Monday, 9 March 1998
The House met at half-past Two o'clock
[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]
The Secretary of State was asked—
If he will make a statement about the role of the reserve forces. [31403]
If he will make a statement on the Government's smart procurement initiatives. [31404]
What amount and proportion of his Department's annual expenditure was allocated to recruitment advertising in 1997–98. [31405]
If he will make a statement on the process by which the complaints of officer ex-prisoners of war and protected personnel regarding pay deducted during incarceration were investigated. [31406]
What targets his Department have set to increase the number of people from ethnic minorities in Britain's armed forces. [31407]
If he will make a statement on the deployment of British troops to the Persian Gulf. [31409]
What action his Department is taking in relation to anti-personnel land mines. [31410]
What assessment he has made of the current operational roles of the Parachute Regiment. [31411]
If he will make a statement on Defence Medical Services. [31412]
The President of the Council was asked—
If she will examine the case for establishing a human rights Select Committee. [31438]
What proposals she has to review the procedure for consideration of private Members' Bills. [31439]
What proposals she has to reform the parliamentary year; and if she will make a statement. [31441]
On a point of order, Madam Speaker. My point arises from some articles in the press on Sunday, which speculated, clearly on an informed basis, that there would be changes to the mode and...
As amended in the Standing Committee, considered.
'.—(1) A worker employed by a charity, a voluntary organisation, an associated fund-raising body or a statutory body does not qualify for the national minimum wage in respect of that...
'.—(1) This section applies to any information obtained by an officer acting for the purposes of this Act, whether by virtue of paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) of section 13(1) above.
'.—(1) This section applies to information which has been obtained by an officer acting for the purposes of any of the agricultural wages legislation and which is held by a relevant authority.
'.—A person who is a director of a limited company does not qualify for the national minimum wage in respect of that employment.'.—[Mr. Lansley.]
It being after Ten o'clock, further consideration of the Bill stood adjourned.
'—.(1) The Secretary of State, after such consultation with the Low Pay Commission as may be reasonably practicable, may by order suspend the operation of this Act if he is satisfied that...
'. Within twelve months of the laying of the first regulations under section 1 or 2 of this Act, the Low Pay Commission and the Agricultural Wages Boards acting jointly shall make a report to the...
'. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, acting in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall include in the Financial Statement and Budget Report an assessment of the cost of the national...
I beg to move amendment No. 43, in page 2, line 22, at end insert— 'except that payment by an employer of pension contributions to a recognised pension fund on behalf of an employee shall...
Amendment made: No. 21, in page 3, line 9, at end insert—'(4) If any description of persons who have attained the age of 26 is added by regulations under section 4 below to the descriptions...
Amendments made: No. 22, in page 3, line 11, leave out 'further' and insert 'descriptions of persons who have attained the age of 26 to the'.
I beg to move amendment No. 55, in page 3, line 20, after 'regulations', insert '(or where it seems appropriate to him any subsequent regulations)'.
I beg to move amendment No. 3, in page 7, line 28, at end insert— '(2) Regulations made under this section shall require employers to keep records in respect of— (a) full-time...
I beg to move amendment No. 13, in page 8, line 41, at end insert '(as in force when the award is made)'.
I beg to move amendment No. 41, in page 11, line 18, at end insert— 'plus two per cent above the prevailing Bank of England base rate.'.
Amendments made: No. 14, in page 12, line 12, at end insert '(and, where it does so, may be so framed as to relate to workers specified in the notice or to workers of a description so...
Amendment made: No. 17, in page 13, line 18, after 'wage' insert '(as in force at the date of the penalty notice)'.—[Mr.Ian McCartney.]
Amendments made: No. 18, in page 14, line 7, leave out subsection (3) and insert— '(3) On an appeal under subsection (1) above, the employment tribunal shall dismiss the appeal unless it is...
I beg to move amendment No. 5, in page 14, line 37, at end insert 'or (c) the worker qualifies, or will qualify, for the national minimum wage or for a particular rate of national minimum wage.'.
Amendments made: No. 7, in page 16, line 26, at end insert 'or (c) the employee qualifies, or will qualify, for the national minimum wage or for a particular rate of national minimum wage.'.
Amendments made: No. 9, in page 17, line 35, at end insert 'or (c) the employee qualifies, or will qualify, for the national minimum wage or for a particular rate of national minimum wage.'.
I beg to move amendment No. 45, in page 19, line 1, leave out 'any question arises' and insert 'an officer acting for the purposes of this Act makes a declaration, acting on the basis of his...
Amendment made: No. 27, in page 20, line 18, at end insert— '(5A) Where the commission by any person of an offence under subsection (1) or (2) above is due to the act or default of some...
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Amendment made: No. 20, in page 25, leave out lines 5 to 14.—[Mr. Betts.]
Amendment made: No. 28, in page 27, leave out lines 8 to 18.—[Mr. Betts.]
I beg to move amendment No. 69, in page 34, line 27, at end insert— 'Disqualification by Scottish Parliament and National Assembly for Wales6. A member of the Commission is disqualified...
Amendments made: No. 29, in page 35, line 29, at end insert— '(12) Where an order under this section fixes any particular minimum rate of wages by reference to two or more component rates,...
6A.—(1) Section 12 (officers) shall be amended as follows.
14A.—(1) Section 12 (officers) shall be amended as follows.
Amendments made: No. 32, in page 44, line 45, column 3, at end insert 'In section 12(5)(a), the words "on account of the payment of wages to him at less than the minimum rate applicable or".'.
With permission, I shall put together the Questions on the three motions.
That the draft London Docklands Development Corporation (Transfer of Functions) Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 21st January, be approved.
That the draft Local Authorities (Transport Charges) Regulations 1998, which were laid before this House on 9th February, be approved.—[Mr. Jamieson.]
Queen's recommendation having been signified—
Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.—[Mr. Kevin Hughes.]
Debates in the House of Commons are an opportunity for MPs from all parties to scrutinise government legislation and raise important local, national or topical issues.
And sometimes to shout at each other.