Order of Business for 13 January 1998

House of Commons

Session 1997-98
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Order of Business Tuesday 13th January 1998

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Notes:
* Indicates a question for oral answer.
[R] indicates that the Member has declared a relevant interest.
Questions for oral answer not reached receive a written answer.
Supplementary questions will also be asked. Other Ministers may also answer.
+ Indicates Government business.
Timings are indicative only.
++ These are ordinary written questions of which no previous notice has been given. For other questions for written answer today see the 'Order Book'.

At 2.30 p.m. Prayers

At 2.35 p.m.

Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

*1 Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    If he will take steps to ease or remove sanctions against Iraq affecting children and the sick.

(20412)

*2 Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford and Southend East):    If he will make a statement on the constitutional status of Gibraltar.

(20413)

*3 Mr Richard Spring (West Suffolk):    If he will make a statement about the Government's objectives in respect of enlargement during the UK's presidency of the European Union.

(20414)

*4 Mr Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North):    What monitoring he proposes of the UN referendum on the future of the Western Sahara.

(20415)

*5 Mr Chris Mullin (Sunderland South):    What recent discussions he has had on human rights in the Caribbean; and if he will make a statement.

(20416)

*6 Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire):    What plans he has to secure agreement on an EU code of conduct on conventional arms exports during the UK presidency.

(20418)

*7 Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath):    What plans he has to support the application of Latvia and other Baltic states to join the EU and NATO.

(20419)

*8 Mr Stephen Day (Cheadle):    What steps his Department is taking to promote democracy in the Commonwealth.

(20420)

*9 Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    If he will seek to persuade all EU member states during the United Kingdom's presidency to freeze arms exports to Indonesia.

(20421)

*10 Alice Mahon (Halifax):    What action he is taking to combat global illicit arms trafficking.

(20422)

*11 Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire):    If he will seek to establish target dates for the next stage of European enlargement during the United Kingdom presidency.

(20423)

*12 Mr John Healey (Wentworth):    If he will make a statement on his Department's plans for the Invest in Britain Bureau.

(20424)

*13 Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    If he will make a statement on Government financial support of (a) BBC World Service and (b) BBC World.

(20425)

*14 Mr Graham Stringer (Manchester, Blackley):    What assessment his Department has made of the future level of inward investment from Taiwan.

(20426)

*15 Mrs Anne Campbell (Cambridge):    Pursuant to the recommendations of the Export Forum, if he will make a statement on his Department's export promotion work.

(20427)

*16 Gillian Merron (Lincoln):    What further measures he will take to assist small and medium size enterprises in their export efforts.

(20428)

*17 Mr Stephen Timms (East Ham):    What plans he has to secure agreement on an EU code of conduct on conventional arms exports during the United Kingdom presidency.

(20429)

*18 Helen Jones (Warrington North):    What assessment his Department has made of future levels of inward investment from Taiwan.

(20430)

*19 Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West):    What action the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has taken to promote job creation in the EU.

(20431)

*20 Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    If he will make a statement on British relations with India.

(20432)

*21 Mr Neil Gerrard (Walthamstow):    If he will make a statement on the current situation in the Middle East.

(20433)

*22 Mr Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West):    What recent discussions he has had about arms control; and if he will make a statement.

(20434)

*23 Mr Terry Rooney (Bradford North):    If he will make a statement on the European Union's role in the Middle East peace process during the United Kingdom's presidency.

(20435)

*24 Mr Bill O'Brien (Normanton):    If he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's relations with Turkey.

(20436)

*25 Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    When he expects to meet the Chief Minister of Gibraltar to discuss Spain.

(20437)

*26 Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    What initiatives over Cyprus he proposes for 1998.

(20438)

*27 Mr David Davis (Haltemprice and Howden):    What are the Government's plans for Britain's presidency of the European Union in respect of reform of EU institutions.

(20439)

*28 Mr Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield):    If he will make a statement on the Middle East peace process.

(20440)

*29 The Reverend Martin Smyth (Belfast South):    If he will list those countries in the European Union which have a claim in their constitutions over the territory of another member of the Union.

(20441)

*30 Mr Peter L. Pike (Burnley):    Which East and Central European countries he proposes to visit during 1998 to discuss the enlargement of the European Union.

(20442)

*31 Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South):    What plans he has to use the presidency of the European Union to strengthen economic and social agreements between the European Union and those states formerly members of the Warsaw Pact and Soviet Union that currently have European Union association agreements.

(20443)

*32 Mr Malcolm Savidge (Aberdeen North):    What assessment he has made of the progress towards democracy in Nigeria.

(20444)

*33 Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold):    When he plans to visit the Middle East to discuss measures to increase United Kingdom exports to that area.

(20445)

*34 Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley):    When he last raised the human rights situation in Algeria with the Algerian authorities.

(20446)

*35 Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst):    When he plans to visit Australia to discuss United Kingdom-Australian relations.

(20447)

*36 Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    If he will make a statement on progress on enlargement of the European Union.

(20448)

*37 Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    What recent assessment he has made of civil rights in Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement.

(20449)

*38 Mr Michael Colvin (Romsey):    If the Government supports the application of Lithuania for membership of the European Union in the next wave.

(20450)

*39 Mr John Wilkinson (Ruislip-Northwood):    What representations he has received from the foreign ministers of Latvia and Lithuania about European Union enlargement following the Luxembourg European Union summit.

(20451)

At 3.30 p.m. Private Notice Questions (if any)
Ministerial Statements (if any)

Preliminary Business
*Notice of Presentation of Bill*
1	PARLIAMENTARY DECLARATION *[No debate]*
	Mr Tony Benn Bill to provide for a new Declaration to be made by Members of Parliament upon their election to the House of Commons.
*Formal first reading: no debate or decision*
*Ten Minute Rule Motion*
2	LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARY CHANGES (REFERENDUM) *[Up to 20 minutes]*
	Mr Ronnie Fearn That leave be given to bring in a Bill to provide for the holding of referendums on proposals of the Local Government Commission for England to change local government boundaries; to make the results of such referendums binding; and for connected purposes. *The Member moving and a Member opposing this Motion may each speak for up to ten minutes (Standing Order No. 23).*

Main Business
+ 3	SCOTLAND BILL: Adjourned Debate on Amendment to Question for Second Reading [12th January]. *[Until 10.00 p.m.]*
	And a Motion being made, and the Question being proposed, That the Bill be now read a second time:-- An Amendment was proposed to the Question, to leave out from the word `That' to the end of the Question and to add the words `this House, while accepting and respecting the clear decision of the Scottish people in favour of a devolved Scottish Parliament with limited income tax-varying powers, nevertheless believes that the Scotland Bill is not an acceptable measure because it fails to create a constitutional settlement which is stable and enduring within the United Kingdom; because it undermines Scotland's role both in Europe and within the Government and Parliament of the United Kingdom; and because its lack of clarity on taxes and resources threatens the interests of Scottish business, Scottish people and Scottish jobs', instead thereof--(Mr Michael Ancram ). Question proposed, That the Amendment be made:--
*Debate may continue until 10.00 p.m.*
	Mr Secretary Dewar Mr William Hague Mr Peter Lilley Mr Michael Ancram Dr Liam Fox Mr Bernard Jenkin

Mr Oliver Heald

Mr Paul Tyler

Mrs Margaret Ewing

	After Second Reading of the Scotland Bill, to move, That the Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House.
+ 4	SCOTLAND BILL [MONEY]: Queen's Recommendation signified.�
	Dawn Primarolo That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Scotland Bill, it is expedient to authorise-- (1) the payment out of money provided by Parliament of-- (a) any expenditure incurred by a Minister of the Crown by virtue of the Act, (b) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable out of money so provided under any other enactment, (2) the payment out of money provided by Parliament or the Consolidated Fund of sums so payable by virtue of subordinate legislation under the Act, and (3) the payment out of the National Loans Fund of any sums required by a Minister of the Crown for making loans to the Scottish Ministers in pursuance of the Act.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 52(1)(a)).*
+ 5	SCOTLAND BILL [WAYS AND MEANS]:�
	Dawn Primarolo That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Scotland Bill, it is expedient to authorise-- (1) the imposition by virtue of a tax-varying resolution of the Scottish Parliament of charges to income tax in relation to the income of Scottish taxpayers, and (2) the payment of sums into the Consolidated Fund or the National Loans Fund. In this Resolution, `tax-varying resolution' means a resolution providing for the percentage determined to be the basic rate for any year of assessment to be increased or reduced for Scottish taxpayers by a number specified in the resolution which does not exceed three and is either a whole number or half a whole number.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 52(1)(a)).*
+ 6	SCOTLAND BILL (PROGRAMME) *[Up to 45 minutes]*
	Mr Secretary Dewar Mrs Ann Taylor Mrs Gillian Shephard Mr Paul Tyler Mrs Margaret Ewing
	That the following provisions shall apply to the Scotland Bill:-- 1. Proceedings in Committee of the whole House shall be completed in eight allotted days and shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at Ten o'clock on the eighth day. 2. Proceedings on consideration and Third Reading shall be completed in three allotted days and shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at Ten o'clock on the third day. 3. (1) Standing Order No. 82 (Business Committee) shall apply to proceedings on the Bill; (2) Resolutions of the Business Committee may include alterations in the order in which proceedings on the Bill may be taken; (3) The Business Committee shall report to the House a Resolution as to proceedings in Committee not later than 22nd January 1998; and (4) Any resolution of the Business Committee may be varied by a further Report of the Committee under the Standing Order (whether before or after the date on which the Committee is to report under this paragraph and whether or not that Resolution has been agreed to by the House). 4. For the purpose of concluding any proceedings which are to be brought to a conclusion at a time appointed by or under this Order, (1) The Chairman or Speaker shall put forthwith 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 (including in the case of a new Clause or Schedule which has been read a second time, the Question that the Clause or Schedule be added to the Bill); (c) the Question on any amendment moved or Motion made by a Minister of the Crown; and (d) any other Question necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded. (2) Proceedings under sub-paragraph (1) shall not be interrupted under any Standing Order relating to sittings of the House and may be decided, though opposed, at any hour. (3) If, apart from this sub-paragraph, two or more Questions would fall to be put by the Chairman under sub-paragraph (1)(d) in relation to a series of clauses or schedules to which no notice of amendment has been given by a Minister of the Crown, the Chairman shall instead put a single question in relation to those clauses and schedules. (4) On a Motion made for a new Clause or a new Schedule, the Chairman or Speaker shall put only the Question that the Clause or Schedule be added to the Bill. 5. In this Order "allotted day" means a day on which the Bill is put down on the main business as first Government Order of the Day. 6. If any Motion is made by a Minister of the Crown to amend this Order so as to provide a greater amount of time for proceedings on the Bill under paragraph 1 or 2 of this Order, the Question thereon shall be put forthwith and may be decided, though opposed, at any hour. 7. If any Motion is made by a Minister of the Crown to supplement the provisions of this Order in respect of proceedings on any Lords Amendments or any subsequent message from the Lords relating to the Bill, such Motion may be proceeded with, though opposed, at any hour and the proceedings, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion three-quarters of an hour after they have been commenced. *The Speaker will put the question not later than three-quarters of an hour after the start of proceedings (Order of 19th December).*

At the end of the sitting:

7	ADJOURNMENT
	Proposed subject: Notification of agro-chemical incidents (Dr Peter Brand). *Debate may continue until 10.30 p.m. or for half an hour, whichever is later (Standing Order No. 9).*

COMMITTEE MEETINGS
STANDING COMMITTEE
1	Standing Committee D	10.30 a.m.	Room 11 (public)
	To consider the National Minimum Wage Bill.
SELECT COMMITTEES
2	Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs: Environment Sub-Committee	9.00 a.m. 9.15 a.m.	Room 8 (private) (public)
	Subject: Sewage Treatment and Disposal.
	Witness: Rt Hon Michael Meacher, MP, Minister for the Environment.
3	Deregulation	10.00 a.m.	Room 21 (private)
4	Public Administration	10.00 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 17 (private) (public)
	Subject: The Report of the Health Service Commissioner for 1996-97.
	Witnesses: Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Trust; East and North Hertfordshire Health Authority (at approximately 11.45 a.m.).
5	Scottish Affairs	10.00 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 6 (private) (public)
	Subject: The Operation of Multi-Layer Democracy.
	Witnesses: Professor Alice Brown, and the Reverend Canon Kenyon Wright.
6	Home Affairs	10.15 a.m.	Room 20 (private)
7	Welsh Affairs	10.15 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 15 (private) (public)
	Subject: The Impact of Devolution on Local Government and Economic Development in Wales.
	Witness: The Rt Hon Ron Davies, MP, Secretary of State for Wales.
8	Environmental Audit	10.30 a.m.	Room 19 (private)
9	Procedure	4.30 p.m. 5.00 p.m.	Room 15 (private) (public)
	Subject: Use of the Welsh Language in Parliamentary Proceedings in Wales.
	Witnesses: Mr Barry Jones, MP, Chairman of the Welsh Grand Committee, and Mr Paul Silk, Clerk of the Welsh Grand Committee; Mr Ian Church, Editor, and Lorraine Sutherland, Department of the Official Report (at 5.30 p.m.).
10	Statutory Instruments	Immediately after the meeting of the Joint Committee.	Room 7 (private)
JOINT COMMITTEE
11	Statutory Instruments	4.15 p.m.	Room 7 (private)
[The decision of a Committee to sit in public may be rescinded without notice.]

Written Questions tabled on Monday 12th January for answer today++
1	Ms Jackie Lawrence (Preseli, Pembrokeshire): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what changes are proposed to the cash limit and net running cost limit for the Government Actuary's Department for 1997-98.
	(22971)
2	Ms Debra Shipley (Stourbridge): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, when she intends to carry out public consultation on the European Commission's proposal to amend the Acquired Rights Directive.
	(23092)
3	Ms Ruth Kelly (Bolton West): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will make a statement on consumer credit monetary limits and fees.
	(23093)
4	Ms Hazel Blears (Salford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he has published the draft Bill to restrict the frequency of lottery draws.
	(23094)
5	Mr Ernie Ross (Dundee West): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make a statement on the membership and remit of the Consultative Steering Group on the Scottish Parliament.
	(23095)
6	Mr Ken Purchase (Wolverhampton North East): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what delegations were made in 1997 under the Civil Service (Management Functions) Act 1992; to whom those delegations were made; and what were the main conditions attached to them.
	(23096)
7	Mr Christopher Leslie (Shipley): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to review and update the waste management policies set out in the 1995 White Paper, Making Waste Work: A Strategy for Sustainable Waste Management in England and Wales.
	(23176)

Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
*1	Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead): If he will take steps to ease or remove sanctions against Iraq affecting children and the sick.
	(20412)
*2	Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford and Southend East): If he will make a statement on the constitutional status of Gibraltar.
	(20413)
*3	Mr Richard Spring (West Suffolk): If he will make a statement about the Government's objectives in respect of enlargement during the UK's presidency of the European Union.
	(20414)
*4	Mr Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): What monitoring he proposes of the UN referendum on the future of the Western Sahara.
	(20415)
*5	Mr Chris Mullin (Sunderland South): What recent discussions he has had on human rights in the Caribbean; and if he will make a statement.
	(20416)
*6	Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire): What plans he has to secure agreement on an EU code of conduct on conventional arms exports during the UK presidency.
	(20418)
*7	Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath): What plans he has to support the application of Latvia and other Baltic states to join the EU and NATO.
	(20419)
*8	Mr Stephen Day (Cheadle): What steps his Department is taking to promote democracy in the Commonwealth.
	(20420)
*9	Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): If he will seek to persuade all EU member states during the United Kingdom's presidency to freeze arms exports to Indonesia.
	(20421)
*10	Alice Mahon (Halifax): What action he is taking to combat global illicit arms trafficking.
	(20422)
*11	Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire): If he will seek to establish target dates for the next stage of European enlargement during the United Kingdom presidency.
	(20423)
*12	Mr John Healey (Wentworth): If he will make a statement on his Department's plans for the Invest in Britain Bureau.
	(20424)
*13	Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): If he will make a statement on Government financial support of (a) BBC World Service and (b) BBC World.
	(20425)
*14	Mr Graham Stringer (Manchester, Blackley): What assessment his Department has made of the future level of inward investment from Taiwan.
	(20426)
*15	Mrs Anne Campbell (Cambridge): Pursuant to the recommendations of the Export Forum, if he will make a statement on his Department's export promotion work.
	(20427)
*16	Gillian Merron (Lincoln): What further measures he will take to assist small and medium size enterprises in their export efforts.
	(20428)
*17	Mr Stephen Timms (East Ham): What plans he has to secure agreement on an EU code of conduct on conventional arms exports during the United Kingdom presidency.
	(20429)
*18	Helen Jones (Warrington North): What assessment his Department has made of future levels of inward investment from Taiwan.
	(20430)
*19	Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West): What action the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has taken to promote job creation in the EU.
	(20431)
*20	Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire): If he will make a statement on British relations with India.
	(20432)
*21	Mr Neil Gerrard (Walthamstow): If he will make a statement on the current situation in the Middle East.
	(20433)
*22	Mr Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West): What recent discussions he has had about arms control; and if he will make a statement.
	(20434)
*23	Mr Terry Rooney (Bradford North): If he will make a statement on the European Union's role in the Middle East peace process during the United Kingdom's presidency.
	(20435)
*24	Mr Bill O'Brien (Normanton): If he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's relations with Turkey.
	(20436)
*25	Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton): When he expects to meet the Chief Minister of Gibraltar to discuss Spain.
	(20437)
*26	Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): What initiatives over Cyprus he proposes for 1998.
	(20438)
*27	Mr David Davis (Haltemprice and Howden): What are the Government's plans for Britain's presidency of the European Union in respect of reform of EU institutions.
	(20439)
*28	Mr Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield): If he will make a statement on the Middle East peace process.
	(20440)
*29	The Reverend Martin Smyth (Belfast South): If he will list those countries in the European Union which have a claim in their constitutions over the territory of another member of the Union.
	(20441)
*30	Mr Peter L. Pike (Burnley): Which East and Central European countries he proposes to visit during 1998 to discuss the enlargement of the European Union.
	(20442)
*31	Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South): What plans he has to use the presidency of the European Union to strengthen economic and social agreements between the European Union and those states formerly members of the Warsaw Pact and Soviet Union that currently have European Union association agreements.
	(20443)
*32	Mr Malcolm Savidge (Aberdeen North): What assessment he has made of the progress towards democracy in Nigeria.
	(20444)
*33	Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): When he plans to visit the Middle East to discuss measures to increase United Kingdom exports to that area.
	(20445)
*34	Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley): When he last raised the human rights situation in Algeria with the Algerian authorities.
	(20446)
*35	Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst): When he plans to visit Australia to discuss United Kingdom-Australian relations.
	(20447)
*36	Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire): If he will make a statement on progress on enlargement of the European Union.
	(20448)
*37	Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): What recent assessment he has made of civil rights in Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement.
	(20449)
*38	Mr Michael Colvin (Romsey): If the Government supports the application of Lithuania for membership of the European Union in the next wave.
	(20450)
*39	Mr John Wilkinson (Ruislip-Northwood): What representations he has received from the foreign ministers of Latvia and Lithuania about European Union enlargement following the Luxembourg European Union summit.
	(20451)