Votes and Proceedings

House of Commons

Session 1999-2000
Publications on the internet

House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Monday 29th November 1999

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

PRAYERS.

1 Electronic Communications Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Electronic Communications Bill;

    And a Motion being made, and the Question being proposed, That the Bill be now read a second time;

    An Amendment was proposed to the Question, to leave out from the word 'That' to the end of the Question and add the words 'this House declines to give a Second Reading to the Electronic Communications Bill because it introduces a completely unnecessary element of regulation in the supervision of electronic commerce which will damage the United Kingdom's lead in this field and because no proper consideration has been given to the manner in which United Kingdom law will interact with impending EU law, in particular with regard to the jurisdiction that will govern electronic trade', instead thereof.—(Mr Alan Duncan.)

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

    The House divided.

    Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mr Oliver Heald: 128.

    Tellers for the Noes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr David Jamieson: 319.

    So the Question was negatived.

    And the Main Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 62 (Amendment on second or third reading):—It was agreed to.

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

2 Electronic Communications Bill [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Electronic Communications Bill [Money];

    A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 52 (Money resolutions and ways and means resolutions in connection with bills), That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Electronic Communications Bill, it is expedient to authorise—

    (1) the payment out of money provided by Parliament of—

    (a) any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State for or in connection with the carrying out of his functions under the Act; and

    (b) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums so payable out of money so provided under any other Act; and

    (2) the payment of sums into the Consolidated Fund—(Mr Greg Pope):—It was agreed to.

3 Estimates,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 145 (Liaison Committee), That this House agrees with the Report [23rd November] of the Liaison Committee—(Mr Greg Pope):—It was agreed to.

4 Adjournment (Christmas),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 25 (Periodic adjournments), That this House, at its rising on Tuesday 21st December, do adjourn till Monday 10th January 2000—(Mr Greg Pope):—It was agreed to.

5 Business of the House,—Ordered, That, at the sitting on Tuesday 21st December, the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until she shall have notified the Royal Assent to Acts agreed upon by both Houses.—(Mr Greg Pope.)

6 Public Accounts,—Ordered, That Maria Eagle be discharged from the Committee of Public Accounts and Mr Nigel Griffiths and Mr Jim Murphy be added to the Committee.—(Mr Greg Pope.)

7 Dentists,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Dental Auxiliaries (Amendment) Regulations 1999, which were laid before this House on 2nd November, in the last Session of Parliament, be approved—(Mr Greg Pope):—It was agreed to.

8 Justices of the Peace,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Maximum Number of Stipendiary Magistrates Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 3rd November, in the last Session of Parliament, be approved—(Mr Greg Pope):—It was agreed to.

9 Taxation and Financial Services,—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 Documents Nos. 8484/1/99, the second progress report from the ECOFIN Council to the European Council on reinforced tax policy co-operation, 6615/98, a draft Directive on a common system of taxation applicable to interest and royalty payments, 8781/98, a draft Directive to ensure a minimum of effective taxation of savings income within the Community, and 8329/99, a Commission Communication on the action plan for implementing the framework for financial markets; supports the Government's objective of amending the draft Savings Directive to ensure the competitiveness of EU financial markets, including the City of London, are not damaged, through securing among other things an exemption for eurobonds and other similar instruments; and welcomes the Commission's efforts to develop further the single market in financial services—(Mr Greg Pope):—It was agreed to.

10 Agriculture,—Ordered, That Mr Richard Livsey be discharged from the Agriculture Committee and Mr Lembit Öpik be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

11 Catering,—Ordered, That Rosemary McKenna be discharged from the Catering Committee and Mr Gerald Bermingham be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

12 Defence,—Ordered, That Mr John McWilliam be discharged from the Defence Committee and Mr Mike Gapes be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

13 Education and Employment,—Ordered, That Yvette Cooper, Mr John Healey, Mrs Eleanor Laing and Mr Malcolm Wicks be discharged from the Education and Employment Committee and Mr Michael Foster (Worcester), Mr Stephen O'Brien, Mr Ian Pearson and Mr Barry Sheerman be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

14 Health,—Ordered, That Julia Drown be discharged from the Health Committee and Mrs Eileen Gordon be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

15 Scottish Affairs,—Ordered, That Mr John McAllion, Ms Sandra Osborne and Mr David Stewart be discharged from the Scottish Affairs Committee and Mr Russell Brown, Mr Mohammed Sarwar and Mr Bill Tynan be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

16 Social Security,—Ordered, That Kali Mountford, Mr Chris Pond and Ms Debra Shipley be discharged from the Social Security Committee and Mr Andy King and Mr Gareth Thomas (Clwyd West) be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

17 Treasury,—Ordered, That Jacqui Smith be discharged from the Treasury Committee and Mr James Plaskitt be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

18 Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Greg Pope.)

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

[Adjourned at 10.44 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 Legal Aid and Advice,—Draft Legal Aid (Prescribed Panels) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 [by Act] [Mr David Lock].

2 Northern Ireland,—Draft Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Appointed Day) Order 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Mandelson].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

3 Charities,—(1) Draft Charities (Boxmoor Estate, Hemel Hempstead) Order 1999, and

    (2) draft Charities (Corporation of the Hall of Arts and Sciences) Order 1999

[by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw].

4 Civil Aviation,—Yugoslavia (Prohibition of Flights) (No. 2) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3166), dated 24th November 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

5 Education,—Education (School Day and School Year) (England) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3181), dated 26th November 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].

6 National Health Service,—National Health Service (Choice of Medical Practitioner) Amendment Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3179), dated 27th November 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Milburn].

7 Social Security (Northern Ireland),—Tax Credits (New Deal Pilot Consequential Amendments) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3188), dated 29th November 1999 [by Act] [Dawn Primaralo].

8 Supreme Court,—Civil Courts (Amendment) (No. 3) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3187), dated 26th November 1999 [by Act] [Mr David Lock].

9 Telecommunications,—Telecommunications (Appeals) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3180), dated 26th November 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].

Other Papers:

10 Cabinet Office Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 63] [Marjorie Mowlam].

11 Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development,—Report and Accounts of English Partnerships for 1998-99 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

12 National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Criminal Justice: Working Together [by Act]; to be printed [No. 29] [Clerk of the House].

13 Railways,—Report and Accounts of the British Railways Board for 1998-99 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

Papers withdrawn:

14 Northern Ireland,—Draft Local Elections (Northern Ireland) (Amendment ) Order 1999 [laid on 4th November, in the last Session of Parliament].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1 Draft Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels in Crops, Food and Feeding Stuffs) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr John Grogan and Mr Gareth Thomas from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations); and nominated in substitution Mr Terry Lewis and Mr Martin Salter.

2 Air Navigation (Fifth Amendment) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2059),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Jim Murphy from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Order); and nominated in substitution Mr Ian Pearson.

3 National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2218), and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Establishment and Constitution) Amendment Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2219),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Robert Marshall-Andrews from the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Regulations and Order); and nominated in substitution Mr Austin Mitchell.

4 Draft Maternity and Parental Leave etc. Regulations 1999,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Ms Candy Atherton and Mr Terry Lewis from the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations); and nominated in substitution Mr Robert Marshall-Andrews and Mr Bill Rammell.

APPENDIX III

Treasury,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee of the Treasury Committee [Customs and Excise]; to be printed [No. 53-ii] [Mr Giles Radice].

The House met at half-past Two o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1	Electronic Communications Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Electronic Communications Bill;
	And a Motion being made, and the Question being proposed, That the Bill be now read a second time;
	An Amendment was proposed to the Question, to leave out from the word 'That' to the end of the Question and add the words 'this House declines to give a Second Reading to the Electronic Communications Bill because it introduces a completely unnecessary element of regulation in the supervision of electronic commerce which will damage the United Kingdom's lead in this field and because no proper consideration has been given to the manner in which United Kingdom law will interact with impending EU law, in particular with regard to the jurisdiction that will govern electronic trade', instead thereof.—(Mr Alan Duncan.)
	And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made;
	The House divided.
	Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mr Oliver Heald: 128.
	Tellers for the Noes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr David Jamieson: 319.
	So the Question was negatived.
	And the Main Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 62 (Amendment on second or third reading):—It was agreed to.
	The Bill was accordingly read a second time and stood committed to a Standing Committee.
2	Electronic Communications Bill [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Electronic Communications Bill [Money];
	A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 52 (Money resolutions and ways and means resolutions in connection with bills), That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Electronic Communications Bill, it is expedient to authorise—
	(1) the payment out of money provided by Parliament of—
	(a) any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State for or in connection with the carrying out of his functions under the Act; and
	(b) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums so payable out of money so provided under any other Act; and
	(2) the payment of sums into the Consolidated Fund—(Mr Greg Pope):—It was agreed to.
3	Estimates,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 145 (Liaison Committee), That this House agrees with the Report [23rd November] of the Liaison Committee—(Mr Greg Pope):—It was agreed to.
4	Adjournment (Christmas),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 25 (Periodic adjournments), That this House, at its rising on Tuesday 21st December, do adjourn till Monday 10th January 2000—(Mr Greg Pope):—It was agreed to.
5	Business of the House,—Ordered, That, at the sitting on Tuesday 21st December, the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until she shall have notified the Royal Assent to Acts agreed upon by both Houses.—(Mr Greg Pope.)
6	Public Accounts,—Ordered, That Maria Eagle be discharged from the Committee of Public Accounts and Mr Nigel Griffiths and Mr Jim Murphy be added to the Committee.—(Mr Greg Pope.)
7	Dentists,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Dental Auxiliaries (Amendment) Regulations 1999, which were laid before this House on 2nd November, in the last Session of Parliament, be approved—(Mr Greg Pope):—It was agreed to.
8	Justices of the Peace,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Maximum Number of Stipendiary Magistrates Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 3rd November, in the last Session of Parliament, be approved—(Mr Greg Pope):—It was agreed to.
9	Taxation and Financial Services,—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 Documents Nos. 8484/1/99, the second progress report from the ECOFIN Council to the European Council on reinforced tax policy co-operation, 6615/98, a draft Directive on a common system of taxation applicable to interest and royalty payments, 8781/98, a draft Directive to ensure a minimum of effective taxation of savings income within the Community, and 8329/99, a Commission Communication on the action plan for implementing the framework for financial markets; supports the Government's objective of amending the draft Savings Directive to ensure the competitiveness of EU financial markets, including the City of London, are not damaged, through securing among other things an exemption for eurobonds and other similar instruments; and welcomes the Commission's efforts to develop further the single market in financial services—(Mr Greg Pope):—It was agreed to.
10	Agriculture,—Ordered, That Mr Richard Livsey be discharged from the Agriculture Committee and Mr Lembit Öpik be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
11	Catering,—Ordered, That Rosemary McKenna be discharged from the Catering Committee and Mr Gerald Bermingham be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
12	Defence,—Ordered, That Mr John McWilliam be discharged from the Defence Committee and Mr Mike Gapes be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
13	Education and Employment,—Ordered, That Yvette Cooper, Mr John Healey, Mrs Eleanor Laing and Mr Malcolm Wicks be discharged from the Education and Employment Committee and Mr Michael Foster (Worcester), Mr Stephen O'Brien, Mr Ian Pearson and Mr Barry Sheerman be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
14	Health,—Ordered, That Julia Drown be discharged from the Health Committee and Mrs Eileen Gordon be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
15	Scottish Affairs,—Ordered, That Mr John McAllion, Ms Sandra Osborne and Mr David Stewart be discharged from the Scottish Affairs Committee and Mr Russell Brown, Mr Mohammed Sarwar and Mr Bill Tynan be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
16	Social Security,—Ordered, That Kali Mountford, Mr Chris Pond and Ms Debra Shipley be discharged from the Social Security Committee and Mr Andy King and Mr Gareth Thomas (Clwyd West) be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
17	Treasury,—Ordered, That Jacqui Smith be discharged from the Treasury Committee and Mr James Plaskitt be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
18	Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Greg Pope.)
	And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till sixteen minutes to Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 10.44 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	Legal Aid and Advice,—Draft Legal Aid (Prescribed Panels) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 [by Act] [Mr David Lock].
2	Northern Ireland,—Draft Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Appointed Day) Order 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Mandelson].
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
3	Charities,—(1) Draft Charities (Boxmoor Estate, Hemel Hempstead) Order 1999, and
	(2) draft Charities (Corporation of the Hall of Arts and Sciences) Order 1999
	[by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw].
4	Civil Aviation,—Yugoslavia (Prohibition of Flights) (No. 2) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3166), dated 24th November 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
5	Education,—Education (School Day and School Year) (England) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3181), dated 26th November 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
6	National Health Service,—National Health Service (Choice of Medical Practitioner) Amendment Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3179), dated 27th November 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Milburn].
7	Social Security (Northern Ireland),—Tax Credits (New Deal Pilot Consequential Amendments) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3188), dated 29th November 1999 [by Act] [Dawn Primaralo].
8	Supreme Court,—Civil Courts (Amendment) (No. 3) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3187), dated 26th November 1999 [by Act] [Mr David Lock].
9	Telecommunications,—Telecommunications (Appeals) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3180), dated 26th November 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].
Other Papers:
10	Cabinet Office Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate for 1998-99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 63] [Marjorie Mowlam].
11	Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development,—Report and Accounts of English Partnerships for 1998-99 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
12	National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Criminal Justice: Working Together [by Act]; to be printed [No. 29] [Clerk of the House].
13	Railways,—Report and Accounts of the British Railways Board for 1998-99 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
Papers withdrawn:
14	Northern Ireland,—Draft Local Elections (Northern Ireland) (Amendment ) Order 1999 [laid on 4th November, in the last Session of Parliament].
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
1	Draft Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels in Crops, Food and Feeding Stuffs) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr John Grogan and Mr Gareth Thomas from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations); and nominated in substitution Mr Terry Lewis and Mr Martin Salter.
2	Air Navigation (Fifth Amendment) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2059),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Jim Murphy from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Order); and nominated in substitution Mr Ian Pearson.
3	National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2218), and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Establishment and Constitution) Amendment Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2219),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Robert Marshall-Andrews from the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Regulations and Order); and nominated in substitution Mr Austin Mitchell.
4	Draft Maternity and Parental Leave etc. Regulations 1999,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Ms Candy Atherton and Mr Terry Lewis from the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations); and nominated in substitution Mr Robert Marshall-Andrews and Mr Bill Rammell.
APPENDIX III
	Treasury,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee of the Treasury Committee [Customs and Excise]; to be printed [No. 53-ii] [Mr Giles Radice].



© Parliamentary copyright 1999	Revised 30 November 1999