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

1    Queen's Speech (Motion for an Address),—The Order of the day being read, for resuming the adjourned debate on the Question proposed on 15th November, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, as follows:

Most Gracious Sovereign,

We, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament;

And the Question being again proposed:—The House resumed the adjourned Debate.

Ordered, That the Debate be now adjourned.—(Steve McCabe.)

Debate to be resumed tomorrow.

2    Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from—

(1) residents of Benfleet, Canvey Island and others against changes to the Post Office Card Accounts; and

(2) residents of North Dorset for the Defence College for Communications and Information Systems to remain at Blandford Camp

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

3    Public Petition,—A Public Petition from the residents of Birmingham Road Aldridge for stronger protection for gardens in planning law was presented; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

4    Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Dave Watts.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till twenty-nine minutes to Eleven 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 subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1    Northern Ireland,—Draft Housing (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hain].

2    Petroleum,—Draft Petroleum Act 1998 (Third Party Access) Order 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Darling].

3    Scientific Research,—Draft Science and Technology Facilities Council Order 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Darling].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

4    Electronic Communications,—Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Electronic Communications) Order 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 2968), dated 14th November 2006 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hutton].

5    National Health Service,—National Health Service (Clinical Negligence Scheme) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2006 (S.I., 2006 No. 3087) dated 20th November 2006 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Ms Secretary Hewitt].

6    Social Security,—Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 2967), dated 14th November 2006 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hutton].

7    Terms and Conditions of Employment,—Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 3045), dated 14th November 2006 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Darling].

8    Trade Marks,—Trade Marks (Amendment) Rules 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 3039), dated 16th November 2006 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Darling].

Other Papers:

9    National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on The Modernisation of the West Coast Main Line [by Act]; to be printed [No. 22] [Clerk of the House].

10    Northern Ireland,—Report and Accounts of the South Eastern Education and Library Board for 2003-04, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Statutory Instrument]; to be printed [No. 15] [Mr Secretary Hain].

11    Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the Petition [24th October] from residents of South Essex and others against any loss of benefits under the Local Government Pension Scheme [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].

APPENDIX II

Reports from Select Committees

1    Education and Skills,—Children's Services: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education and Skills Committee; to be printed [No. 62-i] [Mr Barry Sheerman].

2    Foreign Affairs,—South Asia: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 55-i] [Mike Gapes].

3    Human Rights,—Treatment of Asylum Seekers: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Joint Committee on Human Rights; to be printed [No. 60-i] [Mr Andrew Dismore].

4    Public Accounts,—Department for International Development: Working with non-governmental and civil society organisations to promote development: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts [No. 64-i] [Mr Edward Leigh].

5    Transport,—The Ports Industry in England and Wales: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Committee; to be printed [No. 61-i] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].

6    Work and Pensions,—The Government's Employment Strategy: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Work and Pensions Committee; to be printed [No 63-i] [Mr Terry Rooney].