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Session 2004 - 05
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Minutes of Proceedings


 

WEDNESDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2004

Members present:

Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair

Mr Richard Bacon
Mr David Curry
Mr Brian Jenkins
Jim Sheridan

Mr Tim Burr, Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General, was examined.

Ms Paula Diggle, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was examined.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Department of Trade & Industry: The United Kingdom's civil space activities (HC 359, Session 2003–04) was considered.

Sir Robin Young KCB, Permanent Secretary, Department of Trade & Industry, Dr Colin Hicks FRSC, Director General, British National Space Centre, Professor Ian Halliday, Chief Executive, The Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council, and Professor Colin Pillinger CBE FRS, Head of Planetary and Space Sciences Research Institute, The Open University, were examined (HC 47-i).

[Adjourned until Monday 29 November at 4.30 pm.

MONDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2004

Members present:

Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair

Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Mr Brian Jenkins
Jim Sheridan
Mr Alan Williams

Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was examined.

Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was examined.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Ministry of Defence: the rapid procurement of capability to support operations (HC 1161, Session 2003–04) was considered.

Sir Kevin Tebbit KCB, Permanent Under Secretary of State, and Lieutenant General Sir Robert Fulton, Deputy Chief of Staff (Equipment Capabilities), Ministry of Defence, were examined (HC 70-i).

[Adjourned until Wednesday 1 December at 3.30 pm.

WEDNESDAY 1 DECEMBER 2004

Members present:

Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair

Mr Frank Field
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett

Mr Tim Burr, Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.

Ms Paula Diggle, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Facing Justice: Tackling defendants' non-attendance at court (HC 1162, Session 2003–04) was considered.

Mr John Gieve CB, Permanent Under Secretary of State, Home Office, Sir Ron de Witt, Chief Executive, Unified Courts Agency, Department of Constitutional Affairs, Mr Ken Macdonald QC, Director of Public Prosecutions, Crown Prosecution Service, Ms Moira Wallace, Chief Executive, Office for Criminal Justice Reform, and Mr John Burbeck, Chief Constable, Association of Chief Police Officers, were examined (HC 103-i).

[Adjourned until Wednesday 8 December at 4.30 pm.

WEDNESDAY 8 DECEMBER 2004

Members present:

Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair

Mr Richard Bacon
Mrs Angela Browning
Mr David Curry
Mr Ian Davidson
Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams

Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.

Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Tackling congestion by making better use of England's motorways and trunk roads (HC 15) was considered.

Mr Archie Robertson OBE, Chief Executive, Highways Agency, was examined (HC 134-i).

[Adjourned until Monday 13 December at 4.30 pm.

MONDAY 13 DECEMBER 2004

Members present:

Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair

Mr Richard Allan
Mr Brian Jenkins
Jim Sheridan
Mr Gerry Steinberg

Mr Tim Burr, Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.

Ms Paula Diggle, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Reducing Crime: the Home Office working with Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (HC 16) was considered.

Mr Leigh Lewis CB, Permanent Secretary for Crime, Policing, Counter Terrorism and Delivery, and Professor Paul Wiles, Chief Scientific Advisor and Director of Research, Development and Statistics, Home Office, were examined (HC 147-i).

The witnesses withdrew.

The Committee deliberated.

Resolved, That Dr Lester Ellman, Chairman of the British Dental Association General Dental Practice Committee, be invited to give evidence to the Committee on Tuesday 14 December in connection with its inquiry into Reforming NHS dentistry: ensuring effective management of risks.—(The Chairman.)

Draft Report (The Management of sickness absence in the prison service), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 17 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the First Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

[Adjourned until Tuesday 14 December at 3.30 pm.

TUESDAY 14 DECEMBER 2004

Members present:

Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair

Mr Richard Bacon
Mr Frank Field
Mr Brian Jenkins
Jim Sheridan
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams

Mr Tim Burr, Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.

Ms Paula Diggle, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Department of Health – Reforming NHS Dentistry: Ensuring effective management of risks (HC 25) was considered.

Dr Lester Ellman, Chairman of the General Dental Practice Committee, British Dental Association, Sir Nigel Crisp KCB, Permanent Secretary/NHS Chief Executive of Health, Professor Raman Bedi, Chief Dental Officer for England, Professor Aidan Halligan, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, Department of Health, and Ms Karen Taylor, Director, National Audit Office, were examined (HC 167-i).

A division of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for ten minutes.

The Committee resumed.

The witnesses were further examined.

A division of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for ten minutes.

The Committee resumed.

The witnesses were further examined.

A division of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for eight minutes.

The Committee resumed.

The witnesses were further examined.

A division of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for eight minutes.

The Committee resumed.

The witnesses were further examined.

The witnesses withdrew.

The Committee deliberated.

Draft Report (Tackling cancer in England: saving more lives), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 17 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Second Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

[Adjourned until Wednesday 15 December at 3.30 pm.

WEDNESDAY 15 DECEMBER 2004

Members present:

Mr Richard Allan
Mr David Curry
Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams

In the absence of the Chairman, Mr Williams was called to the Chair.

Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.

Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Inland Revenue: Inheritance Tax (HC 17) was considered.

Mr Paul Gray, Deputy Chairman, HM Revenue and Customs, Mr Jonathan Pemberton, Director, Capital Taxes, and Mr Gabriel Makhlouf, Director, Capital & Savings, Inland Revenue, were examined (HC 174-i).

[Adjourned until Wednesday 12 January at 3.30 pm.

WEDNESDAY 12 JANUARY 2005

Members present:

Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair

Mr Richard Allan
Mrs Angela Browning
Mr Frank Field
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams

Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.

Ms Paula Diggle, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Managing National Lottery Distribution Fund balances (HC 875) was considered.

Mr Frank Field declared an interest in that he is a member of Churches Conservation Trust.

Ms Sue Street, Permanent Secretary, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Ms Carole Souter, Director, Heritage Lottery Fund, and Mr Stephen Dunmore, Chief Executive, New Opportunities Fund, were examined (HC 223-i).

[Adjourned until Monday 17 January at 4.30 pm.

MONDAY 17 JANUARY 2005

Members present:

Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair

Mr Brian Jenkins
Jim Sheridan
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams

Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.

Mr Brian Glicksman CB, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on English Partnerships: regeneration of the Millennium Dome and associated land (HC 178) was considered.

Dame Mavis McDonald DCB, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, and Mr John Walker, Finance and Commercial Director, English Partnerships, were examined (HC 239-i).

The witnesses withdrew.

The Committee deliberated.

Draft Report (The BBC's investment in Freeview), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 13 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Third Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

Another draft Report (Improving the speed and quality of asylum decisions), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 23 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Fourth Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

[Adjourned until Wednesday 19 January at 3.30 pm.

WEDNESDAY 19 JANUARY 2005

Members present:

Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair

Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Mr Ian Davidson
Mr Frank Field
Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Alan Williams

Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.

Ms Paula Diggle, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Energywatch and Postwatch: helping and protecting consumers (HC 1076, Session 03–04) was considered.

Professor Edward Gallagher CBE, Chairman, Mr Allan Asher, Chief Executive, Energywatch, and Mr Gregor McGregor, Chief Executive, Postwatch, were examined (HC 260-i).

[Adjourned until Monday 24 January at 4.30 pm.

MONDAY 24 JANUARY 2005

Members present:

Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair

Mr Richard Bacon
Mrs Angela Browning
Mr David Curry
Mr Ian Davidson
Mr Frank Field
Jim Sheridan
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Mr Alan Williams

Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.

Mr Brian Glicksman CB, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Tax Credits, Stamp Duty Land Tax and deleted tax cases (HC 1062, Session 2003–04) was considered.

Mr Paul Gray, Deputy Chairman, HM Revenue and Customs, was further examined, Mr David Varney, Executive Chairman, and Mr David Anthony Hartnett CB, Director General (Policy and Technical), HM Revenue and Customs, were examined (HC 269-i).

The witnesses withdrew.

The Committee deliberated.

Resolved, That a copy of the Comptroller and Auditor General's paper on the Duke of York's travel arrangements be placed in the House of Commons Library for the use of Members and in the Record Office, House of Lords, for public inspection.—(Mr Ian Davidson.)

The Committee further deliberated (Northern Ireland Audit Office).

Resolved, That the Northern Ireland Audit Office Reports on the Department of Employment and Learning: Jobskills, and Local Management of Schools, be considered at the meeting on Wednesday 2 March 2005.—(The Chairman.)

[Adjourned until Wednesday 26 January at 3.30 pm.

WEDNESDAY 26 JANUARY 2005

Members present:

Mr Richard Bacon
Mr Frank Field
Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Jim Sheridan
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Mr Alan Williams

In the absence of the Chairman, Mr Williams was called to the Chair.

Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.

Ms Paula Diggle, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Helping those in financial hardship: the running of the social fund (HC 179) was considered.

Mr David Anderson, Chief Executive, Jobcentre Plus, Department for Work and Pensions, was examined (HC 282-i).

[Adjourned until Monday 31 January at 4.30 pm.

MONDAY 31 JANUARY 2005

Members present:

Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair

Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Mr David Curry
Mr Ian Davidson
Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams

Mr Tim Burr, Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.

Mr Brian Glicksman CB, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Ministry of Defence: Major Projects Report 2004 (HC 1159-I and 1159-II, Session 2003–04) was considered.

Sir Peter Spencer KCB, Chief of Defence Procurement, and Lieutenant General Sir Robert Fulton, Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff for Equipment Capability, were examined (HC 294-i).

Ordered, That, for the remainder of the evidence to be taken this day, the Committee meet in private.—(The Chairman.)

The witnesses were further examined.

[Adjourned until Wednesday 2 February at 3.30 pm.

WEDNESDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2005

Members present:

Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair

Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Mr Ian Davidson
Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Jim Sheridan
Mr Siôn Simon
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams

Mr Tim Burr, Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.

Mr Brian Glicksman CB, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on HM Customs & Excise: Standard Report 2003–04 was considered.

Mr David Varney, Executive Chairman, and Mr Paul Gray, Deputy Chairman, HM Revenue and Customs, were further examined, Mr Mike Eland, Director General, Law Enforcement, HM Revenue and Customs, and Mr Mike Suffield, Director, National Audit Office, were examined (HC 304-i).

[Adjourned until Monday 7 February at 4.30 pm.

MONDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2005

Members present:

Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair

Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Mrs Angela Browning
Mr Ian Davidson
Mr Brian Jenkins
Jim Sheridan
Mr Siôn Simon
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Mr Alan Williams

Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.

Mr Brian Glicksman CB, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.

The Accounts of the Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster were considered.

Mrs Angela Browning declared an interest in that the Duchy of Cornwall owns land within her constituency.

Mr Bertie Ross, Secretary and Keeper of the Records, Mr Keith Willis, Head of Finance, Duchy of Cornwall, Mr Paul Clarke, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Council, Mr Chris Adcock, Chief Finance Officer, Duchy of Lancaster, and Mr Keith Hawkswell, Director, National Audit Office, were examined (HC 313-i).

The witnesses withdrew.

The Committee deliberated.

Draft Report (Excess Votes 2003–04), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 10 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Fifth Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

Another draft Report (Excess Votes (Northern Ireland) 2003–04), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 6 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Sixth Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

Another draft Report (Visa entry to the United Kingdom: the entry clearance operation), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 27 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Seventh Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

[Adjourned until Wednesday 9 February at 3.30 pm.

WEDNESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2005

Members present:

Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair

Mr Richard Allan
Mr Frank Field
Mr Brian Jenkins
Jim Sheridan
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams

Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.

Ms Paula Diggle, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Home Office: reducing vehicle crime (HC 183) was considered.

Mr Leigh Lewis CB, Permanent Secretary for Crime Policing, Counter Terrorism and Delivery, Home Office, was further examined, and Mr Clive Bennett, Chief Executive, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), was examined (HC 332-i).

[Adjourned until Monday 21 February at 4.30 pm.

MONDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2005

Members present:

Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair

Mrs Angela Browning
Mr Ian Davidson
Mr Frank Field
Mr Alan Williams

Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.

Ms Paula Diggle, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Department of Trade and Industry: renewable energy (HC 210) was considered.

Sir Robin Young KCB, Permanent Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry was further examined, and Mr Roy Collins, Head of Renewables Obligation Review Team, Department of Trade and Industry, was examined (HC 361-i).

The National Audit Office Supply Estimate 2005–06, and the Comptroller and Auditor General's memorandum on the Estimate, were considered.

Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined, Mr Michael Whitehouse, Assistant Auditor General, and Mr Phil Woodward, Director of Finance, National Audit Office, were examined (HC 362-i).

The Northern Ireland Audit Office Supply Estimate 2005–06 was considered.

Mr John Dowdall CB, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Mr Ciaran Moore, Assistant Auditor General, Northern Ireland Audit Office, were examined (HC 363-i).

The witnesses withdrew.

The Committee deliberated.

Resolved, That the Committee supports the National Audit Office net estimate of (65.717 million for the year 2005–06.—(The Chairman.)

Resolved, That the Public Accounts Commission be advised of the Resolution come to this day in respect of the National Audit Office Estimate for 2005–06.—(The Chairman.)

Resolved, That the Committee supports the Northern Ireland Audit Office net estimate of (8.043 million for the year 2005–06.—(The Chairman.)

Resolved, That the Public Accounts Commission be advised of the Resolution come to this day in respect of the Northern Ireland Audit Office Estimate for 2005–06.—(The Chairman.)

[Adjourned until Wednesday 23 February at 4.30 pm.

WEDNESDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2005

Members present:

Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair

Mrs Angela Browning
Mr David Curry
Mr Ian Davidson
Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Mr Alan Williams

Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.

Mr Brian Glicksman CB, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Foot and Mouth Disease: applying the lessons (HC 184) was considered.

Sir Brian Bender KCB, Permanent Secretary, Ms Debby Reynolds, Chief Veterinary Officer and Director General for Animal Health and Welfare, Ms Glenys Stacey, Chief Executive Designate of the State Veterinary Service, Mr Simon Hewitt, Head of Exotic Diseases Prevention and Control Division, Mr David Rabey, Director of Purchasing, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Mr Barney Holbeche, Head of Parliamentary Affairs, National Farmers Union, were examined (HC 387-i).

The witnesses withdrew.

The Committee deliberated.

Draft Report (Ministry of Defence: Battlefield Helicopters), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 31 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Eighth Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

[Adjourned until Monday 28 February at 4.30 pm.

MONDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2005

Members present:

Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair

Mr Richard Bacon
Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Mr Siôn Simon

Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.

Mr Brian Glicksman CB, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Improving school attendance in England (HC 212) was considered.

Sir David Normington KCB, Permanent Secretary, and Mr Peter Housden, Director General for Schools, Department for Education and Skills, were examined (HC 404-i).

The witnesses withdrew.

The Committee further deliberated.

Draft Report (The Drug Treatment and Testing Order: early lessons), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 18 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Ninth Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

[Adjourned until Wednesday 2 March at 3.30 pm.

WEDNESDAY 2 MARCH 2005

Members present:

Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair

Mr Ian Davidson
Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams

Mr John Dowdall CB, Comptroller and Auditor General (Northern Ireland) was further examined.

Mr David Thomson, Treasury Officer of Accounts (Northern Ireland) was examined.

The Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland's Report on Jobskills (HC 762 2003–04) was considered.

Mr Will Haire, Permanent Secretary, Mr Tom Scott, Director of Corporate Services, and Ms Heather Stevens, Director of Skills and Industry, Northern Ireland Department for Employment and Learning, were examined (HC 417-i).

The witnesses withdrew.

A division of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for ten minutes.

The Committee resumed.

The Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland's Report on Local management of schools (HC 297, 2003–04) was considered.

Mr Gerry McGinn, Permanent Secretary, and Ms Katrina Godfrey, Head of Resource Allocation, Northern Ireland Department for Education, were examined (HC 418-i).

[Adjourned until Monday 7 March at 4.30 pm.

MONDAY 7 MARCH 2005

Members present:

Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair

Mr David Curry
Mr Brian Jenkins
Jim Sheridan
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams

Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.

Ms Paula Diggle, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Progress in tackling homelessness (HC 286) was considered.

Dame Mavis McDonald DCB, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, was further examined, Ms Terrie Alafat, Director, Homelessness and Housing Support Directorate, and Mr Neil O'Connor, Divisional Manager, Homelessness Policy and Legislation Division, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, were examined (HC 428-i).

The witnesses withdrew.

The Committee deliberated (spring programme).

[Adjourned until Wednesday 9 March at 3.30 pm.

WEDNESDAY 9 MARCH 2005

Members present:

Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair

Mr Ian Davidson
Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett

Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.

Mr Brian Glicksman CB, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.

The Department for Work and Pension's Resource Accounts for 2003–04 (HC 170) and the Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on the Department for Work and Pensions Resource Accounts 2002–03 were considered.

Sir Richard Mottram KCB, Permanent Secretary and Mr John Codling, Group Finance Director, Department for Work and Pensions were examined. (HC 447-i).

The witnesses withdrew.

The Committee deliberated.

Draft Report (Welfare to Work: Tackling the barriers to the employment of older people), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 23 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Tenth Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

Another draft Report (Improving public transport in England through light rail), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 14 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Eleventh Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

Another draft Report (Helping farm businesses), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 18 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Twelfth Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

Another draft Report (OFGEM: The Social Action Plan and the Energy Efficiency Commitment), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 32 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Ordered, That the Report be the Thirteenth Report of the Committee to the House.

Resolved, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

Another draft Report (Department for International Development: Responding to HIV/AIDS), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 34 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Fourteenth Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

Another draft Report (Managing risks to improve public services), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 21 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Fifteenth Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

Another draft Report (Department of Health: improving emergency care in England), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 25 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Sixteenth Report of the Committee to the House.

Resolved, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

Another draft Report (London Underground Public Private Partnerships), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 22 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Seventeenth Report of the Committee to the House.

Resolved, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

[Adjourned until Monday 21 March at 4.30 pm.

MONDAY 21 MARCH 2005

Members present:

Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair

Mr Brian Jenkins
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams

Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.

Ms Paula Diggle, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Department of Health: Tackling cancer: improving the patient journey (HC 288) was considered.

Sir Nigel Crisp KCB, Chief Executive, Department of Health, was further examined and Professor Mike Richards, National Cancer Director, Department of Health, was examined (HC 485-i).

[Adjourned until Wednesday 23 March at 3.30 pm.

WEDNESDAY 23 MARCH 2005

Members present:

Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair

Richard Allan
Mr Ian Davidson
Mr Frank Field
Mr Jim Sheridan
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Mr Alan Williams

Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.

Ms Paula Diggle, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on the NHS Cancer Plan: a progress report (HC 343) was considered.

Sir Nigel Crisp KCB, Chief Executive, and Professor Mike Richards, National Cancer Director, Department of Health, were further examined, (HC 499-i).

The witnesses withdrew.

The Committee deliberated.

Draft Report (Financial Management in the European Union), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 24 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Eighteenth Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

[Adjourned until Wednesday 6 April at 3.30 pm.

WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2005

Members present:

Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair

Mr Richard Allan
Mrs Angela Browning
Mr Ian Davidson
Mr Alan Williams

Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.

Ms Paula Diggle, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Department for Education and Skills: Skills for life: improving adult literacy and numeracy (HC 20) was considered.

Sir David Normington KCB, Permanent Secretary, Department for Education and Skills, was further examined, Mr Mark Haysom, Chief Executive, Learning and Skills Council, and Ms Susan Pember OBE, Director of Learning and Skills, Department for Education and Skills, were examined (HC 557-i).

The witnesses withdrew.

The Committee deliberated.

Draft Report (The Accounts of the Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 5 read and agreed to.

Paragraph 6 read, amended and agreed to.

Paragraph 7 read and agreed to.

Paragraph 8 read, amended and agreed to.

Paragraph 9 read and agreed to.

A paragraph—(Mr Alan Williams)—brought up, read the first and second time, and inserted (now paragraph 10).

Paragraphs 11 to 24 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read, amended and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report, as amended, be the Nineteenth Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

Resolved, That a copy of the answers received from the Duchy of Cornwall in response to questions from Mr Alan Williams be placed in the House of Commons Library for the use of Members and in the Record Office, House of Lords, for public inspection.—(Mr Alan Williams.)

Another draft Report (PFI: the STEPS deal), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 18 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Twentieth Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

Another draft Report (The United Kingdom's civil space programme), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 25 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-first Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

Another draft Report (Facing justice: tackling defendants' non-attendance at court), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 15 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-second Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

Another draft Report (Reducing crime: the Home Office Working with Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 15 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-third Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

Another draft Report (Improving patient care by reducing the risk of hospital acquired infection: a progress report), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 30 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-fourth Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

Another draft Report (Tackling congestion by making better use of England's motorways and trunk roads), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 17 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-fifth Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

Another draft Report (Ministry of Defence: the rapid procurement of capability to support operations), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 14 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-sixth Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

Another draft Report (The impact of the Office of Government Commerce's initiatives on the delivery of major IT-enabled projects), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 30 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-seventh Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

Another draft Report (Network Rail: making a fresh start), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 22 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-eighth Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

Another draft Report (Inheritance tax), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 19 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-ninth Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

Another draft Report (Reforming NHS dentistry), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 31 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Thirtieth Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.

Resolved, That the Clerk of the Committee, in consultation either with this Committee's Chairman or with the most senior of this Committee's Members returned to the next Parliament, should have authority to arrange, once the new Parliament has been assembled, for the publication of any unpublished reports agreed by this Committee and reported to the House.

[Adjourned.

APPENDIX

DECLARATION OF MEMBERS' INTERESTS

In accordance with the resolution of the House of 13 July 1992, Members of select committees are required to give details of their pecuniary interests for circulation to the Committee, before proceeding to the election of a Chairman or, if appointed to the Committee subsequently, when attending their first meeting. Such declarations of interest, when made, are recorded in the minutes of proceedings.

The interests have been recorded below under the categories used in the Register of Member's Interests:

1 Directorships

2 Remunerated employment, office, profession, etc.

3 Clients

4 Sponsorship or financial or material support

5 Gifts, benefits and hospitality (U.K.)

6 Overseas visits

7 Overseas benefits and gifts

8 Land and property

9 Registrable shareholdings

10 Miscellaneous and unremunerated interests

ALLAN, Richard (Sheffield Hallam)

6.   Overseas visits

22–25 January 2005, to Athens, Greece, to receive an honorary award from exhibition organiser Xenia. The event organisers provided travel and hotel accommodation and presented me with a trophy and scroll. (Registered 28 January 2005)

BACON, Richard (South Norfolk)

Nil

BROWNING, Angela (Tiverton and Honiton)

2.   Remunerated employment, office, profession etc

Fees for lectures to Civil Service College, which are paid direct to charities. (Up to £5,000)

CRUDDAS, John (Dagenham)

Nil

CURRY, Rt. Hon. David (Skipton and Ripon)

2   Remunerated employment, office, profession etc

Monthly column for Local Government Chronicle. (Up to £5,000)

Monthly column for Builder Magazine. (Up to £5,000)

Fortnightly column for Yorkshire Post. (Up to £5,000)

DAVIDSON, Ian (Glasgow Pollok)

6.   Overseas visits

23–28 July 2004, to the Cayman Islands with the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Cayman Islands. Travel and accommodation costs were met by the Cayman Islands Government. (Registered 21 December 2004)

29 August–3 September 2004, to Norway with the British-Norwegian All-Party Parliamentary Group. Travel and accommodation costs were met by the Norwegian Government. (Registered 21 December 2004)

FIELD, Rt. Hon. Frank (Birkenhead)

1 Remunerated directorships

Medicash Health Benefits Ltd.

2   Remunerated employment, office, profession etc

Regular column for PensionsWeek, a publication owned by Pearson. (£5,001–£10,000)

Regular newspaper reviews for GMTV's Sunday Programme. (Up to £5,000)

Occasional articles for the Sunday People. (Up to £5,000)

Occasional articles written for the Financial Times. (Up to £5,000)

Occasional articles written for The Guardian. (Up to £5,000)

Occasional articles for the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday. (Up to £5,000)

Occasional articles written for The Independent and The Independent on Sunday. (Up to £5,000)

Occasional articles for The Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph. (Up to £5,000)

Occasional articles for The Times and Sunday Times. (Up to £5,000)

8   Land and Property

House in Chiswick, from which rental income is received.

JENKINS, Brian (Tamworth)

Nil

JONES, Nigel (Cheltenham)

Nil

KELLY, Ruth (Bolton West)

Nil

LEIGH, Edward (Gainsborough)

2 Remunerated employment, office, profession etc

Barrister at Law.

Parliamentary consultant to Pinnacle Insurance PLC. (£10,001–£15,000)

4   Sponsorship or financial or material support

Since May 1997, occasional briefing and visits to the House in connection with particular legislation by Mr Simon Calvert, Deputy Director of the Christian Institute.

SHERIDAN, Jim (West Renfrewshire)

Nil

SIMON, Siôn (Birmingham Erdington)

2   Remunerated employment, office, profession etc

Monthly column for Decanter Magazine.

Fees for articles for the Mail on Sunday. (Up to £5,000)

STEINBERG, Gerry (City of Durham)

Nil

TIMMS, Stephen (East Ham)

Nil

TRICKETT, Jon (Hemsworth)

Nil

WILLIAMS, Rt. Hon. Alan (Swansea West)

2    Remunerated employment, office, profession, etc.

Lecturer at the CMPS (Centre for Management and Policy Studies). (Up to £5,000)

 
 
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