| Commons Journal 255
Chronological Index
Alphabetical Index - Part I
Alphabetical Index - Part II
Page 481 1998-1999 Volume 255
[No. 131.] Monday 26th July 1999.
The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (Amendment of Rules) Bill,—The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (Amendment of Rules) Bill was read the third time, and passed. |
| 2 | Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr John Butterfill reported from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Courses for Drink-Driver Offenders (Experimental Period) (Termination of Restrictions) Order 1999. |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 3 | Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Humfrey Malins reported from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Motion in the name of Mr Secretary Straw relating to the Salary of the Data Protection Registrar for the period 1st April 1999 to 31st March 2000. |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 4 | Message from the Lords,—A Message was received from the Lords, as follows: |
The Lords have agreed to the Football (Offences and Disorder) Bill, without Amendment.
The Lords have agreed, without Amendment, to the Amendments proposed by this House in lieu of certain Amendments made by this House to the Access to Justice Bill [Lords] to which the Lords have disagreed; they do not insist on their Amendment to a further Amendment made by this House; and they have agreed without Amendment to the Amendment made by this House in lieu of that Amendment.
The Lords have agreed, without Amendment, to the Amendments made by this House to the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Bill [Lords].
The Lords have agreed, without Amendment, to the Amendments made by this House to the Pollution Prevention and Control Bill [Lords].
| 5 | New Member sworn,—Stephen Rothwell O'Brien, Esquire, Member for Eddisbury, was sworn. |
| 6 | Business of the House,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That, at this day's sitting, the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until any message from the Lords shall have been received—(Paddy Tipping); |
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Hanson, Mr David Clelland: 318.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Eric Forth, Mr Graham Brady: 12.
So the Question was agreed to.
Ordered, That, at this day's sitting, the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until any Message from the Lords shall have been received.
| 7 | Employment Relations Bill [allotted day],—The House, according to Order, proceeded further to consider the Lords Amendments to the Employment Relations Bill. |
Lords Amendments Nos. 21 to 34 agreed to.
Lords Amendment No. 35.
A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That this House agrees with the Lords in the said Amendment—(Mr Ian McCartney);
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Hanson, Mr David Clelland: 350.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mrs Jacqui Lait: 121.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Lords Amendment was accordingly agreed to.
Lords Amendments Nos. 36 to 322 agreed to.
Lords Amendment No. 323.
An Amendment ((c)) to the Lords Amendment was agreed to.
Lords Amendment, as amended, agreed to.
Lords Amendments Nos. 324 to 331 agreed to.
Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their Amendment No. 17.—(Mr Keith Hill.)
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Ordered, That Mrs Angela Browning, Mr Stephen Day, Mr Frank Doran, Mr Ian McCartney and Mr Greg Pope be members of the Committee.—(Mr Keith Hill.)
Ordered, That Mr Ian McCartney do take the Chair of the Committee.—(Mr Keith Hill.)
Ordered, That three be the Quorum of the Committee.—(Mr Keith Hill.)
Ordered, That the Committee do withdraw immediately.—(Mr Keith Hill.)
| 8 | Employment Relations Bill (Supplemental Allocation of Time),—Ordered, That the Order of the House of 22nd July 1999 be supplemented as follows— |
Subsequent stages
1. The Speaker shall put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown for the consideration forthwith of any further Message from the Lords on the Employment Relations Bill.
2. The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall, if not previously brought to a conclusion, be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement.
3. For the purpose of bringing those proceedings to a conclusion the Speaker shall—
(a) put forthwith any Question which has been proposed from the Chair and has not been decided, and the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown which is related to the Question already proposed from the Chair,
(b) put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown on or relevant to any of the remaining items in the Lords Message, and
(c) put forthwith the Question, That this House does agree with the Lords in all the remaining Lords Proposals.
Reasons Committee
4. The Speaker shall put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown for the appointment, nomination and quorum of a Committee to draw up Reasons and the appointment of its Chairman.
5. A Committee appointed to draw up Reasons shall report before the conclusion of the sitting at which it is appointed.
Miscellaneous
6.—(1) This paragraph applies to proceedings on any further Message from the Lords on the Bill and to proceedings of the kind mentioned in paragraph 4.
(2) Standing Order No. 15(1) (Exempted business) shall apply to the proceedings; and the proceedings shall not be interrupted under any Standing Order relating to sittings of the House.
(3) Where proceedings on a Motion for the Adjournment of the House would, by virtue of Standing Order No. 24, commence at a time when proceedings to which this paragraph applies are in progress, the proceedings on the Motion shall be postponed to the conclusion of the proceedings to which this paragraph applies.
7. If the House is adjourned, or the sitting is suspended, before the time at which proceedings on any further Lords Message are to be brought to a conclusion, no notice shall be required of a Motion made at the next sitting by a Minister of the Crown for varying or supplementing the provisions of this Order.—(Mr Keith Hill.)
| 9 | Employment Relations Bill,—Mr Ian McCartney reported from the Committee appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their Amendment No. 17 to the Employment Relations Bill, That it had drawn up the following Reason accordingly, which it had directed him to report to the House. |
The Commons disagree to Amendment No. 17 made by the Lords in page 8, line 20, for the following Reason:
Because it is inappropriate to restrict regulations under Clause No. 15 in this way.
The Reason was agreed to.
Message to the Lords to communicate the said Reason, with the Bill and Amendment.
| 10 | Local Government Bill (Supplemental Allocation of Time),—Ordered, That the Order of the House of 24th March 1999 be supplemented as follows: |
Lords Amendments
1. Proceedings on Consideration of Lords Amendments shall be completed at this day's sitting and, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion three hours after the commencement of the proceedings on this Order.
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2.—(1) For the purpose of bringing proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with paragraph 1 the Speaker shall—
(a) put forthwith any Question which has been proposed from the Chair and has not been decided and, if that Question is for the amendment of a Lords Amendment, the Question on any further Amendment of the Lords Amendment moved by a Minister of the Crown and on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House does agree or disagree with the Lords in the Lords Amendment or, as the case may be, in the Lords Amendment as amended.
(b) put forthwith the Question on any Amendment moved by a Minister of the Crown to a Lords Amendment followed by the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House does agree or disagree with the Lords in their Amendment or, as the case may be, in their Amendment as amended,
(c) put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House does disagree with the Lords in a Lords Amendment, and
(d) put forthwith the Question, That this House does agree with the Lords in all the remaining Lords Amendments.
(2) As soon as the House has agreed or disagreed with the Lords in any of their Amendments the Speaker shall put forthwith a separate Question on any other Amendment moved by a Minister of the Crown relevant to the Lords Amendment.
Subsequent stages
3. The Speaker shall put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown for the consideration forthwith of any further Message from the Lords on the Bill.
4. The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall, if not previously brought to a conclusion, be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement.
5. For the purpose of bringing those proceedings to a conclusion the Speaker shall—
(a) put forthwith any Question which has been proposed from the Chair and has not been decided, and the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown which is related to the Question already proposed from the Chair,
(b) put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown on or relevant to any of the remaining items in the Lords Message, and
(c) put forthwith the Question, That this House does agree with the Lords in all the remaining Lords Proposals.
Reasons Committee
6. The Speaker shall put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown for the appointment, nomination and quorum of a Committee to draw up Reasons and the appointment of its Chairman.
7. A Committee appointed to draw up Reasons shall report before the conclusion of the sitting at which it is appointed.
Miscellaneous
8. This paragraph applies to—
(a) proceedings on Consideration of Lords Amendments,
(b) proceedings on any further Message from the Lords, and
(c) proceedings of the kind mentioned in paragraph 6.
9. Standing Order No. 15(1) (Exempted business) shall apply to proceedings to which paragraph 8 applies.
10. Proceedings to which paragraph 8 applies shall not be interrupted under any Standing Order relating to the sittings of the House.
11. No dilatory Motion with respect to, or in the course of, proceedings to which paragraph 8 applies shall be made except by a Minister of the Crown; and the Question on any such Motion shall be put forthwith.
12. Where proceedings on a Motion for the Adjournment of the House would, by virtue of Standing Order No. 24, commence at a time when proceedings to which paragraph 8 applies are in progress, the proceedings on the Motion shall be postponed to the conclusion of the proceedings to which paragraph 8 applies.
13. If the House is adjourned, or the sitting is suspended, before the expiry of the period at the end of which proceedings to which paragraph 8 applies are to be brought to a conclusion, no notice shall be required of a Motion made at the next sitting by a Minister of the Crown for varying or supplementing the provisions of this Order.—(Hilary Armstrong.)
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| 11 | Local Government Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Lords Amendments to the Local Government Bill. |
Lords Amendments Nos. 1 to 20 were agreed to, the Commons being willing to waive their privileges in respect of Lords Amendments Nos. 14 and 20.
| 12 | Northern Ireland,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Northern Ireland Act Tribunal (Procedure) Rules 1999, which were laid before this House on 5th July, be approved—(Mr David Jamieson):—It was agreed to. |
| 13 | Local Government Finance,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 50) on Children's Services (Quality Protects) Special Grants for 1998–99 and 1999–2000 (House of Commons Paper No. 617), which was laid before this House on 8th July, be approved—(Mr David Jamieson):—It was agreed to. |
| 14 | Home Affairs,—Ordered, That Mr Nick Hawkins be discharged from the Home Affairs Committee, and Mr Michael Fabricant be added to the Committee.—(Mr Keith Bradley, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) |
| 15 | Social Security,—Ordered, That Mr Howard Flight be discharged from the Social Security Committee, and Mr Desmond Swayne be added to the Committee.—(Mr Keith Bradley, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) |
| 16 | European Scrutiny,—Ordered, That Mr Shaun Woodward and Mr Robert Walter be discharged from the European Scrutiny Committee, and Mr Owen Paterson and Mr Laurence Robertson be added to the Committee.—(Mr Keith Bradley.) |
| 17 | Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows: |
The Lords do not insist on their Amendment to the Employment Relations Bill to which this House has disagreed, but propose an Amendment in lieu thereof, to which they desire the concurrence of this House; and they have agreed without Amendment to the Amendment proposed by the Commons to the remaining Lords Amendment.
| 18 | Employment Relations Bill,—Lords Amendment in Lieu of an Amendment to the Employment Relations Bill to which the Commons have disagreed to be printed [Bill 148]. |
| 19 | Employment Relations Bill,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Order [this day], That the Message from the Lords this day relating to an Amendment proposed by the Lords in lieu of the Lords Amendment to the Employment Relations Bill to which this House has disagreed be considered forthwith—(Mr Ian McCartney):—It was agreed to. |
The House accordingly proceeded to consider the said Message.
The Lords Amendment in lieu was read, as follows: in page 8, line 20, at the end to insert the words—
“(4) The payment of higher wages or higher rates of pay or overtime or the payment of any signing on or other bonuses or the provision of other benefits having a monetary value to other workers employed by the same employer shall not constitute a detriment to any worker not receiving the same or similar payments or benefits within the meaning of subsection (1)(a) of this section so long as—
(a) there is no inhibition in the contract of employment of the worker receiving the same from being the member of any trade union, and
(b) the said payments of higher wages or rates of pay or overtime or bonuses or the provision of other benefits are in accordance with the terms of a contract of employment and reasonably relate to services provided by the worker under that contract.”.
Question, That this House agrees with the Lords Amendment in lieu, put and agreed to.
| 20 | Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from— |
(1) users and supporters of Greater Manchester Accessible Transport Ltd, commonly known as “Ring and Ride”, calling for reform of the system of rebates on fuel duty; and
(2) residents of the constituency of Basildon against hunting with dogs
were presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
| 21 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Clive Betts.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-one minutes past Nine o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 9.21 p.m.
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APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 1 | Agriculture,—Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels in Crops, Food and Feeding Stuffs) (National Limits) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 (S.R.(N.I), 1999, No. 320), dated 9th July 1999 [by Act] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam]. |
| 2 | Criminal Law,—Costs in Criminal Cases (General) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2096), dated 14th July 1999 [by Act] [Mr Keith Vaz]. |
| 3 | Education,—Education (Annual Parents' Meetings) (England) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2104), dated 15th July 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
| 4 | Telecommunications,—Telecommunications (Data Protection and Privacy) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2093), dated 22nd July 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers]. |
Other Papers:
| 5 | Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 750] [Mr Nicholas Brown]. |
| 6 | Aliens' Employment,—Cabinet Office Minute, dated 26th July 1999, under section 1(4) of the Aliens' Employment Act 1955 relating to aliens employed in the Civil Service during 1998–99 [by Act] [Dr Jack Cunningham]. |
| 7 | Atomic Energy,—Report and Accounts of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 782] [Mr Secretary Byers]. |
| 8 | Cabinet Office Executive Agencies,—Reports and Accounts of the— |
(1) Civil Service College, and
(2) Government Car and Despatch Agency
for 1998–99, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 742 and 711] [Dr Jack Cunningham].
| 9 | Defence Executive Agencies,—Reports and Accounts of the— |
(1) Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency,
(2) Army Personnel Centre,
(3) Army Technical Support Agency,
(4) Defence Analytical Services Agency,
(5) Defence Vetting Agency, and
(6) Queen Victoria School
for 1998–99, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 631, 767, 697, 700, 764 and 507] [Mr Secretary Robertson].
| 10 | Education,—Accounts of the Teacher Training Agency for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 783] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 11 | Environmental Protection,—Accounts of the Nature Conservancy Council for England for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 789] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 12 | Environment, Transport and the Regions Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the— |
(1) Maritime and Coastguard Agency, and
(2) Planning Inspectorate Executive Agency
for 1998–99, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 579 and 740] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
| 13 | Government Report,—Paper entitled the Government's Annual Report 1998–99 [by Command] [Cm. 4401] [The Prime Minister]. |
| 14 | Government Trading Funds,—Report and Accounts of the Chessington Computer Centre for the period 1st April to 31st July 1996, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 110] [Dr Jack Cunningham]. |
| 15 | Housing,—Report and Accounts of Tower Hamlets Housing Action Trust for 1998–99 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
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| 16 | Industrial Development,—Report by the Secretaries of State for Trade and Industry, Scotland and Wales under the Industrial Development Act 1982 for 1998–99 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 698] [Mr Secretary Byers]. |
| 17 | Industrial Organisation and Development,—Report and Accounts of the British Potato Council for 1997–98 [by Act] [Mr Nicholas Brown]. |
| 18 | Judicature (Northern Ireland),—Accounts of Funds in Court in Northern Ireland for 1996–97, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 779] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 19 | Miscellaneous Financial Provisions,—Accounts of the Development Commission for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 781] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 20 | Miscellaneous (No. 28, 1999),—Protocol, done at Strasbourg on 22nd June 1998, of amendment to the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes, with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Cm. 4421] [Mr Secretary Cook]. |
| 21 | Museums and Galleries,—Accounts of the— |
(1) National Museum of Science and Industry, and
(2) National Portrait Gallery
for 1998–99, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 778 and 788] [Clerk of the House].
| 22 | National Health Service (Scotland),—Treasury Minute, dated 26th July 1999, concerning a proposed write off of originating capital debt of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh NHS Trust [by Act] [Mr Alan Milburn]. |
| 23 | National Lottery,—(1) Accounts of the— |
(i) Arts Council of Northern Ireland Lottery Distribution,
(ii) Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution, and
(iii) Scottish Sports Council National Lottery Fund,
for 1998–99, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 780, 786 and 787]; and
(2) Accounts of the New Opportunities Fund for the nine months ended 31st March 1999, with the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 785]
[Clerk of the House].
| 24 | National Savings Bank,—Statements with respect to— |
(1) investment deposits of National Savings, and
(2) ordinary deposits and expenses of the National Savings
for 1997, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 777 and 699] [Clerk of the House].
| 25 | Northern Ireland Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Roads Service Agency for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 662] [Secretary Marjorie Mowlam]. |
| 26 | Opticians,—Accounts of the General Optical Council for 1998–99 [by Act] [Margaret Beckett]. |
| 27 | Public Accounts,—Treasury Minute on the Fifteenth to Seventeenth Reports from the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 1998–99 [by Command] [Cm. 4408] [Mrs Barbara Roche]. |
| 28 | Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on the Petition [8th July] from Daniel Charles Tissington for an enquiry into the policy of the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions relating to levels of local authority taxation [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House]. |
| 29 | Public Records,—Report of the Keeper of Public Records on the work of the Public Record Office, and Accounts of the Public Record Office for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon, and the Report of the Advisory Council on Public Records for 1998–99 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 615] [Mr Keith Vaz]. |
| 30 | Science and Technology,—(1) Accounts of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 784] [Clerk of the House]; and |
(2) Report and Accounts of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council for
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1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].
| 31 | Scottish Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Student Awards Agency for Scotland for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 640] [Mr Secretary Reid]. |
| 32 | Sports Councils,—Consolidated Accounts of the English Sports Council and English Sports Council Group for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Command] [Mr Secretary Smith]. |
| 33 | Treasury Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of National Savings for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 733] [Ms Patricia Hewitt]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| | Food Safety (Fishery Products and Live Shellfish) (Hygiene) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1585),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mrs Linda Gilroy and Mr Brian White from the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Regulations); and nominated in substitution Mr Martin Caton and Judy Mallaber. |
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Education and Employment,—Fifth Special Report from the Education and Employment Committee [Government's and OFSTED's Response to the Fourth Report from the Committee, on the work of OFSTED]; to be printed [No. 791] [Mr Malcolm Wicks]. |
| 2 | Public Accounts,—(1) Thirty-second Report from the Committee of Public Accounts [Ministry of Defence: Modifying Defence Equipment]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 300]; |
(2) Thirty-third Report from the Committee [Managing Sickness Absence in the Prison Service]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 453];
(3) Thirty-fourth Report from the Committee [BSE: The Cost of a Crisis]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 790];
(4) Thirty-fifth Report from the Committee [Public Trust Office: Protecting the Financial Welfare of People with Mental Incapacity]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 278];
(5) Thirty-sixth Report from the Committee [The Millennium Threat], together with Appendices, and 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. 517];
(6) Thirty-seventh Report from the Committee [Investigations of Alleged Irregularities at Halton College]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 413];
(7) Thirty-eighth Report from the Committee [Inheritance Tax: A Progress Report]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 474]; and
(8) Thirty-ninth Report from the Committee [The NHS in Scotland: Making the Most of the Estate and Other Issues], together with Appendices; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 323]
[Mr David Davis].
| 3 | Standards and Privileges,—Eleventh Report from the Committee on Standards and Privileges [Unauthorised Receipt of a draft Report of the Social Security Committee]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 747] [Mr Robert Sheldon]. |
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[No. 132.] Tuesday 27th 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 further consideration of the City of London (Ward Elections) Bill; |
Ordered, That the City of London (Ward Elections) Bill be further considered on Tuesday 19th October.
| 2 | Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Edward O'Hara reported from the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Education (Head Teachers) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1287). |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 3 | Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Bill O'Brien reported from the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the National Health Service (General Medical Services) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1627) and the National Health Service (General Medical Services) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 3) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1620). |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 4 | Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Bowen Wells reported from the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Food Safety (Fishery Products and Live Shellfish) (Hygiene) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 1585). |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 5 | Scottish Adjacent Waters Boundaries (Amendment) Bill,—Ordered, That the Scottish Adjacent Waters Boundaries (Amendment) Bill be read a second time on Friday 29th October. |
| 6 | Warm Homes and Energy Conservation (Fifteen Year Programme) Bill,—Mrs Linda Gilroy, supported by Mr David Chaytor, Mr Alan Simpson, Mr Peter Temple-Morris, Mr Matthew Taylor, Angela Smith, Maria Eagle and Ms Linda Perham presented a Bill to require the Secretary of State to draw up and facilitate the carrying out, over a period of fifteen years, of a programme of action to provide at least 500,000 households per year with a comprehensive package of home insulation and other energy efficiency improvements; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 5th November and to be printed [Bill 149]. |
| 7 | Royal Assent,—The 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: |
Finance Act 1999
Disability Rights Commission Act 1999
Adoption (Intercountry Aspects) Act 1999
Company and Business Names (Chamber of Commerce, Etc) Act 1999
Commonwealth Development Corporation Act 1999
Football (Offences and Disorder) Act 1999
Access to Justice Act 1999
Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999
Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999
Criminal Cases Review (Insanity) Act 1999
Employment Relations Act 1999
Local Government Act 1999.
| 8 | Funeral Parlours (Planning) (Amendment),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the law in connection with the change of use of premises intended to be funeral parlours: And that Mr Oliver Letwin, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mr Eric Pickles and Mr David Lidington do prepare and bring it in. |
| 9 | Funeral Parlours (Planning) (Amendment) Bill,—Mr Oliver Letwin accordingly presented a Bill to amend the law in connection with the change of use of premises intended to be funeral parlours: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 5th November and to be printed [Bill 150]. |
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| 10 | Data Protection,—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Data Protection; |
A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Order [15th July] and Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That, in respect of service in the period starting with 1st April 1999 and ending with 31st March 2000, the salary of the Data Protection Registrar shall be £66,290 per annum—(Mr Keith Hill):—It was agreed to.
| 11 | Road Traffic,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Courses for Drink-Drive Offenders (Experimental Period) (Termination of Restrictions) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 12th July, be approved—(Mr Keith Hill):—It was agreed to. |
| 12 | Adjournment (Economic Stability and Public Services),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Keith Hill); |
And it being Ten o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put.
| 13 | Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from the Evening Gazette and residents of Colchester and surrounding areas of Essex against closure of cancer services in Colchester and for the provision of a centre of excellence for the treatment of cancer in Colchester was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed. |
| 14 | Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from residents of the constituencies of Reading West and Reading East against hunting with dogs was presented; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed. |
| 15 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Robert Ainsworth.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till half-past Ten o'clock, adjourned till Tuesday 19th October, pursuant to Order [2nd July].
[Adjourned at 10.30 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
| 1 | Financial Services,—Draft Financial Services Act 1986 (Restriction of Exemption) Order 1999 [by Act] [Ms Patricia Hewitt]. |
| 2 | Terms and Conditions of Employment,—Draft Working Time Regulations 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers]. |
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 3 | Banks and Banking,—Banking (Gibraltar) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2094), dated 22nd July 1999 [by Act] [Ms Patricia Hewitt]. |
| 4 | Disabled Persons,—Disability Discrimination (Description of Insurance Services) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2114), dated 26th July 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
| 5 | Ecclesiastical Law,—(1) Care of Places of Worship Rules 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2111), dated 10th July 1999, |
(2) Church Representation Rules (Amendment) Resolution 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2112), dated 12th July 1999,
(3) Ecclesiastical Judges, Legal Officers and Others (Fees) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2110), dated 10th July 1999,
(4) Legal Officers (Annual Fees) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2108), dated 10th July 1999, and
(5) Parochial Fees Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2113), dated 20th July 1999
[by Measure] [Clerk of the House].
| 6 | European Parliament,—European Parliamentary (United Kingdom Representatives) Pensions (Additional Voluntary Contributions Scheme) (Amendment) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2101), dated 26th July 1999 [by Act] [Margaret Beckett]. |
| 7 | Health and Safety,—Quarries Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2024), dated 12th July 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 8 | Income Tax,—Gifts for Relief in Poor Countries (Designation of Kosovo) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2118), dated 27th July 1999 [by Act] [Ms Patricia Hewitt]. |
Page 490 Tuesday 27th July 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
| 9 | Legal Aid and Advice,—(1) Legal Aid in Criminal and Care Proceedings (Costs) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2124), and |
(2) Legal Aid in Criminal and Care Proceedings (General) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2123),
dated 20th July 1999 [by Act] [Mr Keith Vaz].
| 10 | Medicines,—Medicines (Aristolochia) (Emergency Prohibition) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2109), dated 23rd July 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Dobson]. |
| 11 | Parliament,—Parliamentary Pensions (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2100), dated 26th July 1999 [by Act] [Margaret Beckett]. |
| 12 | Postal Services,—Postal Services Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2107), dated 26th July 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers]. |
Other Papers:
| 13 | Air Force (Constitution),—Amendment (No. 2) to Queen's Regulations for the Royal Air Force (Fourth Edition) [by Act] [Mr Secretary Robertson]. |
| 14 | Building Societies,—Report and Statement of Account of the Building Societies Commission for 1998–99 [by Act] [Ms Patricia Hewitt]. |
| 15 | Coinage,—Forgery and Counterfeiting (Protected Coins) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2095), dated 22nd July 1999 [by Act] [Ms Patricia Hewitt]. |
| 16 | Competition Commission,—Report by the Competition Commission on the merger situation between NTL Communications Corp and Newcastle United PLC [by Command] [Cm. 4411] [Mr Secretary Byers]. |
| 17 | Defence Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Ministry of Defence Police Chief Constable for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 743] [Mr Secretary Robertson]. |
| 18 | Development of Tourism,—Report and Summary Financial Statement of the Wales Tourist Board for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Michael]. |
| 19 | Education and Employment Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Employment Service for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 735] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
| 20 | Enterprise and New Towns (Scotland),—Report of Scottish Enterprise for 1998–99 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid]. |
| 21 | Environment,—Report and Accounts of the Environment Agency for 1998–99 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 22 | Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Government Response to the Twelfth Report from the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee, Session 1998–99, on The Future of the UK Shipping Industry [by Command] [Cm. 4423] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 23 | Friendly Societies,—Report of the Friendly Societies Commission for 1998–99 [by Act] [Ms Patricia Hewitt]. |
| 24 | Insurance,—Report on Insurance for 1998 pursuant to section 98 of the Insurance Companies Act 1982 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo]. |
| 25 | Local Government, Planning and Land,—Report and Accounts of the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation for 1998–99 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Michael]. |
| 26 | Prisons (Scotland),—Report and Accounts of the Scottish Prison Service for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 638] [Mr Secretary Reid]. |
| 27 | Public Expenditure,—Public Expenditure 1998–99: Provisional Outturn [by Command] [Cm. 4416] [Mr Alan Milburn]. |
| 28 | Public Petitions,—Observations by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on the Petition [2nd July] from Jake Steel and others for a ban on all genetically-modified food and crops in the United Kingdom and independent investigation into genetically-modified foods [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House]. |
| 29 | Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland),—Report of the Registrar General for Scotland for 1998 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid]. |
| 30 | Reserve Forces,—(1) Change 4 to the Regulations for the Naval and Marine Reserve (BR 64), and |
Page 491 Tuesday 27th July 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
(2) Change 1 to the Regulations for the Royal Fleet Reserve and Recall Reserve (Naval and Marine) (BR 61)
[by Act] [Mr Secretary Robertson].
| 31 | Roads,—Report for 1998 under section 18 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 32 | Scottish Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of Historic Scotland for 1998–99 and Corporate Plan for 1999–2002, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 639] [Mr Secretary Reid]. |
| 33 | Standards in Public Life,—Paper, entitled The Funding of Political Parties in the United Kingdom: The Government's proposals for legislation in response to the Fifth Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life [by Command] [Cm. 4413] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
| 34 | Superannuation,—(1) Civil Service Compensation Scheme (Amendment) Scheme 1999, and |
(2) Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (Amendment) Scheme 1999
[by Act] [Dr Jack Cunningham].
| 35 | Treasury Executive Agencies,—(1) Accounts of the United Kingdom Debt Management Office for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; and |
(2) Report and Accounts of the Office for National Statistics for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 731]
[Ms Patricia Hewitt].
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| Food Safety (Fishery Product and Live Shellfish) (Hygiene) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 1999,— The Committee of Selection has discharged Mrs Linda Gilroy from the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Regulations); and nominated in substitution Mr Martin Caton. |
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Agriculture,—(1) Eighth Report from the Agriculture Committee [Sea Fishing], 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. 141]; and |
(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Sea Fishing; The Marketing of Milk]
[Mr Peter Luff].
| 2 | Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—(1) Eighteenth Report from the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee [Tendered Bus Services]; together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Sub-Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 429] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody]; |
(2) Fourth Special Report from the Committee [Government Response to the Third Report from the Committee, on the Future of National Air Traffic Services]; to be printed [No. 794]; and
(3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment Sub-Committee [The Role and Work of OFWAT]; to be printed [No. 792-i]
[Mr Andrew F. Bennett].
| 3 | International Development,—Fourth Special Report from the International Development Committee [Government Response to the Third Report from the Committee, on Kosovo: the Humanitarian Crisis]; to be printed [No. 795] [Mr Bowen Wells]. |
| 4 | Local Government (Organisation and Standards),—Report from the Joint Committee on Local Government (Organisation and Standards) Bill, together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Joint Committee [No. 542] [Mr Peter L. Pike]. |
| 5 | Social Security,—Fourth Special Report from the Social Security Committee [The Government's Response to the Sixth Report from the Committee, on the War Pensions Agency Business Plan 1999/2000]; to be printed [No. 793] [Mr Archy Kirkwood]. |
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