House of Commons
Session 2014-15
House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Wednesday
3rd September 2014
No. 31
The House met at 11.30 am.
PRAYERS.
1 Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for International Development
(2) the Prime Minister
2 Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Amendment) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Tim Loughton, supported by Mr Graham Brady, Mr Frank Field, Charles Hendry, Caroline Lucas, Charlotte Leslie, Greg Mulholland, Mr Rob Wilson, Craig Whittaker and Mark Durkan, presented a Bill to amend the Civil Partnership Act 2004 to provide that opposite sex couples may enter into a civil partnership; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 12 September, and to be printed (Bill 86).
3 Wild Animals in Circuses: Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to prohibit the use of wild animals in circuses; and for connected purposes;
That Jim Fitzpatrick, Jim Dowd, Sir Roger Gale, Mr Philip Hollobone, Dr Julian Huppert, Caroline Lucas, Naomi Long, Paul Flynn, Kerry McCarthy, Mr Hugh Bayley, Mr Russell Brown and Thomas Docherty present the Bill.
Jim Fitzpatrick accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 5 September, and to be printed (Bill 87).
4 Opposition Day: Leader of the Opposition (5th allotted day (Standing Order No. 14))
(1) Energy Company Licence Revocation
Motion made and Question put, That this House believes that consumers have a right to be treated fairly and be confident that energy companies will meet their obligations and provide good services; further believes that where companies breach these obligations, decisive action should be taken to put things right and prevent further breaches; notes that since 2001 Ofgem has imposed at least 31 fines totalling at least £90 million; further notes that despite these financial penalties energy companies face another 11 investigations with four additional cases at informal review stage; further notes that the regulator already has the power to revoke energy companies’ licences in certain limited circumstances, but not where energy companies comply with a penalty notice and then commit further breaches of their licence; and therefore calls on the Government to provide the energy regulator for Great Britain with a new statutory power to revoke energy companies’ licences where there are repeated instances of the most serious and deliberate breaches of their licence conditions which harm the interests of consumers.-(Caroline Flint.)
The House divided.
Division No. 43.
Ayes: 214 (Tellers: Phil Wilson, Bridget Phillipson).
Noes: 298 (Tellers: Harriett Baldwin, Mark Hunter).
Question accordingly negatived.
(2) Infant Class Sizes
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House notes that the number of infants taught in classes of over 30 has risen by 200 per cent since 2010, to over 93,000 children; also notes that the Government relaxed the rules on infant class sizes; further notes that the Conservative Party manifesto in 2010 pledged to create small schools with smaller class sizes; believes that the Government’s decision to prioritise capital spending in areas without shortages of places through the free school programme has led to chronic pressures on primary school places and has created classes of more than 70 pupils; and believes that capital spending for school places should be prioritised to areas with the greatest pressures on places.-(Tristram Hunt.)
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. 44.
Ayes: 200 (Tellers: Nic Dakin, Tom Blenkinsop).
Noes: 296 (Tellers: Harriett Baldwin, Dr Thérèse Coffey).
Question accordingly negatived.
5 Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Public Bodies (Marine Management Organisation) (Fees) Order 2014, which was laid before this House on 13 May 2014, in the last Session of Parliament, be approved.-(Dr Thérèse Coffey.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Community Interest Company (Amendment) Regulations 2014, which were laid before this House on 26 June, be approved.-(Dr Thérèse Coffey.)
Question agreed to.
(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Renewables Obligation Closure Order 2014, which was laid before this House on 30 June, be approved.-(Dr Thérèse Coffey.)
Question agreed to.
6 Delegated Legislation
Ordered, That the Motion in the name of Mr William Hague relating to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority 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 has been given that the instrument be approved.-(Dr Thérèse Coffey.)
7 Adjournment
Subject: Transport infrastructure in Northumberland (Guy Opperman).
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.-(Dr Thérèse Coffey.)
Adjourned at 7.44 pm until tomorrow.
_________________
Other proceedings
Explanatory Notes to Bills
8 Health Service Commissioner for England (Complaint Handling) Bill
Explanatory Notes to the Bill to be printed (Bill 31–EN).
General Committees: Reports
9 Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee
Sir Edward Leigh (Chair) reported the draft Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (Relevant Care Functions) (England) Regulations 2014.
10 Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee
Peter Bone (Chair) reported the draft National Minimum Wage (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2014.
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).
11 Childcare Payments Bill Committee
(1) Chairs: Jim Sheridan and Mrs Anne Main
(2) Members: Gavin Barwell, Alex Cunningham, Nic Dakin, Charlie Elphicke, Chris Evans, Robert Flello, Pat Glass, Ben Gummer, Mr David Heath, George Hollingbery, Robert Jenrick, Catherine McKinnell, Mary Macleod, Maria Miller, Priti Patel, Lucy Powell, Sir Bob Russell, Chloe Smith and Sammy Wilson.
12 Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill Committee
(1) Chairs: Martin Caton, Mr Graham Brady, Jim Dobbin and Nadine Dorries
(2) Members: Nicola Blackwood, Oliver Colvile, Stephen Doughty, Bill Esterson, Mark Garnier, Stephen Gilbert, Sheila Gilmore, Andrew Griffiths, Matthew Hancock, Andy McDonald, Anne Marie Morris, Ian Murray, Sheryll Murray, Toby Perkins, David Simpson, Mel Stride, Jo Swinson, Chris White and Mr Iain Wright.
13 Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill Committee
Members: Mr Jeremy Browne, Mr David Burrowes, Nick de Bois, Chris Evans, Pat Glass, Nick Herbert, Dan Jarvis, Stephen Metcalfe, David Morris, Grahame M. Morris, Ian Paisley, David Rutley, Mr Andy Slaughter, John Stevenson, Ian Swales, Karl Turner, Mr Shailesh Vara, Mr Ben Wallace and Chris Williamson.
14 Childcare Payments Bill (Programming Sub-Committee)
Members: Gavin Barwell, Nic Dakin, Chris Evans, Mr David Heath, Andrew Jones, Catherine McKinnell and Priti Patel.
15 Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill (Programming Sub-Committee)
Members: Nicola Blackwood, Stephen Doughty, Stephen Gilbert, Matthew Hancock, Andy McDonald, Toby Perkins and Mel Stride.
16 Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill (Programming Sub-Committee)
Members: Stephen Metcalfe, Mr Andy Slaughter, John Stevenson, Ian Swales, Karl Turner, Mr Ben Wallace and Chris Williamson.
17 First Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Political Parties, Elections and Referendum (Civil Sanctions) (Amendments) (No.2) Order 2014 )
(1) Chair: Mr Peter Bone
(2) Members: Ms Diane Abbott, Hazel Blears, Angie Bray, Mr Gregory Campbell, Mr James Clappison, Mr Dominic Grieve, Mr Sam Gyimah, Mr David Heath, John Hemming, Mr Stewart Jackson, Daniel Kawczynski, John Mann, Anne Milton, David Mowat, Teresa Pearce, Mr Dennis Skinner, Karl Turner and Stephen Twigg.
18 Second Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Road Safety (Financial Penalty Deposit) (Appropriate Amount) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2014)
(1) Chair: Hywel Williams
(2) Members: Richard Burden, Mr Aidan Burley, Dr Thérèse Coffey, Michael Ellis, Michael Fabricant, Paul Farrelly, Mrs Cheryl Gillan, Mr Robert Goodwill, Duncan Hames, Mr David Heath, Graham Jones, Mr David Lammy, Nigel Mills, Mrs Madeleine Moon, Neil Parish, Jim Shannon, Dr Alan Whitehead and Mr David Winnick.
19 Third Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Legal Services Act 2007 (Approved Regulator) (No. 2) Order 2014)
(1) Chair: Mr Charles Walker
(2) Members: Mr Bob Ainsworth, Mr Jim Cunningham, Jim Dowd, Mark Field, Richard Graham, Stephen Hammond, John Hemming, Dr Julian Huppert, John McDonnell, Stephen Metcalfe, Sarah Newton, Ian Paisley, Andrew Percy, Mr Andy Slaughter, Mr Gerry Sutcliffe, Karl Turner, Mr Shailesh Vara and Mr Ben Wallace.
20 Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) (Amendment) Order 2014)
(1) Chair: Nadine Dorries
(2) Members: Nigel Adams, Norman Baker, Mr Ronnie Campbell, Jeremy Corbyn, Richard Fuller, Chris Heaton-Harris, Damian Hinds, John Howell, Diana Johnson, Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck, Tim Loughton, Mr Andrew Love, Mr Dominic Raab, Jim Shannon, Sir Andrew Stunell, Mr Tom Watson, Phil Wilson and Mr Rob Wilson.
21 Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2014)
(1) Chair: Mr David Crausby
(2) Members: Norman Baker, Harriett Baldwin, Bob Blackman, Zac Goldsmith, Richard Harrington, Mr Nick Hurd, Diana Johnson, Mr Pat McFadden, Stephen Mosley, Ian Paisley, Mr Nick Raynsford, Mr Geoffrey Robinson, Mr Lee Scott, Mr Virendra Sharma, Ian Swales, Valerie Vaz, Mike Weatherley and Phil Wilson.
22 Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft National Minimum Wage (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2014)
Members: Rebecca Harris discharged and Paul Uppal nominated in substitution.
23 Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Local Audit (Auditor Panel Independence) Regulations 2014)
(1) Chair: Mr Andrew Turner
(2) Members: Mr Richard Bacon, Mr Crispin Blunt, Ann Clwyd, Tim Farron, Mr Frank Field, Mike Gapes, Kris Hopkins, Susan Elan Jones, Mark Lancaster, Jessica Lee, Mr David Nuttall, Dr Matthew Offord, John Pugh, Andy Sawford, David Simpson, Julian Sturdy, Derek Twigg and Mike Wood.
24 Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Equality Act 2010 (Equal Pay Audits) Regulations 2014)
(1) Chair: Mr George Howarth
(2) Members: Ian Austin, Harriett Baldwin, Gregory Barker, Nick Boles, Stella Creasy, Stephen Doughty, Mike Freer, Mrs Mary Glindon, Duncan Hames, Martin Horwood, Kwasi Kwarteng, Mr Andrew Lansley, Dr Phillip Lee, Jeremy Lefroy, Siobhain McDonagh, Meg Munn, Paul Murphy and Jim Shannon.
25 Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Drug Driving (Specified Limits) (England and Wales) Regulations 2014)
(1) Chair: Philip Davies
(2) Members: Guto Bebb, Mr David Blunkett, Richard Burden, Ann Coffey, Dr Thérèse Coffey, Jonathan Evans, Mr Roger Godsiff, Mr Robert Goodwill, Martin Horwood, Mr David Jones, Graham Jones, Dame Tessa Jowell, Chris Kelly, Mark Menzies, Dame Joan Ruddock, Jim Shannon, Iain Stewart and Mr Michael Thornton.
26 Ninth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Representation of the People (Supply of Information) Regulations 2014)
(1) Chair: Mr David Amess
(2) Members: Peter Aldous, Mr Gregory Campbell, Dr Thérèse Coffey, Mr Sam Gyimah, John Hemming, Martin Horwood, Glenda Jackson, Mrs Siân C. James, Sir Greg Knight, David Mowat, Mr Andrew Robathan, Mr Keith Simpson, Henry Smith, Ms Gisela Stuart, Karl Turner, Stephen Twigg, Chris Williamson and David Wright.
27 European Committee C in respect of European Union Documents No. 5489/14 and Addendum 1, a Commission Communication: For a European Industrial Renaissance, No. 13964/13 and Addenda 1 to 3, a Commission Staff Working Document: Member States Competitiveness Performance and Implementation of EU Industrial Policy and No. 13966/13, a Commission Staff Working Document: European Competitiveness Report 2013-Towards knowledge driven reindustrialisation
Members: Paul Uppal discharged and Rebecca Harris nominated in substitution.
European Union Documents Referred
28 European Committee A
European Union Document No. 11598/14 and Addenda 1 to 10, a draft Directive amending Directives 2008/98/EC on waste, 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste, 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste, 2000/53/EC on end-of-life vehicles, 2006/66/EC on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators, and 2012/19/EU on waste electrical and electronic equipment.
29 European Committee A
European Union Document No. 11592/14 and Addenda 1 to 3, a Commission Communication: Towards a circular economy-A zero waste programme for Europe.
30 European Committee B
European Union Documents, Council Decision 2014/508/CFSP of 30 July 2014 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No.826/2014 of 30 July 2014 implementing Regulation (EU) No. 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, Council Decision 2014/512/CFSP of 31 July 2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine and Council Regulation (EU) No. 833/2014 of 31 July 2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine.
31 European Committee B
European Union Documents No. 10340/14, a draft Amending Budget to the General Budget 2014: General statement of revenue; Statement of expenditure by section: Section III-Commission, Section VII-Committee of the Regions and Section IX-European Data Protection Supervisor and No. 10341/14, a draft Decision on the mobilisation of the Contingency Margin in 2014, together with European Union Document No. 10946/14, a draft Decision on the mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund, No. 10947/14, a draft Decision on the mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument and No. SEC (2014) 357, Statements of Estimates of the Commission for 2015: Preparation of the 2015 Draft Budget, already referred 2 July 2014.
32 European Committee B
European Union Documents No. 8230/13, a Commission Communication: Establishing a European Law Enforcement Training Scheme, and No 12013/14, a draft Regulation establishing a European Union agency for law enforcement training (Cepol), repealing and replacing Council Decision 2005/681/JHA.
33 European Committee B
European Union Document No. 6943/14 and Addendum, a Commission Report on the implementation by Member States of the Framework Decisions 2008/909/JHA, 2008/947/JHA and 2009/829/JHA on the mutual recognition of judicial decisions on custodial sentences or measures involving deprivation of liberty, on probation decisions and alternative sanctions and on supervision measures as an alternative to provisional detention.
The decision of 30 April to refer European Union Document No. 6943/14 and Addendum has been rescinded.
34 European Committee C
European Union Document No. 11976/14 and Addenda 1 to 3, a Commission White Paper: Towards more effective EU merger control.
Reports from Select Committees
35 Education Committee
Academies and free schools: Evidence and written evidence, to be published (HC 258) (Mr Graham Stuart).
36 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
(1) Horse welfare: Evidence, to be published (HC 546);
(2) Waste management: Written evidence, to be published (HC 241)
(Miss Anne McIntosh).
37 Environmental Audit Committee
(1) Sustainability in the Home Office: Fourth Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 222);
(2) Well-being: Government response to the Committee’s Fifteenth Report of Session 2013–14: Fifth Special Report, to be printed (HC 639);
(3) An environmental scorecard: Written evidence, to be published (HC 215);
(4) Climate change adaptation: Written evidence, to be published (HC 453);
(5) Action on air quality: Written evidence, to be published (HC 212)
(Joan Walley).
38 European Scrutiny Committee
(1) Ninth Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 219-ix);
(2) Tenth Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 219-x);
(3) Eleventh Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 219-xi);
(4) Ministerial Correspondence: Written evidence, to be published
(Sir William Cash).
39 Foreign Affairs Committee
(1) Russia and Ukraine: Evidence and written evidence, to be published (HC 628);
(2) Correspondence from the Chinese Ambassador to the UK, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, and the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress, relating to the Committee’s inquiry into the UK’s relations with Hong Kong: Written evidence, to be published
(Sir Richard Ottaway).
40 High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Bill Select Committee
High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Bill: Evidence and written evidence, to be published (HC 338) (Mr Robert Syms).
41 Home Affairs Committee
(1) Her Majesty’s Passport Office: delays in processing applications: Fourth Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 238);
(2) Police, the media, and high-profile criminal investigations: Written evidence, to be published (HC 629)
(Keith Vaz).
42 Justice Committee
Joint enterprise: follow-up: Evidence, to be published (HC 310) (Sir Alan Beith).
43 Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
The Administrative Scheme for "on-the-runs": Evidence, to be published (HC 177) (Mr Laurence Robertson).
44 Public Accounts (Committee of)
(1) Local government funding: assurance to Parliament: Thirteenth Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 456);
(2) The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: oversight of three PFI waste projects: Fourteenth Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 106);
(3) Reforming the UK border and immigration system: Evidence, to be published (HC 584)
(Margaret Hodge).
45 Science and Technology Committee
(1) Practical science in schools: Evidence, to be published (HC 329);
(2) GM foods and application of the precautionary principle in Europe: Written evidence, to be published (HC 328);
(3) National health screening: Written evidence, to be published (HC 244)
(Andrew Miller).
46 Treasury Committee
Treatment of financial services consumers: Evidence, to be published (HC 631) (Mr Andrew Tyrie).
47 Work and Pensions Committee
(1) Fraud and error in the benefits system: Government Response to the Sixth Report of the Committee, Session 2013–14: Third Special Report, to be printed (HC 627);
(2) Employment support for disabled people: Access to Work: Evidence and written evidence, to be published (HC 481);
(3) Progress with Personal Independence Payment implementation: Written evidence, to be published (HC 644)
(Dame Anne Begg).
John Bercow
Speaker
Sitting in Westminster Hall
The sitting began at 9.30 am.
Adjournment
Subjects:
Community hospitals (Charlie Elphicke).
Government actions and planning applications for renewable energy development in the Beccles area (Peter Aldous).
Adult learning (Meg Hillier).
Reducing fires at waste management sites (Nick Smith).
Public Health England Hub Programme and Porton Down (John Glen).
Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.-(George Freeman.)
Adjourned at 5.04 pm until tomorrow.
Lindsay Hoyle
Deputy Speaker
APPENDIX
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
1 Animals
Tuberculosis (Deer and Camelid) Slaughter and Compensation (England) Order 2014 (S.I., 2014, No. 2338), dated 1 September 2014 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Elizabeth Truss).
2 Children and Young Persons
Childcare Providers (Information, Advice and Training) Regulations 2014 (S.I., 2014, No. 2319), dated 28 August 2014 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Nicky Morgan).
3 Customs
Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (Amendment) (Fees) Regulations 2014 (S.I., 2014, No. 2339), dated 1 September 2014 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Elizabeth Truss).
4 Intellectual Property
Intellectual Property Act 2014 (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I., 2014, No. 2329), dated 28 August 2014 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Vince Cable).
5 Road Traffic
Motor Cars (Driving Instruction) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I., 2014, No. 2216), dated 18 August 2014 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Patrick McLoughlin).
Other Papers:
6 Budget Responsibility and National Audit
External review of the Office for Budget Responsibility (by Act) (Mr David Gauke).
7 Justice
Government Response to the First Report from the Justice Committee, Session 2014–15, on Crime Reduction Policies (by Command) (Cm. 8918) (Secretary Chris Grayling).
8 Prisons
Closure of Prisons (No. 2) Order 2014 (S.I., 2014, No. 2340), dated 28 August 2014 (by Act) (Secretary Chris Grayling).