Session 2006-2007

Commons Journal 263

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Page 613            2006-2007      Volume 263      

[No. 145.]

Monday 29th October 2007.

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

PRAYERS.

1Welsh Grand Committee,—Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Welsh Grand Committee do lie upon the Table.

2Standards and Privileges,—Ordered, That the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee on Standards and Privileges be printed [No. 439].

3UK Borders 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 UK Borders Bill for the purpose of supplementing the Order of 5th February 2007 (UK Borders Bill (Programme)):

Consideration of Lords Amendments

1. Proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion three hours after their commencement at this day’s sitting.

Subsequent stages

2. Any further Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question being put.

3. The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement—(Ms Diana R. Johnson):—It was agreed to.

4UK Borders Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Lords Amendments to the UK Borders Bill.

Lords Amendments Nos. 1 to 18 were agreed to.

Lords Amendment No. 19.

An Amendment ((a)) was proposed to the Lords Amendment, in line 10, at the end to add the words—

‘(c) record in documentation when staff and the Agency depart from the code and the reasons for such departure, and

(d) inform the Office of the Children’s Commissioner in the relevant constituent part of the United Kingdom on each occasion when it has departed from the code.’.—(Damian Green.)

And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made;

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Nick Hurd, Mr John Baron: 182.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Sadiq Khan, Mr Frank Roy: 268.

So the Question was negatived.

The Lords Amendment was agreed to.

5Sittings of the House,—Ordered, That on Tuesday 30th October, the House shall meet at 11.30 a.m.—(Mr Alan Campbell.)

6Adjournment (Burma),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Alan Campbell);

The Motion was, with leave of the House, withdrawn.

7Taxes,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Tax Avoidance Schemes (Penalty) Regulations 2007, which were laid before this House on 24th July, be approved—(Alison Seabeck):—It was agreed to.

8Dioceses, Pastoral and Mission Measure,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the Dioceses, Pastoral and Mission Measure (House of Commons Paper No. 998), passed by the General Synod of the Church of England, be presented to Her Majesty for Her Royal Assent in the form in which the said Measure was laid before Parliament—(Alison Seabeck):—It was agreed to.

9Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from—

(1) Mrs Catherine McDermott and residents of South Yorkshire for stiffer penalties for hit-and-run offences; and

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(2) Linda White and other residents of Wellingborough including the Parish of our Lady of Our Sacred Heart, Wellingborough, for the repeal of the Abortion Act 1967

were presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

10Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Alison Seabeck.)

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

[Adjourned at 9.43 p.m.


APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 26th October 2007 pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments):

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1Agriculture,—(1) Feed (Corn Gluten Feed and Brewers Grains) (Emergency Control) (England) (Revocation) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3007); and

(2) Feed (Specified Undesirable Substances) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3008),

dated 22nd October 2007, with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [Secretary Alan Johnson].

2Pensions,—Occupational Pension Schemes (EEA States) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3014), dated 22nd October 2007, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Mr Secretary Hain].

Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 29th October 2007:

Paper subject to Negative Resolution:

3Criminal Law,—Crime and Disorder (Formulation and Implementation of Strategy) (Wales) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3076), dated 23rd October 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Jacqui Smith].

Other Papers:

4Climate Change,—Paper, entitled Taking Forward the UK Climate Change Bill: The Government Response to Pre-Legislative Scrutiny and Public Consultation [by Command] [Cm. 7225] [Secretary Hilary Benn].

5Criminal Justice,—Report and Accounts of the Parole Board for 2006–07, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1022] [Secretary Jack Straw].

6Government Resources and Accounts,—Resource Accounts for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for 2006–07, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 585] [Jane Kennedy].

7House of Commons Members’ Fund,—Report by the Government Actuary on the Valuation of the House of Commons Members’ Fund as at 30th September 2006 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 985] [Clerk of the House].

8Isle of Man,—Account for 2005–06 of the Commissioners of HM Revenue and Customs in Account with the Government of the Isle of Man, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act] [Jane Kennedy].

9National Lottery,—Report and Accounts of the Arts Council England grant-in-aid and lottery for 2006–07, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1103] [Secretary James Purnell].

10Public Petitions,—Observations by—

(1) the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the Petitions against proposed reductions to the grant to British Waterways from:

(i) [12th July] from the constituents of South West Hertfordshire and other users of Britain’s inland waterways;

(ii) [24th July] from:

(a) the constituents of Banbury and other users of Britain’s inland waterways;

(b) the constituents of Leicester South and other users of Britain’s inland waterways; and

(c) the constituents of North-West Leicestershire and other users of Britain’s inland waterways; and

(iii) [25th July] from the constituents of Devizes and other users of Britain’s inland waterways;

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(2) the Secretary of State for Health on the Petition [26th July] from residents of the London Boroughs of Southwark, Lambeth, Croydon, Lewisham and others against the decision to close the 24 hour emergency mental health clinic at the Maudsley Hospital in Camberwell; and

(3) the Secretary of State for Transport on the Petition [9th October] from the residents of Tunstall for safety measures on the road between Tunstall Church and Tunstall School car park

[by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].

APPENDIX II

Reports from Select Committees

1Communities and Local Government,—Departmental Annual Report 2007:

(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Communities and Local Government Committee; to be printed [No. 1093-ii]; and

(2) Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 1093]

[Dr Phyllis Starkey].

2Public Accounts,—The retention of students in higher education: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts; to be printed [No. 1074-i] [Mr Edward Leigh].

3Science and Technology,—(1) Scientific developments relating to the Abortion Act 1967: Twelfth Report from the Science and Technology 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 9th October [No. 1045-I and -II]; and

(2) The Last Report: Thirteenth Report from the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report, and Memoranda reported and ordered to be published on 9th October [No. 1108]

[Mr Phil Willis].

4Trade 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-v] [Mr Peter Luff].


[No. 146.]

Tuesday 30th October 2007.

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

PRAYERS.

1Message to attend the Lords Commissioners,—A Message from the Lords Commissioners was delivered by the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod.

Mr Speaker,

The Lords, authorised by virtue of Her Majesty’s Commission, for declaring Her Royal Assent to several Acts and a Measure agreed upon by both Houses, and for proroguing the present Parliament, desire the immediate attendance of this Honourable House in the House of Peers, to hear the Commission read.

Accordingly the Speaker, with the House, went up to the House of Peers, where a Commission was read, giving, declaring and notifying the Royal Assent to several Acts and a Measure, and for proroguing this present Parliament.

The Royal Assent was given to the following Acts and Measure:—

Serious Crime Act 2007

Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007

Legal Services Act 2007

UK Borders Act 2007


Dioceses, Pastoral and Mission Measure 2007.

And afterwards Her Majesty’s Most Gracious Speech was delivered to both Houses of Parliament by the Lord President of the Council (in pursuance of Her Majesty’s Command), as follows:

My Government has pursued policies aimed at meeting the challenges which the United Kingdom faces at home and abroad.

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A stable economy is the foundation of a fair and prosperous society. My Government has secured low inflation, sound public finances and high employment.

My Government has taken further action to provide strong, secure and stable communities, and to address the threat of terrorism.

My Government has put victims at the heart of the criminal justice system, supported the police and all those responsible for the public’s safety, and proceeded with the development of identity cards.

Legislation has been brought forward for the next stage of reform of the criminal justice system, giving the police and local authorities new powers to protect the public from violent offenders and anti-social behaviour.

Legislation has been enacted to make it easier to prosecute organisations when their gross negligence leads to death.

Legislation has been enacted to improve the way that offenders are managed and supervised.

Legislation has been enacted to give law enforcement agencies new powers to combat serious and organised crime.

An Act has been passed to improve the administration of justice by reforming the tribunal system, the qualifications for judicial appointment and the enforcement of judgements.

An Act has been passed to reform the regulation and delivery of legal services to enable greater competition and innovation in the sector and to better serve the public and consumer interest.

My Government has worked, including with European Union partners, to deliver international action on climate security, and access to the sustainable and affordable energy supplies necessary for our prosperity and security.

My Government has published a draft Bill on climate change to create a long-term legal framework to reduce the United Kingdom’s carbon dioxide emissions up to 2050 and beyond.

My Government has continued to invest in and reform the public services in order to improve further their effectiveness and to help the most vulnerable members of society.

Legislation has been enacted to simplify the benefits system for those whose health affects their capacity for work, to reform the welfare system, and to reduce poverty.

Legislation has been brought forward to improve the system of child maintenance, and to provide assistance to people suffering from mesothelioma who are ineligible under the current scheme.

An Act has been passed to provide for long-term reform of pensions.

Legislation has been enacted to provide for free off-peak local bus travel anywhere in England for older and disabled people.

My Government’s programme of educational reform has continued to raise standards in schools to help all children achieve their full potential.

An Act has been passed to reform the further education system so that it can better equip people with the skills that they and the economy need.

My Government has continued to modernise and reform healthcare—ensuring that patients get a better service—whilst retaining the founding principles of the National Health Service.

An Act has been passed to provide a better framework for treating people with mental disorders.

Draft legislation has been published to reform the regulation of human embryology.

A draft Bill has been published to tackle road congestion and to improve public transport.

My Government has published proposals to reform the planning system.

An Act has been passed to provide for improved arrangements for consumer advocacy and handling of consumer complaints against utility companies and estate agents.

My Government has also continued its programme of reform to provide institutions that better serve a modern democracy, and has worked to build a consensus on reform of the House of Lords.

My Government has published a Draft Legislative Programme.

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Legislation has been enacted to provide for reform of local government and enhanced powers for the Mayor and Assembly for London.

Legislation has been enacted to create an independent board to promote and safeguard the production and publication of official statistics that serve the public good.

Other important measures have been enacted.

Members of the House of Commons

I thank you for the provision you have made for the work and dignity of the Crown and for the public service.

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons

My Government continues to work closely with the devolved Administrations in Scotland and Wales.

My Government has secured the restoration of devolution in Northern Ireland, and worked closely with the cross-party administration since May 2007. I am grateful to Lords and Members of the House of Commons for their essential contribution to this process in passing two Acts under emergency procedures and a Justice and Security Act for Northern Ireland.

The Duke of Edinburgh and I were pleased to pay a State visit to the United States of America in May 2007 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown Settlement. We were also pleased to visit the Netherlands in February 2007 and Belgium in July 2007. We were pleased to receive the President of Ghana and Mrs Kufuor in March 2007.

My Government remains committed to peace in the Middle East. It has continued to work to find a lasting settlement between Israel and the Palestinians based on two states existing alongside each other in peace and security, to support the new Iraqi Government in its efforts to build an enduring constitutional settlement, and to assist the Government of Afghanistan.

My Government has worked with the United Nations and European Union partners to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction, including addressing international concerns over North Korea and Iran, and to promote good governance.

My Government has worked to build an effective and globally competitive European Union and to strengthen the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

My Government has continued to contribute to a modern and inclusive United Nations and worked to achieve a new World Trade agreement.

My Government has maintained and strengthened its focus on Africa, and has secured increased international support for a resolution to the crisis in Darfur.

My Government has continued to work to foster a strong partnership between Europe and the United States of America in order to meet these objectives.

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons: I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.

By virtue of Her Majesty’s Commission which has now been read, we do, in Her Majesty’s name, and in obedience to Her Majesty’s Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Tuesday, the sixth day of this instant November, to be then here holden, and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Tuesday the sixth day of November.


APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1Education,—Education (Determination of Admission Arrangements) (Amendment No. 2) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3009), dated 22nd October 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Ed Balls].

2Excise,—Fuel-testing Pilot Projects (Biobutanol Project) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3098), dated 29th October 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Jane Kennedy].

3Taxes,—Tax Avoidance Schemes (Information) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3103), dated 30th October 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Jane Kennedy].

4Value Added Tax,—Value Added Tax (Amendment) (No. 7) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3099), dated 29th October 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Jane Kennedy].

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Other Papers:

5European Communities (No. 12, 2007),—Agreement, done at Brussels on 25th July 2007, on the participation of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania in the European Economic Area, with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Cm. 7240] [Secretary David Miliband].

6Justice (Northern Ireland),—Paper, entitled Community Restorative Justice Ireland: Report of a pre-inspection of schemes in Belfast and in the North-West with a view to accreditation under the Government’s Protocol for Community Based Restorative Justice [by Act] [Mr Secretary Woodward].

7Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for Transport on the Petition [9th October] from the residents of Tunstall for safety measures on the road between Tunstall Church and Tunstall School car park [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].

8Reserve Forces,—Report under section 56(7) of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 on the making of a call-out order under section 56(1) of that Act, dated 30th October [by Act] [Secretary Des Browne].

9Transport,—Paper, entitled Towards a Sustainable Transport System: Supporting Economic Growth in a Low Carbon World [by Command] [Cm. 7226] [Secretary Ruth Kelly].

APPENDIX II

Reports from Select Committees

1Environmental Audit,—(1) Beyond Stern: From the Climate Change Programme Review to the Draft Climate Change Bill: Government Response to the Seventh Report from the Committee, Session 2006–07: Ninth Special Report from the Environmental Audit Committee, with an Appendix; to be printed [No. 1110]; and

(2) Reducing carbon emissions from UK business: The role of the Climate Change Levy and Agreements:

(i) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 1073-iii]; and

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

[Mr Tim Yeo].

2Trade and Industry,—(1) The Future of UK Manufacturing: Public Procurement: Thirteenth Report from the Trade and Industry Committee, with a Memorandum; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 1109]; and

(2) Trade with India: One Year On: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 1107-i]

[Mr Peter Luff].



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