Order of Business for 2 February 2000

House of Commons

Session 1999-2000
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Summary Agendas and Orders of Business

Order of Business Wednesday 2nd February 2000

Here you can browse the House of Commons Order of Business for Wednesday 2 February 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.

Further Consideration of Bill, as amended

City of London (Ward Elections) Bill (By Order.).

    On Further Consideration of the City of London (Ward Elections) Bill, as amended, to move:

[For Amendments, see Notice Paper relating to Private Business.]

PROVISIONAL ORDER BILL

Consideration of Bill

    Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Eriskay Causeway) Order Confirmation Bill.

Afterwards

Oral Questions to the Minister for the Cabinet Office

*1 Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):    If she will make a statement on her work to date in the co-ordination of government policy on rural affairs.

(106582)

*2 Mrs Betty Williams (Conwy):    If she will make a statement on the Government's drugs strategy in North Wales relating to children and young people.

(106583)

*3 Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling):    What plans she has to hold more open days in government departments.

(106584)

*4 Mrs Sylvia Heal (Halesowen and Rowley Regis):    What progress is being made in implementing the Social Exclusion Unit's report on truancy.

(106586)

*5 Norman Baker (Lewes):    If she will make a statement on her role in co-ordinating news releases from different departments.

(106587)

*6 Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    What recent discussions she has had with Internet service providers on the provision of government services on-line.

(106588)

*7 Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    When she last met the Anti-drugs Co-ordinator.

(106591)

*8 Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    What recent discussions she had had with the Anti-drugs Co-ordinator on the incidence of drugs use.

(106593)

*9 Mr Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks):    How many regulations affecting business have been passed since May 1997.

(106595)

*10 Rosemary McKenna (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth):    What progress has been made in achieving government targets on securing Investors in People status for all government departments.

(106596)

*11 Mr David Chaytor (Bury North):    What assessment she has made of the advantages and disadvantages of establishing a royal commission on the law relating to cannabis.

(106598)

*12 Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham):    What progress is being made in implementing the Social Exclusion Unit's report on truancy.

(106599)

*13 Fiona Mactaggart (Slough):    If she will make a statement on the work of the Social Exclusion Unit.

(106600)

*14 Shona McIsaac (Cleethorpes):    If she will make a statement on the Better Government for Older People Initiative.

(106601)

*15 Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    What assessment she has made of the progress in implementing the zero tolerance policy towards drugs.

(106602)

*16 Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    If she will list the Bills for which a regulatory impact assessment has been made.

(106604)

*17 Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby):    Pursuant to her Oral Statement of 18th January Official Report, column 759, on oral statements to the House, if she will make a statement on Government policy on giving information to the press before making statements to the House.

(106605)

*18 Ms Rosie Winterton (Doncaster Central):    If she will make a statement on the work of the Social Exclusion Unit.

(106606)

*19 Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    What recent representations she has received from interested parties on the co-ordination of government policies on genetic modification of agricultural crops; and if she will make a statement.

(106607)

*20 Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst):    How many regulations have been introduced and how many abolished since 1st May 1997.

(106608)

*21 Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    If she will make a statement on the increase in the cost of special advisers since May 1997.

(106609)

*22 Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne and Sheppey):    If she will publish the performance tables for each Department for the electronic delivery of government services.

(106610)

*23 Mr John Healey (Wentworth):    If she will make a statement on the fast stream development programme for civil servants.

(106611)

At 3.00 p.m.

Oral Questions to the Prime Minister

*Q1 Mr Piara S. Khabra (Ealing, Southall):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.

(106612)

*Q2 Sir David Madel (South West Bedfordshire):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.

(106614)

*Q3 Mr David Prior (North Norfolk):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.

(106615)

*Q4 Mr Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.

(106616)

*Q5 Mr Robert Maclennan (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.

(106617)

*Q6 Mrs Ann Winterton (Congleton):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.

(106618)

*Q7 Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.

(106619)

*Q8 Mr Paul Tyler (North Cornwall):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.

(106620)

*Q9 Charlotte Atkins (Staffordshire Moorlands):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.

(106621)

*Q10 Mr Richard Ottaway (Croydon South):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.

(106622)

*Q11 Mr David Amess (Southend West):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.

(106623)

*Q12 Mr Roger Gale (North Thanet):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.

(106624)

*Q13 Mr David Rendel (Newbury):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.

(106625)

*Q14 Mrs Ray Michie (Argyll and Bute):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.

(106626)

*Q15 Mr Peter Brooke (Cities of London and Westminster):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.

(106627)

*Q16 Mr Nigel Griffiths (Edinburgh South):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.

(106628)

*Q17 Mr Alan Simpson (Nottingham South):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.

(106630)

*Q18 Sir Raymond Whitney (Wycombe):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.

(106631)

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

Preliminary Business

Ten minute rule Motion

Ms Linda Perham

That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the Medical Act 1983 with respect to the restoration of names to the register of medical practitioners; 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	OPPOSITION DAY [4th allotted day] *[Until 10.00 p.m.]*
	ASYLUM AND IMMIGRATION�
	Mr William Hague Miss Ann Widdecombe Mr David Lidington Mr John Greenway Mr Patrick McLoughlin Mr James Arbuthnot
	That this House condemns the Government's failure to deal with the widespread abuse of the right to political asylum and its incompetent management of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate; notes that the number of asylum applications in 1999 exceeded 71,000, more than double the total inherited by the Government when it came to office, and that the backlog of unprocessed asylum applications has doubled over the past two years to a total of more than 100,000; further notes with great concern the Seventh Report of the Committee of Public Accounts (HC 130) about the Government's mismanagement of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, and the fears of local authorities about the practical difficulties associated with the asylum seekers dispersal scheme; believes that the Government's `soft touch' policy has helped bring about the current crisis; and calls upon the Government to take urgent action to reduce the backlog of unprocessed immigration and asylum applications, to put in place new and effective systems of enforcement and to ensure the integrity of the United Kingdom's immigration and asylum controls. As Amendments to Mr William Hague's proposed Motion (Asylum and Immigration):
	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 `applauds the Government for its achievements on Home Office issues; notes that the previous Government left the youth justice system in disarray, left chaos in the immigration and asylum system, in particular as a result of provisions in the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996; and that police numbers fell by 1,500 between 1992-93 and 1997-98; further notes the action that the Government has taken in asking the Intelligence and Security Committee to review the handling of the Mitrokhin Archive, including key decisions taken before 1997; and welcomes the Government's initiatives to provide new money to fund recruitment of 5,000 police officers over and above the number that would otherwise have been recruited, comprehensively to tackle crime and disorder and to develop a fairer, faster and firmer immigration and asylum system, through the Immigration and Asylum Bill, which will better serve genuine refugees and help reduce the number of abusive claims in the United Kingdom.'.
	Mr Charles Kennedy Mr A. J. Beith Mr Simon Hughes Jackie Ballard Mr John Burnett Mr Paul Tyler
	Line 1 , leave out from `House' to end and add `believes that both the last Government and the present Government have failed to respond properly to the asylum, immigration and nationality demands made of this country; is aware of widespread discontent with the delays in processing immigration applications and that the number of unprocessed asylum applications has doubled over the previous two years to a total of over 100,000; takes very seriously the Seventh Report of the Committee of Public Accounts (HC 130), which criticises the Government's mismanagement of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and the fears of local authorities about the practical difficulties associated with the asylum-seekers dispersal scheme; calls upon the Government, which has now been in office for over a thousand days, to take more effective and urgent action to reduce the backlog of unprocessed applications and to improve the effectiveness of decision-making; believes that the necessary staff should be employed immediately so that good-quality decisions can be made quickly, and that the interests of applicants and taxpayers alike can be met in a system which treats every applicant fairly; and supports the Commission for Racial Equality agreement, signed by all three major party leaders, not to use problems in the immigration and asylum systems in ways which could damage community and race relations.'.
	NORTHERN CITIES AND SOUTHERN GREEN FIELDS
	Mr William Hague Mr Bernard Jenkin Mr Damian Green Mr Nigel Waterson Mr Robert Syms Mr James Arbuthnot
	That this House urges the Government to disown the Crow Report and its recommendation of 1.1 million houses to be built in the South-East; condemns the Government's practice of bulldozing homes and walking away from the regeneration of run-down town and city areas; requests an urgent response to the proposals in the Rogers Report for urban renewal; stresses the connections between planning and transport policies; and calls for a change to planning policy to encourage one Britain and urban renewal instead of the divisive policies the Government is pursuing. As Amendments to Mr William Hague's proposed Motion (Northern Cities and Southern Green Fields):
	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 `welcomes the Government's commitment to create high-quality, desirable, safe places to live without eating up the countryside; supports the Government's policies on protecting the Green Belt and believes the Government's inclusive and strategic approach to planning, housing, transport, countryside protection, welfare and economic policies will achieve more sustainable and equitable patterns of both urban and rural development; recognises that this Government is planning for economic success and that there is an opportunity to use growth to create better and more sustainable communities and improve the quality of life; welcomes the Government's move away from the previous `predict and provide' approach to housing provision and the introduction of a `plan, monitor and manage' policy; supports the Government's target of building 60 per cent. of all new housing on previously developed land; and welcomes the Government's determination to ensure that the whole country shares in the benefits of economic recovery.'.
	Mr Charles Kennedy Mr A. J. Beith Mr Don Foster Mr Mike Hancock Mr Tom Brake Mr Paul Tyler
	Line 1 , leave out from `House' to end and add `urges the Government to disown the Crow Report and its recommendation of 1.1 million houses to be built in the South-East; condemns the Tory record of allowing the decline of northern cities through the destruction of Britain's manufacturing base and exacerbating the housing crisis in the South through its lack of investment in council housing and housing associations; requests an urgent response to the proposals in the Rogers Report for urban renewal; and calls for a coherent strategy for tackling deprivation wherever it exists, allowing local communities the financial freedoms and autonomy to find innovative ways of tackling local problems.'. The selection of the matters to be debated this day has been made by the Leader of the Opposition (Standing Order No. 14(2)).
*Debate may continue until 10.00 p.m.*
+ 3	BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE *[No debate after 10.00 p.m.]*
	Margaret Beckett That, at the sitting on Monday 7th February, notwithstanding Standing Order No. 16 (Proceedings under an Act or on European Union documents), the Speaker shall put the Questions on any Motions in the name of Mr Secretary Darling relating to Social Security not later than Ten o'clock.
*If opposed, this item cannot be taken after 10.00 p.m.*
+ 4	OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT AND CO-OPERATION *[No debate]*
	Secretary Clare Short That the draft African Development Bank (Further Subscription to Capital Stock) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 10th January, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 5	OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT AND CO-OPERATION *[No debate]*
	Secretary Clare Short That the draft International Development Association (Twelfth Replenishment) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 10th January, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 6	MULTILATERAL INVESTMENT GUARANTEE AGENCY *[No debate]*
	Secretary Clare Short That the draft Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (Further Subscription to Capital Stock) Order 1999, which was laid before this House on 10th January, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 7	ECCLESIASTICAL LAW *[No debate]*
	Mr Secretary Smith That the draft Grants to the Churches Conservation Trust Order 2000, which was laid before this House on 18th January, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 8	CINEMAS AND FILMS *[No debate]*
	Mr Secretary Smith That the draft Films (Modification of the Definition of "British Film") Order 2000, which was laid before this House on 18th January, be approved.
*To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).*
+ 9	HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION *[Up to 1.5 hours]*
	Mr Keith Bradley That Sir Peter Lloyd be discharged from the House of Commons Commission and Mr Eric Forth be appointed a member of the Commission under the House of Commons (Administration) Act 1978.
*The Speaker will put the Question not later than 1.5 hours after proceedings begin (Standing Order No. 16).*

At the end of the sitting:

ADJOURNMENT

Proposed subject: Cattle welfare in East Anglia(Mr Eric Pickles).

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	Sixth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation	4.30 p.m.	Room 9 (public)
	To consider the draft Census Order 2000.
SELECT COMMITTEES
2	Modernisation of the House of Commons	9.30 a.m.	Room 21 (private)
3	Defence	10.30 a.m.	Room 15(private)
4	Social Security	10.30 a.m. 10.45 a.m.	Room 19 (private) (public)
	Subject: Medical Services.
	Witnesses: Mr Robin Crowden-Naylor, Dr Carol Hudson, Mr John Tilley and Mr Andrew Gillborn, Sema Group; Department of Social Security officials (at 12 noon).
5	Education and Employment: Employment Sub-Committee	3.35 p.m. 4.00 p.m.	Room 8 (private) (public)
	Subject: Work Permits for Overseas Footballers.
	Witnesses: The Football Association, the FA Premier League, and the Football League.
6	Public Administration	3.45 p.m. 4.00 p.m.	Room 21 (private) (public)
	Subject: The Reports of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration.
	Witnesses: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; Immigration and Nationality Directorate, Home Office (at 5.00 p.m.).
7	Science and Technology	3.45 p.m. 4.15 p.m.	Room 5 (private) (public)
	Subject: The Government's Expenditure on Research and Development: Forward Look 1999.
	Witnesses: Dr Peter Cotgreave, Director, and Professor Peter Saunders, Executive Member, The Save British Science Society; Dr David Shannon, Chief Scientist, and officials, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (at 5.00 p.m.).
8	European Scrutiny	4.00 p.m.	Room 19 (private)
9	Selection	4.15 p.m.	Room 13 (private)
10	Public Accounts	4.30 p.m.	Room 15 (public)
	Subject: Irregularities in accounting for visa fees at the Deputy High Commission in Calcutta.
	Witnesses: Sir John Kerr KCMG, Permanent Under-Secretary of State and Head of the Diplomatic Service, Mr Peter Collecott, Principal Finance Officer and Director of Resources, and Mr Richard White MBE, Head of Migration and Visa Division, Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
11	Defence, Foreign Affairs, International Development and Trade and Industry Committees	5.00 p.m.	Room 16 (private)
PRIVATE BILL COMMITTEE
12	Committee on an Opposed Bill	10.00 a.m. 11.00 a.m.	Room 7 (private) (public)
	To consider the London Local Authorities Bill [Lords].
[The decision of a Committee to sit in public may be rescinded without notice.]

Written Questions tabled on Tuesday 1st February for answer today++
1	Mr Tony McWalter (Hemel Hempstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will deposit a copy of the International Decommissioning Commission's Report in the Library.
	(108470)
2	Dr Doug Naysmith (Bristol North West): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what grants have been offered under the Agriculture Development Scheme.
	(108570)
3	Ms Ruth Kelly (Bolton West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he intends to make changes to the appeals system for non-domestic rates valuations from 1st April 2000; and if he will make a statement.
	(108602)
4	Mr Stephen Twigg (Enfield, Southgate): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, when he will be publishing details about the proposed youth support service.
	(108603)
5	Ms Claire Ward (Watford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what action he is taking to address the concerns of game managers and pigeon fanciers with respect to predation of game birds and racing pigeons by birds of prey; and if he will make a statement.
	(108604)
6	Angela Smith (Basildon): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, when the Lord Chancellor intends to publish directions to the Legal Services Commission setting priorities for funding in respect of the Community Legal Service.
	(108671)

Oral Questions to the Minister for the Cabinet Office
*1	Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): If she will make a statement on her work to date in the co-ordination of government policy on rural affairs.
	(106582)
*2	Mrs Betty Williams (Conwy): If she will make a statement on the Government's drugs strategy in North Wales relating to children and young people.
	(106583)
*3	Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): What plans she has to hold more open days in government departments.
	(106584)
*4	Mrs Sylvia Heal (Halesowen and Rowley Regis): What progress is being made in implementing the Social Exclusion Unit's report on truancy.
	(106586)
*5	Norman Baker (Lewes): If she will make a statement on her role in co-ordinating news releases from different departments.
	(106587)
*6	Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): What recent discussions she has had with Internet service providers on the provision of government services on-line.
	(106588)
*7	Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch): When she last met the Anti-drugs Co-ordinator.
	(106591)
*8	Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington): What recent discussions she had had with the Anti-drugs Co-ordinator on the incidence of drugs use.
	(106593)
*9	Mr Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks): How many regulations affecting business have been passed since May 1997.
	(106595)
*10	Rosemary McKenna (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth): What progress has been made in achieving government targets on securing Investors in People status for all government departments.
	(106596)
*11	Mr David Chaytor (Bury North): What assessment she has made of the advantages and disadvantages of establishing a royal commission on the law relating to cannabis.
	(106598)
*12	Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham): What progress is being made in implementing the Social Exclusion Unit's report on truancy.
	(106599)
*13	Fiona Mactaggart (Slough): If she will make a statement on the work of the Social Exclusion Unit.
	(106600)
*14	Shona McIsaac (Cleethorpes): If she will make a statement on the Better Government for Older People Initiative.
	(106601)
*15	Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): What assessment she has made of the progress in implementing the zero tolerance policy towards drugs.
	(106602)
*16	Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby): If she will list the Bills for which a regulatory impact assessment has been made.
	(106604)
*17	Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby): Pursuant to her Oral Statement of 18th January Official Report, column 759, on oral statements to the House, if she will make a statement on Government policy on giving information to the press before making statements to the House.
	(106605)
*18	Ms Rosie Winterton (Doncaster Central): If she will make a statement on the work of the Social Exclusion Unit.
	(106606)
*19	Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire): What recent representations she has received from interested parties on the co-ordination of government policies on genetic modification of agricultural crops; and if she will make a statement.
	(106607)
*20	Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst): How many regulations have been introduced and how many abolished since 1st May 1997.
	(106608)
*21	Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire): If she will make a statement on the increase in the cost of special advisers since May 1997.
	(106609)
*22	Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne and Sheppey): If she will publish the performance tables for each Department for the electronic delivery of government services.
	(106610)
*23	Mr John Healey (Wentworth): If she will make a statement on the fast stream development programme for civil servants.
	(106611)

*Q1	Mr Piara S. Khabra (Ealing, Southall): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.
	(106612)
*Q2	Sir David Madel (South West Bedfordshire): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.
	(106614)
*Q3	Mr David Prior (North Norfolk): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.
	(106615)
*Q4	Mr Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.
	(106616)
*Q5	Mr Robert Maclennan (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.
	(106617)
*Q6	Mrs Ann Winterton (Congleton): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.
	(106618)
*Q7	Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.
	(106619)
*Q8	Mr Paul Tyler (North Cornwall): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.
	(106620)
*Q9	Charlotte Atkins (Staffordshire Moorlands): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.
	(106621)
*Q10	Mr Richard Ottaway (Croydon South): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.
	(106622)
*Q11	Mr David Amess (Southend West): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.
	(106623)
*Q12	Mr Roger Gale (North Thanet): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.
	(106624)
*Q13	Mr David Rendel (Newbury): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.
	(106625)
*Q14	Mrs Ray Michie (Argyll and Bute): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.
	(106626)
*Q15	Mr Peter Brooke (Cities of London and Westminster): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.
	(106627)
*Q16	Mr Nigel Griffiths (Edinburgh South): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.
	(106628)
*Q17	Mr Alan Simpson (Nottingham South): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.
	(106630)
*Q18	Sir Raymond Whitney (Wycombe): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2nd February.
	(106631)