| Session 2001-2002 |
| Commons Journal 258
Chronological Index
Page 549 2001-2002 Volume 258 [No. 146.] Monday 13th May 2002. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
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 National Insurance Contributions Bill because its provisions fail to reflect the need for change and improvement in the NHS to match additional resources, will hamper job creation and further increase the burdens on business, and will impose additional taxes on employees, including those on whom the public services rely', instead thereof.—(Mr John Bercow.) And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Desmond Swayne, Mr Stephen O'Brien: 134. Tellers for the Noes, Angela Smith, Mr Ian Pearson: 357. 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.
Committal (1) The Bill shall be committed to a Committee of the whole House. Programming of proceedings (2) Proceedings in Committee of the whole House and all remaining proceedings on the Bill may be programmed. Proceedings in Committee, on consideration and on Third Reading (3) Notwithstanding the practice of the House as to the intervals between stages of Bills brought in on Ways and Means Resolutions, proceedings in Committee of the whole House, any proceedings on consideration and proceedings on Third Reading shall be completed in one day. (4) Proceedings in Committee of the whole House shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at half-past Eight o'clock on that day. (5) Any proceedings on consideration and proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at Ten o'clock on that day. Programming Committee (6) Sessional Order B (Programming Committees) made on 28th June 2001 shall not apply to proceedings in Committee of the whole House or on consideration and Third Reading—(Dan Norris):—It was agreed to.
Page 550 Monday 13th May 2002 2001-2002 Volume 258 Back to top
(1) at the sitting on Tuesday 14th May, the Speaker shall put the Questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on the Motions in the name of Mr Robin Cook and Mr Stephen Twigg relating to the Modernisation of the House of Commons, to Select Committees, Payment for Chairmen, Tax Law Rewrite, Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, Liaison Committee: Power to take Evidence, Regulatory Reform and Power to Exchange Papers with Devolved Legislatures not later than four hours after the commencement of proceedings on the first such Motion, and such Questions shall include the Questions on any Amendments selected by the Speaker which may then be moved; the Questions may be decided, though opposed, after the expiration of the time for opposed business and the Order [28th June 2001] relating to deferred Divisions shall not apply to them; and (2) at the sitting on Tuesday 14th May, the Motion in the name of Mr Robin Cook relating to Code of Conduct may be proceeded with, though opposed, until any hour, and the Order [28th June 2001] relating to deferred Divisions shall not apply to Questions on the Motion or on any Amendments proposed to it.—(Dan Norris.)
(1) residents of Bicester and of the parishes of Ambrosden, Arncott, Blackthorn and Piddington and other neighbouring parishes in Oxfordshire against the proposal to build an accommodation centre for asylum seekers in Bicester; (2) Mrs Mullis and parents of children at Burford School in West Oxfordshire for a review of the safety of children travelling to school on double-decker buses; and (3) residents of Brill, Long Crendon, Ludgershall, Marsh Gibbon, Oakley and neighbouring parishes in the constituency of Buckingham against the proposal to build an accommodation centre for asylum seekers in Bicester were presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till seven minutes to Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 10.53 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
Page 551 Monday 13th May 2002 2001-2002 Volume 258 Back to top
(1) Bedford Education Action Zone, (2) Bolton Education Action Zone, (3) Leigh (Wigan) Education Action Zone, and (4) North Gillingham Education Action Zone for 2000–01, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 835, 838, 837 and 839] [Clerk of the House]. Papers withdrawn:
APPENDIX II Standing Committees
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
Page 552 Monday 13th May 2002 2001-2002 Volume 258 Back to top [No. 147.] Tuesday 14th May 2002. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow. Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 855].
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
That the Committee takes note of European Union Documents Nos. 11596/00 and 12488/01, draft Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the animal-health requirements applicable to non-commercial movement of pet animals; and congratulates the Government on securing for the United Kingdom, during the subsequent negotiations, the continuation, for at least five years, of arrangements similar to those contained in the successful United Kingdom Pet Travel Scheme. Report, together with Resolution, to lie upon the Table.
— to consider major policy initiatives — to consider the Government's response to major emerging issues — to propose changes where evidence persuades the Committee that present policy requires amendment — to conduct pre-legislative scrutiny of draft bills — to examine and report on main Estimates, annual expenditure plans and annual resource accounts — to monitor performance against targets in the public service agreements — to take evidence from each Minister at least annually Page 553 Tuesday 14th May 2002 2001-2002 Volume 258 Back to top — to take evidence from independent regulators and inspectorates — to consider the reports of Executive Agencies — to consider, and if appropriate report on, major appointments by a Secretary of State or other senior ministers — to examine treaties within their subject areas—(Mr Robin Cook); And it being four hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion, the Deputy Speaker, pursuant to Order [yesterday], proceeded to put the Questions necessary to dispose of the business to be concluded at that hour. An Amendment ((d)) was proposed to the Question, in line 6, after the word ‘House', to insert the words ‘welcomes the proposal to increase the size of Select Committees; believes that the Select Committees must represent all shades of opinion in the House and therefore calls for some of these new places to be reserved for the minority parties;'.—(Pete Wishart.) And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John Heppell, Mr Fraser Kemp: 50. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Ivor Caplin, Mr Ian Pearson: 352. So the Question was negatived. And the Main Question being put; Resolved, That this House approves the First Report of the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons relating to Select Committees, House of Commons Paper No. 224-I, and in particular welcomes its commitment to more specialist and support staff for select committees; is of the view that the package as a whole will strengthen the scrutiny role of the House; and invites the Liaison Committee to establish common objectives for select committees, taking into account the illustrative model set out in paragraph 34 of that report, namely: — to consider major policy initiatives — to consider the Government's response to major emerging issues — to propose changes where evidence persuades the Committee that present policy requires amendment — to conduct pre-legislative scrutiny of draft bills — to examine and report on main Estimates, annual expenditure plans and annual resource accounts — to monitor performance against targets in the public service agreements — to take evidence from each Minister at least annually — to take evidence from independent regulators and inspectorates — to consider the reports of Executive Agencies — to consider, and if appropriate report on, major appointments by a Secretary of State or other senior ministers — to examine treaties within their subject areas.
(1) the following Standing Order (Committee of Nomination) be made: ‘(1) There shall be a select committee, called the Committee of Nomination, to propose to the House the membership of all select committees other than the Committee of Nomination itself and any other select committee for which the House makes other provision. (2) The committee shall consist of nine members nominated by the Chairman of Ways and Means, who shall be the following: (a) the most senior woman member of the Chairmen's Panel belonging to the Government party, and the three other most senior members of the Panel belonging to that party; (b) the most senior woman member of the Panel belonging to the party to which the Leader of the Opposition belongs, and the other most senior member of the Panel belonging to that party; (c) the most senior member of the Panel belonging to the second largest opposition party; Page 554 Tuesday 14th May 2002 2001-2002 Volume 258 Back to top (d) the most senior Member of the House belonging to the Government party but not being a Minister of the Crown; and (e) the most senior Member of the House not belonging to the Government party who is not a front-bench spokesman for his party. (3) Where a Member who would otherwise be a member of the Committee of Nomination is unwilling to serve, the next most senior Member in the relevant category shall be nominated. (4) In sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) of paragraph (2) of this order, seniority shall consist of length of continuous service as a member of the Chairmen's Panel (other than as Chairman or Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means), and in sub-paragraphs (d) and (e) of that paragraph, seniority shall consist of length of continuous service as a Member of the House. (5) The Chairman of Ways and Means, or in his absence a Deputy Chairman, shall be chairman of the committee, but shall not vote. (6) The Chairman of Ways and Means shall report the membership of the committee to the House. (7) The quorum of the committee shall be seven when the committee is nominating select committees at the commencement of a Parliament and otherwise four, in either case including the chairman. (8) The committee shall have power to sit notwithstanding any adjournment of the House and to report from time to time.'; (2) Standing Order No. 121 (Nomination of select committees) be amended as follows: Line 9, leave out paragraph (2) and add— ‘(2) Unless the House otherwise orders, no motion shall be made for the nomination of members of select committees, or for their discharge, unless— (a) notice of the motion has been given at least two sitting days previously; and (b) the motion is made on behalf of the Committee of Nomination by one of its members. (3) Unless the House otherwise orders, all Members nominated to a select committee shall continue to be members of that committee for the remainder of the Parliament (or for the period of existence of the committee, if that is a shorter period).'; (3) Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business) be amended, as follows: Line 16, leave out from ‘committees)' to ‘which' in line 20; and (4) Standing Orders be amended, as follows: Standing Order No. 139 (Select Committee on Broadcasting) Line 29, leave out paragraph (6); Standing Order No. 140 (Joint Committee on Consolidation, &c., Bills) Line 37, leave out paragraph (4); Standing Order No. 141 (Deregulation and Regulatory Reform Committee) Line 98, leave out paragraph (10); Standing Order No. 142 (Domestic Committees) Line 37, leave out paragraph (7); Standing Order No. 143 (European Scrutiny Committee) Line 80, leave out paragraph (13); Standing Order No. 144 (Finance and Services Committee) Line 29, leave out paragraph (5); Standing Order No. 145 (Liaison Committee) Line 27, leave out paragraph (4); Standing Order No. 146 (Select Committee on Public Administration) Line 20, leave out paragraph (3); Standing Order No. 147 (Procedure Committee) Line 11, leave out paragraph (4); Standing Order No. 148 (Committee of Public Accounts) Line 10, leave out paragraph (2); Page 555 Tuesday 14th May 2002 2001-2002 Volume 258 Back to top Standing Order No. 149 (Committee on Standards and Privileges) Line 26, leave out paragraph (3); Standing Order No. 151 (Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee)) Line 126, leave out paragraph (11); Standing Order No. 152 (Select committees related to government departments) Line 34, leave out paragraph (5); Standing Order No. 152A (Environmental Audit Committee) Line 10, leave out paragraph (3); Standing Order No. 152B (Human rights (joint committee)) Line 41, leave out paragraph (6); Standing Order No. 152C (Tax simplification (joint committee)) Line 15, leave out paragraph (4)—(Mr Robin Cook); An Amendment ((a)) was made to the Question, in line 7, by leaving out the word ‘nine' and inserting the word ‘thirteen', instead thereof.—(Mr Tony Lloyd.) Another Amendment ((d)) was proposed to the Question, in line 20, at the end, to insert the words ‘and (f) two Members belonging to the Government party, one belonging to the party to which the Leader of the Opposition belongs, and one belonging to the second largest opposition party, in each case first elected to the House in the previous Parliament and proposed by the chairman of the relevant party.'.—(Mr Tony Lloyd.) And the Question being proposed, That the Amendment be made; An Amendment ((h)) was made to the proposed Amendment, in line 5, after the second word ‘the', by inserting the words ‘current or'.—(Mr Chris Bryant.) Amendment, as amended, made. Another Amendment ((e)) was made to the Question, in line 21, after ‘(3)', by inserting the words ‘In sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) of paragraph (2) of this order'.—(Mr Tony Lloyd.) And the Main Question, as amended, being put forthwith, pursuant to Order [yesterday]; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John Heppell, Mr Fraser Kemp: 195. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Ivor Caplin, Mr Ian Pearson: 209. So the Question was negatived.
The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John Heppell, Mr Fraser Kemp: 175. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Ivor Caplin, Mr Ian Pearson: 197. So the Question was negatived.
The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John Heppell, Mr Fraser Kemp: 199. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Ivor Caplin, Mr Ian Pearson: 158. So the Question was agreed to. Resolved, That, in the opinion of this House, the Review Body on Senior Salaries should be invited to consider what additional remuneration is appropriate for chairmen of select committees. Page 556 Tuesday 14th May 2002 2001-2002 Volume 258 Back to top
(1) Standing Order No. 137A (Select committees: power to work with other committees) be amended as follows: Line 12, leave out ‘and'; Line 15, at end insert ‘and (d) to agree in the choice of a chairman for any concurrent meetings.'; and (2) the following Standing Order (Term limits for chairmen of select committees) be made: ‘Unless the House otherwise orders, no select committee may choose as its chairman any Member who has served as chairman of that committee for the two previous Parliaments.'—(Mr Robin Cook); An Amendment ((a)) was made to the Question, in line 11, at the end, by adding the words ‘or a continuous period of eight years, whichever is the greater period.'.—(Mr Greg Knight.) And the Main Question, as amended, being put forthwith, pursuant to Order [yesterday]; Ordered, That— (1) Standing Order No. 137A (Select committees: power to work with other committees) be amended as follows: Line 12, leave out ‘and'; Line 15, at end insert ‘and (d) to agree in the choice of a chairman for any concurrent meetings.'; and (2) the following Standing Order (Term limits for chairmen of select committees) be made: ‘Unless the House otherwise orders, no select committee may choose as its chairman any Member who has served as chairman of that committee for the two previous Parliaments or a continuous period of eight years, whichever is the greater period.'.
Standing Order No. 60 (Tax simplification bills) Title, leave out ‘simplification' and insert ‘law rewrite' Lines 1, 9, 15, 22, 24, 29, leave out ‘simplification' and insert ‘law rewrite' Standing Order No. 63 (Committal of bills) Line 2, leave out ‘simplification' and insert ‘law rewrite' Standing Order No. 152C (Tax simplification (Joint Committee)) Title, leave out ‘simplification' and insert ‘law rewrite' Line 4, leave out ‘simplification' and insert ‘law rewrite' (in both places)—(Mr Robin Cook):—It was agreed to.
Standing Order No. 151 (Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments) Line 19, leave out ‘and' Line 19, leave out ‘of Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Act 1974' and insert ‘(1) of the Schedule to the Northern Ireland Act 2000' Line 20, leave out ‘under section 1 of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 or' Line 24, after ‘Act', insert ‘and any remedial order or draft remedial order under Schedule 2 to the Human Rights Act 1998'—(Mr Robin Cook):—It was agreed to.
Line 12, at end insert ‘(1A) The Committee may also hear evidence from the Prime Minister on matters of public policy'—(Mr Robin Cook); Page 557 Tuesday 14th May 2002 2001-2002 Volume 258 Back to top An Amendment ((a)) was proposed to the Question, in line 4, at the end, to add the words ‘, but such meetings shall only be attended by the Chairman of the Liaison Committee and the Chairmen of Select Committees appointed under S.O. Nos. 146 and 152.'.—(Mr Chris Bryant.) And the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Order [yesterday], That the Amendment be made; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Angela Smith, Dan Norris: 78. Tellers for the Noes, Jim Fitzpatrick, Mr Phil Woolas: 261. So the Question was negatived. And the Main Question being put forthwith; Ordered, That Standing Order No. 145 (Liaison Committee) be amended as follows: Line 12, at end insert ‘(1A) The Committee may also hear evidence from the Prime Minister on matters of public policy'.
Standing Order No. 141 (Deregulation and Regulatory Reform Committee) Title, leave out ‘Deregulation and' Line 2, leave out ‘Deregulation and' Line 5, leave out from ‘section' to ‘6' in line 7 Line 7, leave out ‘(the 2001 Act)' Line 10, leave out ‘1994 Act or section 1 of the 2001' Line 14, leave out ‘2001' Line 14, at end insert ‘(except those not made by a Minister of the Crown)' Line 58, leave out lines 58 to 60 Standing Order No. 18 (Consideration of draft deregulation, etc., orders) Title, leave out ‘deregulation, etc.,' and insert ‘regulatory reform' Line 1, leave out ‘Deregulation and' Line 4, leave out from ‘House' to ‘under' in line 6 Standing Order No. 98 (Scottish Grand Committee (delegated legislation)) Line 14, leave out ‘deregulation order or' Standing Order No. 115 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (delegated legislation)) Line 15, leave out ‘deregulation order or' Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation) Line 13, leave out ‘deregulation order or'—(Mr Robin Cook):—It was agreed to.
Line 6, after ‘Parliament' insert ‘or to the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales or the Northern Ireland Assembly or to any of their Committees' Line 10, leave out ‘such' Line 11, after ‘sub-committee' insert ‘of either House of Parliament'—(Mr Robin Cook):—It was agreed to.
(1) this House approves the Ninth Report from the Committee on Standards and Privileges (House of Commons Paper No. 763), A new Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules; (2) the Resolution of the House of 6th November 1995 relating to Conduct of Members shall be amended, at the end, by adding the words ‘or any approach, whether oral or in writing, to Ministers or servants of the Crown'; Page 558 Tuesday 14th May 2002 2001-2002 Volume 258 Back to top (3) the Resolution of the House of 6th November 1995 relating to Employment Agreements shall be redesignated ‘Agreements for the Provision of Services;' and shall be amended, as follows: (a) by leaving out the words ‘up to £1,000, £1,000–£5,000, £5,000–£10,000' in each of paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) and inserting the words ‘up to £5,000, £5,001–£10,000'; (b) after the word ‘inspection' in each of paragraphs (1), (2) and (3), by inserting the words ‘and reproduction'; (c) at the end, by adding the words— ‘Provided that the requirement to deposit a copy of an agreement with the Commissioner shall not apply— (a) if the fees or benefits payable do not exceed one per cent. of the current parliamentary salary; nor (b) in the case of media work (but in that case the Member shall deposit a statement of the fees or benefits payable in the bands specified above)'; (4) the Code of Conduct and the Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members (House of Commons Paper No. 688 (1995–96)) shall be amended as proposed in Annex 2 to the Report; and (5) the registration forms submitted for the next published Register of Members' Interests shall comply with the new rules on the registration of Members' interests; and any requirement under the new rules to register an interest which is not registrable now shall come into force on the publication of the next Register.—(Mrs Anne McGuire.) Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules to be printed [No. 841].
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-four minutes past Ten o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 10.24 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) Education (QCA Levy) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 1331), dated 10th May 2002, and (3) Education (Student Loans) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 1329), dated 13th May 2002 [by Act] [Secretary Estelle Morris].
(2) General Medical Council (Fitness to Practise Committees) Rules Order of Council 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 2051), dated 12th July 2000, (3) General Medical Council (Interim Orders Committee) (Procedure) Rules Order of Council 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 2053), dated 12th July 2000, (4) General Medical Council (Interim Orders Committee) (Transitional Provisions) Rules Order of Council 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 2054), dated 12th July 2000, (5) General Medical Council (the Professional Conduct Committee, the General Health Committee and the Committee on Professional Performance) (Amendment) Rules Order of Council 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 2034), dated 30th June 2000, and (6) General Medical Council (Voluntary Erasure and Restoration) Regulations Order of Council 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 2033), dated 30th June 2000 [by Act] [Mr Robin Cook]. Page 559 Tuesday 14th May 2002 2001-2002 Volume 258 Back to top
(2) Tax Credits (Prescribed Period of Awards) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 1334), dated 14th May 2002 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].
(2) Tax Credits (Prescribed Period of Awards) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 1339), dated 14th May 2002 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo]. Other Papers:
APPENDIX II Standing Committees
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Gambling]; to be printed [No. 827] [Mr Gerald Kaufman].
(2) Ninth Special Report from the Committee [The 2001 Census in England and Wales: The Government's Reply to the Committee's First Report]; to be printed [No. 852]; and (3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Banking and SMEs]; to be printed [No. 818-ii] [Mr John McFall].
Page 560 Tuesday 14th May 2002 2001-2002 Volume 258 Back to top [No. 147; WH, No. 83.] Tuesday 14th May 2002. 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. 148.] Wednesday 15th May 2002. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Wednesday 22nd May.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 15194/01, draft Directive amending Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste; welcomes it as a positive step towards achieving high levels of environmental and single market protection, whilst limiting the impact upon UK business; and supports the Government's negotiating line. Report, together with Resolution, to lie upon the Table.
Post Office Closures and Royal Mail Deliveries,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House is deeply concerned that, with 10 months left for the transition to automatic credit transfer for the Post Office's 16 million benefit and pension customers, there is great uncertainty and confusion hanging over the network; believes that, in the absence of new sources of income to replace the lost £400 million, many post offices will close, including a third of all urban post offices; is alarmed by reports that new initiatives promised under the PIU Report are failing, in particular that the Your Guide programme is being downgraded and that planning of the Post Office Card Account is well behind schedule; has little confidence that the commercial banks have the ability or motivation to meet the financial needs of many of those Post Office customers expected to migrate to the use of bank accounts; notes that the network's problems coincide with growing losses in Consignia and the threat to its mail services and to the universal service obligation; and calls on the Government to set out a clear policy and timetable for heading off a potentially disastrous collapse of the rural and urban network—(Dr Vincent Cable); Page 561 Wednesday 15th May 2002 2001-2002 Volume 258 Back to top 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 ‘applauds the Government's decision to accept all 24 of the PIU recommendations in its June 2000 report “Counter Revolution—Modernising the Post Office Network”; notes that Consignia is committed to preventing avoidable closures of rural post offices and has drawn up a code of conduct on how this is to be implemented in conjunction with the consumer watchdog, Postwatch; further applauds the decision of the Government to grant the greater commercial freedom to Consignia that management and unions had long called for; welcomes the action of the Government in appointing a new chairman of Consignia and a new chief executive of Post Office Ltd. and to enshrine in legislation the primary duty of the regulator to preserve the universal service; further applauds the commitment of the Government to a national network of post offices; and further notes the commitment by Post Office Ltd. to ensure that 95 per cent. of people in urban areas will live within a mile of a post office, and the majority within half a mile', instead thereof.—(Mr Douglas Alexander.) And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Bob Russell, John Thurso: 195. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Graham Stringer, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe: 307. 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 applauds the Government's decision to accept all 24 of the PIU recommendations in its June 2000 report ‘Counter Revolution—Modernising the Post Office Network'; notes that Consignia is committed to preventing avoidable closures of rural post offices and has drawn up a code of conduct on how this is to be implemented in conjunction with the consumer watchdog, Postwatch; further applauds the decision of the Government to grant the greater commercial freedom to Consignia that management and unions had long called for; welcomes the action of the Government in appointing a new chairman of Consignia and a new chief executive of Post Office Ltd. and to enshrine in legislation the primary duty of the regulator to preserve the universal service; further applauds the commitment of the Government to a national network of post offices; and further notes the commitment by Post Office Ltd. to ensure that 95 per cent. of people in urban areas will live within a mile of a post office, and the majority within half a mile. UK Role in the Johannesburg Summit and Promoting Sustainability,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House welcomes the fact that the Prime Minister will be attending the Johannesburg Earth Summit in September, but regrets that the UK is not providing co-ordinated internal or external leadership to ensure the Summit's success, particularly given rising emission of carbon dioxide in the last two years in the UK and the apparent emphasis by the Government on UK business interests ahead of the needs of developing countries; notes with concern the United States' role in the removal of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change's Chair and for their reneging on the Kyoto Protocol; further notes the damage such events may have on the relationship between rich and poor nations in the run-up to the Summit and the potential negative impact on both environmental and political stability, particularly in view of the close co-operation between the UK Government and US Administration and concern by leading NGOs that the Summit, aiming to reduce inequalities between rich and poor nations and promote an improving world order, may be heading for failure; calls on the Government to take a greater role in leading international discussions in the run-up to Johannesburg and promoting related activities in the UK, particularly the need to employ more sustainable solutions and set long-term targets for the use of renewable energy; and calls on the Government genuinely to put the environment at the heart of government, developing the policies and conditions which will promote local action for truly sustainable agriculture, waste, water management, energy and transport—(Malcolm Bruce); 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 ‘applauds the leadership the UK is showing domestically and within the European Union, the G8 and the United Nations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development; welcomes the fact that the Prime Minister intends to attend the Summit; further welcomes the UK's climate change programme which is estimated to overshoot its Kyoto target of a 12.5 per cent. cut in 1990 levels of greenhouse gas emissions by 2012, reaching a cut of 23 per cent.; commends the introduction in the UK last month of the world's first economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme; further welcomes the commitment in the Budget to significant Page 562 Wednesday 15th May 2002 2001-2002 Volume 258 Back to top increases in the landfill tax to promote recycling and waste minimisation; further applauds the fact that drinking water, river water and bathing water are at the highest ever quality; and calls upon the Government to continue to tackle global poverty through sustainable development', instead thereof.—(Mr Michael Meacher.) And the Question being proposed, That the original words stand part of the Question; Mr Andrew Stunell 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 Andrew Stunell, Mr Paul Tyler: 56. Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Anne McGuire, Angela Smith: 282. 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 Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to. Resolved, That this House applauds the leadership the UK is showing domestically and within the European Union, the G8 and the United Nations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development; welcomes the fact that the Prime Minister intends to attend the Summit; further welcomes the UK's climate change programme which is estimated to overshoot its Kyoto target of a 12.5 per cent. cut in 1990 levels of greenhouse gas emissions by 2012, reaching a cut of 23 per cent.; commends the introduction in the UK last month of the world's first economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme; further welcomes the commitment in the Budget to significant increases in the landfill tax to promote recycling and waste minimisation; further applauds the fact that drinking water, river water and bathing water are at the highest ever quality; and calls upon the Government to continue to tackle global poverty through sustainable development.
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 seventeen minutes to Eleven o'clock, till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 10.43 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Page 563 Wednesday 15th May 2002 2001-2002 Volume 258 Back to top
(2) Road Traffic (Permitted Parking Area and Special Parking Area) (County of Hampshire) (Borough of Rushmoor) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 1352), and (3) Road Traffic (Permitted Parking Area and Special Parking Area) (County of Hampshire) (District of Hart) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 1351), dated 14th May 2002 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Byers]. Other Papers:
APPENDIX II Standing Committees
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee A, and has appointed Mr George Stevenson and Miss Ann Widdecombe Chairmen; and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated twenty-five Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Bob Ainsworth, Vera Baird, Norman Baker, Mr David Borrow, Annette Brooke, Mr Colin Challen, Mr John Denham, Barbara Follett, Mrs Cheryl Gillan, Mr Nick Hawkins, Lady Hermon, Huw Irranca-Davies, Mr Boris Johnson, Mr Kevan Jones, Dr Ashok Kumar, Ian Lucas, Mr John MacDougall, Mrs Anne McGuire, Patrick Mercer, Ms Meg Munn, Mr George Osborne, Mr James Paice, Bridget Prentice, Mr Paul Stinchcombe and Dr Howard Stoate.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee C; and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Roger Berry, Mr Tim Boswell, Mr Tom Clarke, Mr Vernon Coaker, Harry Cohen, Mr Edward Davey, Mr Neil Gerrard, Sandra Gidley, Ms Sally Keeble, Alice Mahon, Dr Doug Naysmith, Mr Colin Pickthall, Mr Mark Prisk, Mr Hugo Swire, Angela Watkinson and Mr Dave Watts. Page 564 Wednesday 15th May 2002 2001-2002 Volume 258 Back to top
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mrs Irene Adams Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Clive Betts, Mr Crispin Blunt, Mr Desmond Browne, Richard Burden, Mr John Hayes, Lady Hermon, Alan Howarth, Chris McCafferty, Mr Gordon Marsden, Gillian Merron, Mr Austin Mitchell, Lembit Opik, Mr Graham Stringer, Mr Hugo Swire, Mr Andrew Turner and Mr Anthony D. Wright.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Peter Atkinson Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated twenty-one Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Peter Atkinson, John Barrett, Mr Russell Brown, Mr Brian H. Donohoe, Mr Peter Duncan, Mr George Foulkes, David Hamilton, Mr Greg Knight, Mr Mark Lazarowicz, Mr Iain Luke, Mrs Anne McGuire, Rosemary McKenna, Mr Andrew Mitchell, Sandra Osborne, Anne Picking, Mr Alan Reid, Mr Malcolm Savidge, Mr David Stewart, Mr Desmond Swayne, Pete Wishart and Tony Worthington.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mrs Irene Adams Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Nick Ainger, Mr Bob Ainsworth, Mr Richard Allan, Mr John Baron, Mr Roy Beggs, Ann Clwyd, Mr Huw Edwards, Mrs Cheryl Gillan, Mr Dominic Grieve, Dr Brian Iddon, Mr Brian Jenkins, Mr Kevan Jones, Patrick Mercer, Joyce Quin, Dr Howard Stoate and Mr Keith Vaz.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Fourth 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: Mr Ben Bradshaw, Mr Ronnie Campbell, Mr Ivor Caplin, John Cryer, Dr Jack Cunningham, Mr Hilton Dawson, Mr Alan Duncan, Michael Fabricant, Norman Lamb, Judy Mallaber, Mr Michael Moore, Mr John Randall, Andrew Selous, Mr Chris Smith, Mr John Smith and Dr Phyllis Starkey.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations and Codes to the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Nick Ainger, Mr Richard Bacon, Hugh Bayley, Mr Roger Berry, Peter Bradley, Malcolm Bruce, David Burnside, Mr John Grogan, Mr Kevin Hughes, Julie Morgan, Mr Elliot Morley, Mr Gwyn Prosser, Ms Debra Shipley, Mr Keith Simpson, Mr Desmond Swayne and Mr Bill Wiggin.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Gregory Barker, Mr Harry Barnes, David Burnside, Mr Tony Clarke, Mrs Cheryl Gillan, Mr Gerald Howarth, Mr Adam Ingram, Andy King, Dr Stephen Ladyman, Mr David Laws, Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger, Mr Tony McWalter, Dan Norris, Mr James Plaskitt, Geraldine Smith and Joan Walley. European Standing Committees
Page 565 Wednesday 15th May 2002 2001-2002 Volume 258 Back to top APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The Future of UK Agriculture: Farming Beyond Subsidies?]; to be printed [No. 550-xi] [Mr David Curry].
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [E-Communications Regulatory Framework]; to be printed [No. 857] [Mr Jimmy Hood].
[No. 148; WH, No. 84.] Wednesday 15th May 2002. The House sitting in Westminster Hall [pursuant to Order of 20th November 2000]. The sitting commenced at half-past Nine o'clock.
And it being Two o'clock, the sitting was adjourned without Question put, till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 2 p.m. Page 566 Wednesday 15th May 2002 2001-2002 Volume 258 Back to top [No. 149.] Thursday 16th May 2002. The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock. PRAYERS.
Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Thursday 23rd May.
That a day not later than 5th August be allotted for the consideration of the following Estimates for the financial year 2002–03: Department for Education and Skills, in so far as the Estimate relates to Individual Learning Accounts; Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, in so far as the Estimate relates to the Public-Private Partnership for London Underground. Report to lie upon the Table.
A Bill to establish and provide for the functions of the Office of Fair Trading, the Competition Appeal Tribunal and the Competition Service; to make provision about mergers and market structures and conduct; to amend the constitution and functions of the Competition Commission; to create an offence for those entering into certain anti-competitive agreements; to provide for the disqualification of directors of companies engaging in certain anti-competitive practices; to make other provision about competition law; to amend the law relating to the protection of the collective interests of consumers; to make further provision about the disclosure of information obtained under competition and consumer legislation; to amend the Insolvency Act 1986 and make other provision about insolvency; and for connected purposes. Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 138]. Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 863].
Table
Page 567 Thursday 16th May 2002 2001-2002 Volume 258 Back to top
—(Jacqui Smith.)
Another Amendment (No. 162) proposed to the Bill, in page 1, line 9, after the word ‘life', to insert the words ‘, and that of any sibling or half-sibling of the child, having regard to their age and relationship.'.—(Mr Andrew Turner.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Another Amendment (No. 26) made to the Bill. Another Amendment (No. 1) proposed to the Bill, in page 2, line 19, after the word ‘background', to insert the words ‘, subject to the proviso that such consideration shall be secondary to the matters to be considered in subsections (2) and (3).'.—(Mr Julian Brazier.) Question put, That the Amendment be made. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Laurence Robertson, Mr Stephen O'Brien: 115. Tellers for the Noes, Dan Norris, Mr Tony McNulty: 309. It being a quarter to Four o'clock, the Deputy Speaker, pursuant to Order [this day], put the Question on the remaining Amendments moved by a Minister of the Crown to be disposed of at that hour. Other Amendments (Nos. 163 to 170, 111, 172 to 174, 290, 175 to 190, 291, 191 to 193, 292, 194 to 210, 250 and 251) made to the Bill. Another Amendment (No. 211) made to the Bill. Another Amendment (No. 310) proposed to the Bill, in page 25, line 27, to leave out the word ‘married'.—(Dr Evan Harris.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. It being Six o'clock, the Deputy Speaker put the Questions on Amendments which the Speaker had selected for separate Division. Another Amendment (No. 148) proposed to the Bill, in page 28, line 41, to leave out the word ‘married'.—(Mr David Hinchliffe.) Question put, That the Amendment be made. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Jonathan Shaw, Mr Andrew Stunell: 288. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Laurence Robertson, Mr Peter Luff: 133. Other Amendments (Nos. 149 to 157) made to the Bill. The Deputy Speaker then put the Question on the remaining Amendments moved by a Minister of the Crown to be disposed of at that hour. Other Amendments (Nos. 212 to 218, 270, 219, 220, 230, 221, 232 and 222 to 225) made to the Bill. Another Amendment (No. 8) proposed to the Bill, in page 31, line 26, to leave out the word ‘may' and insert the word ‘must', instead thereof.—(Tim Loughton.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made. And it being Seven o'clock, the Deputy Speaker put the Question already proposed from the Chair:—It was negatived. The Deputy Speaker then put the Question on an Amendment which the Speaker had selected for separate Division. Page 568 Thursday 16th May 2002 2001-2002 Volume 258 Back to top Another Amendment (No. 25) proposed to the Bill, in page 33, line 37, at the end, to insert the words— ‘(7) This section shall apply to all adopted persons, whether adopted before or after the coming into force of this Act.'.—(Tim Loughton.) Question put, That the Amendment be made. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Stephen O'Brien, Mr Laurence Robertson: 127. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Ian Pearson, Mr John Heppell: 252. The Deputy Speaker then put the Question on the remaining Amendments moved by a Minister of the Crown to be disposed of at that hour. Other Amendments (Nos. 254, 49 to 53, 301, 54, 55, 44, 45, 302, 66, 67, 56 to 58, 303, 304 and 46) made to the Bill. Ordered, That the Bill be further considered on Monday 20th May.
The Lords have agreed to the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Bill, with Amendments; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till seventeen minutes to Eight o'clock, adjourned till Monday 20th May. [Adjourned at 7.43 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
Page 569 Thursday 16th May 2002 2001-2002 Volume 258 Back to top
General Medical Council (Constitution of Interim Orders Committee) Rules Order of Council 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 2052), General Medical Council (Fitness to Practice Committees) Rules Order of Council 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 2051), General Medical Council (Interim Orders Committee) (Procedure) Rules Order of Council 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 2053), General Medical Council (Interim Orders Committee) (Transitional Provisions) Rules Order of Council 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 2054), General Medical Council (the Professional Conduct Committee, the General Health Committee and the Committee on Professional Performance) (Amendment) Rules Order of Council 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 2034), and General Medical Council (Voluntary Erasure and Restoration) Regulations Order of Council 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 2033) [by Standing Order] [The Speaker].
APPENDIX II Standing Committees
(1) The Speaker has appointed Mr Win Griffiths Chairman of the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Regulations and Codes; and (2) The Committee of Selection has discharged Malcolm Bruce from the Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations and Codes); and nominated in substitution Mr Colin Breed. [No. 149; WH, No. 85.] Thursday 16th May 2002. 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 21st May. [Adjourned at 5.44 p.m.
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