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The House met at half-past Two o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1 Banking Bill,—Mr Jim Hood reported from the Banking Bill Committee:
(1) That it had come to the following Resolution: That, subject to the discretion of the Chair, any written evidence received by the Committee shall be reported to the House for publication; and
Memoranda to lie upon the Table and be published.
2 European Committee C,—Mr Eric Martlew reported from European Committee C, nominated in respect of European Union Documents relating to Cross-border healthcare the following Resolution:
That the Committee takes note of European Union Documents No. 11327/08 and Addendum, Commission Communication, a Community framework on the application of patients' rights in cross-border healthcare, and No. 11307/08 and Addenda 1 to 3, draft Directive on the application of patients' rights in cross-border healthcare; agrees with the Government on the desirability of EU legislation to clarify the operation of cross-border healthcare to provide certainty for patients; and supports the Government's belief that the UK should continue to pro-actively engage in this area in order to achieve the maximum influence over the shape of the debate and final Directive.
Resolution to lie upon the Table.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
3 Driving Instructors Convicted of Sexual Offences (Suspension),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision for the immediate suspension from the Register of Approved Driving Instructors of driving instructors convicted of sexual offences; and for connected purposes: And that Willie Rennie, Mr Mark Lancaster, Ms Katy Clark, Nick Harvey, Mr Adam Holloway, Gordon Banks, Jo Swinson, Linda Gilroy, Mr Alan Reid, Danny Alexander, John Barrett and Mr David Hamilton do prepare and bring it in.
4 Driving Instructors Convicted of Sexual Offences (Suspension) Bill,—Willie Rennie accordingly presented a Bill to make provision for the immediate suspension from the Register of Approved Driving Instructors of driving instructors convicted of sexual offences; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Monday 27th October and to be printed [Bill 154].
5 Opposition Day [19th 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.
Controls on Immigration,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes that the Government's immigration policy has resulted in a quadrupling of net immigration since 1997; further notes that the European Commission predicts that the UK population will reach 77 million by 2060; further notes that the Select Committee on Communities and Local Government said in July that the pressure on resources as a result of this level of immigration 'increases the risk of community tensions escalating'; further notes that the Chairman of the House of Lords Committee on Economic Affairs said in April that 'the argument put forward by the Government that large-scale immigration brings significant economic benefits for the UK is unconvincing'; and calls on the Government to introduce a limit on economic migration from outside the EU, to ensure that immigration remains a real benefit to the country's economy and its public services and to reform the marriage visa system to encourage better integration into British society—(Damian Green);
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 'welcomes the actions of the Government in undertaking the biggest shake-up of the immigration system in decades; supports the introduction of the points based system for migration, which will ensure that only those with skills the UK needs can come to work or study; endorses the proposals set out in the Earned Citizenship Green Paper for newcomers to speak English, obey the law and pay their way; looks forward to the issuing of the first identity cards for foreign nationals next month, which will enable those who are here legally to prove it, helping to reduce identity abuse and prevent those here illegally from benefiting from the privileges of life in the UK; is committed to taking tough action against employers who exploit illegal workers knowingly; supports the removal of record numbers of foreign national prisoners; notes the Government's doubling of the UK Border Agency's enforcement budget within three years from 2006; pays tribute to the work of the single UK Border Agency; and welcomes the introduction of the electronic border system that will check every visitor against immigration and security watchlists and count them in and out of the UK', instead thereof.—(Secretary Jacqui Smith.)
And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;
Tellers for the Ayes, James Duddridge, Jeremy Wright: 164.
Tellers for the Noes, Mr Dave Watts, Helen Jones: 355.
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, Mr Dave Watts, Helen Jones: 281.
Tellers for the Noes, Bob Russell, Dan Rogerson: 199.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.
Resolved, That this House welcomes the actions of the Government in undertaking the biggest shake-up of the immigration system in decades; supports the introduction of the points based system for migration, which will ensure that only those with skills the UK needs can come to work or study; endorses the proposals set out in the Earned Citizenship Green Paper for newcomers to speak English, obey the law and pay their way; looks forward to the issuing of the first identity cards for foreign nationals next month, which will enable those who are here legally to prove it, helping to reduce identity abuse and prevent those here illegally from benefiting from the privileges of life in the UK; is committed to taking tough action against employers who exploit illegal workers knowingly; supports the removal of record numbers of foreign national prisoners; notes the Government's doubling of the UK Border Agency's enforcement budget within three years from 2006; pays tribute to the work of the single UK Border Agency; and welcomes the introduction of the electronic border system that will check every visitor against immigration and security watchlists and count them in and out of the UK.
Economic Performance and Business,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes that, despite inheriting a strong economy and presiding over 10 years of growth, the Government has raided pension funds, increased taxation, reduced savings, encouraged debt, increased government borrowing and that 1.7 million people are now unemployed; further notes that inflation is at a 16-year high, unemployment is rising at the fastest rate for 17 years and property sales are at a 30-year low; regrets the pain that is now being caused to business by the severe financial turmoil and the Government's failure to prepare the British economy for any downturn; further notes with concern the Ernst & Young Item Club's report that the UK economy has deteriorated dramatically in the past three months and is already in recession; further notes that the number of British businesses in distress has more than doubled since the start of the year; expresses concern that the limited availability of credit and the predatory behaviour by both banks and HM Revenue and Customs risks exacerbating the detrimental effects on business; calls on the Government to introduce an urgent package of measures to alleviate business pain, including allowing small and medium sized enterprises to defer their VAT bills for up to six months and cutting small business National Insurance contributions by 1p for at least six months; and endorses these measures as a first step towards alleviating business pain—(Mr Alan Duncan);
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 in the 1980s Britain experienced two recessions with unemployment reaching three million on both occasions, a thousand businesses a week were lost and that interest rates reached 15 per cent.; further notes that the roots and effects of the current financial crisis are global and unprecedented in recent decades; believes that at such a time it is essential that the Government acts to restore stability and confidence and therefore supports the action the Government has taken to inject liquidity into the banking system, to recapitalise the banks and to make funds available to resume the medium term lending essential to small businesses; further notes that the UK is better placed than in the past to get through the economic downturn with an economy that has produced three million more jobs over the past decade and enjoyed strong growth and low inflation; supports Government measures such as the Prime Minister's announcement to reduce to 10 days the payment period from central government to small businesses and to bring forward funding for small businesses available through the European Investment Bank; and believes that the Government should reject public spending cuts at this time and continue working with the banks to ensure the availability and competitive pricing of lending to the small and medium sized business sector', instead thereof.—(Mr Pat McFadden.)
And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;
Tellers for the Ayes, Jeremy Wright, James Duddridge: 214.
Tellers for the Noes, Ms Diana R. Johnson, Steve McCabe: 301.
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, Steve McCabe, Ms Diana R. Johnson: 343.
Tellers for the Noes, Jeremy Wright, James Duddridge: 158.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.
Resolved, That notes that in the 1980s Britain experienced two recessions with unemployment reaching three million on both occasions, a thousand businesses were lost and that interest rates reached 15 per cent.; further notes that the roots and effects of the current financial crisis are global and unprecedented in recent decades; believes that at such a time it is essential that the Government acts to restore stability and confidence and therefore supports the action the Government has taken to inject liquidity into the banking system, to recapitalise the banks and to make funds available to resume the medium term lending essential to small businesses; further notes that the UK is better placed than in the past to get through the economic downturn with an economy that has produced three million more jobs over the past decade and enjoyed strong growth and low inflation; supports Government measures such as the Prime Minister's announcement to reduce to 10 days the payment period from central government to small businesses and to bring forward funding for small businesses available through the European Investment Bank; and believes that the Government should reject public spending cuts at this time and continue working with the banks to ensure the availability and competitive pricing of lending to the small and medium sized business sector.
6 Social Security,—Ordered, That the Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2424), dated 10th September 2008, be referred to a Delegated Legislation Committee.—(Mr Frank Roy.)
7 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 (Finance) (No. 2) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2547), dated 29th September 2008, a copy of which was laid before this House on 29th September, be approved—(Mr Frank Roy.):—It was agreed to.
8 Competition,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the Enterprise Act 2002 (Specification of Additional Section 58 Consideration) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2645), dated 6th October, a copy of which was laid before this House on 7th October, be approved—(Mr Frank Roy);
And the 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 CAP 'Health Check' and Community Action on Rising Food Prices,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 119 (European Committees), That this House take note of European Union Document No. 9656/08 and Addenda 1 and 2—Draft Council Regulation establishing common rules for direct support schemes for farmers under the Common Agricultural Policy and establishing certain support schemes for farmers, and Draft Council Regulation on modifications to the Common Agricultural Policy by amending 320/2006, 1234/2007, 3/2008 and an unnumbered document relating to the Common Market Organisation for wine, and Draft Council Regulation 1698/2005 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), and Draft Council Decision amending Decision 2006/144/EC in the Community strategic guidelines for rural development (programming period 2007 to 2013) and European Union Document No. 9923/08, Commission Communication—Tackling the challenge of rising food prices—Directions for EU action; supports the Government's negotiating aims that the 'Health Check' should cut further the trade and market distorting nature of the CAP, reduce regulatory burdens, give farmers greater control over their business decisions, and direct more public spending towards delivery of targeted public benefits; and considers that the separately proposed measures to tackle rising food prices are adequate and proportionate to the scale of the problem—(Mr Frank Roy):—It was agreed to.
10 Public Petition,—A Public Petition from people living in the Mid Dorset and North Poole constituency relating to planning and development (Dorset) was presented and read.
11 Adjournment.
Subject: Energy policy in Scotland (John Robertson).
A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Frank Roy);
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 one minute to Eleven o'clock, till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 10.59 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 Defence,—Draft Armed Forces (Alignment of Service Discipline Acts) (No. 2) Order 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Hutton].
2 Serious Organised Crime Agency,—Draft Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (Disclosure of Information by SOCA) (Revocation and Re-enactment) Order 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Jacqui Smith].
Paper subject to Negative Resolution:
3 Education,—Education (Student Loans) (Repayment) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2715), dated 12th October 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary John Denham].
Other Papers:
4 Social Security,—Report by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the Social Fund for 2007-08 [by Command] [Cm. 7483] [Secretary James Purnell].
5 Treasury,—Departmental Minute relating to financial support in respect of Icelandic banks [by Command] [Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer].
APPENDIX II
European Committees
European Union Documents No.11327/08 and Addendum and No. 11307/08 and Addenda 1, 2 & 3, relating to Cross-border healthcare,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Peter Bone and Laura Moffatt from European Committee C (nominated in respect of the Documents) and nominated in substitution Mrs Sharon Hodgson and Mr Robert Syms.
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
1 Business and Enterprise,—The Departmental Annual Report and Accounts and Current Economic Situation: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Business and Enterprise Committee; to be printed [No. 1116-i] [Peter Luff].
2 Communities and Local Government,—(1) The Tenant Services Authority: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Communities and Local Government Committee; to be printed [No. 1123-i]; and
(2) Balance of Power: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published
3 Culture, Media and Sport,—(1) Channel 4 Annual Report 2007: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee; to be printed [No. 1120-i]; and
(2) The Licensing Act 2003: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published
4 Defence,—(1) Ministry of Defence Main Estimates 2008-09: Government response to the Eleventh Report from the Committee, Session 2007-08: Ninth Special Report from the Defence Committee; to be printed [No. 1072];
(2) UK Operations in Iraq and the Gulf: Government response to the Fifteenth Report from the Committee, Sessions 2007-08: Tenth Special Report from the Committee; to be printed [No. 1073];
(3) Recruiting and retaining Armed Forces personnel: Government response to the Fourteenth Report form the Committee, Session 2007-08: Eleventh Special Report from the Committee; to be printed [No. 1074];
(4) Contribution of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to ISTAR capability: Government response to the Thirteenth Report, Session 2007-08: Twelfth Special Report from the Committee; to be printed [No. 1087]; and
(5) UK national security and resilience:
(i) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [718-ii]; and
(ii) Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published
5 Environmental Audit,—(1) Reaching an international agreement on climate change: Government Response to the Environmental Audit Committee's Sixth Report, Session 2007-08: Sixth Special Report from the Environmental Audit Committee; to be printed [No. 1055]; and
(2) Reducing CO2 and other emissions from shipping:
(i) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 1117-i]; and
(ii) Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published
6 Home Affairs,—(1) A Surveillance Society?: Information Commissioner's Response to the Fifth Report from the Committee, Session 2007-08: Second Special Report from the Home Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 1124]; and
(2) Human Trafficking: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 318-vi]
7 Human Rights,—Policing and Protest: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Joint Committee on Human Rights; to be printed [826-ii] [Mr Andrew Dismore].
8 Justice,—(1) Ministry of Justice Departmental Annual Report 2007-08: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Justice Committee; to be printed [No. 1121-i]; and
(2) Pre-appointment hearing: Chair of the Office for Legal Complaints: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 1122-i]
9 Standards and Privileges,—Additional Cost Allowance: Main Homes: Fifteenth Report from the Committee on Standards and Privileges; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 1127] [Sir George Young].
[W.H., No. 94]
Minutes of Proceedings of the Sitting in Westminster Hall
The sitting began at half-past Nine o'clock.
Adjournment.
Future funding of higher education (Derek Wyatt).
Youth violence in Greater London (Simon Hughes).
PC Gordon Warren and the Metropolitan Police (Tom Brake).
Proposed national skills academy for rail in Crewe (Mr Edward Timpson).
Ex-servicemen in prison (Mr Elfyn Llwyd).
A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the sitting be now adjourned—(Steve McCabe);
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
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