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The House met at half-past Two o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1 Standing Orders (Public Business),-Ordered, That the Standing Orders relating to Public Business be printed [No. 175].
2 Health and Safety at Work (Amendment),-Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to provide for increased penalties for offences under that Act and under the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969: And that Lawrie Quinn, Mr Tony Lloyd, Mr Michael Clapham, Mr Roy Beggs, Mr Frank Doran, Mr Richard Allan, Mr Bob Laxton, Ian Stewart, Mr Malcolm Savidge, Rob Marris do prepare and bring it in.
3 Health and Safety at Work (Amendment) Bill,-Lawrie Quinn accordingly presented a Bill to amend the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to provide for increased penalties for offences under that Act and under the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 31st January and to be printed [Bill 37].
4 Local Government Bill,-The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Local Government Bill;
And a Motion being made, and the Question being proposed, That the Bill be now read a second time;
An Amendment was proposed to the Question, to leave out from the word 'That' to the end of the Question and add the words 'this House declines to give a Second Reading to the Local Government Bill because it is a centralising measure that will have the effect of undermining local democracy by imposing new duties and responsibilities on local authorities; it places in the hands of the Secretary of State too much power to determine the management of individual local authorities; it deprives local authorities of control over housing and capital receipts; and it gives unnecessary powers to the Secretary of State on financial administration, particularly the powers to specify the level of local authorities' reserves and to monitor budgets', instead thereof.-(Mr Eric Pickles.)
And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made;
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Laurence Robertson, Mr Mark Hoban: 141.
Tellers for the Noes, Dan Norris, Mr John Heppell: 370.
So the Question was negatived.
And the Main Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 62 (Amendment on second or third reading);
Tellers for the Ayes, Dan Norris, Mr John Heppell: 368.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Laurence Robertson, Mr Mark Hoban: 142.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Bill was accordingly read a second time.
5 Local Government Bill (Programme),-A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Orders [28th June 2001 and 29th October 2002], That the following provisions shall apply to the Local Government Bill-
1. The Bill shall be committed to a Standing Committee.
Proceedings in Standing Committee
2. Proceedings in the Standing Committee shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion on Thursday 6th February 2003.
3. The Standing Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the first day on which it meets.
Consideration and Third Reading
4. Proceedings on consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour before the moment of interruption on the day on which those proceedings are commenced.
5. Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption on the day on which proceedings on consideration are commenced.
6. Sessional Order B (programming committees) made on 28th June 2001 shall not apply to proceedings on consideration and Third Reading.
7. Any other proceedings on the Bill (including any proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments or any further messages from the Lords) may be programmed-(Joan Ryan);
Tellers for the Ayes, Dan Norris, Mr John Heppell: 318.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Laurence Robertson, Mr Mark Hoban: 183.
So the Question was agreed to.
6 Local Government Bill [Money],-Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Local Government Bill [Money];
A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 52 (Money and ways and means resolutions in connection with bills), That for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Local Government Bill, it is expedient to authorise-
(a) the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any expenditure under the Act of a Minister of the Crown or government department;
(b) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums which under any other enactment are payable out of money so provided; and
(c) the payment out of the Consolidated Fund of any increase attributable to the Act in the sums which under any other enactment are payable out of that Fund-(Joan Ryan):-It was agreed to.
7 Local Government Bill [Ways and Means],-A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 52 (Money and ways and means resolutions in connection with bills), That for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Local Government Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment into the Consolidated Fund of-
(a) any sums received under the Act by a Minister of the Crown;
(b) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable into that Fund under any other enactment; and
(c) any sums received by a valuation officer by way of penalty-(Joan Ryan);
Tellers for the Ayes, Dan Norris, Mr John Heppell: 264.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Andrew Mitchell, Mr Douglas Hogg: 22.
So the Question was agreed to.
8 Staffing Needs of Commission in Enlarged European Union,-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 Document No. 9759/02, Commission Communication on the activities and human resources of the Commission in the enlarged European Union; supports the Government's position that the details of the Communication are timely and that the Commission's commitment to reconsider reassessment prior to each preliminary draft budget is welcome; welcomes the Government's emphasis on the importance of keeping to the Berlin financial agreement; and supports the Government's aim of working to ensure the necessary resources are made available within the agreed ceilings-(Joan Ryan):-It was agreed to.
9 Denied Boarding Compensation for Air Passengers,-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 No. 5129/02, draft Regulation establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to air passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delays of flights, and No. 13312/02, European Parliament Amendments to the draft Regulation; and supports the Government's objective to achieve enhanced passenger protection but without imposing significant new burdens on the airline industry-(Joan Ryan):-It was agreed to.
10 Business of the House,-Ordered, That, at the sitting on Tuesday 14th January,
(1) the Motion in the name of Mr David Trimble may be proceeded with, though opposed, until Four o'clock or three hours after it has been entered upon, whichever is the later, and if proceedings have not previously been concluded they shall lapse at that time; and paragraph (2) of Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments) shall apply to the proceedings as if the day were an Opposition Day; and
(2) the Motion for the adjournment of the House relating to the 2012 Olympics may be proceeded with, though opposed, for three hours after it has been entered upon, and the Motion shall then lapse.-(Joan Ryan.)
11 Accommodation and Works,-Ordered, That Tom Brake be discharged from the Accommodation and Works Committee and Sir Robert Smith be added to the Committee.-(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
12 Treasury,-Ordered, That Mr David Laws be discharged from the Treasury Committee and Norman Lamb be added to the Committee.-(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
13 Public Petitions,-A Public Petition from 'Consumers for Health Choice' and others against restrictions on the availability of natural health products was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
14 Adjournment,-Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.-(Joan Ryan.)
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-six minutes past Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 11.26 p.m.
Michael J. Martin
Speaker
Mr Speaker will take the Chair at half-past Eleven o'clock.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers presented by Her Majesty's Command and delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on the undermentioned dates during the adjournment pursuant to Standing Order No. 158 (Presentation of command papers):
Friday 20th December 2002
1 European Communities (No. 4, 2002),-Euro-Mediterranean Agreement, done at Luxembourg on 25th June 2001, establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Arab Republic of Egypt, of the other part with Final Act, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Cm. 5726] [Mr Secretary Straw].
2 Trade and Industry,-Department for Trade and Industry: Autumn Performance Report 2002 [Cm. 5731] [Ms Secretary Hewitt].
3 Treaty Series (No. 56, 2002),-Amendments, done at London on 4th November 1993, to the Convention on the International Maritime Organization [Cm. 5727] [Mr Secretary Straw].
Tuesday 31st December 2002
4 Health,-Departmental Minute, dated 31st December 2002, concerning a proposed contingent liability in relation to any legal action against the Chairman and members of the investigation panel into matters against Dr David Jefferys [Mr Secretary Milburn].
Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on the undermentioned dates during the adjournment pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments):
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Friday 20th December 2002
5 Agriculture,-Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) (England) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3206), dated 20th December 2002 [Secretary Margaret Beckett].
6 Education,-(1) Action for Learning Partnership, Bedford Education Action Zone (Extension) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3104), dated 16th December 2002,
(2) Ashington Education Action Zone (Extension) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3095), dated 16th December 2002,
(3) Bolton Education Action Zone (Extension) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3098), dated 16th December 2002,
(4) Breaking the Cycle Bridgewater Education Action Zone (Extension) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3096), dated 16th December 2002,
(5) Camborne, Pool and Redruth Success Zone Education Action Zone (Extension) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3085), dated 16th December 2002,
(6) Challenge for Corby Education Action Zone (Extension) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3103), dated 16th December 2002,
(7) Clacton and Harwich Education Action Zone (Extension) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3102), dated 16th December 2002,
(8) Community Learning Partnership Barrow-in-Furness Education Action Zone (Extension) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3093), dated 16th December 2002,
(9) Coventry Millennium Education Action Zone (Extension) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3099), dated 16th December 2002,
(10) Dingle Granby Toxteth Education Action Zone (Extension) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3088), dated 16th December 2002,
(11) Downham and Bellingham Education Action Zone (Extension) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3100), dated 16th December 2002,
(12) Easington and Seaham Education Action Zone (Extension) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3087), dated 16th December 2002,
(13) Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3200), dated 19th December 2002,
(14) Epicentre LEAP Ellesmere Port Cheshire Education Action Zone (Extension) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3101), dated 16th December 2002,
(15) Gloucester Education Achievement Zone (Extension) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3108), dated 16th December 2002,
(16) Learning Together East Cleveland Education Action Zone (Extension) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3090), dated 16th December 2002,
(17) LEA Budget, Schools Budget and Individual Schools Budget (England) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3199), dated 20th December 2002,
(18) Leigh Park Education Action Zone (Extension) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3094), dated 16th December 2002,
(19) North Gillingham Education Action Zone (Extension) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3092), dated 16th December 2002,
(20) Peterlee Education Action Zone (Extension) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3086), dated 16th December 2002,
(21) Rainbow Education Action Zone in Stoke on Trent (Extension) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3097), dated 16th December 2002,
(22) South Bradford Community Learning Partnership Education Action Zone (Extension) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3107), dated 16th December 2002,
(23) Speke Garston Excellent Education Action Zone (Extension) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3106), dated 16th December 2002,
(24) Sunderland Building Our Future Education Action Zone (Extension) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3089), dated 16th December 2002,
(25) Wakefield Community Learning Partnership Education Action Zone (Extension) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3109), dated 16th December 2002,
(26) Withernsea and Southern Holderness Rural Achievement Education Action Zone (Extension) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3105), dated 16th December 2002, and
(27) Wolverhampton Education Action Zone (Extension) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3091), dated 16th December 2002
7 Seeds,-(1) Beet Seed (England) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3171),
(2) Cereal Seed (England) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3173),
(3) Fodder Plant Seed (England) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3172),
(4) Oil and Fibre Plant Seed (England) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3174),
(5) Plant Varieties and Seeds Tribunal (Amendment) (England and Wales) Rules 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3198), and
(6) Vegetable Seed (England) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3175),
dated 18th December 2002 [Secretary Margaret Beckett].
Monday 23rd December 2002
8 Animals,-Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) Amendment Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3215), dated 22nd December 2002 [Secretary Margaret Beckett].
9 Children and Young Persons,-Residential Family Centres Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3213), dated 21st December 2002 [Mr Secretary Milburn].
10 Food,-Kava-kava in Food (England) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3169), dated 18th December 2002 [Mr Secretary Milburn].
11 Medicines,-Medicines for Human Use (Kava-kava) (Prohibition) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3170), dated 18th December 2002 [Mr Secretary Milburn].
12 Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors,-Nurses Agencies Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3212), dated 21st December 2002 [Mr Secretary Milburn].
13 Social Care,-(1) Domiciliary Care Agencies Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3214), and
(2) National Care Standards Commission (Fees and Frequency of Inspections) Amendment (No. 3) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3211),
dated 21st December 2002 [Mr Secretary Milburn].
14 Social Security,-(1) Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment (No. 2) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3116), dated 16th December 2002, and
(2) State Pension Credit (Consequential, Transitional and Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3197), dated 19th December 2002
Tuesday 24th December 2002
15 Children and Young Persons,-Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3220), dated 18th December 2002 [Ms Rosie Winterton].
16 Highways,-Street Works (Records) (England) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3217), dated 20th December 2002 [Mr Secretary Darling].
17 Supreme Court of England and Wales,-Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3219), dated 14th December 2002 [Ms Rosie Winterton].
Monday 30th December 2002
18 Food,-Animal By-Products (Identification) (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3231), dated 22nd December 2002 [Mr Secretary Milburn].
Tuesday 31st December 2002
19 Electricity,-Electricity (Connection Charges) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3232), dated 20th December 2002 [Ms Secretary Hewitt].
Friday 3rd January 2003
20 Terms and Conditions of Employment,-Flexible Working (Eligibility, Complaints and Remedies) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3236), dated 31st December 2002 [Ms Secretary Hewitt].
Monday 6th January 2003
21 Dentists,-General Dental Council (Constitution) Amendment Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3134), dated 17th December 2002 [Mr Secretary Milburn].
22 Health Care and Associated Professions,-General Medical Council (Constitution) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3136), dated 17th December 2002 [Mr Secretary Milburn].
23 Proceeds of Crime,-Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Enforcement in different parts of the United Kingdom) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3133), dated 17th December 2002 [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
Other Papers:
24 Clerk of the Crown in Chancery,-Crown Office (Forms and Proclamation Rules) (Amendment) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3131), dated 17th December 2002 [Yvette Cooper].
25 Merchant Shipping,-Merchant Shipping (Confirmation of Legislation) (Bermuda) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3132), dated 17th December 2002 [Mr Secretary Straw].
Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Tuesday 7th January 2003:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
26 Northern Ireland,-(1) Draft Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 2003,
(2) draft Health and Personal Social Services (Quality, Improvement and Regulation) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003, and
(3) draft Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (Northern Ireland) Order 2003
[by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Mr Secretary Murphy].
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
27 Harbours,-(1) Londonderry Port and Harbour (Variation of Pilotage Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 (S.R. (N.I.), 2002, No. 394), and
(2) River Bann Navigation Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 (S.R. (N.I.), 2002, No. 395),
dated 18th December 2002 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Murphy].
Other Papers:
28 Foreign Affairs,-Government Response to the Eleventh Report from the Foreign Affairs Committee, Session 2001-02, on Gibraltar [by Command] [Cm. 5714] [Mr Secretary Straw].
29 Marshall Aid Commemoration,-Report of the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission for 1st October 2001 to 30th September 2002 [by Command] [Cm. 5667] [Mr Secretary Straw].
30 National Lottery,-Report and Summary Financial Statement of the Arts Council of Wales for 2001-02, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Hain].
31 Public Petitions,-(1) Observations by the Secretary of State for Transport on the Petition [28th November] from electors of Blaby, South Leicestershire, and others against proposals for an airport between Coventry and Rugby,
(2) Observations by the Secretary of State for Transport on the Petition [18th December] from residents of the Rugby area against the construction of an airport at Rugby, and
(3) Observations by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the Petition [19th November] from the British Pensioners and Trade Union Action Association, Coventry Branch, for increased State retirement pensions;
[by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].
32 Reserve Forces,-Report under section 54(7) of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 on the making of a call-out order under section 54(1) of that Act [by Act] [Mr Secretary Hoon].
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
Extradition Bill,-The Committee of Selection has discharged Patrick Mercer from Standing Committee D (nominated in respect of the Bill); and nominated in substitution Mr John Maples.
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
1 Foreign Affairs,-Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee [Human Rights Annual Report]; to be printed [No. 257-i] [Donald Anderson].
2 International Development,-(1) Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the International Development Committee on 5th November 2002 in the last Session of Parliament [The Autumn Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank]; to be printed [No. 256]; and
(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [The Autumn Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank]
[W.H., No. 13]
Minutes of Proceedings of the Sitting in Westminster Hall
The sitting commenced at seventeen minutes to Ten o'clock.
Adjournment,-A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the sitting be now adjourned-(Jim Fitzpatrick);
And it being Two o'clock, the sitting was adjourned without Question put, till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 2 p.m.
Sir Alan Haselhurst
Deputy Speaker
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