The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1 Regulatory Reform,-Mr Peter Pike reported from the Regulatory Reform Committee the following Resolution:
That a draft Order in the same terms as the proposal for the Regulatory Reform (National Health Service Charitable Trust Accounts and Audit) Order 2004, which was laid before the House on 7th January, should be laid before the House.
2 Carers (Equal Opportunities) Bill,-Mr Joe Benton reported from Standing Committee C, That it had gone through the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Bill, and made Amendments thereunto, and had amended the Title as follows:
A Bill to place duties on local authorities and health bodies in respect of carers; and for connected purposes.
Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered on Friday 14th May; and to be printed [Bill 72].
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 442].
3 Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,-Mrs Irene Adams reported from the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Social Security (Basic Skills Training Pilot) Regulations 2004.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
4 Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,-Mr Eric Illsley reported from the Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Paternity and Adoption Leave (Amendment) Regulations 2004 and the draft Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (Weekly Rates) (Amendment) Regulations 2004.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
5 European Standing Committee B,-Mr Nigel Beard reported from European Standing Committee B the following Resolution:
That the Committee takes note of European Union document No. 13853/03, Commission Communication on the review and update of VAT strategy priorities; welcomes both the progress made so far and the United Kingdom Government's continued aim to ensure a fair, responsive and robust VAT system based on unanimous agreement amongst Member States.
Report, together with Resolution, to lie upon the Table.
6 Illegal Hare-Coursing (Enforcement of Prohibition) Bill,-The Order for reading the Illegal Hare-Coursing (Enforcement of Prohibition) Bill a second time on Friday 12th March was read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 26th March.
7 Referendums (Thresholds) Bill,-The Order for reading the Referendums (Thresholds) Bill a second time on Friday 12th March was read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 26th March.
8 Rights of Way (Amendment),-A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the law relating to public rights of way for vehicles-(Janet Anderson);
And the Motion being opposed, after a brief explanatory statement from the Member who made the Motion and from a Member who opposed it, the Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Standing Order No. 23 (Motions for leave to bring in bills and nomination of select committees at commencement of public business):-It was agreed to.
Ordered, That Janet Anderson, Andy Burnham, Chris Bryant, Paddy Tipping, Mr Kevin Barron, Mrs Anne Campbell, Mr George Howarth, Mr Kevan Jones, Mr Greg Pope and John Mann do prepare and bring in the Bill.
9 Rights of Way (Amendment) Bill,-Janet Anderson accordingly presented a Bill to amend the law relating to public rights of way for vehicles: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 21st May and to be printed [Bill 70].
10 Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords],-The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords];
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 Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill because the Bill will weaken rather than strengthen the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland; will undermine the independence of the judiciary in Northern Ireland; will lead to the greater politicisation of the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland; and will weaken the principle of appointment to the judiciary solely on merit', instead thereof.-(Mr David Lidington.)
And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made;
Tellers for the Ayes, Hugh Robertson, Mr Peter Atkinson: 145.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Fraser Kemp, Bridget Prentice: 366.
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, Mr Fraser Kemp, Bridget Prentice: 358.
Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Iris Robinson, Mr Andrew Hunter: 141.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Bill was accordingly read a second time.
11 Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords] (Programme),-A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Orders [26th June 2001 and 6th November 2003 (Programming of Bills)], That the following provisions shall apply to the Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords]:
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 1st April 2004.
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 that day.
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 on any further message from the Lords) may be programmed-(Charlotte Atkins);
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Fraser Kemp, Bridget Prentice: 335.
Tellers for the Noes, Hugh Robertson, Mr Hugo Swire: 129.
So the Question was agreed to.
12 Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords] [Money],-Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords] [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 Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of-
(a) any expenditure incurred by a Minister of the Crown by virtue of the Act, and
(b) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable by virtue of any other Act out of money so provided-(Charlotte Atkins):-It was agreed to.
13 Public Petitions,-A Public Petition from Dr M. D. Hellier MD MA FRCP and others for the introduction of a health warning on containers of alcoholic drink was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
14 Adjournment,-Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.-(Charlotte Atkins.)
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till a quarter past Eight o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 8.15 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 Criminal Law,-Draft Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Travel Notification Requirements) Regulations 2004 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
2 Local Government Finance,-Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 126) [by Act]; to be printed [No. 425] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
3 Agriculture,-Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels in Crops, Food and Feeding Stuffs) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 676), dated 9th March 2004 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].
4 Architects,-Architects (Professional Conduct Committee) Amendment Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 655), dated 9th March 2004 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
5 Children and Young Persons,-Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection and Commission for Social Care Inspection) (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 664), dated 9th March 2004 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid].
6 Competition,-Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 9 Restrictions on Disclosure of Information) (Specification) Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 693), dated 4th March 2004 [by Act] [Ms Secretary Hewitt].
7 Education,-(1) Blackburn with Darwen (Maintained Nursery School Governance) Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 657), dated 10th March 2004,
(2) Education (Budget Statements) (England) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 417), dated 19th February 2004, and
(3) Education (School Teachers' Pay and Conditions) Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 658), dated 10th March 2004
[by Act] [Mr Secretary Clarke].
8 Fees and Charges,-(1) Medicines for Human Use and Medical Devices (Fees Amendments) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 666), dated 10th March 2004 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid] and
(2) Travel Documents (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 579), dated 4th March 2004 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
9 Housing,-Tower Hamlets Housing Action Trust (Dissolution) Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 586), dated 5th March 2004 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
10 Immigration,-(1) Immigration (Leave to Remain) (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 580), dated 4th March 2004, and
(2) Immigration (Leave to Remain) (Prescribed Forms and Procedures) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 581), dated 3rd March 2004
[by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
11 Local Government,-(1) Accounts and Audit (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 556), dated 3rd March 2004, and
(2) Local Government (Best Value) Performance Indicators and Performance Standards (Amendment) Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 589), dated 4th March 2004
[by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
12 National Health Service,-(1) National Health Service (Pension Scheme and Injury Benefits) Amendment Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 665),
(2) NHS Pensions Agency (Asiantaeth Pensiynau'r GIG) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 668), and
(3) NHS Pensions Agency (Asiantaeth Pensiynau'r GIG) (Establishment and Constitution) Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 667),
dated 10th March 2004 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid].
13 National Lottery,-Awards for All (England) Joint Scheme (Authorisation) Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 691), dated 10th March 2004 [by Act] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].
14 Pensions,-Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 573), dated 4th March 2004 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
15 Police,-(1) Ministry of Defence Police Appeal Tribunals Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 652),
(2) Ministry of Defence Police (Conduct) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 653), and
(3) Ministry of Defence Police (Conduct) (Senior Officers) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 654)
dated 9th March 2004 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Hoon].
16 Public Health,-Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (Fees and Frequency of Inspections) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 661), dated 10th March 2004 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid].
17 Social Care,-Commission for Social Care Inspection (Fees and Frequency of Inspections) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 662), dated 10th March 2004 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid].
18 Social Security,-(1) Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Supply of Information) Amendment Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 574),
(2) Social Security (Claims and Payments) Amendment Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 576)
dated 3rd March 2004 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].
19 Supreme Court,-High Court Enforcement Officers (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 673), dated 6th March 2004 [by Act] [Mr David Lammy].
20 Taxes,-Recovery of Duties and Taxes Etc. Due in other Member States (Corresponding UK Claims, Procedure and Supplementary) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 674), dated 9th March 2004 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].
Other Papers:
21 Culture, Media and Sport-Department of Culture, Media and Sport Minute, dated 10th March 2004, concerning the Loan of Amedeo Modigliani's 'Reclining Nude on her left side 1917' to the Tate Modern under the Government Indemnity Scheme [by Command] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].
22 Defence,-Ministry of Defence Minute, dated 10th March 2004, concerning the gifting of a Messerschmitt 163B-1 (Kommet) to the Imperial War Museum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hoon].
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
1 Draft Courts Boards (Appointment and Procedure) Regulations 2004 and the draft Courts Boards Areas Order 2004:
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations and draft Order to the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Clive Betts, Mr David Clelland, Mr Parmjit Dhanda, Mr Stephen Dorrell, Mr Nick Hawkins, Mr David Heath, Mrs Joan Humble, Mr Christopher Leslie, Mr Peter Lilley, Laura Moffatt, Bridget Prentice, Bob Russell, Mr Brian Sedgemore, Mr John Smith, Mr Robert N. Wareing and Angela Watkinson.
2 Draft Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 (Destination of Fixed Penalties in Scotland) Order 2004 and the draft Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2004 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2004:
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Orders to the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Russell Brown, Mr Michael Connarty, Mr Peter Duncan, Paul Farrelly, Mr Frank Field, Mrs Anne McGuire, Mr Jim Murphy, Mr Kerry Pollard, Mr Andy Reed, Mr Alan Reid, Mrs Gillian Shephard, Bob Spink, Mr David Stewart, Dr Desmond Turner, Angela Watkinson and Pete Wishart.
3 Draft Driver and Vehicle Licensing Trading Fund Order 2004:
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr David Borrow, Mr William Cash, Mr Christopher Chope, Barbara Follett, Mr David Jamieson, Alan Keen, Mr Peter Kilfoyle, Mr Paul Marsden, Mr David Marshall, Gillian Merron, Albert Owen, Mr James Plaskitt, Alan Simpson, Mr Ian Taylor, John Thurso and Mr David Wilshire.
4 Draft National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999 (Amendment) Regulations 2004:
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Charlotte Atkins, Mr Peter Atkinson, Mr Henry Bellingham, Malcolm Bruce, Brian Cotter, Clive Efford, Paul Flynn, Mr John Greenway, David Hamilton, Mr Lindsay Hoyle, Judy Mallaber, Mr Marsha Singh, Ian Stewart, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe, Mr John Taylor and Mr Mike Wood.
5 Draft Social Security (Basic Skills Training Pilot) Regulations 2004,-The Committee of Selection has discharged Richard Burden from the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations) and nominated in substitution Mr Kelvin Hopkins.
European Standing Committees
6 European Union Document No. 5916/04 relating to the Marketing of sweet corn from genetically modified maize, has been referred to European Standing Committee C.
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
1 Draft Disability Discrimination Bill,-(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Joint Committee on the Draft Disability Discrimination Bill; to be printed [No. 352-vii]; and
(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 352-viii]
2 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,-(1) Sixth Report from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee [The Marine Environment], 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. 76];
(2) Fifth Special Report from the Committee [Government's Reply to the Eighteenth Report from the Committee, Session 2002-03, on The Conduct of the GM Public Debate]; to be printed [No. 443];
(3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Agriculture and EU Enlargement]; to be printed [No. 421-ii];
(4) Memorandum laid before the Committee [The Future of Waste Management]; and
(5) Memoranda laid before the Committee [The Marine Environment]
3 Environmental Audit,-Third Report from the Environmental Audit Committee [Pre-Budget Report 2003: Aviation follow-up], 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. 233] [Mr Peter Ainsworth].
4 European Scrutiny,-Twelfth Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 42-xii] [Mr Jimmy Hood].
5 Northern Ireland Affairs,-(1) Third Report from the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee [The Introduction of the Aggregates Levy in Northern Ireland: One year on], 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. 395]; and
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The Parades Commission and Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998]; to be printed [No. 224-iv]
6 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 [Building Regulations]; to be printed [No. 432-i] [Andrew Bennett].
7 Procedure,-Minutes of Evidence taken before the Procedure Committee [Programming of Legislation]; to be printed [No. 325-iii] [Sir Nicholas Winterton].
8 Public Accounts,-(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts [Early Years: Progress in developing high quality childcare and early education accessible to all]; to be printed [No. 444-i]; and
(2) Memorandum laid before the Committee [Estimating the level of spirits fraud: Memorandum by the Comptroller and Auditor General]
9 Regulatory Reform,-Fifth Report from the Regulatory Reform Committee [Proposal for the Regulatory Reform (National Health Service Charitable Trust Accounts and Audit) Order 2004], together with Appendices; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 438] [Mr Peter Pike].
10 Transport,-(1) Sixth Report from the Transport Committee [Disabled People's Access to Transport], 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. 439]; and
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Cars of the Future]; to be printed [No. 319-iv]
[W.H., No. 31]
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.-(Mr John Heppell.)
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 4.29 p.m.
Deputy Speaker
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