| Commons Journal 254
Chronological Index
Alphabetical Index - Part I
Alphabetical Index - Part II
Page 557 1997-1998 Volume 254
[No. 169.] Monday 11th May 1998.
The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Scotland Bill (Business Committee),—The Chairman of Ways and Means reported from the Business Committee, That it had come to a further Resolution in respect of the Scotland Bill, which it had directed him to report to the House: |
That the Resolution of the Committee reported to the House on 5th May be varied so that—
(a) the second and third days allotted under the Order (13th January) to proceedings on Consideration and Third Reading shall be allotted in the manner shown in the Table set out below, and
(b) each part of the proceedings shall, if not previously brought to a conclusion, be brought to a conclusion (in accordance with the Order, as amended on 30th April) on the expiry of the allotted period (calculated from the commencement of proceedings on the Bill) specified in the third column of the Table.
TABLE
| Allotted day | Proceedings | Allotted period |
| Second day | New Clause 2 and New Clause 4 New Clause 12 and New Clause 15 New Clause 17 New Clause 18 Amendments to Clause 1, Schedule 1 and Clauses 2 to 19 Amendments to Clause 20, Schedule 2, Clause 21, Schedule 3 and Clause 22 Amendments to Clauses 23 to 28, Schedule 4 and Clauses 29 to 32 Amendments to Clause 33 | 45 minutes 1 hour 30 minutes 2 hours 2 hours 30 minutes 3 hours 30 minutes 4 hours 30 minutes 5 hours 30 minutes 6 hours 30 minutes |
| Third day | Amendments to Clauses 34 to 45 Amendments to Clauses 46 to 75 Amendments to Clauses 76 to 85 Amendments to Clauses 86 to 91, Schedule 6 and Clauses 92 to 109 Amendments to Schedule 5 up to and including line 14 on page 59 of the Bill Amendments to Schedule 5 from line 15 on page 59 of the Bill up to and including line 13 on page 76 Remaining amendments to Schedule 5, remaining New Clauses and New Schedules, amendments to Clause 110, Schedules 7 and 8 and Clauses 111 up to and including line 28 on page 50 of the Bill Remaining amendments Third Reading | 30 minutes 1 hour 15 minutes 1 hour 30 minutes 2 hours 15 minutes 3 hours 15 minutes 4 hours 4 hours 15 minutes 4 hours 30 minutes 6 hours 30 minutes |
Report to lie upon the Table.
| 2 | Competition Bill [Lords],—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Competition Bill [Lords]; |
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 declines to give a Second Reading to the Competition Bill [Lords] because the Government has failed to spell out the consequences for a whole range of business that will result from this legislation, and specifically has failed to tackle the problem of independent community pharmacies; expresses its concern at the decision of the Office of Fair Trading to commence legal proceedings to end retail price maintenance on over-the-counter medicines at a time when the Government is already seeking to review this agreement in the Bill; notes that the loss of retail price maintenance on over-the-counter medicines could lead to the closure of many independent community pharmacies, an outcome which would seriously undermine the Government's health strategy and increase the burden on GPs; and calls
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on the Government to ensure that a nationwide network of community pharmacies remains in place to serve the needs of the community, in particular the elderly, the infirm and mothers of young children, before proceeding with the Bill', instead thereof.—(Mr John Redwood.)
And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made;
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Sir David Madel, Mr Stephen Day: 169.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Clelland, Janet Anderson: 314.
So the Question was negatived.
And the Main Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 62 (Amendment on second or third reading);
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Clelland, Janet Anderson: 345.
Tellers for the Noes, Sir David Madel, Mr Stephen Day: 134.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Bill was accordingly read a second time and stood committed to a Standing Committee.
| 3 | Competition Bill [Lords] [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Competition 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 Competition Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any—
(a) expenses incurred by a Minister of the Crown under or in consequence of that Act, or
(b) increase attributable to that Act in the sums so payable under any other enactment—(Mr Clive Betts):—It was agreed to.
| 4 | Competition Bill [Lords] [Ways and Means],—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 Competition Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise— |
(a) the setting by the Director General of Fair Trading of fees in respect of the exercise of certain functions under the Act and the charging of such fees;
(b) the payment of sums into the Consolidated Fund—(Mr Clive Betts):—It was agreed to.
| 5 | Broadcasting,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Broadcasting (Percentage of Digital Capacity for Radio Multiplex Licence) Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 7th April, be approved—(Mr Clive Betts):—It was agreed to. |
| 6 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Clive Betts.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till five minutes to Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 10.55 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
| 1 | Defence,—Draft Army, Air Force and Naval Discipline Acts (Continuation) Order 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Robertson]. |
| 2 | Northern Ireland,—Draft New Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 1998 [by Act] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam]. |
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Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 3 | Civil Aviation,—Aviation Security (Air Cargo Agents) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1152), dated 30th April 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 4 | Education,—Teacher Training Agency (Additional Functions) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1194), dated 5th May 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
| 5 | Income Tax,—Insurance Companies (Loan Relationships) (Election for Accruals Basis) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1200), dated 8th May 1998 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo]. |
| 6 | Legal Aid and Advice,—Legal Aid in Criminal and Care Proceedings (Costs) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1191), dated 7th May 1998 [by Act] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon]. |
| 7 | Medicines,—Prescription Only Medicines (Human Use) Amendment (No. 2) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1178), dated 6th May 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson]. |
| 8 | National Health Service,—Special Trustees for the Royal Hospital of St. Bartholomew (Transfer of Trust Property) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1186), dated 7th May 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson]. |
| 9 | Road Traffic,—Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1188), dated 7th May 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 10 | Sea Fisheries,—Cod (Specified Sea Areas) (Prohibition of Fishing) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1195) dated 8th May 1998 [by Act] [Dr John Cunningham]. |
| 11 | Social Security,—(1) Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1173), dated 6th May 1998, and |
(2) Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1174), dated 7th May 1998
[by Act] [Secretary Harriet Harman].
Other papers:
| 12 | National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Ministry of Defence Major Projects 1997 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 695] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 13 | Social Exclusion,—Report by the Social Exclusion Unit on Truancy and School Exclusion [by Command] [Cm. 3957] [The Prime Minister]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Bill [Lords],—The Speaker has appointed Miss Ann Widdecombe an additional Chairman of Standing Committee F in respect of the Bill. |
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| Public Accounts,—(1) Thirty-fifth Report from the Committee of Public Accounts [The Annual Report of the European Court of Auditors for 1996]; to be printed [No. 729]; |
(2) Thirty-sixth Report from the Committee of Public Accounts [Regulating and Monitoring the Quality of Service Provided to Customers by the Water Industry in England and Wales]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 483];
(3) Thirty-seventh Report from the Committee of Public Accounts [Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Contingent Liabilities in the Dependent Territories]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 435];
(4) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts on 11th May [Treasury Controls]; to be printed [No. 730-i]; and
(5) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts on 11th May [Resource Accounting and Budgeting]; to be printed [No. 731-i]
[Mr David Davis].
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[No. 170.] Tuesday 12th May 1998.
The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Deregulation Committee,—Mr Peter L. Pike reported from the Deregulation Committee the following Resolutions: |
That, in respect of the proposal for the Deregulation (Exchangeable Driving Licences) Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 25th March, a draft Order in the same terms as the proposal should be laid before the House.
That the draft Deregulation (Deduction from Pay of Union Subscriptions) Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 5th May, should be approved.
The Committee came to this Resolution without a Division.
| 2 | National Lottery Bill [Lords],—Mr Roger Gale reported from Standing Committee A, That it had gone through the National Lottery Bill [Lords], and made Amendments thereunto. |
Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow, and to be printed [Bill 187].
Minutes of proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 736].
| 3 | Rural and Community Hospitals,—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to establish procedures to place restrictions on the closure of rural and community hospitals: And that Mr David Prior, Mrs Gillian Shephard, Mr John MacGregor, Mr Keith Simpson, Dr Ian Gibson, Mr Christopher Fraser, Mr Richard Spring, Mr Damian Green, Mr James Gray, Mr Tim Loughton, Mr John Bercow and Mr Shaun Woodward do prepare and bring it in. |
| 4 | Rural and Community Hospitals Bill,—Mr David Prior accordingly presented a Bill to establish procedures to place restrictions on the closure of rural and community hospitals: 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 186]. |
| 5 | Scotland Bill (Programme),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith pursuant to Standing Order No. 82 (Business Committee), That the further Report [11th May] from the Business Committee be now considered—(Mr John McFall):—It was agreed to. |
Question put forthwith, That this House agrees with the Committee in its Resolution:—It was agreed to.
| 6 | Scotland Bill (Consideration and Third Reading) [2nd allotted day],—The House, according to Order, proceeded further to consider the Scotland Bill, as amended in the Committee. |
Another Clause (Corruption or maladministration in local government)—(Dr Liam Fox)—brought up and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Oliver Heald, Sir David Madel: 132.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Bridget Prentice: 323.
Another Clause (Concordats)—(Mr Michael Ancram)—brought up and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Oliver Heald, Sir David Madel: 166.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Bridget Prentice: 278.
Another Clause (Cross-border reserved bodies)—(Ms Roseanna Cunningham)—brought up and read the first time.
Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:—Clause, by leave, withdrawn.
Another Clause (Constitutional Court)—(Mr Alex Salmond)—brought up and read the first time.
Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time.
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And two and a half hours having elapsed since the start of proceedings on consideration of the Bill this day, the Deputy Speaker, pursuant to Order [13th January] and Resolution [this day], put the Question already proposed from the Chair.
Question put, That the Clause (Constitutional Court) be read a second time.
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Alisdair Morgan, Mr Andrew Welsh: 8.
Tellers for the Noes, Ms Janet Anderson, Mr Jim Dowd: 388.
Amendment (No. 61) proposed to the Bill, in page 53, line 9, at the end, to insert the words—
‘(1A) The parliamentary constituencies to which paragraph 1(c) applies are those determined by the Parliamentary Constituencies (Scotland) Order 1995, or those Scottish Parliamentary constituencies determined following a report of the Boundary Commission for Scotland as determined by paragraph 3 of this Schedule, except a parliamentary constituency including either of those islands referred to in paragraphs 1(a) and 1(b).'.—(Mr James Wallace.)
Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Amendment (No. 26) made to the Bill.
And three and a half hours having elapsed, the Deputy Speaker put the Questions necessary to dispose of remaining Amendments moved by a Minister to Clauses Nos. 2 to 19.
Other Amendments (Nos. 27 to 38 and 128) made to the Bill.
Another Amendment (No. 39) made to the Bill.
Another Amendment (No. 106) proposed to the Bill, in page 10, line 5, at the end, to insert the words—
‘(3) The standing orders shall include a requirement for every member elected to the Scottish Parliament to be requested to make the following affirmation:
“I do hereby acknowledge the sovereign right of the Scottish people to determine the form of Government best suited to their needs, and do hereby declare and pledge that in all our actions and deliberations their interests shall be paramount.”.
and no other affirmation or oath shall be required of members of the Scottish Parliament.'.—(Mr Dennis Canavan.)
Question, That the Amendment be made, put and negatived.
Another Amendment (No. 111) proposed, in page 57, line 39, after the word ‘sub-committees' to insert the words ‘other than regional committees and regional sub-committees.'.—(Mr Donald Gorrie.)
Question proposed, That the Amendment be made.
And more than four and a half hours having elapsed, the Deputy Speaker put the Question already proposed from the Chair.
Question, That the Amendment (No. 111) be made, put and negatived.
Other Amendments (Nos. 129 and 41 to 45) made to the Bill.
Another Amendment (No. 130) proposed to the Bill, in page 14, line 6, at the end, to insert the words ‘or confer or remove functions exercisable otherwise than in or as regards Scotland'.—(Mr Secretary Dewar.)
Question proposed, That the Amendment be made.
And five and a half hours having elapsed, the Deputy Speaker put the Question already proposed from the Chair.
Amendment (No. 130) made to the Bill.
The Deputy Speaker then put the remaining Questions necessary to dispose of remaining Amendments moved by a Minister to Clause No. 28, Schedule No. 4 and Clauses Nos. 29 to 32.
Other Amendments (Nos. 131 and 132, 223 to 229 and 256) made to the Bill.
Another Amendment (No. 1) proposed to the Bill, in page 16, to leave out lines 11 to 34.—(Mr Michael Ancram.)
Question, That the Amendment be made, put and negatived.
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Another Amendment (No. 5) proposed to the Bill, in page 16, line 12, to leave out the words ‘(a) which the Secretary of State' and insert the words ‘which the Secretary of State, having taken legal advice,' instead thereof.—(Mr Michael Ancram.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Stephen Day, Mr Oliver Heald: 132.
Tellers for the Noes, Janet Anderson, Mr Jim Dowd: 296.
More than six and a half hours having elapsed since the commencement of proceedings on the Bill, further consideration of the Bill stood adjourned, pursuant to Resolution this day.
Bill to be further considered to-morrow.
| 7 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr John McFall.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till fifteen minutes to Twelve o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 11.45 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
| 1 | Northern Ireland,—Draft Fire Services (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 [by Act] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam]. |
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 2 | Agriculture,—Action Programme for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (England and Wales) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1202), dated 7th May 1998 [by Act] [Dr John Cunningham]. |
| 3 | Consumer Credit,—Consumer Credit Licensing (Appeals) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1203), dated 10th May 1998 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
| 4 | Pensions,—Pensions Appeal Tribunals (England and Wales) (Amendment) Rules 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1201), dated 8th May 1998 [by Act] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon]. |
Other Papers:
| 5 | Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions,—Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions (Hong Kong Locally Engaged Ratings' Service Pensions Increases) Order 1998, dated 22nd April 1998 [by Act] [Mrs Ann Taylor]. |
APPENDIX II
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Agriculture,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Agriculture Committee on 12th May [Flood and coastal defence]; to be printed [No. 707-ii]; and |
(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Flood and coastal defence; vitamin B6]
[Mr Peter Luff].
| 2 | Deregulation,—Fifth Report from the Deregulation Committee [Proposal for the Deregulation (Exchangeable Driving Licences) Order 1998 and the draft Deregulation (Deduction from Pay of Union Subscriptions) Order 1998]; to be printed, together with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 732] [Mr Peter L. Pike]. |
| 3 | Environmental Audit,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environmental Audit Committee on 12th May [Greening Government]; to be printed [No. 517-viii] [Mr John Horam]. |
| 4 | Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment Sub-Committee of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee on 12th May [Implementation of the Best Value Framework]; to be printed [No. 705-ii] [Mr Andrew F. Bennett]. |
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| 5 | Foreign Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee on 12th May [Foreign Policy and Human Rights]; to be printed [No. 369-viii] [Mr Donald Anderson]. |
| 6 | Home Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Home Affairs Committee on 12th May [Immigration and nationality issues]; to be printed [No. 734-i] [Mr Chris Mullin]. |
| 7 | Public Administration,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Public Administration Committee on 12th May [The 1998 Report of the Office of Public Service]; to be printed [No. 733] [Mr Rhodri Morgan]. |
| 8 | Standards and Privileges,—Sixteenth Report from the Committee on Standards and Privileges [Complaint against Mr Stephen Dorrell], 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. 735] [Mr Robert Sheldon]. |
| 9 | Statutory Instruments,—Thirty-Third Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, together with the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee on 12th May and Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 33-xxxiii] [Mr David Tredinnick]. |
| 10 | Welsh Affairs,—(1) Second Report from the Welsh Affairs Committee [The Present Crisis in the Welsh Livestock Industry], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 447]; and |
(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [The Present Crisis in the Welsh Livestock Industry]
[Mr Martyn Jones].
[No. 171.] Wednesday 13th May 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—(Ms Joyce Quin); |
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 Bowen Wells reported from the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Cash Ratio Deposits (Value Bands and Ratios) Order 1998 and the draft Bank of England (Information Powers) 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: |
The Lords have agreed to the Animal Health (Amendment) Bill, without Amendment.
| 4 | Registration of Political Parties Bill,—Mr Secretary Straw, supported by the Prime Minister, Mr Secretary Prescott, Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary Margaret Beckett, Mr Secretary Dewar, Mr Secretary Davies and Mr George Howarth, presented a Bill to make provision about the registration of political parties: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 188]. |
| 5 | School Transport,—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make new provision with respect to home to school transport for pupils in maintained schools; to provide for the payment of grants to defray the costs incurred by local education authorities; and for connected purposes: And that Dr George Turner, Mrs Linda Gilroy, Mr Stephen Pound, Mr Anthony D. Wright, Dr Ian Gibson, Mr Martin Linton, Mr Phil Willis, Mr Bob Blizzard, Mr David Drew, Mr Cynog Dafis and Mr Charles Clarke do prepare and bring it in. |
| 6 | School Transport Bill,—Dr George Turner accordingly presented a Bill to make new provision with respect to home to school transport for pupils in maintained schools; to provide for the payment of grants to defray the costs incurred by local education
|
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authorities; and for connected purposes: 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 189]. |
| 7 | Social Security Bill [Money] [No. 2],—Her Majesty Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Social Security Bill [Money] [No. 2]; |
Resolved, That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Social Security Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any expenditure incurred under the Act by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue.—(Mr Kevin Hughes.)
| 8 | Social Security Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Lords Amendments to the Social Security Bill. |
Lords Amendments Nos. 1 to 60 were agreed to.
Lords Amendment No. 61 was agreed to, the Commons being willing to waive their privileges.
Lords Amendments Nos. 62 and 63 were agreed to.
Lords Amendment No. 64.
An Amendment ((a)) was proposed to the Lords Amendment, in line 4, to leave out the word ‘subsections' and insert the word ‘subsection', instead thereof.—(Mr John Denham).
Question put, That the Amendment be made to the Lords Amendment;
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Bridget Prentice, Mr Greg Pope: 328.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Nigel Waterson, Mr James Cran: 123.
And it being after Ten o'clock, further consideration of the Lords Amendments stood adjourned.
| 9 | 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, consideration of the Lords Amendments to the Social Security Bill may be proceeded with, though opposed, until any hour—(Mr Kevin Hughes):—It was agreed to. |
| 10 | Social Security Bill,—The House again proceeded to consider the Lords Amendments to the Social Security Bill. |
Lords Amendment No. 64.
Another Amendment ((b)) was made to the Lords Amendment.
The Lords Amendment, so amended, was agreed to, the Commons being willing to waive their privileges.
Lords Amendments Nos. 65 to 81 were agreed to, the Commons being willing to waive their privileges in relation to Lords Amendments Nos. 65 and 74 to 78.
Lords Amendment No. 82.
Question put, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment;
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Jane Kennedy, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 257.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr James Cran, Mr Oliver Heald: 119.
The Lords Amendment was accordingly agreed to, the Commons being willing to waive their privileges.
Lords Amendments Nos. 83 to 165 were agreed to.
Lords Amendment No. 166.
An Amendment ((a)) was made to the Lords Amendment.
The Lords Amendment, so amended, was agreed to, the Commons being willing to waive their privileges.
Lords Amendments Nos. 167 to 184 were agreed to.
| 11 | Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from Mr David John Gillings against the abolition of duty-free sales was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed. |
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| 12 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr David Clelland.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-six minutes to Twelve o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 11.34 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 1 | Consumer Protection,—Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1208), dated 10th May 1998 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
Other Papers:
| 2 | Law Reform (Scotland),—Report of the Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman for 1997 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 686] [Mr Secretary Dewar]. |
| 3 | National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Managing the Millennium Threat II [by Act]; to be printed [No. 724] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 4 | Treaty Series (No. 20, 1998),—Notes, exchanged at Skopje on 5th September 1996, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Macedonian Government concerning certain commercial debts (United Kingdom/Macedonia Debt Agreement No. 1 (1995)) [by Command] [Cm. 3951] [Mr Secretary Cook]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| 1 | Competition Bill [Lords]: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee G, and appointed Mr John Maxton and Mr Peter Atkinson Chairmen; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated twenty-nine Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Nigel Beard, Mr John Bercow, Mr Clive Betts, Mr David Borrow, Mr Tim Boswell, Mr Colin Breed, Mr Peter Brooke, Mr Desmond Browne, Mr David Chidgey, Mr Brian Cotter, Mr Frank Doran, Lorna Fitzsimons, Mr Michael Foster (Hastings and Rye), Mrs Linda Gilroy, Mr Nigel Griffiths, Mr John Grogan, Dr Ashok Kumar, Dr Stephen Ladyman, Mr Andrew Lansley, Ms Jackie Lawrence, Mr Oliver Letwin, Mr Ian McCartney, Dan Norris, Mr John Redwood, Dr Phyllis Starkey, Mr David Stewart, Mr John M. Taylor, Ms Claire Ward and Mr Michael Wills.
| 2 | Chamber of Commerce (Protection of Title) Bill: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee C; and
(2) The Committee of Selection has nominated nineteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Graham Brady, Mr Tom Brake, Mrs Anne Campbell, Mr Robin Corbett, Mr Brian Cotter, Mr Geraint Davies, Mr Kelvin Hopkins, Ms Jenny Jones, Mr Andrew Lansley, Mr Tim Loughton, Mr Gordon Marsden, Ms Margaret Moran, Mr Richard Page, Mr Stephen Pound, Mrs Barbara Roche, Mr Barry Sheerman, Mrs Caroline Spelman, Ms Gisela Stuart and Dr Rudi Vis.
| 3 | Draft New Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 1998: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Third 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.: Mr David Chaytor, Mr Paul Clark, Mr Iain Coleman, Mr Jeremy Corbyn, Mr James Cran, Mr Jim Dowd, Mr Mike Gapes, Mr Roger Godsiff, Mr Dominic Grieve, Mr Stephen Hesford, Mr Andrew Hunter, Gillian Merron, Mr Malcolm Moss, Mr Paul Murphy, Mr William Ross and The Reverend Martin Smyth.
Grand Committees
| 4 | Scottish Grand Committee,—The Speaker has appointed Mr John Maxton Chairman of the Committee in respect of its meeting on Wednesday 20th May. |
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APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Defence,—Fourth Report from the Defence Committee [Lessons of the Chinook Helicopter Crash on the Mull of Kintyre], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 611] [Mr Bruce George]. |
| 2 | Education and Employment,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education Sub-Committee of the Education and Employment Committee on 13th May [The Role of Headteachers]; to be printed [No. 725–ii] [Ms Margaret Hodge]. |
| 3 | Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee on 13th May [Housing]; to be printed [No. 495–ix] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody]. |
| 4 | Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Sub-Committee of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee on 13th May [London Underground]; to be printed [No. 715–iii] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody]. |
| 5 | European Legislation,—Twenty-eighth 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–xxviii] [Mr Jimmy Hood]. |
| 6 | Northern Ireland Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on 13th May [The Prison Service in Northern Ireland]; to be printed [No. 716–ii] [Mr Peter Brooke]. |
| 7 | Public Accounts,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts on 13th May [HM Coastguard: Civil Maritime Search and Rescue]; to be printed [No. 741–i] [Mr David Davis]. |
| 8 | Science and Technology,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee on 13th May [Engineering and Physical Sciences Based Innovation]; to be printed [No. 626–iv] [Dr Lynne Jones]. |
| 9 | Social Security,—(1) Fourth Report from the Social Security Committee [Disability Living Allowance], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 641]; and |
(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Disability Living Allowance]
[Mr Archy Kirkwood].
| 10 | Trade and Industry,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Trade and Industry Committee on 13th May [Regional Funding]; to be printed [No. 697–ii] [Mr Martin O'Neill]. |
[No. 172.] Thursday 14th May 1998.
The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Contingencies Fund 1996–97,—Ordered, That there be laid before this House Accounts of the Contingencies Fund, 1996–97, showing: |
(1) The receipts and payments in connection with the Fund in the year ended the 31st day of March 1997;
(2) The distribution of the capital of the Fund at the commencement and close of the year, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon.—(Mr Clive Betts.)
| 2 | Lloyds TSB Bill [Lords],—The First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means reported from the Committee on Unopposed Bills, That it had examined the allegations contained in the Preamble to the Lloyds TSB Bill [Lords] and found the same to be true; and had gone through the Bill and had directed him to report the same without Amendment. |
Bill to be read the third time.
Page 567 Thursday 14th May 1998 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top
| 3 | Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Bill [Lords],—Mr Frank Cook reported from Standing Committee F, That it had gone through the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Bill [Lords], and made Amendments thereunto. |
Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 190].
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 743].
| 4 | Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Peter Atkinson reported from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft New Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 1998. |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 5 | Tax Credits (Initial Expenditure) Bill (Committee),—The House, according to Order, resolved itself into a Committee on the Tax Credits (Initial Expenditure) Bill. |
(In the Committee)
Clause No. 1 (Authorisation of expenditure).
Amendment (No. 4) proposed, in page 1, line 6, after the word ‘expenditure', to insert the words ‘up to a limit of £20 million'.—(Mr Michael Fallon.)
Question, That the Amendment be made, put and negatived.
Another Amendment (No. 1) proposed, in page 1, line 6, to leave out the words ‘in doing anything which in his or their opinion is appropriate.'.—(Mr Michael Fallon.)
Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Another Amendment (No. 7) proposed, in page 1, line 15, at the end, to insert the words—
‘(e) an assessment of the compliance costs involved in (c) and (d).'.—(Mr Quentin Davies.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The Committee divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Nigel Waterson, Sir David Madel: 119.
Tellers for the Noes, Janet Anderson, Mr Kevin Hughes: 227.
Another Amendment (No. 2) proposed, in page 1, to leave out lines 17 and 18.—(Mr Michael Fallon.)
Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Clause agreed to.
Clause No. 2 agreed to.
Bill to be reported.
The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair; and Bridget Prentice reported, That the Committee had gone through the Bill and directed her to report the same, without Amendment.
The Bill was read the third time, and passed.
| 6 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Bridget Prentice.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-seven minutes to Eight o'clock, adjourned till Monday 18th May.
[Adjourned at 7.33 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
| 1 | Housing,—Draft Homelessness (Decisions on Referrals) Order 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 2 | Housing (Scotland),—Draft Homelessness (Decisions on Referrals) (Scotland) Order 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar]. |
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 3 | Education,—Education (Grants to Aided and Special Agreement Schools) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1216), dated 13th May 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
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| 4 | Libraries,—Public Lending Right Scheme 1982 (Commencement of Variations) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1218), dated 13th May 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith]. |
| 5 | Local Government,—Local Government Act 1988 (Defined Activities) (Exemptions) (London Boroughs of Hillingdon and Hounslow, and Daventry and Horsham District Councils) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1193), dated 8th May 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 6 | Marine Pollution,—Merchant Shipping (Dangerous or Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1153), dated 27th April 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 7 | Pensions,—Judicial Pensions (Contributions) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1219), dated 13th May 1998 [by Act] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon]. |
Other Papers:
| 8 | Contingencies Fund, 1996–97,—Accounts of the Contingencies Fund for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [pursuant to Order this day]; to be printed [No. 746] [Dawn Primarolo]. |
| 9 | Foreign Affairs,—Government Observations on the Second Report from the Foreign Affairs Committee, Session 1997-98, Dependent Territories Review: Interim Report [by Command] [Mr Secretary Cook]. |
| 10 | Northern Ireland,—Northern Ireland Trading and Other Accounts for 1996–97, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 702] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam]. |
| 11 | Public Health (Wales),—Paper, entitled Better Health, Better Wales [by Command] [Cm. 3922] [Mr Secretary Davies]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| 1 | Data Protection Bill [Lords],—The Speaker has appointed Miss Ann Widdecombe an additional Chairman of Standing Committee D in respect of the Bill. |
| 2 | Finance (No. 2) Bill (except Clauses Nos. 1, 7, 10, 11, 25, 27, 30, 75, 119 and 147),—The Speaker has appointed Mr Roger Gale an additional Chairman of Standing Committee E in respect of the Bill. |
| 3 | Late Payment of Commercial Debts Bill [Lords],—The Speaker has appointed Mr Frank Cook an additional Chairman of Standing Committee F in respect of the Bill. |
European Standing Committees
| | The Speaker has appointed Mrs Marion Roe Chairman of European Standing Committee A in respect of European Community Document No. 6123/98, relating to Fisheries Monitoring under the Common Fisheries Policy. |
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Culture, Media and Sport,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on 14th May [Objectives and Performance of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport]; to be printed [No. 742-i] [Mr Gerald Kaufman]. |
| 2 | Education and Employment,—Memoranda laid before the Employment Sub-Committee of the Education and Employment Committee [Part-time Working]; to be printed [Mr Derek Foster]. |
| 3 | Foreign Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee on 14th May [The Public Expenditure Plans of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 1998–99]; to be printed [No. 745-i] [Mr Donald Anderson]. |
| 4 | Treasury,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Treasury Committee on 14th May [The Financial Services Authority]; to be printed [No. 712-ii] [Mr Giles Radice]. |
THE SPEAKER'S CERTIFICATE
The Speaker certified that the Tax Credits (Initial Expenditure) Bill is a Money Bill within the meaning of the Parliament Act 1911.
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