The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock.

1    Bus Services Bill,—The Order for reading the Bus Services Bill a second time on Friday 20th October was read and discharged.

Bill withdrawn.

2    Income Tax (Earnings Exemption for Persons Living in Poverty) (No. 2) Bill,—The Order for reading the Income Tax (Earnings Exemption for Persons Living in Poverty) (No. 2) Bill a second time on Friday 20th October was read and discharged.

Bill withdrawn.

3    Liability for Suicide,—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision about liability for suicide; and for connected purposes: And that Mr Iain Duncan Smith, Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas, Mrs Nadine Dorries, Dr Liam Fox, Mrs Louise Ellman, Lembit Öpik, Justine Greening, Mr Edward Vaizey and Jim Dobbin do prepare and bring it in.

4    Liability for Suicide Bill,—Mr Iain Duncan Smith accordingly presented a Bill to make provision about liability for suicide; 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 229].

5    Companies Bill [Lords] (changed from Company Law Reform Bill [Lords]) [2nd allocated day],—The House, according to Order, proceeded further to consider the Companies Bill [Lords] (changed from Company Law Reform Bill [Lords]), as amended in the Standing Committee.

Another Clause (NC1) (Contents of director's report: business review (No. 2))—(Jon Trickett)—brought up and read the first time.

Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:—Clause, by leave, withdrawn.

It being Three o'clock, the Deputy Speaker, pursuant to Order [17th October], put forthwith the Question on a new Clause selected by the Speaker for separate decision.

Another Clause (NC75) (Requirement for audit of business review)—(David Howarth)—brought up and read the first time.

Question put, That the Clause be added to the Bill.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Roger Williams, Paul Rowen: 60.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Ian Cawsey, Jonathan Shaw: 439.

The Deputy Speaker then put the Question on the Amendments moved by a Minister of the Crown to be disposed of at that hour.

Motion made, and Question put, That Amendments Nos. 821, 822, 712, 530 to 533, 311, 303, 340, 341, 312 to 315, 235 to 239, 824, 224, 713, 534 to 536, 240, 537, 825, 538, 316 and 539 to 543 be made.—(Margaret Hodge.)

Tellers for the Ayes, Jonathan Shaw, Mr Ian Cawsey: 346.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Henry Bellingham, Mr Crispin Blunt: 165.

Another Clause (NC16) (Names and addresses of members of companies: company application)—(Mr Jonathan Djanogly)—brought up and read the first time.

Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.

Tellers for the Ayes, Andrew Rosindell, Mr Crispin Blunt: 208.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Ian Cawsey, Jonathan Shaw: 300.

Other Amendments (Nos. 209, 254, 210 to 212, 161, 222, 305, 223 and 306) made to the Bill.

Another Amendment (No. 358) proposed to the Bill, in page 128, line 21, at the beginning to insert the words 'Subject to subsections (3) and (4)'.—(James Brokenshire.)

Question, That the Amendment be made, put and negatived.

It being half-past Five o'clock the Deputy Speaker, pursuant to Order [17th October], put forthwith the Questions on Amendments and a new Clause moved by a Minister of the Crown to be disposed of at that hour.

Other Amendments (Nos. 771 to 773, 366, 261 to 264, 367, 776, 368, 304, 441, 369, 370, 728, 729, 373, 731 to 734, 207, 723 to 726, 347 and 727) made to the Bill.

Another Clause (NC7) (Decision of adjudicator to be made available to public)—(Margaret Hodge)—brought up and added to the Bill.

Other Amendments (Nos. 474 to 476, 510, 477, 478, 511, 479, 512, 513, 145 to 150, 208 and 151) made to the Bill.

Another Clause (NC81) (Enforcement of directors' liabilities by shareholder action)—(Margaret Hodge)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

Another Clause (NC82) (Enforcement of directors' liabilities by shareholder action: supplementary)—(Margaret Hodge)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

Another Clause (NC83) (Trade unions)—(Margaret Hodge)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

Another Clause (NC76) (Expenditure on lobbying)—(David Howarth)—brought up and read the first time.

Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.

Tellers for the Ayes, Bob Russell, Jenny Willott: 50.

Tellers for the Noes, Tony Cunningham, Mr Michael Foster: 291.

Other Amendments (Nos. 495 to 497, 706, 499, 647, 500, 501, 707, 503, 708 to 711) made to the Bill.

Another Clause (NC9) (Inspection of records of resolutions and meetings)—(Margaret Hodge)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

Another Clause (NC13) (Saving for provisions of articles as to determination of entitlement to vote)—(Margaret Hodge)—brought up, read the first time.

Question proposed, that the Clause be read a second time.

And it being Seven o'clock, the Speaker , pursuant to Order [17th October], put the Question already proposed from the Chair:—It was agreed to.

The Speaker then put the Questions on Amendments and a new Clause, moved by a Minister of the Crown to be disposed of at that hour.

Another Clause (NC14) (Computation of periods of notice etc: clear day rule)—(Margaret Hodge)—brought up and added to the Bill.

Other Amendments (Nos. 643 and 301) made to the Bill.

The Speaker then put the Question on an Amendment selected by the Speaker for separate decision.

Another Amendment (No. 355) proposed to the Bill, in page 142, line 23, at the end, to insert the words—

'( ) Nothing in this Chapter affects a provision of a company's articles which provides for a resolution in writing executed by or on behalf of each member who would have been entitled to vote upon it if it had been proposed at a general meeting, or at a meeting of any class of members of the company, at which he was present (whether such resolution consists of one instrument executed by or on behalf of each such member or of several instruments in the like form each executed by or on behalf of one or more such members) to be as effectual as if it had been passed at a general meeting, or at a meeting of any class of members of the company, duly convened and held. A resolution in writing passed in accordance with such a provision of the company's articles shall be treated as if it were a "written resolution" for the purposes of this Chapter.'.—(Mr Jonathan Djanogly.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Tobias Ellwood, Andrew Rosindell: 203.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Michael Foster, Tony Cunningham: 288.

The Speaker then put the Question on the remaining Amendments moved by a Minister of the Crown to be disposed of at that hour.

Bill to be further considered to-morrow.

6    Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from—

(1) the people of Irlam and Cadishead, Manchester, for the licensing of all off road bikes;

(2) the Residents of Torridge and West Devon against changes to the Post Office Card Account; and

(3) Mr Stan White and other customers of Rothwell Post Office against changes to the Post Office Card Account

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

7    Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr John Heppell);

And the Motion having been made after Seven o'clock, and the Debate having continued for half an hour, the Speaker adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order, it being then ten minutes to Eight o'clock, till to-morrow.

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 Negative Resolution:

1    Food,—Meat (Official Controls Charges) (England) Regulations 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 2705), dated 11th October 2006 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Ms Secretary Hewitt].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1    Draft Social Security (Graduated Retirement Benefit) (Consequential Provisions) Order 2006,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Stephen Byers from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Kerry McCarthy.

2    Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2006 (S.I., 2006. No. 2383):

(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: Ed Balls, Mr Colin Breed, Greg Clark, Jim Cousins, Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas, Mrs Louise Ellman, Jeff Ennis, Mr Michael Fallon, Julia Goldsworthy, Mr John Heppell, Mr Nick Hurd, Ms Diana R. Johnson, Helen Jones, Andrew Selous, Mrs Theresa Villiers, Mrs Betty Williams and Derek Wyatt.

3    Draft Mental Capacity Act 2005 (Independent Mental Capacity Advocates) (Expansion of Role) Regulations 2006,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Jeff Ennis and Anne Snelgrove from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations) and nominated in substitution Shona McIsaac and Mark Tami.

4    Draft Rates (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) 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 twenty-one Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Nicholas Brown, Mr Nigel Dodds, Mark Durkan, Mr Michael Foster (Worcester), Mr Christopher Fraser, Linda Gilroy, Mr David Hanson, Lady Hermon, Mr Adam Holloway, Mr Lindsay Hoyle, Sir Gerald Kaufman, Judy Mallaber, Robert Neill, Mr Nick Raynsford, Mr Alan Reid, Mr Laurence Robertson, Andrew Rosindell, Joan Ruddock, Lynda Waltho, Mr Tom Watson and David Wright.

5    Code of Practice on Consent (Code 1) and the Human Tissue Act 2004 (Ethical Approval, Exemptions from Licensing and Supply of Information about Transplants) Regulations 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 1260):

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

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Crispin Blunt, Mr David Clelland, Mary Creagh, Clive Efford, Dr Evan Harris, Huw Irranca-Davies, Andrew Mackinlay, Anne Main, Chris Mole, Dr Andrew Murrison, Mike Penning, Dr John Pugh, Jim Sheridan, John Smith, Jon Trickett, Mr Shailesh Vara and Ms Rosie Winterton.

6    Strategic Health Authorities (Establishment and Abolition) (England) Order 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 1408):

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

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Ms Diane Abbott, Adam Afriyie, Mr Ian Austin, Mr Richard Bacon, Mr Crispin Blunt, Mr Ronnie Campbell, Mr Tom Clarke, Jon Cruddas, James Duddridge, Angela Eagle, Huw Irranca-Davies, Mr Ivan Lewis, Shona McIsaac, Mr Stephen O'Brien, Dr John Pugh, Mr Geoffrey Robinson and Steve Webb.

    European Standing Committees

7    European Union Document No. 10014/06, relating to Voluntary Reduction ("Modulation") of Direct Farm Support Payments,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Daniel Kawczynski from European Standing Committee (nominated in respect of the Document) and nominated in substitution James Brokenshire.

8    European Union Document No. 10954/06 and Addendum 1 relating to Transport Policy,—The Committee of Selection has nominated thirteen Members to serve on the European Standing Committee nominated in respect of the Document and Addendum: Mr Henry Bellingham, Mr Alistair Carmichael, Tony Cunningham, Mr David Gauke, Stephen Hammond, Jane Kennedy, Dr Stephen Ladyman, Mr John Leech, Mr George Mudie, Mr Lee Scott, Alan Simpson, Mr Andrew Slaughter and Mr Mark Todd.

9    European Union Document No. 9898/06 relating to Consultation on Fisheries Management Proposals,—The Committee of Selection has nominated thirteen Members to serve on the European Standing Committee nominated in respect of the Document: Ms Celia Barlow, Mr Ben Bradshaw, Tony Cunningham, Mr David Drew, Mr George Howarth, Chris Huhne, Mark Lazarowicz, Mr Brooks Newmark, Andrew Rosindell, Dr Alan Whitehead, Bill Wiggin, Mr Roger Williams and Jeremy Wright.

10    European Union Document Nos. 11902/06 and Addendum 1 and 11896/06 and Addenda 1 and 2, relating to Sustainable use of pesticides, have been referred to European Standing Committee A.

11    European Union Document Nos. 11399/06, 11660/06 and Addenda 1 and 2, and unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum dated 10th October 2006, submitted by HM Treasury, relating to Financial Management, have been referred to European Standing Committee B.

12    European Union Document No. 13347/06, relating to EU Enlargement: Bulgaria and Romania, has been referred to European Standing Committee B.

13    European Union Document No. 12107/06 and Addenda 1 and 2, relating to An EU strategy on the rights of the child, have been referred to European Standing Committee C.

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-lxi] [Mr Alan Meale].

2    Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee [The UK Government's "Vision for the Common Agricultural Policy"], together with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 1250-v] [Mr Michael Jack].

3    European Scrutiny,—(1) Thirty-eighth Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 34-xxxviii];

(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [ Implementation of the Hague Programme and Improvement in police co-operation]; to be printed [No. 1614-i]; and

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

[Michael Connarty].

4    Public Accounts,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts [Termination of the PFI contract from the National Physical Laboratory]; to be printed [No. 1618-i] [Mr Edward Leigh].

5    Science and Technology,—(1) Fifth Special Report from the Science and Technology Committee [Research Council Support for Knowledge Transfer: Government Response to the Committee's Third Report, Session 2005-06]; to be printed [No. 1653];

(2) Sixth Special Report from the Committee [Watching the Directives: Scientific Advice on the EU Physical Agents (Electromagnetic Fields) Directive: Responses to the Committee's Fourth Report, Session 2005-06]; to be printed [No. 1654]; and

(3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Office of Science and Innovation Scrutiny Report 2006]; to be printed [No. 490-v]

[Mr Phil Willis].

6    Select Committees (Choice of Chairman),—Mr Michael Connarty reported from the European Scrutiny Committee, That he had been chosen as Chairman of the Committee [Michael Connarty].

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

8    Transport,—(1) Tenth Report from the Transport Committee [Roads Policing and Technology: Getting the balance right], 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. 975];

(2) Eleventh Report from the Committee [Bus Services across the UK], 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. 1317];

(3) Twelfth Report from the Committee [Local Transport Planning and Funding], 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. 1120]; and

(4) Fifteenth Special Report from the Committee [Government Response to the Ninth Report from the Committee, Session 2005-06, on The Work of the Department for Transport's Executive Agencies-Driver and Vehicle Operator Group and the Highways Agency]; to be printed [No. 1615]

[Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].

9    Treasury,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee of the Treasury Committee [HM Treasury Departmental Report 2006]; to be printed [No. 1659-i] [Mr John McFall].

[W.H., No. 128]

Minutes of Proceedings of the Sitting in Westminster Hall

The sitting began at half-past Nine o'clock.

And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.

Sir Alan Haselhurst

Deputy Speaker