Votes and Proceedings

House of Commons

Session 1998-99
Publications on the internet

House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Thursday 13th May 1999

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

PRAYERS.

1 Referendums Bill,—Mr Bowen Wells reported from Standing Committee C, That it had gone through the Referendums Bill, and made Amendments thereunto.

    Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered upon Friday 21st May; and to be printed [Bill 101].

    Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 450].

2 Access to Justice Bill [Lords],—Mr Bill O'Brien reported from Standing Committee E, that it had gone through the Access to Justice Bill [Lords], and made Amendments thereunto and had amended the Title as follows: A Bill to establish the Legal Services Commission, the Community Legal Service and the Criminal Defence Service; to amend the law of legal aid in Scotland; to make further provision about legal services; to make provision about appeals (including cases stated) and applications for habeas corpus, to enable the Lord Chancellor to appoint a vice-president of the Queen's Bench Division and to make provision about proceedings in cases sent to the Crown Court and other court proceedings; to amend the law about magistrates and magistrates' courts; and to make provision about immunity from action and costs and indemnities for certain officials exercising judicial functions.

    Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 102].

    Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 452].

3 Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Jim Cunningham reported from the Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Unfair Dismissal and Statement of Reasons for Dismissal (Variation of Qualifying Period) Order 1999.

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

4 Ninth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody reported from the Ninth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 47) on Rural Bus Subsidy Grants for 1999-2000 (House of Commons Paper No. 407).

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

5 Opposition Day [12th allotted day],—It being an allotted day at the disposal of the second largest opposition party in pursuance of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business), the House proceeded to consider opposition business.

    American Food Exports and European Trade Policy,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes that the EU ban on hormonally-modified meat must end on Thursday 13th May 1999 under World Trade Organisation rules and that the USA is threatening massive retaliatory trade sanctions against member states unless this is adhered to; is concerned that the latest scientific evidence raises serious doubts over the safety of these and genetically-modifed products, further undermining consumer confidence, deplores the failure of the EU and the USA to pursue agreed research criteria into the efficacy of introducing such products into the food chain, threatening established World Trade Organisation agreements and ignoring the impact of global biodiversity in the long term; and urges the Government to recognise its responsibilities at the forthcoming Millennium Round and ensure that food safety, the protection of biodiversity and assistance to the economies of developing countries are integral to negotiations on the liberalisation of trade—(Mr David Chidgey);

    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 importance of open markets between the EU and the US, notes that in general the trade relationship is a good one; acknowledges the work being undertaken by the Government in seeking a solution to the banana disputes in a way that is World Trade Organisation compatible and is helpful to British industry and to those countries economically dependent on exports of bananas; welcomes the Government's commitment to find a solution to issues concerning US food exports that is good for the consumer, respects scientific research and avoids protectionism; welcomes the Government's commitment to consider sustainable development issues in its approach to trade issues as well as the interest of developing countries; and endorses the Government's support for comprehensive trade negotiations to be launched at the World Trade Organisation Ministerial meeting in Seattle in late 1999', instead thereof.—(Mr John Battle.)

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

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Adrian Sanders, Mr Paul Keetch: 38.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Hanson, Jim Dowd: 300.

    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 recognises the importance of open markets between the EU and the US, notes that in general the trade relationship is a good one; acknowledges the work being undertaken by the Government in seeking a solution to the banana disputes in a way that is World Trade Organisation compatible and is helpful to British industry and to those countries economically dependent on exports of bananas; welcomes the Government's commitment to find a solution to issues concerning US food exports that is good for the consumer, respects scientific research and avoids protectionism; welcomes the Government's commitment to consider sustainable development issues in its approach to trade issues as well as the interest of developing countries; and endorses the Government's support for comprehensive trade negotiations to be launched at the World Trade Organisation Ministerial meeting in Seattle in late 1999.

    Parliamentary Democracy,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House affirms that effective parliamentary democracy in the United Kingdom and effective scrutiny in Europe depend on competent, coherent and constructive opposition; regrets the failure of the disunited Conservative Parliamentary Party at Westminster and the antipathetic and complacent Conservative group in the European Parliament to provide that necessary check on the executive, especially given their confusion over the future funding of education, policing, the NHS and other public services, Britain's positive role in Europe, and the achievement of necessary reforms of the institutions and policies of the European Union; and considers that the British taxpayer gets inadequate value for money from the Official Opposition—(Mr David Heath);

    An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 4, to leave out from the word 'opposition' to the end of the Question and add the words 'notes with contempt that the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party considers it to be a constructive use of specially allocated opposition time to indulge in a petty and vindictive attack on Her Majesty's Opposition rather than to challenge the executive and hold it to account; and points out that, in so doing, a Party whose record of attendance and willingness to sacrifice principle for party advantage shows that it has no constitutional claim to the position and privileges which are rightly accorded to opposition parties in the parliamentary system', instead thereof.—(Mr Michael Ancram.)

    And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made;

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Sir David Madel, Mr Tim Collins: 137.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Caroline Spelman, Mrs Eleanor Laing: 36.

    So the Question was agreed to.

    And the Main Question, as amended, being put:—It was agreed to.

    Resolved, That this House affirms that effective parliamentary democracy in the United Kingdom and effective scrutiny in Europe depend on competent, coherent and constructive opposition; notes with contempt that the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party considers it to be a constructive use of specially allocated opposition time to indulge in a petty and vindictive attack on Her Majesty's Opposition rather than to challenge the executive and hold it to account; and points out that, in so doing, a Party whose record of attendance and willingness to sacrifice principle for party advantage shows that it has no constitutional claim to the position and privileges which are rightly accorded to opposition parties in the parliamentary system.

6 Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from Mr Bernard Calvert for a referendum on the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

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

    (1) Devon North,

    (2) Islwyn, and

    (3) Stevenage

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

8 Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Clive Betts.)

    And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till thirteen minutes to Eight o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 7.47 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 Affirmative Resolution:

1 Northern Ireland,—Draft Northern Ireland (Emergency and Prevention of Terrorism Provisions) (Continuance) Order 1999 [by Act] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

2 Animals,—Cattle Identification (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1339), dated 12th May 1999 [by Act] [Mr Nicholas Brown].

3 Constitutional Law,—(1) Scotland Act 1998 (Transitory and Transitional Provisions) (Complaints of Maladministration) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1351), and

    (2) Scotland Act 1998 (Transitory and Transitional Provisions) (Members' Interests) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1350),

dated 12th May 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

4 Housing,—Housing (Right to Acquire or Enfranchise) (Designated Rural Areas) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1307), dated 6th May 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

5 Supreme Court of England and Wales,—Election Petition (Amendment) Rules 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1352), dated 12th May 1999 [by Act] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon].

Other Papers:

6 Foreign Affairs,—Government Response to the Third Report from the Foreign Affairs Committee, Session 1998-99, on European Union Enlargement [by Command] [Cm. 4348] [Mr Secretary Cook].

7 Intelligence Services,—Report of the Intelligence and Security Committee on Sierra Leone [by Command] [Cm. 4309] [The Prime Minister].

8 National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on The PFI Contract for the new Dartford and Gravesham Hospital [by Act]; to be printed [No. 423] [Clerk of the House].

9 National Lottery,—Strategic Plan of the Heritage Lottery Fund for 1999-2002 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].

APPENDIX II

Reports from Select Committees

1 Culture, Media and Sport,—Fourth Report from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [Staging International Sporting Events], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 124] [Mr Gerald Kaufman].

2 Environmental Audit,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environmental Audit Committee [The Greening Government Initiative]; to be printed [No. 426-iii] [Mr John Horam].

3 Health,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Health Committee [Regulation of Private and other Independent Healthcare]; to be printed [281-vii] [Mr David Hinchliffe].

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

The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1	Referendums Bill,—Mr Bowen Wells reported from Standing Committee C, That it had gone through the Referendums Bill, and made Amendments thereunto.
	Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered upon Friday 21st May; and to be printed [Bill 101].
	Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 450].
2	Access to Justice Bill [Lords],—Mr Bill O'Brien reported from Standing Committee E, that it had gone through the Access to Justice Bill [Lords], and made Amendments thereunto and had amended the Title as follows: A Bill to establish the Legal Services Commission, the Community Legal Service and the Criminal Defence Service; to amend the law of legal aid in Scotland; to make further provision about legal services; to make provision about appeals (including cases stated) and applications for habeas corpus, to enable the Lord Chancellor to appoint a vice-president of the Queen's Bench Division and to make provision about proceedings in cases sent to the Crown Court and other court proceedings; to amend the law about magistrates and magistrates' courts; and to make provision about immunity from action and costs and indemnities for certain officials exercising judicial functions.
	Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 102].
	Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 452].
3	Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Jim Cunningham reported from the Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Unfair Dismissal and Statement of Reasons for Dismissal (Variation of Qualifying Period) Order 1999.
	Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
4	Ninth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody reported from the Ninth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 47) on Rural Bus Subsidy Grants for 1999-2000 (House of Commons Paper No. 407).
	Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
5	Opposition Day [12th allotted day],—It being an allotted day at the disposal of the second largest opposition party in pursuance of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business), the House proceeded to consider opposition business.
	American Food Exports and European Trade Policy,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes that the EU ban on hormonally-modified meat must end on Thursday 13th May 1999 under World Trade Organisation rules and that the USA is threatening massive retaliatory trade sanctions against member states unless this is adhered to; is concerned that the latest scientific evidence raises serious doubts over the safety of these and genetically-modifed products, further undermining consumer confidence, deplores the failure of the EU and the USA to pursue agreed research criteria into the efficacy of introducing such products into the food chain, threatening established World Trade Organisation agreements and ignoring the impact of global biodiversity in the long term; and urges the Government to recognise its responsibilities at the forthcoming Millennium Round and ensure that food safety, the protection of biodiversity and assistance to the economies of developing countries are integral to negotiations on the liberalisation of trade—(Mr David Chidgey);
	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 importance of open markets between the EU and the US, notes that in general the trade relationship is a good one; acknowledges the work being undertaken by the Government in seeking a solution to the banana disputes in a way that is World Trade Organisation compatible and is helpful to British industry and to those countries economically dependent on exports of bananas; welcomes the Government's commitment to find a solution to issues concerning US food exports that is good for the consumer, respects scientific research and avoids protectionism; welcomes the Government's commitment to consider sustainable development issues in its approach to trade issues as well as the interest of developing countries; and endorses the Government's support for comprehensive trade negotiations to be launched at the World Trade Organisation Ministerial meeting in Seattle in late 1999', instead thereof.—(Mr John Battle.)
	And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Adrian Sanders, Mr Paul Keetch: 38.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Hanson, Jim Dowd: 300.
	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 recognises the importance of open markets between the EU and the US, notes that in general the trade relationship is a good one; acknowledges the work being undertaken by the Government in seeking a solution to the banana disputes in a way that is World Trade Organisation compatible and is helpful to British industry and to those countries economically dependent on exports of bananas; welcomes the Government's commitment to find a solution to issues concerning US food exports that is good for the consumer, respects scientific research and avoids protectionism; welcomes the Government's commitment to consider sustainable development issues in its approach to trade issues as well as the interest of developing countries; and endorses the Government's support for comprehensive trade negotiations to be launched at the World Trade Organisation Ministerial meeting in Seattle in late 1999.
	Parliamentary Democracy,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House affirms that effective parliamentary democracy in the United Kingdom and effective scrutiny in Europe depend on competent, coherent and constructive opposition; regrets the failure of the disunited Conservative Parliamentary Party at Westminster and the antipathetic and complacent Conservative group in the European Parliament to provide that necessary check on the executive, especially given their confusion over the future funding of education, policing, the NHS and other public services, Britain's positive role in Europe, and the achievement of necessary reforms of the institutions and policies of the European Union; and considers that the British taxpayer gets inadequate value for money from the Official Opposition—(Mr David Heath);
	An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 4, to leave out from the word 'opposition' to the end of the Question and add the words 'notes with contempt that the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party considers it to be a constructive use of specially allocated opposition time to indulge in a petty and vindictive attack on Her Majesty's Opposition rather than to challenge the executive and hold it to account; and points out that, in so doing, a Party whose record of attendance and willingness to sacrifice principle for party advantage shows that it has no constitutional claim to the position and privileges which are rightly accorded to opposition parties in the parliamentary system', instead thereof.—(Mr Michael Ancram.)
	And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made;
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Sir David Madel, Mr Tim Collins: 137.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Caroline Spelman, Mrs Eleanor Laing: 36.
	So the Question was agreed to.
	And the Main Question, as amended, being put:—It was agreed to.
	Resolved, That this House affirms that effective parliamentary democracy in the United Kingdom and effective scrutiny in Europe depend on competent, coherent and constructive opposition; notes with contempt that the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party considers it to be a constructive use of specially allocated opposition time to indulge in a petty and vindictive attack on Her Majesty's Opposition rather than to challenge the executive and hold it to account; and points out that, in so doing, a Party whose record of attendance and willingness to sacrifice principle for party advantage shows that it has no constitutional claim to the position and privileges which are rightly accorded to opposition parties in the parliamentary system.
6	Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from Mr Bernard Calvert for a referendum on the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
7	Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from residents of the constituencies of—
	(1) Devon North,
	(2) Islwyn, and
	(3) Stevenage
	against hunting with dogs were presented; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
8	Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Clive Betts.)
	And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till thirteen minutes to Eight o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 7.47 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 Affirmative Resolution:
1	Northern Ireland,—Draft Northern Ireland (Emergency and Prevention of Terrorism Provisions) (Continuance) Order 1999 [by Act] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
2	Animals,—Cattle Identification (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1339), dated 12th May 1999 [by Act] [Mr Nicholas Brown].
3	Constitutional Law,—(1) Scotland Act 1998 (Transitory and Transitional Provisions) (Complaints of Maladministration) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1351), and
	(2) Scotland Act 1998 (Transitory and Transitional Provisions) (Members' Interests) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1350),
	dated 12th May 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].
4	Housing,—Housing (Right to Acquire or Enfranchise) (Designated Rural Areas) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1307), dated 6th May 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
5	Supreme Court of England and Wales,—Election Petition (Amendment) Rules 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1352), dated 12th May 1999 [by Act] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon].
Other Papers:
6	Foreign Affairs,—Government Response to the Third Report from the Foreign Affairs Committee, Session 1998-99, on European Union Enlargement [by Command] [Cm. 4348] [Mr Secretary Cook].
7	Intelligence Services,—Report of the Intelligence and Security Committee on Sierra Leone [by Command] [Cm. 4309] [The Prime Minister].
8	National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on The PFI Contract for the new Dartford and Gravesham Hospital [by Act]; to be printed [No. 423] [Clerk of the House].
9	National Lottery,—Strategic Plan of the Heritage Lottery Fund for 1999-2002 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].
APPENDIX II
Reports from Select Committees
1	Culture, Media and Sport,—Fourth Report from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [Staging International Sporting Events], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 124] [Mr Gerald Kaufman].
2	Environmental Audit,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environmental Audit Committee [The Greening Government Initiative]; to be printed [No. 426-iii] [Mr John Horam].
3	Health,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Health Committee [Regulation of Private and other Independent Healthcare]; to be printed [281-vii] [Mr David Hinchliffe].
4	Treasury,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee of the Treasury Committee [Valuation Office Agency]; to be printed [No. 420-ii] [Mr Giles Radice].