Commons Journal 265

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[No. 32 Tuesday 24 February 2009 ]

The house met at 2.30 pm.

PRAYERS.

1 Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

2 Statement: Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Secretary Jack Straw)

3 Airport Expansion (Parliamentary Approval): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)

Motion made and Question proposed, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the Planning Act 2008 to require Parliamentary approval for proposals for the building of new major airports and additional runways at existing major airports; and for connected purposes._(Susan Kramer.)

Motion opposed (Standing Order No. 23)

Question put.

The House divided.

Division No. 38.

Ayes: 247 (Tellers: Jeremy Corbyn, Richard Younger-Ross).

Noes: 203 (Tellers: Kelvin Hopkins, John Hemming).

Question accordingly agreed to.

Ordered, That Susan Kramer, John McDonnell, Mr John Randall, Adam Price, Norman Baker, Mr John Grogan, Justine Greening, Mr Edward Davey, Martin Salter, Adam Afriyie, Dr Vincent Cable and Sarah Teather present the Bill.

Susan Kramer accordingly presented the Bill.

Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 20 March, and to be printed (Bill 63).

4 Opposition Day: Leader of the Opposition (6th allotted day (Standing Order No. 14))

(1) Law and Order

Motion made and Question proposed, That this House views with great concern the rise in burglary, drug offences and crimes involving knives; is concerned by the Government's complacency about criminal and anti-social behaviour; and is further concerned that the Government has no long-term strategy to tackle the causes of crime._(Chris Grayling.)

Amendment moved, in line 1, to leave out from `House' to the end of the Question and add `welcomes the unprecedented 39 per cent. fall in crime since 1997, with burglary down by 55 per cent. and violence by 40 per cent.; notes that the chance of being a victim of crime is at an historic low; further welcomes the record numbers now entering and staying in drug treatment services; further supports the drive to tackle gangs, including measures in the Policing and Crime Bill to introduce injunctions on gang activity; further welcomes the preventative, educational and enforcement action taken to tackle knife crime, with those carrying a knife now more likely to be caught, prosecuted and imprisoned, if found guilty; considers that the Government's determination to tackle criminal and antisocial behaviour is demonstrated by the record levels of investment in policing since 1997 and increases in the numbers of police officers and police staff to an all-time high, as well as the Government's drive to cut police red tape to free up more time for police officers to spend on the beat; is concerned at any proposal to make sudden cuts to the Home Office budget that could lead to reductions in police officer numbers; commends the Government's determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with local communities in the fight against crime and antisocial behaviour; and deplores talk of a broken society" as a counsel of despair.'._(Secretary Jacqui Smith.)

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

The House divided.

Division No. 39.

Ayes: 228 (Tellers: Jeremy Wright, James Duddridge).

Noes: 308 (Tellers: Mr Dave Watts, Mr Frank Roy).

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, agreed to (Standing Order No. 31(2)).

Resolved, That this House welcomes the unprecedented 39 per cent. fall in crime since 1997, with burglary down by 55 per cent. and violence by 40 per cent; notes that the chance of being a victim of crime is at an historic low; further welcomes the record numbers now entering and staying in drug treatment services; further supports the drive to tackle gangs, including measures in the Policing and Crime Bill to introduce injunctions on gang activity; further welcomes the preventative, educational and enforcement action taken to tackle knife crime, with those carrying a knife now more likely to be caught, prosecuted and imprisoned, if found guilty; considers that the Government's determination to tackle criminal and antisocial behaviour is demonstrated by the record levels of investment in policing since 1997 and increases in the numbers of police officers and police staff to an all-time high, as well as the Government's drive to cut police red tape to free up more time for police officers to spend on the beat; is concerned at any proposal to make sudden cuts to the Home Office budget that could lead to reductions in police officer numbers; commends the Government's determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with local communities in the fight against crime and antisocial behaviour; and deplores talk of a broken society" as a counsel of despair.

(2) British Agricultural Production and Food Labelling

Motion made and Question proposed, That this House believes that British consumers are entitled to know exactly how and where the food they are eating is produced and that clear and unambiguous labelling stating the country of origin of the major ingredients is required to achieve this; further believes that this will level the playing field for British farmers and enable British consumers to show their preference for home-grown food which is produced to high standards of animal welfare, health and safety and environmental protection; notes that the rate of self-sufficiency in the food which Britain can produce itself has dropped substantially since 1997; further believes that voluntary labelling by food retailers has failed to deliver the transparency that consumers require; and calls on the Government to introduce a mandatory country of origin labelling scheme for meat and meat products without further delay._(Nick Herbert.)

Amendment moved, in line 1, to leave out from `House' to the end of the Question and add `considers that British consumers should have the information that they need in order to make the choices they want when they buy their food; notes that the European Commission has rejected a recent proposal from the Irish Government for national mandatory country of origin labelling for meat and meat products; believes that clear and unambiguous labelling stating the country of origin of the major ingredients for meat and meat products would level the playing field for British farmers and enable British consumers to show a preference for food which is produced to high standards of animal welfare, health and safety and environmental protection; agrees that where supermarkets and retailers comply with the Food Standards Agency's guidance on country of origin labelling that this is to the benefit of their consumers; and further believes that the best way to back British consumers and British producers is to support the Government's calls for tougher and clearer country of origin labelling across Europe.'._(Jane Kennedy.)

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

Mr Andrew Robathan 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)).

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The House divided.

Division No. 40.

Ayes: 212 (Tellers: James Duddridge, Jeremy Wright).

Noes: 300 (Tellers: Chris Mole, Helen Goodman).

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, agreed to (Standing Order No. 31(2)).

Resolved, That this House, considers that British consumers should have the information that they need in order to make the choices they want when they buy their food; notes that the European Commission has rejected a recent proposal from the Irish Government for national mandatory country of origin labelling for meat and meat products; believes that clear and unambiguous labelling stating the country of origin of the major ingredients for meat and meat products would level the playing field for British farmers and enable British consumers to show a preference for food which is produced to high standards of animal welfare, health and safety and environmental protection; agrees that where supermarkets and retailers comply with the Food Standards Agency's guidance on country of origin labelling that this is to the benefit of their consumers; and further believes that the best way to back British consumers and British producers is to support the Government's calls for tougher and clearer country of origin labelling across Europe.

5 Business of the House

Motion made, That, in respect of the Northern Ireland Bill, notices of Amendments, new Clauses and new Schedules to be moved in Committee may be accepted by the Clerks at the Table before the Bill has been read a second time._(Mr Bob Blizzard.)

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

6 Adjournment

Subject: Humber Bridge tolls (Mr Graham Stuart).

Resolved, That this House do now adjourn._(Mr Bob Blizzard.)

[Adjourned at 10.49 pm until tomorrow. ]

Other proceedings

General Committees: Reports

7 Coroners and Justice Bill Committee

Frank Cook (Chairman) reported written evidence submitted to the Committee.

Written evidence to be published.

8 Policing and Crime Bill Committee

Hugh Bayley (Chairman) reported written evidence submitted to the Committee.

Written evidence to be published.

9 First Delegated Legislation Committee

Mr Eric Martlew (Chairman) reported the draft Mutual Societies (Transfers) Order 2009.

10 Second Delegated Legislation Committee

Mr John Bercow (Chairman) reported the draft Industrial Training Levy (Construction Industry Training Board) Order 2009 and the draft Industrial Training Levy (Engineering Construction Industry Training Board) Order 2009.

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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 Committee (Draft Mutual Societies (Transfers) Order 2009)

(1) Chairman: Mr Eric Martlew in place of Jim Sheridan

(2) Members: Ian Stewart and Ms Gisela Stuart discharged and Mr Brian Jenkins and Martin Linton nominated in substitution.

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)

Members: Mr Ian Davidson, Mr Dai Havard, Mr Frank Roy and Mr Don Touhig discharged and Mr Graham Allen, Colin Burgon, Mary Creagh and Claire Ward nominated in substitution.

Reports from Select Committees

13 Business and Enterprise Committee

Independent review of the UK postal services sector: Evidence, to be printed (HC 172-ii) (Peter Luff).

14 Culture, Media and Sport Committee

Press standards, privacy and libel:

(1) Evidence, to be printed (HC 275-i);

(2) Written evidence, to be published

(Mr John Whittingdale).

15 Defence Committee

Russia: a new confrontation?:

(1) Evidence, to be printed (HC 276-i);

(2) Written evidence, to be published

(Mr James Arbuthnot).

16 Environmental Audit Committee

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation: Evidence, to be printed (HC 30-iv) (Joan Walley).

17 Home Affairs Committee

Knife Crime: Evidence, to be printed (HC 112-iv) (Keith Vaz).

18 Human Rights (Joint Committee on)

(1) Counter-Terrorism Policy and Human Rights (Fourteenth Report): Annual Renewal of Control Orders Legislation 2009: Fifth Report, with written evidence, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 282);

(2) A UK Bill of Rights and the work of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission: Evidence, to be printed (HC 280-i);

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

(4) UN Convention Against Torture: Written evidence, to be published

(Mr Andrew Dismore).

19 Justice Committee

The work of the Crown Prosecution Service: Evidence, to be printed (HC 186-iv) (Sir Alan Beith).

20 Standards and Privileges (Committee on)

Mr Gordon Brown: Fifth Report, with an Appendix, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 279) (Sir George Young).

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21 Welsh Affairs Committee

(1) The provision of cross-border public services for Wales: Evidence, to be printed (HC 58-ii);

(2) Digital Inclusion: Written evidence, to be published

(Dr Hywel Francis).

[WH, No. 19]  

Sitting in Westminster Hall

The sitting began at 9.30 am.

Subjects:

Unitary authority proposals for Norfolk, Suffolk and Devon (Mr Keith Simpson).

Statistics on scientific procedures on living animals (Bill Etherington).

Gas storage in the UK (Mr Stephen Crabb).

Epilepsy services (Chris McCafferty).

Co-operation and competition in the NHS (Dr Richard Taylor).

Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned._(Mr Ian Austin.)

[Adjourned at 1.57 pm until tomorrow. ]

APPENDIX

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1 Banking

(1) Bank Administration Rules (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. (N.I.), 2009, No. 63), dated 18 February 2009 (by Statutory Instrument), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Ian Pearson); and

(2) Bank Insolvency Rules (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. (N.I.), 2009, No. 64), dated 18 February 2009 (by Statutory Instrument), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Ian Pearson).

2 Banks and Banking

(1) Bank Administration (England and Wales) Rules 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 357), dated 23 February 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Ian Pearson);

(2) Bank Administration (Scotland) Rules 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 350), dated 23 February 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Ian Pearson);

(3) Bank Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 356), dated 23 February 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Ian Pearson); and

(4) Bank Insolvency (Scotland) Rules 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 351), dated 23 February 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Ian Pearson).

3 Housing

Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 358), dated 23 February 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Hazel Blears).

4 Road Traffic

Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions (City of Bradford) Designation Order 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 326), dated 19 February 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Geoff Hoon).

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5 Social Security

Social Security (Habitual Residence) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 362), dated 23 February 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary James Purnell).

Other Papers:

6 Freedom of Information

Certificate of the Secretary of State for Justice, made in accordance with Section 53(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (by Act) (Secretary Jack Straw).

7 National Audit

Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Financial Reporting and Financial Management (by Act); to be printed (HC 133) (Clerk of the House).

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