Votes and Proceedings

House of Commons

Session 1998-99
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House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Wednesday 24th 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 David Jamieson);

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

2 Protection of Children Bill,—Mr Bill O'Brien reported from Standing Committee C, That it had gone through the Protection of Children Bill, and made Amendments thereunto.

    Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered on Friday 30th April; and to be printed [Bill 75].

    Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 353].

3 Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Bill O'Brien reported from the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Limit in Relation to Licences to Provide Radio Multiplex Services Order 1999.

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

4 Seventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Edward O'Hara reported from the Seventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 (Specified Organisations) Order 1999, and the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1996 (Amendment) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 525).

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

5 Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Barry Jones reported from the Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Traffic Areas (Reorganisation) (Wales) Order 1999.

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

6 Ninth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Frank Cook reported from the Ninth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft National Minimum Wage (Offshore Employment) Order 1999.

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

7 Tenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Bowen Wells reported from the Tenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Social Security (Incapacity, Earnings and Work Trials) Pilot Scheme Regulations 1999.

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

8 European Standing Committee A,—Mrs Ray Michie reported from European Standing Committee A the following Resolution: That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 6378/98, relating to a draft Directive amending Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms; and endorses the Government's approach in the negotiations.

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

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

    Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Bill [Lords],—The Lords have passed a Bill to provide for the referral of offenders under 18 to youth offender panels; to make provision in connection with the giving of evidence or information for the purposes of criminal proceedings; to make pre-consolidation amendments relating to youth justice; and for connected purposes; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.

    Disability Rights Commission Bill [Lords],—The Lords have passed a Bill to establish a Disability Rights Commission and make provision as to its functions; and for connected purposes; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.

    The Lords have agreed to the Amendments made to this House to the City of Westminster Bill [Lords], without Amendment.

10 Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Bill [Lords],—The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Bill [Lords] was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 74].

    Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Bill [Lords] be printed [Bill 74-EN].

11 Disability Rights Commission Bill [Lords],—The Disability Rights Commission Bill [Lords] was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 73].

    Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Disability Rights Commission Bill be printed [Bill 73-EN].

12 Energy Conservation (Housing) Bill,—The Order for reading the Energy Conservation (Housing) Bill a second time on Friday 26th March was read and discharged.

    Bill to be read a second time on Friday 30th April.

13 Hare Coursing Bill,—The Order for reading the Hare Coursing Bill a second time on Friday 26th March was read and discharged.

    Bill to be read a second time on Friday 7th May.

14 Wildlife and Countryside (Amendment) Bill,—Mr James Wallace, supported by Mr Ray Beggs, Norman Baker, Mr Peter Bottomley, Mr Lindsay Hoyle and Mr Alasdair Morgan, presented a Bill to amend the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 with respect to acts of recklessness, time limits for bringing proceedings and penalties: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 21st May and to be printed [Bill 71].

15 Pensions (Amendment),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require the Secretary of State to report annually on service pensions, war pensions and war widows' pensions: And that Mr Andrew Mackinlay, Mr Syd Rapson, Mr Ronnie Campbell, Mr Michael Fabricant, Mr Martin Bell, Mr Roy Beggs, Paul Flynn, Mr Jim Dobbin, Dr David Clark, Mr Rhodri Morgan, Bob Russell and Mr David Crausby do prepare and bring it in.

16 Pensions (Amendment) Bill,—Mr Andrew Mackinlay accordingly presented a Bill to require the Secretary of State to report annually on service pensions, war pensions and war widows' pensions: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 26th March and to be printed. [Bill 72].

17 Reform of the Structural and Cohesion Funds,—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 the unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum submitted by the Department of Trade and Industry on 17th April 1998 relating to reform of the Structural Funds, the unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum submitted by the Department of Trade and Industry on 17th April 1998 relating to Agenda 2000, reform of the Cohesion Fund, and European Union Document No. 5480/99, an amended draft Council Regulation on the European Regional Fund; and supports the Government's view that reform of the European Structural and Cohesion Funds is essential in preparation for enlargement and should be concluded by a fair, affordable and durable outcome for all Member States; agrees that the Cohesion Fund is no longer justified where Member States have been admitted to Stage 3 of EMU, and should be phased out as soon as possible, and that the European Development Fund Regulation provides a suitable basis for the use of that Fund—(Mr Jim Dowd):—It was agreed to.

18 Local Government Bill (Allocation of Time),—A Motion was made and the Question being put, That the following provisions shall apply to remaining proceedings on the Local Government Bill:

Timetable

    1. Proceedings 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, five hours after the commencement of proceedings on this Motion.

Questions to be put

    2. For the purpose of bringing proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with paragraph 1 the Speaker 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.

    3. On a Motion made for a new Clause or a new Schedule, the Speaker shall put only the Question that the Clause or Schedule be added to the Bill.

Miscellaneous

    4. 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.

    5. 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.

    6. Standing Order No. 82 (Business Committee) shall not apply in relation to proceedings on the Bill.

    7. No Motion shall be made, except by a Minister of the Crown, to alter the order in which proceedings on the Bill are taken or to recommit the Bill; and if a Minister makes a Motion to alter the order of proceedings or to recommit the Bill, the Question shall be put forthwith.

    8. No dilatory Motion shall be made in relation to the Bill except by a Minister of the Crown.

    9. 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.

    10. 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—(Hilary Armstrong);

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Hanson, Mr David Jamieson: 332.

    Tellers for the Noes, Sir David Madel, Mrs Caroline Spelman: 162.

    So the Question was agreed to.

19 Local Government Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded further to consider the Local Government Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee.

    Another Clause (Endorsement of council tax by referendum)—(Sir Paul Beresford)—brought up and read the first time.

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

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mrs Caroline Spelman, Sir David Madel: 170.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr Keith Hill: 335.

    Amendment (No. 54) proposed to the Bill, in page 1, line 8, at the beginning, to insert the words 'subject to subsection (4A) below'.—(Mr John Hayes.)

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

    Another Amendment (No. 50), proposed to the Bill, in page 3, line 5, to leave out the words 'way in which its functions are exercised' and insert the words 'value for money of its provision of services' instead thereof.—(Mr Bernard Jenkin.)

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

    Another Amendment (No. 60), proposed to the Bill, in page 3, to leave out lines 28 to 30.—(Mr Nigel Waterson.)

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

    Amendment (No. 6) made to the Bill.

    Another Amendment (No. 35) proposed to the Bill, in page 4, line 5, after the word 'section' to insert the words 'unless it can satisfy the Secretary of State that there is a reason why this should not be done.'.—(Mr Bernard Jenkin.)

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

    Another Amendment (No. 68) proposed to the Bill, in page 4, line 29, leave out from the word 'other' to the end of line 30 and to insert the word 'parties' instead thereof'.—(Mr Bernard Jenkin.)

    Question proposed, That the Amendment be made.

    And it being five hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion on Local Government Bill (Allocation of Time), the Deputy Speaker pursuant to Order [this day] put the Question already proposed from the Chair.

    Question put and negatived.

    The Deputy Speaker then put forthwith the remaining Questions he was directed to put to bring proceedings on Consideration and Third Reading to a conclusion.

    Other Amendments (Nos. 16 to 18, 7 to 9, 19 to 24, 10, 11, 25 and 12) 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, Mr Greg Pope, Jane Kennedy: 319.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Caroline Spelman, Sir David Madel: 170.

    So the Question was agreed to.

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

20 Social Security,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Social Security and Child Support (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations 1999, which were laid before this House on 4th March, be approved—(Mr David Hanson):—It was agreed to.

21 Family Law,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Child Support (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1999, which were laid before this House on 8th March, be approved—(Mr David Hanson):—It was agreed to.

22 Family Law,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Child Support (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 1999, which were laid before this House on 8th March, be approved—(Mr David Hanson):—It was agreed to.

23 National Lottery,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft New Opportunities Fund (Specification of Initiatives) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 11th March, be approved—(Mr David Hanson):—It was agreed to.

24 International Immunities and Privileges,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No.118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft International Mobile Satellite Organisation (Immunities and Privileges) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 25th February, be approved—(Mr David Hanson):—It was agreed to.

25 Criminal Law (Scotland),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission (Application to Summary Proceedings) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 8th March, be approved—(Mr David Hanson):—It was agreed to.

26 Constitutional Law,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Scottish Adjacent Waters Boundaries Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 8th March, be approved—(Mr David Hanson):—It was agreed to.

27 Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from citizens of Gosport, Fareham and surrounding areas and others for the retention of the Royal Hospital, Haslar, was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

28 Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Quesiton being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr David Hanson);

    And it being Ten o'clock, the Motion for the Adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put.

29 Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr David Hanson.)

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

[Adjourned at 10.29 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 Representation of the People,—Draft European Parliamentary Elections Regulations 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

2 Health and Safety,—Police (Health and Safety) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 860), dated 17th March 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

3 Water Resources,—(1) The Water Protection Zone (River Dee Catchment) Designation Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 915), and

    (2) Water Protection Zone (River Dee Catchment) (Procedural and Other Provisions) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 916)

dated 19th March 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Michael].

Other Papers:

4 Financial Reporting to Parliament,—Departmental Reports for 1999: the Government's expenditure plans for 1999-2000 to 2001-02:—

    (1) Department for Education and Employment and Office for Standards in Education [by Command] [Cm. 4202] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]; and

    (2) Law Officers' Departments [by Command] [Cm. 4207] [Mr Attorney General].

5 Local Government,—Paper, entitled Local Leadership, Local Choice [by Command] [Cm. 4298] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

6 Parliamentary Commissioner,—Third Report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, Session 1998-99: Access to Official Information—The Disclosure of Information in relation to Deaths in Prison [by Act]; to be printed [No. 342] [Clerk of the House].

7 Police (Northern Ireland),—Objectives for the policing of Northern Ireland [by Act] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1 Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Bill,—The Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on Standing Committee C, viz.: Mr Richard Allan, Mr David Amess, Mr Ian Cawsey, Mr James Clappison, Mr Paul Clark, Mr Cynog Dafis, Caroline Flint, Mr Roger Gale, Mr George Howarth, Mr Tim Loughton, Mr Andrew Miller, Mr Gwyn Prosser, Angela Smith, Helen Southworth, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe and Mr Alan Williams (Swansea West).

2 Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill,—The Speaker has appointed Dr Michael Clark Chairman of Standing Committee B.

3 Special Grant Report (Scotland): Grant in Aid of Expenditure on Rural Public Passenger Transport for 1999-2000 (HC 283), the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 45) (Metropolitan Railway Passenger Services Grant 1999-2000) (HC 305), and the Special Grant Report (Scotland): Grant in Aid of Expenditure on Rail Services in the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Area (HC 329):

    (1) The Speaker has allocated the Special Grant Reports to the First 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.: Norman Baker, Mr Russell Brown, Mr Desmond Browne, Mr Tom Clarke, Mr Tam Dalyell, Mr Brian H. Donohoe, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Oliver Letwin, Sir Peter Lloyd, Mr Calum Macdonald, Mrs Anne McGuire, Mr Jim Murphy, Mr Frank Roy, Mr Adrian Sanders, Sir Raymond Whitney and Mr Tony Worthington.

4 Draft Carriage by Air Acts (Implementation of Protocol No. 4 of Montreal, 1975) Order 1999, and the draft Carriage by Air Acts (Application of Provisions) (Fifth Amendment) Order 1999:

    (1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Orders to the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Joe Benton Chairman; and

    (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Graham Allen, John Austin, Mr Roger Berry, Mr Tom Brake, Mr Ben Chapman, Mr Jeremy Corbyn, Mr Brian Cotter, Maria Eagle, Jane Griffiths, Glenda Jackson, Mr Bernard Jenkin, Mr Geoffrey Robinson, Mr Peter Snape, Mrs Caroline Spelman, Mr Anthony Steen and Mr David Tredinnick.

5 Criminal Legal Aid (Fixed Payments) (Scotland) Regulations 1999 (S. I., 1999, No. 491):

    (1) The Speaker has allocated the Regulations to the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Frank Cook Chairman; and

    (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Desmond Browne, Mr Malcolm Chisholm, Mr Michael Connarty, Mr David Curry, Mr Ian Davidson, Dr Norman A. Godman, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Oliver Letwin, Mr Calum Macdonald, Mrs Anne McGuire, Mr Frank Roy, Mr Jonathan Sayeed, Sir Robert Smith, Dr Gavin Strang, Mr James Wallace and Mr James Wray.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1 Defence,—(1) Second Report from the Defence Committee [The Appointment of the New Head of Defence Export Services] 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. 147]; and

    (2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee [Kosovo]; to be printed [No. 39-vii]

[Mr Bruce George].

2 Education and Employment,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education Sub-Committee of the Education and Employment Committee [The Green Paper: teachers: meeting the challenge of change]; to be printed [No. 350-i] [Mr Malcolm Wicks].

3 Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—(1) Eighth Report from the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee [Local Government Finance], with the Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment Sub-Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 78-I];

    (2) First Special Report from the Committee [Health & Safety Commission and Executive Response to the First Report from the Committee: Railway Safety]; to be printed [No. 352];

    (3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [UK Climate Change Programme]; to be printed [No. 171-iii]; and

    (4) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Sub-Committee [Aviation Safety]; to be printed [No. 275-ii]

[Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody]

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

5 Food Standards,—Report from the Food Standards Committee [Food Standards Draft Bill], 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. 276] [Mr Kevin Barron].

6 Modernisation of the House of Commons,—Second Report from the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons [Sittings of the House in Westminster Hall], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 194] [Margaret Beckett].

7 Northern Ireland Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee [Illegal Sale of Fuel Oils in Northern Ireland]; to be printed [No. 334-ii] [Mr Peter Brooke].

8 Public Accounts,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts [Home Office: Handgun Surrender and Compensation]; to be printed [No. 354-i] [Mr David Davis].

9 Scottish Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Scottish Affairs Committee [Tourism in Scotland]; to be printed [No. 85-v] [Mr David Marshall].