Commons Journal 265

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[No. 7 ]

Monday 15 December 2008

The house met at 2.30 pm.

PRAYERS.

1 Questions to the Secretary of State for the Home Department

2 Statement: EU Council/Prime Minister's visits (The Prime Minister)

3 Queen's Speech (Motion for an Address) (last day)

Debate resumed (Order, 11 December).

Question again 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.

Amendment proposed, at end of the Question, to add `but humbly regret that the Gracious Speech fails to deliver a clear direction for British economic policy, does not contain measures to assist in building a low debt and low tax economy, and lacks any radical action to unblock the credit channels of our banking system; note that many individuals have seen returns on their savings severely reduced as a result of the economic downturn and regret that the Government has no plans for emergency protection of pensioners with a suspension of annuity rules; further regret the absence of a clear strategy on value added tax; and further regret the absence of measures to avoid the United Kingdom undergoing the worst recession in the G7 next year.'._(Mr George Osborne.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made.

The House divided.

Division No. 5.

Ayes: 255 (Tellers: Mr John Baron, Mr Philip Dunne).

Noes: 306 (Tellers: Helen Goodman, Claire Ward).

Question accordingly negatived.

Another Amendment proposed, at the end of the Question, to add `but humbly regret that the Gracious Speech fails to provide proposals to alleviate the hardship facing hardworking British families by reducing energy bills, boosting growth through investment in social housing, transport and green energy programmes, making banks prioritise lending to British businesses, fundamentally altering the structure of British taxes to make them fairer, closing tax loopholes on the very rich and making significant cuts in income tax for those on ordinary and low incomes'._(Mr Paul Burstow.)

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Question put forthwith, That the Amendment be made (Standing Order No. 33).

The House divided.

Division No. 6.

Ayes: 66 (Tellers: Richard Younger-Ross, Sir Robert Smith).

Noes: 304 (Tellers: Claire Ward, Helen Goodman).

Question accordingly negatived.

Main Question put.

The House divided.

Division No. 7.

Ayes: 302 (Tellers: Claire Ward, Helen Goodman).

Noes: 251 (Tellers: Mr John Baron, Mr Philip Dunne).

Question accordingly agreed to.

Resolved, 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.

Address to be presented to Her Majesty by Members of this House who are Privy Counsellors or Members of Her Majesty's Household.

4 Sittings of the House

Motion made, That, at the sitting on Thursday 18 December, the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until he has notified the Royal Assent to Acts agreed upon by both Houses._(Ian Lucas.)

Objection taken (Standing Order No. 9(6)).

5 Public Petitions

A Public Petition from Mrs Elizabeth McPhee and others relating to criminal sentencing was presented and read by Lindsay Roy.

A Public Petition from Kevin Booth, editor of The Press" York and the people of York relating to fire and rescue services (York) was presented and read by Hugh Bayley.

6 Adjournment

Subject: Regulation of the grocery sector (Andrew George).

Motion made and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn._(Ian Lucas.)

House adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 9(7)).

[Adjourned at 11.13 pm until tomorrow. ]

Other proceedings

Lords Messages

7 Human Rights

The Lords communicate that they have appointed a Committee consisting of six Lords to join with a Committee appointed by the Commons as the Joint Committee on Human Rights.

8 Tax Law Rewrite Bills

The Lords communicate that they have appointed a Committee consisting of six Lords to join with a Committee appointed by the Commons as the Joint Committee on Tax Law Rewrite Bills.

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General Committees: Reports

9 First Delegated Legislation Committee

Mr Mike Hancock (Chairman) reported the draft Armed Forces (Alignment of Service Discipline Acts) (No. 2) Order 2008.

10 Second Delegated Legislation Committee

Joan Walley (Chairman) reported the draft Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2008.

11 Third Delegated Legislation Committee

Miss Anne Begg (Chairman) reported the draft Heritable Bank plc (Determination of Compensation) Order 2008, the draft Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander Limited (Determination of Compensation) Order 2008 and the draft Bradford and Bingley plc Compensation Scheme Order 2008.

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).

12 Second Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2008)

Members: Michael Jabez Foster, Dr Brian Iddon and Joan Ryan discharged and Clive Efford, Mike Hall and Chris Ruane nominated in substitution.

13 Third Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Heritable Bank plc (Determination of Compensation) Order 2008, the draft Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander Limited (Determination of Compensation) Order 2008 and the draft Bradford and Bingley plc Compensation Scheme Order 2008)

Members: Jim Sheridan and Mr Robert Walter discharged and Philip Davies and Anne Moffatt nominated in substitution.

14 Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Christmas Bonus (Specified Sum) Order 2008)

Members: Mr David Chaytor discharged and Jim Dobbin nominated in substitution.

15 Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Prescribed Criteria and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2008)

Members: Emily Thornberry discharged and Frank Dobson nominated in substitution.

16 Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Child Benefit (Rates) (Amendment) Regulations 2008)

Members: Mr Kenneth Clarke discharged and Mr Oliver Heald nominated in substitution.

Reports from Select Committees

17 Business and Enterprise Committee

The role of regional development agencies: Evidence, to be printed (HC 89-i) (Peter Luff).

18 Communities and Local Government Committee

(1) The Work of the Committee in 2007^08: First Report, with an Appendix, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 102);

(2) The Balance of Power: Central and Local Government: Evidence, to be printed (HC >33-ii);>

(3) Local authority investments: Written evidence, to be published

(Dr Phyllis Starkey).

19 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

(1) The English pig industry: First Report, with written evidence, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 96);

(2) The work of the Committee in 2007^08: Second Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 95);

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(3) Energy efficiency and fuel poverty: Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee, to be printed (HC 37-iii)

(Mr Michael Jack).

20 Health Committee

NHS Next Stage Review: First Report, with written evidence, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 53-I and -II) (Mr Kevin Barron).

21 Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee

(1) Re-skilling for recovery: After Leitch, Implementing Skills and Training Policies: First Report, with written evidence, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report, and written evidence reported and ordered to be published on 14 May 2008 (HC 48-I and -II);

(2) The Work of the Committee in 2007^08: Second Report, with written evidence, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 49);

(3) DIUS's Departmental Report 2008: Third Report, with written evidence, to be printed with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 51-I and -II)

(Mr Phil Willis).

22 Public Accounts (Committee of)

(1) Defence Information Infrastructure: First Report, with written evidence, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 100);

(2) Investing for development:The Department for International Development's oversight of CDC group plc: Evidence, to be printed (HC 94-i)

(Mr Edward Leigh).

23 Treasury Committee

The work of the Financial Services Authority, 2007^08: Evidence, to be printed (HC 98-i) (John McFall).

24 Welsh Affairs Committee

The proposed National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Agriculture and Rural Development) Order 2008: Evidence, to be printed (HC 5-i) (Dr Hywel Francis).

APPENDIX

Papers presented and delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 12 December 2008 under Standing Order No. 159:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1 Customs

Export of Goods, Transfer of Technology and Provision of Technical Assistance (Control) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 3161), dated 10 December 2008 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mr Pat McFadden).

2 Immigration

UK Borders Act 2007 (Code of Practice on Children) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 3158), dated 5 December 2008 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Jacqui Smith).

Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 15 December 2008:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

3 Criminal Law

Draft Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 (Amendment) Order 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Jack Straw).

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Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

4 Housing

Rent Officers (Housing Benefit Functions) Amendment (No. 2) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 3156), dated 9 December 2008 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary James Purnell).

5 Road Traffic

Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions (St. Helens) Designation Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 3160), dated 10 December 2008 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Geoff Hoon).

6 Road Traffic and Vehicles

Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (Retention and Disposal of Seized Motor Vehicles) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. (N.I.), 2008, No. 494), dated 11 December 2008 (by Statutory Instrument), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mr Secretary Woodward).

7 Social Security

(1) Social Security (Housing Costs Special Arrangements) (Amendment and Modification) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 3195), dated 15 December 2008 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary James Purnell); and

(2) Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 7) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 3157), dated 9 December 2008 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary James Purnell).

Other Papers:

8 Access to Justice (Northern Ireland)

Report and Financial Statements of the Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission for 1 November 2003^31 March 2004, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Statutory Instrument); to be printed (HC 31) (Secretary Jack Straw).

9 Culture, Media and Sport

Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Autumn Performance Report for 2008 (by Command) (Cm. 7518) (Secretary Andy Burnham).

10 Health

Department of Health: Autumn Performance Report for 2008 (by Command) (Cm. 7519) (Secretary Alan Johnson).

11 Home Office

Home Office: Autumn Performance Report for 2008 (by Command) (Cm. 7512) (Secretary Jacqui Smith).

12 International Development

Department for International Development: Autumn Performance Report for 2008 (by Command) (Cm. 7515) (Mr Secretary Alexander).

13 Justice

Government Response to the Report by Peter Smallridge and Andrew Williamson of a Review of the Use of Restraint in Juvenile Secure Settings (by Command) (Cm. 7501) (Secretary Jack Straw).

14 National Audit

(1) Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on Department for Communities and Local Government: Planning for Homes: Speeding up planning applications for major housing developments in England (by Act); to be printed (HC 15) (Clerk of the House); and

(2) Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on Ministry of Defence: Major Projects Report 2008 and project summary sheets (by Act); to be printed (HC 64) (Clerk of the House).

15 National Health Service

Financial Management in the NHS: Report on the NHS Summarised Accounts 2007^08 and Summarised Accounts of Strategic Health Authorities, Primary Care Trusts and NHS Trusts in England for 2007^08, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act); to be printed (HC 63) (Clerk of the House).

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16 Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Office: Autumn Performance Report for 2008 (by Command) (Cm. 7521) (Mr Secretary Woodward).

17 Registration Service

Birth Statistics: Review of the National Statistician on births and patterns of family building in England and Wales for 2007 (by Act) (Liam Byrne).

18 Transport

Department for Transport: Autumn Performance Report for 2008 (by Command) (Cm. 7510) (Secretary Geoff Hoon).

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