Votes and Proceedings

House of Commons

Session 1999-2000
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House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Monday 17th July 2000

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

PRAYERS.

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

    Divorce (Religious Marriages) Bill [Lords],—The Lords have passed a Bill to make provision enabling a court to require the dissolution of a religious marriage before granting a civil divorce; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.

2 Divorce (Religious Marriages) Bill [Lords],—The Divorce (Religious Marriages) Bill [Lords] was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 21st July and to be printed [Bill 162].

3 European Communities Provisional Draft Budget for 2001 and Assistance for the Western Balkans,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 119 (European Standing Committees), That this House takes note of European Union Documents Nos. COM (2000) 300, the Preliminary Draft Budget (PDB) of the European Communities for 2001 (Volumes 0, 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8), and the Commission's Overview of the PDB (Provisional Volume 0); 8795/00, Commission Communication concerning revision of the financial perspective (2001-2006); financing of the programme of assistance for the Western Balkans; and re-classification of aid to Cyprus and Malta; proposal for revision of the financial perspective; COM (2000) 268, Commission Communication on 2000-2006 financial programming of heading four of the Community Budget; and supports the Government's efforts to maintain budget discipline in the Community—(Mr Mike Hall):—It was agreed to.

4 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 Social Security Amendment (Students) Regulations 2000, which were laid before this House on 21st June, be approved—(Mr Mike Hall):—It was agreed to.

5 Agriculture,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of Sheep, which was laid before this House on 19th June, be approved—(Mr Mike Hall):—It was agreed to.

6 Animals,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2000, which were laid before this House on 19th June, be approved—(Mr Mike Hall):—It was agreed to.

7 Football (Disorder) Bill (Allocation of Time),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the following provisions shall apply to the remaining proceedings on the Football (Disorder) Bill:—

Committee, Report and Third Reading

    1.—(1) Proceedings on the Bill shall be completed at this day's sitting.

    (2) Proceedings in Committee shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion five hours after the commencement of proceedings on this motion.

    (3) On the conclusion of the proceedings in Committee the Chairman shall report the Bill to the House without putting any Question and, if he reports the Bill with Amendments, the House shall proceed to consider the Bill as amended without any Question being put.

    (4) Proceedings on Consideration shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion six hours after the commencement of proceedings on this motion.

    (5) Proceedings on Third Reading shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion seven hours after the commencement of proceedings on this motion.

Conclusion of proceedings

    2.—(1) For the purpose of bringing any proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with paragraph 1 the Chairman or Speaker shall forthwith put the following Questions (but no others)—

    (a) any Question already proposed from the Chair;

    (b) any Question necessary to bring to a decision a Question so proposed;

    (c) the Question on any amendment moved or Motion made by a Minister of the Crown;

    (d) any other Question necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded;

and on a Motion so made for a new Clause or a new Schedule, the Chairman or Speaker shall put only the Question that the Clause or Schedule be added to the Bill.

    (2) Proceedings under sub-paragraph (1) shall not be interrupted under any Standing Order relating to the sittings of the House.

    (3) If two or more Questions would otherwise fall to be put by the Chairman or Speaker—

    (a) under sub-paragraph (1)(c) on amendments moved or Motions made by a Minister of the Crown, or

    (b) under sub-paragraph (1)(d) in relation to successive provisions of the Bill;

the Chairman or Speaker shall instead put a single Question in relation to those amendments or Motions or (as the case may be) those provisions.

Order of proceedings

    3. No Motion shall be made, except by a Minister of the Crown, to alter the order in which any proceedings on the Bill are taken or to recommit the Bill; and the Question on any such Motion shall be put forthwith.

Dilatory motions

    4. No dilatory Motion with respect to, or in the course of, proceedings on the Bill shall be made except by a Minister of the Crown; and the Question on any such Motion shall be put forthwith.

Extra time

    5. Paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business) shall apply to proceedings on the Bill.

Business Committee

    6. Standing Order No. 82 (Business Committee) shall not apply to this Order.

Supplemental orders

    7.—(1) The proceedings on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown for varying or supplementing the provisions of this Order shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement; and paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business) shall apply to those proceedings.

    (2) If at the sitting this day the House is adjourned, or the sitting is suspended, before the time at which proceedings on the Bill are to be brought to a conclusion under paragraph 1, no notice shall be required of a Motion made at the next sitting by a Minister of the Crown for varying or supplementing the provisions of this Order—(Mr Secretary Straw);

    An Amendment was made to the Question, in line 6, to leave out from the word 'conclusion' to the end of the line, and to insert the words 'at midnight', instead thereof.—(Sir George Young.)

    Another Amendment was made to the Question, in line 11, to leave out from the word 'Consideration' to the end of line 14, and to insert the words 'and on Third Reading shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 5 a.m. on 18th July', instead thereof.—(Sir George Young.)

    And the Main Question, as amended, being put;

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 281.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr Donald Gorrie, Mr Tom Brake: 56.

    So the Question was agreed to.

    Ordered, That the following provisions shall apply to the remaining proceedings on the Football (Disorder) Bill:—

Committee, Report and Third Reading

    1.—(1) Proceedings on the Bill shall be completed at this day's sitting.

    (2) Proceedings in Committee shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at midnight.

    (3) On the conclusion of the proceedings in Committee the Chairman shall report the Bill to the House without putting any Question and, if he reports the Bill with Amendments, the House shall proceed to consider the Bill as amended without any Question being put.

    (4) Proceedings on Consideration and on Third Reading shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 5 a.m. on 18th July.

Conclusion of proceedings

    2.—(1) For the purpose of bringing any proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with paragraph 1 the Chairman or Speaker shall forthwith put the following Questions (but no others)—

    (a) any Question already proposed from the Chair;

    (b) any Question necessary to bring to a decision a Question so proposed;

    (c) the Question on any amendment moved or Motion made by a Minister of the Crown;

    (d) any other Question necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded;

    and on a Motion so made for a new Clause or a new Schedule, the Chairman or Speaker shall put only the Question that the Clause or Schedule be added to the Bill.�it0�

    (2) Proceedings under sub-paragraph (1) shall not be interrupted under any Standing Order relating to the sittings of the House.

    (3) If two or more Questions would otherwise fall to be put by the Chairman or Speaker—

    (a) under sub-paragraph (1)(c) on amendments moved or Motions made by a Minister of the Crown, or

    (b) under sub-paragraph (1)(d) in relation to successive provisions of the Bill;

    the Chairman or Speaker shall instead put a single Question in relation to those amendments or Motions or (as the case may be) those provisions.

Order of proceedings

    3. No Motion shall be made, except by a Minister of the Crown, to alter the order in which any proceedings on the Bill are taken or to recommit the Bill; and the Question on any such Motion shall be put forthwith.

Dilatory motions

    4. No dilatory Motion with respect to, or in the course of, proceedings on the Bill shall be made except by a Minister of the Crown; and the Question on any such Motion shall be put forthwith.

Extra time

    5. Paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business) shall apply to proceedings on the Bill.

Business Committee

    6. Standing Order No. 82 (Business Committee) shall not apply to this Order.

Supplemental orders

    7.—(1) The proceedings on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown for varying or supplementing the provisions of this Order shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement; and paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business) shall apply to those proceedings.

    (2) If at the sitting this day the House is adjourned, or the sitting is suspended, before the time at which proceedings on the Bill are to be brought to a conclusion under paragraph 1, no notice shall be required of a Motion made at the next sitting by a Minister of the Crown for varying or supplementing the provisions of this Order.

8 Football (Disorder) Bill,—The House, according to Order, resolved itself into a Committee on the Football (Disorder) Bill.

(In the Committee)

    Clause No. 1 (Football matches: prevention of violence or disorder).

    Amendment (No. 20) proposed, in page 1, to leave out lines 17 to 20.—(Mr Simon Hughes.)

    Question put, That the Amendment be made.

    The Committee divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Sir Robert Smith, Mr Donald Gorrie: 58.

    Tellers for the Noes, Jim Dowd, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe: 211.

    Clause agreed to.

    Clause No. 2 agreed to.

    Clause No. 3 (Supplementary).

    Amendment (No. 24) proposed, in page 2, line 14, to leave out from the word 'under' to the word 'may' in line 16, and to insert the words 'this Act', instead thereof.—(Mr Simon Hughes.)

    Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

    Clause agreed to.

    Clause No. 4 agreed to.

    Clause No. 5 (Commencement and duration).

    Amendment (No. 1) proposed, in page 2, line 34, to leave out the words 'one year', and to insert the words 'six months', instead thereof.—(Miss Ann Widdecombe.)

    Question put, That the Amendment be made.

    The Committee divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John Randall, Mr Peter Atkinson: 112.

    Tellers for the Noes, Jim Dowd, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe: 207.

    Another Amendment (No. 2) proposed, in page 2, line 40, to leave out the words 'four years', and to insert the words 'eighteen months', instead thereof.—(Miss Ann Widdecombe.)

    Question put, That the Amendment be made.

    The Committee proceeded to a Division.

Tuesday 18th July 2000

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John Randall, Mr Peter Atkinson: 152.

    Tellers for the Noes, Jim Dowd, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe: 208.

    It being after Twelve o'clock, the Chairman put forthwith the Questions necessary to bring proceedings in Committee to a conclusion, pursuant to Order [yesterday].

    Clauses Nos. 5 to 7 agreed to.

    Schedule No. 1 (Amendments of the Football Spectators Act 1989).

    Amendments (Nos. 29, 32, 42, 37, and 43 to 46) made to the Schedule.

    Schedule, as amended, agreed to.

    Schedules Nos. 2 and 3 agreed to.

    The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair; and Mr Mike Hall reported, That the Committee had gone through the Bill, and made Amendments thereunto.

    The House, according to Order [yesterday], proceeded to consider the Bill, as amended in the Committee.

    Amendments (Nos. 2 and 4) made to the Bill.

    Another Amendment (No. 6) proposed to the Bill, in page 5, line 27, to leave out the words 'caused or contributed to any violence or disorder', and to insert the words 'been convicted of an offence involving violence or any other relevant offence', instead thereof.—(Mr Simon Hughes.)

    Question put, That the Amendment be made.

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Sir Robert Smith, Mr Donald Gorrie: 43.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Anne McGuire, Mr Tony McNulty: 196.

    Another Amendment (No. 12) proposed to the Bill, in page 6, line 19, at the end to insert the words—

    '(4A) A court shall not take into account any conviction which is spent pursuant to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, or conduct which took place more than ten years prior to the relevant control period.'.—(Sir Nicholas Lyell.)

    Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

    Another Amendment (No. 5) made to the Bill.

    A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That the Bill be now read the third time;

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Robert Ainsworth, Mr Clive Betts: 171.

    Tellers for the Noes, Sir Robert Smith, Mr Donald Gorrie: 42.

    The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.

9 Data Protection,—Ordered, That the Motion in the name of Mr Secretary Straw relating to the salary of the Data Protection Commissioner shall be treated as if it related to an instrument subject to the provisions of Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation) in respect of which notice has been given that the instrument be approved.—(Mr Mike Hall.)

10 Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Mike Hall.)

    And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-six minutes past Three o'clock on Tuesday morning, adjourned till this day.

[Adjourned at 3.26 a.m.

Betty Boothroyd
Speaker

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

APPENDIX I

Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 14th July 2000 (Non-sitting Friday, S.O. No. 12) pursuant to Standing Order No. 158 (Presentation of command papers):

1 Competition Commission,—Report by the Competition Commission on the three proposed mergers of Carlton Communications Plc and Granada Group PLC and United News and Media plc [Cm. 4781] [Mr Secretary Byers].

2 Defence, Foreign Affairs, International Development and Trade and Industry,—Government Response to the Third Report from the Defence Committee, Second Report from the Foreign Affairs Committee, Third Report from the International Development Committee and Fourth Report from the Trade and Industry Committee, Session 1999-2000, on Annual Reports for 1997 and 1998 on Strategic Export Controls [Cm. 4799] [Mr Secretary Cook].

3 Treaty Series (No. 84, 2000),—Exchange of Notes, done at Helsinki on 6th May 1996 and 5th July 1996, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Finland concerning the Extension of the European Convention on Extradition to Certain Dependent Territories [Cm. 4773] [Mr Secretary Cook].

4 Treaty Series (No. 85, 2000),—Exchange of Notes, done at Riga on 3rd and 13th March 2000, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Latvia extending the Agreement for the Promotion and Protection of Investments done at London on 24th January 1994 to the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey [Cm. 4775] [Mr Secretary Cook].

Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 14th July 2000 (Non-sitting Friday, S.O. No. 12) pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments):

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

5 Local Government,—Local Authorities (Capital Finance) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1773), dated 6th July 2000 [Mr Secretary Prescott].

6 Sea Fisheries,—Sea Fishing (North-East Atlantic Control Measures) Order 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1843), dated 13th July 2000 [Mr Nicholas Brown].

Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 17th July 2000:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

7 Road Traffic,—M1 Motorway (Junction 15) (Speed Limit) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1800), dated 6th July 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

8 Taxes,—Stamp Duty Reserve Tax (UK Depositary Interests in Foreign Securities) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1871), dated 14th July 2000 [by Act] [Miss Melanie Johnson].

Other Papers:

9 Access to Justice,—Revised Funding Code presented pursuant to section 9(5) of the Access to Justice Act 1999 [by Act] [Mr David Lock].

10 British Library,—Account of the British Library Board for 1999-2000, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 742] [Clerk of the House].

11 Civil Aviation,—Report and Accounts of Highlands and Islands Airports Limited for 1999-2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid].

12 Commonwealth Scholarship,—Report of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom for the year ending 30th September 1999 [by Act] [Secretary Clare Short].

13 Competition Commission,—Report by the Competition Commission on the proposed merger of Independent News & Media PLC and Trinity Mirror plc [by Command] [Cm. 4770] [Mr Secretary Byers].

14 Covent Garden Market,—Statement of salaries of the chairman and members of the Covent Garden Market Authority [by Act] [Mr Nicholas Brown].

15 Development of Tourism,—Accounts of the British Tourist Authority for 1999-2000, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 730] [Clerk of the House].

16 Fair Trading,—Consent by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to the transfer of newspapers of Trinity Mirror plc to Independent News & Media plc following a report from the Competition Commission [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].

17 Local Government,—Financial Statements of the South Bank Centre for 1999-2000, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].

18 Museums and Galleries,—Accounts of the Victoria and Albert Museum for 1999-2000, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 747] [Clerk of the House].

19 Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions,—Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions (Hong Kong Locally Engaged Ratings' Service Gratuities and Attributable Disablement and Death Awards) Order 2000, dated 12th July 2000 [by Act] [Margaret Beckett].

20 Public Lending Right,—Account of the Public Lending Right Central Fund for 1999-2000, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 743] [Clerk of the House].

21 Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the Petition [27th June] from residents of Northavon and surrounding areas opposing discrimination by the broadcasting authorities against religious bodies [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].

22 School Standards and Framework,—Account of the Leigh Education Action Zone for 1st January 1999 to 31st March 1999, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 746] [Clerk of the House].

23 Science and Technology,—(1) Accounts of the Economic and Social Research Council for 1999-2000, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 745] [Clerk of the House]; and

    (2) Report of the Natural Environment Research Council for 1999-2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].

24 Trade and Industry,—Report and Accounts of the Employment Tribunals Service for 1999-2000, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 557] [Clerk of the House].

25 Treaty Series (No. 86, 2000),—1997 Amendments, done at London on 4th June 1997, to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (Resolution MSC.66(68)); 1997 Amendments, done at London on 4th June 1997, to the Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code (Resolution MSC.67(68)); and 1997 Amendments, done at London on 28th May to 6th June 1997, to the Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Code re-numbering sections B-V/3, V/4 and V/5 [by Command] [Cm. 4784] [Mr Secretary Cook].

26 Treaty Series (No. 87, 2000),—1998 Amendments, adopted at London on 18th May 1998, to the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979 (MSC. 70(69)) [by Command] [Cm. 4785] [Mr Secretary Cook].

27 Treaty Series (No. 88, 2000),—Agreement, done at Cape Town on 27th August 1997, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of South Africa regarding Mutual Administrative Assistance between their Customs Administrations [by Command] [Cm. 4789] [Mr Secretary Cook].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1 Draft Export and Investment Guarantees (Limit on Foreign Currency Commitments) Order 2000,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Ian Davidson, Mr Frank Dobson, Dr Ian Gibson and Lynne Jones from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Mr Jamie Cann, Tom Cox, Paul Flynn and Mrs Linda Gilroy.

2 Draft Patents Regulations 2000,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mrs Eleanor Laing from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations); and nominated in substitution Mr Nick Gibb.

3 Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 68) on the 2000/2001 Special Grant for Kosovan Evacuees (House of Commons Paper No. 636),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr David Curry from the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Report); and nominated in substitution Mr Michael Trend.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1 Defence, Foreign Affairs, International Development and Trade and Industry,—

    (1) Eleventh Report from the Defence Committee,

    (2) Seventh Report from the Foreign Affairs Committee,

    (3) Seventh Report from the International Development Committee, and

    (4) Eleventh Report from the Trade and Industry Committee

[Strategic Export Controls: Further Report and Parliamentary Prior Scrutiny], together with the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs, International Development and Trade and Industry Committees meeting concurrently pursuant to paragraph (4) of Standing Order No. 152 (Select committees related to government departments), and Appendices thereto; to be printed with the Minutes of Proceedings relating to the Reports [No. 467] [Mr Peter Viggers; Mr Ted Rowlands; Mr Tony Worthington; Mr Martin O'Neill].

2 Information,—First Report from the Information Committee [The Future of the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology], together with Appendices to the Report and 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. 659] [Mr Richard Allan].