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The House met at half-past Eleven o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1 Iraq War Inquiry Bill,—The Order for reading the Iraq War Inquiry Bill a second time on Friday 9th May was read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 13th June.
2 Immigration (Discharged Gurkhas),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the Immigration Rules in connection with the requirements for indefinite leave to enter and remain in the United Kingdom as a Gurkha discharged from the British Army: And that Bob Russell, Miss Ann Widdecombe, Mr Don Touhig, Nick Harvey, Patrick Mercer, Mr Paul Keetch, Mr Paul Burstow, Mr David Drew, Andrew Mackinlay, Andrew Rosindell, Mark Pritchard and Mr Bruce George do prepare and bring it in.
3 Immigration (Discharged Gurkhas) Bill,—Bob Russell accordingly presented a Bill to amend the Immigration Rules in connection with the requirements for indefinite leave to enter and remain in the United Kingdom as a Gurkha discharged from the British Army: 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 107].
4 Opposition Day [11th allotted day: first part],—It being an allotted day at the disposal of the Leader of the Opposition in pursuance of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business), the House proceeded to consider Opposition business.
Government's Management of the Civil Service and Communications,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes with concern the Government's management of the Civil Service; condemns the excessive increase in the Government's spending on communications, advertising and marketing; further notes with alarm the increasing number of civil servants employed as press and communications officers despite the aims of the Gershon Review to reduce the administrative costs of Government; observes the increase in the number of political ministerial adviser appointees; further notes the creation of bodies and quangos which are unaccountable to the public; considers there to be widespread failures in the efficient implementation of Government policies by No. 10 Downing Street, Government departments and agencies; and calls on the Government to enshrine Civil Service independence in law in a Civil Service Act, bring in a strengthened Ministerial Code and a more transparent means of enforcing it, ask the Committee on Standards in Public Life to establish a code of conduct for the impartiality and accuracy of Government publications and advertising campaigns, and to take urgent steps to restore trust in the UK system of government by making it more efficient, transparent, accountable and effective—(Mr Francis Maude);
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 'commends the Government's measures to protect the impartiality of the Civil Service, in particular through its decision to legislate for the core principles and values of the Civil Service; believes that this decision builds on previous improvements, including an enhanced role for the Civil Service Commissioners, the publication of a code of conduct for special advisers and an updated code of conduct for civil servants; welcomes the improvements in efficiency of the Civil Service, which have allowed its size to be reduced in line with the Gershon recommendations; further welcomes the Government's continuing commitment to effective public information campaigns; supports the other steps to strengthen the accountability of government, including a new Ministerial Code and a new independent adviser on Ministerial interests, as well as pre-appointment hearings for key public appointments; and believes that all these measures contribute to a more efficient, transparent, accountable and effective government to better serve the people of this country', instead thereof.—(Edward Miliband.)
And the Question being proposed, That the original words stand part of the Question;
5 Deferred Divisions,—The Deputy Speaker announced the result of the Division which had been deferred to this day, pursuant to Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions):
Temporary and Agency Workers (Equal Treatment) Bill [Money],—That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Temporary and Agency Workers (Equal Treatment) Bill, it is expedient to authorise—
(1) the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any expenditure incurred under or by virtue of the Act by a Minister of the Crown or government department; and
(2) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable out of money so provided under any other enactment.
So the Question was agreed to.
6 Opposition Day [11th allotted day: first part],—Government's Management of the Civil Service and Communications,—The Question being again proposed, That the original words stand part of the Question;
And the Question being put;
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Richard Benyon, Jeremy Wright: 230.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Frank Roy, Mr Dave Watts: 302.
So the Question was negatived.
And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments);
Tellers for the Ayes, Siobhain McDonagh, Mr Dave Watts: 301.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Crispin Blunt, Mr Richard Benyon: 225.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.
Resolved, That this House commends the Government's measures to protect the impartiality of the Civil Service, in particular through its decision to legislate for the core principles and values of the Civil Service; believes that this decision builds on previous improvements, including an enhanced role for the Civil Service Commissioners, the publication of a code of conduct for special advisers and an updated code of conduct for civil servants; welcomes the improvements in efficiency of the Civil Service, which have allowed its size to be reduced in line with the Gershon recommendations; further welcomes the Government's continuing commitment to effective public information campaigns; supports the other steps to strengthen the accountability of government, including a new Ministerial Code and a new independent adviser on Ministerial interests, as well as pre-appointment hearings for key public appointments; and believes that all these measures contribute to a more efficient, transparent, accountable and effective government to better serve the people of this country.
7 Broads Authority Bill,—The Broads Authority Bill was, according to Order, read the third time, and passed.
The Deputy Speaker suspended the sitting, pursuant to Order [29th April].
8 Business of the House,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business), That, at this day's sitting, consideration of any Lords Messages that may be received may be proceeded with, though opposed, until any hour—(Mr Alan Campbell):—It was agreed to.
9 Church of England (General Synod) Measures,—Ordered, That the Church of England Marriage Measure, which was laid before this House on 30th April, be referred to a Delegated Legislation Committee.—(Mr Alan Campbell.)
10 Trade Descriptions,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations 2008, which were laid before this House on 3rd March, be approved—(Mr Alan Campbell):—It was agreed to.
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 Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, which were laid before this House on 3rd March, be approved—(Mr Alan Campbell):—It was agreed to.
The Deputy Speaker suspended the sitting, pursuant to Order [29th April].
12 Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows:
The Lords insist on certain Amendments to the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill to which this House has disagreed for which insistence they assign their Reasons; they do not insist on the remaining Amendments to which this House has disagreed; they agree to the Amendments proposed by this House to the words so restored to the Bill; they agree to the consequential Amendment proposed by this House; they agree to the Amendments proposed by this House in lieu of certain of their Amendments; and they agree to the Amendments proposed by this House to certain of their Amendments.
13 Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill,—Lords Reasons for insisting on certain Amendments to the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill to be printed [Bill 105].
14 Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill,—The House, pursuant to Order [6th May], proceeded forthwith to consider the Lords Message [this day] relating to the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill.
Resolved, That this House does not insist on its disagreement with the Lords in their Amendments Nos. 9, 301 and 327.—(Mr David Hanson.)
A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That this House does not insist on its disagreement with the Lords in their Amendment No. 285—(Maria Eagle);
The House divided.
Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Bob Blizzard, Liz Blackman: 324.
Tellers for the Noes, Jenny Willott, Paul Rowen: 46.
So the Question was agreed to.
15 Public Petition,—A Public Petition from those concerned about the safety of Lower Road Bridge in Nash Mills relating road safety (Hertfordshire) was presented and read.
16 Adjournment.
Subject: Implications for Tewkesbury constituency of the South West Regional Spatial Strategy (Mr Laurence Robertson).
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Dave Watts.)
And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till twenty-four minutes past Nine o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 9.24 p.m.
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 Negative Resolution:
1 Mental Health,—(1) Mental Health Act 1983 Code of Practice;
(2) Mental Health Act 2007 (Commencement No. 6 and After-care under Supervision: Savings, Modifications and Transitional Provisions) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 1210), dated 28th April 2008;
(3) Mental Health (Approved Mental Health Professionals) (Approval) (England) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 1206), dated 28th April 2008;
(4) Mental Health (Conflicts of Interest) (England) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 1205), dated 28th April 2008;
(5) Mental Health (Hospital, Guardianship and Treatment) (England) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 1184), dated 28th April 2008; and
(6) Mental Health (Mutual Recognition) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 1204), dated 28th April 2008
[by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Secretary Alan Johnson].
2 Probation,—Offender Management Act 2007 (Approved Premises) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 1263), dated 6th May 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Jack Straw].
Other Papers:
3 Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions,—(1) Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions (Hong Kong Locally Engaged Ratings' Service Pensions Increases) (No. 2) Order 2008;
(2) Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions (Hong Kong Locally Engaged Ratings' Service Pensions Increases) Order 2008;
(3) Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions (Maltese Naval Locally Engaged Ratings' Service Pensions Increase) (No. 2) Order 2008; and
(4) Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions (Maltese Naval Locally Engaged Ratings' Service Pensions Increase) Order 2008
[by Act] [Secretary Jack Straw].
4 Political Parties, Elections and Referendums,—Corporate Plan of the Electoral Commission for 2008-09 to 2012-13 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 491] [The Speaker].
5 Public Accounts,—Treasury Minutes on the Ninth to Thirteenth Reports from the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 2007-08 [by Command] [Cm. 7364] [Angela Eagle].
APPENDIX II
General Committees
1 Temporary and Agency Workers (Equal Treatment) Bill,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Alison Seabeck from the Temporary and Agency Workers (Equal Treatment) Bill Committee and nominated in substitution Mr Jim McGovern.
2 Value Added Tax (Buildings and Land) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 1146):
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Order to the First Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr David Amess Chairman; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Ms Diane Abbott, Mr James Arbuthnot, John Austin, Tony Baldry, Mr Bob Blizzard, Mr Tim Boswell, Mr Colin Breed, Mr Jeremy Browne, Mr Ian Cawsey, Mr Tom Clarke, Mr David Crausby, Justine Greening, Mr Brian Jenkins, Jane Kennedy, Mr Brooks Newmark, Mrs Linda Riordan and David Wright.
3 Draft Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2008:
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Second Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Joe Benton Chairman; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Richard Benyon, Mr Brian Binley, Mr Peter Bone, Colin Challen, Mr Charles Clarke, Nia Griffith, Mr David Heathcoat-Amory, David Heyes, Martin Horwood, Lynne Jones, Siobhain McDonagh, Joan Ryan, Jonathan Shaw, Mr Andrew Smith, Jon Trickett, Bill Wiggin and Mr Roger Williams.
4 Draft Local Authorities (Alcohol Disorder Zones) Regulations 2008:
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Regulations to the Third Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Peter Atkinson Chairman; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Crispin Blunt, James Brokenshire, Mr Alan Campbell, Mr Douglas Carswell, Mr William Cash, Mr David Chaytor, Mr Kenneth Clarke, Ann Clwyd, Mr Vernon Coaker, Julia Goldsworthy, Mr Kevan Jones, Mr Fraser Kemp, Lembit Öpik, Mr Jamie Reed, Paddy Tipping, Mr Don Touhig and Dr Alan Whitehead.
5 Draft Cash Ratio Deposits (Value Bands and Ratios) Order 2008:
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Peter Atkinson Chairman; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Graham Allen, Mr Bob Blizzard, Mr Jeremy Browne, Sir John Butterfill, Mr Brian H. Donohoe, Mrs Louise Ellman, Mr James Gray, Mr John Gummer, Mr Mark Hoban, Chris McCafferty, Mr Austin Mitchell, Mr Brooks Newmark, Dr John Pugh, Ms Angela C. Smith (Sheffield, Hillsborough), Sir Peter Soulsby, Mr Paul Truswell and Kitty Ussher.
6 Home Information Pack (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 572):
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Regulations to the Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr John Cummings Chairman; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Jim Devine, Michael Jabez Foster, Mr Bruce George, Julia Goldsworthy, Nigel Griffiths, Mr Peter Hain, Mr Adam Holloway, Mr Nick Hurd, Dr Brian Iddon, Lembit Öpik, Chris Ruane, Grant Shapps, Dr Howard Stoate, Mr Robert Syms, David Tredinnick, Mr Dave Watts and Mr Iain Wright.
7 Draft Parliamentary Constituencies (Northern Ireland) Order 2008:
(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Bill Olner Chairman; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Liz Blackman, Mr David Drew, Linda Gilroy, Paul Goggins, Mr Mike Hall, Sir Gerald Kaufman, Mr Greg Knight, Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger, Martin Linton, Dr Alasdair McDonnell, Rob Marris, Julie Morgan, Mr Nick Raynsford, Mr Alan Reid, Mr Laurence Robertson, Angela Watkinson and Sammy Wilson.
8 Church of England Marriage Measure:
(1) The Speaker has allocated the Measure to the Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Robert Key Chairman; and
(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Sir Stuart Bell, Liz Blackman, Mr David Blunkett, Peter Bottomley, Mr Colin Breed, Mr Geoffrey Cox, Mr David Curry, Mr Quentin Davies, Mrs Nadine Dorries, James Duddridge, Mr Frank Field, Simon Hughes, Mr Adam Ingram, Glenda Jackson, Ms Sally Keeble, Fiona Mactaggart and Helen Southworth.
9 The Speaker has appointed Mr Martyn Jones Chairman of European Committee B, in respect of European Union Document No. 7210/08 and Addendum, on Financial Management.
10 The Speaker has appointed Mr Joe Benton Chairman of European Committee C, in respect of European Union Document No. 5835/08 and Addenda 1 and 2, on Carbon capture and storage.
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
1 Children, Schools and Families,—(1) Testing and Assessment:
(i) Third 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, and Memoranda reported and ordered to be published on 4th July 2007, in the last Session of Parliament, and 12th March [No. 169-I and -II]; and
(ii) Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published; and
(2) Diversity of school provision: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee, with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 311-iv]
2 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—(1) The potential of England's rural economy: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 544-i]; and
(2) Correspondence with Defra: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published
3 Foreign Affairs,—(1) Foreign and Commonwealth Office Human Rights Annual Report 2007: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 533-ii ]; and
(2) Overseas Territories: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published
4 Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills,—Engineering: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee; to be printed [No. 470-ii] [Mr Phil Willis].
5 International Development,—Co-ordination for Aid Effectiveness: Minutes of Evidence taken before the International Development Committee; to be printed [No. 520-ii] [Malcolm Bruce].
6 Public Accounts,—Reducing the risk of violent crime: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts; to be printed [No. 546-i] [Mr Edward Leigh].
7 Scottish Affairs,—(1) Experience of the Scottish Elections: Fifth Report from the Scottish Affairs Committee, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 78]; and
(2) Employment and Skills for the Defence Industry in Scotland: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published
8 Statutory Instruments,—Eighteenth Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, with Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 38-xviii] [David Maclean].
9 Transport,—The opening of Heathrow Terminal 5: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Committee; to be printed [No. 543-i] [Mr David Clelland].
10 Work and Pensions,—The Government's Carers Strategy: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Work and Pensions Committee; to be printed [No. 485-i] [Mr Terry Rooney].
[W.H., No. 58]
Minutes of Proceedings of the Sitting in Westminster Hall
The sitting began at half-past Nine o'clock.
Adjournment.
RAF Aldergrove (Dr William McCrea).
Thatched roofs and planning policy (Sir George Young).
Development policy on the Democratic Republic of Congo (Jeremy Corbyn).
Flooding in West Oxfordshire (Mr David Cameron).
Green belt policy (Annette Brooke).
Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Mr Dave Watts.)
And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 5.21 p.m.
Sir Alan Haselhurst
Deputy Speaker
CORRIGENDA
1 In the Votes and Proceedings for Wednesday 30th April, in Appendix III, item 3 should read as follows:
Foreign Affairs,—Foreign and Commonwealth Office Human Rights Annual Report 2007: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 533-i ] [Mike Gapes].
2 In the Votes and Proceedings for Tuesday 6th May, in Appendix III, item 2 should read as follows:
Communities and Local Government,—(1) Refuse Collection: Waste Reduction Pilots—Government Response to the Sixth Report from the Committee: Second Special Report from the Communities and Local Government Committee, with an Appendix; to be printed [No. 541];
(2) Planning Skills: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 517-ii]; and
(3) Coastal Towns: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published
3 In the Votes and Proceedings for Tuesday 6th May, in Appendix III, the following item should appear after item 4:
Human Rights,—(1) Human Rights Judgments: Memoranda laid before the Joint Committee on Human Rights; to be published; and
(2) Legislative scrutiny: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published
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