First off, apologies for the long absence. It’s almost time for next week now; it’s very inauspicious. Alas.
British Board of Film Classification (Accountability to Parliament and Appeals) Bill
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is the body responsible for certifying films (and video games) before their release in the UK. This bill would, funnily enough, increase accountability to Parliament (by introducing Parliamentary scrutiny via the Home Affairs Committee for new members) and introduce an appeals mechanism against decisions made by the BBFC. It would also increase the penalties for illegal distribution of videos and DVD. (BD) Julian Brazier (Conservative, Canterbury), the member introducing, made reference to “growing concern in this House and in the country about the rising tide of violence”; the purpose of his Bill is to limit the “growing availability in the media of extremely violent and explicitly sexual material” that is linked to “the growth in violent offences” (HA). The opposition to the bill was led by John Whittingdale (Conservative, Maldon and East Chelmsford), who was unconvinced that the Bill would actually help the situation at all (or, at least, that was the impression that I got); it shall be interesting to observe the proceedings.
Before we finish, I’d just like to dwell on these two gems: from Keith Vaz ( Labour, Leicester East), “someone with one of those small devices that young people have these days, the name of which I forget— [Interruption.] PlayStations or PSPs, something of that kind. [Interruption.] Well, whatever they are called…”, and from Stephen Pound (Labour, Ealing North), “…I do not think that I have heard anything so shocking as a Member of Her Majesty’s official Opposition speaking against the paper that is virtually the house magazine of the official Opposition.”
The Bill was read for the second time on the 29th of February 2008; the debate was adjourned to the 7th of March.
Drugs (Reclassification) Bill
A Bill that is mercifully simple. It will reverse the Government’s 2004 decision to change cannabis from a Class B drug to a Class C one, thereby increasing the penalties for its possession and supply.
The Bill underwent its first reading on the 28th of February 2008, and it was ordered to be read a second time on the 9th of May.
Expenses of Public Servants (Publication) Bill
“A Bill to make provision for the recording and publication of specific expenses incurred by certain public servants; to promote transparency in the use if public funds; and for connected purposes” (BD).
This Bill would introduce provisions making certain public authorities declare the expenses incurred by their members in areas such as transport in an official capacity, etc.
The Second Reading debate was delayed until the 6th of June 2008. (That is how it appears observing HB and BD.)
European Union (Amendment) Bill
Yes, it’s that one again. The Bill was considered further in committee, days 9, 10 and 11. The 10th day (4th March 2008) was the day when, to, I imagine, considerable surprise, the Speaker of the House selected Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrat, Hallam)’s amendment to the Bill:
“That it be an Instruction to the Committee on the European Union (Amendment) Bill that it have power to make provision in the Bill for the holding of a referendum on the United Kingdom’s continued membership of the European Union.” (HA)
Those are Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat, Kingston and Surbiton)’s words. Unsurprisingly, the debate on the debate on the vote (?) was voted down by an immense margin (it was this vote that Ann Apolis just caught the end of in last week’s sketch).
The 11th day was the far more important one; William Hague (Conservative, Richmond Yorkshire), the Shadow Foreign Secretary, had his amendment calling for a referendum selected, and a few others that said the same thing were considered at the same time. This is the day referred to in this post; to quote myself, the motion was defeated “311 votes to 248″.
The committee stage of the Bill ended on the 5th of March 2008; accordingly the Third Reading was scheduled for 11th March 2008.
Autumn Bank Holiday Bill
“A Bill to introduce a bank holiday in the Autumn” (BD). Though this may seem universally popular, it will probably be shouted down by the CBI.
The Bill was introduced via the Ten Minute Rule and read for the first time on the 4th of March 2008; its Second Reading is scheduled for the 9th of May 2008.
Fireworks Act 2003 (Amendment) Bill
“A Bill to make provision about the noise emitted by fireworks supplied in the United Kingdom” (BD).
The Bill was introduced via the Ten Minute Rule and read for the first time on the 5th of March 2008; its Second Reading is scheduled for the 17th of October 2008.
