Order of Business for 18 May 1998

House of Commons

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

Order of Business Monday 18th May 1998

Here you can browse the House of Commons Order of Business for Monday 18 May 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 David Borrow (South Ribble):    If he will make a statement on the latest recruitment figures for the Army.

(41294)

*2 Mr Jim Murphy (Eastwood):    If he will make a statement on the availability of satellite television facilities on board Royal Navy ships.

(41295)

*3 Mr Syd Rapson (Portsmouth North):    When the consultation period on the Government's Green Paper on Defence Diversification ends.

(41296)

*4 Mr Michael Fabricant (Lichfield):    If he will make a statement concerning the continuing role of the 3rd Batallion of the Staffordshire Regiment.

(41297)

*5 Mr Julian Brazier (Canterbury):    If he will list the regular and territorial units in the London District Rifle Association meeting in April by order of their team totals, starting with the winner.

(41298)

*6 Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    What spare capacity there is within Army barracks.

(41299)

*7 Laura Moffatt (Crawley):    If he will make a statement on the current state of the Defence Medical Services.

(41300)

*8 Mrs Virginia Bottomley (South West Surrey):    What recent representations he has received on the future of the Territorial Army centres.

(41301)

*9 Mr John Heppell (Nottingham East):    What progress has been made by British forces in detaining persons indicted for war crimes in the Former Yugoslavia since 1st May 1997.

(41302)

*10 Mr Gerald Howarth (Aldershot):    If he will make a statement on the future of the Aldershot garrison.

(41303)

*11 Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome):    What is his policy in respect of members, or former members, of the reserve forces suffering from Gulf War syndrome.

(41304)

*12 Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):    What contribution his Department is making to the Government's New Deal initiative.

(41305)

*13 Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    What plans he has for the modernisation of the Territorial Army.

(41308)

*14 Mr Lawrie Quinn (Scarborough and Whitby):    What contribution his Department is making to the Government's New Deal initiative.

(41309)

*15 Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries):    How many British troops are currently stationed in Bosnia as part of NATO's multi-national Stabilisation Force.

(41310)

*16 Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    If he will make a statement on Britain's current military heavy lift capability.

(41311)

*17 Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith (Wealden):    What plans he has to increase the strength of the Army Cadet Force.

(41312)

*18 Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    If he will make a statement about the future deployment of British troops in the Balkans following the expiry of the SFOR mandate.

(41313)

*19 Mr Peter Viggers (Gosport):    How many destroyers and frigates are undertaking long-term international commitments; and how many are currently undergoing refit or port maintenance.

(41314)

*20 Sir Michael Spicer (West Worcestershire):    If he will list those naval vessels which are required to support carrier operations.

(41316)

*21 Mr John Wilkinson (Ruislip-Northwood):    When each of the two Royal Air Force Jaguar offensive support squadrons and the Jaguar reconnaissance squadron will be disbanded.

(41317)

*22 Ms Claire Ward (Watford):    When the consultation period on the Government's Green Paper on Defence Diversification ends.

(41318)

*23 Mrs Helen Brinton (Peterborough):    If he will make a statement on the future of the Territorial Army infantry.

(41319)

*24 Mr Malcolm Savidge (Aberdeen North):    What contribution his Department is making to the Government's New Deal initiative.

(41320)

*25 Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold):    If he will make a statement on his strategy for military deployment in the Middle East to ensure compliance with United Nations resolutions relating to Iraq.

(41321)

*26 Helen Jones (Warrington North):    What plans his Department has to dispose of the United Kindom's stocks of anti-personnel landmines.

(41322)

*27 Norman Baker (Lewes):    If he will make a statement on his policy in respect of his Department's plutonium holdings.

(41323)

*28 Caroline Flint (Don Valley):    If he will make a statement on progress towards restructuring of the European defence industry.

(41324)

*29 Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):    If he will make a statement on the equal treatment of men and women serving in the armed forces.

(41325)

*30 Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    What plans his Department has to dispose of the United Kingdom's stocks of anti-personnel landmines.

(41326)

*31 Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham):    If Her Majesty's Government will order the FLA troop and tank carrying aircraft made by British firms.

(41327)

*32 Mr Ian Bruce (South Dorset):    If he will make a statement on his progress in finding alternative uses for (a) the Royal Navy facilities being released by the move of HMS `Osprey' and (b) the facilities at Bovington made available by the civilianisation of Armourer Fighting Vehicle training.

(41328)

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 Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    To ask the President of the Council, if she will set up a Select Committee to consider Her Majesty's Government's response to the publication of the IUCN Red List on Threatened Plants compiled by the World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

(41329)

*34 Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover):    To ask the President of the Council, what representations she has received on the reports of the Select Committee on the Modernisation of the House of Commons.

(41331)

*35 Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    To ask the President of the Council, what plans she has to extend the select committee system.

(41332)

*36 Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham):    To ask the President of the Council, if she will facilitate contacts between honourable Members and Members of the Parliaments of other EU nation states.

(41333)

*37 Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the President of the Council, what plans she has to alter the working hours of the House.

(41334)

*38 Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask the President of the Council, what proposals she has for regional grand committees.

(41335)

*39 Mrs Teresa Gorman (Billericay):    To ask the President of the Council, what plans she has to improve opportunities for debates for backbenchers.

(41336)

*40 Mr Peter Viggers (Gosport):    To ask the President of the Council, if she will undertake a review of the total number of honourable Members of the House.

(41337)

*41 Mr Ian Bruce (South Dorset):    To ask the President of the Council, if she will make a statement on her progress in ensuring earlier replies to honourable Members from her Ministerial colleagues.

(41338)

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

Main Business
1	OPPOSITION DAY [11th allotted day] *[Until 10.00 p.m.]*
	SIERRA LEONE
	Mr William Hague Mr Peter Lilley Mr Michael Howard Sir Brian Mawhinney Mr David Faber Mr James Arbuthnot
	That this House deplores the muddle of government policy towards Sierra Leone over the last year; notes the contradictory statements made on this matter by the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary and the Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; stresses the importance of establishing what knowledge and involvement there was on the part of government ministers, officials and officers of the intelligence services of and in the activities of Sandline International, including possible breaches of both international and United Kingdom law; and calls on the Government to announce without delay that it will establish a public inquiry into this question, presided over by a judge to be nominated by the Lord Chief Justice. As Amendments to Mr William Hague's proposed Motion (Sierra Leone):
	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 `notes the Government's consistent policy of support for the restoration of President Kabbah and recognition of him as the elected and legitimate President of Sierra Leone and welcomes the success of that policy and the overthrow of the brutal and repressive military regime; applauds the open and proper manner in which the Government have responded to allegations of a breach of the UN arms embargo; and congratulates the Government on its commitment to an urgent outside investigation and publication of a full report.'.
	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 `is concerned to establish what knowledge and involvement, if any, there has been on the part of Government Ministers, officials and officers of the intelligence services of and in the activities of Sandline International, including possible breaches of UN Security Council Resolution 1132 and domestic criminal law; and calls upon the Government to appoint a person of independence and experience to conduct an inquiry into these matters without delay, to publish the remit of that inquiry and to undertake to make its conclusions public.'. The Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee on 5th May and 14th May (HC 369-vii and 745-i) are relevant.
	TERRITORIAL ARMY
	Mr William Hague Mr Peter Lilley Mr Michael Howard Sir George Young Mr Robert Key Mr James Arbuthnot
	That this House views with concern recent reports that the size of the Territorial Army may be reduced to 40,000 and that it may be stripped of many of its combat units; recognises the role of the Territorial Army both in complementing the role of the regular army on active service in places such as Bosnia and in providing a strategic reserve of trained combat and supporting units in case of wider conflict; applauds the work of the Territorial Auxiliary and Volunteer Reserve Associations around the country in providing opportunities for young people to volunteer in the reserves and cadets, and in building bridges between local communities and the armed forces; and urges the Government to use the Strategic Defence Review to develop rather than undermine the role of this important national resource. As an Amendment to Mr William Hague's proposed Motion (Territorial Army):
	The Prime Minister Mr Secretary Prescott Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr Secretary Cook Mr Secretary Straw Mr Secretary Robertson
	Line 1 , leave out from `House' to end and add `supports the Government in its determination to ensure that the United Kingdom has armed forces that are modern, capable, relevant and structured for the new post Cold War strategic realities; considers that the Territorial Army, like the rest of the armed forces, should continue to adapt to these realities; welcomes the valuable role played by the Territorial Army in the wider life of the nation; and is confident that the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review will be capable, relevant and even more usable reserve forces to help support Britain's foreign and security policies.'. The selection of the matters to be debated this day has been made by the Leader of the Opposition (Standing Order No. 14(2)).
*Debate may continue until 10.00 p.m.*
+ 2	BANKS AND BANKING *[No debate]*
	Mr Alistair Darling That the draft Cash Ratio Deposits (Value Bands and Ratios) Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 27th April, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 3	BANKS AND BANKING *[No debate]*
	Mr Alistair Darling That the draft Bank of England (Information Powers) Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 27th April, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 4	BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE *[No debate after 10.00 p.m.]*
	Mrs Ann Taylor That, at the sitting on Thursday 21st May, Standing Order No. 16 (Proceedings under an Act or on European Community documents) shall not apply to the Motion in the name of the Prime Minister relating to the Common Agricultural Policy and the Speaker shall put the Questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on that Motion not later than 3 hours after their commencement.
*If opposed, this item cannot be taken after 10.00 p.m.*
+ 5	TEACHING AND HIGHER EDUCATION BILL [LORDS] (PROGRAMME) *[No debate after 10.00 p.m.]*
	Mrs Ann Taylor Mr Secretary Blunkett
	That the following provisions shall apply to the remaining proceedings on the Teaching and Higher Education Bill [Lords]--
Report and Third Reading
	1. Proceedings on consideration and Third Reading shall be completed in two allotted days and shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at Seven o'clock on the second of those days.
Business Committee
	2. Standing Order No. 82 (Business Committee) shall apply to proceedings on the Bill. 3. No Motion shall be made to alter the order in which proceedings on consideration of the Bill are taken, but the resolutions of the Business Committee may include alterations in that order.
Conclusion of proceedings
	4. For the purpose of concluding any proceedings which are to be brought to a conclusion at a time appointed by or under this Order-- (1) The Speaker shall put forthwith the following Questions (but no others)-- (a) any Question already proposed from the Chair; (b) any Question necessary to bring to a decision a Question so proposed; (c) the Question on any amendment moved or Motion made by a Minister of the Crown; (d) any other Question necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded. (2) Proceedings under sub-paragraph (1) shall not be interrupted under any Standing Order relating to sittings of the House and may be decided, though opposed, at any hour. (3) If 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. (4) On a Motion for a new Clause or a new Schedule, the Speaker shall put only the question that the Clause or Schedule be added to the Bill. (5) If on an allotted day a Motion for the adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 24 (Adjournment on specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration) stands over from an earlier day or to Seven o'clock-- (a) the bringing to a conclusion of any proceedings on the Bill which under this Order are to be brought to a conclusion after that time shall be postponed for a period equal to the duration of the proceedings on the Motion, and (b) paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business) shall apply to proceedings on the Bill for the period after Ten o'clock for which sub-paragraph (a) permits them to continue.
Supplemental orders
	5. If a Motion is made by a Minister of the Crown to amend this Order and if an effect of the Motion would be to provide a greater amount of time for proceedings on the Bill, the Question on the Motion shall be put forthwith and may be decided, though opposed, at any hour. 6. If a Motion is made by a Minister of the Crown to supplement the provisions of this Order in respect of further proceedings on the Bill, the Motion may be proceeded with, though opposed, at any hour and the proceedings, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion three-quarters of an hour after they have been commenced.
Interpretation
	7. In this Order `allotted day' means any day on which the Bill is put down on the main business as first Government Order of the Day.
*If opposed, this item cannot be taken after 10.00 p.m.*

At the end of the sitting:

6	ADJOURNMENT
	Proposed subject: *Future of nursery education* (Sir Michael Spicer). *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: Department of Trade & Industry: Sale of AEA Technology.
	Witnesses: Mr Michael Scholar, Permanent Secretary, Mr Neil Hirst, Director, Nuclear Industries, Department of Trade and Industry and Mr Richard Lazarus, Director, J Henry Schroder & Co Ltd.
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 15th May for answer today++

1	Mr Keith Hill (Streatham): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the Army's engineer resources.
	(42870)

Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence
*1	Mr David Borrow (South Ribble): If he will make a statement on the latest recruitment figures for the Army.
	(41294)
*2	Mr Jim Murphy (Eastwood): If he will make a statement on the availability of satellite television facilities on board Royal Navy ships.
	(41295)
*3	Mr Syd Rapson (Portsmouth North): When the consultation period on the Government's Green Paper on Defence Diversification ends.
	(41296)
*4	Mr Michael Fabricant (Lichfield): If he will make a statement concerning the continuing role of the 3rd Batallion of the Staffordshire Regiment.
	(41297)
*5	Mr Julian Brazier (Canterbury): If he will list the regular and territorial units in the London District Rifle Association meeting in April by order of their team totals, starting with the winner.
	(41298)
*6	Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West): What spare capacity there is within Army barracks.
	(41299)
*7	Laura Moffatt (Crawley): If he will make a statement on the current state of the Defence Medical Services.
	(41300)
*8	Mrs Virginia Bottomley (South West Surrey): What recent representations he has received on the future of the Territorial Army centres.
	(41301)
*9	Mr John Heppell (Nottingham East): What progress has been made by British forces in detaining persons indicted for war crimes in the Former Yugoslavia since 1st May 1997.
	(41302)
*10	Mr Gerald Howarth (Aldershot): If he will make a statement on the future of the Aldershot garrison.
	(41303)
*11	Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome): What is his policy in respect of members, or former members, of the reserve forces suffering from Gulf War syndrome.
	(41304)
*12	Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth): What contribution his Department is making to the Government's New Deal initiative.
	(41305)
*13	Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield): What plans he has for the modernisation of the Territorial Army.
	(41308)
*14	Mr Lawrie Quinn (Scarborough and Whitby): What contribution his Department is making to the Government's New Deal initiative.
	(41309)
*15	Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries): How many British troops are currently stationed in Bosnia as part of NATO's multi-national Stabilisation Force.
	(41310)
*16	Mr David Kidney (Stafford): If he will make a statement on Britain's current military heavy lift capability.
	(41311)
*17	Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith (Wealden): What plans he has to increase the strength of the Army Cadet Force.
	(41312)
*18	Mr Robert Key (Salisbury): If he will make a statement about the future deployment of British troops in the Balkans following the expiry of the SFOR mandate.
	(41313)
*19	Mr Peter Viggers (Gosport): How many destroyers and frigates are undertaking long-term international commitments; and how many are currently undergoing refit or port maintenance.
	(41314)
*20	Sir Michael Spicer (West Worcestershire): If he will list those naval vessels which are required to support carrier operations.
	(41316)
*21	Mr John Wilkinson (Ruislip-Northwood): When each of the two Royal Air Force Jaguar offensive support squadrons and the Jaguar reconnaissance squadron will be disbanded.
	(41317)
*22	Ms Claire Ward (Watford): When the consultation period on the Government's Green Paper on Defence Diversification ends.
	(41318)
*23	Mrs Helen Brinton (Peterborough): If he will make a statement on the future of the Territorial Army infantry.
	(41319)
*24	Mr Malcolm Savidge (Aberdeen North): What contribution his Department is making to the Government's New Deal initiative.
	(41320)
*25	Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): If he will make a statement on his strategy for military deployment in the Middle East to ensure compliance with United Nations resolutions relating to Iraq.
	(41321)
*26	Helen Jones (Warrington North): What plans his Department has to dispose of the United Kindom's stocks of anti-personnel landmines.
	(41322)
*27	Norman Baker (Lewes): If he will make a statement on his policy in respect of his Department's plutonium holdings.
	(41323)
*28	Caroline Flint (Don Valley): If he will make a statement on progress towards restructuring of the European defence industry.
	(41324)
*29	Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): If he will make a statement on the equal treatment of men and women serving in the armed forces.
	(41325)
*30	Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): What plans his Department has to dispose of the United Kingdom's stocks of anti-personnel landmines.
	(41326)
*31	Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham): If Her Majesty's Government will order the FLA troop and tank carrying aircraft made by British firms.
	(41327)
*32	Mr Ian Bruce (South Dorset): If he will make a statement on his progress in finding alternative uses for (a) the Royal Navy facilities being released by the move of HMS `Osprey' and (b) the facilities at Bovington made available by the civilianisation of Armourer Fighting Vehicle training.
	(41328)

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	Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow): To ask the President of the Council, if she will set up a Select Committee to consider Her Majesty's Government's response to the publication of the IUCN Red List on Threatened Plants compiled by the World Conservation Monitoring Centre.
	(41329)
*34	Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover): To ask the President of the Council, what representations she has received on the reports of the Select Committee on the Modernisation of the House of Commons.
	(41331)
*35	Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield): To ask the President of the Council, what plans she has to extend the select committee system.
	(41332)
*36	Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham): To ask the President of the Council, if she will facilitate contacts between honourable Members and Members of the Parliaments of other EU nation states.
	(41333)
*37	Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the President of the Council, what plans she has to alter the working hours of the House.
	(41334)
*38	Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the President of the Council, what proposals she has for regional grand committees.
	(41335)
*39	Mrs Teresa Gorman (Billericay): To ask the President of the Council, what plans she has to improve opportunities for debates for backbenchers.
	(41336)
*40	Mr Peter Viggers (Gosport): To ask the President of the Council, if she will undertake a review of the total number of honourable Members of the House.
	(41337)
*41	Mr Ian Bruce (South Dorset): To ask the President of the Council, if she will make a statement on her progress in ensuring earlier replies to honourable Members from her Ministerial colleagues.
	(41338)



© Parliamentary copyright 1998	Prepared 18 May 1998