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

1    Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee,—Mrs Janet Dean reported from the Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee the draft Companies (Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2008.

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

2    Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee,—John Cummings reported from the Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee the draft County Durham (Structural Change) Order 2008 and draft Northumberland (Structural Change) Order 2008.

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

3    Race Relations (Election Candidates),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to exclude from the operation of the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 certain matters relating to the selection of candidates by political parties—(Keith Vaz);

And the Motion being opposed, after permitting a short explanatory statement from the Member who made the Motion and from a Member who opposed it, the Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Standing Order No. 23 (Motions for leave to bring in bills and nomination of select committees at commencement of public business):—It was agreed to.

Ordered, That Keith Vaz, Ms Diane Abbott, Mr Marsha Singh, Ms Dawn Butler, Jeremy Corbyn, Harry Cohen and Mr Virendra Sharma do prepare and bring in the Bill.

4    Race Relations (Election Candidates) Bill,—Keith Vaz accordingly presented a Bill to exclude from the operation of the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 certain matters relating to the selection of candidates by political parties: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 13th June and to be printed [Bill 66].

5    Business of the House (Lisbon Treaty) (No. 3),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Order [28th January], That the Order of 28th January be further amended as follows: in the Table, in the entry for allotted day 4, in the third column:

(a) for '41/2 hours' substitute '3 hours', and

(b) for '11/2 hours' substitute '3 hours'—(Alison Seabeck):—It was agreed to.

6    Treaty of Lisbon (No. 4) [4th allotted day],—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House approves the Government's policy towards the Treaty of Lisbon in respect of provisions concerning the single market—(Mr Secretary Hutton);

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 'disapproves of the Government's policy towards the Treaty of Lisbon in respect of provisions concerning the single market; notes that the Treaty proper now contains no reference to undistorted competition as one of the activities of the European Union, and indeed relegates to a protocol any mention of competition that is not distorted, with significant implications for the interpretation of European Union law; deplores the Government's failure to block this change during the negotiations; and is concerned that the result could be the revival of protectionism in the European Union wholly contrary to Government policy and damaging to the interest both of the United Kingdom and of the European Union', instead thereof.—(Mr Philip Hammond.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made.

7    Deferred Divisions,—The Deputy Speaker announced the results of the Division which had been deferred to this day, pursuant to Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions):

Local Government,—That the draft Wiltshire (Structural Change) Order 2008, which was laid before this House on 8th January, be approved.

Ayes: 269.

Noes: 158.

So the Question was agreed to.

8    Treaty of Lisbon (No. 4) [4th allotted day],— The Question being again proposed, That the Amendment be made;

And the Question being put;

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Crispin Blunt, Mr Richard Benyon: 176.

Tellers for the Noes, Siobhain McDonagh, Tony Cunningham: 352.

It being more than three hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion relating to the Treaty of Lisbon (No. 4), the Deputy Speaker put the Main Question forthwith, pursuant to Orders [28th January and this day].

Tellers for the Ayes, Siobhain McDonagh, Tony Cunningham: 345.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Crispin Blunt, Mr Richard Benyon: 186.

9    European Union (Amendment) Bill [4th allotted day],—The House, according to Order, again resolved itself into a Committee on the European Union (Amendment) Bill.

(In the Committee)

Clause No. 2 (Addition to list of Treaties).

Another Amendment (No. 237) proposed, in page 1, line 12, after the word 'excluding', to insert the words—

'(i) Article 2, paragraph 12, inserted Article 2B TEC (TFEU), paragraph 1(b) providing for the establishing of competition rules necessary for the functioning of the internal market to be an area of exclusive competence of the European Union; and

(ii) '.—(Mr Mark Francois.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Crispin Blunt, Mr Richard Benyon: 135.

Tellers for the Noes, Ms Diana R. Johnson, Mr Sadiq Khan: 336.

And it being more than three hours after the commencement of proceedings in the Committee, the Chairman left the Chair to report progress and ask leave to sit again, pursuant to Orders [28th January and this day].

________________

The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair; and Mr Bob Blizzard reported, That the Committee had made progress in the Bill, and moved, That the Committee may have leave to sit again.

Committee again to-morrow.

10    Road Traffic, Wales,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions (Representations and Appeals) (Wales) Regulations 2008, which were laid before this House on 7th January, be approved—(Mr Bob Blizzard):—It was agreed to.

11    Business of the House,—Ordered, That, at the sitting on Thursday 21st February, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order No. 16 (Proceedings under an Act or on European Union documents), the Speaker shall put the Questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on the Motions in the name of Secretary James Purnell relating to Social Security and Pensions not later than Six o'clock; and proceedings may continue, though opposed, after the moment of interruption.—(Mr Bob Blizzard.)

12    Public Petition,—A Public Petition from the residents of Taunton constituency and others relating to Post Office closures (Taunton) was presented and read.

13    Public Petition,—A Public Petition from Mr Pinakin Pandya relating to employment and human rights was presented.

14    Adjournment.

Subject: Protecting children from internet content (Mr Hugo Swire).

Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Bob Blizzard.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till twenty-three minutes to Nine 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 National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Education and Training) Order 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Murphy].

2    Government Resources and Accounts,—Draft Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (Audit of Public Bodies) Order 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Angela Eagle].

3    Probation,—Draft Offender Management Act 2007 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command] [Secretary Jack Straw].

4    Social Security,—(1) Draft Child Benefit Up-rating Order 2008; and

(2) draft Guardian's Allowance Up-rating Order 2008

[by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Jane Kennedy].

5    Social Security (Northern Ireland),—Draft Guardian's Allowance Up-rating (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Jane Kennedy].

6    Tax Credits,—Draft Tax Credits Up-rating Regulations 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Jane Kennedy].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

7    Immigration,—(1) Immigration and Nationality (Cost Recovery Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 218), dated 4th February 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command]; and

(2) Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command]; to be printed [No. 321]

[Secretary Jacqui Smith].

8    Petroleum,—Petroleum Licensing (Production) (Seaward Areas) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 225), dated 5th February 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hutton].

9    Rating and Valuation,—Rating Lists (Valuation Date) (England) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 216), dated 30th January 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Hazel Blears].

10    Social Security,—Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 196), dated 28th January 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary James Purnell].

Other Papers:

11    European Union,—Paper, entitled Prospects for the European Union in 2008: The Slovenian Presidency, January to June 2008 [by Command] [Cm. 7318] [Secretary David Miliband].

12    Home Office,—Paper, entitled Privy Council Review of Intercept as Evidence [by Command] [Cm. 7324] [Secretary Jacqui Smith].

13    National Audit,—Fourteenth Report of the Public Accounts Commission [by Act]; to be printed [No. 328] [Mr Alan Williams].

14    Science and Technology,—Report and Accounts of the Medical Research Council for 2006-07, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 93] [Secretary John Denham].

15    Tax Credits,—Report from HM Treasury, under section 41 of the Tax Credits Act 2002 [by Act] [Jane Kennedy].

APPENDIX II

General Committees

1    Planning and Energy Bill,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Peter Atkinson Chairman of the Planning and Energy Bill.

2    Draft Greater London Authority Elections (Election Addresses) (Amendment) Order 2008:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the First Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Edward O'Hara Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Tony Baldry, Mr Tim Boswell, Tom Brake, Ms Karen Buck, Jeremy Corbyn, Mr Michael Fallon, Mr David Heath, Stephen Hesford, Mr Lindsay Hoyle, Mr Nick Hurd, Mr Sadiq Khan, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Martin Linton, Margaret Moran, Bridget Prentice, Mr Nick Raynsford and Joan Ryan.

3    Draft FCO Services Trading Fund Order 2008:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Second Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Joe Benton Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: John Austin, Margaret Beckett, Mr Ronnie Campbell, Jim Cousins, Tony Cunningham, Mr Edward Davey, Mr David Evennett, Michael Jabez Foster, Mr Greg Hands, Mr David Heathcoat-Amory, Mr John Horam, Mr Andrew Love, Meg Munn, Dan Norris, Mr Keith Simpson, Dr Howard Stoate and Jo Swinson.

4    Draft Defence Support Group Trading Fund Order 2008:

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

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Bob Ainsworth, Mr Simon Burns, Mr David Chaytor, Nigel Griffiths, Mr Doug Henderson, Mrs Sharon Hodgson, Mr Gerald Howarth, Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger, Mr Michael Mates, Willie Rennie, Mr Frank Roy, Bob Russell, Mr Siôn Simon, Mr Andrew Smith, Mr Graham Stuart, Emily Thornberry and Dr Rudi Vis.

5    Radioactive Contaminated Land (Modification of Enactments) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3245), the Radioactive Contaminated Land (Modification of Enactments) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3250), the Radioactive Contaminated Land Regulations (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3236) and the Radioactive Contaminated Land (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3240):

(1) The Speaker has allocated the Regulations to the Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Roger Gale Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Richard Bacon, Gregory Barker, Mr Richard Benyon, Mr Clive Betts, Mr Stephen Dorrell, Nia Griffith, Martin Horwood, Ms Sally Keeble, Siobhain McDonagh, Alun Michael, Mr Ken Purchase, Jim Sheridan, Dr Desmond Turner, Steve Webb, Mr Phil Woolas, Mr Anthony Wright and Mr Tim Yeo.

6    Draft Companies (Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2008,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Colin Burgon and Mr Stephen Timms from the Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations) and nominated in substitution Alan Simpson and Mr Gareth Thomas.

7    Draft Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers' Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations 2008:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Eric Martlew Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Danny Alexander, Tony Baldry, John Barrett, Mr Peter Bone, Mr Douglas Carswell, Mr Jim Devine, James Duddridge, Dr Ian Gibson, Patrick Hall, Mr Mark Harper, Mr Stephen Hepburn, Ms Diana R. Johnson, Mrs Anne McGuire, Stephen Pound, Mr Dennis Skinner, Graham Stringer and Joan Walley.

8    Draft County Durham (Structural Change) Order 2008 and draft Northumberland (Structural Change) Order 2008,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Ben Chapman, Mr David Clelland and Paul Farrelly from the Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Mr Stephen Byers, Mr Kevan Jones and Chris Ruane.

9    Draft Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 (Duty to Share Information and Disclosure of Information for Security Purposes) Order 2008:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Hywel Williams Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Crispin Blunt, Tom Brake, Mr Alan Campbell, Mr William Cash, Ben Chapman, Mr Kenneth Clarke, Mr Quentin Davies, Linda Gilroy, Mr Dominic Grieve, Andrew Gwynne, Mr Peter Hain, Mr Fabian Hamilton, David Heyes, Meg Hillier, Mr Philip Hollobone, Chris Huhne and Mrs Siân C. James.

10    Draft Statutory Auditors (Delegation of Functions etc) Order 2008,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Liz Blackman and Mr Stephen Timms from the Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Alison Seabeck and Mr Gareth Thomas.

11    Draft Industrial Training Levy (Construction Industry Training Board) Order 2008 and the draft Industrial Training Levy (Engineering Construction Industry Training Board) Order 2008:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Orders to the Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Dr William McCrea Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Ms Celia Barlow, Annette Brooke, Harry Cohen, Mr David Crausby, Mr David Curry, Philip Davies, Mr Philip Dunne, Mr Michael Foster (Worcester), Mr Neil Gerrard, Mr David Hamilton, Mr John Hayes, Mr David Lammy, Mr Robert Marshall-Andrews, Ian Stewart, Mr Don Touhig, Angela Watkinson and Stephen Williams.

12    Draft Cornwall (Structural Change) Order 2008,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Stephen Byers, Chris Ruane and Mr Anthony Wright (Great Yarmouth) from the Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Mr David Clelland, Stephen Hesford and Mr Peter Kilfoyle.

13    Draft Social Security (Contributions) (Re-rating) Order 2008:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Christopher Chope Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Bob Blizzard, Mr Colin Breed, Mr Jeremy Browne, Colin Challen, Mr Nigel Evans, Mr Mark Field, Mr David Gauke, Mr James Gray, Mr Mike Hall, Ms Patricia Hewitt, Mr Fraser Kemp, Jane Kennedy, Anne Moffat, Mr Brooks Newmark, Martin Salter, Mr John Spellar and David Wright.

European Standing Committees

14    European Union Document No. 15351/07, relating to CAP "Health Check",—The Committee of Selection has nominated thirteen Members to serve on the European Standing Committee, nominated in respect of the Documents: Mr Richard Benyon, Mr Ian Cawsey, Tony Cunningham, Tim Farron, Barry Gardiner, Mr Bruce George, Mr Adam Holloway, Mr Bernard Jenkin, Mr James Paice, Jonathan Shaw, Mr Mark Todd, Mrs Betty Williams and Mr Roger Williams.

15    European Union Documents No. 14937/07, No. 15413/07 and No. 16682/07 and Addenda 1 and 2, relating to European defence equipment market and European Defence Agency, have been referred to European Standing Committee B.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1    Children, Schools and Families,—Children 'under the radar': Minutes of Evidence taken before the Children, Schools and Families Committee; to be printed [No. 331-i] [Fiona Mactaggart].

2    Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—(1) Badgers and cattle TB: the final report of the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB: Fourth Report from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 130]; and

(2) Flooding: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 49-x]

[Mr Michael Jack].

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

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

[Michael Connarty].

4    Foreign Affairs Committee,—Overseas Territories: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 147-iii] [Mr Mike Gapes].

5    Innovation, Universities and Skills,—Funding for equivalent or lower level qualifications: Memoranda laid before the Innovation, Universities and Skills Committee; to be published [Mr Phil Willis].

6    Modernisation of the House of Commons,—Regional Accountability: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons; to be printed [No. 282-ii] [Ms Harriet Harman].

7    Northern Ireland Affairs,—Policing and Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 333-i] [Sir Patrick Cormack].

8    International Development,—(1) Maternal Health:

(i) Fifth Report from the International Development Committee, with 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 12th October, in the last Session of Parliament and 13th December, [No. 66-I and -II];

(ii) Memoranda laid before the Committee;

(2) Department for International Development Annual Report 2007: Government Response to the First Report from the Committee, Session 2007-08: First Special Report from the Committee; to be printed [No. 329]; and

(3) Development and Trade: Cross-departmental Working: Government Response to the Second Report from the Committee, Session 2007-08: Second Special Report from the Committee; to be printed [No 330]

[Malcolm Bruce].

9    Public Accounts,—Making Changes in Operational PFI projects: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts; to be printed [No. 332-i] [Mr Edward Leigh].

10    Statutory Instruments,—(1) Ninth Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, with Memoranda; to be printed [No. 38-ix]; and

(2) Second Report from the Select Committee on Statutory Instruments, with a Memorandum; to be printed [No. 39-ii]

[David Maclean].

11    Transport,—Freight Transport: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Committee; to be printed [No. 249-ii] [Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].

    12Treasury,—(1) The Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England: ten years on: Government and Bank of England responses to the Committee's Twelfth Report of Session 2006-07: Fifth Special Report from the Treasury Committee; to be printed [No. 259]; and

(2) Counting the population: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee of the Treasury Committee; to be printed [No. 183-iv]

[John McFall].

[W.H., No. 28]

Minutes of Proceedings of the Sitting in Westminster Hall

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

Subject:

Enforced criminal activity by children (Mr Anthony Steen).

Government funding for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service (Mr Robert Syms).

Waste recycling (Dr Ian Gibson).

Consumer protection and new home buyers (Mark Lazarowicz).

Cetacean mortality (Andrew George).

Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Mr Frank Roy.)

And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.

Sir Alan Haselhurst

Deputy Speaker