§
5A.—(l) There shall be established a special police authority for the licensing and regulation of organisations or individuals purporting to offer crime prevention or detection services.
(2) The membership of the authority shall be comprised of such number of persons as the Secretary of State may specify from among members of police authorities established under section 3 of this Act.
(3) In carrying out its functions under this section, the authority shall—
(4) The Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument establish arrangements under which the authority may recover the costs of carrying out any duties under this section.
(5) It shall be unlawful for any person to advertise or purport to offer crime prevention or detection services unless they are licensed by the authority established under this section.
(6) It shall be the duty of any person licensed under this section—
(7) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (5) of this section shall he liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.".'. —[Mr. Michael.]
§ Brought up, and read the First time.
216§ Mr. MichaelI beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.
In Committee, we had quite a debate about the current problems of the private security industry. I hasten to add that the problems relate not to the more established and responsible part of the industry but to the less responsible part—that which is outside the regulation of the voluntary organisations dealing with the industry. In Committee, we sought to have a system which would put some power into the hands of chief constables to enable them to deal with problems when they arise. Our amendments were rejected by the Minister.
In the new clause, we seek to have a national system of licensing and regulating the private security industry, but making it responsible and accountable to local police forces which, of course, deal with issues that arise on a local basis. The system would have a nice symmetry in that it would be local in terms of accountability, using the professionalism of the police service, but would provide the national structure which is necessary if we are to deal with the issue properly. In Committee, several references were made to ways of dealing with those issues on a voluntary basis.
The private security industry recognises the need for proper regulation. I have had comments from the industry which suggest that there is a welcome for the coming together of the two major associations in the United Kingdom, which between them govern some 74 per cent. of private security provision. Obviously, it is beneficial for industry members to belong to a merged association. From the same source, I heard the comment that the ultimate goal must be statutory regulation, and that any such accommodation would leave out the 25 per cent. of the industry which causes the greatest concern not only to the public and to the Labour party but to the security industry itself.
I make it clear that the need for statutory regulation of the private security industry is well recognised in the industry. It is not good enough simply to leave it to voluntary regulation because voluntary regulations regulate only those who volunteer.
In Committee, I warned the Minister that we have seen the rise of vigilantes and people coming into areas to improve the security of people's homes. Some of my constituents have been approached by individuals who say that they operate a security system and will look after homes in an area for a weekly payment. They sometimes hint that homes might not be so secure if money is not paid. I am not suggesting that those people always intend to break the law, but their hints are interpreted by residents as a form of threat. Such behaviour is close to operating a protection system, or at least being perceived to be so. That must be unacceptable to hon. Members on both sides of the House.
I have come across an incident in which those who were proposing a security system on a small estate had told the police of their plans and then told local people that they had the support and approval of the police, which was not the case. Such developments are worrying to the private security industry as well as to the public and ourselves, and underline the need for proper statutory regulation.
The police in my area are concerned that they do not have powers to move in and nip such problems in the bud. That is a general problem which is reflected by many constituents up and down the country. The new clause would provide a tidy way of approaching the problem 217 without forming a great new bureaucracy. It would regulate the industry in a way which is now urgent. I commend the new clause to the House.
§ Mr. ShersbyI support the concept that the private security industry should be properly regulated by statute— and I am on the record as having said that on a number of occasions. Indeed, I have supported proposals put forward by the hon. Member for Walsall, South (Mr. George) for that purpose.
Today, a number of private security organisations of one sort or another provide quasi police and security services, often on private premises. A good example is the sort of shopping mall which is becoming increasingly prevalent, where it is not unusual to find an individual dressed in a fancy uniform who has the role of private security officer.
At a recent election campaign, one of the candidates —this will be of interest to a number of my colleagues in the House—was told: "You cannot come in here to conduct your campaign. I am in charge of what goes on here. I am a private security officer. You cannot come into the shopping precinct."
Other private security services are being offered to my constituents. For example, some individuals offer to keep a special watch on a house for 20p a day. They have a van and a video camera, and they will ensure that people have the extra security that will put their minds at rest. It is unsatisfactory that private individuals who are not screened in any way can offer such a service. They may well be driving round the streets with video cameras recording the goings-on of private citizens because they have been paid to do so by other private citizens in the same street. That raises several issues, some of which have been in the news during the past day or two.
There is therefore a need for private security to be properly regulated and for all of us to know to whom private security forces are accountable. If a Member of Parliament is prevented from entering any premises by a private security officer, or if an individual suffers some personal restraint or even assault at the hands of a private security officer, does that person have the same recourse to the police complaints procedures as if the officer involved was a member of a regular, properly established police force? I think that the answer to that question is no.
7.30 pm
There is a proliferation of private security organisations. Some of them are perfectly reputable and are well known. I have no criticism of any particular force, but more and more of them are coming into existence. The time has come when people should be clearly aware of their rights and of the protection that is available to the individual under the law if an officer of a private security force takes action which would lead to an appeal if it was taken by an officer in a regular police force.
Therefore, I hope-that my hon. Friend the Minister will be sympathetic to the new clause moved by the hon. Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael). Even if my hon. Friend feels unable to accept the new clause this evening, I hope that he will give the House an assurance that the matter is at the forefront of the minds of 218 Home Office Ministers and that the necessary action will be taken to deal with it. The matter deserves the serious consideration of the Home Office at an early date.
§ Mr. MaclennanI wholly agree with the hon. Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Shersby) that regulation of the security industry merits careful thought by Ministers. The growth of vigilantism and organisations which come pretty close to offering protection rackets rather than security services must be watched. Regulation and licensing may prove to be necessary to protect the public.
Certain problems with new clause 8 lead me to doubt whether the Government are likely to accept it. New clause 8 seems to be widely cast in recommending
the licensing and regulation of organisations or individuals purporting to offer crime prevention".That would seem almost to require the regulation and licensing of locksmiths. I do not believe that that was in the mind of the hon. Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth. The new clause also implies that, if there is no cash nexus between the member of the public and the organisation, it is questionable whether there is a need for regulation. That is perhaps a slight defect of drafting.Putting aside matters of drafting, the purpose of new clause 8 is sound. We have to watch the growth of private security organisations. In a society in which there is an alarming breakdown of law and order in some communities which almost stretches police resources beyond their easy limits, the temptation to rely on such organisations is great.
There are undoubtedly some perfectly reputable companies which contract to offer services which, on the face of it, look very much like private policing. Such developments are mushrooming. I should like to hear from the Minister tonight exactly what consideration the Government have given to the problems. I do not want to hear merely a dismissal of the new clause as untimely, ill-thought-out or whatever. What thought are the Government giving to the protection of the public?
§ Mr. Mike O'Brien (Warwickshire, North)I support new clause 8 and remind the House that I am a parliamentary adviser to the Police Federation of England and Wales. The central concern of new clause 8 is that a burglar can be in prison, come out of prison, buy himself a dog, deliver leaflets through people's letter boxes or to shops saying that he is a security guard, wear a uniform and pass himself off as one. There are no regulations to stop him doing that. Therefore, it is essential that we have a decent and proper regulation of an expanding industry.
Much of the industry is entirely reputable. Several companies adopt the highest standards. However, there is also in the industry a group of organisations and individuals which are less than reputable and regulation is desperately needed. It is a growing industry. In 1987 the private security sector was worth approximately £800 million. By 1992—the latest year for which figures are available—it was worth more than £2 billion. The figure is rising. The industry employs about 250,000 people. They are involved in patrolling housing estates, shopping centres and factories as well as working as store detectives and private investigators. Yet the Government seem not to be prepared to display any interest in proper regulation of the sector to protect the public.
We need to regulate training, ensure that companies are properly insured for civil torts and prevent criminals from operating in private security. It is nonsense to suggest, as 219 I suspect the Government may, that professional bodies in the industry can regulate the sector effectively. The main reason why they cannot is that many small businesses are not members of the professional bodies. Where the professional bodies have membership, they are struggling valiantly and doing good work to regulate the industry, but so long as people who enter the industry do not need to become members of the professional bodies, those bodies can in no way ensure reasonable and reputable standards. Companies are under no obligation to join.
In my county of Warwickshire and in my constituency, private security companies are knocking on people's doors offering to patrol areas or villages for £2 or £1.50 per week per household. The chief constable of Warwickshire estimates that, if he had that extra income from each household in Warwickshire, he could put an extra 2,000 fully trained, properly regulated and properly vetted police officers on the streets to reduce crime.
Some private security organisations may be reputable, but the public do not know whether they are. They do not know whether the people who knock on their doors are criminals or honest business men. They do not know whether the companies are insured for civil torts or uninsured. They do not know whether they are commercially viable and reputable or not. The industry cries out for regulation and for basic standards to be enforced. If the Government will not accept the detail of new clause 8, let them at least show that they recognise the need for urgent regulation. The police want it and the public want it. Let the Government recognise that and say so.
§ Mr. Charles WardleThis has been an interesting debate. No hon. Member on either side of the House would deny that there are some cowboys operating in the private security industry. The question that matters is whether a system of statutory regulation would prevent the cowboys from doing what they do now. I do not believe that that would be the case, as I shall show in a moment.
There is no evidence that there is a greater level of criminality in the private security industry than generally in Britain. That is not to deny that there are cowboys at work, but new clause 8 does not provide the remedy that the hon. Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth has recommended. The Government are determined in any case to lift unnecessary controls on business and to avoid adding new ones.
Of course, we would be ready to consider legislation if there was a clear and demonstrable need for statutory control. Such a need simply does not exist. Regulation would add nothing of benefit to the industry. Some disreputable individuals undoubtedly operate on the fringes of the industry and give it a bad name. No one denies that they exist, but it is unworldly to assume that they would just vanish as soon as the House introduced statutory controls.
The supporters of statutory regulation believe that its introduction would somehow raise standards straight away, but the industry is increasingly mature and professional, and it is doing a great deal to improve standards. Self-regulation is the way forward. The industry has accepted the discipline of that and made a great deal of progress. It already provides better training for its staff, and individual employees may study for national vocational qualifications and Scottish vocational qualifications.
220 These days, the well-established British standards are more relevant to the companies and their products. In the past few years, the industry has increasingly come to believe that it is not enough to say that certain standards are maintained, but that companies' adherence to those standards must be independently demonstrated. For that purpose, the industry has established the inspectorate of the security industry and the National Approval Council for Security Systems. Both those organisations perform independent and reliable inspections of companies and of their products or services.
§ Mr. ShersbyI was not talking about the companies that my hon. Friend is describing, which belong to an organisation which is quite capable of self-regulation, but about the kind of one-man bands that go around our constituencies. Surely our local chief superintendents should have some discretion to decide whether such people are able to offer their quasi-police services to private individuals. That is what the argument is about.
§ Mr. WardleIf the local police have any reason to believe that any such operators are breaking the law, no doubt they will take action.
My hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Shersby) also spoke of recourse to the police complaints procedure, but there is no such recourse. As I said earlier, there is recourse under the law, however, because the employees of private security firms have no powers other than those of the private citizen. The police would bear that in mind.
My hon. Friend also spoke about vetting personnel who may be considered for jobs with security firms. That matter is currently being considered in a consultation document entitled "The Access to Criminal Records for Employment Vetting Purposes". It would be inappropriate for me to pre-empt the conclusions of that consultation exercise, but my hon. Friend has made an interesting point.
For the reasons that I have cited, there is no evidence to suggest that such a deep-rooted problem exists in the industry as to require the heavy-handed approach of statutory regulation. I therefore urge the House to reject the new clause.
§ Question put, That the clause be read a Second time:—
§ The House divided: Ayes 258, Noes 280.
224| Division No. 284] | [7.42 pm |
| AYES | |
| Abbott, Ms Diane | Bermingham, Gerald |
| Adams, Mrs Irene | Berry, Roger |
| Ainger, Nick | Betts, Clive |
| Ainsworth, Robert (Cov'try NE) | Blair, Tony |
| Allen, Graham | Blunkett, David |
| Alton, David | Boateng, Paul |
| Anderson, Donald (Swansea E) | Boyes, Roland |
| Anderson, Ms Janet (Ros'dale) | Bradley, Keith |
| Armstrong, Hilary | Bray, Dr Jeremy |
| Ashton, Joe | Brown, Gordon (Dunfermline E) |
| Austin-Walker, John | Brown, N. (N'c'tle upon Tyne E) |
| Banks, Tony (Newham NW) | Bruce, Malcolm (Gordon) |
| Barnes, Harry | Burden, Richard |
| Barron, Kevin | Byers, Stephen |
| Battle, John | Callaghan, Jim |
| Bayley, Hugh | Campbell, Mrs Anne (C'bridge) |
| Beckett, Rt Hon Margaret | Campbell, Ronnie (Blyth V) |
| Beggs, Roy | Campbell-Savours, D. N. |
| Beith, Rt Hon A. J. | Canavan, Dennis |
| Bell, Stuart | Cann, Jamie |
| Benn, Rt Hon Tony | Carlile, Alexander (Montgomry) |
| Bennett, Andrew F. | Chisholm, Malcolm |
| Benton, Joe | Church, Judith |
| Clapham, Michael | Hughes, Simon (Southwark) |
| Clark, Dr David (South Shields) | Hutton, John |
| Clarke, Eric (Midlothian) | Ingram, Adam |
| Clarke, Tom (Monklands W) | Jackson, Glenda (H'stead) |
| Clelland, David | Jackson, Helen (Shef'ld, H) |
| Clwyd, Mrs Ann | Jamieson, David |
| Coffey, Ann | Jones, Barry (Alyn and D'side) |
| Cohen, Harry | Jones, Ieuan Wyn (Ynys Môn) |
| Connarty, Michael | Jones, Lynne (B'ham S O) |
| Cook, Robin (Livingston) | Jones, Martyn (Clwyd, SW) |
| Corbett, Robin | Jones, Nigel (Cheltenham) |
| Corbyn, Jeremy | Kaufman, Rt Hon Gerald |
| Corston, Ms Jean | Keen, Alan |
| Cousins, Jim | Kennedy, Charles (Ross, C&S) |
| Cummings, John | Kennedy, Jane (Lpool Brdgn) |
| Cunliffe, Lawrence | Khabra, Piara S. |
| Cunningham, Jim (Covy SE) | Kilfoyle, Peter |
| Dafis, Cynog | Kinnock, Rt Hon Neil (Islwyn) |
| Dalyell, Tam | Lestor, Joan (Eccles) |
| Darling, Alistair | Lewis, Terry |
| Davidson, Ian | Liddell, Helen |
| Davies, Bryan (Oldham C'tral) | Livingstone, Ken |
| Davies, Rt Hon Denzil (Llanelli) | Lloyd, Tony (Stretford) |
| Davies, Ron (Caerphilly) | Llwyd, Elfyn |
| Davis, Terry (B'ham, H'dge H'l) | Loyden, Eddie |
| Denham, John | Lynne, Ms Liz |
| Dewar, Donald | McAllion, John |
| Dixon, Don | McAvoy, Thomas |
| Donohoe, Brian H. | Macdonald, Calum |
| Dowd, Jim | McFall, John |
| Dunnachie, Jimmy | McKelvey, William |
| Dunwoody, Mrs Gwyneth | Mackinlay, Andrew |
| Eagle, Ms Angela | McLeish, Henry |
| Eastham, Ken | Maclennan, Robert |
| Enright, Derek | McMaster, Gordon |
| Etherington, Bill | McWilliam, John |
| Evans, John (St Helens N) | Madden, Max |
| Fatchett, Derek | Mahon, Alice |
| Field, Frank (Birkenhead) | Marek, Dr John |
| Fisher, Mark | Marshall, Jim (Leicester, S) |
| Flynn, Paul | Martin, Michael J. (Springburn) |
| Foster, Rt Hon Derek | Martlew, Eric |
| Foster, Don (Bath) | Maxton, John |
| Foulkes, George | Meacher, Michael |
| Fraser, John | Meale, Alan |
| Fyfe, Maria | Michael, Alun |
| Galbraith, Sam | Michie, Bill (Sheffield Heeley) |
| Galloway, George | Michie, Mrs Ray (Argyll Bute) |
| Gapes, Mike | Milburn, Alan |
| Gerrard, Neil | Miller, Andrew |
| Godman, Dr Norman A. | Mitchell, Austin (Gt Grimsby) |
| Godsiff, Roger | Molyneaux, Rt Hon James |
| Golding, Mrs Llin | Moonie, Dr Lewis |
| Gordon, Mildred | Morgan, Rhodri |
| Graham, Thomas | Morley, Elliot |
| Grant, Bernie (Tottenham) | Morris, Rt Hon A. (Wy'nshawe) |
| Griffiths, Nigel (Edinburgh S) | Morris, Estelle (B'ham Yardley) |
| Griffiths, Win (Bridgend) | Morris, Rt Hon J. (Aberavon) |
| Grocott, Bruce | Mudie, George |
| Gunnell, John | Mullin, Chris |
| Hain, Peter | Murphy, Paul |
| Hall, Mike | Oakes, Rt Hon Gordon |
| Hanson, David | O'Brien, Michael (N W'kshire) |
| Harvey, Nick | O'Brien, William (Normanton) |
| Henderson, Doug | Olner, William |
| Heppell, John | Orme, Rt Hon Stanley |
| Hill, Keith (Streatham) | Parry, Robert |
| Hinchliffe, David | Patchett, Terry |
| Hodge, Margaret | Pickthall, Colin |
| Hoey, Kate | Pike, Peter L. |
| Hogg, Norman (Cumbernauld) | Pope, Greg |
| Home Robertson, John | Powell, Ray (Ogmore) |
| Hood, Jimmy | Prentice, Ms Bridget (Lew'm E) |
| Hoon, Geoffrey | Prentice, Gordon (Pendle) |
| Howarth, George (Knowsley N) | Prescott, John |
| Howells, Dr. Kim (Pontypridd) | Primarolo, Dawn |
| Hoyle, Doug | Purchase, Ken |
| Hughes, Kevin (Doncaster N) | Quin, Ms Joyce |
| Hughes, Robert (Aberdeen N) | Randall, Stuart |
| Hughes, Roy (Newport E) | Raynsford, Nick |
| Redmond, Martin | Straw, Jack |
| Reid, Dr John | Sutcliffe, Gerry |
| Rendel, David | Taylor, Mrs Ann (Dewsbury) |
| Robertson, George (Hamilton) | Taylor, Matthew (Truro) |
| Roche, Mrs. Barbara | Timms, Stephen |
| Rogers, Allan | Tipping, Paddy |
| Rooker, Jeff | Trimble, David |
| Rooney, Terry | Turner, Dennis |
| Ross, Ernie (Dundee W) | Tyler, Paul |
| Ross, William (E Londonderry) | Vaz, Keith |
| Rowlands, Ted | Walker, Rt Hon Sir Harold |
| Ruddock, Joan | Wardell, Gareth (Gower) |
| Sedgemore, Brian | Wareing, Robert N |
| Sheerman, Barry | Watson, Mike |
| Shore, Rt Hon Peter | Wicks, Malcolm |
| Simpson, Alan | Wigley, Dafydd |
| Skinner, Dennis | Williams, Rt Hon Alan (Sw'n W) |
| Smith, Andrew (Oxford E) | Williams, Alan W (Carmarthen) |
| Smith, C. (Isl'ton S & F'sbury) | Wilson, Brian |
| Smith, Llew (Blaenau Gwent) | Winnick, David |
| Smyth, Rev Martin (Belfast S) | Worthington, Tony |
| Soley, Clive | Wray, Jimmy |
| Spearing, Nigel | Wright, Dr Tony |
| Spellar, John | Young, David (Bolton SE) |
| Squire, Rachel (Dunfermline W) | |
| Steel, Rt Hon Sir David | Tellers for the Ayes: |
| Steinberg, Gerry | Mr. Eric Illsley and |
| Stevenson, George | Mr. Jon Owen Jones. |
| NOES | |
| Ainsworth, Peter (East Surrey) | Cash, William |
| Aitken, Jonathan | Channon, Rt Hon Paul |
| Alexander, Richard | Chapman, Sydney |
| Alison, Rt Hon Michael (Selby) | Churchill, Mr |
| Allason, Rupert (Torbay) | Clappison, James |
| Amess, David | Clark, Dr Michael (Rockford) |
| Ancram, Michael | Clarke, Rt Hon Kenneth (Ruclif) |
| Arbuthnot, James | Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey |
| Arnold, Jacques (Gravesham) | Coe, Sebastian |
| Arnold, Sir Thomas (Hazel Grv) | Colvin, Michael |
| Ashby, David | Congdon, David |
| Aspinwall, Jack | Conway, Derek |
| Atkins, Robert | Coombs, Anthony (Wyre For'st) |
| Atkinson, David (Bour'mouth E) | Coombs, Simon (Swindon) |
| Atkinson, Peter (Hexham) | Cope, Rt Hon Sir John |
| Baker, Nicholas (Dorset North) | Cormack, Patrick |
| Baldry, Tony | Cran, James |
| Banks, Matthew (Southport) | Currie, Mrs Edwina (S D'by'ire) |
| Banks, Robert (Harrogate) | Curry, David (Skipton & Ripon) |
| Bates, Michael | Davies, Quentin (Stamford) |
| Batiste, Spencer | Davis, David (Boothferry) |
| Bellingham, Henry | Day, Stephen |
| Bendall, Vivian | Deva, Nirj Joseph |
| Beresford, Sir Paul | Dickens, Geoffrey |
| Biffen, Rt Hon John | Dorrell, Stephen |
| Blackburn, Dr John G. | Douglas-Hamilton, Lord James |
| Body, Sir Richard | Dover, Den |
| Bonsor, Sir Nicholas | Duncan, Alan |
| Booth, Hartley | Duncan-Smith, Iain |
| Boswell, Tim | Dunn, Bob |
| Bottomley, Peter (Eltham) | Durant, Sir Anthony |
| Bottomley, Rt Hon Virginia | Dykes, Hugh |
| Bowden, Sir Andrew | Elletson, Harold |
| Bowis, John | Evans, David (Welwyn Hatfield) |
| Boyson, Rt Hon Sir Rhodes | Evans, Jonathan (Brecon) |
| Brandreth, Gyles | Evans, Nigel (Ribble Valley) |
| Brazier, Julian | Evans, Roger (Monmouth) |
| Brown, M. (Brigg & Cl'thorpes) | Evennett, David |
| Browning, Mrs. Angela | Faber, David |
| Bruce, Ian (S Dorset) | Fabricant, Michael |
| Budgen, Nicholas | Fenner, Dame Peggy |
| Burns, Simon | Field, Barry (Isle of Wight) |
| Burt, Alistair | Fishburn, Dudley |
| Butcher, John | Forman, Nigel |
| Butler, Peter | Forsyth, Michael (Stirling) |
| Butterfill, John | Forth, Eric |
| Carlisle, John (Luton North) | Fox, Dr Liam (Woodspring) |
| Carlisle, Sir Kenneth (Lincoln) | Fox, Sir Marcus (Shipley) |
| Carrington, Matthew | Freeman, Rt Hon Roger |
| Carttiss, Michael | French, Douglas |
| Fry, Sir Peter | Mitchell, Sir David (Hants NW) |
| Gale, Roger | Moate, Sir Roger |
| Gallie, Phil | Moss, Malcolm |
| Gardiner, Sir George | Needham, Rt Hon Richard |
| Garnier, Edward | Nelson, Anthony |
| Gill, Christopher | Neubert, Sir Michael |
| Gillan, Cheryl | Newton, Rt Hon Tony |
| Goodlad, Rt Hon Alastair | Nicholls, Patrick |
| Goodson-Wickes, Dr Charles | Nicholson, David (Taunton) |
| Gorman, Mrs Teresa | Nicholson, Emma (Devon West) |
| Gorst, Sir John | Norris, Steve |
| Grant, Sir A. (Cambs SW) | Onslow, Rt Hon Sir Cranley |
| Greenway, Harry (Ealing N) | Oppenheim, Phillip |
| Greenway, John (Ryedale) | Ottaway, Richard |
| Griffiths, Peter (Portsmouth, N) | Page, Richard |
| Gummer, Rt Hon John Selwyn | Paice, James |
| Hague, William | Patnick, Irvine |
| Hampson, Dr Keith | Pattie, Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey |
| Hannam, Sir John | Pawsey, James |
| Hargreaves, Andrew | Peacock, Mrs Elizabeth |
| Harris, David | Pickles, Eric |
| Haselhurst, Alan | Porter, Barry (Wirral S) |
| Hawkins, Nick | Porter, David (Waveney) |
| Hawksley, Warren | Portillo, Rt Hon Michael |
| Hayes, Jerry | Rathbone, Tim |
| Heald, Oliver | Redwood, Rt Hon John |
| Hendry, Charles | Renton, Rt Hon Tim |
| Higgins, Rt Hon Sir Terence L. | Richards, Rod |
| Hill, James (Southampton Test) | Riddick, Graham |
| Hogg, Rt Hon Douglas (G'tham) | Rifkind, Rt Hon. Malcolm |
| Horam, John | Robathan, Andrew |
| Hordern, Rt Hon Sir Peter | Roberts, Rt Hon Sir Wyn |
| Howard, Rt Hon Michael | Robertson, Raymond (Ab'd'n S) |
| Howarth, Alan (Strat'rd-on-A) | Robinson, Mark (Somerton) |
| Howell, Rt Hon David (G'dford) | Roe, Mrs Marion (Broxbourne) |
| Howell, Sir Ralph (N Norfolk) | Rowe, Andrew (Mid Kent) |
| Hunt, Rt Hon David (Wirral W) | Rumbold, Rt Hon Dame Angela |
| Hunt, Sir John (Ravensbourne) | Sackville, Tom |
| Hunter, Andrew | Scott, Rt Hon Nicholas |
| Jackson, Robert (Wantage) | Shaw, David (Dover) |
| Jenkin, Bernard | Shephard, Rt Hon Gillian |
| Jessel, Toby | Shepherd, Colin (Hereford) |
| Jones, Gwilym (Cardiff N) | Shepherd, Richard (Aldridge) |
| Jones, Robert B. (W Hertfdshr) | Sims, Roger |
| Kellett-Bowman, Dame Elaine | Skeet, Sir Trevor |
| Key, Robert | Smith, Tim (Beaconsfield) |
| Kilfedder, Sir James | Speed, Sir Keith |
| Kirkhope, Timothy | Spencer, Sir Derek |
| Knapman, Roger | Spicer, Sir James (W Dorset) |
| Knight, Mrs Angela (Erewash) | Spicer, Michael (S Worcs) |
| Knight, Greg (Derby N) | Spink, Dr Robert |
| Knox, Sir David | Spring, Richard |
| Kynoch, George (Kincardine) | Sproat, Iain |
| Lait, Mrs Jacqui | Squire, Robin (Hornchurch) |
| Lawrence, Sir Ivan | Stanley, Rt Hon Sir John |
| Legg, Barry | Steen, Anthony |
| Leigh, Edward | Stephen, Michael |
| Lennox-Boyd, Mark | Stern, Michael |
| Lester, Jim (Broxtowe) | Stewart, Allan |
| Lidington, David | Streeter, Gary |
| Lloyd, Rt Hon Peter (Fareham) | Sumberg, David |
| Lord, Michael | Sweeney, Walter |
| Luff, Peter | Sykes, John |
| Lyell, Rt Hon Sir Nicholas | Tapsell, Sir Peter |
| MacGregor, Rt Hon John | Taylor, Ian (Esher) |
| MacKay, Andrew | Taylor, John M. (Solihull) |
| Maclean, David | Temple-Morris, Peter |
| McLoughlin, Patrick | Thomason, Roy |
| McNair-Wilson, Sir Patrick | Thompson, Sir Donald (C'er V) |
| Madel, Sir David | Thompson, Patrick (Norwich N) |
| Maitland, Lady Olga | Thurnham, Peter |
| Malone, Gerald | Townsend, Cyril D. (Bexl'yh'th) |
| Mans, Keith | Tracey, Richard |
| Marland, Paul | Tredinnick, David |
| Marlow, Tony | Trend, Michael |
| Martin, David (Portsmouth S) | Trotter, Neville |
| Mates, Michael | Twinn, Dr Ian |
| Merchant, Piers | Vaughan, Sir Gerard |
| Mills, Iain | Viggers, Peter |
| Mitchell, Andrew (Gedling) | Waldegrave, Rt Hon William |
| Walden, George | Wilkinson, John |
| Walker, Bill (N Tayside) | Willetts, David |
| Ward, John | Wilshire, David |
| Wardle, Charles (Bexhill) | Winterton, Mrs Ann (Congleton) |
| Waterson, Nigel | Wolfson, Mark |
| Watts, John | Wood, Timothy |
| Wells, Bowen | Yeo, Tim |
| Wheeler, Rt Hon Sir John | Young, Rt Hon Sir George |
| Whitney, Ray | |
| Whittingdale, John | Tellers for the Noes: |
| Widdecombe, Ann | Mr. David Lightbown and |
| Wiggin, Sir Jerry | Mr. Robert G. Hughes. |
§ Question accordingly negatived.