Votes and Proceedings

House of Commons

Session 1998-99
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House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Monday 1st November 1999

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

PRAYERS.

1 Baxi Partnership Limited Trusts Bill [Lords],—Ordered, That the Promoters of the Baxi Partnership Limited Trusts Bill [Lords] shall have leave to suspend proceedings thereon in order to proceed with the Bill, if they think fit, in the next Session of Parliament, provided that the Agents for the Bill give notice to the Clerks in the Private Bill Office not later than the day before the close of the present Session of their intention to suspend further proceedings and that all Fees due on the Bill up to that date be paid;

    That if the Bill is brought from the Lords in the next Session, the Agents for the Bill shall deposit in the Private Bill Office a declaration signed by them, stating that the Bill is the same, in every respect, as the Bill which was brought from the Lords in the present Session;

    That as soon as a certificate by one of the Clerks in the Private Bill Office that such a declaration has been so deposited has been laid upon the Table of the House, the Bill shall be read the first and second time and committed (and shall be recorded in the Journal of this House as having been so read and committed);

    That no Petitions against the Bill having been presented within the time limited during the present Session, no Petitioners shall be heard before any committee on the Bill save those who complain of any amendment as proposed in the filled up Bill or of any matter which arises during the progress of the Bill before the committee;

    That no further Fees shall be charged in respect of any proceedings on the Bill in respect of which Fees have already been incurred during the present Session;

    That these Orders be Standing Orders of the House.—(The Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.)

    Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.

2 Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (Amendment of Rules) Bill,—Ordered, That so much of the Lords Message [28th October] as relates to the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (Amendment of Rules) Bill be now considered.

    That the Promoters of the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (Amendment of Rules) Bill shall have leave to suspend proceedings thereon in order to proceed with the Bill in the next Session of Parliament, provided that the Agents for the Bill give notice to the Clerks in the Private Bill Office not later than the day before the close of the present Session of their intention to suspend further proceedings and that all Fees due on the Bill up to that date be paid;

    That on the fifth day on which the House sits in the next Session the Bill shall be presented to the House;

    That there shall be deposited with the Bill a declaration signed by the Agents for the Bill, stating that the Bill is the same, in every respect, as the Bill at the last stage of its proceedings in this House in the present Session;

    That the Bill shall be laid upon the Table of the House by one of the Clerks in the Private Bill Office on the next meeting of the House after the day on which the Bill has been presented and, when so laid, shall be read the first, second and third time and shall be recorded in the Journal of this House as having been so read;

    That no further Fees shall be charged in respect of any proceedings on the Bill in respect of which Fees have already been incurred during the present Session;

    That these Orders be Standing Orders of the House.—(The Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.)

    Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.

3 Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Bill [Lords],—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Bill [Lords], not amended in the Standing Committee.

    A Clause (Arbitration provisions)—(Mr David Lock)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

    Another Clause (Northern Ireland)—(Mr David Lock)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

    Amendments (Nos. 2, 1 and 3) made to the Bill.

    The Bill was read the third time, and passed, with Amendments.

4 Insurance Brokers Registration Council,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Insurance Brokers (Registration) Act 1977 (Amendment) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 19th October, be approved—(Mrs Anne McGuire):—It was agreed to.

5 Financial Services,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Financial Services Act 1986 (Restriction of Exemption) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 27th July, be approved—(Mrs Anne McGuire):—It was agreed to.

6 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 (Sport, Sports Competitions and Physical Education) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1994), dated 14th July 1999, a copy of which was laid before this House on 20th July, be approved—(Mrs Anne McGuire):—It was agreed to.

7 Harmonisation of Copyright and Electronic Commerce in the Single Market,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 119 (European Standing Committees), That this House takes note of European Union Document Nos. 5562/98, a draft Directive on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the Information Society, and 8723/99, an amended draft of this Directive; and of European Union Documents Nos. 5123/99, a draft Directive on certain legal aspects of electronic commerce in the internal market, and 10644/99, an amended draft of this Directive, and the unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum submitted by the Department of Trade and Industry on 18th October 1999; and concerning the draft Directive on the harmonisation of copyright, supports the Government's view that while harmonisation of copyright laws for the digital age is essential, the outcome should be a regime that safeguards a fair balance of rights and interests between the various categories of rights holders and between rights holders, users and intermediaries, and has due regard to subsidiarity; and concerning the draft Directive on electronic commerce in the internal market, welcomes the Government's continued efforts to put in place a light but effective framework for the development of electronic commerce within the internal market; and supports the Government's view that such a framework is necessary to ensure consumer and business confidence in electronic commerce—(Mrs Anne McGuire);—It was agreed to.

8 Taxation of Energy Products,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 119 (European Standing Committees), That this House takes note of European Union Document No. 6793/97, a draft Directive restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products; and supports the Government's objective of securing a permanent exemption for the domestic use of energy—(Mrs Anne McGuire):—It was agreed to.

9 Record Copies of Acts,—Ordered, That the Lords Message of 19th October, communicating a resolution relating to record copies of Acts of Parliament, be now considered.—(Dr Nick Palmer.)

    A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That this House agrees with the Lords in their resolution—(Dr Nick Palmer);

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Dr Nick Palmer, Mr Andrew Miller: 53.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr Kelvin Hopkins, Mr Brian White: 121.

    So the Question was negatived.

    Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.

10 Agriculture,—Ordered, that Mr Andrew George be discharged from the Agriculture Committee and Mr Richard Livsey be added to the Committee.—(Mr Paul Tyler, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

11 Culture, Media and Sport,—Ordered, That Mr Michael Fabricant be discharged from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee and Miss Julie Kirkbride be added to the Committee.—(Mr Paul Tyler, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

12 Education and Employment,—Ordered, that Mr Paul Keetch be discharged from the Education and Employment Committee and Dr Evan Harris be added to the Committee.—(Mr Paul Tyler, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

13 Foreign Affairs,—Ordered, That Mr David Heath be discharged from the Foreign Affairs Committee and Mr David Chidgey be added to the Committee.—(Mr Paul Tyler, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

14 International Development,—Ordered, That Dr Jenny Tonge be discharged from the International Development Committee and Mr Nigel Jones be added to the Committee.—(Mr Paul Tyler, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

15 Scottish Affairs,—Ordered, that Mr Michael Moore be discharged from the Scottish Affairs Committee and Sir Robert Smith be added to the Committee.—(Mr Paul Tyler, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

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

    The Deputy Speaker suspended the sitting until a Message was received from the Lords relating to the Greater London Authority Bill, pursuant to Order [29th October].

    And it being Ten o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.

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

    The Lords have agreed to the Greater London Authority Bill, with Amendments, to which they desire the concurrence of this House.

18 Greater London Authority Bill,—Lords Amendments to the Greater London Authority Bill to be considered to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 158].

19 Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Thomas McAvoy.)

    And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till one minute past Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 11.01 p.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 Supreme Court of England and Wales,—Draft Maximum Number of Judges Order 1999 [by Act] [Mr David Lock].

Other Papers:

2 Law Commission,—Reports of the Law Commission on—

    (1) Claims for Wrongful Death, and

    (2) Damages for Personal Injury: Medical, Nursing and Other Expenses; Collateral Benefits

[by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 807 and 806] [Mr David Lock].

3 Museums and Galleries,—(1) Report and Accounts of the Trustees of the British Museum for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act];and

    (2) Accounts of the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Statutory Instrument];

to be printed [Nos. 876 and 877] [Clerk of the House].

4 National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Funds in Court: Unclaimed Balances [by Act]; to be printed [No. 833] [Clerk of the House].

5 National Lottery,—(1) Reports and Summary Accounts for the period 2nd July 1998 to 31st March 1999 of the—

    (i) National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA), and

    (ii) New Opportunities Fund (NOF),

with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith]; and

    (2) Report and Statement of Accounts of sportscotland Lottery Fund for 1998-99 [by Command] [Mr Secretary Reid].

6 Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on the Petition [26th July] from users and supporters of Greater Manchester Accessible Transport Ltd, commonly known as 'Ring and Ride', calling for reform of the system of rebates on fuel duty [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].

APPENDIX II

Reports from Select Committees

1 Public Accounts,—(1) Fortieth Report from the Committee of Public Accounts [Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions: The Sale of Railfreight Distribution]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 601];

    (2) Forty-first Report from the Committee [The PRIME project: the Transfer of the Department of Social Security Estate to the Private Sector]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 548]; and

    (3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The 1992 & 1998 Information Management & Technology Strategies of the NHS Executive]; to be printed [No. 879-i]

[Mr David Davis]

2 Trade and Industry,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Trade and Industry Committee [Dounreay]; to be printed [No. 878-i] [Mr Martin O'Neill].

The House met at half-past Two o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1	Baxi Partnership Limited Trusts Bill [Lords],—Ordered, That the Promoters of the Baxi Partnership Limited Trusts Bill [Lords] shall have leave to suspend proceedings thereon in order to proceed with the Bill, if they think fit, in the next Session of Parliament, provided that the Agents for the Bill give notice to the Clerks in the Private Bill Office not later than the day before the close of the present Session of their intention to suspend further proceedings and that all Fees due on the Bill up to that date be paid;
	That if the Bill is brought from the Lords in the next Session, the Agents for the Bill shall deposit in the Private Bill Office a declaration signed by them, stating that the Bill is the same, in every respect, as the Bill which was brought from the Lords in the present Session;
	That as soon as a certificate by one of the Clerks in the Private Bill Office that such a declaration has been so deposited has been laid upon the Table of the House, the Bill shall be read the first and second time and committed (and shall be recorded in the Journal of this House as having been so read and committed);
	That no Petitions against the Bill having been presented within the time limited during the present Session, no Petitioners shall be heard before any committee on the Bill save those who complain of any amendment as proposed in the filled up Bill or of any matter which arises during the progress of the Bill before the committee;
	That no further Fees shall be charged in respect of any proceedings on the Bill in respect of which Fees have already been incurred during the present Session;
	That these Orders be Standing Orders of the House.—(The Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.)
	Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.
2	Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (Amendment of Rules) Bill,—Ordered, That so much of the Lords Message [28th October] as relates to the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (Amendment of Rules) Bill be now considered.
	That the Promoters of the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (Amendment of Rules) Bill shall have leave to suspend proceedings thereon in order to proceed with the Bill in the next Session of Parliament, provided that the Agents for the Bill give notice to the Clerks in the Private Bill Office not later than the day before the close of the present Session of their intention to suspend further proceedings and that all Fees due on the Bill up to that date be paid;
	That on the fifth day on which the House sits in the next Session the Bill shall be presented to the House;
	That there shall be deposited with the Bill a declaration signed by the Agents for the Bill, stating that the Bill is the same, in every respect, as the Bill at the last stage of its proceedings in this House in the present Session;
	That the Bill shall be laid upon the Table of the House by one of the Clerks in the Private Bill Office on the next meeting of the House after the day on which the Bill has been presented and, when so laid, shall be read the first, second and third time and shall be recorded in the Journal of this House as having been so read;
	That no further Fees shall be charged in respect of any proceedings on the Bill in respect of which Fees have already been incurred during the present Session;
	That these Orders be Standing Orders of the House.—(The Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.)
	Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.
3	Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Bill [Lords],—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Bill [Lords], not amended in the Standing Committee.
	A Clause (Arbitration provisions)—(Mr David Lock)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
	Another Clause (Northern Ireland)—(Mr David Lock)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
	Amendments (Nos. 2, 1 and 3) made to the Bill.
	The Bill was read the third time, and passed, with Amendments.
4	Insurance Brokers Registration Council,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Insurance Brokers (Registration) Act 1977 (Amendment) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 19th October, be approved—(Mrs Anne McGuire):—It was agreed to.
5	Financial Services,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Financial Services Act 1986 (Restriction of Exemption) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 27th July, be approved—(Mrs Anne McGuire):—It was agreed to.
6	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 (Sport, Sports Competitions and Physical Education) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1994), dated 14th July 1999, a copy of which was laid before this House on 20th July, be approved—(Mrs Anne McGuire):—It was agreed to.
7	Harmonisation of Copyright and Electronic Commerce in the Single Market,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 119 (European Standing Committees), That this House takes note of European Union Document Nos. 5562/98, a draft Directive on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the Information Society, and 8723/99, an amended draft of this Directive; and of European Union Documents Nos. 5123/99, a draft Directive on certain legal aspects of electronic commerce in the internal market, and 10644/99, an amended draft of this Directive, and the unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum submitted by the Department of Trade and Industry on 18th October 1999; and concerning the draft Directive on the harmonisation of copyright, supports the Government's view that while harmonisation of copyright laws for the digital age is essential, the outcome should be a regime that safeguards a fair balance of rights and interests between the various categories of rights holders and between rights holders, users and intermediaries, and has due regard to subsidiarity; and concerning the draft Directive on electronic commerce in the internal market, welcomes the Government's continued efforts to put in place a light but effective framework for the development of electronic commerce within the internal market; and supports the Government's view that such a framework is necessary to ensure consumer and business confidence in electronic commerce—(Mrs Anne McGuire);—It was agreed to.
8	Taxation of Energy Products,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 119 (European Standing Committees), That this House takes note of European Union Document No. 6793/97, a draft Directive restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products; and supports the Government's objective of securing a permanent exemption for the domestic use of energy—(Mrs Anne McGuire):—It was agreed to.
9	Record Copies of Acts,—Ordered, That the Lords Message of 19th October, communicating a resolution relating to record copies of Acts of Parliament, be now considered.—(Dr Nick Palmer.)
	A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That this House agrees with the Lords in their resolution—(Dr Nick Palmer);
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Dr Nick Palmer, Mr Andrew Miller: 53.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr Kelvin Hopkins, Mr Brian White: 121.
	So the Question was negatived.
	Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.
10	Agriculture,—Ordered, that Mr Andrew George be discharged from the Agriculture Committee and Mr Richard Livsey be added to the Committee.—(Mr Paul Tyler, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
11	Culture, Media and Sport,—Ordered, That Mr Michael Fabricant be discharged from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee and Miss Julie Kirkbride be added to the Committee.—(Mr Paul Tyler, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
12	Education and Employment,—Ordered, that Mr Paul Keetch be discharged from the Education and Employment Committee and Dr Evan Harris be added to the Committee.—(Mr Paul Tyler, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
13	Foreign Affairs,—Ordered, That Mr David Heath be discharged from the Foreign Affairs Committee and Mr David Chidgey be added to the Committee.—(Mr Paul Tyler, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
14	International Development,—Ordered, That Dr Jenny Tonge be discharged from the International Development Committee and Mr Nigel Jones be added to the Committee.—(Mr Paul Tyler, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
15	Scottish Affairs,—Ordered, that Mr Michael Moore be discharged from the Scottish Affairs Committee and Sir Robert Smith be added to the Committee.—(Mr Paul Tyler, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
16	Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Graham Allen);
	The Deputy Speaker suspended the sitting until a Message was received from the Lords relating to the Greater London Authority Bill, pursuant to Order [29th October].
	And it being Ten o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.
17	Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows:
	The Lords have agreed to the Greater London Authority Bill, with Amendments, to which they desire the concurrence of this House.
18	Greater London Authority Bill,—Lords Amendments to the Greater London Authority Bill to be considered to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 158].
19	Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Thomas McAvoy.)
	And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till one minute past Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 11.01 p.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	Supreme Court of England and Wales,—Draft Maximum Number of Judges Order 1999 [by Act] [Mr David Lock].
Other Papers:
2	Law Commission,—Reports of the Law Commission on—
	(1) Claims for Wrongful Death, and
	(2) Damages for Personal Injury: Medical, Nursing and Other Expenses; Collateral Benefits
	[by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 807 and 806] [Mr David Lock].
3	Museums and Galleries,—(1) Report and Accounts of the Trustees of the British Museum for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act];and
	(2) Accounts of the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Statutory Instrument];
	to be printed [Nos. 876 and 877] [Clerk of the House].
4	National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Funds in Court: Unclaimed Balances [by Act]; to be printed [No. 833] [Clerk of the House].
5	National Lottery,—(1) Reports and Summary Accounts for the period 2nd July 1998 to 31st March 1999 of the—
	(i) National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA), and
	(ii) New Opportunities Fund (NOF),
	with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith]; and
	(2) Report and Statement of Accounts of sportscotland Lottery Fund for 1998-99 [by Command] [Mr Secretary Reid].
6	Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on the Petition [26th July] from users and supporters of Greater Manchester Accessible Transport Ltd, commonly known as 'Ring and Ride', calling for reform of the system of rebates on fuel duty [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].
APPENDIX II
Reports from Select Committees
1	Public Accounts,—(1) Fortieth Report from the Committee of Public Accounts [Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions: The Sale of Railfreight Distribution]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 601];
	(2) Forty-first Report from the Committee [The PRIME project: the Transfer of the Department of Social Security Estate to the Private Sector]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 548]; and
	(3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The 1992 & 1998 Information Management & Technology Strategies of the NHS Executive]; to be printed [No. 879-i]
	[Mr David Davis]
2	Trade and Industry,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Trade and Industry Committee [Dounreay]; to be printed [No. 878-i] [Mr Martin O'Neill].