Commons Journal 265

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[No. 87 Tuesday 9 June 2009 ]

The house met at 2.30 pm.

PRAYERS.

1 Questions to the Chancellor of the Exchequer

2 Road Signs (Tourist Destinations and Facilities): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)

Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to impose duties on the Highways Agency and other public authorities to promote tourism by providing or permitting to be provided appropriate road signage; and for connected purposes;

That Sir Alan Beith, Hilary Armstrong, Mr Nigel Evans, Mr Adrian Sanders, Mr David Drew, Mr Denis Murphy and Dan Rogerson present the Bill.

Sir Alan Beith accordingly presented the Bill.

Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 26 June, and to be printed (Bill 107).

3 Opposition Day: Leader of the Opposition (12th allotted day (Standing Order No. 14))

(1) Knife Crime

Motion made and Question proposed, That this House believes that teenage knife crime and the increased incidence of carrying knives in many communities is one of the most critical social and law and order issues facing the country; welcomes the contribution made by the Home Affairs Select Committee in its Seventh Report, Session 2008^09, on Knife Crime, published on 2 June 2009; commends the work done by voluntary sector organisations like the Damilola Taylor Trust to tackle the problem; and expresses the belief that the solution to knife crime will only come from cross-community co-operation to address its root causes._(Chris Grayling.)

Amendment proposed, in line 7, at the end of the Question, to add `further recognises that tougher penalties are being implemented against those who commit knife crimes, including a rise in the proportion of those caught carrying knives getting custodial sentences; supports the expectation to prosecute for knife possession and doubling of the maximum sentence for carrying a knife in public from two to four years; recognises that the Government has backed tough police enforcement action in the Tackling Knives Action Programme areas, including increased use of stop and search, noting that there were nearly 200,000 stop and searches, resulting in the recovery of over 3,500 knives, between June 2008 and March 2009; welcomes the additional investment going to providing targeted youth activity, including on Friday and Saturday nights; and welcomes recent provisional NHS figures showing a reduction in hospital admissions of teenagers following assaults by sharp objects.'._(Secretary Alan Johnson.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made (Standing Order No. 31).

Question agreed to.

Main Question, as amended, put and agreed to.

Resolved, That this House believes that teenage knife crime and the increased incidence of carrying knives in many communities is one of the most critical social and law and order issues facing the country; welcomes the contribution made by the Home Affairs Select Committee in its Seventh Report, Session 2008^09, on Knife Crime, published on 2 June 2009; commends the work done by voluntary sector organisations like the Damilola Taylor Trust to tackle the problem; and expresses the belief that the solution to knife crime will only come from cross-community co-operation to address its root causes; further recognises that tougher penalties are being implemented against those who commit knife crimes, including a rise in the proportion of those caught carrying knives getting custodial sentences; supports the expectation to prosecute for knife possession and doubling of the maximum sentence for carrying a knife in public from two to four years; recognises that the Government has backed tough police enforcement action in the Tackling Knives Action Programme areas, including increased use of stop and search, noting that there were nearly 200,000 stop and searches, resulting in the recovery of over 3,500 knives, between June 2008 and March 2009; welcomes the additional investment going to providing targeted youth activity, including on Friday and Saturday nights; and welcomes recent provisional NHS figures showing a reduction in hospital admissions of teenagers following assaults by sharp objects.

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(2) Government Housing Policy

Motion made and Question proposed, That this House expresses disappointment at the minimal take-up of the Government's Homeowner Mortgage Support Scheme, Mortgage Rescue Scheme, many of the Homebuy schemes, and the facility for zero stamp duty for zero-carbon homes; notes that the Government's planning guidance on housing has led to a glut of flats, the destruction of gardens and a shortage of family homes; asserts that the lowest level of housebuilding since World War II exposes the failures of the Government's top-down and undemocratic regional planning process; believes that the Government's Home Information Packs have harmed the housing market further during the recession; regrets the Government's failure to publish a Housing Reform Green Paper; and registers disappointment at the rapid and regular change in housing ministers leading to the appointment of a fourth Housing Minister in less than 18 months._(Grant Shapps.)

Amendment moved, in line 1, to leave out from `House' to the end of the Question and add `notes that the Government has put in place comprehensive support to help households avoid repossession, that 220,000 households benefited from Support for Mortgage Interest last year, over 1,000 households have received free advice from their local authority each month since the launch of the Mortgage Rescue Scheme and many more are expected to benefit through the Homeowners Mortgage Support scheme and pre-action protocol; further notes that the Government has helped over 110,000 households into shared ownership and shared equity since 1997 and that demand for HomeBuy remains high; believes that the Government's zero-carbon homes policy is a ground-breaking contribution to the fight against climate change; notes that planning policy makes clear the need for more family homes and that the Government is reviewing the evidence on garden development; notes that the highest rate of housing supply since 1977 was reached in 2007^08 and that the Government has brought forward many measures to help the construction industry, most recently #1 billion in the 2009 Budget, including #400 million to unblock stalled development and #100 million for council house building; further notes that regional planning is open and transparent and that regional planning bodies are required to take into account housing need; believes there is no evidence that Home Information Packs have any adverse impact on the market; and further notes that the Government is pursuing reform of council housing finance and the private rented sector and has set up the Tenant Services Authority to raise standards by putting tenants at the heart of regulation.'._(John Healey.)

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. 144.

Ayes: 208 (Tellers: James Duddridge, Jeremy Wright).

Noes: 298 (Tellers: Mr John Heppell, Mr Bob Blizzard).

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, notes that the Government has put in place comprehensive support to help households avoid repossession, that 220,000 households benefited from Support for Mortgage Interest last year, over 1,000 households have received free advice from their local authority each month since the launch of the Mortgage Rescue Scheme and many more are expected to benefit through the Homeowners Mortgage Support scheme and pre-action protocol; further notes that the Government has helped over 110,000 households into shared ownership and shared equity since 1997 and that demand for HomeBuy remains high; believes that the Government's zero-carbon homes policy is a ground-breaking contribution to the fight against climate change; notes that planning policy makes clear the need for more family homes and that the Government is reviewing the evidence on garden development; notes that the highest rate of housing supply since 1977 was reached in 2007^08 and that the Government has brought forward many measures to help the construction industry, most recently #1 billion in the 2009 Budget, including #400 million to unblock stalled development and #100 million for council house building; further notes that regional planning is open and transparent and that regional planning bodies are required to take into account housing need; believes there is no evidence that Home Information Packs have any adverse impact on the market; and further notes that the Government is pursuing reform of council housing finance and the private rented sector and has set up the Tenant Services Authority to raise standards by putting tenants at the heart of regulation.

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4 Statutory Instruments: Motion for Approval

Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Probate Services (Approved Bodies) Order 2009, which was laid before this House on 6 May, be approved._(Ms Dawn Butler.)

Question agreed to.

5 Public Petitions

A Public Petition from Moreton in Marsh Resilience Group, and others relating to Flooding (Cotswolds) was presented and read by Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown.

A Public Petition from Paula Holt and others relating to Bridleways (Canvey Island) was presented and read by Bob Spink.

6 Adjournment

Subject: Detention of Aung San Suu Kyi (Mr Alistair Carmichael).

Motion made and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn._(Mr Frank Roy.)

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

[Adjourned at 10.49 pm until tomorrow. ]

Other proceedings

Lords Messages

7 Marine and Coastal Access Bill [Lords]

The Lords have passed a Bill to make provision in relation to marine functions and activities; to make provision about migratory and freshwater fish; to make provision for and in connection with the establishment of an English coastal walking route and of rights of access to land near the English coast; to enable the making of Assembly Measures in relation to Welsh coastal routes for recreational journeys and rights of access to land near the Welsh coast; to make further provision in relation to Natural England and the Countryside Council for Wales; to make provision in relation to works which are detrimental to navigation; to amend the Harbours Act 1964; and for connected purposes; to which they desire the agreement of the Commons.

First Reading and Printing of Lords Bills

8 Marine and Coastal Access Bill [Lords]

Bill read the first time; to be read a second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 108), with Explanatory Notes (Bill 108^EN).

General Committees: Reports

9 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill [Lords] Committee

Sir Nicholas Winterton (Chairman) reported:

That the Committee had come to the following Resolution, That, subject to the discretion of the Chair, any written evidence received by the Committee shall be reported to the House for publication.

10 Equality Bill

David Taylor (Chairman) reported written evidence submitted to the Committee.

Written evidence to be published.

11 Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [Lords] Committee

Mr David Amess (Chairman) reported:

(1) That the Committee had come to the following Resolution, That, subject to the discretion of the Chair, any written evidence received by the Committee shall be reported to the House for publication; and

(2) Written evidence.

Written evidence to be published.

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12 Third Delegated Legislation Committee

John Bercow (Chairman) reported the Travel Concessions (Eligible Services) (Amendment) Order 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 575).

13 European Committee A in respect of European Union Document No. 15910/08 and Addenda 1 and 2, relating to Minimum stocks of crude oil and/or petroleum products

Mr Gary Streeter (Chairman) reported the following Resolution:

That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 15910/08 and Addenda 1 and 2, draft Council Directive on Minimum stocks of crude oil and/or petroleum products; and supports the Government's approach to secure practical and proportionate legislation for oil stocking to ensure the availability of oil stocks in a crisis across EU Member States.

14 European Committee B in respect of European Union Document No. 5289/09, relating to External Service

Mr Clive Betts (Chairman) reported the following Resolution:

That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 5289/09, Commission Communication on The Development and Consolidation of the External Service: Implementation of Measures for 2008; and endorses the Government's policy of support for the developments to the European Commission's external service in 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).

15 Equality Bill Committee

Additional Chairmen: David Taylor and John Bercow.

16 Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [Lords] Committee

Members: Mr Sadiq Khan, Mr Peter Kilfoyle and Graham Stringer discharged and Barry Gardiner, Mr John Heppell and Sarah McCarthy-Fry nominated in substitution.

17 Third Delegated Legislation Committee (Travel Concessions (Eligible Services) (Amendment) Order 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 575))

Members: Paul Clark, Mr George Howarth and Mr Paul Truswell discharged and Mr Charles Clarke, Mr Sadiq Khan and Mr Tom Watson nominated in substitution.

18 European Committee A in respect of European Union Document No. 15910/08 and Addenda 1 and 2, relating to Minimum stock of crude oil and/or petroleum products

Members: Helen Goodman discharged and Mr John Spellar nominated in substitution.

19 European Committee B in respect of European Union Document No. 5289/09, relating to External Service

Members: Caroline Flint, Helen Goodman, Mr Lindsay Hoyle and Mr Anthony Steen discharged and Chris Bryant, Mr Ronnie Campbell, Mr James Clappison and Mr John Spellar nominated in substitution.

Reports from Select Committees

20 Culture, Media and Sport Committee

(1) Press standards, privacy and libel: Written evidence, to be published;

(2) The future for local and regional media: Written evidence, to be published

(Mr John Whittingdale).

21 Defence Committee

(1) Defence Support Group: Seventh 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 20 January (HC 120);

(2) Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts 2008^09: Government Response to the Fifth Report from the Committee, Session 2008^09: Second Special Report, to be printed (HC 534);

(3) The Comprehensive Approach: Evidence, to be printed (HC 523-i);

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(4) Russia: a new confrontation?: Written evidence, to be published

(Mr James Arbuthnot).

22 Environmental Audit Committee

Carbon Budgets: Evidence, to be printed (HC 616-i) (Mr Tim Yeo).

23 Home Affairs Committee

The Cocaine Trade: Evidence, to be printed (HC 639-i) (Keith Vaz).

24 Human Rights (Joint Committee on)

(1) Business and human rights: Evidence, to be printed (HC 559-ii);

(2) Counter-terrorism policy and human rights: Written evidence, to be published;

(3) Human rights of adults with learning disabilities: Written evidence, to be published;

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

(5) Policing and protest: Written evidence, to be published

(Mr Andrew Dismore).

25 Justice Committee

The role of the Prison Officer: Evidence, to be printed (HC 361-vi) (Sir Alan Beith).

26 Public Administration (Select Committee on)

(1) Good Government: Eighth Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report, and written evidence reported and ordered to be published on 15 July, 16 October and 26 November in the last Session of Parliament, 16 December, 15 January, 10 February, 26 March, and 2 April (HC 97-I and -II);

(2) Executive Pay in the Public Sector: Written evidence, to be published

(Dr Tony Wright).

27 Treasury Committee

Banking Crisis: International Dimensions:

(1) Evidence, to be printed, (HC 615-i);

(2) Written evidence, to be published

(John McFall).

28 Welsh Affairs Committee

(1) Proposed National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Social Welfare) Order 2009: Government Response to the Sixth Report from the Committee: Fifth Special Report, to be printed (HC 605);

(2) Ports in Wales: Evidence, to be printed (HC 601-ii); and

(3) The proposed National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Environment) Order 2009: Written evidence, to be published

(Dr Hywel Francis).

[WH, No. 55]  

Sitting in Westminster Hall

The sitting began at 9.30 am.

Subjects:

Manufacturing and employment (Mr Lindsay Hoyle).

Effect of council tax capping in Surrey in 2009^10 (Sir Paul Beresford).

Government preparedness for extreme solar events (Graham Stringer).

Home education (Mr Mark Field).

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Government policy on the islands of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs (Mr John Grogan).

Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned._(Mr Thomas McAvoy.)

[Adjourned at 1.57 pm until tomorrow. ]

APPENDIX

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1 Criminal Law

Draft Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (Violent Offender Orders) (Notification Requirements) Regulations 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Alan Johnson).

2 Identity Cards

(1) Draft Identity Cards Act 2006 (Application and Issue of ID Card and Notification of Changes) Regulations 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Alan Johnson); and

(2) draft Identity Cards Act 2006 (Prescribed Information) Regulations 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Alan Johnson).

3 Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism

Draft Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 (Foreign Travel Notification Requirements) Regulations 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Alan Johnson).

4 Terms and Conditions of Employment

Draft National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999 (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Mr Pat McFadden).

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

5 Government Trading Funds

FCO Services Trading Fund (Variation) Order 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 1362), dated 1 June 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary David Miliband).

6 Legal Services

Legal Services Act 2007 (Commencement No. 5, Transitory and Transitional Provisions) Order 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 1365), dated 3 June 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Jack Straw).

7 Local Government

Audit Commission for Local Authorities and the National Health Service in England (Specified Organisations) (England) Order 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 1360), dated 2 June 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary John Denham).

Other Papers:

8 Financial Reporting to Parliament

Departmental Report 2008^09 for the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (OFSTED) (by Command) (Cm. 7597) (Secretary Ed Balls).

9 Government Resources and Accounts

Report and Accounts of Commission for the Compact for 2008^09, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Statutory Instrument); to be printed (HC 536) (Tessa Jowell).

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10 Government Trading Funds

Report and Accounts of the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre for 2008^09, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act); to be printed (HC 574) (Clerk of the House).

11 Ministry of Justice

Ministry of Justice Minute, dated 8 June 2009, concerning a contingent liability for an indemnity for Regional Returning Officers and Local Returning Officers in the European Parliamentary Elections (by Command) (Secretary Jack Straw).

12 National Health Service

Report and Accounts of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust for 2008^09 (by Act) (Secretary Andy Burnham).

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