Votes and Proceedings

House of Commons

Session 1998-99
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House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Thursday 29th April 1999

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

PRAYERS.

1 Liaison,—Mr Robert Sheldon reported, pursuant to Standing Order No. 145 (Liaison Committee), That the Liaison Committee had directed him to report that it had chosen the Fifth Report from the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee, Session 1998-99, on Regional Eurostar Services, and the Third Report from the Health Committee, Session 1997-98, on The Welfare of Former British Child Migrants, to be debated on Wednesday 19th May 1999, pursuant to Standing Order No. 10 (Wednesday sittings).

2 Eleventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Jimmy Hood reported from the Eleventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Aeroplane Noise Regulations 1999.

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

3 Opposition Day [10th 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.

    Government Policies on Housing and the Green Belt,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House regrets the Government's record on allowing building in the Green Belt and development of greenfield sites and their failure to meet even their own targets for new building on brownfield sites; condemns their refusal to increase their 60 per cent. brownfield site building target in line with their recently revised household projection figures; and deplores the Government's failure to protect the countryside—(Mr Simon Burns);

    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 'welcomes the Government's continued commitment to protecting the countryside and promoting an urban renaissance, and maintaining tight planning controls over the Green Belt and other designated green spaces; recognises that the Government's decentralised and integrated policy approach is helping to achieve more sustainable and equitable patterns of urban and rural development; welcomes the Government's commitment to increase the proportion of new housing on previously-developed land in urban areas, smaller towns and villages from 40 per cent. in the mid-1980s to 60 per cent; recognises the benefits of replacing the previous "predict and provide" approach to the issue of household growth with a more flexible "plan, monitor and manage" system; and believes that the Government's inter-linked policies for urban regeneration and protection of the countryside will enhance the quality of life for people in both rural and urban areas', instead thereof.—(Mr Richard Caborn.)

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

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr Tim Collins: 113.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr Clive Betts: 288.

    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 welcomes the Government's continued commitment to protecting the countryside and promoting an urban renaissance, and maintaining tight planning controls over the Green Belt and other designated green spaces; recognises that the Government's decentralised and integrated policy approach is helping to achieve more sustainable and equitable patterns of urban and rural development; welcomes the Government's commitment to increase the proportion of new housing on previously-developed land in urban areas, smaller towns and villages from 40 per cent. in the mid-1980s to 60 per cent; recognises the benefits of replacing the previous "predict and provide" approach to the issue of household growth with a more flexible "plan, monitor and manage" system; and believes that the Government's inter-linked policies for urban regeneration and protection of the countryside will enhance the quality of life for people in both rural and urban areas.

    Job Losses, the State of Industry and the New Deal,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House regrets the way the Government is making it too dear to make things in Britain; condemns the tax increases, increases in regulation and the poor climate for industry brought about by present policies; highlights the factory closures and 250,000 forecast job losses feared by the trade unions; condemns the New Deal for young people, which has failed to reduce youth unemployment, has disappointed employers and requires radical change if it is to stop wasting billions of pounds of taxpayers' money; and recommends a change of policy to avoid a prolonged and damaging industrial collapse and consequent rising industrial unemployment—(Mr John Redwood);

    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 'welcomes the actions of the Government to reverse the industrial decline and the destruction of jobs, not least for young people, that characterised the situation while the Opposition formed the Government; welcomes the creation of over 400,000 jobs since the last election; notes the contrast between this situation and that of the Tory slow-down of 1989 to 1993 when over a million manufacturing jobs were lost; welcomes the achievements of the New Deal and its contribution to the 35 per cent. fall since January 1998 in the number of young people unemployed for six months or more; believes that the sound economic policies of this Government are a better way to support industrial success and job creation than the interest rates at 15 per cent., budget deficits soaring, high long-term interest rates and boom and bust economics that were the previous Government's policy; and welcomes the strategy set out in the Competitiveness White Paper for encouraging enterprise, investment and innovation as the right way forward for Britain', instead thereof.—(Mr Secretary Byers.)

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

    Mr Patrick McLoughlin rose in his place, and claimed to move, That the Question be now put.

    And the Question being put, That the Question be now put:—It was agreed to.

    And the Question being accordingly put;

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr Tim Collins: 115.

    Tellers for the Noes, Jim Dowd, Mr David Jamieson: 287.

    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 David Jamieson, Jim Dowd: 257.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr Tim Collins: 123.

    So the Question was agreed to.

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

    Resolved, That this House welcomes the actions of the Government to reverse the industrial decline and the destruction of jobs, not least for young people, that characterised the situation while the Opposition formed the Government; welcomes the creation of over 400,000 jobs since the last election; notes the contrast between this situation and that of the Tory slow-down of 1989 to 1993 when over a million manufacturing jobs were lost; welcomes the achievements of the New Deal and its contribution to the 35 per cent. fall since January 1998 in the number of young people unemployed for six months or more; believes that the sound economic policies of this Government are a better way to support industrial success and job creation than the interest rates at 15 per cent., budget deficits soaring, high long-term interest rates and boom and bust economics that were the previous Government's policy; and welcomes the strategy set out in the Competitiveness White Paper for encouraging enterprise, investment and innovation as the right way forward for Britain.

4 Representation of the People,—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 Parliamentary Elections (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 1999, which were laid before this House on 13th April, be approved—(Mr Robert Ainsworth):—It was agreed to.

5 Value Added Tax,—Ordered, That the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (SI, 1999, No. 438) be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.—(Mr Robert Ainsworth.)

6 Football (Offences and Disorder) Bill [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Football (Offences and Disorder) Bill [Money];

    Resolved, That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Football (Offences and Disorder) Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable out of money so provided under any other Act.—(Mr Robert Ainsworth.)

7 Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Robert Ainsworth);

    And the Motion having being made after Seven o'clock, and the Debate having continued for half an hour, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order, it being then three minutes past Eight o'clock, till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 8.03 p.m.

Betty Boothroyd
Speaker

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

APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1 Building Societies,—Building Societies (Merger Notification Statement) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1215), dated 27th April 1999 [by Act] [Ms Patricia Hewitt].

2 Housing,—Housing (Preservation of Right to Buy) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1213), dated 22nd April 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

3 Pensions,—Local Government Pension Scheme (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1212), dated 22nd April 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

4 Pesticides,—Plant Protection Products (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1228), dated 27th April 1999 [by Act] [Mr Nicholas Brown].

5 Road Traffic,—M606/M62 Motorways (Bradford Link) (Speed Limit) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1187), dated 19th April 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

Other Papers:

6 Foreign Affairs,—Further Government Response to the Third Report from the Foreign Affairs Committee, Session 1997-98, on Hong Kong [by Command] [Cm. 4331] [Mr Secretary Cook].

7 House of Commons Members' Fund,—Accounts of the House of Commons Members' Fund for 1st October 1997 to 30th September 1998, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 421] [Clerk of the House].

8 National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Vehicle Emissions Testing [by Act]; to be printed [No. 402] [Clerk of the House].

9 Port of London,—Report and Accounts of the Port of London Authority for 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

10 Telecommunications,—Report of the Director General of Telecommunications for 1998 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 393] [Mr Secretary Byers].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1 Referendums Bill,—The Speaker has appointed Mr George Stevenson Chairman of Standing Committee C.

2 Football (Offences and Disorder) Bill,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Bill O'Brien Chairman of Standing Committee D.

3 Draft Aeroplane Noise Regulations 1999,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Jimmy Hood Chairman of the Eleventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Regulations, in place of Mr Bowen Wells.

4 Draft Potato Industry Development Council (Amendment) Order 1999,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Bill Olner Chairman of the Twelfth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Order.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1 Environmental Audit,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environmental Audit Committee [Genetically Modified Organisms]; to be printed [No. 384-iv] [Mr John Horam].

2 Health,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Health Committee [Regulation of Private and other Independent Healthcare]; to be printed [No. 281-vi] [Mr David Hinchliffe].

3 International Development,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the International Development Committee [Kosovo]; to be printed [No. 422-i] [Mr Bowen Wells].

4 Treasury,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee of the Treasury Committee [Valuation Office Agency]; to be printed [No. 420-i] [Mr Giles Radice].

The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1	Liaison,—Mr Robert Sheldon reported, pursuant to Standing Order No. 145 (Liaison Committee), That the Liaison Committee had directed him to report that it had chosen the Fifth Report from the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee, Session 1998-99, on Regional Eurostar Services, and the Third Report from the Health Committee, Session 1997-98, on The Welfare of Former British Child Migrants, to be debated on Wednesday 19th May 1999, pursuant to Standing Order No. 10 (Wednesday sittings).
2	Eleventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Jimmy Hood reported from the Eleventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Aeroplane Noise Regulations 1999.
	Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
3	Opposition Day [10th 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.
	Government Policies on Housing and the Green Belt,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House regrets the Government's record on allowing building in the Green Belt and development of greenfield sites and their failure to meet even their own targets for new building on brownfield sites; condemns their refusal to increase their 60 per cent. brownfield site building target in line with their recently revised household projection figures; and deplores the Government's failure to protect the countryside—(Mr Simon Burns);
	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 'welcomes the Government's continued commitment to protecting the countryside and promoting an urban renaissance, and maintaining tight planning controls over the Green Belt and other designated green spaces; recognises that the Government's decentralised and integrated policy approach is helping to achieve more sustainable and equitable patterns of urban and rural development; welcomes the Government's commitment to increase the proportion of new housing on previously-developed land in urban areas, smaller towns and villages from 40 per cent. in the mid-1980s to 60 per cent; recognises the benefits of replacing the previous "predict and provide" approach to the issue of household growth with a more flexible "plan, monitor and manage" system; and believes that the Government's inter-linked policies for urban regeneration and protection of the countryside will enhance the quality of life for people in both rural and urban areas', instead thereof.—(Mr Richard Caborn.)
	And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr Tim Collins: 113.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr Clive Betts: 288.
	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 welcomes the Government's continued commitment to protecting the countryside and promoting an urban renaissance, and maintaining tight planning controls over the Green Belt and other designated green spaces; recognises that the Government's decentralised and integrated policy approach is helping to achieve more sustainable and equitable patterns of urban and rural development; welcomes the Government's commitment to increase the proportion of new housing on previously-developed land in urban areas, smaller towns and villages from 40 per cent. in the mid-1980s to 60 per cent; recognises the benefits of replacing the previous "predict and provide" approach to the issue of household growth with a more flexible "plan, monitor and manage" system; and believes that the Government's inter-linked policies for urban regeneration and protection of the countryside will enhance the quality of life for people in both rural and urban areas.
	Job Losses, the State of Industry and the New Deal,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House regrets the way the Government is making it too dear to make things in Britain; condemns the tax increases, increases in regulation and the poor climate for industry brought about by present policies; highlights the factory closures and 250,000 forecast job losses feared by the trade unions; condemns the New Deal for young people, which has failed to reduce youth unemployment, has disappointed employers and requires radical change if it is to stop wasting billions of pounds of taxpayers' money; and recommends a change of policy to avoid a prolonged and damaging industrial collapse and consequent rising industrial unemployment—(Mr John Redwood);
	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 'welcomes the actions of the Government to reverse the industrial decline and the destruction of jobs, not least for young people, that characterised the situation while the Opposition formed the Government; welcomes the creation of over 400,000 jobs since the last election; notes the contrast between this situation and that of the Tory slow-down of 1989 to 1993 when over a million manufacturing jobs were lost; welcomes the achievements of the New Deal and its contribution to the 35 per cent. fall since January 1998 in the number of young people unemployed for six months or more; believes that the sound economic policies of this Government are a better way to support industrial success and job creation than the interest rates at 15 per cent., budget deficits soaring, high long-term interest rates and boom and bust economics that were the previous Government's policy; and welcomes the strategy set out in the Competitiveness White Paper for encouraging enterprise, investment and innovation as the right way forward for Britain', instead thereof.—(Mr Secretary Byers.)
	And the Question being proposed, That the original words stand part of the Question;
	Mr Patrick McLoughlin rose in his place, and claimed to move, That the Question be now put.
	And the Question being put, That the Question be now put:—It was agreed to.
	And the Question being accordingly put;
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr Tim Collins: 115.
	Tellers for the Noes, Jim Dowd, Mr David Jamieson: 287.
	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 David Jamieson, Jim Dowd: 257.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr Tim Collins: 123.
	So the Question was agreed to.
	The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.
	Resolved, That this House welcomes the actions of the Government to reverse the industrial decline and the destruction of jobs, not least for young people, that characterised the situation while the Opposition formed the Government; welcomes the creation of over 400,000 jobs since the last election; notes the contrast between this situation and that of the Tory slow-down of 1989 to 1993 when over a million manufacturing jobs were lost; welcomes the achievements of the New Deal and its contribution to the 35 per cent. fall since January 1998 in the number of young people unemployed for six months or more; believes that the sound economic policies of this Government are a better way to support industrial success and job creation than the interest rates at 15 per cent., budget deficits soaring, high long-term interest rates and boom and bust economics that were the previous Government's policy; and welcomes the strategy set out in the Competitiveness White Paper for encouraging enterprise, investment and innovation as the right way forward for Britain.
4	Representation of the People,—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 Parliamentary Elections (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 1999, which were laid before this House on 13th April, be approved—(Mr Robert Ainsworth):—It was agreed to.
5	Value Added Tax,—Ordered, That the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (SI, 1999, No. 438) be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.—(Mr Robert Ainsworth.)
6	Football (Offences and Disorder) Bill [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Football (Offences and Disorder) Bill [Money];
	Resolved, That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Football (Offences and Disorder) Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable out of money so provided under any other Act.—(Mr Robert Ainsworth.)
7	Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Robert Ainsworth);
	And the Motion having being made after Seven o'clock, and the Debate having continued for half an hour, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order, it being then three minutes past Eight o'clock, till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 8.03 p.m.
*Betty Boothroyd* *Speaker*
Madam Speaker will take the Chair at half-past Nine o'clock.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
1	Building Societies,—Building Societies (Merger Notification Statement) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1215), dated 27th April 1999 [by Act] [Ms Patricia Hewitt].
2	Housing,—Housing (Preservation of Right to Buy) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1213), dated 22nd April 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
3	Pensions,—Local Government Pension Scheme (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1212), dated 22nd April 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
4	Pesticides,—Plant Protection Products (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1228), dated 27th April 1999 [by Act] [Mr Nicholas Brown].
5	Road Traffic,—M606/M62 Motorways (Bradford Link) (Speed Limit) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1187), dated 19th April 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
Other Papers:
6	Foreign Affairs,—Further Government Response to the Third Report from the Foreign Affairs Committee, Session 1997-98, on Hong Kong [by Command] [Cm. 4331] [Mr Secretary Cook].
7	House of Commons Members' Fund,—Accounts of the House of Commons Members' Fund for 1st October 1997 to 30th September 1998, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 421] [Clerk of the House].
8	National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Vehicle Emissions Testing [by Act]; to be printed [No. 402] [Clerk of the House].
9	Port of London,—Report and Accounts of the Port of London Authority for 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
10	Telecommunications,—Report of the Director General of Telecommunications for 1998 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 393] [Mr Secretary Byers].
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
1	Referendums Bill,—The Speaker has appointed Mr George Stevenson Chairman of Standing Committee C.
2	Football (Offences and Disorder) Bill,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Bill O'Brien Chairman of Standing Committee D.
3	Draft Aeroplane Noise Regulations 1999,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Jimmy Hood Chairman of the Eleventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Regulations, in place of Mr Bowen Wells.
4	Draft Potato Industry Development Council (Amendment) Order 1999,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Bill Olner Chairman of the Twelfth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Order.
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
1	Environmental Audit,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environmental Audit Committee [Genetically Modified Organisms]; to be printed [No. 384-iv] [Mr John Horam].
2	Health,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Health Committee [Regulation of Private and other Independent Healthcare]; to be printed [No. 281-vi] [Mr David Hinchliffe].
3	International Development,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the International Development Committee [Kosovo]; to be printed [No. 422-i] [Mr Bowen Wells].
4	Treasury,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee of the Treasury Committee [Valuation Office Agency]; to be printed [No. 420-i] [Mr Giles Radice].