House of Commons
Session 2014-15
House of Commons Votes and Proceedings
Wednesday
25th March 2015
No. 132
The House met at 11.30 am.
PRAYERS.
1 Questions to (1) the Minister for the Cabinet Office
(2) the Prime Minister
2 Protection of Children (Removal of Police Discretion) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Mr Barry Sheerman, supported by Sarah Champion, Mr Elfyn Llwyd, Meg Munn and Liz McInnes, presented a Bill to require the Secretary of State to remove the discretionary decision-making power afforded to police officers in charging individuals with rape in cases relating to acts of sexual intercourse involving persons aged under 16; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 27 March and to be printed (Bill 195).
3 Tax Transparency and International Development: Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require country by country public reporting for all multinational companies; to strengthen controlled foreign company rules and overseas bond rules; to establish a public register of beneficial ownership, including in the Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories; to introduce a penalty regime for the General Anti-Abuse Rule; to measure the impact of tax regimes on developing countries; to establish a commitment to use the international aid budget to strengthen tax systems in developing countries; and for connected purposes;
That Fiona O’Donnell, Dame Anne McGuire, Anas Sarwar, Steve Rotheram, Ann McKechin, Jeremy Lefroy, Sheila Gilmore, Valerie Vaz and Fabian Hamilton present the Bill.
Fiona O’Donnell accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 27 March, and to be printed (Bill 196).
4 Finance (No. 2) Bill: Second Reading
Bill read a second time and stood committed to a Committee of the whole House (Order, 24 March).
5 Finance (No. 2) Bill: Committee of the whole House
The House resolved itself into a Committee (Order, 24 March).
(In the Committee)
Question proposed, That Clause 66 stand part of the Bill.
6 Deferred Divisions
The Deputy Speaker announced the results of the Division which had been deferred to this day (Standing Order No. 41A).
Statutory Instruments: Motion for Approval
That the draft Infrastructure Planning (Radioactive Waste Geological Disposal Facilities) Order 2015, which was laid before this House on 12 January, be approved.
Division No. 183.
Ayes: 277.
Noes: 33.
Question accordingly agreed to.
7 Finance (No. 2) Bill: Committee of the whole House (resumed)
Question again proposed, That Clause 66 stand part of the Bill.
Question put and agreed to.
Clause 67 agreed to.
New Clause NC1-(Shabana Mahmood)-brought up, and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The Committee divided.
Division No. 184.
Ayes: 231 (Tellers: Phil Wilson, Tom Blenkinsop).
Noes: 305 (Tellers: Damian Hinds, Mel Stride).
Question accordingly negatived.
Clause 1 (Value added tax)
Amendment 1 proposed.-(Shabana Mahmood.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The Committee divided.
Division No. 185.
Ayes: 230 (Tellers: Stephen Doughty, Tom Blenkinsop).
Noes: 309 (Tellers: Damian Hinds, Mel Stride).
Question accordingly negatived.
Clauses 1 to 5 agreed to.
Clause 6 (Corporation tax: charge and rates)
Amendment 2 proposed.-(Shabana Mahmood.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The Committee divided.
Division No. 186.
Ayes: 229 (Tellers: Tom Blenkinsop, Phil Wilson).
Noes: 306 (Tellers: Damian Hinds, Mel Stride).
Question accordingly negatived.
Six hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Finance (No. 2) Bill, the debate was interrupted (Order, 24 March).
The following Question was put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83D and Order, 24 March)
That Clauses 6 to 65 and 68 to 127 and Schedules 1 to 21 be agreed to.
Question agreed to.
________________
The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair.
Mr Jim Hood reported, That the Committee had gone through the Bill and reported it without amendment.
8 Finance (No. 2) Bill: Third Reading
Question put, That the Bill be read the third time (Order, 24 March).
The House divided.
Division No. 187.
Ayes: 307 (Tellers: Damian Hinds, Mel Stride).
Noes: 226 (Tellers: Phil Wilson, Tom Blenkinsop).
Question accordingly agreed to.
Bill read the third time and passed.
9 Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism
Resolved, That the draft Terrorism Act 2000 (Proscribed Organisations) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2015, which was laid before this House on 23 March, be approved.-(James Brokenshire.)
10 Investment Plan for Europe
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 119(11)), That this House takes note of European Union Documents No.16115/14, a Commission Communication: An investment plan for Europe, No. 5112/15 and Addendum, a draft Regulation on the European Fund for Strategic Investments and amending Regulations (EU) No. 1291/2013 and (EU) No. 1316/2013, and No. 5317/15, Draft Amending Budget No. 1 to the General Budget 2015 accompanying the draft Regulation on the European Fund for Strategic Investments and amending Regulations (EU) No.1291/2013 and (EU) No. 1316/2013; agrees with the Government that at a time of ongoing economic fragility in Europe and tight constraints on domestic public spending, a focus on jobs and growth to facilitate the economic recovery of Europe should be welcomed; notes that the Draft Amending Budget is budget neutral and is funded from reallocations from within the ceiling for the 2014–20 Multiannual Financial Framework, which was secured by the Prime Minister in 2013 and which delivers an unprecedented real-terms reduction compared with the 2007–13 period; notes that the proposed structure respects the integrity of the European Investment Bank and does not duplicate or pre-empt the existing governance structures of the institution; and supports the Government's objective of ensuring that the proposed mechanism contributes to growth and investment in the UK-(Mr Ben Wallace.)
Question agreed to.
11 Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Public Bodies (Abolition of the Advisory Committees on Pesticides) Order 2015, which was laid before this House on 15 December 2014, be approved.-(Mr Ben Wallace.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Care Act 2014 and Children and Families Act 2014 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2015, which was laid before this House on 5 February, be approved.-(Mr Ben Wallace.)
Question agreed to
(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 (Disclosure of Revenue Information) Regulations 2015, which were laid before this House on 5 February, be approved.-(Mr Ben Wallace.)
Question agreed to.
(4) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Community Radio (Amendment) Order 2015, which was laid before this House on 26 February, be approved.-(Mr Ben Wallace.)
Question agreed to.
(5) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6) and Order of 24 March), That the draft Local Authorities (Prohibition of Charging Residents to Deposit Household Waste) Order 2015, which was laid before this House on 25 February, be approved.-(Mr Ben Wallace.)
Question agreed to.
(6) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6) and Order of 24 March), That the draft Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rating (Powers of Entry: Safeguards) (England) Order 2015, which was laid before this House on 27 February, be approved.-(Mr Ben Wallace.)
Question agreed to.
12 Public Petitions
A Public Petition from residents of the constituency of Hitchin and Harpenden relating to a radiotherapy facility at Lister Hospital, Stevenage was presented and read by Mr Peter Lilley.
A Public Petition from residents of the UK relating to remediation of contaminated land in Coedpoeth and Brymbo was presented and read by Susan Elan Jones.
A Public Petition from residents of the constituency of Stone in Staffordshire relating to heavy goods vehicles on the A519 (Staffordshire) was presented and read by Sir William Cash.
A Public Petition from residents of Barnoldswick relating to parking outside Fairmore Medical Practice in Nelson was presented and read by Andrew Stephenson.
A Public Petition from residents of the Chippenham constituency relating to an urgent care centre at Chippenham Hospital was presented and read by Duncan Hames.
A Public Petition from residents of the UK relating to housing development on Midmar Paddock, Edinburgh was presented and read by Ian Murray.
A Public Petition from residents of the Wakefield constituency relating to changes to budgets for GPs was presented and read by Mary Creagh.
A Public Petition from residents of the UK relating to development on greenbelt land in Edinburgh was presented and read by Ian Murray.
A Public Petition from residents of Southampton, Itchen relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Carshalton and Wallington relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Bolton West relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Stratford-on-Avon relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Bradford South relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Elmet and Rothwell relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of North Wiltshire relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Chelsea and Fulham relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Ashford relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Arundel South Downs relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Chichester relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Loughborough relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Hove relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Penrith and the Border relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Torridge and West Devon relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of South Ribble relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Hammersmith relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Poplar and Limehouse relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Rochdale relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Leeds West relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Portsmouth South relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Sutton and Cheam relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Chesterfield relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Workington relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Bethnal Green and Bow relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Taunton Deane relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Stockton North relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Boston and Skegness relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Pontefract and Castleford relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of York Central relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Barrow and Furness relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of Holborn and St Pancras relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented.
A Public Petition from residents of the Huntingdon constituency relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented by Mr Jonathan Djanogly.
A Public Petition from residents of Brigg and Goole relating to eligibility of Members to vote on certain issues in the House of Commons was presented by Andrew Percy.
A Public Petition from residents of Gillingham and Rainham relating to protection of the wrecks of HMS Cressy, HMS Hogue and HMS Aboukir was presented by Rehman Chishti.
13 Adjournment
Subject: Social care and military compensation (Mr Gordon Marsden).
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.-(Mr Don Foster.)
Adjourned at 8.10 pm until tomorrow.
_________________
Other proceedings
Lords Messages
14 Local Government (Religious etc. Observances) Bill
The Lords agree to the Local Government (Religious etc. Observances) Bill without amendment.
15 Health and Social Care (Safety and Quality) Bill
The Lords agree to the Health and Social Care (Safety and Quality) Bill without amendment.
16 Health Service Commissioner for England (Complaint Handling) Bill
The Lords agree to the Health Service Commissioner for England (Complaint Handling) Bill without amendment.
17 Modern Slavery Bill
The Lords do not insist on their amendment to the Modern Slavery Bill to which the Commons have disagreed and agree to the amendments proposed by the Commons in lieu thereof.
Reports from Select Committees
18 Communities and Local Government Committee
(1) Child sexual exploitation: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Machinery of Government changes: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Performance of the Department of Communities and Local Government 2013–14: Written evidence, to be published (HC 878)
(Mr Clive Betts).
19 Education Committee
(1) Department for Education Annual Report and Accounts 2013–14: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Foundation years: Sure Start children’s centres: follow-up: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1017);
(3) Priority schools building programme: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1090)
(Mr Graham Stuart).
20 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
(1) CAP payments to farmers:
(i) Tenth Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 1143);
(ii) Evidence, to be published (HC 1143);
(2) Dairy prices: Government response to the Committee’s Fifth Report of Session 2014–15: Sixth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1147);
(3) Food security: demand, consumption and waste: Government response to the Committee’s Sixth Report of Session 2014–15: Seventh Special Report, to be printed (HC 1148);
(4) Rural broadband and digital-only services: Government response to the Committee’s Seventh Report of Session 2014–15: Eighth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1149);
(5) Defra performance in 2013–14: Government response to the Committee’s Eighth Report of Session 2014–15: Ninth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1150);
(6) Correspondence with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs relating to Work of the Committee: 2010–15: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Correspondence with the Food Standards Agency relating to Work of the Committee: 2010–15: Written evidence, to be published
(Miss Anne McIntosh).
21 International Development Committee
(1) The Independent Commission for Aid Impact’s Report on Assessing the Impact of the Scale-up of DFID’s Support to Fragile States: Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee on the Work of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact, to be published (HC 1043);
(2) The Independent Commission for Aid Impact’s Report on UK Development Assistance for Security and Justice: Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee on the Work of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact, to be published (HC 1041)
(Fabian Hamilton).
22 Justice Committee
(1) Correspondence with the Ministry of Justice relating to the appointment of HM Chief Inspectors of Prisons and Probation: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Correspondence with the Ministry of Justice relating to the Mid-Year Report 2014: Written evidence, to be published
(Sir Alan Beith).
23 Public Accounts (Committee of)
(1) Financial support for students of alternative higher education providers-follow-up: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1097);
(2) Managing and replacing the Aspire contract: recall: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1122);
(3) Sellafield recall: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1096);
(4) Tax avoidance and evasion: HSBC: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1095)
(Margaret Hodge).
24 Scottish Affairs Committee
(1) Sports Direct: employment practises and the sale of USC: Evidence, to be published (HC 1111);
(2) Blacklisting in Employment: Written evidence, to be published (HC 272);
(3) Correspondence with Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP relating to request for oral evidence from Sports Direct: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1111)
(Mr Ian Davidson).
25 Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)
Twenty-seventh Report, to be printed (HC 332-xxvii) (Mr George Mudie).
26 Statutory Instruments (Select Committee on)
Fourth Report, to be printed (HC 553-iv) (Mr George Mudie).
27 Transport Committee
Work of the Department for Transport 2010–15: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1109) (Mrs Louise Ellman).
John Bercow
Speaker
Sitting in Westminster Hall
The sitting began at 9.30 am.
Adjournment
Subjects:
Economic infrastructure of North Wales (Mark Tami).
Human rights and security in Democratic Republic of Congo (Jeremy Corbyn).
High Speed 2 (Mrs Cheryl Gillan).
Crisis report on homelessness 2015 (Mr Brooks Newmark).
Monitor’s investigation into Princess Royal University Hospital and hospitals in South East London (Jim Dowd).
Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.-(Mel Stride.)
Adjourned at 5.12 pm
Lindsay Hoyle
Deputy Speaker
APPENDIX
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Draft Legislative Reform Order:
1 Regulatory Reform
Draft Legislative Reform (Further Renewal of Radio Licences) Order 2015, with an Explanatory Document recommending the affirmative resolution procedure (by Act), with an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Sajid Javid).
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
2 Arms and Ammunition
Firearms Regulations 2015 (S.I., 2015, No. 860), dated 23 March 2015 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Theresa May).
3 Electricity
Electricity and Gas (Market Integrity and Transparency) (Enforcement etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I., 2015, No. 862), dated 23 March 2015 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Edward Davey).
4 Energy
(1) Draft Modifications to the Standard Conditions of Electricity and Gas Supply Licences, the Smart Meter Communication Licences and the Smart Energy Code (Smart Meters No. 3 of 2015) (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Edward Davey); and
(2) Heat Network (Metering and Billing) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I., 2015, No. 855), dated 23 March 2015 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Edward Davey).
5 Environmental Protection
Anti-social Behaviour (Designation of the City of London Corporation) Order 2015 (S.I., 2015, No. 858), dated 20 March 2015 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Theresa May).
6 Immigration
(1) Channel Tunnel (International Arrangements) and Channel Tunnel (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Order 2015 (S.I., 2015, No. 856), dated 23 March 2015 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Theresa May); and
(2) Immigration and Police (Passenger, Crew and Service Information) (Amendment) Order 2015 (S.I., 2015, No. 859), dated 19 March 2015 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Theresa May).
7 Income Tax
Individual Savings Account (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2015 (S.I., 2015, No. 869), dated 24 March 2015 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mr David Gauke).
8 Local Government
Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I., 2015, No. 881), dated 25 March 2015 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Eric Pickles).
9 Pensions
Occupational Pension Schemes (Charges and Governance) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I., 2015, No. 889), dated 25 March 2015 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Iain Duncan Smith).
10 Proceeds of Crime
Administrative Forfeiture of Cash (Forfeiture Notices) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 (S.I., 2015, No. 857), dated 23 March 2015 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Theresa May).
11 Public Service Pensions
Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I., 2015, No. 871), dated 24 March 2015 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Eric Pickles).
12 Road Traffic
Motor Vehicles (Insurance Requirements) (Immobilisation, Removal and Disposal) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I., 2015, No. 854), dated 23 March 2015 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Patrick McLoughlin).
13 Taxes
(1) International Tax Compliance (Crown Dependencies and Gibraltar) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I., 2015, No. 873), dated 24 March 2015 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mr David Gauke); and
(2) International Tax Compliance Regulations 2015 (S.I., 2015, No. 878), dated 24 March 2015 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mr David Gauke).
Other Papers:
14 Armed Forces’ Pay
Supplement to the Forty-fourth Report of the Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body: Service Medical and Dental Officers (by Command) (Cm. 9045) (Secretary Michael Fallon).
15 Climate Change
Statement of Emissions for 2013 (by Act) (Secretary Edward Davey).
16 Communities and Local Government
Government Response to the Sixth Report from the Communities and Local Government Committee, Session 2014–15, on Community Rights (by Command) (Cm. 9052) (Secretary Eric Pickles).
17 Energy
Business Plan of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority for 2015–18 (by Act) (Secretary Edward Davey).
18 Food Safety
Food Law Code of Practice (England) (by Act) (Secretary Jeremy Hunt).
19 Foreign Affairs
Government Response to the Tenth Report from the Foreign Affairs Committee, Session 2014–15, on the UK’s relations with Hong Kong: 30 years after the Joint Declaration (by Command) (Cm. 9038) (Secretary Philip Hammond).
20 Government Resources and Accounts
Whole of Government Accounts for 2013–14, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act); to be printed (HC 1091) (Danny Alexander).
21 Parliamentary Commissioner
Report of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman on selected summaries of investigations for 1 October–30 November 2014 (by Act); to be printed (HC 1115) (Clerk of the House).
22 Social Security
Explanatory Memorandum to the Social Security Contributions (Amendments in Consequence of Part 4 of the Finance Act 2014) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015., No. 521) (laid 5 March) (by Command) (Mr David Gauke).
Withdrawn Papers:
23 Social Security
Explanatory Memorandum to the Social Security Contributions (Amendments in Consequence of Part 4 of the Finance Act 2014) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015., No. 521) (by Command) (laid 5 March).