Order of Business for 4 March 1999

House of Commons

Session 1998-99
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Order of Business Thursday 4th March 1999

Here you can browse the House of Commons Order of Business for Thursday 4 March 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 11.30 a.m. Prayers

Afterwards

Private Business



Note: Private business is not debated at this time, and may not be proceeded with if opposed.



Second Reading
    London Local Authorities Bill [Lords].

Afterwards

Oral Questions to Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer

*1 Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):    If he will make a statement on preparations for possible British entry to the euro zone.

(72413)

*2 Bob Russell (Colchester):    If he will amend the VAT Regulations to give a nil rating for maintenance work to Royal National Lifeboat Institution boathouses.

(72414)

*3 Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    What estimate he has made of the tax levels paid by the average married couple on (a) 1st March and (b) 1st May 1997.

(72415)

*4 Mr Chris Mullin (Sunderland South):    What plans he has to review the exemption for farmers from capital gains tax on agricultural land sold for development; and if he will make a statement.

(72416)

*5 Mr Robert N. Wareing (Liverpool, West Derby):    If he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the balance between direct and indirect taxation.

(72417)

*6 Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    What new steps he is taking to promote small businesses.

(72418)

*7 Mr Paul Truswell (Pudsey):    What plans he has to improve the accuracy of tax demands sent to self-employed people.

(72419)

*8 Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):    If he will list the constitutional issues which he assessed as not creating a bar to United Kingdom membership of the single currency.

(72420)

*9 Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    If he will make a statement on the impact on the United Kingdom economy of proposed European tax harmonisation measures.

(72421)

*10 Steve Webb (Northavon):    What assessment he has made of the transfer of funds from women to men which will occur as a result of the implementation of the working families tax credit.

(72422)

*11 Mr David Amess (Southend West):    What recent representations he has received about the future of the married couples allowance.

(72423)

*12 Helen Jackson (Sheffield, Hillsborough):    What plans he has to review the taxation liabilities of pensioners.

(72424)

*13 Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    What recent consultations he has held with representatives of small businesses on the levels of business taxation.

(72425)

*14 Mr John Smith (Vale of Glamorgan):    When he plans to introduce the 10 pence starting rate of income tax.

(72426)

*15 Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central):    If he will make a statement on the ways in which tax, spending and monetary policy are co-ordinated.

(72427)

*16 Sir Michael Spicer (West Worcestershire):    What is the Government's policy with respect to the exchange rate between sterling and the euro.

(72428)

*17 Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    What recent representations he has received from the Transport and Road Haulage industry about tax on fuel.

(72429)

*18 Mr Nigel Griffiths (Edinburgh South):    If he will estimate the number of low-income families in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) Scotland who will benefit from the working families tax credit.

(72430)

*19 Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    What representations he has received regarding duties on beer.

(72431)

*20 Mr Ian Bruce (South Dorset):    What assessment he has made of the effect of the fuel tax escalator on the viability of the UK transport industry.

(72433)

*21 Mr John Townend (East Yorkshire):    What proportion of GDP was represented by all taxes and national insurance in (a) 1996-97 and (b) 1997-98; and what is his forecast for 1998-99.

(72434)

*22 Sir Sydney Chapman (Chipping Barnet):    What is his latest estimate of the revenue which the Exchequer will receive in 1998-99 from the taxation of motor fuels; and what were the figures for the previous three years.

(72435)

*23 Mrs Joan Humble (Blackpool North and Fleetwood):    If he will make a statement on progress made towards meeting his inflation target.

(72436)

*24 Ms Jackie Lawrence (Preseli Pembrokeshire):    What plans he has to increase public investment over the next three years.

(72437)

*25 Mr Phil Sawford (Kettering):    If he will review the operation of money purchase pension schemes.

(72438)

*26 Mr Mike Gapes (Ilford South):    If he will make a statement on preparations for eventual British membership of the eurozone.

(72441)

*27 Mrs Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside):    What steps he has taken to help business adjust to the introduction of the euro.

(72442)

*28 Mr Lawrie Quinn (Scarborough and Whitby):    If he will make a statement on the VAT regime as it is applied to the tourism and hospitality industry in the United Kingdom.

(72444)

*29 Mr Peter Bottomley (Worthing West):    What representations he has received regarding the tax burden on business.

[R](72445)

*30 Mr Bob Laxton (Derby North):    What representations he has received on his plans for increasing public investment over the next three years.

(72446)

*31 Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    What analysis the Government has made of the long-term advantages of a substantial mutual building society sector.

(72447)

*32 Mr Fabian Hamilton (Leeds North East):    What support the Treasury is giving to local credit unions; and if he will make a statement.

(72448)

*33 Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    What account he takes of the savings ratio in policy decisions.

(72449)

*34 Mrs Ann Winterton (Congleton):    What representations he has received from the road haulage industry on the levels of vehicle excise duty and fuel tax.

(72450)

*35 Mr Robert Syms (Poole):    What representations he has received from motoring organisations on his policy of increasing petrol and diesel prices each year.

(72451)

*36 Mr Stephen Day (Cheadle):    What estimate he has made of the value of the United Kingdom's exports in the last 12 months to countries that are currently in recession.

(72452)

At 12.30 p.m. Private Notice Questions (if any)
Ministerial Statements (if any)

Note: Provision has been made for a Business Motion to be moved at 7.00 p.m. (Standing Order No. 15 and Order of 16th December).

Main Business
+ 1	HOUSE OF LORDS BILL: Committee (Progress reported 3rd March). *[Until any hour]*
	A Clause (Senior Salaries Review Board)--(Mr Nigel Evans )--brought up and read the first time. Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time.
*For Amendments, see separate Paper.*
*Debate may continue until any hour if the 7.00 p.m. Business Motion is agreed to.*

At 7.00 p.m.

+	BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE *[No debate]*
	The Prime Minister That, at this day's sitting, the House of Lords Bill may be proceeded with, though opposed, until any hour.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 15 and Order of 16th December).*

+ 2	LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE *[No debate]*
	Mr Secretary Prescott That the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 41) (HC 218), which was laid before this House on 4th February, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 3	TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT *[No debate]*
	Mr Secretary Byers That the draft National Minimum Wage Act 1998 (Amendment) Regulations 1999, which were laid before this House on 16th February, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 4	TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT *[No debate]*
	Mr Secretary Byers That the draft National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999, which were laid before this House on 16th February, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 5	NORTHERN IRELAND *[No debate]*
	Secretary Marjorie Mowlam That the draft Strategic Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 22nd February, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 6	NORTHERN IRELAND *[No debate]*
	Secretary Marjorie Mowlam That the draft Energy Efficiency (Northern Ireland) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 22nd February, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*

At the end of the sitting:

ADJOURNMENT

Proposed subject:

Disability living allowance: the case of Mr Duff

(Mr Stephen Hesford)

Debate may continue until 7.30 p.m. or for half an hour, whichever is later (Standing Order No. 9 and Order of 16th December).

COMMITTEE MEETINGS
STANDING COMMITTEES
1	Standing Committee A	2.30 p.m.	Room 11 (public)
	Further to consider the Greater London Authority Bill (except Clauses 1 to 4 and Schedules 1 and 2).
2	Standing Committee D	2.30 p.m.	Room 9 (public)
	Further to consider the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill.
3	Standing Committee E	2.30 p.m.	Room 10 (public)
	Further to consider the Employment Relations Bill.
4	Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation	10.00 a.m.	Room 10 (public)
	To consider the draft Northern Ireland (Modification of Enactments No. 1) Order 1999.
SELECT COMMITTEES
5	Employment Sub-Committee	9.30 a.m. 9.45 a.m.	Room 8 (private) (public)
	Subject: The Performance and Future Role of the Employment Service.
	Witnesses: Mr Colin Hampton, Derbyshire Unemployed Centre, Mr Paul Convery, Unemployment Unit, Mr Sean Roberts, NACAB; Professor Robert Walker, Centre for Research and Social Policy, Loughborough University.
6	Treasury Sub-Committee	9.30 a.m. 9.45 a.m.	Room 5 (private) (public)
	Subject: Inland Revenue.
	Witnesses: University of Bath; TaxAid (at 10.15 a.m.); and Confederation of British Industry (at 10.45 a.m.).
7	Culture, Media and Sport	10.00 a.m. 11.00 a.m.	Room 15 (private) (public)
	Subject: Staging International Sporting Events.
	Witnesses: Mr Craig Reedie, Chairman, Mr Simon Clegg, Chief Executive, British Olympic Association; Mr Ian Emmerson, Chairman, Mr Leslie Pike, Honorary Treasurer, The Commonwealth Games Council for England (at 12.00 noon).
8	Health	10.00 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 6 (private) (public)
	Subject: The Regulation of Private and other Independent Healthcare.
	Witnesses: Consumers' Association, National Consumer Council; Action for Victims of Medical Accidents and Action for the Proper Regulation of Private Hospitals.
9	Foreign Affairs	10.00 a.m.	Room 16 (private)
10	Foreign Affairs	4.30 p.m.	Room 16 (private)
[The decision of a Committee to sit in public may be rescinded without notice.]

Written Questions tabled on Wednesday 3rd March for answer today++
1	Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what changes he proposes to make in his Department's cash limits and running costs limits for 1998-99.
	(75216)
2	Mr Christopher Leslie (Shipley): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will place a copy of the draft interim agreement on Kosovo in the Library.
	(75217)
3	Mr Stephen McCabe (Birmingham, Hall Green): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary will join NATO.
	(75218)
4	Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he intends to publish the report from Mr J. J. Rowe, QC on the operation in 1998 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989.
	(75334)
5	Mrs Joan Humble (Blackpool North and Fleetwood): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what financial arrangements are being made in respect of the 37 NHS trusts dissolved on 1st April 1998.
	(75335)
6	Ms Jackie Lawrence (Preseli Pembrokeshire): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when the Government's proposals for the 2001 Census of Population will be published; and if he will make a statement.
	(75406)
7	Mr John Grogan (Selby): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on the restructuring of the Army district organisation in the United Kingdom.
	(75407)
8	Mr David Stewart (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what plans he has to change the rules of the Woodland Grant Scheme.
	(75416)
9	Mr Phil Hope (Corby): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, when the changes to the Social Fund Budgeting Loan Scheme will be introduced; and when details of the Discretionary Social Fund Budget for 1999-2000 will be announced.
	(75417)
10	Mr Colin Burgon (Elmet): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he has responded to the Local Government Association statement on genetically-modified foods.
	(75496)

Standing Committee Notices

Standing Committee A will meet on Tuesday 9th March at 10.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. and Thursday 11th March at 2.30 p.m. further to consider the Greater London Authority Bill (except Clauses 1 to 4 and Schedules 1 and 2).

Standing Committee B will meet on Wednesday 10th March at 10.30 a.m. to consider the Company and Business Names (Chamber of Commerce, Etc.) Bill.

Standing Committee C will meet on Wednesday 10th March at 10.30 a.m. to consider the Protection of Children Bill.

Standing Committee D will meet on Tuesday 9th March at 10.30 a.m. and Thursday 11th March at 10.00 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. further to consider the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill.

Standing Committee E will meet on Tuesday 9th March at 10.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. further to consider the Employment Relations Bill.

The Scottish Grand Committee will meet on Monday 8th March at 10.30 a.m. at New Parliament House, Edinburgh to consider the matter of Education and the Enterprise Economy in Scotland.

The First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation will meet on Tuesday 9th March at 4.30 p.m. to consider the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 6).

The Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation will meet on Wednesday 10th March at 4.30 p.m. to consider the Local Authorities (Alternation of Requisite Calculation) (England) Regulations (S.I., 1999, No. 228).

The Third Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation will meet on Wednesday 10th March at 4.30 p.m. to consider the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Establishment and Constitution) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 220) and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 260).

The Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation will meet on Wednesday 10th March at 4.30 p.m. to consider the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (Proposals under section 211 of the Education Act 1996) (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 3172).

The Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation will meet on Wednesday 10th March at 4.30 p.m. to consider the draft Public Lending Right (Increase of Limit) Order 1999.

The Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation will meet on Tuesday 9th March at 10.30 a.m. to consider the Education (Infant Class Sizes) (Grant) Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 14).

The Seventh Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation will meet on Tuesday 9th March at 10.30 a.m. to consider the Special Grant Report (Wales) (No. 2) 1999: Special Grant for Asylum Seekers (HC 250), the Special Grant Report for Scotland (No. 1/1999): Special Grant for Asylum Seekers Assistance (HC 228), and the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 38): Special Grant for Asylum Seekers (HC 230).

European Standing Committee A will meet on Wednesday 10th March at 10.30 a.m. to consider European Union Document No. 10778/98 relating to Transport Infrastructure Charging.

European Standing Committee C will meet on Tuesday 9th March at 10.30 a.m. to consider European Union Document No. 11034/97 relating to End of Life Vehicles.

MEMORANDUM

WEDNESDAY 17th MARCH

On Wednesday 17th March, there will be no General Debates; the subjects for debate on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House between 9.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. will be two Select Committee reports chosen by the Liaison Committee under Standing Order No. 10(4).

Arrangements for the half-hour debates between 12.30 p.m. and 2 p.m. are unaffected and Members should apply for them in the usual way.

Oral Questions to Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer
*1	Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): If he will make a statement on preparations for possible British entry to the euro zone.
	(72413)
*2	Bob Russell (Colchester): If he will amend the VAT Regulations to give a nil rating for maintenance work to Royal National Lifeboat Institution boathouses.
	(72414)
*3	Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham): What estimate he has made of the tax levels paid by the average married couple on (a) 1st March and (b) 1st May 1997.
	(72415)
*4	Mr Chris Mullin (Sunderland South): What plans he has to review the exemption for farmers from capital gains tax on agricultural land sold for development; and if he will make a statement.
	(72416)
*5	Mr Robert N. Wareing (Liverpool, West Derby): If he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the balance between direct and indirect taxation.
	(72417)
*6	Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield): What new steps he is taking to promote small businesses.
	(72418)
*7	Mr Paul Truswell (Pudsey): What plans he has to improve the accuracy of tax demands sent to self-employed people.
	(72419)
*8	Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): If he will list the constitutional issues which he assessed as not creating a bar to United Kingdom membership of the single currency.
	(72420)
*9	Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire): If he will make a statement on the impact on the United Kingdom economy of proposed European tax harmonisation measures.
	(72421)
*10	Steve Webb (Northavon): What assessment he has made of the transfer of funds from women to men which will occur as a result of the implementation of the working families tax credit.
	(72422)
*11	Mr David Amess (Southend West): What recent representations he has received about the future of the married couples allowance.
	(72423)
*12	Helen Jackson (Sheffield, Hillsborough): What plans he has to review the taxation liabilities of pensioners.
	(72424)
*13	Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): What recent consultations he has held with representatives of small businesses on the levels of business taxation.
	(72425)
*14	Mr John Smith (Vale of Glamorgan): When he plans to introduce the 10 pence starting rate of income tax.
	(72426)
*15	Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central): If he will make a statement on the ways in which tax, spending and monetary policy are co-ordinated.
	(72427)
*16	Sir Michael Spicer (West Worcestershire): What is the Government's policy with respect to the exchange rate between sterling and the euro.
	(72428)
*17	Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield): What recent representations he has received from the Transport and Road Haulage industry about tax on fuel.
	(72429)
*18	Mr Nigel Griffiths (Edinburgh South): If he will estimate the number of low-income families in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) Scotland who will benefit from the working families tax credit.
	(72430)
*19	Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow): What representations he has received regarding duties on beer.
	(72431)
*20	Mr Ian Bruce (South Dorset): What assessment he has made of the effect of the fuel tax escalator on the viability of the UK transport industry.
	(72433)
*21	Mr John Townend (East Yorkshire): What proportion of GDP was represented by all taxes and national insurance in (a) 1996-97 and (b) 1997-98; and what is his forecast for 1998-99.
	(72434)
*22	Sir Sydney Chapman (Chipping Barnet): What is his latest estimate of the revenue which the Exchequer will receive in 1998-99 from the taxation of motor fuels; and what were the figures for the previous three years.
	(72435)
*23	Mrs Joan Humble (Blackpool North and Fleetwood): If he will make a statement on progress made towards meeting his inflation target.
	(72436)
*24	Ms Jackie Lawrence (Preseli Pembrokeshire): What plans he has to increase public investment over the next three years.
	(72437)
*25	Mr Phil Sawford (Kettering): If he will review the operation of money purchase pension schemes.
	(72438)
*26	Mr Mike Gapes (Ilford South): If he will make a statement on preparations for eventual British membership of the eurozone.
	(72441)
*27	Mrs Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside): What steps he has taken to help business adjust to the introduction of the euro.
	(72442)
*28	Mr Lawrie Quinn (Scarborough and Whitby): If he will make a statement on the VAT regime as it is applied to the tourism and hospitality industry in the United Kingdom.
	(72444)
*29	Mr Peter Bottomley (Worthing West): What representations he has received regarding the tax burden on business.
	[R](72445)
*30	Mr Bob Laxton (Derby North): What representations he has received on his plans for increasing public investment over the next three years.
	(72446)
*31	Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): What analysis the Government has made of the long-term advantages of a substantial mutual building society sector.
	(72447)
*32	Mr Fabian Hamilton (Leeds North East): What support the Treasury is giving to local credit unions; and if he will make a statement.
	(72448)
*33	Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West): What account he takes of the savings ratio in policy decisions.
	(72449)
*34	Mrs Ann Winterton (Congleton): What representations he has received from the road haulage industry on the levels of vehicle excise duty and fuel tax.
	(72450)
*35	Mr Robert Syms (Poole): What representations he has received from motoring organisations on his policy of increasing petrol and diesel prices each year.
	(72451)
*36	Mr Stephen Day (Cheadle): What estimate he has made of the value of the United Kingdom's exports in the last 12 months to countries that are currently in recession.
	(72452)



© Parliamentary copyright 1999	Prepared 4 March 1999