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

1    St Austell Market Bill,—The St Austell Market Bill was read the third time, and passed.

2    Transport for London Bill [Lords],—The House proceeded to consider the Transport for London Bill [Lords].

Bill to be read the third time.

3    Counter-Terrorism Bill,—Mr Edward O'Hara reported certain Memoranda from the Counter-Terrorism Bill Committee.

Memoranda to lie upon the Table and to be published.

4    European Committee B,—Mr David Wilshire reported from European Committee B the following Resolution:

That the Committee takes note of European Union Documents No. 14999/07, No. 15001/07, No. 14995/07, No. 14993/07, No. 14996/07, No. 14997/07, progress reports on Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, No. 15616/07 and Addenda 1 and 2, Draft Council Decisions on the signing and on the conclusion of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and its Member States and the Republic of Serbia, No. 15690/07 and Addenda 1 and 2, Draft Council Decision concerning the signing and conclusion of the Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related matters between the European Community and the Republic of Serbia, and unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum dated 15th February 2008, Interim Political Agreement on Co-operation between the European Union and its Member States and the Republic of Serbia; and supports the Government's position that European integration offers the best prospects for regional stability in the Western Balkans and is therefore in favour of a clear European perspective for the countries of the Western Balkans.

Resolution to lie upon the Table.

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

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

Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Bill [Lords],—The Lords have passed a Bill to make provision for the establishment of the Local Better Regulation Office; for the co-ordination of regulatory enforcement by local authorities; for the creation of civil sanctions in relation to regulatory offences; for the reduction and removal of regulatory burdens; and for connected purposes; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.

6    Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Bill [Lords],—The Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Bill [Lords] was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 103].

Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Bill [Lords] be printed [Bill 103-EN].

7    Right to Roam (Mobile Phones),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision about roaming by mobile phone users between telephone networks within the United Kingdom; to make provision about the sharing of transmission masts; and for connected purposes: And that Greg Clark, Mr Stephen Crabb, Mrs Maria Miller, Nick Herbert, Mark Pritchard, Gregory Barker, Mr Robert Goodwill, Mr Tobias Ellwood, Michael Fabricant, Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger, Mr David Ruffley and Dr Andrew Murrison do prepare and bring it in.

8    Right to Roam (Mobile Phones) Bill,—Greg Clark accordingly presented a Bill to make provision about roaming by mobile phone users between telephone networks within the United Kingdom; to make provision about the sharing of transmission masts; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 6th June and to be printed [Bill 101].

9    Finance Bill,—The House, according to Order, again resolved itself into a Committee on the Finance Bill (Clauses Nos. 3, 5, 6, 15, 21, 49, 90 and 117 and new Clauses amending Section 74 of the Finance Act 2003).

(In the Committee)

Clause No. 49 (Greater London Authority: severance payments).

Amendment (No. 17) proposed, in page 25, line 21, to leave out '2008' and add '2009.'.—(Mr Philip Hammond.)

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

Clause agreed to.

Clause No. 90 (Zero-carbon homes).

Amendment (No. 21) proposed, in page 51, line 11, to leave out from 'acquisition"' to the end of line 12 and insert the words 'means the acquisition of a dwelling when it has not been previously acquired by a buyer'.—(Justine Greening.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made.

Tellers for the Ayes, James Duddridge, Jeremy Wright: 137.

Tellers for the Noes, Alison Seabeck, Mr Frank Roy: 336.

Clause agreed to.

A Clause (NC1) (Collective enfranchisement by leaseholders)—(Mr David Gauke)—brought up and read the first time.

Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr John Randall, James Duddridge: 130.

Tellers for the Noes, Siobhain McDonagh, Liz Blackman: 321.

Amendment (No. 1A) proposed, in page 73, line 12, at the end, to insert the words—

'(3A) An order under subsection (2) may not be made until—

(a) the provisions of Schedule 24 to FA 2007 which are amended by Schedule 40 have been in force for not less than 12 months, and

(b) the Treasury has laid before the House of Commons a report setting out its assessment of the effectiveness of those provisions.'.—(Mr David Gauke.)

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

Tellers for the Noes, Ms Diana R. Johnson, Mr Sadiq Khan: 297.

Another Amendment (No. 3A) proposed, in page 73, line 13, to leave out subsections (4) to (6).—(Mr David Gauke.)

Tellers for the Ayes, James Duddridge, Jeremy Wright: 164.

Tellers for the Noes, Ms Diana R. Johnson, Mr Sadiq Khan: 300.

Clause agreed to.

Clause No. 15 (Rates of vehicle excise duty).

Amendment (No. 9) proposed, in page 8, line 4, at the end, to insert the words—

'(3A) In paragraph 1C (the reduced rate)—

(a) in sub-paragraph (1) for "or C" substitute "C or D";

(b) after sub-paragraph (4) insert—

  "(4A) Condition D is that the vehicle is a working vehicle."; and

(c) in sub-paragraph (6) insert at the appropriate place—

  ""working vehicle" has such meaning as may be prescribed by the Treasury in regulations made by statutory instrument,"'.—(Stewart Hosie.)

Tellers for the Ayes, Pete Wishart, Mr Mike Weir: 43.

Tellers for the Noes, Ms Diana R. Johnson, Mr Sadiq Khan: 287.

Another Amendment (No. 6) proposed, in page 8, line 17, at the end to add the words—

'(7) The Treasury shall publish, not later than the date of the Budget 2009, an estimate, audited by the Independent Committee on Climate Change (as established by the Climate Change Act 2008), of the carbon emissions savings resultant from the changes to vehicle excise duty contained in this section.'.—(Mr Mark Hoban.)

Tellers for the Ayes, Jeremy Wright, James Duddridge: 175.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Sadiq Khan, Ms Diana R. Johnson: 299.

Question put, That the Clause stand part of the Bill.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Sadiq Khan, Ms Diana R. Johnson: 325.

Tellers for the Noes, James Duddridge, Jeremy Wright: 145.

Bill (Clauses Nos. 3, 5, 6, 15, 21, 49, 90 and 117 and new Clauses amending Section 74 of the Finance Act 2003) to be reported, without Amendment.

______________

The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair and Alison Seabeck reported, That the Committee had gone through the Bill (Clauses Nos. 3, 5, 6, 15, 21, 49, 90 and 117 and new Clauses amending Section 74 of the Finance Act 2003), and had directed him to report the same, without Amendment.

Ordered, That the Bill (Clauses Nos. 3, 5, 6, 15, 21, 49, 90 and 117) do lie upon the Table.

10    Housing,—Ordered, That the Home Information Pack (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 572) dated 27th February 2008, be referred to a Delegated Legislation Committee.—(Alison Seabeck.)

11    Consumer Protection,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 (Commencement No. 3 and Supplementary Provision) Order 2008, which was laid before this House on 10th March, be approved—(Alison Seabeck):—It was agreed to.

12    Northern Ireland,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008, which was laid before this House on 3rd March, be approved—(Alison Seabeck):—It was agreed to.

13    Northern Ireland,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland Consequential Amendments) Order 2008, which was laid before this House on 3rd March, be approved—(Alison Seabeck):—It was agreed to.

14    Business of the House,—Ordered, That,

(1) at the sitting on Wednesday 7th May,

(a) notwithstanding paragraph (2)(c) of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business) opposition business may be proceeded with, for three hours or until four o'clock whichever is the later, and shall then lapse if not previously disposed of;

(b) notwithstanding Standing Order No. 20 (Time for taking private business) the Private Business set down by the Chairman of Ways and Means shall be entered upon at the conclusion of opposition business (whether before, at or after four o'clock), and may then be proceeded with, though opposed, for three hours, after which the Speaker shall interrupt the business; and

(c) the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until any message from the Lords has been received and any Committee to draw up Reasons which has been appointed at that sitting has reported; and

(2) at the sitting on Thursday 8th May, the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until he has notified the Royal Assent to Acts agreed upon by both Houses.—(Alison Seabeck.)

15    Business of the House,—Ordered, That, at the sitting on Tuesday 13th May, the Motion in the name of Simon Hughes relating to Changes in Immigration Rules (House of Commons Paper No. 321) may be proceeded with as if Standing Order No. 16 (Proceedings under an Act or on European Union documents) was applied to it.—(Alison Seabeck.)

16    Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from—

(1) residents of Romford and the surrounding area relating to Post Office closures (Essex);

(2) residents of Hornchurch and the surrounding area relating to Post Office closures (Essex);

(3) the people of Shepherds Bush and Hammersmith relating to Post Office closures (Shepherds Bush); and

(4) the people of Acton relating to Post Office closures (Acton)

were presented and read.

17    Adjournment.

Subject: Support for victims of rape (Mr Charles Walker).

A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Alison Seabeck);

And the Motion having been made after Ten o'clock, and the Debate having continued for half an hour, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order, it being then thirteen minutes past Eleven o'clock, till to-morrow.

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:

Paper subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1    Pensions,—Draft Financial Assistance Scheme (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary James Purnell].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

2    Medicines,—(1) Medicines for Human Use (Prescribing) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 1161); and

(2) Medicines (Sale or Supply) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 1162),

dated 22nd April 2008 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Secretary Alan Johnson].

Other Paper:

3    Justice (Northern Ireland),—Report and Accounts of the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission for 2006-07, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 478] [Secretary Jack Straw].

APPENDIX II

    European Committees

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1    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-v] [Mr John Whittingdale].

2    Environmental Audit,—(1) Are biofuels sustainable? The Government Response: Fourth Report from the Environmental Audit Committee, with an Appendix; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 528]; and

(2) Making Government Operations more sustainable: A progress check: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 529]

[Joan Walley].

3    Home Affairs,—Human Trafficking: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Home Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 318-ii] [Keith Vaz].

4    Human Rights,—(1) Government Response to the Committee's Sixth Report of Session 2007-08: The Work of the Committee in 2007 and the State of Human Rights in the UK: Eighteenth Report from the Joint Committee on Human Rights, with a Memorandum; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 526];

(2) UNCAT: Allegations of Torture and Inhuman Treatment in Iraq: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [527-i];

(3) Counter-terrorism policy: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published

(4) Human Rights Judgments: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published

(5) Legislative Scrutiny: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published

[Mr Andrew Dismore].

5    International Development,—Co-ordination for Aid Effectiveness: Minutes of Evidence taken before the International Development Committee; to be printed [No. 520-i] [Malcolm Bruce].

6    Public Administration,—(1) Investigating the conduct of ministers: Seventh Report from the Select Committee on Public Administration, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 381];

(2) Parliament and public appointments: Pre-appointment hearings by select committees: Government Response to the Committee's Third Report of Session 2007-08: Seventh Special Report from the Committee; to be printed [No. 515];

(3) Draft Constitutional Renewal Bill: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 499-ii]; and

(4) Lobbying: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published

[Dr Tony Wright].

7    Regulatory Reform,—Getting Results: The Better Regulation Executive and the Impact of the Regulatory Reform Agenda: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 474-ii] [Andrew Miller].

8    Scottish Affairs,—(1) Poverty in Scotland and Child Poverty in Scotland: Responses by the Government and the Scottish Executive to the Committee's Second and Third Reports of Session 2007-08: Second Special Report from the Scottish Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 525]; and

(2) Employment and skills for the defence industry in Scotland: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 305-v]

[Mr Mohammad Sarwar].

9    Standards and Privileges,—The Complaints System and the Criminal Law: Eighth Report from the Committee on Standards and Privileges, with an Appendix; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 523] [Sir George Young].

10    Treasury,—Re-appointment of Mervyn King as Governor of the Bank of England: Tenth Report from the Treasury Committee, with Minutes of Evidence and Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 524-I and -II] [John McFall].

11    Welsh Affairs,—The provision of cross-border public services for Wales:

(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 401-iv]; and

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

[Dr Hywel Francis].

[W.H., No. 54]

Minutes of Proceedings of the Sitting in Westminster Hall

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

Subjects:

Zimbabwe and the application of sanctions (Norman Lamb).

Primary Care Trusts and exceptional cases (Dr Ian Gibson).

Tax credits (Daniel Kawczynski).

Commonwealth immigration visas (Mr Austin Mitchell).

Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust (Mr John Horam).

Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Ms Diana R. Johnson.)

And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.

Sir Alan Haselhurst

Deputy Speaker