Order of Business for 25 January 2000

House of Commons

Session 1999-2000
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Summary Agendas and Orders of Business

Order of Business Tuesday 25th January 2000

Here you can browse the House of Commons Order of Business for Tuesday 25 January 2000.

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

Private Business

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

Second Reading

City of Newcastle upon Tyne Bill [Lords].

Afterwards

Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland
*1	Mr James Wray (Glasgow, Baillieston): What steps are being taken to assist Scottish pensioners with their winter fuel bills; and if a helpline has been set up for them.
	(104927)
*2	Mr Bill Tynan (Hamilton South): What steps the Government is taking to publicise the working families tax credit in Scotland.
	(104928)
*3	Mr Ian Davidson (Glasgow, Pollok): How many people in Scotland have benefited from the introduction of the national minimum wage.
	(104929)
*4	Mrs Eleanor Laing (Epping Forest): What discussions he has had with the Chancellor regarding the implications for the block grant of the Scottish Independent Inquiry into student finance.
	(104930)
*5	Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley): What representations his Department made to the Scottish Independent Inquiry into student finance.
	(104931)
*6	Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire): What discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive about proposals to require special country of origin labelling for UK meat products originating in Scotland.
	(104932)
*7	Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries): What representations he has made to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on the Government's plans for the Post Office in Scotland.
	(104933)
*8	Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield): What recent discussions he has had with the First Minister regarding the Scottish Independent Inquiry into student finance.
	(104934)
*9	Mr Howard Flight (Arundel and South Downs): What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Social Security regarding the implications of the report from the Independent Inquiry into student finance.
	(104935)
*10	Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby): What discussions he has had with the First Minister of the Scottish Executive about reserved matters referred to in the Cubie Report on Education.
	(104936)
*11	Mr Jimmy Hood (Clydesdale): What plans he has to meet the Health and Safety Executive to discuss public safety in Scotland.
	(104937)
*12	Mr David Stewart (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber): If he will make a statement on the effects of air passenger duty in the Highlands and Islands.
	(104938)
*13	Mr Peter Atkinson (Hexham): If he will make a statement on the submissions made by the UK Government to the Scottish Independent Inquiry into Student Finance.
	(104939)
*14	Rachel Squire (Dunfermline West): What discussions he has had with the First Minister on the level of defence-related employment in Scotland.
	(104940)
*15	Mr Malcolm Savidge (Aberdeen North): What steps are being taken to establish the Strategic Rail Authority; and what its impact will be in Scotland.
	(104941)
*16	Mr Jim Murphy (Eastwood): If he will make a statement on low pay in Scotland.
	(104942)
*17	Dr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde): When he last met representatives of the STUC; and if they discussed matters relating to the shipbuilding industry on the Clyde.
	(104943)
*18	Mrs Ray Michie (Argyll and Bute): What plans he has to discuss with the Deputy Prime Minister the proposed closure of the Oban Coastguard Station and matters relating to maritime safety in the area.
	(104945)
*19	Mr Brian H. Donohoe (Cunninghame South): What representations he has made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the consultation exercise on the future of air passenger duty; and if he will make a statement.
	(104946)
*20	Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West): What discussions he has held with the (a) Home Secretary and (b) Scottish Executive on the number of asylum seekers and refugees placed in Scotland.
	(104947)
*21	Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow): What representations he has received in relation to health and safety and repairs to the rail bridge across the Forth.
	(104948)
*22	Mr William Cash (Stone): What discussions he has had with the First Minister regarding the impact on the Scottish economy of the European single currency.
	(104949)
*23	Mr Eric Clarke (Midlothian): What progress is being made in tackling poverty amongst children and pensioners in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
	(104950)

At 2.55 p.m.

Oral Questions to the Advocate General for Scotland
*24	Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): What advice she has given to the Government about devolution issues since her appointment.
	(104951)
*25	Mr Jimmy Hood (Clydesdale): What powers she has to refer bills of the Scottish Parliament to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council before they are finally enacted.
	(104952)
*26	Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow): What representations she has received from the Prison Officers Association on matters pertaining to the European Convention on Human Rights.
	(104953)
*27	Dr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde): What recent representations she has received concerning the implementation of sections 101 and 102 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
	(104954)
*28	Mr Archy Kirkwood (Roxburgh and Berwickshire): What steps she is taking to monitor the impact of the Convention on Human Rights on the Scottish legal system.
	(104955)
*29	Mr Malcolm Savidge (Aberdeen North): What assessment she has made of the scope of her duties in relation to (a) the UK Government and (b) the Scottish Executive; and if she will make a statement.
	(104956)

At 3.00 p.m.

Oral Questions to the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department
*30	Mr John Healey (Wentworth): How many contracts for the new Community Legal service have been awarded in Rotherham to (a) solicitors' firms and (b) voluntary advice agencies.
	(104958)
*31	Norman Baker (Lewes): If he will make a statement on his policy in respect of access to courts within Sussex.
	(104959)
*32	Mr David Ruffley (Bury St. Edmunds): What recent representations the Lord Chancellor has received regarding changes to the status of McKenzie Friends.
	(104960)
*33	Mrs Linda Gilroy (Plymouth, Sutton): What plans he has to ensure that information is made available to victims in a timely and sensitive way about forthcoming appeals on sentence by criminals convicted of serious crimes.
	(104961)
*34	Ms Sally Keeble (Northampton North): What provision will be made within the Community Legal Service to ensure that people with learning difficulties and mental health problems attain proper access to legal services.
	(104962)
*35	Angela Smith (Basildon): What assessment he has made of the occupations of magistrates.
	(104963)
*36	Mr Peter Atkinson (Hexham): How often the Lord Chancellor meets the officers of the Council of Circuit Judges to discuss the timetabling of trials.
	(104966)
*37	Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire): If he will make a statement on the service provided by rural magistrates' courts.
	(104967)
*38	Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome): What assessment he has made of the impact of measures to reform the youth justice system on local magistrates' courts.
	(104968)
*39	Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon): If he will make a statement on the implementation of the report of Sir Len Peach on judicial and Queen's Counsel appointments.
	(104969)
*40	Mr David Hinchliffe (Wakefield): If he will take steps to increase the accountability of sheriffs.
	(104970)
*41	Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West): If he will make a statement on the proposals to close county courts in England and Wales.
	(104971)

At 3.15 p.m.

Oral Questions to the President of the Council, the honourable Member answering for the House of Commons Commission and the Chairman of the Finance and Services Committee
*42	Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby): To ask the President of the Council, what assessment she has made of the value for money obtained by expenditure on millennium compliance.
	(104973)
*43	Mr Paul Clark (Gillingham): To ask the President of the Council, if she will make a statement on (a) the changes made in the House as a result of the work of the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons and (b) their impact on (i) honourable Members and (ii) staff of the House and of honourable Members.
	(104974)
*44	Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield): To ask the President of the Council, what action she proposes to take to deal with the difficulties experienced by honourable Members in obtaining access to the Palace of Westminster during demonstrations immediately outside the precinct of the House.
	(104975)
*45	Mr Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): To ask the honourable Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, as representing the House of Commons Commission, when he expects a review to take place of the provision of childcare facilities in the Palace of Westminster.
	(104972)
*46	Dr David Clark (South Shields): To ask the President of the Council, what assessment she has made of the effect of the millennium bug internationally over the millennium date change.
	(104976)
*47	Mr Bob Blizzard (Waveney): To ask the President of the Council, what progress there has been in the modernising of the House since May 1997.
	(104977)
*48	Mr Phil Sawford (Kettering): To ask the President of the Council, what assessment she has made of the impact of her Department's proposals for changing practice and procedure in the House; and if she will make a statement.
	(104978)
*49	Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the President of the Council, if she will bring forward proposals to reform the system of parliamentary scrutiny of secondary legislation.
	(104979)
*50	Mr Harry Barnes (North East Derbyshire): To ask the President of the Council, if it is her policy that honourable Members should be able (a) to have written questions answered and (b) to table and have published early day motions, during parliamentary adjournments; and if she will make a statement.
	(104980)
*51	Dr George Turner (North West Norfolk): To ask the President of the Council, what assessment she has made of the benefits resulting from the preventative measures in respect of the millennium bug.
	(104981)
*52	Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon): To ask the President of the Council, what progress has been made in reforming the House of Lords; and when that reform is expected to be completed.
	(104982)
*53	Mrs Linda Gilroy (Plymouth, Sutton): To ask the President of the Council, if she will make a statement on progress in modernising the House since May 1997.
	(104983)
*54	Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the President of the Council, what proposals she intends to put forward for electronic voting in the House.
	(104984)

At 3.30 p.m.

Private Notice Questions (if any)
Ministerial Statements (if any)

Preliminary Business

Ten minute rule Motion

PARENTAL AUTHORITY [Up to 20 minutes]

Mr Andrew Robathan

That leave be given to bring in a Bill to allow parents to use reasonable force or chastisement when exercising authority over their children.

The Member moving and a Member opposing this Motion may each speak for up to ten minutes (Standing Order No. 23).

Note: Provision has been made for a Business Motion to be moved at 10.00 p.m. (Standing Order No. 15).

Main Business
+ 2	ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS BILL: As amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered. *[Until any hour]*
*For Amendments, see separate Paper.*
*Third Reading may also be taken.*
	The Fourteenth Report of the Trade and Industry Committee, Session 1998-99, on the draft Electronic Communications Bill, HC 862, and the Government's response thereto, HC 168, of Session 1999-2000, are relevant.
*Debate may continue until any hour if the 10.00 p.m. Business Motion is agreed to.*
+ 3	DISQUALIFICATIONS BILL: Committee. *[Until any hour]*
*For Amendments, see separate Paper.*
*Remaining stages may also be taken.*
*Debate may continue until any hour if the 10.00 p.m. Business Motion is agreed to.*

At 10.00 p.m.

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

+ 4	DELEGATED LEGISLATION *[No debate after 10.00 p.m.]*
	Margaret Beckett That the Local Authorities (Funds) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.
*If opposed, this item cannot be taken after 10.00 p.m.*
+ 5	DELEGATED LEGISLATION *[No debate after 10.00 p.m.]*
	Margaret Beckett That the Transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 1999 be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.
*If opposed, this item cannot be taken after 10.00 p.m.*
+ 6	CENSUS *[No debate after 10.00 p.m.]*
	Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer Margaret Beckett
	That:-- (1) the draft Census Order 2000, which was laid before this House on 10th January, be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation; and (2) if, after the Committee has reported the Instrument to the House, the Motion in the name of Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer relating to the draft Order is made, the Speaker shall put forthwith-- (i) the Questions on any amendments to the Motion which she has selected and which may then be moved, and (ii) the Question on the Motion, or on the Motion as amended; and such Questions may be decided at any hour, though opposed.
*If opposed, this item cannot be taken after 10.00 p.m.*

At the end of the sitting:

7	ADJOURNMENT
	Proposed subject: *Her Majesty's Treasury's policy on applications for European Union support for agriculture in Scotland* (Mr Archy Kirkwood ). *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	Standing Committee B	10.30 a.m. 4.30 p.m.	Room 10 (public) (public)
	Further to consider the Freedom of Information Bill.
2	Standing Committee D	10.30 a.m. 4.30 p.m.	Room 11 (public) (public)
	Further to consider the Terrorism Bill.
3	Standing Committee E	10.30 a.m. 4.30 p.m.	Room 14 (public) (public)
	Further to consider the Transport Bill.
4	Standing Committee F	10.30 a.m. 4.30 p.m.	Room 12 (public) (public)
	Further to consider the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Bill.
5	Standing Committee G	10.30 a.m. 4.30 p.m.	Room 5 (public) (public)
	Further to consider the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Bill.
6	First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation	10.30 a.m.	Room 6 (public)
	To consider the draft African Development Bank (Further Subscription to Capital Stock) Order 1999, the draft African Development Fund (Eighth Replenishment) Order 1999, the draft International Development Association (Twelfth Replenishment) Order 1999 and the draft Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (Further Subscription to Capital Stock) Order 1999.
SELECT COMMITTEES
7	Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs: Environment Sub-Committee	9.45 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 15 (private) (public)
	Subject: The Audit Commission.
	Witnesses: The Rt. Hon. David Davis MP, Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts; Local Government Information Unit (at 11.10 a.m.).
8	Agriculture	10.00 a.m.	Room 20 (private)
9	Deregulation	10.00 a.m.	Room 19 (private)
10	Foreign Affairs	10.00 a.m.	Room 16 (private)
11	International Development	10.00 a.m.	Room 7 (private)
12	Trade and Industry	10.00 a.m.	Room 21 (public)
	Subject: The Work of the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets.
	Witness: Mr Callum McCarthy, Director General of Gas and Electricity Supply.
13	Home Affairs	10.15 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 8 (private) (public)
	Subject: The Double Jeopardy Rule.
	Witnesses: Mr David Calvert-Smith QC, Director of Public Prosecutions; Association of Chief Police Officers (at 11.45 a.m.).
14	Standards and Privileges	10.30 a.m.	Room 13 (private)
15	Foreign Affairs	4.30 p.m.	Room 16 (private)
16	Statutory Instruments	Immediately after the meeting of the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments	Room 7 (private)
JOINT COMMITTEE
17	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 24th January for answer today++
1	Mr Ernie Ross (Dundee West): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the future of the Army Technical Support Agency.
	(107038)
2	Mrs Jackie Lawrence (Preseli Pembrokeshire): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if Her Majesty's Customs and Excise has completed the review into the VAT treatment of vehicle repairs carried out by motor insurers; and if he will make a statement.
	(107039)
3	Christine Russell (City of Chester): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when the Chief Executive of the Postal Services Commission will be appointed.
	(107146)
4	Mr David Crausby (Bolton North East): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will make a statement about launch investment contracts in the aero-engine sector.
	(107147)
5	Ms Linda Perham (Ilford North): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will make a statement about the availability of Shipbuilding Intervention Fund grants for 2000.
	(107148)
6	Mr Tom Levitt (High Peak): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what plans he has to change housing benefit and council tax benefit review procedures; and if he will make a statement.
	(107149)

Private Business
	Note: Private business is not debated at this time and may not be proceeded with if opposed. Second Reading City of Newcastle upon Tyne Bill [Lords].