Votes and Proceedings

House of Commons

Session 2005 - 06
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House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Wednesday 19th July 2006

The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1    Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr David Marshall reported from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Northern Ireland Act 2000 (Modification) (No. 2) Order 2006.

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

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

The Lords agree to the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, with Amendments, to which they desire the concurrence of this House.

The Lords agree to the Amendments made by this House to the Compensation Bill [Lords], without Amendment.

3    Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill,—Lords Amendments to the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill to be considered to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 219].

4    Samurai Swords,—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to forbid the sale, manufacture, hire, loan or importation of sharpened samurai swords; and for connected purposes: And that James Brokenshire, Mike Penning, Mr Lee Scott, Angela Watkinson, Mr David Jones, Mr Shailesh Vara, Jeremy Wright, Andrew Rosindell, James Duddridge, Mark Pritchard, Martin Horwood and Mr David Amess do prepare and bring it in.

5    Samurai Swords Bill,—James Brokenshire accordingly presented a Bill to forbid the sale, manufacture, hire, loan or importation of sharpened samurai swords; 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 217].

6    Home Information Packs,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House expresses profound concern at the lack of adequate preparation made for the introduction of the Government's Home Information Packs (HIPs); is further concerned at the failure on the part of the Government to provide a substantive pilot scheme; acknowledges the misgivings of various professional organisations; registers grave concern about the failure of HIPs to include reliable information on electrical safety, flood risk and contaminated land; fears that the cost of providing a HIP could be as high as Ł1,000; asserts that valuations and surveys will still be required, particularly for first-time buyers, increasing the cost of buying and selling a home; and notes that independent economic experts have warned of a negative impact on the economy arising from the introduction of HIPs—(Michael Gove);

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 'believes that reforms to home buying and selling need to be designed around the interests of consumers; further believes that Home Information Packs (HIPs) will cut waste and duplication and speed up transactions for consumers; applauds the proposed inclusion in HIPs of Energy Performance Certificates which will give buyers and sellers vital information about the energy efficiency of homes and practical suggestions about how to cut fuel bills and carbon emissions; welcomes the Government's intention to carry out further testing of HIPs; and notes that the Government is working with industry to encourage the successful voluntary take-up of Home Condition Reports, retaining the option of a mandatory approach to ensure widespread take-up, and thus maximising the benefit for consumers', instead thereof.—(Yvette Cooper.)

And the Question being proposed, pursuant to Order [17th July], That the original words stand part of the Question;

7    Royal Assent,—The [Deputy] Speaker notified the House, in accordance with the Royal Assent Act 1967, That Her Majesty had signified her Royal Assent to the following Acts, agreed upon by both Houses:

Appropriation (No. 2) Act 2006

Finance Act 2006

Commons Act 2006

Housing Corporation (Delegation) etc. Act 2006

Health Act 2006.

8    Home Information Packs,—The Question being again 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;

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Crispin Blunt, Andrew Rosindell: 230.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Frank Roy, Kevin Brennan: 303.

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 believes that reforms to home buying and selling need to be designed around the interests of consumers; further believes that Home Information Packs (HIPs) will cut waste and duplication and speed up transactions for consumers; applauds the proposed inclusion in HIPs of Energy Performance Certificates which will give buyers and sellers vital information about the energy efficiency of homes and practical suggestions about how to cut fuel bills and carbon emissions; welcomes the Government's intention to carry out further testing of HIPs; and notes that the Government is working with industry to encourage the successful voluntary take-up of Home Condition Reports, retaining the option of a mandatory approach to ensure widespread take-up, and thus maximising the benefit for consumers.

9    Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Bill [Lords] (Programme) (No. 2),—Ordered, That the Order of 15th June 2006 (Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Bill [Lords] (Programme)) be varied as follows:

1. Paragraphs 5 and 6 of the Order shall be omitted.

2. Proceedings on consideration shall be taken in the following order: new Clauses; new Schedules; Amendments relating to Clause 1, Schedule 1, Clauses 2 and 3, Schedule 2, Clauses 4 to 6, Schedule 3, Clauses 7 to 22, Schedule 4 and Clauses 23 to 30; remaining proceedings on consideration.

3. Proceedings on consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion two hours after the commencement of the proceedings on the motion for this Order.

4. Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion three hours after the commencement of the proceedings on the motion for this Order.—(Nick Ainger.)

10    Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Bill [Lords],—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Bill [Lords], as amended in the Standing Committee.

An Amendment (No. 1) proposed to the Bill, in page 1, line 13, at the end, to insert the words—

'(ca) keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of provision for those older people who are disabled.'.—(Mrs Cheryl Gillan.)

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

Another Amendment (No. 2) proposed to the Bill, in page 6, line 25, at the end, to insert the words—

'But no assistance shall be given for research or for educational activities to any political party or to any person, group or body that is engaged in political lobbying nor for any research whose aim or purpose either runs contrary to or is likely to undermine the existing policy of the Assembly.'.—(Mr Greg Knight.)

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

Another Amendment (No. 3) proposed to the Bill, in page 8, line 25, at the end, to insert the words 'with or without notice.'.—(Mr Greg Knight.)

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

The Bill was read the third time, and passed, with Amendments.

11    Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from—

(1) London residents for the proper staffing of overland railway stations during their hours of operation after dark;

(2) citizens of the United Kingdom for measures to address wildlife crime;

(3) supporters for a unified Blue Badge Parking scheme for a unified Blue Badge disabled parking scheme covering England and Wales; and

(4) residents of Halton, Cheshire, and others for the retention of in-patient admission at Halton General Hospital

(5) BHASVIC Lights Action Group for measures to improve pedestrian safety at the junction of Old Shoreham Road and Dyke Road in Hove, East Sussex

were presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

12    Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from—

(1) Anthony Lucas, Anne Martin and others against the closure of the driving test centre at Wisbech, Cambridgeshire; and

(2) Robert Sears and others for measures to prevent the closure of village Sub Post Offices

were presented; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

13    Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Jonathan Shaw);

And it being Seven o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put.

14    Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Tony Cunningham.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till three minutes past Seven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 7.03 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 Negative Resolution:

1    Climate Change Levy,—Climate Change Agreements (Eligible Facilities) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 1931), dated 14th July 2006 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary David Miliband].

2    Immigration,—Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1337], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary John Reid].

Other Papers:

3    Charities,—Report and Accounts of the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales for 2005-06, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1325-I and -II] [Secretary John Reid].

4    Communications,—Second Report on the Secretary of State's functions by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1445] [Mr Secretary Darling].

5    Criminal Appeal,—Report and Accounts of the Criminal Cases Review Commission for 2005-06, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1290] [Secretary John Reid].

6    Development of Tourism,—Report and Accounts of VisitBritain for 2005-06, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1386] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].

7    Disability Rights Commission,—Report and Accounts of the Disability Rights Commission for 2005-06, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1401] [Mr Secretary Hutton].

8    Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster,—Report and Accounts of the Duchy of Lancaster for 2005-06 [by Act] [Mr John Healey].

9    Exchange Equalisation Account,—Report and Accounts of the Exchange Equalisation Account for 2005-06, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1166] [Ed Balls].

10    Government Resources and Accounts,—(1) Consolidated Resource Accounts of the Food Standards Agency for 2005-06, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1456] [John Healey];

(2) Reports and Accounts for 2005-06 of the—

(i) Compensation Agency, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1312] [Mr Secretary Hain];

(ii) Defence Communications Services Agency, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1301] [Secretary Des Browne];

(iii) Football Licensing Authority, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1169] [Secretary Tessa Jowell];

(iv) Royal Parks, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1411] [Secretary Tessa Jowell];

(v) Service Children's Education, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1361] [Secretary Des Browne];

(vi) UK Trade and Investment, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1475] [John Healey]; and

(vii) Youth Justice Agency of Northern Ireland, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1237] [Mr Secretary Hain]; and

(3) Resource Accounts for 2005-06 of the—

(i) Food Standards Agency: Westminster Funded, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1451] [John Healey]; and

(ii) Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1465] [John Healey].

11    Government Trading Funds,—Reports and Accounts of the—

(1) Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for 2005-06; and

(2) Forensic Science Service for 1st April 2005 to 4th December 2005,

with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 1395 and 1297] [Clerk of the House].

12    Greenwich Hospital,—Accounts of the Greenwich Hospital and the Travers Foundation for 2005-06, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1478] [Secretary Des Browne].

13    Local Government,—Report and Accounts of the Valuation Tribunal Service for 2005-06, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1296] [Clerk of the House].

14    Museums and Galleries,—Report and Accounts of the National Museum of Science and Industry for 2005-06, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1390] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].

15    National Health Service,—(1) Reports and Accounts for 2005-06 of the—

(i) Dental Practice Board;

(ii) Dental Vocational Training Authority;

(iii) Mental Health Act Commission;

(iv) National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Special Health Authority);

(v) National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse,

(vi) NHS Appointments Commission;

(vii) NHS Business Services Authority;

(viii) NHS Direct;

(ix) NHS Logistics Authority; and

(x) NHS Professionals;

with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 1252, 1253, 1255, 1256-I and -II, 1258, 1259, 1262, 1263, 1265 and 1267] [Ms Secretary Hewitt];

(2) Report and Accounts of the NHS Blood and Transplant for 1st October 2005 to 31st March 2006, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1261] [Ms Secretary Hewitt];

(3) Report and Accounts of the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement for 1st July 2005 to 31st March 2006, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1264] [Ms Secretary Hewitt]; and

(4) Report and Accounts of the NHS University for 1st April 2005 to 31st July 2005, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1400] [Ms Secretary Hewitt].

16    National Heritage,—Report and Accounts of the National Heritage Memorial Fund for 2005-06, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1373] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].

17    National Loans,—Report and Accounts of the Debt Management Account for 2005-06, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1535] [Ed Balls].

18    National Lottery—Reports and Accounts for 2005-06 of the—

(1) Heritage Lottery Fund and National Heritage Memorial Fund Lottery Distribution

(2) Millennium Commission,

with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 1374 and 1319] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].

19    Northern Ireland,—Reports and Accounts for 2005-06 of the—

(1) Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland;

(2) Forest Service; and

(3) Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency,

with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Statutory Instrument]; to be printed [Nos. 1248, 1359 and 1245] [Mr Secretary Hain].

20    Police,—Report and Accounts of the National Criminal Intelligence Service for 2005-06, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1379] [Clerk of the House].

21    Police (Northern Ireland),—Report and Accounts of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland for 2005-06, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1274] Mr Secretary Hain].

22    Public Lending Right,—Report and Account on the Public Lending Right for 2005-06, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1372] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].

23    Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for the Home Office on the Petition [16th June] from residents of Greenwich, Bexley and neighbouring areas for a review and strengthening of the law concerning the possession and use of knives [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].

24    Science and Technology,—Reports and Accounts for 2005-06 of the—

(1) Economic and Social Research Council;

(2) Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council;

(3) Natural Environment Research Council; and

(4) Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council,

with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 1412, 1214, 1333 and 1335] [Mr Secretary Darling].

25    Tribunals and Inquiries,—Report of the Council on Tribunals for 2005-06 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1210] [Bridget Prentice].

26    Wildlife and Countryside,—Report and Account of the Countryside Agency for 2005-06, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1532] [Clerk of the House].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1    Strategic Health Authorities (Establishment and Abolition) (England) Amendment Order 2006 (S.I., 2006 No. 1448):

(1) The Speaker has allocated the 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 Crispin Blunt, Mr Stephen Byers, Natascha Engel, Sandra Gidley, Helen Goodman, Huw Irranca-Davies, Mark Lazarowicz, Mr Ivan Lewis, Anne Milton, Mrs Madeleine Moon, Robert Neill, Mr Stephen O'Brien, Sandra Osborne, Mike Penning, Dr John Pugh, Anne Snelgrove and Helen Southworth.

2    Draft Northern Ireland Act 2000 (Modification) (No. 2) Order 2006,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr David Hamilton and Joan Walley from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Mr Piara S. Khabra and Dr Doug Naysmith.

3    Home Information Pack Regulations 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 1503),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Mark Lancaster from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Regulations) and nominated in substitution Mr Greg Hands.

    European Standing Committees

4    European Union Document No. 10954/06 and Addendum 1, relating to transport policy, 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-lv] [Mr Alan Meale].

2    Defence Committee,—Thirteenth Report from the Defence Committee [UK Operations in Iraq], together with an Appendix 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. 1241] [Mr James Arbuthnot].

3    Defence, Foreign Affairs, International Development and Trade and Industry,—First Joint Report from the Defence, Foreign Affairs, International Development and Trade and Industry Committees [Strategic Export Controls], being the Twelfth Report from the Defence Committee, the Fifth Report from the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Fifth Report from the International Development Committee and the Seventh Report from the Trade and Industry Committee, together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committees; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings relating to the Report [No. 873] [Roger Berry].

4    Education and Skills,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education and Skills Committee [Public Expenditure on Education and Skills]; to be printed [No. 1201-i] [Mr Barry Sheerman].

5    Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee [The Departmental Annual Report 2006], together with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 1569-i] [Mr Michael Jack].

6    Environmental Audit Committee,—(1) Ninth Report from the Environmental Audit Committee [Reducing Carbon Emissions from Transport], 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. 981]; and

(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Climate Change - the UK Programme 2006]; to be printed [No. 1452-iv]

[Mr Tim Yeo].

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

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

[Jimmy Hood].

8    Foreign Affairs,—(1) Sixth Report from the Foreign Affairs Committee [Developments in the European Union], 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. 768]; and

(2) Seventh Report from the Committee [East Asia], 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. 860]

[Mike Gapes].

9    Procedure,—Second Report from the Procedure Committee [Application of the sub judice rule to proceedings in coroners' courts], 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. 714] [Mr Greg Knight].

10    Science and Technology,—(1) Fourth Special Report from the Science and Technology Committee [Strategic Science Provision in English Universities: A Follow up: Government Response to the Committee's Second Report of Session 2005-06]; to be printed [No. 1382]; and

(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Human Enhancement Technologies in Sport]; to be printed [No. 1506-i]

[Mr Phil Willis].

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

12    Transport,—(1) Ninth Report from the Transport Committee [Department for Transport's Executive Agencies—the DVO Group and Highways Agency], 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. 1567]; and

(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Passenger Rail Franchising]; to be printed [No. 1354-iii]

[Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].

13    Welsh Affairs,—Fifth Report from the Welsh Affairs Committee [Current Restructuring of the Police Forces in Wales], 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. 1418] [Dr Hywel Francis].

[W.H., No. 122]

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.—(Kevin Brennan.)
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 5.13 p.m.
Sir Alan Haselhurst

Deputy Speaker



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