Order of Business for 22 March 1999

House of Commons

Session 1998-99
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Summary Agendas and Orders of Business

Order of Business Monday 22nd March 1999

Here you can browse the House of Commons Order of Business for Monday 22 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 2.30 p.m. Prayers

Afterwards

Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence

*1 Mr Julian Brazier (Canterbury):    If he will make a statement on the impact of current military operations on recruitment and retention in the armed forces.

(75964)

*2 Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):    What progress his Department is making in acquiring strategic airlift capability.

(75965)

*3 Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    How much the Government is currently spending on research into the illnesses of Gulf War veterans.

(75966)

*4 Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    What level of recruitment he expects for (i) regulars and (ii) reserves to (a) the Marines, (b) Special Air Service, and (c) RAMC over the next five years.

(75967)

*5 Mr Howard Flight (Arundel and South Downs):    What impact his review of the Territorial Army has had on recruiting and retention levels.

(75968)

*6 Mr Andy King (Rugby and Kenilworth):    If he will make a statement on progress towards establishing the Learning Forces Initiative announced in the Strategic Defence Review.

(75969)

*7 Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South):    How much the Government is spending on research into the illnesses of Gulf War veterans.

(75970)

*8 Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):    If he will make a statement on his plans to combat racism within the armed services.

(75971)

*9 Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    What progress has been made towards the consolidation of the European defence industry.

(75973)

*10 Mr Michael Colvin (Romsey):    What assessment he has made of requirements for new aircraft to equip the joint carrier-borne air group.

(75974)

*11 Mr Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North):    What targets the UK's Trident submarine missiles are aimed at.

(75975)

*12 Mr Peter Bradley (The Wrekin):    If he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards further European defence co-operation.

(75976)

*13 Mr Paul Goggins (Wythenshawe and Sale East):    What action he is taking to combat racism in the armed services.

(75977)

*14 Mr David Drew (Stroud):    If he will make a statement on progress towards establishing the Learning Forces Initiative announced in the Strategic Defence Review.

(75978)

*15 Bob Russell (Colchester):    How many air, army and sea cadets there were (a) at 1st May 1997 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available.

(75979)

*16 Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):    If he will make a statement about (a) the recruitment of Dr Gwyn Prins to the office of the Secretary-General of NATO, (b) the role, responsibilities and degree of security clearance given to Dr Prins in that office and (c) the vetting procedures applied prior to his appointment.

(75980)

*17 Mr Peter Viggers (Gosport):    If he will make a statement on staffing levels in the Defence Medical Services.

(75981)

*18 Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    What assessment he has made of the extent of collateral damage inflicted during the recent bombing of Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

(75982)

*19 Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    If he will make a statement on rations for the armed forces while they are on manoeuvres.

(75984)

*20 Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire):    How many British military personnel have been deployed in Macedonia.

(75985)

*21 Mr John Grogan (Selby):    If he will make a statement on the pension arrangements for cleaners employed by (a) the NAAFI and (b) the Ministry of Defence.

(75986)

*22 Mr Martin Salter (Reading West):    If he will make a statement on the announcement by the Environment Agency that plutonium deposits are being washed from the Pangbourne Pipeline at AWE Aldermaston into the River Thames.

(76051)

*23 Dr George Turner (North West Norfolk):    What assessment he has made of the effect that improved training and education within the Armed Forces will have on recruitment.

(75988)

*24 Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    When he next intends to meet his American counterpart to discuss Operation Desert Fox in Iraq.

(75989)

*25 Mr Syd Rapson (Portsmouth North):    What progress his Department has made in implementing Strategic Defence Review commitment that Trident submarines would carry only 48 warheads.

(75990)

*26 Jane Griffiths (Reading East):    How much the Government is spending on research into the illnesses of Gulf War veterans.

(75991)

*27 Mr Nick St. Aubyn (Guildford):    What savings his Department plans to achieve by the disposal of TA centres.

(75992)

*28 Lorna Fitzsimons (Rochdale):    How many women were employed in Her Majesty's Armed Forces (a) in the year before May 1997 and (b) since May 1997.

(75993)

*29 Mr John M. Taylor (Solihull):    If he will make a statement about the future arrangements for the training of sea, army and air cadets in Solihull.

(75994)

*30 Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston):    How many women were employed in Her Majesty's Armed Forces (a) on 1st May 1997 and (b) 1st March 1999.

(75995)

*31 Mr Nigel Griffiths (Edinburgh South):    What discussions he has had with his international counterparts on (a) the disposal of stocks of landmines and (b) the destruction of mines which have been laid.

(75996)

*32 Laura Moffatt (Crawley):    What is the Government's policy in relation to promoting further European defence co-operation.

(75997)

At 3.20 p.m.

Oral Questions to the honourable Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, and to the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission

*33 Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby):    To ask the honourable Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the Church Commissioners, what discussions he has had with England Heritage regarding that body's support for bell towers of redundant churches.

(75998)

*34 Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the honourable Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the Church Commissioners, what plans they have to use opportunities afforded by the millennium to increase the income of the church.

(76000)

*35 Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the honourable Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the Church Commissioners, what proposals he has to enlarge the ethical element in the Commissioners' portfolio.

(76001)

*36 Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):    To ask the honourable Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the current level of financial support for the parochial ministry to prevent any long-term interregnums in clerical living.

(76002)

*37 Mr John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington):    To ask the honourable Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the Church Commissioners, what representations the Church Commissioners have made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the exemption from VAT of charges for building repair works and security measures for redundant churches.

(76003)

*38 Mr Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North):    To ask the honourable Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the Church Commissioners, if he will assess the financial consequences of disestablishment of the Church of England.

(76004)

*39 Sir Sydney Chapman (Chipping Barnet):    To ask the honourable Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the Church Commissioners, how many clergy and clergy widows' pensions are currently contributed to by the Church Commissioners; what is the annual funding involved; and what these figures were (a) five and (b) 10 years ago.

(76005)

*40 Mr John Grogan (Selby):    To ask the honourable Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on the policy of the Church Commissioners towards redundant churches.

(76006)

*41 Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South):    To ask the honourable Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on the work of the Church Risk Management Group.

(76007)

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

Main Business
1	OPPOSITION DAY [8th allotted day] *[Until 10.00 p.m.]*
	COUNCIL TAX INCREASES
	Mr Paddy Ashdown Mr A. J. Beith Mr Paul Burstow Mr Adrian Sanders Mr Lembit O�pik Mr Paul Tyler
	That this House notes that the prime determinant of council tax levels is the amount of funding allocated by central government to local authorities; further notes that as a consequence of inadequate financial settlements for local government in recent years there has been a substantial real-terms year-on-year increase in council tax; and calls on the Government to improve the funding of local services and abolish budget capping within the lifetime of this Parliament.
	As an Amendment to Mr Paddy Ashdown's proposed Motion (Council Tax Increases):
	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 `notes that the 1999-2000 local government settlement was the most generous since the introduction of the council tax; further notes the Government's commitment of an extra £40 billion for schools and hospitals; and welcomes the introduction of Best Value, the abolition of crude and universal capping, the reform of political management structures and the new ethical framework, set out in the local government White Paper.'
	EUROPE, AMERICA AND THE WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION
	Mr Paddy Ashdown Mr A. J. Beith Mr David Chidgey Mr Michael Moore Norman Baker Mr Paul Tyler
	That this House deplores the failure of the USA and the EU to resolve the trade dispute arising from the so-called banana war; recognises the serious impact which the US retaliatory measures are having on British industries, in particular the devastating impact on the cashmere industry in the Scottish Borders; is concerned that these actions are a precursor of further major trade disputes over the importation into the UK of genetically and hormonally modified food products from the USA; and urges the Government to step up its diplomatic and other efforts to ensure that all parties work together to first reform the WTO regime to ensure compatibility with international biodiversity agreements, environmental and animal welfare objectives, and then to ensure compliance with the WTO objectives of free and fair trade.
	As an Amendment to Mr Paddy Ashdown's proposed Motion (Europe, America and the World Trade Organisation):
	The Prime Minister Mr Secretary Prescott Mr Secretary Cook Mr Secretary Dewar Mr Nicholas Brown Mr Secretary Byers
	Line 1 , leave out from `House' to end and add `recognises the significance of the EU/US relationship and notes that the majority of that trade relationship runs smoothly; commends the efforts of the Government to secure the Transatlantic Economic Partnership Agreement last year; acknowledges the efforts of the Government to find a way through the bananas dispute so as to minimise the impact on British industry and in particular the cashmere industry; notes the current position on the hormones dispute; welcomes the Government's commitment to sustainable development; and endorses the Government's support for comprehensive multilateral trade negotiations to be launched in Seattle at the end of this year.' *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.*
+ 2	CONSOLIDATED FUND (No. 2) BILL: Second Reading. *[No debate]*
	*The Questions on Second and Third Reading of the Consolidated Fund (No. 2) Bill will be put without debate (Standing Order No. 56).*
+ 3	LEGAL AID AND ADVICE (SCOTLAND) *[No debate]*
	Mr Secretary Dewar That the draft Civil Legal Aid (Financial Conditions) (Scotland) Regulations 1999, which were laid before this House on 22nd February, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 4	LEGAL AID AND ADVICE (SCOTLAND) *[No debate]*
	Mr Secretary Dewar That the draft Advice and Assistance (Financial Conditions) (Scotland) Regulations 1999, which were laid before this House on 22nd February, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 5	SOCIAL SECURITY *[No debate]*
	Mr Secretary Darling That the draft Social Security (New Deal Pilot) Amendment Regulations 1999, which were laid before this House on 22nd February, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 6	GOVERNMENT TRADING FUNDS *[No debate]*
	Mr Secretary Prescott That the draft Ordnance Survey Trading Fund Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 24th February, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 7	CONSTITUTIONAL LAW *[No debate]*
	Mr Secretary Dewar That the draft Scotland Act 1998 (Consequential Modifications) (No. 1) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 25th February, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 8	WELFARE OF LAYING HENS *[No debate]*
	The Prime Minister Mr Secretary Prescott Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr Secretary Cook Mr Secretary Straw Mr Nicholas Brown
	That this House takes note of the European Union Document No. 6985/98 on the protection of laying hens kept in various systems of rearing; and of the progress of negotiations; and supports the Government's intention to continue to work for the adoption of a Directive which sets a clear phase-out date for the battery cage, improved standards in the interim and robust and practical standards for the welfare of birds in non-cage systems.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 119(9)).*
+ 9	TRAVEL BY MEMBERS TO NATIONAL PARLIAMENTS AND EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS *[No debate after 10.00 p.m.]*
	Margaret Beckett Paddy Tipping
	That the Resolution of 6th December 1991 relating to travel by Members to European Community Institutions be rescinded. That, in the opinion of this House, provision should be made as from 1st April 1999 for reimbursing Members in respect of the cost of travelling on parliamentary duties between the United Kingdom and any European Union institution in Brussels, Luxembourg or Strasbourg or the national parliament of another European Union member state and any additional expenses necessarily incurred in such travelling, subject to the limit that (1) the amount payable to a Member in any year, beginning with 1st April, shall not exceed the aggregate of-- (a) the cost of a return business class airfare for the journey on the assumption that the journey begins and ends at a London airport and that the destination is any of the three cities mentioned above or the location of the national parliament of a European Union member state; and (b) twice the corresponding civil service class A standard subsistence rate for the time being in operation; and (2) expenditure in pursuance of this Resolution within financial year 1999-2000 shall not exceed the total currently planned for expenditure on travel by Members to European Union institutions within that year.
*If opposed, this item cannot be taken after 10.00 p.m.*
+ 10	FUR FARMING (PROHIBITION) BILL [MONEY]: Queen's Recommendation signified. *[Up to 45 minutes]*
	Mrs Barbara Roche That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any expenditure incurred by a Minister of the Crown in consequence of any compensation scheme made under the Act. *The Speaker will put the Question not later than 45 minutes after the start of proceedings (Standing Order No. 52(1)(b)).*
+ 11	ROAD TRAFFIC (VEHICLE TESTING) BILL [MONEY]: Queen's Recommendation signified. *[Up to 45 minutes]*
	Mrs Barbara Roche That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Road Traffic (Vehicle Testing) Bill, it is expedient to authorise-- (a) the payment out of money provided by Parliament of-- (i) any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State in consequence of the provisions of the Act, and (ii) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums which by virtue of any other Act are payable out of money so provided; (b) the payment into the Consolidated Fund of-- (i) any sums received by the Secretary of State by virtue of the provisions of the Act, and (ii) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable into that Fund under the Road Traffic Act 1988. *The Speaker will put the Question not later than 45 minutes after the start of proceedings (Standing Order No. 52(1)(b)).*
12	FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE *[No debate after 10.00 p.m.]*
	Mr Paul Tyler, on behalf of the Committee of Selection That Mr Ernie Ross be discharged from the Foreign Affairs Committee and Dr Phyllis Starkey be added to the Committee.
*If opposed, this item cannot be taken after 10.00 p.m.*

At the end of the sitting:

13	ADJOURNMENT
	Proposed subject: *Contaminated land: Barton-on-Humber* (Shona McIsaac). *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	Scottish Grand Committee	10.30 a.m.	New Parliament House, Edinburgh (public)
	(i) To consider a substantive Motion for the adjournment of the Committee on the Budget and the Scottish economy.
	(ii) Half-Hour Adjournment: Ms Roseanna Cunningham (Renal dialysis provision in Tayside Health Area).
2	Special Standing Committee	3.00 p.m. 3.05 p.m.	Grand Committee Room (private) (public)
	Subject: Immigration and Asylum Bill.
	Witnesses: Immigration Appellate Authority; Immigration Service Union and Public and Commercial Services Union (at approximately 3.30 p.m.); Rt Hon Jack Straw, MP, Secretary of State for the Home Department (at approximately 4.00 p.m.).
3	First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation	4.30 p.m.	Room 11 (public)
	To consider the draft Social Security and Child Support (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations 1999, and the draft Child Support (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1999, and the draft Child Support (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 1999.
4	Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation	4.30 p.m.	Room 12 (public)
	To consider the draft New Opportunities Fund (Specification of Initiatives) Order 1999.
SELECT COMMITTEES
5	Welsh Affairs	9.30 a.m. 10.00 a.m.	Rhyl Town Hall, Rhyl (private) (public)
	Subject: Denbighshire County Council's Funding Legacy.
	Witnesses: Denbighshire County Council; Mr Ceri Stradling, District Auditor; Mr Edwin Lake, (former Chief Executive), Councillors Derek Davies and Peter E Williams, from the former Rhuddlan Borough Council; Welsh Office Officials.
6	Public Accounts	4.30 p.m.	Room 15 (public)
	Subject: Overseas Activities, Governance and Management at Southampton Institute.
	Witnesses: Mr Michael Bichard, Permanent Secretary, Department for Education and Employment, Professor Brian Fender, Chief Executive, Mr Steve Egan, Director of Finance and Corporate Resources, Higher Education and Funding Council for England, and Dr Roger Brown, Principal, Mr Brian Bennet, Director of Resources, Southampton Institute.
[The decision of a Committee to sit in public may be rescinded without notice.]

Written Questions tabled on Friday 19th March for answer today++
1	Mr Gareth R. Thomas (Harrow West): To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many British personnel are currently deployed in the Balkans; and if he will make a statement.
	(78407)
2	Mrs Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress he is making towards bringing the Data Protection Act 1998 into force.
	(78411)
3	Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he has received the Metropolitan Police Committee's advice on proposed objectives for the Metropolitan Police, and on an Efficiency Plan, in 1999-2000; and if he will make a statement.
	(78412)
4	Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement about his recent visit to India and the Maldives.
	(78413)
5	Bridget Prentice (Lewisham East): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the steps taken by the European Union to adopt an arms embargo against Ethiopia and Eritrea.
	(78414)
6	Ms Jackie Lawrence (Preseli Pembrokeshire): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he expects the 1999 departmental reports to be published.
	(78425)
7	Mr Gwyn Prosser (Dover): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will publish forecasts of asylum applications and details of how the cost of supporting asylum seekers is calculated.
	(78426)

Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence
*1	Mr Julian Brazier (Canterbury): If he will make a statement on the impact of current military operations on recruitment and retention in the armed forces.
	(75964)
*2	Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): What progress his Department is making in acquiring strategic airlift capability.
	(75965)
*3	Mr David Kidney (Stafford): How much the Government is currently spending on research into the illnesses of Gulf War veterans.
	(75966)
*4	Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): What level of recruitment he expects for (i) regulars and (ii) reserves to (a) the Marines, (b) Special Air Service, and (c) RAMC over the next five years.
	(75967)
*5	Mr Howard Flight (Arundel and South Downs): What impact his review of the Territorial Army has had on recruiting and retention levels.
	(75968)
*6	Mr Andy King (Rugby and Kenilworth): If he will make a statement on progress towards establishing the Learning Forces Initiative announced in the Strategic Defence Review.
	(75969)
*7	Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South): How much the Government is spending on research into the illnesses of Gulf War veterans.
	(75970)
*8	Mr David Borrow (South Ribble): If he will make a statement on his plans to combat racism within the armed services.
	(75971)
*9	Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside): What progress has been made towards the consolidation of the European defence industry.
	(75973)
*10	Mr Michael Colvin (Romsey): What assessment he has made of requirements for new aircraft to equip the joint carrier-borne air group.
	(75974)
*11	Mr Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): What targets the UK's Trident submarine missiles are aimed at.
	(75975)
*12	Mr Peter Bradley (The Wrekin): If he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards further European defence co-operation.
	(75976)
*13	Mr Paul Goggins (Wythenshawe and Sale East): What action he is taking to combat racism in the armed services.
	(75977)
*14	Mr David Drew (Stroud): If he will make a statement on progress towards establishing the Learning Forces Initiative announced in the Strategic Defence Review.
	(75978)
*15	Bob Russell (Colchester): How many air, army and sea cadets there were (a) at 1st May 1997 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available.
	(75979)
*16	Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): If he will make a statement about (a) the recruitment of Dr Gwyn Prins to the office of the Secretary-General of NATO, (b) the role, responsibilities and degree of security clearance given to Dr Prins in that office and (c) the vetting procedures applied prior to his appointment.
	(75980)
*17	Mr Peter Viggers (Gosport): If he will make a statement on staffing levels in the Defence Medical Services.
	(75981)
*18	Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow): What assessment he has made of the extent of collateral damage inflicted during the recent bombing of Iraq; and if he will make a statement.
	(75982)
*19	Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley): If he will make a statement on rations for the armed forces while they are on manoeuvres.
	(75984)
*20	Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire): How many British military personnel have been deployed in Macedonia.
	(75985)
*21	Mr John Grogan (Selby): If he will make a statement on the pension arrangements for cleaners employed by (a) the NAAFI and (b) the Ministry of Defence.
	(75986)
*22	Mr Martin Salter (Reading West): If he will make a statement on the announcement by the Environment Agency that plutonium deposits are being washed from the Pangbourne Pipeline at AWE Aldermaston into the River Thames.
	(76051)
*23	Dr George Turner (North West Norfolk): What assessment he has made of the effect that improved training and education within the Armed Forces will have on recruitment.
	(75988)
*24	Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington): When he next intends to meet his American counterpart to discuss Operation Desert Fox in Iraq.
	(75989)
*25	Mr Syd Rapson (Portsmouth North): What progress his Department has made in implementing Strategic Defence Review commitment that Trident submarines would carry only 48 warheads.
	(75990)
*26	Jane Griffiths (Reading East): How much the Government is spending on research into the illnesses of Gulf War veterans.
	(75991)
*27	Mr Nick St. Aubyn (Guildford): What savings his Department plans to achieve by the disposal of TA centres.
	(75992)
*28	Lorna Fitzsimons (Rochdale): How many women were employed in Her Majesty's Armed Forces (a) in the year before May 1997 and (b) since May 1997.
	(75993)
*29	Mr John M. Taylor (Solihull): If he will make a statement about the future arrangements for the training of sea, army and air cadets in Solihull.
	(75994)
*30	Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston): How many women were employed in Her Majesty's Armed Forces (a) on 1st May 1997 and (b) 1st March 1999.
	(75995)
*31	Mr Nigel Griffiths (Edinburgh South): What discussions he has had with his international counterparts on (a) the disposal of stocks of landmines and (b) the destruction of mines which have been laid.
	(75996)
*32	Laura Moffatt (Crawley): What is the Government's policy in relation to promoting further European defence co-operation.
	(75997)

Oral Questions to the honourable Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, and to the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission
*33	Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby): To ask the honourable Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the Church Commissioners, what discussions he has had with England Heritage regarding that body's support for bell towers of redundant churches.
	(75998)
*34	Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): To ask the honourable Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the Church Commissioners, what plans they have to use opportunities afforded by the millennium to increase the income of the church.
	(76000)
*35	Paul Flynn (Newport West): To ask the honourable Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the Church Commissioners, what proposals he has to enlarge the ethical element in the Commissioners' portfolio.
	(76001)
*36	Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire): To ask the honourable Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the current level of financial support for the parochial ministry to prevent any long-term interregnums in clerical living.
	(76002)
*37	Mr John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington): To ask the honourable Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the Church Commissioners, what representations the Church Commissioners have made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the exemption from VAT of charges for building repair works and security measures for redundant churches.
	(76003)
*38	Mr Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): To ask the honourable Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the Church Commissioners, if he will assess the financial consequences of disestablishment of the Church of England.
	(76004)
*39	Sir Sydney Chapman (Chipping Barnet): To ask the honourable Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the Church Commissioners, how many clergy and clergy widows' pensions are currently contributed to by the Church Commissioners; what is the annual funding involved; and what these figures were (a) five and (b) 10 years ago.
	(76005)
*40	Mr John Grogan (Selby): To ask the honourable Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on the policy of the Church Commissioners towards redundant churches.
	(76006)
*41	Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South): To ask the honourable Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on the work of the Church Risk Management Group.
	(76007)



© Parliamentary copyright 1999	Prepared 22 March 1999