Commons Journal 265

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[No. 21 ]

Wednesday 28 January 2009

The house met at 11.30 am.

PRAYERS.

1 Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for Wales

(2) the Prime Minister

2 Opposition Day: Leader of the Opposition (2nd allotted day (Standing Order No. 14))

Government Policy on a Third Runway at Heathrow Airport

Motion made and Question proposed, That this House urges the Government to rethink its plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport and to give full consideration to alternative solutions; regrets the Government's heavy reliance on data supplied by BAA in assessing the case for expansion and notes the likely forthcoming break-up of BAA's ownership of three of London's airports following the investigation by the Competition Commission; believes that the consultation paper Adding Capacity at Heathrow Airport was deeply flawed, as it paid insufficient regard to the costs of air and noise pollution in the surrounding areas and the commitment to curb carbon dioxide emissions to tackle climate change; regrets the fact that provisions to improve high-speed rail lines from Heathrow to major cities have not been fully explored, along with the potential of other UK airports to handle more long-haul flights; and urges the Government to initiate a consultation on a new national planning policy statement on the theme of airports and high-speed rail._(Mrs Theresa Villiers.)

Amendment moved, in line 1, to leave out from `House' to the end of the Question and add `notes the Government's commitment in the 2003 Aviation White Paper to limit noise impacts and to be confident both that statutory air quality limits will be met and that public transport will be improved before expansion is permitted at Heathrow; welcomes the Government's new enforceable target to reduce UK aviation carbon dioxide emissions below 2005 levels by 2050, and the commitment that increases in capacity at Heathrow, beyond the additional 125,000 movements a year already agreed, will only be approved after a review in 2020 by the Committee on Climate Change of whether the UK is on track to meet this independently monitored target; notes that development at Heathrow will be conditional both on requirements that the size of the 57 decibel noise contour will not increase compared with 2002 and on adherence to the requirements of the European Air Quality Directive; notes the decision not to proceed with mixed mode, thereby ensuring that neighbouring residents will have predictable respite from aircraft noise; welcomes the proposal that new slots at Heathrow should be `green slots' using the most efficient planes; recognises the economic and social importance of Heathrow; and welcomes proposals on ultra-low carbon vehicles and new rail links to the west of Heathrow and new high-speed services from London to the Midlands, the North and Scotland linked to Heathrow, to the benefit of the UK as a whole.'._(Mr Secretary Hoon.)

Question proposed, That the original words stand part of the Question (Standing Order No. 31(2)).

3 Deferred Divisions

The Deputy Speaker announced the results of the Division which had been deferred to this day (Standing Order No. 41A).

Section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993

That this House takes note with approval of the Government's assessment as set out in the Pre-Budget Report 2008 for the purposes of Section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993.

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Division No. 25.

Ayes: 261.

Noes: 214.

Question accordingly agreed to.

4 Opposition Day: Leader of the Opposition (2nd allotted day) (Resumed)

The House resumed the debate.

Mr Patrick McLoughlin claimed to move the closure (Standing Order No. 36).

Question put, That the Question be now put.

Question agreed to.

Question put, That the original words stand part of the Question (Standing Order No. 31(2)).

The House divided.

Division No. 26.

Ayes: 278 (Tellers: Mr Simon Burns, Dan Rogerson).

Noes: 297 (Tellers: Chris Mole, Helen Jones).

Question accordingly negatived.

Question, That the proposed words be there added, put forthwith (Standing Order No. 31).

Question agreed to.

The Speaker declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to (Standing Order No. 31(2)).

Resolved, That this House notes the Government's commitment in the 2003 Aviation White Paper to limit noise impacts and to be confident both that statutory air quality limits will be met and that public transport will be improved before expansion is permitted at Heathrow; welcomes the Government's new enforceable target to reduce UK aviation carbon dioxide emissions below 2005 levels by 2050, and the commitment that increases in capacity at Heathrow, beyond the additional 125,000 movements a year already agreed, will only be approved after a review in 2020 by the Committee on Climate Change of whether the UK is on track to meet this independently monitored target; notes that development at Heathrow will be conditional both on requirements that the size of the 57 decibel noise contour will not increase compared with 2002 and on adherence to the requirements of the European Air Quality Directive; notes the decision not to proceed with mixed mode, thereby ensuring that neighbouring residents will have predictable respite from aircraft noise; welcomes the proposal that new slots at Heathrow should be `green slots' using the most efficient planes; recognises the economic and social importance of Heathrow; and welcomes proposals on ultra-low carbon vehicles and new rail links to the west of Heathrow and new high-speed services from London to the Midlands, the North and Scotland linked to Heathrow, to the benefit of the UK as a whole.

5 Credit Rating Agencies

Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 119(11)), That this House takes note of European Union Document No. 15661/08, draft Regulation on Credit Rating Agencies, and endorses the Government's approach._(Claire Ward.)

Question agreed to.

6 Adjournment

Subject: Trading Standards, tooth whitening and the EU Cosmetics Directive (Sir Paul Beresford)

Resolved, That this House do now adjourn._(Claire Ward.)

[Adjourned at 7.44 pm until tomorrow. ]

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Other proceedings

General Committees: Appointments

The Speaker appoints the Chairman of General Committees and members of Programming Sub-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).

7 Coroners and Justice Bill Committee

(1) Chairmen: Frank Cook and Mr Roger Gale

(2) Members: Mr Henry Bellingham, Mr Tim Boswell, Mr Russell Brown, Maria Eagle, Mr Edward Garnier, Mr James Gray, Stephen Hesford, David Howarth, Mr George Howarth, Dr Brian Iddon, Mr David Kidney, Ian Lucas, Alun Michael, Mrs Madeleine Moon, Bridget Prentice, Angus Robertson, Jenny Willott and Jeremy Wright.

8 Coroners and Justice Bill (Programming Sub-Committee)

Members: Mr Henry Bellingham, Stephen Hesford, David Howarth, Dr Brian Iddon, Ian Lucas, Bridget Prentice and Jeremy Wright.

9 Welfare Reform Bill Committee

(1) Chairmen: Mr Jim Hood and Mr David Amess

(2) Members: Gordon Banks, Mr John Baron, Mr James Clappison, Mr Mark Harper, John Howell, Helen Jones, Mr Peter Lilley, Ann McKechin, Mr Tony McNulty, John Mason, Meg Munn, Mr James Plaskitt, John Robertson, Paul Rowen, Jonathan Shaw and Kitty Ussher.

10 First Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Open-Ended Investment Companies (Amendment) Regulations 2009 and the draft Unit Trusts (Electronic Communications) Order 2009)

(1) Chairman: Mrs Joan Humble

(2) Members: Ms Celia Barlow, Mr Bob Blizzard, Lorely Burt, Harry Cohen, James Duddridge, Mr John Greenway, Mr Oliver Heald, Mr Mark Hoban, Mr Austin Mitchell, Julie Morgan, Dr Doug Naysmith, Ian Pearson, Mr Graham Stuart, John Thurso, Dr Desmond Turner and Dr Alan Whitehead.

11 Second Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Registration of Regulated Activities) Regulations 2009)

(1) Chairman: Ann Winterton

(2) Members: Mr Ben Bradshaw, Mr Stephen Byers, Rosie Cooper, Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas, Clive Efford, Sandra Gidley, Mr Stephen Hepburn, Ms Diana R. Johnson, Mr Ian McCartney, Mr Michael Mates, Greg Mulholland, Mr Stephen O'Brien, Mr Ken Purchase, Hon Nicholas Soames, Mr Robert Syms and Mr Rob Wilson.

12 Third Delegated Legislation Committee (Gambling Act 2005 (Advertising of Foreign Gambling) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2829))

(1) Chairman: Dr William McCrea

(2) Members: Tony Baldry, Colin Challen, Mr David Chaytor, Mary Creagh, Mr Tobias Ellwood, Michael Fabricant, Mr Don Foster, Dr Ian Gibson, Mr Douglas Hogg, Mr Elliot Morley, Mr Frank Roy, Ian Stewart, Dr Gavin Strang, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe, Mr Hugo Swire and Richard Younger-Ross.

13 Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Northern Ireland Arms Decommissioning Act 1997 (Amnesty Period) Order 2009)

(1) Chairman: Mr David Wilshire

(2) Members: Charlotte Atkins, John Austin, Mr Alistair Carmichael, Jim Cousins, Mr Stephen Crabb, Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson, Paul Goggins, Helen Goodman, Mr John Gummer, Alan Keen, Mr Eddie McGrady, Fiona Mactaggart, Rob Marris, Sir Malcolm Rifkind, Mr Laurence Robertson and Mr Paul Truswell.

14 European Committee B in respect of European Union Document No. 15455/08, relating to Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges 2008^09

Chairman: Mr David Wilshire

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15 European Committee B in respect of European Union Document No. 15546/08 and Addenda 1 and 2, relating to Protection of animals used for scientific purposes

Chairman: Mr Eric Martlew

16 European Committee B in respect of European Union Documents No. 16929/08 and Addenda 1 to 3, No. 16913/08 and Addenda 1 to 3 and No. 16934/08 and Addenda 1 to 3, relating to Asylum

Members: Mr Adrian Bailey, Mr Simon Burns, Helen Goodman, Damian Green, Mr John Grogan, Chris Huhne, Patrick Mercer, Paul Rowen, Martin Salter, Mr Virendra Sharma, Mr Anthony Steen, Dr Rudi Vis and Mr Phil Woolas.

European Union Documents Referred

17 European Committee A

European Union Document No. 12832/08 and Addenda 1 to 3, relating to the control of ozone depleting substances.

18 European Committee B

European Union Documents No. 16686/08 and No. 17104/08, relating to European Security and Defence Policy.

Reports from Select Committees

19 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

Securing food supplies up to 2050: the challenges for the UK:

(1) Evidence, to be printed (HC 213-i);

(2) Written evidence, to be published

(Mr Michael Jack).

20 European Scrutiny Committee

(1) Sixth Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 19-v);

(2) Ministerial Correspondence: Written evidence, to be published

(Michael Connarty).

21 Foreign Affairs Committee

Global Security: Non-Proliferation: Evidence, to be printed (HC 222-i) (Mr Mike Gapes).

22 Human Rights (Joint Committee on)

(1) Legislative Scrutiny: Political Parties and Elections Bill: Fourth 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 28 October and 25 November 2008 (HC 204);

(2) International human rights instruments: Written evidence, to be published;

(3) Legislative scrutiny: Written evidence, to be published

(Mr Andrew Dismore).

23 Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee

Students and Universities:

(1) Evidence, to be printed (HC 170-i);

(2) Written evidence, to be published

(Mr Phil Willis).

24 Public Accounts (Committee of)

Management of tax debt/Agreement with EDS: Evidence, to be printed (HC 216-i) (Mr Edward Leigh).

25 Scottish Affairs Committee

Credit Unions in Scotland: Evidence, to be printed (HC 218-i) (Mr Mohammad Sarwar).

26 Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)

Fourth Report, with written evidence, to be printed (HC 3-iv) (David Maclean).

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27 Transport Committee

(1) Work of the Committee in 2007^08: First Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 211);

(2) Taxes and charges on road users: Evidence, to be printed (HC 103-iii)

(Mrs Louise Ellman).

28 Treasury Committee

Banking Crisis:

(1) Evidence, to be printed (HC 144-iv);

(2) Written evidence, to be published

(John McFall).

[WH, No. 11]  

Sitting in Westminster Hall

The sitting began at 9.30 am.

Subjects:

Thames Valley Police (Tony Baldry).

Proposed eco-town development in Marston Vale, Bedfordshire (Mrs Nadine Dorries).

Retrospective levying of business rates (Mr Austin Mitchell).

Economic downturn and prospects for the UK economy (Gordon Banks).

Effect of changes to the police funding formula in Wales (Mark Williams).

Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned._(Mr Bob Blizzard.)

[Adjourned at 4.59 pm until tomorrow. ]

APPENDIX

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1 Criminal Injuries Compensation (Northern Ireland)

Draft Northern Ireland Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2009 (by Statutory Instrument), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mr Secretary Woodward).

2 Official Statistics

Draft Official Statistics Order 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Liam Byrne).

3 Pensions

Draft Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary James Purnell).

4 Representation of the People

Draft European Parliamentary Elections (Franchise of Relevant Citizens of the Union) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Jack Straw).

5 Social Security

(1) Draft Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Stephen Timms);

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(2) draft Social Security (Contributions) (Re-rating) Order 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Stephen Timms); and

(3) draft Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary James Purnell).

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

6 Environmental Protection

Joint Waste Authorities (Proposals) Regulations 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 105), dated 22 January 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Hilary Benn).

7 Social Security

Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 111), dated 28 January 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Stephen Timms).

Other Papers:

8 Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minute, dated 28 January 2009, concerning a contingent liability for the loaning of works of art to the British Council in China (by Command) (Secretary David Miliband).

9 National Audit

Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Delivering High Quality Impact Assessments (by Act); to be printed (HC 128) (Clerk of the House).

10 Prisons

Report of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for England and Wales for 2007^08 (by Act); to be printed (HC 118) (Secretary Jack Straw).

11 Social Security

Report by the Government Actuary on the drafts of the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2009 and the Social Security (Contributions) (Re-rating) Order 2009 (by Command) (Cm. 7537) (Secretary James Purnell).

Withdrawn Papers:

12 Criminal Injuries Compensation (Northern Ireland)

Draft Northern Ireland Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2009 (by Statutory Instrument), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (laid 17 December 2008).

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