Session 2006-2007

Commons Journal 263

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Alphabetical Index - Part I
Alphabetical Index - Part II


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Page 333            2006-2007      Volume 263      

[No. 86.]

Tuesday 8th May 2007.

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

PRAYERS.

1Private Bills [Lords] (No Standing Order not previously inquired into applicable),—The Speaker laid upon the Table a Report from one of the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills, That, in the case of the following Bill, originating in the Lords and referred after the First Reading thereof, no Standing Order not previously inquired into is applicable thereto, viz.:

London Local Authorities Bill [Lords].

Bill to be read a second time.

2Whitehaven Harbour Bill [Lords],—The Whitehaven Harbour Bill [Lords] was read a second time and committed.

3Mental Health Bill [Lords],—Frank Cook reported certain Memoranda from the Mental Health Bill [Lords] Committee.

Memoranda to lie upon the Table and to be published.

4First Delegated Legislation Committee,—Mr Mike Hancock reported from the First Delegated Legislation Committee the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations (S.I., 2007, No. 775).

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

5European Standing Committee,—Mr Greg Pope reported from a European Standing Committee the following Resolution:

That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 7124/07 and Addendum 1, Commission Communication, EU Code of Conduct on Division of Labour in Development Policy; and welcomes proposals to lower the transaction costs for developing countries and increase the effectiveness of providing aid.

Resolution to lie upon the Table.

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

6Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords as follows:

The Lords communicate that they have appointed a Committee of nine Lords to join with the Committee appointed by this House to consider and report on any draft Human Tissue and Embryos Bill presented to both Houses by a Minister of the Crown, and to report on the draft Bill by 25th July 2007;

They have ordered that the Committee have power to agree with the Committee appointed by this House in the appointment of a Chairman;

That the Committee have leave to report from time to time notwithstanding any adjournment of the House;

That the Committee have power to appoint specialist advisers;

That the Committee have power to adjourn from place to place;

That the quorum of the Committee be two; and

That the reports of the Committee from time to time shall be printed, notwithstanding any adjournment of the House.

7Opposition Day [10th allotted day],—It being an allotted day at the disposal of the leader of the second largest opposition party in pursuance of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business), the House proceeded to consider Opposition business.

Action on Climate Change,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House calls on the Government to set targets for carbon emissions informed by science and not political convenience which will help to hold global warming to within two degrees of pre-industrial levels; recognises that the best current estimate is that this requires stabilisation at between 400 and 450 parts per million of carbon dioxide equivalent in the atmosphere; and urges Ministers to inject a new sense of urgency into efforts at home by setting out an annual action plan to curb the UK’s own carbon emissions, establishing a climate change committee of the Cabinet to ensure joined up government, tackling quickly the most rapidly growing emissions in the transport sector by a more steeply graduated vehicle excise duty and a rebasing of air passenger duty onto the emissions of each flight, offset by other tax cuts, speeding up the effort to curb the waste of energy and the high emissions from buildings not just by raising thermal efficiency requirements in new homes but also by renovating existing homes, changing

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the incentives on energy companies so that they make more money by saving and not selling more energy, providing comprehensive insulation packages funded mainly by energy mortgages repayable through utility bills and setting an example by ensuring that all future buildings on the Government’s own estate are built to the highest energy efficiency standards—(Chris Huhne);

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 publication of the draft Climate Change Bill, which will make the UK the first country in the world to establish a long term legal framework for managing the transition to a low carbon economy, setting ambitious binding targets to cut carbon emissions by 26 to 32 per cent. from the 1990 level by 2020 and at least 60 per cent. by 2050, which can be revised in light of significant developments in international policy and climate science, and establishing an independent Committee on Climate Change to advise on setting statutory five year carbon budgets and to report to Parliament annually on progress; further welcomes the Government’s comprehensive approach to reducing emissions from all sectors of the economy and the proposals in the energy review to cut carbon emissions by up to a further 25 million tonnes of carbon per year by 2020; recognises that home energy use for heating, lighting and appliances accounts for more than a quarter of domestic UK carbon emissions; applauds the Government’s proposals to improve building standards so that from 2016 all new housing developments must be zero carbon; recognises the Government’s commitment to improving the energy efficiency of existing homes and tackling fuel poverty through Warm Front and the Energy Efficiency Commitment; welcomes the Budget 2007 report statement that by the end of the next decade all householders will have been offered help to introduce energy efficiency measures; and looks forward to further development of policies in this area’, instead thereof.—(Ian Pearson.)

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

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Jeremy Browne, Mr Roger Williams: 59.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Ian Cawsey, Mr Dave Watts: 298.

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 welcomes publication of the draft Climate Change Bill, which will make the UK the first country in the world to establish a long term legal framework for managing the transition to a low carbon economy, setting ambitious binding targets to cut carbon emissions by 26 to 32 per cent. from the 1990 level by 2020 and at least 60 per cent. by 2050, which can be revised in light of significant developments in international policy and climate science, and establishing an independent Committee on Climate Change to advise on setting statutory five year carbon budgets and to report to Parliament annually on progress; further welcomes the Government’s comprehensive approach to reducing emissions from all sectors of the economy and the proposals in the energy review to cut carbon emissions by up to a further 25 million tonnes of carbon per year by 2020; recognises that home energy use for heating, lighting and appliances accounts for more than a quarter of domestic UK carbon emissions; applauds the Government’s proposals to improve building standards so that from 2016 all new housing developments must be zero carbon; recognises the Government’s commitment to improving the energy efficiency of existing homes and tackling fuel poverty through Warm Front and the Energy Efficiency Commitment; welcomes the Budget 2007 report statement that by the end of the next decade all householders will have been offered help to introduce energy efficiency measures; and looks forward to further development of policies in this area.

Mental Health Services,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House is concerned that despite mental illness affecting one in six adults in the UK the proportion of NHS spending allocated to mental health has decreased in the last 10 years, despite the growing burden on the disability benefit system and criminal justice system of dealing with mental illness; recognises that historic under-funding of mental health services has been exacerbated by the Government’s top-slicing of budgets in order to bring the NHS out of deficit; notes the damaging impact that this has had on providing access to mental health services, with particular regard to the unacceptably poor state of many acute mental health wards in providing appropriate settings for the treatment of children and young people, addressing the race inequalities in the mental health system and improving patient safety through, for example, the eradication of mixed sex wards; further notes the warning in last year’s Health Select Committee Report on NHS deficits that cuts in mental health services are simply unacceptable; calls on the Government to

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deliver on its promise to ensure that trusts whose budgets were top-sliced in the last financial year will get their money back this year and to take active steps to ensure that within each health economy mental health trusts receive their fair allocation of funding; and further urges the Government to accelerate its implementation of Lord Layard’s report, which says that expanding therapy services could be paid for by the savings this would create for expenditure on benefits—(Norman Lamb);

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 extra £1.65 billion spent on mental health services since 2001; supports the record number of staff working in mental health since 1997 including almost 9,400 more psychiatric nurses and over 1,300 more consultant psychiatrists; further welcomes the lowest suicide rates since records began; recognises the work of the 700 new mental health teams in the community; notes the national patient survey, which shows that 77 per cent. of community patients rate their care as good, very good or excellent; recognises that between 2001 and 2005 £1.6 billion capital was spent by mental health trusts on improvements to mental health wards; further welcomes the Government’s commitment to expanding access to psychological therapies; and further welcomes the Government’s Mental Health Bill, which will update the legislation to reflect advances in knowledge and new ways of treating people, particularly in the community’, instead thereof.—(Ms Rosie Winterton.)

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

Mr Jeremy Browne 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, Mr Jeremy Browne, Mr Dan Rogerson: 86.

Tellers for the Noes, Steve McCabe, Huw Irranca-Davies: 290.

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 welcomes the extra £1.65 billion spent on mental health services since 2001; supports the record number of staff working in mental health since 1997 including almost 9,400 more psychiatric nurses and over 1,300 more consultant psychiatrists; further welcomes the lowest suicide rates since records began; recognises the work of the 700 new mental health teams in the community; notes the national patient survey, which shows that 77 per cent. of community patients rate their care as good, very good or excellent; recognises that between 2001 and 2005 £1.6 billion capital was spent by mental health trusts on improvements to mental health wards; further welcomes the Government’s commitment to expanding access to psychological therapies; and further welcomes the Government’s Mental Health Bill, which will update the legislation to reflect advances in knowledge and new ways of treating people, particularly in the community.

8Limiting Global Climate Change,—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 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—(Liz Blackman):—It was agreed to.

9Animals,—Ordered, That the Cattle Identification Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 529), dated 19th February 2007, be referred to a Delegated Legislation Committee.—(Liz Blackman.)

10Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Liz Blackman.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till seventeen minutes to Eleven o’clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 10.43 p.m.

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APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers presented by Her Majesty’s Command and delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on the undermentioned date during the adjournment pursuant to Standing Order No. 158 (Presentation of command papers):

Friday 4th May 2007

1Culture, Media and Sport,—The Digital Switchover Help Scheme: A Scheme Agreement Between Her Majesty’s Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the British Broadcasting Corporation [Cm. 7118] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].

Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on the undermentioned date during the adjournment pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments):

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

Friday 4th May 2007

2Criminal Law,—Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (Designated Sites under Section 128) (Amendment) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1387), dated 2nd May 2007, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Secretary John Reid].

3Education,—(1) School Organisation (Establishment and Discontinuance of Schools) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1288);

(2) School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1289); and

(3) School Organisation (Transitional Provisions) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1355),

dated 26th April 2007, with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [Secretary Alan Johnson].

Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Tuesday 8th May 2007:

Paper subject to Affirmative Resolution:

4Trade Marks,—Draft Trade Marks (Relative Grounds) Order 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Darling].

Paper subject to Negative Resolution:

5Education,—Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1336), dated 26th April 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Alan Johnson].

Other Papers:

6Financial Reporting to Parliament,—Departmental Report for 2006–07 for the Department for Constitutional Affairs [by Command] [Cm. 7097] [Ms Harriet Harman].

7National Trust (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords],—Report by the Attorney General on the National Trust (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords] [by Standing Order] [The Solicitor General].

APPENDIX II

General Committees

1Finance Bill (except Clauses Nos. 1, 3, 7, 8, 12, 20, 21, 25, 67 and 81 to 84, Schedules Nos. 1, 18, 22 and 23, and new Clauses relating to microgeneration),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Helen Goodman from the Public Bill Committee (nominated in respect of the Bill) and nominated in substitution Mr Paul Goodman.

2Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations (S.I., 2007, No. 775),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Ann Clwyd from the First Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the Regulations) and nominated in substitution Mr Adrian Bailey.

European Standing Committees

3European Union Document No. 7124/07 and Addendum 1, relating to EU Development Policy,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Helen Jones and Albert Owen from the European Standing Committee (nominated in respect of the Document) and nominated in substitution Mr Mike Hall and Mr Neil Turner.

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APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1Administration,—(1) House of Commons Accommodation: Further Response to the Committee’s Third Report of Session 2005–06: Second Special Report from the Administration Committee; to be printed [No. 516]; and

(2) Record of the Committee’s discussions at its meeting on 8th May; to be published

[Mr Frank Doran].

2Communities and Local Government,—(1) Spring Supplementary Estimates 2006–07: Memorandum laid before the Communities and Local Government Committee; to be published; and

(2) Main Estimates 2007–08: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published

[Dr Phyllis Starkey].

3Constitutional Affairs,—Reform of the coroners’ system and death certification—follow-up: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Constitutional Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 515-i] [Mr Alan Beith].

4Culture, Media and Sport,—Public Service Media Content: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee; to be printed [No. 316-v] [Mr John Whittingdale].

5Defence,—(1) The Army’s requirement for armoured vehicles: the FRES programme: Government Response to the Seventh Report from the Committee, Session 2006–07: Ninth Special Report from the Defence Committee; to be printed [No. 511];

(2) The work of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and the funding of defence research: Government Response to the Eighth Report from the Committee, Session 2006–07: Tenth Special Report from the Committee; to be printed [No. 512]; and

(3) UK operations in Afghanistan: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 408-iv]

[Mr James Arbuthnot].

6Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—British Waterways: Minutes of Evidence taken before the British Waterways Sub-Committee of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 345-vi] [Mr Michael Jack].

7Environmental Audit,—Beyond Stern: Forecasting, Cost-Effectiveness and Climate Change:

(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environmental Audit Committee; to be printed [No. 460-iv]; and

(2) Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 460]

[Mr Tim Yeo].

8Home Affairs,—Towards Effective Sentencing: Memoranda laid before the Home Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 467] [Mr John Denham].

9Procedure,—Public Petitions and Early Day Motions: First Report from the Procedure Committee, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 513] [Mr Greg Knight].

10Treasury,—The Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England: ten years on: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Treasury Committee; to be printed [No. 299-iv] [John McFall].


[No. 86; WH, No. 50]

Tuesday 8th May 2007.

The House sitting in Westminster Hall

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

Adjournment,—Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Mr Tom Harris.)

And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 1.57 p.m.


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[No. 87.]

Wednesday 9th May 2007.

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

PRAYERS.

1National Trust (Northern Ireland) Bill,—The Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means reported from the Committee on Unopposed Bills, That it had examined the allegations contained in the Preamble to the National Trust (Northern Ireland) Bill and found the same to be true; and had gone through the Bill and made Amendments thereunto.

Bill, as amended in the Committee, to lie upon the Table.

2Second Delegated Legislation Committee,—Hugh Bayley reported from the Second Delegated Legislation Committee the draft Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (Corresponding Amendments) Order 2007.

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

3Copyright Term for Performers and Producers,—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to extend the period of time over which royalties are payable to performers and producers of recorded material; and for connected purposes: And that Michael Connarty, Mr Bob Blizzard, Peter Luff, John Robertson, Nigel Griffiths, Derek Conway, Mr Tom Clarke, Bob Russell, Alan Keen, Rosemary McKenna, John Hemming and Pete Wishart do prepare and bring it in.

4Copyright Term for Performers and Producers Bill,—Michael Connarty accordingly presented a Bill to extend the period of time over which royalties are payable to performers and producers of recorded material; 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 101].

5Parliament (Joint Departments) Bill [Lords],—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 90 (Second reading committees), That the Parliament (Joint Departments) Bill [Lords] be referred to a Second Reading Committee—(Huw Irranca-Davies):—It was agreed to.

6UK Borders Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the UK Borders Bill, as amended in the Public Bill Committee.

A Clause (NC9) (Search for evidence of nationality: other premises)—(Joan Ryan)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

Another Clause (NC10) (Police civilians)—(Joan Ryan)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

Another Clause (NC1) (Deportation orders: provision of information)—(Mr David Kidney)—brought up, and read the first time.

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

Another Clause (NC2) (Immigration service: welfare of children)—(Damian Green)—brought up and read the first time.

Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Andrew Rosindell, Mr Crispin Blunt: 226.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Frank Roy, Tony Cunningham: 294.

Another Clause (NC5) (Verification of identity)—(Philip Davies)—brought up and read the first time.

Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time.

And it being Six o’clock, the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Order [5th February]:—It was negatived.

The Deputy Speaker then put forthwith the Question on an Amendment moved by a Minister of the Crown.

Amendment (No. 16) made to the Bill.

The Deputy Speaker then put forthwith the Question on an Amendment selected for separate decision.

Another Amendment (No. 34) proposed to the Bill, in page 16, line 6, to leave out from the word ‘whom’ to the end of the line and insert the words ‘the condition under subsection (2) applies.’, instead thereof.—(Paul Rowen.)

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Question put, That the Amendment be made.

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Jenny Willott, Mr Dan Rogerson: 59.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Frank Roy, Tony Cunningham: 466.

The Deputy Speaker then put forthwith the Question on the remaining Amendments moved by a Minister of the Crown.

Other Amendments (Nos. 17 to 27) made to the Bill.

A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the Bill be now read the third time;

And it being Seven o’clock, the Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Order [5th February]:—It was agreed to.

The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.

7EU Development Policy,—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 No. 7124/07 and Addendum 1, Commission Communication, EU Code of Conduct on Division of Labour in Development Policy; and welcomes proposals to lower the transaction costs for developing countries and increase the effectiveness of providing aid—(Mr John Heppell):—It was agreed to.

8Public Petition,—A Public Petition from the City of Derby against the proposal by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs to close its two offices in Derby was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

9Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Liz Blackman.)

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

[Adjourned at 7.29 p.m.


APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Paper subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1Regulatory Reform,—Draft Regulatory Reform (Collaboration etc. between Ombudsmen) Order 2007, with a Statement by the Cabinet Office [by Act] [Hilary Armstrong].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

2Constitutional Law,—National Assembly for Wales Commission (Crown Status) (No. 2) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1353), dated 2nd May 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hain].

3Education,—(1) Education (School Information) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1365);

(2) School Travel (Piloting of Schemes) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1366); and

(3) School Travel (Pupils with Dual Registration) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1367),

dated 27th April 2007 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Secretary Alan Johnson].

4European Communities,—European Communities (Designation) (No. 2) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1349), dated 2nd May 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].

5Northern Ireland,—Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1351), dated 2nd May 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hain].

6Veterinary Surgeons,—Veterinary Surgeons’ Qualifications (European Recognition) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1348), dated 2nd May 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary David Miliband].

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Other Papers:

7Financial Reporting to Parliament,—Departmental Report 2006–07 for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office [by Command] [Cm. 7099] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].

8Law Commission,—Report of the Law Commission on Participating in Crime [by Command] [Cm. 7084] [Ms Harriet Harman].

9Pensions,—Naval, Military and Air Forces etc. (Disablement and Death) Service Pensions (Correction of 2004 Uprating) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1350), dated 2nd May 2007 [by Act] [Ms Harriet Harman].

10Political Parties, Elections and Referendums,—Corporate Plan of the Electoral Commission for 2007–08 to 2011–12 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 474] [The Speaker].

APPENDIX II

General Committees

1Draft Lord Chancellor (Modification of Functions) Order 2007:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the First Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Derek Conway Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Vera Baird, Tony Baldry, Mr Henry Bellingham, Liz Blackman, Mr David Chaytor, Frank Dobson, Mr Tobias Ellwood, Mr Mark Field, Patrick Hall, Mr David Heath, Mr Doug Henderson, Mr Philip Hollobone, Simon Hughes, Helen Jones, Martin Linton, Mr Geoffrey Robinson and Ms Gisela Stuart.

2Draft Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (Corresponding Amendments) Order 2007,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Doug Henderson, Mr Elliot Morley and Mr Geoffrey Robinson from the Second Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Ms Karen Buck, Paul Clark and Dr Desmond Turner.

3Draft Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2007:

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

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated twenty-one Members to serve on the Committee: Colin Burgon, Rosie Cooper, Mark Durkan, Maria Eagle, Mr Frank Field, Mr Michael Foster (Worcester), Mr Roger Godsiff, Mr Fabian Hamilton, Mr Brian Jenkins, Mr Peter Kilfoyle, Mr Mark Lancaster, Mr Gordon Marsden, Robert Neill, Mr Brooks Newmark, Lembit O­pik, Mr Laurence Robertson, Martin Salter, Geraldine Smith, Mr Graham Stuart, Mr Charles Walker and Sammy Wilson.

4Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 320),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Greg Hands from the Third Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the Regulations) and nominated in substitution Daniel Kawczynski.

European Standing Committees

5The Speaker has appointed Sir Nicholas Winterton Chairman of the European Standing Committee in respect of European Union Document No. 6238/07, Addendum 1 and Corrigendum 1 on Competition: retail banking.

6The Speaker has appointed Mr Greg Pope Chairman of the European Standing Committee in respect of European Union Document No. 6192/07 on diplomatic and consular protection of Union citizens in third countries.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1Education and Skills,—(1) Citizenship Education: Government Response to the Second Report from the Education and Skills Committee, Session 2006–07: Second Special Report from the Education and Skills Committee; to be printed [No. 517]; and

(2) The Work of Ofsted:

(i) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 165-ii]; and

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

[Mr Barry Sheerman].

2Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—(1) Defra’s Departmental Report 2006 and Defra’s

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  budget: Government Response to the Second Report from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Session 2006–07: Second Special Report from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 522];

(2) Climate change: “the citizen’s agenda”: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 88-ix]; and

(3) Correspondence with Defra: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published

[Mr Michael Jack].

3European Scrutiny,—(1) Twenty-first Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 41-xxi];

(2) European Commission Annual Policy Strategy 2008: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 519-i]; and

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

[Michael Connarty].

4Modernisation of the House of Commons,—Strengthening the role of the backbencher and making better use of non-legislative time: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons; to be printed [No. 337-vi] [Mr Jack Straw].

5Northern Ireland Affairs,—The Northern Ireland Prison Service: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 520-i] [Sir Patrick Cormack].

6Public Accounts,—Big Science: Public investment in large scale scientific facilities: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts; to be printed [No. 521-i] [Mr Edward Leigh].

7Science and Technology,—International policies and activities of the Research Councils:

(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee; to be printed [No. 472-i]; and

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

[Mr Phil Willis].

8Statutory Instruments,—Sixteenth Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, with Memoranda; to be printed [No. 82-xvi] [David Maclean].

9Trade and Industry,—Implementation of the Report of the Women and Work Commission: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee of the Trade and Industry Committee; to be printed [No. 400-iii] [Mr Peter Luff].

10Transport,—Passengers’ Experience of Air Travel: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Committee; to be printed [No. 435-iii] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].

11Treasury,—Progress on the efficiency programme in the Chancellor’s departments: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee of the Treasury Committee, with Memoranda; to be printed [No. 483-ii] [Mr John McFall].

12Welsh Affairs,—(1) Legislative Competence Orders in Council: Second Report from the Welsh Affairs Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 175]; and

(2) Globalisation and its impact on Wales:

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

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

[Dr Hywel Francis].

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[No. 87; WH, No. 51]

Wednesday 9th May 2007.

The House sitting in Westminster Hall

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

Adjournment,—Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Liz Blackman.)

And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 4.59 p.m.


[No. 88.]

Thursday 10th May 2007.

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

PRAYERS.

1Mental Health Bill [Lords],—Frank Cook reported certain Memoranda from the Mental Health Bill [Lords] Committee.

Memoranda to lie upon the Table and to be published.

2Third Delegated Legislation Committee,—Mr David Wilshire reported from the Third Delegated Legislation Committee the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 320).

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

3Message from the Lords,— A Message was brought from the Lords as follows:

Serious Crime Bill [Lords],—The Lords have passed a Bill to make provision about serious crime prevention orders; to create offences in respect of the encouragement or assistance of crime; to enable information to be shared or processed to prevent fraud; to enable data matching to be conducted both in relation to fraud and for other purposes; to transfer functions of the Director of the Assets Recovery Agency to the Serious Organised Crime Agency and other persons and to make further provision in connection with the abolition of the Agency and the office of Director; to amend the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 in relation to certain investigations and in relation to accredited financial investigators and search warrants; to make amendments relating to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs in connection with the regulation of investigatory powers; and for connected purposes; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.

Draft Human Tissues and Embryos Bill,—The Lords communicate that they have come to the following Resolution in respect of the Committee appointed to join with the Committee appointed by this House to consider and report on any draft Human Tissue and Embryos Bill:

That the evidence taken by the Committee shall, if the Committee thinks fit, be published; and

That the Committee do meet with the Committee appointed by the Commons on Tuesday 15th May at Two o’clock.

4Draft Human Tissues and Embryos Bill,—Ordered, That so much of the Lords Message of this day as relates to the Joint Committee on any draft Human Tissues and Embryos Bill be now considered.

So much of the Lords Message considered accordingly.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed by this House do meet the Lords Committee as proposed by their Lordships.

Message to the Lords to acquaint them therewith.

5Serious Crime Bill [Lords],—The Serious Crime Bill [Lords] was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Monday 14th May and to be printed [Bill 103].

Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Serious Crime Bill [Lords] be printed [Bill 103–EN].

6Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Bill (Programme) (No. 2),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 83A (Programme motions), That the following provisions shall apply to the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Bill for the purpose of supplementing the Order of 13th December 2006 (Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Bill (Programme)):

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Consideration of Lords Amendments

1. Proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour 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—(Steve McCabe):—It was agreed to.

7Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Lords Amendments to the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Bill.

Lords Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 were agreed to.

Lords Amendment No. 3 was disagreed to.

Amendment (a) was made to the Bill in lieu of Lords Amendment No. 3 disagreed to.

Lords Amendments Nos. 4 to 8 were agreed to.

8Ways and Means,—Rating (Empty Properties),—Resolved, That provision may be made for and in connection with the liability of owners of unoccupied hereditaments to a non-domestic rate.—(Ed Balls.)

Ordered, That a Bill be brought in on the foregoing Resolution: And that the Prime Minister, Mr Secretary Prescott, Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Secretary Darling, Mr Secretary Hain, Secretary Ruth Kelly, Mr Stephen Timms, John Healey, Mr Phil Woolas, Ed Balls and Angela E. Smith do prepare and bring it in.

9Rating (Empty Properties) Bill,—Mr Phil Woolas accordingly presented a Bill to make provision for and in connection with the liability of owners of unoccupied hereditaments to a non-domestic rate; and the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Monday 14th May and to be printed [Bill 102].

Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Rating (Empty Properties) Bill be printed [Bill 102–EN].

10Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Michael Foster.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till twenty-one minutes to Five o’clock, adjourned till Monday 14th May.

[Adjourned at 4.39 p.m.


APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1Defence,—Draft Armed Forces, Army, Air Force and Naval Discipline Acts (Continuation) Order 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Des Browne].

2Northern Ireland,—Draft North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hain].

3Value Added Tax,—(1) Value Added Tax (Administration, Collection and Enforcement) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1421); and

(2) Value Added Tax (Payments on Account) (Amendment) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1420),

dated 10th May 2007 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [John Healey].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

4Excise,—Hydrocarbon Oil (Marking) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1416), dated 9th May 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [John Healey].

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5Value Added Tax,—(1) Value Added Tax (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1418), dated 9th May 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Dawn Primarolo]; and

(2) Value Added Tax (Section 55A) (Specified Goods and Excepted Supplies) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1417), dated 10th May 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [John Healey].

Other Papers:

6Armed Forces’ Pay,—Supplement to the Thirty-sixth Report of the Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body: Service Medical and Dental Officers [by Command] [Cm. 7066] [Secretary Des Browne].

7Financial Reporting to Parliament,—Departmental Report 2007 for—

(1) the Scotland Office and Office of the Advocate General for Scotland [by Command] [Cm. 7109] [Mr Secretary Alexander]; and

(2) the Wales Office [by Command] [Cm. 7110] [Mr Secretary Hain].

8Government Resources and Accounts,—Resource Accounts of the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets for 2006–07, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 505] [John Healey].

9Identity Cards,—Paper, entitled Identity Cards Scheme Cost Report: May 2007 [by Act] [Secretary John Reid].

APPENDIX II

Reports from Select Committees

1Health,—Electronic Patient Record: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Health Committee; to be printed [No. 422-ii] [Mr Kevin Barron].

2Public Administration,—(1) Pensions Bill: Government Undertakings relating to the Financial Assistance Scheme: Fifth Report from the Select Committee on Public Administration, with Appendices; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 523];

(2) Public services: putting people first: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 251-vii]; and

(3) The Work of the Cabinet Office: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published

[Dr Tony Wright].


[No. 88; WH, No. 52]

Thursday 10th May 2007.

The House sitting in Westminster Hall

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

Adjournment (Independent Sector Treatment Centres—Fourth Report from the Health 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 Alan Campbell);

And the sitting having continued for three hours, it was adjourned without Question put, till Tuesday 15th May.

[Adjourned at 5.30 p.m.



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