| Commons Journal 255
Chronological Index
Alphabetical Index - Part I
Alphabetical Index - Part II
Page 417 1998-1999 Volume 255
[No. 117.] Monday 5th July 1999.
The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows: |
The Lords have agreed to the Protection of Children Bill, without Amendment.
| 2 | Finance Bill [Ways and Means],—Capital Allowances (first year allowances),—Resolved, That provision (including provision having retrospective effect) may be made in the Finance Bill restricting the expenditure on machinery and plant for use in Northern Ireland in respect of which 100 per cent. first year allowances may be made.—(Mrs Barbara Roche.) |
| 3 | Finance Bill [Ways and Means],—Oil taxation (anti-avoidance),—Resolved, That provision may be included in the Finance Bill about— |
(a) the receipts which are to be treated as tariff receipts or disposal receipts attributable to an oil field;
(b) the persons who are to be treated as participators in an oil field; and
(c) the time for payment of petroleum revenue tax.—(Mrs Barbara Roche.)
| 4 | Finance Bill [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Finance Bill [Money]; |
Resolved, That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Finance Bill, it is expedient to authorise any increase in the sums payable out of or into the National Loans Fund attributable to any provision of that Act relating to borrowing from the General Account of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise or the General Account of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue.—(Mrs Barbara Roche.)
| 5 | Finance Bill [Ways and Means],—Chargeable gains: absolute entitlement to settled property,—Resolved, That provision may be made in the Finance Bill amending section 71 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992.—(Mrs Barbara Roche.) |
| 6 | Finance Bill [Ways and Means],—Goods for sale on board ships or aircraft,—Resolved, That provision may be made in the Finance Bill amending section 1 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 as respects stores.—(Mrs Barbara Roche.) |
| 7 | Finance Bill [Ways and Means],—Works of art, antiques, etc.,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That provision may be made in the Finance Bill amending section 21 of the Value Added Tax Act 1994—(Dawn Primarolo); |
And it being three-quarters of an hour after the commencement of proceedings, the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Standing Order No. 52 (Money resolutions and ways and means resolutions in connection with bills):—It was agreed to.
Resolved, That provision may be made in the Finance Bill amending section 21 of the Value Added Tax Act 1994.
| 8 | Finance Bill [Ways and Means],—Value added tax (preparations etc. of meat, yeast or egg),—Resolved, That provision (including provision having retrospective effect) may be made in the Finance Bill amending the provisions of Schedule 8 to the Value Added Tax Act 1994 by virtue of which supplies of preparations and extracts of meat, yeast or egg are zero-rated.—(Dawn Primarolo.) |
| 9 | Finance Bill [Ways and Means],—Discounted securities etc.,—Resolved, That provision (including provision having retrospective effect) may be made in the Finance Bill amending paragraphs 10 and 13 of Schedule 13 to the Finance Act 1996 and section 92 of that Act.—(Mrs Barbara Roche.) |
| 10 | Finance Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Finance Bill, not amended in the Committee, and as amended in the Standing Committee. |
A Clause (First-year allowances for investment in Northern Ireland)—(Mrs Barbara Roche)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
Another Clause (Oil taxation: qualifying assets)—(Mrs Barbara Roche)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
Another Clause (Petroleum revenue tax: instalments)—(Mrs Barbara Roche)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
Page 418 Monday 5th July 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
Another Clause (Business assets: roll-over relief)—(Mrs Barbara Roche)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
Another Clause (Lending by Revenue Accounts to National Loans Fund)—(Ms Patricia Hewitt)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
Another Clause (Allowable losses where beneficiary absolutely entitled)—(Dawn Primarolo)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
Another Clause (EU travel expenses)—(Dawn Primarolo)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
Another Clause (Goods for sale on board ships or aircraft)—(Dawn Primarolo)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
Another Clause (Works of art, antiques, etc.)—(Dawn Primarolo)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
Another Clause (Preparations etc. of meat, yeast or egg)—(Dawn Primarolo)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
A Clause (Non-tax payers)—(Mr Quentin Davies)—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 Oliver Heald, Mrs Jacqui Lait: 149.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Keith Hill, Mr David Jamieson: 316.
Another Clause (Capital allowances: road fuel gas)—(Mr Michael Jack)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time.
Tuesday 6th July 1999
Clause, by leave, withdrawn.
Another Clause (Administrative efficiency of the tax system)—(Mr Edward Davey)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:—Clause, by leave, withdrawn.
Ordered, That further consideration of the Bill be now adjourned.—(Mr David Jamieson.)
Bill to be further considered this day.
| 11 | Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Bill [Lords],—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Bill [Lords]; |
And a Motion being made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 90 (Second reading committees), That the Bill be now read a second time:—It was agreed to.
The Bill was accordingly read a second time and stood committed to a Standing Committee.
| 12 | Value Added Tax,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the Value Added Tax (Abolition of Zero-Rating for Tax-Free Shops) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1642), dated 11th June 1999, a copy of which was laid before this House on 11th June, be approved—(Mr David Jamieson):—It was agreed to. |
| 13 | Contracting Out,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Contracting Out (Jury Summoning Functions) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 14th June, be approved—(Mr David Jamieson):—It was agreed to. |
| 14 | Deregulation,—Ordered, That Mr Iain Coleman and Miss Geraldine Smith be discharged from the Deregulation Committee and Mr Russell Brown and Mr Andrew Love be added to the Committee.—(Mr David Jamieson.) |
| 15 | Agriculture,—Ordered, That Mr John Hayes be discharged from the Agriculture Committee and Mr Michael Jack be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) |
| 16 | Catering,—Ordered, That Mrs Jacqui Lait be discharged from the Catering Committee and Mr Michael Fabricant be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) |
Page 419 Monday 5th July 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
| 17 | Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Ordered, That Mrs Eleanor Laing be discharged from the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee and Miss Anne McIntosh be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) |
| 18 | Foreign Affairs,—Ordered, That Mr Shaun Woodward be discharged from the Foreign Affairs Committee and Sir David Madel be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) |
| 19 | Health,—Ordered, That Mr Robert Walter be discharged from the Health Committee and Mr Simon Burns be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) |
| 20 | Science and Technology,—Ordered, That Mrs Jacqui Lait be discharged from the Science and Technology Committee and Mr Robert Jackson be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) |
| 21 | Trade and Industry,—Ordered, That Mr John Bercow be discharged from the Trade and Industry Committee and Mr Christopher Chope be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) |
| 22 | Treasury,—Ordered, That Sir Peter Lloyd be discharged from the Treasury Committee and Mr Michael Fallon be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) |
| 23 | Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr David Jamieson); |
And the Motion having been made after Ten o'clock 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 six minutes to Two o'clock on Tuesday morning, till this day.
[Adjourned at 1.54 a.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
| 1 | Deregulation,—(1) Draft Deregulation (Casinos) Order 1999, and |
(2) draft Deregulation (Millennium Licensing) Order 1999,
together with statements by the Home Office [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw].
| 2 | Northern Ireland,—Draft Northern Ireland Act Tribunal (Procedure) Rules 1999 [by Act] [Mr Keith Vaz]. |
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 3 | Constitutional Law,—Scotland Act 1998 (Transitory and Transitional Provisions) (Grants to Members and Officeholders and Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme) Amendment Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1891), dated 24th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid]. |
| 4 | Patents,—Patents and Trade Marks (World Trade Organisation) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1899), dated 1st July 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers]. |
Other Papers:
| 5 | Church Commissioners,—Report and Accounts of the Church Commissioners for England for 1998 [by Measure] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
| 6 | Crime and Disorder,—Report and Accounts of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales for the period 30th September 1998 to 31st March 1999, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 473] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 7 | Miscellaneous Financial Provisions,—Review and Financial Statement of the West of England Development Agency for 1998–99 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers]. |
| 8 | National Lottery,—Account of the Sports Council for Wales Lottery Distribution for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 637] [Clerk of the House]. |
Page 420 Monday 5th July 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
APPENDIX II
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Culture, Media and Sport,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [The Performing Right Society and the Abolition of the Classical Music Subsidy]; to be printed [No. 468-ii] [Mr Gerald Kaufman]. |
| 2 | Defence,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee [Defence Medical Services]; to be printed [No. 447-iii] [Mr Bruce George]. |
| 3 | Public Accounts,—(1) Twenty-fifth Report from the Committee of Public Accounts [MAFF: Arable Area Payments Scheme]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 306]; |
(2) Twenty-sixth Report from the Committee [Overseas Operations, Governance and Management at Southampton Institute]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 345];
(3) Twenty-seventh Report from the Committee [HM Customs and Excise: The Red Channel]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 439];
(4) Twenty-eighth Report from the Committee [Cost Over-runs, Funding Problems and Delays on Guy's Hospital Phase III Development]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 289]; and
(5) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Department of Social Security: Progress on Measures to Combat Housing Benefit Fraud]; to be printed [No. 643-i]
[Mr David Davis].
[No. 118.] Tuesday 6th July 1999.
The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | City of London (Ward Elections) Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for consideration of the City of London (Ward Elections) Bill; |
Ordered, That the Bill be considered on Thursday 8th July.
| 2 | Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (Amendment of Rules) etc. Bill (changed to Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (Amendment of Rules) Bill),—The First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means reported from the Committee on Unopposed Bills, That it had examined the allegations contained in the Preamble to the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (Amendment of Rules) etc. Bill and had amended the same so as to make it consistent with the facts as proved by the evidence adduced, and found the same, as amended, to be true; and had gone through the Bill and made Amendments thereunto. |
Bill, as amended in the Committee, to lie upon the Table.
| 3 | Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Bill Olner reported from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Stansted Airport Aircraft Movement Limit (Amendment) Order 1999. |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 4 | Property Letting Agents (Client Money Segregation),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require the segregation of client monies collected by letting agents, to be held in designated client money accounts: And that Mr Howard Flight, Mr Peter Viggers, Mr Graham Brady, Miss Julie Kirkbride, Mr Andrew Tyrie, Mr John Bercow, Mr Christopher Fraser and Mrs Marion Roe do prepare and bring it in. |
| 5 | Property Letting Agents (Client Money Segregation) Bill,—Mr Howard Flight accordingly presented a Bill to require the segregation of client monies collected by letting agents, to be held in designated client money accounts: 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 132]. |
| 6 | Finance Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded further to consider the Finance Bill, not amended in the Committee, and as amended in the Standing Committee. |
Amendment (No. 40) proposed to the Bill, in page 1, line 24, to leave out ‘£0.5288' and insert ‘£0.499' instead thereof.—(Mr David Heathcoat-Amory.)
Page 421 Tuesday 6th July 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mrs Jacqui Lait, Mrs Eleanor Laing: 135.
Tellers for the Noes, Jane Kennedy, Mr Kevin Hughes: 355.
Amendments (Nos. 30, 3 to 13 and 15 to 24) made to the Bill.
Another Amendment (No. 31) proposed to the Bill, in page 90, line 6, after ‘122' to insert ‘(1)'.—(Mr Francis Maude.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mrs Jacqui Lait, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 134.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Hanson, Mr Clive Betts: 336.
Another Amendment (No. 14) made to the Bill.
Another Amendment (No. 1) proposed to the Bill, in page 102, line 15, at the end, to insert the words—
‘(5) For the purposes of subsection (2) above the Commissioners may only give notice in the circumstances specified in subsection (2) above if it appears to the Commissioners that—
(a) a company is engaged in a VAT avoidance scheme,
(b) membership of the group threatens the collectability of tax, or
(c) the revenue loss associated with its membership of the group goes beyond the natural consequences of grouping.'.—(Mr David Heathcoat-Amory.)
Question, That the Amendment be made, put and negatived.
Other Amendments (Nos. 25 and 35) made to the Bill.
A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That the Bill be now read the third time;
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Keith Hill, Mr David Jamieson: 326.
Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Jacqui Lait, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 149.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.
| 7 | Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from Mr J C Hamblin, residents of the constituency of Bury St. Edmunds and others for re-establishment of British sovereignty ceded to the European Commission was presented; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed. |
| 8 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Keith Hill.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-seven minutes to Twelve o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 11.33 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
| 1 | Local Government Finance,—Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 48) on 1999–2000 Special Grant for Developing New Approaches to Commissioning Services for Drug Misusers [by Act]; to be printed [No. 513] [Mr Secretary Dobson]. |
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 2 | Education,—Greenhill College, Harrow and Weald College, Harrow (Dissolution) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1919), dated 24th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
| 3 | Road Traffic,—Road Traffic (Parking Adjudicators) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1918), dated 30th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
Page 422 Tuesday 6th July 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
| 4 | Town and Country Planning,—Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1810), dated 25th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
Other Papers:
| 5 | Education Reform,—Account of the Education Transfer Council for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 674] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 6 | Fair Employment,—Report and Statement of Accounts of the Fair Employment Commission for Northern Ireland for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Act] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam]. |
| 7 | Financial Services,—Report and Accounts of the Financial Services Authority for 1998–99 [by Act] [Ms Patricia Hewitt]. |
| 8 | Health,—Paper, entitled Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation [by Command] [Cm. 4386] [Mr Secretary Dobson]. |
| 9 | Monopolies and Mergers,—Report by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on the supply in Great Britain of raw cows' milk [by Command] [Cm. 4286] [Mr Secretary Byers]. |
| 10 | Public Accounts,—Northern Ireland Department of Finance and Personnel Memorandum on the Eleventh Report from the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 1998–99 [by Command] [Cm. 4394] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam]. |
| 11 | Public Petitions,—Observations by the Economic Secretary, HM Treasury, on the Petition [26th May] from residents of the constituency of Ross, Skye and Inverness West and others concerning the price of fuel in the Highlands of Scotland [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House]. |
APPENDIX II
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Education and Employment,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education Sub-Committee of the Education and Employment Committee [School Meals]; to be printed [No. 676-i] [Mr Malcolm Wicks]. |
| 2 | Environmental Audit,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environmental Audit Committee [The Sustainable Development Strategy]; to be printed [No. 479-ii] [Mr John Horam]. |
| 3 | 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-v] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody]. |
| 4 | Home Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Home Affairs Committee [Home Office Annual Report]; to be printed [No. 653-i] [Mr Chris Mullin]. |
| 5 | International Development,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the International Development Committee [The Future of Sanctions]; to be printed [No. 454-v] [Mr Bowen Wells]. |
| 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-vi] [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-v and -vi] [Dr Tony Wright]. |
| 8 | Statutory Instruments,—Twenty-fourth Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, together with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 50-xxiv] [Mr David Tredinnick]. |
| 9 | Trade and Industry,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Trade and Industry Committee [Climate Change Levy]; to be printed [Nos. 678-i and -ii] [Mr Martin O'Neill]. |
| 10 | Treasury,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Treasury Committee [Demutualisation]; to be printed [No. 605-ii] [Mr Giles Radice]. |
Page 423 Tuesday 6th July 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
[No. 119.] Wednesday 7th July 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—(Mrs Anne McGuire); |
And it being Two o'clock, the motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.
| 2 | European Standing Committee B,—Mr Edward O'Hara reported from European Standing Committee B the following Resolution: |
That the Committee takes note of European Union Documents Nos. COM(99)200, the Preliminary Draft Budget (PDB) of the European Communities for 2000, and SEC(99)600, the Commission's Overview of the PDB; and supports the Government's efforts to maintain budget discipline in the Community; and European Union Document No. 7698/99, Inter-Institutional Agreement (IIA) between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of 6th May 1999 on budgetary discipline and improvement of the budgetary procedure; and supports the Government in welcoming the renewal of the IIA as an important contribution to increasing the efficiency of the budgetary procedure and to maintaining budgetary discipline.
Report, together with Resolution, to lie upon the Table.
| 3 | Mr Peter Jennings, CVO, Serjeant at Arms,—The Speaker informed the House that she had received a letter from Mr Peter Jennings, CVO, Serjeant at Arms, which she read to the House, as follows: |
‘I write to confirm that I wish to retire on 31st December this year, when I shall be 65.
I have been highly privileged to serve the House for over 22 years, most recently in a senior capacity. I would like to thank all members of the House staff, particularly those in my Department who have so ably helped me to discharge my duties. I also include the Metropolitan Police Division whose staff provide security here and the Post Office staff who provide our mail services. It has been enormously rewarding to lead such a dedicated and diverse team and to see how all those involved in it have developed to meet the ever increasing demands placed on them to meet the Departmental objective of providing “the best possible service”.
May I finally record my appreciation for the many kindnesses shown to me during my time here and particularly for all the support which you personally have given me during my time as Serjeant.'
| 4 | Railways Bill,—Mr Secretary Prescott, supported by the Prime Minister, Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Secretary Straw, Mr Secretary Byers, Mr Secretary Reid, Mr Secretary Michael, Mrs Helen Liddell and Glenda Jackson, presented a Bill to establish the Strategic Rail Authority and make other provision about railways: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 133]. |
Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Railways Bill be printed [Bill 133–EN].
| 5 | Empty Homes,—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision for reducing the incidence of vacant dwellings; to extend the duties and powers of local authorities to that end; to require local authorities to publish empty homes strategies and to exercise their duties and powers in accordance with those strategies; and for connected purposes: And that Mr David Kidney, Dr Vincent Cable, Mr David Curry, Mrs Llin Golding, Mr David Lepper, Mr Andrew Love, Siobhain McDonagh, Ms Margaret Moran, Mr Peter L. Pike and Mr Jonathan R. Shaw do prepare and bring it in. |
| 6 | Empty Homes Bill,—Mr David Kidney accordingly presented a Bill to make provision for reducing the incidence of vacant dwellings; to extend the duties and powers of local authorities to that end; to require local authorities to publish empty homes strategies and to exercise their duties and powers in accordance with those strategies; and for connected 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 134]. |
| 7 | Opposition day [17th 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. |
Page 424 Wednesday 7th July 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
Dairy Industry,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes that, since 1st May 1997, the farm gate price of milk has fallen by over a quarter, the price received by farmers for cull cows has fallen by over one third and the income of dairy farmers has collapsed; condemns the Government's failure in recent CAP negotiations to secure any immediate increase in milk quota for mainland Britain whilst conceding increases for other EU countries; deplores the delay in publishing the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on Milk Marque, thus needlessly damaging confidence in the industry; expresses concern that outbreaks of TB have risen substantially; and urges the Government to remedy this crisis by addressing these issues, ending its disgraceful neglect of the dairy industry, strengthening Milk Marque and implementing the Krebs Report without further delay—(Mr Tim Yeo);
An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word ‘House' to the end of the Question and to add the words ‘recognises the economic difficulties faced by the dairy industry; supports the Government's efforts to reform the Common Agriculture Policy during the recent Agenda 2000 negotiations in order to move towards a freer, more competitive market; welcomes the publication of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the supply of raw milk; notes its conclusions and looks forward to a new selling system being in place which meets the needs both of consumers and the dairy industry; endorses the Government's view that the industry itself must help shape its own future; and congratulates the Government for its support for industry initiatives to achieve this', instead thereof.—(Mr Nicholas Brown.)
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 Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 176.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Clelland, Mr Mike Hall: 326.
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 recognises the economic difficulties faced by the dairy industry; supports the Government's efforts to reform the Common Agricultural Policy during the recent Agenda 2000 negotiations in order to move towards a freer, more competitive market; welcomes the publication of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the supply of raw milk; notes its conclusions and looks forward to a new selling system being in place which meets the needs both of consumers and the dairy industry; endorses the Government's view that the industry itself must help shape its own future; and congratulates the Government for its support for industry initiatives to achieve this.
Choice and Diversity in Education,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House deplores the reduction in choice and diversity in education caused by the Government's abolition of grant maintained status, introduction of ballots to close grammar schools and restriction on the ability of schools to determine their own ethos; notes with concern the threat posed to school sixth forms by the Government's review of post-16 education; condemns the pursuit of uniformity at the expense of diversity; believes that the increasing bureaucratic burdens placed on schools, teachers and governors by the Government and its practice of holding back funding at the centre, to be allocated on the basis of a complicated bidding process, have a particularly adverse impact on rural schools; and further believes that these policies will damage children's education—(Mrs Theresa May);
An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word ‘House' to the end of the Question and to add the words ‘welcomes the Government's success in cutting infant class sizes after 10 years of rising class sizes and the successful introduction of the literacy hour, which is restoring phonics, spelling and grammar to the primary school curriculum; notes the plans to extend daily numeracy lessons nationwide from September, which will place strong emphasis on mental arithmetic; recognises the Government's strong commitment to diversity through the rapid expansion of specialist schools and beacon schools; welcomes the success to date of the Government's policy in support of failing schools; supports the considerable work already undertaken to reduce bureaucracy in schools following years of neglect; supports the Government's new code of practice on school admissions; welcomes the new White Paper on reform of post-16 education and the clear guarantees it offers on sixth form funding; supports the Government's plans to reward good teaching; and believes that the extra £19 billion allocated to education is beginning to make a real difference to the money available to schools, not least in tackling the substantial repairs and maintenance backlog', instead thereof.—(Mr Secretary Blunkett.)
Page 425 Wednesday 7th July 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Keith Simpson, Mrs Jacqui Lait: 129.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Keith Hill, Mrs Anne McGuire: 352.
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 Keith Hill: 321.
Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Jacqui Lait, Mr Keith Simpson: 149.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.
Resolved, That this House welcomes the Government's successs in cutting infant class sizes after 10 years of rising class sizes and the successful introduction of the literacy hour, which is restoring phonics, spelling and grammar to the primary school curriculum; notes the plans to extend daily numeracy lessons nationwide from September, which will place strong emphasis on mental arithmetic; recognises the Government's strong commitment to diversity through the rapid expansion of specialist schools and beacon schools; welcomes the success to date of the Government's policy in support of failing schools; supports the considerable work already undertaken to reduce bureaucracy in schools following years of neglect; supports the Government's new code of practice on school admissions; welcomes the new White Paper on reform of post-16 education and the clear guarantees it offers on sixth form funding; supports the Government's plans to reward good teaching; and believes that the extra £19 billion allocated to education is beginning to make a real difference to the money available to schools, not least in tackling the substantial repairs and maintenance backlog.
| 8 | Civil Aviation,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Stansted Airport Aircraft Movement Limit (Amendment) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 16th June, be approved—(Mr Mike Hall):—It was agreed to. |
| 9 | Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from the Health Food Manufacturers' Association against the proposal to give the Medicines Control Agency power to classify natural health products as medicines were presented; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed. |
| 10 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Mike Hall.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till four minutes to Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 10.56 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Paper subject to Affirmative Resolution:
| 1 | Northern Ireland,—Draft Northern Ireland Act 1974 (Interim Period Extension) Order 1999 [by Act] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam]. |
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 2 | Criminal Law,—Fixed Penalty Offences Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1851), dated 25th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
| 3 | Fire Precautions,—Fire Precautions (Workplace) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1877), dated 29th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
| 4 | Income Tax,—(1) Corporation Tax (Instalment Payments) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1929), and |
(2) Taxes (Interest Rate) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1928),
dated 6th July 1999 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].
Page 426 Wednesday 7th July 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
| 5 | Social Security,—Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Amendment Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1880), dated 30th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling]. |
| 6 | Sports Grounds and Sporting Events,—(1) Football Spectators (Seating) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1926), dated 6th July 1999, and |
(2) Safety of Sports Grounds (Designation) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1930), dated 7th July 1999
[by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].
| 7 | Terms and Conditions of Employment,—Collective Redundancies and Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1925), dated 7th July 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers]. |
Other Papers:
| 8 | Appropriations in Aid,—Treasury Minute, dated 7th July 1999, directing the application of certain receipts as appropriations in aid of the Vote specified in the Late Revised Estimates for 1999–2000 [by Act] [Mrs Barbara Roche]. |
| 9 | Housing,—Report and Accounts of the Castle Vale Housing Action Trust for 1998–99 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 10 | Legal Aid, Advice and Assistance,—Report of the Law Society of Northern Ireland on Legal Aid in Northern Ireland in 1997–98, with the Report of the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Legal Aid in Northern Ireland [by Statutory Instrument]; to be printed [No. 526] [Mr Keith Vaz]. |
| 11 | Miscellaneous (No. 25, 1999),—Second Optional Protocol, adopted at New York on 15th December 1989, to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the Death Penalty [by Command] [Cm. 4375] [Mr Secretary Cook]. |
| 12 | Pensions,—Accounts of the Pensions Compensation Board for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 682] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 13 | Police and Criminal Evidence,—(1) Account of the Police Complaints Authority for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 681] [Clerk of the House]; and |
(2) Report and Financial Statements of the Police Complaints Authority for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 553] [Mr Secretary Straw].
| 14 | Public Accounts,—Treasury Minute on the Tenth and the Twelfth to Fourteenth Reports from the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 1998–99 [by Command] [Cm. 4381] [Mrs Barbara Roche]. |
| 15 | Supply Estimates, 1999–2000,—Late Revised Estimates for 1999–2000 [by Command]; to be printed [No. 684] [Mrs Barbara Roche]. |
| 16 | Treaty Series (No. 39, 1999),—1997 Amendments, done at London on 25th September 1997, to the Annex of the Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (Amendments to regulation 10 and new regulation 25A of Annex I of MARPOL 73/78) (Resolution MEPC.75(40)) [by Command] [Cm. 4388] [Mr Secretary Cook]. |
| 17 | Treaty Series (No. 43, 1999),—Agreement, done at The Hague on 18th September 1998, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands concerning a Scottish Trial in the Netherlands including Annexes and Exchange of Notes [by Command] [Cm. 4378] [Mr Secretary Cook]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| 1 | Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Bill: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee D; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has appointed seventeen Members to serve on the Committee, viz: Mr Peter Bottomley, Mr John Burnett, Christine Butler, Mr Harry Cohen, Mr Michael Jabez Foster, Mrs Eileen Gordon, Mr Nick Hawkins, Mr Keith Hill, Mr David Lock, Siobhain McDonagh, Ms Julie Morgan, Mr David Ruffley, Bob Russell, Mr Phil Sawford, Mr John M. Taylor, Mr Keith Vaz and Mr Anthony D. Wright.
Page 427 Wednesday 7th July 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
| 2 | Draft Ministerial and other Salaries Order 1999: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Bob Blizzard, Mr Ivor Caplin, Mr Ian Cawsey, Sir Sydney Chapman, Mr Geraint Davies, Lorna Fitzsimons, Mr David Hanson, Mr John Healey, Mr Andrew Lansley, Mr Tom Levitt, Rosemary McKenna, Mr Nick St. Aubyn, Mr Jonathan Sayeed, Mr Andrew Stunell, Paddy Tipping and Mr Paul Tyler.
| 3 | Draft North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Ninth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz: Ann Clwyd, Mr James Cran, Mr Andrew Dismore, Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson, Jim Dowd, Mr Mike Gapes, Ms Harriet Harman, Mr Bob Laxton, Mr Ken Livingstone, Mr Malcolm Moss, Mr Paul Murphy, Mr Lembit Opik, Mr Gwyn Prosser, Mr Syd Rapson, Mr Andrew Robathan and Mr David Wilshire.
| 4 | Draft International Copper Study Group (Legal Capacities) Order 1999, the draft International Organisations (Immunities and Privileges) Miscellaneous Provisions Order 1999, and the draft INTELSAT (Immunities and Privileges) (Amendment) Order 1999: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Orders to the Tenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Ms Karen Buck, Mr David Drew, Mr Eric Forth, Mrs Cheryl Gillan, Mr David Heath, Mr Stephen Hepburn, Mr John Horam, Mr Brian Jenkins, Jane Kennedy, Mr Tony Lloyd, Mr Andrew Mackinlay, Alice Mahon, Mr Gerry Steinberg, Mr John M. Taylor, Dr Jenny Tonge and Mr Alan W. Williams.
| 5 | Draft Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (Procedural Rules) Order 1999, the draft Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (Code of Conduct) Order 1999, and the draft Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (Guidelines) Order 1999: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Orders to the Eleventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: John Austin, Mr Harry Barnes, Mr Tony Colman, Mr Lawrence Cunliffe, Mr Stephen Day, Jim Dowd, Mr Win Griffiths, Mr Adam Ingram, Miss Julie Kirkbride, Dr Julian Lewis, Mr Gordon Marsden, Mr Andrew Miller, Mr Malcolm Moss, Mr Lembit Opik, Mr William Thompson and Mr David Winnick.
| 6 | Draft Aeroplane Noise (Amendment) Regulations 1999: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Twelfth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has appointed sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Ms Diane Abbott, Mr Graham Allen, Mr Tom Brake, Mr Roger Casale, Mr Iain Coleman, Mr Michael Fabricant, Glenda Jackson, Ms Jenny Jones, Mrs Jacqui Lait, Mr Andrew Love, Mr Richard Page, Mr Ian Stewart, Mr Andrew Stunell, Mr Paul Truswell, Mr Derek Twigg and Mr Shaun Woodward.
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Defence,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee [Defence Research Expenditure]; to be printed [No. 616-ii] [Mr Bruce George]. |
| 2 | Education and Employment,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education Sub-Committee of the Education and Employment Committee [Highly Able Children: follow up]; to be printed [No. 680-i] [Mr Malcolm Wicks]. |
| 3 | Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—(1) Thirteenth Report from the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee [The Operation of the Landfill Tax], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment Sub-Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [Nos. 150–I and -III]; |
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Revision of PPG3: Housing]; to be printed [No. 490-iii]; and
Page 428 Wednesday 7th July 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
(3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Sub-Committee [Young and Newly-Qualified Drivers: Standards and Training]; to be printed [No. 515-iii]
[Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].
| 4 | European Scrutiny,—(1) Twenty-Fifth Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 34-xxv]; and |
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Post-Council Scrutiny: the Social Affairs Council, 25 May 1999]; to be printed [No. 689]
[Mr Jimmy Hood].
| 5 | Public Accounts,—(1) Twenty-ninth Report from the Committee of Public Accounts [Financial Management and Control in the European Union]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 690]; |
(2) Thirtieth Report from the Committee [How the Utility Regulators are addressing the Year 2000 problems in the Utilities]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 449];
(3) Thirty-first Report from the Committee [DETR & The Welsh Office: Sale of Residual Loans to Housing Associations]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 431]; and
(4) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [OFFER/OFGAS: Giving Customers a Choice—The Introduction of Competition into the Domestic Gas Market]; to be printed [No. 691-i]
[Mr David Davis].
| 6 | Science and Technology,—Second Report from the Science and Technology Committee [The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 472] [Dr Michael Clark]. |
| 7 | Social Security,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Social Security Committee [The Contributory Principle]; to be printed [No. 485-iii] [Mr Archy Kirkwood]. |
THE SPEAKER'S CERTIFICATE
| | The Speaker certified that the Finance Bill is a Money Bill within the meaning of the Parliament Act 1911. |
[No. 120.] Thursday 8th July 1999.
The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | City of London (Ward Elections) Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for consideration of the City of London (Ward Elections) Bill; |
Ordered, That the Bill be considered on Wednesday 14th July at Seven o'clock.
| 2 | Northern Ireland Grand Committee,—Mr Peter Atkinson reported from the Northern Ireland Grand Committee, That it had considered the matter of the Review of the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland referred to it on 22nd June and had directed him to report accordingly to the House. |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 99].
| 3 | Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Bill [Lords] (Programme),—Ordered, That the following provisions shall apply to the remaining proceedings on the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Bill [Lords]— |
Timetable
1 Proceedings on Consideration and Third Reading shall be taken in the order specified in the Table and completed at today's sitting; and each part of the proceedings shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at the time specified in the second column of the Table.
Page 429 Thursday 8th July 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
TABLE
| Proceedings | Time for conclusion of proceedings |
| New Clauses relating to Part I; amendments relating to Clauses 1 to 13, Schedule 1 and Clauses 14 and 15. | 2½ hours after commencement of proceedings on this Order. |
| Any New Clauses relating to the making of orders under Clause 44(5) which may be selected; amendments relating to Clauses 44 to 48, Schedule 2 and Clauses 49 to 52. | 4 hours after commencement of proceedings on this Order. |
| Remaining New Clauses; amendments relating to Clauses 16 to 43. | 5½ hours after commencement of proceedings on this Order. |
| Amendments to Clauses 53 to 59, Schedule 3 and Clauses 60 to 63; New Schedules; amendments relating to Clauses 64 to 67, Schedules 4 to 7 and Clause 68; Third Reading. | 6 hours after commencement of proceedings on this Order. |
Questions to be put
2 (1) This paragraph applies for the purpose of bringing any proceedings to a conclusion 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.
Miscellaneous
3 Standing Order No. 15(1) (Exempted Business) shall apply to proceedings on the Bill at today's sitting: and the proceedings shall not be interrupted under any Standing Order relating to sittings of the House.
4 Standing Order No. 82 (Business Committee) shall not apply to proceedings on the Bill.
5 No Motion shall be made, except by a Minister of the Crown to alter the order in which any proceedings on the Bill are taken or to recommit the Bill; and if a Minister makes any such Motion, the Question on the Motion shall be put forthwith.
6 No dilatory Motion shall be made in relation to, or in the course of proceedings on, the Bill except by a Minister of the Crown; and if a Minister makes any such Motion, the Question on the Motion shall be put forthwith.
7 The proceedings on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown for varying or supplementing the provisions of this Order shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion one hour after they have been commenced; and Standing Order No. 15(1) shall apply to those proceedings.
8 If at today's sitting a Motion for the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 24 (as that Standing Order has effect in accordance with the Order of the House [16th December 1998]) stands over to Four o'clock and proceedings on this Motion have begun before that time, the Motion for the Adjournment shall stand over until the conclusion of proceedings on the Bill.
9 If the House is adjourned at today's sitting, or the sitting is suspended, before the conclusion of proceedings on the Bill, no notice shall be required of a motion made at the next sitting by a Minister of the Crown for varying or supplementing the provisons of this Order.—(Mr Kevin Hughes.)
| 4 | Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Bill [Lords],—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Bill [Lords], as amended in the Standing Committee. |
Page 430 Thursday 8th July 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
A Clause (Referral of young offenders to youth offender panels)—(Mr John Greenway)—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 Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mrs Jacqui Lait: 118.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Hanson, Mr Keith Hill: 296.
Amendments (Nos. 2 and 3) made to the Bill.
Another Clause (Conditions for making an order under section 44(5))—(Mr John Greenway)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time;
And it being four hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion on Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Bill [Lords] (Programme), the Deputy Speaker put the Question already proposed from the Chair, pursuant to Order [this day].
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mrs Jacqui Lait: 122.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr Graham Allen: 288.
Another Clause (Restriction on reports about person accused or suspected of committing a sexual offence)—(Mr John Greenway)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:—Clause, by leave, withdrawn.
Another Amendment (No. 4) proposed to the Bill, in page 13, line 24, to leave out the word ‘section' and insert the word ‘subsection' instead thereof.—(Mr Paul Boateng.)
Question proposed, That the Amendment be made;
And it being five and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings, the Deputy Speaker put the Question already proposed from the Chair.
Question, That the Amendment be made, put and agreed to.
The Deputy Speaker then put the Question required to bring proceedings on amendments relating to Clauses 17 to 43 to a conclusion.
Question, That Amendments Nos. 5 to 8 be made to the Bill, put and agreed to.
Other Amendments (Nos. 9 to 11) made to the Bill.
The Bill was read the third time and passed, with Amendments.
| 5 | EC Preliminary Draft Budget for 2000,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 119 (European Standing Committees), That this House takes note of European Union Documents Nos. COM(99)200, the Preliminary Draft Budget (PDB) of the European Communities for 2000, and SEC(99)600, the Commission's Overview of the PDB; and supports the Government's efforts to maintain budget discipline in the Community; and European Union Document No. 7698/99, Inter-Institutional Agreement (IIA) between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of 6th May 1999 on budgetary discipline and improvement of the budgetary procedure; and supports the Government in welcoming the renewal of the IIA as an important contribution to increasing the efficiency of the budgetary procedure and to maintaining budgetary discipline—(Mr Mike Hall):—It was agreed to. |
| 6 | Business of the House,—Ordered, That paragraph 2(a) of Standing Order No. 54 (Consideration of estimates) shall not apply at the sitting on Monday 12th July, insofar as any Motion in the name of Margaret Beckett relating to the Eighth Report from the Committee on Standards and Privileges (HC 607) shall stand as first business.—(Mr Mike Hall.) |
| 7 | Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from— |
(1) members of the OK Stroke Club and its supporters for a specialist stroke unit to be provided for the people of Hull and East Yorkshire; and
Page 431 Thursday 8th July 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
(2) residents of the United Kingdom against hunting with dogs
were presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
| 8 | Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from Daniel Charles Tissington for an inquiry into the policy of the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions relating to levels of local authority taxation was presented; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed. |
| 9 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Mike Hall.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-eight minutes past Eight o'clock, adjourned till Monday 12th July.
[Adjourned at 8.28 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
| 1 | Cinemas and Films,—Draft Films (Modification of the Definition of “British Film”) Order 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith]. |
| 2 | Financial Services,—Draft Financial Services Act 1986 (Restriction of Exemptions) Order 1999 [by Act] [Ms Patricia Hewitt]. |
| 3 | Local Government Finance,—Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 50), on Children's Services (Quality Protects) Special Grants for 1998–1999 and 1999–2000 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 617] [Mr Secretary Dobson]. |
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 4 | Disabled Persons,—(1) Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Anglia Railways Class 170/2 Vehicles) Exemption Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1931), and |
(2) Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Central Trains Class 170/5 Vehicles) Exemption Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1932),
dated 7th July 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
| 5 | Education,—(1) Education (Education Standards Etc. Grants) (England) Regulations 1999 (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1955), dated 6th July 1999, and |
(2) Education (Parent Governor Representatives) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1949), dated 4th July 1999
[by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]; and
(3) Education (Parent Governor Representatives) (Wales) Regulations 1999 [S.I., 1999, No. 1900), dated 30th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Michael].
| 6 | Merchant Shipping,—Merchant Shipping (Fees) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1923), dated 5th July 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 7 | National Health Service,—(1) Health Authorities (Membership and Procedure) Amendment (Wales) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1901), and |
(2) National Health Service (Functions of Health Authorities and Administration Arrangements) Amendment (Wales) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1902),
dated 30th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Michael].
| 8 | Post Office,—Postal Privilege (Suspension) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1933), dated 6th July 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers]. |
| 9 | Taxes,—Capital Gains Tax (Definition of Permanent Interest Bearing Share) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1953), dated 8th July 1999 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo]. |
| 10 | Town and Country Planning,—Town and Country Planning (Trees) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1892), dated 30th June 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
Other Papers:
| 11 | Agriculture,—Report on Smallholdings in England for 1996–97 [by Act] [Mr Nicholas Brown]. |
Page 432 Thursday 8th July 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
| 12 | Appropriation Accounts, 1998–99,—Appropriation Account of the sums granted by Parliament for 1998–99 for Class XVIII, B (National Audit Office) [by Act]; to be printed [No. 491] [Mr Robert Sheldon]. |
| 13 | Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Government Response to the Eighth Report from the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee, Session 1998–99, on Local Government Finance [by Command] [Cm. 4402] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 14 | Government Trading Funds,—Report and Accounts of the Defence and Evaluation Research Agency for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 671] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 15 | National Heritage,—Accounts of the National Heritage Memorial Fund for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 693] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 16 | National Lottery,—Accounts of the National Heritage Memorial Fund Lottery Distribution for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 694] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 17 | Post Office,—Paper, entitled Post Office Reform: A world class service for the 21st century [by Command] [Cm. 4340] [Mr Secretary Byers]. |
| 18 | Post Office,—Report and Statement of Accounts of the Post Office Users' Council for Scotland for 1998–99 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| 1 | Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Bill [Lords],—The Speaker has appointed Mr Joe Benton Chairman of Standing Committee D in respect of the Bill. |
| 2 | Draft Ministerial and other Salaries Order 1999,—The Speaker has appointed Mr George Stevenson Chairman of the Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Order. |
| 3 | Draft North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Barry Jones Chairman of the Ninth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Order. |
| 4 | Draft International Copper Study Group (Legal Capacities) Order 1999, the draft International Organisations (Immunities and Privileges) Miscellaneous Provisions Order 1999, and the draft INTELSAT (Immunities and Privileges) (Amendment) Order 1999,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Jim Cunningham Chairman of the Tenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Orders. |
| 5 | Draft Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (Code of Conduct) Order 1999, the draft Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (Guidelines) Order 1999, and the draft Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (Procedural Rules) Order 1999,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Nicholas Winterton Chairman of the Eleventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Orders. |
| 6 | Draft Aeroplane Noise (Amendment) Regulations 1999,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Edward O'Hara Chairman of the Twelfth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Regulations. |
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | 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-iii] [Mr Derek Foster]. |
| 2 | Health,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Health Committee [Procedures related to Adverse Clinical Incidents and Outcomes in Medical Care]; to be printed [No. 549-iv] [Mr David Hinchliffe]. |
| 3 | Local Government (Organisation and Standards),—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Joint Committee on Local Government (Organisation and Standards); to be printed [No. 542-vii] [Mr Peter L. Pike]. |
|
