House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Wednesday
7th March 2012

No. 273

Wednesday 7 March 2012

The House met at 11.30 am.

PRAYERS.

1 Spoliation Advisory Panel

Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, That she will be graciously pleased to give directions that there be laid before this House a Return of the Report from the Honourable Sir Donnell Deeny, Chairman of the Spoliation Advisory Panel, dated 7 March 2012, in respect of fourteen clocks and watches now in the possession of the British Museum, London.-(Secretary Jeremy Hunt.)

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

(2) the Prime Minister

3 Address to Her Majesty (Diamond Jubilee)

Resolved, nemine contradicente, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty on the occasion of the Sixtieth Anniversary of Her Accession to the Throne.

Ordered, That the said Address be presented to Her Majesty by the whole House.-(The Prime Minister.)

4 Speaker’s Statement: Arrangements for 20 March

5 Opposition Day: Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (Un-allotted half day)

Changing perceptions of Northern Ireland

Motion made and Question proposed, That this House welcomes the NI 2012 campaign to change perceptions of Northern Ireland and to encourage many more visitors to come to Northern Ireland; notes that, despite current economic difficulties, this campaign takes place in the context of a momentous year for the UK when the nation will celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen, and will host the Olympic Games; further notes that, in Northern Ireland, 2012 is the centenary of the Titanic tragedy, an event that remains seared into the world’s consciousness and culture, and the centenary of the signing of the Ulster Covenant and Declaration, often described as the foundation document of Northern Ireland; welcomes the enormous progress that has occurred in recent years in moving Northern Ireland forward; and looks forward to the programme of events and activities which will help make Northern Ireland the place to visit in 2012.-(Dr William McCrea.)

6 Deferred Divisions

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

Safety of offshore oil and gas activities,-That this House takes note of European Union Document No. 16175/11 and Addenda 1 to 4, relating to a Draft Regulation on the safety of offshore oil and gas prospection, exploration and production activities; supports the Government’s view that the UK has a proven, robust offshore environmental and safety regime; and further supports the Government’s intention to negotiate a legal instrument which ensures that high standards of health and safety and high levels of protection for the environment are maintained across Europe in respect of oil and gas operations, and that any new proposals do not negatively impact upon the present UK regime.

Division No. 484.

Ayes: 308.

Noes: 183.

Question accordingly agreed to.

7 Opposition Day: Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (Un-allotted half day) (resumed)

The House resumed the debate.

Question put, and agreed to.

8 Backbench Business (Un-allotted part day)

Human rights abuses and the death of Sergei Magnitsky

Resolved, That this House notes the passage of the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Bill through the United States Senate, the Bill to condemn corruption and impunity in Russia in the case and death of Sergei Magnitsky in the House of Commons in Canada, the approval of the resolution of the Dutch Parliament concerning Sergei Magnitsky dated 29 June 2011, and paragraphs I and 20 to 21 of the resolution of the European Parliament of 14 December 2011 on the EU-Russia Summit; and calls on the Government to bring forward equivalent legislative proposals providing for a presumption in favour of asset freezes and travel bans for officials of the Russian state and other countries, wherever the appropriate UK authorities have collected or received evidence that establishes that such officials:

(a) were involved in the detention, physical abuse or death of Sergei Magnitsky;

(b) participated in efforts to conceal the legal liability for the detention, abuse or death of Sergei Magnitsky;

(c) committed the frauds discovered by Sergei Magnitsky; or

(d) are responsible for extrajudicial killings, torture or other gross violations of human rights committed in Russia or any other country against any individual seeking to obtain, exercise, defend or promote basic and internationally recognised human rights, including those set out in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966.-(Mr Dominic Raab.)

9 Statement: Specialist disability employment support (Maria Miller)

10 Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval

(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations 2012, which were laid before this House on 27 February, be approved.-(Mr Shailesh Vara.)

Question agreed to.

(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Mesothelioma Lump Sum Payments (Conditions and Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations 2012, which were laid before this House on 27 February, be approved.-(Mr Shailesh Vara.)

Question agreed to.

11 EU Structural Cohesion Funds

Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 119(11)), That this House 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.-(Mr Shailesh Vara.)

Question agreed to.

12 Business of the House (12 March)

Ordered, That at the sitting on Monday 12 March the Speaker shall put the Questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on:

(1) the Motion in the name of Sir George Young relating to Backbench Business Committee not later than one and a half hours after their commencement;

(2) the Motions in the name of Sir George Young relating to Committee on Standards and Committee of Privileges and Pay for Chairs of Select Committees not later than three hours after commencement of proceedings on the Motion specified in paragraph (1);

(3) the Motions in the name of Mr Kevin Barron relating to Code of Conduct and All-Party Groups not later than four and a half hours after commencement of proceedings on the Motion specified in paragraph (1); and

(4) the Motion in the name of Sir George Young relating to Localism Act 2011, etc.: scrutiny of certain orders and draft orders not later than the moment of interruption;

and such Questions shall include the Questions on any Amendments selected by the Speaker which may then be moved.-(Mr Shailesh Vara.)

13 Business of the House (13 March)

Ordered, That at the sitting on Tuesday 13 March-

(1) paragraph (2) of Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments) shall apply to the Motion in the name of Edward Miliband as if the day were an Opposition Day; and proceedings on the Motion may continue for three hours and shall then lapse if not previously disposed of; and

(2) notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order No. 20 (Time for taking private business), the Private Business set down by the Chairman of Ways and Means shall be entered upon (whether before, at or after 7.00 pm), and may then be proceeded with, though opposed, for three hours after which the Speaker shall interrupt the business.-(Mr Shailesh Vara.)

14 Public Petitions

A Public Petition from residents of Torphichen, West Lothian relating to Post Office services (Torphichen, West Lothian) was presented and read by Michael Connarty.

A Public Petition from residents of the United Kingdom relating to Health and Social Care Bill was presented and read by Tom Blenkinsop.

15 Adjournment

Subject: Progress of the historical enquiries team (Jim Shannon).

Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.-(Mr Shailesh Vara.)

Adjourned at 8.43 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).

16 First Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (Audit of Public Bodies) Order 2012)

(1) Chair: Mr David Crausby

(2) Members: Adam Afriyie, Lyn Brown, Jeremy Corbyn, Jackie Doyle-Price, Greg Hands, Mr Stephen Hepburn, Mrs Siân C. James, Sajid Javid, Mr John Leech, Chris Leslie, Alun Michael, Andrew Percy, Mr Dominic Raab, Miss Chloe Smith, Valerie Vaz, Mr David Ward, Mike Weatherley and Sammy Wilson.

17 Second Delegated Legislation Committee in respect of the draft Jobseeker’s Allowance (Domestic Violence) (Amendment) Regulations 2012

Chair: Mr James Gray.

18 Third Delegated Legislation Committee in respect of the draft Alternative Provision Academies (Consequential Amendments to Acts) (England) Order 2012

Chair: Jim Sheridan.

19 Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2012)

(1) Chair: Nadine Dorries

(2) Members: Andrew Bingham, Mr David Blunkett, Tom Brake, Chris Bryant, Mr Robert Buckland, Mr Douglas Carswell, Geraint Davies, Caroline Dinenage, James Duddridge, Michael Ellis, Mike Gapes, Damian Green, Dr Julian Huppert, Mrs Madeleine Moon, Ian Paisley, Mark Pawsey, Mr Geoffrey Robinson and Phil Wilson.

20 Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Data-gathering Powers (Relevant Data) Regulations 2012)

(1) Chair: Mr Peter Bone

(2) Members: Bob Blackman, Hazel Blears, Lyn Brown, Mr Ronnie Campbell, Mr David Gauke, Mr Roger Godsiff, Mr Robert Goodwill, John Hemming, Charlotte Leslie, Mr Andrew Love, Iain McKenzie, Laura Sandys, Alok Sharma, Owen Smith, Paul Uppal, James Wharton, Stephen Williams and Sammy Wilson.

21 Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Localism Act 2011 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2012 and the draft Parish Councils (General Power of Competence) (Prescribed Conditions) Order 2012)

(1) Chair: Martin Caton

(2) Members: Peter Aldous, Mr Ben Bradshaw, Richard Burden, Alun Cairns, Stephen Crabb, Mike Crockart, Nic Dakin, Andrew Griffiths, Stephen Hammond, Tristram Hunt, Helen Jones, Karen Lumley, Jim McGovern, Stephen Mosley, Robert Neill, David Simpson, Mr Dennis Skinner and Ian Swales.

22 Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee (Motion in the name of Vince Cable relating to Financial Assistance to Industry)

(1) Chair: Mr Christopher Chope

(2) Members: Mr Bob Ainsworth, Gordon Birtwistle, Lorely Burt, Ann Clwyd, Joseph Johnson, Mr Marcus Jones, Simon Kirby, Dr Phillip Lee, Jack Lopresti, Steve McCabe, Mr Gordon Marsden, Jesse Norman, Mr Mark Prisk, Steve Rotheram, Chris Ruane, David Simpson, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe and Jeremy Wright.

23 Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Tax Credits Up-rating Regulations 2012, the draft Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating Order 2012 and the draft Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating (Northern Ireland) Order 2012)

(1) Chair: Philip Davies

(2) Members: Steve Brine, Lyn Brown, Ann Coffey, James Duddridge, Paul Farrelly, Rebecca Harris, John Hemming, Meg Hillier, Sajid Javid, Sarah Newton, Eric Ollerenshaw, Mr Virendra Sharma, Chris Skidmore, Miss Chloe Smith, Stephen Timms, Stephen Williams, Sammy Wilson and Mr David Winnick.

24 Ninth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Unfair Dismissal and Statement of Reasons for Dismissal (Variation of Qualifying Period) Order 2012 and the draft Employment Tribunals Act 1996 (Tribunal Composition) Order 2012)

(1) Chair: Mr David Amess

(2) Members: Mr Aidan Burley, Jon Cruddas, Mrs Helen Grant, Mr Sam Gyimah, Norman Lamb, Siobhain McDonagh, Stephen McPartland, Mr Michael Meacher, Tessa Munt, Paul Murphy, Ian Murray, Sarah Newton, Dr Daniel Poulter, Chris Ruane, David Simpson, Mr Andrew Smith, Martin Vickers and Jeremy Wright.

25 European Committee A in respect of European Union Documents No. 18007/11, a Commission Communication on airport policy in the European Union: addressing capacity and quality to promote growth, connectivity and sustainable mobility, No. 18008/11 and Addenda 1 to 3, relating to a draft Council Regulation on ground-handling services at Union airports and repealing Directive 96/67/EC, No. 18009/11 and Addenda 1 to 4, a draft Regulation on common rules for the allocation of slots at European Union airports (recast), and No. 18010/11 and Addenda 1 and 2, relating to a draft Regulation on the establishment of rules and procedures with regard to the introduction of noise-related operating restrictions at Union airports within a balanced approach and repealing Directive 2002/30/EC

Members: Nic Dakin, Jim Fitzpatrick, Kelvin Hopkins, Andrew Jones, Mr John Leech, Paul Maynard, Mr Nick Raynsford, Jim Shannon, Henry Smith, Graham Stringer, Mr Robert Syms, Mrs Theresa Villiers and Bill Wiggin.

26 European Committee B in respect of European Union Documents No. 13284/11 and Addenda 1 to 4, relating to a draft Regulation on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms, No. 13285/11 and Addenda 1 and 2, relating to a draft Directive on the access to the activity of credit institutions and the prudential supervision of credit institutions and investment firms and amending Directive 2002/87/EC on the supplementary supervision of credit institutions, insurance undertakings and investment firms in a financial conglomerate, and No. 5876/12, relating to an opinion of the European Central Bank on a proposal for a Directive on the access to the activity of credit institutions and the prudential supervision of credit institutions and investment firms and a proposal for a Regulation on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms

(1) Chair: Mr Graham Brady

(2) Members: Mr Brian Binley, Lyn Brown, Michael Connarty, Rosie Cooper, Mike Crockart, Greg Hands, Chris Heaton-Harris, Mr Mark Hoban, Andrea Leadsom, Chris Leslie, Mr Pat McFadden, Alok Sharma and Sammy Wilson.

27 European Committee C in respect of European Union Document No. 7455/11, relating to a draft Regulation amending certain Regulations relating to the common commercial policy as regards the procedures for the adoption of certain measures

Chair: Miss Anne McIntosh.

European Union Documents Referred

28 European Committee C

European Union Document No. 18899/11 and Addenda 1 to 3, relating to a Draft Directive amending Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualification and Regulation on administrative cooperation through the Internal Market Information System.

Reports from Select Committees

29 Education Committee

The Child Protection System in England: Evidence, to be printed (HC 1514-vi) (Mr Graham Stuart).

30 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

(1) The Water White Paper: Evidence, to be printed (HC 1852-iii);

(2) The rationalisation of the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency: Written evidence, to be published

(Miss Anne McIntosh).

31 Environmental Audit Committee

(1) Wildlife Crime:

(i) Evidence, to be printed (HC 1740-i);

(ii) Written evidence, to be published;

(2) Protecting the Arctic: Written evidence, to be published

(Joan Walley).

32 European Scrutiny Committee

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

(2) Draft Agreement on a Unified Patent Court and Draft Statute: Evidence, to be printed (HC 1799-iii);

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

(Mr William Cash).

33 Public Accounts (Committee of)

(1) Adult Apprenticeships: Evidence, to be printed (HC 1875-i);

(2) National Audit Office Supply Estimate 2012–13: Evidence, to be printed (HC 1884-i)

(Margaret Hodge).

34 Science and Technology Committee

Pre-appointment hearing with the Government’s preferred candidate for Chair of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council: Fourteenth Report, with evidence, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 1871-I and -II) (Andrew Miller).

35 Scottish Affairs Committee

(1) The Crown Estate in Scotland: Seventh Report, with written evidence, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 1117);

(2) The Referendum on Separation for Scotland: Evidence, to be printed (HC 1608-iv)

(Mr Ian Davidson).

36 Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)

Forty-second Report, to be printed (HC 354-xlii) (Mr George Mudie).

37 Treasury Committee

Credit Rating Agencies: Evidence, to be printed (HC 1866-ii) (Mr Andrew Tyrie).

38 Work and Pensions Committee

(1) Automatic enrolment in workplace pensions and the National Employment Savings Trust: Eighth 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 7 and 14 September and 2 November 2011 (HC 1494);

(2) Department for Work and Pensions Supplementary Estimate 2011–12: Written evidence, to be published

(Oliver Heald).

[WH, No. 182]

Sitting in Westminster Hall

The sitting began at 9.30 am.

Adjournment

Subjects:

Funding for the fire service in metropolitan areas (Yasmin Qureshi).

Effect of DVLA closures in Scotland (Mr Frank Doran).

Raising awareness of veterans’ mental health (Julian Sturdy).

Support for export sales of Typhoon aircraft (Mark Menzies).

Effect of the situation in Syria on Lebanon (Mr Andrew Love).

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

Adjourned at 4.59 pm until tomorrow.

APPENDIX

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1 Competition

Competition Act 1998 (Public Policy Exclusion) Order 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 710), dated 6 March 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Vince Cable).

2 Corporation Tax

London Legacy Development Corporation (Tax Consequences) Regulations 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 701), dated 6 March 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (David Gauke).

3 Council Tax

Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 672), dated 2 March 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Eric Pickles).

4 Education

School Behaviour (Determination and Publicising of Measures in Academies) Regulations 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 619), dated 29 February 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Michael Gove).

5 Housing

Localism Act 2011 (Regulation of Social Housing) (Consequential Provisions) Order 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 641), dated 1 March 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Eric Pickles).

6 Income Tax

Individual Savings Account (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 705), dated 6 March 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mark Hoban).

7 Local Government

Standards Board for England (Abolition) Order 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 668), dated 2 March 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Eric Pickles).

8 London Government

Localism Act 2011 (Housing and Regeneration Functions in Greater London) (Consequential, Transitory, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 666), dated 2 March 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Eric Pickles).

9 Pensions

Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme (Amendment) Order 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 670), dated 29 February 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Philip Hammond).

10 Police

Police (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 680), dated 2 March 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Theresa May).

11 Public Health

Tobacco Advertising and Promotion (Display and Specialist Tobacconists) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 677), dated 4 March 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mr Secretary Lansley).

12 Rating and Valuation

Non-Domestic Rating Contributions (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 664), dated 2 March 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Eric Pickles).

Other Papers:

13 Fisheries

Report and Accounts of the Sea Fish Industry Authority for 2009–10, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act); to be printed (HC 1864) (Secretary Caroline Spelman).

14 Spoliation Advisory Panel

Return to an Address to Her Majesty for a Return of the Report from the Right Honourable Sir Donnell Deeny, Chairman of the Spoliation Advisory Panel, dated 7 March 2012, in respect of fourteen clocks and watches now in the possession of the British Museum (pursuant to Resolution today); to be printed (HC 1839) (Secretary Jeremy Hunt).

15 Treaty Series (No. 22, 2012)

Convention, done at London on 13 July 2011, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Armenia for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital, with Protocol (by Command) (Cm. 8316) (Secretary William Hague).

16 Treaty Series (No. 23, 2012)

Convention on Social Security, done at The Hague on 21 December 2005, between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Kingdom of The Netherlands (by Command) (Cm. 8315) (Secretary William Hague).

17 Work and Pensions

Disability employment support: fulfilling potential: Government Response to the Consultation on the recommendations in Liz Sayce’s independent review, Getting in, staying in and getting on (by Command) (Cm. 8312) (Secretary Iain Duncan Smith).