I chaired the Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee on 22 April 2026,  the Draft Provision of Information (Contractual Control) (Registered Land) Regulations 2026.

The purpose of this instrument is to require transparency about certain contractual arrangements that give parties control over dealings with registered land in England and Wales. The Regulations establish a mandatory regime for the disclosure of information about specified "contractual control rights" (such as options, rights of pre-emption, and conditional obligations to dispose of land) to the Chief Land Registrar, and for the subsequent retention and publication of that information.

In particular, the instrument defines which contractual rights are in scope, sets out the information that must be provided, the time limits for disclosure, and the method for submitting information digitally through a conveyancer. It empowers the registrar to refuse to register or update notices or restrictions where disclosure requirements have not been met, and requires the registrar to publish a public dataset of contractual control information (subject to defined exemptions are privacy safeguards). The Regulations are intended to increase visibility of land control arrangements while excluding short-term, security related, planning, and other specified exempt rights.

The legislation was passed and the regulations will come into effect on 6 April 2027.

The  Bill amended by the Lords returned to the Commons on 22 April 2026.

The Government’s amendment in lieu, which requires the Secretary of State to update Parliament on progress within six months of the Bill passing, if action has not already been taken by then, was rejected in the Lords. The Lords did not insist on Amendment 38, and proposed Lords Amendments 38V to 38X to Commons Amendment 38J.

A government Motion to insist on Amendment 38J and disagree with Lords Amendments 38V to 38X passed: Ayes 260, Noes 161





Lords Amendment 38X engaged Commons financial privilege. The Bill will return to the House of Lords for further consideration.

The Pensions Scheme Bill returned to the Commons on 22 April 2026 after the Lords insisted on the amendments rejected by the Commons on 15 April.

The Lords wished the Commons to consider its disagreement on Amendments 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 30, 31, 32, 33,
34, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 83 and 88, which remove provision on asset allocation from clause 40 of the Bill, while preserving provision related to the scale condition (Reason 88D). Through a vote, the Commons insisted on its disagreement (Ayes 272, Noes 149).

The Bill returns to the Lords for their consideration.

 

I was delighted to meet Prestur frá Borgarnesi, the Icelandic horse on 21 April 2026 at Speaker's Court. Partly due to the isolated nature of Iceland, the Icelandic horse breed has remained relatively pure and unchanged for centuries and is one of the world’s purest horse breeds.

Icelandic horses like Prestur are renowned for their intelligence, gentleness and intuition, and have been used to support neurodivergent children and adults, building confidence, emotional connection, and inclusive participation in equestrian sport and beyond.

Prestur won a Gold medal at the Icelandic World Championships in the Netherlands in 2017. Since coming to England he has done demonstrations at British Dressage camps, Youth Camps at the local riding school and has also visited the Welsh Senedd.

I am pictured below with Sturla Sigurjónsson (left), Ambassador of Iceland to the United Kingdom, and Prestur's trainer.

On Wednesday 15 April 2026 the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill returned for further consideration in the Commons. The Government agreed to some important amendments from the Lords. For example, amendment 17B strengthens the right of children in care to maintain contact with their siblings, including half and stepsiblings. Too many children in care lose touch with their brothers and sisters, and this amendment helps protect those vital relationships.

Another key change is amendment 105B, which puts allergy safety in schools on a statutory footing. It requires every school to have an allergy safety policy, review it regularly, and make it publicly available. Regulations will also set out expectations on stocking adrenalin devices, providing allergy awareness training, and reporting incidents. This is known as Benedict’s Law, in memory of Helen Blythe’s son Benedict, who tragically died after an allergic reaction at school. This amendment is an important step in ensuring that every child with allergies can attend school safely.

On amendment 38, concerning social media bans for children, the Government explained that the proposal was too narrow and that its ongoing consultation covers a wider range of online services and features. I welcome the Government’s amendment in lieu, which requires the Secretary of State to update Parliament on progress within six months of the Bill passing, if action has not already been taken by then.

Amendment 106 focuses on mobile phones in schools. The Government has said that this amendment is unnecessary because it has already been clear that phones should not be used at any point during the school day. I welcome the strengthened guidance and the expectation that Ofsted will check whether bans are being enforced. The Government has also committed to making this guidance statutory if the consultation shows that this would be helpful.

The Government did not accept Lords amendment 41B on school uniform costs, saying it could create uncertainty for schools and parents. On amendment 102, relating to school admissions, the Government has already committed to regulations that make clear that school quality and parental choice will be central to decisions about admission numbers. The Government’s amendment in lieu reflects this and gives parents a choice of high-quality school places close to home.






motion relating to Lords Amendment 38             Ayes 256, Noes 150




motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 41B   Ayes 254, Noes 144








motion relating to Lords Amendment 102           Ayes 259, Noes 136










motion relating to Lords Amendment 106           Ayes 248, Noes 139