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

1    Second Delegated Legislation Committee,—John Bercow reported from the Delegated Legislation Committee the draft Electricity and Gas (Carbon Emissions Reduction) Order 2008.

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

2    Third Delegated Legislation Committee,—Mr Mike Hancock reported from the Third Delegated Legislation Committee the Home Information Pack (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3301) and Housing Act 2004 (Commencement No. 10) (England and Wales) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3308).

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

3    Education (Children with Autism),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision about the education and training of children with autism and Asperger's syndrome; and for connected purposes: And that Mr Lee Scott, John Bercow, Stephen Hammond, Bob Russell, Mr Charles Walker, Mr John Leech, Mr Brian Binley, Mr Iain Duncan Smith, Harry Cohen, Mr Peter Bone, Mike Gapes and Philip Davies do prepare and bring it in.

4    Education (Children with Autism) Bill,—Mr Lee Scott accordingly presented a Bill to make provision about the education and training of children with autism and Asperger's syndrome; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 9th May and to be printed [Bill 56].

5    Opposition Day [6th 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.

National Insurance numbers and illegal immigrants,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House expresses its very great concern that National Insurance numbers appear to have been issued to illegal immigrants—(Chris Grayling);

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 'welcomes the new checks and controls the Government has introduced to reduce illegal working by foreign nationals, which include measures to prevent illegal immigrants being issued with National Insurance numbers', instead thereof.—(Mr Secretary Hain.)

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

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Richard Benyon, Mr Crispin Blunt: 242.

Tellers for the Noes, Tony Cunningham, Mr Michael Foster: 310.

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

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

Resolved, That this House welcomes the new checks and controls the Government has introduced to reduce illegal working by foreign nationals, which include measures to prevent illegal immigrants being issued with National Insurance numbers.

Human trafficking,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House believes that human trafficking is the modern equivalent of the slave trade, and, while welcoming the Government's commitment to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, regrets that this commitment has been delayed for more than a year since the Conservative Party first asked the Government to take this step, and will not come into effect during 2008; welcomes the forthcoming United Nations forum to fight human trafficking and urges the Government to take further immediate steps to help the victims of trafficking, including new measures to intercept traffickers and victims at our borders, better provision of refuge places, the use of telephone helplines, and a drive for better cooperation among national authorities within Europol and Eurojust, so that the United Kingdom can become one of the leading countries fighting human trafficking—(Damian Green);

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 'condemns the trafficking of human beings as one of the most vile crimes to threaten our society; welcomes the Government's commitment to make the necessary legislative and procedural changes required to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings before the end of 2008; believes that ratification is an important milestone in the Government's concerted strategy to protect the victims of trafficking and bring to justice those who exploit them; notes that the UK Action Plan on Trafficking, published in March 2007 on the same day as the UK signed the Convention, comprehensively pulls together the work already under way across Government to tackle trafficking and creates a platform for future work; praises the work of the UK Human Trafficking Centre, established in March 2006 as the central point of expertise and operational co-ordination in tackling human trafficking; supports the valuable work done as part of nationwide police-led anti-trafficking operations, including Pentameter 1 and 2; and notes the £4.5 million of government funding provided over the last five years for victim protection under the Poppy scheme, which supports adult women trafficked into the UK for sexual exploitation', instead thereof.—(Mr Vernon Coaker.)

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

Mr Andrew Robathan 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 Crispin Blunt, Mr Richard Benyon: 241.

Tellers for the Noes, Liz Blackman, Mr Sadiq Khan: 317.

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

6    Public Petition,— A Public Petition from Mr Christopher Donnithorne, retired and others relating to Post Office closures (Hampshire) was presented and read.

7    Adjournment.

Subject: Post Office closures in Hastings and Rye (Michael Jabez Foster).

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

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

Michael J. Martin

Speaker

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

APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1    Constitutional Law,—Draft Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) (Amendment) Order 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Des Browne].

2    Employment and Training,—(1) Draft Industrial Training Levy (Construction Industry Training Board) Order 2008; and

(2) draft Industrial Training Levy (Engineering Construction Industry Training Board) Order 2008

[by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda and Impact Assessments thereon [by Command] [Secretary John Denham].

3    Representation of the People,—Draft Representation of the People (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Des Browne].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

4    Agriculture,—Hill Farm Allowance Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 51), dated 12th January 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Hilary Benn].

5    Legal Profession,—European Communities (Lawyers' Practice and Services of Lawyers) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 81), dated 15th January 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Jack Straw].

6    Pensions,—Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) (Amendment) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 39), dated 11th January 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Des Browne].

7    Representation of the People,—Absent Voting (Transitional Provisions) (Scotland) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 48), dated 11th January 2008 [by Act] [Secretary Des Browne].

Other Papers:

8    Air Force (Constitution),—Amendment List 19 to Queen's Regulations for the Royal Air Force (Fifth Edition) [by Act] [Secretary Des Browne].

9    Senior Salaries,—Sixty-fourth Report of the Review Body on Senior Salaries: Review of parliamentary pay, pensions and allowances 2007. Volumes 1 and 2 [by Command] [Cm. 7270] [The Prime Minister].

10    Transport,—Statement of remuneration and allowances payable to members of the British Waterways Board under section 8(2) of the First Schedule of the Transport Act 1962 [by Act] [Secretary Hilary Benn].

APPENDIX II

General Committees

1    Education and Skills Bill (Programming Sub-Committee),—The Speaker has appointed Mr Michael Foster (Worcester), Mr Nick Gibb, Jim Knight, Mr David Laws, Sarah McCarthy-Fry, Angela Watkinson and Phil Wilson members of the Programming Sub-Committee of the Education and Skills Bill Committee.

2    Education and Skills Bill:

(1) The Speaker has appointed Mr John Bercow and Mr Hugh Bayley Chairmen of the Education and Skills Bill Committee; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Ms Celia Barlow, Mr Michael Foster (Worcester), Mr Nick Gibb, Michael Gove, Nia Griffith, Mr Oliver Heald, Jim Knight, Mr David Lammy, Mr David Laws, Sarah McCarthy-Fry, Mr Gordon Marsden, Mrs Madeleine Moon, Sir Peter Soulsby, Mr Charles Walker, Angela Watkinson, Stephen Williams and Phil Wilson.

3    Draft Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) Order 2008:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the First Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr David Taylor Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Margaret Beckett, Mr Crispin Blunt, Tom Brake, Mr Alan Campbell, Mr Quentin Davies, Mr Philip Dunne, Michael Jabez Foster, Mr Christopher Fraser, Mr Fabian Hamilton, Chris Huhne, Mr Bernard Jenkin, Mr Tony McNulty, Mr Khalid Mahmood, Mr Jamie Reed, Mr David Ruffley, Helen Southworth and Graham Stringer.

4    Draft Electricity and Gas (Carbon Emissions Reduction) Order 2008,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Quentin Davies, Glenda Jackson, Mr Khalid Mahmood, Helen Southworth and Graham Stringer from the Second Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Mr Robert Flello, Linda Gilroy, Mrs Sharon Hodgson, Anne Snelgrove and Phil Wilson.

5    Home Information Pack (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3301) and Housing Act 2004 (Commencement No. 10) (England and Wales) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3308),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Neil Gerrard from the Third Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the Regulations and Order) and nominated in substitution Rosie Cooper.

    European Standing Committees

6    European Union Document No. COM(2007)598 on The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership,— The Speaker has appointed Mr Peter Atkinson Chairman of the European Standing Committee in respect of the document.

7    European Union Documents No. 11724/07 and Addenda 1 and 2, No. 13117/07 and Addendum 1 and No. 13118/07 and Addendum 1 relating to Financial Management and Unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum: Seventh Activity Report 2006, relating to the European Anti-Fraud Office Report,—The Committee of Selection has nominated thirteen Members to serve on the European Standing Committee, nominated in respect of the Documents: Mr Jeremy Browne, Dr Vincent Cable, Colin Challen, Ben Chapman, Tony Cunningham, Mr David Gauke, Nigel Griffiths, Mr Philip Hollobone, Jane Kennedy, Mr Brooks Newmark, Bob Spink, Mr Don Touhig and David Wright.

8    European Union Documents No. 14631/07 and Addenda 1 and 2 and No. 14176/07, relating to Maritime Policy, have been referred to European Standing Committee A.

9    European Union Document No. 16071/07, relating to Fisheries: control, inspection and sanction systems, has been referred to European Standing Committee A.

10    European Union Documents No. 14490/07 and Addenda 1 and 2 and No. 14491/07 and Addenda 1 and 2, relating to Economic migration to the EU, have been referred to European Standing Committee B.

11    Unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum, dated 9th August 2007, submitted by HM Treasury, relating to the European Anti-Fraud Office Report: Seventh Activity Report, for the period 1st January 2006 to 31st December 2006, has been referred to European Standing Committee B.

12    Unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum, dated 8th January 2008, submitted by HM Treasury, relating to the European Court of Auditors Annual Report 2006, has been referred to European Standing Committee B.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1    Children, Schools and Families,—Schools Commissioner and Schools Adjudicator: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Children, Schools and Families Committee; to be printed [No. 243-i] [Mr Barry Sheerman].

2    Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—(1) The Work of the Committee in 2007: Third Report from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 250]; and

(2) Correspondence with Defra: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published

[Mr Michael Jack].

3    European Scrutiny,—(1) Eighth Report from the European Scrutiny Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 16-viii];

(2) Draft Council Decision establishing the European Police Office (EUROPOL): Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 247-i]; and

(3) Ministerial Correspondence: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published

[Michael Connarty].

4    Foreign Affairs,—Foreign Policy Aspects of the Lisbon Treaty: Third Report from the Foreign Affairs Committee, with Annexes and Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 120] [Sir John Stanley].

5    Innovation, Universities and Schools,—(1) The UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation: First Report from the Innovation, Universities and Skills Committee, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 185]; and

(2) The Formation of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 186-i]

[Mr Phil Willis].

6    Modernisation of the House of Commons,—(1) Scrutiny of the Draft Legislative Programme: First Report from the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons, with a Memorandum; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 81] [Sir Nicholas Winterton]; and

(2) Regional Accountability: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published [Ms Harriet Harman].

7    Procedure,—e-Petitions: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Procedure Committee; to be printed [No. 136-ii] [Mr Greg Knight].

8    Public Accounts,—Compensating victims of violent crime: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts; to be printed [No. 251-i] [Mr Edward Leigh].

9    Statutory Instruments,—Sixth Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, with Memoranda; to be printed [No. 38-vi] [David Maclean].

10    Transport,—(1) The London Underground and the Public-Private Partnership Agreements: Second Report from the Transport Committee, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 45];

(2) The Work of the Committee in 2007: Third Report from the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 248]; and

(3) Freight Transport: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 249-i]

[Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].

11    Treasury,—Counting the population: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Treasury Sub-Committee; to be printed [No. 183-i] [John McFall].

12    Work and Pensions,—Health and Safety: Memoranda laid before the Work and Pensions Committee; to be published [Mr Terry Rooney].

[W.H., No. 19]

Minutes of Proceedings of the Sitting in Westminster Hall

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

Subjects:

Services for children with disabilities (Mr Tom Clarke).

Regulation of the promotion of infant milk formula (Mr David Kidney).

Government policy on terrorism in Pakistan (Mr Tobias Ellwood).

Henderson Hospital (Mr Paul Burstow).

Provision of extended schools (Ms Karen Buck).

A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the sitting be now adjourned—(Tony Cunningham);

And the sitting having continued for two and a half hours after half-past Two o'clock, it was adjourned without Question put, till to-morrow.

Sir Alan Haselhurst

Deputy Speaker