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House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Thursday 9th December 2004

The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock.

PRAYERS.

1    Tenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Derek Conway reported from the Tenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Financial Provisions (Northern Ireland) Order 2004.

    Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

2    Eleventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Jimmy Hood reported from the Eleventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 2737).

    Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

3    Twelfth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Eric Forth reported from the Twelfth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

    Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

4    Thirteenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Kevin Hughes reported from the Thirteenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Freedom of Information (Removal and Relaxation of Statutory Prohibitions on Disclosure of Information) Order 2004, and the Freedom of Information (Time for Compliance with Request) Regulations 2004.

    Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

5    Fourteenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Martin Caton reported from the Fourteenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (Area and Constitution) Order 2004.

    Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

6    Northern Ireland Grand Committee,—Janet Anderson reported from the Northern Ireland Grand Committee, That it had considered the matter of a multi-agency approach to tackling racially motivated attacks and harassment in Northern Ireland, referred to it on 24th November.

    Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

7    Message from the Lords,— A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows:

    Tax Law Rewrite Bills (Joint Committee),—The Lords communicate that they have appointed a Committee of six Lords to join with the Committee appointed by the Commons to consider tax law rewrite bills, and in particular to consider whether each bill committed to it preserves the effect of the existing law, subject to any minor changes which may be desirable;

    That the Committee have power to agree with the Commons in the appointment of a Chairman;

    That the quorum of the Committee shall be two;

    That the Committee have leave to report from time to time;

    That the Committee have power to appoint specialist advisers;

    That the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee from time to time shall, if the Committee think fit, be printed;

    That the procedure of the Joint Committee shall follow the procedure of Select Committees of the House of Commons when such procedure differs from that of Select Committees of this House, and shall include the power of the Chairman to select Amendments.

8    Estimates Day [1st allotted day],—The House proceeded, pursuant to Resolution [6th December], to consider the Estimates appointed for consideration under Standing Order No. 145 (Liaison Committee).

    Vote on Account, 2005-06 (Department for Work and Pensions),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That, for the year ending with 31st March 2006, for expenditure by the Department for Work and Pensions—

      (1) resources, not exceeding £26,303,662,000, be authorised on account, for use as set out in House of Commons Paper No. 1235 of Session 2003-04, and

      (2) a sum, not exceeding £26,318,077,000, be granted to Her Majesty out of the Consolidated Fund, on account, to meet the costs as so set out.—(Paul Clark.)

    The Debate was concluded, and the Question necessary to dispose of the proceedings was deferred, pursuant to paragraph (4) of Standing Order No. 54 (Consideration of Estimates).

    Supplementary Estimates, 2004-05 (Department for Education and Skills),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That, for the year ending with 31st March 2005, for expenditure by the Department for Education and Skills—

      (1) further resources, not exceeding £448,598,000, be authorised for use as set out in House of Commons Paper No. 1234 of Session 2003-04,

      (2) a further sum, not exceeding £461,594,000, be granted to Her Majesty out of the Consolidated Fund to meet the costs as so set out, and

      (3) limits as so set out be set on appropriations in aid.—(Jim Fitzpatrick.)

    And it being Six o'clock, the Deputy Speaker interrupted the proceedings, and the Question necessary to dispose of proceedings was deferred, pursuant to paragraph (4) of Standing Order No. 54 (Consideration of Estimates).

    The Deputy Speaker, pursuant to paragraph (5) of Standing Order No. 54 (Consideration of Estimates), put the deferred Questions on Vote on Account, 2005-06, and on Supplementary Estimates, 2004-05.

Vote on Account, 2005-06: Department for Work and Pensions

    Resolved, That, for the year ending with 31st March 2006, for expenditure by the Department for Work and Pensions—

      (1) resources, not exceeding £26,303,662,000, be authorised on account, for use as set out in House of Commons Paper No. 1235 of Session 2003-04, and

      (2) a sum, not exceeding £26,318,077,000, be granted to Her Majesty out of the Consolidated Fund, on account, to meet the costs as so set out.

Supplementary Estimates, 2004-05: Department for Education and Skills

    Resolved, That, for the year ending with 31st March 2005, for expenditure by the Department for Education and Skills—

      (1) further resources, not exceeding £448,598,000, be authorised for use as set out in House of Commons Paper No. 1234 of Session 2003-04,

      (2) a further sum, not exceeding £461,594,000, be granted to Her Majesty out of the Consolidated Fund to meet the costs as so set out, and

      (3) limits as so set out be set on appropriations in aid.

9    Estimates,—The Deputy Speaker then put the Questions required to be put, pursuant to paragraph (2) of Standing Order No. 55 (Questions on Voting of estimates, &c.).

Supplementary Estimates, 2004-05

    Resolved, That, for the year ending with 31st March 2005—

      (1) further resources, not exceeding £6,294,293,000, be authorised, for use for defence and civil services as set out in House of Commons Paper No. 1234 of Session 2003-04,

      (2) a further sum, not exceeding £7,160,331,000, be granted to Her Majesty out of the Consolidated Fund, to meet the costs of defence and civil services as so set out, and

      (3) limits as so set out be set on appropriations in aid.

Estimates, 2005-06 (Vote on Account)

    Resolved, That, for the year ending with 31st March 2006—

      (1) resources, not exceeding £131,777,005,000, be authorised, on account, for use for defence and civil services as set out in House of Commons Papers Nos. 1235, 1236, 1237 and 1238, of Session 2003-04, and

      (2) a sum, not exceeding £123,221,531,000, be granted to Her Majesty out of the Consolidated Fund, on account, to meet the costs of defence and civil services as so set out.

    Ordered, That a Bill be brought in upon the foregoing Resolutions: And that the Chairman of Ways and Means, Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Paul Boateng, Dawn Primarolo, Mr Stephen Timms and John Healey do prepare and bring it in.

10    Consolidated Fund Bill,—Dawn Primarolo accordingly presented a Bill to authorise the use of resources for the service of the years ending with 31st March 2005 and 31st March 2006 and to apply certain sums out of the Consolidated Fund to the service of the years ending with 31st March 2005 and 31st March 2006: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Monday 13th December and to be printed [Bill 12].

11    Road Traffic,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) (Amendment) Regulations 2005, which were laid before this House on 8th November, in the last Session of Parliament, be approved—(Margaret Moran):—It was agreed to.

12    Electricity,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Electricity and Gas (Energy Efficiency Obligations) Order 2004, which was laid before this House on 10th November, in the last Session of Parliament, be approved—(Margaret Moran):—It was agreed to.

13    International Immunities and Privileges,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft International Criminal Court (Immunities and Privileges) Order 2004, which was laid before this House on 24th November, be approved—(Margaret Moran):—It was agreed to.

14    Turkey's Progress Towards Accession,—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. 13244/04 and Addenda 1 and 2 on Turkey's progress towards accession to the European Union; and endorses the Commission's conclusion that Turkey has sufficiently fulfilled the Copenhagen political criteria and its recommendation that accession negotiations should be opened—(Margaret Moran):—It was agreed to.

15    Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Margaret Moran);

    And the Motion having been made after Six o'clock, and 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-eight minutes to Seven o'clock, till Monday 13th December.

[Adjourned at 6.32 p.m.

Michael J. Martin

Speaker


Mr Speaker will take the Chair at half-past Two o'clock on Monday next.


APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1    Constitutional Law,—(1) Draft Scotland Act 1998 (Modification of Schedule 5) Order 2005;

    (2) draft Scotland Act 1998 (River Tweed) Order 2005; and

    (3) draft Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) Order 2005

    [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Mr Secretary Darling].

2    Local Government,—Draft Local Authorities' Plans and Strategies (Disapplication) (England) Order 2005 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

3    Representation of the People,—Draft Representation of the People (Variation of Limits of Candidates' Election Expenses) (City of London) Order 2005 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

4    Agriculture,—Artificial Insemination of Cattle (Animal Health) (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 3231), dated 8th December 2004 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].

5    Consumer Credit,—(1) Consumer Credit Act 1974 (Electronic Communications) Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 3236); and

    (2) Consumer Credit (Enforcement, Default and Termination Notices) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 3237),

    dated 6th December 2004 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Ms Secretary Hewitt].

6    Disabled Persons,—(1) Rail Vehicle Accessibility (South Central Class 377/4) Exemption Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 3198), dated 2nd December 2004; and

    (2) Rail Vehicle Accessibility (South West Trains Class 444 and Class 450 Vehicles) Exemption (Amendment) Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 3139), dated 30th November 2004

    [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Mr Secretary Darling].

7    Electricity,—Electricity (Exemption from the Requirement for a Generation Licence) (Scotland) Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 3225), dated 7th December 2004 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Ms Secretary Hewitt].

8    Fire and Rescue Services,—Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 (Consequential Amendments) (England) Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 3168), dated 2nd December 2004 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

9    Freedom of Information,—Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 3244), dated 7th December 2004 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Christopher Leslie].

10    Protection of Wrecks,—(1) Protection of Wrecks (Designation) (England) (No. 2) Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 3249); and

    (2) Protection of Wrecks (Designation) (England) (No. 3) Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 3243),

    dated 9th December 2004 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].

11    Public Passenger Transport,—Public Service Vehicle Operators (Qualifications) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 3223), dated 7th December 2004 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Darling].

12    Road Traffic,—Goods Vehicle Operators (Qualifications) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 3222), dated 7th December 2004 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Darling].

Other Papers:

13    Civil Contingencies,—Paper, entitled Civil Contingencies Act 2004: Consultation on the Draft Regulations and Guidance [by Command] [Cm. 6401] [Ruth Kelly].

14    Electoral Commission,—Government Responses to the Reports of the Electoral Commission on—

    (1) Delivering democracy? The future of postal voting [by Command] [Cm. 6436] [Mr Secretary Prescott]; and

    (2) Voting for change—An electoral law modernisation programme [by Command] [Cm. 6426] [Mr Christopher Leslie].

15    Government Resources and Accounts,—Combined Resource Accounts of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority Superannuation Schemes for 2003-04, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 97] [Mr Stephen Timms].

16    International Criminal Court,—International Criminal Court Act 2001 (Elements of Crimes) (No. 2) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 3239), dated 17th November 2004 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Straw].

17    National Lottery,—Report and Accounts and Corporate Plan of the Sports Council for Wales for 2003-04 [by Act] [Mr Peter Hain].

18    Shipman Inquiry,—(1) Fifth Report: Safeguarding Patients: Lessons from the Past—Proposals for the Future; and

    (2) Government Response to the Fourth Report of the Shipman Inquiry

    [by Command] [6394-I, -II and -III and Cm. 6434] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].

19    Treasury,—HM Treasury: Autumn Performance Report 2004 [by Command] [Cm. 6395] [Mr Paul Boateng].

20    Treaty Series (No. 49, 2004),—Protocols, done at Brussels on 26th March 2003, to the North Atlantic Treaty on the Accession of the Republic of Bulgaria, Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, Romania, the Slovak Republic and the Republic of Slovenia [by Command] [Cm. 6428] [Mr Secretary Straw].

21    Work and Pensions,—Department for Work and Pensions: Autumn Performance Report 2004 [by Command] [Cm. 6397] [Mr Secretary Johnson].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1    Railways Bill (Programming Sub-Committee),—The Speaker has appointed Mr Tom Harris, Mr Greg Knight, Mr Tony McNulty, Mr Khalid Mahmood, Gillian Merron, Dr John Pugh and Mr David Wilshire members of the Programming Sub-Committee of Standing Committee A in respect of the Bill.

2    Railways Bill,—The Speaker has appointed Mr David Amess and Mr Win Griffiths Chairmen of Standing Committee A in respect of the Bill.

3    The Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Bill,—The Speaker has appointed Sir John Butterfill and Mr Alan Hurst Chairmen of Standing Committee E in respect of Bill.

4    Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Bill,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Joe Benton Chairman of the Second Reading Committee on the Bill.

5    Draft Agency for International Trade and Co-operation (Legal Capacities) Order 2004,— The Speaker has appointed Miss Anne Begg Chairman of the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Order.

6    Draft Non-Domestic Rating (Chargeable Amounts) (England) Regulations 2004,—The Speaker has appointed Derek Conway Chairman of the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Regulations.

7    Government's assessment as set out in the Pre-Budget Report for the purposes of Section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993—The Speaker has appointed Mr Nigel Beard Chairman of the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the Government's assessment as set out in the Pre-Budget Report for the purposes of Section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993.

8    Draft Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 2004,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Jonathan Sayeed Chairman of the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Regulations.

9    Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2004(S.I., 2004, No. 2737),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr David Kidney, Mr Greg Pope and Joyce Quin from the Eleventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Order) and nominated in substitution Mr Mike Hall, Linda Perham and Lawrie Quinn.

10    Draft Environmental Information Regulations 2004,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Tony Cunningham and Mr James Plaskitt from the Twelfth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations) and nominated in substitution Alan Keen and Chris Ruane.

11    West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (Area and Constitution) Order 2004,— The Committee of Selection has discharged John Cryer from the Fourteenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Order) and nominated in substitution Mr Tony Clarke.

12    Draft Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys Order 2004,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Kevin Hughes Chairman of the Fifteenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Order.

    European Standing Committees

13    The Speaker has appointed Mrs Irene Adams Chairman of European Standing Committee A in respect of European Union Document No. 11491/04 on Common Agricultural Policy - reform of the Sugar Sector;

14    The Speaker has appointed Mr Bill O'Brien Chairman of European Standing Committee B in respect of European Union Document No. 15130/04 on Procedure for the Adoption of Measures Relating to Visas, Asylum and Immigration.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1    Health,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Health Committee [The Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism in Hospitalised Patients]; to be printed [No. 99-i] [Mr David Hinchliffe].

2    Public Administration,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Public Administration [Government by Inquiry]; to be printed [No. 51-i];

    (2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Government by Inquiry]; to be printed [No. 51-II]; and

    (3) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Choice, Voice and Public Services]; to be printed [No. 49-II]

    [Tony Wright].

3    Treasury,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [2004 Pre-Budget Report]; to be printed [No. 138-i] [Mr John McFall].

[W.H., No. 4]

Minutes of Proceedings of the Sitting in Westminster Hall

The sitting began at half-past Two o'clock.

Adjournment (Restoring confidence in long-term savings—Fifth and Eighth Reports from the Treasury Committee and published Memoranda, Session 2003-04, and the Government's responses thereto),—Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Derek Twigg.)

    And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till Tuesday 14th December.

[Adjourned at 4.29 p.m.

Sir Alan Haselhurst

Deputy Speaker



 
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