Votes and Proceedings

House of Commons

Session 1998-99
Publications on the internet

House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Thursday 15th July 1999

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

PRAYERS.

1 Food Standards Bill,—Mr Roger Gale reported from Standing Committee B, That it had gone through the Food Standards Bill, and made Amendments thereunto.

    Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 141].

    Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 730].

2 Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Bill [Lords],—Mr Joe Benton reported from Standing Committee D, That it had gone through the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Bill [Lords], and directed him to report the same, without Amendment.

    Bill, not amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow.

    Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 732].

3 Tenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Jim Cunningham reported from the Tenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Draft International Copper Study Group (Legal Capacities) Order 1999, the draft International Organisations (Immunities and Privileges) Miscellaneous Provisions Order 1999 and the draft Intelsat (Immunities and Privileges) (Amendment) Order 1999.

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

4 Eleventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Nicholas Winterton reported from the Eleventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (Procedural Rules) Order 1999, the draft Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (Code of Conduct) Order 1999 and the draft Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (Guidelines) Order 1999.

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

5 Twelfth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Edward O'Hara reported from the Twelfth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Aeroplane Noise (Amendment) Regulations 1999.

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

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

    The Lords have agreed to the Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill, without Amendment.

    The Lords have agreed to certain of the Amendments made by this House to the Access to Justice Bill [Lords], without Amendment; they have agreed to another of the Amendments made by this House, with an Amendment, to which they desire the concurrence of this House; and they have disagreed to the remaining Amendments made by this House, for which disagreement they assign their Reasons.

    The Lords have agreed to the Employment Relations Bill, with Amendments; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.

    The Lords have agreed to the Local Government Bill, with Amendments; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.

7 Access to Justice Bill [Lords],—Lords Amendment to Commons Amendment and Lords Reasons for disagreeing to certain other of the Commons Amendments to the Access to Justice Bill [Lords] to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 140].

8 Employment Relations Bill,—Lords Amendments to the Employment Relations Bill to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 142].

9 Local Government Bill,—Lords Amendments to the Local Government Bill to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 143].

10 Opposition Day [18th 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.

    Impact of the Government's Policies on the Motorist,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House deplores the Government's anti-car policies and believes that the motorist deserves a fairer deal; condemns the Government for increasing congestion with massive cuts in roads investment, whilst imposing congestion and non-residential parking and motorway taxes; regrets that the Government's transport policies are bringing Britain to a standstill at the same time as undermining the competitiveness of business; regards the car as a force for good, bringing unparalleled freedom and opportunities to millions; recognises that 93 per cent. of all passenger journeys and nearly 80 per cent. of freight transport is by road; regrets that roads are now in their worst condition since records began, causing accidents, delays and congestion; urges the Government to bring forward a comprehensive transport policy for modernising Britain's road system so that road users can enjoy a more efficient, safer and environmentally-friendly service, pursuing policies to remove through-traffic and heavy lorries from towns and villages; and urges the Government to increase investment in public transport, facilities to let people get out of their car on to a bus or train, and alternatives to the car such as walking and cycling so that more people have real choice, instead of trying to force motorists out of their cars before the alternatives are available—(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 'deplores the previous Government's record of under-investment and disintegration in the transport network, its failure to tackle congestion as traffic rose by 75 per cent., and its cut in road maintenance; commends the Government for producing the first Transport White Paper for 20 years which has a comprehensive approach to transport across all modes and welcomes the Government's new deal for the motorist in the Transport White Paper; applauds the Government for its clear and open framework for appraising and informing the prioritisation of trunk road investment, taking a far-sighted and more integrated approach than the previous administration; notes that the present Government has begun to tackle the inherited problems of under-investment, pollution and increasing traffic congestion, by a new radical integrated strategy, including an extra £1.8 billion for public transport and local transport management, improving road maintenance, encouraging greater fuel efficiency, reducing pollution, and introducing the long-term policies needed to increase transport choice and improve Britain's transport system; and recognises the freedom that the car has given and that congestion can remove the convenience and pleasure from driving', instead thereof.—(Mr Secretary Prescott.)

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

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John M. Taylor, Mrs Jacqui Lait: 121.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr David Hanson: 325.

    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 deplores the previous Government's record of under-investment and disintegration in the transport network, its failure to tackle congestion as traffic rose by 75 per cent., and its cut in road maintenance; commends the Government for producing the first Transport White Paper for 20 years which has a comprehensive approach to transport across all modes and welcomes the Government's new deal for the motorist in the Transport White Paper; applauds the Government for its clear and open framework for appraising and informing the prioritisation of trunk road investment, taking a far-sighted and more integrated approach than the previous administration; notes that the present Government has begun to tackle the inherited problems of under-investment, pollution and increasing traffic congestion, by a new radical integrated strategy, including an extra £1.8 billion for public transport and local transport management, improving road maintenance, encouraging greater fuel efficiency, reducing pollution, and introducing the long-term policies needed to increase transport choice and improve Britain's transport system; and recognises the freedom that the car has given and that congestion can remove the convenience and pleasure from driving.

    Future of Post Offices,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House is concerned that the Government's proposed arrangements for the Post Office put at risk its long-term viability by failing to free it from state control while also failing to maintain accountability; is concerned that these arrangements will create an uncompetitive distortion in the existing private sector mail delivery market; supports the Universal Service Obligation; and condemns the failure by the Government to implement the Horizon programme, with the resulting 30 per cent. drop in income to the network of private sector sub-post offices which threatens the survival of rural sub-post offices and represents yet another government policy detrimental to the interests of those who live and work in the countryside—(Mrs Angela Browning);

    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 important White Paper on the Post Office published by the Government; notes the contrast with the years of Tory dithering, blinkered by ideology, that left the Post Office to decline; welcomes the slashing of the EFL which contrasts with the Tory use of it as a variable tax on Post Office users; welcomes for the first time the clear commitment of the Government to a network throughout the United Kingdom of post offices which will be automated; welcomes the fact that for the first time the Universal Service Obligation will be guaranteed in legislation; and notes that the Opposition believes in immediate privatisation of the Post Office, showing they are still an ideologically-driven party, not one intent on improving services to the British public', instead thereof—(Mr Secretary Byers);

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

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Keith Simpson, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 126.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr Greg Pope, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 328.

    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 Robert Ainsworth: 293.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Jacqui Lait, Mr Keith Simpson: 140.

    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 important White Paper on the Post Office published by the Government; notes the contrast with the years of Tory dithering, blinkered by ideology, that left the Post Office to decline; welcomes the slashing of the EFL which contrasts with the Tory use of it as a variable tax on Post Office users; welcomes for the first time the clear commitment of the Government to a network throughout the United Kingdom of post offices which will be automated; welcomes the fact that for the first time the Universal Service Obligation will be guaranteed in legislation; and notes that the Opposition believes in immediate privatisation of the Post Office showing they are still an ideologically-driven party, not one intent in improving services to the British public.

11 Royal Assent,—The Deputy Speaker notified the House, in accordance with the Royal Assent Act 1967, That Her Majesty had signified her Royal Assent to the following Acts, agreed upon by both Houses:

    Appropriation Act 1999

    Protection of Children Act 1999

    Trustee Delegation Act 1999.

12 Northern Ireland,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 28th June, be approved—(Mr Graham Allen):—It was agreed to.

13 Delegated Legislation,—Ordered, That the Motion in the name of Mr Secretary Straw relating to the salary of the Data Protection Registrar shall be treated as if it related to an instrument subject to the provisions of Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation) in respect of which notice has been given that the instrument be approved.—(Mr Graham Allen.)

14 Food,—Ordered, That the Food Safety (Fishery Products and Live Shellfish) (Hygiene) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1585) be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.—(Mr Graham Allen.)

15 National Health Service,—Ordered, That the National Health Service (General Medical Services) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1627) be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.—(Mr Graham Allen.)

16 National Health Service (Scotland),—Ordered, That the National Health Service (General Medical Services) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 3) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1620) be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.—(Mr Graham Allen.)

17 Education,—Ordered, That the Education (Head Teachers) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1287) be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.—(Mr Graham Allen.)

18 Fire Precautions,—Ordered, That the Fire Precautions (Workplace) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1877) be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.—(Mr Graham Allen.)

19 Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Graham Allen.)

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

[Adjourned at 7.54 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 Merchant Shipping,—Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1957), dated 6th July 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

Other Papers:

2 Defence Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Duke of York's Royal Military School for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 729] [Mr Secretary Robertson].

3 Development of Tourism,—Report and Accounts of the English Tourist Board for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].

4 Disability Discrimination,—Report of the National Disability Council for 1998-99 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 683] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].

5 Environmental Protection,—Accounts of the Countryside Council for Wales for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 728] [Clerk of the House].

6 Further and Higher Education (Scotland),—Accounts of the Scottish and Higher Education Funding Council for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 727] [Clerk of the House].

7 Government Trading Funds,—Reports and Accounts of—

    (1) Central Office of Information,

    (2) Medicines Control Agency,

    (3) Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, and

    (4) Vehicle Inspectorate

for 1998-99, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 621, 555, 672 and 545] [Clerk of the House].

8 Health,—Government Response to the Fourth Report from the Health Committee, Session 1998-99, on Long Term Care [by Command] [Cm. 4414] [Mr Secretary Dobson].

9 Local Government,—Financial Statements of the South Bank Centre for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].

10 Medicines,—Reports of the Medicines Commission, Committee on Safety of Medicines, Advisory Board on the Registration of Homoeopathic Products, Veterinary Products Committee and the British Pharmacopoeia Commission for 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson].

11 Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for Health on the Petitions [8th June, 9th June, 16th June, 22nd June, 25th June and 2nd July] from Consumers for Health Choice, the Health Food Manufacturers' Association, the National Association of Health Stores and others against the proposal to give the Medicines Control Agency power to classify natural health products as medicines [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].

12 Science and Technology,—Report and Accounts of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

Draft Financial Services Act 1986 (Restriction of Exemptions) Order 1999,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Robert Ainsworth from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Mr Mike Hall.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1 Culture, Media and Sport,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [The Future of Professional Rugby]; to be printed [No. 590-ii] [Mr Gerald Kaufman].

2 Health,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Health Committee [Procedures related to Adverse Clinical Incidents and Outcomes in Medical Care]; to be printed [No. 549-v] [Mr David Hinchliffe].

3 Local Government (Organisation and Standards),—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Joint Committee on Local Government (Organisation and Standards); to be printed [No. 542-ix] [Mr Peter L. Pike].

4 Trade and Industry,—(1) Ninth Report from the Trade and Industry Committee [The Impact on Industry of the Climate Change Levy], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 678];

    (2) Tenth Report from the Committee [Electronic Commerce], together with Appendices; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 648] and

    (3) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Electronic Government: The Horizon Project for Automated Payment of Benefits through Post Offices; The Future of the Post Office]

[Mr Martin O'Neill].

The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1	Food Standards Bill,—Mr Roger Gale reported from Standing Committee B, That it had gone through the Food Standards Bill, and made Amendments thereunto.
	Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 141].
	Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 730].
2	Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Bill [Lords],—Mr Joe Benton reported from Standing Committee D, That it had gone through the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Bill [Lords], and directed him to report the same, without Amendment.
	Bill, not amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow.
	Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 732].
3	Tenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Jim Cunningham reported from the Tenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Draft International Copper Study Group (Legal Capacities) Order 1999, the draft International Organisations (Immunities and Privileges) Miscellaneous Provisions Order 1999 and the draft Intelsat (Immunities and Privileges) (Amendment) Order 1999.
	Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
4	Eleventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Nicholas Winterton reported from the Eleventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (Procedural Rules) Order 1999, the draft Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (Code of Conduct) Order 1999 and the draft Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (Guidelines) Order 1999.
	Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
5	Twelfth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Edward O'Hara reported from the Twelfth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Aeroplane Noise (Amendment) Regulations 1999.
	Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
6	Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows:
	The Lords have agreed to the Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill, without Amendment.
	The Lords have agreed to certain of the Amendments made by this House to the Access to Justice Bill [Lords], without Amendment; they have agreed to another of the Amendments made by this House, with an Amendment, to which they desire the concurrence of this House; and they have disagreed to the remaining Amendments made by this House, for which disagreement they assign their Reasons.
	The Lords have agreed to the Employment Relations Bill, with Amendments; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.
	The Lords have agreed to the Local Government Bill, with Amendments; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.
7	Access to Justice Bill [Lords],—Lords Amendment to Commons Amendment and Lords Reasons for disagreeing to certain other of the Commons Amendments to the Access to Justice Bill [Lords] to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 140].
8	Employment Relations Bill,—Lords Amendments to the Employment Relations Bill to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 142].
9	Local Government Bill,—Lords Amendments to the Local Government Bill to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 143].
10	Opposition Day [18th 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.
	Impact of the Government's Policies on the Motorist,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House deplores the Government's anti-car policies and believes that the motorist deserves a fairer deal; condemns the Government for increasing congestion with massive cuts in roads investment, whilst imposing congestion and non-residential parking and motorway taxes; regrets that the Government's transport policies are bringing Britain to a standstill at the same time as undermining the competitiveness of business; regards the car as a force for good, bringing unparalleled freedom and opportunities to millions; recognises that 93 per cent. of all passenger journeys and nearly 80 per cent. of freight transport is by road; regrets that roads are now in their worst condition since records began, causing accidents, delays and congestion; urges the Government to bring forward a comprehensive transport policy for modernising Britain's road system so that road users can enjoy a more efficient, safer and environmentally-friendly service, pursuing policies to remove through-traffic and heavy lorries from towns and villages; and urges the Government to increase investment in public transport, facilities to let people get out of their car on to a bus or train, and alternatives to the car such as walking and cycling so that more people have real choice, instead of trying to force motorists out of their cars before the alternatives are available—(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 'deplores the previous Government's record of under-investment and disintegration in the transport network, its failure to tackle congestion as traffic rose by 75 per cent., and its cut in road maintenance; commends the Government for producing the first Transport White Paper for 20 years which has a comprehensive approach to transport across all modes and welcomes the Government's new deal for the motorist in the Transport White Paper; applauds the Government for its clear and open framework for appraising and informing the prioritisation of trunk road investment, taking a far-sighted and more integrated approach than the previous administration; notes that the present Government has begun to tackle the inherited problems of under-investment, pollution and increasing traffic congestion, by a new radical integrated strategy, including an extra £1.8 billion for public transport and local transport management, improving road maintenance, encouraging greater fuel efficiency, reducing pollution, and introducing the long-term policies needed to increase transport choice and improve Britain's transport system; and recognises the freedom that the car has given and that congestion can remove the convenience and pleasure from driving', instead thereof.—(Mr Secretary Prescott.)
	And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John M. Taylor, Mrs Jacqui Lait: 121.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr David Hanson: 325.
	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 deplores the previous Government's record of under-investment and disintegration in the transport network, its failure to tackle congestion as traffic rose by 75 per cent., and its cut in road maintenance; commends the Government for producing the first Transport White Paper for 20 years which has a comprehensive approach to transport across all modes and welcomes the Government's new deal for the motorist in the Transport White Paper; applauds the Government for its clear and open framework for appraising and informing the prioritisation of trunk road investment, taking a far-sighted and more integrated approach than the previous administration; notes that the present Government has begun to tackle the inherited problems of under-investment, pollution and increasing traffic congestion, by a new radical integrated strategy, including an extra £1.8 billion for public transport and local transport management, improving road maintenance, encouraging greater fuel efficiency, reducing pollution, and introducing the long-term policies needed to increase transport choice and improve Britain's transport system; and recognises the freedom that the car has given and that congestion can remove the convenience and pleasure from driving.
	Future of Post Offices,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House is concerned that the Government's proposed arrangements for the Post Office put at risk its long-term viability by failing to free it from state control while also failing to maintain accountability; is concerned that these arrangements will create an uncompetitive distortion in the existing private sector mail delivery market; supports the Universal Service Obligation; and condemns the failure by the Government to implement the Horizon programme, with the resulting 30 per cent. drop in income to the network of private sector sub-post offices which threatens the survival of rural sub-post offices and represents yet another government policy detrimental to the interests of those who live and work in the countryside—(Mrs Angela Browning);
	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 important White Paper on the Post Office published by the Government; notes the contrast with the years of Tory dithering, blinkered by ideology, that left the Post Office to decline; welcomes the slashing of the EFL which contrasts with the Tory use of it as a variable tax on Post Office users; welcomes for the first time the clear commitment of the Government to a network throughout the United Kingdom of post offices which will be automated; welcomes the fact that for the first time the Universal Service Obligation will be guaranteed in legislation; and notes that the Opposition believes in immediate privatisation of the Post Office, showing they are still an ideologically-driven party, not one intent on improving services to the British public', instead thereof—(Mr Secretary Byers);
	And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Keith Simpson, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 126.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr Greg Pope, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 328.
	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 Robert Ainsworth: 293.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Jacqui Lait, Mr Keith Simpson: 140.
	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 important White Paper on the Post Office published by the Government; notes the contrast with the years of Tory dithering, blinkered by ideology, that left the Post Office to decline; welcomes the slashing of the EFL which contrasts with the Tory use of it as a variable tax on Post Office users; welcomes for the first time the clear commitment of the Government to a network throughout the United Kingdom of post offices which will be automated; welcomes the fact that for the first time the Universal Service Obligation will be guaranteed in legislation; and notes that the Opposition believes in immediate privatisation of the Post Office showing they are still an ideologically-driven party, not one intent in improving services to the British public.
11	Royal Assent,—The Deputy Speaker notified the House, in accordance with the Royal Assent Act 1967, That Her Majesty had signified her Royal Assent to the following Acts, agreed upon by both Houses:
	Appropriation Act 1999
	Protection of Children Act 1999
	Trustee Delegation Act 1999.
12	Northern Ireland,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 28th June, be approved—(Mr Graham Allen):—It was agreed to.
13	Delegated Legislation,—Ordered, That the Motion in the name of Mr Secretary Straw relating to the salary of the Data Protection Registrar shall be treated as if it related to an instrument subject to the provisions of Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation) in respect of which notice has been given that the instrument be approved.—(Mr Graham Allen.)
14	Food,—Ordered, That the Food Safety (Fishery Products and Live Shellfish) (Hygiene) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1585) be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.—(Mr Graham Allen.)
15	National Health Service,—Ordered, That the National Health Service (General Medical Services) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1627) be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.—(Mr Graham Allen.)
16	National Health Service (Scotland),—Ordered, That the National Health Service (General Medical Services) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 3) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1620) be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.—(Mr Graham Allen.)
17	Education,—Ordered, That the Education (Head Teachers) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1287) be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.—(Mr Graham Allen.)
18	Fire Precautions,—Ordered, That the Fire Precautions (Workplace) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1877) be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.—(Mr Graham Allen.)
19	Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Graham Allen.)
	And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till six minutes to Eight o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 7.54 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	Merchant Shipping,—Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1957), dated 6th July 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
Other Papers:
2	Defence Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Duke of York's Royal Military School for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 729] [Mr Secretary Robertson].
3	Development of Tourism,—Report and Accounts of the English Tourist Board for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].
4	Disability Discrimination,—Report of the National Disability Council for 1998-99 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 683] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
5	Environmental Protection,—Accounts of the Countryside Council for Wales for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 728] [Clerk of the House].
6	Further and Higher Education (Scotland),—Accounts of the Scottish and Higher Education Funding Council for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 727] [Clerk of the House].
7	Government Trading Funds,—Reports and Accounts of—
	(1) Central Office of Information,
	(2) Medicines Control Agency,
	(3) Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, and
	(4) Vehicle Inspectorate
	for 1998-99, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 621, 555, 672 and 545] [Clerk of the House].
8	Health,—Government Response to the Fourth Report from the Health Committee, Session 1998-99, on Long Term Care [by Command] [Cm. 4414] [Mr Secretary Dobson].
9	Local Government,—Financial Statements of the South Bank Centre for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].
10	Medicines,—Reports of the Medicines Commission, Committee on Safety of Medicines, Advisory Board on the Registration of Homoeopathic Products, Veterinary Products Committee and the British Pharmacopoeia Commission for 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson].
11	Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for Health on the Petitions [8th June, 9th June, 16th June, 22nd June, 25th June and 2nd July] from Consumers for Health Choice, the Health Food Manufacturers' Association, the National Association of Health Stores and others against the proposal to give the Medicines Control Agency power to classify natural health products as medicines [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].
12	Science and Technology,—Report and Accounts of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
	Draft Financial Services Act 1986 (Restriction of Exemptions) Order 1999,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Robert Ainsworth from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Mr Mike Hall.
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
1	Culture, Media and Sport,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [The Future of Professional Rugby]; to be printed [No. 590-ii] [Mr Gerald Kaufman].
2	Health,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Health Committee [Procedures related to Adverse Clinical Incidents and Outcomes in Medical Care]; to be printed [No. 549-v] [Mr David Hinchliffe].
3	Local Government (Organisation and Standards),—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Joint Committee on Local Government (Organisation and Standards); to be printed [No. 542-ix] [Mr Peter L. Pike].
4	Trade and Industry,—(1) Ninth Report from the Trade and Industry Committee [The Impact on Industry of the Climate Change Levy], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 678];
	(2) Tenth Report from the Committee [Electronic Commerce], together with Appendices; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 648] and
	(3) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Electronic Government: The Horizon Project for Automated Payment of Benefits through Post Offices; The Future of the Post Office]
	[Mr Martin O'Neill].



© Parliamentary copyright 1999	Revised 16 July 1999