| Commons Journal 259
Chronological Index
Alphabetical Index - Part I
Alphabetical Index - Part II
Page 424 2002-2003 Volume 259
[No. 101.] Tuesday 3rd June 2003.
The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Fire Services Bill (Programme) (No. 2),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That the Order of 8th May 2003 (Fire Services Bill (Programme)) shall be varied as follows— |
Proceedings in Committee, on consideration and Third Reading
1. Paragraphs 3 and 4 of the Order shall be omitted.
2. Proceedings in Committee and any proceedings on consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion five and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion for this Order.
3. Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion six and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion for this Order—(Mr Nick Raynsford);
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Joan Ryan, Mr Jim Murphy: 284.
Tellers for the Noes, Mrs Cheryl Gillan, Mr Mark Hoban: 184.
So the Question was agreed to.
| 2 | Fire Services Bill,—The House, according to Order, resolved itself into a Committee on the Fire Services Bill. |
(In the Committee)
Clause No. 1 (Powers of the Secretary of State).
Amendment (No. 35) proposed, in page 1, line 2, after the word ‘instrument', to insert the words ‘within eighteen months of the commencement of this Act'.—(Mr Philip Hammond.)
Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Another Amendment (No. 32) proposed, in page 1, line 4, at the end, to insert the words—
‘(1A) (a) Before making an order under section 1(1) the Secretary of State shall conduct a postal ballot of all Fire Brigade members for the purpose of ascertaining their views in relation to any order to be made under section 1(1) or any related matters which appears to the Secretary of State to be relevant.
(b) The Secretary of State may direct any fire authority to supply him with such information as he may require to enable him to conduct a ballot under subsection 1(1A)(a).
(c) It shall be the duty of a fire authority to comply with a direction given under subsection 1(1A)(b).'.—(Mr Philip Hammond.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The Committee divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mrs Cheryl Gillan, Mr Mark Hoban: 166.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Ivor Caplin, Derek Twigg: 291.
Another Amendment (No. 3) proposed, in page 1, line 5, to leave out the words ‘or disposal'.—(John McDonnell.)
Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Another Amendment (No. 1) proposed, in page 1, line 6, at the end, to insert the words—
‘(1A) The provision that may be made by virtue of subsection (1)(a) includes the power to make provision about conditions of service relating to—
(a) membership of trades unions by fire brigade members; and
(b) disciplinary offences by fire brigades members.'.—(Mr Philip Hammond.)
Page 425 Tuesday 3rd June 2003 2002-2003 Volume 259 Back to top
Question proposed, That the Amendment be made.
And it being five and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion relating to Fire Services Bill (Programme) (No. 2), the Chairman proceeded to put the Questions necessary to bring proceedings in Committee to a conclusion, pursuant to Orders [8th May and this day].
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The Committee divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mark Hoban, Mrs Cheryl Gillan: 112.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Nick Ainger, Charlotte Atkins: 335.
Amendment (No. 17) made.
Clause, as amended, agreed to.
Clause No. 2 (Supplemental provisions).
Amendments (Nos. 18 to 20) made.
Clause, as amended, agreed to.
Amendment (No. 21) made.
Title accordingly amended as follows: A Bill to confer power to set or modify the conditions of service of members of fire brigades and to give directions to fire authorities.
Whereupon the Chairman left the Chair to report the Bill to the House, pursuant to Orders [28th June 2001, 29th October 2002 and this day].
The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair; and Dan Norris reported, That the Committee had gone through the Bill, and had made Amendments thereunto.
The House, according to Order [this day], proceeded to consider the Bill, as amended in the Committee.
A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That the Bill be now read the third time—(Mr Nick Raynsford);
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Fraser Kemp, Mr John Heppell: 263.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Andrew Stunell, Mr Mark Hoban: 198.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.
| 3 | European Communities,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States and the Arab Republic of Egypt) Order 2003, which was laid before this House on 28th April, be approved—(Mr Phil Woolas):—It was agreed to. |
| 4 | European Communities,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Agreement establishing an association between the European Community and its Member States and the Republic of Chile) Order 2003, which was laid before this House on 28th April, be approved—(Mr Phil Woolas):—It was agreed to. |
| 5 | Competition,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Enterprise Act 2002 (Anticipated Mergers) Order 2003, which was laid before this House on 29th April, be approved—(Mr Phil Woolas):—It was agreed to. |
| 6 | Competition,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Enterprise Act 2002 (Protection of Legitimate Interests) Order 2003, which was laid before this House on 29th April, be approved—(Mr Phil Woolas):—It was agreed to. |
| 7 | Prisons,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Release of Short-Term Prisoners on Licence (Amendment of Requisite Period) Order 2003, which was laid before this House on 10th April, be approved—(Mr Phil Woolas):—It was agreed to. |
Page 426 Tuesday 3rd June 2003 2002-2003 Volume 259 Back to top
| 8 | Control of Foot and Mouth Disease,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 119 (European Standing Committees), That this House takes note of European Union Document No. 15831/02, draft Directive on Community measures for the control of foot-and-mouth disease and amending Directive 92/46/EEC; and supports the Government's objective of agreeing measures for the control and eradication of foot-and-mouth disease which allows the European Union's foot-and-mouth disease-free status to be maintained, including the possible use of emergency vaccination from the start of an outbreak—(Mr Phil Woolas):—It was agreed to. |
| 9 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Phil Woolas.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till eleven minutes to Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 10.49 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers presented by Her Majesty's Command and delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on the undermentioned dates during the adjournment pursuant to Standing Order No. 158 (Presentation of command papers):
Wednesday 28th May 2003
| 1 | Tribunals and Inquiries,—Report entitled, School Admission and Exclusion Appeal Panels Special Report [Cm. 5788] [Ms Rosie Winterton]. |
Thursday 29th May 2003
| 2 | Immigration,—Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules [Cm. 5829] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
Friday 30th May 2003
| 3 | Miscellaneous (No. 6, 2003),—Agreement, done at Canberra on 19th June 2001, on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Cm. 5826] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
| 4 | Treaty Series (No. 18, 2003),—Exchange of Notes, done at Sarajevo on 6th and 17th December 1999, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina concerning Certain Commercial Debts (The United Kingdom/Bosnia and Herzegovina Debt Agreement No. 1 (1998)) [Cm. 5828] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on the undermentioned dates during the adjournment pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments):
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Friday 23rd May 2003
| 5 | Income Tax,—Income Tax (Exemption of Minor Benefits) (Increase in Sums of Money) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1361), dated 22nd May 2003 [Dawn Primarolo]. |
Tuesday 27th May 2003
| 6 | Competition,—(1) Competition Appeal Tribunal Rules 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1372), |
(2) Competition Commission (Penalties) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1371),
(3) Enterprise Act 2002 (Merger Fees and Determination of Turnover) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1370), and
(4) Enterprise Act 2002 (Super-complaints to Regulators) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1368),
dated 23rd May 2003 [Ms Secretary Hewitt].
| 7 | Consumer Protection,—(1) Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 8 Community Infringements Specified UK Laws) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1374), |
(2) Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 8 Notice to OFT of Intended Prosecution Specified Enactments, Revocation and Transitional Provision), Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1376), and
(3) Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 8 Request for Consultation) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1375),
dated 23rd May 2003 [Ms Secretary Hewitt].
Page 427 Tuesday 3rd June 2003 2002-2003 Volume 259 Back to top
| 8 | Insolvency,—Insolvent Companies (Disqualification of Unfit Directors) Proceedings (Amendment) Rules 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1367), dated 23rd May 2003 [Ms Secretary Hewitt]. |
| 9 | Social Security,—Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (State Pension Credit) (Abolition of Benefit Periods) Amendment Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1338), dated 21st May 2003 [Mr Secretary Smith]. |
Wednesday 28th May 2003
| 10 | Tax Credits,—Tax Credits (Employer Penalty Appeals) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1382), dated 23rd May 2003 [Dawn Primarolo]. |
Thursday 29th May 2003
| 11 | Competition,—(1) Enterprise Act 2002 (Consequential and Supplemental Provisions) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1398), and |
(2) Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 9 Restrictions on Disclosure of Information) (Amendment and Specification) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1400),
dated 28th May 2003 [Ms Secretary Hewitt].
| 12 | Consumer Protection,—Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 8 Designated Enforcers: Criteria for Designation, Designation of Public Bodies as Designated Enforcers and Transitional Provisions) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1399), dated 28th May 2003 [Ms Secretary Hewitt]. |
Friday 30th May 2003
| 13 | Education,—School Governance (Procedures) (England) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1377), dated 23rd May 2003 [Mr Secretary Clarke]. |
| 14 | Social Security,—Fines (Deductions from Income Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1360), dated 22nd May 2003 [Mr Secretary Smith]. |
Monday 2nd June 2003
| 15 | Food,—Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1387), dated 9th May 2003 [Mr Secretary Milburn]. |
Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Tuesday 3rd June 2003:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 16 | Pensions,—European Parliament (United Kingdom Representatives) Pensions (Amendment) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1416), dated 2nd June 2003 [by Act] [Dr John Reid]. |
| 17 | Supreme Court (Northern Ireland),—Crown Court (Amendment No. 2) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2003 (S.R.(N.I.), 2003, No. 279), dated 27th May 2003 [by Act] [Ms Rosie Winterton]. |
Other Papers:
| 18 | France (No. 1, 2003),—Treaty, done at Le Touquet on 4th February 2003, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the French Republic concerning the Implementation of Frontier Controls at the Sea Ports of both Countries on the Channel and North Sea, with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Cm. 5832] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
| 19 | National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on The English national stadium project at Wembley [by Act]; to be printed [No. 699] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 20 | Public Petitions,—Observations by:— |
(1) the Secretary of State for Health on the Petition [14th May] from citizens of the United Kingdom for improvements in diagnosis of autism and in services available to people with autism, and
(2) the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on the Petition [29th April] from residents of Gloucester and other for continued Government support for British Energy
[by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].
| 21 | Railways,—Report of the Office of the Rail Regulator for 2002–03 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling]. |
Page 428 Tuesday 3rd June 2003 2002-2003 Volume 259 Back to top
| 22 | Social Services (Training),—Account of the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work for 2001–02, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 729] [Clerk of the House]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| 1 | Legal Deposit Libraries Bill: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee F (transferred from Standing Committee C); and
(2) The Committee of Selection has discharged Derek Wyatt from Standing Committee F (nominated in respect of the Bill); and nominated in substitution Brian White.
Programming Committees
| 2 | European Union (Accessions) Bill (Programming Committee),—Pursuant to Sessional Order B (Programming Committees) [28th June 2001, renewed 29th October 2002], The Speaker has appointed Mr Ivor Caplin, Mr Roger Casale, Ms Cheryl Gillan, Mr Tom Harris, Mr Denis MacShane, Mr Michael Moore, Ms Kali Mountford and Mr Richard Spring members of the Programming Committee in respect of the Bill. |
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Draft Corruption Bill,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Joint Committee on the Draft Corruption Bill on 2nd June; to be printed [No. 705-v] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 2 | Foreign Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee [Foreign Policy Aspects of the War against Terrorism]; to be printed [No. 405-v] [Donald Anderson]. |
| 3 | Health,—(1) Fourth Report from the Health Committee [Maternity Services], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Maternity Services Sub-Committee of the Committee; to be printed with the Minutes of Proceedings relating to the Report [No. 464]; and |
(2) Memoranda laid before the Sub-Committee [Maternity Services]
[Julia Drown].
| 4 | International Development,—Memoranda laid before the International Development Committee [Iraq] [Tony Baldry]. |
| 5 | Lord Chancellor's Department,—First Report from the Committee on the Lord Chancellor's Department [Courts Bill], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 526-I and -II] [Mr A. J. Beith]. |
| 6 | Statutory Instruments,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments [Draft Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 and draft Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003]; to be printed [No. 740-i] [Mr David Tredinnick]. |
[No. 101; WH, No. 64.]
Tuesday 3rd June 2003.
The House sitting in Westminster Hall
The sitting commenced at half-past Nine o'clock.
| Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the sitting be now adjourned—(Joan Ryan); |
And it being Two o'clock, the sitting was adjourned without Question put, till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 2 p.m.
Page 429 Tuesday 3rd June 2003 2002-2003 Volume 259 Back to top
[No. 102.] Wednesday 4th June 2003.
The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Nottingham City Council Bill [Lords],—The Nottingham City Council Bill [Lords] was read a second time and committed. |
| 2 | Transas Group Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Transas Group Bill; |
Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Wednesday 11th June.
| 3 | Legal Deposit Libraries Bill,—Mr Joe Benton reported from Standing Committee F, That it had gone through the Legal Deposit Libraries Bill, and made Amendments thereunto. |
Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered on Friday 4th July; and to be printed [Bill 118].
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 753].
| 4 | Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—David Taylor reported from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Contracting Out (Administration of the Teachers' Pensions Scheme) Order 2003. |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 5 | Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Bill Olner reported from the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Enterprise Act 2002 (Supply of Services) Order 2003 and the draft Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 8 Domestic Infringements) Order 2003. |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 6 | European Standing Committee A,—Derek Conway reported from European Standing Committee A the following Resolution: |
That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 13789/02, draft Directive concerning the quality of bathing water; and supports the Government's objective that effective, practical and proportionate measures are applied across the European Union to monitor and regulate the quality of bathing water.
Report, together with Resolution, to lie upon the Table.
| 7 | Fishery Limits (United Kingdom) Amendment,—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to provide that the Fishery Limits Act 1976 shall have effect regardless of the provisions of the European Communities Act 1972; that Part II of the Merchant Shipping Act 1988 shall have effect as though it had not been repealed by the Merchant Shipping (Registration etc) Act 1993; to confer upon the Secretary of State powers to license fishing vessels to fish within United Kingdom waters; to exclude vessels of specified nations or specified vessels from fishing United Kingdom waters; to negotiate common policies with other countries to preserve fish stocks; to invalidate any provisions of the Common Fisheries Policy of the European Community; and for connected purposes: And that Mr Austin Mitchell, David Burnside, John Cryer, Mr Frank Field, Mr Kelvin Hopkins, Lawrie Quinn, Mr Alex Salmond, Sir Teddy Taylor, Ann Winterton and Mrs Iris Robinson do prepare and bring it in. |
| 8 | Fishery Limits (United Kingdom) Amendment Bill,—Mr Austin Mitchell accordingly presented a Bill to provide that the Fishery Limits Act 1976 shall have effect regardless of the provisions of the European Communities Act 1972; that Part II of the Merchant Shipping Act 1988 shall have effect as though it had not been repealed by the Merchant Shipping (Registration etc) Act 1993; to confer upon the Secretary of State powers to license fishing vessels to fish within United Kingdom waters; to exclude vessels of specified nations or specified vessels from fishing United Kingdom waters; to negotiate common policies with other countries to preserve fish stocks; to invalidate any provisions of the Common Fisheries Policy of the European Community; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 11th July and to be printed [Bill 117]. |
| 9 | Opposition Day [7th allotted day],—It being an allotted day at the disposal of the leader of the second largest opposition party in pursuance of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business), the House proceeded to consider Opposition business. |
Iraq,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House recalls the Prime Minister's assertion that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction capable of being used at 45 minutes' notice; further recalls the Government's contention that these weapons posed an imminent danger to the United Kingdom and its forces; notes
Page 430 Wednesday 4th June 2003 2002-2003 Volume 259 Back to top
that to date no such weapons have been found; and calls for an independent inquiry into the handling of the intelligence received, its assessment and the decisions made by ministers based upon it—(Mr Menzies Campbell);
An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 1, to leave out from the word ‘House' to the end of the Question and add the words ‘believes that the Intelligence and Security Committee established by Parliament is the appropriate body to carry out any inquiry into intelligence relating to Iraq; and notes in relation to Iraq's disarmament obligations the terms of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1483', 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, Richard Younger-Ross, Annette Brooke: 203.
Tellers for the Noes, Charlotte Atkins, Mr Phil Woolas: 301.
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 believes that the Intelligence and Security Committee established by Parliament is the appropriate body to carry out any inquiry into intelligence relating to Iraq; and notes in relation to Iraq's disarmament obligations the terms of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1483.
Pensions,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House condemns the Government's extensive delay in appointing a new Minister for Pensions at a time of pensions crisis; further condemns the Government for pursuing a strategy of mass means testing of pensioners; notes that the Department for Work and Pensions will have satisfied its PSA target even if a million pensioners are still missing out on their entitlement to Pension Credit by 2006; further notes that the Pension Credit will be run on a computer system described by the previous Secretary of State as ‘very decrepit'; believes that the Pensions Green Paper was an inadequate response to a range of pensions problems, including the large number of people of working age who are facing financial insecurity in retirement, particularly many women; further notes the continued insecurity of many members of defined benefit pension schemes and the lack of protection for working age scheme members when schemes are wound up; calls on the Government to address these issues as a matter of urgency; and further calls on the Government urgently to simplify the state pension system and to ensure that the basic state pension provides a firm foundation for income in retirement, with particular reference to the needs of older pensioners—(Steve Webb);
An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 1, to leave out from the word ‘House' to the end of the Question and add the words ‘recognises that the UK has the largest stock of private pension saving in Europe and a tradition of pension partnership at the workplace which leaves it well placed to rise to the challenge of longer lives; welcomes the conclusion of the Work and Pensions Committee that the UK pensions system is “basically sound”; further recognises that there are pressures on pension systems at the moment and supports the Government's proposals, as outlined in the recent Green Paper, to renew the UK pensions partnership, to introduce further measures to bolster the UK system which better focus regulation on contemporary anxieties, and to increase security without increasing the overall costs of running pensions; strongly endorses the Work and Pensions Committee's judgement that “current policies have been successful in reducing pensioner poverty”; further recognises that this is of particular benefit to women; welcomes the state second pension which will provide lower earners, disabled people and carers, some 18 million people most of whom are women, with a better pension; believes that good pensions policy must be built on a foundation of the basic state pension, which has increased in real terms for three years in a row; and looks forward to the Pension Credit reform in October which will ensure that those with modest savings are properly rewarded for the first time', instead thereof.—(Maria Eagle.)
And the Question being proposed, That the original words stand part of the Question;
Sir Robert Smith 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, Tom Brake, Mr Alan Reid: 202.
Tellers for the Noes, Dan Norris, Mr Nick Ainger: 313.
So the Question was negatived.
Page 431 Wednesday 4th June 2003 2002-2003 Volume 259 Back to top
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 Nick Ainger, Dan Norris: 305.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Alan Reid, Tom Brake: 195.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.
Resolved, That this House recognises that the UK has the largest stock of private pension saving in Europe and a tradition of pension partnership at the workplace which leaves it well placed to rise to the challenge of longer lives; welcomes the conclusion of the Work and Pensions Committee that the UK pensions system is ‘basically sound'; further recognises that there are pressures on pension systems at the moment and supports the Government's proposals, as outlined in the recent Green Paper, to renew the UK pensions partnership, to introduce further measures to bolster the UK system which better focus regulation on contemporary anxieties, and to increase security without increasing the overall costs of running pensions; strongly endorses the Work and Pensions Committee's judgement that ‘current policies have been successful in reducing pensioner poverty'; further recognises that this is of particular benefit to women; welcomes the state second pension which will provide lower earners, disabled people and carers, some 18 million people most of whom are women, with a better pension; believes that good pensions policy must be built on a foundation of the basic state pension, which has increased in real terms for three years in a row; and looks forward to the Pension Credit reform in October which will ensure that those with modest savings are properly rewarded for the first time.
| 10 | Section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993,—Ordered, That, for the purposes of its approval under section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993, the Government's assessment as set out in the Budget 2003 shall be treated as if it were an instrument subject to the provisions of Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation).—(Gillian Merron.) |
| 11 | Business of the House,—Ordered, That, at the sitting on Tuesday 10th June, Private Business set down for Four o'clock by the Chairman of Ways and Means shall be entered upon at the conclusion of Government business (whether before, at or after Four o'clock), and may then be proceeded with, though opposed, for a period of three hours, after which the Speaker shall interrupt the business.—(Gillian Merron.) |
| 12 | Finance Bill (Programme) (No. 4),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Orders [28th June 2001 and 29th October 2002], That the Programme Order of 6th May 2003, as amended by the Order of 8th May 2003, shall be further amended by the substitution in paragraph 3(1) of ‘17th June 2003' for ‘12th June 2003'—(Gillian Merron):—It was agreed to. |
| 13 | Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from Mrs Margaret Todd and others for restrictions on the days on which fireworks can be used, except at licensed displays, was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed. |
| 14 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Gillian Merron.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till seven minutes to Eight o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 7.53 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 1 | Disabled Persons,—Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Furness Railway Trust North London Coach) Exemption Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1436), dated 3rd June 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling]. |
| 2 | Health and Safety,—Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Transportable Pressure Vessels (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1431), dated 3rd June 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling]. |
| 3 | Income Tax,—Income Tax (Exemption of Minor Benefits) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1434), dated 3rd June 2003 [by Act] [John Healey]. |
Page 432 Wednesday 4th June 2003 2002-2003 Volume 259 Back to top
Other Papers:
| 4 | Coroner Services,—Paper, entitled Death Certification and Investigation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: the Report of a Fundamental Review 2003 [by Command] [Cm. 5831] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
| 5 | Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for Health on the Petition [2nd April] from ‘Consumers for Health Choice' and others against restrictions on the availability of natural health products [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| 1 | Municipal Waste Recycling Bill,—The Speaker has appointed Miss Anne Begg Chairman of Standing Committee F in respect of the Bill (transferred from Standing Committee C). |
| 2 | Legal Deposit Libraries Bill,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Joe Benton Chairman of Standing Committee F in respect of the Bill. |
| 3 | Draft Race Relations Act 1976 (Seamen Recruited Abroad) Order 2003: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Tom Brake, David Cairns, Mr Christopher Chope, Geraint Davies, Mr Stephen Dorrell, Mr Don Foster, Mr George Foulkes, Mike Gapes, Mr John Grogan, Mr David Jamieson, Joyce Quin, Mr John Redwood, Mr Andy Reed, Joan Ryan, Mr Robert Syms and Mr Dave Watts.
| 4 | Draft Uncertificated Securities (Amendment) (Eligible Debt Securities) Regulations 2003,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Peter Pike Chairman of the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Regulations. |
| 5 | Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 122) on Local Authorities with Autonomy on Formulaic Capital Allowances: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Report to the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr James Arbuthnot, Mr Richard Bacon, Mr David Borrow, Mr Graham Brady, Mr Stephen Byers, Mr Martin Caton, Mr Ian Cawsey, Mrs Janet Dean, Mr Piara S. Khabra, John Mann, Mr David Miliband, Dr John Pugh, Mr Laurence Robertson, Mr Sio(r)n Simon, Derek Twigg and Mr Phil Willis.
| 6 | Draft Race Relations Act 1976 (Amendment) Regulations 2003: |
(1) The Speaker has appointed David Taylor Chairman of the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Regulations; and
(2) The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Mark Francois from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations); and nominated in substitution Mr James Clappison.
| 7 | Draft Contracting Out (Administration of the Teachers' Pensions Scheme) Order 2003: |
(1) The Speaker has appointed David Taylor Chairman of the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Order, in place of Mr Peter Atkinson; and
(2) The Committee of Selection has discharged Anne Picking from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Jim Sheridan.
| 8 | Draft State Pension Credit (Decisions and Appeals—Amendment) Regulations 2003: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Charlotte Atkins, Mr Clive Betts, Mr Julian Brazier, Mr David Clelland, Tom Cox, Mr David Crausby, Mr David Curry, Maria Eagle, Dr Hywel Francis, Mr Paul Goodman, Paul Holmes, Mr Mark Lazarowicz, Margaret Moran, Mr Ken Purchase, Angela Watkinson and Steve Webb.
| 9 | Draft Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 and draft Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
Page 433 Wednesday 4th June 2003 2002-2003 Volume 259 Back to top
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Michael Clapham, Mr Edward Davey, Barbara Follett, Mr Philip Hammond, Dr Evan Harris, Mr Eric Joyce, Mr Edward Leigh, Tom Levitt, Sandra Osborne, Joyce Quin, Mrs Barbara Roche, Andrew Selous, Dr Gavin Strang, Mr Desmond Swayne, Mrs Betty Williams and Mr Phil Woolas.
| 10 | Draft Enterprise Act 2002 (Supply of Services) Order 2003 and draft Enterprise Act 2002 (Part 8 Domestic Infringements) Order 2003,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Bill Olner Chairman of the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Order, in place of Mr Joe Benton. |
| 11 | Draft Referral Orders (Amendment of Referral Conditions) Regulations 2003,—The Speaker has appointed Mr George Stevenson Chairman of the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Regulations. |
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Defence,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee [Lessons of Iraq]; to be printed [No. 695-ii] [Mr Bruce George]. |
| 2 | Draft Corruption Bill,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Joint Committee on the Draft Corruption Bill; to be printed [No. 705-vi] [Mr Richard Shepherd]. |
| 3 | Environmental Audit,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environmental Audit Committee [Budget 2003 and Aviation]; to be printed [No. 672-ii] [Mr John Horam]. |
| 4 | Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—(1) Fifth Special Report from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee [Government's Reply to the Fifth Report from the Committee, Session 2002–03, on the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000]; to be printed [No. 748]; |
(2) Sixth Special Report from the Committee [Government's Reply to the Fourth Report from the Committee, Session 2002–03, on The Water Framework Directive]; to be printed [No. 749]; and
(3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Gangmasters]; to be printed [No. 691-iii]
[Mr David Curry].
| 5 | European Scrutiny,—Twenty-third Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 63-xxiii] [Mr Jimmy Hood]. |
| 6 | Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Urban Affairs Sub-Committee of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions Committee [Living Places: Cleaner, Safer, Greener]; to be printed [No. 673-iii] [Chris Mole]; |
(2) First Special Report from the Committee [Government Response to the Sixth Report of the Committee, Session 2002–03, on the Licensing Bill [Lords] and the Evening Economy)]; to be printed [No. 750] [Andrew Bennett]; and
(3) Memoranda laid before the Committee [draft Housing Bill]; to be printed [No. 751-II] [Andrew Bennett].
| 7 | Public Accounts,—(1) Twenty-sixth Report from the Committee [Safety, quality, efficacy: regulating medicines in the UK]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 505]; |
(2) Twenty-seventh Report from the Committee [The Management of Substitution Cover for Teachers]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 473]; and
(3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Fisheries Enforcement in England]; to be printed [No. 752-i]
[Mr Edward Leigh].
| 8 | Trade and Industry,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Trade and Industry Committee [The Impact of the Introduction of ‘Direct Payment' on Post Office Business]; to be printed [No. 718-iii] [Mr Martin O'Neill]. |
| 9 | Treasury,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee of the Treasury Committee [HM Customs and Excise Spring Departmental Report 2003]; to be printed [No. 746-i] [Mr John McFall]. |
Page 434 Wednesday 4th June 2003 2002-2003 Volume 259 Back to top
[No. 102; WH, No. 65.]
Wednesday 4th June 2003.
The House sitting in Westminster Hall
The sitting commenced at half-past Nine o'clock.
| Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the sitting be now adjourned—(Mr Jim Murphy); |
And the sitting having continued for two and a half hours after Two o'clock, it was adjourned without Question put, till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 4.30 p.m.
[No. 103.] Thursday 5th June 2003.
The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr George Stevenson reported from the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Referral Orders (Amendment of Referral Conditions) Regulations 2003. |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 2 | European Union (Accessions) Bill,—The House, according to Order, resolved itself into a Committee on the European Union (Accessions) Bill. |
(In the Committee)
Clause No. 1 agreed to.
Clause No. 2 (Freedom of movement for workers).
Amendment (No. 1) proposed, in page 2, line 5, at the end, to insert the words, ‘; but no such regulations shall be made within two years of the passing of this Act'.—(Mr Richard Spring.)
Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Clause agreed to.
Clause No. 3 agreed to.
Bill to be reported.
The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair; and Mr Ivor Caplin reported, That the Committee had gone through the Bill, and directed him to report the same, without Amendment.
The Bill was read the third time, and passed.
| 3 | Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from the West of Scotland Seniors Forum against local post office closures was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed. |
| 4 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Ivor Caplin.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-eight minutes past Five o'clock, adjourned till Monday 9th June.
[Adjourned at 5.28 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
| 1 | Customs and Excise,—Tobacco Products (Descriptions of Products) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1471), dated 5th June 2003 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [John Healey]. |
Page 435 Thursday 5th June 2003 2002-2003 Volume 259 Back to top
| 2 | Financial Services and Markets,—(1) Draft Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) (Amendment) Order 2003, |
(2) draft Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Exemption) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2003,
(3) Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No. 1) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1475), dated 5th June 2003, and
(4) Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1476), dated 5th June,
[by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Mr Paul Boateng].
| 3 | Immigration,—Draft Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (Juxtaposed Controls) Order 2003 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
| 4 | Insolvency,—Draft Insolvency Act 1986 (Amendment) (Administrative Receivership and Urban Regeneration etc.) Order 2003 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Ms Secretary Hewitt]. |
| 5 | Prisons,—Draft Release of Short-Term Prisoners on Licence (Repeal of Age Restriction) Order 2003 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 6 | Dangerous Drugs,—Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1432), dated 5th June 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
| 7 | Financial Services and Markets,—(1) Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Misleading Statements and Practices) (Amendment) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1474), and |
(2) Insurance Mediation Directive (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1473),
dated 5th June 2003 [by Act] [Mr Paul Boateng].
| 8 | Highways,—Highways, Crime Prevention etc. (Special Extinguishment and Special Diversion Orders) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1479), dated 5th June 2003 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
| 9 | Insolvency,—Insolvency Act 1986 (Amendment) (Administrative Receivership and Capital Market Arrangements) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1468), dated 4th June 2003 [by Act] [Ms Secretary Hewitt]. |
| 10 | Land Registration,—Land Registration Rules 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1417), dated 19th May 2003 [by Act] [Ms Rosie Winterton]. |
| 11 | Police,—Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Amendment No. 4) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1418), dated 30th May 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
Other Papers:
| 12 | Office of the Deputy Prime Minster,—Government Response to the Fifth Report of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Planning, Local Government and the Regions Committee, Session 2002–03, on the Departmental Annual Report and Estimates 2002 [by Command] [Cm. 5841] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| 1 | Crime (International Co-operation) Bill [Lords],—The Speaker has appointed Mr Joe Benton and Mr Alan Hurst Chairmen of Standing Committee A in respect of the Bill. |
| 2 | Sustainable Energy Bill,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Eric Illsley Chairman of Standing Committee C in respect of the Bill. |
| 3 | Crime (International Co-operation) Bill (Programming Sub-Committee),—The Speaker has appointed Mr Bob Ainsworth, Mr Barry Gardiner, Mr Nick Hawkins, Mr David Heath, Mr John Heppell, Mr Robert Syms and Mr Shaun Woodward members of the Programming Sub-Committee of Standing Committee A in respect of the Bill. |
| 4 | Draft Race Relations Act 1976 (Seamen Recruited Abroad) Order 2003,—The Speaker has appointed Mr James Cran Chairman of the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Order. |
Page 436 Thursday 5th June 2003 2002-2003 Volume 259 Back to top
| 5 | Draft Race Relations Act 1976 (Amendment) Regulations 2003,—The Speaker has appointed Mr John Cummings Chairman of the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Regulations. |
| 6 | Draft State Pension Credit (Decisions and Appeals-Amendment) Regulations 2003,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Peter Pike Chairman of the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Regulations. |
| 7 | Draft Lay Magistrates (Eligibility) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003,—The Speaker has appointed Mr James Cran Chairman of the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Order. |
| 8 | Draft Referral Orders (Amendment of Referral Conditions) Regulations 2003,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas from the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations); and nominated in substitution Mr Kelvin Hopkins. |
Grand Committees
| 9 | The Speaker has appointed Mr John McWilliam Chairman of the Northern Ireland Grand Committee in respect of its meeting on Monday 9th June. |
European Standing Committees
| 10 | The Speaker has appointed David Taylor Chairman of European Standing Committee B in respect of European Union Document No. 8475/03, relating to Broad economic policy guidelines. |
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Defence,—Second Special Report from the Defence Committee [Government's Response to the Third Report from the Committee, Session 2002–03, on the Arms Control and Disarmament (Inspections) Bill] to be printed [No. 754] [Mr Bruce George]. |
| 2 | European Scrutiny,—Twenty-fourth Report from the European Scrutiny Committee [The Convention on the Future of Europe and the Role of National Parliaments]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 63-xxiv] [Mr Michael Connarty]. |
| 3 | Health,—(1) Fifth Report from the Health Committee [Office of Fair Trading Report into the Control of Entry Regulations and Retail Pharmacy Services in the UK], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 571]; and |
(2) Sixth Report from the Committee [The Victoria Climbie" Inquiry]; to be printed with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 570]
[Mr David Hinchliffe].
| 4 | Home Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Home Affairs Committee [Asylum Applications]; to be printed [No. 692-iv] [Mr Chris Mullin]. |
| 5 | Public Administration,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Public Administration [Ministerial Powers and the Prerogative]; to be printed [No. 642-iv] [Tony Wright]. |
[No. 103; WH, No. 66.]
Thursday 5th June 2003.
The House sitting in Westminster Hall
The sitting commenced at half-past Two o'clock.
| Adjournment (Human Rights Annual Report 2002—Fourth Report from the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Government's response thereto),—Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Joan Ryan.) |
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till Tuesday 10th June.
[Adjourned at 4.21 p.m.
|
