No. 36

The House met at 11.30 am.

PRAYERS.

1 Private Bills: London Local Authority Bill [Lords]: Second Reading

    Motion made, That the London Local Authorities Bill [Lords] be read a second time.

    Objection taken (Standing Order No. 20(2)).

    Bill to be read a second time on Thursday 25 February.

2 Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

    (2) the Prime Minister

3 Statement: Strategic Defence Review Green Paper (Secretary Bob Ainsworth)

4 Desecration of War Memorials: Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)

    Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the law to make provision about damage to war memorials; and for connected purposes;

    That Mr David Burrowes, Shona McIsaac, Robert Key, Jim Sheridan, Dr Andrew Murrison, Mr Colin Breed, Mr Charles Walker, Mike Penning, Angela Watkinson, Mr Graham Stuart, John Mann and Michael Fabricant present the Bill.

    Mr David Burrowes accordingly presented the Bill.

    Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 30 April, and to be printed (Bill 60).

5 Police

    Resolved, That the Police Grant Report (England and Wales) for 2010-11 (HC 278), which was laid before this House on 20 January, be approved.—(Mr David Hanson.)

6 Local Government Finance

    Motion made and Question proposed, That the Local Government Finance Report (England) 2010-11 (HC 280), which was laid before this House on 20 January, be approved.—(Mr John Denham.)

7 Deferred divisions

    The Speaker announced the results of the divisions which had been deferred to this day (Standing Order No. 41A).

    EU Enlargement Strategy,—That the House takes note of European Union Document No. 14513/09, Commission Communication on Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges 2009-10; and supports the Government's policy that Turkey, Croatia, Iceland and all the countries of the Western Balkans should be able to join the EU when they meet the criteria.

    Division No. 69.

Ayes: 403.

Noes: 20.

    Question accordingly agreed to.

    Infrastructure planning,—That the draft Infrastructure Planning (Decisions) Regulations 2010, which were laid before this House on 5 January, be approved.

    Division No. 70.

Ayes: 231.

Noes: 196.

    Question accordingly agreed to.

    Financial Management,—That this House takes note of an unnumbered explanatory memorandum from HM Treasury dated 2 December 2009 on the European Court of Auditors' 2008 Annual Report, an unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum from the Department for International Development dated 3 December 2009 on the European Court of Auditors Annual Report on the activities funded by the seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth European Development Funds, concerning the financial year 2008, European Union Document No. 12139/09 and Addenda 1 and 2 on the Protection of the financial interests of the Communities, an unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum from HM Treasury dated 18 August 2009 on the European Anti-Fraud Office's ninth activity report for the period 1 January to 31 December 2008, European Union Document No. 12668/09 and Addendum 1, Commission Report on the Annual report to the discharge authority on internal audits carried out in 2008, European Union Document No. 14998/09 and Addendum 1, a Commission Report to the European Parliament on the follow-up to 2007 Discharge Decisions (Summary)-European Parliament Resolutions, European Union Document No. 16632/09, European Court of Auditors Special Report on delegating implementing tasks to executive agencies, European Union Document No. 17588/09, Commission Report to the Council on the follow-up to 2007 Discharge Decisions (Summary)-Council recommendations; and supports the Government's promotion of measures to improve the level of assurance given on the Community budget.

    Division No. 71.

Ayes: 230.

Noes: 202.

    Question accordingly agreed to.

8 Local Government Finance (resumed)

    Question again proposed, That the Local Government Finance Report (England) 2010-11 (HC 280), which was laid before this House on 20 January, be approved.

    Question put and agreed to.

9 Council Tax

    Resolved, That the draft Council Tax Limitation (Maximum Amounts) (England) Order 2010, which was laid before this House on 20 January, be approved.—(Helen Jones.)

10 Statutory Instruments: Motion for Approval

    Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Electronic Commerce Directive (Hatred against Persons on Religious Grounds or the Grounds of Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2010, which were laid before this House on 5 January, be approved.—(Helen Jones.)

    Question agreed to.

11 Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Between the EU and Japan

    Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 119(11)), That this House takes note of European Union Document No. 17708/09, relating to a proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and Japan on Mutual Legal Assistance in criminal matters (MLA); and supports the EU Council decision to conclude the Agreement in order to establish a formal international framework for MLA between the EU and Japan which will improve the measures available to combat international and transnational crime.—(Helen Jones.)

    Question agreed to.

12 Public Petitions

    A Public Petition from citizens of the United Kingdom relating to Malaya (Rosette) was presented and read by Sandra Gidley.

    A Public Petition from persons resident in the constituency of Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock relating to Equitable Life (Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) was presented and read by Sandra Osborne.

    A Public Petition from Members of Churches Together in Roundhay relating to Destitution Among Asylum Seekers was presented and read by Mr Fabian Hamilton.

13 Adjournment

    Subject: Recent developments in Yemen (Keith Vaz).

    Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Helen Jones.)

Adjourned at 7.44 pm until tomorrow.

_________________

Other proceedings

General Committees: Appointments

    The Speaker appoints the Chairman of General Committees and allocates Statutory Instruments to Delegated Legislation Committees.

    The Committee of Selection nominates Members to serve on General Committees (and certain Members to serve on Grand Committees).

14 Mortgage Repossessions (Protection of Tenants Etc.) Bill Committee

    (1) Chairman: Dr William McCrea

    (2) Members: John Austin, Peter Bottomley, Ms Karen Buck, Mr David Curry, James Duddridge, Clive Efford, Barbara Follett, Mr Neil Gerrard, Dr Brian Iddon, Mr Stewart Jackson, Mr Edward Leigh, Chris McCafferty, Rob Marris, Bob Russell, Matthew Taylor and Mr Neil Turner.

15 Sunbeds (Regulation) Bill Committee

    Members: Mr John Baron, Peter Bottomley, Ann Clwyd, Mr Nigel Evans, Mr Bruce George, Sandra Gidley, Nia Griffith, Mrs Siān C. James, Miss Julie Kirkbride, Gillian Merron, Jessica Morden, Julie Morgan, Mark Simmonds, Lynda Waltho, Mrs Betty Williams and Hywel Williams.

16 First Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) Order 2010 and the draft Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Directed Surveillance and Covert Human Intelligence Sources) Order 2010)

    (1) Chairman: Mr Roger Gale

    (2) Members: John Battle, Mr Crispin Blunt, Mr Tim Boswell, Mr Simon Burns, Frank Dobson, Mr Neil Gerrard, Mr David Hanson, Mr Stephen Hepburn, Mr Adam Holloway, Paul Holmes, Chris Huhne, Peter Luff, Steve McCabe, Mrs Anne McGuire, Gwyn Prosser and John Reid.

17 Second Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Rail Vehicle Accessibility (London Underground Metropolitan Line S8 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2010)

    (1) Chairman: Mr Martyn Jones

    (2) Members: Mr Peter Bone, Ben Chapman, Philip Davies, Mr Brian H. Donohoe, Mr Bruce George, Stephen Hammond, Mark Hunter, Mr John Leech, Chris Mole, Mr Gordon Prentice, Mr John Redwood, Joan Ryan, Dr Gavin Strang, Mark Tami, Mr Paul Truswell and Mr Rob Wilson.

18 Third Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Employment Relations Act 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations 2010)

    (1) Chairman: Mrs Joan Humble

    (2) Members: Mr Graham Allen, Margaret Beckett, Lyn Brown, Lorely Burt, Mr Jonathan Djanogly, Mr Brian Jenkins, Mr Peter Lilley, Mr Pat McFadden, Mr Chris Mullin, Sir Malcolm Rifkind, Ms Gisela Stuart, John Thurso, Mr Charles Walker, Malcolm Wicks, Jeremy Wright and Derek Wyatt.

19 Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010)

    (1) Chairman: Mr Christopher Chope

    (2) Members: Mr Richard Benyon, Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas, Tim Farron, Jim Fitzpatrick, Mr Fabian Hamilton, John Howell, Daniel Kawczynski, Dr Ashok Kumar, Dr Stephen Ladyman, James Purnell, Mr Nick Raynsford, Mr Mark Todd, Mr Andrew Turner, Angela Watkinson, Mr Roger Williams and David Wright.

20 Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Order 2010 (S.I., 2010, No. 86))

    (1) Chairman: Jim Sheridan

    (2) Members: Nick Ainger, Mr Michael Ancram, Mr Adrian Bailey, Mr Colin Breed, Dr Vincent Cable, James Duddridge, Paul Farrelly, Mr Mark Field, Mr Mark Hoban, Mr Lindsay Hoyle, Sarah McCarthy-Fry, Mr Austin Mitchell, Mr George Mudie, Geraldine Smith, Mr Edward Timpson and Mrs Betty Williams.

21 Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Data Protection (Monetary Penalties) Order 2010)

    (1) Chairman: Hywel Williams

    (2) Members: Mr Michael Clapham, Lynne Featherstone, David Howarth, Mr Michael Jack, Glenda Jackson, Helen Jones, Eric Joyce, Mrs Eleanor Laing, Mr Denis MacShane, Lindsay Roy, Mr Virendra Sharma, Mr Robert Syms, Mr Ian Taylor, Mr Michael Wills, Mike Wood and Jeremy Wright.

22 Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Personal Accounts Delivery Authority Winding Up Order 2010 and the draft National Employment Savings Trust Order 2010)

    (1) Chairman: John Cummings

    (2) Members: Mr Richard Bacon, Mr John Baron, Mr David Clelland, Mr Parmjit Dhanda, Mr Stephen Dorrell, Nadine Dorries, Angela Eagle, Mrs Sharon Hodgson, Ms Sally Keeble, Dr Doug Naysmith, Albert Owen, Paul Rowen, Martin Salter, Mr Nigel Waterson, Mr Tom Watson and Steve Webb.

23 Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Child Trust Funds (Amendment) Regulations 2010)

    (1) Chairman: Mr Bill Olner

    (2) Members: Mr Brian Binley, Mr Colin Breed, Dr Vincent Cable, Ann Clwyd, Mr Ian Davidson, James Duddridge, Mr Michael Fallon, Mr Mark Hoban, Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger, Chris McCafferty, Sarah McCarthy-Fry, Mr Ian McCartney, Siobhain McDonagh, Alun Michael, Mr George Mudie and Helen Southworth.

24 Ninth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Covert Human Intelligence Sources: Code of Practice) Order 2010, the draft Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Covert Surveillance and Property Interference: Code of Practice) Order 2010 and the draft Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Extension of Authorisation Provisions: Legal Consultations) Order 2010)

    (1) Chairman: Mrs Janet Dean

    (2) Members: Mr Peter Ainsworth, John Austin, Mr Crispin Blunt, Colin Burgon, Mr Simon Burns, Mr Tom Clarke, Mr David Drew, Mr David Hanson, Paul Holmes, Chris Huhne, Steve McCabe, Mr Alan Milburn, Alison Seabeck, Chloe Smith, Jacqui Smith and David Tredinnick.

25 Tenth Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Occupational Pension Schemes (Levy Ceiling) Order 2010 and the draft Pension Protection Fund (Pension Compensation Cap) Order 2010)

    Members: Mr John Baron, Mr Charles Clarke, Angela Eagle, Bill Etherington, Caroline Flint, Mrs Sharon Hodgson, Mr Philip Hollobone, Mr Gordon Marsden, Mr Michael Meacher, Sandra Osborne, Mark Pritchard, Paul Rowen, Mr Andrew Tyrie, Mr Nigel Waterson, Steve Webb and Dr Alan Whitehead.

26 Eleventh Delegated Legislation Committee (Draft Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications and Deemed Applications) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2010)

    (1) Chairman: Mr Eric Illsley

    (2) Members: Mr Ian Austin, Lyn Brown, Richard Burden, Mr Richard Caborn, Mr Ian Cawsey, Mr Geoffrey Cox, Mr Philip Dunne, Julia Goldsworthy, Mr Douglas Hogg, Mr Adam Ingram, Mr Stewart Jackson, David Lepper, Laura Moffatt, Dan Rogerson, Mr Hugo Swire and Mr Neil Turner.

27 European Committee B in respect of European Union Document No. 15647/09, relating to Future relations between the EU and the Overseas Countries and Territories.

    Chairman: Mr Gary Streeter.

28 European Committee B in respect of European Union Document No. 17691/09, relating to the Green Paper from the Commission of the European Communities on obtaining evidence in criminal matters from one Member State to another

    Chairman: Mr Mike Hancock.

29 European Committee B in respect of European Union Documents No. 9494/09 and Addenda 1 and 2 and No. 15162/09, relating to Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on Alternative Investment Fund Managers

    Members: Mr Adrian Bailey, Dr Vincent Cable, James Duddridge, Mr Greg Hands, Mr Mark Hoban, Mrs Siān C. James, Mr Fraser Kemp, Sarah McCarthy-Fry, Dr John Pugh, Mr John Spellar, Paddy Tipping, Sir Peter Viggers and Mr Anthony Wright.

Reports from Select Committees

30 Children, Schools and Families Committee

    Teaching of STEM subjects: Evidence, to be printed (HC 340-i) (Mr Barry Sheerman).

31 Energy and Climate Change Committee

    The Proposals for National Policy Statements on Energy: Evidence, to be printed (HC 231-viii and -ix) (Paddy Tipping).

32 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

    (1) Dairy Farmers of Britain:

(i) Evidence, to be printed (HC 227-ii);

(ii) Written evidence, to be published;

    (2) The National Forest: Written evidence, to be published

    (Mr Michael Jack).

33 European Scrutiny Committee

    (1) Tenth Report, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 5-ix);

    (2) Ministerial Correspondence: Written evidence, to be published

    (Michael Connarty).

34 Home Affairs Committee

    (1) The National DNA Database: Evidence, to be printed (HC 222-iii); and

    (2) The Government's Approach to Crime Prevention: Evidence, to be printed (HC 242-iv)

    (Keith Vaz).

35 Human Rights (Joint Committee on)

    (1) Counter-terrorism policy and human rights: control orders: Evidence, to be printed (HC 356-i);

    (2) Business and human rights: Written evidence, to be published;

    (3) Human rights judgments: Written evidence, to be published;

    (4) Human trafficking: Written evidence, to be published; and

    (5) Legislative scrutiny: Written evidence, to be published

    (Mr Andrew Dismore).

36 Northern Ireland Affairs Committee

    Progress towards Devolution during the 2005 Parliament: Written evidence, to be published (Sir Patrick Cormack).

37 Public Accounts (Committee of)

    The sale of the Government's interest in British Energy: Evidence, to be printed (HC 357-i) (Mr Edward Leigh).

38 Science and Technology Committee

    The impact of spending cuts on science and scientific research:

(i) Evidence taken before the Sub-Committee, to be printed (HC 335-i);

(ii) Written evidence, to be published

    (Mr Phil Willis).

39 Standards and Privileges (Committee on)

    Mrs Anne Main: Eighth Report, with Appendices, to be printed, with the Formal Minutes relating to the Report (HC 353) (Mr Chris Mullin).

40 Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)

    Seventh Report, to be printed (HC 3-vii) (David Maclean).

41 Work and Pensions Committee

    Local Housing Allowance: Evidence, to be printed (HC 235-ii) (Mr Terry Rooney).

John Bercow

Speaker

The Speaker will take the Chair at 10.30 am.

Sitting in Westminster Hall

No. 22

The sitting began at 9.30 am.

Adjournment

    Subjects:

Accountability of returning officers (David Cairns).

HIV and AIDS (Mr David S. Borrow).

First Capital Connect rail services (Anne Main).

Allocation of places at universities in England (Mr Phil Willis).

Punjabi community in Britain (John McDonnell).

    Motion made and Question proposed, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Mr Frank Roy.)

    Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(11)).

Adjourned at 5.00 pm until tomorrow.

Alan Haselhurst

Deputy Speaker

APPENDIX

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1 European Union

    Draft European Union (Definition of Treaties) (Stabilisation and Association Agreement) (Bosnia and Herzegovina) Order 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary David Miliband).

2 Financial Services and Markets

    Draft Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Amendments to Part 18A etc.) Regulations 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Sarah McCarthy-Fry).

3 Housing

    Draft Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary John Denham).

4 Oil Taxation

    Draft Field Allowance for New Oil Fields Order 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Sarah McCarthy-Fry).

5 Pensions

    Draft Financial Assistance Scheme (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Yvette Cooper).

6 Police

    Draft Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 (Renewal of Temporary Provisions) Order 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mr Secretary Woodward).

7 Public Passenger Transport

    Draft Concessionary Bus Travel Act 2007 (Variation of Reimbursement and Other Administrative Arrangements) Order 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Mr Sadiq Khan).

8 Representation of the People, Northern Ireland

    Draft Representation of the People (Timing of the Canvass) (Northern Ireland) Order 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Mr Secretary Woodward).

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

9 Constitutional Law

    Scottish Register of Tartans Act 2008 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2010 (S.I., 2010, No. 180), dated 1 February 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Jim Murphy).

10 Council Tax

    Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rating (Demand Notices) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (S.I., 2010, No. 140), dated 26 January 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary John Denham).

11 Energy

    Draft Modifications to the Standard Conditions of Electricity Supply Licences (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Edward Miliband).

12 Probation

    Offender Management Act 2007 (Establishment of Probation Trusts) Order 2010 (S.I., 2010, No. 195), dated 1 February 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Jack Straw).

13 Social Security

    Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2010 (S.I., 2010, No. 188), dated 2 February 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Stephen Timms).

Other Papers:

14 Defence

    (1) Adaptability and Partnership: Issues for the Strategic Defence Review (by Command) (Cm. 7794) (Secretary Bob Ainsworth); and

    (2) Defence Strategy for Acquisition Reform (by Command) (Cm. 7796) (Secretary Bob Ainsworth).

15 National Audit

    (1) Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Department for Work and Pensions: Pension Protection Fund (by Act); to be printed (HC 293) (Clerk of the House); and

    (2) Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Major trauma care in England (by Act); to be printed (HC 213) (Clerk of the House).

16 Severn Bridges Act

    Accounts prepared pursuant to the Severn Bridges Act 1992 for 2008-09, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act); to be printed (HC 344) (Clerk of the House).

Withdrawn Papers:

17 Housing

    Draft Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (laid 20 January 2010).

18 Terms and Conditions of Employment

    (1) Draft Additional Paternity Leave (Adoptions from Overseas) Regulations 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (laid 19 January 2010);

    (2) draft Additional Paternity Leave Regulations 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (laid 19 January 2010);

    (3) draft Additional Statutory Paternity Pay (Adoptions from Overseas) Regulations 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (laid 19 January 2010); and

    (4) draft Additional Statutory Paternity Pay (General) Regulations 2010 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (laid 19 January 2010).

CORRIGENDUM

    Tuesday 2 February

    The following item should have appeared after item 10:

    European Committee B in respect of European Union Document No. 17708/09, relating to Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between the EU and Japan.

    Mr Graham Brady (Chairman) reported the following Resolution:

    That the Committee takes note of European Union Document No. 17708/09, relating to a proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and Japan on Mutual Legal Assistance in criminal matters (MLA); and supports the EU Council decision to conclude the Agreement in order to establish a formal international framework for MLA between the EU and Japan which will improve the measures available to combat international and transnational crime.