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

1    Broads Authority Bill,—A Bill to confer further powers on the Broads Authority; to make other provisions as to that Authority; and for related purposes, was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time.

2    National Trust (Northern Ireland) Bill,—A Bill to make provisions as to the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty in relation to Northern Ireland, was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time.

3    Greater London Authority Bill,—Ann Winterton reported from the Greater London Authority Bill Committee:

(1) a Memorandum; and

(2) That it had gone through the Bill and directed her to report the same, without Amendment.

Memorandum to lie upon the Table and to be published.

Certain memoranda (reported on 9th January, 11th January, 16th January and 23 January) to be printed.

Bill, not amended in the Public Bill Committee, to be considered to-morrow.

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

4    Offender Management Bill,—Mr Peter Atkinson reported from the Offender Management Bill Committee:

(1) a Memorandum; and

(2) That it had gone through the Bill, and made Amendments thereunto.

Memorandum to lie upon the Table and to be published.

Memorandum to be printed.

Bill, as amended in the Public Bill Committee, to be considered to-morrow, and to be printed [Bill 50].

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

5    Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee,—Mr Mike Weir reported from the Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee the draft Marriage Act 1949 (Remedial) Order 2006.

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

6    European Standing Committee,—Mr Martyn Jones reported from a European Standing Committee the following Resolution:

That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 13193/05, modified draft Directive on credit agreements for consumers amending Council Directive 93/13/EC; further notes the Government's current negotiating line; and supports the Government's actions in this area.

Resolution to lie upon the Table.

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

7    Intergovernmental Contracts (Provision of Information),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require the provision to Parliament of certain information relating to intergovernmental contracts; and for connected purposes: And that Dr John Pugh, Nick Harvey, Mr Michael Moore, Susan Kramer, Dr Vincent Cable, Lynne Featherstone, Norman Lamb, Simon Hughes and Mr Paul Burstow do prepare and bring it in.

8    Intergovernmental Contracts (Provision of Information) Bill,—Dr John Pugh accordingly presented a Bill to require the provision to Parliament of certain information relating to intergovernmental contracts; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 23rd March and to be printed [Bill 49].

9    Opposition Day (3rd Allotted Day),—It being an allotted day at the disposal of the Leader of the Opposition in pursuance of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business), the House proceeded to consider Opposition business.

Healthcare-acquired infections,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House, while recognising the commitment and efforts of NHS staff to minimise infection rates, is alarmed at the continuing high levels of healthcare-acquired infections; notes that the NHS is not on track to meet the target for reducing MRSA bloodstream infections in 2008 and that new highly virulent MRSA strains are emerging; is shocked at increasing rates of Clostridium difficile infection which the Department of Health now regards as endemic in the health service; calls on the Government and the NHS to accelerate actions to combat levels of healthcare-acquired infections, including reduced bed occupancy rates, increased isolation facilities and single rooms, improved hand hygiene, enhanced hospital cleaning incorporating novel processes, and the rigorous screening of patients; commends the adoption of a uniform policy within NHS trusts; calls for the piloting by the NHS of a 'search and destroy' strategy against the most virulent strains of MRSA and Clostridium difficile; and demands that the Government report six-monthly to the House on the action it is taking to combat healthcare-acquired infections—(Mr Andrew Lansley);

An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word 'House' to the end and add the words 'welcomes the top priority given to reducing healthcare-acquired infections by this Government; recognises that the Government is the first ever to collect data on these infections including establishing the world's most comprehensive MRSA surveillance system; further welcomes the new code of practice for health and social care providers introduced under the Health Act 2006 to reduce infections like MRSA and the new duty on the Healthcare Commission to ensure service providers comply with the code; welcomes the Government setting a target to halve rates of MRSA by 2008; notes the progress towards achieving this target; acknowledges that more must be done to achieve this goal; and therefore welcomes the priority given to reducing healthcare-acquired infections in the operating framework of the NHS in 2007 and the additional £50 million given to NHS trusts in December 2006 to tackle healthcare associated infections', instead thereof.—(Ms Secretary Hewitt.)

And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Evennett, Mr Mark Lancaster: 222.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Frank Roy, Tony Cunningham: 289.

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 welcomes the top priority given to reducing healthcare-acquired infections by this Government; recognises that the Government is the first ever to collect data on these infections including establishing the world's most comprehensive MRSA surveillance system; further welcomes the new code of practice for health and social care providers introduced under the Health Act 2006 to reduce infections like MRSA and the new duty on the Healthcare Commission to ensure service providers comply with the code; welcomes the Government setting a target to halve rates of MRSA by 2008; notes the progress towards achieving this target; acknowledges that more must be done to achieve this goal; and therefore welcomes the priority given to reducing healthcare-acquired infections in the operating framework of the NHS in 2007 and the additional £50 million given to NHS trusts in December 2006 to tackle healthcare associated infections.

Life chances of disabled children,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes the plight of the UK's 570,000 disabled children and the 55 per cent. of their families who are living in, or on the margins of, poverty; further notes with concern the Children's Commissioner for England's view that services for disabled children are a 'national scandal'; acknowledges the link between disability and child poverty; believes that the Government's target of halving child poverty by 2010 and eradicating it by 2020 will not be achieved without a strategy that seeks to improve the life chances of disabled children; welcomes the interest in short breaks for families with disabled children shown by the hon. Members for Normanton and Devon South West in their previous and proposed private members' bills and looks forward to the Government's response; believes that the current system of assessment and support provided for families with disabled children is complicated, bureaucratic, costly and stressful for both disabled children and their parents; further believes that the complexity of the benefit system acts as a barrier to employment for parents of disabled children in a way that prevents social mobility and entrenches poverty; and therefore calls on the Government to build on legislative progress on disability issues made under this and previous governments by simplifying the assessment processes and reducing the complexity of the benefit system for families with disabled children in order to prevent disabled children and their families being trapped in poverty—(Mr Jeremy Hunt);

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 'welcomes the fact that this Government acknowledged the challenges faced by disabled children and their families by publishing a report in 2005, Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People; welcomes the establishment of an Office for Disability Issues to improve co-ordination of disability policy across Whitehall and provide a forum for the voice of disabled people; recognises that the Government committed itself to improve outcomes for all children and young people through its change programme—Every Child Matters—which is driving change in local areas through the establishment of Children's Trusts; commends the Government in its specific focus on disabled children in the disabled children's standard of the Children's National Service Framework and the Special Educational Needs strategy, Removing Barriers to Achievement; acknowledges the Government's close working with stakeholders from the disabled children sector in developing its work programme; notes the Government's investment in support services for families with disabled children through its funding of the Family Fund and the Contact a Family national help line; commends the success of the Government's Early Support Programme for young disabled children; further commends the introduction of direct payments for families with disabled children and disabled young people, which increase choice and control and empowers those families; and congratulates the Government's commitment to further improving services for disabled children through the disability strand of the Children and Young People Policy Review', instead thereof.—(Mrs Anne McGuire.)

And the Question being put, 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;

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Evennett, Mr Mark Lancaster: 231.

Tellers for the Noes, Claire Ward, Jonathan Shaw: 288.

10    Consumer Protection,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Compensation (Exemptions) Order 2006, which was laid before this House on 28th November, be approved—(Mr John Heppell):—It was agreed to.

11    Companies,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Uncertificated Securities (Amendment) Regulations 2006, which were laid before this House on 18th December, be approved—(Mr John Heppell):—It was agreed to.

12    Financial Services and Markets,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the Financial Services and Market A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House s Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment No. 3) Order 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 3384), dated 18th December, a copy of which was laid before this House on 18th December, be approved—(Mr John Heppell):—It was agreed to.

13    Financial Services and Markets,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Exemption) (Amendment) Order 2006, which was laid before this House on 18th December, be approved—(Mr John Heppell):—It was agreed to.

14    Financial Services and Markets,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2006, which were laid before this House on 18th December, be approved—(Mr John Heppell):—It was agreed to.

15    Northern Ireland,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Waste (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 18th December, be approved—(Mr John Heppell):—It was agreed to.

16    Delegated Legislation,—Ordered, That the School Admissions Code 2007, dated 8th January, be referred to a Delegated Legislation Committee—(Mr John Heppell):—It was agreed to.

17    Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr John Heppell.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till nineteen minutes to Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

Michael J. Martin

Speaker

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

APPENDIX I

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1    Banks and Banking,—Financial Services (EEA State) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 108), dated 22nd January 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Ed Balls].

2    Industrial Development,—Assisted Areas Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 107), dated 22nd January 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Darling].

3    Social Security,—Civil Partnership (Employee Share Ownership Plans) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 109), dated 22nd January 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Dawn Primarolo].

Other Paper:

4    Foreign Affairs,—Government Response to the Eighth Report from the Foreign Affairs Committee, Session 2005-06, on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Annual Report 2005-06 [by Command] [Cm. 7008] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].

APPENDIX II

General Committees

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1    Constitutional Affairs,—(1) Work of the Committee in 2005 and 2006: First Report from the Constitutional Affairs Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 259]; and

(2) Implementation of the Carter Review of Legal Aid: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 223-ii]

[Mr Alan Beith].

2    Culture, Media and Sport,—(1) Caring for our collections: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee; to be printed [No. 176-iii]; and

(2) Public Service Media Content: Memorandum laid before the Committee

[Mr John Whittingdale].

3    Defence,—The Future of the UK's Strategic Nuclear Deterrent: the White Paper: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee; to be printed [No. 225-ii] [Mr James Arbuthnot].

4    Environmental Audit,—Pre-Budget Report 2006: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environmental Audit Committee; to be printed [No. 227-ii] [Mr Tim Yeo].

5    Foreign Affairs,—South Asia:

(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 55-iii]; and

(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published

[Mike Gapes].

6    Home Affairs,—Justice and Home Affairs Issues at European Union Level: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Home Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 76-iv] [Mrs Janet Dean].

7    International Development,—EU Trade and Development Issues: Minutes of Evidence taken before the International Development Committee; to be printed [No. 271-i] [Malcolm Bruce].

8    Treasury,—Climate change and the Stern review: implications for HM Treasury policy: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Treasury Committee; to be printed [No. 248-i] [John McFall].

9    Welsh Affairs,—Energy in Wales: follow-up:

(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Welsh Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 221-ii]; and

(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published

[Dr Hywel Francis].

[W.H., No. 16]

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