Votes and Proceedings

House of Commons

Session 1997-98
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House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Wednesday 29th July 1998

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

PRAYERS.

1 Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Kevin Hughes);

    And it being Two o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.

2 Selection,—Ordered, That Mr George Mudie be discharged from the Committee of Selection and Mr Keith Bradley be added to the Committee.—(Mr Greg Pope.)

3 First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Jimmy Hood reported from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft undertaking by the Secretary of State for Scotland with the consent of Her Majesty's Treasury and P&O Scottish Ferries Limited and the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company for the provision of passenger ferry services to Orkney and Shetland.

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

4 Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Roger Gale reported from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Special Grant Report (Scotland): Grant in Aid of Expenditure on Rural Public Transport for 1998-99 (HC 941).

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

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

    The Lords have agreed to the Finance (No. 2) Bill, without Amendment.

    The Lords have agreed to the Amendment made by this House to one of their Amendments to the Government of Wales Bill, without Amendment; and they do not insist on their Amendments to the said Bill to which this House has disagreed.

    The Lords have agreed to the consequential Amendment made by this House to the National Minimum Wage Bill, without Amendment; and they do not insist on their Amendments to the said Bill to which this House has disagreed.

    Pensions (Amendment) Bill [Lords],—The Lords have passed a Bill, intituled, An Act to require the Secretary of State to report annually on service pensions, war pensions and war widows' pensions; to which they desire the concurrence of this House.

6 Parliamentary Oaths (Amendment),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to enable a person lawfully elected to the House of Commons to take his seat without swearing the present oath or affirming; and for connected purposes—(Mr Kevin McNamara);

    And the Motion being opposed, after a brief explanatory statement from the Member who made the Motion and from a Member who opposed it, the Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Standing Order No. 23 (Motions for leave to bring in bills and nomination of select committees at commencement of public business).

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Gerald Bermingham, Mr Alan Johnson: 137.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr Stephen Day, Mr Nigel Waterson: 151.

    So the Question was negatived.

7 Opposition Day [19th 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.

    Presentation and Government Policy,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes the view of the Committee on Culture, Media and Sport in its Fifth Report (HC 742) that the Department of Culture, Media and Sport is focused on trivial matters at the expense of important industries like tourism; believes this to be symptomatic of a Government which places undue emphasis on presentational issues in order to mask policy deficiencies; and deplores the culture of cronyism which is discrediting political life—(Mr Peter Ainsworth);

    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 'commends the Government for its progress on major matters of substance across all fields of responsibility, and in particular for its recognition of the cultural, social, educational and economic value of the areas of activity sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and for the concrete action taken across all parts of the Department's responsibilities over the last year to maximise that value; welcomes the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review, which provides for a significant investment in culture, sport, heritage and tourism alongside positive steps to reduce bureaucracy and ensure the most effective use of public money; and notes that this brings to an end a damaging period of real cuts presided over by the Opposition,' instead thereof.—(Mr Secretary Smith.)

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

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Nigel Waterson, Mr Stephen Day: 135.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Jamieson, Mr Greg Pope: 355.

    So the Question was negatived.

    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 commends the Government for its progress on major matters of substance across all fields of responsibility, and in particular for its recognition of the cultural, social, educational and economic value of the areas of activity sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and for the concrete action taken across all parts of the Department's responsibilities over the last year to maximise that value; welcomes the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review, which provides for a significant investment in culture, sport, heritage and tourism alongside positive steps to reduce bureaucracy and ensure the most effective use of public money; and notes that this brings to an end a damaging period of real cuts presided over by the Opposition.

    Quality of Life in Rural Areas,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House deplores the Government's continued failure to protect both the Green Belt and greenfield sites from excessive development; is concerned about how transport and housing policy is neglecting the needs of the countryside; condemns the recent govenment proposal to cut the discount available to council tenants exercising the right to buy; and calls on the Government to end its systematic attack on the quality of rural life—(Mr Tim Yeo);

    An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out the from the word 'House' to the end of the Question and add the words 'congratulates the Government on its commitment to promote sustainable development in all areas of the United Kingdom including rural areas; recognises the progress which has been made on improving rural services over the last fifteen months; welcomes the creation of powerful Regional Development agencies which will promote prosperity in both towns and countryside; welcomes the creation of a new agency to promote the interests of the countryside in England by bringing together the Countryside Commission and parts of the Rural Development Commission; recognises the Government's determination to increase the proportion of new houses built on brownfield sites; and supports the Government's desire to give greater freedom for people to explore the open countryside', instead thereof.—(Mr Michael Meacher.)

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

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Nigel Waterson, Mr Stephen Day: 159.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Clelland, Mr Jim Dowd: 304.

    So the Question was negatived.

    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 congratulates the Government on its commitment to promote sustainable development in all areas of the United Kingdom including rural areas; recognises the progress which has been made on improving rural services over the last fifteen months; welcomes the creation of powerful Regional Development agencies which will promote prosperity in both towns and countryside; welcomes the creation of a new agency to promote the interests of the countryside in England by bringing together the Countryside Commission and parts of the Rural Development Commission; recognises the Government's determination to increase the proportion of new houses built on brownfield sites; and supports the Government's desire to give greater freedom for people to explore the open countryside.

8 Northern Ireland,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the draft Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 (Specified Organisations) Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 28th July, be approved—(Secretary Marjorie Mowlam);

    And it being one and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion, the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Standing Order No. 16 (Proceedings under an Act or on European Community documents).

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Jane Kennedy, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 219.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr Nigel Waterson, Mr Stephen Day: 86.

    So the Question was agreed to.

    Resolved, That the draft Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 (Specified Organisations) Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 28th July, be approved.

9 Legal Services,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Conditional Fee Agreements Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 16th July, be approved—(Mr Graham Allen):—It was agreed to.

10 Section 5 of European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Order [21st July] and Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That this House approves the Government's assessment as set out in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report 1998 and Comprehensive Spending Review for the purposes of section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993—(Mr Graham Allen):—It was agreed to.

11 Education (Scotland),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Education (Student Loans) (Scotland) Regulations 1998, which were laid before this House on 17th July, be approved—(Mr Graham Allen):—It was agreed to.

12 Education,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Education (Student Support) Regulations 1998, which were laid before this House on 17th July, be approved—(Mr Graham Allen):—It was agreed to.

13 Registers of Interests,—Resolved, That the Resolution of 17th December 1985 be amended in line 31, by leaving out the words 'copies of the Registers be placed in the Library for the use of Members' and inserting the words 'the Registers be made available for the public inspection under arrangements to be approved by the Committee on Standards and Privileges'.—(Mr Graham Allen.)

14 Modernisation of the House of Commons,—Ordered, That Mrs Ann Taylor be discharged from the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons and Mrs Margaret Beckett be added to the Committee.—(Mr Graham Allen.)

15 Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from students of Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, University of London, against tuition fees for higher education and the abolition of maintenance grants was presented; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

16 Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Graham Allen);

Thursday 30th July 1998

    And the Motion having been made after Ten o'clock on Wednesday evening, and the Debate having continued for half an hour, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the House, without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order, it being then twenty five minutes past Twelve o'clock on Thursday morning, till this day.

[Adjourned at 12.25 a.m.

Betty Boothroyd
Speaker

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

APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1 Customs and Excise,—Amusement Machine Licence Duty (Monetary Amounts) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1839), dated 28th July 1998 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].

2 Highways,—Humber Bridge (Debts) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1797), dated 22nd July 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

3 Merchant Shipping,—Merchant Shipping (Liability of Shipowners and Others) (Rate of Interest) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1795), dated 22nd July 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

4 Pensions,—Local Government Pension Scheme (Management and Investment of Funds) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1831), dated 20th July 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

5 Pensions (Northern Ireland),—Pensions Appeal Tribunals (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Rules 1998 (S.R.(N.I.), 1998, No. 265), dated 11th July 1998 [by Act] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon].

Other Papers:

6 Animals,—Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals in Great Britain for 1997 [by Command] [Cm. 4025] [Mr Secretary Straw].

7 Asylum and Immigration,—Report of the Independent Monitor of Entry Clearance Refusals for 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Cook].

8 Broadcasting,—Account of additional payments and financial penalties to the Independent Television Commission by Licensees for 1997-98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1071] [Clerk of the House].

9 Building Societies,—Account of the Building Societies Commission for 1997-98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1075] [Clerk of the House].

10 Cabinet Office Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate for 1997-98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 974] [Dr John Cunningham].

11 Coroners,—Hertfordshire (Coroners' Districts) (Amendment) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1799), dated 22nd July 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw].

12 Defence Executive Agencies,—Reports and Accounts of the—

    (1) Army Personnel Centre,

    (2) Defence Analytical Services Agency, and

    (3) Disposal Sales Agency

for 1997-98, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 882, 956 and 953] [Mr Secretary Robertson].

13 Disability Discrimination,—Report of the National Disability Council for 1997-98 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 971] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].

14 Friendly Societies,—Report of the Friendly Societies Commission for 1997-98 [by Act] [Ms Patricia Hewitt].

15 Further and Higher Education (Scotland),—Accounts of the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council for 1997-98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1064] [Clerk of the House].

16 Health Executive Agencies,—Reports and Accounts of the—

    (1) Medical Devices Agency, and

    (2) NHS Pensions Agency

for 1997-98, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 879 and 1008] [Mr Secretary Dobson].

17 Housing,—Report and Accounts of Waltham Forest Housing Action Trust for 1997-98 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

18 Local Government Finance,—Report and Accounts of the Audit Commission for the period 1st April to 31st October 1997, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

19 Miscellaneous Financial Provisions,—Accounts of the Development Commission for 1997-98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1073] [Clerk of the House].

20 Monopolies and Mergers,—Report by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on courses of conduct pursued by Birds Eye Wall's Ltd in connection with the supply of wrapped ice cream [by Command] [Cm. 3971] [Mr Secretary Mandelson].

21 Museums and Galleries,—(1) Accounts of the

    (i) Victoria and Albert Museum, and

    (ii) Tate Gallery

for 1997-98, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 1074 and 1066] [Clerk of the House]; and

(2) Report of the National Portrait Gallery for 1997-98 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].

22 National Audit,—Reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General on—

    (1) Inland Revenue: Special Compliance Office: Prevention of Corruption

    (2) National Savings: Developments in Financial Reporting, and

    (3) Office of Electricity Regulation: Improving Energy Efficiency Financed by a Charge on Customers

[by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 1058, 1037 and 1006] [Clerk of the House].

23 National Heritage,—Accounts of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, for 1997-98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1078] [Clerk of the House].

24 National Lottery,—Accounts of the—

    (1) Arts Council of England Lottery Distribution,

    (2) English Sports Council Lottery Distribution, and

    (3) Sports Council for Wales Lottery Distribution

for 1997-98, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 1076, 1070 and 1077] [Clerk of the House].

25 National Savings Bank,—Statements with respect to

    (1) investment deposits of National Savings, and

    (2) ordinary deposits and expenses of the National Savings

for 1996, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 1061 and 1062] [Clerk of the House].

26 Northern Ireland Executive Agencies,—Reports and Accounts of the—

    (1) Northern Ireland Child Support Agency, and

    (2) Training and Employment Agency

for 1997-98, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 937 and 1015] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].

27 Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors,—Account of the English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for 1997-98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 949] [Mr Secretary Dobson].

28 Provisional Orders (Scotland),—Report by the Chairman of Committees of the House of Lords and the Chairman of Ways and Means in the House of Commons under the Private Legislation Procedure (Scotland) Act 1936 that the Balloch Footbridge Order should be allowed to proceed, subject to any recommendations as they may hereafter make with respect to the said Order [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

29 Public Accounts,—Treasury Minute on the Thirty-Ninth and Fortieth Reports from the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 1997-98 [by Command] [Cm. 4021] [Dawn Primarolo].

30 Public Lending Right,—Accounts of the Public Lending Right Central Fund for 1997-98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1065] (Clerk of the House].

31 Public Records,—Report of the Keeper of Public Records on the work of the Public Record Office, and Accounts of the Public Record Office, for 1997-98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon, and the Report of the Advisory Council on Public Records for 1997-98 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 840] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon].

32 Railways,—Report of the Office of the Rail Regulator for 1997-98 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

33 Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland),—Report of the Registrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages for Scotland for 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

34 Scottish Office Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of Historic Scotland for 1997-98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 895] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

35 Trade and Industry Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory for 1997-98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 944] [Mr Secretary Mandelson].

36 Trade Union and Labour Relations,—Account of the Commissioner for the Rights of Trade Union Members for 1997-98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1072] [Clerk of the House].

APPENDIX II

European Standing Committees

European Community Document No. 9690/98, relating to EC development aid to South Africa (1986-96), has been referred to European Standing Committee B.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1 Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment Sub-Committee of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee on 29th July [The Protection of Field Boundaries]; to be printed [No. 969-iii] [Mr Andrew F. Bennett].

2 European Legislation,—Thirty-sixth Report from the Select Committee on European Legislation, to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 155-xxxvi] [Mr Jimmy Hood]:

3 International Development,—(1) Seventh Report from the International Development Committee [Sudan], 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. 872]; and

    (2) Fourth Special Report from the Committee [Government Response to the Fourth Report from the Committee, on the Renegotiation of the Lome� Convention]; to be printed [No. 1068]

[Mr Bowen Wells].

4 Northern Ireland Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on 29th July [The Prison Service in Northern Ireland]; to be printed [No. 716-vii] [Mr Peter Brooke].

5 Public Administration,—Sixth Report from the Select Committee on Public Administration [The Government Information and Communication Service], 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. 770] [Mr Rhodri Morgan].

6 Science and Technology,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee on 29th July [Science and the Comprehensive Spending Review]; to be printed [No. 1040-i] [Dr Michael Clark].

7 Scottish Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Scottish Affairs Committee on 29th July [Inward Investment into Scotland]; to be printed [No. 698-iv] [Mr David Marshall].

8 Social Security,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Social Security Committee on 29th July [Administration of the Department of Social Security]; to be printed [No. 587-iv] [Mr Archy Kirkwood].

9 Trade and Industry,—(1) Eleventh Report from the Trade and Industry Committee [Industrial and Trade Relations with Japan], 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. 568]; and

    (2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee on 29th July [Industrial and Trade Relations with Central and Eastern Europe]; to be printed [No. 893-ii]

[Mr Roger Berry].

10 Treasury,—Memorandum laid before the Treasury Committee [Economic and Monetary Union] [Mr Giles Radice].

11 Welsh Affairs,—Third Report from the Welsh Affairs Committee [The Welsh Office Departmental Report 1998], together with an Appendix 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. 751] [Mr Martyn Jones].