House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Wednesday
16th February 2011

No. 119

Wednesday 16 February 2011

The House met at 11.30 am.

PRAYERS.

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

(2) the Prime Minister

2 Statement: Sex offenders register (F and Thompson case) (Secretary Theresa May)

3 Welfare Reform Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)

Secretary Iain Duncan Smith, supported by the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary Theresa May, Secretary Kenneth Clarke, Mr Secretary Lansley, Secretary Eric Pickles, Chris Grayling and Maria Miller, presented a Bill to make provision for universal credit and personal independence payment; to make other provision about social security and tax credits; to make provision about the functions of the registration service, child support maintenance and the use of jobcentres; and for connected purposes.

Bill read the first time; to be read a second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 154) with Explanatory Notes (Bill 154–EN).

4 Criminal Justice (Amendment): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)

Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision requiring certain prisoners due to be considered for early release to complete a relevant offender management programme, where available; to require courts to take regard of mental health problems in sentencing; to make provision regarding minimum and maximum sentences; and for connected purposes;

That Mr Elfyn Llwyd, Mrs Linda Riordan, Claire Perry, Chris Evans, Hywel Williams, Jonathan Edwards and Mr Robert Buckland present the Bill.

Mr Elfyn Llwyd accordingly presented the Bill.

Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 13 May, and to be printed (Bill 150).

5 Opposition Day: Leader of the Opposition (11th allotted day (Standing Order No. 14))

(1) Future Jobs Fund and Youth Unemployment

Motion made and Question put, That this House believes that the Government was wrong to cancel the Future Jobs Fund that would have created 200,000 jobs for young people; further believes that the Government’s economic policies have slowed economic growth, raised youth unemployment and created the highest graduate unemployment for over a decade; further believes that urgent action is now required to stop a generation of young people being lost to worklessness; and calls on the Government to commission an independent assessment of the Future Jobs Fund to report to Parliament before the Government’s Work Programme is implemented and to evaluate whether a guarantee and requirement of work incorporated into the Programme would bring down youth unemployment in the short and longer term and limit steep rises in welfare payments.-(Mr Liam Byrne.)

The House divided.

Division No. 209.

Ayes: 237 (Tellers: Mr David Anderson, Mark Hendrick).

Noes: 317 (Tellers: Mark Hunter, Jeremy Wright).

Question accordingly negatived.

6 Deferred divisions

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

Immigration,-That the draft Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Order 2011, which was laid before this House on 24 January, be approved.

Division No. 207.

Ayes: 474.

Noes: 23.

Question accordingly agreed to.

Terrorist Finance Tracking Program.-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.

Division No. 208.

Ayes: 484.

Noes: 5.

Question accordingly agreed to.

7 Opposition Day (11th allotted day) (Resumed)

(2) Military Covenant

Motion made and Question proposed, That this House supports establishing in law the definition of the Military Covenant, in so doing fulfilling the Prime Minister’s pledge of 25 June 2010 to have ‘a new Military Covenant that’s written into the law of the land’; believes that this commitment should not be diluted or sidestepped; and further supports service charities’ and families’ calls for a legally-binding Military Covenant which defines the principles that should guide Government action on all aspects of defence policy.-(Mr Jim Murphy.)

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

Question put, That the Question be now put.

Question agreed to.

Question accordingly put.

The House divided.

Division No. 210.

Ayes: 234 (Tellers: Phil Wilson, Mr David Hamilton).

Noes: 318 (Tellers: Mr Shailesh Vara, Mark Hunter).

Question accordingly negatived.

8 Business of the House (Today)

Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 15), That, at this day’s sitting, (1) the Motion in the name of Sir George Young relating to Adjournment of the House (Today) and (2) consideration of any Lords Messages that may be received may be proceeded with, though opposed, until any hour.-(Sir George Young.)

Question agreed to.

9 Deferred divisions

Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 41A(3)), That, at this day’s sitting, Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply to the Motion in the name of Sir George Young relating to Adjournment of the House (Today).-(Mr David Heath.)

Question agreed to.

10 Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill: Consideration of Lords Message

The House proceeded to consider forthwith the Lords Message received today relating to the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill (Programme Order, 15 February).

Lords Reasons 1B and 8B

Motion made and Question proposed, That this House insists on its disagreement with the Lords in their Amendments 1 and 8 but proposes Amendment (a) in lieu.-(Mr Mark Harper.)

One hour after the commencement of proceedings, the debate was interrupted (Programme Order, 15 February).

Question put forthwith (Question already proposed from the Chair (Standing Order No. 83G)).

The House divided.

Division No. 211.

Ayes: 310 (Tellers: Mr Shailesh Vara, Jeremy Wright).

Noes: 231 (Tellers: Phil Wilson, Jonathan Reynolds).

Question accordingly agreed to.

11 Adjournment of the House (Today)

Ordered, That, at this day’s sitting, the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until any Message from the Lords has been received, any Committee to draw up Reasons which has been appointed at that sitting has reported, and he has notified the Royal Assent to Acts agreed upon by both Houses.-(Sir George Young.)

12 Business of the House (Thursday)

Ordered, That, at the sitting on Thursday 17 February, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order No. 16 (Proceedings under an Act or on European Union documents), the Speaker shall put the Questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on the Motions in the name of Secretary Iain Duncan Smith relating to Pensions and Social Security no later than three hours after their commencement or at 6.00 pm, whichever is the earlier; proceedings may continue, though opposed, after the moment of interruption; and Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply.-(Mr Philip Dunne.)

13 Interinstitutional Agreement

Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 119(11)), That this House takes note of European Union Documents No. 9193/10, relating to 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 on striking the right balance between the administrative costs of control and the risk of error, and Nos. 5129/11 and 15759/10, relating to a proposal for a Regulation on the financial rules applicable to the annual budget of the Union and corresponding Opinion of the European Court of Auditors; and supports the Government’s approach to ensure that, especially at a time when households and governments across the EU are taking difficult decisions to balance their budgets, EU expenditure must be subject to strict budgetary discipline and appropriate principles of sound financial management.-(Mr Philip Dunne.)

Question agreed to.

14 EU Budget Review

Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 119(11)), That this House takes note of European Union Document No. 15285/10 and Addendum, relating to the EU Budget Review; supports the Government’s efforts to reduce the size of the EU budget and deliver savings and value for money for taxpayers, including a substantial reduction in spending on the Common Agricultural Policy; and further supports its efforts to reprioritise expenditure to support growth and competitiveness and tackle climate change and global poverty and to protect the UK’s abatement, which remains fully justified due to distortions in EU spending.-(Mr Philip Dunne.)

Question agreed to.

15 Suspension of the House

The Deputy Speaker suspended the House (Order, today).

16 Royal Assent

The Speaker reported that the Queen had signified Royal Assent to the following Act under the Royal Assent Act 1967:

Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011

17 Public Petitions

A Public Petition from residents of Bishop Auckland, County Durham and the North East relating to Proposed Sale of Auckland Castle and the Zurbaran Paintings was presented and read by Helen Goodman.

A Public Petition from care home residents and others concerned for their welfare relating to Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance was presented and read by Fiona Mactaggart.

18 Adjournment

Subject: Incinerators in Hertfordshire and the Government’s waste management strategy (Mr James Clappison).

Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.-(Mr Robert Goodwill.)

Thursday 17 February 2011

Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.

Adjourned at 12.20 am until today.

_________________

Other proceedings

Lords Messages

19 Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill

The Lords insist on certain of their amendments to the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill to which the Commons have disagreed, for which insistence they assign their Reasons; they do not insist on certain other of their amendments to which the Commons have disagreed; and they agree without amendment to the amendments proposed by the Commons in lieu of certain other of their amendments.

20 Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill

The Lords agree without amendment to the amendment proposed by the Commons in lieu of certain Lords’ amendments to the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill.

Printing of Lords Reasons

21 Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill

Lords Insistence and Reasons on Amendments to the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill to be considered today, and to be printed (Bill 152).

General Committees: Reports

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

Mr Roger Gale (Chair) reported the Bill without Amendment.

Bill, not amended, to be considered on Friday 4 March.

23 Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill Committee

Mr Christopher Chope (Chair) reported written evidence submitted to the Committee.

Written evidence to be published.

24 First Delegated Legislation Committee

Mr Graham Brady (Chair) reported the draft Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2011.

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).

25 Budget Responsibility and National Audit Bill [Lords] Committee

(1) Chairs: Mr Roger Gale and Dr William McCrea

(2) Members: Thomas Docherty, Mr Mark Field, Mr Robert Goodwill, Justine Greening, Duncan Hames, Graham Jones, Chris Leslie, Kerry McCarthy, Alison McGovern, Graeme Morrice, Anne Marie Morris, Mr David Nuttall, Chris Ruane, Alec Shelbrooke, Julian Smith, Elizabeth Truss, Stephen Williams and Sammy Wilson.

26 Education Bill Committee

Members: Nick Boles, Kevin Brennan, Stella Creasy, James Duddridge, Mark Durkan, Richard Fuller, Mr Nick Gibb, Pat Glass, Mr Sam Gyimah, Mr John Hayes, Mark Hendrick, Julie Hilling, Stephen McPartland, Meg Munn, Tessa Munt, Dan Rogerson, Mr Graham Stuart and Mr Iain Wright.

27 Second Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Climate Change Levy (Fuel Use and Recycling Processes) (Amendment) Regulations 2011)

(1) Chair: Katy Clark

(2) Members: Mr David Anderson, Richard Burden, Neil Carmichael, Ann Clwyd, Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson, Barry Gardiner, Mr Robert Goodwill, Justine Greening, Ben Gummer, Greg Hands, John Hemming, Mr Stephen Hepburn, Kate Hoey, Kerry McCarthy, Jason McCartney, Dr Daniel Poulter, James Wharton and Stephen Williams.

28 Third Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Penalties, Offshore Income etc. (Designation of Territories) Order 2011)

(1) Chair: Mr Mike Weir

(2) Members: Stephen Barclay, Gordon Birtwistle, Lorely Burt, Mr Tom Clarke, Damian Collins, Mr Jim Cunningham, Caroline Dinenage, Mr Brian H. Donohoe, Jackie Doyle-Price, Mr David Gauke, Mr Robert Goodwill, Mr David Hanson, George Hollingbery, Teresa Pearce, Jonathan Reynolds, Ms Margaret Ritchie, Mr Andrew Smith and Andrew Stephenson.

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

Chair: Mr Edward Leigh.

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

Chair: Mr Gary Streeter.

31 Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Mobile Homes Act 1983 (Jurisdiction of Residential Property Tribunals) (England) Order 2011, the draft Mobile Homes Act 1983 (Amendment of Schedule 1 and Consequential Amendments) (England) Order 2011 and the draft Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (Consequential Amendments to the Mobile Homes Act 1983) Order 2011)

(1) Chair: Mr Joe Benton

(2) Members: Jake Berry, Nicola Blackwood, Mr Ronnie Campbell, Andrew George, Sheila Gilmore, Lilian Greenwood, Matthew Hancock, Richard Harrington, Mr Tom Harris, Eric Joyce, Mr Dominic Raab, Mr Barry Sheerman, David Simpson, Andrew Stunell, Mr Robert Syms, Martin Vickers, Bill Wiggin and Chris Williamson.

32 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

Chair: Mr Lee Scott.

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

Chair: Andrew Rosindell.

European Union Documents Referred

34 European Committee A

European Union Documents No. 14701/10, relating to a Draft Decision on the detailed rules for access to the public regulated service offered by the global navigation satellite system established under the Galileo programme, and No. 5530/11, relating to the Mid-term review of the European satellite radio navigation programmes.

35 European Committee B

European Union Document No. 18101/10 and Addenda 1 and 2, relating to a Draft Regulation on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters.

36 European Committee B

European Union Document No. PE-CONS 64/10, relating to a Draft Regulation laying down the rules concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers.

37 European Committee C

European Union Documents No. 5064/11 and Addendum and No. 5068/11 and Addendum, relating to the Working Time Directive.

Reports from Select Committees

38 Defence Committee

(1) The Strategic Defence and Security Review and the National Security Strategy:

(i) Evidence, to be printed (HC 761-i);

(ii) Written evidence, to be published;

(2) Spring Supplementary Estimates 2010: Written evidence, to be published

(Mr James Arbuthnot).

39 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

(1) The draft National Policy Statement on Waste Water: Evidence, to be printed (HC 736-iii);

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

(Miss Anne McIntosh).

40 Environmental Audit Committee

(1) Sustainable Development in the Localism Bill:

(i) Evidence, to be printed (HC 799-i);

(ii) Written evidence, to be published;

(2) The impact of UK overseas aid on environmental protection and climate change adaptation and mitigation: Written evidence, to be published

(Joan Walley).

41 European Scrutiny Committee

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

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

(Mr William Cash).

42 Justice Committee

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

43 Northern Ireland Affairs Committee

Northern Ireland as an enterprise zone: Evidence, to be printed (HC 803-ii) (Mr Laurence Robertson).

44 Public Administration (Select Committee on)

Funding of the Voluntary Sector:

(1) Evidence, to be printed (HC 716-ii);

(2) Written evidence, to be published;

(Mr Bernard Jenkin).

45 Science and Technology Committee

(1) UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation:

(i) Evidence, to be printed (HC 727-ii);

(ii) Written evidence, to be published;

(2) Strategically important metals:

(i) Evidence, to be printed (HC 726-ii);

(ii) Written evidence, to be published;

(3) Forensic Science Service: Written evidence, to be published

(Andrew Miller).

46 Scottish Affairs Committee

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

47 Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)

Sixteenth Report, to be printed (HC 354-xvi) (Michael Ellis).

48 Statutory Instruments (Select Committee on)

Third Report, to be printed (HC355-iii) (Michael Ellis).

[WH, No. 75]

Sitting in Westminster Hall

The sitting began at 9.30 am.

Adjournment

Subjects:

Economic regeneration in Glasgow (Margaret Curran).

Role of the Infrastructure Planning Commission (Nadine Dorries).

Government policy on pubs and planning (Greg Mulholland).

Renewable energy in the Humber (Andrew Percy).

Future of financial mutuals (Mr Gareth Thomas).

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

Adjourned at 5.14 pm until tomorrow.

APPENDIX

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1 Equality

Draft Employment Equality (Repeal of Retirement Age Provisions) Regulations 2011 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Vince Cable).

2 Patents

Draft Patents County Court (Financial Limits) Order 2011 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Vince Cable).

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

3 Civil Aviation

Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) (Amendment) Order 2011 (S.I., 2011, No. 237), dated 9 February 2011 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary William Hague).

4 Climate Change

CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme (Amendment) Order 2011 (S.I., 2011, No. 234), dated 9 February 2011 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Chris Huhne).

5 Social Security

Employment and Support Allowance (Limited Capability for Work and Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I., 2011, No. 228), dated 8 February 2011 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Iain Duncan Smith).

Other Papers:

6 Agricultural Marketing

Report and Accounts of Food from Britain for 2009–10, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act); to be printed (HC 311) (Secretary Caroline Spelman).

7 Health

Enabling Excellence: Autonomy and Accountability for Healthcare Workers, Social Workers and Social Care Workers (by Command) (Cm. 8008) (Mr Secretary Lansley).

8 National Audit

Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Departments managing EU Funds: Managing the impact of changes in the value of the euro on EU funds (by Act); to be printed (HC 759) (Clerk of the House).

9 Pensions

Naval, Military and Air Forces Etc. (Disablement and Death) Service Pensions (Amendment) Order 2011 (S.I., 2011, No. 235), dated 9 February 2011 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Liam Fox).