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The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1 Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,-Mr Roger Gale reported from the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Representation of the People (Form of Canvass) (Scotland) Regulations 2003 and the draft Representation of the People (Form of Canvass) (England and Wales) Regulations 2003.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
2 Tenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,-Mr Joe Benton reported from the Tenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Amendment No. 4) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1418).
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
3 Twelfth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,-Mr John Cummings reported from the Twelfth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers Etc.) (No. 2) Order 2003.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
4 European Standing Committee A,-Miss Anne Begg reported from European Standing Committee A the following Resolution:
That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 15829/02, draft Council Regulation establishing a system for the identification and registration of ovine and caprine animals and amending Regulation (EEC) No. 3508/92; and supports the Government's view that this proposal does not take account of the way in which the United Kingdom sheep and goat industry operates, nor of the enhanced system of identification and traceability already in place in the UK, which is sufficient for animal health disease control purposes until an economical and affordable electronic identification system is available.
Report, together with Resolution, to lie upon the Table.
5 Message from the Lords,-A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows:
The Lords have agreed to the Communications Bill, with Amendments; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.
The Lords have agreed to the Sunday Working (Scotland) Bill and the Aviation (Offences) Bill, without Amendment.
6 Communications Bill,-Lords Amendments to the Communications Bill to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 146].
7 Local Government Procurement,-Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to establish a national approved list of organisations that have the capability to perform local authority contracts under Best Value guidance; to make provision for companies to qualify for the approved list; to issue companies with a Certificate of Registration valid for every local authority if they meet the criteria set; to make provision to make the approved list of registered companies available to every local authority; and for connected purposes: And that Tony Baldry, Mr Henry Bellingham, Mr John Bercow, Mr Andrew Lansley, Mr Edward Leigh, Mr John Maples and Mr Francis Maude do prepare and bring it in.
8 Local Government Procurement Bill,-Tony Baldry accordingly presented a Bill to establish a national approved list of organisations that have the capability to perform local authority contracts under Best Value guidance; to make provision for companies to qualify for the approved list; to issue companies with a Certificate of Registration valid for every local authority if they meet the criteria set; to make provision to make the approved list of registered companies available to every local authority; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 11th July and to be printed [Bill 145].
9 Convention on the Future of Europe (No. 2),-A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House believes that the draft Constitutional Treaty produced by the Convention on the Future of Europe is a good basis for starting in the Intergovernmental Conference; agrees that the procedures of an enlarged European Union require reform, and welcomes the commitment of the Convention to a Union which respects the national identities of its Member States and which has only those powers explicitly conferred on it by them; congratulates the UK parliamentary, government and European Parliament representatives on the Convention for their contributions, and notes the valuable work of the relevant parliamentary committees of both Houses; notes the Government's decision to table as a Command Paper Parts I, II and IV; recalls that decisions on what is included in any forthcoming Treaty will be made by unanimity by the elected governments of all EU member states; and reaffirms Parliament's role in scrutinising and approving legislation required to give effect to any future Treaty's provisions-(Mr Secretary Straw);
An Amendment ((b)) 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 'notes the draft Constitutional Treaty produced by the Convention on the Future of Europe; and believes that no constitutional European Treaty agreed by the Intergovernmental Conference should be ratified without a referendum', instead thereof.-(Mr Michael Ancram.)
And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made;
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mark Hoban, Mr Mark Field: 205.
Tellers for the Noes, Charlotte Atkins, Margaret Moran: 315.
So the Question was negatived.
And the Main Question being accordingly put;
Tellers for the Ayes, Charlotte Atkins, Margaret Moran: 359.
Tellers for the Noes, Angela Watkinson, Mr George Osborne: 164.
So the Question was agreed to.
Resolved, That this House believes that the draft Constitutional Treaty produced by the Convention on the Future of Europe is a good basis for starting in the Intergovernmental Conference; agrees that the procedures of an enlarged European Union require reform, and welcomes the commitment of the Convention to a Union which respects the national identities of its Member States and which has only those powers explicitly conferred on it by them; congratulates the UK parliamentary, government and European Parliament representatives on the Convention for their contributions, and notes the valuable work of the relevant parliamentary committees of both Houses; notes the Government's decision to table as a Command Paper Parts I, II and IV; recalls that decisions on what is included in any forthcoming Treaty will be made by unanimity by the elected governments of all EU member states; and reaffirms Parliament's role in scrutinising and approving legislation required to give effect to any future Treaty's provisions.
10 Business of the House,-A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business), That, at this day's sitting, proceedings on the Hunting (Re-committed) Bill may be proceeded with, though opposed, until any hour-(Gillian Merron):-It was agreed to.
11 Hunting (Re-committed) Bill,-The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Hunting (Re-committed) Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee.
A Clause (Compensation)-(Mr James Gray)-brought up and read the first time.
Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time;
And it being two hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill, the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Orders [16th December 2002 and 1st July].
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Hugo Swire, Gregory Barker: 145.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Fraser Kemp, Mr Vernon Coaker: 282.
A Motion being made, That the Bill be now read the third time;
Mr Alun Michael, 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.
Mr Alun Michael, 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 one hour after the commencement of proceedings on the third reading of the Bill, the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Orders [16th December 2002 and 1st July].
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Nick Ainger, Mr John Heppell: 317.
Tellers for the Noes, Gregory Barker, Mr Hugo Swire: 145.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.
12 Merchant Shipping,-A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Port Waste Reception Facilities) Regulations 2003, which were laid before this House on 19th June, be approved-(Paul Clark):-It was agreed to.
13 European Communities,-A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Database Protection Agreement between the United Kingdom on behalf of the Isle of Man and the European Community) Order 2003, which was laid before this House on 9th June, be approved-(Paul Clark):-It was agreed to.
14 Animals,-A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease (England and Wales) Order 2003, which was laid before this House on 25th June, be approved-(Paul Clark):-It was agreed to.
15 Public Petitions,-A Public Petition from the constituents of Angus for an end to the imbalance in international trade was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
16 Adjournment,-Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.-(Paul Clark.)
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-eight minutes past Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 11.28 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 Disabled Persons,-Rail Vehicle Accessibility (South West Trains Class 444 and Class 450 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1704), dated 7th July 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling].
2 Medicines,-Unlicensed Medicinal Products for Human Use (Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies) (Safety) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1680), dated 2nd July 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid].
Other Papers:
3 Air Force (Constitution),-(1) Amendment List 8 to Air Publication 1269 - The Royal Air Force Manual of Medical Management and Administration, and
(2) Amendment to the Queen's Regulations for the Royal Air Force (Fifth Edition)
[by Act] [Mr Secretary Hoon].
4 Children,-Report for 2002 by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on the Children Act 1989 pursuant to section 83 of that Act [by Act] [Mr Secretary Clarke].
5 Education and Skills,-Paper, entitled 21st Century Skills: Realising Our Potential: Individuals, Employers, Nation [by Command] [Cm. 5810] [Mr Secretary Clarke].
6 Gaming,-Report of the Gaming Board for Great Britain for 2002-03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 820] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].
7 Government Trading Funds,-Report and Accounts of HM Land Registry for 2002-03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 891] [Clerk of the House].
8 Parliamentary Commissioner,-Sixth Report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, Session 2002-03: Access to Official Information: Investigations Completed, November 2002 to June 2003 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 951] [Clerk of the House].
9 Prisons,-Report of the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman for England and Wales for 2002-03 [by Command] [Cm. 5851] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
10 Public Accounts,-Treasury Minutes on the Sixteenth to the Eighteenth Reports from the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 2002-03 [by Command] [Cm. 5823] [John Healey].
11 Public Petitions,-Observations by the Secretary of State for Transport on the Petition [18th June] from residents of Sutton Close, Felpham, Bognor Regis for the erection of a no-entry sign at the entrance to Sutton Close restricting access to residents and tradesmen only [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].
12 Social Security,-Report by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the Social Fund for 2002-03 [by Command] [Cm. 5807] [Mr Secretary Smith].
13 Treaty Series (No. 21, 2003),-Convention, done at London on 4th July 2002, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of South Africa for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital Gains with Exchange of Notes [by Command] [Cm. 5871] [Mr Secretary Straw].
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
1 Draft Representation of the People (Form of Canvass) (Scotland) Regulations 2003 and the draft Representation of the People (Form of Canvass) (England and Wales) Regulations 2003,-The Committee of Selection has discharged John Robertson from the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations); and nominated in substitution Mr Terry Rooney.
2 Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Amendments No. 4) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1418),-The Committee of Selection has discharged Ms Hazel Blears, Clare Short and Dr Gavin Strang from the Tenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations); and nominated in substitution Mr Russell Brown, Mr Michael Foster and Paul Goggins.
3 Draft Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) (No. 2) Order 2003,-The Committee of Selection has discharged Mrs Helen Liddell, Mr David Stewart and Mr James Wray from the Twelfth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution David Cairns, Mt Tom Harris and Mr Eric Joyce.
4 Special Grant Report (No. 125) (House of Commons Paper No. 776) on the Preserved Rights Grant for 2003-09, the Special Grant Report (No. 124) (House of Commons Paper No. 777) on the Delayed Discharges Grant Report for 2003-04 and the Special Grant Report (No. 123) (House of Commons Paper No. 778) on the Social Services (High Performers No. 2) Grant for 2003-04,-The Committee of Selection has discharged John Baron from the Fourteenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Reports); and nominated in substitution Mr Tim Loughton.
5 Education (Outturn Statements) (England) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1153),-The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Michael Meacher and Joan Ruddock from the Fifteenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations); and nominated in substitution Mr Bob Laxton and Mrs Lorna Fitzsimons.
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
1 Defence,-(1) Eighth Report from the Defence Committee [Defence Procurement], 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 [No. 694] [Gerald Howarth];
(2) Third Special Report from the Committee [Government's Response to the Sixth Report from the Committee, Session 2002-03, on A New Chapter to the Strategic Defence Review] to be printed [No. 975] [Mr Gerald Howarth]; and
(3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Lessons of Iraq]; to be printed [No. 695-viii] [Mr Syd Rapson].
2 Education and Skills,-Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education and Skills Committee [Secondary Education: Teacher Retention]; to be printed [No. 714-vi] [Mr Barry Sheerman].
3 Environmental Audit,-(1) Seventh Report from the Environmental Audit Committee [The Export Credits Guarantee Department and Sustainable Development], together with an Appendix to the Minute of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 689]; and
(2) Eighth Report from the Committee [The Energy White Paper: Empowering Change?] 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 [No. 618]
4 Northern Ireland Affairs,-Minutes of Evidence taken before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee [The Illegal Drugs Trade and Drug Culture in Northern Ireland]; to be printed [No. 353-viii] [Mr Michael Mates].
5 Standards and Privileges,-Fourth Report from the Committee on Standards and Privileges [Complaints against Mr Henry McLeish], together with an Appendix; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 946] [Sir George Young].
6 Trade and Industry,-Minutes of Evidence taken before the Trade and Industry Committee [The use of retentions in the construction industry: the Government reply to the Committee's Second Report]; to be printed [976-i] [Mr Martin O'Neill].
7 Treasury,-Minutes of Evidence taken before the Treasury Committee [Transparency of Credit Card Charges]; to be printed [No. 967-ii] [Mr John McFall].
8 Work and Pensions,-Minutes of Evidence taken before the Work and Pensions Committee [Jobcentre plus]; to be printed [No. 913-i] [Sir Archy Kirkwood].
[W.H., No. 80]
Minutes of Proceedings of the Sitting in Westminster Hall
The sitting commenced at half-past Nine o'clock.
Adjournment,-A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the sitting be now adjourned-(Derek Twigg);
And the sitting having continued for two and a half hours after Two o'clock, it was adjourned without Question put, till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 4.30 p.m.
Sir Alan Haselhurst
Deputy Speaker
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