| Commons Journal 260
Chronological Index
Alphabetical Index - Part I
Alphabetical Index - Part II
Page 98 2003-2004 Volume 260
[No. 27.] Monday 26th January 2004.
The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Telecommunications Masts (Registration) Bill,—Keith Vaz, supported by Tony Lloyd, David Taylor, Mr Edward Garnier, Mr David Drew, Dr Vincent Cable and Dr Rudi Vis, presented a Bill to make provision about the registration of telecommunications masts: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 27th February and to be printed [Bill 44]. |
| 2 | Fire and Rescue Services Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Fire and Rescue Services Bill; |
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 the Fire and Rescue Services Bill because the Bill grants to the Secretary of State excessive powers of intervention; significantly reduces local control and accountability of fire and rescue services by imposing a regional structure based on Government Office Regions; and fails adequately to promote collaborative arrangements among existing authorities, which give proper effect to the principles of accountability, flexibility and operational need', instead thereof.—(Mr Philip Hammond.)
And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made;
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Hugh Robertson, Mr Mark Francois: 164.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Fraser Kemp, Gillian Merron: 344.
So the Question was negatived.
And the Main Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 62 (Amendment on second or third reading):—It was agreed to.
The Bill was accordingly read a second time.
| 3 | Fire and Rescue Services Bill (Programme),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Orders [28th June 2001 and 6th November 2003 (Programming of Bills)], That the following provisions shall apply to the Fire and Rescue Services Bill: |
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 2nd March 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—(Paul Clark):—It was agreed to.
| 4 | Fire and Rescue Services Bill [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Fire and Rescue Services Bill [Money]; |
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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 Fire and Rescue Services 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 provided by Parliament under another enactment—(Paul Clark):—It was agreed to.
| 5 | Protection of Groundwater against Pollution,—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. 12985/03, Directive on the protection of groundwater against pollution; and supports the Government's aim of negotiating a flexible, risk-based instrument, which takes account of the variability of groundwater and its uses, in accordance with the Government's policy of effective groundwater protection—(Paul Clark):—It was agreed to. |
| 6 | Catering,—Ordered, That Mr Simon Thomas be discharged from the Catering Committee and Pete Wishart be added.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) |
| 7 | Welsh Affairs,—Ordered, That Adam Price be discharged from the Welsh Affairs Committee and Hywel Williams be added.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) |
| 8 | Home Affairs,—Ordered, That Miss Ann Widdecombe be discharged from the Home Affairs Committee and Mr David Cameron be added.—(Mr John McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) |
| 9 | Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from Mr Jeremy Newell, other residents of the Tewkesbury Lodge Estate, Forest Hill, London SE23 and parents of children attending Horniman Primary School, Forest Hill, against the installation of a TETRA transmitter on the Horniman radio mast was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed. |
| 10 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Gillian Merron.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till nine minutes to Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 10.51 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 23rd January 2004 pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments):
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 1 | Social Security,—Social Security (Child Maintenance Premium) Amendment Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 98), dated 15th January 2004 [Mr Secretary Smith]. |
Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 26th January 2004:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
| 2 | Industrial Organisation and Development,—Draft Milk Development Council (Amendment) Order 2004 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 3 | Agriculture,—Hill Farm Allowance Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 145), dated 26th January 2004 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
| 4 | Education,—Hadleigh Junior School (Change to School Session Times) Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 108), dated 21st January 2004 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Clarke]. |
| 5 | Food,—Food (Hot Chilli and Hot Chilli Products) (Emergency Control) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 142), dated 26th January 2004 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Reid]. |
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| 6 | Social Security,—Social Security (Hospital In-Patients) Amendment Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 101), dated 19th January 2004 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Smith]. |
Other Papers:
| 7 | European Parliament (Representation),—Recommendation by the Electoral Commission on Gibraltar and the European Parliament [by Act] [Mr Christopher Leslie]. |
| 8 | Government Resources and Accounts,—(1) Account of the Fleet Air Arm Museum for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 279] [Clerk of the House]; and |
(2) Resource Accounts of the Cabinet Office: Civil Superannuation for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 186] [Ruth Kelly].
| 9 | Marine and Aviation Insurance (War Risks),—Account of the Marine and Aviation Insurance (War Risks) Fund for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 280] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 10 | National Audit,—Reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General on— |
(1) Income generated by the Museums and Galleries, and
(2) Increased resources to improve public services: a progress report on departments' preparations
[by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 235 and 234] [Clerk of the House].
| 11 | Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the Petition [2nd December] from citizens of the United Kingdom against the national listing of Chardon LL maize and any other genetically modified seeds [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House]. |
| 12 | Severn Bridges,—Account prepared pursuant to section 28(1)(b) of the Severn Bridges Act 1992 for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 278] [Clerk of the House]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| 1 | Civil Contingencies Bill,—The Speaker has appointed Frank Cook an additional Chairman of Standing Committee F in respect of the Bill. |
| 2 | Civil Contingencies Bill (Programming Sub-Committee),—The Speaker has appointed Patrick Mercer in place of Angela Watkinson as a member of the Programming Sub-Committee of Standing Committee F in respect of the Bill. |
| 3 | Human Tissue Bill (Programming Sub-Committee),—The Speaker has appointed Ms Rosie Winterton in place of Dr Stephen Ladyman as a member of the Programming Sub-Committee of Standing Committee G in respect of the Bill. |
| 4 | Draft European Parliamentary Elections (Combined Region and Campaign Expenditure) (United Kingdom and Gibraltar) Order 2004,—The Speaker has appointed Mr James Cran Chairman of the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Order in place of Mr George Stevenson. |
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Human Rights,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Joint Committee on Human Rights [Human Rights and Deaths in Custody]; to be printed [No. 209-ii] [Jean Corston]. |
| 2 | Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Urban Affairs Sub-Committee of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions Committee [The Role of Historic Buildings in Urban Regeneration]; to be printed [No. 47-i] [Chris Mole]. |
| 3 | Public Accounts,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts [HM Customs and Excise: Standard Report 2002–03]; to be printed [No. 284-i] [Mr Edward Leigh]. |
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[No. 28.] Tuesday 27th January 2004.
The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Bill,—Mrs Marion Roe reported from Standing Committee B, That it had gone through the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Bill, and made Amendments thereunto. |
Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 42].
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 288].
| 2 | Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Bill,—Mr Eric Illsley reported from Standing Committee D, That it had gone through the Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Bill, and made Amendments thereunto. |
Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 43].
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 286].
| 3 | First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Eric Forth reported from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3242). |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 4 | Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr James Cran reported from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Betting and Gaming (Northern Ireland) Order 2004. |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 5 | Power Supply (Compensation for Erroneous Transfer),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require electricity and gas suppliers to compensate customers whose supplier is erroneously transferred; and for connected purposes: And that Mr David Cairns, Kevin Brennan, Mrs Irene Adams, Mrs Lorna Fitzsimons, Mr Mark Lazarowicz, Laura Moffatt, Mr Russell Brown, Siobhain McDonagh, Kali Mountford, Rob Marris and Sandra Osborne do prepare and bring it in. |
| 6 | Power Supply (Compensation for Erroneous Transfer) Bill,—Mr David Cairns accordingly presented a Bill to require electricity and gas suppliers to compensate customers whose supplier is erroneously transferred; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 18th June and to be printed [Bill 45]. |
| 7 | Higher Education Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Higher Education Bill; |
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, Jim Fitzpatrick, Joan Ryan: 316.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Wilshire, Mr Peter Luff: 311.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Bill was accordingly read a second time.
| 8 | Higher Education Bill (Programme),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Orders [28th June 2001 and 6th November 2003 (Programming of Bills)], That the following provisions shall apply to the Higher Education Bill: |
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 26th February 2004.
3. The Standing Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the first day on which it meets.
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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.
Programming of proceedings
7. All other proceedings on the Bill (including any proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments or on any further messages from the Lords) may be programmed—(Paul Clark);
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Jim Fitzpatrick, Joan Ryan: 361.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Peter Atkinson, Gregory Barker: 231.
So the Question was agreed to.
| 9 | Higher Education Bill [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Higher Education Bill [Money]; |
A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 52 (Money resolutions and ways and means resolutions in connection with bills), That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Higher Education Bill, it is expedient to authorise—
(1) the payment out of money provided by Parliament of—
(a) any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State by virtue of the Act, and
(b) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums which by virtue of any other Act are payable out of money provided by Parliament;
(2) the payment of sums into the Consolidated Fund—(Gillian Merron):—It was agreed to.
| 10 | Sittings in Westminster Hall,—Ordered, That, on Wednesday 28th January, the sitting in Westminster Hall shall be suspended from half-past Eleven o'clock until Four o'clock, and may then continue for a further two and a half hours (exclusive of any period of suspension owing to a division being called in the House or a Committee of the whole House).—(Gillian Merron.) |
| 11 | Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Gillian Merron); |
And the Motion having been made after 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, it being then eleven minutes past Eight o'clock, till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 8.11 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 1 | Medicines,—Animals and Animal Products (Examinations for Residues and Maximum Residue Limits) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 147), dated 26th January 2004 [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
Other Papers:
| 2 | Government Resources and Accounts,—(1) Report and Accounts of the Highways Agency for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 246] [Mr Secretary Darling]; and |
(2) Resource Accounts of the Office of the Rail Regulator for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 198] [Ruth Kelly].
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| 3 | Home Office,—Paper, entitled Administrative Arrangement relating to the Government of the United Kingdom making Human Detection Equipment available in the French Seaports of the North Sea and the Channel between the Home Secretary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Minister of the Interior, Domestic Security and Local Liberty of the French Republic, with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
| 4 | Immigration and Asylum,—(1) Draft Code of Practice for Preventing the Carriage of Clandestine Entrants: Vehicles, and |
(2) draft Code of Practice on the Level of Penalty under section 32A of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
[by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett].
| 5 | Parliamentary Commissioner,—(1) Report to the Accounts of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman for 2001–02, and |
(2) Report to the Accounts of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman for 2002–03
with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 258 and 259] [Clerk of the House].
| 6 | School Standards and Framework,—Accounts of the Salford & Trafford Education Action Zone for 2003–04, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 282] [Clerk of the House]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| 1 | Civil Contingencies Bill,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr James Clappison and Angela Watkinson from Standing Committee F (nominated in respect of the Bill); and nominated in substitution Mr Nigel Evans and Mr John Horam. |
| 2 | Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 3242),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr John Smith and Dr Gavin Strang from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the Regulations) and nominated in substitution Mr Wayne David and Huw Irranca-Davies. |
| 3 | Draft Betting and Gaming (Northern Ireland) Order 2004,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Helen Jones from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Huw Irranca-Davies. |
| 4 | Draft Industrial Training Levy (Construction Board) Order 2004, and the draft Industrial Training Levy (Engineering Construction Board) Order 2004,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Martin Caton, Ross Cranston, Mr Ian Davidson, Mr Mark Francois, Mr Nick Gibb, Kate Hoey, Mr Bob Laxton, Mr Ivan Lewis, Mr Iain Luke, Mr Jim Marshall, Mr Michael Meacher, Dr John Pugh, Mr Mark Simmonds, Derek Twigg, Mr Robert Walter and Mr Phil Willis from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Orders). |
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Culture, Media and Sport,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [National Lottery Reform]; to be printed [No. 196-iii] [Mr Gerald Kaufman]. |
| 2 | Draft Gambling Bill,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Joint Committee on the Draft Gambling Bill; to be printed [No. 139-ix and -x] [Mr John Greenway]. |
| 3 | Foreign Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee [South Africa]; to be printed [No. 117-ii] [Mr Donald Anderson]. |
| 4 | Home Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Home Affairs Committee [The Work of the Criminal Cases Review Commission]; to be printed [No. 289-i] [Mr John Denham]. |
| 5 | Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions Committee [Social Cohesion]; to be printed [No. 45-i] [Andrew Bennett]. |
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| 6 | Standards and Privileges,—Second Report from the Committee on Standards and Privileges [Conduct of Ms Diane Abbott], with an Appendix; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 285] [Sir George Young]. |
| 7 | Statutory Instruments,—Sixth Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, together with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 82-vi] [Mr David Tredinnick]. |
| 8 | Treasury,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Treasury Committee [Restoring confidence in long-term savings]; to be printed [No. 71-iii] [Mr John McFall]. |
[No. 28; WH, No. 15]
Tuesday 27th January 2004.
The House sitting in Westminster Hall
The sitting commenced at half-past Nine o'clock.
| Adjournment,—Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Mr Nick Ainger.) |
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 4.29 p.m.
[No. 29.] Wednesday 28th January 2004.
The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | London Local Authorities Bill [Lords],—The Order of the day being read, for resuming the adjourned debate on the Question proposed on 7th January, That the promoters of the London Local Authorities Bill [Lords] may, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders or practice of this House, proceed with the Bill in the present Session; and the Petition for the Bill shall be deemed to have been deposited and all Standing Orders applicable to it shall be deemed to have been complied with; |
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 4th February.
| 2 | Report on the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr David Kelly CMG,—Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, That she will be graciously pleased to give directions that there be laid before this House a Return of the Report on the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr David Kelly CMG.—(Margaret Moran.) |
| 3 | Crown Employment (Nationality) Bill,—Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Crown Employment (Nationality) Bill be printed [Bill 39–EN]. |
| 4 | Motor Vehicle Insurance Disc,—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend Part 6 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to require users of motor vehicles to display on the vehicle a disc certifying that a policy of insurance or security in respect of third party risks is in force; and for connected purposes: And that Andy Burnham, James Purnell, Jim Knight, Mrs Lorna Fitzsimons, Eric Joyce, Siobhain McDonagh, Jim Dowd, Mr Parmjit Dhanda, Mr Wayne David, Shona McIsaac, Mr Richard Page and Christine Russell do prepare and bring it in. |
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| 5 | Motor Vehicle Insurance Disc Bill,—Andy Burnham accordingly presented a Bill to amend Part 6 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to require users of motor vehicles to display on the vehicle a disc certifying that a policy of insurance or security in respect of third party risks is in force; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 12th March and to be printed [Bill 46]. |
| 6 | National Insurance Contributions and Statutory Payments Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the National Insurance Contributions and Statutory Payments Bill, not amended in the Standing Committee. |
The Bill was read the third time, and passed.
| 7 | Business of the House,—Ordered, That, at the sitting on Thursday 29th January, the Speaker shall put the Questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on the Motions in the name of Mr Peter Hain relating to the House of Commons Members Estimate and Bicycle and Motorcycle Mileage Allowances not later than Six o'clock; such Questions shall include the Questions on any Amendments selected by the Speaker which may then be moved; the Questions may be put after the moment of interruption; and the Orders of the House of 28th June 2001 and 6th November 2003 relating to deferred Divisions shall not apply.—(Mr Nick Ainger.) |
| 8 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Nick Ainger.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till nine minutes to Four o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 3.51 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
| 1 | Social Security,—Draft Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers' Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Smith]. |
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 2 | Customs and Excise,—Betting and Gaming Duties Act 1981 (Bingo Prize Limit) Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 155), dated 27th January 2004 [by Act] [John Healey]. |
Other Papers:
| 3 | Forestry,—Report and Accounts of the Forestry Commission for 2002–03 with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 179] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
| 4 | Government Resources and Accounts,—Resource Accounts of— |
(1) the Department for Education and Skills,
(2) the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,
(3) the NHS Pension Scheme and NHS Compensation for Premature Retirement Scheme,
(4) the Northern Ireland Office,
(5) the Postal Services Commission,
(6) the Scotland Office, and
(7) UK Trade & Investment (formerly British Trade International)
for 2002–03, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 188, 189, 194, 158, 199, 201 and 184] [Ruth Kelly].
| 5 | Report on the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr David Kelly CMG,—Return to an Address to Her Majesty for a Return of the Report made by Lord Hutton in January 2004 in respect of the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr David Kelly CMG [pursuant to Resolution this day]; to be printed [No. 247] [Mr Christopher Leslie]. |
| 6 | Northern Ireland,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland on the Navan Centre [by Act]; to be printed [No. 204] [Mr Secretary Murphy]. |
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APPENDIX II
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Defence,—Second Report from the Defence Committee [Annual Report for 2003]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 293] [Mr Bruce George]. |
| 2 | Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions Committee [Decent Homes]; to be printed [No. 46-iv] [Andrew Bennett]. |
| 3 | Public Accounts,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts [The Management of Suspensions of Clinical Staff in NHS Hospital and Ambulance Trusts in England]; to be printed [No. 296-i] [Mr Edward Leigh]. |
| 4 | Science and Technology,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee [Government Support for Nanotechnology]; to be printed [No. 56-ii] [Dr Ian Gibson]. |
| 5 | Transport,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Committee [The Regulation of Licensed Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles in the UK]; to be printed [No. 251-i] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody]. |
| 6 | Work and Pensions,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Work and Pensions Committee [Child Poverty in the UK]; to be printed [No. 85-iv] [Sir Archy Kirkwood]. |
[No. 29; WH, No. 16]
Wednesday 28th January 2004.
The House sitting in Westminster Hall
The sitting commenced at half-past Nine o'clock.
| Adjournment,—Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Mr Vernon Coaker.) |
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 6.28 p.m.
[No. 30.] Thursday 29th January 2004.
The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Medway Council Bill,—The Medway Council Bill was read a second time and committed. |
| 2 | Ipswich Market Bill,—The Ipswich Market Bill was read a second time and committed. |
| 3 | Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr James Cran reported from the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft European Parliamentary Elections (Combined Region and Campaign Expenditure) (United Kingdom and Gibraltar) Order 2004. |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 4 | House of Commons Members Estimate,—Ordered, That— |
(1) There shall be a committee of this House, called the House of Commons Members Estimate Committee.
(2) The members of the committee shall be those Members who are at any time members of the House of Commons Commission pursuant to section 1 of the House of Commons (Administration) Act 1978; the Speaker shall be chairman of the committee; and three shall be the quorum of the committee.
(3) The functions of the committee shall be—
(a) to codify and keep under review the provisions of the Resolutions of this House relating to expenditure charged to the Estimate for House of Commons: Members;
(b) to modify those provisions from time to time as the committee may think necessary or desirable in the interests of clarity, consistency, accountability and effective administration, and conformity with current circumstances;
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(c) to provide advice, when requested by the Speaker, on the application of those provisions in individual cases;
(d) to carry out the responsibilities conferred on the Speaker by the Resolution of the House of 5th July 2001 relating to Members' Allowances, Insurance, &c., except the responsibility of appointing the Advisory Panel provided for in paragraph (5)(1) of that Resolution.
(4) Paragraph (3)(b) above does not empower the committee—
(a) to create a new form of charge on the Estimate for House of Commons: Members; or
(b) to increase any rate of charge or payment determined by Resolution of this House.
(5) The committee shall report to the House from time to time, and in any case not less than once a year, the provisions of the Resolutions of this House relating to expenditure charged to the Estimate for House of Commons: Members, as codified and modified pursuant to paragraph (3) of this Order.
(6) The committee shall have power to sit notwithstanding any adjournment of the House.
That this Order be a Standing Order of the House.—(Mr Peter Hain.)
| 5 | Bicycle and Motorcycle Mileage Allowances,—Resolved, That the Resolution of the House of 20th March 1998 on the bicycle allowance be rescinded and the following provision be made in its place: |
(1) That, in the opinion of this House, provision should be made as from 1st April 2004 with respect to the rates of mileage allowance payable to Members in respect of journeys by motorcycle, scooter or bicycle for which if undertaken by car, the car mileage allowance would be payable,
(a) by Members, or
(b) by spouses, children or employees paid from the staffing allowance;
(2) In respect of journeys by motorcycle or scooter, a motorcycle mileage allowance shall be payable at the same rate as the motorcycle mileage rate approved by the Inland Revenue and then in force;
(3) In respect of journeys by bicycle, a bicycle mileage allowance shall be payable at the same rate as the bicycle mileage rate approved by the Inland Revenue and then in force.—(Mr Vernon Coaker.)
| 6 | Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from Robert John Hodgson for an investigation into his treatment by the Royal Air Force at the time of his sister's death and subsequently was presented; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed. |
| 7 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Vernon Coaker.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till eleven minutes to Three o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 2.49 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
| 1 | Local Government,—Draft Local Elections (Ordinary Day of Election 2004) Order 2004 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 2 | Local Government Finance,—Local Government Finance Report (England) for 2004–05 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 276] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 3 | Police,—Draft Independent Police Complaints Commission (Investigatory Powers) Order 2004 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 4 | Criminal Law,—Crime and Disorder Strategies (Prescribed Descriptions) (England) Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 118), dated 22nd January 2004 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
| 5 | Salaries,—Salaries (Comptroller and Auditor General) Order (Northern Ireland) 2004 (S.R. (N.I.), 2004, No. 20), dated 8th January 2004 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Murphy]. |
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Other Papers:
| 6 | Government Resources and Accounts,—(1) Report and Accounts of— |
(i) the Defence Communication Services Agency, and
(ii) the Queen Victoria School
for 2002–03, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 291 and 141] [Mr Secretary Hoon], and
(2) Resource Accounts of—
(i) the Cabinet Office
(ii) the Department for Transport
(iii) the Home Office
(iv) the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
(v) the Privy Council
(vi) the Wales Office
for 2002–03, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 185, 174, 193, 173, 200 and 203] [Ms Ruth Kelly].
| 7 | Health Professions,—Report and Financial Statements of the Health Professions Council for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Statutory Instrument] [Mr David Lammy]. |
| 8 | Transport,—Government Response to the Ninth Report of the Transport Committee, Session 2002–03, on Ports [by Command] [Cm. 6076] [Mr Secretary Darling]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| 1 | Armed Forces (Pensions and Compensation) Bill: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Bill to Standing Committee B, and has appointed Mr Bill O'Brien and Mr Win Griffiths Chairmen; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated nineteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Julian Brazier, Mr Colin Breed, Mr Ivor Caplin, Mr Vernon Coaker, John Cryer, Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas, Mr Gerald Howarth, Mr Eric Joyce, Mr Paul Keetch, Mr David Lammy, Shona McIsaac, Mr Colin Pickthall, Syd Rapson, Mr Andrew Robathan, Hugh Robertson, John Robertson, Mr Desmond Swayne, Mark Tami and Dr Desmond Turner.
| 2 | Armed Forces (Pensions and Compensation) Bill (Programming Sub-Committee),—The Speaker has appointed Mr Colin Breed, Mr Ivor Caplin, Mr Vernon Coaker, Mr Gerald Howarth, Eric Joyce, Syd Rapson and Hugh Robertson members of the Programming Sub-Committee of Standing Committee B in respect of the Bill. |
| 3 | Employment Relations Bill,—The Speaker has appointed Mr George Stevenson and Mr Eric Forth Chairmen of Standing Committee D in respect of the Bill. |
| 4 | Employment Relations Bill (Programming Sub-Committee),—The Speaker has appointed Charlotte Atkins, Mr Peter Atkinson, Mr Henry Bellingham, Malcolm Bruce, Anne Picking, Ian Stewart and Mr Gerry Sutcliffe members of the Programming Sub-Committee of Standing Committee D in respect of the Bill. |
| 5 | Draft Terrorism Act 2000 (Continuance of Part VII) Order 2004: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, and has appointed Mr Martin Caton Chairman; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Peter Bottomley, Kevin Brennan, Chris Bryant, Mr Alistair Carmichael, Mr Vernon Coaker, Mr Mark Field, Mr George Foulkes, Mr Nick Gibb, Lady Hermon, Alan Howarth, Huw Irranca-Davies, Jane Kennedy, Mr David Lidington, Linda Perham, Mr Andy Reed and Jonathan Shaw.
| 6 | Draft Criminal Defence Service (Choice in Very High Cost Cases) (Amendment) Regulation 2004,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Kevin Hughes Chairman of the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Regulations. |
European Standing Committees
| 7 | The Speaker has appointed Mr Kevin Hughes Chairman of European Standing Committee A in respect of European Union Document No. COM (03) 132 on Trans-European Transport Network. |
| 8 | The Speaker has appointed Mr David Chidgey Chairman of European Standing Committee B in respect of European Union Document No. 14686/03 on Procedures for Granting and Withdrawing Refugee Status. |
Page 109 Thursday 29th January 2004 2003-2004 Volume 260 Back to top
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Constitutional Affairs,—(1) Second Special Report from the Constitutional Affairs Committee [Government Response to the Fourth Report from the Committee, Session 2002–03, on Immigration and Asylum: the Government's proposed changes to publicly funded immigration and asylum work]; to be printed [No. 299]; and |
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The reform of the Office of the Lord Chancellor: ecclesiastical patronage]; together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence; to be printed [No. 300-i]
[Mr A. J. Beith].
| 2 | Draft Gambling Bill,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Joint Committee on the Draft Gambling Bill; to be printed [No. 139-xi] [Mr John Greenway]. |
| 3 | Environmental Audit,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environmental Crime Sub-Committee of the Environmental Audit Committee [Environmental Crime and the Courts]; to be printed [No. 126-ii] [Mr Peter Ainsworth]. |
| 4 | Public Administration,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Public Administration [The Work of the Ombudsman]; to be printed [No. 41-iii] [Tony Wright]. |
[No. 30; WH, No. 17]
Thursday 29th January 2004.
The House sitting in Westminster Hall
The sitting commenced at half-past Two o'clock.
| Adjournment (Afghanistan: the development challenge),—Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West).) |
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till Tuesday 3rd February.
[Adjourned at 5.04 p.m.
[No. 31.] Friday 30th January 2004.
The House met at half-past Nine o'clock.
| 1 | The Speaker's Absence,—The House being met, and the Speaker having leave of absence pursuant to paragraph (3) of Standing Order No. 3 (Deputy Speaker), Sir Michael Lord, the Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means, proceeded to the Table. |
PRAYERS.
| 2 | The Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means took the Chair as Deputy Speaker. |
| 3 | European Standing Committee A,—Janet Anderson reported from European Standing Committee A the following Resolution: |
That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 12965/03, Commission Communication ‘Accomplishing a sustainable agricultural model for Europe through the reformed Common Agricultural Policy—the tobacco, olive oil, cotton and sugar sectors'; and supports the Government's objective of securing reform of these subsidy regimes, in line with the reforms agreed in June this year for other sectors, which will pave the way for a more sustainable, market oriented and less trade distorting system of agriculture in the European Union.
Report, together with Resolution, to lie upon the Table.
| 4 | Sustainable and Secure Buildings Bill,—The Sustainable and Secure Buildings Bill was, according to Order, read a second time and stood committed to a Standing Committee. |
| 5 | Performance of Companies and Government Departments (Reporting) Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Performance of Companies and Government Departments (Reporting) Bill; |
And a Motion being made, and the Question being proposed, That the Bill be now read a second time;
And it being half-past Two o'clock, the Debate stood adjourned.
Ordered, That the Debate be resumed on Friday 26th March.
Page 110 Friday 30th January 2004 2003-2004 Volume 260 Back to top
| 6 | Civil Service Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Civil Service Bill; |
Mr Paul Boateng, by Her Majesty's Command, acquainted the House, That Her Majesty, having been informed of the purport of the Bill, has consented to place her prerogative and interest, so far as they are affected by the Bill, at the disposal of Parliament for the purposes of the Bill.
Objection was taken to further proceeding.
Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Friday 27th February.
| 7 | Crown Employment (Nationality) Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Crown Employment (Nationality) Bill; |
Mr Paul Boateng, by Her Majesty's Command, acquainted the House, That Her Majesty, having been informed of the purport of the Bill, has consented to place her prerogative and interest, so far as they are affected by the Bill, at the disposal of Parliament for the purposes of the Bill.
Objection was taken to further proceeding.
Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Friday 27th February.
| 8 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Bridget Prentice.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till six minutes to Three o'clock, adjourned till Monday 2nd February.
[Adjourned at 2.54 p.m.
APPENDIX
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
| 1 | Police,—Police Grant Report (England and Wales) 2004–05 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 277] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 2 | Magistrates' Courts,—(1) Collection of Fines (Pilot Schemes) Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 175), and |
(2) Fines Collection Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 176)
dated 27th January 2004 [by Act] [Mr Christopher Leslie].
| 3 | Social Security,—Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 173), dated 29th January 2004 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo]. |
| 4 | Transport,—Cableway Installations Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 129), dated 28th January 2004 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling]. |
Other Papers:
| 5 | Forestry,—Report and Accounts of Forest Research for 2002–03, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 156] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
| 6 | Health,—Department of Health Minute, dated 30th January 2004, concerning a contingent liability relating to indemnity for the Independent Inquiry into Wyre Forest Birthing Centre [by Command] [Mr Secretary Reid]. |
| 7 | Transport,—Statement of salaries of members of the British Waterways Board [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
| 8 | Treaty Series (No. 4, 2004),—Locarno Agreement, done at Locarno on 8th October 1968 as amended on 28th September 1979, on Establishing an International Classification for Industrial Designs [by Command] [Cm. 6114] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
| 9 | Treaty Series (No. 5, 2004),—Convention, done at Canberra on 21st August 2003, between the Government of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland and the Government of Australia, for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital Gains [by Command] [Cm. 6115] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
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