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

1    European Union (Amendment) Bill,—Secretary David Miliband, supported by the Prime Minister, Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary Jack Straw, Secretary Jacqui Smith, Secretary Des Browne, Secretary Alan Johnson, Mr Secretary Alexander, Mr Secretary Hutton and Mr Jim Murphy, presented a Bill to make provision in connection with the Treaty of Lisbon Amending the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty Establishing the European Community, signed at Lisbon on 13th December 2007: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 48].

Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the European Union (Amendment) Bill be printed [Bill 48-EN].

2    Citizens' Convention Bill,—Julia Goldsworthy, supported by Mr Douglas Carswell and Mr David Chaytor, presented a Bill to establish a Citizens' Convention to facilitate the involvement of people from all sections of society in considering the way in which the United Kingdom is governed; to make provision relating to the implementation of recommendations made by the Convention; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 25th April and to be printed [Bill 49].

3    National Insurance Contributions Bill,—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the National Insurance Contributions Bill;

And a Motion being made, and the Question being put, That the Bill be now read a second time;

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Dave Watts, Steve McCabe: 291.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Nick Hurd, Mr John Baron: 161.

The Bill was accordingly read a second time.

4    National Insurance Contributions Bill (Programme),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 83A (Programme motions), That the following provisions shall apply to the National Insurance Contributions Bill:

Committal

1. The Bill shall be committed to a Public Bill Committee.

Proceedings in Public Bill Committee.

2. Proceedings in the Public Bill Committee shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion on 22nd January 2008.

3. The Public Bill Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the first day on which it meets.

Consideration and Third Reading

4. Proceedings on consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour before the moment of interruption on the day on which those proceedings are commenced.

5. Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption on that day.

6. Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees) shall not apply to proceedings on consideration and Third Reading.

Other proceedings

7. Any other proceedings on the Bill (including any proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments or on any further messages from the Lords) may be programmed—(Tony Cunningham):—It was agreed to.

5    Children, Schools and Families,—Ordered, That Mrs Maria Miller be discharged from the Children, Schools and Families Committee and Adam Afriyie be added.—(Tony Cunningham, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

6    Innovation, Universities and Skills,—Ordered, That Adam Afriyie be discharged from the Innovation, Universities and Skills Committee and Mr Tim Boswell be added.—(Tony Cunningham, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

7    Welsh Affairs,—Ordered, That Mr Stephen Crabb be discharged from the Welsh Affairs Committee and Mark Pritchard be added.—(Tony Cunningham, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

8    Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from—

(1) residents of Meadowbank and its neighbouring districts relating to Post Office closures (Cheshire);

(2) residents of Cholmondeley and its neighbouring districts relating to Post Office closures (Cheshire);

(3) residents of Threapwood and its neighbouring districts relating to Post Office closures (Cheshire);

(4) residents of Tilston and its neighbouring districts relating to Post Office closures (Cheshire);

(5) Mr Christopher Groome of Kettering Rail Users and others of like disposition relating to rail services (Kettering); and

(6) Post Office users of Worthing and Adur relating to Post Office closures (West Sussex)

were presented and read.

9    Public Petitions,—A Public Petition from Post Office users of Worthing and Adur relating to Post Office closures (West Sussex) was presented.

10    Adjournment.

Subject: Post Office closures in Adur and Worthing (Tim Loughton).

Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Ms Diana R. Johnson.)

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

Michael J. Martin

Speaker

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

APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers presented by Her Majesty's Command and delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 14th December 2007 pursuant to Standing Order No. 158 (Presentation of command papers):

1    Health,—Department of Health: Autumn Performance Report for 2007 [Cm. 7292] [Secretary Alan Johnson].

Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 14th December 2007 pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments):

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

2    Animals,—Export Restrictions (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3513), dated 13th December 2007, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Secretary Hilary Benn].

3    Road Traffic,—(1) Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions (Approved Devices) (England) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3486);

(2) Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions (England) General Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3483);

(3) Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions (Guidelines on Levels of Charges) (England) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3487);

(4) Civil Enforcement Officers (Wearing of Uniforms) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3485); and

(5) Removal and Disposal of Vehicles (Amendment) (England) Regualtions 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3484),

dated 10th December 2007, with Explanatory Memoranda and Impact Assessments thereon [Secretary Ruth Kelly].

Other Paper:

4    Land Registration,—Land Registration (Proper Office) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3517), dated 13th December 2007, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Secretary Jack Straw].

Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 17th December 2007:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

5    Companies,—(1) Draft Companies (Late Filing Penalities) and Limited Liability Partnerships (Filing Periods and Late Filing Penalities) Regulations 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command];

(2) draft Companies (Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command];

(3) draft Companies Act 2006 (Amendment) (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command];

(4) draft Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command];

(5) draft Small Companies and Groups (Accounts and Directors' Report) Regulations 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command]; and

(6) draft Statutory Auditors (Delegation of Functions etc) Order 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command]

[Mr Secretary Hutton].

6    Local Government,—(1) Draft Cornwall (Structural Change) Order 2008;

(2) draft County Durham (Structural Change) Order 2008;

(3) draft Northumberland (Structural Change) Order 2008;

(4) draft Shropshire (Structural Change) Order 2008; and

(5) draft Wiltshire (Structural Change) Order 2008

[by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda and Impact Assessments thereon [by Command] [Secretary Hazel Blears].

7    Police,—Draft Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) Order 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Jacqui Smith].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

8    Betting, Gaming and Lotteries,—Gambling Act 2005 (Premises Licences) (Review) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3539), dated 13th December 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary James Purnell].

9    Companies,—(1) Companies (Fees for Inspection and Copying of Company Records) (No. 2) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3535), dated 17th December 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command];

(2) Companies Act 2006 (Commencement No. 5, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3495), dated 17th December 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command];

(3) Independent Supervisor Appointment Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3534), dated 17th December 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command]; and

(4) Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3494), dated 17th December 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command]

[Mr Secretary Hutton].

10    Corporation Tax,—(1) Real Estate Investment Trusts (Breach of Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3540), dated 17th December 2007; and

(2) Real Estate Investment Trusts (Financial Statements of Group Real Estate Investment Trusts) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3536), dated 14th December 2007

[by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Kitty Ussher].

11    Education,—(1) School Organisation (Removal of Foundation, Reduction in Number of Foundation Governors and Ability of Foundation to Pay Debts) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3475); and

(2) School Organisation and Governance (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3464),

dated 7th December 2007 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Secretary Ed Balls].

12    Income Tax,—(1) Employer-Financed Retirement Benefits (Excluded Benefits for Tax Purposes) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3537);

(2) Registered Pension Schemes (Authorised Member Payments) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3532); and

(3) Registered Pension Schemes (Meaning of Pension Commencement Lump Sum) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3533),

dated 14th December 2007 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Kitty Ussher].

13    National Health Service,—National Health Service (Primary Medical Services) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3491), dated 11th December 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Alan Johnson].

Other Papers:

14    Cabinet Office,—Cabinet Office: Autumn Performance Report for 2007 [by Command] [Cm. 7254] [Edward Miliband].

15    Children, Schools and Families,—Paper, entitled Confidence in Standards: Regulating and developing qualifications and assessment [by Command] [Cm. 7281] [Secretary Ed Balls].

16    Culture, Media and Sport,—(1) Accounts of the Geffrye Museum Trust;

(2) Report and Financial Statements of Greater Manchester Museum of Science and Industry Trust; and

(3) Report and Financial Statements of the Museum of London

for 2006-07 [by Command] [Secretary James Purnell].

17    European Communities (No. 13, 2007),—Treaty, done at Lisbon on the 13th December 2007, amending the Treaty Establishing the European Union and the Treaty Establishing the European Community, including the Protocols and Annexes, and Final Act with Declarations, with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Cm. 7294] [Secretary David Miliband].

18    Export Control,—Paper, entitled Export of Objects of Cultural Interest 2006-07 [by Act] [Secretary James Purnell].

19    Government Resources and Accounts,—Report and Accounts of the Community Development Foundation for 2006-07, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 79] [Secretary Hazel Blears].

20    National Audit,—Reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General on—

(1) Caring for Vulnerable Babies: The reorganisation of neonatal services in England; and

(2) the Fourth Validation Compendium Report: Volumes I and II

[by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 101 and 22-I and -II] [Clerk of the House].

21    Pakistan (No. 1, 2007),—Agreement, done at Islamabad on the 24th August 2007, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the Transfer of Prisoners, with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Cm. 7295] [Secretary David Miliband].

22    Police and Criminal Evidence,—Draft Codes of Practice—

(1) for the exercise by: police officers of statutory powers of stop and search; police officers and police staff of requirements to record public encounters (Code A);

(2) for searches of premises by police officers and the seizure of property found by police officers on persons or premises (Code B);

(3) for the detention, treatment and questioning of persons by police officers (Code C);

(4) for the identification of persons by police officers (Code D); and

(5) on audio recording interviews with suspects (Code E)

[by Act] [Secretary Jacqui Smith].

23    Probation Board (Northern Ireland),—Report and Accounts of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland for 2006-07, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Statutory Instrument]; to be printed [No. 46] [Mr Secretary Woodward].

24    Public Accounts,—Treasury Minutes on the Forty-Eighth to Fifty-Fourth and Fifty-Sixth Reports from the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 2006-07 [by Command] [Cm. 7276] [Angela Eagle].

25    Revenue and Customs,—HM Revenue and Customs: Autumn Performance Report for 2007 [by Command] [Cm. 7251] [Jane Kennedy].

26    Statutory Instruments (Notification),—Communication declaring that the undermentioned Statutory Instrument had come into operation before copies were laid before Parliament, and explaining why such copies had not been so laid before the Instruments came into operation:

Exports Restrictions (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) Regulations 2007, (S.I., 2007, No. 3513)

[by Standing Order] [The Speaker].

27    Treasury,—Autumn Performance Report: Progress Report on HM Treasury Public Service Agreement Targets for 2007 [by Command] [Cm. 7256] [Andy Burnham].

28    Trunk Road Charging Schemes,—Accounts of the Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Charging Scheme for 2006-07, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Statutory Instrument]; to be printed [No. 162] [Secretary Ruth Kelly].

Papers withdrawn:

29    Police,—Draft Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) Order 2008, with an Explanatory Memorandum [laid 12th December].

APPENDIX II

Reports from Select Committees

1    Children, Schools and Families,—Testing and Assessment: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Children, Schools and Families Committee; to be printed [No. 169-ii] [Mr Barry Sheerman].

2    Communities and Local Government,—Local Government Finance (Waste): Minutes of Evidence taken before the Communities and Local Government Committee; to be printed [No. 195-i] [Dr Phyllis Starkey].

3    Health,—National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence: First Report from the Health Committee, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 27-I and -III] [Mr Kevin Barron].

4    Human Rights,—(1) Legislative Scrutiny: 1) Child Maintenance and other Payments Bill; 2) Other Bills: Third Report from the Joint Committee on Human Rights, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 198];

(2) Counter-terrorism Policy and Human Rights:

(i) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 199-i]; and

(ii) Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published; and

(3) Legislative Scrutiny: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published

[Mr Andrew Dismore].

5    Innovation, Universities and Skills,—UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Innovation, Universities and Skills Committee; to be printed [No. 185-i] [Mr Phil Willis].

6    Justice,—(1) Protection of Private Data: First Report from the Justice Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 154]; and

(2) Towards Effective Sentencing: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 184-ii]

[Mr Alan Beith].

7    Public Accounts,—Loss of data by HM Revenue and Customs: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts; to be printed [No. 200-i] [Mr Edward Leigh].

8    Welsh Affairs,—Proposed Legislative Competence Order in Council: Additional learning needs: Second Report from the Welsh Affairs Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report, and Memoranda reported and ordered to be published on 7th and 21st November 2007 [No. 44] [Dr Hywel Francis].

CORRIGENDUM

(2) Propriety and Peerages: Second Report from the Committee, with Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee on 13th July 2006 and Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report and Memoranda reported and ordered to be published on 15th March 2007 [No. 153]