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

1    First Delegated Legislation Committee,—Derek Conway reported from the First Delegated Legislation Committee the draft Representation of the People (England and Wales) and the Representation of the People (Combination of Polls) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2007, and the draft Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007.

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

2    Second Delegated Legislation Committee,—Mrs Janet Dean reported from the Second Delegated Legislation Committee the draft Child Benefit Up-rating Order 2007, the draft Guardian's Allowance Up-rating Order 2007 and the draft Guardian's Allowance Up-rating (Northern Ireland) Order 2007.

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

3    Third Delegated Legislation Committee,—Mr Bill Olner reported from the Third Delegated Legislation Committee the draft Integration Loans for Refugees and Others Regulations 2007.

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

4    European Standing Committee,—Sir Nicholas Winterton reported from a European Standing Committee the following Resolution:

That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 11510/06 and Addenda 1 to 13, Commission Communication: Green Paper—Towards a future maritime policy for the Union: A European Vision for the oceans and seas; and endorses the Government's approach to discussions on these documents.

Resolution to lie upon the Table.

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

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

The Lords have agreed to the Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill, without Amendment.

The Lords have agreed to the Income Tax Bill, without Amendment.

The Lords have agreed to the Planning-gain Supplement (Preparations) Bill, without Amendment.

6    Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill [Lords],—The Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill [Lords] was, according to Order, read a second time.

7    Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill [Lords] (Programme),—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 Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill [Lords]—

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 26th April 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—(Kevin Brennan):—It was agreed to.

8    Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill [Lords] [Money],—Her Majesty's Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill [Lords] [Money];

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 Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of—

(1) any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State by virtue of the Act, and

(2) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable out of money so provided under any other Act—(Kevin Brennan):—It was agreed to.

9    Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill [Lords] [Ways and Means],—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 Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise—

(1) the inclusion in—

(a) licences under the Gas Act 1986, the Electricity Act 1989, the Postal Services Act 2000 or the Water Industry Act 1991, and

(b) appointments made under Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the Water Industry Act 1991,

of conditions requiring the payment of increased amounts payable into the Consolidated Fund, and

(2) the imposition of charges to corporation tax by provisions relating to transfer schemes—(Kevin Brennan):—It was agreed to.

10    UK Borders Bill [Ways and Means],—Resolved, That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the UK Borders Bill, it is expedient to authorise the charging of fees.—(Mr Liam Byrne.)

11    Police,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 (Renewal of Temporary Provisions) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 29th January, be approved—(Kevin Brennan):—It was agreed to.

12    Northern Ireland,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Northern Ireland Policing Board (Northern Ireland) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 6th February, be approved—(Kevin Brennan):—It was agreed to.

13    Northern Ireland,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Foyle and Carlingford Fisheries (Northern Ireland) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 19th February, be approved—(Kevin Brennan):—It was agreed to.

14    Northern Ireland,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 7th March, be approved—(Kevin Brennan):—It was agreed to.

15    Sexual Orientation Discrimination,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007, which were laid before this House on 12th March, be approved—( Kevin Brennan);

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Frank Roy, Mr Dave Watts: 310.

Tellers for the Noes, Miss Ann Widdecombe, Peter Luff: 100.

16    Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Kevin Brennan.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till twenty-three minutes to Nine o'clock, adjourned 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:

Papers presented by Her Majesty's Command and delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 16th March 2007 pursuant to Standing Order No. 158 (Presentation of command papers):

1    European Communities (No. 2, 2007),—Stabilisation and Association Agreement, done at Luxembourg on 12th June 2006, between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Albania, of the other, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Cm. 7055] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].

2    Treaty Series (No. 3, 2007),—Convention, done at Brussels on 29th May 2000, established by the Council in accordance with Article 34 of the Treaty on European Union, on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters between the Member States of the European Union [Cm. 7054] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].

Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 16th March 2007 pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments):

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

3    Building Societies,—(1) Building Societies (Accounts and Related Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 859); and

(2) Building Societies Act 1986 (Substitution of Specified Amounts and Modification of the Funding Limit Calculation) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 860),

dated 15th March 2007, with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [Ed Balls].

4    Ecclesiastical Law,—Parsonages Measure (Amendment) Rules 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 862), dated 27th February 2007 [Clerk of the House].

5    Employment,—Employment (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 (Amendment of Schedules 2, 3 and 4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. (N.I.), 2007, No. 91), dated 15th February 2007, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Mr Secretary Hain].

6    Excise,—Lottery Duty (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 870), dated 15th March 2007, with an Explanatory Memorandum [John Healey].

7    Fees and Charges,—Medicines for Human Use and Medical Devices (Fees Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 803), dated 12th March 2007, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Ms Secretary Hewitt].

8    Hallmark,—(1) Hallmarking Act 1973 (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 872); and

(2) Hallmarking Act 1973 (Exemption) (Amendment) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 880),

dated 15th March 2007, with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [Mr Secretary Darling].

9    Health and Safety,—Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 813), dated 12th March 2007, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Mr Secretary Hutton].

10    Local Government,—Local Government (General Grant) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. (N.I.), 2007, No. 126), dated 2nd March 2007, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Mr Secretary Hain].

11    Pensions,—(1) Pension Protection Fund (Closed Schemes) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 865), dated 14th March 2007; and

(2) Pension Protection Fund (Contributions Equivalent Premium) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 834), dated 13th March 2007,

with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [Mr Secretary Hutton].

12    Police,—Local Authorities (Alcohol Consumption in Designated Public Places) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 806), dated 12th March 2007, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Secretary John Reid].

13    River,—Diseases of Fish (England and Wales) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 864), dated 15th March 2007, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Secretary David Miliband].

14    Security Industry,—(1) Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Approved Contractor Scheme) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 808), dated 12th March 2007; and

(2) Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Licences) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 810), dated 13th March 2007,

with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [Secretary John Reid].

15    Social Security,—Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Prescribed Diseases) Amendment Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 811), dated 12th March 2007, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Mr Secretary Hutton].

Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 19th March 2007:

Paper subject to Affirmative Resolution:

16    Local Government,—Draft Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Bridget Prentice].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

17    Education,—(1) Education (Fees and Awards) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 779); and

(2) Student Fees (Qualifying Courses and Persons) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 778),

dated 8th March 2007 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Secretary Alan Johnson].

18    Immigration,—(1) Asylum Support (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 863), dated 15th March 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command];

(2) Immigration (Leave to Remain) (Prescribed Forms and Procedures) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 882), dated 13th March 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command]; and

(3) Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command]; to be printed [No. 398]

[Secretary John Reid].

19    Income Tax,—Orders for the Delivery of Documents (Procedure) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 881), dated 15th March 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Dawn Primarolo].

20    Legal Aid and Advice,—(1) Legal Advice and Assistance (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. (N.I.), 2007, No. 173);

(2) Legal Advice and Assistance (Financial Conditions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. (N.I.), 2007, No. 174); and

(3) Legal Aid (Financial Conditions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. (N.I.), 2007, No. 175),

dated 18th March 2007 [by Statutory Instrument], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Bridget Prentice].

21    Legal Services Commission,—Community Legal Service (Financial) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 906), dated 15th March 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Vera Baird].

22    Road Traffic,—Motor Vehicles (EC Type Approval) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 855), dated 14th March 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Alexander].

23    Social Security,—Workmen's Compensation (Supplementation) (Amendment) Scheme 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 804), dated 12th March 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hutton].

24    Transport,—Road Transport (Working Time) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 853), dated 14th March 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Alexander].

25    Universities of Oxford and Cambridge,—Statute, dated 11th January 2007, made by the Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge, amending Statute K of the University [by Act] [Ms Harriet Harman].

Papers withdrawn:

26    Local Government,—Draft Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007, with an Explanatory Memorandum [laid 1st March].

APPENDIX II

General Committees

1    Draft Representation of the People (England and Wales) and the Representation of the People (Combination of Polls) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2007, and the draft Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Michael Clapham, Julie Morgan, Mr Paul Truswell and Keith Vaz from the First Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations) and nominated in substitution Charlotte Atkins, Roger Berry, Mrs Ann Cryer and Kerry McCarthy.

2    Draft Child Benefit Up-rating Order 2007, the draft Guardian's Allowance Up-rating Order 2007 and the draft Guardian's Allowance Up-rating (Northern Ireland) Order 2007,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Ann Clwyd from the Second Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Orders) and nominated in substitution Joan Ruddock.

3    Draft Integration Loans for Refugees and Others Regulations 2007,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Jim Cousins and Mr Andrew Turner from the Third Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations) and nominated in substitution Mr Geoffrey Cox and Andrew Gwynne.

4    Draft Northern Ireland Act 2000 (Modification) Order 2007,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Richard Benyon from the Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Mr Robert Wilson.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1    Communities and Local Government,—The Supply of Rented Housing: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Communities and Local Government Committee; to be printed [No. 47-v] [Dr Phyllis Starkey].

2    Human Rights,—The Meaning of Public Authority under the Human Rights Act: Ninth Report from the Joint Committee on Human Rights, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 410] [Mr Andrew Dismore].

3    Public Accounts,—The Performance of the Government as Shareholder: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts; to be printed [No. 409-i] [Mr Edward Leigh].

4    Science and Technology,—Space Policy: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee; to be printed [No. 66-vi] [Mr Phil Willis].