Commons Journal

House of Commons

Session 1997-1998

Commons Journal 254
Chronological Index
Alphabetical Index - Part I
Alphabetical Index - Part II

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[No. 215.]
Monday 27th July 1998.

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

1 Arms Sales to Sierra Leone,—Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, that she will be graciously pleased to give directions that there be laid before this House a Return of a report of the investigation into arms sales to Sierra Leone.—(Janet Anderson.)

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

The Lords have agreed to the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Bill, without Amendment.

The Lords have agreed to the National Minimum Wage Bill, with Amendments; to which they desire the concurrence of this House.

3 National Minimum Wage Bill,—Lords Amendments to the National Minimum Wage Bill to be considered to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 240].

4 Northern Ireland Bill (Committee) [4th allotted day],—The House, according to Order, again resolved itself into a Committee on the Northern Ireland Bill.

(In the Committee)

Clause No. 54 (The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission).

Amendment (No. 175) proposed, in page 25, line 26, after the word ‘Commission', to insert the words ‘with membership from Northern Ireland reflecting the community balance'.—(Mr John McDonnell.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Clause agreed to.

Schedule No. 8 (The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission).

Amendments (Nos. 209 and 210) made.

Schedule, as amended, agreed to.

Clause No. 55 (The Commission's functions).

Amendment (No. 43) proposed, in page 26, to leave out lines 2 to 6 and insert the words—

‘(3) The Assembly shall refer all proposed Measures to the Commission in draft and the Commission may advise the Assembly whether a proposed Measure is compatible with human rights, as the Commission thinks appropriate.

(4) The Assembly shall receive any such advice, and take it into account when considering the proposed Measure.'.—(Mr Kevin McNamara.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Amendments (Nos. 181, 182, 189 and 190) made.

Clause, as amended, agreed to.

Clause No. 56 (Assistance to individuals).

Amendment (No. 45) proposed, in page 26, line 29, at the end, to insert the words

‘or

(c) which an individual has commenced, or wishes to commence, under section 62 or 63 of this Act; or

(d) which an individual has commenced, or wishes to commence, by way of judicial review which raises relevant issues within the general remit of the Commission.'.—(Mr Kevin McNamara.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Another Amendment (No. 46) proposed, in page 27, line 4, at the end, to add the words—

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‘(5) The Commission may, with the permission of the court, submit its opinion as amicus curiae on the substance of the proceedings before the court, irrespective of whether the Commission is either a party to the proceedings, or has granted assistance in relation to proceedings under subsection (2).'.—(Mr Kevin McNamara.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Clause agreed to.

Clauses Nos. 57 and 58 agreed to.

Clause No. 59 (The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland).

Amendment (No. 156) proposed, in page 27, line 33, at the end, to insert the words—

‘(1A) The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland shall give equal weight and equal consideration to all forms of discrimination that people or groups of people may face.'.—(Mr Lembit Öpik.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Amendment (No. 170) made.

Clause, as amended, agreed to.

Schedule No. 9 (The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland).

Amendment (No. 205) made.

Schedule, as amended, agreed to.

Clause No. 60 (The Commission's principal functions).

Amendments (Nos. 202 to 204) made.

Clause, as amended, agreed to.

Clause No. 61 (Statutory duty on public authorities).

Amendment (No. 199) proposed, in page 28, line 20, to leave out from the word ‘opportunity' to the end of line 2 on page 29 and insert the words ‘in relation to religious belief, political opinion, race, gender, disability, language, age, marital status, dependants and sexual orientation.'.—(Mr Jeremy Corbyn.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Amendment (No. 193) made.

Another Amendment (No. 157) proposed, in page 28, line 36, at the end, to insert the words—

‘(f) Any other body which would be included within the definition of a public authority for the purposes of the Human Rights Act 1998'.—(Mr Lembit Öpik.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Clause, as amended, agreed to.

Schedule No. 10 (Equality: enforcement of duties).

Amendments (Nos. 206 and 211) made.

Schedule, as amended, agreed to.

Clause No. 62 (Discrimination by public authorities).

Amendment (No. 51) proposed, in page 29, line 4, after the word ‘discriminate', to insert the words ‘directly or indirectly'.—(Mr Eddie McGrady.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Clause agreed to.

Clauses Nos. 63 and 64 agreed to.

Clause No. 65 (Consultation with consultative Civic Forum).

Amendment (No. 95) proposed, in page 31, line 23, at the end, to add the words—

‘(6) The membership of the Forum shall be determined by the Assembly voting on a cross-community basis in accordance with section 4(5).'.—(The Reverend Ian Paisley.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

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Clause agreed to.

Clause No. 66 (Participation in NSMC and BIC).

Amendment (No. 194) proposed, in page 31, line 33, after ‘(a)', to insert the words ‘meeting and'.—(Mr Eddie McGrady.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made;

And it being six hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill this day, the Chairman, pursuant to Order [17th July], put the Question already proposed from the Chair.

Question, That the Amendment (No. 194) be made, put and negatived.

The Chairman then, pursuant to the said Order, put the Questions necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded.

Question put, That the Clause (No. 66) stand part of the Bill.

The Committee divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John McFall, Jane Kennedy: 135.

Tellers for the Noes, The Reverend Ian Paisley, Mr William Thompson: 3.

Clauses Nos. 67 to 69, Schedule No. 11, Clauses Nos. 70 to 76 and Schedule No. 12 agreed to.

Clause No. 77 (Orders and regulations).

Amendments (Nos. 207 and 208) made.

Clause, as amended, agreed to.

Clauses Nos. 78 to 80 agreed to.

Schedule No. 13 (Minor and consequential amendments).

Amendments (Nos. 212 and 213) made.

Schedule, as amended, agreed to.

Clause No. 81 and Schedule No. 14 agreed to.

Schedule No. 15 (Repeals).

Amendment (No. 214) made.

Schedule, as amended, agreed to.

Clause No. 82 agreed to.

Bill, as amended, to be reported.

The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr Jim Dowd reported, That the Committee had gone through the Bill, and made amendments thereunto.

Bill, as amended in the Committee, to be considered to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 241].

5 International Monetary Fund,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft International Monetary Fund (Increase in Subscription) Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 1st July, be approved—(Mr Jim Dowd):—It was agreed to.

6 Immigration,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Procedure) Rules 1998, which were laid before this House on 2nd July, be approved—(Mr Jim Dowd):—It was agreed to.

7 Deregulation,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 18 (Consideration of draft deregulation orders), That the draft Deregulation (Exchangeable Driving Licences) Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 29th June, be approved—(Mr Jim Dowd):—It was agreed to.

8 Deregulation,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 18 (Consideration of draft deregulation orders), That the draft Deregulation (Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles) Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 8th June, be approved—(Mr Jim Dowd):—It was agreed to.

9 Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from residents of the United Kingdom for tougher penalties for hit and run driving was presented; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

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10 Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Jim Dowd);

Tuesday 28th July 1998

And the Motion having been made after Ten o'clock on Monday evening, 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 twenty five minutes past Twelve o'clock on Tuesday morning, till this day.

[Adjourned at 12.25 a.m.

APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1 Animals,—Cattle Database Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1796), dated 20th July 1998 [by Act] [Dr John Cunningham].

2 Electricity,—Fossil Fuel Levy (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1828), dated 24th July 1998 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].

Other Papers:

3 Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries,—Report and Accounts of British Shipbuilders for 1997–98 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].

4 Crofters (Scotland),—Report of the Crofters Commission for 1997–98 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

5 Defence Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Defence Codification Agency for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1045] [Mr Secretary Robertson].

6 Education,—Accounts of the Teacher Training Agency for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1048] [Clerk of the House].

7 Environment, Transport and the Regions Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 836] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

8 Further and Higher Education,—Accounts of—

(1) Further Education Funding Council for England, and

(2) Higher Education Funding Council for England

for 1997–98, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 1049 and 1046] [Clerk of the House].

9 Housing,—Report and Accounts of Stonebridge Housing Action Trust for 1997–98 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

10 Immigration,—Paper, entitled Fairer, Faster and Firmer: A Modern Approach to Immigration and Asylum [by Command] [Cm. 4018] [Mr Secretary Straw].

11 Insurance,—Report on Insurance for 1997 pursuant to section 98 of the Insurance Companies Act 1982 [by Act] [Mrs Helen Liddell].

12 London Underground,—Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Minute, dated 27th July 1998, concerning a contingent liability consequent upon a contract to give engineering advice to London Regional Transport and the Government on a public-private partnership for London Underground [by Command] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

13 Miscellaneous Financial Provisions,—Reports and Accounts of—

(1) London First Centre, and

(2) West Midlands Development Agency

for 1997–98 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].

14 National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Ministry of Defence: Major Equipment Storage [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1005] [Clerk of the House].

15 National Heritage (Scotland),—Accounts of the Royal Botanical Garden, Edinburgh for
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1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1047] [Clerk of the House].

16 National Lottery,—Account of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland's Lottery Distribution for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1050] [Clerk of the House].

17 Northern Ireland Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Compensation Agency for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 935] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].

18 Science and Technology,—Accounts of the Economic and Social Research Council for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1053] [Clerk of the House].

19 Sierra Leone Arms Investigation (Legg Report),—Return to an Address to Her Majesty this day for a Return of the Report of an inquiry by Sir Thomas Legg KCB QC and Sir Robin Ibbs KBE into arms sales to Sierra Leone; to be printed [No. 1016] [Mr Secretary Cook].

20 Training and Enterprise Councils,—Accounts of the Training & Enterprise Councils and Chambers of Commerce, Training & Enterprise in England for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 967] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

Draft Conditional Fee Agreements Order 1998,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Michael Foster (Worcester) and Mr David Lock from the Ninth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Mr Michael Foster (Hastings and Rye) and Mr Paul Stinchcombe.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1 Northern Ireland Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on 27th July [The Prison Service in Northern Ireland]; to be printed [No. 716-vi] [Mr Peter Brooke].

2 Public Accounts,—(1) Sixty-second Report from the Committee of Public Accounts [The Purchase of the Read Codes and the Management of the NHS Centre for Coding and Classification]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 657];

(2) Sixty-third Report from the Committee of Public Accounts [DFEE: The Funding Council for England (The Management of Growth in the English Further Education Sector)]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 665];

(3) Sixty-fourth Report from the Committee of Public Accounts [Countering Anti-competitive Behaviour in the Telecommunications Industry]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 842];

(4) Sixty-fifth Report from the Committee of Public Accounts [Privatisation of the Rolling Stock Leasing Companies]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 782];

(5) Sixty-sixth Report from the Committee of Public Accounts [Managing the Millennium Threat]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 816]; and

(6) Sixty-seventh Report from the Committee of Public Accounts [HM Treasury: Resource Accounting and Resource Based Supply]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 731]

[Mr David Davis].

3 Treasury,—Eighth Report from the Treasury Committee [The New Fiscal Framework and the Comprehensive Spending Review], 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. 960] [Mr Giles Radice].

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[No. 216.]
Tuesday 28th July 1998.

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

1 Tamar Bridge Bill,—The House proceeded to consider the Lords Amendments to the Tamar Bridge Bill; and the same were agreed to.

2 Deregulation Committee,—Mr Peter L. Pike reported from the Deregulation Committee the following Resolutions:

That, in respect of the proposal for the Deregulation (Weights and Measures) Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 1st June, the proposal should be amended before a draft Order is laid before the House.

That, in respect of the proposal for the Deregulation (Pipe-lines) Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 15th June, the proposal should be amended before a draft Order is laid before the House.

3 Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Andrew Welsh reported from the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report 1998 and Comprehensive Spending Review for the purposes of section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993.

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

4 Ninth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr George Stevenson reported from the Ninth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Conditional Fee Agreements Order 1998.

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

5 Tenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Peter Atkinson reported from the Tenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Education (Student Loans) (Scotland) Regulations 1998 and the draft Education (Student Support) Regulations 1998.

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

6 Organ Donation,—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to provide that the organs of potential donors are available for transplant on death unless the potential donor has previously indicated a wish to the contrary: And that Dr Evan Harris, Norman Baker, Mr Gerald Bermingham, Mr Bill Michie, Mr Alan Simpson, and Mr Graham Stringer do prepare and bring it in.

7 Organ Donation Bill,—Dr Evan Harris accordingly presented a Bill to provide that the organs of potential donors are available for transplant on death unless the potential donor has previously indicated a wish to the contrary: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 23rd October and to be printed [Bill 242].

8 Northern Ireland (Sentences) Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Lords Amendments to the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Bill.

Lords Amendments Nos. 1 to 24 were agreed to.

9 Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords],—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Reasons assigned by the Lords for disagreeing to certain of the Amendments made by this House to the Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords].

Lords Reason for disagreeing to a Commons Amendment to insert a Clause (Reduction in age at which certain sexual acts are lawful) after Clause No. 32 (No. 14) considered:—

Resolved, That this House does not insist upon its Amendment.—(Mr Secretary Straw.)

Lords Reason for disagreeing to a Commons Amendment in page 87, line 5 (No. 98) considered:—

Resolved, That this House does not insist upon its Amendment.—(Mr Secretary Straw.)

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Lords Reason for disagreeing to a Commons Amendment in page 87, line 20 (No. 107) considered:—

Resolved, That this House does not insist upon its Amendment.—(Mr Secretary Straw.)

Lords Reason for disagreeing to another Commons Amendment in page 87, line 20 (No. 108) considered:—

Resolved, That this House does not insist upon its Amendment.—(Mr Secretary Straw.)

Lords Reason for disagreeing to a Commons Amendment in page 126, line 19 (No. 140) considered:—

Resolved, That this House does not insist upon its Amendment.—(Mr Secretary Straw.)

Lords Reason for disagreeing to a Commons Amendment in the Title, line 5 (No. 237) considered:—

Resolved, That this House does not insist upon its Amendment.—(Mr Secretary Straw.)

The Title then was as follows:

An Act to make provision for preventing crime and disorder; to create certain racially-aggravated offences; to abolish the rebuttable presumption that a child is doli incapax and to make provision as to the effect of a child's failure to give evidence at his trial; to abolish the death penalty for treason and piracy; to make changes to the criminal justice system; to make further provision for dealing with offenders; to make further provision with respect to remands and committals for trial and the release and recall of prisoners; to amend Chapter I of Part II of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 and to repeal Chapter I of Part III of the Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Act 1997; to make amendments designed to facilitate, or otherwise desirable in connection with, the consolidation of certain enactments; and for connected purposes.

10 Royal Assent,—The Deputy Speaker notified the House, in accordance with the Royal Assent Act 1967, That Her Majesty had signified her Royal Assent to the following Acts, agreed upon by both Houses:

Landmines Act 1998

Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998

Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998

City of Edinburgh (Guided Busways) Act 1998

Tamar Bridge Act 1998.

11 National Minimum Wage Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Lords Amendments to the National Minimum Wage Bill.

Lords Amendment No. 1.

A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That this House disagrees with the Lords in the said Amendment—(Mr Ian McCartney);

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 308.

Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Caroline Spelman, Mr Tim Collins: 121.

So the Question was agreed to.

The Lords Amendment was accordingly disagreed to.

And it being after Seven o'clock, and there being Private Business set down by direction of the Chairman of Ways and Means under Standing Order No. 20 (Time for taking private business), further proceedings stood postponed.

12 Lloyds TSB Bill [Lords],—The Lloyds TSB Bill [Lords] was, according to Order, read the third time and passed, without Amendment.

13 National Minimum Wage Bill,—The House resumed the postponed proceedings on the Lords Amendments to the National Minimum Wage Bill.

Lords Amendments Nos. 2 to 4 were agreed to.

Lords Amendment No. 5 was disagreed to.

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Lords Amendment No. 6 was disagreed to.

Lords Amendment No. 7 was disagreed to.

Lords Amendments Nos. 8 to 16 were agreed to.

Lords Amendment No. 17.

A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House agrees with the Lords in their Amendment—(Mr Ian McCartney);

And it being Ten o'clock the Debate stood adjourned.

14 Business of the House,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business), That, at this day's sitting, the National Minimum Wage Bill may be proceeded with, though opposed, until any hour—(Bridget Prentice):—It was agreed to.

15 National Minimum Wage Bill,—The House again proceeded to consider the Lords Amendments to the National Minimum Wage Bill.

Question again proposed, That this House agrees with the Lords in their Amendment (No. 17).

Question put and agreed to.

Lords Amendments Nos. 18 to 25 agreed to.

Amendment ( (a) ), consequential to Lords Amendment No. 25, was made to the Bill.

Lords Amendments Nos. 26 to 36 agreed to.

Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to draw up reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their Amendments Nos. 1, 5, 6 and 7.

Ordered, That Mr Clive Betts, Mr Tim Boswell, Mr Tim Collins, Mr Frank Doran and Mr Ian McCartney be members of the Committee.

Ordered, That Mr Ian McCartney be the Chairman of the Committee.

Ordered, That three be the quorum of the Committee.

Ordered, That the Committee do withdraw immediately.—(Mr Clive Betts.)

16 National Minimum Wage Bill,—Mr Ian McCartney reported from the Committee appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to certain of their Amendments to the National Minimum Wage Bill, That it had drawn up the following Reasons, which it had directed him to report to the House.

The Commons disagree to the amendment made by the Lords after Clause 1 for the following Reason:—

Because the Commons consider that the national minimum wage should, so far as reasonably practicable, be uniform for all workers in the United Kingdom and that it is not appropriate to make different provision for different areas, sectors of employment, trades or industries, sizes of undertaking, occupations, or ages over 26.

The Commons disagree to the amendments made by the Lords in page 2, line 34, in page 3, line 4 and in page 3, line 18 for the following Reason:

Because these Amendments are consequential on Lords Amendment No. 1 to which the Commons have disagreed.

The Reasons were agreed to.

Message to the Lords to communicate the said Reasons with the Bill and an Amendment.

17 Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from the family and friends of Nick Centi, and others, for measures to improve the safety of city centres and to reduce violent crime, was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

18 Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr David Jamieson);

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 one minute past Eleven o'clock, till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 11.01 p.m.

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APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1 Prisons,—Draft Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 (Specified Organisations) Order 1998 [by Act] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

2 Education,—Education (Individual Performance Information) (Identification of Individual Pupils) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1834), dated 23rd July 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].

Other Papers:

3 Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Executive Agencies,—Reports and Accounts of the:

(1) Central Science Laboratory,

(2) Meat Hygiene Service,

(3) Pesticides Safety Directorate, and

(4) Veterinary Medicines Directorate

for 1997–98, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 874, 798, 947 and 814] [Mr Nicholas Brown].

4 Armed Forces Pay,—Supplement to the Twenty-seventh Report of the Review Body on Armed Forces Pay: Service Medical and Dental Officers [by Command] [Cm. 3942] [The Prime Minister].

5 Church Commissioners,—Report and Accounts of the Church Commissioners for 1997 [by Measure] [Mr Secretary Straw].

6 Coal Industry,—Report and Accounts of the Coal Authority for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Mandelson].

7 Development of Tourism,—Report and Summary Financial Statement of the Wales Tourist Board for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Davies].

8 Environment,—Report and Accounts of the Environment Agency for 1997–98 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

9 Environment, Transport and the Regions Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Planning Inspectorate Executive Agency for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1024] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

10 Government Trading Funds,—Report and Accounts of Registers of Scotland for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 817] [Clerk of the House].

11 Health and Social Services (Northern Ireland),—Summary of Health and Personal Social Services and Northern Ireland Health Promotion Agency Accounts for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Command] [Cm. 4009] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].

12 Prisons (Northern Ireland),—Report of the Northern Ireland Prison Service for 1997–98 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 999] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].

13 Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on the Petition [11th November] from the Skipton Support Group for East Timor for an immediate embargo on military aid to Indonesia [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].

14 Public Works Loans,—Report of the Public Works Loan Board for 1997–98 [by Act] [Mrs Helen Liddell].

15 Sports Councils,—(1) Accounts of the United Kingdom Sports Council, and

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(2) Consolidated Accounts of the English Sports Council and English Sports Council Group

for 1997–98, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Command] [Mr Secretary Smith].

APPENDIX II

Reports from Select Committees

1 Deregulation,—Ninth Report from the Deregulation Committee [Proposal for the Deregulation (Weights and Measures) Order 1998, together with Proposal for the Deregulation (Pipe-lines) Order 1998]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 939] [Mr Peter L. Pike].

2 Education and Employment,—(1) Eighth Report from the Education and Employment Committee [The New Deal Pathfinders]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 1059];

(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [The New Deal/The New Deal Pathfinders]; to be printed [No. 263–III]; and

(3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee on 28th July [Access for All?]; to be printed [No. 1060–i]

[Mr Derek Foster].

3 Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Twelfth Report from the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee [ETR Departmental Annual Report 1998 and Expenditure Plans 1998–99], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment Sub-Committee and the Transport Sub-Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 844] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].

4 Foreign Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee on 28th July [Sierra Leone]; to be printed [No. 1057–i] [Mr Donald Anderson].

5 Home Affairs,—Second Report from the Home Affairs Committee [Confidentiality of Police Settlements of Civil Claims], 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. 894];

(2) Third Report from the Committee [Alternatives to Prison Sentences], 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. 486];

(3) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Home Office and Lord Chancellor's Department Annual Reports]; to be printed [No. 1063]; and

(4) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Confidentiality of Police Settlements of Civil Claims and Alternatives to Prison Sentences]

[Mr Chris Mullin].

6 International Development,—(1) Sixth Report from the International Development Committee [Montserrat—Further Developments]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 726]; and

(2) Third Special Report from the Committee [Government Response to the Third Report from the Committee, Debt Relief]; to be printed [No. 1056]

[Mr Bowen Wells].

7 Procedure,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Procedure Committee on 28th July [Financial Procedure]; to be printed [No. 848–iii] [Mr Nicholas Winterton].

8 Public Administration,—(1) Fifth Special Report from the Select Committee on Public Administration [Government Response to the Second Report of the Select Committee on Public Administration, on the Report of the Health Service Ombudsman for 1996–97]; to be printed [No. 1055]; and

(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Public Administration on 28th July [Report of the Health Service Ombudsman for 1997–98]; to be printed [No. 934–ii]

[Mr Rhodri Morgan].

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9 Science and Technology,—(1) Fourth Report from the Science and Technology Committee [The Cloning of Animals from Adult Cells], together with Appendices; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 1039];

(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee on 28th July [British Biotech plc]; to be printed [No. 888–iii]; and

(3) Memoranda laid before the Committee [British Biotech plc]

[Dr Michael Clark].

10 Statutory Instruments,—Forty-third Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, together with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 33–xliii] [Mr David Tredinnick].

11 Welsh Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Welsh Affairs Committee on 28th July [NHS (Wales) Summarised Accounts 1996–97]; to be printed [No. 1054] [Mr Martyn Jones].

[No. 217.]
Wednesday 29th July 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 Kevin Hughes);

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

2 Selection,—Ordered, That Mr George Mudie be discharged from the Committee of Selection and Mr Keith Bradley be added to the Committee.—(Mr Greg Pope.)

3 First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Jimmy Hood reported from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft undertaking by the Secretary of State for Scotland with the consent of Her Majesty's Treasury and P&O Scottish Ferries Limited and the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company for the provision of passenger ferry services to Orkney and Shetland.

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

4 Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Roger Gale reported from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Special Grant Report (Scotland): Grant in Aid of Expenditure on Rural Public Transport for 1998–99 (House of Commons Paper No. 941).

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

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

The Lords have agreed to the Finance (No. 2) Bill, without Amendment.

The Lords have agreed to the Amendment made by this House to one of their Amendments to the Government of Wales Bill, without Amendment; and they do not insist on their Amendments to the said Bill to which this House has disagreed.

The Lords have agreed to the consequential Amendment made by this House to the National Minimum Wage Bill, without Amendment; and they do not insist on their Amendments to the said Bill to which this House has disagreed.

Pensions (Amendment) Bill [Lords],—The Lords have passed a Bill, intituled, An Act to require the Secretary of State to report annually on service pensions, war pensions and war widows' pensions; to which they desire the concurrence of this House.

6 Parliamentary Oaths (Amendment),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to enable a person lawfully elected to the House of Commons to take his seat without swearing the present oath or affirming; and for connected purposes—(Mr Kevin McNamara);

And the Motion being opposed, after a brief explanatory statement from the Member who made the Motion and from a Member who opposed it, the Speaker put the Question,
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pursuant to Standing Order No. 23 (Motions for leave to bring in bills and nomination of select committees at commencement of public business).

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Gerald Bermingham, Mr Alan Johnson: 137.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Stephen Day, Mr Nigel Waterson: 151.

So the Question was negatived.

7 Opposition Day [19th allotted day],—It being an allotted day at the disposal of the Leader of the Opposition in pursuance of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business), the House proceeded to consider opposition business.

Presentation and Government Policy,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes the view of the Committee on Culture, Media and Sport in its Fifth Report (HC 742) that the Department of Culture, Media and Sport is focused on trivial matters at the expense of important industries like tourism; believes this to be symptomatic of a Government which places undue emphasis on presentational issues in order to mask policy deficiencies; and deplores the culture of cronyism which is discrediting political life—(Mr Peter Ainsworth);

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 ‘commends the Government for its progress on major matters of substance across all fields of responsibility, and in particular for its recognition of the cultural, social, educational and economic value of the areas of activity sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and for the concrete action taken across all parts of the Department's responsibilities over the last year to maximise that value; welcomes the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review, which provides for a significant investment in culture, sport, heritage and tourism alongside positive steps to reduce bureaucracy and ensure the most effective use of public money; and notes that this brings to an end a damaging period of real cuts presided over by the Opposition,' instead thereof.—(Mr Secretary Smith.)

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

The House divided.

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

Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Jamieson, Mr Greg Pope: 355.

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 commends the Government for its progress on major matters of substance across all fields of responsibility, and in particular for its recognition of the cultural, social, educational and economic value of the areas of activity sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and for the concrete action taken across all parts of the Department's responsibilities over the last year to maximise that value; welcomes the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review, which provides for a significant investment in culture, sport, heritage and tourism alongside positive steps to reduce bureaucracy and ensure the most effective use of public money; and notes that this brings to an end a damaging period of real cuts presided over by the Opposition.

Quality of Life in Rural Areas,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House deplores the Government's continued failure to protect both the Green Belt and greenfield sites from excessive development; is concerned about how transport and housing policy is neglecting the needs of the countryside; condemns the recent govenment proposal to cut the discount available to council tenants exercising the right to buy; and calls on the Government to end its systematic attack on the quality of rural life—(Mr Tim Yeo);

An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out the from the word ‘House' to the end of the Question and add the words ‘congratulates the Government on its commitment to promote sustainable development in all areas of the United Kingdom including rural areas; recognises the progress which has been made on improving rural services over the last fifteen months; welcomes the creation of powerful Regional Development agencies which will promote prosperity in both towns and countryside; welcomes the creation of a new agency to promote the interests of the countryside in England by bringing together the Countryside Commission and parts of the Rural Development Commission; recognises the Government's determination to increase the proportion of new houses built on brownfield sites; and supports the Government's desire
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to give greater freedom for people to explore the open countryside', instead thereof.—(Mr Michael Meacher.)

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

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Nigel Waterson, Mr Stephen Day: 159.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Clelland, Mr Jim Dowd: 304.

So the Question was negatived.

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

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

Resolved, That this House congratulates the Government on its commitment to promote sustainable development in all areas of the United Kingdom including rural areas; recognises the progress which has been made on improving rural services over the last fifteen months; welcomes the creation of powerful Regional Development agencies which will promote prosperity in both towns and countryside; welcomes the creation of a new agency to promote the interests of the countryside in England by bringing together the Countryside Commission and parts of the Rural Development Commission; recognises the Government's determination to increase the proportion of new houses built on brownfield sites; and supports the Government's desire to give greater freedom for people to explore the open countryside.

8 Northern Ireland,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the draft Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 (Specified Organisations) Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 28th July, be approved—(Secretary Marjorie Mowlam);

And it being one and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion, the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Standing Order No. 16 (Proceedings under an Act or on European Community documents).

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Jane Kennedy, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 219.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Nigel Waterson, Mr Stephen Day: 86.

So the Question was agreed to.

Resolved, That the draft Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 (Specified Organisations) Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 28th July, be approved.

9 Legal Services,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Conditional Fee Agreements Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 16th July, be approved—(Mr Graham Allen):—It was agreed to.

10 Section 5 of European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Order [21st July] and Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That this House approves the Government's assessment as set out in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report 1998 and Comprehensive Spending Review for the purposes of section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993—(Mr Graham Allen):—It was agreed to.

11 Education (Scotland),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Education (Student Loans) (Scotland) Regulations 1998, which were laid before this House on 17th July, be approved—(Mr Graham Allen):—It was agreed to.

12 Education,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Education (Student Support) Regulations 1998, which were laid before this House on 17th July, be approved—(Mr Graham Allen):—It was agreed to.

13 Registers of Interests,—Resolved, That the Resolution of 17th December 1985 be amended in line 31, by leaving out the words ‘copies of the Registers be placed in the Library for the use of Members' and inserting the words ‘the Registers be made available for the public inspection under arrangements to be approved by the Committee on Standards and Privileges'.—(Mr Graham Allen.)

14 Modernisation of the House of Commons,—Ordered, That Mrs Ann Taylor be discharged from the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons and Mrs Margaret Beckett be added to the Committee.—(Mr Graham Allen.)

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15 Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from students of Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, University of London, against tuition fees for higher education and the abolition of maintenance grants was presented; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

16 Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Graham Allen);

Thursday 30th July 1998

And the Motion having been made after Ten o'clock on Wednesday evening, 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 twenty five minutes past Twelve o'clock on Thursday morning, till this day.

[Adjourned at 12.25 a.m.

APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1 Customs and Excise,—Amusement Machine Licence Duty (Monetary Amounts) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1839), dated 28th July 1998 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].

2 Highways,—Humber Bridge (Debts) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1797), dated 22nd July 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

3 Merchant Shipping,—Merchant Shipping (Liability of Shipowners and Others) (Rate of Interest) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1795), dated 22nd July 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

4 Pensions,—Local Government Pension Scheme (Management and Investment of Funds) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1831), dated 20th July 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

5 Pensions (Northern Ireland),—Pensions Appeal Tribunals (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Rules 1998 (S.R.(N.I.), 1998, No. 265), dated 11th July 1998 [by Act] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon].

Other Papers:

6 Animals,—Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals in Great Britain for 1997 [by Command] [Cm. 4025] [Mr Secretary Straw].

7 Asylum and Immigration,—Report of the Independent Monitor of Entry Clearance Refusals for 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Cook].

8 Broadcasting,—Account of additional payments and financial penalties to the Independent Television Commission by Licensees for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1071] [Clerk of the House].

9 Building Societies,—Account of the Building Societies Commission for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1075] [Clerk of the House].

10 Cabinet Office Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 974] [Dr John Cunningham].

11 Coroners,—Hertfordshire (Coroners' Districts) (Amendment) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1799), dated 22nd July 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw].

12 Defence Executive Agencies,—Reports and Accounts of the—

(1) Army Personnel Centre,

(2) Defence Analytical Services Agency, and

(3) Disposal Sales Agency

for 1997–98, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 882, 956 and 953] [Mr Secretary Robertson].

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13 Disability Discrimination,—Report of the National Disability Council for 1997–98 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 971] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].

14 Friendly Societies,—Report of the Friendly Societies Commission for 1997–98 [by Act] [Ms Patricia Hewitt].

15 Further and Higher Education (Scotland),—Accounts of the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1064] [Clerk of the House].

16 Health Executive Agencies,—Reports and Accounts of the—

(1) Medical Devices Agency, and

(2) NHS Pensions Agency

for 1997–98, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 879 and 1008] [Mr Secretary Dobson].

17 Housing,—Report and Accounts of Waltham Forest Housing Action Trust for 1997–98 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

18 Local Government Finance,—Report and Accounts of the Audit Commission for the period 1st April to 31st October 1997, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

19 Miscellaneous Financial Provisions,—Accounts of the Development Commission for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1073] [Clerk of the House].

20 Monopolies and Mergers,—Report by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on courses of conduct pursued by Birds Eye Wall's Ltd in connection with the supply of wrapped ice cream [by Command] [Cm. 3971] [Mr Secretary Mandelson].

21 Museums and Galleries,—(1) Accounts of the

(i) Victoria and Albert Museum, and

(ii) Tate Gallery

for 1997–98, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 1074 and 1066] [Clerk of the House]; and

(2) Report of the National Portrait Gallery for 1997–98 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].

22 National Audit,—Reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General on—

(1) Inland Revenue: Special Compliance Office: Prevention of Corruption

(2) National Savings: Developments in Financial Reporting, and

(3) Office of Electricity Regulation: Improving Energy Efficiency Financed by a Charge on Customers

[by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 1058, 1037 and 1006] [Clerk of the House].

23 National Heritage,—Accounts of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1078] [Clerk of the House].

24 National Lottery,—Accounts of the—

(1) Arts Council of England Lottery Distribution,

(2) English Sports Council Lottery Distribution, and

(3) Sports Council for Wales Lottery Distribution

for 1997–98, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 1076, 1070 and 1077] [Clerk of the House].

25 National Savings Bank,—Statements with respect to

(1) investment deposits of National Savings, and

(2) ordinary deposits and expenses of the National Savings

for 1996, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 1061 and 1062] [Clerk of the House].

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26 Northern Ireland Executive Agencies,—Reports and Accounts of the—

(1) Northern Ireland Child Support Agency, and

(2) Training and Employment Agency

for 1997–98, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 937 and 1015] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].

27 Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors,—Account of the English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 949] [Mr Secretary Dobson].

28 Provisional Orders (Scotland),—Report by the Chairman of Committees of the House of Lords and the Chairman of Ways and Means in the House of Commons under the Private Legislation Procedure (Scotland) Act 1936 that the Balloch Footbridge Order should be allowed to proceed, subject to any recommendations as they may hereafter make with respect to the said Order [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

29 Public Accounts,—Treasury Minute on the Thirty-ninth and Fortieth Reports from the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 1997–98 [by Command] [Cm. 4021] [Dawn Primarolo].

30 Public Lending Right,—Accounts of the Public Lending Right Central Fund for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1065] [Clerk of the House].

31 Public Records,—Report of the Keeper of Public Records on the work of the Public Record Office, and Accounts of the Public Record Office, for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon, and the Report of the Advisory Council on Public Records for 1997–98 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 840] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon].

32 Railways,—Report of the Office of the Rail Regulator for 1997–98 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

33 Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland),—Report of the Registrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages for Scotland for 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

34 Scottish Office Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of Historic Scotland for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 895] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

35 Trade and Industry Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 944] [Mr Secretary Mandelson].

36 Trade Union and Labour Relations,—Account of the Commissioner for the Rights of Trade Union Members for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1072] [Clerk of the House].

APPENDIX II

European Standing Committees

European Community Document No. 9690/98, relating to EC development aid to South Africa (1986–96), has been referred to European Standing Committee B.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1 Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment Sub-Committee of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee on 29th July [The Protection of Field Boundaries]; to be printed [No. 969-iii] [Mr Andrew F. Bennett].

2 Environmental Audit,—Fourth Report from the Environmental Audit Committee [Climate Change: UK Emission Targets and Audit Arrangements], together with an Appendix; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 899] [Mr John Horam].

3 European Legislation,—Thirty-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-xxxvi] [Mr Jimmy Hood].

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4 International Development,—(1) Seventh Report from the International Development Committee [Sudan], 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. 872]; and

(2) Fourth Special Report from the Committee [Government Response to the Fourth Report from the Committee, on the Renegotiation of the Lome" Convention]; to be printed [No. 1068]

[Mr Bowen Wells].

5 Northern Ireland Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on 29th July [The Prison Service in Northern Ireland]; to be printed [No. 716-vii] [Mr Peter Brooke].

6 Public Administration,—Sixth Report from the Select Committee on Public Administration [The Government Information and Communication Service], 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. 770] [Mr Rhodri Morgan].

7 Science and Technology,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee on 29th July [Science and the Comprehensive Spending Review]; to be printed [No. 1040-i] [Dr Michael Clark].

8 Scottish Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Scottish Affairs Committee on 29th July [Inward Investment into Scotland]; to be printed [No. 698-iv] [Mr David Marshall].

9 Social Security,—Part of the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Social Security Committee on 29th July [Administration of the Department of Social Security]; to be printed [No. 587-iv] [Mr Archy Kirkwood].

10 Trade and Industry,—(1) Eleventh Report from the Trade and Industry Committee [Industrial and Trade Relations with Japan], 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. 568]; and

(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee on 29th July [Industrial and Trade Relations with Central and Eastern Europe]; to be printed [No. 893-ii]

[Mr Roger Berry].

11 Treasury,—Memorandum laid before the Treasury Committee [Economic and Monetary Union] [Mr Giles Radice].

12 Welsh Affairs,—Third Report from the Welsh Affairs Committee [The Welsh Office Departmental Report 1998], together with an Appendix 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. 751] [Mr Martyn Jones].

[No. 218.]
Thursday 30th July 1998.

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

1 Income Tax,—The Vice Chamberlain of the Household reported to the House, That its Addresses of 13th July relating to Income Tax had been presented to Her Majesty; and Her Majesty had been pleased to receive the same very graciously and give the following Answer:

I have received your Addresses praying that the Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Oman) Order 1998; the Double Taxation Relief (Air Transport) (Hong Kong) Order 1998; and the Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Kazakhstan) Order 1998 be made in the form of the drafts laid before your House.

I will comply with your request.

2 Bodmin Moor Commons Bill [Lords],—Ordered, That the Bodmin Moor Commons Bill [Lords], as amended by the Chairman of Ways and Means, be considered on Thursday 22nd October.

3 Alliance & Leicester plc (Group Reorganisation) Bill [Lords],—The Order of the day being

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read, for the Second Reading of the Alliance & Leicester plc (Group Reorganisation) Bill [Lords];

Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Thursday 22nd October.

4 Pensions (Amendment) Bill [Lords],—The Pensions (Amendment) Bill [Lords] was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 6th November and to be printed [Bill 243].

5 Northern Ireland Bill (Consideration and Third Reading) [1st allotted day],—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Northern Ireland Bill, as amended in the Committee.

A Clause (Social security, child support and pensions: consultation and co-ordination)—(Mr Paul Murphy)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

Another Clause (Social security, child support and pensions: the Joint Authority)—(Mr Paul Murphy)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

A Clause (Examinations by the Comptroller and Auditor General)—(Mr David Davis)—brought up, and read the first time.

Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:—Clause, by leave, withdrawn.

Amendment (No. 10) proposed, in page 2, line 5, at the end, to insert the words—

‘ “the Government of Ireland” means the Government of the Republic of Ireland, as defined in section 1 of the Ireland Act 1949.'.—(Mr William Thompson.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made.

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, The Reverend Martin Smyth, Mr Roy Beggs: 10.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Clelland, Mr Keith Hill: 257.

Amendments (Nos. 11 to 26) made to the Bill.

Another Amendment (No. 27) proposed to the Bill, in page 11, line 29, at the end, to insert the word ‘or'.—(Mr Paul Murphy.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made.

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr David Hanson: 225.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr William Ross, Mr Peter Robinson: 21.

Other Amendments (Nos. 28 to 49) made to the Bill.

Another Amendment (No. 4) proposed to the Bill, in page 31, line 41, at the end, to insert the words—

‘(3) No executive function shall be discharged under this section, by a Minister or Ministers, without the prior approval of the Assembly voting on a cross-community basis in accordance with section 4(5).'.—(Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Other Amendments (Nos. 50 to 69) made to the Bill.

Ordered, That the Bill be read the third time to-morrow.

6 Local Government Finance (Scotland),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the Special Grant Report (Scotland): Grant in aid of expenditure on rural public passenger transport for 1998–99 (House of Commons Paper No. 941), which was laid before this House on 9th July, be approved—(Mr Clive Betts):—It was agreed to.

7 Highlands and Islands Shipping Services,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft undertaking by the Secretary of State for Scotland with the consent of Her Majesty's Treasury and P & O Scottish Ferries Limited and the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company for the provision of passenger ferry services to Orkney and Shetland, which was laid before this House on 16th July, be approved—(Mr Clive Betts):—It was agreed to.

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8 Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from—

(1) the Leeds Jewish High School Trust and others for the establishment of a Jewish High School in Leeds,

(2) residents of Spelthorne constituency against the building of a Women's Prison at Woodthorpe Road in Ashford, and

(3) Christopher Leonard Brown and others for the safeguarding of Ladydale II and Ashenhurst Way from development plans

were presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

9 Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Clive Betts.)

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

[Adjourned at 9.51 p.m.

APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1 Broadcasting,—Foreign Satellite Service Proscription Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1865), dated 30th July 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].

2 Housing,—Houses in Multiple Occupation (Fees for Registration Schemes) (Amendment) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1813), dated 23rd July 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

3 Local Government,—(1) Local Authorities (Direct Labour Organisations) (Competition) (Insolvency) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 537), dated 23rd July 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Davies]; and

(2) Local Government Act 1988 (Defined Activities) (Exemption) (Insolvency) (England and Wales) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1806), dated 22nd July 1998, and

(3) Local Government (Direct Labour Organisations) (Competition) (Insolvency) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1805), dated 22nd July 1998

[by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

4 Prisons,—Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 (Sentence Review Commissioners) Rules 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1859), dated 30th July 1998 [by Act] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].

5 Road Traffic,—Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1807), dated 22nd July 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

6 Social Security,—Social Security (Guardian's Allowances) Amendment Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1811), dated 22nd July 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling].

7 Sports Grounds and Sporting Events,—Safety of Sports Grounds (Designation) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1845) dated 29th July 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].

8 Terms and Conditions of Employment,—Working Time Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1833), dated 30th July 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Mandelson].

9 Water Supply (Scotland),—Private Water Supplies (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1856), dated 27th July 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

Other Papers:

10 Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 961] [Mr Nicholas Brown].

11 Building Societies,—Report of the Building Societies Commission for 1997–98 [by Act] [Ms Patricia Hewitt].

12 Cabinet Office Executive Agencies,—Reports and Accounts of the

(1) Civil Service College, and

(2) Government Car and Despatch Agency

for 1997–98, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 1043 and 1011] [Dr John Cunningham].

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13	Defence Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Service Children's Education Agency for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 907] [Mr Secretary Robertson].

14	Development of Tourism,—Statement of re-appointment of a member of the British Tourist Authority [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].

15	Education,—Accounts of the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1080] [Clerk of the House].

16	Employment Protection,—Report of the Central Arbitration Committee for 1997–98 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Mandelson].

17	Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Government Response to the Second Report from the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee, Session 1997–98, on Sewage Treatment and Disposal [by Command] [Cm. 4023] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

18	Environment, Transport and the Regions Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Vehicle Certification Agency for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 920] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

19	Export Credits Guarantee Department,—Return, made under section 7 of the Export and Investments Guarantees Act 1991, of Commitments and Statutory Limits as at 31st March 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Mandelson].

20	Friendly Societies,—Account of the Friendly Societies Commission for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1082] [Clerk of the House].

21	Government Report,—Paper, entitled the Government's Annual Report 1997–98 [by Command] [Cm. 3969] [The Prime Minister].

22	Home Office Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of HM Prison Service for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 998] [Mr Secretary Straw].

23	House of Commons Commission,—(1)Accounts of the House of Commons Refreshment Department for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon, and

(2) Report of the House of Commons Commission for 1997–98

[by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 1051 and 1052] [The Speaker].

24	Industrial Development,—Report by the Secretaries of State for Trade and Industry, Scotland and Wales under the Industrial Development Act 1982 for 1997–98 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1069] [Mr Secretary Mandelson].

Italy (No. 1, 1998),—Agreement, done at London on 5th May 1998, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Italian Republic concerning the Co-Production of Films, with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Cm. 4029] [Mr Secretary Cook].

26	Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development,—Report and Financial Statements of English Partnerships for 1997–98 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

27	Local Government,—Paper, entitled Modern Local Government: In Touch with the People [by Command] [Cm. 4014] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

28	Miscellaneous Financial Provisions,—Report and Accounts of the West of England Development Agency for 1997–98 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Mandelson].

29	Museums and Galleries,—Account of the National Portrait Gallery for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1081] [Clerk of the House].

30	Northern Ireland Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Rate Collection Agency for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1067] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].

31	Pensions,—Accounts of the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 927] [Clerk of the House].

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32	Prisons,—Prison statistics for England and Wales for 1997 [by Command] [Cm. 4017] [Mr Secretary Straw].

33	Public Libraries and Museums,—Report by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on Library and Information Matters during 1997 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1010] [Mr Secretary Smith].

34	Scottish Office,—Departmental Minute concerning a contingent liability consequent upon a commercial partnership between the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) and the Taiwanese Company Yung Shin Pharmaceuticals [by Command] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

35	Scottish Office Executive Agencies,—Reports and Accounts of the—

(1) Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency, and

(2) Student Awards Agency for Scotland

for 1997–98, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 860 and 928] [Mr Secretary Dewar].

36	Superannuation,—(1) Civil Service Compensation Scheme (Amendment) Scheme 1998 (No. 2), and

(2) Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (Amendment) Scheme 1998 (No. 2)

[by Act] [Dr John Cunningham].

37	Treasury Executive Agencies,—Reports and Accounts of—

(1) the Office for National Statistics for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1019] [Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer]; and

(2) National Savings for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1023] [Ms Patricia Hewitt].

38	Welsh Office Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of Cadw Welsh Historic Monuments for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1044] [Mr Secretary Davies].

APPENDIX II

Reports from Select Committees

1	Agriculture,—(1) Sixth Report from the Agriculture Committee [Flood and Coastal Defence], 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. 707]; and

(2) Seventh Report from the Committee [Vitamin B6: The Government's Decision], together with an Appendix [Government Observations on the Fifth Report from the Committee, on Vitamin B6]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 1083]

[Mr Peter Luff].

2	Culture, Media and Sport,—(1) Seventh Report from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [The Eyre Review and the Royal Opera House]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 994]; and

(2) Fourth Special Report from the Committee [Objectives and Performance of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Government Response to the Fifth Report from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee]; to be printed [No. 1079]

[Mr Gerald Kaufman].

3	Education and Employment,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Employment Sub-Committee of the Education and Employment Committee on 30th July [Part-time Working]; to be printed [No. 610-viii] [Mr Derek Foster].

4	Foreign Affairs,—(1) Third Report from the Foreign Affairs Committee [Hong Kong], 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. 710];

(2) Fourth Report from the Foreign Affairs Committee [Entry Clearance Operations, with particular reference to Islamabad and New Delhi], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Entry Clearance Sub-Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 515]; and

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(3) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Hong Kong and Entry Clearance Operations]

[Mr Donald Anderson].

International Development,—Eighth Report from the International Development Committee [The Future of the Commonwealth Development Corporation], with the 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. 936] [Mr Bowen Wells].

[No. 219.]

Friday 31st July 1998.

The House met at half-past Nine o'clock

PRAYERS.

1	Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from—

(1) residents of the Moray Health Trust Area for the retention of the Moray Health Services Trust as an independent trust;

(2) Members of the Charlton and Blackheath Amateur Horticultural Society for a moratorium on the approval of genetically modified crops until their safety has been established;

(3) residents of Hastings and district against the hunting of wild mammals with dogs;

(4) Doctors and Lawyers for Responsible Medicine and their supporters for an end to experiments in xenotransplantation; and

(5) residents of Bedfordshire for a nationwide concessionary travel scheme for the elderly and disabled

were presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

2	Northern Ireland Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Third Reading of the Northern Ireland Bill;

A Motion was made and the Question being put, That the Bill be now read the third time;

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Jamieson, Mr Keith Hill: 215.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Roy Beggs, The Reverend Martin Smyth: 8.

So the Question was agreed to.

The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.

It being after Eleven o'clock, the Speaker interrupted the proceedings, pursuant to Standing Order No. 11 (Friday sittings).

3	Royal Assent,—The Speaker notified the House, in accordance with the Royal Assent Act 1967, That Her Majesty had signified her Royal Assent to the following Acts, agreed upon by both Houses:

Finance Act 1998

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

Government of Wales Act 1998

National Minimum Wage Act 1998

Lloyds TSB Act 1998.

4	Non-Sitting Fridays,—Ordered, That the Order of 19th May 1997 relating to non-sitting Fridays be amended by adding ‘and Friday 23rd October.'—(Mr Robert Ainsworth.)

Advisory Committee on Service Candidates,—Resolved, That the Resolution of the House of 18th February 1963, relating to the appointment by the Home Secretary of an Advisory Committee to examine every application for release from the armed forces for the purpose of contesting a parliamentary election, and to report to the appropriate Service

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Minister, in each case, whether or not it is satisfied that it is a bona fide application, be rescinded.—(Mr Robert Ainsworth.)

6	Treasury Committee,—Ordered, That Mr Malcolm Bruce be discharged from the Treasury Committee and Dr Vincent Cable be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

7	Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn,—(Mr Robert Ainsworth.)

And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twelve minutes to Two o'clock, adjourned till Monday 19th October, pursuant to Resolution [24th July].

[Adjourned at 1.48 p.m.

APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1	Criminal Law,—Republic of Serbia (Prohibition on Investment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1873), dated 30th July 1998 [by Act] [Ms Patricia Hewitt].

2	Education,—(1) Education (Inspectors of Schools in Wales) (No. 2) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1765), dated 21st July 1998 [by Act] [Margaret Beckett]; and

(2) Education (Grants for Early Excellence Centres) (England) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1877), dated 29th July 1998, and

(3) School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (Education Action Zones) (Modification) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1878), dated 30th July 1998

[by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].

3	European Communities,—European Communities (Designation) (No. 2) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1750), dated 21st July 1998 [by Act] [Margaret Beckett].

4	Income Tax,—(1) Individual Savings Account Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1870),

(2) Individual Savings Accounts (Insurance Companies) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1871), and

(3) Personal Equity Plan (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1869),

dated 31st July 1998 [by Act] [Mr Geoffrey Robinson]; and

(4) Gifts for Relief in Poor Countries (Designation) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1868), dated 31st July 1998 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].

5	Pensions,—Superannuation (Admission to Schedule 1 to the Superannuation Act 1972) (No. 2) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 1879), dated 31st July 1998 [by Act] [Dr John Cunningham].

Other Papers:

6	Environmental Protection,—Report of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee for 1997–98 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

7	Local Government (Wales),—Paper, entitled Modernising Local Government in Wales [by Command] [Cm 4028] [Mr Secretary Davies].

8	Public Petitions,—Observations by—

(1) the Secretary of State for Defence on the Petition [9th July] from the Mayors and Chairs of Councils of the local authorities located in the Number 2 Region of the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom against the movement of the Army's 2nd Division Headquarters from York to Edinburgh, and

(2) the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on the Petition [10th December] from Mrs He"le�ne Atkinson for action to help the release of Mr George Atkinson from imprisonment in Dubai

[by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].

9	Video Recordings,—Report for 1997–98 and Accounts for 1997 of the British Board of Film Classification [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw].

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