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The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock.
1 The Speaker's Absence,—The House being met, and having been informed on Monday 27th February of the unavoidable absence, through illness, of Mr Speaker from the sittings of the House this week, Sir Alan Haselhurst, the Chairman of Ways and Means, proceeded to the Table
PRAYERS.
2 The Chairman of Ways and Means took the Chair as Deputy Speaker, pursuant to the Standing Order.
3 Spoliation Advisory Panel,—Resolved, That an Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, That she will be graciously pleased to give directions that there will be laid before this House a Return of the Report from the Right Honourable Sir David Hirst, Chairman of the Spoliation Advisory Panel, in respect of a painting held by the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.—(Tony Cunningham.)
4 Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mrs Janet Dean reported from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Renewables Obligation Order 2006.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
5 Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows:
The Lords insist on certain of their Amendments to the Terrorism Bill, to which this House has disagreed, for which insistence they assign their Reasons; they agree without Amendment to certain Amendments proposed by this House in lieu of certain Lords Amendments to which this House has disagreed; they disagree to the remaining Amendments proposed by this House in lieu of certain Lords Amendments to which this House has disagreed, for which disagreement they assign their Reasons.
NHS Redress Bill [Lords],—The Lords have passed a Bill to make provision about arrangements for redress in relation to liability in tort in connection with services provided as part of the health service in England or Wales; and for connected purposes; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.
6 Terrorism Bill,—Lords Amendments to the Terrorism Bill to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 138].
7 NHS Redress Bill [Lords],—The NHS Redress Bill [Lords] was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 137].
Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the NHS Redress Bill [Lords] be printed [Bill 137-EN].
8 Video Games,—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the Video Recordings Act 1984 to extend certain provisions of that Act to video games and to make provision about the labelling of video games: And that Keith Vaz, Annette Brooke, Mrs Betty Williams, Mr Edward O'Hara, Mr Elfyn Llwyd, Mrs Iris Robinson, Jessica Morden, Miss Julie Kirkbride, Mr Mike Hancock, Sir Nicholas Winterton, Mr Stephen Crabb and Derek Wyatt do prepare and bring it in.
9 Video Games Bill,—Keith Vaz accordingly presented a Bill to amend the Video Recordings Act 1984 to extend certain provisions of that Act to video games and to make provision about the labelling of video games: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 12th May and to be printed [Bill 136].
10 Opposition Day [14th 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.
Dentistry,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House supports the achievement of good oral health through the provision of NHS dentistry; calls, therefore, on the Government to fulfil its commitment that everyone should have access to NHS dentistry; is alarmed that the British Dental Association regards the new dental contract as 'a shambles' and is concerned that many dentists will reduce their commitment to NHS dentistry; and further calls on the Government to withdraw the National Health Service (General Dental Services Contracts) Regulations 2005 and the National Health Service (Personal Dental Service Agreements) Regulations 2005 and immediately to re-open negotiations with the dental profession on dental services contracts which are piloted and linked to patient registration and capitation payments, support for preventative work and the achievement of good oral health.—(Mr Andrew Lansley);
An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 1, to leave out from the word 'House' to the end of the Question and add the words 'welcomes the Government's Oral Health Plan for England, which builds on major oral health improvements in the last 30 years, and the additional £368 million for improving dental services in England announced in July 2004; recognises the Government's substantial achievements in improving the short and longer term supply of dentists for the NHS including recruiting the equivalent of an extra 1,459 whole-time dentists between April 2004 and October 2005, compared to the 1,000 extra dentists promised, and funding an additional 170 training places; further recognises that the Government is investing £80 million in improving dental school facilities, and has approved the establishment of a new dental school in the South West Peninsula; notes that the total number of primary care dentists in the NHS had increased to more than 21,000 by the end of October 2005, compared with 16,700 in 1997; further welcomes the reduction in the maximum patient charge from £384 to £189 from 1st April; further welcomes the new ways of working tested through Personal Dental Services pilots; supports the framework for new dental contracts which will free up significantly more time to provide preventative care, remove the requirement for NHS dentists to treat patients on a fee for service basis and ensure that a committed NHS dentist can expect to earn on average around £80,000 a year; and further welcomes the fact that, where dentists do not take up new contracts, primary care trusts will commission replacement services from other dentists', instead thereof.—(Ms Rosie Winterton.)
And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Andrew Robathan, Mr Henry Bellingham: 222.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Frank Roy, Claire Ward: 287.
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 welcomes the Government's Oral Health Plan for England, which builds on major oral health improvements in the last 30 years, and the additional £368 million for improving dental services in England announced in July 2004; recognises the Government's substantial achievements in improving the short and longer term supply of dentists for the NHS including recruiting the equivalent of an extra 1,459 whole-time dentists between April 2004 and October 2005, compared to the 1,000 extra dentists promised, and funding an additional 170 training places; further recognises that the Government is investing £80 million in improving dental school facilities, and has approved the establishment of a new dental school in the South West Peninsula; notes that the total number of primary care dentists in the NHS had increased to more than 21,000 by the end of October 2005, compared with 16,700 in 1997; further welcomes the reduction in the maximum patient charge from £384 to £189 from 1st April; further welcomes the new ways of working tested through Personal Dental Services pilots; supports the framework for new dental contracts which will free up significantly more time to provide preventative care, remove the requirement for NHS dentists to treat patients on a fee for service basis and ensure that a committed NHS dentist can expect to earn on average around £80,000 a year; and further welcomes the fact that, where dentists do not take up new contracts, primary care trusts will commission replacement services from other dentists.
Future of cancer services,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House recognises that there have been improvements in the provision of cancer care due to the extra investment in the NHS and the hard work and dedication of NHS staff; but notes that a different approach is now needed to raise standards of treatment throughout the entire patient pathway to the best levels achieved in other European countries; believes that more should be done to end the postcode lottery in drugs and treatments; wishes to see more done to raise awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of cancer; further believes that cancer is increasingly a long-term condition and that there should now be a greater recognition of the importance of quality of life issues; and calls on the Government to give the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence a much stronger role in establishing holistic standards and entitlements to care covering the entire patient pathway.—(Mr John Baron);
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 'recognises that the Government has made the improvement of cancer services a key priority through the implementation of the NHS Cancer Plan which sets out to reorganise and rejuvenate cancer services and has provided the NHS with investment to modernise these services; welcomes the achievements set out in the recent Public Accounts Committee report, the NHS Cancer Plan: a progress report, which acknowledged that significant progress has been made across the country; notes that the total death rate for cancer in people under 75 has fallen by 14 per cent. since 1996; acknowledges that under this Government unprecedented investment in equipment is helping to improve both access to, and reliability of, diagnosis and treatment; further notes that specialist teams have been established across the country to help deliver co-ordinated care to patients in hospitals; further welcomes the fact that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is introducing a new fast track assessment process to enable them to issue binding advice to the NHS on the most important new drugs within weeks of them receiving a licence; further notes that this Government has commissioned research to enable initiatives to raise awareness of the symptoms of cancer to be targeted on people most at risk; further notes that there has been a 43 per cent. increase in cancer consultants since 1997; acknowledges that there has been a 40 per cent. increase in cancers detected through breast screening; and further welcomes the Government's commitment to continuing to deliver the commitments in the NHS Cancer Plan', instead thereof.—(Ms Secretary Hewitt.)
And the Question being proposed, That the original words stand part of the Question;
Mr Patrick McLoughlin rose in his place and claimed to move, That the Question be now put.
And the Question being put, That the Question be now put:—It was agreed to.
And the Question being accordingly put;
Tellers for the Ayes, Angela Watkinson, Andrew Rosindell: 228.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Vernon Coaker, Mr Ian Cawsey: 294.
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 recognises that the Government has made the improvement of cancer services a key priority through the implementation of the NHS Cancer Plan which sets out to reorganise and rejuvenate cancer services and has provided the NHS with investment to modernise these services; welcomes the achievements set out in the recent Public Accounts Committee report, the NHS Cancer Plan: a progress report, which acknowledged that significant progress has been made across the country; notes that the total death rate for cancer in people under 75 has fallen by 14 per cent. since 1996; acknowledges that under this Government unprecedented investment in equipment is helping to improve both access to, and reliability of, diagnosis and treatment; further notes that specialist teams have been established across the country to help deliver co-ordinated care to patients in hospitals; further welcomes the fact that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is introducing a new fast track assessment process to enable them to issue binding advice to the NHS on the most important new drugs within weeks of them receiving a licence; further notes that this Government has commissioned research to enable initiatives to raise awareness of the symptoms of cancer to be targeted on people most at risk; further notes that there has been a 43 per cent. increase in cancer consultants since 1997; acknowledges that there has been a 40 per cent. increase in cancers detected through breast screening; and further welcomes the Government's commitment to continuing to deliver the commitments in the NHS Cancer Plan.
11 Representation of the People,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Representation of the People (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2006, which were laid before this House on 24th January, be approved—(Mr John Heppell):—It was agreed to.
12 Constitutional Law,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) (Amendment) Order 2006, which was laid before this House on 24th January, be approved—(Mr John Heppell):—It was agreed to.
13 Representation of the People (Scotland),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Representation of the People (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2006, which were laid before this House on 6th February, be approved—(Mr John Heppell):—It was agreed to.
14 Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from—
(1) residents of the UK against discrimination that prevents parents from feeding their babies in public places;
(2) Brighton and Hove Chinese Society against the Immigration Asylum and Nationality Bill; and
(3) residents of Canvey Island and others against an application to build twelve flats at the corner of Soames Avenue and Maple Avenue
were presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
15 Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr John Heppell.)
And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till thirteen minutes to Eight o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 7.47 p.m.
Sir Alan Haselhurst
Deputy Speaker
The Deputy 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 Insolvency,—Draft Cross-Border Insolvency Regulations 2006 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Alan Johnson].
2 Lord Chancellor,—Draft Lord Chancellor (Transfer of Functions and Supplementary Provisions) (No. 2) Order 2006 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Ms Harriet Harman].
3 Pensions,—Draft Social Security (Reduced Rates of Class 1 Contributions, Rebates and Minimum Contributions) Order 2006 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hutton].
4 Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism,—Draft Terrorism Act 2000 (Revised Code of Practice for the Identification of Persons by Police Officers) (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hain].
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
5 Electricity,—Renewables Obligation Order (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. (N.I.), 2006, No. 56), dated 16th February 2006 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hain].
6 Immigration,—(1) Immigration (Passenger Transit Visa) (Amendment) Order 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 493), dated 27th February 2006 [by Act]; and
(2) Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules [by Act]; to be printed [No. 949]
with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Mr Secretary Clarke].
7 Income Tax,—(1) Registered Pension Schemes (Block Transfers) (Permitted Membership Period) Regulations 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 498);
(2) Registered Pension Schemes (Transfers of Sums and Assets) Regulations 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 499); and
(3) Taxation of Judicial Pensions (Consequential Provisions) Order 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 497),
dated 28th February 2006 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Mr Ivan Lewis].
8 Insolvency,—(1) Insolvency (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. (N.I), 2006, No. 23), dated 2nd February 2006;
(2) Insolvency (Fees) Order (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. (N.I), 2006, No. 54), dated 16th February 2006; and
(3) Insolvency (Monetary Limits) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. (N.I) 2006, No. 26), dated 2nd February 2006
[by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hain].
9 Universities of Oxford and Cambridge,—Statute, dated 5th December 2005, made by the Governing Body of Emmanuel College in the University of Cambridge, amending the Statutes of the University [by Act] [Ms Harriet Harman].
Other Papers:
10 Hong Kong,—Six-monthly Report on Hong Kong: July-December 2005 [by Command] [Cm. 6751] [Mr Secretary Straw].
11 Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for Transport on the Petition [26th January] from Mrs Geraldine Mitchell and others against plans to expand Luton Airport [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].
12 Reserve Forces,—Report under section 56(7) of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 on the making of a call-out order for Sierra Leone and the Congo under section 56(1) of that Act, dated 1st March 2006 [by Act] [Secretary John Reid].
13 Spoliation Advisory Panel,—Return to an Address to Her Majesty for a Return of the Report from the Right Honourable Sir David Hirst, Chairman of the Spoliation Advisory Panel, in respect of a painting held by the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford [pursuant to Resolution this day]; to be printed [No. 890] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].
14 Supply Estimates, 2004-05,—Statement of Excesses for 2004-05 [by Command]; to be printed [No. 896] [John Healey].
15 Treaty Series (No. 3, 2006),—Exchange of Notes, done at Jakarta on 21st and 29th September 2005, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia concerning Certain Commercial Debts (The United Kingdom/Indonesia Debt Agreements No. 2 (1998), No. 3 (2000) and No. 4 (2002) Amendment) [by Command] [Cm. 6753] [Mr Secretary Straw].
16 Work and Pensions,—Reports by the Government Actuary and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the draft of the Social Security (Reduced Rates of Class 1 Contributions, Rebates and Minimum Contributions) Order 2006 [by Command] [Cm. 6758] [Mr Secretary Hutton].
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
1 Draft Dog Control Orders (Prescribed Offences and Penalties, etc.) Regulations 2006 and the draft Environmental Offences (Use of Fixed Penalty Receipts) Regulations 2006:
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Regulations to the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Adam Afriyie, John Battle, Mr Richard Benyon, Mr Clive Betts, Mr Ben Bradshaw, Mrs Ann Cryer, Tony Cunningham, Michael Jabez Foster, Mr Fabian Hamilton, David Howarth, Mr David Kidney, Anne Main, Mr Dan Rogerson, Andrew Rosindell, Clare Short, Ms Gisela Stuart and Bill Wiggin.
2 Draft Renewables Obligation Order 2006,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Parmjit Dhanda from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Mr Alan Campbell.
3 Draft Courts Act 2003 (Consequential Amendment) Order 2006:
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Peter Bone, Kevin Brennan, James Brokenshire, Chris Bryant, Jim Cousins, Frank Dobson, Angela Eagle, Jeff Ennis, Mr David Heath, Mr Doug Henderson, Martin Horwood, Sir Gerald Kaufman, Bridget Prentice, Gwyn Prosser, Mr Andrew Tyrie, Angela Watkinson and Jeremy Wright.
4 Draft Occupational Pension Schemes (Levy Ceiling) Order 2006:
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Danny Alexander, Charlotte Atkins, Philip Davies, Mr Philip Dunne, Helen Goodman, Mr John Heppell, Ms Diana R. Johnson, Mr David Jones, Ms Sally Keeble, Mr Fraser Kemp, Mr David Laws, Mr Gordon Marsden, Helen Southworth, Mr John Spellar, Mr Stephen Timms, Mr Nigel Waterson and Angela Watkinson.
European Standing Committees
5 European Union Document No. 15143/05 and Addendum 1 relating to Air Traffic Management,—The Committee of Selection has nominated thirteen Members to serve on the European Standing Committee nominated in respect of the Document: Mr Henry Bellingham, Mr David S. Borrow, Tom Brake, Mr Julian Brazier, Mr Nicholas Brown, Ms Karen Buck, Mr Douglas Carswell, Mr Vernon Coaker, Mrs Nadine Dorries, Mr John Leech, Mr Marsha Singh, Mr Andrew Slaughter and Mr Mark Todd.
6 European Union Document No. 5130/06 and Addendum 1, relating to the promotion of clean road vehicles, has been referred to European Standing Committee A.
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
1 Armed Forces Bill,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill; to be printed [No. 828-vi] [Mr George Howarth].
2 Crossrail Bill,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on the Crossrail Bill; to be printed [No. 837-xiv] [Mr Alan Meale].
3 Education and Skills,—(1) Second Report from the Education and Skills Committee [Public Expenditure], 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. 479]; and
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Special Educational Needs]; to be printed [No. 478-vii]
4 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—(1) Fifth Special Report from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee [Government's Response to the Fourth Report from the Committee, Session 2005-06, on The Departmental Annual Report 2006]; to be printed [No. 966]; and
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Climate change: role of bioenergy], together with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 965-i]
5 Environmental Audit,—Third Report from the Environmental Audit Committee [Sustainable Procurement: The Way Forward], 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. 740] [Mr Tim Yeo].
6 European Scrutiny,—(1) Twentieth Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 34-xx]; and
(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Ministerial Correspondence]
7 Modernisation of the House of Commons,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons [Connecting Parliament with the Public]; to be printed [No. 951-i] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon].
8 Northern Ireland Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee [Organised Crime in Northern Ireland]; to be printed [No. 886-iii] [Sir Patrick Cormack].
9 Public Accounts,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts [Corporation Tax]; to be printed [No. 967-i] [Mr Edward Leigh].
10 Science and Technology,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee [Scientific advice, risk and evidence: how Government handles them]; to be printed [No. 900-ii] [Mr Phil Willis].
11 Statutory Instruments,—Nineteenth Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, together with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 35-xix] [Mr Eric Forth].
[W.H., No. 71]
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.—(Tony Cunningham.)
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 5.13 p.m.
Sir Alan Haselhurst
Deputy Speaker
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