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

1    Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee,—Mr Mike Hancock reported from the Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee the draft Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Procedure) (Amendment) Rules 2007 and draft Proscribed Organisations Appeal Commission (Procedure) Rules 2007.

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

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

The Lords communicate that, in declining to approve the draft Gambling (Geographical Distribution of Casino Premises Licences) Order 2007, they have come to the following resolution:

That, taking account of the 13th Report from the Merits of Statutory Instruments Committee, the Lords consider it desirable that Lords be appointed to join with a Committee of the Commons as a Joint Committee to consider the process by which a decision was reached on which licensing authority should issue the regional casino premises licence, and to report by 1st June 2007; and that the Lords call upon Her Majesty's Government to take account of the recommendations of any such Joint Committee and to lay regulations including the licensing authorities as set out in the draft Order whose responsibility it is to issue the eight large and eight small casino premises licenses.

3    Telecommunications Masts (Planning Control) Bill,—Andrew Stunell, supported by Tom Brake, Mr Dan Rogerson, Lorely Burt, Annette Brooke, Mr Mark Oaten and Mark Hunter presented a Bill to amend the law relating to planning in connection with telecommunications masts and associated apparatus; to amend the electronic communications code in connection with telecommunications masts and associated apparatus and make further provision about that code; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 29th June and to be printed [Bill 87].

4    Employment Assistance (Wales),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to empower the National Assembly for Wales to make provision about transport opportunities for long-term incapacity benefit claimants who have gained employment; and for connected purposes: And that Mr Wayne David, Mr Don Touhig, Ann Clwyd, Mr Dai Havard, Nia Griffith, Chris Bryant, Julie Morgan and Chris Ruane do prepare and bring it in.

5    Employment Assistance (Wales) Bill,—Mr Wayne David accordingly presented a Bill to empower the National Assembly for Wales to make provision about transport opportunities for long-term incapacity benefit claimants who have gained employment; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 19th October and to be printed [Bill 88].

6    Communications Allowance,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, (1) That this House approves the First Report of the Members Estimate Committee 2006-07 (House of Commons Paper No. 319) on a Communications Allowance, and is of the opinion that provision should be made with effect from 1st April 2007 for a Communications Allowance in accordance with paragraphs (2)-(4) below.

(2) The allowance shall be for the purpose of assisting Members with expenditure incurred wholly, exclusively and necessarily in communicating with the public on parliamentary business, and the scope of the allowance shall be as set out in the First Report of the Members Estimate Committee.

(3) The allowance shall be at a rate of £10,000 per year for each Member, uprated annually in line with any increase in the Retail Price Index.

(4) The detailed rules and guidance for the Allowance shall be determined and reviewed from time to time by the Members Estimate Committee—(Mr Jack Straw);

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Ian Cawsey, Mr Alan Campbell: 283.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Mark Lancaster, Mr Crispin Blunt: 188.

(2) The allowance shall be for the purpose of assisting Members with expenditure incurred wholly, exclusively and necessarily in communicating with the public on parliamentary business, and the scope of the allowance shall be as set out in the First Report of the Members Estimate Committee.

(3) The allowance shall be at a rate of £10,000 per year for each Member, uprated annually in line with any increase in the Retail Price Index.

The Deputy Speaker then proceeded to put the Questions on the Motions relating to Notices of Questions etc. During September, Select Committees (Reports) and Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund.

7    Notices of Questions etc. During September,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Order [26th March], That the following Standing Order (Notices of Questions etc. during September) be made—

(1) Notices of questions for written answer on a named day by a Minister of the Crown may be given on three appointed tabling days, for answer on three appointed answering days, between 2nd and 21st September.

(2) A motion to appoint tabling days and answering days under paragraph (1) may be made by a Minister of the Crown; and the question on such a motion shall be put forthwith and may be decided, though opposed, after the moment of interruption.

(3) Notices of questions for named day answer on one of the appointed answering days, received by the Table Office on any day after the rising of the House for the summer adjournment, shall be treated as if given on—

(a) that day, if they are received on an appointed tabling day; or

(b) the next appointed tabling day, if they are received on any other day,

and a Member may not give notice of more than five such questions in respect of each appointed tabling day.

(4) Notwithstanding sub-paragraph (4)(a) of Standing Order No. 22 (Notices of questions, motions and amendments), no notice of a question may be given under this order for a day earlier than five days (excluding Saturday and Sunday) after the day on which the notice is given.

(5) A Minister of the Crown, being a Member of the House, may give notice on an appointed tabling day of his intention to make a ministerial statement in written form on an appointed answering day.

(6) In the event of a recall of the House under Standing Order No. 13 (Earlier meeting of the House in certain circumstances), the Speaker may publish a memorandum amending the arrangements made under this order—(Mr Jack Straw)—It was agreed to.

8    Select Committees (Reports),—A Motion was made and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Order [26th March], That the following amendment be made to Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)):—

Line 9, to leave out the words 'forty-eight' and insert the words 'seventy-two' instead thereof—(Mr Jack Straw)—It was agreed to.

9    Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund,—A Motion was made and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Order [26th March], That Sir Graham Bright be appointed as a Managing Trustee of the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund in pursuance of section 1 of the Parliamentary and other Pensions Act 1987—(Mr Jack Straw)—It was agreed to.

10    Betting, Gaming and Lotteries,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the draft Gambling (Geographical Distribution of Casino Premises Licences) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 1st March, be approved—(Secretary Tessa Jowell);

11    Deferred Divisions,—The Deputy Speaker announced the results of the Division which had been deferred to this day, pursuant to Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions):

Immigration,—That the draft Integration Loans for Refugees and Others Regulations 2007, which were laid before this House on 21st February, be approved.

Ayes: 342.

Noes: 49.

So the Question was agreed to.

Immigration and Nationality,—That the draft Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2007, which were laid before this House on 15th March, be approved.

Ayes: 366.

Noes: 54.

So the Question was agreed to.

12    Betting, Gaming and Lotteries,—The Question being again proposed, That the draft Gambling (Geographical Distribution of Casino Premises Licences) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 1st March, be approved;

And the Question being put;

Tellers for the Ayes, Claire Ward, Jonathan Shaw: 274.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Crispin Blunt, Mr Mark Lancaster: 250.

Resolved, That the draft Gambling (Geographical Distribution of Casino Premises Licences) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 1st March, be approved.

13    Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from—

(1) residents of Illford North against the reduction in services and the possible closure of King George's Hospital;

(2) residents of Otley and Wharfedale, the surrounding area, and others against the reduction in services at Wharfedale Hospital; and

(3) residents of Harthill, and neighbouring villages in Cheshire against the closure of Harthill School

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

14    Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Huw Irranca-Davies.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till twenty-seven minutes to Eight o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

Michael J. Martin

Speaker

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

APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Paper subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1    Acquisition of Land,—Draft Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (Corresponding Amendments) Order 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Ruth Kelly].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

2    Constitutional Law,—National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Conversion of Framework Powers) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 910), dated 21st March 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hain].

3    Immigration,—Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command]; to be printed [No. 418] [Secretary John Reid].

4    Road Traffic,—(1) Alterations in the provisions of the Highway Code proposed to be made by the Secretary of State for Transport, dated 28th March 2007 [by Act]; and

(2) Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1018), dated 23rd March 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command]

[Mr Secretary Alexander].

Other Papers:

5    Animal Health,—Return of expenditure incurred and prosecutions taken under the Animal Health Act 1981 and incidences of disease in imported animals for the year 2006 [by Act] [Secretary David Miliband].

6    Enterprise,—Plan of the Office of Fair Trading for 2007-08 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 339] [Mr Secretary Darling].

7    Members' Interests,—Register of Members' Interests as at 26th March 2007 [pursuant to the Resolutions of 22nd May 1974, 28th June 1993, 6th November 1995 and 14th May 2002]; to be printed [No. 436] [Clerk of the House].

8    Pensions,—Naval, Military and Air Forces etc. (Disablement and Death) Service Pensions (Amendment) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 909), dated 21st March 2007 [by Act] [Ms Harriet Harman].

9    Public Accounts,—Treasury Minutes on the Seventh, Eighth and Tenth Reports from the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 2006-07 [by Command] [Cm. 7020] [John Healey].

APPENDIX II

General Committees

1    Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill,—The Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill Committee: Mr David Anderson, Lyn Brown, Lorely Burt, Mr Tom Clarke, Mrs Ann Cryer, James Duddridge, Mr Tobias Ellwood, Mr David Gauke, Mrs Sharon Hodgson, Susan Kramer, Steve McCabe, Mr Ian McCartney, Stephen Pound, Mr Mark Prisk, Mr Neil Turner, Mr Ben Wallace and Mr Tom Watson.

2    Vehicle Registration Marks Bill,—The Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Vehicle Registration Marks Bill Committee: Mr Russell Brown, Mary Creagh, Mr Philip Dunne, Linda Gilroy, Dr Brian Iddon, Mr Greg Knight, Dr Stephen Ladyman, Mr Jim McGovern, Richard Ottaway, Mr Owen Paterson, John Robertson, Andrew Rosindell, Paul Rowen, Jim Sheridan, Mr Andy Slaughter, Sir Robert Smith and Derek Wyatt.

3    Draft Government of Wales Act 2006 (Consequential Modifications and Transitional Provisions) Order 2007 and the draft Representation of the People (National Assembly for Wales) (Access to Election Documents) Regulations 2007:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order and draft Regulations to the First Delegated Legislation Committee; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Nick Ainger, Mr Peter Bone, Mr David Burrowes, Mr Wayne David, Mrs Nadine Dorries, Mr Roger Godsiff, Nigel Griffiths, Huw Irranca-Davies, Mr David Jones, Mr Elfyn Llwyd, Mr Michael Meacher, Jessica Morden, Dr Doug Naysmith, Chris Ruane, Mr Paul Truswell, Angela Watkinson and Mark Williams.

4    Draft Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (Amendment of Section 76(3)) Order 2007:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Second Delegated Legislation Committee; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Crispin Blunt, Mr Jeremy Browne, Mr Alan Campbell, Mr Douglas Carswell, Mr Vernon Coaker, Mr Geoffrey Cox, David T. C. Davies (Monmouth), Mr David Drew, Nick Herbert, Mark Hunter, Alan Keen, Judy Mallaber, Chris Mole, Mr Jamie Reed, Emily Thornberry, Dr Desmond Turner and David Wright.

5    Draft Community Legal Service (Asylum and Immigration Appeals) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 and the draft Legal Aid (Asylum and Immigration Appeals) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2007:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Third Delegated Legislation Committee; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Ms Diane Abbott, Vera Baird, Mr Henry Bellingham, Jim Cousins, Mr Stephen Dorrell, Mr Tobias Ellwood, Mr Michael Foster (Worcester), Michael Jabez Foster, Mr David Gauke, Mr Greg Hands, Mr Doug Henderson, Simon Hughes, Martin Linton, Mr Andrew Love, Margaret Moran, Mr Alan Reid and Helen Southworth.

6    Draft Community Drivers' Hours and Recording Equipment Regulations 2007:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Colin Challen, Mr Philip Hollobone, Helen Jones, Daniel Kawczynski, Jane Kennedy, Dr Stephen Ladyman, Mr John Leech, Anne Main, Mr George Mudie, Mr Owen Paterson, Andrew Rosindell, Paul Rowen, Mr Frank Roy, Mr Andy Slaughter, Ian Stewart, Graham Stringer and Mr Robert N. Wareing.

7    Draft Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Procedure) (Amendment) Rules 2007 and draft Proscribed Organisations Appeal Commission (Procedure) Rules 2007,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Ann Clwyd, Mr Wayne David, David Lepper and Paul Rowen from the Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Rules) and nominated in substitution Mr Adrian Bailey, Mr Nick Clegg, Mr Robert Flello and Lynda Waltho.

    European Standing Committees

8    European Union Document No. 8656/06 relating to Aviation Agreements,—The Committee of Selection has nominated thirteen Members to serve on the European Standing Committee nominated in respect of the Document: Mr Douglas Alexander, Mr Richard Benyon, Mr Bob Blizzard, Ms Dawn Butler, Mr Alistair Carmichael, Mr David Clelland, Tony Cunningham, Mr Bruce George, Chris Grayling, Alun Michael, Mr Brooks Newmark, Andrew Rosindell and Paul Rowen.

9    European Union Documents Nos. 5282/07 and 5354/07 relating to Energy Policy for Europe,—The Committee of Selection has nominated thirteen Members to serve on the European Standing Committee nominated in respect of the Documents: Tony Cunningham, Mr Tobias Ellwood, Charles Hendry, David Howarth, Fiona Mactaggart, Dr Nick Palmer, Mr Andrew Pelling, Mark Pritchard, Mr Geoffrey Robinson, Alan Simpson, Sir Robert Smith, Jon Trickett and Malcolm Wicks.

10    European Union Document No. 13139/05, relating to Conservation of the European eel, has been referred to European Standing Committee A.

11    European Union Document No. 6192/07, relating to Diplomatic and consular protection of Union citizens in third countries, has been referred to European Standing Committee B.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

12    Crossrail Bill,—Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on the Crossrail Bill; to be printed [No. 235-xviii] [Mr Alan Meale].

13    Education and Skills,—Post-16 Skills:

(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education and Skills Committee; to be printed [No. 333-iv]; and

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

[Mr Barry Sheerman].

14    European Scrutiny,—(1) Sixteenth Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 41-xvi];

(2) Draft Council Framework Decision on the transfer of prisoners: Parliamentary scrutiny process: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 442-i]; and

(3) Ministerial Correspondence: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published

[Michael Connarty].

15    Modernisation of the House of Commons,—Strengthening the role of the backbencher and making better use of non-legislative time: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons; to be printed [No. 337-iv] [Mr Jack Straw].

16    Procedure,—Written Parliamentary Questions: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Procedure Committee; to be printed [No. 336-ii] [Mr Greg Knight].

17    Science and Technology,—(1) Government proposals for the regulation of hybrid and chimera embryos: Fifth Report from the Science and Technology 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 21st February [No. 272-I and -II]; and

(2) Office of Science and Innovation: Scrutiny Report 2005 and 2006: Sixth Report from the Committee, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the report [No. 203]

[Mr Phil Willis].

18    Statutory Instruments,—Fourteenth Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, with Memoranda; to be printed [No. 82-xiv] [Mr David Kidney].

19    Transport,—(1) Passengers' Experience of Air Travel: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Committee; to be printed [No. 435-i]; and

(2) Interim Government Response to the Committee's Second Report, Session 2006-07 on The Ports Industry in England and Wales: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published

[Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].

20    Treasury,—The 2007 Budget: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Treasury Committee; to be printed [No. 389-ii] [John McFall].

21    Work and Pensions,—Autumn Performance Report: Part of the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Work and Pensions Committee; to be printed [No. 432] [Mr Terry Rooney].

[W.H., No. 41]

Minutes of Proceedings of the 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.

Sir Alan Haselhurst

Deputy Speaker