Order of Business for 30 April 1998

House of Commons

Session 1997-98
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Order of Business Thursday 30th April 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 Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

*1 Mr Roger Casale (Wimbledon):    What representations he has received concerning designated ports status.

(39107)

*2 Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold):    If he will make a statement on the procedures for the (a) accountability to Parliament of the Food Standards Agency and (b) authorisation of its funding.

(39108)

*3 Mr David Chaytor (Bury North):    What assessment he has made of the impact on consumers of the current CAP reforms.

(39109)

*4 Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex):    What measures he is pursuing to promote the sale of British beef.

(39110)

*5 Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath):    What steps he is taking to reduce bureaucracy and the form-filling required of farmers by his Department and its agencies and officials.

(39111)

*6 Mr Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West):    What progress he is making on ending the export ban on British beef.

(39113)

*7 Sir Sydney Chapman (Chipping Barnet):    What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the co-ordination between his Ministry and other relevant departments on tree-planting initiatives.

(39114)

*8 Paddy Tipping (Sherwood):    What steps he is taking to ensure that CAP reform increases job opportunities in rural areas.

(39115)

*9 Mr Robert Walter (North Dorset):    What assessment he has made of the EU Commission's proposals for national envelopes as part of the reform of the CAP.

(39116)

*10 Mr John Smith (Vale of Glamorgan):    If he will make a statement on progress on fisheries enforcement measures.

(39117)

*11 Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire):    When he will provide agri-money compensation for British farmers.

(39118)

*12 Mr Ross Cranston (Dudley North):    How many cattle passports are issued each week by his Ministry.

(39119)

*13 Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    What savings in the EU agriculture budget he will propose in discussions in the Council of Ministers on CAP reform.

(39121)

*14 Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith (Wealden):    What discussions he has had with (a) the European Commission and (b) members of the European Agriculture Council about the total lifting of the beef export ban on UK beef.

(39122)

*15 Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    What assessment he has made of the importance of hill farms to the rural economy in upland areas.

(39123)

*16 Mr Tony Baldry (Banbury):    What estimate he has made of the number of dairy farmers who will cease milk production this year.

(39124)

*17 Mr Christopher Fraser (Mid Dorset and North Poole):    What assessment he has made of food safety standards across the European Union.

(39125)

*18 Judy Mallaber (Amber Valley):    What steps he has taken to increase sales of British beef.

(39126)

*19 Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    What recent discussions he has had with representatives of milk producers about the price of milk; and if he will make a statement.

(39127)

*20 Dr Brian Iddon (Bolton South East):    When he expects to publish the draft Food Standards Agency Bill.

(39128)

*21 Mrs Janet Dean (Burton):    What progress he has made with regard to labelling of beef.

(39129)

*22 Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    What progress is being made on securing the lifting of the beef export ban on the basis of a date-based scheme; and if he will make a statement.

(39130)

*23 Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    What meetings he has recently had with representatives of the UK fishing industry to discuss the prospects of the industry.

(39131)

*24 Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford and Southend East):    What proposals he plans to put to the Council of Ministers for the reform of the CAP during the UK presidency.

(39132)

*25 Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):    If he will make a statement on the impact of CAP reform on the next round of WTO talks.

(39134)

*26 Sir Michael Spicer (West Worcestershire):    If he will make a statement on the reform of methods of payment to farmers in the proposals of the European Commission to reform the CAP.

(39136)

At 3.15 p.m.

Oral Questions to Mr Attorney General

*27 Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    How many appeals he made against sentences considered to be too lenient in 1996 and 1997; and if he will make a statement.

(39138)

*28 Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    How many people in his office are currently working on matters relating to the destruction of Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie.

(39139)

*29 Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby):    If he will make a statement on the failed prosecution in Leicester Crown Court on 20th January of those charged with assaulting Mr Alan O'Connor.

(39140)

*30 Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    What responsibilities he has to ensure that criminal investigations are not unduly prolonged.

(39141)

*31 Mr Bill O'Brien (Normanton):    What new proposals he has to increase the proportion of successful prosecutions of cases brought by the CPS; and if he will make a statement.

(39142)

*32 Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    If he will make a statement on the reorganisation of the Crown Prosecution Service.

(39143)

*33 Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath):    What plans he has to reduce bureaucracy in the Crown Prosecution Service.

(39144)

*34 Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    What assessment he has made of the success of joint performance management as operated by police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

(39145)

*35 Mr Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West):    What advice has been sought from his Department on trade union recognition.

(39146)

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

Main Business
+ 1	ECONOMIC AND MONETARY UNION *[Until 7.00 p.m.]*
	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 European Community Documents Nos. 7161/98 and 7188/98 consisting of reports from the European Monetary Institute and European Commission in accordance with Article 109j of the Treaty.
	As Amendments to the Prime Minister's proposed Motion (Economic and Monetary Union):
	Mr Paddy Ashdown Mr A. J. Beith Mr Malcolm Bruce Mr Menzies Campbell Dr Vincent Cable Mr Edward Davey
	Line 3 , at end add `fully recognises that, while the Government's commitment in principle to take the United Kingdom into EMU is welcome, there is growing concern at the consequences of delay and uncertainty; therefore urges the Government to publish a clear timetable of events detailing the measures necessary for preparation for British entry and setting the date for an early referendum, noting that the current high value of sterling and interest rates has taken industry into recession, threatening jobs and businesses; and further concludes that the Prime Minister's ambitions for the UK to take a leading position in Europe are incompatible with British exclusion from the key policy-making bodies such as the Euro X Committee and the European Central Bank, whose decisions will nevertheless affect the UK's domestic interest and exchange rates.'.
	Mr William Hague Mr Peter Lilley Mr Michael Howard Sir Brian Mawhinney Mr David Heathcoat-Amory Mr James Arbuthnot
	Line 3 , at end add `but regrets the Government's failure to deliver on the Prime Minister's pledge to the House on 4th June 1997 that "the criteria for monetary union should not be fiddled, fudged or botched in any way", and also the Government's failure during the British Presidency of the European Union to press for a strict interpretation of the Treaty requirements governing the eligibility of member states to join a single European currency, with consequential damage to British manufacturing industry through the perceived weakness of the euro and the resulting strength of sterling.'.
	Relevant documents: European Community Document No. 7424/97, and the Explanatory Memorandum on that document submitted by HM Treasury on 30th May 1997, on the Annual Report of the European Monetary Institute for 1996; Fifth Report from the Treasury Committee on the UK and Preparations for Stage Three of Economic and Monetary Union (HC 503-I, II and III). *The Speaker will put the questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on the Motion not later than Seven o'clock (Order of 24th April).*
+ 2	SCOTLAND BILL (PROGRAMME) *[No debate after 10.00 p.m.]*
	Mr Secretary Dewar Mrs Ann Taylor
	That the Order [13th January] relating to Scotland Bill (Programme) be further amended-- (a) in paragraph 2, by leaving out `at Ten o'clock' and inserting `six and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill'; (b) by inserting, after paragraph 2,-- `2A. On each such allotted day paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business) shall apply to proceedings on the bill for any part of the period of six and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill which falls after Ten o'clock'; and (c) in paragraph 4, by inserting after sub-paragraph (3)-- `(3A) If, on consideration, two or more Questions would fall to be put under sub-paragraph (1)(c) on amendments moved or motions made by a Minister of the Crown, the Speaker shall instead put a single Question in relation to those amendments or motions'. *The Speaker will put the question not more than three hours after proceedings begin (Standing Order No. 83). Debate may not continue after 10.00 p.m.*
+ 3	SCOTTISH GRAND COMMITTEE *[Until 10.00 p.m.]*
	Mr Secretary Dewar Mrs Ann Taylor
	That the Scottish Grand Committee shall meet-- (1) on Wednesday 20th May at half-past Four o'clock at Westminster to consider a substantive motion for the adjournment of the Committee, the proceedings to be interrupted at Seven o'clock; (2) on Tuesday 16th June at half-past Ten o'clock at Westminster to consider a substantive motion for the adjournment of the Committee; (3) on Monday 6th July at half-past Ten o'clock at New Parliament House, Edinburgh, to take Questions for oral answer and to consider a substantive motion for the adjournment of the Committee; and (4) on Tuesday 14th July at half-past Ten o'clock at Westminster to consider a substantive motion for the adjournment of the Committee.
*Debate may continue until 10.00 p.m.*

At the end of the sitting:

4	ADJOURNMENT
	Proposed subject: *Battle Fire Station* (Mr Charles Wardle). *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 11 (public) (public)
	Further to consider the National Lottery Bill [Lords].
2	Standing Committee B	10.30 a.m. 4.30 p.m.	Room 9 (public) (public)
	Further to consider the Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords].
SELECT COMMITTEES
3	Health	10.00 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 6 (private) (public)
	Subject: Relationship between Health and Social Services.
	Witnesses: Local Government Association.
4	Defence and Trade and Industry	10.15 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 15 (private) (public)
	Subject: Aspects of Defence Procurement and Industrial Policy.
	Witnesses: Lord Gilbert, Minister for Defence Procurement, Ministry of Defence, and Mr John Battle, MP, Minister for Science, Energy and Industry, Department for Trade and Industry.
5	Education and Employment: Employment Sub-Committee	10.30 a.m.	Room 16 (private)
6	Health	2.15 p.m.	Room 15 (private)
[The decision of a Committee to sit in public may be rescinded without notice.]

Written Questions tabled on Wednesday 29th April for answer today++

1	Ms Jackie Lawrence (Preseli Pembrokeshire): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he has agreed the business plan for the Office for National Statistics for 1998-99.
	(40660)
2	Mr Don Touhig (Islwyn): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will make a statement about the availability of Shipbuilding Intervention Fund grants for 1998.
	(40729)
3	Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Canning Town): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what performance targets have been set for the Construction Service in 1998-99.
	(40730)
4	Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Canning Town): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what performance targets have been set for the Social Security Agency for the current financial year.
	(40731)
5	Mr Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when she intends to carry out a market test of the functions of the Rate Collection Agency.
	(40732)
6	Mr Lawrie Quinn (Scarborough and Whitby): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for May and the major European Union events for the next six months.
	(40785)
7	Mr Andrew Reed (Loughborough): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what targets he has set for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, the Vehicle Inspectorate and the Vehicle Certification Agency.
	(40786)
8	Mr Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when he will publish his proposals for a new ethical framework for local government in Wales.
	(40787)
9	Mr Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what plans he has to tackle social exclusion in Wales.
	(40788)
10	Mr Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what targets he has set for Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments Executive Agency.
	(40789)
11	Mr Jonathan R. Shaw (Chatham and Aylesford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement about progress towards the setting of price limits for water companies from 1st April 2000.
	(40790)
12	Miss Geraldine Smith (Morecambe and Lunesdale): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what performance targets he has set for the Veterinary Medicines Directorate for 1998-99; and if he will make a statement.
	(40791)
13	Miss Geraldine Smith (Morecambe and Lunesdale): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what performance targets he has set for the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency for 1998-99; and if he will make a statement.
	(40792)
14	Miss Geraldine Smith (Morecambe and Lunesdale): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what performance targets he has set for the Pesticides Safety Directorate for 1998-99; and if he will make a statement.
	(40793)
15	Mr Gareth Thomas (Clwyd West): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what performance targets he has set for the Meat Hygiene Service for 1998-99; and if he will make a statement.
	(40794)
16	Mr Gareth Thomas (Clwyd West): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what performance targets he has set for the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science for 1998-99; and if he will make a statement.
	(40795)
17	Mr Nick Ainger (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what performance targets he has set for the Central Science Laboratory in 1998-99; and if he will make a statement.
	(40796)
18	Mr Gareth Thomas (Clwyd West): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what performance targets he has set for the Veterinary Laboratories Agency in 1998-99; and if he will make a statement.
	(40797)
19	Mr Charles Clarke (Norwich South): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what information his Department compiles on chemical or nuclear contamination incidents where there were potential food safety implications; if this information is available to the public; and if he will make a statement.
	(40798)
20	Mr Michael Wills (North Swindon): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what targets she has set her Department's National Weights and Measures Laboratory for 1998-99.
	(40799)
21	Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what targets she has set her Department's Radiocommunications Agency for 1998-99.
	(40800)
22	Mrs Sylvia Heal (Halesowen and Rowley Regis): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what targets she has set her Department's Companies House Executive Agency for 1998-99.
	(40801)
23	Jane Griffiths (Reading East): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what targets she has set her Department's Employment Tribunals Service for 1998-99.
	(40802)
24	Mr Ivan Lewis (Bury South): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what arrangements she has made for publishing on the Internet the details of those whose property was confiscated under wartime legislation.
	(40803)
25	Mr Derek Twigg (Halton): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, when the revised framework document for the Insolvency Service is to be published.
	(40804)
26	Mr Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will make a statement on the outcome of the EU Consumers Council held on 23rd April.
	(40805)
27	Mr Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what targets she has set her Department's Insolvency Service Executive Agency for 1998-99.
	(40806)
28	Mr Martin Salter (Reading West): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what targets she has set her Department's Patent Office Executive Agency for 1998-99.
	(40807)
29	Ms Sally Keeble (Northampton North): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will publish the key targets for 1998-99 for the NHS Pensions Agency.
	(40808)
30	Mr David Stewart (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make a statement about performance targets for the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency for 1998-99.
	(40809)

Standing Committee Notices

Standing Committee A will meet on Tuesday 5th and Thursday 7th May at 10.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. further to consider the National Lottery Bill [Lords].

Standing Committee B will meet on Tuesday 5th and Thursday 7th May at 10.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. further to consider the Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords].

Standing Committee D will meet on Tuesday 5th May at 4.30 p.m. to consider the Data Protection Bill [Lords].

Standing Committee E will meet on Tuesday 5th May at 4.30 p.m. to consider the Finance (No. 2) Bill (Except Clauses 1, 7, 10, 11, 25, 27, 30, 75, 119 and 147).

The Welsh Grand Committee will meet on Tuesday 5th May at 11.00 a.m. at County Hall, Carmarthen to consider the matter of the rural economy in Wales.

The Seventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation will meet on Wednesday 6th May at 4.30 p.m. to consider the draft Contracting Out (Functions relating to National Savings) Order 1998.

The Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation will meet on Wednesday 6th May at 4.30 p.m. to consider the draft Broadcasting (Percentage of Digital Capacity for Radio Multiplex Licence) Order 1998.

Oral Questions to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
*1	Mr Roger Casale (Wimbledon): What representations he has received concerning designated ports status.
	(39107)
*2	Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): If he will make a statement on the procedures for the (a) accountability to Parliament of the Food Standards Agency and (b) authorisation of its funding.
	(39108)
*3	Mr David Chaytor (Bury North): What assessment he has made of the impact on consumers of the current CAP reforms.
	(39109)
*4	Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): What measures he is pursuing to promote the sale of British beef.
	(39110)
*5	Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath): What steps he is taking to reduce bureaucracy and the form-filling required of farmers by his Department and its agencies and officials.
	(39111)
*6	Mr Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West): What progress he is making on ending the export ban on British beef.
	(39113)
*7	Sir Sydney Chapman (Chipping Barnet): What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the co-ordination between his Ministry and other relevant departments on tree-planting initiatives.
	(39114)
*8	Paddy Tipping (Sherwood): What steps he is taking to ensure that CAP reform increases job opportunities in rural areas.
	(39115)
*9	Mr Robert Walter (North Dorset): What assessment he has made of the EU Commission's proposals for national envelopes as part of the reform of the CAP.
	(39116)
*10	Mr John Smith (Vale of Glamorgan): If he will make a statement on progress on fisheries enforcement measures.
	(39117)
*11	Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire): When he will provide agri-money compensation for British farmers.
	(39118)
*12	Mr Ross Cranston (Dudley North): How many cattle passports are issued each week by his Ministry.
	(39119)
*13	Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): What savings in the EU agriculture budget he will propose in discussions in the Council of Ministers on CAP reform.
	(39121)
*14	Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith (Wealden): What discussions he has had with (a) the European Commission and (b) members of the European Agriculture Council about the total lifting of the beef export ban on UK beef.
	(39122)
*15	Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): What assessment he has made of the importance of hill farms to the rural economy in upland areas.
	(39123)
*16	Mr Tony Baldry (Banbury): What estimate he has made of the number of dairy farmers who will cease milk production this year.
	(39124)
*17	Mr Christopher Fraser (Mid Dorset and North Poole): What assessment he has made of food safety standards across the European Union.
	(39125)
*18	Judy Mallaber (Amber Valley): What steps he has taken to increase sales of British beef.
	(39126)
*19	Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire): What recent discussions he has had with representatives of milk producers about the price of milk; and if he will make a statement.
	(39127)
*20	Dr Brian Iddon (Bolton South East): When he expects to publish the draft Food Standards Agency Bill.
	(39128)
*21	Mrs Janet Dean (Burton): What progress he has made with regard to labelling of beef.
	(39129)
*22	Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon): What progress is being made on securing the lifting of the beef export ban on the basis of a date-based scheme; and if he will make a statement.
	(39130)
*23	Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham): What meetings he has recently had with representatives of the UK fishing industry to discuss the prospects of the industry.
	(39131)
*24	Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford and Southend East): What proposals he plans to put to the Council of Ministers for the reform of the CAP during the UK presidency.
	(39132)
*25	Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire): If he will make a statement on the impact of CAP reform on the next round of WTO talks.
	(39134)
*26	Sir Michael Spicer (West Worcestershire): If he will make a statement on the reform of methods of payment to farmers in the proposals of the European Commission to reform the CAP.
	(39136)

Oral Questions to Mr Attorney General
*27	Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): How many appeals he made against sentences considered to be too lenient in 1996 and 1997; and if he will make a statement.
	(39138)
*28	Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow): How many people in his office are currently working on matters relating to the destruction of Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie.
	(39139)
*29	Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby): If he will make a statement on the failed prosecution in Leicester Crown Court on 20th January of those charged with assaulting Mr Alan O'Connor.
	(39140)
*30	Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): What responsibilities he has to ensure that criminal investigations are not unduly prolonged.
	(39141)
*31	Mr Bill O'Brien (Normanton): What new proposals he has to increase the proportion of successful prosecutions of cases brought by the CPS; and if he will make a statement.
	(39142)
*32	Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): If he will make a statement on the reorganisation of the Crown Prosecution Service.
	(39143)
*33	Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath): What plans he has to reduce bureaucracy in the Crown Prosecution Service.
	(39144)
*34	Mr David Kidney (Stafford): What assessment he has made of the success of joint performance management as operated by police and the Crown Prosecution Service.
	(39145)
*35	Mr Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West): What advice has been sought from his Department on trade union recognition.
	(39146)



© Parliamentary copyright 1998	Prepared 30 April 1998