Order of Business for 9 February 1998

House of Commons

Session 1997-98
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Summary Agendas and Orders of Business

Order of Business Monday 9th February 1998

Here you can browse the House of Commons Order of Business for Monday 9 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 Defence

*1 Mr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde):    How many (a) officers and (b) non-commissioned officers have been found guilty in (i) courts of law and (ii) courts martial of sexual assault or sexual harassment in the last three years; and in which of the services they served.

(26095)

*2 Mrs Betty Williams (Conwy):    What percentage of meat purchased by his Department has been produced in the United Kingdom in each of the past five years.

(26096)

*3 Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    When he last met his United States counterpart to discuss procedures for joint military action.

(26097)

*4 Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome):    What assessment he has made of the current strategic importance and future need for aircraft-carriers in the Royal Navy.

(26098)

*5 Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    If he will make a statement on defence contracts that have been placed by his Department with defence-related industries in the Chelmsford local authority area; and what is the total value of those contracts since 1st May 1997.

(26099)

*6 Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    If he will make a statement on recent changes in the level of educational attainment by armed forces personnel.

(26100)

*7 Mrs Virginia Bottomley (South West Surrey):    What estimate he has made of the cost of the dilapidations at the Royal Naval College.

(26101)

*8 Mr Hugh Bayley (City of York):    If he will make a statement about the future district structure of United Kingdom Land Command.

(26102)

*9 Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley):    What assessment he has made of the military threat posed by Iraq.

(26103)

*10 Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford and Southend East):    If he will make a statement on the plans announced on 23rd January to reorganise the firing ranges.

(26104)

*11 Mrs Jacqui Lait (Beckenham):    When the RAF expects to take delivery of its first operational Eurofighter.

(26105)

*12 Mr Nigel Waterson (Eastbourne):    What is his policy towards the twinning of H.M. ships with towns; and if he will make a statement.

(26106)

*13 Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West):    What steps he is taking to work towards the global elimination of nuclear weapons.

(26107)

*14 Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):    If he will make a statement on the implications of the Government's defence diplomacy initiative for the Strategic Defence Review.

(26108)

*15 Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South):    If he will make a statement on progress made towards European defence industry restructuring in response to the peace dividend.

(26109)

*16 Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    If he will make a statement on the mechanisms by which priorities for research and development are decided by his Deparment.

(26110)

*17 Mr Bill O'Brien (Normanton):    If he will make a statement on the latest defence estimates in respect of British merchant shipping for defence purposes.

(26111)

*18 Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    What steps he is taking to ensure domestic sourcing of food for the armed forces; and if he will make a statement.

(26112)

*19 Mr Donald Anderson (Swansea East):    If he will make a statement on the application of Slovenia to join NATO.

(26113)

*20 Mr Malcolm Savidge (Aberdeen North):    When the Government expects to publish its green paper on defence diversification.

(26114)

*21 Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    When he will announce his decision between Trimilsatcom and Skynet 5 as a procurement option for the next generation military satellite communications system; and if he will make a statement.

(26115)

*22 Mr David Atkinson (Bournemouth East):    What recent discussions he has had with his Western European Union counterparts on European ballistic missile defence.

(26116)

*23 Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    When he will publish the recommendations of the Armed Forces Pay Review Board.

(26117)

*24 Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    When he intends next to visit RNAD Broughton Moor to discuss the future use of the site.

(26119)

*25 Mr Nick Ainger (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire):    If he will make a statement on the announcement made by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency on 23rd January on the rationalisation of land ranges in the United Kingdom.

(26120)

*26 Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North):    If he will make a statement on progress towards NATO enlargement.

(26122)

*27 Mr David Amess (Southend West):    When he intends to publish the White Paper on the Strategic Defence Review.

(26124)

*28 Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South):    If he will make a statement on the number of troops currently serving as part of Britain's contribution to SFOR in Bosnia.

(26125)

*29 Ms Margaret Moran (Luton South):    When he expects to publish his green paper on defence diversification.

(26126)

*30 Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    If he will make a statement concerning his plans for heavy-lift aircraft.

(26127)

*31 Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    What responses he has had from industry regarding the joint British, French and German call for restructuring of military aerospace manufacturing capacity; and if he will make a statement.

(26128)

*32 Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate):    What assessment he has made of the future effectiveness of the court martial system.

(26129)

At 3.20 p.m.

Oral 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

*33 Mrs Virginia Bottomley (South West Surrey):    To ask the President of the Council, If she will re-introduce twice weekly Prime Minister's questions.

(26130)

*34 Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, If she will establish a select committee to examine relations with the Arab world.

(26131)

*35 Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask the President of the Council, When she intends to review the procedures in relation to Private Members' Bills.

(26132)

*36 Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the President of the Council, What criteria are used in appointments to the Privy Council.

(26133)

*37 Mr John Wilkinson (Ruislip-Northwood):    To ask the Chairman of the Finance and Services Committee, What is the (a) current and (b) planned provision in the House of Commons Estimates for the cost of constructing the new Parliamentary building.

(26136)

*38 Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the President of the Council, What representations she has received on the advantages of extending the length of time available to the Minister without Portfolio to answer oral questions.

(26137)

*39 Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter):    To ask the President of the Council, If she will make a statement on progress towards reform of the hours of the parliamentary day.

(26138)

*40 Mr David Hanson (Delyn):    To ask the President of the Council, What representations she has received on an extension to the number of morning sittings of the House.

(26139)

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


Main Business
1	OPPOSITION DAY [7th allotted day] *[Until 10.00 p.m.]*

	CHILD SUPPORT AGENCY
	Mr Paddy Ashdown Mr A. J. Beith Mr David Rendel Steve Webb Mrs Jackie Ballard Mr Paul Tyler
	That this House, believing that both parents have responsibility for the financial and emotional welfare of their children during the whole of their childhood, that the taxpayer should only be called upon to provide income-related benefits to support children financially when neither parent has sufficient resources to provide that support, that it is in the best interests of children if the system of child support encourages their parents to agree voluntarily and then put into practice a financial arrangement for the maintenance of those children which is fair to those children, both parents and the taxpayer, and that the Child Support Agency has failed to meet these objectives, supports the repeal of the rigidly formula-based Child Support Act and its replacement by a system of child support which encourages parental responsibility, enhances work incentives, takes due account of the cost to the taxpayer, includes an effective right of appeal, and is flexible enough to produce a fair outcome for families whatever their circumstances. As an Amendment to Mr Paddy Ashdown's proposed Motion (Child Support Agency):
	The Prime Minister Mr Secretary Prescott Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr Secretary Cook Mr Secretary Straw Secretary Harriet Harman
	Line 1, leave out from `House' to end and add `believes that all children have the right to the support of both parents wherever they may live, that the previous Government failed to set up an effective system of child support through the Child Support Agency because the CSA was introduced in a hasty and ill thought out manner, that the current child support formula is complex, difficult for parents to understand, and slow, inaccurate and expensive to deliver, that the result is that the CSA has failed to increase the proportion of parents who pay regular maintenance for their children and that 70 per cent. of parents with care are refusing to co-operate with the CSA and 60 per cent. of non-resident parents either pay no maintenance or only pay sporadically, and that the receipt of regular maintenance is an important part of the Government's strategy of tackling child poverty; and welcomes the fact that the Government is looking closely at all areas of the child support system to ensure that it is consistent, fair and efficient and that it expects to bring forward its proposals by the summer'.
	RAILWAY SERVICES
	Mr Paddy Ashdown Mr A. J. Beith Mr Matthew Taylor Mr Tom Brake Mr Andrew Stunell Mr Paul Tyler Sir Robert Smith Norman Baker Mr Lembit O�pik That this House notes that rail privatisation by the Conservative Government has been a disaster, failing on many routes to deliver customer satisfaction, reliability or an integrated service; and therefore calls on the Government to work with the regulator to set and enforce standards, withhold grants in cases of persistent failure, and bring forward policies to deliver investment in a safe, reliable and affordable rail system at the heart of an integrated sustainable transport strategy. As an Amendment to Mr Paddy Ashdown's proposed Motion (Railway Services):
	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 `deplores the previous Government's privatisation of the railways, which has made a large profit for a few, but has been a poor deal for the taxpayer and the passenger, and has fragmented the rail network; welcomes the Government's interim package of measures introduced in November 1997--new Objectives, Instructions and Guidance for the Franchising Director, new planning criteria for OPRAF and a Concordat with the Rail Regulator--which puts the interests of rail users first; and commends the Government's commitment to establish effective and accountable regulation and to set up a new rail authority so that passengers' legitimate expectations are met.'. The selection of the matters to be debated this day has been made by the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party (Standing Order No. 14(2)).
*Debate may continue until 10.00 p.m.*

At the end of the sitting:

2	ADJOURNMENT
	Proposed subject: *The future of cancer research* (Dr Ian Gibson). *Debate may continue until 10.30 p.m. or for half an hour, whichever is later (Standing Order No. 9).*

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

SELECT COMMITTEES
1	Public Accounts	4.30 p.m.	Room 16 (public)
	Subject: Cataract Surgery in Scotland.
	Witnesses: Mr Geoff Scaife, Chief Executive, Sir David Carter, Chief Medical Officer, NHS Scotland.
2	Modernisation of the House of Commons	6.00 p.m.	Room 21 (private)

[The decision of a Committee to sit in public may be rescinded without notice.]

Written Questions tabled on Friday 6th February for answer today++

1	Mr Tony McNulty (Harrow East): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what measures she is taking to implement the proposals made in the Labour Party discussion paper Policing in Northern Ireland--A Service for All People (a) to reform the method of appointment of members of the Police Authority and (b) in respect of the role of community police liaison committees.
	(28959)
2	Mr Gerald Bermingham (St. Helens South): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, when the Student Loans Act 1998 will come into force; when he expects to make regulations; and if he will make a statement.
	(28960)
3	Mr Stephen Timms (East Ham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if the draft legislation to implement the changes in the agency tax rules for construction workers announced by the Financial Secretary on 31st July 1997 will be published in advance of the Finance Bill 1998.
	(28961)
4	Mr Keith Darvill (Upminster): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he will publish his proposals for reforming local democracy; and if he will make a statement.
	(28962)
5	Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham): To ask the Prime Minister, what was the cost of maintaining and refurbishing Ministerial residences at current prices for the financial years (a) 1993-94, (b) 1994-95, (c) 1995-96, (d) 1996-97 and (e) 1997-98.
	(28963)
6	Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham): To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list Government expenditure on Ministerial overseas visits at current prices (a) for the financial years (i) 1993-94, (ii) 1994-95, (iii) 1995-96 and (iv) 1996-97 and (b) from 1st May 1997.
	(28964)
7	Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham): To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list Government expenditure on Ministerial hospitality at current prices (a) for the financial years (i) 1993-94, (ii) 1994-95, (iii) 1995-96 and (iv) 1996-97 and (b) from 1st May 1997.
	(28965)
8	Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what initiatives she has taken to encourage the regulation and auditing of mining investment in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
	(28966)
9	Mr Gareth Thomas (Clwyd West): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what are his plans for local government revenue spending for 1998-99.
	(28981)

Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence
*1	Mr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde): How many (a) officers and (b) non-commissioned officers have been found guilty in (i) courts of law and (ii) courts martial of sexual assault or sexual harassment in the last three years; and in which of the services they served.
	(26095)
*2	Mrs Betty Williams (Conwy): What percentage of meat purchased by his Department has been produced in the United Kingdom in each of the past five years.
	(26096)
*3	Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead): When he last met his United States counterpart to discuss procedures for joint military action.
	(26097)
*4	Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome): What assessment he has made of the current strategic importance and future need for aircraft-carriers in the Royal Navy.
	(26098)
*5	Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford): If he will make a statement on defence contracts that have been placed by his Department with defence-related industries in the Chelmsford local authority area; and what is the total value of those contracts since 1st May 1997.
	(26099)
*6	Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): If he will make a statement on recent changes in the level of educational attainment by armed forces personnel.
	(26100)
*7	Mrs Virginia Bottomley (South West Surrey): What estimate he has made of the cost of the dilapidations at the Royal Naval College.
	(26101)
*8	Mr Hugh Bayley (City of York): If he will make a statement about the future district structure of United Kingdom Land Command.
	(26102)
*9	Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley): What assessment he has made of the military threat posed by Iraq.
	(26103)
*10	Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford and Southend East): If he will make a statement on the plans announced on 23rd January to reorganise the firing ranges.
	(26104)
*11	Mrs Jacqui Lait (Beckenham): When the RAF expects to take delivery of its first operational Eurofighter.
	(26105)
*12	Mr Nigel Waterson (Eastbourne): What is his policy towards the twinning of H.M. ships with towns; and if he will make a statement.
	(26106)
*13	Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West): What steps he is taking to work towards the global elimination of nuclear weapons.
	(26107)
*14	Mr David Borrow (South Ribble): If he will make a statement on the implications of the Government's defence diplomacy initiative for the Strategic Defence Review.
	(26108)
*15	Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South): If he will make a statement on progress made towards European defence industry restructuring in response to the peace dividend.
	(26109)
*16	Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North): If he will make a statement on the mechanisms by which priorities for research and development are decided by his Deparment.
	(26110)
*17	Mr Bill O'Brien (Normanton): If he will make a statement on the latest defence estimates in respect of British merchant shipping for defence purposes.
	(26111)
*18	Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley): What steps he is taking to ensure domestic sourcing of food for the armed forces; and if he will make a statement.
	(26112)
*19	Mr Donald Anderson (Swansea East): If he will make a statement on the application of Slovenia to join NATO.
	(26113)
*20	Mr Malcolm Savidge (Aberdeen North): When the Government expects to publish its green paper on defence diversification.
	(26114)
*21	Mr Robert Key (Salisbury): When he will announce his decision between Trimilsatcom and Skynet 5 as a procurement option for the next generation military satellite communications system; and if he will make a statement.
	(26115)
*22	Mr David Atkinson (Bournemouth East): What recent discussions he has had with his Western European Union counterparts on European ballistic missile defence.
	(26116)
*23	Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk): When he will publish the recommendations of the Armed Forces Pay Review Board.
	(26117)
*24	Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington): When he intends next to visit RNAD Broughton Moor to discuss the future use of the site.
	(26119)
*25	Mr Nick Ainger (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): If he will make a statement on the announcement made by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency on 23rd January on the rationalisation of land ranges in the United Kingdom.
	(26120)
*26	Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North): If he will make a statement on progress towards NATO enlargement.
	(26122)
*27	Mr David Amess (Southend West): When he intends to publish the White Paper on the Strategic Defence Review.
	(26124)
*28	Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South): If he will make a statement on the number of troops currently serving as part of Britain's contribution to SFOR in Bosnia.
	(26125)
*29	Ms Margaret Moran (Luton South): When he expects to publish his green paper on defence diversification.
	(26126)
*30	Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside): If he will make a statement concerning his plans for heavy-lift aircraft.
	(26127)
*31	Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): What responses he has had from industry regarding the joint British, French and German call for restructuring of military aerospace manufacturing capacity; and if he will make a statement.
	(26128)
*32	Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate): What assessment he has made of the future effectiveness of the court martial system.
	(26129)

Oral 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
*33	Mrs Virginia Bottomley (South West Surrey): To ask the President of the Council, If she will re-introduce twice weekly Prime Minister's questions.
	(26130)
*34	Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, If she will establish a select committee to examine relations with the Arab world.
	(26131)
*35	Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington): To ask the President of the Council, When she intends to review the procedures in relation to Private Members' Bills.
	(26132)
*36	Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the President of the Council, What criteria are used in appointments to the Privy Council.
	(26133)
*37	Mr John Wilkinson (Ruislip-Northwood): To ask the Chairman of the Finance and Services Committee, What is the (a) current and (b) planned provision in the House of Commons Estimates for the cost of constructing the new Parliamentary building.
	(26136)
*38	Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the President of the Council, What representations she has received on the advantages of extending the length of time available to the Minister without Portfolio to answer oral questions.
	(26137)
*39	Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter): To ask the President of the Council, If she will make a statement on progress towards reform of the hours of the parliamentary day.
	(26138)
*40	Mr David Hanson (Delyn): To ask the President of the Council, What representations she has received on an extension to the number of morning sittings of the House.
	(26139)