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

1    Liaison,—Mr Alan Williams reported, pursuant to Standing Order No. 145 (Liaison Committee), That the Committee had directed him to report the following recommendation for the allocation of time for the consideration of Estimates on an allotted day (being the second allotted day in the present Session of Parliament):

That a day not later than 18th March be allotted for the consideration of the following Supplementary Estimates for the financial year 2007-08:

HM Treasury, in so far as it relates to Northern Rock and banking reform.

Department for Transport, in so far as it relates to London Underground and the public-private partnership agreements.

Report to lie upon the Table.

2    Education and Skills Bill,—Hugh Bayley reported a Memorandum from the Education and Skills Bill Committee.

Memorandum to lie upon the Table and to be published.

3    Copyright in Sound Recordings and Performers' Rights (Term Extension) Bill,—Pete Wishart, supported by Mr Ian Cawsey, Mr Mark Field, Sandra Gidley, John Robertson, Rosemary McKenna, Adam Price, Mr Greg Knight, John Hemming, Stewart Hosie, Kelvin Hopkins and Janet Anderson, presented a Bill to extend the duration of copyright in sound recordings and of performers' rights; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 7th March and to be printed [Bill 78].

4    Small Print,—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make requirements regarding the minimum size of print in certain documents, including those relating to advertising and contracts; and for connected purposes: And that Dr Nick Palmer, Mr Graham Allen, Norman Baker, Michael Jabez Foster, Mr Fabian Hamilton, John Hemming, Susan Kramer, Dr Julian Lewis, Shona McIsaac and Mr Paul Truswell do prepare and bring it in.

5    Small Print Bill,—Dr Nick Palmer accordingly presented a Bill to make requirements regarding the minimum size of print in certain documents, including those relating to advertising and contracts; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 14th March and to be printed [Bill 76].

6    Business of the House (Lisbon Treaty) (No. 6),—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 7, in the third column:

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

(b) for '11/2 hours' substitute '3 hours'—(Ms Diana R. Johnson):—It was agreed to.

7    Disorderly Conduct,—Mr Edward Davey, Member for Kingston and Surbition, having wilfully disregarded the authority of the Chair, the Deputy Speaker ordered him to withdraw immediately from the House during the remainder of this day's sitting, pursuant to Standing Order No. 43 (Disorderly conduct):—And he withdrew accordingly.

8    Treaty of Lisbon (No. 7) [7th 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 effectiveness of the EU institutions and EU decision-making—(Mr Jim Murphy);

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 the provisions on the effectiveness of European Union institutions and decision-making because the Treaty expands the power of EU institutions at Member States' expense by replacing the rotating presidency of the European Council with a permanent President, giving the EU a single legal personality, abolishing national vetoes in more than fifty areas and entrenching marine biological resources as an exclusive EU competence; notes that these provisions are largely identical to those in the original EU Constitution; further notes that the details of many of the new powers of the EU and its institutions will not be decided until after the Treaty is ratified; and regrets the Government's failure to secure the extensive changes Ministers sought to these provisions in the course of negotiations on this Treaty and its near-identical predecessor', instead thereof.—(Mr William Hague.)

And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made;

Tellers for the Ayes, Jeremy Wright, James Duddridge: 170.

Tellers for the Noes, Tony Cunningham, Steve McCabe: 299.

It being more than three hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion relating to the Treaty of Lisbon (No. 6), the Deputy Speaker put the Main Question forthwith, pursuant to Orders [28th January and this day].

Tellers for the Ayes, Tony Cunningham, Steve McCabe: 297.

Tellers for the Noes, Jeremy Wright, James Duddridge: 168.

9    European Union (Amendment) Bill [7th 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. 82) proposed, in page 1, line 12, after the word 'excluding', to insert the words—

'(i) Article 1, paragraph 5, inserted Article 3a TEU relating to relations between the Union and Member States; and

(ii)'.—(Mr William Cash.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:—Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

It being three hours after the commencement of proceedings in the Committee, the Chairman put the Questions on Amendments selected for separate decision, pursuant to Orders [28th January and this day].

Another Amendment (No. 222) proposed, in page 1, line 12, after the word 'excluding', to insert the words—

'(i) Article 2, paragraph 12, new Article 2B TEC (TFEU), paragraph 1(d), relating to the conservation of marine biological resources under the common fisheries policy; and

(ii)'.—(Angus Robertson.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made.

Tellers for the Ayes, James Duddridge, Hywel Williams: 175.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Frank Roy, Mr Sadiq Khan: 285.

Another Amendment (No. 186) proposed, in page 1, line 12, after the word 'excluding', to insert the words—

'(i) Article 2, paragraph 289, replacement Article 308 TEC (TFEU) relating to action within the framework of policies defined in the Treaties where the Treaties have not provided the necessary powers; and

(ii)'.—(Mr William Cash.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made.

Tellers for the Ayes, Jeremy Wright, James Duddridge: 154.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Frank Roy, Mr Sadiq Khan: 300.

Whereupon the Chairman left the Chair to report progress and ask leave to sit again.

________________

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    Local Government,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the draft Cheshire (Structural Changes) Order 2008, which was laid before this House on 31st January, be approved—(Mr Jim Murphy);

Wednesday 27th February 2008

And it being one and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion, the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Standing Order No. 16 (Proceedings under an Act or on European Documents).

And the Deputy Speaker's opinion as to the decision of the Question being challenged, the Division was deferred till this day, pursuant to Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions).

11    Charities,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Charities Act 2006 (Charitable Companies Audit and Group Accounts Provisions) Order 2008, which was laid before this House on 29th January, be approved—(Mr Frank Roy):—It was agreed to.

12    Immigration,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2008, which were laid before this House on 30th January, be approved—(Mr Frank Roy):—It was agreed to.

13    CAP Health Check,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 119 (European Committees), That this House takes note of European Union Document No. 15351/07, Commission Communication, Preparing for the "Health Check" of the CAP reform; and supports the Government's aim that the health check should cut further the trade-distorting nature of the CAP, reduce regulatory burdens, give farmers greater control over their business decisions and direct more public spending towards the delivery of targeted public benefits—(Mr Frank Roy):—It was agreed to.

14    Adjournment (Easter),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 25 (Periodic adjournments), That this House, at its rising on Thursday 20th March 2008, do adjourn till Tuesday 25th March 2008—(Mr Frank Roy):—It was agreed to.

15    Adjournment (April),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 25 (Periodic adjournments), That this House, at its rising on Thursday 3rd April 2008, do adjourn till Monday 21st April 2008—(Mr Frank Roy):—It was agreed to.

16    Public Petition,—A Public Petition from residents of the London Borough of Bexley and others relating to Queen Mary's Hospital (Sidcup) was presented.

17    Adjournment.

Subject: Supplementary schools (Joan Ryan).

Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Frank Roy.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till twenty-six minutes to Two o'clock on Wednesday morning, adjourned till this day.

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:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1    Betting, Gaming and Lotteries,—(1) Draft Categories of Casino Regulations 2008; and

(2) draft Gambling (Geographical Distribution of Large and Small Casino Premises Licences) Order 2008

[by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda and Impact Assessments thereon [by Command] [Secretary Andy Burnham].

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    Official Statistics,—Draft Official Statistics Order 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Edward Miliband].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

4    Betting, Gaming and Lotteries,—Gambling (Inviting Competing Applications for Large and Small Casino Premises Licences) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 469), dated 25th February 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command] [Secretary Andy Burnham].

5    Council Tax,—Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rating (Demand Notices) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 387), dated 18th February 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Hazel Blears].

6    Local Government,—Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Accounting) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 414), dated 18th February 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Hazel Blears].

7    National Health Service,—(1) Dorset Primary Care Trust (Transfer of Trust Property) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 416);

(2) Northumberland, Tyne and Wear National Health Service Trust (Transfer of Trust Property) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 412); and

(3) Surrey Primary Care Trust (Transfer of Trust Property) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 415),

dated 19th February 2008 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Secretary Alan Johnson].

8    Rating and Valuation,—Non-Domestic Rating (Unoccupied Property) (England) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 386), dated 18th February 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command] [Secretary Hazel Blears].

9    Wildlife,—Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedule 5) (England) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 431), dated 21st February 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Hilary Benn].

Other Paper:

10    National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Ministry of Justice: Protecting the Public: the work of the Parole Board [by Act]; to be printed [No. 239] [Clerk of the House].

Papers withdrawn:

11    Government Resources and Accounts,—Draft Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (Audit of Public Bodies) Order 2008, with an Explanatory Memorandum [laid 6th February].

APPENDIX II

Reports from Select Committees

1    Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform,—(1) The work of the Office of Fair Trading: Government Response to the Trade and Industry Committee's Twelfth Report of Session 2006-07: Second Special Report from the Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Committee; to be printed [No. 372];

(2) Europe moves East: the impact of the 'new' EU Member States on UK Business: Government Response to the Trade and Industry Committee's Eleventh Report of Sessions 2006-07: Third Special Report from the Committee; to be printed [No. 373]; and

(3) Turkey: Trade and EU Accession: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 367-i]

[Peter Luff].

2    Culture, Media and Sport,—Harmful content on the Internet and in video games: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee; to be printed [No. 353-i] [Mr John Whittingdale].

3    Defence,—UK/US Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty: Government response to the Third Report from the Committee, Sessions 2007-08: Third Special Report from the Defence Committee; to be printed [No. 375] [Mr James Arbuthnot].

4    Environmental Audit,—The 2007 Pre-Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review: an environmental analysis:

(1) Third Report from the Environmental Audit Committee, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 149-I and -II]; and

(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee

[Mr Tim Yeo].

5    Home Affairs,—(1) Identity Cards: data security issues: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 365-i]; and

(2) Policing in the 21st Century: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Home Affairs Committee; to be printed [No 364-i]

[Keith Vaz].

6    Human Rights,—(1) The Use of Restraint in Secure Training Centres: Eleventh 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, and Memoranda reported and ordered to be published on 3rd December and 9th January [No. 378];

(2) Legislative Scrutiny: 1) Health and Social Care Bill and 2) Child Maintenance and Other Payments Bill: Government Response: Twelfth Report from the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report, and a Memorandum previously reported and ordered to be published on 19th February [No. 379];

(3) Government Response to the Committee's First Report of Session 2006-07: The Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism: Thirteenth Report from the Committee, with a Memorandum; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 380]; and

(4) Legislative scrutiny: Memorandum laid before the Committee, to be published

[Mr Andrew Dismore].

7    International Development,—DFID and the World Bank: Sixth 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 20th November, 13th December and 10th January [No. 67-I and -II] [Malcolm Bruce].

8    Scottish Affairs,—(1) Effects of tax increases on the oil industry: Government Response to the First Report from the Committee, Session 2007-08: First Special Report from the Scottish Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 376]; and

(2) Spring Supplementary Estimate 2008: Explanatory Memorandum by the Scotland Office: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published

[Mr Mohammad Sarwar].

9    Treasury,—(1) Financial Stability and Transparency: Sixth Report from the Treasury Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 371];

(2) Administration and expenditure of the Chancellor's departments, 2006-07: Seventh Report from the Treasury Committee, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 57]; and

(3) August Inflation Report 2007: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published

[John McFall].

10    Welsh Affairs,—(1) The proposed National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) Order in the Field of social welfare 2008: Fourth Report from the Welsh Affairs Committee, with the Minutes of the Proceedings relating to the Report, to be printed, [No. 257];

(2) The proposed Legislative Competence Order in Council on additional learning needs: Government response to the Second Report from the Committee, Session 2007-08: First Special Report from the Welsh Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 377]; and

(3) Globalisation and its impact on Wales:

(i) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 34-xii]; and

(ii) Memoranda laid before the Committee, to be published

[Dr Hywel Francis].

[W.H., No. 33]

Minutes of Proceedings of the Sitting in Westminster Hall

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

Adjournment.

Subjects:

Medals for armed forces personnel (Mr Kevan Jones).

Political developments in the Western Balkans (Mr John Randall).

Marconi pension fund (Mr George Howarth).

Healthcare in Norfolk (Mr Keith Simpson).

Middle East peace process (Andrew Gwynne).

A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the sitting be now adjourned—(Mr Michael Foster);

And it being Two o'clock, the sitting was adjourned without Question put, till to-morrow.

Sir Alan Haselhurst

Deputy Speaker