Votes and Proceedings

House of Commons

Session 1999-2000
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House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Monday 20th March 2000

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

PRAYERS.

1 First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Barry Jones reported from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 53) on Rural Bus Subsidy Grants for 2000-01 (House of Commons Report No. 302), and the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 54) on Rural Bus Challenge 1999 (House of Commons Paper No. 303).

    Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

2 Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Jim Cunningham reported from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 55) on 1999-2000 Special Grant for Asylum Seekers' Support (Adults and Families of Asylum Seekers) (House of Commons Paper No. 304).

    Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

3 Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows:

    The Lords have agreed to the Consolidated Fund (No. 2) Bill, without Amendment.

4 Census (Amendment) Bill [Lords],—The Census (Amendment) Bill [Lords] was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 7th April and to be printed [Bill 92].

    Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Census (Amendment) Bill [Lords] be printed [Bill 92-EN].

5 Countryside and Rights of Way Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill;

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

    An Amendment was proposed to the Question, to leave out from the word 'That' to the end of the Question and add the words 'this House declines to give a Second Reading to the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill because, although it contains worthwhile provisions on protection of Sites of Special Scientific Interest and wildlife protection, the provisions on access to the countryside impose heavy-handed and unjustifiable infringements on the rights of private property owners, and provisions for compensation are negligible; because it introduces access to 'open country' in a form which will be damaging to the interests of hard-pressed farmers and will threaten wildlife and conservation sites which other parts of the Bill are designed to protect; because it fails to provide sufficient improvements in the Rights of Way network which is a more important mechanism for improving access for most people; and because it gives no extra protection to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and misses the opportunity to deal with many of the real problems affecting the countryside in England and Wales', instead thereof.—(Mr Archie Norman.)

    And the Question being proposed, That the Amendment be made;

    Mr Kevin Hughes rose in his place and claimed to move, That the Question be now put;

    And the Question being put, That the Question be now put:—It was agreed to.

    And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made;

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mr Peter Luff: 138.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr David Jamieson: 334.

    So the Question was negatived.

    And the Main Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 62 (Amendment on second or third reading):—It was agreed to.

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

6 Countryside and Rights of Way Bill [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Countryside and Rights of Way Bill [Money];

    A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 52 (Money resolutions and ways and means resolutions in connection with bills), That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of—

    (a) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums required by the Secretary of State for making grants to the Countryside Agency or the Nature Conservancy Council for England;

    (b) any administrative expenses of a Minister of the Crown which are attributable to the Act;

    (c) any other expenditure of a Minister of the Crown or government department which is attributable to the Act; and

    (d) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums which under any other enactment are payable out of money so provided—(Mr Don Touhig):—It was agreed to.

7 Legal Services Commission,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Community Legal Service (Cost Protection) Regulations 2000, which were laid before this House on 21st February, be approved—(Mr Don Touhig):—It was agreed to.

8 Legal Services Commission,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Community Legal Service (Scope) Regulations 2000, which were laid before this House on 21st February, be approved—(Mr Don Touhig);

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr David Jamieson: 303.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr Peter Luff, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 160.

    So the Question was agreed to.

    Resolved, That the draft Community Legal Service (Scope) Regulations 2000, which were laid before this House on 21st February, be approved.

9 Legal Services,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2000, which was laid before this House on 21st February, be approved—(Mr Don Touhig):—It was agreed to.

10 Access to Justice,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That 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, which was laid before this House on 28th February, be approved—(Mr Don Touhig);

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr David Jamieson: 295.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr Peter Luff, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 149.

    So the Question was agreed to.

    Resolved, That 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, which was laid before this House on 28th February, be approved.

11 Constitutional Law,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Scotland Act 1998 (Cross-Border Public Authorities) (Adaptation of Functions etc.) Order 2000, which was laid before this House on 1st March, be approved—(Mr Don Touhig):—It was agreed to.

12 Social Security,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Tax Credits Up-rating Order 2000, which was laid before this House on 3rd March, be approved—(Mr Don Touhig):—It was agreed to.

13 Science and Technology,—Ordered, That Mr Nigel Beard be discharged from the Science and Technology Committee and Dr Brian Iddon be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

14 Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from residents in the constituency of Harwich calling for free television licences for all persons over the retirement age was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

15 Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Don Touhig);

    And the Motion having been made after Ten o'clock, and the Debate having continued for half an hour, the Speaker adjourned the House, without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order, it being then thirteen minutes past Eleven o'clock, till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 11.13 p.m.

Betty Boothroyd
Speaker

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

APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1 Social Security,—Draft Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers' Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

2 Food,—Meat Products (Hygiene) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 790), dated 18th March 2000 [by Act] [Mr Nicholas Brown].

3 National Assistance Services,—National Assistance (Sums for Personal Requirements) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 798), dated 20th March 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Milburn].

4 National Health Service,—(1) Commission for Health Improvement (Functions) Amendment Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 797), dated 18th March 2000, and

    (2) National Health Service Pension Scheme (Additional Voluntary Contributions) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 619), dated 16th March 2000

[by Act] [Mr Secretary Milburn].

5 Road Traffic,—Road Traffic (Permitted Parking Area and Special Parking Area) (Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell) Order 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 791), dated 20th March 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

6 Social Security,—Social Security (Overlapping Benefits) Amendment Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 799), dated 20th March 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling].

7 Universities of Oxford and Cambridge,—(1) Statute, dated 21st December 1999, made by the Governing Body of Churchill College, Cambridge, amending the Statutes of the College, and

    (2) Statute, dated 23rd November 1999, made by the University of Cambridge, amending the Statutes of the University

[by Act] [Margaret Beckett].

Other Papers:

8 Criminal Injuries Compensation,—Accounts of the—

    (1) Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel, and

    (2) Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority

for 1998-99, with the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 359 and 357] [Clerk of the House].

9 Marshall Aid Commemoration,—Accounts of the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 358] [Clerk of the House].

10 National Audit,—(1) Financial Auditing and Reporting: General Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for 1998-99 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 11-XIX] [Mr Stephen Timms]; and

    (2) National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on The Private Finance Initiative: The Contract for the Defence Fixed Telecommunications System [by Act]; to be printed [No. 328] [Clerk of the House].

11 National Lottery,—Accounts of the Scottish Arts Council National Lottery Distribution Fund for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 360] [Clerk of the House].

12 Overseas Pensions,—Overseas Service Pensions Amendment Scheme 2000 [by Act] [Secretary Clare Short].

APPENDIX II

Reports from Select Committees

1 Public Accounts,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts [MAFF: The Sheep Annual Premium Scheme in England]; to be printed [No. 362-i] [Mr David Davis].

2 Science and Technology,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee [EQUAL (Extend Quality Life)]; to be printed [No. 245-iv] [Dr Michael Clark].

3 Treasury,—(1) Fourth Report from the Committee [The Private Finance Initiative], 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. 147]; and

    (2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [The Private Finance Initiative]

[Mr Giles Radice].

The House met at half-past Two o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1	First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Barry Jones reported from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 53) on Rural Bus Subsidy Grants for 2000-01 (House of Commons Report No. 302), and the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 54) on Rural Bus Challenge 1999 (House of Commons Paper No. 303).
	Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
2	Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Jim Cunningham reported from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 55) on 1999-2000 Special Grant for Asylum Seekers' Support (Adults and Families of Asylum Seekers) (House of Commons Paper No. 304).
	Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
3	Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows:
	The Lords have agreed to the Consolidated Fund (No. 2) Bill, without Amendment.
4	Census (Amendment) Bill [Lords],—The Census (Amendment) Bill [Lords] was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 7th April and to be printed [Bill 92].
	Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Census (Amendment) Bill [Lords] be printed [Bill 92-EN].
5	Countryside and Rights of Way Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill;
	And a Motion being made, and the Question being proposed, That the Bill be now read a second time;
	An Amendment was proposed to the Question, to leave out from the word 'That' to the end of the Question and add the words 'this House declines to give a Second Reading to the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill because, although it contains worthwhile provisions on protection of Sites of Special Scientific Interest and wildlife protection, the provisions on access to the countryside impose heavy-handed and unjustifiable infringements on the rights of private property owners, and provisions for compensation are negligible; because it introduces access to 'open country' in a form which will be damaging to the interests of hard-pressed farmers and will threaten wildlife and conservation sites which other parts of the Bill are designed to protect; because it fails to provide sufficient improvements in the Rights of Way network which is a more important mechanism for improving access for most people; and because it gives no extra protection to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and misses the opportunity to deal with many of the real problems affecting the countryside in England and Wales', instead thereof.—(Mr Archie Norman.)
	And the Question being proposed, That the Amendment be made;
	Mr Kevin Hughes rose in his place and claimed to move, That the Question be now put;
	And the Question being put, That the Question be now put:—It was agreed to.
	And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made;
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mr Peter Luff: 138.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr David Jamieson: 334.
	So the Question was negatived.
	And the Main Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 62 (Amendment on second or third reading):—It was agreed to.
	The Bill was accordingly read a second time and stood committed to a Standing Committee.
6	Countryside and Rights of Way Bill [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Countryside and Rights of Way Bill [Money];
	A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 52 (Money resolutions and ways and means resolutions in connection with bills), That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of—
	(a) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums required by the Secretary of State for making grants to the Countryside Agency or the Nature Conservancy Council for England;
	(b) any administrative expenses of a Minister of the Crown which are attributable to the Act;
	(c) any other expenditure of a Minister of the Crown or government department which is attributable to the Act; and
	(d) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums which under any other enactment are payable out of money so provided—(Mr Don Touhig):—It was agreed to.
7	Legal Services Commission,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Community Legal Service (Cost Protection) Regulations 2000, which were laid before this House on 21st February, be approved—(Mr Don Touhig):—It was agreed to.
8	Legal Services Commission,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Community Legal Service (Scope) Regulations 2000, which were laid before this House on 21st February, be approved—(Mr Don Touhig);
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr David Jamieson: 303.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr Peter Luff, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 160.
	So the Question was agreed to.
	Resolved, That the draft Community Legal Service (Scope) Regulations 2000, which were laid before this House on 21st February, be approved.
9	Legal Services,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2000, which was laid before this House on 21st February, be approved—(Mr Don Touhig):—It was agreed to.
10	Access to Justice,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That 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, which was laid before this House on 28th February, be approved—(Mr Don Touhig);
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr David Jamieson: 295.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr Peter Luff, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 149.
	So the Question was agreed to.
	Resolved, That 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, which was laid before this House on 28th February, be approved.
11	Constitutional Law,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Scotland Act 1998 (Cross-Border Public Authorities) (Adaptation of Functions etc.) Order 2000, which was laid before this House on 1st March, be approved—(Mr Don Touhig):—It was agreed to.
12	Social Security,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Tax Credits Up-rating Order 2000, which was laid before this House on 3rd March, be approved—(Mr Don Touhig):—It was agreed to.
13	Science and Technology,—Ordered, That Mr Nigel Beard be discharged from the Science and Technology Committee and Dr Brian Iddon be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
14	Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from residents in the constituency of Harwich calling for free television licences for all persons over the retirement age was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
15	Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Don Touhig);
	And the Motion having been made after Ten o'clock, and the Debate having continued for half an hour, the Speaker adjourned the House, without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order, it being then thirteen minutes past Eleven o'clock, till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 11.13 p.m.
*Betty Boothroyd* *Speaker*
Madam Speaker will take the Chair at half-past Two o'clock.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
1	Social Security,—Draft Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers' Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
2	Food,—Meat Products (Hygiene) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 790), dated 18th March 2000 [by Act] [Mr Nicholas Brown].
3	National Assistance Services,—National Assistance (Sums for Personal Requirements) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 798), dated 20th March 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Milburn].
4	National Health Service,—(1) Commission for Health Improvement (Functions) Amendment Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 797), dated 18th March 2000, and
	(2) National Health Service Pension Scheme (Additional Voluntary Contributions) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 619), dated 16th March 2000
	[by Act] [Mr Secretary Milburn].
5	Road Traffic,—Road Traffic (Permitted Parking Area and Special Parking Area) (Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell) Order 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 791), dated 20th March 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
6	Social Security,—Social Security (Overlapping Benefits) Amendment Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 799), dated 20th March 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling].
7	Universities of Oxford and Cambridge,—(1) Statute, dated 21st December 1999, made by the Governing Body of Churchill College, Cambridge, amending the Statutes of the College, and
	(2) Statute, dated 23rd November 1999, made by the University of Cambridge, amending the Statutes of the University
	[by Act] [Margaret Beckett].
Other Papers:
8	Criminal Injuries Compensation,—Accounts of the—
	(1) Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel, and
	(2) Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
	for 1998-99, with the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 359 and 357] [Clerk of the House].
9	Marshall Aid Commemoration,—Accounts of the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 358] [Clerk of the House].
10	National Audit,—(1) Financial Auditing and Reporting: General Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for 1998-99 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 11-XIX] [Mr Stephen Timms]; and
	(2) National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on The Private Finance Initiative: The Contract for the Defence Fixed Telecommunications System [by Act]; to be printed [No. 328] [Clerk of the House].
11	National Lottery,—Accounts of the Scottish Arts Council National Lottery Distribution Fund for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 360] [Clerk of the House].
12	Overseas Pensions,—Overseas Service Pensions Amendment Scheme 2000 [by Act] [Secretary Clare Short].
APPENDIX II
Reports from Select Committees
1	Public Accounts,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts [MAFF: The Sheep Annual Premium Scheme in England]; to be printed [No. 362-i] [Mr David Davis].
2	Science and Technology,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee [EQUAL (Extend Quality Life)]; to be printed [No. 245-iv] [Dr Michael Clark].
3	Treasury,—(1) Fourth Report from the Committee [The Private Finance Initiative], 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. 147]; and
	(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [The Private Finance Initiative]
	[Mr Giles Radice].



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