Votes and Proceedings

House of Commons

Session 1998-99
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House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Wednesday 10th March 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 Jim Dowd);

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

2 Company and Business Names (Chamber of Commerce, Etc.) Bill,—Mr Andrew Welsh reported from Standing Committee B, That it had gone through the Company and Business Names (Chamber of Commerce, Etc.) Bill, and directed him to report the same, without Amendment.

    Bill, not amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered on Friday 7th May.

    Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 316].

3 Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Peter Atkinson reported from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Local Authorities (Alteration of Requisite Calculations) (England) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 228).

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

4 Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Jim Cunningham reported from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Establishment and Constitution) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 220), and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 260).

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

5 Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Bowen Wells reported from the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (Proposals under section 211 of the Education Act 1996) (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 1998.

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

6 Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mrs Ray Michie reported from the Fifth Standing on Delegated Legislation the Public Lending Right (Increase of Limit) Order 1999.

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

7 European Standing Committee A,—Mr Roger Gale reported from European Standing Committee A the following Resolution: That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 10778/98, the Commission White Paper: Fair Payment for Infrastructure Use: A phased approach to a common transport infrastructure charging framework in the EU; and endorses the Government's approach to discussions on the document.

    Report, together with Resolution, to lie upon the Table.

8 Mental Health (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill,—Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Mental Health (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill be printed [Bill 14-EN].

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

    Commonwealth Development Corporation Bill [Lords],—The Lords have passed a Bill to make provision about the Commonwealth Development Corporation; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.

10 Commonwealth Development Corporation Bill [Lords],—The Commonwealth Development Corporation Bill [Lords] was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 60].

    Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Commonwealth Development Corporation Bill [Lords] be printed [Bill 60-EN].

11 Royal Assent,—The Speaker notified the House, in accordance with the Royal Assent Act 1967, That Her Majesty had signified her Royal Assent to the following Act, agreed upon by both Houses:

    Road Traffic (NHS Charges) Act 1999.

12 Lifelong Learning (Participation and Entitlement),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to establish an entitlement to paid educational leave for people in employment; to secure comparable treatment for full- and part-time students in institutions of further and higher education; and for connected purposes: And that Mr David Chaytor, Mr Dennis Turner, Mr Allan Rogers, Mr Harry Barnes, Mr Michael Foster (Worcester), Ms Jenny Jones, Mr Kelvin Hopkins, Mr Gareth R. Thomas, Mr Derek Twigg and Mr Phil Willis do prepare and bring it in.

13 Lifelong Learning (Participation and Entitlement) Bill,—Mr David Chaytor accordingly presented a Bill to establish an entitlement to paid educational leave for people in employment; secure comparable treatment for full- and part-time students in institutions of further and higher education; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 23rd April and to be printed [Bill 59].

14 Treatment of End of Life Vehicles,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 119 (European Standing Committees), That this House endorses the Government's view that the draft Directive on end of life vehicles, European Union Document No. 11034/97, rightly seeks to achieve important environmental improvements; and supports the Government's intention to agree a Common Position on this draft Directive at the next Environment Council on 11th March—(Mr Clive Betts);

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Hanson, Mr Greg Pope: 266.

    Tellers for the Noes, Sir David Madel, Mrs Caroline Spelman: 107.

    So the Question was agreed to.

    Resolved, That this House endorses the Government's view that the draft Directive on end of life vehicles, European Union Document No. 11034/97, rightly seeks to achieve important environmental improvements; and supports the Government's intention to agree a Common Position on this draft Directive at the next Environment Council on 11th March.

15 Ways and Means,—Amendment of the law,—The Order of the day being read, for resuming the adjourned Debate on the Question proposed yesterday, That it is expedient to amend the law with respect to the National Debt and the public revenue and to make further provision in connection with finance; but this Resolution does not extend to the making of any amendment with respect to value added tax so as to provide—

    (a) for zero-rating or exempting a supply, acquisition or importation;

    (b) for refunding an amount of tax;

    (c) for varying any rate at which that tax is at any time chargeable; or

    (d) for any relief, other than a relief which—

    (i) so far as it is applicable to goods, applies to goods of every description; and

    (ii) so far as it is applicable to services, applies to services of every description;

    And the Question being again proposed:—The House resumed the adjourned Debate.

    Ordered, That the Debate be now adjourned.—(Mr David Hanson.)

    Debate to be resumed to-morrow.

16 Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Davind Hanson.)

    And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-six minutes past Ten o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 10.26 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 Local Government Finance,—Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 45) (Metropolitan Railway Passenger Services Grant 1999/2000) [by Act]; to be printed [No. 305] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

2 Road Traffic,—Traffic Areas (Reorganisation) (Wales) Order 1999, dated 9th March 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

3 Social Security,—Draft Social Security (Incapacity, Earnings and Work Trials) Pilot Schemes Regulations 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling].

4 Terms and Conditions of Employment,—Draft National Minimum Wage (Offshore Employment) Order 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

5 Building Societies,—Building Societies (General Charge and Fees) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 738), dated 9th March 1999 [by Act] [Patricia Hewitt].

6 Council Tax,—(1) Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 534), and

    (2) Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) (Amendment) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 536),

dated 3rd March 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

7 Education,—(1) Education (Education Standards Grants) (Wales) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 521), dated 5th March 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Michael];

    (2) Education (Grant-maintained and Grant-maintained Special Schools) (Grants) (England) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 698), dated 6th March 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]; and

    (3) Education (Transfer of Functions Concerning School Lunches) (Wales) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 610), dated 8th March 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Michael].

8 European Communities,—(1) Highlands and Islands Agricultural Programme Amendment Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 647), and

    (2) Rural Diversification Programme (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 651),

dated 4th March 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

9 Financial Services,—Public Offers of Securities (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 734), dated 9th March 1999 [by Act] [Patricia Hewitt].

10 Food,—Meat Products (Hygiene) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 683), dated 9th March 1999 [by Act] [Mr Nicholas Brown].

11 Friendly Societies,—Friendly Societies (General Charge and Fees) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 736), dated 9th March 1999 [by Act] [Patricia Hewitt].

12 Income Tax,—Capital Allowances (Corresponding Northern Ireland Grants) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 719), dated 10th March 1999 [by Act] [Mrs Barbara Roche].

13 Industrial and Provident Societies,—(1) Industrial and Provident Societies (Credit Unions) (Fees) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 739), and

    (2) Industrial and Provident Societies (Fees) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 740)

dated 9th March 1999 [by Act] [Patricia Hewitt].

14 Local Government,—(1) Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 500), dated 1st March 1999, and

    (2) Local Government (Parishes and Parish Councils) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 545), dated 4th March 1999

[by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

15 Magistrates' Courts,—Magistrates' Courts (Hearsay Evidence in Civil Proceedings) Rules 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 681), dated 9th March 1999 [by Act] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon].

16 Medicines,—Medicines (Sale or Supply) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 644), dated 8th March 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson].

17 National Health Service,—(1) National Health Service (Functions of Health Authorities and Administration Arrangements) Amendment Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 628), dated 8th March 1999,

    (2) National Health Service (General Ophthalmic Services) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 693), dated 9th March 1999,

    (3) National Health Service Information Authority (Establishment and Constitution) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 695), dated 9th March 1999,

    (4) National Health Service Information Authority Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 694), dated 9th March 1999,

    (5) National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) Amendment Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 696), dated 9th March 1999,

    (6) Northumbria Health Care National Health Service Trust (Transfer of Trust Property) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 627), dated 8th March 1999, and

    (7) Southern Derbyshire Acute Hospitals National Health Service Trust (Transfer of Trust Property) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 721), dated 8th March 1999

[by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson].

18 National Health Service (Scotland),—Scottish Ambulance Service Board Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 686), dated 4th March 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

19 Offshore Installations,—Offshore Installations (Safety Zones) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 547), dated 1st March 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

20 Pensions,—Local Government (Discretionary Payments) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 502), dated 2nd March 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

21 Police,—Police Act 1996 (Commencement and Transitional Provisions) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 533), dated 3rd March 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw].

22 Rates,—Rates (Regional Rates) Order (Northern Ireland) 1999 (S.R.(N.I.), 1999, No. 86), dated 25th February 1999 [by Act] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].

23 Road Traffic,—(1) Motor Cycles (Eye Protectors) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 535), dated 3rd March 1999, and

    (2) Road Vehicles (Statutory Off-Road Notification) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 713), dated 9th March 1999

[by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

24 Sea Fisheries,—Calshot Oyster Fishery (Variation) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 697), dated 9th March 1999 [by Act] [Mr Nicholas Brown].

25 Social Security,—Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Dependency) (Permitted Earnings Limits) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 529), dated 2nd March 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling].

26 Terms and Conditions of Employment,—Agricultural Wages Act 1948 (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 712), dated 10th March 1999 [by Act] [Mr Nicholas Brown].

Other Papers:

27 Air Force (Constitution),—Regulations of the Defence Council amending Air Publication 3376, Trade Structure of the Royal Air Force [by Act] [Mr Secretary Robertson].

28 Appropriations in Aid,—Treasury Minute, dated 10th March 1999, directing the application of certain receipts as appropriations in aid of the Votes specified in the revised Spring Supplementary Estimates for 1998-99 [by Act] [Mrs Barbara Roche].

29 National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Audit of the General Budget of the European Union for 1997 and Related Developments [by Act]; to be printed [No. 279] [Clerk of the House].

30 National Health Service,—Statements of Guarantee given by the Secretary of State for Health on 8th March 1999 on loans proposed to be raised by the following National Health Service Trusts—

    (1) Cornwall Healthcare,

    (2) Havering Hospitals,

    (3) Lincolnshire Ambulance and Health Transport Service,

    (4) North Tees and Hartlepool,

    (5) Royal Shrewsbury Hospitals,

    (6) Swindon and Marlborough, and

    (7) Tees and North East Yorkshire

[by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson].

31 Public Accounts,—Treasury Minute on the First to Third Reports from the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 1998-99 [by Command] [Cm. 4285] [Dawn Primarolo].

32 Public Health,—Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning) (No. 2) Order 1998 Partial Revocation Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 649), dated 4th March 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

33 Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for Scotland on the Petition [3rd December] from the Hospitalfield Area Residents Committee relating to environmental problems in the Hospitalfield area [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].

34 School Inspections,—Report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools in Wales for 1997-98 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 287] [Mr Secretary Michael].

35 Supply Estimates, 1998-99,—Revised Spring Supplementary Estimates for 1998-99 [by Command]; to be printed [No. 310] [Mrs Barbara Roche].

36 Supreme Court (Northern Ireland),—Land Purchase Account of the Supreme Court of Judicature, Northern Ireland, for 1997-98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 315] [Clerk of the House].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1 Local Authorities (Alteration of Requisite Calculations) (England) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 228),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Robin Corbett from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Regulations); and nominated in substitution Mr Jamie Cann.

2 National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Establishment and Constitution) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 220), and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 260),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Jeremy Corbyn from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Order and Regulations); and nominated in substitution Mr Michael Foster (Hastings and Rye).

3 Trustee Delegation Bill [Lords],—The Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Second Reading Committee, viz.: Ms Hazel Blears, Mr John Burnett, Mr Robin Corbett, Mr Keith Darvill, Mr Edward Garnier, Mrs Linda Gilroy, Mr Keith Hill, Mr Geoffrey Hoon, Mr David Kidney, Mr David Lock, Fiona Mactaggart, Mr Andrew Rowe, Bob Russell, Mr John M. Taylor, Dr Alan Whitehead and Mr David Wilshire.

European Standing Committees

4 The unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum submitted by the Department of Trade and Industry on 17th April 1998 relating to Reform of the Structural Funds, together with the unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum submitted by the Department of Trade and Industry on 17th April 1998 relating to Agenda 2000: Cohesion Fund Amendment, together with European Union Document No. 5480/99 relating to the European Regional Development Fund, have been referred to European Standing Committee C.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1 Agriculture,—(1) First Special Report from the Agriculture Committee [Government Observations on the First Report from the Committee, on MAFF/Intervention Board Departmental Report 1998 and the Comprehensive Spending Review]; to be printed [No. 312];

    (2) Second Special Report from the Committee [The Committee's Work, Session 1997-98], together with an Appendix; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 313];

    (3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Badgers and Bovine Turberculosis]; to be printed [No. 233-iv]; and

    (4) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Sea Fishing; Badgers and Bovine Tuberculosis]

[Mr Peter Luff].

2 Defence,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee [Security of Supply: The Award of a Propellant Contract]; to be printed [No. 274-ii] [Mr Bruce George].

3 Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Sub-Committee [Aviation Safety]; to be printed [No. 275-i] [Mr Andrew F. Bennett].

4 European Scrutiny,—Twelfth Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Commitee relating to the Report [No. 34-xii] [Mr Jimmy Hood].

5 Food Standards,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Food Standards Committee [Draft Food Standards Bill]; to be printed [No. 276-vi] [Mr Kevin Barron].

6 Home Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Home Affairs Committee [Police Training and Recruitment]; to be printed [No. 81-v] [Mr Chris Mullin].

7 Northern Ireland Affairs,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee [Northern Ireland Electricity: Christmas and New Year Failure of Supplies]; to be printed [No. 227-ii];

    (2) Further Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee on 25th November and 13th January [Public Expenditure: Special Educational Needs]; to be printed [No. 317]; and

    (3) Papers laid before the Committee [Public Expenditure: Special Educational Needs]

[Mr Peter Brooke].

8 Science and Technology,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee [The Scientific Advisory System: Genetically Modified Foods]; to be printed [No. 286-iii] [Dr Michael Clark].

9 Scottish Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Scottish Affairs Committee [Inward/Outward Investment in Scotland]; to be printed [No. 84-x] [Mr David Marshall].

CORRIGENDUM

In the Votes and Proceedings of 3rd March, in Appendix II, the following items should have appeared:—

Rents Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 6),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr John Austin from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Order); and nominated in substitution Mr Paul Marsden.

School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (Proposals under section 211 of the Education Act 1996) (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 3172),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Ms Jackie Lawrence and Mr Paul Truswell from the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Regulations); and nominated in substitution Mrs Liz Blackman and Mr Peter Bradley.

Draft Northern Ireland (Modification of Enactments No. 1) Order 1999,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Jim Dobbin from the Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Mr Gordon Marsden.



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