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The House met at half-past Two o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1 First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,-Mr Peter Pike reported from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Release of Short-Term Prisoners on Licence (Repeal of Age Restriction) Order 2003.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
2 Opposition Day [10th allotted day],-It being an allotted day at the disposal of the leader of the second largest opposition party in pursuance of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business), the House proceeded to consider Opposition business.
Student finance,-A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House calls on the Government not to allow universities to introduce top-up fees-(Mr Phil Willis);
An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word 'House' to the end of the Question and add the words 'congratulates the Government on its plan to abolish up-front tuition fees and to raise the threshold for repayment of loans from £10,000 to £15,000; endorses the further steps that the Government is taking to widen participation amongst students from deprived backgrounds-the establishment of the Office for Fair Access, the introduction from 2004-05 of a £1,000 grant for students from the poorest backgrounds and better support for part-time students; welcomes the sustained investment in higher education through annual increases of 6 per cent. in real terms over the next three years; and recognises the need to maintain UK universities at the forefront of world research and to equip the UK workforce with the high level skills needed to compete in the global marketplace', instead thereof.-(Alan Johnson.)
And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;
Tellers for the Ayes, Annette Brooke, Mr Alan Reid: 193.
Tellers for the Noes, Margaret Moran, Mr John Heppell: 267.
So the Question was negatived.
And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments);
Tellers for the Ayes, Margaret Moran, Mr John Heppell: 281.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Mark Hoban, Hugh Robertson: 175.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.
Resolved, That this House congratulates the Government on its plan to abolish up-front tuition fees and to raise the threshold for repayment of loans from £10,000 to £15,000; endorses the further steps that the Government is taking to widen participation amongst students from deprived backgrounds-the establishment of the Office for Fair Access, the introduction from 2004-05 of a £1,000 grant for students from the poorest backgrounds and better support for part-time students; welcomes the sustained investment in higher education through annual increases of 6 per cent. in real terms over the next three years; and recognises the need to maintain UK universities at the forefront of world research and to equip the UK workforce with the high level skills needed to compete in the global marketplace.
Transport,-A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House believes that for the duration of the crisis in transport the country requires a full-time Secretary of State for Transport-(Mr Don Foster);
An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 1, to leave out from the word 'House' to the end of the Question and add the words 'recognises the importance of transport infrastructure to continued growth and prosperity; welcomes the Government's commitment to a sustained improvement in the transport system; acknowledges that it inherited a legacy of decades of under-investment which continues to have severe adverse consequences for transport performance; notes the additional pressures which economic growth since 1997 is putting on the transport networks; welcomes the Government's continuing commitment to investment of £180 billion through the Ten Year Transport Plan and to its policies of balanced improvements to all modes of transport consistent with wider environmental objectives; recognises achievements already evident in, for example, improved rail rolling stock, falling numbers of road accidents and increased bus patronage; and believes that the Government has put the appropriate ministerial arrangements in place for further improvement', instead thereof.-(Mr Secretary Darling.)
And the Question being proposed, That the original words stand part of the Question;
Sir Robert Smith rose in his place and claimed to move, That the Question be now put.
And the Question being put, That the Question be now put:-It was agreed to.
And the Question being accordingly put;
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Alan Reid, Richard Younger-Ross: 180.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Nick Ainger, Gillian Merron: 304.
So the Question was negatived.
And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments);
Tellers for the Ayes, Joan Ryan, Mr Nick Ainger: 300.
Tellers for the Noes, Richard Younger-Ross, Mr Alan Reid: 174.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.
Resolved, That this House recognises the importance of transport infrastructure to continued growth and prosperity; welcomes the Government's commitment to a sustained improvement in the transport system; acknowledges that it inherited a legacy of decades of under-investment which continues to have severe adverse consequences for transport performance; notes the additional pressures which economic growth since 1997 is putting on the transport networks; welcomes the Government's continuing commitment to investment of £180 billion through the Ten Year Transport Plan and to its policies of balanced improvements to all modes of transport consistent with wider environmental objectives; recognises achievements already evident in, for example, improved rail rolling stock, falling numbers of road accidents and increased bus patronage; and believes that the Government has put the appropriate ministerial arrangements in place for further improvement.
3 Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) (No. 2) Bill,-The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) (No. 2) Bill;
And a Motion being made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 56 (Consolidated Fund Bills), That the Bill be now read a second time;
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Nick Ainger, Joan Ryan: 286.
Tellers for the Noes, Angela Watkinson, Mr Mark Francois: 137.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Bill was accordingly read a second time.
And the Question being put forthwith, That the Bill be now read the third time;
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Nick Ainger, Joan Ryan: 275.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Robert Syms, Hugh Robertson: 116.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.
4 Religion or Belief Discrimination,-A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003, which were laid before this House on 8th May, be approved-(Derek Twigg):-It was agreed to.
5 Sexual Orientation Discrimination,-A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003, which were laid before this House on 8th May, be approved-(Derek Twigg);
And the Deputy Speaker's opinion as to the decision of the Question being challenged, the Division was deferred till Wednesday 25th June, pursuant to Orders [28th June 2001 and 29th October 2002].
6 Business of the House,-Ordered, That, at the sitting on Thursday 26th June, the Speaker shall put the Questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on the Motions in the name of Peter Hain relating to Standards and Privileges, Standards and Privileges: Amendments to Standing Orders and Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards: Term of Office not later than Six o'clock; the Questions shall include the Questions on any Amendments selected by the Speaker which may then be moved; the Questions may be decided after the moment of interruption; and the Orders of the House of 28th June 2001 and 29th October 2002 relating to deferred Divisions shall not apply.-(Derek Twigg.)
7 Northern Ireland Grand Committee,-Ordered, That-
(1) the proposal for a draft Employment (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 be referred to the Northern Ireland Grand Committee;
(2) the Committee shall meet at Westminster on Tuesday 8th July at half-past Two o'clock; and
(a) the Committee shall consider the legislative proposal referred to it under paragraph (1) above;
(b) the Chairman shall interrupt proceedings not later than two and a half hours after their commencement; and
(c) at the conclusion of those proceedings, a motion for the adjournment of the Committee may be made by a Minister of the Crown, pursuant to paragraph (5) of Standing Order No. 116 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (sittings)).-(Derek Twigg.)
8 Foreign Affairs,-Ordered, That Sir Patrick Cormack be discharged from the Foreign Affairs Committee and Richard Ottaway be added to the Committee.-(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
9 Accommodation and Works,-Ordered, That Keith Hill be discharged from the Accommodation and Works Committee and Mr Bob Ainsworth be added to the Committee.-(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
10 Health,-Ordered, That Sandra Gidley be discharged from the Health Committee and Mr Paul Burstow be added to the Committee.-(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
11 Public Petitions,-A Public Petition from residents of Wilmslow, Nether Alderley, Northwick, Barnton, Alderley Edge and surrounding areas against the unrestricted opening of pharmacies able to dispense NHS prescriptions was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
12 Adjournment,-A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn-(Derek Twigg);
And the Motion having been made after Ten o'clock, and the Debate having continued for half an hour, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order, it being then twenty-seven minutes to Twelve o'clock, till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 11.33 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 Negative Resolution:
1 Education,-Education (Grants for Disabled Postgraduate Students) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1588), dated 16th June 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Clarke].
2 Immigration,-Immigration (Passenger Transit Visa) (Amendment) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1598), dated 18th June 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
3 London Government,-(1) Croydon Tramlink (Penalty Fares) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1614),
(2) Transport for London (Consequential Provisions) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1615), and
(3) Transport for London (Reserved Services) (London Underground Limited) Exception Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1613)
dated 20th June 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling].
Other Papers:
4 Criminal Appeal,-Account of the Criminal Cases Review Commission for 2002-03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 845] [Clerk of the House].
5 Defence,-Ministry of Defence Minute, dated 23rd June 2003, concerning contingent liabilities relating to the gifting of non-core Ministry of Defence sites in Northern Ireland to the Office of the First Minister/Deputy First Minister [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hoon].
6 Government Trading Funds,-Accounts of the Meteorological Office for 2002-03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 638] [Clerk of the House].
7 Peru (No. 1, 2003),-Agreement, done at Lima on 7th March 2003, between the Government of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland and the Government of Peru on the Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners, with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Cm. 5852] [Mr Secretary Straw].
8 Work and Pensions,-Department of Work and Pensions Minute, dated 23rd June 2003, concerning contingent liabilities relating to an extension to Remploy's overdraft limit [by Command] [Mr Secretary Smith].
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
1 The draft Release of Short-Term Prisoners on Licence (Repeal of Age Restriction) Order 2003,-The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Stephen McCabe from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Mr Tony Colman.
2 Section 5 of the European Communities Act 1993 (Government's Assessment as set out in Budget 2003),-The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Gerry Sutcliffe from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Assessment); and nominated in substitution Jim Fitzpatrick.
3 Health Protection Agency (Yr Asiantaeth Diogelu Iechyd) (Establishment) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 505) and the Health Protection Agency (Yr Asiantaeth Diogelu Iechyd) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 506),-The Committee of Selection has discharged Ms Hazel Blears and Jim Fitzpatrick from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Orders); and nominated in substitution Miss Melanie Johnson and Joan Ryan.
4 Tobacco Products (Description of Products) Order 2003,-The Committee of Selection has discharged Barbara Follett, Mr Peter Mandelson and Helen Southworth from the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Order); and nominated in substitution Mrs Lorna Fitzsimons, Huw Irranca-Davies and Kali Mountford.
5 Draft Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (Juxtaposed Controls) Order 2003,-The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr David Cameron from the Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Mr Jonathan Sayeed.
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
1 Education and Skills,-(1) Fifth Report from the Education and Skills Committee [The Future of Higher Education], with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, together with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 425];
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Secondary Education: Teacher Retention]; to be printed [No. 714-iv]; and
(3) Memoranda laid before the Committee [The Future of Higher Education]
2 Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions,-Minutes of Evidence taken before the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions Committee [The Draft Housing Bill]; to be printed [No. 751-iii] [Andrew Bennett].
3 Public Accounts,-(1) Thirty-second Report from the Committee of Public Accounts [The Highways Agency: Maintaining England's Motorways and Trunk Roads]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 556];
(2) Thirty-third Report from the Committee [Ensuring the effective discharge of older patients from NHS acute hospitals]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 459];
(3) Thirty-fourth Report from the Committee [Office of Fair Trading: Progress in protecting consumers' interests]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 546]; and
(4) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The Department of Trade and Industry: Regional Grants in England]; to be printed [No. 857-i]
THE SPEAKER'S CERTIFICATE
The Speaker certified that the Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) (No. 2) Bill is a Money Bill within the meaning of the Parliament Act 1911.
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