Votes and Proceedings

House of Commons

Session 2005 - 06
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House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Wednesday 5th July 2006

The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1    Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Hywel Williams reported from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.

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

2    Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Mike Weir reported from the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) (Amendment) Regulations 2006.

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

3    Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Janet Anderson reported from the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Data Protection (Processing of Sensitive Personal Data) Order 2006.

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 have agreed to the Health Bill, with Amendments; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.

5    Health Bill,—Lords Amendments to the Health Bill to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 210].

6    Sir Roger Sands, KCB, Clerk of the House of Commons,—The Speaker informed the House that he had received a letter from Sir Roger Sands, KCB, Clerk of the House of Commons, which he read to the House, as follows:

As I have previously indicated to you, I would wish to retire on 30th September this year, on the 41st anniversary of my first joining the service of the House.

The procedural and management responsibilities which are now combined in the post of Clerk of the House present a formidable challenge. But I have been able to rely on the high quality and commitment of the staff at every level in the House and on the strengths of my fellow members of the Board of Management, who bring a richly diverse range of skills and experience to their work for Parliament. I have also been greatly assisted by the moral and practical support which I have received from you, from the Deputy Speakers, and from your colleagues on the House of Commons Commission.

The House of Commons is a much criticised institution; and its own Members are often as critical as anyone. But whatever its perceived failings, the House remains at the centre of political and public life and is the envy of most other countries in the world. Its durability and occasional bloody-mindedness have made, and continue to make, a crucial contribution to the country's stability and prosperity. I have never for a moment regretted making my career in the House, and I am very grateful for having had the opportunity to serve as its Clerk.

7    Climate Change (Commercial and Public Services Sectors),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision about the reduction of greenhouse gases; to promote energy efficiency and the consumption of renewable and low carbon energy in the commercial and public services sectors; to provide for the Secretary of State to report to Parliament on energy usage in the commercial and public services sectors; and for connected purposes: And that Dr Alan Whitehead, Mr Michael Meacher, Mr Elliot Morley, Mr Tim Yeo, Chris Huhne, Colin Challen, Helen Goodman, David Howarth, Mr Nick Hurd, Bob Spink, Kitty Ussher and Mr Edward Vaizey do prepare and bring it in.

8    Climate Change (Commercial and Public Services Sectors) Bill,—Dr Alan Whitehead accordingly presented a Bill to make provision about the reduction of greenhouse gases; to promote energy efficiency and the consumption of renewable and low carbon energy in the commercial and public services sectors; to provide for the Secretary of State to report to Parliament on energy usage in the commercial and public services sectors; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 20th October and to be printed [Bill 209].

9    Finance (No. 2) Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded further to consider the Finance (No. 2) Bill, not amended in the Committee and as amended in the Standing Committee.

Other Amendments (Nos. 18 to 20 and 121) made to the Bill.

Another Amendment (No. 122) proposed to the Bill, in page 155, line 21, to leave out from the second 'the' to the end of line 22 and insert the words 'earlier of—

(a) two years after the end of the accounting period; or

(b) the deadline for filing corporate tax returns in the EEA territory concerned.' instead thereof.—(Mr Mark Hoban.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Another Amendment (No. 98) made to the Bill.

Another Amendment (No. 126) proposed to the Bill, in page 46, line 29, to leave out Clause No. 61.—(Julia Goldsworthy.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made.

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Roger Williams, Mr Dan Rogerson: 224.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Ian Cawsey, Huw Irranca-Davies: 274.

Other Amendments (Nos. 99, 16, 100, 17, 21, 24 to 26, 22 and 23) made to the Bill.

Another Amendment (No. 1) proposed to the Bill, in page 92, line 2, to leave out Clause No. 99.—(Rob Marris.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made;

10    Deferred Divisions,—The Deputy Speaker announced the results of the Divisions which had been deferred to this day, pursuant to Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions):

Northern Ireland,— That the draft Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, which was laid before this House on 12th June, be approved.

Ayes: 303.

Noes: 163.

So the Question was agreed to.

Adjournment (Summer),— That this House, at its rising on Tuesday 25th July, do adjourn till Monday 9th October 2006.

Ayes: 409.

Noes: 53.

So the Question was agreed to.

11    Finance (No. 2) Bill,—Question again proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Other Amendments (Nos. 28, 29 and 101) made to the Bill.

Another Amendment (No. 130) proposed to the Bill, in page 97, line 24, at the end, to insert the words 'or on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange or its equivalent European Union exchanges.'—(Mr Mark Francois.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Andrew Rosindell, Mr Crispin Blunt: 166.

Tellers for the Noes, Kevin Brennan, Tony Cunningham: 348.
Other Amendments (Nos. 27 and 30) made to the Bill.
Another Amendment (No. 14) proposed to the Bill, in page 135, line 34, at the end, to insert the words—

'(7) The Treasury may make regulations about the application of subparagraph (2) of this section which will be deemed to take effect from 6th April 2006.'—(Mr Mark Hoban.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Crispin Blunt, Andrew Rosindell: 222.

Tellers for the Noes, Tony Cunningham, Kevin Brennan: 295.

Other Amendments (Nos. 31, 97 and 102 to 106) made to the Bill.

A Motion being made, and the Question being put, That the Bill be now read the third time;
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Frank Roy, Tony Cunningham: 287.

Tellers for the Noes, Andrew Rosindell, Mr Crispin Blunt: 203.
So the Question was agreed to. The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.
12    Company Law Reform Bill [Lords] (Programme) (No. 2),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 83A (Programme motions), That the Order of 6th June 2006 (Company Law Reform Bill [Lords] (Programme)) shall be varied by the substitution for '13th July' of '20th July'—(Mr Alan Campbell):—It was agreed to.

13    Terms and Conditions of Employment,—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 Minimum Wage Regulations 1999 (Amendment) Regulations 2006, which were laid before this House on 5th June, be approved—(Mr Alan Campbell):—It was agreed to.

14    Security Industry,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Amendments to Schedule 2) Order 2006, which was laid before this House on 14th June, be approved—(Mr Alan Campbell):—It was agreed to.

15    Health Care and Associated Professions,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Amendments Order 2006, which was laid before this House on 19th June, be approved—(Mr Alan Campbell):—It was agreed to.

16    Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Alan Campbell.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till one minute past Eight o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 8.01 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:

Paper subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1    Landlord and Tenant,—Draft Regulatory Reform (Agricultural Tenancies) (England and Wales) Order 2006 [by Act], with a Statement by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs [Secretary David Miliband].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

2    Agriculture,—Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels in Crops, Food and Feeding Stuffs) (England and Wales) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 1742), dated 29th June 2006 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary David Miliband].

3    Betting, Gaming and Lotteries,—Gambling Act 2005 (Transitional Provisions) (No.2) Order 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 1758), dated 4th July 2006 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].

4    Health Care and Associated Professions,—European Qualifications (Professions Complementary to Dentistry) Regulations 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 1718), dated 28th June 2006 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Ms Secretary Hewitt].

5    Public Health,—Private and Voluntary Health Care (England) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 1734), dated 28th June 2006 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Ms Secretary Hewitt].

Other Papers:

6    Culture, Media and Sport—Department of Culture, Media and Sport Minute, dated 5th July 2006, Reporting the Transfer of the National Stud to an Independent Charitable Trust [by Command] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].

7    Explosives (Northern Ireland),—Report of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Explosives for Northern Ireland for 2005 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1283] [Mr Secretary Hain].

8    Government Resources and Accounts,—Report and Accounts of the Sea Fish Industry Authority for 2005-06, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1181] [Secretary David Miliband].

9    Northern Ireland,—Report and Accounts of the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment for 2004-05, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1190] [Mr Secretary Hain].

10    Postal Services,—Report of the Postal Services Commission for 2004-05 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1351] [Mr Secretary Darling].

11    Reserve Forces,—Amendment List 12 to Air Publication 3392 Volume 7 (First Edition) Regulations for the Reserve Air Forces [by Act] [Secretary Des Browne].

12    Transport,—Department of Transport Minute, dated 5th July 2006, concerning Government support for Network Rail Borrowing Annual Update [by Command] [Mr Secretary Alexander].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1    Draft General Lighthouse Authorities (Beacons: Automatic Identification System) Order 2006:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Henry Bellingham, Mr Julian Brazier, Lyn Brown, Mr Alistair Carmichael, Mr Michael Clapham, Jim Cousins, Mrs Ann Cryer, David T. C. Davies (Monmouth), Philip Davies, Mr Stephen Dorrell, Mr Kevan Jones, Mr Sadiq Khan, Dr Stephen Ladyman, Mr John Leech, Mr Alan Milburn, Mr Frank Roy and Mr Andrew Slaughter.

2    Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Order 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 1969):

(1) The Speaker has allocated the 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 David Anderson, Ed Balls, Kevin Brennan, Colin Burgon, Dr Vincent Cable, Mr Frank Field, Dr Ian Gibson, Julia Goldsworthy, Mr Stephen Hepburn, Mr Mark Hoban, Kate Hoey, Mr David Jones, Mr Andrew Love, Mr Humfrey Malins, Mr Andy Reed, Sir Malcolm Rifkind and Andrew Selous.

3    Draft Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2006,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr David Crausby, Mr Stephen Hepburn, Mr Andrew Love, Julie Morgan and Albert Own from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Rosie Cooper, Mark Fisher, Mr Robert Flello, Meg Hillier and Michael Wills.

4    Draft Criminal Defence Service (Financial Eligibility) Regulations 2006, the draft Criminal Defence Service (Representation Orders: Appeals etc.) Regulations 2006, and the draft Criminal Defence Service (Representation Orders and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2006:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Vera Baird, Mr Richard Benyon, Mr David Crausby, Mr Michael Foster (Worcester), Mr Dominic Grieve, Mr Dai Havard, Simon Hughes, Helen Jones, Mr Bob Laxton, Martin Linton, Tony Lloyd, The Reverend Ian Paisley, Clare Short, Dr Rudi Vis, Angela Watkinson, Jeremy Wright and Mr Tim Yeo.

5    Draft Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) (Amendment) Regulations 2006,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Dai Havard and Martin Salter from the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations) and nominated in substitution Mr John MacDougall and Julie Morgan.

6    Draft Television Licensable Content Services Order 2006, and the draft Radio Multiplex Services (Required Percentage of Digital Capacity) Order 2006:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Orders to the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Roger Berry, Mr Peter Bone, Tom Brake, Lorely Burt, Mr Quentin Davies, Mr Tobias Ellwood, Mr Nigel Evans, Mr Mark Field, Paul Flynn, Barbara Follett, Huw Irranca-Davies, Glenda Jackson, Mr Brian Jenkins, David Lepper, Jessica Morden, Graham Stringer and Mr Shaun Woodward.

7    Draft Data Protection (Processing of Sensitive Personal Data) Order 2006,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Bob Laxton from the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Albert Owen.

8    Draft Climate Change Agreements (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2006,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mark Tami and Mr Robert N. Wareing from the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations) and nominated in substitution Ann Keen and Rob Marris.

    European Standing Committees

9    Unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum dated 23rd May relating to the Preliminary Draft Budget,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Mark Francois from European Standing Committee (nominated in respect of the Memorandum) and nominated in substitution Mrs Theresa Villiers.

10    European Union Document No. 5163 and Addendum 1 relating to Vehicle Type Approval: Emission Limits,—The Committee of Selection has nominated thirteen Members to serve on the Committee in respect of the Documents: Mr Henry Bellingham, Mr Julian Brazier, Mr Alistair Carmichael, Tony Cunningham, Mrs Nadine Dorries, Mr Robert Goodwill, Mr Fabian Hamilton, Dr Stephen Ladyman, Mr John Leech, Andrew Mackinlay, Dr Doug Naysmith, Mr Andrew Slaughter and Mike Wood.

11    European Union Document No. 10014/06, relating to voluntary reduction ("modulation") of direct farm support payments, has been referred to European Standing Committee A.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1    Crossrail Bill,— Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on the Crossrail Bill to be printed [No. 837-xlix] [Mr Alan Meale].

2    Education and Skills,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education and Skills Committee [Sustainable Schools]; to be printed [No. 1150-iii] [Mr Barry Sheerman].

3    Environmental Audit,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environmental Audit Committee [Climate Change-the UK Programme 2006]; to be printed [No. 1452-i] [Mr Tim Yeo].

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

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

[Jimmy Hood].

5    Modernisation of the House of Commons,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons [The Legislative Process]; to be printed [No. 1097-vi] [Mr Jack Straw].

6    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-xii] [Mr Phil Willis].

7    Statutory Instruments,—Thirty-second Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, together with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 35-xxxii] [David Maclean].

8    Transport,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Committee [Passenger Rail Franchising]; to be printed [No. 1354-i]; and

(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Local Transport Planning and Funding]; to be printed [No. 1120-v]

[Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].

9    Treasury,—Ninth Report from the Treasury Committee [Globalisation: the role of the IMF], together with the 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. 875] [Mr John McFall].

10    Work and Pensions,—(1) Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Work and Pensions Committee on 28th June 2006 [Financial Assistance Scheme]; to be printed [No. 1362]; and

(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Financial Assistance Scheme]

[Mr Terry Rooney].

[W.H., No. 116]

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 Ian Cawsey.)
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 5.14 p.m.
Sir Alan Haselhurst

Deputy Speaker