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The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1 Spoliation Advisory Panel,—Resolved, That an Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, That she will be graciously pleased to give directions that there be laid before this House a Return of the Report from the Right Honourable Sir David Hirst, Chairman of the Spoliation Advisory Panel, in respect of three Rubens paintings now in the possession of the Courtauld Institute of Art, London.—(Mr Frank Roy.)
2 Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee,—Mrs Janet Dean reported from the Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee the Secure Training Centre (Amendment) Rules 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1709).
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
3 Message from the Lords,—The Lords communicate that their Standing Orders have been amended as follows:
In Standing Order 52, relating to the Joint Committee on Consolidation, &c., Bills, leave out paragraph (6);
In Standing Order 74, relating to the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, in paragraph (2), leave out the words 'any statutory instrument made by the Scottish Ministers or otherwise under an Act or Act of the Scottish Parliament or by the Welsh Ministers' and insert the words 'any Scottish statutory instrument or any statutory instrument made by the Welsh Ministers'.
4 Education and Skills Bill,—Secretary Ed Balls, supported by the Prime Minister, Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary Des Browne, Mr Secretary Hutton, Mr Secretary Hain, Mr Secretary Woodward, Secretary John Denham, Jim Knight, Caroline Flint, Malcolm Wicks and Mr David Lammy, presented a Bill to make provision about education and training; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 12].
Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Education and Skills Bill be printed [Bill 12-EN].
5 Opposition Day [2nd allotted day],—It being an allotted day at the disposal of the Leader of the Opposition in pursuance of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business), the House proceeded to consider Opposition business.
HM Revenue and Customs data loss,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House is deeply concerned at the Government's failure to protect the personal details of 25 million citizens; believes this security breach is due to systemic failures at HM Revenue and Customs; notes the inconsistencies between the version of events set out by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his statement of 20th November and that revealed by the Government emails released by the National Audit Office on 22nd November; and calls on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to provide a comprehensive explanation about how the security breach occurred, why previous warnings about data security were ignored and what policy changes will be introduced to protect the public in future—(Mr George Osborne);
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 'approves of the decisive action taken by the Government when it became aware of the data loss by HM Revenue and Customs, including the collaborative work undertaken in association with the UK Payments Association, the British Bankers Association and the Building Societies Association and through them individual banks, building societies and other financial institutions which enabled them to put in place appropriate safeguards and monitor any irregular activity; welcomes the decision of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to initiate an urgent investigation by the Metropolitan Police and his appointment of Mr Kieran Poynter to conduct an independent review of HM Revenue and Customs' data handling procedures; acknowledges the steps which have already been taken to improve the department's data transfer processes; and notes the Chancellor's assurance that he will keep the House fully informed of further developments', instead thereof.—(Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer.)
And the Question being proposed, That the original words stand part of the Question;
Mr Andrew Robathan rose in his place and claimed to move, That the Question be now put; but the Deputy Speaker withheld his assent and declined then to put that Question.
And the Question being put;
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Crispin Blunt, Mr Richard Benyon: 235.
Tellers for the Noes, Claire Ward, Mr Dave Watts: 312.
So the Question was negatived.
And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments):—It was agreed to.
The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.
Resolved, That this House approves of the decisive action taken by the Government when it became aware of the data loss by HM Revenue and Customs, including the collaborative work undertaken in association with the UK Payments Association, the British Bankers Association and the Building Societies Association and through them individual banks, building societies and other financial institutions which enabled them to put in place appropriate safeguards and monitor any irregular activity; welcomes the decision of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to initiate an urgent investigation by the Metropolitan Police and his appointment of Mr Kieran Poynter to conduct an independent review of HM Revenue and Customs' data handling procedures; acknowledges the steps which have already been taken to improve the department's data transfer processes; and notes the Chancellor's assurance that he will keep the House fully informed of further developments.
6 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):
Global Navigation Satellite System and the European Institute of Technology,—That this House takes note of European Union Documents No. 13112/07 and Addendum 1, Commission Communication: Progressing Galileo: re-profiling the European GNSS Programmes; No. 13113/07, amended draft Regulation on the further implementation of the European satellite radionavigation programmes (EGNOS and Galileo) and No. 13237/1/07, Commission Communication concerning the revision of the multi-annual financial framework (2007-2013), on re-profiling the Galileo programme and on the proposal for the revision of the Financial Perspectives to finance the Galileo programme and the European Institute of Technology; and endorses the Government's approach to discussions on these documents.
So the Question was agreed to.
7 Opposition day,—Government management of the prisons system,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House considers that the Government's management of the prisons system continues to be a national disgrace; notes that within the last two weeks the prison population has reached a record high of 81,547; further notes that a quarter of all prisoners are in cells designed for one fewer person; is gravely concerned that numbers of suicides in custody are rising; notes that the large majority of people in prison are serious, violent or persistent offenders who need access to effective rehabilitation which is not generally available; notes that two-thirds of prisoners re-offend within two years of their release, resulting in substantial cost to the criminal justice system; is concerned that at least 8,500 people have been released early from prison under the End of Custody Licence Scheme; notes that the Government has scaled back the prison building target for 2007 from 2,500 new places to only 700; expresses concern that the Government may be planning to link resources to sentencing as a means of reducing the prison population; disapproves of proposals to abolish magistrates' powers to impose a suspended sentence; and calls upon the Government to introduce honesty in sentencing, halt the End of Custody Licence Scheme and take immediate steps to ensure adequate prison capacity to hold all those sentenced by the courts in the interests of public safety—(Nick Herbert);
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 'welcomes the Government's record which since 1997 has brought more offences to justice leading to a 32 per cent. reduction in overall crime and a 31 per cent. reduction in violent crime according to the British Crime Survey; welcomes the fact that the most violent and dangerous offenders are sent to prison for longer; also welcomes increased prison capacity by over 20,000 places and the commitment to building a further 9,500 prison places, of which 8,500 will be delivered by 2012; recognises that the Government has dramatically reduced the number of escapes and absconds since 1997; notes the increase in prison funding by 37 per cent. in real terms and probation service funding by 72 per cent., including a tenfold increase in funding for drug treatment in prison; recognises the improved links between custody and the community through end to end offender management and other measures; notes the introduction of a flexible and tough new community order which provides a real alternative to custody for less serious offenders; recognises the great strides made in improving the culture within prisons though the Decency Agenda; and further notes the reduction of the overall re-offending rate for prison and community sentences by 5.8 per cent', instead thereof.—(Secretary Jack Straw.)
And the Question being proposed, That the original words stand part of the Question;
Mr Patrick McLoughlin rose in his place and claimed to move, That the Question be now put.
And the Question being put, That the Question be now put:—It was agreed to.
And the Question being accordingly put;
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Richard Benyon, Mr Crispin Blunt: 156.
Tellers for the Noes, Tony Cunningham, Mr Alan Campbell: 356.
So the Question was negatived.
And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments);
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Alan Campbell, Tony Cunningham: 294.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Richard Benyon, Mr Crispin Blunt: 202.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.
Resolved, That this House welcomes the Government's record which since 1997 has brought more offences to justice leading to a 32 per cent. reduction in overall crime and a 31 per cent. reduction in violent crime according to the British Crime Survey; welcomes the fact that the most violent and dangerous offenders are sent to prison for longer; also welcomes increased prison capacity by over 20,000 places and the commitment to building a further 9,500 prison places, of which 8,500 will be delivered by 2012; recognises that the Government has dramatically reduced the number of escapes and absconds since 1997; notes the increase in prison funding by 37 per cent. in real terms and probation service funding by 72 per cent., including a tenfold increase in funding for drug treatment in prison; recognises the improved links between custody and the community through end to end offender management and other measures; notes the introduction of a flexible and tough new community order which provides a real alternative to custody for less serious offenders; recognises the great strides made in improving the culture within prisons though the Decency Agenda; and further notes the reduction of the overall re-offending rate for prison and community sentences by 5.8 per cent.
8 Sittings of the House,—Ordered, That, on Tuesday 18th December, the House shall meet at half past Eleven o'clock and references to specific times in the Standing Orders of this House shall apply as if that day were a Wednesday.—(Mr Wayne David.)
9 Adjournment (Christmas),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 25 (Periodic adjournments), That this House, at its rising on Tuesday 18th December 2007, do adjourn till Monday 7th January 2008—(Mr Wayne David):—It was agreed to.
10 Public Petition,—A Public Petition from the people of Okehampton and its surrounding area relating to planning and development (Okehampton) was presented and read.
11 Adjournment.
Subject: Bangladesh (Jeremy Corbyn).
A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Wayne David);
And the Motion having been made after Seven o'clock, and the Debate having continued for half an hour, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order, it being then two minutes to Eight o'clock, till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 7.58 p.m.
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:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
1 Employment Agencies, Etc.,—Draft Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses (Amendment) Regulations 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hutton].
2 Road Traffic,—Draft Passenger and Goods Vehicles (Recording Equipment) (Downloading and Retention of Data) Regulations 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command] [Secretary Ruth Kelly].
3 Sex Discrimination,—Draft Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (Amendment) Regulations 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command] [Secretary Hazel Blears].
Paper subject to Negative Resolution:
4 Food,—Food Labelling (Declaration of Allergens) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3256), dated 21st November 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command] [Secretary Alan Johnson].
Other Papers:
5 National Health Service,—Review and Consolidated Accounts of Monitor: the Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 21] [Secretary Alan Johnson].
6 Public Accounts,—Treasury Minutes on the Forty-first, Forty-second, Forty-sixth, Forty-seventh and Fifty-fifth Reports from the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 2006-07 [by Command] [Cm. 7275] [Angela Eagle].
7 Spoliation Advisory Panel,—Return to an Address to Her Majesty for a Return of the Report made by the Right Honourable Sir David Hirst, Chairman of the Spoliation Advisory Panel, in respect of three Rubens paintings now in the possession of the Courtauld Institute of Art [pursuant to Resolution this day]; to be printed [No. 63] [Secretary James Purnell].
Papers withdrawn:
8 Employment Agencies, Etc.,—Draft Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses (Amendment) Regulations 2007, with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [laid 19th November].
APPENDIX II
General Committees
1 Channel Tunnel Rail Link (Supplementary Provisions) Bill (Programming Sub-Committee),—The Speaker has appointed Barry Gardiner, Stephen Hammond, Mr Tom Harris, Susan Kramer, Anne Snelgrove, Mark Tami and Jeremy Wright members of the Programming Sub-Committee of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (Supplementary Provisions) Bill Committee.
2 Sale of Student Loans Bill (Programming Sub-Committee),—The Speaker has appointed Mr David Anderson, Mr Robert Flello, Mr Michael Foster (Worcester), Mr John Hayes, Bill Rammell, Sarah Teather and Angela Watkinson members of the Programming Sub-Committee of the Sale of Student Loans Bill Committee.
3 Sale of Student Loans Bill:
(1) The Speaker has appointed Miss Ann Begg Chairman of the Sale of Student Loans Bill Committee; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr David Anderson, Mr Tim Boswell, Mr Ian Cawsey, Mrs Nadine Dorries, Mr Robert Flello, Mr Michael Foster (Worcester), Mr John Hayes, Huw Irranca-Davies, Martin Linton, Rob Marris, Mr Gordon Marsden, Margaret Moran, Bill Rammell, Sarah Teather, Angela Watkinson, Mark Williams and Mr Rob Wilson.
4 Channel Tunnel Rail Link (Supplementary Provisions) Bill:
(1) The Speaker has appointed Mr David Marshall and Mr Peter Atkinson Chairmen of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (Supplementary Provisions) Bill Committee; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Paul Clark, Barry Gardiner, Andrew Gwynne, Stephen Hammond, Mr Tom Harris, Mr Adam Holloway, Mr John Horam, Mr Greg Knight, Susan Kramer, Mr John Leech, Ian Lucas, Chris Mole, Chris Ruane, Anne Snelgrove, Sir Peter Soulsby, Mark Tami and Jeremy Wright.
5 Draft Criminal Defence Service (Very High Cost Cases) Regulations 2007:
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the First Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr John Bercow Chairman; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr David S. Borrow, Ann Clwyd, Mr David Curry, Mr Philip Dunne, Maria Eagle, Mr Mark Field, Mark Fisher, Mr Dominic Grieve, Mr Dai Havard, Mr David Heath, Mr Stephen Hepburn, Stephen Hesford, David Howarth, Mr Nick Hurd, Mr Adam Ingram, Mr Sadiq Khan and Fiona Mactaggart.
6 Draft Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board Order 2007:
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Second Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Greg Pope Chairman; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Richard Benyon, Mr Stephen Byers, Frank Dobson, Mrs Louise Ellman, Mr Nigel Evans, Mr Christopher Fraser, Kate Hoey, Martin Horwood, Chris Huhne, Robert Key, Dr Ashok Kumar, Siobhain McDonagh, Mr Khalid Mahmood, Mr Chris Mullin, Mr Denis Murphy, Mr James Paice and Jonathan Shaw.
7 Draft Stamp Duty Land Tax (Zero-Carbon Homes Relief) Regulations 2007:
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Third Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Jim Hood Chairman; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Kenneth Clarke, Mr David Clelland, Clive Efford, Mr Frank Field, Mr David Gauke, Mr Neil Gerrard, Julia Goldsworthy, Mr John Greenway, Paul Holmes, Mr George Howarth, Ms Sally Keeble, Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger, Mr Brooks Newmark, Paddy Tipping, Kitty Ussher, Claire Ward and David Wright.
8 Secure Training Centre (Amendment) Rules 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1709),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Chris McCafferty, Mr Alan Milburn and Lynda Waltho from the Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the Rules) and nominated in substitution Ms Dawn Butler, Stephen Hesford and Dr Alan Whitehead.
9 Draft Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (Additional Authorities) Order 2007:
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Janet Anderson Chairman; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Ms Diane Abbott, Charlotte Atkins, Mr Crispin Blunt, James Brokenshire, Mr Jeremy Browne, Mr Richard Caborn, Mr Alan Campbell, Mr Vernon Coaker, Jon Cruddas, Tim Farron, Mr Boris Johnson, Mr Kevan Jones, Mr Alan Milburn, Mr George Mudie, Mark Pritchard, Mr Jamie Reed and Mr Graham Stuart.
10 Guidance Issued Under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Gordon Banks, Mr Ian McCartney and Mr Michael Meacher from the Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the Guidance) and nominated in substitution Mr David Drew, Albert Owen and Derek Wyatt.
11 Government's Assessment as set out in the Pre-Budget Report for the purposes of section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993:
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Assessment to the Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Eric Illsley Chairman; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Graham Allen, Mr Charles Clarke, Mr Jim Devine, Mr David Gauke, Julia Goldsworthy, David Heyes, Mr Edward Leigh, Mr Brooks Newmark, Mr Marsha Singh, John Smith, Mr Gary Streeter, Mr Ian Taylor, John Thurso, Kitty Ussher, Claire Ward, Mr David Winnick and David Wright.
European Standing Committees
12 European Union Document No. 14498/97, relating to Economic Partnership Agreements:
(1) The Speaker has appointed Mr Hugh Bayley Chairman of the European Standing Committee nominated in respect of the Document; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated thirteen Members to serve on the Committee: John Barrett, Mr Simon Burns, Mr Ronnie Campbell, Mr Christopher Chope, Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Mrs Ann Cryer, Tony Cunningham, Lynne Featherstone, Mr Michael Jack, Mr Peter Kilfoyle, Kerry McCarthy, Julie Morgan and Mr Gareth Thomas.
13 European Union Documents No. 14277/07 and Addenda 1 and 2, No. 14175/07 and Addenda 1 and 2, No. 14165/07 and No. 14266/07 and Addenda 1 and 2, relating to Freight transport, have been referred to European Standing Committee A.
14 European Union Document No. 11559/07, relating to Funding of political parties, has been referred to European Standing Committee B.
15 European Union Document No. 14968/07 and Addendum 1 has been referred to European Standing Committee B, together with European Union Document No. 14498/07, relating to Economic Partnership Agreements, already referred to the Committee on 7th November 2007.
16 European Union Documents No. 13043/07, No. 13045/07, No. 13212/07, No. 13219/07, No. 13046/07, No. 13048/07 and No. 13049/07, relating to Regulation of electricity and gas, have been referred to European Standing Committee C.
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
1 Defence,—(1) Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts 2006-07:
(i) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee; to be printed [No. 61-ii]; and
(ii) Memorandum laid before the Committee, to be published; and
(2) Medical Care for the Armed Forces: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published
2 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—Flooding: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 49-iv] [Mr Michael Jack].
3 European Scrutiny,—(1) Fourth Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 16-iv]; and
(2) Ministerial Correspondence: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published
4 Foreign Affairs,—Global Security: Iran: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 142] [Mr Mike Gapes].
5 Innovation, Universities and Skills,—Higher Education Issues: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Innovation, Universities and Skills Committee; to be printed [No. 114-i] [Mr Phil Willis].
6 Modernisation of the House of Commons,—Scrutiny of the draft Queen's Speech: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons; to be printed [No. 81-ii] [Sir Nicholas Winterton].
7 Northern Ireland Affairs,—Winter Supplementary Estimate 2007:Explanatory Memorandum by the Northern Ireland Office: Memorandum laid before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee; to be published [Sir Patrick Cormack].
8 Procedure,—e-Petitions: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Procedure Committee; to be printed [No. 136-i] [Mr Greg Knight].
9 Public Accounts,—Government on the internet: progress in delivering information and services online: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts; to be printed [No. 143-i] [Mr Edward Leigh].
10 Statutory Instruments,—Third Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, with Memoranda; to be printed [No. 38-iii] [David Maclean].
11 Transport,—The Future of BAA: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Committee; to be printed [No. 119-ii] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].
12 Work and Pensions,—The Health and Safety Executive and Commission: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Work and Pensions Committee; to be printed [No. 117-i] [Mr Terry Rooney].
[W.H., No. 6]
Minutes of Proceedings of the Sitting in Westminster Hall
The sitting began at half-past Nine o'clock.
Adjournment.
Funding of further education in South Yorkshire (Mr Eric Illsley)
Welfare reform (Ms Karen Buck)
Economic partnership agreements and development (Tony Baldry)
Operation of Heathrow Airport (Mr Mark Field)
HIV/AIDS (Dr Gavin Strang)
Adjournment,—Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Siobhain McDonagh.)
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 5.11 p.m.
Sir Alan Haselhurst
Deputy Speaker
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