Commons Journal 265

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[No. 67 Wednesday 29 April 2009 ]

The house met at 11.30 am.

PRAYERS.

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

(2) the Prime Minister

2 Statement: Afghanistan and Pakistan (the Prime Minister)

3 Prevention of Excessive Charges: Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)

Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to prevent excessive charges or fees from being levied on consumers; and for connected purposes;

That Mr Mohammad Sarwar, Mr Jim Devine, Mr Jim McGovern, Willie Rennie, Mr Tom Harris, Mr Virendra Sharma, Mr Ian Davidson, Lindsay Roy, Mark Fisher, Jim Sheridan, Mr Charles Walker and Ms Dari Taylor present the Bill.

Mr Mohammad Sarwar accordingly presented the Bill.

Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 16 October, and to be printed (Bill 89).

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4 Opposition Day: Leader of the second largest opposition party (10th allotted day (Standing Order No. 14))

(1) Gurkha Settlement Rights

Motion made and Question proposed, That this House regrets the Government's recent statement outlining the eligibility criteria for Gurkhas to reside in the United Kingdom; recognises the contribution the Gurkhas have made to the safety and freedom of the United Kingdom for the past 200 years; notes that more Gurkhas have laid down their lives for the United Kingdom than are estimated to want to live here; believes that Gurkhas who retired before 1997 should be treated fairly and in the same way as those who have retired since; is concerned that the Government's new guidelines will permit only a small minority of Gurkhas and their families to settle whilst preventing the vast majority; further believes that people who are prepared to fight and die for the United Kingdom should be entitled to live in the country; and calls upon the Government to withdraw its new guidelines immediately and bring forward revised proposals that extend an equal right of residence to all Gurkhas._(Chris Huhne.)

Amendment moved, in line 1, to leave out from `House' to the end of the Question and add `recognises that this Government is the only one since the Second World War to allow Gurkhas and their families settlement rights to the United Kingdom; notes that in 2004 the Government permitted settlement rights to Gurkhas discharged since 1997, following the transfer of the Brigade HQ from Hong Kong to the United Kingdom; further notes that under these rules around 6,000 Gurkhas and family members have been welcomed to the UK; acknowledges that the court judgement of September 2008 determined that the 1997 cut-off date was fair and rational, while seeking clarification of the criteria for settlement rights for those who retired before 1997; further notes that on 24 April the Government published new and more generous guidelines for the settlement applications of Gurkhas who retired before 1997; supports this revised guidance, which will make around 10,000 Gurkhas and family members eligible to settle in the UK; further notes that the Government undertakes actively to inform those who may be eligible in Nepal of these changes and to review the impact of the new guidance within 12 months; further notes that the contribution Gurkhas have made is already recognised by pensions paid to around 25,000 Gurkhas or their widows in Nepal that allow for a good standard of living there; and further notes that in the year 2000 Gurkha pensions were doubled and that, earlier in April 2009, in addition to an inflationary uplift of 14 per cent., those over 80 years old received a 20 per cent. increase in their pension.'._(Mr Phil Woolas.)

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

The House divided.

Division No. 104.

Ayes: 267 (Tellers: Mr Alan Reid, Dan Rogerson).

Noes: 246 (Tellers: Claire Ward, Mr Dave Watts).

Question accordingly agreed to.

The Deputy Speaker declared the Main Question agreed to (Standing Order No. 31(2)).

Resolved, That this House regrets the Government's recent statement outlining the eligibility criteria for Gurkhas to reside in the United Kingdom; recognises the contribution the Gurkhas have made to the safety and freedom of the United Kingdom for the past 200 years; notes that more Gurkhas have laid down their lives for the United Kingdom than are estimated to want to live here; believes that Gurkhas who retired before 1997 should be treated fairly and in the same way as those who have retired since; is concerned that the Government's new guidelines will permit only a small minority of Gurkhas and their families to settle whilst preventing the vast majority; further believes that people who are prepared to fight and die for the United Kingdom should be entitled to live in the country; and calls upon the Government to withdraw its new guidelines immediately and bring forward revised proposals that extend an equal right of residence to all Gurkhas.

(2) Sri Lanka

Motion made and Question proposed, That this House is concerned that the fighting in Sri Lanka has already had a devastating effect on hundreds of thousands of civilians, with thousands killed and wounded, and many tens of thousands traumatised and suffering from lack of food, water and basic medicines; believes there is a real danger of an even greater bloodbath in the next few days if a ceasefire is not immediately agreed between the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam; further believes that access is vital for humanitarian assistance, human rights monitors and members of the international media throughout the conflict zone and to all internally displaced persons, each of whom must, like every Sri Lankan citizen, have all their internationally recognised rights guaranteed; calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and peace talks; urges the Government energetically to continue and increase its efforts within the United Nations, European Union and Commonwealth and with others to broker a ceasefire; and urges the Government to make it clear to all sides that those who are proved to have committed war crimes in this conflict will be in danger of arrest, prosecution and punishment wherever they go for the rest of their lives._(Mr Edward Davey.)

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Amendment moved, in line 1, to leave out from `House' to the end of the Question and add `strongly supports the efforts of the Government within the United Nations, the European Union, the G8 and other international bodies to bring about an end to the conflict in Sri Lanka, to open the way for an international humanitarian relief effort and to promote a process of political reconciliation; welcomes the #7.5 million the Government has already committed to the relief effort; supports the Foreign Secretary's joint visit to Sri Lanka with his French counterpart; endorses the Government's calls for the government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to declare an immediate ceasefire and to allow the civilians trapped in the No Fire Zone to leave unhindered, facilitated by the UN; urges both parties to the conflict to allow full and unrestricted access for humanitarian aid to be safely delivered; supports the Government's efforts to persuade the government of Sri Lanka to allow international oversight of all internally displaced persons, including a transparent registration process and improved conditions within the camps with better access to food, water and medical facilities; urges the government of Sri Lanka to allow freedom of movement in and out of the camps so that families separated by the conflict can be reunited; and endorses the Government's efforts to persuade the government of Sri Lanka to initiate a process of political reconciliation with all speed as the only way of ensuring a lasting peace between the communities.'._(Gillian Merron.)

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

Question 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 strongly supports the efforts of the Government within the United Nations, the European Union, the G8 and other international bodies to bring about an end to the conflict in Sri Lanka, to open the way for an international humanitarian relief effort and to promote a process of political reconciliation; welcomes the #7.5 million the Government has already committed to the relief effort; supports the Foreign Secretary's joint visit to Sri Lanka with his French counterpart; endorses the Government's calls for the government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to declare an immediate ceasefire and to allow the civilians trapped in the No Fire Zone to leave unhindered, facilitated by the UN; urges both parties to the conflict to allow full and unrestricted access for humanitarian aid to be safely delivered; supports the Government's efforts to persuade the government of Sri Lanka to allow international oversight of all internally displaced persons, including a transparent registration process and improved conditions within the camps with better access to food, water and medical facilities; urges the government of Sri Lanka to allow freedom of movement in and out of the camps so that families separated by the conflict can be reunited; and endorses the Government's efforts to persuade the government of Sri Lanka to initiate a process of political reconciliation with all speed as the only way of ensuring a lasting peace between the communities.

5 Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval

(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Terrorism Act 2000 (Code of Practice for Examining Officers) (Revision) Order 2009, which was laid before this House on 26 February, be approved._(Helen Goodman.)

Question agreed to.

(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Transfer of Tribunal Functions (Lands Tribunal and Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2009, which was laid before this House on 24 March, be approved._(Helen Goodman.)

Question agreed to.

6 Business of the House

Ordered, That, at the sitting on Thursday 30 April, the Speaker shall put the Questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on the Motions in the name of Ms Harriet Harman relating to Members' Allowances, Members' Allowances (Greater London), Registration of Members' Financial Interests, Members' Staff, Members' Allowances (Evidence of Expenditure) and Members Estimate Committee (Amendment of the Green Book) not later than 5 pm; such Questions shall include the Questions on any Amendments selected by the Speaker which may then be moved; the Questions may be put after the moment of interruption; and Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply._(Helen Goodman.)

7 Statements: (1) Swine flu update (Secretary Alan Johnson)

(2) Gurkhas (Mr Phil Woolas)

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8 Public Petitions

A Public Petition from members of the British Tamil community and others, relating to Sri Lanka was presented and read by Mr Paul Burstow.

A Public Petition from residents of Ilford North and others, relating to Sri Lanka was presented and read by Mr Lee Scott.

A Public Petition from the Vincentian Millennium Partnership relating to Immigration (Asylum Seekers) was presented and read by John Battle.

A Public Petition from residents of Cartmel, Cumbria and others, relating to Post Office Closures (Cumbria) was presented and read by Tim Farron.

A Public Petition from members of the British Tamil community, and others, relating to Sri Lanka was presented and read by Mr Edward Davey.

A Public Petition from members of the British Tamil community and others, relating to Sri Lanka was presented and read by Susan Kramer.

A Public Petition from members of the British Tamil community and others, relating to Sri Lanka was presented and read by Simon Hughes.

9 Adjournment

Subject: Humberside Probation Service (Mr Elliot Morley).

Resolved, That this House do now adjourn._(Ms Diana R. Johnson.)

[Adjourned at 9.07 pm until tomorrow. ]

Other proceedings

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).

10 First Delegated Legislation Committee (Amendments to Law (Resolution of Dunfermline Building Society) Order 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 814), Building Societies (Insolvency and Special Administration) Order 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 805), and the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Contribution to Costs of Special Resolution Regime) Regulations 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 807))

(1) Chairman: Mr Gary Streeter

(2) Members: Charlotte Atkins, Ms Celia Barlow, Mr Brian Binley, Mr Bob Blizzard, Mr Jeremy Browne, Colin Burgon, Mr Richard Caborn, Mr Douglas Carswell, James Duddridge, Mr Tom Harris, Mr Mark Hoban, Chris McCafferty, Richard Ottaway, Ian Pearson, Willie Rennie and Mr Neil Turner.

11 Welsh Grand Committee in respect of its meetings on 6 May

Chairman: Mr Martin Caton.

12 European Committee A in respect of European Union Document No. 5892/09 and Addenda 1 to 3, relating to Climate change agreement

Members: Colin Challen, Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas, Nadine Dorries, Michael Jabez Foster (Hastings and Rye), Helen Goodman, Mr Greg Hands, Charles Hendry, Martin Horwood, Mr Lindsay Hoyle, Simon Hughes, Joan Ruddock, Ms Gisela Stuart and Bill Wiggin.

13 European Committee A in respect of European Union Documents No. 5779/09 and No. >5775/09,> relating to Maritime Transport

Members: Mr Julian Brazier, Mr James Clappison, Ms Katy Clark, Mr David Clelland, Mr Brian H. Donohoe, Jim Fitzpatrick, Helen Goodman, Mr Philip Hollobone, Mark Hunter, Mr John Leech, Mr Michael Meacher, Dr Rudi Vis and Mr Rob Wilson.

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Reports from Select Committees

14 Children, Schools and Families Committee

School Accountability: Evidence, to be printed (HC 353-iv) (Mr Barry Sheerman).

15 Energy and Climate Change Committee

The Future of Britain's Electricity Networks: Evidence, to be printed (HC 388-iii) (Mr Elliot Morley).

16 European Scrutiny Committee

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

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

(Michael Connarty).

17 Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee

Students and universities: Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee, to be printed (HC >370-iii)> (Mr Phil Willis).

18 International Development Committee

(1) DFID Annual Report 2008: Government Response to the Second Report from the Committee, Session 2008^09: Second Special Report, to be printed (HC 440);

(2) Sustainable Development in a Changing Climate: Evidence, to be printed (HC 177-v)

(Malcolm Bruce).

19 Northern Ireland Affairs Committee

(1) A Human Rights Bill for Northern Ireland: Written evidence, to be published;

(2) 2008 Autumn Performance Report: Written evidence, to be published;

(3) Consultative Group on the Past:

(i) Evidence, to be printed (HC 287-ii);

(ii) Written evidence, to be published

(Sir Patrick Cormack).

20 Procedure Committee

e-Petitions: Call for Government Action: Second Report, with written evidence, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 493) (Mr Greg Knight).

21 Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)

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

22 Transport Committee

Appointment of the Chair of the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR): Third Report, with Evidence and Appendices, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 433) (Mrs Louise Ellman).

23 Treasury Committee

Budget 2009:

(1) Evidence, to be printed (HC 438-iii);

(2) Written evidence

(John McFall).

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[WH, No. 41]  

Sitting in Westminster Hall

The sitting began at 9.30 am.

Subjects:

Honey bee health (John Penrose).

UK relations with Libya (Daniel Kawczynski).

Recognition of British heroes of the Holocaust (Mr Russell Brown).

Tall buildings and planning policy (Martin Linton).

Policing in Croydon (Mr Andrew Pelling).

Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned._(Chris Mole.)

[Adjourned at 5.13 pm until tomorrow. ]

APPENDIX

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1 Countryside

(1) Draft Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Establishment of Conservation Board) (Amendment) Order 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Hilary Benn); and

(2) Draft Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Establishment of Conservation Board) (Amendment) Order 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Hilary Benn).

2 European Communities

Draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Maritime Labour Convention) Order 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Geoff Hoon).

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

3 Defence

(1) Armed Forces (Discharge and Transfer to the Reserve Forces) (No. 2) Regulations 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 1091), dated 28 April 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mr Secretary Hutton);

(2) Armed Forces (Forfeiture of Service) (No. 2) Regulations 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 1090), dated 28 April 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mr Secretary Hutton); and

(3) Armed Forces (Terms of Service) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 1089), dated 28 April 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mr Secretary Hutton).

Other Papers:

4 Government Resources and Accounts

Resource Accounts of the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets for 2008^09, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act); to be printed (HC 423) (Stephen Timms).

5 Justice

Engaging Communities in Criminal Justice (by Command) (Cm. 7583) (Secretary Jack Straw).

6 National Audit

Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Department for Work and Pensions: Management of Benefit Overpayment Debt (by Act); to be printed (HC 294) (Clerk of the House).

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7 Political Parties, Elections and Referendums

Corporate Plan of the Electoral Commission for 2009^10 to 2013^14 (by Act); to be printed (HC 389) (The Speaker).

8 Treaty Series (No. 16, 2008)

Third Supplementary List of Ratifications, Accessions, Withdrawals, Etc. for 2008 (by Command) (Cm. 7607) (Secretary David Miliband).

Withdrawn Papers:

9 European Communities

Draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Maritime Labour Convention) Order 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (laid 1 April 2009).

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