| Session 2006-2007 |
| Commons Journal 263
Chronological Index
Page 320 2006-2007 Volume 263 [No. 82.] Monday 30th April 2007. The House met at half-past Two o’clock. PRAYERS.
That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 5422/07 and Addenda 1 and 2, Commission Communication: Limiting Global Climate Change to 2 degrees Celsius—the way ahead for 2020 and beyond; endorses the Government’s support for the ambitious reduction targets that the EU has put forward and supports the Government’s objective of ensuring that European policy on climate change continues to demonstrate the leadership that is necessary to galvanise the international community to work towards a global and comprehensive post 2012 agreement. Resolution to lie upon the Table. Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
London Local Authorities Bill [Lords],—The Lords have passed a Bill to confer further powers upon local authorities in London; and for related purposes; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.
Bill referred to the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 18th May.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 15th June.
(In the Committee) Ordered, That the order in which proceedings in the Committee of the whole House on the Finance Bill are to be taken shall be: Clauses Nos. 3, 1, 7 and 8; Schedule No. 1; Clauses Nos. 25 and 67; Schedule No. 18; Clauses Nos. 12 and 81 to 83; Schedule No. 22; Clause No. 84; Schedule No. 23; Clauses Nos. 20 and 21; and new Clauses relating to microgeneration.—(John Healey.) Clause No. 3 (Small companies’ rates and fractions for financial year 2007). Question put, That the Clause stand part of the Bill. The Committee divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Frank Roy, Mr Dave Watts: 257. Tellers for the Noes, Angela Watkinson, Michael Fabricant: 138. Clause No. 1 (Charge and rates for 2007–08). Amendment (No. 10) proposed, in page 1, line 6, to leave out ‘10%’ and insert ‘0%’.—(Julia Goldsworthy.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The Chairman, being of the opinion that the principle of the Clause and any matters arising thereon had been adequately discussed in the course of debate on the Amendment proposed thereto, put forthwith the Question, pursuant to Standing Order No. 68 (Debate on clause or schedule standing part), That the Clause stand part of the Bill:—It was agreed to. Page 321 Monday 30th April 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top Schedule No. 1 agreed to. Clause No. 25 (Managed service companies). Amendment (No. 1) proposed, in page 17, line 15, to leave out from the word ‘Schedule’ to the end and insert the words ‘shall come into force on a date which the Treasury shall by Order made by statutory instrument appoint. (3) No Order shall be made under subsection (2) unless the Treasury has compiled and laid before the House of Commons a report on the likely consequences of bringing into force the provisions contained in Schedule 3. (4) A report under subsection (3) shall in particular include the Treasury’s assessment of the implications for— (a) the overall level of tax revenues accruing to the Exchequer; (b) the cost impact and regulatory burden of the measure; (c) the United Kingdom labour market; (d) the competitiveness of the United Kingdom economy and the encouragement of enterprise.’.—(Mrs Theresa Villiers.) Question put, That the Amendment be made. The Committee divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Angela Watkinson, Michael Fabricant: 123. Tellers for the Noes, Claire Ward, Mr John Heppell: 265. Clause agreed to. To report progress and ask leave to sit again.—(Liz Blackman.) The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair and Liz Blackman reported, That the Committee had made progress in the Bill, and that she was directed to move, That the Committee may have leave to sit again. Committee again to-morrow.
And it being Ten o’clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put.
And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till eighteen minutes past Ten o’clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 10.18 p.m. Page 322 Monday 30th April 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
(1) the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the Petition [8th March] from residents of Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire and others for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the proposed closure of the last bank in the area; and (2) the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the Petitions— (i) [15th March] from residents and citizens of the town of Cheadle in Staffordshire for the re-establishment of two on-call fire appliances in Cheadle; and (ii) [15th March] from residents and citizens of the village of Whiston in Staffordshire against the planning application for an extension to Moneystone quarry [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].
(i) Central Government [by Command]; to be printed [No. 438] [Mr Stephen Timms]; (ii) the Electoral Commission [by Act]; to be printed [No. 441] [The Speaker]; (iii) the House of Commons: Administration [by Act]; to be printed [No. 448] [The Speaker]; and (iv) the National Audit Office [by Act]; to be printed [No. 440] [Mr Alan Williams]; and (2) Central Government Supply Estimates 2007–08; Supplementary Budgetary Information [by Command] [Cm. 7079] [Mr Stephen Timms].
Page 323 Monday 30th April 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top APPENDIX II European Standing Committees
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(2) Progress in tackling pensioner poverty: encouraging take-up of entitlements: Twenty-sixth Report from the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 169]; and (3) Pay modernisation in the NHS: the impact of the new consultants’ contract: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 506-i] [Mr Edward Leigh]. [No. 83.] Tuesday 1st May 2007. The House met at half-past Two o’clock. PRAYERS.
Whitehaven Harbour Bill [Lords]. Bill to be read a second time.
Memoranda to lie upon the Table and to be published.
Page 324 Tuesday 1st May 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top (In the Committee) Clause No. 67 (Abolition of contributions relief for life assurance premium contributions). Question put, That the Clause stand part of the Bill. The Committee divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Alan Campbell, Mr Dave Watts: 262. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Robert Goodwill, Mr Simon Burns: 145. Schedule No. 18 (Pension schemes: abolition of relief for life assurance premium contributions etc). Amendments (Nos. 6 to 9) made to the Bill. Schedule, as amended, agreed to. Clause No. 12 (Rates of air passenger duty). Amendment (No. 3) proposed, in page 8, line 22, to leave out the words ‘1st February’ and insert the words ‘21st March’.—(Mr Christopher Chope.) Question put, That the Amendment be made. The Committee divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Christopher Chope, Mr Quentin Davies: 29. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Alan Campbell, Huw Irranca-Davies: 260. Another Amendment (No. 13) proposed, in page 8, line 29, at the end to add the words— ‘(7) This section shall come into force on a day which the Treasury may by Order appoint. (8) No order may be made under subsection (7) unless the Treasury has compiled and laid before the House of Commons a report containing an assessment of the impact of air passenger duty on the objective of reducing carbon emissions, and including an analysis of the comparative effectiveness in meeting that objective of the taxation of air passengers, on the one hand, and of aircraft according to their emissions levels, on the other.’.—(Dr Vincent Cable.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause agreed to. Clause No. 81 (Criminal investigations: powers of Revenue and Customs). Amendment (No. 19) proposed, in page 56, line 7, to leave out the word ‘thinks’ and insert the words ‘has reasonable grounds for believing’.—(Julia Goldsworthy.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Another Amendment (No. 2) proposed, in page 56, line 47, at the end, to insert the words— ‘(2B) Any power or function conferred by a provision of this Act shall, so far as it is exercisable by an officer of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, only be exercised by an officer who has been duly authorised for that purpose by the Board of HMRC and who has been properly trained and supervised. (2C) For the purposes of subsection (2B), what constitutes “properly trained and supervised” shall be decided by the Board of HMRC with the approval of the responsible Minister. (2D) Subject to subsection (2E), the number of officers authorised under subsection (2B) shall not exceed 500 at any one time. (2E) The Treasury may by order amend the number of officers mentioned in subsection (2D). (2F) The annual report of HMRC shall include an analysis of the use made by officers of HMRC of the powers or functions conferred on them by this Act. The report shall Page 325 Tuesday 1st May 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top cover the frequency of use of the relevant powers or functions and the circumstances in which they were invoked. (2G) The report mentioned in subsection (2F) shall also include an analysis of the use made by officers of HMRC of the equivalent powers and functions in Northern Ireland and Scotland.’.—(Mr Mark Francois.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Another Amendment (No. 20) proposed, in page 57, line 12, at the end to add the words— ‘(12) Any power of arrest conferred by a provision of this Act as it amends section 114 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 shall, so far as it is exercisable by an officer of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, only be exercised by an officer or officers serving in the Criminal Investigation Directorate of HMRC.’.—(Mr Mark Francois.) Question put, That the Amendment be made. The Committee divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Michael Fabricant, Mr Robert Goodwill: 118. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Michael Foster, Jonathan Shaw: 279. Clause agreed to. Clauses Nos. 82 and 83 agreed to. Schedule No. 22 agreed to. Clause No. 84 agreed to. Schedule No. 23 agreed to. Clause No. 20 (Income tax exemption for domestic microgeneration). Amendment (No. 15) proposed, in page 15, line 10, to leave out sub-paragraph (b).—(Julia Goldsworthy.) Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause agreed to. Clause No. 21 agreed to. Bill (Clauses Nos. 1, 3, 7, 8, 12, 20, 21, 25, 67 and 81 to 84 and Schedules Nos. 1, 18, 22 and 23), as amended, to be reported. The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair, and Kevin Brennan reported, That the Committee had gone through the Bill (Clauses Nos. 1, 3, 7, 8, 12, 20, 21, 25, 67 and 81 to 84 and Schedules Nos. 1, 18, 22 and 23), and made Amendments thereunto. Ordered, That the Bill (Clauses Nos. 1, 3, 7, 8, 12, 20, 21, 25, 67 and 81 to 84 and Schedules Nos. 1, 18, 22 and 23), as amended in the Committee, do lie upon the Table.
(1) residents of Chelsworth Drive and Tuam Drive in the London Borough of Greenwich for legislation to require the clearance of Japanese knotweed; (2) members of the 5 Parishes Opposition Group and others against the expansion of the Kent Science Park; and (3) Eddie Stacey, residents of Canvey Island, Benfleet and others for full public consultation on proposals for the reorganisation of health care on Canvey Island were presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.
(1) Respect the Unity Coalition against the privatisation of healthcare and for increased resources for the NHS; and (2) Sussex Action for Peace for the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq were presented; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed. Page 326 Tuesday 1st May 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till twenty-seven minutes past Eleven o’clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 11.27 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
APPENDIX II Reports from Select Committees
(2) Government Response to the Committee’s First Report on the UN Millennium Eco-System Assessment: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published [Mr Tim Yeo].
(i) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee; to be printed [No. 470-i]; and (ii) Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published; (2) Identity Card Technologies: Scientific Advice, Risk and Evidence: Follow-up: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published; and (3) Office of Science and Innovation Scrutiny 2006: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published [Mr Phil Willis].
Page 327 Tuesday 1st May 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top [No. 83; WH, No. 48] Tuesday 1st May 2007. The House sitting in Westminster Hall The sitting began at half-past Nine o’clock.
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 1.59 p.m. [No. 84.] Wednesday 2nd May 2007. The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock. PRAYERS.
Transport for London Bill [Lords],—The Lords have passed a Bill to confer further powers upon Transport for London; and for related purposes; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House. Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Bill,—The Lords agree to the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Bill, with Amendments; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.
Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to Lords Amendments to the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Bill be printed [Bill 100–EN].
Bill referred to the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills.
And it being one and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion, the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Standing Order No. 16 (Proceedings under an Act or on European Union documents):—It was agreed to. Page 328 Wednesday 2nd May 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top Resolved, That this House takes note of European Union Documents No. 16932/06, Commission Communication on a European Programme for Critical Infrastructure Protection, and No. 16933/06 and Addenda 1 and 2, Draft Council Directive on the identification and designation of European Critical Infrastructure and the assessment of the need to improve their protection; and supports the Government’s intention to secure adoption of these documents in Council, subject to a satisfactory resolution of outstanding concerns.
Consideration of Lords Amendments 1. Proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion three hours after their commencement at this day’s sitting. Subsequent stages 2. Any further message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question being put. 3. The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement—(Mr Frank Roy):—It was agreed to.
Lords Amendments Nos. 1 to 55 were agreed to.
The Motion was, with leave of the House, withdrawn.
Ordered, That a Select Committee of nine Members be appointed to join with the Committee appointed by the Lords to consider the draft Human Tissue and Embryos Bill. That the Committee shall have power— (i) to send for persons, papers and records; (ii) to sit notwithstanding any adjournment of the House; (iii) to report from time to time; (iv) to appoint specialist advisers; and (v) to adjourn from place to place within the United Kingdom. That the quorum of the Committee shall be two; and That Mr David Burrowes, Ms Katy Clark, Dr Ian Gibson, Robert Key, Chris Mole, Dr Doug Naysmith, Geraldine Smith, Ms Dari Taylor and Mr Phil Willis be members of the Committee.—(Mr Dave Watts.) Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.
And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till twenty-seven minutes past Seven o’clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 7.27 p.m. Page 329 Wednesday 2nd May 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) Education (Excluded Days of Detention) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1304), dated 19th April 2007; and (3) School Organisation (Foundation Special Schools) (Application of Provisions Relating to Foundations) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1329), dated 25th April 2007 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Secretary Alan Johnson].
Other Papers:
(1) for 2002; and (2) for 2003, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland thereon [by Statutory Instrument]; to be printed [Nos. 461 and 482] [Mr Secretary Hain].
APPENDIX II General Committees
Page 330 Wednesday 2nd May 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Regulations to the First Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Mike Hancock Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Danny Alexander, Gordon Banks, Mr James Clappison, Ann Clwyd, Mr Stephen Crabb, James Duddridge, Michael Jabez Foster, Mr Mike Hall, Mr John Heppell, Kate Hoey, Mr Mark Lancaster, Mr David Laws, John McDonnell, Mr George Mudie, James Purnell, Mr David Ruffley and Jim Sheridan.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Second Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Hugh Bayley Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Tom Brake, Mr Ian Davidson, Mrs Nadine Dorries, Mr Philip Dunne, Michael Fabricant, Mr Christopher Fraser, Michael Gove, Mr Doug Henderson, David Lepper, Mr Elliot Morley, Meg Munn, Mr Ken Purchase, Mr Geoffrey Robinson, Mr Dan Rogerson, Jonathan Shaw, Ms Angela C. Smith (Sheffield, Hillsborough) and Mr Paul Truswell.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the 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, Colin Challen, Jon Cruddas, Jeff Ennis, Mr David Gauke, Mr Greg Hands, Mr John Heppell, Mr Adam Holloway, Eric Joyce, Mr Fraser Kemp, Susan Kramer, Mr Mark Lancaster, Mrs Anne McGuire, Andrew Mackinlay, Mr Nick Raynsford, Andrew Selous and Graham Stringer. European Standing Committees
(1) The Speaker has appointed Mr Greg Pope Chairman of the European Standing Committee nominated in respect of the Document; and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated thirteen Members to serve on the Committee: John Barrett, Mr Simon Burns, Harry Cohen, Jim Cousins, Tony Cunningham, Lynne Featherstone, Helen Jones, Mr Greg Knight, Tom Levitt, Anne Main, Albert Owen, Mark Simmonds and Mr Gareth Thomas.
Page 331 Wednesday 2nd May 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(2) Ministerial Correspondence: Memoranda laid before the Committee: to be published [Michael Connarty].
(i) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Work and Pensions Committee; to be printed [No. 463-i]; and (ii) Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published; (2) Autumn Performance Report: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published; and (3) Jobcentre Plus: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published [Mr Terry Rooney]. [No. 84; WH, No. 49] Wednesday 2nd May 2007. The House sitting in Westminster Hall The sitting began at half-past Nine o’clock.
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till Tuesday 8th May, pursuant to Order [16th April]. [Adjourned at 4.29 p.m. Page 332 Wednesday 2nd May 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top [No. 85.] Thursday 3rd May 2007. The House met at half-past Ten o’clock. PRAYERS.
Welfare Reform Act 2007.
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 Six o’clock, adjourned till Tuesday 8th May, pursuant to Resolution [24th April]. [Adjourned at 6 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) School Governance (Parent Council) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1330); and (3) School Organisation (Requirements as to Foundations) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1287), dated 25th April 2007 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Secretary Alan Johnson].
Other Papers:
(1) the Petition [26th March] from Janet R Rendle and residents of the town of Tiverton, Devon, and neighbouring parishes for the reinstatement of the night time small injuries unit at Tiverton Hospital; (2) the Petition [26th March] from Roger William Boote and residents of the town of Honiton, Devon, and neighbouring parishes for the reinstatement of the night time small injuries unit at Honiton Hospital; and (3) the Petition [28th March] from residents of Ilford North against the reduction in services and the possible closure of King George’s Hospital [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].
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