Votes and Proceedings

House of Commons

Session 1999-2000
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House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Wednesday 1st March 2000

The House met at half-past Two o'clock.

PRAYERS.

1 City of London (Ward Elections) Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for further consideration of the City of London (Ward Elections) Bill;

    Ordered, That the Bill be further considered on Wednesday 8th March.

2 Medical Treatment (Prevention of Euthanasia) Bill,—Mr Roger Gale reported from Standing Committee C, That it had gone through the Medical Treatment (Prevention of Euthanasia) Bill, and made Amendments thereunto.

    Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered on Friday 14th April; and to be printed [Bill 77].

    Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 294].

3 European Standing Committee B,—Mrs Ray Michie reported from European Standing Committee B the following Resolution:

    That the Committee takes note of European Union Documents Nos. 10705/99, the Commission's Annual Report on humanitarian aid 1998, 10497/99, the Commission's Annual Report on TACIS 1998, 11203/99, Commission staff working paper: Report for 1998 on the evaluation of external co-operation, and unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum from the Department for International Development dated 5 November 1999 on a Commission Communication on the assessment and future of Community humanitarian activities; and supports the Government's policy of working in partnership with the EC to improve the management, organisation and effectiveness of development assistance administered by the EC institutions.

    Report, together with Resolution, to lie upon the Table.

4 School Crossings (Amendment) Bill,—Mr Michael Foster (Worcester) presented a Bill to amend the law relating to school crossings: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 7th April and to be printed [Bill 75].

5 Telecommunications Masts (Development),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to regulate the development of telecommunications masts: And that Mr John Bercow, Mr David Amess, Mr Crispin Blunt, Mr Jeremy Corbyn, Mr Mark Fisher, Mr James Gray, Mr Gerald Howarth, Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith, Mr Lawrence Robertson, Mrs Marion Roe, Dr Howard Stoate and Mr Phil Willis do prepare and bring it in.

6 Telecommunications Masts (Development) Bill,—Mr John Bercow accordingly presented a Bill to regulate the development of telecommunications masts: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 7th April and to be printed [Bill 76].

7 Standards and Privileges,—Resolved, That this House

    (i) approves the Fifth Report of the Committee on Standards and Privileges (House of Commons Paper No. 260); and

    (ii) accordingly suspends Mrs Teresa Gorman, Member for Billericay, from the service of the House for one month.—(Mr David Clelland.)

8 Sea Fishing Grants (Charges) Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Sea Fishing Grants (Charges) Bill;

    A Motion was made, And the Question being proposed, That the Bill be now read a second time;

    And it being Seven o'clock, and there being Opposition business set down for consideration under paragraph (2) (c) of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business), further proceedings stood postponed.

9 Opposition Day [6th allotted day—first part],—It being an allotted day at the disposal of the leader of the second largest opposition party in pursuance of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business), the House proceeded to consider Opposition business.

    Tax Cuts and Public Services,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes the continued underfunding of the National Health Service compared to the European average, as recently highlighted by the Prime Minister, the continued underfunding of schools, with average class sizes rising for most age groups since the election of the Labour Government, that government investment in public transport is significantly below that provided by the previous Government, that police numbers are falling, and that the 75p increase in the weekly pension is grossly inadequate; and concludes that instead of tax cuts the Chancellor should give greater priority to further improvement in the National Health Service, schools funding, public transport, the police and a greater increase in state pensions—(Mr Matthew Taylor);

    An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word 'House' to the end of the Question and add the words 'welcomes the fact that the Government is making work pay and cutting taxes for hard-working families; welcomes the fact that, as a result, the tax rate on a typical family will be cut to its lowest level since 1972, and that, on average, families with children will be £740 a year better off, notes that the Liberal Democrats oppose the measures that made this possible, including the Working Families Tax Credit; further welcomes the fact that the Government is making record extra investment in public services, including an extra £40 billion in health and education; notes that this is far in excess of anything promised by the Liberal Democrats at the time of the last General Election; and notes the reckless and uncosted spending commitments made by the Liberal Democrats, which they have no idea how to pay for and which would take Britain back to Tory boom and bust', instead thereof.—(Dawn Primarolo.)

    And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Sir Robert Smith, Mr Tom Brake: 39.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr Clive Betts, Mrs Anne McGuire: 280.

    So the Question was negatived.

    And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments):—It was agreed to.

    The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.

    Resolved, That this House welcomes the fact that the Government is making work pay and cutting taxes for hard-working families; welcomes the fact that, as a result, the tax rate on a typical family will be cut to its lowest level since 1972, and that, on average, families with children will be £740 a year better off; notes that the Liberal Democrats oppose the measures that made this possible, including the Working Families Tax Credit; further welcomes the fact that the Government is making record extra investment in public services, including an extra £40 billion in health and education; notes that this is far in excess of anything promised by the Liberal Democrats at the time of the last General Election; and notes the reckless and uncosted spending commitments made by the Liberal Democrats, which they have no idea how to pay for and which would take Britain back to Tory boom and bust.

10 Business of the House,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business), That, at this day's sitting, the Sea Fishing Grants (Charges) Bill and the Nuclear Safeguards Bill [Lords] may be proceeded with, though opposed, until any hour—(Mr David Jamieson):—It was agreed to.

11 Sea Fishing Grants (Charges) Bill,—The House resumed the postponed proceedings on the Question, That the Sea Fishing Grants (Charges) Bill be now read a second time.

    And the Question being put, That the Bill be now read a second time:—It was agreed to.

    The Bill was accordingly read a second time, and stood committed to a Standing Committee.

12 Nuclear Safeguards Bill [Lords],—The Order of the day being read, for Second Reading of the Nuclear Safeguards Bill [Lords];

    Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time to-morrow.

13 Adjournment (Easter),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 25 (Periodic adjournments), That this House, at its rising on Thursday 20th April, do adjourn till Tuesday 2nd May 2000—(Mr David Jamieson):—It was agreed to.

14 Business of the House,—Ordered, That, at the sitting on Thursday 20th April, the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until she shall have notified the Royal Assent on Acts agreed upon by both Houses.—(Mr David Jamieson.)

15 Northern Ireland Grand Committee,—Ordered, That:

    (1) the draft Appropriation (Northern Ireland) Order 2000 be referred to the Northern Ireland Grand Committee;

    (2) the Committee shall meet at Westminster on Thursday 9th March at half-past Two o'clock, to consider the instrument referred to it under paragraph (1) above; and

    (3) in respect of the sitting on Thursday 9th March, Standing Order No. 115 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (delegated legislation)) shall have effect with the substitution of the word 'three' for the words 'two and a half' in paragraph (2) of the Order.—(Mr David Jamieson.)

16 Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from residents of the Vale of York constituency against the Government's plans to pay benefits directly into bank accounts was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

17 Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from residents of Taunton calling for the restoration of access to NHS dentistry was presented; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

18 Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr David Jamieson.)

    And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till thirty-two minutes past Ten o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 10.32 p.m.

Betty Boothroyd
Speaker

Madam Speaker will take the Chair at half-past Eleven o'clock.

APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1 Constitutional Law,—Draft Scotland Act 1998 (Cross-Border Public Authorities) (Adaptation of Functions etc.) Order 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].

2 Contracting Out,—Draft Contracting Out (Functions relating to Social Security) Order 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling].

3 Financial Services,—Draft Official Listing of Securities (Change of Competent Authority) Regulations 2000 [by Act] [Miss Melanie Johnson].

4 Industrial Development,—Draft Financial Assistance For Industry (Increase of Limit) Order 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].

5 Social Security,—Draft Social Security (Work-focused Interviews) Regulations 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

6 Legal Services Commission,—Community Legal Service (Financial) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 516), dated 18th February 2000 [by Act] [Mr David Lock].

7 Marine Pollution,—Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Oil Pollution) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 483), dated 25th February 2000 [by Statutory Instrument] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

8 Merchant Shipping,—(1) Merchant Shipping (Safe Manning, Hours of Work and Watchkeeping) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 484), and

    (2) Merchant Shipping (Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 482)

dated 25th February 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

9 National Health Service,—National Health Service (Professions Supplementary to Medicine) Amendment Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 523), dated 29th February 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Milburn].

10 Value Added Tax,—Value Added Tax (Drugs, Medicines, Aids for the Handicapped and Charities Etc) Order 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 503), dated 29th February 2000 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].

Other Papers

11 Environment, Transport and the Regions,—Government Response to the Nineteenth Report from the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee, Session 1998-99, on Young and Newly-Qualified Drivers: Standards and Training [by Command] [Cm. 4631] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

12 Treaty Series (No. 8, 2000),—Agreement, done at Nairobi on 13th September 1999, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Kenya for the Promotion and Protection of Investments [by Command] [Cm. 4597] [Mr Secretary Cook].

13 Treaty Series (No. 9, 2000),—Agreement, done at Hong Kong on 30th July 1998, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China for the Promotion and Protection of Investments [by Command] [Cm. 4598] [Mr Secretary Cook].

Papers withdrawn:

14 Local Government Finance,—Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 51), on 1999-2000 Special Grant for Asylum Seekers' Support (Adults and Families of Asylum Seekers) [laid 17th February].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1 Royal Parks (Trading) Bill:

    (1) The Speaker has appointed Mr Barry Jones Chairman of the Second Reading Committee on the Bill; and

    (2) The Committee of Selection has appointed eighteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Peter Brooke, Ms Karen Buck, Mr Iain Coleman, Mr Jeremy Corbyn, Mr Keith Darvill, Jim Dowd, Mr Clive Efford, Mr David Faber, Mr John Greenway, Mr Alan Howarth, Glenda Jackson, Mr Robert Maclennan, Fiona Mactaggart, Mr Stephen Pound, Mr John Randall, Dr Jenny Tonge, Mr Stephen Twigg and Dr Rudi Vis.

2 Carers and Disabled Children Bill,—The Speaker has appointed Mr George Stevenson and Mr Bowen Wells Chairmen of Standing Committee C in respect of the Bill.

3 Draft Milk Development Council (Amendment) Order 2000:

    (1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Jonathan Sayeed Chairman; and

    (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Charlotte Atkins, Mr Ben Bradshaw, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mr Andrew George, Mr Patrick Hall, Mr Fabian Hamilton, Mr David Heath, Mr Brian Jenkins, Lynne Jones, Dr Ashok Kumar, Mrs Anne McGuire, Miss Anne McIntosh, Mr Michael Mates, Mr James Paice, Ms Joyce Quin and Derek Wyatt.

4 Draft Education (Student Loans) (Repayment) Regulations 2000:

    (1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Jonathan Sayeed Chairman; and

    (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Richard Allan, Mr Tony Banks, Sir Paul Beresford, Mr Clive Betts, Ms Hazel Blears, Mr Tim Boswell, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mr David Faber, Ms Fiona Jones, Mr Piara S. Khabra, Mr Andrew Miller, Mr James Plaskitt, Helen Southworth, Dr Alan Whitehead, Mr Malcolm Wicks and Mr Phil Willis.

5 Draft Community Legal Service (Cost Protection) Regulations 2000, the draft Community Legal Service (Scope) Regulations 2000, and the Funding Code prepared by the Legal Services Commission:

    (1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations and Code to the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and

    (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Peter Atkinson, Mr Roger Berry, Mr John Burnett, Mr David Chaytor, Mr Michael Clapham, Mr Paul Clark, Valerie Davey, Mr Nick Hawkins, Mr David Lock, Mrs Anne McGuire, Mr Gordon Marsden, Mr Austin Mitchell, Mr Lembit Öpik, Mr Nick St. Aubyn, Mr Llew Smith and Mr John Townend.

6 Draft Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2000:

    (1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Eric Illsley Chairman; and

    (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Peter Atkinson, Mr John Burnett, Mr Alan Campbell, Mr Ian Cawsey, Mr Paul Clark, Mr Edward Davey, Mr Nick Hawkins, Mr Martin Linton, Mr David Lock, Mrs Anne McGuire, Mr Paul Marsden, Mr Robert Marshall-Andrews, Mr Patrick Nicholls, Dr Nick Palmer, Mr Tom Pendry and Mr Nicholas Soames.

7 Draft Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Penalties) Regulations 2000:

    (1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Andrew Welsh Chairman; and

    (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mrs Helen Brinton, Mr Richard Burden, Mr Paul Burstow, Mrs Louise Ellman, Barbara Follett, Mr Clifford Forsythe, Mr John Horam, Mr Kevin Hughes, Ms Oona King, Mrs Jacqui Lait, Mr Peter Lilley, Mr Ken Livingstone, Mr Tony Lloyd, Mr John Randall, Mr Jeff Rooker and Mr Mohammad Sarwar.

European Standing Committees

European Union Documents Nos. 13048/99, relating to Banana Imports, and 5761/00, relating to the White Paper on Food Safety in the European Union, have been referred to European Standing Committee A.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1 Culture, Media and Sport,—Fourth Report from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [Wembley National Stadium], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 164] [Mr Gerald Kaufman].

2 Defence,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee [Agreement on Adaptation of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (Cm. 4630)]; to be printed [No. 295] [Mr Bruce George].

3 Education and Employment,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Employment Sub-Committee of the Education and Employment Committee [Part-time Working]; to be printed [No. 297] [Mr Derek Foster].

4 Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment Sub-Committee of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee [The Audit Commission]; to be printed [No. 174-iv]; and

    (2) Memoranda laid before the Sub-Committee of the Committee [Travelling Fairs]; to be printed [No. 284-II] [Mr Andrew F. Bennett]; and

    (3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Sub-Committee of the Committee [Light Rapid Transit Systems]; to be printed [No. 153-iii] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].

5 European Scrutiny,—(1) Tenth Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 23-x]; and

    (2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The Forthcoming Inter-Governmental Conference]; to be printed [No. 97-v]

[Mr Jimmy Hood].

6 Public Accounts,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts [Criminal Justice: Working Together]; to be printed [No. 298-i] [Mr David Davis].

7 Public Administration,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Public Administration [Report of the Health Service Ombudsman for 1998-99]; to be printed [No. 107-ii] [Dr Tony Wright].

8 Science and Technology,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee [The Government's Expenditure on Research and Development: Forward Look 1999]; to be printed [No 196-iii]; and

    (2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [EQUAL (Extend Quality Life)]; to be printed [No. 245-i]

[Dr Lynne Jones].

9 Scottish Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Scottish Affairs Committee [Poverty in Scotland]; to be printed [No. 59-vii] [Mr David Marshall].

10 Social Security,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Social Security Committee [Social Security and Child Support Commissioners]; to be printed [No. 263-ii] [Mr Archy Kirkwood].

11 Treasury,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee of the Treasury Committee [Office for National Statistics: Progress Report]; to be printed [No. 293] [Mr Giles Radice].

Supplement to the Votes and Proceedings Wednesday 1st March 2000 Minutes of Proceedings of the Sitting in Westminster Hall
[pursuant to the Order of 24th May 1999]

The House met at half-past Nine o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1	Adjournment,—Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Jim Dowd.)
	And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 1.59 p.m.
*Sir Alan Haselhurst* *Deputy Speaker*

The House met at half-past Two o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1	City of London (Ward Elections) Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for further consideration of the City of London (Ward Elections) Bill;
	Ordered, That the Bill be further considered on Wednesday 8th March.
2	Medical Treatment (Prevention of Euthanasia) Bill,—Mr Roger Gale reported from Standing Committee C, That it had gone through the Medical Treatment (Prevention of Euthanasia) Bill, and made Amendments thereunto.
	Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered on Friday 14th April; and to be printed [Bill 77].
	Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 294].
3	European Standing Committee B,—Mrs Ray Michie reported from European Standing Committee B the following Resolution:
	That the Committee takes note of European Union Documents Nos. 10705/99, the Commission's Annual Report on humanitarian aid 1998, 10497/99, the Commission's Annual Report on TACIS 1998, 11203/99, Commission staff working paper: Report for 1998 on the evaluation of external co-operation, and unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum from the Department for International Development dated 5 November 1999 on a Commission Communication on the assessment and future of Community humanitarian activities; and supports the Government's policy of working in partnership with the EC to improve the management, organisation and effectiveness of development assistance administered by the EC institutions.
	Report, together with Resolution, to lie upon the Table.
4	School Crossings (Amendment) Bill,—Mr Michael Foster (Worcester) presented a Bill to amend the law relating to school crossings: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 7th April and to be printed [Bill 75].
5	Telecommunications Masts (Development),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to regulate the development of telecommunications masts: And that Mr John Bercow, Mr David Amess, Mr Crispin Blunt, Mr Jeremy Corbyn, Mr Mark Fisher, Mr James Gray, Mr Gerald Howarth, Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith, Mr Lawrence Robertson, Mrs Marion Roe, Dr Howard Stoate and Mr Phil Willis do prepare and bring it in.
6	Telecommunications Masts (Development) Bill,—Mr John Bercow accordingly presented a Bill to regulate the development of telecommunications masts: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 7th April and to be printed [Bill 76].
7	Standards and Privileges,—Resolved, That this House
	(i) approves the Fifth Report of the Committee on Standards and Privileges (House of Commons Paper No. 260); and
	(ii) accordingly suspends Mrs Teresa Gorman, Member for Billericay, from the service of the House for one month.—(Mr David Clelland.)
8	Sea Fishing Grants (Charges) Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Sea Fishing Grants (Charges) Bill;
	A Motion was made, And the Question being proposed, That the Bill be now read a second time;
	And it being Seven o'clock, and there being Opposition business set down for consideration under paragraph (2) (c) of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business), further proceedings stood postponed.
9	Opposition Day [6th allotted day—first part],—It being an allotted day at the disposal of the leader of the second largest opposition party in pursuance of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business), the House proceeded to consider Opposition business.
	Tax Cuts and Public Services,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes the continued underfunding of the National Health Service compared to the European average, as recently highlighted by the Prime Minister, the continued underfunding of schools, with average class sizes rising for most age groups since the election of the Labour Government, that government investment in public transport is significantly below that provided by the previous Government, that police numbers are falling, and that the 75p increase in the weekly pension is grossly inadequate; and concludes that instead of tax cuts the Chancellor should give greater priority to further improvement in the National Health Service, schools funding, public transport, the police and a greater increase in state pensions—(Mr Matthew Taylor);
	An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word 'House' to the end of the Question and add the words 'welcomes the fact that the Government is making work pay and cutting taxes for hard-working families; welcomes the fact that, as a result, the tax rate on a typical family will be cut to its lowest level since 1972, and that, on average, families with children will be £740 a year better off, notes that the Liberal Democrats oppose the measures that made this possible, including the Working Families Tax Credit; further welcomes the fact that the Government is making record extra investment in public services, including an extra £40 billion in health and education; notes that this is far in excess of anything promised by the Liberal Democrats at the time of the last General Election; and notes the reckless and uncosted spending commitments made by the Liberal Democrats, which they have no idea how to pay for and which would take Britain back to Tory boom and bust', instead thereof.—(Dawn Primarolo.)
	And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Sir Robert Smith, Mr Tom Brake: 39.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr Clive Betts, Mrs Anne McGuire: 280.
	So the Question was negatived.
	And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments):—It was agreed to.
	The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.
	Resolved, That this House welcomes the fact that the Government is making work pay and cutting taxes for hard-working families; welcomes the fact that, as a result, the tax rate on a typical family will be cut to its lowest level since 1972, and that, on average, families with children will be £740 a year better off; notes that the Liberal Democrats oppose the measures that made this possible, including the Working Families Tax Credit; further welcomes the fact that the Government is making record extra investment in public services, including an extra £40 billion in health and education; notes that this is far in excess of anything promised by the Liberal Democrats at the time of the last General Election; and notes the reckless and uncosted spending commitments made by the Liberal Democrats, which they have no idea how to pay for and which would take Britain back to Tory boom and bust.
10	Business of the House,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business), That, at this day's sitting, the Sea Fishing Grants (Charges) Bill and the Nuclear Safeguards Bill [Lords] may be proceeded with, though opposed, until any hour—(Mr David Jamieson):—It was agreed to.
11	Sea Fishing Grants (Charges) Bill,—The House resumed the postponed proceedings on the Question, That the Sea Fishing Grants (Charges) Bill be now read a second time.
	And the Question being put, That the Bill be now read a second time:—It was agreed to.
	The Bill was accordingly read a second time, and stood committed to a Standing Committee.
12	Nuclear Safeguards Bill [Lords],—The Order of the day being read, for Second Reading of the Nuclear Safeguards Bill [Lords];
	Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time to-morrow.
13	Adjournment (Easter),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 25 (Periodic adjournments), That this House, at its rising on Thursday 20th April, do adjourn till Tuesday 2nd May 2000—(Mr David Jamieson):—It was agreed to.
14	Business of the House,—Ordered, That, at the sitting on Thursday 20th April, the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until she shall have notified the Royal Assent on Acts agreed upon by both Houses.—(Mr David Jamieson.)
15	Northern Ireland Grand Committee,—Ordered, That:
	(1) the draft Appropriation (Northern Ireland) Order 2000 be referred to the Northern Ireland Grand Committee;
	(2) the Committee shall meet at Westminster on Thursday 9th March at half-past Two o'clock, to consider the instrument referred to it under paragraph (1) above; and
	(3) in respect of the sitting on Thursday 9th March, Standing Order No. 115 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (delegated legislation)) shall have effect with the substitution of the word 'three' for the words 'two and a half' in paragraph (2) of the Order.—(Mr David Jamieson.)
16	Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from residents of the Vale of York constituency against the Government's plans to pay benefits directly into bank accounts was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
17	Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from residents of Taunton calling for the restoration of access to NHS dentistry was presented; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
18	Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr David Jamieson.)
	And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till thirty-two minutes past Ten o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 10.32 p.m.
*Betty Boothroyd* *Speaker*
Madam Speaker will take the Chair at half-past Eleven o'clock.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
1	Constitutional Law,—Draft Scotland Act 1998 (Cross-Border Public Authorities) (Adaptation of Functions etc.) Order 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].
2	Contracting Out,—Draft Contracting Out (Functions relating to Social Security) Order 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling].
3	Financial Services,—Draft Official Listing of Securities (Change of Competent Authority) Regulations 2000 [by Act] [Miss Melanie Johnson].
4	Industrial Development,—Draft Financial Assistance For Industry (Increase of Limit) Order 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].
5	Social Security,—Draft Social Security (Work-focused Interviews) Regulations 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling].
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
6	Legal Services Commission,—Community Legal Service (Financial) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 516), dated 18th February 2000 [by Act] [Mr David Lock].
7	Marine Pollution,—Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Oil Pollution) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 483), dated 25th February 2000 [by Statutory Instrument] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
8	Merchant Shipping,—(1) Merchant Shipping (Safe Manning, Hours of Work and Watchkeeping) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 484), and
	(2) Merchant Shipping (Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 482)
	dated 25th February 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
9	National Health Service,—National Health Service (Professions Supplementary to Medicine) Amendment Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 523), dated 29th February 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Milburn].
10	Value Added Tax,—Value Added Tax (Drugs, Medicines, Aids for the Handicapped and Charities Etc) Order 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 503), dated 29th February 2000 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].
Other Papers
11	Environment, Transport and the Regions,—Government Response to the Nineteenth Report from the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee, Session 1998-99, on Young and Newly-Qualified Drivers: Standards and Training [by Command] [Cm. 4631] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
12	Treaty Series (No. 8, 2000),—Agreement, done at Nairobi on 13th September 1999, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Kenya for the Promotion and Protection of Investments [by Command] [Cm. 4597] [Mr Secretary Cook].
13	Treaty Series (No. 9, 2000),—Agreement, done at Hong Kong on 30th July 1998, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China for the Promotion and Protection of Investments [by Command] [Cm. 4598] [Mr Secretary Cook].
Papers withdrawn:
14	Local Government Finance,—Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 51), on 1999-2000 Special Grant for Asylum Seekers' Support (Adults and Families of Asylum Seekers) [laid 17th February].
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
1	Royal Parks (Trading) Bill:
	(1) The Speaker has appointed Mr Barry Jones Chairman of the Second Reading Committee on the Bill; and
	(2) The Committee of Selection has appointed eighteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Peter Brooke, Ms Karen Buck, Mr Iain Coleman, Mr Jeremy Corbyn, Mr Keith Darvill, Jim Dowd, Mr Clive Efford, Mr David Faber, Mr John Greenway, Mr Alan Howarth, Glenda Jackson, Mr Robert Maclennan, Fiona Mactaggart, Mr Stephen Pound, Mr John Randall, Dr Jenny Tonge, Mr Stephen Twigg and Dr Rudi Vis.
2	Carers and Disabled Children Bill,—The Speaker has appointed Mr George Stevenson and Mr Bowen Wells Chairmen of Standing Committee C in respect of the Bill.
3	Draft Milk Development Council (Amendment) Order 2000:
	(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Jonathan Sayeed Chairman; and
	(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Charlotte Atkins, Mr Ben Bradshaw, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mr Andrew George, Mr Patrick Hall, Mr Fabian Hamilton, Mr David Heath, Mr Brian Jenkins, Lynne Jones, Dr Ashok Kumar, Mrs Anne McGuire, Miss Anne McIntosh, Mr Michael Mates, Mr James Paice, Ms Joyce Quin and Derek Wyatt.
4	Draft Education (Student Loans) (Repayment) Regulations 2000:
	(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Jonathan Sayeed Chairman; and
	(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Richard Allan, Mr Tony Banks, Sir Paul Beresford, Mr Clive Betts, Ms Hazel Blears, Mr Tim Boswell, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mr David Faber, Ms Fiona Jones, Mr Piara S. Khabra, Mr Andrew Miller, Mr James Plaskitt, Helen Southworth, Dr Alan Whitehead, Mr Malcolm Wicks and Mr Phil Willis.
5	Draft Community Legal Service (Cost Protection) Regulations 2000, the draft Community Legal Service (Scope) Regulations 2000, and the Funding Code prepared by the Legal Services Commission:
	(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations and Code to the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
	(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Peter Atkinson, Mr Roger Berry, Mr John Burnett, Mr David Chaytor, Mr Michael Clapham, Mr Paul Clark, Valerie Davey, Mr Nick Hawkins, Mr David Lock, Mrs Anne McGuire, Mr Gordon Marsden, Mr Austin Mitchell, Mr Lembit Öpik, Mr Nick St. Aubyn, Mr Llew Smith and Mr John Townend.
6	Draft Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2000:
	(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Eric Illsley Chairman; and
	(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Peter Atkinson, Mr John Burnett, Mr Alan Campbell, Mr Ian Cawsey, Mr Paul Clark, Mr Edward Davey, Mr Nick Hawkins, Mr Martin Linton, Mr David Lock, Mrs Anne McGuire, Mr Paul Marsden, Mr Robert Marshall-Andrews, Mr Patrick Nicholls, Dr Nick Palmer, Mr Tom Pendry and Mr Nicholas Soames.
7	Draft Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Penalties) Regulations 2000:
	(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Andrew Welsh Chairman; and
	(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mrs Helen Brinton, Mr Richard Burden, Mr Paul Burstow, Mrs Louise Ellman, Barbara Follett, Mr Clifford Forsythe, Mr John Horam, Mr Kevin Hughes, Ms Oona King, Mrs Jacqui Lait, Mr Peter Lilley, Mr Ken Livingstone, Mr Tony Lloyd, Mr John Randall, Mr Jeff Rooker and Mr Mohammad Sarwar.
European Standing Committees
	European Union Documents Nos. 13048/99, relating to Banana Imports, and 5761/00, relating to the White Paper on Food Safety in the European Union, have been referred to European Standing Committee A.
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
1	Culture, Media and Sport,—Fourth Report from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [Wembley National Stadium], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 164] [Mr Gerald Kaufman].
2	Defence,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee [Agreement on Adaptation of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (Cm. 4630)]; to be printed [No. 295] [Mr Bruce George].
3	Education and Employment,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Employment Sub-Committee of the Education and Employment Committee [Part-time Working]; to be printed [No. 297] [Mr Derek Foster].
4	Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment Sub-Committee of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee [The Audit Commission]; to be printed [No. 174-iv]; and
	(2) Memoranda laid before the Sub-Committee of the Committee [Travelling Fairs]; to be printed [No. 284-II] [Mr Andrew F. Bennett]; and
	(3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Sub-Committee of the Committee [Light Rapid Transit Systems]; to be printed [No. 153-iii] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].
5	European Scrutiny,—(1) Tenth Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 23-x]; and
	(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The Forthcoming Inter-Governmental Conference]; to be printed [No. 97-v]
	[Mr Jimmy Hood].
6	Public Accounts,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts [Criminal Justice: Working Together]; to be printed [No. 298-i] [Mr David Davis].
7	Public Administration,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Public Administration [Report of the Health Service Ombudsman for 1998-99]; to be printed [No. 107-ii] [Dr Tony Wright].
8	Science and Technology,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee [The Government's Expenditure on Research and Development: Forward Look 1999]; to be printed [No 196-iii]; and
	(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [EQUAL (Extend Quality Life)]; to be printed [No. 245-i]
	[Dr Lynne Jones].
9	Scottish Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Scottish Affairs Committee [Poverty in Scotland]; to be printed [No. 59-vii] [Mr David Marshall].
10	Social Security,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Social Security Committee [Social Security and Child Support Commissioners]; to be printed [No. 263-ii] [Mr Archy Kirkwood].
11	Treasury,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee of the Treasury Committee [Office for National Statistics: Progress Report]; to be printed [No. 293] [Mr Giles Radice].



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