 House of Commons |
Session 1998-1999 |
| Commons Journal 255
Chronological Index
J O U R N A L SOF THEHOUSE OF COMMONSSession 1998–99The Fifty-Second Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. [No. 1.] Tuesday 24th November 1998. The House met at twenty-five minutes past Eleven o'clock. PRAYERS.
Madam Speaker, The Queen commands this Honourable House to attend Her Majesty immediately, in the House of Peers. Accordingly, Madam Speaker, with the House, went up to attend Her Majesty:—And having returned; Madam Speaker resumed the Chair at half-past Two o'clock.
Resolved, That no Peer of the Realm, except a Peer of Ireland, hath any right to give his vote in the Election of any Member to serve in Parliament. Resolved, That if it shall appear that any person hath been elected or returned a Member of this House, or endeavoured so to be by bribery, or any other corrupt practices, this House will proceed with the utmost severity against all such persons as shall have been wilfully concerned in such bribery or other corrupt practices.
Resolved, That if it shall appear that any person hath given false evidence in any case before this House, or any Committee thereof, this House will proceed with the utmost severity against such offender.
Page 2 Tuesday 24th November 1998 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
Ordered, That the said Journal and Index be printed by the appointment and under the direction of William Robert McKay, Esquire, C.B., the Clerk of this House. Ordered, That the said Journal and Index be printed by such person as shall be licensed by the Speaker, and that no other person do presume to print the same.
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, This is my Government's second legislative programme. Like the first, it will focus upon the modernisation of the country, its institutions, its public services, and its economy. They will continue in their drive to raise standards in our education services, to improve care in our health services and to modernise our welfare state upon the principle of work for those who can and security for those who cannot. My Government will continue with economic policies designed to build stability for the long term, making the United Kingdom well placed not just to weather the international financial storms but to emerge stronger from them. My Government will continue to work with our G7 partners and others to reform the international financial institutions. At home, the central economic objectives of my Government are high and stable levels of economic growth and employment, enabling everyone to share in higher living standards and greater job opportunities. My Government believe the historic decision to give the Bank of England the power to set interest rates has been crucial to the meeting of its inflation target and credibility in the system. Having reduced Government borrowing by £20 billion in its first year, my Government will continue to pursue sound public finances and abide by its fiscal rules. Productivity will be improved by measures addressing competition, investment, entrepreneurship and improving the skills of the British people. Legislation will be introduced to improve the regulation of financial services and markets, with a new statutory regulator, the Financial Services Authority. Legislation will be introduced to promote electronic commerce and start modernising the law, improving competitiveness by enabling the United Kingdom to compete in the new digital marketplace. Education remains my Government's top priority. To raise standards in our schools, we must raise standards in teaching. As part of my Government's drive to raise achievement in schools, a consultation paper will be brought forward on the most far-reaching reforms of the teaching profession for fifty years. These will enhance the status of teachers and reward high performance to secure the delivery of high standards. They will be taking other measures to continue the drive to enhance educational opportunity. My Government will continue to build a modern National Health Service to meet the needs of the whole nation. A Bill will be introduced to replace the NHS internal market which put hospitals, doctors and nurses in competition with each other. In its place will be decentralised arrangements based on partnership, quality and efficiency to put doctors and nurses in the lead in shaping local services. Following the White Paper, my Government will be taking forward proposals for the Food Standards Agency. My Government will continue to tackle crime and its causes and to modernise the justice system. A Bill will be introduced to modernise the youth courts and to give greater protection for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses in criminal cases. My Government will introduce legislation to modernise legal aid to make the system fairer and more cost effective; to provide for a Community Legal Service; and to make other changes to overhaul the justice system. Page 3 Tuesday 24th November 1998 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top Members of the House of Commons, Estimates for the public service will be laid before you. These will include substantial increases for education and health, laying the foundations for investment of £40 billion extra over the next three years. This investment will be tied to meeting the challenges of modernisation. My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, My Government has made clear its determination to modernise the welfare state upon clear principles of work, security, fairness and value for money. A Bill will be introduced giving greater help to those in need by reforming benefits for people with long-term illness or disabilities, and modernising benefits for widows, including for the first time, provision for widowers. It will include the introduction of a single gateway to the benefit system for those of working age. It will also make provision for pension sharing on divorce and introduce stakeholder pension schemes, offering a new, flexible and good value alternative form of pension. A Bill will be introduced for the Working Families Tax Credit and Disabled Persons Tax Credit as part of my Government's determination to make work pay. My Government will introduce legislation to establish a Disability Rights Commission which will assist disabled people in securing comprehensive civil rights and help employers to meet their obligations. My Government will continue to work in partnership with business, and welcome the improved relations between business and trade unions, who worked together in informing the Government's proposals for fairness at work. They will bring forward measures to establish a forward-looking balance of rights and responsibilities for employers and employees and will promote partnership at work. A Bill will be introduced to transfer the Contributions Agency to the Inland Revenue, paving the way for better and simpler collection of National Insurance Contributions and tax. My Government have fulfilled their commitment to establish a Scottish Parliament and a Welsh Assembly in accordance with the wishes of the people. People will be able to vote in elections to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly next year, and my Government will work to ensure that both are established successfully. In Northern Ireland, my Government will continue to work towards the full implementation of all aspects of the Belfast Agreement and maintain close co-operation with the Republic of Ireland. My Government will introduce legislation to modernise local government in England and Wales and secure delivery of high quality local services on a sound financial footing. Legislation will be introduced to create a new Greater London Authority made up of a directly elected Mayor and a separately elected Assembly. There will be a range of powers to help make London a world class city, including new powers to tackle road congestion and improve public transport. Regional Development Agencies will be established in England, decentralising decision-taking to the English regions. They will have a remit to serve both rural and urban areas. A Bill will be introduced to remove the right of hereditary peers to sit and vote in the House of Lords. It will be the first stage in a process of reform to make the House of Lords more democratic and representative. My Government will publish a White Paper setting out arrangements for a new system of appointments of life peers and establish a Royal Commission to review further changes and speedily to bring forward proposals for reform. My Government believe in open Government. Consultation on draft legislation is a contribution to this. They propose that a draft Freedom of Information Bill be given pre-legislative scrutiny in both Houses. My Government will also publish in draft several Bills, including those to reform Party funding, to improve councils' conduct of business and to establish a Strategic Rail Authority. Legislation will be brought forward to provide a fair basis for water charging in England and Wales. Parliament will be given an opportunity to vote on the age of consent. The Bill will strengthen the protection of young people from abuse of trust. A Bill will be introduced to modernise the law on immigration and asylum, including reform of the appeals system and new support arrangements for asylum seekers. Page 4 Tuesday 24th November 1998 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top My Government are committed to tackling global poverty and promoting sustainable development. They will introduce a Bill to convert the Commonwealth Development Corporation to a public private partnership to increase investment in developing countries. Other measures will be laid before you. The Duke of Edinburgh and I look forward to receiving State Visits by His Excellency the President of the Federal Republic of Germany next month and His Excellency the President of the People's Republic of China next year. We also look forward to our State Visit to Korea next year and to visiting South Africa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. My Government will play a leading role in preparing the European Union for the historic challenge of enlargement. In particular, they will work to secure reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and Structural and Cohesion Funds and to ensure that the EU policies and institutions meet the concerns of our citizens. They will pursue their initiative to make the European Union's foreign and security policy more effective. My Government will continue to promote with their European partners the economic reforms which will help to create growth and higher employment. They will encourage preparations in the United Kingdom for the introduction in other Member States of the Euro and will maintain the United Kingdom's abatement. My Government will ensure strong arrangements for defence based on the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, and promote international peace and security, especially in the Middle East and in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They will also actively pursue a resolution to the problems in Kosovo. My Government will pursue reform of the United Nations and an early resolution of its funding crisis. They will work to maintain the authority of the Resolutions of the Security Council of the United Nations, including in relation to Iraq. As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, my Government remain committed to the effective promotion of human rights world-wide. My Government will continue the fight against terrorism and serious crime at home and abroad. They will continue their leading role in protecting the environment, including the global climate. My Government see this as a substantial set of measures, addressing its priorities and seeking to meet the important and difficult challenges before us. My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.
Most Gracious Sovereign, We, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament—(Mr Joe Ashton); Ordered, That the Debate be now adjourned.—(Mr Greg Pope.) Debate to be resumed to-morrow.
And it being Ten o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till sixteen minutes past Ten o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 10.16 p.m. Page 5 Tuesday 24th November 1998 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top APPENDIX Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office during the Prorogation of Parliament on the undermentioned dates pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments): Papers subject to Negative Resolution: 20th November 1998
23rd November 1998
(2) Registration of Political Parties (Prohibited Words and Expressions) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 2873), dated 21st November 1998 [Mr Secretary Straw].
Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Tuesday 24th November 1998: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
(2) Report on smallholdings in Wales for 1995–96 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Michael].
Page 6 Tuesday 24th November 1998 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top [No. 2.] Wednesday 25th November 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.
Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Water Industry Bill be printed [Bill 1–EN].
Most Gracious Sovereign, We, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament; And the Question being again proposed:—The House resumed the adjourned Debate. Ordered, That the Debate be now adjourned.—(Mr Greg Pope.) Debate to be resumed to-morrow.
And it being Ten o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-four minutes past Ten o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 10.24 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
(2) Town and Country Planning (Minerals) (Scotland) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 2913), dated 17th November 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar]. Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Page 7 Wednesday 25th November 1998 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
(2) Legal Aid in Criminal and Care Proceedings (Costs) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 2908), and (3) Legal Aid in Criminal and Care Proceedings (General) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 2909), dated 19th November 1998 [by Act] [Mr Geoffrey Hoon].
Other Papers:
(1) 3rd, on Hong Kong [by Command] [Cm. 4156], and (2) 4th, on Entry Clearance Operations with Particular Reference to Islamabad and New Delhi [by Command] [Cm. 4151] [Mr Secretary Cook].
Page 8 Wednesday 25th November 1998 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
APPENDIX II Standing Committees
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Peter Atkinson Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Ms Diane Abbott, Janet Anderson, Sir Paul Beresford, Ann Clwyd, Mr Jim Dowd, Mr Ronnie Fearn, Barbara Follett, Mrs Teresa Gorman, Mr Robert Maclennan, Fiona Mactaggart, Mr Gordon Marsden, Mr Richard Spring, Mr Ian Stewart, Ms Dari Taylor, Mr Gareth Thomas and Mr Nigel Waterson.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mrs Ray Michie Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Miss Anne Begg, Mr Malcolm Chisholm, Dr Lynda Clark, Mr Eric Clarke, Mr Tam Dalyell, Mr Stephen Day, Mr Donald Gorrie, Mr Oliver Letwin, Mr Calum Macdonald, Mrs Anne McGuire, Mr John Randall, Mrs Marion Roe, Mr Frank Roy, Mr Malcolm Savidge, Sir Robert Smith and Mr Tony Worthington.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Joe Benton Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Robert Ainsworth, Mr Tony Baldry, Mr John Burnett, Mr Robin Corbett, Mr Edward Davey, Valerie Davey, Mr Eric Forth, Mr Nick Gibb, Mr Oliver Heald, Ms Patricia Hewitt, Shona McIsaac, Helen Southworth, Dr Howard Stoate, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe, Audrey Wise and Mr Mike Wood.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mrs Marion Roe Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Richard Allan, Mr Harry Barnes, Mr Paul Boateng, Mr Roger Casale, Mr Michael Clapham, Mr David Curry, Mr Michael Foster (Worcester), Mr Roger Gale, Mr John Greenway, Mr Mike Hall, Mr Nigel Jones, Ms Jackie Lawrence, Mr Allan Rogers, Mr Paul Stinchcombe, Ms Gisela Stuart and Mr Nigel Waterson.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Roger Gale Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr David Borrow, Mr John Butterfill, Mr Paul Clark, Mr James Cran, Mr Jim Dowd, Mr Mike Gapes, Mrs Eileen Gordon, Mr Fabian Hamilton, Mr Edward Leigh, Mr Malcolm Moss, Mr Paul Murphy, Mrs Diana Organ, Mr William Ross, Mr Gareth R. Thomas, Mr William Thompson and Mr Mark Todd.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Order to the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr John Maxton Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Robert Ainsworth, Mr John Burnett, Dr Vincent Cable, Mr Jeremy Corbyn, Mr John Grogan, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr Gerald Howarth, Mr Michael Jack, Mr Alan Johnson, Mr Martyn Jones, Mr David Lepper, Mr Stephen McCabe, Dawn Primarolo, Mr John Whittingdale, Mr Michael Wills and Ms Rosie Winterton. Page 9 Wednesday 25th November 1998 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Sub-Committee of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee [Maritime and Coastguard Agency]; to be printed [No. 31-i] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody]; and (3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment Sub-Committee of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee [New Countryside Agency]; to be printed [No. 6-i] [Mr Andrew F. Bennett].
(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Tax and Benefits] [Mr Archy Kirkwood]. CHAIRMEN'S PANEL
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS The Speaker appointed The Stationery Office Limited to print the Votes and Proceedings of this House. Page 10 Wednesday 25th November 1998 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top [No. 3.] Thursday 26th November 1998. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
Alliance & Leicester plc (Group Reorganisation) Bill [Lords] (formerly Girobank plc (Transfer) Bill [Lords]),—The Lords have passed a Bill, intituled, An Act to provide for the transfer to Alliance & Leicester plc of the undertakings of Girobank plc and Alliance & Leicester Personal Finance Limited; and for related purposes; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.
Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Rating (Valuation) Bill be printed [Bill 2–EN].
Most Gracious Sovereign, We, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament; And the Question being again proposed:—The House resumed the adjourned Debate. And it being Ten o'clock, the Debate stood adjourned. Ordered, That the Debate be resumed to-morrow.
(1) The limit on the office costs allowance in relation to Miss Anne Begg should be 1.55 times that determined in accordance with paragraph (a) of the Resolution of the House of 10th July 1996 for any quarter beginning with 1st April 1998. (2) The limit on the additional costs allowance in relation to Miss Anne Begg should be 1.55 times that determined in accordance with paragraph (1) of Part C of the Resolution of the House of 13th July 1994 for any year beginning with 1st April 1998.—(Mr Kevin Hughes.)
That three be the Quorum of the Committee; That the Committee shall have power to send for persons, papers, and records; to sit notwithstanding any adjournment of the House; to report from time to time; and to appoint specialist advisers to supply information which is not readily available or to elucidate matters of complexity within the Committee's order of reference; That the proceedings of the Joint Committee on Parliamentary Privilege in the last session of Parliament be referred to the Committee; That Mr Attorney General, the Lord Advocate, Mr Solicitor General and Mr Solicitor General for Scotland, being Members of either House, may attend the Committee, may Page 11 Thursday 26th November 1998 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top take part in deliberations, may receive Committee papers and may give such other assistance to the Committee as may be appropriate, but shall not vote or make any Motion or move any Amendment or be counted in the Quorum; That Mr Joe Benton, Sir Patrick Cormack, Mr Bill Michie, Mrs Ann Taylor, Mr Paul Tyler and Mr Alan Williams be members of the Committee.—(Mr Kevin Hughes.) Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.
And the Motion having been made at 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 half-past Ten o'clock, till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 10.30 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
(2) Statistical Bulletin: Homicides in Scotland in 1997 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].
APPENDIX II Standing Committees
Page 12 Thursday 26th November 1998 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sub-committee of the Treasury Committee [Office for National Statistics]; to be printed [No. 43–i] [Mr Giles Radice]. CHAIRMEN'S PANEL
[No. 4.] Friday 27th November 1998. The House met at half-past Nine o'clock. PRAYERS.
Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Road Traffic (NHS Charges) Bill be printed [Bill 3–EN].
Page 13 Friday 27th November 1998 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
Most Gracious Sovereign, We, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament; And the Question being again proposed:—The House resumed the adjourned Debate. Ordered, That the Debate be now adjourned.—(Mr Clive Betts.) Debate to be resumed on Monday 30th November.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till four minutes to Three o'clock, adjourned till Monday 30th November. [Adjourned at 2.56 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) Transfer of Prisoners (Restricted Transfers) (Channel Islands and Isle of Man) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 2798), dated 17th November 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw].
Other Papers:
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
