House of Commons portcullis
House of Commons
Session 1999-2000
Publications on the internet

House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Thursday 16th March 2000

The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1London Local Authorities Bill [Lords],—The Order of the day being read, for the consideration of the London Local Authorities Bill [Lords], as amended in the Committee;
 
        Ordered, That the Bill be considered on Thursday 23rd March.
2Kent County Council Bill [Lords],—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Kent County Council Bill [Lords];
 
        Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Thursday 23rd March.
3Medway Council Bill [Lords],—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Medway Council Bill [Lords];
 
        Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Thursday 23rd March.
4Mersey Tunnels Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Mersey Tunnels Bill;
 
        Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Thursday 23rd March.
5Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Mike Hancock reported from the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the 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 in accordance with section 8 of the Access to Justice Act 1999 and as first approved by the Lord Chancellor in accordance with Section 9(4) of that Act.
 
        Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
6Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Eric Illsley reported from the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Conditional Fee Arrangements Order 2000.
 
        Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
7Seventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Barry Jones reported from the Seventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Official Listing of Securities (Change of Competent Authority) Regulations 2000.
 
        Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
8Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Bill O'Brien reported from the Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Financial Assistance for Industry (Increase of Limit) Order 2000.
 
        Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
9Ninth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Nicholas Winterton reported from the Ninth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Contracting Out (Functions Relating to Social Security) Order 2000, and the draft Social Security (Work-Focused Interviews) Regulations 2000.
 
        Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
10Tenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Bill Olner reported from the Tenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Water Undertakers (Rateable Values) (England) Order 2000, the draft Railways (Rateable Values) (England) Order 2000, the draft Non-Domestic Rating (Chargeable Amounts) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2000, the draft Gas Industry (Rateable Values) (England) Order 2000, the draft Energy from Waste Plants (Rateable Values) (England) Order 2000, the draft Docks and Harbours (Rateable Values) (England) Order 2000 and the draft Electricity Supply Industry (Rateable Values) (England) Order 2000.
 
        Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
11Welsh Grand Committee,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 107 (Welsh Grand Committee (matters relating exclusively to Wales)), That the matter of the Budget Statement and its implications for Wales be referred to the Welsh Grand Committee for its consideration.—(Mr Don Touhig):—It was agreed to.
12Opposition Day [8th allotted day],—It being an allotted day at the disposal of the Leader of the Opposition in pursuance of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business), the House proceeded to consider opposition business.
 
        The Government's handling of the Mozambique Crisis,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes with concern that the Government's response to the humanitarian crisis in Mozambique was hampered by indecision and delay, and that infighting between Ministers in the Department for International Development and the Ministry of Defence contributed to the delay in sending helicopters and boats to assist in the rescue of the people of Mozambique; deeply regrets that lives were lost as a result; deplores the absence of 'joined up government' and the failure by the Prime Minister to intervene until Her Majesty's Opposition and the media exposed the Government's failings; calls upon Ministers to accept responsibility for such delays; and seeks assurance that the response to any future disasters will be more immediate and co-ordinated.—(Mr Gary Streeter.)
 
        An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from 'House' to the end of the Question and to add the words 'commends the Government for its speedy and effective response to the humanitarian crisis in Mozambique' instead thereof.—(Secretary Clare Short.)
 
        And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;
 
        The House divided.
 
          Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John Randall, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 125.
 
          Tellers for the Noes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr Graham Allen: 310.
 
        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 commends the Government for its speedy and effective response to the humanitarian crisis in Mozambique.
 
        Future of Rover,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House calls upon the Government to report to the House the terms under which they brokered a rescue package for BMW/Rover in June 1999; further calls upon the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to confirm that the application for Regional Selective Assistance will be sanctioned as a matter of urgency and that he will respond to the Competition Commission Report on Car Pricing as a priority; regrets that the future of Rover has been undermined by recent announcements by BMW; and urges the Government to clarify its future strategy in respect of Rover.—(Mrs Angela Browning.)
 
        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 actions of the Government that support the car industry, including delivering stable inflation and low interest rates, boosting support for supply chain activities and acting on the Foresight Vehicle Programme; welcomes the Government support for the Longbridge plant given through the offer of Regional Selective Assistance; understands that the major losses that BMW have suffered on Rover have put great pressure on BMW with respect to Rover; and congratulates the Government for playing its role in working closely with the company and the workforce to try to ensure there is a future for Rover.' instead thereof.—(Mr Secretary Byers.)
 
        And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;
 
        The House divided.
 
          Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John Randall, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 149.
 
          Tellers for the Noes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Jim Dowd: 275.
 
        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 actions of the Government that support the car industry, including delivering stable inflation and low interest rates, boosting support for supply chain activities and acting on the Foresight Vehicle Programme; welcomes the Government support for the Longbridge plant given through the offer of Regional Selective Assistance; understands that the major losses that BMW have suffered on Rover have put great pressure on BMW with respect to Rover; and congratulates the Government for playing its role in working closely with the company and the workforce to try to ensure there is a future for Rover.
13Welsh Grand Committee,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 108 (Welsh Grand Committee (sittings)), That the Welsh Grand Committee shall meet on Tuesday 4th April at half-past ten o'clock and between four o'clock and six o'clock at Westminster to take questions under Standing Order No. 103 (Welsh Grand Committee (questions for oral answer)), and to consider the matter of the Budget Statement and its implications for Wales, under Standing Order No. 107 (Welsh Grand Committee (matters relating exclusively to Wales)).—(Mr David Clelland.)
14Public Petitions,—Public Petitions—
 
        (1) from residents of Halifax calling for a review of disciplinary proceedings against Inspector Gareth Perrett and PC Richard Perrett; and
 
        (2) from residents of the Skipton and Ripon Constituency calling for a review of proposals to pay benefits directly into bank accounts instead of via post offices.
 
        were presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
15Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Kevin Hughes.)
 
        And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-one minutes to Eight o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 7.39 p.m.
Betty Boothroyd
Speaker        

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

APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
1Northern Ireland,—Draft Equality (Disability, etc.) (Northern Ireland) Order 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Mandelson].
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
2Civil Aviation,—Airports (Designation) (Removal and Disposal of Vehicles) (Amendment) Order 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 707), dated 9th March 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
3European Communities,—European Communities (Designation) Order 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 738), dated 15th March 2000 [by Act] [Margaret Beckett].
4Income Tax,—Charitable Deductions (Approved Schemes) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 759), dated 15th March 2000 [by Act] [Miss Melanie Johnson].
5Pensions,—(1) Occupational Pension Schemes (Contracting-out) (Payment and Recovery of Remaining Balances) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 750), and
 
        (2) Personal and Occupational Pension Schemes (Incentive Payments) Amendment Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 749),
 
    dated 14th March 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling].
6Social Security,—(1) Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 4) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 761), and
 
        (2) Social Security (Contributions) (Re-rating) Consequential Amendment Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 760),
 
    dated 15th March 2000 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo]; and
 
        (3) Workmen's Compensation (Supplementation) (Amendment) Scheme 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 697), dated 7th March 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling].
7Social Security (Northern Ireland),—(1) Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 4) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 758), and
 
        (2) Social Security (Contributions) (Re-rating) Consequential Amendment (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 757),
 
    dated 15th March 2000 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].
Other Papers:
8Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions,—Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions (Pensions Increase) Order 2000, dated 15th March 2000 [by Act] [Margaret Beckett].
9School Standards and Framework,—Account of the North East Lincolnshire Education Action Zone for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 355] [Clerk of the House].
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
1Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) (No. 2) Bill,—The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee D.
2Race Relations (Amendment) Bill,—The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee G.
3Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 53) on rural bus subsidy grants for 2000-2001 (House of Commons Paper No. 302), and the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 54) on Rural Bus Challenge 1999 (House of Commons Paper No. 303),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Judy Mallaber from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Special Grant Reports) and nominated in substitution Mr David Chaytor.
4Üdc20ÝLocal Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 55) on 1999-2000 Special Grant Report for Asylum Seekers' Support (Adults and Families of Asylum Seekers) (House of Commons Paper No. 304),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Christine Russell from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Special Grant Report) and nominated in substitution Mr Mark Todd.Üdc0Ý
5Draft Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation (Immunities and Privileges) Order 2000,—the Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Bowen Wells from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Sir Sydney Chapman.
6Üdc20ÝLocal Government Finance Special Grant Report on 1999-2000 Special for Unaccompanied Asylum-seeking Children,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mrs Caroline Spelman from the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Special Grant Report) and nominated in substitution Mr Philip Hammond.Üdc0Ý
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
1Agriculture and Health,—Minutes of Evidence taken jointly before the Agriculture and Health Committees [The Food Standards Agency]; to be printed [No. 354] [Mr David Curry].
2Culture, Media and Sport,—(1) Fifth Report from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [Whatever Happened to News at Ten?], 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. 289]; and
 
        (2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Libraries]; to be printed [No. 241-iv]
 
    [Mr Gerald Kaufman].
3Foreign Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee [Kosovo]; to be printed [No. 28-v] [Mr Donald Anderson].


THE SPEAKER'S CERTIFICATE
 
        The Speaker certified the Consolidated Fund (No. 2) Bill as a Money Bill within the meaning of the Parliament Act 1911.


Supplement to the Votes and Proceedings
Thursday 16th 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 Two o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1Adjournment (Quangos),—Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Mr Kevin Hughes.)
 
        And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till Tuesday 21st March.
[Adjourned at 5.14 p.m.
Sir Alan Haselhurst
Deputy Speaker        



 
House of Commons home page Houses of Parliament home page House of Lords home page search page enquiries

© Parliamentary copyright 2000
Revised 17 March 2000