Session 1999-2000 |
Commons Journal 256
Chronological Index
Page 336 1999-2000 Volume 256 [No. 85.] Monday 17th April 2000. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
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 Finance Bill because its 558 pages impose more complex regulations, introduce further taxes and fail to reverse the increasing burdens of taxation on families, on homeowners, on motorists, on consumers, on savers and on businesses', instead thereof.(Mr David Heathcoat-Amory.) And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mr Peter Atkinson: 136. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr David Jamieson: 342. 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. Ordered, That (1) Clauses Nos. 1, 12, 30, 31, 59, 102 and 113 be committed to a Committee of the whole House; (2) The remainder of the Bill be committed to a Standing Committee; (3) When the provisions of the Bill considered, respectively, by the Committee of the whole House and by the Standing Committee have been reported to the House, the Bill be proceeded with as if the Bill had been reported as a whole to the House from the Standing Committee(Dawn Primarolo):It was agreed to. Committee to-morrow.
The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr David Jamieson: 305. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mr Peter Atkinson: 170. So the Question was agreed to. Page 337 Monday 17th April 2000 1999-2000 Volume 256 Back to top Resolved, That this House takes note of European Union Document No. 5761/00, a White Paper on Food Safety in the European Union; and supports the Government's view that consumer concerns and the complexity of current arrangements demand urgent action to develop a coherent EU policy for the foodstuffs sector; to this end, welcomes the establishment of a European Food Authority; and notes the Government's commitment to identifying the most appropriate terms and structure for such an Authority with the objective of improving and enhancing food safety and the associated EU regulatory process.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till five minutes to Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 10.55 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) Local Authorities (Goods and Services) (Public Bodies) (No. 2) Order 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1027), dated 10th April 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
(2) Transport for London (Preliminary Arrangements) Order 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1045), dated 13th April 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
Other Papers:
APPENDIX II Standing Committees
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
Page 338 Monday 17th April 2000 1999-2000 Volume 256 Back to top
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Courts Funds OfficeFunds in Court: Unclaimed Balances: Public Trust Office Accounts 1998-99]; to be printed [No. 439-i] [Mr David Davis].
[No. 86.] Tuesday 18th April 2000. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
Ordered, That the Bill be read the third time on Tuesday 2nd May.
Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Tuesday 2nd May.
Bill, not amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow. Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 446].
Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Bill [Lords],The Lords have passed a Bill to consolidate certain enactments relating to the powers of courts to deal with offenders and defaulters and to the treatment of such persons, with amendments to give effect to recommendations of the Law Commission and the Scottish Law Commission; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.
Page 339 Tuesday 18th April 2000 1999-2000 Volume 256 Back to top
Resolved, That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Postal Services Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any expenditure incurred in consequence of the Act by the body to be known as the Postal Services Commission.(Mrs Anne McGuire.)
A Clause (Subsidy for public post offices)(Mr Secretary Byers)brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill. Another Clause (Recovery of costs of the Council etc.)(Mr Alan Johnson)brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill. Another Clause (Application of customs and excise enactments to certain postal packets)(Mr Alan Johnson)brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill. Another Clause (Power to detain postal packets containing contraband)(Mr Secretary Byers)brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill. Another Clause (Tax)(Mr Secretary Byers)brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill. Amendment (No. 60) proposed to the Bill, in page 4, line 36, to leave out £1' and to insert 50p'.(Mr Richard Page.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Amendments (Nos. 30 to 33, 1 to 9, 34, 10, 11, 35, 12 to 18, 79 to 81, 36 to 38 and 19 to 22) made to the Bill. And it being Ten o'clock, further consideration of the Bill stood adjourned.
Another Amendment (No. 75) proposed to the Bill, in page 62, line 16, at the end to insert the words and (c) make provision for any person to seek and secure any reasonable correction in their details.'(Mr Richard Page.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Other Amendments (Nos. 39 to 43, 82, and 44 to 47) made to the Bill. A Schedule (Transfer to the Post Office Company: Tax)(Mr Clive Betts)brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill. Other Amendments (Nos. 48, 83, 84, 23 to 28, 85, 49, 29, 50 to 53, 86, 87, 54 and 88) made to the Bill. A Motion being made, That the Bill be now read the third time; Mr Secretary Byers, by Her Majesty's Command, acquainted the House, That Her Majesty, having been informed of the purport of the Bill, gives her consent, as far as Her Majesty's interest is concerned, That the House may do therein as it shall think fit. And the Question being put:It was agreed to. The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.
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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 six minutes to Twelve o'clock, till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 11.54 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table. Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) Financing of Maintained Schools (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1090), dated 17th April 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. Other Papers
APPENDIX II Reports from Select Committees
Page 341 Tuesday 18th April 2000 1999-2000 Volume 256 Back to top (2) Memoranda laid before the Environment Sub-Committee of the Committee [UK Biodiversity]; to be printed [No. 441-II] [Mr Andrew F. Bennett].
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Banking]; to be printed [No. 443-i] [Mr Giles Radice]. [No. 86; WH, No. 51.] Tuesday 18th April 2000. The House sitting in Westminster Hall [pursuant to Order of 24th May 1999]. The sitting commenced at Ten o'clock.
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 12.59 p.m. [No. 87.] Wednesday 19th April 2000. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
Ordered, That the Bill be further considered on Wednesday 3rd May.
Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered upon Friday 5th May; and to be printed [Bill 118]. Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 448]. Page 342 Wednesday 19th April 2000 1999-2000 Volume 256 Back to top
A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the Bill be re-committed to the former Committee(Mrs Angela Browning); 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. 74 (Re-committal of bill). The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Keith Simpson: 137. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Tony McNulty, Mr Robert Ainsworth: 282. So the Question was negatived. The House accordingly proceeded to consider the Bill. A Clause (Interpretation)(Mrs Helen Liddell)brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill. Another Clause (Sources of electricity generation)(Mr Nick Gibb)brought up and read the first time. Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:Clause, by leave, withdrawn. Amendment (No. 22) proposed to the Bill, in page 6, line 15, to leave out the words wherever appropriate'.(Mr Nick Gibb.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made; And it being Seven o'clock, and there being Private Business set down by direction of the Chairman of Ways and Means under Standing Order No. 20 (Time for taking private business), further proceedings stood postponed, but no Motion being made for the Second Reading of the Mersey Tunnels Bill, the House again proceeded to consider the Utilities Bill. Question again proposed, That the Amendment (No. 22) be made:Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Another Amendment (No. 24) proposed to the Bill, in page 8, line 2, after the word Parliament', to insert the words together with an impact assessment of the extent to which any additional costs incurred by the Authority, Council or licence holders consequent on implementing the guidance will be passed on to consumers.', instead thereof.(Mr Nick Gibb.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Amendments (Nos. 1 and 2) made to the Bill. Another Amendment (No. 28) proposed to the Bill, in page 48, line 36, at the end, to insert the words Page 343 Wednesday 19th April 2000 1999-2000 Volume 256 Back to top (c) to facilitate the development of embedded generation; (d) to support the achievement of the Government's national renewable energy targets by facilitating small-scale renewable generation through net metering.'.(Mr Andrew Stunell.) Question put, That the Amendment be made. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Heath, Dr Jenny Tonge: 31. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe, Mr Tony McNulty: 261. Another Amendment (No. 26) proposed to the Bill, in page 54, line 46, at the end, to insert the words (9) No penalty fixed by the Authority under this section may exceed 5 per cent. of the turnover of the licence holder (determined in accordance with such provisions as may be specified in an order made by the Secretary of State).'.(Mr Nick Gibb.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Another Amendment (No. 3) proposed to the Bill, in page 60, to leave out lines 37 to 40.(Mr Greg Pope.) Question put, That the Amendment be made. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe, Mrs Anne McGuire: 260. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Andrew Stunell, Mr David Heath: 30. Another Amendment (No. 4) made to the Bill. Ordered, That Clause No. 107 be transferred to the end of line 29 on page 76.(Mr Greg Pope.) Another Amendment (No. 6) made to the Bill. Ordered, That Clause No. 108 be transferred to the end of line 7 on page 36.(Mr Greg Pope.) Other Amendments (Nos. 8 to 10) made to the Bill. Another Amendment (No. 39) proposed to the Bill, in page 117, line 28, at the end, to insert the words (2A) The Council shall maintain staff in each region for which there is a Government Office for the Regions.'.(Mr Jim Cousins.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Other Amendments (Nos. 11 to 21) made to the Bill. Title accordingly amended, as follows: A Bill to provide for the establishment and functions of the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority, and the Gas and Electricity Consumer Council; to amend the legislation regulating the gas and electricity industries; and for connected purposes. The Bill was read the third time and passed.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till eleven minutes to Ten o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 9.49 p.m. Page 344 Wednesday 19th April 2000 1999-2000 Volume 256 Back to top APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) Education (Student Support) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1121), dated 18th April 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
(2) Retirement Benefits Schemes (Restriction on Discretion to Approve) (Excepted Provisions) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1087), (3) Retirement Benefits Schemes (Restriction on Discretion to Approve) (Small Self-administered Schemes) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1086), and (4) Retirement Benefits Schemes (Sharing of Pensions on Divorce or Annulment) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1085), dated 14th April 2000 [by Act] [Miss Melanie Johnson].
(2) Woolwich Ferry Order 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1044), dated 12th April 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
(2) Pension Sharing (Implementation and Discharge of Liability) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1053), (3) Pension Sharing (Pension Credit Benefit) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1054), (4) Pension Sharing (Safeguarded Rights) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1055), (5) Pension Sharing (Valuation) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1052), (6) Pensions on Divorce etc. (Charging) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1049), (7) Pensions on Divorce etc. (Pension Sharing) (Scotland) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1051), and (8) Pensions on Divorce etc. (Provision of Information) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1048), dated 13th April 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling].
(2) Social Security (National Insurance Number Information: Exemption) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 1082), dated 17th April 2000 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling]. Other Papers:
(1) The Occupational Health and Safety Agency for 1st April18th September 1996, and Page 345 Wednesday 19th April 2000 1999-2000 Volume 256 Back to top (2) Recruitment and Assessment Services for 1st April30th September 1996 with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 249 and 250] [Marjorie Mowlam].
(1) Financial Management of the European Union, and (2) Managing reductions in the number of vacant family quarters [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 437 and 435] [Clerk of the House].
APPENDIX II Standing Committees
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee A, and has appointed Mrs Ray Michie and Mr Bill O'Brien Chairmen; and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated twenty Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Robert Ainsworth, Hilary Armstrong, Mr Peter Atkinson, Sir Paul Beresford, Mr David Curry, Mrs Janet Dean, Mr Don Foster, Mr Patrick Hall, Mr David Hanson, Ms Beverley Hughes, Mr Brian Jenkins, Ms Sally Keeble, Mr Tim Loughton, Ms Margaret Moran, Ms Julie Morgan, Mr Adrian Sanders, Mr Phil Sawford, Mr Neil Turner, Mr Stephen Twigg and Mr Nigel Waterson.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee H, and has appointed Mr Frank Cook and Dr Michael Clark Chairmen; and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated thirty-eight Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Graham Allen, Norman Baker, Mr Harold Best, Mr John Burnett, Mr Roger Casale, Mr Ian Cawsey, Mr Michael Clapham, Mr Vernon Coaker, Mr Tony Colman, Mr Edward Davey, Mr Stephen Dorrell, Mr David Faber, Mr Howard Flight, Mr Barry Gardiner, Mr John Healey, Mr David Heathcoat-Amory, Mr Michael Jack, Miss Melanie Johnson, Mr Fraser Kemp, Mrs Jackie Lawrence, Mr Christopher Leslie, Mr Oliver Letwin, Judy Mallaber, Kali Mountford, Mr Richard Ottaway, Dr Nick Palmer, Mr Chris Pond, Dawn Primarolo, Mr Bill Rammell, Joan Ryan, Mr Nick St. Aubyn, Mr Keith Simpson, Mr Andrew Smith, Mr Andrew Stunell, Mr Stephen Timms, Mr Bill Tynan, Mr Andrew Tyrie and Ms Rosie Winterton.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr John Cummings Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Robert Ainsworth, Mr Peter Atkinson, Mr Ian Bruce, Mr John Burnett, Mr Denzil Davies, Mr Damian Green, Mr Nigel Griffiths, Mr John McDonnell, Mr Chris Mullin, Mr Lembit Opik, Mr Geoffrey Robinson, Mr Terry Rooney, Mr John Smith, Mr Peter Snape, Dr Gavin Strang and Mr David Wilshire. APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(2) Seventh Report from the Committee [Gulf Veterans' Illnesses], 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. 125]; (3) Eighth Report from the Committee [European Security and Defence], 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. 264]; Page 346 Wednesday 19th April 2000 1999-2000 Volume 256 Back to top (4) Seventh Special Report from the Committee [Government Observations on the Second Report of the Committee: Ministry of Defence Annual Reporting Cycle]; to be printed [No. 452]; (5) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Iraqi No Fly Zones]; to be printed [No. 453-i]; and (6) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee on 29th March [Lessons of Kosovo]; to be printed [No. 347-iii] [Mr Bruce George].
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Sub-Committee of the Committee [Road Safety]; to be printed [No. 449-i] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Public ExpenditureInward Investment in Northern Ireland]; to be printed [No. 198-vi] [Mr Peter Brooke].
[No. 87; WH, No. 52.] Wednesday 19th April 2000. The House sitting in Westminster Hall [pursuant to Order of 24th May 1999]. The sitting commenced at half-past Nine o'clock.
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till Tuesday 2nd May. [Adjourned at 1.59 p.m. [No. 88.] Thursday 20th April 2000. The House met at half-past Nine o'clock, pursuant to Order [23rd March]. PRAYERS.
(1) the receipts and payments in connection with the Fund in the year ended the 31st day of March 1999. (2) the distribution of the capital of the Fund at the commencement and close of the year; with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon(Mr Don Touhig.) Page 347 Thursday 20th April 2000 1999-2000 Volume 256 Back to top
And the Question being proposed; And it being Eleven o'clock, the Speaker interrupted the proceedings to permit a Ministerial statement to be made; And the Question being again proposed; And it being half-past Twelve o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put.
And it being One o'clock, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the House, without Question put, till Tuesday 2nd May, pursuant to Orders [1st and 23rd March]. [Adjourned at 1 p.m. APPENDIX Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
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