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

1    Twelfth Delegated Legislation Committee,—Mr Roger Gale reported from the Twelfth Delegated Legislation Committee draft Asylum (Designated States) Order 2007.

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

2    Thirteenth Delegated Legislation Committee,—Mr Peter Atkinson reported from the Thirteenth Delegated Legislation Committee the draft Children Act 2004 Information Database (England) Regulations 2007.

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

3    Fourteenth Delegated Legislation Committee,—Hugh Bayley reported from the Fourteenth Delegated Legislation Committee the draft Companies Act 2006 (Commencement No. 3, Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2007.

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

4    European Standing Committee,—Mrs Janet Dean reported from a European Standing Committee the following Resolution:

That the Committee takes note of European Union Documents No. 13401/06 and Addenda 1 and 2, Commission Communication Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection, and No. 13388/06, Draft Directive establishing a framework for the protection of soil and amending Directive 2004/35/EC; and supports the Government's aim of ensuring that any new EU obligations in respect of the protection of soils and their functions are evidence-based, proportionate and cost effective and take full account of the principles of subsidiarity and better regulation, particularly in respect of Member States' existing national legislation.

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:

Parliamentary Constituencies (Amendment) Bill [Lords],—The Lords have passed a Bill to reduce the number of parliamentary constituencies; amend the rules governing the number of electors in each constituency; and for connected purposes; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.

The Lords do not insist on their Amendments to the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Bill to which this House has disagreed and they agree without Amendment to the Amendments proposed by this House in lieu of those Amendments.

6    Childcare Provision (Wales) Bill,—The Order for reading the Childcare Provision (Wales) Bill a second time on Friday 19th October was read and discharged.

Bill withdrawn.

7    New Members make Affirmation,—

Virendra Kumar Sharma, Esquire, Member for Ealing, Southall, made the Affirmation required by law.

Philip Wilson, Esquire, Member for Sedgefield, made the Affirmation required by law.

8    Standards and Privileges,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House—

(i) approves the Sixth Report of the Committee on Standards and Privileges (House of Commons Paper No. 909); and

(ii) accordingly suspends Mr George Galloway, Member for Bethnal Green and Bow, from the service of the House from Monday 8th October for a period of eighteen sitting days; and in calculating that period paragraph (3) of Standing Order No. 12 (House not to sit on certain Fridays) shall not apply—(Mr Michael Foster);

Mr George Galloway, Member for Bethnal Green and Bow, having wilfully disregarded the authority of the Chair, was named by Mr Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order No. 43 (Disorderly conduct).

Whereupon a Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith pursuant to Standing Order No. 44 (Order in debate), That Mr George Galloway be suspended fro the service of the House—(Ms Harriet Harman):—It was agreed to.

Ordered, That Mr George Galloway be suspended from the service of the House,.

Mr Speaker then directed Mr George Galloway to withdraw from the House:—And he withdrew accordingly.

And the Question being again proposed;

And the Question being put;

Resolved, That this House—

(i) approves the Sixth Report of the Committee on Standards and Privileges (House of Commons Paper No. 909); and

(ii) accordingly suspends Mr George Galloway, Member for Bethnal Green and Bow, from the service of the House from Monday 8th October for a period of eighteen sitting days; and in calculating that period paragraph (3) of Standing Order No. 12 (House not to sit on certain Fridays) shall not apply.

9    Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Bill [Lords] (Programme) (No. 2),—Ordered, That the Order of 10th July 2007 (Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Bill [Lords] (Programme)) be varied as follows:

1. Paragraphs 4 and 5 of the Order shall be omitted.

2. Proceedings on consideration and on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion three hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion for this Order.—(Mr Wayne David.)

10    Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Bill [Lords],—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Bill [Lords], not amended in the Public Bill Committee.

The Bill was read the third time, and passed, without Amendment.

11    Criminal Law,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 (Amendment) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 21st May, be approved—(Mr Wayne David):—It was agreed to.

12    Investigatory Powers,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Acquisition and Disclosure of Communications Data: Code of Practice) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 11th June, be approved—(Mr Wayne David):—It was agreed to.

13    Investigatory Powers,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Investigation of Protected Electronic Information: Code of Practice) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 11th June, be approved—(Mr Wayne David):—It was agreed to.

14    Passports,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Verification of Information in Passport Applications Etc. (Specified Persons) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 29th June, be approved—(Mr Wayne David):—It was agreed to.

15    Access to Justice,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the Revised Funding Code prepared by the Legal Services Commission, a copy of which was laid before this House on 14th June, be approved—(Mr Wayne David):—It was agreed to.

16    Industrial Development,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Financial Assistance For Industry (Increase of Limit) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 19th June, be approved—(Mr Wayne David):—It was agreed to.

17    Constitutional Law,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 20th June, be approved—(Mr Wayne David):—It was agreed to.

18    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.) (Amendment) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 2nd July, be approved—(Mr Wayne David):—It was agreed to.

19    International Development,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft International Fund for Agricultural Development (Seventh Replenishment) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 21st June, be approved—(Mr Wayne David):—It was agreed to.

20    Disabled Persons,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Amendment etc.) (General Qualifications Bodies) (Alteration of Premises and Enforcement) Regulations 2007, which were laid before this House on 26th June, be approved—(Mr Wayne David):—It was agreed to.

21    Global Approach to Migration,—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. 9773/07, Commission Communication on the application of the EU Global Approach to Migration to the Eastern and South-Eastern Regions Neighbouring the European Union and No. 9776/07, Commission Communication on circular migration and mobility partnerships between the European Union and third countries; and supports the Government's position that the expansion of the Global Approach to Migration provides an opportunity to assess progress so far as well as explore and clarify the concepts of circular migration and mobility partnerships—(Mr Wayne David):—It was agreed to.

22    Sittings in Westminster Hall,—Ordered, That, on Thursday 26th July, there shall be no sitting in Westminster Hall.—(Mr Wayne David.)

23    Delegated Legislation,—Ordered, That the Home Information Pack (No. 2) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007, No. 1667) and the Housing Act 2004 (Commencement No. 8) (England and Wales) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007, No. 1668) be referred to a Delegated Legislation Committee.—(Mr Bob Blizzard.)

24    Public Petition,—A Public Petition from Mr John Brunige and other of like disposition against proposed development plans for housing in Kettering was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

25    Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Bob Blizzard.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till twenty-four minutes to Ten 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 delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 20th July 2007 pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments):

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1    Betting, Gaming and Lotteries,—Gambling Act 2005 (Gaming Machines) (Definitions) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 2082), dated 18th July 2007, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Secretary James Purnell].

2    Licences and Licensing,—Licensing Act 2003 (Amendment of Schedule 4) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 2075), dated 18th July 2007, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Secretary James Purnell].

3    Trade Marks,—(1) Trade Marks (Amendment) Rules 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 2076); and

(2) Trade Marks (Fees) (Amendment) Rules 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 2077),

dated 18th July 2007, with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [Mr Secretary Hutton].

Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 23rd July 2007:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

4    Animals,—Zoonoses and Animal By-Products (Fees) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 2074), dated 17th July 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Hilary Benn].

5    Corporation Tax,—(1) Insurance Companies (Overseas Life Assurance Business) (Compliance) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 2088);

(2) Insurance Companies (Overseas Life Assurance Business) (Excluded Business) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 2086); and

(3) Insurance Companies (Taxation of Reinsurance Business) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 2087),

dated 20th July 2007 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Kitty Ussher].

6    Excise,—Excise Duties (Small Non-Commercial Consignments) Relief (Amendment) (Revocation) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 2092), dated 20th July 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Jane Kennedy].

7    Income Tax,—Income Tax (Pay as You Earn) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 2069), dated 20th July 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Jane Kennedy].

8    Social Security,—(1) Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 5) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 2068), dated 20th July 2007; and

(2) Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (Modification of Section 4A) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 2071), dated 23rd July 2007

[by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Jane Kennedy].

9    Social Security (Northern Ireland),—Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (Modification of Section 4A) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 2072), dated 23rd July 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Jane Kennedy].

10    Value Added Tax,—Value Added Tax (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 2085), dated 20th July 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Jane Kennedy].

Other Papers:

11    Administration of Justice,—Accounts of the Northern Ireland Court Service Investment Account for 2006-07, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 963] [Clerk of the House].

12    Animals,—(1) Review of Controls on Imports of Animal Products for 2006-07 [by Command] [Cm. 7179] [Secretary Hilary Benn]; and

(2) Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals in Great Britain for 2006 [by Command] [Cm. 7153] [Secretary Jacqui Smith].

13    Atomic Energy Authority,—Accounts of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority for 2006-07, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 966] [Clerk of the House].

14    Communities and Local Government,—Paper, entitled Homes for the Future: more affordable, more sustainable [by Command] [Cm. 7191] [Secretary Hazel Blears].

15    Covent Garden Market,—Report and Accounts of the Covent Garden Market Authority for 2006-07 [by Act] [Secretary Hilary Benn].

16    Financial Reporting to Parliament,—Departmental Report 2007: The Government's Expenditure Plans for 2007-08 for the Ministry of Defence [by Command] [Cm. 7098] [Secretary Des Browne].

17    Foreign and Commonwealth Office,—Paper, entitled The Reform Treaty: The British Approach to the European Union Intergovernmental Conference, July 2007 [by Command] [Cm. 7174] [Secretary David Miliband].

18    Government Resources and Accounts,—(1) Financial Statement of the Security and Intelligence Agencies for 2006-07, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 700] [Jane Kennedy];

(2) Report and Accounts for 2006-07 of the—

(i) Disposal Services Agency, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 705] [Secretary Des Browne];

(ii) Government Car and Despatch Agency, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 846] [Secretary Ruth Kelly];

(iii) Ministry of Defence, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 697] [Jane Kennedy];

(iv) Office of Fair Trading, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 532] [Jane Kennedy];

(v) Planning Inspectorate, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 589] [Secretary Hazel Blears]; and

(vi) Service Children's Education, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 779] [Secretary Des Browne]; and

(3) Resource Accounts for 2006-07 of the—

(i) Foreign and Commonwealth Office, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 856] [Jane Kennedy]; and

(ii) Postal Services Commission, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 882] [Jane Kennedy].

19    Health and Social Care,—Reports and Accounts of—

(1) Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust for 2006-07; and

(2) Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for 1st February 2007 to 31st March 2007

[by Act] [Secretary Alan Johnson].

20    Hearing Aid Council,—Report and Accounts of the Hearing Aid Council for 2006-07, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 962] [Clerk of the House].

21    Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery,—Accounts of the Olympic Lottery Distribution Fund for 2006-07, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 964] [Clerk of the House].

22    Justice (Northern Ireland),—Paper, entitled The Handling of Complaints in the Criminal Justice System [by Act] [Mr Secretary Woodward].

23    Local Government, Planning and Land,—Reports and Accounts of—

(1) London Thames Gateway Development Corporation; and

(2) Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation

for 2006-07, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 902 and 776] [Secretary Hazel Blears].

24    Museums and Galleries,—Reports and Accounts of the—

(1) Imperial War Museum;

(2) National Gallery;

(3) National Maritime Museum;

(4) National Portrait Gallery;

(5) Natural History Museum;

(6) Victoria and Albert Museum; and

(7) Wallace Collection

for 2006-07, with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 625, 711, 633, 792, 899, 859 and 919] [Secretary James Purnell].

25    National Audit,—Reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General on—

(1) HM Revenue and Customs: Management of large business Corporation Tax; and

(2) Reducing the Cost of Complying with Regulations: The Delivery of the Administrative Burdens Reduction Programme, 2007

[by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 614 and 615] [Clerk of the House].

26    National Lottery,—Report and Accounts of the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Distribution for 2006-07, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 965] [Clerk of the House].

27    Natural Environment and Rural Communities,—Report and Accounts of the Commission for Rural Communities for 2006-07, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 921] [Secretary Hilary Benn].

28    Police Reform,—Report and Accounts of the Independent Police Complaints Commission for 2006-07, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 885] [Secretary Jacqui Smith].

29    Postal Services,—Report and Accounts of the Consumer Council for Postal Services for 2006-07, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 883] [Mr Secretary Hutton].

30    Public Processions (Northern Ireland),—Report and Financial Statements of the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland for 2005-06, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 830] [Mr Secretary Woodward].

31    Terrorism,—Report of the Independent Assessor of Military Complaints Procedures in Northern Ireland for 2006 [by Act] [Mr Secretary Woodward].

32    Transport,—Report and Accounts of British Waterways for 2006-07 [by Act] [Secretary Hilary Benn].

33    United Arab Emirates (No. 1, 2007),—Treaty, done at London on 7th December 2006, between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates on Judicial Assistance in Civil and Commercial Matters, with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Cm. 7185] [Secretary David Miliband].

34    Utilities,—Report of the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) for 2006-07 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 823] [Mr Secretary Hutton].

APPENDIX II

General Committees

1    Draft Asylum (Designated States) Order 2007,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Clive Betts from the Twelfth Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Andrew Gwynne.

2    Draft Children Act 2004 Information Database (England) Regulations 2007,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Richard Caborn, Ann Clwyd, Ms Gisela Stuart and Dr Rudi Vis from the Thirteenth Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations) and nominated in substitution Mr Robert Flello, Keith Hill, Kerry McCarthy and Joan Walley.

    European Standing Committees

3    European Union Documents No. 13401/06 and Addenda 1 and 2 and No. 13388/06, relating to Soil Protection,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Chris Huhne, Mr Michael Meacher and Mr Geoffrey Robinson from the European Standing Committee (nominated in respect of the Documents) and nominated in substitution Mr Alistair Carmichael, Mr Khalid Mahmood and Sarah McCarthy-Fry.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1    Defence, Foreign Affairs, International Development and Trade and Industry,—Strategic Export Controls: 2007 Review: First Joint Report from the Defence, Foreign Affairs, International Development and Trade and Industry Committees, being the Fourteenth Report from the Defence Committee, the Seventh Report from the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Eleventh Report from the International Development Committee, and the Tenth Report from the Trade and Industry Committee, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committees relating to the Report, and Memoranda reported and ordered to be published on 7th December, 1st and 15th March 2007 [No. 117] [Roger Berry].

2    Education and Skills,—(1) The future sustainability of the higher education sector: international aspects:

(i) Eighth Report from the Education and Skills 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 29th January, 19th and 26th February, 7th and 21st March, 23rd April and 16th May and this day [No. 285-I and -II]; and

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

(2) Post-16 Skills: Ninth Report from the 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 21st and 28th February, 26th and 28th March, 14th and 21st May, and 4th and 20th June [No. 333-I and -II]

[Mr Barry Sheerman].

3    Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—(1) British Waterways: Seventh Report from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 345]; and

(2) Climate change: the "citizens' agenda": Eighth Report from the Committee, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 88]

[Mr Michael Jack].

4    Science and Technology,—(1) The Cooksey Review: Government Response to the Committee's Third Report of Session 2006-07: Third Special Report from the Science and Technology Committee; to be printed [No. 978];

(2) Research Council Institutes: Government Response to the Committee's Fourth Report of Session 2006-07: Fourth Special Report from the Committee; to be printed [No. 979]; and

(3) Investigating the Oceans: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 470-vi]

[Mr Phil Willis].

5    Work and Pensions,—Welfare Reform Green Paper and the Government's response to Leitch: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 939-i] [Mr Terry Rooney].