Commons Journal 265

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J O U R N A L S

OF THE

HOUSE OF COMMONS



Session 2008^2009

The Fifty-Fourth Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

[No. 1 ]

Wednesday 3 December 2008

The house met at 11.25 am.

PRAYERS.

1 Message to attend Her Majesty

Message from Her Majesty delivered by the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod:

Mr Speaker,

The Queen commands this Honourable House to attend Her Majesty immediately, in the House of Peers.

The Speaker, with the House, went up to attend Her Majesty.

When the Speaker and the House returned, the Speaker suspended the House.

The Speaker resumed the Chair at 2.30 pm.

2 Speaker's Statement: Arrest and entry into the offices of the Hon. Member for Ashford

3 Outlawries Bill

A Bill for the more effectual preventing Clandestine Outlawries was read the first time and ordered to be read a second time.

4 Queen's Speech

The Speaker reported Her Majesty's Speech and directed that it be entered in the Journal, as follows:

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons

My Government's overriding priority is to ensure the stability of the British economy during the global economic downturn. My Government is committed to helping families and businesses through difficult times.

The strength of the financial sector is vital to the future vibrancy of the economy. Therefore, legislation will continue to be taken forward to ensure fairer and more secure protection for bank depositors and to improve the resilience of the financial sector.

My Government will also bring forward proposals to create Saving Gateway Accounts to encourage people on lower incomes to save more by offering financial incentives.

My Government will bring forward legislation to promote local economic development and to create greater opportunities for community and individual involvement in local decision-making.

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A Bill will be brought forward to reform the welfare system, to improve incentives for people to move from benefits into sustained employment and to provide greater support, choice and control for disabled people.

My Government is committed to protecting the public and ensuring the nation's safety.

A Bill will be brought forward to increase the effectiveness and public accountability of policing, to reduce crime and disorder and to enhance airport security.

My Government will also bring forward a Bill to deliver a more effective, transparent and responsive justice system for victims, witnesses and the wider public. The Bill would also improve the coroners service, and the process of death certification, and provide increased support for bereaved families, including the families of servicemen and women.

A Bill will be brought forward to strengthen border controls, by bringing together customs and immigration powers. The Bill would also ensure that newcomers to the United Kingdom earn the right to stay.

My Government is committed to ensuring everyone has a fair chance in life. My Government will bring forward a Bill to promote equality, fight discrimination and introduce transparency in the workplace to help address the difference in pay between men and women.

My Government will enshrine in law its commitment to eradicate child poverty by 2020.

Because the health of the nation is vital to its success and well-being, a Bill will be brought forward to strengthen the National Health Service. The Bill would create a duty to take account of the new National Health Service Constitution that will set out the core principles of the Service and the rights and responsibilities of patients and staff. The Bill would also introduce measures to improve the quality of health care and public health.

My Government will bring forward a Bill to reform education, training and apprenticeships, to promote excellence in all schools, to improve local services for children and parents and to provide a right for those in work to request time for training.

My Government will continue to take forward proposals on constitutional renewal, including strengthening the role of Parliament and other measures.

My Government will bring forward measures to protect the environment for future generations. A Bill will be introduced to manage marine resources and to create a new right of public access to the coastline.

My Government will continue to work closely with the devolved administrations in the interests of all the people of the United Kingdom. My Government is committed to the Northern Ireland political process and will bring forward further measures for sustainable, devolved government.

Members of the House of Commons

Estimates for the public services will be laid before you.

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons

My Government will work towards European action on economic stability, on climate change, on energy, enlargement and security.

My Government will work for a coordinated international response to the global downturn, including by hosting the next G20 Summit on financial markets and the world economy in the United Kingdom in April next year and reforming financial institutions. My Government will continue to work as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation including at its sixtieth anniversary summit.

My Government will press for a comprehensive peace settlement in the Middle East, for continued progress in Iraq and for effective measures to address concerns over Iran's nuclear programme.

My Government will work with the Governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan for security, stability and prosperity.

The Duke of Edinburgh and I look forward to receiving the President of Mexico.

Other measures will be laid before you.

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons

I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.

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5 Queen's Speech (Motion for an Address)

Motion made and Question proposed, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, as follows:

Most Gracious Sovereign,

We, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament._(Mr Tom Clarke.)

Ordered, That the debate be now adjourned._(Ms Barbara Keeley.)

Debate to be resumed tomorrow.

6 Adjournment

Subject: Health services in Telford (David Wright).

Resolved, That this House do now adjourn._(Ms Barbara Keeley.)

[Adjourned at 9.55 pm until tomorrow. ]

Other proceedings

Private Business: Appointments

7 Committee on Unopposed Bills (Panel) (Standing Order 111, relating to Private Business)

Members: John Austin, Mr Adrian Bailey, Gordon Banks, Peter Bottomley, Sir John Butterfill, Colin Challen, Paul Farrelly, Mr Brian Jenkins, Helen Jones, Siobhain McDonagh, John Mann, Sir Robert Smith, Sir Peter Tapsell, Jon Trickett, Mr Robert Walter and Ann Winterton.

8 Provisional Orders (Scotland) (Panel) (Standing Order 228, relating to Private Business)

Members: Miss Anne Begg, Mr Jim Devine, David Hamilton, Mr Jim McGovern, Anne Moffat, Mr Michael Moore, David Mundell, Sandra Osborne, Mr Alan Reid, John Robertson, Mr Mohammed Sarwar and Jim Sheridan.

General Committees: Appointments

The Speaker appoints the Chairman of General Committees and allocates Statutory Instruments to Delegated Legislation Committees.

The Committee of Selection nominates Members to serve on General Committees (and certain Members to serve on Grand Committees).

9 Chairmen's Panel (Parliament Act 1911)

Frank Cook and Sir Nicholas Winterton appointed to be the two Members whom the Speaker shall consult, if practicable, before certifying a Bill to be a Money Bill (Rosemary McKenna, on behalf of the Committee of Selection).

10 Northern Ireland Grand Committee

Additional Members: Mr David Anderson, Mr Adrian Bailey, John Battle, Liz Blackman, Mr. Alistair Carmichael, Rosie Cooper, Sir Patrick Cormack, Mary Creagh, Philip Davies, Helen Goodman, Mr Jim Devine, Mr Christopher Fraser, Mr Stephen Hepburn, Eric Joyce, Mark Lancaster, Rob Marris, Greg Mulholland, Dan Norris, Owen Paterson, Stephen Pound, Mr Alan Reid, Mr Laurence Robertson, Chris Ruane, Mr Ben Wallace and Angela Watkinson.

11 Welsh Grand Committee

Additional Members: Mrs Cheryl Gillan and Mark Pritchard.

Reports from Select Committees

12 Liaison Committee

Estimates Day: Recommendation for the allocation of time for the consideration of Estimates on the first allotted day in the present Session (Standing Order No. 145) as follows:

That a day not later than 6 February be allotted for the consideration of the following Votes on Account for the financial year 2009^10;

Office of Gas and Electricity Markets.

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Department of Health, in so far as it relates to Dental Services.

(Mr Alan Williams).

Report to lie upon the Table.

13 Northern Ireland Affairs Committee

Bloody Sunday Inquiry: Written evidence, to be published (Sir Patrick Cormack).

APPENDIX

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers presented and delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on the undermentioned dates during the Prorogation of Parliament under Standing Orders No. 158 and No. 159.

Friday 28 November 2008

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1 Value Added Tax

Travellers' Allowances (Amendment) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 3058), dated 28 November 2008 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Stephen Timms).

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

2 Banks and Banking

Takeover Code (Concert Parties) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 3073), dated 28 November 2008 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Ian Pearson).

Other Papers:

3 Immigration

Explanatory Memorandum to the Immigration (Designation of Travel Bans) (Amendment) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 3052) (laid 26 November) (by Command) (Secretary Jacqui Smith).

Withdrawn Papers:

4 Immigration

Explanatory Memorandum to the Immigration (Designation of Travel Bans) (Amendment) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 3052) (laid 26 November) (by Command) (Secretary Jacqui Smith).

Monday 1 December 2008

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

5 Education

Education (Student Support) (European Institutions) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 3054), dated 24 November 2008 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary John Denham).

6 Health Care and Associated Professions

General Chiropractic Council (Constitution) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 3047), dated 20 November 2008 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Alan Johnson).

Other Papers:

7 Treaty Series (No. 15, 2008)

Agreement, done at London on 22 March 2006, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Dominican Republic concerning Air Services (by Command) (Cm. 7500) (Secretary David Miliband).

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Tuesday 2 December 2008

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

8 Human Tissue

Human Tissue Act 2004 (Ethical Approval, Exceptions from Licensing and Supply of Information about Transplants) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 3067), dated 26 November 2008 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Alan Johnson).

9 Pensions

(1) Occupational Pensions (Revaluation) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 3070), dated 27 November 2008 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary James Purnell); and

(2) Financial Assistance Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 3069), dated 27 November 2008 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary James Purnell).

Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Wednesday 3 December 2008:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

10 Banks and Banking

(1) draft Bradford & Bingley plc Compensation Scheme Order 2008 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Ian Pearson).

(2) Draft Heritable Bank plc (Determination of Compensation) Order 2008 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Ian Pearson);

(3) draft Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander Limited (Determination of Compensation) Order 2008 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Ian Pearson); and

11 Northern Ireland

(1) Draft Northern Ireland Arms Decommissioning Act 1997 (Amnesty Period) Order 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mr Secretary Woodward); and

(2) draft Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) (Amendment) Order 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mr Secretary Woodward).

12 Supreme Court of England and Wales

Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 3085), dated 2 December 2008 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Jack Straw).

13 Supreme Court, Northern Ireland

Rules of the Supreme Court (Northern Ireland) (Amendment No. 3) 2008 (S.R.(N.I.) 2008, No. 479), dated 2 December 2008 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Jack Straw).

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

14 Corporation Tax

Insurance Companies (Corporation Tax Acts) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 3096), dated 3 December 2008 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Ian Pearson).

Other Papers:

15 National Audit

Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Investing for development: the Department for International Development's oversight of CDC Group plc (by Act); to be printed (HC 18) (Clerk of the House).

16 Legislative Programme

The Government's Draft Legislative Programme_Summary of Consultation (by Command) (Cm. 7561) (Ms Harriet Harman).

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