Mr. Waterson:
Will the Minister give way?
Malcolm Wicks:
I am happy to give way because I am anxious for clarification of the Tories' position.
Mr. Waterson:
I am anxious for clarification of the Government's position. As the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) shows no sign of stirring, I thought that I would ask the Minister a question on his behalf. If we are talking about such a small amountwe have heard that one before in Committeewhy did the Government change their mind about the funding of the personage?
15 Nov 2004 : Column 1068
Malcolm Wicks:
Well, £1 million is £1 million, and we thought, on balance, that that should be paid by schemes whose members could in extremiswe hope that they will not have to call on the PPFbenefit from the fund. We do not think that it would be right for the general taxpayer to pay for the ombudsman. I remain uncertain about how the Tories would pay for a measure that I think they support. I shall give way if the hon. Member for Eastbourne wishes to clarify their position. Obviously he does not wish to do so.
I was not sure whether the hon. Member for Sevenoaks (Mr. Fallon) was opposing the pension protection fund and thus the ombudsman. Is he at odds with his Front Bench? I repeat that we are discussing an important safeguard and that the ombudsman will cost only a few pence per member per year.
We heard a lot from the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst
Mr. Bercow:
Right hon. Member.
Malcolm Wicks:
We heard a lot from the very right hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst, but I was not sure what he was saying. Does he support the pension protection fund? If he does support it, does he support the idea of an ombudsman? [Interruption.] I am trying to bring a little gravitas to what has been a fairly light-hearted debate. If the right hon. Gentleman is in favour of the ombudsman, how will he pay for it? That is not clear, but what is clear is that the Government support the PPF. We think that there should be a PPF ombudsman and we have clear views about how the modest cost should be paid.
Question put and agreed to.
Resolved,
That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Pensions Bill, it is expedient to authorise the levying of charges by virtue of the Act for the purpose of meeting expenditure of the Secretary of State to or in respect of the Ombudsman for the Board of the Pension Protection Fund.
DELEGATED LEGISLATION
Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Michael Lord):
For the convenience of the House, we may take the motions together.
Hon. Members:
No.
Motion made, and Question put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118(6) (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation),
Legal Services Commission
That the draft Criminal Defence Service (Choice in Very High Cost Cases) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2004, which were laid before this House on 21st October, be approved
.[Joan Ryan.]
The House divided: Ayes 300, Noes 128.
Division No. 320
[5:57 pm
AYES
Ainsworth, Bob
(Cov'try NE)
Alexander, Douglas
Allan, Richard
Allen, Graham
Armstrong, rh Ms Hilary
Atherton, Ms Candy
Atkins, Charlotte
Bailey, Adrian
Baird, Vera
Banks, Tony
Barron, rh Kevin
Battle, rh John
Beard, Nigel
Beith, rh A. J.
Berry, Roger
Blackman, Liz
Blears, Ms Hazel
Blizzard, Bob
Blunkett, rh David
Boateng, rh Paul
Borrow, David
Bradley, rh Keith
(Withington)
Bradley, Peter
(The Wrekin)
Breed, Colin
Brennan, Kevin
Brooke, Mrs Annette L.
Brown, rh Gordon
(Dunfermline E)
Brown, Russell
(Dumfries)
Browne, Desmond
Bryant, Chris
Buck, Ms Karen
Burgon, Colin
Burnett, John
Burnham, Andy
Byrne, Liam
(B'ham Hodge H)
Caborn, rh Richard
Calton, Mrs Patsy
Campbell, Mrs Anne
(C'bridge)
Campbell, Ronnie
(Blyth V)
Carmichael, Alistair
Caton, Martin
Cawsey, Ian
(Brigg)
Challen, Colin
Clark, Mrs Helen
(Peterborough)
Clark, Paul
(Gillingham)
Clarke, rh Tom
(Coatbridge & Chryston)
Clarke, Tony
(Northampton S)
Clelland, David
Clwyd, Ann
(Cynon V)
Coaker, Vernon
Coffey, Ms Ann
Colman, Tony
Cook, rh Robin
(Livingston)
Cooper, Yvette
Corbyn, Jeremy
Corston, Jean
Cranston, Ross
Cruddas, Jon
Cryer, John
(Hornchurch)
Cummings, John
Cunningham, Jim
(Coventry S)
Cunningham, Tony
(Workington)
Davey, Edward
(Kingston)
Davey, Valerie
(Bristol W)
David, Wayne
Davidson, Ian
Davies, rh Denzil
(Llanelli)
Davies, Geraint
(Croydon C)
Dawson, Hilton
Dean, Mrs Janet
Dhanda, Parmjit
Dobbin, Jim
(Heywood)
Dobson, rh Frank
Dowd, Jim
(Lewisham W)
Drew, David
(Stroud)
Eagle, Angela
(Wallasey)
Eagle, Maria
(L'pool Garston)
Efford, Clive
Ellman, Mrs Louise
Etherington, Bill
Field, rh Frank
(Birkenhead)
Fisher, Mark
Fitzpatrick, Jim
Fitzsimons, Mrs Lorna
Flint, Caroline
Foster, Don
(Bath)
Foster, Michael
(Worcester)
Foster, Michael Jabez
(Hastings & Rye)
Francis, Dr. Hywel
Gerrard, Neil
Gibson, Dr. Ian
Gidley, Sandra
Gilroy, Linda
Godsiff, Roger
Goggins, Paul
Griffiths, Jane
(Reading E)
Griffiths, Nigel
(Edinburgh S)
Grogan, John
Hall, Mike
(Weaver Vale)
Hall, Patrick
(Bedford)
Hamilton, Fabian
(Leeds NE)
Hanson, David
Harman, rh Ms Harriet
Heath, David
Henderson, Doug
(Newcastle N)
Henderson, Ivan
(Harwich)
Hendrick, Mark
Hepburn, Stephen
Hewitt, rh Ms Patricia
Heyes, David
Hill, Keith
(Streatham)
Hinchliffe, David
Hodge, Margaret
Hoon, rh Geoffrey
Hope, Phil
(Corby)
Hopkins, Kelvin
Howarth, rh Alan
(Newport E)
Howarth, George
(Knowsley N & Sefton E)
Hughes, Beverley
(Stretford & Urmston)
Hughes, Simon
(Southwark N)
Humble, Mrs Joan
Hurst, Alan
(Braintree)
Hutton, rh John
Illsley, Eric
Ingram, rh Adam
Irranca-Davies, Huw
Jackson, Glenda
(Hampstead & Highgate)
Jackson, Helen
(Hillsborough)
Jamieson, David
Jenkins, Brian
Johnson, Miss Melanie
(Welwyn Hatfield)
Jones, Helen
(Warrington N)
Jones, Martyn
(Clwyd S)
Jowell, rh Tessa
Joyce, Eric
(Falkirk W)
Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald
Keeble, Ms Sally
Kennedy, Jane
(Wavertree)
Khabra, Piara S.
Kidney, David
Kilfoyle, Peter
Knight, Jim
(S Dorset)
Kumar, Dr. Ashok
Ladyman, Dr. Stephen
Lamb, Norman
Lammy, David
Laxton, Bob
(Derby N)
Lepper, David
Leslie, Christopher
Levitt, Tom
(High Peak)
Lewis, Ivan
(Bury S)
Linton, Martin
Lloyd, Tony
(Manchester C)
Love, Andrew
Lucas, Ian
(Wrexham)
Luke, Iain
(Dundee E)
McAvoy, Thomas
McCabe, Stephen
McCafferty, Chris
McCartney, rh Ian
McDonagh, Siobhain
McFall, rh John
McGuire, Mrs Anne
McIsaac, Shona
Mackinlay, Andrew
McNulty, Tony
MacShane, Denis
Mactaggart, Fiona
McWilliam, John
Mahmood, Khalid
Mallaber, Judy
Mann, John
(Bassetlaw)
Marris, Rob
(Wolverh'ton SW)
Marsden, Gordon
(Blackpool S)
Marshall, David
(Glasgow Shettleston)
Marshall-Andrews, Robert
Meale, Alan
(Mansfield)
Merron, Gillian
Miliband, David
Miller, Andrew
Mitchell, Austin
(Gt Grimsby)
Moffatt, Laura
Moran, Margaret
Morley, Elliot
Morris, rh Estelle
Mountford, Kali
Mudie, George
Munn, Ms Meg
Murphy, Denis
(Wansbeck)
Murphy, Jim
(Eastwood)
Murphy, rh Paul
(Torfaen)
Naysmith, Dr. Doug
Oaten, Mark
(Winchester)
O'Brien, Bill
(Normanton)
O'Brien, Mike
(N Warks)
O'Hara, Edward
Olner, Bill
O'Neill, Martin
Organ, Diana
Pearson, Ian
Perham, Linda
Picking, Anne
Pickthall, Colin
Pike, Peter
(Burnley)
Plaskitt, James
Pollard, Kerry
Pope, Greg
(Hyndburn)
Pound, Stephen
Prentice, Ms Bridget
(Lewisham E)
Prentice, Gordon
(Pendle)
Prescott, rh John
Prosser, Gwyn
Pugh, Dr. John
Purchase, Ken
Purnell, James
Quin, rh Joyce
Quinn, Lawrie
Rapson, Syd
(Portsmouth N)
Raynsford, rh Nick
Rendel, David
Robinson, Geoffrey
(Coventry NW)
Rooney, Terry
Ross, Ernie
(Dundee W)
Roy, Frank
(Motherwell)
Ruddock, Joan
Russell, Bob
(Colchester)
Ryan, Joan
(Enfield N)
Salter, Martin
Sanders, Adrian
Savidge, Malcolm
Sawford, Phil
Sedgemore, Brian
Shaw, Jonathan
Sheerman, Barry
Sheridan, Jim
Short, rh Clare
Simon, Siôn
(B'ham Erdington)
Singh, Marsha
Skinner, Dennis
Smith, rh Andrew
(Oxford E)
Smith, Geraldine
(Morecambe & Lunesdale)
Smith, Jacqui
(Redditch)
Smith, Llew
(Blaenau Gwent)
Soley, Clive
Squire, Rachel
Starkey, Dr. Phyllis
Steinberg, Gerry
Stewart, David
(Inverness E & Lochaber)
Stewart, Ian
(Eccles)
Stinchcombe, Paul
Stoate, Dr. Howard
Straw, rh Jack
Stringer, Graham
Stuart, Ms Gisela
Stunell, Andrew
Sutcliffe, Gerry
Tami, Mark
(Alyn)
Taylor, rh Ann
(Dewsbury)
Taylor, Dari
(Stockton S)
Taylor, David
(NW Leics)
Taylor, Matthew
(Truro)
Taylor, Dr. Richard
(Wyre F)
Teather, Sarah
Thomas, Gareth
(Harrow W)
Timms, Stephen
Tipping, Paddy
Todd, Mark
(S Derbyshire)
Tonge, Dr. Jenny
Touhig, Don
(Islwyn)
Trickett, Jon
Truswell, Paul
Turner, Dennis
(Wolverh'ton SE)
Turner, Neil
(Wigan)
Tyler, Paul
(N Cornwall)
Tynan, Bill
(Hamilton S)
Vaz, Keith
(Leicester E)
Walley, Ms Joan
Ward, Claire
Wareing, Robert N.
Watson, Tom
Watts, David
Webb, Steve
(Northavon)
White, Brian
Whitehead, Dr. Alan
Wicks, Malcolm
Williams, rh Alan
(Swansea W)
Williams, Roger
(Brecon)
Willis, Phil
Wills, Michael
Winnick, David
Winterton, Ms Rosie
(Doncaster C)
Wood, Mike
(Batley)
Woolas, Phil
Worthington, Tony
Wright, Anthony D.
(Gt Yarmouth)
Wright, David
(Telford)
Wright, Iain
(Hartlepool)
Wright, Tony
(Cannock)
Wyatt, Derek
Younger-Ross, Richard
Tellers for the Ayes:
Mr. Nick Ainger and
Mr. John Heppell
NOES
Amess, David
Ancram, rh Michael
Arbuthnot, rh James
Atkinson, David
(Bour'mth E)
Atkinson, Peter
(Hexham)
Bacon, Richard
Baldry, Tony
Bellingham, Henry
Bercow, John
Beresford, Sir Paul
Boswell, Tim
Bottomley, Peter
(Worthing W)
Brady, Graham
Brazier, Julian
Browning, Mrs Angela
Burns, Simon
Burt, Alistair
Butterfill, Sir John
Cameron, David
Cash, William
Chapman, Sir Sydney
(Chipping Barnet)
Clappison, James
Clarke, rh Kenneth
(Rushcliffe)
Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey
Collins, Tim
Conway, Derek
Curry, rh David
Davies, Quentin
(Grantham & Stamford)
Davis, rh David
(Haltemprice & Howden)
Djanogly, Jonathan
Dodds, Nigel
Duncan, Alan
(Rutland)
Duncan Smith, rh Iain
Fabricant, Michael
Fallon, Michael
Flook, Adrian
Forth, rh Eric
Francois, Mark
Gale, Roger
(N Thanet)
Garnier, Edward
Gibb, Nick
(Bognor Regis)
Goodman, Paul
Gray, James
(N Wilts)
Grayling, Chris
Green, Damian
(Ashford)
Greenway, John
Grieve, Dominic
Hague, rh William
Hammond, Philip
Hawkins, Nick
Hayes, John
(S Holland)
Heathcoat-Amory, rh David
Hendry, Charles
Hermon, Lady
Hogg, rh Douglas
Horam, John
(Orpington)
Howarth, Gerald
(Aldershot)
Jack, rh Michael
Jackson, Robert
(Wantage)
Jenkin, Bernard
Kirkbride, Miss Julie
Laing, Mrs Eleanor
Lait, Mrs Jacqui
Lansley, Andrew
Leigh, Edward
Letwin, rh Oliver
Lewis, Dr. Julian
(New Forest E)
Liddell-Grainger, Ian
Lidington, David
Lilley, rh Peter
Loughton, Tim
Luff, Peter
(M-Worcs)
McIntosh, Miss Anne
Mackay, rh Andrew
Maclean, rh David
McLoughlin, Patrick
Malins, Humfrey
Maples, John
Mawhinney, rh Sir Brian
May, Mrs Theresa
Mercer, Patrick
Moss, Malcolm
Murrison, Dr. Andrew
Norman, Archie
O'Brien, Stephen
(Eddisbury)
Osborne, George
(Tatton)
Ottaway, Richard
Page, Richard
Paice, James
Paterson, Owen
Pickles, Eric
Prisk, Mark
(Hertford)
Randall, John
Redwood, rh John
Robathan, Andrew
Robertson, Hugh
(Faversham & M-Kent)
Rosindell, Andrew
Sayeed, Jonathan
Selous, Andrew
Shephard, rh Mrs Gillian
Shepherd, Richard
Smyth, Rev. Martin
(Belfast S)
Soames, Nicholas
Spelman, Mrs Caroline
Spicer, Sir Michael
Spink, Bob
(Castle Point)
Spring, Richard
Stanley, rh Sir John
Steen, Anthony
Streeter, Gary
Swayne, Desmond
Swire, Hugo
(E Devon)
Syms, Robert
Tapsell, Sir Peter
Taylor, John
(Solihull)
Taylor, Sir Teddy
Tredinnick, David
Turner, Andrew
(Isle of Wight)
Tyrie, Andrew
Waterson, Nigel
Watkinson, Angela
Widdecombe, rh Miss Ann
Wiggin, Bill
Wilkinson, John
Wilshire, David
Winterton, Ann
(Congleton)
Winterton, Sir Nicholas
(Macclesfield)
Young, rh Sir George
Tellers for the Noes:
Gregory Barker and
Mr. Crispin Blunt
Question accordingly agreed to.
15 Nov 2004 : Column 1072
DELEGATED LEGISLATION
Motion made, and Question put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118(6)(Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation),