 House of Commons |
Session 1998-1999 |
| Commons Journal 255
Chronological Index
Page 554 1998-1999 Volume 255 [No. 146.] Monday 8th November 1999. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
Resolved, That this House concurs with the Lords in their Resolution.—(The Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.) Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
The Lords do not insist on certain of their Amendments to the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill to which this House has disagreed, and they agree, without Amendment, to the Amendments proposed by this House in lieu of their Amendments disagreed to; they do not insist on another Amendment to which this House has disagreed, but propose an Amendment in lieu thereof, to which they desire the concurrence of this House; they do not insist on their remaining Amendments to which this House has disagreed; they agree, without Amendment, to certain Amendments made by this House to the words restored to the Bill; they disagree to another Amendment made by this House, but propose an Amendment in lieu thereof, and agree to the remaining Amendment made by this House, with Amendments to the words restored to the Bill; to which they desire the concurrence of this House.
Lords Amendments 1.—(1) Proceedings on further Consideration of Lords Amendments shall be completed at today's sitting and, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at Ten o'clock. (2) The remaining Lords Amendments shall be considered in the following order, namely: Nos. 41 to 126, 499, 127 to 212, 703, 213 to 422, 541, 793, 423 to 425, 426 to 498, 500 to 540, 542 to 702, 704 to 792 and 794 to 820. (3) 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. TABLE
Page 555 Monday 8th November 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top 2.—(1) This paragraph applies for the purpose of bringing proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with paragraph 1. (2) 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, a single Question on any further Amendments 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 agrees or disagrees with the Lords in the Lords Amendment or, as the case may be, in the Lords Amendment as amended; (b) put forthwith a single Question on any Amendments 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 agrees or disagrees 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 disagrees with the Lords in a Lords Amendment; (d) put forthwith the Question, That this House agrees with the Lords in all the remaining Lords Amendments. (3) As soon as the House has agreed or disagreed with the Lords in any of their Amendments, the Speaker shall put forthwith a single Question on any Amendments 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 concluded, be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement. 5. For the purpose of bringing these 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 agrees 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.—(1) A Committee appointed to draw up Reasons shall report before the conclusion of the sitting at which it is appointed. (2) Proceedings in the Committee shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion 30 minutes after their commencement. (3) For the purpose of bringing any proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with sub-paragraph (2) the Chairman shall— (a) first put forthwith any Question which has been proposed from the Chair and has not yet been decided; and (b) then put forthwith successively Questions on motions which may be made by a Minister of the Crown for assigning a Reason for disagreeing with the Lords in one of their Amendments. (4) The proceedings of the Committee shall be reported without any further Question being put. 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. Page 556 Monday 8th November 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top 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. If proceedings on a Motion for the Adjournment of the House would, by virtue of Standing Order No. 24 (Urgent matters), 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. 12. No Motion shall be made, except by a Minister of the Crown, to alter the order in which any proceedings are taken; and if a Minister makes any such Motion, the Question on the Motion shall be put forthwith. 13. 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. 14. If a Minister of the Crown makes a Motion for varying or supplementing the provisions of this Order, the Question on the Motion shall be put forthwith and paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business) shall apply to the proceedings on the Motion. 15. If the House is adjourned, or the sitting is suspended, before the conclusion of any proceedings to which paragraph 8 applies, 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.) And it being three-quarters of an hour after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion, the Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Order [13th January]. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr Greg Pope: 304. Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Jacqui Lait, Mr James Cran: 150. So the Question was agreed to.
Lords Amendments Nos. 41 to 126 were agreed to. Lords Amendment No. 499 was disagreed to. An Amendment ((a)) was made to the Bill, in lieu of Lords Amendment No. 499 disagreed to. Lords Amendments Nos. 127 to 212 were agreed to, the Commons being willing to waive their privileges in respect of Lords Amendments Nos. 168, 169, 204, 206 and 207. Lords Amendment No. 703. Amendments ((a)) to ((d)) were made to the Lords Amendment. The Lords Amendment, so amended, was agreed to. Amendment ((e)), consequential to Lords Amendment No. 703, was made to the Bill. Lords Amendments Nos. 213 to 222 were agreed to. Lords Amendment No. 223. Question put, That this House agrees with the Lords in their Amendment—(Mr Keith Hill); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Clelland, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 315. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Andrew Stunell, Mr Edward Davey: 25. So the Question was agreed to. The Lords Amendment was accordingly agreed to. Lords Amendments Nos. 224 to 293 were agreed to, the Commons being willing to waive their privileges in respect of Lords Amendment No. 232. Lords Amendment No. 294. Question put, That this House agrees with the Lords in their Amendment—(Mr Keith Hill); Page 557 Monday 8th November 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Clelland, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 311. Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 158. So the Question was agreed to. The Lords Amendment was accordingly agreed to. Lords Amendments Nos. 295 to 331 were agreed to. Lords Amendment No. 332. Question put, That this House agrees with the Lords in their Amendment.—(Jim Dowd); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Jamieson, Mrs Anne McGuire: 314. Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 156. So the Question was agreed to. The Lords Amendment was accordingly agreed to. Lords Amendments Nos. 333 to 353 were agreed to. Lords Amendment No. 354. A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House agrees with the Lords in their Amendment—(Mr Keith Hill); And it being Eight o'clock, the Deputy Speaker proceeded to put the Questions necessary to dispose of the business to be concluded at that hour. Question, That this House agrees with the Lords in their Amendment, put and agreed to. The Lords Amendment was accordingly agreed to. Lords Amendment No. 419. Amendment ((a)) was made to the Lords Amendment. The Lords Amendment, so amended, was agreed to. Lords Amendment No. 793. Amendments ((a)) to ((f)) were made to the Lords Amendment. The Lords Amendment, so amended, was agreed to. Question put, That this House agrees with the Lords Amendments Nos. 355 to 418, 420 to 422, 541 and 423 to 425—(Jim Dowd); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Jamieson, Mrs Anne McGuire: 347. Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 133. So the Question was agreed to. The Lords Amendments were accordingly agreed to. Amendment ((a)), consequential to Lords Amendment No. 541, was made to the Bill. Lords Amendments Nos. 426 to 498 and 500 to 514 were agreed to. Lords Amendment No. 515. Question put, That this House agrees with the Lords in their Amendment—(Mr Keith Hill); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr David Jamieson: 346. Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 138. So the Question was agreed to. The Lords Amendment was accordingly agreed to, the Commons being willing to waive their privileges. Lords Amendment No. 516. Question put, That this House agrees with the Lords in their Amendment—(Mr Keith Hill); Page 558 Monday 8th November 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe: 349. Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 139. So the Question was agreed to. The Lords Amendment was accordingly agreed to. And it being after Ten o'clock, the Speaker proceeded to put the Questions necessary to dispose of the business to be concluded at that hour. Question put, That this House agrees with the Lords in their Amendments Nos. 517 to 540, 542 to 702, 704 to 792 and 794 to 820—(Jim Dowd); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe: 349. Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 136. So the Question was agreed to. The Lords Amendments were accordingly agreed to, the Commons being willing to waive their privileges in respect of Lords Amendments Nos. 555 to 557, 740 and 741. A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That a Committee be appointed to draw up reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their Amendments Nos. 1 and 6; That Jim Dowd, Mr Phil Hope, Mrs Jacqui Lait, Mr Nick Raynsford and Mr Shaun Woodward be Members of the Committee; That Mr Nick Raynsford be the Chairman of the Committee; That three be the Quorum of the Committee; That the Committee do withdraw immediately.—(Jim Dowd.) The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe: 319. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Andrew Stunell, Mr Adrian Sanders: 158. So the Question was agreed to. Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to draw up reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their Amendments Nos. 1 and 6. Ordered, That Jim Dowd, Mr Phil Hope, Mrs Jacqui Lait, Mr Nick Raynsford and Mr Shaun Woodward be Members of the Committee. Ordered, That Mr Nick Raynsford be the Chairman of the Committee. Ordered, That three be the Quorum of the Committee. Ordered, That the Committee do withdraw immediately.
The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe: 342. Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Wilshire, Mr Jonathan Sayeed: 59. So the Question was agreed to. Resolved, That the draft Tax Credit (New Category of Child Care Provider) Regulations 1999, which were laid before this House on 19th October, be approved.
The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 331. Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Wilshire, Mr Jonathan Sayeed: 48. So the Question was agreed to. Page 559 Monday 8th November 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top Resolved, That the draft Working Time Regulations 1999, which were laid before this House on 19th October, be approved.
The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr Greg Pope: 311. Tellers for the Noes, Mr James Gray, Mr Jonathan Sayeed: 33. So the Question was agreed to. Resolved, That the draft Licensing and Registered Clubs (Northern Ireland) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 19th October, be approved.
The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr Greg Pope: 306. Tellers for the Noes, Mr James Gray, Mr Jonathan Sayeed: 27. So the Question was agreed to. Resolved, That the draft Chartered Institute of Patent Agents Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 25th October, be approved.
The Commons disagree to Lords Amendment No. 1 for the following Reasons: Because Clause 2(6)(b) of the Bill makes provision for the filling of vacancies in the office of Mayor of London and it is unnecessary to make special provision for particular cases. The Commons disagree to Lords Amendment No. 6 for the following Reason: Because it is not appropriate for the London Assembly to be empowered to remove the Mayor of London from office.
Lords Amendments 1. Proceedings on Consideration of Lords Amendments shall be completed at today's sitting and, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion one and a half hours after the commencement of the proceedings on this Order. 2.—(1) This paragraph applies for the purpose of bringing any proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with paragraph 1. (2) The Speaker shall first put forthwith any Question already proposed from the Chair. (3) If that Question is for the amendment of a Lords Amendment the Speaker shall then put forthwith— (a) the Question on any further amendment of the Lords Amendment moved by a Minister of the Crown, and (b) the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House agrees or disagrees to the Lords Amendment or (as the case may be) to the Lords Amendment as amended. Page 560 Monday 8th November 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top (4) The Speaker shall then put forthwith— (a) the Question on any amendment moved by a Minister of the Crown to a Lords Amendment, and (b) the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House agrees or disagrees to the Lords Amendment or (as the case may be) to the Lords Amendment as amended; (5) The Speaker shall then put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House disagrees to a Lords Amendment. (6) The Speaker shall then put forthwith the Question, That this House agrees to all the remaining Lords Amendments. (7) As soon as the House has agreed or disagreed to a Lords Amendment the Speaker shall put forthwith a separate Question on any amendment which is moved by a Minister of the Crown and relevant to the Lords Amendment. Subsequent stages 3.—(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 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 these proceedings to a conclusion the Speaker shall put forthwith— (a) any Question already proposed from the Chair 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) 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) the Question, That this House agrees with the Lords in all the remaining Lords Proposals. Miscellaneous 4.—(1) This paragraph applies to proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments and proceedings on any further Message from the Lords. (2) Paragraph 1 of Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business) shall apply to proceedings to which this paragraph applies. (3) Proceedings to which this paragraph applies shall not be interrupted under any Standing Order relating to the sittings of the House. (4) No dilatory Motion with respect to, or in the course of, proceedings to which this paragraph applies shall be made, except by a Minister of the Crown; and the Question on any such Motion shall be put forthwith. (5) Where proceedings on a Motion for the Adjournment of the House would, by virtue of Standing Order No. 24 (Urgent matters), 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. (6) If the House is adjourned, or the sitting is suspended, before the expiry of the period at the end of which proceedings to which this paragraph 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—(Mr David Clelland):—It was agreed to.
Lords Amendments Nos. 1 to 5 were agreed to. Lords Amendment No. 6. A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House agrees with the Lords in their Amendment—(Ms Joyce Quin); Tuesday 9th November 1999. Question put and agreed to. The Lords Amendment was accordingly agreed to. Lords Amendments Nos. 7 to 24 were agreed to. Page 561 Monday 8th November 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top Lords Amendment No. 25. An Amendment was proposed to the Lords Amendment, in line 3, after the word ‘the', to insert the word ‘sourcing'—(Mrs Caroline Spelman.) Question put, That the Amendment be made to the Lords Amendment. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 135 Tellers for the Noes, Jim Dowd, Mr Mike Hall: 266. So the Question was negatived. It being more than one and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill, the Deputy Speaker, pursuant to Order [this day], put the Questions necessary to dispose of the proceedings to be concluded at that hour. Question put, That this House agrees with the Lords in their Amendment. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Jim Dowd, Mr Mike Hall: 276. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Eric Forth, Mr Jonathan Sayeed: 9. So the Question was agreed to. The Lords Amendment was accordingly agreed to. Question put, That this House agrees with the Lords in their Amendments Nos. 26 to 48. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Jim Dowd, Mr Mike Hall: 274 Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Wilshire, Mr Jonathan Sayeed: 11 So the Question was agreed to. The Lords Amendments were accordingly agreed to.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till Two o'clock on Tuesday morning, adjourned till this day. [Adjourned at 2.00 a.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) Public Telecommunication System Designation (CompleTel UK Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2953), (3) Public Telecommunication System Designation (Core Telecommunications Limited) Order 1999 (S.I. , 1999, No. 2938), (4) Public Telecommunication System Designation (Enitel ASA) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2946), (5) Public Telecommunication System Designation (Faultbasic Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2943), Page 562 Monday 8th November 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top (6) Public Telecommunication System Designation (G.C. Global Communications Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2947), (7) Public Telecommunication System Designation (GTS Business Services (UK) Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2944), (8) Public Telecommunication System Designation (IBSC Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2941), (9) Public Telecommunication System Designation (Level 3 Communications Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2948), (10) Public Telecommunication System Designation (Pantheon Telecom (UK) Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2949), (11) Public Telecommunication System Designation (StarGlobal Ltd) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2951), (12) Public Telecommunication System Designation (Tele2 Sweden Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2942), (13) Public Telecommunication System Designation (Telecom New Zealand (UK) Licences Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2952), (14) Public Telecommunication System Designation (Teleport UK Limited (trading as Satellite Media Services)) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2954), (15) Public Telecommunication System Designation (TNI (Telecom) Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2940), (16) Public Telecommunication System Designation (WinStar Communications Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2939), and (17) Public Telecommunication System Designation (WXNET Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2945), dated 28th October 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].
Other Papers:
(1) The Millennium Threat: Are We Ready?, and (2) The Year 2000 Problem in the Utilities: Update Report [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 871 and 843] [Clerk of the House].
(1) BSI ACCESS UK Limited, (2) CompleTel UK Limited, (3) Core Telecommunications Limited, (4) Enitel ASA, (5) Faultbasic Limited, (6) G.C. Global Communications Limited, (7) GTS Business Services (UK) Limited, (8) IBSC Limited, (9) Level 3 Communications Limited, (10) Pantheon Telecom (UK) Limited, (11) StarGlobal Ltd, (12) Tele2 Sweden Limited, (13) Telecom New Zealand (UK) Licences Limited, Page 563 Monday 8th November 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top (14) Teleport UK Limited (trading as Satellite Media Services), (15) TNI (Telecom) Limited, (16) WinStar Communications Limited, and (17) WXNET Limited [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers]. APPENDIX II Standing Committees
[No. 147.] Tuesday 9th November 1999. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
Bill, as so far amended in the Standing Committee, to lie upon the Table. Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
Lords Amendment No. 20B. A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment—(Mr Jeff Rooker); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr Greg Pope: 361. Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Jacqui Lait, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 178. So the Question was agreed to. The Lords Amendment was accordingly disagreed to. Lords Amendment No. 42. A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House insists on its Amendment No. 42A to the words restored to the Bill and disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment No. 42D in lieu—(Mr Secretary Darling); Page 564 Tuesday 9th November 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top And it being one hour after the commencement of proceedings, the Deputy Speaker put the Question already proposed from the Chair, pursuant to Order [3rd November]. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Greg Pope, Mr Clive Betts: 314. Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Jacqui Lait, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 234. So the Question was agreed to. Resolved, That this House insists on its Amendment No. 42A to the words restored to the Bill and disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment No. 42D in lieu. Lords Amendment No. 43E. A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment—(Mr Kevin Hughes); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Greg Pope, Mr Clive Betts: 312. Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Jacqui Lait, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 234. So the Question was agreed to. The Lords Amendment was accordingly disagreed to. Lords Amendment No. 43F. A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment—(Mr Kevin Hughes); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Greg Pope, Mr Clive Betts: 312. Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Jacqui Lait, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 232. So the Question was agreed to. The Lords Amendment was accordingly disagreed to. Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their Amendments Nos. 20B, 42D, 43E and 43F and for insisting on Amendment No. 42A. Ordered, That Mr Richard Burden, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Eric Pickles and Mr Jeff Rooker be members of the Committee. Ordered, That Mr Jeff Rooker be Chairman of the Committee. Ordered, That three be the quorum of the Committee. Ordered, That the Committee do withdraw immediately.—(Mr Mike Hall.)
Lords Amendments 1.—(1) Proceedings on Consideration of Lords Amendments shall be completed at today's sitting and, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion five hours after the commencement of proceedings on this Order. (2) The Lords Amendments shall be considered in the following order: No. 135, Nos. 1 to 134 and Nos. 136 to 369. (3) Proceedings on Lords Amendment No. 135 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion one and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill. 2.—(1) This paragraph applies for the purpose of bringing the proceedings on Amendment No. 135 to a conclusion in accordance with paragraph 1(3). (2) The Speaker shall first put forthwith any Question which has already been proposed from the Chair and not yet decided. (3) If that Question is for the amendment of the Lords Amendment, the Speaker shall then put forthwith the Question on the Motion made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House disagrees with the Lords in the Amendment or (as the case may be) in the Amendment as amended. 3.—(1) This paragraph applies for the purpose of bringing any proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with paragraph 1(1). Page 565 Tuesday 9th November 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top (2) The Speaker shall first put forthwith any Question which has already been proposed from the Chair and not yet decided. (3) If that Question is for the amendment of a Lords Amendment, the Speaker shall then put forthwith— (a) the Question on any further Amendment of the Lords Amendment moved by a Minister of the Crown and (b) the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House agrees or disagrees with the Lords in the Amendment or (as the case may be) in the Amendment as amended. (4) The Speaker shall then put forthwith— (a) the Question on any Amendment moved by a Minister of the Crown to a Lords Amendment, and (b) the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House agrees or disagrees with the Lords in the Amendment or (as the case may be) in their Amendment as amended. (5) The Speaker shall then put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House disagrees with the Lords in a Lords Amendment. (6) The Speaker shall then put forthwith the Question, That this House agrees with the Lords in all the remaining Lords Amendments. (7) As soon as the House has agreed or disagreed with the Lords in any of their Amendments, or disposed of an Amendment relevant to a Lords Amendment which has been disagreed to, the Speaker shall put forthwith a single Question on any Amendments moved by a Minister of the Crown relevant to the Lords Amendment. Subsequent stages 4.—(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 Bill. (2) The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement. (3) Sub-paragraphs (4) to (7) apply for the purpose of bringing those proceedings to a conclusion. (4) The Speaker shall first put forthwith any Question which has already been proposed from the Chair and not yet decided. (5) The Speaker shall then put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown which is related to the Question already proposed from the Chair. (6) The Speaker shall then put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown on any item. (7) The Speaker shall then put forthwith the Question, That this House agrees with the Lords in all the remaining Lords Proposals. Reasons Committee 5. 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. 6.—(1) A Committee appointed to draw up Reasons shall report before the conclusion of the sitting at which it is appointed. (2) Proceedings in the Committee shall, if not previously brought to a conclusion, be brought to a conclusion 30 minutes after their commencement. (3) For the purpose of bringing any proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with sub-paragraph (2) the Chairman shall— (a) first put forthwith any Question which has already been proposed from the Chair and has not yet been decided; and (b) then put forthwith successively Questions on motions which may be made by a Minister of the Crown for assigning a Reason for disagreeing with the Lords in any of their Amendments. (4) The proceedings of the Committee shall be reported without any further Question being put. Page 566 Tuesday 9th November 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top Miscellaneous 7. If the House is adjourned, or the sitting is suspended, before the expiry of the period at the end of which any proceedings are to be brought to a conclusion under this Order, 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. 8.—(1) In this paragraph “the proceedings” means proceedings on Consideration of Lords Amendments, on any further Message from the Lords on the Bill, on the appointment and quorum of a Committee to draw up Reasons and the Report of such a Committee. (2) Standing Order No. 15(1) (Exempted business) shall apply to the proceedings. (3) The proceedings shall not be interrupted under any Standing Order relating to the sittings of the House. (4) No dilatory Motion with respect to, or in the course of, the proceedings shall be made except by a Minister of the Crown, and the Question on any such Motion shall be put forthwith. 9. If proceedings on a Motion for the Adjournment of the House would, by virtue of Standing Order No. 24 (Adjournment on specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration), commence at a time when proceedings to which paragraph 8 applies are in progress, proceedings on the Motion shall be postponed to the conclusion of those proceedings—(Mr Secretary Straw); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Jim Dowd, Mr David Clelland: 339. Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Jacqui Lait, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 175. So the Question was agreed to.
The Commons disagree to Lords Amendment No. 20B, for the following Reason:— Because it involves charges on public funds, and the Commons do not offer any further reason, trusting that this Reason may be deemed sufficient. The Commons insist on their Amendment No. 42A and disagree to Lords Amendment No. 42D, for the following Reason:— Because the Lords Amendment would alter the financial arrangements made by the Commons, and the Commons do not offer any further reason, trusting that this Reason may be deemed sufficient. The Commons disagree to Lords Amendments No. 43E and 43F for the following Reason:— Because it would alter the financial arrangements made by the Commons, and the Commons do not offer any further reason, trusting that this Reason may be deemed sufficient. The Reasons were agreed to. Message to the Lords to communicate the said Reasons with the Bill.
Lords Amendment No. 135. A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment—(Mr Secretary Straw); And it being one and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill, the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Order [this day]. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mrs Anne McGuire, Mr David Jamieson: 331. Tellers for the Noes, Sir Robert Smith, Mr Donald Gorrie: 60. So the Question was agreed to. The Lords Amendment was accordingly disagreed to. Page 567 Tuesday 9th November 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top Lords Amendment No. 1. An Amendment ((a)) was proposed to the Lords Amendment, in line 8, at the end to add the words— ‘(2) No person shall be accommodated by the Secretary of State under subsection (1) for a period exceeding 10 days.'.—(Mr Simon Hughes.) Wednesday 10th November 1999 Question put, That the Amendment be made to the Lords Amendment; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Sir Robert Smith, Mr David Heath: 39. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 296. So the Question was negatived. And it being more than five hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Supplemental Allocation of Time Order, the Deputy Speaker put the Questions necessary to bring proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments to a conclusion. Lords Amendment No. 1 was agreed to, the Commons being willing to waive their privileges. Lords Amendment No. 139. An Amendment ((a)) was made to the Lords Amendment. The Lords Amendment, so amended, was agreed to. Lords Amendments Nos. 2 to 134, 136 to 138, and 140 to 369 were agreed to, the Commons being willing to waive their privileges in relation to Lords Amendments Nos. 14, 152, 164, 167, 174, 180, 183, 184, 189, 191, 193, 194, 250, 275, 279 and 287. Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their Amendment No. 135. Ordered, That Mr Mike Hall, Mr Tom Levitt, Mr David Lidington, Mrs Barbara Roche and Mr Keith Simpson be members of the Committee. Ordered, That Mrs Barbara Roche be Chairman of the Committee. Ordered, That three be the quorum of the Committee. Ordered, That the Committee do withdraw immedidately.—(Mr Mike Hall.)
The Commons disagree to Lords Amendment No. 135 for the following Reason: Because it would alter the financial arrangements made by the Commons, and the Commons do not offer any further Reason, trusting that this Reason may be deemed sufficient.
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And the Motion having been made after Ten o'clock on Tuesday 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 eighteen minutes past One o'clock, till this day. [Adjourned at 1.18 a.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Other Papers:
(2) Scottish Natural Heritage Facts and Figures for 1998–99 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid].
APPENDIX II Reports from Select Committees
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Current Crisis in the Livestock Industry]; to be printed [No. 931-i]; and (3) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Current Crisis in the Livestock Industry; Implications for UK Agriculture and EU Agricultural Policy of Trade Liberalisation and the WTO Round; Marketing of Milk; Segregation of GM Foods] [Mr Peter Luff].
(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Opportunities for Disabled People] [Mr Derek Foster].
(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Drugs and Prisons] [Mr Robin Corbett].
Page 569 Tuesday 9th November 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Kosovo: Further Developments]; to be printed [No. 924-i] [Mr Bowen Wells].
(2) Sixth Report from the Committee [Quangos]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 209-I]; (3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Public Sector Ombudsmen Review]; to be printed [No. 926-i]; and (4) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Quangos] [No. 209-II] [Dr Tony Wright].
(2) Thirteenth Report from the Committee [Complaint against Marjorie Mowlam], together with an Appendix; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 929]; and (3) Fourteenth Report from the Committee [Complaint against Dr Jack Cunningham]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 929] [Mr Robert Sheldon].
[No. 148.] Wednesday 10th November 1999. The House met at half-past Nine o'clock. PRAYERS.
And it being Two o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.
The Lords do not insist on certain of their Amendments to the Greater London Authority Bill to which this House has disagreed; they do not insist on a further Amendment to which this House has disagreed and agree, without Amendment, to the Amendment proposed by this House in lieu thereof; they agree, without Amendment, to the Amendments proposed by this House to their remaining Amendments; and they agree, without Amendment, to the consequential Amendments made by this House to the Bill. Page 570 Wednesday 10th November 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top The Lords do not insist on their Amendments to the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill, to which this House has disagreed; and they agree, without Amendment, to the remaining Amendment made by this House to the words restored to the Bill. The Lords agree, without Amendment, to the Amendments proposed by this House to the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Bill [Lords]. The Lords agree, without Amendment, to the Mental Health (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill. The Lords do not insist on their Amendment to the Immigration and Asylum Bill to which this House has disagreed; and they agree, without Amendment, to the Amendment proposed by this House to the remaining Amendment.
Lords Amendment No. 1. An Amendment (f) was proposed to the Lords Amendment, in line 4, after the word ‘time' to insert the words “no more than”.—(Mr Andrew Mackinlay.) Question proposed, That the Amendment to the Lords Amendment be made:— Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That this House agrees with the Lords in their Amendment—(Margaret Beckett); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Jim Dowd, Mrs Anne McGuire: 438. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Eric Forth, Mr Andrew Tyrie: 22. So the Question was agreed to. The Lords Amendment was accordingly agreed to. Lords Amendment No. 2. A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment—(Paddy Tipping); And it being Ten o'clock, the Debate stood adjourned.
Lords Amendment No. 2. The House resumed the adjourned debate on the Question, That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment. And the Question being put; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Tony McNulty, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe: 353. Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Jacqui Lait, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 133. So the Question was agreed to. The Lords Amendment was accordingly disagreed to. Lords Amendment No. 3 was agreed to. Page 571 Wednesday 10th November 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top Lords Amendment No. 4. A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment—(Paddy Tipping); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Gerry Sutcliffe, Mr Tony McNulty: 355. Tellers for the Noes: Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr John M. Taylor: 130. So the Question was agreed to. The Lords Amendment was accordingly disagreed to. Lords Amendment Nos. 5 to 12 were agreed to. Lords Amendment No. 13 was disagreed to. A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That a Committee be appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their Amendments Nos. 2, 4 and 13. That Margaret Beckett, Mr Ivor Caplin, Sir Patrick Cormack, Mrs Eleanor Laing and Mrs Anne McGuire be members of the Committee; That Margaret Beckett be Chairman of the Committee; That three be the quorum of the Committee; That the Committee do withdraw immediately—(Mr David Clelland); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Tony McNulty, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe: 331. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Crispin Blunt, Mr John Randall: 28. So the Question was agreed to. Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to draw up reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their Amendments Nos. 2, 4 and 13. Ordered, That Margaret Beckett, Mr Ivor Caplin, Sir Patrick Cormack, Mrs Eleanor Laing and Mrs Anne McGuire be members of the Committee; Ordered, That Margaret Beckett be Chairman of the Committee; Ordered, That three be the quorum of the Committee; Ordered, That the Committee do withdraw immediately.
The Commons disagree to Lords Amendments Nos. 2 and 13 for the following Reason:— Because it is not appropriate to make statutory provision for an Appointments Commission. The Commons disagree to Lords Amendment No. 4 for the following Reason:— Because it is unnecessary to protect further the position of the Septennial Act 1715. The Reasons were agreed to. Message to the Lords to communicate the said Reasons, with the Bill.
Thursday 11th November 1999 And the Question being put; Resolved, That this House do now adjourn. And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till eighteen minutes past Twelve o'clock on Thursday morning, adjourned till this day. [Adjourned at 12.18 a.m. Page 572 Wednesday 10th November 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) Building Societies (Members' Resolutions) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3033), dated 5th November 1999, and (3) Building Societies (Nominations for Directors' Election) (S.I., 1999, No. 3032), dated 5th November 1999 [by Act] [Miss Melanie Johnson].
(2) East Manchester Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3015), (3) Hackney Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3025), (4) Hastings and St Leonards Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3020), (5) Heart of Slough Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3018), (6) New Horizons Kent-Somerset Virtual Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3023), (7) North East Derbyshire Coalfields Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3022), (8) Preston Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3021), (9) Southend Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3019), (10) Telford and Wrekin Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3017), (11) Wednesbury Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3013), (12) Widening Horizons—North Islington Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3024), and (13) Wythenshawe Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3014), dated 4th November 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
Other Papers:
(1) Advantage West Midlands—The Development Agency, (2) the East Midlands Development Agency, (3) the East of England Development Agency, (4) the North West Development Agency, (5) One North East (North East Development Agency), Page 573 Wednesday 10th November 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top (6) the South East England Development Agency, (7) the South West of England Regional Development Agency, and (8) Yorkshire Forward—Yorkshire & Humber Regional Development Agency for the period 14th December 1998 to 31st March 1999, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
APPENDIX II European Standing Committees
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Inquiry into The Forthcoming Inter-Governmental Conference]; to be printed [No. 942] [Mr Jimmy Hood].
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Current problems relating to the livestock industry in Northern Ireland]; to be printed [No. 897-i] [Mr Peter Brooke].
Page 574 Wednesday 10th November 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top [No. 149.] Thursday 11th November 1999. The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock. PRAYERS.
Page 575 Thursday 11th November 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top
(i) the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until any Messages from the Lords shall have been received; and (ii) if the House has completed its consideration of any Messages received from the Lords and the Lords have adjourned their sitting, the Speaker shall adjourn the House without Question put—(Mr Graham Allen); Mr Keith Bradley rose in his place and claimed to move, That the Question be now put; And the Question being put, That the Question be now put; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mrs Anne McGuire, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 258. Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Keith Simpson: 72. So the Question was agreed to. And the Main Question being accordingly put; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mrs Anne McGuire, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 269. Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 74. So the Question was agreed to. Ordered, That, at this day's sitting— (i) the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until any Messages from the Lords shall have been received; and (ii) if the House has completed its consideration of any Messages received from the Lords and the Lords have adjourned their sitting, the Speaker shall adjourn the House without Question put.
The Lords do not insist on their Amendments to the House of Lords Bill, to which this House has disagreed.
Madam Speaker, The Lords, authorised by virtue of Her Majesty's Commission, for declaring Her Royal Assent to several Acts agreed upon by both Houses and for proroguing the present Parliament, desire the immediate attendance of this Honourable House in the House of Peers, to hear the Commission read. Accordingly the Speaker, with the House, went up to the House of Peers, where a Commission was read, giving, declaring and notifying the Royal Assent to several Acts, and for proroguing this present Parliament. Page 576 Thursday 11th November 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top The Royal Assent was given to the following Acts:— Food Standards Act 1999 Greater London Authority Act 1999 Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 Mental Health (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 1999 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 House of Lords Act 1999. And afterwards Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech was delivered to both Houses of Parliament by the Lord High Chancellor (in pursuance of Her Majesty's Command), as follows: My Lords and Members of the House of Commons The Duke of Edinburgh and I were pleased to receive the State Visits of His Excellency The President of Germany last December, of His Excellency The President of Hungary last June and of His Excellency The President of the People's Republic of China in October. We recall with pleasure our State Visit to Korea in April. We were delighted to pay State Visits to Ghana and South Africa over the last four days. My Government have taken action to build a platform of economic stability and steady growth, based on clear long-term objectives for monetary and fiscal policy, with openness and transparency in policy making. My Government's goal is high and stable levels of growth and employment. The new system of monetary policy-making ensures that interest rate decisions are taken in the best long-term interests of the economy. As a result, the UK now has a sound and credible platform of stability. Inflation is historically low and expected to remain close to target. And long-term interest rates are also at historically low levels. Employment is up by over half a million since the election, with more people in work in Britain today than ever before. To ensure high levels of employment, my Government are extending the New Deal, to help more young people and the long term unemployed. And my Government are tackling the poverty and unemployment traps. To make work pay and encourage job creation, they have introduced the national minimum wage and the new 10p starting rate of tax, cut the basic rate of income tax from next April, and reformed national insurance. And the Working Families Tax Credit, introduced in October, is helping to make work pay for low paid working families. My Government are continually looking at ways to improve productivity, including in the public sector. They have set tough targets for outputs from every department in Public Service Agreements. My Government's legislation to raise standards for all children is now coming into effect. There has been a widespread reduction in the number of children in infant classes of over 30 and there is extensive support for the literacy and numeracy strategies. My Government published the Teachers Green Paper—the most radical reform of the teaching profession in a generation—and has since announced progress towards a new pay structure for teachers. Parliament has passed for the first time legislation for the creation of a Disability Rights Commission, which will help create a positive climate for people with disabilities in their lives and work. My Government have put in place the framework for a modern National Health Service. An Act has been passed to replace the NHS internal market with decentralised arrangements based on partnership, quality and efficiency. Waiting lists have been reduced by 200,000 since their high point in April 1998, and by 69,000 since March 1997. An Act has been passed to establish a Food Standards Agency to protect public health and the interests of consumers in relation to food. Legislation has been enacted to support minimum standards at work, to promote partnership and to make it easier for people to combine family responsibilities and employment. An Act has been passed which takes forward my Government's programme of welfare reform, promoting work for those who are able to work and security for those who cannot. My Government have begun the modernisation of local government. Legislation has been enacted to secure the delivery of high quality local services on a sound financial basis. Page 577 Thursday 11th November 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top My Government have begun the process of restoring democratic, city-wide government in London. Legislation was enacted to establish the Greater London Authority, providing London with a new form of strategic governance. An Act has been passed which will enable the implementation of the EU Directive on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control, which will maintain a coherent pollution control regime for the United Kingdom. Legislation has been enacted to provide a fair basis for water charging in England and Wales. An Act has been passed to modernise and strengthen immigration control. It will speed up the system of immigration and asylum appeals. This Act is essential to the delivery of a fairer, faster and firmer immigration and asylum system to which my Government is committed. An Act has been passed which creates a new sentencing disposal for first time defendants pleading guilty in the youth court and introduces new measures to help vulnerable witnesses to give their best evidence in criminal trials. Legislation has been enacted to establish a Community Legal Service and a Criminal Defence Service. They will replace existing legal aid arrangements and enable resources to be better targeted. The Act also extends the use of conditional fees, removes unnecessary restrictions on the provision of legal services and makes reforms to magistrates' courts and the appeals system. This will increase access to justice. Other law reform measures have been enacted. As a first step in a process of reform, legislation has been enacted to remove the automatic right of hereditary peers to membership of the House of Lords. The people of Scotland and Wales voted to have their own Parliament and National Assembly and it was my pleasure with The Duke of Edinburgh and The Prince of Wales to open the National Assembly of Wales on 26th May and to open the Scottish Parliament on 1st July. In Northern Ireland, my Government have continued to work to secure the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. They have, in co-operation with the Irish Government, established a review to overcome difficulties in its implementation. They have welcomed the Report of the Independent Commission on Policing. Members of the House of Commons I thank you for the provision you have made for the work and dignity of the Crown and for the public service. My Lords and Members of the House of Commons Over the last year, my Government have played a leading role in the European Union. They have continued to strengthen bilateral relations with our partners. My Government have welcomed the entry into force of new treaty provisions which strengthen the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy and have welcomed the appointment of the first High Representative. In co-operation with other Member States, they have ensured a successful outcome to the Agenda 2000 negotiations that maintained the United Kingdom's budget abatement. My Government have played a key role in preparing the European Union for the historic challenge of enlargement. They have also helped the applicant countries prepare for membership. My Government welcomed the launch of the euro on 1st January. They have published an outline National Changeover Plan, which could be implemented should Britain decide to join. They have welcomed the appointment of a new European Commission, committed to reform. My Government have maintained strong and modern defence for Britain based on the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. They played a leading role in the decisions taken at NATO's 50th Anniversary summit in Washington to modernise further and prepare the Alliance for the challenges and opportunities it will face in the new century. My Government launched an historic initiative at the Franco-British St. Malo Summit. This will make the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy more effective and will revitalise the Atlantic Alliance. My Government launched an initiative at the British-Italian London Summit to improve the effectiveness of European defence forces. My Government have continued successfully to restructure the Armed Forces to meet the demands of the modern world. My Government reaffirmed its commitment to support the United Nations by signing a Memorandum of Understanding declaring United Kingdom forces potentially available for United Nations' peacekeeping Operations and by announcing its intention to make an increased contribution to UN police operations. My Government made a substantial and vital contribution to the success of the international community's diplomatic, political and military efforts to halt and reverse ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. Following the end of the conflict, my Government have Page 578 Thursday 11th November 1999 1998-1999 Volume 255 Back to top played an important role in reconstructing Kosovo and preparing it for free and fair elections. My Government's political, military and financial commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina has continued to help build peace there. My Government has supported the democratic transition in Indonesia and has played a leading role, including a military contribution, in the UN process to help bring self-determination to the people of East Timor. Following the abolition of the death penalty under United Kingdom law, my Government signed and ratified the 6th Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights. My Government have published a white paper proposing a new partnership with our Overseas Territories and offering British citizenship to their people. My Government have negotiated new arrangements which re-establish links between the Falkland Islands and Argentina. After extensive diplomatic effort by my Government, the Government of Libya finally agreed to hand over the two suspects in the Lockerbie bombing case. We are pleased that my Government subsequently reached an agreement on the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Libya. My Goverment supported and welcomed the transition to democratic civilian government in Nigeria. My Government have played a leading role in securing international agreement to reduce further the debt burden of very poor countries. My Government have put into place a strategy to increase the proportion of the United Kingdom's bilateral development assistance going to low income countries and to increase the focus of the multilateral agencies on the reduction of poverty. An Act has been passed to convert the Commonwealth Development Corporation to a public-private partnership enabling it to make a larger contribution to development by channelling increased private sector investment into the poorest countries. My Lords and Members of the House of Commons I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may attend you. After which the Lord Chancellor said: My Lords and Members of the House of Commons: By virtue of Her Majesty's Commission which has now been read we do, in Her Majesty's name, and in obedience to Her Majesty's Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Wednesday the seventeenth day of this instant November, to be then here holden, and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Wednesday the seventeenth day of this instant November. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
APPENDIX II Reports from Select Committees
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