Order of Business for 9 November 1999

House of Commons

Session 1998-99
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Summary Agendas and Orders of Business

Order of Business Tuesday 9th November 1999

Here you can browse the House of Commons Order of Business for Tuesday 9 November 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 Scotland

*1 Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    What discussions he has had with the First Minister about the funding of the Scotland Office.

(96345)

*2 Mr David Marshall (Glasgow, Shettleston):    What measures are being taken by the UK Government to enhance anti-drugs campaigns in Scotland.

(96346)

*3 Mr Jimmy Hood (Clydesdale):    If he will make a statement on the role of the UK Government in improving railway safety in Scotland.

(96347)

*4 Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    If he will make a statement on his responsibilities in respect of (a) legal and (b) other matters in relation to Lockerbie.

(96348)

*5 Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire):    What discussions he or his officials have had with the Scottish Executive regarding the beef-on-the-bone ban.

(96349)

*6 Dr Lewis Moonie (Kirkcaldy):    What representations he has made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the effects of UK government policy on the competitiveness of Scottish manufacturing industry.

(96350)

*7 Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby):    What recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive about the beef on the bone ban.

(96351)

*8 Mrs Eleanor Laing (Epping Forest):    What representations he has made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the impact of a single European currency on the Scottish economy.

(96352)

*9 Rachel Squire (Dunfermline West):    If he will make a statement on the criteria for elegibility for EU structural funds in Scotland.

(96353)

*10 Dr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde):    If, when he last met the First Minister, they discussed the Memorandum of Understanding and the implementation of concordats.

(96354)

*11 Mr Ernie Ross (Dundee West):    If he will make a statement on the operation of the New Deal in Scotland.

(96355)

*12 Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):    What recent representations he has made to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry regarding the competiveness of small firms in Scotland.

(96356)

*13 Mr Ian Bruce (South Dorset):    What discussions he has had with Ministers in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Ministers in the Scottish Executive about removing the UK-wide ban on selling beef on the bone.

(96358)

*14 Mr Nick St. Aubyn (Guildford):    What preparations his Department is making for the possible effects of entry of the UK into the Eurozone on inward investment in Scotland.

(96359)

*15 Mr Eric Clarke (Midlothian):    What progress has been made through the Government task force on investment in the Scottish coalfield communities.

(96360)

*16 Mr Michael Jack (Fylde):    If he will make a statement on his recent discussions with the First Minister on the representation of Scottish agricultural issues at UKREP.

(96361)

*17 Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury):    What representations he has received from the Scottish Executive concerning meat exports and imports to the European Union.

(96362)

*18 Mr Michael Connarty (Falkirk East):    When he last met representatives of business and trade unions to discuss employment in the clothing industry in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

(96363)

*19 Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    If he will make a statement on prospects for the Scottish beef industry.

(96364)

*20 Mr Malcolm Bruce (Gordon):    What representations he has received on the recent list of areas eligible for European structural funding in Scotland, compiled by UK ministers and sent to the European Commission for approval; and if he will make a statement.

(96365)

*21 Mr Douglas Alexander (Paisley South):    If he will make a statement on the granting of city status to Scottish towns.

(96366)

*22 Mrs Irene Adams (Paisley North):    What recommendations he has made to the Home Secretary regarding Scottish towns bidding for city status.

(96367)

*23 Mr Malcolm Savidge (Aberdeen North):    What recent representations he has made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the number of people in Scotland who will be able to benefit from the working families tax credit; and if he will make a statement.

(96368)

*24 Miss Anne Begg (Aberdeen South):    If he will make a statement on the steps being taken by the United Kingdom Government to improve food safety in Scotland.

(96369)

*25 Rosemary McKenna (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth):    What discussions he has held with the First Minister on the co-ordination of the Government's anti-drugs strategy.

(96370)

*26 Mr Alan Simpson (Nottingham South):    What discussions he had with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions on determining the proportion of total resources for tackling fuel poverty and cold homes which were allocated to Scotland.

(96371)

*27 Mr Desmond Browne (Kilmarnock and Loudoun):    What assessment he has made of the prospects for the Scottish economy following the publication of the government proposals on assisted areas and Objective 2 funds.

(96372)

*28 Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    What representations he has made to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on the future of National Air Traffic Services; and if he will make a statement.

(96373)

*29 Mr David Stewart (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber):    What representations he has made to the oil and gas industry task force; and if he will make a statement.

(96374)

At 3.15 p.m.

Oral Questions to the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department

*30 Mr Martin Linton (Battersea):    What steps the Government has taken to ensure that magistrates are representative of the communities they serve.

(96375)

*31 Mr Keith Darvill (Upminster):    What is the role of private practice solicitors within the Community Legal Service.

[R](96376)

*32 Mr Lawrie Quinn (Scarborough and Whitby):    What steps the Government has taken to ensure that magistrates are representative of the communities they serve.

(96377)

*33 Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test):    What discussions he has held with the Law Society concerning the operation of the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors.

(96378)

*34 Ms Sally Keeble (Northampton North):    What the role is of private practice solicitors within the Community Legal Service.

(96381)

*35 Angela Smith (Basildon):    If he will make a statement about the Community Legal Service and the services it will provide.

(96383)

*36 Mrs Virginia Bottomley (South West Surrey):    What steps he is taking to promote the interests of children and families in court proceedings.

(96384)

*37 Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    If he will make a statement on progress in the reform of selection criteria for magistrates.

(96385)

*38 Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    If he will make a statement on his policy on rural magistrates' courts.

(96387)

*39 Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    If he will make a statement on his policy towards magistrates' courts in rural England.

(96388)

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

Preliminary Business

Ten minute rule Motion

NATIONAL SCIENCE STRATEGY [Up to 20 minutes]

Dr Ian Gibson

That leave be given to bring in a Bill to provide for the establishment of a national science strategy; to create a National Science Strategy Council to monitor levels of funding, to consult scientific organisations and to advise the Secretary of State; 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).

Main Business
+ 2	WELFARE REFORM AND PENSIONS BILL: Consideration of a Lords Amendment in lieu of one of their Amendments to which the Commons have disagreed, a Lords Amendment in lieu of a Commons Amendment and Lords Amendments to a Commons Amendment to words restored to the Bill. *[Up to 1 hour]*
	For Commons proposals relating to the Lords Amendments, see separate Paper. *Proceedings shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement (Order of 3rd November).*
+ 3	IMMIGRATION AND ASYLUM BILL (SUPPLEMENTAL ALLOCATION OF TIME) *[Up to 1 hour]*
	Margaret Beckett Mr Secretary Straw
	Th at the Order of the House [15th June] be supplemented as follows:

Lords Amendments

1.--(1) Proceedings on Consideration of Lords Amendments shall be completed at today's sitting and, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion five hours after the commencement of proceedings on this Order.

(2) The Lords Amendments shall be considered in the following order: No. 135, Nos. 1 to 134 and Nos. 136 to 369.

(3) Proceedings on Lords Amendment No. 135 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion one and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill.

2.--(1) This paragraph applies for the purpose of bringing the proceedings on Amendment No. 135 to a conclusion in accordance with paragraph 1(3).

(2) The Speaker shall first put forthwith any Question which has already been proposed from the Chair and not yet decided.

(3) If that Question is for the amendment of the Lords Amendment, the Speaker shall then put forthwith the Question on the Motion made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House disagrees with the Lords in the Amendment or (as the case may be) in the Amendment as amended.

3.--(1) This paragraph applies for the purpose of bringing any proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with paragraph 1(1).

(2) The Speaker shall first put forthwith any Question which has already been proposed from the Chair and not yet decided.

(3) If that Question is for the amendment of a Lords Amendment, the Speaker shall then put forthwith--

(a) the Question on any further Amendment of the Lords Amendment moved by a Minister of the Crown and

(b) the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House agrees or disagrees with the Lords in the Amendment or (as the case may be) in the Amendment as amended.

(4) The Speaker shall then put forthwith--

(a) the Question on any Amendment moved by a Minister of the Crown to a Lords Amendment, and

(b) the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House agrees or disagrees with the Lords in the Amendment or (as the case may be) in their Amendment as amended.

(5) The Speaker shall then put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown, That this House disagrees with the Lords in a Lords Amendment.

(6) The Speaker shall then put forthwith the Question, That this House agrees with the Lords in all the remaining Lords Amendments.

(7) As soon as the House has agreed or disagreed with the Lords in any of their Amendments, or disposed of an Amendment relevant to a Lords Amendment which has been disagreed to, the Speaker shall put forthwith a single Question on any Amendments moved by a Minister of the Crown relevant to the Lords Amendment.

Subsequent stages

4.--(1) The Speaker shall put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown for the consideration forthwith of any further Message from the Lords on the Bill.

(2) The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement.

(3) Sub-paragraphs (4) to (7) apply for the purpose of bringing those proceedings to a conclusion.

(4) The Speaker shall first put forthwith any Question which has already been proposed from the Chair and not yet decided.

(5) The Speaker shall then put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown which is related to the Question already proposed from the Chair.

(6) The Speaker shall then put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown on any item.

(7) The Speaker shall then put forthwith the Question, That this House agrees with the Lords in all the remaining Lords Proposals.

Reasons Committee

5. The Speaker shall put forthwith the Question on any Motion made by a Minister of the Crown for the appointment, nomination and quorum of a Committee to draw up Reasons and the appointment of its Chairman.

6.--(1) A Committee appointed to draw up Reasons shall report before the conclusion of the sitting at which it is appointed.

(2) Proceedings in the Committee shall, if not previously brought to a conclusion, be brought to a conclusion 30 minutes after their commencement.

(3) For the purpose of bringing any proceedings to a conclusion in accordance with sub-paragraph (2) the Chairman shall--

(a) first put forthwith any Question which has already been proposed from the Chair and has not yet been decided; and

(b) then put forthwith successively Questions on motions which may be made by a Minister of the Crown for assigning a Reason for disagreeing with the Lords in any of their Amendments.

(4) The proceedings of the Committee shall be reported without any further Question being put.

Miscellaneous

7. If the House is adjourned, or the sitting is suspended, before the expiry of the period at the end of which any proceedings are to be brought to a conclusion under this Order, no notice shall be required of a Motion made at the next sitting by a Minister of the Crown for varying or supplementing the provisions of this Order.

8.--(1) In this paragraph "the proceedings" means proceedings on Consideration of Lords Amendments, on any further Message from the Lords on the Bill, on the appointment and quorum of a Committee to draw up Reasons and the Report of such a Committee.

(2) Standing Order No. 15(1) (Exempted business) shall apply to the proceedings.

(3) The proceedings shall not be interrupted under any Standing Order relating to the sittings of the House.

(4) No dilatory Motion with respect to, or in the course of, the proceedings shall be made except by a Minister of the Crown, and the Question on any such Motion shall be put forthwith.

9. If proceedings on a Motion for the Adjournment of the House would, by virtue of Standing Order No. 24 (Adjournment on specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration), commence at a time when proceedings to which paragraph 8 applies are in progress, proceedings on the Motion shall be postponed to the conclusion of those proceedings.

Proceedings shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement (Order of 15th June).

+ 4	IMMIGRATION AND ASYLUM BILL: Consideration of Lords Amendments. *[Up to 5 hours]*
	For a Motion to disagree, Amendments to Lords Amendments and an Amendment in lieu of a Lords Amendment, see separate Paper. *Proceedings shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion 5 hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Supplemental Allocation of Time Motion, if that Motion is agreed to.*

+ 5	SOCIAL SECURITY *[No debate]*
	Mr Secretary Blunkett That the draft Jobseeker's Allowance Amendment (New Deal) Regulations 1999, which were laid before this House on 14th July, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 6	SOCIAL SECURITY *[No debate]*
	Mr Secretary Blunkett That the draft Social Security (New Deal Pilot) Regulations 1999, which were laid before this House on 21st October, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 7	SOCIAL SECURITY *[No debate]*
	Mr Secretary Blunkett That the draft Jobseeker's Allowance (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1999, which were laid before this House on 21st October, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 8	VALUE ADDED TAX *[No debate]*
	Dawn Primarolo That the Value Added Tax (Input Tax) (Amendment) Order 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 2930), dated 26th October 1999, a copy of which was laid before this House on 27th October, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*

*Note:*
	The House may be asked to consider any further Lords Messages which may be received.

At the end of the sitting:

ADJOURNMENT

Proposed subject:

Relations between the Executive and the Legislature

Mr Tony Benn

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	Standing Committee A	10.30 a.m. 6.00 p.m.	Room 10 (public) (public)
	Further to consider the Financial Services and Markets Bill.
SELECT COMMITTEES
2	Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs: Environment Sub-Committee	9.45 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 15 (private) (public)
	Subject: The Environment Agency.
	Witnesses: Friends of the Earth and Waste Watch; GMB, IPMS and UNISON (at 11.15 a.m.).
3	Trade and Industry	9.45 a.m. 10.00 a.m.	Room 18 (private) (public)
	Subject: ECGD.
	Witnesses: Export Group for the Constructional Industries; Defence Manufacturers Association; International Underwriting Association and representatives from the export banking sector.
4	Agriculture	10.00 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 21 (private) (public)
	Subject: The Marketing of Milk.
	Witnesses: Dairy Industry Federation; Specialist Cheesemakers Association; Nestle� UK Ltd.
5	Culture, Media and Sport	10.00 a.m. 11.30 a.m.	Room 6 (public) (private)
	Subject: The Future of Professional Rugby.
	Witnesses: Scottish Rugby Union; Rugby Football Union (at 10.50 a.m.).
6	Environmental Audit	10.00 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 19 (private) (public)
	Subject: A Sustainable Millennium Round (WTO).
	Witnesses: Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF-UK) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB); Friends of the Earth (FoE) and the World Development Movement (WDM) (at 11.40 a.m.).
7	Foreign Affairs	10.00 a.m.	Room 5 (private)
8	International Development	10.00 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 8 (private) (public)
	Subject: Kosovo: The Humanitarian Crisis (update).
	Witnesses: Mr Dennis McNamara, Special Envoy/Deputy Representative of the Secretary General, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
9	Home Affairs	10.15 a.m.	Room 7 (private)
10	Public Administration	10.30 a.m. 11.00 a.m.	Room 20 (private) (public)
	Subject: Public Sector Ombudsman Review.
	Witnesses: Dr Philip Giddings and Professor Roy Gregory, Reading University and Professor Mary Seneviratne, Nottingham Trent University.
11	Standards and Privileges	10.30 a.m.	Room 13 (private)
12	Treasury	10.30 a.m. 10.45 a.m.	Room 16 (private) (public)
	Subject: The Private Finance Initiative.
	Witnesses: The Major Contractors Group and The Business Services Association.
13	Welsh Affairs	10.30 a.m.	Room 17 (private)
14	Education and Employment	2.30 p.m.	Room 17 (private)
15	International Development	4.00 p.m.	Room 16 (private)
16	Public Administration	4.00 p.m.	Room 6 (private)
17	Agriculture	4.15 p.m. 4.30 p.m.	Room 15 (private) (public)
	Subject: The Current Crisis in the Livestock Industry.
	Witness: The Rt. Hon. Nicholas Brown MP, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
18	Trade and Industry	4.45 p.m.	Room 18 (public)
	Subject: ECGD.
	Witnesses: CBI; NCM United Kingdom, EULER Trade Indemnity and Coface LBF; Corner House.
19	Administration	5.00 p.m.	Room 13 (private)
20	Procedure	5.00 p.m. 5.15 p.m.	Room 8 (private) (public)
	Subject: Delegated Legislation.
	Witnesses: Mr David Tredinnick MP, Chairman of the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, Mr Mike Hennessy, Clerk of the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments and Mr Stephen Mason CB, Speaker's Counsel.
21	Statutory Instruments	Immediately after the meeting of the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments	Room 7 (private)
JOINT COMMITTEE
22	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 8th November for answer today++
1	Ms Karen Buck (Regent's Park and Kensington North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when an announcement will be made about a second round of the New Deal for Communities programme.
	(98048)
2	Ms Tess Kingham (Gloucester): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if there are any proposals to amend his Department's departmental expenditure limit/running cost limit for 1999-2000.
	(98079)
3	Mr Iain Coleman (Hammersmith and Fulham): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the UK will continue to impose an arms embargo on Afghanistan in line with the EU's Common Position of 17th December 1996.
	(98111)
4	Mr Iain Coleman (Hammersmith and Fulham): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the role of his Department in respect of British nationals on trial overseas.
	(98112)
5	Mr Peter Bradley (The Wrekin): To ask the Prime Minister, what steps he is taking to ensure co-ordination of the Government's policies affecting rural areas; and if he will make a statement.
	(98113)
6	Ms Jackie Lawrence (Preseli Pembrokeshire): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what tax measures to improve productivity the Government intends to introduce in the next Finance Bill.
	(98114)
7	Mr Jim Marshall (Leicester South): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the outcome was of the ECOFIN Council held in Brussels on 8th November; and if he will make a statement.
	(98156)
8	Mr Jim Marshall (Leicester South): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what the outcome was of the Consumer Affairs Council held in Brussels on 8th November; and if he will make a statement.
	(98157)
9	Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton South): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when he will announce his decision on proposals by Burlington Resources (Irish Sea) Limited to build a combined-cycle gas turbine power station at Rhosgoch, Anglesey and by Kent Power Limited for the construction of a combined-cycle gas turbine power station on the Isle of Grain, Kent.
	(98158)
10	Gillian Merron (Lincoln): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will make a statement about the new measures he is planning to introduce to support the growth of smaller businesses in selected areas, as announced in the White Paper, Building the Knowledge-Driven Economy.
	(98159)
11	Ms Jackie Lawrence (Preseli Pembrokeshire): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to publish the next Tax Ready Reckoner and Tax Reliefs document; and if he will make a statement.
	(98160)

Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland
*1	Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale): What discussions he has had with the First Minister about the funding of the Scotland Office.
	(96345)
*2	Mr David Marshall (Glasgow, Shettleston): What measures are being taken by the UK Government to enhance anti-drugs campaigns in Scotland.
	(96346)
*3	Mr Jimmy Hood (Clydesdale): If he will make a statement on the role of the UK Government in improving railway safety in Scotland.
	(96347)
*4	Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow): If he will make a statement on his responsibilities in respect of (a) legal and (b) other matters in relation to Lockerbie.
	(96348)
*5	Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire): What discussions he or his officials have had with the Scottish Executive regarding the beef-on-the-bone ban.
	(96349)
*6	Dr Lewis Moonie (Kirkcaldy): What representations he has made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the effects of UK government policy on the competitiveness of Scottish manufacturing industry.
	(96350)
*7	Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby): What recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive about the beef on the bone ban.
	(96351)
*8	Mrs Eleanor Laing (Epping Forest): What representations he has made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the impact of a single European currency on the Scottish economy.
	(96352)
*9	Rachel Squire (Dunfermline West): If he will make a statement on the criteria for elegibility for EU structural funds in Scotland.
	(96353)
*10	Dr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde): If, when he last met the First Minister, they discussed the Memorandum of Understanding and the implementation of concordats.
	(96354)
*11	Mr Ernie Ross (Dundee West): If he will make a statement on the operation of the New Deal in Scotland.
	(96355)
*12	Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): What recent representations he has made to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry regarding the competiveness of small firms in Scotland.
	(96356)
*13	Mr Ian Bruce (South Dorset): What discussions he has had with Ministers in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Ministers in the Scottish Executive about removing the UK-wide ban on selling beef on the bone.
	(96358)
*14	Mr Nick St. Aubyn (Guildford): What preparations his Department is making for the possible effects of entry of the UK into the Eurozone on inward investment in Scotland.
	(96359)
*15	Mr Eric Clarke (Midlothian): What progress has been made through the Government task force on investment in the Scottish coalfield communities.
	(96360)
*16	Mr Michael Jack (Fylde): If he will make a statement on his recent discussions with the First Minister on the representation of Scottish agricultural issues at UKREP.
	(96361)
*17	Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury): What representations he has received from the Scottish Executive concerning meat exports and imports to the European Union.
	(96362)
*18	Mr Michael Connarty (Falkirk East): When he last met representatives of business and trade unions to discuss employment in the clothing industry in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
	(96363)
*19	Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire): If he will make a statement on prospects for the Scottish beef industry.
	(96364)
*20	Mr Malcolm Bruce (Gordon): What representations he has received on the recent list of areas eligible for European structural funding in Scotland, compiled by UK ministers and sent to the European Commission for approval; and if he will make a statement.
	(96365)
*21	Mr Douglas Alexander (Paisley South): If he will make a statement on the granting of city status to Scottish towns.
	(96366)
*22	Mrs Irene Adams (Paisley North): What recommendations he has made to the Home Secretary regarding Scottish towns bidding for city status.
	(96367)
*23	Mr Malcolm Savidge (Aberdeen North): What recent representations he has made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the number of people in Scotland who will be able to benefit from the working families tax credit; and if he will make a statement.
	(96368)
*24	Miss Anne Begg (Aberdeen South): If he will make a statement on the steps being taken by the United Kingdom Government to improve food safety in Scotland.
	(96369)
*25	Rosemary McKenna (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth): What discussions he has held with the First Minister on the co-ordination of the Government's anti-drugs strategy.
	(96370)
*26	Mr Alan Simpson (Nottingham South): What discussions he had with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions on determining the proportion of total resources for tackling fuel poverty and cold homes which were allocated to Scotland.
	(96371)
*27	Mr Desmond Browne (Kilmarnock and Loudoun): What assessment he has made of the prospects for the Scottish economy following the publication of the government proposals on assisted areas and Objective 2 funds.
	(96372)
*28	Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale): What representations he has made to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on the future of National Air Traffic Services; and if he will make a statement.
	(96373)
*29	Mr David Stewart (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber): What representations he has made to the oil and gas industry task force; and if he will make a statement.
	(96374)

Oral Questions to the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department
*30	Mr Martin Linton (Battersea): What steps the Government has taken to ensure that magistrates are representative of the communities they serve.
	(96375)
*31	Mr Keith Darvill (Upminster): What is the role of private practice solicitors within the Community Legal Service.
	[R](96376)
*32	Mr Lawrie Quinn (Scarborough and Whitby): What steps the Government has taken to ensure that magistrates are representative of the communities they serve.
	(96377)
*33	Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test): What discussions he has held with the Law Society concerning the operation of the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors.
	(96378)
*34	Ms Sally Keeble (Northampton North): What the role is of private practice solicitors within the Community Legal Service.
	(96381)
*35	Angela Smith (Basildon): If he will make a statement about the Community Legal Service and the services it will provide.
	(96383)
*36	Mrs Virginia Bottomley (South West Surrey): What steps he is taking to promote the interests of children and families in court proceedings.
	(96384)
*37	Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West): If he will make a statement on progress in the reform of selection criteria for magistrates.
	(96385)
*38	Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire): If he will make a statement on his policy on rural magistrates' courts.
	(96387)
*39	Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire): If he will make a statement on his policy towards magistrates' courts in rural England.
	(96388)