Session 1999-2000

Commons Journal 256

Chronological Index
Alphabetical Index - Part I
Alphabetical Index - Part II


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Page 39            1999-2000      Volume 256      

[No. 13.]

Monday 6th December 1999.

The House met at half-past Two o'clock.

PRAYERS.

1First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Edward O'Hara reported from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) (No. 2) Order 1999.

Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

2Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Jim Cunningham reported from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1999.

Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

3Government Resources and Accounts Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Government Resources and Accounts Bill;

And a Motion being made, and the Question being proposed, That the Bill be now read a second time;

An Amendment was proposed to the Question, to leave out from the word ‘That' to the end of the Question and add the words ‘this House declines to give a Second Reading to the Government Resources and Accounts Bill because, although great benefit can be derived from the construction of a proper balance sheet for the public sector and from proper rules for clear, simple and rigorously-defined government accounts, the Bill gives unfettered discretion to the Treasury, establishes no clear principles for the accounting of income or expenditure, will permit the Treasury to continue to omit large public assets and liabilities from the national balance sheet, and hence represents a missed opportunity to make much-needed improvements in the compilation and presentation of government accounts', instead thereof.—(Mr Oliver Letwin.)

And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made;

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr Peter Atkinson: 140.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Kevin Hughes, Mr Mike Hall: 327.

So the Question was negatived.

And the Main Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 62 (Amendment on second or third reading):—It was agreed to.

The Bill was accordingly read a second time and stood committed to a Standing Committee.

4Government Resources and Accounts Bill [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Government Resources and Accounts Bill [Money];

A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 52 (Money resolutions and ways and means resolutions in connection with bills), That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Government Resources and Accounts Bill, it is expedient to authorise—

(1) The payment out of money provided by Parliament of any expenditure incurred by the Treasury under the Act;

(2) refunds of money paid into the Consolidated Fund as the result of an error;

(3) the charging on and payment out of the Consolidated Fund of sums required for fulfilling guarantees given by the Treasury;

(4) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable out of money provided by Parliament under any other Act; and

(5) the payment of sums into the Consolidated Fund—(Mr Don Touhig);

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr Kevin Hughes: 318.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Wilshire, Mr James Gray: 3.

So the Question was agreed to.

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Resolved, That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Government Resources and Accounts Bill, it is expedient to authorise—

(1) the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any expenditure incurred by the Treasury under the Act;

(2) refunds of money paid into the Consolidated Fund as the result of an error;

(3) the charging on and payment out of the Consolidated Fund of sums required for fulfilling guarantees given by the Treasury;

(4) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable out of money provided by Parliament under any other Act; and

(5) the payment of sums into the Consolidated Fund.

5Agriculture,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels in Crops, Food and Feeding Stuffs) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000, which were laid before this House on 17th November, be approved—(Mr Don Touhig);

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr Kevin Hughes: 304.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Eric Forth, Mr Edward Leigh: 2.

So the Question was agreed to.

Resolved, That the draft Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels in Crops, Food and Feeding Stuffs) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000, which were laid before this House on 17th November, be approved.

6Terms and Conditions of Employment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Maternity and Parental Leave etc. Regulations 1999, which were laid before this House on 22nd November, be approved—(Mr Don Touhig);

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr Kevin Hughes: 277.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Eric Forth, Mr Christopher Gill: 2.

So the Question was agreed to.

Resolved, That the draft Maternity and Parental Leave etc. Regulations 1999, which were laid before this House on 22nd November, be approved.

7Agriculture,—Ordered, That Ms Sally Keeble and Mrs Diana Organ be discharged from the Agriculture Committee and Mr David Borrow and Mr David Drew be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

8Culture, Media and Sport,—Ordered, That Mrs Diana Organ be added to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

9Defence,—Ordered, That Ms Dari Taylor be discharged from the Defence Committee and Mr Stephen Hepburn be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

10Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Ordered, That Dr Alan Whitehead be discharged from the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee and Mr Hilary Benn be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

11Home Affairs,—Ordered, That Mr Chris Mullin be discharged from the Home Affairs Committee and Mr Ian Cawsey be added to the Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

12Social Security,—Ordered, That Mr David Crausby be added to the Social Security Committee.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

13Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from Helen Hooton, pensioner, and others relating to Council Tax was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

14Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Don Touhig.)

And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till eighteen minutes past Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 11.18 p.m.


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APPENDIX I

Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 3rd December 1999 (Non-sitting Friday, S.O. No. 12) pursuant to Standing Order No. 158 (Presentation of command papers):

1Health,—Government Response to the Fifth Report from the Health Committee, Session 1998–99, on the Regulation of Private and Other Independent Healthcare [Cm. 4540] [Mr Secretary Milburn].

2Treaty Series (No. 78, 1999),—Agreement, done at Bonn on 16th May 1994, to amend the Protocol of Signature to the Agreement of 3rd August 1959, as amended by the Agreements of 21st October 1971 and 18th May 1981, to Supplement the Agreement between the Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty regarding the Status of their Forces with respect to Foreign Forces stationed in the Federal Republic of Germany [Cm. 4521] [Mr Secretary Cook].

3Treaty Series [No. 79, 1999),—Exchange of Notes, done at Dhaka on 23rd December 1997 and 9th July 1998, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh amending the Air Services Agreement done at London on 5th July 1978 [Cm. 4522] [Mr Secretary Cook].

4Treaty Series (No. 80, 1999),—Agreement, done at London on 6th December 1993, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Latvia concerning Air Services [Cm. 4523] [Mr Secretary Cook].

Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 3rd December 1999 (Non-sitting Friday, S.O. No. 12) pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of Statutory Instruments):

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

5Health and Safety,—Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3165), dated 23rd November 1999 [Mr Secretary Prescott].

6Social Security,—Tax Credits (Payment by Employers) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3219), dated 2nd December 1999 [Dawn Primarolo].

Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 6th December 1999:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

7Food,—Contaminants in Food (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3221), dated 2nd December 1999 [by Act] [Mr Nicholas Brown].

8Merchant Shipping,—Merchant Shipping (Radio) (Fishing Vessels) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3210), dated 30th November 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

9Ministers of the Crown,—(1) Transfer of Functions (Agriculture and Food) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3141),

(2) Transfer of Functions (Medicines and Poisons) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3142), and

(3) Transfer of Functions (Road Traffic) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3143),

dated 24th November 1999 [by Act] [Margaret Beckett].

10Road Traffic,—Motor Vehicles (Approval) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3226), dated 3rd December 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

11Universities of Oxford and Cambridge,—Statute, dated 6th July 1999, made by the University of Oxford, amending the Statutes of the University [by Act] [Margaret Beckett].

Other Papers:

12British Library,—Report and Financial and Statistical Summary of the British Library for 1998–99 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].

13Currency,—Treasury Minute, dated 6th December 1999, directing a raising of the limit on the amount of the Bank of England's fiduciary note issue [by Act] [Miss Melanie Johnson].

14Export Credits Guarantee Department,—Report and Trading Accounts of the Export Credits Guarantee Department for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 2] [Mr Secretary Byers].

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15National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on the Highways Agency: Getting best value from the disposal of property [by Act]; to be printed [No. 58] [Clerk of the House].

16Science and Technology,—Accounts of the Natural Environment Research Council for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 91] [Clerk of the House].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1Draft Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) (No. 2) Order 1999,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Brian H. Donohoe and Ms Sandra Osborne from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Mr Desmond Browne and Mr James Wray.

2Draft Legal Aid (Prescribed Panels) (Amendment) Regulations 1999,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Mark Fisher from the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations); and nominated in substitution Mr Fraser Kemp.

3Value Added Tax (Input Tax) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3118),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Ms Karen Buck from the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Order); and nominated in substitution Mr Austin Mitchell.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1Public Accounts,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts [HM Customs and Excise: Improving VAT Assurance]; to be printed [No. 75-i] [Mr Richard Page].

2Treasury,—(1) First Report from the Treasury Committee [Research Assistance for Monetary Policy Committee Members]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 43]; and

(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The International Monetary Fund]; to be printed [No. 72-ii]

[Mr Giles Radice].


[No. 14.]

Tuesday 7th December 1999.

The House met at half-past Two o'clock.

PRAYERS.

1City of London (Ward Elections) Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for consideration of the City of London (Ward Elections) Bill, as amended by the Chairman of Ways and Means;

Ordered, That the Bill be considered on Tuesday 14th December.

2Freedom of Information Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Freedom of Information Bill;

And a Motion being made, and the Question being proposed, That the Bill be now read a second time;

An Amendment was proposed to the Question, to leave out from the word ‘That' to the end of the Question and add the words ‘this House declines to give a Second Reading to the Freedom of Information Bill because it will result in greater secrecy than is the case under the existing Code of Practice, because it fails to promote open government instead of secrecy or transfer from Ministers and officials to Parliament the final decision over the release of information, and because it represents a significant dilution of the proposals in the White Paper, Your Right to Know (Cm. 3818), and disregards the recommendations from the Select Committee on Public Administration', instead thereof.—(Miss Ann Widdecombe.)

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And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made;

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Stephen Day, Mrs Jacqui Lait: 138.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Jamieson, Mr Greg Pope: 377.

So the Question was negatived.

And the Main Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 62 (Amendment on second or third reading);—It was agreed to.

The Bill was accordingly read a second time.

A Motion was made and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 63 (Committal of bills), That the Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House—(Mr John Greenway);

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Stephen Day, Mrs Jacqui Lait: 178.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Jamieson, Mr Greg Pope: 327.

So the Question was negatived.

The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared that the Bill stood committed to a Standing Committee.

3Freedom of Information Bill [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Freedom of Information Bill [Money];

A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 52 (Money resolutions and ways and means resolutions in connection with bills), That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Freedom of Information Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of—

(a) any increase attributable to the Act in the expenses of the Secretary of State in respect of the Data Protection Commissioner (renamed the Information Commissioner by the Act), the Data Protection Tribunal (renamed the Information Tribunal by the Act) or the members of that Tribunal,

(b) any administrative expenses of the Secretary of State attributable to the Act,

(c) any other expenses incurred in consequence of the Act by a Minister of the Crown or government department or by the House of Commons or the House of Lords, and

(d) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums which under any other Act are payable out of money so provided.—(Mr Don Touhig):—It was agreed to.

4Constitutional Law,—A Motion was made,and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) (No. 2) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 24th November, be approved—(Mr Don Touhig):—It was agreed to.

5Environmental Protection,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment) Regulations 1999, which were laid before this House on 25th November, be approved—(Mr Don Touhig):—It was agreed to.

6Section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993,—Ordered, That, for the purposes of their approval under section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993, the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1999–2000, the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report 1999–2000 and the Pre-Budget Report 1999 shall be treated as if they were instruments subject to the provisions of Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation).—(Mr Don Touhig.)

7Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Don Touhig.)

And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till three minutes to Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 10.57 p.m.


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APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1Animals,—(1) Breeding of Dogs (Licensing Records) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3192), and

(2) Sale of Dogs (Identification Tag) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3191),

dated 29th November 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw].

2Civil Aviation,—Civil Aviation (Navigation Services Charges) (Fourth Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3227), dated 2nd December 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

3Telecommunications,—(1) Public Telecommunication System Designation (AT & T-Unisource Communications Services (UK) Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3238), dated 4th December 1999,

(2) Public Telecommunication System Designation (Drive Memory Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3235), dated 4th December 1999,

(3) Public Telecommunication System Designation (Easynet Group plc) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3234), dated 4th December 1999,

(4) Public Telecommunication System Designation (Flag Telecom Ireland Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3239), dated 4th December 1999,

(5) Public Telecommunication System Designation (iaxis Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3241), dated 4th December 1999,

(6) Public Telecommunication System Designation (Metromedia Fiber Network UK Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3231), dated 4th December 1999,

(7) Public Telecommunication System Designation (Netkonect Communications Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3236), dated 4th December 1999,

(8) Public Telecommunication System Designation (Rateflame Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3233), dated 4th December 1999,

(9) Public Telecommunication System Designation (Sala Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3229), dated 3rd December 1999,

(10) Public Telecommunication System Designation (Thus Limited) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3230), dated 3rd December 1999,

(11) Public Telecommunication System Designation (VIA Net Works UK Ltd) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3240), dated 4th December 1999, and

(12) Public Telecommunication System Designation (World-Link Inc) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3237), dated 4th December 1999

[by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].

Other Papers:

4British Library,—Statement of appointment of Professor Linda Colley to the Board of the British Library [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].

5Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons,—Statement by the Secretary of State for Health on the provision of residential accommodation for disabled persons under the age of 65 in England for 1997–98 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Milburn].

6Football Spectators,—Report and Accounts of the Football Licensing Authority for 1998–99 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith].

7Registration Service,—Birth Statistics: Review of the Registrar General on births and patterns of family building in England and Wales for 1998 [by Act] [Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer].

8Telecommunications,—Licences granted under section 7 of the Telecommunications Act 1984 by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to—

(1) AT & T-Unisource Communications Services (UK) Limited,

(2) Drive Memory Limited,

(3) Easynet Group plc,

(4) Flag Telecom Ireland Limited,

(5) iaxis Limited,

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(6) Metromedia Fiber Network UK Limited,

(7) Netkonect Communications Limited,

(8) Rateflame Limited,

(9) Sala Limited,

(10) Thus Limited,

(11) VIA Net Works UK Ltd, and

(12) World-Link Inc

[by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1Draft Non-Domestic Rating (Chargeable Amounts) (England) Regulations 1999,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Laura Moffatt from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations); and nominated in substitution Ms Dari Taylor.

2Draft Legal Aid (Prescribed Panels) (Amendment) Regulations 1999,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Lorna Fitzsimons from the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Mr Ronnie Campbell.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1Administration,—First Report from the Administration Committee [Revised Framework for Re-opening the Line of Route during the Summer Adjournment], together with an Appendix; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 98] [Mrs Marion Roe].

2Agriculture,—(1) First Report from the Agriculture Committee [The Current Crisis in the Livestock Industry]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 94];

(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Agriculture Committee [Segregation of GM Foods]; to be printed [No. 71-ii]; and

(3) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Segregation of GM Foods]

[Mr Peter Luff].

3Culture, Media and Sport,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [Funding of the BBC]; to be printed [No. 25-vi] [Mr Gerald Kaufman].

4Education and Employment,—(1) First Report from the Education and Employment Committee [School Meals], together with the 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. 96]; and

(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [School Meals]

[Mr Barry Sheerman].

5Environmental Audit,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environmental Audit Committee [Pre-Budget Report 1999]; to be printed [No. 76-ii] [Mr John Horam].

6Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment Sub-Committee of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee [The Environment Agency]; to be printed [No. 34-ii] [Mr Andrew F. Bennett].

7European Scrutiny,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the European Scrutiny Committee [Inquiry into The Forthcoming Inter-Governmental Conference]; to be printed [No. 97-i] [Mr Jimmy Hood].

8Home Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Home Affairs Committee [Controls over Firearms]; to be printed [No. 95-i] [Mr Robin Corbett].

9Public Administration,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Public Administration Committee [Innovations in Citizen Participation in Government]; to be printed [No. 79-iii] [Dr Tony Wright].

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10Statutory Instruments,—Third Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, together with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 47-iii] [Mr David Tredinnick].

11Trade and Industry,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Trade and Industry Committee [The Work of Oftel]; to be printed [No. 93-i] [Mr Martin O'Neill].


[No. 14; WH, No. 4]

Tuesday 7th December 1999.

The House sitting in Westminster Hall [pursuant to the Order of 24th May 1999].

The sitting commenced at Ten o'clock.

1Adjournment,—Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Mr Kevin Hughes.)

And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 12.51 p.m.


[No. 15.]

Wednesday 8th December 1999.

The House met at half-past Two o'clock.

PRAYERS.

1Queen's Speech (Answer to Address),—The Vice Chamberlain of the Household reported to the House, That Her Majesty, having been attended with its Address of 24th November, was pleased to receive the same very graciously and give the following Answer:

I have received with great satisfaction the loyal and dutiful expression of your thanks for the speech with which I opened the present Session of Parliament.

2Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Frank Cook reported from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Non-Domestic Rating (Chargeable Amounts) (England) Regulations 1999.

Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

3Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mrs Ray Michie reported from the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Legal Aid (Prescribed Panels) (Amendment) Regulations 1999.

Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

4Opposition Day [1st allotted day],—It being an allotted day at the disposal of the Leader of the Opposition in pursuance of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business), the House proceeded to consider Opposition business.

”Tube” Investment, Ways of Paying for More “Tube” Investment and the General Transport Budget,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House regrets the Government's failure to raise private investment for the London Underground; condemns the cuts in investment in the Underground since they took office and the way their failure has squeezed other parts of the transport budget; recommends dropping the failed public private partnership, seeking more private money in another way; calls on the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to take the necessary action now to expand all types of British transport capacity, including the “Tube”, so people are able to travel more easily and businesses can move their goods around efficiently; condemns the Secretary of State's failure to make crucial decisions to expand the mainline railway; regrets his decision to make the motorist a whipping boy for his own failure; urges him to follow planning policies which lessen the North South divide rather than worsen it, and which will encourage more people to live near town centres and their points of access to trains and buses rather than on greenfield developments; and concludes that the experiment in so-called joined-up Government between environment, transport and the regions has under this Secretary of State comprehensively failed—(Mr John Redwood);

An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 3, to leave out from the word ‘House' to the end of the Question and add the words ‘welcomes the Government's approach for an Integrated Transport Strategy; deplores the previous Government's record of under-investment in transport, fragmentation of bus and rail services and encouragement of ill-planned out-of-town development; in particular condemns their

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erratic investment in London Underground, which left a £1.2 billion backlog; welcomes the Government's long-term strategy to secure over £8 billion investment for upgrading London Underground over the next 15 years; deplores the official Opposition's plans to privatise London Underground; and welcomes the Government's commitment to an extra £1.8 billion for public transport and local transport plans, improving road maintenance, reducing pollution, and encouraging the major investment needed to widen transport choice', instead thereof.—(Mr Secretary Prescott.)

And the Question being proposed, That the original words stand part of the Question;

Mr James Arbuthnot rose in his place and claimed to move, That the Question be now put.

And the Question being put, That the Question be now put:—It was agreed to.

And the Question being accordingly put;

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Keith Simpson, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 144.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe: 369.

So the Question was negatived.

And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments);

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe: 327.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Keith Simpson, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 176.

So the Question was agreed to.

The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.

Resolved, That this House welcomes the Government's approach for an Integrated Transport Strategy; deplores the previous Government's record of under-investment in transport, fragmentation of bus and rail services and encouragement of ill-planned out-of-town development; in particular condemns their erratic investment in London Underground, which left a £1.2 billion backlog; welcomes the Government's long-term strategy to secure over £8 billion investment for upgrading London Underground over the next 15 years; deplores the official Opposition's plans to privatise London Underground; and welcomes the Government's commitment to an extra £1.8 billion for public transport and local transport plans, improving road maintenance, reducing pollution, and encouraging major investment needed to widen transport choice.

5Post Office,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the Postal Privilege (Suspension) Order 1999 (Revocation) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2863), dated 19th October 1999, a copy of which was laid before this House on 20th October, in the last session of Parliament, be revoked—(Mr Nick Gibb);

And it being half-past Eleven o'clock, the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Order [1st December].

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Keith Simpson, Mrs Eleanor Laing: 126.

Tellers for the Noes, Jim Dowd, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 306.

So the Question was negatived.

6Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from residents of Angus and others calling for increased rights of access through traffic for the emergency services was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

7Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr David Jamieson);

Thursday 9th December 1999.

And the Question being put;

Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.

And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till fourteen minutes past Twelve o'clock on Thursday morning, adjourned till this day.

[Adjourned at 12.14 a.m.


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APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1Ecclesiastical Law,—The Payments to the Churches Conservation Trust Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3265), dated 15th November 1999 [by Measure] [Clerk of the House].

2Environmental Protection,—Environmental Protection (Controls on Injurious Substances) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3244), dated 6th December 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

3Health and Safety,—Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3242), dated 3rd December 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

4Merchant Shipping,—Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships, and Tonnage) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3206), dated 30th November 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

5Taxes,—(1) Distraint by Collectors (Fees, Costs and Charges) (Stamp Duty Penalties) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3263),

(2) Stamp Duty and Stamp Duty Reserve Tax (Investment Exchanges and Clearing Houses) (OM London Exchange Limited) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3262),

(3) Stamp Duty and Stamp Duty Reserve Tax (Open-ended Investment Companies) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3261), and

(4) Stamp Duty Reserve Tax (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3264),

dated 7th December 1999 [by Act] [Miss Melanie Johnson].

Other Papers:

6Defence,—Ministry of Defence Minute, dated 8th December 1999, concerning the proposed long-term loan of historic furniture to the Greenwich Foundation for the Royal Naval College [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hoon].

7Parliamentary Commissioner,—Second Report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, Session 1999–2000: Investigations Completed—April to October 1999 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 21] [Clerk of the House].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1Government Resources and Accounts Bill:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee A, and has appointed Mr John Butterfill Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated nineteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz: Mr Graham Allen, Mr Colin Burgon, Mr Tony Clarke, Mr Edward Davey, Mr David Davis, Mr Howard Flight, Mr Michael Foster, Jane Griffiths, Mr John Healey, Mr Kelvin Hopkins, Miss Melanie Johnson, Mr Alan Keen, Mr Oliver Letwin, Mr Chris Pond, Mr David Rendel, Mr David Ruffley, Joan Ryan, Mr Keith Simpson and Mr Stephen Twigg.

2Financial Statement and Budget Report 1999–2000, the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report 1999–2000 and the Pre-Budget Report 1999 for the purposes of Section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the Reports to the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Nicholas Winterton Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Graham Allen, Charlotte Atkins, Mr Graham Brady, Mr Brian Cotter, Mr Edward Davey, Mr Michael Fabricant, Mr Mark Fisher, Lorna Fitzsimons, Mr David Heathcoat-Amory, Miss Melanie Johnson, Ms Oona King, Ms Linda Perham, Mr Chris Pond, Mr Geoffrey Robinson, Joan Ruddock and Mr Keith Simpson.

3Draft Legal Advice and Assistance (Scope) (Amendment) Regulations 1999:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Barry Jones Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Peter Atkinson, Mr Crispin Blunt, Mr John Burnett, Mr Paul Clark,

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Mr Andrew George, Mr Nick Hawkins, Mr Stephen Hepburn, Mr Kelvin Hopkins, Mr David Lock, Chris McCafferty, Mrs Anne McGuire, Laura Moffatt, Mr Peter Snape, Mr Brian White, Mr David Wilshire and Mr David Winnick.

European Standing Committees

4The unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum submitted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 5th December 1999, relating to Fisheries: Total Allowable Catches and Quotas for 2000, has been referred to European Standing Committee A.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1Defence,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee [The Defence Geographic and Imagery Agency]; to be printed [No. 100-i] [Mr Bruce George].

2Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Sub-Committee of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee [Public-Private Partnership for National Air Traffic Services]; to be printed [No. 35-ii] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].

3European Scrutiny,—(1) Third Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 23-iii]; and

(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The Forthcoming Inter-Governmental Conference]; to be printed [Nos. 97-ii and -iii]

[Mr Jimmy Hood].

4Foreign Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee [Relations with the Russian Federation]; to be printed [No. 101-i] [Mr Donald Anderson].

5Northern Ireland Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee [Current Problems relating to the Livestock Industry in Northern Ireland]; to be printed [No. 62-ii] [Mr Peter Brooke].

6Public Accounts,—(1) Second Report from the Committee of Public Accounts [Financial Management and Governance at Gwent Tertiary College], together with an Appendix 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. 102];

(2) Third Report from the Committee [Appropriation Accounts 1997–98: Class XII, Vote 1 (Central Government Administered Social Security Benefits & Other Payments) & Benefits Agency: Performance Measurement]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 103]; and

(3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The Contributions Agency: The Newcastle Estate Development Project (Private Finance Initiative)]; to be printed [No. 104-i]

[Mr David Davis].

7Science and Technology,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee [The Director General of the Research Councils]; to be printed [No. 81-i] [Dr Michael Clark].

8Scottish Affairs,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Scottish Affairs Committee [Poverty in Scotland]; to be printed [No. 59-iii] [Mr David Marshall].


[No. 15; WH, No. 5]

Wednesday 8th December 1999.

The House sitting in Westminster Hall [pursuant to the Order of 24th May 1999].

The sitting commenced at half-past Nine o'clock.

1Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the sitting be now adjourned—(Mr Don Touhig);

And it being Two o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the sitting lapsed, and the sitting was accordingly adjourned without Question put, till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 2 p.m.


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[No. 16.]

Thursday 9th December 1999.

The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock.

PRAYERS.

1Alliance & Leicester plc (Group Reorganisation) Bill [Lords],—The Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means reported from the Committee on Unopposed Bills, That it had examined the allegations contained in the Preamble to the Alliance & Leicester plc (Group Reorganisation) Bill [Lords] and found the same to be true; and had gone through the Bill and made Amendments thereunto.

Bill, as amended in the Committee, to lie upon the Table.

2Financial Services and Markets Bill,—Mr Bill O'Brien reported from Standing Committee A, That it had gone through the Financial Services and Markets Bill, in respect of Clauses Nos. 135 to 367 and Schedules Nos. 12 to 17, and made Amendments thereunto.

Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 11].

Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee, together with the Minutes of Proceedings of Standing Committee A in the last Session of Parliament in respect of Clauses Nos. 1 to 134 and Schedules Nos. 1 to 11 of the Bill, to be printed [No. 108].

3Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Sir David Madel reported from the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Value Added Tax (Input Tax) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3118).

Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

4Peter Nevile Wake Jennings, Esquire, CVO,—Resolved, nemine contradicente, That this House expresses its appreciation of Peter Nevile Wake Jennings, Esquire, CVO, for his 47 years distinguished public service, including four years as Serjeant at Arms, and extends to him its best wishes for his retirement.—(Margaret Beckett.)

5Adjournment (World Trade Organisation Millennium Round),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr David Clelland);

And it being Seven o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put.

6Select Committees (Joint Meetings),—Ordered, That, for the current Session of Parliament, Standing Order No. 152 (Select committees related to government departments) be amended as follows:

Line 37, before the word “European” insert the words “Environmental Audit Committee or with the”.

Line 46, before the word “European” insert the words “Environmental Audit Committee or with the”.

Line 48, at the end, insert the words:—

”(4A) notwithstanding paragraphs (2) and (4) above, where more than two committees or sub-committees appointed under this order meet concurrently in accordance with paragraph (4)(e) above, the quorum of each such committee or sub-committee shall be two.”—(Mr Don Touhig.)

7Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Don Touhig.)

And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-five minutes past Seven o'clock, adjourned till Monday 13th December.

[Adjourned at 7.25 p.m.


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APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1Civil Aviation,—(1) Civil Aviation (Joint Financing) (Second Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3268), and

(2) Civil Aviation (Route Charges for Navigation Services) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3260),

dated 7th December 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

2Health and Safety,—Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3232), dated 3rd December 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

3Landfill Tax,—Landfill Tax (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3270), dated 9th December 1999 [by Act] [Mr Stephen Timms].

4Local Government (Scotland),—Sale of Solid Fuel Byelaws (Exemption from Repeal) (Scotland) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3283), dated 8th December 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].

5National Health Service,—South Birmingham Mental Health National Health Service Trust (Transfers of Trust Property) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3276), dated 8th December 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Milburn].

6Opticians,—General Optical Council (Rules relating to Injury or Disease of the Eye) Order of Council 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3267), dated 6th December 1999 [by Act] [Margaret Beckett].

7Statistics of Trade,—Statistics of Trade (Customs and Excise) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3269), dated 8th December 1999 [by Act] [Mr Stephen Timms].

8Telegraphs,—Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3243), dated 3rd December 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].

9Universities of Oxford and Cambridge,—Statute, dated 30th July 1999, made by the Governing Body of St. John Baptist College, Oxford, amending the Statutes of the College [by Act] [Margaret Beckett].

Other Papers:

10Firearms,—Report of the Firearms Consultative Committee for 1998–99 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 88] [Mr Secretary Straw].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1Government Resources and Accounts Bill,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Stephen Twigg from Standing Committee A (nominated in respect of the Bill); and nominated in substitution Mr Stephen Timms.

2Financial Statement and Budget Report 1999–2000, the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report 1999–2000 and the Pre-Budget Report 1999 for the purposes of section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Charlotte Atkins, Lorna Fitzsimons and Joan Ruddock from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Reports); and nominated in substitution Mr Hilary Benn, Mr John Grogan and Mr Tony McWalter.

Grand Committees

3Welsh Grand Committee,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Barry Jones Chairman of the Welsh Grand Committee in respect of its meeting on Tuesday 14th December 1999.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1Culture, Media and Sport,—Second Report from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [The Future of Professional Rugby], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee in the last Session of Parliament; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 99] [Mr Gerald Kaufman].

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2Health,—(1) First Report from the Health Committee [Cost and Availability of Generic Drugs to the NHS], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee in the last Session of Parliament; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 105];

(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The Tobacco Industry and the Health Risks of Smoking] to be printed [No. 27-iii]; and

(3) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Cost and Availability of Generic Drugs to the NHS]

[Mr David Hinchliffe].

3Public Administration,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Public Administration [Report of the Parliamentary Ombudsman for 1998–99]; to be printed [No. 106-i]; and

(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Report of the Health Service Ombudsman for 1998–99]; to be printed [No. 107-i]

[Dr Tony Wright].


[No. 16; WH, No. 6]

Thursday 9th December 1999.

The House sitting in Westminster Hall [pursuant to the Order of 24th May 1999].

The sitting commenced at half-past Two o'clock.

1Adjournment (Modernising Government White Paper),—Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Jim Dowd.)

And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till Tuesday 14th December.

[Adjourned at 5.29 p.m.



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