| Commons Journal 256
Chronological Index
Alphabetical Index - Part I
Alphabetical Index - Part II
Page 70 1999-2000 Volume 256
[No. 21.] Monday 20th December 1999.
The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Private Bill Petitions,—The Speaker laid upon the Table a Report from the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills, That, in the case of the Petitions for the following Bills, the Standing Orders have been complied with, viz.: |
Alliance & Leicester Group Treasury plc (Transfer)
Colchester Borough Council
Greenham and Crookham Commons
Mersey Tunnels.
| 2 | Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Bill,—Mr Secretary Straw, supported by the Prime Minister, Mr Secretary Prescott, Mr Secretary Byers, Mr Secretary Reid, Mr Secretary Murphy, Mr Secretary Mandelson and Mr Mike O'Brien, presented a Bill to establish an Electoral Commission; to make provision about the registration and finances of political parties; to make provision about donations and expenditure for political purposes; to make provision about election and referendum campaigns; to make provision about election petitions and other legal proceedings in connection with elections; to reduce the qualifying periods set out in sections 1 and 3 of the Representation of the People Act 1985; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 34]. |
Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Bill be printed [Bill 34–EN].
| 3 | Public House Names Bill,—Mrs Ann Winterton, supported by Mr Nicholas Winterton, Mr Joe Benton, The Reverend Martin Smyth and Mr Jim Dobbin, presented a Bill to amend the law relating to the names of public houses; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 14th April and to be printed [Bill 35]. |
| 4 | Freedom of Religious Worship (Armed Forces) Bill,—The Reverend Martin Smyth, supported by Mrs Ann Winterton and Mr Jim Dobbin, presented a Bill to amend and clarify the law to permit those serving in the armed forces openly to follow the religion of their choice; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 5th May and to be printed [Bill 36]. |
| 5 | Halogen Lamp Regulation (Motor Vehicles) Bill,—Mr Jim Dobbin, supported by Mrs Ann Winterton, The Reverend Martin Smyth and Mr Clive Efford, presented a Bill to regulate the intensity of motor vehicle lights; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 12th May and to be printed [Bill 37]. |
| 6 | Energy Efficiency Bill,—Mr Clive Efford, supported by Mr Keith Darvill, Mr Matthew Taylor, Mr David Chaytor, Bridget Prentice and Mr Cynog Dafis, presented a Bill to make further provision for energy efficiency: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 10th March and to be printed [Bill 38]. |
| 7 | Energy Conservation (Housing) Bill,—Mr Clive Efford, supported by Mr Keith Darvill, Mr Matthew Taylor, Mr David Chaytor, Bridget Prentice and Mr Cynog Dafis, presented a Bill to make further provision for energy conservation related to housing; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 10th March and to be printed [Bill 39]. |
| 8 | Scottish Adjacent Waters Boundaries (Amendment) Bill,—Mr Archy Kirkwood presented a Bill to amend the Scottish Adjacent Waters Boundaries Order 1999 in so far as it relates to the East coast border between England and Scotland; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 28th January and to be printed [Bill 40]. |
| 9 | Royal Assent,—The Speaker notified the House, in accordance with the Royal Assent Act 1967, That Her Majesty had signified her Royal Assent to the following Act, agreed upon by both Houses: |
Consolidated Fund (No. 2) Act 1999.
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| 10 | Transport Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Transport 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, believing that government ownership and control of National Air Traffic Services (NATS) is necessary for national security, acknowledging that the United Kingdom air traffic control system is recognised internationally as the safest and most reliable in the world, and being concerned that the introduction of the private profit motive could jeopardise safety standards in the future, considers that the Transport Bill is not an acceptable measure because it contains provisions the purpose of which is to pave the way for the partial privatisation of NATS', instead thereof.—(Dr Gavin Strang.)
And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made;
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 33.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Jamieson, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe: 321.
So the Question was negatived.
And the Main Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 62 (Amendment on second or third reading);
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe, Mr David Jamieson: 358.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 163.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Bill was accordingly read a second time and stood committed to a Standing Committee.
| 11 | Transport Bill [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Transport 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 Transport Bill, it is expedient to authorise—
(1) the payment out of money provided by Parliament of—
(a) any expenditure incurred by any Minister of the Crown or government department under or by virtue of the Act, and
(b) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable out of money so provided under any other enactment;
(2) the payment out of the National Loans Fund of sums required by the Secretary of State for making loans to—
(a) a transferee under a transfer scheme made under the Act, or
(b) the Strategic Rail Authority;
(3) the reduction of the assets of the National Loans Fund by an amount corresponding to such liability of the Civil Aviation Authority as the Secretary of State extinguishes by order—(Mr Robert Ainsworth):—It was agreed to.
| 12 | Transport Bill [Ways and Means],—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 52 (Money resolutions and ways and means resolutions in connection with bills), That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Transport Bill, it is expedient to authorise— |
(1) the inclusion in licences granted under the Act of provisions requiring payments to be made;
(2) the imposition of charges to corporation tax by provisions relating to transfer schemes;
(3) the making of road user charging schemes and workplace parking levy licensing schemes;
(4) payments into the Consolidated Fund and the National Loans Fund—(Mr Robert Ainsworth):—It was agreed to.
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| 13 | Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Robert Ainsworth); |
And the Motion having been made after Ten o'clock, 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 one minute to Eleven o'clock, till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 10.59 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 17th December 1999 (Non-sitting Friday, S.O., No. 12) pursuant to Standing Order No. 158 (Presentation of command papers):
| 1 | International Development,—Department for International Development Minute, dated 17th December 1999, concerning a contingent liability consequent upon proposed indemnification for mortgages made by the Bank of Montserrat [Secretary Clare Short]. |
| 2 | Miscellaneous (No. 30, 1999),—Agreement, opened for signature at New York on 1st July 1997, on the Privileges and Immunities of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Cm. 4526] [Mr Secretary Cook]. |
| 3 | Miscellaneous (No. 31, 1999),—Resolution, done at the 78th Session of the International Coffee Council, London, on 21st July 1999, to extend the International Coffee Agreement 1994, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Cm. 4543] [Mr Secretary Cook]. |
| 4 | Science and Technology,—Government Response to the Third Report from the Science and Technology Committee, Session 1998-99, on the Scientific Advisory System: Mobile Phones and Health [Cm. 4551] [Mr Secretary Milburn]. |
| 5 | Treaty Series (No. 81, 1999),—United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, opened for signature at Montego Bay, Jamaica, from 10th December 1982 to 9th December 1984 and at United Nations Headquarters, New York, from 1st July 1983 to 9th December 1984 [Cm. 4524] [Mr Secretary Cook]. |
| 6 | Treaty Series (No. 82, 1999),—Agreement, done at New York on 28th July 1994, relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10th December 1982 [Cm. 4525] [Mr Secretary Cook]. |
| 7 | Treaty Series (No. 83, 1999),—Amendments, done at Berne on 19th September 1979, to Appendix II of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats [Cm. 4541] [Mr Secretary Cook]. |
| 8 | Treaty Series (No. 84, 1999),—International Convention, done at London on 30th November 1990, on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation [Cm. 4542] [Mr Secretary Cook]. |
Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 17th December 1999 (Non-sitting Friday, S.O., No. 12) pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments):
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 9 | Medicines,—Medicines (Pharmacies) (Applications for Registration and Fees) Amendment Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3295), dated 13th December 1999 [Mr Secretary Milburn]. |
| 10 | Social Security,—Income Support (General) and Jobseeker's Allowance Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3324), dated 13th December 1999 [Mr Secretary Darling]. |
| 11 | Terms and Conditions of Employment,—Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3375), dated 17th December 1999 [Mr Secretary Byers]. |
Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 20th December 1999:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
| 12 | Local Government Finance,—Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 49) on the 1999/2000 Special Grant for Kosovan Evacuees [by Act]; to be printed [No. 115] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
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Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 13 | Education,—(1) Action for Learning Partnership, Bedford Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3399), |
(2) Ashington Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3391),
(3) Bolton Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3393),
(4) Breaking the Cycle Bridgwater Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3392),
(5) Camborne, Pool and Redruth Success Zone Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3414),
(6) Challenge for Corby Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3398),
(7) Clacton and Harwich Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3397),
(8) Community Learning Partnership Barrow-in-Furness Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3384),
(9) Coventry Millennium Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3394),
(10) Dingle Granby Toxteth Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3383),
(11) Downham and Bellingham Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3395),
(12) Easington and Seaham Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3382),
(13) Epicentre LEAP Ellesmere Port Cheshire Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3396),
(14) Gloucester Education Achievement Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3412),
(15) Learning Together East Cleveland Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3386),
(16) Leigh Park Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I. 1999, No. 3390),
(17) North Gillingham Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3388),
(18) Peterlee Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3381),
(19) Rainbow Education Action Zone in Stoke on Trent Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3389),
(20) South Bradford Community Learning Partnership Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3407),
(21) Speke Garston Excellent Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3408),
(22) Sunderland Building Our Future Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3385),
(23) Wakefield Community Learning Partnership Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3406),
(24) Withernsea and Southern Holderness Rural Achievement Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3400), and
(25) Wolverhampton Education Action Zone Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3387),
dated 15th December 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
| 14 | Road Traffic,—(1) Road Traffic (Permitted Parking Area and Special Parking Area) (County of Kent) (Borough of Swale) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3403), |
(2) Road Traffic (Permitted Parking Area and Special Parking Area) (County of Kent) (Borough of Tunbridge Wells) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3405),
(3) Road Traffic (Permitted Parking Area and Special Parking Area) (County of Kent) (City of Canterbury) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3402),
(4) Road Traffic (Permitted Parking Area and Special Parking Area) (County of Kent) (District of Sevenoaks) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3404), and
(5) Road Traffic (Permitted Parking Area and Special Parking Area) (County of Kent) (District of Thanet) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3401),
dated 20th December 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
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Other Papers:
| 15 | Defence,—(1) Ministry of Defence Performance Report for 1998–99, and |
(2) Paper, entitled Defence White Paper 1999
[by Command] [Cm. 4520 and 4446] [Mr Secretary Hoon].
| 16 | Government Trading Funds,—Paper, entitled Prior Options Review of the Fire Service College [by Command] [Cm. 4546] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
| 17 | Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on the Petition [6th December] from Helen Hooton, pensioner, and others relating to Council Tax [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| Draft Local Government Best Value (Exemption) (England) Order 2000,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Jim Marshall from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Paul Flynn. |
[No. 22.] Tuesday 21st December 1999.
The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | City of London (Ward Elections) Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for consideration of the City of London (Ward Elections) Bill, as amended by the Chairman of Ways and Means; |
Ordered, That the Bill be considered on Tuesday 11th January.
| 2 | Disqualifications Bill,—Mr Secretary Straw, supported by the Prime Minister, Mr Secretary Prescott, Mr Secretary Mandelson and Mr Mike O'Brien, presented a Bill to remove the disqualification for membership of the House of Commons and the Northern Ireland Assembly of persons who are members of the legislature of Ireland (the Oireachtas); and to disqualify for Ministerial office in Northern Ireland persons who are or become Ministers of the Government of Ireland: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Monday 10th January and to be printed [Bill 41]. |
Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Disqualifications Bill be printed [Bill 41–EN].
| 3 | Public Expenditure,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House welcomes the action taken by this Government to build a platform of stability for the British economy, in contrast to the boom and bust of the past; welcomes the new monetary policy framework put in place by this Government, which is delivering stability and steady growth; notes that the Conservative Party opposes Bank of England independence; welcomes the new public spending framework which is delivering an additional £40 billion for health and education; notes that the Conservative Party is opposed to this extra investment; welcomes the fact that this Government is doubling public sector net investment after so many years of neglect; welcomes this Government's programme of reform in the public services and thanks public and voluntary sector workers for their contribution to delivering strong public services for all—(Mr Andrew Smith); |
An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 1, to leave out from the word ‘House' to the end of the Question and add the words ‘notes that, according to Government figures, the burden of taxation has risen from 35.3 per cent. of GDP (1996–97) to 37.4 per cent. by April 1999; condemns this increase in the burden of taxation since the Government took office and the increase in business regulations which has accompanied it; condemns the Government's failure to achieve the promised improvements in public services while at the same time waste in the public sector has increased; and, while welcoming the Government's health and education spending increases, regrets that these have not been accompanied by the promised reform of social security expenditure which is set to rise by more than £30 billion over the next three years' instead thereof.—(Mr David Heathcoat-Amory.)
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And the Question being proposed, That the Amendment be made;
Mr Patrick McLoughlin 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 Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mrs Jacqui Lait: 125.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr Kevin Hughes: 306.
So the Question was negatived.
And the Main Question being accordingly put;—It was agreed to.
Resolved, That this House welcomes the action taken by this Government to build a platform of stability for the British economy, in contrast to the boom and bust of the past; welcomes the new monetary policy framework put in place by this Government, which is delivering stability and steady growth; notes that the Conservative Party opposes Bank of England independence; welcomes the new public spending framework which is delivering an additional £40 billion for health and education; notes that the Conservative Party is opposed to this extra investment; welcomes the fact that this Government is doubling public sector net investment after so many years of neglect; welcomes this Government's programme of reform in the public services and thanks public and voluntary sector workers for their contribution to delivering strong public services for all.
| 4 | Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from |
(1) Kenneth Beastall, residents of the constituency of Penrith and The Border and others for re-establishment of British sovereignty ceded to the European Commission, and
(2) Russell Lynch and other residents of Codicote, Hertfordshire, for the continued provision of Post Office facilities in Codicote,
were presented; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
| 5 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Robert Ainsworth.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till Twenty-two minutes to Eight o'clock, adjourned till Monday 10th January, pursuant to Order [29th November].
[Adjourned at 7.38 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 1 | Agriculture,—Animal Feedingstuffs from Belgium (Control) (England and Wales) (No. 4) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3422), dated 20th December 1999 [by Act] [Mr Nicholas Brown]. |
| 2 | Building and Buildings,—Building Regulations (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3410), dated 17th December 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 3 | Food,—Food (Animal Products from Belgium) (Emergency Control) (England and Wales) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3421), dated 20th December 1999 [by Act] [Mr Nicholas Brown]. |
| 4 | Monopolies and Mergers,—Merger Reference (Universal Foods Corporation and Pointing Holdings Limited) (Interim Provision) (Revocation) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3415), dated 20th December 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers]. |
| 5 | Representation of the People,—Holders of Hereditary Peerages (Extension of the Franchise) (Transitional Provisions) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3322), dated 14th December 1999 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
Other Papers:
| 6 | Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries,—Report and Accounts of British Shipbuilders for 1998–99 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers]. |
| 7 | Competition Commission,—Report by the Competition Commission on the merger situation of Universal Foods Corporation and Pointing Holdings Limited [by Command] [Cm. 4544] [Mr Secretary Byers]. |
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| 8 | Customs and Excise,—Export of Goods (Control) (Amendment No. 6) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3411), dated 21st December 1999 [by Command] [Mr Secretary Byers]. |
| 9 | Fire Services,—Report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services for 1998–99 [by Command] [Cm. 4535] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
| 10 | Friendly Societies,—Report of the Chief Registrar of the Friendly Societies for 1st October 1998 to 30th September 1999 [by Act] [Miss Melanie Johnson]. |
| 11 | Registration Service,—Mortality Statistics: Review of the Registrar General on deaths by cause, sex and age in England and Wales for 1998 [by Act] [Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer]. |
| 12 | Statutory Instruments (Notification),—Communication declaring that the undermentioned Statutory Instrument had come into operation before copies were laid before Parliament, and explaining why such copies had not been so laid before the Instrument came into operation: |
Merger Reference (Universal Foods Corporation and Pointing Holdings Limited) (Interim Provision) (Revocation) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3415)
[by Standing Order] [The Speaker].
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| Draft Local Government Best Value (Exemption) (England) Order 2000,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Bill Olner Chairman of the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Local Government Best Value (Exemption) (England) Order 2000. |
[No. 22; WH, No. 10]
Tuesday 21st 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.
| 1 | Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the sitting be now adjourned—(Mr Don Touhig); |
And it being half-past Five o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the Sitting lapsed, and the Sitting was accordingly adjourned without question put, till Tuesday 11th January.
[Adjourned at 5.30 p.m.
|
