| Commons Journal 255
Chronological Index
Alphabetical Index - Part I
Alphabetical Index - Part II
Page 403 1998-1999 Volume 255
[No. 112.] Monday 28th June 1999.
The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Disqualification of a Member,—The Speaker laid upon the Table a notification, That Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer had this day appointed the Right honourable Sir Alastair Robertson Goodlad, Member for Eddisbury, to the office of Steward or Bailiff of Her Majesty's Three Chiltern Hundreds of Stoke, Desborough and Burnham in the county of Buckingham. |
| 2 | Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows: |
The Lords do not insist on their Amendments to the Tax Credits Bill, to which this House has disagreed.
| 3 | Financial Services and Markets Bill,—The Financial Services and Markets Bill was, according to Order, read a second time and stood committed to a Standing Committee. |
| 4 | Financial Services and Markets Bill [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Financial Services and Markets Bill [Money]; |
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 Financial Services and Markets Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of—
(a) any expenditure incurred by a Minister of the Crown in consequence of the Act; and
(b) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums so payable by virtue of any other Act—(Mr Mike Hall):—It was agreed to.
| 5 | Financial Services and Markets Bill [Ways and Means],—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 Financial Services and Markets Bill, it is expedient to authorise the imposition of charges to income tax and corporation tax by provisions of that Act relating to the treatment for the purposes of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 of payments made as a result of any provision of the Financial Services and Markets Compensation Scheme providing for the repayment of levies paid under the Scheme—(Mr Mike Hall):—It was agreed to. |
| 6 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Mike Hall.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-six minutes past Ten o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 10.26 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
| 1 | Northern Ireland,—Draft North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 [by Act] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam]. |
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 2 | Education,—(1) Education (Individual Pupil Information) (Prescribed Persons) (Wales) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1781), dated 18th June 1999, |
(2) Education (Maintained Special Schools) (Wales) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1780), dated 22nd June 1999, and
(3) Education (Transfer of Functions Concerning School Lunches) (Wales) (No. 2) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1779), dated 20th June 1999
[by Act] [Mr Secretary Michael].
| 3 | Housing,—Protection from Eviction (Excluded Licences) (The Shaftesbury Society) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1758), dated 21st June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 4 | Local Government,—Local Authorities (Goods and Services) (Public Bodies) (No. 2) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1754), dated 17th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
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| 5 | Town and Country Planning,—Planning and Compensation Act 1991 (Amendment of Schedule 18) (No. 2) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1765), dated 21st June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
Other Papers:
| 6 | Courts and Legal Services,—Report of the Legal Services Ombudsman for the period 1st January 1998 to 31st March 1999 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 495] [Mr Keith Vaz]. |
| 7 | Development of Tourism,—Accounts of the Scottish Tourist Board for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 599] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 8 | Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions,—(1) Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions (Hong Kong Locally Engaged Ratings' Service Gratuities and Attributable Disablement and Death Awards) Order 1999, and |
(2) Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions (Hong Kong Locally Engaged Ratings' Service Pensions Increases) Order 1999,
dated 22nd June 1999 [by Act] [Margaret Beckett].
| 9 | Prisons (Scotland),—Report of the Parole Board for Scotland for 1998 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 503] [Mr Secretary Reid]. |
| 10 | Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland),—Report and Accounts of the Equal Opportunities Commission for Northern Ireland for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Statutory Instrument] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Bill [Lords],—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr David Kidney and Mr David Lock from the Second Reading Committee (nominated in respect of the Bill); and nominated in substitution Mrs Eileen Gordon and Siobhain McDonagh. |
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Culture, Media and Sport,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [The Future of Professional Rugby]; to be printed [No. 590-i] [Mr Gerald Kaufman]. |
| 2 | Home Affairs,—(1) Fourth Report from the Home Affairs Committee [Police Training and Recruitment], 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. 81]; and |
(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Police Training and Recruitment]
[Mr Chris Mullin].
| 3 | Public Accounts,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts [Department of the Environment, Transport & The Regions: The Sale of Railfreight Distribution]; to be printed [No. 601-i] [Mr David Davis]. |
[No. 113.] Tuesday 29th June 1999.
The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | City of London (Ward Elections) Bill,—Ordered, That the City of London (Ward Elections) Bill be considered to-morrow. |
| 2 | Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Bill [Lords],—Mr Jim Cunningham reported from the Second Reading Committee on the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Bill [Lords], That it had come to the following Resolution, which it had directed him to report to the House: That the Committee recommends that the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Bill [Lords] ought to be read a second time. |
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Report to lie upon the Table.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 603].
| 3 | Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Bill [Lords],—Mr George Stevenson reported from Standing Committee E, That it had gone through the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Bill [Lords], and made Amendments thereunto, and had amended the Title as follows: |
A Bill to provide for the referral of offenders under 18 to youth offender panels; to make provision in connection with the giving of evidence or information for the purposes of criminal proceedings; to amend section 51 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994; to make pre-consolidation amendments relating to youth justice; and for connected purposes.
Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 130].
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 606].
| 4 | Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Dr Michael Clark reported from the Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Excise Duties (Personal Reliefs) (Amendment) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1617). |
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 Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Bill, without Amendment.
The Lords have agreed to the Road Traffic (Vehicle Testing) Bill, without Amendment.
| 6 | Regulation of Operating Department Practitioners,—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision for a registration scheme for operating department practitioners and for the regulation of their professional conduct; and for related purposes: And that Helen Jones, Charlotte Atkins, Laura Moffatt, Dr Alan Whitehead, Mrs Joan Humble, Mr Jonathan Shaw, Mrs Diana Organ and Mr Stephen Hesford do prepare and bring it in. |
| 7 | Regulation of Operating Department Practitioners Bill,—Helen Jones accordingly presented a Bill to make provision for a registration scheme for operating department practitioners and for the regulation of their professional conduct; and for related purposes: 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 129]. |
| 8 | Opposition Day [16th 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. |
Delays in the Issue of Passports,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House deplores the Government's handling of the current crisis in the issuing of passports including the untimely introduction of children's passports, the untimely introduction of a flawed computer system, the unsatisfactory manner in which the above were introduced, the failure to instruct the passport office to work around the clock to meet demand, confusion over compensation, the failure to deliver passports in time for many families who have now missed overseas trips, the failure to meet the Passport Agency's turn around target of 10 days and the great inconvenience and distress caused to the general public; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to take urgent measures to ensure the speedy and efficient delivery of passports and that there are no further instances of UK citizens being denied overseas trips due to the combination of bad planning, inefficiency and complacency—(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 ‘acknowledges the difficult operational situation that the Passport Agency is facing and greatly regrets the inconvenience caused to the public; notes the measures that the Agency is taking to remedy the situation including the deployment of 300 additional staff, the streamlining of processes to boost productivity whilst maintaining security and the willingness of Agency staff to work seven days a week to help clear the arrears; further notes that in spite of this difficult position the Agency is meeting 99.99 per cent. of travel dates and will continue to do so throughout the summer and beyond; and agrees that it is right to introduce the policy of separate passports for children', instead thereof.—(Mr Secretary Straw.)
And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;
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The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Stephen Day, Mrs Jacqui Lait: 165.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Clelland, Jane Kennedy: 351.
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 acknowledges the difficult operational situation that the Passport Agency is facing and greatly regrets the inconvenience caused to the public; notes the measures that the Agency is taking to remedy the situation including the deployment of 300 additional staff, the streamlining of processes to boost productivity whilst maintaining security and the willingness of Agency staff to work seven days a week to help clear the arrears; further notes that in spite of this difficult position the Agency is meeting 99.99 per cent. of travel dates and will continue to do so throughout the summer and beyond; and agrees that it is right to introduce the policy of separate passports for children.
Planning and Transport Congestion,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House condemns the Government's contradictory signals on transport and planning policies; requests the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to cancel the M4 bus lane, and find a way of reopening the Circle Line and keeping other tube lines open; notes that the Government has no policies to increase road or rail capacity in line with traffic growth forecasts; is appalled that motorists are paying more and more tax under Labour to sit in ever worse traffic jams; and urges the Government to revitalise town centres and to follow transport and planning policies that can get Britain moving again—(Mr John Redwood);
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 ‘deplores the previous Government's record of under-investment and disintegration in the transport network, its failure to tackle congestion as traffic rose by 75 per cent., the £1.2 billion investment backlog it left on the London Underground and its cut in road maintenance; commends the Government for producing the first Transport White Paper for 20 years, taking a far-sighted and more integrated approach than the previous administration, and linking together planning and transport policy more closely; and notes that the present Government has begun to tackle the inherited problems of under-investment, pollution and increasing traffic congestion, by a new radical integrated strategy, including an extra £1.8 billion for public transport and local transport management, winning back passengers to public transport, improving road maintenance, encouraging greater fuel efficiency, reducing pollution, and introducing the long-term policies needed to increase transport choice and improve Britain's transport system', instead thereof.—(Mr Secretary Prescott.)
And the Question being proposed, That the original words stand part of the Question;
Mr James Arbuthnot rose in his place and claimed to move, That the Question be now put.
And the Question being put, That the Question be now put:—It was agreed to.
And the Question being accordingly put;
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mrs Jacqui Lait, Mr Stephen Day: 137.
Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Anne McGuire, Mr Mike Hall: 350.
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);
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mrs Anne McGuire, Mr Mike Hall: 311.
Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mrs Jacqui Lait: 147.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.
Resolved, That this House deplores the previous Government's record of under-investment and disintegration in the transport network, its failure to tackle congestion as traffic rose by 75 per cent., the £1.2 billion investment backlog it left on the London
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Underground and its cut in road maintenance; commends the Government for producing the first Transport White Paper for 20 years, taking a far-sighted and more integrated approach than the previous administration, and linking together planning and transport policy more closely; and notes that the present Government has begun to tackle the inherited problems of under-investment, pollution and increasing traffic congestion, by a new radical integrated strategy, including an extra £1.8 billion for public transport and local transport management, winning back passengers to public transport, improving road maintenance, encouraging greater fuel efficiency, reducing pollution, and introducing the long-term policies needed to increase transport choice and improve Britain's transport system.
| 9 | Estimates,—A Motion being made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 145 (Liaison Committee), That this House agrees with the Report [24th June] of the Liaison Committee—(Mr Keith Hill):—It was agreed to. |
| 10 | Broadcasting,—Ordered, That Mr Ivor Caplin be discharged from the Select Committee on Broadcasting and Mr Kelvin Hopkins be added to the Committee.—(Mr Keith Hill.) |
| 11 | Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from residents of the village of Thorney, Peterborough, for the construction of a proposed A47 Thorney Bypass was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed. |
| 12 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Keith Hill.) |
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 presented or laid upon the Table
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
| 1 | Civil Aviation,—Draft Aeroplane Noise (Amendment) Regulations 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 2 | Parliament,—Draft Ministerial and other Salaries Order 1999 [by Act] [Margaret Beckett]. |
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 3 | Consumer Protection,—Cigarette Lighter Refill (Safety) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1844), dated 28th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
| 4 | County Courts,—Register of County Court Judgements (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1845), dated 29th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Keith Vaz]. |
| 5 | Education,—(1) Education (Mandatory Awards) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1824), dated 28th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]; and |
(2) Education (School Information) (Wales) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1812),
(3) Education (School Performance and Unauthorised Absence Targets) (Wales) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1811), and
(4) Education (School Performance Information) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1470),
dated 24th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Michael].
| 6 | Food,—(1) Animal Feedingstuffs from Belgium (Control) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1764), and |
(2) Food (Animals and Animal Products from Belgium) (Emergency Control) (Amendment) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1763),
dated 29th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Nicholas Brown].
| 7 | Local Government,—Local Government Reorganisation (Wales) (Capital Finance) (Amendment) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1782), dated 24th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Michael]. |
| 8 | National Health Service (Scotland),—(1) Road Traffic (NHS Charges) (Reviews and Appeals) (Scotland) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1843), and |
(2) Road Traffic (NHS Charges) (Scotland) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1842),
dated 28th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid].
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| 9 | Northern Ireland,—Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (Supplementary Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1804), dated 23rd June 1999 [by Act] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam]. |
Other Papers:
| 10 | Development of Tourism,—Report and Accounts of the Scottish Tourist Board for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid]. |
| 11 | International Labour Conference,—Paper, entitled International Labour Conference: Proposed action on three Conventions, three Recommendations and a Protocol adopted at the 84th (Maritime) Session of the International Labour Conference (1996) by Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [by Command] [Cm. 4372] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
| 12 | Northern Ireland,—Northern Ireland Trading and Other Accounts for 1997–98, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 557] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam]. |
| 13 | Science and Technology,—Paper, entitled The Forward Look of Government-funded Science, Engineering and Technology 1999 [by Command] [Cm. 4363] [Mr Secretary Byers]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| 1 | Value Added Tax (Abolition of Zero-Rating for Tax-Free Shops) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1617),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Rosemary McKenna from the Ninth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Order); and nominated in substitution Mrs Eileen Gordon. |
| 2 | Draft Contracting Out (Jury Summoning Functions) Order 1999,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr David Lock and Mr Syd Rapson from the Tenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Mr Michael Jabez Foster and Ms Linda Perham. |
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Education and Employment,—(1) Third Special Report from the Education and Employment Committee [Government Response to the Second Report from the Committee, on Part-time Working]; to be printed [No. 609]; |
(2) Fourth Special Report from the Committee [Government Response to the Third Report from the Committee, on Highly Able Children]; to be printed [No. 610]; and
(3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Opportunities for Disabled People]; to be printed [No. 111-v]
[Mr Derek Foster].
| 2 | Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment Sub-Committee of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee [Town and Country Parks]; to be printed [No. 477-iv] [Mr Andrew F. Bennett]. |
| 3 | Environmental Audit,—Sixth Report from the Environmental Audit Committee [The Greening Government Initiative 1999], 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. 426] [Mr John Horam]. |
| 4 | Home Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Home Affairs Committee [Drugs and Prisons]; to be printed [No. 363-iv] [Mr Chris Mullin]. |
| 5 | International Development,—(1) Third Special Report from the International Development Committee [Government Response to the Second Report from the Committee, on The Provisions of the Commonwealth Development Corporation Bill [Lords]]; to be printed [No. 604]; and |
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The Future of Sanctions]; to be printed [No. 454-iv]
[Mr Bowen Wells].
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| 6 | Local Government (Organisation and Standards),—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Joint Committee on Local Government (Organisation and Standards); to be printed [No. 542-iv] [Mr Peter L. Pike]. |
| 7 | Public Administration,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Public Administration [Freedom of Information Draft Bill]; to be printed [Nos. 570-iii and -iv] [Dr Tony Wright]. |
| 8 | Standards and Privileges,—Eighth Report from the Committee on Standards and Privileges [Premature Disclosure of Reports of the Foreign Affairs Committee], together with Appendices and Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee on 15th June; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 607] [Mr Robert Sheldon]. |
| 9 | Statutory Instruments,—Twenty-Third Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, together with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 50-xxiii] [Mr David Tredinnick]. |
| 10 | Trade and Industry,—Eighth Report from the Trade and Industry Committee [Trade Marks, Fakes and Consumers], 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. 380] [Mr Martin O'Neill]. |
| 11 | Treasury,—(1) Seventh Report from the Treasury Committee [Public Service Agreements], 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. 378]; and |
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Demutualisation]; to be printed [No. 605-i]
[Mr Giles Radice].
| 12 | Welsh Affairs,—(1) Fourth Report from the Welsh Affairs Committee [Health Issues in Wales], 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 [Nos. 343-I and -II]; and |
(2) Fifth Report from the Committee [Paediatric Cardiac Services in Wales]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 608]
[Mr Martyn Jones].
[No. 114.] Wednesday 30th June 1999.
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 Mike Hall); |
And it being Two o'clock, the Motion for the Adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.
| 2 | Eddisbury Writ,—Ordered, That the Speaker do issue her warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for the electing of a Member to serve in this present Parliament for the County Constituency of Eddisbury in the room of the Right honourable Sir Alastair Robertson Goodlad, KCMG, who since his election for the said County Constituency hath accepted the office of Steward or Bailiff of Her Majesty's Three Chiltern Hundreds of Stoke, Desborough and Burnham in the county of Buckingham.—(Mr James Arbuthnot.) |
| 3 | City of London (Ward Elections) Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for consideration of the City of London (Ward Elections) Bill, as amended in the Committee; |
Ordered, That the Bill be considered on Tuesday 6th July.
| 4 | 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, and to the following Measures passed under the provisions of the Church of England (Assembly Powers) Act 1919: |
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Health Act 1999
Water Industry Act 1999
Tax Credits Act 1999
Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999
Road Traffic (Vehicle Testing) Act 1999
University College London Act 1999
Imperial College Act 1999
HFC Bank Act 1999
Cathedrals Measure 1999
Care of Places of Worship Measure 1999
| 5 | Holocaust Remembrance Day,—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to introduce a national day to learn about and remember the Holocaust: And that Mr Andrew Dismore, Ms Karen Buck, Mr Tony McNulty, Mr Fabian Hamilton, Mr Stephen Twigg, Mr Mike Gapes, Mr Peter Bradley, Mrs Louise Ellman, Mr Ivan Lewis, Mr Stephen Hepburn, Mr James Clappison and Dr Evan Harris do prepare and bring it in. |
| 6 | Holocaust Remembrance Day Bill,—Mr Andrew Dismore accordingly presented a Bill to introduce a national day to learn about and remember the Holocaust: 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 131]. |
| 7 | Disability Rights Commission Bill [Lords],—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Disability Rights Commission Bill [Lords], as amended in the Standing Committee. |
A Clause (Action plans)—(Mr Tim Boswell)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:—Clause, by leave, withdrawn.
Amendments (Nos. 1 to 25) made to the Bill.
The Bill was read the third time, and passed, with Amendments.
| 8 | Finance Bill,—Resolved, That, notwithstanding the practice of the House as to the intervals between stages of Bills brought in upon Ways and Means Resolutions, more than one stage of the Finance Bill may be taken at any sitting of the House.—(Jim Dowd.) |
| 9 | Customs and Excise,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the Excise Duties (Personal Reliefs) (Amendment) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1617), dated 10th June 1999, a copy of which was laid before this House on 11th June, be approved—(Jim Dowd):—It was agreed to. |
| 10 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Jim Dowd.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till thirteen minutes to Eight o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 7.47 pm.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
| 1 | Northern Ireland,—(1) Draft Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (Code of Conduct) Order 1999, |
(2) draft Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (Guidelines) Order 1999, and
(3) draft Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (Procedural Rules) Order 1999
[by Act] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 2 | Agriculture,—(1) Feeding Stuffs (Establishments and Intermediaries) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1872), and |
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(2) Feedingstuffs (Zootechnical Products) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1871),
dated 29th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Nicholas Brown].
| 3 | Civil Aviation,—Civil Aviation (Route Charges for Navigation Services) (Third Amendment) (Revocation) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1859), dated 29th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 4 | Education,—(1) Education (Exclusion from School) (Prescribed Periods) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1868), dated 25th June 1999, and |
(2) Education (Further Education in Schools) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1867), dated 26th June 1999
[by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]; and
(3) Education (National Curriculum) (Temporary Exceptions for Individual Pupils) (Wales) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1815), dated 28th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Michael].
| 5 | Seeds,—(1) Beet Seeds (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1861), |
(2) Cereal Seeds (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1860),
(3) Fodder Plant Seeds (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1864),
(4) Oil and Fibre Plant Seeds (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1862),
(5) Seeds (Fees) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1865), and
(6) Vegetable Seeds (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1863),
dated 29th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Nicholas Brown].
Other Papers:
| 6 | Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas,—Report of the Ancient Monuments Board for Wales for 1998–99 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Michael]. |
| 7 | Development of Tourism,—Statement by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the appointment of Alan Britten as the Chairman of the English Tourist Board [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith]. |
| 8 | Education,—Paper, entitled Learning to Succeed—A New Framework for Post-16 Learning [by Command] [Cm. 4392] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
| 9 | European Community Finances,—Statement on the 1999 EC Budget and measures to counter fraud and financial mismanagement [by Command] [Cm. 4382] [Ms Patricia Hewitt]. |
| 10 | Fair Trading,—Report of the Director General of Fair Trading for 1998 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 524] [Mr Secretary Byers]. |
| 11 | Lebanon (No. 1, 1999),—Agreement, done at Beirut on 16th February 1999, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Lebanese Republic for the Promotion and Protection of Investments [by Command] [Cm. 4384] [Mr Secretary Cook]. |
| 12 | Local Government,—Report and Accounts of the Local Government Commission for England for 1998–99 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 13 | Police (Northern Ireland),—Report of the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary for 1998–99 [by Act] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam]. |
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| 14 | Public Processions (Northern Ireland),—(1) Draft Parades Commission Code of Conduct under section 3 of the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 providing guidance to persons organising a public procession or protest meeting and regulating the conduct of persons organising or taking part in a public procession or protest meeting, |
(2) draft Parades Commission Guidelines under section 5 of the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 relating to the exercise of the Commission's powers to impose conditions on public processions, and
(3) draft Parades Commission Procedural Rules under section 4 of the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 relating to the practice and procedure to be followed by the Commission and by other persons or bodies in their dealings with the Commission in the exercise of certain functions
[by Act] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam].
| 15 | Treaty Series (No. 37, 1999),—Agreement, done at Mauritius on 4th November 1995, amending the Fourth ACP-EC Convention of Lome", with Final Act [by Command] [Cm. 4383] [Mr Secretary Cook]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| 1 | Financial Services and Markets Bill: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee A; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has appointed twenty-five Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Robert Ainsworth, Mr Nigel Beard, Mrs Liz Blackman, Ms Hazel Blears, Mr Colin Breed, Mrs Helen Brinton, Dr Vincent Cable, Mr Brian Cotter, Mrs Louise Ellman, Mr Howard Flight, Mr Barry Gardiner, Mr Patrick Hall, Mr David Heathcoat-Amory, Ms Patricia Hewitt, Miss Melanie Johnson, Ms Sally Keeble, Mr David Kidney, Mr Tim Loughton, Sir Nicholas Lyell, Mr Alan Milburn, Ms Sandra Osborne, Mr James Plaskitt, Mrs Barbara Roche, Mr Keith Simpson and Mr Andrew Tyrie.
| 2 | Draft Stansted Airport Aircraft Movement Limit (Amendment) Order 1999: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Tom Brake, Mr Tony Clarke, Mr Robin Corbett, Mr Stephen Hesford, Mr Keith Hill, Glenda Jackson, Helen Jones, Mrs Jacqui Lait, Miss Anne McIntosh, Mr Jim Marshall, Bob Russell, Mr Mohammad Sarwar, Mr Derek Twigg, Mr Dave Watts, Mr David Wilshire and Mr Shaun Woodward.
European Standing Committees
| 3 | European Union Document No. 7698/99, relating to Agenda 2000: Inter-Institutional Agreement, together with European Union Document No. COM(99)200, relating to the 2000 Preliminary Draft Budget, has been referred to European Standing Committee B, together with European Union Document No. SEC(99)600, referred to the Committee on 26th May 1999. |
| 4 | European Union Document No. 13526/99, together with the unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum submitted by the Department of Trade and Industry on 18th May 1999 and the unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum submitted by the Department of Trade and Industry on 21st June 1999, all relating to Sectors and Activities excluded from the Working Time Directive, has been referred to European Standing Committee C. |
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Agriculture,—(1) Fifth Special Report from the Agriculture Committee [Government Response to the Fifth Report from the Committee, on Badgers and Bovine Tuberculosis]; to be printed [No. 612]; |
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [MAFF/Intervention Board Departmental Report 1999]; to be printed [No. 613-i]; and
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(3) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Sea Fishing; MAFF/Intervention Board Departmental Report 1999]
[Mr Peter Luff].
| 2 | Broadcasting,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Broadcasting Committee [The Development of Parliamentary Broadcasting]; to be printed [No. 618-i] [Mr Roger Gale]. |
| 3 | Culture, Media and Sport,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [The Department for Culture, Media and Sport and its Quangos]; to be printed [No. 506-iv] [Mr Gerald Kaufman]. |
| 4 | Defence,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee [Defence Research Expenditure]; to be printed [No. 616-i] [Mr Bruce George]. |
| 5 | Education and Employment,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Employment Sub-Committee of the Education and Employment Committee [The Employment Consequences of European Economic and Monetary Union]; to be printed [No. 547-ii] [Mr Derek Foster]. |
| 6 | Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee [Revision of PPG3: Housing]; to be printed [No. 490-ii] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody]. |
| 7 | European Scrutiny,—Twenty-fourth Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 34-xxiv] [Mr Jim Marshall]. |
| 8 | Health,—Memorandum laid before the Health Committee [Public Expenditure on Health and Personal Social Services 1999]; to be printed [No. 620] [Mr David Hinchliffe]. |
| 9 | Public Accounts,—(1) Twenty-fourth Report from the Committee of Public Accounts [DETR: The Flotation of Railtrack]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 256]; and |
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [NHS (England) Summarised Accounts 1997–98]; to be printed [No. 619-i]
[Mr David Davis].
| 10 | Social Security,—(1) Part of the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Social Security Committee on 29th July 1998, in the last Session of Parliament [DSS Departmental Report 1998]; to be printed [No. 614]; and |
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Contributory Principle]; to be printed [No. 485-ii]
[Mr Archy Kirkwood].
| 11 | Standards and Privileges,—Ninth Report from the Committee on Standards and Privileges [Complaints against Mr Peter Mandelson], together with Appendices and part of the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee on 18th May; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 611] [Mr Robert Sheldon]. |
[No. 115.] Thursday 1st July 1999.
The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | The Speaker's Absence,—The House being met, the Clerk at the Table informed the House of the Speaker's absence from this day's sitting, pursuant to leave given [23rd June]. |
Whereupon Sir Alan Haselhurst, the Chairman of Ways and Means, proceeded to the Table.
PRAYERS.
| 2 | The Chairman of Ways and Means took the Chair as Deputy Speaker, pursuant to the Standing Order. |
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| 3 | Ninth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Sir David Madel reported from the Ninth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Value Added Tax (Abolition of Zero-Rating for Tax-Free Shops) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1642). |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 4 | Tenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mrs Marion Roe reported from the Tenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Contracting Out (Jury Summoning Functions) Order 1999. |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 5 | Business of the House (Statutory Instruments),—Ordered, That, if a Statutory Instrument or Statutory Instruments relating to a Northern Ireland matter be laid before the House this day, a Minister of the Crown may, notwithstanding the practice of the House, make without notice a Motion or Motions for the approval of the said Instrument or Instruments at the sitting this day.—(Mr David Clelland.) |
| 6 | Adjournment (Armed Forces Personnel),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr David Clelland); |
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].
| 7 | Finance and Services,—Ordered, That Mr George Mudie be discharged from the Finance and Services Committee and Mr Keith Bradley be added to the Committee.—(Mr Keith Hill.) |
| 8 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Keith Hill.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-nine minutes past Seven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 7.29 pm.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
| 1 | International Immunities and Privileges,—Draft International Organisations (Immunities and Privileges) Miscellaneous Provisions Order 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Cook]. |
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 2 | Banks and Banking,—Cross-Border Credit Transfers Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1876), dated 30th June 1999 [by Act] [Ms Patricia Hewitt]. |
| 3 | Copyright,—Copyright (Application to Other Countries) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1751), dated 22nd June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers]. |
| 4 | Merchant Shipping,—Merchant Shipping (Counting and Registration of Persons on Board Passenger Ships) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1869), dated 30th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 5 | Pensions,—Occupational Pension Schemes (Investment and Assignment, Forfeiture, Bankruptcy etc.) Amendment Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1849), dated 29th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling]. |
| 6 | Rights in Performances,—Performances (Reciprocal Protection) (Convention Countries) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1752), dated 22nd June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers]. |
Other Papers:
| 7 | British Council,—Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minute concerning a contingent liability consequent on the indemnification of works of art to be lent to the British Council for exhibitions planned for the second half of 1999–2000 [by Command] [Mr Secretary Cook]. |
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| 8 | Welfare,—Paper, entitled A new contract for welfare: Children's Rights and Parents' Responsibilities [by Command] [Cm. 4349] [Mr Secretary Darling]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| 1 | Financial Services and Markets Bill,—The Chairman of Ways and Means has appointed Mr Peter Atkinson and Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody Chairmen of Standing Committee A in respect of the Bill. |
| 2 | Draft Stansted Airport Aircraft Movement Limit (Amendment) Order 1999,—(1) The Chairman of Ways and Means has appointed Mr Bill Olner Chairman of the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Order; and |
(2) The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Keith Hill from the Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Mr Graham Allen.
European Standing Committees
| 3 | The Chairman of Ways and Means has appointed Mr Edward O'Hara Chairman of European Standing Committee B in respect of European Union Documents Nos. SEC (1999) 600, relating to the 2000 Preliminary Draft Budget-Overview, COM (1999) 200, relating to the 2000 Preliminary Draft Budget, and 7698/99, relating to Agenda 2000: Inter-Institutional Agreement. |
Grand Committee
| 4 | The Chairman of Ways and Means has appointed Mr Peter Atkinson Chairman of the Northern Ireland Grand Committee in respect of the matter of the review of the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland. |
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Health,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Health Committee [Procedures relating to Adverse Clinical Incidents and Outcomes in Medical Care]; to be printed [No. 549-iii] [Mr David Hinchliffe]. |
| 2 | Local Government (Organisation and Standards),—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Joint Committee on Local Government (Organisation and Standards); to be printed [No. 542-v] [Mr Peter L. Pike]. |
[No. 116.] Friday 2nd July 1999.
The House met at half-past Nine o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from— |
(1) Jake Steel and others for a ban on all genetically modified food and crops in the United Kingdom, and an independent investigation into genetically modified foods;
(2) Consumers for Health Choice, the Health Food Manufacturers' Association and the National Association of Health Stores in Chesham and Amersham against the proposal to give the Medicines Control Agency power to classify natural health products as medicines; and
(3) Rodney Howlett, residents of the constituency of Chesham and Amersham and others for re-establishment of British Sovereignty ceded to the European Commission
were presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
| 2 | Adjournment (Drugs),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Clive Betts); |
And it being half-past Two o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put.
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| 3 | Adjournment (Summer),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 25 (Periodic adjournments), That this House, at its rising on Tuesday 27th July, do adjourn till Tuesday 19th October—(Mrs Anne McGuire):—It was agreed to. |
| 4 | Business of the House,—Ordered, That, at the sitting on Tuesday 27th July, the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until she shall have notified the Royal Assent to Acts agreed upon by both Houses.—(Mrs Anne McGuire.) |
| 5 | Deregulation,—Ordered, That Mr Oliver Letwin be discharged from the Deregulation Committee and Mrs Teresa Gorman be added to the Committee.—(Mrs Anne McGuire.) |
| 6 | Public Accounts,—Ordered, That Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown be discharged from the Committee of Public Accounts and Mr David Curry be added to the Committee.—(Mrs Anne McGuire.) |
| 7 | Public Administration,—Ordered, That Mr David Ruffley be discharged from the Select Committee on Public Administration and Mr Nicholas Soames be added to the Committee.—(Mrs Anne McGuire.) |
| 8 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mrs Anne McGuire.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till one minute to Three o'clock, adjourned till Monday 5th July.
[Adjourned at 2.59 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
| 1 | International Immunities and Privileges,—Draft INTELSAT (Immunities and Privileges) (Amendment) Order 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Cook]. |
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 2 | Local Government,—Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Approved Investments) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1852), dated 25th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 3 | National Lottery,—National Lottery Charities Board (Increase in Membership) (Revocation) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1878), dated 1st July 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith]. |
Other Papers:
| 4 | Korea (No. 1, 1999),—Convention on Social Security, done at Seoul on 20th April 1999, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Korea, with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Cm. 4390] [Mr Secretary Cook]. |
| 5 | Treaty Series (No. 38, 1999),—First supplementary list of ratifications, accessions, withdrawals, etc., for 1999 [by Command] [Cm. 4385] [Mr Secretary Cook]. |
| 6 | Treaty Series (No. 40, 1999),—Agreement, done at London on 6th December 1993, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Latvia on International Road Transport [by Command] [Cm. 4389] [Mr Secretary Cook]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| Financial Services and Markets Bill,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Bill O'Brien an additional Chairman of Standing Committee A in respect of the Bill. |
|
