Commons Journal 265

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[No. 136 Thursday 12 November 2009 ]

The house met at 10.30 am.

PRAYERS.

1 Private Business: Canterbury City Council Bill: Third Reading

Ordered, That the Bill be read the third time tomorrow.

2 Private Business: Nottingham City Council Bill: Third Reading

Ordered, That the Bill be read the third time tomorrow.

3 Private Business: Bournemouth Borough Council Bill [Lords]: Consideration

Ordered, That the Bill be considered tomorrow.

4 Private Business: Manchester City Council Bill [Lords]: Consideration

Ordered, That the Bill be considered tomorrow.

5 Private Business: Leeds City Council Bill: Consideration

Ordered, That the Bill be considered tomorrow.

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6 Private Business: Reading Borough Council Bill: Consideration

Ordered, That the Bill be considered tomorrow.

7 Private Bills [Lords] (Suspension): City of Westminster Bill [Lords]

Motion made, That so much of the Lords Message (12 October) as relates to the City of Westminster Bill [Lords] be now considered._(Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.)

Objection taken (Standing Order No. 20(2)).

Ordered, That the Message be considered tomorrow.

8 Private Bills [Lords] (Suspension): Bournemouth Borough Council Bill [Lords]

Motion made, That the promoters of the Bournemouth Borough Council Bill, which was originally introduced in the House of Lords in Session 2006^07 on 22 January 2007, should have leave to suspend any further proceedings on the Bill in order to proceed with it, if they think fit, in the next Session of Parliament according to the provisions of Private Business Standing Order 188A (Suspension of bills)._(Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.)

Objection taken (Standing Order No. 20(2)).

9 Private Bills [Lords] (Suspension): Manchester City Council Bill [Lords]

Motion made, That the promoters of the Manchester City Council Bill, which was originally introduced in the House of Lords in Session 2006^07 on 22 January 2007, should have leave to suspend any further proceedings on the Bill in order to proceed with it, if they think fit, in the next Session of Parliament according to the provisions of Private Business Standing Order 188A (Suspension of bills)._(Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.)

Objection taken (Standing Order No. 20(2)).

10 Private Bills (Suspension): Canterbury City Council Bill

Motion made, That the promoters of the Canterbury City Council Bill, which was originally introduced in this House in the previous Session on 22 January 2008, should have leave to suspend any further proceedings on the Bill in order to proceed with it, if they think fit, in the next Session of Parliament according to the provisions of Private Business Standing Order 188A (Suspension of bills)._(Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.)

Objection taken (Standing Order No. 20(2)).

11 Private Bills (Suspension): Leeds City Council Bill

Ordered, That the promoters of the Leeds City Council Bill, which was originally introduced in this House in the previous Session on 22 January 2008, should have leave to suspend any further proceedings on the Bill in order to proceed with it, if they think fit, in the next Session of Parliament according to the provisions of Private Business Standing Order 188A (Suspension of bills)._(Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.)

12 Private Bills (Suspension): Nottingham City Council Bill

Motion made, That the promoters of the Nottingham City Council Bill, which was originally introduced in this House in the previous Session on 22 January 2008, should have leave to suspend any further proceedings on the Bill in order to proceed with it, if they think fit, in the next Session of Parliament according to the provisions of Private Business Standing Order 188A (Suspension of bills)._(Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.)

Objection taken (Standing Order No. 20(2)).

13 Private Bills (Suspension): Reading Borough Council Bill

Ordered, That the promoters of the Reading Borough Council Bill, which was originally introduced in this House in the previous Session on 22 January 2008, should have leave to suspend any further proceedings on the Bill in order to proceed with it, if they think fit, in the next Session of Parliament according to the provisions of Private Business Standing Order 188A (Suspension of bills)._(Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.)

14 Questions to the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

15 Urgent Question: First Capital Connect Services (Chris Mole)

16 Coroners and Justice Bill: Consideration of Lords Message

Lords Amendment 1B

Amendment (a) moved to the Lords Amendment._(Mr Dominic Grieve.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made.

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The House divided.

Division No. 248.

Ayes: 186 (Tellers: Michael Fabricant, Jeremy Wright).

Noes: 243 (Tellers: Mark Tami, Steve McCabe).

Question accordingly negatived.

Lords Amendment agreed to.

Resolved, That this House does not insist on its disagreement with the Lords in their Amendments 59, 119, 121, 236 and 239._(Secretary Jack Straw.)

17 Policing and Crime Bill (Programme) (No. 3)

Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83A(7)), That the following provisions shall apply to the Policing and Crime Bill for the purpose of supplementing the Orders of 19 January and 19 May 2009 (Policing and Crime Bill (Programme) and Policing and Crime Bill (Programme) (No. 2)):

Consideration of Lords Amendments

1. Proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion two hours after their commencement at this day's sitting.

Subsequent stages

2. Any further Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question being put.

3. The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement._(Mr Dave Watts.)

Question agreed to.

18 Policing and Crime Bill: Consideration of Lords Amendments

Lords Amendments 1 to 88 agreed to.

19 Suspension of sitting

The Deputy Speaker suspended the sitting, pursuant to Order (9 November).

20 Public Petitions

A Public Petition from constituents of Dr Vincent Cable, MP for Twickenham, relating to Sri Lanka was presented by Dr Vincent Cable.

21 Message to attend the Lords Commissioners,_A Message from the Lords Commissioners was delivered by the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod.

Mr Speaker,

The Lords, authorised by virtue of Her Majesty's Commission, for declaring Her Royal Assent to several Acts agreed upon by both Houses, and for proroguing the present Parliament, desire the immediate attendance of this Honourable House in the House of Peers, to hear the Commission read.

Accordingly the Speaker, with the House, went up to the House of Peers, where a Commission was read, giving, declaring and notifying the Royal Assent to the following Acts, and for proroguing this present Parliament.

The Royal Assent was given to the following Acts:_

Law Commission Act 2009

Autism Act 2009

Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) Act 2009

Driving Instruction (Suspension and Exemption Powers) Act 2009

Perpetuities and Accumulations Act 2009

Green Energy (Definition and Promotion) Act 2009

Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009

Health Act 2009

Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009

Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009

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Welfare Reform Act 2009

Coroners and Justice Act 2009

Policing and Crime Act 2009

And afterwards Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech was delivered to both Houses of Parliament by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (in pursuance of Her Majesty's Command), as follows:

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons

My Government's overriding priority has been to help families and businesses through difficult global economic times. My Government remains committed to delivering a fair and prosperous economy.

The strength of the financial sector is vital to the future vibrancy of the economy. Therefore, legislation has been enacted to ensure fairer and more secure protection for bank depositors and to improve the resilience of the financial sector.

Legislation has been enacted to create Saving Gateway Accounts to encourage people on lower incomes to save more by offering financial incentives.

Legislation has been enacted to promote local economic development and to create greater opportunities for community and individual involvement in local decision-making. An Act has been passed to increase financial support to industry and to widen the support offered to exporters.

An Act has been passed to reform the welfare system, to increase the requirement for people to move from benefits towards sustained employment and to provide greater support, choice and control for disabled people.

My Government has remained committed to protecting the public and ensuring the nation's safety.

An Act has been passed to increase the effectiveness and public accountability of policing, to reduce crime and disorder and to enhance airport security.

An Act has been passed to deliver a more effective, transparent and responsive justice system for victims, witnesses and the wider public. The Act will improve the coroners service, and the process of death certification, to provide an increased focus on bereaved families, including the families of servicemen and women.

Legislation has been enacted to strengthen border controls, by bringing together customs and immigration powers. The Act will also ensure that newcomers to the United Kingdom earn the right to stay.

My Government has remained committed to ensuring everyone has a fair chance in life. Legislation has been brought forward to promote equality, fight discrimination and introduce transparency in the workplace to help address the difference in pay between men and women.

My Government has brought forward legislation to enshrine in law its commitment to eradicate child poverty by 2020.

Because the health of the nation is vital to its success and well-being, an Act has been passed to strengthen the National Health Service. The Act creates a duty to take account of the new National Health Service Constitution that sets out the core principles of the Service and the rights and responsibilities of patients and staff. The Act also introduces measures to improve the quality of health care and public health.

An Act has been passed to reform education, training and apprenticeships, to promote excellence in all schools, to improve local services for children and parents and to provide a right for employees to request time for training.

My Government has continued to take forward proposals on constitutional reform, including strengthening the role of Parliament. Legislation has been enacted to strengthen the regulation and enhance the transparency of party finance and expenditure.

An Act has been passed to create an independent authority to regulate and administer the allowances of Members of Parliament.

Legislation has been enacted to manage marine resources and to create a new right of public access to the coastline.

My Government has continued to work closely with the devolved administrations in the interests of all the people of the United Kingdom. My Government remains committed to the Northern Ireland political process and has brought forward further measures for sustainable, devolved government.

Members of the House of Commons

I thank you for the provision you have made for the work and dignity of the Crown and for the public service.

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My Lords and Members of the House of Commons

My Government has worked towards European action on economic stability, on climate change, on energy, enlargement and security.

My Government has worked for a coordinated international response to the global downturn, including by hosting the G20 Summit on financial markets and the world economy in April. My Government has continued to work as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, including at its sixtieth anniversary summit.

My Government has continued to press for a comprehensive peace settlement in the Middle East, for continued progress in Iraq and for effective measures to address international concerns over Iran's nuclear programme.

My Government has continued to work with the Governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan for security, stability and prosperity.

The Duke of Edinburgh and I were pleased to receive President Caldero«n of the United Mexican States and President Patil of the Republic of India.

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons

I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.

After which the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said:

By virtue of Her Majesty's Commission which has now been read, we do, in Her Majesty's name, and in obedience to Her Majesty's Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Wednesday the eighteenth day of November to be then here holden, and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Wednesday the eighteenth day of November.

Other proceedings

Lords Messages

22 Marine and Coastal Access Bill

The Lords agree, without Amendment, to the Amendments made by the Commons to the Marine and Coastal Access Bill.

23 Welfare Reform Bill

The Lords do not insist on their Amendment to the Welfare Reform Bill to which the Commons have disagreed and agree, without Amendment, to the Amendment made by the Commons in lieu thereof and to the consequential Amendment which the Commons have proposed.

Report from the Committee of the whole House

24 Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill

The Chairman of Ways and Means, pursuant to Order (20 October), reported that the Committee of the whole House had gone through the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill, in respect of Clauses 1 to 20 and 33 to 52 and Schedules 1, 2 and 5 to 9 and related new Clauses and new Schedules.

Bill, as so far amended, to lie upon the Table.

Select Committees: Formal Minutes

25 Select Committees (publication of Formal Minutes)

Ordered, That the Formal Minutes of the following select committees be published:

Committee on Issue of Privilege (Police Searches on Parliamentary Estate)

Committee on Standards and Privileges

Reports from Select Committees

26 Culture, Media and Sport Committee

Press standards, privacy and libel: Written evidence, to be published (Mr John Whittingdale).

27 Health Committee

Social Care: Evidence, to be printed (HC 1021-iii) (Mr Kevin Barron).

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28 Reform of the House of Commons (Select Committee on)

Rebuilding the House: First Report, with written evidence, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 1117) (Dr Tony Wright).

[WH, No. 88]  

Sitting in Westminster Hall

The sitting began at 2.30 pm.

Subject: Third Report from the Health Committee, on Health Inequalities, and the Government response.

Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned._(Mr Dave Watts.)

[Adjourned at 4.32 pm. ]

APPENDIX

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1 Limited Liability Partnerships

Limited Liability Partnerships (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 2995), dated 11 November 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mr Pat McFadden).

2 Public Procurement

Public Contracts (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 2992), dated 11 November 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Ian Pearson).

3 Transport

(1) Rail Passengers' Rights and Obligations (Exemptions) Regulations 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 2970), dated 8 November 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mr Sadiq Khan); and

(2) Railway Closures (Minor Modifications) Order 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 2973), dated 8 November 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mr Sadiq Khan).

Other Papers:

4 Business, Innovation and Skills

Government Response to the New Automotive Innovation and Growth Team Report (by Command) (Cm. 7720) (Mr Pat McFadden).

5 Home Office

(1) Draft Immigration Bill (by Command) (Cm. 7666) (Secretary Alan Johnson); and

(2) Simplifying Immigration Law: The Draft Immigration Bill (by Command) (Cm. 7730) (Secretary Alan Johnson).

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