Session 2005-2006

Commons Journal 262

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


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Page 11            2005-2006      Volume 262      

[No. 3.]

Monday 16th May 2005.

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

PRAYERS.

1Members take the Oath or make Affirmation,—The following Members took and subscribed the Oath, or made and subscribed the Affirmation required by law:

James Mark Dakin Purnellfor Stalybridge and Hyde
Right honourable John Alan RedwoodWokingham
Yvette CooperPontefract and Castleford
Right honourable Michael Andrew AncramDevizes
Right honourable John Matthew Patrick HuttonBarrow and Furness
Simon Hugh McGuigan BurnsWest Chelmsford
Francis CookStockton North
Jim KnightSouth Dorset
Antony Brian BaldryBanbury
James HoodLanark and Hamilton East
Michael O’BrienNorth Warwickshire
John HealeyWentworth
Malcolm Douglas MossNorth East Cambridgeshire
Robert Michael SpinkCastle Point
Alan KeenFeltham and Heston
Linda RiordanHalifax
Clive Stanley EffordEltham
Right honourable Sir George Samuel Knatchbull YoungNorth West Hampshire
Adrian Mark SandersTorbay
Russell Leslie BrownDumfries and Galloway
John Douglas NaysmithBristol North West
Nicholas Douglas PalmerBroxtowe
Elizabeth Marion BlackmanErewash
Laura Jean MoffattCrawley
Right honourable Andrew David SmithOxford East
Desmond Angus SwayneNew Forest West
Crispin Jeremy Rupert BluntReigate
Stephen Rothwell O’BrienEddisbury
Alexander Morrison CarmichaelOrkney and Shetland
Lynne Choona FeatherstoneHornsey and Wood Green
John Andrew BarrettEdinburgh West
Sir Robert Hill SmithWest Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
Eddie McGradySouth Down
Sammy WilsonEast Antrim
Right honourable William Jefferson HagueRichmond (Yorks)
Robert GoodwillScarborough and Whitby
Martin Phillip CatonGower
Jon Hedley TrickettHemsworth
John Timothy GroganSelby
Peter John LawBlaenau Gwent
Adam James Harold HollowayGravesham
Natascha EngelNorth East Derbyshire
John MannBassetlaw
Roberta Carol Blackman-WoodsCity of Durham
Gordon Raymond BanksOchil and South Perthshire
Robert Charles Douglas FlelloStoke-on-Trent South
William EtheringtonSunderland North
Edward O’HaraKnowsley South
Right honourable Adam IngramEast Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow
Richard John Grenville SpringWest Suffolk
Hugh Michael RobertsonFaversham and Mid Kent
Mark Jonathan Mortlock SimmondsBoston and Skegness
Patrick John MercerNewark

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Sio¤n Llewelyn SimonBirmingham, Erdington
Gregory David ClarkTunbridge Wells
Michael Andrew GoveSurrey Heath
David Stanley BorrowSouth Ribble
Angela Christine SmithSheffield, Hillsborough
Neil TurnerWigan
Louise Joyce EllmanLiverpool, Riverside
Celia Anne BarlowHove
Joseph Edward BentonBootle
Catharine Letitia HoeyVauxhall
Martin John SalterReading West
Alexander Boris JohnsonHenley
Kerry McCarthyBristol East
Jessica Elizabeth MordenNewport East
Diana Ruth JohnsonKingston upon Hull North
Graham Charles StuartBeverley and Holderness
John Archibald, Viscount ThursoCaithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Rosemary McKennaCumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East
Nadine Vanessa DorriesMid Bedfordshire
Arthur Nicholas Winston SoamesMid Sussex
Colin BurgonElmet
David Anthony LawsYeovil
John LeechManchester, Withington
Stephen HepburnJarrow
Peter John ViggersGosport
Right honourable Jane Elizabeth KennedyLiverpool, Wavertree
Rosalie WintertonDoncaster Central
Liam Dominic ByrneBirmingham, Hodge Hill
Right honourable Clare ShortBirmingham, Ladywood
Right honourable Stephen James DorrellCharnwood
Douglas John HendersonNewcastle upon Tyne North
Nigel GriffithsEdinburgh South
Robert Graham Marshall-AndrewsMedway
Alistair James Hendrie BurtNorth East Bedfordshire
David John Barrington BurrowesEnfield, Southgate
Christopher Shaun RuaneVale of Clwyd
Khalid MahmoodBirmingham, Perry Barr
Joan Lorraine WalleyStoke-on-Trent North
Dawn Petula ButlerBrent South
Vera BairdRedcar
Emily ThornberryIslington South and Finsbury
Barbara Mary KeeleyWorsley
David Laurie RuffleyBury St Edmunds
Michael Louis David FabricantLichfield
Alan ReidArgyll and Bute
Harry Michael CohenLeyton and Wanstead
Austin Vernon MitchellGreat Grimsby
Mark FisherStoke-on-Trent Central
Liam FoxWoodspring
Right honourable Michael John MatesEast Hampshire
Paul Alexander Cyril GoodmanWycombe
David Lindsay WillettsHavant
Anthony James McNultyHarrow East
Sharon HodgsonGateshead East and Washington West
Andrew John Bower MitchellSutton Coldfield
Dennis Edward SkinnerBolsover
Charles Geoffrey CoxTorridge and West Devon
John Charles BaronBillericay
Peter Landreth AtkinsonHexham
Andrew Francis SlaughterEaling, Acton and Shepherd’s Bush
Gregory Leonard George BarkerBexhill and Battle
John Alexander Melvin HemmingBirmingham, Yardley

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John Martin McDonnellHayes and Harlington
David Hywel FrancisAberavon
James McGovernDundee West
Thomas Anthony WatsonWest Bromwich East
Philip HammondRunnymede and Weybridge
Roger Duncan GodsiffBirmingham, Sparkbrook and Small Heath
Derek Murray WyattSittingbourne and Sheppey
Brian Harold DonohoeCentral Ayrshire
Roger Hugh WilliamsBrecon and Radnorshire
Sylvia Eileen, Lady HermonNorth Down
Stephen Creswell TimmsEast Ham
Julie KirkbrideBromsgrove
Christopher Robert ChopeChristchurch
Right honourable Gregory KnightEast Yorkshire
Edward Samuel MilibandDoncaster North
Geoffrey RobinsonCoventry North West
Jamieson Ronald ReedCopeland
Right honourable George Iain Duncan SmithChingford and Woodford Green
Claire Curtis-ThomasCrosby
Andrew John PellingCroydon Central
David WilshireSpelthorne
Right honourable Michael Hugh MeacherOldham West and Royton
Ian Christopher AustinDudley North
Paul Robert HolmesChesterfield
Shahid MalikDewsbury
Ian Colin TaylorEsher and Walton
Philip Martin DunneLudlow
Angus Brendan MacNeilNa h-Eileanan an Iar
Robert John WalterNorth Dorset
2Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn till to-morrow at twenty-five minutes past Eleven o’clock.—(Tony Cunningham.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till six minutes past Five o’clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 5.06 p.m.


[No. 4.]

Tuesday 17th May 2005.

The House met at twenty-five minutes past Eleven o’clock.

1Message to attend Her Majesty,—A Message from Her Majesty was delivered by the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod.

Mr Speaker,

The Queen commands this Honourable House to attend Her Majesty immediately, in the House of Peers.

Accordingly, the Speaker, with the House, went up to attend Her Majesty:—And having returned;

The Speaker resumed the Chair at half-past Two o’clock.

2Members take the Oath or make Affirmation,—The following Members took and subscribed the Oath, or made and subscribed the Affirmation required by law:

Right honourable John Selwyn Gummerfor Suffolk Coastal
Norman Peter LambNorth Norfolk
Rosemary Elizabeth CooperWest Lancashire
David HamiltonMidlothian
Nicholas Barton HarveyNorth Devon
Christopher John BryantRhondda
Nia Rhiannon GriffithLlanelli
Joseph Alan MealeMansfield

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Simon Patrick TippingSherwood
David Arthur Stephen TredinnickBosworth
Andrew Murray BurnhamLeigh
Stephen James McCabeBirmingham, Hall Green
Alan John SimpsonNottingham South
3Speaker’s Statement,—The Speaker made a Statement to the House, pursuant to the Resolution of 3rd November 2004.

4Metropolitan Police,—Ordered, That the Commissioner of the Police of the Metropolis do take care that the passages through the streets leading to this House be kept free and open and that no obstruction be permitted to hinder the passage of Members to and from this House during the sitting of Parliament, or to hinder Members by any means in the pursuit of their Parliamentary duties in the Parliamentary Estate; and that the Serjeant at Arms attending this House do communicate this Order to the Commissioner.

5Outlawries,—A Bill for the more effectual preventing Clandestine Outlawries was read the first time and ordered to be read a second time.

6Chairman of Ways and Means and First and Second Deputy Chairmen of Ways and Means,—Ordered, That Sir Alan Haselhurst be Chairman of Ways and Means, Sylvia Heal be First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means and Sir Michael Lord be Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.—(Mr Geoffrey Hoon.)

7Queen’s Speech,—The Speaker reported Her Majesty’s Speech and directed that it be entered in the Journal, as follows:

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons

My Government will continue to pursue economic policies which entrench stability and promote long-term growth and prosperity.

To this end, my Government will continue to secure low inflation and sound public finances.

My Government will build on its programme of reform and accelerate modernisation of the public services to promote opportunity and fairness. My Government will bring forward legislation in the key areas of public service delivery: education; health; welfare; and crime.

Education remains my Government’s main priority. My Government will further reform the education system to improve quality and choice in the provision of schooling, and build on the progress already made to improve educational standards for all.

Legislation will be brought forward to offer greater support for working families by extending maternity benefits and improving the provision of child care.

My Government will continue to reform the National Health Service in a way that maintains its founding principles. Measures will be brought forward to introduce more choice and diversity in healthcare provision and to continue to improve the quality of health services and hospital hygiene. Legislation to restrict smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces will also be introduced.

A Bill will be brought forward to support patients who wish to seek redress should they experience problems with their healthcare.

My Government will continue its reform of the welfare state, in order to reduce poverty further, offer greater equality, and match rights with responsibilities.

My Government will introduce legislation to reform support for housing costs.

A Bill will be introduced to establish benefits which will facilitate a return to employment, while offering long-term support for those unable to work.

My Government will begin long-term reform to provide sustainable income for those in retirement.

A Bill will be introduced to improve protection of consumers by bringing home reversion plans within the scope of the Financial Services Authority.

My Government is committed to creating safe and secure communities, and fostering a culture of respect.

Legislation will be taken forward to introduce an identity cards scheme.

A Bill will be introduced to give police and local communities new powers to tackle knives, guns and alcohol-related violence.

Further legislation will be introduced to tighten the immigration and asylum system in a way that is fair, flexible, and in the economic interests of the country.

Proposals will be brought forward to continue the fight against terrorism in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.

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My Government will bring forward legislation to reduce re-offending by improving the management of offenders.

Legislation will be introduced to reform the criminal defence service, making better use of legal aid resources.

My Government believes that the welfare of the child is paramount. A Bill will be introduced to establish a barring and vetting scheme, and other measures to provide better protection for children and vulnerable adults.

Legislation will be introduced to safeguard the welfare of children in circumstances of parental separation and to improve the process of inter-country adoption.

My Government will continue with legislation to provide a new framework for the provision of compulsory treatment of those with mental disorders.

Legislation will be introduced to modernise charity law, to develop a vibrant, diverse and independent charitable sector.

My Government will take forward proposals to introduce an offence of corporate manslaughter.

My Government will bring forward measures to tackle those who incite religious hatred.

Legislation will be introduced to combat discrimination and to establish the Commission for Equality and Human Rights.

My Government is committed to achieving sustainable development and supporting rural services.

Legislation will be brought forward to ensure the better management and protection of the natural environment and to provide support for rural communities.

A Bill to modernise the management of common land will be introduced.

Legislation will be brought forward to help reduce casualties on the roads.

My Government is committed to promoting efficiency, productivity and value for money. Legislation will be introduced to streamline regulatory structures and make it simpler to remove outdated or unnecessary legislation.

Consumer credit law will be updated to provide greater protection for consumers and to create a fairer, more competitive credit market.

Company law will be reformed to encourage greater levels of investment and enterprise.

Members of the House of Commons

Estimates for the Public Services will be laid before you.

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons

My Government will continue to work closely with the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales, and will work to bring about the conditions necessary for the restoration of political institutions in Northern Ireland.

Legislation will be brought forward to encourage greater voter participation in elections while introducing further measures to combat fraud and increase security.

Legislation will also be introduced to reform the National Assembly for Wales.

My Government will bring forward proposals to continue the reform of the House of Lords.

If London is selected to host the 2012 Olympic Games, legislation will be introduced as soon as possible to establish the necessary powers to ensure the delivery of the Games, and that the requirements of the International Olympic Committee are met.

My Government will establish a single system of service law for the Armed Forces.

My Government will bring forward a Bill to give effect to the Constitutional Treaty for the European Union, subject to a referendum. Legislation will be introduced to ratify the treaty of accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the European Union.

Other measures will be laid before you.

My Government will continue to play its full part in international affairs.

The Duke of Edinburgh and I look forward to our visit to Canada later today and to our state visit to Malta in November which precedes the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. We look forward to our visit to Australia in March next year for the opening of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne followed by our State visit to Singapore. We also look forward to receiving Their Majesties King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway in the autumn.

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The United Kingdom will take over the Presidency of the European Union in July, and my Government will work to build an increasingly prosperous and secure Europe.

My Government will use its Presidency of the G8 to secure progress in tackling poverty in Africa and climate change.

My Government will continue to push for a resolution of the conflict in Darfur.

My Government will continue to work to prevent terrorism and the proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, and to combat drug smuggling and international crime.

My Government will work to strengthen commitment to the continued effectiveness of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, and continue to contribute to a modern and representative United Nations.

My Government will work to secure a successful outcome from the United Nations Millennium Review Summit and the Ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organisation in Hong Kong in December.

My Government will support the Iraq Transitional Government and Transitional National Assembly as they write a constitution and prepare for future elections.

My Government will continue to assist the Government of Afghanistan including in its counter-narcotics efforts, and to support better standards of governance throughout the world. Peace in the Middle East will remain one of my Government’s highest priorities.

My Government will work to deepen and develop the strong partnership between Europe and the United States in order to meet these objectives.

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons

I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.

8Queen’s Speech (Motion for an Address),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, as follows:

Most Gracious Sovereign,

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

Ordered, That the Debate be now adjourned.—(Mr Ian Cawsey.)

Debate to be resumed to-morrow.

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

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

10Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Ian Cawsey.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till twenty-eight minutes past Ten o’clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 10.28 p.m.


APPENDIX

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers presented by Her Majesty’s Command and delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on the undermentioned dates during the adjournment pursuant to Standing Order No. 158 (Presentation of command papers):

Friday 8th April 2005

1Treaty Series (No. 12, 2005),—Exchange of Notes, done at The Hague on 5th November 2004, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the International Criminal Court concerning the Relocation of Witnesses [Cm. 6513] [Mr Secretary Straw].

2Treaty Series (No. 13, 2005),—WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, done at Geneva on 21st May 2003 [Cm. 6514] [Mr Secretary Straw].

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Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on the undermentioned dates during the adjournment pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments):

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

Friday 8th April 2005

3Criminal Law,—(1) Bail (Amendment) Act 1993 (Prescription of Prosecuting Authorities) (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1129); and

(2) Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 (Designation of Prosecuting Authorities) (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1130),

dated 7th April 2005, with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [Mr Secretary Clarke].

4Disabled Persons,—Disability Discrimination (Educational Institutions) (Alteration of Leasehold Premises) Regulations 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1070), dated 31st March 2005, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Secretary Ruth Kelly].

5Education,—(1) Education (Residential Trips) (Prescribed Tax Credits) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1014); and

(2) Education (Review of Staffing Structure) (England) Regulations 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1032),

dated 30th March 2005, with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [Secretary Ruth Kelly].

6Revenue and Customs,—(1) Orders for the Delivery of Documents (Procedure) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1131), dated 8th April 2005;

(2) Revenue and Customs (Inspections) Regulations 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1133), dated 7th April 2005; and

(3) Stamp Duty Land Tax (Administration) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1132), dated 8th April 2005,

with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [Dawn Primarolo].

Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on the undermentioned dates on or after Wednesday 11th May 2005, the day on which Parliament was appointed to meet, pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments):

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

Wednesday 11th May 2005

7Agriculture,—Feed (Corn Gluten Feed and Brewers Grains) (Emergency Control) (England) Regulations 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1265), dated 29th April 2005 [Ms Secretary Hewitt].

8Road Traffic,—Passenger and Goods Vehicles (Recording Equipment) (Tachograph Card Fees) Regulations 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1140), dated 8th April 2005, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Mr Secretary Darling].

Thursday 12th May 2005

9Health and Safety,—Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Application to Environmentally Hazardous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1308), dated 9th May 2005, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Mr Secretary Darling].

Other Papers:

Wednesday 11th May 2005

10United Nations,—(1) Sudan (United Nations Measures) Order 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1259), dated 7th May 2005, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer]; and

(2) Sudan (United Nations Measures) (Overseas Territories) Order 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1258) dated 7th May 2005, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Mr Secretary Straw].

Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Tuesday 17th May 2005:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

11Income Tax,—(1) Draft Tax Information Exchange Agreement (Taxes on Income) (Aruba) Order 2005;

(2) draft Tax Information Exchange Agreement (Taxes on Income) (Montserrat) Order 2005;

(3) draft Tax Information Exchange Agreement (Taxes on Income) (Netherlands Antilles) Order 2005; and

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(4) draft Tax Information Exchange Agreement (Taxes on Income) (Virgin Islands) Order 2005

[by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Dawn Primarolo].

Other Papers:

12Air Force (Constitution),—(1) Amendment List 15 to Air Publication 1269 The Royal Air Force—Manual of Medical Management and Administration (Eighth Edition); and

(2) Air Publication 3392—Royal Air Force Manual of Personnel Administration Volume 2, Pay and Personnel (Second Edition) and Volume 3, Allowances (Second Edition)

[by Act] [Secretary John Reid].

13Broadcasting,—Report and Financial Statements of the Channel Four Television Corporation for 2004 [by Act] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].

14Judicial Statistics,—Report by the Lord Chancellor on Judicial Statistics for England and Wales for 2004 [by Command] [Cm. 6565] [Ms Harriet Harman].

15National Audit,—Reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General on—

(1) Department of Health: Innovation in the NHS: Local Improvement Finance Trusts;

(2) Ministry of Defence: Driving the Successful Delivery of Major Defence Projects: Effective Project Control is a Key Factor in Successful Projects; and

(3) Securing strategic leadership for the learning and skills sector in England

[by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 28, 30 and 29] [Clerk of the House].

16Post Office,—Report and Accounts of Royal Mail Holdings plc for the year ended 27th March 2005 [by Act] [Secretary Alan Johnson].

17Public Petitions,—Observations by—

(1) the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on the Petition [22nd March 2005, in the last Session of Parliament] from residents of Wirral South, Birkenhead and others against the closure of the Dell Primary School;

(2) the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on the Petition [9th March, in the last Session of Parliament] from citizens of the United Kingdom against the persecution of the Falun Gong practitioners by the Chinese authorities;

(3) the Secretary of State for the Home Office on the Petitions—

(i) [15th September, in Session 2003–04] from residents of Coatbridge and Chryston for the creation of new offences of motor vehicle manslaughter and aggravated motor vehicle manslaughter;

(ii) [12th October, in Session 2003–04] from the family and friends of Natalie McCabe, Vicky Browne and Rebecca Fish, and others, for legislation to increase the penalties for driving offences, to require the display of a valid driving licence and insurance documents in the windscreens of vehicles and to create a separate category of offence for drivers who cause injury or death while driving without a licence; and

(iii) [3rd February, in the last Session of Parliament] from the residents of Hodge Hill, Birmingham, and the surrounding areas for legislation to provide for tougher sentencing for dangerous driving; and

(4) the Secretary of State for Transport on the Petitions—

(i) [5th April, in the last Session of Parliament] from Mr Cresswell Butters and others for measures to relieve the Wiltshire villages of Stapleford, Stoford, South Newton and parts of Wilton from increased road traffic; and

(ii) [6th April, in the last Session of Parliament] from residents and bus passengers of Walton, Stone, in Staffordshire, for the restoration of the 101 bus service from Walton Corner along the A34 to Aston Island

[by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].

18Statutory Instruments (Notification),—Communication declaring that the undermentioned Statutory Instrument had come into operation before copies were laid before Parliament, and explaining why such copies had not been so laid before the Instruments came into operation:

Rules of the Supreme Court (Northern Ireland) (Amendment No. 3) 2005 (S.R. (N.I.), 2005, No. 191)

[by Standing Order] [The Speaker].

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19Treaty Series (No. 14, 2005),—Convention, done at Brussels on 29th November 1996, on the Accession of the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden to the Convention on Jurisdiction and the Enforcement of Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters and to the Protocol on its interpretation by the Court of Justice, with the Adjustments made to them by the Convention on the Accession of the Kingdom of Denmark, of Ireland and of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, by the Convention on the Accession of the Hellenic Republic and by the Convention on the Accession of the Kingdom of Spain and the Portuguese Republic [by Command] [Cm. 6549] [Mr Secretary Straw].

20Treaty Series (No. 15, 2005),—Exchange of Notes, done at Accra on 8th and 14th January 2003, and 30th January and 10th March 2004, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Ghana concerning Certain Commercial Debts (The United Kingdom/Ghana Debt Agreement No. 3 (2002)) and The United Kingdom/Ghana Debt Agreement No. 3 (2002) Amendment [by Command] [Cm. 6550] [Mr Secretary Straw].


[No. 5.]

Wednesday 18th May 2005.

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

PRAYERS.

1Members take the Oath or make Affirmation,—The following Members took and subscribed the Oath, or made and subscribed the Affirmation required by law:

Stephen Hesfordfor Wirral West
Mark OatenWinchester
Owen William PatersonNorth Shropshire
2Crossrail Bill,—Mr Secretary Darling, supported by the Prime Minister, Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary Margaret Beckett, Mr Secretary Hain, Secretary Alan Johnson, Secretary Tessa Jowell and Derek Twigg, presented a Bill to make provision for a railway transport system running from Maidenhead, in the County of Berkshire, and Heathrow Airport, in the London Borough of Hillingdon, through central London to Shenfield, in the County of Essex, and Abbey Wood, in the London Borough of Greenwich; and for connected purposes: And the same was deemed to be read the first time, pursuant to the Standing Order of 7th April; and was ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 1].

Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Crossrail Bill be printed [Bill 1–EN].

3Consumer Credit Bill,—Secretary Alan Johnson, supported by the Prime Minister, Mr Secretary Prescott, Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Secretary Blunkett, Mr Secretary Darling, Mr Secretary Hain, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe and Bridget Prentice, presented a Bill to amend the Consumer Credit Act 1974; to extend the ombudsman scheme under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 to cover licensees under the Consumer Credit Act 1974; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 2].

Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Consumer Credit Bill be printed [Bill 2–EN].

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

Most Gracious Sovereign,

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

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

Ordered, That the Debate be now adjourned.—(Mr John Heppell.)

Debate to be resumed to-morrow.

5Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr John Heppell.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till eleven minutes to Seven o’clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 6.49 p.m.

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APPENDIX

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1Employment and Training,—Draft Industrial Training Levy (Engineering Construction Board) Order 2005 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Ruth Kelly].

Other Papers:

2Civil Aviation,—Statement on pension determination for spouses of Civil Aviation Authority board members, dated 18th May 2005 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Darling].

3Legal Aid, Advice and Assistance (Northern Ireland),—Account of the Legal Aid Fund (Northern Ireland) for the year ended 31st October 2003, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Statutory Instrument]; to be printed [No. 45] [Clerk of the House].

4Race Relations,—Accounts of the Commission for Racial Equality for 2003–04, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 44] [Clerk of the House].

5School Standards and Framework,—Accounts of—

(1) Bedford Education Action Zone for 1st April 2004 to 9th January 2005;

(2) Bolton Education Action Zone for 1st April 2004 to 10th January 2005;

(3) Bristol Education Action Zone for 2003–04;

(4) Camborne Pool and Redruth Education Action Zone for 1st April 2004 to 9th January 2005;

(5) Corby Education Action Zone for 1st April 2004 to 10th January 2005;

(6) Coventry Education Action Zone for 1st April 2004 to 9th January 2005;

(7) Downham and Bellingham Education Action Zone for 1st April 2004 to 9th January 2005;

(8) East Manchester Education Action Zone for 2003–04;

(9) East Manchester Education Action Zone for 1st April 2004 to 30th November 2004;

(10) Ellesmere Port Education Action Zone for 1st April 2004 to 9th January 2005;

(11) Gloucester Education Action Zone for 1st April 2004 to 9th January 2005;

(12) Hamilton Oxford Education Action Zone for 1st April 2004 to 6th September 2004;

(13) Leigh Park Education Action Zone for 1st April 2004 to 9th January 2005;

(14) North Gillingham Education Action Zone for 1st April 2004 to 9th January 2005;

(15) North West Shropshire Education Action Zone for 2003–04;

(16) Wednesbury Education Action Zone for 1st April 2004 to 30th November 2004; and

(17) Wythenshawe Education Action Zone for 1st April 2004 to 30th November 2004,

with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 10, 22, 14, 18, 13, 19, 12, 23, 24, 17, 21, 8, 11, 20, 15, 9 and 16] [Clerk of the House].


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[No. 6.]

Thursday 19th May 2005.

The House met at half-past Ten o’clock.

1HBOS Group Reorganisation Bill,—Ordered, That the promoters of the HBOS Group Reorganisation Bill which originated in this House in the previous Session on 25th January 2005 may have leave to proceed with the Bill in the current Session according to the provisions of Standing Order 188B (Revival of Bills);

That on the next sitting day following presentation of the Bill, the Clerk in the Private Bill Office shall lay the Bill on the Table of the House.—(The Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.)

Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.

2London Local Authorities and Transport for London Bill,—Ordered, That the promoters of the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Bill which originated in this House in the previous Session on 25th January 2005 may have leave to proceed with the Bill in the current Session according to the provisions of Standing Order 188B (Revival of Bills);

That, on the next sitting day following presentation of the Bill, the Clerk in the Private Bill Office shall lay the Bill on the Table of the House.—(The Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.)

Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.

3Members take the Oath or make Affirmation,—The following Members took and subscribed the Oath, or made and subscribed the Affirmation required by law:

George Gallowayfor Bethnal Green and Bow
Dan NorrisWansdyke
Patrick HallBedford
4Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows:

The Lords have come to the following Resolutions, to which they desire the agreement of this House:

That the promoters of the Liverpool City Council (Prohibition of Smoking in Places of Work) Bill which was introduced in the House of Lords in the previous Session on 24th January 2005 should have leave to proceed with the Bill in the current Session in accordance with the provisions of House of Lords Private Business Standing Order 150B (Revival of bills).

That the promoters of the London Local Authorities Bill which was introduced in the House of Lords in the previous Session on 24th January 2005 should have leave to proceed with the Bill in the current Session in accordance with the provisions of House of Lords Private Business Standing Order 150B (Revival of bills).

That the promoters of the London Local Authorities (Prohibition of Smoking in Places of Work) Bill which was introduced in the House of Lords in the previous Session on 24th January 2005 should have leave to proceed with the Bill in the current Session in accordance with the provisions of House of Lords Private Business Standing Order 150B (Revival of bills).

5Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill,—Secretary Margaret Beckett, supported by the Prime Minister, Mr Secretary Prescott, Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Secretary Darling, Mr Secretary Hain and Jim Knight, presented a Bill to make provision about bodies concerned with the natural environment and rural communities; to make provision in connection with wildlife, sites of special scientific interest, National Parks and the Broads; to amend the law relating to rights of way; to make provision as to the Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council; to provide for flexible administrative arrangements in connection with functions relating to the environment and rural affairs and certain other functions; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Monday 23rd May and to be printed [Bill 3].

Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill be printed [Bill 3–EN].

6Transport (Wales) Bill,—Mr Secretary Hain, supported by the Prime Minister, Mr Secretary Prescott, Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Secretary Darling, Secretary Alan Johnson, Mr Secretary Clarke, Mr John Hutton, Bridget Prentice and Nick Ainger, presented a Bill to make provision about transport to, from and within Wales: And the

Page 22      Thursday 19th May 2005       2005-2006      Volume 262      Back to top

  same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Monday 23rd May and to be printed [Bill 4].

Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Transport (Wales) Bill be printed [Bill 4–EN].

7Queen’s Speech (Motion for an Address),—The Order of the day being read, for resuming the adjourned Debate on the Question proposed on 17th May, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, as follows:

Most Gracious Sovereign,

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

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

Ordered, That the Debate be now adjourned.—(Mr John Heppell.)

Debate to be resumed on Monday 23rd May.

8Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr John Heppell.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till twenty-nine minutes past Six o’clock, adjourned till Monday 23rd May.

[Adjourned at 6.29 p.m.


APPENDIX

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Other Papers:

1Assembly Pensions (Northern Ireland),—Accounts of the—

(1) Assembly Contributory Pension Fund for 1999–2000;

(2) Assembly Contributory Pension Fund for 2000–01;

(3) Assembly Contributory Pension Fund for 2001–02;

(4) Members’ Contributory Pension (Northern Ireland) Fund for 1999–2000;

(5) Members’ Contributory Pension (Northern Ireland) Fund for 2000–01; and

(6) Members’ Contributory Pension (Northern Ireland) Fund for 2001–02,

with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Statutory Instrument]; to be printed [Nos. 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 and 42] [Mr Secretary Hain].

2Miscellaneous (No. 1, 2005),—OCCAR Security Agreement, done at Paris on 24th September 2004, between the Government of the French Republic, the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium, the Government of the Italian Republic and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Cm. 6554] [Mr Secretary Straw].

3School Standards and Framework,—Accounts of—

(1) Clacton and Harwich Education Action Zone for 1st April 2004 to 9th January 2005;

(2) Hackney Education Action Zone for 1st April to 30th November 2004;

(3) Hastings and St Leonard’s Education Action Zone for 2003–04;

(4) Kent and Somerset Education Action Zone for 1st April to 30th November 2004;

(5) Wolverhampton Education Action Zone for 1st April 2004 to 9th January 2005,

with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55] [Clerk of the House].

4Social Security (Northern Ireland),—Accounts of the Northern Ireland Social Security Agency Social Fund for 2001–02, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Statutory Instrument]; to be printed [No. 31] [Mr Secretary Hain].

5Treaty Series (No. 16, 2005),—Convention, done at Brussels on 21st December 1995, on the Accession of the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden to the Convention on the Elimination of Double Taxation in Connection with the Adjustment of Profits of Associated Enterprises, with Minutes of Signing [by Command] [Cm. 6551] [Mr Secretary Straw].



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