House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Tuesday
6th March 2012

No. 272

Tuesday 6 March 2012

The House met at 2.30 pm.

PRAYERS.

1 Bradford West

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 Bradford West in the room of Mr Marsha Singh, 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 Private Bills [Lords]: London Local Authorities Bill [Lords]: Adjourned Debate on Question [21 February], That the Bill be now read the third time

Ordered, That the debate be resumed on Tuesday 13 March at 7.00 pm.

3 Private Bills [Lords]: Transport for London (Supplemental Toll Provisions) Bill [Lords]: Second Reading

Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Tuesday 13 March.

4 Questions to the Chancellor of the Exchequer

5 Planning Applications (Appeals by Town and Parish Councils) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)

Martin Caton, supported by Philip Davies, Mr Elfyn Llwyd, Andrew George, Caroline Lucas, Bob Blackman, Paul Flynn, Kate Hoey, Robert Halfon, Steve McCabe, Kelvin Hopkins and Sir Bob Russell, presented a Bill to allow town and parish councils to appeal against the granting of planning permission in their area in certain circumstances; to make provisions for Wales; and for connected purposes.

Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 27 April, and to be printed (Bill 314).

6 Energy Generation (Planning and Right to Invest): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)

Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require new energy generation companies to offer a proportion of shares for purchase by residents in local communities; to provide that residents in local communities have the right to invest in ownership of local electricity distribution grids; to establish an agency called Community Power Direct to advise local communities on matters relating to energy generation; to require local planning authorities to consult Community Power Direct when considering planning applications involving energy generation; and for connected purposes;

That Mr Gareth Thomas, Gavin Shuker, Barry Gardiner, Ms Karen Buck, Clive Efford, Kate Green, Chris Evans, Stella Creasy, Alun Michael, Mr Andrew Love, Rushanara Ali and John Cryer present the Bill.

Mr Gareth Thomas accordingly presented the Bill.

Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 27 April, and to be printed (Bill 315).

7 Water Industry (Financial Assistance) Bill: Second Reading

Order of the day being read, for resuming the adjourned Debate on the Question proposed on 29 February, That the Water Industry (Financial Assistance) Bill be now read a second time;

Bill read a second time.

8 Water Industry (Financial Assistance) Bill (Programme)

Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83A(7)), That the following provisions shall apply to the Water Industry (Financial Assistance) Bill:

Committal

1. The Bill shall be committed to a Committee of the whole House.

Proceedings in Committee, on consideration and on Third Reading

2. Proceedings in Committee, any proceedings on consideration and proceedings on Third Reading shall be completed at one day’s sitting.

3. On that day, proceedings in Committee and any proceedings on consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour before the moment of interruption.

4. On that day, proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption.

5. Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees) shall not apply to proceedings in Committee of the whole House, any proceedings on consideration or proceedings on Third Reading.

Other proceedings

6. Any other proceedings on the Bill (including any proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments or on any further messages from the Lords) may be programmed.-(Mr Shailesh Vara.)

Question agreed to.

9 Water Industry (Financial Assistance) Bill (Money)

Queen’s Recommendation signified.

Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 52(1)(a)), That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Water Industry (Financial Assistance) Bill, it is expedient to authorise-

(1) the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State by virtue of the Act, and

(2) the payment of sums into the Consolidated Fund.-(Mr Shailesh Vara.)

Question agreed to.

10 Public Procurement

Resolved, That this House considers that European Union Documents No. 18966/11 and Addenda 1 and 2, relating to the Draft Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on public procurement, and No. 18964/11 and Addenda 1 and 2, relating to a Draft Directive of the European Parliament and the Council on procurement by entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors, do not comply with the principle of subsidiarity for the reasons set out in Chapters 2 and 3 of the Fifty-seventh Report of the European Scrutiny Committee (HC 428-lii); and, in accordance with Article 6 of Protocol (No. 2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union on the application of principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, instructs the Clerk of the House to forward this reasoned opinion to the Presidents of the European Institutions.-(Mr Mark Harper.)

11 Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Bill [Lords]: Consideration of the Bill, not amended in the Public Bill Committee

New Clause NC1-(Chris Leslie)-brought up, and read the first time.

Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time.

Clause, by leave, withdrawn.

Amendment 1 proposed.-(Chris Leslie.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

12 Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Bill [Lords]: Third Reading

Bill read the third time, and passed without amendment.

13 EU Citizenship

Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 119(11)), That this House takes note of European Union Documents No. 15936/10, No. 16219/10 and No. 16392/10, relating to the EU Citizenship Reports 2010, and No. 18122/10, relating to the Commission Green Paper on less bureaucracy for citizens: promoting free movement of public documents and recognition of effects of civil status records; and supports the Government’s view that European citizenship should be understood as defined in the Treaties, which make clear that citizenship of the EU is additional to and does not replace national citizenship; recognises that the Government is approaching each measure individually to ensure it is proportionate, effective and offers value for money; and further notes that the Government is supportive of the objectives of the Green Paper but does not consider that the Paper is able to provide evidence of the need for change in some areas, and that much can be achieved through the sharing of best practice and closer co-operation between Member States.-(Stephen Crabb.)

Question agreed to.

14 Private Bills [Lords]: London Local Authorities and Transport for London (No. 2) Bill [Lords]: Second Reading

Bill read a second time and committed.

15 Sittings of the House (27 March)

Ordered, That, on Tuesday 27 March, the House shall meet at 11.30 am and references to specific times in the Standing Orders of this House shall apply as if that day were a Wednesday.-(Mr Brooks Newmark.)

16 Adjournment

Subject: Rail ticketing and overcrowding (Alok Sharma).

Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.-(Mr Brooks Newmark.)

Adjourned at 11.00 pm until tomorrow.

_________________

Other proceedings

Lords Messages

17 Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Bill

The Lords agree to the Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Bill without amendment.

General Committees: Reports

18 First Delegated Legislation Committee

Mr Mike Hancock (Chair) reported the draft Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 and the draft Mesothelioma Lump Sum Payments (Conditions and Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations 2012.

19 European Committee C in respect of European Union Document No. 15243/11 and Addenda 1 to 4, relating to a Draft Regulation laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund covered by the Common Strategic Framework and laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No.1083/2006

Mr Philip Hollobone (Chair) reported the following Resolution:

That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 15243/11 and Addenda 1 to 4, relating to a Draft Regulation laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund covered by the Common Strategic Framework and laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No. 1083/2006; and supports the Government’s aim to reduce the administrative burden on both Member States and the recipients of funds, and to target funds in order to maximise support for the Europe 2020 strategy for sustainable growth objectives.

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).

20 Third Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Alternative Provision Academies (Consequential Amendments to Acts) (England) Order 2012)

Members: Charlotte Leslie discharged and Chris White nominated in substitution.

Reports from Select Committees

21 Backbench Business Committee

Determination of business to be taken on 15 March in the Chamber, with Annex containing a transcript of representations made on 6 March, to be published (Natascha Engel).

22 Business, Innovation and Skills Committee

Apprenticeships: Evidence, to be printed (HC 1843-ii) (Mr Adrian Bailey).

23 Culture, Media and Sport Committee

Library closures: Written evidence, to be published (Mr John Whittingdale).

24 Energy and Climate Change Committee

(1) Low-carbon growth links with China: Evidence, to be printed (HC 1807-i);

(2) Consumption-Based Emissions Reporting: Written evidence, to be published

(Mr Tim Yeo).

25 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

The Water White Paper: Evidence, to be printed (HC 1852-ii) (Miss Anne McIntosh).

26 Health Committee

Education, training and workforce planning: Evidence, to be printed (HC 1648-v) (Mr Stephen Dorrell).

27 Human Rights (Joint Committee on)

(1) The Justice and Security Green Paper:

(i) Evidence, to be printed (HC 1777-v);

(ii) Written evidence, to be published;

(2) Legislative scrutiny: Written evidence, to be published;

(3) The Human Rights Implications of UK Extradition Policy: Written evidence, to be published

(Dr Hywel Francis).

28 International Development Committee

(1) Working Effectively in Fragile and Conflict-Affected States: DRC and Rwanda: Government Response to the Twelfth Report from the Committee, Session 2010–12: Eleventh Special Report, to be printed (HC 1872);

(2) EU Development Assistance:

(i) Evidence, to be printed (HC 1680-iii);

(ii) Written evidence, to be published;

(3) Tax in Developing Countries: Written evidence, to be published;

(4) The Development Situation in Malawi: Written evidence, to be published;

(5) Zambia: Written evidence, to be published

(Malcolm Bruce).

29 Justice Committee

The budget and structure of the MoJ: Evidence, to be printed (HC 1679-v) (Sir Alan Beith).

30 Liaison Committee

The Prime Minister: Evidence, to be printed (HC 608-v) (Sir Alan Beith).

31 Public Administration (Select Committee on)

Business Appointment Rules:

(1) Evidence, to be printed (HC 1762-i);

(2) Written evidence, to be published

(Mr Bernard Jenkin).

32 Scottish Affairs Committee

The Referendum on Separation for Scotland: Written evidence, to be published (Mr Ian Davidson).

33 Transport Committee

(1) Road Safety Framework: Evidence, to be printed (HC 1738-iv);

(2) Flight time limitations:

(i) Evidence, to be printed (HC 1838-ii);

(ii) Written evidence, to be published;

(3) Transport and the Olympics: Written evidence, to be published

(Mrs Louise Ellman).

34 Treasury Committee

Closing the tax gap: HMRC’s record at ensuring tax compliance: Twenty-ninth Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 1371) (Mr Andrew Tyrie).

[WH, No. 181]

Sitting in Westminster Hall

The sitting began at 9.30 am.

Adjournment

Subjects:

Government policy on manufacturing and engineering (Neil Carmichael).

Supply of council and social housing (Austin Mitchell).

Rossendale rail link (Jake Berry).

Effect of changes to legal aid on the not-for-profit advice sector (Yvonne Fovargue).

Operation of the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 (Stephen Williams).

Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.-(Greg Hands.)

Adjourned at 1.59 pm until tomorrow.

APPENDIX

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1 Civil Contingencies

Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (Contingency Planning) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 624), dated 29 February 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Francis Maude).

2 Family Proceedings

Family Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 679), dated 1 March 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Kenneth Clarke).

3 Health and Safety

Identification and Traceability of Explosives (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 638), dated 1 March 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Iain Duncan Smith).

4 Housing

Rent Officers (Housing Benefit Functions) (Amendment) Order 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 646), dated 29 February 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Iain Duncan Smith).

5 Infrastructure Planning

Localism Act 2011 (Infrastructure Planning) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 635), dated 1 March 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Eric Pickles).

6 Revenue and Customs

Taxes, etc. (Fees for Payment by Telephone) Regulations 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 689), dated 5 March 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (David Gauke).

7 Social Security

(1) Social Security (Claims and Payments) Amendment Regulations 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 644), dated 29 February 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Iain Duncan Smith);

(2) Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Prescribed Diseases) Amendment Regulations 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 647), dated 1 March 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Iain Duncan Smith); and

(3) Social Security (Recovery) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 645), dated 1 March 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Iain Duncan Smith).

8 Town and Country Planning

(1) Land Compensation Development (England) Order 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 634), dated 1 March 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Eric Pickles);

(2) Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 637), dated 1 March 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Eric Pickles); and

(3) Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) (Amendment) Order 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 636), dated 1 March 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Eric Pickles).

9 Tribunals and Inquiries

Tribunal Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 500), dated 22 February 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Kenneth Clarke).

10 Universities of Oxford and Cambridge

Statute, dated 15 December 2011, made by the Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge, revising the existing Statutes of the University (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Vince Cable).

Other Papers:

11 Defence

Ministry of Defence Minute, dated 6 March 2012, concerning the gifting of HMS Victory to the HMS Victory Preservation Trust (by Command) (Secretary Philip Hammond).

12 National Audit

Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Cross government: Efficiency and reform in government corporate functions through shared service centres (by Act); to be printed (HC 1790) (Clerk of the House).