Order of Business for 17 February 1998

House of Commons

Session 1997-98
Publications on the internet
Summary Agendas and Orders of Business

Order of Business Tuesday 17th February 1998

Here you can browse the House of Commons Order of Business for Tuesday 17 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.

Private Business

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

Second Reading
Lloyds TSB Bill [Lords]. (By Order).

Mr Howard Flight
Mr Gerald Howarth

    On Second Reading of the Lloyds TSB Bill [Lords], to move, That the Bill be read a second time upon this day six months.

At 2.35 p.m.

Oral Question to the Secretary of State for Scotland

*1 Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire):    When he last met the Scottish Fishermen's Federation to discuss the Common Fisheries Policy.

(28068)

*2 Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries):    When he next intends to meet farmers and the Scottish NFU to discuss the agricultural industry.

(28069)

*3 Mr Oliver Letwin (West Dorset):    When he last met the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss the financing of local government in Scotland.

(28070)

*4 Mr Alex Salmond (Banff and Buchan):    When he last met the CBI and the STUC to discuss the powers of the Scottish Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

(28071)

*5 Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray):    How many meetings he has had with EU Ministers and Commissioners since 1st January to discuss future relations between the Scottish Parliament and the EU.

(28072)

*6 Mr Brian H. Donohoe (Cunninghame South):    What action he proposes to take to ensure that there is less disparity in the proportions of Scots from (a) affluent and (b) deprived areas going on to higher education.

(28073)

*7 Rachel Squire (Dunfermline West):    What proportion of primary schools in Scotland currently offer foreign language tuition.

(28074)

*8 Mr Frank Doran (Aberdeen Central):    How many local authorities have qualified to date under the best value scheme.

(28075)

*9 Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West):    If he will make a statement on the current average income of vegetable farmers and the change which this represents over the previous year.

(28076)

*10 Mr Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West):    What recent representations he has received about funding for the Millennium Link project to re-unite the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal.

(28077)

*11 Mr Desmond Browne (Kilmarnock and Loudoun):    How the pilot programmes of electronic tagging will be monitored and evaluated.

(28078)

*12 Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    If he will make a statement on the current average income of cereal farmers in Scotland and on the change which this represents from the previous year.

(28079)

*13 Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    How many inspections of imports of agricultural produce there have been in Scotland in the last year; and how many consignments were refused entry to Scotland.

(28080)

*14 Mr David Prior (North Norfolk):    If he will make a statement on the current average income of pig farmers and the change which this represents from the previous year.

(28081)

*15 Dr Lewis Moonie (Kirkcaldy):    What progress has been made in the development of an integrated transport policy in Scotland.

(28082)

*16 Mr Frank Roy (Motherwell and Wishaw):    What representations he has received on the green paper on tackling the inequalities in health in Scotland.

(28083)

*17 Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    What action he has taken to follow up the visit to Scotland by the United Nations team to study the Scottish legal system in respect of the Lockerbie bombing.

(28084)

*18 Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus):    When he last met representatives from Scotland's (a) universities and (b) further education colleges to discuss funding arrangements; and if he will make a statement.

(28085)

*19 Mrs Eleanor Laing (Epping Forest):    If he will make a statement on the administrative arrangements for the introduction of tuition fees for students.

(28086)

*20 Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):    If he will make a statement on the current average incomes of dairy farmers and the change which this represents from the previous year.

(28088)

*21 Mr John Home Robertson (East Lothian):    What progress has been made towards achieving greater co-operation between NHS trusts.

(28089)

*22 Mr David Amess (Southend West):    What recent representations he has received on changing the abortion law in Scotland.

(28090)

*23 Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    What is his latest estimate of road traffic growth in Scotland in 1998.

(28091)

*24 Mr Gerald Howarth (Aldershot):    If he will meet representatives from the NFU in the Western Isles to discuss the transportation of livestock to the mainland.

(28092)

*25 Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    If he will estimate the effect on farm incomes in Scotland of parity between the green pound and sterling.

(28093)

*26 Miss Julie Kirkbride (Bromsgrove):    If he will make a statement on the budget of the Crown Office in the last year.

(28094)

*27 Mrs Ray Michie (Argyll and Bute):    If he will make a statement on the future administration of local government services.

(28095)

*28 Maria Fyfe (Glasgow, Maryhill):    What action he plans to take to ensure that there is a strategic approach within the Scottish Office to tackling social exclusion.

(28096)

*29 Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):    If he will make a statement on the impact of section 4 tourism grants in Scotland.

(28097)

At 3.15 p.m.

Oral Questions to the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department

*30 Mr Chris Mullin (Sunderland South):    What assessment he has made of the advantages of phasing out QCs; and if he will make a statement.

(28098)

*31 Mr Patrick Nicholls (Teignbridge):    What representations his Department has made to Her Majesty's Treasury concerning its proposals to change the tax treatment of the legal profession.

(28099)

*32 Mr Gareth Thomas (Clwyd West):    If he will make a statement on the working of the Hague Convention on the Abduction of Children.

(28100)

*33 Mr Roger Gale (North Thanet):    When he next proposes to meet (a) the Chairman of the Bar Council and (b) the President of the Law Society to discuss legal aid.

(28101)

*34 Mr Gerald Howarth (Aldershot):    What progress he is making with the introduction of his legal aid reforms.

(28102)

*35 Mr Tim Yeo (South Suffolk):    What discussions he has had with the insurance industry about the introduction of contingency fee arrangements.

(28103)

*36 Mr John M. Taylor (Solihull):    What discussions he has had with the Treasury concerning its proposals to change the tax treatment of the legal profession.

(28104)

*37 Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    What assessment he has made on the basis of the last 12 months' figures of the trend in mortgage repossession cases being filed at court and possession orders being made.

(28105)

*38 Norman Baker (Lewes):    What steps he is taking to make available in the Public Record Office documents between 20 and 30 years old.

(28106)

*39 Mr Paul Goggins (Wythenshawe and Sale East):    What plans he has to improve the funding of law centres.

(28107)

*40 Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    When he plans to announce the results of the consultation process on the proposed changes to the issue of civil aid certificates in certain types of action; and if he will make a statement.

[R](28108)

*41 Mrs Caroline Spelman (Meriden):    What progress he is making with the introduction of his legal aid reforms.

(28109)

*42 Mr John Greenway (Ryedale):    If he will make a statement about the North Yorkshire Magistrates' Courts Committee's proposals for the future of the Magistrates' Courts service in the county.

(28110)

*43 Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking):    What plans he has to increase the training given to immigration adjudicators.

(28111)

*44 Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    What progress he is making with the introduction of his legal aid reforms.

(28112)

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

Preliminary Business

Ten minute rule Motion

SCHOOL BUSES (SAFETY) [Up to 20 minutes]

Mr Malcolm Bruce

That leave be given to bring in a Bill to introduce safety regulations for school buses; and for connected purposes.

The Member moving and a Member opposing this Motion may each speak for up to ten minutes (Standing Order No. 23).

Main Business
+ 2	IRAQ *[Until 10.00 p.m.]*
	The Prime Minister Mr Secretary Prescott Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr Secretary Cook Mr Secretary Straw Mr Secretary Robertson
	That this House condemns the continuing refusal of Iraq to comply with its obligations under the relevant post-ceasefire UN Security Council Resolutions, by allowing UNSCOM to carry out without restrictions the required inspections of its chemical, biological and nuclear weapons programmes; believes that these programmes represent a continuing threat to international peace and stability; fully supports the efforts of the Government to reach a diplomatic solution to the present confrontation with Iraq within the framework of these Security Council Resolutions; and expresses its full support also for the resolve of the Government to use all necessary means to achieve an outcome consistent with these Resolutions.
	As Amendments to the Prime Minister's proposed Motion (Iraq):
	Mr Tony Benn Mr Tam Dalyell Ms Diane Abbott Audrey Wise Mr John McDonnell Mr Terry Davis

Mr Harry Barnes
Mr George Galloway
Mr Dennis Skinner

Mr Jeremy Corbyn
Alice Mahon
Mr Neil Gerrard

Mr Alan Simpson
Mr Ken Livingstone

	Line 1, leave out from `House' to end and add `commits itself to the rule of law in international relations, the provisions of the United Nations Charter and the implementation by all nations of Security Council Resolutions; notes the failure of the Iraqi Government to comply with the Resolution providing for UN Inspectors to work without restriction in that country; is conscious of the appalling human suffering caused by bombing during the Gulf War, and the hardships that have been imposed, since then, as a result of the sanctions; believes that the use of force by the United States and Britain, without the explicit authorization of the Security Council, would constitute a breach of the Charter, would endanger the lives of innocent civilians, could spread throughout the region, and has isolated those who advocate it from world opinion; is convinced that a settlement should be sought which includes the acceptance by Iraq of the UN Inspection team and the simultaneous lifting of all sanctions, other than those preventing the import of military equipment; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to abide by the UN Charter, to abstain from any military action not explicitly authorized by the Security Council, to use its full diplomatic influence to secure a peaceful solution to the crisis, and to secure compliance by all member states with other UN Resolutions now being disregarded.'.
	Mr Paddy Ashdown Mr A. J. Beith Mr Menzies Campbell Mr David Heath Dr Jenny Tonge Mr Paul Tyler
	Line 1, leave out from `House' to end and add `would support the use of military force against Iraq as a last resort, after all realistic avenues have been explored for a diplomatic solution consistent with the terms of the Resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and in particular 687, which requires Saddam Hussein to give immediate and unrestricted access to chemical and biological weapons and all stocks of agents and related sub-systems and components and all research, development, support and manufacturing facilities; calls on Her Majesty's Government to lead an intensive international diplomatic campaign to ensure that all such alternatives are fully investigated; further believes that the objectives of military action should be clearly stated as, first, the reduction of Saddam Hussein's present capability to produce and deliver weapons of mass destruction, second, the suppression of his capability to produce and deliver such weapons in the future, and third, the targeting of his wider military capabilities as a recognition of his refusal to implement the obligations undertaken as part of the peace settlement which brought a cease-fire in the Gulf War and which are embodied in the relevant UN Resolutions; and further calls upon Her Majesty's Government to institute within the Security Council of the United Nations immediate discussions with a view to ensuring as a consequence of compliance with UN resolutions the expansion of the oil for food programme to Iraq so as to alleviate the suffering imposed upon the Iraqi people by the regime of Saddam Hussein.'.
	Mr William Hague Mr Peter Lilley Mr Michael Howard Sir Brian Mawhinney Sir George Young Mr James Arbuthnot
	Line 8, leave out from `Resolutions' to end and add `fully supports the resolve of the Government to use all necessary means to achieve an outcome consistent with these Resolutions; and emphasises the importance of setting the clearest possible objectives linked to any action that might be taken.'.
	Lynne Jones Ms Diana Abbott Mr John McDonnell Audrey Wise
	Line 9, leave out from `all' to end and add `effective means to achieve an outcome consistent with these Resolutions and to promote peace and stability in the Middle East.'.
	Mr Alex Salmond Mrs Margaret Ewing Ms Roseanna Cunningham Mr Andrew Welsh Mr Alasdair Morgan Mr John Swinney
	Line 9, at end add `having regard to action which is in the best long-term interests of the peoples of Iraq.'.
*Debate may continue until 10.00 p.m.*
+ 3	NORTHERN IRELAND *[No debate]*
	Secretary Marjorie Mowlam That the draft Financial Provisions (Northern Ireland) Order 1997, which was laid before this House on 16th December, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 4	CONSTRUCTION *[No debate]*
	Mr Secretary Prescott That the draft Construction Contracts (England and Wales) Exclusion Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 18th December, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 5	CONSTRUCTION *[No debate]*
	Mr Secretary Prescott That the draft Scheme for Construction Contracts (England and Wales) Regulations 1998, which were laid before this House on 12th January, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 6	CONSTRUCTION (SCOTLAND) *[No debate]*
	Mr Secretary Dewar That the draft Scheme for Construction Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 1998, which were laid before this House on 19th January, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 7	CONSTRUCTION (SCOTLAND) *[No debate]*
	Mr Secretary Dewar That the draft Construction Contracts (Scotland) Exclusion Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 19th January, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 8	CIVIL AVIATION *[No debate]*
	Mr Secretary Prescott That the draft Carriage by Air Acts (Application of Provisions) (Fourth Amendment) Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 26th January, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*

At the end of the sitting:

9	ADJOURNMENT
	Proposed subject: Gwent Tertiary College* (Mr Llew Smith).* *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 .
SELECT COMMITTEES
4	Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs: Environment Sub-Committee	9.45 a.m. 10.00 a.m.	Room 21 (private) (public)
	Subject: The Future for Allotments.
	Witnesses: National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardners (NSALG), Professor David Crouch, Anglia Polytechnic University; Leys Road Allotments Association, Blackpool (at 11.00 a.m.).
5	Deregulation	10.00 a.m.	Room 7 (private)
6	Foreign Affairs	10.00 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 16 (private) (public)
	Subject: Foreign Policy and Human Rights.
	Witnesses: Ms Fiona Weir, Director of Campaigns, Ms Harriet Ware-Austin, Parliamentary Officer, Amnesty International UK; Ms Diana Melrose, Policy Director, Oxfam, Mr Andrew McLean, Head of Communications, Saferworld (at 11.15 a.m.).
7	International Development	10.00 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 5 (private) (public)
	Subject: Debt Relief.
	Witnesses: Mr Robin Fellgett, ex-Head, Developing Countries, HM Treasury, Mr Richard Manning, Director General, Resources, Department for International Development, Mr Nick Westcott, Head, Economic Relations Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Mr Andy Steele, Head, International Debt Division, Export Credits Guarantee Department.
8	Public Administration	10.00 a.m. 11.00 a.m.	Room 8 (private) (public)
	Subject: Report of the Health Service Commissioner for 1996-97.
	Witnesses: The Rt Hon Frank Dobson, MP, Secretary of State for Health.
9	Agriculture	10.15 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 20 (private) (public)
	Subject: Food Safety.
	Witnesses: British Agrochemicals Association; Pesticides Safety Directorate; Friends of the Earth.
10	Home Affairs	10.15 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 6 (private) (public)
	Subject: European and Other Issues.
	Witness: Rt Hon Jack Straw, MP, Secretary of State for the Home Department.
11	Environmental Audit	10.15 a.m.	Room 19 (private)
12	Culture, Media and Sport	10.30 a.m.	Room 15 (public)
	Subject: HMS Cavalier.
	Witnesses: South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council; HMS Cavalier Association and Friends of HMS Cavalier Trust (at 11.00 a.m.); National Historic Ships Committee (at 11.30 a.m.); National Heritage Lottery Fund (at 12.00 noon); Mr Mark Fisher, MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Culture, Media and Sport (at 12.30 p.m.).
13	Treasury	10.30 a.m.	Room 13 (private)
14	Welsh Affairs	11.00 a.m.	Room 18 (private)
15	European Legislation	11.30 a.m.	Room 17 (private)
16	Procedure	4.30 p.m.	Room 21 (private)
17	Statutory Instruments	Immediately after the Meeting of the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments	Room 7 (private)
18	Administration	5.00 p.m.	Room 13
JOINT COMMITTEES
19	Parliamentary Privilege	10.30 a.m.	Room 4 (public)
	Subject: Parliamentary Privilege.
	Witness: Lord Bingham of Cornhill, The Lord Chief Justice.
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 16th February for answer today++
1	Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proposals he has for changes to the 1997-98 cash and running cost limits within his responsibilities.
	(30247)
2	Mr Christopher Leslie (Shipley): To ask the President of the Council, if she intends to make any changes to the 1997-98 cash and running costs limit for the Privy Council Office.
	(30270)
3	Mr Harry Barnes (North East Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will make a statement on the cash and running costs limits for the Northern Ireland Office, Northern Ireland Departmental Services, the Independent Living Fund, the Social Fund, certain national agricultural schemes and discretionary rent allowance payments for 1997-98.
	(30271)
4	Mr Stuart Bell (Middlesbrough): To ask the Prime Minister, what proposals he has to change the 1997-98 (a) cash limit and (b) running costs limit for the Cabinet Office: other services Vote.
	(30272)
5	Mr Stuart Bell (Middlesbrough): To ask the Prime Minister, what proposals he has to change the Cabinet Office: Security and Intelligence Services cash limits for 1997-98.
	(30273)
6	Judy Mallaber (Amber Valley): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what changes he plans to announce to cash limits and running cost limits within his reponsibility for 1997-98.
	(30274)
7	Mr Stephen Timms (East Ham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what changes are proposed to the cash and running costs limit of Her Majesty's Treasury in 1997-98.
	(30275)
8	Mr Stephen Timms (East Ham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what changes are proposed to the cash limit and running costs limit for the Office for National Statistics for 1997-98.
	(30276)
9	Mr Stephen Timms (East Ham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to introduce legislation to counter tax avoidance schemes involving the sales of companies to avoid payment of corporation tax.
	(30277)
10	Mr Stephen Timms (East Ham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what changes are proposed in the cash limit and running costs limit in 1997-98 for the Inland Revenue and Valuation Office Agency.
	(30278)
11	Mr Stephen Timms (East Ham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what changes are proposed in the cash limit and running cost limit in 1997-98 for HM Customs and Excise.
	(30279)
12	Judy Mallaber (Amber Valley): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what changes he proposes to make in his Department's cash limits and running cost limits for 1997-98.
	(30280)
13	Mr Bill Etherington (Sunderland North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what proposals he has to change his Department's cash limits and running cost limits for 1997-98.
	(30281)
14	Mr Hilton Dawson (Lancaster and Wyre): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what changes are proposed to his Department's Cash Limit for Class III Vote 2, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, for 1997-98.
	(30377)
15	Mr Hilton Dawson (Lancaster and Wyre): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what changes are proposed to his Department's Cash Limit for Class III Vote 1, Intervention Board-Executive Agency, for 1997-98.
	(30378)
16	Mr Martin Caton (Gower): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what changes he proposes to make to the voted cash limits for his Department and the Office of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools in Wales in 1997-98.
	(30379)
17	Paddy Tipping (Sherwood): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what changes are proposed to the cash and running cost limits of the Lord Chancellor's Department Votes for 1997-98.
	(30380)
18	Mrs Joan Humble (Blackpool North and Fleetwood): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what changes he proposes to make to his Department's cash limits and running costs for 1997-98.
	(30381)
19	Julia Drown (South Swindon): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if she will make a statement on changes in the (a) cash limits and (b) running costs limit of her Department for 1997-98.
	(30382)
20	Mr John Hutton (Barrow and Furness): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on changes to the Class 1 cash limits and the defence operating costs limit for 1997-98.
	(30412)
21	Mr David Hanson (Delyn): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what changes will be made to the cash and running cost limits for her Department, the Office of Gas Supply and the Office of Electricity Regulation for 1997-98 and to the external financing limits of the British Coal Corporation and British Shipbuilders for 1997-98.
	(30413)
22	Mr Fraser Kemp (Houghton and Washington East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proposals he has made to allow senior non-commissioned officers to serve on courts martial.
	(30414)
23	Mr Terry Rooney (Bradford North): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what changes will be made to the cash limits of his Department in 1997-98.
	(30433)
24	Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what proposals and underlying reasons there are to change the 1997-98 cash limit for the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner and Health Service Commissioner.
	(30434)
25	Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what proposals there are to change the 1997-98 cash limit or running costs for the Office of Public Service.
	(30435)
26	Mr David Kidney (Stafford): To ask Mr Attorney General, what changes he proposes for the Crown Prosecution Service's cash and running costs limits for 1997-98.
	(30436)
27	Mr Ernie Ross (Dundee West): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if the Lord Advocate proposes any changes to the Crown Office cash and running costs.
	(30454)
28	Mr Ernie Ross (Dundee West): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what changes he intends to make to the cash limits and running cost provision for 1997-98 within his responsibility.
	(30455)

Oral Question to the Secretary of State for Scotland
*1	Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire): When he last met the Scottish Fishermen's Federation to discuss the Common Fisheries Policy.
	(28068)
*2	Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries): When he next intends to meet farmers and the Scottish NFU to discuss the agricultural industry.
	(28069)
*3	Mr Oliver Letwin (West Dorset): When he last met the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss the financing of local government in Scotland.
	(28070)
*4	Mr Alex Salmond (Banff and Buchan): When he last met the CBI and the STUC to discuss the powers of the Scottish Parliament; and if he will make a statement.
	(28071)
*5	Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray): How many meetings he has had with EU Ministers and Commissioners since 1st January to discuss future relations between the Scottish Parliament and the EU.
	(28072)
*6	Mr Brian H. Donohoe (Cunninghame South): What action he proposes to take to ensure that there is less disparity in the proportions of Scots from (a) affluent and (b) deprived areas going on to higher education.
	(28073)
*7	Rachel Squire (Dunfermline West): What proportion of primary schools in Scotland currently offer foreign language tuition.
	(28074)
*8	Mr Frank Doran (Aberdeen Central): How many local authorities have qualified to date under the best value scheme.
	(28075)
*9	Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West): If he will make a statement on the current average income of vegetable farmers and the change which this represents over the previous year.
	(28076)
*10	Mr Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West): What recent representations he has received about funding for the Millennium Link project to re-unite the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal.
	(28077)
*11	Mr Desmond Browne (Kilmarnock and Loudoun): How the pilot programmes of electronic tagging will be monitored and evaluated.
	(28078)
*12	Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): If he will make a statement on the current average income of cereal farmers in Scotland and on the change which this represents from the previous year.
	(28079)
*13	Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire): How many inspections of imports of agricultural produce there have been in Scotland in the last year; and how many consignments were refused entry to Scotland.
	(28080)
*14	Mr David Prior (North Norfolk): If he will make a statement on the current average income of pig farmers and the change which this represents from the previous year.
	(28081)
*15	Dr Lewis Moonie (Kirkcaldy): What progress has been made in the development of an integrated transport policy in Scotland.
	(28082)
*16	Mr Frank Roy (Motherwell and Wishaw): What representations he has received on the green paper on tackling the inequalities in health in Scotland.
	(28083)
*17	Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow): What action he has taken to follow up the visit to Scotland by the United Nations team to study the Scottish legal system in respect of the Lockerbie bombing.
	(28084)
*18	Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus): When he last met representatives from Scotland's (a) universities and (b) further education colleges to discuss funding arrangements; and if he will make a statement.
	(28085)
*19	Mrs Eleanor Laing (Epping Forest): If he will make a statement on the administrative arrangements for the introduction of tuition fees for students.
	(28086)
*20	Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): If he will make a statement on the current average incomes of dairy farmers and the change which this represents from the previous year.
	(28088)
*21	Mr John Home Robertson (East Lothian): What progress has been made towards achieving greater co-operation between NHS trusts.
	(28089)
*22	Mr David Amess (Southend West): What recent representations he has received on changing the abortion law in Scotland.
	(28090)
*23	Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch): What is his latest estimate of road traffic growth in Scotland in 1998.
	(28091)
*24	Mr Gerald Howarth (Aldershot): If he will meet representatives from the NFU in the Western Isles to discuss the transportation of livestock to the mainland.
	(28092)
*25	Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West): If he will estimate the effect on farm incomes in Scotland of parity between the green pound and sterling.
	(28093)
*26	Miss Julie Kirkbride (Bromsgrove): If he will make a statement on the budget of the Crown Office in the last year.
	(28094)
*27	Mrs Ray Michie (Argyll and Bute): If he will make a statement on the future administration of local government services.
	(28095)
*28	Maria Fyfe (Glasgow, Maryhill): What action he plans to take to ensure that there is a strategic approach within the Scottish Office to tackling social exclusion.
	(28096)
*29	Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley): If he will make a statement on the impact of section 4 tourism grants in Scotland.
	(28097)

Oral Questions to the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department
*30	Mr Chris Mullin (Sunderland South): What assessment he has made of the advantages of phasing out QCs; and if he will make a statement.
	(28098)
*31	Mr Patrick Nicholls (Teignbridge): What representations his Department has made to Her Majesty's Treasury concerning its proposals to change the tax treatment of the legal profession.
	(28099)
*32	Mr Gareth Thomas (Clwyd West): If he will make a statement on the working of the Hague Convention on the Abduction of Children.
	(28100)
*33	Mr Roger Gale (North Thanet): When he next proposes to meet (a) the Chairman of the Bar Council and (b) the President of the Law Society to discuss legal aid.
	(28101)
*34	Mr Gerald Howarth (Aldershot): What progress he is making with the introduction of his legal aid reforms.
	(28102)
*35	Mr Tim Yeo (South Suffolk): What discussions he has had with the insurance industry about the introduction of contingency fee arrangements.
	(28103)
*36	Mr John M. Taylor (Solihull): What discussions he has had with the Treasury concerning its proposals to change the tax treatment of the legal profession.
	(28104)
*37	Mr David Kidney (Stafford): What assessment he has made on the basis of the last 12 months' figures of the trend in mortgage repossession cases being filed at court and possession orders being made.
	(28105)
*38	Norman Baker (Lewes): What steps he is taking to make available in the Public Record Office documents between 20 and 30 years old.
	(28106)
*39	Mr Paul Goggins (Wythenshawe and Sale East): What plans he has to improve the funding of law centres.
	(28107)
*40	Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): When he plans to announce the results of the consultation process on the proposed changes to the issue of civil aid certificates in certain types of action; and if he will make a statement.
	[R](28108)
*41	Mrs Caroline Spelman (Meriden): What progress he is making with the introduction of his legal aid reforms.
	(28109)
*42	Mr John Greenway (Ryedale): If he will make a statement about the North Yorkshire Magistrates' Courts Committee's proposals for the future of the Magistrates' Courts service in the county.
	(28110)
*43	Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking): What plans he has to increase the training given to immigration adjudicators.
	(28111)
*44	Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk): What progress he is making with the introduction of his legal aid reforms.
	(28112)