in the following order: Clause 1; Schedules 1 and 2; Clauses 2 to 5; Schedule 3; Clauses 6 to 19; Schedule 4; Clauses 20 to 47; Schedule 5; Clauses 48 to 53; new Clauses; new Schedules; remaining proceedings on the Bill;

4. the proceedings shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at 5.00 pm on Thursday 18 November.—(Victoria Prentis.)

Resolved,

That, subject to the discretion of the Chair, any written evidence received by the Committee shall be reported to the House for publication.—(Victoria Prentis.)

Copies of written evidence that the Committee receives will be made available in the Committee Room and circulated to Members by email.

Resolved,

That, at this and any subsequent meeting at which oral evidence is to be heard, the Committee shall sit in private until the witnesses are admitted.—(Victoria Prentis.)

The Committee deliberated in private.