 House of Commons |
Session 1997-1998 |
| Commons Journal 254
Chronological Index
Page 50 1997-1998 Volume 254 [No. 17.] Monday 9th June 1997. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 12, to leave out from the word ‘union' to the end of the Question and add the words ‘and warns Her Majesty's Government against signing up to the third stage of economic and monetary union based on fudged criteria and against proposals at the forthcoming Amsterdam summit which threaten British national interests, namely: surrendering the United Kingdom's veto in social policy, industry policy, environment policy and regional policy; signing the Social Chapter and supporting a new Treaty Chapter on Employment; and, instead, recommends that the Government adhere to the approach outlined in the White Paper “A Partnership of Nations” (Cm 3181)', instead thereof.—(Mr John Major.) Question put, That the Amendment be made. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Bowen Wells, Mr Peter Ainsworth: 151. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Jon Owen Jones, Janet Anderson: 404. So the Question was negatived. And the Main Question being put; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Jon Owen Jones, Janet Anderson: 397. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Bowen Wells, Mr Peter Ainsworth: 145. So the Question was agreed to. Resolved, That this House takes note of European Community Documents Nos. SN 600/97 (C101), consolidated draft Treaty texts; 6946/97, on the strengthening of the surveillance and co-ordination of budgetry policies; 6947/97, on speeding up and clarifying the implementation of the excessive deficit procedure; 10867/96, on the legal framework for the introduction of the euro; 7766/97, on the Commission's recommendation for the broad guidelines of the economic policies of the Member States and the Community; 7767/97, on a progress report on the implementation of the 1996 broad economic policy guidelines; the draft Resolution of the European Council on the stability and growth pact; and the unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum submitted by HM Treasury on 30th May on a draft Resolution of the European Council on the establishment of an exchange rate mechanism in the third stage of economic and monetary union; and welcomes the determination of Her Majesty's Government to focus Page 51 Monday 9th June 1997 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top the agenda of the European Union on policies of direct benefit to the peoples of Europe through its initiatives on employment and competitiveness, and to obtain the best deal for Britain at the Amsterdam Summit through constructive negotiations in the Intergovernmental Conference.
Tuesday 10th June 1997 And it being one and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion, the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Standing Order No. 16 (Proceedings under an Act or on European Community documents):—It was agreed to. Resolved, That the draft Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 Compensation Scheme, which was laid before this House on 3rd June, be approved.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-nine minutes to One o'clock, adjourned till this day. [Adjourned at 12.31 a.m. APPENDIX Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) Local Government (Exemption from Competition) (Scotland) Amendment Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1438), and (3) Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 (Competition) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1439), dated 5th June 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].
(2) Solihull Healthcare National Health Service Trust (Transfer of Trust Property) Order 1997, (S.I., 1997, No. 1375), dated 30th May 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson]. Page 52 Monday 9th June 1997 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top
(2) Local Government Superannuation (Scotland) Amendment (No. 3) Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1435), dated 3rd June 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].
(2) Royal Ulster Constabulary Pensions (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (S.R.(N.I.), 1997, No. 259), (3) Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve (Full-time) Pensions (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (S.R.(N.I.), 1997, No. 260), and (4) Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve (Part-time) Pensions (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (S.R.(N.I.), 1997, No. 261), dated 2nd June 1997 [by Statutory Instrument] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].
(2) Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1458), dated 6th June 1997 [by Act] [Dr Gavin Strang]. Other Papers:
Page 53 Monday 9th June 1997 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top [No. 18.] Tuesday 10th June 1997. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
(In the Committee) Clause No. 2 (Transitional arrangements for existing assisted pupils). Another Amendment (No. 11) proposed, in page 2, line 1, to leave out subsection (2). Question again proposed, That the Amendment be made. Question put; The Committee divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Richard Ottaway, Mr Peter Ainsworth: 147. Tellers for the Noes, Mr John McFall, Ms Bridget Prentice: 400. Another Amendment (No. 3) proposed, in page 2, line 5, after the word ‘or', to insert the words— ‘(b) in the case of a pupil with an assisted place at a school providing education for children up to the age of 13 but not beyond, at the end of the school year in which he attains the age of 13, or'.—(Mr Don Foster.) Question put, That the Amendment be made. The Committee divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Andrew Stunell, Mr David Heath: 181. Tellers for the Noes, Mr John McFall, Ms Bridget Prentice: 354. Clause agreed to. Clause No. 3 (Regulations for purposes of transitional arrangements). Amendment (No. 35) proposed, in page 3, line 2, to leave out from the word ‘to' to the word ‘fees' in line 3 and insert the words ‘direct a school to refrain from making or postpone or reduce an increase in'.—(Mr David Lidington.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Another Amendment (No. 1) proposed, in page 3, line 25, at the end, to insert the words— ‘(g) require local education authorities to provide information to the Secretary of State about the financial and other effects of the abolition of the assisted places scheme.'.—(Mr Don Foster.) Question put, That the Amendment be made. The Committee divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Andrew Stunell, Mr Paul Tyler: 38. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr Graham Allen: 340. Clause agreed to. Clauses Nos. 4 to 7 agreed to. A Clause (Power of local authority to continue to assist pupils)—(Mr Nicholas St. Aubyn)—brought up, and read the first time. Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:—Clause, by leave, withdrawn. Schedule agreed to. Bill to be reported. Page 54 Tuesday 10th June 1997 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair; and Mr David Jamieson reported, That the Committee had gone through the Bill and directed him to report the same, without Amendment. A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That the Bill be now read the third time; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr Graham Allen: 399. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Patrick McLoughlin, Mr Peter Ainsworth: 147. So the Question was agreed to. The Bill was accordingly read the third time and passed.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till a quarter to Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 10.45 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) Environmentally Sensitive Areas (Avon Valley) Designation (Amendment) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1450), dated 5th June 1997, (3) Environmentally Sensitive Areas (Breckland) Designation (Amendment) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1445), dated 5th June 1997, (4) Environmentally Sensitive Areas (Clun) Designation (Amendment) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1446), dated 5th June 1997, (5) Environmentally Sensitive Areas (England) Designation Orders (Revocation of Specified Provisions) Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1456), dated 4th June 1997, (6) Environmentally Sensitive Areas (Exmoor) Designation (Amendment) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1451), dated 5th June 1997, (7) Environmentally Sensitive Areas (Lake District) Designation (Amendment) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1452), dated 5th June 1997, (8) Environmentally Sensitive Areas (North Kent Marshes) Designation (Amendment) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1453), dated 5th June 1997, (9) Environmentally Sensitive Areas (North Peak) Designation (Amendment) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1447), dated 5th June 1997, (10) Environmentally Sensitive Areas (Pennine Dales) Designation Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1441), dated 5th June 1997, (11) Environmentally Sensitive Areas (Somerset Levels and Moors) Designation Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1442), dated 5th June 1997, (12) Environmentally Sensitive Areas (South Downs) Designation Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1443), dated 5th June 1997, (13) Environmentally Sensitive Areas (South Wessex Downs) Designation (Amendment) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1454), dated 5th June 1997, (14) Environmentally Sensitive Areas (South West Peak) Designation (Amendment) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1455), dated 5th June 1997, (15) Environmentally Sensitive Areas (Suffolk River Valleys) Designation (Amendment) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1448), dated 5th June 1997, (16) Environmentally Sensitive Areas (Test Valley) Designation (Amendment) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1449), dated 5th June 1997, (17) Environmentally Sensitive Areas (The Broads) Designation Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1440), dated 5th June 1997, (18) Environmentally Sensitive Areas (West Penwith) Designation Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1444), dated 5th June 1997, and (19) Home-Grown Cereals Authority (Rate of Levy) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1337), dated 22nd May 1997 [by Act] [Dr John Cunningham]. Page 55 Tuesday 10th June 1997 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top
(2) Legal Aid in Criminal and Care Proceedings (General) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1485), dated 9th June 1997 [by Act] [Mr Geoff Hoon].
Other Papers:
APPENDIX II Reports from Select Committees
[No. 19.] Wednesday 11th June 1997. The House met at half-past Nine o'clock. PRAYERS.
And it being Two o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.
That, after a Bill has been under consideration in a Standing Committee, no application for changes in the composition of that Committee in respect of that Bill will be entertained by this Committee except where a Member is incapacitated from attendance by illness or where he has been appointed or ceased to be a member of the Government or has changed his office for another, or has acquired other duties, or ceased to hold or changed such duties. Report to lie upon the Table.
That Motions to alter the membership of Select Committees may be tabled on behalf of the Committee of Selection only if previously approved at a meeting of the Committee of Selection. Report to lie upon the Table.
Page 56 Wednesday 11th June 1997 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top 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 Firearms (Amendment) Bill since the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 has dealt comprehensively with the problems identified by Lord Cullen; believes that there is no justification for a total ban on all handguns including those of .22 calibre which would eliminate all legitimate target shooting; and calls on the Government to delay this intemperate Bill until the Firearms (Amendment) Act has been fully implemented and a proper assessment made of its impact', instead thereof.—(Mr Michael Howard.) And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Patrick McLoughlin, Mr Peter Ainsworth: 173. Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Clelland, Mr Jon Owen Jones: 384. So the Question was negatived. And the Main Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 62 (Amendment on second or third reading); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Jon Owen Jones, Mr David Clelland: 384. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Patrick McLoughlin, Mr Peter Ainsworth: 181. So the Question was agreed to. The Bill was accordingly read a second time. A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 63 (Committal of bills), That the Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House—(Mr Alun Michael):—It was agreed to. Committee to-morrow.
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 Firearms (Amendment) Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of— (a) any increase attributable to that Act in the administrative expenses payable out of money so provided under any other enactment; and (b) any sums required by the Secretary of State for paying compensation in respect of— (i) small-calibre pistols the possession of which becomes unlawful as a result of that Act; or (ii) equipment designed or adapted for use in connection with small-calibre pistols—(Jane Kennedy):—It was agreed to.
And the Motion having been made after Ten o'clock, and the Debate having continued for half an hour, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order, it being then five minutes past Eleven o'clock, till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 11.05 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Page 57 Wednesday 11th June 1997 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top Other Papers:
(2) Report and Accounts of S4C for 1996–97 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].
APPENDIX II Committee of Selection
MEMORANDA
(1) the draft International Monetary Fund (Limit on Lending) Order 1997 to the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and (2) the draft Army, Air Force and Naval Discipline Acts (Continuation) Order 1997 to the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.
(1) Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody Chairman of the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft International Monetary Fund (Limit on Lending) Order 1997; and Page 58 Wednesday 11th June 1997 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top (2) Mr Edward O'Hara Chairman of the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Army, Air Force and Naval Discipline Acts (Continuation) Order 1997. [No. 20.] Thursday 12th June 1997. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
(1) The construction, maintenance and operation of— (i) in the London Borough of Hackney and Newham, a station at Stratford for international and domestic services on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link with vehicular parking and other facilities in connection therewith; railways comprising down and up lines to serve international and domestic platforms at that station; and a station access road off Waterden Road, including a bridge over the River Lea; (ii) in the London Borough of Hackney, a realignment and improvement of Waterden Road; (iii) in the London Borough of Newham, a subway at the existing suburban Stratford station with a pedestrian link to the new station; and (iv) in the London Boroughs of Camden and Islington, railways near St. Pancras to provide access between the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and the West Coast Main Line by means of a connection to the North London Line. (2) The authorisation of works ancillary to the above-mentioned works, including the stopping-up of York Way in the London Boroughs of Camden and Islington, the making of a means of access to and from that road and interference with waterways. (3) The compulsory acquisition or use of land or rights in land for the intended works; compensation for this and for the injurious affection of land; and the compulsory use of subsoil.—(Glenda Jackson.)
Page 59 Thursday 12th June 1997 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-seven minutes past Seven o'clock, adjourned till Monday 16th June, pursuant to Resolution [19th May]. [Adjourned at 7.27 p.m. APPENDIX Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Other Papers:
Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Oil and Chemical Pollution of Fish and Plants) (Partial Revocation No. 2) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1481) [by Standing Order] [The Speaker].
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