| Session 2003-2004 |
| Commons Journal 260
Chronological Index
Page 70 2003-2004 Volume 260 [No. 19.] Monday 12th January 2004. The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Fire and Rescue Services Bill be printed [Bill 38–EN].
And a Motion being made, and the Question being proposed, That the Bill be now read a second time; An Amendment was proposed to the Question, to leave out from the word ‘That' to the end of the Question and add the words ‘this House declines to give a Second Reading to a bill which introduces burdensome, ineffective and bureaucratic information packs; fails to provide a sufficiently clear licensing regime; weakens tenants' right to buy; is unclear on the rules and standards that regulate private sector access to Housing Corporation funds; and, overall, acts as a disincentive to offering property for letting in the UK's weak private rented sector', instead thereof.—(Mr David Curry.) And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Mark Francois, Hugh Robertson: 139. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Jim Murphy, Gillian Merron: 375. So the Question was negatived. And the Main Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 62 (Amendment on second or third reading); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Gillian Merron, Mr Jim Murphy: 334. Tellers for the Noes, Hugh Robertson, Mr Mark Francois: 178. So the Question was agreed to. The Bill was accordingly read a second time.
Committal 1. The Bill shall be committed to a Standing Committee. Page 71 Monday 12th January 2004 2003-2004 Volume 260 Back to top Proceedings in Standing Committee 2. Proceedings in the Standing Committee shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion on Tuesday 24th February 2004. 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 Lords Amendments or on any further Message from the Lords) may be programmed—(Joan Ryan):—It was agreed to.
A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 52 (Money and ways and means resolutions in connection with bills), That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Housing Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of— (1) any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State by virtue of the Act, and (2) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable out of money so provided under any other enactment—(Joan Ryan):—It was agreed to.
And the Motion having been made after Ten o'clock, and the Debate having continued for half an hour, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order, it being then Eleven o'clock, till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 11 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 9th January 2004 pursuant to Standing Order No. 158 (Presentation of command papers):
Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 9th January 2004 pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments): Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) Prescription Only Medicines (Human Use) Amendment Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 2), dated 6th January 2004 [Mr Secretary Reid].
Page 72 Monday 12th January 2004 2003-2004 Volume 260 Back to top (2) Police Reserve Trainee Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 (S.R.(N.I.), 2004, No. 2), dated 7th January 2004, and (3) Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve (Part-Time) Regulations 2004 (S.R.(N.I.), 2004, No. 3), dated 7th January 2004 [Mr Secretary Murphy].
Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 12th January 2004: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) Insolvent Partnerships (Amendment No. 3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2003 (S.R. (N.I.), 2003, No. 550) dated 18th December 2003 [by Statutory Instrument] [Mr Christopher Leslie].
Other Papers:
(1) Northern Ireland Policing Board: Best Value Performance Plan for 2003–04, and (2) Out of sight—not out of mind: Ofwat and the public sewer network in England and Wales [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 160 and 161] [Clerk of the House]. APPENDIX II Grand Committees
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
Page 73 Monday 12th January 2004 2003-2004 Volume 260 Back to top
(2) Sixth Report from the Committee [Department of Trade and Industry: Regional Grants in England]; together with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report; to be printed [No. 207]; and (3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Protecting England and Wales from plant pests and diseases]; to be printed [No. 208-i]; [Mr Edward Leigh].
(2) Second Special Report from the Science and Technology Committee [Government Response to the Committee's Ninth Report, Session 2002–03, The Work of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council]; to be printed [No. 171]; and (3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The Use of Science in UK International Development Policy]; to be printed [No. 133-i]; [Dr Ian Gibson].
[No. 20.] Tuesday 13th January 2004. The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock. PRAYERS.
Bill, not amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow. Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 217].
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
National Audit Office Report on Operation TELIC,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House congratulates Her Majesty's Armed Forces on their outstanding contribution to the success of the Coalition campaign in Iraq; welcomes the positive findings of the National Audit Office Report on Operation TELIC—United Kingdom Military Operations in Iraq; endorses the conclusions and recommendations of that Report, but is gravely concerned about its criticisms of major deficiencies in the supply of vital equipment to UK forces in theatre; deplores the fact that approximately 200,000 sets of enhanced combat body armour issued since 1989 seem to have disappeared and that few troops received their full complement of the extra quantities of clothing and boots ordered from late 2002 onwards; is particularly appalled that there was a 40 per cent. shortfall in tactical nerve-agent detection systems, vital to alert personnel that an attack was underway, and that the operational filters needed to protect Challenger 2 tanks from radiological, chemical and biological attack were not delivered to frontline units until months after the fall of Saddam, given that the Government's casus belli was fear that the Iraqi regime possessed Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) that might be used at short notice; condemns as totally unacceptable the extreme peril to which these supply failures exposed service men and women, because of the perceived WMD danger; and calls upon the Government urgently to address the deficiencies identified in the Report—(Mr Nicholas Soames); Page 74 Tuesday 13th January 2004 2003-2004 Volume 260 Back to top An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 3, to leave out from the word ‘Iraq' to the end of the Question and add the words ‘and welcomes the report of the National Audit Office on Operation TELIC—United Kingdom Military Operations in Iraq, which is consistent with the main conclusions of the Ministry of Defence's own report on Operations in Iraq—Lessons for the Future', instead thereof.—(Mr Secretary Hoon.) And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Hugo Swire, Mr Mark Field: 202. Tellers for the Noes, Derek Twigg, Paul Clark: 330. 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. And the Main Question, as amended, being put; Resolved, That this House congratulates Her Majesty's Armed Forces on their outstanding contribution to the success of the Coalition campaign in Iraq and welcomes the report of the National Audit Office on Operation TELIC—United Kingdom Military Operations in Iraq, which is consistent with the main conclusions of the Ministry of Defence's own report on Operations in Iraq—Lessons for the Future. Future of the Post Office Network,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House deplores the programme to close 3,000 urban post offices because closure decisions are being made without taking adequately into account the needs of post office customers; believes that honourable Members are insufficiently consulted when proposed closures are announced; regrets the lack of time available to provide for a full consultation period and the failure of the consultation process to influence the closure programme; condemns the Government as the sole shareholder of Royal Mail plc's wholly-owned subsidiary, The Post Office Ltd., for its failure to intervene in order to rectify the way in which the Urban Reinvention Programme is being implemented; expresses its great concern about the programme to implement Post Office card accounts, which is failing to reflect the needs of customers, especially for the most vulnerable, including elderly and disabled people; calls on the Government to give a firm indication that an Exceptions Service will be introduced and to provide the House with the details of how such a system will operate after 2005; and further calls on the Government to make a statement on the sustainability of the funding of rural post offices beyond 2006—(Mr Stephen O'Brien); An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word ‘House' to the end of the Question and add the words ‘congratulates the Government for its commitment to modernise and invest in the national network of post offices while keeping them easily accessible to all customers; notes that the choice of account for customers into which they wish their benefits paid is entirely a matter for the customer concerned and congratulates the Government on ensuring that all the necessary information is available to customers to make an informed choice; applauds the Government's £2 billion investment in the Post Office network and its success in reducing the rate of rural post office closures; notes the Post Office's commitment to ensuring that 95 per cent. of the urban population live within a mile of a post office, and the majority within half a mile, and that honourable Members are consulted on proposed closures as part of an agreed process between the Post Office and Postwatch; further notes that 3,500 post offices closed under the previous administration; and condemns those who seek to undermine confidence in Britain's postal services', instead thereof.—(Mr Stephen Timms.) And the Question being proposed, That the original words stand part of the Question; David Maclean rose in his place and claimed to move, That the Question be now put. And the Question being put, That the Question be now put:—It was agreed to. And the Question being accordingly put; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Angela Watkinson, Mr Mark Field: 205. Tellers for the Noes, Bridget Prentice, Charlotte Atkins: 326. 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); Page 75 Tuesday 13th January 2004 2003-2004 Volume 260 Back to top The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Charlotte Atkins, Bridget Prentice: 322. Tellers for the Noes, Angela Watkinson, Mr Mark Field: 203. So the Question was agreed to. The Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to. Resolved, That this House congratulates the Government for its commitment to modernise and invest in the national network of post offices while keeping them easily accessible to all customers; notes that the choice of account for customers into which they wish their benefits paid is entirely a matter for the customer concerned and congratulates the Government on ensuring that all the necessary information is available to customers to make an informed choice; applauds the Government's £2 billion investment in the Post Office network and its success in reducing the rate of rural post office closures; notes the Post Office's commitment to ensuring that 95 per cent. of the urban population live within a mile of a post office, and the majority within half a mile, and that honourable Members are consulted on proposed closures as part of an agreed process between the Post Office and Postwatch; further notes that 3,500 post offices closed under the previous administration; and condemns those who seek to undermine confidence in Britain's postal services.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till one minute to Eight o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 7.59 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
(1) the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on the Petition [27th November] from persons on the electoral roll in the Parliamentary Constituency of Gainsborough for a referendum on the proposed European Constitution; and (2) the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the Petitions [10th December] from residents of Powys against the withdrawal of pension books [two petitions] [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House]. APPENDIX II Standing Committees
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
Page 76 Tuesday 13th January 2004 2003-2004 Volume 260 Back to top (2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Asylum and Immigration Appeals]; to be printed [No. 211-i] [Mr A. J. Beith].
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [National Lottery Reform]; to be printed [No. 196-i] [Mr Gerald Kaufman].
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [GM Food—Evaluating the Farm Scale Trials]; to be printed [No. 90-iv] [Mr Peter Ainsworth].
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Decent Homes]; to be printed [No. 46-iii] [Mr Andrew Bennett].
[No. 20; WH, No. 9.] Tuesday 13th January 2004. The House sitting in Westminster Hall The sitting commenced at half-past Nine o'clock.
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 4.42 p.m. Page 77 Tuesday 13th January 2004 2003-2004 Volume 260 Back to top [No. 21.] Wednesday 14th January 2004. The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock. PRAYERS.
That, if the Bill is brought from the Lords in the present Session, a declaration signed by the agent shall be deposited in the Private Bill Office, stating that the Bill is the same in every respect as the Bill brought from the Lords in the last Session; That the Clerk in the Private Bill Office shall lay upon the Table of the House a certificate, that such a declaration has been deposited; That in the present session the Bill shall be deemed to have passed through every stage through which it passed in the last Session, and shall be recorded in the Journal of the House as having passed those stages; That no further fees shall be charged to such stages; And the Question being again proposed; And objection being taken to further proceeding, the Debate stood adjourned. Ordered, That the Debate be resumed on Wednesday 21st January.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 12179/03, draft Regulation on certain Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases; supports the Government's position on reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and notes that the Regulation is in line with the policy on fluorinated gases as set out in the United Kingdom Climate Change Programme and that the Regulation is designed to achieve emission reductions of HFCs, PFCs and SF6 and will assist the European Community and Member States to meet their targets under the Kyoto Protocol. Report, together with Resolution, to lie upon the Table.
And a Motion being made, and the Question being put, That the Bill be now read a second time; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John Heppell, Mr Vernon Coaker: 404. Tellers for the Noes, Gregory Barker, Mr Peter Atkinson: 148. So the Question was agreed to. The Bill was accordingly read a second time.
Committal 1. The Bill shall be committed to a Standing Committee. Page 78 Wednesday 14th January 2004 2003-2004 Volume 260 Back to top Proceedings in Standing Committee 2. Proceedings in the Standing Committee shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion on 26th February 2004. 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 the day on which proceedings on consideration are commenced. 6. Sessional Order B (programming committees) made by the House 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 Lords Amendments or on any further messages from the Lords) may be programmed—(Gillian Merron); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John Heppell, Mr Vernon Coaker: 384. Tellers for the Noes, Gregory Barker, Mr Peter Atkinson: 153. So the Question was agreed to.
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till Eight o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 8 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) Health Authorities (Membership and Procedure) Amendment Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 17), (3) Health Development Agency Amendment Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 20), (4) National Health Service Trusts (Membership and Procedure) Amendment (England) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 19), and (5) Primary Care Trusts (Membership, Procedure and Administration Arrangements) Amendment Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 18) dated 8th January 2004 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid]. Other Papers:
Page 79 Wednesday 14th January 2004 2003-2004 Volume 260 Back to top
Sea Fishing (Restriction on Days at Sea) (No. 2) (Amendment) Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 38). [by Standing Order] [Clerk of the House]. APPENDIX II Standing Committees
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee D, and has appointed Mr Eric Illsley and Mr Jonathan Sayeed Chairmen; and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Ms Candy Atherton, Mr Richard Caborn, Mr Ben Chapman, Mr Don Foster, Mr John Grogan, Mr Nick Hawkins, Mr Fraser Kemp, Mr Khalid Mahmood, Kali Mountford, Mr Richard Page, Mr James Paice, Mr Andy Reed, Mr Andrew Rosindell, Mr Adrian Sanders, Mark Tami and Brian White.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee E, and has appointed Mr Peter Pike and Derek Conway Chairmen; and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated twenty-two Members to serve on the Committee: Vera Baird, Mr Clive Betts, Ms Karen Buck, Sir Sydney Chapman, Paul Clark, Yvette Cooper, Mr Edward Davey, Mr Mark Field, Matthew Green, Mr John Hayes, Keith Hill, Dr Brian Iddon, Ms Sally Keeble, Mr David Kidney, Chris Mole, Mr Terry Rooney, Chris Ruane, Andrew Selous, Geraldine Smith, Mr Robert Syms, Dr Alan Whitehead and Richard Younger-Ross.
European Standing Committees
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Implementation of CAP Reform in the UK]; to be printed [No. 226-i] [Mr Michael Jack].
(2) Sixth Report from the Committee [The European Commission's Annual Work Programme for 2004], together with Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee on 19th November 2003; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 42-vi] [Mr Jimmy Hood]. Page 80 Wednesday 14th January 2004 2003-2004 Volume 260 Back to top
(2) First Special Report from the Committee [Government Response to the Sixth Report from the Committee, Session 2002–03, on the European Social Fund]; to be printed [No. 228]; (3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Child Poverty]; to be printed [No. 85-iii]; and (4) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Child Poverty]; to be printed [No. 85-II] [Sir Archy Kirkwood]. [No. 21; WH, No. 10] Wednesday 14th January 2004. The House sitting in Westminster Hall The sitting commenced at half-past Nine o'clock.
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 4.25 p.m. [No. 22.] Thursday 15th January 2004. The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock. PRAYERS.
Sir Patrick Cormack 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. And the Question being put; Ordered, That the First Special Report from the Constitutional Affairs Committee (House of Commons Paper No. 210) be referred to the Committee on Standards and Privileges.
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 Thursday 5th February 2004. 3. The Standing Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the first day on which it meets. Page 81 Thursday 15th January 2004 2003-2004 Volume 260 Back to top 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 Lords Amendments or on any further messages from the Lords) may be programmed—(Mr Fraser Kemp):—It was agreed to.
A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 52 (Money and ways and means resolutions in connection with bills), That for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Human Tissue Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of— (a) any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State in consequence of the Act, and (b) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable out of money so provided under any other enactment—(Mr Fraser Kemp):—It was agreed to.
That this House concurs with the Lords that it is expedient that a Joint Committee of Lords and Commons be appointed to consider and report on the draft Disability Discrimination Bill presented to both Houses on 3rd December (Cm. 6058), and that the Committee should report on the draft Bill by the end of April 2004. That a Select Committee of six honourable Members be appointed to join with the Committee appointed by the Lords to consider the draft Disability Discrimination Bill. That the Committee shall have power— (i) to send for persons, papers and records; (ii) to sit notwithstanding any adjournment of the House; (iii) to report from time to time; (iv) to appoint specialist advisers; and (v) to adjourn from place to place within the United Kingdom. That the quorum of the Committee shall be two; and That Miss Anne Begg, Mr Roger Berry, Mr Tom Clarke, Mr Paul Goodman, Tom Levitt and Mr Roger Williams be members of the Committee.—(Mr Fraser Kemp.) Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith. Page 82 Thursday 15th January 2004 2003-2004 Volume 260 Back to top
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-nine minutes to Seven o'clock, till Monday 19th January. [Adjourned at 6.31 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Other Papers:
(1) the Fire Service College Trading Fund, and (2) the Ordnance Survey Trading Fund [by Act] [Mr Paul Boateng].
APPENDIX II Standing Committees
Page 83 Thursday 15th January 2004 2003-2004 Volume 260 Back to top
European Standing Committees
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(2) Second Report from the Committee [Foreign Policy Aspects of the War against Terrorism], 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. 81] [Donald Anderson].
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Obesity]; to be printed [No. 23-v] [Mr David Hinchliffe].
(2) First Special Report from the Committee [Government Response to the Eighth Report from the Committee in Session 2002–03, on the Department for International Development: Departmental Report 2003]; to be printed [No. 231]; and (3) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Development Assistance and the Occupied Palestinian Territories] [Tony Baldry].
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The Work of the Ombudsman]; to be printed [No. 41-ii] [Tony Wright]. [No. 22; WH, No. 11] Thursday 15th January 2004. The House sitting in Westminster Hall The sitting commenced at half-past Two o'clock.
And the sitting having continued for three hours, it was adjourned without Question put, till Tuesday 20th January. [Adjourned at 5.30 p.m.
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