The Economic Activity of
Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill has been referred to a
Public Bill Committee. As part of scrutiny, the group is now
inviting those with an interest to submit their views in writing
to the House of Commons Public Bill Committee which is going to
consider this Bill.
A Public Bill Committee is a committee set up by the House of
Commons to examine the details of a particular Bill. You can find
out more about them on the website here.
The first sitting of the Public Bill Committee is expected to be
on Tuesday 5 September and the Committee is scheduled to report
by Thursday 14 September.
When the Committee concludes its consideration of the Bill it is
no longer able to receive written evidence - it can also conclude
earlier than the expected deadline of 5.00pm on Thursday 14
September.
Aims of the Bill
As introduced, the Bill intends
to prevent “public bodies when making decisions about procurement
and investment from considering a country or territory of origin
or other territorial considerations in a way that indicates
political or moral disapproval of a foreign state.” It would also
prevent public bodies from making statements indicating that they
would have done so if it were lawful.
Such boycotts or divestments (reduction of existing investments)
by public bodies would potentially be liable to investigation and
fines under the legislation.
The Bill does not prevent public bodies from complying with
formal UK sanctions, embargoes, and restrictions. Clause 3 of the
Bill gives the Government the power to make regulations
to exempt certain countries or territories from the restrictions.
The Government intends for Russia and
Belarus to be exempted immediately upon commencement.
However, the Bill does not allow for such regulations to exempt
Israel, the Occupied Palestinian
Territories and the Occupied Golan Heights.
Follow the progress of the Economic Activity of
Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill
The Economic Activity of Public
Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill was presented to the House of
Commons for its first reading on 19th June 2023.
The second reading
debate was held on Monday 3 July 2023.
Guidance on submitting written evidence
What should written evidence cover?
The evidence should cover matters contained within the Bill and
concentrate on issues where the individual submitting evidence
has a special interest or expertise.
Evidence submissions could most usefully:
- suggest amendments to the Bill, with supporting explanation;
and
- (when amendments are published)
support or oppose amendments tabled to the Bill by Members of
Parliament, with supporting explanation
It is helpful if the submission includes a brief introduction
about the author or organisation. The submission should not have
been previously published or circulated elsewhere.
How should written evidence be submitted?
Submissions should be emailed to scrutiny@parliament.uk. They
should be in the form of a Word document. Please include in the
covering email the name, address, telephone number and email
address of the person responsible for the submission. The
submission should be dated.
Further guidance on submitting written evidence can be
found here.
