Votes and Proceedings

House of Commons

Session 1998-99
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House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Wednesday 27th January 1999

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 David Clelland);

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

2 Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,— Mr Humfrey Malins reported from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Open-Ended Investment Companies (Investment Companies with Variable Capital) (Fees) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 3087) and the Companies (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 3088).

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

3 Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Joe Benton reported from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice No. 5) Order 1998.

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

4 Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Barry Jones reported from the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Legal Aid (Prescribed Panels) Regulations 1998.

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

5 Employment Relations Bill,—Mr Secretary Byers, supported by the Prime Minister, Mr Secretary Prescott, Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Secretary Straw, Mr Secretary Blunkett, Mr Secretary Dewar, Mr Secretary Darling, Mr Secretary Michael and Mr Ian McCartney, presented a Bill to amend the law relating to employment, to trade unions and to employment agencies and businesses: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 36].

    Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Employment Relations Bill be printed [Bill 36-EN].

6 Prophylactic Mastectomy Registry,—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to establish a United Kingdom registry of women who have undergone prophylactic mastectomy surgery: And that Ms Joan Ruddock, Ms Judith Church, Mr Frank Doran, Dr Ian Gibson, Dr Evan Harris, Miss Julie Kirkbride, Dr Ashok Kumar, Ms Jackie Lawrence, Alice Mahon, Laura Moffatt, Ms Julie Morgan and Ms Dari Taylor do prepare and bring it in.

7 Prophylactic Mastectomy Registry Bill,—Ms Joan Ruddock accordingly presented a Bill to establish a United Kingdom registry of women who have undergone prophylactic mastectomy surgery: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 26th February and to be printed [Bill 37].

8 Opposition Day [4th 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.

    Terrorist mutilations in Northern Ireland,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House condemns the alarming increase in the numbers of terrorist beatings, mutilations, shootings, cases of intimidation and instances of people being forced to leave their homes in Northern Ireland; notes that these are being carried out by organisations whose political representatives backed the Belfast Agreement; further notes that these continued attacks are clear breaches of the Belfast Agreement that required a commitment to exclusively democratic and peaceful methods and that terrorist ceasefires had to be complete and unequivocal; recalls that the Prime Minister said that for terrorist organisations to benefit from prisoner release schemes there must be an end of violence including bombings, killings and beatings; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to use its powers contained in the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 to halt the early release of terrorist prisoners until violence in Northern Ireland has ended in all its forms—(Mr Andrew MacKay);

    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 'condemns absolutely the barbaric practice of paramilitary attacks in Northern Ireland; condemns the human and material cost of these assaults and the contempt they demonstrate for the rule of law; notes the commitment made by all parties who endorsed the Good Friday Agreement to "the protection and vindication of the human rights of all"; welcomes the Government's determination to fulfil its responsibilities under the Good Friday Agreement in this as in every other area; and calls on all people, parties and organisations to use all their influence to bring these attacks to an immediate stop, to help the police in any way they can, and to work to build on the Good Friday Agreement to create a society in Northern Ireland where such attacks are a thing of the past', instead thereof.—(Secretary Marjorie Mowlam.)

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

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mrs Caroline Spelman, Mr Stephen Day: 141.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Jamieson, Mr Greg Pope: 343.

    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 condemns absolutely the barbaric practice of paramilitary attacks in Northern Ireland; condemns the human and material cost of these assaults and the contempt they demonstrate for the rule of law; notes the commitment made by all parties who endorsed the Good Friday Agreement to 'the protection and vindication of the human rights of all'; welcomes the Government's determination to fulfil its responsibilities under the Good Friday Agreement in this as in every other area; and calls on all people, parties and organisations to use all their influence to bring these attacks to an immediate stop, to help the police in any way they can, and to work to build on the Good Friday Agreement to create a society in Northern Ireland where such attacks are a thing of the past.

    London Underground,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House condemns the Government's delay in the financial restructuring of London Underground; calls on it to put forward plans, as soon as possible, for the private finance and operation of the Underground; condemns its handling of the completion of the Jubilee Line; and abhors the abolition of financial support from 2000 with no alternative sources of funding in place—(Mr Richard Ottaway);

    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 'notes that the Government inherited a substantial investment backlog in London Underground and that this backlog arose from the previous Government's ideological antipathy to public expenditure and unwillingness to seek genuine and viable partnership between the public and private sectors; welcomes the Government's rejection of the Conservatives' policy of wholesale privatisation and applauds it for its thoroughgoing investigation of a public-private partnership as a means to secure necessary investment funds; notes that by providing additional funding of £365 million and that by bringing forward two Private Finance Initiative deals on ticketing and the power distribution system, the Government has already ensured that the Underground will benefit from around £1 billion of investment over the next two years; and is confident that the present Government's approach to London Underground will secure value for money for passengers and the taxpayer and give Londoners an underground system which meets their needs, is fast, reliable, comfortable and worthy of such a great capital city', instead thereof.—(Dr John Reid.)

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

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Stephen Day, Mrs Caroline Spelman: 130.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 335.

    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);

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 290.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr Stephen Day, Mrs Caroline Spelman: 159.

    So the Question was agreed to.

    The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.

    Resolved, That this House notes that the Government inherited a substantial investment backlog in London Underground and that this backlog arose from the previous Government's ideological antipathy to public expenditure and unwillingness to seek genuine and viable partnership between the public and private sectors; welcomes the Government's rejection of the Conservatives' policy of wholesale privatisation and applauds it for its thoroughgoing investigation of a public-private partnership as a means to secure necessary investment funds; notes that by providing additional funding of £365 million and that by bringing forward two Private Finance Initiative deals on ticketing and the power distribution system, the Government has already ensured that the Underground will benefit from around £1 billion of investment over the next two years; and is confident that the present Government's approach to London Underground will secure value for money for passengers and the taxpayer and give Londoners an underground system which meets their needs, is fast, reliable, comfortable and worthy of such a great capital city.

6 Business of the House,—Ordered, That the Business of the House Order of 25th January shall apply also to the Motion in the name of Mr Secretary Darling relating to the draft Social Security Benefits Up-rating (No. 2) Order 1999 tabled on 26th January.—(Mr Clive Betts.)

7 Hallmark,—Ordered, That the Hallmarking (Hallmarking Act Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 2978) be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.—(Mr Clive Betts.)

8 Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Clive Betts.)

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

[Adjourned at 10.50 p.m.

Betty Boothroyd
Speaker

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

APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1 Countryside Agency,—Draft Development Commission (Transfer of Functions and Miscellaneous Provisions) Order 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

2 Town and Country Planning,—Channel Tunnel Rail Link (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 107), dated 18th January 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

Other Papers:

3 Education (Scotland),—Paper, entitled Targeting Excellence—Modernising Scotland's Schools: A Consultation Document [by Command] [Cm. 4247] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

4 Food Standards Agency,—Paper, entitled the Food Standards Agency: consultation on draft legislation [by Command] [Cm. 4249] [Mr Nicholas Brown].

5 Miscellaneous (No. 18, 1999),—Agreement, done at Tallinn on 23rd February 1995 and Stockholm on 23rd April 1996, between the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden, regarding the M/S Estonia, with Additional Protocol, and an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Cm. 4252] [Mr Secretary Cook].

6 Museums and Galleries,—Paper containing the indemnification of works of art lent to the National Portrait Gallery for its Spring Exhibition of works by Sir John Everett Millais [by Command] [Mr Secretary Smith].

7 Treaty Series (No. 4, 1999),—Agreement, done at London on 29th April 1998, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the State of Bahrain concerning Air Services [by Command] [Cm. 4250] [Mr Secretary Cook].

8 Treaty Series (No. 5, 1999),—Administrative Agreement, done at Bonn on 18th March 1993, to Implement Article 60 of the Agreement of 3rd August 1959, as amended by the Agreements of 21st October 1971, 18th May 1981 and 18th March 1993, to Supplement the Agreement between the Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty regarding the Status of their Forces with respect to Foreign Forces stationed in the Federal Republic of Germany [by Command] [Cm. 4251] [Mr Secretary Cook].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1 Scottish Enterprise Bill:

    (1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to the First Scottish Standing Committee, and has appointed Mr Andrew Welsh Chairman; and

    (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed twenty-five Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mrs Irene Adams, Miss Anne Begg, Mr Russell Brown, Mr Desmond Browne, Mr Ian Bruce, Mr Malcolm Chisholm, Mr Eric Clarke, Mr Michael Connarty, Mr Stephen Day, Dr Norman A. Godman, Mr Donald Gorrie, Mr Dominic Grieve, Mr John Home Robertson, Mr Oliver Letwin, Mr Calum Macdonald, Mrs Anne McGuire, Rosemary McKenna, Mr David Marshall, Dr Lewis Moonie, Mr Alasdair Morgan, Mrs Sandra Osborne, Mr Laurence Robertson, Mr Ernie Ross, Sir Robert Smith and Mr Desmond Swayne.

2 Tax Credits Bill:

    (1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee D, and has appointed Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody and Mrs Marion Roe Chairmen; and

    (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed twenty-three Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Robert Ainsworth, Mr Julian Brazier, Mr Roger Casale, Mr Tim Collins, Mrs Louise Ellman, Lorna Fitzsimons, Mr Nick Gibb, Ms Patricia Hewitt, Mrs Joan Humble, Mr Alan Johnson, Ms Melanie Johnson, Miss Julie Kirkbride, Mrs Jacqui Lait, Mr Ivan Lewis, Ms Margaret Moran, Mr Mark Oaten, Mr Eric Pickles, Dawn Primarolo, Mrs Barbara Roche, Mr Ian Stewart, Ms Dari Taylor, Ms Claire Ward and Steve Webb.

3 Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill:

    (1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee E, and has appointed Mr Peter Atkinson and Mr Frank Cook Chairmen; and

    (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed twenty-three Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Richard Allan, Mr Joe Ashton, Mr Bob Blizzard, Mr Paul Boateng, Mr David Borrow, Mr Russell Brown, Mr Ian Cawsey, Mr James Clappison, Caroline Flint, Mr Mike Hall, Ann Keen, Mr Edward Leigh, Mr Tom Levitt, Dr Julian Lewis, Laura Moffatt, Kali Mountford, Mr Colin Pickthall, Mr Andrew Robathan, Mr Bob Russell, Angela Smith, Ms Gisela Stuart, Mr Nigel Waterson and Mr Shaun Woodward.

4 Draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission) Order 1999, and the draft European Communities (Immunities and Privileges of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission) Order 1999:

    (1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Orders to the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mrs Irene Adams Chairman; and

    (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Harold Best, Mrs Ann Cryer, Mr Lawrence Cunliffe, Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas, Mr Paul Flynn, Mr Andrew George, Mr Charles Kennedy, Jane Kennedy, Dr Stephen Ladyman, Mr Denis MacShane, Mr Patrick Nicholls, Ms Joyce Quin, Mr Lawrie Quinn, Mrs Caroline Spelman, Mr John Townend and Mr Robert Walter.

5 Draft Apportionment of Money in the National Lottery Distribution Fund Order 1999:

    (1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Bowen Wells Chairman; and

    (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr John Cryer, Mr Jim Dobbin, Mr Jim Dowd, Mr Ronnie Fearn, Ms Fiona Jones, Mr Nigel Jones, Miss Anne McIntosh, Fiona Mactaggart, Mr Ted Rowlands, Mr Martin Salter, Mr Marsha Singh, Mr Chris Smith, Mr Richard Spring, Mr Anthony Steen, Mr Gerry Steinberg and Mr Nigel Waterson.

6 Draft Departments (Northern Ireland) Order 1999:

    (1) The Speaker has allocated the Draft Order to the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Humfrey Malins Chairman; and

    (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed fifteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Dale Campbell-Savours, Mr James Cran, Julia Drown, Mr Mike Gapes, Mr Keith Hill, Dr Brian Iddon, Mr Michael Jack, Mr Fraser Kemp, Mr Eddie McGrady, Mr Bill Michie, Mr Malcolm Moss, Mr Paul Murphy, Mr Lembit Öpik, Mr Alan Simpson and Mr John Wilkinson.

European Standing Committees

Official Journal No. C349, relating to the Court of Auditors Annual Report for 1997, has been referred to European Standing Comittee B, together with European Community Document No. 10786/98 referred to the Committee on 20th January 1999.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1 Defence,—(1) First Report from the Defence Committee [The Strategic Defence Review: Territorial Army Restructuring], 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. 70]; and

    (2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee [The Future of NATO]; to be printed [No. 39-iii]

[Mr Bruce George].

2 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-v] [Mr Malcolm Wicks].

3 Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Sub-Committee of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee [The Future of the UK Shipping Industry]; to be printed [No. 172-ii] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].

4 European Scrutiny,—Seventh Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 34-vii] [Mr Jim Marshall].

5 Health,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Health Committee [Future NHS Staffing Requirements]; to be printed [No. 38-v] [Mr David Hinchliffe].

6 Modernisation of the House of Commons,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on the Modernisation of the House of Commons [The Main Committee]; to be printed [No. 194-i] [Margaret Beckett].

7 Northern Ireland Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee [Operation of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989: Ten Years On]; to be printed [No. 95-iv] [Mr Peter Brooke].

8 Public Accounts,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts [National Insurance Recording System]; to be printed [No. 182-ii] [Mr David Davis].

9 Science and Technology,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee [Engineering and Physical Sciences Based Innovation]; to be printed [No. 17-vii] [Dr Michael Clark].

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 David Clelland);
	And it being Two o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.
2	Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,— Mr Humfrey Malins reported from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Open-Ended Investment Companies (Investment Companies with Variable Capital) (Fees) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 3087) and the Companies (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 3088).
	Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
3	Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Joe Benton reported from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice No. 5) Order 1998.
	Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
4	Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Barry Jones reported from the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Legal Aid (Prescribed Panels) Regulations 1998.
	Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
5	Employment Relations Bill,—Mr Secretary Byers, supported by the Prime Minister, Mr Secretary Prescott, Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Secretary Straw, Mr Secretary Blunkett, Mr Secretary Dewar, Mr Secretary Darling, Mr Secretary Michael and Mr Ian McCartney, presented a Bill to amend the law relating to employment, to trade unions and to employment agencies and businesses: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 36].
	Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Employment Relations Bill be printed [Bill 36-EN].
6	Prophylactic Mastectomy Registry,—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to establish a United Kingdom registry of women who have undergone prophylactic mastectomy surgery: And that Ms Joan Ruddock, Ms Judith Church, Mr Frank Doran, Dr Ian Gibson, Dr Evan Harris, Miss Julie Kirkbride, Dr Ashok Kumar, Ms Jackie Lawrence, Alice Mahon, Laura Moffatt, Ms Julie Morgan and Ms Dari Taylor do prepare and bring it in.
7	Prophylactic Mastectomy Registry Bill,—Ms Joan Ruddock accordingly presented a Bill to establish a United Kingdom registry of women who have undergone prophylactic mastectomy surgery: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 26th February and to be printed [Bill 37].
8	Opposition Day [4th 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.
	Terrorist mutilations in Northern Ireland,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House condemns the alarming increase in the numbers of terrorist beatings, mutilations, shootings, cases of intimidation and instances of people being forced to leave their homes in Northern Ireland; notes that these are being carried out by organisations whose political representatives backed the Belfast Agreement; further notes that these continued attacks are clear breaches of the Belfast Agreement that required a commitment to exclusively democratic and peaceful methods and that terrorist ceasefires had to be complete and unequivocal; recalls that the Prime Minister said that for terrorist organisations to benefit from prisoner release schemes there must be an end of violence including bombings, killings and beatings; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to use its powers contained in the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 to halt the early release of terrorist prisoners until violence in Northern Ireland has ended in all its forms—(Mr Andrew MacKay);
	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 'condemns absolutely the barbaric practice of paramilitary attacks in Northern Ireland; condemns the human and material cost of these assaults and the contempt they demonstrate for the rule of law; notes the commitment made by all parties who endorsed the Good Friday Agreement to "the protection and vindication of the human rights of all"; welcomes the Government's determination to fulfil its responsibilities under the Good Friday Agreement in this as in every other area; and calls on all people, parties and organisations to use all their influence to bring these attacks to an immediate stop, to help the police in any way they can, and to work to build on the Good Friday Agreement to create a society in Northern Ireland where such attacks are a thing of the past', instead thereof.—(Secretary Marjorie Mowlam.)
	And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mrs Caroline Spelman, Mr Stephen Day: 141.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Jamieson, Mr Greg Pope: 343.
	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 condemns absolutely the barbaric practice of paramilitary attacks in Northern Ireland; condemns the human and material cost of these assaults and the contempt they demonstrate for the rule of law; notes the commitment made by all parties who endorsed the Good Friday Agreement to 'the protection and vindication of the human rights of all'; welcomes the Government's determination to fulfil its responsibilities under the Good Friday Agreement in this as in every other area; and calls on all people, parties and organisations to use all their influence to bring these attacks to an immediate stop, to help the police in any way they can, and to work to build on the Good Friday Agreement to create a society in Northern Ireland where such attacks are a thing of the past.
	London Underground,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House condemns the Government's delay in the financial restructuring of London Underground; calls on it to put forward plans, as soon as possible, for the private finance and operation of the Underground; condemns its handling of the completion of the Jubilee Line; and abhors the abolition of financial support from 2000 with no alternative sources of funding in place—(Mr Richard Ottaway);
	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 'notes that the Government inherited a substantial investment backlog in London Underground and that this backlog arose from the previous Government's ideological antipathy to public expenditure and unwillingness to seek genuine and viable partnership between the public and private sectors; welcomes the Government's rejection of the Conservatives' policy of wholesale privatisation and applauds it for its thoroughgoing investigation of a public-private partnership as a means to secure necessary investment funds; notes that by providing additional funding of £365 million and that by bringing forward two Private Finance Initiative deals on ticketing and the power distribution system, the Government has already ensured that the Underground will benefit from around £1 billion of investment over the next two years; and is confident that the present Government's approach to London Underground will secure value for money for passengers and the taxpayer and give Londoners an underground system which meets their needs, is fast, reliable, comfortable and worthy of such a great capital city', instead thereof.—(Dr John Reid.)
	And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Stephen Day, Mrs Caroline Spelman: 130.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 335.
	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);
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 290.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr Stephen Day, Mrs Caroline Spelman: 159.
	So the Question was agreed to.
	The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.
	Resolved, That this House notes that the Government inherited a substantial investment backlog in London Underground and that this backlog arose from the previous Government's ideological antipathy to public expenditure and unwillingness to seek genuine and viable partnership between the public and private sectors; welcomes the Government's rejection of the Conservatives' policy of wholesale privatisation and applauds it for its thoroughgoing investigation of a public-private partnership as a means to secure necessary investment funds; notes that by providing additional funding of £365 million and that by bringing forward two Private Finance Initiative deals on ticketing and the power distribution system, the Government has already ensured that the Underground will benefit from around £1 billion of investment over the next two years; and is confident that the present Government's approach to London Underground will secure value for money for passengers and the taxpayer and give Londoners an underground system which meets their needs, is fast, reliable, comfortable and worthy of such a great capital city.
6	Business of the House,—Ordered, That the Business of the House Order of 25th January shall apply also to the Motion in the name of Mr Secretary Darling relating to the draft Social Security Benefits Up-rating (No. 2) Order 1999 tabled on 26th January.—(Mr Clive Betts.)
7	Hallmark,—Ordered, That the Hallmarking (Hallmarking Act Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 2978) be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.—(Mr Clive Betts.)
8	Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Clive Betts.)
	And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till ten minutes to Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 10.50 p.m.
*Betty Boothroyd* *Speaker*
Madam Speaker will take the Chair at half-past Eleven o'clock.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
1	Countryside Agency,—Draft Development Commission (Transfer of Functions and Miscellaneous Provisions) Order 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
2	Town and Country Planning,—Channel Tunnel Rail Link (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 107), dated 18th January 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
Other Papers:
3	Education (Scotland),—Paper, entitled Targeting Excellence—Modernising Scotland's Schools: A Consultation Document [by Command] [Cm. 4247] [Mr Secretary Dewar].
4	Food Standards Agency,—Paper, entitled the Food Standards Agency: consultation on draft legislation [by Command] [Cm. 4249] [Mr Nicholas Brown].
5	Miscellaneous (No. 18, 1999),—Agreement, done at Tallinn on 23rd February 1995 and Stockholm on 23rd April 1996, between the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden, regarding the M/S Estonia, with Additional Protocol, and an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Cm. 4252] [Mr Secretary Cook].
6	Museums and Galleries,—Paper containing the indemnification of works of art lent to the National Portrait Gallery for its Spring Exhibition of works by Sir John Everett Millais [by Command] [Mr Secretary Smith].
7	Treaty Series (No. 4, 1999),—Agreement, done at London on 29th April 1998, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the State of Bahrain concerning Air Services [by Command] [Cm. 4250] [Mr Secretary Cook].
8	Treaty Series (No. 5, 1999),—Administrative Agreement, done at Bonn on 18th March 1993, to Implement Article 60 of the Agreement of 3rd August 1959, as amended by the Agreements of 21st October 1971, 18th May 1981 and 18th March 1993, to Supplement the Agreement between the Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty regarding the Status of their Forces with respect to Foreign Forces stationed in the Federal Republic of Germany [by Command] [Cm. 4251] [Mr Secretary Cook].
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
1	Scottish Enterprise Bill:
	(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to the First Scottish Standing Committee, and has appointed Mr Andrew Welsh Chairman; and
	(2) the Committee of Selection has appointed twenty-five Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mrs Irene Adams, Miss Anne Begg, Mr Russell Brown, Mr Desmond Browne, Mr Ian Bruce, Mr Malcolm Chisholm, Mr Eric Clarke, Mr Michael Connarty, Mr Stephen Day, Dr Norman A. Godman, Mr Donald Gorrie, Mr Dominic Grieve, Mr John Home Robertson, Mr Oliver Letwin, Mr Calum Macdonald, Mrs Anne McGuire, Rosemary McKenna, Mr David Marshall, Dr Lewis Moonie, Mr Alasdair Morgan, Mrs Sandra Osborne, Mr Laurence Robertson, Mr Ernie Ross, Sir Robert Smith and Mr Desmond Swayne.
2	Tax Credits Bill:
	(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee D, and has appointed Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody and Mrs Marion Roe Chairmen; and
	(2) the Committee of Selection has appointed twenty-three Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Robert Ainsworth, Mr Julian Brazier, Mr Roger Casale, Mr Tim Collins, Mrs Louise Ellman, Lorna Fitzsimons, Mr Nick Gibb, Ms Patricia Hewitt, Mrs Joan Humble, Mr Alan Johnson, Ms Melanie Johnson, Miss Julie Kirkbride, Mrs Jacqui Lait, Mr Ivan Lewis, Ms Margaret Moran, Mr Mark Oaten, Mr Eric Pickles, Dawn Primarolo, Mrs Barbara Roche, Mr Ian Stewart, Ms Dari Taylor, Ms Claire Ward and Steve Webb.
3	Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill:
	(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee E, and has appointed Mr Peter Atkinson and Mr Frank Cook Chairmen; and
	(2) the Committee of Selection has appointed twenty-three Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Richard Allan, Mr Joe Ashton, Mr Bob Blizzard, Mr Paul Boateng, Mr David Borrow, Mr Russell Brown, Mr Ian Cawsey, Mr James Clappison, Caroline Flint, Mr Mike Hall, Ann Keen, Mr Edward Leigh, Mr Tom Levitt, Dr Julian Lewis, Laura Moffatt, Kali Mountford, Mr Colin Pickthall, Mr Andrew Robathan, Mr Bob Russell, Angela Smith, Ms Gisela Stuart, Mr Nigel Waterson and Mr Shaun Woodward.
4	Draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission) Order 1999, and the draft European Communities (Immunities and Privileges of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission) Order 1999:
	(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Orders to the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mrs Irene Adams Chairman; and
	(2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Harold Best, Mrs Ann Cryer, Mr Lawrence Cunliffe, Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas, Mr Paul Flynn, Mr Andrew George, Mr Charles Kennedy, Jane Kennedy, Dr Stephen Ladyman, Mr Denis MacShane, Mr Patrick Nicholls, Ms Joyce Quin, Mr Lawrie Quinn, Mrs Caroline Spelman, Mr John Townend and Mr Robert Walter.
5	Draft Apportionment of Money in the National Lottery Distribution Fund Order 1999:
	(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Bowen Wells Chairman; and
	(2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr John Cryer, Mr Jim Dobbin, Mr Jim Dowd, Mr Ronnie Fearn, Ms Fiona Jones, Mr Nigel Jones, Miss Anne McIntosh, Fiona Mactaggart, Mr Ted Rowlands, Mr Martin Salter, Mr Marsha Singh, Mr Chris Smith, Mr Richard Spring, Mr Anthony Steen, Mr Gerry Steinberg and Mr Nigel Waterson.
6	Draft Departments (Northern Ireland) Order 1999:
	(1) The Speaker has allocated the Draft Order to the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Humfrey Malins Chairman; and
	(2) the Committee of Selection has appointed fifteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Dale Campbell-Savours, Mr James Cran, Julia Drown, Mr Mike Gapes, Mr Keith Hill, Dr Brian Iddon, Mr Michael Jack, Mr Fraser Kemp, Mr Eddie McGrady, Mr Bill Michie, Mr Malcolm Moss, Mr Paul Murphy, Mr Lembit Öpik, Mr Alan Simpson and Mr John Wilkinson.
European Standing Committees
	Official Journal No. C349, relating to the Court of Auditors Annual Report for 1997, has been referred to European Standing Comittee B, together with European Community Document No. 10786/98 referred to the Committee on 20th January 1999.
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
1	Defence,—(1) First Report from the Defence Committee [The Strategic Defence Review: Territorial Army Restructuring], 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. 70]; and
	(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee [The Future of NATO]; to be printed [No. 39-iii]
	[Mr Bruce George].
2	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-v] [Mr Malcolm Wicks].
3	Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Sub-Committee of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee [The Future of the UK Shipping Industry]; to be printed [No. 172-ii] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].
4	European Scrutiny,—Seventh Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 34-vii] [Mr Jim Marshall].
5	Health,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Health Committee [Future NHS Staffing Requirements]; to be printed [No. 38-v] [Mr David Hinchliffe].
6	Modernisation of the House of Commons,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on the Modernisation of the House of Commons [The Main Committee]; to be printed [No. 194-i] [Margaret Beckett].
7	Northern Ireland Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee [Operation of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989: Ten Years On]; to be printed [No. 95-iv] [Mr Peter Brooke].
8	Public Accounts,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts [National Insurance Recording System]; to be printed [No. 182-ii] [Mr David Davis].
9	Science and Technology,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee [Engineering and Physical Sciences Based Innovation]; to be printed [No. 17-vii] [Dr Michael Clark].



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