| Commons Journal 254
Chronological Index
Alphabetical Index - Part I
Alphabetical Index - Part II
Page 147 1997-1998 Volume 254
[No. 51.] Monday 28th July 1997.
The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Death of a Member,—The Speaker made the following communication to the House: |
I regret to have to report to the House the death of Mr Gordon McMaster, Member for Paisley South. I am sure that Members on all sides of the House will join me in mourning the loss of a colleague and in extending our sympathy to the honourable Member's family and friends.
| 2 | Woodford Aerodrome (Control of Land by Directions) Order 1997 (Petition of General Objection),—Ordered, That a Message be sent to the Lords to acquaint them that this House has appointed a Committee of three Members to join with a Committee of the Lords as the Joint Committee to which the Petition of General Objection against the Woodford Aerodrome (Control of Land by Directions) Order 1997 stands referred, pursuant to section 4 of the Statutory Orders (Special Procedure) Act 1945. |
| 3 | Finance Bill (Allocation of Time),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 82 (Business Committee), That the Report [24th July] from the Business Committee be now considered—(Mr Robert Ainsworth):—It was agreed to. |
A Motion was made, and Question being put forthwith, That this House doth agree with the Committee in its Resolution—(Mr Robert Ainsworth):—It was agreed to.
| 4 | Finance Bill [1st allotted day],—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Finance Bill, not amended in the Committee and as amended in the Standing Committee. |
A Clause (Low cancer-risk part-renewable blended diesel)—(Sir Michael Spicer)—brought up and read the first time.
Question, That the Clause be read a second time, put and negatived.
Amendment (No. 32) proposed to the Bill, in page 5, to leave out lines 27 to 29.—(Mrs Margaret Ewing.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr John Swinney: 158.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Jane Kennedy: 327.
Another Amendment (No. 26) proposed to the Bill, in page 7, line 28, to leave out the words ‘2nd July' and insert the words ‘25th November', instead thereof.—(Mr David Heathcoat-Amory.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr Malcolm Moss: 132.
Tellers for the Noes, Jane Kennedy, Bridget Prentice: 335.
Another Amendment (No. 27) proposed to the Bill, in page 10, line 12, to leave out ‘1998-99' and insert ‘2003-04', instead thereof.—(Mr David Heathcoat-Amory.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Sir David Madel, Mr James Cran: 128.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr John McFall, Bridget Prentice: 363.
Another Amendment (No. 1) proposed to the Bill, in page 10, line 29, at the end to insert the word ‘and'.—(Mr Nick St. Aubyn.)
Question, That the Amendment be made, put and negatived.
Another Amendment (No. 7) proposed to the Bill, in page 47, line 32, after the first word ‘of', to insert the words ‘£1 for every £100 or part of £100 of the consideration up to £250,000, and at the rate of'.—(Mr Tim Boswell.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Sir David Madel, Mr James Cran: 135.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr John McFall, Mr David Clelland: 367.
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And it being after Ten o'clock, further consideration of the Bill stood adjourned, pursuant to Order [14th July] and Resolution [this day].
Ordered, That the Bill, not amended in the Committee and as amended in the Standing Committee, be further considered to-morrow.
| 5 | Insurance Premium Tax,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the Insurance Premium Tax (Taxable Insurance Contracts) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1627), a copy of which was laid before this House on 2nd July, be approved—(Mr Robert Ainsworth):—It was agreed to. |
| 6 | Adjournment (Summer),—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 Thursday 31st July, do adjourn till Monday 27th October—(Mr Robert Ainsworth):—It was agreed to. |
| 7 | Accommodation and Works,—Ordered, That Janet Anderson, Sir Sydney Chapman, Sir Patrick Cormack, Mr Andrew Dismore, Mr George Mudie, Ms Linda Perham, Sir Raymond Powell, Mr Syd Rapson and Mr David Rendel be members of the Accommodation and Works Committee.—(Mr George Mudie, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) |
| 8 | Administration,—Ordered, That Mr James Cran, Mr David Crausby, Mr Hilton Dawson, Mr Fabian Hamilton, Mr Stephen Hepburn, Jane Kennedy, Mrs Marion Roe and Mr William Ross be members of the Administration Committee.—(Mr George Mudie, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) |
| 9 | Catering,—Ordered, That Mrs Jackie Ballard, Mr Stephen Day, Mrs Janet Dean, Mr Thomas Graham, Mr Lindsay Hoyle, Helen Jones, Mr Patrick McLoughlin, Dr John Marek and Mr Dennis Turner be members of the Catering Committee.—(Mr George Mudie, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) |
| 10 | Information,—Ordered, That Mr Richard Allan, Mr Ian Bruce, Mr Michael Connarty, Mr Neil Gerrard, Mr Jon Owen Jones, Mr Andrew Miller, Mrs Sandra Osborne, Mr Phil Sawford and Mr John Whittingdale be members of the Information Committee.—(Mr George Mudie, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) |
| 11 | Northern Ireland Affairs,—Ordered, That Mr Harry Barnes, Mr Roy Beggs, Mr Peter Brooke, Mr Desmond Browne, Mr Jeffrey Donaldson, Mr John Grogan, Mr Andrew Hunter, Mr Ken Livingstone, Mr Eddie McGrady, Mr Tony McWalter, Ms Margaret Moran, Mr Peter Robinson and Mr Martin Salter be members of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee.—(Mr George Mudie, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) |
| 12 | Transport and Works,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Transport and Works (Guided Transport Modes) (Amendment) Order 1997, which was laid before this House on 7th July, be approved—(Mr Robert Ainsworth):—It was agreed to. |
| 13 | Broadcasting,—Ordered, That Mr Ivor Caplin, Mr Eric Clarke, Mr Roger Gale, Mr George Galloway, Mrs Eileen Gordon, Mr David Lepper, Mr Stephen Pound, Mr Jonathan Sayeed, Mr Andrew Stunell, Mr Mike Wood and Mr Shaun Woodward be members of the Select Committee on Broadcasting.—(Mr George Mudie.) |
| 14 | Public Petitions,—Petitions from— |
(1) Ash Green Residents Association for anti-noise pollution measures along the elevated section of the M6 around Junction 3, and
(2) residents of Barbridge and Wardle for increased road safety measures on the A51 between Nantwich and Tarporley
were presented; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
| 15 | Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Robert Ainsworth); |
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 seventeen minutes to Eleven o'clock, till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 10.43 p.m.
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APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 1 | Countryside,—Countryside Stewardship (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1827), dated 23rd July 1997 [by Act] [Dr John Cunningham]. |
| 2 | Fire Services,—(1) Draft Lancashire Fire Services (Combination Scheme) Order 1997, and |
(2) draft Nottinghamshire Fire Services (Combination Scheme) Order 1997
[by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw].
| 3 | Health and Safety,—Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1713), dated 17th July 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 4 | Legal Aid and Advice,—(1) Legal Advice and Assistance (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 (S.R,(N.I.), 1997, No. 342), and |
(2) Legal Aid (Assessment of Resources) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 (S.R.(N.I.), 1997, No. 343),
dated 25th July 1997 [by Act] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon].
| 5 | Local Government,—Local Authorities (Goods and Services) (Public Bodies) (English Heritage) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1835), dated 23rd July 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith]. |
| 6 | Medicines,—(1) Medicines (Sale or Supply) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1831), and |
(2) Prescription Only Medicines (Human Use) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1830),
dated 25th July 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson].
| 7 | Road Traffic,—Road Traffic Fixed Penalties (Enforcement of Fines) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 (S.R.(N.I.), 1997, No. 344), dated 28th July 1997 [by Act] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon]. |
| 8 | Sports Grounds and Sporting Events,—Sports Grounds and Sporting Events (Designation) (Scotland) Amendment Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1787), dated 22nd July 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar]. |
| 9 | Urban Development,—London Docklands Development Corporation (Alteration of Boundaries) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1738), dated 21st July 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 10 | Value Added Tax,—Value Added Tax (Terminal Markets) (Amendment) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1836), dated 25th July 1997 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo]. |
Other Papers:
| 11 | Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Executive Agencies,—Reports and Accounts of— |
(1) Central Science Laboratory, and
(2) Pesticides Safety Directorate
for 1996–97, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 80 and 62] [Dr John Cunningham].
| 12 | Broadcasting,—Accounts of— |
(1) Independent Television Commission Additional Payments and Financial Penalties by Licensees, and
(2) Radio Authority Additional Payments by Radio Programme Licensees
for 1996–97, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 206 and 211] [Clerk of the House].
| 13 | Environment, Transport and the Regions Executive Agencies,—Accounts of the Transport Research Laboratory for 1995–96, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 212] [Dr Gavin Strang]. |
| 14 | Friendly Societies,—Report of the Friendly Societies Commission for 1996–97 [by Act] [Mrs Helen Liddell]. |
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| 15 | Further and Higher Education,—Accounts of the Further Education Funding Council for England for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 205] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 16 | Industrial Training,—Report and Financial Statements of the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board for 1996 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
| 17 | National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Tenants' Choice and the Torbay Tenants Housing Association [by Act]; to be printed [No. 170] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 18 | National Heritage,—Accounts of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 207] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 19 | National Lottery,—Accounts of— |
(1) English Sports Council National Lottery Distribution Fund for the period 1st January to 31st March 1997,
(2) Scottish Arts Council National Lottery Distribution Fund for 1996–97, and
(3) Sports Council National Lottery Distribution Fund for the period 1st April to 31st December 1996,
with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 210, 208 and 209] [Clerk of the House]; and
(4) Report of the Arts Council of England on the National Lottery for 1996–97 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].
| 20 | Northern Ireland Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Compensation Agency for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 162] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam]. |
| 21 | Trade and Industry Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 89] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
APPENDIX II
Committee of Selection
| 1 | First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr John McWilliam reported from the Committee of Selection, That it had nominated sixteen Members to serve on the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Malaysia) Order 1997, the draft Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Singapore) Order 1997, the draft Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Falkland Islands) Order 1997, and the draft Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Lesotho) Order 1997, viz.: Mr Robert Ainsworth, Mr Tim Boswell, Dr Vincent Cable, Dr Lynda Clark, Mr Tony Colman, Mr Edward Davey, Mr Neil Gerrard, Mr Nick Gibb, Ann Keen, Mr Andy King, Dawn Primarolo, Dr Phyllis Starkey, Mr Mark Todd, Mr Bowen Wells, Mr John Whittingdale and Mr Michael Wills. |
| 2 | Woodford Aerodrome (Control of Land by Directions) Order 1997 (Petition of General Objection) (Joint Committee),—Mr John McWilliam reported from the Committee, That it had nominated three Members to serve on a Committee to join with a Committee of the Lords as the Joint Committee to which the Petition of General Objection against the Woodford Aerodrome (Control of Land by Directions) Order 1997 stands referred, pursuant to section 4 of the Statutory Orders (Special Procedure) Act 1945, viz,: Mr Bill Etherington, Mr Michael Fabricant and Mr Bill Olner. |
MEMORANDUM
| Chairmen of Standing Committees,—In pursuance of Standing Order No. 85 (Chairmen of standing committees), the Speaker appointed: |
(1) Mr Donald Anderson an additional Chairman of Standing Committee A in respect of the Education (Student Loans) Bill; and
(2) Mr Roger Gale an additional Chairman of Standing Committee B in respect of the Social Security Bill.
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[No. 52.] Tuesday 29th July 1997.
The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | King's College London Bill [Lords],—The King's College London Bill [Lords] was, according to Order, read the third time, and passed, without Amendment. |
| 2 | Lever 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 28th October.
| 3 | Education (Student Loans) Bill,—Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody reported from Standing Committee A, That it had gone through the Education (Student Loans) Bill, and directed her to report the same, without Amendment. |
Bill, not amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 219].
| 4 | Agriculture,—Ordered, That the Memoranda laid before the Agriculture Committee in the last Session of Parliament relating to Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Intervention Board Winter Supplementary Estimates 1996–97 be referred to the Committee. |
| 5 | Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows: |
The Lords have agreed to the Referendums (Scotland and Wales) Bill, with Amendments; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.
| 6 | Referendums (Scotland and Wales) Bill,—Lords Amendments to the Referendums (Scotland and Wales) Bill to be considered to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 59]. |
| 7 | Companies (Millennium Computer Compliance),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring a Bill to require companies to conduct an assessment of the capability of their computer systems to deal with calendar dates after 31st December 1999; and to report both on those assessments and on the actions their directors propose to take in consequence: And that Mr David Atkinson, Mr David Amess, Frank Cook, Mr Tam Dalyell, Lynne Jones, Mr Nigel Jones, Mr Charles Kennedy, Mr Robert Sheldon, The Reverend Martin Smyth, Mr Stephen Timms, Mr John Townend and Mr Dafydd Wigley do prepare and bring it in. |
| 8 | Companies (Millennium Computer Compliance) Bill,—Mr David Atkinson accordingly presented a Bill to require companies to conduct an assessment of the capability of their computer systems to deal with calendar dates after 31st December 1999; and to report both on those assessments and on the actions their directors propose to take in consequence: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 28th November and to be printed [Bill 58]. |
| 9 | Finance Bill [2nd allotted day],—The House, according to Order, proceeded further to consider the Finance Bill, not amended in the Committee and as amended in the Standing Committee. |
Another Amendment (No. 16) proposed to the Bill, in page 11, line 38, after the word ‘made', to insert the words ‘from 6th April 2004'.—(Mr Peter Lilley.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Nigel Waterson, Mr Malcolm Moss: 168.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Jamieson, Janet Anderson: 328.
Amendments (Nos. 11 to 14) made to the Bill.
Another Amendment (No. 25) proposed to the Bill, in page 22, to leave out lines 24 to 37.—(Mr Tim Boswell.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Malcolm Moss, Mr Nigel Waterson: 149.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Jamieson, Janet Anderson: 326.
Another Amendment (No. 22) proposed to the Bill, in page 29, to leave out lines 11 to 27.—(Mr David Heathcoat-Amory.)
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Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Oliver Heald, Sir David Madel: 150.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr Jon Owen Jones: 330.
It being after Nine o'clock, the Deputy Speaker, pursuant to Order [14th July] and Resolution [yesterday] put forthwith the Question on an Amendment moved by a Minister of the Crown.
Another Amendment (No. 15) made to the Bill.
A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the Bill be now read the third time;
And it being Ten o'clock, the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Order [14th July] and Resolution [yesterday].
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Jim Dowd, Mr Jon Owen Jones: 336.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Oliver Heald, Sir David Madel: 168.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.
| 10 | Consolidation, &c., Bills,—Ordered, That Mr Tony Clarke, Mr Patrick Hall, Mr Robert Marshall-Andrews, Mr James Plaskitt, Mr Laurence Robertson, Mr Adrian Sanders, Dr George Turner, Mr Andrew Tyrie and Mr Brian White be members of the Select Committee appointed to join with a Committee of the Lords as the Joint Committee on Consolidation, &c., Bills.—(Mr Clive Betts.) |
| 11 | Deregulation,—Ordered, That Mr David Chaytor, Mr Iain Coleman, Mr Brian Cotter, Mr John Cryer, Mr Stephen Hesford, Mr Edward Leigh, Mr Ivan Lewis, Mr David Lock, Mr Stephen McCabe, Mr Gordon Marsden, Mr Piers Merchant, Mr Denis Murphy, Mr Peter L. Pike, Mr William Ross, Miss Geraldine Smith, Mr Richard Spring, Mr Anthony Steen and Mr Ian Stewart be members of the Deregulation Committee.—(Mr Clive Betts.) |
| 12 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Clive Betts.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till fifteen minutes 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:
| 1 | Broadcasting,—Broadcasting (Technical Services) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1856), dated 29th July 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith]. |
| 2 | Fire Precautions,—Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1840), dated 28th July 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
| 3 | National Debt,—(1) National Savings Stock Register (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1864), |
(2) Premium Savings Bonds (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1862),
(3) Savings Certificates (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1859),
(4) Savings Certificates (Children's Bonus Bonds) (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1860),
(5) Savings Certificates (Yearly Plan) (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1863), and
(6) Savings Contracts (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1858),
dated 29th July 1997 [by Act] [Mrs Helen Liddell].
| 4 | Medical Professions,—General Medical Council (Legal Assessors) (Amendment) Rules (S.I., 1997, No. 1861), dated 29th July 1997 [by Act] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon]. |
| 5 | Telegraphs,—Wireless Telegraphy (Control of Interference from Videosenders) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1842), dated 28th July 1997 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
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Other Papers:
| 6 | Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 156] [Dr John Cunningham]. |
| 7 | Defence Executive Agencies,—(1) Report and Accounts of the Queen Victoria School for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 35] [Mr Secretary Robertson]; and |
(2) Report and Accounts of the UK Hydrographic Office, for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 116] [Clerk of the House].
| 8 | Environmental Protection,—Accounts of the Nature Conservancy Council for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 227] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 9 | Firearms,—Report of the Firearms Consultative Committee for 1996–97 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 200] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
| 10 | Further and Higher Education,—Accounts of the Higher Education Funding Council for England for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 213] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 11 | Government Trading Funds,—Reports and Accounts of the Vehicle Inspectorate for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 163] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 12 | Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments,—Report of the Historic Buildings Council for Wales for 1995–96 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Davies]. |
| 13 | Home Office Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Forensic Science Service for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 129] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
| 14 | Housing,—Report and Accounts of Waltham Forest Action Trust for 1996–97 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 15 | Local Government,—Paper, entitled New Leadership for London: The Government's Proposals For A Greater London Authority [by Command] [Cm. 3724] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 16 | Local Government Finance,—Report and Accounts of the Audit Commission for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 17 | Miscellaneous Financial Provisions,—Accounts of the Development Commission for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 226] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 18 | Museums and Galleries,—Accounts of the National Museum of Science and Industry for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 216] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 19 | National Heritage,—Accounts of the National Heritage Memorial Fund for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 218] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 20 | National Lottery,—Accounts of the National Heritage Memorial Fund Lottery Distribution for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 217] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 21 | Public Lending Right,—Accounts of the Public Lending Right Central Fund for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 214] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 22 | Sessional Returns, 1996–97,—Returns to Orders [3rd June] for Returns relating to— |
(1) Business of the House,
(2) Closure of Debate and Allocation of Time,
(3) Private Bills and Private Business,
(4) Public Bills,
(5) Sittings of the House,
(6) Special Procedure Orders,
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(7) Standing Committees,
(8) Select Committees, and
(9) Delegated Legislation and Deregulation Proposals
in Session 1996–97 [by Order]; to be printed [No. 228] [Clerk of the House].
| 23 | Wildlife and Countryside,—Accounts of the Countryside Commission for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 225] [Clerk of the House]. |
APPENDIX II
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Defence,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee on 29th July [Gulf War Illnesses]; to be printed [No. 222-i] [Mr Bruce George]. |
| 2 | Education and Employment,—First Special Report from the Education and Employment Committee [Government Response to the Fourth Report from the Committee, Session 1996–97, on Social Costs and Employment]; to be printed [No. 229] [Mr Derek Foster]. |
| 3 | Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment Sub-Committee of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee [Local Government Finance]; to be printed [No. 224-i] [Mr Andrew F. Bennett]. |
| 4 | Home Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Home Affairs Committee [The Work of the Home Office]; to be printed [No. 215-i] [Mr Chris Mullin]. |
| 5 | Public Administration,—(1) First Special Report from the Select Committee on Public Administration [Government Response to the First Report from the Select Committee on the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration on the Report of the Health Service Ombudsman for 1995–96]; to be printed [No. 220]; and |
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Public Administration on 29th July [Role and Responsibilities of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster]; to be printed [No. 221]
[Mr Rhodri Morgan].
| 6 | Standards and Privileges,—Fifth Report from the Committee on Standards and Privileges [Complaint against Mr Robert N. Wareing], together with an Appendix (Memorandum by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards), together with Sixth Report from the Committee [Complaint against Mr Robert N. Wareing [further Report]]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Reports [No. 182] [Mr Robert Sheldon]. |
| 7 | Statutory Instruments,—Ninth Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, together with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 33-ix] [Mr David Tredinnick]. |
MEMORANDUM
| Standing Committees,—In pursuance of Standing Order No. 84 (Constitution of standing committees), the Speaker allocated the draft Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Malaysia) Order 1997, the draft Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Singapore) Order 1997, the draft Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Falkland Islands) Order 1997, and the draft Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Lesotho) Order 1997 to the first Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and, in pursuance of Standing Order No. 85 (Chairmen of standing committees), appointed Mr Bowen Wells Chairman of the said standing committee in respect of the said draft Orders. |
[No. 53.] Wednesday 30th July 1997.
The House met at half-past Nine o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Janet Anderson); |
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And it being Two o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.
| 2 | Companies (Political Funds),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require ballots of shareholders of companies incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 in respect of proposed donations for political purposes; to define political purposes; to require political funds to be established for the payment of such donations; to specify how such political funds will be funded and the qualifications for receipt of donations; and for connected purposes; And that Mr Roger Godsiff, Mr Charles Clarke, Mr Harry Cohen, Caroline Flint, Mr Andrew Mackinlay, Mr Marsha Singh, Mr Dennis MacShane, Mr Phil Woolas, Ms Margaret Moran and Mr Alan Keen do prepare and bring it in. |
| 3 | Companies (Political Funds) Bill,—Mr Roger Godsiff accordingly presented a Bill to require ballots of shareholders of companies incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 in respect of proposed donations for political purposes; to define political purposes; to require political funds to be established for the payment of such donations; to specify how such political funds will be funded and the qualifications for receipt of donations; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 28th November and to be printed [Bill 60]. |
| 4 | Referendums (Scotland and Wales) Bill [Money] (No. 2),—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Referendums (Scotland and Wales) Bill [Money] (No. 2); |
Resolved, That the Resolution of the House of 22nd May 1997 relating to Referendums (Scotland and Wales) Bill [Money] shall have effect as if—
(1) in paragraph (1), the words ‘an Order in Council under' were omitted,
(2) in paragraph (2), for the words ‘the Secretary of State' there were substituted the words ‘a Minister of the Crown', and
(3) in paragraph (2)(b), the words ‘the establishment of' were omitted.—(Mr Jon Owen Jones.)
| 5 | Referendums (Scotland and Wales) Bill (Supplemental Allocation of Time),—Ordered, That the Order of the House of 3rd June 1997 be supplemented as follows: |
Lords Amendments
| | 1.—(1) Proceedings on Consideration of Lords Amendments shall be completed at this day's sitting and, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion three hours after the commencement of the proceedings on this Order. |
| | (2) For the purpose of bringing proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with sub-paragraph (1)— |
(a) the Speaker shall first put forthwith any Question which has already been proposed from the Chair and has not yet been decided and, if that Question is for the amendment of a Lords Amendment, shall then put forthwith the Question on any further Amendment of the Lords Amendment moved by a Minister of the Crown and on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House doth agree or disagree with the Lords in the Lords Amendment or, as the case may be, in the Lords Amendment as amended;
(b) the Speaker shall then designate such of the remaining Lords Amendments as appear to the Speaker to involve questions of Privilege and shall—
(i) put forthwith the Question on any Amendment moved by a Minister of the Crown to a Lords Amendment and then put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House doth agree or disagree with the Lords in their Amendment or, as the case may be, in their Amendment as amended;
(ii) put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House doth disagree with the Lords in a Lords Amendment;
(iii) put forthwith with respect to the Amendments designated by the Speaker which have not been disposed of the Question, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the Amendments; and
(iv) put forthwith the Question, That this House doth agree with the Lords in all the remaining Lords Amendments;
(c) as soon as the House has agreed or disagreed with the Lords in any of their Amendments the Speaker shall put forthwith a separate Question on any other Amendment moved by a Minister of the Crown relevant to the Lords Amendment.
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Stages subsequent to first Consideration of Lords Amendments
| | 2.—(1) The Speaker shall put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by the Minister of the Crown for the consideration forthwith of any further Message from the Lords on the Bill. |
| | (2) The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall, if not previously brought to a conclusion, be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement. |
| | (3) For the purpose of bringing those proceedings to a conclusion— |
(a) the Speaker shall first put forthwith any Question which has already been proposed from the Chair and has not yet been decided, and shall then put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown which is related to the Question already proposed from the Chair;
(b) the Speaker shall then designate such of the remaining items in the Lords Message as appear to the Speaker to involve questions of Privilege and shall—
(i) put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by the Minister of the Crown on any item;
(ii) in the case of each remaining item designated by the Speaker, put forthwith the Question, That this House doth agree with the Lords in their Proposal; and
(iii) put forthwith the Question, That this House doth agree with the Lords in all the remaining Lords Proposals.
Reasons Committee
| | 3.—(1) The Speaker shall put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by the Minister of the Crown for the appointment, nomination and quorum of a Committee to draw up Reasons and the appointment of its Chairman. |
| | (2) A Committee appointed to draw up Reasons shall report before the conclusion of the sitting at which it is appointed. |
Extra time, &c.
| | 4.—(1) This paragraph applies to— |
(a) proceedings on Consideration of Lords Amendments,
(b) proceedings on any further Message from the Lords,
(c) proceedings on the appointment, nomination and quorum of a Committee to draw up Reasons and on the appointment of its Chairman.
| | (2) Paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business) shall apply to the proceedings to which this paragraph applies. |
| | (3) Proceedings to which this paragraph applies shall not be interrupted under any Standing Order relating to the sittings of the House. |
| | (4) No dilatory Motion with respect to, or in the course of, proceedings to which this paragraph applies shall be made except by a Minister of the Crown; and the Question on any such Motion shall be put forthwith. |
| | (5) If proceedings to which this paragraph applies are interrupted by a Motion for the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 24 (Adjournment on specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration) a period equal to the duration of the proceedings on the Motion shall be added to the period at the end of which the interrupted proceedings are to be brought to a conclusion. |
| | (6) If the House is adjourned, or the sitting is suspended, before the expiry of the period at the end of which proceedings to which this paragraph applies are to be brought to a conclusion, no notice shall be required of a Motion made at the next sitting by a Minister of the Crown for varying or supplementing the provisions of this Order.—(Mr Henry McLeish.) |
| 6 | Referendums (Scotland and Wales) Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Lords Amendment to the Referendums (Scotland and Wales) 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 Peter Hain);
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Graham Allen, Mr Greg Pope: 349.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr John Whittingale, Mr James Cran: 134.
So the Question was agreed to.
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The Lords Amendment was accordingly disagreed to.
An Amendment (a) was made to the Bill, in lieu of Lords Amendment No. 1 disagreed to.
Lords Amendment No. 2.
A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House doth disagree with the Lords in the said Amendment—(Mr Henry McLeish);
And it being Three hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Supplemental Allocation of Time Order [this day], the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to the said Order.
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Greg Pope, Mr Graham Allen: 330.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Malcolm Moss, Mr John Whittingdale: 131.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Lords Amendment was accordingly disagreed to.
The Deputy Speaker then designated Lords Amendments Nos. 11 to 14, 17 and 18 as appearing to the Speaker to involve Questions of privilege.
The Deputy Speaker then put forthwith the Questions on Motions made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House doth disagree with the Lords in a Lords Amendment.
Lords Amendment Nos. 5 and 6 were disagreed to.
An Amendment (a) was made to the Bill, in lieu of Lords Amendment No. 6 disagreed to.
Lords Amendments Nos. 7, 10, 15 and 16 were disagreed to.
The Deputy Speaker then put forthwith the Question with respect to the Amendments designated by the Speaker, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendments.
Lords Amendments Nos. 11 to 14, 17 and 18 were agreed to, the Commons being willing to waive their privileges.
The Deputy Speaker then put forthwith the Question, That this House doth agree with the Lords in all the remaining Lords Amendments.
Lords Amendments Nos. 3, 4, 8 and 9 were agreed to.
The Deputy Speaker then put forthwith the Questions relating to a Committee to draw up Reasons.
Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their Amendments Nos. 2, 5, 7, 10, 15 and 16.—(Mr John McFall.)
Ordered, That Dr Liam Fox, Mr Peter Hain, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr John McFall and Mr Henry McLeish be members of the Committee.—(Mr John McFall.)
Ordered, That Mr Henry McLeish be the Chairman of the Committee.—(Mr John McFall.)
Ordered, That three be the Quorum of the Committee.—(Mr John McFall.)
Ordered, That the Committee do withdraw immediately.—(Mr John McFall.)
| 7 | Parliamentary Privilege,—Ordered, That a Select Committee of seven Members be appointed to join with a Committee to be appointed by the Lords, as the Joint Committee on Parliamentary Privilege, to review parliamentary privilege and make recommendations thereon; |
That three be the Quorum of the Committee;
That the Committee shall have power to send for persons, papers, and records; to sit notwithstanding any Adjournment of the House; to report from time to time; and to appoint specialist advisers to supply information which is not readily available or to elucidate matters of complexity within the Committee's order of reference.
That Mr Attorney General, the Lord Advocate, Mr Solicitor General and Mr Solicitor General for Scotland, being Members of either House, may attend the Committee, may take part in deliberations, may receive Committee papers and may give such other assistance to the Committee as may be appropriate, but shall not vote or make any Motion or move any Amendment or be counted in the Quorum;
That Mr Joe Benton, Sir Patrick Cormack, Mr Bill Michie, Mrs Ann Taylor, Mr Paul Tyler and Mr Alan Williams be members of the Committee.—(Mr David Jamieson.)
Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.
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| 8 | Modernisation of the House of Commons,—Ordered, That Sir Patrick Cormack be discharged from the Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons and Mr Richard Shepherd be added to the Committee.—(Mr David Jamieson.) |
| 9 | Referendums (Scotland and Wales) Bill,—Mr Henry McLeish reported from the Committee appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to certain of their Amendments to the Referendums (Scotland and Wales) Bill, That it had drawn up the following Reasons, which it had directed him to report to the House; |
The Commons disagree to the Amendments made by the Lords in page 1, line 6, in page 4, line 19 and in page 4, line 22, for the following Reason:—
Because it is desirable to keep the questions to be asked in the referendums as simple as possible.
The Commons disagree to the Amendment made by the Lords in page 2, line 3, for the following Reason:—
Because the amendment is unnecessary, as a consequence of the amendment in lieu of Lords Amendment No. 1 proposed by the Commons.
The Commons disagree to the Amendment made by the Lords in page 2, line 4, for the following Reason:—
Because it is not desirable that the referendums in Scotland and Wales should be held on the same day.
The Commons disagree to the Amendment made by the Lords in page 2, line 26, for the following Reason:—
Because the amendment is unnecessary, as a consequence of the amendment in lieu of Lords Amendment No. 6 proposed by the Commons.
The Reasons were agreed to.
Message to the Lords to communicate the said Reasons with the Bill and Amendments.
| 10 | Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from citizens of the United Kingdom for pressure for the release from custody of Roisin McAliskey was presented; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed. |
| 11 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr David Jamieson.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till four minutes past Nine o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 9.04 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 1 | Banks and Banking,—Banking Act 1987 (Exempt Transactions) (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1866), dated 29th July 1997 [by Act] [Mrs Helen Liddell]. |
| 2 | Betting, Gaming and Lotteries,—Lotteries (Gaming Board Fees) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1783), dated 22nd July 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
| 3 | Education,—Education (School Teachers' Pay and Conditions) (No. 2) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1789), dated 23rd July 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
| 4 | Housing,—Homelessness (Suitability of Accommodation) (Amendment) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1741), dated 21st July 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 5 | Immigration,—Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules [by Act]; to be printed [No. 161] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
| 6 | Landlord and Tenant,—(1) Leasehold Valuation Tribunals (Fees) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1852), |
(2) Leasehold Valuation Tribunals (Service Charges, Insurance or Appointment of Managers Applications) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1853), and
(3) Rent Assessment Committee (England and Wales) (Leasehold Valuation Tribunal) (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1854),
dated 28th July 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
| 7 | River,—Fish Health Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1881), dated 30th July 1997 [by Act] [Dr John Cunningham]. |
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| 8 | Social Security,—(1) Council Tax Benefit (General) Amendment Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1841), dated 28th July 1997, |
(2) Social Security (Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1839), dated 28th July 1997, and
(3) Social Security (Lone Parents) (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1790), dated 24th July 1997
[by Act] [Secretary Harriet Harman].
Other Papers:
| 9 | Broadcasting,—Accounts of the Broadcasting Standards Council for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 231] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 10 | Building Societies,—Report of the Building Societies Commission for 1996–97 [by Act] [Mrs Helen Liddell]. |
| 11 | Cabinet Office Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Civil Service College for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 202] [Dr David Clark]. |
| 12 | Coal Industry,—Accounts of the Coal Authority for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 232] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 13 | Education (Northern Ireland),—Statements and Summary Accounts of the Education and Library Boards for 1995–96, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Command] [Cm. 3717] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam]. |
| 14 | Hong Kong,—(1) Paper, entitled Six-monthly Report on Hong Kong, January–June 1997 [by Command] [Cm. 3719] [Mr Secretary Cook]; and |
(2) Report of the Governor of Hong Kong to the Secretary of State for the Home Department under the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990 for the year ending 19th June 1997 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 125] [Mr Secretary Straw].
| 15 | House of Commons Commission,—(1) Accounts of the House of Commons Refreshment Department for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon, and |
(2) Report of the House of Commons Commission for 1996–97
[by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 159 and 160] [The Speaker].
| 16 | Housing (Scotland),—Review of Scottish Homes for 1996–97 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar]. |
| 17 | Industrial Development,—Report by the Secretaries of State for Trade and Industry, Scotland and Wales under the Industrial Development Act 1982 for 1996–97 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 223] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
| 18 | Inland Revenue Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Valuation Office Agency for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 184] [Mrs Helen Liddell]. |
| 19 | Insolvency,—Report on Insolvency for 1996 under section 379 of the Insolvency Act 1986 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
| 20 | Miscellaneous (No. 8, 1997),—World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Performances and Phonograms Treaty, done at Geneva, 2nd-20th December 1996 [by Command] [Cm. 3728] [Mr Secretary Cook]. |
| 21 | Monopolies and Mergers,—Reports by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on— |
(1) Domestic Electrical Goods: I (A report on the supply in the UK of video cassette recorders, hi-fi systems and camcorders), and
(2) Domestic Electrical Goods: II (A report on the supply in the UK of washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers and cold food storage equipment)
[by Command] [Cm. 3675-I and -II and 3676-I and -II] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].
| 22 | Museums and Galleries,—Reports of— |
(1) the National Gallery, and
(2) the National Portrait Gallery
for 1996–97 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].
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| 23 | National Debt,—Accounts of the National Debt Commissioners Gilt-edged Official Operations for the period 9th December 1993 to 31st March 1995 and 1995–96, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 194] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 24 | Northern Ireland Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Northern Ireland Child Support Agency for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 157] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam]. |
| 25 | Prisons,—Report of the Prisons Ombudsman for 1996 [by Command] [Cm. 3687] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
| 26 | Radiological Protection,—Accounts of the National Radiological Protection Board for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 230] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 27 | Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland),—Report of the Registrar General for Scotland for 1996 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar]. |
| 28 | Scottish Office Executive Agencies,—(1) Reports and Accounts of— |
(i) Scottish Agricultural Science Agency, and
(ii) Scottish Office Pensions Agency,
for 1996–97, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 114 and 140]; and
(2) Accounts of the Scottish Record Office for 1996–97 [by Act]
[Mr Secretary Dewar].
| 29 | Social Security,—Report by the Social Security Advisory Committee preceded by a statement by the Secretary of State for Social Security on the Social Security (Lone Parents) (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1790) [by Command] [Cm. 3713] [Secretary Harriet Harman]. |
| 30 | Treaty Series (No. 45, 1997),—Convention, opened for signature at Paris on 13th January 1993, on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction [by Command] [Cm. 3727] [Mr Secretary Cook]. |
| 31 | Welsh Language,—Accounts of the Welsh Language Board for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 233] [Clerk of the House]. |
APPENDIX II
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Culture, Media and Sport,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [The Royal Opera House]; to be printed [No. 199–ii] [Mr Gerald Kaufman]. |
| 2 | Defence,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee [Strategic Defence Review]; to be printed [No. 138–i] [Mr Bruce George]. |
| 3 | Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—First Special Report from the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee [Government Response to the First Report of the Transport Committee, Session 1996–97, on the Road and Bridge Maintenance Programme]; to be printed [No. 234] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody]. |
| 4 | European Legislation,—Third Report from the Select Committee on European Legislation; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee [No. 155–iii] [Mr Jim Marshall]. |
MEMORANDUM
| European Standing Committees,—In pursuance of Standing Order No. 119 (European Standing Committees), European Community Document No. 6692/97, relating to landfill waste sites, and the unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum submitted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 21st July 1997, relating to TSE: prohibition of risk material, have been referred to European Standing Committee A. |
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THE SPEAKER'S CERTIFICATE
| | The Speaker certified that the Finance Bill is a Money Bill within the meaning of the Parliament Act 1911. |
[No. 54.] Thursday 31st July 1997.
The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows: |
The Lords have agreed to the Finance Bill, without Amendment.
The Lords do not insist on certain of their Amendments to the Referendums (Scotland and Wales) Bill, to which this House has disagreed; and they have agreed, without Amendment, to the Amendments made to the Bill in lieu of their remaining Amendments to which this House has disagreed.
Parliamentary Privilege,—The Lords communicate that they have appointed a Committee consisting of six Lords to join with a Committee of the Commons as the Joint Committee on Parliamentary Privilege, to review parliamentary privilege and make recommendations thereon; that they have ordered that the Committee have power to agree with the Commons in the appointment of a Chairman; that the Committee have leave to report from time to time; that the Committee have power to appoint Specialist Advisers; that the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee from time to time shall, if the Committee think fit, be printed and delivered out; and that the Attorney General, the Lord Advocate, the Solicitor General and the Solicitor General for Scotland, being members of either House, may attend the Committee, may take part in deliberations, may receive Committee papers and may give such other assistance to the Committee as may be appropriate, but shall not vote or make any motion or move any amendment or be counted in the quorum.
| 2 | Adjournment (White Paper on Scotland's Parliament (Cm. 3658)),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Clive Betts); |
| 3 | Royal Assent,—The Speaker notified the House, in accordance with the Royal Assent Act 1967, That Her Majesty had signified her Royal Assent to the following Acts, agreed upon by both Houses: |
Appropriation (No. 2) Act 1997
Finance (No. 2) Act 1997
Education (Schools) Act 1997
Law Officers Act 1997
Referendums (Scotland and Wales) Act 1997
King's College London Act 1997.
| 4 | Adjournment (White Paper on Scotland's Parliament (Cm. 3658)),—The Question being again proposed, That this House do now adjourn; |
And it being Ten o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put.
| 5 | Procedure,—Ordered, That Sir Paul Beresford, Mr Keith Darvill, Mr David Drew, Mr Clive Efford, Lorna Fitzsimons, Mr Barry Gardiner, Mr Damian Green, Mr Eric Illsley, Chris McCafferty, Mr Piers Merchant, Helen Southworth, Mr Paul Stinchcombe, Mr Andrew Stunell, Mr Paul Tyler and Mr Nicholas Winterton be members of the Procedure Committee.—(Mr John McFall.) |
| 6 | Public Petitions,—A Petition from users of the Skye toll bridge for abolition of tolls on the Skye bridge was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed. |
| 7 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr John McFall.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-nine minutes to Eleven o'clock, adjourned till Monday 27th October, pursuant to Resolution [28th July].
[Adjourned at 10.31 p.m.
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APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
| 1 | Housing (Scotland),—Draft Homeless Persons (Priority Need) (Scotland) Order 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar]. |
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 2 | County Courts,—Family Proceedings (Amendment No. 3) Rules 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1893), dated 28th July 1997 [by Act] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon]. |
| 3 | Ecclesiastical Law,—(1) Ecclesiastical Judges and Legal Officers (Fees) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1889), dated 11th July 1997, |
(2) Legal Officers (Annual Fees) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1890), dated 14th July 1997, and
(3) Parochial Fees Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1891), dated 15th July 1997
[by Measure] [Clerk of the House].
| 4 | Fair Trading,—Trading Schemes (Exclusion) (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1887), dated 30th July 1997 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
| 5 | Family Law,—(1) Children (Allocation of Proceedings) (Amendment) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1897), and |
(2) Family Law Act 1996 (Part IV) (Allocation of Proceedings) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1896),
dated 28th July 1997 [by Act] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon].
| 6 | Magistrates' Courts,—(1) Family Law Act 1996 (Modifications of Enactments) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1898), |
(2) Family Proceedings Courts (Children Act 1989) (Amendment) Rules 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1895), and
(3) Family Proceedings Courts (Matrimonial Proceedings etc.) (Amendment) Rules 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1894),
dated 28th July 1997 [by Act] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon]
| 7 | Telecommunications,—Telecommunications (Voice Telephony) Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1886), dated 30th July 1997 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
| 8 | Telegraphs,—Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1885), dated 30th July 1997 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
Other Papers:
| 9 | Asylum and Immigration,—Report of the Independent Monitor of Entry Clearance Refusals for 1996 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Cook]. |
| 10 | Data Protection,—A paper entitled Data Protection: The Government's Proposals [by Command] [Cm. 3725] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
| 11 | Defence Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Defence Analytical Services Agency for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 168] [Mr Secretary Robertson]. |
| 12 | Development of Tourism,—Accounts of the Scottish Tourist Board for 1996–97 with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 237] [Clerk of the House]. |
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| 13 | Education and Employment Executive Agencies,—Accounts of the Teachers' Pension Agency for the period 1st April to 30th September 1996, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 158] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
| 14 | Environment, Transport and the Regions,—Government Response to the Fourth Report from the Environment Committee, Session 1996–97, on Shopping Centres [by Command] [Cm. 3729] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 15 | Environment, Transport and the Regions Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Vehicle Certification Agency for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 167] [Mr Secretary Prescott] |
| 16 | Merchant Shipping,—Accounts of the General Lighthouse Fund for 1995–96, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 178] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 17 | National Audit,—Reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General on— |
(1) Major Projects Report 1996, and
(2) The Sale of the Ministry of Defence's Married Quarters Estate
[by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 238 and 239] [Clerk of the House].
| 18 | National Lottery,—Accounts of |
(1) the Arts Council of England Lottery Distribution Fund for 1996–97, and
(2) the Scottish Sports Council National Lottery Fund for 1996–97
with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 235 and 236] [Clerk of the House].
| 19 | Prisons,—Prison statistics for England and Wales for 1996 [by Command] [Cm. 3732] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
| 20 | Securities and Investments,—Departmental minute from HM Treasury relating to a contingent liability in respect of borrowing by the Securities and Investments Board [by Command] [Mr Alistair Darling]. |
| 21 | Treasury Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Office for National Statistics for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 123] [Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer]. |
APPENDIX II
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Education and Employment,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education and Employment Committee on 31st July [Report of the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education]; to be printed [No. 241–i] [Ms Margaret Hodge]. |
| 2 | Standards and Privileges,—Seventh Report from the Committee on Standards and Privileges [Complaints from Mr Mohamed Al Fayed, The Guardian and others against Twenty-five Members and former Members: Further Report]; to be printed, together with the Minutes of Proceedings relating to the Report [No. 240] [Mr Robert Sheldon]. |
MEMORANDUM
| | Mr David Davis, Chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts, has been appointed an ex officio member of the Public Accounts Commission, pursuant to section 2(2) of the National Audit Act 1983. |
|
