House of Commons

House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Wednesday
11th January 2012

No. 244

Wednesday 11 January 2012

The House met at 11.30 am.

PRAYERS.

1 Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for Scotland

(2) the Prime Minister

2 Statement: PIP silicone gel breast implants (Mr Secretary Lansley)

3 Trade Union Officials (Refund of Pay to Employers): 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 provide that pay for hours worked on behalf of trade unions by trade union officials during hours when they are paid by an employer should be refunded to the employer by the trade union; and for connected purposes.-(Jesse Norman.)

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

Question put.

The House divided.

Division No. 419.

Ayes: 132 (Tellers: Matthew Hancock, Guto Bebb).

Noes: 211 (Tellers: Valerie Vaz, Sheila Gilmore).

Question accordingly negatived.

4 Opposition Day: Leader of the Opposition (Un-allotted day)

(1) Rail fares and the cost of living

Motion made and Question proposed, That this House believes that the scale of increases to rail and bus fares and the high cost of fuel are significantly increasing the transport sector’s contribution to the cost of living crisis facing households up and down the UK; notes that, despite the Chancellor’s announcement in his Autumn Statement that rail fares would rise this month by 1 per cent. above inflation, many commuters have found their tickets have gone up by as much as 11 per cent.; recognises that this is a direct result of the decision to give back to train companies the right to add a further increase of up to 5 per cent., resulting in the cost of getting to work rising to more than the cost of monthly mortgage or rent payments for many families; notes with concern the National Audit Office’s warning to the Department for Transport that higher rail fares are likely to lead to higher profits for train operating companies; deplores the Government’s decision to levy even higher increases of 3 per cent. above inflation for 2013 and 2014; and calls on the Government to end the right of train companies to increase regulated tickets by more than the cap set by Ministers, so as to prevent fare increases of up to 13 per cent. that could otherwise hit passengers in each of the next two years.-(Maria Eagle.)

5 Deferred Divisions

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

Local Government Finance Bill (Carry-Over),-That if, at the conclusion of this Session of Parliament, proceedings on the Local Government Finance Bill have not been completed, they shall be resumed in the next Session.

Division No. 418.

Ayes: 329.

Noes: 207.

Question accordingly agreed to.

6 Opposition Day: Leader of the Opposition (Un-allotted day) (resumed)

The House resumed the debate.

Question put.

The House divided.

Division No. 420.

Ayes: 251 (Tellers: Mark Hunter, Jeremy Wright).

Noes: 319 (Tellers: Mark Hendrick, Yvonne Fovargue).

Question accordingly negatived.

(2) Energy prices and the cost of living

Motion made and Question proposed, That this House believes that soaring energy bills are driving up inflation, contributing to a cost of living crisis afflicting millions of families, and that the energy market is not serving the public interest; notes the motion passed by this House on 19 October 2011 calling on the Government to investigate mis-selling, simplify tariffs, increase transparency of trading data, require energy companies to use their profits to help with bills this winter and reform the energy market to increase competition and drive down energy bills; regrets that since then the Government has failed to deliver on any of these measures; further notes that consumer efforts to control their energy bills have been undermined by cuts to the Feed-in Tariff and Warm Front scheme, and that there are serious concerns about whether the Green Deal will be taken up by, and work for, consumers; notes that over 90 per cent. of eligible families will not receive the Warm Homes Discount in 2012; calls on the Government to require energy companies to provide the lowest tariff to over 75s and use their profits to ensure that all families eligible for Cold Weather Payments receive the Warm Homes Discount; and further calls on the Government to reform the energy market to make it competitive and responsible, to cut VAT on home improvements to 5 per cent. for 12 months and to ensure that the Green Deal is offered on fair terms to consumers which will deliver real savings in energy bills.-(Caroline Flint.)

Ms Rosie Winterton 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. 421.

Ayes: 248 (Tellers: Nic Dakin, Tom Blenkinsop).

Noes: 323 (Tellers: Mr Shailesh Vara, Mark Hunter).

Question accordingly negatived.

7 Delegated Legislation

Ordered, That the Motion in the name of Sir George Young relating to the Electoral Commission shall be treated as if it related to an instrument subject to the provisions of Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees) in respect of which notice of a motion has been given that the instrument be approved.-(James Duddridge.)

8 Adjournment

Subject: Government policy on the drug khat (Mark Lancaster).

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

Adjourned at 7.44 pm until tomorrow.

________________

Other proceedings

Changes to Notices Given

9 Broadcasting (Television Licence Fee Abolition) Bill

Order for Second Reading on Friday 13 January, read and discharged.

Bill to be read a second time on Friday 30 March.

10 Common Fisheries Policy (Withdrawal) Bill

Order for Second Reading on Friday 13 January, read and discharged.

Bill to be read a second time on Friday 20 January.

11 House of Commons Disqualification (Amendment) Bill

Order for resuming on Friday 13 January the adjourned Debate on the Question proposed on 9 September 2011, That the House of Commons Disqualification (Amendment) Bill be read a second time, read and discharged.

Debate to be resumed on Friday 20 January.

General Committees: Reports

12 Local Government Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill Committee (changed to Local Government (Review of Decisions) Bill)

Mr Charles Walker (Chair) reported the Bill with Amendments.

Title amended as follows: A Bill to make provision about the procedure for conducting investigations under Part 3 of the Local Government Act 1974; and to make provision for cases where an authority to which that Part applies takes a decision that affects the holding of an event for a reason relating to health or safety.

Bill, as amended, to be considered on Friday 20 January; and to be printed [Bill 271].

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 First Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Immigration (Biometric Registration) (Amendment) Regulations 2012)

Members: Tom Brake, Chris Bryant, Mike Crockart, Jon Cruddas, James Duddridge, Mr Frank Field, Damian Green, Margot James, Jeremy Lefroy, Mr Michael Meacher, Ian Paisley, Mark Pawsey, Lindsay Roy, Amber Rudd, David Rutley, Mr Andrew Smith, Heather Wheeler and Phil Wilson.

14 Second Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (Dissolution) Order 2012)

Members: Gordon Banks, Andrew Bridgen, Mr Gregory Campbell, Mr Frank Doran, Mr Don Foster, Fabian Hamilton, Mr Adam Holloway, Dan Jarvis, Graham Jones, Nigel Mills, Paul Murphy, Caroline Nokes, John Penrose, Andrew Percy, Derek Twigg, Mr Shailesh Vara, Stephen Williams and Mr Rob Wilson.

15 Third Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft European Union (Definition of Treaties) (Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement) Order 2011)

Members: Mr David Anderson, Sir Stuart Bell, Nicola Blackwood, Mr Edward Davey, Mr Robert Goodwill, Joseph Johnson, Eric Joyce, Iain McKenzie, Fiona Mactaggart, Ian Murray, Jesse Norman, Dr Daniel Poulter, Mark Pritchard, Chris Ruane, David Simpson, Bob Stewart, Julian Sturdy and Jenny Willott.

16 Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Local Better Regulation Office (Dissolution and Transfer of Functions, Etc.) Order 2012)

Members: Sir Paul Beresford, Steve Brine, Lorely Burt, Alun Cairns, Ann Clwyd, Mr Jim Cunningham, Stephen Gilbert, Mr Sam Gyimah, Robert Halfon, Mrs Siân C. James, Joseph Johnson, Mr Mark Prisk, Steve Rotheram, Chris Ruane, David Simpson, Valerie Vaz, Mr Iain Wright and Jeremy Wright.

17 Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (England) Regulations 2012)

Members: Harriett Baldwin, Gavin Barwell, Gordon Birtwistle, Hazel Blears, Paul Blomfield, Mr Ben Bradshaw, Mr Douglas Carswell, Greg Clark, Stephen Crabb, Nic Dakin, Geraint Davies, David Heyes, Helen Jones, Eric Ollerenshaw, Guy Opperman, Jim Shannon, Chris Skidmore and Andrew Stunell.

18 Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Special Educational Needs (Direct Payments) (Pilot Scheme) Order 2011)

Members: Stephen Barclay, Mr Ronnie Campbell, Mr Philip Dunne, Paul Farrelly, Lorraine Fullbrook, Mark Garnier, Mrs Sharon Hodgson, Graham Jones, Brandon Lewis, Jack Lopresti, Mr Andrew Love, John McDonnell, Stephen McPartland, Alun Michael, Sarah Teather, Sammy Wilson, Simon Wright and Nadhim Zahawi.

19 Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft City of Birmingham (Mayoral Referendum) Order 2012)

Members: Stuart Andrew, Gavin Barwell, Paul Blomfield, Richard Burden, Greg Clark, Stephen Crabb, Nic Dakin, Mr Brian H. Donohoe, Meg Hillier, Helen Jones, Mr Marcus Jones, Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger, Jason McCartney, Tessa Munt, Jim Shannon, Rory Stewart, Andrew Stunell and David Wright.

20 Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft City of Bradford (Mayoral Referendum) Order 2012)

Members: Gavin Barwell, Paul Blomfield, Greg Clark, Stephen Crabb, Nic Dakin, Jackie Doyle-Price, Chris Evans, Graham Evans, Helen Jones, Patrick Mercer, Mr Nick Raynsford, Sir Bob Russell, Jim Shannon, Mr Barry Sheerman, Mr Richard Shepherd, Andrew Stunell, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe and Mr Robert Syms.

21 Ninth Delegated Legislation Committee (Policing Protocol Order 2011 (S.I., 2011, No. 2744))

Members: Mike Crockart, James Duddridge, Barry Gardiner, Mr David Hanson, Gordon Henderson, Nick Herbert, Dr Julian Huppert, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr David Lammy, Steve McCabe, Mary Macleod, James Morris, Ian Paisley, Laura Sandys, Henry Smith, Graham Stringer, Ms Gisela Stuart and Phil Wilson.

22 European Committee B in respect of European Union Documents No. 17697/09, 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 Passenger Name Record (PNR) data by air carriers to the United States Department of Homeland Security (2007 PNR agreement), No. 17429/11, a draft Council Decision on the signature of the Agreement between the USA and the EU on the use and transfer of PNRs to the United States Department of Homeland Security, No. 17430/11, a draft Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the USA and the EU on the use and transfer of PNRs to the United States Department of Homeland Security, No. 9821/11, a draft Council Decision on the signature of the Agreement between the EU and Australia on the processing and transfer of PNR data by air carriers to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and No. 9823/11, a draft Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the EU and Australia on the processing and transfer of PNR data by air carriers to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service

Members: Chris Bryant, Mr James Clappison, Michael Connarty, James Duddridge, Damian Green, Tristram Hunt, Dr Julian Huppert, Mrs Mensch, Ian Paisley, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Chris Ruane, David Rutley and Mr David Winnick.

European Union Documents Referred

23 European Committee B

European Union Documents No. 17308/11 and Addenda 1 and 2, relating to a Draft Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No. 1060/2009 on credit rating agencies, and No. 17329/11 and Addenda 1 and 2, relating to a Draft Directive amending Directive 2009/65/EC on the coordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to undertakings of collective investment in transferable securities (UCITS) and Directive 2011/61/EU on Alternative Investment Funds Managers in respect of the excessive reliance on credit ratings.

24 European Committee B

European Union Document No. 17229/11 and Addenda 1 to 4, relating to the Commission Communication: Annual Growth Survey 2012

Reports from Select Committees

25 Education Committee

(1) Services for Young People: The Government response: Government response to the Committee’s Sixth Report of Session 2010–12: Tenth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1736);

(2) The Child Protection System in England: Evidence, to be printed (HC 1514-v);

(3) The College of Social Work: Written evidence, to be published;

(4) Departmental Annual Report: Written evidence, to be published

(Mr Graham Stuart).

26 Energy and Climate Change Committee

Fuel poverty in the private rented and off-grid sectors:

(1) Evidence, to be printed (HC 1744-i);

(2) Written evidence, to be published

(Mr Tim Yeo).

27 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

(1) Natural Environment White Paper:

(i) Evidence, to be printed (HC 1357-ii);

(ii) Written evidence, to be published;

(2) Greening the Common Agricultural Policy: Written evidence, to be published;

(3) Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy: Written evidence, to be published

(Miss Anne McIntosh).

28 Environmental Audit Committee

(1) Preparations for the Rio+20 Summit: Government Response to the Eighth Report from the Committee: Fifth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1737);

(2) Green Economy: Written evidence, to be published;

(3) Sustainable Food: Written evidence, to be published

(Joan Walley).

29 European Scrutiny Committee

(1) Fifty-first Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 428-xlvi);

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

(Mr William Cash).

30 International Development Committee

(1) Private Foundations: Thirteenth Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 1557);

(2) EU Development Assistance: Written evidence, to be published

(Malcolm Bruce).

31 Justice Committee

Joint enterprise: Eleventh Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report, and written evidence reported and ordered to be published on 25 October and 1 November 2011 (HC 1597) (Sir Alan Beith).

32 Northern Ireland Affairs Committee

Fuel laundering and smuggling: Evidence, to be printed (HC 1504-vi) (Mr Laurence Robertson).

33 Procedure Committee

(1) Debates on Government e-Petitions:

(i) Seventh Report, with written evidence, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 1706);

(ii) Written evidence, to be published;

(2) Sittings of the House and the parliamentary calendar:

(i) Evidence, to be printed (HC 1370-iv);

(ii) Written evidence, to be published

(Mr Greg Knight).

34 Public Administration (Select Committee on)

Change in Government: the agenda for leadership: Further Report, with the Government Responses to the Committee’s Eleventh, Thirteenth and Fifteenth Reports of Session 2010–12: Eighteenth Report, with Appendices, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 1746) (Mr Bernard Jenkin).

35 Scottish Affairs Committee

(1) Health and Safety in Scotland: Evidence, to be printed (HC 1344-viii);

(2) The Crown Estate in Scotland: Written evidence, to be published

(Mr Alan Reid).

36 Treasury Committee

Independent Commission on Banking: Final Report: Evidence, to be printed (HC 1534-vii) (Mr Andrew Tyrie).

37 Work and Pensions Committee

Automatic enrolment in workplace pensions and the National Employment Savings Trust: Evidence, to be printed (HC 1494-v) (Dame Anne Begg).

[WH, No. 161]

Sitting in Westminster Hall

The sitting began at 9.30 am.

Adjournment

Subjects:

Human rights and humanitarian issues in North Korea (Fiona Bruce).

Effect of empty property rates on small and medium-sized enterprises (Julian Sturdy).

Human rights in Iran (Mrs Louise Ellman).

Human rights and the case of Sergei Magnitsky (Mr Denis MacShane).

Technology and the primary school curriculum (John Pugh).

Motion made and Question proposed, That the sitting be now adjourned.-(Mr Brooks Newmark.)

Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(11)).

Adjourned at 5.13 pm until tomorrow.

APPENDIX

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1 Corporation Tax

Draft Enactment of Extra-Statutory Concessions Order 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (David Gauke).

2 Council Tax

Draft Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (Council Tax Increases) (England) Regulations 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Eric Pickles).

3 Tribunals and Inquiries

Draft Revenue and Customs Appeals Order 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (David Gauke).

4 Value Added Tax

Value Added Tax (Land Exemption) Order 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 58), dated 11 January 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (David Gauke).

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

5 Agriculture

Specified Products from China (Restriction on First Placing on the Market) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 47), dated 9 January 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mr Secretary Lansley).

6 Criminal Law

Libya (Asset-Freezing) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 56), dated 11 January 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mark Hoban).

Other Papers:

7 Prisons

Closure of Prisons Order 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 50), dated 10 January 2012 (by Act) (Secretary Kenneth Clarke).

8 Treaty Series (No. 1, 2012)

Agreement, done at Dublin on 22 March 2007, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ireland (by Command) (Cm. 8260) (Secretary William Hague).

9 Treaty Series (No. 2, 2012)

Convention, done at London on 26 September 2008, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital gains, with Protocol (by Command) (Cm. 8261) (Secretary William Hague).

10 Treaty Series (No. 3, 2012)

Exchange of Notes, done at Washington on 15 August and 8 September 2008, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the United States of America amending the Agreement of 1 October 2003 concerning the use of Wideawake Airfield on Ascension Island by Civil Aircraft not engaged in Scheduled International Air Services (by Command) (Cm. 8263) (Secretary William Hague).

11 Treaty Series (No. 4, 2012)

Agreement, done at London on 26 March 2007, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Denmark on the Reciprocal Holding of Stocks of Crude Oil and/or Petroleum Products (by Command) (Cm. 8259) (Secretary William Hague).

12 Treaty Series (No. 5, 2012)

Optional Protocol, adopted in New York on 8 December 2005, to the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel (by Command) (Cm. 8262) (Secretary William Hague).

Prepared 2nd February 2015