![]() House of Commons |
Session 1997-1998 |
Commons Journal 254
Chronological Index
Page 194 1997-1998 Volume 254 [No. 59.] Monday 3rd November 1997. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
Lords Message considered accordingly. Ordered, That the Committee appointed by this House do meet the Lords Committee as proposed by their Lordships. Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.
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 Alun Michael); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Clelland, Mr David Jamieson: 291. Tellers for the Noes, Mr James Cran, Mr Oliver Heald: 155. So the Question was agreed to. The Lords Amendment was accordingly disagreed to. Lords Amendment No. 2 was agreed to, the Commons being willing to waive their privileges. Lords Amendment No. 3. A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That this House doth disagree with the Lords in the said Amendment(Mr Alun Michael); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr Kevin Hughes: 292. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr James Cran: 160. So the Question was agreed to. The Lords Amendment was accordingly disagreed to. Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their Amendments Nos. 1 and 3.(Mr Alun Michael.) Ordered, That Mr James Cran, Mr John Greenway, Jane Kennedy, Mr Alun Michael and Mr Colin Pickthall be members of the Committee.(Mr Alun Michael.) Ordered, That three be the Quorum of the Committee.(Mr Alun Michael.) Ordered, That the Committee do withdraw immediately.(Mr Alun Michael.)
Amendments (Nos. 1 to 5) made to the Bill. A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That the Bill be now read the third time; Page 195 Monday 3rd November 1997 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Jon Owen Jones, Mr Greg Pope: 293* Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Margaret Ewing, Mr Elfyn Llwyd: 24. So the Question was agreed to. The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.
The Commons disagree to the Amendments made by the Lords after Clause 1 and after Clause 2, for the following Reason: Because the Commons do not consider it appropriate for the Bill to provide for any special exemptions to apply to the prohibition of small-calibre pistols. The Reason was agreed to. Message to the Lords to communicate the said Reason, with the Bill and Amendments.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-eight minutes to Nine o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 8.32 p.m.
APPENDIX I Papers presented by Her Majesty's Command and delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 31st October 1997 (Non-sitting Friday, S.O. No. 12).
Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 31st October 1997 (Non-sitting Friday, S.O. No. 12). Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Page 196 Monday 3rd November 1997 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top
Other Papers:
(2) Angola (United Nations Prohibition of Flights) (Dependent Territories) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 2570), (3) Angola (United Nations Sanctions) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 2572), (4) Angola (United Nations Sanctions) (Channel Islands) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 2594), (5) Angola (United Nations Sanctions) (Dependent Territories) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 2573), (6) Angola (United Nations Sanctions) (Isle of Man) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 2599), (7) Sierra Leone (United Nations Sanctions) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 2592), (8) Sierra Leone (United Nations Sanctions) (Channel Islands) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 2595), (9) Sierra Leone (United Nations Sanctions) (Dependent Territories) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 2593), and (10) Sierra Leone (United Nations Sanctions) (Isle of Man) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 2600), dated 30th October 1997 [by Act] [Mrs Ann Taylor]. Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 3rd November 1997: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
Page 197 Monday 3rd November 1997 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top (2) Report of the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution Activities for 199697, and (3) Report and Summary Financial Statement of the Lottery Sports Fund for Wales for 199697, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Davies].
Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Dounreay Nuclear Establishment) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 2622) [by Standing Order] [The Speaker]. APPENDIX II Standing Committees
[No. 60.] Tuesday 4th November 1997. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
Local Government (Contracts) Bill,The Lords have agreed to the Local Government (Contracts) Bill, with Amendments; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.
Whereupon the Speaker directed the Clerk to correct the number in the Journal accordingly: Ayes 293, Noes 24.
Page 198 Tuesday 4th November 1997 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top Government Proposals for Student Finance,A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House welcomes the expansion of higher education which has taken place in recent years; shares the view of the Dearing Committee that a further period of expansion is desirable; believes that part of the cost of this expansion should be met by students themselves, but agrees with the Dearing Committee that means-tested maintenance grants make an important contribution to improving access to higher education for students from low-income backgrounds and deeply regrets the Government's hurried decision to reject this advice; and finds incomprehensible the Government's proposal that students from other EU countries should be able to attend four-year courses at Scottish universities on terms more favourable that those available to home students living in England, Wales or Northern Ireland(Mr Stephen Dorrell); An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word House' to the end of the Question and add the words welcomes the decisive response of Her Majesty's Government to the report of the National Committee of Enquiry into Higher Education and to the crisis of funding in higher education bequeathed by the previous administration; notes with approval the new arrangements for supporting students, including fair repayment arrangements and targeted help for the most disadvantaged; and welcomes the commitment to ensuring that more people will have opportunities to participate in high-quality education to their benefit and to the benefit of the country as a whole', instead thereof.(Mr Secretary Blunkett.) And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Sir David Madel, Mr John M. Taylor: 139. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Jon Owen Jones, Bridget Prentice: 373. So the Question was negatived. And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Jon Owen Jones, Bridget Prentice: 311. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Don Foster, Mr Phil Willis: 169. So the Question was agreed to. The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to. Resolved, That this House welcomes the decisive response of Her Majesty's Government to the report of the National Committee of Enquiry into Higher Education and to the crisis of funding in higher education bequeathed by the previous administration; notes with approval the new arrangements for supporting students, including fair repayment arrangements and targeted help for the most disadvantaged; and welcomes the commitment to ensuring that more people will have opportunities to participate in high-quality education to their benefit and to the benefit of the country as a whole. Threats to Rural Life and the Rural Economy,A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House expresses its concern about the economic and environmental pressures currently affecting the rural economy and rural life; calls upon Her Majesty's Government to respond to this situation by protecting farmers from the effects of the appreciation of sterling, withdrawing the Government-imposed ceiling on the weight of cattle entering the BSE over thirty months scheme and undertaking without precondition discussions with farmers and their representatives about the level of payments to be made through the 199798 Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances scheme; and condemns the proposals to extend access to the countryside by means of a legal right to roam rather than voluntary agreement, not to introduce policies to protect small village shops and rural post offices, to create urban-based regional development agencies, to weaken planning controls designed to protect the Green Belt and the countryside, and to threaten the pursuit of traditional country sports(Mr Michael Jack); An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word House' to the end of the Question and add the words deplores the neglect of the countryside and rural areas over the past eighteen years by the previous administration; congratulates the Government on its commitment to the countryside; welcomes the Government's intention to create the conditions necessary to let the rural economy flourish, to protect and enhance the rural environment and to enable everyone to enjoy the countryside; and further welcomes that start already made, notably on the reform of the CAP, the review of the Organic Aid Scheme, introducing Arable Stewardship, and reviewing the legislation for the protection of hedges and SSSIs', instead thereof.(Dr John Cunningham.) And the Question being proposed, That the original words stand part of the Question; Page 199 Tuesday 4th November 1997 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top Mr James Arbuthnot rose in his place and claimed to move, That the Question be now put; And the Question being put, That the Question be now put:It was agreed to. And the Question being accordingly put, That the original words stand part of the Question; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John Whittingdale, Mr James Cran: 133. Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Jamieson, Mr Jim Dowd: 371. So the Question was negatived. And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Jim Dowd, Mr David Jamieson: 319. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr Patrick McLoughlin: 171. So the Question was agreed to. The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to. Resolved, That this House deplores the neglect of the countryside and rural areas over the past eighteen years by the previous administration; congratulates the Government on its commitment to the countryside; welcomes the Government's intention to create the conditions necessary to let the rural economy flourish, to protect and enhance the rural environment and to enable everyone to enjoy the countryside; and further welcomes the start already made, notably on the reform of the CAP, the review of the Organic Aid Scheme, introducing Arable Stewardship, and reviewing the legislation for the protection of hedges and SSSIs.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till five minutes to Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 10.55 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
Page 200 Tuesday 4th November 1997 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top APPENDIX II Reports from Select Committees
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee on 4th November [CAP reform: Agenda 2000]; to be printed [No. 311-i]; and (3) Memoranda laid before the Committee [CAP reform: Agenda 2000; Food safety; MAFF/Intervention Board Departmental Report 1997] [Mr Peter Luff].
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Trade and Industry Committee on 4th November [The work of the Department of Trade and Industry]; to be printed [No. 308] [Mr Martin O'Neill]. [No. 61.] Wednesday 5th November 1997. The House met at half-past Nine o'clock. PRAYERS.
And it being Two o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
Report, together with Resolution, to lie upon the Table. Page 201 Wednesday 5th November 1997 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top
Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till nineteen minutes to Eight o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 7.41 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
(2) Accounts of the Forestry Fund for 199697, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 312] [Clerk of the House]; (3) Report and Accounts of Forest Enterprise for 199697, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 271] [Mr Secretary Dewar]; and (4) Report and Accounts of the Forestry Commission for 199697, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 250] [Dr John Cunningham]. Page 202 Wednesday 5th November 1997 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top
(1) Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority for 199697, and (2) Pensions Compensation Board for the period 1st August 1996 to 5th April 1997, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 314 and 315] [Clerk of the House].
APPENDIX II Standing Committees
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee A and appointed Mr John Maxton Chairman; and (2) The Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz: Mr Clive Betts, Mr Colin Breed, Mr Ian Bruce, Mrs Anne Campbell, Mr David Chidgey, Mr Michael Fallon, Dr Ian Gibson, Mr Andrew Lansley, Dr Nick Palmer, Ms Linda Perham, Mr Kerry Pollard, Mr Lawrie Quinn, Mrs Barbara Roche, Mr John M. Taylor, Mr Stephen Timms and Mr Brian White.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee D and appointed Mr Frank Cook Chairman; and (2) The Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz: Mr Richard Allan, Mr Ian Bruce, Mr John Burnett, Mr James Cran, Maria Eagle, Mr John Greenway, Jane Kennedy, Mr Piara S. Khabra, Ms Oona King, Mr Tony McNulty, Fiona Mactaggart, Mr Humfrey Malins, Mr Mike O'Brien, Mr Colin Pickthall, Ms Claire Ward and Mr Mike Wood.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation and appointed Mr Nicholas Winterton Chairman; and (2) The Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz: Mr Graham Allen, Mr Christopher Chope, Angela Eagle, Mr Andrew George, Mr Paul Goggins, Mr Stephen Hesford, Mr Phil Hope, Mr Alan Hurst, Ms Jennifer Jones, Mr David Kidney, Fiona Mactaggart, Mr Gordon Prentice, Sir Robert Smith, Mr Anthony Steen, Mr Robert Syms and Mr John Whittingdale.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Scheme to the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation and appointed Mr John Butterfill Chairman; and (2) The Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Ms Candy Atherton, Charlotte Atkins, Mr Clive Betts, Mr Richard Burden, Mr James Cran, Mr David Drew, Mr Andrew George, Mr Paul Marsden, Mr Elliot Morley, Mrs Diana Organ, Mr James Paice, Mr John D. Taylor, Mr John Townend, Dr George Turner, Mr Andrew Tyrie and Mr Alan Williams.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Order to the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation and appointed Mr Peter Atkinson Chairman; and (2) The Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Robert Ainsworth, Mr Roger Berry, Mr Tim Boswell, Dr Vincent Cable, Mr Ross Cranston, Mr Edward Davey, Mr Terry Davis, Julia Drown, Mr Michael Foster (Worcester), Mr Neil Gerrard, Mr Nick Gibb, Mr Stephen McCabe, Ms Dawn Primarolo, Mr Nick St. Aubyn, Mr Derek Twigg and Mr John Whittingdale.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation and appointed Mr Bowen Wells Chairman; and Page 203 Wednesday 5th November 1997 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top (2) The Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Graham Allen, Mr Andrew F. Bennett, Mr Bob Blizzard, Mrs Helen Brinton, Mr Ian Bruce, Mr Ronnie Campbell, Mr Christopher Chope, Mr Geraint Davies, Mr Andrew George, Jane Griffiths, Mr Patrick Hall, Glenda Jackson, Mr Gordon Prentice, Mrs Marion Roe, Sir Robert Smith and Mr John M. Taylor.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Draft Order to the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation and appointed Mr Donald Anderson Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Iain Coleman, Mr James Cran, Mr Jim Dowd, Mr Mike Gapes, Helen Jackson, Mr David Lock, Mr Malcolm Moss, Mr Chris Ruane, Christine Russell, Mr Dennis Skinner, the Reverend Martin Smyth, Mr Peter Temple-Morris, Mr William Thompson, Mr Andrew Tyrie, Mr David Winnick and Mr Tony Worthington.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Regulations to the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation and appointed Mr Roger Gale Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Keith Bradley, Mr Simon Burns, Maria Eagle, Caroline Flint, Mr Damian Green, Mr Nick Hawkins, Kate Hoey, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr Alan Johnson, Siobhain McDonagh, Shona McIsaac, Gillian Merron, Mr David Rendel, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe, Mr Nigel Waterson and Steve Webb.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Draft Order to the Seventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation and appointed Mrs Marion Roe Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr John Bercow, Mr Gerald Bermingham, Mr Harold Best, Mr Graham Brady, Ms Judith Church, Mr John Greenway, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr George Howarth, Jane Kennedy, Mrs Ray Michie, Mr Colin Pickthall, Joan Ryan, Mr Marsha Singh, Angela Smith, Mr Paul Stinchcombe and Mr William Thompson.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Order to the Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation and appointed Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Robert Ainsworth, Mr Tim Boswell, Dr Vincent Cable, Mr Edward Davey, Lorna Fitzsimons, Mr David Hanson, Mr Ivan Henderson, Ms Sally Keeble, Dr Ashok Kumar, Mr Christopher Leslie, Mrs Helen Liddell, Kali Mountford, Mr Owen Paterson, Mr Alan Simpson, Sir Michael Spicer and Mr John Whittingdale.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Ninth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation and appointed Mr Andrew Welsh Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee viz.: Mr Malcolm Chisholm, Dr Liam Fox, Mr Donald Gorrie, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr Jimmy Hood, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Calum Macdonald, Mr John McFall, Rosemary McKenna, Mr Michael Moore, Mr Jim Murphy, Mr Martin O'Neill, Mr Ernie Ross, Mr Frank Roy, Mr David Stewart and Mr Andrew Tyrie. European Standing Committees
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
Page 204 Wednesday 5th November 1997 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top
(2) Second Special Report from the Science and Technology Committee [Government Response to the Third Report from the Committee, Session 199697 (The Natural Environment Research Council and Research into Climate Change)]; to be printed [No. 306]; and (3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee on 5th November [University funding]; to be printed [No. 303-i] [Dr Michael Clark].
[No. 62.] Thursday 6th November 1997. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
Bill withdrawn.
A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the Supreme Court (Offices) Bill be now read a second time.
Ministerial and other Salaries Act 1997 Local Government Finance (Supplementary Credit Approvals) Act 1997.
And the Question being put; Page 205 Thursday 6th November 1997 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Jane Kennedy, Mr Kevin Hughes: 202. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Eric Forth, Mr Nick Hawkins: 5. So the Question was agreed to. The Bill was accordingly read a second time. A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 63 (Committal of bills), That the Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House(Janet Anderson):It was agreed to. Motion made and Question proposed, That this House will immediately resolve itself into the said Committee(Janet Anderson); Question put and agreed to. Resolved,That this House will immediately resolve itself into the said Committee. (In the Committee) Clauses Nos. 1 and 2 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.
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 Nuclear Explosions (Prohibition and Inspections) Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any expenses of the Secretary of State incurred in consequence of the Act(Jane Kennedy):It was agreed to.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till ten minutes past Nine o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 9.10 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Page 206 Thursday 6th November 1997 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top
(2) Judicial Pensions (Requisite Surviving Spouses' Benefits etc.) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997 (S.R.(N.I.), 1997, No. 479), dated 4th November 1997 [by Statutory Instrument] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon]. Other Papers:
(1) National Galleries of Scotland, (2) National Library of Scotland, and (3) National Museums of Scotland for 199697, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 324, 322 and 323] [Clerk of the House].
(1) Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, and (2) Research Councils' Pensions Schemes for 199697, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act], to be printed [Nos. 320 and 321] [Clerk of the House]. APPENDIX II Standing Committees
The Speaker has appointed Mr Roger Gale Chairman of the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the said Order, in place of Mr Donald Anderson.
The Speaker has appointed Mrs Ray Michie Chairman of the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the said Regulations, in place of Mr Roger Gale. APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
Page 207 Thursday 6th November 1997 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top [No. 63.] Friday 7th November 1997. The House met at half-past Nine o'clock. PRAYERS.
The Motion was, with the leave of the House, withdrawn.
And it being half-past Two o'clock, the Motion for the Adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till five minutes to Three o'clock, adjourned till Monday 10th November. [Adjourned at 2.55 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
APPENDIX II Standing Committees
|