Order of Business for 20 January 1998

House of Commons

Session 1997-98
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Summary Agendas and Orders of Business

Order of Business Tuesday 20th January 1998

Here you can browse the House of Commons Order of Business for Tueday 20 January 1998.

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 Scotland

*1 Mr Martin O'Neill (Ochil):    What plans he has for tackling inequalities in health in Scotland.

(21712)

*2 Mr Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks):    What representations he has received about the future of Locate in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

(21713)

*3 Mr John Swinney (North Tayside):    When he last met representatives of the Scottish farming industry to discuss farm income levels.

(21714)

*4 Mr George Galloway (Glasgow, Kelvin):    What representations he has received from Glasgow City Council about the state of finances in the Council; and if he will make a statement.

(21715)

*5 Mr David Davis (Haltemprice and Howden):    How many applications have been made to Scottish universities for the 1998-99 academic year; and how many were made in the comparable period for the 1997-98 and 1996-97 academic years.

(21716)

*6 Rachel Squire (Dunfermline West):    What representations he has received on the replacement of the Kincardine Bridge.

(21717)

*7 Mr John McAllion (Dundee East):    What assessment he has made of the advantages of holding the first elections to a Scottish Parliament in 1999 on the same day as local government elections in Scotland.

(21718)

*8 Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    What is the number of NHS beds per head of population in Scotland; and what assessment he has made of the per capita provision of NHS beds in Scotland relative to the United Kingdom average.

(21719)

*9 Mr Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West):    If he will return Scotland's water services to local authority control.

(21720)

*10 Mr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde):    What recent representations he has received concerning the ferry services operated by Caledonian MacBrayne.

(21721)

*11 Miss Anne Begg (Aberdeen South):    What plans he has for raising standards in Scottish schools.

(21722)

*12 Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby):    What discussions he has had with the European Union regarding future financial assistance for the Highlands and Islands.

(21723)

*13 Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire):    What plans he has to meet the CBI in Scotland to discuss the future role of the Scottish Parliament.

(21724)

*14 Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock):    In what circumstances a Minister answerable to the Parliament of Scotland would (a) attend with a UK Minister and (b) lead in European Union Council meetings.

(21725)

*15 Mr David Prior (North Norfolk):    What representations he has received on his estimate of the cost of setting up a Scottish Parliament.

(21726)

*16 Mr Edward Leigh (Gainsborough):    What representations he has received about the 1998-99 revenue support grant settlement for Scottish local authorities.

(21728)

*17 Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray):    How many responses he has received to his White Paper, Designed to Care.

(21729)

*18 Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    What discussions he has had with Scottish Enterprise regarding inward investment.

(21730)

*19 Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    How many meetings of EU Fisheries Councils he has attended since 2nd May 1997.

(21731)

*20 Mr Gerald Howarth (Aldershot):    If he will make a statement on the future of inward investment projects in Scotland from South-East Asian countries.

(21732)

*21 Ms Roseanna Cunningham (Perth):    If he will make a statement on progress with the welfare to work package in Scotland.

(21733)

*22 Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    What plans he has to meet the CBI in Scotland to discuss the future of Locate in Scotland.

(21734)

*23 Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):    What sums of money are to be transferred to the Scottish block for public spending in Scotland in consequence of the inclusion of council tax benefit and housing benefit.

(21735)

*24 Mrs Ray Michie (Argyll and Bute):    If he will make a statement on the discretion which local authorities will have in the use of additional funding for education.

(21736)

*25 Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    What recent representations he has (a) made and (b) evaluated in respect of the scale of funding for Scottish public services relative to that elsewhere in the UK.

(21737)

*26 Mr Frank Roy (Motherwell and Wishaw):    When the Government expects to implement the recommendation of the Pennington Report into food hygiene matters.

(21738)

*27 Mr Malcolm Savidge (Aberdeen North):    What assessment he has made of the traffic and transport problems of Aberdeen and the North-East of Scotland.

(21739)

*28 Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    If he will make a statement on the costs of a Scottish Parliament.

(21740)

*29 Mrs Eleanor Laing (Epping Forest):    How many representations he has received in support of the Government's plans to introduce tuition fees for university education.

(21741)

At 3.15 p.m.

Questions to the President of the Council, the honourable Member answering for the House of Commons Commission and the Chairman of the Finance and Services Committee

*30 Dr Tony Wright (Cannock Chase):    To ask the President of the Council, what plans she has to implement the recommendations of the Select Committee on the Modernisation of the House of Commons on legislative procedures in respect of bills in the current session.

(21742)

*31 Mr Hugh Bayley (City of York):    To ask the President of the Council, if she will make a statement about the Government's strategy against illegal drug use.

(21743)

*32 Mrs Virginia Bottomley (South West Surrey):    To ask the President of the Council, what steps she is taking to uphold the rights and privileges of the House in respect of Government announcements.

(21744)

*33 Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask the President of the Council, what are her priorities in the co-ordination of strategies to deal with drug misuse.

(21745)

*34 Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham):    To ask the President of the Council, what representations she has received on establishing procedures to allow for advance publication of the dates of parliamentary recesses.

(21746)

*35 Mr Chris Mullin (Sunderland South):    To ask the President of the Council, what representations she has received regarding reform of the parliamentary calendar; and if she will make a statement.

(21747)

*36 Mr Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North):    To ask the honourable Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what proportion of the House of Commons Commission's employees are on limited term contracts.

(21748)

*37 Mr Michael Fabricant (Lichfield):    To ask the President of the Council, what recent representations she has received relating to the timing of events within the parliamentary day.

(21750)

*38 Mr David Chaytor (Bury North):    To ask the honourable Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what progress he has made in developing a comprehensive policy on smoking in the Palace of Westminster.

(21752)

*39 Mr David Hinchliffe (Wakefield):    To ask the President of the Council, what steps she is taking to review the office costs allowance.

(21754)

*40 Mr Bill Rammell (Harlow):    To ask the President of the Council, if she will make a statement on the House of Commons scrutiny of European legislation.

(21755)

*41 Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock):    To ask the President of the Council, what is the Government's policy on restructuring the parliamentary calendar.

(21756)

*42 Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the President of the Council, if she will create a slot for oral questions to allow the Minister without Portfolio to answer to the House on his wider responsibilities beyond those relating to the Millennium Dome.

(21751)

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

Preliminary Business
Ten Minute Rule Motion
1	PARLIAMENTARY BOUNDARY COMMISSIONS (AMENDMENT) *[Up to 20 minutes]*
	Mr Richard Page That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986. *The Member moving and a Member opposing this Motion may each speak for up to ten minutes (Standing Order No. 23).*

Main Business
+ 2	GOVERNMENT OF WALES BILL (PROGRAMME) *[No debate]*
	Mrs Ann Taylor Mr Secretary Davies
	That the Report [19th January] from the Business Committee be now considered.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 82).*
	Mrs Ann Taylor Mr Secretary Davies
	(Upon consideration of the Report) To move, That this House doth agree with the Committee in its Resolution.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 82).*
+ 3	GOVERNMENT OF WALES BILL [1st allotted day]: Committee. *[Until 10.00 p.m.]*
For Amendments, see separate Paper.
*Debate may continue until 10.00 p.m.*
+ 4	NORTHERN IRELAND *[No debate]*
	Secretary Marjorie Mowlam That the draft Activity Centres (Young Persons' Safety) (Northern Ireland) Order 1997, which was laid before this House on 25th November, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 5	COCOA AND CHOCOLATE *[No debate]*
	The Prime Minister Mr Secretary Prescott Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr Secretary Cook Mr Secretary Straw Dr John Cunningham
	That this House takes note of European Community Document No. 8164/96, relating to cocoa and chocolate products intended for human consumption; and endorses the Government's efforts to resist any discrimination against UK products, to secure their free circulation throughout the EC and to maintain the widest possible range of consumer choice.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 119(9)).*

At the end of the sitting:

6	ADJOURNMENT
	Proposed subject: *Inclusion of Test Match Cricket as a listed sporting event* (Mr Bill Rammell). *Debate may continue until 10.30 p.m. or for half an hour, whichever is later (Standing Order No. 9).*

COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEES
1	Standing Committee A	10.30 a.m.	Room 12 (public)
	To consider the School Standards and Framework Bill.
2	Standing Committee B	10.30 a.m.	Room 10 (public)
		4.30 p.m.	(public)
	Further to consider the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords].
3	Standing Committee D	10.30 a.m.	Room 11 (public)
		4.30 p.m.	(public)
	Further to consider the National Minimum Wage Bill.

SELECT COMMITTEES
4	Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs: Environment Sub-Committee	9.00 a.m. 9.45 a.m.	Room 17 (private) (public)
	Subject: Sustainable Waste Management. Witnesses: Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions officials; The Environment Agency.
5	Deregulation	10.00 a.m.	Room 21 (private)
6	Public Administration	10.00 a.m.	Room 8 (private)
		11.15 a.m.	(public)
	Subject: Freedom of Information. Witness: Mr Maurice Frankel, Director, Campaign for Freedom of Information.
7	Environmental Audit	10.15 a.m.	Room 19 (private)
8	Home Affairs	10.15 a.m.	Room 15 (private)
		10.30 a.m.	(public)
	Subject: Alternatives to Prison Sentences. Witnesses: Association of Chief Officers of Probation.
9	Standards and Privileges	10.30 a.m.	Room 16 (private)
10	Health	1.00 p.m.	Room 5 (private)
11	Foreign Affairs: Entry Clearance Sub-Committee	2.30 p.m.	Room 13 (private)
12	European Legislation	4.00 p.m.	Room 19 (private)
13	Statutory Instruments	Immediately after the meeting of the Joint Committee	Room 7 (private)
JOINT COMMITTEES
14	Parliamentary Privilege	10.30 a.m.	Room 6 (private)
		10.35 a.m.	(public)
	Subject: Parliamentary Privilege. Witness: The Rt Hon Jack Straw, MP, Home Secretary.
15	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 19th January for answer today++
1	Mr Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will issue guidance to local planning authorities on how they can use their planning powers to help prevent dereliction.
	(24523)
2	Mr David Hanson (Delyn): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will make a statement on her dialogue with business in preparation for the Competitiveness White Paper.
	(24652)
3	Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has for a review of financial regulation in the Crown Dependencies.
	(24698)
4	Mr John Healey (Wentworth): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he plans to publish the second of the reports to Parliament on Hong Kong and the implementation of the Joint Declaration.
	(24719)
5	Mr John Healey (Wentworth): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress has been made on the potential areas for co-operation between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom identified in the joint statement by the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach in the margins of the European Council at Noordwijk on 23rd May 1997.
	(24720)

Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland
*1	Mr Martin O'Neill (Ochil): What plans he has for tackling inequalities in health in Scotland.
	(21712)
*2	Mr Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks): What representations he has received about the future of Locate in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
	(21713)
*3	Mr John Swinney (North Tayside): When he last met representatives of the Scottish farming industry to discuss farm income levels.
	(21714)
*4	Mr George Galloway (Glasgow, Kelvin): What representations he has received from Glasgow City Council about the state of finances in the Council; and if he will make a statement.
	(21715)
*5	Mr David Davis (Haltemprice and Howden): How many applications have been made to Scottish universities for the 1998-99 academic year; and how many were made in the comparable period for the 1997-98 and 1996-97 academic years.
	(21716)
*6	Rachel Squire (Dunfermline West): What representations he has received on the replacement of the Kincardine Bridge.
	(21717)
*7	Mr John McAllion (Dundee East): What assessment he has made of the advantages of holding the first elections to a Scottish Parliament in 1999 on the same day as local government elections in Scotland.
	(21718)
*8	Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): What is the number of NHS beds per head of population in Scotland; and what assessment he has made of the per capita provision of NHS beds in Scotland relative to the United Kingdom average.
	(21719)
*9	Mr Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West): If he will return Scotland's water services to local authority control.
	(21720)
*10	Mr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde): What recent representations he has received concerning the ferry services operated by Caledonian MacBrayne.
	(21721)
*11	Miss Anne Begg (Aberdeen South): What plans he has for raising standards in Scottish schools.
	(21722)
*12	Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby): What discussions he has had with the European Union regarding future financial assistance for the Highlands and Islands.
	(21723)
*13	Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire): What plans he has to meet the CBI in Scotland to discuss the future role of the Scottish Parliament.
	(21724)
*14	Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): In what circumstances a Minister answerable to the Parliament of Scotland would (a) attend with a UK Minister and (b) lead in European Union Council meetings.
	(21725)
*15	Mr David Prior (North Norfolk): What representations he has received on his estimate of the cost of setting up a Scottish Parliament.
	(21726)
*16	Mr Edward Leigh (Gainsborough): What representations he has received about the 1998-99 revenue support grant settlement for Scottish local authorities.
	(21728)
*17	Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray): How many responses he has received to his White Paper, Designed to Care.
	(21729)
*18	Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale): What discussions he has had with Scottish Enterprise regarding inward investment.
	(21730)
*19	Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow): How many meetings of EU Fisheries Councils he has attended since 2nd May 1997.
	(21731)
*20	Mr Gerald Howarth (Aldershot): If he will make a statement on the future of inward investment projects in Scotland from South-East Asian countries.
	(21732)
*21	Ms Roseanna Cunningham (Perth): If he will make a statement on progress with the welfare to work package in Scotland.
	(21733)
*22	Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham): What plans he has to meet the CBI in Scotland to discuss the future of Locate in Scotland.
	(21734)
*23	Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire): What sums of money are to be transferred to the Scottish block for public spending in Scotland in consequence of the inclusion of council tax benefit and housing benefit.
	(21735)
*24	Mrs Ray Michie (Argyll and Bute): If he will make a statement on the discretion which local authorities will have in the use of additional funding for education.
	(21736)
*25	Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): What recent representations he has (a) made and (b) evaluated in respect of the scale of funding for Scottish public services relative to that elsewhere in the UK.
	(21737)
*26	Mr Frank Roy (Motherwell and Wishaw): When the Government expects to implement the recommendation of the Pennington Report into food hygiene matters.
	(21738)
*27	Mr Malcolm Savidge (Aberdeen North): What assessment he has made of the traffic and transport problems of Aberdeen and the North-East of Scotland.
	(21739)
*28	Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield): If he will make a statement on the costs of a Scottish Parliament.
	(21740)
*29	Mrs Eleanor Laing (Epping Forest): How many representations he has received in support of the Government's plans to introduce tuition fees for university education.
	(21741)

Questions to the President of the Council, the honourable Member answering for the House of Commons Commission and the Chairman of the Finance and Services Committee
*30	Dr Tony Wright (Cannock Chase): To ask the President of the Council, what plans she has to implement the recommendations of the Select Committee on the Modernisation of the House of Commons on legislative procedures in respect of bills in the current session.
	(21742)
*31	Mr Hugh Bayley (City of York): To ask the President of the Council, if she will make a statement about the Government's strategy against illegal drug use.
	(21743)
*32	Mrs Virginia Bottomley (South West Surrey): To ask the President of the Council, what steps she is taking to uphold the rights and privileges of the House in respect of Government announcements.
	(21744)
*33	Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield): To ask the President of the Council, what are her priorities in the co-ordination of strategies to deal with drug misuse.
	(21745)
*34	Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham): To ask the President of the Council, what representations she has received on establishing procedures to allow for advance publication of the dates of parliamentary recesses.
	(21746)
*35	Mr Chris Mullin (Sunderland South): To ask the President of the Council, what representations she has received regarding reform of the parliamentary calendar; and if she will make a statement.
	(21747)
*36	Mr Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): To ask the honourable Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what proportion of the House of Commons Commission's employees are on limited term contracts.
	(21748)
*37	Mr Michael Fabricant (Lichfield): To ask the President of the Council, what recent representations she has received relating to the timing of events within the parliamentary day.
	(21750)
*38	Mr David Chaytor (Bury North): To ask the honourable Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what progress he has made in developing a comprehensive policy on smoking in the Palace of Westminster.
	(21752)
*39	Mr David Hinchliffe (Wakefield): To ask the President of the Council, what steps she is taking to review the office costs allowance.
	(21754)
*40	Mr Bill Rammell (Harlow): To ask the President of the Council, if she will make a statement on the House of Commons scrutiny of European legislation.
	(21755)
*41	Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the President of the Council, what is the Government's policy on restructuring the parliamentary calendar.
	(21756)
*42	Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the President of the Council, if she will create a slot for oral questions to allow the Minister without Portfolio to answer to the House on his wider responsibilities beyond those relating to the Millennium Dome.
	(21751)