Session 2003-2004

Commons Journal 260

Chronological Index
Alphabetical Index - Part I
Alphabetical Index - Part II


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[No. 3.]

Monday 1st December 2003.

The House met at half-past Two o'clock.

PRAYERS.

1Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows:

Draft Gambling Bill (Joint Committee),—The Lords communicate that they have appointed a Committee of eight Lords to join with a Committee appointed by the Commons to consider and report on any draft Gambling Bill presented to both Houses by a Minister of the Crown;

They have ordered that the Committee have power to agree with the Commons in the appointment of a Chairman;

That the Committee have leave to report from time to time;

That the Committee have power to appoint specialist advisers;

That the Committee have power to adjourn from place to place;

That the proceedings of the Joint Committee on the draft Gambling Bill in the last Session of Parliament be referred to the Committee;

That the reports of the Committee from time to time shall be printed, notwithstanding any adjournment of the House; and

That the Committee do report on the draft Bill by 8th April 2004.

2Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill,—Mr Secretary Prescott, supported by the Prime Minister, Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Secretary Blunkett, Secretary Margaret Beckett, Mr Secretary Darling, Mr Secretary Reid, Ms Secretary Hewitt, Mr Paul Boateng, Mr Peter Hain, Keith Hill and Yvette Cooper, presented a Bill to make provision relating to spatial development and town and country planning; and the compulsory acquisition of land.

Pursuant to Orders [29th October 2002 (Carry-over of Bills) and 10th June 2003] the Bill was read the first and second time without Question put and ordered to be considered to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 6].

Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill be printed [Bill 6–EN].

3Queen's Speech (Motion for an Address),—The Order of the day being read, for resuming the adjourned Debate on the Question proposed on 26th November, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, as follows:

Most Gracious Sovereign,

We, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament;

And the Question being again proposed:—The House resumed the adjourned Debate.

Ordered, That the Debate be now adjourned.—(Paul Clark.)

Debate to be resumed to-morrow.

4Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Paul Clark.)

And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-five minutes to Ten o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 9.35 p.m.


APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 28th November 2003 pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments):

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1Financial Services,—Money Laundering Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3075), dated 28th November 2003 [Ruth Kelly].

2Food,—Collagen and Gelatine (Intra-Community Trade) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3003), dated 20th November 2003 [Mr Secretary Reid].

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3Pensions,—(1) Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3004), dated 19th November 2003 [Mr Secretary Prescott]; and

(2) Occupational Pensions (Revaluation) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3002), dated 23rd November 2003 [Mr Secretary Smith].

4Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism,—Terrorism Act 2000 (Business in the Regulated Sector and Supervisory Authorities) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3076), dated 28th November 2003 [Ruth Kelly].

5Proceeds of Crime,—Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Business in the Regulated Sector and Supervisory Authorities) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3074), dated 28th November 2003 [Ruth Kelly].

6Road Traffic,—(1) Motor Cars (Driving Instruction) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3027), dated 24th November 2003, and

(2) Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3073), dated 27th November 2003

[Mr Secretary Darling].

Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 1st December 2003:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

7Environmental Protection,—Draft Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

8Fireworks,—Fireworks Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3085), dated 27th November 2003 [by Act] [Ms Secretary Hewitt].

9Insurance Premium Tax,—Mutual Assistance Provisions Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3092), dated 1st December 2003 [by Act] [John Healey].

Other Papers:

10Air Force (Constitution),—Amendment List 8 to Regulations for the Reserve Air Forces (Air Publication 3392, Volume 7) [by Act] [Mr Secretary Hoon].

11Charities,—Account of the National Army Museum for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 50] [Clerk of the House].

12Chelsea Hospital,—Account of the Royal Hospital Chelsea: Army Prize Money and Legacy for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 49] [Clerk of the House].

13Constitutional Affairs,—Department of Constitutional Affairs: Autumn Performance Report 2003 [by Command] [Cm. 6049] [Mr Christopher Leslie].

14Crown Prosecution Service,—Crown Prosecution Service: Autumn Performance Report 2003 [by Command] [Cm. 6059] [The Solicitor General].

15Exchange Equalisation Account,—Report and Accounts of the Exchange Equalisation Account for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 25] [Ruth Kelly].

16Government Resources and Accounts,—Resource Accounts of—

(1) National Crime Squad, and

(2) Royal Marines Museum

for 2002–03, with Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 53 and 51] [Clerk of the House].

Papers withdrawn:

17Environmental Protection,—Draft Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [laid 19th November 2003, in the last session of Parliament].

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APPENDIX II

Reports from Select Committees

1Education and Skills,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education and Skills Committee [Secondary Education: School Admissions]; to be printed [No. 58-i] [Mr Barry Sheerman].

2Public Accounts,—(1) First Report from the Committee of Public Accounts [Tackling Fraud against the Inland Revenue]; together with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report; to be printed [No. 62];

(2) Second Report from the Committee [The New Electricity Trading Arrangements in England and Wales]; together with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report; to be printed [No. 63];

(3) Third Report from the Committee [The Sheep Annual Premium Scheme]; together with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report; to be printed [No. 64]; and

(4) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ): New Accommodation Programme]; to be printed [No. 65-i]

[Mr Edward Leigh].

3Science and Technology,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee [The Work of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council]; to be printed [No. 6-i] [Dr Ian Gibson].


[No. 4.]

Tuesday 2nd December 2003.

The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock.

PRAYERS.

1Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows:

Human Rights (Joint Committee),—The Lords communicate that they have appointed a Select Committee of six Lords to join with a Committee appointed by the Commons as the Joint Committee on Human Rights,

To consider—

(a) matters relating to human rights in the United Kingdom (but excluding consideration of individual cases);

(b) proposals for remedial orders, draft remedial orders and remedial orders made under section 10 of and laid under Schedule 2 to the Human Rights Act 1998; and

(c) in respect of draft remedial orders and remedial orders, whether the special attention of the House should be drawn to them on any of the grounds specified in Standing Order 74 (Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments);

To report to the House:

(a) in relation to any document containing proposals laid before the House under paragraph 3 of the said Schedule 2, its recommendation whether a draft order in the same terms as the proposals should be laid before the House; or

(b) in relation to any draft order laid under paragraph 2 of the said Schedule 2, its recommendation whether the draft Order should be approved;

and to have power to report to the House on any matter arising from its consideration of the said proposals or draft orders; and

To report to the House in respect of any original order laid under paragraph 4 of the said Schedule 2, its recommendation whether:

(a) the order should be approved in the form in which it was originally laid before Parliament; or

(b) that the order should be replaced by a new order modifying the provisions of the original order; or

(c) that the order should not be approved,

and to have power to report to the House on any matter arising from its consideration of the said order or any replacement order;

That the Committee have power to agree with any Committee appointed by the Commons in the appointment of a Chairman;

That the quorum of the Committee shall be two;

That the Committee have power to adjourn from place to place;

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That the Committee have leave to report from time to time;

That the Committee have power to appoint specialist advisers;

That the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Human Rights Committee in the last Session of Parliament be referred to the Committee; and

That the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee from time to time shall, if the Committee think fit, be printed.

2Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Bill,—Secretary Tessa Jowell, supported by the Prime Minister, Mr Secretary Blunkett, Mr Secretary Darling, Mr Alan Reid, Ms Secretary Hewitt, Mr Secretary Clarke, Mr Secretary Murphy, Mr Peter Hain, Mr Paul Boateng, Mr Richard Caborn and Estelle Morris, presented a Bill to make provision for the sale of the Tote; to make provision for the abolition of the horserace betting levy system; to make provision for the establishment of National Lottery games designed to raise money in connection with the hosting by London of the Olympic Games in 2012; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 8].

Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Bill be printed [Bill 8–EN].

3Employment Relations Bill,—Ms Secretary Hewitt, supported by the Prime Minister, Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Secretary Smith, Mr Secretary Darling, Mr Peter Hain, Mr Secretary Murphy and Mr Gerry Sutcliffe, presented a Bill to amend the law relating to the recognition of trade unions and the taking of industrial action; to make provision about means of voting in ballots under the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992; to amend provisions of that Act relating to rights of members and non-members of trade unions and to make other provision about rights of trade union members, employees and workers; to make further provision concerning the enforcement of legislation relating to minimum wages; to make further provision about proceedings before and appeals from the Certification Officer; to make further provision about the amalgamation of trade unions; to make provision facilitating the administration of trade unions; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 7].

Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Employment Relations Bill be printed [Bill 7–EN].

4Queen's Speech (Motion for an Address),—The Order of the day being read, for resuming the adjourned Debate on the Question proposed on 26th November, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, as follows:

Most Gracious Sovereign,

We, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament;

And the Question being again proposed:—The House resumed the adjourned Debate.

Ordered, That the Debate be now adjourned.—(Paul Clark.)

Debate to be resumed to-morrow.

5Estimates,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 145 (Liaison Committee), That this House agrees with the Report [26th November] of the Liaison Committee—(Paul Clark):—It was agreed to.

6Standing Committee on Regional Affairs,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 117 (Standing Committee on Regional Affairs), That—

(a) the Matter of the English regions and referendums on elected regional assemblies, being a Matter relating to regional affairs in England, be referred to the Standing Committee on Regional Affairs;

(b) the Committee do meet at a quarter past Two o'clock on Thursday 11th December at Westminster to consider the Matter referred to it under paragraph (a) above; and

(c) the proceedings at the meeting be brought to a conclusion at a quarter past Five o'clock—(Paul Clark):—It was agreed to.

7Welsh Grand Committee,—Ordered, That—

(a) the Matter of the Government's Legislative Programme as outlined in the Queen's Speech as it relates to Wales and Public Expenditure in Wales be referred to the Welsh Grand Committee for its consideration;

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(b) the Committee shall meet at Westminster on Tuesday 16th December at five minutes to Nine o'clock and between Two o'clock and Four o'clock to consider the Matter of the Government's Legislative Programme as outlined in the Queen's Speech as it relates to Wales and Public Expenditure in Wales, under Standing Order No. 107 (Welsh Grand Committee (matters relating exclusively to Wales)).—(Paul Clark.)

8Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from citizens of the United Kingdom against the national listing of Chardon LL maize and any other genetically modified seeds was presented; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

9Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Paul Clark);

And it being Seven o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put.

10Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Paul Clark);

And the Motion having been made at Seven 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, till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 7.30 p.m.


APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1Animals,—Registration of Establishments (Laying Hens) (England) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3100), dated 1st December 2003 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].

2Building and Buildings,—Building (Repeal of Provisions of Local Acts) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3030), dated 24th November 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

3Customs and Excise,—(1) Customs (Contravention of a Relevant Rule) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3113), dated 2nd December 2003 [by Act] [John Healey]; and

(2) Export (Penalty) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3102), dated 2nd December 2003 [by Act] [Ruth Kelly].

4Financial Services and Markets,—Financial Collateral Arrangements Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3112), dated 1st December 2003 [by Act] [Ruth Kelly].

5Seeds,—Oil and Fibre Plant Seed (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3101), dated 1st December 2003 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].

Other Papers:

6Culture, Media and Sport,—Department for Culture, Media and Sport Minute, dated 2nd December 2003, reporting contingent liabilities in the event of London winning the bid for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games [by Command] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].

7Extradition,—Codes of Practice under the Extradition Act 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].

8Foreign and Commonwealth Office,—Paper, entitled UK International Priorities: A Strategy for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office [by Command] [Cm. 6052] [Mr Secretary Straw].

9Government Resources and Accounts,—Report and Accounts of the Oil and Pipelines Agency for 2002–03, with the Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 8] [Mr Secretary Hoon].

10Home Office,—Home Office: Autumn Performance Report 2003 [by Command] [Cm. 6057] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].

11Pastoral Measure,—The Churches Conservation Trust Review and Report for 2002–03 [by Measure] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].

APPENDIX II

Reports from Select Committees

1Constitutional Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Constitutional Affairs Committee [Judicial appointments and a Supreme Court (Court of final appeal)]; to be printed [No. 48-ii] [Mr A. J. Beith].

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2Culture, Media and Sport,—(1) First Report from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [Cultural objects: developments since 2000], 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. 59]; and

(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [DCMS Annual Report]; to be printed [No. 74-i]

[Mr Gerald Kaufman].

3Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee [Marine Environment]; to be printed [No. 76-i] [Mr Michael Jack].

4Environmental Audit,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environmental Audit Committee [Waste—Follow-up]; to be printed [No. 72-i] [Mr Peter Ainsworth].

5European Scrutiny,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the European Scrutiny Committee [(i) Nuclear Safety (ii) The energy provisions of the EU's draft Constitutional Treaty]; to be printed [No. 70-i] [Mr Jimmy Hood].

6Foreign Affairs,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee [Iran]; to be printed [No. 80-i]; and

(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Foreign Policy aspects of the War against Terrorism]; to be printed [No. 81-i]

[Mr Donald Anderson].

7Home Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Home Affairs Committee [The Rehabilitation of Prisoners]; to be printed [No. 66-i] [Mr John Denham].

8International Development,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the International Development Committee [Migration and Development]; to be printed [No. 79-i] [Tony Baldry].

9Scottish Affairs,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Scottish Affairs Committee [Coincidence of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in Scotland and the Consequences of Change]; to be printed [No. 77-i]; and

(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Registration of Voters in Scotland]; to be printed [No. 78-i]

[Mrs Irene Adams].

10Standards and Privileges,—First Report from the Committee on Standards and Privileges [Complaints against Mr George Galloway MP], together with an Appendix; together with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report; to be printed [No. 73] [Sir George Young].

11Statutory Instruments,—First Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, together with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 82-i] [Mr David Tredinnick].

12Trade and Industry,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Trade and Industry Committee [The Resilience of the National Grid]; to be printed [No. 69-i and -ii] [Mr Martin O'Neill].

13Treasury,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Treasury Committee [Restoring Confidence in Long Term Savings]; to be printed [No. 71-i] [Mr John McFall].


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[No. 5.]

Wednesday 3rd December 2003.

The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock.

PRAYERS.

1Sessional Returns,—Ordered, That there be laid before this House Returns for Session 2002–03 of information and statistics relating to—

(1) Business of the House;

(2) Closure of Debate, Proposal of Question and Allocation of Time (including Programme Motions);

(3) Sittings of the House;

(4) Private Bills and Private Business;

(5) Public Bills;

(6) Delegated Legislation and Regulatory Reform Orders;

(7) European Legislation, etc;

(8) Grand Committees;

(9) Chairmen's Panel; and

(10) Select Committees.—(The First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.)

2Selection (Standing Committees),—Mr John McWilliam reported from the Committee of Selection the following Resolution:

That, after a Bill has been under consideration in a Standing Committee, no application for changes in the composition of that Committee in respect of that Bill will be entertained by this Committee except where a Member is incapacitated from attendance by illness, or where he has been appointed or ceased to be a Member of the Government or has changed his office for another, or has acquired other duties, or ceased to hold or changed such duties.

Report to lie upon the Table.

3Selection (Select Committees),—Mr John McWilliam reported from the Committee of Selection the following Resolution:

That Motions to alter the membership of Select Committees may be tabled on behalf of the Committee of Selection only if previously approved at a meeting of the Committee of Selection.

Report to lie upon the Table.

4Chairmen's Panel (Parliament Act 1911),—Mr John McWilliam reported from the Committee of Selection, That, in pursuance of section 1(3) of the Parliament Act 1911, it had appointed Mr John McWilliam and Sir Nicholas Winterton to be the two Members whom the Speaker shall consult, if practicable, before certifying a Bill to be a Money Bill.

5Standing Committee C,—Mr John McWilliam reported from the Committee of Selection, That it had designated Standing Committee C as the Standing Committee on which Government Bills do not have precedence.

6Human Tissue Bill,—Mr Secretary Reid, supported by the Prime Minister, Mr Secretary Blunkett, Mr Secretary Murphy, Secretary Tessa Jowell, Mr Paul Boateng, Mr Peter Hain and Ms Rosie Winterton, presented a Bill to make provision with respect to activities involving human tissue; to make provision about the transfer of human remains from certain museum collections; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 9].

Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Human Tissue Bill be printed [Bill 9–EN].

7Queen's Speech (Motion for an Address),—The Order of the day being read, for resuming the adjourned Debate on the Question proposed on 26th November, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, as follows:

Most Gracious Sovereign,

We, Your Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament;

And the Question being again proposed:—The House resumed the adjourned Debate.

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An Amendment was proposed to the Question, at the end, to add the words ‘But oppose the proposals in the Gracious Speech that massively reduce the independence of universities in their admissions policy; deplore the inclusion of measures likely to burden the average student with £33,000 debt on graduation by 2010; regret the violation of the Government's 2001 manifesto pledge not to introduce top-up fees; call on Ministers to concentrate on raising standards, improving the credibility of qualifications and ensuring access to higher education on the basis of merit, not ability to pay; further regret the absence of measures to reduce the bureaucracy faced by school governors, head-teachers, teachers, doctors, nurses and NHS managers, and to extend patient choice and reduce the use of centrally-set targets, which prevent the NHS responding effectively to the needs of patients; further deplore the lack of progress on the Mental Health Bill in a form which would protect the rights of people with mental health problems and promote their access to treatment; further regret the lack of prior consultation on a draft of the Human Tissue Bill; and further deplore the absence of measures to promote freedom and decentralisation in the NHS.'.—(Mr Tim Yeo.)

And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made;

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Hugo Swire, Gregory Barker: 189.

Tellers for the Noes, Bridget Prentice, Mr Vernon Coaker: 340.

So the Question was negatived.

And it being after Seven o'clock, the Debate stood adjourned.

Ordered, That the Debate be resumed to-morrow.

8Draft Gambling Bill (Joint Committee),—Ordered, That the Lords Message [1st December] relating to the draft Gambling Bill be now considered.

That this House concurs with the Lords in the said Resolution.

That, in accordance with the Order of the House of 10th July, as amended by the Order of 20th October, in the last Session of Parliament, a Select Committee of eight Members be appointed to join with a Committee appointed by the Lords, as the Joint Committee on the draft Gambling Bill, with the same terms of reference, powers and membership as in the last Session and that the proceedings of the Joint Committee on the draft Gambling Bill in the last Session of Parliament be referred to the Committee; and

That the Committee do meet with the Committee appointed by the Lords on Thursday 11th December at half-past Nine o'clock in Committee Room 5.—(Derek Twigg.)

Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.

9Animals,—Ordered, That the Horse Passports (England) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 2780), dated 4th November 2003, be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.—(Derek Twigg.)

10Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Derek Twigg.)

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 Affirmative Resolution:

1Employment Agencies, etc.,—Draft Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum thereon [by Command] [Ms Secretary Hewitt].

2Extradition,—(1) Draft Extradition Act 2003 (Designation of Part 1 Territories) Order 2003,

(2) draft Extradition Act 2003 (Designation of Part 2 Territories) Order 2003,

(3) draft Extradition Act 2003 (Part 3 Designation) Order 2003, and

(4) draft Extradition Act 2003 (Police Powers: Code of Practice) Order 2003

[by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

3Council Tax,—Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rating (Electronic Communications) (England) (No. 2) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3052), dated 26th November 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

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4Electronic Communications,—Wireless Telegraphy (Interception and Disclosure of Messages) (Designation) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3104), dated 28th November 2003 [by Act] [Ms Secretary Hewitt].

5Extradition,—(1) Extradition Act 2003 (Part 1 Designated Authorities) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3109),

(2) Extradition Act 2003 (Police Powers) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3106), and

(3) Extradition Act 2003 (Police Powers) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3107)

dated 1st December 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].

6Merchant Shipping,—Merchant Shipping (Working Time: Inland Waterways) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3049), dated 27th November 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling].

7International Immunities and Privileges,—Northern Ireland (Monitoring Commission etc.) Act 2003 (Immunities and Privileges) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3126), dated 3rd December 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Straw].

8Savings Banks,—National Savings Bank (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 2895), dated 2nd December 2003 [by Act] [Ruth Kelly].

Other Papers:

9Disability Discrimination,—Draft Disability Discrimination Bill with Explanatory Notes and Regulatory Impact Assessment [by Command] [Cm. 6058-I, II and III] [Mr Secretary Smith].

10Health,—Department of Health: Autumn Performance Report 2003 [by Command] [Cm. 6073] [Mr Secretary Reid].

11Ireland (No. 1, 2003),—Agreement, done at Dublin on 25th November 2003, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ireland establishing the Independent Monitoring Commission, with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Cm. 6068] [Mr Secretary Straw].

12National Lottery,—Report and Accounts and Corporate Plan Summary of the Sports Council for Wales for 2002–03, with the Report of the Auditor General for Wales thereon [by Act] [Peter Hain].

13Northern Ireland,—Report and Accounts of the Special EU Programmes Body for Northern Ireland for 2002, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Statutory Instrument]; to be printed [No. 13] [Mr Secretary Murphy].

14Police,—Code of Practice on Police Use of Firearms and Less Lethal Weapons [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].

15Sessional Returns,—Returns by Order this day for information and statistics for Session 2002–03; to be printed [No. 1] [Clerk of the House].

Papers withdrawn:

16Employment Agencies, etc.,—Draft Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [laid 27th November].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committees

1Draft Telephone Number Exclusion (Domain Names and Internet Addresses) Order 2003:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mrs Irene Adams Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Charlotte Atkins, Mr Peter Atkinson, Mr John Battle, Peter Bottomley, Mr James Clappison, Mrs Helen Clark, Mr David Clelland, Brian Cotter, Michael Fabricant, Mr Lindsay Hoyle, Mr John Lyons, Christine Russell, Llew Smith, Sir Robert Smith, Ian Stewart and Mr Stephen Timms.

2Draft Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment) Regulations 2003:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Derek Conway Chairman; and

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(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Nick Ainger, Mr Adrian Bailey, Malcolm Bruce, Colin Burgon, Tony Cunningham, Sue Doughty, David Hamilton, Mr Fabian Hamilton, Mr Calum MacDonald, Miss Anne McIntosh, Alice Mahon, Mr Elliot Morley, Mr Richard Page, Mr Sio¤n Simon, Sir Teddy Taylor and Mr David Wilshire.

3Draft Local Government Best Value (Exemption) (England) Order 2003:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Eric Illsley Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Tony Baldry, Hugh Bayley, Paul Clark, Mr Jim Cousins, Mr Edward Davey, Mr Mark Field, Mr Philip Hammond, Phil Hope, Mr John Horam, Mr Brian Jenkins, Ms Sally Keeble, Mr Eric Martlew, Dan Norris, Mr Terry Rooney, Mr Paul Truswell and Richard Younger-Ross.

4Horse Passports (England) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 2780):

(1) The Speaker has allocated the Regulations to the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Bill Olner Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Nick Ainger, Peter Bradley, Mr David Cameron, Sue Doughty, Andrew George, Mrs Cheryl Gillan, Mr James Gray, Patrick Hall, Alun Michael, Julie Morgan, Diana Organ, Mrs Barbara Roche, Keith Vaz, Joan Walley, Mr Robert N. Wareing and Mr David Wilshire.

5Government's assessment as set out in the Pre-Budget Report 2003 for the purposes of section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the assessment to the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed David Taylor Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Graham Allen, Mr Peter Atkinson, Dr Vincent Cable, Mr Michael Fallon, Jim Fitzpatrick, Barbara Follett, Mr Derek Foster, Mr David Heyes, Ruth Kelly, Norman Lamb, Rosemary McKenna, James Purnell, Mr David Ruffley, Mr Clive Soley, Mr Graham Stringer and Mr Andrew Tyrie.

6Draft Media Ownership (Local Radio and Appointed News Provider) Order 2003:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Roger Gale Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Ms Candy Atherton, Mr Tim Boswell, Mr Keith Bradley, Jon Cruddas, Jim Dowd, Mr David Drew, Paul Farrelly, Mr Adrian Flook, Mr Don Foster, Mr Fraser Kemp, Estelle Morris, Anne Picking, Bob Russell, Dr Howard Stoate, Mr Ian Taylor and Angela Watkinson.

7Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Modification) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3039):

(1) The Speaker has allocated the Order to the Seventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr James Cran Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Ms Karen Buck, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mr Vernon Coaker, Jeff Ennis, Mr Mark Field, Dr Hywel Francis, Mr Tom Harris, Lady Hermon, Mr Kevin Hughes, Ian Lucas, Lembit O­pik, Mr Andrew Robathan, Phil Sawford, Mr John Spellar, Mr John Taylor and Dr Desmond Turner.

8Draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States and the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria) Order 2003 and the draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States and the Republic of Lebanon) Order 2003:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Miss Anne Begg Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: John Barrett, Mr Colin Breed, Mr Jim Cunningham, Kate Hoey, Mr Mark Lazarowicz, Mr Denis MacShane, Mr John Maples, Mr Jim Murphy, Linda Perham, Hugh Robertson, Mr Martin Salter, Andrew Selous, Mr Marsha Singh, Mr Richard Spring, Dr Phyllis Starkey and David Winnick.

9Draft International Fund for Agriculture Development (Sixth Replenishment) Order 2003:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Ninth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Jimmy Hood Chairman; and

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(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: John Barrett, Tom Brake, Tom Cox, Mrs Joan Humble, Dr Ashok Kumar, Andrew Mackinlay, Mr John Maples, Rob Marris, Mr Jim Murphy, Richard Ottaway, Joyce Quin, Hugh Robertson, Joan Ruddock, Mr Mohammad Sarwar, Mr Gary Streeter and Mr Gareth Thomas.

Private Business

10Committee on Unopposed Bills (Panel),—Mr John McWilliam reported from the Committee of Selection, That it had appointed seventeen members to be the Panel of Members to serve on the Committee on Unopposed Bills under Standing Order 111 relating to Private Business (Reference to committees of opposed and unopposed bills): John Austin, Mr Adrian Bailey, Mr Nigel Beard, Peter Bottomley, Mr John Butterfill, Mr Colin Challen, Mr Parmjit Dhanda, Paul Farrelly, Mr Brian Jenkins, Helen Jones, John Mann, Siobhain McDonagh, Sir Robert Smith, Sir Peter Tapsell, Jon Trickett, Mr Robert Walter and Ann Winterton.

11Provisional Orders (Scotland) (Panel),—The Committee of Selection, in pursuance of Standing Order 228 relating to Private Business (Parliamentary Panel), has selected thirteen Members to form the Parliamentary Panel of Members of this House to act as Commissioners under the Private Legislation Procedure (Scotland) Act 1936: Miss Anne Begg, David Cairns, Mr Peter Duncan, David Hamilton, Mr Iain Luke, Mr Calum MacDonald, Mr John MacDougall, Rosemary McKenna, Mr Michael Moore, Anne Picking, Mr Alan Reid, John Robertson and Mr Mohammed Sarwar.

Grand Committees

12Welsh Grand Committee,—The Committee of Selection has nominated two additional members to serve on the Welsh Grand Committee: Mr Robert Walter and Mr Bill Wiggin.

Standing Committee on Regional Affairs

13Standing Committee on Regional Affairs,—The Committee of Selection has nominated thirteen Members representing English constituencies to serve on the Standing Committee on Regional Affairs: Ms Candy Atherton, Mr Henry Bellingham, Ms Karen Buck, Ross Cranston, Mrs Louise Ellman, Mr Nigel Evans, Andrew George, Norman Lamb, John Mann, Mr Denis Murphy, Mr Ian Pearson, Lawrie Quinn and Mr Anthony Steen.

European Standing Committees

14European Union Document No. 11645/03, relating to Levels of certain heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air, has been referred to European Standing Committee A.

15European Union Document No. 12965/03, relating to Common Agricultural Policy: reform of the tobacco, olive oil, cotton and sugar sectors, has been referred to European Standing Committee A.

16European Union Document No. COM (03) 132, relating to Trans-European transport network, has been referred to European Standing Committee A.

17European Union Document No. 12441/03, relating to Cooperation with the Occupied Territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, has been referred to European Standing Committee B.

18European Union Document No. 13853/03, relating to Value Added Tax, has been referred to European Standing Committee B.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1Defence,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee [Lessons of Iraq]; to be printed [No. 57-i] [Bruce George].

2Education and Skills,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education and Skills Committee [Ministerial Annual Review]; to be printed [No. 75-i] [Mr Barry Sheerman].

3Environmental Audit,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environmental Audit Committee [GM Food—Evaluating the Farm Scale Trials]; to be printed [No. 90-i] [Mr Peter Ainsworth].

4Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Cetacean By-catch Sub-Committee of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee [Cetacean By-catch]; to be printed [No. 88-i] [Mr Michael Jack].

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5European Scrutiny,—First Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 42-i] [Mr Jimmy Hood].

6Public Accounts,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts [Tax Credits]; to be printed [No. 89-i] [Mr Edward Leigh].

7Treasury,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee of the Treasury Committee [Child Trust Funds]; to be printed [No. 86-i] [Mr John McFall].

8Welsh Affairs,—First Special Report from the Welsh Affairs Committee [Government Response to the Fifth Report of the Committee Session 2002–03: Draft Public Audit (Wales) Bill]; to be printed [No. 87] [Mr Martyn Jones].


[No. 6.]

Thursday 4th December 2003.

The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock.

PRAYERS.

1Private Bills,—The Order of 13th November relating to the Mersey Tunnels Bill, suspended in the last Session of Parliament, being read;

Mersey Tunnels Bill,—A Bill to amend provisions of the County of Merseyside Act 1980 relating to the levying, revision and application of tolls for use of the Mersey Tunnels and to amend that Act for other purposes, was read the first, second and third time and passed.

2Armed Forces (Pensions and Compensation) Bill,—Mr Secretary Hoon, supported by the Prime Minister, Mr Secretary Prescott, Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Secretary Straw, Mr Secretary Blunkett, Mr Secretary Smith, Mr Adam Ingram and Mr David Lammy, presented a Bill to make new provision for establishing pension and compensation schemes for the armed or reserve forces; to amend the Pensions Appeal Tribunals Act 1943; to provide for the transfer of the property, rights and liabilities of the Royal Patriotic Fund Corporation to a registered charity; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Monday 8th December and to be printed [Bill 10].

Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Armed Forces (Pensions and Compensation) Bill be printed [Bill 10–EN].

3Queen's Speech (Motion for an Address),—The Order of the day being read, for resuming the adjourned Debate on the Question proposed on 26th November, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, as follows:

Most Gracious Sovereign,

We, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament;

And the Question being again proposed:—The House resumed the adjourned Debate.

Another Amendment was proposed to the Question, at the end, to add the words ‘But regret that the Gracious Speech contains no measures to provide fundamental reform of public services or to reduce the level of waste in government; condemn the absence of proposals to restore the incentive to save, which has been eroded by the vast growth in means testing; deplore the absence of sufficient measures to avert the pensions crisis; further regret that the Gracious Speech makes no reference to the need to establish a more transparent and coherent fiscal structure; further condemn the absence of measures to fulfil the Government's pledge to improve the competitiveness of the British economy and the rate of productivity growth; note that rail delays have doubled and traffic congestion has increased under this Government, and that there are no measures in the Gracious Speech adequately to address the Government's failure to tackle these problems, which are damaging competitiveness and leading to reduced choice for the travelling public; further condemn the failure of a draft Bill to indicate what the powers of any regional assembly would be, even though proposals for local government reorganisation have been published; and believe that the Government's proposals to restrict the right to buy will frustrate the legitimate aspirations of tenants to own their homes.'.—(Mr Oliver Letwin.)

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And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made;

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mark Francois, Mr Hugo Swire: 171.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr John Heppell, Margaret Moran: 286.

So the Question was negatived.

Another Amendment was proposed to the Question, at the end, to add the words ‘But humbly regret that the Gracious Speech distracts from sound policies which deal with crime and its causes; further regret the intention to introduce top-up fees for universities; further regret the lack of provision for free personal care for the elderly and disabled people and the failure to tackle the pension crisis; further regret the decision to proceed with an ill-thought-through and expensive identity cards scheme; further regret that the Government has chosen to undermine further the rights of people fleeing persecution to seek asylum in this country; note that the Government has failed to put environment at the heart of its legislative agenda and address the crisis in the transport system; regret the failure to introduce single transferable vote as the voting system for the Scottish Parliament; and further regret the absence of measures to tackle the steep inequalities which continue to afflict the most disadvantaged members of society.'.—(Mr Andrew Stunell.)

And the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 33 (Calling of amendments at end of debate), That the Amendment be made;

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Richard Younger-Ross, Mr Alan Reid: 44.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr John Heppell, Margaret Moran: 277.

So the Question was negatived.

And the Main Question being put;

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John Heppell, Margaret Moran: 275.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Peter Atkinson, Gregory Barker: 174.

So the Question was agreed to.

Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, as follows:

Most Gracious Sovereign,

We, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament.

Address to be presented to Her Majesty by such Members of this House as are of Her Majesty's most honourable Privy Council or of Her Majesty's Household.

4Adjournment (Christmas),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 25 (Periodic adjournments), That this House, at its rising on Thursday 18th December, do adjourn till Monday 5th January 2004—(Paul Clark):—It was agreed to.

5Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Paul Clark.)

And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till five minutes past Seven o'clock, adjourned till Monday 8th December.

[Adjourned at 7.05 p.m.


APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1Council Tax,—Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rating (Demand Notices) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3081), dated 27th November 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott].

2Education,—Local Education Authority (Behaviour Support Plans) (Exception) (England) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3082), dated 27th November 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Clarke].

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3National Health Service,—(1) NHS Professionals Special Health Authority (Establishment and Constitution) Order 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3059), and

(2) NHS Professionals Special Health Authority Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3060)

dated 26th November 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid].

4Statistics of Trade,—Statistics of Trade (Customs and Excise) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3131), dated 3rd December 2003 [by Act] [Ruth Kelly].

5Universities of Oxford and Cambridge,—(1) Statute, dated 30th May 2003, made by the Governing Body of Trinity College, Cambridge, amending the Statutes of the College, and

(2) Statute, dated 22nd May 2003, by the Governing Body of the University of Cambridge, amending the Statutes of the University

[by Act] [Mr David Lammy].

Other Papers:

6Cabinet Office,—Cabinet Office: Autumn Performance Report 2003 [by Command] [Cm. 6055] [Mr Douglas Alexander].

7Government Resources and Accounts,—Report and Accounts of the Defence Procurement Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 2] [Mr Secretary Hoon].

8Police,—Report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary for 2002–03 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 34] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].

APPENDIX II

Standing Committee on Regional Affairs

1Standing Committee on Regional Affairs:

(1) The Speaker has appointed Mr Alan Hurst Chairman of the Standing Committee on Regional Affairs in respect of its meeting on 11th December; and

(2) The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Ian Pearson from the Standing Committee on Regional Affairs and nominated in substitution Derek Wyatt.

European Standing Committees

2The Speaker has appointed Mr David Chidgey Chairman of European Standing Committee B in respect of European Union Document No. 10965/03 on Security at European Council Meetings and other Comparable Events.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1European Scrutiny,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the European Scrutiny Committee [Fisheries and other aspects of the EU's draft constitutional treaty]; to be printed [No. 91-i] [Mr Jimmy Hood].

2Health,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Health Committee [Obesity]; to be printed [No. 23-ii] [Mr David Hinchliffe].

3International Development,—(1) First Report from the International Development Committee [Trade and Development at the WTO: Learning the lessons of Cancu"n to revive a genuine development round], 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. 92-I and -II]; and

(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Migration and Development]; to be printed [No. 79-ii]

[Tony Baldry].


MEMORANDUM

Public Bills (Scotland),—In pursuance of paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 97 (Scottish Grand Committee (bills in relation to their principle)) the Speaker certified that, in his opinion, the provisions of the Scottish Parliament (Constituencies) Bill relate exclusively to Scotland.



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