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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[No. 153.]
Monday 6th April 1998.

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

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

Business Improvement Districts Bill [Lords],—The Lords have passed a Bill, intituled, An Act to provide for the establishment and administration of business improvement districts; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.

Electricity Generation Bill [Lords],—The Lords have passed a Bill, intituled, An Act to extend the obligation to generate electricity from certain fuel sources; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.

2 Opposition Day [10th allotted day],—It being an allotted day at the disposal of the Leader of the Opposition in pursuance of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business), the House proceeded to consider opposition business.

Trade Union Recognition,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House urges the Government to define its policy on trade union recognition; and urges it to require the support of 50 per cent. of the total workforce, rather than 50 per cent. of those voting in ballots, to determine whether union recognition should be compulsory, given the Government's rejection of the Official Opposition's policy of leaving the law unchanged—(Mr Stephen Dorrell);

An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word ‘House' to the end of the Question and add the words ‘congratulates the Government for acting quickly and effectively to redress the damaging culture of low pay, job insecurity and the sweatshop economy inherited from the previous Government by adopting a partnership approach to set decent minimum standards for all workers; notes that good standards at work are essential for competitiveness and business success and that the Government has, as part of its strategy for ensuring decent minimum standards and labour market flexibility, involved employers' and workers' representives on the Low Pay Commission and in discussions on trade union recognition, and in addition has restored union rights at GCHQ, signed the European Social Chapter and made rapid progress on the National Minimum Wage Bill; and further notes that the Government is also committed, as part of that strategy, which enjoys wide support, to implementing the Directives on Working Time, Young Workers, European Works Councils and Part-Time Work, and to fulfilling the Government's commitment to enable workers to enjoy union recognition where a majority of the relevant workforce vote in a ballot for the union to represent them', instead thereof.—(Mr Ian McCartney.)

And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John M. Taylor, Sir David Madel: 129.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Clelland, Mr Jon Owen Jones: 316.

So the Question was negatived.

And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments):—It was agreed to.

The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.

Resolved, That this House congratulates the Government for acting quickly and effectively to redress the damaging culture of low pay, job insecurity and the sweatshop economy inherited from the previous Government by adopting a partnership approach to set decent minimum standards for all workers; notes that good standards at work are essential for competitiveness and business success and that the Government has, as part of its strategy for ensuring decent minimum standards and labour market flexibility, involved employers' and workers' representives on the Low Pay Commission and in discussions on trade union recognition, and in addition has restored union rights at GCHQ, signed the European Social Chapter and made rapid progress on the National Minimum Wage Bill; and further notes that the Government is also committed, as part of that strategy, which enjoys wide support, to implementing the Directives on Working Time, Young Workers, European Works Councils and Part-Time Work, and to fulfilling the Government's commitment to enable workers to enjoy union recognition where a majority of the relevant workforce vote in a ballot for the union to represent them.

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Manufacturing Industry,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, This this House notes the TUC forecast of 200,000 job losses in manufacturing resulting from this Government's economic policies, the fact that so many manufacturers have to make representations about export and trading problems, the absence of a stable and competitive exchange rate, the damage done by tax increases imposed on business and the forthcoming wage and labour relations problems coming from the Government's social and labour law agenda; and urges the Government to put the interests of manufacturing business higher up its agenda, changing policies before factories close and jobs are lost—(Mr John Redwood);

An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word ‘House' to the end of the Question and add the words ‘deplores the Opposition's attempt to criticise the economic management of the Government as a feeble attempt to cover up their own appalling record of economic mis-management; notes that under the Conservatives Britain slumped in the world prosperity league, saw the slowest period of growth since World War II, saw higher average inflation than in any other major industrialised country bar Italy, and had the lowest level of investment of the 24 OECD countries; also notes that the Conservatives left office with manufacturing investment lower than it was when they came to power, left Britain's share of world trade at its lowest ever, gave Britain a deficit on manufacturing trade for the first time ever, saw thousands of manufacturing firms go under due to their boom and bust policies, more than doubled the level of unemployment in their period in office, and left behind not a golden economic legacy, but an economy and public finances facing real difficulties; congratulates the Government on its prompt actions such as promoting the competitiveness agenda and fostering investment in R & D and innovation, and creating an open and transparent framework for monetary and fiscal policy to secure a platform of stability for growth and employment; and notes that the Government is addressing the problems which the Conservative Government left behind with positive practical proposals to take the nation into the 21st century', instead thereof.—(Secretary Margaret Beckett.)

And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;

The House divided.

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

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 333.

So the Question was negatived.

And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments):—It was agreed to.

The Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.

Resolved, That this House deplores the Opposition's attempt to criticise the economic management of the Government as a feeble attempt to cover up their own appalling record of economic mis-management; notes that under the Conservatives Britain slumped in the world prosperity league, saw the slowest period of growth since World War II, saw higher average inflation than in any other major industrialised country bar Italy, and had the lowest level of investment of any of the 24 OECD countries; also notes that the Conservatives left office with manufacturing investment lower than it was when they came to power, left Britain's share of world trade at its lowest ever, gave Britain a deficit on manufacturing trade for the first time ever, saw thousands of manufacturing firms go under due to their boom and bust policies, more than doubled the level of unemployment in their period in office, and left behind not a golden economic legacy, but an economy and public finances facing real difficulties; congratulates the Government on its prompt actions such as promoting the competitiveness agenda and fostering investment in R & D and innovation, and creating an open and transparent framework for monetary and fiscal policy to secure a platform of stability for growth and employment; and notes that the Government is addressing the problems which the Conservative Government left behind with positive practical proposals to take the nation into the 21st century.

3 Energy,—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. 5140/98, a Commission White Paper entitled Energy for the Future: Renewable Sources of Energy, the unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum on the Council Resolution on Renewable Sources of Energy submitted by the Department of Trade and Industry on 16th March 1998, and European Community Document No. 13035/97, Annex I (a draft Decision adopting a multiannual framework programme for actions in the energy sector (1998–2002)), Annex IV (a draft Decision adopting a multiannual framework programme for the promotion of renewable energy sources in the Community: ALTENER II (1998–2002)), Annex V (a draft Decision adopting a multiannual programme for the promotion of energy efficiency (1998–2002): SAVE II), and Annex VI (a draft Decision adopting a multiannual programme of technological actions promoting the clean and efficient use of solid fuels: CARNOT (1998–2002)); and supports the Government's view that actions should be taken to
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promote a greater use of renewable energy within Europe, in line with the principle of subsidiarity, and that measures to promote renewables should be compatible with the need to restrain public expenditure and avoid disproportionate costs for consumers and industry and supports the Government's view that EU spending programmes with an energy component should, as far as practicable, be brought together in a framework programme to improve co-ordination and transparency—(Mr Graham Allen):—It was agreed to.

4 Business of the House,—Ordered, That, at the sitting on Wednesday 8th April, the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until she shall have notified the Royal Assent to Acts agreed upon by both Houses.—(Mr Graham Allen.)

5 Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from East Surrey against building new homes in the countryside and the green belt was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

6 Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Graham Allen.)

And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-five minutes to Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 10.35 p.m.

APPENDIX I

Papers presented by Her Majesty's Command and delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 3rd April 1998 (Non-sitting Friday, S.O. No. 12) pursuant to Standing Order No. 158 (Presentation of command papers):

1 European Communities (No. 1, 1998),—Protocol, done at Brussels on 30th October 1997, to the Agreement on Cooperation and Customs Union between the European Economic Community and the Republic of San Marino consequent upon the Accession of the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden to the European Union, with Final Act [Cm. 3899] [Mr Secretary Cook].

2 Financial Reporting to Parliament,—Departmental Reports for 1998: the Government's expenditure plans for 1998–99:—

(1) Chancellor of the Exchequer's Departments (including Net Payments to European Community Institutions) [Cm. 3917] [Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer];

(2) Department for Culture, Media and Sport [Cm. 3911] [Mr Secretary Smith];

(3) Department for Education and Employment and Office for Standards in Education [Cm. 3910] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]; and

(4) Department of Health: The Health and Personal Social Services Programmes [Cm. 3912] [Mr Secretary Dobson].

3 Public Expenditure,—Paper, entitled Public Expenditure: Statistical Analyses 1998–99 [Cm. 3901] [Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer].

Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 3rd April 1998 (Non-sitting Friday, S.O. No. 12) pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments):

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

4 Agriculture,—(1) Fertilisers (Mammalian Meat and Bone Meal) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 954), and

(2) Fertilisers (Mammalian Meat and Bone Meal) (Conditions of Manufacture) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 955),

dated 2nd April 1998 [Dr John Cunningham].

5 Criminal Procedure,—Proceeds of Crime (Countries and Territories designated under the Criminal Justice Act 1988) Order (Northern Ireland) 1998 (S.R.(N.I.), 1998, No. 88), dated 10th March 1998 [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].

6 Environmental Protection,—Financial Assistance for Environmental Purposes (No. 2) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 946), dated 30th March 1998 [Mr Secretary Prescott].

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Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 6th April 1998:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

7 Contracting Out,—Draft Contracting Out (Functions relating to National Savings) Order 1998 [by Act] [Mrs Helen Liddell].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

8 Local Government,—Local Government Staff Commission (England) (Winding Up) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 898), dated 24th March 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

9 National Health Service,—Special Trustees for University College Hospital (Transfer of Trust Property) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 897), dated 25th March 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson].

10 Northern Ireland,—Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (Notice of Processions) (Exceptions) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 956), dated 1st April 1998 [by Act] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].

Other Papers:

11 Agricultural Marketing,—Report on Agricultural Marketing Schemes for 1995–96 [by Act] [Dr John Cunningham].

12 Financial Reporting to Parliament,—Departmental Reports for 1998: the Government's expenditure plans for 1998–99:—

(1) HM Customs and Excise [by Command] [Cm. 3918] [Dawn Primarolo];

(2) Home Office [by Command] [Cm. 3908] [Mr Secretary Straw];

(3) Inland Revenue [by Command] [Cm. 3919] [Dawn Primarolo]; and

(4) Department of Trade and Industry [by Command] [Cm. 3905] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].

13 National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Countering Anti-competitive Behaviour in the Telecommunications Industry [by Act]; to be printed [No. 667] [Clerk of the House].

14 National Health Service,—Statements of Guarantee given by the Secretary of State for Health:—

(1) on 1st April 1998 on loans proposed to be raised by Fosse Health National Health Service Trust; and

(2) on 3rd April 1998 on loans proposed to be raised by the following National Health Service Trusts:—

(i) Bath Mental Health Care,

(ii) Lifecare,

(iii) Merton & Sutton Community, and

(iv) Weston Area Health

[by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson].

15 Public Petitions,—Observations by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on the Petition [13th March] from Kite's Nest Farm, Broadway, for exemption from the requirement to cull cows [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1 Value Added Tax (Supply of Services) (Amendment) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 762),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Sir Raymond Powell and Mr Robert Sheldon from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Order); and appointed in substitution Mr Andy King and Dr Rudi Vis.

2 Draft Hovercraft (Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims) (Amendment) Order 1998, draft Merchant Shipping (Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims) (Amendment) Order 1998 and draft Hovercraft (Application of Enactments) (Amendment) Order 1998,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Derek Foster and Dr Nick Palmer from the Fourth Standing Committee on
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Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Orders); and appointed in substitution Mr Jim Murphy and Mr Gwyn Prosser.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Memoranda laid before the Environment Sub-Committee of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee [The Future for Allotments]; to be printed [No. 560-iv] [Mr Andrew F. Bennett].

[No. 154.]
Tuesday 7th April 1998.

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

1 First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Miss Ann Widdecombe reported from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Institute of Legal Executives Order 1998.

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

2 Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Barry Jones reported from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Special Grant Report (No. 34) (Metropolitan Railway Passenger Services Grant 1998–99) (House of Commons Paper No. 656) and the Special Grant Report (Scotland) on Grant in Aid of Expenditure on Rail Services in the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Area (House of Commons Paper No. 660).

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

3 Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Bowen Wells reported from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Value Added Tax (Supply of Services) (Amendment) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 762).

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

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

The Lords have agreed to the Criminal Procedure (Intermediate Diets) (Scotland) Bill, without Amendment.

5 Licensing (Amendment) Bill,—Mr Paul Truswell presented a Bill to amend section 169 of the Licensing Act 1964 so that any person selling alcohol to persons under the age of 18 on licensed premises commits an offence: 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 170].

6 Football Sponsorship Levy,—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to establish a Football Levy Board with powers to impose levies on football organisations and to allocate sums for the benefit of association football: And that Gillian Merron, Mr John Heppell, Mr Vernon Coaker, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe, Mrs Liz Blackman, Mrs Linda Gilroy, Mrs Joan Humble, Mr Russell Brown, Mr Elfyn Llwyd, Mr Lembit O�pik and Mrs Teresa Gorman do prepare and bring it in.

7 Football Sponsorship Levy Bill,—Gillian Merron accordingly presented a Bill to establish a Football Levy Board with powers to impose levies on football organisations and to allocate sums for the benefit of association football: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 3rd July and to be printed [Bill 171].

8 National Lottery Bill [Lords],—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the National Lottery Bill [Lords];

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

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John McFall, Mr Jim Dowd: 309.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Stephen Day, Mr Nigel Waterson: 135.

So the Question was agreed to.

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The Bill was accordingly read a second time and stood committed to a Standing Committee.

9 National Lottery Bill [Lords] [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to National Lottery 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 National Lottery Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise—

(1) the payment out of money provided by Parliament of—

(a) any expenditure of the Director General of the National Lottery which is attributable to the Act;

(b) any expenditure of the National Lottery Commission established by the Act; and

(c) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums so payable under any other enactment; and

(2) the making of payments into the Consolidated Fund—(Mr Robert Ainsworth);

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John McFall, Mr Jim Dowd: 300.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Owen Paterson, Mr Dominic Grieve: 14.

So the Question was agreed to.

Resolved, That, for the purpose of any Act resulting from the National Lottery Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise—

(1) the payment out of money provided by Parliament of—

(a) any expenditure of the Director General of the National Lottery which is attributable to the Act;

(b) any expenditure of the National Lottery Commission established by the Act; and

(c) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums so payable under any other enactment; and

(2) the making of payments into the Consolidated Fund.

10 Social Security,—Ordered, That the Council Tax Benefit (General) Amendment Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 911) be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.—(Mr Robert Ainsworth.)

11 Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from residents of Harborough against building new homes in the countryside and the green belt 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 Robert Ainsworth.)

And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till ten minutes to Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 10.50 p.m.

APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1 Broadcasting,—Draft Broadcasting (Percentage of Digital Capacity for Radio Multiplex Licence) Order 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

2 Merchant Shipping,—(1) Fishing Vessels (Life-Saving Appliances) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 927),

(2) Fishing Vessels (Safety Provisions) (Amendment) Rules 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 928), and

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(3) Merchant Shipping (Crew Accommodation) (Fishing Vessels) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 929),

dated 30th March 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

3 National Health Service,—East London and The City Health Authority (Transfers of Trust Property) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 977), dated 6th April 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson].

4 Petroleum,—Offshore Petroleum Production and Pipe-lines (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 968), dated 4th April 1998 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].

Other Papers

5 Appropriations in Aid,—Treasury Minute, dated 7th April 1998, directing the application of certain receipts as appropriations in aid of the Votes specified in the estimates for 1998–99 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].

6 European Parliamentary Constituencies,—Supplementary Review of the European Parliamentary Constituencies by the Boundary Commission for Wales [by Command] [Cm. 3896] [Mr Secretary Straw].

7 Financial Reporting to Parliament,—Departmental Reports for 1998: the Government's expenditure plans for 1998–99—

(1) Cabinet Office, Privy Council Office and Parliament [by Command] [Cm. 3920] [Dr David Clark];

(2) Department for International Development [by Command] [Cm. 3907] [Secretary Clare Short];

(3) Department of Social Security [by Command] [Cm. 3913] [Secretary Harriet Harman];

(4) Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, Ordnance Survey, Officer of Passenger Rail Franchising, Office of the Rail Regulator and Office of Water Services [by Command] [Cm. 3906] [Mr Secretary Prescott];

(5) Foreign & Commonwealth Office [by Command] (Cm. 3903] [Mr Secretary Cook];

(6) Lord Chancellor's & Law Officers' Departments [by Command] [Cm. 3909] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon];

(7) Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Invervention Board [by Command] [Cm. 3904] [Dr John Cunningham];

(8) Ministry of Defence [by Command] [Cm. 3902] [Mr Secretary Robertson];

(9) Northern Ireland [by Command] [Cm. 3916] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam]; and

(10) Welsh Office and the Office of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools in Wales [by Command] [Cm. 3915] [Mr Secretary Davies].

8 Supply Estimates, 1998–99,—(1) Estimates (Classex I–XVIII) for 1998–99 [by Command]; to be printed [No. 635] [Dawn Primarolo];

(2) Estimates (Class XVIII, A, House of Commons) for 1998–99 [by Command]; to be printed [No. 636] [The Speaker]; and

(3) Estimates (Class XVIII, B, Vote 1: National Audit Office) [by Command]; to be printed [No. 637] [Mr Robert Sheldon].

APPENDIX II

European Standing Committees

1 The unnumbered Explanatory Memoranda submitted by HM Treasury on 2nd April 1998, relating to Economic and Monetary Union, have been referred to European Standing Committee B.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1 Environmental Audit,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environmental Audit Committee on 7th April [Greening Government]; to be printed [No. 517-i] [Mr John Horam].

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2 European Legislation,—Twenty-fourth 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-xxix] [Mr Jimmy Hood].

3 Home Affairs,—Second Special Report from the Home Affairs Committee [Government Observations on the First Report from the Committee, Session 1997–98, on police disciplinary and complaints procedures]; to be printed [No. 683] [Mr Chris Mullin].

4 International Development,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the International Development Committee on 7th March [Debt Relief]; to be printed [No. 563-iv] [Mr Bowen Wells].

5 Parliamentary Privilege,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Joint Committee on Parliamentary Privilege on 7th April; to be printed [No. 401-xiii] [Sir Patrick Cormack].

6 Public Administration,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Public Administration on 7th April [Your Right to Know: The Government's Proposals for a Freedom of Information Act]; to be printed [No. 398-vii] [Mr Rhodri Morgan].

7 Social Security,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Social Security Committee on 7th April [Disability Living Allowance]; to be printed [No. 641-iv] [Mr Archy Kirkwood].

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

9 Welsh Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Welsh Affairs Committee on 7th April [The Present Crisis in the Welsh Livestock Industry]; to be printed [No. 447-vi] [Mr Martyn Jones].

[No. 155.]
Wednesday 8th April 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—(Bridget Prentice);

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

2 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:

Employment Rights (Dispute Resolution) Act 1998

Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1998

Criminal Procedure (Intermediate Diets) (Scotland) Act 1998

Tyne Tunnels Act 1998.

3 European Standing Committee B,—Mr Peter Atkinson reported from European Standing Committee B the following Resolution:

That the Committee takes note of European Community Document No. 13289/97, a Commission Green Paper on the convergence of the telecommunications, media and information technology sectors, and the implications for regulation: Towards an Information Society Approach; shares the Commission's assessment of the importance of convergence to support the development of the information society; welcomes the Commission's recognition that the development of convergence provides substantial opportunities for job creation and growth; and notes that the Government intends shortly to launch a consultation on the future regulation of broadcasting and telecommunications in the United Kingdom.

Report, together with Resolution, to lie upon the Table.

4 Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Edward O'Hara reported from the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Hovercraft
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(Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims) (Amendment) Order 1998, draft Merchant Shipping (Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims) (Amendment) Order 1998 and draft Hovercraft (Application of Enactments) (Amendment) Order 1998.

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

5 British Museum (Lindisfarne Gospels),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to provide for the transfer of the Lindisfarne Gospels from the British Museum to a location in the North East Region of England—(Mr Fraser Kemp);

And the Question being opposed, after a brief explanatory statement from the Member who made the Motion and from a Member who opposed it, the 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 Mr Fraser Kemp, Mr Stephen Hepburn, Mr Peter Atkinson, Mr Ronnie Campbell, Mr Denis Murphy and Mr Jim Dobbin do prepare and bring in the Bill.

6 British Museum (Lindisfarne Gospels) Bill,—Mr Fraser Kemp accordingly presented a Bill to provide for the transfer of the Lindisfarne Gospels from the British Museum to a location in the North East Region of England: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 3rd July and to be printed [Bill 172].

7 Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords],—The Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords] was, according to Order, read a second time, and stood committed to a Standing Committee.

8 Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords] [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Crime and Disorder 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 Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise—

(1) the payment out of money provided by Parliament of—

(a) any expenditure of a Minister of the Crown incurred under or by virtue of the Act; and

(b) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable under any other Act out of money so provided; and

(2) the payment into the Consolidated Fund of any sums received by a Minister of the Crown under or by virtue of the Act—(Jane Kennedy):—It was agreed to.

9 Education,—Ordered, That the Nursery Education (England) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 655) be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.—(Jane Kennedy.)

10 Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from Putney against a further terminal at Heathrow Airport was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

11 Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Jane Kennedy.)

And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-eight minutes past Ten o'clock, adjourned till Monday 20th April, pursuant to Resolution [20th March].

[Adjourned at 10.28 p.m.

APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1 Antarctica,—Antarctic (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1007), dated 19th March 1998 [by Act] [Secretary Cook].

2 Channel Tunnel,—Channel Tunnel (Carriers' Liability) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1015), dated 8th April 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw].

3 Consumer Credit,—(1) Consumer Credit (Further Increase of Monetary Amounts) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 997), dated 31st March 1998, and

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(2) Consumer Credit (Realisation of Pawn) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 998), dated 1st April 1998

[by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].

4 Environmental Protection,—Financial Assistance for Environmental Purposes (No. 3) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1001), dated 7th April 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

5 Food,—Food Safety (Fishery Products and Live Shellfish) (Hygiene) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 994), dated 6th April 1998 [by Act] (Mr Secretary Dobson].

6 Highways,—Street Works (Inspection Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 978), dated 7th April 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

7 Immigration,—(1) Immigration (Transit Visa) (Amendment No. 2) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1014), dated 7th April 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw].

8 Local Government,—(1) National Crime Squad Service Authority (Members' Interests) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1003), and

(2) National Crime Squad Service Authority (Standing Orders) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1002),

dated 7th April 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw].

9 Northern Ireland,—Housing Accommodation and Homelessness (Persons subject to Immigration Control) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1004), dated 7th April 1998 [by Act] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].

10 Road Traffic,—(1) Motor Vehicles (Approval) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1008),

(2) Motor Vehicles (Type Approval) (Great Britain) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I. , 1998, No. 1005),

(3) Motor Vehicles (Type Approval for Goods Vehicles) (Great Britain) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1006),

(4) Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1000), and

(5) Road Vehicles Registration Fee (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 995),

dated 7th April 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

11 Sea Fisheries,—Conservation of Seals (Common Seals) (Shetland Islands Area) Order 1991 Revocation Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 923), dated 23rd March 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

12 Sheriff Court (Scotland),—Act of Sederunt (Fees of Shorthand Writers in the Sheriff Court) (Amendment) 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 999), dated 1st April 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

13 Social Services,—Residential Care Homes and the Nursing Homes and Mental Nursing Homes (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 902), dated 27th March 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson].

Other Papers:

14 Local Government (Scotland),—Accounts of the Accounts Commission for Scotland for the period 1st April to 31st October 1997, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 685] [Clerk of the House].

15 Miscellaneous (No. 2, 1998),—Protocol, done at Brussels on 16th December 1997, to the North Atlantic Treaty on the Accession of the Republic of Poland [by Command] [Cm. 3929] [Mr Secretary Cook].

16 Miscellaneous (No. 3, 1998),—Protocol, done at Brussels on 16th December 1997, to the North Atlantic Treaty on the Accession of the Czech Republic [by Command] [Cm. 3930] [Mr Secretary Cook].

17 Miscellaneous (No. 4, 1998),—Protocol, done at Brussels on 16th December 1997, to the North Atlantic Treaty on the Accession of the Republic of Hungary [by Command] Cm. 3931] [Mr Secretary Cook].

Page 519      Wednesday 8th April 1998       1997-1998      Volume 254      Back to top

18 Reserve Forces,—Report, dated 3rd April 1998, under section 54(7) of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 on the making of a call-out order under section 54(1) of that Act [by Act] [Mr Secretary Robertson].

19 Treaty Series (No. 81, 1997),—Fourth Supplementary List of Ratifications, Accessions, Withdrawals, etc., for 1997 [by Command] [Cm. 3923] [Mr Secretary Cook].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1 National Lottery Bill [Lords]:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee A, and appointed Mr Roger Gale and Mr Joe Benton Chairmen; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated twenty-one Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Janet Anderson, Mr Tony Banks, Mr Ivor Caplin, Mr Michael Connarty, Mr Ronnie Fearn, Mr Mark Fisher, Mr Christopher Fraser, Mr Bernie Grant, Mr Damian Green, Mrs Joan Humble, Mr Tom Levitt, Mr Robert Maclennan, Fiona Mactaggart, Laura Moffatt, Mr Jim Murphy, Mrs Diana Organ, Mr Kerry Pollard, Mr David Prior, Mr Richard Spring, Mr Gareth R. Thomas and Mr Nigel Waterson.

2 Nursery Education (England) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 655):

(1) The Speaker has allocated the Regulations to the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and appointed Mr Peter Atkinson Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mrs Jackie Ballard, Mr Graham Brady, Mrs Angela Browning, Mr John Cryer, Mr John Cummings, Mrs Eileen Gordon, Mr David Jamieson, Mr Piara S. Khabra, Mrs Theresa May, Estelle Morris, Mr Peter Snape, Rachel Squire, Mr Nick St. Aubyn, Mr Mark Todd, Mr Phil Willis and Derek Wyatt.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1 Defence,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee on 8th April [Strategic Defence Review] [No. 138-x]; to be printed [Mr Bruce George].

2 Education and Employment,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Employment Sub-Committee of the Education and Employment Committee on 8th April [The New Deal]; to be printed [No. 263-x] [Mr Derek Foster].

3 Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Sub-Committee of the Environment Transport and Regional Affairs Committee on 2nd and 8th April [Regional Air Services]; to be printed [No. 589-vi and -vii] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].

4 Trade and Industry,—Fifth Special Report from the Trade and Industry Committee [Government Observations on the Third Report from the Trade and Industry Committee, Session 1997–98, on The Post Office]; to be printed [No. 684] [Mr Martin O'Neill].

5 Treasury,—(1) Fourth Report from the Treasury Committee [The 1998 Budget], 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. 647]; and

(2) Memoranda laid before the Treasury Committee [The 1998 Budget]

[Mr Giles Radice]

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Part I Alphabetical Index
Part II Alphabetical Index

© Parliamentary copyright 2007
Prepared 19 February 2007