 House of Commons |
Session 1998-1999 |
| Commons Journal 255
Chronological Index
Page 78 1998-1999 Volume 255 [No. 21.] Monday 18th January 1999. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
Rationing in the NHS,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House recognises that rationing has always been a part of how the Health Service manages health care resources; expresses its dismay at the comments of the Right honourable Member for Dulwich and West Norwood denying the obvious fact that rationing exists in the Health Service; expresses grave concern at the proposed changes to be effected by Her Majesty's Government, which through bureaucratic bodies such as a National Institute for Clinical Excellence and a Commission for Health Improvement will force clinicians to carry the burden on rationing decisions; recognises that the availability of modern drugs for conditions such as schizophrenia and MS makes clear the reality of rationing in today's Health Service; recognises the fact that waiting lists are a hidden form of rationing; notes that excessive political concentration upon waiting lists has been largely responsible for the continuing winter crisis in the Health Service, over which Her Majesty's Government appears wholly complacent and unconcerned; and urges Her Majesty's Government to acknowledge the concerns of professional bodies such as the BMA over rationing and embark upon a mature debate on the future of the Health Service—(Miss Ann Widdecombe); 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 ‘reaffirms the historic principles of the NHS, that if people are ill or injured there will be a national health service there to help, and access to it will be based on need and need alone, not on ability to pay or who their general practitioner happens to be or on where they live; welcomes the measures the Government has taken, is taking and will take that will ensure that comparable, top quality treatment and care are available in every part of the country through the introduction of new arrangements for spreading best practice, including the ending of the Conservative competition of the internal market, the introduction of local Health Improvement Programmes and Primary Care Groups to put local doctors, nurses and other health professionals in the driving seat in shaping local health care, the introduction of a new Commission for Health Improvement and National Institute for Clinical Excellence, and the creation of new legal duties of partnership and quality to ensure that all parts of the NHS and social services work together to deliver top quality services to all; welcomes the record £21 billion investment to be made in the NHS, including £18 billion for the NHS in England, over the next three years; notes the record 150,000 fall in NHS waiting lists since April 1998 and the 17 per cent increase in the number of new nurse trainees in the period since Labour came to power; and further welcomes the measures that the Government intends to take over the coming year to continue to build a modern and dependable NHS, including the extension of NHS Direct to cover 19 million people, the creation of 26 Health Action Zones covering 13 million people to target areas with particularly high levels of ill health—including cancer and heart disease—and reduce health inequalities, and the targeted investment of £30 million to modernise accident and emergency departments', instead thereof.—(Mr Secretary Dobson.) And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John M. Taylor, Mr Tim Collins: 169. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr Clive Betts: 336. 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. Page 79 Monday 18th January 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to. Resolved, That this House reaffirms the historic principles of the NHS, that if people are ill or injured there will be a national health service there to help, and access to it will be based on need and need alone, not on ability to pay or who their general practitioner happens to be or on where they live; welcomes the measures the Government has taken, is taking and will take that will ensure that comparable, top quality treatment and care are available in every part of the country through the introduction of new arrangements for spreading best practice, including the ending of the Conservative competition of the internal market, the introduction of local Health Improvement Programmes and Primary Care Groups to put local doctors, nurses and other health professionals in the driving seat in shaping local health care, the introduction of a new Commission for Health Improvement and National Institute for Clinical Excellence, and the creation of new legal duties of partnership and quality to ensure that all parts of the NHS and social services work together to deliver top quality services to all; welcomes the record £21 billion investment to be made in the NHS, including £18 billion for the NHS in England, over the next three years; notes the record 150,000 fall in NHS waiting lists since April 1998 and the 17 per cent increase in the number of new nurse trainees in the period since Labour came to power; and further welcomes the measures that the Government intends to take over the coming year to continue to build a modern and dependable NHS, including the extension of NHS Direct to cover 19 million people, the creation of 26 Health Action Zones covering 13 million people to target areas with particularly high levels of ill health—including cancer and heart disease—and reduce health inequalities, and the targeted investment of £30 million to modernise accident and emergency departments. Pensioners and Dividend Tax Credits,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes that from April 1999, 300,000 non-taxpaying pensioners and 330,000 other non-taxpayers will lose an average of £75 each because of the Government's decision to abolish the dividend tax credit; further notes that 80,000 of the pensioners affected will lose over £100 per year; considers that it is unacceptable that basic rate taxpayers and higher rate taxpayers are unaffected directly by this decision which only affects non-taxpayers, half of them poor pensioners, who by definition must be poorer than taxpayers; calls on the Government to act on the promise made to the House of 30th June when the then Paymaster General stated ‘I am aware of the growing anxiety among poorer non-taxpayers who have been hit by the measure so I know that we need to make our position utterly clear as quickly as possible' (Official Report, 30th June, column 175); calls upon the Government to honour now this pledge by announcing that non-taxpayers will be able to continue to reclaim a 10 per cent tax credit from April 1999 in the same way as taxpayers who hold PEPs or ISAs will be able to do so; and further notes that this is still a 50 per cent cut from the current 20 per cent dividend tax credit—(Mr David Heathcoat-Amory); An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word ‘House' to the end of the Question and add the words ‘notes that the fundamental reform of company taxation carried out by the Government has removed major company taxation distortions from the system and put in place a sound base for better quality investment and growth that will lead to greater prosperity for everyone in the UK, including pensioners; that the Government has taken significant steps to help pensioners, including a guaranteed minimum income for the poorest pensioners through an increase in Income Support from this April worth over £236 extra per year for single pensioners and over £377 extra for couples, a minimum guarantee on tax so that pensioners have no income tax to pay unless their income rises above a certain level, £20 of winter fuel payments for every pensioner household, the introduction of free eye tests for pensioners from this April, new travel concessions on public transport and an extra £21 billion invested in the National Health Service; and further notes that this contrasts sharply with the record of the previous Government which introduced VAT on fuel at 8 per cent and tried to increase it to 17.5 per cent, which introduced charges on eye tests for pensioners, which presided over the mis-selling of pensions which severely damaged the financial security of many pensioners, which ran down the National Health Service on which many pensioners rely, and which was responsible for boom and bust economics which eroded the real value of pensioners' savings through inflation exceeding 10 per cent', instead thereof.—(Dawn Primarolo.) And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John M. Taylor, Mr Tim Collins: 166. Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Hanson, Mr Keith Hill: 336. 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); Page 80 Monday 18th January 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Hanson, Mr Keith Hill: 332. Tellers for the Noes, Mr John M. Taylor, Mr Tim Collins: 155. So the Question was agreed to. The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to. Resolved, That this House notes that the fundamental reform of company taxation carried out by the Government has removed major company taxation distortions from the system and put in place a sound base for better quality investment and growth that will lead to greater prosperity for everyone in the UK, including pensioners; that the Government has taken significant steps to help pensioners, including a guaranteed minimum income for the poorest pensioners through an increase in Income Support from this April worth over £236 extra per year for single pensioners and over £377 extra for couples, a minimum guarantee on tax so that pensioners have no income tax to pay unless their income rises above a certain level, £20 of winter fuel payments for every pensioner household, the introduction of free eye tests for pensioners from this April, new travel concessions on public transport and an extra £21 billion invested in the National Health Service; and further notes that this contrasts sharply with the record of the previous Government which introduced VAT on fuel at 8 per cent and tried to increase it to 17.5 per cent, which introduced charges on eye tests for pensioners, which presided over the mis-selling of pensions which severely damaged the financial security of many pensioners, which ran down the National Health Service on which many pensioners rely, and which was responsible for boom and bust economics which eroded the real value of pensioners' savings through inflation exceeding 10 per cent.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till five minutes to Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 10.55 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 15th January 1999 (Non-sitting Friday, S.O. No. 12) pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments): Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 18th January: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
APPENDIX II Reports from Select Committees
Page 81 Monday 18th January 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions: Grants to Voluntary Bodies]; to be printed [No. 158-i]; and (3) Memorandum laid before the Committee [Delays to the new National Insurance Recording System] [Mr David Davis].
[No. 22.] Tuesday 19th January 1999. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
Bill, not amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow. Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 168].
Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the House of Lords Bill be printed [Bill 34–EN].
(In the Committee) Clause No. 1 agreed to. Clause No. 2 (Membership of the Authority and the Assembly). Amendment (No. 16) proposed, in page 1, line 15, after the word ‘of', to insert the word ‘Greater'.—(Mr Simon Hughes.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Another Amendment (No. 60) proposed, in page 1, line 15, at the end, to insert the words— ‘(aa) the Deputy Mayor'.—(Mr Richard Ottaway.) Question put, That the Amendment be made. The Committee divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Stephen Day, Mr Oliver Heald: 120. Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Anne McGuire, Mr David Jamieson: 371. Another Amendment (No. 1) proposed, in page 2, to leave out lines 2 to 22 and insert the words— ‘(2) The Assembly shall consist of 33 members comprising— (a) one nominated representative from each London Borough and (b) one nominated representative from the Corporation of London. (3) The Mayor shall be returned in accordance with the provisions made in or by virtue of this Act for the holding of elections and the filling of a vacancy in the office of Mayor.'.—(Mr Richard Ottaway.) Question put, That the Amendment be made. Page 82 Tuesday 19th January 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top The Committee divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Stephen Day, Mr Tim Collins: 115. Tellers for the Noes, Jane Kennedy, Mr Mike Hall: 339. Another Amendment (No. 19) proposed, in page 2, line 2, to leave out from the word ‘members' to the end of line 6 and insert the words ‘representing the multi-member constituencies determined by the Local Government Commission under subsection (4) below.'.—(Mr Simon Hughes.) Question put, That the Amendment be made. The Committee divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Andrew Stunell, Mr Don Foster: 44. Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Hanson, Mr Kevin Hughes: 461. It being after Ten o'clock, the Chairman left the Chair to report progress and ask leave to sit again. The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr Jim Dowd reported, That the Committee had made progress in the Bill, and moved, That the Committee may have leave to sit again. Committee again to-morrow.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till fourteen minutes to Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 10.46 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
(2) Report and Accounts of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Command] [Cm. 4197] [Mr Secretary Straw].
Page 83 Tuesday 19th January 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
APPENDIX II Reports from Select Committees
(2) Second Special Report from the Committee [Government Response to the Ninth Report from the Committee, Session 1997–98, on the Role of Headteachers]; to be printed [No. 164]; and (3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The DfEE's Expenditure Plans]; to be printed [No. 165-i] [Mr Derek Foster].
(2) Memoranda laid before the Environment Sub-Committee [Reducing the Environmental Impact of Consumer Products; the Operation of the Landfill Tax]; to be printed [Nos. 149-II and 150-II] [Mr Andrew F. Bennett].
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Public Administration Committee [Annual Report of the Health Service Commissioner for 1997–98]; to be printed [No. 54-iii] [Mr Rhodri Morgan].
MEMORANDUM
Page 84 Tuesday 19th January 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top [No. 23.] Wednesday 20th January 1999. 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.
(In the Committee) Clause No. 2 (Membership of the Authority and the Assembly). Another Amendment (No. 27) proposed, in page 2, to leave out lines 25 to 27 and to insert the words— ‘(a) begin on the first Monday in July following the ordinary election; and'.—(Mr Paul Burstow.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Question put, That Clause No. 2 stand part of the Bill. The Committee divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Hanson, Mr Keith Hill: 308. Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Caroline Spelman, Sir David Madel: 167. Clause agreed to. Clause No. 3 (Time of ordinary elections). Amendment (No. 5) proposed, in page 3, to leave out lines 2 to 6.—(Mr Richard Ottaway.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause agreed to. Clause No. 4 (Voting at ordinary elections). Amendment (No. 8) proposed, in page 3, line 38, to leave out from the word ‘system' to the end of line 39.—(Mrs Gillian Shephard.) Question put, That the Amendment be made. The Committee divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Sir David Madel, Mrs Caroline Spelman: 131. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 335. Question put, That the Clause stand part of the Bill. The Committee divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 289. Tellers for the Noes, Sir David Madel, Mrs Caroline Spelman: 154. Clause agreed to. Schedule No. 1 agreed to. Schedule No. 2 (Voting at elections). Amendment (No. 83) proposed, in page 143, line 27, at the end to insert the words ‘no later than 55 days prior to the date set for the ordinary election'.—(Mr Richard Ottaway.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Another Amendment (No. 58) proposed, in page 144, to leave out lines 25 to 37.—(Mr Richard Ottaway.) Page 85 Wednesday 20th January 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Schedule agreed to. Bill (Clauses Nos. 1 to 4 and Schedules Nos. 1 and 2) to be reported. The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair; and Mr Jim Dowd reported, That the Committee had gone through the Bill (Clauses Nos. 1 to 4 and Schedules Nos. 1 and 2), and directed him to report the same, without Amendment. Ordered, That the Bill (Clauses Nos. 1 to 4 and Schedules Nos. 1 and 2) do lie upon the Table.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-seven minutes to Ten o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 9.33 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
(1) Caledonian MacBrayne Limited, and (2) David MacBrayne Limited for 1997–98 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dewar].
APPENDIX II Standing Committees
Page 86 Wednesday 20th January 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Mental Health Act 1983 Code of Practice to the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Frank Cook Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz: Ms Candy Atherton, Mr Crispin Blunt, Mr William Cash, Mr David Clelland, Mr Denzil Davies, Dr Ian Gibson, Mr Paul Goggins, Mr John Gunnell, Mr Philip Hammond, Dr Evan Harris, Mr John Hutton, Dr Ashok Kumar, Sir David Madel, Kali Mountford, Mr Lembit Opik and Mr Gerry Steinberg.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Regulations to the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Humfrey Malins Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz: Mr Tony Benn, Sir Paul Beresford, Dr Vincent Cable, Mr Christopher Chope, Mr Tim Collins, Mr Brian Cotter, Mr David Curry, Mr Clive Efford, Mr Barry Gardiner, Dr Kim Howells, Mr Alan Hurst, Mr Terry Lewis, Mr Kevin McNamara, Mr Paul Marsden, Mr Greg Pope and Bridget Prentice.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the 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 Richard Allan, Mr Gerald Bermingham, Mrs Liz Blackman, Mr Paul Boateng, Mr James Clappison, Mr Mike Hall, Mr Robert Jackson, Mr Tom Levitt, Mr Ken Maginnis, Dr John Marek, Mr John Randall, Mr Barry Sheerman, Ms Gisela Stuart, Mr Stephen Twigg, Mr Nigel Waterson and Mr Malcolm Wicks.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation and has appointed Mr Jim Cunningham Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz: Mr John Burnett, Mr Jamie Cann, Mr Derek Foster, Mr Edward Garnier, Mr Stephen Hepburn, Mr Keith Hill, Mr Geoffrey Hoon, Mr Phil Hope, Mr Gerald Howarth, Mr David Lock, Mr Denis Murphy, Mr Andrew Reed, Mr Bob Russell, Mr John M. Taylor, Mr Peter Viggers and Audrey Wise.
European Standing Committees
Grand Committees
APPENDIX III
Page 87 Wednesday 20th January 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top (2) Fifth Report from the Committee [Regional Eurostar Services], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Sub-Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 89]; (3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Integrated Transport White Paper]; to be printed [No. 32-iii]; (4) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Sub-Committee [The Future of the UK Shipping Industry]; to be printed [No. 172-i]; and (5) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Climate Change]; to be printed [No. 171-II] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].
[No. 24.] Thursday 21st January 1999. The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock. PRAYERS.
A Clause (Abolition of emergency treatment fee)—(Dr Evan Harris)—brought up, and read the first time. Question put, That the Clause be read a second time. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Sir Robert Smith, Mr Colin Breed: 28. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr Clive Betts: 208. Another Clause (Duty of insurers to submit annual report to Parliament)—(Dr Evan Harris)—brought up, and read the first time. Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:—Clause, by leave, withdrawn. Amendment (No. 2) proposed to the Bill, in page 3, line 43, to leave out ‘2nd July 1997' and insert ‘1st April 1998'.—(Dr Evan Harris.) Question put, That the Amendment be made. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Tom Brake, Mr Phil Willis: 24. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr Jim Dowd: 225. 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 Kevin Hughes, Mr Jim Dowd: 228. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Colin Breed, Mr Adrian Sanders: 24. So the Question was agreed to. The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.
Page 88 Thursday 21st January 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 52 (Money resolutions and ways and means resolutions in connection with bills), That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Scottish Enterprise Bill (”the Act”), it is expedient to authorise— (1) any payment out of the National Loans Fund, the Consolidated Fund or money provided by Parliament resulting from increasing by the Act, to an amount not exceeding £4,000 million, the aggregate amount which is permitted to be outstanding, otherwise than by way of interest, in respect of the items mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (d) of section 25(2) of the Enterprise and New Towns (Scotland) Act 1990; and (2) any increase, resulting from such increase, in the sums payable into the National Loans Fund or the Consolidated Fund—(Mrs Anne McGuire):—It was agreed to.
And it being Seven o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put, pursuant to the Sessional Order [16th December].
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till fourteen minutes past Seven o'clock, adjourned till Monday 25th January. [Adjourned at 7.14 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) Sea Fish (Specified Sea Area) (Regulation of Nets and Prohibition of Fishing Methods) (Variation) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 74), dated 14th January 1999 [by Act] [Mr Nicholas Brown].
Other Papers:
APPENDIX II Reports from Select Committees
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