Votes and Proceedings

House of Commons

Session 2005 - 06
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House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Wednesday 12th October 2005

The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1    Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Martyn Jones reported from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (Designated Area) Order 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1537)

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

2    Terrorism Bill,—Mr Secretary Clarke, supported by the Prime Minister, Mr Secretary Prescott, Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Secretary Straw, Mr Secretary Darling, Mr Secretary Hain and Hazel Blears, presented a Bill to make provision for and about offences relating to conduct carried out, or capable of being carried out, for purposes connected with terrorism; to amend enactments relating to terrorism; to amend the Intelligence Services Act 1994 and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 55].

Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Terrorism Bill be printed [Bill 55-EN].

3    Local Government Consultation,—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to provide a statutory framework for full public consultation by local authorities in England whenever major developments are proposed by such authorities: And that Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger, David Heyes, Kelvin Hopkins, Mr Robert Syms, Mr Ben Wallace, Stephen Hammond, Mr Geoffrey Cox and David Mundell do prepare and bring it in.

4    Local Government Consultation Bill,—Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger accordingly presented a Bill to provide a statutory framework for full public consultation by local authorities in England whenever major developments are proposed by such authorities: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 11th November and to be printed [Bill 56].

5    Opposition Day [6th allotted day],—It being an allotted day at the disposal of the Leader of the Opposition in pursuance of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business), the House proceeded to consider Opposition business.

Regionalisation of Emergency Services,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes the overwhelming rejection of regional government in the referendum held in the North East in November 2004; regrets the ongoing transfer of powers to unelected regional quangos since the result, taking power away from democratically accountable local councils; rejects the proposals for the regionalisation of the fire service and the imposition of distant Regional Fire Control Rooms; expresses concern at the possibility of police forces being structured on a Government Office Region level, making the police less responsive to local people, and voices similar concerns over the restructuring of NHS ambulance trusts; disagrees with the Deputy Prime Minister's proposals for the regionalisation of emergency services as being a desirable, legitimate or necessary tier of governance; and demands that the Government dismantles the unwanted and unaccountable regional administration of emergency services—(Mrs Caroline Spelman);

An Amendment 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 'supports local, regional and national collaboration to improve public safety and health; welcomes the continuing reduction in fire deaths which Fire and Rescue Authorities have achieved in partnership with the Government and other stakeholders; welcomes the positive role played by local authorities in Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships and the fall in crime as a result; welcomes the public consultation underway to ensure police force structures protect the public from terrorism and organised crime, while continuing to provide responsive neighbourhood policing that meets the needs of local communities; welcomes the proposed managerial changes in ambulance trusts which will cut overheads and bureaucracy, while boosting investment in front-line staff and services for patients; and congratulates the Government on increasing expenditure on all the emergency services since its election in 1997', instead thereof.—(Jim Fitzpatrick.)

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

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Andrew Selous, Mr Peter Atkinson: 241.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Ian Cawsey, Mr John Heppell: 298.

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 supports local, regional and national collaboration to improve public safety and health; welcomes the continuing reduction in fire deaths which Fire and Rescue Authorities have achieved in partnership with the Government and other stakeholders; welcomes the positive role played by local authorities in Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships and the fall in crime as a result; welcomes the public consultation underway to ensure police force structures protect the public from terrorism and organised crime, while continuing to provide responsive neighbourhood policing that meets the needs of local communities; welcomes the proposed managerial changes in ambulance trusts which will cut overheads and bureaucracy, while boosting investment in front-line staff and services for patients; and congratulates the Government on increasing expenditure on all the emergency services since its election in 1997.

Tackling Climate Change,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House regrets the Prime Minister's apparent willingness to abandon the effort to achieve a second Kyoto agreement; and calls upon the Government to implement a system of independent monitoring which will assist governments in achieving the Royal Commission's target reduction in emissions by 2050—(Mr Oliver Letwin);

An Amendment 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 'congratulates the UK Government on the unparalleled leadership it has shown in raising the issue of climate change up the international agenda; welcomes the outcomes of the G8 Summit in July in Gleneagles and the UK's achievements in establishing a new momentum in international discussion on climate change; further welcomes the Government's commitment to work towards agreement on the long-term goals and action needed to stabilise the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and the UK's commitment to seek further international action through the EU Presidency, the first meeting of the G8 dialogue on 1st November and the Montreal meeting in December; commends the Labour Party for its continuing objective to reduce emissions by 20 per cent. by 2010; and welcomes any support for measures that will actually reduce UK emissions', instead thereof.—(Secretary Margaret Beckett.)

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

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Peter Atkinson, Mr Mark Prisk: 229.

Tellers for the Noes, Joan Ryan, Kevin Brennan: 309.

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

Resolved, That this House congratulates the UK Government on the unparalleled leadership it has shown in raising the issue of climate change up the international agenda; welcomes the outcomes of the G8 Summit in July in Gleneagles and the UK's achievements in establishing a new momentum in international discussion on climate change; further welcomes the Government's commitment to work towards agreement on the long-term goals and action needed to stabilise the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and the UK's commitment to seek further international action through the EU Presidency, the first meeting of the G8 dialogue on 1st November and the Montreal meeting in December; commends the Labour Party for its continuing objective to reduce emissions by 20 per cent. by 2010; and welcomes any support for measures that will actually reduce UK emissions.

6    Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Tom Watson.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till a quarter to Eight o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 7.45 p.m.
Michael J. Martin

Speaker

Mr Speaker will take the Chair at half-past Ten o'clock.

APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1    Civil Partnership,—Draft Civil Partnership (Miscellaneous and Consequential Provisions) Order 2005 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].

2    Family Proceedings,—Draft Access to Justice Act 1999 (Destination of Appeals) (Family Proceedings) Order 2005 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Ms Harriet Harman].

3    Magistrates' Courts,—Draft Family Procedure (Modification of Enactments) Order 2005 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Ms Harriet Harman].

4    Social Security,—Draft Social Security (Inherited SERPS) (Amendments relating to Civil Partnership) Regulations 2005 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

5    Children and Young Persons,—(1) Family Procedure (Adoption) Rules 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 2795), dated 10th October 2005 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Bridget Prentice]; and

(2) Parental Responsibility Agreement (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 2808), dated 10th October 2005 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Ms Harriet Harman].

6    Criminal Law,—Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Mandatory Life Sentences: Appeals in Transitional Cases) Order 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 2798), dated 10th October 2005 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Clarke].

7    Family Proceedings,—(1) Children (Allocation of Proceedings) (Amendment No. 2) Order 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 2797); and

(2) Courts Act 2003 (Revocations, Savings and Transitional Provisions) Order 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 2804),

dated 10th October 2005 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Ms Harriet Harman].

8    Magistrates' Courts,—Justices' Clerks (Amendment) Rules 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 2796), dated 10th October 2005 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Ms Harriet Harman].

Other Papers:

9    Crown Agents,—Account of the Crown Agents Holding and Realisation Board for 2004, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 516] [Clerk of the House].

10    Defence,—Ministry of Defence Minute, dated 12th October 2005, concerning the gifting of military equipment to the Iraqi Government [by Command] [Secretary John Reid].

11    Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Minute, dated 12th October 2005, concerning indemnities for Members of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee [by Command] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].

12    Foreign and Commonwealth Office,—Report of the Global Opportunities Fund for 2004-05 [by Command] [Cm. 6665] [Mr Secretary Straw].

13    Government Resources and Accounts,—Report and Accounts of the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation for 2004-05, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 448] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

14    International Labour Conference,—Paper, entitled International Labour Conference: Presentation of the Recommendation adopted at the 92nd Session of the International Labour Conference (2004) and the proposed action by Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on the Recommendation [by Command] [Cm. 6666] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].

15    National Savings Bank,—Account of the National Savings Ordinary Deposits for 2004-05, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 517] [Clerk of the House].

16    Public Accounts,—Treasury Minutes on the Twenty-fifth to Twenty-sixth and Twenty-eighth to Thirtieth Reports from the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 2004-05 [by Command] [Cm. 6668] [John Healey].

17    Prevention of Terrorism,—Report by the Independent Reviewer, Lord Carlile of Berriew Q.C. on Proposals by Her Majesty's Government for Changes to the Laws Against Terrorism [by Act] [Mr Secretary Clarke].

18    Tribunals and Inquiries,—Report of the Council on Tribunals for 2004-05 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 472] [Bridget Prentice].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1    Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill (Programming Sub-Committee),—The Speaker has appointed Mr Henry Bellingham, Mrs Cheryl Gillan, Dr Evan Harris, Mr Tony McNulty, Mr Khalid Mahmood, Gwyn Prosser and Joan Ryan members of the Programming Sub-Committee of Standing Committee E in respect of the Bill.

2    Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (Designated Area) Order 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1537),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mrs Ann Cryer and Mr Denis MacShane from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Order) and nominated in substitution Chris Mole and Anne Snelgrove.

    European Standing Committees

3    European Union Document No. 9997/05, relating to tackling organised crime, has been referred to European Standing Committee B.

4    European Union Document No. 11413/05, relating to EU Development Policy, has been referred to European Standing Committee B.

5    European Union Document No. 11439/05, relating to Value Added Tax, has been referred to European Standing Committee B.

6    European Union Document No. COM(05)172, relating to the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Commission legislative proposals, has been referred to European Standing Committee B.

7    Unnumbered Letter dated 26th August 2005, submitted by HM Treasury, relating to the Draft Budget 2006, has been referred to European Standing Committee B, together with unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum dated 1st June 2005 relating to the Preliminary Draft Budget 2006, already referred to the Committee on 4th July 2005.

8    European Union Document No. 12197/05, relating to the marketing of foods derived from genetically modified maize, has been referred to European Standing Committee C.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1    Education and Skills,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education and Skills Committee [Public Expenditure on Education and Skills]; to be printed [No. 479-i] [Mr Barry Sheerman].

2    Environmental Audit,—Second Special Report from the Environmental Audit Committee [Government's Reply to the Seventh Report from the Committee, Session 2004-05, on Pre-Budget 2004 and Budget 2005: Tax, Appraisal and Environment]; to be printed [No. 528] [Mr Peter Ainsworth].

3    Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—(1) First Report from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee [The future for UK fishing: Government Response to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee's Report]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 532];

(2) Second Special Report from the Committee [Government's Reply to the Ninth Report from the Committee, Session 2004--05 on Climate Change: looking forward]; to be printed [No. 533];

(3) Third Special Report from the Committee [Government's Reply to the Eighth Report from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Session 2004-05 on progress on the use of pesticides: the Voluntary Initiative]; to be printed [No. 534];

(4) Memorandum laid before the Committee [Rural Payments Agency];

(5) Memorandum laid before the Committee [Avian Influenza]; and

(6) Memorandum laid before the Committee [Dismantling defunct ships in the UK];

[Mr Michael Jack].

4    European Scrutiny,—(1) Fifth Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 34-v];

(2) First Special Report from the Committee [Government Response to the Fourteenth Report from the Committee, Session 2004-05, on aspects of the EU's Constitutional Treaty]; to be printed [No. 527]; and

(3) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Ministerial Correspondence]

[Jimmy Hood].

5    Foreign Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee [Foreign and Commonwealth Office Annual Report 2004-05]; to be printed [No. 522-i] [Mike Gapes].

6    Northern Ireland Affairs,—(1) Fifth Special Report from the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee [Air Transport Services in Northern Ireland: Government Response to the Committee's Eighth Report of Session 2004-05]; to be printed [No. 529];

(2) Sixth Special Report from the Committee [Ways of Dealing with Northern Ireland's Past: Interim Report-Victims and Survivors. Government Response to the Committee's Tenth Report of Session 2004-05]; to be printed [No. 530]; and

(3) Seventh Special Report from the Committee [The Functions of the Northern Ireland Policing Board: Government Response to the Committee's Seventh Report of Session 2004-05]; to be printed [No. 531]

[Sir Patrick Cormack].

7    Public Accounts,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts [Maintaining and improving Britain's railway stations]; to be printed [No. 535-i] [Mr Edward Leigh].

8    Statutory Instruments,—Fourth Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, together with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 35-iv] [Eric Forth].

9    Transport,—Third Special Report from the Transport Committee [Government Response to the Tenth Report from the Committee, Session 2004-05, on Integrated Transport: the Future of Light Rail and Modern Trams in the United Kingdom]; to be printed [No. 526] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].

10    Treasury,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee of the Treasury Committee [HM Revenue & Customs: Spring Departmental Report 2005]; to be printed [No. 524-i] [Mr John McFall].

[W.H., No. 23]

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.—(Claire Ward.)
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 5.10 p.m.
Sir Alan Haselhurst

Deputy Speaker



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