House of Commons
Session 2014-15
House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Wednesday
18th June 2014
No. 9
The House met at 11.30 am.
PRAYERS.
1 Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for International Development
(2) the Prime Minister
2 Opposition Day: Leader of the Opposition (1st allotted day (Standing Order No. 14))
(1) Passport applications
Motion made and Question put, That this House expresses concern at the experience of constituents applying for passports at HM Passport Office, including lengthy delays and consequential cancellations of holidays and business visits; notes the Government’s response to the Urgent Question from the right hon. Member for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford of 12 June 2014, setting out emergency measures to deal with the passport backlog after an increase in demand; further notes that HM Passport Office is taking over responsibility for issuing an estimated 350,000 passports to citizens overseas from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office this year; believes that the Government failed to properly plan to meet the level of demand this year; calls on the Government to expand its emergency measures by compensating passport applicants who had to pay for urgent upgrades in recent weeks because of internal delays with HM Passport Office; and further calls for the Secretary of State for the Home Department to publish monthly figures for passport applications from within the UK and abroad compared to previous years to monitor performance at HM Passport Office.-(Yvette Cooper.)
The House divided.
Division No. 10.
Ayes: 235 (Tellers: Phil Wilson, Bridget Phillipson).
Noes: 282 (Tellers: Mark Hunter, Claire Perry).
Question accordingly negatived.
3 Election of Chair of the Health Committee
The Speaker announced that Dr Sarah Wollaston had been elected to be Chair of the Health Committee (Standing Order No. 122B).
4 Deferred divisions
The Speaker announced the results of the Division which had been deferred to this day (Standing Order No. 41A).
European Semester
That this House takes note of European Union Documents No. 10522/14 and Addendum, draft Council Recommendation on the United Kingdom’s 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on the United Kingdom’s 2014 convergence programme, No. 10679/14, a Commission Communication: 2014 European Semester: Country-specific recommendations: Building growth, No. 10459/14, a draft Council Recommendation on Belgium’s 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on Belgium’s 2014 stability programme, No. 10462/14, a draft Council Recommendation on Bulgaria’s 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on Bulgaria’s 2014 convergence programme, No. 10464/14, a draft Council Recommendation on the Czech Republic’s 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on the Czech Republic’s 2014 convergence programme, No. 10466/14, a draft Council Recommendation on Denmark’s 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on Denmark’s 2014 convergence programme, No. 10468/14, a draft Council Recommendation on Germany’s 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on Germany’s 2014 stability programme, No. 10471/14, a draft Council Recommendation on Estonia’s 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on Estonia’s 2014 stability programme, No. 10479/14, a draft Council Recommendation on Ireland’s 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on Ireland’s 2014 stability programme, No. 10481/14, a draft Council Recommendation on Spain’s 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on Spain’s 2014 stability programme, No. 10482/14, a draft Council Recommendation on France’s 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on France’s 2014 stability programme, No. 10483/14, a draft Council Recommendation on Croatia’s 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on Croatia’s 2014 convergence programme, No. 10484/14, a draft Council Recommendation on Italy’s 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on Italy’s 2014 stability programme, No. 10487/14, a draft Council Recommendation on Latvia’s 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on Latvia’s 2014 stability programme, No. 10489/14, a draft Council Recommendation on Lithuania’s 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on Lithuania’s 2014 convergence programme, No. 10491/14, a draft Council Recommendation on Luxembourg’s 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on Luxembourg’s 2014 stability programme, No. 10493/14, a draft Council Recommendation on Hungary’s 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on Hungary’s 2014 convergence programme, No. 10497/14, a draft Council Decision abrogating Decision 2010/407/EU on the existence of an excessive deficit in Denmark, No. 10498/14, a draft Council Recommendation on Malta’s 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on Malta’s 2014 stability programme, No. 10500/14, a draft Council Recommendation on the Netherlands’ 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on the Netherlands’ 2014 stability programme, No. 10502/14, a draft Council Recommendation on Austria’s 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on Austria’s 2014 stability programme, No. 10504/14, a draft Council Recommendation on Poland’s 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on Poland’s 2014 convergence programme, No. 10505/14, a draft Council Recommendation on Portugal’s 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on Portugal’s 2014 stability programme, No. 10510/14, a draft Council Recommendation on Romania’s 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on Romania’s 2014 convergence programme, No. 10512/14, a draft Council Recommendation on Slovenia’s 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on Slovenia’s 2014 stability programme, No. 10515/14, a draft Council Recommendation on Slovakia’s 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on Slovakia’s 2014 stability programme, No. 10517/14, a draft Council Recommendation on Finland’s 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on Finland’s 2014 stability programme, No. 10519/14, a draft Council Recommendation on Sweden’s 2014 national reform programme and delivering a Council opinion on Sweden’s 2014 convergence programme, No. 10524/14, a draft Council Recommendation on the implementation of the broad guidelines for the economic policies of the Member States whose currency is the euro, No. 7413/14, a Commission Communication: Results of in-depth reviews under Regulation (EU) No. 1176/2011 on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances, Unnumbered Commission Occasional Paper: Macroeconomic imbalances: United Kingdom, 2014, No. 16171/13, a Commission Report: A single market for growth and jobs: an analysis of progress made and remaining obstacles in the Member States, No. 15808/13, a Commission Report: Alert Mechanism Report 2014, No. 15803/13, a Commission Communication: Annual Growth Survey 2014, and No. 16348/13, a Draft Joint Employment Report accompanying the Commission Communication on the Annual Growth Survey 2014; further notes that the documents support the priorities of this Government to encourage structural reform, reduce the deficit and invest in UK infrastructure, and that the Government’s long term economic plan is working and the economy is growing, but that the job is not yet done and the Government is seeking to create a more resilient economy which supports sustainable growth; further notes that Help to Buy is having the desired effect of supporting first time buyers across the country to purchase a home; further notes that housing policy is a matter for Member States and not the Commission; and rejects the Commission’s proposal on council tax revaluation in the UK Country Specific Recommendation, which could raise council tax bills for hard pressed families.
Division No. 9.
Ayes: 269.
Noes: 217.
Question accordingly agreed to.
5 Opposition Day: Leader of the Opposition (1st allotted day (Standing Order No. 14)) (resumed)
(2) Energy prices
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House notes the policy of Her Majesty’s Official Opposition to freeze energy prices for 20 months while the energy market is reformed; further notes that in recent months wholesale gas and electricity prices have fallen significantly, with gas prices for next day delivery 38 per cent lower than their level this time last year and electricity prices 23 per cent lower; believes that in a properly competitive market wholesale cost reductions should be passed on as quickly and as fully as cost increases; and calls on the Government to provide the energy regulator for Great Britain with powers to force energy suppliers to pass on price cuts to consumers in all parts of Great Britain when wholesale costs fall, if suppliers fail to act.-(Caroline Flint.)
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. 11.
Ayes: 228 (Tellers: Tom Blenkinsop, Julie Hilling).
Noes: 283 (Tellers: Claire Perry, Mr Sam Gyimah).
Question accordingly negatived.
6 Adjournment
Subject: Rushden Lakes and Skew Bridge planning application (Mr Peter Bone).
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.-(Harriett Baldwin.)
Adjourned at 7.39 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).
7 First Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft European Union (Definition of Treaties) (Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment and Protocol thereto on matters specific to Aircraft Equipment) Order 2014)
(1) Chair: Mark Pritchard
(2) Members: Mr Richard Bacon, Harriett Baldwin, Gordon Birtwistle, Ann Coffey, Dr Thérèse Coffey, Mike Crockart, Mr John Denham, Stephen Doughty, Michael Fallon, Andrew Griffiths, Jeremy Lefroy, Tim Loughton, Mr Michael Meacher, Sheryll Murray, Fiona O’Donnell, David Simpson, Mr Dennis Skinner and Mr Iain Wright.
8 Second Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2014)
(1) Chair: Hywel Williams
(2) Members: Stephen Barclay, Mr Ben Bradshaw, Paul Burstow, Jenny Chapman, Oliver Colvile, Nick de Bois, Mr David Evennett, Mr Roger Godsiff, Meg Hillier, Dame Tessa Jowell, Charlotte Leslie, Ian Paisley, Steve Rotheram, David Rutley, Mrs Caroline Spelman, Mr Michael Thornton, Karl Turner and Jeremy Wright.
9 Third Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Crime and Courts Act 2013 (County Court and Family Court: Consequential Provision) Order 2014)
(1) Chair: Mr Andrew Turner
(2) Members: Michael Ellis, Bill Esterson, Mr David Evennett, Tim Farron, John Healey, Kate Hoey, Martin Horwood, Sir Gerald Kaufman, Mr David Lammy, Jack Lopresti, Anne Marie Morris, Ian Paisley, Sir John Randall, Mr Lee Scott, Mr Andy Slaughter, Chloe Smith, Karl Turner and Mr Shailesh Vara.
10 Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Communications Act 2003 (Disclosure of Information) Order 2014)
(1) Chair: Katy Clark
(2) Members: Harriett Baldwin, Mr Aidan Burley, Jim Fitzpatrick, Robert Flello, Dr Liam Fox, Helen Goodman, Mr Peter Hain, Mr Mark Harper, John Hemming, Mr Marcus Jones, Susan Elan Jones, David Morris, Jesse Norman, Jim Shannon, Graham Stringer, Sir Andrew Stunell, Mr Edward Vaizey and Dr Alan Whitehead.
11 Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (Motion in the name of Secretary Vince Cable relating to Financial Assistance to Industry in respect of early stage venture capital funds investing in small and medium-sized enterprises)
(1) Chair: Mr Charles Walker
(2) Members: Richard Benyon, Nicola Blackwood, Mr Douglas Carswell, Sarah Champion, Stella Creasy, Mr Sam Gyimah, Matthew Hancock, Mr David Heath, Graham Jones, Mr Pat McFadden, Stephen Mosley, Priti Patel, Mr Nick Raynsford, Chris Ruane, Sir Bob Russell, Jim Shannon, Mr Andrew Smith and Chris White.
12 Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Health Care and Associated Professions (Indemnity Arrangements) Order 2014)
(1) Chair: Mr Mike Weir
(2) Members: Bob Blackman, Mr Julian Brazier, Paul Burstow, Ann Clwyd, John Cryer, Sir Tony Cunningham, Michael Fabricant, Andrew Gwynne, Andrew Jones, Dr Phillip Lee, Seema Malhotra, Siobhain McDonagh, John Penrose, Dr Daniel Poulter, John Pugh, Jim Shannon, Derek Twigg and Bill Wiggin.
13 European Committee B in respect of European Union Documents Council Decision 2014/145/CFSP of 17 March 2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, and Council Regulation (EU) No. 269/2014 of 17 March 2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine
Members: Gavin Barwell, Mr Jim Cunningham, Charlie Elphicke, Mike Gapes, Julie Hilling, Kelvin Hopkins, Martin Horwood, Mr David Lidington, Stephen Phillips, Mr Mark Prisk, Andrew Rosindell, Jim Shannon and Mr Gareth Thomas.
Reports from Select Committees
14 Business, Innovation and Skills Committee
Business-University collaboration: Evidence taken on 17 and 18 June and written evidence, to be published (HC 249) (Mr Adrian Bailey).
15 Defence Committee
(1) Towards the next Defence and Security Review: Part Two: Evidence, to be published (HC 358);
(2) MoD Mid Year Report: Written evidence, to be published (HC 427)
(Rory Stewart).
16 Education Committee
(1) Foundation years: Sure Start children’s centres: Government response: Evidence and written evidence, to be published (HC 144);
(2) Extremism in schools: Written evidence, to be published
(Mr Graham Stuart).
17 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Tree health and plant biosecurity: Government Response to the Committee’s Tenth Report of Session 2013–14: First Special Report, to be printed (HC 242) (Miss Anne McIntosh).
18 Environmental Audit Committee
(1) Green finance: Government response to the Twelfth Report of the Committee, Session 2013–14: Third Special Report, to be printed (HC 330);
(2) Invasive non-native species: Government response to the Fourteenth Report of the Committee, Session 2013–14: Fourth Special Report, to be printed (HC 385);
(3) National Pollinator Strategy: Evidence and written evidence, to be published (HC 213);
(4) Growing a circular economy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 214)
(Joan Walley).
19 European Scrutiny Committee
(1) Third Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 219-iii);
(2) Ministerial Correspondence: Written evidence, to be published
(Sir William Cash).
20 Health Committee
Managing the care of people with long-term conditions: Second Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 401) (David Tredinnick).
21 Human Rights (Joint Committee on)
(1) Legal aid: children and the residence test: Evidence, to be published (HC 234);
(2) Legislative Scrutiny: Written evidence, to be published
(Dr Hywel Francis).
22 Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
The Administrative Scheme for "on-the-runs": Evidence, to be published (HC 177) (Mr Laurence Robertson).
23 Procedure Committee
Business in Westminster Hall: Evidence and written evidence, to be published (HC 236) (Mr Charles Walker).
24 Public Accounts (Committee of)
(1) Monitor: regulating NHS foundation trusts: Fourth Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 407);
(2) Infrastructure investment: the impact on consumer bills: Fifth Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 406);
(3) Maintenance of strategic infrastructure: roads: Evidence, to be published (HC 105)
(Margaret Hodge).
25 Science and Technology Committee
(1) Communicating climate science: Government Response to the Committee’s Eighth Report of Session 2013–14: First Special Report, to be printed (HC 376);
(2) Social media data and real time analytics: Evidence, to be published (HC 245);
(3) Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Education relating to science practicals in schools: Written evidence, to be published
(Andrew Miller).
26 Scottish Affairs Committee
The Referendum on Separation for Scotland: Evidence, to be printed (HC 271) (Mr Ian Davidson).
27 Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)
Second Report, to be printed (HC 332-ii) (Mr George Mudie).
28 Treasury Committee
Appointment of Professor Kristin Forbes to the Monetary Policy Committee:
(1) Second Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 206);
(2) Evidence and written evidence, to be published (HC 206)
(Mr Andrew Tyrie).
29 Work and Pensions Committee
Monitoring the performance of the Department for Work and Pensions in 2012–13: Government Response to the Committee’s Third Report of Session 2013–14: First Special Report, to be printed (HC 394) (Dame Anne Begg).
John Bercow
Speaker
Sitting in Westminster Hall
The sitting began at 9.30 am.
Adjournment
Subjects:
Washwood Heath RSMD Marshalling Yard (Mr Liam Byrne).
Future support for people currently in receipt of the Independent Living Fund (Nic Dakin).
Melbourne declaration on diabetes (Mr Adrian Sanders).
Dust pollution and fly infestation in Avonmouth, Bristol (Charlotte Leslie).
Impact of sulphur regulations on the shipping industry, jobs and the environment (Karl Turner).
Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.-(Mr David Evennett.)
Adjourned at 5.07 pm until tomorrow.
Lindsay Hoyle
Deputy Speaker
APPENDIX
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
1 Children and Young Persons
(1) Adoption and Care Planning (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2014 (S.I., 2014, No. 1556), dated 9 June 2014 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Michael Gove);
(2) Adoption and Children Act Register Regulations 2014 (S.I., 2014, No. 1492), dated 9 June 2014 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Michael Gove); and
(3) Adoption Support Services (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I., 2014, No. 1563), dated 9 June 2014 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Michael Gove).
Other Papers:
2 Government Resources and Accounts
(1) Report and Accounts of Food Standards Agency Westminster for 2013–14, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act); to be printed (HC 16) (Nicky Morgan); and
(2) Report and Consolidated Accounts of Food Standards Agency for 2013–14, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act); to be printed (HC 227) (Nicky Morgan).
3 House of Commons
Election for Chair of Health Committee: Result (The Speaker).
4 National Health Service
(1) Report and Accounts of Frimley Park Hospital NHS Foundation Trust for 2013–14 (by Act) (Secretary Jeremy Hunt);
(2) Report and Accounts of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust for 2013–14 (by Act) (Secretary Jeremy Hunt); and
(3) Report and Accounts of Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust for 2013–14 (by Act) (Secretary Jeremy Hunt).
Withdrawn Papers:
5 Merchant Shipping
Draft Merchant Shipping (Convention Relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea) Order 2014 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (laid 12 February 2014).