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

1    European Committee A,—Mr Joe Benton reported from European Committee A, nominated in respect of European Union Documents relating to Aviation Safety and the Single Sky, the following Resolution:

That the Committee takes note of European Union Documents No. 11325/08, Commission Communication on Single European Sky II, towards more sustainable and better performing aviation, No. 11347/08 and Addendum 1, Commission Staff Working Document accompanying the Communication on Single European Sky II, the SESAR Master Plan for the development and implementation of the new generation European air traffic management system (SESAR - Single European Sky ATM Research), No. 11323/08 and Addenda 1 and 2, Draft Regulation amending Regulations (EC) No. 549/2004, No. 550/2004, No. 551/2004 and No. 552/2004 in order to improve the performance and sustainability of the European aviation system, No. 11285/08 and Addenda 1 and 2, Draft Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No. 216/2008 in the field of aerodromes, air traffic management and air navigation services and repealing Council Directive 06/23/EEC; and endorses the Government's approach to discussions on these documents.

Resolution to lie upon the Table.

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

2    Banking Bill,—Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, supported by the Prime Minister, Secretary David Miliband, Secretary Jack Straw, Secretary Jacqui Smith, Mr Secretary Hutton, Yvette Cooper, Mr Stephen Timms, Angela Eagle and Ian Pearson, presented a Bill to make provision about banking: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 147].

Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Banking Bill be printed [Bill 147-EN].

3    Opposition Day [18th allotted day],—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 fiscal rules,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes with concern the successive criticisms by the IMF, the EU and the OECD of the state of the UK's public finances; further notes that the Government is reviewing the fiscal rules and calls on the Government to announce the outcome of that review first to this House; further calls on the Government to clarify whether or not the Sustainable Investment rule will be met and to implement a full and independent review of the public finances, including off-balance sheet liabilities under the private finance initiative and public sector pension schemes; and further calls for the fiscal rules to be scrapped and replaced with a forward-looking fiscal framework with an independent mechanism for monitoring and assessing the sustainability of the Government's fiscal position—(Mr Philip Hammond);

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 'notes that the purpose of the fiscal framework is to smooth the path of the economy in the short term, to secure sustainable public finances in the medium term and to ensure that spending and taxation impact fairly between generations; recognises the success of the framework over the past decade, reversing historical under-investment in the infrastructure of public services, reducing debt from 43 per cent. of GDP in 1997 to below 37 per cent. last year and allowing borrowing to increase this year in order to support the economy; welcomes the £4 billion of tax cuts helping families and businesses this year; further notes the turmoil in the world economy and financial markets; recognises that Government is rightly focused on the turbulence in the financial markets and helping families and businesses with the twin shocks of the credit crunch and high commodity prices; and welcomes the Government's commitment to take whatever steps are necessary to protect the stability of the financial system', instead thereof.—(Yvette Cooper.)

And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, James Duddridge, Jeremy Wright: 222.

Tellers for the Noes, Mark Tami, Ms Diana R. Johnson: 296.

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):—It was agreed to.

The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.

Resolved, That this House notes that the purpose of the fiscal framework is to smooth the path of the economy in the short term, to secure sustainable public finances in the medium term and to ensure that spending and taxation impact fairly between generations; recognises the success of the framework over the past decade, reversing historical under-investment in the infrastructure of public services, reducing debt from 43 per cent. of GDP in 1997 to below 37 per cent. last year and allowing borrowing to increase this year in order to support the economy; welcomes the £4 billion of tax cuts helping families and businesses this year; further notes the turmoil in the world economy and financial markets; recognises that Government is rightly focused on the turbulence in the financial markets and helping families and businesses with the twin shocks of the credit crunch and high commodity prices; and welcomes the Government's commitment to take whatever steps are necessary to protect the stability of the financial system.

Unemployment in the UK,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes with concern the recent increases in unemployment, and the widespread forecasts that the total may rise in the months ahead; further notes that the UK already has almost five million people in receipt of out of work benefits; and calls on the Government to implement measures to help British business secure existing jobs and to improve the back to work support available to those who do become unemployed—(Chris Grayling);

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 'notes the global economic challenges that are facing the UK; congratulates the Government on policies such as Local Employment Partnerships which have helped nearly 40,000 people find work, Pathways to Work which has supported more than 94,000 people off Incapacity Benefit and into work, and the New Deal which has helped 1.97 million people into jobs; welcomes the policies of this Government which seek to reform the welfare state to give people active support to get back into work as quickly as possible; and supports rapid action to ensure that where redundancies occur people are given the personalised support they need to return to work, to intensify the activity of the welfare state to ensure no-one is written off and to maintain a strong and flexible labour market', instead thereof.—(Secretary James Purnell.)

And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Jeremy Wright, James Duddridge: 205.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Bob Blizzard, Steve McCabe: 300.

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);

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Bob Blizzard, Steve McCabe: 293.

Tellers for the Noes, James Duddridge, Jeremy Wright: 203.

So the Question was agreed to.

The Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.

Resolved, That this House notes the global economic challenges that are facing the UK; congratulates the Government on policies such as Local Employment Partnerships which have helped nearly 40,000 people find work, Pathways to Work which has supported more than 94,000 people off Incapacity Benefit and into work, and the New Deal which has helped 1.97 million people into jobs; welcomes the policies of this Government which seek to reform the welfare state to give people active support to get back into work as quickly as possible; and supports rapid action to ensure that where redundancies occur people are given the personalised support they need to return to work, to intensify the activity of the welfare state to ensure no-one is written off and to maintain a strong and flexible labour market.

4    Social Security,—Ordered, That the Employment and Support Allowance (Consequential Provisions) (No. 2) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 1554), dated 12th June, be referred to a Delegated Legislation Committee.—(Ms Diana R. Johnson.)

5    Aviation Safety and the Single European Sky,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 119 (European Standing Committees), That this House takes note of European Union Documents No. 11325/08, Commission Communication on Single European Sky II, towards more sustainable and better performing aviation, No. 11347/08 and Addendum 1, Commission Staff Working Document accompanying the Communication on Single European Sky II, the SESAR Master Plan for the development and implementation of the new generation European air traffic management system (SESAR-Single European Sky ATM Research), No. 11323/08 and Addenda 1 and 2, Draft Regulation amending Regulations (EC) No. 549/2004, No. 550/2004, No. 551/2004 and No. 552/2004 in order to improve the performance and sustainability of the European aviation system, No. 11285/08 and Addenda 1 and 2, Draft Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No. 216/2008 in the field of aerodromes, air traffic management and air navigation services and repealing Council Directive 06/23/EEC; and endorses the Government's approach to discussions on these documents—(Ms Diana R. Johnson):—It was agreed to.

6    Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from—

(1) the Women's Institute ending violence against women campaign relating to ending violence against women;

(2) Jo Grey, concerned Canvey Island residents and others relating to the protection of school playing fields; and

(3) Andy Jones and concerned residents relating to energy efficiency

were presented and read.

7    Adjournment.

Subject: Blackpool Council and supported employment under Workstep (Mr Gordon Marsden).

Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Ms Diana R. Johnson.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till four minutes to Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 10.56 p.m.

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    Competition,—Enterprise Act 2002 (Specification of Additional Section 58 Consideration) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2645), dated 6th October 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command] [Mr Pat McFadden].

2    Local Government,—Draft Local Elections (Ordinary Day of Elections in 2009) Order 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Hazel Blears].

3    Police,—Draft Police (Conduct) Regulations 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Jacqui Smith].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

4    Banks and Banking,—Heritable Bank plc Transfer of Certain Rights and Liabilities Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2644), dated 7th October 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command] [Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer].

5    Companies,—Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2639), dated 6th October 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Pat McFadden].

6    Corporation Tax,—(1) Corporation Tax (Instalment Payments) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2649), dated 7th October 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Ian Pearson];

(2) European Single Currency (Taxes) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2647), dated 7th October 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Ian Pearson];

(3) Group Relief for Overseas Losses (Modification of the Corporation Tax Acts for Non-resident Insurance Companies) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2646), dated 7th October 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Ian Pearson]; and

(4) Non-resident Companies (General Insurance Business) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2643), dated 7th October 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Ian Pearson].

7    Video Recordings,—Proposal by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for the designation of Gerard Lemos and Alison Hastings as authorities to determine the suitability of video works for classification [by Act] [Secretary Andy Burnham].

Other Papers:

8    Defence,—Ministry of Defence Minute, dated 7th October 2008, concerning the reporting of a contingent liability for the cost associated with the sale of Defence Aviation Repair Agency Rotary Wing and Components Business Units [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hutton].

9    Health,—Government Response to the Fifth Report from the Health Committee, Session 2007-08 on Dental Services [by Command] [Cm. 7470] [Secretary Alan Johnson].

10    Northern Ireland (Monitoring Commission etc.),—Secretary of State's Fourth Report under section 11(1) of the Northern Ireland (Monitoring Commission etc.) Act 2003 [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1046] [Mr Secretary Woodward].

11    Wales,—Paper, entitled Pre-legislative Scrutiny of the Proposed National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Agriculture and Rural Development) Order 2008 [by Command] [Cm. 7474] [Mr Secretary Murphy].

Papers withdrawn:

12    National Lottery,—Report and Financial Statements of the UK Film Council Group and Lottery for 2007-08, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [No. 782] [laid 7th July].

13    Police,—Draft Police (Conduct) Regulations 2008, with an Explanatory Memorandum [laid 22nd July].

APPENDIX II

    European Committees

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1    Business and Enterprise,—(1) Energy prices, fuel poverty and Ofgem: Government Response to the Business and Enterprise Committee's Eleventh Report of Session 2007-08: Seventh Special Report from the Business and Enterprise Committee; to be printed [No. 1069];

(2) Keeping the door wide open: Turkey and EU Accession: Government Response to the Business and Enterprise Committee's Seventh Report of Session 2007-08: Eighth Special Report from the Committee; to be printed [No. 1070]; and

(3) The role of regional development agencies:

(i) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 1054-i]; and

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

[Peter Luff].

2    Culture, Media and Sport,—London 2012 Games: Lessons from Beijing: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee; to be printed [No. 1071-i ][Mr John Whittingdale].

3    Defence,—(1) Ministry of Defence Main Estimates 2008-09: Memorandum laid before the Defence Committee; to be published;

(2) Recruiting and retaining Armed Forces personnel: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published; and

(3) UK Operations in Iraq and the Gulf: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published

[Mr James Arbuthnot].

4    Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—(1) Implementation of the Nitrates Directive in England: Government Response to the Committee's Seventh Report of Session 2007-08: Third Special Report from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 1080];

(2) British Waterways: follow-up: Government Response to the Committee's Eighth Report of Session 2007-08: Fourth Special Report from the Committee; to be printed [No. 1081]; and

(3) Badgers and cattle TB: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published

[Mr Michael Jack].

5    Human Rights,—(1) Counter-Terrorism Policy and Human Rights (Thirteenth Report): Counter-Terrorism Bill: Thirtieth Report from the Joint Committee on Human Rights; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report and a Memorandum reported and ordered to be published on 10th June [No. 1077];

(2)  Monitoring the Government's Response to Human Rights Judgments: Annual Report 2008: Thirty-first Report from the 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 3rd December, 14th January, 22nd and 29th April, 6th and 12th May, 2nd, 17th and 24th June [No. 1078];

(3)  Scrutiny of Mental Health Legislation: Government Response: Thirty-second Report from the Committee, with a Memorandum; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 1079];

(4)  Legislative scrutiny: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published;

(5)  Treatment of asylum seekers: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published;

(6)  International human rights instruments: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published;

(7)  Human trafficking: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published;

(8)  Older people in healthcare: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published;

(9)  Meaning of public authority: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published;

(10)  Immigration and human rights: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published;

(11)  Human rights ministers: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published; and

(12)  Use of restraint in secure training centres: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published

[Mr Andrew Dismore].

6    International Development,—(1) Working Together to Make Aid More Effective: Government Response to the Ninth Report from the Committee, Session 2007-08: Seventh Special Report from the International Development Committee; to be printed [No. 1065];

(2) The World Food Programme and Global Food Security: Government Response to the Tenth Report from the Committee, Session 2007-08: Eighth Special Report from the Committee; to be printed [No. 1066];

(3) The Humanitarian and Development Situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories: Government Response to the Eleventh Report from the Committee, Session 2007-08: Ninth Special Report from the Committee; to be printed [No. 1067]; and

(4) HIV/AIDS: DFID's New Strategy: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published

[Malcolm Bruce].

7    Justice,—The work of the Ministry of Justice: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Justice Committee; to be printed [No. 1076-i] [Sir Alan Beith].

8    Standards and Privileges,—Conduct of Ed Balls and Yvette Cooper: Fourteenth Report from the Committee on Standards and Privileges; to be printed, with Appendices and the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 1044] [Sir George Young].

9    Welsh Affairs,—(1) The proposed draft National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Housing) Order 2008: Seventh Report from the Welsh Affairs Committee, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 812]; and

(2) The provision of cross-border public services for Wales:

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

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

[Dr Hywel Francis].

[W.H., No. 88]

Minutes of Proceedings of the Sitting in Westminster Hall

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

Subjects:

Home Office policy on anti-drug awareness (Mr Graham Allen).

Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West (Steve Webb).

Policing persistent and youth offenders in Northamptonshire (Mr Philip Hollobone).

Local Government Standards Boards (Dr John Pugh).

Housing in Plymouth (Linda Gilroy).

A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the sitting be now adjourned—(Mr Dave Watts);

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

[Adjourned at 2 p.m.

Sir Alan Haselhurst

Deputy Speaker