Votes and Proceedings

House of Commons

Session 1998-99
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House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Monday 5th July 1999

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

PRAYERS.

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

    The Lords have agreed to the Protection of Children Bill, without Amendment.

2 Finance Bill [Ways and Means],—Capital Allowances (first year allowances),— Resolved, That provision (including provision having retrospective effect) may be made in the Finance Bill restricting the expenditure on machinery and plant for use in Northern Ireland in respect of which 100 per cent. first year allowances may be made.—(Mrs Barbara Roche.)

3 Finance Bill [Ways and Means],—Oil taxation (anti-avoidance),—Resolved, That provision may be included in the Finance Bill about—

    (a) the receipts which are to be treated as tariff receipts or disposal receipts attributable to an oil field;

    (b) the persons who are to be treated as participators in an oil field; and

    (c) the time for payment of petroleum revenue tax.—(Mrs Barbara Roche.)

4 Finance Bill [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Finance Bill [Money]:

    Resolved, That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Finance Bill, it is expedient to authorise any increase in the sums payable out of or into the National Loans Fund attributable to any provision of that Act relating to borrowing from the General Account of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise or the General Account of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue.—(Mrs Barbara Roche.)

5 Finance Bill [Ways and Means],—Chargeable gains: absolute entitlement to settled property,—Resolved, That provision may be made in the Finance Bill amending section 71 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992.—(Mrs Barbara Roche.)

6 Finance Bill [Ways and Means],—Goods for sale on board ships or aircraft,—Resolved, That provision may be made in the Finance Bill amending section 1 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 as respects stores.—(Mrs Barbara Roche.)

7 Finance Bill [Ways and Means],—Works of art, antiques, etc.,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That provision may be made in the Finance Bill amending section 21 of the Value Added Tax Act 1994—(Dawn Primarolo);

    And it being three-quarters of an hour after the commencement of proceedings, the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Standing Order No. 52 (Money resolutions and ways and means resolutions in connection with bills):—It was agreed to.

    Resolved, That provision may be made in the Finance Bill amending section 21 of the Value Added Tax Act 1994.

8 Finance Bill [Ways and Means],—Value added tax (preparations etc. of meat, yeast or egg),—Resolved, That provision (including provision having retrospective effect) may be made in the Finance Bill amending the provisions of Schedule 8 to the Value Added Tax Act 1994 by virtue of which supplies of preparations and extracts of meat, yeast or egg are zero-rated.—(Dawn Primarolo.)

9 Finance Bill [Ways and Means],—Discounted securities etc.,—Resolved, That provision (including provision having retrospective effect) may be made in the Finance Bill amending paragraphs 10 and 13 of Schedule 13 to the Finance Act 1996 and section 92 of that Act.—(Mrs Barbara Roche.)

10 Finance Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Finance Bill, not amended in the Committee, and as amended in the Standing Committee.

    A Clause (First-year allowances for investment in Northern Ireland)—(Mrs Barbara Roche)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

    Another Clause (Oil taxation: qualifying assets)—(Mrs Barbara Roche)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

    Another Clause (Petroleum revenue tax: instalments)—(Mrs Barbara Roche)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

    Another Clause (Business assets: roll-over relief)—(Mrs Barbara Roche)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

    Another Clause (Lending by Revenue Accounts to National Loans Fund)—(Ms Patricia Hewitt)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

    Another Clause (Allowable losses where beneficiary absolutely entitled)—(Dawn Primarolo)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

    Another Clause (EU travel expenses)—(Dawn Primarolo)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

    Another Clause (Goods for sale on board ships or aircraft)—(Dawn Primarolo)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

    Another Clause (Works of art, antiques, etc.)—(Dawn Primarolo)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

    Another Clause (Preparations etc. of meat, yeast or egg)—(Dawn Primarolo)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

    Another Clause (Non-tax payers)—(Mr Quentin Davies)—brought up, and read the first time.

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

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Oliver Heald, Mrs Jacqui Lait: 149.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr Keith Hill, Mr David Jamieson: 316.

    Another Clause (Capital allowances: road fuel gas)—(Mr Michael Jack)—brought up, and read the first time.

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

Tuesday 6th July 1999

    Clause, by leave, withdrawn.

    Another Clause (Administrative efficiency of the tax system)—(Mr Edward Davey)—brought up, and read the first time.

    Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:—Clause, by leave, withdrawn.

    Ordered, That further consideration of the Bill be now adjourned.—(Mr David Jamieson).

    Bill to be further considered this day.

11 Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Bill [Lords],—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Bill [Lords];

    And a Motion being made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 90 (Second reading committees), That the Bill be now read a second time:—It was agreed to.

    The Bill was accordingly read a second time and stood committed to a Standing Committee.

12 Value Added Tax,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the Value Added Tax (Abolition of Zero-Rating for Tax-Free Shops) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1642), dated 11th June 1999, a copy of which was laid before this House on 11th June, be approved—(Mr David Jamieson):—It was agreed to.

13 Contracting Out,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Contracting Out (Jury Summoning Functions) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 14th June, be approved—(Mr David Jamieson):—It was agreed to.

14 Deregulation,—Ordered, That Mr Iain Coleman and Miss Geraldine Smith be discharged from the Deregulation Committee and Mr Russell Brown and Mr Andrew Love be added to the Committee.—(Mr David Jamieson.)

15 Agriculture,—Ordered, That Mr John Hayes be discharged from the Agriculture Committee and Mr Michael Jack be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

16 Catering,—Ordered, That Mrs Jacqui Lait be discharged from the Catering Committee and Mr Michael Fabricant be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

17 Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Ordered, That Mrs Eleanor Laing be discharged from the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee and Miss Anne McIntosh be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

18 Foreign Affairs,—Ordered, That Mr Shaun Woodward be discharged from the Foreign Affairs Committee and Sir David Madel be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

19 Health,—Ordered, That Mr Robert Walter be discharged from the Health Committee and Mr Simon Burns be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

20 Science and Technology,—Ordered, That Mrs Jacqui Lait be discharged from the Science and Technology Committee and Mr Robert Jackson be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

21 Trade and Industry,—Ordered, That Mr John Bercow be discharged from the Trade and Industry Committee and Mr Christopher Chope be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

22 Treasury,—Ordered, That Sir Peter Lloyd be discharged from the Treasury Committee and Mr Michael Fallon be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

23 Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr David Jamieson);

    And the Motion having been made after Ten o'clock on Monday evening, 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 six minutes to Two o'clock on Tuesday morning, till this day.

[Adjourned at 1.54 a.m.

Betty Boothroyd
Speaker

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

APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1 Deregulation,—(1) Draft Deregulation (Casinos) Order 1999, and

    (2) draft Deregulation (Millennium Licensing) Order 1999,

    together with statements by the Home Office [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw].

2 Northern Ireland,—Draft Northern Ireland Act Tribunal (Procedure) Rules 1999 [by Act] [Mr Keith Vaz].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

3 Constitutional Law,—Scotland Act 1998 (Transitory and Transitional Provisions) (Grants to Members and Officeholders and Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme) Amendment Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1891), dated 24th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid].

4 Patents,—Patents and Trade Marks (World Trade Organisation) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1899), dated 1st July 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].

Other Papers:

5 Church Commissioners,—Report and Accounts of the Church Commissioners for England for 1998 [by Measure] [Mr Secretary Straw].

6 Crime and Disorder,—Report and Accounts of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales for the period 30th September 1998 to 31st March 1999, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 473] [Clerk of the House].

7 Miscellaneous Financial Provisions,—Review and Financial Statement of the West of England Development Agency for 1998-99 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].

8 National Lottery,—Account of the Sports Council for Wales Lottery Distribution for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 637] [Clerk of the House].

APPENDIX II

Reports from Select Committees

1 Culture, Media and Sport,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [The Performing Right Society and the Abolition of the Classical Music Subsidy]; to be printed [No. 468-ii] [Mr Gerald Kaufman].

2 Defence,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee [Defence Medical Services]; to be printed [No. 447-iii] [Mr Bruce George].

3 Public Accounts,—(1) Twenty-fifth Report from the Committee of Public Accounts [MAFF: Arable Area Payments Scheme]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 306];

    (2) Twenty-sixth Report from the Committee [Overseas Operations, Governance and Management at Southampton Institute]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 345];

    (3) Twenty-seventh Report from the Committee [HM Customs and Excise: The Red Channel]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 439];

    (4) Twenty-eighth Report from the Committee [Cost Over-runs, Funding Problems and Delays on Guy's Hospital Phase III Development]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 289]; and

    (5) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Department of Social Security: Progress on Measures to Combat Housing Benefit Fraud]; to be printed [No. 643-i]

[Mr David Davis].

The House met at half-past Two o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1	Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows:
	The Lords have agreed to the Protection of Children Bill, without Amendment.
2	Finance Bill [Ways and Means],—Capital Allowances (first year allowances),— Resolved, That provision (including provision having retrospective effect) may be made in the Finance Bill restricting the expenditure on machinery and plant for use in Northern Ireland in respect of which 100 per cent. first year allowances may be made.—(Mrs Barbara Roche.)
3	Finance Bill [Ways and Means],—Oil taxation (anti-avoidance),—Resolved, That provision may be included in the Finance Bill about—
	(a) the receipts which are to be treated as tariff receipts or disposal receipts attributable to an oil field;
	(b) the persons who are to be treated as participators in an oil field; and
	(c) the time for payment of petroleum revenue tax.—(Mrs Barbara Roche.)
4	Finance Bill [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Finance Bill [Money]:
	Resolved, That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Finance Bill, it is expedient to authorise any increase in the sums payable out of or into the National Loans Fund attributable to any provision of that Act relating to borrowing from the General Account of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise or the General Account of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue.—(Mrs Barbara Roche.)
5	Finance Bill [Ways and Means],—Chargeable gains: absolute entitlement to settled property,—Resolved, That provision may be made in the Finance Bill amending section 71 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992.—(Mrs Barbara Roche.)
6	Finance Bill [Ways and Means],—Goods for sale on board ships or aircraft,—Resolved, That provision may be made in the Finance Bill amending section 1 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 as respects stores.—(Mrs Barbara Roche.)
7	Finance Bill [Ways and Means],—Works of art, antiques, etc.,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That provision may be made in the Finance Bill amending section 21 of the Value Added Tax Act 1994—(Dawn Primarolo);
	And it being three-quarters of an hour after the commencement of proceedings, the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Standing Order No. 52 (Money resolutions and ways and means resolutions in connection with bills):—It was agreed to.
	Resolved, That provision may be made in the Finance Bill amending section 21 of the Value Added Tax Act 1994.
8	Finance Bill [Ways and Means],—Value added tax (preparations etc. of meat, yeast or egg),—Resolved, That provision (including provision having retrospective effect) may be made in the Finance Bill amending the provisions of Schedule 8 to the Value Added Tax Act 1994 by virtue of which supplies of preparations and extracts of meat, yeast or egg are zero-rated.—(Dawn Primarolo.)
9	Finance Bill [Ways and Means],—Discounted securities etc.,—Resolved, That provision (including provision having retrospective effect) may be made in the Finance Bill amending paragraphs 10 and 13 of Schedule 13 to the Finance Act 1996 and section 92 of that Act.—(Mrs Barbara Roche.)
10	Finance Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Finance Bill, not amended in the Committee, and as amended in the Standing Committee.
	A Clause (First-year allowances for investment in Northern Ireland)—(Mrs Barbara Roche)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
	Another Clause (Oil taxation: qualifying assets)—(Mrs Barbara Roche)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
	Another Clause (Petroleum revenue tax: instalments)—(Mrs Barbara Roche)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
	Another Clause (Business assets: roll-over relief)—(Mrs Barbara Roche)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
	Another Clause (Lending by Revenue Accounts to National Loans Fund)—(Ms Patricia Hewitt)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
	Another Clause (Allowable losses where beneficiary absolutely entitled)—(Dawn Primarolo)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
	Another Clause (EU travel expenses)—(Dawn Primarolo)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
	Another Clause (Goods for sale on board ships or aircraft)—(Dawn Primarolo)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
	Another Clause (Works of art, antiques, etc.)—(Dawn Primarolo)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
	Another Clause (Preparations etc. of meat, yeast or egg)—(Dawn Primarolo)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
	Another Clause (Non-tax payers)—(Mr Quentin Davies)—brought up, and read the first time.
	Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Oliver Heald, Mrs Jacqui Lait: 149.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr Keith Hill, Mr David Jamieson: 316.
	Another Clause (Capital allowances: road fuel gas)—(Mr Michael Jack)—brought up, and read the first time.
	Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time.
Tuesday 6th July 1999
	Clause, by leave, withdrawn.
	Another Clause (Administrative efficiency of the tax system)—(Mr Edward Davey)—brought up, and read the first time.
	Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:—Clause, by leave, withdrawn.
	Ordered, That further consideration of the Bill be now adjourned.—(Mr David Jamieson).
	Bill to be further considered this day.
11	Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Bill [Lords],—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Bill [Lords];
	And a Motion being made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 90 (Second reading committees), That the Bill be now read a second time:—It was agreed to.
	The Bill was accordingly read a second time and stood committed to a Standing Committee.
12	Value Added Tax,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the Value Added Tax (Abolition of Zero-Rating for Tax-Free Shops) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1642), dated 11th June 1999, a copy of which was laid before this House on 11th June, be approved—(Mr David Jamieson):—It was agreed to.
13	Contracting Out,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Contracting Out (Jury Summoning Functions) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 14th June, be approved—(Mr David Jamieson):—It was agreed to.
14	Deregulation,—Ordered, That Mr Iain Coleman and Miss Geraldine Smith be discharged from the Deregulation Committee and Mr Russell Brown and Mr Andrew Love be added to the Committee.—(Mr David Jamieson.)
15	Agriculture,—Ordered, That Mr John Hayes be discharged from the Agriculture Committee and Mr Michael Jack be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
16	Catering,—Ordered, That Mrs Jacqui Lait be discharged from the Catering Committee and Mr Michael Fabricant be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
17	Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Ordered, That Mrs Eleanor Laing be discharged from the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee and Miss Anne McIntosh be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
18	Foreign Affairs,—Ordered, That Mr Shaun Woodward be discharged from the Foreign Affairs Committee and Sir David Madel be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
19	Health,—Ordered, That Mr Robert Walter be discharged from the Health Committee and Mr Simon Burns be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
20	Science and Technology,—Ordered, That Mrs Jacqui Lait be discharged from the Science and Technology Committee and Mr Robert Jackson be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
21	Trade and Industry,—Ordered, That Mr John Bercow be discharged from the Trade and Industry Committee and Mr Christopher Chope be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
22	Treasury,—Ordered, That Sir Peter Lloyd be discharged from the Treasury Committee and Mr Michael Fallon be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
23	Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr David Jamieson);
	And the Motion having been made after Ten o'clock on Monday evening, 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 six minutes to Two o'clock on Tuesday morning, till this day.
[Adjourned at 1.54 a.m.
*Betty Boothroyd* *Speaker*
Madam Speaker will take the Chair at half-past Two o'clock.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
1	Deregulation,—(1) Draft Deregulation (Casinos) Order 1999, and
	(2) draft Deregulation (Millennium Licensing) Order 1999,
	together with statements by the Home Office [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw].
2	Northern Ireland,—Draft Northern Ireland Act Tribunal (Procedure) Rules 1999 [by Act] [Mr Keith Vaz].
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
3	Constitutional Law,—Scotland Act 1998 (Transitory and Transitional Provisions) (Grants to Members and Officeholders and Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme) Amendment Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1891), dated 24th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid].
4	Patents,—Patents and Trade Marks (World Trade Organisation) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1899), dated 1st July 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].
Other Papers:
5	Church Commissioners,—Report and Accounts of the Church Commissioners for England for 1998 [by Measure] [Mr Secretary Straw].
6	Crime and Disorder,—Report and Accounts of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales for the period 30th September 1998 to 31st March 1999, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 473] [Clerk of the House].
7	Miscellaneous Financial Provisions,—Review and Financial Statement of the West of England Development Agency for 1998-99 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].
8	National Lottery,—Account of the Sports Council for Wales Lottery Distribution for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 637] [Clerk of the House].
APPENDIX II
Reports from Select Committees
1	Culture, Media and Sport,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [The Performing Right Society and the Abolition of the Classical Music Subsidy]; to be printed [No. 468-ii] [Mr Gerald Kaufman].
2	Defence,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee [Defence Medical Services]; to be printed [No. 447-iii] [Mr Bruce George].
3	Public Accounts,—(1) Twenty-fifth Report from the Committee of Public Accounts [MAFF: Arable Area Payments Scheme]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 306];
	(2) Twenty-sixth Report from the Committee [Overseas Operations, Governance and Management at Southampton Institute]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 345];
	(3) Twenty-seventh Report from the Committee [HM Customs and Excise: The Red Channel]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 439];
	(4) Twenty-eighth Report from the Committee [Cost Over-runs, Funding Problems and Delays on Guy's Hospital Phase III Development]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 289]; and
	(5) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Department of Social Security: Progress on Measures to Combat Housing Benefit Fraud]; to be printed [No. 643-i]
	[Mr David Davis].