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

1    Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords as follows:

Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Bill [Lords],—The Lords have passed a Bill to make provision for, and in connection with, using money from dormant bank and building society accounts for social or environmental purposes; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.

2    Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Bill [Lords],—The Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Bill [Lords] was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time tomorrow and to be printed [Bill 80].

Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill [Lords] be printed [Bill 80-EN].

3    Personal Debt (Advice and Regulation),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require schools to provide education on personal money management; to make provision about advice centres on personal finance; to impose conditions on the activities of money-lending companies; and for connected purposes: And that Sandra Gidley, Rosie Cooper, John Bercow, Peter Luff, Mr David Drew, Mr Don Foster, Dr Vincent Cable and Lorely Burt do prepare and bring it in.

4    Personal Debt (Advice and Regulation) Bill,—Sandra Gidley accordingly presented a Bill to require schools to provide education on personal money management; to make provision about advice centres on personal finance; to impose conditions on the activities of money-lending companies; 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 77].

5    Business of the House (Lisbon Treaty) (No. 7),—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 8, in the third column:

(a) for '41/2 hours' substitute '31/2 hours', and

(b) for '11/2 hours' substitute '21/2 hours'—(Mr Dave Watts):—It was agreed to.

6    Treaty of Lisbon (No. 8) [8th 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 climate change—(Secretary Hilary Benn);

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 the Treaty of Lisbon makes no substantive changes to EU competence on climate change; agrees with the Foreign Secretary that climate change agreements already reached by the EU "have done more to show the relevance of the European Union than any amount of institutional tinkering"; believes that the Treaty of Lisbon is effectively irrelevant to the vital issue of climate change; and concludes that the Government's priority on climate change in the European context should not be institutional change but the strengthening of measures to drive down greenhouse gas emissions', instead thereof.—(Mr Peter Ainsworth.)

And the Question being 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 Cheshire (Structural Changes) Order 2008, which was laid before this House on 31st January, be approved.

Ayes: 278.

Noes: 151.

So the Question was agreed to.

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

And the Question being put;

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Richard Benyon, Mr Crispin Blunt: 164.

Tellers for the Noes, Liz Blackman, Mr Bob Blizzard: 345.

Tellers for the Ayes, Liz Blackman, Mr Bob Blizzard: 356.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Crispin Blunt, Mr Richard Benyon: 165.

9    European Union (Amendment) Bill [8th 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. 13) proposed, in page 1, line 12, after the word 'excluding', to insert the words—

'(i) any provision imposing an obligation on the Parliament of the United Kingdom; and

(ii) '.—(Mr Dominic Grieve.)

Question proposed, That the Amendment be made.

And it being two and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings in the Committee, the Chairman put the Question already proposed from the Chair, pursuant to Orders [28th January and this day].

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Richard Benyon, Mr Crispin Blunt: 156.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Alan Campbell, Mr Sadiq Khan: 350.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Alan Campbell, Mr Sadiq Khan: 342.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Richard Benyon, Mr Crispin Blunt: 156.

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    Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from—

(1) Ms Cate Mowat and others of like disposition relating to Palestinian Community of Jayyous;

(2) Cllr. Allan Wood and residents of Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath and surrounding areas relating to a referendum on the EU Constitution;

(3) residents of Chorley and others relating to hospices;

(4) residents of Chorley and others relating to support for the Armed Forces; and

(5) residents of Chorley and others relating to Post Office closures (Chorley)

were presented and read.

11    Adjournment.

Subject: Procurement of police escape masks from Avon Rubber, Melksham (Mr Michael Ancram).

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

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till three minutes past 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    Companies,—Draft Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments etc) Order 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hutton].

2    Criminal Law,—Draft Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment) Order 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command] [Secretary Jacqui Smith].

3    Pensions,—(1) Draft Occupational Pension Schemes (Levies) (Amendment) Regulations 2008; and

(2) draft Pension Protection Fund (Pension Compensation Cap) Order 2008

[by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Secretary James Purnell].

4    Town and Country Planning,—Draft Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications and Deemed Applications) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command] [Secretary Hazel Blears].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

5    Companies,—Companies (Disclosure of Auditor Remuneration and Liability Limitation Agreements) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 489), dated 23rd February 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hutton].

6    Education,—Education (Budget Statements) (England) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 377), dated 15th February 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Ed Balls].

7    Food,—(1) Dairy Produce Quotas (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 439), dated 20th February 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Hilary Benn];

(2) Dairy Produce Quotas (General Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 438), dated 20th February 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Hilary Benn]; and

(3) Meat (Official Controls Charges) (England) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 447), dated 20th February 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command] [Secretary Alan Johnson].

8    Immigration,—Immigration Services Commissioner (Designated Professional Body) (Fees) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 505), dated 21st February 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Jacqui Smith].

9    Income Tax,—Car Fuel Benefit Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 511), dated 26th February 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Angela Eagle].

10    National Health Service,—(1) Cornwall Partnership National Health Service Trust (Transfer of Trust Property) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 430); and

(2) North Bristol National Health Service Trust (Transfer of Trust Property) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 440),

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

11    Proceeds of Crime,—Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Legal Expenses in Civil Recovery Proceedings) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 523), dated 27th February 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Jack Straw].

12    Rating and Valuation,—Local Government (Non-Domestic Rating) (Consequential Amendments) (England) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 428), dated 20th February 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Hazel Blears].

13    Road Traffic,—(1) Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 508); and

(2) Vehicle Drivers (Certificates of Professional Competence) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 506),

dated 25th February 2008 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda and Impact Assessments thereon [by Command] [Secretary Ruth Kelly].

14    Social Security,—Social Security (Local Authority Investigations and Prosecutions) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 463), dated 20th February 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary James Purnell].

Other Papers:

15    Pensions and Yeomanry Pay,—Amendment 40, Change 3 to the Army Pensions Warrant 1977 [by Act] [Secretary Des Browne].

16    United Arab Emirates (No. 3, 2007),—Supplementary Explanatory Memorandum to the Extradition Treaty, done at London on 6th December 2006, between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates on Extradition [by Command] [Secretary David Miliband].

Papers withdrawn:

17    Companies,—Draft Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments etc) Order 2008, with an Explanatory Memorandum [laid 20th February].

APPENDIX II

General Committees

1    Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 3521):

(1) The Speaker has allocated the Regulations to the First Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr David Wilshire Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Charlotte Atkins, Mr Tim Boswell, Peter Bottomley, Annette Brooke, Mrs Nadine Dorries, Sandra Gidley, Mr Adam Ingram, Helen Jones, Steve McCabe, Mr Elliot Morley, Mike Penning, Dawn Primarolo, Chris Ruane, Sir Peter Soulsby, Helen Southworth, Dr Howard Stoate and Jeremy Wright.

    European Committees

2    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,—The Committee of Selection has nominated thirteen Members to serve on the European Committee, nominated in respect of the Documents: Nick Ainger, Mr Bob Ainsworth, Mr David S. Borrow, Mr Richard Caborn, Tony Cunningham, Mr Gerald Howarth, Mr Nick Hurd, Mr Kevan Jones, Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger, Willie Rennie, Bob Russell, Mr Virendra Sharma and Mr Ian Taylor.

3    European Union Documents No. 5849/08 and Addenda 1 and No. 5862/08 and Addenda 1 to 3, relating to Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and Review of the Emissions Trading Scheme, have been referred to European Committee A.

4    European Union Document No. 5421/08 and Addenda 1 and 2, relating to Promotion of energy from renewable resources, has been referred to European Committee C.

5    European Union Document No. 5835/08 and Addenda 1 and 2, relating to Carbon capture and storage, has been referred to European Committee C.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

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

(2) Minutes of the public deliberations of the Committee; to be printed [No. 361-ii]; and

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

[Michael Connarty].

2    Foreign Affairs,—Previously Unpublished Memoranda Submitted to the Foreign Affairs Committee: Memoranda laid before the Foreign Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 389] [Mike Gapes].

3    Innovation, Universities and Skills,—Science Budget Allocations:

(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Innovation, Universities and Skills Committee; to be printed [No. 215-iii]; and

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

[Mr Phil Willis].

4    Justice,—Devolution: A Decade On: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Justice Committee on 26th February; to be printed [No. 75-iv] [Mr Alan Beith].

5    Modernisation of the House of Commons,—Regional Accountability:

(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons; to be printed [No. 282-iv]; and;

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

[Ms Harriet Harman].

6    Northern Ireland Affairs,—(1) Prison Service of Northern Ireland: Government Response to the First Report from the Committee, Session 2007-08: First Special Report from the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 386];

(2) The Varney Review of tax policy in Northern Ireland: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 385-i]; and

(3) Spring Supplementary Estimate 2008: Explanatory Memorandum by the Northern Ireland Office: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published

[Sir Patrick Cormack].

7    Public Accounts,—Caring for vulnerable babies: The reorganisation of neonatal services in England: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts; to be printed [No. 390-i] [Mr Edward Leigh].

8    Standards and Privileges,—Employment of family members through the Staffing Allowance: Proposals for consultation: Sixth Report from the Committee on Standards and Privileges; to be printed, with Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 383] [Sir George Young].

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

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

11    Work and Pensions,—(1) The best start in life? Alleviating deprivation, improving social mobility, and eradicating child poverty: Second Report from the Work and Pensions 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 24th October [No. 42-I and -II]; and

(2) Health and Safety: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 246-iii]

[Mr Terry Rooney].

[W.H., No. 34]

Minutes of Proceedings of the Sitting in Westminster Hall

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

Subjects:

Government policy on Israeli settlements and closures in the Palestinian Territories (Mr Alistair Carmichael).

Security of British investors in Tanzania (Mr Roger Gale).

Child poverty (Fiona Mactaggart).

Air ambulances in the NHS (Dr Ian Gibson).

Inquest into the death of British journalist Mr Brian Peters (Mr Don Foster).

Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Mr Sadiq Khan.)

And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.

Sir Alan Haselhurst

Deputy Speaker