The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1 Regulatory Reform,-Dr Doug Naysmith reported from the Regulatory Reform Committee the following Resolution:
That the proposal for the Regulatory Reform (Schemes under section 129 of the Housing Act 1988) (England) Order 2003, which was laid before this House on 10th December 2002, should be amended before a draft Order is laid before the House.
2 Criminal Justice Bill,-Mr Eric Illsley reported from Standing Committee B, That it had agreed to the following Resolution in respect of the Criminal Justice Bill:
That the Committee recommends that the Order of the House of 4th December 2002 (Criminal Justice Bill (Programme)) be further varied as follows:
(1) Paragraphs (4), (5) and (6) of the Order (consideration and Third Reading) shall be omitted.
(2) Proceedings on consideration and Third Reading shall be concluded in three days and shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption on the last of those days.
Report, together with Resolution, to lie upon the Table.
3 Criminal Justice Bill,-Mr Eric Illsley reported from Standing Committee B, That it had gone through the Criminal Justice Bill, and made Amendments thereunto.
Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 63].
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 490].
4 Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,-Mr David Amess reported from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Climate Change Levy (Use as Fuel) (Amendment) Regulations 2003.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
5 Welfare of Laying Hens (Enriched Cages),-Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to prohibit the keeping of laying hens in enriched cages: And that Mr Chris Mullin, Ann Clwyd, Mr Tony Banks, Sir Teddy Taylor, Bob Russell, Mr Gwyn Prosser, Mr John Horam, Sue Doughty, Mr Eric Martlew, Mr Roger Gale, Mr Bill Etherington and Peter Bottomley do prepare and bring it in.
6 Welfare of Laying Hens (Enriched Cages) Bill,-Mr Chris Mullin accordingly presented a Bill to prohibit the keeping of laying hens in enriched cages: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 28th March and to be printed [Bill 65].
7 Police (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords] (Programme) (No. 2),-A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Orders [28th June 2001 and 29th October 2002], That the Programme Order of 10th February in relation to the Police (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords] shall be amended by the substitution in paragraph 2 (conclusion of proceedings in standing committee) for 'Tuesday 4th March' of 'Thursday 6th March'-(Joan Ryan):-It was agreed to.
8 Communications Bill [2nd allotted day],-The House, according to Order, proceeded further to consider the Communications Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee.
Another Clause (Secretary of State guarantees for OFCOM borrowing)-(Mr Stephen Timms)-brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
Another Clause (Grants for electronic communications networks and services in Northern Ireland)-(Mr Stephen Timms)-brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
Another Clause (Power of OFCOM to retain costs of carrying out spectrum functions)-(Mr Stephen Timms)-brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
Another Clause (Deterrence of piracy, counterfeiting etc.)-(Mr Chris Smith)-brought up and read the first time.
Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:-Clause, by leave, withdrawn.
Another Clause (Duty to promote new telecommunications technologies)-(Mr Tim Yeo)-brought up and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mark Hoban, Angela Watkinson: 176.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Ivor Caplin, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe: 288.
Another Clause (Restrictive covenants affecting freehold property)-(Mr John Whittingdale)-brought up and read the first time.
Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:-Clause, by leave, withdrawn.
Another Clause (National advisory committees)-(Pete Wishart)-brought up and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
Tellers for the Ayes, Pete Wishart, Mr Simon Thomas: 47.
Tellers for the Noes, Gillian Merron, Mr Fraser Kemp: 415.
Another Clause (Duty relating to disabled users)-(Mr Simon Thomas)-brought up and read the first time.
Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:-Clause, by leave, withdrawn.
Another Clause (Limits on ownership of national daily and Sunday newspapers)-(Mr Chris Mullin)-brought up and read the first time.
Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time.
And it being Six o'clock, the Deputy Speaker, pursuant to Order [10th February], put the Question already proposed from the Chair:-It was negatived.
The Deputy Speaker then put the Question on an Amendment which had been selected by the Speaker for separate Division.
Another Amendment (No. 163) proposed to the Bill, in page 319, line 33, to leave out Clause No. 365.-(Mr John Whittingdale.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mark Hoban, Angela Watkinson: 123.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Fraser Kemp, Gillian Merron: 335.
The Deputy Speaker then put the Question necessary to dispose of the remaining business to be concluded at that hour.
Other Amendments (Nos. 215 to 221, 21 to 28, 222 to 228, 29, 229 to 232, 30, 233, 31 to 43, 234, 44 to 46, 235, 47 to 50, 236 to 239, 194, 240, 53, 279 to 289, 241 to 248, 54 to 58, 249 to 251, 60 to 62, 252 to 255, 63, 256, 258, 257, 64, 65, 259 to 273, 66, 67, 274, 68, 275, 290, 276, 69 and 277) made to the Bill.
A Motion being made, That the Bill be now read the third time;
Ms Secretary Hewitt, by Her Majesty's Command, acquainted the House, That Her Majesty, having been informed of the purport of the Bill, gives her Consent, as far as Her Majesty's interest is concerned, That the House may do therein as it shall think fit.
Ms Secretary Hewitt, by Command of the Prince of Wales, acquainted the House, That His Royal Highness, having been informed of the purport of the Bill, gives his Consent, as far as the Prince of Wales's interest is concerned, That the House may do therein as it shall think fit.
And the Question being proposed;
And it being Seven o'clock, the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Order [10th February]:-It was agreed to.
The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.
9 Protecting the Financial Interests of the Communities,-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. OJ C295, Vol. 45, European Court of Auditors' 2001 Annual Report, and No. 10625/1/02, the Commission's 2001 Annual Report on protecting the financial interests of the Communities; and supports the Government's continuing efforts to promote measures to improve financial management and combat fraud against the European Community's financial interests-(Derek Twigg):-It was agreed to.
10 Wildlife and Countryside,-A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Code of Guidance on Sites of Special Scientific Interest: Encouraging Positive Partnerships, which was laid before this House on 5th February, be approved-(Derek Twigg):-It was agreed to.
11 Local Government Finance,-A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 112) on Special Grants for the Local e-Government Programme, a copy of which was laid before this House on 3rd February, be approved-(Derek Twigg):-It was agreed to.
12 Ecclesiastical Law,-A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Grants to the Churches Conservation Trust Order 2003, which was laid before this House on 28th January, be approved-(Derek Twigg):-It was agreed to.
13 Public Petitions,-Public Petitions from-
(1) the East Anglian Daily Times and residents of Harwich Constituency for improvements to the A120 road between Harwich and Little Bromley; and
(2) Ms Tracy Trevillion, Mrs Dorothy Best and others against removal of controls on the opening of pharmacies
were presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
14 Adjournment,-Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.-(Derek Twigg.)
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-seven minutes to Eight o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 7.33 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 subject to Affirmative Resolution:
1 Local Government,-Draft Local Authorities (Charges for Specified Welfare Services) (England) Regulations 2003 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
2 Northern Ireland,-Draft Local Elections (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Order 2003 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Murphy].
3 Representation of the People,-Draft Representations of the People (Northern Ireland) (Variation of Specified Documents) Regulations 2003 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Murphy]
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
4 Aggregates,-(1) Aggregates Levy (General) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 466), and
(2) Aggregates Levy (Registration and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 465),
dated 3rd March 2003 [by Act] [Ruth Kelly].
5 Banks and Banking,-Cross-Border Payments in Euro Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 488), dated 4th March 2003 [by Act] [Ruth Kelly]
6 Children and Young Persons,-Child Minding and Day Care (Suspension of Registration) (England) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 332), dated 25th February 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Clarke].
7 Customs and Excise,-Customs (Presentation of Goods for Export) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 467), dated 3rd March 2003 [by Act] [Ruth Kelly].
8 Education,-(1) Education (Additional Functions of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools in England) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 469), dated 25th February 2003, and
(2) Education (Budget Statements) (England) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 475), dated 3rd March 2003
[by Act] [Mr Secretary Clarke].
9 Government Resources and Accounts,-Whole of Government Accounts (Designation of Bodies) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 489), dated 4th March 2003 [by Act] [Mr Paul Boateng].
10 Social Security,-Social Security (Work-focused Interviews for Lone Parents) Amendment Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 400), dated 26th February 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].
11 Supreme Court of England and Wales,-Civil Procedure (Modification of Enactments) order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 490), dated 4th March 2003 [by Act] [Ms Rosie Winterton].
12 Tax Credits,-Tax Credits (Approval of Home Child Care Providers) Scheme 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 463), dated 25th February 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Clarke].
Other Papers:
13 Northern Ireland,-Report of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland for 2001-02, with the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Murphy].
14 Public Petitions,-Observations by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on the Petition [4th February] from local convenience shop owners and others for a competition inquiry into the proposed merger between Tesco and T&S Stores [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].
15 Reserve Forces,-Report under section 56(7) of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 of a call-out order under section 56(1) of that Act [by Act] [Mr Secretary Hoon].
Papers withdrawn:
16 Local Government,-Draft Local Authorities (Charges for Specified Welfare Services) (England) Regulations 2003 [laid 24th February].
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
Draft Climate Change Levy (Use of Fuel) (Amendment) Regulations 2003,-The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Bill Tynan from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations); and nominated in substitution Mr Graham Allen.
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
1 Culture, Media and Sport,-Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [Privacy and Media Intrusion]; to be printed [No. 458-ii] [Mr Gerald Kaufman].
2 Foreign Affairs,-(1) Fourth Report from the Foreign Affairs Committee [Human Rights Annual Report 2002], with the 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. 257]; and
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Foreign Policy Aspects of the War against Terrorism]; to be printed [No. 405-iii]
3 Health,-Minutes of Evidence taken before the Health Committee [Foundation Trusts]; to be printed [No. 395-iv] [Mr David Hinchliffe].
4 Home Affairs,-Minutes of Evidence taken before the Home Affairs Committee [Asylum and Immigration: Removals]; to be printed [No. 381-iii] [Mr Chris Mullin].
5 International Development,-Third Report from the International Development Committee [The humanitarian crisis in southern Africa], together with 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 [Nos. 116-I and -II] [Tony Baldry].
6 Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions,-(1) Fifth Report from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions Committee [Departmental Annual Report and Estimates 2002], with the 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. 78-I]; and
(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Reducing Regional Disparities in Prosperity]; to be printed [No. 492-II]
7 Scottish Affairs,-Minutes of Evidence taken before the Scottish Affairs Committee [Homeworkers in Scotland and Minimum Wage] [No. 335-iv] [Mrs Irene Adams].
8 Statutory Instruments,-Twelfth Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, together with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 96-xii]; and
(2) Second Report from the Select Committee on Statutory Instruments, together with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 126-ii]
9 Treasury,-(1) Fifth Report from the Treasury Committee [Annual Report for 2002]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings relating to the Report [No. 491]; and
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The UK and the Euro]; to be printed [No. 187-xiii]
[W.H., No. 34]
Minutes of Proceedings of the Sitting in Westminster Hall
The sitting commenced at half-past Nine o'clock.
Adjournment,-Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.-(Charlotte Atkins.)
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 4.45 p.m.
Sir Alan Haselhurst
Deputy Speaker
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