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House of Commons
Session 1997-1998

Commons Journal 254

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Page 132            1997-1998      Volume 254      

[No. 46.]

Monday 21st July 1997.

The House met at half past Two o'clock.

PRAYERS.

[Note: From this day onwards cross-references to Appendices relating to Accounts and Papers, Selection, and Select Committees ceased to appear in the main body of the Votes and Proceedings and the Journal.]

1Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows:

Wireless Telegraphy Bill [Lords],—The Lords have passed a Bill, intituled, An Act to make provision about the grant of, and sums payable in respect of, licences under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 other than television licences, and about the promotion of the efficient use and management of the electro-magnetic spectrum for wireless telegraphy; and for connected purposes; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.

2Wireless Telegraphy Bill [Lords],—The Wireless Telegraphy Bill [Lords] was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 52].

3Education (Student Loans) Bill,—The Order of the day being read for the Second Reading of the Education (Student Loans) Bill;

A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That the Bill be now read a second time;

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John McFall, Mr Clive Betts: 267.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Andrew Welsh, Mrs Margaret Ewing: 3.

So the Question was agreed to.

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

4Education (Student Loans) Bill [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Education (Student Loans) 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 Education (Student Loans) Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any increase attributable to the Act—

(a) in the sums required by the Secretary of State for making payments under the Education (Student Loans) Act 1990;

(b) in the expenses of the Secretary of State under that Act—(Bridget Prentice):—It was agreed to.

5Housing,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Allocation of Housing (Reasonable and Additional Preference) Regulations 1997, which were laid before this House on 26th June, be approved—(Bridget Prentice):—It was agreed to.

6Northern Ireland,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Commissioner for Complaints (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1997, which was laid before this House on 7th July, be approved—(Bridget Prentice):— It was agreed to.

7Health,—Ordered, That Mr Peter Brooke be discharged from the Health Committee and that Mr Robert Walter be added to the Committee.—(Mr Clive Betts, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

8Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Bridget Prentice.)

And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-four minutes to Seven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 6.36 p.m.


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APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1Customs & Excise,—Betting and Gaming Duties Act 1981 (Bingo Prize Limit) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1714), dated 17th July 1997 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].

2Food,—Animals and Animal Products (Examination for Residues and Maximum Residue Limits) Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1729), dated 18th July 1997 [by Act] [Dr John Cunningham].

3Local Government,—(1) Local Authorities (Direct Labour Organisations) (Competition) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1697),

(2) Local Government Act 1988 (Competition) (Wales) Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1699),

(3) Local Government Act 1988 (Defined Activities) (Exemptions) (Wales) (Amendment) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1698),

(4) Local Government Act 1988 (Defined Activities) (Housing Management) (Exemptions) (Wales) (Amendment) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1701),

(5) Local Government Act 1988 (Defined Activities) (Works Contracts) (Exemptions) (Wales) (Amendment) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1700), and

(6) Local Government Act 1988 (Direct Service Organisations) (Accounts etc.) (Extension) (Wales) (Amendment) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1702),

dated 14th July 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Davies].

4Medicines,—(1) Medicines (Control of Substances for Manufacture) (Revocation) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1728), and

(2) Medicines (Stilbenes and Thyrostatic Substances Prohibition) (Revocation) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1727),

dated 18th July 1997 [by Act] [Dr John Cunningham].

5Road Traffic,—International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1673), dated 8th July 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

Papers subject to Special Parliamentary Procedure:

6Civil Aviation,—Manchester Airport (Control of Land by Directions) Order 1997, dated 16th July 1997, together with a Certificate by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions under section 2 of the Statutory Orders (Special Procedure) Act 1945 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

Other Papers:

7British Council,—(1) Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minute concerning a contingent liability consequent on the indemnification of works of art to be lent to the British Council for exhibitions planned for the second half of 1997–98, and

(2) Report and Accounts of the British Council for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon

[by Command] [Mr Secretary Cook].

8Broadcasting,—Report and Accounts of the Gaelic Broadcasting Committee for 1996–97 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

9Coal Industry,—Report and Accounts of the Coal Authority for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].

10Courts and Legal Services,—Report of the Court Service for 1996–97 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 73] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon].

11Education and Employment,—Government response to the Second Report of the Education and Employment Committee, Session 1996–97, on the Security of Staff in Jobcentres [by Command] [Cm. 3703] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].

12Environmental Protection,—Accounts of the Countryside Council for Wales for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 165] [Clerk of the House].

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13Government Trading Funds,—Report and Accounts of HM Land Registry for 1996–97, with the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 131] [Clerk of the House].

14Housing,—Report and Accounts of Liverpool Housing Action Trust for 1996–97 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

15Local Government Planning and Land,—Report and Accounts of Merseyside Development Corporation for 1996–97 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

16Mental Health,—Report of the Mental Health Act Commission for 1995–1997, including Accounts for 1995–96 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson].

17National Lottery,—Paper, entitled The People's Lottery [by Command] [Cm. 3709] [Mr Secretary Smith].

18Public Petitions,—Observations by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for School Standards on the Petition [17th June] from residents of Eastleigh against the proposed closure of Rookwood County Infants School [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].

19Public Works Loan,—Report of the Public Works Loan Board for 1996–97 [by Act] [Mrs Helen Liddell].

20Trade and Industry Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Patent Office for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 151] [Clerk of the House].

21Transport,—Report and Accounts of British Waterways for 1996–97 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

APPENDIX II

Committee of Selection

1First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr John McWilliam reported from the Committee of Selection, That it had discharged from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation Mrs Angela Browning (nominated in respect of the draft Jobseeker's Allowance (Workskill Courses) Pilot (No. 2) Regulations 1997); and had appointed in substitution Mr Stephen Dorrell.

2Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr John McWilliam reported from the Committee, That it had discharged from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation Mr Geraint Davies (nominated in respect of the draft Transport and Works (Guided Transport Modes) (Amendment) Order 1997); and had appointed in substitution Mr Brian White.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

Treasury,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Treasury Committee on 21st July [Budgetary and monetary issues]; to be printed [No. 169-i] [Mr Giles Radice].


[No. 47.]

Tuesday 22nd July 1997.

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

PRAYERS.

1King's College London Bill [Lords],—The Order of the day being read, for the Third Reading of the King's College London Bill [Lords];

Ordered, That the Bill be read the third time on Tuesday 29th July.

2Lever Park Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Lever Park Bill;

Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Tuesday 29th July.

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3First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mrs Ray Michie reported from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Jobseeker's Allowance (Workskill Courses) Pilot (No. 2) Regulations 1997.

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

4Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr John Butterfill reported from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Local Government Act 1988 (Competition) (Defined Activities) (Scotland) Amendment Order 1997.

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

5Water Charges (Amendment),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the Water Industry Act 1991 to prohibit the use by water undertakers of rateable values as a basis for charging from 31st March 1998; to provide for charging by water undertakers in accordance with council tax bands; and for connected purposes: And that Mr Colin Breed, Mr Paul Tyler, Mr Matthew Taylor, Mr Andrew George, Ms Candy Atherton, Mr A. J. Beith, Mr Peter L. Pike, Mr Dafydd Wigley, Mr Elfyn Llwyd and Mr Simon Hughes do prepare and bring it in.

6Water Charges (Amendment) Bill,—Mr Colin Breed accordingly presented a Bill to amend the Water Industry Act 1991 to prohibit the use by water undertakers of rateable values as a basis for charging from 31st March 1998; to provide for charging by water undertakers in accordance with council tax bands; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 23rd January and to be printed [Bill 53].

7Social Security Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Social Security Bill;

A Motion was 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 a Bill which, while including measures which will reduce delays in, and increase the fairness of, the appeals process in social security and related areas, or which will reduce unnecessary public expenditure, will result in a slower appeals process, with more appeals being the subject of judicial review, will make the appeals process less fair, and will discourage lone parents from working and thereby increase public expenditure on benefits', instead thereof.—(Mr Steve Webb.)

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

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Paul Tyler, Mr Andrew Stunell: 47.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr David Jamieson: 304.

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 committeed to a Standing Committee.

8Social Security Bill [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Social Security 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 Social Security 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 or the Lord Chancellor under the Act; and

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

(2) the payment out of the Consolidated Fund of any increase attributable to the Act in the sums which under any other Act are payable out of that Fund— (Mr Kevin Hughes):—It was agreed to.

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9Social Security Bill [Ways and Means],—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 Social Security Bill, it is expedient to authorise any increase attributable to the Act in the sums which—

(a) under any other Act are payable into the Consolidated Fund; or

(b) under the Social Security Administration Act 1992 are to be taken as paid towards the cost of the National Health Service in Great Britain—(Mr Kevin Hughes):—It was agreed to.

10European Legislation,—Ordered, That Mr Andrew Tyrie be discharged from the European Legislation Committee and Mr Quentin Davies be added to the Committee.—(Mr Kevin Hughes.)

11Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Kevin Hughes.)

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

[Adjourned at 10.41 p.m.


APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

1Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 87] [Dr John Cunningham].

2Building Societies,—Accounts of the Building Societies Commission for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 173] [Clerk of the House].

3Civil Aviation,—Report and Accounts of Highlands and Islands Airports Limited for 1996–97 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

4Defence Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Service Children's Education Agency for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 79] [Mr Secretary Robertson].

5Development of Tourism,—(1) Accounts of the English Tourist Board for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 174] [Clerk of the House];

(2) Report and Accounts of the English Tourist Board for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith]; and

(3) Report and Summary Financial Statement of the Wales Tourist Board for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Davies].

6Disability Discrimination,—Report of the National Disability Council for 1996–97 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 136] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].

7Friendly Societies,—Accounts of the Friendly Societies Commission for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 172] [Clerk of the House].

8Further and Higher Education (Scotland),—Accounts of the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 177] [Clerk of the House].

9Health Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the National Health Service Pensions Agency for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 154] [Mr Secretary Dobson].

10Home Office Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the United Kingdom Passport Agency for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 101] [Mr Secretary Straw].

11House of Commons Members' Fund,—Accounts of the House of Commons Members' Fund for the period 1st October 1995 to 30th September 1996, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 176] [Clerk of the House].

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12Housing,—Report and Accounts of the Stonebridge Housing Action Trust for 1996-97 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

13National Heritage (Scotland),—Accounts of the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 175] [Clerk of the House].

14Pensions,—Accounts of the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund for 1995–96, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 171] [Clerk of the House].

15Police,—Report of the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis for 1996–97 [by Command] [Mr Secretary Straw].

16Post Office,—Report of the Post Office Users' Council for Scotland for 1996–97 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].

17Public Health,—Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning) Order 1997 Partial Revocation Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1739), dated 18th July 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

18Social Security Executive Agencies,—Reports and Accounts of—

(1) Benefits Agency,

(2) Child Support Agency,

(3) Contributions Agency,

(4) Information Technology Services Agency, and

(5) War Pensions Agency

for 1996–97, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 78, 124, 44, 22 and 39 ] [Secretary Harriet Harman].

19Welsh Affairs,—(1) Government Response to the Second Report of the Welsh Affairs Committee, Session 1996–97, on Further Education in Wales, and

(2) Paper, entitled A Voice for Wales

[by Command] [Cm. 3708 and 3718] [Mr Secretary Davies].

20Welsh Language,—Report and Summary Financial Statement of the Welsh Language Board for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Davies].

Papers withdrawn:

21Fire Services,—(1) Draft Lancashire Fire Services (Combination Scheme) Order 1997, and

(2) draft Nottinghamshire Fire Services (Combination Scheme) Order 1997

[laid on 17th July].

APPENDIX II

Reports from Select Committees

1Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment Sub-Committee of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee on 22nd July [Water Management]; to be printed [No. 183–i] [Mr Andrew F. Bennett].

2European Legislation,—Second Report from the Select Committee on European Legislation; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee [No. 155–ii] [Mr Jimmy Hood].

3Standards and Privileges,—(1) Second Report from the Committee on Standards and Privileges [Complaint against Mr George Galloway], together with Appendices (including a Memorandum by the Commissioner for Standards); to be printed, together with the Minutes of Proceedings relating to the Report [No. 179];

(2) Third Report from the Committee [Complaint against Mr Kenneth Clarke], together with an Appendix (Memorandum by the Commissioner for Standards); to be printed, together with the Minutes of Proceedings relating to the Report [No. 180];

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(3) Fourth Report from the Committee [The Register of Members' Interests, Category 4, Sponsorship: a consultation document]; to be printed, together with the Minutes of Proceedings relating to the Report [No. 181];

(4) Memoranda of Evidence laid before the Committee [Complaints from Mr Mohamed Al Fayed, The Guardian and others against twenty-five Members and former Members]; to be printed [No. 30-IV]; and

(5) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Complaint against Mr Michael Howard]

[Mr Robert Sheldon].

4Statutory Instruments,—Eighth Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, together with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 33–viii] [Mr David Tredinnick].

5Treasury,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Treasury Committee [Budgetary and monetary issues]; to be printed [No. 169–ii] [Mr Giles Radice].


MEMORANDA

1Chairmen's Panel,—In pursuance of Standing Order No. 4 (Chairmen's Panel), the Speaker nominated Mrs Marion Roe and Mr Andrew Welsh to be members of the Chairmen's Panel during this Session.

2Chairmen of Standing Committees,—In pursuance of Standing Order No. 85 (Chairmen of standing committees), the Speaker appointed Mr Edward O'Hara Chairman of European Standing Committee B in respect of European Community Document No. COM (97) 280: The Preliminary Draft Budget 1998, in place of Mr John Maxton.

3European Standing Committees,—In pursuance of Standing Order No. 119 (European Standing Committees), the following referrals have been made:

(1) European Community Documents Nos. 8150/97, relating to Food Law, together with 8386/97, relating to Consumer Health and Food Safety, to European Standing Committee A; and

(2) European Community Document No. 7310/97, relating to the Fifth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (RTD), to European Standing Committee B.


[No. 48.]

Wednesday 23rd July 1997.

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

PRAYERS.

1Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Clive Betts);

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

2Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Jimmy Hood reported from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Transport and Works (Guided Transport Modes) (Amendment) Order 1997.

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

3European Standing Committee B,—Mr Edward O'Hara reported from European Standing Committee B the following Resolution:

That the Committee takes note of European Community Document No. COM(97)280, the Preliminary Draft Budget of the European Communities for 1998; and supports the Government's efforts to maintain budget discipline in the Community.

Report, together with Resolution, to lie upon the Table.

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4Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows:

The Lords have agreed to the Education (Schools) Bill, with an Amendment; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.

5Education (Schools) Bill,—Lords Amendment to the Education (Schools) Bill to be considered to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 56].

6Access to the Countryside,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the law on trespass and to enable members of the public to resort on foot to open country in England and Wales for their recreation; and for connected purposes—(Mr Paddy Tipping);

And the Motion being opposed, after a brief explanatory statement from the Member who made the Motion and from a Member who opposed it, the Deputy Speaker put the Question pursuant to Standing Order No. 23 (Motions for leave to bring in bills and nomination of select committees at commencement of public business):—It was agreed to.

Ordered, That Mr Paddy Tipping, Mr Andrew F. Bennett, Helen Jackson, Ms Sally Keeble, Jackie Lawrence, Chris McCafferty, Mr Colin Pickthall, Mr Chris Pond, Mr Gordon Prentice, Mr Chris Ruane, Mr Stephen Timms and Joan Walley do prepare and bring in the Bill.

7Access to the Countryside Bill,—Mr Paddy Tipping accordingly presented a Bill to amend the law on trespass and to enable members of the public to resort on foot to open country in England and Wales for their recreation; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 13th February and to be printed [Bill 54].

8European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993, Section 5,—Resolved, That this House takes note with approval of the Government's assessment as set out in the Financial Statement and Budget Report for the purposes of section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993.—(Mr Geoffrey Robinson.)

9Ministerial and other Salaries Bill,—The Ministerial and other Salaries Bill was, according to Order, 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 Jim Dowd):—It was agreed to.

Further proceedings on the Bill stood postponed, pursuant to Order [18th July].

10Ministerial and other Salaries Bill [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Ministerial and other Salaries 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 Ministerial and other Salaries Bill, it is expedient to authorise any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable out of money provided by Parliament, or charged on the Consolidated Fund, under the Ministerial and other Salaries Act 1975—(Mr Jim Dowd):—It was agreed to.

11Ministerial and other Salaries Bill,—The House, pursuant to Order [18th July], resolved itself into a Committee on the Ministerial and other Salaries Bill.

(In the Committee)

Clauses Nos. 1 to 3 agreed to.

Bill to be reported.


The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair and Mr Jim Dowd reported, That the Committee had gone through the Bill and directed him to report the same, without Amendment.

The Bill was read the third time, and passed.

12Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Jim Dowd.)

And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-two minutes to Nine o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 8.38 p.m.


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APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table

1Defence Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Army Technical Support Agency of the Ministry of Defence for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 98] [Mr Secretary Robertson].

2Development of Tourism,—Accounts of the British Tourist Authority for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 185] [Clerk of the House].

3Health Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Medical Devices Agency for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 111] [Mr Secretary Dobson].

4Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development,—Report and Accounts of English Partnerships for 1996–97 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

5Local Government, Planning and Land,—Report and Accounts of the Sheffield Development Corporation for—

(1) 1996–97, and

(2) the period 31st March to 30th June 1997

[by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

6Museums and Galleries,—Accounts for 1996–97 of—

(1) Museums and Galleries Commission, and

(2) the Tate Gallery,

with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 186 and 187] [Clerk of the House].

7National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Department of Social Security: Measures to Combat Housing Benefit Fraud [by Act]; to be printed [No. 164] [Clerk of the House].

8National Lottery,—Accounts for 1996–97 of—

(1) Arts Council of Northern Ireland Lottery Distribution, and

(2) Sports Council for Northern Ireland Lottery Distribution,

with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 188 and 189] [Clerk of the House].

9Northern Ireland Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Training and Employment Agency for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 102] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].

10Scottish Executive Agencies,—Report, including Corporate Plan for 1997–2000, and Accounts of Historic Scotland for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 115] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

APPENDIX II

Committee of Selection

1Standing Committee A,—Mr John McWilliam reported from the Committee of Selection, That it had nominated eighteen Members to serve on Standing Committee A in respect of the Education (Student Loans) Bill, viz.: Miss Anne Begg, Mr John Bercow, Mr Graham Brady, Mrs Angela Browning, Mr Stephen Byers, Yvette Cooper, Caroline Flint, Dr Kim Howells, Mr David Jamieson, Mr Paul Keetch, Dr Ashok Kumar, Mr Tom Levitt, Sir David Madel, Joan Ryan, Mr Jonathan R. Shaw, Rachel Squire, Mr Stephen Twigg and Mr Phil Willis.

2Standing Committee B,—Mr John McWilliam reported from the Committee, That it had nominated twenty Members to serve on Standing Committee B in respect of the Social Security Bill, viz.: Mr Keith Bradley, Mr Desmond Browne, Mr Colin Burgon, Mr Simon Burns, Mr John Denham, Mr Andrew Dismore, Mr Howard Flight, Mr Paul Goggins, Mr Phil Hope, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr Oliver Letwin, Mr Piers Merchant, Kali Mountford, Mrs Sandra Osborne, Mr Chris Pond, Mr David Rendel, Ms Gisela Stuart, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe, Mr Nigel Waterson and Steve Webb.

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APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1Modernisation,—(1) First Report from the Modernisation Committee [The Legislative Process], together with Appendices; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 190];

(2) First Special Report from the Modernisation Committee [Work of the Committee: First Progress Report], together with Appendices; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 191]; and

(3) Memoranda laid before the Modernisation Committee [Submissions to the Committee]

[Mrs Ann Taylor].

2Scottish Affairs,—(1) First Special Report from the Scottish Affairs Committee [Government Observations on the First Report from the Committee (Session 1996–97) on Housing and Anti-Social Behaviour]; to be printed [No. 192]; and

(2) Second Special Report from the Scottish Affairs Committee [Government Observations on the Second Report from the Committee (Session 1996–97) on the Implementation of Community Care in Scotland]; to be printed [No. 193]

[Mr David Marshall].

3Trade and Industry,—(1) First Special Report from the Trade and Industry Committee [Government Observations on the Third Report from the Trade and Industry Committee, Session 1996–97, on Telecommunications Regulation]; to be printed [No. 195]; and

(2) Second Special Report from the Trade and Industry Committee [Responses from the Government and the Office of Electricity Regulation to the Second Report from the Trade and Industry Committee, Session 1996–97, on Liberalisation of the Electricity Market]; to be printed [No. 196]

[Mr Martin O'Neill].

4Treasury,—(1) First Special Report from the Treasury Committee [Government Response to the Fourth Report from the Committee, Session 1996–97, on the International Monetary Fund]; to be printed [No. 197];

(2) Second Special Report from the Treasury Committee [Government Response to the Fifth Report from the Committee, Session 1996–97, on the Prospects for the London Stock Exchange]; to be printed [No. 198]; and

(3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Treasury Committee [Budgetary and monetary issues]; to be printed [No. 169-iii]

[Mr Giles Radice].


MEMORANDA

1Constitution of Standing Committees,—In pursuance of Standing Order No. 84 (Constitution of standing committees), the Speaker allocated—

(1) the Education (Student Loans) Bill to Standing Committee A, and

(2) the Social Security Bill to Standing Committee B.

2Chairmen of Standing Committees,—In pursuance of Standing Order No. 85 (Chairmen of standing committees), the Speaker appointed—

(1) Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody Chairman of Standing Committee A in respect of the Education (Student Loans) Bill, and

(2) Mr Edward O'Hara Chairman of Standing Committee B in respect of the Social Security Bill.


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[No. 49.]

Thursday 24th July 1997.

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

PRAYERS.

1Finance Bill (Business Committee),—The Chairman of Ways and Means reported from the Business Committee, That it had come to a Resolution in respect of the Finance Bill, which it had directed him to report to the House.

That—

(a) the order in which proceedings on consideration are taken shall be New Clauses, New Schedules, and amendments to Clauses 1 and 2, Schedule 1, Clause 3, Schedule 2, Clauses 4 to 17, Clause 49, Clauses 18 to 23, Schedule 3, Clauses 24 to 34, Schedule 4, Clause 35, Schedule 5, Clause 36, Schedule 6, Clauses 37 to 41, Schedule 7, Clauses 42 to 48, Clauses 50 to 53 and Schedule 8;

(b) the allotted days which under the Order [14th July] are given to the proceedings on consideration and Third Reading shall be allotted in the manner shown in the Table set out below and, subject to the provisions of that Order, each part of the proceedings shall, if not previously brought to a conclusion, be brought to a conclusion at the time specified in the third column of that Table.

TABLE

Allotted dayProceedings Time for conclusion of proceedings
First day New Clauses, New Schedules and amendments to Clauses 1 and 2, Schedule 1, Clause 3, Schedule 2, Clauses 4 to 17 and Clause 49. 10.00 p.m.
Second day Remaining proceedings on consideration. 9.00 p.m.
Third Reading.10.00 p.m.

Report to lie upon the Table.

2Finance Bill,—Mrs Ann Winterton reported from Standing Committee A, That it had gone through the Finance Bill (except Clauses Nos. 1, 15 ,17 and 19) and made Amendments thereunto.

Bill, not amended in the Committee and as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 55].

Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 203].

3Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Peter Atkinson reported from the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Insurance Premium Tax (Taxable Insurance Contracts) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1627).

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

4Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows:

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

5Mobile Telephones (Prohibition of Use in Designated Places),—Mr Michael Fabricant presented a Bill to prohibit the sending or receiving of mobile telephone calls in restaurants, railway carriages, buses, cinemas, theatres and other designated places: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 13th February and to be printed [Bill 57].

61998 Preliminary Draft Budget,—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 Community Document No. COM (97) 280, the Preliminary

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 Draft Budget of the European Communities for 1998; and supports the Government's efforts to maintain budget discipline in the Community—(Mr David Jamieson);

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr Jon Owen Jones: 319.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr John Whittingdale: 111.

So the Question was agreed to.

7Education (Schools) Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Lords Amendment to the Education (Schools) Bill.

Lords Amendment No. 1.

A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That this House doth disagree with the Lords in the said Amendment—(Mr Secretary Blunkett);

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Greg Pope, Mr Jon Owen Jones: 286.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr James Cran, Sir David Madel: 120.

So the Question was agreed to.

The Lords Amendment was accordingly disagreed to.

Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to draw up a Reason to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their Amendment No. 1.

Ordered, That Mrs Angela Browning, Mr Stephen Byers, Jean Corston, Mr David Jamieson and Sir David Madel be Members of the Committee;

Ordered, That Three be the quorum of the Committee;

Ordered, That the Committee do withdraw immediately.—(Mr David Jamieson.)

8Law Officers Bill [Lords],—The Law Officers Bill [Lords] was, according to Order, 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 Greg Pope):—It was agreed to.

Resolved, That this House will immediately resolve itself into the said Committee:—The House accordingly resolved itself into a Committee.

(In the Committee)

Clauses Nos. 1 to 3 agreed to.

Schedule agreed to.

Bill to be reported.


The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair and Mr Greg Pope reported, That the Committee had gone through the Bill and directed him to report the same, without Amendment.

The Bill was read the third time, and passed, without Amendment.

9Social Security,—A Motion was made, and the Question being being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Jobseeker's Allowance (Workskill Courses) Pilot (No. 2) Regulations 1997, which were laid before this House on 3rd July, be approved—(Mr Greg Pope):—It was agreed to.

10Local Government (Scotland),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Local Government Act 1988 (Competition)(Defined Activities) (Scotland) Amendment Order 1997, which was laid before this House on 7th July, be approved—(Mr Greg Pope):—It was agreed to.

11Education (Schools) Bill,—Mr Stephen Byers reported from the Committee appointed to draw up a Reason to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their Amendment to the Education (Schools) Bill, That it had drawn up the following Reason, which it had directed him to report to the House:

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The Commons disagree to Amendment No. 1 made by the Lords in page 2, line 5, for the following Reason:

Because it would alter the financial arrangements made by the Commons, and the Commons do not offer any further Reason, trusting that this Reason may be deemed sufficient.

The Reason was agreed to.

Message to the Lords to communicate the said Reason with the Bill and Amendment.

12Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Greg Pope.)

And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-nine minutes to Nine o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 8.31 p.m.


APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

1Animals,—Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals in Great Britain for 1996 [by Command] [Cm. 3722] [Mr Secretary Straw].

2Civil Aviation,—Report and Accounts of the Civil Aviation Authority for 1996–97 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

3Deer (Scotland),—Report of the Deer Commission for Scotland for 1996–97 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

4Defence Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Duke of York's Royal Military School for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 58] [Mr Secretary Robertson].

5Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster,—Revenue and Capital Accounts of the Duchy of Lancaster for 1996–97 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].

6Education,—Accounts of—

(1) School Curriculum and Assessment Authority, and

(2) Teacher Training Agency

for 1996–97, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 204 and 201] [Clerk of the House].

7Government Trading Funds,—Report and Accounts of the Royal Mint Trading Fund for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 57] [Clerk of the House].

8Housing,—Report and Accounts of North Hull Housing Action Trust for 1996–97 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

9Judicial Statistics,—Judicial Statistics for England and Wales for 1996 [by Command] [Cm. 3716] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon].

10Monopolies and Mergers,—Report by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on the merger situation between Technicolor Limited and Metrocolor London Limited [by Command] [Cm. 3720] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].

11Northern Ireland Executive Agencies,—Reports and Accounts of—

(1) Rate Collection Agency, and

(2) Social Security Agency

for 1996–97, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 93 and 77] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].

12Prisons (Northern Ireland),—Report on the work of the Northern Ireland Prison Service for 1996–97 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 137] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].

13Registration Service,—Marriage and Divorce Statistics: Review of the Registrar General on marriages and divorces in England and Wales, 1994 [by Act] [Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer].

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14Scottish Affairs,—Paper, entitled Scotland's Parliament [by Command] [Cm. 3658] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

Paper withdrawn:

15Northern Ireland,—Draft Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 [laid 24th October 1996, in the last Parliament].

APPENDIX II

Reports from Select Committees

National Heritage,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the National Heritage Committee on 24th July [The Royal Opera House]; to be printed [No. 199-i] [Mr Gerald Kaufman]


MEMORANDUM

Chairmen's Panel,—In pursuance of Standing Order No. 4 (Chairmen's Panel), the Speaker nominated Mr Bowen Wells to be a member of the Chairmen's Panel during this Session.


THE SPEAKER'S CERTIFICATE

 The Speaker certified that the Ministerial and other Salaries Bill is a Money Bill within the meaning of the Parliament Act 1911.


[No. 50.]

Friday 25th July 1997.

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

PRAYERS.

1Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows:

The Lords do not insist on their Amendment to the Education (Schools) Bill, to which this House has disagreed.

2Adjournment (White Paper on the Government's Proposals for a Welsh Assembly (Cm. 3718)),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Jon Owen Jones);

And it being half-past Two o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put.

3Select Committees related to government departments,—Ordered, That—

(1) Standing Order No. 152 (Select committees related to government departments) be amended, in the Table in paragraph (2), in the item relating to the National Heritage Committee, by replacing the words ‘National Heritage/Department of National Heritage' with the words ‘Culture, Media and Sport/Department for Culture, Media and Sport'; and

(2) all proceedings of the House and of its Select Committees in this Session in respect of the National Heritage Committee shall be deemed to have been in respect of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee.—(Mr Jon Owen Jones.)

4Sittings of the House,—Ordered, That, at the sitting on Thursday 31st July, the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until she shall have notified the Royal Assent to Acts agreed upon by both Houses.—(Mr Jon Owen Jones.)

5Liaison,—Ordered, That Mr Donald Anderson, Mr Andrew F. Bennett, Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody, Mr Derek Foster, Mr Bruce George, Mr David Hinchliffe, Ms Margaret Hodge, Mr Jimmy Hood, Mr Martyn Jones, Mr Gerald Kaufman, Mr Archy Kirkwood, Mr Peter Luff, Mr John McWilliam, Mr David Marshall, Mr Rhodri Morgan, Mr Chris

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Mullin, Mr Martin O'Neill, Mr Giles Radice, Mr Robert Sheldon, Mr David Tredinnick and Mr Bowen Wells be members of the Liaison Committee.—(Mr Jon Owen Jones.)

6Public Accounts,—Ordered, That Mr Alan Campbell, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mr David Davis, Mr Ian Davidson, Mr Geraint Davies, Maria Eagle, Jane Griffiths, Mr Phil Hope, Mr Christopher Leslie, Mr Andrew Love, Mr Robert Maclennan, Mr Richard Page, Mr Charles Wardle, Mr Dafydd Wigley and Mr Alan Williams be members of the Committee of Public Accounts.—(Mr Jon Owen Jones.)

7Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Jon Owen Jones.)

And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till seven minutes to Three o'clock, adjourned till Monday 28th July.

[Adjourned at 2.53 p.m.


APPENDIX

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1National Health Service,—National Health Service (Pilot Schemes: Financial Assistance for Preparatory Work) Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1821), dated 25th July 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson].

Other Papers:

2Aliens' Employment,—Cabinet Office Minute dated 18th July 1997 under section 1 of the Aliens' Employment Act 1955 relating to aliens employed in a civil capacity under the Crown during 1996–97 [by Command] [Dr David Clark].

3Defence Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Defence Animal Centre for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 166] [Mr Secretary Robertson].

4Environment,—Report and Accounts of the Environment Agency for 1996–97 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

5Environment, Transport and the Regions Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 121] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

6Local Government,—Report and Accounts of the Local Government Commission for England for 1996–97 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

7Local Government, Planning and Land,—Report and Accounts of—

(1) Cardiff Bay Development Corporation, and

(2) Land Authority for Wales

for 1996–97 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Davies].

8Local Government (Scotland),—Report and Accounts of—

(1) East of Scotland Water,

(2) North of Scotland Water Authority, and

(3) West of Scotland Water Authority

for 1996–97 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

9New Towns,—Accounts of the Commission for New Towns for 1996–97 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]

10Treasury Solicitor's Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Government Property Lawyers for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 123] [Mr Attorney General].


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