| Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland |
| *1 |
Mr Archy Kirkwood (Roxburgh and Berwickshire): If he will meet representatives of the Scottish Cashmere Association to discuss current difficulties facing exporters of cashmere knitwear; and if he will make a statement. |
| (70818) |
| *2 |
Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale): When the concordat on inward investment between his Department and other departments will be published. |
| (70819) |
| *3 |
Mr David Marshall (Glasgow, Shettleston): If he will make a statement about the Government's plans for providing improved healthcare for the citizens of Glasgow. |
| (70821) |
| *4 |
Mr Jimmy Hood (Clydesdale): What plans he has to work in partnership with local authorities to deliver an integrated transport network in Scotland. |
| (70822) |
| *5 |
Mr Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West): What steps he is taking to improve employment opportunities in Scotland. |
| (70823) |
| *6 |
Mrs Teresa Gorman (Billericay): What plans he has for a needs assessment to inform decisions on the size of the Scottish block made available to the Scottish Executive. |
| (70824) |
| *7 |
Dr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde): When he last met the chairmen of health boards to discuss matters relating to the medical care of elderly people. |
| (70825) |
| *8 |
Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire): If he will make a statement on the Scottish livestock industry. |
| (70827) |
| *9 |
Mr Ian Davidson (Glasgow, Pollok): If he will make a statement on the development of community ownership of housing in Glasgow. |
| (70828) |
| *10 |
Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): When he last held discussions with representatives of the CBI in Scotland on the development of the Scottish economy. |
| (70829) |
| *11 |
Maria Fyfe (Glasgow, Maryhill): What estimate he has made of the number of local authority funded organisations created to overcome social exclusion which are currently issuing precautionary redundancy notices to their staff. |
| (70830) |
| *12 |
Mr Alex Salmond (Banff and Buchan): When he last met Scottish Enterprise to discuss the Scottish economy. |
| (70831) |
| *13 |
Mr John McAllion (Dundee East): What recent discussions he has had with Scottish local authorities relating to their provision of council housing. |
| (70832) |
| *14 |
Mr Nigel Waterson (Eastbourne): When he next plans to meet representatives of the CBI in Scotland to discuss the economy in Scotland. |
| (70833) |
| *15 |
Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow): If he will make a statement on the latest position in relation to starting criminal proceedings on the Lockerbie bombing. |
| (70834) |
| *16 |
Mrs Caroline Spelman (Meriden): If he will make a statement on the Government's plans for education in Scotland. |
| (70835) |
| *17 |
Mr Eric Clarke (Midlothian): What discussions he has had with water and drainage authorities on their plans for methods of sewage disposal other than dumping at sea; and if he will make a statement. |
| (70836) |
| *18 |
Mr John Home Robertson (East Lothian): What assessment he has made of the number of jobs in Scotland which depend on the sale of electricity from Scotland to other parts of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. |
| (70837) |
| *19 |
Mr David Prior (North Norfolk): If he will make a statement about the most recent business survey by the Scottish Chamber of Commerce. |
| (70838) |
| *20 |
Mrs Irene Adams (Paisley North): If he will make a statement on the consultants' report into the management of Reid Kerr Further Education College. |
| (70839) |
| *21 |
Ms Sandra Osborne (Ayr): What percentage of log movements in Scotland are currently transported by B class roads; and if he will estimate the percentage which over the last 10 years has been transferred from carriage by sea to carriage on B class roads. |
| (70840) |
| *22 |
Mr John Swinney (North Tayside): When he last met representatives of the National Farming Union for Scotland to discuss the problems facing the agricultural sector. |
| (70841) |
| *23 |
Ms Roseanna Cunningham (Perth): When he last met representatives of the Scottish Law Society to discuss the criminal justice system in Scotland. |
| (70842) |
| *24 |
Mrs Eleanor Laing (Epping Forest): If he will make a statement regarding the current level of university applications. |
| (70843) |
| *25 |
Mr Ernie Ross (Dundee West): If he make a statement on the progress made by the Social Exclusion Unit in Scotland. |
| (70844) |
| *26 |
Mrs Ray Michie (Argyll and Bute): What assessment he has made of the method of awarding trunk road maintenance contracts in Scotland. |
| (70845) |
| *27 |
Mr Ian Bruce (South Dorset): What estimate his Department has made of this year's percentage rise in council tax bills in Scotland. |
| (70846) |
| *28 |
Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray): What responsibilities will be given to the European office to be opened in July in Brussels to represent the Scottish Parliament; and if he will make a statement. |
| (70847) |
| Oral Questions to the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department |
| *29 |
Mr John M. Taylor (Solihull): When he last discussed with the Association of Magisterial Officers the qualifications required of a clerk to a magistrates' court. |
| (70849) |
| *30 |
Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford): If he will make a statement about the financial efficiency of the Legal Aid Board. |
| (70850) |
| *31 |
Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): What representations he has received regarding an appeal against closure of the magistrates' court in Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire. |
| (70851) |
| *32 |
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): If he will make a statement on the legal aid budget for 1999-2000. |
| (70853) |
| *33 |
Mr Nick St. Aubyn (Guildford): If he will make a statement on the effects of his Department's plans to withdraw legal aid in personal injury cases. |
| (70854) |
| *34 |
Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West): If he will make a statement on his policy on the closure of rural magistrates' courts. |
| (70855) |
| *35 |
Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate): If he will make a statement on his policy on county court closures. |
| (70856) |
| *36 |
Mr Bob Blizzard (Waveney): What progress has been made in the fast tracking of young offenders through the magistrates' courts. |
| (70857) |
| *37 |
Mr Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West): If he will make a statement about the role of his Department in respect of government proposals for the future of the House of Lords. |
| (70858) |
| *38 |
Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): If he will make a statement on recent discussions which he has had with the Church of England bishops on proposals for a reformed House of Lords. |
| (70859) |
| *39 |
Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East): If he will reform the system of selecting adjudicators. |
| (70860) |
| *40 |
Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North): What steps he is taking to publicise his reform of the legal aid system. |
| (70861) |
| *41 |
Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South): What is his assessment of the work of the information meeting pilot for Merseyside and North Wales. |
| (70862) |
|
| Main Business |
| + 2 |
WELFARE REFORM AND PENSIONS BILL: Second Reading. [Until 10.00 p.m.] |
| | Mr Paddy Ashdown
Mr A. J. Beith
Mr David Rendel
Steve Webb
Mr Mark Oaten
Mr Paul Tyler |
| | That this House recognises the need for modernisation of the social security system; welcomes the extension of benefits to widowers and of the Disability Living Allowance mobility component to children of 3 and 4; further welcomes the measures to reduce under-occupation; but declines to give the Bill a Second Reading as the benefit cuts will hurt vulnerable widows, and sick and disabled people, will increase reliance on means testing and penalise those who have saved for their retirement, will disproportionately affect women and carers and put too little value on unpaid work. |
| | Mr William Hague
Mr Peter Lilley
Mr Iain Duncan Smith
Mr Quentin Davies
Mr Eric Pickles
Mr James Arbuthnot |
| | That this House declines to give the Bill a Second Reading because the complex and unrelated nature of some of the issues covered, which themselves should be subject to separate legislation, will have the effect of complicating pension provision, increasing the disincentive to save, fostering dependency particularly for the self-employed, widows and disabled people, and although, through the work-focused gateway, the Government seeks to make benefit conditional, the necessary conditions for success are missing since the Bill does nothing to increase job creation; and regrets the missed opportunity for lasting reform of social security and pensions.
The Fifth Report from the Social Security Committee, Session 1997-98, on Pensions on Divorce (HC 869) and the Government's Response thereto (HC 146 of Session 1998-99) are relevant. |
| Debate may continue until 10.00 p.m. |
| + 3 |
WELFARE REFORM AND PENSIONS BILL [MONEY]: Queen's Recommendation signified. [No debate] |
| | Mrs Barbara Roche
That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill, it is expedient to authorise--
(1) the payment out of money provided by Parliament of--
(a) any expenditure incurred by a Minister of the Crown or government department under the Act;
(b) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums which under any other Act are payable out of money so provided;
(2) the payment out of the Consolidated Fund of any increase attributable to the Act in the sums which under any other Act are payable out of that Fund. |
| To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 52(1)(a)). |
| + 4 |
WELFARE REFORM AND PENSIONS BILL [WAYS AND MEANS] [No debate] |
| | Mrs Barbara Roche
That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill, it is expedient to authorise--
(a) payments out of the National Insurance Fund into the Consolidated Fund in respect of expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State under the Act;
(b) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums which under any other Act are payable into the Consolidated Fund.
|
| To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 52(1)(a)). |
| + 5 |
FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS [No debate after 10.00 p.m.] |
| | Margaret Beckett
Mr Alan Milburn |
| | That it is expedient that a Joint Committee of Lords and Commons be appointed to report on the consultative document on the draft financial services and markets bill presented by Her Majesty's Command on 21st December 1998 and any further draft of the bill which may be laid upon the Table of both Houses by a Minister of the Crown and to report by 30th April 1999. |
| If opposed, this item cannot be taken after 10.00 p.m. |
| + 6 |
DELEGATED LEGISLATION [No debate after 10.00 p.m.] |
| | Margaret Beckett
That the Local Authorities (Alteration of Requisite Calculations) (England) Regulations 1999 be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation. |
| If opposed, this item cannot be taken after 10.00 p.m. |
| COMMITTEE MEETINGS |
| STANDING COMMITTEES |
| 1 |
Standing Committee A |
10.30 a.m.
4.30 p.m. |
Room 11 (public)
(public) |
| Further to consider the Greater London Authority Bill (except Clauses 1 to 4 and Schedules 1 and 2). |
| 2 |
Standing Committee B |
10.30 a.m.
4.30 p.m. |
Room 12 (public)
(public) |
| Further to consider the Local Government Bill. |
| 3 |
Standing Committee E |
10.30 a.m.
4.30 p.m. |
Room 10 (public)
(public) |
| Further to consider the Employment Relations Bill. |
| 4 |
First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation |
4.30 p.m. |
Room 14 (public) |
| To consider the draft National Assembly for Wales (Disqualification) Order 1999 and the draft National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) Order 1999. |
| 5 |
Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation |
4.30 p.m. |
Room 9 (public) |
| To consider the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 40) (HC 205). |
| SELECT COMMITTEES |
| 6 |
Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs: Environment Sub-Committee |
9.00 a.m. |
Manchester City
Council (public) |
| Subject: Regional Development Agencies. |
| Witnesses: North West Development Agency; North West Regional Assembly (at 9.30 a.m.); English Partnerships (at 10.00 a.m.); Professor Brian Robson of Manchester University; National Housing Federation (at 10.30 a.m.). |
| 7 |
Agriculture |
10.00 a.m.
10.30 a.m. |
Room 6 (private)
(public) |
| Subject: Badgers and Bovine Tuberculosis. |
| Witnesses: National Federation of Badger Groups; The Wildlife Trusts. |
| 8 |
Environmental Audit |
10.00 a.m.
10.30 a.m. |
Room 19 (private)
(public) |
| Subject: Energy Efficiency. |
| Witnesses: Combined Heat and Power Association; Enron Europe Ltd (at approximately 11.45 a.m.). |
| 9 |
Foreign Affairs |
10.00 a.m.
10.30 a.m. |
Room 15 (private)
(public) |
| Subject: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Resources. |
| Witnesses: Mr Mark Byford, Chief Executive, Ms Caroline Thomson, Deputy Chief Executive and Mr Andrew Hind, Finance and Commercial Director, BBC World Service; Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws, QC, Chair, Mr Tom Buchanan, CBE, Acting Director-General and Mr Edmund Marsden, Assistant Director-General, British Council (at 11.30 a.m.). |
| 10 |
Trade and Industry |
10.00 a.m. |
Room 21 (public) |
| Subject: Electronic-Commerce. |
| Witnesses: Mr Chris Reed, Centre for Commercial Law, Queen Mary and Westfield College; Association of Payment Clearing Services; National Consumer Council. |
| 11 |
Home Affairs |
10.15 a.m. |
Room 7 (private) |
| 12 |
Public Administration |
10.15 a.m.
11.00 a.m. |
Room 5 (private)
(public) |
| Subject: Accountability of Public Bodies. |
| Witnesses: Mr Stuart Weir, University of Essex and Professor David Marquand, Mansfield College, Oxford. |
| 13 |
Welsh Affairs |
10.15 a.m.
10.30 a.m. |
Room 17 (private)
(public) |
| Subject: Childcare in Wales. |
| Witnesses: Federation of Small Businesses Wales; Welsh Local Government Association. |
| 14 |
Treasury |
10.30 a.m.
10.45 a.m. |
Room 8 (private)
(public) |
| Subject: Bank of England February Inflation Report. |
| Witnesses: The Governor of the Bank of England and members of the Monetary Policy Committee. |
| 15 |
Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs: Environment Sub-Committee. |
3.15 p.m. |
Birmingham Midlands
Institute (public) |
| Subject: Regional Development Agencies. |
| Witnesses: West Midlands Regional Development Agency; Government Office for the West Midlands (at 3.45 p.m.); West Midlands Local Government Association (at 4.15 p.m.); Birmingham and Solihull TEC (at 4.45 p.m.). |
| 16 |
Education and Employment |
3.45 p.m.
4.00 p.m. |
Room 18 (private)
(public) |
| Subject: Opportunities for Disabled People. |
| Witnesses: Assocation of Colleges and Association of National Specialist Colleges. |
| 17 |
Procedure |
4.00 p.m.
4.30 p.m. |
Room 15 (private)
(public) |
| Subject: Procedural Consequences of Devolution. |
| Witnesses: Members of the Scottish Affairs Committee including Mr David Marshall, MP, Chairman, Mr Michael Moore, MP, Mr Desmond Swayne, MP, Mr Andrew Welsh, MP and Ms Alda Barry, Clerk to the Scottish Affairs Committee. |
| 18 |
Foreign Affairs |
4.30 p.m. |
Room 16 (private) |
| 19 |
Statutory Instruments |
Immediately after the meeting of the Joint
Committee on
Statutory
Instruments |
Room 7 (private) |
| JOINT COMMITTEE |
| 20 |
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 22nd February for answer today++ |
1
| Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what practical measures he proposes to support the electoral process in Nigeria. |
| (72897) |
2
| Mr Tom Levitt (High Peak): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he will publish the Performance Assessment Framework for Personal Social Services promised in the White Paper, Modernising Health and Social Services. |
| (72898) |
3
| Mr Syd Rapson (Portsmouth North): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what further progress has been made on the development of the Joint Force 2000 initiative; and if he will make a statement. |
| (72992) |
4
| Kali Mountford (Colne Valley): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what changes he plans to make to cash limits and running costs limits within his responsibility for 1998-99. |
| (72993) |
5
| Kali Mountford (Colne Valley): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will make a statement on the outcome of the consultation on the draft Code of Practice on Age Diversity. |
| (72994) |
6
| Ms Jackie Lawrence (Preseli Pembrokeshire): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he will publish the second edition of the six monthly report Getting Ready for the Euro. |
| (72995) |
7
| Ms Jackie Lawrence (Preseli Pembrokeshire): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if United States investment exchanges have applied to be recognised over the past year as overseas investment exchanges in the United Kingdom under sections 37 and 40 of the Financial Services Act 1986. |
| (72996) |
8
| Mr Eric Martlew (Carlisle): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what action he is taking to ensure that traditional British brandy and rum butters can continue to be marketed in the European Union. |
| (73078) |
9
| Ms Sally Keeble (Northampton North): To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list the changes in the composition of the United Kingdom Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Assembly of the Western European Union. |
| (73079) |
10
| Mr Gareth Thomas (Clwyd West): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what plans he has to report on the performance of training and enterprise councils in Wales. |
| (73080) |
11
| Mr Marsha Singh (Bradford West): To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee, if he will make a statement on the total number of releases under the Open Government Initiative. |
| (73167) |
12
| Helen Southworth (Warrington South): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to improve services for victims of crime and witnesses; and if he will make a statement. |
| (73168) |
13
| Mr Phil Hope (Corby): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what proposals she has to change the 1998-2000 External Financing Limit for the Commonwealth Development Corporation. |
| (73221) |
|
