Order of Business for 30 July 1998

House of Commons

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

Order of Business Thursday 30th July 1998

Here you can browse the House of Commons Order of Business for Thursday 30 July 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.
Consideration of Bill Ordered to lie upon the Table

Bodmin Moor Commons Bill [Lords].

[For Amendments, see Notice Paper relating to Private Business.]

Second Reading

Alliance & Leicester plc (Group Reorganisation) Bill [Lords]. (By Order.)

Mr John McWilliam

    On Second Reading of the Alliance & Leicester plc (Group Reorganisation) 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 Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

*1 Mr Robin Corbett (Birmingham, Erdington):    What has been the response to the public consultation on the future of fur farming.

(51685)

*2 Mr Andrew George (St Ives):    What representations he has received on proposals for the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.

(51686)

*3 Mr Michael Fabricant (Lichfield):    When he next plans to meet his counterparts in Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic to discuss European Union agricultural subsidies; and if he will make a statement.

(51687)

*4 Maria Fyfe (Glasgow, Maryhill):    What assessment he has made of the potential benefit to the economies of developing nations through the promotion and recognition of fair trade principles in the export of bananas.

(51688)

*5 Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire):    What measures he is taking to promote the sale of British beef.

(51689)

*6 Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith (Wealden):    If he will make a statement on the future of BSE compensation payments.

(51691)

*7 Mr A. J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed):    If he will make a statement about the eligibility of Northumberland fishermen for PESCA assistance.

(51692)

*8 Mr Alan W. Williams (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr):    What steps he has taken to widen membership of advisory committees to include representatives of consumers and environmental organisations.

(51693)

*9 Paul Flynn (Newport West):    What new proposals he has to increase the cultivation of flax.

(51696)

*10 Mr Ian Bruce (South Dorset):    What is his latest forecast of the trends in farm incomes; and what assessment he has made of the impact of the Comprehensive Spending Review on them.

(51697)

*11 Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South):    If he will make a statement on progress towards the establishment of the Food Standards Agency.

(51698)

*12 Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    What representations he has received from farmers' organisations regarding current exchange rates.

(51699)

*13 Mr David Drew (Stroud):    What plans he has to improve compensation payments to those farmers affected by bovine TB.

(51700)

*14 Mr Bill O'Brien (Normanton):    What representations he has received on the future of fish stocks; and if he will make a statement.

(51701)

*15 Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    If he will assess the advantages of including in his departmental objectives the requirement for a competitive agricultural industry; and if he will make a statement.

(51702)

*16 Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes):    If he will disseminate widely the list his Department is collating in respect of the known suppliers of genetically-modified foods.

(51703)

*17 Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    What research funding will be provided to support the Food Standards Agency.

(51704)

*18 Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst):    If he will make a statement about the progress made on reform of the CAP in respect of the beef sector during the UK presidency of the EU.

(51705)

*19 Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold):    What steps he is taking to reduce the trade deficit in agriculture over the next three years.

(51706)

*20 Mr Alan Simpson (Nottingham South):    What tests are being undertaken on the interactions between genetically modified crops and the range of currently available fertilisers and herbicides, and on their consequential effects upon (a) human health and (b) biodiversity.

(51707)

*21 Mr Michael Colvin (Romsey):    What recent representations he has received on genetically-modified food.

(51708)

*22 Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    What representations he has received on the level of farm incomes in 1998-99.

(51709)

*23 David Taylor (North West Leicestershire):    What resources he is allocating over the next three years to provide advice to farmers wishing to convert to organic production; and if he will make a statement.

(51710)

*24 Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney):    What is the Government's policy on sustainable fisheries; and if he will make a statement.

(51711)

*25 Paddy Tipping (Sherwood):    What steps he has taken to achieve a welfare directive for farm animals across the EU.

(51712)

*26 Mrs Anne Campbell (Cambridge):    What plans he has to encourage farmers to diversify.

(51713)

*27 Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    What recent representations his Department has received from farmers on the proposed Foods Standards Agency.

(51714)

At 3.15 p.m.

Oral Questions to Mr Attorney General

*28 Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire):    If he will make a statement on the adequacy of his Department's funding for the implementation of the recommendations of the Glidewell Report.

(51715)

*29 Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    How many of his officials are engaged in cases before the International Court of Justice.

(51716)

*30 Mr Bowen Wells (Hertford and Stortford):    When he expects to appoint a new Director of Public Prosecutions.

(51717)

*31 Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    What meetings he has had with representatives from (a) GJW, (b) GPC Market Access and (c) LLM to discuss the prosecution services.

(51718)

*32 Mr Ian Bruce (South Dorset):    If he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the Government's fast track prosecution of juveniles.

(51720)

*33 Mr Bill O'Brien (Normanton):    What representations he has received concerning the length of time between the arrest and conviction of offenders; and if he will make a statement.

(51721)

*34 Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome):    Under what circumstances community interest is taken into account by officers of the Crown Prosecution Service in determining whether to proceed with a prosecution.

(51722)

*35 Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    When he proposes to allow barristers employed by the Crown Prosecution Service to represent it in all courts.

(51724)

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

Main Business
+ 1	NORTHERN IRELAND BILL: As amended in the Committee, to be considered [1st allotted day]. *[Until 10.00 p.m.]*
For Amendments, see separate Paper.
Third Reading may also be taken.
*Debate may continue until 10.00 p.m.*
+ 2	LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE (SCOTLAND) *[No debate]*
	Mr Secretary Dewar That the Special Grant Report (Scotland): Grant in aid of expenditure on rural public passenger transport for 1998-99 (HC 941), which was laid before this House on 9th July, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 3	HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS SHIPPING SERVICES *[No debate]*
	Mr Secretary Dewar That the draft Undertaking by the Secretary of State for Scotland with the consent of Her Majesty's Treasury and P & O Scottish Ferries Limited and the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company for the provision of passenger ferry services to Orkney and Shetland, which was laid before this House on 16th July, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*

At the end of the sitting:

4	ADJOURNMENT
	Proposed subject: *Impact of the Court of Appeal decision on genetically-modified crops* (Mr Anthony Steen). *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	Culture, Media and Sport	10.00 a.m.	Room 15 (private)
2	International Development	10.00 a.m.	Room 7 (private)
3	Agriculture	10.30 a.m.	Room 20 (private)
4	Education and Employment: Employment Sub-Committee	10.30 a.m. 10.45 a.m.	Room 6 (private) (public)
	Subject: Part-time Working.
	Witnesses: Banking Insurance and Finance Union, Union of Shop Distributive and Allied Workers Manufacturing, Science and Finance Union; Coates Viyella Clothing (Menswear), Knitting Industries Federation, Norwich Union plc (at 11.30 a.m.).
5	Foreign Affairs	10.30 a.m.	Room 16 (private)
6	Health	10.30 a.m.	Room 8 (private)
7	Education and Employment: Education Sub-Committee	11.00 a.m.	Room 21 (private)
8	Social Security	4.00 p.m.	Room 13 (private)
[The decision of a Committee to sit in public may be rescinded without notice.]

Written Questions tabled on Wednesday 29th July for answer today++
1	Mr Roger Stott (Wigan): To ask Mr Attorney General, if the working party which he established to review the system of appointing counsel to act for the Government in civil cases has reported to him.
	(54617)
2	Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the consultants' report following their review of the invalid vehicle service.
	(54618)
3	Mr Clive Efford (Eltham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he will publish the Eleventh Annual Report of the Committee for Monitoring Agreements on Tobacco Advertising and Sponsorship.
	(54619)
4	Frank Cook (Stockton North): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when a new Head of the Gulf Veteran's Medical Assessment Programme will be appointed.
	(54620)
5	Mr Desmond Browne (Kilmarnock and Loudoun): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will publish the results of the consultation undertaken by the Registrar General on civil marriages outwith registration offices; and if he will make a statement.
	(54621)
6	Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to change the low cost home ownership incentive schemes offered by registered social landlords and to enable more registered social landlords to offer flexible tenure schemes.
	(54622)
7	Mr Ian Stewart (Eccles): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a report on the progress of English Partnerships.
	(54623)
8	Mr Ian Stewart (Eccles): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when his Department's research on the final evaluation of City Challenge will be published.
	(54624)
9	Mr Phil Sawford (Kettering): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement about discretionary rate relief granted by local authorities to their own schools.
	(54625)
10	Helen Jones (Warrington North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what is his policy on the spacing of motorway service areas; and if he will make a statement.
	(54626)
11	Ms Margaret Moran (Luton South): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what research his Department has undertaken into business aviation in the South East; and if he will make a statement.
	(54627)
12	Maria Eagle (Liverpool, Garston): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what decisions he has reached on public safety zone policy and administration following the public consultation.
	(54628)
13	Laura Moffatt (Crawley): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will approve and publish the annual report and accounts of the NHS Pensions Agency.
	(54630)
14	Mr John Healey (Wentworth): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement about progress with the review of planning policy on opencast coal and the appeal cases which are currently before him for decision.
	(54686)
15	Mr Ian Stewart (Eccles): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if the Government has yet reached a decision on its proposed controls on vitamin B6.
	(54810)
16	Ms Karen Buck (Regent's Park and Kensington North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, where the Greater London Authority will be located; and if he will make a statement.
	(54811)
17	Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what resources will be available for access funds for students in further and higher education institutions in England in 1998-99; and when he proposes to issue new guidance on the use of the funds.
	(54812)
18	Mr Malcolm Savidge (Aberdeen North): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made in discussions with the United States of America on the decision not to proceed with the United Kingdom's planned final Trident missile purchase.
	(54813)
19	Mr Stephen Twigg (Enfield, Southgate): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, when he proposes to consult further on provisions in the Disability Discrimination Act.
	(54814)
20	Mr Andy King (Rugby and Kenilworth): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will provide financial assistance to (a) Warwick District Council, (b) Wychavon District Council and (c) Northamptonshire Police Authority under the Bellwin scheme in respect of costs incurred following the severe flooding on the weekend of 9th to 12th April.
	(54815)
21	Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the progress of his plans for reform of financial services regulation.
	(54816)
22	Dr John Marek (Wrexham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what is his Department's policy on the soap and detergent industry's code of good environmental practice; to what extent this code complies with the proposed standards and initiatives his Department is considering for greater eco-efficiency in the home; and if he will make a statement.
	(54817)
23	Mr Phil Hope (Corby): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what advice he has received from the Youth Justice Task Force.
	(54869)
24	Angela Smith (Basildon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how the Government intends to take forward consideration of the case for setting up a new court welfare service.
	(54870)
25	Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the extent to which the end-use control, relating to goods which may be used in connection with the development of weapons of mass destruction, applies to the supply of goods to destinations subject to binding UN arms embargoes.
	(54871)
26	Mr Ernie Ross (Dundee West): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement about Defence Agency status for the Defence Housing Executive.
	(54872)
27	Christine Russell (City of Chester): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he will announce his decision on the Local Government Commission's recommendations on the future of local government in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton; and if he will make a statement.
	(54873)
28	Mr Robin Corbett (Birmingham, Erdington): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will provide financial assistance to North Wiltshire District Council under the Bellwin scheme in respect of costs incurred following the discovery of two World War II bombs in Chippenham on 12th and 13th February.
	(54874)
29	Mr Phil Hope (Corby): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how he intends to take forward the proposals contained in his Department's consultation paper Combating Cowboy Builders.
	(54875)
30	Mr Michael Foster (Worcester): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the consultation paper on future legislation against terrorism will be published.
	(54876)
31	Mr Ivor Caplin (Hove): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what further developments there have been on the Tax Law Rewrite Project.
	(54877)
32	Mr Martin Salter (Reading West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the performance of Her Majesty's Prison Service in 1997-98.
	(54878)
33	Mr Desmond Browne (Kilmarnock and Loudoun): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, when he will make available to the House the Annual Report and Accounts of the New Millennium Experience Company.
	(54879)
34	Mr Jonathan R. Shaw (Chatham and Aylesford): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if the Government will carry out a review of the assisted areas of Great Britain.
	(54880)
35	Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if he has received the sixth annual reports of the recognised supervisory bodies for company auditors under Part II of the Companies Act 1989; and if he will make a statement.
	(54881)
36	Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he intends to publish the third report on the impact of the National Lottery on the horserace betting levy.
	(54882)
37	Ms Tess Kingham (Gloucester): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to conduct a quinquennial review of the Prison Service Agency.
	(54883)
38	Mr Brian White (North East Milton Keynes): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what arrangements he is making for introducing the new linking rule for incapacity benefits and abolishing the 16 hour restriction on unpaid voluntary work.
	(54884)
39	Ms Karen Buck (Regent's Park and Kensington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, when he will publish the 14th annual report of the Chief Adjudication Officer; and if he will make a statement.
	(54885)
40	Mr Tony McNulty (Harrow East): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, when he expects to be able to announce the qualifying week for next winter's fuel payments; and when these payments will be made.
	(54886)
41	Mr Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what arrangements he is making to appoint the Standing Orders Commission for the National Assembly; and if he will make a statement.
	(54930)
42	Mr Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what advice he proposes to submit to Her Majesty in Council on the use to be made of the order-making power in clause 12(1)(b) of the Government of Wales Bill.
	(54931)
43	Mr Michael Clapham (Barnsley West and Penistone): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what action he proposes to take to develop the markets for compost.
	(54942)
44	Helen Jackson (Sheffield, Hillsborough): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how the BR board are to conduct their review of surplus land.
	(54943)

Oral Questions to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
*1	Mr Robin Corbett (Birmingham, Erdington): What has been the response to the public consultation on the future of fur farming.
	(51685)
*2	Mr Andrew George (St Ives): What representations he has received on proposals for the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.
	(51686)
*3	Mr Michael Fabricant (Lichfield): When he next plans to meet his counterparts in Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic to discuss European Union agricultural subsidies; and if he will make a statement.
	(51687)
*4	Maria Fyfe (Glasgow, Maryhill): What assessment he has made of the potential benefit to the economies of developing nations through the promotion and recognition of fair trade principles in the export of bananas.
	(51688)
*5	Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire): What measures he is taking to promote the sale of British beef.
	(51689)
*6	Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith (Wealden): If he will make a statement on the future of BSE compensation payments.
	(51691)
*7	Mr A. J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed): If he will make a statement about the eligibility of Northumberland fishermen for PESCA assistance.
	(51692)
*8	Mr Alan W. Williams (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr): What steps he has taken to widen membership of advisory committees to include representatives of consumers and environmental organisations.
	(51693)
*9	Paul Flynn (Newport West): What new proposals he has to increase the cultivation of flax.
	(51696)
*10	Mr Ian Bruce (South Dorset): What is his latest forecast of the trends in farm incomes; and what assessment he has made of the impact of the Comprehensive Spending Review on them.
	(51697)
*11	Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South): If he will make a statement on progress towards the establishment of the Food Standards Agency.
	(51698)
*12	Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow): What representations he has received from farmers' organisations regarding current exchange rates.
	(51699)
*13	Mr David Drew (Stroud): What plans he has to improve compensation payments to those farmers affected by bovine TB.
	(51700)
*14	Mr Bill O'Brien (Normanton): What representations he has received on the future of fish stocks; and if he will make a statement.
	(51701)
*15	Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire): If he will assess the advantages of including in his departmental objectives the requirement for a competitive agricultural industry; and if he will make a statement.
	(51702)
*16	Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes): If he will disseminate widely the list his Department is collating in respect of the known suppliers of genetically-modified foods.
	(51703)
*17	Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North): What research funding will be provided to support the Food Standards Agency.
	(51704)
*18	Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst): If he will make a statement about the progress made on reform of the CAP in respect of the beef sector during the UK presidency of the EU.
	(51705)
*19	Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): What steps he is taking to reduce the trade deficit in agriculture over the next three years.
	(51706)
*20	Mr Alan Simpson (Nottingham South): What tests are being undertaken on the interactions between genetically modified crops and the range of currently available fertilisers and herbicides, and on their consequential effects upon (a) human health and (b) biodiversity.
	(51707)
*21	Mr Michael Colvin (Romsey): What recent representations he has received on genetically-modified food.
	(51708)
*22	Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley): What representations he has received on the level of farm incomes in 1998-99.
	(51709)
*23	David Taylor (North West Leicestershire): What resources he is allocating over the next three years to provide advice to farmers wishing to convert to organic production; and if he will make a statement.
	(51710)
*24	Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney): What is the Government's policy on sustainable fisheries; and if he will make a statement.
	(51711)
*25	Paddy Tipping (Sherwood): What steps he has taken to achieve a welfare directive for farm animals across the EU.
	(51712)
*26	Mrs Anne Campbell (Cambridge): What plans he has to encourage farmers to diversify.
	(51713)
*27	Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): What recent representations his Department has received from farmers on the proposed Foods Standards Agency.
	(51714)

Oral Questions to Mr Attorney General
*28	Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire): If he will make a statement on the adequacy of his Department's funding for the implementation of the recommendations of the Glidewell Report.
	(51715)
*29	Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow): How many of his officials are engaged in cases before the International Court of Justice.
	(51716)
*30	Mr Bowen Wells (Hertford and Stortford): When he expects to appoint a new Director of Public Prosecutions.
	(51717)
*31	Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley): What meetings he has had with representatives from (a) GJW, (b) GPC Market Access and (c) LLM to discuss the prosecution services.
	(51718)
*32	Mr Ian Bruce (South Dorset): If he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the Government's fast track prosecution of juveniles.
	(51720)
*33	Mr Bill O'Brien (Normanton): What representations he has received concerning the length of time between the arrest and conviction of offenders; and if he will make a statement.
	(51721)
*34	Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome): Under what circumstances community interest is taken into account by officers of the Crown Prosecution Service in determining whether to proceed with a prosecution.
	(51722)
*35	Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): When he proposes to allow barristers employed by the Crown Prosecution Service to represent it in all courts.
	(51724)



© Parliamentary copyright 1998	Prepared 30 July 1998