 House of Commons |
Session 1997-1998 |
| Commons Journal 254
Chronological Index
Page 569 1997-1998 Volume 254 [No. 173.] Monday 18th May 1998. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
The Lords agree, without Amendment, to the Amendments made by this House to certain of their Amendments to the Social Security Bill.
Sierra Leone,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House deplores the muddle of government policy towards Sierra Leone over the last year; notes the contradictory statements made on this matter by the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary and the Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; stresses the importance of establishing what knowledge and involvement there was on the part of government ministers, officials and officers of the intelligence services of and in the activities of Sandline International, including possible breaches of both international and United Kingdom law; and calls on the Government to announce without delay that it will establish a public inquiry into this question, presided over by a judge to be nominated by the Lord Chief Justice—(Mr Michael Howard); 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 ‘notes the Government's consistent policy of support for the restoration of President Kabbah and recognition of him as the elected and legitimate President of Sierra Leone and welcomes the success of that policy and the overthrow of the brutal and repressive military regime; applauds the open and proper manner in which the Government have responded to allegations of a breach of the UN arms embargo; and congratulates the Government on its commitment to an urgent outside investigation and publication of a full report', instead thereof.—(Mr Secretary Cook). 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 John Whittingdale: 128. Tellers for the Noes, Mr John McFall, Mr Jon Owen Jones: 287. 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 notes the Government's consistent policy of support for the restoration of President Kabbah and recognition of him as the elected and legitimate President of Sierra Leone and welcomes the success of that policy and the overthrow of the brutal and repressive military regime; applauds the open and proper manner in which the Government have responded to allegations of a breach of the UN arms embargo; and congratulates the Government on its commitment to an urgent outside investigation and publication of a full report. Territorial Army,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House views with concern recent reports that the size of the Territorial Army may be reduced to 40,000 and that it may be stripped of many of its combat units; recognises the role of the Territorial Army both in complementing the role of the regular army on active service in places such as Bosnia and in providing a strategic reserve of trained combat and supporting units in case of wider conflict; applauds the work of the Territorial Auxiliary and Volunteer Reserve Associations around the country in providing opportunities for young people to volunteer in the reserves and cadets, and in building bridges between local communities and the armed forces; and urges the Government to use the Strategic Defence Review to develop rather than undermine the role of this important national resource—(Sir George Young); 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 ‘supports the Government in its determination to ensure that the United Kingdom has armed forces that are modern, capable, relevant and structured for the new post Cold War strategic realities; considers Page 570 Monday 18th May 1998 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top that the Territorial Army, like the rest of the armed forces, should continue to adapt to these realities; welcomes the valuable role played by the Territorial Army in the wider life of the nation; and is confident that the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review will be capable, relevant and even more usable reserve forces to help support Britain's foreign and security policies', instead thereof.—(Mr Secretary Robertson.) And the Question being proposed, That the original words stand part of the Question. Mr James Arbuthnot rose in his place, and claimed to move, That the Question be now put; And the Question being put, That the Question be now put:—It was agreed to. And the Question being accordingly put, That the original words stand part of the Question; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Peter Ainsworth, Mr John M. Taylor: 154. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr Jim Dowd: 286. 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 supports the Government in its determination to ensure that the United Kingdom has armed forces that are modern, capable, relevant and structured for the new post Cold War strategic realities; considers that the Territorial Army, like the rest of the armed forces, should continue to adapt to these realities; welcomes the valuable role played by the Territorial Army in the wider life of the nation, and is confident that the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review will be capable, relevant and even more usable reserve forces to help support Britain's foreign and security policies.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till seventeen minutes to Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 10.43 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 15th May 1998 (Non-sitting Friday, S.O. No. 12) pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments): Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Page 571 Monday 18th May 1998 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 18th May 1998: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
(1) the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on the Petition [8th April] from Putney against a further terminal at Heathrow Airport, and (2) the Secretary of State for Social Security on the Petition [1st April] from residents of Solihull in favour of an earnings-related state pension [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].
(1) 1995, and (2) 1996 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar]. APPENDIX II Standing Committees
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(2) Thirty-ninth Report from the Committee of Public Accounts [MAFF: Protecting Environmentally Sensitive Areas]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 513]; (3) Fortieth Report from the Committee of Public Accounts [The Management of Building Projects at English Higher Education Institutions]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 558]; and (4) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts on 18th May [Department of Trade and Industry: Sale of AEA Technology]; to be printed [No. 749-i] [Mr David Davis]. Page 572 Monday 18th May 1998 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top [No. 174.] Tuesday 19th May 1998. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
Another Amendment (No. 7) proposed to the Bill, in page 16, line 35, to leave out from the beginning to the end of line 7 on page 17 and insert the words:— ‘(1) Each Bill considered by the Parliament shall comprise the following stages— (a) a general debate and vote on the principles of the Bill; (b) a committee stage for members of the Parliament to consider and vote on the detail of the bill and for interested bodies to make representations to the Parliament; (c) a further stage for interested bodies to make representations to the Parliament; (d) a report stage to consider any amendments subsequent to the committee stage in subsection (1)(b) and the further stage for representations in subsection (1)(c); (e) a final debate and vote on the Bill at which the Parliament can either pass or reject it. (2) A period of not less than three calendar months shall separate the stages of the Bill mentioned in subsections (1)(b) and (1)(d) unless otherwise provided for by a resolution supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of the total number of seats for members of the Parliament.', instead thereof.—(Mr Michael Ancram.) Question put, That the Amendment be made. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Sir David Madel, Mr Oliver Heald: 116. Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Clelland, Mr Kevin Hughes: 303. Other Amendments (Nos. 46 and 133 to 146) made to the Bill. Another Amendment (No. 147) proposed to the Bill, in page 26, to leave out lines 31 to 32 and insert—‘( ) The Fund shall be held with the Paymaster General.' instead thereof.—(Mr Henry McLeish.) And one and a quarter 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 [12th May], put the Question already proposed from the Chair. Amendment (No. 147) made to the Bill. The Deputy Speaker then put forthwith the Questions on remaining Amendments moved by a Minister to Clauses Nos. 46 to 75. Other Amendments (Nos. 272, 148, 273 to 279, 47 and 48) made to the Bill. Another Amendment (No. 22) proposed to the Bill, in page 35, line 24, at the beginning, to insert the words ‘Subject to subsections (6) and (8) below.'—(Mr Laurence Robertson.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made. And one and a half hours having elapsed, the Deputy Speaker put the Question already proposed from the Chair. Question put, That the Amendment (No. 22) be made. Page 573 Tuesday 19th May 1998 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Sir David Madel, Mr Oliver Heald: 121. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Jon Owen Jones, Mr David Clelland: 308. The Deputy Speaker then put forthwith the Questions on remaining Amendments moved by a Minister to Clauses Nos. 76 to 85. Other Amendments (Nos. 151, 49 and 152 to 180) made to the Bill. Other Amendments (Nos. 181, 182 and 50 to 56) made to the Bill. Two and a quarter hours having elapsed, the Deputy Speaker put forthwith the Questions on remaining Amendments moved by a Minister to Clauses Nos. 96 to 109. Other Amendments (Nos. 183 to 186, 258 to 261, 187, 188, 262, 263, 189, 280, 190 to 203 and 281) made to the Bill. Another Amendment (No. 73) proposed to the Bill, in page 59, line 6, to leave out from the beginning to the end of line 7, and insert the words— ‘1. The following aspects of the constitution are reserved matters, that is— (a) the Crown, including succession to the Crown and a regency, (b) the Union of the Kingdoms of Scotland and England, (c) the Parliament of the United Kingdom, (d) the continued existence of the High Court of Justiciary as a criminal court of first instance and of appeal, (e) the continued existence of the Court of Session as a civil court of first instance and of appeal,' instead thereof.—(Mr Henry McLeish.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made; And three and a quarter hours having elapsed, the Deputy Speaker put the Question already proposed from the Chair. Amendment (No. 73) made to the Bill. Other Amendments (Nos. 231 and 232) made to the Bill. Another Amendment (No. 59) proposed to the Bill, in page 60, line 43, at the end, to insert the words ‘, provided that any power conferred on local authorities in relation to taxes on businesses shall be framed so as to be exercisable with the effect of either increasing or reducing the overall burden of local taxation in the area of a local authority.'.—(Dr Liam Fox.) Question, That the Amendment be made, put and negatived. Other Amendments (Nos. 282, 269 and 270) made to the Bill. Another Amendment (No. 267) proposed to the Bill, in page 68, line 27, to leave out from the beginning to the end of line 35.—(Ms Roseanna Cunningham.) Question put, That the Amendment be made. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Andrew Welsh, Mr Alasdair Morgan: 6. Tellers for the Noes, Jane Kennedy, Mr Clive Betts: 289. More than four and a quarter hours having elapsed, the Deputy Speaker put forthwith the Questions on remaining Amendments moved by a Minister to Schedule No. 5, remaining New Clauses and New Schedules, and such Amendments to Clause No. 110, Schedules Nos. 7 and 8 and Clause No. 111 up to and including line 28 on page 50 of the Bill. Other Amendments (Nos. 233 and 234) made to the Bill. A Clause (Agreed re-distribution of transferred functions) brought up and added to the Bill. Other Amendments (Nos. 235 to 252, 57, 253 to 255, 204 to 207, 264, 209 to 211, 265, 266, 213 to 218, 220, 221, 268 and 271) made to the Bill. Title accordingly amended, as follows: A Bill to provide for the establishment of a Scottish Parliament and Administration and other changes in the government of Scotland; to provide for changes in the constitution and functions of certain public authorities; to provide for the variation of the basic rate of income tax in relation to income of Scottish taxpayers in accordance with a resolution of the Scottish Parliament; to amend the law about parliamentary constituencies in Scotland; and for connected purposes. Page 574 Tuesday 19th May 1998 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top The Bill was read the third time, and passed.
Report and Third Reading 1.(1) Proceedings on consideration and Third Reading shall be completed in two allotted days and shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion three hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill on the second of those days. (2) On the first 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 hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill which falls after Ten o'clock. Business Committee 2. Standing Order No. 82 (Business Committee) shall apply to proceedings on the Bill. 3. No Motion shall be made to alter the order in which proceedings on consideration of the Bill are taken, but the resolutions of the Business Committee may include alterations in that order. Conclusion of proceedings 4. For the purpose of concluding any proceedings which are to be brought to a conclusion at a time appointed by or under this Order— (1) The Speaker shall put forthwith the following Questions (but no others)— (a) any Question already proposed from the Chair; (b) any Question necessary to bring to a decision a Question so proposed; (c) the Question on any amendment moved or Motion made by a Minister of the Crown; (d) any other Question necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded. (2) Proceedings under sub-paragraph (1) shall not be interrupted under any Standing Order relating to sittings of the House and may be decided, though opposed, at any hour. (3) If 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. (4) On a Motion for a new Clause or a new Schedule, the Speaker shall put only the question that the Clause or Schedule be added to the Bill. (5) If on an allotted day a Motion for the adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 24 (Adjournment on specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration) stands over from an earlier day or to Seven o'clock— (a) the bringing to a conclusion of any proceedings on the Bill which under this Order are to be brought to a conclusion after that time shall be postponed for a period equal to the duration of the proceedings on the Motion, and (b) paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business) shall apply to proceedings on the Bill for the period after Ten o'clock for which sub-paragraph (a) permits them to continue. Supplemental orders 5. If a Motion is made by a Minister of the Crown to amend this Order and if an effect of the Motion would be to provide a greater amount of time for proceedings on the Bill, the Question on the Motion shall be put forthwith and may be decided, though opposed, at any hour. 6. If a Motion is made by a Minister of the Crown to supplement the provisions of this Order in respect of further proceedings on the Bill, the Motion may be proceeded with, though opposed, at any hour and the proceedings, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion three-quarters of an hour after they have been commenced. Interpretation 7. In this Order ‘allotted day' means any day on which the Bill is put down on the main business as first Government Order of the Day.—(Mr David Clelland.) Page 575 Tuesday 19th May 1998 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top
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 five minutes past Eleven o'clock, till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 11.05 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
(1) The Royal Surrey County Hospital, and (2) Thanet Healthcare [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson]
APPENDIX II Reports from Select Committees
(2) Fifth Special Report from the Education and Employment Committee [Government Response to the Fourth Report from the Committee, The Relationship between TECs and the proposed Regional Development Agencies]; to be printed [No. 752] [Ms Margaret Hodge].
Page 576 Tuesday 19th May 1998 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top (2) Memoranda laid before the Select Committee on Public Administration [Your Right to Know: the Government's Proposals for a Freedom of Information Act]; to be printed [No. 398–II] [Mr Rhodri Morgan].
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Welsh Affairs Committee on 19th May [The Welsh Office's Departmental Report 1998]; to be printed [No. 751] [Mr Martyn Jones]. [No. 175.] Wednesday 20th May 1998. The House met at half-past Nine o'clock. PRAYERS.
And it being Two o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.
That the Committee takes note of European Community Document No. 6123/98, a Commission Communication on Fisheries monitoring under the Common Fisheries Policy; also notes that the Communication builds on an undertaking given by the Commission to the Prime Minister at the Amsterdam European Council in June 1997; and endorses action being taken by the Government to secure more effective and consistent standards of enforcement across the Community. Report, together with Resolution, to lie upon the Table.
(In the Committee) Clause No. 1 (The Convention and the First Protocol). Amendment (No. 1) proposed, in page 1, line 8 to leave out ‘12 and'.—(Sir Nicholas Lyell.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Another Amendment (No. 111) proposed, in page 1, line 9, at the end, to insert the words ‘and— Page 577 Wednesday 20th May 1998 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top (c) Articles 1 and 2 of the Sixth Protocol.'—(Mr Kevin McNamara.) Question put, That the Amendment be made. The Committee divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Maria Fyfe, Ms Jenny Jones: 294. Tellers for the Noes, Mr James Cran, Mr Oliver Heald: 136. Another Amendment (No. 137A) proposed, in page 1, line 12, to leave out from the beginning to the word ‘any'.—(Mr Secretary Straw.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made; And it being Ten o'clock, the Chairman left the Chair to report progress and ask leave to sit again. The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair, and Jane Kennedy reported, That the Committee had made progress in the Bill, and moved, That the Committee may have leave to sit again.
(In the Committee) Clause No. 1 (The Convention and the First Protocol). Question again proposed, That the Amendment (No. 137A) be made. Question put; The Committee divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 308. Tellers for the Noes, Mr John M. Taylor, Mr John Whittingdale: 128. Amendment (No. 118) made. Question put, That the Clause, as amended, stand part of the Bill. The Committee divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 303. Tellers for the Noes, Mr John M. Taylor, Mr John Whittingdale: 128. Ordered, That the Chairman do report progress and ask leave to sit again.—(Jane Kennedy.) The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair; and Jane Kennedy reported, That the Committee had made progress in the Bill, and that she was directed to move, That the Committee may have leave to sit again. Committee to sit again to-morrow.
(1) the Matter of a regional strategic framework for Northern Ireland as set out in the discussion paper ‘Shaping our Future', being a matter relating exclusively to Northern Ireland, be referred to the Northern Ireland Grand Committee for its consideration; and (2) at the sitting on Thursday 4th June— (i) after any statement which may be made by a Minister of the Crown pursuant to Standing Order No. 112(1) (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (ministerial statements)), the Committee shall consider the matter referred to it under paragraph (1) above; and (ii) at the completion of these proceedings, a motion for the adjournment of the Committee may be made by a Minister of the Crown pursuant to Standing Order No. 116(5) (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (sittings))—(Jane Kennedy.)
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till nine minutes to Twelve o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 11.51 p.m. Page 578 Wednesday 20th May 1998 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
(2) Report by the Bank of England on the exercise of its functions under the Banking Act 1987 for the year ending 28th February 1998 [by Act] [Mr Alistair Darling].
(1) Royal Berkshire & Battle Hospitals, (2) Scunthorpe Community Health Care, and (3) United Bristol Healthcare [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson].
APPENDIX II Standing Committees
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz: Charlotte Atkins, Mr Crispin Blunt, Mr Julian Brazier, Mr Charles Clarke, Mr David Clelland, Tom Cox, Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas, Mr Mike Hancock, Mr David Heath, Mr Robert Key, Dr John Marek, Laura Moffatt, Dr John Reid, Mr Keith Simpson, Mr John Smith and Mr Anthony D. Wright.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz: Mr Graham Allen, Mr Tom Brake, Mr Jim Cousins, Mr Hilton Dawson, Mr Bill Etherington, Mr Bernie Grant, Mr Damian Green, Mr John Horam, Glenda Jackson, Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith, Mr Austin Mitchell, Ms Margaret Moran, Mr Doug Naysmith, Mr Richard Ottaway, Sir Robert Smith and Dr Alan Whitehead.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Regulations to the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and Page 579 Wednesday 20th May 1998 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz: Ms Candy Atherton, Mr Peter Bottomley, Mr Tom Brake, Mr Christopher Chope, Ann Clwyd, Mr Tim Collins, Mr Jim Dowd, Mr John Hayes, Mr Kelvin Hopkins, Ms Beverley Hughes, Ms Margaret Moran, Mr Nick Raynsford, Miss Geraldine Smith, Mr Andrew Stunell, Mr Michael Wills and Mr Phil Woolas.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz: Ms Diane Abbott, Mr Jamie Cann, Mr David Chaytor, Mr Paul Clark, Mr James Cran, Mr Jim Dowd, Mr Mike Gapes, Mr Andrew Hunter, Mr Robert Jackson, Mr David Lepper, Alice Mahon, Mr Malcolm Moss, Mr Paul Truswell, Mr Cecil Walker, Mr Phil Willis and Mr Tony Worthington.
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
[No. 176.] Thursday 21st May 1998. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
Ordered, That the Bill be read the third time on Thursday 4th June.
The Lords have agreed to the Tax Credits (Initial Expenditure) Bill, without Amendment. The Lords have agreed to the Amendments made by this House to the Magistrates' Courts (Procedure) Bill [Lords], without Amendment. The Lords have agreed to the European Communities (Amendment) Bill, with an Amendment; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House. Page 580 Thursday 21st May 1998 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top
Animal Health (Amendment) Act 1998 Social Security Act 1998 Magistrates' Courts (Procedure) Act 1998 Tax Credits (Initial Expenditure) Act 1998.
An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 6, to leave out from ‘(House of Commons Paper No. 719)' to the end of the Question and add the words ‘albeit against the background of the Government's failed stewardship of British agriculture which has seen farm incomes plummet by 45 per cent., a rise in rural job losses, and a failure to utilise fully all the resources available to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for the benefit of farmers; urges the Government to negotiate an outcome that works to the advantage of Britain's efficient farming industry as well as to the interests of United Kingdom producers, consumers and taxpayers, and of developing countries and to press for a reformed Common Agricultural Policy with substantially reduced overall costs, which does not act against farms larger than the European average, which is more economically rational, which reduces the bureaucratic burden on farmers, which provides a better framework for targeted environmental and rural development support, which contains fair and common rules to ensure that the United Kingdom's farm and food industries can exploit their competitive advantage in European and world markets, which facilitates the accession of associated countries and which offers the medium term prospect of benefits to developing countries; but regrets the fact that, so far in the discussions on Agenda 2000, the United Kingdom Government has not advanced proposals designed to allow Britain's farming industry to realise its full potential under the revised arrangements,' instead thereof.—(Mr Michael Jack.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made. And it being three hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion, the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Order [18th May]. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr John M. Taylor: 151. Tellers for the Noes, Janet Anderson, Mr David Jamieson: 230. So the Question was negatived. And the Main Question being put:—It was agreed to. Resolved, That this House takes note of European Community Document No. 7073/98, relating to reform of the Common Market Organisations for beef, cereals and milk and for the development of rural development policy in the European Union, and the Second Report from the Agriculture Committee, Session 1997–98, ‘CAP Reform: Agenda 2000' (House of Commons Paper No. 311) and the Government response thereto (House of Commons Paper No. 719); and supports the Government's intention to negotiate an outcome which takes account of the interests of UK producers, consumers and taxpayers alike and of developing countries and to press for a reformed Common Agricultural Policy with substantially reduced overall costs, which is more economically rational, which reduces the bureaucratic burden on farmers, which provides a better framework for targeted environmental and rural development support, which contains fair and common rules to ensure that the UK's farm and food industries can exploit their competitive Page 581 Thursday 21st May 1998 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top advantage in European and world markets, which facilitates the accession of associated countries and which offers the medium-term prospect of benefits to developing countries.
The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Jamieson, Janet Anderson: 221. Tellers for the Noes, Mr John M. Taylor, Mr Oliver Heald: 100. So the Question was agreed to. Resolved, That the draft Deregulation (Deduction from Pay of Union Subscriptions) Order 1998 be approved.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till three minutes to Nine o'clock, adjourned till Monday 1st June, pursuant to Resolution [8th May]. [Adjourned at 8.57 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
Food (Cheese) (Emergency Control) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1277) [by Standing Order] [The Speaker]. Page 582 Thursday 21st May 1998 1997-1998 Volume 254 Back to top APPENDIX II Standing Committees
(2) The Committee of Selection has discharged from the Committee Mr Crispin Blunt and Mr Robert Key (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Mr Gerald Howarth and Mr John Wilkinson.
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee on 21st May [Foreign Policy and Human Rights]; to be printed [No. 369-ix] [Mr Donald Anderson].
(2) Memorandum laid before the International Development Committee [Commonwealth Development Corporation]; to be printed [No. 766].
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Social Security Committee on 21st May [Active Modern Service]; to be printed [No. 587-iii] [Mr Archy Kirkwood].
MEMORANDUM Business Committee (Teaching and Higher Education Bill [Lords])
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