| Oral Questions to the Minister for the Cabinet Office |
| *1 |
Mr Eric Martlew (Carlisle): If he will make a statement on the progress of the Government's anti-drugs strategy. |
| (63718) |
| *2 |
Barbara Follett (Stevenage): If he will make a statement on the progress of the Better Government initiative, with specific reference to women. |
| (63719) |
| *3 |
Mr David Amess (Southend West): What recent representations he has received about the mechanisms for the co-ordination of Government policy. |
| (63720) |
| *4 |
Mrs Ann Winterton (Congleton): What initiatives have been taken by Mr Keith Halliwell to involve parents in the national anti-drugs strategy. |
| (63721) |
| *5 |
Mr David Drew (Stroud): If he will make a statement on the co-ordination of Government policy on biotechnology. |
| (63722) |
| *6 |
Helen Jackson (Sheffield, Hillsborough): If he will make a statement on progress with his Better Government for Older People proposals. |
| (63723) |
| *7 |
Mr Ernie Ross (Dundee West): If he will make a statement on the Better Government for Older People Initiative. |
| (63724) |
| *8 |
Mr Peter L. Pike (Burnley): If he will make a statement on his duties in relation to the Duchy of Lancaster. |
| (63725) |
| *9 |
Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow): How many governmental review bodies have been established since 1st May 1997. |
| (63726) |
| *10 |
Sir Sydney Chapman (Chipping Barnet): If he will make a statement about the Cabinet Office's co-ordination of the Government's constitutional reforms in respect of changing the system of electing honourable Members. |
| (63727) |
| *11 |
Mr David Ruffley (Bury St. Edmunds): What representations he has received regarding the role of Government press officers and spokesmen. |
| (63729) |
| *12 |
Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): If he will publish in the Government's annual report for 1998-99 an independent assessment of the progress of the Government in meeting each of the 1997 manifesto commitments. |
| (63730) |
| *13 |
Jane Griffiths (Reading East): If he will make a statement on the co-ordination of government policy on biotechnology. |
| (63732) |
| *14 |
Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): What further measures are planned to advance the Better Government Agenda. |
| (63733) |
| *15 |
Mr Rhodri Morgan (Cardiff West): When he expects to publish the Better Government White Paper. |
| (63734) |
| *16 |
Mr Roger Stott (Wigan): If he will make a statement on his duties in relation to the Duchy of Lancaster. |
| (63735) |
| *17 |
Mr David Winnick (Walsall North): How frequently he meets the media to discuss aspects of the Government's business. |
| (63736) |
| *18 |
Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield): If he will make a statement on the progress of the Government's anti-drugs strategy. |
| (63737) |
| *19 |
Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West): If he will make a statement about the Government's policy regarding the use of public money for public information campaigns. |
| (63738) |
| *20 |
Helen Jones (Warrington North): If he will make a statement on the progress of the Government's anti-drugs strategy. |
| (63739) |
| *21 |
Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire): If he will make a statement on the Invest to Save programme. |
| (63740) |
| *22 |
Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter): If he will make a statement on the progress being made in implementing the Government's anti-drugs strategy. |
| (63741) |
| *23 |
Mr Ivan Lewis (Bury South): If he will make a statement on progress in improving the mechanisms for coordination between Government departments. |
| (63743) |
| *24 |
Mr Michael Jack (Fylde): What investment the Duchy of Lancaster has made in its land and other assets in the last 12 months. |
| (63744) |
| *25 |
Fiona Mactaggart (Slough): If he will make a statement on the appointment of magistrates in the Duchy of Lancaster. |
| (63746) |
| *26 |
Mrs Jacqui Lait (Beckenham): What progress is being made in developing a dialogue with relevant private sector organisations on the issues of defensive information warfare. |
| (63747) |
| Oral Questions to the Prime Minister |
| *Q1 |
Mr Jim Dobbin (Heywood and Middleton): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 13th January. |
| (63748) |
| *Q2 |
Ms Sally Keeble (Northampton North): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 13th January. |
| (63749) |
| *Q3 |
Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 13th January. |
| (63750) |
| *Q4 |
Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 13th January. |
| (63751) |
| *Q5 |
Mr Peter Atkinson (Hexham): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 13th January. |
| (63752) |
| *Q6 |
Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 13th January. |
| (63753) |
| *Q7 |
Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 13th January. |
| (63754) |
| *Q8 |
Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 13th January. |
| (63755) |
| *Q9 |
Sir Peter Tapsell (Louth and Horncastle): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 13th January. |
| (63756) |
| *Q10 |
Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 13th January. |
| (63757) |
| *Q11 |
Mr David Amess (Southend West): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 13th January. |
| (63758) |
| *Q12 |
Steve Webb (Northavon): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 13th January. |
| (63759) |
| *Q13 |
Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 13th January. |
| (63761) |
| *Q14 |
Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 13th January. |
| (63762) |
| *Q15 |
Mr John Wilkinson (Ruislip-Northwood): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 13th January. |
| (63763) |
| *Q16 |
Mr Jonathan R. Shaw (Chatham and Aylesford): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 13th January. |
| (63765) |
| *Q17 |
Mr Hilton Dawson (Lancaster and Wyre): When he intends to visit the Lancaster and Wyre constituency. |
| (63766) |
| *Q18 |
Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 13th January. |
| (63767) |
| 1 |
PROTECTION OF CHILDREN [No debate] |
| | Ms Debra Shipley
Bill to require a list to be kept of persons considered unsuitable to work with children; to extend the power to make regulations under section 218(6) of the Education Reform Act 1988; to make further provision with respect to that list and the list kept for the purposes of such regulations; to enable the protection afforded to children to be afforded to persons suffering from mental impairment; and for connected purposes. |
| Formal first reading: no debate or decision. |
| 2 |
FUR FARMING (PROHIBITION) [No debate] |
| | Maria Eagle
Bill to prohibit the keeping of animals with a view to their slaughter solely or primarily for the commercial value of their fur; and for related purposes. |
| Formal first reading: no debate or decision. |
| 3 |
MENTAL HEALTH (AMENDMENT) (SCOTLAND) [No debate] |
| | Mr Eric Clarke
Bill to authorise hospital managers to continue to hold, expend and dispose of the property of persons to whom section 94(1) of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984 no longer applies. |
| Formal first reading: no debate or decision. |
| 4 |
REFERENDUMS [No debate] |
| | Mr Andrew Robathan
Bill to make provision for the conduct of referendums and the establishment of a referendums commission. |
| Formal first reading: no debate or decision. |
| 5 |
RIGHT TO ROAM [No debate] |
| | Mr Gordon Prentice
Bill to grant to the public a right to enter on foot and roam on open country in England and Wales for their recreation; to make certain financial and fiscal benefits dependent upon proper observance of the law relating to public footpaths; to ensure adequate publicity for access to relevant land; and for connected purposes. |
| Formal first reading: no debate or decision. |
| 6 |
FOOTBALL (OFFENCES AND DISORDER) [No debate] |
| | Mr Simon Burns
Bill to make further provision in relation to football-related offences; to make further provision for the purpose of preventing violence or disorder at or in connection with football matches; and for connected purposes |
| Formal first reading: no debate or decision. |
| 7 |
ADOPTION (INTERCOUNTRY ASPECTS) [No debate] |
| | Mr Mark Oaten
Bill to make provision for giving effect to the Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, concluded at The Hague on 29th May 1993; to make further provision in relation to adoptions with an international element; and for connected purposes. |
| Formal first reading: no debate or decision. |
| 8 |
LICENSING (YOUNG PERSONS) [No debate] |
| | Chris McCafferty
Bill to make provision in connection with the sale and consumption of intoxicating liquor in cases involving persons under eighteen; and for connected purposes. |
| Formal first reading: no debate or decision. |
| 9 |
BUS FUEL DUTY (EXEMPTIONS) [No debate] |
| | Mr Patrick McLoughlin
Bill to exempt operators of certain community bus services from payment of excise duty on fuel used in operating those services; and for connected purposes. |
| Formal first reading: no debate or decision. |
| 10 |
STREETWORKS [No debate] |
| | Mr Peter Atkinson, on behalf of Mr Christopher Fraser
Bill to amend the law relating to streetworks; to make provision for a streetworks registration scheme; and for connected purposes. |
| Formal first reading: no debate or decision. |
| 11 |
CHEQUES (SCOTLAND) [No debate] |
| | Mr John Swinney
Bill to amend the law of Scotland in relation to the effect of presentation of cheques for payment. |
| Formal first reading: no debate or decision. |
| 12 |
NUCLEAR SAFEGUARDS [No debate] |
| | Mr Tony Colman
Bill to enable effect to be given to the protocol signed at Vienna on 22nd September 1998 additional to the agreement for the application of safeguards in the United Kingdom in connection with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons; and for connected purposes |
| Formal first reading: no debate or decision. |
| 13 |
HEALTH CARE AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY [No debate] |
| | Sir Robert Smith
Bill to require certain health bodies to draw up reports on ways in which they may use energy efficiency schemes to assist persons living in fuel poverty to heat their homes. |
| Formal first reading: no debate or decision. |
| 14 |
ROAD TRAFFIC (VEHICLE TESTING) [No debate] |
| | Mr Andrew Hunter
Bill to make further provision about the testing of motor vehicles for the purposes of Part II of the Road Traffic Act 1988; and for connected purposes. |
| Formal first reading: no debate or decision. |
| 15 |
BREEDING AND SALE OF DOGS (WELFARE) [No debate] |
| | Mr Tim Loughton, on behalf of Mr James Clappison
Bill to amend and extend certain enactments relating to the commercial breeding and sale of dogs; to regulate the welfare of dogs kept in commercial breeding establishments; to extend powers of inspection; to establish records of dogs kept at such establishments; and for connected purposes. |
| Formal first reading: no debate or decision. |
| 16 |
PUBLIC HOUSE NAMES [No debate] |
| | Mrs Ann Winterton
Bill to amend the law relating to the names of public houses; and for related purposes. |
| Formal first reading: no debate or decision. |
| 17 |
HEDGES (CONTROL) [No debate] |
| | Mr Andrew Rowe
Bill to subject hedges in residential areas to local authority planning control. |
| Formal first reading: no debate or decision. |
| 18 |
PLANNING APPEALS BILL [No debate] |
| | Mr Nigel Evans
Bill to remove the right of appeal to the Secretary of State against certain planning decisions. |
| Formal first reading: no debate or decision. |
| 19 |
COMPANY AND BUSINESS NAMES (CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, ETC.) [No debate] |
| | Mr Andrew Lansley
Bill to make provision concerning the approval of company or business names containing the expression "chamber of commerce" or any related expression; and for connected purposes. |
| Formal first reading: no debate or decision. |
| 20 |
FUEL POVERTY AND ENERGY CONSERVATION [No debate] |
| | Mr John McAllion
Bill to require energy conservation authorities to draw up reports concerning fuel poverty and to designate officers with responsibility for energy conservation; and for related purposes. |
| Formal first reading: no debate or decision. |
| | |
| Main Business |
| 21 |
OPPOSITION DAY [2nd allotted day] [Until 10.00 p.m.] |
| | GOVERNMENT INFORMATION
|
| | Mr Paddy Ashdown
Mr A. J. Beith
Mr Nick Harvey
Mr Richard Allan
Norman Baker
Mr Paul Tyler |
| | That this House deplores the extent to which politically-partisan presentation, spin-doctoring, unattributed briefing and the pursuit of personal rivalries between Ministers have become characteristics of the presentation of government information; believes that clearer guidelines need to be established in this field; affirms that the public interest is in having far greater access to the information used by Government in making decisions which affect people's lives; and calls upon the Government to introduce its draft Freedom of Information Bill as a matter of the highest priority to enable early consideration, to present such a Bill later this Session which can be carried over into the next Session of Parliament, and to ensure that the Bill fully reflects the proposals set out in the White Paper, Your Right To Know .
As an Amendment to Mr Paddy Ashdown's proposed Motion (Government Information): |
| | The Prime Minister
Mr Secretary Prescott
Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer
Mr Secretary Cook
Mr Secretary Straw
Dr Jack Cunningham |
| | Line 1, leave out from `House' to end and add `welomes the Government's commitment to modernising Government; commends the professionalism of the Government Information and Communications Service (GICS) in carrying out the important task of effectively communicating and explaining policies, decisions and actions of the Government of the day; recognises that the Mountfield Report set out the future direction of the GICS and confirmed the long accepted conventions of impartiality and propriety; believes that the model contract for special advisers, which defined, for the first time in a public document, the roles and responsibilities of special advisers, should be welcomed; applauds the Government's intention to publish a draft Freedom of Information Bill as soon as possible; and welcomes the intention of the Select Committee on Public Administration to undertake pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Bill.'. |
| | ROLE OF THE UK IN EUROPE
|
| | Mr Paddy Ashdown
Mr A. J. Beith
Mr Malcolm Bruce
Mr Menzies Campbell
Mr David Heath
Mr Paul Tyler |
| | That this House regrets the display of "absentee government" by the Chancellor of the Exechequer in failing to be present at the official launch of the euro and in not giving a clear lead to British businesses in relation to future UK membership of the euro; believes that the Government's failure to come to terms with the euro will undermine the prospects for exercising British leadership in Europe; calls on the Government to set out a clear strategy and timetable for British membership of the euro, including measures to accelerate convergence of interest rates, an early report on plans to make Britain's inflation target compatible with that used within the euro zone, urgent clarification of the remit of the cross-party euro preparations committee, initiation of an annual HM Treasury report to Parliament on progress on the Government's five convergence criteria, and steps to encourage an open debate on the appropriate level at which sterling should join the euro; and further urges the Government to contribute to the development of a European Union which is open, accountable, democratic and decentralised, and in which the powers of European institutions, the constitutional relationship between the EU and member states and the rights of the citizens of EU member states are more clearly defined through the establishment of a constitution for Europe.
As an Amendment to Mr Paddy Ashdown's proposed Motion (Role of the UK in Europe): |
| | 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 `recognises the importance to the British economy of continued membership of the European Community; welcomes the step change that the Government has made in its economic relations with the UK's European partners and the real benefits that constructive engagement has brought for Britain; commends the progress made by the Government in promoting economic reform in Europe as the basis for growth and job creation; welcomes the Government's ongoing programme of practical assistance to British business on the implications of the euro; commends the Bank of England and the financial services industries for the skill and expertise with which they managed Britain's part in the transition of 1st January 1999; and welcomes the Government's decision to make the national economic interest the key test for British entry to the single currency on the basis of five economic tests and that any final decision should be made by the British people as set out in the Chancellor's statement to the House of 27th October 1997.'.
The selection of the matters to be debated this day has been made by the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party (Standing Order No. 14(2)). |
| Debate may continue until 10.00 p.m. |
| + 22 |
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING [No debate] |
| | Mr Secretary Blunkett
That the draft Industrial Training Levy (Construction Board) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 1st December, be approved. |
| To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)). |
| + 23 |
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING [No debate] |
| | Mr Secretary Blunkett
That the draft Industrial Training Levy (Engineering Construction Board) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 1st December, be approved. |
| To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)). |
| + 24 |
RATING (VALUATION) BILL [No debate after 10.00 p.m.] |
| | Margaret Beckett
That, during the proceedings on the Rating (Valuation) Bill, the Standing Committee on the Bill shall have leave to sit twice on the first day on which it shall meet. |
| If opposed, this item cannot be taken after 10.00 p.m. |
| + 25 |
SELECT COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION [No debate after 10.00 p.m.] |
| | Mr Keith Bradley
That Miss Melanie Johnson be discharged from the Select Committee on Public Administration and Ms Margaret Moran be added to the Committee. |
| If opposed, this item cannot be taken after 10.00 p.m. |
| + 26 |
GREATER LONDON AUTHORITY BILL (PROGRAMME) [No debate after 10.00 p.m.] |
| | Mr Secretary Prescott
Margaret Beckett
Sir George Young
Mr Simon Hughes |
| | That the following provisions shall apply to the Greater London Authority Bill-- |
| Committee of the whole House |
| | 1. Proceedings in Committee of the whole House on Clauses 1 to 4 of, and Schedules 1 and 2 to, the Bill shall be completed in two allotted days and shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at Ten o'clock on the second day. |
| Standing Committee |
| | 2. Proceedings in the Standing Committee to which the remainder of the Bill is committed shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at 12.50 p.m. on 30th March 1999. |
| Business Committee |
| | 3. Standing Order No. 82 (Business Committee) shall not apply to proceedings on the Bill. |
| Business Sub-Committee |
| | 4. Resolutions of the Business Sub-Committee may include alterations in the order in which Clauses, Schedules, new Clauses and new Schedules are taken in the Standing Committee. |
| Procedure in Standing Committee |
| | 5. At a sitting of the Standing Committee at which any proceedings on the Bill are to be brought to a conclusion in accordance with this Order or a Resolution of the Business Sub-Committee, the Chairman shall not adjourn the Committee under any Order relating to the sittings of the Committee until the proceedings have been brought to a conclusion. |
| Conclusion of proceedings |
| | 6. 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 Chairman or 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 (including in the case of a new Clause or Schedule which has been read a second time, the Question that the Clause or Schedule be added to the Bill);
(c) the Question on any amendment moved or Motion made by a Minister of the Crown; and
(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, apart from this sub-paragraph, two or more Questions would fall to be put by the Chairman under sub-paragraph (1)(d) in relation to a series of Clauses or Schedules to which no notice of amendment has been given by a Minister of the Crown, the Chairman shall instead put a single question in relation to those Clauses and Schedules.
(4) On a Motion made for a new Clause or a new Schedule, the Chairman or Speaker shall put only the question that the Clause or Schedule be added to the Bill. |
| Supplementary provisions |
| | 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.
8. If any Motion is made by a Minister of the Crown to amend this Order so as to provide a greater amount of time for proceedings on the Bill under paragraph 1 or 2 of this Order, the Question thereon shall be put forthwith and may be decided, though opposed, at any hour.
9. If any Motion is made by a Minister of the Crown to supplement the provisions of this Order in respect of proceedings on Consideration or Third Reading or on any Lords Amendments or any subsequent message from the Lords relating to 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. |
| If opposed, this item cannot be taken after 10.00 p.m. |
| COMMITTEE MEETINGS |
| STANDING COMMITTEE |
| 1 |
Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation |
4.30 p.m. |
Room 9 (public) |
| To consider the Income Support (General) (Standard Interest Rate Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 2878). |
| SELECT COMMITTEES |
| 2 |
Education and Employment: Education Sub- Committee |
9.30 a.m.
9.45 a.m. |
Room 8 (private)
(public) |
| Subject: The Work of OFSTED. |
| Witnesses: Professor Maurice Kogan and Professor Margaret Maden; Local Government Association and Mr Greg Wilkinson, Andersen Consulting (ex-Audit Commission) (at approximately 10.30 a.m.). |
| 3 |
Modernisation of the House of Commons |
9.30 a.m. |
Room 21 (private) |
| 4 |
Defence |
10.00 a.m.
10.30 a.m. |
Room 15 (private)
(public) |
| Subject: The Defence Export Services Organisation. |
| Witnesses: Mr Tony Edwards, Head of Defence Exports, Mr Tony Pawson, Director General, Defence Export Services, Mr Michael Legge, Deputy Under Secretary, Civilian Management, Ministry of Defence. |
| 5 |
Northern Ireland Affairs |
10.00 a.m. |
Castle Building,
Stormont (public) |
| Subject: Public Expenditure: Special Educational Needs. |
| Witnesses: The Four Regional Health Boards of Northern Ireland. |
| 6 |
Social Security |
10.30 a.m. |
Room 19 (private) |
| 7 |
Northern Ireland Affairs |
2.00 p.m. |
Castle Building,
Stormont (public) |
| Subject: Operation of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989. |
| Witness: Fair Employment Commission. |
| 8 |
Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs |
3.45 p.m. |
Room 5 (private) |
| 9 |
Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs: Transport Sub-Committee |
Immediately after the meeting
of the Main
Committee |
Room 5 (private) |
| 10 |
Science and Technology |
3.45 p.m.
4.00 p.m. |
Room 15 (private)
(public) |
| Subject: Engineering and Physical Sciences Based Innovation. |
| Witness: Sir Peter Bonfield, British Telecom. |
| 11 |
European Scrutiny |
4.00 p.m. |
Room 19 (private) |
| 12 |
Procedure |
4.00 p.m. |
Room 8 (private) |
| 13 |
Selection |
4.15 p.m. |
Room 13 (private) |
| [The decision of a Committee to sit in public may be rescinded without notice.] |
|
