Votes and Proceedings

House of Commons

Session 1999-2000
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House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Wednesday 12th April 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, as amended in the Committee;

    Ordered, That the Bill be further considered on Wednesday 19th April.

2 Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Bill,—Mr Roger Gale reported from Standing Committee C, That it had gone through the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Bill, and made Amendments thereunto, and had amended the Title as follows: A Bill to require the Secretary of State to publish and implement a strategy for reducing fuel poverty; to require the setting of targets for the implementation of that strategy; and for connected purposes.

    Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered on Friday 9th June; and to be printed [Bill 112].

    Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 432].

3 European Standing Committee C,—Mr Jonathan Sayeed reported from European Standing Committee C the following Resolution:

    That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 5761/00, a White Paper on Food Safety in the European Union; and supports the Government's view that consumer concerns and the complexity of current arrangements demand urgent action to develop a coherent EU policy for the foodstuffs sector: to this end, welcomes the establishment of a European Food Authority; and notes the Government's commitment to identifying the most appropriate terms and structure for such an Authority with the objective of improving and enhancing food and safety and associated EU regulatory process.

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

4 Registered Fair Rents,—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the Rent Act 1977 to limit the maximum fair rent registrable in respect of regulated tenancies: And that Mr Adrian Sanders, Ms Karen Buck, Mr Simon Hughes, Mr Michael Portillo, Mr Paul Burstow, Mr Tom Brake, Mr Andrew Love, Dr Jenny Tonge and Dr Vincent Cable do prepare and bring it in.

5 Registered Fair Rents Bill,—Mr Adrian Sanders accordingly presented a Bill to amend the Rent Act 1977 to limit the maximum fair rent registrable in respect of regulated tenancies: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 14th April and to be printed [Bill 111].

6 Opposition Day [9th 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.

    Future of Sub-Post Offices,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House condemns the Government's failure to provide a coherent strategy for the future of sub-post offices; expresses concern that nearly a year has elapsed without any solutions to the problems created by the arbitrary announcement to withdraw income from community post offices in return for the payment of benefits; believes that the acceleration of post office closures in 1999-2000 will continue as a result of the Government's policies; applauds the determination of the last Conservative Government to maintain a national network of post offices; supports the computerisation project started by the last Conservative Government to tackle fraud and improve technology available in post offices without cutting their income; calls upon the Government to recognise the social value of post offices to local communities; and now requires the Government, as a matter of urgency, to identify new income streams for sub-post offices in the future and to end the confusion for benefits recipients about the future payment arrangements at local level—(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 fact that the Government is committed to a national post office network and is taking steps to secure this; welcomes the Government's moves to plan the introduction of automated credit transfer; welcomes the Postal Services Bill which will enable the Post Office to modernise, so building up new business for the network; welcomes the investment of £500 million to ensure the network is computerised, so enabling a successful and modern network to emerge; welcomes the Government's introduction for the first time of criteria for access to Post Office services; welcomes the commitment to give benefit recipients the choice of having benefits paid in cash via a post office even after the switch to automated credit transfer is complete in 2005; and applauds the work of the sub-postmasters and postmistresses and condemns those who make their lives harder by talking down the network', 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, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Keith Simpson: 139.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr Greg Pope, Mr Clive Betts: 364.

    So the Question was negatived.

    And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwich, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments);

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr Greg Pope: 310.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Keith Simpson: 167.

    So the Question 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 committed to a national post office network and is taking steps to secure this; welcomes the Government's moves to plan the introduction of automated credit transfer; welcomes the Postal Services Bill which will enable the Post Office to modernise, so building up new business for the network; welcomes the investment of £500 million to ensure the network is computerised, so enabling a successful and modern network to emerge; welcomes the Government's introduction for the first time of criteria for access to Post Office services; welcomes the commitment to give benefit recipients the choice of having benefits paid in cash via a post office even after the switch to automated credit transfer is complete in 2005; and applauds the work of the sub-postmasters and postmistresses and condemns those who make their lives harder by talking down the network.

    Asylum Seekers,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House believes that the United Kingdom should continue to offer a safe haven to genuine refugees in fear of persecution; is concerned that the right to claim asylum in the United Kingdom is at present subject to widespread abuse; believes that the large proportion of unfounded asylum claims harms the interests of genuine refugees who are fleeing from persecution; notes that in 1999 there were over 71,000 claims for asylum in the United Kingdom, compared with fewer than 30,000 in 1996; further notes that the backlog of unprocessed applications stands at over 103,000, double the levels of 1997; further notes that the vast majority of asylum applicants are refused and are neither granted asylum nor exceptional leave to remain; further notes that fewer than 8,000 failed asylum seekers leave the United Kingdom annually as a result of Government action; deplores the 'soft touch' message sent out by the Government and condemns the Government for its failure to address the root causes of the present crisis; supports the abolition of cash benefits for asylum seekers but deplores the Government's incoherent and ineffective attempts to implement new arrangements for their support and the continued burden on local authorities; and calls on the Government to implement common sense solutions, including the increased use of detention and more removals of failed asylum seekers, to discourage bogus applications and address the current crisis, which is causing great concern to the people of the United Kingdom—(Mr David Lidington);

    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 'approves the Government's comprehensive, integrated strategy to modernise the immigration and asylum system to make it fairer, faster and firmer; welcomes the provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 which will overhaul the inadequate legislative framework created by the previous Government and will replace the chaotic asylum support arrangements introduced in 1996 which have imposed an intolerable burden on local authorities; is astonished that the Official Opposition voted in the other place to restore cash benefits to asylum seekers at a cost of £500 million per year; approves the measures being taken to tackle the smugglers and traffickers who profit from illegal immigration; approves the new civil penalty for drivers and others who bring illegal immigrants to this country concealed in their vehicles; welcomes the substantial additional investment that the Government is making to increase the volume and speed of asylum decisions; congratulates the staff of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate on achieving record numbers of asylum decisions; and supports the Government's commitment to protecting genuine refugees while dealing firmly with those who seek to evade the control', instead thereof.—(Mr Secretary Straw.)

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

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Keith Simpson, Mrs Eleanor Laing: 134.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr Graham Allen, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 351.

    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);

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Graham Allen, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 312.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Keith Simpson: 169.

    So the Question was agreed to.

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

    Resolved, That this House approves the Government's comprehensive, integrated strategy to modernise the immigration and asylum system to make it fairer, faster and firmer; welcomes the provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 which will overhaul the inadequate legislative framework created by the previous Government and will replace the chaotic asylum support arrangements introduced in 1996 which have imposed an intolerable burden on local authorities; is astonished that the Official Opposition voted in the other place to restore cash benefits to asylum seekers at a cost of £500 million per year; approves the measures being taken to tackle the smugglers and traffickers who profit from illegal immigration; approves the new civil penalty for drivers and others who bring illegal immigrants to this country concealed in their vehicles; welcomes the substantial additional investment that the Government is making to increase the volume and speed of asylum decisions; congratulates the staff of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate on achieving record numbers of asylum decisions; and supports the Government's commitment to protecting genuine refugees while dealing firmly with those who seek to evade the control.

7 Immigration,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Immigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) Order 2000, which was laid before this House on 30th March, be approved—(Mr Mike Hall);

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Robert Ainsworth, Mr Graham Allen: 323.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr Peter Atkinson, Mr Keith Simpson: 125.

    So the Question was agreed to.

    Resolved, That the draft Immigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) Order 2000, which was laid before this House on 30th March, be approved.

8 Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from Mrs Thelma Budd and other members of Teignmouth Townswomen's Guild against the Government's plans for automated credit transfer at village post offices was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

9 Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Graham Allen.)

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

Betty Boothroyd
Speaker

[Adjourned at 10.58 p.m.

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 Countryside Agency,—Draft Development Commission (Dissolution) Order 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

Other Papers:

2 Financial Reporting to Parliament,—Departmental Report 2000: The Government's Expenditure Plans for 2000-2001 to 2001-2002 for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Intervention Board and the Forestry Commission [by Command] [Cm. 4612] [Mr Nicholas Brown].

3 Industrial Organisation and Development,—Report and Accounts of the British Potato Council for the year ended 30th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Nicholas Brown].

4 Miscellaneous (No. 8, 2000),—Amendment, adopted at Geneva on 24th September 1999, to Article 9(3) of the Convention establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization, with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Cm. 4669] [Mr Secretary Cook].

5 Miscellaneous (No. 9, 2000),—Joint Convention, adopted at Vienna on 5th September 1997 on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Cm. 4672] [Mr Secretary Cook].

6 Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on the Petition [9th February] from residents of Hardwicke and Haresfield against the building of new houses on agricultural land at Colethrop Farm, Haresfield [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].

7 Treaty Series (No. 39, 2000),—Second Optional Protocol, adopted at New York on 15th December 1989, to the International Convenant on Civil and Political Rights aiming at the abolition of the Death Penalty [by Command] [Cm. 4676] [Mr Secretary Cook].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1 Nuclear Safeguards Bill:

    (1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee A, and has appointed Mrs Marion Roe and Mr Bill Olner Chairmen; and

    (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mrs Anne Campbell, Mr Tony Colman, Mrs Linda Gilroy, Dr Kim Howells, Helen Jones, Mr Paul Keetch, Miss Julie Kirkbride, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Richard Page, Mr Owen Paterson, Ms Linda Perham, Mr Greg Pope, Mr Alan Simpson, Miss Geraldine Smith, Mr Andrew Stunell and Mr Brian White.

2 Recycled Content of Newsprint Bill,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Bill O'Brien Chairman of Standing Committee C in respect of the Bill.

3 Television Licences (Dislosure of Information) Bill:

    (1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee E, and has appointed Mr Eric Illsley Chairman; and

    (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated eighteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Janet Anderson, Norman Baker, Mr Kevin Barron, Miss Anne Begg, Mr Russell Brown, Mr Harry Cohen, Jim Dowd, Mr Christopher Fraser, Mr Andrew George, Mr John Greenway, Mr John Grogan, Dr Brian Iddon, Shona McIsaac, Fiona Mactaggart, Mr John Randall, Mr David Tredinnick, Mr Robert N. Wareing and Mr David Winnick.

4 Draft Youth Justice Board for England and Wales Order 2000:

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

    (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Peter Atkinson, Mr John Burnett, Mr Ronnie Campbell, Mr Charles Clarke, Mr Tony Clarke, Ann Clwyd, Mr Jim Dobbin, Mr Christopher Gill, Mr Mike Hall, Mr Stephen Hepburn, Mr Tom Levitt, Mr David Lidington, Mr George Mudie, Mr Lembit Öpik, Mr Phil Sawford and Mr David Wilshire.

5 Draft Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 61) on Special Grants for School Standards, Support of School Budgets and Costs of Transitional Funding (House of Commons Paper No. 399):

    (1) The Speaker has allocated the Report to the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Bowen Wells Chairman; and

    (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Richard Allan, Mr Clive Betts, Mr James Clappison, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mr Keith Darvill, Mr Jeff Ennis, Dr Evan Harris, Mr Ivan Henderson, Glenda Jackson, Ms Jenny Jones, Estelle Morris, Mr Lawrie Quinn, Mr Geoffrey Robinson, Mr David Ruffley, Mr John Townend and Ms Claire Ward.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1 Defence,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee [Lessons of Kosovo]; to be printed [No. 347-iii] [Mr Bruce George].

2 Education and Employment,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education Sub-Committee of the Education and Employment Committee [Higher Education]; to be printed [No. 400-iii] [Mr Barry Sheerman].

3 Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee [Proposed Urban White Paper]; to be printed [No. 185-vi] [Mr Andrew F. Bennett]; and

    (2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Sub-Committee of the Committee [Funding of London Underground]; to be printed [No. 411-ii] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].

4 European Scrutiny,—Fourteenth Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 23-xiv] [Mr Jimmy Hood].

5 Northern Ireland Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee [Public Expenditure—Inward Investment in Northern Ireland]; to be printed [No. 198-v] [Mr Peter Brooke].

6 Public Accounts,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts [Inland Revenue/EDS Strategic Partnership: Award of New Work]; to be printed [No. 431-i] [Mr David Davis].

7 Public Administration,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Public Administration [Public Participation]; to be printed [No. 79-x]; and

    (2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Inherited SERPS and the Report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration]; to be printed [No. 433-i]

[Mr Tony Wright].

8 Science and Technology,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee [Cancer Research—A Fresh Look]; to be printed [No. 332-iii] [Dr Lynne Jones].

9 Social Security,—(1) Third Report from the Social Security Committee [Medical Services], 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. 183];

    (2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Housing Benefit]; to be printed [No. 385-iii]; and

    (3) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Medical Services]

[Mr Archy Kirkwood].

Supplement to the Votes and Proceedings Wednesday 12th April 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.—(Mr David Jamieson.)
	And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 1.52 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, as amended in the Committee;
	Ordered, That the Bill be further considered on Wednesday 19th April.
2	Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Bill,—Mr Roger Gale reported from Standing Committee C, That it had gone through the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Bill, and made Amendments thereunto, and had amended the Title as follows: A Bill to require the Secretary of State to publish and implement a strategy for reducing fuel poverty; to require the setting of targets for the implementation of that strategy; and for connected purposes.
	Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered on Friday 9th June; and to be printed [Bill 112].
	Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 432].
3	European Standing Committee C,—Mr Jonathan Sayeed reported from European Standing Committee C the following Resolution:
	That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 5761/00, a White Paper on Food Safety in the European Union; and supports the Government's view that consumer concerns and the complexity of current arrangements demand urgent action to develop a coherent EU policy for the foodstuffs sector: to this end, welcomes the establishment of a European Food Authority; and notes the Government's commitment to identifying the most appropriate terms and structure for such an Authority with the objective of improving and enhancing food and safety and associated EU regulatory process.
	Report, together with Resolution, to lie upon the Table.
4	Registered Fair Rents,—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the Rent Act 1977 to limit the maximum fair rent registrable in respect of regulated tenancies: And that Mr Adrian Sanders, Ms Karen Buck, Mr Simon Hughes, Mr Michael Portillo, Mr Paul Burstow, Mr Tom Brake, Mr Andrew Love, Dr Jenny Tonge and Dr Vincent Cable do prepare and bring it in.
5	Registered Fair Rents Bill,—Mr Adrian Sanders accordingly presented a Bill to amend the Rent Act 1977 to limit the maximum fair rent registrable in respect of regulated tenancies: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 14th April and to be printed [Bill 111].
6	Opposition Day [9th 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.
	Future of Sub-Post Offices,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House condemns the Government's failure to provide a coherent strategy for the future of sub-post offices; expresses concern that nearly a year has elapsed without any solutions to the problems created by the arbitrary announcement to withdraw income from community post offices in return for the payment of benefits; believes that the acceleration of post office closures in 1999-2000 will continue as a result of the Government's policies; applauds the determination of the last Conservative Government to maintain a national network of post offices; supports the computerisation project started by the last Conservative Government to tackle fraud and improve technology available in post offices without cutting their income; calls upon the Government to recognise the social value of post offices to local communities; and now requires the Government, as a matter of urgency, to identify new income streams for sub-post offices in the future and to end the confusion for benefits recipients about the future payment arrangements at local level—(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 fact that the Government is committed to a national post office network and is taking steps to secure this; welcomes the Government's moves to plan the introduction of automated credit transfer; welcomes the Postal Services Bill which will enable the Post Office to modernise, so building up new business for the network; welcomes the investment of £500 million to ensure the network is computerised, so enabling a successful and modern network to emerge; welcomes the Government's introduction for the first time of criteria for access to Post Office services; welcomes the commitment to give benefit recipients the choice of having benefits paid in cash via a post office even after the switch to automated credit transfer is complete in 2005; and applauds the work of the sub-postmasters and postmistresses and condemns those who make their lives harder by talking down the network', 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, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Keith Simpson: 139.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr Greg Pope, Mr Clive Betts: 364.
	So the Question was negatived.
	And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwich, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments);
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr Greg Pope: 310.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Keith Simpson: 167.
	So the Question 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 committed to a national post office network and is taking steps to secure this; welcomes the Government's moves to plan the introduction of automated credit transfer; welcomes the Postal Services Bill which will enable the Post Office to modernise, so building up new business for the network; welcomes the investment of £500 million to ensure the network is computerised, so enabling a successful and modern network to emerge; welcomes the Government's introduction for the first time of criteria for access to Post Office services; welcomes the commitment to give benefit recipients the choice of having benefits paid in cash via a post office even after the switch to automated credit transfer is complete in 2005; and applauds the work of the sub-postmasters and postmistresses and condemns those who make their lives harder by talking down the network.
	Asylum Seekers,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House believes that the United Kingdom should continue to offer a safe haven to genuine refugees in fear of persecution; is concerned that the right to claim asylum in the United Kingdom is at present subject to widespread abuse; believes that the large proportion of unfounded asylum claims harms the interests of genuine refugees who are fleeing from persecution; notes that in 1999 there were over 71,000 claims for asylum in the United Kingdom, compared with fewer than 30,000 in 1996; further notes that the backlog of unprocessed applications stands at over 103,000, double the levels of 1997; further notes that the vast majority of asylum applicants are refused and are neither granted asylum nor exceptional leave to remain; further notes that fewer than 8,000 failed asylum seekers leave the United Kingdom annually as a result of Government action; deplores the 'soft touch' message sent out by the Government and condemns the Government for its failure to address the root causes of the present crisis; supports the abolition of cash benefits for asylum seekers but deplores the Government's incoherent and ineffective attempts to implement new arrangements for their support and the continued burden on local authorities; and calls on the Government to implement common sense solutions, including the increased use of detention and more removals of failed asylum seekers, to discourage bogus applications and address the current crisis, which is causing great concern to the people of the United Kingdom—(Mr David Lidington);
	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 'approves the Government's comprehensive, integrated strategy to modernise the immigration and asylum system to make it fairer, faster and firmer; welcomes the provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 which will overhaul the inadequate legislative framework created by the previous Government and will replace the chaotic asylum support arrangements introduced in 1996 which have imposed an intolerable burden on local authorities; is astonished that the Official Opposition voted in the other place to restore cash benefits to asylum seekers at a cost of £500 million per year; approves the measures being taken to tackle the smugglers and traffickers who profit from illegal immigration; approves the new civil penalty for drivers and others who bring illegal immigrants to this country concealed in their vehicles; welcomes the substantial additional investment that the Government is making to increase the volume and speed of asylum decisions; congratulates the staff of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate on achieving record numbers of asylum decisions; and supports the Government's commitment to protecting genuine refugees while dealing firmly with those who seek to evade the control', instead thereof.—(Mr Secretary Straw.)
	And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Keith Simpson, Mrs Eleanor Laing: 134.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr Graham Allen, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 351.
	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);
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Graham Allen, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 312.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Keith Simpson: 169.
	So the Question was agreed to.
	The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.
	Resolved, That this House approves the Government's comprehensive, integrated strategy to modernise the immigration and asylum system to make it fairer, faster and firmer; welcomes the provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 which will overhaul the inadequate legislative framework created by the previous Government and will replace the chaotic asylum support arrangements introduced in 1996 which have imposed an intolerable burden on local authorities; is astonished that the Official Opposition voted in the other place to restore cash benefits to asylum seekers at a cost of £500 million per year; approves the measures being taken to tackle the smugglers and traffickers who profit from illegal immigration; approves the new civil penalty for drivers and others who bring illegal immigrants to this country concealed in their vehicles; welcomes the substantial additional investment that the Government is making to increase the volume and speed of asylum decisions; congratulates the staff of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate on achieving record numbers of asylum decisions; and supports the Government's commitment to protecting genuine refugees while dealing firmly with those who seek to evade the control.
7	Immigration,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Immigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) Order 2000, which was laid before this House on 30th March, be approved—(Mr Mike Hall);
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Robert Ainsworth, Mr Graham Allen: 323.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr Peter Atkinson, Mr Keith Simpson: 125.
	So the Question was agreed to.
	Resolved, That the draft Immigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) Order 2000, which was laid before this House on 30th March, be approved.
8	Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from Mrs Thelma Budd and other members of Teignmouth Townswomen's Guild against the Government's plans for automated credit transfer at village post offices was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
9	Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Graham Allen.)
	And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till two minutes to Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
*Betty Boothroyd* *Speaker*
[Adjourned at 10.58 p.m.
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	Countryside Agency,—Draft Development Commission (Dissolution) Order 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
Other Papers:
2	Financial Reporting to Parliament,—Departmental Report 2000: The Government's Expenditure Plans for 2000-2001 to 2001-2002 for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Intervention Board and the Forestry Commission [by Command] [Cm. 4612] [Mr Nicholas Brown].
3	Industrial Organisation and Development,—Report and Accounts of the British Potato Council for the year ended 30th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Nicholas Brown].
4	Miscellaneous (No. 8, 2000),—Amendment, adopted at Geneva on 24th September 1999, to Article 9(3) of the Convention establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization, with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Cm. 4669] [Mr Secretary Cook].
5	Miscellaneous (No. 9, 2000),—Joint Convention, adopted at Vienna on 5th September 1997 on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Cm. 4672] [Mr Secretary Cook].
6	Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on the Petition [9th February] from residents of Hardwicke and Haresfield against the building of new houses on agricultural land at Colethrop Farm, Haresfield [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].
7	Treaty Series (No. 39, 2000),—Second Optional Protocol, adopted at New York on 15th December 1989, to the International Convenant on Civil and Political Rights aiming at the abolition of the Death Penalty [by Command] [Cm. 4676] [Mr Secretary Cook].
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
1	Nuclear Safeguards Bill:
	(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee A, and has appointed Mrs Marion Roe and Mr Bill Olner Chairmen; and
	(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mrs Anne Campbell, Mr Tony Colman, Mrs Linda Gilroy, Dr Kim Howells, Helen Jones, Mr Paul Keetch, Miss Julie Kirkbride, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Richard Page, Mr Owen Paterson, Ms Linda Perham, Mr Greg Pope, Mr Alan Simpson, Miss Geraldine Smith, Mr Andrew Stunell and Mr Brian White.
2	Recycled Content of Newsprint Bill,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Bill O'Brien Chairman of Standing Committee C in respect of the Bill.
3	Television Licences (Dislosure of Information) Bill:
	(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee E, and has appointed Mr Eric Illsley Chairman; and
	(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated eighteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Janet Anderson, Norman Baker, Mr Kevin Barron, Miss Anne Begg, Mr Russell Brown, Mr Harry Cohen, Jim Dowd, Mr Christopher Fraser, Mr Andrew George, Mr John Greenway, Mr John Grogan, Dr Brian Iddon, Shona McIsaac, Fiona Mactaggart, Mr John Randall, Mr David Tredinnick, Mr Robert N. Wareing and Mr David Winnick.
4	Draft Youth Justice Board for England and Wales Order 2000:
	(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Jimmy Hood Chairman; and
	(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Peter Atkinson, Mr John Burnett, Mr Ronnie Campbell, Mr Charles Clarke, Mr Tony Clarke, Ann Clwyd, Mr Jim Dobbin, Mr Christopher Gill, Mr Mike Hall, Mr Stephen Hepburn, Mr Tom Levitt, Mr David Lidington, Mr George Mudie, Mr Lembit Öpik, Mr Phil Sawford and Mr David Wilshire.
5	Draft Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 61) on Special Grants for School Standards, Support of School Budgets and Costs of Transitional Funding (House of Commons Paper No. 399):
	(1) The Speaker has allocated the Report to the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Bowen Wells Chairman; and
	(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Richard Allan, Mr Clive Betts, Mr James Clappison, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mr Keith Darvill, Mr Jeff Ennis, Dr Evan Harris, Mr Ivan Henderson, Glenda Jackson, Ms Jenny Jones, Estelle Morris, Mr Lawrie Quinn, Mr Geoffrey Robinson, Mr David Ruffley, Mr John Townend and Ms Claire Ward.
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
1	Defence,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee [Lessons of Kosovo]; to be printed [No. 347-iii] [Mr Bruce George].
2	Education and Employment,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education Sub-Committee of the Education and Employment Committee [Higher Education]; to be printed [No. 400-iii] [Mr Barry Sheerman].
3	Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee [Proposed Urban White Paper]; to be printed [No. 185-vi] [Mr Andrew F. Bennett]; and
	(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Sub-Committee of the Committee [Funding of London Underground]; to be printed [No. 411-ii] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].
4	European Scrutiny,—Fourteenth Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 23-xiv] [Mr Jimmy Hood].
5	Northern Ireland Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee [Public Expenditure—Inward Investment in Northern Ireland]; to be printed [No. 198-v] [Mr Peter Brooke].
6	Public Accounts,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts [Inland Revenue/EDS Strategic Partnership: Award of New Work]; to be printed [No. 431-i] [Mr David Davis].
7	Public Administration,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Public Administration [Public Participation]; to be printed [No. 79-x]; and
	(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Inherited SERPS and the Report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration]; to be printed [No. 433-i]
	[Mr Tony Wright].
8	Science and Technology,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee [Cancer Research—A Fresh Look]; to be printed [No. 332-iii] [Dr Lynne Jones].
9	Social Security,—(1) Third Report from the Social Security Committee [Medical Services], 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. 183];
	(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Housing Benefit]; to be printed [No. 385-iii]; and
	(3) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Medical Services]
	[Mr Archy Kirkwood].