| Commons Journal 260
Chronological Index
Alphabetical Index - Part I
Alphabetical Index - Part II
Page 407 2003-2004 Volume 260
[No. 109.] Monday 28th June 2004.
The House met at half-past Two o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Alan Hurst reported from the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Transport Act 2000 (Consequential Amendment) Order 2004. |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 2 | Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill; |
A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 56 (Consolidated Fund Bills), That the Bill be now read a second time:—It was agreed to.
The Bill was accordingly read a second time.
And the Question being put forthwith, That the Bill be now read the third time:—It was agreed to.
The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.
| 3 | Human Tissue Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Human Tissue Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee. |
A Clause (NC7) (Powers of court to dispense with need for consent)—(Ms Rosie Winterton)—brought up, read the first and second time and added to the Bill.
Another Clause (NC6) (Interpretation of Part 1)—(Ms Rosie Winterton)—brought up, read the first and second time and added to the Bill.
Another Clause (NC8) (Activities involving material from adults who lack capacity to consent)—(Ms Rosie Winterton)—brought up, read the first and second time and added to the Bill.
Another Clause (NC9) (Duties in relation to carrying out functions)—(Ms Rosie Winterton)—brought up, read the first and second time and added to the Bill.
Another Clause (NC10) (Power of Human Tissue Authority to assist other public authorities)—(Margaret Moran)—brought up, read the first and second time and added to the Bill.
Another Clause (NC1) (Determination of consent for removal, storage and use of organs from adults for purpose of transplantation)—(Dr Evan Harris)—brought up and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Andrew Mackay, John Barrett: 60.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Vernon Coaker, Charlotte Atkins: 307.
Amendments (Nos. 108, 109, 67, 48 to 53, 29, 54 to 56, 30, 57, 19, 20, 71, 58, 72, 75, 59, 60, 25, 26, 76, 77, 27 and 78 to 84) made to the Bill.
It being Nine o'clock, the Deputy Speaker put the Question on the remaining Amendments to be moved by a Minister of the Crown, pursuant to Order [15th January].
Other Amendments (Nos. 31 to 43, 114, 45, 46, 73, 74, 61, 66, 85, 99, 86, 100, 87, 101, 88, 102, 110, 89, 103, 90, 104, 111, 91, 105, 112, 62, 63, 28, 64, 47, 92, 106, 93 to 96, 21 to 23, 68, 97, 69, 24, 70, 98, 113, 107 and 65) made to the Bill.
The Bill was read the third time, and passed.
| 4 | Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities,—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. 15185/03, draft Council Regulation amending the Staff Regulations of officials and the Conditions of Employment of other servants of the European Communities; supports the Government's view that this is a major step in the Commission's reform programme in establishing a modernised human resources policy for the European Union institutions; and welcomes the adoption of the new Staff Regulations in promoting merit, efficiency, staff development and providing for significant long-term savings in the European Union budget—(Mr Nick Ainger):—It was agreed to. |
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| 5 | Police,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) Order 2004, which was laid before this House on 27th May, be approved—(Mr Nick Ainger):—It was agreed to. |
| 6 | Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Nick Ainger); |
And it being Ten o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put.
| 7 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Vernon Coaker.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till seven minutes past Ten o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 10.07 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 25th June 2004 pursuant to Standing Order No. 158 (Presentation of command papers):
| 1 | Public Accounts,—Treasury Minutes on the Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Eighteenth and Nineteenth Reports from the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 2003–04 [Cm. 6244] [Ruth Kelly]. |
Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 25th June 2004 pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments):
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 2 | Agriculture,—Organic Products Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 1604), dated 23rd June 2004, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
| 3 | Education,—(1) Education (Co-ordination of Admission Arrangements) (Primary Schools) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 1515), and |
(2) Education (Co-ordination of Admission Arrangements) (Secondary Schools) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 1516),
dated 17th June 2004, with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [Mr Secretary Clarke].
| 4 | Legal Profession,—European Communities (Lawyer's Practice) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 1628), dated 25th June 2004, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Mr David Lammy]. |
| 5 | Social Security,—Income Support (General) (Standard Interest Rate Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 1520), dated 19th June 2004, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Mr Secretary Smith]. |
Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 28th June 2004:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
| 6 | Northern Ireland,—Draft Anti-social Behaviour (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Murphy]. |
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 7 | Road Traffic,—Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 1519), dated 18th June 2004 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Darling]. |
Other Papers:
| 8 | Further and Higher Education,—Account of the Higher Education Funding Council for England for 2003–04, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 793] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 9 | Government Resources and Accounts,—Report of the Financial Reporting Advisory Board to the Treasury for 2003–04 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 634] [Mr Paul Boateng]. |
| 10 | Government Trading Funds,—Report and Accounts of the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office for 2003-04, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 657] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 11 | Law Commission,—Report of the Law Commission for 2003–04 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 642] [Mr Christopher Leslie]. |
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| 12 | Pensions,—Report and Accounts of the Pensions Compensation Board for 6th April 2003 to 5th April 2004, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 672] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 13 | Police,—Report of the Chief Surveillance Commissioner to the Prime Minister and to the Scottish Ministers for 2003–04, [by Act]; to be printed [No. 668] [The Prime Minister]. |
| 14 | Proceeds of Crime,—Report of the Appointed Person for England and Wales and Northern Ireland for 2003–04 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Blunkett]. |
| 15 | University of Manchester Bill [Lords],—Report by the Attorney General on the University of Manchester Bill [Lords] [by Standing Order] [The Solicitor General]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| 1 | Public Audit (Wales) Bill [Lords] (Programming Sub-Committee),—The Speaker has appointed Mr Hugo Swire in place of Mr Peter Atkinson as a member of the Programming Sub-Committee of Standing Committee D in respect of the Bill. |
| 2 | Draft Stansted Airport Aircraft Movement Limit (Revocation) Order 2004,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Christopher Chope from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Mr Greg Knight. |
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Education and Skills,—Third Report from the Education and Skills Committee [The Draft School Transport Bill], together with the Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings relating to the Report [No. 509] [Mr Barry Sheerman]. |
| 2 | Environmental Audit,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environmental Audit Committee [The Sustainable Development Strategy: illusion or reality?]; to be printed [No. 624-iv] [Mr Peter Ainsworth]. |
| 3 | Public Accounts,—(1) Thirty-fifth Report from the Committee of Public Accounts [Early Years: Progress in developing high quality childcare and early education accessible to all]; to be printed, together with the Minutes of Proceedings relating to the Report [No. 444]; |
(2) Thirty-sixth Report from the Committee [Tackling VAT Fraud]; to be printed, together with the Minutes of Proceedings relating to the Report [No. 512];
(3) Thirty-seventh Report from the Committee [Risk management: The nuclear liabilities of British Energy plc]; to be printed, together with the Minutes of Proceedings relating to the Report [No. 354];
(4) Thirty-eighth Report from the Committee [An early progress report on the New Deal for Communities programme]; to be printed, together with the Minutes of Proceedings relating to the Report [No. 492]; and
(5) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Department for International Development: Responding to HIV/AIDS]; to be printed [No. 807-i]
[Mr Edward Leigh].
| 4 | Treasury,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Treasury Committee [Restoring confidence in long-term savings]; to be printed [No. 71-xii] [Mr John McFall]. |
THE SPEAKER'S CERTIFICATE
| | The Speaker certified that the Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill is a Money Bill within the meaning of the Parliament Act 1911. |
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[No. 110.] Tuesday 29th June 2004.
The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Medway Council Bill,—The House proceeded to consider the Medway Council Bill. |
Bill to be read the third time.
| 2 | Regulatory Reform,—Mr Peter Pike reported from the Regulatory Reform Committee the following Resolution: |
That the proposal for the Regulatory Reform (Trading Stamps) Order 2004, which was laid before the House on 8th May, should be amended before a draft Order is laid before the House.
| 3 | Public Audit (Wales) Bill [Lords],—Mr Win Griffiths reported from Standing Committee D, That it had gone through the Public Audit (Wales) Bill [Lords], and made Amendments thereunto. |
Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 129].
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 824].
| 4 | Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Nigel Beard reported from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Stansted Airport Aircraft Movement Limit (Revocation) Order 2004. |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 5 | Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—David Taylor reported from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Rights of Re-entry and Forfeiture (Prescribed Sum and Period) (England) Regulations 2004. |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 6 | Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows: |
The Lords have agreed to the Mersey Tunnels Bill, without Amendment.
| 7 | Anti-social Behaviour,—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision about anti-social behaviour: And that Mr Wayne David, Mark Tami, Siobhain McDonagh, Tony Lloyd, David Wright, Mr Jon Owen Jones, Mr Peter Kilfoyle, Mr Parmjit Dhanda, Ian Lucas, Diana Organ, Mrs Jackie Lawrence and Chris Ruane do prepare and bring it in. |
| 8 | Anti-social Behaviour Bill,—Mr Wayne David accordingly presented a Bill to make provision about anti-social behaviour: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 15th October and to be printed [Bill 128]. |
| 9 | Adjournment (London schools),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Stephen Twigg); |
And it being Four o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put, pursuant to Order [24th June].
| 10 | Public Accounts,—Resolved, That this House takes note of the 1st to the 16th, and the 18th and 19th Reports of the Committee of Public Accounts of Session 2003–04, and of the Treasury Minutes and the Northern Ireland Department of Finance and Personnel Memorandum on these Reports, Cm. 6130, 6136, 6155, 6175, 6191 and 6244.—(Mr Edward Leigh.) |
| 11 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Nick Ainger.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-seven minutes past Seven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 7.27 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
| 1 | Northern Ireland,—(1) Draft Criminal Justice (No. 2) (Northern Ireland) Order 2004, and |
(2) draft Vehicle Testing (Temporary Exemptions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2004,
[by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Mr Secretary Murphy].
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Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 2 | Environmental Protection,—Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 1633), dated 28th June 2004 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
Other Papers:
| 3 | Freedom of Information,—Freedom of Information (Removal of References to Public Authorities) Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No, 1641), dated 24th June 2004 [by Act] [Mr Christopher Leslie]. |
| 4 | Government Trading Funds,—Report and Accounts of the Meteorological Office for 2003–04, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 578] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 5 | Intelligence Services,—Report of the Intelligence and Security Committee for 2003–04 [by Command] [Cm. 6240] [The Prime Minister]. |
| 6 | National Heritage,—Permanent and temporary allocations of items accepted in lieu of tax under the National Heritage Act 1980 for 2002–03 [by Act] [Secretary Tessa Jowell]. |
| 7 | Parliamentary Commissioner,—First Report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, Session 2003–04: Investigations Completed, July 2003 to June 2004 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 701] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 8 | Police (Northern Ireland),—Report of the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland for 2003–04 [by Command] [Mr Secretary Murphy]. |
| 9 | Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on the Petitions— |
(1) [26th May] [two Petitions] from Councillor Dave Cross, Councillor Tom Skipp and others against the proposed closure of the Post Office in the High Road, Benfleet, Essex; and Miss Elizabeth Govier, Councillor Beverley Egan and others against the proposed closure of the Post Office at Victoria Corner, Benfleet, Essex
(2) [27th May] from Councillor Enid Isaacs, Councillor Norman Ladzrie and others against the proposed closure of the Post Office in Woodfield Road, Hadleigh, and for policies to enable Post Offices to remain open;
(3) [8th June] from residents of Southfields in the constituency of Putney against the proposed closure of Princes Way Post Office, Southfields; and
(4) [9th June] Mr Len Canter, Mr Vilbert Luthers, Mr A. R. Tregent and members of the Furzedown Project against the proposed closure of four post offices in Tooting, in the London Borough of Wandsworth
[by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].
| 10 | Terrorism,—Report of the Independent Assessor of Military Complaints Procedures in Northern Ireland for 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Murphy]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| 1 | Draft Stansted Airport Aircraft Movement Limit (Revocation) Order 2004,—The Committee of Selection has discharged David Borrow, Ms Karen Buck, Mr Iain Coleman, Mr Frank Field, Helen Jackson, Mr Clive Soley and Mr David Wilshire from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution John Austin, Mr Harry Barnes, Ann Coffey, Mrs Helen Liddell, Tony Lloyd, Mr Mark Prisk and John Robertson. |
| 2 | Draft Rights of Re-Entry and Forfeiture (Prescribed Sum and Period) (England) Regulations 2004,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Brian Jenkins from the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations) and nominated in substitution Mr Dave Watts. |
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Constitutional Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Constitutional Affairs Committee [Draft Criminal Defence Service Bill]; to be printed [No. 746-ii] [Mr A. J. Beith]. |
| 2 | Culture, Media and Sport,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee [BBC Charter Renewal]; to be printed [No. 598-iv] [Sir Gerald Kaufman]. |
| 3 | Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Food Information Sub-Committee of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee [Food Information]; to be printed [No. 690-iii] [Mr Michael Jack]. |
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| 4 | Foreign Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee [Foreign and Commonwealth Office Annual Report 2003–04]; to be printed [No. 745-ii] [Mr Donald Anderson]. |
| 5 | International Development,—Sixth Report from the International Development Committee [Migration and Development: How to make migration work for poverty reduction] 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. 79-I and -II]; and |
(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Migration and Development: How to make migration work for poverty reduction]
[Tony Baldry].
| 6 | 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 [Gypsy and Traveller Sites]; to be printed [No. 633-ii] [Andrew Bennett]. |
| 7 | Regulatory Reform,—(1) Ninth Report from the Regulatory Reform Committee [Proposal for the Regulatory Reform (Trading Stamps) Order 2004]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 817]; |
(2) Second Special Report from the Committee [Draft Regulatory Reform (Museum of London) (Location of Premises) Order 2004]; to be printed [No. 818]; and
(3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Proposal for the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2004]; to be printed [No. 684-ii]
[Mr Peter Pike].
| 8 | Scottish Affairs,—(1) Second Special Report from the Scottish Affairs Committee [Government Response to the Third Report from the Committee on The proposed Whisky Strip Stamp]; to be printed [No. 822]; and |
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Scotland Office Departmental Report]; to be printed [No. 823]
[Mrs Irene Adams].
| 9 | Statutory Instruments,—Twenty-third Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, together with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 82-xxiii] [Brian White]. |
| 10 | Welsh Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Welsh Affairs Committee [The Wales Office Annual Report 2004]; to be printed [No. 808] [Mr Martyn Jones]. |
[No. 110; WH, No. 68]
Tuesday 29th June 2004.
The House sitting in Westminster Hall
The sitting commenced at half-past Nine o'clock.
| Adjournment,—Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Derek Twigg.) |
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 4.29 p.m.
[No. 111.] Wednesday 30th June 2004.
The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock PRAYERS.
| 1 | University of Manchester Bill [Lords],—The First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means reported from the Committee on Unopposed Bills, That it had examined the allegations contained in the Preamble to the University of Manchester Bill [Lords] and found the same to be true; and had gone through the Bill and had directed her to report the same without Amendment. |
Bill to be read the third time.
| 2 | Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows: |
The Lords have agreed to the Ipswich Market Bill, without Amendment.
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| 3 | Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr David Amess reported from the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the Draft Discharge of Fines by Unpaid Work (Prescribed Hourly Sum) Regulations 2004. |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 4 | European Standing Committee B,—Mr Roger Gale reported from European Standing Committee B the following Resolution: |
That the Committee takes note of the unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum from HM Treasury dated 11th May 2004 relating to the Preliminary Draft General Budget of the European Communities for the financial year 2005; and supports the Government's efforts to maintain budget discipline in the Community.
Report, together with Resolution, to lie upon the Table.
| 5 | Northern Ireland (Severe Learning Disability),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision for the identification of persons in Northern Ireland with severe learning disability; to make provision for the assessment of their health, social care and other needs; to make provision for appropriate services for such persons and for independent advocates to act on their behalf; and for connected purposes: And that The Reverend Martin Smyth, Mr David Amess, Mr Roy Beggs, David Burnside, Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson, Mr Tom Clarke, Lady Hermon, Mr Eddie McGrady, Lembit Opik and Mr David Trimble do prepare and bring it in. |
| 6 | Northern Ireland (Severe Learning Disability) Bill,—The Reverend Martin Smyth accordingly presented a Bill to make provision for the identification of persons in Northern Ireland with severe learning disability; to make provision for the assessment of their health, social care and other needs; to make provision for appropriate services for such persons and for independent advocates to act on their behalf; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 15th October and to be printed [Bill 130]. |
| 7 | Opposition Day [14th allotted day],—It being an allotted day at the disposal of the Leader of the Opposition in pursuance of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business), the House proceeded to consider Opposition business. |
Regional Government,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House deplores the continuing confusion surrounding the Government's regional policy; notes in particular that the disagreement about all-postal voting between the Government and the Electoral Commission has thrown into doubt plans for the referendums in the autumn on the Government's proposed elected regional assemblies in the North of England; further notes the continuing splits in the Government over the powers that the proposed assemblies may be granted; regrets a similar lack of clarity relating to the projected costs of the proposed assemblies and of local government reorganisation; further notes that the Government's information campaign on elected regional assemblies fails to resolve any of this confusion; demands that the draft Bill, setting out in detail the proposed powers of elected regional assemblies promised by the Government, be published in good time to be debated by this House before rising for the summer recess and that Government time be provided for such a debate; and further demands that any referendums should be conducted by a system that restores the voters' choice to vote in person and in secret at polling stations on polling day, rather than by all-postal ballot—(Mr Bernard Jenkin);
An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word ‘House' to the end of the Question and add the words ‘welcomes progress the Government is making in implementing its proposals for elected regional assemblies set out in the White Paper, Your Region, Your Choice: Revitalising the English Regions, based on the principles of increasing prosperity, pride and democracy in the regions; applauds the opportunity afforded to people in the three northern regions of England to have their say about whether they want an elected assembly for their region; welcomes the decision to hold the referendum by all-postal ballot while noting the Government's preparedness to give a clear undertaking not to proceed with all-postal referendums as planned if the Electoral Commission produces convincing evidence leading to the conclusion that it would be unsafe to do so; welcomes the Government's decision to have one assistance and delivery point per 50,000 electors, giving the choice as to whether to return their vote by post, to deliver it by hand, or to vote at a place supervised by electoral officials; further notes the Boundary Committee's estimates of the savings from local government restructuring in regions which choose to establish an elected regional assembly; looks forward to the publication of the draft Bill which would establish elected assemblies, once the date for the referendums has been set by Parliament; commends the Government's endeavours to ensure that people voting in the referendums have information on which to base their choice; and notes that the principal confusion about regional policy appears to be on the Opposition benches', instead thereof.—(Mr Nick Raynsford.)
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And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Hugh Robertson, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 119.
Tellers for the Noes, Gillian Merron, Charlotte Atkins: 320.
So the Question was negatived.
And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments):—It was agreed to.
The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.
Resolved, That this House welcomes progress the Government is making in implementing its proposals for elected regional assemblies set out in the White Paper, Your Region, Your Choice: Revitalising the English Regions, based on the principles of increasing prosperity, pride and democracy in the regions; applauds the opportunity afforded to people in the three northern regions of England to have their say about whether they want an elected assembly for their region; welcomes the decision to hold the referendum by all-postal ballot while noting the Government's preparedness to give a clear undertaking not to proceed with all-postal referendums as planned if the Electoral Commission produces convincing evidence leading to the conclusion that it would be unsafe to do so; welcomes the Government's decision to have one assistance and delivery point per 50,000 electors, giving the choice as to whether to return their vote by post, to deliver it by hand, or to vote at a place supervised by electoral officials; further notes the Boundary Committee's estimates of the savings from local government restructuring in regions which choose to establish an elected regional assembly; looks forward to the publication of the draft Bill which would establish elected assemblies, once the date for the referendums has been set by Parliament; commends the Government's endeavours to ensure that people voting in the referendums have information on which to base their choice; and notes that the principal confusion about regional policy appears to be on the Opposition benches.
Business Deregulation,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House regrets the decision of the Government to replace ‘deregulation' with ‘better regulation' and condemns its failure to deliver deregulation for British business; is alarmed that the Government is unable to quantify the number of new regulations generated since 1997; deplores the fact that the total cost of major regulations to business approved since 1998 now exceeds £30 billion, and notes with concern the negative consequences this is having and will have on small businesses in particular; further condemns the Government's decision to agree to a European Constitutional Treaty that will extend the legislative competences of the European Commission; calls on the Government to take urgent measures to reduce the burden of domestic and European regulation on British business; and further condemns Labour MEPs for voting in the European Parliament in favour of the Agency Workers Directive and the extension of the Working Time Directive in the UK—(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 ‘welcomes the Government's commitment to better regulation and enterprise, which has contributed to the UK becoming one of the best locations in the world in which to start and run a business; welcomes the recent independent endorsements of the UK's light touch regulatory environment; applauds the deregulatory initiatives brought forward since 1997 which have contributed to a significant decline in the total number of regulations imposing a cost on British business; rejects outright the allegations claiming that the regulatory burden on business now exceeds £30 billion; supports measures taken to improve the regulatory environment for smaller businesses such as the removal of statutory audit requirements for small and medium-sized enterprises and the introduction of two specific commencement dates for employment regulations; congratulates the Government on signing up to the new European Constitution which promotes competitiveness and flexibility and which will ensure that national governments have new powers to scrutinise EU regulatory proposals; notes with concern proposals put forward by the Opposition which would damage Britain's relationship with Europe to the detriment of British business by withdrawing the UK from the world's largest common market; recognises the Government's constructive stance on the Agency Workers and Working Time Directives where it has maintained a position that promotes both fairness and flexibility; and calls on the Opposition to examine its own European policies which are consistently flouted by its own MEPs and Party members', instead thereof.—(Jacqui Smith.)
And the Question being proposed, That the original words stand part of the Question;
Mr Patrick McLoughlin rose in his place and claimed to move, That the Question be now put.
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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, Mr John Randall, Mr David Ruffley: 114.
Tellers for the Noes, Margaret Moran, Jim Fitzpatrick: 320.
So the Question was negatived.
And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments);
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Jim Fitzpatrick, Margaret Moran: 261.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr David Ruffley, Mr John Randall: 153.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.
Resolved, That this House welcomes the Government's commitment to better regulation and enterprise, which has contributed to the UK becoming one of the best locations in the world in which to start and run a business; welcomes the recent independent endorsements of the UK's light touch regulatory environment; applauds the deregulatory initiatives brought forward since 1997 which have contributed to a significant decline in the total number of regulations imposing a cost on British business; rejects outright the allegations claiming that the regulatory burden on business now exceeds £30 billion; supports measures taken to improve the regulatory environment for smaller businesses such as the removal of statutory audit requirements for small and medium-sized enterprises and the introduction of two specific commencement dates for employment regulations; congratulates the Government on signing up to the new European Constitution which promotes competitiveness and flexibility and which will ensure that national governments have new powers to scrutinise EU regulatory proposals; notes with concern proposals put forward by the Opposition which would damage Britain's relationship with Europe to the detriment of British business by withdrawing the UK from the world's largest common market; recognises the Government's constructive stance on the Agency Workers and Working Time Directives where it has maintained a position that promotes both fairness and flexibility; and calls on the Opposition to examine its own European policies which are consistently flouted by its own MEPs and Party members.
| 8 | Supreme Court of Northern Ireland,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Maximum Number of Judges (Northern Ireland) Order 2004, which was laid before this House on 10th June, be approved—(Mr Vernon Coaker):—It was agreed to. |
| 9 | Constitutional Law (Scotland),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers, etc.) Order 2004, which was laid before this House on 20th May, be approved—(Mr Vernon Coaker):—It was agreed to. |
| 10 | Constitutional Law,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2004, which was laid before this House on 26th May, be approved—(Mr Vernon Coaker):—It was agreed to. |
| 11 | Constitutional Law,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 2002 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2004, which was laid before this House on 26th May, be approved—(Mr Vernon Coaker):—It was agreed to. |
| 12 | Civil Aviation,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Transport Act 2000 (Consequential Amendment) Order 2004, which was laid before this House on 7th June, be approved—(Mr Vernon Coaker):—It was agreed to. |
| 13 | Regulatory Reform,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 18 (Consideration of draft regulatory reform orders), That the draft Regulatory Reform (Patents) Order 2004, which was laid before this House on 7th June, be approved—(Mr Vernon Coaker):—It was agreed to. |
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| 14 | Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Vernon Coaker); |
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 one minute to Eight o'clock, till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 7.59 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 1 | Acquisition of Land,—Home Loss Payments (Prescribed Amounts) (England) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 1631), dated 28th June 2004 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 2 | National Debt,—Government Stock (Consequential and Transitional Provision) (No. 2) Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 1662), dated 30th June 2004 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Ruth Kelly]. |
| 3 | United Nations,—Iraq (United Nations Sanctions) Order 2000 (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 1660), dated 29th June 2004 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Ruth Kelly]. |
Other Papers:
| 4 | Broadcasting,—(1) Report, and |
(2) Statement of Accounts
of S4C for 2003 [by Act] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].
| 5 | Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall,—Report and Financial Statements of the Duchy of Cornwall for the year ended 31st March 2004 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 744] [Ruth Kelly]. |
| 6 | Financial Services,—Report and Financial Review of the Financial Services Authority for 2003–04 [by Act] [Ruth Kelly]. |
| 7 | Industrial Training,—Report, Financial Statement and Accounts of the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board for 2003 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Clarke]. |
| 8 | Local Government,—Proposal for a draft Local Authorities' Plans and Strategies (Disapplication) Order 2004, with a statement by the Deputy Prime Minister [by Act] [Mr Secretary Prescott]. |
| 9 | Miscellaneous (No. 6, 2004),—Protocol, done at New York on 15th November 2000, against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Cm. 6257] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
| 10 | National Audit (Northern Ireland),—Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland on Introducing Gas Central Heating in Housing Executive Homes [by Statutory Instrument]; to be printed [No. 725] [Clerk of the House]. |
| 11 | Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on the Petition [24th May] from Jean Hourihan, Kathy Barnes, Mr and Mrs H. C. Patel and others against the closure of Kinfauns Post Office in Hornchurch [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House]. |
| 12 | Treaty Series (No. 21, 2004),—First Supplementary List of Ratifications, Accessions, Withdrawals, etc., for 2004 [by Command] [Cm. 6259] [Mr Secretary Straw]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| 1 | Draft Landfill (Scheme Year and Maximum Landfill Amount) Regulations 2004: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Nick Ainger, Norman Baker, Mr Bob Blizzard, Mr Crispin Blunt, Ms Karen Buck, Mr William Cash, Tony Cunningham, Sue Doughty, Mrs Lorna Fitzsimons, Dr Hywel Francis, Mr Fabian Hamilton, Helen Jackson, Miss Anne McIntosh, Mr Elliot Morley, Mr Bill Tynan and Mr David Wilshire.
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| 2 | Draft Dangerous Wild Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 2004: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Peter Ainsworth, Colin Burgon, David Burnside, Mr Alistair Carmichael, Mr Vernon Coaker, Mr Wayne David, Mr Tom Harris, Anne Picking, Mr Stephen Pound, Jonathan Shaw, Angela Smith, Bob Spink, Mr Hugo Swire, Mr Ian Taylor, Joan Walley and Mrs Betty Williams.
| 3 | Draft Discharge of Fines by Unpaid Work (Prescribed Hourly Sum) Regulations 2004,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mrs Anne Campbell from the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations) and nominated in substitution Mr Parmjit Dhanda. |
| 4 | Draft Social Security (Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance) Amendment Regulations 2004: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Peter Atkinson, Tony Baldry, David Cairns, Mr James Clappison, Mrs Helen Clark, Mr Frank Dobson, Mr George Foulkes, Paul Holmes, Mr Peter Mandelson, Margaret Moran, Mr George Osborne, Mr Chris Pond, Mr Ken Purchase, Mr Geoffrey Robinson, Mr Graham Stringer and Steve Webb.
| 5 | Draft Courts Act 2003 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2004,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Bridget Prentice from the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Derek Twigg. |
| 6 | Draft Solicitors (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2004: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Stephen Byers, Mr Alistair Carmichael, Mr Michael Clapham, Mr Vernon Coaker, Angela Eagle, Lady Hermon, Mrs Joan Humble, Mr Robert Jackson, Mr Kevin McNamara, Chris Mole, Mr Archie Norman, Mr Ian Pearson, Mr Richard Shepherd, Mr Hugo Swire, Gareth Thomas and Dr Alan Whitehead.
| 7 | Draft Immigration (Provision of Physical Data) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2004: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Desmond Browne, Chris Bryant, Mr Alistair Carmichael, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Harry Cohen, Jeff Ennis, Mr Jon Owen Jones, Mr Iain Luke, Mr Humfrey Malins, Kali Mountford, Mr Denis Murphy, Mr Mark Oaten, Bridget Prentice, Sir Teddy Taylor, Dr Desmond Turner and Mr John Wilkinson.
| 8 | Draft Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Designation of Public Authorities) Order 2004: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Ninth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr John Battle, Peter Bottomley, Mr Vernon Coaker, John Cryer, Denzil Davies, Mrs Louise Ellman, Mr Roger Godsiff, Mr Tom Harris, Mr Peter Lilley, Rob Marris, Lembit Opik, Mr John Spellar, Mr Hugo Swire, Mr David Trimble, Dr Rudi Vis and Ann Winterton.
| 9 | Motion relating to the Electoral Commission: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Motion to the Tenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Nick Ainger, Mr Colin Challen, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mr Michael Fallon, Mr John Greenway, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr David Heath, Stephen Hesford, Martin Linton, Chris McCafferty, Andrew Mackinlay, Mr Dennis Skinner, Mr Clive Soley, Mr Paul Stinchcombe, Mr Paul Tyler and Mr Phil Woolas.
| 10 | Horse Passports (England) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 1397): |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Regulations to the Eleventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
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(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Nick Ainger, Mr Tony Banks, Peter Bradley, Barbara Follett, Andrew George, Mr James Gray, Mr Nick Hawkins, Lynne Jones, Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger, Alun Michael, Dan Norris, Llew Smith, Mr Roger Williams, Mr Michael Wills, Mr David Wilshire and Mr Brian Wilson.
| 11 | Draft Contracting Out (Functions relating to Broadcast Advertising) and Specification of Relevant Functions Order 2004: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Twelfth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Charlotte Atkins, Mr Tim Boswell, Mr Richard Caborn, Mr Ben Chapman, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Jane Griffiths, Mr Dai Havard, Mr Stephen Hepburn, Mr Lindsay Hoyle, Mr Peter Lilley, Alice Mahon, Linda Perham, Bob Russell, Mr Adrian Sanders, Mr Richard Shepherd and Mr Robert N. Wareing.
| 12 | Draft Age-Related Payments (Northern Ireland) Order 2004: |
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Fourteenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Ms Candy Atherton, Mr Roy Beggs, Mr Crispin Blunt, Mr Vernon Coaker, Clive Efford, Mr Frank Field, Mr Tom Harris, Mr Piara S. Khabra, Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger, Lembit Opik, Jim Sheridan, Mr John Spellar, Bob Spink, Rachel Squire, Mr Hugo Swire and Derek Wyatt.
European Standing Committees
| 13 | European Union Document No. 9675/04, relating to the Europe 2005 Action Plan, has been referred to European Standing Committee C. |
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Defence,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee [Duty of Care]; to be printed [No. 620-iii] [Bruce George]. |
| 2 | Draft Charities Bill,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Joint Committee on the Draft Charities Bill; to be printed [No. 660-vii]; and |
(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 660-viii]
[Mr Alan Milburn].
| 3 | Education and Skills,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education and Skills Committee [Prison Education]; to be printed [No. 825-i] [Mr Barry Sheerman]. |
| 4 | Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—(1) Eleventh Report from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee [GM Planting Regime]; together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the GM Planting Regime Sub-Committee of the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 607]; |
(2) Twelfth Report from the Committee [Reform of the Sugar Regime], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Reform of the Sugar Regime Sub-Committee of the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 550];
(3) Thirteenth Report from the Committee [Bovine TB], 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. 638];
(4) Fourteenth Report from the Committee [Sites of Special Scientific Interest: conserving the jewels of England's natural heritage], together with Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sites of Special Scientific Interest Sub-Committee of the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 475];
(5) Memoranda laid before the Committee [GM Planting Regime];
(6) Memorandum laid before the Committee [Bovine TB];
(7) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Sites of Special Scientific Interest]; and
(8) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Dismantling defunct ships in the UK]; to be printed [No. 834-i]
[Mr Michael Jack].
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| 5 | European Scrutiny,—Twenty-fifth Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 42-xxv] [Mr Jimmy Hood]. |
| 6 | Human Rights,—Fourteenth Report from the Joint Committee on Human Rights [Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Bill: New Clauses]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 828] [Jean Corston]. |
| 7 | Northern Ireland Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee [Social Housing Provision in Northern Ireland]; to be printed [No. 493-vii] [Mr Tony Clarke]. |
| 8 | Public Accounts,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts [Improving the Speed and Quality of Asylum Decisions]; to be printed [No. 837-i] [Mr Edward Leigh]. |
| 9 | Science and Technology,—(1) Ninth Report from the Science and Technology Committee [Director General of the Research Councils: Introductory Hearing]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 577]; and |
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Human reproductive technologies and the law]; to be printed [No. 599-iii]
[Dr Ian Gibson].
| 10 | Transport,—(1) Thirteenth Report from the Transport Committee [The Rail Regulator's last consultations]; to be printed, together with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 805]; |
(2) Fourteenth Report from the Committee [The Work of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency], together with the Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 500]; and
(3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Financial Protection for Air Travellers and Package Holidaymakers]; to be printed [No. 806-i]
[Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].
| 11 | Treasury,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee of the Treasury Committee [Inland Revenue Spring Departmental Report 2004]; to be printed [No. 835-i] [Mr John McFall]. |
[No. 111; WH, No. 69]
Wednesday 30th June 2004.
The House sitting in Westminster Hall
The sitting commenced at half-past Nine o'clock.
| Adjournment,—Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Jim Fitzpatrick.) |
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 4.29 p.m.
[No. 112.] Thursday 1st July 2004.
The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock. PRAYERS.
| 1 | Health Protection Agency Bill [Lords],—Mrs Irene Adams reported from Standing Committee F, That it had gone through the Health Protection Agency Bill [Lords], and made an Amendment thereunto. |
Bill, as amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered on Monday 5th July.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to be printed [No. 838].
| 2 | Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Alan Hurst reported from the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Courts Act 2003 (Consequential Amendment) Order 2004. |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
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| 3 | Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation,—Mr Eric Illsley reported from the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation the draft Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Establishment of Conservation Board) Order 2004 and draft Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Establishment of Conservation Board) Order 2004. |
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
| 4 | Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows: |
The Lords do not insist on their Amendments to the Higher Education Bill to which this House has disagreed; they agree, without Amendment, to the Amendments proposed by this House in lieu of an Amendment; and they agree, without Amendment, to the Amendments proposed by this House to the remaining Lords Amendments.
The Lords have agreed to the Age-Related Payments Bill, without Amendment.
| 5 | Royal Assent,—The Speaker notified the House, in accordance with the Royal Assent Act 1967, That Her Majesty had signified her Royal Assent to the following Acts, agreed upon by both Houses: |
Gender Recognition Act 2004
Higher Education Act 2004
Mersey Tunnels Act 2004
Ipswich Market Act 2004.
| 6 | Adjournment (Zimbabwe),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Charlotte Atkins); |
And it being Six o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put.
| 7 | Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from— |
(1) Anna Peschek and others for speed restrictions in rural villages, and
(2) Mr R. Patel and others against the proposed closure of Earls Hall Parade Post Office, Southend,
were presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
| 8 | Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Gillian Merron.) |
And accordingly the House, having continued to sit till twenty-eight minutes past Six o'clock, adjourned till Monday 5th July.
[Adjourned at 6.28 p.m.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
| 1 | Atomic Energy and Radioactive Substances,—Draft Uranium Enrichment Technology (Prohibition on Disclosure) Regulations 2004 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Ms Secretary Hewitt]. |
| 2 | Education,—Draft Student Fees (Amounts) (England) Regulations 2004 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Clarke]. |
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
| 3 | Education,—(1) Daventry Tertiary College (Dissolution) Order 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 1598), and |
(2) Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations 2002 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 1602)
dated 23rd June 2004 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Mr Secretary Clarke].
| 4 | Health Care and Associated Professions,—Nursing and Midwifery Council (Fees) Rules Order of Council 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 1654), dated 9th June 2004 [by Statutory Instrument] [Mr Secretary Reid]. |
| 5 | Income Tax,—(1) Individual Savings Account (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 1677), and |
(2) Personal Equity Plan (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 1676)
dated 1st July 2004 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Ruth Kelly].
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| 6 | Value Added Tax,—Value Added Tax (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 1675), dated 1st July 2004 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Ruth Kelly]. |
Other Papers:
| 7 | Government Resources and Accounts,—Report and Accounts of— |
(1) the Army Personnel Centre, and
(2) the Duke of York's Royal Military School
for 2003–04, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 758 and 643] [Mr Secretary Hoon].
| 8 | Industrial Development,—Report for 2003–04 by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, the First Minister of the Scottish Executive and the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales under the Industrial Development Act 1982 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 787] [Ms Secretary Hewitt]. |
| 9 | Ombudsman (Northern Ireland),—Report of the Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints for 2003–04 [by Statutory Instrument]; to be printed [No. 659] [Mr Secretary Murphy]. |
| 10 | Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the Petition [20th January] from those living near Bromborough Waste Water Treatment Works, Merseyside, for remedial work to prevent odours from the works and for legislation on the subject [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House]. |
| 11 | Ragwort Control,—Code of Practice on how to prevent the spread of Ragwort [by Act] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]. |
Papers withdrawn:
| 12 | Atomic Energy and Radioactive Substances,—Draft Uranium Enrichment Technology (Prohibition on Disclosure) Regulations 2004 [laid 7th June]. |
APPENDIX II
Standing Committees
| 1 | Draft Landfill (Scheme Year and Maximum Landfill Amount) Regulations 2004,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Kevin Hughes Chairman of the First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Regulations. |
| 2 | Draft Dangerous Wild Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 2004: |
(1) The Speaker has appointed Mr Peter Pike Chairman of the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Order; and
(2) The Committee of Selection has discharged Bob Spink from the Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Mr Desmond Swayne.
| 3 | Occupational Pensions Schemes (Winding Up and Deficiency on Winding Up etc.) (Amendments) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 403),—The Speaker has appointed Mr John Cummings Chairman of the Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the Regulations. |
| 4 | Draft Social Security (Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance) Amendment Regulations 2004,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Eric Illsley Chairman of the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Regulations. |
| 5 | Draft Solicitors (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2004: |
(1) The Speaker has appointed Mr Bill O'Brien Chairman of the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Order; and
(2) The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Richard Shepherd from the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Mr Desmond Swayne.
| 6 | Draft Chilterns Area of Outstanding Beauty (Establishment of Conservation Board) Order 2004 and the draft Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Establishment of Conservation Board) Order 2004,—The Committee of Selection has discharged John Austin, Mr Stephen Byers and Dr Nick Palmer from the Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Orders) and nominated in substitution Mr Huw Edwards, Mr Mark Hendrick and Mr Brian Sedgemore. |
| 7 | Draft Tobacco Advertising and Promotion (Brandsharing) Regulations 2004,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Kevin Hughes Chairman of the Seventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Regulations. |
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| 8 | Draft Immigration (Provision of Physical Data) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2004,—The Speaker has appointed Derek Conway Chairman of the Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Regulations. |
| 9 | Draft Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Designation of Public Authorities) Order 2004: |
(1) The Speaker has appointed Mr Nigel Beard Chairman of the Ninth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Order; and
(2) The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Peter Lilley from the Ninth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Mr Desmond Swayne.
| 10 | Motion relating to the Electoral Commission,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Eric Illsley Chairman of the Tenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the Motion. |
| 11 | Horse Passports (England) Regulations 2004 (S.I., 2004, No. 1397),—The Speaker has appointed Mr Alan Hurst Chairman of the Eleventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the Regulations. |
| 12 | Draft Contracting Out (Functions relating to Broadcasting Advertising) and Specification of Relevant Functions Order 2004,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Peter Pike Chairman of the Twelfth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation in respect of the draft Order. |
| 13 | Draft Age-Related Payments (Northern Ireland) Order 2004,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Crispin Blunt from the Fourteenth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Mr Desmond Swayne. |
Grand Committees
| 14 | The Speaker has appointed Mr Win Griffiths Chairman of the Welsh Grand Committee in respect of its meetings on 6th July. |
| 15 | The Speaker has appointed Mr James Cran Chairman of the Northern Ireland Grand Committee in respect of its meeting on 8th July. |
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
| 1 | Draft Gambling Bill (Regional Casinos),—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Joint Committee on the Draft Gambling Bill (Regional Casinos); to be printed [No. 843-i] [Mr John Greenway]. |
| 2 | Health,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Health Committee [The Provision of Allergy Services]; to be printed [No. 696-ii] [Mr David Hinchliffe]. |
| 3 | Home Affairs,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Home Affairs Committee [Sentencing Guidelines]; to be printed [No. 844-i] [Mr John Denham]. |
| 4 | Transport,—Letter from the Rail Regulator laid before the Transport Committee [The Rail Regulator's last consultations] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody]. |
[No. 112; WH, No. 70]
Thursday 1st July 2004.
The House sitting in Westminster Hall
The sitting commenced at half-past Two o'clock.
| Adjournment (Elder Abuse—Second Report from the Health Committee, Session 2003–04, and the Government's Response thereto),—Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Dr Stephen Ladyman.) |
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till Tuesday 6th July.
[Adjourned at 5.02 p.m.
|
