Votes and Proceedings

House of Commons

Session 1998-99
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House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Thursday 22nd July 1999

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

PRAYERS.

1 Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Bill O'Brien reported from the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 50), on Children's Services (Quality Protects) Special Grants for 1998-99 and 1999-2000 (House of Commons Paper No. 617).

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

2 Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr George Stevenson reported from the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Northern Ireland Act Tribunal (Procedure) Rules 1999.

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

3 Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows—

    The Lords have agreed to the Amendments made by this House to the Commonwealth Development Corporation Bill [Lords], without Amendment.

4 Food Standards Bill and Employment Relations Bill (Allocation of Time),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That the following provisions shall apply to the remaining proceedings on the Food Standards Bill and on the Employment Relations Bill—

Timetable

    1.—(1) Proceedings on Consideration and Third Reading of the Food Standards Bill shall be completed at today's sitting and shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion six hours after the commencement of proceedings on this Motion.

    (2) Remaining proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments to the Employment Relations Bill shall be completed on the allotted day and, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion three hours after their commencement on that day.

Questions to be put

    2.—(1) This paragraph applies for the purpose of bringing any proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with paragraph 1(1).

    (2) The Speaker shall forthwith put the following Questions (but no others)—

    (a) any Question already proposed from the Chair;

    (b) any Question necessary to bring to a decision a Question so proposed;

    (c) the Question on any Amendment moved or Motion made by a Minister of the Crown;

    (d) any other Question necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded.

    (3) On a Motion made for a new Clause or a new Schedule, the Speaker shall put only the question that the Clause or Schedule be added to the Bill.

    (4) If two or more questions would fall to be put, under sub-paragraph (1)(c) on Amendments moved or Motions made by a Minister of the Crown, the Speaker shall instead put a single Question in relation to those Amendments or Motions.

    3.—(1) This paragraph applies for the purpose of bringing any proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with paragraph 1(2).

    (2) The Speaker shall first put forthwith any Question already proposed from the Chair.

    (3) If that Question is for the amendment of a Lords Amendment the Speaker shall then put forthwith—

    (a) the Question on any further amendment of the Lords Amendment moved by a Minister of the Crown, and

    (b) the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House agrees or disagrees to the Lords Amendment or (as the case may be) to the Lords Amendment as amended.

    (4) The Speaker shall then put forthwith—

    (a) the Question on any amendment moved by a Minister of the Crown to a Lords Amendment, and

    (b) the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House agrees or disagrees to the Lords Amendment or (as the case may be) to the Lords Amendment as amended.

    (5) The Speaker shall then put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House disagrees to a Lords Amendment.

    (6) The Speaker shall then put forthwith the Question, That this House agrees to all the remaining Lords Amendments.

    (7) As soon as the House has agreed or disagreed to a Lords Amendment, or disposed of an amendment relevant to a Lords Amendment which has been disagreed to, the Speaker shall put forthwith a separate Question on any other amendment which is moved by a Minister of the Crown and relevant to the Lords Amendment.

    (8) The Speaker shall put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown for the appointment, nomination and quorum of a Committee to draw up Reasons and the appointment of its Chairman.

    (9) A Committee appointed to draw up Reasons shall report before the conclusion of the sitting on the allotted day.

Miscellaneous

    4. Standing Order No. 15(1) (Exempted business) shall apply to proceedings—

    (a) on the Food Standards Bill at today's sitting, and

    (b) on the Employment Relations Bill on the allotted day,

and those proceedings shall not be interrupted under any Standing Order relating to sittings of the House.

    5. Standing Order No. 82 (Business Committee) shall not apply to proceedings on either of the Bills.

    6. No Motion shall be made, except by a Minister of the Crown, to alter the order in which any proceedings on either of the Bills are taken or to recommit the Food Standards Bill; and if a Minister makes any such Motion, the question on the Motion shall be put forthwith.

    7. No dilatory Motion shall be made in relation to either of the Bills except by a Minister of the Crown; and if a Minister makes any such Motion, the Question on the Motion shall be put forthwith.

    8. The Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown for varying or supplementing the provisions of this Order shall be put forthwith; and Standing Order No. 15(1) shall apply to proceedings on any such Motion.

    9.—(1) If at today's sitting a Motion for the adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 24 (as that Standing Order has effect in accordance with the Order of the House [16 December 1998]) stands over to Four o'clock and proceedings on this Motion have begun before that time, the Motion for the adjournment shall stand over until the conclusion of proceedings on the Food Standards Bill.

    (2) If on the allotted day a Motion for the adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 24 stands over to Seven o'clock (or, in accordance with the Order of the House [16 December 1998], Four o'clock), and proceedings on the Employment Relations Bill have begun before that time, or if such a Motion stands over from an earlier day, the Motion for the adjournment shall stand over until the conclusion of any proceedings on the Employment Relations Bill.

    10. If at the sitting today or on the allotted day the House is adjourned, or the sitting is suspended, before the time at which any proceedings are to be brought to a conclusion under paragraph 1(1) or (2), no notice shall be required of a Motion made at the next sitting by a Minister of the Crown for varying or supplementing the provisions of this Order.

Interpretation

    11. In this Order, 'allotted day' means any day on which the Employment Relations Bill is put down on the main business as first Government Order of the Day—(Margaret Beckett);

    The House divided

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Greg Pope, Jim Dowd: 276.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr John M. Taylor, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 108.

    So the Question was agreed to.

5 Food Standards Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Food Standards Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee.

    A Clause (Labelling of food products)—(Mrs Caroline Spelman)—brought up, and read the first time.

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

    Another Clause (Exercise of functions in Wales)—(Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones)—brought up, and read the first time.

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

    Amendment (No. 11) proposed to the Bill, in page 3, line 19, at the end, to insert the words—

    '(1B) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Agency has the function of—

    (a) investigating and monitoring the effect on food safety of—

    (i) animal husbandry systems and practices with inadequate standards of animal health and welfare;

    (ii) the routine use of antibiotics on farm animals for growth promotion or prophylactic purposes; and

    (iii) slaughterhouse systems and practices with inadequate standards of hygiene and animal welfare; and

    (b) developing policies relating to any matters identified during the investigation and monitoring mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) which the Agency considers have a significant effect on food safety.'.—(Mr Chris Mullin.)

    Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

    Another Amendment (No. 2) proposed to the Bill, in page 3, line 25, at the end, to insert the words—

    '(4) Any Authority making such a request shall immediately publish its reasons for so doing.'.—(Mrs Caroline Spelman.)

    Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

    Amendments (Nos. 19 to 23) made to the Bill.

    Another Amendment (No. 3) proposed to the Bill, in page 6, line 21, at the end, to insert the words—

    '(6) In any case where the Agency itself or a body for which it is accountable is the enforcement authority, subsection (1) shall not have effect and the function of monitoring enforcement shall be held by the Secretary of State.'.—(Mr James Paice.)

    Question proposed, That the Amendment be made.

    And it being six hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion relating to Food Standards Bill and Employment Relations Bill (Allocation of Time), the Deputy Speaker put the Question already proposed from the Chair, pursuant to Order [this day].

    Question, That the Amendment (No. 3) be made, put and negatived.

    The Deputy Speaker then put forthwith the Questions necessary to bring proceedings on Consideration and Third Reading to a conclusion.

    Other Amendments (Nos. 24 to 29, 31, 30 and 35) made to the Bill.

    A Schedule—(Accounts and Audit) brought up, read the first time, and added to the Bill.

    A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, That the Bill be now read the third time.

    The House proceeded to a Dvision.

    Mr Graham Allen and Mr Keith Hill were appointed Tellers for the Ayes, but no Member being willing to act as Teller for the Noes, the Deputy Speaker declared that the Ayes had it.

    The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.

6 Local Government Finance,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 48) on 1999-2000 Special Grant for developing new approaches to commissioning services for drug misusers (House of Commons Paper No. 513), which was laid before this House on 6th July, be approved—(Mr Graham Allen):—It was agreed to.

7 Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from—

    (1) residents of Cambridge and elsewhere against closure of Coleridge Community College;

    (2) users and supporters of West Midlands Special Needs Transport Ltd for rebates on duties paid on fuel for transport for persons with mobility difficulties; and

    (3) residents of the constituency of Maidstone and the Weald against hunting with dogs

were presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

8 Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Graham Allen).

    And the Motion having been 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 Sessional Order [16th December] it being then eight minutes to Nine o'clock, till to-morrow

[Adjourned at 8.52 pm

Betty Boothroyd
Speaker

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

APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1 Taxes,—Draft Tax Credit (New Category of Child Care Provider) Regulations 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

2 Consumer Protection,—(1) Dangerous Substances and Preparations (Safety) (Consolidation) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2084), and

    (2) Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2083),

dated 22nd July 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].

3 Landfill Tax,—Landfill Tax (Site Restoration and Quarries) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2075), dated 21st July 1999 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].

4 Legal Aid and Advice,—(1) Legal Advice and Assistance (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2089), and

    (2) Legal Advice and Assistance at Police Stations (Remuneration) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2088),

dated 20th July 1999 [by Act] [Mr Keith Vaz].

5 Road Traffic,—Motor Vehicles (Approval) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2082), dated 21st July 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

6 Supreme Court (Northern Ireland),—Rules of the Supreme Court (Northern Ireland) (Amendment No. 2) 1999 (S.R. (N.I.), 1999, No. 333), dated 21st July 1999 [by Act] [Mr Keith Vaz].

7 Value Added Tax,—Value Added Tax (Refund of Tax) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2076), dated 21st July 1999 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].

Other Papers:

8 Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Executive Agencies,—Reports and Accounts of the—

    (1) Central Science Laboratory,

    (2) Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science,

    (3) Farming and Rural Conservation Agency,

    (4) Meat Hygiene Service,

    (5) Pesticides Safety Directorate, and

    (6) Veterinary Medicines Directorate

for 1998-99, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 627, 556, 765, 759, 602 and 552] [Mr Nicholas Brown].

9 Audit (Northern Ireland),—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland on School Inspection in Northern Ireland [by Act]; to be printed [No. 636] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].

10 Cabinet Office Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Civil Service Occupational Health and Safety Agency for 1995-96 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 109] [Dr Jack Cunningham].

11 Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons,—Report by the Secretary of State for Health on Research and Development Work on Equipment for Disabled People, 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson].

12 Coal Industry,—Report and Accounts of the Coal Authority for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].

13 Consumers,—Paper, entitled Modern markets: confident consumers: The Government's Consumer White Paper [by Command] [Cm. 4410] [Mr Secretary Byers].

14 Culture, Media and Sport Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of Historic Royal Palaces for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 598] [Mr Secretary Smith].

15 Defence Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the—

    (1) Defence Animal Centre,

    (2) Disposal Sales Agency,

    (3) Duke of York's Royal Military School, and

    (4) Logistic Information Systems Agency

for 1998-99, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 654, 625, 775 and 688] [Mr Secretary Robertson].

16 Export Credits Guarantee Department,—Return, made under section 7 of the Export and Investments Guarantees Act 1991, of Commitments and Statutory Limits as at 31st March 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].

17 Government Trading Funds,—(1) Reports and Accounts of—

    (i) Driving Standards Agency,

    (ii) HM Land Registry, and

    (iii) United Kingdom Hydrographic Office

for 1998-99, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 560, 716 and 597] [Clerk of the House]; and

    (2) Report and Accounts of Registers of Scotland for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 502] [Mr Secretary Reid].

18 Health Executive Agencies,—Reports and Accounts of the—

    (1) Medical Devices Agency,

    (2) NHS Estates Management and Health Building Agency, and

    (3) NHS Pensions Agency

for 1998-99, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 574, 596 and 633] [Mr Secretary Dobson].

19 Home Office Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Forensic Science Service for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 679] [Mr Secretary Straw].

20 Hong Kong,—Six-monthly Report on Hong Kong, January-June 1999 [by Command] [Cm. 4415] [Mr Secretary Cook].

21 Housing,—Annual Review and Accounts of the Housing Corporation for 1998-99: Building Communities [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

22 Human Rights,—Report by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development on Human Rights for 1999 [by Command] [Cm. 4404] [Mr Secretary Cook].

23 Local Government (Scotland),—Report and Accounts of—

    (1) East of Scotland Water,

    (2) North of Scotland Water Authority, and

    (3) West of Scotland Water

for 1998-99 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid].

24 Magistrates' Courts,—Report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of the Magistrates' Courts Service for 1998-99 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 696] [Mr Keith Vaz].

25 National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on English Partnerships: Assisting Local Regeneration [by Act]; to be printed [No. 642] [Clerk of the House].

26 Royal Fine Art Commission,—Final Report of the Royal Fine Art Commission for 1998-99 [by Command] [Cm. 4391] [Mr Secretary Straw].

27 Scottish Office Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 622] [Mr Secretary Reid].

28 Trade and Industry Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Insolvency Service for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 644] [Mr Secretary Byers].

29 United States (No. 1, 1999),—Report of the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission for the year ending 30th September 1998 [by Command] [Cm. 4354] [Mr Secretary Cook].

Papers withdrawn:

30 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 [laid 15th July].

APPENDIX II

Reports from Select Committees

1 Culture, Media and Sport,—(1) Fifth Report from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [The Performing Right Society and the Abolition of the Classical Music Subsidy], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 468]; and

    (2) Sixth Report from the Committee [The Department of Culture, Media and Sport and its Quangos], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 506]

[Mr Gerald Kaufman]

2 Health,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Health Committee [Department of Health Expenditure 1999]; to be printed [No. 469-iii] [Mr David Hinchliffe].

3 International Development,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the International Development Committee [The World Bank]; to be printed [No. 776-i] [Mr Bowen Wells].

4 Public Administration,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Public Administration [Freedom of Information Draft Bill]; to be printed [No. 570-xiii] [Dr Tony Wright].

5 Treasury,—(1) Ninth Report from the Treasury Committee [Demutualisation], 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. 605];

    (2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The Council of Economic and Finance Ministers (ECOFIN); Tax Competition and Co-ordination]; to be printed [No. 425-ii]; and

    (3) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Demutualisation]

[Mr Giles Radice]

The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1	Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Bill O'Brien reported from the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 50), on Children's Services (Quality Protects) Special Grants for 1998-99 and 1999-2000 (House of Commons Paper No. 617).
	Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
2	Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr George Stevenson reported from the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Northern Ireland Act Tribunal (Procedure) Rules 1999.
	Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
3	Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows—
	The Lords have agreed to the Amendments made by this House to the Commonwealth Development Corporation Bill [Lords], without Amendment.
4	Food Standards Bill and Employment Relations Bill (Allocation of Time),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That the following provisions shall apply to the remaining proceedings on the Food Standards Bill and on the Employment Relations Bill—
Timetable
	1.—(1) Proceedings on Consideration and Third Reading of the Food Standards Bill shall be completed at today's sitting and shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion six hours after the commencement of proceedings on this Motion.
	(2) Remaining proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments to the Employment Relations Bill shall be completed on the allotted day and, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion three hours after their commencement on that day.
Questions to be put
	2.—(1) This paragraph applies for the purpose of bringing any proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with paragraph 1(1).
	(2) The Speaker shall forthwith put the following Questions (but no others)—
	(a) any Question already proposed from the Chair;
	(b) any Question necessary to bring to a decision a Question so proposed;
	(c) the Question on any Amendment moved or Motion made by a Minister of the Crown;
	(d) any other Question necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded.
	(3) On a Motion made for a new Clause or a new Schedule, the Speaker shall put only the question that the Clause or Schedule be added to the Bill.
	(4) If two or more questions would fall to be put, under sub-paragraph (1)(c) on Amendments moved or Motions made by a Minister of the Crown, the Speaker shall instead put a single Question in relation to those Amendments or Motions.
	3.—(1) This paragraph applies for the purpose of bringing any proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with paragraph 1(2).
	(2) The Speaker shall first put forthwith any Question already proposed from the Chair.
	(3) If that Question is for the amendment of a Lords Amendment the Speaker shall then put forthwith—
	(a) the Question on any further amendment of the Lords Amendment moved by a Minister of the Crown, and
	(b) the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House agrees or disagrees to the Lords Amendment or (as the case may be) to the Lords Amendment as amended.
	(4) The Speaker shall then put forthwith—
	(a) the Question on any amendment moved by a Minister of the Crown to a Lords Amendment, and
	(b) the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House agrees or disagrees to the Lords Amendment or (as the case may be) to the Lords Amendment as amended.
	(5) The Speaker shall then put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House disagrees to a Lords Amendment.
	(6) The Speaker shall then put forthwith the Question, That this House agrees to all the remaining Lords Amendments.
	(7) As soon as the House has agreed or disagreed to a Lords Amendment, or disposed of an amendment relevant to a Lords Amendment which has been disagreed to, the Speaker shall put forthwith a separate Question on any other amendment which is moved by a Minister of the Crown and relevant to the Lords Amendment.
	(8) The Speaker shall put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown for the appointment, nomination and quorum of a Committee to draw up Reasons and the appointment of its Chairman.
	(9) A Committee appointed to draw up Reasons shall report before the conclusion of the sitting on the allotted day.
Miscellaneous
	4. Standing Order No. 15(1) (Exempted business) shall apply to proceedings—
	(a) on the Food Standards Bill at today's sitting, and
	(b) on the Employment Relations Bill on the allotted day,
	and those proceedings shall not be interrupted under any Standing Order relating to sittings of the House.
	5. Standing Order No. 82 (Business Committee) shall not apply to proceedings on either of the Bills.
	6. No Motion shall be made, except by a Minister of the Crown, to alter the order in which any proceedings on either of the Bills are taken or to recommit the Food Standards Bill; and if a Minister makes any such Motion, the question on the Motion shall be put forthwith.
	7. No dilatory Motion shall be made in relation to either of the Bills except by a Minister of the Crown; and if a Minister makes any such Motion, the Question on the Motion shall be put forthwith.
	8. The Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown for varying or supplementing the provisions of this Order shall be put forthwith; and Standing Order No. 15(1) shall apply to proceedings on any such Motion.
	9.—(1) If at today's sitting a Motion for the adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 24 (as that Standing Order has effect in accordance with the Order of the House [16 December 1998]) stands over to Four o'clock and proceedings on this Motion have begun before that time, the Motion for the adjournment shall stand over until the conclusion of proceedings on the Food Standards Bill.
	(2) If on the allotted day a Motion for the adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 24 stands over to Seven o'clock (or, in accordance with the Order of the House [16 December 1998], Four o'clock), and proceedings on the Employment Relations Bill have begun before that time, or if such a Motion stands over from an earlier day, the Motion for the adjournment shall stand over until the conclusion of any proceedings on the Employment Relations Bill.
	10. If at the sitting today or on the allotted day the House is adjourned, or the sitting is suspended, before the time at which any proceedings are to be brought to a conclusion under paragraph 1(1) or (2), no notice shall be required of a Motion made at the next sitting by a Minister of the Crown for varying or supplementing the provisions of this Order.
Interpretation
	11. In this Order, 'allotted day' means any day on which the Employment Relations Bill is put down on the main business as first Government Order of the Day—(Margaret Beckett);
	The House divided
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Greg Pope, Jim Dowd: 276.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr John M. Taylor, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 108.
	So the Question was agreed to.
5	Food Standards Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Food Standards Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee.
	A Clause (Labelling of food products)—(Mrs Caroline Spelman)—brought up, and read the first time.
	Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:—Clause, by leave, withdrawn.
	Another Clause (Exercise of functions in Wales)—(Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones)—brought up, and read the first time.
	Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:—Clause, by leave, withdrawn.
	Amendment (No. 11) proposed to the Bill, in page 3, line 19, at the end, to insert the words—
	'(1B) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Agency has the function of—
	(a) investigating and monitoring the effect on food safety of—
	(i) animal husbandry systems and practices with inadequate standards of animal health and welfare;
	(ii) the routine use of antibiotics on farm animals for growth promotion or prophylactic purposes; and
	(iii) slaughterhouse systems and practices with inadequate standards of hygiene and animal welfare; and
	(b) developing policies relating to any matters identified during the investigation and monitoring mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) which the Agency considers have a significant effect on food safety.'.—(Mr Chris Mullin.)
	Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
	Another Amendment (No. 2) proposed to the Bill, in page 3, line 25, at the end, to insert the words—
	'(4) Any Authority making such a request shall immediately publish its reasons for so doing.'.—(Mrs Caroline Spelman.)
	Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
	Amendments (Nos. 19 to 23) made to the Bill.
	Another Amendment (No. 3) proposed to the Bill, in page 6, line 21, at the end, to insert the words—
	'(6) In any case where the Agency itself or a body for which it is accountable is the enforcement authority, subsection (1) shall not have effect and the function of monitoring enforcement shall be held by the Secretary of State.'.—(Mr James Paice.)
	Question proposed, That the Amendment be made.
	And it being six hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion relating to Food Standards Bill and Employment Relations Bill (Allocation of Time), the Deputy Speaker put the Question already proposed from the Chair, pursuant to Order [this day].
	Question, That the Amendment (No. 3) be made, put and negatived.
	The Deputy Speaker then put forthwith the Questions necessary to bring proceedings on Consideration and Third Reading to a conclusion.
	Other Amendments (Nos. 24 to 29, 31, 30 and 35) made to the Bill.
	A Schedule—(Accounts and Audit) brought up, read the first time, and added to the Bill.
	A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, That the Bill be now read the third time.
	The House proceeded to a Dvision.
	Mr Graham Allen and Mr Keith Hill were appointed Tellers for the Ayes, but no Member being willing to act as Teller for the Noes, the Deputy Speaker declared that the Ayes had it.
	The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.
6	Local Government Finance,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 48) on 1999-2000 Special Grant for developing new approaches to commissioning services for drug misusers (House of Commons Paper No. 513), which was laid before this House on 6th July, be approved—(Mr Graham Allen):—It was agreed to.
7	Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from—
	(1) residents of Cambridge and elsewhere against closure of Coleridge Community College;
	(2) users and supporters of West Midlands Special Needs Transport Ltd for rebates on duties paid on fuel for transport for persons with mobility difficulties; and
	(3) residents of the constituency of Maidstone and the Weald against hunting with dogs
	were presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
8	Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Graham Allen).
	And the Motion having been 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 Sessional Order [16th December] it being then eight minutes to Nine o'clock, till to-morrow
[Adjourned at 8.52 pm
*Betty Boothroyd* *Speaker*
Madam Speaker will take the Chair at at half-past Nine o'clock.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
1	Taxes,—Draft Tax Credit (New Category of Child Care Provider) Regulations 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
2	Consumer Protection,—(1) Dangerous Substances and Preparations (Safety) (Consolidation) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2084), and
	(2) Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2083),
	dated 22nd July 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].
3	Landfill Tax,—Landfill Tax (Site Restoration and Quarries) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2075), dated 21st July 1999 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].
4	Legal Aid and Advice,—(1) Legal Advice and Assistance (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2089), and
	(2) Legal Advice and Assistance at Police Stations (Remuneration) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2088),
	dated 20th July 1999 [by Act] [Mr Keith Vaz].
5	Road Traffic,—Motor Vehicles (Approval) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2082), dated 21st July 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
6	Supreme Court (Northern Ireland),—Rules of the Supreme Court (Northern Ireland) (Amendment No. 2) 1999 (S.R. (N.I.), 1999, No. 333), dated 21st July 1999 [by Act] [Mr Keith Vaz].
7	Value Added Tax,—Value Added Tax (Refund of Tax) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2076), dated 21st July 1999 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].
Other Papers:
8	Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Executive Agencies,—Reports and Accounts of the—
	(1) Central Science Laboratory,
	(2) Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science,
	(3) Farming and Rural Conservation Agency,
	(4) Meat Hygiene Service,
	(5) Pesticides Safety Directorate, and
	(6) Veterinary Medicines Directorate
	for 1998-99, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 627, 556, 765, 759, 602 and 552] [Mr Nicholas Brown].
9	Audit (Northern Ireland),—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland on School Inspection in Northern Ireland [by Act]; to be printed [No. 636] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].
10	Cabinet Office Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Civil Service Occupational Health and Safety Agency for 1995-96 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 109] [Dr Jack Cunningham].
11	Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons,—Report by the Secretary of State for Health on Research and Development Work on Equipment for Disabled People, 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson].
12	Coal Industry,—Report and Accounts of the Coal Authority for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].
13	Consumers,—Paper, entitled Modern markets: confident consumers: The Government's Consumer White Paper [by Command] [Cm. 4410] [Mr Secretary Byers].
14	Culture, Media and Sport Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of Historic Royal Palaces for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 598] [Mr Secretary Smith].
15	Defence Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the—
	(1) Defence Animal Centre,
	(2) Disposal Sales Agency,
	(3) Duke of York's Royal Military School, and
	(4) Logistic Information Systems Agency
	for 1998-99, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 654, 625, 775 and 688] [Mr Secretary Robertson].
16	Export Credits Guarantee Department,—Return, made under section 7 of the Export and Investments Guarantees Act 1991, of Commitments and Statutory Limits as at 31st March 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].
17	Government Trading Funds,—(1) Reports and Accounts of—
	(i) Driving Standards Agency,
	(ii) HM Land Registry, and
	(iii) United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
	for 1998-99, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 560, 716 and 597] [Clerk of the House]; and
	(2) Report and Accounts of Registers of Scotland for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 502] [Mr Secretary Reid].
18	Health Executive Agencies,—Reports and Accounts of the—
	(1) Medical Devices Agency,
	(2) NHS Estates Management and Health Building Agency, and
	(3) NHS Pensions Agency
	for 1998-99, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 574, 596 and 633] [Mr Secretary Dobson].
19	Home Office Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Forensic Science Service for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 679] [Mr Secretary Straw].
20	Hong Kong,—Six-monthly Report on Hong Kong, January-June 1999 [by Command] [Cm. 4415] [Mr Secretary Cook].
21	Housing,—Annual Review and Accounts of the Housing Corporation for 1998-99: Building Communities [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
22	Human Rights,—Report by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development on Human Rights for 1999 [by Command] [Cm. 4404] [Mr Secretary Cook].
23	Local Government (Scotland),—Report and Accounts of—
	(1) East of Scotland Water,
	(2) North of Scotland Water Authority, and
	(3) West of Scotland Water
	for 1998-99 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid].
24	Magistrates' Courts,—Report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of the Magistrates' Courts Service for 1998-99 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 696] [Mr Keith Vaz].
25	National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on English Partnerships: Assisting Local Regeneration [by Act]; to be printed [No. 642] [Clerk of the House].
26	Royal Fine Art Commission,—Final Report of the Royal Fine Art Commission for 1998-99 [by Command] [Cm. 4391] [Mr Secretary Straw].
27	Scottish Office Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 622] [Mr Secretary Reid].
28	Trade and Industry Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Insolvency Service for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 644] [Mr Secretary Byers].
29	United States (No. 1, 1999),—Report of the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission for the year ending 30th September 1998 [by Command] [Cm. 4354] [Mr Secretary Cook].
Papers withdrawn:
30	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 [laid 15th July].
APPENDIX II
Reports from Select Committees
1	Culture, Media and Sport,—(1) Fifth Report from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [The Performing Right Society and the Abolition of the Classical Music Subsidy], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 468]; and
	(2) Sixth Report from the Committee [The Department of Culture, Media and Sport and its Quangos], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 506]
	[Mr Gerald Kaufman]
2	Health,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Health Committee [Department of Health Expenditure 1999]; to be printed [No. 469-iii] [Mr David Hinchliffe].
3	International Development,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the International Development Committee [The World Bank]; to be printed [No. 776-i] [Mr Bowen Wells].
4	Public Administration,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Public Administration [Freedom of Information Draft Bill]; to be printed [No. 570-xiii] [Dr Tony Wright].
5	Treasury,—(1) Ninth Report from the Treasury Committee [Demutualisation], 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. 605];
	(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The Council of Economic and Finance Ministers (ECOFIN); Tax Competition and Co-ordination]; to be printed [No. 425-ii]; and
	(3) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Demutualisation]
	[Mr Giles Radice]



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