| Session 2002-2003 |
| Commons Journal 259
Chronological Index
Page 114 2002-2003 Volume 259 [No. 27.] Monday 13th January 2003. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
The Home Secretary's Responsibility for the Criminal Justice System,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House views with great concern the rise in gun crime and domestic burglary, the growing demoralisation of the police, the increasing sense of helplessness of the honest citizen and the apparent inability of the Government to provide a coherent, long-term strategy to resolve these problems; and deprecates the Home Secretary's resort to short-term, irrelevant and illiberal measures to conceal this failure—(Mr Oliver Letwin); 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 steps the Government has taken and continues to take to reform all aspects of law enforcement including increasing police numbers to record levels and the 6.1 per cent. increase in police funding for 2003–04; further welcomes the steps the Government is taking to modernise the criminal justice system through the coherent long-term strategies and the introduction of the Criminal Justice Bill; notes that for the last five years crime rates have fallen by 27 per cent. according to the British Crime Survey, that burglary has reduced by 39 per cent. since 1997 and that the chances of becoming a victim of crime are as low as at any time in the last 20 years; and particularly supports the decisive action being taken by the Government to tackle street crime and the rise in gun-related crime', instead thereof.—(Mr Secretary Blunkett.) And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Hugh Robertson, Angela Watkinson: 152. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Ivor Caplin, Derek Twigg: 365. 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 welcomes the steps the Government has taken and continues to take to reform all aspects of law enforcement including increasing police numbers to record levels and the 6.1 per cent. increase in police funding for 2003–04; further welcomes the steps the Government is taking to modernise the criminal justice system through the coherent long-term strategies and the introduction of the Criminal Justice Bill; notes that for the last five years crime rates have fallen by 27 per cent. according to the British Crime Survey, that burglary has reduced by 39 per cent. since 1997 and that the chances of becoming a victim of crime are as low as at any time in the last 20 years; and particularly supports the decisive action being taken by the Government to tackle street crime and the rise in gun-related crime. Drugs Policy,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House recognises the fundamental importance of the link between hard drugs and crime; and believes that the only means by which an effective onslaught on the hard drugs culture can be made is through mandatory intensive treatment and rehabilitation for young heroin and cocaine addicts—(Mr Oliver Letwin); 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 that focusing on Class A drugs, educating young people about the dangers of all drugs, preventing drug misuse, combating the dealers, reducing availability and treating addicts are all essential in tackling drugs; and welcomes the Government's updated Drug Strategy and the 44 per cent. increase in planned expenditure on combating drugs, from £1.026 billion in the current financial year to nearly £1.5 billion in the year starting April 2005', instead thereof.—(Mr Bob Ainsworth.) And the Question being proposed, That the original words stand part of the Question; David Maclean 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; Page 115 Monday 13th January 2003 2002-2003 Volume 259 Back to top The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Hugh Robertson, Angela Watkinson: 143. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Nick Ainger, Mr John Heppell: 375. 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 John Heppell, Mr Nick Ainger: 368. Tellers for the Noes, Hugh Robertson, Mr Desmond Swayne: 142. So the Question was agreed to. The Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to. Resolved, That this House recognises that focusing on Class A drugs, educating young people about the dangers of all drugs, preventing drug misuse, combating the dealers, reducing availability and treating addicts are all essential in tackling drugs; and welcomes the Government's updated Drug Strategy and the 44 per cent. increase in planned expenditure on combating drugs, from £1.026 billion in the current financial year to nearly £1.5 billion in the year starting April 2005.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till six minutes to Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 10.54 p.m. APPENDIX Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 10th January 2003 (Non-sitting Friday, S.O. No. 12) pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments): Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 13th January 2003: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Page 116 Monday 13th January 2003 2002-2003 Volume 259 Back to top Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
(1) Barrow Education Action Zone for 2000–01 (2) Birmingham (Aston and Nechells) Education Action Zone for 1999–2000, (3) Birmingham (Aston and Nechells) Education Action Zone for 2000–01, (4) Bolton (Ex Breightmet & Tonge) Education Action Zone for 2001–02, (5) Corby Education Action Zone for 2001–02, (6) Dudley Education Action Zone for 2000–01, (7) Easington and Seaham Education Action Zone for 2001–02, (8) East Basildon Education Action Zone for 2001–02, (9) East Cleveland Education Action Zone for 2001–02, (10) Halifax Education Action Zone for 2001–02, (11) Lambeth Education Action Zone for 2001–02, (12) Leigh Park Education Action Zone for 2001–02, (13) Peterlee Education Action Zone for 2001–02, (14) Plymouth Education Action Zone for 2001–02, and (15) Thetford Education Action Zone for 2001–02, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 254, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250 and 251] [Clerk of the House]. Papers withdrawn:
Page 117 Monday 13th January 2003 2002-2003 Volume 259 Back to top [No. 28.] Tuesday 14th January 2003. The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock. PRAYERS.
Ordered, That the Bill, as amended in the Joint Committee, be printed [Bill 42]. Bill, as amended in the Joint Committee, re-committed to a Committee of the whole House, pursuant to Standing Order No. 60 (Tax law rewrite bills). Committee to-morrow.
That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 13438/01, Commission Communication on a Community strategy for dioxins, furans and polychlorinated biphenyls; and supports the Government's objective that effective and proportionate measures are taken across the European Union in order to reduce emissions of, and exposure to, these substances, and to meet national, other regional and global commitments. Report, together with Resolution, to lie upon the Table.
Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Railways and Transport Safety Bill be printed [Bill 40–EN].
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 ‘congratulates governors, principals, teachers and other school staff on the contribution they make to educating young people in Northern Ireland; welcomes the high qualifications achieved by many pupils but acknowledges that there are also large numbers of young people, particularly Page 118 Tuesday 14th January 2003 2002-2003 Volume 259 Back to top from disadvantaged backgrounds, leaving school with low qualifications; urges the Secretary of State to continue to take forward the review of post-primary education with the objective of putting in place new post-primary arrangements that will maintain those high standards of achievement and build a modern and fair education system that enables all children in Northern Ireland to achieve their full potential; and further welcomes the additional higher education places and the Secretary of State's decision to increase Government funding for research and knowledge transfer at Queen's University Belfast and the University of Ulster', instead thereof.—(Jane Kennedy.) And the Question being proposed, pursuant to Order [7th January], That the original words stand part of the Question; Mr Roy Beggs 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, Mrs Cheryl Gillan, Mr Mark Hoban: 144. Tellers for the Noes, Charlotte Atkins, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe: 377. 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) and Order [7th January]:—It was agreed to. The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to. Resolved, That this House congratulates governors, principals, teachers and other school staff on the contribution they make to educating young people in Northern Ireland; welcomes the high qualifications achieved by many pupils but acknowledges that there are also large numbers of young people, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds, leaving school with low qualifications; urges the Secretary of State to continue to take forward the review of post-primary education with the objective of putting in place new post-primary arrangements that will maintain those high standards of achievement and build a modern and fair education system that enables all children in Northern Ireland to achieve their full potential; and further welcomes the additional higher education places and the Secretary of State's decision to increase Government funding for research and knowledge transfer at Queen's University Belfast and the University of Ulster.
And it being three hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put, pursuant to Order [7th January].
And the Motion having been made after Seven 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 ten minutes to Eight o'clock, till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 7.50 p.m. Page 119 Tuesday 14th January 2003 2002-2003 Volume 259 Back to top APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) Amendment Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 3215) [by Standing Order] [The Speaker]. APPENDIX II Standing Committees
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [London Olympic Bid 2012]; to be printed [268-i] [Mr Gerald Kaufman].
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The humanitarian crisis in southern Africa]; to be printed [No. 116-iii] [Tony Baldry].
Page 120 Tuesday 14th January 2003 2002-2003 Volume 259 Back to top
(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Planning for Sustainable Housing and Communities]; to be printed [No. 77-II] [Mr Andrew Bennett].
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Income Tax (Earning and Pensions) Bill]; to be printed [Nos. 287-i and -ii]; and (3) Memorandum laid before the Committee [Income Tax (Earning and Pensions) Bill] [Mr Kenneth Clarke].
[No. 28; WH, No. 16.] Tuesday 14th January 2003. The House sitting in Westminster Hall The sitting commenced at half-past Nine o'clock.
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 4.48 p.m. [No. 29.] Wednesday 15th January 2003. The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock. PRAYERS.
A Clause (Free provision of services in Wales)—(Jacqui Smith)—brought up, read the first and second time and added to the Bill. Another Clause (Meaning of ‘carer' and ‘carers' assessment')—(Mr Paul Burstow)—brought up and read the first time. Page 121 Wednesday 15th January 2003 2002-2003 Volume 259 Back to top Question put, That the Clause be read a second time. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Richard Younger-Ross, Mr Andrew Stunell: 195. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Nick Ainger, Mr Fraser Kemp: 334. Another Clause (Action plans and joint local protocols)—(Mrs Patsy Calton)—brought up and read the first time. Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:—Clause, by leave, withdrawn. Amendments (Nos. 26 to 34) made to the Bill. Another Amendment (No. 7) proposed to the Bill, in page 4, line 30, at the end, to insert the words— ‘(10) The amount prescribed under subsection (4) shall not exceed— (a) £120, in the case of a social services authority in, or adjacent to, Greater London, or (b) £100, in any other area.'.—(Mr Simon Burns.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Another Amendment (No. 8) proposed to the Bill, in page 4, line 30, at the end, to insert the words— ‘(10) The amount prescribed under subsection (4) shall not exceed— (a) £12, in the case of a social services authority in, or adjacent to, Greater London, or (b) £10, in any other area.'.—(Mr Simon Burns.) Question put, That the Amendment be made. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Wilshire, Mr Mark Francois: 188. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Nick Ainger, Mr Phil Woolas: 317. Another Amendment (No. 6) proposed to the Bill, in page 4, line 42, to leave out Clause No. 6.—(Mr Simon Burns.) Question put, That the Amendment be made. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Wilshire, Mr Laurence Robertson: 198. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Phil Woolas, Mr Nick Ainger: 318. It being after Six o'clock, the Deputy Speaker put forthwith the Question on an Amendment selected by the Speaker for separate Division, pursuant to Order [29th October and 28th November 2002]. Another Amendment (No. 37) proposed to the Bill, in page 7, line 32, to leave out from the word ‘require' to the end of line 33 and insert the words ‘any of the following services to be provided free of charge for a period of more than six weeks— (a) the provision of accommodation under Part 3 of the National Assistance Act 1948; (b) the provision of personal care to a person in any place where that person is living, other than accommodation provided under that Part of that Act; (c) a service provided to a carer under section 2 of the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 which consists of the provision of personal care delivered to the person cared for (in accordance with subsection (3) of that section).'.—(Jacqui Smith.) Question put, That the Amendment be made. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Gillian Merron, Mr Phil Woolas: 464. Tellers for the Noes, Annette Brooke, Richard Younger-Ross: 50. The Deputy Speaker then put the Questions on any further Amendments moved by a Minister of the Crown. Other Amendments (Nos. 35, 36 and 38 to 40) made to the Bill. Page 122 Wednesday 15th January 2003 2002-2003 Volume 259 Back to top Title accordingly amended, as follows: A Bill to make provision requiring social services authorities to make payments in cases where the discharge of patients is delayed for reasons relating to the provision of community care services or services for carers; and to enable the Secretary of State and the National Assembly for Wales to require certain community care services and services for carers provided by social services authorities to be free of charge to persons receiving those services. A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That the Bill be now read the third time; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Joan Ryan, Gillian Merron: 323. Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Wilshire, Mr Mark Francois: 188. So the Question was agreed to. The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.
(1) residents of the constituency of Hammersmith and Fulham and others for ethical investment, and (2) ‘Consumers for Health Choice' and others against restrictions on the availability of natural health products were presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till a quarter to Eight o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 7.45 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
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 and Regulatory Reform Orders; (7) European Legislation, &c.; (8) Grand Committees; (9) Chairmen's Panel; and (10) Select Committees in Session 2001–02 [by Order]; to be printed [No. 1] [Clerk of the House].
Page 123 Wednesday 15th January 2003 2002-2003 Volume 259 Back to top
APPENDIX II Standing Committees
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation and has appointed Mr Bill O'Brien Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Roy Beggs, Colin Burgon, Clive Efford, Mr Mark Fisher, Mr Neil Gerrard, Jane Kennedy, Shona McIsaac, Mr John Maples, Gillian Merron, Lembit Opik, Syd Rapson, Mr Mark Simmonds, Mr John Taylor, Joan Walley, Mr Robert N. Wareing and Mr David Wilshire.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation and has appointed Mr Jimmy Hood Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Michael Connarty, Mr John Grogan, Mr Kelvin Hopkins, Glenda Jackson, Shona McIsaac, Gillian Merron, Lembit Opik, Mr Ian Pearson, Mr Gerry Steinberg, Mr John Taylor, Sir Teddy Taylor, Mr David Trimble, Keith Vaz, Mr Peter Viggers, Mr David Wilshire and David Winnick.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation and has appointed Mr Alan Hurst Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Roger Berry, Mr Desmond Browne, David Cairns, Mr Alistair Carmichael, Mr Jonathan Djanogly, Mr Robert Jackson, Mr Piara S. Khabra, Mrs Jackie Lawrence, Shona McIsaac, Gillian Merron, Mr Gwyn Prosser, James Purnell, The Reverend Martin Smyth, Mr John Taylor, Mr David Wilshire and Mr Shaun Woodward. European Standing Committees
Page 124 Wednesday 15th January 2003 2002-2003 Volume 259 Back to top APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(2) Eighth Report from the Committee [The Committee's Work in 2002]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 63-viii]; and (3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Framework Decision on Racism and Xenophobia, and Europol]; to be printed [No. 291-i] [Mr Jimmy Hood].
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Innovation in the National Health Service—The Acquisition of the Heart Hospital]; to be printed [No. 299-i] [Mr Edward Leigh].
(2) Second Special Report from the Committee [Government Response to the Sixth Report from the Committee in Session 2001–02, on the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts]; to be printed [No. 276]; and (3) Third Special Report from the Committee [Government Response to the Seventh Report from the Committee in Session 2001–02 on the Office of Science and Technology: Scrutiny Report 2002]; to be printed [No. 293]. [Dr Ian Gibson].
Page 125 Wednesday 15th January 2003 2002-2003 Volume 259 Back to top [No. 29; WH, No. 17.] Wednesday 15th January 2003. The House sitting in Westminster Hall The sitting commenced at half-past Nine o'clock.
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 4.42 p.m. [No. 30.] Thursday 16th January 2003. The House met at half-past Eleven 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. 302].
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 14, at the end, to add the words ‘notes the failure of European ministers to address adequately the issue of industrial fishing; believes that the measures agreed by the Fisheries Council will be ineffective in restoring white fish stocks; deplores the devastating and disproportionate impact that the policies embodied in these documents will have on the UK fishing industry; and calls on the Government to set out a clear strategy to conserve fish stocks, offer a sustainable future to the United Kingdom's fishing communities and to establish national and local control over the United Kingdom's fisheries.'.—(Mr John Hayes.) And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mark Hoban, Mr Mark Francois: 132. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe, Jim Fitzpatrick: 318. Page 126 Thursday 16th January 2003 2002-2003 Volume 259 Back to top So the Question was negatived. And the Main Question being put; Resolved, That this House takes note of European Union Document No. 2341/2002 of 20th December 2002, a Council Regulation fixing for 2003 the fishing opportunities and associated conditions for certain fish stocks, applicable in Community waters and, for Community vessels, in waters where catch limitations are required; European Union Document No. 2369/2002 of 20th December 2002, a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No. 2792/1999 laying down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector; European Union Document No. 2370/2002, a Council Regulation establishing an emergency Community measure for scrapping fishing vessels; European Union Document No. 2371/2002, a Council Regulation on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the Common Fisheries Policy; and European Union Document No. 14886/2002, a Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on a Community Action Plan to reduce discards of fish.
And the Motion having been made after Six 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 eleven minutes to Seven o'clock, till Monday 20th January. [Adjourned at 6.49 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
(2) draft Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Exemptions from Civil Recovery) Order 2003, and (3) draft Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Investigations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: Code of Practice) Order 2003, [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
Page 127 Thursday 16th January 2003 2002-2003 Volume 259 Back to top (2) Observations by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on the Petition [2nd December] from Yasser Dirki, Fernando Bauza, Eileen Blake, John Enefer, Savas Kilic, residents of Hastings and others for representations to be made to the Government of Turkey for the release of Abdullah Ocalan [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].
APPENDIX II Standing Committees
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
[No. 30; WH, No. 18.] Thursday 16th January 2003. The House sitting in Westminster Hall The sitting commenced at half-past Two o'clock.
And the sitting having continued for three hours, it was adjourned without Question put, till Tuesday 21st January. [Adjourned at 5.30 p.m.
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