Votes and Proceedings

House of Commons

Session 2004 - 05
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House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Tuesday 8th February 2005

The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1    London Local Authorities and Transport for London Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the second reading of the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Bill;

Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Tuesday 22nd February.

2    Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Derek Conway reported from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Southern Regional Flood Defence Committee Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 3165).

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

3    Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Frank Cook reported from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Extradition Act 2003 (Amendment to Designations) Order 2005.

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

4    Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr John Cummings reported from the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Non-Domestic Rating (Small Business Rate Relief) (England) Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 3315).

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

5    Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Bill O'Brien reported from the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Asylum (Designated States) Order 2005.

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

6    European Standing Committee B,—Mr Win Griffiths reported from European Standing Committee B the following Resolution:

That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 13177/04, on the European Commission Green Paper on Defence Procurement; endorses the Government's support for the Green Paper's aim to open up a debate on the competitiveness of the European defence industry; and supports the Government's wider objective to create an effective and competitive European defence equipment market.

Resolution to lie upon the Table.

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

7    Children's Food Bill,—Ms Debra Shipley, supported by Vera Baird, Alan Howarth, Geraint Davies, Mr Andy Reed, Mr Simon Thomas, Mr Ernie Ross, Mr Graham Allen, Mr Paul Burstow, Mr Paul Tyler, Angela Eagle and Mr Robert Walter, presented a Bill to make provision regarding the marketing, promotion and sale of food and drink to and for children; to make provision for education and the dissemination of information about children's diet, nutrition and health; to place certain duties on the Food Standards Agency; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 8th April and to be printed [Bill 56].

8    Small Shops (Protection),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require local authorities to develop plans to support small shops; to amend the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to impose additional planning requirements in relation to large shops and shopping centres; to make provision about retail purchasing by local authorities and other public authorities; to amend the Local Government Finance Act 1988 in relation to non-domestic rates for small shops and related business; and for connected purposes: And that Brian Cotter, Malcolm Bruce, Annette Brooke, Sue Doughty, Andrew George, Mr Parmjit Singh Gill, Mr Mike Hancock, Mr David Heath, Dr John Pugh and Sarah Teather do prepare and bring it in.

9    Small Shops (Protection) Bill,—Brian Cotter accordingly presented a Bill to require local authorities to develop plans to support small shops; to amend the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to impose additional planning requirements in relation to large shops and shopping centres; to make provision about retail purchasing by local authorities and other public authorities; to amend the Local Government Finance Act 1988 in relation to non-domestic rates for small shops and related business; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 20th May and to be printed [Bill 57].

10    Opposition Day [4th 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.

Climate Change and the Environment,—Resolved, That this House endorses the comments of Sir David King that climate change is the most serious threat facing the planet and congratulates him on his work in this area; welcomes the Prime Minister's commitment to make the tackling of climate change a top priority for the United Kingdom's presidencies of the EU and G8 this year; reiterates the UK commitment to a 60 per cent. reduction in carbon emissions by 2050; strongly welcomes the coming into force of the Kyoto agreement on 16th February and the strong role the European Union has played in achieving this; believes that it is vital that, post-Kyoto, the international community works to reach agreement on the action needed to tackle climate change, which should engage the United States but which should also recognise the importance of the energy choices which face many of the major developing countries; calls on the global community to work with them in addressing those choices; rejects the notion that tackling climate change will of necessity damage the economy and indeed suggests that it is failure to do so that will lead to that result; believes that all parties in this House should by their own actions help convince the public of the need to take environmental matters seriously; and therefore condemns Conservative plans severely to weaken the Environment Agency through the massive and debilitating cuts proposed for the Agency by that party, and its damaging plans to abolish the climate change levy.—(Norman Baker.)

House of Lords Judgment on Belmarsh,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House calls on the Government to respond to the House of Lords judgment on Belmarsh with a system of dealing with terror suspects which does not require a derogation from European Convention on Human Rights obligations and which enshrines the principle that decisions on restrictions on individual liberties are taken by the courts and not politicians—(Mr Mark Oaten);

An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the first word 'House' to the end of the Question and add the words 'notes with approval the Government's intention to respond to the House of Lords judgment on Belmarsh by continuing to take all necessary measures to protect the security of the country and its citizens while acting in compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights', instead thereof.—(Ms Hazel Blears.)

And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Roger Williams, Mr Alan Reid: 172.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Tom Watson, Bridget Prentice: 285.

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):—It was agreed to.

The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.

Resolved, That this House notes with approval the Government's intention to respond to the House of Lords judgment on Belmarsh by continuing to take all necessary measures to protect the security of the country and its citizens while acting in compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights.

11    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 Motion in the name of Mr Peter Hain relating to Standards and Privileges may be proceeded with, though opposed, until any hour—(Gillian Merron):—It was agreed to.

12    Deferred Divisions,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions), That, at this day's sitting, Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply to the Question on the Motion in the name of Mr Peter Hain relating to Standards and Privileges—(Gillian Merron):—It was agreed to.

13    Standards and Privileges,—Resolved, That this House—

(i) approves the Third Report of the Committee on Standards and Privileges (House of Commons Paper No. 233); and

(ii) accordingly suspends Mr Jonathan Sayeed, Member for Mid Bedfordshire, from the service of the House for two weeks.—(Gillian Merron.)

14    Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Terrorism Act 2000 (Continuance of Part VII) Order 2005, which was laid before this House on 20th January, be approved—(Gillian Merron):—It was agreed to.

15    Draft Children (Contact) and Adoption Bill (Joint Committee),—Ordered, That the Lords Message of 2nd February relating to a Joint Committee of both Houses to consider and report on any draft Children (Contact) and Adoption Bill presented to both Houses by a Minister of the Crown be now considered.

Resolved, That this House concurs with the Lords that it is expedient that a Joint Committee of Lords and Commons be appointed to consider and report on any draft Children (Contact) and Adoption Bill presented to both Houses by a Minister of the Crown, and that the Committee should report on the draft Bill by 26th May 2005.

Ordered, That a Select Committee of six honourable Members be appointed to join with the Committee appointed by the Lords to consider the draft Children (Contact) and Adoption Bill.

That the Committee shall have power—

(i) to send for persons, papers and records;

(ii) to sit notwithstanding any adjournment of the House;

(iii) to report from time to time;

(iv) to appoint specialist advisers;

(v) to adjourn from place to place within the United Kingdom.

That the quorum of the Committee shall be two; and

That Vera Baird, Virginia Bottomley, Mr David Chidgey, Ann Coffey, Jonathan Shaw and Mr Clive Soley be members of the Committee.—(Gillian Merron.)

Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.

16    Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Gillian Merron.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till fourteen minutes past Eight o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 8.14 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    Northern Ireland,—Draft Higher Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Murphy].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

2    Copyright,—Copyright (Educational Establishments) Order 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 223), dated 2nd February 2005 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Patricia Hewitt].

3    Family Proceedings,—Family Proceedings Courts (Children Act 1989) (Amendment) Rules 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 229), dated 7th February 2005 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Christopher Leslie].

4    Immigration,—(1) Asylum and Immigration Tribunal (Judicial Titles) Order 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 227), dated 7th February 2005; and

(2) Asylum and Immigration Tribunal (Procedure) Rules 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 230), dated 6th February 2005

[by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Mr David Lammy].

5    London Government,—Greater London Authority (Allocation of Grants for Precept Calculations) Regulations 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 221), dated 7th February 2005 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

Papers subject to Special Parliamentary Procedure:

6    Transport and Works,—Midland Metro (Wednesbury to Brierley Hill and Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2005, together with a Certificate by the Secretary of State for Transport under section 2 of the Statutory Orders (Special Procedure) Act 1945 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Darling].

Other Papers:

7    Food Standards,—Report and Accounts of the Food Standards Agency for 2003-04, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 200] [Mr Secretary Reid].

8    Health,—Department of Health Minute, dated 8th February 2005, concerning a contingent liability relating to health costs associated with staging the Olympic Games [by Command] [Mr Secretary Reid].

9    Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the Petition [11th January] from residents of Warden Bay, Leysdown, Bayview and holiday home owners on the Isle of Sheppey for the protection of cliffs from coastal erosion and flooding [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1    Non-Domestic Rating (Small Business Rate Relief) (England) Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 3315),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Linda Gilroy from the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Order) and nominated in substitution Mr Adrian Bailey.

2    Draft Asylum (Designated States) Order 2005,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Terry Lewis and Kali Mountford from the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Mr Ronnie Campbell and Mr Stephen McCabe.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1    Culture, Media and Sport,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [Arts Development: Theatre]; to be printed [No. 254-iii] [Sir Gerald Kaufman].

2    Education and Skills,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education and Skills Committee [Prison Education]; to be printed [No. 114-ii] [Mr Barry Sheerman].

3    Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee on Progress on Pesticides of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee [Progress on Pesticides]; to be printed [No. 258-ii] [Mr Michael Jack].

4    Environmental Audit,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environmental Audit Committee [The International Challenge of Climate Change: UK leadership in the G8 and EU]; to be printed [No. 105-vi] [Mr Peter Ainsworth].

5    European Scrutiny,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the European Scrutiny Committee [The EU's constitutional treaty]; to be printed [No. 132-iv] [Jimmy Hood].

6    Home Affairs,—(1) Third Report from the Home Affairs Committee [Home Office Target-Setting 2004], with an Appendix; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 320]; and

(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Terrorism and other Home Office Issues]; to be printed [No. 321-i]

[Mr John Denham].

7    Liaison,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Liaison Committee [The Prime Minister]; to be printed [No. 318-i] [Mr Alan Williams].

8    Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Urban Affairs Sub-Committee of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions Committee [Empty Homes and Low-demand Pathfinders]; to be printed [No. 295-i];

(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Ward Boundaries]; to be printed [No. 315-II]; and

(3) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Local Government Consultations]; to be printed [No. 316-II]

[Andrew Bennett].

9    Statutory Instruments,—Eighth Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, together with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 66-viii] [Brian White].

10    Treasury,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Treasury Committee [Impact of China on the world and UK economy]; to be printed [No. 314-i] [Mr John McFall].

[W.H., No. 20]

Minutes of Proceedings of the Sitting in Westminster Hall

The sitting began at half-past Nine o'clock.
Adjournment,—Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Mr Jim Murphy.)
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 4.24 p.m.

Sir Alan Haselhurst

Deputy Speaker

CORRIGENDUM
In the Votes and Proceedings for Monday 7th February, in Appendix I, Item 12 (Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules) should have appeared under 'Papers subject to Negative Resolution'.