Order of Business for 23 February 1998

House of Commons

Session 1997-98
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Order of Business Monday 23rd February 1998

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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 Social Security

*1 Mr Graham Stringer (Manchester, Blackley):    If she will make a statement on progress being made on the Government's pensions review.

(29074)

*2 Ms Diane Abbott (Hackney North and Stoke Newington):    How many people she estimates are fraudulently claiming disability living allowance; and if she will make a statement.

(29075)

*3 Mr Tony Colman (Putney):    If she will make a statement on the level of fraud in housing benefit.

(29076)

*4 Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test):    What plans she has for tackling organised fraud by landlords.

(29077)

*5 Mr Bill Olner (Nuneaton):    If she will make a statement on the Government's approach to reforming the Child Support Agency.

(29078)

*6 Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter):    What assessment she has made of (a) present and (b) future inequality in pensioner incomes.

(29079)

*7 Mr Chris Pond (Gravesham):    If she will make a statement on the Government's actions to assist pensioners who are eligible for income support.

(29080)

*8 Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    When she last met representatives of disability interests to discuss welfare reform.

(29081)

*9 Fiona Mactaggart (Slough):    What plans she has to tackle housing benefit fraud.

(29082)

*10 Ms Rosie Winterton ( Doncaster Central):    What action the Ministers for Women are taking during the UK's presidency of the European Union in conjunction with their European counterparts.

(29083)

*11 Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    What recent representations she has received about benefits for the disabled.

(29084)

*12 Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    What proposals she has for increasing the resources devoted to fraud detection efforts in respect of social security benefits.

(29085)

*13 Mr David Davis (Haltemprice and Howden):    What the targets are for the number of lone parents who will obtain work through the New Deal for Lone Parents.

(29086)

*14 Mr Stephen Day (Cheadle):    What the benefits status of those under-25s who take part in the New Deal will be (a) during the gateway period and (b) during their participation in any of the four options.

(29087)

*15 Ms Julie Morgan (Cardiff North):    What plans she has to promote International Women's Day.

(29088)

*16 Bob Russell (Colchester):    How many new cases she expects the Child Support Agency to deal with over the next year; and what changes in staffing (a) structures and (b) numbers she will implement to manage demand.

(29090)

*17 Mr Malcolm Savidge (Aberdeen North):    If she will make a statement on her plans to help pensioners with their fuel bills.

(29091)

*18 Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    What steps the Ministers for Women are taking on European Union-wide initiatives during the United Kingdom's Presidency of the European Union.

(29092)

*19 Norman Baker (Lewes):    When she plans to complete her review of the Child Support Agency.

(29093)

*20 Mr Bill O'Brien (Normanton):    What plans she has to improve the efficiency of public telephone contacts with the Child Support Agency; and if she will make a statement.

(29095)

*21 Audrey Wise (Preston):    How many Benefits Agency staff in Preston are engaged in adminstering the family credit scheme.

(29096)

*22 Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire):    What age-group of lone parents the New Deal for Lone Parents is targeted at.

(29097)

*23 Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock):    What representations he has received from trade unions about the Government's welfare reform proposals.

(29098)

*24 Mr Bill Michie (Sheffield, Heeley):    What plans she has to ensure absent fathers pay proper maintenance for their children.

(29099)

*25 Angela Smith (Basildon):    If she will make a statement on the Government's New Deal for the Long-Term Sick and Disabled.

(29100)

*26 Mr Peter Viggers (Gosport):    How many lone parents had obtained employment through the New Deal for Lone Parents by 31st January.

(29101)

*27 Mr Howard Flight (Arundel and South Downs):    If she will make a statement on the progress of the Government's review of disability benefits.

(29102)

*28 Mr Donald Gorrie (Edinburgh West):    What plans she has to ensure that citizens seeking information about benefits are given correct information in leaflets by staff at the offices of relevant agencies.

(29103)

*29 Mr Peter Bottomley (Worthing West):    If she will estimate the average (i) costs to and (ii) income from public funds of (a) a teenager and (b) a pensioner in a household.

(29104)

*30 Mr Ivor Caplin (Hove):    If she will make a statement on the Government's plans for pension sharing.

(29105)

*31 Helen Jones (Warrington North):    What plans she has to ensure absent fathers support their children.

(29106)

*32 Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    What steps she has taken to support and strengthen the framework for occupational pensions.

(29108)

*33 Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    What assessment the Social Security Review team has has made of evidence on the interaction between housing benefit and incentives to work.

(29109)

*34 Mr John Wilkinson (Ruislip-Northwood):    What discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer about the interaction of the taxation and social security benefit systems.

(29110)

*35 Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    What assessment is made of the minimum level of weekly disposable income required by (a) a single adult resident in London aged between 25 and 50 years, (b) a married couple resident in London aged between 50 and 60 years and (c) a single pensioner living in London aged between 65 and 70 years, in determining benefit levels.

(29111)

*36 Mr Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North):    What plans she has to revise the basis of the calculation for the setting of state pension levels.

(29112)

*37 Ms Beverley Hughes (Stretford and Urmston):    What plans the Ministers for Women have to promote family-friendly employment policies.

(29113)

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

Main Business

+ 1

SCOTLAND BILL (PROGRAMME) [No debate]

Mrs Ann Taylor
Mr Secretary Dewar

That the Order [13th January] relating to the Scotland Bill (Programme) be amended by inserting, after paragraph 1, the following paragraph--

`1A. On the fifth allotted day paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business) shall apply to the proceedings on the Bill for one hour after Ten o'clock'.

To be decided without debate (Order of 13th January).

+ 2

SCOTLAND BILL (PROGRAMME) [No debate]

Mrs Ann Taylor
Mr Secretary Dewar

That the further Report [19th February] from the Business Committee be now considered.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 82).

Mrs Ann Taylor
Mr Secretary Dewar

(Upon consideration of the further Report) To move, That this House agrees with the Committee in its Resolution.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 82).

+ 3

SCOTLAND BILL: Committee [5th allotted day] (Progress reported 12th February). [Until 11.00 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 (if the further Report of the Business Committee is agreed to):

Clause 69 7.00 p.m.

Clause 70 7.45 p.m.

Clause 71 8.45 p.m.

Clauses 72 to 80 10.00 p.m.

Debate may continue until 11.00 p.m. if the first motion relating to Scotland Bill (Programme) is agreed to.

+ 4

COURT OF AUDITORS REPORT FOR 1996 [No debate]

The Prime Minister
Mr Secretary Prescott
Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer
Mr Secretary Cook
Mr Secretary Straw
Mr Secretary Blunkett

That this House takes note of Official Journal No. C348 of 18th November 1997, the Annual Report and Statements of Assurance of the European Court of Auditors concerning the financial year 1996, on activities financed from the general budget and of the sixth and seventh European Development Funds, together with the Institutions' replies; and of European Commission Document No. SEM 2000/3(97) Doc. 5, the SEM 2000 Stage III Second Report on the Implementation of the Recommendations of the Personal Representatives Group on Sound Financial Management; endorses the Government's determination to ensure that taxpayers' money is spent efficiently and effectively in the EC budget; and welcomes the priority which the current British Presidency of the EU is giving to this subject.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 119(9)).

+ 5

LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE [No debate]

Mr Secretary Dobson

That the Special Grant Report (No. 28): Persons from Abroad Children's Grant (HC 478), which was laid before this House on 26th January, be approved.