Order of Business for 3 February 1998

House of Commons

Session 1997-98
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Order of Business Tuesday 3rd February 1998

Here you can browse the House of Commons Order of Business for Tuesday 3 February 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 the Environment, Transport and the Regions

*1 Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    What practical advice his Department plans to issue on alternatives to the development of greenfield sites to planning authorities to meet growing housing demand.

(24886)

*2 Mr Chris Mullin (Sunderland South):    What measures he is taking to encourage house building on brownfield sites; and if he will make a statement.

(24888)

*3 Mr John Heppell (Nottingham East):    What measures his Department proposes to reduce the numbers sleeping rough in towns and cities outside London.

(24889)

*4 Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam):    How many and what proportion of local authorities with responsibility for education, are receiving less than the amount that has been passported through the capping regime to raise standards in schools as a result of the increase in revenue support grant adjusted for changes in nursery voucher funding and increased NNDR.

(24891)

*5 Mr Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West):    What plans he has to develop the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme.

(24892)

*6 Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine):    What action the Government is taking to reduce fuel poverty.

(24893)

*7 Mr A. J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed):    How many members of the North East RDA Board will be chosen for their ability to contribute a strong rural perspective.

(24894)

*8 Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham):    If he will make a statement on the democratic accountability of the regional development authorities.

(24895)

*9 Norman Baker (Lewes):    What steps he is taking to encourage employees within his Department to travel to work by means other than private car.

(24896)

*10 Mr John Greenway (Ryedale):    What representations he has received on the local government finance settlement for local authorities in North Yorkshire.

(24897)

*11 Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West):    How many square miles of green belt land have been subject to new planning approvals since 1st May 1997.

(24898)

*12 Mrs Virginia Bottomley (South West Surrey):    What representations he has received on local government funding in Surrey.

(24899)

*13 Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    If he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards housing development in the countryside.

(24900)

*14 Mr Andrew Stunell (Hazel Grove):    What action he is taking to improve energy efficiency in low-income households.

(24901)

*15 Mr John Wilkinson (Ruislip-Northwood):    What response he has given to the request from the London Green Belt Council to discuss the Hertfordshire structure plan.

(24902)

*16 Mr Peter L. Pike (Burnley):    What percentage of housing in England he assesses to be in need of (a) major repair and (b) renovation.

(24903)

*17 Mr Piara S. Khabra (Ealing, Southall):    When he will publish a White Paper setting out proposals for an elected mayor and assembly for London.

(24904)

*18 Mr Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North):    What proposals his Department has to enable local authorities to increase their stock of rented property.

(24905)

*19 Mrs Caroline Spelman (Meriden):    If he will make a statement on the representation of rural interests on the boards of the regional development agencies.

(24906)

*20 Mrs Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside):    What role he plans for regional chambers in the development of regional policy and regional economic development.

(24907)

*21 Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    If he will make a statement about the work of the HSE in combating smoking and passive smoking in the workplace.

(24908)

*22 Sir Paul Beresford (Mole Valley):    What is his Department's policy on the proportion of new homes which should be accommodated on land which has been developed.

(24909)

*23 Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay):    What plans his Department has to improve protection of important wildlife sites.

(24910)

*24 Mr Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North):    If he will make a statement on progress in the implementation of the phased release of capital receipts.

(24911)

*25 Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    What is his policy towards the siting of wind turbines.

(24912)

*26 Mr Tony McNulty (Harrow East):    What representations he has received on the proposed referendum on a mayor and assembly for London.

(24913)

*27 Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    What steps is he taking to encourage the use of brownfield sites.

(24914)

*28 Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire):    When he last met representatives of local government in England to discuss local government finance.

(24915)

At 3.05 p.m.

Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions relating to Transport

*29 Mrs Anne Campbell (Cambridge):    What steps he is taking to improve facilities for pedestrians in order to support walking as a mode of transport.

(24916)

*30 Dr Tony Wright (Cannock Chase):    If he will review his response to the inspector's report on the Birmingham Northern Relief Road in respect of the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal.

(24917)

*31 Mr John Cryer (Hornchurch):    What plans he has to increase the level of investment in the London Underground.

(24918)

*32 Ms Patricia Hewitt (Leicester West):    What proposals he has to make buses accessible to disabled people.

(24919)

*33 Ms Rosie Winterton ( Doncaster Central):    If he will make a statement on the enforcement of vehicle emissions standards by local authorities.

(24920)

*34 Mr Stephen Day (Cheadle):    If he will make a statement outlining how he plans to tackle congestion on Britain's roads.

(24921)

*35 Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    What initiatives his Department is pursuing to increase the current level of freight being transported by rail; and if he will make a statement.

(24922)

*36 Mr Kerry Pollard (St. Albans):    If he will make a statement on his Department's proposals to increase child safety on roads.

(24923)

*37 Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam):    What plans he has to modernise the London underground; and how they will be funded.

(24924)

*38 Mr Alan Simpson (Nottingham South):    If he will make a statement on funding for light rapid transport schemes.

(24925)

*39 Mr Stephen Timms (East Ham):    When he last met the Chairman of London and Continental Railways to discuss progress on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

(24926)

*40 Mr Robert Walter (North Dorset):    What is his policy on the introduction of targets to reduce the volume of traffic on the United Kingdom's roads.

(24927)

*41 Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine):    What action he is taking to encourage passenger traffic to use the railways instead of the roads.

(24928)

*42 Mr Graham Stringer (Manchester, Blackley):    If he will make a statement on the enforcement of vehicle emissions standards by local authorities.

(24930)

*43 Norman Baker (Lewes):    What plans he has to encourage reductions in fares for rail passengers.

(24931)

*44 Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):    If he will make a statement on making public transport accessible to disabled people.

(24932)

*45 Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter):    If he will make a statement on the health effects of pollution from road traffic.

(24933)

*46 Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central):    What assessment he has made of traffic volumes on the A1 through Newcastle and Gateshead.

(24934)

*47 Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    What plans he has to increase fuel efficiency in road vehicles.

(24935)

*48 Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    If he will visit Wyre Piddle to study local traffic conditions.

(24936)

*49 Dr Howard Stoate (Dartford):    If he will make a statement on the punctuality performance of route groups of train services in the last quarter of (a) 1997 and (b) 1996.

(24937)

*50 Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):    What assessment he has made of the cost of policing and monitoring a system of taxing workplace car parking.

(24938)

*51 Bob Russell (Colchester):    What plans he has to increase the percentage of journeys made using public transport.

(24939)

*52 Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):    How many route groups of train services performed with worse punctuality in the last quarter of 1997 than in the same period of 1996.

(24940)

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

Preliminary Business

*Ten minute rule Motion*
1	PARLIAMENTARY CURRENCY COMMISSION *[Up to 20 minutes]*
	Mr Michael Fabricant That leave be given to bring in a Bill to establish a commission, chaired by a law lord, to examine and report to Parliament and to the public on future currency arrangements for the United Kingdom, including consideration of the options of retaining sterling, adopting the European Single Currency, or adopting the United States dollar. *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 [5th allotted day]: Committee (Progress reported 2nd February). [Until 10.00 p.m.]

For Amendments, see separate Paper.

Proceedings shall, if not previously brought to a conclusion, be brought to a conclusion at the times specified below (Order of 2nd February):

Clauses 80 to 89 7.00 p.m.
Clauses 90 to 104 and Schedule 5 8.00 p.m.

Clauses 105 to 108, Schedule 6 and Clause 109 9.00 p.m.

Clause 110, Schedule 7, Clauses 111 to 117 and Schedule 8 10.00 p.m.

+ 3

NORTHERN IRELAND [No debate]

Secretary Marjorie Mowlam

That the draft Road Traffic (New Drivers) (Northern Ireland) Order 1997, which was laid before this House on 11th December, be approved.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6))

+ 4

NORTHERN IRELAND [No debate]

Secretary Marjorie Mowlam

That the draft Family Homes and Domestic Violence (Northern Ireland) Order 1997, which was laid before this House on 11th December, be approved.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6))

+ 5

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE [No debate after 10.00 p.m.]

Mrs Ann Taylor

That, at the sitting on Thursday 5th February, notwithstanding Standing Order No. 16 (Proceedings under an Act or on European Community documents), the Speaker shall put the Questions on any Motions in the name of Mr Secretary Prescott relating to Local Government Finance not later than Ten o'clock.

If opposed, this item cannot be taken after 10.00 p.m.

+ 6

SELECT COMMITTEE ON EUROPEAN LEGISLATION [No debate after 10.00 p.m.]

Mr George Mudie

That Mrs Anne McGuire and Ms Hazel Blears be discharged from the Select Committee on European Legislation and Mr Jim Dobbin and Mrs Rosemary McKenna be added to the Committee.

If opposed, this item cannot be taken after 10.00 p.m.

+ 7

SELECT COMMITTEE ON MODERNISATION OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS [No debate after 10.00 p.m.]

Mr George Mudie

That Mr Huw Edwards be discharged from the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons and Mr David Drew be added to the Committee.

If opposed, this item cannot be taken after 10.00 p.m.

+ 8

SELECT COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION [No debate after 10.00 p.m.]

Mr George Mudie

That Fiona Mactaggart be discharged from the Select Committee on Public Administration and Helen Jones be added to the Committee.

If opposed, this item cannot be taken after 10.00 p.m.

At the end of the sitting:

9	ADJOURNMENT
	Proposed subject: Breast cancer screening* (Mr Paul Stinchcombe).* *Debate may continue until 10.30 p.m. or for half an hour, whichever is later (Standing Order No. 9)*

COMMITTEE MEETINGS
STANDING COMMITTEES
1	Standing Committee A	10.30 a.m. 4.30 p.m.	Room 12 (public) (public)
	Further to consider the School Standards and Framework Bill
2	Standing Committee D	10.30 a.m. 4.30 p.m.	Room 11 (public) (public)
	Further to consider the National Minimum Wage Bill.
3	Standing Committee E	10.30 a.m. 4.30 p.m.	Room 9 (public) (public)
	Further to consider the Regional Development Agencies Bill.
4	First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation	10.30 a.m.	Room 10 (public)
	To consider the draft Contracting Out (Functions in Relation to the Management of Crown Lands) Order 1998.
5	Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation	4.30 p.m.	Room 10 (public)
	To consider the draft Visiting Forces and International Headquarters (Application of Law) (Amendment) Order 1998.
SELECT COMMITTEES
6	Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs: Environment Sub-Committee	9.45 a.m. 10.00 a.m.	Room 17 (private) (public)
	Subject: Sustainable Waste Management.
	Witnesses: Friends of the Earth, Wastewatch; Cleanaway (at 11.00 a.m.); INCPEN (at 11.30 a.m.).
7	Deregulation	10.00 a.m.	Room 16 (private)
8	International Development	10.00 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 5 (private) (public)
	Subject: Renegotiation of the Lome� Convention.
	Witnesses: Mr Bernard Cornibert, MD, Windward Islands Banana Development & Export Company, Mr John Ellis, Chairman, Fyffes Group (UK) Ltd, Mr Junior Lodge, Jamaican Marketing Company, Mr Gordon Myers, Executive Secretary, Caribbean Banana Exporters Association (at 10.30 a.m.) Mr Peter Pooley, Chairman, British African Business Association (BABA), Brigadier Gerald Blakey, Executive Secretary, BABA, & Chief Executive of West Africa Committee, Mr Charles Cullimore, Chief Executive, Africa Association, Mr Christopher Buckmaster, Chief Executive, Africa Association (at 11.30 a.m.).
9	Public Administration	10.00 a.m. 11.00 a.m.	Room 8 (private) (public)
	Subject: Your Right to Know: The Government's proposals for a Freedom of Information Act.
	Witnesses: Data Protection Registrar (11.00 a.m.) Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (12.00 noon).
10	Home Affairs	10.15 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 6 (private) (public)
	Subject: Alternatives to Prison Sentences.
	Witnesses: Penal Affairs Consortium, Howard League for Penal Reform, and NACRO.
11	Environmental Audit	10.30 a.m.	Room 19 (private)
12	Agriculture	11.00 a.m.	Room 20 (private)
13	Statutory Instruments	Immediately after the meeting of the Joint Committee of Statutory Instruments	Room 7 (private)
JOINT COMMITTEES
14	Parliamentary Privilege	10.30 a.m.	Room 3 (public)
	Subject: Parliamentary Privilege.
	Witness: Rt Hon John Morris, QC, MP, Attorney General.
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 2nd February for answer today++
1	Mr Ivor Caplin (Hove): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement about the forthcoming financial management and policy review of the British Board of Agre�ment.
	(27467)
2	Mr Tom Levitt (High Peak): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what rates of aid will be paid to beef and sheep producers as a result of the package announced on 22nd December; and if he will make a statement.
	(27628)
3	Mr Ian Cawsey (Brigg and Goole): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how he plans to allocate police grant in 1998-99.
	(27704)
4	Ms Jackie Lawrence (Preseli Pembrokeshire): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what changes are planned to labour market statistics.
	(27823)
5	Mr Lawrie Quinn (Scarborough and Whitby): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to consult on a new United Kingdom sustainable development strategy.
	(27866)
6	Mr Lawrie Quinn (Scarborough and Whitby): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, when regulations to implement the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (85/337/EEC) as it applies to offshore oil and gas activity will be laid before Parliament.
	(27867)
7	Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his Answer of 22nd December, to the honourable Member for Halton, Official Report, columns 514-6, if the transfer of the Government's shareholding in Magnox Electric to British Nuclear Fuels has yet been effected.
	(27868)
8	Mr Gareth Thomas (Clwyd West): To ask Mr Attorney General, what approach prosecutors take to reliance on evidence obtained through the exercise of compulsory powers having regard to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in Saunders v. United Kingdom.
	(27920)

Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
*1	Mr David Kidney (Stafford): What practical advice his Department plans to issue on alternatives to the development of greenfield sites to planning authorities to meet growing housing demand.
	(24886)
*2	Mr Chris Mullin (Sunderland South): What measures he is taking to encourage house building on brownfield sites; and if he will make a statement.
	(24888)
*3	Mr John Heppell (Nottingham East): What measures his Department proposes to reduce the numbers sleeping rough in towns and cities outside London.
	(24889)
*4	Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam): How many and what proportion of local authorities with responsibility for education, are receiving less than the amount that has been passported through the capping regime to raise standards in schools as a result of the increase in revenue support grant adjusted for changes in nursery voucher funding and increased NNDR.
	(24891)
*5	Mr Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West): What plans he has to develop the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme.
	(24892)
*6	Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine): What action the Government is taking to reduce fuel poverty.
	(24893)
*7	Mr A. J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed): How many members of the North East RDA Board will be chosen for their ability to contribute a strong rural perspective.
	(24894)
*8	Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham): If he will make a statement on the democratic accountability of the regional development authorities.
	(24895)
*9	Norman Baker (Lewes): What steps he is taking to encourage employees within his Department to travel to work by means other than private car.
	(24896)
*10	Mr John Greenway (Ryedale): What representations he has received on the local government finance settlement for local authorities in North Yorkshire.
	(24897)
*11	Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West): How many square miles of green belt land have been subject to new planning approvals since 1st May 1997.
	(24898)
*12	Mrs Virginia Bottomley (South West Surrey): What representations he has received on local government funding in Surrey.
	(24899)
*13	Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham): If he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards housing development in the countryside.
	(24900)
*14	Mr Andrew Stunell (Hazel Grove): What action he is taking to improve energy efficiency in low-income households.
	(24901)
*15	Mr John Wilkinson (Ruislip-Northwood): What response he has given to the request from the London Green Belt Council to discuss the Hertfordshire structure plan.
	(24902)
*16	Mr Peter L. Pike (Burnley): What percentage of housing in England he assesses to be in need of (a) major repair and (b) renovation.
	(24903)
*17	Mr Piara S. Khabra (Ealing, Southall): When he will publish a White Paper setting out proposals for an elected mayor and assembly for London.
	(24904)
*18	Mr Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): What proposals his Department has to enable local authorities to increase their stock of rented property.
	(24905)
*19	Mrs Caroline Spelman (Meriden): If he will make a statement on the representation of rural interests on the boards of the regional development agencies.
	(24906)
*20	Mrs Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside): What role he plans for regional chambers in the development of regional policy and regional economic development.
	(24907)
*21	Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon): If he will make a statement about the work of the HSE in combating smoking and passive smoking in the workplace.
	(24908)
*22	Sir Paul Beresford (Mole Valley): What is his Department's policy on the proportion of new homes which should be accommodated on land which has been developed.
	(24909)
*23	Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay): What plans his Department has to improve protection of important wildlife sites.
	(24910)
*24	Mr Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North): If he will make a statement on progress in the implementation of the phased release of capital receipts.
	(24911)
*25	Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley): What is his policy towards the siting of wind turbines.
	(24912)
*26	Mr Tony McNulty (Harrow East): What representations he has received on the proposed referendum on a mayor and assembly for London.
	(24913)
*27	Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield): What steps is he taking to encourage the use of brownfield sites.
	(24914)
*28	Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire): When he last met representatives of local government in England to discuss local government finance.
	(24915)

Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions relating to Transport
*29	Mrs Anne Campbell (Cambridge): What steps he is taking to improve facilities for pedestrians in order to support walking as a mode of transport.
	(24916)
*30	Dr Tony Wright (Cannock Chase): If he will review his response to the inspector's report on the Birmingham Northern Relief Road in respect of the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal.
	(24917)
*31	Mr John Cryer (Hornchurch): What plans he has to increase the level of investment in the London Underground.
	(24918)
*32	Ms Patricia Hewitt (Leicester West): What proposals he has to make buses accessible to disabled people.
	(24919)
*33	Ms Rosie Winterton ( Doncaster Central): If he will make a statement on the enforcement of vehicle emissions standards by local authorities.
	(24920)
*34	Mr Stephen Day (Cheadle): If he will make a statement outlining how he plans to tackle congestion on Britain's roads.
	(24921)
*35	Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): What initiatives his Department is pursuing to increase the current level of freight being transported by rail; and if he will make a statement.
	(24922)
*36	Mr Kerry Pollard (St. Albans): If he will make a statement on his Department's proposals to increase child safety on roads.
	(24923)
*37	Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam): What plans he has to modernise the London underground; and how they will be funded.
	(24924)
*38	Mr Alan Simpson (Nottingham South): If he will make a statement on funding for light rapid transport schemes.
	(24925)
*39	Mr Stephen Timms (East Ham): When he last met the Chairman of London and Continental Railways to discuss progress on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.
	(24926)
*40	Mr Robert Walter (North Dorset): What is his policy on the introduction of targets to reduce the volume of traffic on the United Kingdom's roads.
	(24927)
*41	Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine): What action he is taking to encourage passenger traffic to use the railways instead of the roads.
	(24928)
*42	Mr Graham Stringer (Manchester, Blackley): If he will make a statement on the enforcement of vehicle emissions standards by local authorities.
	(24930)
*43	Norman Baker (Lewes): What plans he has to encourage reductions in fares for rail passengers.
	(24931)
*44	Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South): If he will make a statement on making public transport accessible to disabled people.
	(24932)
*45	Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter): If he will make a statement on the health effects of pollution from road traffic.
	(24933)
*46	Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central): What assessment he has made of traffic volumes on the A1 through Newcastle and Gateshead.
	(24934)
*47	Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell): What plans he has to increase fuel efficiency in road vehicles.
	(24935)
*48	Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire): If he will visit Wyre Piddle to study local traffic conditions.
	(24936)
*49	Dr Howard Stoate (Dartford): If he will make a statement on the punctuality performance of route groups of train services in the last quarter of (a) 1997 and (b) 1996.
	(24937)
*50	Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): What assessment he has made of the cost of policing and monitoring a system of taxing workplace car parking.
	(24938)
*51	Bob Russell (Colchester): What plans he has to increase the percentage of journeys made using public transport.
	(24939)
*52	Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth): How many route groups of train services performed with worse punctuality in the last quarter of 1997 than in the same period of 1996.
	(24940)