The House met at twenty-five minutes past Eleven o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1 Message to attend Her Majesty,-A Message from Her Majesty was delivered by the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod.
The Queen commands this Honourable House to attend Her Majesty immediately, in the House of Peers.
Accordingly, the Speaker, with the House, went up to attend Her Majesty:-And having returned;
The Speaker resumed the Chair at a quarter-past Two o'clock.
2 Members take the Oath or make Affirmation,-The following members took and subscribed the Oath, or made and subscribed the Affirmation required by law:
Judy Mallaber
for Amber Valley
Lorna Fitzsimons
Rochdale
Humfrey Jonathan Malins
Woking
Owen William Paterson
North Shropshire
Michael St John Trend
Windsor
Sir Edward MacMillan Taylor
Rochford & Southend East
John Hume
Foyle
Piara Singh Khabra
Ealing Southall
Right honourable Gavin Steel Strang
Edinburgh East & Musselburgh
Seamus Mallon
Newry & Armagh
James Gerald Douglas Howarth
Aldershot
Andrew John Bower Mitchell
Sutton Coldfield
Peter John Viggers
Gosport
Robert Michael Spink
Castle Point
David Michael Chaytor
Bury North
Right honourable Alan John Williams
Swansea West
Matthew Owen John Taylor
Truro & St Austell
John Vincent Cable
Twickenham
Joseph Edward Benton
Bootle
Christine Margaret Russell
City of Chester
Annabelle Ewing
Perth
3 Elections,-Ordered, That all Members who are returned for two or more places in any part of the United Kingdom do make their Election for which of the places they will serve, within one week after it shall appear that there is no question upon the Return for that place; and if any thing shall come in question touching the Return or Election of any Member, he is to withdraw during the time the matter is in debate; and that all Members returned upon double Returns do withdraw till their Returns are determined.
Resolved, That if it shall appear that any person has been elected or returned a Member of this House, or endeavoured so to be by bribery, or any other corrupt practices, this House will proceed with the utmost severity against all such persons as shall have been wilfully concerned in such bribery or other corrupt practices.
4 Witnesses,-Resolved, That if it shall appear that any person has been tampering with any witness, in respect of his evidence to be given to this House, or any Committee thereof, or directly or indirectly has endeavoured to deter or hinder any person from appearing or giving evidence, the same is declared to be a high crime and misdemeanour; and this House will proceed with the utmost severity against such offender.
Resolved, That if it shall appear that any person has given false evidence in any case before this House, or any Committee thereof, this House will proceed with the utmost severity against such offender.
5 Metropolitan Police,-Ordered, That the Commissioner of the Police of the Metropolis do take care that during the Session of Parliament the passages through the streets leading to this House be kept free and open and that no obstruction be permitted to hinder the passage of Members to and from this House, and that no disorder be allowed in Westminster Hall, or in the passages leading to this House, during the Sitting of Parliament, and that there be no annoyance therein or thereabouts; and that the Serjeant at Arms attending this House do communicate this Order to the Commissioner aforesaid.
6 Votes and Proceedings,-Ordered, That the Votes and Proceedings of this House be printed, being first perused by the Speaker.
7 Outlawries,-A Bill for the more effectual preventing Clandestine Outlawries was read the first time and ordered to be read a second time.
8 Chairman of Ways and Means and First and Second Deputy Chairmen of Ways and Means,-Ordered, That Sir Alan Haselhurst be Chairman of Ways and Means, Mrs Sylvia Heal be First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means and Sir Michael Lord be Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.-(Mr Robin Cook.)
9 Queen's Speech,-The Speaker reported Her Majesty's Speech and directed that it be entered in the Journal, as follows:
My Lords and members of the House of Commons,
My Government's central objectives are economic stability, and investment and reform in public services, leading to a more prosperous and inclusive society.
To this end, my Government will continue to secure low inflation and sound public finances.
My Government's main priorities for the forthcoming Session will be reform in education, health, crime and welfare.
My Government will introduce legislation to reform education. An Education Bill will be introduced to promote diversity and higher standards, particularly in secondary schools. It will provide new opportunities for school sponsorship, more options for tackling failing schools, and greater freedom for successful headteachers and governors.
My Government will introduce legislation to reform health services. A Bill will decentralise power and direct resources to National Health Service staff, give patients greater influence on the running of the NHS, and strengthen regulation of the health professions.
Legislation will be drafted to reform the provision of health services in Wales.
Legislation will be brought forward to reform sentencing and rules of evidence, with measures to tackle corruption And sex offenders.
A Bill will be introduced to increase powers against money laundering, establish a Criminal Assets Recovery Agency, and make it easier to recover the proceeds of crime and drugs.
Legislation will be brought forward to help the police fight crime, ensure that they can co-operate effectively across police force boundaries and establish a new complaints system.
Legislation to reform the criminal courts system will be drafted in the light of the forthcoming recommendations from the review by Lord Justice Auld.
Legislation will be introduced to extend the life of the Football (Disorder) Act.
My Government will introduce legislation to reform the welfare system. A Bill will include measures to help more people back into work. Legislation will also be brought forward to introduce the new tax credits system, and to establish the new pension credit for pensioners.
My Government will introduce legislation to encourage enterprise, strengthen competition laws, and promote safeguards for consumers.
A draft Bill to create a single regulator for the media and communications industries and reform the broadcasting and telecommunications regulations will be published.
Members of the House of Commons,
Estimates for the Public Service will be laid before you.
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,
In Northern Ireland, my Government will continue to work closely with the political parties and the Irish Government to secure the full implementation of the Belfast Agreement.
My Government maintains its commitment to devolution in Scotland and Wales.
Following consultation, my Government will introduce legislation to implement the second phase of House of Lords reform.
My Government will prepare legislation to allow political parties to make positive moves to increase the representation of women in public life.
My Government will publish draft legislation to take forward the recommendations of Lord Cullen's inquiry into rail safety.
Legislation will be introduced to reform the system of land registration to promote greater electronic conveyancing. The Bill to reform the purchase of freeholds by leaseholders and to create commonhold, a new form of tenure for flat owners, will be reintroduced.
My Government will introduce legislation to make the age entitlement for concessionary travel fares the same for men and women at the age of sixty.
A Bill will be introduced to reform adoption law to make children's interests paramount, and tackle inter-country adoption.
My Government will enable a free vote to take place on the future of hunting with dogs.
Other measures will be laid before you.
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,
The Duke of Edinburgh and I were delighted to pay a State Visit to Norway at the end of May. Similarly, we were pleased to receive the State Visit of His Excellency the President of South Africa and Mrs Mbeki last week.
The Duke of Edinburgh and I look forward to attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Australia and subsequently visiting New Zealand in October. We also look forward to receiving a State Visit by the King and Queen of Jordan this autumn.
My Government will work with our partners to make sure that Europe has the most competitive knowledge-based economy in the world. It will work for rapid progress on the enlargement of the European Union and will introduce legislation to enable the United Kingdom to ratify the Treaty of Nice and implement the Berlin Own Resources decision on the Union's future funding.
NATO will remain the cornerstone of Britain's national security, and my Government will work for a still more effective Alliance defence. In this context, and to enable the European Union to act where NATO chooses not to do so, my Government will work to improve the European Union's capacity, and Member States' capabilities, for humanitarian, peace-keeping and crisis management tasks.
Legislation will be introduced to improve the transparency of export controls and to establish their purpose.
Tackling climate change and making a reality of sustainable development will be a priority for my Government. It will fulfil the United Kingdom's international obligations arising from the Kyoto Protocol.
My Government will work for an early and comprehensive World Trade Round, which will benefit industrialised and developing countries alike.
In the United Nations, my Government will support a more modern and representative Security Council, and work to make conflict prevention and peacekeeping more effective.
My Government will work to encourage universal observance of human rights, including throughout the Commonwealth.
My Government will continue to work for a more effective global effort to reduce poverty, and will reintroduce its Bill to entrench and strengthen the poverty focus to development work.
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,
I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.
10 Queen's Speech (Motion for an Address),-A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, as follows:
We, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament-(Mr Barry Sheerman);
Ordered, That the Debate be now adjourned.-(Angela Smith.)
Debate to be resumed to-morrow.
11 Adjournment,-A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn-(Angela Smith);
And the Motion having been made at Ten o'clock, and the Debate having continued for half-an-hour, the Speaker adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order, till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 10.30 p.m.
Michael J. Martin
Speaker
Mr Speaker will take the Chair at half-past Eleven o'clock.
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Monday 14th May 2001 during the adjournment, pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments):
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
1 Children and Young Persons,-Child Minding and Day Care (Registration and Annual Fees) Regulations 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 1886), dated 14th May 2001 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on the undermentioned dates on or after Wednesday 13th June 2001, the day on which Parliament was appointed to meet, pursuant to Standing Order No. 158(Presentation of command papers):
Tuesday 19th June 2001
2 Hong Kong (No. 1, 2001),-Agreement, done at Hong Kong on 23rd January 1998, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China concerning Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Cm. 5199] [Mr Secretary Straw].
3 Miscellaneous (No. 8, 2001),-Amendment, adopted at the Ninth Meeting of the Parties held at Montreal on 15th-17th September 1997, to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Cm. 5176] [Mr Secretary Straw].
4 Treaty Series (No. 28, 2001),-Agreement, done at London on 21st February 2001, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Canada regarding the Sharing of Forfeited or Confiscated Assets or their Equivalent Funds [Cm. 5147] [Mr Secretary Straw].
Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on the undermentioned dates on or after Wednesday 13th June 2001, the day on which Parliament was appointed to meet, pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments):
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Thursday 14th June 2001
5 Animals,-(1) Import and Export Restrictions (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) (No. 7) (Amendment) Regulations 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 1936), dated 11th May 2001
(2) Import and Export Restrictions (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) (No. 7) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 1983), dated 18th May 2001, and
(3) Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Export of Vehicles) (Disinfection of Tyres) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 1984), dated 18th May 2001
[Secretary Margaret Beckett].
6 Prison and Young Offenders Centres,-Prison and Young Offenders Centre (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2001 (S.R. (N.I.), 2001, No. 221), dated 22nd May 2001 [Mr Secretary Reid].
Friday 15th June 2001
7 Animals,-(1) Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Export of Vehicles) (Disinfection of Tyres) (Amendment) (No.5) Regulations 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 2195), and
(2) Import and Export Restrictions (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) (No. 8) Regulations 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 2194),
dated 15th June 2001 [Secretary Margaret Beckett].
8 Financial Services and Markets,-Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Disclosure of Confidential Information) Regulations 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 2188), dated 15th June 2001 [Ruth Kelly].
9 Social Security,-Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 4) Regulations 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 2187), dated 15th June 2001 [Dawn Primarolo].
Tuesday 19th June 2001
10 Education,-(1) Education (Special Educational Needs) (England) Regulations 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 2216), and
(2) Special Educational Needs (Provision of Information by Local Education Authorities) (England) Regulations 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 2218),
dated 16th June 2001 [Secretary Estelle Morris].
11 Local Government,-(1) Local Authorities (Executive and Alternative Arrangements) (Modification of Enactments and Further Provisions) (England) Order 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 2211), dated 18th June 2001
(2) Local Authorities (Executive and Alternative Arrangements) (Modification of Enactments and Further Provisions) (England) (Revocation) Order 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 2231), dated 19th June 2001, and
(3) Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 2212), dated 18th June 2001
12 Social Security,-Tax Credits (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 6) Regulations 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 2220), dated 19th June 2001 [Dawn Primarolo].
13 Social Security (Northern Ireland),-Tax Credits (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 6) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 2221), dated 19th June 2001 [Dawn Primarolo].
Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Wednesday 20th June 2001:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
14 Agriculture,-Home-Grown Cereals Authority Levy (Variation) Scheme (Approval) Order 2001, dated 8th May 2001 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].
15 Immigration,-Draft Immigration (Leave to Enter) Order 2001 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
16 International Immunities and Privileges,-Draft International Criminal Court (Immunities and Privileges) Order 2001 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw].
17 Police,-Draft Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Drug Testing of Persons in Police Detention) (Prescribed Persons) Regulations 2001 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
18 Education,-Draft Special Educational Needs Code of Practice [by Act] [Secretary Estelle Morris].
19 Sports Grounds and Sporting Events,-Draft Football (Disorder) (Duration of Powers) Order 2001 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
20 Civil Aviation,-Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) Order 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 2128), dated 9th June 2001 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw].
21 Criminal Law,-(1) Community Order (Electronic Monitoring of Requirements) (Responsible Officer) Order 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 2233), and
(2) Curfew Order and Curfew Requirement (Responsible Officer) Order 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 2234),
dated 19th June 2001 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
22 Financial Services and Markets,-(1) Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Rights of Action) Regulations 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 2256), and
(2) Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Transitional Provisions) (Designated Date for The Securities and Futures Authority) Order 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 2255),
dated 20th June 2001 [by Act] [Ruth Kelly].
23 Health and Safety,-Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Application outside Great Britain) Order 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 2127), dated 9th June 2001 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].
24 Local Government,-Local Authorities (Executive and Alternative Arrangements) (Modification of Enactments and other Provisions) (England) Order 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 2237), dated 19th June 2001 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].
25 Patents,-Patents (Convention Countries) (Amendment) Order 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 2126), dated 9th June 2001 [by Act] [Ms Secretary Hewitt].
26 Universities of Oxford and Cambridge,-(1) Statute, dated 9th March 2001, made by the Governing Body of Christ Church, Oxford, amending the Statutes of the College, and
(2) Statute, dated 7th February 2001, made by the Governing Body of Oriel College, Oxford, amending the Statutes of the College
[by Act] [Mr Robin Cook].
Other Papers:
27 Bank of England,-Report and Accounts of the Bank of England for the year ended 28th February 2001 [by Command] [Mr Andrew Smith].
28 British Library,-Statement of appointment and salary of Lord Eatwell as Chairman of the Board of the British Library [by Act] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].
29 Education Reform,-Account of the Education Transfer Council for the period 1st April to 31st December 2000, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 52] [Clerk of the House].
30 Food,-Accounts of the Home Grown Sugar Beet (Research and Education) Fund for 1999-2000, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 35] [Clerk of the House].
31 Football (Disorder),-Report on the impact of measures introduced by the Football (Disorder) Act 2000 during the period August 2000 to June 2001 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
32 Government Resources and Accounts,-Report of the Financial Reporting Advisory Board to the Treasury for 2000-01 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 8] [Mr Andrew Smith].
33 Health Service Commissioners,-(1) First Report of the Health Service Ombudsman, Session 2001-02: Annual Report for 2001-01, and
(2) Second Report of the Health Service Ombudsman, Session 2001-2002: Investigations completed-December 2000 to March 2001
[by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 3 and 4-I & II ] [Clerk of the House].
34 House of Commons Members' Fund,-Accounts of the House of Commons Members' Fund for 1999-2000, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 21] [Clerk of the House].
35 Law Commission,-Report on Bail and the Human Rights Act 1998 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 7] [Mr Michael Wills].
36 National Audit,-Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Royal Travel by air and rail [by Act]; to be printed [No. 25] [Clerk of the House].
37 Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions,-(1) Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions (Hong Kong Locally Engaged Ratings' Service Gratuities and Attributable Disablement and Death Awards) Order 2001, dated 9th June 2001; and
(2) Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions (Pay and Allowances) Order 2001, dated 14th May 2001
[by Act] [Mr Robin Cook].
38 School Standards and Framework,-Accounts of the:-
(1) Bolton Education Action Zone,
(2) Bridgewater Education Action Zone, and
(3) Dingle Granby Toxteth Education Action Zone,
(4) Gloucester Education Action Zone,
(5) Hamilton Oxford Education Action Zone,
(6) Herefordshire Education Action Zone,
(7) Kent and Somerset Education Action Zone,
(8) North East Derbyshire Coalfields Education Action Zone,
(9) Peterlee Education Action Zone,
(10) Speke Garston Education Action Zone,
(11) Stoke-on-Trent Education Action Zone,
(12) Telford and Wrekin Education Action Zone, and
(13) Wolverhampton Education Action Zone
for 1999-2000, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos.18, 15,16, 14, 51, 34, 19, 37, 17, 20, 36, 32 and 33] [Clerk of the House].
39 United Nations,-Liberia (United Nations Sanctions) (Overseas Territories) (No. 2) Order 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 1867), dated 14th May 2001 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw].
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