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

1    Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee,—Robert Key reported from the Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee the Church of England Marriage Measure.

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

2    European Committee C,—Mr Joe Benton reported from European Committee C, nominated in respect of European Union Documents relating to carbon capture and storage, the following Resolution:

That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 5835/08 and Addenda 1 and 2; notes its objective of removing legislative barriers to the geological storage of carbon dioxide in existing Community legislation; and supports the Government's approach to securing practical and proportionate legislation that promotes the environmentally safe storage of carbon dioxide.

Resolution to lie upon the Table.

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

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

The Lords agree to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (Supplementary Provisions) Bill, without Amendment.

The Lords communicate that they have appointed a Committee of eleven Lords to join with the Committee appointed by this House to consider and report on the draft Marine Bill presented to both Houses on 3rd April (Cm. 7351) and that the Committee should report on the draft Bill by 22nd July 2008;

They have ordered that the Committee have power to agree with the Committee appointed by this House in the appointment of a Chairman;

That the Committee have power to appoint specialist advisers;

That the Committee have power to adjourn from place to place within the United Kingdom;

That the Committee have leave to report from time to time;

That the reports of the Committee from time to time shall be printed, regardless of any adjournment of the House;

That the evidence taken by the Committee shall, if the Committee so wishes, be published; and

That the Committee meet with the Committee appointed by this House to-morrow at 10.00 a.m. in the Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House.

4    Armed Forces (Federation),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision for the establishment of a Federation for the Armed Forces; and for connected purposes: And that Mr Kevan Jones, Mr David Crausby, Mr Mike Hancock, Mr Dai Havard, Helen Jones, Jim Sheridan, David Wright and Andrew Mackinlay do prepare and bring it in.

5    Armed Forces (Federation) Bill,—Mr Kevan Jones accordingly presented a Bill to make provision for the establishment of a Federation for the Armed Forces; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 20th June and to be printed [Bill 108].

6    Education and Skills Bill (Programme) (No. 2),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That the Order of 14th January 2008 (Education and Skills Bill (Programme)) be varied as follows:

1.  Paragraphs 4 and 5 of the Order shall be omitted.
  2.  Proceedings on consideration shall be taken in the order shown in the first column of the following Table.

3.  The proceedings shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the times specified in the second column of the Table.

4.  Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption—(Jim Knight);

Tellers for the Ayes, Alison Seabeck, Mr Dave Watts: 268.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Nick Hurd, James Duddridge: 166.

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

A Clause (NC14) (Admission arrangements)—(Secretary Ed Balls)—brought up, read the first time and second time, and added to the Bill.

Another Clause (NC1) (Abolition of appeals against permanent exclusion of pupils)—(Mr Nick Gibb)—brought up and read the first time.

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

And it being three hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Education and Skills (Programme) (No. 2) Motion, the Deputy Speaker put the Question already proposed from the Chair, pursuant to Order [this day].

Tellers for the Ayes, Jeremy Wright, James Duddridge: 103.

Tellers for the Noes, Tony Cunningham, Ms Diana R. Johnson: 300.

The Deputy Speaker then proceeded to put the Question on a new Clause selected for separate decision to be disposed of at that hour.

Another Clause (NC18) (Selection by aptitude)—(Mr David Laws)—brought up and read the first time.

Question put, that the Clause be added to the Bill.

Tellers for the Ayes, Paul Rowen, Willie Rennie: 37.

Tellers for the Noes, Tony Cunningham, Ms Diana R. Johnson: 359.

An Amendment (No. 149) proposed to the Bill, in page 1, line 7, after the word 'England', to insert the words 'and Wales'.—(Nia Griffith.)

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

Another Clause (NC6) (Learning and support contracts)—(Mr John Hayes)—brought up and read the first time.

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

And it being Nine o'clock the Deputy Speaker put the Question already proposed from the Chair.

Tellers for the Ayes, Jeremy Wright, James Duddridge: 140.

Tellers for the Noes, Tony Cunningham, Ms Diana R. Johnson: 259.

The Deputy Speaker then put the Question on an Amendment selected for separate decision.

Another Amendment (No. 72) proposed to the Bill, in page 22, line 8, at the end, to insert the words—

'(7A) In this section, "reasonable excuse" includes circumstances in which a young person—

(a) is homeless,

(b) has health problems, including temporary illness, long term disability or ongoing mental health issues,

(c) has addiction problems,

(d) has secured a place on a course which does not start until the following month or the following term,

(e) is recovering from giving birth,

(f) has caring responsibilities, or

(g) has particular learning difficulties for which support has not been put in place.'.—(Mr John Hayes.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made.

Tellers for the Ayes, Jeremy Wright, James Duddridge: 139.

Tellers for the Noes, Ms Diana R. Johnson, Tony Cunningham: 258.

The Deputy Speaker then put the Question on the remaining Amendments moved by a Minister of the Crown.

Other Amendments (Nos. 94 to 123 and 125 to 148) made to the Bill.

The Bill was read the third time, and passed.

8    Immigration,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules (House of Commons Paper No. 321), a copy of which was laid before this House on 6th February, be disapproved—(Chris Huhne);

And the Deputy Speaker's opinion as to the decision of the Question being challenged, the Division was deferred till to-morrow, pursuant to Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions).

9    Local Government,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Local Authorities (Alcohol Disorder Zones) Regulations 2008, which were laid before this House on 1st April, be approved—(Mr Alan Campbell);

And the Deputy Speaker's opinion as to the decision of the Question being challenged, the Division was deferred till to-morrow, pursuant to Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions).

10    Animals,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2008, which were laid before this House on 21st April, be approved—(Mr Alan Campbell):—It was agreed to.

11    Value Added Tax,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the Value Added Tax (Buildings and Land) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 1146), dated 21st April 2008, a copy of which was laid before this House on 22nd April, be approved—(Mr Alan Campbell):—It was agreed to.

12    Financial Management,—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 Document No. 7210/08 and Addendum, Commission Report, Member States' replies to the Court of Auditors' 2006 Annual Report; and supports the Government's promotion of measures to improve the management of EC Budget funds across the EU—(Mr Alan Campbell):—It was agreed to.

13    Adjournment.

Subject: Driving Standards Agency (Mr David Heath).

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

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 twenty minutes to Twelve 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:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1    Proceeds of Crime,—Draft Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Investigative Powers of Prosecutors in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: Code of Practice) Order 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [The Solicitor General].

2    Supreme Court of England and Wales,—Draft Maximum Number of Judges Order 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Jack Straw].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

3    Consumer Protection,—Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 1284), dated 13th May 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hutton].

4    Customs,—Export of Goods, Transfer of Technology and Provision of Technical Assistance (Control) (Amendment) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 1281), dated 10th May 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hutton].

5    Income Tax,—Income Tax (Construction Industry Scheme) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 1282), dated 12th May 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Angela Eagle].

6    National Health Service,—Primary Care Trusts and National Health Service Trusts (Membership and Procedure) Amendment Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 1269), dated 6th May 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Alan Johnson].

Other Papers:

7    National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on The National Programme for IT in the NHS: Progress since 2006 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 484-I and -II] [Clerk of the House].

8    Wales,—Paper, entitled Pre-legislative Scrutiny of the Proposed National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Housing) Order 2008 [by Command] [Cm. 7379] [Mr Secretary Murphy].

APPENDIX II

General Committees

1    Church of England Marriage Measure,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Adam Ingram and Fiona Mactaggart from the Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the Measure) and nominated in substitution Linda Gilroy and Sir Gerald Kaufman.

    European Committees

2    European Union Document No. 5835/08 and Addenda 1 and 2, relating to Carbon Capture and Storage,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Michael Clapham, Ann Clwyd and Mrs Betty Williams from European Committee C (nominated in respect of the Document and Addenda) and nominated in substitution Mr George Mudie, Helen Southworth and Mr Don Touhig.

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-vi] [Mr John Whittingdale].

2    Defence,—ISTAR:

(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Defence Committee; to be printed [No. 535-ii]; and

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

[Mr James Arbuthnot].

3    Draft Constitutional Renewal Bill,—(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Joint Committee on the Draft Constitutional Renewal Bill; to be printed [No. 551-i]; and

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

[Michael Jabez Foster].

4    Environmental Audit,—(1) Personal Carbon Trading: Fifth Report from the Environmental Audit Committee, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 565]; and

(2) Greener Homes for the Future? An environmental analysis of the Government's house-building plans: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 566]

[Mr Tim Yeo].

5    Justice,—(1) Devolution: a Decade On: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee of the Justice Committee; to be printed [No. 75-ix]; and

(2) Justice Reinvestment: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee of the Committee; to be printed [No. 425-ii]

[Mr Alan Beith].

6    Northern Ireland Affairs,—Policing and Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 333-vi] [Sir Patrick Cormack].

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

8    Standards and Privileges,—Conduct of Mr Speaker: Ninth Report from the Committee on Standards and Privileges, with an Appendix; to be printed, with Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 559] [Sir George Young].

9    Treasury,—(1) Administration and expenditure of the Chancellor's departments, 2006-07: Government Response to the Committee's Seventh Report of Session 2007-08: Ninth Special Report from the Treasury Committee; to be printed [No. 564]; and

(2) Financial Stability and Transparency: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 536-ii]

[John McFall].

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

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

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

[Dr Hywel Francis].

[W.H., No. 60]

Minutes of Proceedings of the Sitting in Westminster Hall

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

Subjects:

Regulation of supermarkets (Mr Mark Field).

Future of the Teesside base of the North East Air Support Unit (Frank Cook).

Abolition of the Worker Registration Scheme (Stephen Pound).

EAGA Warm Front Scheme in West Dorset (Mr Oliver Letwin).

Business Improvement District process in Coventry (Mr Geoffrey Robinson).

A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the sitting be now adjourned—(Siobhain McDonagh);

And it being Two o'clock, the sitting was adjourned without Question put, till to-morrow.

Sir Alan Haselhurst

Deputy Speaker