Orders of the Day – in the House of Commons at 4:36 pm on 25 June 2007.
'(1) In section 1(4)(b) of the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act 1968 (c. 2) (circumstances in which a resolution affecting income tax etc ceases to have effect), for "Standing Committee" substitute "Public Bill Committee".
(2) In section 50(2)(a) of FA 1973 (corresponding provision for stamp duty), for "Standing Committee" substitute "Public Bill Committee".'.— [John Healey.]
Brought up, and read the First time.
John Healey
The Financial Secretary to the Treasury
I beg to move, That the Clause be read a Second time.
Sylvia Heal
Deputy Speaker
With this it will be convenient to discuss new Clause 1— Amendment of Provisional Collection of Taxes Act 1968—
'(1) The Provisional Collection of Taxes Act 1968 (c. 2) is amended as follows.
(2) In subsection (4)(b), for the words "Standing Committee" there are substituted the words "Public Bill Committee".'.
John Healey
The Financial Secretary to the Treasury
4:45,
25 June 2007
We are making very good progress. No doubt, that will not last, but let us enjoy it while we can. Perhaps the House will enjoy the fact that Government new Clause 13 will be considered alongside new clause 1, which was tabled by the Opposition, as, happily, they have been grouped together.
New clause 1 proposes what, in principle, is a valid change, but when I studied the way in which it was framed I found that the detail of the drafting did not quite live up to the intention. I therefore determined to table new clause 13 in the same spirit—it has the same aims as the Opposition's provision, but it is more comprehensively drafted. Both measures have the same purpose, and I hope that hon. Members on both sides of the House will join together in support of the inclusion of new clause 13 in the Bill.
David Gauke
Conservative, South West Hertfordshire
I do not intend to detain the House and impede the speedy progress that we have achieved so far. I am grateful for the Financial Secretary's comments about new Clause 1 and the fact that he accepts the principle behind it. Indeed, in his letter to my hon. Friend Mrs. Villiers, he acknowledged that it was a valid change. I do not wish to have a row about whose drafting is better; I fully accept new clause 13. I do not know whether it is a sign of a new, listening Government or whether it is a sign of a new, listening Treasury. None the less, new clause 13 is welcome, and consequently the Opposition have no intention to press new clause 1 further.
Julia Goldsworthy
Shadow Chief Secretary To the Treasury, Treasury
It is interesting to see that the new consensus between the two parties is so broad that it extends to section 1(4)(b) of the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act 1968. It is only a shame that Rob Marris is not here to relish the improvements to the Bill's drafting.
John Healey
The Financial Secretary to the Treasury
I welcome the welcome from both Opposition spokespeople. May I remind Mr. Gauke that, during his short experience as a Front-Bench spokesman, we have faced each other twice: this afternoon and in Standing Committee—or Public Bill Committee, as we should refer to it if new Clause 13 becomes part of the Bill. On both occasions, I listened carefully to his arguments, which I have been willing to accept in principle, proposing amendments in light of them. I hope that he has a long and distinguished career as an Opposition spokesman, but he will not always find the going as easy.
Question put and agreed to.
Clause read a Second time, and added to the Bill.
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.
In a normal session there are up to ten standing committees on bills. Each has a chair and from 16 to 50 members. Standing committee members on bills are appointed afresh for each new bill by the Committee of Selection which is required to take account of the composition of the House of Commons (ie. party proportions) as well as the qualification of members to be nominated. The committees are chaired by a member of the Chairmen's Panel (whose members are appointed by the Speaker). In standing committees the Chairman has much the same function as the Speaker in the House of Commons. Like the Speaker, a chairman votes only in the event of a tie, and then usually in accordance with precedent. The committees consider each bill clause by clause and may make amendments. There are no standing committees in the House of Lords.
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.
As a bill passes through Parliament, MPs and peers may suggest amendments - or changes - which they believe will improve the quality of the legislation.
Many hundreds of amendments are proposed by members to major bills as they pass through committee stage, report stage and third reading in both Houses of Parliament.
In the end only a handful of amendments will be incorporated into any bill.
The Speaker - or the chairman in the case of standing committees - has the power to select which amendments should be debated.
The Opposition are the political parties in the House of Commons other than the largest or Government party. They are called the Opposition because they sit on the benches opposite the Government in the House of Commons Chamber. The largest of the Opposition parties is known as Her Majesty's Opposition. The role of the Official Opposition is to question and scrutinise the work of Government. The Opposition often votes against the Government. In a sense the Official Opposition is the "Government in waiting".
