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Session 1997-98
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Summary Agendas and Orders of Business

Order of Business Tuesday 31st March 1998

Here you can browse the House of Commons Order of Business for Tuesday 31 March 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.
Third Reading
Tamar Bridge Bill. (Queen's Consent, on behalf of the Crown, to be signified.)
Second Reading
Lloyds TSB Bill [Lords].
    Mr Howard Flight
    Mr Gerald Howarth
    Mr Jim Cousins
        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 Questions to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
*1 Mr Hugh Bayley (City of York):    What action the Government is taking to reduce the amount of gravel and sand dredged from river beds in environmentally sensitive areas.
(35440)
*2 Mrs Eileen Gordon (Romford):    When he expects to publish a White Paper on the future Government of London.
(35441)
*3 Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith (Wealden):    When he last met representatives of the Local Government Association to discuss the distribution of local government finance in 1998-99.
(35442)
*4 Mr Howard Flight (Arundel and South Downs):    What assessment he has made of the impact of the local authority funding formula for 1998-99 on the provision of services by shire authorities.
(35443)
*5 Helen Jackson (Sheffield, Hillsborough):    What assessment he has made of the impact of landfill proposals announced in the Budget on his environmental objectives.
(35444)
*6 Mr David Ruffley (Bury St. Edmunds):    What representations he has received on the accountability of RDAs.
(35446)
*7 Mr Eric Pickles (Brentwood and Ongar):    When he next plans to meet representatives of local government in shire areas to discuss the conduct of local government.
(35447)
*8 Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West):    What assessment he has made of the environmental impact of increased levels of freight being transported by rail.
(35448)
*9 Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South):    What measures are being evaluated by his Department to improve the regulation of the water companies.
(35450)
*10 Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    If he will estimate the likely cost to local government pension funds in 1998-99 of the abolition of advance corporation tax credit.
(35452)
*11 Mr Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West):    If he will make a statement about the progress of the study being conducted of the threat to racing pigeons caused by predators.
(35453)
*12 Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst):    What is his current target for development of brown-field sites.
(35454)
*13 Mrs Helen Brinton (Peterborough):    If he will make it his policy that local authorities in areas where there is a water shortage should, as a condition of planning permission, be able to insist that new homes are fitted with (a) grey water recycling systems and (b) other water-efficient devices.
(35455)
*14 Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes):    What steps he has taken to combat urban sprawl.
(35456)
*15 Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    What representations he has received from local authorities over the abolition of the advance corporation tax credit.
(35457)
*16 Mr Cynog Dafis (Ceredigion):    What are the arrangements for consultation on Opportunities for Change.
(35458)
*17 Mr Stephen Timms (East Ham):    What assessment he has made of the impact of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link on regeneration in the Thames Gateway area.
(35459)
*18 Sir Sydney Chapman (Chipping Barnet):    If he will make a statement on progress on identifying derelict or unused urban sites suitable for re-development.
(35460)
*19 Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire):    What representations he has received from authorities in the shires on local government finance in 1998-99.
(35461)
*20 Bob Russell (Colchester):    What discussions he has had on the revision of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
(35462)
*21 Mr Nick St. Aubyn (Guildford):    If he will adopt a target of two-thirds of new housing development being on brown-field sites.
(35464)
*22 Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):    If he will list the local authorities in England which have received an increase in standard spending assessment of 13 per cent. or more in 1998-99.
(35465)
*23 Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    What action he is taking to implement the United Kingdom's Kyoto commitments on emissions.
(35466)
*24 Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    If he will make a statement on his Department's policy under CITES in respect of the listing of the Amazonian parrot.
(35468)
*25 Mrs Jacqui Lait (Beckenham):    What plans he has to reform leasehold tenure.
(35469)
At 3.05 p.m. 
Questions to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions relating to Transport
*26 Jane Griffiths (Reading East):    If he will make a statement on the operation of the rail rolling stock market.
(35470)
*27 Mr Michael Connarty (Falkirk East):    What steps he proposes to encourage freight onto the railways.
(35471)
*28 Mr Howard Flight (Arundel and South Downs):    What assessment he has made of the role of the private car in meeting the transport requirements of people in rural areas.
(35472)
*29 Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay):    What proposals he has to reduce traffic congestion on the A380 between Newton Abbot and Torbay.
(35473)
*30 Caroline Flint (Don Valley):    What measures he proposes against illegal heavy goods vehicle operators.
(35474)
*31 Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West):    If he will make a statement on the costs of private motoring.
(35475)
*32 Mr Tony McNulty (Harrow East):    What steps he proposes to improve transport provision in London.
(35476)
*33 Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    Pursuant to the Answer to the honourable Member for Warrington North of 5th March, Official Report, column 699, when he next plans to meet the Franchising Director to discuss levels of investment on the West Coast Main Line.
(35478)
*34 Mr Paul Tyler (North Cornwall):    If he will make a statement on the methodology of his review of major trunk road schemes.
(35479)
*35 Bob Russell (Colchester):    What plans he has to increase the percentage of journeys made using public transport.
(35480)
*36 Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    What recent representations he has received on rural public transport services.
(35481)
*37 Mr Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West):    What steps he is taking to make railway service providers more accountable to the public.
(35482)
*38 Miss Melanie Johnson (Welwyn Hatfield):    What measures he proposes to encourage investment in cleaner buses and lorries.
(35483)
*39 Miss Anne Begg (Aberdeen South):    If he will make a statement about the use of mobile phones while driving.
(35484)
*40 Mrs Anne McGuire (Stirling):    If he will make a statement on best practice in rural traffic management.
(35485)
*41 Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    What is his projected timetable for (a) changes to the structure of London Transport and (b) funding increases for London Transport.
(35486)
*42 Mr David Drew (Stroud):    What plans he has to increase public transport provision in rural areas.
(35487)
*43 Helen Jackson (Sheffield, Hillsborough):    What percentage of vehicle emissions were accounted for by public transport in the latest period for which figures are available.
(35488)
*44 Paul Flynn (Newport West):    What percentage of medicinal drugs that seriously impair drivers' abilities were detectable in his Department's recent drug-driving test.
(35489)
*45 Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    How he plans to attract adequate private capital to London Underground.
(35490)
*46 Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    What research he has commissioned into the effects on traffic volumes of reducing road capacity.
(35491)
*47 Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    When he intends to announce his proposals for a by-pass at Workington.
(35492)
*48 Mr John Grogan (Selby):    What plans he has to extend the principle of passenger transport authorities into the rural areas.
(35493)
*49 Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby):    What plans he has for improving river transport on the Thames; and if he will make a statement.
(35494)

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


Preliminary Business
Ten minute rule Motion
1   MILLENNIUM CONFORMITY    [Up to 20 minutes]
 Mr David Atkinson
        That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision with respect to the capability of computer systems and other goods and related services to deal with calendar dates after 31st December 1999; to require certain invoices to be paid promptly; to make 31st December 1999 a bank holiday; 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   SCOTLAND BILL: Committee [8th allotted day] (Progress reported 30th March).    [Up to 6.5 hours]
For Amendments, see separate Paper.
 
        Proceedings shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at the end of the periods specified below (Order of 30th March):
Schedule 5 up to and including line 13 on page 71 of the Bill        1 hour
Schedule 5 up to and including line 28 on page 73 of the Bill        1 hour 40 minutes
Schedule 5 up to and including line 5 on page 74 of the Bill        1 hour 55 minutes
Schedule 5 up to and including line 41 on page 74 of the Bill        2 hours 30 minutes
Schedule 5 up to and including line 12 on page 76 of the Bill        3 hours 30 minutes
Schedule 5 up to and including line 20 on page 76 of the Bill        3 hours 45 minutes
Schedule 5 up to and including line 7 on page 77 of the Bill         4 hours 45 minutes
Schedule 5 (remaining proceedings) and New Clauses 1 to 8         5 hours 10 minutes
New Clauses 9 to 23        5 hours 40 minutes
New Clauses 24 and 25        5 hours 50 minutes
Remaining proceedings        6 hours 30 minutes
        
+  3   PENSIONS    [No debate]
 Secretary Harriet Harman
        That the draft Social Security (Minimum Contributions to Appropriate Personal Pension Schemes) Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 4th March, be approved.
To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).
+  4   PENSIONS    [No debate]
 Secretary Harriet Harman
        That the draft Social Security (Reduced Rates of Class 1 Contributions, and Rebates) (Money Purchase Contracted-out) Schemes Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 4th March, be approved.
To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).
+  5   OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT AND CO-OPERATION    [No debate]
 Secretary Clare Short
        That the draft International Development Association (Eleventh Replenishment) Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 20th February, be approved.
To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).
At the end of the sitting:
6   ADJOURNMENT
 
        Proposed subject: Sewage treatment and disposal (Dr Desmond Turner).
        Debate may continue until 10.30 p.m. or for half an hour, whichever is later (Standing Order No. 9).

COMMITTEE MEETINGS
STANDING COMMITTEE
1   Standing Committee F 10.30 a.m. Room 12 (public)
        To consider the Teaching and Higher Education Bill [Lords].
SELECT COMMITTEES
2   Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs: Environment Sub-Committee 9.45 a.m.
10.00 a.m.
Room 16 (private)
(public)
        Subject: Sustainable Waste Management.
        Witnesses: The Environment Agency; Rt Hon Michael Meacher, MP, Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (at 11.00 a.m.).
3   Culture, Media and Sport 10.00 a.m. Room 15 (public)
        Subject: Audio-Visual Communications and the Regulation of Broadcasting.
        Witnesses: Rt Hon Chris Smith, MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport; Rt Hon Dr David Clark, MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (at 11.00 a.m.); Mrs Barbara Roche, MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (at 11.30 a.m.).
4   Deregulation 10.00 a.m. Room 17 (private)
5   International Development 10.00 a.m.
10.30 a.m.
Room 21 (private)
(public)
        Subject: Debt Relief.
        Witnesses: Mr Kevin Watkins, Senior Policy Adviser, Oxfam, Ms Shriti Vadera, Executive Director, Corporate Finance Division, S.B.C. Warburg.
6   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: National Consumer Council and the Consumers' Association.
7   Environmental Audit 10.15 a.m.
10.30 a.m.
Room 19 (private)
(public)
        Subject: Greening Government.
        Witnesses: Mr Jeff Rooker, MP, Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and Mr Dudley Coates, Head of the Environment Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
8   European Legislation 10.30 a.m. Room 18 (public)
        Subject: Role of the European Court of Auditors.
        Witness: Mr John Wiggins, Member of the European Court of Auditors.
9   Standards and Privileges 10.30 a.m. Room 13 (private)
10   Treasury 4.00 p.m.
4.15 p.m.
Room 8 (private)
(public)
        Subject: The 1998 Budget.
        Witnesses: Rt Hon Gordon Brown, MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and HM Treasury officials.
11   Culture, Media and Sport 4.30 p.m. Room 15 (public)
        Subject: Audio-Visual Communications and the Regulation of Broadcasting.
        Witness: Dr Kim Howells, MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Employment.
12   Administration 5.00 p.m. Room 13 (private)
13   Business Committee: Regional Development Agencies Bill 5.00 p.m. Chairman of Ways and
Means' Office
(private)
14   Statutory Instruments Immediately after the meeting of the Joint Committee Room 7 (private)
JOINT COMMITTEES
15   Parliamentary Privilege 10.30 a.m. Room 4 (public)
        Subject: Parliamentary Privilege.
        Witness: Rt Hon Sir Robert Carswell, The Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland.
16   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 30th March for answer today++
    
1  
  
Mr Tony McNulty (Harrow East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he expects the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority to publish its annual report for 1996-97.
(37296)
2  
  
Mr Ross Cranston (Dudley North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make available the Police Research Group's report, Phoenix Data Quality.
(37335)
3  
  
Ms Sally Keeble (Northampton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he will appoint new members to the Animal Procedures Committee.
(37336)
4  
  
Mr John Hutton (Barrow and Furness):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which prisoners will be released on home detention curfew.
(37337)
5  
  
Angela Smith (Basildon):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the arrangements for responding to parliamentary questions and correspondence from honourable Members relating to the work of the Police Information Technology Organisation following its change in status on 1st April.
(37338)
6  
  
Mr Paul Clark (Gillingham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to publish proposals for modernising the Police and Fire Service pension schemes.
(37339)
7  
  
Dr Phyllis Starkey (Milton Keynes South West):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has for the responsibility for funding boards of visitors and the Boards of Visitors' Secretariat.
(37340)
8  
  
Mr Brian H. Donohoe (Cunninghame South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what action the Government proposes to take in response to the Scottish Law Commission Report on Boundary Walls (HC584); and if he will make a statement.
(37341)
9  
  
Mr Jonathan R. Shaw (Chatham and Aylesford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to replace the current application forms for foreign nationals wishing to apply for leave to remain in the United Kingdom.
(37342)
10  
  
Helen Jones (Warrington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on future levels of regulatory fees for residential care homes and nursing homes.
(37354)
11  
  
Mr Bill Etherington (Sunderland North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what progress has been made by Government departments towards the target of improving energy efficiency by 20 per cent. in the nine years to 31st March 2000.
(37355)
12  
  
Mr Bill Etherington (Sunderland North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to change the way in which statutory joint waste disposal authorities are funded currently.
(37356)
13  
  
Mr Eric Clarke (Midlothian):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what proposals he has to change his Department's cash limits for 1997-98.
(37357)
14  
  
Fiona Mactaggart (Slough):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the arrangements for responding to parliamentary questions and correspondence from honourable Members relating to the work of the National Criminal Intelligence Service and the National Crime Squad following their establishment on 1st April.
(37358)
15  
  
Shona McIsaac (Cleethorpes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what performance targets have been set for the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency for 1998-99.
(37359)
16  
  
Mr Syd Rapson (Portsmouth North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what measures he is taking to promote greater racial equality in the armed forces following the decision of the Commission for Racial Equality to abandon legal action against the Household Cavalry.
(37360)
17  
  
Mr Eric Martlew (Carlisle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the pattern of military low flying activity in the United Kingdom during 1997.
(37361)
18  
  
Ms Karen Buck (Regent's Park and Kensington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, when changes in the Budget relating to employee share schemes will be reflected in National Insurance contribution rules.
(37362)
19  
  
Mr Stephen Twigg (Enfield, Southgate):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what targets Remploy has been set in its 1998-99 Annual Performance Agreement.
(37448)
20  
  
Mr Robert Maclennan (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if a decision has been reached regarding the future management of the Dounreay Shaft and Wet Silo; and if she will make a statement.
(37449)
21  
  
Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West and Abingdon):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will place in the Library a copy of the contract specification for the running of Campsfield House Immigration Detention Centre.
(37450)
22  
  
Mr Ivor Caplin (Hove):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress he has made in transferring debt management responsibilities to the Treasury; and if he will make a statement.
(37451)
23  
  
Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West and Abingdon):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what targets he has set for the interval between a prison visit being made by the Chief Inspector of Prisons and a report being published.
(37452)
24  
  
Mr Iain Coleman (Hammersmith and Fulham):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what are the key performance targets for Her Majesty's Land Registry, the Public Record Office, the Public Tax Office and the Court Service executive agencies for 1998-99.
(37453)
25  
  
Mr Nick Ainger (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has for the re-deployment of the Royal Air Force aircraft at Gioia del Colle in Italy; and if he will make a statement.
(37510)

 
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