| Session 2000-2001 |
| Commons Journal 257
Chronological Index
Page 97 2000-2001 Volume 257 [No. 26.] Monday 29th January 2001. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
That the Committee takes note of European Union Document Nos. 9712/00 relating to the proposed Statute for Members of the European Parliament, and 9560/00 relating to the audit of the expenditure of the European Parliament's political groups; supports the Government's efforts to secure agreement on a Statute for Members of the European Parliament; and notes the Nice European Council's agreement on a legal basis for a Statute to regulate the funding of European political parties, as recommended by the Report of the Court of Auditors. Report, together with Resolution, to lie upon the Table.
Standing Committee 1. The Bill shall be committed to a Standing Committee. 2. The Standing Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the first day on which it shall meet. 3. Proceedings in the Standing Committee shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion on Thursday 8th March 2001. Consideration and Third Reading 4. Proceedings on consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at half past eight o'clock on the day on which those proceedings are commenced or, if that day is Thursday, at half past five o'clock on that day. 5. Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at ten o'clock on the day on which those proceedings are commenced or, if that day is Thursday, at seven o'clock on that day. 6. Sessional Order B (Programming Committees) made by the House on 7th November 2000 shall not apply to proceedings on consideration and Third Reading. Lords amendments and further messages from the Lords 7. Paragraphs (6) and (7) of Sessional Order A (varying and supplementing programme motions) made by the House on 7th November 2000 shall not apply to proceedings on any motion to vary or supplement this order for the purpose of allocating time to proceedings on consideration of any Lords amendments, or on any further messages from the Lords, and the question on any such motion shall be put forthwith—(Mr Mike Hall); And it being three-quarters of an hour after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion, the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Order [7th November]. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Jamieson, Mr Don Touhig: 286. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Stephen Day, Mr Keith Simpson: 137. So the Question was agreed to. Ordered, That the following provisions shall apply to the Criminal Justice and Police Bill: Page 98 Monday 29th January 2001 2000-2001 Volume 257 Back to top Standing Committee 1. The Bill shall be committed to a Standing Committee. 2. The Standing Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the first day on which it shall meet. 3. Proceedings in the Standing Committee shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion on Thursday 8th March 2001. Consideration and Third Reading 4. Proceedings on consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at half past eight o'clock on the day on which those proceedings are commenced or, if that day is Thursday, at half past five o'clock on that day. 5. Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at ten o'clock on the day on which those proceedings are commenced or, if that day is Thursday, at seven o'clock on that day. 6. Sessional Order B (Programming Committees) made by the House on 7th November 2000 shall not apply to proceedings on consideration and Third Reading. Lords amendments and further messages from the Lords 7. Paragraphs (6) and (7) of Sessional Order A (varying and supplementing programme motions) made by the House on 7th November 2000 shall not apply to proceedings on any motion to vary or supplement this order for the purpose of allocating time to proceedings on consideration of any Lords amendments, or on any further messages from the Lords, and the question on any such motion shall be put forthwith.
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 Criminal Justice and Police Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of— (a) any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State for or in connection with the carrying out of his functions under that Act; and (b) any increase attributable to that Act in the sums which are payable out of money so provided under any other Act—(Mr Graham Allen); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe, Mr Clive Betts: 298. Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Wilshire, Mr Eric Forth: 0. So the Question was agreed to.
(a) the imposition of charges to corporation tax by provisions of that Act relating to the treatment for the purposes of the Tax Acts of the Service Authority for the National Criminal Intelligence Service and the Service Authority for the National Crime Squad; and (b) the payment into the Consolidated Fund of sums paid to the Secretary of State by the Central Police Training and Development Authority—(Mr Mike Hall); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe, Mr Clive Betts: 291. Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Wilshire, Mr Eric Forth: 0. So the Question was agreed to.
Page 99 Monday 29th January 2001 2000-2001 Volume 257 Back to top
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till seven minutes to Twelve o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 11.53 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
(2) Local Government Finance Report (England) 2001–2002 [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 159 and 158] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) Terrorism Act 2000 (Code of Practice on Audio Recording of Interviews) (No. 2) Order 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 189), dated 26th January 2001, and (3) Terrorism Act 2000 (Crown Servants and Regulators) Regulations 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 192), dated 25th January 2001 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw].
Page 100 Monday 29th January 2001 2000-2001 Volume 257 Back to top Other Papers:
(1) I (Education and Employment), (2) IX (Trade and Industry and Export Credits Guarantee Department), and (3) XIV (Wales) for 1999–2000 [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 25-I, IX and XIV] [Mr Stephen Timms].
APPENDIX II Standing Committees
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
Page 101 Monday 29th January 2001 2000-2001 Volume 257 Back to top [No. 27.] Tuesday 30th January 2001. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
Bill, not amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow. Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 214].
Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 36]. Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 211].
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
1. The matter of human rights and equality in Northern Ireland, being a matter relating exclusively to Northern Ireland, be referred to the Northern Ireland Grand Committee; 2. The Committee shall meet at Westminster on Thursday 8th February at 2.30 p.m.; and 3. At that meeting— (a) the Committee shall take questions for oral answer; and shall then consider the matter of human rights and equality in Northern Ireland, referred to it under paragraph (1) above; (b) the Chairman shall interrupt proceedings at 5 p.m.; and (c) at the conclusion of those proceedings a Motion for the adjournment of the Committee may be moved by a Minister of the Crown pursuant to Standing Order No. 116(5) (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (sittings))—(Mr Greg Pope):—It was agreed to.
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 Deputy 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);—It was agreed to. Ordered,—That Dr Howard Stoate, Mr Gordon Marsden, Dr Phyllis Starkey, Ms Karen Buck, Mrs Diana Organ and Mr Desmond Turner do prepare and bring in the Bill.
Page 102 Tuesday 30th January 2001 2000-2001 Volume 257 Back to top Consideration and Third Reading 1. Proceedings on Consideration and Third Reading shall be completed at today's sitting. 2. Proceedings on Consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at half past Eight o'clock. 3. Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at Ten o'clock. 4. Sessional Order B (Programming Committees) made by the House on 7th November 2000 shall not apply to proceedings on Consideration and Third Reading. Consideration of Lords Amendments and further messages from the Lords 5. Paragraphs (6) and (7) of Sessional Order A (varying and supplementing programme motions) made by the House on 7th November 2000 shall not apply to proceedings on any programme motion to supplement this order or to vary it in relation to— (a) proceedings on Consideration of Lords Amendments; or (b) proceedings on any further messages from the Lords, and the question on any such motion shall be put forthwith—(Mr Charles Clarke); And it being three quarters of an hour after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion, Mr Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Order [7th November]. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Clelland, Mr Tony McNulty: 318. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Keith Simpson, Mr James Gray: 168. So the Question was agreed to. Ordered, That the following provisions shall apply to the Vehicles (Crime) Bill for the purpose of supplementing the Order of 18th December 2000: Consideration and Third Reading 1. Proceedings on Consideration and Third Reading shall be completed at today's sitting. 2. Proceedings on Consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at half past Eight o'clock. 3. Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at Ten o'clock. 4. Sessional Order B (Programming Committees) made by the House on 7th November 2000 shall not apply to proceedings on Consideration and Third Reading. Consideration of Lords Amendments and further messages from the Lords 5. Paragraphs (6) and (7) of Sessional Order A (varying and supplementing programme motions) made by the House on 7th November 2000 shall not apply to proceedings on any programme motion to supplement this order or to vary it in relation to— (a) proceedings on Consideration of Lords Amendments; or (b) proceedings on any further messages from the Lords, and the question on any such motion shall be put forthwith.
A Clause (Offence of making false statements)—(Mr Keith Hill)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill. Another Clause (Unified power for Secretary of State to fund speed cameras etc)—(Mr Keith Hill)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill. Another Clause (Identifying marks on vehicles)—(Mr David Chidgey) brought up and read the first time. Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:—Clause, by leave, withdrawn. Another Clause (Inspection of premises: Part II)—(Mr John Bercow)—brought up and read the first time. Motion made and Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time; And it being half-past Eight o'clock, the Deputy Speaker put the Question already proposed from the chair, pursuant to Order [7th November and this day]. Question put, That the Clause be read a second time. Page 103 Tuesday 30th January 2001 2000-2001 Volume 257 Back to top The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Keith Simpson, Mr James Gray: 118. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Tony McNulty, Mr Clive Betts: 326. So the Question was negatived. And it being after half past Eight o'clock, the Deputy Speaker proceeded to put forthwith the Questions on any amendments moved by a Minister of the Crown, pursuant to Order [7th November and this day]. Amendments (Nos.1 to 24, 43, 45, 25 and 46 to 54) made to the Bill. Title accordingly amended, as follows: A Bill to regulate motor salvage operators and registration plate suppliers; to make further provision for preventing or detecting vehicle crime; to enable the Secretary of State to make payments in respect of certain expenditure relating to vehicle crime; and for connected purposes. A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the Bill be now read the third time; And it being Ten o'clock, the Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Order [this day]:—It was agreed to. The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.
And the Motion having been made after Ten o'clock, and the Debate having continued for half an hour, the Speaker adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order, it being then twenty-nine minutes to Eleven o'clock, till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 10.31 p.m. APPENDIX I Other Papers:
APPENDIX II
Page 104 Tuesday 30th January 2001 2000-2001 Volume 257 Back to top
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(2) Third Report from the Committee [Recruiting Unemployed People], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Employment Sub-Committee of the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 48] [Mr Derek Foster]; (3) Fourth Report from the Committee [Higher Education (Access)], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education Sub-Committee of the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 205]; and (4) Memoranda laid before the Education Sub-Committee of the Committee [Higher Education (Access)] [Mr Barry Sheerman].
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Future Structure and Strategy of The British Council and Consequences of Spending Review for the BBC World Service]; to be printed [No. 210-i] [Mr Donald Anderson].
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Banking]; to be printed [No. 138-ii]; and (3) Memoranda laid before the Sub-Committee [HM Treasury] [Mr Giles Radice].
Page 105 Tuesday 30th January 2001 2000-2001 Volume 257 Back to top CHAIRMEN'S PANEL
[No. 26; WH, No. 14.] Tuesday 30th January 2001. The House sitting in Westminster Hall [pursuant to Order of 20th November 2000]. The sitting commenced at half-past Nine o'clock.
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 1.59 p.m. [No. 28.] Wednesday 31st January 2001. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
(1) the matter of Building Safer Communities in Wales be referred to the Welsh Grand Committee for its consideration; (2) the Committee shall meet on Tuesday 13th February at half-past Ten o'clock and between Four o'clock and Six o'clock at Westminster to take questions under Standing Order No. 103 (Welsh Grand Committee (questions for oral answer)), and to consider the matter of Building Safer Communities in Wales under Standing Order No. 107 (Welsh Grand Committee (matters relating exclusively to Wales).)—(Mr Greg Pope); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr Greg Pope: 334. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Eric Forth, Miss Julie Kirkbride: 0. So the Question was agreed to. Ordered, That— (1) the matter of Building Safer Communities in Wales be referred to the Welsh Grand Committee for its consideration; (2) the Committee shall meet on Tuesday 13th February at half-past Ten o'clock and between Four o'clock and Six o'clock at Westminster to take questions under Standing Order No. 103 (Welsh Grand Committee (questions for oral answer)), and to consider the matter of Building Safer Communities in Wales under Standing Order No. 107 (Welsh Grand Committee (matters relating exclusively to Wales).)
Page 106 Wednesday 31st January 2001 2000-2001 Volume 257 Back to top
And it being one and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion, the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Standing Order No. 16 (Proceedings under an Act or on European Community Documents). The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe, Mr David Jamieson: 309. Tellers for the Noes, Sir Robert Smith, Mr David Heath: 49. So the Question was agreed to. Resolved, That the Police Grant Report (England and Wales) 2001–02 (House of Commons Paper No. 156), which was laid before this House on 29th January, be approved.
And it being one and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion, the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Standing Order No. 16 (Proceedings under an Act or on European Community Documents). The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe, Mr David Jamieson: 292. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Peter Luff, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 167. So the Question was agreed to. Resolved, That the Local Government Finance Report (England) 2001–02 (House of Commons Paper No. 158), which was laid before this House on 29th January, be approved.
Social Security,—That the draft Social Security (Contributions) (Re-rating and National Insurance Funds Payments) Order 2001, which was laid before this House on 30th November, in the last Session of Parliament, be approved. Ayes: 382. Noes: 138. So the Question was agreed to.
And it being one and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion, the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Standing Order No. 16 (Proceedings under an Act or on European Community Documents):—It was agreed to.
And it being Ten o'clock, the Debate stood adjourned. Ordered, That the Debate be resumed to-morrow.
And the Motion having been made at Ten o'clock, and the Debate having continued for half an hour, the Speaker adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order, till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 10.30 p.m. Page 107 Wednesday 31st January 2001 2000-2001 Volume 257 Back to top APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
(1) III (Environment, Transport and the Regions and International Development), (2) V (Lord Chancellor's and Law Officers' Departments), (3) X (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Intervention Board Executive Agency), (4) XII (Department of Social Security), (5) XIII (Scotland), (6) XV (Northern Ireland), (7) XVI (Departments of the Chancellor of the Exchequer), (8) XVII (Cabinet Office and Central Office of Information), and (9) XVIII, XVIIIA and XVIIIB (Cabinet Office, Other Services, Parliament, etc; House of Commons; National Audit Office) for 1999–2000 [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 25-III, V, X, XII, XIII, XV, XVI, XVII and XVIII] [Mr Stephen Timms].
Page 108 Wednesday 31st January 2001 2000-2001 Volume 257 Back to top
(2) Resource Accounts for 1999–2000 of— (i) Forestry Commission Pension and Early Retirement/ Compensation Schemes, and (ii) the Forestry Commission with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 201 and 196] [Mr Stephen Timms]; and (3) Reports and Accounts for l999–2000 of— (i) Forest Research, and (ii) the Forestry Commission with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 99 and 98] [Mr Nicholas Brown].
Page 109 Wednesday 31st January 2001 2000-2001 Volume 257 Back to top
(1) the Department for International Development, and (2) Department for International Development Overseas Superannuation Pensions for 1999–2000, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 116 and 187] [Mr Stephen Timms].
APPENDIX II Standing Committees
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee F, and has appointed Mr Roger Gale and Mr Jimmy Hood Chairmen; and Page 110 Wednesday 31st January 2001 2000-2001 Volume 257 Back to top (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated twenty-one Members to serve on the Committee, viz.: Mr Adrian Bailey, Jackie Ballard, Mr Crispin Blunt, Mrs Helen Brinton, Mr Paul Clark, Mr Charles Clarke, Mr James Gray, Mr John Grogan, Mr Fabian Hamilton, Mr Nick Hawkins, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr Simon Hughes, Mrs Joan Humble, Dr Stephen Ladyman, Mr David Lock, Sir Nicholas Lyell, Mr Stephen McCabe, Siobhain McDonagh, Miss Geraldine Smith, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe and Mr Gareth R. Thomas (Harrow West).
(1) The Speaker has appointed Mrs Irene Adams an additional Chairman of the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the Regulations; and (2) The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Tam Dalyell and Dr Norman A. Godman from the Committee; and nominated in substitution Mr David Crausby and Mr Mark Hendrick.
Grand Committees
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The Re-negotiation of the PFI Deal for the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds]; to be printed [No. 217-i] [Mr David Davis].
Page 111 Wednesday 31st January 2001 2000-2001 Volume 257 Back to top
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Capital Allowances Bill]; to be printed [No. 175-ii]; and (3) Memorandum laid before the Committee [Capital Allowances Bill] [Mr Kenneth Clarke].
[No. 28; WH, No. 15.] Wednesday 31st January 2001. The House sitting in Westminster Hall [pursuant to Order of 20th November 2000]. The sitting commenced at half-past Nine o'clock.
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 1.59 p.m. [No. 29.] Thursday 1st February 2001. The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock. PRAYERS.
Ordered,—That the Bill be further considered on Thursday 8th February.
Colchester Borough Council Bill [Lords]. Bill to be read a second time.
Bill, not amended in Joint Committee, re-committed to a committee of the whole House, pursuant to Standing Order No. 60 (Tax simplification bills). Committee to-morrow.
Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 38]. Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 222]. Page 112 Thursday 1st February 2001 2000-2001 Volume 257 Back to top
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
Government's Asylum System,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House condemns the Government's failure to deal with the total chaos in the asylum system, which is detrimental to the interests of genuine refugees and the people of the United Kingdom; notes the failure of the Government's measures introduced under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999; further notes that the number of asylum applications made in 2000 reached the record level of 76,040, and that the proportion of unfounded claims increased to 78 per cent of all applications; notes with concern the continuing backlog of asylum applications and undetermined applications for British citizenship; and calls on the Government to take action to put in place measures which would both deter unwarranted claims and assist genuine refugees—(Miss Ann Widdecombe); An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word ‘House' to the end of the Question and add the words ‘reaffirms the obligations of the United Kingdom under the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees to provide asylum for those fleeing from a well-founded fear of persecution; approves the Government's strategy for reform of the asylum system and welcomes the practical improvements which have already been delivered, including substantial additional investment to provide the Immigration and Nationality Directorate with the staff and other resources essential to operate an efficient and humane asylum system; congratulates the Immigration and Nationality Directorate staff on their recent achievements including taking 110,000 initial asylum decisions in 2000; welcomes the effect which the provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 and other measures have had in reducing unfounded asylum claims; welcomes the successful introduction of a coherent, national system of support for asylum seekers to replace the chaotic arrangements created by the previous Government which imposed an intolerable burden on local authorities in London and the South-East; notes that the civil penalty, a measure which was opposed by the Official Opposition, has successfully encouraged hauliers and ferry operators to introduce additional security measures to tackle clandestine and illegal entry to the United Kingdom; welcomes the Government's expansion of detention capacity to support substantial increases in the number of asylum seekers with unfounded claims who are removed from the UK; and supports the Government's commitment to working closely with other countries to deal more effectively with asylum pressures affecting the whole of Europe', instead thereof.—(Mr Secretary Straw.) And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John Randall, Mr Peter Atkinson: 126. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe, Mr Clive Betts: 304. So the Question was negatived. And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe, Mr Clive Betts: 268. Tellers for the Noes, Mr John Randall, Mr Peter Atkinson: 152. So the Question was agreed to. The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to. Page 113 Thursday 1st February 2001 2000-2001 Volume 257 Back to top Resolved, That this House reaffirms the obligations of the United Kingdom under the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees to provide asylum for those fleeing from a well-founded fear of persecution; approves the Government's strategy for reform of the asylum system and welcomes the practical improvements which have already been delivered, including substantial additional investment to provide the Immigration and Nationality Directorate with the staff and other resources essential to operate an efficient and humane asylum system; congratulates the Immigration and Nationality Directorate staff on their recent achievements including taking 110,000 initial asylum decisions in 2000; welcomes the effect which the provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 and other measures have had in reducing unfounded asylum claims; welcomes the successful introduction of a coherent, national system of support for asylum seekers to replace the chaotic arrangements created by the previous Government which imposed an intolerable burden on local authorities in London and the South-East; notes that the civil penalty, a measure which was opposed by the Official Opposition, has successfully encouraged hauliers and ferry operators to introduce additional security measures to tackle clandestine and illegal entry to the United Kingdom; welcomes the Government's expansion of detention capacity to support substantial increases in the number of asylum seekers with unfounded claims who are removed from the UK; and supports the Government's commitment to working closely with other countries to deal more effectively with asylum pressures affecting the whole of Europe. Crisis in Agriculture,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House expresses its profound concern about the crisis in British agriculture, demonstrated by the collapse in farm incomes and loss of jobs; notes that, since the launch of the Government's Action Plan for Farming, incomes have continued to fall and many of the promises remain unfulfilled; condemns the Government for its failure to address this crisis and for its damaging policies which have made matters even worse; and calls on the Government to end the competitive disadvantage suffered by British farmers as a result of red tape, gold-plating and over-regulation, to introduce honesty in food-labelling and to restrict the flow of sub-standard food imports—(Mr Tim Yeo); An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word ‘House' to the end of the Question and add the words ‘recognises the continuing difficulties faced by the agriculture sector as a result of the low level of farm incomes; endorses the Government's long term vision for agriculture as sustainable, competitive and diverse, environmentally responsible, and an integral part of vibrant rural economies; recognises the important role of the new Rural Development Programmes in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in delivering this vision; welcomes the measures in the Action Plan for Farming and the Rural White Paper to give immediate financial relief to the hardest-hit sectors and to reduce the burden of regulation on farming; supports the Government's constructive engagement in Europe to reform further the Common Agricultural Policy; notes that the Conservative party's policies of banning foreign imports and taking unilateral action in areas of European Union competence are illegal and would lead to heavy penalties being levied on UK taxpayers as well as retaliatory action against UK exporters; notes that the Conservative Party have not indicated how much of the £16 billion they propose in public expenditure cuts would fall on British farmers; and calls on the Conservative Party instead to come forward with practical and constructive policies to help farmers through very difficult times', instead thereof.—(Mr Nicholas Brown.) And the Question being proposed, That the original words stand part of the Question; Mr James Cran 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 John Randall, Mr Peter Atkinson: 145. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Tony McNulty, Jim Dowd: 267. So the Question was negatived. And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Tony McNulty, Jim Dowd: 267. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Peter Atkinson, Mr John Randall: 114. So the Question was agreed to. The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to. Page 114 Thursday 1st February 2001 2000-2001 Volume 257 Back to top Resolved, That this House recognises the continuing difficulties faced by the agriculture sector as a result of the low level of farm incomes; endorses the Government's long term vision for agriculture as sustainable, competitive and diverse, environmentally responsible, and an integral part of vibrant rural economies; recognises the important role of the new Rural Development Programmes in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in delivering this vision; welcomes the measures in the Action Plan for Farming and the Rural White Paper to give immediate financial relief to the hardest-hit sectors and to reduce the burden of regulation on farming; supports the Government's constructive engagement in Europe to reform further the Common Agricultural Policy; notes that the Conservative party's policies of banning foreign imports and taking unilateral action in areas of European Union competence are illegal and would lead to heavy penalties being levied on UK taxpayers as well as retaliatory action against UK exporters; notes that the Conservative Party have not indicated how much of the £16 billion they propose in public expenditure cuts would fall on British farmers; and calls on the Conservative Party instead to come forward with practical and constructive policies to help farmers through very difficult times.
And the Deputy Speaker's opinion as to the decision of the Question being challenged, the division was deferred till Wednesday 7th February, pursuant to Order [7th November].
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till ten minutes to Eight o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 7.50 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Page 115 Thursday 1st February 2001 2000-2001 Volume 257 Back to top Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) Major Precepting Authorities (Excessive Budget Requirements—Payments) (England) Regulations 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 219), dated 31st January 2001 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
Other Papers:
APPENDIX II Standing Committees
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
[No. 29; WH, No. 16.] Thursday 1st February 2001. The House sitting in Westminster Hall [pursuant to Order of 20th November 2000]. The sitting commenced at half-past Two o'clock.
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till Tuesday 6th February. [Adjourned at 5.05 p.m. Page 116 Thursday 1st February 2001 2000-2001 Volume 257 Back to top [No. 30.] Friday 2nd February 2001. The House met at half-past Nine o'clock. PRAYERS.
A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That the Bill be now read a second time; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Andrew Miller, Angela Smith: 34. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Eric Forth, Mr David Maclean: 0. And it appearing on the report of the division that fewer than forty Members had taken part in the Division, the Deputy Speaker declared that the Question was not decided, and the business under consideration stood over until the next Sitting of the House.
A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That the Bill be now read a second time; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Ann Clwyd, Mr Dafydd Wigley: 8. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Andrew Dismore, Mr Gareth R. Thomas (Harrow West): 4. And it appearing on the report of the division that fewer than forty Members had taken part in the Division, the Deputy Speaker declared that the Question was not decided, and the business under consideration stood over until the next Sitting of the House.
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 9th February.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till two minutes to Three o'clock, adjourned till Monday 5th February. [Adjourned at 2.58 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Page 117 Friday 2nd February 2001 2000-2001 Volume 257 Back to top Other Papers:
[No. 31.] Monday 5th February 2001. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
Social Exclusion, Poverty and Job Losses in Wales,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes that there is growing poverty throughout Wales, both in rural and urban areas with a widening gap between rich and poor; further notes the Government's failure to avoid the problems in the manufacturing industry as evidenced by the huge job losses announced by Corus which will add greatly to the problems of social exclusion in Wales; further notes that the Welsh Affairs Committee in the Third Report of Session 1999–2000, House of Commons Paper No. 365, ‘Social Exclusion in Wales' reported on the matter, concluding that: Government should consider regional variations in tax to encourage investment, that it may well be necessary for the basic state pension to be increased in line with average earnings, that Government should initiate a comprehensive national benefit take-up campaign, that increasing the level of benefits is central to tackling social exclusion, and that the Barnett formula should be reassessed to reflect a needs-based formula—(Mr Elfyn Llwyd); An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word ‘House' to the end of the Question and add the words ‘notes the Government's central aim is a fair and prosperous society that offers opportunity for all, and that both economic prosperity and social justice depend on people being able to achieve their full potential; endorses the Government's commitment to eradicating child poverty, to providing employment opportunities for all who can work, to rewarding saving, and to ensuring that older people live secure, active and fulfilling lives and to tackling the root causes of poverty and social exclusion; further notes and expresses concern at the announcement by Corus on 1st February 2001; believes that the Corus action is a short term solution which is damaging for the individuals affected and the communities concerned; and calls on the company to think again about the planned closures and redundancies and instead work with the trade unions, Government and the National Assembly for Wales to identify a better way forward', instead thereof.—(Mr Hugh Bayley.) And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Elfyn Llwyd, Mr Simon Thomas: 37. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Mike Hall, Mr Tony McNulty: 271. So the Question was negatived. And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments):—It was agreed to. The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to. Resolved, That this House notes the Government's central aim is a fair and prosperous society that offers opportunity for all, and that both economic prosperity and social Page 118 Monday 5th February 2001 2000-2001 Volume 257 Back to top justice depend on people being able to achieve their full potential; endorses the Government's commitment to eradicating child poverty, to providing employment opportunities for all who can work, to rewarding saving, and to ensuring that older people live secure, active and fulfilling lives and to tackling the root causes of poverty and social exclusion; further notes and expresses concern at the announcement by Corus on 1st February 2001; believes that the Corus action is a short term solution which is damaging for the individuals affected and the communities concerned; and calls on the company to think again about the planned closures and redundancies and instead work with the trade unions, Government and the National Assembly for Wales to identify a better way forward. Personal Care for the Elderly,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House welcomes the NHS Plan's commitment to a care system founded on the principles of equity and fairness; regrets that the Plan discriminates against older people with chronic and long-term illness by continuing to means-test them for their own care; believes that the Plan creates a fault-line between nursing and personal care; further believes that the Plan fails even to provide nursing care free on the basis of need, limiting the concession to registered nurse time; and calls on the Government to implement the Royal Commission's proposals for personal and nursing care to be provided on the basis of a person's assessed need instead of means—(Mr Paul Burstow); An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word ‘House' to the end of the Question and add the words ‘welcomes the NHS Plan's commitments to a care system founded on the principles of equity and fairness; welcomes the measures the Government has announced to reform the funding of long term care and to invest in new health and social care services for older people; notes that this matches the extra spending on long term care recommended by the Royal Commission; believes that the implementation of free nursing care on the basis of need and not ability to pay will bring an end to a major injustice affecting tens of thousands of older people in nursing homes; welcomes the new investment announced in the NHS Plan of £900 million annually by 2003–04 in new intermediate care services for older people; supports the priority the Government has rightly attached to improving front line services for older people; and calls on the Liberal Democrats to set out what services they would cut in order to fund their proposals', instead thereof.—(Mr John Hutton.) And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Andrew Stunell, Mr Donald Gorrie: 41. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Graham Allen, Mr Ian Pearson: 271. So the Question was negatived. And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Ian Pearson, Mr Graham Allen: 270. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Andrew Stunell, Mr Don Foster: 41. So the Question was agreed to. The Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to. Resolved, That this House welcomes the NHS Plan's commitments to a care system founded on the principles of equity and fairness; welcomes the measures the Government has announced to reform the funding of long term care and to invest in new health and social care services for older people; notes that this matches the extra spending on long term care recommended by the Royal Commission; believes that the implementation of free nursing care on the basis of need and not ability to pay will bring an end to a major injustice affecting tens of thousands of older people in nursing homes; welcomes the new investment announced in the NHS Plan of £900 million annually by 2003–04 in new intermediate care services for older people; supports the priority the Government has rightly attached to improving front line services for older people; and calls on the Liberal Democrats to set out what services they would cut in order to fund their proposals.
Page 119 Monday 5th February 2001 2000-2001 Volume 257 Back to top
And the Motion having been made after Ten o'clock, and the Debate having continued for half an hour, the Speaker adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order, it being then four minutes to Eleven o'clock, till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 10.56 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) Education Standards Fund 2000 (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 210), dated 26th January 2001 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
Other Papers:
(1) Business of the House; (2) Closure of Debate, Proposal of Question and Allocation of Time (including Programme Motions); (3) Sittings of the House; (4) Private Bills and Private Business; (5) Public Bills; (6) Delegated Legislation and Deregulation Orders; (7) European Legislation, &c.; (8) Grand Committees; (9) Chairmen's Panel; and (10) Select Committees in Session 1999–2000 [by Order]; to be printed [No. 100] [Clerk of the House]. APPENDIX II Reports from Select Committees
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