Session 2006-2007 |
Commons Journal 263
Chronological Index
Page 133 2006-2007 Volume 263 [No. 35.] Monday 29th January 2007. The House met at half-past Two oclock. PRAYERS.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
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 Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:Clause, by leave, withdrawn.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.
And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till four minutes past Six oclock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 6.04 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
Page 134 Monday 29th January 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top APPENDIX II General Committees
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(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 oclock. PRAYERS.
(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.
Memorandum to lie upon the Table and to be published.
(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.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table. Page 135 Tuesday 30th January 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
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 Governments 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.
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 Governments Removing Barriers to Achievement document encourages local authorities to shut special schools; shares Baroness Warnocks 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 200607 that are underpinning the strategy; welcomes the measures announced in the Governments 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 Governments 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.) Page 136 Tuesday 30th January 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top 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 200607 that are underpinning the strategy; welcomes the measures announced in the Governments 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 Governments 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. Governments 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 200102; 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 Governments 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. Page 137 Tuesday 30th January 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top 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 Governments efforts to promote an International Arms Trade Treaty.
(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 oclock; 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.
Page 138 Tuesday 30th January 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
And the Motion having been made after Ten oclock, 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 oclock, till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 10.48 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
(2) draft Tourist Boards (Scotland) Act 2006 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2007 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Mr Secretary Alexander].
(2) draft Guardians Allowance Up-rating Order 2007 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Dawn Primarolo].
Other Papers:
(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].
(1) the Petition [20th November] from people living around St Marys 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].
Page 139 Tuesday 30th January 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top APPENDIX II General Committees
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(2) The Future of the UKs 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].
(2) Ministerial Correspondence: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published [Michael Connarty].
(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].
(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].
Page 140 Tuesday 30th January 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
(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 oclock.
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 oclock. PRAYERS.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
That the Committee takes note of European Union Documents No. 14381/06, Commission Communication EUChina: Closer partners, growing responsibilities, and No. 14823/06, Trade and Investment Policy paper Competition and partnership; and supports the Governments key objectives: to foster Chinas 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 Chinas rise. Resolution to lie upon the Table. Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
Page 141 Wednesday 31st January 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
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.
And it being Seven oclock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put.
And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till seven minutes past Seven oclock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 7.07 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
(2) draft Smoke-free (Penalties and Discounted Amounts) Regulations 2007 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Ms Secretary Hewitt].
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
Page 142 Wednesday 31st January 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
(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].
APPENDIX II General Committees
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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. Page 143 Wednesday 31st January 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
(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.
(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
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(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].
(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].
(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].
Page 144 Wednesday 31st January 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
(2) Second Report from the Select Committee on Statutory Instruments; to be printed [No. 83-ii] [David Maclean].
(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 oclock.
And the sitting having continued for two and a half hours after half-past Two oclock, 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 oclock. PRAYERS.
Memorandum to lie upon the Table and to be published.
And it being Six oclock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put.
And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till twenty-eight minutes past Six oclock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 6.28 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Page 145 Thursday 1st February 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
APPENDIX II General Committees
(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
(2) Patient and Public Involvement in the NHS: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 278-i] [Mr Kevin Barron].
[No. 38; WH, No. 21] Thursday 1st February 2007. The House sitting in Westminster Hall The sitting began at half-past Two oclock.
And the sitting having continued for three hours, it was adjourned without Question put, till Tuesday 6th February. [Adjourned at 5.30 p.m. Page 146 Thursday 1st February 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top [No. 39.] Friday 2nd February 2007. The House met at half-past Nine oclock.
PRAYERS.
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.
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 oclock, the Debate stood adjourned. Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Friday 15th June.
Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Friday 27th April.
Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Friday 20th April.
And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till one minute to Three oclock, adjourned till Monday 5th February. [Adjourned at 2.59 p.m. APPENDIX Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Paper subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
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