The House met at half-past Two o'clock.

1    Channel Tunnel Rail Link (Supplementary Provisions) Bill,—Mr Peter Atkinson reported from the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (Supplementary Provisions) Bill Committee:

(1) That it had come to the following Resolution: That, subject to the discretion of the Chair, any written evidence received by the Committee shall be reported to the House for publication; and

(2) That it had gone through the Bill and directed him to report the same, without Amendment.

Bill, not amended in the Public Bill Committee, to be considered to-morrow.

Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

2    Sale of Student Loans Bill,—Miss Anne Begg reported from the Sale of Student Loans Bill Committee:

(1) That it had come to the following Resolution: That, subject to the discretion of the Chair, any written evidence received by the Committee shall be reported to the House for publication; and

(2) That it had gone through the Bill and made an Amendment thereunto.

Bill, as amended in the Public Bill Committee, to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 13].

Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

3    Second Delegated Legislation Committee,—Mr Greg Pope reported from the Second Delegated Legislation Committee the draft Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board Order 2007.

Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

4    Third Delegated Legislation Committee,—Mr Jim Hood reported from the Third Delegated Legislation Committee the draft Stamp Duty Land Tax (Zero-Carbon Homes Relief) Regulations 2007.

Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

5    Opposition Day [3rd allotted day],—It being an allotted day at the disposal of the Leader of the Opposition in pursuance of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business), the House proceeded to consider Opposition business.

Funding of political parties,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes with concern the corrosion of public trust in democracy following the recent succession of scandals over the funding of the governing political party; regrets that a comprehensive package of proposals to reform electoral law was not achieved by the inter-party talks owing to the refusal of the Secretary of State for Justice and the Labour representative, Mr Peter Watt, to accept a comprehensive cap on donations; observes the unhealthy increase in back-door state funding through the £6 million of funds allocated to special advisers and the funding of over 3,000 press and communications officers across Whitehall and its quangos; asserts that the Communications Allowance is an unhealthy extension of taxpayer funding for party propaganda that advantages the governing party; and calls for a comprehensive package of reforms to restore public trust and to support a vibrant local democracy and voluntary activism, which must include an across-the-board cap and annually a genuine individual choice for union members on whether they wish to donate to their favoured political party—(Mr Francis Maude);

An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word 'House' to the end of the Question and add the words 'notes that political funding reform is essential to the future health of democracy in the UK and that Her Majesty's Gracious Speech said that the Government would bring forward proposals on the regulation of party finance and expenditure; regrets that a comprehensive reform package was not achieved by the inter-party talks owing to the unilateral decision of the Conservative Party to walk away from a draft agreement put to the parties by Sir Hayden Phillips, despite the fact that the draft agreement faithfully reflected recommendations in Sir Hayden's 15th March 2007 Report, which they had earlier welcomed; and urges all parties to engage constructively in order to achieve lasting reform in the public interest', instead thereof.—(Secretary Jack Straw.)

And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Stewart Jackson, Jeremy Wright: 160.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Alan Campbell, Mr Dave Watts: 341.

And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments);

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Alan Campbell, Mr Dave Watts: 300.

Tellers for the Noes, Jeremy Wright, Mr Stewart Jackson: 198.

So the Question was agreed to.

The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.

Performance of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House deplores the performance of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; regrets that it has been responsible for huge and avoidable costs to farmers and taxpayers; notes with concern the significant cost overruns in the Department's programme and administration budgets; and believes that planned budget cuts of £270 million will further undermine efforts to deliver policies which tackle climate change, promote the farming industry and enhance the natural environment—(Mr Peter Ainsworth);

An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word 'House' to the end of the Question and add the words 'commends the Government on its swift and effective action to deal with four different disease outbreaks in England in 2007; welcomes the announcement on 8th October 2007 of an aid package to farmers worth £12.5 million through extra support to hill farmers, fallen stock collection, meat promotion and help for farming support charities; congratulates the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on its effective emergency planning arrangements in conjunction with the emergency services and local authorities to warn those at risk from the recent tidal surge and initiate precautionary evacuation; applauds the increase in spending on flood defences since 1997, a 30 per cent. increase in real terms to around £600 million, and the announcement that spending will rise to a maximum of £800 million by 2010-11; and further congratulates the Government for bringing together environment, rural affairs and food and farming under Defra to create a unified structure essential for the effective delivery of integrated Government policies across these issues', instead thereof.—(Secretary Hilary Benn.)

And the Question being proposed, That the original words stand part of the Question;

Mr Patrick McLoughlin rose in his place and claimed to move, That the Question be now put.

And the Question being put, That the Question be now put:—It was agreed to.

And the Question being accordingly put;

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Stewart Jackson, Jeremy Wright: 186.

Tellers for the Noes, Alison Seabeck, Steve McCabe: 275.

And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments);

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Alison Seabeck, Steve McCabe: 272.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Stewart Jackson, Jeremy Wright: 187.

So the Question was agreed to.

The Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.

Resolved, That this House commends the Government on its swift and effective action to deal with four different disease outbreaks in England in 2007; welcomes the announcement on 8th October 2007 of an aid package to farmers worth £12.5 million through extra support to hill farmers, fallen stock collection, meat promotion and help for farming support charities; congratulates the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on its effective emergency planning arrangements in conjunction with the emergency services and local authorities to warn those at risk from the recent tidal surge and initiate precautionary evacuation; applauds the increase in spending on flood defences since 1997, a 30 per cent. increase in real terms to around £600 million, and the announcement that spending will rise to a maximum of £800 million by 2010-11; and further congratulates the Government for bringing together environment, rural affairs and food and farming under Defra to create a unified structure essential for the effective delivery of integrated Government policies across these issues.

6    Legal Services Commission,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Criminal Defence Service (Very High Cost Cases) Regulations 2007, which were laid before this House on 19th July, in the last Session of Parliament, be approved—(Mr Michael Foster):—It was agreed to.

7    Economic Partnership Agreements,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 119 (European Standing Committees), That this House takes note of European Union Documents No. 14498/07, Commission Communication, Economic Partnership Agreements, and No. 14968/07 and Addendum 1, Council Regulation applying the arrangements for goods originating in certain states which are part of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) provided for in agreements establishing, or leading to the establishment of, Economic Partnership Agreements; and welcomes the progress being made—(Mr Michael Foster):—It was agreed to.

8    Public Petitions,—A Public Petitions from—

(1) the people of Braintree relating to Community Hospital (Braintree);

(2) members of the Blexley Pensioners' Forum and others relating to 2012 Olympic Tax Levy; and

(3) those affected by the closure of the Preston Road Post Office in Brighton relating to Post Office closures (Brighton)

were presented and read.

9    Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Michael Foster.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till half-past Ten o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

Michael J. Martin

Speaker

Mr Speaker will take the Chair at half-past Eleven o'clock.

APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Paper subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1    Northern Ireland,—Draft Northern Ireland Arms Decommissioning Act 1997 (Amnesty Period) Order 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Woodward].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

2    Corporation Tax,—(1) Securitisation Companies (Application of Section 83(1) of the Finance Act 2005: Accounting Standards) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3338); and

(2) Taxation of Securtisation Companies (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3339),

dated 3rd December 2007 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Kitty Ussher].

Other Paper:

3    Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards),—Paper, entitled State of Healthcare 2007: Improvements and challenges in services in England and Wales [by Act]; to be printed [No. 97] [Secretary Alan Johnson].

Papers withdrawn:

4    Local Government,—Draft Local Authorities (Alcohol Disorder Zones) Regulations 2007, with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [laid 21st November].

APPENDIX II

General Committees

1    Draft Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board Order 2007,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Stephen Byers, Frank Dobson, Mrs Louise Ellman, Mr Khalid Mahmood and Mr Chris Mullin from the Second Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Mr David Kidney, David Lepper, Tom Levitt, Mr Andy Slaughter and Mr Neil Turner.

2    Draft Stamp Duty Land Tax (Zero-Carbon Homes Relief) Regulations 2007,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Clive Efford, Mr Neil Gerrard, Mr George Howarth and Ms Sally Keeble from the Third Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations) and nominated in substitution Mr Russell Brown, Mr Charles Clarke, Mr David Kidney and Mr David Winnick.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1    Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform,—The UK Construction Industry: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Committee; to be printed [No. 127-ii] [Peter Luff].

2    Culture, Media and Sport,—London 2012 Games: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee; to be printed [No. 104-ii] [Mr John Whittingdale].

3    Defence,—UK/US Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty: Third Report from the Defence Committee, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 107] [Mr James Arbuthnot].

4    Environmental Audit,—(1) 2007 Pre-Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environmental Audit Committee; to be printed [No. 149-i]; and

(2) The Challenge of climate change: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 155-i]

[Mr Tim Yeo].

5    Home Affairs,—(1) Home Office Annual Report 2007: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Home Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 60-i]; and

(2) Security Industry Authority: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 144-i]

[Keith Vaz].

6    Justice,—Protection of private data: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Justice Committee; to be printed [154-i] [Mr Alan Beith].

7    Treasury,—Financial stability and transparency: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Treasury Committee; to be printed [No. 56-ii] [John McFall].

[W.H., No. 8]

Minutes of Proceedings of the Sitting in Westminster Hall

The sitting began at half-past Nine o'clock.

Subjects:

Development in Aylesbury Vale (John Bercow).

Public service television for children (Mr Neil Gerrard).

Legal process in relation to custody of and access to children (Mr Frank Doran).

Ministerial accountability to Parliament (Mr Mark Harper).

Women's and girls' football (Mr Richard Caborn).

Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Mark Tami.)

And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.

Sir Alan Haselhurst

Deputy Speaker