| Session 2006-2007 |
| Commons Journal 263
Chronological Index
Page 377 2006-2007 Volume 263 [No. 98.] Monday 4th June 2007. The House met at half-past Two o’clock. PRAYERS.
Victims of Overseas Terrorism Bill [Lords],—The Lords have passed a Bill to make provision for advice and assistance to victims of acts of terrorism taking place outside the United Kingdom; for arrangements under which insurance is made available to individuals in respect of risks against injury resulting from acts of terrorism taking place outside the United Kingdom; and for connected purposes; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.
Committal 1. The Bill shall be committed to a Public Bill Committee. Proceedings in Public Bill Committee 2. Proceedings in the Public Bill Committee shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion on Thursday 28th June 2007. 3. The Public Bill Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the first day on which it meets. Consideration and Third Reading 4. Proceedings on consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour before the moment of interruption on the day on which those proceedings are commenced. 5. Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption on that day. 6. Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees) shall not apply to proceedings on consideration and Third Reading. Other proceedings 7. Any other proceedings on the Bill (including any proceedings on consideration of any message from the Lords) may be programmed—(Jonathan Shaw):—It was agreed to.
A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 52 (Money resolutions and ways and means resolutions in connection with bills), That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Legal Services Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of— (1) payments by the Lord Chancellor to the Legal Services Board and the Office for Legal Complaints, (2) any other expenditure incurred by the Lord Chancellor under or by virtue of the Act, and (3) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable under or by virtue of any other Act out of money so provided—(Jonathan Shaw):—It was agreed to.
(1) the imposition of a levy by the Legal Services Board, (2) the charging of certain fees by the Legal Services Board in its capacity as an approved regulator or a licensing authority under the Act, Page 378 Monday 4th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top (3) the imposition of charges by the Office for Legal Complaints in connection with complaints made under the scheme under Part 6 of the Act, and (4) the payment of sums into the Consolidated Fund—(Jonathan Shaw):—It was agreed to.
And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till twenty-two minutes past Nine o’clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 9.22 p.m. 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): Thursday 31st May 2007
Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on the undermentioned dates during the adjournment pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments): Papers subject to Negative Resolution: Friday 25th May 2007
Wednesday 30th May 2007
Page 379 Monday 4th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
Thursday 31st May 2007
Friday 1st June 2007
Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 4th June 2007: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
(2) draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Amended Cotonou Agreement) (Community Aid Internal Agreement) Order 2007 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Secretary Hilary Benn].
(2) draft National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999 (Amendment) Regulations 2007 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Mr Secretary Darling].
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Page 380 Monday 4th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top Other Papers:
APPENDIX II Reports from Select Committees
(2) Post–16 Skills Training: (i) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 333-vii]; and (ii) Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published [Mr Barry Sheerman].
(2) Central Government’s use of consultants: Thirty-first Report from the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 309]; (3) Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: The right of access to open countryside: Thirty-second Report from the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 91]; and (4) Rural Poverty in Developing Countries: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 599-i] [Mr Edward Leigh]. [No. 99.] Tuesday 5th June 2007. The House met at half-past Two o’clock. PRAYERS.
That the draft Regulatory Reform (Collaboration etc. between Ombudsmen) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 9th May, should be approved. Page 381 Tuesday 5th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top The Committee came to this Resolution without a Division.
(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; (2) certain Memoranda; and (3) That it had gone through the Bill and made Amendments thereunto. Memoranda to be printed. Bill, as amended in the Public Bill Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 119]. Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Bill be printed [Bill 118–EN].
And the Motion being opposed, after permitting a short explanatory statement from the Member who made the Motion and from a Member who opposed it, the Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Standing Order No. 23 (Motions for leave to bring in bills and nomination of select committees at commencement of public business); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mike Penning, Jim Dobbin: 107. Tellers for the Noes, Barbara Follett, Mrs Sharon Hodgson: 182. So the Question was negatived.
A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That this House insists on its disagreement with the Lords in their Amendments Nos. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 10 but does not insist on its Amendment No. 10A in lieu; and proposes Amendments ((a) and (b)) to the Bill in lieu of those Amendments—(Mr Gerry Sutcliffe); The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Liz Blackman, Claire Ward: 266. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Mark Lancaster, Angela Watkinson: 210. So the Question was agreed to.
The Motion was, with leave of the House, withdrawn. Page 382 Tuesday 5th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till three minutes to Ten o’clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 9.57 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) Value Added Tax (Reduced Rate) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1601), dated 4th June 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [John Healey]. Other Papers:
APPENDIX II Reports from Select Committees
Page 383 Tuesday 5th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top (2) Memoranda laid before the Joint Committee; to be published [Mr Tim Yeo].
(2) Memoranda laid before the Joint Committee; to be published [Mr Phil Willis].
(i) Seventh Report from the International Development Committee, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report, and Memoranda reported and ordered to be published on 27th March and 17th April 2007 [No. 356-I and -II]; and (ii) Memoranda laid before the Committee; and (2) EU Development and Trade Policies: An update: Government Response to the Fifth Report from the Committee, Session 2006–07: Sixth Special Report from the Committee; to be printed [No. 622] [Malcolm Bruce].
(2) Government Response to the Committee’s Second Special Report of Session 2006–07: Revised Standing Orders: Third Special Report from the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 610] [Andrew Miller].
(2) Success and Failure in the UK Car Manufacturing Industry: Government Response to the Committee’s Fourth Report of Session 2006–07: Third Special Report from the Committee; to be printed [No. 598]; (3) Europe moves East: the impact of the ‘new’ EU Members States on UK business: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 592-i]; and (4) The work of the Office of Fair Trading: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 591-i] [Mr Peter Luff].
(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Welsh Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 281-xi]; and (2) Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published [Dr Hywel Francis]. [No. 99; WH, No. 59] Tuesday 5th June 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 1.53 p.m. Page 384 Tuesday 5th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top [No. 100.] Wednesday 6th June 2007. The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock. PRAYERS.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
NHS National Programme for Information Technology,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House acknowledges the aims of the NHS National Programme for Information Technology (IT) and supports them in principle, recognising the potential benefits IT can bring to patients and NHS staff if implemented correctly; deplores the hasty conception of the National Programme under the noble Lord, Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, and the failure to consult adequately with service users; regrets the parallel failure by the Department of Health to implement successfully the Medical Training Application process; expresses concern about the impact of the Care Records Service on patient confidentiality; notes in particular the concerns of the Committee of Public Accounts, in the context of its criticisms of the Government’s mismanagement of IT projects at large about the cost, delays in the Care Records System, the lack of a firm timetable for delivery, the struggles faced by suppliers to the programme, and the lack of engagement with frontline NHS professionals; regrets the opportunity cost to patient care and the disillusionment caused by the Programme amongst NHS staff; seeks assurances on the supply chain, particularly regarding iSoft and an explanation for the delays in Choose and Book; and therefore calls for a full and independent review of the NHS IT programme—(Mr Stephen O’Brien); 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 ‘recognises that a modern IT system is vital for delivering good healthcare; welcomes the NHS IT Programme which provides safer, faster and better healthcare for NHS patients, giving them more choice and control over their care; supports the objectives of modernising medical careers; further supports the aim of connecting over 30,000 GPs in England to almost 300 hospitals and giving patients access to their personal health and care information; congratulates the NHS on having already delivered 93 Picture Archiving and Communications Systems across the country including a 100 per cent. achievement in London, delivering faster results for patients; further congratulates the NHS for sending over 21 million electronic prescriptions so far, reducing inefficiencies and errors; welcomes the fact that over 85 per cent. of all GP practices have used Choose and Book to refer their patients to hospital and that almost 3.8 million Choose and Book bookings have been made so far, allowing patients to choose appointments that are at convenient times to fit in with their lives; and welcomes the news that approximately 1.2 million NHS employees now have access to the new broadband network N3’, instead thereof.—(Caroline Flint.) And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Andrew Rosindell, Mr Crispin Blunt: 226. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Frank Roy, Tony Cunningham: 282. So the Question was negatived. Page 385 Wednesday 6th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top 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 recognises that a modern IT system is vital for delivering good healthcare; welcomes the NHS IT Programme which provides safer, faster and better healthcare for NHS patients, giving them more choice and control over their care; supports the objectives of modernising medical careers; further supports the aim of connecting over 30,000 GPs in England to almost 300 hospitals and giving patients access to their personal health and care information; congratulates the NHS on having already delivered 93 Picture Archiving and Communications Systems across the country including a 100 per cent. achievement in London, delivering faster results for patients; further congratulates the NHS for sending over 21 million electronic prescriptions so far, reducing inefficiencies and errors; welcomes the fact that over 85 per cent. of all GP practices have used Choose and Book to refer their patients to hospital and that almost 3.8 million Choose and Book bookings have been made so far, allowing patients to choose appointments that are at convenient times to fit in with their lives; and welcomes the news that approximately 1.2 million NHS employees now have access to the new broadband network N3. Effectiveness of the Department of Trade and Industry,— A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes with concern that since 1997 the competitiveness of the UK has fallen, that growth in productivity has slowed, that companies’ business investment and research and development spending as a proportion of GDP have declined, that the UK balance of trade is in record deficit, and that businesses are suffering under an increasing burden of regulation which especially harms smaller firms; is concerned at Government plans to close thousands of post offices, its recent clawback of the science budget to pay for the Rover enquiry, its failure to meet its energy policy goals, its inconsistent system of business support, the questionable focus and performance of Regional Development Agencies, and the failure of UK Trade and Investment effectively to promote British business abroad; and therefore calls for an improvement in the Department of Trade and Industry’s leadership and enterprise culture to make it a stronger and more effective voice for business and for the United Kingdom—(Mr Alan Duncan); 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 ‘acknowledges the outstanding performance of the economy under this Government with the longest unbroken economic expansion on record, in contrast to the boom and bust of the previous Government, with inflation and interest rates both on average half of the previous 18 years and over 29 million people in work for the first time; notes that the UK is recognised as one of the best places in the world to do business; supports the Government’s approach to better regulation and a 25 per cent. reduction in administrative burdens by 2010; praises the balanced approach to protecting working families through measures such as the national minimum wage and flexible working, while achieving the highest level of employment; commends the Government’s unprecedented commitment to a national post office network with clear access criteria and the financial support to underpin it; applauds the more than doubling in real terms of science funding after decades of under-investment; welcomes the Government’s leadership in tackling the challenges of climate change and energy security; endorses the commitment to reduce the number of business support schemes across Government to under 100 by 2010 after the Department of Trade and Industry’s successful simplification of its own programmes to under 10; recognises the increasing contribution of regional development agencies to regional prosperity and jobs; approves the new strategy of UK Trade and Investment which has received widespread business support; and calls on the Government to build on its achievements to secure the country’s growing economic prosperity’, instead thereof.—(Mr Secretary Darling.) 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. And the Question being accordingly put; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Andrew Rosindell, Mr Crispin Blunt: 167. Tellers for the Noes, Jonathan Shaw, Huw Irranca-Davies: 320. 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. Page 386 Wednesday 6th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top The Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to. Resolved, That this House acknowledges the outstanding performance of the economy under this Government with the longest unbroken economic expansion on record, in contrast to the boom and bust of the previous Government, with inflation and interest rates both on average half of the previous 18 years and over 29 million people in work for the first time; notes that the UK is recognised as one of the best places in the world to do business; supports the Government’s approach to better regulation and a 25 per cent. reduction in administrative burdens by 2010; praises the balanced approach to protecting working families through measures such as the national minimum wage and flexible working, while achieving the highest level of employment; commends the Government’s unprecedented commitment to a national post office network with clear access criteria and the financial support to underpin it; applauds the more than doubling in real terms of science funding after decades of under-investment; welcomes the Government’s leadership in tackling the challenges of climate change and energy security; endorses the commitment to reduce the number of business support schemes across Government to under 100 by 2010 after the Department of Trade and Industry’s successful simplification of its own programmes to under 10; recognises the increasing contribution of regional development agencies to regional prosperity and jobs; approves the new strategy of UK Trade and Investment which has received widespread business support; and calls on the Government to build on its achievements to secure the country’s growing economic prosperity.
And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till ten minutes to Eight o’clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 7.50 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Page 387 Wednesday 6th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top Other Papers:
(1) the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the Petition [18th May] from Councillor Ann de Vecchi and others of like disposition against the abuse of market power in the milk market; and (2) the Secretary of State for Transport on the Petitions [18th May]— (i) from Councillor Ann de Vecchi and others of like disposition for the reinstatement of the double track railway line between Lewes and Uckfield; (ii) from Councillor Ian Nimmo-Smith and others against proposed revisions to the Highway Code in respect of cyclists; and (iii) from Councillor James MacCleary and others of like disposition for noise reduction measures on the Lewes by-pass [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].
APPENDIX II General Committees
(1) The Speaker has appointed Sir Nicholas Winterton and Mr Frank Cook Chairmen of the Legal Services Bill [Lords] Committee; and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Adrian Bailey, Mr Henry Bellingham, Mr David Burrowes, Mr Jonathan Djanogly, Mr Tobias Ellwood, Mr Robert Flello, Mr Michael Foster (Worcester), Helen Goodman, John Hemming, Stephen Hesford, Simon Hughes, Mr Kevan Jones, Mr David Kidney, Kerry McCarthy, John Mann, Robert Neill and Bridget Prentice.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the First 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: Mr Richard Bacon, Mr Richard Benyon, Mr Peter Bone, Mr Alistair Carmichael, Mr Michael Clapham, Ann Clwyd, Lynne Jones, Dr Stephen Ladyman, Margaret Moran, Julie Morgan, Mr Denis Murphy, Mr Owen Paterson, Andrew Rosindell, Paul Rowen, Mr Frank Roy, Mr Andy Slaughter and Keith Vaz. Page 388 Wednesday 6th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Orders to the Second Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Jim Hood Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Adrian Bailey, John Battle, Tony Cunningham, Mr Stephen Dorrell, Mr David Drew, Bill Etherington, Michael Fabricant, Paul Farrelly, Mr David Hamilton, Nick Harvey, Mr Gerald Howarth, Mr Bernard Jenkin, Mr Robert Marshall-Andrews, Mark Pritchard, Willie Rennie, Derek Twigg and Derek Wyatt. European Standing Committees
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(2) Ministerial Correspondence: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published [Michael Connarty].
Page 389 Wednesday 6th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top [No. 100; WH, No. 60] Wednesday 6th June 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 5.14 p.m. [No. 101.] Thursday 7th June 2007. The House met at half-past Ten o’clock. PRAYERS.
Bill, as amended in the Committee and in the Public Bill Committee, to be considered on Monday 11th June; and to be printed [Bill 120]. Minutes of Proceedings of the Public Bill Committee to lie upon the Table.
Resolution to lie upon the Table. Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
Committal 1. The Bill shall be committed to a Committee of the whole House. Proceedings in Committee, on consideration and on Third Reading 2. Notwithstanding the practice of the House as to the intervals between stages of Bills brought in on Ways and Means Resolutions, proceedings in Committee, any proceedings on consideration and proceedings on Third Reading shall be completed at one day’s sitting. 3. Proceedings in Committee and any proceedings on consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour before the moment of interruption on the day on which those proceedings are commenced. 4. Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after the commencement of those proceedings or at the moment of interruption on that day, whichever is the earlier. 5. Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees) shall not apply to proceedings in Committee and on consideration and Third Reading—(Jonathan Shaw):—It was agreed to.
A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 52 (Money resolutions and ways and means resolutions in connection with bills), That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Rating (Empty Properties) Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any Page 390 Thursday 7th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top increase in the amounts so payable under Part 3 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988—(Jonathan Shaw):—It was agreed to.
And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till half-past Five o’clock, adjourned till Monday 11th June. [Adjourned at 5.30 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
(2) draft Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Investigation of Protected Electronic Information: Code of Practice) Order 2007 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Secretary John Reid].
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) Road Traffic (Permitted Parking Area and Special Parking Area) (Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1583); and (3) Road Traffic (Permitted Parking Area and Special Parking Area) (South Gloucestershire) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1584), dated 4th June 2007 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Mr Secretary Alexander]. Other Papers:
Page 391 Thursday 7th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top (2) draft Code of Practice for the Investigation of Protected Electronic Information [by Act] [Secretary John Reid].
(2) Report by the Independent Reviewer on the Operation in 2006 of the Terrorism Act 2000 [by Act] [Secretary John Reid]. Papers withdrawn:
APPENDIX II General Committees
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(2) Conclusions of the European Council and Council of Ministers: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 544-ii]; (3) Institutional Reform: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 640-i]; and (4) Ministerial Correspondence: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published [Michael Connarty].
(2) Young Black People and the Criminal Justice System: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published [Mr John Denham].
(2) Third Sector Commissioning: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 540-i] [Dr Tony Wright]. Page 392 Thursday 7th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top [No. 101; WH, No. 61] Thursday 7th June 2007. The House sitting in Westminster Hall The sitting began at half-past Two o’clock.
And the sitting having continued for three hours, it was adjourned without Question put, till Tuesday 12th June. [Adjourned at 5.30 p.m.
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