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House of Commons

Session 1998-99 Publications on the internet

House of Commons Votes and Proceedings Wednesday 2nd December 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 (Standing Committees),—Mr John McWilliam reported from the Committee of Selection the following Resolution:
	That, after a Bill has been under consideration in a Standing Committee, no application for changes in the composition of that Committee in respect of that Bill will be entertained by this Committee except where a Member is incapacitated from attendance by illness or where he has been appointed or ceased to be a member of the Government or has changed his office for another, or has acquired other duties, or ceased to hold or changed such duties.
	Report to lie upon the Table.
3	Selection (Select Committees),—Mr John McWilliam reported from the Committee of Selection the following Resolution:
	That Motions to alter the membership of Select Committees may be tabled on behalf of the Committee of Selection only if previously approved at a meeting of the Committee of Selection.
	Report to lie upon the Table.
4	Chairman's Panel (Parliament Act 1911),—Mr John McWilliam reported from the Committee of Selection, That, in pursuance of section 1 (3) of the Parliament Act 1911, it had appointed Mr John McWilliam and Mr Nicholas Winterton to be the two Members whom the Speaker shall consult, if practicable, before certifying a Bill to be a Money Bill.
5	Standing Committee C,—Mr John McWilliam reported from the Committee of Selection, That it had designated Standing Committee C as the Committee on which Government Bills shall not have precedence.
6	Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mrs Ray Michie reported from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft functions of Traffic Wardens (Scotland) Order 1998.
	Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
7	Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Barry Jones reported from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Ireland) Order 1998.
	Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
8	Scottish Enterprise Bill,—Mr Secretary Dewar, supported by Mr Secretary Prescott, Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mr Calum Macdonald presented (under Standing Order No. 50 (Procedure upon bills whose main object is to create a charge upon the public revenue)) a Bill to make provision with respect to the financial limits in section 25(2) of the Enterprise and New Towns (Scotland) Act 1990: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 6].
	Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Scottish Enterprise Bill be printed [Bill 6—EN].
9	Greater London Authority Bill,—Mr Secretary Prescott, supported by the Prime Minister, Mr Chancellor of the Excheqer, Mr Secretary Straw, Mr Nick Raynsford and Glenda Jackson, presented a Bill to establish and make provision about the Greater London Authority, the Mayor of London and the London Assembly; to make provision in relation to London borough councils and the Common Council of the City of London with respect to matters consequential on the establishment of the Greater London Authority; to make provision with respect to the functions of other local authorities and statutory bodies exercising functions in Greater London; to make provision about transport and road traffic in and around Greater London; to make provision about policing in Greater London and to make an adjustment of the metropolitan police district; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time, and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 7].
	Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Greater London Authority Bill be printed [Bill 7-EN].
10	European Parliamentary Elections Bill (Allocation of Time),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That the following provisions shall apply to proceedings on the European Parliamentary Elections Bill.
Timetable
	1. Proceedings on Second Reading, in Committee, on Consideration and on Third Reading shall be completed at the sitting this day and shall be brought to a conclusion, if not previously concluded, four hours after the commencement of proceedings on this Motion.
Questions to be put
	2. When the Bill has been read a second time—
	(a) it shall, notwithstanding Standing Order No. 63 (Committal of bills), stand committed to a Committee of the whole House without any Question being put,
	(b) proceedings on the Bill shall stand postponed while the Question is put, in accordance with Standing Order No. 52(1) (Money resolutions and ways and means resolutions in connection with bills), on any financial resolution relating to the Bill,
	(c) on the conclusion of proceedings on any financial resolution relating to the Bill, proceedings on the Bill shall be resumed and the Speaker shall leave the Chair whether or not notice of an instruction has been given.
	3. On the conclusion of proceedings in Committee the Chairman shall report the Bill to the House without putting any Question and, if he reports the Bill with amendments, the House shall proceed to consider the Bill as amended without any Question being put.
	4. For the purpose of bringing any proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with paragraph 1 the Speaker or Chairman shall forthwith put the following Questions (but no others)—
	(a) any Question already proposed from the Chair;
	(b) any Question necessary to bring to a decision a Question so proposed;
	(c) the Question on any amendment moved or Motion made by a Minister of the Crown;
	(d) any other Question necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded.
	5. On a Motion made for a new Clause or a new Schedule, the Chairman or Speaker shall put only the Question that the Clause or Schedule be added to the Bill.
Miscellaneous
	6. Standing Order No. 15(1) (Exempted business) shall apply to proceedings on the Bill at the sitting this day; and the proceedings shall not be interrupted under any Standing Order relating to the sittings of the House.
	7. The proceedings on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown for varying or supplementing the provisions of this Order shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion one hour after commencement; and Standing Order No. 15(1) shall apply to those proceedings.
	8. Standing Order No. 82 (Business Committee) shall not apply in relation to proceedings on the Bill.
	9. No Motion shall be made to alter the order in which any proceedings on the Bill are taken.
	10. No dilatory Motion shall be made in relation to the Bill except by a Minister of the Crown.
	11. If at the sitting this day a Motion for the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 24 stands over to seven o'clock and proceedings on this Motion have begun before that time, the Motion for the Adjournment shall stand over until the conclusion of proceedings on the Bill.
	12. If the House is adjourned at the sitting this day, or the sitting is suspended, before the conclusion of proceedings on the Bill, no notice shall be required, of a Motion made at the next sitting by a Minister of the Crown for varying or supplementing the provisions of this Order—(Mr Secretary Straw);
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr David Jamieson: 347.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr Nigel Waterson, Mr Stephen Day: 124.
	So the Question was agreed to.
11	European Parliamentary Elections Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the European Parliamentary Elections Bill;
	A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the Bill be now read a second time:
	And it being four hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion relating to European Parliamentary Elections Bill (Allocation of Time), the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Order [this day].
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Robert Ainsworth, Mr Clive Betts: 315.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr Nigel Waterson, Mr Stephen Day: 123.
	So the Question was agreed to.
	The Bill was accordingly read a second time and stood committed to a Committee of the whole House.
	Further proceedings on the Bill stood postponed pursuant to Order [this day].
12	European Parliamentary Elections Bill [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to European Parliamentary Elections Bill [Money];
	A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 52 (Money resolutions and ways and means resolutions in connection with Bills), That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the European Parliamentary Elections Bill, it is expedient to authorise the charging on and payment out of the Consolidated Fund of—
	(1) charges to which returning officers are entitled by virtue of that Act, and
	(2) sums required by the Secretary of State for expenditure on the provision of training relating to functions conferred on returning officers by virtue of that Act—(Mr Keith Hill);
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Robert Ainsworth, Mr Clive Betts: 314.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr Nigel Waterson, Mr Stephen Day: 118.
	So the Question was agreed to.
	Resolved, That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the European Parliamentary Elections Bill, it is expedient to authorise the charging on and payment out of the Consolidated Fund of—
	(1) charges to which returning officers are entitled by virtue of that Act, and
	(2) sums required by the Secretary of State for expenditure on the provision of training relating to functions conferred on returning officers by virtue of that Act.
13	European Parliamentary Elections Bill,—The House, pursuant to Order [this day], resumed proceedings on the European Parliamentary Elections Bill; and the Deputy Speaker left the Chair.
	The House resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill.
	(In the Committee)
	The Chairman put forthwith the Questions necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded, pursuant to Order [this day].
	Clause No. 1 (Number of MEPs, electoral regions and electoral system).
	Question put, That the Clause stand part of the Bill.
	The Committee divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 312.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr John M. Taylor, Mr Tim Collins: 119.
	Clause No. 2 (Electoral regions in England).
	Question put, That the Clause stand part of the Bill.
	The Committee divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Jamieson, Mr David Hanson: 311.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr John M. Taylor, Mr Tim Collins: 114.
	Clause No. 3 (Amendments and repeals).
	Question put, That the Clause stand part of the Bill.
	The Committee divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Jamieson, Mr David Hanson: 289.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Caroline Spelman, Sir David Madel: 116.
	Clause No. 4 (Expenses).
	Question put, That the Clause stand part of the Bill.
	The Committee divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Jamieson, Mr David Hanson: 285.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Caroline Spelman, Sir David Madel: 115.
	Clause No. 5 (Commencement).
	Question put, That the Clause stand part of the Bill.
	The Committee divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr Keith Hill: 275.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr James Cran: 116.
	Clause No. 6 agreed to.
	Schedule No. 1 (New Schedule 2 to the European Parliamentary Elections Act 1978).
	Question put, That the Schedule be the First Schedule to the Bill.
	The Committee divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr Keith Hill: 272.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr James Cran: 120.
	Schedule No. 2 (Minor and Consequential Amendments of Schedule 1 to the European Parliamentary Elections Act 1978).
	Question put, That the Schedule be the Second Schedule to the Bill.
	The Committee divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Robert Ainsworth, Mr Kevin Hughes: 266.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr Nigel Waterson, Mr Stephen Day: 117.
	Schedule No. 3 (Minor and Consequential Amendments).
	Question put, That the Schedule be the Third Schedule to the Bill.
	The Committee divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Greg Pope, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 262.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr Nigel Waterson, Mr Stephen Day: 116.
	Schedule No. 4 (Repeals and Revocations).
	Question put, That the Schedule be the Fourth Schedule to the Bill.
	The Committee divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr Keith Hill: 257.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Caroline Spelman, Sir David Madel: 121.
	The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair; and Mr David Jamieson reported, That the Committee had gone through the Bill, without Amendment.
	Question put, That the Bill be now read the third time.
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr David Clelland: 254.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Caroline Spelman, Sir David Madel: 122.
	So the Question was agreed to.
	The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.
14	Northern Ireland Grand Committee,—A Motion was made, and The Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 116 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (sittings)), That the Northern Ireland Grand Committee shall meet at Westminster on Thursday 10th December, Thursday 28th January, Thursday 25th February, Thursday 25th March, Thursday 10th June and Thursday 8th July at 10.30 a.m.—(Mr David Jamieson):— It was agreed to.
15	Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr David Jamieson);
	Thursday 3rd December 1998
	And the Question being put;
	Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.
	And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till sixteen minutes past Twelve o'clock on Thursday morning, adjourned till this day.
[Adjourned at 12.16 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	Electricity,—Electricity Supply (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 2971), dated 2nd December 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Mandelson].
2	Local Government (Scotland),—Non-Domestic Rating Contributions (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 2957), dated 26th November 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].
3	Pensions,—Occupational Pensions (Revaluation) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 2921), dated 25th November 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling].
4	Telegraphs,—Wireless Telegraphy (Visiting Ships and Aircraft) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 2970), dated 30th November 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Mandelson].
5	Universities of Oxford and Cambridge,—(1) Statute, dated 8th May 1998, made by the Governing Body of Trinity College, Cambridge, amending the Statutes of the College,
	(2) Statute, dated 26th June 1998, made by the Governing Body of King's College, Cambridge, amending the Statutes of the College, and
	(3) Statute, dated 21st August 1998, made by the University of Cambridge amending the Statutes of the University
	[by Act] [Margaret Beckett].
Other Papers:
6	Appropriation Accounts, 1997-98,—Appropriation Account of sums granted by Parliament for 1997-98 for Class II (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1-II] [Dawn Primarolo].
7	British Library,—Statement of determination of pay and pensions of Viscount Runciman of Doxford CBE, newly appointed member of the British Library Board [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].
8	Criminal Injuries Compensation,—Account of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel for 1997-98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 67] [Clerk of the House].
9	Legal Reform,—Paper, entitled Modernising Justice: the Government's plans for reforming legal services and the courts [by Command] [Cm. 4155] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon].
10	Miscellaneous Financial Provisions,—Report and Accounts of the Rural Development Commission for 1997-98 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
11	Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for Social Security on:
	(1) the Petition [4th November] from Mrs Diane Roberts and others relating to benefits for disabled women aged between sixty and sixty-five, and
	(2) the Petition [10th November] from the British Pensioners and Trade Union Action Association of Coventry in support of the welfare state
	[by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].
12	Radiological Protection,—Accounts of the National Radiological Protection Board for 1997-98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 66] [Clerk of the House].
13	Statutory Instruments (Notification),—Communication declaring that the undermentioned Statutory Instrument had come into operation before copies were laid before Parliament, and explaining why such copies had not been so laid before the Instrument came into operation;
	Social Security (Contributions) Amendment (No. 5) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 2894)
	[by Standing Order] [The Speaker].
14	Treaty Series (No. 54, 1998),—1996 Amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code), Resolution MSC.50 (66), adopted in accordance with Article VIII of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, done at London on 4th June 1996 [by Command] [Cm. 4160] [Mr Secretary Cook].
15	Treaty Series (No. 55, 1998),—1996 Amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code), Resolution MSC.58 (67), adopted in accordance with Article VIII of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, done at London on 5th December 1996 [by Command] [Cm. 4161] [Mr Secretary Cook].
16	United States (No. 1, 1998),—Agreement, done at Washington on 13th July 1998, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the United States of America Concerning Maritime and Aerial Operations to Suppress Illicit Trafficking by Sea in Waters of the Caribbean and Bermuda [by Command] [Cm. 4154] [Mr Secretary Cook].
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
1	Northern Ireland Grand Committee:
	(1) The Speaker has appointed Mr Peter Atkinson Chairman of the Northern Ireland Grand Committee in respect of its meeting on Thursday 10th December; and
	(2) The Committee of Selection has nominated twenty-four additional Members to serve on the Northern Ireland Grand Committee, viz.: Mr Harry Barnes, Mr Tony Colman, Mr James Cran, Mr Mike Gapes, Dr Norman A. Godman, Mr Phil Hope, Mr Andrew Hunter, Helen Jackson, Shona McIsaac, Mr Andrew MacKay, Mr Kevin McNamara, Mr Tony McNulty, Mr Tony McWalter, Ms Margaret Moran, Mr Malcolm Moss, Mr Bill O'Brien, Mr Lembit Öpik, Mrs Sandra Osborne, Mr Stephen Pound, Mr Andrew Robathan, Mr Martin Salter, Mr Roger Stott, Mr Ian Taylor and Mr Gareth R. Thomas.
2	Welsh Grand Committee:
	(1) The Speaker has appointed Mr Barry Jones Chairman of the Welsh Grand Committee in respect of its meeting on Wednesday 16th December; and
	(2) The Committee of Selection has nominated Mr Nigel Evans and Mr Owen Paterson additional Members to serve on the Welsh Grand Committee.
3	Draft Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998:
	(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Edward O'Hara Chairman; and
	(2) The Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Joe Ashton, Mr David Atkinson, Mr Roy Beggs, Mr Crispin Blunt, Mr Dennis Canavan, Mr Tony Colman, Mr Jim Cousins, Mr James Cran, Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson, Mr Jim Dowd, Mr Stephen Hepburn, Mr Adam Ingram, MrMalcolm Moss, Mr Peter L. Pike, Mr Syd Rapson and Christine Russell.
4	Draft Government of Wales Act 1998 (Housing) (Amendments) Order 1998:
	(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Roger Gale Chairman; and
	(2) The Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Nick Ainger, Sir Sydney Chapman, Mr Nigel Evans, Mr David Hanson, Mr John Horam, Mr Jon Owen Jones, Mr Elfyn Llwyd, Dr John Marek, Ms Julie Morgan, Mr Rhodri Morgan, Mr Lembit Öpik, Sir Raymond Powell, Mr Ted Rowlands, Mr Chris Ruane, Mr John Wilkinson and Mr Alan W. Williams.
5	Draft Parole Board (Transfer of Functions) Order 1998:
	(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Jim Cunningham Chairman; and
	(2) The Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Richard Allan, Mr John Austin, Mr James Clappison, Mrs Louise Ellman, Mr Mike Hall, Ms Harriet Harman, Mr George Howarth, Mr Lindsay Hoyle, Dr Julian Lewis, Mr Elfyn Llwyd, Mr Andrew Love, Mr Owen Paterson, Mr Dennis Skinner, Sir Michael Spicer, Mr Peter Temple-Morris and Paddy Tipping.
6	Draft Police Act 1997 (Notification of Authorisations etc.) Order 1998 and the draft Police Act 1997 (Authorisation of Action in Respect of Property) (Code of Practice) Order 1998:
	(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mrs Marion Roe Chairman; and
	(2) The Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr A. J. Beith, Mr Paul Boateng, Mr John Burnett, Mr John Greenway, Mr Mike Hall, Mr Jim Marshall, Mr Michael Mates, Mr Bill O'Brien, Mr Richard Page, Mr Gwyn Prosser, Ms Joan Ruddock, Mr George Stevenson, Ms Gisela Stuart, Ms Claire Ward, Mr Nigel Waterson and Mr James Wray.
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
1	Agriculture,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Agriculture Committee [CAP reform: rural development]; to be printed [No. 61-i]; and
	(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [CAP reform: rural development; MAFF/Intervention Board) Departmental Report 1998 and the Comprehensive Spending Review; sea fishing, UK pig industry]
	[Mr Peter Luff].
2	Culture, Media and Sport,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [Back to the Dome]; to be printed [No. 21-ii] [Mr Gerald Kaufman].
3	Defence,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee [Restructuring of the Territorial Army]; to be printed [No. 70-i] [Mr Bruce George].
4	Education and Employment,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education Sub-Committee of the Education and Employment Committee [The work of OFSTED]; to be printed [No. 62-i] [Mr Malcolm Wicks].
5	European Scrutiny,—(1) Second Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee Relating to the Report [No. 34-ii]; and
	(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Drafting Guidelines for Community Legislation]; to be printed [No. 71]
	[Mr Bill Rammell].
6	Modernisation of the House of Commons,—First Report from the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons [The Parliamentary Calendar: Initial Proposals], together with Appendices; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 60] [Margaret Beckett].
7	Public Accounts,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts [NAO Estimates]; to be printed [No. 68-i]; and
	(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [NIAO Estimates]; to be printed [No. 69-i]
	[Mr David Davis].
8	Science and Technology,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee [Engineering and Physical Sciences Based Innovation]; to be printed [No. 17-ii] [Dr Michael Clark].
9	Social Security,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Social Security Committee [Disability Living Allowance]; to be printed [No. 63-i] [Mr Archy Kirkwood].
10	Trade and Industry,—(1) First Report from the Trade and Industry Committee [Vehicle Pricing], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee in the last Session of Parliament; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 64]; and
	(2) Second Report from the Committee [Strategic Export Controls], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee in the last Session of Parliament; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 65]
	[Mr Martin O'Neill].

© Parliamentary copyright 1998	Revised 3 December 1998

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