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The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1 London Local Authorities Bill [Lords],-Ordered, That the London Local Authorities Bill [Lords] be now considered.
Amendments made to the Bill.
Bill to be read the third time.
2 Gender Recognition Bill [Lords],-Mrs Marion Roe reported from Standing Committee A, That it had gone through the Gender Recognition Bill [Lords] and made an Amendment thereunto.
Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 457].
3 Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,-Mr Kevin Hughes reported from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the 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.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
4 Message from the Lords,-A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows:
The Lords agree to the Consolidated Fund (No. 2) Bill, without Amendment.
The Lords disagree to the Amendment made by this House to a Lords Amendment to the European Parliamentary and Local Elections (Pilots) Bill and they insist on a Lords Amendment to which this House has disagreed, for which disagreement and insistence they assign Reasons.
5 Prevention of Homelessness,-Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision about homelessness: And that Mr Mohammad Sarwar, Mr Khalid Mahmood, Alice Mahon, Angus Robertson, Jim Dobbin, Mr Frank Roy, Sandra Osborne and Mrs Helen Liddell do prepare and bring it in.
6 Prevention of Homelessness Bill,-Mr Mohammad Sarwar accordingly presented a Bill to make provision about homelessness: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 18th June and to be printed [Bill 73].
7 Social Security,-A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Social Security (Basic Skills Training Pilot) Regulations 2004, which were laid before this House on 12th February, be approved-(Margaret Moran):-It was agreed to.
8 Social Security,-A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Social Security (Intensive Activity Period 50 to 59 Pilot) Regulations 2004, which were laid before this House on 12th February, be approved-(Margaret Moran):-It was agreed to.
9 Social Security,-A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Social Security (Intensive Activity Period 50 to 59 Pilot) (No. 2) Regulations 2004, which were laid before this House on 12th February, be approved-(Margaret Moran):-It was agreed to.
10 Value Added Tax,-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. 13853/03, Commission Communication on the review and update of VAT strategy priorities; and 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-(Margaret Moran):-It was agreed to.
11 Traffic Management Bill,-The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Traffic Management Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee.
A Clause (NC11) (Power to Inspect Blue Badges)-(Mr Tony McNulty)-brought up, read the first and second time and added to the Bill.
Another Clause (NC1) (Civil enforcement of traffic contraventions (guidance))-(Mr Christopher Chope)-brought up, and read the first time.
Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:-Clause, by leave, withdrawn.
Another Clause (NC2) (Permits issued under Part 3 (fees))-(Mr Christopher Chope)-brought up, and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Ruffley, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 175.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Fraser Kemp, Mr John Heppell: 285.
Another Clause (NC 4) (Use of bus lanes)-(Mr Greg Knight)-brought up, and read the first time.
Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:-Clause, by leave, withdrawn.
Another Clause (NC 5) (Traffic Lights)-(Mr Greg Knight)-brought up, and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Ruffley, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 167.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Fraser Kemp, Mr Vernon Coaker: 279.
An Amendment (No. 2) proposed to the Bill, in page 5, line 19, at the end to insert the words-
'(3)When exercising any powers made under provisions referred to in subsection (1), and before arranging for the removal of a broken-down vehicle, a traffic officer shall, when this can be done without compromising safety or unreasonably impeding traffic-flow-
(a)grant the driver of the vehicle, where present, a reasonable opportunity to contact a breakdown organisation or other service provider of their choice, and if that organisation confirms to the traffic officer that it will attend the broken-down vehicle as soon as practicable, then the traffic officer shall allow that organisation a reasonable period in which to attend the aforesaid vehicle; or
(b)where the driver of the broken-down vehicle is not a member of a breakdown organisation, take into account any wishes of the driver with regard to attendance on the relevant vehicle and accede to such wishes where this would fulfill the purpose or purposes specified in section 5(3).'.-(Mr Christopher Chope.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mr Peter Atkinson: 174.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Vernon Coaker, Paul Clark: 276.
It being after Six o'clock, the Deputy Speaker put forthwith the Question necessary to bring proceedings on consideration to a conclusion, pursuant to Order [5th January].
Amendments (Nos. 3 and 4) made to the Bill.
A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the Bill be now read the third time;
And it being Seven o'clock, the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Order [5th January]
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John Heppell, Paul Clark: 333.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Ruffley, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 136.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.
12 Motions to sit in private,-Mr Patrick McLoughlin moved, That the House sit in private.
The Deputy Speaker put the Question forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 163 (Motions to sit in private).
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Ruffley, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 122.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr John Heppell, Paul Clark: 311.
So the Question was negatived.
13 European Parliamentary and Local Elections (Pilots) Bill,-The House, pursuant to Order [8th March], proceeded to consider forthwith the Lords Reasons for disagreeing to a Commons Amendment to a Lords Amendment and insisting on a Lords Amendment to which the Commons have disagree to the European Parliamentary and Local Elections (Pilots) Bill.
A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House does not insist on its Amendment No. 1A to Lords Amendment No. 1-(Mr Christopher Leslie);
And it being one hour after the commencement of proceedings on the Lords Message, the Deputy Speak put the Question already proposed from the Chair, pursuant to Order [8th March].-It was agreed to.
The Deputy Speaker then put forthwith the remaining Questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on the Lords Message.
An Amendment ((a)) was proposed to the Lords Amendment, in lieu of Commons Amendment No. 1A, to leave out lines 16 to 18 and insert the words-
'(c)Yorkshire and the Humber;
( )Postal voting is voting where no polling station is used and a person entitled to vote in person or by proxy must deliver by post or by such other means as is specified in a pilot order-
(b)the completed declaration of identity form.
( )The declaration of identity form is a form which is delivered along with the ballot paper and which is completed by being signed-
(a)by the person to whom the ballot paper is addressed, and
(b)by a witness to that signing whose name and address are clearly marked on the form.', instead thereof-(Mr Christopher Leslie.)
And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made;
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Nick Ainger, Margaret Moran: 274.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Ruffley, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 152.
So the Question was agreed to.
A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That this House insists on its disagreement to Lords Amendment No. 3; and proposes the following Amendment ((a)) to the Bill in lieu thereof:-
In page 2, line 14, at end the end to insert the words-
'( )The pilot order must specify the form and content of the declaration of identity form.'-(Mr Christopher Leslie);
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Nick Ainger, Charlotte Atkins: 312.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Ruffley, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 115.
So the Question was agreed to.
Message to the Lords, with the Bill and Amendments.
14 Adjournment,-Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.-(Mr Fraser Kemp.)
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till half-past Nine o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 9.30 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 Social Security,-Draft Employment Zones (Allocation to Contractors) Pilot Regulations 2004 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
2 Education,-LEA Budget, Schools Budget and Individual Schools Budget and the Financing of Maintained Schools (No. 2) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2004 (S.I., No. 659), dated 16th March 2004 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Clarke].
3 Food,-Welfare Food (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 723), dated 11th March 2004 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid].
4 Immigration,-Immigration (Restrictions on Employment) Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 755), dated 15th March 2004 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
5 Social Security,-(1) Social Security (Contributions, Categorisation of Earners and Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 770), dated 16th March [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo], and
(2) Statutory Maternity Pay (Compensation of Employers) Amendment Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 698), dated 10th March 2004 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].
6 Universities of Oxford and Cambridge,-Statutes made by the Governing Bodies of-
(1) Exeter College, Oxford, dated 11th November 2003,
(2) Magdalen College, Oxford, dated 14th July 2003, and
(3) St Hilda's College, Oxford, dated 5th December 2003
amending the Statutes of the Colleges [by Act] [Mr David Lammy].
Other Papers:
7 Census,-Paper, entitled Census 2001: Key Statistics for parishes in England and communities in Wales [by Act] [Ruth Kelly].
8 Home Office,-Home Office Minute, dated 15th March 2004, concerning a proposed contingent liability for the provision of an indemnity to operators of new detection technology [by Command] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
9 National Audit,-Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Tackling cancer in England: saving more lives [by Act]; to be printed [No. 364] [Clerk of the House].
10 Nursing and Midwifery,-Accounts of the Nursing and Midwifery Council for 2002-03, with the Certificate of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Statutory Instrument] [Mr David Lammy].
11 Public Petitions,-(1) Observations by the Deputy Prime Minister on the Petition [18th November, in the last session of Parliament] from residents of the Cotswolds for the appointment of an independent inspector to consider an application by Huntsmans Quarries Ltd in relation to aggregate recycling, agricultural restoration and infilling works,
(2) Observations by the Deputy Prime Minister on the Petition [9th December] from citizens of the United Kingdom for the protection of ancient woodlands from damage by airport expansion,
(3) Observations by the Deputy Prime Minister on the Petition [17th December] from residents of Osbaldwick, York, for a planning inquiry into proposals for housing development in Metcalfe Lane, Osbaldwick, York,
(4) Observations by the Deputy Prime Minister on the Petition [13th Janary] from Bob Harris and others for smaller increases in council tax in Hastings in future years, and
(5) Observations by the Secretary of State for Defence on the Petition [29th January] from Robert John Hodgson for an investigation into his treatment by the Royal Air Force at the time of his sister's death
[by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].
12 School Teachers,-Thirteenth Report of the School Teachers' Review Body, Part 2: 2004 [by Command] [Cm. 6164] [The Prime Minister].
Papers withdrawn:
13 Social Security,-Draft Employment Zones (Allocation to Contractors) Pilot Regulations 2004 [laid 9th March].
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
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,-The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Jim Murphy from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Orders) and nominated in substitution Paul Clark.
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
1 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,-(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee [Gangmasters: follow up]; to be printed [No. 455-i]; and
(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Gangmasters: follow up]
2 Foreign Affairs,-(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee [Foreign Policy Aspects of the War against Terrorism]; to be printed [No. 441-ii]; and
(2) First Special Report from the Committee [Implications for the Work of the House and its Committees of the Government's Lack of Co-operation with the Foreign Affairs Committee's inquiry into The Decision to go to War in Iraq]; to be printed [No. 440]
3 Home Affairs,-Minutes of Evidence taken before the Home Affairs Committee [The Rehabilitation of Prisoners]; to be printed [No. 66-ii] [Mr John Denham].
4 Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Planning and the Regions,-Minutes of Evidence taken before the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Planning and the Regions Committee [Postal Voting]; to be printed [No. 400-ii] [Andrew Bennett].
5 Scottish Affairs,-Minutes of Evidence taken before the Scottish Affairs Committee [The Proposed Whisky Strip Stamp]; to be printed [No. 419-iii] [Mrs Irene Adams].
6 Statutory Instruments,-Twelfth Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, together with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No.82-xii] [Mr David Tredinnick].
7 Treasury,-Minutes of Evidence taken before the Treasury Committee [Restoring confidence in long-term savings]; to be printed [No. 71-iv] [Mr John McFall].
[W.H., No. 33]
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 Vernon Coaker.)
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 4.42 p.m.
Sir Alan Haselhurst
Deputy Speaker
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