§ Amendment proposed: No. 39, in page 16, line 21, leave out 'may' and insert 'must'.—[Mr. Mike O'Brien.]
Mr. Deputy SpeakerWith this, it will be convenient to discuss the following amendments: No. 9, in page 16, leave out lines 24 to 27 and insert—
'( ) The code shall not come into operation unless a draft of the code has been laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House.'.Government amendments Nos. 40 and 41.513 No. 11, in clause 24, page 17, line 37, at end insert—
'(8A) If a person on whom a penalty notice is served or who is treated as having had a penalty notice served on him, admits that he is liable for one or more, or all, of the penalties specified in the penalty notice but considers that there are grounds for mitigating all or part of the penalty, he may give written notice of such grounds to the Secretary of State.(8B) Notice under subsection (8A) ("a notice of grounds of mitigating the penalty") must be given before the end of such period as may be prescribed.(8C) If a notice of grounds for mitigating the penalty is given before the end of the prescribed period, the Secretary of State must consider such grounds and determine whether to mitigate all or part of the penalty.'.Government amendments Nos. 42 and 45.
§ Miss WiddecombeI thank the Minister for his courtesy in moving the amendment formally. I therefore do not intend to elaborate on amendment No. 9, but I wish to push it to a vote.
Amendment No. 9 simply provides for the laying of the code before the House before the implementation of Government amendment No. 39. Amendment No. 11 provides only for mitigation.
§ Mr. HoggI wish to speak on this amendment, because the code is important. It goes to the heart of whether or not an offence is committed. One sees from the Bill that the onus is cast on the carrier to establish that there has been a good defence. One of the considerations that arise is whether the provisions of the code are satisfied. The code is therefore relevant to whether the carrier can establish a defence. It seems wholly unsatisfactory that a code can be established other than by an affirmative resolution of the House. [Interruption.] I see that the Whip has come to sit in front of me. I am afraid that it makes no difference at all.
We have a right to determine in this House whether matters that are relevant to establishing a defence are debated by this House. I hope, therefore, that the relevant code will indeed be laid before the House and approved only by affirmative resolution. If not, people's legal rights could be affected without a positive vote of this House. I regard that as very unsatisfactory.
§ Amendment agreed to.
§
Amendment proposed: No. 9, in page 16, leave out lines 24 to 27 and insert—
'( ) The code shall not come into operation unless a draft of the code has been laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House.'.—[Miss Widdecombe.]
§ Question put, That the amendment be made:—
§ The House divided: Ayes 143, Noes 326.
517| Division No. 211] | [11.44 pm |
| AYES | |
| Ainsworth, Peter (E Surrey) | Body, Sir Richard |
| Allan, Richard | Boswell, Tim |
| Amess, David | Bottomley, Peter (Worthing W) |
| Arbuthnot, Rt Hon James | Brady, Graham |
| Atkinson, Peter (Hexham) | Brake, Tom |
| Baker, Norman | Brazier, Julian |
| Ballard, Jackie | Brooke, Rt Hon Peter |
| Beggs, Roy | Browning, Mrs Angela |
| Beith, Rt Hon A J | Bruce, Ian (S Dorset) |
| Bercow, John | Bruce, Malcolm (Gordon) |
| Beresford, Sir Paul | Burnett, John |
| Burstow, Paul | Lyell, Rt Hon Sir Nicholas |
| Butterfill, John | McIntosh, Miss Anne |
| Cable, Dr Vincent | Maclean, Rt Hon David |
| Campbell, Rt Hon Menzies (NE Fife) | McLoughlin, Patrick |
| Madel, Sir David | |
| Cash, William | Malins, Humfrey |
| Chidgey, David | Maude, Rt Hon Francis |
| Clappison, James | Mawhinney, Rt Hon Sir Brian |
| Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey | May, Mrs Theresa |
| Collins, Tim | Michie, Mrs Ray (Argyll & Bute) |
| Cotter, Brian | Moore, Michael |
| Cran, James | Nicholls, Patrick |
| Davey, Edward (Kingston) | Norman, Archie |
| Davies, Quentin (Grantham) | Oaten, Mark |
| Davis, Rt Hon David (Haltemprice) | Öpik, Lembit |
| Day, Stephen | Ottaway, Richard |
| Dorrell, Rt Hon Stephen | Page, Richard |
| Duncan Smith, Iain | Paice, James |
| Evans, Nigel | Paterson, Owen |
| Faber, David | Pickles, Eric |
| Fabricant, Michael | Prior, David |
| Fallon, Michael | Randall, John |
| Fearn, Ronnie | Redwood, Rt Hon John |
| Flight, Howard | Rendel, David |
| Forth, Rt Hon Eric | Robertson, Laurence (Tewk'b'ry) |
| Foster, Don (Bath) | Rowe, Andrew (Faversham) |
| Fowler, Rt Hon Sir Norman | Russell, Bob (Colchester) |
| Fox, Dr Liam | Sanders, Adrian |
| Fraser, Christopher | Sayeed, Jonathan |
| Garnier, Edward | Shepherd, Richard |
| Gibb, Nick | Simpson, Keith (Mid-Norfolk) |
| Gill, Christopher | Smith, Sir Robert (W Ab'd'ns) |
| Gillan, Mrs Cheryl | Spelman, Mrs Caroline |
| Gorman, Mrs Teresa | Spring, Richard |
| Gray, James | Stanley, Rt Hon Sir John |
| Green, Damian | Streeter, Gary |
| Greenway, John | Stunell, Andrew |
| Grieve, Dominic | Swayne, Desmond |
| Hamilton, Rt Hon Sir Archie | Syms, Robert |
| Hammond, Philip | Tapsell, Sir Peter |
| Harris, Dr Evan | Taylor, John M (Solihull) |
| Harvey, Nick | Taylor, Sir Teddy |
| Hawkins, Nick | Tonge, Dr Jenny |
| Hogg, Rt Hon Douglas | Tredinnick, David |
| Horam, John | Tyler, Paul |
| Howarth, Gerald (Aldershot) | Tyrie, Andrew |
| Hughes, Simon (Southward N) | Viggers, Peter |
| Hunter, Andrew | Walter, Robert |
| Jack, Rt Hon Michael | Wardle, Charles |
| Jackson, Robert (Wantage) | Waterson, Nigel |
| Jenkin, Bernard | Webb, Steve |
| Jones, Nigel (Cheltenham) | Wells, Bowen |
| Keetch, Paul | Whitney, Sir Raymond |
| Kirkwood, Archy | Whittingdale, John |
| Laing, Mrs Eleanor | Widdecombe, Rt Hon Miss Ann |
| Lansley, Andrew | Willis, Phil |
| Letwin, Oliver | Winterton, Mrs Ann (Congleton) |
| Lewis, Dr Julian (New Forest E) | Winterton, Nicholas (Macclesfield) |
| Lidington, David | Young, Rt Hon Sir George |
| Livsey, Richard | |
| Lloyd, Rt Hon Sir Peter (Fareham) | Tellers for the Ayes: |
| Llwyd, Elfyn | Mr. Oliver Heald and |
| Loughton, Tim | Mrs. Jacqui Lait. |
| NOES | |
| Abbott, Ms Diane | Barron, Kevin |
| Adams, Mrs Irene (Paisley N) | Battle, John |
| Ainger, Nick | Bayley, Hugh |
| Ainsworth, Robert (Cov'try NE) | Beard, Nigel |
| Alexander, Douglas | Begg, Miss Anne |
| Allen, Graham | Bell, Stuart (Middlesbrough) |
| Anderson, Donald (Swansea E) | Benn, Hilary (Leeds C) |
| Anderson, Janet (Rossendale) | Benn, Rt Hon Tony (Chesterfield) |
| Atherton, Ms Candy | Bennett, Andrew F |
| Atkins, Charlotte | Benton, Joe |
| Barnes, Harry | Berry, Roger |
| Best, Harold | Efford, Clive |
| Blackman, Liz | Ellman, Mrs Louise |
| Blears, Ms Hazel | Ennis, Jeff |
| Blizzard, Bob | Fisher, Mark |
| Blunkett, Rt Hon David | Fitzpatrick, Jim |
| Boateng, Paul | Fitzsimons, Lorna |
| Borrow, David | Flint, Caroline |
| Bradley, Keith (Withington) | Follett, Barbara |
| Bradley, Peter (The Wrekin) | Foster, Michael J (Worcester) |
| Bradshaw, Ben | Foulkes, George |
| Brinton, Mrs Helen | Fyfe, Maria |
| Brown, Rt Hon Nick (Newcastle E) | Galloway, George |
| Brown, Russell (Dumfries) | Gapes, Mike |
| Browne, Desmond | Gardiner, Barby |
| Buck, Ms Karen | George, Bruce (Walsall S) |
| Burden, Richard | Gerrard, Neil |
| Butler, Mrs Christine | Gibson, Dr Ian |
| Caborn, Rt Hon Richard | Gilroy, Mrs Linda |
| Campbell, Alan (Tynemouth) | Godman, Dr Norman A |
| Campbell, Mrs Anne (C'bridge) | Godsiff, Roger |
| Campbell, Ronnie (Blyth V) | Goggins, Paul |
| Campbell-Savours, Dale | Golding, Mrs Llin |
| Cann, Jamie | Gordon, Mrs Eileen |
| Caton, Martin | Griffiths, Jane (Reading E) |
| Cawsey, Ian | Griffiths, Nigel (Edinburgh S) |
| Chapman, Ben (Wirral S) | Griffiths, Win (Bridgend) |
| Chaytor, David | Grocott, Bruce |
| Church, Ms Judith | Grogan, John |
| Clapham, Michael | Gunnell, John |
| Clark, Rt Hon Dr David (S Shields) | Hain, Peter |
| Clark, Dr Lynda (Edinburgh Pentlands) | Hall, Mike (Weaver Vale) |
| Hall, Patrick (Bedford) | |
| Clark, Paul (Gillingham) | Hamilton, Fabian (Leeds NE) |
| Clarke, Charles (Norwich S) | Harman, Rt Hon Ms Harriet |
| Clarke, Eric (Midlothian) | Heal, Mrs Sylvia |
| Clarke, Rt Hon Tom (Coatbridge) | Healey, John |
| Clarke, Tony (Northampton S) | Henderson, Ivan (Harwich) |
| Clelland, David | Hepburn, Stephen |
| Clwyd, Ann | Heppell, John |
| Coaker, Vernon | Hesford, Stephen |
| Coffey, Ms Ann | Hewitt, Ms Patricia |
| Coleman, Iain | Hill, Keith |
| Colman, Tony | Hinchliffe, David |
| Connarty, Michael | Hodge, Ms Margaret |
| Corbett, Robin | Hoey, Kate |
| Corbyn, Jeremy | Hood, Jimmy |
| Corston, Ms Jean | Hoon, Geoffrey |
| Cousins, Jim | Hope, Phil |
| Cranston, Ross | Hopkins, Kelvin |
| Crausby, David | Howarth, Alan (Newport E) |
| Cryer, Mrs Ann (Keighley) | Howarth, George (Knowsley N) |
| Cryer, John (Hornchurch) | Howells, Dr Kim |
| Cummings, John | Hoyle, Lindsay |
| Cunningham, Rt Hon Dr Jack (Copeland) | Hughes, Ms Beverley (Stretford) |
| Hughes, Kevin (Doncaster N) | |
| Curtis-Thomas, Mrs Claire | Humble, Mrs Joan |
| Dalyell, Tam | Hurst, Alan |
| Darling, Rt Hon Alistair | Iddon, Dr Brian |
| Darvill, Keith | Ingram, Rt Hon Adam |
| Davey, Valerie (Bristol W) | Jackson, Ms Glenda (Hampstead) |
| Davidson, Ian | Jackson, Helen (Hillsborough) |
| Davies, Rt Hon Denzil (Llanelli) | Jamieson, David |
| Davies, Geraint (Croydon C) | Jenkins, Brian |
| Dawson, Hilton | Johnson, Alan (Hull W & Hessle) |
| Dean, Mrs Janet | Johnson, Miss Melanie (Welwyn Hatfield) |
| Denham, John | |
| Dismore, Andrew | Jones, Barry (Alyn & Deeside) |
| Dobbin, Jim | Jones, Mrs Fiona (Newark) |
| Dobson, Rt Hon Frank | Jones, Helen (Warrington N) |
| Donohoe, Brian H | Jones, Jon Owen (Cardiff C) |
| Doran, Frank | Jones, Dr Lynne (Selly Oak) |
| Dowd, Jim | Jones, Martyn (Clwyd S) |
| Drew, David | Jowell, Rt Hon Ms Tessa |
| Eagle, Angela (Wallasey) | Kaufman, Rt Hon Gerald |
| Eagle, Maria (L'pool Garston) | Keeble, Ms Sally |
| Edwards, Huw | Keen, Alan (Feltham & Heston) |
| Kennedy, Jane (Wavertree) | Primarolo, Dawn |
| Khabra, Piara S | Prosser, Gwyn |
| Kidney, David | Purchase, Ken |
| Kilfoyle, Peter | Quin, Rt Hon Ms Joyce |
| King, Andy (Rugby & Kenilworth) | Quinn, Lawrie |
| Kumar, Dr Ashok | Radice, Giles |
| Ladyman, Dr Stephen | Rammell, Bill |
| Lawrence, Ms Jackie | Reed, Andrew (Loughborough) |
| Laxton, Bob | Robertson, Rt Hon George (Hamilton S) |
| Lepper, David | |
| Leslie, Christopher | Roche, Mrs Barbara |
| Levitt, Tom | Rooker, Jeff |
| Lewis, Ivan (Bury S) | Rooney, Terry |
| Linton, Martin | Ross, Ernie (Dundee W) |
| Livingstone, Ken | Rowlands, Ted |
| Lloyd, Tony (Manchester C) | Ruane, Chris |
| Lock, David | Ruddock, Joan |
| McAvoy, Thomas | Russell, Ms Christine (Chester) |
| McCabe, Steve | Ryan, Ms Joan |
| McCartney, Rt Hon Ian (Makerfield) | Sarwar, Mohammad |
| Savidge, Malcolm | |
| McDonagh, Siobhain | Sawford, Phil |
| Macdonald, Calum | Sedgemore, Brian |
| McDonnell, John | Sheerman, Barry |
| McGuire, Mrs Anne | Sheldon, Rt Hon Robert |
| McIsaac, Shona | Short, Rt Hon Clare |
| Mackinlay, Andrew | Simpson, Alan (Nottingham S) |
| McNulty, Tony | Skinner, Dennis |
| Mactaggart, Fiona | Smith, Rt Hon Andrew (Oxford E) |
| McWalter, Tony | Smith, Angela (Basildon) |
| McWilliam, John | Smith, Rt Hon Chris (Islington S) |
| Mallaber, Judy | Smith, Jacqui (Redditch) |
| Mandelson, Rt Hon Peter | Smith, John (Glamorgan) |
| Marsden, Paul (Shrewsbury) | Smith, Llew (Blaenau Gwent) |
| Marshall, David (Shettleston) | Snape, Peter |
| Marshall-Andrews, Robert | Soley, Clive |
| Martlew, Eric | Southworth, Ms Helen |
| Meacher, Rt Hon Michael | Spellar, John |
| Meale, Alan | Squire, Ms Rachel |
| Merron, Gillian | Steinberg, Gerry |
| Michael, Rt Hon Alan | Stewart, David (Inverness E) |
| Michie, Bill (Shef'ld Heeley) | Stewart, Ian (Eccles) |
| Milburn, Rt Hon Alan | Stinchcombe, Paul |
| Miller, Andrew | Stoate, Dr Howard |
| Moffatt, Laura | Stott, Roger |
| Moonie, Dr Lewis | Strang, Rt Hon Dr Gavin |
| Moran, Ms Margaret | Straw, Rt Hon Jack |
| Morgan, Ms Julie (Cardiff N) | Stringer, Graham |
| Morley, Elliot | Stuart, Ms Gisela |
| Morris, Ms Estelle (B'ham Yardley) | Sutcliffe, Gerry |
| Morris, Rt Hon John (Aberavon) | Taylor, Rt Hon Mrs Ann (Dewsbury) |
| Mountford, Kali | |
| Mowlam, Rt Hon Marjorie | Taylor, Ms Dari (Stockton S) |
| Mudie, George | Temple-Morris, Peter |
| Mullin Chris | Thomas, Gareth (Clwyd W) |
| Murphy, Denis (Wansbeck) | Thomas, Gareth R (Harrow W) |
| Murphy, Jim (Eastwood) | Timms, Stephen |
| Murphy, Rt Hon Paul (Torfaen) | Tipping, Paddy |
| Naysmith, Dr Doug | Touhig, Don |
| Norris, Dan | Turner, Dennis (Wolverh'ton SE) |
| O'Brien, Bill (Normanton) | Turner, Dr Desmond (Kemptown) |
| O'Brien, Mike (N Warks) | Turner, Dr George (NW Norfolk) |
| Olner, Bill | Twigg, Derek (Halton) |
| O'Neill, Martin | Twigg, Stephen (Enfield) |
| Osborne, Ms Sandra | Walley, Ms Joan |
| Palmer, Dr Nick | Ward, Ms Claire |
| Pearson, Ian | Wareing, Robert N |
| Pendry, Tom | Watts, David |
| Pickthall, Colin | White, Brian |
| Pike, Peter L | Whitehead, Dr Alan |
| Plaskitt, James | Wicks, Malcolm |
| Pond, Chris | Williams, Rt Hon Alan (Swansea W) |
| Pope, Greg | |
| Powell, Sir Raymond | Williams, Alan W (E Carmarthen) |
| Prentice, Ms Bridget (Lewisham E) | |
| Prentice, Gordon (Pendle) |
| Williams, Mrs Betty (Conwy) | Woolas, Phil |
| Wills, Michael | Worthington, Tony |
| Winnick, David | Wright, Anthony D (Gt Yarmouth) |
| Winterton, Ms Rosie (Doncaster C) | Tellers for the Noes: |
| Wise, Audrey | Mr. David Hanson and |
| Wood, Mike | Mr. Clive Betts. |
§ Question accordingly negatived.
§ It being Twelve o'clock, MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER proceeded, pursuant to Order [15 June], to put forthwith the Questions necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded at that hour.