Commons Journal 265

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[No. 29 ]

Wednesday 11 February 2009

The house met at 11.30 am.

PRAYERS.

1 Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for International Development

(2) the Prime Minister

2 Climate Change (Sectoral Targets): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)

Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to set targets relating to energy generation and consumption; to make provision for the sectoral targets to be met; and for connected purposes;

That Mr Martin Caton, Colin Challen, Mr David Chaytor, Dr Ian Gibson, Mr David Heath, Dan Rogerson, Alan Simpson, Dr Desmond Turner, Joan Walley and Mr Michael Meacher present the Bill.

Mr Martin Caton accordingly presented the Bill.

Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 8 May, and to be printed (Bill 61).

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3 Opposition Day: Leader of the Opposition (5th allotted day (Standing Order No. 14))

(1) Housing Waiting Lists

Motion made and Question proposed, That this House notes that social housing waiting lists have increased to a record 1.8 million families, over 4.5 million people, over the last 12 months; recognises that the Government's policies have reduced levels of house-building across all tenures; cautions that the number of families waiting for social housing is rising to record figures; expresses serious concern that the number of children living in temporary accommodation has doubled in the last 10 years; warns that the Government's changes to the system for counting rough sleepers will drastically under-estimate the problem; further notes that the Government's top-down policies with regard to housing have strangled it with red tape; and is concerned about the implications of the Government's housing policies for the future supply of housing in general and for families and the most vulnerable in society in particular._(Grant Shapps.)

Amendment moved, in line 1, to leave out from `House' to the end of the Question and add `notes that the Government is investing over #8 billion between 2008 and 2011 to increase the supply of social and affordable housing, has invested over #29 billion since 1997 to bring social housing up to a decent standard and has made #205 million available for a mortgage rescue scheme to support the most vulnerable home owners facing repossession so they can remain in their home; further notes that there has been a 74 per cent. reduction in rough sleeping since 1998, that the long term use of bed and breakfast accommodation as temporary accommodation for families provided under the homelessness legislation has ended and that since 2003 the number of people who have been accepted as owed a main duty under the homelessness legislation has reduced by 60 per cent.; further notes that the Government has helped more than 110,000 households into low cost home ownership since 2001; believes that the introduction of enhanced housing options services provides tailored housing advice reflecting a household's individual circumstances while choice-based lettings schemes give social housing applicants greater choice over where they want to live; and further believes that the Government has taken measures to make best use of the social housing stock such as tackling overcrowding and under-occupation.'._(Margaret Beckett.)

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

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

Question put, That the Question be now put.

Question agreed to.

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

The House divided.

Division No. 35.

Ayes: 229 (Tellers: Bill Wiggin, Mr Stephen Crabb).

Noes: 311 (Tellers: Mark Tami, Helen Jones).

Question accordingly negatived.

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

Question agreed to.

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

Resolved, That this House notes that the Government is investing over #8 billion between 2008 and 2011 to increase the supply of social and affordable housing, has invested over #29 billion since 1997 to bring social housing up to a decent standard and has made #205 million available for a mortgage rescue scheme to support the most vulnerable home owners facing repossession so they can remain in their home; further notes that there has been a 74 per cent. reduction in rough sleeping since 1998, that the long term use of bed and breakfast accommodation as temporary accommodation for families provided under the homelessness legislation has ended and that since 2003 the number of people who have been accepted as owed a main duty under the homelessness legislation has reduced by 60 per cent.; further notes that the Government has helped more than 110,000 households into low cost home ownership since 2001; believes that the introduction of enhanced housing options services provides tailored housing advice reflecting a household's individual circumstances while choice-based lettings schemes give social housing applicants greater choice over where they want to live; and further believes that the Government has taken measures to make best use of the social housing stock such as tackling overcrowding and under-occupation.

(2) Future of Royal Mail

Motion made and Question proposed, That this House welcomes the Hooper review of UK postal services; and urges the Government to implement rapidly the review's proposals for the partial privatisation of Royal Mail._(Mr Kenneth Clarke.)

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Amendment moved, in line 1, to leave out from `House' to the end of the Question and add `notes the threats to the future of the Royal Mail and welcomes the conclusion of the Hooper Report that, as part of a plan to place the Royal Mail on a sustainable path for the future, the current six days a week universal service obligation (USO) must be protected, that the primary duty of a new regulator should be to maintain the USO, and that the Government should address the growing pensions deficit; notes that modernisation in the Royal Mail is essential and that investment must be found for it; endorses the call for a new relationship between management and postal unions; urges engagement with relevant stakeholders to secure the Government's commitment to a thriving and prosperous Royal Mail, secure in public ownership, that is able to compete and lead internationally and that preserves the universal postal service; further notes the Conservatives' failure to invest in Royal Mail when they were in power in contrast with Labour's support for both Royal Mail and the Post Office; and notes that legislation on these issues will be subject to normal parliamentary procedures.'._(Mr Pat McFadden.)

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

The House divided.

Division No. 36.

Ayes: 151 (Tellers: Bill Wiggin, Mr Stephen Crabb).

Noes: 376 (Tellers: Ian Lucas, Helen Goodman).

Question accordingly negatived.

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

The House divided.

Division No. 37.

Ayes: 309 (Tellers: Ian Lucas, Helen Goodman).

Noes: 208 (Tellers: Bill Wiggin, Mr Stephen Crabb).

Question accordingly agreed to.

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

Resolved, That this House notes the threats to the future of the Royal Mail and welcomes the conclusion of the Hooper Report that, as part of a plan to place the Royal Mail on a sustainable path for the future, the current six days a week universal service obligation (USO) must be protected, that the primary duty of a new regulator should be to maintain the USO, and that the Government should address the growing pensions deficit; notes that modernisation in the Royal Mail is essential and that investment must be found for it; endorses the call for a new relationship between management and postal unions; urges engagement with relevant stakeholders to secure the Government's commitment to a thriving and prosperous Royal Mail, secure in public ownership, that is able to compete and lead internationally and that preserves the universal postal service; further notes the Conservatives' failure to invest in Royal Mail when they were in power in contrast with Labour's support for both Royal Mail and the Post Office; and notes that legislation on these issues will be subject to normal parliamentary procedures.

4 Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval

(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Welsh Ministers (Transfer of Functions) (No. 2) Order 2008, which was laid before this House on 16 December, be approved._(Ms Dawn Butler.)

Question agreed to.

(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Contracting Out (Highway Functions) Order 2009, which was laid before this House on 21 January, be approved._(Ms Dawn Butler.)

Question agreed to.

5 Asylum

Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 119(11)), That this House takes note of European Union Documents No. 16913/08 and Addenda 1 to 3, draft Directive laying down minimum standards for the reception of asylum seekers, No. 16934/08 and Addenda 1 to 3, draft Regulation on the establishment of `EURODAC' for the comparison of fingerprints for the effective application of the Regulation establishing the criteria and mechanisms for determining the Member State responsible for examining an application for international protection, and No. 16929/08 and Addenda 1 to 3, Regulation establishing the criteria and mechanisms for determining the Member State responsible for examining an application for international protection lodged in one Member State by a third country national or stateless person; supports the Government's aim of making more efficient the arrangement for identifying the Member State responsible for determining a claim for international protection (and, where appropriate, for removing to that country the person applying for protection); and supports the Government's aim of ensuring that minimum standards for the treatment of those seeking protection in the EU support the maintenance of an effective asylum system that grants protection to those who need it and identifies and swiftly returns those who do not._(Ms Dawn Butler.)

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Question agreed to.

6 Use of the Commons Chamber (United Kingdom Youth Parliament)

Motion made, That this House welcomes the work of the United Kingdom Youth Parliament in providing young people with an opportunity to engage with the political process and bring about social change; notes that many hon. Members from all parts of the House are actively involved in the work of the UK Youth Parliament; and accordingly resolves that the UK Youth Parliament should be allowed for this year alone to hold its 2009 annual meeting in the Chamber of this House._(Ms Dawn Butler.)

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

7 Public Petition

A Public Petition from residents of Hadleigh, Thundersley and Benfleet relating to police stations (Essex) was presented by Bob Spink.

8 Adjournment

Subject: Effect on small businesses of recent changes to immigration rules (Mr Christopher Chope).

Resolved, That this House do now adjourn._(Ms Dawn Butler.)

[Adjourned at 7.54 pm until tomorrow. ]

Other proceedings

Lords Messages

9 Banking Bill

The Lords agree, without Amendment, to the Amendment proposed by this House in lieu of one of the Lords Amendments to the Banking Bill.

General Committees: Reports

10 Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee

Mr Gary Streeter (Chairman) reported the draft Criminal Defence Service (Information Requests) Regulations 2009.

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).

11 First Delegated Legislation (Draft Mutual Societies (Transfers) Order 2009)

(1) Chairman: Jim Sheridan

(2) Members: Ms Celia Barlow, Mr Bob Blizzard, Mr Colin Breed, Mr Jeremy Browne, Jim Cousins, James Duddridge, Mr Mark Hoban, Alan Keen, Peter Luff, Mrs Anne McGuire, Ian Pearson, Ian Stewart, Dr Howard Stoate, Ms Gisela Stuart, Mr Robert Walter and Mr John Whittingdale.

12 Second Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Industrial Training Levy (Construction Industry Training Board) Order 2009 and the draft Industrial Training Levy (Engineering Construction Industry Training Board) Order 2009)

(1) Chairman: John Bercow

(2) Members: Lyn Brown, Mr Stephen Crabb, Mr David Curry, Mr Ian Davidson, Dr Evan Harris, Mr Dai Havard, Mr John Hayes, Mr John Heppell, Mr Edward Leigh, Richard Ottaway, Mr Frank Roy, Mr Sio¤n Simon, Graham Stringer, Mr Don Touhig, Mrs Betty Williams and Stephen Williams.

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13 Third Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Representation of the People (Amendment) Regulations 2009 and the draft European Parliamentary Elections (Franchise of Relevant Citizens of the Union) (Amendment) Regulations 2009)

(1) Chairman: John Bercow

(2) Members: Mr Tim Boswell, Mr James Gray, Stephen Hesford, David Howarth, Mrs Eleanor Laing, David Lepper, Ian Lucas, Mr Mark Oaten, Joan Ryan, Helen Southworth, Mr Ian Taylor, Dr Rudi Vis, Mr Michael Wills, Mr David Winnick, Mr Anthony Wright and Jeremy Wright.

14 Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (Audit of Non-profit-making Companies) Order 2009)

(1) Chairman: Hywel Williams

(2) Members: Mr Adrian Bailey, Mr Bob Blizzard, Mr Peter Bone, Ms Karen Buck, Dr Vincent Cable, James Duddridge, Angela Eagle, Mr David Gauke, Mr Humfrey Malins, Sandra Osborne, Dr John Pugh, John Robertson, Lindsay Roy, Paddy Tipping, Mike Wood and Sir George Young.

15 Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Criminal Defence Service (Information Requests) Regulations 2009)

Members: Joan Ryan and Dr Gavin Strang discharged and Mr Tom Harris and Dr Desmond Turner nominated in substitution.

16 Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2009)

(1) Chairman: Dr William McCrea

(2) Members: Mr Graham Allen, Tom Brake, Mr Simon Burns, Mr Richard Caborn, Mr Nigel Evans, Linda Gilroy, Damian Green, Andrew Gwynne, Chris Huhne, Lynne Jones, Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger, Steve McCabe, Mr Richard Shepherd, Mr Andrew Smith, Emily Thornberry and Mr Phil Woolas.

17 European Committee A in respect of European Union Documents No. 15927/08, relating to European Energy Networks and No. 15944/08 and Addenda 1 to 4, relating to Second Strategy Energy Review

Members: Mr Jim Cunningham, Jim Dobbin, Barry Gardiner, Helen Goodman, Mr Greg Hands, Charles Hendry, Martin Horwood, Simon Hughes, Miss Julie Kirkbride, Julie Morgan, Mr Mike O'Brien, Dr Alan Whitehead and Bill Wiggin.

18 European Committee B in respect of Unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum dated 14 January 2009, relating to the Mandates of EU Special Representatives

Members: Mr James Clappison, Harry Cohen, Mr Edward Davey, Caroline Flint, Mr Mark Francois, Helen Goodman, Kelvin Hopkins, Mr John Horam, Martin Linton, Mr Brooks Newmark, Dan Norris, Mr Ken Purchase and Matthew Taylor.

European Union Documents Referred

19 European Committee B

European Union Documents No. 15620/08 and No. 17210/08 and Addendum, relating to Pre-accession assistance: the instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA).

Reports from Select Committees

20 Children, Schools and Families Committee

The Draft Apprenticeships Bill: Government Response to the Committee's Fourth Report of Session 2007^08: First Special Report, to be printed (HC 259) (Mr Barry Sheerman).

21 Energy and Climate Change Committee

Energy prices in 2009 and future investment in electricity generating capacity: Evidence, to be printed (HC 255-i) (Mr Elliot Morley).

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22 European Scrutiny Committee

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

(2) The scrutiny performance of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Evidence, to be printed (HC 246);

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

(Michael Connarty).

23 Foreign Affairs Committee

Global Security: Middle East: Evidence, to be printed (HC 261-i) (Mike Gapes).

24 Public Accounts (Committee of)

(1) Selection of the new Comptroller and Auditor General: Twelfth Report, with written evidence, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 256);

(2) Hearing with the Comptroller and Auditor General Designate: Evidence, to be printed (HC 256-i)

(Mr Edward Leigh).

25 Public Administration (Select Committee on)

Equitable Life:

(i) Evidence, to be printed (HC 219-ii);

(ii) Written evidence, to be published

(Dr Tony Wright).

26 Scottish Affairs Committee

Commission on Scottish Devolution: Evidence, to be printed (HC 254-i) (Mr Mohammad Sarwar).

27 Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)

(1) Sixth Report, with written evidence, to be printed (HC 3-vi);

(2) Government Response to the Committee's Second Special Report of Session 2007^08: Scrutinising Statutory Instruments: Departmental Returns, 2007: First Special Report, with an Appendix; to be printed (HC 260).

(David Maclean).

28 Transport Committee

Taxes and charges on road users: Evidence, to be printed (HC 103-iv) (Mrs Louise Ellman).

29 Treasury Committee

Banking Crisis:

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

(2) Written evidence, to be published

(John McFall).

[WH, No. 17]  

Sitting in Westminster Hall

The sitting began at 9.30 am.

Subjects:

Implications of the EU Working Time Directive for retained fire-fighters (Mr Alistair Carmichael).

Capital spending allocations for further education colleges (Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown).

Compensation for pleural plaques victims (Jim Sheridan).

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Lobbying Whitehall and Westminster (Mr Gordon Prentice).

Early voting (Mrs Linda Riordan).

Resolved, That the sitting do now adjourn._(Mr Dave Watts.)

[Adjourned at 5.14 pm until tomorrow. ]

APPENDIX

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1 Electricity

Draft Renewables Obligation Order 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Edward Miliband).

2 Electronic Communications

Draft Data Retention (EC Directive) Regulations 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Jacqui Smith).

3 Pensions

Draft Financial Assistance Scheme and Incapacity Benefit (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary James Purnell).

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

4 Energy

Draft Modifications to the Standard Conditions of Electricity and Gas Supply Licences (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Edward Miliband).

5 Environmental Protection

Ozone-Depleting Substances (Qualifications) Regulations 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 216), dated 4 February 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Hilary Benn).

6 Food

Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (England) Regulations 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 205), dated 5 February 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Alan Johnson).

Other Papers:

7 Government Resources and Accounts

Report and Accounts of Sir John Soane's Museum for 2007^08, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act); to be printed (HC 241) (Secretary Andy Burnham).

8 National Audit

Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Recruiting civil servants efficiently (by Act); to be printed (HC 134) (Clerk of the House).

Withdrawn Papers:

9 Government Resources and Accounts

Report and Accounts of Sir John Soane's Museum for 2007^08, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act) (laid 15 January 2009).

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