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The House met at half-past Two o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1 First Delegated Legislation Committee,—Sir John Butterfill reported from the First Delegated Legislation Committee the draft Legal Services Act 2007 (Functions of a Designated Regulator) Order 2008.
Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.
2 Opposition Day [20th Allotted Day],—It being an allotted day at the disposal of the leader of the second largest opposition party in pursuance of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business), the House proceeded to consider Opposition business.
Economic crisis,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House is concerned at the increasing difficulties caused by the current economic crisis to many British citizens in maintaining their homes, paying their bills and providing for themselves and their families; believes that these problems originated not just in the global financial system but in unsustainable levels of personal borrowing and house prices which were overlooked by Government policy; is alarmed at the steep rise in mortgage arrears and repossession orders; regrets that, despite receiving £500 billion of taxpayers' money, the banking industry has failed to respond adequately to the needs of its customers or modify sufficiently its behaviour in respect of mortgage interest rates, new lending to struggling small businesses and its bonus culture; notes that the Bank of England has implemented the 2 per cent. cut in interest rates which the Liberal Democrats called for and urges it to make further cuts if the economy deteriorates further; and calls on the Government to introduce an immediate substantial cut in income tax to benefit low income and standard rate taxpayers, paid for by wealthy individuals who profited disproportionately from the economic boom and who do not pay their fair share of tax—(Dr Vincent Cable);
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 Government's actions mean that the economy is entering a period of global downturn with unemployment, inflation and interest rates all much lower than in previous slowdowns, and with debt reduced from 43 per cent. of gross domestic product in 1997 to below 36 per cent. last year; welcomes the extra investment in public services and public servants that this has enabled to compensate for historical underinvestment both in infrastructure and services in every region; supports the Government's global leadership and action to tackle both the causes and effects of the financial and economic turmoil on an international level; welcomes the Government's timely support to protect financial stability and consequently depositors, business and the wider economy; further notes that as a condition of this support the Government has demanded support in turn for homeowners and small and medium size businesses; further notes the action that has been taken in the court system and through mortgage interest support to enable people to stay in their homes, and the provision of £360 million to help small and medium size businesses under the Train to Gain initiative; and further notes that Government action to support families, individuals and businesses across the UK through the tougher times ahead includes extra tax credits, cutting income tax, freezing fuel duty, further winter fuel payments and increases in Child Benefit', instead thereof.—(Angela Eagle.)
And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;
Tellers for the Ayes, Bob Russell, John Hemming: 58.
Tellers for the Noes, Helen Goodman, Ms Diana R. Johnson: 303.
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, Helen Goodman, Ms Diana R. Johnson: 289.
Tellers for the Noes, Bob Russell, John Hemming: 216.
So the Question was agreed to.
The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.
Resolved, That this House notes that the Government's actions mean that the economy is entering a period of global downturn with unemployment, inflation and interest rates all much lower than in previous slowdowns, and with debt reduced from 43 per cent. of gross domestic product in 1997 to below 36 per cent. last year; welcomes the extra investment in public services and public servants that this has enabled to compensate for historical underinvestment both in infrastructure and services in every region; supports the Government's global leadership and action to tackle both the causes and effects of the financial and economic turmoil on an international level; welcomes the Government's timely support to protect financial stability and consequently depositors, business and the wider economy; further notes that as a condition of this support the Government has demanded support in turn for homeowners and small and medium size businesses; further notes the action that has been taken in the court system and through mortgage interest support to enable people to stay in their homes, and the provision of £360 million to help small and medium size businesses under the Train to Gain initiative; and further notes that Government action to support families, individuals and businesses across the UK through the tougher times ahead includes extra tax credits, cutting income tax, freezing fuel duty, further winter fuel payments and increases in Child Benefit.
Renewal of the Post Office Card Account,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House notes with concern the fact that the Department for Work and Pensions has written to Post Office card account holders informing them that the Post Office card account contract ends in 2010; further notes that Post Office card account holders, many of whom have made a conscious decision to support the Post Office by retaining their card account, are being instructed to take out bank accounts in order to receive benefits beyond 2010; expresses its dismay at the fact that the letter does not mention the fact that a replacement for the current card account is currently out to tender, or make any mention of other Post Office products or services; believes that this is a deliberate attempt to encourage people to switch payment to direct debit and remove the role of the Post Office; further notes the additional damage inflicted on the Post Office by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, which is currently sending out licence renewal reminders as part of a communications campaign which makes no mention of the Post Office; calls on Ministers in the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform to encourage Ministers in the Department for Work and Pensions to consider the impact on communities across the country if the Post Office card account is not renewed; and encourages all Government departments to make their services available through post offices in order to ensure that they have a viable future—(Jenny Willott);
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 importance of the services offered by the Post Office to local communities; further notes that the Government has worked with the Post Office to make available services such as its own banking and financial services and access to high street banks' basic accounts; further notes that the Post Office is now the largest provider of foreign exchange in the UK and amongst the largest suppliers of travel insurance, car insurance and telephone services; further notes the potential for future ID management business for the Post Office for passports, driving licences and ID cards; welcomes the commitment of the Government to provide £1.7 billion of support up to 2011 to maintain a national post office network and access to Post Office products, in contrast to no subsidy before 1997; further notes the importance of the Post Office card account in helping people to access basic banking services; welcomes the decision to offer this type of product beyond 2010; further notes that this product is currently out to tender; and believes that people should be aware of the Post Office card account product alongside other methods of payment', instead thereof.—(Secretary James Purnell.)
And the Question being proposed, That the original words stand part of the Question;
Mr Paul Burstow rose in his place and claimed to move, That the Question be now put.
And the Question being put, That the Question be now put:—It was agreed to.
And the Question being accordingly put;
Tellers for the Ayes, Paul Rowen, Richard Younger-Ross: 240.
Tellers for the Noes, Ian Lucas, Steve McCabe: 278.
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, Ian Lucas, Steve McCabe: 279.
Tellers for the Noes, Paul Rowen, Richard Younger-Ross: 232.
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 importance of the services offered by the Post Office to local communities; further notes that the Government has worked with the Post Office to make available services such as its own banking and financial services and access to high street banks' basic accounts; further notes that the Post Office is now the largest provider of foreign exchange in the UK and amongst the largest suppliers of travel insurance, car insurance and telephone services; further notes the potential for future ID management business for the Post Office for passports, driving licences and ID cards; welcomes the commitment of the Government to provide £1.7 billion of support up to 2011 to maintain a national post office network and access to Post Office products, in contrast to no subsidy before 1997; further notes the importance of the Post Office card account in helping people to access basic banking services; welcomes the decision to offer this type of product beyond 2010; further notes that this product is currently out to tender; and believes that people should be aware of the Post Office card account product alongside other methods of payment.
3 Official Statistics,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Pre-release Access to Official Statistics Order 2008, which was laid before this House on 21st July, be approved—(Ms Dawn Butler):—It was agreed to.
4 Civil Aviation,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Air Navigation (Environmental Standards for Non-EASA Aircraft) Order 2008, which was laid before this House on 6th October, be approved—(Ms Dawn Butler):—It was agreed to.
5 Industrial Organisation and Development,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Wool Textile Industry (Export Promotion Levy) (Revocation) Order 2008, which was laid before this House on 6th October, be approved—(Ms Dawn Butler):—It was agreed to.
6 Social Security,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Social Security (Lone Parents and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2008, which were laid before this House on 6th October, be approved—(Ms Dawn Butler):—It was agreed to.
7 Tribunals and Inquiries,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Judicial Appointments Order 2008, which was laid before this House on 6th October, be approved—(Ms Dawn Butler):—It was agreed to.
8 Immigration,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations 2008, which were laid before this House on 6th October, be approved—(Ms Dawn Butler):—It was agreed to.
9 Disabled Persons,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Rail Vehicle Accessibility Exemption Orders (Parliamentary Procedures) Regulations 2008, which were laid before this House on 9th October, be approved—(Ms Dawn Butler):—It was agreed to.
10 Disabled Persons,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Rail Vehicle Accessibility (London Underground Victoria Line 09TS Vehicles) Exemption Order 2008, which was laid before this House on 9th October, be approved—(Ms Dawn Butler):—It was agreed to.
11 Dangerous Drugs,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2008, which was laid before this House on 13th October, be approved—(Ms Dawn Butler);
And the Speaker's opinion as to the decision of the Question being challenged, the Division was deferred till Wednesday 12th November, pursuant to Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions).
12 Children and Young Persons,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Prescribed Criteria) (Foreign Offences) Order 2008, which was laid before this House on 15th October, be approved—(Ms Dawn Butler):—It was agreed to.
13 Children and Young Persons,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Transitory Provisions) Order 2008, which was laid before this House on 15th October, be approved—(Ms Dawn Butler):—It was agreed to.
14 Regulatory Reform,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 18 (Consideration of draft regulatory reform orders), That the draft Legislative Reform (Lloyd's) Order 2008, which was laid before this House on 17th July, be approved—(Ms Dawn Butler):—It was agreed to.
15 Facing the Challenge of Higher Oil Prices,—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. 10824/08, Commission Communication on Facing the Challenge of Higher Oil Prices; and welcomes the Government's support for appropriate action at the European level, where this would be effective in furthering energy efficiency, security of supply and the development of a liberalised energy market within the Union, and the Government's own response to higher oil prices, in particular the Global Energy Initiative—(Ms Dawn Butler):—It was agreed to.
16 Northern Ireland Affairs,—Ordered, That Mr Gregory Campbell and Sammy Wilson be discharged from the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee and David Simpson and Mrs Iris Robinson be added.—(Rosemary McKenna, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
17 Transport,—Ordered, That David Simpson be discharged from the Transport Committee and Sammy Wilson be added.—(Rosemary McKenna, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
18 Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from
(1) residents of Islwyn, and others relating to the House of Lords ruling on pleural plaques;
(2) residents of Cumbria and others relating to the Ambleside campus of the University of Cumbria; and
(3) Christopher Rankin, residents of New Park Road, Benfleet and others relating to access arrangements for Appleton School and traffic management in New Park Road
19 Adjournment.
Subject: Support for Gloucester City Football Club (Mr Parmjit Dhanda).
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Ms Dawn Butler.)
And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till Eleven o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 11 p.m.
Michael J. Martin
Speaker
Mr Speaker will take the Chair at half-past Two o'clock.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 7th November 2008 pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments):
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
1 Merchant Shipping,—Merchant Shipping (Training and Certification) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2851), dated 4th November 2008, with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [Secretary Geoff Hoon].
2 Police,—(1) Police (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2865); and
(2) Police (Complaints and Misconduct) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2866),
dated 5th November 2008, with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [Secretary Jacqui Smith].
3 Recovery of Taxes,—Recovery of Taxes etc Due in Other Member States (Amendment of section 134 of the Finance Act 2002) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2871), dated 7th November 2008, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Stephen Timms].
Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 10th November 2008:
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
4 Consumer Protection,—REACH Enforcement Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2852), dated 1st November 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command] [Secretary Hilary Benn].
5 Land Registration,—Land Registration Act 2002 (Amendment) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2872), dated 6th November 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment [by Command] [Secretary Jack Straw].
6 National Health Service,—National Health Service (Travel Expenses and Remission of Charges) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2868), dated 5th November 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Alan Johnson].
7 Town and Country Planning,—Crossrail (Planning Appeals) (Written Representations Procedure) (England) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2908), dated 10th November 2008 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Geoff Hoon].
Other Papers:
8 House of Commons Members' Fund,—Accounts of the House of Commons Members' Fund for 2006-07, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1180] [Clerk of the House].
9 Northern Ireland (Monitoring Commission etc.),—Twentieth Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission [by Act]; to be printed [No. 1112] [Mr Secretary Woodward].
APPENDIX II
General Committees
1 Political Parties and Elections Bill,—The Speaker has appointed Mr Peter Atkinson as an additional Chairman of the Political Parties and Elections Bill Committee.
2 Draft Legal Services Act 2007 (Functions of a Designated Regulator) Order 2008,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Linda Gilroy and Paddy Tipping from the First Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Order) and nominated in substitution Graham Stringer and David Wright.
Grand Committees
3 Northern Ireland Grand Committee,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Mr Quentin Davies from the Northern Ireland Grand Committee and nominated in substitution Helen Goodman.
APPENDIX III
Reports from Select Committees
1 Children, Schools and Families,—National Curriculum: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Children, Schools and Families Committee; to be printed [No. 651-vi] [Mr Barry Sheerman].
2 Communities and Local Government,—(1) The Balance of Power: Central and Local Government: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Communities and Local Government Committee; to be printed [No. 813-iii]; and
(2) Housing and the Credit Crunch: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published
3 Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills,—Geo-engineering:
(i) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee; to be printed [No. 1064-i]; and
(ii) Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published
4 Public Accounts,—(1) Tackling the hidden economy: Fifty-fifth Report from the Committee of Public Accounts, to be printed with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 712]; and
(2) Fire and Rescue Service: The New Dimension Programme: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 1184-i]
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