Order of Business for 27 January 1998

House of Commons

Session 1997-98
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Summary Agendas and Orders of Business

Order of Business Tuesday 27th January 1998

Here you can browse the House of Commons Order of Business for Tuesday 27 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.

Private Business

Note: Private business is not debated at this time, and may not be proceeded with if opposed.
Second Reading

Tyne Tunnels Bill.

At 2.35 p.m.

Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Health

*1 Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    Pursuant to the letter from the Minister of State for Public Health (POH/3/5437/23) of 14th December 1997 on drug-resistant tuberculosis, what response Her Majesty's Government has had to its recommendation that while all patients should be closely supervised throughout their treatment, fully directly observed therapy is essential for those who are, or are suspected to be, poorly compliant with treatment, and for those with drug-resistant disease.

(23413)

*2 Mr Bill O'Brien (Normanton):    If he will make a statement on new hospital provisions in the area of the Wakefield Health Authority, with particular reference to maternity services.

(23414)

*3 Mrs Virginia Bottomley (South West Surrey):    If he will make a statement on the future of the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme.

(23415)

*4 Mr Phil Sawford (Kettering):    What proposals he has to improve staff morale in the NHS.

(23416)

*5 Mr Ian Bruce (South Dorset):    What is the current trend in hospital waiting lists.

(23417)

*6 Mr Jim Dobbin (Heywood and Middleton):    What proposals he has for tackling prescription fraud in the NHS.

(23418)

*7 Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine):    What plans he has to ensure that the same access to treatment under the health service is available to every NHS patient.

(23419)

*8 Bob Russell (Colchester):    What plans he has to reduce bureaucracy in (a) North Essex Health Authority, (b) Essex Rivers Healthcare, (c) North Essex Mental Health Trust and (d) New Possibilities Health Trust.

(23420)

*9 Mr Peter Viggers (Gosport):    If he will make a statement on progress in reducing hospital waiting lists.

(23421)

*10 Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    If the proposed National Institute for Clinical Excellence will be responsible for (a) assessing the clinical and cost-effectiveness of all technologies and (b) producing guidelines for the NHS.

(23422)

*11 Angela Smith (Basildon):    What proposals he has for promoting shared responsibility between NHS trusts for local services.

(23423)

*12 Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover):    When he expects to announce the results of the review of the NHS with particular reference to waiting lists.

(23424)

*13 Mr Colin Breed (South East Cornwall):    What are the Government's plans for developing community hospitals.

(23427)

*14 Mr Chris Pond (Gravesham):    What proposals he has for boosting the role of nurses in Primary Care Act pilots.

(23428)

*15 Mr Dave Watts (St Helens North):    What action he is taking to support the work of the Social Exclusion Unit.

(23429)

*16 Mr John Wilkinson (Ruislip-Northwood):    When he expects to publish the conclusions of his review of hospital facilities in Greater London.

(23430)

*17 Mr Ian Davidson (Glasgow, Pollok):    What action he is taking to reduce waste in the National Health Service.

(23431)

*18 Mr Kevin Barron (Rother Valley):    If he will make a statement on the outcome of negotiations on the European Community tobacco advertising directive.

(23432)

*19 Mr Tony Baldry (Banbury):    How many people had been waiting for operations for over 18 months at the latest available date.

(23433)

*20 Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    How many staff his Department anticipates will be made redundant as a result of the ending of general practitioner fundholding.

(23435)

*21 Maria Eagle (Liverpool, Garston):    When the Cash Report on services at the Liverpool Blood Centre will be published.

(23436)

*22 Mr David Hanson (Delyn):    If he will make a statement on the impact of the additional support to the Health Service to meet winter pressures for the current year.

(23437)

*23 Mr Ivan Lewis (Bury South):    What action he intends to take to introduce a national schedule of reference costs in the NHS.

(23438)

*24 Mr Derek Twigg (Halton):    What steps he is taking to promote innovation in the NHS.

(23439)

*25 Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston):    How many of the schemes funded through the extra money made available to the NHS for winter pressures promote greater co-operation between health and social services.

(23440)

*26 Norman Baker (Lewes):    If he will make a statement on the funding available to the East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority for 1998-99.

(23441)

*27 Mr Stephen Day (Cheadle):    If he will make a statement on the rationing of health care in the NHS.

(23442)

*28 Ms Rosie Winterton ( Doncaster Central):    What action he is taking to promote better co-operation between health authorities and social services.

(23443)

*29 Christine Russell (City of Chester):    What proposals he has for improving staff morale in the NHS.

(23444)

*30 Mrs Marion Roe (Broxbourne):    What estimate his Department has made of the impact on the NHS budget of the abolition of tax relief on private medical insurance for over 60 year olds.

(23445)

*31 Dr Peter Brand (Isle of Wight):    What arrangements will be made to fund patient treatment currently covered by extra contractual referral invoicing.

(23446)

*32 Mr John Whittingdale (Maldon and East Chelmsford):    If he will make a statement on the role of community hospitals.

(23447)

*33 Mr Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West):    What steps he intends taking to reduce the incidence of tobacco-related illnesses and deaths.

(23448)

*34 Dr Phyllis Starkey (Milton Keynes South West):    What proposals he has to develop clinical governance in NHS Trusts.

(23449)

*35 Dr Brian Iddon (Bolton South East):    What proposals he has for boosting the role of nurses in commissioning primary care.

(23450)

*36 Mr Gareth R. Thomas (Harrow West):    What proposals he has for improving access to specialist services provided from hospitals.

(23451)

*37 Mr Malcolm Bruce (Gordon):    What incentives the Government intends to give general practitioners to participate in locality commissioning, with particular reference to existing fundholders.

(23452)

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

Preliminary Business
Ten minute rule Motion
1	HOME ZONES *[Up to 20 minutes]*
	Mrs Helen Brinton That leave be given to bring in a Bill to enable highway authorities to make provision in residential areas for the designation of highways where pedestrians and pedal cyclists have priority in the carriageway over mechanically powered vehicles, for the purposes of promoting safety and of improving the environment; and for related purposes. *The Member moving and a Member opposing this Motion may each speak for up to ten minutes (Standing Order No. 23).*

Main Business
2	OPPOSITION DAY [6th allotted day] *[Until 10.00 p.m.]*
	GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROTECTION OF THE COUNTRYSIDE
	Mr William Hague Mr Peter Lilley Sir Norman Fowler Mr Tim Yeo Mr Christopher Chope Mr James Arbuthnot
	That this House deplores the recent decisions by the Government to allow large-scale development in the countryside; is deeply concerned that the protection of the green belt and green spaces may be further weakened by the Government in the future; and urges the Government to strengthen protection for the countryside, while encouraging the renewal of towns and cities, by increasing the share of new housing which is built on previously developed land. As an Amendment to Mr William Hague's proposed Motion (Government Responsibility for Protection of the Countryside):
	The Prime Minister Mr Secretary Prescott Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr Secretary Cook Mr Secretary Straw Mr Secretary Blunkett
	Line 1, leave out from `House' to end and add `recognises that it was a Labour Government that created the planning system which has done so much to protect the countryside and promote sustainable development; welcomes the Government's continued commitment to protecting the countryside, including green belts, and to regenerating towns and cities; recognises that the Government is shortly to announce its decisions on the way forward on planning for housing; is confident that the interests of all citizens, both the 80 per cent. and more who live in towns and cities, and those living in the countryside, will be considered; welcomes the importance that the Government attaches to revitalising towns and cities and making the best possible use of brownfield sites and existing buildings to meet housing demand; and believes that the regional planning conferences should be given greater say in reaching decisions on the most sustainable solutions for providing decent homes in Line with the Government's recently announced policy for modernising the planning system and using regional planning to find integrated solutions to the problems of economic development, housing and transport.'.
	PLANS FOR LONDON UNDERGROUND
	Mr William Hague Mr Peter Lilley Mr Michael Howard Sir Norman Fowler Mr Richard Ottaway Mr James Arbuthnot
	That this House condemns the delay of the Government in bringing forward proposals for private investment to develop London Underground; believes that such delay is against the interests of both those working for London Underground and the travelling public; and calls on the Government to bring forward urgently plans that will both sustain adequate investment in the system and improve operation. As an Amendment to Mr William Hague's proposed Motion (Plans for London Underground):
	The Prime Minister Mr Secretary Prescott Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr Secretary Cook Mr Secretary Straw Dr Gavin Strang
	Line 1, leave out from `House' to end and add `wants to see a modern, efficient, affordable and reliable Underground system, worthy of the people of London, and accountable to the people of London; deplores the substantial investment backlog in the London Underground which this Government inherited from the previous administration; applauds the Government's rejection of the wholesale privatisation of the London Underground, as proposed by the previous Government; and welcomes the Government's action to explore options for a public-private partnership for the London Underground, which will safeguard its commitment to the public interest, guarantee value for money to taxpayers and passengers, and secure the resources necessary to ensure Londoners and visitors to the capital city have the modern Underground system they deserve.'. As an Amendment to the Prime Minister's proposed Amendment to Mr William Hague's proposed Motion (Plans for London Underground):
	Mr Paddy Ashdown Mr Matthew Taylor Mr Malcolm Bruce Mr Simon Hughes Mr Tom Brake Mr Paul Tyler
	Line 11, at end add `and therefore agrees to the establishment of a Public Interest Company which will safeguard the integrated nature of the network, and ensure clear responsibility for operation of the systems and cost-effective investment.'. The selection of the matters to be debated this day has been made by the Leader of the Opposition, pursuant to Standing Order No. 14(2).
*Debate may continue until 10.00 p.m.*
+ 3	EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES *[No debate]*
	Mr Secretary Cook That the draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Partnership and Co-operation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States and the Republic of Azerbaijan) Order 1997, which was laid before this House on 18th November, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 4	EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES *[No debate]*
	Mr Secretary Cook That the draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Partnership and Co-operation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States and Georgia) Order 1997, which was laid before this House on 18th November, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 5	EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES *[No debate]*
	Mr Secretary Cook That the draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Partnership and Co-operation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States and the Republic of Armenia) Order 1997, which was laid before this House on 18th November, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 6	EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES *[No debate]*
	Mr Secretary Cook That the draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Partnership and Co-operation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States and the Republic of Uzbekistan) Order 1997, which was laid before this House on 18th November, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 7	EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES *[No debate]*
	Mr Secretary Cook That the draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Europe Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, and the Republic of Slovenia) Order 1997, which was laid before this House on 18th November, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*

At the end of the sitting:

8	ADJOURNMENT
	Proposed subject: *The impact of higher insurance premium tax on the travel industry* (Mr Alasdair Morgan). *Debate may continue until 10.30 p.m. or for half an hour, whichever is later (Standing Order No. 9).*

COMMITTEES
STANDING COMMITTEES
1	Scottish Grand Committee	10.30 a.m.	Room 14 (public)
	(1) To consider a Ministerial Statement on Agriculture in Scotland.
	(2) To consider the matter of Agriculture in Scotland.
	(3) Half hour adjournment debate: Road and other transport needs in the Aberdeen area.
	(Copies of the Order Paper are available from the Vote Office)
2	Standing Committee A	10.30 a.m. 4.30 p.m.	Room 12 (public) (public)
	Further to consider the School Standards and Framework Bill.
3	Standing Committee B	10.30 a.m. 4.30 p.m.	Room 10 (public) (public)
	Further to consider the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords].
4	Standing Committee D	10.30 a.m. 4.30 p.m.	Room 11 (public) (public)
	Further to consider the National Minimum Wage Bill.
5	Standing Committee E	10.30 a.m.	Room 9 (public)
	To consider the Regional Development Agencies Bill.
SELECT COMMITTEES
6	Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs: Environment Sub-Committee	9.00 a.m. 9.15 a.m.	Room 17 (private) (public)
	Subject: Sustainable Waste Management.
	Witnesses: Local Government Association; Local Authorities Waste Disposal Companies Association.
7	Deregulation	10.00 a.m.	Room 21 (private)
8	International Development	10.00 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 6 (private) (public)
	Subject: The Renegotiation of the Lome� Convention.
	Witnesses: Mr Harm Rozema, European Court of Auditors; Mr Rob Davies, Chairperson of Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry, Parliament of South Africa.
9	Public Administration	10.00 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 8 (private) (public)
	Subject: Report of the Health Service Commissioner for 1996-97.
	Witnesses: Salisbury Healthcare NHS Trust.
10	Agriculture	10.15 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 15 (private) (public)
	Subject: Food Safety.
	Witnesses: National Farmers' Union of England and Wales; Federation of Fresh Meat Wholesalers; Joint Hospitality Industry Congress.
11	Home Affairs	10.15 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 5 (private) (public)
	Subject: Alternatives to Prison Sentences.
	Witnesses: Mr Peter Coad, Professor Ken Pease, Huddersfield University, and Mr David Fraser.
12	Foreign Affairs	10.30 a.m.	Room 16 (private)
13	Welsh Affairs	11.00 a.m.	Room 7 (private)
14	Foreign Affairs: Entry Clearance Sub-Committee	3.15 p.m. 3.30 p.m.	Room 16 (private) (public)
	Subject: Entry Clearance Procedures at Overseas Posts (with Particular Reference to Islamabad and New Delhi) and Related Matters.
	Witnesses: The Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Mr Edward Clay, CMG, Director, Public Services, and Mr Richard White, MBE, Head of Migration and Visa Division, Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
15	International Development	3.30 p.m. 4.00 p.m.	Room 6 (private) (public)
	Subject: The Renegotiation of the Lome� Convention.
	Witnesses: Dr Marjorie Lister, University of Bradford, Mr Simon Maxwell, Overseas Development Institute, Dr Chris Stevens, Institute of Development Studies.
16	Procedure	4.30 p.m. 4.45 p.m.	Room 21 (private) (public)
	Subject: Resource Accounting and Budgeting.
	Witnesses: Andrew Likierman, Director, Financial Management Report and Audit, Ros Dunn, Head of Resource Accounting and Budgeting Team, Doug Raynor, Resource Accounting and Budgeting Team, Chris Richards, Accountancy Advisor, HM Treasury.
17	Administration	5.00 p.m.	Room 13 (private)
18	Statutory Instruments	Immediately after the Meeting of the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments	Room 7 (private)
JOINT COMMITTEE
19	Parliamentary Privilege	10.30 a.m. 10.35 a.m.	Room 4 (private) (public)
	Subject: Parliamentary Privilege.
	Witnesses: Clerk of the Parliaments, and Mr Derek Rippengal QC.
20	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 26th January for answer today++
1	Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the British Board of Film Classification's Annual Report for 1996-97 will be published; and if he will make a statement.
	(26222)

Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Health
*1	Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow): Pursuant to the letter from the Minister of State for Public Health (POH/3/5437/23) of 14th December 1997 on drug-resistant tuberculosis, what response Her Majesty's Government has had to its recommendation that while all patients should be closely supervised throughout their treatment, fully directly observed therapy is essential for those who are, or are suspected to be, poorly compliant with treatment, and for those with drug-resistant disease.
	(23413)
*2	Mr Bill O'Brien (Normanton): If he will make a statement on new hospital provisions in the area of the Wakefield Health Authority, with particular reference to maternity services.
	(23414)
*3	Mrs Virginia Bottomley (South West Surrey): If he will make a statement on the future of the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme.
	(23415)
*4	Mr Phil Sawford (Kettering): What proposals he has to improve staff morale in the NHS.
	(23416)
*5	Mr Ian Bruce (South Dorset): What is the current trend in hospital waiting lists.
	(23417)
*6	Mr Jim Dobbin (Heywood and Middleton): What proposals he has for tackling prescription fraud in the NHS.
	(23418)
*7	Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine): What plans he has to ensure that the same access to treatment under the health service is available to every NHS patient.
	(23419)
*8	Bob Russell (Colchester): What plans he has to reduce bureaucracy in (a) North Essex Health Authority, (b) Essex Rivers Healthcare, (c) North Essex Mental Health Trust and (d) New Possibilities Health Trust.
	(23420)
*9	Mr Peter Viggers (Gosport): If he will make a statement on progress in reducing hospital waiting lists.
	(23421)
*10	Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire): If the proposed National Institute for Clinical Excellence will be responsible for (a) assessing the clinical and cost-effectiveness of all technologies and (b) producing guidelines for the NHS.
	(23422)
*11	Angela Smith (Basildon): What proposals he has for promoting shared responsibility between NHS trusts for local services.
	(23423)
*12	Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover): When he expects to announce the results of the review of the NHS with particular reference to waiting lists.
	(23424)
*13	Mr Colin Breed (South East Cornwall): What are the Government's plans for developing community hospitals.
	(23427)
*14	Mr Chris Pond (Gravesham): What proposals he has for boosting the role of nurses in Primary Care Act pilots.
	(23428)
*15	Mr Dave Watts (St Helens North): What action he is taking to support the work of the Social Exclusion Unit.
	(23429)
*16	Mr John Wilkinson (Ruislip-Northwood): When he expects to publish the conclusions of his review of hospital facilities in Greater London.
	(23430)
*17	Mr Ian Davidson (Glasgow, Pollok): What action he is taking to reduce waste in the National Health Service.
	(23431)
*18	Mr Kevin Barron (Rother Valley): If he will make a statement on the outcome of negotiations on the European Community tobacco advertising directive.
	(23432)
*19	Mr Tony Baldry (Banbury): How many people had been waiting for operations for over 18 months at the latest available date.
	(23433)
*20	Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): How many staff his Department anticipates will be made redundant as a result of the ending of general practitioner fundholding.
	(23435)
*21	Maria Eagle (Liverpool, Garston): When the Cash Report on services at the Liverpool Blood Centre will be published.
	(23436)
*22	Mr David Hanson (Delyn): If he will make a statement on the impact of the additional support to the Health Service to meet winter pressures for the current year.
	(23437)
*23	Mr Ivan Lewis (Bury South): What action he intends to take to introduce a national schedule of reference costs in the NHS.
	(23438)
*24	Mr Derek Twigg (Halton): What steps he is taking to promote innovation in the NHS.
	(23439)
*25	Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston): How many of the schemes funded through the extra money made available to the NHS for winter pressures promote greater co-operation between health and social services.
	(23440)
*26	Norman Baker (Lewes): If he will make a statement on the funding available to the East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority for 1998-99.
	(23441)
*27	Mr Stephen Day (Cheadle): If he will make a statement on the rationing of health care in the NHS.
	(23442)
*28	Ms Rosie Winterton ( Doncaster Central): What action he is taking to promote better co-operation between health authorities and social services.
	(23443)
*29	Christine Russell (City of Chester): What proposals he has for improving staff morale in the NHS.
	(23444)
*30	Mrs Marion Roe (Broxbourne): What estimate his Department has made of the impact on the NHS budget of the abolition of tax relief on private medical insurance for over 60 year olds.
	(23445)
*31	Dr Peter Brand (Isle of Wight): What arrangements will be made to fund patient treatment currently covered by extra contractual referral invoicing.
	(23446)
*32	Mr John Whittingdale (Maldon and East Chelmsford): If he will make a statement on the role of community hospitals.
	(23447)
*33	Mr Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West): What steps he intends taking to reduce the incidence of tobacco-related illnesses and deaths.
	(23448)
*34	Dr Phyllis Starkey (Milton Keynes South West): What proposals he has to develop clinical governance in NHS Trusts.
	(23449)
*35	Dr Brian Iddon (Bolton South East): What proposals he has for boosting the role of nurses in commissioning primary care.
	(23450)
*36	Mr Gareth R. Thomas (Harrow West): What proposals he has for improving access to specialist services provided from hospitals.
	(23451)
*37	Mr Malcolm Bruce (Gordon): What incentives the Government intends to give general practitioners to participate in locality commissioning, with particular reference to existing fundholders.
	(23452)