HC Deb 07 July 1992 vol 211 cc300-9

`(1) Where—

(a) an Association which has as its object the encouragement, development and governance of any sport or other form of recreational activity (or which has as its objects the representation of such Associations) is approved for the purposes of this section by the Secretary of State, and

(b) the memorandum of association of other similar instrument regulating the functions of the Association precludes the direct or indirect payment of transfer to any of its members of any of its income or property by way of dividend, gift, division, bonus or otherwise howsoever by way of profit,

there shall, on a claim in that behalf to the Board, be allowed in the case of the association—

(i) exemption from tax in respect of income, and

(ii) exemption from tax in respect of chargeable gains.

(2) In sections 338 and 339 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988, "qualifying donation" shall include a payment under a disposition or covenant made by a company in favour of an Association approved for the purposes of this section under subsection (1) above.

(3) The conditions specified in paragraph (b) of subsection (i) above shall not be deemed not to be complied with in the case of any Association by reason only that the memorandum or other similar instrument regulating its functions does not prevent the payment to its members of reasonable renumeration for goods or facilities supplied, or for services rendered, of reasonable interest for money lent, or of reasonable rent for any premises.

(4) In this section "recreational activity" means any activities in the fields of physical recreation conducive to the health or welfare to those participating in them.'. —[Ms. Hoey.]

Brought up, and read the First time.

Ms. Hoey

I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.

My hon. Friend the Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) first raised this issue in the House in 1980. Since then, many all-party attempts have been made to convince the Treasury of the strength of our case. Those of us who persist in pushing the new clause hope that reason and justice will eventually prevail. As a relatively new Member, I have made various speeches on the subject. The hon. and learned Member for Fife, North-East (Mr. Campbell) and the hon. Member for Surbiton (Mr. Tracey) must have filing cabinets full of speeches that they have made on it.

The only thing that changes each year is that the debate on the matter gets later. I apologise for holding up the House on this issue, but it is important and hon. Members should listen with a little more attention—

Mr. Deputy Speaker

Order. If hon. Members want to leave the Chamber, they should do so quietly. I am having great difficulty in hearing the hon. Lady and a lot of patter is also going on behind me. I hope that hon. Members will take note.

Ms. Hoey

The new clause is simple and I hope that hon. Members will not be taken in by Treasuryspeak, which usually seeks to make the issue seem difficult. The new clause seeks to obtain tax exemptions for governing and representative bodies of sport and recreation, such as the Central Council of Physical Recreation, the Sports Aid Foundation and, most important in this Olympics year, the British Olympic Association.

The proposal is not intended to benefit private sports clubs and associations that operate for private profit. Corporation tax is paid by 81 national governing bodies of sport, which are members of the Central Council of Physical Recreation. That amounted to almost £3 million in 1980–90, which is approximately 6 per cent. of the Government's direct funding to the four sports councils.

The all-party new clause would give the Secretary of State for National Heritage a duty in addition to the many duties that he is adding to his new Department. He would have the final decision on whether the governing or representative body met the objective that is stated clearly in the new clause: to encourage, develop and govern sport or other forms of recreational activity.

Another purpose of the proposal is to enable sports governing bodies to benefit in a similar way to charities, so that those who wish to give donations will find them tax-attractive. They could benefit from the tax advantages of the gift aid scheme introduced by the Prime Minister in his former role of Chancellor.

Although the amount of tax lost to the Exchequer would be relatively insignificant, the benefit to sport and recreation cannot be overestimated. It would be substantial, not just because there would be some financial help to the beleaguered finances of many of the governing bodies of sport, but because of the moral boost that it would give, at a stroke, to some 6 million volunteers in sport. They are its backbone, providing thousands of hours of unpaid work to run the 150,000 registered sports clubs in the country.

Last week I attended the sports day of an inner-city school in my constituency—Charles Edward Brook. Many of the pupils were enjoying competitive sport at every level in that deprived area. The enjoyment that the youngsters were getting out of that sports day was evident, but more important was the voluntary work that the school's physical education department did after school hours and in the evenings, and the work that the instructor in charge, Steve White, does to encourage many youngsters who show talent to get involved in a sports club in the evening.

It is those sorts of voluntary works that we want to encourage through the new clause. It would be a clear signal from Parliament that it recognised the importance and the beneficial contribution to our communities of the voluntary sports governing bodies.

Without the burden of corporation tax, more money could be made available for grassroots sporting development at a time when there is so much concern about the welfare of schools' sporting arrangements. There is no reason why some of the exemptions could not be tied to specific development projects, which the governing bodies of sport would have to undertake as part of an overall strategy for sport and recreation.

I wish to say a few words about the British Olympic Association. It is incredible that in an Olympics year the association is virtually unique among the 166 national Olympic committees in that the British Government tax its Olympics fund-raising efforts. All the effort of many people throughout the country to help the association to ensure that our team has the best when competing with other countries is bitten into by Government taxation.

Mr. Brian Wilson (Cunninghame, North)

Does my hon. Friend find it as odd as I find it that, while she is fighting the good fight on behalf of sport and the British althletics and Olympic movements, the hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Mr. Coe) is not with us?

Ms. Hoey

The hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne is a sponsor of the new clause. He has apologised for not being able to be here for personal reasons, which will probably appear in the newspapers tomorrow—[Interruption.] He has rather pressing personal problems tonight—or rather, his wife has.

The British Olympic Association bears sole responsibil-ity for the cost of the British team at both the winter and summer Olympics, including transport, maintenance and equipment. It also funds injury research and pre-Olympic training and it maintains the Olympic library. That expenditure has increased substantially during the past 10 years. The association receives no direct Government grant. In 1988, the year of the last Olympics, it raised more than £4 million towards the cost of the participation of the British team. In 1989, just after the Olympics were over, it paid back £750,000 of that revenue in tax to the Treasury.

The association is wholly dependent on appeals to raise money every year. Relief is now needed. It would be an important gesture, not just to the association but to sport generally, if some attempt were made immediately to consider specifically the position of the association. Will the Minister agree to meet a deputation within the next week from the governing bodies of sport? Will he consider the immediate position of the British Olympic Association? Depending on his answer to those questions, I shall decide whether to press the new clause to a vote.

We have had enough excuses. Each year the matter is raised time and again. Last year, it appeared that there was some give from the Treasury; there was a feeling that something might be done in the Budget. In fact, because of various deals being struck with the pools companies—ironically, unsuccessfully to try to stave off a national lottery—any plans were dropped.

I hope that the Treasury will reconsider and that the Secretary of State for National Heritage, rather than just talking and attending sporting events, will show that his Department has muscle. I hope that he and his officials will get back to the grassroots of sport and serve our youth and British sport well.

12.15 am
Mr. Menzies Campbell (Fife, North-East)

This debate has become something of an annual event in the British sporting calendar, though it is not always attended by as many spectators as it is this evening. It gives the Government an opportunity to demonstrate whether their public profile of support for British sport is buttressed by a realistic understanding of the consequences if new clause 11 were to pass into law.

The Olympic games will shortly commence in Barcelona. If previous performances are any yardstick, the United Kingdom will undoubtedly win several medals. When Britain's competitors return they will be received at No. 10 Downing street. There will be considerable expressions of pride at their achievements, and it will be said how much the United Kingdom's reputation has been enhanced. Some may even find themselves figuring in the next honours list.

The truth is that that will do nothing to assist sport's various governing bodies in helping others to achieve the standards of Olympic medallists. Nor will it do anything to help sports men and sports women of all standards, or to provide recreational facilities for the increasing number of people who, for sound and sensible health reasons, consider sport to be an attractive pastime.

As the hon. Member for Vauxhall (Ms. Hoey) made clear, the House has debated tax exemption on many previous occasions. In a debate on new clause 15 of the Finance (No. 2) Bill on 13 July 1988, beginning at column 454 of the Official Report, a similar proposal attracted the support of Sir Eldon Griffiths, the hon. Member for Surbiton (Mr. Tracey), who I am glad to see in his place, Mr. Denis Howell, as he then was but now ennobled, and the hon. Member for Dumfries (Sir H. Monro). Previous proposals for making sports associations exempt from tax attracted considerable support in all parts of the House. It would be to the great advantage of British sport and British sports men and sports women if new clause 11 were added to the Bill.

The hon. Member for Vauxhall hopes that the Government will respond positively, by meeting a deputation representing those with an interest in the subject. If the Chancellor of the Exchequer were willing to meet such a deputation, he would be doing no more than reflecting his remarks in the debate to which I referred. Replying to the amendment moved by Sir Eldon Griffiths, the right hon. Gentleman said: I have noted the comments of my hon. Friend the Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Sir E. Griffiths). There are difficulties with the new clause, but I am prepared to review the issues raised in it and to meet hon. Members to discuss it. He concluded: I have just outlined a number of difficulties, but I recognise that there is keen interest in this subject. I shall review it, and I shall be happy to talk to hon. Members about it at their convenience."—[Official Report, 13 July 1988; Vol. 137, c. 460–62.]

Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)

There could be a meeting in Barcelona.

Mr. Campbell

We could meet in Barcelona, if we could persuade the Fees Office that was a legitimate purpose for Members of Parliament. If the Minister is concerned about making what might appear to be a concession in being willing to meet hon. Members who have expressed an interest, he can take comfort from the fact that as far back as 1988 the Chancellor of the Exchequer—albeit when operating at a different level of responsibility—thought that a meeting about and further discussion of the subject was well justified.

I am happy to support the new clause, which was moved so ably by the hon. Member for Vauxhall, and I hope that it will commend itself to the House.

Mr. Richard Tracey (Surbiton)

I rise briefly to support the cross-party new clause. I agree with the hon. Member for Vauxhall (Ms. Hoey) and the hon. and learned Member for Fife, North-East (Mr. Campbell) that it is about time that my party said something other than it will consider the issue and that it really did so.

As the hon. and learned Gentleman said, when the Chancellor of the Exchequer occupied the post now held by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary he gave an undertaking that he would examine the matter seriously and I take him at his word. This year we were pleased to be joined in tabling the new clause by my hon. Friend the Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Mr. Coe). I reiterate his regrets that he is not here because his wife is expecting an imminent happy event. I am sure that the House will understand why he is not here to lend his considerable support as one of the greatest athletes this country has ever produced and to urge my hon. Friend the Minister to give the issue some serious thought, especially with regard to the British Olympic Association.

As the hon. Member for Vauxhall said, the association is merely seeking relief in line with all other Olympic associations across the world. It seeks tax relief once every four years to allow our teams to be better supported and thus to perform better in the Olympic games.

We now have a Prime Minister with an avowed and very visible interest in sport. Although we did not hear him say that he would consider the issue when he was a member of the Treasury team, I am sure that in his heart of hearts he wishes to see our Olympic team going into the field properly supported and equipped. I hope that my hon. Friend the Minister will be able to say something more and will at least agree to meet a delegation so that the hon. Member for Vauxhall will not be forced to press the matter to a vote.

Mr. Wilson

I shall be brief, as I spoke in the debate last year. I think that the arguments have been well made and I shall merely support them rather than prolong the proceedings.

As a matter of courtesy, I express my best wishes to the hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Mr. Coe). It is generally a sound rule not to make impromptu references to hon. Members' non-presence in the House and I regret the fact that I broke that rule.

Mr. Dorrell

I am sure that my hon. Friend the Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Mr. Coe) will be grateful to the hon. Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson) for the retraction of his ill-judged comment.—[Interruption.] Indeed. Perhaps we shall see the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) there too.

Several hon. Members have said that this debate has become an annual event, and my hon. Friend the Member for Surbiton (Mr. Tracey) was good enough to offer me a little career advice by suggesting that the Prime Minister will take a keen personal interest in the examination of the issue so it behoves the holder of my office to consider it particularly seriously. I gladly assure the hon. Member for Vauxhall (Ms. Hoey) that if she wants to discuss it in depth with me and my officials, I should be very pleased to see her and any delegation she may wish to bring. The issue has aroused interest in all parts of the House over a number of years, so I gladly commit myself to looking at it in detail and from a sympathetic background.

However, I should in honesty tell the House that there are some reservations. I put them to hon. Members not in a spirit of saying, "That is why I shall conclude, as a result of the examination, that the system must go on as before," but in the spirit of saying, "Those are the questions that the hon. Lady and her delegation will find confronting them when they come to see me, so those are the issues that their representations will have to address."

The new clause is generous and wide ranging. It would give complete exemption from corporation tax to any association that was involved in the promotion of physical and recreational activities. That would include a very wide range of activities. That generosity should be compared with the present position, where the only bodies in British tax law that are wholly exempt from corporation tax are local authorities and health service bodies. Even the exemption enjoyed by charities is conditional on the charity's income being applied solely to charitable purposes, which does not include sport. That is not to say that there is no way round the problem, but it is the problem that we face in the current structure of corporation tax.

If such an exemption were granted carte blanche to the bodies that the hon. Lady and her supporters have in mind, it would confer an unfair advantage on those bodies where, for example, they sold sports equipment or refreshments or indulged in any other trade activity in direct competition with other local traders who did not enjoy similar tax privileges.

Further, although there is a common-sense perception of the meaning of the word "sport", it is not a word which lends itself easily to the sort of tight definition that would be necessary if it were to be written into tax law in such a way as to avoid others free riding on the hon. Lady's proposal in a way that she would be the first to deprecate. So if we are to make any progress, we must consider a definition of "sport" that delivers the hon. Lady's objective without including a wide range of activities which she would not wish to include.

The clause contains provisions designed to allow companies to receive relief for covenanted donations. Again, I am prepared to examine that, but we must remember that the covenanting system is currently associated with the concept of charity. It is well understood in charity law, as I said, that sport is not a charitable activity, and it is legitimate to ask whether we want a significant share of money now provided to the charities world through the covenanting system diverted to the sports world, remembering that the sports world benefits to a significant extent from company sponsorship, which in many cases is tax allowable.

The hon. Lady asked for a meeting. I shall be glad to hold a meeting to examine the issue carefully and to see whether those questions can be answered.

Mr. Skinner

When?

Mr. Dorrell

The hon. Gentleman, tough inquisitor that he is, asks when. When the hon. Lady seeks a meeting, I shall be glad to arrange it as quickly as may be.

Ms. Hoey

The Minister has said nothing about the British Olympic Association. Will he please dwell on that?

Mr. Dorrell

I think that the fact that the Olympic games start in the next couple of weeks is a coincidence of timing which concentrates hon. Members' minds on the application of a general principle. I did not gather that the hon. Member for Vauxhall was seeking special treatment for the Olympic movement; I understood her to be citing it as a particularly acute example of the operation of tax law in Britain and contrasting our treatment of our Olympic association with the treatment of such associations in other jurisdictions. I consider that a less powerful argument than the arguments that the hon. Lady advanced about the generality of sporting bodies. To consider the impact on the Olympic association of a specific aspect of our tax system is to avoid, or ignore, a range of support arrangements that are available to our Olympic movement and available—or not, as the case may be—to other such movements. I think that the hon. Lady's case is stronger when she concentrates on the principle, rather than on its specific application to the Olympic movement.

As I have said, I will gladly meet the hon. Lady to discuss the subject further, but I hope that she will then address her representations to the concerns that I have expressed this evening—concerns that my predecessors have expressed on similar occasions in the past.

12.30 am
Ms. Hoey

I thank the Financial Secretary, who has been a little more positive than his predecessor. It may be a coincidence that his predecessor is no longer a Member of Parliament. His predecessor did meet a deputation last year, and we considered the meeting very useful; unfortunately, nothing came of it.

I should be happy to meet the Financial Secretary with a deputation, but I hope that his powers of persuasion are a bit stronger than those of the previous incumbent; otherwise, we shall be wasting our time. The hon. Gentleman said that he would consider the wider issues carefully. I hope that that will happen as a result of our meeting, and that we shall not have to come back next year for the same sterile debate. I hope that we shall make progress during the coming year.

There is strong agreement, and a wish to find a way forward. I realise that the issue is complicated; we all realise that. What I do not want, however [and what sports governing bodies do not want—is a continuing failure to consider the matter seriously because of the gobbledegook of Treasuryspeak.

I shall take up the Financial Secretary's offer, and hope to see him next week. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the motion.

Hon. Members

No.

Question put, That the clause be read a Second time:—

The House divided: Ayes 22, Noes 161.

Division No. 56] [12.32 am
AYES
Beith, Rt Hon A. J. Hill, Keith (Streatham)
Bruce, Malcolm (Gordon) Hoey, Kate
Campbell, Menzies (Fife NE) Home Robertson, John
Connarty, Michael Hood, Jimmy
Donohoe, Brian Hughes, Simon (Southwark)
Dowd, Jim McAllion, John
Ewing, Mrs Margaret MacDonald, Calum
Godman, Dr Norman A. Pendry, Tom
Graham, Thomas Salmond, Alex
Heppell, John Welsh, Andrew
Wilson, Brian Tellers for the Ayes:
Wray, Jimmy Mr. Bob Oyer and
Mr. Dennis Skinner.
NOES
Ainsworth, Peter (East Surrey) Hawksley, Warren
Alexander, Richard Hayes, Jerry
Alison, Rt Hon Michael (Selby) Heald, Oliver
Allason, Rupert (Torbay) Heathcoat-Amory, David
Amess, David Hendry, Charles
Ancram, Michael Hunt, Rt Hon David (Wirral W)
Arbuthnot, James Jack, Michael
Arnold, Jacques (Gravesham) Jenkin, Bernard
Arnold, Sir Thomas (Hazel Grv) Jessel, Toby
Ashby, David Jones, Robert B. (W H'f'rdshire)
Atkinson, David (Bour'mouth E) Key, Robert
Atkinson, Peter (Hexham) Kirkhope, Timothy
Baker, Nicholas (Dorset North) Knight, Mrs Angela (Erewash)
Baldry, Tony Knight, Greg (Derby N)
Bates, Michael Kynoch, George (Kincardine)
Beresford, Sir Paul Lait, Mrs Jacqui
Booth, Hartley Legg, Barry
Bowden, Andrew Lidington, David
Bowis, John Lightbown, David
Brandreth, Gyles Lilley, Rt Hon Peter
Brazier, Julian Lord, Michael
Bright, Graham Luff, Peter
Brooke, Rt Hon Peter MacKay, Andrew
Browning, Mrs. Angela Maclean, David
Burt, Alistair Maitland, Lady Olga
Butcher, John Malone, Gerald
Butler, Peter Mans, Keith
Butterfill, John Marlow, Tony
Carrington, Matthew Martin, David (Portsmouth S)
Cash, William Merchant, Piers
Chaplin, Mrs Judith Milligan, Stephen
Chapman, Sydney Mitchell, Andrew (Gedling)
Clappison, James Monro, Sir Hector
Clarke, Rt Hon Kenneth (Ruclif) Moss, Malcolm
Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Nelson, Anthony
Congdon, David Neubert, Sir Michael
Coombs, Simon (Swindon) Nicholls, Patrick
Cope, Rt Hon Sir John Norris, Steve
Cran, James Oppenheim, Phillip
Davies, Quentin (Stamford) Page, Richard
Davis, David (Boothferry) Paice, James
Deva, Nirj Joseph Patnick, Irvine
Dorrell, Stephen Pattie, Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey
Douglas-Hamilton, Lord James Porter, David (Waveney)
Dover, Den Richards, Rod
Duncan, Alan Robertson, Raymond (Ab'd'n S)
Duncan-Smith, Iain Robinson, Mark (Somerton)
Elletson, Harold Rowe, Andrew (Mid Kent)
Evans, Jonathan (Brecon) Ryder, Rt Hon Richard
Evans, Nigel (Ribble Valley) Scott, Rt Hon Nicholas
Evans, Roger (Monmouth) Shaw, David (Dover)
Faber, David Shepherd, Colin (Hereford)
Fabricant, Michael Smith, Sir Dudley (Warwick)
Fairbairn, Sir Nicholas Smith, Tim (Beaconsfield)
Fenner, Dame Peggy Soames, Nicholas
Fishburn, John Dudley Spencer, Sir Derek
Forman, Nigel Spicer, Michael (S Worcs)
Forsyth, Michael (Stirling) Spink, Dr Robert
Forth, Eric Spring, Richard
Fox, Dr Liam (Woodspring) Sproat, Iain
Freeman, Roger Stanley, Rt Hon Sir John
French, Douglas Steen, Anthony
Gale, Roger Stephen, Michael
Gallie, Phil Stern, Michael
Gill, Christopher Stewart, Allan
Gillan, Ms Cheryl Streeter, Gary
Goodlad, Rt Hon Alastair Sweeney, Walter
Goodson-Wickes, Dr Charles Taylor, Ian (Esher)
Gorst, John Thomason, Roy
Greenway, John (Ryedale) Thompson, Patrick (Norwich N)
Hague, William Thurnham, Peter
Hanley, Jeremy Townsend, Cyril D. (Bexl'yh'th)
Hargreaves, Andrew Trend, Michael
Harris, David Twinn, Dr Ian
Hawkins, Nicholas Walker, Bill (N Tayside)
Waller, Gary Winterton, Mrs Ann (Congleton)
Wardle, Charles (Bexhill) Wolfson, Mark
Wells, Bowen Wood, Timothy
Wheeler, Sir John
Whittingdale, John Tellers for the Noes:
Widdecombe, Ann Mr. Tim Boswell and
Wilkinson, John Mr. Robert G. Hughes.
Willetts, David

Question accordingly negatived.

Motion made, and Question put, That further consideration of the Bill be now adjourned.—[Mr. MacKay.]

The House divided: Ayes 132, Noes 14.

Division No. 57] [12.43 am
AYES
Ainsworth, Peter (East Surrey) Hawkins, Nicholas
Alexander, Richard Heald, Oliver
Alison, Rt Hon Michael (Selby) Heathcoat-Amory, David
Amess, David Hendry, Charles
Ancram, Michael Hill, Keith (Streatham)
Arbuthnot, James Hughes Robert G. (Harrow W)
Arnold, Jacques (Gravesham) Hunt, Rt Hon David (Wirral W)
Arnold, Sir Thomas (Hazel Grv) Jack, Michael
Ashby, David Jessel, Toby
Atkinson, David (Bour'mouth E) Kirkhope, Timothy
Atkinson, Peter (Hexham) Knight, Mrs Angela (Erewash)
Baker, Nicholas (Dorset North) Knight, Greg (Derby N)
Bates, Michael Kynoch, George (Kincardine)
Beith, Rt Hon A. J. Lait, Mrs Jacqui
Beresford, Sir Paul Lidington, David
Booth, Hartley Lightbown, David
Bowis, John Lord, Michael
Brandreth, Gyles Luff, Peter
Bright, Graham MacKay, Andrew
Brooke, Rt Hon Peter Maclean, David
Brown, N. (N'c'tle upon Tyne E) Maitland, Lady Olga
Browning, Mrs. Angela Malone, Gerald
Bruce, Malcolm (Gordon) Mans, Keith
Burt, Alistair Marek, Dr John
Butcher, John Merchant, Piers
Butler, Peter Milligan, Stephen
Butterfill, John Monro, Sir Hector
Campbell, Menzies (Fife NE) Nelson, Anthony
Carrington, Matthew Neubert, Sir Michael
Chaplin, Mrs Judith Norris, Steve
Chapman, Sydney Paice, James
Clappison, James Pattie, Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey
Congdon, David Richards, Rod
Coombs, Simon (Swindon) Robertson, Raymond (Ab'd'n S)
Cope, Rt Hon Sir John Robinson, Mark (Somerton)
Cran, James Rowe, Andrew (Mid Kent)
Davies, Quentin (Stamford) Ryder, Rt Hon Richard
Davis, David (Boothferry) Shaw, David (Dover)
Dorrell, Stephen Shepherd, Colin (Hereford)
Douglas-Hamilton, Lord James Smith, C. (Isl'ton S & F'sbury)
Dover, Den Smith, Sir Dudley (Warwick)
Duncan-Smith, Iain Soames, Nicholas
Elletson, Harold Spencer, Sir Derek
Evans, Jonathan (Brecon) Spicer, Michael (S Worcs)
Evans, Nigel (Ribble Valley) Spink, Dr Robert
Evans, Roger (Monmouth) Spring, Richard
Faber, David Sproat, Iain
Fabricant, Michael Stanley, Rt Hon Sir John
Fairbairn, Sir Nicholas Steen, Anthony
Forsyth, Michael (Stirling) Stephen, Michael
Fox, Dr Liam (Woodspring) Stewart, Allan
Freeman, Roger Sweeney, Walter
Gallie, Phil Taylor, Ian (Esher)
Gill, Christopher Thompson, Patrick (Norwich N)
Gillan, Ms Cheryl Thurnham, Peter
Goodlad, Rt Hon Alastair Townsend, Cyril D. (Bexl'yh'th)
Goodson-Wickes, Dr Charles Tracey, Richard
Gorst, John Trend, Michael
Greenway, John (Ryedale) Twinn, Dr Ian
Hague, William Walker, Bill (N Tayside)
Hanley, Jeremy Waller, Gary
Hargreaves, Andrew Wardle, Charles (Bexhill)
Wells, Bowen Wolfson, Mark
Wheeler, Sir John Wood, Timothy
Whittingdale, John
Widdecombe, Ann Tellers for the Ayes:
Wilkinson, John Mr. Irvine Patrick and
Willetts, David Mr. Tim Boswell.
Winterton, Mrs Ann (Congleton)
NOES
Chisholm, Malcolm Morley, Elliot
Connarty, Michael Salmond, Alex
Donohoe, Brian Welsh, Andrew
Ewing, Mrs Margaret Wilson, Brian
Godman, Dr Norman A. Wray, Jimmy
Graham, Thomas
Hood, Jimmy Tellers for the Noes:
McAllion, John Mr. Dennis Skinner and
MacDonald, Calum Mr. Bob Cryer.

Question accordingly agreed to.

Bill, not amended in Committee and as amended (in the Standing Committee), to be further considered this day.

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