| Session 2005-2006 |
| Commons Journal 262
Chronological Index
Page 874 2005-2006 Volume 262 [No. 206.] Monday 6th November 2006. The House met at half-past Two o’clock. PRAYERS.
Lords Message considered accordingly. Ordered, That the promoters of the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Bill should have leave to suspend any further proceedings on the bill in order to proceed with it, if they think fit, in the next session of Parliament according to the provisions of Private Business Standing Order 188A (Suspension of bills).—(Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.) Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.
Lords Message considered accordingly. Resolved, That this House concurs with the Lords in their Resolution. Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.
Lords Message considered accordingly. Resolved, That this House concurs with the Lords in their Resolution. Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.
Lords Message considered accordingly. Resolved, That this House concurs with the Lords in their Resolution. Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.
Bill, as so far amended in the Standing Committee, to lie upon the Table. Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
The Lords disagree to certain of the Amendments made by this House to the Companies Bill for which disagreement they assign their Reasons; they disagree to an Amendment made by this House but propose Amendments in lieu thereof to which they desire the concurrence of this House; and they agree without Amendment to the remaining Amendments made by this House. Page 875 Monday 6th November 2006 2005-2006 Volume 262 Back to top The Lords communicate that they have come to the following resolution: That, if a Crossrail Bill is brought from the House of Commons in the next Session of Parliament, the Standing Orders of the House applicable to the Bill, so far as complied with or dispensed with in this Session or in the Session 2004–05, shall be deemed to have been complied with or (as the case may be) dispensed with in the next Session. The Lords agree to the Armed Forces Bill, with Amendments, to which they desire the concurrence of this House.
Consideration of Lords Message 1. Proceedings on consideration of the Lords Message shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement at this day’s sitting. Subsequent stages 2. Any further Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question being put. 3. The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement—(Huw Irranca-Davies):—It was agreed to.
A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That this House disagrees with Lords Amendment No. 4A, insists on its Amendments Nos. 5 and 16, and proposes Amendment ((a)) to the Bill in lieu thereof—(Andy Burnham); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Steve McCabe, Mr Dave Watts: 285. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Crispin Blunt, Michael Fabricant: 187. So the Question was agreed to.
And a Motion being made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 58 (Consolidation bills), That the Bill be now read a second time:—It was agreed to. The Bill was accordingly read a second time. A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, That the Bill be not committed—(Liz Blackman):—It was agreed to. A Motion was made, 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, without Amendment.
And a Motion being made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 58 (Consolidation bills) and Order [26th October], That the Bill be now read a second time:—It was agreed to. The Bill was accordingly read a second time. Page 876 Monday 6th November 2006 2005-2006 Volume 262 Back to top A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, That the Bill be not committed—(Liz Blackman):—It was agreed to. A Motion was made, 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, without Amendment.
And a Motion being made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 58 (Consolidation bills), That the Bill be now read a second time:—It was agreed to. The Bill was accordingly read a second time. A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, That the Bill be not committed—(Liz Blackman):—It was agreed to. A Motion was made, 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, without Amendment.
Consideration of Lords Amendments 1. Proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion two hours after their commencement at this day’s sitting. Subsequent stages 2. Any further Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question being put. 3. The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement—(Liz Blackman):—It was agreed to.
Lords Amendments Nos. 1 to 70 were agreed to.
The Lords do not insist on their Amendments to the NHS Redress Bill [Lords] to which this House has agreed; they do not insist on their disagreement to the Amendments proposed by this House on which this House has insisted; and they agree without Amendment to the Amendment proposed by this House in lieu.
Lords Amendments Nos. 5B to 5H were agreed to. A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House insists on its disagreement with the Lords in their Amendment No. 36 but proposes Amendments ((a) and (b)) to the Bill in lieu thereof—(Secretary John Reid); And it being one hour after the commencement of proceedings on the Lords Message, the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Order [24th October]:—It was agreed to. The Deputy Speaker then put the remaining Question necessary to bring proceedings to a conclusion. A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That this House insists on its disagreement with the Lords in their Amendments Nos. 81 to 84 but proposes Amendments ((a) and (b)) to the Bill in lieu thereof—(Secretary John Reid); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Liz Blackman, Jonathan Shaw: 298. Tellers for the Noes, Angela Watkinson, Sir Robert Smith: 204. So the Question was agreed to. Page 877 Monday 6th November 2006 2005-2006 Volume 262 Back to top
Consideration of Lords Message 1. Proceedings on consideration of the Lords Message shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement at this day’s sitting. Subsequent stages 2. Any further Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question being put. 3. The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement—(Mr Ian Cawsey):—It was agreed to.
Resolved, That this House does not insist on Commons Amendment No. 1 to which the Lords have disagreed and that Amendments ((a) and (b)) be made to the words so restored to the Bill.—(Dr Stephen Ladyman.) A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That this House insists on its Amendment No. 5 to which the Lords have disagreed and disagrees to Amendments Nos. 5A and 5B proposed by the Lords—(Dr Stephen Ladyman); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Frank Roy, Liz Blackman: 289. Tellers for the Noes, Michael Fabricant, Andrew Selous: 183. So the Question was agreed to. And it being one hour after the commencement of proceedings on the Lords Amendments, the Deputy Speaker put the remaining Question necessary to bring proceedings to a conclusion, pursuant to Order [this day]. A Motion was made and the Question being put, That this House insists on Commons Amendment No. 6 to which the Lords have disagreed—(Dr Stephen Ladyman); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Michael Foster, Tony Cunningham: 299. Tellers for the Noes, Michael Fabricant, Andrew Selous: 179. So the Question was agreed to. Page 878 Monday 6th November 2006 2005-2006 Volume 262 Back to top A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 83H (Programme orders: reasons committee), That a Committee be appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for insisting on Amendments Nos. 5 and 6 and for disagreeing to their Amendments Nos. 5A and 5B; That Mr Henry Bellingham, Mr Alistair Carmichael, Dr Stephen Ladyman, Mr Frank Roy and Mr Andrew Slaughter be members of the Committee; That Dr Stephen Ladyman be the Chairman of the Committee; That three be the Quorum of the Committee. That the Committee do withdraw immediately—(Mr Ian Cawsey):—It was agreed to.
Consideration of Lords Message 1. Proceedings on consideration of the Lords Message shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement at this day’s sitting. Subsequent stages 2. Any further Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question being put. 3. The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement—(Mr Ian Cawsey):—It was agreed to.
The Commons insist on Amendment No. 5 and disagree to Lords Amendments Nos. 5A and 5B for the following Reason: Because it is undesirable to make regulations about retro-reflective tape when European and international legislation about it is being prepared. The Commons insist on Amendment No. 6 for the following Reason: Because it is undesirable for a custodial sentence not to be available on summary conviction of the offence of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving. The Reasons were agreed to. Message to the Lords to communicate the said Reasons, with the Bill and Amendments.
Lords Amendments Nos. 153A, 237A and 250A were agreed to.
Consideration of Lords Message 1. Any Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question being put. 2. Proceedings on that Message shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement at this day’s sitting. Page 879 Monday 6th November 2006 2005-2006 Volume 262 Back to top Subsequent stages 3. Any further Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question being put. 4. The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement—(Mr Ian Cawsey):—It was agreed to.
Resolved, That this House does not insist on its Amendment No. 245 and agrees to Lords Amendments Nos. 245A and 245B in lieu thereof.—(Margaret Hodge.) Resolved, That this House does not insist on its Amendments Nos. 671, 954 and 957.—(Margaret Hodge.)
(1) at the sittings this day and on Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th November, the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until any Message from the Lords has been received and any Committee to draw up Reasons which has been appointed at that sitting has reported; (2) at the sitting on Wednesday 8th November, the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until a Message from the Lords Commissioners has been received; and (3) on Wednesday 8th November, there shall be no sitting in Westminster Hall— (Mr John Heppell):—It was agreed to.
And it being Ten o’clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put.
And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till twenty-one minutes past Ten o’clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 10.21 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 3rd November 2006 pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments): Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Page 880 Monday 6th November 2006 2005-2006 Volume 262 Back to top Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 6th November 2006: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
(2) draft Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) (No. 3) Order 2006 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Mr Secretary Alexander]. Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Application to Service Courts) (Evidence) Order 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 2890); (3) Standing Civilian Courts (Evidence) Rules 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 2891); (4) Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to Courts–Martial) Order 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 2886); (5) Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to Standing Civilian Courts) Order 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 2888); and (6) Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to the Courts–Martial Appeal Court) Order 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 2887), dated 30th October 2006 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Secretary Des Browne]. Other Papers:
Page 881 Monday 6th November 2006 2005-2006 Volume 262 Back to top
APPENDIX II Reports from Select Committees
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Citizenship Education]; to be printed [No. 581-vii] [Mr Barry Sheerman].
[No. 207.] Tuesday 7th November 2006. The House met at half-past Two o’clock. PRAYERS.
The Lords do not insist on their Amendments to the Police and Justice Bill to which this House has disagreed; and they agree without Amendment to the Amendments proposed by this House in lieu of those Amendments. The Lords do not insist on their disagreements to certain Amendments made by this House to the Road Safety Bill [Lords]; they do not insist on their Amendments in lieu of one of those disagreements; and they agree without Amendment to the Amendments proposed by this House. The Lords agree, without Amendment, to the Amendments made by this House to the Charities Bill [Lords].
Consideration of Lords Amendments 1. Proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion two hours after their commencement at this day’s sitting. Page 882 Tuesday 7th November 2006 2005-2006 Volume 262 Back to top Subsequent stages 2. Any further Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question being put. 3. The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement—(Liz Blackman):—It was agreed to.
Lords Amendments Nos. 1 to 9 were agreed to. A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That consequential Amendment ((a)) be made to the Bill—(Mr David Heath); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Adrian Sanders, Jenny Willott: 210. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Michael Foster, Jonathan Shaw: 298. So the Question was negatived. Lords Amendments Nos. 10 to 29 were agreed to, the Commons being willing to waive their privileges in respect of Lords Amendment No. 19. Lords Amendment No. 30. A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House agrees with the Lords in their Amendment—(Mr Pat McFadden); And it being two hours after the commencement of proceedings on consideration of the Lords Amendments, the Deputy Speaker, pursuant to Order [this day], put the Question already proposed from the Chair:—It was agreed to. Lords Amendments Nos. 31 to 46 were agreed to.
Consideration of Lords Message 1. Any Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question being put. 2. Proceedings on consideration of any Lords Message that may be received shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion three hours after their commencement at this day’s sitting. 3. The proceedings shall be taken in the following order, namely any Lords Amendments relating to pardons for servicemen executed for offences committed during the First World War, any other Lords Amendments. Subsequent stages 4. Any further Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question being put. Page 883 Tuesday 7th November 2006 2005-2006 Volume 262 Back to top 5. The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement—(Mr Ian Cawsey):—It was agreed to.
Lords Amendments Nos. 51, 65 and 1 to 46 were agreed to. Lords Amendment No. 47. A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House agrees with the Lords in their Amendment—(Derek Twigg); And it being three hours after the commencement of proceedings on consideration of the Lords Amendments, the Speaker, pursuant to Order [this day], put the Question already proposed from the Chair:—It was agreed to. Lords Amendments Nos. 48 to 50, 52 to 64 and 66 to 77 were agreed to, the Commons being willing to waive their privileges in respect of Lords Amendment No. 55.
And it being Ten o’clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put.
And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till twelve minutes past Ten o’clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 10.12 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) Dangerous Substances and Preparations (Safety) Regulations 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 2916), dated 6th November 2006 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Mr Secretary Darling].
(2) Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1702], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Secretary John Reid]. Page 884 Tuesday 7th November 2006 2005-2006 Volume 262 Back to top
(2) Local Government (Early Termination of Employment) (Discretionary Compensation) (England and Wales) Regulations 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 2914), dated 6th November 2006 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Ruth Kelly].
Other Papers:
(2) Government Response to the Fifteenth Report from the House of Lords Constitution Committee, Session 2005–06, on Waging War: Parliament’s role and responsibility [by Command] [Cms. 6943 and 6923] [Ms Harriet Harman].
(2) Resource Accounts of the Department for Work and Pensions for 2005–06, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1710] [John Healey].
APPENDIX II Standing Committees European Standing Committees
Page 885 Tuesday 7th November 2006 2005-2006 Volume 262 Back to top APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(2) Memorandum laid before the Committee [DCMS Annual Report 2006 and responsibilities of the Secretary of State]; to be printed [No. 1551-i] [Mr John Whittingdale].
(2) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [The Future of the UK’s Strategic Nuclear Deterrent: the manufacturing and skills base]; to be printed [No. 1705-i] [Mr James Arbuthnot].
(2) Twelfth Report from the Committee [Transport Emissions: Government Response to the Committee’s Ninth Report on Reducing Carbon Emissions from Transport], together with an Appendix; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 1718]; and (3) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee [Policy Appraisal and RIAs]; to be printed [No. 1698-ii] [Mr Tim Yeo].
(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Ministerial Correspondence] [Michael Connarty].
(2) Thirty-first Report from the Committee [Legislative Scrutiny: Final Progress Report], together with Appendices; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 1715]; and (3) Thirty-second Report from the Committee [The Human Rights Act: The DCA and Home Office Reviews], together with the Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 1716] [Mr Andrew Dismore].
Page 886 Tuesday 7th November 2006 2005-2006 Volume 262 Back to top (2) Memoranda laid before the Committee [Financial inclusion: credit, savings, advice and insurance]; and (3) Thirteenth Report from the Committee [“Banking the unbanked”: banking services, the Post Office Card Account, and financial inclusion]; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 1717] [Mr John McFall]. [No. 207; WH, No. 136] Tuesday 7th November 2006. The House sitting in Westminster Hall The sitting began at half-past Nine o’clock.
And it being Two o’clock, the sitting was adjourned without Question put. [Adjourned at 2 p.m. [No. 208.] Wednesday 8th November 2006. The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock. PRAYERS.
Mr Speaker, The Lords, authorised by virtue of Her Majesty’s Commission, for declaring Her Royal Assent to several Acts agreed upon by both Houses, and for proroguing the present Parliament, desire the immediate attendance of this Honourable House in the House of Peers, to hear the Commission read. Accordingly the Speaker, with the House, went up to the House of Peers, where a Commission was read, giving, declaring and notifying the Royal Assent to several Acts, and for proroguing this present Parliament. The Royal Assent was given to the following Acts:— Civil Aviation Act 2006 Fraud Act 2006 Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 Parliamentary Costs Act 2006 Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 Emergency Workers (Obstruction) Act 2006 Education and Inspections Act 2006 National Health Service Act 2006 National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 NHS Redress Act 2006 Animal Welfare Act 2006 Companies Act 2006 Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 Police and Justice Act 2006 Road Safety Act 2006 Charities Act 2006 Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 Armed Forces Act 2006. Page 887 Wednesday 8th November 2006 2005-2006 Volume 262 Back to top And afterwards Her Majesty’s Most Gracious Speech was delivered to both Houses of Parliament by the Lord High Chancellor (in pursuance of Her Majesty’s Command), as follows: My Lords and Members of the House of Commons My Government has pursued policies which entrench stability and promote long-term growth and prosperity. My Government has secured low inflation and sound public finances. My Government has continued its programme of reform of the public services to promote opportunity and fairness. Legislation was brought forward in the key areas of public service delivery: education; health; welfare; and crime. Education has remained my Government’s main priority. An Act has been passed to increase diversity and choice in the provision of schooling, ensure fair access, and build on the progress already made to improve educational standards for all. Legislation has been enacted to offer greater support for working families by extending maternity and adoption pay, paternity leave, and rights to flexible working. My Government has continued to reform the National Health Service in a way that maintains its founding principles. An Act has been passed to make healthcare provision more responsive to the needs of patients, improve hospital hygiene and enable the restriction of smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces. Legislation has been enacted to support patients who wish to seek redress should they experience problems with their healthcare. My Government has continued its reform of the welfare state, in order to reduce poverty further, offer greater equality, and match rights with responsibilities. Legislation has been introduced to facilitate a return to employment for people with health conditions, while offering long-term support for those unable to work, and to reform housing benefit. My Government has begun long-term reform to provide sustainable income for those in retirement. An Act has been passed to improve protection of consumers by bringing home reversion and home purchase plans within the scope of the Financial Services Authority. My Government remains committed to creating safe and secure communities and fostering a culture of respect. Legislation has been enacted to enable an identity cards scheme to be introduced. An Act has been passed that gives police and local communities new powers to tackle knives, guns and alcohol-related violence. Further legislation has been enacted to tighten the immigration and asylum system in a way that is fair, flexible, and in the economic interests of the country. An Act has been passed which will continue the fight against terrorism in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. Legislation has been enacted to reform the criminal defence service, making better use of legal aid resources. My Government believes that the welfare of the child is paramount. An Act has been passed to prevent those deemed unsuitable from gaining access to children or vulnerable adults through their work. Legislation has been enacted to safeguard the welfare of children in circumstances of parental separation and to improve the process of inter-country adoption. An Act has been passed that modernises charity law, to develop a vibrant, diverse and independent charitable sector. Legislation has been brought forward to introduce an offence of corporate manslaughter. An Act has been passed to tackle those who incite religious hatred. Legislation has been enacted to combat discrimination and to establish the Commission for Equality and Human Rights. My Government has taken action to achieve sustainable development and support rural services. Legislation has been enacted to ensure the better management and protection of the natural environment and to provide support for rural communities. Page 888 Wednesday 8th November 2006 2005-2006 Volume 262 Back to top An Act has been passed to modernise the management of common land. Legislation has been enacted to help reduce casualties on the roads. My Government is committed to promoting efficiency, productivity and value for money. An Act has been passed to streamline regulatory structures and make it simpler to remove outdated or unnecessary legislation. Consumer credit law has been updated and will provide greater protection for consumers and create a fairer, more competitive credit market. Company law has been reformed to encourage greater levels of investment and enterprise. Members of the House of Commons I thank you for the provision you have made for the work and dignity of the Crown and for the public service. My Lords and Members of the House of Commons My Government continues to work closely with the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales, and has continued to work to bring about the conditions necessary for the restoration of devolved institutions in Northern Ireland. Legislation has been enacted to encourage greater voter participation in elections while introducing further measures to combat fraud and increase security. An Act has also been passed to reform the National Assembly for Wales. As London was selected to host the 2012 Olympic Games, an Act has been passed to establish the necessary powers to deliver the Games, and to meet the requirements of the International Olympic Committee. My Government has established a single system of service law for the Armed Forces. Legislation has been passed to ratify the treaty of accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the European Union. Draft legislation has been published on the reforms to legal services, the courts and tribunals and to the coroner system. Other important measures have been enacted. My Government has continued to play its full part in international affairs. The Duke of Edinburgh and I were pleased to pay a visit to Canada and then a State visit to Malta, before the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. We were pleased to visit Australia for the opening of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, followed by our State visit to Singapore. We were also pleased to pay State visits to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia last month. And we were pleased to receive Their Majesties King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway, and President Hu Jintao of China and President Lula da Silva of Brazil. The United Kingdom held the Presidency of the European Union between July and December 2005, during which time my Government worked to build an increasingly prosperous and secure Europe. My Government used its Presidency of the G8 to secure progress in tackling poverty in Africa and climate change. My Government has continued to push for a resolution of the conflict in Darfur. My Government has continued to work to prevent terrorism and the proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, and to combat drug smuggling and international crime. My Government has worked to strengthen commitment to the continued effectiveness of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, and has continued to contribute to a modern and representative United Nations. My Government worked to secure a successful outcome from the United Nations Review Summit and continues to strive for a successful conclusion to the Doha round of World Trade Organisation talks. In Iraq, my Government has supported the election of a new Parliament and the formation of a Government of National Unity, based on the permanent new Constitution written and agreed by the people of Iraq. My Government has continued 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 remains one of my Government’s highest priorities. Page 889 Wednesday 8th November 2006 2005-2006 Volume 262 Back to top My Government has worked 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. After which the Lord Chancellor said: My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, By virtue of Her Majesty’s Commission which has now been read, we do, in Her Majesty’s name, and in obedience to Her Majesty’s Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Wednesday, the fifteenth day of this instant November, to be then here holden, and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Wednesday the fifteenth day of November. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
(2) Resource Accounts of the— (i) Department of Agriculture and Rural Development; (ii) Department of Education; and (iii) Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation; and (3) Statements of the Department of Education—Teachers’ Superannuation Scheme for 2005–06, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Statutory Instrument]; to be printed [Nos. 1609, 1628, 1606, 1608 and 1621] [Mr Secretary Hain].
Page 890 Wednesday 8th November 2006 2005-2006 Volume 262 Back to top APPENDIX II Reports from Select Committees
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