House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Monday
7th February 2011

No. 112

Monday 7 February 2011

The House met at 2.30 pm.

PRAYERS.

1 Questions to the Secretary of State for Education

2 Statement: EU Council and North Africa (Prime Minister)

3 Opposition Day: Leader of the Scottish National Party and Leader of Plaid Cymru (Un-allotted half day)

Government policy on the cost of fuel

Motion made and Question proposed, That this House notes that the oil price has reached $100 a barrel, and that diesel in the UK is the most expensive in Europe; further notes that the combination of the 1 January 2011 duty rise and the increase in value added tax is estimated to have added 3.5 pence to the cost of a litre of fuel; acknowledges the sharp rises in fuel prices over the past year and the resulting impact on headline inflation figures; recognises the financial pressure this places on hard-pressed families and businesses already struggling with high inflation and the impact of the recent rise in value added tax; condemns the Government’s continued dithering over the implementation of a fuel duty regulator (or stabiliser) as neither a sustainable or stable way to make tax policy; further recognises the specific additional fuel costs for those living in remote and rural parts of the UK; is concerned that diesel in such places is approaching £7 per gallon; condemns the Government for its failure to prioritise the implementation of a fuel duty derogation; and calls for the introduction of a fuel duty derogation to the most remote areas at the earliest opportunity.-(Stewart Hosie.)

Amendment moved, in line 1, to leave out from ‘House’ to the end of the Question and add ‘notes the dramatic increase in the world oil price to over $100 per barrel; further notes that there has been a significant impact on fuel prices in the UK as a result; recognises the impact this has on households and business; notes that the previous administration’s rises in fuel duty that have taken effect during the past year have further increased prices; further notes that the Government inherited the largest deficit in UK peacetime history, that the previous administration had no credible plan to deal with the deficit, that the Government has been clear that everyone will make a contribution to tackle the deficit but that the most vulnerable will be protected, and that the Government is considering a fair fuel stabiliser that could support motorists and businesses when oil prices are high; further notes that the Government in addition is taking forward swiftly its commitment at EU level to introduce a pilot scheme that would deliver a discount of up to 5 pence per litre in duty in remote rural areas such as the Inner and Outer Hebrides, the Northern Isles and the Isles of Scilly; and further notes that the Chancellor will update the House on all fiscal matters at the time of the Budget.’.-(Justine Greening.)

Question put, That the original words stand part of the Question (Standing Order No. 31(2) and Order, 1 February).

The House divided.

Division No. 191.

Ayes: 14 (Tellers: Dr Eilidh Whiteford, Hywel Williams).

Noes: 303 (Tellers: Mark Hunter, Mr Philip Dunne).

Question accordingly negatived.

Question, That the proposed words be there added, put forthwith (Standing Order No. 31 and Order, 1 February).

The House divided.

Division No. 192.

Ayes: 297 (Tellers: Bill Wiggin, Mark Hunter).

Noes: 135 (Tellers: Mr Mike Weir, Jonathan Edwards).

Question accordingly agreed to.

The Speaker declared the Main Question, as amended, agreed to.

Resolved, That this House notes the dramatic increase in the world oil price to over $100 per barrel; further notes that there has been a significant impact on fuel prices in the UK as a result; recognises the impact this has on households and business; notes that the previous administration’s rises in fuel duty that have taken effect during the past year have further increased prices; further notes that the Government inherited the largest deficit in UK peacetime history, that the previous administration had no credible plan to deal with the deficit, that the Government has been clear that everyone will make a contribution to tackle the deficit but that the most vulnerable will be protected, and that the Government is considering a fair fuel stabiliser that could support motorists and businesses when oil prices are high; further notes that the Government in addition is taking forward swiftly its commitment at EU level to introduce a pilot scheme that would deliver a discount of up to 5 pence per litre in duty in remote rural areas such as the Inner and Outer Hebrides, the Northern Isles and the Isles of Scilly; and further notes that the Chancellor will update the House on all fiscal matters at the time of the Budget.

4 Registration of Members’ Financial Interests

Resolved, That-

(1) this House agrees with the recommendations in the Tenth Report of the Committee on Standards and Privileges, on Registration of income from employment (HC 749);

and

(2) accordingly the resolution of the House of 30 April 2009 relating to the Registration of Members’ Financial Interests be amended, by leaving out paragraph (2) and inserting:-

"(2) That such a payment shall be registered

(a) where its value exceeds one tenth of 1 per cent. of the current Parliamentary salary; or

(b) where the total value of payments from the same person, organisation or company in a calendar year exceeds 1 per cent. of the current Parliamentary salary."-(Mr Kevin Barron.)

5 All-Party Groups

Resolved, That-

(1) this House agrees with the recommendations in the Eighth Report of the Committee on Standards and Privileges of Session 2008–09, on All-Party Groups (HC 920); and

(2) accordingly the resolution of the House of 17 December 1985, as amended on 10 March 1989 and 29 July 1998, be further amended by leaving out paragraph 3 and inserting:-

"3. Groups whose membership:

- is open to all Members of the House of Commons and House of Lords, and

- includes at least 20 Members (each of whom must be a Member of the House of Commons or House of Lords), comprising: at least 10 Members who are from the same political party as the Government, and at least 10 who are not from the Government’s party (of whom at least six must be from the main opposition party), and

- includes at least one officer who is a Member of the House of Commons

be required to register the following information on the Register of All-Party Groups:

(a) The full title of the group. If persons other than Members of the Commons or Lords are allowed full membership (i.e. voting rights) the term ‘Associate Parliamentary Group’ must be included in the group’s title. If such persons are not allowed full membership the term ‘All-Party Parliamentary Group’ must be included instead. The rest of the group’s title should simply reflect the group’s subject so that the latter is obvious from its title alone.

(b) A brief summary of the group’s main purpose.

(c) The names of the group’s officers. At least one officer must be a Member of the House of Commons; each of the other officers must be a Member of the House of Commons or House of Lords.

(d) The names of exactly 20 qualifying Members (each of whom must be a Member of the House of Commons or Lords), comprising: 10 Members who are from the same political party as the Government, and 10 who are not from the Government’s party (of which at least six must be from the main opposition party).

(e) The contact details of the group’s registered contact, who must be both an officer of the group and a Member of the House of Commons, and is the person ultimately responsible for the group’s compliance with the rules of the House.

(f) Any relevant gainful occupation of staff to the group who hold a parliamentary pass (relevant gainful occupation means any occupation that is advantaged by the privileged access afforded by the pass).

(g) The source and extent of any financial benefit (e.g. donations) and the source and nature of any non-financial material benefit (e.g. provision of goods or services) received by the group from a single source outside Parliament, if the value of the benefit equals or exceeds the financial threshold for registration (currently £1,500) in a calendar year. Once the group has made that initial registration, any further donation received from the same source in the same calendar year should be registered if its value exceeds £500.

(h) The website address of any organisation registered as the group’s secretariat.

(i) If a consultancy is registered as the group’s secretariat, the names and website of the consultancy plus the name of any client of theirs who is specifically paying the consultancy to act as the secretariat must also be registered. The consultancy must either publish on its website its full client list or agree to provide such a list on request, otherwise it is not allowed to act as the group’s secretariat.

(ii) If a charity or not-for-profit organisation is registered as the group’s secretariat, the former’s name and website must also be registered. The charity or not-for-profit organisation must agree to make available on request a list citing any commercial company which has donated either as a single sum or cumulatively more than £5,000 in the course of the 12 months prior to the month in which the request is made, otherwise it is not allowed to act as the group’s secretariat.

(i) The address of the group’s website, if it has its own website.

(j) The date of the group’s inaugural election of officers and of any Annual General Meeting held thereafter.

(k) Affiliation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, if the group is affiliated to either or both."-(Mr Kevin Barron.)

6 Change in membership of select committees

Ordered, That Clive Efford be discharged from the Communities and Local Government Committee and Steve Rotheram be added.-(Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

7 Adjournment

Subject: Office of Fair Trading and supermarket acquisitions in Birtley, Tyne and Wear (Mr David Anderson).

Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.-(Angela Watkinson.)

Adjourned at 9.48 pm until tomorrow.

_________________

Other proceedings

Lords Messages

8 Budget Responsibility and National Audit Bill [Lords]

The Lords have passed a bill to make provision for a Charter for Budget Responsibility and for the publication of Financial Statements and Budget Reports; to establish the Office for Budget Responsibility; to make provision about the Comptroller and Auditor General and to establish a body corporate called the National Audit Office; to amend Schedules 5 and 7 to the Government of Wales Act 2006 in relation to the Auditor General for Wales; and for connected purposes; to which they desire the agreement of the Commons.

First Reading and printing of Lords Bills

9 Budget Responsibility and National Audit Bill [Lords]

Bill read the first time; to be read a second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 143), with Explanatory Notes (Bill 143–EN).

General Committees: Reports

10 Wreck Removal Convention Bill

Martin Caton (Chair) reported the Bill with Amendments.

Bill, as amended, to be considered on Friday 18 March; and to be printed (Bill 144).

11 European Committee B in respect of European Union Document No. 15282/10 and Addendum, relating to a Commission Communication: Taxation of the financial sector

Mr Edward Leigh (Chair) reported the following Resolution:

That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 15282/10 and Addendum, relating to financial sector taxation; recognises that decisions regarding direct taxes are primarily a matter for sovereign governments; supports the timely action the Government has already taken to introduce a permanent levy on bank balance sheets to ensure that banks make a full and fair contribution in respect of the potential risks they pose to the wider economy; notes that the Government continues to explore the costs and benefits of financial activities taxes and will work with international partners to secure agreement; and further supports the Government’s position that an EU-wide financial transaction tax could lead to the relocation of financial services outside the EU.

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).

12 Health and Social Care Bill (Programming Sub-Committee)

Members: Mr Simon Burns, Paul Burstow, Stephen Crabb, Liz Kendall, Anna Soubry, Emily Thornberry and Phil Wilson.

13 First Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Order 2011)

Members: Zac Goldsmith discharged and Mr Peter Lilley nominated in substitution.

14 European Committee B in respect of European Union Document No. 15282/10 and Addendum, relating to a Commission Communication: Taxation of the Financial Sector

Members: Michael Connarty and Mr David Hamilton discharged and Kelvin Hopkins and Mark Tami nominated in substitution.

Reports from Select Committees

15 Communities and Local Government Committee

Audit and inspection of local authorities:

(1) Evidence, to be printed (HC 763-i);

(2) Written evidence, to be published

(Clive Betts).

16 Foreign Affairs Committee

The Role of the FCO in UK Government: Evidence, to be printed (HC 665-v) (Richard Ottaway).

17 Justice Committee

Access to Justice: Government’s proposed reforms for Legal Aid: Evidence, to be printed (HC 681-iii) (Sir Alan Beith).

APPENDIX

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1 Community Infrastructure Levy

Draft Community Infrastructure Levy (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Eric Pickles).

2 Electricity

Draft Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order 2011 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Chris Huhne).

3 Environmental Protection

(1) Draft Marine Licensing (Licence Application Appeals) Regulations 2011 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Caroline Spelman); and

(2) draft Marine Licensing (Notices Appeals) Regulations 2011 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Caroline Spelman).

4 Local Government

Draft Greater Manchester Combined Authority Order 2011 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Eric Pickles).

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

5 Competition

Competition Act 1998 (Public Transport Ticketing Schemes Block Exemption) (Amendment) Order 2011 (S.I., 2011, No. 227), dated 7 February 2011 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Vince Cable).

6 Employment and Training

(1) Apprenticeship Sectors (Specification) Order 2011 (S.I., 2011, No. 220), dated 3 February 2011 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Vince Cable); and

(2) Apprenticeships (Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England) Order 2011 (S.I., 2011, No. 219), dated 3 February 2011 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Vince Cable).

7 Harbours, Docks, Piers and Ferries

Harwich Haven Authority (Pension Fund) Harbour Revision Order 2011 (S.I., 2011, No. 207), dated 2 February 2011 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Philip Hammond).

8 Pensions

Armed Forces Redundancy Scheme 2006 and the Armed Forces Redundancy Etc. Schemes 2010 (Amendment) Order 2011 (S.I., 2011, No. 208), dated 2 February 2011 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Liam Fox).

9 Social Security

Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I., 2011, No. 225), dated 3 February 2011 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (David Gauke).

Other Papers:

10 Justice

Monitoring places of detention: First annual report of the United Kingdom’s National Preventive Mechanism for 2009–10 (by Command) (Cm. 8010) (Secretary Kenneth Clarke).

Withdrawn Papers:

11 Electricity

Draft Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order 2011 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (laid 31 January 2011).