 House of Commons |
Session 1997-1998 |
| Commons Journal 254
Chronological Index
Page 446 1997-1998 Volume 254 [No. 139.] Monday 16th March 1998. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
The Lords have agreed to the Consolidated Fund (No. 2) Bill, without Amendment. National Lottery Bill [Lords],—The Lords have passed a Bill, intituled, An Act to make further provision in relation to the National Lottery; to make provision for and in connection with the establishment of a body corporate to be endowed out of the National Lottery Distribution Fund and to be known as the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts; and for connected purposes; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.
And a Motion being 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, whilst welcoming the enhanced provisions in the Teaching and Higher Education Bill [Lords] to establish general teaching councils with the powers to take effective action in cases of professional misconduct, and, whilst also welcoming the Bill's new provisions to protect means-tested maintenance grants for students from low-income families and to ensure that first degree students from all parts of the United Kingdom will be treated on the same basis, nevertheless declines to give the Bill a Second Reading because it fails to implement the Dearing Committee's proposal for an independent review body to advise on any future changes in tuition fees', instead thereof.—(Mr Stephen Dorrell.) And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John M. Taylor, Sir David Madel: 139. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr David Jamieson: 357*. So the Question was negatived. * Mr David Jamieson and Mr John M. Taylor, Tellers in the Division, later came to the Table and stated that they had erroneously reported the number of the Noes as 347, instead of 357 which was the correct number.Whereupon the Deputy Speaker directed the Clerk to correct the number in the Journal accordingly, viz.: Ayes 139, Noes, 357. |
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 Clive Betts: 290.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Paul Tyler, Mr Adrian Sanders: 51.
So the Question was agreed to.
Page 447 Monday 16th March 1998 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top
The Bill was accordingly read a second time and stood committed to a Standing Committee.
| 6 | Business of the House,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business), That, at this day's sitting, the Nuclear Explosions (Prohibition and Inspections) Bill [Lords] may be proceeded with, though opposed, until any hour—(Mr Greg Pope):—It was agreed to. |
| 7 | Teaching and Higher Education Bill [Lords] [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Teaching and Higher Education 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 Teaching and Higher Education Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of—
(1) any sums required for the making by the Secretary of State of grants or loans under the Act;
(2) any other expenses of the Secretary of State under the Act; and
(3) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums so payable by virtue of any other Act—(Mr Greg Pope);
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr David Jamieson: 251.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Paul Tyler, Mr Edward Davey: 50.
So the Question was agreed to.
Resolved, That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Teaching and Higher Education Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of—
(1) any sums required for the making by the Secretary of State of grants or loans under the Act;
(2) any other expenses of the Secretary of State under the Act; and
(3) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums so payable by virtue of any other Act.
| 8 | Nuclear Explosions (Prohibition and Inspections) Bill [Lords],—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Nuclear Explosions (Prohibition and Inspections) Bill [Lords], as amended in the Standing Committee. |
The Bill was read the third time, and passed, with an Amendment.
| 9 | Referendum (London),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Greater London Authority (Referendum Arrangements) Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 10th March, be approved—(Jane Kennedy):—It was agreed to. |
| 10 | Local Government Finance,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the Special Grant Report (No. 32): Special Grant for Accommodation for Evacuees from Montserrat (House of Commons Paper No. 549), which was laid before this House on 11th February, be approved—(Jane Kennedy):—It was agreed to. |
| 11 | Private Hire Vehicles (London) Bill [Ways and Means],—Resolved, That for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Bill, it is expedient to authorise— |
(1) the charging of fees payable by the holders of licences granted under the Act;
(2) the payment of sums into the Consolidated Fund.—(Jane Kennedy.)
| 12 | Private Hire Vehicles (London) Bill [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Private Hire Vehicles (London) Bill [Money]; |
A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State which is attributable to the Act—(Mr John McFall);
The House divided.
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Mr John McFall and Mr Jon Owen Jones were appointed Tellers for the Ayes; but there being no Tellers for the Noes the Deputy Speaker declared that the Ayes had it.
Resolved, That for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State which is attributable to the Act.
| 13 | Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr John McFall); |
Tuesday 17th March 1998
And the Question being put;
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till four minutes past Twelve o'clock on Tuesday morning, adjourned till this day.
[Adjourned at 12.04 a.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 1 | Education,—Education (London Residuary Body) (Property Transfer) (Modification and Amendment) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 723), dated 12th March 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
| 2 | Food,—Welfare Food (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 691), dated 11th March 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson]. |
| 3 | Legal Aid and Advice (Scotland),—(1) Advice and Assistance (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 724), and |
(2) Civil Legal Aid (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 725),
dated 11th March 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].
| 4 | Representation of the People,—(1) Local Elections (Parishes and Communities) (Amendment) Rules 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 585), and |
(2) Local Elections (Principal Areas) (Amendment) Rules 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 578),
dated 4th March 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw].
| 5 | Social Security,—Social Security (Contributions) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 680), dated 11th March 1998 [by Act] [Secretary Harriet Harman]. |
| 6 | Telegraphs,—Wireless Telegraphy (Control of Interference from Videosenders) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 722), dated 10th March 1998 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
Other Papers:
| 7 | Probation Board,—Accounts of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Statutory Instrument]; to be printed [No. 628] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 8 | Social Security,—Report by the Social Security Advisory Committee preceded by a statement by the Secretary of State for Social Security on the Social Security (Contributions) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 680) [by Command] [Cm. 3892] [Secretary Harriet Harman]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| Police (Northern Ireland) Bill,—The Speaker has appointed Mr John Butterfill an additional Chairman of Standing Committee B in respect of the Bill. |
Page 449 Monday 16th March 1998 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top
[No. 140.]
Tuesday 17th March 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 March.
| 2 | Police (Northern Ireland) Bill,—Mr Barry Jones reported from Standing Committee B, That it had gone through the Police (Northern Ireland) Bill, and made Amendments thereunto. |
Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 149].
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 632].
| 3 | Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows: |
The Lords have agreed to the Amendment made by this House to the Nuclear Explosions (Prohibition and Inspections) Bill [Lords], without Amendment.
| 4 | Adoption and Fostering Bill,—The Order for reading the Adoption and Fostering Bill a second time on Friday 27th March was read and discharged. |
Bill withdrawn.
| 5 | Wild Mammals (Hunting with Dogs) Bill,—The Order for further considering the Wild Mammals (Hunting with Dogs) Bill, as amended, on Friday 20th March was read and discharged. |
Bill to be further considered on Friday 27th March.
| 6 | Energy Efficiency (Information) Bill,—The Order for reading the Energy Efficiency (Information) Bill a second time on Friday 20th March was read and discharged. |
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27th March.
| 7 | Financial Statement and Budget Report, March 1998,—Ordered, That there be laid before this House a copy of the Financial Statement and Budget Report, March 1998, as laid before this House by Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer when opening the Budget.—(Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer.) |
| 8 | Ways and Means,—Provisional Collection of Taxes,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 51 (Ways and means motions), That, pursuant to section 5 of the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act 1968, provisional statutory effect shall be given to the following motions:— |
(a) Sparkling wine, made-wine and cider (rates of duty) (Motion No. 3);
(b) Hydrocarbon oil (rates of duties and rebates) (Motion No. 8);
(c) Hydrocarbon oil (ultra low sulphur diesel) (Motion No. 9);
(d) Hydrocarbon oil (mixing of heavy oil) (Motion No. 10); and
(e) Amusement machine licence duty (rates of duty) (Motion No. 13)—(Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer):—It was agreed to.
| 9 | Ways and Means,—Amendment of the Law,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That it is expedient to amend the law with respect to the National Debt and the public revenue and to make further provision in connection with finance; but this Resolution does not extend to the making of any amendment with respect to value added tax so as to provide— |
(a) for zero-rating or exempting a supply, acquisition or importation;
(b) for refunding an amount of tax;
(c) for varying any rate at which that tax is at any time chargeable; or
(d) for any relief, other than a relief which—
(i) so far as it is applicable to goods, applies to goods of every description, and
(ii) so far as it is applicable to services, applies to services of every description—(Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer);
And it being Ten o'clock, the Debate stood adjourned.
Ordered, That the Debate be resumed to-morrow.
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| 10 | Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from residents of Horsham against building new homes in the countryside or Green Belt was presented; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed. |
| 11 | Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Bridget Prentice); |
And the Motion having been made at 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 half-past Ten o'clock, till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 10.30 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
| 1 | Hovercraft,—Draft Hovercraft (Application of Enactments) (Amendment) Order 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 2 | Value Added Tax,—(1) Value Added Tax (Sport, Sports Competitions and Physical Education) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 764), and |
(2) Value Added Tax (Supply of Services) (Amendment) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 762),
dated 17th March 1998 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 3 | Income Tax,—(1) Retirement Benefits Schemes (Restriction on Discretion to Approve) (Excepted Provisions) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 729), and |
(2) Retirement Benefits Schemes (Restriction on Discretion to Approve) (Small Self-administered Schemes) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 728),
dated 17th March 1998 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].
| 4 | Value Added Tax,—(1) Value Added Tax (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 765), |
(2) Value Added Tax (Cars) (Amendment) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 759),
(3) Value Added Tax (Increase of Consideration for Fuel) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 788),
(4) Value Added Tax (Increase of Registration Limits) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 761),
(5) Value Added Tax (Place of Supply of Services) (Amendment) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 763), and
(6) Value Added Tax (Special Provisions) (Amendment) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 760),
dated 17th March 1998 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].
Other Papers:
| 5 | Financial Statement and Budget Report, March 1998,—New Ambitions for Britain: Financial Statement and Budget Report March 1998 [pursuant to Order this day]; to be printed [No. 620] [Dawn Primarolo]. |
| 6 | Foreign and Commonwealth Office Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Wilton Park Executive Agency for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 523] [Mr Secretary Cook]. |
| 7 | Merchant Shipping,—Report by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions of exemptions granted under section 294 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 during 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 8 | National Audit,—Reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General on— |
(1) Audit of Assumptions for the Budget March 1998, and
(2) The Distribution of Lottery Funds by the English Sports Council
[by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 616 and 617] [Clerk of the House].
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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 17th March [Sustainable Waste Management]; to be printed [No. 484-vii] [Mr Andrew F. Bennett]. |
| 2 | Foreign Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee on 17th March [Foreign Policy and Human Rights]; to be printed [No. 369-v] [Mr Donald Anderson]. |
| 3 | Home Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Home Affairs Committee on 17th March [Alternatives to Prison Sentences and other criminal justice issues]; to be printed [Nos. 486-vi and 629-i] [Mr Chris Mullin]. |
| 4 | Parliamentary Privilege,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Joint Committee on Parliamentary Privilege on 17th March; to be printed [No. 401-x] [Mr Alan Williams]. |
| 5 | Public Administration,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Public Administration on 17th March [Report of the Northern Ireland Ombudsman for 1997]; to be printed [No. 630] [Mr Rhodri Morgan]. |
| 6 | Standards and Privileges,—Thirteenth Report from the Committee on Standards and Privileges [Appeal Procedures: A Consultative Document], together with Appendices; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 633] [Mr Robert Sheldon]. |
[No. 141.]
Wednesday 18th March 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 Clive Betts); |
And it being Two o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.
| 2 | Waste Minimisation Bill,—Dr Michael Clark reported from Standing Committee A, That it had gone through the Waste Minimisation Bill, and directed him to report the same, without Amendment. |
Bill, not amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered on Friday 24th April.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 644].
| 3 | Local Authority Tenders Bill,—Mrs Ray Michie reported from Standing Committee C, That it had gone through the Local Authority Tenders Bill, and made Amendments thereunto. |
Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered on Friday 20th March; and to be printed [Bill 151].
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 639].
| 4 | Animal Health (Amendment) Bill,—Mr Nicholas Winterton reported from Standing Committee D, That it had gone through the Animal Health (Amendment) Bill, and directed him to report the same, without Amendment. |
Bill, not amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered on Friday 27th March.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 640].
| 5 | Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Joe Benton reported from the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation Special Grant Report (No. 33): Community Care Special Grants for 1998–99 (House of Commons Paper No. 534). |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 6 | Energy Efficiency (Information) Bill,—The Order for reading the Energy Efficiency (Information) Bill a second time on Friday 27th March was read and discharged. |
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 24th April.
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| 7 | Royal Assent,—The Speaker notified the House, in accordance with the Royal Assent Act 1967, That Her Majesty had signified her Royal Assent to the following Acts, agreed upon by both Houses: |
Consolidated Fund Act 1998
Fossil Fuel Levy Act 1998
Wireless Telegraphy Act 1998
Nuclear Explosions (Prohibition and Inspections) Act 1998.
| 8 | Disabled Persons and Carers (Short-term Breaks),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to provide for assessments of health and social needs of disabled persons to include assessments of the needs for short-term breaks for the disabled persons and any carer: And that Mr Huw Edwards, Chris McCafferty, Mr David Amess, Mrs Betty Williams, Mr Roy Beggs, Mr Dafydd Wigley, Mr Desmond Swayne, Mr Paul Keetch, Mr Malcolm Wicks, Mr Steve McCabe, Mr Anthony D. Wright and Laura Moffatt do prepare and bring it in. |
| 9 | Disabled Persons and Carers (Short-term Breaks) Bill,—Mr Huw Edwards accordingly presented a Bill to provide for assessments of health and social needs of disabled persons to include assessments of the needs for short-term breaks for the disabled persons and any carer: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 24th April and to be printed [Bill 150]. |
| 10 | Ways and Means,—Amendment of the law,—The Order of the day being read, for resuming the adjourned Debate on the Question proposed [yesterday], That it is expedient to amend the law with respect to the National Debt and the public revenue and to make further provision in connection with finance; but this Resolution does not extend to the making of any amendment with respect to value added tax so as to provide— |
(a) for zero-rating or exempting a supply, acquisition or importation;
(b) for refunding an amount of tax;
(c) for varying any rate at which that tax is at any time chargeable; or
(d) for any relief, other than a relief which—
(i) so far as it is applicable to goods, applies to goods of every description, and
(ii) so far as it is applicable to services, applies to services of every description;
And the Question being again proposed:— The House resumed the adjourned Debate.
Ordered, That the Debate be now adjourned.—(Mr Robert Ainsworth.)
Debate to be resumed to-morrow.
| 11 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Robert Ainsworth.) |
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 1
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 1 | Social Security,—Social Security Amendment (Lone Parents) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 766), dated 16th March 1998 [by Act] [Secretary Harriet Harman]. |
Other Papers:
| 2 | Civil List,—List of pensions granted under the Civil List Act 1972 for 1997–98 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo]. |
| 3 | Insolvency,—Accounts prepared pursuant to section 409 of the Insolvency Act 1986 of the sums received and paid by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under section 403, and of the sums credited and debited to the Investment Account by the National Debt Commissioners for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 642] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 4 | Local Government (Scotland),—Scottish Local Government Financial Statistics for 1995–96 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar]. |
| 5 | National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on the Sale of AEA Technology [by Act]; to be printed [No. 618] [Clerk of the House]. |
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APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| 1 | Breeding and Sale of Dogs Bill: |
(1) The Speaker has appointed Miss Ann Widdecombe Chairman of Standing Committee A in respect of the Bill; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Colin Pickthall from the Committee and appointed in substitution Mr Gerry Sutcliffe.
| 2 | Energy Efficiency Bill,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Frank Cook Chairman of Standing Committee C in respect of the Bill. |
| 3 | Energy Conservation (Housing) Bill: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee D (transferred from Standing Committee E), and has appointed Mr Peter Atkinson Chairman; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has discharged Angela Eagle from the Committee and appointed in substitution Hilary Armstrong.
| 4 | Teaching and Higher Education Bill [Lords]: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee F; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated twenty-two Members to serve on the Committee; viz.: Christine Butler, Mr Stephen Byers, Mr Jamie Cann, Mr Vernon Coaker, Valerie Davey, Mr Stephen Dorrell, Mr Don Foster, Mr John Hayes, Dr Kim Howells, Mr David Jamieson, Ms Melanie Johnson, Mr Christopher Leslie, Mr Tony McNulty, Sir David Madel, Mr Bill Rammell, Mr John Randall, Mr Andrew Reed, Jacqui Smith, Mrs Caroline Spelman, Mr David Willetts, Mr Phil Willis and Mr Anthony D. Wright.
| 5 | Draft Criminal Legal Aid (Scotland) (Prescribed Proceedings) Amendment Regulations 1998; draft Advice and Assistance (Assistance by way of Representation) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations; draft Advice and Assistance (Financial Conditions) (Scotland) Regulations 1998; and draft Civil Legal Aid (Financial Conditions) (Scotland) Regulations 1998: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation and has appointed Mr Frank Cook Chairman of the Committee; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Dennis Canavan, Mr Malcolm Chisholm, Dr Lynda Clark, Ms Roseanna Cunningham, Mr Tam Dalyell, Dr Liam Fox, Mr Christopher Gill, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr John McFall, Mrs Anne McGuire, Mr Henry McLeish, Mr Martin O'Neill, Mr Laurence Robertson, Mr Malcolm Savidge, Sir Robert Smith and Mr James Wray.
| 6 | Draft Social Security (Minimum Contributions to Appropriate Personal Pension Schemes) Order 1998; and draft Social Security (Reduced Rates of Class 1 Contributions, and Rebates) (Money-Purchase Contracted-out Schemes) Order 1998: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Orders to the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Edward O'Hara Chairman of the Committee; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Simon Burns, Dr Vincent Cable, Mr Quentin Davies, Mr John Denham, Mr Jim Dobbin, Mr Alan Duncan, Mr Howard Flight, Mr Kevin Hughes, Dr Ashok Kumar, Mr Bill Olner, Mr George Stevenson, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe, Steve Webb, Mr Malcolm Wicks, Mr Alan W. Williams and Mr James Wray.
| 7 | Draft Social Security Amendment (New Deal) Regulations 1998: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Orders to the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Joe Benton Chairman of the Committee; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Harold Best, Mrs Liz Blackman, Mrs Angela Browning, Mr Martin Caton, Mr Iain Coleman, Mr Alan Howarth, Mrs Joan Humble, Mr David Jamieson, Mr Paul Keetch, Mr David Maclean, Mr Michael Mates, Mr Bill O'Brien, Mr Giles Radice, Joan Ryan, Mr Robert Walter and Steve Webb.
| 8 | Draft International Development Association (Eleventh Replenishment) Order 1998: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Donald Anderson Chairman of the Committee; and
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(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Colin Burgon, Mr David Faber, Mr George Foulkes, Mr Mike Hancock, Mr Chris Mullin, Mrs Diana Organ, Mr Greg Pope, Mr Andrew Rowe, Mr Dennis Skinner, Mr Llew Smith, Dr Jenny Tonge, Mr Dennis Turner, Mr Stephen Twigg, Mr Bowen Wells, Mr Alan Williams and Mr Shaun Woodward.
Grand Committees
| 9 | Northern Ireland Grand Committee: |
(1) The Speaker has appointed Mr Barry Jones Chairman of the Committee in respect of its meeting on Tuesday 26th March; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has discharged Mr John Grogan from the Committee and appointed in substitution Mr Tony Colman.
European Standing Committees
| 10 | European Standing Committee A: |
(1) The Speaker has appointed Mr John Maxton Chairman of the Committee in respect of European Community Document No. 5357/98, relating to bananas;
(2) the Committee of Selection has discharged Laura Moffatt from the Committee and appointed in substitution Mrs Janet Dean; and
(3) European Community Documents Nos. 6150/98, relating to assistance for traditional ACP suppliers of bananas (together with 5357/98 already so recommended); and 6123/98, relating to fisheries monitoring under the Common Fisheries Policy, have been referred to the Committee.
| 11 | European Standing Committee B: |
(1) The Speaker has appointed Mrs Ann Winterton Chairman of the Committee in respect of European Community Documents Nos. 11165/97 and 11167/97, relating to Aid to Shipbuilding; and
(2) European Community Documents Nos. 13035/97 Annex V relating to Energy Framework Programme: Save II and the unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum submitted by the Department of Trade and Industry on 16th March 1998, relating to renewable sources of energy; Council Resolution together with 5140/98 and 13035/97 Annexes I, IV and VI (already so recommended), have been referred to the Committee.
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Defence,—(1) Third Report from the Defence Committee [NATO Enlargement], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee and the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report; to be printed [No. 469]; and |
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee on 18th March [Strategic Defence Review]; to be printed (No. 138-viii]
[Mr Bruce George].
| 2 | Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—(1) Second Special Report from the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee [Government Response to the First Report from the Committee, Session 1997–98, on Regional Development Agencies]; to be printed [No. 645]; and |
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee on 18th March [Housing]; to be printed [No. 495-v]
[Mr Andrew F. Bennett].
| 3 | European Legislation,—Twenty-Second Report from the Select Committee on European Legislation; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 155-xxii] |
[Mr Jimmy Hood].
| 4 | International Development,—(1) Second Special Report from the International Development Committee [Government Response to the Second Report from the Committee: The Development White Paper]; to be printed [No. 643]; and |
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee on 18th March [Debt Relief]; to be printed [No. 563-ii]
[Mr Bowen Wells].
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| 5 | Northern Ireland Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on 18th March [The Composition, Recruitment and Training of the RUC]; to be printed [No. 337-ix] [Mr Peter Brooke]. |
| 6 | Science and Technology,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee on 18th March [Engineering and Physical Sciences Based Innovation]; to be printed [No. 626-i] [Dr Michael Clark]. |
| 7 | Scottish Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Scottish Affairs Committee on 18th March [The Government's Housing Policy]; to be printed [No. 638-i] [Mr David Marshall]. |
| 8 | Social Security,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Social Security Committee on 18th March [Disability Living Allowance]; to be printed [No. 641-i] [Mr Archy Kirkwood]. |
| 9 | Standards and Privileges,—Fourteenth Report from the Committee on Standards and Privileges [Complaint against Mr Tony Blair], 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. 634] [Mr Robert Sheldon]. |
| 10 | Trade and Industry,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Trade and Industry Committee on 18th March [Coal]; to be printed [No. 404-iv] [Mr Martin O'Neill]. |
[No. 142.]
Thursday 19th March 1998.
The House met at half-past Two o'clock.
PRAYERS.
| 1 | Road Traffic Reduction (United Kingdom Targets) Bill (changed to Road Traffic Reduction (National Targets) Bill),—Mr George Stevenson reported from Standing Committee E, That it had gone through the Road Traffic Reduction (United Kingdom Targets) Bill, and made Amendments thereunto. |
Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered on Friday 27th March; and to be printed [Bill 152].
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 650].
| 2 | Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mrs Marion Roe reported from the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Railways (Rateable Values) (Scotland) Order 1998. |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 3 | Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows: |
Petroleum Bill [Lords],—The Lords have passed a Bill, intituled, an Act to consolidate certain enactments about petroleum, offshore installations and submarine pipelines; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.
Audit Commission Bill [Lords],—The Lords have passed a Bill, intituled, an Act to consolidate Part III of the Local Government Finance Act 1982 and other enactments relating to the Audit Commission for Local Authorities and the National Health Service in England and Wales; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.
| 4 | Petroleum Bill [Lords],—The Petroleum Bill [Lords] was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 153]. |
| 5 | Audit Commission Bill [Lords],—The Audit Commission Bill [Lords] was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 154]. |
| 6 | Ways and Means—Amendment of the law,—The Order of the day being read, for resuming the adjourned Debate on the Question proposed [17th March], That it is expedient to amend the law with respect to the National Debt and the public revenue and to make further provision in connection with finance; but this Resolution does not extend to the making of any amendment with respect to value added tax so as to provide— |
(a) for zero-rating or exempting a supply, acquisition or importation;
(b) for refunding an amount of tax;
(c) for varying any rate at which that tax is at any time chargeable; or
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(d) for any relief, other than a relief which—
(i) so far as it is applicable to goods, applies to goods of every description, and
(ii) so far as it is applicable to services, applies to services of every description;
And the Question being again proposed:—The House resumed the adjourned Debate.
And it being Ten o'clock, the Debate stood adjourned.
Ordered, That the Debate be resumed to-morrow.
| 7 | Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Greg Pope); |
And the Motion having been made at 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 half-past Ten o'clock, till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 10.30 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 1 | Social Security,—Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 865), dated 19th March 1998 [by Act] [Secretary Harriet Harman]. |
| 2 | Universities of Oxford and Cambridge,—Statute, made by the Governing Body of Clare College, Cambridge, on 10th November 1997, amending the Statutes of the College [by Act] [Mrs Ann Taylor]. |
Other Papers:
| 3 | Animal Health,—Return of Expenditure Incurred and Prosecutions taken under the Animal Health Act 1981, and Incidences of Disease in Imported Animals for 1997 [by Act] [Dr John Cunningham]. |
| 4 | Civil Aviation Authority,—Statement of Guarantee given by the Treasury on 17th March 1988 in respect of temporary borrowing by the Civil Aviation Authority from the National Westminster Bank plc [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo]. |
| 5 | Industrial Organisation and Development,—Report and Accounts of the Apple and Pear Research Council for 1996–97 [by Act] [Dr John Cunningham]. |
| 6 | Local Government (Scotland),—Statements of Guarantee given by the Secretary of State for Scotland on 17th March 1998 on borrowing by— |
(1) The East of Scotland Water Authority,
(2) The North of Scotland Water Authority, and
(3) The West of Scotland Water Authority
[by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].
| 7 | London Regional Transport,—Statement of Guarantee given by the Treasury on 17th March 1998 in respect of temporary borrowing by London Regional Transport from Midland Bank plc [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo]. |
| 8 | New Roads and Street Works (Scotland),—New Roads and Street Works Act 1991: Report on Toll Roads and Toll Orders in Scotland for 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar]. |
| 9 | Race Relations,—Account of the Commission for Racial Equality for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 648] [Clerk of the House]. |
APPENDIX II
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Culture, Media and Sport,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on 19th March [Audio-Visual Communications and the Regulation of Broadcasting]; to be printed [No. 520–vii] [Mr Gerald Kaufman]. |
| 2 | Education and Employment,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Employment Sub-Committee of the Education and Employment Committee on 19th March [Pathways into work for women]; to be printed [No. 646–i] [Mr Derek Foster]. |
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| 3 | Foreign Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee on 19th March [The situation in Kosovo]; to be printed [No. 649–i] [Mr Ernie Ross]. |
| 4 | Health,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Health Committee on 19th March [Relationship between Health and Social Services]; to be printed [No. 586–iv] [Mr David Hinchliffe]. |
| 5 | Treasury,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Treasury Committee on 19th March [The 1998 Budget]; to be printed [No. 647–i] [Mr Giles Radice]. |
[No. 143.]
Friday 20th March 1998.
The House met at half-past Nine o'clock.
PRAYERS.
| 1 | Community Care (Residential Accommodation) Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Third Reading of the Community Care (Residential Accommodation) Bill; |
And a Motion being made, and the Question being proposed, That the Bill be now read the third time;
And it being Eleven o'clock, the Deputy Speaker interrupted the proceedings, pursuant to Standing Order No. 11 (Friday sittings).
And the Question being again proposed;
And the Question being put:—It was agreed to.
The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.
| 2 | Employment Rights (Dispute Resolution) Bill [Lords],—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Employment Rights (Dispute Resolution) Bill [Lords], as amended in the Committee. |
A Clause (Matters proved on evidence before the tribunal)—(Mr Andrew Lansley)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:—Clause, by leave, withdrawn.
Amendment (No. 14) proposed to the Bill, in page 2, to leave out lines 7 to 10.—(Mr Edward Garnier).
Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Another Amendment (No. 2) proposed to the Bill, in page 3, line 46, to leave out from the word ‘means' to the word ‘consent' in line 48.—(Mr Andrew Lansley.)
Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Another Amendment (No. 18) proposed to the Bill, in page 4, line 19, at the end, to insert the words—
‘(6D) In this section a “legal officer” means—
(a) as respects England and Wales, a barrister of not less than two years call (whether in practice as such or employed to give legal advice), a solicitor admitted for not less than two years who holds a practising certificate, or a person other than a barrister or solicitor who is an authorised advocate or authorised litigator (within the meaning of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990)
(b) as respects Scotland, an advocate of more than two years standing (whether in practice as such or employed to give legal advice), or a solicitor of more than two years standing who holds a practising certificate.'.—(Mr Edward Leigh.)
Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the Bill be now read the third time;
And it being half-past Two o'clock, the Debate stood adjourned.
Ordered, That the Debate be resumed on Friday 27th March.
| 3 | Fireworks Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Fireworks Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee. |
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The Bill was read the third time, and passed.
| 4 | Weights and Measures (Beer and Cider) Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for consideration of the Weights and Measures (Beer and Cider) Bill, not amended in the Standing Committee; |
Ordered, That the Bill be considered on Friday 24th April.
| 5 | Local Authority Tenders Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for consideration of the Local Authority Tenders Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee; |
Ordered, That the Bill be considered on Friday 27th March.
| 6 | Private Hire Vehicles (London) Bill,—The Order of the day being read for the Committee on the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Bill; |
Resolved, That this House will resolve itself into the said Committee on Friday 27th March.
| 7 | Local Government (Experimental Arrangements) Bill [Lords],—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Local Government (Experimental Arrangements) Bill [Lords]; |
Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Friday 24th April.
| 8 | Companies (Millennium Computer Compliance) Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Companies (Millennium Computer Compliance) Bill; |
Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Friday 27th March.
| 9 | 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 27th March.
| 10 | Voluntary Personal Security Cards Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Voluntary Personal Security Cards Bill; |
Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Friday 27th March.
| 11 | Housing Service Charges (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill,—The Order of the Day being read, for the Second Reading of the Housing Service Charges (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill; |
Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Friday 3rd July.
| 12 | Office Costs etc. Allowances,—Resolved, That, in the opinion of this House, the following provisions should have effect— |
(1) The limit on the office costs allowance in relation to Miss Anne Begg should be 1.33 times that determined in accordance with paragraph (1) of Part A of the Resolution of the House of 13th July 1994 for any quarter beginning with 1st January 1998;
(2) The limit on the additional costs allowance in relation to Miss Anne Begg should be 1.33 times that determined in accordance with paragraph (1) of Part C of the Resolution of the House of 13th July 1994 for any year beginning with 1st April 1997;
(3) The limit on the Members' staff travel in relation to Miss Anne Begg should be thirty four return journeys determined in accordance with paragraph (f) of the Resolution of the House of 19th July 1983 in the period of 12 months beginning with 1st January 1998.—(Mr Jim Dowd.)
| 13 | Bicycle Allowance,—Resolved, That, in the opinion of this House, the following provision should be made for the payment of a bicycle allowance to honourable Members in respect of journeys which they have undertaken by bicycle while on Parliamentary duties within the United Kingdom— |
(1) In respect of journeys commenced in the year starting with 1st April 1998, the allowance shall be paid at a rate of 6.2 pence per mile increased by the percentage (if any) by which the retail prices index for March 1998 has increased compared with the index for March 1997.
(2) For each subsequent year starting with 1st April, the rate shall be increased by the percentage (if any) by which the retail prices index for the previous March has increased compared with the index for the March before that.
(3) The rate shall be calculated to the nearest tenth of a penny (with exactly one twentieth being rounded up).
(4) Arrangements shall be made by the Fees Office for ensuring that claims are supported by appropriate particulars.
(5) In this Resolution ‘the retail price index' means the general index of retail prices (for all items) published by the Office for National Statistics (or any index or figures published by that Office in place of that index).—(Mr Jim Dowd.)
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| 14 | Welsh Language in Parliamentary Proceedings in Wales,—Resolved, That this House approves the First Report from the Procedure Committee on use of the Welsh Language in Parliamentary Proceedings in Wales, Session 1997–98 (House of Commons Paper No. 461).—(Mr Jim Dowd.) |
| 15 | Scottish Grand Committee,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 100 (Scottish Grand Committee (sittings)), That the Scottish Grand Committee shall meet on Tuesday 7th April at half-past Ten o'clock at Westminster to consider a substantive Motion for the adjournment of the Committee pursuant to Standing Order No. 100 (1) (e) (Scottish Grand Committee (sittings))—(Mr Jim Dowd):—It was agreed to. |
| 16 | Adjournment (Easter),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 25 (Periodic adjournments), That this House, at its rising on Wednesday 8th April, do adjourn till Monday 20th April—(Mr Jim Dowd)—It was agreed to. |
| 17 | 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 four minutes past Three o'clock, till Monday 23rd March.
[Adjourned at 3.04 p.m.
APPENDIX
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 1 | Animals,—Cattle Identification Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 871), dated 19th March 1998 [by Act] [Dr John Cunningham]. |
| 2 | Local Government,—Local Government Act 1988 (Defined Activities) (Exemption) (Maidstone Borough Council) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 695), dated 9th March 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
Other Papers:
| 3 | Law Commission,—Report of the Law Commission for 1997: Modern Law for Modern Needs [by Act]; to be printed [No. 565] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon]. |
| 4 | National Health Service,—(1) Statements of Guarantee given by the Secretary of State for Health on 17th March 1998 on loans proposed to be raised by— |
(i) BHB Community Health Care National Health Service Trust,
(ii) East Yorkshire Community Healthcare National Health Service Trust,
(iii) South Durham Health Care National Health Service Trust,
(iv) Southampton University Hospitals National Health Service Trust,
(v) Wakefield and Pontefract Community Health National Health Service Trust, and
(vi) York Health Services National Health Service Trust; and
(2) Statements of Guarantee given by the Secretary of State for Health on 18th March 1998 on loans proposed to be raised by—
(i) Luton and Dunstable National Health Service Trust, and
(ii) North Durham Health Care National Health Service Trust
[by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson].
| 5 | Registration Service,—Birth Statistics: Review of the Registrar General on births and patterns of family building in England and Wales for 1996 [by Act] [Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer]. |
| 6 | Representation of the People,—European Parliamentary Elections (Day of By-election) (Yorkshire South Constituency) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 802), dated 16th March 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
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