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

1    Private Bills (Standing Orders not previously inquired into complied with),—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, referred after the Second Reading thereof, the Standing Orders not previously inquired into, which are applicable thereto, have been complied with:

National Trust (Northern Ireland) Bill.

Bill committed.

2    First Delegated Legislation Committee,—Ann Winterton reported from the First Delegated Legislation Committee the draft Electricity (Single Wholesale Market) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007.

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

3    Second Delegated Legislation Committee,—Mrs Janet Dean reported from the Second Delegated Legislation Committee the draft Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Order 2007.

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

4    Estimates Day [2nd Allotted Day],—The House proceeded, pursuant to Resolution [6th March], to consider the Estimates appointed for consideration under Standing Order No. 145 (Liaison Committee).

Supplementary Estimates, 2006-07 (Department of Health),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That, for the year ending with 31st March 2007, for expenditure by the Department of Health—

(1) further resources, not exceeding £94,395,000, be authorised for use as set out in House of Commons Paper No. 293,

(2) a further sum, not exceeding £1,000, be granted to Her Majesty out of the Consolidated Fund to meet the costs as so set out, and

(3) limits as so set out be set on appropriations in aid.—(Huw Irranca-Davies.)

The Debate was concluded and the Question necessary to dispose of the proceedings was deferred, pursuant to paragraph (4) of Standing Order No. 54 (Consideration of Estimates).

Supplementary Estimates, 2006-07 (Department for Transport),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That, for the year ending with 31st March 2007, for expenditure by the Department for Transport—

(1) further resources, not exceeding £849,010,000, be authorised for use as set out in House of Commons Paper No. 293,

(2) a further sum, not exceeding £533,764,000, be granted to Her Majesty out of the Consolidated Fund to meet the costs as so set out, and

(3) limits as so set out be set on appropriations in aid—(Claire Ward);

And it being Ten o'clock, the Speaker interrupted the proceedings, and the Question necessary to dispose of proceedings was deferred, pursuant to paragraph (4) of Standing Order No. 54 (Consideration of Estimates).

The Speaker, pursuant to paragraph (5) of Standing Order No. 54 (Consideration of Estimates), put the deferred Questions on Supplementary Estimates, 2006-07.

Resolved, That, for the year ending with 31st March 2007, for expenditure by the Department of Health—

(1) further resources, not exceeding £94,395,000, be authorised for use as set out in House of Commons Paper No. 293,

(2) a further sum, not exceeding £1,000, be granted to Her Majesty out of the Consolidated Fund to meet the costs as so set out, and

(3) limits as so set out be set on appropriations in aid.

Resolved, That, for the year ending with 31st March 2007, for expenditure by the Department for Transport—

(1) further resources, not exceeding £849,010,000, be authorised for use as set out in House of Commons Paper No. 293,

(2) a further sum, not exceeding £533,764,000, be granted to Her Majesty out of the Consolidated Fund to meet the costs as so set out, and

(3) limits as so set out be set on appropriations in aid.

5    Estimates,—The Speaker then put the Questions required to be put, pursuant to Standing Order No. 55 (Questions on Voting of Estimates, &c.).

Estimates, 2007-08 (Navy) Vote A

Resolved, That, during the year ending with 31st March 2008, a number not exceeding 42,240 all ranks be maintained for Naval Service and that numbers in the Reserve Naval and Marine Forces be authorised for the purposes of Parts 1, 3, 4 and 5 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 up to the maximum numbers set out in House of Commons Paper No. 280 of this Session.

Estimates, 2007-08 (Army) Vote A

Resolved, That, during the year ending with 31st March 2008, a number not exceeding 125,785 all ranks be maintained for Army Service and that numbers in the Reserve Land Forces be authorised for the purposes of Parts 1, 3, 4 and 5 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 up to the maximum numbers set out in House of Commons Paper No. 280 of this Session.

Estimates, 2007-08 (Air) Vote A

Resolved, That, during the year ending with 31st March 2008, a number not exceeding 48,360 all ranks be maintained for Air Force Service and that numbers in the Reserve Air Forces be authorised for the purposes of Parts 1, 3, 4 and 5 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 up to the maximum numbers set out in House of Commons Paper No. 280 of this Session.

Estimates, Excesses, 2005-06

Resolved, That, for the year that ended with 31st March 2006—

(1) resources, not exceeding £795,801,000, be authorised for use to make good excesses of certain resources for defence and civil services as set out in House of Commons Paper No. 243;

(2) a sum, not exceeding £4,956,000, be granted to Her Majesty out of the Consolidated Fund to make good excesses of certain grants for defence and civil services as so set out; and

(3) limits as so set out be set on appropriations in aid.

Supplementary Estimates, 2006-07

Resolved, That, for the year ending with 31st March 2007—

(1) further resources, not exceeding £6,125,169,000, be authorised for defence and civil services as set out in House of Commons Paper No. 293,

(2) a further sum, not exceeding £7,122,263,000, be granted to Her Majesty out of the Consolidated Fund to meet the costs of defence and civil services as so set out; and

(3) limits as so set out be set on appropriations in aid.

Ordered, That a Bill be brought in upon the foregoing Resolutions relating to Supplementary Estimates 2006-07 and Excesses 2005-06 and the Resolutions of 7th December relating to Supplementary and new Estimates 2006-07: And that the Chairman of Ways and Means, Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Stephen Timms, John Healey, Dawn Primarolo and Ed Balls do prepare and bring it in.

6    Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill,—John Healey accordingly presented a Bill to authorise the use of resources for the service of the years ending with 31st March 2006 and 31st March 2007 and to apply certain sums out of the Consolidated Fund to the service of the years ending with 31st March 2006 and 31st March 2007; and to appropriate the supply authorised in this Session of Parliament for the service of the years ending with 31st March 2006 and 31st March 2007: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 78].

7    Tax Credits,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Tax Credits Up-rating Regulations 2007, which were laid before this House on 30th January, be approved—(Steve McCabe):—It was agreed to.

8    Environmental Protection,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Environmental Offences (Use of Fixed Penalty Receipts) Regulations 2007, which were laid before this House on 31st January, be approved—(Steve McCabe):—It was agreed to.

9    Representation of the People,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Representation of the People (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2007, which were laid before this House on 6th February, be approved—(Steve McCabe):—It was agreed to.

10    Constitutional Law,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Act 2006 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 6th February, be approved—(Steve McCabe):—It was agreed to.

11    Constitutional Law,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 7th February, be approved—(Steve McCabe):—It was agreed to.

12    Housing,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation), That the draft Housing (Tenancy Deposit Schemes) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 8th February, be approved—(Steve McCabe):—It was agreed to.

13    Taxation,—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 Documents No. 17066/06, Commission Communication on Coordinating Member States' direct tax systems in the internal market, No. 17067/06 and Addendum 1, Commission Communication on Tax treatment of losses in cross-border situations, and No. 17068/06, Commission Communication on Exit taxation and the need for coordination of Member States' tax policies; and supports the Government's intention of combining a robust defence of the right of Member States to determine their own direct taxation policies in compliance with Community law, with a recognition that national tax authorities, within the EU and elsewhere, will continue to work together both bilaterally and multilaterally to ensure that their direct tax systems work together properly—(Steve McCabe):—It was agreed to.

14    Modernisation of the House,—Ordered, That Mr Edward Vaizey be discharged from the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons and Philip Davies be added.—(Steve McCabe.)

15    European Scrutiny,—Ordered, That Mr Richard Bacon be discharged from the European Scrutiny Committee and Mr Greg Hands be added.—(Rosemary McKenna, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

16    Public Petition,—A Public Petition from supporters of the Knives or Lives? Campaign for increased sentences for knife associated crime was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

17    Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Frank Roy);

And the Motion having been made after Ten o'clock, and the Debate having continued for half an hour, the Speaker adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order, it being then twenty-five minutes to Eleven o'clock, till to-morrow.

Michael J. Martin

Speaker

Mr Speaker will take the Chair at half-past Two o'clock.

APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Paper subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1    Sexual Orientation Discrimination,—Draft Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007 [by Act] [Secretary Ruth Kelly].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

2    Legal Services Commission,—(1) Criminal Defence Service (Financial Eligibility) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 777); and

(2) Criminal Defence Service (General) (No. 2) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 780),

dated 9th March 2007 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Vera Baird].

3    Plant Health,—Plant Health (Plant Passport Fees) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 720), dated 6th March 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary David Miliband].

4    Sex Discrimination,—Sex Discrimination Code of Practice (Public Authorities) (Duty to Promote Equality) (Appointed Day) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 741), dated 8th March 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Ruth Kelly].

5    Social Security,—National Insurance Contributions (Application of Part 7 of the Finance Act 2004) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 785), dated 12th March 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Dawn Primarolo].

6    Supreme Court,—Civil Courts (Amendment) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 786), dated 9th March 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Ms Harriet Harman].

Other Papers:

7    National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Department for International Development: Tackling rural poverty in developing countries [by Act]; to be printed [No. 322] [Clerk of the House].

8    Northern Ireland (Monitoring Commission etc.),—Fourteenth Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission [by Act]; to be printed [No. 370] [Mr Secretary Hain].

9    Police (Northern Ireland),—Police Service of Northern Ireland (Unsatisfactory Performance and Attendance) Regulations 2007 (S.R. (N.I.), 2007, No. 130), dated 22nd January 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hain].

10    Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the Petition [30th January] from members of the Women's Institute for a full scale investigation into the practices of the dairy sector and the effects those practices have on dairy farmers [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].

11    Treaty Series (No. 2, 2007),—Protocol, done at Luxembourg on 16th October 2001, established by the Council, in accordance with Article 34 of the Treaty on European Union, to the Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters between the Member States of the European Union [by Command] [Cm. 7051] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].

12    Treaty Series (No. 5, 2007),—Convention, done at Farnborough on 9th September 1998, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of the French Republic, the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Government of the Italian Republic on the Establishment of the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (Organisation Conjointe de Cooperation en Matiere d'Armement) OCCAR [by Command] [Cm. 7060] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].

Papers withdrawn:

13    Sexual Orientation Discrimination,—Draft Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007 [laid 8th March].

APPENDIX II

General Committees

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1    Environment, 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-iii] [Mr Michael Jack].

2    Human Rights,—Counter-terrorism Policy and Human Rights: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Joint Committee on Human Rights; to be printed [No. 394-i] [Mr Andrew Dismore].

3    Public Accounts,—(1) Department for International Development: Working with non-governmental and other civil society organisations to promote development: Eighteenth Report from the Committee of Public Accounts; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 64];

(2) A foot on the ladder: low cost home ownership assistance: Nineteenth Report from the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 134]; and

(3) Legal Aid and mediation for people involved in family breakdown: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 396-i]

[Mr Edward Leigh].

CORRIGENDUM

(2) Proposal for the Regulatory Reform (Collaboration etc. between Ombudsmen) Order 2007: Second Report from the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 383]; and

(3) Special Report: Revised Standing Orders: Second Special Report from the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 385]

[Andrew Miller].'