Order of Business for 19 May 1998

House of Commons

Session 1997-98
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Order of Business Tuesday 19th May 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 Scotland

*1 Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate):    When he next expects to meet representatives of Scotland's financial services industry to discuss investment.

(41250)

*2 Mr Eric Clarke (Midlothian):    What discussions he has had with industries in Scotland affected by the current exchange rate.

(41251)

*3 Mr Charles Kennedy (Ross, Skye and Inverness West):    If he will make a statement on hospital waiting lists in the Highland Health Board area.

(41252)

*4 Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    If he will make a statement on the level of business confidence in the manufacturing sector in Scotland.

(41253)

*5 Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus):    How many responses he has received to his consultation document in relation to land reform in Scotland.

(41254)

*6 Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries):    What steps he is taking to ensure the continuance of child care provision, following the withdrawal of urban aid funding.

(41255)

*7 Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):    When he last met the CBI in Scotland to discuss prospects for investment in Scotland.

(41256)

*8 Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    What discussions have taken place between the Lord Advocate's office and the US State Department relating to (a) evidence for the Libyan involvement in the Lockerbie bombing and (b) the reliability of witnesses' memories of the event.

(41257)

*9 Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby):    When he last met representatives of political parties to discuss procedures for the Scottish Parliament.

(41258)

*10 Mr Michael Connarty (Falkirk East):    What assessment he has made of the advantages of (a) reforming and (b) abolishing the feudal system of land ownership in Scotland.

(41259)

*11 Mr Dominic Grieve (Beaconsfield):    If he will make a statement on the employment of special advisers in his Department.

(41260)

*12 Mr Alex Salmond (Banff and Buchan):    When he last met the CBI, STUC and Scottish Enterprise to discuss developments in the Scottish economy.

(41261)

*13 Mr John Swinney (North Tayside):    If he will list the meetings on the subjects of fishing, agriculture, education and economic development during the United Kingdom's presidency of the EU which he or one of his ministers has chaired.

(41262)

*14 Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    When he expects the NHS Acute Services Review to be completed; and if he will make a statement.

(41263)

*15 Ms Sandra Osborne (Ayr):    What plans he has to encourage greater community participation in local government.

(41264)

*16 Mr Ian Bruce (South Dorset):    What proportion of local government spending in Scotland is raised by council tax; and what plans he has to change this proportion.

(41265)

*17 Mr John McAllion (Dundee East):    What recent representations he has received relating to the best value regime for local government services in Scotland

(41266)

*18 Mr Malcolm Savidge (Aberdeen North):    If he will make a statement on the effect of Government policies on health services in the north of Scotland.

(41267)

*19 Mr Robert Syms (Poole):    When he last met representatives of the North Sea oil and gas industry to discuss matters relating to the industry.

(41268)

*20 Rosemary McKenna (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth):    What plans he has to involve the parents of children with special education needs in the debate on future provision for them.

(41269)

*21 Dr Lynda Clark (Edinburgh Pentlands):    If he will make a statement about the provision of pain relief, beds and nursing staff for pregnant women in labour in Edinburgh hospitals.

(41270)

*22 Mr Desmond Browne (Kilmarnock and Loudoun):    What plans he has to introduce legislation to make convicted murderers deported back to Scotland subject to the same supervision as those released on licence from Scottish prisons.

(41271)

*23 Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow, Govan):    What responses he has received to the Government's White Paper, NHS Scotland: Designed to Care.

(41272)

*24 Ms Roseanna Cunningham (Perth):    When he last met the Crown Estate Commissioner to discuss land reform issues in Scotland.

(41273)

*25 Mrs Ray Michie (Argyll and Bute):    How many parents exercised in the last academic year their right to defer primary school entry for one year.

(41277)

*26 Rachel Squire (Dunfermline West):    What progress has been made on recent research commissioned by his Department into the possible health hazards of sewage and waste disposal.

(41278)

At 3.15 p.m.

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

*27 Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    What proposals he has to increase financial support for law centres.

(41279)

*28 Mrs Eleanor Laing (Epping Forest):    How many responses his Department has received to the consultation paper on conditional fee arrangements which were (i) in favour of the Government's proposals and (ii) against them.

(41282)

*29 Mr Peter Viggers (Gosport):    What action he has recently undertaken to make transparent levels of charges for legal aid work.

(41283)

*30 Mr David Ruffley (Bury St. Edmunds):    What recent representations he has received regarding the closure of local magistrates' courts.

(41286)

*31 Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    What estimate his Department has made of the impact on the legal aid budget of compulsory (a) medical insurance and (b) personal injury insurance; and if he will make a statement.

(41287)

*32 Ms Margaret Moran (Luton South):    If he will make a statement regarding increasing the number of women on the Bench.

(41288)

*33 Mr Gerald Howarth (Aldershot):    When he intends to publish the Government's response to the public consultation on conditional fees and legal aid reform.

(41289)

*34 Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    If he will make a statement on the role of trade union legal assistance schemes in the provision of legal services in the context of the Civil Justice and Legal Aid Review.

(41290)

*35 Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome):    If he will make a statement on his proposals for the future arrangements for magistrates court committees in larger police authority areas.

(41291)

*36 Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    What assessment he has made of the extent of restrictive practices in the legal profession.

(41292)

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

Preliminary Business

Ten minute rule Motion

CONCESSIONARY TRAVEL SCHEMES (SCOTLAND) [Up to 20 minutes]

Mr Alasdair Morgan

That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require Scottish local authorities to make reciprocal arrangements for the operation of bus and rail concessionary travel schemes for visually impaired and blind people within their areas; 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: As amended in the Committee, to be further considered [3rd allotted day]. *[Up to 6.5 hours]*
For Amendments, see separate Paper.
*Remaining stages will also be taken (Order of 12th May).*
	Proceedings shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at the end of the periods specified below starting from the time of commencement of proceedings on the Bill (Order of 12th May):

	*Amendments to Clauses 34 to 45*		*30 minutes*
	*Amendments to Clauses 46 to 75*		*1 hour 15 minutes*
	*Amendments to Clauses 76 to 85*		*1 hour 30 minutes*
	*Amendments to clauses 86 to 91, Schedule 6 and Clauses 92 to 109*		2 hours 15 minutes
	Amendments to Schedule 5 up to and including line 14 on page 59 of the Bill		*3 hours 15 minutes.*
	*Amendments to Schedule 5 from line 15 on page 59 of the Bill up to and including line 13 on page 76*		4 hours
	Remaining amendments to Schedule 5, remaining New Clauses and New Schedules, amendments to Clause 110, Schedules 7 and 8 and Clause 111 up to and including line 28 on page 50 of the Bill		4 hours 15 minutes
	Remaining amendments		4 hours 30 minutes
	Third Reading		6 hours 30 minutes

+ 3	NORTHERN IRELAND *[No debate]*
	Secretary Marjorie Mowlam That the draft New Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 11th May, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 4	TEACHING AND HIGHER EDUCATION BILL [LORDS] (PROGRAMME) *[No debate after 10.00 p.m.]*
	Mrs Ann Taylor Mr Secretary Blunkett Mrs Gillian Shephard Mr Paul Tyler
	That the following provisions shall apply to the remaining proceedings on the Teaching and Higher Education Bill [Lords ]--
Report and Third Reading
	1.(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 three hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill on the second of those days. (2) On the first 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 hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill which falls after Ten o'clock.
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:

5	ADJOURNMENT
	Proposed subject: The deficit in manufacturing trade* (Mr Austin Mitchell).* *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 B	10.30 a.m. 4.30 p.m.	Room 9 (public) (public)
	Further to consider the Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords].
2	Standing Committee D	10.30 a.m. 4.30 p.m.	Room 12 (public) (public)
	Further to consider the Data Protection Bill [Lords].
3	Standing Committee E	10.30 a.m. 4.30 p.m.	Room 10 (public) (public)
	Further to consider the Finance (No. 2) Bill.
4	Standing Committee G	10.30 a.m.	Room 11 (public)
	To consider the Competition Bill [Lords].
SELECT COMMITTEES
5	Public Administration	10.00 a.m.	Room 6 (private)
6	Agriculture	10.15 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 15 (private) (public)
	Subject: Vitamin B6.
	Witnesses: Consumers for Health Choice; Health Food Manufacturers' Association.
7	Environmental Audit	10.15 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 19 (private) (public)
	Subject: Greening Government.
	Witnesses: Peter Madden, Director, Julie Hill, Programme Director, Ingrid Marshall, Project Officer, the Green Alliance.
8	Home Affairs	10.15 a.m.	Room 20 (private)
9	Welsh Affairs	10.30 a.m. 11.00 a.m.	Room 8 (private) (public)
	Subject: The Welsh Office's Departmental Report 1998.
	Witness: The Rt Hon Ron Davies, MP, Secretary of State for Wales.
10	Education and Employment	2.30 p.m.	Room 8 (private)
11	Agriculture	4.00 p.m. 4.15 p.m.	Room 15 (private) (public)
	Subject: Vitamin B6.
	Witnesses: Professor H. F. Woods, Chairman, Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment; Mr Jeff Rooker MP, Minister for Food Safety, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
12	International Development	4.30 p.m.	Room 5 (private)
13	Trade and Industry	4.30 p.m.	Room 6 (private)
14	Statutory Instruments	Immediately after the meeting of the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments	Room 7 (private)
JOINT COMMITTEES
15	Parliamentary Privilege	10.30 a.m.	Room 4 (private)
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 18th May for answer today++
1	Mr John Healey (Wentworth): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, when the Green Paper on the National Childcare Strategy will be launched.
	(42893)
2	Mr Stephen Timms (East Ham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what further developments there have been on the Tax Law Rewrite Project.
	(42904)
3	Dr Brian Iddon (Bolton South East): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what performance targets have been set for the Ordinance Survey of Northern Ireland in 1998-99.
	(42905)
4	Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she has agreed to the retention of Next Steps Agency status by the Compensation Agency after 31st March 1998; what future plans the Compensation Agency has prepared; and when they will be published.
	(42906)
5	Mr Gareth R. Thomas (Harrow West): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what performance targets have been set for the Department of the Environment's Planning Service in 1998-99.
	(42907)
6	Helen Southworth (Warrington South): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what performance targets have been set for the Department of the Environment's Environment and Heritage Service in 1998-99.
	(42908)
7	Mr John Heppell (Nottingham East): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what progress he has made in obtaining an assessment of the amount of previously developed land available for housing, announced in his policy document, Planning for the Communities of the Future on 23rd February.
	(42966)
8	Mr Tom Pendry (Stalybridge and Hyde): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make an announcement about the Government's adoption of the 1994 Brighton Declaration on Women in Sport.
	(42967)
9	Mr David Kidney (Stafford): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment he has made of the possibility of introducing charges on the fishing industry; and if he will make a statement.
	(43021)
10	Mr Desmond Browne (Kilmarnock and Loudoun): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make a statement about the targets for the Scottish Record Office in 1998-99.
	(43047)
11	Mr David Stewart (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make a statement about the targets for the Registers of Scotland Executive Agency in the financial year 1998-99.
	(43048)
12	Mr John Home Robertson (East Lothian): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make a statement about the forthcoming Policy and Financial Management Review of the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.
	(43049)
13	Rosemary McKenna (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make a statement on the functions ascribed to the National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visitors for Scotland under section 6(1)(e) of the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1997; and what funding the Board receives in respect of those functions.
	(43050)
14	Mr Huw Edwards (Monmouth): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what key targets have been set for the Royal Air Force Signals Engineering Establishment for 1998-99.
	(42973)
15	Mr Huw Edwards (Monmouth): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what key targets have been set for the Defence Codification Agency for 1998-99.
	(43072)
16	Mr Douglas Alexander (Paisley South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what key targets have been set for the Logistics Support Services Agency for 1998-99.
	(43073)
17	Mr Douglas Alexander (Paisley South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Quinquennial Review of the Defence Analytical Services Agency; and what key targets have been set for the Agency for 1998-99.
	(43074)
18	Mr Douglas Alexander (Paisley South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what key targets have been set for the Ministry of Defence Police Agency for 1998-99.
	(43075)
19	Mr Charles Clarke (Norwich South): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if Sir Thomas Legg, when conducting the investigation announced on 18th May, will have access to all official documents which mention Sandline and the supply of military equipment.
	(43089)

Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland
*1	Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate): When he next expects to meet representatives of Scotland's financial services industry to discuss investment.
	(41250)
*2	Mr Eric Clarke (Midlothian): What discussions he has had with industries in Scotland affected by the current exchange rate.
	(41251)
*3	Mr Charles Kennedy (Ross, Skye and Inverness West): If he will make a statement on hospital waiting lists in the Highland Health Board area.
	(41252)
*4	Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West): If he will make a statement on the level of business confidence in the manufacturing sector in Scotland.
	(41253)
*5	Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus): How many responses he has received to his consultation document in relation to land reform in Scotland.
	(41254)
*6	Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries): What steps he is taking to ensure the continuance of child care provision, following the withdrawal of urban aid funding.
	(41255)
*7	Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire): When he last met the CBI in Scotland to discuss prospects for investment in Scotland.
	(41256)
*8	Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow): What discussions have taken place between the Lord Advocate's office and the US State Department relating to (a) evidence for the Libyan involvement in the Lockerbie bombing and (b) the reliability of witnesses' memories of the event.
	(41257)
*9	Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby): When he last met representatives of political parties to discuss procedures for the Scottish Parliament.
	(41258)
*10	Mr Michael Connarty (Falkirk East): What assessment he has made of the advantages of (a) reforming and (b) abolishing the feudal system of land ownership in Scotland.
	(41259)
*11	Mr Dominic Grieve (Beaconsfield): If he will make a statement on the employment of special advisers in his Department.
	(41260)
*12	Mr Alex Salmond (Banff and Buchan): When he last met the CBI, STUC and Scottish Enterprise to discuss developments in the Scottish economy.
	(41261)
*13	Mr John Swinney (North Tayside): If he will list the meetings on the subjects of fishing, agriculture, education and economic development during the United Kingdom's presidency of the EU which he or one of his ministers has chaired.
	(41262)
*14	Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale): When he expects the NHS Acute Services Review to be completed; and if he will make a statement.
	(41263)
*15	Ms Sandra Osborne (Ayr): What plans he has to encourage greater community participation in local government.
	(41264)
*16	Mr Ian Bruce (South Dorset): What proportion of local government spending in Scotland is raised by council tax; and what plans he has to change this proportion.
	(41265)
*17	Mr John McAllion (Dundee East): What recent representations he has received relating to the best value regime for local government services in Scotland
	(41266)
*18	Mr Malcolm Savidge (Aberdeen North): If he will make a statement on the effect of Government policies on health services in the north of Scotland.
	(41267)
*19	Mr Robert Syms (Poole): When he last met representatives of the North Sea oil and gas industry to discuss matters relating to the industry.
	(41268)
*20	Rosemary McKenna (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth): What plans he has to involve the parents of children with special education needs in the debate on future provision for them.
	(41269)
*21	Dr Lynda Clark (Edinburgh Pentlands): If he will make a statement about the provision of pain relief, beds and nursing staff for pregnant women in labour in Edinburgh hospitals.
	(41270)
*22	Mr Desmond Browne (Kilmarnock and Loudoun): What plans he has to introduce legislation to make convicted murderers deported back to Scotland subject to the same supervision as those released on licence from Scottish prisons.
	(41271)
*23	Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow, Govan): What responses he has received to the Government's White Paper, NHS Scotland: Designed to Care.
	(41272)
*24	Ms Roseanna Cunningham (Perth): When he last met the Crown Estate Commissioner to discuss land reform issues in Scotland.
	(41273)
*25	Mrs Ray Michie (Argyll and Bute): How many parents exercised in the last academic year their right to defer primary school entry for one year.
	(41277)
*26	Rachel Squire (Dunfermline West): What progress has been made on recent research commissioned by his Department into the possible health hazards of sewage and waste disposal.
	(41278)

Oral Questions to the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department
*27	Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): What proposals he has to increase financial support for law centres.
	(41279)
*28	Mrs Eleanor Laing (Epping Forest): How many responses his Department has received to the consultation paper on conditional fee arrangements which were (i) in favour of the Government's proposals and (ii) against them.
	(41282)
*29	Mr Peter Viggers (Gosport): What action he has recently undertaken to make transparent levels of charges for legal aid work.
	(41283)
*30	Mr David Ruffley (Bury St. Edmunds): What recent representations he has received regarding the closure of local magistrates' courts.
	(41286)
*31	Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): What estimate his Department has made of the impact on the legal aid budget of compulsory (a) medical insurance and (b) personal injury insurance; and if he will make a statement.
	(41287)
*32	Ms Margaret Moran (Luton South): If he will make a statement regarding increasing the number of women on the Bench.
	(41288)
*33	Mr Gerald Howarth (Aldershot): When he intends to publish the Government's response to the public consultation on conditional fees and legal aid reform.
	(41289)
*34	Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon): If he will make a statement on the role of trade union legal assistance schemes in the provision of legal services in the context of the Civil Justice and Legal Aid Review.
	(41290)
*35	Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome): If he will make a statement on his proposals for the future arrangements for magistrates court committees in larger police authority areas.
	(41291)
*36	Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): What assessment he has made of the extent of restrictive practices in the legal profession.
	(41292)