Session 1999-2000

Commons Journal 256

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


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Page 108            1999-2000      Volume 256      

[No. 31.]

Monday 24th January 2000.

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

PRAYERS.

1Government Resources and Accounts Bill,—Mr John Butterfill reported from Standing Committee A, That it had gone through the Government Resources and Accounts Bill, and made Amendments thereunto.

Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 51].

Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 187].

2Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows:

Armed Forces Discipline Bill [Lords],—The Lords have passed a Bill to amend the Army Act 1955, the Air Force Act 1955 and the Naval Discipline Act 1957 in relation to custody, the right to elect court-martial trial and appeals against findings made or punishments awarded on summary dealing or summary trial; and for connected purposes; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.

3Armed Forces Discipline Bill [Lords],—The Armed Forces Discipline Bill [Lords] was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 53].

Explanatory Notes relating to the Armed Forces Discipline Bill [Lords] to be printed [Bill 53–EN].

4Disqualifications Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Disqualifications Bill;

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

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mrs Anne McGuire, Mr David Jamieson: 300.

Tellers for the Noes, The Reverend Martin Smyth, Mr Eric Forth: 17.

So the Question 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 George Howarth):—It was agreed to.

Committee to-morrow.

5City of London (Ward Elections) Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the City of London (Ward Elections) Bill, as amended by the Chairman of Ways and Means.

A Clause (Statement of compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights)—(Mr Andrew Mackinlay)—brought up and read the first time.

Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time.

Mr Peter Brooke 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, Mr Desmond Swayne, Sir Peter Emery: 137.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Harry Cohen, Mr Peter Bradley: 68.

So the Question was agreed to.

And the Question being accordingly put, That the Clause be read a second time;

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Peter Bradley, Mr Harry Cohen: 81.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Desmond Swayne, Sir Peter Emery: 120.

And it being after Ten o'clock, further consideration of the Bill stood adjourned.

Ordered, That the Bill be further considered on Wednesday 2nd February.

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6Contracting Out,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Contracting Out (Functions in Relation to Petroleum Royalty Payments) Order 2000, which was laid before this House on 16th December, be approved—(Mr Clive Betts):—It was agreed to.

7Employment and Training,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Industrial Training Levy (Construction Board) Order 2000, which was laid before this House on 16th December, be approved—(Mr Clive Betts):—It was agreed to.

8Employment and Training,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Industrial Training Levy (Engineering Construction Board) Order 2000, which was laid before this House on 16th December, be approved—(Mr Clive Betts):—It was agreed to.

9Adjournment (February),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 25 (Periodic adjournments), That this House, at its rising on Tuesday 22nd February, do adjourn till Monday 28th February 2000—(Mr Clive Betts):—It was agreed to.

10Northern Ireland Affairs,—Ordered, That Mr Stephen Hesford be discharged from the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee and Mr Tony Clarke be added to the Committee.—(Mr Clive Betts, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

11Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Clive Betts.)

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

[Adjourned at 10.32 p.m.


APPENDIX I

Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 21st January 2000 (Non-sitting Friday, S.O., No. 12) pursuant to Standing Order No. 158 (Presentation of command papers):

1Customs and Excise,—Paper, comprising the Export of Goods (Control) (Amendment) Order 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 109), dated 19th January 2000 [Mr Secretary Byers].

2South Africa (No. 1, 2000),—Agreement, done at Cape Town on 27th August 1997, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of South Africa regarding Mutual Administrative Assistance between their Customs Administrations, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Cm. 4570] [Mr Secretary Cook].

Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 24th January 2000:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

3Data Protection,—(1) Draft Data Protection (Crown Appointments) Order 2000,

(2) draft Data Protection (Designated Codes of Practice) Order 2000,

(3) draft Data Protection (Miscellaneous Subject Access Exemptions) Order 2000,

(4) draft Data Protection (Processing of Sensitive Personal Data) Order 2000,

(5) draft Data Protection (Subject Access Modification) (Education) Order 2000,

(6) draft Data Protection (Subject Access Modification) (Health) Order 2000, and

(7) draft Data Protection (Subject Access Modification) (Social Work) Order 2000

[by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw].

4Education,—Draft Foundation Subject (Amendment) (England) Order 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

5National Health Service,—(1) Health Service Medicines (Control of Prices of Branded Medicines) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 123), dated 24th January 2000,

(2) Health Service Medicines (Price Control Appeals) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 124), dated 22nd January 2000,

(3) National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) Amendment Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 122), dated 20th January 2000, and

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(4) National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) Amendment Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 121), dated 20th January 2000

[by Act] [Mr Secretary Milburn].

6Social Security,—Tax Credits (Decisions and Appeals) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 127), dated 21st January 2000 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].

Other Papers:

7Sex Discrimination,—Account of the Equal Opportunities Commission for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 186] [Clerk of the House].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1Draft African Development Bank (Further Subscription to Capital Stock) Order 1999, the draft African Development Fund (Eighth Replenishment) Order 1999, the draft International Development Association (Twelfth Replenishment) Order 1999 and the draft Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (Further Subscription to Capital Stock) Order 1999,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Jon Owen Jones from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Orders); and nominated in substitution Mr Harry Barnes.

2Draft Local Government Best Value (Exemption) (England) Order 2000,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Shaun Woodward from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Mr Peter Bradley.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1Agriculture,—Second Report from the Agriculture Committee [The Marketing of Milk], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 36] [Mr Peter Luff].

2Public Accounts,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts [Vehicle Emissions Testing]; to be printed [No. 189-i] [Mr David Davis].


[No. 32.]

Tuesday 25th January 2000.

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

PRAYERS.

1City of Newcastle upon Tyne Bill [Lords],—The City of Newcastle upon Tyne Bill [Lords] was read a second time and committed.

2Greenham and Crookham Commons Bill,—A Bill to restore land at and in the vicinity of the Greenham and Crookham Commons as common land open to the public; to make provision for the conservation of the natural beauty of that land; to grant public access over that land in perpetuity and to make provision with respect to that public access; to restore and extend commoners' rights over that land; to constitute the Greenham and Crookham Common Commission for the management of that land; to confer powers on the West Berkshire District Council and on that Commission with respect to that land; and for connected and other purposes, was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time.

3Mersey Tunnels Bill,—A Bill to amend provisions of the County of Merseyside Act 1980 relating to the levying and revision of tolls for use of the Mersey Tunnels; to amend that Act so that the Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority has power to enter into concession agreements for the management, operation and maintenance of those tunnels and to transfer functions and lease land and other property for that purpose; and to amend that Act for connected purposes, was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time.

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4First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Barry Jones reported from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft African Development Bank (Further Subscription to Capital Stock) Order 1999, the draft African Development Fund (Eighth Replenishment) Order 1999, the draft International Development Association (Twelfth Replenishment) Order 1999 and the draft Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (Further Subscription to Capital Stock) Order 1999.

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

5Parental Authority,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to allow parents to use reasonable force or chastisement when exercising authority over their children—(Mr Andrew Robathan);

And the Motion being opposed, after a brief explanatory statement from the Member who made the Motion and from a Member who opposed it, the Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Standing Order No. 23 (Motions for leave to bring in bills and nomination of select committees at commencement of public business).

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Desmond Swayne, Mr Nick St. Aubyn: 48.

Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Llin Golding, Mr Tony McWalter: 118.

So the Question was negatived.

6Electronic Communications Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Electronic Communications Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee.

A Clause (Country of origin)—(Mr Nick St. Aubyn)—brought up, and read the first time.

Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:—Clause, by leave, withdrawn.

Amendment (No. 5) proposed to the Bill, in page 2, line 7, at the end, to insert the words—

‘(1A) In order to grant an approval the Secretary of State must be satisfied that that person—

(a) will comply, in providing the services in respect of which he is approved, with such technical and other requirements as may be prescribed;

(b) is a person in relation to whom such other requirements as may be prescribed are, and will continue to be, satisfied;

(c) is, and will continue to be, able and willing to comply with any requirements that the Secretary of State is proposing to impose by means of conditions of the approval; and

(d) is otherwise a fit and proper person to be approved in respect of those services.

(1B) Regulations made by virtue of paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1A) may frame a requirement for the purposes of that subsection by reference to the opinion of a person specified in the regulations, or of a person chosen in a manner determined in accordance with the regulations.'.—(Mr Alan Duncan.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Another Amendment (No. 11) proposed to the Bill, in page 6, line 1, to leave out subsection (2) and to insert the words—

‘(2) References in this Part to the provision of cryptography support services exclude the supply of computer hardware or software, or the right to use them, except where that supply is an integral part of cryptography support services supplied by the same provider', instead thereof.—(Mr Alan Duncan.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Other Amendments (Nos. 13, 14 and 1 to 3) made to the Bill.

Another Amendment (No. 12) proposed to the Bill, in page 13, line 37, to leave out the words ‘deposit a key for electronic data with', and to insert the words ‘render electronic data intelligible to the satisfaction of', instead thereof.—(Mr Alan Duncan.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Another Amendment (No. 4) made to the Bill.

The Bill was read the third time, and passed.

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7Disqualifications Bill,—The House, according to Order, resolved itself into a Committee on the Disqualifications Bill.

(In the Committee)

Clause No. 1 (Amendment of section 1(1)(e) of the Disqualification Acts).

Amendment (No. 10) proposed, in page 1, line 5, at the beginning, to insert the words ‘Subject to section (Commencement of Act to be conditional on progress in implementing decommissioning),'.—(Mr Andrew MacKay.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made.

And it being Ten o'clock, the Chairman left the Chair to report progress and ask leave to sit again.


The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair; and Mr Gerry Sutcliffe reported, That the Committee had made progress in the Bill, and moved, That the Committee may have leave to sit again.

8Business of the House,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business), That, at this day's sitting, the Disqualifications Bill may be proceeded with, though opposed, until any hour—(Mr Gerry Sutcliffe);

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr Kevin Hughes: 299.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Stephen Day, Mr Peter Atkinson: 156.

So the Question was agreed to.

9Disqualifications Bill,—The House again resolved itself into a Committee on the Disqualifications Bill.

(In the Committee)

Amendment (No. 10) proposed, in page 1, line 5, at the beginning, to insert the words ‘Subject to section (Commencement of Act to be conditional on progress in implementing decommissioning),'.

Question again proposed, That the Amendment be made.

Question put.

The Committee divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Peter Atkinson, Mr Stephen Day: 133.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Mike Hall, Mrs Anne McGuire: 271.

Another Amendment (No. 32) proposed, in page 1, line 9, after the word ‘Ireland)', to add the words—

‘provided that, in respect of Ireland, a person who is or has been a member of a proscribed organisation within the meaning of the Terrorism Act 2000 and who has not disavowed terrorism within the meaning given to that expression by that Act before taking his or her seat in the said House or Assembly shall be disqualified from membership of the House of Commons and the Northern Ireland Assembly'.—(Mr William Cash.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made.

The Committee divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Douglas Hogg, Mr Eric Forth: 19.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Mike Hall, Mrs Anne McGuire: 280.

Another Amendment (No. 1) proposed, in page 1, line 9, at the end, to add the words—

‘(2A) This section shall come into force on a day to be appointed by an order made by the Secretary of State; and the Secretary of State shall not make such an order unless he has previously laid before both Houses of Parliament a statement in relation to the Belfast Agreement (Cm. 3883), stating that in his opinion and in the opinion of all parties to that Agreement all aspects of the Agreement have been implemented.

(2B) No order shall be made under subsection (2A) unless a draft of the order has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.'.—(Mr Eric Forth.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made.

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The Committee divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John Randall, Mr Peter Atkinson: 118.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Robert Ainsworth, Mr Graham Allen: 282.

Another Amendment (No. 2) proposed, in page 1, line 9, at the end, to add the words—

‘(2A) This section shall come into force on a day to be appointed by an order made by the Secretary of State; and the Secretary of State shall not make such an order unless he is satisfied that Members of the House of Lords and the House of Commons are qualified for membership of either House of the legislature of the Republic of Ireland.'.—(Mr Eric Forth.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made.

Wednesday 26th January 2000

Question put.

The Committee divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Desmond Swayne, Mr Michael Fabricant: 13.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Clive Betts, Jim Dowd: 243.

Another Amendment (No. 6) proposed, in page 1, line 9, at the end, to add the words—

‘(3) At the end insert “is a Minister in the government of any country or territory outside the United Kingdom; or”.'.—(Mr William Ross.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made.

The Committee divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John Randall, Mr Roy Beggs: 25.

Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Anne McGuire, Mr Don Touhig: 224.

The Chairman, being of the opinion that the principle of the Clause and any matters arising thereon had been adequately discussed in the course of debate on the Amendments proposed thereto, put forthwith the Question, pursuant to Standing Order No. 68 (Debate on clause or schedule standing part), That the Clause stand part of the Bill.

The Committee divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mrs Anne McGuire, Mr Don Touhig: 221.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr John Randall, Mr Roy Beggs: 24.

Clause No. 2 (Disqualification for Ministerial office in Northern Ireland).

Amendment (No. 21) proposed, in page 1, line 13, after the word ‘Minister', to insert the words ‘Presiding Officer or Deputy Presiding Officer'.—(Mr William Ross.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made.

The Committee divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Eric Forth, Mr William Thompson: 33.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr Clive Betts: 202.

Another Amendment (No. 3) proposed, in page 1, line 16, at the end, to insert the words ‘or a member of either House of the legislature of the Republic of Ireland'.—(Mr Eric Forth.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made.

The Committee divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Eric Forth, Mr David Maclean: 13.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr Kevin Hughes: 234.

The Chairman, being of opinion that the principle of the Clause and any matters arising thereon had been adequately discussed in the course of debate on the Amendments proposed thereto, put forthwith the Question, pursuant to Standing Order No. 68 (Debate on clause or schedule standing part), That the Clause stand part of the Bill.

The Committee divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Graham Allen, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe: 228.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Eric Forth, Mr David Maclean: 22.

Clause No. 3 (Consequential repeal).

Question put, That the Clause stand part of the Bill.

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The Committee divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mike Hall, Jim Dowd: 318.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Maclean, Mr Peter Bottomley: 16.

Clause No. 4 agreed to.

A Clause (Disqualification from ministerial office in United Kingdom)—(Mr William Ross)—brought up and read the first time.

Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.

The Committee divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, The Reverend Martin Smyth, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 173.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Greg Pope, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe: 309.

Another Clause (Salaries)—(Mr William Ross)—brought up and read the first time.

Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.

The Committee divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr William Ross, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 139.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Graham Allen, Mr Don Touhig: 337.

Bill to be reported.


The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair; and Mr Mike Hall reported, That the Committee had gone through the Bill and directed him to report the same, without Amendment.

A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That the Bill be read the third time;

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr Don Touhig: 326.

Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Peter Atkinson: 141.

So the Question was agreed to.

The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.

10Terms and Conditions of Employment,—Ordered, That the Transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 1999 be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.—(Mr Kevin Hughes.)

11Census,—Ordered, That:—

(1) the draft Census Order 2000, which was laid before this House on 10th January, be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and

(2) if, after the Committee has reported the Instrument to the House, the Motion in the name of Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer relating to the draft Order is made, the Speaker shall put forthwith—

(i) the Questions on any amendments to the Motion which she has selected and which may then be moved, and

(ii) the Question on the Motion, or on the Motion as amended;

and such questions may be decided at any hour, though opposed.—(Mr Kevin Hughes.)

12Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Jonathan Sayeed reported from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Local Government Best Value (Exemption) (England) Order 2000.

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

13Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Bill O'Brien reported from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 49) on the 1999/2000 Special Grant for Kosovan Evacuees (House of Commons Paper No. 115).

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

14Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Kevin Hughes.)

And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till nine minutes to Eight o'clock on Wednesday evening, adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 7.51 p.m.


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APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Tuesday 25th January 2000:

1Environment, Transport and the Regions,—Government Response to the Sixteenth Report from the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee, Session 1998–99, on Multilateral Environmental Agreements [by Command] [Cm. 4577] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

2Social Security (Administration),—Account of the Social Fund for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 191] [Clerk of the House].

Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Wednesday 26th January 2000:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

3Trade Marks,—(1) Trade Marks (Fees) Rules 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 137),

(2) Trade Marks (International Registration) (Amendment) Order 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 138), and

(3) Trade Marks Rules 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 136),

dated 23rd January 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].

Other Papers:

4Appropriation Accounts, 1998–99,—Appropriation Accounts of the sums granted by Parliament for Class IX (Education and Employment) for 1998–99 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 11-IX] [Mr Stephen Timms].

5Culture, Media and Sport,—Government Response to the Fourth Report from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Session 1998–99, on Staging International Sporting Events [by Command] [Cm. 4575] [Mr Secretary Smith].

6Defence Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 166] [Mr Secretary Hoon].

7Environment, Transport and the Regions,—Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Departmental Minute, dated 20th January 2000, concerning a contingent liability consequent upon the proposed indemnification of ship owners or operators under the NATO Marine War Risks Insurance Scheme [by Command] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

8Exchange Equalisation,—Exchange Equalisation Account for 1997–98, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon, together with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the Exchange Equalisation Accounts for 1995–96 and 1996–97 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 9] [Miss Melanie Johnson].

9Public Accounts,—Treasury Minute on the Thirty-ninth and Fortieth Reports from the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 1998–99 [by Command] [Cm. 4576] [Mr Stephen Timms].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Bill,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Jim Cunningham an additional Chairman of Standing Committee F in respect of the Bill.

2Draft Immigration (Regularisation Period for Overstayers) Regulations 2000:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the First 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.: Jackie Ballard, Mr Stephen Day, Mr Michael Foster, Mr Mike Hall, Mr Doug Henderson, Mr Simon Hughes, Mr Alan Keen, Mr David Kidney, Mr Tom Levitt, Mr David Lidington, Mrs Barbara Roche, Mr Martin Salter, Dr Phyllis Starkey, Mr Peter Temple-Morris, Sir Raymond Whitney and Mr David Wilshire.

3Draft Grants to the Churches Conservation Trust Order 2000:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mrs Irene Adams Chairman; and

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(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: John Austin, Mr. A. J. Beith, Mr Harold Best, Mrs Ann Cryer, Jim Dowd, Mr Frank Field, Mr Alan Howarth, Ms Jenny Jones, Mr David Lepper, Fiona Mactaggart, Mr John Randall, Mr Alan Simpson, Mr Richard Spring, Mr Peter Viggers, Mr Charles Wardle and Steve Webb.

4Draft Films (Modification of the Definition of “British Film”) Order 2000:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Mike Hancock Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Richard Allan, Janet Anderson, Mr Harry Cohen, Mr David Crausby, Mr Lawrence Cunliffe, Jim Dowd, Mr Ronnie Fearn, Mrs Eileen Gordon, Fiona Mactaggart, Mr Alan Meale, Mr John Randall, Mr Andrew Reed, Miss Geraldine Smith, Mr Richard Spring, Mr Ian Taylor and Mr Andrew Tyrie.

5Draft Competition Act 1998 (Land and Vertical Agreements Exclusion) Order 2000, and the draft Competition Act 1998 (Determination of Turnover for Penalties) Order 2000:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Orders to the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Jim Cunningham Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Ms Diane Abbott, Norman Baker, Sir Paul Beresford, Mr Ben Chapman, Mr Michael Connarty, Mr Brian Cotter, Mr Clive Efford, Mr Bill Etherington, Mr Nick Gibb, Mr Nigel Griffiths, Mr John Horam, Dr Kim Howells, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Tom Pendry, Mr Greg Pope and Mr Tony Worthington.

6Draft Local Government Best Value (Exemption) (England) Order 2000,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Ms Hazel Blears and Mr Doug Henderson from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Mrs Llin Golding and Mr Jon Owen Jones.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

Reports made on Tuesday 25th January:

1Deregulation,—First Special Report from the Deregulation Committee [Government Response to the First Special Report from the Committee, Session 1998–99 on the Future of the Deregulation Procedure]; to be printed [No. 177] [Mr Peter L. Pike].

2Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment Sub-Committee of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee [the Audit Commission]; to be printed [No. 174-i] [Mr Andrew F. Bennett].

3Foreign Affairs,—First Report from the Foreign Affairs Committee [Annual Report on Human Rights 1999] together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 41] [Mr Donald Anderson].

4Home Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Home Affairs Committee [the Double Jeopardy Rule]; to be printed [No. 190-i] [Mr Robin Corbett].

5Statutory Instruments,—Seventh Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, together with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 47-vii] [Mr David Tredinnick].

6Trade and Industry,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Trade and Industry Committee [The Work of Ofgem]; to be printed [No. 193-i] [Mr Martin O'Neill].

Reports made on Wednesday 26th January:

1Education and Employment,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Employment Sub-Committee of the Education and Employment Committee [Employability and Jobs: Is there a Jobs Gap?/New Deal]; to be printed [No. 60-iv] [Mr Derek Foster].

2Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee [UK Climate Change Programme]; to be printed [No. 194-i] [Mr Andrew F. Bennett]; and

(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Sub-Committee of the Committee [Light Rapid Transit Systems]; to be printed [No. 153-ii] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].

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3European Scrutiny,—Sixth Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 23-vi] [Mr Jimmy Hood].

4Northern Ireland Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee [Public Expenditure—Inward Investment in Northern Ireland]; to be printed [No. 198-i] [Mr Peter Brooke].

5Social Security,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Social Security Committee [Medical Services]; to be printed [No. 183-ii] [Mr Archy Kirkwood].

6Trade and Industry,—(1) Third Special Report from the Trade and Industry Committee [Further Government Observations on the Fourteenth Report from the Trade and Industry Committee, Session 1998–99, on The Draft Electronic Communications Bill]; to be printed [No. 199]; and

(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Application for Support from ECGD for UK participation in the Ilisu Dam Project]; to be printed [No. 200-i]

[Mr Martin O'Neill].

7Treasury,—(1) First Special Report from the Treasury Committee [Government Response to the Tenth Report from the Committee, Session 1998–99, on The Valuation Office Agency]; to be printed [No. 197]; and

(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The Private Finance Initiative]; to be printed [No. 147-iii]

[Mr Giles Radice].


[No. 32; WH, No. 17]

Tuesday 25th January 2000.

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 Gerry Sutcliffe.)

And accordingly the Sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 12.59 p.m.


[No. 32; WH, No. 18]

Wednesday 26th January 2000.

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

The Sitting commenced at four minutes to Ten o'clock.

1Adjournment,—Resolved, That the Sitting be now adjourned.—(Mr David Clelland.)

And accordingly the Sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 1.57 p.m.


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[No. 33.]

Thursday 27th January 2000.

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

PRAYERS.

1Baxi Partnership Limited Trusts Bill [Lords],—The House proceeded to consider the Baxi Partnership Limited Trusts Bill [Lords], as amended in the Committee.

Amendments made to the Bill.

Bill to be read the third time.

2Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar (Eriskay Causeway) Order Confirmation Bill,—Mr Secretary Reid presented a Bill to confirm a Provisional Order under Section 7 of the Private Legislation Procedure (Scotland) Act 1936, relating to Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar (Eriskay Causeway): And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be considered on Wednesday 2nd February and to be printed [Bill 52].

3Private Bills [Lords] (No Standing Order not previously enquired into applicable),—The Speaker laid upon the Table a Report from one of the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills, That, in the case of the following Bills, originating in the Lords and referred after the First Readings thereof, no Standing Order not previously enquired into is applicable thereto, viz.:

Kent County Council Bill [Lords]

Medway Council Bill [Lords]

Bills to be read a second time.

4Immigration (Port of Entry) (Amendment) Bill,—The Order for reading the Immigration (Port of Entry) (Amendment) Bill a second time on Friday 4th February was read and discharged.

Bill to be read a second time on Friday 21st July.

5Fire Prevention Bill,—Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Fire Prevention Bill be printed [Bill 28–EN].

6Postal Services Bill,—Mr Secretary Byers, supported by Mr Secretary Prescott, Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Secretary Milburn, Mr Secretary Darling, Mr Secretary Reid, Mr Secretary Murphy, Mr Secretary Mandelson, and Mr Alan Johnson, presented a Bill to establish the Postal Services Commission and the Consumer Council for Postal Services; to provide for the licensing of certain postal services and for a universal postal service; to provide for the vesting of the property, rights and liabilities of the Post Office in a company nominated by the Secretary of State and for the subsequent dissolution of the Post Office; to make further provision in relation to postal services; 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 54].

Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Postal Services Bill be printed [Bill 54–EN].

7Financial Services and Markets Bill,—Ordered, That the Financial Services and Markets Bill, as amended, be considered in the following order, namely, Amendments to Schedule 1 relating to the separation of the roles of chairman and chief executive of the Financial Services Authority; Amendments to paragraph 7 of that Schedule requiring the complaints scheme to make provision for complaints to be investigated quickly; Amendments to paragraph 8 of that Schedule; Amendments to paragraph 19 of that Schedule; New Clauses relating to the legal assistance scheme; New Clauses relating to reports by the Director General of Fair Trading; New Clauses relating to restrictions on powers of Treasury; New Clauses relating to conduct by the Authority of reviews of rules made under Part IX; New Clauses relating to judicial review; Amendments to Clause 52; Amendments to Clause 10; remaining New Clauses; remaining amendments to Clauses; New Schedules; remaining amendments to Schedules.—(Miss Melanie Johnson.)

8Financial Services and Markets (Ways and Means) (No. 2),—Resolved, That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Financial Services and Markets Bill, it is expedient to authorise—

(a) the imposition of charges to income tax and corporation tax by provisions of that Act relating to the treatment for the purposes of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 of payments made to any person as a result of any provision made by the Financial Services Authority for the distribution of money repaid to it by the Lord Chancellor in respect of the legal assistance scheme;

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(b) the imposition by the Authority on authorised persons of requirements to make payments to it in connection with the legal assistance scheme;

(c) payments into the Consolidated Fund.—(Mr Stephen Timms.)

9Financial Services and Markets Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Financial Services and Markets Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee.

Amendment (No. 19) proposed to the Bill, in page 196, line 24, at the end, to insert the words—

‘(aa) a chief executive; and'.—(Mr David Heathcoat-Amory.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Another Amendment (No. 480) made to the Bill.

Another Amendment (No. 32) proposed to the Bill, in page 198, line 36, at the end, to insert the words ‘; and

(iv) to recommend to the Authority the award of such sum as appears to him to be fair and reasonable in all the circumstances of the case in relation to any maladministration by the Authority.'.—(Mr David Heathcoat-Amory.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made.

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Keith Simpson, Mr John Randall: 141.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Clive Betts, Mr Greg Pope: 267.

Other Amendments (Nos. 437 to 441) made to the Bill.

Another Amendment (No. 33) proposed to the Bill, in page 201, line 39, after the word ‘faith', to insert the words ‘or due to recklessness'.—(Mr David Heathcoat-Amory.)

Question, That the Amendment be made, put and negatived.

A Clause (Legal assistance scheme)—(Mr Stephen Timms)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

Another Clause (Provisions of the legal assistance scheme)—(Mr Stephen Timms)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

Another Clause (Funding of the legal assistance scheme)—(Mr Stephen Timms)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

Another Clause (Tax treatment of levies and repayments)—(Mr Stephen Timms)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

Another Clause (Reports by Director General of Fair Trading)—(Miss Melanie Johnson)—brought up, and read the first time.

Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Jamieson, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe: 282.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Keith Simpson, Mr John Randall: 124.

Clause added to the Bill.

Another Clause (Consideration by competition commission)—(Miss Melanie Johnson)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

Another Clause (Role of the Treasury)—(Mr Stephen Timms)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

Another Clause (Misleading the Director General of Fair Trading)—(Mr Stephen Timms)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

Another Clause (Restrictions on powers of Treasury)—(Mr David Heathcoat-Amory)—brought up, and read the first time.

Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:—Clause, by leave, withdrawn.

Ordered, That further consideration of the Bill be now adjourned.—(Mr Gerry Sutcliffe.)

Bill to be further considered to-morrow.

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10Local Government Finance,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 49) on the 1999–2000 Special Grant for Kosovan Evacuees (House of Commons Paper No. 115), which was laid before this House on 20th December, be approved—(Mr Gerry Sutcliffe):—It was agreed to.

11Local Government,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Local Government Best Value (Exemption) (England) Order 2000, which was laid before this House on 11th January, be approved—(Mr Gerry Sutcliffe):—It was agreed to.

12Business of the House,—Ordered, That for the remainder of the present session, the Order [24th May 1999] relating to sittings in Westminster Hall shall have effect with the addition at the end of paragraph (4) of the following words

”(4A) Any member of the Chairmen's Panel may also take the chair at a sitting in Westminster Hall when so requested by the Chairman of Ways and Means, with the duties and powers conferred by that order on additional Deputy Speakers; and Members so appointed shall be addressed by name.”—(Mr Gerry Sutcliffe.)

13Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Gerry Sutcliffe.)

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

14Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Gerry Sutcliffe.)

And the Motion having been made at Seven o'clock on Thursday 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 half-past Seven o'clock, till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 7.30 p.m.


APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1Local Government Finance,—(1) Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 52),

(2) Local Government Finance Report (England) 1998–99: Amending Report 2000, and

(3) Local Government Finance Report (England) 2000–01

[by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 161, 162 and 160] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

2Police,—(1) Police Grant Report (England and Wales) 1998–99: Amending Report 2000–01, and

(2) Police Grant Report (England and Wales) 2000–01

[by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 170 and 169] [Mr Secretary Straw].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

3Public Order (Northern Ireland),—Public Order (Prescribed Forms) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 155), dated 25th January 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Mandelson].

4Social Security,—Social Security and Child Support (Decisions and Appeals) Amendment Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 119), dated 20th January 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling].

5Telecommunications,—Telecommunications (Data Protection and Privacy) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 157), dated 25th January 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers].

Other Papers:

6Armed Forces,—Army Act 1955 (Part I) (Regular Army) (Amendment) Regulations 2000, dated 19th January 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Hoon].

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7Children,—Report for 1995–99 by the Secretary of State for Health, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment and the Lord Chancellor, on the Children Act 1989 pursuant to section 83(6) of that Act [by Command] [Cm. 4579] [Mr Secretary Milburn].

8Defence Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the—

(1) Defence Transport and Movements Executive,

(2) Military Survey Defence Agency, and

(3) Naval Manning Agency

for 1998–99, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 132, 152, and 156] [Mr Secretary Hoon].

9Gas Levy,—Accounts prepared pursuant to section 6(3) of the Gas Levy Act 1981 for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 202] [Clerk of the House].

10International Labour Conference,—Paper, entitled International Labour Conference: Presentation of, and the proposed action by Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on, a Convention (No. 182) and a Recommendation (No. 190) on the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour, adopted at the 87th Session of the International Labour Conference (1999) [by Command] [Cm. 4574] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].

11National Heritage (Scotland),—Accounts of the National Galleries of Scotland for 1998–99, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 203] [Clerk of the House].

12Organisation on Security and Co-operation in Europe,—(1) Istanbul Documents 1999, and

(2) Vienna Document 1999 of the Negotiations on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures, done at Istanbul on 16th November 1999

[by Command] [Cm. 4560 and 4559] [Mr Secretary Cook].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1Draft National Assembly of Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 2000:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Bowen Wells Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Nick Ainger, Mr Martin Caton, Ann Clwyd, Mr Huw Edwards, Mr Nigel Evans, Paul Flynn, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Richard Livsey, Mr Elfyn Llwyd, Miss Anne McIntosh, Ms Julie Morgan, Mr Paul Murphy, Sir Raymond Powell, Mr Andrew Robathan, Mr Llew Smith and Mr Don Touhig.

2Draft Census Order 2000:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Jim Cunningham Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Graham Allen, Mr John Cryer, Mr John Cummings, Mr Edward Davey, Mr Denzil Davies, Mr David Heath, Miss Melanie Johnson, Mr Oliver Letwin, Mr Stephen Pound, Mr Syd Rapson, Mr Allan Rogers, Joan Ryan, Mr Keith Simpson, Mr Marsha Singh, Mr Desmond Swayne and Mr David Tredinnick.

3Transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 3323):

(1) The Speaker has allocated the Regulations to the Seventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mrs Marion Roe Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Norman Baker, Mrs Angela Browning, Mrs Anne Campbell, Mr Brian Cotter, Mr Lindsay Hoyle, Mr Alan Johnson, Dr Ashok Kumar, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Richard Page, Mr Kerry Pollard, Mr Greg Pope, Mr Anthony Steen, Mr Stephen Twigg, Mr Bill Tynan, Mrs Betty Williams and Mr Mike Wood.

4Draft Immigration (Regularisation Period for Overstayers) Regulations 2000,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Dr Phyllis Starkey from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations); and nominated in substitution Mr Jonathan R. Shaw.

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5Draft Competition Act 1998 (Land and Vertical Agreements Exclusion) Order 2000, and the draft Competition Act 1998 (Determination of Turnover for Penalties) Order 2000,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Michael Connarty from the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Orders); and nominated in substitution Mr Roger Godsiff.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1Culture, Media and Sport,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [Wembley National Stadium]; to be printed [No. 164-ii] [Mr John Maxton].

2Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence [UK Climate Change Programme]; to be printed [No. 194-ii] [Mr Andrew F. Bennett].

3European Scrutiny,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the European Scrutiny Committee [The Forthcoming Inter-Governmental Conference]; to be printed [No. 97-iv] [Mr Jimmy Hood].

4Health,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Health Committee [The Tobacco Industry and the Health Risks of Smoking]; to be printed [No. 27-vi] [Mr David Hinchliffe].

5International Development,—Second Report from the International Development Committee [The Future of Sanctions], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 67] [Mr Bowen Wells].


[No. 33; WH, No. 19]

Thursday 27th January 2000.

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

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

1Adjournment (Prison Service (Northern Ireland)),—Resolved, That the Sitting be now adjourned.—(Mr Clive Betts.)

And accordingly the Sitting was adjourned till Tuesday 1st February.

[Adjourned at 5.02 p.m.


[No. 34.]

Friday 28th January 2000.

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

PRAYERS.

1Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill,—Mr Secretary Straw, supported by the Prime Minister, Mr Secretary Blunkett, Mr Secretary Milburn, Mr Secretary Mandelson, Mr Secretary Reid, Mr Secretary Murphy and Mr Paul Boateng, presented a Bill to reduce the age at which, and to make provision with respect to the circumstances in which, certain sexual acts are lawful; to make it an offence for a person aged 18 or over to engage in sexual activity with or directed towards a person under that age if he is in a position of trust in relation to that person; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Monday 31st January and to be printed [Bill 55].

Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill be printed [Bill 55–EN].

2Medical Treatment (Prevention of Euthanasia) Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Medical Treatment (Prevention of Euthanasia) Bill;

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

Mrs Ann Winterton rose in her place and claimed to move, That the Question be now put;

And the Question being put, That the Question be now put;

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The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, The Reverend Martin Smyth, Mr Joe Benton: 113.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Crispin Blunt, Mr Joe Ashton: 2.

So the Question was agreed to.

And the Question being accordingly put, That the Bill be now read a second time:—It was agreed to.

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

3Protection of Animals (Amendment) Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Bill;

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

And it being half-past Two o'clock, the Debate stood adjourned.

Ordered, That the Debate be resumed on Friday 19th May.

4Scottish Adjacent Waters Boundaries (Amendment) Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Scottish Adjacent Waters Boundaries (Amendment) Bill;

Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Friday 14th April.

5Business of the House,—Ordered, That, at the sitting on Thursday 3rd February, notwithstanding Standing Order No. 16 (Proceedings under an Act or on European Union documents), the Speaker shall—

(i) put the Questions on any Motions in the name of Mr Secretary Straw relating to Police Grant Reports (England and Wales) not later than Four o'clock; and

(ii) put the Questions on any Motions in the name of Mr Secretary Prescott relating to Local Government (Finance) not later than Seven o'clock.—(Mr David Jamieson.)

6Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr David Jamieson.)

And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till three minutes to Three o'clock, adjourned till Monday 31st January.

[Adjourned at 2.57 p.m.


APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1Inheritance Tax,—Inheritance Tax (Settled Property Income Yield) Order 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 174), dated 27th January 2000 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].

Other Papers:

2Competition Commission,—Report by the Competition Commission on the supply in the UK of ice cream purchased for immediate consumption [by Command] [Cm. 4510] [Mr Secretary Byers].

3Home Affairs,—Government Response to the Third Report from the Home Affairs Committee, Session 1998–99, on Accountability of the Security Service [by Command] [Cm. 4588] [Mr Secretary Straw].

4Intelligence Services,—Government Response to the Report of the Intelligence and Security Committee for 1998–99 [by Command] [Cm. 4569] [The Prime Minister].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

Draft National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 2000,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Ms Julie Morgan from the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Mr John Smith.



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