No. 23

The House met at 2.30 pm.

PRAYERS.

1 Questions to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

2 Statement: Lindsey Oil Refinery (Mr Pat McFadden)

3 Opposition Day: Leader of the second largest opposition party (3rd allotted day (Standing Order No. 14))

    (1) Government Capital Expenditure During the Recession

    Motion made and Question proposed, That this House notes that the International Monetary Fund believes that the UK will suffer the worst economic contraction among advanced countries; notes with alarm that the Pre-Budget Report 2008 announced an effective 16.5 per cent. decrease in public sector net investment from 2012-13; further notes with concern that the Learning and Skills Council has decided to halt funding decisions for college rebuilding; expresses concern that there are currently 1.77 million people on the social housing waiting list, an increase of 100,000 on last year; further notes that only £400 million has been brought forward out of £8 billion to spend on social housing; notes how little investment the Government has made to ensure that homes are energy-efficient and well-insulated; believes that the Government has neglected the current opportunity to invest in expanding the rail network; and calls on the Government to immediately bring forward funding for capital projects, particularly for schools, colleges, social housing, public transport and environmental works, all of which will create assets for the taxpayer and generate future income as well as countering recession in the short run.—(Dr Vincent Cable.)

    Amendment moved, in line 1, to leave out from 'House' to the end of the Question and add 'notes the substantial investment over the last decade in frontline public services in every region of the country; notes that the Government paid down debt over the last 10 years, reducing it from 42.5 per cent. to 36 per cent. of GDP over the last economic cycle, before the global credit crunch hit Britain; further notes that public sector net investment was only 0.6 per cent. of GDP in 1997-98 but was 2.1 per cent. of GDP by 2007-08, supporting sustained increases in investment in schools, hospitals and other key public services; welcomes the action the Government has taken in response to the international financial crisis both to support financial stability and to provide help for people and businesses at the time when they need it most; notes that to support the economy in the short term the Government's fiscal stimulus includes public sector net investment rising to 2.7 per cent. of GDP by 2009-10 and a value added tax cut putting over £12 billion into the economy throughout 2009; further notes the Pre-Budget Report 2008 measures to bring forward £3 billion of capital investment from 2010-11 to 2008-09 and 2009-10 which will support a number of different industries and jobs and directly improve key public services including schools, transport projects and social housing; welcomes the Government's commitment to ensuring that the overall level of capital spending is sustainable and protects investment in public services; and believes that action now to support the economy will enable Britain to take advantage of opportunities arising as global growth resumes.'.—(Mr Stephen Timms.)

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

    Mr Paul Burstow 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. 27.

Ayes: 44 (Tellers: Mr Adrian Sanders, Bob Russell).

Noes: 229 (Tellers: Mr Dave Watts, Mark Tami).

    Question accordingly negatived.

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

    Question agreed to.

    Main Question, as amended, put and agreed to.

    Resolved, That this House notes the substantial investment over the last decade in frontline public services in every region of the country; notes that the Government paid down debt over the last 10 years, reducing it from 42.5 per cent. to 36 per cent. of GDP over the last economic cycle, before the global credit crunch hit Britain; further notes that public sector net investment was only 0.6 per cent. of GDP in 1997-98 but was 2.1 per cent. of GDP by 2007-08, supporting sustained increases in investment in schools, hospitals and other key public services; welcomes the action the Government has taken in response to the international financial crisis both to support financial stability and to provide help for people and businesses at the time when they need it most; notes that to support the economy in the short term the Government's fiscal stimulus includes public sector net investment rising to 2.7 per cent. of GDP by 2009-10 and a value added tax cut putting over £12 billion into the economy throughout 2009; further notes the Pre-Budget Report 2008 measures to bring forward £3 billion of capital investment from 2010-11 to 2008-09 and 2009-10 which will support a number of different industries and jobs and directly improve key public services including schools, transport projects and social housing; welcomes the Government's commitment to ensuring that the overall level of capital spending is sustainable and protects investment in public services; and believes that action now to support the economy will enable Britain to take advantage of opportunities arising as global growth resumes.

    (2) Standards of Conduct in Parliament and Constitutional Reform

    Motion made and Question proposed, That this House believes that the United Kingdom needs and deserves a Parliament that is fit for purpose and free from the taint of partial interests; is dismayed by the slow pace of reform which has failed to deal effectively with the opportunities for abuse; welcomes the suggestions from Liberal Democrat members of the House of Lords to introduce powers to suspend and expel Members of that House, require Peers to declare any interest in all legislation, make all Members of that House resident in the United Kingdom for tax purposes, put the Lords Appointments Commission on a statutory basis, bring Members of both Houses into the remit of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, and tighten up on the issuing of passes to Parliament; believes however that there is now an urgent need to bring forward plans for an elected House as agreed by a majority of hon. Members; is concerned at the lack of progress on the Prime Minister's constitutional renewal programme; is disappointed that current legislation fails to provide for limits on donations or spending by political parties; calls for urgent and effective action to reduce parties' dependence on large donors and trade union interests; believes that comprehensive reform of the procedures of the House is essential to enable it to scrutinise Government and the spending of taxpayers' money more effectively; and recognises the need for urgent action to restore the trust of the British public in Parliament as an institution and in politics as a profession.—(Mr David Heath.)

    Amendment moved, in line 1, to leave out from 'House' to the end of the Question and add 'believes that all Members of both Houses of Parliament should uphold the highest standards in public life, should be UK residents for tax purposes and should face the toughest sanctions if they undermine Parliament's reputation; notes that the Government has taken significant steps to strengthen probity in the political system, including the revised Ministerial Code in July 2007 and the appointment of an independent adviser on Ministerial interests and the creation of the independent Electoral Commission; notes the inquiries established by the Leader of the House of Lords; further notes that this House has a clear code of conduct governing hon. Members and has adopted tough new rules on Members' allowances, a new requirement to declare and register any family members employed by hon. Members, a robust new audit system which will see the independent National Audit Office carrying out a full-scope audit of Members' expenditure and a transparent system of publication of details of their expenses; supports the Prime Minister's commitment to further constitutional reform as outlined in the Governance of Britain, including the dissolution and recall of Parliament and the power to declare war and to ratify treaties; notes the pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Constitutional Renewal Bill by the Joint Committee; notes that the Political Parties and Elections Bill proposes to restrict political spending, bring greater transparency to political funding and strengthen the Electoral Commission as an effective regulator; and hopes that all parties engage constructively in developing a consensual approach to political party finance.'.—(Chris Bryant.)

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

    The House divided.

    Division No. 28.

Ayes: 47 (Tellers: Mr Martin Horwood, Dan Rogerson).

Noes: 221 (Tellers: Ms Dawn Butler, Ian Lucas).

    Question accordingly negatived.

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

    Question agreed to.

    Main Question, as amended, put and agreed to.

    Resolved, That this House believes that all Members of both Houses of Parliament should uphold the highest standards in public life, should be UK residents for tax purposes and should face the toughest sanctions if they undermine Parliament's reputation; notes that the Government has taken significant steps to strengthen probity in the political system, including the revised Ministerial Code in July 2007 and the appointment of an independent adviser on Ministerial interests and the creation of the independent Electoral Commission; notes the inquiries established by the Leader of the House of Lords; further notes that this House has a clear code of conduct governing hon. Members and has adopted tough new rules on Members' allowances, a new requirement to declare and register any family members employed by hon. Members, a robust new audit system which will see the independent National Audit Office carrying out a full-scope audit of Members' expenditure and a transparent system of publication of details of their expenses; supports the Prime Minister's commitment to further constitutional reform as outlined in the Governance of Britain, including the dissolution and recall of Parliament and the power to declare war and to ratify treaties; notes the pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Constitutional Renewal Bill by the Joint Committee; notes that the Political Parties and Elections Bill proposes to restrict political spending, bring greater transparency to political funding and strengthen the Electoral Commission as an effective regulator; and hopes that all parties engage constructively in developing a consensual approach to political party finance.

4 Social Security

    Ordered, That the Employment and Support Allowance (Up-rating Modification) (Transitional) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 3270), dated 18 December 2008, be referred to a Delegated Legislation Committee.—(Chris Mole.)

5 Public Petitions

    A Public Petition from Samantha Mitchell and local residents relating to Traffic Management (Essex) was presented and read by Dr Bob Spink.

6 Adjournment

    Subject: Preservation, protection and development in Eastham (Ben Chapman)

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

Adjourned at 9.45 pm until tomorrow.

_________________

Other proceedings

General Committees: Reports

7 First Delegated Legislation Committee

    Mrs Joan Humble (Chairman) reported the draft Open-Ended Investment Companies (Amendment) Regulations 2009 and the draft Unit Trusts (Electronic Communications) Order 2009.

8 European Committee B in respect of European Union Document No. 15455/08 relating to the Enlargement Strategy 2008-09

    Mr David Wilshire (Chairman) reported the following Resolution:

    That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 15455/08, Commission Communication: Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges 2008-09; and supports the Government's policy that Turkey, Croatia and all the countries of the Western Balkans should be able to join the EU when they meet the criteria.

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).

9 First Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Open-Ended Investment Companies (Amendment) Regulations 2009 and the draft Unit Trusts (Electronic Communications) Order 2009

    Members: Celia Barlow discharged and John Robertson nominated in substitution.

10 European Committee B in respect of European Union Document No. 15455/08 relating to Enlargement Strategy 2008-09

    Mr Fabian Hamilton, Mr Brian Jenkins, Mr Alan Meale and Dan Norris discharged and Mrs Ann Cryer, Mr Robert Flello, Barry Gardiner and Andrew Miller nominated in substitution.

Reports from Select Committees

11 Public Accounts (Committee of)

    (1) Widening Participation in higher education: Fourth Report, with written evidence, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 226);

    2) Programmes to reduce household energy consumption: Fifth Report, with written evidence, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 228);

    (3) The procurement of goods and services by HM Prison Services: Sixth Report, with written evidence, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 71);

    (4) Financial Management in the NHS: Report on the NHS Summarised Accounts 2007-08: Evidence, to be printed (HC 225-i)

    (Mr Edward Leigh).

12 Work and Pensions Committee

    Equality Bill: What steps should DWP take to achieve greater equality?: Evidence, to be printed (HC 158-ii) (Mr Terry Rooney).

Michael J. Martin

Speaker

Mr Speaker will take the Chair at 2.30 pm.

APPENDIX

Papers presented and delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 30 January 2009 under Standing Order No. 159:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1 Tribunals and Inquiries

    Contracting Out (Administrative Work of Tribunals) Order 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 121), dated 22 January 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Jack Straw).

Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 2 February 2009

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

2 Environmental Protection

    Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) Regulations 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 153), dated 29 January 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Hilary Benn).

3 National Health Service

    National Health Service (Functions of Strategic Health Authorities and Primary Care Trusts and Administration Arrangements) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (S.I., 2009, No. 112), dated 26 January 2009 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Alan Johnson).

Other Papers:

4 National Audit

    (1) Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Cabinet Office: Assessment of the Capability Review programme (by Act); to be printed (HC 123) (Clerk of the House); and

    (2) Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on the Warm Front Scheme (by Act); to be printed (HC 126) (Clerk of the House).