| No. 32 |
MONDAY 9TH DECEMBER 1996 |
997 |
|
ORDER PAPER |
|
* Indicates a Question for Oral Answer
Questions marked thus [R] indicate that a relevant registered interest has been declared
QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER
Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs relating to Overseas Development will begin not later than 3.05 p.m.
Questions to the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission will begin not later than 3.20 p.m.
Questions to the Right honourable Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners, will start not later than 3.25 p.m.
| *1 |
Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many statements he has made concerning the Government's policy in respect of impartiality in the Home Civil Service. |
| 6494 |
| *2 |
Sir Michael Neubert (Romford): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what was the purpose of his recent official visit to London Docklands; and if he will make a statement. |
| 6495 |
| *3 |
Mr David Atkinson (Bournemouth East): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on the effect of the century date change on computer systems within the Civil Service. |
| 6496 |
| *4 |
Mr George Mudie (Leeds East): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, when he last met the Cabinet Secretary to discuss the responsibilities of civil servants. |
| 6497 |
| *5 |
Lady Olga Maitland (Sutton and Cheam): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will make representations to the Minister responsible for deregulation in the Home Office in respect of the extent of the bureaucracy involved in dealing with juvenile crime. |
| 6498 |
| *6 |
Mr Peter Thurnham (Bolton North East): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, when he next expects to visit the Magistrate's Court in Bolton to discuss the appointment of new magistrates; and if he will make a statement. |
| 6499 |
| *7 |
Sir David Knox (Staffordshire Moorlands): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many civil servants were employed by the Government and by Government agencies at the latest available date; and what was the figure in May 1979. |
| 6501 |
| *8 |
Mr Rhodri Morgan (Cardiff West): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what recent consultations he has had with the Cabinet Secretary concerning regulations protecting the political neutrality of the Civil Service during pre-election periods. |
| 6502 |
| *9 |
Mr William O'Brien (Normanton): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, if he will make a statement on his Department's co-ordination of policies as between Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and the English regions. |
| 6503 |
| *10 |
Mr David Winnick (Walsall North): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what Ministerial visits he has made to discuss the co-ordination and presentation of recent Government policy. |
| 6504 |
| *11 |
Dr Charles Goodson-Wickes (Wimbledon): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what progress he has to report on the private sector aspect of the financing of the Millennium Exhibition. |
| 6506 |
| *12 |
Mr Bruce Grocott (The Wrekin): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what recent review he has undertaken of his Department's effectiveness in the co-ordination of Government departments. |
| 6508 |
| *13 |
Mr Tony Banks (Newham North West): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what countries he has visited for the purposes of studying (a) deregulation and (b) competition policy. |
| 6509 |
| *14 |
Mr Paul Flynn (Newport West): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of the effect on safety at work of deregulation. |
| 6512 |
| *15 |
Mr Richard Spring (Bury St. Edmunds): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, by what percentage the number of civil servants has changed in the past five years. |
| 6513 |
| *16 |
Mr Jaques Arnold (Gravesham): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what was the principal Government policy with which he was concerned in the week beginning 2nd December. |
| 6514 |
| *17 |
Mr Simon Hughes (Southwark and Bermondsey): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the mechanisms for the co-ordination of Government (i) European, (ii) economic and (iii) education policy since his appointment. |
| 6515 |
| *18 |
Mr John Marshall (Hendon South): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will make a statement about the impact of deregulation upon the competitive position of the British economy. |
| 6516 |
| *19 |
Mr Anthony Steen (South Hams): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what representations the Deregulation Unit at his Department has made to the Commission about the content of the Fiches D'impact. |
| 6517 |
Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs relating to Overseas Development will begin not later than 3.05 p.m.
| *20 |
Dr Charles Goodson-Wickes (Wimbledon): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent consultations he has had over the setting up of an international association for non-governmental organisations in relation to the delivery of overseas aid. |
| 6518 |
| *21 |
Mr Donald Anderson (Swansea East): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking within the current financial year (a) bilaterally and (b) within the Commonwealth and the European Union to assist the development of South Africa. |
| 6519 |
| *22 |
Mr Hartley Booth (Finchley): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement about aid for refugees in Central Africa. |
| 6520 |
| *23 |
Mr Peter Thurnham (Bolton North East): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what is his latest assessment of the situation in Zaire in respect of overseas aid; and if he will make a statement. |
| 6521 |
| *24 |
Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the effects of the Budget on the Government's plans to reach the UN target for aid expenditure as a proportion of GNP. |
| 6522 |
| *25 |
Dr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Port Glasgow): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the consequences of the Chancellor's Budget Statement for his Department's expenditure in respect of emergency relief. |
| 6523 |
| *26 |
Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South East): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with other EU countries regarding the future of the LomeĢ convention. |
| 6524 |
| *27 |
Mr Bruce Grocott (The Wrekin): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what is the current level of aid to Rwanda. |
| 6525 |
| *28 |
Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what current financial assistance is being committed for the assistance of the economy in the Republic of Belarus; and if he will make a statement. |
| 6527 |
Questions to the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission will begin not later than 3.20 p.m.
| *29 |
Mr George Mudie (Leeds East): To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission, what assessment he has made of the impact on the resources of the NAO of the repeated qualification of Department of Social Security Votes and accounts. |
| 6528 |
| *30 |
Mr Harry Greenway (Ealing North): To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission, how many staff with no professional accountancy qualifications are employed by the National Audit Office; what proportion this represents of the total staff; and if he will make a statement. |
| 6529 |
Questions to the Right honourable Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners, will start not later than 3.25 p.m.
| *31 |
Mr Tony Banks (Newham North West): To ask the Right honourable Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners, what is the current acreage of the agricultural portfolio administered by the Church Commissioners. |
| 6530 |
| *32 |
Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton): To ask the Right honourable Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners, when the Church Commissioners last reviewed the level of pensions paid to the wives of deceased clergymen. |
| 6531 |
| *33 |
Mr Harry Greenway (Ealing North): To ask the Right honourable Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners, how much was spent on security of vicarages and bishops' palaces in each of the past three years in real terms; how many buildings were involved in each year; what were the principal measures involved; and if he will make a statement. |
| 6532 |
| *34 |
Mr Paul Flynn (Newport West): To ask the Right honourable Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners, what new plans he has to improve the financial position of the Church. |
| 6533 |
| *35 |
Mr Anthony Steen (South Hams): To ask the Right honourable Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners, what discussions the Church Commissioners have had with the Charity Commission about the reduction in value of the Church Commission's property portfolio; and if he will make a statement. |
| 6534 |
ORDERS OF THE DAY AND NOTICES OF MOTIONS
Those marked thus * are Government Orders of the Day
|
| *1 |
NORTHERN IRELAND ARMS DECOMMISSIONING BILL: Second Reading. |
|
| 2 |
NORTHERN IRELAND ARMS DECOMMISSIONING BILL [MONEY]: Queen's Recommendation signified. |
|
Mr Michael Jack
That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Northern Ireland Arms Decommissioning Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any expenses incurred by the Secretary of State--
(a) in connection with a scheme for the decommissioning of firearms, ammunition and explosives, or
(b) in making payments to or in connection with a Commission established to facilitate decommissioning.
To be decided forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 50A(1)(a). |
|
| *3 |
CONTRACT (SCOTLAND) BILL: Second Reading. |
|
Mr Secretary Forsyth
On the Order for the Second Reading of the Contract (Scotland) Bill being read, to move, That the Bill be committed to a Scottish Standing Committee.
To be decided forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 94E(5). |
|
| 4 |
AIR CARRIER LIABILITY |
|
The Prime Minister
Mr Secretary Heseltine
Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer
Mr Secretary Howard
Mr Secretary Rifkind
Secretary Sir George Young
That this House takes note of European Community Document No. 5231/96, relating to air carrier liability in case of accidents, and endorses the Government's proposed approach to negotiations on the draft Regulation in the Council.
To be decided forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 102(9). |
|
| 5 |
PROTECTION AGAINST THIRD COUNTRY LEGISLATION |
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The Prime Minister
Mr Secretary Heseltine
Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer
Mr Secretary Howard
Mr Secretary Rifkind
Mr Secretary Lang
That this House takes note of European Community Document No. 9573/96, relating to the protection of Community interests against third country legislation, and endorses the Government's decision to agree at the General Affairs Council on 28th October to the adoption of a European Community Regulation providing such protection.
To be decided forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 102(9). |
| On the Motion for the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 9 Mr Chris Davies proposes to raise the subject of policing the streets. |
| COMMITTEES |
| STANDING COMMITTEE |
| 1 |
Scottish Grand Committee |
10.30 a.m. |
South Lanarkshire
Council Building,
Hamilton (Public) |
|
--Substantive motion for adjournment: Local government in Scotland--Consideration of the Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman and --Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland Bill in relation to its principle.--Half hour adjournment |
|
Copies of the Order Paper are available from the Vote Office |
| SELECT COMMITTEES |
| 2 |
Transport |
3.15 p.m. |
Room 21 (Private) |
|
|
3.30 p.m. |
(Public) |
|
Subject: The work of the Transport Directorate--General of the European CommissionWitness: Rt hon Neil Kinnock, European Commissioner |
| 3 |
Foreign Affairs |
4.00 p.m. |
Room 15 (Private) |
|
|
4.30 p.m. |
(Public) |
|
Subject: Dublin European ConferenceWitness: Rt hon Malcolm Rifkind, Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office |
| 4 |
Standards and Privileges |
4.00 p.m. |
Room 19 (Private) |
| 5 |
Treasury |
4.15 p.m. |
Room 8 (Public) |
|
Subject: The 1996 BudgetWitnesses: The Rt hon Kenneth Clarke, QC, MP, Chanceller of the Exchequer and officials of HM Treasury |
| 6 |
Health |
4.30 p.m. |
Room 5 (Private) |
| 7 |
Public Accounts |
4.30 p.m. |
Room 16 (Public) |
|
Subject: The Second Sale of Shares in National Power and PowerGenWitnesses: Sir Terence Burns, GCB, Permanent Secretary, Mr Stephen Robson, Deputy Secretary, Finance Regulation and Industry, Mr Harry Bush, Head of Privatisation, HM Treasury |
|
