House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Wednesday
9th February 2011

No. 114

Wednesday 9 February 2011

The House met at 11.30 am.

PRAYERS.

1 Barnsley Central Writ

Ordered, That the Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown to make out a new Writ for the electing of a Member to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough Constituency of Barnsley Central in the room of Eric Evlyn Illsley, who since his election to the said Borough Constituency has been appointed to the Office of Steward or Bailiff of Her Majesty’s Three Chiltern Hundreds of Stoke, Desborough and Burnham, in the county of Buckingham.-(Ms Rosie Winterton.)

2 Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

(2) the Prime Minister

3 Urgent Question: Flood Defence Allocations (Richard Benyon)

4 Statements: (1) Banking (Chancellor of the Exchequer)

(2) Trade and Investment for Growth White Paper (Secretary Vince Cable)

5 Former Metal Mines: Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)

Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to give the Coal Authority responsibility for preventing adverse environmental impacts from former metal mines; and for connected purposes;

That Tom Blenkinsop, Ian Swales, Mr Iain Wright, Alex Cunningham, Ian Lavery and Mrs Jenny Chapman present the Bill.

Tom Blenkinsop accordingly presented the Bill.

Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 4 November, and to be printed (Bill 145).

6 Police

Motion made and Question put, That the Police Grant Report (England and Wales) for 2011–12 (House of Commons Paper No. 771), which was laid before this House on 31 January, be approved.-(Nick Herbert.)

The House divided.

Division No. 197.

Ayes: 302 (Tellers: Mark Hunter, Mr Shailesh Vara).

Noes: 216 (Tellers: Phil Wilson, Mark Hendrick).

Question accordingly agreed to.

7 Local Government Finance

Motion made and Question proposed, That the Local Government Finance Report (England) 2011–12 (House of Commons Paper No. 748), which was laid before this House on 31 January, be approved.-(Secretary Eric Pickles.)

8 Deferred divisions

The Deputy Speaker announced the results of the divisions which had been deferred to this day (Standing Order No. 41A).

Financial Stabilisation Mechanism,-That this House takes note of European Union Documents No. 9606/10, relating to a Council Regulation establishing a European financial stabilisation mechanism, No. 12119/10, relating to a draft amending budget No. 7 to the General Budget 2010-Statement of expenditure by Section-Section III-Commission, and No. 17361/10, Commission Communication on the European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism; supports the Government’s view that whilst it is in the interests of all Member States to support a stable and fully functioning euro area, financial assistance for euro area Member States should primarily be provided by other euro area Member States; and supports the Government’s position that the United Kingdom should not be required to contribute to the European Stability Mechanism that will permanently replace both the European Financial Stability Mechanism and the European Financial Stability Facility.

Division No. 194.

Ayes: 297.

Noes: 45.

Question accordingly agreed to.

Police,-That the draft Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) (Revision of Codes A, B and D) Order 2010, which was laid before this House on 17 November, be approved.

Division No. 195.

Ayes: 501.

Noes: 18.

Question accordingly agreed to.

Taxation of the Financial Sector,-That this House 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.

Division No. 196.

Ayes: 295.

Noes: 223.

Question accordingly agreed to.

9 Local Government Finance (resumed)

Question again proposed, That the Local Government Finance Report (England) 2011–12 (House of Commons Paper No. 748), which was laid before this House on 31 January, be approved.

Question put.

The House divided.

Division No. 198.

Ayes: 292 (Tellers: Norman Lamb, Mr Shailesh Vara).

Noes: 197 (Tellers: Mark Tami, Angela Smith).

Question accordingly agreed to.

10 Local Government Finance

Resolved, That the Limitation of Council Tax and Precepts (Alternative Notional Amounts) Report (England) 2011–12 (House of Commons Paper No. 774), which was laid before this House on 31 January, be approved.-(Mr Philip Dunne.)

11 Statutory Instruments: Motion for Approval

Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Order 2011, which was laid before this House on 24 January, be approved.-(Mr Philip Dunne.)

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

Division deferred until Wednesday 16 February (Standing Order No. 41A).

12 Terrorist Finance Tracking Program

Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 119(11)), That this House takes note of European Union Documents No. 11048/10, relating to a draft agreement, No. 11173/10, relating to a draft Council Decision on the signature of the agreement, and No. 11172/10, relating to a draft Council Decision on the conclusion of the agreement between the European Union and the United States of America on the processing and transfer of financial messaging data from the European Union to the United States for the purposes of the Terrorist Finance Tracking Program; agrees that the programme is an extremely important tool in the global counter-terrorism effort, providing valuable contributions to numerous high profile cases; and notes that the programme has achieved an appropriate balance between counter-terrorism and data protection.-(Mr Philip Dunne.)

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

Division deferred until Wednesday 16 February (Standing Order No. 41A).

13 Public Petitions

A Public Petition from members, volunteers and supporters of the Chippenham Gateway Club relating to Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance was presented and read by Duncan Hames.

A Public Petition from supporters of Penrith Action for Community Transition, Penrith, Cumbria relating to Charge on Single Use Carrier Bags was presented.

14 Adjournment

Subject: Prices and regulation in the domestic heating oil industry (Pat Glass).

Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.-(Mr Philip Dunne.)

Adjourned at 8.39 pm until tomorrow.

_________________

Other proceedings

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).

15 Education Bill Committee

Chairs: Hywel Williams and Mr Charles Walker.

16 Estates of Deceased Persons (Forfeiture Rule and Law of Succession) Bill Committee

Members: Mr Crispin Blunt, Kevin Brennan, Jonathan Evans, Robert Flello, Mr Tom Harris, John Hemming, Mr George Howarth, Mr Greg Knight, Jessica Lee, Mr Elfyn Llwyd, Karl McCartney, Meg Munn, Mr David Nuttall, Mr Gary Streeter, Mr Robert Syms and Mr Tom Watson.

17 First Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2011)

(1) Chair: Mr Graham Brady

(2) Members: Sir Peter Bottomley, Karen Bradley, Tom Brake, Mr Robert Buckland, Frank Dobson, Clive Efford, Lynne Featherstone, Paul Flynn, Kate Green, Patrick Mercer, David Mowat, Mark Pawsey, Amber Rudd, Jim Shannon, Graham Stringer, Mark Tami, Mr Tom Watson and Jeremy Wright.

18 Second Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Control of Donations and Regulation of Loans etc. (Extension of the Prescribed Period) (Northern Ireland) Order 2011)

Chair: Mr Lee Scott.

19 Third Delegated Legislation Committee (Rules of the Court of Judicature (Northern Ireland) (Amendment No. 3) 2010 (S.R. (N.I.), 2010, No. 430) and the Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 4) Rules 2010 (S.I., 2010, No. 3038))

Chair: Mr Dai Havard.

20 Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft European Union (Definition of Treaties) (Stabilisation and Association Agreement) (Republic of Serbia) Order 2011)

Members: Mrs Jenny Chapman, Jeremy Corbyn, Mr Wayne David, Mr Nigel Dodds, James Duddridge, Tim Farron, John Glen, Mr David Hamilton, Mr Adam Holloway, Charlotte Leslie, Mr David Lidington, Austin Mitchell, Stephen Mosley, Priti Patel, Mr Frank Roy, Mel Stride, Ms Gisela Stuart and Roger Williams.

21 Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Offshore Petroleum Activities (Oil Pollution Prevention and Control) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 and the draft Offshore Chemicals (Amendment) Regulations 2011)

Members: Mr David Anderson, Gordon Birtwistle, Mr Frank Doran, Richard Fuller, Mrs Mary Glindon, Rebecca Harris, Charles Hendry, Huw Irranca-Davies, Glenda Jackson, Mark Menzies, Anne Marie Morris, Mr Virendra Sharma, Nick Smith, Justin Tomlinson, Mr Shailesh Vara, Mr Robin Walker, Mr Mike Weir and Roger Williams.

22 European Committee B in respect of European Union Document No. 15285/10 and Addendum, relating to the Commission Communication: The EU Budget Review

Chair: Mr David Crausby.

23 European Committee B in respect of European Union Document No. 16797/10, relating to a Commission Communication, The EU Internal Security Strategy in Action: Five steps towards a more secure Europe

Members: Tom Brake, James Brokenshire, Mr Robert Buckland, Michael Connarty, Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson, James Duddridge, Clive Efford, Lorraine Fullbrook, Andrew Griffiths, Stephen Phillips, Mr Geoffrey Robinson, Mark Tami and Mr David Winnick.

24 European Committee B in respect of European Union Documents No. 9193/10, relating to a Commission Report on the functioning of the Interinstitutional Agreement on budgetary discipline and sound financial management, No. 10346/10 and Addenda 1 and 2, relating to a Commission Communication: "More or less controls? Striking the right balance between the administrative costs of control and the risk of error", No. 15759/10, relating to the European Court of Auditors’ Opinion and No. 5129/11, relating to a draft Regulation on the financial rules applicable to the annual budget of the Union

Chair: Miss Anne McIntosh

Members: Justine Greening discharged and Mr David Gauke nominated in substitution.

25 European Committee C in respect of European Union Document No. 15274/10, relating to the Commission Green Paper: Audit Policy-Lessons from the Crisis

Members: Gordon Banks, Lyn Brown, Mr Edward Davey, James Duddridge, Kelvin Hopkins, Andrew Jones, Chris Kelly, Jonathan Lord, Ian Murray, Joan Ruddock, David Simpson, Heather Wheeler and Nadhim Zahawi.

European Union Documents Referred

26 European Committee B

The European Scrutiny Committee has withdrawn its recommendation of 15 September 2010, That European Union Document No. 10561/10 and Addendum, relating to a Draft Regulation on the Financial regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Union (recast), be further considered; and the document no longer stands referred to European Committee B.

27 European Committee B

European Union Document No. 5129/11, relating to a draft Regulation on the financial rules applicable to the annual budget of the Union, has been referred alongside European Union Documents No. 9139/10, relating to a Commission Report on the functioning of the Interinstitutional Agreement on budgetary discipline and sound financial management, No. 10346/10 and Addenda 1 and 2, relating to a Commission Communication: "More or less controls? Striking the right balance between the administrative costs of control and the risk of error", already referred on 15 September 2010, and No. 15759/10, relating to the European Court of Auditors’ Opinion, already referred on 15 December 2010.

28 European Committee B

European Union Document No. 14436/10 and Addenda 1 and 2, relating to attacks against information systems, repealing Council Framework Decision 2005/222/JHA.

29 European Committee B

European Union Document No. 18066/10 and Addenda 1, 2 and 3, relating to the Annual Growth Survey: Advancing the EU’s comprehensive response to the crisis.

Reports from Select Committees

30 Defence Committee

The performance of the Ministry of Defence 2009–10: Evidence, to be printed (HC 760-i) (Mr James Arbuthnot).

31 Education Committee

Services for young people: Evidence, to be printed (HC 744-ii) (Mr Graham Stuart).

32 Energy and Climate Change Committee

Shale Gas: Evidence, to be printed (HC 795-i) (Mr Tim Yeo).

33 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

(1) Farming in the Uplands: Third Report, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report, to be printed (HC 556-I);

(2) The implications of the Welfare of Laying Hens Directive for the egg industry: Written evidence, to be published

(Miss Anne McIntosh).

34 Environmental Audit Committee

The impact of UK overseas aid on environmental protection and climate change adaptation and mitigation:

(1) Evidence, to be printed (HC 710-i);

(2) Written evidence, to be published

(Joan Walley).

35 European Scrutiny Committee

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

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

(Mr William Cash).

36 Foreign Affairs Committee

(1) The UK’s foreign policy approach to Afghanistan and Pakistan: Fourth Report, with written evidence, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report and written evidence reported and ordered to be published on 20 October, 3 November 2010 and 12, 19 and 31 January and 2 February (HC 514);

(2) The Role of the FCO in UK Government: Written evidence, to be published

(Richard Ottaway).

37 Northern Ireland Affairs Committee

Northern Ireland as an enterprise zone:

(1) Evidence, to be printed (HC 803-i);

(2) Written evidence, to be published

(Mr Laurence Robertson).

38 Public Accounts (Committee of)

Comprehensive Spending Review: Analysis of Departmental Business Plans: Evidence, to be printed (HC 650-ii) (Margaret Hodge).

39 Public Administration (Select Committee on)

Work of the Ombudsman:

(1) Evidence, to be printed (HC 781-i);

(2) Written evidence, to be published

(Mr Bernard Jenkin).

40 Science and Technology Committee

(1) Technology and Innovation Centres:

(i) Second Report, with written evidence, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report and written evidence reported and ordered to be published on 15 December 2010 (HC 619);

(ii) Written evidence, to be published;

(2) UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation: Evidence, to be printed (HC 727-i);

(3) General correspondence: Written evidence, to be published

(Andrew Miller).

41 Scottish Affairs Committee

The Scotland Bill: Evidence, to be printed (HC 775-iii) (Mr Ian Davidson).

42 Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)

Fifteenth Report, to be printed (HC 354-xv) (George Mudie).

43 Work and Pensions Committee

White Paper on Universal Credit: Evidence, to be printed (HC 743-ii) (Dame Anne Begg).

[WH, No. 72]

Sitting in Westminster Hall

The sitting began at 9.30 am.

Adjournment

Subjects:

Neuromuscular care services in the North West (Graham Evans).

Government policy on unscrupulous builders (Stephen Lloyd).

Funding for flood risk management (Hugh Bayley).

Future of citizens advice bureaux in Birmingham (Jack Dromey).

Reconfiguration of hospital services in Shropshire (Daniel Kawczynski).

Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.-(Paul Burstow.)

Adjourned at 5.13 pm until tomorrow.

APPENDIX

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1 Defence

Draft Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Trading Fund Order 2011 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Liam Fox).

2 Electricity

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

3 Licences and Licensing

Draft Licensing Act 2003 (Royal Wedding Licensing Hours) Order 2011 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Theresa May).

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

4 Corporation Tax

Authorised Investment Funds (Tax) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I., 2011, No. 244), dated 8 February 2011 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mark Hoban).

5 Energy

Promotion of the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources Regulations 2011 (S.I., 2011, No. 243), dated 7 February 2011 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Chris Huhne).

6 National Health Service

North West London Hospitals National Health Service Trust (Transfer of Trust Property) Order 2011 (S.I., 2011, No. 238), dated 5 February 2011 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mr Secretary Lansley).

7 Value Added Tax

Value Added Tax (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I., 2011, No. 254), dated 8 February 2011 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (David Gauke).

Other Papers:

8 Business, Innovation and Skills

Trade and Investment for Growth (by Command) (Cm. 8015) (Secretary Vince Cable).