 House of Commons |
Session 1998-1999 |
| Commons Journal 255
Chronological Index
Page 387 1998-1999 Volume 255 [No. 107.] Monday 21st June 1999. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
The Lords have agreed to the University College London Bill, without Amendment. The Lords have agreed to the Imperial College Bill, without Amendment.
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 Food Standards Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of— (a) any expenditure incurred by the Food Standards Agency established by the Act; (b) any expenditure incurred by a Minister of the Crown by virtue of the Act; (c) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable out of money so provided under any other enactment—(Mr Clive Betts):—It was agreed to.
Tuesday 22nd June 1999 And it being three hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion, the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Order [18th June]:—It was agreed to.
Address to be presented to Her Majesty by such Members of this House as are of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council or of Her Majesty's Household.
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-nine minutes past One o'clock on Tuesday morning, till this day. [Adjourned at 1.29 a.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Page 388 Monday 21st June 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
Other Papers:
APPENDIX II Reports from Select Committees
(2) Twenty-first Report from the Committee [Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils: 1997–98 Accounts (CCLRC)]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 332]; and (3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Arts Council of England: Monitoring major capital projects funded by the National Lottery]; to be printed [No. 563-i] [Mr David Davis].
CHAIRMEN'S PANEL
[No. 108.] Tuesday 22nd June 1999. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 124]. Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 576].
Bill, not amended in the Committee and as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 126]. Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 578].
Page 389 Tuesday 22nd June 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 125]. Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 577].
Bill, not amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow. Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 565].
(a) proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments to the Tax Credits Bill, (b) proceedings on the Motion in the name of Mrs Barbara Roche relating to Access to Justice Bill [Lords] [Ways and Means], and (c) consideration and Third Reading of the Access to Justice Bill [Lords]. 1.—(1) The proceedings to which this Order applies shall be taken in the order specified in the Table. (2) Each part of the proceedings to which this Order applies shall, if not previously concluded, be concluded today at the times shown in the Table. Table
Conclusion of proceedings on Tax Credits Bill 2.—(1) This paragraph applies for the purpose of concluding any proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments to the Tax Credits Bill in accordance with paragraph 1. (2) The Speaker shall first put forthwith any Question already proposed from the Chair and not yet decided. (3) If that Question is for the amendment of a Lords Amendment the Speaker shall then put forthwith— (a) the Question on any further amendment of the Lords Amendment moved by a Minister of the Crown, and (b) the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House agrees or disagrees to the Lords Amendment or (as the case may be) to the Lords Amendment as amended. (4) The Speaker shall then put forthwith— (a) the Question on any Amendment moved by a Minister of the Crown to a Lords Amendment, and (b) the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House agrees or disagrees to the Lords Amendment or (as the case may be) to the Lords Amendment as amended. Page 390 Tuesday 22nd June 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top (5) The Speaker shall then put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House disagrees to a Lords Amendment. (6) The Speaker shall then put forthwith the Question, That this House agrees to all the remaining Lords Amendments. (7) As soon as the House has agreed or disagreed to a Lords Amendment, or disposed of an Amendment relevant to a Lords Amendment which has been disagreed to, the Speaker shall put forthwith a separate Question on any other Amendment which is moved by a Minister of the Crown and relevant to the Lords Amendment. (8) The Speaker shall put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown for the appointment, nomination and quorum of a Committee to draw up Reasons and the appointment of its Chairman. (9) A Committee appointed to draw up Reasons shall report before the conclusion of this day's sitting. Conclusion of proceedings on Access to Justice Bill [Lords] 3.—(1) This paragraph applies for the purpose of concluding any proceedings on the Access to Justice Bill [Lords] in accordance with paragraph 1. (2) The Speaker shall forthwith put the following Questions (but no others)— (a) any Question already proposed from the Chair; (b) any Question necessary to bring to a decision a Question so proposed; (c) the Question on any amendment moved or Motion made by a Minister of the Crown; and (d) any other Question necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded. (3) On a Motion made for a new Clause or a new Schedule, the Speaker shall put only the Question that the Clause or Schedule be added to the Bill. (4) If two or more Questions would fall to be put under sub-paragraph (2)(c) on amendments moved or Motions made by a Minister of the Crown, the Speaker shall instead put a single Question in relation to those amendments or Motions. Common provisions 4.—In the case of any proceedings to which this Order applies— (a) Standing Order No. 15(1) (Exempted business) shall apply; (b) Standing Order No. 82 (Business Committee) shall not apply; (c) the proceedings shall not be interrupted under any Standing Order relating to the sittings of the House; (d) no dilatory Motion with respect to, or in the course of, the proceedings shall be made except by a Minister of the Crown (in which case the Question on the Motion shall be put forthwith); (e) if the proceedings are interrupted by a Motion for the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 24 (Adjournment on specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration) a period equal to the duration of the proceedings on the Motion shall be added to the period allowed for the interrupted proceedings; and (f) if the House is adjourned, or the sitting is suspended, before the proceedings are concluded no notice shall be required of a Motion made by a Minister of the Crown for varying or supplementing the provisions of this Order.—(Jane Kennedy.)
Lords Amendment No. 1. A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That this House disagrees with the Lords in the said Amendment—(Dawn Primarolo); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Clelland, Mr Greg Pope: 306. Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Stephen Day: 160. So the Question was agreed to. The Lords Amendment was accordingly disagreed to. Lords Amendment No. 2. Page 391 Tuesday 22nd June 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House disagrees with the Lords in the said Amendment—(Dawn Primarolo); And it being half-past Six o'clock, the Deputy Speaker put the Question already proposed from the Chair, pursuant to Order [this day]. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mike Hall, Jim Dowd: 317. Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Jacqui Lait, Mr Stephen Day: 161. So the Question was agreed to. The Lords Amendment was accordingly disagreed to. Lords Amendment No. 3 was disagreed to. Lords Amendments Nos. 4 to 11 were agreed to, the Commons being willing to waive their privileges in respect of Lords Amendment No. 4. Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their Amendments Nos. 1 to 3; That Ms Hazel Blears, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Eric Pickles, Mr Greg Pope and Dawn Primarolo be members of the Committee; That Dawn Primarolo be the Chairman of the Committee; That three be the Quorum of the Committee; That the Committee do withdraw immediately.—(Mrs Anne McGuire.)
(a) the imposition on professional bodies of requirements to make payments towards meeting the expenditure of the Legal Services Ombudsman and the Legal Services Complaints Commissioner, and (b) the payment of sums into the Consolidated Fund.—(Mrs Anne McGuire.)
The Commons disagree to Lords Amendments Nos. 1 and 3 for the following Reason:— Because it is not appropriate for smaller employers to be exempted from paying tax credit to their employees. The Commons disagree to Lords Amendment No. 2 for the following Reason:— Because it is appropriate for tax credit paid to employees to be paid by their employers. The Reasons were agreed to. Message to the Lords to communicate the said Reasons, with the Bill and Amendments.
A Clause (Principles applicable to Part I)—(Mr Edward Garnier)—brought up, and read the first time. Question put, That the Clause be read a second time. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Stephen Day, Mrs Jacqui Lait: 146. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Mike Hall, Jim Dowd: 313. Amendments (Nos. 87, 88, 11 to 16, 89, 90, 17 to 22 and 38 to 44) made to the Bill. Another Amendment (No. 95) proposed to the Bill, in page 68, line 32, at the end, to insert the words ‘and actions brought by or on behalf of children under 18, patients within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1983, persons with disabilities within the meaning of section 1(1) of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and persons in receipt of Income Support, save that services shall not be funded if the Commission is satisfied in any individual case that a conditional fee agreement is available'.—(Mr Robert Marshall-Andrews.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made. Page 392 Tuesday 22nd June 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top Mr Edward Garnier rose in his place and claimed to move, That the Question be now put. Question, That the Question be now put, put and agreed to. Question put accordingly. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Kelvin Hopkins, Mr Alan Simpson: 173. Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Hanson, Jane Kennedy: 291. And it being after a quarter to Nine o'clock, the Deputy Speaker put forthwith the Question necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded at that hour, pursuant to Order [this day]. Other Amendments (Nos. 45 to 69) made to the Bill. A Clause (Powers of Ombudsman)—(Mr Keith Vaz)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill. Another Clause (Funding of Ombudsman by professional bodies)—(Mr Keith Hill)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill. Another Clause (The Commissioner)—(Mr Keith Hill)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill. Another Clause (Commissioner's functions)—(Mr Keith Hill)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill. Another Clause (Bar practising certificates)—(Mr Keith Vaz)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill. Another Clause (Fees for solicitors' practising certificates)—(Mr Keith Vaz)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill. Another Clause (Code of conduct)—(Mr Keith Vaz)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill. And it being a quarter-past Ten o'clock, the Deputy Speaker put forthwith the Question necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded at that hour. Another Clause (Recovery where body undertakes to meet cost liabilities)—(Mr Keith Vaz)—brought up, read the first time, and added to the Bill. Another Clause (Adjournment of inquest in event of judicial inquiry)—(Mr Keith Vaz)—brought up, read the first time, and added to the Bill. Another Clause (Judges holding office in European or international courts)—(Mr Keith Vaz)—brought up, read the first time, and added to the Bill. A Schedule (Legal Services Complaints Commissioner)—(Mr Keith Vaz)—brought up, read the first time, and added to the Bill. Other Amendments (Nos. 23 to 26) made to the Bill. Another Amendment (No. 98) proposed to the Bill, in page 19, line 3, after the word ‘proceedings', to insert the words ‘save those brought under section 82 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990'.—(Mr Nick Hawkins.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Other Amendments (Nos. 27 to 37) made to the Bill. Another Amendment (No. 94) proposed to the Bill, in page 27, line 36, at the end, to insert the words— ‘( ) No person shall take or use any name, title or description implying that he is certificated as a notary by the Incorporated Company of Scriveners of London unless he is qualified to practise as a Scrivener notary in accordance with the rules and ordinances of that Company. ( ) A person who contravenes the preceding subsection shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale'.—(Mr Peter Brooke.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Page 393 Tuesday 22nd June 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top Ordered, That Clause No. 54 be transferred to the end of line 32 on page 33.—(Mr Keith Vaz.) Ordered, That Clause No. 59 be transferred to the end of line 5 on page 31.—(Mr Keith Vaz.) Ordered, That Clause No. 60 be transferred to the end of line 32 on page 33.—(Mr Keith Vaz.) Another Amendment (No. 1) made to the Bill. Ordered, That Clause No. 70 be transferred to the end of line 32 on page 33.—(Mr Keith Vaz.) Other Amendments (Nos. 100 to 103, 91, 3, 104, 92, 70 to 81, 4 and 105) made to the Bill. Ordered, That Schedule No. 10 be transferred to the end of line 36 on page 91.—(Mr Keith Vaz.) Other Amendments (Nos. 106 to 112, 5 to 7, 82, 8 to 10, 113, 114, 83, 84, 93, 85, 86 and 115 to 118) made to the Bill. Ordered, That Part IV(5) (Enforcement of community orders) of Schedule No. 14 be transferred to the end of line 27 on page 148.—(Mr Keith Vaz.) Another Amendment (No. 119) made to the Bill. Title accordingly amended, as follows: A Bill to establish the Legal Services Commission, the Community Legal Service and the Criminal Defence Service; to amend the law of legal aid in Scotland; to make further provision about legal services; to make provision about appeals, courts, judges and court proceedings; to amend the law about magistrates and magistrates' courts; and to make provision about immunity from action and costs and indemnities for certain officials exercising judicial functions. A Motion being made, That the Bill be now read the third time; Mr Secretary Blunkett, by Her Majesty's Command, acquainted the House, That Her Majesty, having been informed of the purport of the Bill, gives her Consent, as far as Her Majesty's interest is concerned, That the House may do therein as it shall think fit. And the Question being put; The House proceeded to a Division. Wednesday 23rd June 1999 Tellers for the Ayes, Mrs Anne McGuire, Mr Clive Betts: 301. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Stephen Day, Mrs Jacqui Lait: 151. So the Question was agreed to. The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed, with Amendments.
(1) the matter of the Review of the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland be referred to the Northern Ireland Grand Committee for its consideration; (2) at the sitting on Thursday 8th July— (i) the Committee shall take questions for oral answer and shall then consider the matter referred to it under paragraph (1) above; (ii) the Chairman shall interrupt proceedings at Five o'clock; and (iii) at the conclusion of those proceedings, a Motion for the adjournment of the Committee may be made by a Minister of the Crown, pursuant to Standing Order No. 116(5).—(Mr David Jamieson.)
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-nine minutes to One o'clock, adjourned till this day. [Adjourned at 12.31 a.m. Page 394 Tuesday 22nd June 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
APPENDIX II Reports from Select Committees
(2) Fourth Special Report from the Committee [Government Response to the Fourth Report from the Committee, on The UK Pig Industry: The Government's Response], together with an Appendix; to be printed [No. 573]; (3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Sea Fishing]; to be printed [No. 141-vi]; and (4) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Sea Fishing; The Marketing of Milk] [Mr Peter Luff].
(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Foreign and Commonwealth Office Resources] [Mr Donald Anderson].
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Drugs and Prisons]; to be printed [No. 363-iii] [Mr Chris Mullin].
Page 395 Tuesday 22nd June 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
[No. 109.] Wednesday 23rd June 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.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
Proportional Representation,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House, in the light of experience of recent elections held on the basis of proportional representation, believes that this is not an appropriate basis for election to the House of Commons; and urges the Government to resolve the uncertainty it has caused on this matter either by abandoning its commitment to hold a referendum, or by holding the referendum forthwith—(Sir George Young); An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word ‘House' to the end of the Question and add the words ‘recognises that different electoral systems may be appropriate for elections to different institutions; commends the Government's commitment to let the final decision on the voting system for the House of Commons be made by the people in a referendum; and welcomes the Government's approach which allows for a full debate in the country on the merits of the Jenkins system before a referendum is held', instead thereof.—(Mr Secretary Straw.) And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Keith Simpson: 143. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr Keith Hill: 365. 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 396 Wednesday 23rd June 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 recognises that different electoral systems may be appropriate for elections to different institutions; commends the Government's commitment to let the final decision on the voting system for the House of Commons be made by the people in a referendum; and welcomes the Government's approach which allows for a full debate in the country on the merits of the Jenkins system before a referendum is held.
Margaret Beckett acquainted the House, That she had it in Command from Her Majesty the Queen to acquaint the House that Her Majesty, having been informed of the purport of the Measure, has consented to place her prerogative and interest, so far as it is concerned on behalf of the Crown and the Duchy of Lancaster, at the disposal of Parliament for the purposes of the Measure. And the Question being put:—It was agreed to. Resolved, That the Care of Places of Worship Measure, passed by the General Synod of the Church of England, be presented to Her Majesty for her Royal Assent in the form in which the said Measure was laid before Parliament.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty minutes to Ten o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 9.40 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Supply and Sale of Equipment) (Penalties and Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1775), dated 23rd June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].
Other Papers:
Page 397 Wednesday 23rd June 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
(2) Seventh Report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, Session 1998–99: Annual Report 1998–99 [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 571 and 572] [Clerk of the House].
APPENDIX II Standing Committees
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee B and has appointed Mr Roger Gale and Mr Jimmy Hood Chairmen; and (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed twenty-one Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Kevin Barron, Mr Clive Betts, Dr Peter Brand, Mr Richard Burden, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mr Huw Edwards, Mr Jeff Ennis, Mr Andrew George, Dr Ian Gibson, Mr Nigel Griffiths, Tessa Jowell, Ms Sally Keeble, Mr Calum Macdonald, Mr David Maclean, Mr James Paice, Mr Owen Paterson, Mr Jeff Rooker, Mr Frank Roy, Mrs Caroline Spelman, Mr Mark Todd and Dr Desmond Turner.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Order to the Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation and has appointed Dr Michael Clark Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Robert Ainsworth, Mr David Amess, Mr Colin Breed, Barbara Follett, Maria Fyfe, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr Alan Johnson, Mr Nigel Jones, Mr Oliver Letwin, Mr Robert Marshall-Andrews, Mr Jim Marshall, Laura Moffatt, Dawn Primarolo, Mr Ted Rowlands, Dr Rudi Vis and Mr David Wilshire.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Order to the Ninth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation and has appointed Sir David Madel Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Robert Ainsworth, Mr Peter Bottomley, Sir Sydney Chapman, Mr Jeremy Corbyn, Mr Edward Davey, Valerie Davey, Mrs Llin Golding, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr Alan Johnson, Mr Nigel Jones, Mr Oliver Letwin, Rosemary McKenna, Alice Mahon, Mr Paul Marsden, Dawn Primarolo and Dr Alan Whitehead.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Tenth 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.: Ms Diane Abbott, Mr John Burnett, Dr Vincent Cable, Mr Alan Campbell, Ann Clwyd, Mr David Curry, Mr Nick Hawkins, Mr John Hayes, Mr Keith Hill, Mr David Lock, Mr Syd Rapson, Joan Ruddock, Mr Alan Simpson, Dr Phyllis Starkey, Mr John M. Taylor and Mr Keith Vaz.
European Standing Committees
Page 398 Wednesday 23rd June 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(2) Memorandum laid before the Transport Sub-Committee [Air Traffic Control]; to be printed [No. 586] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The ECOFIN Council, 25 May 1999]; to be printed [No. 589] [Mr Jimmy Hood].
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Impact in Northern Ireland of Cross-Border Road Fuel Price Differentials]; to be printed [No. 334-iv] [Mr Peter Brooke].
(2) Twenty-Third Report from the Committee [Getting better value for money from the Private Finance Initiative]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 583]; and (3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The Immigration and Nationality Directorate's Casework Programme]; to be printed [No. 584-i] [Mr David Davis].
[No. 110.] Thursday 24th June 1999. The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock. PRAYERS.
That a day not later than 5th August be allotted for the consideration of the following Estimates for the financial year 1999–2000: 1. Class I, Vote 4: Department for Education and Employment: Office of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools in England; Page 399 Thursday 24th June 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top 2. Class III: Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions as it relates to transport policy; and that debate on the first Estimate be interrupted not later than three hours after its commencement. Report to lie upon the Table.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 99].
The Lords have agreed to the Water Industry Bill, without Amendment. The Lords have agreed to the HFC Bank Bill, without Amendment.
And the same was read the first time, and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 23rd July and to be printed [Bill 128].
Government's Policy for Widows,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House welcomes the long-overdue extension of widow's benefits to widowers, and the doubling of Bereavement Payments; but notes that this costs only £100 million annually in the long term, compared with the £600 million cut the Government will make through the replacement of widows' pensions by a Bereavement Tax Allowance, the abolition of Dividend Tax Credits and the restriction of Council Tax Benefit on higher-value properties; regrets the Government's woefully inadequate response to next year's halving of widows' entitlement to additional pension; welcomes the fact that this is now under investigation by the Parliamentary Ombudsman; and calls on the Government to cease their attacks on the living standards of widows—(Mr David Rendel); An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word ‘House' to the end of the Question and add the words ‘supports the Government's proposals to reform bereavement benefits, including the Bereavement Payment, which will provide a tax-free lump sum of £2,000—double the value of the current Widow's Payment; welcomes the additional help given to the children of widowers, who will qualify for the new Widowed Parent's Allowance, which will replace the Widowed Mother's Allowance; welcomes the protection given to widows over 55, who might otherwise have no practical alternative to relying on Income Support; and welcomes the wide range of policies which are designed to assist women to play a full and active part in the community', instead thereof.—(Mr Stephen Timms.) And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Phil Willis, Sir Robert Smith: 37. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Robert Ainsworth, Mr David Jamieson: 274. So the Question was negatived. And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments):—It was agreed to. The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to. Resolved, That this House supports the Government's proposals to reform bereavement benefits, including the Bereavement Payment, which will provide a tax-free lump sum of £2,000—double the value of the current Widow's Payment; welcomes the Page 400 Thursday 24th June 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top additional help given to the children of widowers, who will qualify for the new Widowed Parent's Allowance, which will replace the Widowed Mother's Allowance; welcomes the protection given to widows over 55, who might otherwise have no practical alternative to relying on Income Support; and welcomes the wide range of policies which are designed to assist women to play a full and active part in the community. Food and Supermarkets,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes that the rapid expansion of out-of-town superstores under the Conservatives and the concentration of local market share has hit traditional town centres; notes that supermarket purchasing and pricing policies have hit farmers but not led to lower prices for consumers and are now under investigation by the Competition Commission as a result; further notes that a new wave of larger superstore developments and predatory pricing to gain market dominance, and a squeeze of local producers and traditional retailers, is threatened by Wal-Mart's acquisition of ASDA; therefore calls on the Government to reaffirm its commitment to preventing further out-of-town greenfield development, and to tackle urgently anti-competitive, anti-producer and anti-consumer practices by the major food retailers; and calls on the Prime Minister to put on record in the House the substantive contents of his meeting earlier this year with the Chief Executive of Wal-Mart and to clarify exactly what flexibility in planning regulation was offered in respect of any future superstore development—(Mr Matthew Taylor); 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 ‘welcomes the Government's planning policy on town centres and retail development, which promotes the development of food retailing in existing centres; endorses its attempts to maintain vital, viable competitive town, district and neighbourhood centres, which provide a broad range of retail services accessible to the whole population regardless of whether they have access to a car; welcomes the benefits which supermarkets have brought to consumers; notes the concerns over the level of supermarket profits and approves the investigation of grocery retailing being carried out by the Competition Commission; welcomes the recently agreed re-shaping of the CAP and the establishment of the second pillar of the CAP—an integrated rural development policy; and welcomes the Government's commitment to rural communities, its efforts to increase collaborative marketing among farmers and encourage diversification, and its support for regional, speciality and traditional food producers' instead thereof.—(Mr Richard Caborn.) Question proposed, That the original words stand part of the Question. And it being Seven o'clock, the Debate stood adjourned, pursuant to the Sessional Order [16th December].
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till Nine o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 9 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Page 401 Thursday 24th June 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top Other Papers:
(2) Report of the Chairman of the Crown Agents Holding and Realisation Board for 1998 [by Act] [Secretary Clare Short].
APPENDIX II Reports from Select Committees
Page 402 Thursday 24th June 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
[No. 111.] Friday 25th June 1999. The House met at half-past Nine o'clock. PRAYERS.
And it being half-past Two o'clock, the Motion for the Adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till Three o'clock, adjourned till Monday 28th June. [Adjourned at 3 p.m. APPENDIX Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) Charles Keene College of Further Education, Leicester and Leicester South Fields College (Dissolution) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1802), dated 23rd June 1999, and (3) Local Education Authority (Payment of School Expenses) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1727), dated 15th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
Other Papers:
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