Votes and Proceedings

House of Commons

Session 1998-99
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House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Monday 1st March 1999

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

PRAYERS.

1 Review of the Revisions to the Average Earnings Index,—Ordered, That there be laid before this House a Return of a Report on the revision of the average earnings index, conducted by Sir Andrew Turnbull and Mr Mervyn King.—(Mr Jim Dowd.)

2 First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr John Butterfill reported from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 1999, the draft Scottish Parliament (Disqualification) Order 1999, and the draft Scottish Parliament (First Ordinary General Election and First Meeting) Order 1999.

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

3 Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Bill Olner reported from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Trade Union Subscriptions Deductions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999.

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

4 Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, not amended in the Committee and as amended in the Standing Committee.

    A Clause (Defences available to persons who are under age)—(Mr Paul Boateng)—brought up, and read the first time.

    Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 274.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr Desmond Swayne, Dr Julian Lewis: 64.

    Clause added to the Bill.

    Amendment (No. 1) made to the Bill.

    Another Amendment (No. 4) proposed to the Bill, in page 3, line 22, after the word 'full-time', to insert the words 'or part time'.—(Mr James Clappison.)

    Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

    Other Amendments (Nos. 6 to 9) made to the Bill.

    A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That the Bill be now read the third time;

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mrs Anne McGuire, Mr Jim Dowd: 281.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Teresa Gorman, Mr Desmond Swayne: 82.

    So the Question was agreed to.

    The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.

5 Scottish Enterprise Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Scottish Enterprise Bill, not amended in the Standing Committee.

    The Bill was read the third time, and passed.

6 Income Tax,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That the Corporation Tax (Instalment Payments) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 3175), dated 17th December 1998, a copy of which was laid before this House on 17th December, be revoked—(Mr Nick Gibb);

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John M. Taylor, Mr Tim Collins: 130.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr Graham Allen, Mr Mike Hall: 289.

    So the Question was negatived.

7 Government Trading Funds,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft National Health Service Estate Management and Health Building Agency Trading Fund Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 3rd February, be approved—(Mr David Jamieson):—It was agreed to.

8 Local Government Finance,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 39) (House of Commons Paper No. 213), which was laid before this House on 4th February, be approved—(Mr David Jamieson);

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Graham Allen, Mr Mike Hall: 274.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr John Bercow, Mr David Ruffley: 29.

    So the Question was agreed to.

    Resolved, That the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 39) (House of Commons Paper No. 213), which was laid before this House on 4th February, be approved.

9 European Communities,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 8th February, be approved—(Mr David Jamieson):—It was agreed to.

10 Northern Ireland,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Appropriation (Northern Ireland) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 15th February, be approved—(Mr David Jamieson):—It was agreed to.

11 Court of Auditors Report,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 119 (European Standing Committees), That this House takes note of European Community Documents OJ No. C349, European Court of Auditors Annual Report on the financial year 1997, Nos. 14031/98, Draft Council Regulation establishing a European Fraud Investigation Office, and 10786/98, Special Report No. 9/98 of the European Court of Auditors concerning the protection of the financial interests of the European Union in the field of VAT on intra-Community trade; and supports the Government's continuing efforts to promote and support measures to improve financial management and fight fraud against the EU Budget—(Mr David Jamieson);

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Graham Allen, Mr Mike Hall: 291.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr John Bercow, Mr David Ruffley: 15.

    So the Question was agreed to.

    Resolved, That this House takes note of European Community Documents OJ No. C349, European Court of Auditors Annual Report on the financial year 1997, Nos. 14031/98, Draft Council Regulation establishing a European Fraud Investigation Office, and 10786/98, Special Report No. 9/98 of the European Court of Auditors concerning the protection of the financial interests of the European Union in the field of VAT on intra-Community trade; and supports the Government's continuing efforts to promote and support measures to improve financial management and fight fraud against the EU Budget.

12 Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr David Jamieson.)

    And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-eight minutes to midnight, adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 11.32 p.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 Succession (Scotland),—Prior Rights of Surviving Spouse (Scotland) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 445), dated 17th February 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

Other Papers:

2 Law Commission,—Report of the Law Commission and the Scottish Law Commission on Statute Law Revision: Report on the Chronological Table of Private and Personal Acts [by Command] [Cm. 4263] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon].

3 Long Term Care (Royal Commission),—Report of the Royal Commission on Long Term Care: With Respect to Old Age, Long Term Care—Rights and Responsibilities (Report and Research Volumes 1, 2 and 3) [by Command] [Cm. 4192-I; -II/1; -II/2 and -II/3] [Mr Secretary Straw].

4 National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Inheritance Tax: A Progress Report [by Act]; to be printed [No. 251] [Clerk of the House].

5 National Health Service,—Statement of Guarantee given by the Secretary of State for Health on 25th February 1999 on loans proposed to be raised by the Isle of Wight Healthcare National Health Service Trust [by Act] ]Mr Secretary Dobson].

6 Railways,—Report of the Rail Users' Consultative Committee for Wales for 1997-98 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

7 Stephen Lawrence (Macpherson Inquiry),—Revised Appendices to the Report of an Inquiry by Sir William Macpherson of Cluny: the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry [by Command] [Cm. 4262-II (Revised)] [Mr Secretary Straw].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1 Protection of Children Bill,—The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee C.

2 Company and Business Names (Chamber of Commerce, Etc.) Bill,—The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee C.

3 Draft Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Terry Lewis from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas.

4 Draft Energy Efficiency (Northern Ireland) Order 1999,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Jamie Cann from the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Mr Robin Corbett.

5 Draft Northern Ireland (Modification of Enactments No. 1) Order 1999,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mrs Clair Curtis-Thomas from the Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Mr Paul Clark.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

Public Accounts,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts [NHS Executive: Cost Over-Runs, Funding Problems and Delays on Guy's Hospital Phase III Development]; to be printed [No. 289-i] [Mr David Davis].

The House met at half-past Two o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1	Review of the Revisions to the Average Earnings Index,—Ordered, That there be laid before this House a Return of a Report on the revision of the average earnings index, conducted by Sir Andrew Turnbull and Mr Mervyn King.—(Mr Jim Dowd.)
2	First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr John Butterfill reported from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 1999, the draft Scottish Parliament (Disqualification) Order 1999, and the draft Scottish Parliament (First Ordinary General Election and First Meeting) Order 1999.
	Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
3	Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Bill Olner reported from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Trade Union Subscriptions Deductions (Northern Ireland) Order 1999.
	Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
4	Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, not amended in the Committee and as amended in the Standing Committee.
	A Clause (Defences available to persons who are under age)—(Mr Paul Boateng)—brought up, and read the first time.
	Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 274.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr Desmond Swayne, Dr Julian Lewis: 64.
	Clause added to the Bill.
	Amendment (No. 1) made to the Bill.
	Another Amendment (No. 4) proposed to the Bill, in page 3, line 22, after the word 'full-time', to insert the words 'or part time'.—(Mr James Clappison.)
	Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
	Other Amendments (Nos. 6 to 9) made to the Bill.
	A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That the Bill be now read the third time;
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mrs Anne McGuire, Mr Jim Dowd: 281.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Teresa Gorman, Mr Desmond Swayne: 82.
	So the Question was agreed to.
	The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.
5	Scottish Enterprise Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Scottish Enterprise Bill, not amended in the Standing Committee.
	The Bill was read the third time, and passed.
6	Income Tax,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That the Corporation Tax (Instalment Payments) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 3175), dated 17th December 1998, a copy of which was laid before this House on 17th December, be revoked—(Mr Nick Gibb);
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John M. Taylor, Mr Tim Collins: 130.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr Graham Allen, Mr Mike Hall: 289.
	So the Question was negatived.
7	Government Trading Funds,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft National Health Service Estate Management and Health Building Agency Trading Fund Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 3rd February, be approved—(Mr David Jamieson):—It was agreed to.
8	Local Government Finance,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 39) (House of Commons Paper No. 213), which was laid before this House on 4th February, be approved—(Mr David Jamieson);
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Graham Allen, Mr Mike Hall: 274.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr John Bercow, Mr David Ruffley: 29.
	So the Question was agreed to.
	Resolved, That the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 39) (House of Commons Paper No. 213), which was laid before this House on 4th February, be approved.
9	European Communities,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 8th February, be approved—(Mr David Jamieson):—It was agreed to.
10	Northern Ireland,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Appropriation (Northern Ireland) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 15th February, be approved—(Mr David Jamieson):—It was agreed to.
11	Court of Auditors Report,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 119 (European Standing Committees), That this House takes note of European Community Documents OJ No. C349, European Court of Auditors Annual Report on the financial year 1997, Nos. 14031/98, Draft Council Regulation establishing a European Fraud Investigation Office, and 10786/98, Special Report No. 9/98 of the European Court of Auditors concerning the protection of the financial interests of the European Union in the field of VAT on intra-Community trade; and supports the Government's continuing efforts to promote and support measures to improve financial management and fight fraud against the EU Budget—(Mr David Jamieson);
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Graham Allen, Mr Mike Hall: 291.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr John Bercow, Mr David Ruffley: 15.
	So the Question was agreed to.
	Resolved, That this House takes note of European Community Documents OJ No. C349, European Court of Auditors Annual Report on the financial year 1997, Nos. 14031/98, Draft Council Regulation establishing a European Fraud Investigation Office, and 10786/98, Special Report No. 9/98 of the European Court of Auditors concerning the protection of the financial interests of the European Union in the field of VAT on intra-Community trade; and supports the Government's continuing efforts to promote and support measures to improve financial management and fight fraud against the EU Budget.
12	Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr David Jamieson.)
	And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-eight minutes to midnight, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 11.32 p.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	Succession (Scotland),—Prior Rights of Surviving Spouse (Scotland) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 445), dated 17th February 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].
Other Papers:
2	Law Commission,—Report of the Law Commission and the Scottish Law Commission on Statute Law Revision: Report on the Chronological Table of Private and Personal Acts [by Command] [Cm. 4263] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon].
3	Long Term Care (Royal Commission),—Report of the Royal Commission on Long Term Care: With Respect to Old Age, Long Term Care—Rights and Responsibilities (Report and Research Volumes 1, 2 and 3) [by Command] [Cm. 4192-I; -II/1; -II/2 and -II/3] [Mr Secretary Straw].
4	National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Inheritance Tax: A Progress Report [by Act]; to be printed [No. 251] [Clerk of the House].
5	National Health Service,—Statement of Guarantee given by the Secretary of State for Health on 25th February 1999 on loans proposed to be raised by the Isle of Wight Healthcare National Health Service Trust [by Act] ]Mr Secretary Dobson].
6	Railways,—Report of the Rail Users' Consultative Committee for Wales for 1997-98 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
7	Stephen Lawrence (Macpherson Inquiry),—Revised Appendices to the Report of an Inquiry by Sir William Macpherson of Cluny: the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry [by Command] [Cm. 4262-II (Revised)] [Mr Secretary Straw].
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
1	Protection of Children Bill,—The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee C.
2	Company and Business Names (Chamber of Commerce, Etc.) Bill,—The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee C.
3	Draft Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Terry Lewis from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas.
4	Draft Energy Efficiency (Northern Ireland) Order 1999,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Jamie Cann from the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Mr Robin Corbett.
5	Draft Northern Ireland (Modification of Enactments No. 1) Order 1999,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mrs Clair Curtis-Thomas from the Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Mr Paul Clark.
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
	Public Accounts,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts [NHS Executive: Cost Over-Runs, Funding Problems and Delays on Guy's Hospital Phase III Development]; to be printed [No. 289-i] [Mr David Davis].



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