Session 2007-08

Commons Journal 264

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Page 181            2007-08      Volume 264      

[No. 46.]

Wednesday 6th February 2008.

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

PRAYERS.

1Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee,—Mrs Janet Dean reported from the Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee the draft Companies (Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2008.

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

2Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee,—John Cummings reported from the Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee the draft County Durham (Structural Change) Order 2008 and draft Northumberland (Structural Change) Order 2008.

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

3Race Relations (Election Candidates),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to exclude from the operation of the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 certain matters relating to the selection of candidates by political parties—(Keith Vaz);

And the Motion being opposed, after permitting a short explanatory statement from the Member who made the Motion and from a Member who opposed it, the Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Standing Order No. 23 (Motions for leave to bring in bills and nomination of select committees at commencement of public business):—It was agreed to.

Ordered, That Keith Vaz, Ms Diane Abbott, Mr Marsha Singh, Ms Dawn Butler, Jeremy Corbyn, Harry Cohen and Mr Virendra Sharma do prepare and bring in the Bill.

4Race Relations (Election Candidates) Bill,—Keith Vaz accordingly presented a Bill to exclude from the operation of the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 certain matters relating to the selection of candidates by political parties: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 13th June and to be printed [Bill 66].

5Business of the House (Lisbon Treaty) (No. 3),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Order [28th January], That the Order of 28th January be further amended as follows: in the Table, in the entry for allotted day 4, in the third column:

(a) for ‘4½ hours’ substitute ‘3 hours’, and

(b) for ‘1½ hours’ substitute ‘3 hours’—(Alison Seabeck):—It was agreed to.

6Treaty of Lisbon (No. 4) [4th allotted day],—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House approves the Government’s policy towards the Treaty of Lisbon in respect of provisions concerning the single market—(Mr Secretary Hutton);

An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word ‘House’ to the end of the Question and add the words ‘disapproves of the Government’s policy towards the Treaty of Lisbon in respect of provisions concerning the single market; notes that the Treaty proper now contains no reference to undistorted competition as one of the activities of the European Union, and indeed relegates to a protocol any mention of competition that is not distorted, with significant implications for the interpretation of European Union law; deplores the Government’s failure to block this change during the negotiations; and is concerned that the result could be the revival of protectionism in the European Union wholly contrary to Government policy and damaging to the interest both of the United Kingdom and of the European Union’, instead thereof.—(Mr Philip Hammond.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made.

7Deferred 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):

Local Government,—That the draft Wiltshire (Structural Change) Order 2008, which was laid before this House on 8th January, be approved.

Ayes: 269.

Noes: 158.

So the Question was agreed to.

8Treaty of Lisbon (No. 4) [4th allotted day],— The Question being again proposed, That the Amendment be made;

And the Question being put;

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The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Crispin Blunt, Mr Richard Benyon: 176.

Tellers for the Noes, Siobhain McDonagh, Tony Cunningham: 352.

So the Question was negatived.

It being more than three hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion relating to the Treaty of Lisbon (No. 4), the Deputy Speaker put the Main Question forthwith, pursuant to Orders [28th January and this day].

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Siobhain McDonagh, Tony Cunningham: 345.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Crispin Blunt, Mr Richard Benyon: 186.

So the Question was agreed to.

9European Union (Amendment) Bill [4th allotted day],—The House, according to Order, again resolved itself into a Committee on the European Union (Amendment) Bill.

(In the Committee)

Clause No. 2 (Addition to list of Treaties).

Another Amendment (No. 237) proposed, in page 1, line 12, after the word ‘excluding’, to insert the words—

‘(i) Article 2, paragraph 12, inserted Article 2B TEC (TFEU), paragraph 1(b) providing for the establishing of competition rules necessary for the functioning of the internal market to be an area of exclusive competence of the European Union; and

(ii) ’.—(Mr Mark Francois.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made.

The Committee divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Crispin Blunt, Mr Richard Benyon: 135.

Tellers for the Noes, Ms Diana R. Johnson, Mr Sadiq Khan: 336.

And it being more than three hours after the commencement of proceedings in the Committee, the Chairman left the Chair to report progress and ask leave to sit again, pursuant to Orders [28th January and this day].


The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair; and Mr Bob Blizzard reported, That the Committee had made progress in the Bill, and moved, That the Committee may have leave to sit again.

Committee again to-morrow.

10Road Traffic, Wales,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions (Representations and Appeals) (Wales) Regulations 2008, which were laid before this House on 7th January, be approved—(Mr Bob Blizzard):—It was agreed to.

11Business of the House,—Ordered, That, at the sitting on Thursday 21st February, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order No. 16 (Proceedings under an Act or on European Union documents), the Speaker shall put the Questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on the Motions in the name of Secretary James Purnell relating to Social Security and Pensions not later than Six o’clock; and proceedings may continue, though opposed, after the moment of interruption.—(Mr Bob Blizzard.)

12Public Petition,—A Public Petition from the residents of Taunton constituency and others relating to Post Office closures (Taunton) was presented and read.

13Public Petition,—A Public Petition from Mr Pinakin Pandya relating to employment and human rights was presented.

14Adjournment.

Subject: Protecting children from internet content (Mr Hugo Swire).

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

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till twenty-three minutes to Nine o’clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 8.37 p.m.

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APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1Constitutional Law,—Draft National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Education and Training) Order 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Murphy].

2Government Resources and Accounts,—Draft Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (Audit of Public Bodies) Order 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Angela Eagle].

3Probation,—Draft Offender Management Act 2007 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command] [Secretary Jack Straw].

4Social Security,—(1) Draft Child Benefit Up-rating Order 2008; and

(2) draft Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating Order 2008

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

5Social Security (Northern Ireland),—Draft Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Jane Kennedy].

6Tax Credits,—Draft Tax Credits Up-rating Regulations 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Jane Kennedy].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

7Immigration,—(1) Immigration and Nationality (Cost Recovery Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 218), dated 4th February 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command]; and

(2) Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command]; to be printed [No. 321]

[Secretary Jacqui Smith].

8Petroleum,—Petroleum Licensing (Production) (Seaward Areas) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 225), dated 5th February 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hutton].

9Rating and Valuation,—Rating Lists (Valuation Date) (England) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 216), dated 30th January 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Hazel Blears].

10Social Security,—Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 196), dated 28th January 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary James Purnell].

Other Papers:

11European Union,—Paper, entitled Prospects for the European Union in 2008: The Slovenian Presidency, January to June 2008 [by Command] [Cm. 7318] [Secretary David Miliband].

12Home Office,—Paper, entitled Privy Council Review of Intercept as Evidence [by Command] [Cm. 7324] [Secretary Jacqui Smith].

13National Audit,—Fourteenth Report of the Public Accounts Commission [by Act]; to be printed [No. 328] [Mr Alan Williams].

14Science and Technology,—Report and Accounts of the Medical Research Council for 2006–07, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 93] [Secretary John Denham].

15Tax Credits,—Report from HM Treasury, under section 41 of the Tax Credits Act 2002 [by Act] [Jane Kennedy].

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APPENDIX II

General Committees

1Planning and Energy Bill,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Peter Atkinson Chairman of the Planning and Energy Bill Committee.

2Draft Greater London Authority Elections (Election Addresses) (Amendment) Order 2008:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the First Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Edward O’Hara Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Tony Baldry, Mr Tim Boswell, Tom Brake, Ms Karen Buck, Jeremy Corbyn, Mr Michael Fallon, Mr David Heath, Stephen Hesford, Mr Lindsay Hoyle, Mr Nick Hurd, Mr Sadiq Khan, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Martin Linton, Margaret Moran, Bridget Prentice, Mr Nick Raynsford and Joan Ryan.

3Draft FCO Services Trading Fund Order 2008:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Second Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Joe Benton Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: John Austin, Margaret Beckett, Mr Ronnie Campbell, Jim Cousins, Tony Cunningham, Mr Edward Davey, Mr David Evennett, Michael Jabez Foster, Mr Greg Hands, Mr David Heathcoat-Amory, Mr John Horam, Mr Andrew Love, Meg Munn, Dan Norris, Mr Keith Simpson, Dr Howard Stoate and Jo Swinson.

4Draft Defence Support Group Trading Fund Order 2008:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Third Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr David Marshall Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Bob Ainsworth, Mr Simon Burns, Mr David Chaytor, Nigel Griffiths, Mr Doug Henderson, Mrs Sharon Hodgson, Mr Gerald Howarth, Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger, Mr Michael Mates, Willie Rennie, Mr Frank Roy, Bob Russell, Mr Sio¤n Simon, Mr Andrew Smith, Mr Graham Stuart, Emily Thornberry and Dr Rudi Vis.

5Radioactive Contaminated Land (Modification of Enactments) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3245), the Radioactive Contaminated Land (Modification of Enactments) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3250), the Radioactive Contaminated Land Regulations (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3236) and the Radioactive Contaminated Land (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3240):

(1) The Speaker has allocated the Regulations to the Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Roger Gale Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Richard Bacon, Gregory Barker, Mr Richard Benyon, Mr Clive Betts, Mr Stephen Dorrell, Nia Griffith, Martin Horwood, Ms Sally Keeble, Siobhain McDonagh, Alun Michael, Mr Ken Purchase, Jim Sheridan, Dr Desmond Turner, Steve Webb, Mr Phil Woolas, Mr Anthony Wright and Mr Tim Yeo.

6Draft Companies (Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2008,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Colin Burgon and Mr Stephen Timms from the Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations) and nominated in substitution Alan Simpson and Mr Gareth Thomas.

7Draft Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations 2008:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Eric Martlew Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Danny Alexander, Tony Baldry, John Barrett, Mr Peter Bone, Mr Douglas Carswell, Mr Jim Devine, James Duddridge, Dr Ian Gibson, Patrick Hall, Mr Mark Harper, Mr Stephen Hepburn, Ms Diana R. Johnson, Mrs Anne McGuire, Stephen Pound, Mr Dennis Skinner, Graham Stringer and Joan Walley.

8Draft County Durham (Structural Change) Order 2008 and draft Northumberland (Structural Change) Order 2008,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Ben Chapman, Mr David Clelland and Paul Farrelly from the Sixth Delegated Legislation

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  Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Mr Stephen Byers, Mr Kevan Jones and Chris Ruane.

9Draft Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 (Duty to Share Information and Disclosure of Information for Security Purposes) Order 2008:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Hywel Williams Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Crispin Blunt, Tom Brake, Mr Alan Campbell, Mr William Cash, Ben Chapman, Mr Kenneth Clarke, Mr Quentin Davies, Linda Gilroy, Mr Dominic Grieve, Andrew Gwynne, Mr Peter Hain, Mr Fabian Hamilton, David Heyes, Meg Hillier, Mr Philip Hollobone, Chris Huhne and Mrs Sia(r)n C. James.

10Draft Statutory Auditors (Delegation of Functions etc) Order 2008,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Liz Blackman and Mr Stephen Timms from the Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Alison Seabeck and Mr Gareth Thomas.

11Draft Industrial Training Levy (Construction Industry Training Board) Order 2008 and the draft Industrial Training Levy (Engineering Construction Industry Training Board) Order 2008:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Orders to the Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Dr William McCrea Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Ms Celia Barlow, Annette Brooke, Harry Cohen, Mr David Crausby, Mr David Curry, Philip Davies, Mr Philip Dunne, Mr Michael Foster (Worcester), Mr Neil Gerrard, Mr David Hamilton, Mr John Hayes, Mr David Lammy, Mr Robert Marshall-Andrews, Ian Stewart, Mr Don Touhig, Angela Watkinson and Stephen Williams.

12Draft Cornwall (Structural Change) Order 2008,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Stephen Byers, Chris Ruane and Mr Anthony Wright (Great Yarmouth) from the Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Mr David Clelland, Stephen Hesford and Mr Peter Kilfoyle.

13Draft Social Security (Contributions) (Re-rating) Order 2008:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Christopher Chope Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Bob Blizzard, Mr Colin Breed, Mr Jeremy Browne, Colin Challen, Mr Nigel Evans, Mr Mark Field, Mr David Gauke, Mr James Gray, Mr Mike Hall, Ms Patricia Hewitt, Mr Fraser Kemp, Jane Kennedy, Anne Moffat, Mr Brooks Newmark, Martin Salter, Mr John Spellar and David Wright.

European Standing Committees

14European Union Document No. 15351/07, relating to CAP “Health Check”,—The Committee of Selection has nominated thirteen Members to serve on the European Standing Committee, nominated in respect of the Document: Mr Richard Benyon, Mr Ian Cawsey, Tony Cunningham, Tim Farron, Barry Gardiner, Mr Bruce George, Mr Adam Holloway, Mr Bernard Jenkin, Mr James Paice, Jonathan Shaw, Mr Mark Todd, Mrs Betty Williams and Mr Roger Williams.

15European Union Documents No. 14937/07, No. 15413/07 and No. 16682/07 and Addenda 1 and 2, relating to European defence equipment market and European Defence Agency, have been referred to European Standing Committee B.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1Children, Schools and Families,—Children ‘under the radar’: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Children, Schools and Families Committee; to be printed [No. 331-i] [Fiona Mactaggart].

2Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—(1) Badgers and cattle TB: the final report of the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB: Fourth 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. 130]; and

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(2) Flooding: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 49-x]

[Mr Michael Jack].

3European Scrutiny,—(1) Thirteenth Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 16-xi]; and

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

[Michael Connarty].

4Foreign Affairs Committee,—Overseas Territories: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 147-iii] [Mr Mike Gapes].

5Innovation, Universities and Skills,—Funding for equivalent or lower level qualifications: Memoranda laid before the Innovation, Universities and Skills Committee; to be published [Mr Phil Willis].

6International Development,—(1) Maternal Health:

(i) Fifth Report from the International Development 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 12th October, in the last Session of Parliament and 13th December, [No. 66-I and -II]; and

(ii) Memoranda laid before the Committee;

(2) Department for International Development Annual Report 2007: Government Response to the First Report from the Committee, Session 2007–08: First Special Report from the Committee; to be printed [No. 329]; and

(3) Development and Trade: Cross-departmental Working: Government Response to the Second Report from the Committee, Session 2007–08: Second Special Report from the Committee; to be printed [No 330]

[Malcolm Bruce].

7Modernisation of the House of Commons,—Regional Accountability: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons; to be printed [No. 282-ii] [Ms Harriet Harman].

8Northern Ireland Affairs,—Policing and Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 333-i] [Sir Patrick Cormack].

9Public Accounts,—Making Changes in Operational PFI projects: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts; to be printed [No. 332-i] [Mr Edward Leigh].

10Statutory Instruments,—(1) Ninth Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, with Memoranda; to be printed [No. 38-ix]; and

(2) Second Report from the Select Committee on Statutory Instruments, with a Memorandum; to be printed [No. 39-ii]

[David Maclean].

11Transport,—Freight Transport: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Committee; to be printed [No. 249-ii] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].

12Treasury,—(1) The Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England: ten years on: Government and Bank of England responses to the Committee’s Twelfth Report of Session 2006–07: Fifth Special Report from the Treasury Committee; to be printed [No. 259]; and

(2) Counting the population: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee of the Treasury Committee; to be printed [No. 183-iv]

[John McFall].

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[No. 46; WH, No. 28]

Wednesday 6th February 2008.

The House sitting in Westminster Hall

The sitting began at half-past Nine o’clock.

 Adjournment.

Subjects:

Enforced criminal activity by children (Mr Anthony Steen).

Government funding for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service (Mr Robert Syms).

Waste recycling (Dr Ian Gibson).

Consumer protection and new home buyers (Mark Lazarowicz).

Cetacean mortality (Andrew George).

Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Mr Frank Roy.)

And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 5.28 p.m.


[No. 47.]

Thursday 7th February 2008.

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

PRAYERS.

1Broads Authority Bill,—A Motion being made, That the Broads Authority Bill be now read the third time;

The Chairman of Ways and Means, by Her Majesty’s Command, acquainted the House, That Her Majesty, having been informed of the purport of the Bill, gives her consent, as far as Her Majesty’s interest is concerned, That the House may do therein as it shall think fit.

Objection was taken to further proceeding.

Ordered, That the Bill be read the third time on Thursday 21st February.

2Education and Skills Bill,—John Bercow reported a Memorandum from the Education and Skills Bill Committee.

Memorandum to lie upon the Table and to be published.

3Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee,—Ann Winterton reported from the Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee the draft Statutory Auditors (Delegation of Functions etc) Order 2008.

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

4Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee,—Mr Mike Hancock reported from the Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee the draft Cornwall (Structural Change) Order 2008.

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

5NHS Staffing (Topical debate),—Resolved, That this House has considered the matter of NHS staffing.—(Ann Keen).

6European Scrutiny (Standing Orders),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the following Amendments to the Standing Orders shall have effect for the remainder of the current Parliament:

(A) Amendments to Standing Order No. 119 (European Standing Committees)

Line 2, leave out ‘European Standing Committees’ and insert ‘European Committees’.

Line 13, leave out paragraph (3) and insert:

‘(3) Each European Committee shall consist of thirteen Members nominated by the Committee of Selection in respect of any European Union document which stands referred to it, and the Committee of Selection may nominate the same membership in respect of several documents.

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(3A) In nominating the members of a European Committee, the Committee of Selection shall have regard to the qualifications of the Members nominated and to the composition of the House; and where practicable it shall nominate at least two members of the European Scrutiny Committee and at least two members of the select committee appointed under Standing Order No. 152 whose responsibilities most closely relate to the subject matter of the document or documents.’

Line 30, leave out from ‘below’ to end of paragraph (5).

Line 41, insert new paragraph as follows:

‘(6A) The chairman may permit a member of the European Scrutiny Committee appointed to the committee under paragraph (3A) above to make a brief statement of no more than five minutes, at the beginning of the sitting, explaining that Committee’s decision to refer the document or documents to a European Committee.’

(B) Amendments to nomenclature in the Standing Orders

Leave out ‘European Standing Committees’ in all other places where they occur in the Standing Orders and insert ‘European Committees’.—(Helen Goodman.)

Amendments ((a) and (e)) made.

Question, as amended, agreed to.

Resolved, That the following Amendments to the Standing Orders shall have effect until 1st January 2009:

(A) Amendments to Standing Order No. 119 (European Standing Committees)

Line 2, leave out ‘European Standing Committees’ and insert ‘European Committees’.

Line 13, leave out paragraph (3) and insert:

‘(3) Each European Committee shall consist of thirteen Members nominated by the Committee of Selection in respect of any European Union document which stands referred to it, and the Committee of Selection may nominate the same membership in respect of several documents.

(3A) In nominating the members of a European Committee, the Committee of Selection shall have regard to the qualifications of the Members nominated and to the composition of the House; and where practicable it shall nominate at least two members of the European Scrutiny Committee and at least two members of the select committee appointed under Standing Order No. 152 whose responsibilities most closely relate to the subject matter of the document or documents.’

Line 30, leave out from ‘below’ to end of paragraph (5).

Line 41, insert new paragraph as follows:

‘(6A) The chairman may permit a member of the European Scrutiny Committee appointed to the committee under paragraph (3A) above to make a brief statement of no more than five minutes, at the beginning of the sitting, explaining that Committee’s decision to refer the document or documents to a European Committee.’

(B) Amendments to nomenclature in the Standing Orders

Leave out ‘European Standing Committees’ in all other places where they occur in the Standing Orders and insert ‘European Committees

(C) Amendment to Standing Order No. 143 (European Scrutiny Committee)

Line 63, at end add:

‘(9A) The Committee, and every such sub-committee, shall sit in public unless it determines otherwise in relation to a particular meeting or part thereof.’.

7Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from—

(1) the Sub-Postmaster and supporters of Christchurch Road Post Office, Newport relating to Post Office closures (Newport, Gwent); and

(2) Mr Derrick Jauncey of Save Linton on Ouse Post Office Action Group and others of like disposition relating to Post Office closures (Linton on Ouse)

were presented and read.

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8Adjournment.

Subject: Suicide prevention strategies (Mrs Madeleine Moon).

A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Wayne David);

And it being Six o’clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed without Question put.

Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Wayne David.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till two minutes past Six o’clock, adjourned till Monday 18th February, pursuant to Order [17th January].

[Adjourned at 6.02 p.m.


APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Paper subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1Pensions,—Draft Occupational Pension Schemes (Levy Ceiling) Order 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary James Purnell].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

2Education,—(1) Education (Student Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 235), dated 6th February 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary John Denham]; and

(2) School Finance (England) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 228), dated 5th February 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Ed Balls].

3Fire and Rescue Services,—(1) Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (Amendment) (England) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 214); and

(2) Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (England) (Amendment) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 213),

dated 30th January 2008 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Secretary Hazel Blears].

4Pensions,—Armed Forces (Ghurkha Pensions) (Amendment) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 229), dated 6th February 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Des Browne].

Other Papers:

5Armed Forces Pay,—Thirty-seventh Report of the Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body for 2008 [by Command] [Cm. 7315] [Secretary Des Browne].

6Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—Paper, entitled Future Water: The Government’s water strategy for England [by Command] [Cm. 7319] [Secretary Hilary Benn].

7Government Resources and Accounts,—(1) Scottish Devolution Referendum Elections for 2005–06: Returning Officers’ Expenses;

(2) Accounts of the Scottish Parliament Election for 2005–06: Returning Officers’ Expenses; and

(3) Election Accounts of the UK and European Elections for 2005–06: Returning Officers’ Expenses,

with the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 336, 334 and 335] [Jane Kennedy].

8Legal Services,—Explanatory Memorandum to the Legal Services Act 2007 (Commencement No. 1 and Transitory Provisions) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 222) [by Command] [Secretary Jack Straw].

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9Political Parties, Elections and Referendums,—Third Report from the Speaker’s Committee 2007 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 288] [The Speaker].

10Prison Service Pay,—Seventh Report of the Prison Service Pay Review Body on England and Wales for 2008 [by Command] [Cm. 7325] [Secretary Jack Straw].

Papers withdrawn:

11Legal Services,—Explanatory Memorandum to the Legal Services Act 2007 (Commencement No. 1 and Transitory Provisions) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 222) [laid 5th February].

APPENDIX II

Reports from Select Committees

1Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform,—Post Office Closure Programme: Third Report from the Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Committee, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 292-I and -II] [Peter Luff].

2Health,—(1) Work of the Committee in 2007: Second Report from the Health Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 337]; and

(2) Dental Services: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 289-i]

[Mr Kevin Barron].

3Public Administration,—Lobbying: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Public Administration; to be printed [No. 137-iii] [Kelvin Hopkins].


[No. 47; WH, No. 29]

Thursday 7th February 2008.

The House sitting in Westminster Hall

The sitting began at half-past Two o’clock.

 Adjournment.

Subject: Novice Drivers—Seventh Report from the Transport Committee, Session 2006–07, and the Government’s response thereto.

Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Ms Diana R. Johnson.)

And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till Tuesday 19th February.

[Adjourned at 4.27 p.m.



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