House of Commons

House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Tuesday
24th April 2012

No. 291

Tuesday 24 April 2012

The House met at 2.30 pm.

PRAYERS.

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

Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time on Tuesday 1 May.

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

Motion made, That the promoters of the London Local Authorities and Transport for London (No. 2) Bill [Lords], which was originally introduced in the House of Lords in Session 2007–08 on 22 January 2008, should have leave to suspend any further proceedings on the bill in order to proceed with it, if they think fit, in the next Session of Parliament according to the provisions of Standing Order 188A (Suspension of bills).-(First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.)

Objection taken (Standing Order No. 20(2)).

Business deferred until Tuesday 1 May.

3 Questions to the Chancellor of the Exchequer

4 Urgent Question: Stephen Lawrence Inquiry (James Brokenshire)

5 Housing (Selective Licensing of Private Landlords in Exempted Areas) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)

Graham Jones presented a Bill to give local authorities the power to apply selective licensing conditions to private landlords in exempted areas with social housing stock.

Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 27 April, and to be printed (Bill 330).

6 Food Labelling (Halal and Kosher Meat): 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 introduce compulsory labelling of halal and kosher meat and products containing halal and kosher meat by retailers at the point of sale; and for connected purposes.-(Philip Davies.)

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

Question put.

The House divided.

Division No. 534.

Ayes: 70 (Tellers: Mr Philip Hollobone, Mr David Nuttall).

Noes: 73 (Tellers: Valerie Vaz, Jacob Rees-Mogg).

Question accordingly negatived.

7 Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill: Consideration of Lords Message

The House proceeded to consider the Lords Message received today relating to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill.

Lords Amendment 1B

Motion made and Question proposed, That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment 1B.-(Mr Jonathan Djanogly.)

One hour after the commencement of proceedings, the debate was interrupted (Programme Order, 17 April).

The following questions were put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83G).

(1) That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendment 1B (Question already proposed from the Chair (Standing Order No. 83G(2))).

The House divided.

Division No. 535.

Ayes: 300 (Tellers: James Duddridge, Stephen Crabb).

Noes: 222 (Tellers: Lyn Brown, Nic Dakin).

Question accordingly agreed to.

Lords Amendment 1B accordingly disagreed to.

(2) That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendments 2B and 196B (Question on motion made by a Minister on remaining items in the Lords Message (Standing Order No. 83G(4))).-(Mr Jonathan Djanogly.)

Division No. 536.

Ayes: 298 (Tellers: James Duddridge, Jenny Willott).

Noes: 227 (Tellers: Lyn Brown, Nic Dakin).

Question accordingly agreed to.

Lords Amendments 2B and 196B accordingly disagreed to.

(3) That this House insists on its disagreement with the Lords in their Amendment 31 but proposes Amendment (a) in lieu (Question on motion made by a Minister on remaining items in the Lords Message (Standing Order No. 83G(4))).-(Mr Jonathan Djanogly.)

Question agreed to.

Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83H(2)), That a Committee be appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their Amendments 1B, 2B and 196B.

That Mr Jonathan Djanogly, Mr Shailesh Vara, Mr Andy Slaughter, Yvonne Fovargue and Tom Brake be members of the Committee.

That Mr Jonathan Djanogly be the Chair of the Committee.

That three be the Quorum of the Committee.

That the Committee do withdraw immediately.-(Jeremy Wright.)

Question agreed to.

8 Section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993

Motion made and Question put, That this House approves, for the purposes of section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993, the Government’s assessment as set out in the Budget Report, combined with the Office for Budget Responsibility’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook, which forms the basis of the UK’s Convergence Programme.-(Mr Mark Hoban.)

The House divided.

Division No. 537.

Ayes: 281 (Tellers: Jenny Willott, James Duddridge).

Noes: 228 (Tellers: Phil Wilson, Mark Hendrick).

Question accordingly agreed to.

9 Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill (Reasons Committee)

Mr Jonathan Djanogly (Chair) reported from the Committee appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to certain of their Amendments to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill, That it had drawn up the following Reasons, which it had directed him to report to the House:

The Commons disagree to Lords Amendment 1B for the following Reason:

Because it would alter the financial arrangements made by the Commons, and the Commons do not offer any further Reason, trusting that this Reason may be deemed sufficient.

The Commons disagree to Lords Amendments 2B and 196B for the following Reason:

Because it is appropriate for provision about evidence of abuse for the purposes of an application for civil legal services described in paragraph 10 or 11 of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to be made by regulations.

The Reasons were agreed to.

Message to the Lords to communicate the said Reasons, with the Bill and Amendments.

10 EU Directive on data protection in the areas of police and criminal justice

Motion made and Question proposed, That this House takes note of European Union Document No. 5833/12 and Addenda 1 and 2, relating to a draft Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by competent authorities for the purposes of prevention, investigation, detection or prosecution of criminal offences or the execution of criminal penalties, and the free movement of such data; and supports the Government’s recommendation not to exercise its right to opt out of this draft Directive under Protocol 19 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (The Schengen Protocol).-(Mr Crispin Blunt.)

One and a half hours after the start of proceedings on the Motion, the Deputy Speaker put the Question (Standing Order No. 16(1)).

The House divided.

Division No. 538.

Ayes: 267 (Tellers: Jenny Willott, Stephen Crabb).

Noes: 24 (Tellers: Mr Peter Bone, Mr Philip Hollobone).

Question accordingly agreed to.

11 National Planning Policy Framework

Motion made, That this House has considered the matter of the National Planning Policy Framework.-(Greg Clark.)

At 10.00 pm, the Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 9(3)).

12 Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval

(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Public Bodies (Abolition of Courts Boards) Order 2012, which was laid before this House on 31 January, be approved.-(Stephen Crabb.)

Question agreed to.

(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2012, which was laid before this House on 28 February, be approved.-(Stephen Crabb.)

Question agreed to.

13 Financial assistance to industry

Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6) and Order of 21 March), That this House authorises the Secretary of State to undertake to pay, and to pay by way of financial assistance under section 8 of the Industrial Development Act 1982, in respect of United Kingdom Green Investments, sums exceeding £10 million and up to a cumulative total of £775 million.-(Stephen Crabb.)

Question agreed to.

14 Value Added Taxation

Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 119(11)), That this House takes note of European Union Document No. 18288/11, relating to a Commission Communication on the future of VAT: Towards a simpler, more robust and efficient VAT system tailored to the single market; welcomes the objectives of moving towards a simpler, more efficient, robust and fraud-proof EU VAT system; shares the Government’s view that priority should be given to ensuring that the 2015 VAT Package changes, including the introduction of the VAT mini One Stop Shop, to the continuation of a broad-based EU dialogue on making the current system work better, and to appropriate measures to protect and secure revenues; and supports the Government’s commitment to counter unhelpful proposals that might lead to an erosion of UK national sovereignty, or result in tax matters being dealt with otherwise than in Council on a unanimous basis.-(Stephen Crabb.)

Question agreed to.

15 Business of the House (Sunday Trading (London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) Bill [Lords])

Ordered, That, in respect of the Sunday Trading (London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) Bill [Lords], notices of Amendments, new Clauses and new Schedules to be moved in Committee may be accepted by the Clerks at the Table before the Bill has been read a second time.-(Stephen Crabb.)

16 Delegated Legislation

Ordered, That the Motion in the name of Mr Peter Lilley relating to the House of Commons Members’ Fund 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.-(Stephen Crabb.)

17 Public Petitions

A Public Petition from residents of Dodworth relating to Broadband Services (Dodworth, South Yorkshire) was presented and read by Angela Smith.

18 Adjournment

Subject: Jobs at Group Lotus (Mr Richard Bacon).

Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.-(Stephen Crabb.)

Adjourned at 10.34 pm until tomorrow.

_________________

Other proceedings

Lords Messages

19 Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill

The Lords insist on an Amendment to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill to which the Commons have disagreed, for which insistence they assign their Reason; they do not insist on certain other of their Amendments to which the Commons have disagreed but propose Amendments in lieu of those Amendments to which they desire the agreement of the Commons; they do not insist on certain other of their Amendments to which the Commons have disagreed; they agree without amendment to the Amendments proposed by the Commons to certain other of their Amendments; and they agree without amendment to the Amendments proposed by the Commons in lieu of certain other of their Amendments.

20 Scotland Bill

The Lords agree to the Scotland Bill, with Amendments to which they desire the agreement of this House.

21 Protection of Freedoms Bill

The Lords do not insist on their Amendments to the Protection of Freedoms Bill to which the Commons have disagreed and agree without amendment to the Commons Amendments to the remaining Lords Amendments.

Printing of Lords Amendments and Reasons

22 Scotland Bill

Lords Amendments to the Scotland Bill to be considered tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 334), with Explanatory Notes (Bill 334–EN).

23 Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill

Lords Insistence and Reasons on Amendments and Amendments in lieu to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill to be considered today, and to be printed (Bill 332).

Reports from Select Committees

24 Business, Innovation and Skills Committee

(1) Trade and Investment: Brazil: Evidence, to be printed (HC 1949-i);

(2) Export Credits Guarantee Department Main Estimates 2012–13: Written evidence, to be published;

(3) UK Trade & Investment Main Estimates 2012–13: Written evidence, to be published

(Mr Adrian Bailey).

25 Culture, Media and Sport Committee

(1) News International and Phone-hacking: Evidence, to be printed with written evidence reported and ordered to be published on 24 March, 5 and 26 April, 17 May, 7 June, 14 and 29 July, 16 August, 6 and 13 September, 18 October, 1 and 8 November and 7, 13 and 20 December 2011, and 19 and 31 January, 8 and 28 February and 14 and 20 March (HC 903-ii);

(2) Library Closures: Written evidence, to be published

(Mr John Whittingdale).

26 Education Committee

(1) The responsibilities of the Secretary of State: Evidence, to be printed (HC 1786-ii);

(2) Department for Education Main Estimate 2012–13: Written evidence, to be published;

(3) Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) Main Estimate 2012–13: Written evidence, to be published;

(4) Teachers’ Pension Scheme Main Estimate 2012–13: Written evidence, to be published

(Mr Graham Stuart).

27 Energy and Climate Change Committee

(1) The impact of potential Scottish independence on energy and climate change: Evidence, to be printed (HC 1912-ii);

(2) Correspondence with the Department of Energy and Climate Change on the EU Emissions Trading System: Written evidence, to be published;

(3) Nuclear new build: Written evidence, to be published;

(4) The road to UNFCCC COP 18 and beyond: Written evidence, to be published

(Mr Tim Yeo).

28 Foreign Affairs Committee

The role and future of the Commonwealth: Evidence, to be printed (HC 1810-iii) (Richard Ottaway).

29 Health Committee

(1) Department of Health Main Estimate 2012–13: Written evidence, to be published;

(2) Food Standards Agency Main Estimate 2012–13: Written evidence, to be published

(Mr Stephen Dorrell).

30 Home Affairs Committee

(1) Drugs:

(i) Evidence, to be printed (HC 1774-iv);

(ii) Written evidence, to be published;

(2) The work of the Home Secretary: Evidence, to be printed (HC 1939-i)

(Keith Vaz).

31 Human Rights (Joint Committee on)

(1) The role and independence of the Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England:

(i) Evidence, to be printed (HC 1953-i);

(ii) Written evidence, to be published;

(2) Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland: Written evidence, to be published;

(3) The Implementation of the Right of Disabled People to Independent Living: Written evidence, to be published;

(4) UN Convention Against Torture: Written evidence, to be published

(Dr Hywel Francis).

32 International Development Committee

(1) Tax in Developing Countries:

(i) Evidence, to be printed (HC 1821-ii);

(ii) Written evidence, to be published;

(2) Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria: Written evidence, to be published;

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

(4) Zambia: Written evidence, to be published

(Malcolm Bruce).

33 Public Administration (Select Committee on)

(1) Honours System:

(i) Evidence, to be printed (HC 1921-i);

(ii) Written evidence, to be published;

(2) Strategic thinking in Government: Written evidence, to be published

(Mr Bernard Jenkin).

34 Standards and Privileges (Committee on)

Dr Liam Fox: Written evidence, to be published (Mr Kevin Barron).

35 Transport Committee

(1) Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing Reforms:

(i) Seventeenth Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 1798);

(ii) Written evidence, to be published;

(2) Road Safety Framework:

(i) Evidence, to be printed (HC 1738-v);

(ii) Written evidence, to be published;

(3) Competition in the local bus market: Written evidence, to be published;

(4) Low carbon vehicles: Written evidence, to be published

(Mrs Louise Ellman).

36 Treasury Committee

(1) Credit Rating Agencies: Evidence, to be printed (HC 1866-iii);

(2) HM Treasury and Government Actuary’s Department Estimates memoranda 2012–13: Written evidence, to be printed

(Mr Andrew Tyrie).

[WH, No. 193]

Sitting in Westminster Hall

The sitting began at 9.30 am.

Adjournment

Subjects:

School funding (Richard Graham).

Human rights in Uganda (Jim Shannon).

Future of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Julian Smith).

Government policy on the Equality and Human Rights Commission (Sandra Osborne).

Procurement of local services and goods by local authorities (John Stevenson).

Motion made and Question proposed, That the sitting be now adjourned.-(Bill Wiggin.)

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

Adjourned at 2.00 pm until tomorrow.

APPENDIX

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

1 Sports Grounds and Sporting Events

Safety of Sports Grounds (Designation) Order 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 1133), dated 20 April 2012 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Jeremy Hunt).

Other Papers:

2 Government Trading Funds

Treasury Minute, dated 24 April 2012, relating to HM Land Registry Trading Fund (by Act) (Danny Alexander).

3 National Audit

Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Financial management in the Home Office (by Act); to be printed (HC 1832) (Clerk of the House).

Prepared 3rd February 2015