| Session 2006-2007 |
| Commons Journal 263
Chronological Index
Page 393 2006-2007 Volume 263 [No. 102.] Monday 11th June 2007. The House met at half-past Two o’clock. PRAYERS.
That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 7371/07 and Addenda 1 to 4, Draft Regulation amending Regulation No. 11 concerning the abolition of discrimination in transport rates and conditions in implementation of Article 79(3) of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community and Regulation (EC) No. 852/2004 of the European Parliament and the Council on the hygiene of foodstuffs; and supports the Government’s view that attempts to reduce administrative burdens on food businesses are to be welcomed, but should not compromise public health protection. Resolution to lie upon the Table. Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
Iraq inquiry,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House supports the principle that there should be an inquiry by an independent committee of Privy Counsellors to review the way in which the responsibilities of Government were discharged in relation to Iraq and all matters relevant thereto in the period leading up to military action in that country in March 2003 and in its aftermath and to make recommendations on the lessons for the future—(Mr William Hague); An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word ‘House’ to the end of the Question and add the words ‘notes the Resolution of 31st October 2006; recognises that there have already been four separate independent committees of inquiry into military action in Iraq; further recognises the importance of learning all possible lessons from military action in Iraq and its aftermath; and therefore declines at this time, whilst the whole effort of the Government and the armed forces is directed towards improving the condition of Iraq, to make a proposal for a further inquiry which would divert attention from this vital task’, instead thereof.—(Secretary Margaret Beckett.) And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Angela Watkinson, Michael Fabricant: 253. Tellers for the Noes, Claire Ward, Mr Frank Roy: 288. 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, Claire Ward, Mr Frank Roy: 274. Tellers for the Noes, Angela Watkinson, Michael Fabricant: 229. So the Question was agreed to. The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to. Resolved, That this House notes the Resolution of 31st October 2006; recognises that there have already been four separate independent committees of inquiry into military action in Iraq; further recognises the importance of learning all possible lessons from military action in Iraq and its aftermath; and therefore declines at this time, whilst the whole effort of the Government and the armed forces is directed towards improving the condition of Iraq, to make a proposal for a further inquiry which would divert attention from this vital task. Support for carers,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House recognises the vital contribution that the UK’s six million carers make to society; welcomes recent announcements on carers including the Government review of the National Strategy for Carers, the New Deal for Carers and the Treasury report ‘Aiming high for disabled children: better support for families’ as steps towards an improvement in recognition and support for carers; notes that 54 per cent. of carers have given up work and one in five carers feel forced to do so; recognises the impacts which caring responsibilities have on family incomes, relative poverty and the health of carers Page 394 Monday 11th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top themselves; is deeply concerned that an estimated 175,000 young people are carers of adults with the consequent pressures on them; calls on the Government to reduce the bureaucracy of social care provision that puts so much pressure on carers; and asks the Government to bring forward proposals for simplifying the benefit system in order to provide better support for carers and to ensure that the review of the National Strategy for Carers has both short term and long term objectives to enhance support for carers and to respond to the vital role played by carers in society—(Mr Jeremy Hunt); An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 3 to leave out from the word ‘review’ to the end of the Question and add the words ‘of the first ever National Strategy for carers, the New Deal for Carers and the Treasury report “Aiming high for disabled children: better support for families” as steps towards an improvement in recognition and support for carers; notes that the review of the National Strategy includes a far reaching consultation with carers and others to make recommendations for the short, medium and long-term; further welcomes the extra £25 million for short-term home-based respite care for carers and the extra £3 million towards establishing a national helpline for carers announced in 2007; congratulates the Government for introducing in 2007 the new Expert Carers Programme; further notes that the Pensions Bill currently before Parliament includes a package of reforms to recognise the contribution made by carers and ensure that they can build up better pension records; further notes that the right to request flexible working introduced by this Government will help carers better balance their work and caring benefits; and further welcomes the substantial improvements made to the benefits available to low income carers’, instead thereof.—(Mr Ivan Lewis.) And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question; The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Angela Watkinson, Michael Fabricant: 198. Tellers for the Noes, Mr Michael Foster, Huw Irranca-Davies: 291. 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. And the Main Question, as amended, being put; Resolved, That this House recognises the vital contribution that the UK’s six million carers make to society; welcomes recent announcements on carers including the Government review of the first ever National Strategy for carers, the New Deal for Carers and the Treasury report ‘Aiming high for disabled children: better support for families’ as steps towards an improvement in recognition and support for carers; notes that the review of the National Strategy includes a far reaching consultation with carers and others to make recommendations for the short, medium and long-term; further welcomes the extra £25 million for short-term home-based respite care for carers and the extra £3 million towards establishing a national helpline for carers announced in 2007; congratulates the Government for introducing in 2007 the new Expert Carers Programme; further notes that the Pensions Bill currently before Parliament includes a package of reforms to recognise the contribution made by carers and ensure that they can build up better pension records; further notes that the right to request flexible working introduced by this Government will help carers better balance their work and caring benefits; and further welcomes the substantial improvements made to the benefits available to low income carers.
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And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till twenty minutes to Eleven o’clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 10.40 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 8th June 2007 pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments): Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 11th June 2007: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
(2) draft Gambling Act 2005 (Operating Licence Conditions) Regulations 2007 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].
(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:
Page 396 Monday 11th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
Other Papers:
(1) the Petition [18th May] from residents of the London Borough of Sutton and others of like disposition for the retention of Accident and Emergency services at St Helier Hospital; (2) the Petition [18th May] from residents of the London Boroughs of Southwark, Lambeth, Croydon, Lewisham and others against the closure of the 24 hour emergency mental health clinic at the Maudsley Hospital; and (3) the Petition [22nd May] from residents of North West Leicestershire and surrounding areas for a local hospice [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].
Papers withdrawn:
(2) draft Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Investigation of Protected Electronic Information: Code of Practice) Order 2007, with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [laid 7th June]. APPENDIX II General Committees European Standing Committees
Page 397 Monday 11th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
[No. 103.] Tuesday 12th June 2007. The House met at half-past Two o’clock. PRAYERS.
That the draft Regulatory Reform (Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 24th May, should be approved. The Committee came to this Resolution without a Division. That the draft Regulatory Reform (Game) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 4th June, should be approved. 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; and (2) a Memorandum. Memorandum to lie upon the Table and to be published.
That, subject to the discretion of the Chair, any written evidence received by the Committee shall be reported to the House for publication.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 19th October.
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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 Tuesday 10th July 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—(Steve McCabe):—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 Serious Crime Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise— (1) the payment out of money provided by Parliament of— (a) any expenditure incurred under the Act by a Minister of the Crown or government department, and (b) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable under any other Act out of money so provided, and (2) the payment of sums into the Consolidated Fund—(Steve McCabe):—It was agreed to.
And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till two minutes to Nine o’clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 8.58 p.m. Page 399 Tuesday 12th June 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) Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1626), dated 7th June 2007 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hutton]. Other Papers:
(2) Treasury Minute, dated 12th June 2007, on the Royal Mint Trading Fund [by Act] [Mr Stephen Timms].
Papers withdrawn:
APPENDIX II General Committees
Page 400 Tuesday 12th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(2) Towards Effective Sentencing: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 621-ii] [Mr Alan Beith].
(2) Memoranda laid before the Joint Committee; to be published [Dr Desmond Turner].
(i) Part of the Minutes of Evidence taken before the International Development Committee; to be printed [No. 645-ii]; and (ii) Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published; and (2) Vietnam: DFID’s Country Programme: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published [Malcolm Bruce].
(2) Third Sector Commissioning: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 540-ii] [Dr Tony Wright].
(2) Draft Regulatory Reform (Game) Order 2007: Seventh Report from the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 674] [Andrew Miller].
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(2) Handling of future complaints of misuse of the private dining facilities: Fifth Report from the Committee, with an Appendix; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 683] [Sir George Young].
(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Welsh Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 281-xii]; and (2) Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published [Dr Hywel Francis]. [No. 103; WH, No. 62] Tuesday 12th 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 1.56 p.m. [No. 104.] Wednesday 13th June 2007. The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock. PRAYERS.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
Corruption Bill [Lords],—The Lords have passed a Bill to make provision about corruption; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 19th October.
Page 402 Wednesday 13th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
Timetable 1. Proceedings on Second Reading, in Committee, on consideration and on Third Reading shall be completed at this day’s sitting and shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption or six hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion for this Order, whichever is the later. Timing of proceedings and Questions to be put 2. When the Bill has been read a second time— (a) it shall (notwithstanding Standing Order No. 63 (Committal of Bills not subject to a programme order)) stand committed to a Committee of the whole House without any Question being put, and (b) the Speaker shall leave the Chair whether or not notice of an Instruction has been given. 3.—(1) On the conclusion of proceedings in Committee, the Chairman shall report the Bill to the House without putting any Question. (2) If the Bill is reported with amendments, the House shall proceed to consider the Bill as amended without any Question being put. 4. For the purpose of bringing any proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with paragraph 1, the Speaker or Chairman shall forthwith put the following Questions (but no others)— (a) any Question already proposed from the Chair; (b) any Question necessary to bring to a decision a Question so proposed; (c) the Question on any amendment moved or Motion made by a Minister of the Crown; (d) any other Question necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded. 5. On a Motion so made for a new Clause or a new Schedule, the Chairman or Speaker shall put only the Question that the Clause or Schedule be added to the Bill. Subsequent stages 6.—(1) Any Message from the Lords on the Bill shall be considered forthwith without any Question being put. (2) Proceedings on any Message from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement. 7.—(1) This paragraph applies for the purpose of bringing any proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with paragraph 6. (2) The Speaker shall first put forthwith any Question which has been proposed from the Chair and not yet decided. (3) The Speaker shall then put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown which is related to the Question already proposed from the Chair. (4) The Speaker shall then put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown on or relevant to any of the remaining items in the Lords Message. (5) The Speaker shall then put forthwith the Question that this House agrees with the Lords in all the remaining Lords Proposals. Page 403 Wednesday 13th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top Reasons Committee 8.—(1) The Speaker shall put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown for the appointment, nomination and quorum of a Committee to draw up Reasons and the appointment of its Chairman. (2) A Committee appointed to draw up Reasons shall report before the conclusion of the sitting at which it is appointed. (3) Proceedings in the Committee shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion 30 minutes after their commencement. (4) For the purpose of bringing any proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with sub-paragraph (3), the Chairman shall— (a) first put forthwith any Question which has been proposed from the Chair but not yet decided, and (b) then put forthwith successively Questions on motions which may be made by a Minister of the Crown for assigning a Reason for disagreeing with the Lords in any of their Amendments. (5) The proceedings of the Committee shall be reported without any further Question being put. Miscellaneous 9. Paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business) shall apply so far as necessary for the purposes of this Order. 10.—(1) The proceedings on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown for varying or supplementing the provisions of this Order shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement. (2) Paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business) shall apply to those proceedings. 11. Standing Order No. 82 (Business Committee) shall not apply in relation to any proceedings to which this Order applies. 12.—(1) No Motion shall be made, except by a Minister of the Crown, to alter the order in which any proceedings on the Bill are taken or to recommit the Bill. (2) The Question on any such Motion shall be put forthwith. 13.—(1) No dilatory Motion shall be made in relation to proceedings to which this Order applies except by a Minister of the Crown. (2) The Question on any such Motion shall be put forthwith. 14.—(1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies if— (a) a Motion for the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 24 (Adjournment on specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration) has been stood over to seven o’clock, four o’clock or three o’clock (as the case may be), but (b) proceedings to which this Order applies have begun before then. (2) Proceedings on that Motion shall stand postponed until the conclusion of those proceedings. 15.—(1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies if a day on which the Bill has been set down to be taken as an Order of the Day is one to which a Motion for the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 24 stands over from an earlier day. (2) The bringing to a conclusion of any proceedings on the Bill which, in accordance with this Order, are to be brought to a conclusion on that day shall be postponed for a period equal to the duration of the proceedings on that Motion. 16.—(1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies if the House is adjourned, or the sitting is suspended, before the conclusion of any proceedings to which this Order applies. (2) No notice shall be required of a Motion made at the next sitting by a Minister of the Crown for varying or supplementing the provisions of this Order. 17. Proceedings to which this Order applies shall not be interrupted under any Standing Order relating to the sittings of the House.—(Dr Kim Howells.)
The House, pursuant to Order [this day], resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. Page 404 Wednesday 13th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top (In the Committee) Clauses Nos. 1 and 2 agreed to. Whereupon the Chairman left the Chair to report the Bill to the House, pursuant to Order [this day]. The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair; and Mr Ian Cawsey reported, That the Committee had gone through the Bill and made no Amendment thereunto. The Bill was read the third time, and passed.
And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till one minute past Six o’clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 6.01 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
(2) draft Gambling Act 2005 (Horserace Betting Levy) Order 2007; and (3) draft Gambling Act 2005 (Horserace Totalisator Board) Order 2007 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Page 405 Wednesday 13th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
Other Papers:
Papers withdrawn:
APPENDIX II General Committees
(1) The Speaker has appointed Mr Greg Pope Chairman of the Off-Road Vehicles (Registration) Bill Committee; and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated sixteen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Alistair Carmichael, Jim Dobbin, Clive Efford, Mr Mark Field, Mr Lindsay Hoyle, Mr Nick Hurd, Barbara Keeley, Mr Peter Kilfoyle, Dr Stephen Ladyman, Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger, Mr Owen Paterson, Paul Rowen, Mr Lee Scott, Mr Andy Slaughter, Ian Stewart and Graham Stringer.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order 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: Danny Alexander, Peter Bottomley, Richard Burden, Mr Stephen Byers, Mr David Curry, James Duddridge, Mr John Heppell, Barbara Keeley, Mr Mark Lancaster, Mr David Laws, Mrs Anne McGuire, Andrew Mackinlay, Mrs Madeleine Moon, Andrew Selous, Mr Dennis Skinner, Mr Andrew Smith and Ian Stewart.
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Second 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: Lorely Burt, Mr William Cash, Mr Tobias Ellwood, Mr James Gray, Mr Dai Havard, Mr Stephen Hepburn, Susan Kramer, Steve McCabe, Chris McCafferty, Ann McKechin, Dr Nick Palmer, Mr Mark Prisk, Mr Richard Shepherd, Keith Vaz, Malcolm Wicks, Mrs Betty Williams and Mike Wood. Page 406 Wednesday 13th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Regulations to the Third Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Hywel Williams Chairman; and (2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Ms Dawn Butler, Caroline Flint, Sandra Gidley, Miss Julie Kirkbride, Mr Andrew Love, Ian Lucas, Shona McIsaac, Fiona Mactaggart, Anne Main, Mr Michael Meacher, Mr Alan Milburn, Dr Andrew Murrison, Robert Neill, Dr John Pugh, Andrew Rosindell, Claire Ward and Mr Tom Watson. European Standing Committees
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published [Mr Phil Willis].
(2) Ministerial Correspondence: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published [Michael Connarty].
(2) Investigating the Oceans: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 470-iii] [Mr Phil Willis]. Page 407 Wednesday 13th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
[No. 104; WH, No. 63] Wednesday 13th 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 4.57 p.m. [No. 105.] Thursday 14th June 2007. The House met at half-past Ten o’clock. PRAYERS.
Memorandum (reported on 12th June) to be printed. Bill, as amended in the Public Bill Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 125]. Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 19th October.
Consideration of Lords Amendment 1. Proceedings on consideration of the Lords Amendment 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—(Liz Blackman):—It was agreed to.
Lords Amendment No. 1 was agreed to. Page 408 Thursday 14th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
(In the Committee) Clause No. 1 (Unoccupied hereditaments: chargeable amount). Amendment (No. 6) proposed, in page 1, line 2, at beginning to insert the words— ‘(1) In section 45(1)(c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (c. 41) (unoccupied hereditaments: liability) after “year” insert— “(ca) none of the conditions in subsection (1A) applies”. (2) After section 45(1) of that Act insert— “(1A) The conditions are that— (a) the whole hereditament has, subject to subsection (1B), been unoccupied for a continuous period not exceeding three months; (b) its owner is prohibited by law from occupying it or allowing it to be occupied; (c) it is kept vacant by reason of action taken by or on behalf of the Crown or any local or public authority with a view to prohibiting the occupation of the hereditament or to acquiring it; (d) it is the subject of a building preservation notice as defined by section 3 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 or is included in a list compiled under section 1 of that Act; (e) it is included in the Schedule of monuments compiled under section 1 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (c. 46); (f) it is a qualifying industrial hereditament; (g) its rateable value is less than £2,200; (h) the owner is entitled to possession only in his capacity as the personal representative of a deceased person; (i) there subsists in respect of the owner’s estate a bankruptcy order within the meaning of Parts VIII to XI of the Insolvency Act 1986 (c. 45); (j) the owner is entitled to possession of the hereditament in his capacity as trustee under a deed of arrangement to which the Deeds of Arrangement Act 1914 (c. 47) applies; (k) the owner is a company which is subject to a winding-up order made under the Insolvency Act 1986 or which is being wound up voluntarily under that Act; (l) the owner is entitled to possession of the hereditament in his capacity as liquidator by virtue of an order made under section 112 or section 145 of the Insolvency Act 1986. (1B) Where a hereditament which has been unoccupied becomes occupied on any day and becomes unoccupied again on the expiration of a period of less than six weeks beginning with that day, then for the purposes of ascertaining whether the hereditament has been continuously unoccupied for the period mentioned in subsection (1A)(a) it shall be treated as having been unoccupied on that day and throughout the period. (1C) For the purpose of subsection (1A)(a), a hereditament which has not previously been occupied shall be treated as becoming unoccupied— (a) on the day determined under paragraph 8 of Schedule 1 to the General Rate Act 1967, or (b) on the day determined under Schedule 4A to the Act, or (c) where neither (a) nor (b) applies, on the day for which the hereditament is first shown in a local rating list, whichever day first occurs. (1D) In subsection (1A)(f)— “qualifying industrial hereditament” means any hereditament other than a retail hereditament in relation to which all buildings comprised in the hereditament are— (a) constructed or adapted for use in the course of a trade or business, and (b) constructed or adapted for use for one or more of the following purposes, or one or more such purposes and one or more purposes ancillary thereto— Page 409 Thursday 14th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top (i) the manufacture, repair or adaptation of goods or materials, or the subjection of goods or materials to any process; (ii) storage (including the storage or handling of goods in the course of their distribution); (iii) the working or processing of minerals; (iv) the generation of electricity; and “retail hereditament” means any hereditament where any building or part of a building comprised in the hereditament is constructed or adapted for the purpose of the retail provision of— (a) goods, or (b) services, other than storage for distribution services, on or from the hereditament.”.’.—(Mr Robert Syms.) Question put, That the Amendment be made. The Committee divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Robert Goodwill, Mr Tobias Ellwood: 143. Tellers for the Noes, Tony Cunningham, Mr Dave Watts: 236. Another Amendment (No. 2) proposed, in page 1, line 5, to leave out the words ‘subsection (4A)’ and insert the words ‘subsections (4A) and (4B)’.—(Michael Gove.) Question put, That the Amendment be made. The Committee divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Robert Goodwill, Mr Tobias Ellwood: 134. Tellers for the Noes, Tony Cunningham, Mr Alan Campbell: 236. Another Amendment (No. 1) proposed, in page 2, line 22, at the end, to insert the words— ‘(4) The third case is where— (a) the ratepayer is a community owned village hall or community centre, and (b) it appears that when next in use the hereditament will be wholly or mainly used for community benefit.’.—(Mr Robert Syms.) Question put, That the Amendment be made. The Committee divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Robert Goodwill, Mr Tobias Ellwood: 134. Tellers for the Noes, Tony Cunningham, Steve McCabe: 232. It being after Five o’clock, the Chairman put the remaining Questions necessary to bring proceedings in the Committee to a conclusion, pursuant to Order [7th June]. Clauses Nos. 1 to 3 agreed to. Schedules Nos. 1 and 2 agreed to. Whereupon the Chairman left the Chair to report the Bill to the House. The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair; and Jonathan Shaw reported, That the Committee had gone through the Bill, and made no Amendment thereunto. A Motion being made, That the Bill be now read the third time; Secretary Ruth Kelly, by Her Majesty’s Command, acquainted the House, That Her Majesty, having been informed of the purport of the Bill, gives her Consent, as far as Her Majesty’s interest is concerned, That the House may do therein as it shall think fit. And the Question being put:—It was agreed to. The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed. Page 410 Thursday 14th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
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 seventeen minutes past Six o’clock, adjourned till to-morrow. [Adjourned at 6.17 p.m. APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
Paper subject to Negative Resolution:
Other Papers:
(2) Paper, entitled Personal accounts: a new way to save; Summary of responses to the consultation [by Command] [Cm. 7122 and 7121] [Mr Secretary Hutton]. APPENDIX II General Committees European Standing Committees
APPENDIX III Reports from Select Committees
Page 411 Thursday 14th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top
(2) The Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England: ten years on: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 299-v] [John McFall]. [No. 105; WH, No. 64] Thursday 14th June 2007. The House sitting in Westminster Hall The sitting began at half-past Two o’clock.
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till Tuesday 19th June. [Adjourned at 5.47 p.m. THE SPEAKER’S CERTIFICATE The Speaker certified that the Rating (Empty Properties) Bill is a Money Bill within the meaning of the Parliament Act 1911. [No. 106.] Friday 15th June 2007. The House met at half-past Nine o’clock.
PRAYERS.
The Deputy Speaker put the Question forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 163 (Motions to sit in private). The House divided. Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Richard Benyon, Mr Charles Walker: 1. Tellers for the Noes, Greg Clark, Mr Greg Knight: 75. So the Question was negatived.
A Clause (NC6) (Local authorities: transfer of functions)—(Mr Nick Hurd)—brought up, and read the first time. Page 412 Friday 15th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time:—Clause, by leave, withdrawn. Another Clause (NC1) (Proposals by local authorities)—(Mr Phil Woolas)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill. Another Clause (NC2) (Decision on short-list)—(Mr Phil Woolas)—brought up, and read the first and second time. Amendment ((a)) made to the proposed Clause. Clause, as amended, added to the Bill. Another Clause (NC3) (Action plans)—(Mr Phil Woolas)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill. Another Clause (NC4) (Proposals: regulations)—(Mr Phil Woolas)—brought up, and read the first and second time. Amendments ((a) and (c)) made to the proposed Clause. Clause, as amended, added to the Bill. Another Clause (NC5) (Sustainable community strategies)—(Mr Phil Woolas)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill. Amendments (Nos. 1 to 4, 10, 21 to 25, 35 to 38, and 40 to 42) made to the Bill. The Bill was read the third time, and passed.
And a Motion being made, and the Question being proposed, That the Bill be now read a second time; And it being half-past Two o’clock, the Debate stood adjourned. Ordered, That the Debate be resumed on Friday 29th June.
Ordered, That the Debate be resumed on Friday 19th October.
Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Friday 19th October.
Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Friday 29th June.
Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Friday 19th October.
Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Friday 19th October.
Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Friday 29th June.
And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till three minutes to Three o’clock, adjourned till Monday 18th June. [Adjourned at 2.57 p.m. Page 413 Friday 15th June 2007 2006-2007 Volume 263 Back to top APPENDIX I Papers presented or laid upon the Table: Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
(2) Education (Student Loans) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1630), dated 7th June 2007 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Secretary Alan Johnson].
Other Papers:
(1) the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the Petition [18th May] from clients and staff of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs against proposals for the closure of HMRC offices in Cornwall; (2) the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the Petition [18th May] from water bill payers and others of like disposition for measures to alleviate water poverty in the South West region; and (3) the Secretary of State for Transport on the Petition [6th June] from residents of Kingskerswell, Aller and Edginswell, Devon, against the proposed construction of a bypass around Kingskerswell and through the Aller valley [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House]. Papers withdrawn:
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