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Mr. Hutton: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. I have tried to make it clear that the failures of the agency are not the fault of the staff. We all have to look to our own actionswe passed the legislation, and we have contributed to the problem; we should be clear about that. I agree with him about the need for the new commission to offer a much more customer-focused service that is more efficient and friendly, and I think that it will be able to do that. Dropping benefit compulsion could probably reduce the flow of new cases into the system by about two thirds to three quarters. That is one of the fundamental pieces of the new systemhe called it architectureand better delivery of a customer service will follow from that.
Mr. Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): May I seek the urgent help and assistance of the Secretary of State and his officials with regard to the bizarre and extraordinary treatment of my constituent, Mr. Thorpe, who is a compliant and part-resident parent? Until July this year, he had a nil assessment from the Child Support Agency, but he is now being chased by a debt collection agency that, on the CSAs instructions, wants to recover debts of some £226,000.
Mr. Hutton: Obviously, I know absolutely nothing about that particular case, but I am happy to look into it for the hon. Gentleman.
Mr. Nick Hurd, supported by Gregory Barker, Mr. Richard Benyon, Mr. Douglas Carswell, Mr. Martin Caton, Colin Challen, Mr. David Chaytor, Jim Dowd, Mr. David Drew, Julia Goldsworthy, Mr. Michael Meacher and Dr. Desmond Turner, presented a Bill to make provision for the Secretary of State to publish action plans in connection with promoting the sustainability of local communities and to enable local authorities and local communities to participate in the formulation and implementation of those plans; to require the Secretary of State to provide information on government spending in local authority areas to local authorities upon request; to make provision for local authorities to produce local spending plans; to require the Secretary of State to approve and implement those plans; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time on Friday 19 January, and to be printed [Bill 17].
Mr. Tim Yeo, supported by Peter Bottomley, Sir John Butterfill, Mr. David Chaytor, Mr. David Heathcoat-Amory, Mr. David Kidney, Mr. Robert Marshall-Andrews, Lembit Öpik, Richard Ottaway, Dr. Desmond Turner, Mr. John Whittingdale and Sir George Young, presented a Bill to advance time by one hour throughout the year to create lighter evenings, for an experimental period; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time on Friday 26 January, and to be printed [Bill 18].
Mrs. Caroline Spelman, supported by Mr. Eric Pickles, Alistair Burt, Mr. Robert Syms, Mrs. Jacqui Lait, Greg Clark, Mr. Greg Hands, Robert Neill, Mrs. Eleanor Laing, Mr. James Arbuthnot, Michael Gove and Michael Fabricant, presented a Bill to make provision for the protection of gardens and urban green space; to confer on local authorities powers to set housing density targets; to make provision about the transfer of land formerly used for economic purposes to residential use; to transfer to local authorities certain powers relating to housing and planning; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time on Friday 2 February, and to be printed [Bill 19].
Mr. Gary Streeter, supported by Mrs. Joan Humble, Danny Alexander, Dr. Hywel Francis, Mr. Stephen Dorrell, Angela Browning, Mr. Tom Clarke, Mrs. Janet Dean, Annette Brooke, Mr. Brooks Newmark, Alison Seabeck and Mrs. Betty Williams, presented a Bill to make provision about the assessment and delivery of short breaks and respite care for carers of disabled children; to amend the law relating to disabled children and their carers; to place duties on local authorities and the National Health Service in respect of disabled children and their carers; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time on Friday 23 February, and to be printed [Bill 20].
Graham Stringer, supported by Mr. George Howarth, Ann Coffey, Helen Jones, Clive Efford, Mr. Lee Scott, Mr. Mike Hancock, Geraldine Smith, Jim Cousins, Jane Kennedy, Mr. Clive Betts and Ian Stewart, presented a Bill to make provision for the establishment of a compulsory registration scheme for off-road vehicles; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time on Friday 2 March, and to be printed[Bill 21].
Mr. Robert Walter, supported by Derek Conway, Mr. John Redwood, Bill Etherington, Angela Browning, Mr. Christopher Fraser, Mr. Nigel Evans, David Taylor, Mr. Christopher Chope, Derek Wyatt, Mr. James Clappison and Peter Luff, presented a Bill to provide for the Speaker of the House of Commons to have power to determine the eligibility of members of the House of Commons to participate in certain legislative and other proceedings of the House: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time on Friday 9 March, and to be printed [Bill 22].
Sir John Butterfill, supported by Mr. Adrian Bailey, Dr. Vincent Cable, Mr. Christopher Chope, Mr. David Curry, Kelvin Hopkins, Mr. Andrew Love, Mr. Elfyn Llwyd, Sarah McCarthy-Fry, Mr. Ken Purchase, Mr. Mike Weir and Sir Nicholas Winterton, presented a Bill to remove existing funding limits in respect of building societies, subject to regulation by the
Financial Services Authority; to provide consequential rights to building society members; and to enable specified categories of mutual organisations to transfer engagements to one another or to a company: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time on Friday 23 March, and to be printed [Bill 23].
Paul Farrelly, supported by Charlotte Atkins, Colin Burgon, Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, Mr. Kevan Jones, Mr. Bob Laxton, Mr. Andrew Love, Ann McKechin, Mr. George Mudie, Geraldine Smith, Ian Stewart and Derek Wyatt, presented a Bill to prohibit discrimination against temporary and agency workers; to make provision about the enforcement of rights of such workers; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time on Friday 2 March, and to be printed [Bill 24].
Mr. Martin Caton, supported by Gregory Barker, Colin Challen, Mr. John Gummer, David Howarth, Mr. Nick Hurd, Mr. Michael Meacher, Mr. Elliot Morley, Andrew Stunell, Joan Walley, Dr. Alan Whitehead and Mr. Tim Yeo, presented a Bill to enable local planning authorities to make certain requirements regarding the generation, conservation and use of energy; to require local planning authorities to consider specifying requirements for the generation of renewable and low carbon energy and the imposition of energy efficiency standards when determining planning applications; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time on Friday 19 January, and to be printed [Bill 25].
Richard Ottaway, supported by Mr. Greg Knight, Mr. John Maples, Derek Wyatt, Mr. Greg Pope, Mr. Phil Willis, Mr. Malcolm Moss and Mr. Nigel Evans, presented a Bill to make further provision about the retention of vehicle registration marks pending transfer: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time on Friday 23 March, and to be printed [Bill 26].
Mr. Roger Godsiff, supported by Mr. Mohammad Sarwar, Mr. Marsha Singh, Mr. Piara S. Khabra, Mike Gapes, Mr. George Mudie, Kelvin Hopkins, Dr. Brian Iddon, Mr. Khalid Mahmood, Mr. Gordon Prentice, Mrs. Ann Cryer and Mr. John Spellar, presented a Bill to make it an offence to campaign in prescribed areas around polling stations on the day of certain elections; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time on Friday 23 February, and to be printed [Bill 27].
Mr. Shailesh Vara, supported by David Davis, Mr. Dominic Grieve, Patrick Mercer, Mr. Edward Garnier, Mr. Jonathan Djanogly, Mr. Frank Field, Mr. Lindsay Hoyle, Lady Hermon, Mr. Rob Wilson,
Mr. Stewart Jackson and Dr. Richard Taylor, presented a Bill to amend section 3 of the Criminal Law Act 1967 and section 3 of the Criminal Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1967 in relation to the use of force in the prevention of crime or in the defence of persons or property: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time on Friday 9 March, and to be printed [Bill 28].
Mr. Alan Duncan, supported by Mr. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mrs. Nadine Dorries, James Duddridge, Mr. Nigel Evans, Charles Hendry, Kate Hoey, Mr. Lindsay Hoyle, Mr. Bob Laxton, Anne Main, Mr. Mark Prisk and Mr. Graham Stuart, presented a Bill to make provision about standards of streetscape and highways design; to require the Secretary of State to provide guidance and advice to local authorities and the Highways Agency on streetscape and highways design; to require local authorities to publish policies on the quality of design of traffic signs and highway developments; to require local authorities to have regard to such policies when causing or permitting traffic signs to be placed on or near a road or when carrying out highways work; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time on Friday 9 March [Bill 29].
Mr. John Hayes, supported by Greg Clark, Michael Gove, Mr. Brian Binley, Mr. Iain Duncan-Smith, Angela Watkinson, Mr. Jeffrey M. Donaldson, David Taylor, Andrew Rosindell, Mr. Lee Scott, Mr. Stewart Jackson and John Bercow, presented a Bill to exempt persons with cystic fibrosis from charges for drugs, medicines, appliances and pharmaceutical services; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time on Friday 23 March, and to be printed [Bill 30].
Mr. Barry Sheerman, supported by Mr. Tim Boswell, Mr. David Chaytor, Fiona Mactaggart, Mr. Rob Wilson, Jeff Ennis, Mr. Gordon Marsden, Helen Jones, Tim Farron, Paul Holmes, Dr. Tony Wright and Mr. David Curry, presented a Bill to make provision about post-16 education and training; to amend the law relating to the definition of compulsory school age; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time on Friday 23 February, and to be printed [Bill 31].
John McDonnell, supported by Ms Katy Clark, Alan Keen, Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, Mr. Neil Gerrard, Mr. Austin Mitchell, Nia Griffith, Jon Cruddas, Jon Trickett, Mr. Andrew Dismore, Kelvin Hopkins and Mrs Siân C. James, presented a Bill to make provision for the law relating to the rights and freedoms of workers and of trade unions, the regulation of relations between employers and workers, protection of employment in lawful industrial action, and remedies in trade disputes; and for connected
purposes: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time on Friday 2 March, and to be printed [Bill 32].
Sarah McCarthy-Fry, supported by Mr. David Drew, Tony Baldry, Mr. Mike Hancock, Lyn Brown, Mr. Roger Gale, Ms Diana R. Johnson, Mr. John Whittingdale, Lynda Waltho, Mr. David Anderson, Andrew Gwynne and Laura Moffat, presented a Bill to prohibit the sale, manufacture, hire, loan, importation or use of electric shock training devices; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time on Friday 2 February, and to be printed [Bill 33].
Mr. Michael Meacher, supported by Alan Simpson, Mr. Neil Gerrard, David Taylor, Adam Price, Dr. Vincent Cable, Mr. Nicholas Brown, Mike Penning, Peter Bottomley, Mr. Don Foster, Mr. David Chaytor and Mark Fisher, presented a Bill to require the Secretary of State to lay before the House of Commons a mechanism for obtaining the approval of that House for the deployment of British forces for armed conflict: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time on Friday 2 February, and to be printed [Bill 34].
Emily Thornberry, supported by Dr. Phyllis Starkey, Ms Karen Buck, Mr. Clive Betts, Mike Gapes, Mr. Andrew Love, Jeremy Corbyn, Mr. Andrew Slaughter, Ms Dawn Butler, Mr. Sadiq Khan, Dr. Roberta Blackman-Woods and Harry Cohen presented a Bill to make provision about the rights and representation of housing association residents; to make requirements of housing associations in relation to service delivery; to make further provision for the regulation of housing associations; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time on Friday 2 March, and to be printed [Bill 35].
Mr. Francis Maude, supported by Mr. Tim Boswell, Greg Clark, Mrs. Nadine Dorries, Mr. Nick Gibb, Charles Hendry, Nick Herbert, Tim Loughton, Mr. Andrew Tyrie and Mr. Nicholas Soames, presented a Bill to require an audit of existing or planned infrastructure in areas of significant housing development: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time on Friday 26 January, and to be printed [Bill 36].
Motion made, and Question put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 60 (Tax law rewrite bills),
That the Income Tax Bill be proceeded with as a tax law rewrite Bill. [Tony Cunningham.]
Motion made, and Question put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118(6) (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation),
That the draft Petroleum Act 1998 (Third Party Access) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 20th November, be approved. [Tony Cunningham.]
Motion made, and Question put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118(6) (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation),
That the Customs and Excise Duties (Travellers Allowances and Personal Reliefs) (New Member States) (Amendment) Order 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 3157), dated 28th November 2006, a copy of which was laid before this House on 29th November, be approved. [Tony Cunningham.]
Motion made, and Question put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118(6) (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation),
That the Report by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions under section 82 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999, stating the changes in law which the Secretary of State is proposing in the Welfare Reform Bill by way of amendments to the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979, the amount of expenditure which the Secretary of State proposes to incur and the purposes for which he proposes to incur it (HC 39), which was laid before this House on 21st November, be approved. [Tony Cunningham.]
Motion made, and Question put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 119(9) (European Standing Committees),
That this House takes note of European Union Document No. 14181/04, Draft Council Regulation on electronic recording and reporting of fishing activities and on means of remote sensing; and supports the Governments objective of ensuring that this proposal delivers improved management and control, thereby contributing to the long-term sustainability of fish stocks. [Tony Cunningham.]
Order for Second Reading read.
Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire) (LD): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I will not detain the House for long, but you will recall that I raised my objection to the scheduling of Northern Ireland business at the same time as the Welsh Grand Committee. You advised me to pursue the matter through the usual channels, but I have not succeeded in preventing the two pieces of parliamentary business from taking place at the same time. Is there any other channel that I can use to prevent such disrespect to the right hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain), who is Secretary of State for Wales and for Northern Ireland, and the rest of us who are obliged to cover both portfolios?
Mr. Speaker: It is not a matter for me, as I told the hon. Gentleman, but for the usual channels. I cannot interfere in the matter.
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