| Session 2006-2007 |
| Commons Journal 263
Chronological Index
Page 150 2006-2007 Volume 263 [No. 41.] Tuesday 6th February 2007. The House met at half-past Two o’clock. PRAYERS.
Ordered, That the Broads Authority Bill be read a second time on Tuesday 20th February.
Memoranda to lie upon the Table and to be published.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
Concessionary Bus Travel Bill [Lords],—The Lords have passed a Bill to make provision about travel concessions; and for connected purposes; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.
Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Concessionary Bus Travel Bill [Lords] be printed [Bill 60–EN].
A Clause (NC5) (Northern Ireland department with policing and justice functions)—(Mr David Hanson)—brought up, read the first time and second time, and added to the Bill. Amendments (Nos. 32 and 33) made to the Bill. Another Amendment (No. 9) proposed to the Bill, in page 2, line 29, to leave out paragraphs (d) and (e) and insert— ‘(d) there is evidence of a significant relationship between A and B.’, instead thereof.—(Lembit Opik.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Another Amendment (No. 34) made to the Bill. Another Amendment (No. 5) proposed to the Bill, in page 2, line 30, at the end, to insert the words— ‘(11) Where a certificate has been issued under subsection (2), the judge conducting the trial may— (a) accept the certificate, or (b) reject the certificate. (12) When considering the issuing of a certificate under subsection (11), the judge shall take into account any written representations he may receive from the defendant. (13) If the judge conducting the trial— (a) accepts the certificate, the trial shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of this Part; Page 151 Tuesday 6th February 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top (b) rejects the certificate, the trial shall be conducted with a jury and the provisions of this Part shall not apply. (14) In cases where a certificate has been rejected in accordance with subsection (11)(b), the judge conducting the trial shall provide, in writing, his reasons for the rejection to the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland. (15) The Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland may publish the reasons provided under subsection (14).’.—(Mr Alan Reid.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Another Amendment (No. 15) proposed to the Bill, in page 5, line 24, to leave out Clause 7.—(Mr Alan Reid.) Question put, That the Amendment be made. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Jenny Willott, Mr Adrian Sanders: 52. Tellers for the Noes, Steve McCabe, Huw Irranca-Davies: 354. Other Amendments (Nos. 29 to 31 and 35) made to the Bill. Another Amendment (No. 17) proposed to the Bill, in page 11, to leave out lines 12 and 13.—(Mr Eddie McGrady.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Another Amendment (No. 24) proposed to the Bill, in page 15, line 32, to leave out Clause 19.—(Mr Alan Reid.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made. And it being Nine o’clock, the Deputy Speaker put the Question already proposed from the Chair, pursuant to Order [13th December]. The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Alan Reid, Mr Roger Williams: 48. Tellers for the Noes, Tony Cunningham, Liz Blackman: 330. The Deputy Speaker then put forthwith the Questions on the remaining Amendments and new Schedule moved by a Minister of the Crown. Other Amendments (Nos. 26 to 28) made to the Bill. A Schedule (NS1) (Northern Ireland department with policing and justice functions)—(Tony Cunningham)—brought up, read the first time, and added to the Bill. A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That the Bill be now read the third time; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Liz Blackman, Tony Cunningham: 314. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Roger Williams, Lembit Opik: 45. So the Question was agreed to. The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.
And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till twenty-eight minutes to Eleven o’clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 10.32 p.m. Page 152 Tuesday 6th February 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) School Admissions (Co-ordination of Admission Arrangements) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 194), dated 29th January 2007 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Secretary Alan Johnson].
Other Papers:
(1) the exercise by police officers of statutory powers of stop and search (Code A); (2) searches of premises by police officers and the seizure of property found by police officers on persons or premises (Code B); (3) the detention, treatment and questioning of persons by police officers (Code C); (4) the identification of persons by police officers (Code D); (5) audio recording of interviews with suspects (Code E); (6) visual recording with sound of interviews with suspects (Code F); and (7) statutory power of arrest by police officers (Code G) [by Statutory Instrument] [Mr Secretary Hain].
Page 153 Tuesday 6th February 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top APPENDIX II General Committees
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(2) The Constitutional Role of the Attorney General: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published [Mr Alan Beith].
(2) The Future of the UK’s Strategic Nuclear Deterrent: the Manufacturing and Skill Base: Government Response to the Fourth Report of the Committee, Session 2006–07: Third Special Report from the Committee; to be printed [No. 304]; and (3) The Future of the UK’s Strategic Nuclear Deterrent: the White Paper: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 225-iv] [Mr James Arbuthnot].
(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Liaison Committee; to be printed [No. 300-i]; and (2) Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published [Mr Alan Williams].
(2) Poverty in Scotland: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 168-iii] [Mr Mohammed Sarwar].
(2) The Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England: ten years on: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 299] [John McFall]. Page 154 Tuesday 6th February 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
(i) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Welsh Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 281-ii]; and (ii) Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published; and (2) Energy in Wales: follow-up: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published [Dr Hywel Francis]. [No. 41; WH, No. 22] Tuesday 6th February 2007. 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, till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 2 p.m. [No. 42.] Wednesday 7th February 2007. The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock. PRAYERS.
Bill, as amended in the Public Bill Committee, to be considered on Friday 20th April; and to be printed [Bill 62]. Minutes of Proceedings of the 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.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill [Lords],—The Lords have passed a Bill to make provision for the establishment of the National Consumer Council and its functions; to make provision for the abolition of other consumer bodies; to make provision about the handling of consumer complaints by certain providers; to make provision requiring certain providers to be members of redress schemes in respect of consumer complaints; to amend the Estate Agents Act 1979; to make provision about the cancellation of certain contracts concluded away from business premises; and for connected purposes; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.
Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill [Lords] be printed [Bill 61–EN]. Page 155 Wednesday 7th February 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
Arms Trade Obligations, the Al Yamamah Arms Agreement and Related Matters,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes the Serious Fraud Office’s (SFO) ongoing investigation into the sale by BAE Systems plc of a military air traffic control system to Tanzania and other arms-related inquiries; further notes that the SFO has ceased its investigation into BAE Systems plc and Saudi Arabia; calls for an independent inquiry into the reasons for the ending of the SFO investigation of the Saudi Arabian export sales; requests that there be laid before this House any papers or reports held by the Comptroller and Auditor General relating to the Al Yamamah arms agreement between Her Majesty’s Government and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that have been prepared for committees of this House but not yet laid before it or published; and reaffirms the obligations of the United Kingdom under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions—(Dr Vincent Cable); 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 the Serious Fraud Office’s (SFO) decision to discontinue its investigation into BAE Systems plc and Saudi Arabia was taken independently by the Director of the SFO on grounds of national security in the public interest and in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors; further notes that the SFO is vigorously pursuing a number of other lines of investigation in relation to BAE Systems plc; welcomes the steps being taken by the Government to tackle international corruption; and further welcomes the Government’s commitment to compliance with the United Kingdom’s obligation under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions’, instead thereof.—(Mr Mike O’Brien.) And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Jenny Willott, Mr Jeremy Browne: 74. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Frank Roy, Jonathan Shaw: 309. 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 that the Serious Fraud Office’s (SFO) decision to discontinue its investigation into BAE Systems plc and Saudi Arabia was taken independently by the Director of the SFO on grounds of national security in the public interest and in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors; further notes that the SFO is vigorously pursuing a number of other lines of investigation in relation to BAE Systems plc; welcomes the steps being taken by the Government to tackle international corruption; and further welcomes the Government’s commitment to compliance with the United Kingdom’s obligation under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions. Merchant Shipping (S.I., 2006, No. 3223),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the Merchant Shipping (Inland Waterway and Limited Coastal Page 156 Wednesday 7th February 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top Operations) (Boatmasters’ Qualifications and Hours of Work) Regulations 2006 (S.I., 2006, No. 3223), a copy of which was laid before this House on 7th December, be revoked—(Mr Paul Burstow); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Jenny Willott, Mr Jeremy Browne: 233. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Frank Roy, Jonathan Shaw: 295. So the Question was negatived. Government’s Record on Crime,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes the increasing evidence of a crisis in the criminal justice system, with excessive levels of prison overcrowding, failure to tackle rising reoffending rates, unacceptable breach rates of the Government’s anti-social behaviour measures, widespread public fear of crime and the judiciary’s concern over Government sentencing policy; believes that a new direction in Government policy prioritising administrative competence over media-driven legislative initiatives is urgently required; calls on the Government to make prison work by tripling the numbers of prisoners doing paid work and making education and training compulsory, with contributions from earnings going towards a victim compensation fund; calls for measures to allow sentences to mean what they say; further calls for the abandonment of the expensive identity cards scheme to allow funding for a sustainable increase in police numbers; urges the Government to divert money allocated to the latest prison building programme towards the expansion of secure and semi-secure mental health treatment facilities; and further calls on the Government to increase the use of restorative community justice panels to help reduce repeat crime, increase the use of rigorous and visible non-custodial sentences as a viable alternative to short-term prison sentences and change licensing provision to give local communities greater say over the closure of pubs and clubs which contribute to alcohol-fuelled violence—(Mr Nick Clegg); 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 ‘welcomes the significant and lasting reductions in crime this Government has achieved since 1997 which mean that the chances of being a victim of crime are at historically low levels, 24 per cent. according to the most recent British Crime Survey figures, compared with 35 per cent. in 1997; notes the new and innovative powers to tackle anti-social behaviour which are helping provide respite to communities across the country; welcomes the introduction of biometric identity cards to combat immigration abuse, illegal working, identity fraud and crime as well as strengthening national security and improving access to public services; notes the delivery of an extra 19,000 prison places and an increase in spending on prisons by 35 per cent. in real terms over the last 10 years and a further increase over the next five years to deliver a further 8,000 places; welcomes the record numbers of police officers and police community support officers on the streets helping to make communities safer; and congratulates the Government on its commitment to driving down crime further’, instead thereof.—(Mr Tony McNulty.) And the Question being proposed, That the original words stand part of the Question; Mr Paul Burstow 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. And the Question being accordingly put; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Jenny Willott, Mr Roger Williams: 57. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Alan Campbell, Mr Ian Cawsey: 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); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Alan Campbell, Mr Ian Cawsey: 279. Tellers for the Noes, Jenny Willott, Mark Hunter: 109. So the Question was agreed to. The Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to. Resolved, That this House welcomes the significant and lasting reductions in crime this Government has achieved since 1997 which mean that the chances of being a victim of crime are at historically low levels, 24 per cent. according to the most recent British Crime Survey figures, compared with 35 per cent. in 1997; notes the new and innovative powers to tackle anti-social behaviour which are helping provide respite to communities across the country; welcomes the introduction of biometric identity cards to combat immigration abuse, illegal working, identity fraud and crime as well as strengthening Page 157 Wednesday 7th February 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top national security and improving access to public services; notes the delivery of an extra 19,000 prison places and an increase in spending on prisons by 35 per cent. in real terms over the last 10 years and a further increase over the next five years to deliver a further 8,000 places; welcomes the record numbers of police officers and police community support officers on the streets helping to make communities safer; and congratulates the Government on its commitment to driving down crime further.
And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till six minutes to Eight o’clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 7.54 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Paper subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) Education (Student Support) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 176), dated 29th January 2007 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Secretary Alan Johnson].
(2) Long Funding Leases (Elections) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 304), dated 6th February 2007 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Dawn Primarolo]. Other Papers:
APPENDIX II General Committees
Page 158 Wednesday 7th February 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
(1) The Speaker has appointed Mr Eric Illsley and Mr David Amess Chairmen of the UK Borders Bill Committee; and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Crispin Blunt, Mr Liam Byrne, Mr Alan Campbell, Mr James Clappison, David T. C. Davies (Monmouth), Damian Green, John Hemming, Mrs Sharon Hodgson, Mr Stewart Jackson, Kerry McCarthy, Chris Mole, Mr Jamie Reed, Paul Rowen, Joan Ryan, Kitty Ussher, David Wright and Mr Iain Wright.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the First Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mrs Janet Dean Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Danny Alexander, Tony Baldry, Mr Henry Bellingham, Mr Richard Benyon, Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods, Liz Blackman, Chris Bryant, Mr Douglas Carswell, Ann Clwyd, Mr Brian H. Donohoe, Mr Tobias Ellwood, John Hemming, Mr Andrew Love, Kerry McCarthy, Mr Pat McFadden, Alun Michael and Ms Gisela Stuart.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Second Delegated Legislation and has appointed Mrs Joan Humble Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated twenty-one Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Peter Bone, Ms Dawn Butler, Mr Stephen Crabb, James Duddridge, Mr Philip Dunne, Bill Etherington, Mr Michael Foster (Worcester), Nia Griffith, Mr Mike Hall, Mr David Hanson, Mr Doug Henderson, Mr Mark Lancaster, Mr Eddie McGrady, Rob Marris, Mr George Mudie, Lembit Opik, Mr Nick Raynsford, Mr Laurence Robertson, Mr Peter Robinson, Joan Walley and Lynda Waltho.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Third 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: Danny Alexander, John Battle, Mr Ronnie Campbell, Jeff Ennis, Mr John Gummer, Mr John Heppell, Barbara Keeley, Mr Fraser Kemp, Mr Mark Lancaster, Mr David Laws, Mr Jim Murphy, Robert Neill, John Penrose, Gwyn Prosser, Andrew Selous, Mr Dennis Skinner and Dr Gavin Strang.
European Standing Committees
Page 159 Wednesday 7th February 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(i) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Constitutional Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 306-i]; and (ii) Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published; and (2) Implementation of the Carter Review of Legal Aid: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published [Mr Alan Beith].
(2) Questions to Defra on the work of the Committee: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published [Mr Michael Jack].
(2) Ministerial Correspondence: Memoranda laid before the Committee: to be published [Michael Connarty].
(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 269-ii]; and (2) Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published [Sir John Stanley].
Page 160 Wednesday 7th February 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
(2) Space Policy: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 66-iv] [Mr Phil Willis].
(2) Department for Transport Annual Report 2006: Fourth Report from the Committee, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 95]; (3) Bus Services across the UK: Government Response to the Eleventh Report from the Committee, Session 2005–06: Third Special Report from the Committee; to be printed [No. 298]; and (4) The Government’s Motorcycling Strategy: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 264-ii] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].
[No. 42; WH, No. 23] Wednesday 7th February 2007. The House sitting in Westminster Hall The sitting began at half-past Nine o’clock.
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 5.26 p.m. [No. 43.] Thursday 8th February 2007. The House met at half-past Ten o’clock. PRAYERS.
Memoranda to lie upon the Table and to be published.
Bill, as amended in the Public Bill Committee, to be considered on Monday 19th February; and to be printed [Bill 56]. Certain Memoranda (reported on 25th and 30th January) to be printed. Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table. Page 161 Thursday 8th February 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
Debate to be resumed on Friday 20th April.
And it being Six o’clock, 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 o’clock, adjourned till Monday 19th February, pursuant to Order [17th January]. [Adjourned at 6.28 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
(2) draft Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (England) Regulations 2007; and (3) draft Welfare of Animals (Miscellaneous Revocations) (England) Regulations 2007 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Secretary David Miliband].
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Page 162 Thursday 8th February 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
(2) Iran (United Nations Measures) (Overseas Territories) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 282), dated 7th February 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Margaret Beckett]; and (3) Lebanon (United Nations Sanctions) (Overseas Territories) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 283), dated 7th February 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].
Other Papers:
APPENDIX II Reports from Select Committees
[No. 43; WH, No. 24] Thursday 8th February 2007. The House sitting in Westminster Hall The sitting began at half-past Two o’clock.
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till Tuesday 20th February. [Adjourned at 4.59 p.m.
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