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Session 1998-99
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Summary Agendas and Orders of Business

Order of Business Wednesday 23rd June 1999

Here you can browse the House of Commons Order of Business for Wednesday 23 June 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.Mr Gerald KaufmanCapital punishment in the Caribbean.
11.00 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.Mrs Teresa GormanTeenage pregnancies.
12.30 p.m. - 1.00 p.m.Joan WalleyRegional policies and regeneration in Stoke-on-Trent.
1.00 p.m. - 1.30 p.m.Mr David PriorPolicing in rural areas.
1.30 p.m. - 2.00 p.m.Mr Jonathan ShawAssisted area status for North Kent.
    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. 
Oral Questions to the Minister for the Cabinet Office
*1 Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    When he next intends to meet the members of the Biotechnology Presentation Group to discuss government policy on genetically-modified foods.
(86779)
*2 Ms Claire Ward (Watford):    If he will make a statement on the progress of the Better Government for Older People project.
(86780)
*3 Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South):    What his plans are for tackling drug misuse at a local level.
(86782)
*4 Norman Baker (Lewes):    What plans he has to make public the work of the Biotechnology Presentation Group.
(86783)
*5 Mr Robin Corbett (Birmingham, Erdington):    In what ways he monitors the performance of government departments in meeting targets for responding to correspondence.
(86784)
*6 Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    What plans he has for a public information campaign regarding the safety and benefits of genetically-modified foods; and if he will make a statement.
(86785)
*7 Dr Tony Wright (Cannock Chase):    What plans he has for further changes to the system of appointment to public bodies.
(86786)
*8 Mr Peter L. Pike (Burnley):    What targets he proposes to set for the Better Regulation programme for the next two years in removing unnecessary regulations.
(86787)
*9 Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    What plans he has to enhance awareness of and competence in emotional intelligence issues among civil servants.
(86789)
*10 Mr Andrew George (St Ives):    What assessment he has made of the coordination of policy on genetically-modified organisms across government departments.
(86790)
*11 Mr Michael Fabricant (Lichfield):    What progress has been made with electronic red boxes.
(86791)
*12 Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    What steps he is taking to ensure that government policy takes account of the need for long-term planning.
(86792)
*13 Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test):    What plans he has to appraise the effectiveness of the provisions for quinquennial review of the continued status of each Next Steps agency as a public sector body.
(86793)
*14 Mr David Amess (Southend West):    What recent representations he has received about the procedures for making public appointments.
(86794)
*15 Mr Ian Bruce (South Dorset):    What progress he has made in coordinating the development of a system to enable departments to deal with honourable Members' correspondence by e-mail.
(86795)
*16 Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):    If he will make a statement on the Better Government Initiative.
(86796)
*17 Mr Edward Leigh (Gainsborough):    When he expects to make a decision on the future of the former government buildings in Marsham Street.
(86797)
*18 Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    How he intends to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the Duchy of Lancaster.
(86798)
*19 Mr Paul Tyler (North Cornwall):    What representations the Ministerial Group on Biotechnology and Genetic Modification has received on the importation of genetically-modified seeds and food products from the USA.
(86799)
*20 Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome):    When he expects to publish the findings of the study by the Performance and Innovation Unit on the role of Government Offices in the regions.
(86800)
*21 Mr Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North):    What plans he has for the use of Archway Tower, Junction Road, London, N19; and if he will make a statement.
(86802)
*22 Mrs Ann Winterton (Congleton):    What representations he has received following publication of the First Annual Report and National Plan by the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator.
(86803)
*23 Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    What steps he is taking to encourage cross-departmental co-ordination on the presentation of Government policy.
(86804)
At 3.00 p.m. 
Oral Questions to the Prime Minister
*Q1 Helen Jones (Warrington North):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 23rd June.
(86805)
*Q2 Mr David Marshall (Glasgow, Shettleston):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 23rd June.
(86806)
*Q3 Mr Michael Fabricant (Lichfield):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 23rd June.
(86807)
*Q4 Dr Tony Wright (Cannock Chase):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 23rd June.
(86808)
*Q5 Mr Dominic Grieve (Beaconsfield):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 23rd June.
(86809)
*Q6 Bob Russell (Colchester):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 23rd June.
(86810)
*Q7 Mr Richard Ottaway (Croydon South):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 23rd June.
(86811)
*Q8 Mr Roger Berry (Kingswood):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 23rd June.
(86812)
*Q9 Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 23rd June.
(86813)
*Q10 Jackie Ballard (Taunton):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 23rd June.
(86814)
*Q11 Mrs Caroline Spelman (Meriden):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 23rd June.
(86815)
*Q12 Mrs Helen Brinton (Peterborough):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 23rd June.
(86816)
*Q13 Mrs Teresa Gorman (Billericay):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 23rd June.
(86817)
*Q14 Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 23rd June.
(86818)
*Q15 Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 23rd June.
(86819)
*Q16 Mr John M. Taylor (Solihull):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 23rd June.
(86820)
*Q17 Mr Peter Viggers (Gosport):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 23rd June.
(86821)
*Q18 Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 23rd June.
(86822)
*Q19 Mr Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North):    What plans he has to promote reform of the United Nations.
(86823)
*Q20 Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 23rd June.
(86824)

3.30 p.m.Private Notice Questions (if any)
Ministerial Statements (if any)
Preliminary Business
Ten minute rule Motion
2   EQUAL ACCESS (PUBLIC AND PRIVATE BUILDINGS)    [Up to 20 minutes]
 Derek Wyatt
        That leave be given to bring in a Bill to establish that where men and women are granted access to public or private buildings they are granted equal access; and for connected purposes.
        The Member moving and a Member opposing this Motion may each speak for up to ten minutes (Standing Order No. 23).


(a) (b) (c)
Main Business
3   OPPOSITION DAY [14th allotted day--first part]    [Until 7.00 p.m.]
 PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION
 Mr William Hague
Mr Michael Ancram
Miss Ann Widdecombe
Sir George Young
Sir Patrick Cormack
Mr James Arbuthnot
 
        That this House, in the light of experience of recent elections held on the basis of proportional representation, believes that this is not an appropriate basis for election to the House of Commons; and urges the Government to resolve the uncertainty it has caused on this matter either by abandoning its commitment to hold a referendum, or by holding the referendum forthwith.
 
        As Amendments to Mr William Hague's proposed Motion (Proportional Representation):
 The Prime Minister
Mr Secretary Cook
Mr Secretary Straw
Secretary Marjorie Mowlam
Mr Secretary Michael
Mr Secretary Reid
 
        Line 1 leave out from `House' to end and add `recognises that different electoral systems may be appropriate for elections to different institutions; commends the Government's commitment to let the final decision on the voting system for the House of Commons be made by the people in a referendum; and welcomes the Government's approach which allows for a full debate in the country on the merits of the Jenkins system before a referendum is held.'.
 Mr Paddy Ashdown
Mr A. J. Beith
Mr Robert Maclennan
Mr Nick Harvey
Mr Paul Tyler
Mr Andrew Stunell
 
        Line 1 leave out from `House' to end and add `welcomes the holding of recent elections on the basis of proportional representation which resulted in fairer representation of the views of the people; welcomes the undertaking of the Government to hold a referendum on proportional representation for elections to the House of Commons, which it has always been envisaged would be before the next election; and is confident that, following a full national public debate, the country will decide to support the proportional system recommended by the Independent Commission on the Voting System.'.
 The Reverend Martin Smyth
Mr William Ross
Mr William Thompson
Mr Roy Beggs
 
            Line 3 leave out from `election' to end.
        The selection of the matter to be debated this day has been made by the Leader of the Opposition (Standing Order No. 14(2)).
Debate may continue until 7.00 p.m.
4   CHURCH OF ENGLAND (GENERAL SYNOD) (MEASURES)    [Up to 1.5 hours]
 Mr Stuart Bell
        That the Cathedrals Measure, passed by the General Synod of the Church of England, be presented to Her Majesty for her Royal Assent in the form in which the said Measure was laid before Parliament.
        The Speaker will put the Question not later than 1.5 hours after proceedings begin (Standing Order No. 16).
5   CHURCH OF ENGLAND (GENERAL SYNOD) (MEASURES)    [Up to 1.5 hours]
 Mr Stuart Bell
        That the Care of Places of Worship Measure, passed by the General Synod of the Church of England, be presented to Her Majesty for her Royal Assent in the form in which the said Measure was laid before Parliament. (Queen's Consent to be signified.)
        The Speaker will put the Question not later than 1.5 hours after proceedings begin (Standing Order No. 16).
+  6   THE SPEAKER'S ABSENCE    [No debate after 10.00 p.m.]
 Margaret Beckett
        That the Speaker have leave of absence on Thursday 1st July to attend the opening of the Scottish Parliament.
If opposed, this item cannot be taken after 10.00 p.m.
At the end of the sitting:
7   ADJOURNMENT
 
        Proposed subject: Safety of air guns (Mr Jeff Ennis).
        Debate may continue until 10.30 p.m. or for half an hour, whichever is later (Standing Order No. 9).

COMMITTEE MEETINGS
STANDING COMMITTEE
1   Twelfth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation 4.30 p.m. Room 9 (public)
        To consider the draft Local Authorities (Contracting Out of Highway Functions) Order 1999.
SELECT COMMITTEES
2   Education and Employment: Education Sub-Committee 9.30 a.m. Room 18 (private)
3   Modernisation 9.30 a.m. Room 20 (private)
4   Scottish Affairs 10.00 a.m. Room 21 (private)
5   Finance and Services 10.30 a.m. Room 13 (private)
6   Social Security 10.30 a.m.
10.45 a.m.
Room 15 (private)
(public)
        Subject: The Modernisation of Social Security Appeals.
        Witnesses: Wiltshire Law Centre, Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG), National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux (NACAB); Council on Tribunals (at approximately 11.30 a.m.); President of the Independent Tribunal Service and the Chief Executive-designate of the Independent Tribunal Service, The Appeals Service (at approximately 12.00 noon).
7   Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs: Transport Sub-Committee 3.45 p.m.
4.00 p.m.
Room 6 (private)
(public)
        Subject: Rail Regulation.
        Witnesses: Sir Alastair Morton, Chairman of the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority, and Mr Tom Winsor, the Rail Regulator-designate.
8   Northern Ireland Affairs 3.45 p.m.
4.15 p.m.
Room 15 (private)
(public)
        Subject: Illegal Fuel Sales in Northern Ireland.
        Witnesses: Patricia Hewitt MP, Economic Secretary, HM Treasury, and The Lord Dubs, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office.
9   Science and Technology 3.45 p.m. Room 20 (private)
10   Social Security Committee and Employment Sub-Committee 3.45 p.m. Room 18 (private)
11   European Scrutiny 4.00 p.m.
4.05 p.m.
Room 19 (private)
(public)
        Subject: The ECOFIN Council, 25 May 1999.
        Witness: Dawn Primarolo MP, Paymaster General, HM Treasury.
12   Procedure 4.00 p.m. Room 21 (private)
13   Selection 4.15 p.m. Room 13 (private)
14   Public Accounts 4.30 p.m. Room 16 (public)
        Subject: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate's Caseworking Programme.
        Witnesses: Mr David Omand, Permanent Secretary, Home Office; Mr Gary Pusey, Managing Director, Siemens Business Services UK.
15   Education and Employment: Employment Sub-Committee 4.45 p.m. Room 18 (private)
[The decision of a Committee to sit in public may be rescinded without notice.]

Written Questions tabled on Tuesday 22nd June for answer today++
1  
  
Mr Desmond Browne (Kilmarnock and Loudoun):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what performance targets have been set for Land Registers of Northern Ireland in 1999-2000.
(88209)
2  
  
Mr Desmond Browne (Kilmarnock and Loudoun):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the level of take-up by the two main communities in Northern Ireland has been of funds under the EU Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation for each of its sub-programmes and for the main types of funding body.
(88206)
3  
  
Mr Stephen McCabe (Birmingham, Hall Green):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what performance targets have been set for the Environment and Heritage Service in 1999-2000.
(88207)
4  
  
Mr Stephen McCabe (Birmingham, Hall Green):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what performance targets have been set for the Valuation and Lands Agency in 1999-2000.
(88208)
5  
  
Mr Colin Burgon (Elmet):    To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what is the total number of British forces committed to Kosovo operations.
(88210)
6  
  
Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he will designate the regional chamber for the North East Regional Development Agency.
(88211)
7  
  
Mr Terry Rooney (Bradford North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what action his Department is taking to improve clearance times for appeals.
(88212)
8  
  
Mr Jim Murphy (Eastwood):    To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what key targets have been set for the Naval Bases and Supply Agency for 1999-2000.
(88277)
9  
  
Mr Jim Murphy (Eastwood):    To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what key targets have been set for the Ships Support Agency for 1999-2000.
(88278)

MEMORANDUM
NORTHERN IRELAND GRAND COMMITTEE
[sitting at Westminster on Thursday 8th July]
 
    Notices of Questions for oral answer on Thursday 8th July may be given on Thursday 24th June.
    Applications for an Adjournment Debate for the sitting of the Committee on Thursday 8th July should be submitted to Madam Speaker's office by 10.00 p.m. or the rising of the House (whichever is the earlier) on Wednesday 30th June.
    The ballot will take place on Thursday 1st July.

 
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Prepared 23 June 1999