Commons Journal 266

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[No. 47 Monday 1 March 2010 ]

The house met at 2.30 pm.

PRAYERS.

1 Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

(2) the Minister for the Olympics

2 Bilingual Juries (Wales) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)

Hywel Williams presented a Bill to amend section 10 of the Juries Act 1974 to provide that in certain cases all members of a jury be bilingual in Welsh and English; and for connected purposes.

Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 23 April, and to be printed (Bill 76).

3 Registration of Births and Deaths (Welsh Language) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)

Hywel Williams presented a Bill to make provision about the registration of births and deaths where particulars are given in Welsh and English; to permit certificates of particulars of entries of registers of births and deaths to be in Welsh or English only in such circumstances; and for connected purposes.

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Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 23 April, and to be printed (Bill 77).

4 Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (Amendment) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)

Mr Andrew Dismore, supported by John Mann, Mr Denis MacShane and Mr Douglas Carswell, presented a Bill to amend the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985; and for connected purposes.

Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 5 March, and to be printed (Bill 78).

5 Opposition Day: Leader of the Opposition (4th Allotted Day_First Part (Standing Order No. 14))

(1) Government's Record on Defence

Motion made and Question proposed, That this House expresses its continued support for HM armed forces personnel and their families; notes that over 440 service personnel have been killed on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001; further notes that the armed forces have operated over the original planning assumptions for years; regrets that there has not been a Strategic Defence Review (SDR) since 1998; believes that the 1998 SDR was never fully funded and failed to provide proper equipment for the Iraq war; recognises that the Government failed to plan for post-conflict reconstruction in Iraq; further recognises the cut to the helicopter budget by #1.4 billion in 2004; is concerned about the cuts to the frigate and destroyer fleet from the 32 recommended in the 1998 SDR to 23; is further concerned by the failure to provide the Royal Air Force with a modern troop transport and air-to-air refuelling fleet; believes that the Government has presided over a failed procurement process; further believes that the Government has failed properly to fund the armed forces for wartime operations; and calls on the Government to acknowledge its failure to honour the Military Covenant._(Dr Liam Fox.)

Amendment moved, in line 3, to leave out from `2001' to the end of the Question and add `pays tribute to their sacrifice; believes that the 1998 Strategic Defence Review (SDR) and the updates that followed the September 2001 attacks on the US have provided a robust policy foundation for the modernisation of Britain's armed forces that has enabled them to take on successfully the many challenges they have faced over the past decade, including the major operations in Iraq and Afghanistan; notes that the Ministry of Defence has brought into service 31 new ships, 63 new multi-role fast jets, six large transport aircraft and 171 new helicopters and provided the Army with a wide range of new equipment it has required to succeed on operations; recognises that the defence budget has grown by more than 10 per cent. in real terms since the SDR and that an additional #14 billion has been provided by the Reserve for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan; and welcomes the steps that have been taken substantially to improve support, medical and welfare services for the armed forces.'._(Secretary Bob Ainsworth.)

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

The House divided.

Division No. 89.

Ayes: 208 (Tellers: Mr Philip Dunne, Mr John Baron).

Noes: 277 (Tellers: David Wright, Mr Dave Watts).

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 expresses its continued support for HM armed forces personnel and their families; notes that over 440 service personnel have been killed on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001; pays tribute to their sacrifice; believes that the 1998 Strategic Defence Review (SDR) and the updates that followed the September 2001 attacks on the US have provided a robust policy foundation for the modernisation of Britain's armed forces that has enabled them to take on successfully the many challenges they have faced over the past decade, including the major operations in Iraq and Afghanistan; notes that the Ministry of Defence has brought into service 31 new ships, 63 new multi-role fast jets, six large transport aircraft and 171 new helicopters and provided the Army with a wide range of new equipment it has required to succeed on operations; recognises that the defence budget has grown by more than 10 per cent. in real terms since the SDR and that an additional #14 billion has been provided by the Reserve for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan; and welcomes the steps that have been taken substantially to improve support, medical and welfare services for the armed forces.

6 Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism

Motion made and Question proposed, That the draft Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005 (Continuance in Force of Sections 1 to 9) Order 2010, which was laid before this House on 1 February, be approved._(Mr David Hanson.)

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One and a half hours after the start of proceedings on the Motion, the Deputy Speaker put the Question (Standing Order No. 16(1)).

The House divided.

Division No. 90.

Ayes: 206 (Tellers: Helen Jones, Mr George Mudie).

Noes: 85 (Tellers: John Hemming, Mr Adrian Sanders).

Question accordingly agreed to.

7 Social Security

Motion made and Question put, That the draft Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2010, which was laid before this House on 27 January, be approved._(Angela Eagle.)

The Speaker's opinion as to the decision of the Question was challenged.

Division deferred until Wednesday 3 March (Standing Order No. 41A).

8 Local Authorities (Overview and Scrutiny) Bill (Money)

Queen's Recommendation signified.

Ordered, That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Local Authorities (Overview and Scrutiny) Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of_

(1) any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State in consequence of the Act, and

(2) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable under any other Act out of money so provided._(Angela Eagle.)

9 Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval

(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Special Annual Allowance Charge (Variation of Rate) Order 2010, which was laid before this House on 5 January, be approved._(Mr George Mudie.)

Question agreed to.

(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2010, which were laid before this House on 20 January, be approved._(Mr George Mudie.)

Question agreed to.

(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Immigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) (Amendment) Order 2010, which was laid before this House on 20 January, be approved._(Mr George Mudie.)

Question agreed to.

(4) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Social Security (Loss of Benefit) Amendment Regulations 2010, which were laid before this House on 20 January, be approved._(Mr George Mudie.)

Question agreed to.

10 Estimates

Resolved, That this House agrees with the Report (24 February) of the Liaison Committee._(Mr George Mudie.)

11 Public Petitions

A Public Petition from staff working in Parliament relating to Bellamy's Bar Closure was presented and read by Mr Christopher Chope.

A Public Petition from People of Croydon relating to Extra gritting (NHS Savings) was presented and read by Mr Andrew Pelling.

12 Adjournment

Subject: Warm Front Scheme and the case of Mr D. R. Smith of Thatcham (Mr Richard Benyon).

Resolved, That this House do now adjourn._(Mr George Mudie.)

[Adjourned at 10.47 pm until tomorrow. ]

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Other proceedings

Lords Messages

13 Third Parties (Rights against Insurers) Bill [Lords]

The Lords have passed a Bill to make provision about the rights of third parties against insurers of liabilities to third parties in the case where the insured is insolvent, and in certain other cases; to which they desire the agreement of the Commons.

First reading and printing of Lords Bills

14 Third Parties (Rights against Insurers) Bill [Lords]

Bill read the first time; to be read a second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 79), with Explanatory Notes (Bill 79-EN).

Bill stood referred to a Second Reading Committee.

General Committees: Reports

15 First Delegated Legislation Committee

Mr Gary Streeter (Chairman) reported the draft Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) Order 2010.

16 Second Delegated Legislation Committee

Mr Peter Atkinson (Chairman) reported the draft Field Allowance for New Oil Fields Order 2010.

17 Third Delegated Legislation Committee

Bob Russell (Chairman) reported the Code of Audit Practice 2010 for local NHS bodies and the Code of Audit Practice 2010 for local government bodies.

18 European Committee B in respect of Unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum dated 3 December 2009 and European Union Documents No. 16275/09 and No. 16462/09, relating to European Defence Agency Activity in 2009 and 2010

Mr Nigel Evans (Chairman) reported the following Resolution:

That the Committee takes note of Unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum dated 3 December 2009, Report by the Head of the European Defence Agency to the Council on activities in 2009, and European Union Documents No. 16275/09, European Defence Agency document on Three year financial framework 2010-2012, postponement and 2010 Budget adoption and No. 16462/09, European Defence Agency Guidelines for the Agency's work in 2010; and supports the Government's aim of ensuring that the EDA is used to deliver enhanced military capability across the EU.

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).

19 First Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) Order 2010)

Members: Jim Cousins, Paul Farrelly, Ruth Kelly and Mr Brooks Newmark discharged and Mr Tom Harris, Mr Virendra Sharma, Jim Sheridan and Mr Rob Wilson nominated in substitution.

20 Second Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Field Allowance for New Oil Fields Order 2010)

Members: Ms Patricia Hewitt and Kitty Ussher discharged and Colin Burgon and Mr Michael Clapham nominated in substitution.

21 Third Delegated Legislation Committee (Code of Audit Practice 2010 for local NHS bodies and the Code of Audit Practice 2010 for local government bodies)

Members: Mark Fisher, Julia Goldsworthy and Mr Alan Meale discharged and Mr William Bain, John Hemming and Sir Peter Soulsby nominated in substitution.

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22 Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft European Union (Definition of Treaties) (Stabilisation and Association Agreement) (Bosnia and Herzegovina) Order 2010)

Chairman: Mr Edward O'Hara in place of Mr Eric Martlew.

European Committees: Appointments

23 European Committee B in respect of European Union Documents Nos. 16275/09, 16462/09 and Unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum dated 3 December 2009, relating to European Defence Agency activity in 2009 and 2010

Members: Mr Robert Flello and Mr Dai Havard discharged and Mr Gordon Prentice and Malcolm Wicks nominated in substitution.

24 European Committee B in respect of Unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum dated 19 January 2010 relating to the Council Decision on a European Union military mission to contribute to the training of Somali Security Forces

Members: Mr Edward Davey discharged and Mr Mark Oaten nominated in substitution.

General Committees: Appointments

25 Local Authorities (Overview and Scrutiny) Bill Committee

Chairman: Mrs Joan Humble.

European Union Documents Referred

26 European Committee B

European Union Document No. 5770/10, relating to the Council Decision on a European Union military mission to contribute to the training of Somali Security Forces, has been referred to European Committee B in place of Unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum dated 19 January 2010, submitted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, referred on 20 January 2010.

Reports from Select Committees

27 Children, Schools and Families Committee

Young people not in education, employment or training: Evidence, to be printed (HC 316-v) (Mr Barry Sheerman).

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

Written evidence, to be published (Sir Menzies Campbell).

29 Public Accounts (Committee of)

(1) Regenerating the English Coalfields: Sixteenth Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 247);

(2) The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: Venture capital support to small businesses: Seventeenth Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 271);

(3) Adapting the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's global estate to the modern world: Evidence, to be printed (HC 417-i)

(Mr Edward Leigh).

30 Science and Technology Committee

The disclosure of climate data from the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia:

(i) Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee, to be printed (HC 387-i);

(ii) Written evidence, to be published

(Mr Phil Willis).

31 West Midlands Regional Select Committee

Planning for the Future: Housing and Economic Development in the West Midlands: Evidence, to be printed (HC 421-i) (Richard Burden).

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APPENDIX

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1 Building Societies

Draft Building Societies (Financial Assistance) Order 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Sarah McCarthy-Fry).

2 Constitutional Law

Draft National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Housing and Local Government) Order 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mr Secretary Hain).

3 Pensions

Draft Pensions Regulator (Contribution Notices) (Sum Specified following Transfer) Regulations 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Yvette Cooper).

4 Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism

Draft Terrorism Act 2000 (Proscribed Organisations) (Amendment) Order 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Alan Johnson).

5 Value Added Tax

Value Added Tax (Buildings and Land) Order 2010 (S.I., 2010, No. 485), dated 1 March 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Stephen Timms).

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

6 Civil Partnership

Registration of Civil Partnerships (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2010 (S.I., 2010, No. 440), dated 24 February 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Alan Johnson).

7 Court of Judicature, Northern Ireland

Rules of the Court of Judicature (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) 2010 (S.R. (N.I.), 2010, No. 49), dated 24 February 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Jack Straw).

8 Disabled Persons

(1) Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Applications for Exemption Orders) Regulations 2010 (S.I., 2010, No. 427), dated 23 February 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mr Sadiq Khan); and

(2) Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) Regulations 2010 (S.I., 2010, No. 432), dated 23 February 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Mr Sadiq Khan).

9 Food

(1) Fish Labelling (England) Regulations 2010 (S.I., 2010, No. 420), dated 23 February 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Andy Burnham);

(2) Healthy Start Scheme and Welfare Food (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (S.I., 2010, No. 434), dated 23 February 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Andy Burnham); and

(3) Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (S.I., 2010, No. 433), dated 23 February 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Andy Burnham).

10 Health Care and Associated Professions

(1) General Medical Council (Applications for General Practice and Specialist Registration) Regulations Order of Council 2010 (S.I., 2010, No. 475), dated 24 February 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Andy Burnham);

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(2) General Medical Council (Constitution of Panels and Investigation Committee) (Amendment) Rules Order of Council 2010 (S.I., 2010, No. 474), dated 24 February 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Andy Burnham);

(3) General Medical Council (Registration Appeals Panels Procedure) Rules Order of Council 2010 (S.I., 2010, No. 476), dated 24 February 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Andy Burnham);

(4) Health Professions Council (Registration and Fees) (Amendment) Rules Order of Council 2010 (S.I., 2010, No. 479), dated 24 February 2010 (by Statutory Instrument), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Andy Burnham); and

(5) Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Order of Council 2010 (S.I., 2010, No. 473), dated 24 February 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Andy Burnham).

11 National Health Service

NHS Professionals Special Health Authority (Abolition) Order 2010 (S.I., 2010, No. 425), dated 22 February 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Andy Burnham).

12 Public Passenger Transport

Travel Concessions (Eligibility) (England) Order 2010 (S.I., 2010, No. 459), dated 24 February 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Mr Sadiq Khan).

13 Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages, etc.

Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Fees) Order 2010 (S.I., 2010, No. 441), dated 24 February 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Alan Johnson).

14 Social Security

(1) Social Security (Notification of Changes of Circumstances) Regulations 2010 (S.I., 2010, No. 444), dated 23 February 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Yvette Cooper); and

(2) Social Security (Persons Serving a Sentence of Imprisonment Detained in Hospital) Regulations 2010 (S.I., 2010, No. 442), dated 23 February 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Yvette Cooper).

15 Value Added Tax

Value Added Tax (Construction of Buildings) Order 2010 (S.I., 2010, No. 486), dated 1 March 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Stephen Timms).

Other Papers:

16 Legal Services

Impact Assessment to the Legal Services Act 2007 (Levy) Rules 2010 (S.I., 2010, No. 213) (laid 5 February) (by Command) (Secretary Jack Straw).

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