| Commons Journal 259
Chronological Index
Alphabetical Index - Part I
Alphabetical Index - Part II
Page 542 2002-2003 Volume 259
[No. 128.] Monday 14th July 2003.
The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Roger Gale reported from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999 (Amendment) Regulations 2003. |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 2 | Thirteenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Frank Cook reported from the Thirteenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Land Registry Trading Fund (Extension and Amendment) Order 2003. |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 3 | Fourteenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Joe Benton reported from the Fourteenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Special Grant Report (No. 125) (House of Commons Paper No. 776) on the Preserved Rights Grant for 2003–09, the Special Grant Report (No. 124) (House of Commons Paper No. 777) on the Delayed Discharges Grant Report for 2003–04 and the Special Grant Report (No. 123) (House of Commons Paper No. 778) on the Social Services (High Performers No. 2) Grant for 2003–04. |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 4 | Draft Civil Contingencies Bill,—Ordered, That the Lords Message of 11th July relating to the Joint Committee on any draft Civil Contingencies Bill be now considered. |
Lords Message considered accordingly.
Ordered, That the Committee appointed by this House do meet the Lords Committee as proposed by their Lordships.
Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.
| 5 | Draft Mental Incapacity Bill,—Ordered, That the Lords Message of 11th July relating to the Joint Committee on any draft Mental Incapacity Bill be now considered. |
Lords Message considered accordingly.
Ordered, That the Committee appointed by this House do meet the Lords Committee as proposed by their Lordships.
Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.
| 6 | Communications Bill (Programme) (No. 3),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Orders [28th June 2001 and 29th October 2002], That the following provisions shall apply to the Communications Bill for the purpose of supplementing the Orders of 3rd December 2002 and 10th February 2003: |
Consideration of Lords Amendments
1. Proceedings on Consideration of Lords Amendments shall be completed at this day's sitting and shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption.
2. Those proceedings shall be taken in the order shown in the first column of the following Table, and each part of those proceedings shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the time shown in the second column.
| Lords Amendments | Time for conclusion of proceedings |
| Nos. 1 and 2 | 6.00 p.m. |
| Nos. 3 to 38 | 7.30 p.m. |
| Nos. 39 to 114 | 9.00 p.m. |
| Nos. 115 to 278 | 10.00 p.m. |
Subsequent stages
3. Any further Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question put.
4. Proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement—(Mr Nick Ainger);
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The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Derek Twigg, Margaret Moran: 306.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr John Randall, Mr Mark Hoban: 165.
So the Question was agreed to.
| 7 | Communications Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Lords Amendments to the Communications Bill. |
Lords Amendment No. 1 was disagreed to.
Amendments (a) to (c) were made to the Bill, in lieu of Lords Amendment No. 1 disagreed to.
Lords Amendment No. 2 was agreed to.
Lords Amendment No. 3 was disagreed to.
An Amendment (a) was made to the Bill, in lieu of Lords Amendment No. 3 disagreed to.
Lords Amendments Nos. 4 to 12 were agreed to.
It being half-past Seven o'clock, the Deputy Speaker put forthwith the Questions necessary to dispose of the business to be concluded at that hour, pursuant to Order [this day].
Lords Amendments Nos. 13 to 38 were agreed to.
Lords Amendments Nos. 39 to 41 were agreed to.
Lords Amendment No. 42 was disagreed to.
An Amendment (a) was made to the Bill, in lieu of Lords Amendment No. 42 disagreed to.
Lords Amendment No. 43 to 72 were agreed to.
Amendments (a) to (e), consequential on Lords Amendment No. 72, were made to the Bill.
Lords Amendments Nos. 73 to 114 were agreed to.
Lords Amendments Nos. 115 and 116 were disagreed to.
Amendments (a) to (e) were made to the Bill, in lieu of Lords Amendments Nos. 115 and 116 disagreed to.
Lords Amendments Nos. 117 to 129 were agreed to.
Lords Amendment No. 130.
A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment—(Secretary Tessa Jowell);
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John Heppell, Paul Clark: 314.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Mark Francois, Hugh Robertson: 175.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Lords Amendment was accordingly disagreed to.
It being after Ten o'clock, the Speaker put forthwith the Questions necessary to dispose of the remaining Lords Amendments.
Amendments (a) to (l) were made to the Bill, in lieu of Lords Amendments No. 130 disagreed to.
Lords Amendments Nos. 131 to 278 were agreed to, the Commons being willing to waive their privileges in respect of Lords Amendments Nos. 155 and 196.
| 8 | Immigration,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Immigration (Provision of Physical Data) Regulations 2003, which were laid before this House on 12th June, be approved—(Charlotte Atkins):—It was agreed to. |
| 9 | Official Secrets,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Official Secrets Act 1989 (Prescription) (Amendment) Order 2003, which was laid before this House on 19th June, be approved—(Charlotte Atkins):—It was agreed to. |
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| 10 | Immigration,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Asylum (Designated States) (No. 2) Order 2003, which was laid before this House on 17th June, be approved—(Charlotte Atkins); |
And the Speaker's decision as to the decision of the Question being challenged, the Division was deferred till Wednesday 16th July, pursuant to Orders [28th June 2001 and 29th October 2002].
| 11 | Social Security,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Social Security (Jobcentre Plus Interviews for Partners) Regulations 2003, which were laid before this House on 25th June, be approved—(Charlotte Atkins); |
And the Speaker's decision as to the decision of the Question being challenged, the Division was deferred till Wednesday 16th July, pursuant to Orders [28th June 2001 and 29th October 2002].
| 12 | Representation of the People,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Representation of the People (Form of Canvass) (England and Wales) Regulations 2003, which were laid before this House on 9th June, be approved—(Charlotte Atkins):—It was agreed to. |
| 13 | Representation of the People,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Representation of the People (Form of Canvass) (Scotland) Regulations 2003, which were laid before this House on 9th June, be approved—(Charlotte Atkins):—It was agreed to. |
| 14 | Constitutional Law,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) (No. 2) Order 2003, which was laid before this House on 24th June, be approved—(Charlotte Atkins):—It was agreed to. |
| 15 | Insolvency,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Insolvency Act 1986 (Amendment) (Administrative Receivership and Urban Regeneration etc.) Order 2003, which was laid before this House on 12th June, be approved—(Charlotte Atkins):—It was agreed to. |
| 16 | Draft Budget and Annual Policy Strategy,—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 the unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum from HM Treasury dated 5th June relating to the Preliminary Draft General Budget of the European Communities for the financial year 2004, and European Union Document No. 7229/03, Commission Communication on the Annual Policy Strategy for 2004; and supports the Government's efforts to maintain budget discipline in the Community—(Charlotte Atkins):—It was agreed to. |
| 17 | Identification of Ovine and Caprine Animals (Sheep and Goats),—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. 15829/02, draft Council Regulation establishing a system for the identification and registration of ovine and caprine animals and amending Regulation (EEC) No. 3508/92; and supports the Government's view that this proposal does not take account of the way in which the United Kingdom sheep and goat industry operates, nor of the enhanced system of identification and traceability already in place in the UK, which is sufficient for animal health disease control purposes until an economical and affordable electronic identification system is available—(Charlotte Atkins):—It was agreed to. |
| 18 | Home Affairs,—Ordered, That Mr Chris Mullin, Bridget Prentice and Mr Tom Watson be discharged from the Home Affairs Committee and that Mr John Denham, Janet Anderson and Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas be added.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) |
| 19 | Welsh Affairs,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That Mr Bill Wiggin be discharged from the Welsh Affairs Committee and that Mr Nigel Evans be added—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection); |
The Motion was opposed.
| 20 | Information,—Ordered, That Michael Fabricant be discharged from the Information Committee and that Mr Michael Jack be added.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) |
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| 21 | Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from friends and supporters of the Bamburac family for the family to be permitted to remain in the UK was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed. |
| 22 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Charlotte Atkins.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-two minutes to Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 10.38 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 1 | Education,—(1) Education (Assisted Places) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1705), and |
(2) Education (Assisted Places) (Incidental Expenses) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1707),
dated 7th July [by Act] [Mr Secretary Clarke].
| 2 | Nurses and Midwives,—Nursing and Midwifery Council (Practice Committees) (Interim Constitution) Rules Order of Council 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1738), dated 10th July 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid]. |
| 3 | Pensions,—Occupational Pension Schemes (Transfer Values and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1727), dated 10th July 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith]. |
| 4 | Social Care,—Care Homes (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1703), dated 7th July 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid]. |
Other Papers:
| 5 | Agricultural Marketing,—Report and Accounts of Food from Britain for 2002–03 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
| 6 | Aliens' Employment,—Cabinet Office Minute, dated 14th July 2003, under section 1(4) of the Aliens' Employment Act 1955 relating to aliens employed in the Civil Service during 2002–03 [by Act] [Mr Douglas Alexander]. |
| 7 | Atomic Energy Authority,—Accounts of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 982] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 8 | Betting, Gaming and Lotteries,—Report and Accounts for 2002–03 of: |
(1) the Horserace Betting Levy Board, and
(2) the Horserace Totalisator Board
[by Act] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].
| 9 | Broadcasting,—Accounts of the— |
(1) Independent Television Commission Additional Payments and Financial Penalties by Licensees, and
(2) Radio Authority Additional Payments by Radio Programme Licensees Account
for 2002–03, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 977 and 983] [Clerk of the House].
| 10 | Companies,—Report by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on Companies in 2002–03 [by Act] [Ms Secretary Hewitt]. |
| 11 | Competition,—Account of the Competition Commission for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 978] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 12 | Education,—Report of the Teacher Training Agency for 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Clarke]. |
| 13 | Education and Skills,—Department for Education and Skills Minute, dated 14th July 2003, concerning contingent liabilities in respect of redundancy entitlement for former civil servants who were employees of Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs) [by Command] [Mr Secretary Clarke]. |
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| 14 | Environment,—Report and Accounts of the Environment Agency for 2002–03 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
| 15 | Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 892] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
| 16 | Environmental Protection,—Account of English Nature for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 981] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 17 | Food Standards Agency Executive Agencies,—Report and Accounts of the Meat Hygiene Service for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 860] [Mr Secretary Reid]. |
| 18 | Government Resources and Accounts,—Report and Accounts of the Small Business Service for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 807] [Ms Secretary Hewitt]. |
| 19 | Government Trading Funds,—Reports and Accounts of the— |
(1) Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, and
(2) Patent Office
for 2002–03, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 894 and 775] [Clerk of the House].
| 20 | Historical Manuscripts,—Report and Financial Statements of the Historical Manuscripts Commission for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Command] [Secretary Tessa Jowell]. |
| 21 | Israel (No. 1, 2003),—Exchange of Notes, done at Tel Aviv on 18th September and Jerusalem on 24th December 2002, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Israel amending the Convention providing for the Reciprocal Recognition and Enforcement of Judgements in Civil Matters signed at London on 28th October 1970, with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Cm. 5874] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
| 22 | Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development,—Report and Financial Statements of English Partnerships for 2002–03 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 23 | National Audit,—Reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General on— |
(1) Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ): New Accommodation Programme,
(2) Hip replacements: an update, and
(3) PFI: The New Headquarters for the Home Office
[by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 955, 956 and 954] [Clerk of the House].
| 24 | National Heritage,—Report and Accounts of the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 739] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 25 | National Loans,—Accounts relating to issues from the National Loans Fund for 2000–01, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 988] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 26 | Police,—Report and Accounts of the Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO) for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 966] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 27 | Railways,—Report of the Rail Passengers Committee Wales for 2002–03 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling]. |
| 28 | Severn Bridges,—Accounts prepared pursuant to section 28(1)(b) of the Severn Bridges Act 1992 for 2001–02, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 980] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 29 | Shipman Inquiry,—(1) Second Report: The Police Investigation of March 1998, and |
(2) Third Report: Death Certification and the Investigation of Deaths by Coroners
[by Command] [Cms. 5853 and 5854] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
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| 30 | Trade Union and Labour Relations,—Accounts of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service and of the Certification Officer and the Central Arbitration Committee for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 979] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 31 | Treasury Solicitor,—Crown's Nominee Account for 2002–03 [by Act] [John Healey]. |
| 32 | Utilities,—Report and Accounts of the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 921] [Ms Secretary Hewitt]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| 1 | Draft National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999 (Amendment) Regulations 2003,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Dr Ian Gibson, Mr Fabian Hamilton and Mr Andrew Love from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations); and nominated in substitution Ian Stewart, Dr Howard Stoate and Ms Dari Taylor. |
| 2 | Draft Land Registry Trading Fund (Extension and Amendment) Order 2003: |
(1) The Speaker has appointed Mr Frank Cook Chairman of the Thirteenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Order, in place of Mr Bill O'Brien; and
(2) The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr David Clelland and Mr Mark Fisher from the Committee; and nominated in substitution Mr Kelvin Hopkins and Mr Mark Lazarowicz.
| 3 | Special Grant Report (No. 125) (House of Commons Paper No. 776) on the Preserved Rights Grant for 2003–09, the Special Grant Report (No. 124) (House of Commons Paper No. 777) on the Delayed Discharges Grant Report for 2003–04 and the Special Grant Report (No. 123) (House of Commons Paper No. 778) on the Social Services (High Performers No. 2) Grant for 2003–04,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Kevin McNamara and Mr Robert N. Wareing from the Fourteenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Reports); and nominated in substitution Barbara Follett and Mr Martin Salter. |
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Education and Skills,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education and Skills Committee [Public Expenditure]; to be printed [No. 864-ii] [Mr Barry Sheerman]. |
| 2 | Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the New Covent Garden Market Sub-Committee of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee [New Covent Garden Market: a follow-up]; to be printed [No. 901-ii] [Mr Michael Jack]. |
| 3 | Human Rights,—Fifteenth Report from the Joint Committee on Human Rights [Scrutiny of Bills and Draft Bills: Further Progress Report], together with Appendices; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 1005] [Jean Corston]. |
| 4 | Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions,—(1) Tenth Report from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions Committee [The Draft Housing Bill], together with the 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. 751-I]; |
(2) Eleventh Report from the Committee [Living Places: Cleaner, Safer, Greener], together with the 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. 673-I];
(3) Twelfth Report from the Committee [The Evening Economy and the Urban Renaissance], together with the 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. 396-I]; and
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(4) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The Work of the Electoral Commission and the Boundary Committee for England]; to be printed [No. 1003-i]
[Andrew Bennett].
| 5 | Science and Technology,—(1) Sixth Report from the Science and Technology Committee [UK Science and Europe: Value for Money?], and 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. 386-I and -II]; |
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Light Pollution and Astronomy]; to be printed [No. 747-ii]; and
(3) Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee on 7th July [The Work of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council]; to be printed [No. 936]
[Dr Ian Gibson].
| 6 | Treasury,—(1) Sixth Special Report from the Treasury Committee [Government Response to the Committee's Sixth Report, on the UK and the Euro]; to be printed [No. 1004]; and |
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Transparency of Credit Card Charges]; to be printed [No. 967-iii]
[Mr John McFall].
[No. 129.] Tuesday 15th July 2003.
The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Hereford Markets Bill [Lords],—The Hereford Markets Bill [Lords] was read a second time and committed. |
| 2 | Mersey Tunnels Bill,—The Order of the day being read for further consideration of the Mersey Tunnels Bill, as amended in the Committee; |
Ordered, That the Bill be further considered on Tuesday 9th September.
| 3 | Welsh Grand Committee,—Mr Win Griffiths reported from the Welsh Grand Committee, That it had considered the matter of the Draft Public Audit (Wales) Bill, referred to it on 8th July. |
| 4 | First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mrs Irene Adams reported from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Education (Additional Secondary School Proposals) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1200). |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 5 | National Minimum Wage (Tips),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend Regulation 31 of the National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999 so that amounts paid by customers by way of service charge, tip, gratuity or cover charge whether paid to employees through the payroll or by any other method are excluded from payments taken into account as remunerations contributing to the National Minimum Wage: And that Mr Michael Connarty, Jim Dobbin, John Robertson, Mr Dennis Skinner, Vera Baird, Mrs Anne Campbell, Mr Parmjit Dhanda, Mr Bill Tynan, Mr Jimmy Hood, Linda Gilroy, Mr Bob Blizzard and Angela Eagle do prepare and bring it in. |
| 6 | National Minimum Wage (Tips) Bill,—Mr Michael Connarty accordingly presented a Bill to amend Regulation 31 of the National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999 so that amounts paid by customers by way of service charge, tip, gratuity or cover charge whether paid to employees through the payroll or by any other method are excluded from payments taken into account as remunerations contributing to the National Minimum Wage: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 21st November and to be printed [Bill 150]. |
| 7 | Sexual Offences Bill [Lords],—The Sexual Offences Bill [Lords] was, according to Order, read a second time. |
| 8 | Sexual Offences Bill [Lords] (Programme),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Orders [28th June 2001 and 29th October 2002], That the following provisions shall apply to the Sexual Offences Bill [Lords]: |
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Committal
1. The Bill shall be committed to a Standing Committee.
Proceedings in Standing Committee
2. Proceedings in the Standing Committee shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion on Tuesday 14th October 2003.
3. The Standing Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the first day on which it meets.
Consideration and Third Reading
4. Proceedings on consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour before the moment of interruption on the day on which those proceedings are commenced.
5. Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption on that day.
6. Sessional Order B (Programming Committees) made on 28th June 2001 shall not apply to proceedings on consideration and Third Reading.
Other proceedings
7. Any other proceedings on the Bill (including any proceedings on consideration of any message from the Lords) may be programmed—(Joan Ryan);
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Bridget Prentice, Mr Vernon Coaker: 320.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Robert Syms, Hugh Robertson: 140.
So the Question was agreed to.
| 9 | Terms and Conditions of Employment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999 (Amendment) Regulations 2003, which were laid before this House on 19th June, be approved—(Charlotte Atkins):—It was agreed to. |
| 10 | Government Trading Funds,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Land Registry Trading Fund (Extension and Amendment) Order 2003, which was laid before this House on 19th June, be approved—(Charlotte Atkins):—It was agreed to. |
| 11 | Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from— |
(1) Mrs A. Crumpler and others for medical guidelines for diagnosing and treating reflex sympathetic dystrophy; and
(2) residents of West Wiltshire and others for faster setting of minimum sentences
were presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
| 12 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Charlotte Atkins.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till sixteen minutes to Eight o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 7.44 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 1 | Immigration,—Asylum Support Appeals (Procedure) (Amendment) Rules 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1735), dated 10th July 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
| 2 | Income Tax,—(1) Capital Allowances (Energy-saving Plant and Machinery) (Amendment) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1744), and |
(2) Charitable Deductions (Approved Schemes) (Amendment) Regulations (S.I., 2003, No. 1745),
dated 15th July 2003 [by Act] [John Healey].
| 3 | Social Security,—Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1737), dated 11th July 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith]. |
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Other Papers:
| 4 | British Library,—Report and Accounts of the British Library Board for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 810] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 5 | Broadcasting,—Report and Accounts of the British Broadcasting Corporation for 2002–03 [by Command] [Secretary Tessa Jowell]. |
| 6 | Crime and Disorder,—Review of the Youth Justice Board for 2002–03 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
| 7 | Culture, Media and Sport,—Paper, entitled Modernising Britain's gambling laws: Draft Gambling Bill [by Command] [Cm. 5878] [Secretary Tessa Jowell]. |
| 8 | Data Protection,—Report and Accounts of the Information Commissioner for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 727] [Clerk of the House]. |
(1) the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, and
(2) the Teacher Training Agency
for 2002–03, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 992 and 994] [Clerk of the House].
| 10 | Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland),—Accounts of the Staff Commission for Education and Library Boards for 2001–02, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Statutory Instrument] [Mr Secretary Murphy]. |
| 11 | Government Resources and Accounts,—Report and Accounts of the— |
(1) Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 898] [Mr Secretary Hoon].
(2) Defence Dental Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 987] [Mr Secretary Hoon].
(3) Defence Medical Training Organisation for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 824] [Mr Secretary Hoon].
(4) Defence Secondary Care Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 823] [Mr Secretary Hoon].
(5) Defence Storage and Distribution Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 732] [Mr Secretary Hoon],
(6) Government Car and Despatch Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 938] [Mr Douglas Alexander],
(7) Forensic Science Northern Ireland for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 959] [Mr Secretary Murphy].
(8) HM Prison Service for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No.885] [Mr Secretary Blunkett],
(9) Maritime and Coastguard Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 863] [Mr Secretary Darling],
(10) Pesticides Safety Directorate for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 856] [Secretary Margaret Beckett], and
(11) Planning Inspectorate for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 678] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
| 12 | Government Trading Funds,—Reports and Accounts of— |
(1) ABRO,
(2) the Medicines Control Agency, and
(3) OGCbuying.solutions
for 2002–03, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 840, 756 and 868] [Clerk of the House].
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| 13 | Housing,—Reports and Accounts for 2002–03 of— |
(1) Castle Vale Housing Action Trust,
(2) Liverpool Housing Action Trust,
(3) Stonebridge Housing Action Trust, and
(4) Tower Hamlets Housing Action Trust
[by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
| 14 | Medicines,—Reports of the Medicines Commission, Committee on Safety of Medicines, Advisory Board on the Registration of Homoeopathic Products, Veterinary Products Committee, the British Pharmacopoeia Commission, the Independent Review Panel for Advertising and the Independent Review Panel for Borderline Products for 2002 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid]. |
| 15 | National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Ministry of Defence: Compensation claims [by Act]; to be printed [No. 957] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 16 | National Lottery,—(1) Accounts of— |
(i) the Arts Council of Northern Ireland Lottery Distribution, and
(ii) the Sports Council for Wales Lottery Distribution
for 2002–03, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 991 and 998] [Clerk of the House]; and
(2) Report and Accounts of the Millennium Commission for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 854] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].
| 17 | Northern Ireland,—Reports and Accounts of the— |
(1) Driver Vehicle Testing Agency,
(2) Land Registers of Northern Ireland, and
(3) The Planning Service
for 2002–03, with Reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Statutory Instrument]; to be printed [Nos. 930, 1008 and 970] [Mr Secretary Murphy].
| 18 | Postal Services,—Report of the Postal Services Commission for 2002–03 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 923] [Ms Secretary Hewitt]. |
| 19 | Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for Transport on the Petition [1st July] from residents of east Hertfordshire, north and west Essex and the surrounding communities against proposals to construct more runways at Stansted Airport [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House]. |
| 20 | Registration Service,—Review of the Registrar General on marriages, divorces and adoptions in England and Wales, 2001 [by Act] [Ruth Kelly]. |
| 21 | School Standards and Framework,—Accounts of the Salford & Trafford Education Action Zone for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1014] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 22 | Sex Discrimination,—(1) Account of the Equal Opportunities Commission for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 997] [Clerk of the House]; and |
(2) Report of the Equal Opportunities Commission for 2002–03 [by Act] [Ms Secretary Hewitt].
| 23 | Social Security,—Report of the Secretary of State on the standards of decision making in the Benefits Agency, Child Support Agency and Employment Service for 2001–02 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 880] [Mr Secretary Smith]. |
| 24 | Transport,—Accounts of the Strategic Rail Authority for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1009] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 25 | Utilities,—Accounts of the Gas and Electricity Consumer Council (Energywatch) for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 993] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 26 | Work and Pensions,—Paper entitled, International Labour Conference: Presentation of a Protocol and two Recommendations adopted at the 90th Session of the International Labour Conference (2002) and the Proposed action by Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on the Protocol and Recommendations [by Command] [Cm. 5870] [Mr Secretary Smith]. |
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APPENDIX II
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Culture, Media and Sport,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [BBC Report and Accounts 2002–03]; to be printed [No. 984-i] [Mr Gerald Kaufman]. |
| 2 | Foreign Affairs,—(1) Tenth Report from the Foreign Affairs Committee [Foreign Policy Aspects of the War against Terrorism]; together with the 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. 405]; |
(2) Eleventh Report from the Committee [Gibraltar]; together with Appendices; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 1024]; and
(3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The Decision to go to War in Iraq]; to be printed [No. 1025-i]
[Donald Anderson].
| 3 | Home Affairs,—(1) Second Special Report from the Home Affairs Committee [Government Response to the Fourth Report from the Committee, on Asylum Removals]; to be printed [No. 1006]; and |
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Home Office Departmental Report 2003]; to be printed [No. 1007-i]
[Mr John Denham].
| 4 | International Development,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the International Development Committee [The UK Government Response to the Report of the Commission on Intellectual Property Rights]; to be printed [No. 1013-i] [Tony Colman]. |
| 5 | Lord Chancellor's Department,—(1) Third Report from the Committee on the Lord Chancellor's Department [Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS)]; together with the 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. 614]; and |
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The Lord Chancellor's Departments Departmental Report 2002–03]; to be printed [No. 903-i]
[Mr A. J. Beith].
| 6 | Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning Local Government and the Regions,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions Committee [ODPM Annual Report and Accounts 2003]; to be printed [No. 900-ii]; and |
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The Draft Housing Bill]; to be printed [No. 751-vi]
[Andrew Bennett].
| 7 | Select Committees (Choice of Chairman),—Mr John Denham reported from the Home Affairs Committee, That he had been chosen as Chairman of the Committee. |
| 8 | Statutory Instruments,—Twenty-sixth Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, together with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 96-xxvi] [Mr David Tredinnick]. |
| 9 | Trade and Industry,—(1) Twelfth Report from the Trade and Industry Committee [The UK Biotechnology Industry]; 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. 87]; |
(2) Thirteenth Report from the Committee [The Government Reply to the Committee's Sixth Report, on the White Paper on Modernising Company Law]; together with an Appendix; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 1022];
(3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Executive Remuneration]; to be printed [No. 914-iii]; and
(4) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The Report of the Aerospace Innovation and Growth Team]; to be printed [No. 1023-i]
[Mr Martin O'Neill].
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| 10 | Treasury,—(1) Ninth Report from the Treasury Committee [Appointment of Ms Rachel Lomax as a Deputy Governor of the Bank of England and member of the Monetary Policy Committee]; together with the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 1011]; and |
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The Bank of England]; to be printed [No. 1012]
[Mr John McFall].
[No. 129; WH, No. 82.]
Tuesday 15th July 2003.
The House sitting in Westminster Hall
The sitting commenced at half-past Nine o'clock.
| Adjournment,—Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Paul Clark.) |
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 4.29 p.m.
[No. 130.] Wednesday 16th July 2003.
The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | European Standing Committee B,—Mr John McWilliam reported from European Standing Committee B the following Resolution: |
That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 7115/03, Commission Communication on the EC Programme of Action on HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in the context of poverty reduction; welcomes the update and considers this an important area for reducing poverty, and encourages the Commission to do more work on these diseases, including increasing access to essential medicines and strengthening health systems.
Report, together with Resolution, to lie upon the Table.
| 2 | Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows: |
The Lords do not insist on their Amendments to the Communications Bill to which this House has disagreed and agreed to the Amendments proposed by this House in lieu thereof; and they agree without Amendment to the consequential Amendments made by this House to the Bill.
| 3 | Museums and Galleries Bill,—Mr Edward O'Hara, supported by Tom Cox, Mr Andrew Dismore, Mrs Jackie Lawrence, Andy Burnham, Mr Richard Allan, Mr Kevin McNamara, presented a Bill to provide for the trustees or board of certain museums and galleries and the Secretary of State to reach agreements relating to the return of objects or human remains, to the exchange of cultural objects or to international cultural co-operation; to enable the Secretary of State to make proposals for agreements and to issue directions in respect of agreements reached by him; to make provision arising from cases in which parties to an agreement in a country other than the United Kingdom are held not to have complied with the terms of an agreement; to provide for relevant museums and galleries to dispose of objects or human remains in their collections in pursuance of agreements or directions; to exempt exports of objects in pursuance of an agreement from cultural export controls; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 14th November and to be printed [Bill 151]. |
| 4 | UK Elections (Observers),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision for the appointment of observers at statutory elections and referendums in the United Kingdom; to make provision in respect of the observers; and for connected purposes: And that Jane Griffiths, Mr Terry Davis, Kali Mountford, Tony Lloyd, Chris McCafferty, Keith Vaz, Geraldine Smith, Mr David Atkinson, Mr A. J. Beith and Mrs Ann Cryer do prepare and bring it in. |
| 5 | UK Elections (Observers) Bill,—Jane Griffiths accordingly presented a Bill to make provision for the appointment of observers at statutory elections and referendums in the United Kingdom; to make provision in respect of the observers; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 14th November and to be printed [Bill 152]. |
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| 6 | Opposition Day [14th allotted day],—It being an allotted day at the disposal of the Leader of the Opposition in pursuance of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business), the House proceeded to consider Opposition business. |
Foreign Affairs Committee Report on Iraq,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House welcomes the Ninth Report from the Foreign Affairs Committee on the Decision to go to war in Iraq, Session 2002–03, House of Commons Paper No. 813; but notes some reservations by Committee members that it not only had insufficient time but insufficient access to crucial documents to come to comprehensive and definitive conclusions on some of the issues; further notes the recent concerns raised over intelligence material; and calls on the Government to set up a judicial inquiry finally to establish the facts of the matter—(Mr Michael Ancram);
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 Ninth Report of the Foreign Affairs Committee on the Decision to go to War in Iraq, Session 2002–03, House of Commons Paper No. 813; notes that substantial oral and written evidence, by and on behalf of the Government, was provided to the Committee; believes that the Intelligence and Security Committee, established by Parliament by statute, is the appropriate body to consider the intelligence relating to Iraq; and notes that this Committee has already begun its inquiry', 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, Angela Watkinson, Mr Mark Field: 200.
Tellers for the Noes, Gillian Merron, Mr Fraser Kemp: 299.
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 Ninth Report of the Foreign Affairs Committee on the Decision to go to War in Iraq, Session 2002–03, House of Commons Paper No. 813; notes that substantial oral and written evidence, by and on behalf of the Government, was provided to the Committee; believes that the Intelligence and Security Committee, established by Parliament by statute, is the appropriate body to consider the intelligence relating to Iraq; and notes that this Committee has already begun its inquiry.
Protecting Vulnerable Children,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes that it is now almost six months since the publication of Lord Laming's report on the Victoria Climbie" Inquiry and well over three years since the death of this little girl; further notes that, of the 108 recommendations by Lord Laming, 82 were recommended to be acted upon within six months; condemns the Government for its continued failure to produce the long-awaited Green Paper on Children at Risk, which was originally promised in the spring as the Government's response to many of the systemic failures in child protection highlighted by Lord Laming; is concerned at the continued failure of the Government to address the crisis in recruitment of social worker professionals skilled in child protection who are essential to addressing these failures; regrets that local authorities are unable to implement changes recommended in the Report which would improve the delivery of children's services, because of the delay in the publication of the Government's response; welcomes the creation of the post of a Minister for Children, after six years in government; and calls on the Government to publish the Green Paper immediately as planned in order to secure the confidence and support of all those involved in the protection of vulnerable children—(Tim Loughton);
| 7 | Deferred Divisions,—The Deputy Speaker announced the results of the Divisions which had been deferred to this day, pursuant to the Orders of the House [28th June 2001 and 29th October 2002]: |
Immigration,—That the draft Asylum (Designated States) (No. 2) Order 2003, which was laid before this House on 17th June, be approved.
Ayes: 376.
Noes: 52.
So the Question was agreed to.
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Social Security,—That the draft Social Security (Jobcentre Plus Interviews for Partners) Regulations 2003, which were laid before this House on 25th June, be approved.
Ayes: 270.
Noes: 52.
So the Question was agreed to.
| 8 | Opposition Day,—Protecting Vulnerable Children,—The Question being again proposed, That this House notes that it is now almost six months since the publication of Lord Laming's report on the Victoria Climbie" Inquiry and well over three years since the death of this little girl; further notes that, of the 108 recommendations by Lord Laming, 82 were recommended to be acted upon within six months; condemns the Government for its continued failure to produce the long-awaited Green Paper on Children at Risk, which was originally promised in the spring as the Government's response to many of the systemic failures in child protection highlighted by Lord Laming; is concerned at the continued failure of the Government to address the crisis in recruitment of social worker professionals skilled in child protection who are essential to addressing these failures; regrets that local authorities are unable to implement changes recommended in the Report which would improve the delivery of children's services, because of the delay in the publication of the Government's response; welcomes the creation of the post of a Minister for Children, after six years in government; and calls on the Government to publish the Green Paper immediately as planned in order to secure the confidence and support of all those involved in the protection of vulnerable children; |
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 Government's commitment to children's services as evidenced by the appointment of the Minister of State for Children; congratulates the Government on its Quality Protects initiative, which provided £885 million to improve children's social services; supports the action the Government is taking to legislate to establish an independent inspectorate to inspect local authority children's services and social care provided by the private and voluntary sector; notes that the Government, local authorities and other statutory bodies are already taking further action to improve services for children, in the light of the Victoria Climbie" Inquiry Report; congratulates the Government and local services on the announcement of the 35 Children's Trusts Pathfinders on 10th July; and looks forward to the publication of the Green Paper on children in the autumn', instead thereof.—(Mr Secretary Clarke.)
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, but the Speaker withheld his assent, and declined then to put that Question.
The Question, That the original words stand part of the Question, being put;
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Angela Watkinson, Mr Mark Field: 179.
Tellers for the Noes, Jim Fitzpatrick, Joan Ryan: 316.
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, Jim Fitzpatrick, Bridget Prentice: 300.
Tellers for the Noes, Angela Watkinson, Mr Mark Field: 168.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.
Resolved, That this House welcomes the Government's commitment to children's services as evidenced by the appointment of the Minister of State for Children; congratulates the Government on its Quality Protects initiative, which provided £885 million to improve children's social services; supports the action the Government is taking to legislate to establish an independent inspectorate to inspect local authority children's services and social care provided by the private and voluntary sector; notes that the Government, local authorities and other statutory bodies are already taking further action to improve services for children, in the light of the Victoria Climbie" Inquiry Report; congratulates the Government and local services on the announcement of the 35 Children's Trusts Pathfinders on 10th July; and looks forward to the publication of the Green Paper on children in the autumn.
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| 9 | Local Government Finance (England),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the Special Grant Report (No. 125) (House of Commons Paper No. 776) on the Preserved Rights Grant for 2003–04, dated 16th June 2003, a copy of which was laid before this House on 16th June, be approved—(Charlotte Atkins); |
And the Speaker's decision as to the decision of the Question being challenged, the Division was deferred till Wednesday 10th September, pursuant to Orders [28th June 2001 and 29th October 2002].
| 10 | Local Government Finance (England),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the Special Grant Report (No. 124) (House of Commons Paper No. 777) on the Delayed Discharges Grant for 2003–04, dated 16th June 2003, a copy of which was laid before this House on 16th June, be approved—(Charlotte Atkins); |
And the Speaker's decision as to the decision of the Question being challenged, the Division was deferred till Wednesday 10th September, pursuant to Orders [28th June 2001 and 29th October 2002].
| 11 | Local Government Finance (England),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the Special Grant Report (No. 123) (House of Commons Paper No. 778) on the Social Services (High Performers No. 2) Grant for 2003–04, dated 16th June 2003, a copy of which was laid before this House on 16th June, be approved—(Charlotte Atkins); |
And the Speaker's decision as to the decision of the Question being challenged, the Division was deferred till Wednesday 10th September, pursuant to Orders [28th June 2001 and 29th October 2002].
| 12 | Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from: |
(1) Save our Pharmacy Services against the unrestricted opening of pharmacies able to dispense NHS prescriptions, and
(2) constituents of South West Bedfordshire for justice in international trade
were presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
| 13 | Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from the residents of Bootle against the unrestricted opening of pharmacies able to dispense NHS prescriptions was presented; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed. |
| 14 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Charlotte Atkins.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till five minutes past Eight o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 8.05 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 1 | Civil Aviation,—(1) Aerodromes (Noise Restrictions) (Rules and Procedures) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1742), dated 12th July 2003, and |
(2) Civil Aviation (Air Travel Organisers' Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1741), dated 11th July 2003
[by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling].
| 2 | Criminal Law,—Burma (Freezing of Funds) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1810), dated 16th July 2003 [by Act] [Mr Paul Boateng]. |
| 3 | Food,—Collagen and Gelatine (Intra-Community Trade) (England) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1736), dated 10th July 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid]. |
| 4 | Pesticides,—Plant Protection Products (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1787), dated 15th July 2003 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
| 5 | Social Security,—Social Security (Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit) (Consequential Amendments) (No. 3) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1731), dated 13th July 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith]. |
| 6 | Water,—Urban Waste Water Treatment (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1788), dated 15th July 2003 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
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Other Papers:
| 7 | Church Commissioners,—Report and Accounts of the Church Commissioners for England for 2002 [by Measure] [Mr David Lammy]. |
| 8 | Coal Industry,—Report and Accounts of the Coal Authority for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Ms Secretary Hewitt]. |
| 9 | Criminal Injuries Compensation,—Report and Accounts of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel for 2001–02, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 960] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
| 10 | Criminal Justice,—Report of the Serious Fraud Office for 2002–03 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 869] [The Solicitor General]. |
| 11 | Criminal Justice and Court Services,—Report and Accounts of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 973] [Mr David Lammy]. |
| 12 | Development of Tourism,—Accounts of the— |
(1) British Tourist Authority, and
(2) English Tourism Council
for 2002–03, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 1000 and 1001] [Clerk of the House].
| 13 | Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster,—Report and Accounts of the Duchy of Lancaster for 2002–03 [by Act] [Ruth Kelly]. |
| 14 | Education and Skills,—Department for Education and Skills Minute, dated 16th July 2003, concerning a potential contingent liability that would result from possible legal action against schools in England by Frontline Technology Ltd/Bromcom Computers plc in respect of an infringement of European Patent Number O6644061 (pupil attendance registration and pupil data management systems) [by Command] [Mr Secretary Clarke]. |
| 15 | Export Credits Guarantee Department,—Report and Resource Accounts of the Export Credits Guarantee Department for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 758] [Ms Secretary Hewitt]. |
| 16 | Government Resources and Accounts,—(1) Reports and Accounts of the— |
(i) Appeals Service for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 792] [Mr Secretary Smith],
(ii) Central Science Laboratory for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 893] [Secretary Margaret Beckett],
(iii) Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 711] [Secretary Margaret Beckett],
(iv) Child Support Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 844] [Mr Secretary Smith],
(v) Defence Analytical Services Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 797] [Mr Secretary Hoon],
(vi) Defence Estates Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 896] [Mr Secretary Hoon],
(vii) Defence Housing Executive for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 848] [Mr Secretary Hoon],
(viii) Defence Transport and Movements Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 762] [Mr Secretary Hoon],
(ix) Defence Vetting Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 867] [Mr Secretary Hoon],
(x) Disposal Services Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 939] [Mr Secretary Hoon],
(xi) Insolvency Service 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 846] [Ms Secretary Hewitt],
(xii) Jobcentre Plus for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 941] [Mr Secretary Smith],
(xiii) Medical Devices Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 542] [Mr Secretary Reid],
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(xiv) Medical Supplies Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 805] [Mr Secretary Hoon],
(xv) Ministry of Defence Police for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 931] [Mr Secretary Hoon],
(xvi) National Weights and Measures Laboratory 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 882] [Ms Secretary Hewitt],
(xvii) Naval Manning Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 888] [Mr Secretary Hoon],
(xviii) Naval Recruiting and Training Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 932] [Mr Secretary Hoon],
(xix) NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 862] [Mr Secretary Reid],
(xx) Office of Fair Trading for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 906] [Ruth Kelly],
(xxi) Pay and Personnel Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 829] [Mr Secretary Hoon],
(xxii) Pension Service for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 790] [Mr Secretary Smith],
(xxiii) Public Record Office for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 965] [Ruth Kelly],
(xxiv) Radiocommunications Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 742] [Ms Secretary Hewitt],
(xxv) Rent Service for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 861] [Mr Secretary Prescott],
(xxvi) Royal Air Force Personnel Management Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 851] [Mr Secretary Hoon],
(xxvii) Royal Parks for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 726] [Secretary Tessa Jowell] and
(xviii) Veterans Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 897] [Mr Secretary Hoon] and
(2) Resource Accounts of—
(i) Department for International Development Overseas Superannuation,
(ii) Export Credits Guarantee Department
(iii) HM Treasury, and
(iv) National Savings and Investments
for 2002–03, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 948, 818, 999 and 949] [Ruth Kelly].
| 17 | Government Trading Funds,—Reports and Accounts of the— |
(1) Central Office of Information,
(2) Fire Service College,
(3) NHS Estates,
(4) Royal Mint, and
(5) Vehicle Inspectorate
for 2002–03, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 822, 972, 828, 821 and 827] [Clerk of the House].
| 18 | Health,—Accounts of the Commission for Health Improvement for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1010] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 19 | Hong Kong,—Six-monthly Report on Hong Kong, January–June 2003 [by Command] [Cm. 5864] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
| 20 | Human Fertilisation and Embryology,—Accounts of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1017] [Clerk of the House]. |
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| 21 | Insolvency,—Accounts prepared pursuant to section 409 of the Insolvency Act 1986, of the sums received and paid by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under section 403 and of the sums credited and debited to the Investment Account by the National Debt Commissioners for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1018] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 22 | Local Government,—Financial Statements of the South Bank Centre for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Secretary Tessa Jowell]. |
| 23 | Merchant Shipping,—Accounts of the General Lighthouse Fund for 2001–02, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1015] [Mr Secretary Darling]. |
| 24 | Museums and Galleries,—Accounts of the— |
(1) British Museum, and
(2) National Portrait Gallery
for 2002–03, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 1020 and 1019] [Clerk of the House]
| 25 | National Heritage,—Report and Accounts of the National Heritage Memorial Fund for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 819] [Secretary Tessa Jowell]. |
| 26 | National Lottery,—(1) Strategic Plan of the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts for 2003–06 [by Act] [Secretary Tessa Jowell], |
(2) Report and Accounts of the Heritage Lottery Fund for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 793] [Secretary Tessa Jowell],
(3) Report and Accounts of the National Lottery Commission for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 871] [Clerk of the House],
(4) Accounts of the English Sports Council Lottery Distribution, and
(5) Accounts of the United Kingdom Sports Council Lottery Distribution
for 2002–03, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 1021 and 990] [Clerk of the House].
| 27 | Northern Ireland,—Report of the Life Sentence Review Commissioners for 2002–03 [by Statutory Instrument] [Mr Secretary Murphy]. |
| 28 | Northern Ireland Office Executive Agencies,—Reports and Accounts of the— |
(1) Forest Service,
(2) Health and Social Services Estates Agency,
(3) Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland,
(4) Public Record Office of Northern Ireland,
(5) Rate Collection Agency,
(6) Roads Service,
(7) Social Security Agency, and
(8) Water Service
for 2002–03, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Statutory Instrument]; to be printed [Nos. 839, 841, 761, 887, 850, 910, 922 and 838] [Mr Secretary Murphy].
| 29 | Northern Ireland (Sentences),—Report of the Sentence Review Commissioners for 2002–03 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 877] [Mr Secretary Murphy]. |
| 30 | Office of the Deputy Prime Minister,—Government Response to the Eighth Report of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions Committee, Session 2002–03: Planning for Sustainable Communities: Sustainable Communities in the South East [by Command] [Cm. 5895] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 31 | Police (Northern Ireland),—Report and Accounts of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland for 2002–03 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Murphy]. |
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| 32 | Postal Services,—(1) Report and Accounts of Postwatch for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Ms Secretary Hewitt], and |
(2) Accounts of the Consumer Council for Postal Services for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1016] [Clerk of the House].
| 33 | Public Expenditure,—Paper, entitled Public Expenditure 2002–03: Provisional Outturn [by Command] [Cm. 5884] [Mr Paul Boateng]. |
| 34 | Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the Petition [25th June] from Jeff White, Kate Knight and others for the return of two geese removed from the banks of the River Parrett at Bridgewater [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House]. |
| 35 | Railways,—Annual Report and Accounts of the Strategic Rail Authority for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling]. |
| 36 | Science and Technology,—(1) Paper, entitled The Forward Look 2003: Government-funded science, engineering and technology [by Command] [Cm. 5877], |
(2) Report and Accounts of the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils for 2002–03 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 804],
(3) Report and Accounts of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 798],
(4) Report and Accounts of the Natural Environment Research Council for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 794], and
(5) Report and Accounts of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No.800]
[Ms Secretary Hewitt].
| 37 | Standards and Privileges,—Report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards for 1st March 2002 to 31st March 2003 [by Standing Order]; to be printed [No. 905] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 38 | Teaching and Higher Education,—Report and Accounts of the General Teaching Council for England for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 924] [Mr Secretary Clarke]. |
| 39 | Treaty Series (No. 22, 2003),—Treaty of Nice, done at Nice on 26th February 2001, amending the Treaty on European Union, the Treaties establishing the European Communities and certain related Acts including the Protocols with Final Act and Declarations [by Command] [Cm. 5879] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
| 40 | Treaty Series (No. 23, 2003),—Convention, done at London on 24th July 2001, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the United States of America for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital Gains, with Exchange of Notes; and Protocol, done at Washington on 19th July 2002, amending the Convention [by Command] [Cm. 5880] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
| 41 | Utilities,—Report of Energywatch for 2002–03 [by Act] [Ms Secretary Hewitt]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| 1 | Sexual Offences Bill [Lords]: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee B, and has appointed Mr Roger Gale and Mr Win Griffiths Chairmen; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated nineteen Members to serve on the Committee: Vera Baird, Sir Paul Beresford, Annette Brooke, Mr Chris Bryant, Mr Hilton Dawson, Mr Barry Gardiner, Mr Neil Gerrard, Sandra Gidley, Paul Goggins, Mr Dominic Grieve, Ms Harriet Harman, Mr John Heppell, Stephen Hesford, Beverley Hughes, Ms Sally Keeble, Miss Julie Kirkbride, Mr Humfrey Malins, Julie Morgan and Mr John Randall.
| 2 | Draft Northern Ireland Act 2000 (Modification) (No.2) Order 2003,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Peter Atkinson Chairman of the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Order, in place of Mr Roger Gale. |
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| 3 | Draft Vienna Document 1999 (Privileges and Immunities) 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: Mr Richard Bacon, Mr Colin Breed, Mr David Chaytor, Mr David Clelland, Ann Clwyd, Dr Ian Gibson, Mr Denis MacShane, Chris Mole, Mr Jim Murphy, Hugh Robertson, Mr Mark Simmonds, Mr Sio(r)n Simon, Geraldine Smith, Mr Richard Spring, Dr Phyllis Starkey and Dr Jenny Tonge.
| 4 | Draft Contracting Out (Local Education Authority Functions) (England) (Amendment) Order 2003: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Graham Brady, Mr Ian Cawsey, Mr Stephen Dorrell, Mr David Drew, Mr Mark Fisher, Mr Fabian Hamilton, Mr David Miliband, Albert Owen, Dr John Pugh, Joan Ruddock, Mr Dennis Skinner, Mr Andrew Turner, Derek Twigg, Angela Watkinson, Mr Tom Watson and Mr Phil Willis.
European Standing Committees
| 5 | European Union Document No. 10243/03, relating to Asylum systems, has been referred to European Standing Committee B. |
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Education and Skills,—(1) Sixth Report from the Education and Skills Committee [The Work of Ofsted]; with the Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, together with Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 521]; and |
(2) Third Special Report from the Committee [Government Response to the Third Report from the Committee, Session 2002–03, on A Level Standards]; to be printed [No. 1026]
[Mr Barry Sheerman].
| 2 | Environmental Audit,—(1) Ninth Report from the Environmental Audit Committee [Budget 2003 and Aviation], 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. 672] [Mr John Horam]; and |
(2) Tenth Report from the Committee [Learning the Sustainability Lesson], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education for Sustainable Development Sub-Committee of the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the report [No. 472] [Mr Peter Ainsworth].
| 3 | Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—(1) Twelfth Report from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee [The Departmental Report 2003]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 832] [Mr David Curry]; |
(2) Thirteenth Report from the Committee [Poultry Farming in the United Kingdom], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Poultry Farming in the United Kingdom Sub-Committee of the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 779] [Mr David Curry];
(3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Vets and Veterinary Services Sub-Committee of the Committee [Vets and Veterinary Services]; to be printed [No. 703-iii] [Mr Michael Jack];
(4) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The WTO Negotiations and Cancu"n]; to be printed [No. 1042]; and
(5) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Poultry Farming in the United Kingdom]
[Mr David Curry].
| 4 | European Scrutiny,—(1) Thirtieth Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 63-xxx]; and |
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The Convention, the Draft Treaty and the IGC]; to be printed [No. 1030-i]
[Mr Jimmy Hood].
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| 5 | House of Lords Reform,—Special Report from the Joint Committee on House of Lords Reform [Government Response to the Second Report from the Committee]; to be printed [No. 1027] [Mr Paul Tyler]. |
| 6 | Select Committees (Choice of Chairmen),—(1) Mr Peter Ainsworth reported from the Environmental Audit Committee, That he had been chosen as Chairman of the Committee; and |
(2) Mr Peter Hain reported from the Select Committee on the Modernisation of the House of Commons, That he had been chosen as Chairman of the Committee.
| 7 | Standards and Privileges,—Fifth Report from the Committee on Standards and Privileges [Complaints against Mr Clive Betts], togther with Appendices; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 947] [Sir George Young]. |
| 8 | Treasury,—(1) Tenth Report from the Treasury Committee [Inland Revenue Matters]; together with the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 834]; and |
(2) Seventh Special Report from the Committee [Government Response to the Committee's Seventh Report, the 2003 Budget] to be printed [No. 1028]
[Mr John McFall].
| 9 | Welsh Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Welsh Affairs Committee [Railways in Wales]; to be printed [No. 1029-i] [Mr Martyn Jones]. |
MEMORANDUM
| Chairmen's Panel,—In pursuance of Standing Order No. 4 (Chairmen's Panel) the Speaker nominated Mr Jonathan Sayeed to be a member of the Chairmen's Panel during this Session. |
[No. 130; WH, No. 83.]
Wednesday 16th July 2003.
The House sitting in Westminster Hall
The sitting commenced at half-past Nine o'clock.
| Adjournment,—Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Margaret Moran.) |
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 4.45 p.m.
[No. 131.] Thursday 17th July 2003.
The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Income Tax,—The Vice Chamberlain of the Household reported to the House, that its Addresses of 8th July relating to Income Tax had been presented to Her Majesty; and that Her Majesty had been pleased to receive the same very graciously and to give the following Answer: |
I have received your Addresses praying that the Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Canada) Order 2003 and the Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Mauritius) Order 2003 be made in the form of the drafts laid before your House on 18th June 2003.
I will comply with your request.
| 2 | Royal Assent,—The Speaker notified the House, in accordance with the Royal Assent Act 1967, That Her Majesty had signified her Royal Assent to the following Act, agreed upon by both Houses: |
Communications Act 2003.
| 3 | Energy Efficiency Bill,—Mr David Chaytor, supported by Mr Martin O'Neill, Mr John Horam, Dr Ian Gibson, Dr Alan Whitehead, Alan Simpson, Brian White and Mr David Drew, presented a Bill to require the Secretary of State to issue new Building Regulations in relation to the installation of boilers in domestic premises; to make provision for the continuation of the energy efficiency commitment in relation to domestic premises; to
|
Page 563 Thursday 17th July 2003 2002-2003 Volume 259 Back to top | |
require the Secretary of State to consult on extending that provision to non-domestic premises; to require the Chancellor of the Exchequer to consult on reducing value added tax on energy saving materials; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 21st November and to be printed [Bill 153]. |
| 4 | Care Homes (Tenancy) Bill,—Mr Paul Burstow presented a Bill to establish the tenancy rights of care home residents; to provide for continuity of care where a care home is closed; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 21st November and to be printed [Bill 154]. |
| 5 | Adjournment (Matters to be considered before the forthcoming adjournment),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Vernon Coaker); |
And it being Six o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put.
| 6 | Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from— |
(1) Anne Stephens for a fairer allocation of funding to schools in Somerset,
(2) the Yellow Advertiser for the reduction of smells emanating from Pitsea Tip, and
(3) residents of Reading against the unrestricted opening of pharmacies able to dispense NHS prescriptions
were presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
| 7 | Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Charlotte Atkins); |
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 twenty-six minutes to Seven o'clock, till Monday 8th September, pursuant to Resolution [7th July].
[Adjourned at 6.34 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 1 | County Courts,—Enforcement of Road Traffic Debts (Certificated Bailiffs) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1857), dated 15th July 2003 [by Act] [Mr David Lammy]. |
| 2 | Food,—Welfare Food (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1864), dated 17th July 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid]. |
| 3 | Horticulture,—Horticultural Produce (Community Grading Rules) (England and Wales) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1846), dated 16th July 2003 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
| 4 | Income Tax,—(1) Corporation Tax (Treatment of Unrelieved Surplus Advance Corporation Tax) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1861), dated 17th July 2003, |
(2) Double Taxation Relief (Surrender of Relievable Tax within a Group) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1829), dated 16th July 2003,
(3) Income Tax (Authorised Unit Trusts) (Interest Distributions) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1830), dated 16th July 2003,
(4) Insurance Companies (Taxation of Reinsurance Business) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1828), dated 16th July 2003,
(5) Life Assurance (Apportionment of Receipts of Participating Funds) (Applicable Percentage) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1860), dated 17th July 2003, and
(6) Open-ended Investment Companies (Tax) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1831), dated 17th July 2003,
[by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].
| 5 | Social Care,—Care Homes (Adult Placements) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 1845), dated 16th July 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid]. |
Other Papers:
| 6 | Agriculture,—Report and Accounts of the Meat and Livestock Commission for 2002–03 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
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| 7 | Audit Commission,—Report and Summary Financial Statement of the Audit Commission for the year ended October 2002, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 996] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 8 | Broadcasting,—Review and Financial Statements of the Broadcasting Standards Commission for 2002–03 [by Act] [Secretary Tessa Jowell]. |
| 9 | Care Standards,—Accounts of the National Care Standards Commission for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1034] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 10 | Charities,—Report of the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales for 2002–03 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 713] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
| 11 | Disability Rights Commission,—Account of the Disability Rights Commission for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1037] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 12 | Environmental Pollution,—(1) Government Response, as regards England, to the Twenty-third Report from the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, on Environmental Planning, and |
(2) UK Government's Response to the Twenty-third Report from the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, on Environmental Planning
[by Command] [Cms. 5887 and 5888] [Mr Secretary Prescott].
| 13 | Foreign Affairs,—Government Response to the Eighth Report from the Foreign Affairs Committee, Session 2002–03, on Zimbabwe [by Command] [Cm. 5869] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
| 14 | Government Resources and Accounts,—(1) Accounts of the Royal Naval Museum for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1031] [Clerk of the House], |
(2) Reports and Accounts of the—
(i) Compensation Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 890] [Mr Secretary Murphy],
(ii) Debt Management Office for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 865] [Ruth Kelly],
(iii) Debt Management Office Debt Management Account for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 866] [Ruth Kelly],
(iv) Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 964] [Mr Secretary Darling],
(v) Employment Tribunals Service for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 788] [Ms Secretary Hewitt],
(vi) NHS Pensions Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 958] [Mr Secretary Reid],
(vii) Office for National Statistics for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1002] [Ruth Kelly],
(viii) UK Passport Service for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 969] [Mr Secretary Blunkett],
(ix) Vehicle Certification Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 920] [Mr Secretary Darling], and
(x) Wilton Park Executive Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 878] [Mr Secretary Straw], and
(3) Resource Accounts of the National Investment and Loans Office for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 986] [Ruth Kelly].
| 15 | Government Trading Funds,—(1) Report and Accounts of Companies House for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 712] [Clerk of the House], and |
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(2) Treasury Minutes on
(i) the UK Hydrographic Office Trading Fund, and
(ii) the Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory Trading Fund
dated 17th July 2003 [by Act] [Mr Paul Boateng].
| 16 | Health,—Government Response to the Fifth Report from the Health Committee, Session 2002–03, on the Control of Entry Regulations and Retail Pharmacy Services in the UK [by Command] [Cm. 5896] [Mr Secretary Reid]. |
| 17 | Housing,—Accounts of the Housing Corporation for 2002–03 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 18 | Lord Chancellor's Department,—Government Response to the First Report from the Select Committee on the Lord Chancellor's Department, Session 2002–03, on the Courts Bill [by Command] [Cm. 5889] [Mr Christopher Leslie]. |
| 19 | Marine and Aviation Insurance (War Risks),—Accounts of the Marine and Aviation Insurance (War Risks) Fund for 2001–02, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1039] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 20 | Museums and Galleries,—Accounts of— |
(1) the National Maritime Museum,
(2) National Museum of Science and Industry, and
(3) the Victoria and Albert Museum Grant in Aid
for 2002–03, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 1040, 1035 and 1032] [Clerk of the House].
| 21 | National Lottery,—Account of the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1041] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 22 | Northern Ireland Office Executive Agencies,—Reports and Accounts of— |
(1) Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland,
(2) the Environment and Heritage Service, and
(3) the Northern Ireland Statistics and Resource Agency
for 2002–03, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Statutory Instrument]; to be printed [Nos. 907, 967 and 889] [Mr Secretary Murphy].
| 23 | Prisons (Northern Ireland),—Report and Accounts of the Northern Ireland Prison Service for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Statutory Instrument]; to be printed [No. 895] [Mr Secretary Murphy]. |
| 24 | Prosecution of Offences,—Report of the Crown Prosecution Service for 2002–03 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 870] [The Solicitor General]. |
| 25 | Radiological Protection,—Accounts of the National Radiological Protection Board for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1033] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 26 | Regional Development Agencies,—Reports and Accounts of— |
(1) Advantage West Midlands Development Agency,
(2) East Midlands Development Agency,
(3) East of England Development Agency,
(4) Northwest Development Agency,
(5) One NorthEast Development Agency,
(6) South East England Development Agency,
(7) South West of England Development Agency, and
(8) Yorkshire Forward Development Agency
for 2002–03, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; [Ms Secretary Hewitt].
| 27 | Science and Technology,—Accounts of the— |
(1) Economic and Social Research Council for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 801] [Ms Secretary Hewitt], and
(2) Medical Research Council for 2001–02, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1043] [Clerk of the House].
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| 28 | Senior Salaries,—Fifty-fifth Report of the Review Body on Senior Salaries, on Pay for Select Committee Chairmen in the House of Commons [by Command] [Cm. 5673] [Mr Peter Hain]. |
| 29 | Treasury,—HM Treasury Departmental Minute, dated 17th July 2003, on the Renewal of Regulatory Capital for Dormant HM Treasury Airline Insurance Scheme [by Command] [Mr Paul Boateng]. |
| 30 | Wildlife and Countryside,—Report and Accounts of the Countryside Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1038] [Clerk of the House]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| 1 | Sexual Offences Bill [Lords],—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Barry Gardiner from Standing Committee B (in respect of the Bill); and nominated in substitution Ms Dari Taylor. |
| 2 | Sexual Offences Bill [Lords] (Programming Sub-Committee),—The Speaker has appointed Ms Annette Brooke, Mr Neil Gerrard, Paul Goggins, Mr Dominic Grieve, Mr John Heppell, Mr Humfrey Malins and Ms Dari Taylor members of the Programming Sub-Committee of Standing Committee B in respect of the Bill. |
| 3 | Draft Northern Ireland Act 2000 (Modification) (No. 2) Order 2003,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Peter Bottomley from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order); and nominated in substitution Mr Hugo Swire. |
European Standing Committees
| 4 | The Speaker has appointed Miss Anne Begg Chairman of European Standing Committee A in respect of European Union Document No. 8566/03 on Maritime Transport Security. |
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Draft Corruption Bill,—Report from the Joint Committee on the Draft Corruption Bill, together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Joint Committee [No. 705] [Mr Richard Shepherd]. |
| 2 | Environmental Audit,—Memorandum laid before the Environmental Audit Committee [Government Response to the Committee's Fifth Report, on Waste—An Audit] [Mr Peter Ainsworth]. |
| 3 | Foreign Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee [The Decision to go to War in Iraq]; to be printed [No. 1025-ii] [Donald Anderson]. |
| 4 | Health,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Health Committee [Obesity]; to be printed [No. 755-iii] [Mr David Hinchliffe]. |
| 5 | Joint Committees (Choice of Chairmen),—Dr Lewis Moonie reported from the Committee appointed to join with a Committee of the Lords as the Joint Committee on the Draft Civil Contingencies Bill, That he had been chosen Chairman of the Joint Committee. |
[No. 131; WH, No. 84.]
Thursday 17th July 2003.
The House sitting in Westminster Hall
The sitting commenced at half-past Two o'clock.
| Adjournment (Financing development),—Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Mr Nick Ainger.) |
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till Tuesday 9th September.
[Adjourned at 4.55 p.m.
|
