| Oral Questions to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster |
| *1 |
Mr Michael Fabricant (Lichfield): What representations he has received on his proposals for a Food Standards Agency. |
| (19600) |
| *2 |
Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): If he will make a statement on the extension of the principle of open government. |
| (19601) |
| *3 |
Fiona Mactaggart (Slough): What steps he has taken to make his Department more open. |
| (19602) |
| *4 |
Mr Hugh Bayley (City of York): If he will make a statement about the most recent recipients of Chartermark awards. |
| (19603) |
| *5 |
Mr Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West): If he will make a statement about progress with legislation for freedom of information. |
| (19604) |
| *6 |
Mr Terry Rooney (Bradford North): What pilot projects are currently underway to develop the technology used in delivering Government services. |
| (19606) |
| *7 |
Mr Gerry Sutcliffe (Bradford South): If he will make a statement on progress towards legislation on freedom of information. |
| (19607) |
| *8 |
Mr Terry Lewis (Worsley): What action he has taken to increase accountability of non-departmental public bodies. |
| (19608) |
| *9 |
Mr Peter L. Pike (Burnley): What representations he has received regarding the appointment of magistrates in the County Palatine. |
| (19609) |
| *10 |
Mr Stephen Timms (East Ham): If he will list the transactions with Government which will be capable of being undertaken electronically in the first stage of his programme. |
| (19610) |
| *11 |
Mr Gerry Steinberg (City of Durham): What measures he is taking to broaden the social background from which appointments to non-departmental public bodies are made. |
| (19611) |
| *12 |
Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test): What representations he has received about his proposals to make quangos more open and accountable. |
| (19613) |
| *13 |
Ms Julie Morgan (Cardiff North): If he will list the principal objectives of the Government's proposals on freedom of information. |
| (19614) |
| *14 |
Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): When he expects to publish his proposals for a food safety standards agency; and if he will make a statement. |
| (19617) |
| *15 |
Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire): If he will make a statement on progress in reducing the number of quangos. |
| (19618) |
| *16 |
Mrs Teresa Gorman (Billericay): What representations he has received on his proposals for the establishment of a food safety standards agency. |
| (19619) |
| *17 |
Mr David Ruffley (Bury St. Edmunds): If he will review the operation of the New Model Contract for Special Advisers. |
| (19620) |
| *18 |
Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome): What instructions are issued to the Central Office of Information on the broadcasting of public information announcements on television. |
| (19621) |
| *19 |
Mr Ivan Lewis (Bury South): What plans he has to involve local government in the Better Government programme. |
| (19622) |
| *20 |
Mr Paul Tyler (North Cornwall): When he plans to publish his White Paper on food safety; and if he will make a statement. |
| (19623) |
| *21 |
Mr Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on his proposed freedom of information legislation. |
| (19624) |
| *22 |
Mr Harry Barnes (North East Derbyshire): What representations he has received recently concerning food safety; and if he will make a statement. |
| (19625) |
| *23 |
Mrs Anne Campbell (Cambridge): If he will make a statement on his plans to promote public services via electronic networks. |
| (19626) |
| *24 |
Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby): What representations he has received on the role of special advisers with responsibilities for Government information. |
| (19627) |
| *25 |
Mr Bill O'Brien (Normanton): What plans he has to make non-Departmental bodies more accountable to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. |
| (19628) |
| *26 |
Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): If he will make a statement regarding the release of Government papers. |
| (19629) |
| Oral Questions to the Prime Minister |
| *Q1 |
Mr Tony McNulty (Harrow East): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 17th December. |
| (19630) |
| *Q2 |
Mr Donald Anderson (Swansea East): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 17th December. |
| (19631) |
| *Q3 |
Mr Bill Michie (Sheffield, Heeley): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 17th December. |
| (19632) |
| *Q4 |
Mr Eric Clarke (Midlothian): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 17th December. |
| (19633) |
| *Q5 |
Mr Damian Green (Ashford): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 17th December. |
| (19634) |
| *Q6 |
Mr Robert N. Wareing (Liverpool, West Derby): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 17th December. |
| (19635) |
| *Q7 |
Mr Howard Flight (Arundel and South Downs): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 17th December. |
| (19636) |
| *Q8 |
Mr John McAllion (Dundee East): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 17th December. |
| (19637) |
| *Q9 |
Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 17th December. |
| (19638) |
| *Q10 |
Mr John Whittingdale (Maldon and East Chelmsford): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 17th December. |
| (19639) |
| *Q11 |
Mr Ross Cranston (Dudley North): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 17th December. |
| (19640) |
| *Q12 |
Mr David Prior (North Norfolk): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 17th December. |
| (19641) |
| *Q13 |
Mr Robert Walter (North Dorset): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 17th December. |
| (19642) |
| *Q14 |
Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 17th December. |
| (19643) |
| *Q15 |
Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 17th December. |
| (19644) |
| *Q16 |
Helen Jones (Warrington North): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 17th December. |
| (19645) |
| *Q17 |
Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 17th December. |
| (19646) |
| *Q18 |
Mr Andy King (Rugby and Kenilworth): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 17th December. |
| (19647) |
| *Q19 |
Mr David Willetts (Havant): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 17th December. |
| (19648) |
| *Q20 |
Mr John Cryer (Hornchurch): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 17th December. |
| (19649) |
|
| Main Business |
| + 4 |
FISHERIES [Until 8.00 p.m.] |
| | The Prime Minister
Mr Secretary Prescott
Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer
Mr Secretary Cook
Dr John Cunningham
Mr Secretary Dewar |
| | That this House takes note of the unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum submitted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 8th December 1997 relating to the fixing of total allowable catches for 1998 and certain conditions under which they may be fished; and supports the Government's intentions to negotiate the best possible fishing opportunities for British fishermen based on sustainable fisheries management, effective enforcement and the need to ensure that the regional differences of fisheries and their communities are fully recognised. |
| | As Amendments to the Prime Minister's proposed Motion (Fisheries): |
| | Mr William Hague
Mr Peter Lilley
Mr Michael Howard
Mr Michael Jack
Dr Liam Fox
Mr James Arbuthnot |
| | Line 1 , leave out from `House' to end, and add `notes the contents of the unnumbered explanatory Memorandum submitted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 8th December 1997 outlining the basis of the negotiations for the December Fisheries Council; and supports efforts to secure the best possible sustainable fishing opportunities for the United Kingdom industry, but recognises that, whatever the Council's outcome, the Government have yet again failed Britain's fishermen through their inability to provide an EU Treaty-based solution to the question of quota hopping, any form of workable plan to enable the industry to respond to the demands of MAGP IV and a statement reflecting the Government's priorities in the forthcoming discussions on CFP reform.'. |
| | Mr Paddy Ashdown
Mr James Wallace
Mr Charles Kennedy
Mr Andrew George
Mrs Ray Michie
Mr Paul Tyler |
| | Line 4 , leave out from `fished' to `possible' in line 5 and insert `and encourages the Government to seize the opportunity of the six month EU Presidency to ensure equality of monitoring and enforcement by member states and transparency in the implementation of MAGP IV, to secure a practical solution to the problem of quota hopping and to set the agenda for a decentralised and reformed Common Fisheries Policy; and urges the Government to secure the optimum'.
European Community Document No. 8371/96 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources;
European Community Document No. 7055/97 relating to the total allowable catches for 1997; European Community Document No. 9893/97 relating to the multi-annual guidance programmes for fishing fleets at the end of 1996. |
| | The Speaker will put the Questions necessary to dispose of proceedings not later than 8.00 p.m. (Order of 12th December). |
| + 5 |
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL (ALLOCATION OF TIME) [Up to 3 hours] |
| | Mrs Ann Taylor
Mr Secretary Cook |
| | That the following provisions shall apply to the remaining proceedings on the European Communities (Amendment) Bill:--
Committee of the whole House |
| | 1.--(1) The remaining proceedings in Committee shall be completed in two allotted days.
(2) At the sitting on the first allotted day, proceedings on any amendment to Clause 1--
(a) which may be selected and
(b) which would insert after `9' at line 13 of page 1 of the Bill words relating to paragraph 40 of Article 2 of the Treaty,
shall be brought to a conclusion, if not previously concluded, at half past Seven o'clock.
(3) At the sitting on that day proceedings on any amendment to Clause 1--
(a) which may be selected, and
(b) which would insert at the end of line 13 of page 1 of the Bill words relating to Article 2(3)(b) of the Treaty,
shall be brought to a conclusion, if not previously concluded, at Nine o'clock.
(4) At the sitting on the second allotted day, any remaining proceedings on Clauses 1 and 2 shall be brought to a conclusion, if not previously concluded, at half past Six o'clock.
(5) At that sitting, the remaining proceedings in Committee shall be brought to a conclusion, if not previously concluded, at Eight o'clock.
Proceedings on going into Committee |
| | 2. When the Order of the Day is read for the House to resolve itself into a Committee on the Bill, the Speaker shall leave the Chair without putting any Question and the House shall resolve itself into a Committee forthwith whether or not notice of an instruction to the Committee has been given; and Standing Order No. 66 (Committee of the whole House on bill) shall not apply.
Conclusion of proceedings in Committee |
| | 3. On the conclusion of the proceedings in Committee the Chairman shall report the Bill to the House without putting any Question and, if he reports the Bill with amendments, the House shall proceed to consider the Bill as amended without any Question being put.
Report and Third Reading |
| | 4. The proceedings on Consideration and on Third Reading shall be completed on the second allotted day and shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at Ten o'clock.
Conclusion of proceedings |
| | 5.--(1) For the purpose of bringing any proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with paragraphs 1 or 4, the Chairman or Speaker shall forthwith put the following Questions (but no others)--
(a) any Question already proposed from the Chair;
(b) any Question necessary to bring to a decision a Question so proposed;
(c) the Question on any amendment moved or Motion made by a Minister of the Crown;
(d) any other Question necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded;
and on a Motion so made for a new Clause or new Schedule, the Chairman or Speaker shall put only the Question that the Clause or Schedule be added to the Bill.
(2) If an allotted day is one on which a Motion for the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 24 (Adjournment on specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration) would, apart from this Order, stand over to Seven o'clock--
(a) that Motion shall stand over until the conclusion of any proceedings on the Bill which, under this Order, are to be brought to a conclusion before that time; and
(b) the bringing to a conclusion of any proceedings on the Bill which, under this Order, are to be brought to a conclusion after that time shall be postponed for a period of time equal to the duration of the proceedings on that Motion,
and paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business) shall apply to the proceedings on the Bill for a period of time equal to the duration of the proceedings on that Motion.
(3) If an allotted day is one to which a Motion for the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 24 stands over from an earlier day, the bringing to a conclusion of any proceedings on the Bill which under this Order are to be brought to a conclusion on that day shall be postponed for a period equal to the duration of the proceedings on that Motion; and paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted Business) shall apply to the proceedings on the Bill for a period of time equal to the duration of the proceedings on that Motion.
Order of proceedings |
| | 6. No motion shall be made to alter the order in which any proceedings on the Bill are taken.
Dilatory Motions |
| | 7. No dilatory Motion with respect to, or in the course of proceedings on, the Bill shall be made on an allotted day except by a Minister of the Crown, and the Question on any such Motion shall be put forthwith.
Interruption of business |
| | 8. The following business shall not be interrupted under any Standing Order relating to the sittings of the House and may be decided, though opposed, at any hour--
(a) proceedings under paragraph 5(1);
(b) proceedings to which paragraph 5(2) or (3) applies;
(c) proceedings under paragraph 10(1).
Business Committee |
| | 9. Standing Order No. 82 (Business Committee) shall not apply to this Order.
Supplemental orders |
| | 10.--(1) The proceedings on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown for varying or supplementing the provisions of this Order shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion one hour after they have been commenced.
(2) If at the sitting on an allotted day the House is adjourned, or the sitting is suspended, before the time at which any proceedings are to be brought to a conclusion under paragraphs 1 or 4, no notice shall be required of a Motion made at the next sitting by a Minister of the Crown for varying or supplementing the provisions of this Order.
Recommittal |
| | 11. No debate shall be permitted on any Motion to recommit the Bill (whether as a whole or otherwise) and the Speaker shall put forthwith any Question necessary to dispose of the Motion, including the Question on any amendment moved to the Question.
Interpretation |
| |
"allotted day" means any day (other than a Friday) on which the Bill is put down as first Government Order of the Day;
"the Treaty" means the Treaty signed at Amsterdam on 2nd October 1997 amending the Treaty on European Union, the Treaties establishing the European Communities and certain related Acts. |
| | The Speaker will put the Question not more than three hours after proceedings begin (Standing Order No. 83). This period may continue or commence after 10.00 p.m. if the 10.00 p.m. Business Motion is agreed to. |
| COMMITTEE MEETINGS |
| STANDING COMMITTEE |
| 1 |
Standing Committee C |
10.30 a.m. |
Room 10 (public) |
| To consider the Wild Mammals (Hunting with Dogs) Bill. |
| SELECT COMMITTEES |
| 2 |
Scottish Affairs |
10.00 a.m.
10.30 a.m. |
Room 15 (private)
(public) |
| Subject: Welfare to Work. |
| Witness: Mr Brian Wilson, Minister for Education and Industry, Scottish Office and Mr A K MacLeod, Assistant Secretary, Scottish Office. |
| 3 |
Trade and Industry |
10.00 a.m. |
Room 20 (private) |
| 4 |
Culture, Media and Sport |
10.30 a.m. |
Room 7 (private) |
| 5 |
Social Security |
10.30 a.m. |
Room 19 (private) |
| 6 |
Treasury |
10.30 a.m.
10.45 a.m. |
Room 6 (private)
(public) |
| Subject: The Pre-budget Report. |
| Witnesses: The Rt Hon Gordon Brown, MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and HM Treasury officials. |
| 7 |
Foreign Affairs |
11.00 a.m. |
Room 16 (private) |
| 8 |
Northern Ireland Affairs |
3.45 p.m. |
Room 8 (private) |
| 9 |
Science and Technology |
3.45 p.m.
4.00 p.m. |
Room 20 (private)
(public) |
| Subject: The Implications of the Dearing Report for the Structure and Funding of University Research. |
| Witnesses: Medical Research Charities Association; Wellcome Trust (at 4.35 p.m.); The Royal Society (at 5.10 p.m.). |
| 10 |
European Legislation |
4.00 p.m. |
Room 19 (private) |
| 11 |
Selection |
4.15 p.m. |
Room 13 (private) |
| 12 |
Health |
4.30 p.m.
5.00 p.m. |
Room 15 (private) |
| Subject: Health Policy and Expenditure Issues. |
| Witnesses: Rt Hon Frank Dobson, MP, Secretary of State for Health, Mr Alan Milburn, MP, Minister of State and Mr Paul Boateng, MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Health. |
| 13 |
Public Accounts |
4.30 p.m. |
Room 16 (public) |
| Subject: Checking Large-Traders' VAT Liability. |
| Witnesses: Mrs Valerie Strachan, Chairman, Mr Martin Brown, Director, VAT Policy. |
| [The decision of a Committee to sit in public may be rescinded without notice.] |
|
