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

1    First Delegated Legislation Committee,—John Bercow reported from the First Delegated Legislation Committee the draft Rail Vehicle Accessibility (B2007 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2008.

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

2    Second Delegated Legislation Committee,—Mr Mike Hancock reported from the Second Delegated Legislation Committee the draft Crown Agents Holding and Realisation Board (Prescribed Day) Order 2008.

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

3    European Committee B,—Frank Cook reported from European Committee B, nominated in respect of European Union Documents relating to European Defence Equipment Market and European Defence Agency, the following Resolution:

That the Committee takes note of European Union Documents No. 14937/07, Report by the Head of the European Defence Agency on its activity in 2007, No. 15413/07, the Council's guidelines for the European Defence Agency's work in 2008, and No. 16682/07 and Addenda 1 and 2, Commission Communication on a Strategy for a Stronger and More Competitive European Defence Industry; and endorses the Government's approach to the development of the European Defence Agency and its view that the analysis and proposed solutions in the Commission's Communication need further refinement before they could be supported.

Resolution to lie upon the Table.

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

4    Estimates [2nd allotted day],—The House proceeded, pursuant to Resolution [3rd March], to consider the Estimates appointed for consideration under Standing Order No. 145 (Liaison Committee).

Supplementary Estimates, 2007-08 (HM Treasury),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That, for the year ending with 31st March 2008, for expenditure by HM Treasury—

(1) further resources, not exceeding £7,092,000, be authorised for use as set out in House of Commons Paper No. 366,

(2) a further sum, not exceeding £11,841,000, be granted to Her Majesty out of the Consolidated Fund to meet the costs as so set out, and

(3) limits as so set out be set on appropriations in aid—(Alison Seabeck);

The Debate was concluded and the Question necessary to dispose of the proceedings was deferred, pursuant to paragraph (4) of Standing Order No. 54 (Consideration of estimates).

Supplementary Estimates, 2007-08 (Department for Transport),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That, for the year ending with 31st March 2008, for expenditure by the Department for Transport—

(1) further resources, not exceeding £2,059,473,000, be authorised for use as set out in House of Commons Paper No. 273,

(2) a further sum, not exceeding £1,859,129,000, be granted to Her Majesty out of the Consolidated Fund to meet the costs as so set out, and

(3) limits as so set out be set on appropriations in aid—(Liz Blackman);

And it being Ten o'clock, the Speaker interrupted the proceedings, and the Question necessary to dispose of proceedings was deferred, pursuant to paragraph (4) of the Standing Order No. 54 (Consideration of estimates).

The Speaker, pursuant to paragraph (5) of Standing Order No. 54 (Consideration of estimates), put the deferred Questions on Supplementary Estimates 2007-08.

Supplementary Estimates, 2007-08: HM Treasury

Resolved, That, for the year ending with 31st March 2008, for expenditure by HM Treasury—

(1) further resources, not exceeding £7,092,000, be authorised for use as set out in House of Commons Paper No. 366,

(2) a further sum, not exceeding £11,841,000, be granted to Her Majesty out of the Consolidated Fund to meet the costs as so set out, and

(3) limits as so set out be set on appropriations in aid.

Supplementary Estimates, 2007-08 (Department for Transport)

Resolved, That, for the year ending with 31st March 2008, for expenditure by the Department for Transport—

(1) further resources, not exceeding £2,059,473,000, be authorised for use as set out in House of Commons Paper No. 273,

(2) a further sum, not exceeding £1,859,129,000, be granted to Her Majesty out of the Consolidated Fund to meet the costs as so set out, and

(3) limits as so set out be set on appropriations in aid.

5    Estimates,—The Speaker then put the Questions required to be put, pursuant to Sanding Order No. 55 (Questions on voting of estimates, &c.).

Estimates, 2008-09 (Navy) Vote A

Resolved, That, during the year ending with 31st March 2009, a number not exceeding 41,270 all ranks be maintained for Naval Service and that numbers in the Reserve Naval and Marine Forces be authorised for the purposes of Parts 1, 3, 4 and 5 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 up to the maximum numbers set out in House of Commons Paper No. 264 of this Session.

Estimates, 2008-09 (Army) Vote A

Resolved, That, during the year ending with 31st March 2009, a number not exceeding 122,870 all ranks be maintained for Army Service and that numbers in the Reserve Land Forces be authorised for the purposes of Parts 1, 3, 4 and 5 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 up to the maximum numbers set out in House of Commons Paper No. 264 of this Session.

Estimates, 2008-09 (Air) Vote A

Resolved, That, during the year ending with 31st March 2009, a number not exceeding 46,130 all ranks be maintained for Air Force Service and that numbers in the Reserve Air Forces be authorised for the purposes of Parts 1, 3, 4 and 5 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 up to the maximum numbers set out in House of Commons Paper No. 264 of this Session.

Estimates, Excesses, 2006-07

Resolved, That, for the year that ended with 31st March 2007—

(1) resources, not exceeding £38,611,000, be authorised for use to make good excesses of certain resources for defence and civil services as set out in House of Commons Paper No. 294, and

(2) limits as so set out be set on appropriations in aid.

Supplementary Estimates, 2007-08

Resolved, That, for the year ending with 31st March 2008—

(1) further resources, not exceeding £14,190,565,000, be authorised for defence and civil services as set out in House of Commons Papers Nos. 273 and 290,

(2) a further sum, not exceeding £5,692,926,000, be granted to Her Majesty out of the Consolidated Fund to meet the costs of defence and civil services as so set out, and

(3) limits as so set out be set on appropriations in aid.

Ordered, That a Bill be brought in upon the foregoing Resolutions relating to Supplementary Estimates, 2007-08 and Estimates, Excesses, 2006-07, and the Resolutions of 5th December relating to Supplementary and New Estimates 2007-08: And that the Chairman of Ways and Means, Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, Yvette Cooper, Jane Kennedy, Angela Eagle and Kitty Ussher do prepare and bring it in.

6    Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill,—Jane Kennedy accordingly presented a Bill to authorise the use of resources for the service of the years ending with 31st March 2007 and 31st March 2008 and to apply certain sums out of the Consolidated Fund to the service of the year ending with 31st March 2008; and to appropriate the supply authorised in this Session of Parliament for the service of the years ending with 31st March 2007 and 31st March 2008: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 85].

7    Rating and Valuation,—Ordered, That the Non-Domestic Rating (Unoccupied Property) (England) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 386), dated 18th February, be referred to a Delegated Legislation Committee.—(Tony Cunningham.)

8    International Development,—Ordered, That James Duddridge be discharged from the International Development Committee and Daniel Kawczynski be added.—(Rosemary McKenna, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

9    Public Petition,—A Public Petition from Mrs Vanda Jimmick, residents of Hadliegh and others relating to development (Essex) was presented and read.

10    Adjournment.

Subject: Future of Harrogate Theatre (Mr Phil Willis).

Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Michael Foster.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till twenty-eight minutes to Eleven 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 subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1    Consumer Protection,—Draft Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 (Commencement No. 3 and Supplementary Provision) Order 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hutton].

2    Local Government,—Draft Bedfordshire (Structural Changes) Order 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command] [Secretary Hazel Blears].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

3    Charities,—Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 629), dated 6th March 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command] [Edward Miliband].

4    Companies,—Companies (Defective Accounts and Directors' Reports) (Authorised Person) and Supervision of Accounts and Reports (Prescribed Body) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 623), dated 5th March 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hutton].

5    Customs,—Export Control (Security and Para-military Goods) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 639), dated 6th March 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hutton].

6    Electronic Communications,—Communications (Television Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 643), dated 6th March 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Andy Burnham].

7    Farriers,—Farriers' Qualifications (European Recognition) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 646), dated 5th March 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Hilary Benn].

8    Government Trading Funds,—Defence Aviation Repair Agency Trading Fund (Amendment) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 628), dated 5th March 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Des Browne].

9    National Health Service,—National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) and (Travel Expenses and Remission of Charges) Amendment Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 571), dated 3rd March 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Alan Johnson].

10    Plant Health,—Plant Health (Forestry) (Amendment) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 644), dated 7th March 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Hilary Benn].

11    Road Traffic,—(1) Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions (Penalty Charge Notices, Enforcement and Adjudication) (Wales) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 609), dated 6th March 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Murphy]; and

(2) Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 642), dated 7th March 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command] [Secretary Ruth Kelly].

12    Social Care,—Fostering Services (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 640), dated 6th March 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Ed Balls].

13    Social Security,—(1) Housing Benefit (Local Housing Allowance, Information Sharing and Miscellaneous) Amendment Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 586), dated 3rd March 2008; and

(2) Rent Officers (Housing Benefit Functions) Amendment Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 587), dated 28th February 2008

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

14    Town and Country Planning,—(1) Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 551); and

(2) Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) (Amendment) (England) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 550),

dated 26th February 2008 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda and Impact Assessments thereon [by Command] [Secretary Hazel Blears].

15    Water Industry,—Water Supply and Sewerage Services (Customer Service Standards) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 594), dated 4th March 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command] [Secretary Hilary Benn].

Other Papers:

16    House of Commons Members Estimate,—First Report from the House of Commons Members Estimate Committee on the Review of Members' Allowances: Threshold for receipts; to be printed [No. 415] [The Speaker].

17    Industrial Organisation and Development,—Report and Accounts of the British Potato Council for 2006-07, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 391] [Secretary Hilary Benn].

18    National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Reducing passenger rail delays by better management of incidents [by Act]; to be printed [No. 308] [Clerk of the House].

19    National Lottery,—Accounts of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland Lottery Distribution for 2006-07, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 414] [Clerk of the House].

20    Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions,—Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions (Non-Effective Benefits and Family Pensions) Delegation Order [by Act] [Secretary Jack Straw].

Papers withdrawn:

21    Consumer Protection,—Draft Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 (Commencement No. 3 and Supplementary Provision) Order 2008, with an Explanatory Memorandum [laid 7th March].

22    Local Government,—Draft Bedfordshire (Structural Changes) Order 2008, with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [laid 6th March].

APPENDIX II

General Committees

1    Draft Rail Vehicle Accessibility (B2007 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2008:

(1) The Speaker has appointed John Bercow Chairman of the First Delegated Legislation Committee in respect of the draft Order, in place of Mr Mike Weir; and

(2) The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Stephen Hepburn, Mr Greg Knight and David Lepper from the First Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution David Crausby, Stephen Hammond and Mr Lindsay Hoyle.

2    Draft Crown Agents Holding and Realisation Board (Prescribed Day) Order 2008,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Ms Diana R. Johnson, Mr Khalid Mahmood and Mr Geoffrey Robinson from the Second Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Mr Wayne David, Linda Gilroy and Mrs Madeline Moon.

    European Committees

3    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 discharged Nick Ainger and Mr Virendra Sharma from the European Committee (nominated in respect of the Documents) and nominated in substitution Mr George Mudie and Mr John Spellar.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1    Children, Schools and Families,—Children and Young Persons Bill [Lords]: First Report from the Children, Schools and Families Committee, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 359] [Mr Barry Sheerman].

2    Human Rights,—A British Bill of Rights: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Joint Committee on Human Rights; to be printed [No. 150-v] [Mr Andrew Dismore].

3    Innovation, Universities and Skills,—The work and operation of the Copyright Tribunal: Second Report from the Innovation, Universities and Skills 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 28 January 2008 [No. 245] [Mr Phil Willis].

4    Public Accounts,—Preparations for Digital Switchover: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Pubic Accounts; to be printed [No. 416-i] [Mr Edward Leigh].