Votes and Proceedings

House of Commons

Session 1999-2000
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House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Tuesday 2nd May 2000

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

PRAYERS.

1 Death of a Member,—The Speaker made the following communication to the House:

    I regret to have to report to the House the death of Mr Clifford Forsythe, Member for South Antrim. I am sure that Members on all sides of the House will join me in mourning the loss of a colleague and in extending our sympathy to the honourable Member's family and friends.

2 City of Newcastle upon Tyne Bill [Lords],—The Order of the day being read, for the Third Reading of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne Bill [Lords];

    Ordered, That the Bill be read the third time on Tuesday 9th May.

3 Greenham and Crookham Commons Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Greenham and Crookham Commons Bill;

    Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Tuesday 9th May.

4 Race Relations (Amendment) Bill [Lords],—Mr Jonathan Sayeed reported from Standing Committee D, That it had gone through the Race Relations (Amendment) Bill [Lords], and made Amendments therunto.

    Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 121].

    Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 460].

5 Television Licences (Disclosure of Information) Bill,—Mr Eric Illsley reported from Standing Committee E, That it had gone through the Television Licences (Disclosure of Information) Bill, and directed him to report the same, without Amendment.

    Bill, not amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow.

    Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 459].

6 Welsh 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 Welsh Economy be referred to the Welsh Grand Committee for its consideration—(Mr Graham Allen):—It was agreed to.

7 Renewable Energy,—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require the Government to draw up a strategy for promoting non-convergent renewable energy technologies: And that Joan Walley, Frank Cook, Mr Gareth R. Thomas (Harrow West), Mr Tony Colman, Mrs Helen Brinton and Valerie Davey do prepare and bring it in.

8 Renewable Energy Bill,—Joan Walley accordingly presented a Bill to require the Government to draw up a strategy for promoting non-convergent renewable energy technologies: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 21st July and to be printed [Bill 120].

9 Finance Bill (Clauses Nos. 1, 12, 30, 31, 59, 102 and 113),—The House, according to order, resolved itself into a Committee on the Finance Bill (Clauses Nos. 1, 12, 30, 31, 59, 102 and 113).

(In the Committee)

    Clause No. 1 (Rate of duty on beer).

    Amendment (No. 1) proposed, in page 1, line 19, at the end, to add the words 'but shall cease to have effect on 1st August 2000 unless the Treasury has published an independent report setting out the effect of the present alcohol liquor duties on smuggling.'.—(Mr David Heathcoat-Amory.)

    Question put, That the Amendment be made.

    The Committee divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mr Peter Atkinson: 113.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Jamieson, Mrs Anne McGuire: 309.

    The Chairman, being of the opinion that the principle of the Clause and any matters arising thereon had been adequately discussed in the course of debate on the Amendment proposed thereto, put forthwith the Question, pursuant to Standing Order No. 68 (Debate on clause or schedule standing part), That the Clause stand part of the Bill:—It was agreed to.

    Clause No. 12 agreed to.

    Clause No. 30 (Climate change levy).

    Question put, That the Clause stand part of the Bill.

    The Committee divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Jim Dowd, Mr Mike Hall: 309.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mr Peter Atkinson: 122.

    To report progress and ask leave to sit again.—(Mrs Anne McGuire.)

    The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair and Mrs Anne McGuire reported, That the Committee had made progress in the Bill, and that she was directed to move, That the Committee may have leave to sit again.

    Committee again to-morrow.

10 Welsh 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 16th May 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 Welsh Economy, under Standing Order No. 107 (Welsh Grand Committee (matters relating exclusively to Wales))—(Mrs Anne McGuire):—It was agreed to.

11 Adjournment (Whitsun),—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 25th May, do adjourn till Monday 5th June 2000—(Mrs Anne McGuire):—It was agreed to.

12 Business of the House,—Ordered, That, at the sitting on Thursday 25th May, the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until she shall have notified the Royal Assent to Acts agreed upon by both Houses.—(Mrs Anne McGuire.)

13 Business of the House,—Ordered, That on Thursday 25th May there shall be no sitting in Westminster Hall.—(Mrs Anne McGuire.)

14 National Health Service,—Ordered, That the National Health Service (Pension Scheme and Compensation for Premature Retirement) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.—(Mrs Anne McGuire.)

15 County Courts,—Ordered, That the County Court Fees (Amendment No. 2) Order 2000 be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.—(Mrs Anne McGuire.)

16 Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mrs Anne McGuire.)

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

[Adjourned at 10.47 p.m.

Betty Boothroyd
Speaker

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

APPENDIX I

Papers presented by Her Majesty's Command and delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on the undermentioned dates during the adjournment pursuant to Standing Order No. 158 (Presentation of command papers):

Wednesday 26th April 2000

1 Treaty Series (No. 44, 2000),—Exchange of Notes, done at Copenhagen on 15th December 1999 and 25th February 2000, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark extending the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters to the Isle of Man [Cm. 4689] [Mr Secretary Cook].

2 Treaty Series (No. 45, 2000),—Protocol done at Montreal on 30th September 1977, on the Authentic Quadrilingual Text of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago) 1944 [Cm. 4692] [Mr Secretary Cook].

Thursday 27th April 2000

3 Treaty Series (No. 46, 2000),—Exchange of Notes, done at Kiev on 28th and 29th July 1999, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ukraine concerning the bilateral treaties which were in force between the United Kingdom and the USSR to which the Ukraine has succeeded [Cm. 4694] [Mr Secretary Cook].

4 Treaty Series (No. 47, 2000),—Partnership and Co-operation Agreement, done at Luxembourg on 22nd April 1996, between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part with Final Act [Cm. 4697] [Mr Secretary Cook].

Friday 28th April 2000

5 Transport Series (No. 20, 2000),—Amendments to Articles 5, 10 and Annex 1 of the Agreement on the International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs and on the Special Equipment to be used for such Carriage (ATP) 1970 [Cm. 4716] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

6 Treaty Series (No. 89, 1999),—Index to Treaty Series 1999 [Cm. 4690] [Mr Secretary Cook].

Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on the undermentioned dates during the adjournment pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments):

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

Wednesday 26th April 2000

7 London Government,—GLA Roads Designation Order 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1117), dated 10th April 2000 [Mr Secretary Prescott].

8 Income Tax,—(1) Income Tax (Employments) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1152), and

    (2) Income Tax (Sub-contractors in the Construction Industry) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1151),

dated 25th April 2000 [Dawn Primarolo].

9 Social Security,—Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 5) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1149), dated 25th April 2000 [Dawn Primarolo].

10 Social Security (Northern Ireland),—Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 5) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1150), dated 25th April 2000 [Dawn Primarolo].

Thursday 27th April 2000

11 Pensions,—Local Government Pension Scheme (Greater London Authority etc.) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1164), dated 26th April 2000 [Mr Secretary Prescott].

Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Tuesday 2nd May 2000:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

12 London Government,—London Development Agency (Transitional Provisions) Order 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1174), dated 29th April 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

13 National Debt,—Draft Government Stock (Amendment) Regulations 2000 [by Act][Miss Melanie Johnson].

14 Universities of Oxford and Cambridge,—(1) Statute, dated 4th November 1999, made by the University of Oxford, amending the Statutes of the University,

    (2) Statute, dated 18th November 1999, made by the University of Oxford, amending the Statutes of the University, and

    (3) Statute, dated 1st December 1999, made by the University of Oxford, amending the Statutes of the University

[by Act] [Margaret Beckett].

Other Papers:

15 Ancient Monuments,—Report of the Ancient Monuments Board for Scotland for 1999 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 430] [Mr Secretary Reid].

16 Environment, Transport and the Regions,—Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Minute dated 2nd May 2000 concerning a contingent liability consequent upon indemnification for legal action in relation to a non-statutory public inquiry into the identification of victims in the Marchioness disaster conducted by the Rt Hon Lord Justice Clarke [by Command] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

17 Health,—(1) Department of Health Minute concerning a contingent liability consequent upon indemnification of any legal action against members of an independent inquiry conducted by Lord Laming of Tewin into issues arising from the case of Harold Shipman, and

    (2) Department of Health Minute concerning a contingent liability consequent upon indemnification of any legal action against members of an independent inquiry conducted by Mr Michael Redfern QC into issues arising from the case of the Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital (Alder Hey)

[by Command] [Mr Secretary Milburn].

18 National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Managing Finances in English Further Education Colleges [by Act]; to be printed [No. 454] [Clerk of the House].

19 National Lottery,—Film Council Lottery Strategic Plan 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

Draft Development Commission (Dissolution) Order 2000,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Peter Snape from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Mr Ian Stewart.

Supplement to the Votes and Proceedings Tuesday 2nd May 2000 Minutes of Proceedings of the Sitting in Westminster Hall
[pursuant to the Order of 24th May 1999]

The House met at Ten o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1	Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Mr David Jamieson.)
	And it being One o'clock, the sitting was adjourned without Question put, till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 1 p.m.
*Sir Alan Haselhurst* *Deputy Speaker*

The House met at half-past Two o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1	Death of a Member,—The Speaker made the following communication to the House:
	I regret to have to report to the House the death of Mr Clifford Forsythe, Member for South Antrim. I am sure that Members on all sides of the House will join me in mourning the loss of a colleague and in extending our sympathy to the honourable Member's family and friends.
2	City of Newcastle upon Tyne Bill [Lords],—The Order of the day being read, for the Third Reading of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne Bill [Lords];
	Ordered, That the Bill be read the third time on Tuesday 9th May.
3	Greenham and Crookham Commons Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Greenham and Crookham Commons Bill;
	Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Tuesday 9th May.
4	Race Relations (Amendment) Bill [Lords],—Mr Jonathan Sayeed reported from Standing Committee D, That it had gone through the Race Relations (Amendment) Bill [Lords], and made Amendments therunto.
	Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 121].
	Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 460].
5	Television Licences (Disclosure of Information) Bill,—Mr Eric Illsley reported from Standing Committee E, That it had gone through the Television Licences (Disclosure of Information) Bill, and directed him to report the same, without Amendment.
	Bill, not amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow.
	Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 459].
6	Welsh 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 Welsh Economy be referred to the Welsh Grand Committee for its consideration—(Mr Graham Allen):—It was agreed to.
7	Renewable Energy,—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require the Government to draw up a strategy for promoting non-convergent renewable energy technologies: And that Joan Walley, Frank Cook, Mr Gareth R. Thomas (Harrow West), Mr Tony Colman, Mrs Helen Brinton and Valerie Davey do prepare and bring it in.
8	Renewable Energy Bill,—Joan Walley accordingly presented a Bill to require the Government to draw up a strategy for promoting non-convergent renewable energy technologies: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 21st July and to be printed [Bill 120].
9	Finance Bill (Clauses Nos. 1, 12, 30, 31, 59, 102 and 113),—The House, according to order, resolved itself into a Committee on the Finance Bill (Clauses Nos. 1, 12, 30, 31, 59, 102 and 113).
(In the Committee)
	Clause No. 1 (Rate of duty on beer).
	Amendment (No. 1) proposed, in page 1, line 19, at the end, to add the words 'but shall cease to have effect on 1st August 2000 unless the Treasury has published an independent report setting out the effect of the present alcohol liquor duties on smuggling.'.—(Mr David Heathcoat-Amory.)
	Question put, That the Amendment be made.
	The Committee divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mr Peter Atkinson: 113.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Jamieson, Mrs Anne McGuire: 309.
	The Chairman, being of the opinion that the principle of the Clause and any matters arising thereon had been adequately discussed in the course of debate on the Amendment proposed thereto, put forthwith the Question, pursuant to Standing Order No. 68 (Debate on clause or schedule standing part), That the Clause stand part of the Bill:—It was agreed to.
	Clause No. 12 agreed to.
	Clause No. 30 (Climate change levy).
	Question put, That the Clause stand part of the Bill.
	The Committee divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Jim Dowd, Mr Mike Hall: 309.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mr Peter Atkinson: 122.
	To report progress and ask leave to sit again.—(Mrs Anne McGuire.)
	The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair and Mrs Anne McGuire reported, That the Committee had made progress in the Bill, and that she was directed to move, That the Committee may have leave to sit again.
	Committee again to-morrow.
10	Welsh 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 16th May 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 Welsh Economy, under Standing Order No. 107 (Welsh Grand Committee (matters relating exclusively to Wales))—(Mrs Anne McGuire):—It was agreed to.
11	Adjournment (Whitsun),—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 25th May, do adjourn till Monday 5th June 2000—(Mrs Anne McGuire):—It was agreed to.
12	Business of the House,—Ordered, That, at the sitting on Thursday 25th May, the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until she shall have notified the Royal Assent to Acts agreed upon by both Houses.—(Mrs Anne McGuire.)
13	Business of the House,—Ordered, That on Thursday 25th May there shall be no sitting in Westminster Hall.—(Mrs Anne McGuire.)
14	National Health Service,—Ordered, That the National Health Service (Pension Scheme and Compensation for Premature Retirement) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.—(Mrs Anne McGuire.)
15	County Courts,—Ordered, That the County Court Fees (Amendment No. 2) Order 2000 be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.—(Mrs Anne McGuire.)
16	Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mrs Anne McGuire.)
	And the Motion having been made after Ten o'clock, and the Debate having continued for half an hour, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the House, without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order, it being then thirteen minutes to Eleven o'clock, till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 10.47 p.m.
*Betty Boothroyd* *Speaker*
Madam Speaker will take the Chair at half-past Two o'clock.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented by Her Majesty's Command and delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on the undermentioned dates during the adjournment pursuant to Standing Order No. 158 (Presentation of command papers):
Wednesday 26th April 2000
1	Treaty Series (No. 44, 2000),—Exchange of Notes, done at Copenhagen on 15th December 1999 and 25th February 2000, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark extending the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters to the Isle of Man [Cm. 4689] [Mr Secretary Cook].
2	Treaty Series (No. 45, 2000),—Protocol done at Montreal on 30th September 1977, on the Authentic Quadrilingual Text of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago) 1944 [Cm. 4692] [Mr Secretary Cook].
Thursday 27th April 2000
3	Treaty Series (No. 46, 2000),—Exchange of Notes, done at Kiev on 28th and 29th July 1999, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ukraine concerning the bilateral treaties which were in force between the United Kingdom and the USSR to which the Ukraine has succeeded [Cm. 4694] [Mr Secretary Cook].
4	Treaty Series (No. 47, 2000),—Partnership and Co-operation Agreement, done at Luxembourg on 22nd April 1996, between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part with Final Act [Cm. 4697] [Mr Secretary Cook].
Friday 28th April 2000
5	Transport Series (No. 20, 2000),—Amendments to Articles 5, 10 and Annex 1 of the Agreement on the International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs and on the Special Equipment to be used for such Carriage (ATP) 1970 [Cm. 4716] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
6	Treaty Series (No. 89, 1999),—Index to Treaty Series 1999 [Cm. 4690] [Mr Secretary Cook].
Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on the undermentioned dates during the adjournment pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments):
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Wednesday 26th April 2000
7	London Government,—GLA Roads Designation Order 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1117), dated 10th April 2000 [Mr Secretary Prescott].
8	Income Tax,—(1) Income Tax (Employments) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1152), and
	(2) Income Tax (Sub-contractors in the Construction Industry) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1151),
	dated 25th April 2000 [Dawn Primarolo].
9	Social Security,—Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 5) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1149), dated 25th April 2000 [Dawn Primarolo].
10	Social Security (Northern Ireland),—Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 5) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1150), dated 25th April 2000 [Dawn Primarolo].
Thursday 27th April 2000
11	Pensions,—Local Government Pension Scheme (Greater London Authority etc.) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1164), dated 26th April 2000 [Mr Secretary Prescott].
Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Tuesday 2nd May 2000:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
12	London Government,—London Development Agency (Transitional Provisions) Order 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1174), dated 29th April 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
13	National Debt,—Draft Government Stock (Amendment) Regulations 2000 [by Act][Miss Melanie Johnson].
14	Universities of Oxford and Cambridge,—(1) Statute, dated 4th November 1999, made by the University of Oxford, amending the Statutes of the University,
	(2) Statute, dated 18th November 1999, made by the University of Oxford, amending the Statutes of the University, and
	(3) Statute, dated 1st December 1999, made by the University of Oxford, amending the Statutes of the University
	[by Act] [Margaret Beckett].
Other Papers:
15	Ancient Monuments,—Report of the Ancient Monuments Board for Scotland for 1999 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 430] [Mr Secretary Reid].
16	Environment, Transport and the Regions,—Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Minute dated 2nd May 2000 concerning a contingent liability consequent upon indemnification for legal action in relation to a non-statutory public inquiry into the identification of victims in the Marchioness disaster conducted by the Rt Hon Lord Justice Clarke [by Command] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
17	Health,—(1) Department of Health Minute concerning a contingent liability consequent upon indemnification of any legal action against members of an independent inquiry conducted by Lord Laming of Tewin into issues arising from the case of Harold Shipman, and
	(2) Department of Health Minute concerning a contingent liability consequent upon indemnification of any legal action against members of an independent inquiry conducted by Mr Michael Redfern QC into issues arising from the case of the Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital (Alder Hey)
	[by Command] [Mr Secretary Milburn].
18	National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Managing Finances in English Further Education Colleges [by Act]; to be printed [No. 454] [Clerk of the House].
19	National Lottery,—Film Council Lottery Strategic Plan 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
	Draft Development Commission (Dissolution) Order 2000,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Peter Snape from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Mr Ian Stewart.