Commons Journal

House of Commons

Session 1997-1998

Commons Journal 254
Chronological Index
Alphabetical Index - Part I
Alphabetical Index - Part II

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Page 312            1997-1998      Volume 254

[No. 100.]
Monday 19th January 1998.

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

1 Regulation of Wet Bikes Bill,—The Order for reading the Regulation of Wet Bikes Bill a second time on Friday 6th February was read and discharged.

Bill to be read a second time on Friday 24th April.

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

Lloyds TSB Bill [Lords],—The Lords have passed a Bill, intituled, An Act to provide for the transfer to and vesting in Lloyds Bank Plc of the undertakings of TSB Bank plc and Hill Samuel Bank Limited; and for connected purposes; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.

3 Lloyds TSB Bill [Lords],—The Lloyds TSB Bill [Lords] was read the first time.

Bill referred to the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills.

4 Government of Wales 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 Government of Wales Bill, which it had directed him to report to the House:

That the seven days allotted under the Order [15th January] to proceedings in Committee shall be allotted in the manner shown in the following Table and each part of the proceedings shall, if not previously brought to a conclusion, be brought to a conclusion (in accordance with the Order) at the time specified in relation to that part of the proceedings in the third column of the Table.

TABLE

Allotted day Proceedings Time for conclusion of proceedings

First day Clauses 1 and 2, Schedule 1 and Clauses 3 to 20 —

Second day Clauses 1 and 2, Schedule 1 and Clauses 3 to 20, so far as not disposed of 7.00 p.m.

Clauses 21 and 22, Schedule 2, Clauses 23 to 29, Schedule 3 and Clauses 30 to 44 —

Third day Clauses 21 and 22, Schedule 2, Clauses 23 to 29, Schedule 3 and Clauses 30 to 44, so far as not disposed of 10.00 p.m.

Fourth day Clauses 45 to 73, Schedule 4 and Clauses 74 to 79 10.00 p.m.

Fifth day Clauses 80 to 104 and Schedule 5 7.00 p.m.

Clauses 105 to 108, Schedule 6, Clauses 109 and 110, Schedule 7, Clauses 111 to 117 and Schedule 8 10.00 p.m.

Sixth day Clauses 118 and 119, Schedule 9, Clause 120, Schedule 10, Clause 121, Schedule 11, Clauses 122 to 132, Schedule 12, Clauses 133 to 136, Schedule 13 and Clauses 137 to 140 10.00 p.m.

Seventh day    Remaining proceedings 10.00 p.m.

Report to lie upon the Table.

5 European Communities (Amendment) Bill [2nd allotted day],—The House, according to Order, again resolved itself into a Committee on the European Communities (Amendment) Bill.

(In the Committee)

Clause No. 1 (Meaning of “the Treaties” and “the Community Treaties”).

Another Amendment (No. 26) proposed, in page 1, line 13, at the end, to insert the words ‘other than in Article 2, paragraph 7'.

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Question again proposed, That the Amendment be made.

Question put and negatived.

Another Amendment (No. 9) proposed, in page 1, line 18, at the end, to insert the words ‘and Protocol 7 paragraph (2)'.—(Mr Gary Streeter.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made.

The Committee divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John M. Taylor, Mr John Whittingdale: 135.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr John McFall: 362.

And it being after half-past Six o'clock, the Chairman, pursuant to Order [17th December], put the Questions necessary to dispose of remaining proceedings on Clauses Nos. 1 and 2.

Clauses Nos. 1 and 2 agreed to.

Clause No. 3 agreed to.

A Clause (Enhancement of role of Parliament)—(Mr David Heath)—brought up, and read the first time.

Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:—Clause, by leave, withdrawn.

Another Clause (Powers of Europol: Report)—(Mr Gary Streeter)—brought up, and read the first time.

Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:—Clause, by leave, withdrawn.

Another Clause (Police operations in co-operation with Europol)—(Mr David Heath)—brought up, and read the first time.

Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.

The Committee divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Steve Webb, Mr Richard Allan: 38.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr John McFall: 324.

Another Clause (Exchange of information between Court of Auditors and other bodies)—(Mr David Heath)—brought up, and read the first time.

Question, That the Clause be read a second time, put and negatived.

Bill to be reported, pursuant to Order [17th December].

The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair; and Mr Jon Owen Jones reported, That the Committee had gone through the Bill, without Amendment.

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

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 370.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr John M. Taylor, Mr John Whittingdale: 145.

So the Question was agreed to.

The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.

6 Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from residents of Bromsgrove against the proposed closure of the accident and emergency department at the Alexandra Hospital, Redditch, and the Kidderminster General Hospital and other services was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

7 Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Jim Dowd);

And the Motion having been made after Ten o'clock, and the Debate having continued for half an hour, the Speaker adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order, it being then twelve minutes to Eleven o'clock, till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 10.48 p.m.

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APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1 Construction (Scotland),—(1) Draft Construction Contracts (Scotland) Exclusion Order 1998, and

(2) draft Scheme for Construction Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 1998

[by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

2 Council Tax,—Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rating (Demand Notices) (England) (Amendment) (Rural Rate Relief) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 47), dated 13th January 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

Other Papers:

3 Crown Copyright,—Paper, entitled Crown Copyright in the Information Age: A consultation document on access to public sector information [by Command] [Cm. 3819] [Dr David Clark].

4 Social Security,—Account of the National Insurance Fund for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 465] [Clerk of the House].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

Local Authority Tenders Bill:

The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee C.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1 Foreign Affairs and Defence,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committees meeting concurrently pursuant to paragraph (4)(e) of Standing Order No. 152 (Select committees related to government departments) on 19th January [EU Enlargement and NATO Enlargement]; to be printed [No. 482-i] [Mr Donald Anderson].

2 Public Accounts,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts on 19th January [Regulating and Monitoring the Quality of Service Provided to Customers by the Water Industry in England and Wales]; to be printed [No. 483-i] [Mr David Davis].

3 Welsh Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Welsh Affairs Committee on 19th January [Emergency Funding for the NHS in Wales During the Coming Winter]; to be printed [No. 464] [Mr Martyn Jones].

MEMORANDUM

BUSINESS COMMITTEE

In pursuance of Standing Order No. 82 (Business Committee), as varied by the Order of 16th January, the Speaker nominated Mr Brian H. Donohoe, Dr Liam Fox, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr John McFall, Mrs Anne McGuire, Mr Henry McLeish, Mr Ernie Ross, Mr James Wallace and Mr Andrew Welsh to be members of the Business Committee in respect of the Scotland Bill.

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[No. 101.]
Tuesday 20th January 1998.

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

1 Parliamentary Boundary Commissions (Amendment),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986: And that Mr Richard Page, Cheryl Gillan, Mr Nigel Evans, Mr Peter Atkinson, Mr Richard Shepherd and Mr Quentin Davies do prepare and bring it in.

2 Parliamentary Boundary Commissions (Amendment) Bill,—Mr Richard Page accordingly presented a Bill to amend the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986: And the same was read the first time and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 6th February and to be printed [Bill 111].

3 Government of Wales Bill (Programme),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 82 (Business Committee), That the Report [19th January] from the Business Committee be now considered—(Mr John McFall):—It was agreed to.

Question put forthwith, That this House doth agree with the Committee in its Resolution:—It was agreed to.

4 Government of Wales Bill [1st allotted day],—The House, according to Order, resolved itself into a Committee on the Government of Wales Bill.

(In the Committee)
Clause No. 1 (The Assembly).

Amendment (No. 52) proposed, in page 1, line 8, to leave out the word ‘an' and to insert the words ‘a legislative'.—(Mr Dafydd Wigley.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Another Amendment (No. 4) proposed, in page 1, line 10, at the end, to insert the words—

‘(1A) Notwithstanding the establishment of the Assembly, or anything contained in this Act, the supreme authority of the Parliament of the United Kingdom shall remain unaffected and undiminished over all persons, matters and things in Wales.'.—(Mr Michael Ancram.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made.

The Committee divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Oliver Heald, Sir David Madel: 133.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Jamieson, Janet Anderson: 365.

Clause agreed to.

Clause No. 2 (Membership).

Amendment (No. 93) proposed, in page 1, line 15, after the word ‘of' to insert the words ‘members for each Assembly constituency'.—(Mr Lembit O�pik.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made.

The Committee divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Michael Moore, Mr Richard Allan: 43.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr John McFall: 355.

Another Amendment (No. 22A) proposed, in page 1, line 16, to leave out from the word ‘constituency' to the end of line 17.—(Mr Michael Ancram.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made.

The Committee divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Oliver Heald, Sir David Madel: 136.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr John McFall: 378.

And it being Ten o'clock, the Chairman left the Chair to report progress and to ask leave to sit again.

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The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair; and Mr John McFall reported, That the Committee had made progress in the Bill, and moved, That the Committee may have leave to sit again.

Committee again to-morrow.

5 Northern 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 Activity Centres (Young Persons' Safety) (Northern Ireland) Order 1997, which was laid before this House on 25th November, be approved—(Mr David Jamieson):—It was agreed to.

6 Cocoa and Chocolate,—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. 8164/96, relating to cocoa and chocolate products intended for human consumption; and endorses the Government's efforts to resist any discrimination against UK products, to secure their free circulation throughout the EC and to maintain the widest possible range of consumer choice—(Mr John McFall):—It was agreed to.

7 Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from—

(1) residents of Glenelg and Armadale communities in support of the Glenelg–Kylerhlea ferry service, and

(2) employees and patients of the National Health Service for the prevention of the use of the word ‘diabetic' on the labels of food products

were presented; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

8 Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr John McFall.)

And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till half-past Ten o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 10.30 p.m.

APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1 Education,—Education (Grants for Education Support and Training) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 80), dated 15th January 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].

2 Health and Safety,—Electrical Equipment for Explosive Atmospheres (Certification) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 81), dated 19th January 1998 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].

Other Papers:

3 Audit (Northern Ireland),—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland on the Administration of Disability Living Allowance by the Social Security Agency [by Statutory Instrument]; to be printed [No. 450] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].

4 Hong Kong,—Six-monthly Report on Hong Kong: July-December 1997 [by Command] [Cm. 3831] [Mr Secretary Cook].

5 Public Health,—(1) Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Radioactivity in Sheep) Partial Revocation Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 82), dated 6th January 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar]; and

(2) Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Radioactivity in Sheep) (Wales) Partial Revocation Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 72), dated 19th January 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Davies].

APPENDIX II

Reports from Select Committees

1 Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment Sub-Committee of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee on 20th January [Sustainable Waste Management]; to be printed [No. 484-i] [Mr Andrew F. Bennett].

2 Home Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Home Affairs Committee on 20th January [Alternatives to Prison Sentences]; to be printed [No. 486-i] [Mr Chris Mullin].

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3 Parliamentary Privilege,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Joint Committee on Parliamentary Privilege on 20th January; to be printed [No. 401-iii] [Mrs Ann Taylor].

4 Public Administration,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Public Administration on 20th January [Your Right to Know: The Government's Proposals for a Freedom of Information Act]; to be printed [No. 398-iii] [Mr Rhodri Morgan].

5 Standards and Privileges,—(1) Tenth Report from the Committee on Standards and Privileges [Complaint against Mr Geoffrey Robinson], together with an Appendix (Memorandum by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards); to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 488]; and

(2) Eleventh Report from the Committee on Standards and Privileges [Complaint against Mr Howard Flight], together with an Appendix (Memorandum by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards); to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 489]

[Mr Robert Sheldon].

6 Statutory Instruments,—Nineteenth Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, together with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 33-xix] [Mr David Tredinnick].

[No. 102.]
Wednesday 21st January 1998.

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—(Mr David Jamieson);

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

2 Consolidation, &c., Bills,—Mr Laurence Robertson reported from the Select Committee appointed to join with a Committee of the House of Lords on Consolidation, &c., Bills, to which the Petroleum Bill [Lords], now pending in the House of Lords, was referred, That it had gone through the Bill, and made Amendments thereunto; and had agreed to a Report which it had directed him to make to the House; and had directed him to report the Minutes of Evidence taken before it on 21st January.

Report to lie upon the Table; and to be printed [No. 500–I].

Minutes of Evidence to lie upon the Table; and to be printed [No. 500–II].

Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 500–II].

3 Acquisition and Possession of Air Weapons (Restriction),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the Firearms Act 1968 to restrict the acquisition and possession of air weapons; and for connected purposes—(Dr Nick Palmer);

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 Dr Nick Palmer, Mr Alan Clark, Mr Roger Gale, Mr Vernon Coaker, Dr Liz Blackman, Ms Fiona Jones, Mr Michael Foster (Hastings and Rye), Mr Mark Todd, Mr Barry Gardiner, Mr Ivor Caplin and Mr Chris Mullin do prepare and bring in the Bill.

4 Acquisition and Possession of Air Weapons (Restriction) Bill,—Dr Nick Palmer accordingly presented a Bill to amend the Firearms Act 1968 to restrict the acquisition and possession of air weapons; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 6th February and to be printed [Bill 112].

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5 Government of Wales Bill [2nd allotted day],—The House, according to Order, again resolved itself into a Committee on the Government of Wales Bill.

(In the Committee)

Clause No. 2 agreed to

Schedule No. 1 (Assembly constituencies and Assembly electoral regions).

Amendment (No. 19A) proposed, in page 70, line 11, to leave out the word ‘four' and insert the word ‘six', instead thereof.—(Mr Richard Livsey.)

Question, That the Amendment be made, put and negatived.

Another Amendment (No. 186) proposed, in page 71, line 31, to leave out the words ‘local government' and insert the word ‘parliamentary', instead thereof.—(Mr Elfyn Llwyd.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Schedule agreed to.

Clause No. 3 (Time of ordinary elections).

An Amendment (No. 167) proposed, in page 2, line 18, at the end, to insert the words ‘but that day shall not coincide with a day designated for holding elections to local authorities in Wales'.—(Mr Dafydd Wigley.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Clause agreed to.

Clause No. 4 (Voting at ordinary elections).

An Amendment (No. 54) proposed, in page 2, line 39, to leave out the words ‘is to' and insert the word ‘may', instead thereof.—(Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Another Amendment (No. 50) proposed, in page 2, line 42, at the end, to insert the words—

‘(aa) a candidate who is a member of a registered political party which has submitted a list of candidates to be Assembly members for the Assembly electoral region in which the Assembly constituency is located,'.—(Mr Richard Livsey.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—

And it being Seven o'clock the Chairman, pursuant to Order [15th January] and Resolution [20th January], put the Question necessary to dispose of remaining proceedings on Clauses Nos. 4 to 20.

Question, That the Amendment (No. 50) be made, put and negatived.

Clause agreed to.

Clauses Nos. 5 to 10 agreed to.

Clause No. 11 (Power to make provision about elections etc.).

Amendment (No. 134) made.

Clause, as amended, agreed to.

Clauses Nos. 12 to 14 agreed to.

Clause No. 15 (Judicial proceedings as to disqualification).

Amendment (No. 135) made.

Clause, as amended, agreed to.

Clauses Nos. 16 to 20 agreed to.

Clause No. 21 agreed to.

Clause No. 22 (Transfer of Ministerial functions).

Amendment (No. 45) proposed, in page 12, line 39, after ‘(1)' to insert the words—

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‘Functions in the fields specified in Schedule 2, so far as exercisable by the Secretary of State for Wales are hereby transferred to the Assembly.

(IA)'.—(Mr Michael Ancram.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made.

The Committee divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr Nigel Waterson: 147.

Tellers for the Noes, Janet Anderson, Mr Jim Dowd: 370.

And it being after Ten o'clock, the Chairman left the Chair to report progress and to ask leave to sit again.

The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr Clive Betts reported, That the Committee had made progress in the Bill, and moved, That the Committee may have leave to sit again.

Committee again to-morrow.

6 Employment Rights (Dispute Resolution) Bill [Lords] [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Employment Rights (Dispute Resolution) Bill [Lords] [Money];

Resolved, That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Employment Rights (Dispute Resolution) Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable out of money so provided under any other enactment.—(Mr Clive Betts.)

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

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 fourteen minutes to Eleven o'clock, till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 10.46 p.m.

APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1 Urban Development,—Draft London Docklands Development Corporation (Transfer of Functions) Order 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

2 Companies,—Company Accounts (Disclosure of Directors' Emoluments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 (S.R.(N.I.), 1997, No. 545), dated 19th December 1997 [by Act] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].

3 Criminal Procedure,—(1) Children's Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (Notice of Transfer) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.R.(N.I.), 1998, No. 7), and

(2) Criminal Justice (Serious Fraud) (Northern Ireland) Order 1988 (Notice of Transfer) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.R.(N.I.), 1998, No. 6),

dated 14th January 1998 [by Statutory Instrument] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].

4 Customs and Excise,—(1) Aircraft Operators (Accounts and Records) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 63), and

(2) Revenue Traders (Accounts and Records) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 62),

dated 20th January 1998 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].

5 Education,—Education (Direct Grant Schools) (Revocation) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 86), dated 20th January 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].

6 Insurance Premium Tax,—Insurance Premium Tax (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 60), dated 20th January 1998 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].

7 Landfill Tax,—Landfill Tax (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 61), dated 20th January 1998 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].

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8 Local Government,—Local Government Changes (Rent Act Registration Areas) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 54), dated 13th January 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

9 Value Added Tax,—Value Added Tax (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 59), dated 20th January 1998 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].

Other Papers:

10 Agriculture,—(1) Report on smallholdings in England for 1993–94, and

(2) Report on smallholdings in England for 1994–95

[by Act] [Dr John Cunningham]; and

(3) Report on smallholdings in Wales for 1993–94, and

(4) Report on smallholdings in Wales for 1994–95

[by Act] [Mr Secretary Davies].

11 Treaty Series (No. 80, 1997),—Third supplementary list of ratifications, accessions, withdrawals, etc., for 1997 [by Command] [Cm. 3842] [Mr Secretary Cook].

12 Treaty Series (No. 1, 1998),—Convention, open for signature at Vienna from 26th September 1986 and at New York from 6th October 1986, on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident [by Command] [Cm. 3838] [Mr Secretary Cook].

13 Treaty Series (No. 2, 1998),—Convention, open for signature at Vienna from 26th September 1986 and at New York from 6th October 1986, on assistance in the case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency [by Command] [Cm. 3839] [Mr Secretary Cook].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1 Regional Development Agencies Bill:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee E and has appointed Dr Michael Clark and Mr Joe Benton Chairmen; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated eighteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mrs Jackie Ballard, Mr Colin Breed, Mr Richard Caborn, Mr Ben Chapman, Mr Paul Clark, Mr David Clelland, Mr David Curry, Mr Stephen Day, Angela Eagle, Mr Jim Fitzpatrick, Mr Stephen Hepburn, Ms Jenny Jones, Mr Doug Naysmith, Mrs Caroline Spelman, Mr David Taylor, Ms Rosie Winterton, Mr Anthony D. Wright and Mr Tim Yeo.

2 Wild Mammals (Hunting with Dogs) Bill:

The Speaker has appointed Mrs Ray Michie an additional Chairman of Standing Committee C in respect of the Bill.

3 Local Authority Tenders Bill:

The Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on Standing Committee C in respect of the Bill, viz.: Ms Judith Church, Mr John Cryer, Mr Geraint Davies, Mrs Margaret Ewing, Mr Jim Fitzpatrick, Mr Damian Green, Ann Keen, Ms Oona King, Miss Julie Kirkbride, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Gillian Merron, Mr Lembit O�pik, Mr Peter L. Pike, Mr Phil Sawford, Mr Stephen Twigg, Mr Bowen Wells and Mr Phil Woolas.

4 Draft Road Traffic (New Drivers) (Northern Ireland) Order 1997:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mrs Irene Adams Chairman; and

(2) The Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Tony Benn, Mrs Liz Blackman, Yvette Cooper, Mr James Cran, Mr John Cummings, Mr Jim Dowd, Mr Michael Fabricant, Mr Clifford Forsythe, Mr Mike Gapes, Mr Barry Gardiner, Mr Christopher Gill, Mrs Tess Kingham, Mr Ivan Lewis, Mr Malcolm Moss, Mr Cecil Walker and Mr Tony Worthington.

5 Draft Family Homes and Domestic Violence (Northern Ireland) Order 1997:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Miss Ann Widdecombe Chairman; and

(2) The Commitee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr William Cash, Ms Judith Church, Mr James Cran, Mr John Cryer, Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson, Mr Jim Dowd, Mr Stephen Hepburn, Helen Jackson, Ms Oona King, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Bob Laxton, Mr Malcolm Moss, Mr Paul Murphy, Mr Bill Olner, Mrs Sandra Osborne and The Reverend Martin Smyth.

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6 Draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Partnership and Co-operation Agreements between the European Communities and their Member States and the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Uzbekistan) Orders 1997 and (Europe Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States and the Republic of Slovenia) Order 1997:

The Committee of Selection has discharged Ann Keen from the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Orders; and appointed in substitution Ms Gisela Stuart.

Grand Committees

7 Northern Ireland Grand Committee,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Barry Jones Chairman of the Northern Ireland Grand Committee in respect of the meeting of the Committee on Thursday 29th January.

8 Scottish Grand Committee,—The Speaker has appointed Mr John Maxton and Mr Andrew Welsh Chairmen of the Scottish Grand Committee in respect of the meeting of the Committee on Tuesday 27th January.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1 Agriculture,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Agriculture Committee on 21st January [UK beef industry]; to be printed [No. 474–ii]; and

(2) Memoranda laid before the Agriculture Committee [Food safety; UK beef industry]

[Mr Peter Luff].

2 Culture, Media and Sport,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on 21st January [Royal Opera House: Follow-up]; to be printed [No. 493–i] [Mr Gerald Kaufman].

3 Defence,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee on 21st January [Strategic Defence Review]; to be printed [No. 138–vi]; and

(2) Memorandum laid before the Defence Committee [Chinook Crash on Mull of Kintyre]

[Mr Bruce George].

4 Education and Employment,—(1) Second Special Report from the Education and Employment Committee [Government Response to the Second Report from the Committee, Session 1997–98, on The New Deal]; to be printed [No. 496];

(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education and Employment Committee on 21st January [The funding of student loans], together with Appendices; to be printed [No. 497–i]; and

(3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education Sub-Committee of the Education and Employment Committee on 21st January [Disaffected children]; to be printed [No. 498–i];

[Ms Margaret Hodge].

5 Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee on 21st January [Housing]; to be printed [No. 495–i]; and

(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Sub-Committee of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee on 21st January [Proposed Strategic Rail Authority and Railway Regulation]; to be printed [No. 286–vii]

[Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].

6 European Legislation,—Thirteenth Report from the Select Committee on European Legislation; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee [No. 155–xiii] [Mr Jim Marshall].

7 International Development,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the International Development Committee on 21st January [Renegotiation of the Lome" Convention]; to be printed [No. 365–iii] [Mr Dennis Canavan].

8 Northern Ireland Affairs,—(1) First Report from the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee [Northern Ireland Public Expenditure: Current Plans and Priorities], with Appendices to
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the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 295]; and

(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on 21st January [Electoral Malpractice in Northern Ireland]; to be printed [No. 316–iv]

[Mr Peter Brooke].

9 Public Accounts,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts on 21st January [The PFI Contracts for Bridgend and Fazakerley Prisons]; to be printed [No. 499–i] [Mr David Davis].

10 Science and Technology,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee on 21st January [Implications of the Dearing Report for the Structure and Funding of University Research]; to be printed [No. 303–vi] [Dr Michael Clark].

11 Social Security,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Social Security Committee on 21st January [Tax and Benefits]; to be printed [Nos. 423–iii and iv] [Mr Archy Kirkwood].

[No. 103.]
Thursday 22nd January 1998.

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

1 Tyne Tunnels Bill,—A Bill to amend provisions of the Tyne and Wear Act 1976 concerning tolls in relation to the Tyne Tunnels; to confer further powers upon the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority to facilitate the provision and operation of an additional tunnel crossing of the river Tyne; to enable provision to be made for the operation of the existing tunnels in conjunction with such a new crossing; and for connected purposes, was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time.

2 Liaison,—Mr Robert Sheldon reported, pursuant to Standing Order No. 145 (Liaison Committee), That the Liaison Committee had directed him to report that it had chosen the First Report from the International Development Committee, Session 1997-98, on Montserrat, and the First Report from the Education and Employment Committee, Session 1997-98, on Teacher Supply, to be debated on Wednesday 18th February, pursuant to Standing Order No. 10 (Wednesday sittings).

3 Scotland 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 Scotland Bill, which it had directed him to report to the House:

That—

(1) the order in which proceedings in Committee are taken shall be Clause 1, Schedule 1, Clauses 2 to 20, Schedule 2, Clause 21, Schedule 3, Clauses 22 to 28, Schedule 4, Clauses 29 to 91, Schedule 6, Clauses 92 to 109, Schedule 5, New Clauses, New Schedules, Clause 110, Schedules 7 and 8, Clauses 111 to 116.

(2) the eight days allotted under the Order [13th January] to proceedings in Committee shall be allotted in the manner shown in the Table set out below and each part of the proceedings shall, if not previously brought to a conclusion, be brought to a conclusion (in accordance with the Order) at the time specified in the third column of the Table.

TABLE

Allotted day Proceedings in Committee Time for conclusion of proceedings

First day Clause 1 (to the end of subsection (2)) Clause 1 (remaining proceedings) Schedule 1 Clauses 2 to 17 7.00 p.m. 10.00 p.m.

Second day Clauses 18 to 20 Schedule 2 Clause 21 Schedule 3 Clauses 22 to 28 Schedule 4

Clauses 29 to 40 10.00 p.m.

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Allotted day Proceedings in Committee Time for conclusion of proceedings

Third to eighth days Remaining proceedings (according to time limits to be determined by a further report or further reports of the Business Committee) 10.00 p.m. on the eighth day

Report to lie upon the Table.

4 Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mrs Ray Michie reported from the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Partnership and Co-operation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States and the Republic of Azerbaijan) Order 1997, the draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Partnership and Co-operation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States and Georgia) Order 1997, the draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Partnership and Co-operation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States and the Republic of Armenia) Order 1997, the draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Partnership and Co-operation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States and the Republic of Uzbekistan) Order 1997 and the draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Europe Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, and the Republic of Slovenia) Order 1997.

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

5 Bank of England Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Bank of England Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee.

A Clause (Role of Treasury Committee in appointments under section 13(2)(c))—(Mr David Heathcoat-Amory)—brought up, and read the first time.

Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:—Clause, by leave, withdrawn.

Another Clause (Confirmation hearings for Bank appointments)—(Mr Quentin Davies)—brought up, and read the first time.

Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Nigel Waterson, Mr Stephen Day: 143.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Graham Allen, Mr Greg Pope: 252.

Amendments (Nos. 41 and 42) made to the Bill.

Amendment (No. 25) proposed to the Bill, in page 5, line 2, after the word ‘and', to insert the words ‘the highest possible levels of employment, and'.—(Mr Austin Mitchell.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Another Amendment (No. 30) proposed to the Bill, in page 5, line 41, at the end, to insert the words ‘and an estimate of its effect on inflation, economic growth, employment and the exchange rate.'.—(Mr Austin Mitchell.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Another Amendment (No. 43) made to the Bill.

Another Amendment (No. 15) proposed to the Bill, in page 9, line 36, at the end, to insert the words—

‘(2) In exercising the functions transferred under subsection (1) the costs of the Authority shall not exceed the costs incurred by the bodies previously responsible for exercising these functions, as adjusted for inflation.'.—(Mr Michael Fallon.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Another Amendment (No. 44) made to the Bill.

Another Amendment (No. 21) proposed to the Bill, in page 21, line 5, to leave out the words ‘to be representative of persons'.—(Mr Michael Fallon.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Another Amendment (No. 11) proposed to the Bill, in page 42, to leave out line 12.—(Mr David Heathcoat-Amory.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

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Another Amendment (No. 45) made to the Bill.

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

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Jon Owen Jones, Mr Clive Betts: 207.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr John Whittingdale, Sir David Madel: 116.

So the Question was agreed to.

The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.

6 Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Jane Kennedy);

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 eighteen minutes to Eleven o'clock, till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 10.42 p.m.

APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1 Agriculture,—Nitrate Sensitive Areas (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 79), dated 20th January 1998 [by Act] [Dr John Cunningham].

2 Health and Safety,—Construction (Use of Explosives) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 (S.R.(N.I.), 1997, No. 555), dated 19th December 1997 [by Statutory Instrument] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].

Other Papers:

3 Environment, Transport and the Regions Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Planning Inspectorate Executive Agency for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 481] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

4 Proceeds of Crime (Northern Ireland),—Draft Code of Practice in connection with the exercise by Financial Investigators of the powers conferred by Schedule 2 to the Proceeds of Crime (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 [by Statutory Instrument] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords],—The Speaker has appointed Mr John Maxton as an additional Chairman of Standing Committee B in respect of the Bill.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1 Health,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Health Committee on 22nd January [Children Looked After By Local Authorities]; to be printed [No. 319-v] [Mr David Hinchliffe].

2 Treasury,—(1) Third Special Report from the Treasury Committee [Government and Bank of England Response to the First Report from the Treasury Committee, on the Accountability of the Bank of England]; to be printed [No. 502];

(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Treasury Committee on 15th and 22nd January [Preparations for Stage Three of Economic and Monetary Union]; to be printed [Nos. 503-i & ii]; and

(3) Memoranda [Accountability of the Bank of England]

[Mr Giles Radice].

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[No. 104.]
Friday 23rd January 1998.

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

1 Private Bills [Lords] (No Standing Order not previously enquired into applicable),—The Speaker laid upon the Table a Report from one of the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills, That, in the case of the following Bill, originating in the Lords and referred after the First Reading thereof, no Standing Order not previously enquired into is applicable thereto, viz:

Lloyds TSB Bill [Lords].

Bill to be read a second time.

2 Community Care (Residential Accommodation) Bill,—Resolved, That this House will resolve itself into a Committee on the Community Care (Residential Accommodation) Bill on Friday 30th January.

3 Private Hire Vehicles (London) Bill,—The Private Hire Vehicles (London) 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—(Sir George Young):—It was agreed to.

Committee on Friday 6th February.

4 Cold Weather Payments (Wind Chill Factor) Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Cold Weather Payments (Wind Chill Factor) Bill;

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

And it being half-past Two o'clock, the Debate stood adjourned.

Ordered, That the Debate be resumed on Friday 30th January.

5 Chamber of Commerce (Protection of Title) Bill,—The Chamber of Commerce (Protection of Title) 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 Andrew Lansley):—It was agreed to.

Committee on Friday 24th April.

6 Water Charges (Amendment) Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Water Charges (Amendment) Bill;

Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Friday 13th March.

7 Prevention of Delay in Trials Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Prevention of Delay in Trials Bill;

Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Friday 24th April.

8 Referendum (English Parliament) Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for resuming the adjourned Debate on the Question proposed on 16th January, That the Referendum (English Parliament) Bill be now read a second time;

Ordered, That the Debate be resumed on Friday 30th January.

9 Representation of Gibraltar at Westminster and in the European Union Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Representation of Gibraltar at Westminster and in the European Union Bill;

Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Friday 30th January.

10 Representation of Dependencies at Westminster Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Representation of Dependencies at Westminster Bill;

Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Friday 30th January.

11 Widening of the M25 Motorway Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Widening of the M25 Motorway Bill;

Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Friday 30th January.

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12 War Widowers and Pensioners (Equal Treatment) Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the War Widowers and Pensioners (Equal Treatment) Bill;

Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Friday 30th January.

13 Mental Health (Amendment) Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for resuming the adjourned Debate on the Question proposed on 12th December, That the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill be now read a second time;

Ordered, That the Debate be resumed on Friday 30th January.

14 Reform of Quarantine Regulations Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Reform of Quarantine Regulations Bill;

Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Friday 30th January.

15 Hare Coursing Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Hare Coursing Bill;

Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Friday 30th January.

16 Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Jim Dowd);

And the Motion having been made after half-past Two 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 three minutes past Three o'clock, till Monday 26th January.

[Adjourned at 3.03 p.m.

APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1 Agriculture,—Feeding Stuffs (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 104), dated 22nd January 1998 [by Act] [Dr John Cunningham].

2 Medicines,—(1) Medicines (Pharmacy and General Sale—Exemption) Amendment Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 107), and

(2) Prescription Only Medicines (Human Use) Amendment Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 108),

dated 23rd January 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson].

3 Social Security,—Jobseeker's Allowance (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 71), dated 15th January 1998 [by Act] [Secretary Harriet Harman].

Other Papers:

4 Police,—(1) National Crime Squad (Secretary of State's Objectives) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 109), and

(2) NCIS (Secretary of State's Objectives) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 110),

dated 20th January 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw].

5 Social Security,—Report by the Social Security Advisory Committee preceded by a statement by the Secretary of State for Social Security on the Jobseeker's Allowance (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 71) [by Command] [Cm. 3829] [Secretary Harriet Harman].

6 Treaty Series (No. 3, 1998),—Amendments, adopted at London on 25th May 1990, to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (MSC. 19(58)) [by Command] [Cm. 3845] [Mr Secretary Cook].

7 Treaty Series (No. 6, 1998),—Amendments, adopted at London on 28th October 1988, to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (MSC. 12 (56)) [by Command] [Cm. 3848] [Mr Secretary Cook].

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Part II Alphabetical Index

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Prepared 9 February 2007