Thursday, 17 May 2007
The Secretary of State was asked—
When he expects to be in a position to introduce a marine Bill.
What steps he is taking to improve welfare standards for broiler chickens.
What progress the Department has made on emissions trading.
What steps he is taking to reduce the amount of packaging used by supermarkets for fresh produce.
What recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the impact of VAT on air travel as part of the Government's climate change strategy.
How many farmers in the north-west are awaiting payments under the single farm payment scheme; and if he will make a statement.
What proposals he has for enabling individuals to measure their own carbon emissions.
What recent discussions he has had with the Indian government about joint Anglo-Indian action to tackle climate change.
What support his Department gives to rural communities for the maintenance and improvement of village halls and community centres.
May I ask the Leader of the House to give us the forthcoming business?
With permission, Mr. Speaker, I should like to make a statement on the Post Office. Last December, I published the Government's proposals on the future of the post office network. We then...
I beg to move, That the Order of 22nd January 2007 (Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill (Programme)) be varied as follows: 1. Paragraphs 4 and 5 of the Order shall be omitted....
[Relevant document: The Eleventh Report from the Joint Committee on Human Rights, Session 2006-07, Legislative Scrutiny: Fourth Progress Report, HC424.] As amended in the Public Bill...
'(1) The Secretary of State must— (a) for the period of one year, beginning with the commencement of this Act, and (b) for each year thereafter, prepare a report on progress during the...
Amendments made: No. 20, page 54, line 31, after 'area;' insert— '(aa) any person mentioned in subsection (2A) who provides services at or from a hospital or other establishment or...
Amendment proposed: No. 253, page 56, line 13, after 'area', insert ', including targets relating to energy efficiency standards and microgeneration, as defined by section 82 of the Energy Act...
Amendment made: No. 92, page 57, line 14, at end insert— '( ) A direction under subsection (1) may be varied or revoked.'.— [Mr. Woolas.]
Amendment made: No. 93, page 59, line 30, at end insert— '( ) A direction under subsection (1)(b) may be varied or revoked.'.— [Mr. Woolas.]
Amendment made: No. 94, page 60, line 26, leave out 'by a further direction under that subsection'.— [Mr. Woolas.]
Amendment made: No. 95, page 61, line 7, at end insert— '( ) A direction under subsection (2)(a) may be revoked.'.— [Mr. Woolas.]
I beg to move amendment No. 32, page 121, line 15, at end insert— '(aa) enabling people to monitor, and review, the commissioning and provision of local care services;'.
Amendment made: No. 34, page 122, line 6, leave out from second 'area' to end of line 8.— [Mr. Woolas.]
Amendments made: No. 35, page 122, line 41, leave out from 'done' to 'activities' in line 42 and insert 'by a person who, in pursuance of arrangements made under section 172(1), is to carry on'....
Amendments made: No. 37, page 123, line 14, leave out from 'network' to end of line 16. No. 38, line 35, leave out from 'network' to end of line 38. No. 39, line 41, leave out from '172(2)' to...
Amendments made: No. 40, page 124, line 23, leave out from 'done' to 'activities' in line 24 and insert 'by a person who, in pursuance of arrangements made under section 172(1), is to carry on'....
Amendments made: No. 42, page 125, line 5, after 'provision' insert '— (i)'. No. 43, line 6, after 'preparation' insert 'by the network'. No. 44, line 9, at end insert— '(ii)...
Amendment proposed, No. 80, in page 126, line 32, leave out clause 179.— [Mr. Baron.] Question put, That the amendment be made:— The House divided: Ayes 133, Noes 240.
Amendment proposed: No. 75, page 129, line 29, at end insert— '(1GA) A relevant English body in proposing a significant change in services delivered in a way likely to affect patients'...
'(1) For the purposes of this section, "group of partner authorities" means— (a) a county council in England; and (b) one or more district councils which are partner authorities of it. (2)...
'After section 21D of the Local Government Act 2000 (c. 22) (inserted by section 97) insert— "21E Overview and scrutiny committees of certain district councils: functions with respect to...
'In section 21 of the Local Government Act 2000 (c. 22) (overview and scrutiny committees: authorities operating executive arrangements), at the end insert— "(16) In exercising, or deciding...
'(1) In section 21 of the Local Government Act 2000 (c. 22) (overview and scrutiny committees)— (a) in subsection (4)— (i) after "this section" insert ", sections 21A to 21C"; and...
Amendments made: No. 96, page 62, line 29, leave out from beginning to 'insert' in line 33 and insert 'After section 21 of the Local Government Act 2000 (c. 22)'. No. 97, page 64, leave out line...
Amendments made: No. 98, page 64, line 38, at end insert— '(4) The Secretary of State may also by regulations make provision, in relation to a relevant district council committee—...
Amendments made: No. 100, page 66, line 33, leave out 'Primary Care Trust' and insert 'health service body'. No. 101, page 66, line 36, leave out 'Primary Care Trust' and insert 'health service...
Amendment made: No. 106, page 69, line 16, after 'applies' insert '(in addition to the cases mentioned in subsection (1) of that section)'.— [Mr. Alan Campbell.]
'(1) In section 40(1) of the Audit Commission Act 1998 (c. 18) (studies relating to registered social landlords), omit "(other than registered social landlords in Wales)". (2) In section 41A of...
'After section 145C of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38) insert— "145D Advice and assistance for registered social landlords (1) The Auditor General for Wales may, if he thinks it...
Amendment made: No. 29, page 86, line 13, after 'before' insert 'the italic heading preceding'.— [ Mr. Alan Campbell .]
Amendment made: No. 30, page 89, line 8, leave out from 'Authority)' to end of line 13.— [ Mr. Alan Campbell.]
Amendment made: No. 31, page 90, line 5, at end insert— '(5) The Secretary of State may by order amend the definition of "English local authority" in subsection (4) by adding any authority...
Ordered, That the clause be transferred to the end of line 37, page 91.— [ Mr. Alan Campbell. ]
'(1) In this section a "pre-commencement invitation" means an invitation given by the Secretary of State before the commencement of this Chapter which, after that commencement, could have been...
Amendment made: No. 1, page 2, line 43, at end insert— '(9) Subsection (1) is subject to section 3(1).'.— [Mr. Alan Campbell.]
Amendments made: No. 2, page 3, line 2, leave out subsection (1) and insert— '(1) A direction under section 2— (a) may not be given after 25 January 2008; and (b) may be given on or...
Amendments made: No. 4, page 3, line 26, leave out from 'proposal' to 'under' in line 27 and insert 'in response to an invitation or direction'. No. 5, page 3, line 29, leave out subsections (2)...
Amendment made: No. 6, page 5, line 30, leave out subsection (2) and insert— '(2) But where the Secretary of State has made a request under section 4 in relation to the proposal received...
Amendment made: No. 86, page 7, line 21, at end insert— '(3) Before doing as mentioned in any of those paragraphs the Secretary of State may request the Boundary Committee to provide him...
Amendment made: No. 7, page 8, line 17, leave out '7' and insert '7(1)(a)'.— [ Mr. Alan Campbell .]
Amendment made: No. 8, page 11, line 27, at end insert— '(6) In this section "public body" includes a parish council.'.— [Mr. Alan Campbell.]
Amendment made: No. 9, page 13, line 26, at end insert— '(3) In subsection (2) "public body" includes a parish council.'.— [Mr. Alan Campbell.]
Amendment made: No. 87, page 13, line 27, leave out Clause 21.— [ Mr. Alan Campbell. ]
'(1) Section 23 of the Local Government Act 1974 (c. 7) (appointment and removal of Commissioners) is amended as follows. (2) For subsections (8) and (9) (allocation of cases by geographic area)...
'Before section 25 of the Local Government Act 1974 (c. 7) insert— "24A Power to investigate (1) Under this Part of this Act, a Local Commissioner may investigate a matter— (a) which...
'(1) Section 25 of the Local Government Act 1974 (c. 7) (authorities subject to investigation) is amended as follows. (2) In subsection (4), for paragraphs (b) and (c) substitute— "(b) to a...
'(1) Section 26 of the Local Government Act 1974 (c. 7) (matters subject to investigation) is amended in accordance with subsections (2) and (3). (2) For subsection (1) substitute— "(1) For...
'(1) After section 26 of the Local Government Act 1974 (c. 7) insert— "26A Who can complain (1) Under this Part of this Act, a complaint about a matter may only be made— (a) by a...
'(1) Section 30 of the Local Government Act 1974 (c. 7) (reports on investigations) is amended as follows. (2) For subsection (1) substitute— "(1) If a Local Commissioner completes an...
'(1) Section 31 of the Local Government Act 1974 (c. 7) (further provisions about reports on investigations) is amended as follows. (2) For subsection (1) substitute— "(1) This section...
'After section 31A of the Local Government Act 1974 (c. 7) insert— "31B Publication of reports etc by Commissioners (1) A Local Commissioner may— (a) publish all or part of a report...
'(1) Schedule 4 to the Local Government Act 1974 (c. 7) (the Commission) is amended as follows. (2) In paragraph 1(1) (disqualification for being Local Commissioner)— (a) in paragraph (a),...
'Schedule (The Commission for Local Administration for England: minor and consequential amendments) (minor and consequential amendments) has effect.'.— [Mr. Alan Campbell.] Brought up,...
Amendments made: No. 108, page 96, line 3, leave out subsection (1). No. 109, page 96, line 5, after '32' insert 'of the Local Government Act 1974 (c. 7)'. No. 110, page 96, line 8, after '34'...
Motion made, and Question put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118(6) (Delegated Legislation Committees),
That the draft Lord Chancellor (Modification of Functions) Order 2007, which was laid before this House on 16th April, be approved.
That the draft Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2007, which were laid before this House on 29th March, be approved.— [Mr. Alan Campbell.] Question...
Motion made, and Question put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 119(9) (European Standing Committees),
That this House takes note of European Union Document No. 6192/07 and the UK response to the European Commission's Green Paper on Diplomatic and consular protection of Union citizens in third...
Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.— [Mr. Alan Campbell.]
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.