House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Wednesday
17th November 2010

No. 72

Wednesday 17 November 2010

The House met at 11.30 am.

PRAYERS.

1 Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for International Development

(2) the Prime Minister

2 Urgent Question: Finance Ministers meeting (Ireland) (Mark Hoban)

3 Onshore Wind Turbines (Proximity of Habitation): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)

Motion made and Question proposed, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to give powers to local planning authorities to specify the minimum distances permissible between onshore wind turbines of certain dimensions and the nearest habitation; and for connected purposes.-(Chris Heaton-Harris.)

Motion opposed (Standing Order No. 23(1)).

Question put, and agreed to.

Ordered, That Chris Heaton-Harris, Andrew Percy, Sarah Newton, Natascha Engel, Matthew Hancock, Nigel Adams, Karen Lumley, Alec Shelbrooke, Andrea Leadsom, Mark Pawsey, Mr Richard Bacon and Andrew Griffiths present the Bill.

Chris Heaton-Harris accordingly presented the Bill.

Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 10 June 2011, and to be printed (Bill 108).

4 Opposition Day: Leader of the Opposition (6th allotted day (Standing Order No. 14))

(1) Funding and the top-down reorganisation of the NHS

Motion made and Question put, That this House believes that the Government is pursuing a reform agenda in health that represents an ideological gamble with successful services and has failed to honour the pledges made in the Coalition Agreement to provide real-terms increases each year to health funding; further believes that the Government is failing to honour its pledge in the Coalition Agreement by forcing the NHS in England through a high-cost, high-risk internal reorganisation as set out in the health White Paper; is concerned that the combination of a real cut to funding for NHS healthcare and the £3 billion reorganisation planned by the Secretary of State for Health will put the NHS under great pressure and that services to patients will suffer; supports the aims of increasing clinician involvement and improving patient care, but is concerned that the Government’s plans will lead to a less consistent, reliable and responsive health service for patients which is also more inefficient, secretive and fragmented; and calls on the Secretary of State for Health to listen to the warnings from patients’ groups, health professionals and NHS experts and to rethink and put the White Paper reforms on hold, so that in this period of financial constraint the efforts of all in the NHS can be dedicated to improving patient care and making sound efficiency savings that are reused for frontline NHS services.-(John Healey.)

The House divided.

Division No. 120.

Ayes: 239 (Tellers: Lilian Greenwood, Jonathan Reynolds).

Noes: 317 (Tellers: Mr Shailesh Vara, Jeremy Wright).

Question accordingly negatived.

(2) Funding and schools reform

Motion made and Question proposed, That this House believes that the Government is pursuing a reform agenda in education that represents an ideological gamble with successful services and has failed to honour the pledges made to deliver a pupil premium on top of a protected schools budget, and to deliver protected schools funding per pupil; is concerned that schools in deprived areas will lose out from the new funding mechanism; notes the unprecedented cuts of 60 per cent. to the schools capital budget, and is deeply concerned at the impact this will have on children, families and communities; supports empowerment of parents and their involvement in school planning but is concerned over a lack of accountability in the setting up of new schools under Government plans; is further concerned that this model will not represent efficient use of public resources in a time of austerity; disputes Government claims that these reforms are a continuation of Labour’s successful reform agenda; and calls on the Government to work with families, teachers and communities to deliver improved standards of learning and teaching in all local schools.-(Andy Burnham.)

Mr Alan Campbell claimed to move the closure (Standing Order No. 36).

Question put, That the Question be now put.

Question agreed to.

Question put.

The House divided.

Division No. 121.

Ayes: 223 (Tellers: Angela Smith, Mr David Hamilton).

Noes: 312 (Tellers: Mark Hunter, Mr Shailesh Vara).

Question accordingly negatived.

5 Northern Ireland

Motion made and Question put, That the draft Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 2010, which was laid before this House on 25 October, be approved.-(Mr Hugo Swire.)

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

Division deferred until Wednesday 24 November (Standing Order No. 41A).

6 Northern Ireland

Motion made and Question put, That the draft Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) (Amendment) Order 2010, which was laid before this House on 25 October, be approved.-(Mr Hugo Swire.)

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

Division deferred until Wednesday 24 November (Standing Order No. 41A).

7 Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval

(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Disabled People’s Right to Control (Pilot Scheme) (England) Regulations 2010, which were laid before this House on 12 October, be approved.-(James Duddridge.)

Question agreed to.

(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Justification Decision (Generation of Electricity by the EPR Nuclear Reactor) Regulations 2010, which were laid before this House on 18 October, be approved.-(James Duddridge.)

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

Division deferred until Wednesday 24 November (Standing Order No. 41A).

(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Justification Decision (Generation of Electricity by the AP1000 Nuclear Reactor) Regulations 2010, which were laid before this House on 18 October, be approved.-(James Duddridge.)

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

Division deferred until Wednesday 24 November (Standing Order No. 41A).

(4) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Legislative and Regulatory Reform (Regulatory Functions) (Amendment) Order 2010, which was laid before this House on 21 October, be approved.-(James Duddridge.)

Question agreed to.

8 EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo

Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 119(11)), That this House takes note of the unnumbered Explanatory Memoranda, dated 2 June 2010 and 29 September 2010, from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on two Council Decisions amending and extending Joint Action 2008/124/CFSP on the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX); and agrees with the Government that the mission is making an important contribution to improving the rule of law in Kosovo.-(James Duddridge.)

Question agreed to.

9 Adjournment

Subject: Decision-making on ward closures (Miss Anne McIntosh).

Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.-(James Duddridge.)

Adjourned at 8.47 pm until tomorrow.

_________________

Other proceedings

Lords Messages

10 Contaminated Blood (Support for Infected and Bereaved Persons) Bill [Lords]

The Lords have passed a bill to establish a committee to advise on haemophilia; to make provision in relation to blood donations; to establish a scheme for NHS Compensation Cards for people who have been treated with and infected by contaminated blood or blood products; to make provision for the financial compensation of people treated with and infected by contaminated blood and blood products and their widows, dependants and carers; to establish a review of the support available for people who have been treated with and infected by contaminated blood or blood products; and for connected purposes; to which they desire the agreement of the Commons.

First Reading and printing of Lords Bills

11 Contaminated Blood (Support for Infected and Bereaved Persons) Bill [Lords]

Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 3 December, and to be printed (Bill 109).

Explanatory Notes to Bills

12 Public Services (Social Enterprise and Social Value) Bill

Explanatory Notes to the Bill to be printed (Bill 6-EN).

General Committees: Appointments

The Speaker appoints the Chair of General Committees and members of Programming Sub-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).

13 Terrorist Asset-Freezing etc. Bill [Lords] Committee

(1) Chairs: Mr Roger Gale and Jim Sheridan

(2) Members: Ms Louise Bagshawe, Tom Brake, Lyn Brown, Mike Crockart, Thomas Docherty, Mike Gapes, Barry Gardiner, Mr Robert Goodwill, Mr David Hanson, Mr Mark Hoban, Chris Kelly, Kerry McCarthy, Stephen Mosley, Alok Sharma, David Simpson, Mike Weatherley, Chris White and Malcolm Wicks.

14 Terrorist Asset-Freezing etc. Bill [Lords] (Programming Sub-Committee)

Members: Tom Brake, Lyn Brown, Mr Robert Goodwill, Mr David Hanson, Mr Mark Hoban, Kerry McCarthy and Alok Sharma.

15 First Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Nuclear Decommissioning and Waste Handling (Designated Technical Matters) Order 2010)

(1) Chair: Katy Clark

(2) Members: Dr Thérèse Coffey, Mike Crockart, Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson, Jane Ellison, Mike Freer, Mark Garnier, Mr David Hamilton, Charles Hendry, Huw Irranca-Davies, Steve McCabe, Siobhain McDonagh, Mr Michael Meacher, Mark Menzies, Joan Ruddock, Mr Virendra Sharma, Mr Shailesh Vara, Craig Whittaker and Roger Williams.

16 Second Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment) Regulations 2010)

(1) Chair: Mr James Gray

(2) Members: Richard Benyon, Nadine Dorries, Andrew George, Zac Goldsmith, Mr Robert Goodwill, Ben Gummer, Robert Halfon, Fabian Hamilton, Mark Hendrick, Damian Hinds, Daniel Kawczynski, Mr David Lammy, Mr Andrew Love, John Mann, Ian Paisley, Stephen Pound, Mr Jamie Reed and Simon Wright.

17 Third Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Amendment of Schedule 7 to the Government of Wales Act 2006) Order 2010)

(1) Chair: Albert Owen

(2) Members: Ann Clwyd, Stephen Crabb, Glyn Davies, Charlie Elphicke, Graham Evans, Mrs Helen Grant, Matthew Hancock, Simon Hart, Mr Dai Havard, Julie Hilling, Mr David Jones, Mrs Madeleine Moon, Paul Murphy, Owen Smith, Mark Tami, Hywel Williams, Mr Mark Williams and Roger Williams.

18 Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft National Assembly for Wales Referendum (Assembly Act Provisions) (Referendum Question, Date of Referendum Etc.) Order 2010 and the draft National Assembly for Wales Referendum (Assembly Act Provisions) (Limit on Referendum Expenses Etc.) Order 2010)

(1) Chair: Hywel Williams

(2) Members: Geraint Davies, Glyn Davies, Chris Evans, Paul Flynn, Mrs Siân C. James, Gareth Johnson, Mr David Jones, Mr Marcus Jones, Simon Kirby, Pauline Latham, Mr Elfyn Llwyd, Karen Lumley, Alun Michael, Mr Brooks Newmark, Owen Smith, Mark Tami, Mr Mark Williams and Roger Williams.

19 Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Offshore Petroleum Activities (Oil Pollution Prevention and Control) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 and the draft Offshore Chemicals (Amendment) Regulations 2010)

Members: Simon Danczuk, Caroline Dinenage, Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson, Jackie Doyle-Price, Michael Fallon, Paul Farrelly, Barry Gardiner, Andrew George, Mr David Hamilton, Charles Hendry, Kelvin Hopkins, Huw Irranca-Davies, Kwasi Kwarteng, Mark Menzies, Penny Mordaunt, Sir Robert Smith, Mr Shailesh Vara and Mr David Winnick discharged.

European Union Documents Referred

20 European Committee B

European Union Document No. 10823/10 and Addendum, relating to the Green Paper on corporate governance in financial institutions and remuneration policies.

Reports from Select Committees

21 Defence Committee

(1) The appointment of the new Chief of the Defence Staff: Evidence, to be printed (HC 600-i);

(2) Operations in Afghanistan: Evidence, to be printed (HC 554-iv)

(Mr James Arbuthnot).

22 Education Committee

Behaviour and discipline in schools: Evidence, to be printed (HC 516-iv) (Mr Graham Stuart).

23 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

(1) Farming in the Uplands:

(i) Evidence, to be printed (HC 556-iii);

(ii) Written evidence, to be published;

(2) Future Flood and Water Management Legislation: Written evidence, to be published

(Miss Anne McIntosh).

24 Environmental Audit Committee

Embedding sustainable development across government, after the Secretary of State’s announcement on the future of the Sustainable Development Commission: Evidence, to be printed (HC 504-iii) (Joan Walley).

25 European Scrutiny Committee

(1) Eighth Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 428-viii);

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

(Mr William Cash).

26 Northern Ireland Affairs Committee

Corporation Tax in Northern Ireland: Evidence, to be printed (HC 558-iii) (Mr Laurence Robertson).

27 Public Accounts (Committee of)

Central Government use of consultants: Evidence, to be printed (HC 610-i) (Margaret Hodge).

28 Science and Technology Committee

Scientific advice and evidence in emergencies:

(1) Evidence, to be printed (HC 498-iv);

(2) Written evidence, to be published

(Andrew Miller).

29 Scottish Affairs Committee

The Video Games Industry in Scotland: Written evidence, to be published (Mr Ian Davidson).

30 Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)

Seventh Report, to be printed (HC 354-vii) (George Mudie).

[WH, No. 44]

Sitting in Westminster Hall

The sitting began at 9.30 am.

Adjournment

Subjects:

Sheltered accommodation (Margot James).

Business rates and vacant commercial property (Mark Pawsey).

West Cumbria and the 2009 floods (Tony Cunningham).

Contribution of heat pumps to energy efficiency measures (Graham Stringer).

Government policy on lion trophies and the protection of lions (Mr Andrew Turner).

Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.-(Mr Robert Goodwill.)

Adjourned at 5.02 pm until tomorrow.

APPENDIX

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1 Police

Draft Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) (Revision of Codes A, B and D) Order 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Theresa May).

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

2 European Union

European Communities (Designation) (No. 5) Order 2010 (S.I., 2010, No. 2690), dated 10 November 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary William Hague).

Other Papers:

3 Justice (Northern Ireland)

Report and Accounts of Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission for 2009–10, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act); to be printed (HC 240) (Secretary Kenneth Clarke).

4 National Heritage

Government Indemnity Scheme: Report to Parliament on the level of outstanding liabilities for the six month period ending 30 September 2010 (by Act) (Secretary Jeremy Hunt).

5 Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions

Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions (Maltese Naval Locally Engaged Ratings’ Service Pensions Increase) Order 2010 (by Act) (Secretary Liam Fox).

6 Police and Criminal Evidence

(1) Draft Code of Practice for searches of premises by police officers and the seizure of property found by police officers on persons or premises (Code B) (by Act) (Secretary Theresa May);

(2) draft Code of Practice for the exercise by: police officers of statutory powers of stop and search; police officers and police staff of requirements to record public encounters (Code A) (by Act) (Secretary Theresa May); and

(3) draft Code of Practice for the identification of persons by police officers (Code D) (by Act) (Secretary Theresa May).

Withdrawn Papers:

7 Environmental Protection

(1) Draft Offshore Chemicals (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (laid 20 October 2010); and

(2) draft Offshore Petroleum Activities (Oil Pollution Prevention and Control) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (laid 20 October 2010).