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Session 1998-99
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Summary Agendas and Orders of Business

Order of Business Wednesday 3rd February 1999

Here you can browse the House of Commons Order of Business for Wednesday 3 February 1999.

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.


At 9.30 a.m.Prayers
Afterwards 
Adjournment Debates
1  ADJOURNMENT    [Until 2.00 p.m.]
The Prime Minister
    That this House do now adjourn.
    Subjects proposed to be raised on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House:
9.30 a.m. - 11.00 a.m.Joan WalleyGenetically-modified food.
11.00 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.Dr Vincent CableLondon Fire Service.
12.30 p.m. - 1.00 p.m.Mr George GallowayHer Majesty's Government's policy towards the Muslim world.
1.00 p.m. - 1.30 p.m.Mr Tim LoughtonThe elderly in West Sussex.
1.30 p.m. - 2.00 p.m.Dr Ashok KumarChemical engineering education in the United Kingdom.
    The Motion for the Adjournment of the House will lapse at 2.00 p.m. and the sitting will be suspended until 2.30 p.m. (Standing Order No. 10).

At 2.30 p.m. 
Private Business
Note: Private business is not debated at this time, and may not be proceeded with if opposed.
 
Second Reading
 
City of London (Ward Elections) Bill. (By Order).
    Mr Harry Cohen
    Mr John McDonnell
    Mr Stephen Pound
        On Second Reading of the City of London (Ward Elections) Bill, to move, That the Bill be read a second time upon this day six months.

Afterwards 
Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for International Development
*1 Mr Cynog Dafis (Ceredigion):    What resources will be made available by her Department for organising negotiations to establish an international framework convention on tobacco control.
(67502)
*2 Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    How much of the United Kingdom's international aid is disbursed on its behalf by the EU.
(67503)
*3 Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South):    What progress her Department has made in helping the islanders of Montserrat to recover from the effects of the volcanic eruptions and to be better prepared for disaster in future.
(67504)
*4 Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley):    If she will make a statement on humanitarian assistance to Sudan.
(67505)
*5 Mr Jim Dobbin (Heywood and Middleton):    What progress she is making in enhancing the role of the international financial institutions in development.
(67507)
*6 Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    What action she has taken to encourage crop diversification in the Caribbean.
(67508)
*7 Mr David Davis (Haltemprice and Howden):    If she will make a statement on the provision of value for money in the EU aid budget.
(67509)
*8 Maria Fyfe (Glasgow, Maryhill):    What recent discussions she has had about the relief of debt; and if she will make a statement.
(67511)
*9 Helen Jones (Warrington North):    What steps she is taking to promote awareness of development issues amongst young people.
(67512)
*10 Mr Richard Allan (Sheffield, Hallam):    What medical aid projects the Government is currently supporting in Sudan.
(67515)
*11 Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    If she will provide pharmaceutical products as aid to the Sudan.
(67516)
*12 Fiona Mactaggart (Slough):    In what ways her Department is supporting the education of girls in poorer countries; and if she will make a statement.
(67517)
*13 Mr John McAllion (Dundee East):    What recent discussions she has had with voluntary organisations in relation to the reduction of the debt burden on developing countries.
(67518)
*14 Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling):    What progress is being made to support the continuing humanitarian relief effort in (a) Kosovo and (b) Montenegro.
(67519)
*15 Mr John Wilkinson (Ruislip-Northwood):    If she will make a statement on the cost effectiveness of the EU development aid programme.
(67521)
*16 Mr Tony Baldry (Banbury):    What initiatives her Department is taking to support intermediate technology.
(67522)
*17 Mr David Lock (Wyre Forest):    If she will make a statement on her Department's support for medical services for children in (a) countries suffering emergencies from natural causes and (b) war zones.
(67523)
*18 Mr Andrew Stunell (Hazel Grove):    What discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer concerning the future tax position of the Commonwealth Development Corporation.
(67524)
*19 Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    What recent representations she has received on aid to Zimbabwe.
(67525)
*20 Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green and Bow):    If she will make a statement on the crisis in the Great Lakes region of Africa.
(67526)
*21 Mrs Linda Gilroy (Plymouth, Sutton):    What discussions she had about development when she visited Tanzania in 1998.
(67527)
*22 Mr Peter L. Pike (Burnley):    What discussions she has had with the new German government about debt relief and poverty reduction.
(67528)
*23 Bob Russell (Colchester):    What plans she has to visit the Island of St Helena to discuss the provision of air links and improved sea links.
(67529)
*24 Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome):    What discussions she has had with ministers of the German Government concerning an initiative on debt relief for developing countries at the European Council meeting in Cologne.
(67530)
*25 Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    What steps she is taking to reduce the debts of the poorest countries.
(67531)
At 3.00 p.m. 
Oral Questions to the Prime Minister
*Q1 Mr John M. Taylor (Solihull):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 3rd February.
(67532)
*Q2 Mr John McAllion (Dundee East):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 3rd February.
(67533)
*Q3 Angela Smith (Basildon):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 3rd February.
(67534)
*Q4 Shona McIsaac (Cleethorpes):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 3rd February.
(67535)
*Q5 Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 3rd February.
(67536)
*Q6 Mr Michael Connarty (Falkirk East):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 3rd February.
(67537)
*Q7 Mr Harry Barnes (North East Derbyshire):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 3rd February.
(67538)
*Q8 Mr Brian H. Donohoe (Cunninghame South):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 3rd February.
(67539)
*Q9 Mr John Home Robertson (East Lothian):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 3rd February.
(67540)
*Q10 Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 3rd February.
(67541)
*Q11 Mr John Healey (Wentworth):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 3rd February.
(67542)
*Q12 Sir Archie Hamilton (Epsom and Ewell):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 3rd February.
(67543)
*Q13 Mr Paul Stinchcombe (Wellingborough):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 3rd February.
(67544)
*Q14 Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 3rd February.
(67545)
*Q15 Mr Derek Twigg (Halton):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 3rd February.
(67546)
*Q16 Mr Ian Pearson (Dudley South):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 3rd February.
(67547)
*Q17 Mr David Drew (Stroud):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 3rd February.
(67549)
*Q18 Mr Richard Allan (Sheffield, Hallam):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 3rd February.
(67550)
*Q19 Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 3rd February.
(67551)

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


Preliminary Business
Ten minute rule Motion
2   INSOLVENCY ACT 1986 (AMENDMENT)    [Up to 20 minutes]
 Mr Richard Page
        That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the Insolvency Act 1986 so as to disqualify from appointment as receiver or liquidator of a company any person or company called in to carry out a financial appraisal of that company.
        The Member moving and a Member opposing this Motion may each speak for up to ten minutes (Standing Order No. 23).

Main Business
3   OPPOSITION DAY [5th allotted day]    [Until 10.00 p.m.]
 THE GOVERNMENT'S RECORD ON PENSIONS
 Mr William Hague
Mr Peter Lilley
Mr Iain Duncan Smith
Mr Quentin Davies
Mr Eric Pickles
Mr James Arbuthnot
 
        That this House believes the Government has failed pensioners and thrown away a unique opportunity for reform; deplores their attack on pensioners through the abolition of the ACT dividend tax credit, which will cost pensioners and all future pensioners £5 billion per year; believes the Government has further hurt occupational schemes by increasing the regulatory and cost burden in the pensions Green Paper; rejects the Government's proposals, which will make pension provision more complex and offer no real security for pensioners in the future; and condemns the Government for their extensions of means-testing in the welfare and pensions system, which will undermine the incentive to save.
 
        As Amendments to Mr William Hague's proposed Motion (The Government's Record on Pensions):
 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 `commends the Government's approach to pensions reform, set out in its Green Paper, Partnership in Pensions; congratulates the Government on its determination to end the scandal of pensions mis-selling and its plans to strengthen the financial regulatory system; commends the Government on its commitment to economic stability and low inflation, which helps pensioners; believes that its reforms to the corporate tax system, which will result in the lowest-ever rate of Corporation Tax, will be in the long-term interests of companies, shareholders and pensioners; and approves of the Government's introduction of the Minimum Pension Guarantee, Winter Fuel Payments, the re-introduction of free eye tests and commitment to concessionary travel for the elderly as part of its strategy to provide security in retirement.'.
 Mr Paddy Ashdown
Mr A. J. Beith
Mr David Rendel
Steve Webb
Mr Mark Oaten
Mr Paul Tyler
 
        Line 1,    leave out from `House' to end and add `believes that the Government has done little so far to produce significant improvements in the living standards of Britain's pensioners; is concerned that by overstating the impact of changes already made and by repeated announcements of measures which have yet to be implemented, the Government risks creating false expectations amongst pensioners; calls upon the Government to take action to assist the poorest pensioners who fail to take up their Income Support, and also those who have modest savings, by an immediate increase in the basic state pension for those aged over 75; and calls upon the Government to set up a long-term pensions framework in which widespread ownership of funded second pensions is combined with a firm basic pension foundation to ensure dignity for all in old age.'.
 PLANNING AND THE GREEN BELT
 Mr William Hague
Mr Peter Lilley
Mrs Gillian Shephard
Mr Simon Burns
Mr David Curry
Mr James Arbuthnot
 
        That this House regrets decisions by the Government to allow large-scale development in the countryside; deplores the fact that the Government has failed to publish revised planning guidance, despite its promise to do so 12 months ago, which has led to further erosion of the green belt and greenfield sites; expresses concern at the confusion that will be caused by the role given to the regional development agencies in planning issues; and urges the Government to enhance the protection of the countryside, while encouraging urban regeneration, by ensuring an increasing share of new housing is built on brownfield sites.
 
        As Amendments to Mr William Hague's proposed Motion (Planning and the Green Belt):
 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 `welcomes the Government's continued commitment to protecting the countryside, including green belts, and promoting sustainable regeneration in towns and cities; recognises that the Government's decentralised and integrated policy approach, as stated in Planning for Communities of the Future, Modernising the Planning System and A New Deal for Transport, is helping to achieve more sustainable and equitable patterns of urban and rural development; welcomes the Government's commitment strictly to control development in the open countryside and to increase the proportion of new housing on previously-developed land in urban areas, smaller towns and villages from 40 per cent in the mid-1980s to 60 per cent; recognises the need to replace the previous predict and provide approach to the issue of household growth with a more flexible decentralised system, involving realistic regional targets for the building of new homes on recycled land, tighter controls on urban sprawl, new regional and housing planning guidance to ensure the adoption of sustainable solutions to housing development and more rigorous and detailed assessment of land availability; and believes that the Government's inter-linked policies for urban regeneration and protection of the countryside will enhance the quality of life for people in both rural and urban areas.'.
 Mr Paddy Ashdown
Mr A. J. Beith
Mr Matthew Taylor
Mr Tom Brake
Mr Andrew Stunell
Mr Paul Tyler
 
        Line 1,    leave out `Government' and insert `present Government and its predecessor, against the wishes of local people,'.
        The Tenth Report from the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee, Session 1997-98, on Housing (HC 495-I) and the Government's Response thereto (Cm 4080) are relevant.    
 
        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.
+  4   EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES    [No debate]
 Mr Secretary Cook
        That the draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 11th January, be approved.
To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).
+  5   EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES    [No debate]
 Mr Secretary Cook
        That the draft European Communities (Immunities and Privileges of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 11th January, be approved.
To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).
At the end of the sitting:
6   ADJOURNMENT
 
        Proposed subject: Education services in Somerset (Mr David Heath).
        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   First Scottish Standing Committee 4.30 p.m. Room 12 (public)
        To consider the Scottish Enterprise Bill.
2   Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation 4.30 p.m. Room 9 (public)
        To consider the draft Apportionment of Money in the National Lottery Distribution Fund Order 1999.
SELECT COMMITTEES
3   Catering 9.30 a.m. Room 13 (private)
4   Education and Employment: Education Sub- Committee 9.30 a.m. Room 18 (private)
5   Modernisation of the House of Commons 9.30 a.m.
9.45 a.m.
Room 8 (private)
(public)
        Subject: The Main Committee.
        Witnesses: Mr W. R. McKay, CB, Clerk of the House, Mr P. N. W. Jennings, CVO, Serjeant at Arms.
6   Defence 10.00 a.m.
10.30 a.m.
Room 15 (private)
(public)
        Subject: The Future of NATO.
        Witnesses: General Sir Roderick Cordy-Simpson, CB OBE, General Sir Michael Rose, KCB CBE DSO QGM, Professor Cedric Thornberry.
7   Education and Employment: Employment Sub-Committee 10.00 a.m. Room 7 (private)
8   Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs 10.00 a.m. Room 16 (private)
9   Scottish Affairs 10.00 a.m.
10.30 a.m.
Room 21 (private)
(public)
        Subject: Inward/Outward Investment in Scotland.
        Witnesses: Mr William McCall, Singer & Friedlander Investments and Mr J. Spence, Lloyds TSB Group plc.
10   Social Security 10.30 a.m. Room 19 (private)
11   Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs: Transport Sub-Committee 3.45 p.m. Room 16 (private)
12   Northern Ireland Affairs 3.45 p.m.
4.15 p.m.
Room 8 (private)
(public)
        Subject: Operation of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989: Ten Years On.
        Witnesses: Standing Advisory Committee on Human Rights.
13   Science and Technology 3.45 p.m.
4.15 p.m.
Room 20 (private)
(public)
        Subject: The Director General of the Research Councils.
        Witnesses: Dr John Taylor, OBE FRS, Director General of the Research Councils, Mr Tony Quigley, Director, Science and Engineering Base, Mr Keith Root, Director, Finance and Central Issues, Office of Science and Technology.
14   European Scrutiny 4.00 p.m. Room 19 (private)
15   Selection 4.15 p.m. Room 13 (private)
16   Broadcasting 5.00 p.m. Room 7 (private)
17   Public Accounts 4.30 p.m. Room 15 (public)
        Subject: BBC World Service.
        Witnesses: Sir John Kerr, KCMG, Permanent Under-Secretary of State, Mr Edward Clay, CMG, Director of Public Services, and Mr Michael Arthur, CMG, Director of Resources, Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Mr Mark Byford, Chief Executive, Mr John Smith, Director of Finance and Mr Andrew Hind, Financial & Commercial Director, BBC World Service.
[The decision of a Committee to sit in public may be rescinded without notice.]

Written Questions tabled on Tuesday 2nd February for answer today++
1  
  
Mr Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if he will make a statement on the arrangements by which the Director General of Research Councils will avoid conflicts of interest while on secondment from Hewlett-Packard.
(69352)
2  
  
Ms Jackie Lawrence (Preseli Pembrokeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will make a statement on local government revenue spending and grant support in 1999-2000.
(69460)
3  
  
Mr Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston):    To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee, if he will make a statement on the progress that has been made towards equality of opportunity in the Civil Service.
(69526)
4  
  
Ms Jackie Lawrence (Preseli Pembrokeshire):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he proposes to publish the consultation document on pension investment mentioned in the Pensions Green Paper (Cm. 4179).
(69527)
5  
  
Mr Martin Salter (Reading West):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the final funding allocations for police authorities in England and Wales will be in 1999-2000.
(69600)
6  
  
Jane Griffiths (Reading East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he has received the Report of the Advisory Council on Public Records on their review of the criteria used by the Security Service in deciding whether to retain files on grounds of historical interest.
(69601)

MEMORANDUM
WELSH GRAND COMMITTEE
    Notices of Questions for oral answer on Monday 22nd February may be given on Monday 8th February.

 
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Prepared 3 February 1999