| Commons Journal 254
Chronological Index
Alphabetical Index - Part I
Alphabetical Index - Part II
Page 378 1997-1998 Volume 254
[No. 120.] Monday 16th February 1998.
The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Police Bill,—Ordered, That the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills do examine the Police Bill with respect to the applicability thereto of the Standing Orders relating to Private Business. |
| 2 | Royal Assent,—The Deputy Speaker notified the House, in accordance with the Royal Assent Act 1967, That Her Majesty had signified her Royal Assent to the following Act, agreed upon by both Houses: |
Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998.
| 3 | Human Rights Bill [Lords],—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Human Rights Bill [Lords]; |
Mr Secretary Straw acquainted the House, That he had it in Command from the Queen to acquaint the House that Her Majesty, having been informed of the purport of the Bill, has consented to place Her prerogative and interest, so far as they are affected by the Bill, at the disposal of Parliament for the purposes of the Bill.
A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the Bill be now read a second time;
An Amendment was proposed to the Question, to leave out from the word ‘That' to the end of the Question and add the words ‘this House, while confirming its strong belief in human rights, expresses its deep concern at the constitutional implications and deficiencies of the Human Rights Bill [Lords] because the Bill weakens one of the foundations of everyone's human rights and fundamental freedoms, which is an effective political democracy; because the Bill creates in the United Kingdom an additional separate, and potentially incompatible, constitutional framework; because the Bill fails adequately to respect and maintain the principle of separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judiciary fundamental in a democratic society and will therefore lead to a further increase in the power of the executive, the diminution of Parliament, and the politicisation of the judiciary; and declines to give the Bill a Second Reading', instead thereof.—(Sir Brian Mawhinney.)
And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made;
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John M. Taylor, Mr James Cran: 144.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Jamieson, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 335.
So the Question was negatived.
And the Main Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 62 (Amendment on second or third reading);
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Jamieson, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 332.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr John M. Taylor, Mr James Cran: 146.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Bill was accordingly read a second time.
A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 63 (Committal of bills), That the Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House—(Mr Mike O'Brien):—It was agreed to.
Committee to-morrow.
| 4 | Human Rights Bill [Lords] [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Human Rights Bill [Lords] [Money]; |
A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 52 (Money resolutions and ways and means resolutions in connection with bills), That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Human Rights Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise—
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(a) the payments out of money provided by Parliament of any expenses incurred by a Minister of the Crown—
(i) in consequence of an award of damages or costs in proceedings under the Act;
(ii) as administrative expenses resulting from the provisions of the Act;
(iii) in connection with judicial training;
(b) the payment out of such money or the Consolidated Fund of sums in respect of any additional judicial salary, or of contributions or benefits in respect of judicial pensions, arising in connection with the appointment of the holder of a judicial office as a judge of the European Court of Human Rights;
(c) 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 David Clelland):—It was agreed to.
| 5 | Northern Ireland Grand Committee,—Ordered, That— |
(1) the draft Appropriation (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 be referred to the Northern Ireland Grand Committee; and
(2) at the sitting on Thursday 26th February the Committee shall consider, pursuant to Standing Order No. 115, the instrument referred to it under paragraph (1) above.— (Mr David Clelland.)
| 6 | Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from residents of Mid-Bedfordshire against building new homes in the countryside or Green Belt 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 David Clelland); |
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 two minutes to Eleven o'clock, till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 10.58 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 1 | Income Tax,—Taxes (Interest Rate) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 310), dated 12th February 1998 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo]. |
| 2 | Northern Ireland,—Education (Student Loans) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 258), dated 11th February 1998 [by Act] [Mrs Ann Taylor]. |
| 3 | Northern Ireland,—(1) Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1996 (Code of Practice) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 312), and |
(2) Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1996 (Silent Video Recording of Interviews) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 313),
dated 15th February 1998 [by Act] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].
| 4 | Sea Fisheries,—(1) Sea Fishing (Enforcement of Community Quota Measures) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 268), and |
(2) Third Country Fishing (Enforcement) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 269),
dated 11th February 1998 [by Act] [Dr John Cunningham].
| 5 | Urban Development,—London Docklands Development Corporation (Alteration of Designated Areas) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 293), dated 12th February 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
Other Papers:
| 6 | Housing (Northern Ireland),—Accounts of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Command] [Cm. 3858] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam]. |
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| 7 | Police,—Police (Secretary of State's Objectives) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 216), dated 4th February 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
APPENDIX II
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Agriculture,—Second Report from the Agriculture Committee [CAP Reform: Agenda 2000], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence before the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 311] [Mr Peter Luff]. |
| 2 | Education and Employment,—(1) Fourth Special Report from the Education and Employment Committee [Government Response to the Third Report from the Committee, Session 1997–98, The Dearing Report: some funding issues]; to be printed [No. 557]; and |
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education Sub-Committee of the Education and Employment Committee on 16th February [Disaffected children]; to be printed [No. 498-iv]
[Ms Margaret Hodge].
| 3 | Foreign Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken by the Entry Clearance Sub-committee of the Foreign Affairs Committee on 16th February [Entry clearance procedures in overseas Posts (with particular reference to Islamabad and New Delhi) and related matters]; to be printed [No. 515-iii] [Mr Donald Anderson]. |
| 4 | Public Accounts,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts on 16th February [The Management of Building Projects at English Higher Education Institutions]; to be printed [No. 558-i] [Mr David Davis]. |
| 5 | Welsh Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Welsh Affairs Committee on 16th February [The Present Crisis in the Welsh Livestock Industry]; to be printed [No. 447-ii] [Mr Martyn Jones]. |
[No. 121.] Tuesday 17th February 1998.
The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Lloyds TSB Bill [Lords],—The Order of the day being read for the Second Reading of the Lloyds TSB Bill [Lords]; |
Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Tuesday 24th February.
| 2 | Deregulation Committee,—Mr Peter L. Pike reported from the Deregulation Committee the following Resolution: |
That, in respect of the proposal for the Deregulation (Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles) Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 8th December, the proposal should be amended before a draft Order is laid before the House.
| 3 | National Minimum Wage Bill,—Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody reported from Standing Committee D, That it had gone through the National Minimum Wage Bill, and made Amendments thereunto. |
Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 123].
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 564].
| 4 | School Buses (Safety),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to introduce safety regulations for school buses; and for connected purposes: And that Mr Malcolm Bruce, Mr Don Foster, Mr Gareth Thomas (Clwyd West), Mr Graham Brady, Mrs Margaret Ewing, Mr Phil Willis, Mr David Stewart, Mr Cynog Dafis, Mr Peter Bottomley and Mr James Wallace do prepare and bring it in. |
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| 5 | School Buses (Safety) Bill,—Mr Malcolm Bruce accordingly presented a Bill to introduce safety regulations for school buses; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 20th March and to be printed [Bill 122]. |
| 6 | Iraq,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House condemns the continuing refusal of Iraq to comply with its obligations under the relevant post-ceasefire UN Security Council Resolutions, by allowing UNSCOM to carry out without restrictions the required inspections of its chemical, biological and nuclear weapons programmes; believes that these programmes represent a continuing threat to international peace and stability; fully supports the efforts of the Government to reach a diplomatic solution to the present confrontation with Iraq within the framework of these Security Council Resolutions; and expresses its full support also for the resolve of the Government to use all necessary means to achieve an outcome consistent with these Resolutions—(Mr Secretary Cook); |
The Question was amended, in line 8, by leaving out from the word ‘Resolutions' to the end of the Question and adding the words ‘fully supports the resolve of the Government to use all necessary means to achieve an outcome consistent with these Resolutions; and emphasises the importance of setting the clearest possible objectives linked to any action that might be taken' instead thereof.—(Mr Michael Howard.)
And the Main Question, as amended, being put;
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Janet Anderson, Mr Jim Dowd: 493.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Tam Dalyell, Mr Tony Benn: 25.
So the Question was agreed to.
Resolved, That this House condemns the continuing refusal of Iraq to comply with its obligations under the relevant post-ceasefire UN Security Council Resolutions, by allowing UNSCOM to carry out without restrictions the required inspections of its chemical, biological and nuclear weapons programmes; believes that these programmes represent a continuing threat to international peace and stability; fully supports the efforts of the Government to reach a diplomatic solution to the present confrontation with Iraq within the framework of these Security Council Resolutions; fully supports the resolve of the Government to use all necessary means to achieve an oucome consistent with these Resolutions; and emphasises the importance of setting the clearest possible objectives linked to any action that might be taken.
| 7 | 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 Financial Provisions (Northern Ireland) Order 1997, which was laid before this House on 16th December, be approved—(Mr David Clelland):—It was agreed to. |
| 8 | Construction,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Construction Contracts (England and Wales) Exclusion Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 18th December, be approved—(Mr David Clelland):—It was agreed to. |
| 9 | Construction,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Scheme for Construction Contracts (England and Wales) Regulations 1998, which were laid before this House on 12th January, be approved—(Mr David Clelland):—It was agreed to. |
| 10 | Construction (Scotland),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Scheme for Construction Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 1998, which were laid before this House on 19th January, be approved—(Mr David Clelland):—It was agreed to. |
| 11 | Construction (Scotland),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Construction Contracts (Scotland) Exclusion Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 19th January, be approved—(Mr David Clelland):—It was agreed to. |
| 12 | Civil Aviation,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Carriage by Air Acts (Application of Provisions) (Fourth Amendment) Order 1998,
|
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which was laid before this House on 26th January, be approved—(Mr David Clelland):—It was agreed to. |
| 13 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr David Clelland.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till fourteen minutes to Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 10.46 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 1 | Local Government,—Local Authorities (Goods and Services) (Public Bodies) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 308), dated 13th February 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 2 | Water Industry,—Chester Waterworks Company (Constitution and Regulation) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 281), dated 11th February 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Davies]. |
Other Papers:
| 3 | National Health Service,—Statements of Guarantee given by the Secretary of State for Health on 13th February 1998 on loans proposed to be raised by— |
(1) the East Gloucestershire National Health Service Trust, and
(2) the Hastings and Rother National Health Service Trust
[by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson].
| 4 | Public Health,—Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Oil and Chemical Pollution of Fish) Order 1997 (Revocation) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 314), dated 16th February 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar]. |
| 5 | Statutory Instruments (Notification),—Communication declaring that the undermentioned Statutory Instrument had come into operation before copies were laid before Parliament, and explaining why such copies had not been so laid before the Instrument came into operation: |
Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Oil and Chemical Pollution of Fish) Order 1997 (Revocation) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 314)
[by Standing Order] [The Speaker].
APPENDIX II
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Agriculture,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Agriculture Committee on 17th February [Food safety]; to be printed [No. 331-vii]; and |
(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Food safety]
[Mr Peter Luff].
| 2 | Culture, Media and Sport,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on 17th February [HMS Cavalier]; to be printed [No. 561-i] [Mr Gerald Kaufman]. |
| 3 | Deregulation,—Second Report from the Deregulation Committee [Proposal for the Deregulation (Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles) Order 1998]; to be printed together with the minutes of the proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report. [No. 559] [Mr Peter L. Pike]. |
| 4 | Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment Sub-Committee of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee on 17th February [The Future of Allotments]; to be printed [No. 560-i] [Mr Andrew F. Bennett]. |
| 5 | Foreign Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee on 17th February [Foreign Policy and Human Rights]; to be printed [No. 369-iv] [Mr Donald Anderson]. |
| 6 | Home Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Home Affairs Committee on 17th February [European and other issues]; to be printed [No. 562-i] [Mr Chris Mullin]. |
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| 7 | International Development,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the International Development Committee on 17th February [Debt Relief]; to be printed [No. 563-i] [Mr Bowen Wells]. |
| 8 | Parliamentary Privilege,—Part of the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Joint Committee on Parliamentary Privilege on 17th February; to be printed [No. 401-vii] [Mr Bill Michie]. |
| 9 | Procedure,—First Report from the Procedure Committee [Use of the Welsh Language in Parliamentary Proceedings in Wales], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 461] [Mr Nicholas Winterton]. |
| 10 | Public Administration,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Public Administration on 17th February [The Report of the Health Service Commissioner for 1996–97]; to be printed [No. 352-vii] [Mr Rhodri Morgan]. |
| 11 | Statutory Instruments,—Twenty-Third Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, together with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 33-xxiii] [Mr David Tredinnick]. |
| 12 | Welsh Affairs,—First Report from the Welsh Affairs Committee [The Impact of the Government's Devolution Proposals on Economic Development and Local Government], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 329] [Mr Martyn Jones]. |
[No. 122.] Wednesday 18th February 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—(Jane Kennedy); |
And it being Two o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.
| 2 | Prohibition of Bull Bars Bill,—Ordered, That the Prohibition of Bull Bars Bill be read a second time on Friday 6th March. |
| 3 | Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Andrew Welsh reported from the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation Special Grant Report (No. 28): Persons From Abroad Children's Grant (HC Paper No. 478), Special Grant Report (No. 29): Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (HC Paper No. 479), Special Grant Report (No. 30): Asylum Seekers' Accommodation (HC Paper No. 480), Special Grant Report for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children and Children of Asylum Seekers (No. 98/4) (HC Paper No. 491), Special Grant Report for Adult Asylum Seekers' Assistance (No. 98/3) (HC Paper No. 490) and Special Grant Report (Wales) (HC Paper No. 457). |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 4 | European Standing Committee B,—Mrs Ann Winterton reported from European Standing Committee B the following Resolution: |
That the Committee takes note of Official Journal No. C348 of 18th November 1997, the Annual Report and Statements of Assurance of the European Court of Auditors concerning the financial year 1996, on activities financed from the general budget and of the sixth and seventh European Development Funds, together with the Institutions' replies; and of European Commission Document No. SEM 2000/3(97) Doc. 5, the SEM 2000 Stage III Second Report on the Implementation of the Recommendations of the Personal Representatives Group on Sound Financial Management; and endorses the Government's determination to ensure that taxpayers' money is spent efficiently and effectively in the EC budget and welcomes the priority which the current British Presidency of the EU is giving to this subject.
Report, together with Resolution, to lie upon the Table.
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| 5 | Water Industry (Amendment),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make further provision with respect to the water industry: And that Mr David Kidney, Charlotte Atkins, Mr Peter Bradley, Mrs Janet Dean, Mr David Drew, Julia Drown, Dr Brian Iddon, Jacqui Smith, Mr Tom Levitt and Joan Walley do prepare and bring it. |
| 6 | Water Industry (Amendment) Bill,—Mr David Kidney accordingly presented a Bill to make further provision with respect to the water industry: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 6th March and to be printed [Bill 124]. |
| 7 | Social Security,—Resolved, That the draft Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 5th February, be approved.—(Mr Frank Field.) |
| 8 | Social Security,—Resolved, That the draft Social Security (Contributions) (Re-rating and National Insurance Fund Payments) Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 5th February, be approved.—(Mr Kevin Hughes.) |
| 9 | Pensions,—Resolved, That the draft Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 5th February, be approved.—(Mr Kevin Hughes.) |
| 10 | Social Security,—Resolved, That the draft Social Security (Incapacity for Work) (General) Amendment Regulations 1998, which were laid before this House on 5th February, be approved.—(Mr Kevin Hughes.) |
| 11 | Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from Poole and district for the retention in the National Roads Programme of the proposed new Poole Harbour Bridge was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed. |
| 12 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Kevin Hughes.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till eight minutes to Nine o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 8.52 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
| 1 | Terms and Conditions of Employment,—Draft Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 1998 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 2 | Council Tax,—(1) Council Tax (Demand Notices) (Wales) (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 267), and |
(2) Council Tax Reduction Scheme (Wales) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 266).
dated 11th February 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Davies].
| 3 | Ecclesiastical Law,—Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 319), dated 11th February 1998 [by Measure] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 4 | Pensions,—Personal Injuries (Civilians) Amendment Scheme 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 278), dated 10th February 1998 [by Act] [Secretary Harriet Harman]. |
| 5 | Road Traffic,—Road Traffic (Special Parking Area) (Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames) (Amendment) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 273), dated 9th February 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
Other Papers:
| 6 | Employment Rights,—Report by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under section 208(5) of the Employment Rights Act 1996 on Limits on Guarantee Payments [by Act]; to be printed [No. 545] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
| 7 | Hillsborough Stadium,—Report by the Rt Hon Lord Justice Stuart-Smith into Scrutiny of Evidence relating to the Hillsborough Football Stadium Disaster [by Command] [Cm. 3878] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
| 8 | National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on HM Coastguard: Civil Maritime Search and Rescue [by Act]; to be printed [No. 544] [Clerk of the House]. |
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APPENDIX II
Committee of Selection
| Committee on Unopposed Bills (Panel),—Mr John McWilliam reported from the Committee of Selection, That it had appointed an additional Member to serve on the Panel of Members to serve on the Committee on Unopposed Bills under Standing Order 111 relating to Private Business (Reference to committees of opposed and unopposed bills), viz.: Mr Peter Brand. |
APPENDIX III
Standing Committees
| 1 | Pesticides Bill,—The Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on Standing Committee C in respect of the Bill, viz.: Mr Norman Baker, Mr Ben Bradshaw, Mr Andrew George, Mr Robert Jackson, Ms Fiona Jones, Mr Martyn Jones, Ms Sally Keeble, Mr Paul Marsden, Mr Austin Mitchell, Mr Jim Murphy, Mrs Diana Organ, Mr James Paice, Mr Owen Paterson, Mr Jeff Rooker, Mr Jonathan Sayeed and Mr Mark Todd. |
| 2 | Fireworks Bill,—The Committee of Selection has nominated eighteen Members to serve on Standing Committee C in respect of the Bill, viz.: Sir Richard Body, Mr Tim Boswell, Mr Richard Burden, Mrs Anne Campbell, Mr Ian Davidson, Mr Howard Flight, Ms Barbara Follett, Mrs Linda Gilroy, Mr Nigel Griffiths, Mr Patrick Hall, Dr Evan Harris, Dr Brian Iddon, Mr Andy Love, Kali Mountford, Mr Barry Sheerman, the Reverend Martin Smyth, Mr John M. Taylor and Mrs Betty Williams. |
| 3 | Road Traffic Reduction (United Kingdom Targets) Bill,—The Committee of Selection has nominated eighteen Members to serve on Standing Committee C in respect of the Bill, viz.: Mr Peter Bottomley, Mr Tom Brake, Mrs Anne Campbell, Mr David Chaytor, Mr Christopher Chope, Mr Jeremy Corbyn, Mr Cynog Dafis, Mr Hilton Dawson, Mr Andrew Dismore, Mr David Drew, Glenda Jackson, Mr David Lepper, Mr Stephen McCabe, Mr Lawrie Quinn, Mr Alan Simpson, Mr Andrew Tyrie, Joan Walley and Sir Raymond Whitney. |
| 4 | Draft London Docklands Development Corporation (Transfer of Functions) Order 1998 and Urban Development Corporations in England (Area and Constitution) Order 1998: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order and Order to the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) The Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Graham Allen, Mr Tom Brake, Dr Vincent Cable, Mr Richard Caborn, Mr Ben Chapman, Mr Lawrence Cunliffe, Mr Stephen Day, Mr Eric Forth, Mr Michael Foster (Hastings and Rye), Ms Patricia Hewitt, Ms Fiona Jones, Lynne Jones, Mr Paul Marsden, Mr Robert Marshall-Andrews, Mr Richard Ottaway and Mr John Randall.
APPENDIX IV
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Agriculture,—Third Report from the Agriculture Committee [The UK Beef Industry], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 474] [Mr Peter Luff]. |
| 2 | Defence,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee on 18th February [NATO Enlargement]; to be printed [No. 469-iii] [Mr Bruce George]. |
| 3 | Education and Employment,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education Sub-Committee of the Education and Employment Committee on 18th February [Further education]; to be printed [No. 264-viii] [Ms Margaret Hodge]. |
| 4 | Education and Employment, and Health,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education Sub-Committee of the Education and Employment Committee, and the Health Committee, meeting concurrently pursuant to paragraph (4)(e) of Standing Order No. 152 (Select Committees related to government departments) on 18th February [Disaffected Children; Children looked after by Local Authorities]; to be printed [Nos. 498-v and 319-vii] [Mr David Hinchliffe]. |
| 5 | Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee on 18th February [Housing]; to be printed [No. 495-iii] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody]. |
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| 6 | European Legislation,—Seventeenth Report from the Select Committe on European Legislation; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee [No. 155-xvii] [Mr Jim Marshall]. |
| 7 | Northern Ireland Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on 18th February [The Composition, Recruitment and Training of the RUC]; to be printed [No. 337-viii] [Mr Peter Brooke]. |
| 8 | Public Accounts,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts on 18th February [Class XII, Vote 1, Appropriation Account 1996–97: Central Government Administered Social Security Benefits and Other Payments]; to be printed [No. 570-i] [Mr David Davis]. |
| 9 | Trade and Industry,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Trade and Industry Committee on 18th February [Trade and Industrial Relations with Japan]; to be printed [No. 568-i] [Mr Martin O'Neill]. |
[No. 123.] Thursday 19th February 1998.
The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Scotland Bill (Business Committee),—The Chairman of Ways and Means reported from the Business Committee, That it had come to a further Resolution in respect of the Scotland Bill, which it had directed him to report to the House: |
That the Resolution of the Committee reported to the House on 22nd January be further varied so that—
(a) the fifth to eighth days allotted under the Order [13th January] to proceedings in Committee of the whole House shall be allotted in the manner shown in the Table set out below, and
(b) 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 |
| Fifth day | Clause 69 | 7.00 p.m. |
| Clause 70 | 7.45 p.m. |
| Clause 71 | 8.45 p.m. |
| Clauses 72 to 80 | 10.00 p.m. |
| Sixth day | Clauses 81 and 82 | 5.30 p.m. |
| Clause 83 | 8.00 p.m. |
| Clauses 84 to 91 | |
| Schedule 6 |
| Clauses 92 and 93 | 9.45 p.m. |
| Clauses 94 to 109 | 10.00 p.m. |
| Seventh and 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 |
| 2 | Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows: |
Greater London Authority (Referendum) Bill,—The Lords do not insist on their Amendments to which this House has disagreed.
Local Government (Experimental Arrangements) Bill,—The Lords have passed a Bill, intituled, An Act to enable local authorities to operate experimental arrangements with respect to the way in which they take decisions, including arrangements with respect to elected mayors and the discharge of functions by single members of authorities; to provide for periodic reviews by local authorities of their decision-making arrangements; and for connected purposes; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.
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| 3 | Local Government (Experimental Arrangements) Bill [Lords],—The Local Government (Experimental Arrangements) Bill [Lords] was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 20th March and to be printed [Bill 125]. |
| 4 | Home Affairs,—Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Home Affairs Committee on 19th February be printed [No. 573]. |
| 5 | Local Government Finance (Scotland),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That the Local Government Finance (Scotland) Order 1998, dated 4th February 1998, a copy of which was laid before this House on 5th February, be approved—(Mr Secretary Dewar); |
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr David Jamieson: 241.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Donald Gorrie, Mr Andrew Welsh: 29.
So the Question was agreed to.
Resolved, That the Local Government Finance (Scotland) Order 1998, dated 4th February 1998, a copy of which was laid before this House on 5th February, be approved.
| 6 | Local Government Finance (Scotland),—Resolved, That the Revenue Support Grant (Scotland) Order 1998, dated 4th February 1998, a copy of which was laid before this House on 5th February, be approved.—(Mr Greg Pope.) |
| 7 | Local Government Finance (Scotland),—Resolved, That the Special Grant Report (98/1) (Scotland): Local Taxation Collection Grant Scheme 1997–99 (House of Commons Paper No. 530), which was laid before this House on 5th February, be approved.—(Mr Greg Pope.) |
| 8 | Local Government Finance (Scotland),—Resolved, That the Special Grant Report (98/2) (Scotland): Grant in Aid of Local Authority Revenue Costs and Reinstatement Works at Dunblane Cemetery Resulting from the Dunblane Tragedy (House of Commons Paper No. 531), which was laid before this House on 5th February, be approved.—(Mr Greg Pope.) |
| 9 | Housing (Scotland),—Resolved, That the draft Housing Support Grant (Scotland) Variation Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 29th January, be approved.—(Mr Greg Pope.) |
| 10 | Housing (Scotland),—Resolved, That the draft Housing Support Grant (Scotland) Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 29th January, be approved.—(Mr Greg Pope.) |
| 11 | Trade and Industry,—Ordered, That Mr Alan Johnson be discharged from the Trade and Industry Committee and Mr Lindsay Hoyle be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) |
| 12 | Northern Ireland Affairs,—Ordered, That Ms Margaret Moran be discharged from the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee and Mr Stephen Hesford be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) |
| 13 | Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from Miss Carol White and other residents of Ipswich for an increase in the severity of sentences available for crimes related to paedophilia was presented; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed. |
| 14 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Greg Pope.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-two minutes to Eight o'clock, adjourned till Monday 23rd February.
[Adjourned at 7.38 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 1 | Council Tax,—(1) Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 295), |
(2) Council Tax (Discount Disregards) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 294), and
Page 388 Thursday 19th February 1998 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top
(3) Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings and Discount Disregards) (Amendment) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 291),
dated 11th February 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
Other Papers:
| 2 | Transport,—Statement of salaries of members of the British Railways Board [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 3 | Welsh Development Agency,—Direction, dated 18th February 1998, given by the Secretary of State for Wales to the Welsh Development Agency [by Act] [Mr Secretary Davies]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| 1 | Fossil Fuel Levy Bill [Lords],—The Speaker has appointed Mrs Ann Winterton and Mr Andrew Welsh Chairmen of Standing Committee D in respect of the Bill. |
| 2 | Draft London Docklands Development Corporation (Transfer of Functions) Order 1998 and Urban Development Corporations in England (Area and Constitution) Order 1998,—The Speaker has appointed Mr George Stevenson Chairman of the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Order and Order. |
Grand Committees
| 3 | Northern Ireland Grand Committee,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Peter Atkinson Chairman of the Northern Ireland Grand Committee in respect of the meeting of the Committee on Thursday 26th February. |
| 4 | Scottish Grand Committee,—The Speaker has appointed Mr John Maxton Chairman of the Scottish Grand Committee in respect of the meeting of the Committee in Edinburgh on Monday 2nd March. |
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Culture, Media and Sport,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on 19th February [Audio-Visual Communications and the Regulation of Broadcasting]; to be printed [No. 520-iv] [Mr Gerald Kaufman]. |
| 2 | Education and Employment,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Employment Sub-Committee of the Education and Employment Committee on 19th February [EU Employment Issues]; to be printed [No. 391-ii] [Mr Derek Foster]. |
| 3 | Home Affairs,—(1) First Special Report from the Home Affairs Committee [Government Response to the Third Report from the Committee, Session 1996–97, on Freemasonry in the police and the judiciary]; to be printed [No. 577]; and |
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Home Affairs Committee on 19th February [Freemasonry in the police and the judiciary]; to be printed [No. 578-i]
[Mr Chris Mullin].
| 4 | Treasury,—(1) Third Report from the Treasury Committee [Confirmation Hearings]; to be printed with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Treasury Committee relating to the Report [No. 571]; and |
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Treasury Committee on 17th and 19th February [The Bank of England February Inflation Report]; to be printed [Nos. 572-i and ii]
[Mr Giles Radice].
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