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The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1 Message from the Lords,-A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows:
The Lords have agreed to the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Bill, without Amendment.
The Lords do not insist on their Amendment to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Bill, to which this House has disagreed.
2 Accommodation and Works,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Accommodation and Works Committee be printed [No. 768].
3 Administration,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Administration Committee be printed [No. 769].
4 Agriculture,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Agriculture Committee be printed [No. 770].
5 Broadcasting,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Broadcasting Committee be printed [No. 771].
6 Catering,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Catering Committee be printed [No. 772].
7 Culture, Media and Sport,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee be printed [No. 773].
8 Defence,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Defence Committee be printed [No. 774].
9 Education and Employment,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Education and Employment Committee be printed, together with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Education Sub-Committee and the Employment Sub-Committee [No. 775].
10 Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee be printed, together with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Environment Sub-Committee and the Transport Sub-Committee [No. 776].
11 Environmental Audit,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Environmental Audit Committee be printed [No. 777].
12 European Scrutiny,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the European Scrutiny Committee be printed [No. 779].
13 Finance and Services,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Finance and Services Committee be printed [No. 780].
14 Foreign Affairs,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Foreign Affairs Committee be printed [No. 781].
15 Health,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Health Committee be printed [No. 782].
16 Home Affairs,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Home Affairs Committee be printed [No. 783].
17 Information,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Information Committee be printed [No. 784].
18 International Development,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the International Development Committee be printed [No. 785].
19 Liaison,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Liaison Committee be printed [No. 787].
20 Modernisation of the House of Commons,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons be printed [No. 788].
21 Northern Ireland Affairs,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee be printed [No. 789].
22 Procedure,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Procedure Committee be printed [No. 790].
23 Public Accounts,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee of Public Accounts be printed [No. 791].
24 Public Administration,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Select Committee on Public Administration be printed [No. 792].
25 Science and Technology,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Science and Technology Committee be printed [No. 793].
26 Scottish Affairs,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Scottish Affairs Committee be printed [No. 794].
27 Social Security,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Social Security Committee be printed [No. 795].
28 Standards and Privileges,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee on Standards and Privileges be printed [No. 796].
29 Statutory Instruments,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Select Committee on Statutory Instruments be printed [No. 797].
30 Statutory Instruments,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Select Committee appointed to join with a Committee of the House of Lords on Statutory Instruments be printed [No. 805].
31 Trade and Industry,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Trade and Industry Committee be printed [No. 799].
32 Treasury,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Treasury Committee be printed, together with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Treasury Sub-Committee [No. 800].
33 Welsh Affairs,-Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Welsh Affairs Committee be printed [No. 801].
34 Disqualifications Bill [allotted day],-The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Lords Amendments to the Disqualifications Bill.
A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment-(Mr George Howarth);
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Robert Ainsworth, Mrs Anne McGuire: 338.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr John Randall, Mr Peter Atkinson: 129.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Lords Amendment was accordingly disagreed to.
It being more than three hours after the commencement of proceedings, the Deputy Speaker then put forthwith the Question he was required to put at that hour, pursuant to Order [yesterday].
And the Question being put, That this House agrees with the Lords in all the remaining Lords Amendments:-It was agreed to.
Lords Amendments Nos. 2 to 9 were accordingly agreed to.
Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their Amendment No. 1;
That Mr James Cran, Jim Dowd, Mr George Howarth, Mr Tom Levitt and Mr John M. Taylor be members of the Committee;
That Mr George Howarth be the Chairman of the Committee;
That three be the quorum of the Committee;
That the Committee do withdraw immediately.-(Jim Dowd.)
35 Disqualifications Bill,-Mr George Howarth reported from the Committee appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to one of their Amendments to the Disqualifications Bill, That it had drawn up the following Reason, which he was required to report to the House, pursuant to Order [yesterday]:
The Commons disagree to Lords Amendment No. 1 for the following Reason:-
Because it is appropriate to remove the disqualification for membership of the House of Commons and Northern Ireland Assembly of members of the legislature of Ireland (the Oireachtas).
The Reason was agreed to.
Message to the Lords to communicate the said Reason, with the Bill.
36 Criminal Justice and Court Services Bill,-The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Lords Amendments to the Criminal Justice and Court Services Bill in lieu of the Lords Amendments to which the Commons have disagreed.
The Lords Amendment in lieu of Lords Amendment No. 121 was agreed to.
A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That this House agrees with the Lords in their Amendment in lieu of Lords Amendment No. 135;
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Tony McNulty, Mr Mike Hall: 275.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr John Randall, Mr James Gray: 116.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Lords Amendment in lieu of Lords Amendment No. 135 was accordingly agreed to.
37 Message from the Lords,-A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows:
The Lords do not insist on their Amendment to the Disqualifications Bill to which this House has disagreed.
38 Environmental Protection,-A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000, which were laid before this House on 20th November, be approved-(Mr David Jamieson):-It was agreed to.
39 Human Rights (Joint Committee),-A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the Lords Message [12th July] communicating a Resolution, That it is expedient that a Joint Committee of both Houses be appointed-
to consider and report on:
(a) matters relating to human rights in the United Kingdom (but excluding consideration of individual cases);
(b) proposals for remedial orders, draft remedial orders and remedial orders made under section 10 of and laid under Schedule 2 to the Human Rights Act 1998; and
(c) in respect of draft remedial orders and remedial orders, whether the special attention of the House should be drawn to them on any of the grounds specified in House of Lords Standing Order 73 (Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments);
(a) in relation to any document containing proposals laid before the House under paragraph 3 of the said Schedule 2, its recommendation whether a draft order in the same terms as the proposals should be laid before the House;
(b) in relation to any draft order laid under paragraph 2 of the said Schedule 2,
its recommendation whether the draft order should be approved;
and to have power to report to the House on any matter arising from its consideration of the said proposals or draft orders; and
to report to the House in respect of any original order laid under paragraph 4 of the said Schedule 2, its recommendation whether:
(a) the order should be approved in the form in which it was originally laid before Parliament; or
(b) that the order should be replaced by a new order modifying the provisions of the original order; or
(c) that the order should not be approved,
and to have power to report to the House on any matter arising from its consideration of the said order or any replacement order,
be now considered-(Paddy Tipping);
And it being Seven o'clock, the Debate stood adjourned.
40 Message to attend the Lords Commissioners,-A Message from the Lords Commissioners was delivered by the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod.
The Lords, authorised by virtue of Her Majesty's Commission, for declaring Her Royal Assent to several Acts agreed upon by both Houses and for proroguing the present Parliament, desire the immediate attendance of this Honourable House in the House of Peers, to hear the Commission read.
Accordingly the Speaker, with the House, went up to the House of Peers, where a Commission was read, giving, declaring and notifying the Royal Assent to several Acts, and for proroguing this present Parliament.
The Royal Assent was given to the following Acts:-
Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000
Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000
Freedom of Information Act 2000
Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000
Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 2000
Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000
Disqualifications Act 2000
Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000
Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000.
And afterwards Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech was delivered to both Houses of Parliament by the Lord High Chancellor (in pursuance of Her Majesty's Command), as follows:
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,
My Government has taken action to secure economic stability and steady growth, based on its long-term objectives for monetary and fiscal policy. The goal is high and stable levels of growth and employment. My Government has sought to secure the conditions which enable it to increase investment in public services.
Improving education continues to be my Government's highest priority. An Act has been passed to establish a new Learning and Skills Council to secure high standards for post-16 education and training and a new emphasis on securing skills needed in the economy.
Legislation has been passed to improve health and social care, reforming the system for protection of vulnerable people.
My Government has published an NHS Plan, setting out a programme of investment and reform for the health service. The Plan will redesign NHS services to focus on the needs of patients, and will be supported by a sustained increase in NHS funding.
To ensure high levels of employment, my Government is continuing the New Deal to help more young people and the long-term unemployed, and announced the creation of a new Working Age agency to continue the progress made on developing Welfare to Work policies.
My Government is continually looking for ways to improve productivity, including in the public sector. The spending plans announced in July were accompanied by Public Service Agreements setting out targets for service improvement. An Act has been passed to introduce the latest accounting methods in Whitehall.
My Government is committed to delivering a competitive and well-regulated economy. An Act has been passed which reforms the regulatory framework for the gas and electricity sectors in England and Wales. Legislation has been enacted to transform the Post Office into a plc owned by the Government. Legislation has also been passed to improve the regulation of financial services and markets, establishing the Financial Services Authority as the single statutory regulator.
An Act has been passed to remove legal barriers and create a framework of trust to make it easier for commercial transactions and Government services to take place electronically.
An Act has been passed to reform the child support system. It also reforms the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme through the introduction of a State Second Pension and provides for the withdrawal of benefits from offenders who fail to complete community sentences.
Measures have been put forward to reduce crime. An Act has been passed to improve the protection of children from violent and sex offenders and to strengthen community sentences. Legislation has been enacted to provide new powers for the police and courts to tackle disorder connected with football matches.
An Act has been passed to put in place permanent UK-wide legislation against terrorism. Legislation has also been passed to update and regulate law enforcement capabilities to address changes in technology and the introduction of the Human Rights Act.
An Act has been passed which fulfils my Government's promise to legislate on a range of transport issues. This reforms air traffic control, railways and local transport services. My Government has published a ten-year plan for the modernisation of the country's transport system.
My Government has continued its plans for the reform of local government. An Act has been passed to improve its accountability and innovation.
An Act has been passed to give the public a new right of access to open countryside. It also improves the law on rights of way and the management of Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Areas of Outstanding National Beauty and strengthens the enforcement of wildlife law.
My Government has continued its programme of constitutional reform. Legislation has been enacted which will give the public a statutory right of access to information held by public authorities.
An Act has been passed to regulate the funding of political parties and campaign expenditure and to ensure the fair conduct of referendums.
My Government is determined to improve equality of opportunity. An Act has been passed outlawing race discrimination in certain public functions and placing a duty on specified public authorities to promote race equality.
My Government has continued to co-operate with the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the interests of all of the people in the United Kingdom.
In Northern Ireland my Government has worked closely with the Irish Government to secure full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. It has fulfilled its commitment to transfer powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly in accordance with the wishes of the people as expressed in a referendum.
An Act has been passed to implement recommendations of the Report of the Independent Commission on policing in Northern Ireland. My Government will continue to implement other parts of the Good Friday agreement within its responsibility.
Members of the House of Commons,
I thank you for the provision you have made for the work and dignity of the Crown and for the public service.
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,
The Duke of Edinburgh and I were pleased to receive the State Visit of Her Majesty Queen Margrethe of Denmark and Prince Henrik in February.
We recall with pleasure our visit to Australia in March. Similarly we were delighted to pay a State Visit to Italy and a Visit to the Holy See in October.
My Government has continued to take a leading role in the European Union. The Special European Council in Lisbon signalled new developments in Europe's approach to economic and social reform.
Preparing for enlargement is a challenge for the European Union, and my Government is playing a key role. My Government has worked for practical measures to strengthen the European Union's foreign and security policy and continues to work with our allies to strengthen and modernise NATO.
My Government has made a large political, military and financial commitment to build peace and stability in the Balkans. It has played a leading role in helping to re-build Kosovo.
My Government has taken decisive action in support of the United Nations operation in Sierra Leone, and continued to support the United Nations in bringing self-determination to the people of East Timor.
In the G8 and other forums my Government has taken a leading role in tackling issues of poverty eradication, debt relief and the causes of conflict.
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,
I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may attend you.
After which the Lord Chancellor said:
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,
By virtue of Her Majesty's Commission which has now been read we do, in Her Majesty's name, and in obedience to Her Majesty's Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Wednesday the sixth day of December, to be then here holden, and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Wednesday the sixth day of December next.
Michael J. Martin
Speaker
APPENDIX
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
1 Pensions,-Draft Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase (No. 2) Order 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling].
2 Social Security,-(1) Draft Social Security Benefits Up-rating (No. 2) Order 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling], and
(2) Draft Social Security (Contributions) (Re-rating and National Insurance Funds Payments) Order 2001 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
3 Education,-(1) Education (Grants) (Purcell School) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 3160), dated 26th November 2000, and
(2) Education (Inner London Education Authority) (Property Transfer) (Modification) Order 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 3161), dated 24th November 2000
[by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
4 Insurance,-Insurance Brokers Registration Council (Registration and Enrolment) (Amendment) Rules Approval Order 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 3163), dated 29th November 2000 [by Act] [Miss Melanie Johnson].
5 Public Passenger Transport,-Road Transport (Passenger Vehicles Cabotage) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 3114), dated 22nd November 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
6 Registration of Births, Deaths, Marriages, etc.,-Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 3165), dated 29th November 2000 [by Act] [Miss Melanie Johnson].
Other Papers:
7 Environment, Transport and the Regions,-(1) Government Response to the Tenth Report from the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee, on the Audit Commission, and
(2) Government Response to The Way Forward: The Final Report of the Cleaner Vehicles Task Force
[by Command] [Cm. 4931 and 4932] Mr Secretary Prescott].
8 Law Reform (Scotland),-Report and Accounts of the Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board for 1999-2000 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 891] [Mr Secretary Reid].
9 Social Security,-Report by the Government Actuary on the drafts of the Social Security Benefits Up-rating (No. 2) Order 2000 and the Social Security (Contributions) (Re-rating and National Insurance Funds Payments) Order 2001 [by Command] [Cm. 4933] [Mr Secretary Darling].
10 Parliamentary Papers,-Alphabetical Index to the Bills, House of Commons Papers and Command Papers in the House of Commons set of parliamentary papers with notes on the volume arrangement and summary of legislation, Session 1999-2000, Fifty-second Parliament, Third Session, 48th and 49th Elizabeth II, 17th November 1999 to 30th November 2000; to be printed [No. 1004] [The Speaker].
Papers withdrawn:
11 Broadcasting,-Draft Broadcasting (Limit on the Holding of Licences to Provide Television Multiplex Services) Order 2000 [laid 1st November].
Supplement to the Votes and Proceedings
Thursday 30th November 2000
Minutes of Proceedings of the Sitting in Westminster Hall
[pursuant to the Order of 24th May 1999]
The sitting commenced at half-past Two o'clock.
| PRAYERS. |
Adjournment (Opportunity for All: Tackling Poverty and Social Exclusion),-A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the sitting be now adjourned-(Mr David Clelland);
And the sitting having continued for three hours, it was adjourned without Question put.
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[Adjourned at 5.45 p.m.
Sir Alan Haselhurst
Deputy Speaker
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