| Commons Journal 254
Chronological Index
Alphabetical Index - Part I
Alphabetical Index - Part II
Page 538 1997-1998 Volume 254
[No. 161.] Monday 27th April 1998.
The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Local Authority Tenders Bill,—Ordered, That the Local Authority Tenders Bill, as amended, be further considered on Friday 3rd July. |
| 2 | Ports of Entry (Special Status) Bill,—The Ports of Entry (Special Status) Bill was withdrawn. |
| 3 | Finance (No. 2) Bill (Clauses Nos. 1, 7, 10, 11, 25, 27, 30, 75, 119 and 147),—The House, according to Order, resolved itself into a Committee on the Finance (No. 2) Bill (Clauses Nos. 1, 7, 10, 11, 25, 27, 30, 75, 119 and 147). |
(In the Committee)
Ordered, That the order in which proceedings in Committee of the whole House on the Finance (No. 2) Bill are to be taken shall be: Clause No. 30, Clause No. 75, Clause No. 147, Clause No. 1, Clause No. 7, Clause No. 10, Clause No. 11, Clause No. 119, Clause No. 25 and Clause No. 27.—(Mr Geoffrey Robinson.)
Clause No. 30 (Corporation tax: due and payable date).
Amendment (No. 2) proposed, in page 15, line 25, at the end, to insert the words—
‘Provided that a draft of the first set of regulations made under this section shall be laid before Parliament and the regulations shall not be made until the draft has been approved by resolution of the House of Commons.'.—(Mr Peter Lilley.)
Question, That the Amendment be made, put and negatived.
Another Amendment (No. 3) proposed, in page 16, line 29, at the end, to insert the words—
‘(c) for special payment arrangements for companies making seasonal profits, enabling such companies to pay instalments based on actual tax-adjusted results for the previous six month period.'.—(Mr Peter Lilley.)
Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Another Amendment (No. 4) proposed, in page 16, to leave out lines 37 and 38.—(Mr Peter Lilley.)
Question, That the Amendment be made, put and negatived.
Question put, That the Clause stand part of the Bill.
The Committee divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John McFall, Mr Jim Dowd: 275.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr John Whittingdale, Mr Nigel Waterson: 121.
Clause No. 75 (Use of PEPs powers to provide for accounts).
Amendment (No. 5) proposed, in page 60, line 30, to leave out the word ‘subsection' and insert the word ‘subsections', instead thereof.—(Mr Peter Lilley.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The Committee divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Sir David Madel, Mr Stephen Day: 118.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr David Jamieson: 275.
Another Amendment (No. 6) proposed, in page 60, line 32, after the word ‘account', to insert the words ‘which may (if the investor so wishes) be retained for the remainder of his life'.—(Mr Peter Lilley.)
Question, That the Amendment be made, put and negatived.
Clause agreed to.
Clause No. 147 (Stamp duty on conveyance or transfer on sale).
Amendment (No. 10) proposed, in page 136, line 32, at the end, to insert the words—
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‘(4A) This section shall not apply to properties which are subject to uniform business rate.'.—(Mr David Heathcoat-Amory.)
Question, That the Amendment be made, put and negatived.
Question put, That the Clause stand part of the Bill.
The Committee divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr David Jamieson: 285.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr John Whittingdale, Mr Nigel Waterson: 119.
To report progress and ask leave to sit again.—(Mr John McFall.)
The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr John McFall reported, That the Committee had made progress in the Bill and that he was directed to move, That the Committee may have leave to sit again.
Committee again to-morrow.
| 4 | Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from citizens of the United Kingdom supporting the legalisation of cannabis for medical use was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed. |
| 5 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr John McFall.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit until twenty-seven minutes to Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 10.33 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
| 1 | Banks and Banking,—(1) Draft Bank of England (Information Powers) Order 1998, and |
(2) draft Cash Ratio Deposits (Value Bands and Ratios) Order 1998
[by Act] [Mr Alistair Darling].
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 2 | Banks and Banking,—(1) Bank of England Act 1998 (Consequential Amendments of Subordinate Legislation) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1129), and |
(2) Cash Ratio Deposits (Eligible Liabilities) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1130),
dated 24th April 1998 [by Act] [Mr Alistair Darling].
| 3 | Plant Health,—Plant Health (Great Britain) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1121), dated 24th April 1998 [by Act] [Dr John Cunningham]. |
Other Papers:
| 4 | Drugs,—Paper, entitled Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain: The Government's Ten-Year Strategy for Tackling Drugs Misuse [by Command] [Cm. 3945] [Mrs Ann Taylor]. |
| 5 | National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Underpayments to Public Service Pensioners on Invalidity Benefit [by Act]; to be printed [No. 681] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 6 | National Health Service,—Summarised Accounts of Health Authorities, NHS Trusts in Wales, the Welsh Health Common Services Authority, the Health Promotion Authority for Wales, and of Funds held on Trust by Health Authorities, the Health Promotion Authority for Wales and NHS Trusts in Wales for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 691] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 7 | Welsh Office Executive Agencies,—Accounts of the Training and Enterprise Councils in Wales for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 701] [Mr Secretary Davies]. |
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APPENDIX II
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Public Accounts,—(1) Thirty-First Report from the Committee of Public Accounts [Inland Revenue: Employer Compliance Reviews]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 357]; |
(2) Thirty-Second Report from the Committee of Public Accounts [Cataract Surgery in Scotland]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 546]; and
(3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts on 27th April [Department for Education and Employment: Appropriation Account 1996-97]; to be printed [No. 704-i]
[Mr David Davis].
| 2 | Scottish Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Scottish Affairs Committee on 27th April [Care of the Young Chronically Sick in Scotland]; to be printed [No. 703] [Mr David Marshall]. |
[No. 162.] Tuesday 28th April 1998.
The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Teaching and Higher Education Bill [Lords],—Mr Frank Cook reported from Standing Committee F, That it had gone through the Teaching and Higher Education Bill [Lords], and made Amendments thereunto. |
Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 181].
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 713].
| 2 | Town and Country Planning (Amendment),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the law with respect to town and country planning: And that Mr Elfyn Llwyd, Mr Dafydd Wigley, Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones and Mr Cynog Dafis do prepare and bring it in. |
| 3 | Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Bill,—Mr Elfyn Llwyd accordingly presented a Bill to amend the law with respect to town and country planning: 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 180]. |
| 4 | Finance (No. 2) Bill (Clauses Nos. 1, 7, 10, 11, 25, 27, 30, 75, 119 and 147),—The House, according to Order, again resolved itself into a Committee on the Finance (No. 2) Bill (Clauses Nos. 1, 7, 10, 11, 25, 27, 30, 75, 119 and 147). |
(In the Committee)
Clause No. 1 (Rate of duty on beer).
Question put, That the Clause stand part of the Bill.
The Committee divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Greg Pope, Mr David Clelland: 293.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr John M. Taylor, Mr John Whittingdale: 123.
Clause No. 7 (Rates of duties and rebates).
Amendment (No. 12) proposed, in page 3, line 39, to leave out ‘£0.4926' and insert ‘£0.48'.—(Mr David Heathcoat-Amory.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made;
The Committee divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John Whittingdale, Mr James Cran: 139.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Greg Pope, Mr David Clelland: 271.
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Clause agreed to.
Clause No. 10 (Rates of tobacco products duty).
Amendment (No. 13) proposed, in page 5, to leave out lines 24 to 30 and insert the words—
| ‘1. Cigarettes | An amount equal to 22 per cent. of the retail price plus £75.46 per thousand cigarettes. |
| 2. Cigars | £112.62 per kilogram. |
| 3. Hand Rolling tobacco | £87.74 per kilogram. |
| 4. Other tobacco products | £49.52 per kilogram.', instead thereof.—(Mr David |
Heathcoat-Amory.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The Committee divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John Whittingdale, Mr Stephen Day: 106.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr John McFall: 303.
Clause agreed to.
Clause No. 11 (Rates of gaming duty).
Amendment (No. 14) proposed, in page 5, line 33, to leave out subsection (1) and insert the words—
‘(1) In the Table in section 11(2) of the Finance Act 1997 (rates of gaming duty) the figures in the left-hand column under the heading “Part of gross gaming yield” shall be increased on 1 April each year in line with the increase in the retail index of prices over the previous twelve months'.—(Mr Michael Fallon.)
Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Clause agreed to.
To report progress and ask leave to sit again.—(Mr Robert Ainsworth.)
The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr Robert Ainsworth reported, That the Committee had made progress in the Bill and that he was directed to move, That the Committee may have leave to sit again.
Committee again to-morrow.
| 5 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Robert Ainsworth.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-four minutes to Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 10.36 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 1 | Agriculture,—Apple and Pear Orchard Grubbing Up Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1131), dated 23rd April 1998 [by Act] [Dr John Cunningham]. |
Other Papers:
| 2 | Audit (Northern Ireland),—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland on Control of River Pollution in Northern Ireland [by Statutory Instrument]; to be printed [No. 693] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam]. |
| 3 | British Library,—Accounts of the British Library Board for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 708] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 4 | National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Corporate Governance and Financial Management in the Scottish Further Education Sector [by Act]; to be printed [No. 682] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 5 | National Health Service (Scotland),—Summarised Accounts of Health Boards, the Common Services Agency, NHS Trusts, the State Hospital Management Committee, State
|
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Hospital, Carstairs, the Health Education Board for Scotland, the Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education and the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 692] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 6 | Police (Northern Ireland),—Report and Accounts of the Independent Commission for Police Complaints for Northern Ireland for 1997, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Statutory Instrument]; to be printed [No. 670] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam]. |
APPENDIX II
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Agriculture,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Agriculture Committee on 28th April [Flood and coastal defence]; to be printed [No. 707–i]; and |
(2) Memoranda laid before the Agriculture Committee [Flood and coastal defence; vitamin B6]
[Mr Peter Luff].
| 2 | Deregulation,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Deregulation Committee on 28th April [The Deregulation Order-Making Process]; to be printed [No. 709–i] [Mr Peter L. Pike]. |
| 3 | Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment Sub-Committee of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee on 28th April [Implementation of the Best Value Framework]; to be printed [No. 705–i] [Mr Andrew F. Bennett]. |
| 4 | Environmental Audit,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environmental Audit Committee on 28th April [Greening Government]; to be printed [No. 517–vi] [Mr John Horam]. |
| 5 | Foreign Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee on 28th April [Hong Kong]; to be printed [No. 710–i] [Mr Donald Anderson]. |
| 6 | International Development,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the International Development Committee on 28th April [Department for International Development: Departmental Report 1998]; to be printed [No. 711–i] [Mr Dennis Canavan]. |
| 7 | Parliamentary Privilege,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Joint Committee on Parliamentary Privilege on 28th April; to be printed [No. 401–xiv] [Mrs Ann Taylor]. |
| 8 | Public Administration,—Second Report from the Select Committee on Public Administration [Report of the Health Service Commissioner for 1996–97]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 352] [Mr Rhodri Morgan]. |
| 9 | Statutory Instruments,—Thirty-First Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, together with the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee on 28th April and Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 33–xxxi] [Mr David Tredinnick]. |
| 10 | Welsh Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Welsh Affairs Committee on 28th April [The Present Crisis in the Welsh Livestock Industry]; to be printed [No. 447–viii] [Mr Martyn Jones]. |
MEMORANDUM
Business Committee (Scotland Bill)
| | In pursuance of Standing Order No. 82 (Business Committee), the Speaker nominated Mr Sam Galbraith and Mr David Stewart to be members of the Business Committee in respect of the Scotland Bill, in place of Mr Henry McLeish and Mrs Anne McGuire. |
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[No. 163.] Wednesday 29th 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—(Mr David Clelland); |
And it being Two o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.
| 2 | Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Peter Atkinson reported from the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Council Tax Benefit (General) Amendment Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 911). |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 3 | European Standing Committee A,—Mr John Maxton reported from European Standing Committee A the following Resolution: |
That the Committee takes note of European Community Documents Nos. 7531/97, a draft Directive establishing a framework for Community action on water policy, and 12929/97, the Commission's proposed amendments to this draft Directive; and endorses the Government's proposed approach to negotiations on the proposal in the Council; that the Committee also takes note of European Community Documents Nos. 6177/94, a draft Directive concerning the quality of bathing water, and 12591/97, an amended draft Directive on the quality of bathing water; and endorses the Government's approach to the proposal.
Report, together with Resolution, to lie upon the Table.
| 4 | Building Societies (Joint Account Holders),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to secure equal rights for second-named and subsequent-named account holders of building society joint accounts in respect of distribution of assets on the takeover or conversion of a building society: And that Mr John Healey, Ms Sally Keeble, Mr Lawrie Quinn, Mr Austin Mitchell, Joan Walley, John Austin, Dr Brian Iddon, Ms Rosie Winterton, Ms Gisela Stuart, Mr Dennis Turner, Mr Michael Wills and Mr Ernie Ross do prepare and bring it in. |
| 5 | Building Societies (Joint Account Holders) Bill,—Mr John Healey accordingly presented a Bill to secure equal rights for second-named and subsequent-named account holders of building society joint accounts in respect of distribution of assets on the takeover or conversion of a building society: 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 182]. |
| 6 | Finance (No. 2) Bill (Clauses Nos. 1, 7, 10, 11, 25, 27, 30, 75, 119 and 147),—The House, according to Order, again resolved itself into a Committee on the Finance (No. 2) Bill (Clauses Nos. 1, 7, 10, 11, 25, 27, 30, 75, 119 and 147). |
(In the Committee)
Clause No. 119 (Taper relief for capital gains tax).
Amendment (No. 16) proposed, in page 109, line 18, column 2, to leave out ‘25' and insert ‘nil'.—(Mr Peter Lilley.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made;
The Committee divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John Whittingdale, Sir David Madel: 149.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Jon Owen Jones, Bridget Prentice: 251.
Another Amendment (No. 27) proposed, in page 110, line 9, to leave out ‘1998–99' and insert ‘1999–2000'.—(Dr Vincent Cable.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The Committee divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Edward Davey, Sir Robert Smith: 34.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Jon Owen Jones, Bridget Prentice: 240.
Clause agreed to.
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Clause No. 25 (Income Tax: charge and rates for 1998–99).
Question put, That the Clause stand part of the Bill.
The Committee divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Jane Kennedy, Mr David Jamieson: 248.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Adrian Sanders, Norman Baker: 28.
Clause No. 27 (Income Tax: Married couple's allowance etc. in and after 1999–00).
Question put, That the Clause stand part of the Bill.
The Committee divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Jamieson, Jane Kennedy: 275.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr John M. Taylor, Mr John Whittingdale: 123.
Bill (Clauses Nos. 1, 7, 10, 11, 25, 27, 30, 75, 119 and 147) to be reported.
The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair; and Mr Robert Ainsworth reported, That the Committee had gone through the Bill (Clauses Nos. 1, 7, 10, 11, 25, 27, 30, 75, 119 and 147) and directed him to report the same, without Amendment.
Ordered, That the Bill (Clauses Nos. 1, 7, 10, 11, 25, 27, 30, 75, 119 and 147), not amended in the Commiteee, do lie upon the Table.
| 7 | Liaison,—Ordered, That Mr Richard Allan be added to the Liaison Committee.—(Mr Robert Ainsworth.) |
| 8 | Finance and Services,—Ordered, That Mr Richard Allan be added to the Finance and Services Committee.—(Mr Robert Ainsworth.) |
| 9 | Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Robert Ainsworth); |
And the Motion having been made after Ten o'clock, and the Debate having continued for half an hour, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order, it being then seventeen minutes to Eleven o'clock, till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 10.43 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 1 | Agriculture,—Bovines and Bovine Products (Trade) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1135), dated 29th April 1998 [by Act] [Dr John Cunningham]. |
Other Papers:
| 2 | Belgium (No. 1, 1998),—Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium relating to the Transmission of Natural Gas through a Pipeline between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Kingdom of Belgium [by Command] [Cm. 3943] [Mr Secretary Cook]. |
| 3 | Defence,—Ministry of Defence Minute concerning a contingent liability consequent upon the provision of a new Joint Services Command and Staff College at Watchfield, Shrivenham [by Command] [Mr Secretary Robertson]. |
| 4 | Merchant Shipping,—(1) International Labour Organisation Conventions, adopted on 22nd October 1996, concerning:— |
(i) Inspection of Seafarers' Working and Living Conditions (No. 178),
(ii) Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers (No. 179), and
(iii) Seafarers' Hours of Work and the Manning of Ships (No. 180),
(2) International Labour Organisation Protocol of 1996, adopted on 22nd October 1996, to the Merchant Shipping (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1976, and
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(3) Recommendations of the General Conference of the International Labour Organisation, adopted on 22nd October 1996, concerning:—
(i) Inspection of Seafarers' Working and Living Conditions (No. 185),
(ii) Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers (No. 186), and
(iii) Seafarers' Wages and Hours of Work and the Manning of Ships (No. 187)
[by Command] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
| 5 | National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Disposal of Forest Land [by Act]; to be printed [No. 688] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 6 | National Health Service,—Statement of Guarantee given by the Secretary of State for Health on 27th April 1998 on loans proposed to be raised by Rotherham General Hospitals National Health Service Trust [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson]. |
| 7 | Public Accounts,—Treasury Minute on the Ninth and Thirteenth to Twentieth Reports from the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 1997–98 [by Command] [Cm. 3936] [Dawn Primarolo]. |
| 8 | Public Petitions,—Observations by:— |
(1) the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on the Petitions [16th February, 13th March, 23rd March, 6th April and 7th April] from residents of Mid-Bedfordshire, Daventry, Horsham, Cuffley and Northaw, East Surrey, and Harborough against residential development in the countryside and green belt, and
(2) the Secretary of State for Social Security on the Petition [23rd March] from Bolton against any reduction in benefits to disabled and mentally disadvantaged people
[by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].
| 9 | Treaty Series (No. 17, 1998),—Notes, exchanged at Dar es Salaam on 20th and 23rd January 1998, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania concerning certain commercial debts (The United Kingdom/Tanzanian Debt Agreement No. 5 (1997)) [by Command] [Cm. 3933] [Mr Secretary Cook]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| 1 | Data Protection Bill [Lords],—The Committee of Selection has discharged from Standing Committee D Mr Derek Twigg and Mr Ross Cranston (nominated in respect of the Bill); and appointed in substitution Mr Ben Bradshaw and Mr David Lock. |
| 2 | Finance (No. 2) Bill (except specified Clauses),—The Committee of Selection has discharged from Standing Committee E Mr Quentin Davies, Ms Sally Keeble and Mr Michael Moore (nominated in respect of the Bill); and appointed in substitution Mr John Burnett, Mr Tim Loughton and Mr Ian Stewart. |
| 3 | Draft Contracting Out (Functions relating to National Savings) Order 1998: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Seventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation and has appointed Mrs Irene Adams Chairman; and
(2) The Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Robert Ainsworth, Mr Roger Berry, Mr John Burnett, Mr Dennis Canavan, Mr Iain Coleman, Mr Jim Cunningham, Mr Quentin Davies, Mr Hilton Dawson, Mr Michael Fallon, Mr Edward Garnier, Mr James Gray, Mr David Hanson, Mrs Helen Liddell, Mr Austin Mitchell, Mr Michael Moore and Mr Lawrie Quinn.
| 4 | Draft Broadcasting (Percentage of Digital Capacity for Radio Multiplex Licence) Order 1998: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation and has appointed Miss Ann Widdecombe Chairman; and
(2) The Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Janet Anderson, Mr Joe Ashton, Mr Julian Brazier, Mr Colin Breed, Mr Ian Bruce, Mr Michael Connarty, Mr Brian Cotter, Mr Keith Darvill, Mrs Janet Dean, Mr Mark Fisher, Mrs Eileen Gordon, Mr Martyn Jones, Mr Andrew Lansley, Mr Stephen McCabe, Mr Richard Spring and Mr Gareth Thomas (Clwyd West).
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Grand Committees
| 5 | Welsh Grand Committee,—The Committee of Selection has nominated two additional Members to serve on the Welsh Grand Committee for the remainder of the Session, unless otherwise ordered by the Committee of Selection, viz.: Mr Nigel Evans and Mr Owen Paterson. |
European Standing Committees
| 6 | European Community Document No. 7073/98, relating to Agenda 2000: Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, has been referred to European Standing Committee A. |
| 7 | European Community Documents Nos. 7046/98, relating to Agenda 2000: The Financial Perspective 2000–2006 and 7221/98, relating to Agenda 2000: The Interinstitutional Agreement of 29th October 1993, have been referred to European Standing Committee B. |
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Education and Employment,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Employment Sub-Committee of the Education and Employment Committee on 29th April [Pathways into work for women]; to be printed [No. 646-iii] [Mr Derek Foster]. |
| 2 | Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee on 29th April [Green Taxation and the Budget]; to be printed [No.706-i] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody]. |
| 3 | Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Sub-Committee of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee on 29th April [London Underground]; to be printed [No. 715-i] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody]. |
| 4 | European Legislation—Twenty-Sixth 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-xxvi] [Mr Jimmy Hood]. |
| 5 | Northern Ireland Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on 29th April [The Prison Service in Northern Ireland]; to be printed [No. 716-i] [Mr Peter Brooke]. |
| 6 | Public Accounts,—(1) Thirty-Third Report from the Committee of Public Accounts [Crown Prosecution Service]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 526]; and |
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts on 29th April [HM Customs & Excise Appropriation Accounts 1996–97, Volume 16, Class XVI, Vote 3: HM Customs & Excise: Administration]; to be printed [No. 717-i]
[Mr David Davis].
| 7 | Science and Technology,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee on 29th April [Engineering and Physical Sciences Based Innovation]; to be printed [No. 626-ii] [Dr Michael Clark]. |
| 8 | Scottish Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Scottish Affairs Committee on 29th April [European Funding in Scotland]; to be printed [No. 714] [Mr David Marshall]. |
| 9 | Standards and Privileges,—Memorandum laid before the Committee on Standards and Privileges [Employment Agreements] [Mr Robert Sheldon]. |
MEMORANDUM
| Committee on Unopposed Bills (Panel),—Mr Paul Tyler reported from the Committee of Selection, That it had appointed five additional Members to 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: John Austin, Mr Nigel Beard, Mrs Helen Brinton, Mr John McDonnell and Mr Syd Rapson. |
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[No. 164.] Thursday 30th April 1998.
The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Economic and Monetary Union,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House takes note of European Community Documents Nos. 7161/98 and 7188/98, consisting of reports from the European Monetary Institute and European Commission in accordance with Article 109j of the Treaty—(Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer); |
An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 4, at the end, to add the words ‘but regrets the Government's failure to deliver on the Prime Minister's pledge to the House on 4th June 1997 that “the criteria for monetary union should not be fiddled, fudged or botched in any way”, and also the Government's failure during the British Presidency of the European Union to press for a strict interpretation of the Treaty requirements governing the eligibility of member states to join a single European currency, with consequential damage to British manufacturing industry through the perceived weakness of the euro and the resulting strength of sterling.'.—(Mr Peter Lilley.)
And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made;
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John M. Taylor, Mr John Whittingdale: 138.
Tellers for the Noes, Bridget Prentice, Mr Jim Dowd: 287.
So the Question was negatived.
And the Main Question being put;
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Bridget Prentice, Mr Jim Dowd: 196.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Andrew Stunell, Mr Adrian Sanders: 35.
So the Question was agreed to.
Resolved, That this House takes note of European Community Documents Nos. 7161/98 and 7188/98, consisting of reports from the European Monetary Institute and European Commission in accordance with Article 109j of the Treaty.
| 2 | Scotland Bill (Programme),—Ordered, That the Order [13th January] relating to Scotland Bill (Programme) be further amended— |
(a) in paragraph 2, by leaving out ‘at Ten o'clock' and inserting ‘six and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill';
(b) by inserting, after paragraph 2,—
‘2A. On each such allotted day paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business) shall apply to proceedings on the bill for any part of the period of six and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill which falls after Ten o'clock';
and
(c) in paragraph 4, by inserting after sub-paragraph (3)—
‘(3A) If, on consideration, two or more Questions would fall to be put under sub-paragraph (1)(c) on amendments moved or motions made by a Minister of the Crown, the Speaker shall instead put a single Question in relation to those amendments or motions'.—(Mr Clive Betts.)
| 3 | Scottish Grand Committee,—Ordered, That the Scottish Grand Committee shall meet— |
(1) on Wednesday 20th May at half-past Four o'clock at Westminster to consider a substantive motion for the adjournment of the Committee, the proceedings to be interrupted at Seven o'clock;
(2) on Tuesday 16th June at half-past Ten o'clock at Westminster to consider a substantive motion for the adjournment of the Committee;
(3) on Monday 6th July at half-past Ten o'clock at New Parliament House, Edinburgh, to take Questions for oral answer and to consider a substantive motion for the adjournment of the Committee; and
(4) on Tuesday 14th July at half-past Ten o'clock at Westminster to consider a substantive motion for the adjournment of the Committee.—(Mr Clive Betts.)
Page 548 Thursday 30th April 1998 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top
| 4 | Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from the residents of Southend West 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. |
| 5 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Clive Betts.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till sixteen minutes to Nine o'clock, adjourned till Tuesday 5th May, pursuant to Resolution [24th April].
[Adjourned at 8.44 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 1 | Education (Scotland),—Academic Awards and Distinctions (Queen Margaret College) (Scotland) Order of Council 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1148), dated 21st April 1998 [by Act] [Mrs Ann Taylor]. |
| 2 | Lands Tribunal,—Lands Tribunal (Salaries) Order (Northern Ireland) 1998 (S.R.(N.I.), 1998, No. 155), dated 8th April 1998 [by Act] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam]. |
| 3 | Local Government,—Local Authorities (Goods and Services) (Public Bodies) (No. 3) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1123), dated 22nd April 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 4 | National Health Service,—National Health Service (Pilot Schemes—Health Service Bodies) Amendment Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1136), dated 28th April 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson]. |
Other Papers:
| 5 | Broadcasting,—Report and Accounts of the Independent Television Commission for 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith]. |
| 6 | House of Commons Members' Fund,—Accounts of the House of Commons Members' Fund for the period 1st October 1996 to 30th September 1997, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 718] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 7 | Law Commission (Scotland),—Report of the Scottish Law Commission on Leasehold Casualties [by Command] [Cm. 3940] [Mr Secretary Dewar]. |
| 8 | Monopolies and Mergers,—Report by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on the proposed merger between Fresenius AG and Caremark Limited [by Command] [Cm. 3925] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| Draft Broadcasting (Percentage of Digital Capacity for Radio Multiplex Licence) Order 1998,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Richard Spring from the Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Order; and appointed in substitution Mr John Whittingdale. |
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Defence and Trade and Industry,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence and Trade and Industry Committees meeting concurrently pursuant to paragraph (4)(e) of Standing Order No. 152 (Select committees related to government departments) on 30th April [Aspects of Defence Procurement and Industrial Policy]; to be printed [No. 675-ii] [Mr Martin O'Neill]. |
| 2 | Health,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Health Committee on 30th April [Relationship between Health and Social Services]; to be printed [No. 586-viii] [Mr David Hinchliffe]. |
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