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Orders of the Day — Medway Council Bill [Lords] [By Order]

House of Commons, 22 March 2001.

APPOINTED DAY

Michael Lord (Deputy Speaker, Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)

With this we may take the following amendments: No. 19, in page 2, line 14, leave out 'three' and insert 'six'. No. 17, in page 2, line 18, after 'newspaper', insert 'or of any such art and antiques trade periodical'.

Derek Wyatt (Labour, Sittingbourne and Sheppey)

In view of the fact that our proceedings on this Bill will be a copy of what we have just done with the Kent County Council Bill, can we do it all formally, Mr. Deputy Speaker?

Michael Lord (Deputy Speaker, Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)

Yes, but we shall proceed gently.

INTERPRETATION OF PART 2

REGISTRATION OF DEALERS IN SECOND-HAND GOODS

INFORMATION TO BE KEPT BY REGISTERED DEALERS IN SECOND-HAND GOODS

OFFENCES UNDER PART 2

EXEMPTIONS UNDER PART 2

INFORMATION TO BE KEPT BY HOLDER OF CERTAIN OCCASIONAL SALES

DEFENCE OF DUE DILIGENCE

Derek Wyatt (Labour, Sittingbourne and Sheppey)

On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. We opposed the same idea when we were dealing with the Kent County council Bill. May I withdraw the amendment, so that there need not be a Division?

Public Houses (Portsmouth)

Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat, Portsmouth South)

I wish to present a petition on behalf of Carol and Mick Frewing, the tenants of the Connaught Arms in Fratton, Portsmouth, and of more than 1,000 local people who want a fair deal for local pubs and landlords. The petition states: To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled. The Humble Petition of Carol and Mick Frewing, tenants of the Connaught Arms, Fratton, Portsmouth. That Whitbread Plc has decided to sell all its 3,000 pubs to a sole bidder, thereby denying its 1,700 pub licensees the right to buy the Freehold of their premises. The Petitioners believe that this action may seriously jeopardise one's choice and the future of small pubs everywhere, especially in Portsmouth. The Petitioners pray that your honourable House support the signatories of Early-Day Motion 177 in deploring this decision by Whitbread Plc. The Petitioners further pray that the House note that Many Licensees have invested considerable sums in their pubs and have in the process contributed substantially to Whitbread's profit; recognise also that these licensees now feel betrayed by the company's actions and ask the Honourable House to support their right to buy campaign. And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray