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The House met at half-past Two o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1 Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Bill [Lords],-Mr David Amess reported from Standing Committee A, That it had gone through the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Bill [Lords], and had made an Amendment thereunto.
Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 855].
2 First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,-Miss Ann Widdecombe reported from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Occupational Pensions Schemes (Minimum Funding Requirement and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 380).
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
3 Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,-Mr George Stevenson reported from the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
4 European Standing Committee A,-David Taylor reported from European Standing Committee A the following Resolution:
That the Committee takes note of European Union Documents Nos. 11596/00 and 12488/01, draft Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the animal-health requirements applicable to non-commercial movement of pet animals; and congratulates the Government on securing for the United Kingdom, during the subsequent negotiations, the continuation, for at least five years, of arrangements similar to those contained in the successful United Kingdom Pet Travel Scheme.
Report, together with Resolution, to lie upon the Table.
5 Planning (Publication and Infrastructure),-Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require applications for planning permission to be published at the time notice of the application is given; to require planning permission for new housing or business development to be conditional upon fulfilment of planning obligations relating to infrastructure; and for connected purposes: And that Derek Wyatt, Paul Farrelly, Mr Robert Marshall-Andrews, Mr Gwyn Prosser and Dr Howard Stoate do prepare and bring it in.
6 Planning (Publication and Infrastructure) Bill,-Derek Wyatt accordingly presented a Bill to require applications for planning permission to be published at the time notice of the application is given; to require planning permission for new housing or business development to be conditional upon fulfilment of planning obligations relating to infrastructure; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 21st June and to be printed [Bill 136].
7 Modernisation of the House of Commons,-A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House approves the First Report of the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons relating to Select Committees, House of Commons Paper No. 224-I, and in particular welcomes its commitment to more specialist and support staff for select committees; is of the view that the package as a whole will strengthen the scrutiny role of the House; and invites the Liaison Committee to establish common objectives for select committees, taking into account the illustrative model set out in paragraph 34 of that report, namely:
-to consider major policy initiatives
-to consider the Government's response to major emerging issues
-to propose changes where evidence persuades the Committee that present policy requires amendment
-to conduct pre-legislative scrutiny of draft bills
-to examine and report on main Estimates, annual expenditure plans and annual resource accounts
-to monitor performance against targets in the public service agreements
-to take evidence from each Minister at least annually
-to take evidence from independent regulators and inspectorates
-to consider the reports of Executive Agencies
-to consider, and if appropriate report on, major appointments by a Secretary of State or other senior ministers
-to examine treaties within their subject areas-(Mr Robin Cook);
And it being four hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion, the Deputy Speaker, pursuant to Order [yesterday], proceeded to put the Questions necessary to dispose of the business to be concluded at that hour.
An Amendment ((d)) was proposed to the Question, in line 6, after the word 'House', to insert the words 'welcomes the proposal to increase the size of Select Committees; believes that the Select Committees must represent all shades of opinion in the House and therefore calls for some of these new places to be reserved for the minority parties;'.-(Pete Wishart.)
And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made;
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John Heppell, Mr Fraser Kemp: 50.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Ivor Caplin, Mr Ian Pearson: 352.
So the Question was negatived.
And the Main Question being put;
Resolved, That this House approves the First Report of the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons relating to Select Committees, House of Commons Paper No. 224-I, and in particular welcomes its commitment to more specialist and support staff for select committees; is of the view that the package as a whole will strengthen the scrutiny role of the House; and invites the Liaison Committee to establish common objectives for select committees, taking into account the illustrative model set out in paragraph 34 of that report, namely:
-to consider major policy initiatives
-to consider the Government's response to major emerging issues
-to propose changes where evidence persuades the Committee that present policy requires amendment
-to conduct pre-legislative scrutiny of draft bills
-to examine and report on main Estimates, annual expenditure plans and annual resource accounts
-to monitor performance against targets in the public service agreements
-to take evidence from each Minister at least annually
-to take evidence from independent regulators and inspectorates
-to consider the reports of Executive Agencies
-to consider, and if appropriate report on, major appointments by a Secretary of State or other senior ministers
-to examine treaties within their subject areas.
8 Select Committees (No. 1),-A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That-
(1) the following Standing Order (Committee of Nomination) be made:
'(1) There shall be a select committee, called the Committee of Nomination, to propose to the House the membership of all select committees other than the Committee of Nomination itself and any other select committee for which the House makes other provision.
(2) The committee shall consist of nine members nominated by the Chairman of Ways and Means, who shall be the following:
(a) the most senior woman member of the Chairmen's Panel belonging to the Government party, and the three other most senior members of the Panel belonging to that party;
(b) the most senior woman member of the Panel belonging to the party to which the Leader of the Opposition belongs, and the other most senior member of the Panel belonging to that party;
(c) the most senior member of the Panel belonging to the second largest opposition party;
(d) the most senior Member of the House belonging to the Government party but not being a Minister of the Crown; and
(e) the most senior Member of the House not belonging to the Government party who is not a front-bench spokesman for his party.
(3) Where a Member who would otherwise be a member of the Committee of Nomination is unwilling to serve, the next most senior Member in the relevant category shall be nominated.
(4) In sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) of paragraph (2) of this order, seniority shall consist of length of continuous service as a member of the Chairmen's Panel (other than as Chairman or Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means), and in sub-paragraphs (d) and (e) of that paragraph, seniority shall consist of length of continuous service as a Member of the House.
(5) The Chairman of Ways and Means, or in his absence a Deputy Chairman, shall be chairman of the committee, but shall not vote.
(6) The Chairman of Ways and Means shall report the membership of the committee to the House.
(7) The quorum of the committee shall be seven when the committee is nominating select committees at the commencement of a Parliament and otherwise four, in either case including the chairman.
(8) The committee shall have power to sit notwithstanding any adjournment of the House and to report from time to time.';
(2) Standing Order No. 121 (Nomination of select committees) be amended as follows:
Line 9, leave out paragraph (2) and add-
'(2) Unless the House otherwise orders, no motion shall be made for the nomination of members of select committees, or for their discharge, unless-
(a) notice of the motion has been given at least two sitting days previously; and
(b) the motion is made on behalf of the Committee of Nomination by one of its members.
(3) Unless the House otherwise orders, all Members nominated to a select committee shall continue to be members of that committee for the remainder of the Parliament (or for the period of existence of the committee, if that is a shorter period).';
(3) Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business) be amended, as follows:
Line 16, leave out from 'committees)' to 'which' in line 20; and
(4) Standing Orders be amended, as follows:
Standing Order No. 139 (Select Committee on Broadcasting)
Line 29, leave out paragraph (6);
Standing Order No. 140 (Joint Committee on Consolidation, &c., Bills)
Line 37, leave out paragraph (4);
Standing Order No. 141 (Deregulation and Regulatory Reform Committee)
Line 98, leave out paragraph (10);
Standing Order No. 142 (Domestic Committees)
Line 37, leave out paragraph (7);
Standing Order No. 143 (European Scrutiny Committee)
Line 80, leave out paragraph (13);
Standing Order No. 144 (Finance and Services Committee)
Line 29, leave out paragraph (5);
Standing Order No. 145 (Liaison Committee)
Line 27, leave out paragraph (4);
Standing Order No. 146 (Select Committee on Public Administration)
Line 20, leave out paragraph (3);
Standing Order No. 147 (Procedure Committee)
Line 11, leave out paragraph (4);
Standing Order No. 148 (Committee of Public Accounts)
Line 10, leave out paragraph (2);
Standing Order No. 149 (Committee on Standards and Privileges)
Line 26, leave out paragraph (3);
Standing Order No. 151 (Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee))
Line 126, leave out paragraph (11);
Standing Order No. 152 (Select committees related to government departments)
Line 34, leave out paragraph (5);
Standing Order No. 152A (Environmental Audit Committee)
Line 10, leave out paragraph (3);
Standing Order No. 152B (Human rights (joint committee))
Line 41, leave out paragraph (6);
Standing Order No. 152C (Tax simplification (joint committee))
Line 15, leave out paragraph (4)-(Mr Robin Cook);
An Amendment ((a)) was made to the Question, in line 7, by leaving out the word 'nine' and inserting the word 'thirteen', instead thereof.-(Mr Tony Lloyd.)
Another Amendment ((d)) was proposed to the Question, in line 20, at the end, to insert the words 'and
(f) two Members belonging to the Government party, one belonging to the party to which the Leader of the Opposition belongs, and one belonging to the second largest opposition party, in each case first elected to the House in the previous Parliament and proposed by the chairman of the relevant party.'.-(Mr Tony Lloyd.)
And the Question being proposed, That the Amendment be made;
An Amendment ((h)) was made to the proposed Amendment, in line 5, after the second word 'the', by inserting the words 'current or'.-(Mr Chris Bryant.)
Amendment, as amended, made.
Another Amendment ((e)) was made to the Question, in line 21, after '(3)', by inserting the words 'In sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) of paragraph (2) of this order'.-(Mr Tony Lloyd.)
And the Main Question, as amended, being put forthwith, pursuant to Order [yesterday];
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John Heppell, Mr Fraser Kemp: 195.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Ivor Caplin, Mr Ian Pearson: 209.
So the Question was negatived.
9 Payment for Chairmen,-A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Order [yesterday], That this House considers that there should be no differences in remuneration among Members who are not Ministers of the Crown beyond those already authorised-(Mr Stephen Twigg);
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John Heppell, Mr Fraser Kemp: 175.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Ivor Caplin, Mr Ian Pearson: 197.
So the Question was negatived.
10 Payment for Chairmen,-A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Order [yesterday], That, in the opinion of this House, the Review Body on Senior Salaries should be invited to consider what additional remuneration is appropriate for chairmen of select committees-(Mr Robin Cook);
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John Heppell, Mr Fraser Kemp: 199.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Ivor Caplin, Mr Ian Pearson: 158.
So the Question was agreed to.
Resolved, That, in the opinion of this House, the Review Body on Senior Salaries should be invited to consider what additional remuneration is appropriate for chairmen of select committees.
11 Select Committees (No. 3),-A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That-
(1) Standing Order No. 137A (Select committees: power to work with other committees) be amended as follows:
Line 12, leave out 'and';
Line 15, at end insert 'and
(d) to agree in the choice of a chairman for any concurrent meetings.'; and
(2) the following Standing Order (Term limits for chairmen of select committees) be made:
'Unless the House otherwise orders, no select committee may choose as its chairman any Member who has served as chairman of that committee for the two previous Parliaments.'-(Mr Robin Cook);
An Amendment ((a)) was made to the Question, in line 11, at the end, by adding the words 'or a continuous period of eight years, whichever is the greater period.'.-(Mr Greg Knight.)
And the Main Question, as amended, being put forthwith, pursuant to Order [yesterday];
(1) Standing Order No. 137A (Select committees: power to work with other committees) be amended as follows:
Line 12, leave out 'and';
Line 15, at end insert 'and
(d) to agree in the choice of a chairman for any concurrent meetings.'; and
(2) the following Standing Order (Term limits for chairmen of select committees) be made:
'Unless the House otherwise orders, no select committee may choose as its chairman any Member who has served as chairman of that committee for the two previous Parliaments or a continuous period of eight years, whichever is the greater period.'.
12 Tax Law Rewrite,-A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Order [yesterday], That the following changes to Standing Orders be made:
Standing Order No. 60 (Tax simplification bills)
Title, leave out 'simplification' and insert 'law rewrite'
Lines 1, 9, 15, 22, 24, 29, leave out 'simplification' and insert 'law rewrite'
Standing Order No. 63 (Committal of bills)
Line 2, leave out 'simplification' and insert 'law rewrite'
Standing Order No. 152C (Tax simplification (Joint Committee))
Title, leave out 'simplification' and insert 'law rewrite'
Line 4, leave out 'simplification' and insert 'law rewrite' (in both places)-(Mr Robin Cook):-It was agreed to.
13 Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments,-A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Order [yesterday], That the following amendments to Standing Orders be made:
Standing Order No. 151 (Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments)
Line 19, leave out 'of Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Act 1974' and insert '(1) of the Schedule to the Northern Ireland Act 2000'
Line 20, leave out 'under section 1 of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 or'
Line 24, after 'Act', insert 'and any remedial order or draft remedial order under Schedule 2 to the Human Rights Act 1998'-(Mr Robin Cook):-It was agreed to.
14 Liaison Committee: Power to take Evidence,-A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That Standing Order No. 145 (Liaison Committee) be amended as follows:
Line 12, at end insert '(1A) The Committee may also hear evidence from the Prime Minister on matters of public policy'-(Mr Robin Cook);
An Amendment ((a)) was proposed to the Question, in line 4, at the end, to add the words ', but such meetings shall only be attended by the Chairman of the Liaison Committee and the Chairmen of Select Committees appointed under S.O. Nos. 146 and 152.'.-(Mr Chris Bryant.)
And the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Order [yesterday], That the Amendment be made;
Tellers for the Ayes, Angela Smith, Dan Norris: 78.
Tellers for the Noes, Jim Fitzpatrick, Mr Phil Woolas: 261.
So the Question was negatived.
And the Main Question being put forthwith;
Ordered, That Standing Order No. 145 (Liaison Committee) be amended as follows:
Line 12, at end insert '(1A) The Committee may also hear evidence from the Prime Minister on matters of public policy'.
15 Regulatory Reform,-A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Order [yesterday], That the following amendments to Standing Orders be made:
Standing Order No. 141 (Deregulation and Regulatory Reform Committee)
Title, leave out 'Deregulation and'
Line 2, leave out 'Deregulation and'
Line 5, leave out from 'section' to '6' in line 7.
Line 7, leave out '(the 2001 Act)'
Line 10, leave out '1994 Act or section 1 of the 2001'
Line 14, leave out '2001'
Line 14, at end insert '(except those not made by a Minister of the Crown)'
Line 58, leave out lines 58 to 60
Standing Order No. 18 (Consideration of draft deregulation etc orders)
Title, leave out 'Deregulation, etc' and insert 'regulatory reform'
Line 1, leave out 'Deregulation and'
Line 4, leave out from 'House' to 'under' in line 6.
Standing Order No. 98 (Scottish Grand Committee (delegated legislation))
Line 14, leave out 'deregulation order or'
Standing Order No. 115 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (delegated legislation))
Line 15, leave out 'deregulation order or'
Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation)
Line 13, leave out 'deregulation order or'-(Mr Robin Cook):-It was agreed to.
16 Power to Exchange Papers with Devolved Legislatures,-A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Order [yesterday], That Standing Order No. 137A (Select committees: power to work with other committees) be amended as follows:
Line 6, after 'Parliament' insert 'or to the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales or the Northern Ireland Assembly or to any of their Committees'
Line 10, leave out 'such'
Line 11, after 'sub-committee' insert 'of either House of Parliament'-(Mr Robin Cook):-It was agreed to.
17 Code of Conduct,-Resolved, That-
(1) this House approves the Ninth Report from the Committee on Standards and Privileges (House of Commons Paper No. 763), A new Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules;
(2) the Resolution of the House of 6th November 1995 relating to Conduct of Members shall be amended, at the end, by adding the words 'or any approach, whether oral or in writing, to Ministers or servants of the Crown';
(3) the Resolution of the House of 6th November 1995 relating to Employment Agreements shall be redesignated 'Agreements for the Provision of Services;' and shall be amended, as follows:
(a) by leaving out the words 'up to £1,000, £1,000-£5,000, £5,000-£10,000' in each of paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) and inserting the words 'up to £5,000, £5,001-£10,000';
(b) after the word 'inspection' in each of paragraphs (1), (2) and (3), by inserting the words 'and reproduction';
(c) at the end, by adding the words-
'Provided that the requirement to deposit a copy of an agreement with the Commissioner shall not apply-
(a) if the fees or benefits payable do not exceed one per cent. of the current parliamentary salary; nor
(b) in the case of media work (but in that case the Member shall deposit a statement of the fees or benefits payable in the bands specified above)';
(4) the Code of Conduct and the Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members (House of Commons Paper No. 688 (1995-96)) shall be amended as proposed in Annex 2 to the Report; and
(5) the registration forms submitted for the next published Register of Members' Interests shall comply with the new rules on the registration of Members' interests; and any requirement under the new rules to register an interest which is not registrable now shall come into force on the publication of the next Register.-(Mrs Anne McGuire.)
Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules to be printed [No. 841].
18 Adjournment,-Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.-(Dan Norris.)
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-four minutes past Ten o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 10.24 p.m.
Michael J. Martin
Speaker
Mr Speaker will take the Chair at half-past Two o'clock.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
1 Countryside,-Draft Vehicular Access Across Common and Other Land (England) Regulations 2002 [by Act], together with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
2 Education,-(1) Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 1330), dated 13th May 2002,
(2) Education (QCA Levy) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 1331), dated 10th May 2002, and
(3) Education (Student Loans) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 1329), dated 13th May 2002
[by Act] [Secretary Estelle Morris].
3 Medical Profession,-(1) General Medical Council (Constitution of Interim Orders Committee) Rules Order of Council 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 2052), dated 12th July 2000,
(2) General Medical Council (Fitness to Practise Committees) Rules Order of Council 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 2051), dated 12th July 2000,
(3) General Medical Council (Interim Orders Committee) (Procedure) Rules Order of Council 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 2053), dated 12th July 2000,
(4) General Medical Council (Interim Orders Committee) (Transitional Provisions) Rules Order of Council 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 2054), dated 12th July 2000,
(5) General Medical Council (the Professional Conduct Committee, the General Health Committee and the Committee on Professional Performance) (Amendment) Rules Order of Council 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 2034), dated 30th June 2000, and
(6) General Medical Council (Voluntary Erasure and Restoration) Regulations Order of Council 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 2033), dated 30th June 2000
[by Act] [Mr Robin Cook].
4 Social Security,-(1) Tax Credits (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 3) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 1333) and
(2) Tax Credits (Prescribed Period of Awards) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 1334)
dated 14th May 2002 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].
5 Social Security (Northern Ireland),-(1) Tax Credits (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 2) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 1340) and
(2) Tax Credits (Prescribed Period of Awards) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 1339)
dated 14th May 2002 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].
Other Papers:
6 Public Petitions,-Observations by the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on the Petition [25th April] from Residents of South Dorset urging that future arrangements for grant support should not disadvantage small shire districts [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
Draft Health Service (Control of Patient Information) Regulations 2002,-The Speaker has appointed Miss Anne Begg Chairman of the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Regulations, in place of Miss Anne Widdecombe.
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
1 Culture, Media and Sport,-(1) Fifth Report from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [Revisiting the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games], together with Appendices; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 842];
(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Gambling]; to be printed [No. 827]
[Mr Gerald Kaufman].
2 Foreign Affairs,-Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee [Zimbabwe]; to be printed [No. 813-ii] [Donald Anderson].
3 Home Affairs,-Minutes of Evidence taken before the Home Affairs Committee [The Conduct of Investigations into Past Cases of Abuse in Children's Homes]; to be printed [No. 836-i] [Mr Chris Mullin].
4 International Development,-Minutes of Evidence taken before the International Development Committee [Financing for Development]; to be printed [No. 785-iii] [Tony Baldry].
5 Statutory Instruments,-Twenty-ninth Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, together with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 135-xxix] [Mr Brian White].
6 Transport, Local Government and the Regions,-Minutes of Evidence taken before the Urban Affairs Sub-Committee of the Transport, Local Government and the Regions Committee [How the Local Government Act 2000 is Working]; to be printed [No. 602-iii] [Andrew Bennett].
7 Treasury,-(1) Third Report from the Treasury Committee [The Office of Government Commerce], with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 851];
(2) Ninth Special Report from the Committee [The 2001 Census in England and Wales: The Government's Reply to the Committee's First Report]; to be printed [No. 852]; and
(3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Banking and SMEs]; to be printed [No. 818-ii]
8 Welsh Affairs,-Minutes of Evidence taken before the Welsh Affairs Committee [Transport in Wales]; to be printed [No. 378-vi] [Mr Martyn Jones].
[W.H., No. 83]
Minutes of Proceedings of the Sitting in Westminster Hall
[pursuant to the Order of 20th November 2000]
The sitting commenced at half-past Nine o'clock.
Adjournment,-Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.-(Jim Fitzpatrick.)
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 1.59 p.m.
Sir Alan Haselhurst
Deputy Speaker
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