Session 2006-2007

Commons Journal 263

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


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Page 133            2006-2007      Volume 263      

[No. 35.]

Monday 29th January 2007.

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

PRAYERS.

1First Delegated Legislation Committee,—Hywel Williams reported from the First Delegated Legislation Committee the draft Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Amendment of Schedules 3 and 5) Order 2007.

Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

2Third Delegated Legislation Committee,—Mrs Joan Humble reported from the Third Delegated Legislation Committee the draft National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) Order 2007.

Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

3Digital Switchover (Disclosure of Information) Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Digital Switchover (Disclosure of Information) Bill, not amended in the Public Bill Committee.

A Clause (NC3) (Expiry)—(Mr Edward Vaizey)—brought up and read the first time.

Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:—Clause, by leave, withdrawn.

Amendments (Nos. 4 to 6) made to the Bill.

The Bill was read the third time, and passed.

4Northern Ireland,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Police and Criminal Evidence (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 4th December, be approved—(Mr Ian Cawsey):—It was agreed to.

5Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Ian Cawsey.)

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

[Adjourned at 6.04 p.m.


APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1Northern Ireland,—Draft Charities (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hain].

2Police,—Draft Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 (Renewal of Temporary Provisions) Order 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hain].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

3Betting, Gaming and Lotteries,—Gambling Act 2005 (Proceedings of Licensing Committees and Sub-committees) (Premises Licences and Provisional Statements) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 173), dated 27th January 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].

4Education,—School Admissions (Adjudicator Determinations Relating to Looked After and Certain Other Children) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 105), dated 20th January 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Alan Johnson].

Other Papers:

5Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery,—Account of the Olympic Lottery Distribution Fund for 2005–06, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 267] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].

6Justice (Northern Ireland),—Paper, entitled Improving Procurement in the Criminal Justice System [by Act] [Mr Secretary Hain].

7National Lottery,—Account of the National Lottery Distribution Fund for 2005–06, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 266] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].

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APPENDIX II

General Committees

1Draft Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Amendment of Schedules 3 and 5) Order 2007,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Alan Campbell, Jon Cruddas and Kate Hoey from the First Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Sharon Hodgson, Siobhain McDonagh and Mr Frank Roy.

2Draft National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) Order 2007,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Peter Bone, Mr Doug Henderson, Mr Greg Knight and Mr Don Touhig from the Third Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Adam Afriyie, Mr Graham Allen, Mr Mark Field and Mr Wayne David.

3Draft Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians Order 2007,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Dr Andrew Murrison from the Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Mr Stephen O’Brien.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

Education and Skills,—Higher Education:

(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education and Skills Committee; to be printed [No. 285-i]; and

(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published

[Mr Barry Sheerman].


[No. 36.]

Tuesday 30th January 2007.

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

PRAYERS.

1Broads Authority Bill,—Ordered, That the Broads Authority Bill be read a second time on Tuesday 6th February.

2National Trust (Northern Ireland) Bill,—The National Trust (Northern Ireland) Bill was read a second time and referred to the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills.

3Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill,—Mr Joe Benton reported from the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill Committee:

(1) That it had come to the following Resolution, That, subject to the discretion of the Chair, any written evidence received by the Committee shall be reported to the House for publication; and

(2) certain Memoranda.

Memoranda to lie upon the Table and to be published.

4Pensions Bill,—Mr Roger Gale reported a Memorandum from the Pensions Bill Committee.

Memorandum to lie upon the Table and to be published.

5Planning-gain Supplement (Preparations) Bill,—Mr Jimmy Hood reported from the Planning-gain Supplement (Preparations) Bill Committee:

(1) That it had come to the following Resolution, That, subject to the discretion of the Chair, any written evidence received by the Committee shall be reported to the House for publication; and

(2) That it had gone through the Bill and directed him to report the same, without Amendment.

Bill, not amended in the Public Bill Committee, to be considered to-morrow.

Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

6Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee,—John Bercow reported from the Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee the draft Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians Order 2007.

Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

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7Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee,—Mr David Amess reported from the Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee the draft Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 2007.

Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

8European Standing Committee,—John Cummings reported from a European Standing Committee the following Resolution:

That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 14871/06 and Addenda 1 and 2, draft Regulation establishing the European Institute of Technology; and supports the Government’s view that while the Proposal will potentially provide a means of strengthening innovation and competitiveness, a number of issues still need to be addressed before the Government can support this Proposal.

Resolution to lie upon the Table.

Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

9Climate Change (Effects),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make requirements about the monitoring of measures to address the effects of climate change; and for connected purposes: And that Rob Marris do prepare and bring it in.

10Climate Change (Effects) Bill,—Rob Marris accordingly presented a Bill to make requirements about the monitoring of measures to address the effects of climate change; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 23rd March and to be printed [Bill 54].

11Opposition Day [4th allotted day],—It being an allotted day at the disposal of the Leader of the Opposition in pursuance of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business), the House proceeded to consider Opposition business.

Education provision for children with special educational needs,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes the conclusions reached by Baroness Warnock in 2005 that inclusion has failed many children; further notes the recommendation of the Education and Skills Committee that a major review be undertaken of Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision; further notes the decline in the number of special schools since 1997; further notes that there are currently no plans for a review of the closure of special schools before 2009; further notes that SEN pupils who are not in special schools who do not have statements account for almost half of all permanent exclusions; further notes the non-statutory nature of the new measures to encourage those local authorities planning to close a special school to demonstrate that alternate provision would be better; believes that the inclusion policy of the Government’s Removing Barriers to Achievement document encourages local authorities to shut special schools; shares Baroness Warnock’s opinion that inclusion is failing many children; further believes that resources in many mainstream schools are not adequate to deal with the SEN children in their care; considers that the initial and in-service training of teachers of SEN pupils should be strengthened; and therefore calls on the Government to follow the recommendation of the Education and Skills Committee to conduct a fundamental review of SEN provision, including the statutory provisions for statementing and meeting need, and to put a moratorium on the closure of special schools until that review has taken place—(Mr David Willetts);

An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word ‘House’ to the end of the Question and add the words ‘notes the conclusions reached by Baroness Warnock in 2005 but does not agree that inclusion has failed many children; does not agree with the view of the Education and Skills Committee that a fundamental review is needed of special educational needs provision or of the system of assessments and statements; welcomes the fact that in 2004 the Government put in place a long-term strategy for improving outcomes for children with special educational needs and disabled children that is already having an impact on their achievement; acknowledges the record levels of spending by local authorities on special educational needs of some £4.5 billion in 2006–07 that are underpinning the strategy; welcomes the measures announced in the Government’s response to the Education and Skills Committee on providing better training for staff working with children with special educational needs including a national programme of continuing professional development, nationally accredited training for Special Educational Needs Coordinators in schools and measures to increase access to specialist teachers; further welcomes the announcement of an additional 15 special schools with specialist status to share expertise and raise standards and the increase in specialist and unit provision for children within, or attached to, mainstream schools; commends the Government’s plans for ensuring that local authority proposals for changing special educational provision must show how they will improve provision for children with special educational needs; and considers that a moratorium on closing special schools would prevent locally elected authorities from improving their provision for children with special educational needs’, instead thereof.—(Jim Knight.)

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And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Evennett, Mr Mark Lancaster: 221.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Ian Cawsey, Tony Cunningham: 296.

So the Question was negatived.

And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments):—It was agreed to.

The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.

Resolved, That this House notes the conclusions reached by Baroness Warnock in 2005 but does not agree that inclusion has failed many children; does not agree with the view of the Education and Skills Committee that a fundamental review is needed of special educational needs provision or of the system of assessments and statements; welcomes the fact that in 2004 the Government put in place a long-term strategy for improving outcomes for children with special educational needs and disabled children that is already having an impact on their achievement; acknowledges the record levels of spending by local authorities on special educational needs of some £4.5 billion in 2006–07 that are underpinning the strategy; welcomes the measures announced in the Government’s response to the Education and Skills Committee on providing better training for staff working with children with special educational needs including a national programme of continuing professional development, nationally accredited training for Special Educational Needs Coordinators in schools and measures to increase access to specialist teachers; further welcomes the announcement of an additional 15 special schools with specialist status to share expertise and raise standards and the increase in specialist and unit provision for children within, or attached to, mainstream schools; commends the Government’s plans for ensuring that local authority proposals for changing special educational provision must show how they will improve provision for children with special educational needs; and considers that a moratorium on closing special schools would prevent locally elected authorities from improving their provision for children with special educational needs.

Government’s decision on the sale of a radar system to Tanzania,—A Motion was made and the Question being proposed, That this House notes the protests of citizens of Tanzania in a demonstration in Dar es Salaam on 20th January 2007 demanding the arrest of any wrongdoers involved in the sale of a radar system to Tanzania in 2001–02; further notes that the Serious Fraud Office is investigating the propriety of the deal and allegations of corruption; further notes that Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world and a leading recipient of British aid; further notes that Tanzania borrowed to finance this deal, whilst simultaneously seeking and receiving debt relief; calls upon the Government to explain whether adequate enquiries were made into the propriety of the deal at the time; further calls upon the Government to explain why the views of the World Bank were not adequately considered in the process of deciding whether to issue an export licence, in breach of Criterion Eight of the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria; and further calls upon the Government to explain why consent to the deal was forced through a divided Cabinet by the Prime Minister in the face of the opposition of the then Secretary of State for International Development, the Rt Hon Member for Birmingham, Ladywood—(Mr Andrew Mitchell);

An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word ‘House’ to the end of the Question and add the words ‘notes that it would be inappropriate to comment on allegations of corruption in connection with the sale of a radar system to Tanzania in light of the current investigation by the Serious Fraud Office; notes the great progress made by Tanzania since 2002 in achieving debt relief, poverty reduction and public service reform; notes that the decision to grant an export licence for the air traffic control system was taken after due consideration of the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria; acknowledges that that decision took place after full discussion at Cabinet level; further notes that the UK subsequently established its own cross-Whitehall methodology for the assessment of applications against Criterion 8 of the consolidated criteria and was subsequently instrumental in establishing a shared methodology with its EU partners; and further notes the Government’s efforts to promote an International Arms Trade Treaty’, instead thereof.—(Secretary Hilary Benn.)

And the Question being proposed, That the original words stand part of the Question;

Mr Patrick McLoughlin rose in his place and claimed to move, That the Question be now put.

And the Question being put, That the Question be now put:—It was agreed to.

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And the Question being accordingly put;

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Evennett, Angela Watkinson: 217.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Frank Roy, Jonathan Shaw: 293.

So the Question was negatived.

And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments):—It was agreed to.

The Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.

Resolved, That this House notes that it would be inappropriate to comment on allegations of corruption in connection with the sale of a radar system to Tanzania in light of the current investigation by the Serious Fraud Office; notes the great progress made by Tanzania since 2002 in achieving debt relief, poverty reduction and public service reform; notes that the decision to grant an export licence for the air traffic control system was taken after due consideration of the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria; acknowledges that that decision took place after full discussion at Cabinet level; further notes that the UK subsequently established its own cross-Whitehall methodology for the assessment of applications against Criterion 8 of the consolidated criteria and was subsequently instrumental in establishing a shared methodology with its EU partners; and further notes the Government’s efforts to promote an International Arms Trade Treaty.

12Criminal Law,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Amendment of Schedules 3 and 5) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 18th December, be approved—(Mr Alan Campbell):—It was agreed to.

13Constitutional Law,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 19th December, be approved—(Mr Alan Campbell):—It was agreed to.

14EC Action on Health Services,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 119 (European Standing Committees), That this House takes note of European Union Document SEC (06) 1195/4, Commission Communication: Consultation on Community Action on Health Services; notes that this document concerns itself primarily with the need for the development of legal certainty in the field of cross-border healthcare; notes that this need arises from case law developed in the European Court of Justice that currently applies to the UK and which contains unhelpful areas of ambiguity; further notes that the rest of the Communication looks broadly at non-regulatory areas where co-operation at a European level may add value to Member states’ efforts in the field of healthcare; and therefore supports the Government’s position that the UK should pro-actively engage in this area in order to achieve the maximum influence over the shape of the debate and any subsequent proposals—(Mr Alan Campbell):—It was agreed to.

15Northern Ireland Grand Committee,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Orders Nos. 115 (Northern Ireland Grand Commitee (delegated legislation)) and 116 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (sittings), That—

(1) the draft Budget (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 be referred to the Northern Ireland Grand Committee;

(2) the Committee shall meet at Westminster on Tuesday 27th February at Four o’clock; and

(3) at that sitting—

(a) the Committee shall take questions under Standing Order No. 110 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (questions for oral answer)), and shall then consider the instrument referred to it under paragraph (1) above; and

(b) at the conclusion of those proceedings, a motion for the adjournment of the Committee may be made by a Minister of the Crown, pursuant to paragraph (5) of Standing Order No. 116 (Northern Ireland Grand Committee (sittings))— (Mr Alan Campbell):—It was agreed to.

16Agriculture,—Ordered, That the Common Agricultural Policy Single Payment and Support Schemes (Cross-compliance) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 3254), dated 5th December, be referred to a Delegated Legislation Committee.—(Mr Alan Campbell.)

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17Public Petition,—A Public Petition from members of the Women’s Institute for a full scale investigation into the practices of the dairy sector and the effects those practices have on dairy farmers was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

18Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Alan Campbell);

And the Motion having been made after Ten o’clock, and the Debate having continued for half an hour, the Speaker adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order, it being then twelve minutes to Eleven o’clock, till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 10.48 p.m.


APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1Constitutional Law,—(1) Draft Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2007; and

(2) draft Tourist Boards (Scotland) Act 2006 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2007

[by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Mr Secretary Alexander].

2Social Security,—(1) Draft Child Benefit Up-rating Order 2007; and

(2) draft Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating Order 2007

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

3Social Security (Northern Ireland),—Draft Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Dawn Primarolo].

4Tax Credits,—Draft Tax Credits Up-rating Regulations 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Dawn Primarolo].

Other Papers:

5Government Resources and Accounts,—Resource Accounts for 2005–06 of—

(1) the NHS Pension Scheme and NHS Compensations for Premature Retirement Scheme; and

(2) the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office,

with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 185 and 273] [John Healey].

6National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Preparations for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games—Risk assessment and management [by Act]; to be printed [No. 252] [Clerk of the House].

7Northern Ireland (Monitoring Commission etc),—Thirteenth Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission [by Act]; to be printed [No. 260] [Mr Secretary Hain].

8Prisons,—Report of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for England and Wales for 2005–06 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 210] [Secretary John Reid].

9Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on—

(1) the Petition [20th November] from people living around St Mary’s Church Conservation Area, Benfleet requesting the rejection of a planning application; and

(2) the Petition [28th November] from people living around Thundersley requesting the re-opening of Thundersley public toilets

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

10Tax Credits,—Report from HM Treasury, under section 41 of the Tax Credits Act 2002 [by Act] [Dawn Primarolo].

11Treasury,—Paper, entitled The National Asset Register January 2007 [by Command] [Cm. 7022] [Mr Stephen Timms].

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APPENDIX II

General Committees

Draft Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 2007,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Chris Mole and Mr Geoffrey Robinson from the Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Mr Ken Purchase and Mr Don Touhig.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1Administration,—Record of the Committee’s discussions at its meeting on 30th January; to be published [Mr Frank Doran].

2Constitutional Affairs,—Implementation of the Carter Review of Legal Aid: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Constitutional Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 223-iii] [Mr Alan Beith].

3Crossrail Bill,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on the Crossrail Bill; to be printed [No. 235-v] [Mr Alan Meale].

4Defence,—(1) Defence Industrial Strategy: update: Sixth Report from the Defence Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 177]; and

(2) The Future of the UK’s Strategic Nuclear Deterrent: the White Paper:

(i) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 225-iii]; and

(ii) Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published

[Mr James Arbuthnot].

5Environmental Audit,—The Role of the FCO: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee on Trade, Development and the Environment of the Environmental Audit Committee; to be printed [No. 289-i] [Mr Tim Yeo].

6European Scrutiny,—(1) Eighth Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 41-viii]; and

(2) Ministerial Correspondence: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published

[Michael Connarty].

7Human Rights,—(1) Legislative Scrutiny: Second Progress Report: Third Report from the Joint Committee on Human Rights, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 287]; and

(2) Legislative Scrutiny: Mental Health Bill: Fourth Report from the Committee, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 288]

[Mr Andrew Dismore].

8Public Accounts,—OFWAT—Meeting the demand for water: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts on 29th January; to be printed [No. 286-i] [Mr Edward Leigh].

9Science and Technology,—Space Policy:

(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee; to be printed [No. 66-iii]; and

(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published

[Mr Phil Willis].

10Trade and Industry,—The future of UK manufacturing: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Trade and Industry Committee; to be printed [No. 161-iv] [Mr Peter Luff].

11Treasury,—Comprehensive Spending Review: emerging issues: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Treasury Committee, with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 279-i] [Mr John McFall].

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12Welsh Affairs,—(1) Work of the Committee in 2005–06: First Report from the Welsh Affairs Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 291]; and

(2) Globalisation and its impact on Wales:

(i) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 281-i]; and

(ii) Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published

[Dr Hywel Francis].


[No. 36; WH, No. 19]

Tuesday 30th January 2007.

The House sitting in Westminster Hall

The sitting began at half-past Nine o’clock.

Adjournment,—Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Tony Cunningham.)

And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 1.59 p.m.


[No. 37.]

Wednesday 31st January 2007.

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

PRAYERS.

1Second Delegated Legislation Committee,—Mr Greg Pope reported from the Second Delegated Legislation Committee the draft Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) (Amendment) Order 2007.

Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

2European Standing Committee,—Mr Mike Hancock reported from a European Standing Committee the following Resolution:

That the Committee takes note of European Union Documents No. 14381/06, Commission Communication ‘EU–China: Closer partners, growing responsibilities’, and No. 14823/06, Trade and Investment Policy paper ‘Competition and partnership’; and supports the Government’s key objectives: to foster China’s emergence as a responsible global player; to promote sustainable development, modernisation and internal reform in China; and to get the best for the United Kingdom from China’s rise.

Resolution to lie upon the Table.

Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

3Historic Counties, Towns and Villages (Traffic Signs and Mapping),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the law so as to require traffic authorities to cause traffic signs to be placed on or near roads for the purpose of indicating the location of historic county, town and village boundaries; to require the Ordnance Survey of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to mark the boundaries of the historic counties, towns and villages on its maps; and for connected purposes: And that Andrew Rosindell, Mr Simon Burns, Derek Conway, Mr Lindsay Hoyle, Mr Nigel Dodds, Mr Mike Hancock, Mr Mark Lancaster, Peter Luff, Mr Greg Pope, Mr John Randall, Bob Russell and Angela Watkinson do prepare and bring it in.

4Historic Counties, Towns and Villages (Traffic Signs and Mapping) Bill,—Andrew Rosindell accordingly presented a Bill to amend the law so as to require traffic authorities to cause traffic signs to be placed on or near roads for the purpose of indicating the location of historic county, town and village boundaries; to require the Ordnance Survey of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to mark the boundaries of the historic counties, towns and villages on its maps; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 29th June and to be printed [Bill 55].

5Police,—Resolved, That the Police Grant Report (England and Wales) for 2007–08, House of Commons Paper No. 207, a copy of which was laid before this House on 18th January, be approved.—(Mr Tony McNulty.)

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6Local Government Finance,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the Local Government Finance Report (England) 2007–08, House of Commons Paper No. 231, a copy of which was laid before this House on 18th January, be approved— (Mr Phil Woolas);

And it being three hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion, the Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Order [24th January]:—It was agreed to.

7Local Government Finance,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Order [24th January], That the Limitation of Council Tax and Precepts (Alternative Notional Amounts) Report (England) 2007–08, House of Commons Paper No. 232, a copy of which was laid before this House on 18th January, be approved— (Mr Michael Foster):—It was agreed to.

8Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Michael Foster);

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

9Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Alan Campbell.)

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

[Adjourned at 7.07 p.m.


APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1Environmental Protection,—Draft Environmental Offences (Use of Fixed Penalty Receipts) Regulations 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary David Miliband].

2Fees and Charges,—Draft Private Security Industry (Licence Fees) Order 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary John Reid].

3Public Health,—(1) Draft Smoke-free (Exemptions and Vehicles) Regulations 2007; and

(2) draft Smoke-free (Penalties and Discounted Amounts) Regulations 2007

[by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Ms Secretary Hewitt].

4Value Added Tax,—Value Added Tax (Health and Welfare) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 206), dated 30th January 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Dawn Primarolo].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

5Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism,—Terrorism Act 2000 (Business in the Regulated Sector) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 207), dated 30th January 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Ed Balls].

6Proceeds of Crime,—Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Business in the Regulated Sector) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 208), dated 30th January 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Ed Balls].

Other Papers:

7European Union,—Paper, entitled Prospects for the European Union in 2007: The German Presidency, January to June 2007 [by Command] [Cm. 7024] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].

8Local Land Charges,—Guidance for Registering Authorities on Setting Fees for Local Land Charge Services in England [by Command] [Cm. 7026] [Bridget Prentice].

9Marshall Aid Commemoration,—Report of the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission for 1st October 2005 to 30th September 2006 [by Command] [Cm. 7010] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].

10Political Parties, Elections and Referendums,—Code of Practice on Observers at United Kingdom elections [by Act] [Clerk of the House].

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11Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for Health on—

(1) the Petition [7th December] from the Tyne and Wear Asbestos Support Group for the provision of Alimta to sufferers of mesothelioma; and

(2) the Petition [12th December] from John Potter and other citizens of the United Kingdom for each hospital to employ its own cleaning staff and for those staff to be managed by matrons

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

12Science and Technology,—Government Response to the Ninth Report from the House of Lords Committee on Science and Technology, Session 2005–06, on Science and Heritage [by Command] [Cm. 7031] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].

APPENDIX II

General Committees

1Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill,—The Committee of Selection has nominated eighteen Members to serve on the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill Committee: Mr James Arbuthnot, Mr Tim Boswell, Mr Nicholas Brown, Mr Tom Clarke, Mr David Clelland, Jim Dowd, Mr Mike Hall, Nick Harvey, Mr George Howarth, Mr Greg Knight, Martin Linton, Peter Luff, David Maclean, Bridget Prentice, David Simpson, Mr John Spellar, Mr Don Touhig and Mr John Whittingdale.

2Draft School Admissions Code:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Code to the First Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Mike Weir Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Peter Atkinson, John Bercow, Mr David S. Borrow, Ms Dawn Butler, Mr Douglas Carswell, Mr Ian Cawsey, Mr Ian Davidson, Mr Nick Gibb, Linda Gilroy, Mr David Hamilton, Jim Knight, Mr Andrew Love, Mr Shahid Malik, Greg Mulholland, Mr Geoffrey Robinson, Sarah Teather and Angela Watkinson.

3Draft Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) (Amendment) Order 2007,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Graham Allen and Mr Ken Purchase from the Second Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Paul Farrelly and Chris Mole.

4Draft Local Authorities (Contracting Out of Anti-Social Behaviour Order Functions) (England) Order 2007:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Second Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Dr William McCrea Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Peter Bottomley, Tom Brake, Mr David Burrowes, Mr William Cash, Greg Clark, Harry Cohen, Mr David Crausby, Bill Etherington, Michael Fabricant, Barbara Follett, Mr Bruce George, Mr Sadiq Khan, Mr George Mudie, Meg Munn, Mr Denis Murphy, Mr Dan Rogerson and Jonathan Shaw.

5Draft Tax and Civil Partnership Regulations 2006:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Third Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr John Cummings Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Adam Afriyie, Ed Balls, Kevin Brennan, Dr Vincent Cable, Jon Cruddas, Mr David Evennett, Julia Goldsworthy, Justine Greening, Patrick Hall, Kate Hoey, Sir Gerald Kaufman, Sarah McCarthy-Fry, John McDonnell, Dr Doug Naysmith, Mr Richard Spring, Graham Stringer and Mrs Theresa Villiers.

6Draft Northern Ireland Arms Decommissioning Act 1997 (Amnesty Period) Order 2007:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Martyn Jones Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated twenty-one Members to serve on the Committee: Chris Bryant, Ann Clwyd, Mr Geoffrey Cox, Mr David Curry, David T. C. Davies, Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson, Jeff Ennis, Mr Michael Foster (Worcester), Mr David Gauke, Paul Goggins, Mr Brian Jenkins, Alan Keen, Jane Kennedy, Mr Mark Lancaster, Mr Eddie McGrady, Lembit O­pik, Mr Laurence Robertson, Keith Vaz, Lynda Waltho, Mr Robert N. Wareing and Mr Michael Wills.

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7Draft Mental Capacity Act 2005 (Loss of Capacity during Research Project) (England) Regulations 2007:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Eric Martlew Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mrs Ann Cryer, Mr Jim Devine, Mr Frank Field, Sandra Gidley, Mr Robert Goodwill, Mr James Gray, Mr Stephen Hepburn, Mr Philip Hollobone, Mr Stewart Jackson, Tim Loughton, Gwyn Prosser, Dr John Pugh, Ms Gisela Stuart, Mark Tami, Claire Ward, Mr David Winnick and Ms Rosie Winterton.

8Common Agricultural Policy Single Payment and Support Schemes (Cross-Compliance) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 3254):

(1) The Speaker has allocated the Regulations to the Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr David Wilshire Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Rosie Cooper, Jeremy Corbyn, Angela Eagle, Barry Gardiner, Mr Robert Goodwill, Chris Huhne, Miss Julie Kirkbride, Mr Gordon Marsden, Anne Moffat, John Penrose, Mr Gordon Prentice, Mark Pritchard, Mr Sio¤n Simon, Mr Tom Watson, Mr Dave Watts, Bill Wiggin and Mr Roger Williams.

European Standing Committees

9European Union Document No. 13080/06 relating to European Enforcement Order and the Transfer of Sentenced Persons,—The Committee of Selection has nominated thirteen Members to serve on the European Standing Committee nominated in respect of the Document: Mr Crispin Blunt, Mr Jeremy Browne, Mr James Clappison, Tony Cunningham, Mr Edward Garnier, Mr Greg Hands, Mrs Sharon Hodgson, Simon Hughes, Mr Kevan Jones, Fiona Mactaggart, Jim Sheridan, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe and Dr Rudi Vis.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1 Crossrail Bill,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on the Crossrail Bill; to be printed [No. 235-vi] [Mr Alan Meale].

2Education and Skills,—(1) 14–19 Diplomas:

(i) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education and Skills Committee; to be printed [No. 249-iii]; and

(ii) Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published; and

(2) Bologna Process:

(i) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 205-ii]; and

(ii) Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published

[Mr Barry Sheerman].

3Environmental Audit,—Pre-Budget Report 2006: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environmental Audit Committee; to be printed [No. 227-iii] [Mr Tim Yeo].

4Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—Climate Change: the “citizen’s agenda”: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee; to be printed [Nos. 88-vi and -vii] [Mr Michael Jack].

5Foreign Affairs,—South Asia:

(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 55-iv]; and

(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published

[Mike Gapes].

6Northern Ireland Affairs,—(1) Work of the Committee in 2006: Second Report from the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 294]; and

(2) Tourism in Northern Ireland and its Economic Impact and Benefits: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 119-i]

[Sir Patrick Cormack].

7Public Accounts,—Ministry of Defence: Major Projects Report 2006: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts; to be printed [No. 295-ii] [Mr

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  Edward Leigh].

8Science and Technology,—Government Proposals on the Regulation of Hybrid and Chimera Embryos: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee; to be printed [No. 272-i] [Mr Phil Willis].

9Statutory Instruments,—(1) Seventh Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, with Memoranda; to be printed [No. 82-vii]; and

(2) Second Report from the Select Committee on Statutory Instruments; to be printed [No. 83-ii]

[David Maclean].

10Transport,—Roads Policing and Technology: Getting the balance right: Government Response to the Tenth Report from the Committee, Session 2005–06: Second Special Report from the Transport Committee; to be printed [No. 290] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].

11Work and Pensions,—(1) Child Support Reform: Memoranda laid before the Work and Pensions Committee; to be published; and

(2) Personal Accounts: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published

[Mr Terry Rooney].


[No. 37; WH, No. 20]

Wednesday 31st January 2007.

The House sitting in Westminster Hall

The sitting began at half-past Nine o’clock.

Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the sitting be now adjourned—(Mr John Heppell);

And the sitting having continued for two and a half hours after half-past Two o’clock, it was adjourned without Question put, till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 5 p.m.


[No. 38.]

Thursday 1st February 2007.

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

PRAYERS.

1Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill,—Mr Christopher Chope reported a Memorandum from the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill Committee.

Memorandum to lie upon the Table and to be published.

2Adjournment (Defence in the world),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Liz Blackman);

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

3Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Jonathan Shaw.)

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

[Adjourned at 6.28 p.m.


APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1Children and Young Persons,—Draft Children and Young Persons (Sale of Tobacco etc.) Order 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Ms Secretary Hewitt].

2Postal Services,—Draft Post Office Network Subsidy Scheme Order 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Darling].

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3Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism,—Draft Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005 (Continuance in force of sections 1 to 9) Order 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary John Reid].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

4Education,—Valley Invicta Park Federation (School Governance) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 167), dated 26th January 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Alan Johnson].

5Environmental Protection,—Environmental Offences (Fixed Penalties) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 175), dated 28th January 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary David Miliband].

6Food,—Notification of Marketing of Food for Particular Nutritional Uses (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 181), dated 20th January 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Ms Secretary Hewitt].

Other Papers:

7Agricultural Marketing,—Report of the British Wool Marketing Board Agricultural Marketing Schemes for 2005–06 [by Act] [Secretary David Miliband].

8Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on the Petition [9th January] from the supporters of Jamil el-Banna for his return from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to the United Kingdom [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].

APPENDIX II

General Committees

 Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill:

(1) The Speaker has appointed Mr Martin Caton Chairman of the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill Committee; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has discharged Mr David Clelland from the Committee and nominated in substitution Mr Fraser Kemp.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1Health,—(1) The Work of the Committee 2005–06: Second Report from the Health Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 297]; and

(2) Patient and Public Involvement in the NHS: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 278-i]

[Mr Kevin Barron].

2Home Affairs,—Work of the Committee in 2005–06: First Report from the Home Affairs Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 296] [Mr John Denham].

3Treasury,—Financial Stability: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Treasury Committee, with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 292-i] [Mr John McFall].


[No. 38; WH, No. 21]

Thursday 1st February 2007.

The House sitting in Westminster Hall

The sitting began at half-past Two o’clock.

Adjournment (East Asia—Seventh Report from the Foreign Affairs Committee, Session 2005–06, and the Government’s response thereto),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the sitting be now adjourned—(Mr Ian Cawsey);

And the sitting having continued for three hours, it was adjourned without Question put, till Tuesday 6th February.

[Adjourned at 5.30 p.m.


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[No. 39.]

Friday 2nd February 2007.

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

1The Speaker’s Absence,—The House being met, and the Speaker having leave of absence pursuant to paragraph (3) of Standing Order No. 3 (Deputy Speaker), Sir Alan Haselhurst, the Chairman of Ways and Means, proceeded to the Table.

PRAYERS.

2The Chairman of Ways and Means took the Chair as Deputy Speaker, pursuant to the Standing Order.

3Motion to sit in private,—Mr Greg Knight moved, That this House do sit in private.

The Deputy Speaker put the Question forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 163 (Motions to sit in private).

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Greg Knight, Pete Wishart: 1.

Tellers for the Noes, Kevin Brennan, Mr Ian Cawsey: 30.

And it appearing on the report of the Division that fewer than forty Members had taken part in the Division, the Deputy Speaker declared that the Question was not decided.

4Land Use (Gardens Protection etc) Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Land Use (Gardens Protection etc) Bill;

And a Motion being made, and the Question being proposed, That the Bill be now read a second time;

And it being half-past Two o’clock, the Debate stood adjourned.

Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Friday 15th June.

5Electric Shock Training Devices Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Electric Shock Training Devices Bill;

Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Friday 27th April.

6Waging War (Parliament’s Role and Responsibility) Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Waging War (Parliament’s Role and Responsibility) Bill;

Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Friday 20th April.

7Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Kevin Brennan.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till one minute to Three o’clock, adjourned till Monday 5th February.

[Adjourned at 2.59 p.m.


APPENDIX

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Paper subject to Negative Resolution:

1Food,—Quick-frozen Foodstuffs (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 191), dated 20th January 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Ms Secretary Hewitt].

Other Papers:

2Human Fertilisation and Embryology,—Report of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority for 2005–06 [by Act] [Ms Secretary Hewitt].

3Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for Defence on the Petition [30th October, in the last Session of Parliament] from residents of the constituency of Taunton and others against the proposals to move the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office from its current location in Taunton [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].



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