Votes and Proceedings

House of Commons

Session 1997-98
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House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Friday 24th July 1998

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

PRAYERS.

1 Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from residents of Killamarsh, Derbyshire, against the siting of the Sarp UK plant near populated areas and for steps to ameliorate the nuisance so caused was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

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

    The Lords have agreed to the Landmines Bill, without Amendment.

3 Northern Ireland Bill (Committee) [3rd allotted day],—The House, according to Order, again resolved itself into a Committee on the Northern Ireland Bill.

(In the Committee)

    Clause No. 24 (Dates of elections and dissolutions).

    Amendment (No. 150) proposed, in page 13, line 4, to leave out from the word 'If' to the word 'by' in line 12 and insert the words 'three months after either the First Minister or Deputy First Minister ceases to hold office the Assembly has not elected a First Minister or Deputy First Minister Her Majesty shall'.—(Mr David Trimble.)

    Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

    Clause agreed to.

    Clauses Nos. 25 and 26 agreed to.

    Clause No. 27 (Vacancies).

    Amendment (No. 100) proposed, in page 14, to leave out lines 9 to 11 and insert the words—

    '(2) Subject to subsection (2A) below an order under subsection (1) shall provide that where a seat was last filled by a member of a registered party, any vacancy shall be filled by another member nominated by that party (without a by-election).

    (2A) Provided that where the condition mentioned in subsection (2) is not met, a vacancy shall be filled by—

    (a) a by-election, or

    (b) such other method as the Secretary of State may prescribe in the order.'—(Mr Andrew Mackinlay.)

    Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

    Clause agreed to.

    It being Eleven o'clock, and it being the Speaker's intention to interrupt the proceedings under Standing Order No. 11 (Friday sittings), the Chairman left the Chair, without Question put, to report progress and ask leave to sit again.

    The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair and Mr Robert Ainsworth reported, That the Committee had made progress in the Bill, and moved, That the Committee may have leave to sit again.

4 Interruption of proceedings,—The Deputy Speaker interrupted the proceedings, pursuant to Standing Order No. 11 (Friday sittings)

5 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:

    Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998

    Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998.

6 Northern Ireland Bill (Committee) [3rd allotted day],—The House again resolved itself into a Committee on the Northern Ireland Bill.

(In the Committee).

    Clause No. 28 (Disqualification).

    Amendment (No. 93) proposed, in page 14, to leave out lines 32 to 34.—(The Reverend Ian Paisley.)

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

    Clause agreed to.

    Clause No. 29 (Effect of disqualification and provision for relief).

    Amendment (No. 22) proposed, in page 15, to leave out lines 6 to 15—(Mr Malcolm Moss.)

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

    Clause agreed to.

    Clauses Nos. 30 and 31 agreed to.

    Clause No. 32 (Commission).

    Amendment (No. 187) proposed, in page 16, line 37, at the end, to insert the words—'Such directions shall not be given without cross-community support.'.—(Mr Eddie McGrady.)

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

    Clause agreed to.

    Schedule No. 6 agreed to.

    Clause No. 33 agreed to.

    Schedule No. 7 agreed to.

    Clause No. 34 agreed to.

    Clause No. 35 (Members' interests).

    Amendment (No. 24) proposed, in page 17, to leave out lines 32 to 36—(Mr Malcolm Moss.)

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

    Clause agreed to.

    Clauses Nos. 36 to 45 agreed to.

    Clause No. 46 (Payments into the Fund: Secretary of State).

    Amendment (No. 26) proposed, in page 23, line 20, at the end, to add the words—

    '( ) Subject to subsection ( ) below, the Secretary of State shall make such a payment at least once every financial year.

    ( ) No such payment shall be made unless the Secretary of State has laid before the House of Commons a statement certifying that the payment recognises the needs of Northern Ireland in relation to the needs of the United Kingdom as a whole:—(Mr Malcolm Moss.)

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

    Clause agreed to.

    Clauses Nos. 47 to 49 agreed to.

    Clause No. 50 (Financial acts of the Assembly).

    Amendment (No. 28) proposed, in page 24, line 38, at the end, to insert the word 'or'.—(Mr Malcolm Moss.)

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

    Clause agreed to.

    Clauses Nos. 51 to 53 agreed to.

    To report progress and ask leave to sit again—(Mr Jim Dowd.)

    The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr Jim Dowd reported, That the Committee had made progress in the Bill and moved, That the Committee may have leave to sit again.

    Committee again on Monday 27th July.

7 Adjournment (Summer),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 25 (Periodic adjournments), That this House, at its rising on Friday 31st July, do adjourn till Monday 19th October—(Mr Jim Dowd):—It was agreed to.

8 Sittings of the House,—Ordered, That, at the sitting on Friday 31st July, the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until she shall have notified the Royal Assent to Acts agreed upon by both Houses.—(Mr Jim Dowd.)

9 Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Jim Dowd.)

    And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till one minute past Two o'clock, adjourned till Monday 27th July.

[Adjourned at 2.01 p.m.

Betty Boothroyd
Speaker

Madam Speaker will take the Chair at half-past Two o'clock on Monday next.

APPENDIX

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

1 Development of Tourism,—Report and Accounts of the British Tourist Authority for 1997-98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].

2 Government Trading Funds,—Report and Accounts of the Patent Office for 1997-98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1004] [Clerk of the House].

3 Housing,—Report and Accounts of Tower Hamlets Housing Action Trust for 1997-98 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

4 Local Government (Scotland),—Reports and Accounts of—

    (1) East of Scotland Water,

    (2) North of Scotland Water Authority, and

    (3) West of Scotland Water

for 1997-98 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

5 Medicines,—Reports of the Medicines Commission, Committee on Safety of Medicines, Advisory Board on the Registration of Homoeopathic Products, Veterinary Products Committee and the British Pharmacopoeia Commission for 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson].

6 National Heritage,—Accounts of the Board of Trustees of the Armouries for 1996-97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1042] [Clerk of the House].

7 National Lottery,—Account of the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution for 1997-98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1041] [Clerk of the House].

8 Public Accounts,—Northern Ireland Department of Finance and Personnel Memorandum on the 38th Report from the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 1998-98 [by Command] [Cm. 4015] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].

9 Public Service,—Government Response to the Report from the House of Lords Select Committe on the Public Service [by Command] [Cm. 4000] [Dr David Clark].

10 Treaty Series (No. 29, 1998),—Agreement, done at London on 11th March 1997, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Croatia for the Promotion and Protection of Investments [by Command] [Cm. 4013] [Mr Secretary Cook].

CORRIGENDUM

    In the Votes and Proceedings for Thursday 23rd July, page 1100, the Division on Amendment No. 15 should read:

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr Tim Collins: 144.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr John McFall, Mr David Jamieson: 272.

The House met at half-past Nine o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1	Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from residents of Killamarsh, Derbyshire, against the siting of the Sarp UK plant near populated areas and for steps to ameliorate the nuisance so caused was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
2	Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows:
	The Lords have agreed to the Landmines Bill, without Amendment.
3	Northern Ireland Bill (Committee) [3rd allotted day],—The House, according to Order, again resolved itself into a Committee on the Northern Ireland Bill.
	(In the Committee)
	Clause No. 24 (Dates of elections and dissolutions).
	Amendment (No. 150) proposed, in page 13, line 4, to leave out from the word 'If' to the word 'by' in line 12 and insert the words 'three months after either the First Minister or Deputy First Minister ceases to hold office the Assembly has not elected a First Minister or Deputy First Minister Her Majesty shall'.—(Mr David Trimble.)
	Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
	Clause agreed to.
	Clauses Nos. 25 and 26 agreed to.
	Clause No. 27 (Vacancies).
	Amendment (No. 100) proposed, in page 14, to leave out lines 9 to 11 and insert the words—
	'(2) Subject to subsection (2A) below an order under subsection (1) shall provide that where a seat was last filled by a member of a registered party, any vacancy shall be filled by another member nominated by that party (without a by-election).
	(2A) Provided that where the condition mentioned in subsection (2) is not met, a vacancy shall be filled by—
	(a) a by-election, or
	(b) such other method as the Secretary of State may prescribe in the order.'—(Mr Andrew Mackinlay.)
	Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
	Clause agreed to.
	It being Eleven o'clock, and it being the Speaker's intention to interrupt the proceedings under Standing Order No. 11 (Friday sittings), the Chairman left the Chair, without Question put, to report progress and ask leave to sit again.

	The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair and Mr Robert Ainsworth reported, That the Committee had made progress in the Bill, and moved, That the Committee may have leave to sit again.
4	Interruption of proceedings,—The Deputy Speaker interrupted the proceedings, pursuant to Standing Order No. 11 (Friday sittings)
5	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:
	Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998
	Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998.
6	Northern Ireland Bill (Committee) [3rd allotted day],—The House again resolved itself into a Committee on the Northern Ireland Bill.
	(In the Committee).
	Clause No. 28 (Disqualification).
	Amendment (No. 93) proposed, in page 14, to leave out lines 32 to 34.—(The Reverend Ian Paisley.)
	Question, That the Amendment be made, put and negatived.
	Clause agreed to.
	Clause No. 29 (Effect of disqualification and provision for relief).
	Amendment (No. 22) proposed, in page 15, to leave out lines 6 to 15—(Mr Malcolm Moss.)
	Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
	Clause agreed to.
	Clauses Nos. 30 and 31 agreed to.
	Clause No. 32 (Commission).
	Amendment (No. 187) proposed, in page 16, line 37, at the end, to insert the words—'Such directions shall not be given without cross-community support.'.—(Mr Eddie McGrady.)
	Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
	Clause agreed to.
	Schedule No. 6 agreed to.
	Clause No. 33 agreed to.
	Schedule No. 7 agreed to.
	Clause No. 34 agreed to.
	Clause No. 35 (Members' interests).
	Amendment (No. 24) proposed, in page 17, to leave out lines 32 to 36—(Mr Malcolm Moss.)
	Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
	Clause agreed to.
	Clauses Nos. 36 to 45 agreed to.
	Clause No. 46 (Payments into the Fund: Secretary of State).
	Amendment (No. 26) proposed, in page 23, line 20, at the end, to add the words—
	'( ) Subject to subsection ( ) below, the Secretary of State shall make such a payment at least once every financial year.
	( ) No such payment shall be made unless the Secretary of State has laid before the House of Commons a statement certifying that the payment recognises the needs of Northern Ireland in relation to the needs of the United Kingdom as a whole:—(Mr Malcolm Moss.)
	Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
	Clause agreed to.
	Clauses Nos. 47 to 49 agreed to.
	Clause No. 50 (Financial acts of the Assembly).
	Amendment (No. 28) proposed, in page 24, line 38, at the end, to insert the word 'or'.—(Mr Malcolm Moss.)
	Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
	Clause agreed to.
	Clauses Nos. 51 to 53 agreed to.
	To report progress and ask leave to sit again—(Mr Jim Dowd.)

	The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr Jim Dowd reported, That the Committee had made progress in the Bill and moved, That the Committee may have leave to sit again.
	Committee again on Monday 27th July.
7	Adjournment (Summer),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 25 (Periodic adjournments), That this House, at its rising on Friday 31st July, do adjourn till Monday 19th October—(Mr Jim Dowd):—It was agreed to.
8	Sittings of the House,—Ordered, That, at the sitting on Friday 31st July, the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until she shall have notified the Royal Assent to Acts agreed upon by both Houses.—(Mr Jim Dowd.)
9	Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Jim Dowd.)
	And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till one minute past Two o'clock, adjourned till Monday 27th July.
[Adjourned at 2.01 p.m.
*Betty Boothroyd* *Speaker*
Madam Speaker will take the Chair at half-past Two o'clock on Monday next.
APPENDIX
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
1	Development of Tourism,—Report and Accounts of the British Tourist Authority for 1997-98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].
2	Government Trading Funds,—Report and Accounts of the Patent Office for 1997-98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1004] [Clerk of the House].
3	Housing,—Report and Accounts of Tower Hamlets Housing Action Trust for 1997-98 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
4	Local Government (Scotland),—Reports and Accounts of—
	(1) East of Scotland Water,
	(2) North of Scotland Water Authority, and
	(3) West of Scotland Water
	for 1997-98 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].
5	Medicines,—Reports of the Medicines Commission, Committee on Safety of Medicines, Advisory Board on the Registration of Homoeopathic Products, Veterinary Products Committee and the British Pharmacopoeia Commission for 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson].
6	National Heritage,—Accounts of the Board of Trustees of the Armouries for 1996-97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1042] [Clerk of the House].
7	National Lottery,—Account of the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution for 1997-98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1041] [Clerk of the House].
8	Public Accounts,—Northern Ireland Department of Finance and Personnel Memorandum on the 38th Report from the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 1998-98 [by Command] [Cm. 4015] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].
9	Public Service,—Government Response to the Report from the House of Lords Select Committe on the Public Service [by Command] [Cm. 4000] [Dr David Clark].
10	Treaty Series (No. 29, 1998),—Agreement, done at London on 11th March 1997, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Croatia for the Promotion and Protection of Investments [by Command] [Cm. 4013] [Mr Secretary Cook].

CORRIGENDUM
	In the Votes and Proceedings for Thursday 23rd July, page 1100, the Division on Amendment No. 15 should read:
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr Tim Collins: 144.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr John McFall, Mr David Jamieson: 272.



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