§ '(1) It shall be the duty of the Secretary of State to have regard to the needs of employers who have fewer than 20 employees and to make such financial provision by way of grants or loans as he deems appropriate to enable them to meet their obligations under this Act.
§ (2) The Secretary of State may by regulations specify the circumstances under which adjustments will be considered reasonable for employers who have fewer than 20 employees, and such regulations may specify appropriate periods within which such adjustments shall be made.
§ (3) Regulations under this section may make different provisions for different circumstances and different sizes of employer and specify different periods within which different adjustments shall be made; and regulations made under this section may be varied by subsequent regulations.'.—[Mr. Tom Clarke.]
§ Brought up, and read the First time.
§ Motion made, and Question put, That the clause be read a Second time:—
§ The House divided: Ayes 267, Noes 297.
740| Division No. 115] | [6.32 pm |
| AYES | |
| Abbott, Ms Diane | Bruce, Malcolm (Gordon) |
| Ainger, Nick | Burden, Richard |
| Ainsworth, Robert (Cov'try NE) | Byers, Stephen |
| Allen, Graham | Callaghan, Jim |
| Alton, David | Campbell, Mrs Anne (C'bridge) |
| Anderson, Ms Janet (Ros'dale) | Campbell, Menzies (Fife NE) |
| Armstrong, Hilary | Campbell-Savours, D N |
| Ashdown, Rt Hon Paddy | Canavan, Dennis |
| Ashton, Joe | Cann, Jamie |
| Austin-Walker, John | Carlile, Alexander (Montgomery) |
| Banks, Tony (Newham NW) | Chidgey, David |
| Barnes, Harry | Chisholm, Malcolm |
| Barron, Kevin | Church, Judith |
| Bayley, Hugh | Clark, Dr David (South Shields) |
| Beith, Rt Hon A J | Clarke, Eric (Midlothian) |
| Bell, Stuart | Clarke, Tom (Monklands W) |
| Benn, Rt Hon Tony | Clelland, David |
| Bennett, Andrew F | Coffey, Ann |
| Bermingham, Gerald | Cohen, Harry |
| Berry, Roger | Cook, Frank (Stockton N) |
| Betts, Clive | Cook, Robin (Livingston) |
| Boateng, Paul | Corbett, Robin |
| Bradley, Keith | Corbyn, Jeremy |
| Bray, Dr Jeremy | Corston, Jean |
| Cox, Tom | Jackson, Helen (Shef'ld, H) |
| Cummings, John | Janner, Greville |
| Cunliffe, Lawrence | Jones, Barry (Alyn and D'side) |
| Cunningham, Jim (Covy SE) | Jones, leuan Wyn (Ynys Mon) |
| Cunningham, Rt Hon Dr John | Jones, Lynne (B'ham S O) |
| Dafis, Cynog | Jones, Martyn (Clwyd, SW) |
| Dalyell, Tam | Jones, Nigel (Cheltenham) |
| Darling, Alistair | Jowell, Tessa |
| Davidson, Ian | Kaufman, Rt Hon Gerald |
| Davies, Bryan (Oldham C'tral) | Keen, Alan |
| Davies, Rt Hon Denzil (Llanelli) | Kennedy, Charles (Ross, C&S) |
| Davies, Ron (Caerphilly) | Kennedy, Jane (Lpool Brdgn) |
| Davis, Terry (B'ham, H'dge H'l) | Khabra, Piara S |
| Denham, John | Kilfoyle, Peter |
| Dewar, Donald | Kirkwood, Archy |
| Dixon, Don | Lewis, Terry |
| Dobson, Frank | Liddell, Mrs Helen |
| Donohoe, Brian H | Litherland, Robert |
| Dowd, Jim | Livingstone, Ken |
| Dunnachie, Jimmy | Lloyd, Tony (Stretford) |
| Eagle, Ms Angela | Llwyd, Elfyn |
| Eastham, Ken | Loyden, Eddie |
| Enright, Derek | Lynne, Ms Liz |
| Etherington, Bill | McAvoy, Thomas |
| Evans, John (St Helens N) | McCartney, Ian |
| Ewing, Mrs Margaret | McCrea, The Reverend William |
| Fatchett, Derek | Macdonald, Calum |
| Faulds, Andrew | McFall, John |
| Field, Frank (Birkenhead) | McKelvey, William |
| Fisher, Mark | Mackinlay, Andrew |
| Flynn, Paul | McLeish, Henry |
| Forsythe, Clifford (S Antrim) | Maclennan, Robert |
| Foster, Rt Hon Derek | McNamara, Kevin |
| Foster, Don (Bath) | MacShane, Denis |
| Fraser, John | McWilliam, John |
| Galloway, George | Madden, Max |
| Gapes, Mike | Maddock, Diana |
| Garrett, John | Mahon, Alice |
| George, Bruce | Mallon, Seamus |
| Gerrard, Neil | Mandelson, Peter |
| Gilbert, Rt Hon Dr John | Marek, Dr John |
| Godman, Dr Norman A | Marshall, Jim (Leicester, S) |
| Godsiff, Roger | Martin, Michael J (Springburn) |
| Grant, Bernie (Tottenham) | Martlew, Eric |
| Griffiths, Nigel (Edinburgh S) | Maxton, John |
| Griffiths, Win (Bridgend) | Meacher, Michael |
| Grocott, Bruce | Meale, Alan |
| Gunnell, John | Michael, Alun |
| Hain, Peter | Michie, Bill (Sheffield Heeley) |
| Hall, Mike | Michie, Mrs Ray (Argyll & Bute) |
| Hanson, David | Milburn, Alan |
| Hardy, Peter | Miller, Andrew |
| Harman, Ms Harriet | Mitchell, Austin (Gt Grimsby) |
| Harvey, Nick | Molyneaux, Rt Hon James |
| Hattersley, Rt Hon Roy | Moonie, Dr Lewis |
| Henderson, Doug | Morgan, Rhodri |
| Heppell, John | Morley, Elliot |
| Hill, Keith (Streatham) | Morris, Rt Hon Alfred (Wy'nshawe) |
| Hinchliffe, David | Morris, Estelle (B'ham Yardley) |
| Hodge, Margaret | Morris, Rt Hon John (Aberavon) |
| Hoey, Kate | Mowlam, Marjorie |
| Hogg, Norman (Cumbernauld) | Mudie, George |
| Home Robertson, John | Mullin, Chris |
| Hood, Jimmy | Murphy, Paul |
| Hoon, Geoffrey | Oakes, Rt Hon Gordon |
| Howarth, George (Knowsley North) | O'Brien, Mike (N W'kshire) |
| Howells, Dr. Kim (Pontypridd) | O'Brien, William (Normanton) |
| Hoyle, Doug | O'Hara, Edward |
| Hughes, Kevin (Doncaster N) | O'Neill, Martin |
| Hughes, Robert (Aberdeen N) | Orme, Rt Hon Stanley |
| Hughes, Roy (Newport E) | Parry, Robert |
| Hughes, Simon (Southwark) | Pearson, Ian |
| Hutton, John | Pendry, Tom |
| Illsley, Eric | Pickthall, Colin |
| Ingram, Adam | Pike, Peter L |
| Jackson, Glenda (H'stead) | Pope, Greg |
| Powell, Ray (Ogmore) | Spellar, John |
| Prentice, Gordon (Pendle) | Squire, Rachel (Dunfermline W) |
| Prescott, Rt Hon John | Steel, Rt Hon Sir David |
| Primarolo, Dawn | Stevenson, George |
| Quin, Ms Joyce | Stott, Roger |
| Radice, Giles | Strang, Dr. Gavin |
| Randall, Stuart | Straw, Jack |
| Raynsford, Nick | Sutcliffe, Gerry |
| Redmond, Martin | Taylor, Mrs Ann (Dewsbury) |
| Reid, Dr John | Taylor, Matthew (Truro) |
| Rendel, David | Thompson, Jack (Wansbeck) |
| Robinson, Geoffrey (Co'try NW) | Timms, Stephen |
| Robinson, Peter (Belfast E) | Tipping, Paddy |
| Roche, Mrs Barbara | Touhig, Don |
| Rogers, Allan | Trimble, David |
| Rooker, Jeff | Turner, Dennis |
| Rooney, Terry | Vaz, Keith |
| Ross, Ernie (Dundee W) | Walker, Rt Hon Sir Harold |
| Rowlands, Ted | Wallace, James |
| Ruddock, Joan | Walley, Joan |
| Salmond, Alex | Wardell, Gareth (Gower) |
| Sedgemore, Brian | Wareing, Robert N |
| Sheerman, Barry | Watson, Mike |
| Sheldon, Rt Hon Robert | Welsh, Andrew |
| Shore, Rt Hon Peter | Wicks, Malcolm |
| Wigley, Dafydd | |
| Short, Clare | Williams, Rt Hon Alan (Sw'n W) |
| Simpson, Alan | Williams, Alan W (Carmarthen) |
| Skinner, Dennis | Wise, Audrey |
| Smith, Andrew (Oxford E) | Worthington, Tony |
| Smith, Chris (Isl'ton S & F'sbury) | Wray, Jimmy |
| Smith, Llew (Blaenau Gwent) | Young, David (Bolton SE) |
| Smyth, The Reverend Martin | |
| Snape, Peter | Tellers for the Ayes: |
| Soley, Clive | Mr. John Owen Jones and |
| Spearing, Nigel | Mr. Joe Benton. |
| NOES | |
| Ainsworth, Peter (East Surrey) | Budgen, Nicholas |
| Aitken, Rt Hon Jonathan | Burns, Simon |
| Alexander, Richard | Burt, Alistair |
| Alison, Rt Hon Michael (Selby) | Butcher, John |
| Allason, Rupert (Torbay) | Butler, Peter |
| Amess, David | Butterfill, John |
| Ancram, Michael | Carlisle, Sir Kenneth (Lincoln) |
| Arbuthnot, James | Carrington, Matthew |
| Arnold, Jacques (Gravesham) | Carttiss, Michael |
| Arnold, Sir Thomas (Hazel Grv) | Cash, William |
| Ashby, David | Channon, Rt Hon Paul |
| Atkins, Robert | Chapman, Sydney |
| Atkinson, David (Bour'mouth E) | Churchill, Mr |
| Atkinson, Peter (Hexham) | Clappison, James |
| Baker, Rt Hon Kenneth (Mole V) | Clark, Dr Michael |
| Baker, Nicholas (North Dorset) | Clarke, Rt Hon Kenneth (Ru'clif) |
| Baldry, Tony | Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey |
| Banks, Matthew (Southport) | Coe, Sebastian |
| Bates, Michael | Colvin, Michael |
| Batiste, Spencer | Congdon, David |
| Bellingham, Henry | Conway, Derek |
| Bendall, Vivian | Coombs, Anthony (Wyre For'st) |
| Beresford, Sir Paul | Coombs, Simon (Swindon) |
| Bonsor, Sir Nicholas | Cope, Rt Hon Sir John |
| Booth, Hartley | Cormack, Sir Patrick |
| Boswell, Tim | Couchman, James |
| Bottomley, Peter (Eltham) | Cran, James |
| Bottomley, Rt Hon Virginia | Currie, Mrs Edwina (S D'by'ire) |
| Bowden, Sir Andrew | Curry, David (Skipton & Ripon) |
| Bowis, John | Davies, Quentin (Stamford) |
| Boyson, Rt Hon Sir Rhodes | Davis, David (Boothferry) |
| Brandreth, Gyles | Day, Stephen |
| Brazier, Julian | Devlin, Tim |
| Bright, Sir Graham | Dorrell, Rt Hon Stephen |
| Brooke, Rt Hon Peter | Douglas-Hamilton, Lord James |
| Brown, M (Brigg & Cl'thorpes) | Dover, Den |
| Browning, Mrs Angela | Duncan, Alan |
| Bruce, Ian (Dorset) | Duncan-Smith, Iain |
| Dunn, Bob | Key, Robert |
| Durant, Sir Anthony | King, Rt Hon Tom |
| Dykes, Hugh | Kirkhope, Timothy |
| Eggar, Rt Hon Tim | Knapman, Roger |
| Elletson, Harold | Knight, Mrs Angela (Erewash) |
| Emery, Rt Hon Sir Peter | Knight, Greg (Derby N) |
| Evans, David (Welwyn Hatfield) | Knox, Sir David |
| Evans, Jonathan (Brecon) | Kynoch, George (Kincardine) |
| Evans, Nigel (Ribble Valley) | Lait, Mrs Jacqui |
| Evans, Roger (Monmouth) | Lamont, Rt Hon Norman |
| Evennett, David | Lang, Rt Hon Ian |
| Faber, David | Lawrence, Sir Ivan |
| Fabricant, Michael | Legg, Barry |
| Fenner, Dame Peggy | Leigh, Edward |
| Field, Barry (Isle of Wight) | Lennox-Boyd, Sir Mark |
| Fishburn, Dudley | Lester, Jim (Broxtowe) |
| Forman, Nigel | Lidington, David |
| Forsyth, Rt Hon Michael (Stirling) | Lilley, Rt Hon Peter |
| Forth, Eric | Luff, Peter |
| Fowler, Rt Hon Sir Norman | Lyell, Rt Hon Sir Nicholas |
| Fox, Dr Liam (Woodspring) | MacGregor, Rt Hon John |
| Fox, Sir Marcus (Shipley) | MacKay, Andrew |
| Freeman, Rt Hon Roger | Maclean, David |
| French, Douglas | McLoughlin, Patrick |
| Fry, Sir Peter | McNair-Wilson, Sir Patrick |
| Gale, Roger | Madel, Sir David |
| Gallie, Phil | Maitland, Lady Olga |
| Gardiner, Sir George | Major, Rt Hon John |
| Garel-Jones, Rt Hon Tristan | Malone, Gerald |
| Garnier, Edward | Mans, Keith |
| Gill, Christopher | Marland, Paul |
| Gillan, Cheryl | Marshall, John (Hendon S) |
| Goodlad, Rt Hon Alastair | Martin, David (Portsmouth S) |
| Goodson-Wickes, Dr Charles | Mates, Michael |
| Gorman, Mrs Teresa | Mawhinney, Rt Hon Dr Brian |
| Gorst, Sir John | Mayhew, Rt Hon Sir Patrick |
| Greenway, Harry (Ealing N) | Mellor, Rt Hon David |
| Greenway, John (Ryedale) | Merchant, Piers |
| Griffiths, Peter (Portsmouth, N) | Mills, Iain |
| Gummer, Rt Hon John Selwyn | Mitchell, Andrew (Gedling) |
| Hague, William | Mitchell, Sir David (NW Hants) |
| Hamilton, Rt Hon Sir Archibald | Moate, Sir Roger |
| Hamilton, Neil (Tatton) | Monro, Sir Hector |
| Hanley, Rt Hon Jeremy | Montgomery, Sir Fergus |
| Harris, David | Moss, Malcolm |
| Haselhurst, Alan | Nelson, Anthony |
| Hawkins, Nick | Neubert, Sir Michael |
| Hawksley, Warren | Newton, Rt Hon Tony |
| Hayes, Jerry | Nicholls, Patrick |
| Heald, Oliver | Nicholson, David (Taunton) |
| Heath, Rt Hon Sir Edward | Nicholson, Emma (Devon West) |
| Heathcoat-Amory, David | Norris, Steve |
| Hendry, Charles | Oppenheim, Phillip |
| Hicks, Robert | Ottaway, Richard |
| Higgins, Rt Hon Sir Terence | Page, Richard |
| Hill, James (Southampton Test) | Paice, James |
| Hogg, Rt Hon Douglas (G'tham) | Patnick, Sir Irvine |
| Horam, John | Patten, Rt Hon John |
| Hordern, Rt Hon Sir Peter | Pattie, Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey |
| Howard, Rt Hon Michael | Peacock, Mrs Elizabeth |
| Howell, Rt Hon David (G'dford) | Pickles, Eric |
| Howell, Sir Ralph (N Norfolk) | Porter, Barry (Wirral S) |
| Hughes, Robert G (Harrow W) | Portillo, Rt Hon Michael |
| Hunt, Rt Hon David (Wirral W) | Powell, William (Corby) |
| Hunt, Sir John (Ravensbourne) | Rathbone, Tim |
| Hunter, Andrew | Redwood, Rt Hon John |
| Hurd, Rt Hon Douglas | Renton, Rt Hon Tim |
| Jack, Michael | Richards, Rod |
| Jackson, Robert (Wantage) | Rifkind, Rt Hon Malcolm |
| Jenkin, Bernard | Robathan, Andrew |
| Jessel, Toby | Roberts, Rt Hon Sir Wyn |
| Johnson Smith, Sir Geoffrey | Robertson, Raymond (Ab'd'n S) |
| Jones, Gwilym (Cardiff N) | Robinson, Mark (Somerton) |
| Jones, Robert B (W Hertfdshr) | Roe, Mrs Marion (Broxbourne) |
| Jopling, Rt Hon Michael | Rowe, Andrew (Mid Kent) |
| Kellett-Bowman, Dame Elaine | Rumbold, Rt Hon Dame Angela |
| Ryder, Rt Hon Richard | Thomason, Roy |
| Sackville, Tom | Thompson, Sir Donald (C'er V) |
| Sainsbury, Rt Hon Sir Timothy | Thompson, Patrick (Norwich N) |
| Scott, Rt Hon Sir Nicholas | Thurnham, Peter |
| Shaw, David (Dover) | Townend, John (Bridlington) |
| Shaw, Sir Giles (Pudsey) | Townsend, Cyril D (Bexl'yh'th) |
| Shephard, Rt Hon Gillian | Tracey, Richard |
| Shepherd, Colin (Hereford) | Tredinnick, David |
| Shepherd, Richard (Aldridge) | Trotter, Neville |
| Sims, Roger | Twinn, Dr Ian |
| Skeet, Sir Trevor | Vaughan, Sir Gerard |
| Smith, Sir Dudley (Warwick) | Viggers, Peter |
| Smith, Tim (Beaconsfield) | Waldegrave, Rt Hon William |
| Soames, Nicholas | Walden, George |
| Speed, Sir Keith | Walker, Bill (N Tayside) |
| Spencer, Sir Derek | Waller, Gary |
| Spicer, Sir James (W Dorset) | Ward, John |
| Spicer, Michael (S Worcs) | Wardle, Charles (Bexhill) |
| Spink, Dr Robert | Waterson, Nigel |
| Spring, Richard | Watts, John |
| Sproat, Iain | Wells, Bowen |
| Squire, Robin (Hornchurch) | Wheeler, Rt Hon Sir John |
| Whitney, Ray | |
| Stanley, Rt Hon Sir John | Whittingdale, John |
| Steen, Anthony | Widdecombe, Ann |
| Stephen, Michael | Wiggin, Sir Jerry |
| Stem, Michael | Willetts, David |
| Stewart, Allan | Wilshire, David |
| Streeter, Gary | Winterton, Mrs Ann (Congleton) |
| Sumberg, David | Winterton, Nicholas (Macc'fld) |
| Sweeney, Walter | Wolfson, Mark |
| Sykes, John | Yeo, Tim |
| Tapsell, Sir Peter | Young, Rt Hon Sir George |
| Taylor, Ian (Esher) | |
| Taylor, John M (Solihull) | Tellers for the Noes: |
| Taylor, Sir Teddy (Southend, E) | Mr. Timothy Wood and |
| Temple-Morris, Peter | Mr. David Lightbown. |
§ Question accordingly negatived.