First up was a run in the park in freezing conditions. Fully energised, I headed to the Commons to prepare for the debate of the Animal Sentience Bill, which originated in the Lords. Due to a number of Urgent Questions (UQ), the debate did not start until just after 1500, which gave me the chance to attend the first UQ on migrant crossings in the Channel. The proposal to put the Royal Navy (RN) in charge of dealing with this emotive topic was leaked, forcing the minister, James Heappey, to come to the Despatch Box to answer Tobias Ellwood's UQ. Due to the fact the policy had not been properly thought through, the poor man was left floundering a bit as MPs criticised the move. I did support it, mainly because I think the Armed Forces are better organised to cope with this sort of challenge that the Home Office. I asked a question, which is on the website. I was hoping that the minister would reply in the affirmative, but as you can hear for yourself, he said we could not tow boats back to France. So, like my colleagues, I do hope the RN hasn't bitten off more than it can chew. Then it was back to the Chamber just after 1500 to listen to the opening speeches. My own contribution is on the website. While I am a great supporter of animal welfare, I cannot see how yet another layer of bureaucracy will help and I fear it will actually do the opposite. It was then off to CR16 to support Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, who bid for a backbench debate on the future of farming. Back down to the Chamber for the closing speeches and then off to a private meeting with some colleagues. In Scotland, Covid-19 restrictions were to be eased, with nightclubs reopening, large indoor events resuming and social distancing rules dropped. The changes would take effect from Monday 24 January after a "significant fall" in new case numbers. However people were still being asked to work from home and to take lateral flow tests before meeting with others. Meanwhile, Irish police arrested a man in his 30s on suspicion of the murder of primary school teacher Ashling Murphy. The 23-year-old was attacked while out exercising beside a canal in Tullamore, County Offaly, last Wednesday. The arrested man was being held at Tullamore Garda Station. Earlier, mourners including Irish President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach (PM) Micheál Martin, attended an emotional funeral service Mass at St Brigid's Church in Mount Bolus. This is a tragic end to a young life. Finally, two teenagers arrested in England as part of the investigation into a hostage-taking at a synagogue in Texas were released without charge, police said. British citizen Malik Faisal Akram, 44, was shot dead after a standoff with police on Saturday. The siege at the synagogue in Colleyville near Dallas ended after 10 hours, with all four hostages unharmed, thankfully.