Votes and Proceedings

House of Commons

Session 1998-99
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House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Wednesday 21st April 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 Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Bill,—Mr Jim Cunningham reported from Standing Committee C, That it had gone through the Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Bill, and made Amendments thereunto.

    Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 87].

    Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to printed [No. 398].

3 European Standing Committee A,—Mr Bowen Wells reported from European Standing Committee A the following Resolution:

    That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 8582/97, including two draft Council Regulations, one amending Regulation (EEC) No. 3975/87 laying down the procedure for the application of the rules on competition to undertakings in the air transport sector, and the other on the application of Article 85(3) of the Treaty to certain categories of agreement and concerted practices in the sector of air transport between the Community and third countries; and endorses the Government's approach not to support the Commission proposal.

    Report, together with Resolution, 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 of Alterations to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.

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

5 Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Peter Atkinson reported from the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (Amendment) Order 1999.

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

6 Seventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Edward O'Hara reported from the Seventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Local Authority (Stocks and Bonds) (Amendment) Regulations 1999.

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

7 Digital Television Broadcasting,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision for a universal service obligation for the delivery of certain digital television services and with respect to the delivery of regional television services; and for related purposes—(Dr George Turner);

    And the Motion being opposed, after a brief explanatory statement from the Member who made the Motion and from a Member who opposed it, the Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Standing Order No. 23 (Motions for leave to bring in bills and nomination of select committees at commencement of public business):—It was agreed to.

    Ordered, That Dr George Turner, Mr Peter Atkinson, Mrs Helen Brinton, Mr Ben Chapman, Julia Drown, Mr Huw Edwards, Mr Andrew Miller, Mr Gordon Prentice, Mrs Gillian Shephard, Mr David Stewart, Mr Gareth Thomas (Clwyd West) and Mr Phil Willis do prepare and bring in the Bill.

8 Digital Television Broadcasting Bill,—Dr George Turner accordingly presented a Bill to make provision for a universal service obligation for the delivery of certain digital television services and with respect to the delivery of regional television services; and for related purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 11th June and to be printed [Bill 86].

9 Opposition Day [9th 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.

    Taxation of the Road Haulage Industry,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House condemns the Government's utter failure to acknowledge the crisis in the UK road haulage industry; notes that, despite promising not to raise taxes, Labour have done so in their first three Budgets, so that the Government is raising over £9 billion more from British road users than under the Conservative Government's plans and that the UK now has the highest fuel duties and vehicle excise duties in Europe, which now far exceed any environmental justification; further notes that they have created a crippling costs disadvantage for UK hauliers against their EU competitors, are forcing the closure or bankruptcy of many UK hauliers and inflating the costs of industries that are dependent upon road haulage; deplores the way in which the Government has sought to misuse figures produced by KPMG that are of no relevance to the situation that faces UK road hauliers and notes that independent analysis forecasts that 53,000 jobs will be lost from the UK road haulage industry over the next three years if government policies remain unchanged; commends the Conservatives' BRIT disc proposal as a first step towards reducing the competitive disadvantage faced by UK road hauliers; and urges the Government to end its complacency and refusal to listen to the road haulage industry and to acknowledge that fuel duties and vehicle excise duties are too high as a result of its policies—(Mr David Heathcoat-Amory);

    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 'believes that everyone, including hauliers, must play their part in reducing emissions of carbon dioxide from transport, and that the road fuel duty escalator first introduced by the last Government acts as an incentive to greater fuel efficiency; deplores the hypocrisy of the Conservative Party for doing one thing in Government and another in Opposition; calls on it to explain which areas of public spending it would cut in order to pay for the abandonment of the fuel escalator; welcomes this Government's commitment to promoting a more dynamic business sector, in particular the measures taken to help the road haulage industry, including cuts in the corporation tax rates, freezing the rates of vehicle excise duty for most lorries for two years running, doubling the maximum reduction in vehicle excise duty for cleaner lorries, and reducing duty rates on ultra-low sulphur diesel relative to ordinary diesel; notes that the UK haulage industry benefits from the total tax burden on business in the UK being lower than that of other major EU member states, and lower than the average for the EU and the OECD; believes that the environmental measures this Government has introduced will play an important part in encouraging use of more fuel-efficient vehicles, cleaner fuels and greener modes of transport; and welcomes the dialogue that is now taking place between the industry and the Government in the Road Haulage Forum', instead thereof.—(Mr Alan Milburn.)

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

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mrs Caroline Spelman, Mrs Eleanor Laing: 139.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr Greg Pope, Mr David Jamieson: 341.

    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 Greg Pope, Mr David Jamieson: 304.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mrs Caroline Spelman: 160.

    So the Question was agreed to.

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

    Resolved, That this House believes that everyone, including hauliers, must play their part in reducing emissions of carbon dioxide from transport, and that the road fuel duty escalator first introduced by the last Government acts as an incentive to greater fuel efficiency; deplores the hypocrisy of the Conservative Party for doing one thing in Government and another in Opposition; calls on it to explain which areas of public spending it would cut in order to pay for the abandonment of the fuel escalator; welcomes this Government's commitment to promoting a more dynamic business sector, in particular the measures taken to help the road haulage industry, including cuts in the corporation tax rates, freezing the rates of vehicle excise duty for most lorries for two years running, doubling the maximum reduction in vehicle excise duty for cleaner lorries, and reducing duty rates on ultra-low sulphur diesel relative to ordinary diesel; notes that the UK haulage industry benefits from the total tax burden on business in the UK being lower than that of other major EU member states, and lower than the average for the EU and the OECD; believes that the environmental measures this Government has introduced will play an important part in encouraging use of more fuel-efficient vehicles, cleaner fuels and greener modes of transport; and welcomes the dialogue that is now taking place between the industry and the Government in the Road Haulage Forum.

    The State of British Livestock Farming,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes with concern the collapse in farm incomes, especially in the livestock sector; expresses astonishment at Labour's claims to be the party of the countryside; condemns the Government's dismissive response to the deepening crisis in pig farming; deplores the lack of progress in restoring beef exports and ending the ban on beef on the bone; calls for the postponement of the imposition of further charges on slaughter houses; urges that Milk Marque be allowed to invest in processing capacity; recognises that British farmers work at a competitive disadvantage compared with those abroad because of excessive and unnecessary regulations; expresses dismay at the outcome of the European Agenda 2000 negotiations when a poor deal for British farmers, consumers and taxpayers was made worse by the Prime Minister; and calls for the reversal of all those government policies which are damaging the rural ecomomy, the agricultural industry and the British countryside—(Mr Tim Yeo);

    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 'recognises the difficulties faced by many in the livestock sector; welcomes the Government's strong commitment to the livestock sector in the United Kingdom; endorses the efforts the Government has made to secure the lifting of the ban on the worldwide export of British beef; approves of the steps which the Government has taken since May 1997 to support the beef and sheep industry via EU agri-monetary compensation; welcomes the initiatives the Government has taken to promote the pig industry; recognises the extra support to the livestock sector, particularly hill and upland producers, via substantially increased hill livestock compensatory allowances, announced in November 1998; and welcomes the recently-agreed reshaping of the Common Agricultural Policy as part of the Agenda 2000 negotiations, which seeks to provide the livestock sector with stability and a secure future', instead thereof.—(Mr Nicholas Brown.)

    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: 161.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 319.

    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 Robert Ainsworth, Mr Clive Betts: 316.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Caroline Spelman, Mr Tim Collins: 160.

    So the Question was agreed to.

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

    Resolved, That this House recognises the difficulties faced by many in the livestock sector; welcomes the Government's strong commitment to the livestock sector in the United Kingdom; endorses the efforts the Government has made to secure the lifting of the ban on the worldwide export of British beef; approves of the steps which the Government has taken since May 1997 to support the beef and sheep industry via EU agri-monetary compensation; welcomes the initiatives the Government has taken to promote the pig industry; recognises the extra support to the livestock sector, particularly hill and upland producers, via substantially increased hill livestock compensatory allowances, announced in November 1998; and welcomes the recently-agreed reshaping of the Common Agricultural Policy as part of the Agenda 2000 negotiations, which seeks to provide the livestock sector with stability and a secure future.

10 Supreme Court of England and Wales,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Civil Procedure (Modification of Enactments) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 13th April, be approved—(Mr Keith Bradley):—It was agreed to.

11 Adjournment (May),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 25 (Periodic Adjournment), That this House, at its rising on Friday 30th April, do adjourn till Tuesday 4th May—(Mr Keith Bradley):—It was agreed to.

12 Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from residents of the constituencies of—

    (1) Altrincham and Sale West,

    (2) Southend West, and

    (3) Wycombe

against hunting with dogs, were presented; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

13 Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Keith Bradley.)

    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 European Communities,—Draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Framework Agreement for Trade and Cooperation between the European Community and its Member States and the Republic of Korea) Order 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Cook].

2 Social Security,—Draft Social Security Commissioners (Procedure) Regulations 1999 [by Act] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

3 Offshore Installations,—Offshore Installations (Safety Zones) (No. 2) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1150), dated 10th April 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

Other Papers:

4 Chelsea Hospital,—Account of the Royal Hospital Chelsea: Army Prize Money and Legacy Funds, &c. for 1997-98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 401] [Clerk of the House].

5 Local Government, Planning and Land,—Account of the Grants and Loans made to the Urban Development Corporations by the Secretary of State for the Environment for 1997-98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 400] [Clerk of the House].

6 Public Health,—Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning) Order 1999 Revocation Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1192), dated 16th April 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

7 Treaty Series (No. 20, 1999),—Exchange of Notes, done at Yaounde� on 14th August and 11th September 1998, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Cameroon concerning Certain Commercial Debts (United Kingdom/Cameroon Debt Agreement No. 5 (1997)) [by Command] [Cm. 4316] [Mr Secretary Cook].

8 Treaty Series (No. 21, 1999),—Exchange of Notes, done at Rabat on 24th November 1995 and Nouakchott on 18th February 1996, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania concerning Certain Commercial Debts (The United Kingdom/Mauritania Debt Agreement No. 6 (1995)) [by Command] [Cm. 4317] [Mr Secretary Cook].

9 Treaty Series (No. 22, 1999),—Agreement, done at London on 23rd February 1998, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Sultanate of Oman for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Incomes and Capital Gains with Exchange of Notes [by Command] [Cm. 4318] [Mr Secretary Cook].

10 Treaty Series (No. 23, 1999),—Protocol, done at London on 4th November 1998, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ireland amending the Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and Capital Gains signed at Dublin on 2nd June 1976, as amended by the Protocols signed at Dublin on 28th October 1976 and at London on 7th November 1994 [by Command] [Cm. 4322] [Mr Secretary Cook].

11 Treaty Series (No. 24, 1999),—Agreement, done at Riga on 22nd November 1995, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Latvia on Co-operation in the Fields of Education, Science and Culture [by Command] [Cm. 4323] [Mr Secretary Cook].

12 United Reformed Church Bill,—Report by the Attorney General on the United Reformed Church Bill [by Standing Order] [Mr Attorney General].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1 Access to Justice Bill [Lords]:

    (1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee E; and

    (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed twenty-three Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Tony Baldry, Mr John Burnett, Mr Ross Cranston, Mr Keith Darvill, Mr Andrew Dismore, Mr Michael Foster (Hastings and Rye), Mr Edward Garnier, Mrs Linda Gilroy, Mr Dominic Grieve, Mr Nick Hawkins, Mr Keith Hill, Mr Geoffrey Hoon, Mr David Kidney, Mr Martin Linton, Mr David Lock, Mr Lembit Öpik, Mr Laurence Robertson, Mr Paul Stinchcombe, Mr John M. Taylor, Mr Gareth Thomas (Clwyd West), Mr Mark Todd, Mr Keith Vaz and Dr Alan Whitehead.

2 Draft European Parliamentary Elections (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 1999:

    (1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and

    (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Dale Campbell-Savours, Mr Michael Clapham, Mr James Cran, Jim Dowd, Mrs Louise Ellman, Mr Mike Gapes, Mr Neil Gerrard, Mr Ivan Lewis, Mr John McDonnell, Mr Peter Mandelson, Mr Malcolm Moss, Mr Paul Murphy, Mr Lembit Öpik, Mr William Ross, Mr Jonathan Sayeed and Mr Nicholas Soames.

3 Medicines (Advertising and Monitoring of Advertising) Amendment Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 267):

    (1) The Speaker has allocated the Regulations to the Ninth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and

    (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr David Clelland, Mr Brian Cotter, Mr Jeff Ennis, Mrs Llin Golding, Mr Philip Hammond, Dr Evan Harris, Mrs Joan Humble, Tessa Jowell, Ms Tess Kingham, Dr Stephen Ladyman, Sir David Madel, Mr Robert Marshall-Andrews, Mr Laurence Robertson, Mr David Ruffley, Mr Mohammad Sarwar and Mr Marsha Singh.

4 Draft Code of Practice on School Admissions:

    (1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Code to the Tenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and

    (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Don Foster, Mr Ivan Henderson, Mr David Jamieson, Ms Oona King, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Tony McNulty, Mrs Theresa May, Estelle Morris, Dr Doug Naysmith, Mr Owen Paterson, Mr Andrew Reed, Mr Andrew Robathan, Mr Jonathan R. Shaw, Ms Claire Ward, Mr Phil Willis and Ms Rosie Winterton.

5 Draft Aeroplane Noise Regulations 1999:

    (1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Eleventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and

    (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Graham Allen, Mr Nigel Beard, Mr Tom Brake, Mr Ian Bruce, Mr David Crausby, Mr Barry Gardiner, Glenda Jackson, Mr Bernard Jenkin, Mr Piara S. Khabra, Miss Julie Kirkbride, Jacqui Smith, Mr John Smith, Mr Andrew Stunell, Mr Desmond Swayne, Mr Derek Twigg and Mr Brian White.

6 Draft Potato Industry Development Council (Amendment) Order 1999:

    (1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Twelfth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and

    (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Charlotte Atkins, John Austin, Mr Clive Betts, Mr Colin Breed, Mr Richard Burden, Mr Terry Davis, Mr Hilton Dawson, Mr Andrew George, Mr Phil Hope, Mr Andrew Hunter, Mr Austin Mitchell, Mr James Paice, Mr Bill Rammell, Mr Jeff Rooker, Mrs Caroline Spelman and Mr Charles Wardle.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1 Defence,—(1) Fourth Report from the Defence Committee [The Draft Visiting Forces and International Headquarters (Application of Law) Order 1999 and the Draft International Headquarters and Defence Organisations (Designations and Privileges) (Amendment) Order 1999] together with an Appendix; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 399]; and

    (2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [MoD Expenditure Plans and Investment Strategy 1999-2000 to 2001-2002]; to be printed [No. 241-ii]

[Mr Bruce George].

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

3 Northern Ireland Affairs,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on 19th April [Operation of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989: Ten Years On]; to be printed [No. 95-vi]; and

    (2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee on 20th April [Operation of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989: Ten Years On]; to be printed [Nos. 95-vii and viii]

[Mr Peter Brooke].

4 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-vi] [Dr Michael Clark].

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

6 Social Security,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Social Security Committee [Information Technology Services Agency]; to be printed [No. 397-i] [Mr Archy Kirkwood].