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

1    Crewe & Nantwich Writ,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown to make out a new Writ for the electing of a Member to service in this present Parliament for the county constituency of Crewe & Nantwich in the room of Gwyneth Patricia Dunwoody, deceased—(Mr Geoffrey Hoon);

And the Motion being opposed, further proceeding stood postponed.

2    Third Delegated Legislation Committee,—Dr William McCrea reported from the Delegated Legislation Committee the draft Electoral Administration Act 2006 (Regulation of Loans etc: Northern Ireland) Order 2008.

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

3    Education (Children with Autism) Bill,—The Order for reading the Education (Children with Autism) Bill a second time on Friday 9th May was read and discharged.

Bill to be read a second time on Friday 17th October.

4    Crewe & Nantwich Writ,—The House resumed the postponed proceeding on the Question, That the Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown to make out a new Writ for the electing of a Member to service in this present Parliament for the county constituency of Crewe & Nantwich in the room of Gwyneth Patricia Dunwoody, deceased.

And the Question being put;

Ordered, That the Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown to make out a new Writ for the electing of a Member to service in this present Parliament for the county constituency of Crewe & Nantwich in the room of Gwyneth Patricia Dunwoody, deceased.

5    Citizens' Initiative (Legislation),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to permit members of the public to initiate legislation; and for connected purposes: And that Mr Douglas Carswell, Mr Graham Allen, Mr Mark Field, Greg Clark, Stephen Hammond, Mr Frank Field, Mr Richard Shepherd, Mr Philip Dunne and Mr David Gauke do prepare and bring it in.

6    Citizens' Initiative (Legislation) Bill,—Mr Douglas Carswell accordingly presented a Bill to permit members of the public to initiate legislation; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 17th October and to be printed [Bill 102].

7    Energy Bill,—The House, according to Order, proceeded to consider the Energy Bill, as amended in the Public Bill Committee.

Clauses (NC6) (Exception for activities carried on partly on land etc), (NC7) (Disposal of hazardous material), (NC8) (Power to amend licence conditions: smart meters), (NC9) (Power to amend licence conditions: procedure) and (NC10) (Smart meters: supplemental)—(Malcolm Wicks)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

Another Clause (NC4) (Tariffs for renewable energy)—(Alan Simpson)—brought up, and read the first time.

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

Tellers for the Ayes, Kelvin Hopkins, Dr Ian Gibson: 210.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Bob Blizzard, Mr Wayne David: 250.

And it being Six o'clock, the Deputy Speaker, pursuant to Order [22nd January], put the Question on Amendments proposed by a Minister of the Crown to be disposed of at that hour.

Amendments (Nos. 2 to 64) made to the Bill.

A Motion being made, That the Bill be now read the third time;

Jane Kennedy, by Her Majesty's Command, acquainted the House, That Her Majesty, having been informed of the purport of the Bill, gives her Consent, as far as Her Majesty's interest is concerned, That the House may do therein as it shall think fit.

Jane Kennedy, by Command of the Prince of Wales, acquainted the House, That His Royal Highness, having been informed of the purport of the Bill, gives his Consent, as far as the Prince of Wales's interest is concerned, That the House may do therein as it shall think fit.

And the Question being put:—It was agreed to.

The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.

8    Western Balkans and EU-Serbia Co-Operation,—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 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 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—(Mr Alan Campbell):—It was agreed to.

9    Draft Constitutional Renewal Bill (Joint Committee),—Resolved, That this House concurs with the Lords Message of 20th March, that it is expedient that a Joint Committee of Lords and Commons be appointed to consider and report on any draft Constitutional Renewal Bill presented to both Houses.

Ordered, That a Select Committee of eleven Members be appointed to join with the Committee appointed by the Lords to consider the draft Constitutional Renewal Bill (Cm. 7342).

That the Committee should report on the draft Bill by 18th July 2008.

That the Committee shall have power—

(i) to send for persons, papers and records;

(ii) to sit notwithstanding any adjournment of the House;

(iii) to report from time to time;

(iv) to appoint specialist advisers; and

(v) to adjourn from place to place within the United Kingdom.

That Mr Alistair Carmichael, Mr Christopher Chope, Michael Jabez Foster, Mark Lazarowicz, Martin Linton, Ian Lucas, Fiona Mactaggart, Mr Virendra Sharma, Emily Thornberry, Mr Andrew Tyrie and Sir George Young be members of the Committee.—(Mr Alan Campbell.)

10    Adjournment.

Subject: Provision of fertility treatment in Dudley Primary Care Trust (Lynda Waltho).

Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Alan Campbell.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till eight minutes to Seven 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    Church of England (General Synod) (Measures),—Measure passed by the General Synod of the Church of England, entitled Church of England Marriage Measure [by Act]; to be printed [No. 511] [Clerk of the House].

2    Northern Ireland,—(1) Draft Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland Consequential Amendments) Order 2008; and

(2) draft Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008

[by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Mr Secretary Woodward].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

3    Armorial Bearings, Ensigns and Flags,—Lyon Court and Office Fees (Variation) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 1166), dated 28th April 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Des Browne].

4    Housing,—(1) Disabled Facilities Grants (Maximum Amounts and Additional Purposes) (England) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 1189); and

(2) Housing Renewal Grants (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 1190),

dated 28th April 2008 [by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Secretary Hazel Blears].

5    Social Security,—Discretionary Housing Payment (Grants) Amendment Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 1167), dated 24th April 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary James Purnell].

Other Papers:

6    Church of England (General Synod) (Measures),—Report by the Ecclesiastical Committee on the Church of England Marriage Measure [by Act]; to be printed [No. 510] [Clerk of the House].

7    Government Resources and Accounts,—Resource Accounts of the Office of Gas and Electricity Market for 2007-08, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 497] [Jane Kennedy].

8    Justice,—Government Response to the Fifth Report from the Constitutional Affairs Committee, Session 2006-07 on the Constitutional Role of the Attorney General [by Command] [Cm. 7355] [The Solicitor General].

9    Treaty Series (No. 33, 2007),—Index to Treaty Series 2007 [by Command] [Cm. 7369] [Secretary David Miliband].

APPENDIX II

General Committees

1    Finance Bill Committee:

(1) The Speaker has appointed Sir Nicholas Winterton, Mr Frank Cook and Mr Jim Hood Chairmen of the Finance Bill Committee; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated thirty-four Members to serve on the Committee: Charlotte Atkins, Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods, Mr Bob Blizzard, Mr Graham Brady, Mr Colin Breed, Mr Jeremy Browne, Dr Vincent Cable, Ben Chapman, Angela Eagle, Clive Efford, Mr Mark Field, Mr David Gauke, Justine Greening, Patrick Hall, Mr Philip Hammond, Mr Greg Hands, Stephen Hesford, Mr Mark Hoban, Stewart Hosie, Eric Joyce, Jane Kennedy, Jessica Morden, Mr Brooks Newmark, Dr Nick Palmer, John Penrose, Stephen Pound, Mr Virendra Sharma, Mr Siôn Simon, Emily Thornberry, John Thurso, Mr Mark Todd, Kitty Ussher, Peter Viggers and David Wright.

2    Temporary and Agency Workers (Equal Treatment) Bill,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Mike Hancock and Mr Eric Martlew Chairmen of the Temporary and Agency Workers (Equal Treatment) Bill Committee.

3    Draft Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations 2008 and the draft Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the First Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Jim Hood Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr John Baron, Lorely Burt, Jon Cruddas, Mrs Ann Cryer, Jim Dowd, Anne Main, Margaret Moran, Mr Denis Murphy, Mr Mark Prisk, Mrs Linda Riordan, Mr Lee Scott, Alison Seabeck, Mr Andy Slaughter, Sir John Stanley, Sarah Teather, Mr Gareth Thomas and Dr Desmond Turner.

4    Draft Electoral Administration Act 2006 (Regulation of Loans etc: Northern Ireland) Order 2008,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Ms Dawn Butler, Mr Richard Caborn, Mr George Howarth and Sir Gerald Kaufman from the Third Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Mr Lindsay Hoyle, Tom Levitt, Mr Dennis Skinner and Geraldine Smith.

    European Committees

5    European Union Document No. 7210/08 and Addendum, relating to Financial Management,—The Committee of Selection has nominated thirteen Members to serve on European Committee B, nominated in respect of the Documents: Mr Jeremy Browne, Dr Vincent Cable, Mr Richard Caborn, Tony Cunningham, Frank Dobson, Mr David Gauke, Keith Hill, Mr George Howarth, Mr George Mudie, Mr Brooks Newmark, Mr Anthony Steen, Kitty Ussher and Peter Viggers.

6    European Union Document No. 5835/08 and Addenda 1 and 2, relating to Carbon Capture and Storage,—The Committee of Selection has nominated thirteen Members to serve on European Committee C, nominated in respect of the Documents: Mr John Baron, Mr Michael Clapham, Ann Clwyd, Tony Cunningham, Mr David Heathcoat-Amory, Charles Hendry, Kelvin Hopkins, Martin Horwood, Miss Julie Kirkbride, Paddy Tipping, Steve Webb, Malcolm Wicks and Mrs Betty Williams.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1    Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—(1) Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966: Sixth 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. 348];

(2) Defra priorities: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 121-ii]; and

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

[Mr Michael Jack].

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

(2) Minutes of the Public Deliberations of the Committee; to be printed [No. 361-ix]; and
  (3) Ministerial Correspondence: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published

[Michael Connarty].

3    Foreign Affairs,—Foreign and Commonwealth Office Annual Report 2007: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 533-i] [Mike Gapes].

4    Health,—Health Inequalities: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Health Committee; to be printed [No. 422-iv] [Mr Kevin Barron].

5    Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills,—(1) Investigating the Oceans: Government Response to the Tenth Report from the Science and Technology Committee, Session 2006-07: Fourth Special Report from the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee, with a Memorandum; to be printed [No. 506];

(2) Engineering:

(i) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 470-i]; and

(ii) Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published; and

(3) UK Centre For Medical Research and Innovation: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published

[Mr Phil Willis].

6    International Development,—The humanitarian and development situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories:

(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the International Development Committee; to be printed [No. 522-i]; and

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

[Malcolm Bruce].

7    Modernisation of the House of Commons,—(1) Debating departmental objectives and annual reports: Second Report from the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 530]; and

(2) Recall and dissolution: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published

[Ms Harriet Harman].

8    Procedure,—Topical debates: Memorandum laid before the Procedure Committee; to be published [Mr Greg Knight].

9    Public Accounts,—The roll-out of the Jobcentre Plus Office Network: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts; to be printed [No. 532-i] [Mr Edward Leigh].

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

(2)   Third Report from the Select Committee on Statutory Instruments, with Memoranda; to be printed [No. 39-iii]

[David Maclean].

11    Transport,—Road Safety: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Committee; to be printed [No. 460-ii] [Mr David Clelland].

12    Treasury,—Inherited Estates: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Treasury Committee; to be printed [No. 496-ii] [John McFall].

13    Work and Pensions,—(1) Department for Work and Pensions 3 Year Plan: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Work and Pensions Committee; to be printed [No. 531-i]; and

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

[Mr Terry Rooney].

[W.H., No. 55]

Minutes of Proceedings of the Sitting in Westminster Hall

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

Subjects:

Teenage knife crime (Mr Andrew Love).

Local tuberculosis services (Julie Morgan).

Developments in Ukraine (Mr Richard Spring).

A14 and A45 roads and development in North Northamptonshire (Mr Peter Bone).

VAT on membership of sports and leisure trusts (Mr Brian H. Donohoe).

And the sitting having continued for two and a half hours after half-past Two o'clock, it was adjourned without Question put, till to-morrow..

Sir Alan Haselhurst

Deputy Speaker

CORRIGENDUM

In the Votes and Proceedings for Tuesday 29th April, in Appendix III, item 6(2) should have read:

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