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

1    London Local Authorities and Transport for London Bill,—Ordered, That so much of the Lords Message [31st October] as relates to the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Bill be now considered.

Lords Message considered accordingly.

Ordered, That the promoters of the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Bill which was originally introduced in this House, in the previous session, on 25th January 2005 should have leave to suspend any further proceedings on the bill in order to proceed with it, if they think fit, in the next session of Parliament according to the provisions of Private Business Standing Order 188A (Suspension of bills).—(Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.)

Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.

2    Private Bills [Lords] (Suspension),—Ordered, That so much of the Lords Message [31st October] as relates to the London Local Authorities Bill [Lords] be now considered.

Lords Message considered accordingly.

Resolved, That this House concurs with the Lords in their Resolution.

Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.

3    Private Bills [Lords] (Suspension),—Ordered, That so much of the Lords Message [31st October] as relates to the Transport for London Bill [Lords] be now considered.

Lords Message considered accordingly.

Resolved, That this House concurs with the Lords in their Resolution.

Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.

4    Private Bills [Lords] (Suspension),—Ordered, That so much of the Lords Message [31st October] as relates to the Whitehaven Harbour Bill [Lords] be now considered.

Lords Message considered accordingly.

Resolved, That this House concurs with the Lords in their Resolution.

Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.

5    Welfare Reform Bill,—Mr David Amess, pursuant to Order [24th July], reported from Standing Committee A, That it had gone through the Welfare Reform Bill, in respect of Clauses Nos. 1 to 33, Schedules Nos. 1 to 4 and new Clauses relating to Part 1, and had directed him to report the Bill, as so far amended, to the House.

Bill, as so far amended in the Standing Committee, to lie upon the Table.

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

6    First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Hugh Bayley reported from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places (Parliamentary Elections) Regulations 2006, the draft Service Voters' Registration Period Order 2006 and the draft Representation of the People (England and Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2006.

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

7    Northern Ireland Grand Committee,—Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Northern Ireland Committee to lie upon the Table.

8    Welsh Grand Committee,—Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Welsh Grand Committee to lie upon the Table.

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

The Lords disagree to certain of the Amendments made by this House to the Companies Bill (formerly Company Law Reform Bill) for which disagreement they assign their Reasons; they disagree to an Amendment made by this House but propose Amendments in lieu thereof to which they desire the concurrence of this House; and they agree without Amendment to the remaining Amendments made by this House.

The Lords communicate that they have come to the following resolution:

That, if a Crossrail Bill is brought from the House of Commons in the next Session of Parliament, the Standing Orders of the House applicable to the Bill, so far as complied with or dispensed with in this Session or in the Session 2004-05, shall be deemed to have been complied with or (as the case may be) dispensed with in the next Session.

The Lords agree to the Armed Forces Bill with Amendments to which they desire the concurrence of this House.

10    Companies Bill (formerly Company Law Reform Bill),—Lords Disagreements, Amendments in Lieu and Reasons to be printed pursuant to Standing Orders Nos. 57A (Bills brought from the Lords) and 78 (Lords amendments) on 2nd November [Bill 245].

11    Armed Forces Bill,—Lords Amendments to the Armed Forces Bill to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 246].

12    NHS Redress 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 following provisions shall apply to the NHS Redress Bill [Lords] for the purpose of supplementing the Order of 5th June 2006 (NHS Redress Bill [Lords] (Programme)):

Consideration of Lords Message

1. Proceedings on consideration of the Lords Message shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement at this day's sitting.

Subsequent stages

2. Any further Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question being put.

3. The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement—(Huw Irranca-Davies):—It was agreed to.

13    NHS Redress Bill [Lords],—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Lords Message relating to the NHS Redress Bill [Lords].

A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House disagrees with Lords Amendment No. 4A, insists on its Amendments Nos. 5 and 16, and proposes Amendment ((a)) to the Bill in lieu thereof—(Andy Burnham);

Tellers for the Ayes, Steve McCabe, Mr Dave Watts: 285.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Crispin Blunt, Michael Fabricant: 187.

14    National Health Service Bill [Lords],—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the National Health Service Bill [Lords];

And a Motion being made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 58 (Consolidation bills), That the Bill be now read a second time:—It was agreed to.

The Bill was accordingly read a second time.

A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, That the Bill be not committed—(Liz Blackman):—It was agreed to.

A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, That the Bill be now read the third time:—It was agreed to.

The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed, without Amendment.

15    National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Bill [Lords],—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Bill [Lords];

And a Motion being made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 58 (Consolidation bills) and Order [26th October], That the Bill be now read a second time:—It was agreed to.

The Bill was accordingly read a second time.

A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, That the Bill be not committed—(Liz Blackman):—It was agreed to.

A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, That the Bill be now read the third time:—It was agreed to.

The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed, without Amendment.

16    National Health Service (Wales) Bill [Lords],—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the National Health Service (Wales) Bill [Lords];

And a Motion being made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 58 (Consolidation bills), That the Bill be now read a second time:—It was agreed to.

The Bill was accordingly read a second time.

A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, That the Bill be not committed—(Liz Blackman):—It was agreed to.

A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, That the Bill be now read the third time:—It was agreed to.

The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed, without Amendment.

17    Animal Welfare Bill (Programme) (No. 3),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 83A (Programme motions), That the following provisions shall apply to the Animal Welfare Bill for the purpose of supplementing the Orders of 10th January and 14th March 2006 (Animal Welfare Bill (Programme) and Animal Welfare Bill (Programme) (No. 2)):

Consideration of Lords Amendments

1. Proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion two hours after their commencement at this day's sitting.

Subsequent stages

2. Any further Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question being put.

3. The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement—(Liz Blackman):—It was agreed to.

18    Animal Welfare Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Lords Amendments to the Animal Welfare Bill.

Lords Amendments Nos. 1 to 70 were agreed to.

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

The Lords do not insist on their Amendments to the NHS Redress Bill [Lords] to which this House has agreed; they do not insist on their disagreement to the Amendments proposed by this House on which this House has insisted; and they agree without Amendment to the Amendment proposed by this House in lieu.

20    Police and Justice Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Lords Message relating to the Police and Justice Bill.

Lords Amendments Nos. 5B to 5H were agreed to.

A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House insists on its Disagreement with the Lords in their Amendment No. 36 but proposes Amendments ((a) and (b)) to the Bill in lieu thereof—(Secretary John Reid);

And it being one hour after the commencement of proceedings on the Lords Message, the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Order [24th October]:—It was agreed to.

The Deputy Speaker then put the remaining Question to be disposed of at that hour.

A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That this House insists on its disagreement with the Lords in their Amendments Nos. 81 to 84 but proposes Amendments ((a) and (b)) to the Bill in lieu thereof—(Secretary John Reid);

Tellers for the Ayes, Liz Blackman, Jonathan Shaw: 298.

Tellers for the Noes, Angela Watkinson, Sir Robert Smith: 204.

21    Treasure,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Code of Practice on the Treasure Act 1996 (Second Revision) England and Wales 2006, which was laid before this House on 20th July, be approved—(Mr Ian Cawsey):—It was agreed to.

22    Northern Ireland,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Electricity Consents (Planning) (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, which was laid before this House on 9th October, be approved—(Mr Ian Cawsey):—It was agreed to.

23    Northern Ireland,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Victims and Survivors (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, which was laid before this House on 9th October, be approved—(Mr Ian Cawsey):—It was agreed to.

24    Dangerous Drugs,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2006, which was laid before this House on 12th October, be approved—(Mr Ian Cawsey):—It was agreed to.

25    Road Safety 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 following provisions shall apply to the Road Safety Bill [Lords] for the purpose of supplementing the Order of 8th March 2006 (Road Safety Bill [Lords] (Programme)):

Consideration of Lords Message

1. Proceedings on consideration of the Lords Message shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement at this day's sitting.

Subsequent stages

2. Any further Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question being put.

3. The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement—(Mr Ian Cawsey):—It was agreed to.

26    Road Safety Bill [Lords],—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Lords Message relating to the Road Safety Bill [Lords].

Resolved, That this House does not insist on Commons Amendment No. 1 to which the Lords have disagreed and that Amendments ((a) and (b)) in lieu be made to the Bill.—(Dr Stephen Ladyman.)

A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That this House insists on its Amendment No. 5 to which the Lords have disagreed and disagrees to Amendments Nos. 5A and 5B proposed by the Lords—(Dr Stephen Ladyman);

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Frank Roy, Liz Blackman: 289.

Tellers for the Noes, Michael Fabricant, Andrew Selous: 183.

And it being One hour after the commencement of proceedings on the Lords Amendments, the Deputy Speaker put the remaining Question necessary to bring proceedings to a conclusion, pursuant to Order [this day].

A Motion was made and the Question being put, That this House insists on Commons Amendment No. 6 to which the Lords have disagreed—(Dr Stephen Ladyman);

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Michael Foster, Tony Cunningham: 299.

Tellers for the Noes, Michael Fabricant, Andrew Selous: 179.

A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 83H (Programme orders: reasons committee), That a Committee be appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for insisting on Amendments Nos. 5 and 6 and for disagreeing to their Amendments Nos. 5A and 5B;

That Mr Henry Bellingham, Mr Alistair Carmichael, Dr Stephen Ladyman, Mr Frank Roy and Mr Andrew Slaughter be members of the Committee;

That Dr Stephen Ladyman be the Chairman of the Committee;

That three be the Quorum of the Committee.

That the Committee do withdraw immediately—(Mr Ian Cawsey):—It was agreed to.

27    Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups 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 following provisions shall apply to the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill [Lords] for the purpose of supplementing the Order of 19th June 2006 (Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill [Lords] (Programme)):

Consideration of Lords Message

1. Proceedings on consideration of the Lords Message shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement at this day's sitting.

Subsequent stages

2. Any further Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question being put.

3. The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement—(Mr Ian Cawsey):—It was agreed to.

28    Road Safety Bill [Lords],—Dr Stephen Ladyman reported from the Committee appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for insisting on certain of the Amendments made by this House and for disagreeing to certain of their Amendments to the Road Safety Bill [Lords], That it had drawn up the following Reasons, which it had directed him to report to the House:

The Commons insist on Amendment No. 5 and disagree to Lords Amendments Nos. 5A and 5B for the following Reason:

Because it is undesirable to make regulations about retro-reflective tape when European and international legislation about it is being prepared.

The Commons insist on Amendment No. 6 for the following Reason:

Because it is undesirable for a custodial sentence not to be available on summary conviction of the offence of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving.

The Reasons were agreed to.

Message to the Lords to communicate the said Reasons, with the Bill and Amendments.

29    Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill [Lords],—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Lords Message relating to the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill [Lords].

Lords Amendments Nos. 153A, 237A and 250A were agreed to.

30    Companies Bill [Lords] (Programme) (No. 4),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 83A (Programme motions), That the following provisions shall apply to the Companies Bill [Lords] for the purpose of supplementing the Orders of 6th June, 5th July and 17th October 2006 (Company Law Reform Bill [Lords] (Programme), Company Law Reform Bill [Lords] (Programme) (No. 2) and Companies Bill [Lords] Programme (No. 3));

Consideration of Lords Message

1. Any Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question being put.

2. Proceedings on that Message shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement at this day's sitting.

Subsequent stages

3. Any further Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question being put.

4. The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement—(Mr Ian Cawsey):—It was agreed to.

31    Companies Bill [Lords], (changed from Company Law Reform Bill [Lords]),—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Lords Message relating to the Companies Bill [Lords] (changed from Company Law Reform Bill [Lords]).

Resolved, That this House does not insist on its Amendment No. 245 and agrees to Lords Amendments Nos. 245A and 245B in lieu thereof.—(Margaret Hodge.)

Resolved, That this House does not insist on its Amendments Nos. 671, 954 and 957.—(Margaret Hodge.)

32    Sittings of the House,—Ordered, That—

1. at the sittings this day and on Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th November, the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until any Message from the Lords has been received and any Committee to draw up Reasons which has been appointed at that sitting has reported;

2. at the sitting on Wednesday 8th November, the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until a Message from the Lords Commissioners has been received; and

3. on Wednesday 8th November, there shall be no sitting in Westminster Hall—(Mr John Heppell):—It was agreed to.

33    Administration,—Ordered, That Mr Mark Harper be discharged from the Administration Committee and Mr Simon Burns and Mr Christopher Chope be added.—(Rosemary McKenna, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

34    Procedure,—Ordered, That Mr Jim Cunningham be discharged from the Procedure Committee and Mrs Linda Riordan be added.—(Rosemary McKenna, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

35    Public Petition,—A Public Petition from the citizens of Bucks and others for expansion plans for any community to be supported by improvements to health services was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

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

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

37    Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Jonathan Shaw.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till twenty-one minutes past Ten o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

Michael J. Martin

Speaker

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

APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 3rd November 2006 pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments):

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1    Health and Safety,—Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. (N.I.), 2006, No. 425), dated 19th October 2006, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Mr Secretary Hain].

2    Immigration,—Asylum and Immigration Tribunal (Fast Track Procedure) (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 2898), dated 2nd November 2006, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Bridget Prentice].

3    Value Added Tax,—Value Added Tax (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 2902), dated 3rd November 2006, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Dawn Primarolo].

Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 6th November 2006:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

4    Constitutional Law,—(1) Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 (Consequential Provisions) (England and Wales) Order 2006; and

(2) Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) (No.3) Order 2006

[by Act], with an Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Mr Secretary Alexander].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

5    Defence,—(1) Courts-Martial (Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force) (Evidence) Rules 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 2889);

(2) Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Application to Service Courts) (Evidence) Order 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 2890);

(3) Standing Civilian Courts (Evidence) Rules 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 2891);

(4) Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to Courts-Martial) Order 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 2886);

(5) Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to Standing Civilian Courts) Order 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 2888); and

(6) Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to the Courts-Martial Appeal Court) Order 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 2887),

dated 30th October 2006 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Secretary Des Browne].

Other Papers:

6    Administration of Justice,—Accounts of Funds in Court England and Wales for 2005-06 with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1709] [Clerk of the House].

7    Charities,—Accounts of the National Army Museum for 2005-06, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1693] [Clerk of the House].

8    Criminal Justice,—Report and Accounts of the Parole Board for 2005-06, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1661] [Secretary John Reid].

9    Dentists,—Report and Accounts of the General Dental Council for 2004 [by Act] [Ms Harriet Harman].

10    Foreign and Commonwealth Office,—Report of the Global Opportunities Fund for 2005-06 [by Command] [Cm. 6955] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].

11    Government Resources and Accounts,—Resource Accounts for 2005-06 of the Department of Health, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1680] [Clerk of the House].

12    Museums and Galleries, —Report and Accounts of the National History Museum for 2005-06, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1485] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].

13    Osteopathic,—Report and Accounts of the General Osteopathic Council for 2005-06 [by Act] [Ms Harriet Harman].

14    Pensions,—Report and Accounts of the Pension Protection Fund for 2005-06, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1586] [Mr Secretary Hutton].

15    Public Accounts,—Treasury Minutes on the Fifty-fifth, Fifty-seventh, Sixtieth and the Sixty-third Reports from the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 2005-06 [by Command] [Cm. 6959] [John Healey].

16    Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the Petitions [9th October, 18th October [2 Petitions] and 24th October] from users of Cuddington Post Office, in Cheshire; residents of Torridge and West Devon; Mr Stan White and other customers of Rothwell Post Office; and users of Post Office Card Accounts against changes to the Post Office Card Account [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].

17    Social Security Administration,—Accounts of the Social Fund for 2005-06, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No.1701] [Clerk of the House].

APPENDIX II

Reports from Select Committees

1    Education and Skills,—(1) Fifth Special Report from the Education and Skills Committee [Further Education: Government Response to the Committee's Fourth Report of Session 2005-06]; to be printed [No. 1712]; and

(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Citizenship Education]; to be printed [No. 581-vii]

[Mr Barry Sheerman].

2    Public Accounts,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts [The office accommodation of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and its sponsored bodies]; to be printed [No. 1713-i] [Mr Edward Leigh].

3    Welsh Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Welsh Affairs Committee [Welsh Prisoners in the Prison Estate]; to be printed [No. 1658-ii] [Dr Hywel Francis].

    Examiners Of Petitions For Private Bills,—In pursuance of Standing Order 69 relating to Private Business (Appointment of Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills), the Speaker appointed David William Neal Doig, Esquire, to be an Examiner of Petitions for Private Bills.