Order of Business for Tuesday 11th April 2000

House of Commons

Session 1999-2000
Publications on the internet
Summary Agendas and Orders of Business

Order of Business Tuesday 11th April 2000

Here you can browse the House of Commons Order of Business for Tuesday 11th April 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.

Third Reading

City of Newcastle upon Tyne Bill [Lords]. (By Order)

Mr John McDonnell
Mr Andrew Mackinlay

    On Third Reading of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne Bill [Lords] to move, That the Bill be read the third time upon this day six months.

Second Reading

Greenham and Crookham Commons Bill. (By Order)

Mr Andrew F. Bennett
Mr Andrew Mackinlay
Mr John McDonnell
Mr Jeremy Corbyn

    On Second Reading of the Greenham and Crookham Commons Bill, to move, That the Bill be read a second time upon this day six months.

Afterwards

Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

*1 Mr David Amess (Southend West):    If he will make a statement on the implementation of the ethical dimension of his foreign policy since May 1997.

( 117165 )

*2 Jane Griffiths (Reading East):    If he will make a statement on the follow-up plans to implement the decisions of the EU summit on economic reform in Lisbon.

( 117166 )

*3 Mr David Rendel (Newbury):    What plans he has to increase funding for the World Service to meet the costs of the digital revolution.

( 117167 )

*4 Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire):    What representations he has received on the rule of law in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement.

( 117168 )

*5 Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    If he will make a statement on the future of the United Kingdom's relations with Zimbabwe.

( 117169 )

*6 Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South):    What steps his Department is taking to strengthen political and economic links between the UK and Hungary.

( 117170 )

*7 Maria Eagle (Liverpool, Garston):    If he will make a statement on the ongoing border dispute between Belize and Guatemala; and what steps the Government is taking to resolve it.

( 117171 )

*8 Mr Jeff Ennis (Barnsley East and Mexborough):    What recent meetings he has had with the German Foreign Minister to discuss manufacturing industry.

( 117174 )

*9 Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    When he next intends to visit the Gulf States to discuss the future of Iraq.

( 117175 )

*10 Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome):    What assessment he has made of the political situation in Montenegro.

( 117176 )

*11 Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    If he will make a statement on human rights in Iran.

( 117177 )

*12 Mr David Chidgey (Eastleigh):    What assessment he has made of the impact of the World Service's Internet site on the target audience.

( 117178 )

*13 Mrs Linda Gilroy (Plymouth, Sutton):    What assessment he has made of the current state of relations between the UK and Poland; and if he will make a statement.

( 117179 )

*14 Mr Paul Goggins (Wythenshawe and Sale East):    What steps he has taken to encourage Brazil to sign International Labour Convention 169.

( 117180 )

*15 Mr David Tredinnick (Bosworth):    What progress is being made in co-ordinating the international effort in the Balkans; and if he will make a statement.

( 117181 )

*16 Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith (Wealden):    If he will make a statement on the political situation in Zimbabwe.

( 117182 )

*17 Mr David Borrow (South Ribble):    What discussions Her Majesty's Government has had with the new Argentine administration about the Falkland Islands.

( 117183 )

*18 Dr Brian Iddon (Bolton South East):    What arrangements he is making to assist visa applicants at British High Commissions in Dhaka, Islamabad and New Delhi.

( 117184 )

*19 Mr Eric Illsley (Barnsley Central):    If he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards the USA national missile defence project.

( 117185 )

*20 Mr Andrew George (St Ives):    What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary General of the United Nations on the future role of the United Nations in international peacekeeping.

( 117186 )

*21 Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    When he last met the Austrian Foreign Minister to discuss immigration and related issues.

( 117188 )

*22 Fiona Mactaggart (Slough):    What is his assessment of the security situation along the Line of Control; and if he will make a statement on the future of Kashmir.

( 117189 )

*23 Helen Jones (Warrington North):    What discussions Ministers have held with the incoming Chilean Government; and if he will make a statement.

( 117190 )

*24 Dr Rudi Vis (Finchley and Golders Green):    If he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's relations with Lebanon.

( 117191 )

*25 Mr Chris Pond (Gravesham):    If he will make a statement on the progress of the Your Britain, Your Europe campaign.

( 117192 )

*26 Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    If he will make a statement on the progress of Hungary's application for membership of the European Union.

( 117193 )

*27 Mr Malcolm Savidge (Aberdeen North):    What assessment he has made of the prospects for a new Protocol to the Biological Weapons Convention.

( 117194 )

*28 Mrs Ann Winterton (Congleton):    What assessment he has made of the impact of British policy on combating the trade in illicit drugs.

( 117195 )

*29 Mr Gareth R. Thomas (Harrow West):    If he will make a statement on relations with Lebanon.

( 117196 )

*30 Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    If he will make a statement on the progress he has made in implementing an ethical dimension in his policy.

( 117197 )

*31 Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    What progress is being made in developing an ethical dimension to his foreign policy; and if he will make a statement.

( 117198 )

*32 Mr Michael Jack (Fylde):    What subjects were on the agenda for his most recent meeting with Sir Christopher Bland to discuss the funding of the BBC World Service.

( 117199 )

*33 Mr Bill Rammell (Harlow):    What plans he has to mark Europe Day.

( 117200 )

*34 Mr Mark Oaten (Winchester):    What discussions he has had with the Ministry of Defence about compensation for former prisoners of war held in Japan.

( 117201 )

*35 Dr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde):    What discussions he has had with his colleagues from other member states of the European Union on the development of autonomy in Kosovo.

( 117202 )

*36 Sir David Madel (South West Bedfordshire):    What plans he has to hold further talks with the Russian Government on the current situation in Montenegro; and if he will make a statement.

( 117203 )

*37 Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    If he will make a statement on the position of Her Majesty's Government to be taken at the forthcoming Review Conference on the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

( 117204 )

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

Preliminary Business

Ten minute rule Motion

  1
ORGAN TRANSPLANTS (PRESUMED CONSENT)    [Up to 20 minutes]

Dr Nick Palmer

    That leave be given to bring in a Bill to establish a national register of people who have not given their consent to transplant of their organs after death; to lay down procedures to be followed before an organ transplant takes place; 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).

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

Main Business

+  2
LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL [LORDS]: Second Reading.    [Until 10.00 p.m.]

Mr William Hague
Mr Archie Norman
Mr Bernard Jenkin
Mr Nigel Waterson
Mr Damian Green
Mr James Arbuthnot

    That this House declines to give a Second Reading to the Local Government Bill [Lords] because it is a centralising measure which will have the effect of undermining local democracy, because it will put pressure on local councils to introduce structures which may not suit local needs and circumstances, which will tend to encourage and facilitate a culture of secrecy and lack of consultation, engender corruption, diminish the role of ordinary councillors, encourage the growth of a class of professional local politicians with large salaries, pensions and other fringe benefits, and place officers in a position of potential conflict of interest, because the arrangements in the Bill for the conduct of local referenda in respect of elected mayors are inadequate, because the new power to promote economic, social and environmental well-being, while welcome in principle, is insufficiently defined and overly subject to ministerial interference, because the powers being taken relating to the frequency of elections are too centralising in their nature, and because, although containing welcome provisions relating to the protection of school children from the promotion of homosexuality in schools and from bullying, and the conduct of local councillors and officers, it fails to provide for open, accountable and empowered local government with councils adopting structures that best suit local needs, including modernised and streamlined versions of the committee system.

Debate may continue until 10.00 p.m.

+  3
LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL [LORDS] [MONEY]:       Queen's Recommendation signified.    [No debate]

Mr Stephen Timms

    That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Local Government Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of—

(a)    any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State under the Act; and

(b)    any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable out of money so provided under any other enactment.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 52(1)(a)).

+  4
WELFARE REFORM AND PENSIONS    [No debate]

Mr Secretary Darling

    That the Report by the Secretary of State for Social Security under section 82 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999, stating the changes in the law which the Secretary of State is proposing in the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Bill by way of amendments to the Child Support Acts 1991 and 1995, the amount of the expenditure which the Secretary of State proposes to incur and the purposes for which he proposes to incur it (HC 270), which was laid before this House on 13th March, be approved.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).

+  5
SUPREME COURT OF ENGLAND AND WALES    [No debate]

Mr David Lock

    That the draft Access to Justice Act 1999 (Destination of Appeals) Order 2000, which was laid before this House on 22nd March, be approved.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).

+  6
LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE    [No debate]

Mr Secretary Milburn

    That the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 57) on the Promoting Independence: Prevention Grant for 2000/2001 (HC 338), which was laid before this House on 23rd March, be approved.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).

+  7
LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE    [No debate]

Mr Secretary Milburn

    That the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 56) on the Promoting Independence: Partnership Grant for 2000/2001 (HC 337), which was laid before this House on 23rd March, be approved.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).

+  8
LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE    [No debate]

Mr Secretary Milburn

    That the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 58) on the Promoting Independence: Carers Grant for 2000/2001 (HC 339), which was laid before this House on 23rd March, be approved.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).

At 10.00 p.m.

+
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE    [No debate]

The Prime Minister

    That, at this day's sitting, the Motion on Standing Committee on Regional Affairs may be proceeded with, though opposed, until any hour.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 15).

+  9
STANDING COMMITTEE ON REGIONAL AFFAIRS    [Until any hour]

Margaret Beckett

    That Standing Order No. 117 shall be repealed, and that the following Standing Order shall be made:

    117.— (1)    There shall be a standing committee called the Standing Committee on Regional Affairs, which shall consider any matter relating to regional affairs in England which may be referred to it.

(2)    The Committee shall consist of thirteen Members representing English constituencies nominated by the Committee of Selection; and in nominating such Members, the Committee of Selection shall—

(a)    have regard to the qualifications of the Members nominated and to the composition of the House; and

(b)    have power to discharge Members from time to time, and to appoint others in substitution.

(3)    Any Member of the House representing an English constituency, though not nominated to the Committee, may take part in its proceedings, but may not make any Motion, vote or be counted in the quorum; provided that a Minister of the Crown who is a Member of this House but not nominated to the Committee may make a Motion as specified in paragraph (10) below.

(4)    The quorum of the Committee shall be three.

(5)    Paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 88 (Meetings of standing committees) shall not apply to the Committee; except that the proviso to that paragraph shall apply to any sitting at Westminster.

(6)    A Motion may be made in the House by a Minister of the Crown to specify (or to vary) any or all of the following:

(a)    the matter or matters to be referred to the Committee;

(b)    the period to be allotted to proceedings on such matters;

(c)    when and where (within England) the Committee shall meet;

(d)    the hours for the commencement and conclusion of any sitting;

(e)    any days when the Committee shall meet at Westminster at Ten o'clock;

and such Motion may be moved at any time; and the Question thereon shall be put forthwith and may be decided at any hour, though opposed.

(7)    Where any order made under paragraph (6) above makes no provision for the period to be allotted to the proceedings on any matter or matters which have been referred to the Committee for consideration at a particular sitting, those proceedings shall be brought to a conclusion no later than three hours after their commencement.

(8)    At the commencement of business at any sitting of the Committee, the Chairman may permit Ministers of the Crown, being Members of the House, to make statements on any matter or matters referred to the Committee for consideration at that sitting, and may then permit members of the Committee to ask questions thereon.

(9)    No question on a statement by a Minister of the Crown shall be taken after the expiry of a period of one hour from the commencement of the first such statement, except that the Chairman may, at his discretion, allow such questions to be taken for a further period not exceeding half an hour.

(10)    The Committee shall, following any such statements and questions, consider each matter referred to it on a motion `That the Committee has considered the matter'; the Chairman shall put the Question necessary to dispose of the proceedings on each matter at the time, or after the period, specified in accordance with paragraph (6) or paragraph (7) of this Order, and the Committee shall thereupon report to the House that it has considered the matter or matters without any further Question being put.

(11)    Any period allocated to the consideration of any matter or matters shall include any time spent on statements by Ministers of the Crown and questions thereon, except when otherwise provided by any Order of the House made in accordance with paragraph (6) above.

    As Amendments to Margaret Beckett's proposed Motion (Standing Committee on Regional Affairs):

Mr Charles Kennedy
Mr A. J. Beith
Mr Don Foster
Mr Robert Maclennan
Mr Andrew Stunell
Mr Paul Tyler

    Line      6,      leave out `thirteen' and insert `twenty-four'.    (a)

    Line      10,      leave out `composition of the House' and insert `party representation of Members of the House sitting for English constituencies'.    (b)

    Line      12,      at end insert—

    Line      22,      leave out from beginning to `any' in line 23 and insert `The Committee, when matter or matters have been referred to it, shall meet to consider such business on the day and at the hour and at the place (within England) named by the Member appointed Chairman of the Committee in respect of those matters. The Chairman shall specify.'.    (d)

    Leave out line      26.    (e)

    Leave out lines      29      and      30.    (f)

    Line      30,      at end insert—
                  `(7)    The Committee shall be dissolved on 31st December 2005 or when devolution to democratically-elected regional assemblies has been enacted, whichever shall be the sooner.'.    (g)

    The unnumbered Paper from the Leader of the House, entitled Regional Standing Committee, which is available in the Vote Office, is relevant.

                        Debate may continue until any hour if the 10.00 p.m. Business Motion is agreed to.

At the end of the sitting:

  10
ADJOURNMENT

    Proposed subject: Government policy on tackling poor behaviour in schools (Mr Vernon Coaker).

    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 A 10.30 a.m.
4.30 p.m. Room 11 (public)
(public)

Further to consider the Utilities Bill.

2 Standing Committee B 10.30 a.m.
4.30 p.m. Room 9 (public)
(public)

Further to consider the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill.

3 Standing Committee D 10.30 a.m. Room 5 (public)

To consider the Race Relations (Amendment) Bill [Lords].

4 Standing Committee F 10.30 a.m. Room 10 (public)

To consider the Learning and Skills Bill [Lords].

5 Standing Committee G 10.30 a.m.
4.30 p.m. Room 12 (public)
(public)

Further to consider the Criminal Justice and Court Services Bill.

6 Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation 4.30 p.m. Room 10 (public)

To consider the draft Immigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) Order 2000.

SELECT COMMITTEES

7 Agriculture 10.00 a.m.
10.30 a.m. Room 21 (private)
(public)

Subject: Government Proposals for Organophosphate Sheep Dips.

Witnesses: Baroness Hayman, Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mr Ray Anderson, Director of Policy, Veterinary Medicines Directorate, MAFF, and Professor Ian Aitken, Chairman, Veterinary Products Committee.

8 Foreign Affairs 10.00 a.m.
10.30 a.m. Room 15 (private)
(public)

Subject: Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Witnesses: Professor Malcolm Dando, Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford, Professor Graham S. Pearson, Visiting Professor of International Security, Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford and Dr Tom Inch, Royal Society of Chemistry; Colonel Terry Taylor, Assistant Director, The Institute for Strategic Studies and Dr Trevor Findlay, Executive Director, Verification Research, Training and Information Centre (at 11.30 a.m.).

9 International Development 10.00 a.m.
10.30 a.m. Room 6 (private)
(public)

Subject: After Seattle—The World Trade Organisation and Developing Countries.

Witnesses: Representatives to the United Nations Office at Geneva: Mr Abdul Mannan, Economic Minister, Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of Bangladesh; H.E. Ambassador Mr Ransford Smith, Jamaica; H.E. Ambassador Mr N. Benjelloun-Touimi, Ambassador, Morocco.

10 Trade and Industry 10.00 a.m. Room 8 (public)

Subject: UK Space Policy.

Witnesses: Professor Pillinger; Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council; Royal Astronomical Society; Mr Mark Hempsell, University of Bristol, Mr Alan Bond, Managing Director, Reaction Engines Ltd and Mr David Ashford, Managing Director, Bristol Spaceplanes Ltd.

11 Home Affairs 10.15 a.m.
10.30 a.m. Room 16 (private)
(public)

Subject: The Work of the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

Witnesses: Sir Frederick Crawford, Chairman and Mrs Glenys Stacey, Chief Executive, Criminal Cases Review Commission.

12 Standards and Privileges 10.30 a.m. Room 13 (private)

13 Treasury 10.30 a.m. Room 7 (private)

14 Welsh Affairs 10.30 a.m.
11.00 a.m. Room 17 (private)
(public)

Subject: Social Exclusion in Wales.

Witnesses: Equal Opportunities Commission; Council of Mortgage Lenders.

15 Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs: Environment Sub-Committee 2.15 p.m.
2.30 p.m. Room 16 (private)
(public)

Subject: The Planning Inspectorate and Public Inquiries.

Witnesses: Advisory Panel on Standards for the Planning Inspectorate; Planning Inspectorate (at 3.30 p.m.).

16 Education and Employment 3.45 p.m. Room 18 (private)

17 Finance and Services 4.00 p.m. Room 15 (private)

18 Trade and Industry 4.00 p.m. Room 8 (private)

19 Statutory Instruments Immediately after the meeting of the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments Room 7 (private)

JOINT COMMITTEE

20 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 10th April for answer today++

1 Mr Jim Dobbin (Heywood and Middleton): To ask the Solicitor General, when he expects the Law Officers' Department's departmental report to be published.

( 118810 )

2 Gillian Merron (Lincoln): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, when he will make an announcement about the payment of winter fuel payments following the European Court judgement of 16th December 1999.

( 118811 )

3 Mr Malcolm Savidge (Aberdeen North): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make an announcement on the appointment of a United Kingdom member to the Council of Europe Venice Commission.

( 118863 )

4 Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what plans the Government has to change legislation to enable local authorities to charge recipents of working families' tax credit for the childcare they provide.

( 118893 )

5 Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, when the Lord Chancellor will announce his proposals for the reform of the Public Trust Office.

( 118894 )

6 Mr Phil Woolas (Oldham East and Saddleworth): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what consideration he has given under the provisions of the Redundancy Payments Regulations 1965 to advice from the Government Actuaries Department in the case of Robert Fletchers (Greenfield) v Peter Blakeman.

( 118892 )

Private Business

Third Reading

City of Newcastle upon Tyne Bill [Lords]. (By Order)

Second Reading

Greenham and Crookham Commons Bill. (By Order)

Preliminary Business

Main Business

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

STANDING COMMITTEES

SELECT COMMITTEES

JOINT COMMITTEE

Written Questions tabled on Monday 10th April for answer today++

Main Business
+ 2	LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL [LORDS]: Second Reading. [Until 10.00 p.m.]
	Mr William Hague Mr Archie Norman Mr Bernard Jenkin Mr Nigel Waterson Mr Damian Green Mr James Arbuthnot
	That this House declines to give a Second Reading to the Local Government Bill [Lords] because it is a centralising measure which will have the effect of undermining local democracy, because it will put pressure on local councils to introduce structures which may not suit local needs and circumstances, which will tend to encourage and facilitate a culture of secrecy and lack of consultation, engender corruption, diminish the role of ordinary councillors, encourage the growth of a class of professional local politicians with large salaries, pensions and other fringe benefits, and place officers in a position of potential conflict of interest, because the arrangements in the Bill for the conduct of local referenda in respect of elected mayors are inadequate, because the new power to promote economic, social and environmental well-being, while welcome in principle, is insufficiently defined and overly subject to ministerial interference, because the powers being taken relating to the frequency of elections are too centralising in their nature, and because, although containing welcome provisions relating to the protection of school children from the promotion of homosexuality in schools and from bullying, and the conduct of local councillors and officers, it fails to provide for open, accountable and empowered local government with councils adopting structures that best suit local needs, including modernised and streamlined versions of the committee system.
	Debate may continue until 10.00 p.m.
+ 3	LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL [LORDS] [MONEY]: Queen's Recommendation signified. [No debate]
	Mr Stephen Timms
	That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Local Government Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of—
	(a) any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State under the Act; and
	(b) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable out of money so provided under any other enactment.
	To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 52(1)(a)).
+ 4	WELFARE REFORM AND PENSIONS [No debate]
	Mr Secretary Darling
	That the Report by the Secretary of State for Social Security under section 82 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999, stating the changes in the law which the Secretary of State is proposing in the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Bill by way of amendments to the Child Support Acts 1991 and 1995, the amount of the expenditure which the Secretary of State proposes to incur and the purposes for which he proposes to incur it (HC 270), which was laid before this House on 13th March, be approved.
	To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).
+ 5	SUPREME COURT OF ENGLAND AND WALES [No debate]
	Mr David Lock
	That the draft Access to Justice Act 1999 (Destination of Appeals) Order 2000, which was laid before this House on 22nd March, be approved.
	To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).
+ 6	LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE [No debate]
	Mr Secretary Milburn
	That the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 57) on the Promoting Independence: Prevention Grant for 2000/2001 (HC 338), which was laid before this House on 23rd March, be approved.
	To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).
+ 7	LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE [No debate]
	Mr Secretary Milburn
	That the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 56) on the Promoting Independence: Partnership Grant for 2000/2001 (HC 337), which was laid before this House on 23rd March, be approved.
	To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).
+ 8	LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE [No debate]
	Mr Secretary Milburn
	That the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 58) on the Promoting Independence: Carers Grant for 2000/2001 (HC 339), which was laid before this House on 23rd March, be approved.
	To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).

At 10.00 p.m.
+	BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE [No debate]
	The Prime Minister
	That, at this day's sitting, the Motion on Standing Committee on Regional Affairs may be proceeded with, though opposed, until any hour.
	To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 15).

+ 9	STANDING COMMITTEE ON REGIONAL AFFAIRS [Until any hour]
	Margaret Beckett
	That Standing Order No. 117 shall be repealed, and that the following Standing Order shall be made:
	117.— (1) There shall be a standing committee called the Standing Committee on Regional Affairs, which shall consider any matter relating to regional affairs in England which may be referred to it.
	(2) The Committee shall consist of thirteen Members representing English constituencies nominated by the Committee of Selection; and in nominating such Members, the Committee of Selection shall—
	(a) have regard to the qualifications of the Members nominated and to the composition of the House; and
	(b) have power to discharge Members from time to time, and to appoint others in substitution.
	(3) Any Member of the House representing an English constituency, though not nominated to the Committee, may take part in its proceedings, but may not make any Motion, vote or be counted in the quorum; provided that a Minister of the Crown who is a Member of this House but not nominated to the Committee may make a Motion as specified in paragraph (10) below.
	(4) The quorum of the Committee shall be three.
	(5) Paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 88 (Meetings of standing committees) shall not apply to the Committee; except that the proviso to that paragraph shall apply to any sitting at Westminster.
	(6) A Motion may be made in the House by a Minister of the Crown to specify (or to vary) any or all of the following:
	(a) the matter or matters to be referred to the Committee;
	(b) the period to be allotted to proceedings on such matters;
	(c) when and where (within England) the Committee shall meet;
	(d) the hours for the commencement and conclusion of any sitting;
	(e) any days when the Committee shall meet at Westminster at Ten o'clock;
	and such Motion may be moved at any time; and the Question thereon shall be put forthwith and may be decided at any hour, though opposed.
	(7) Where any order made under paragraph (6) above makes no provision for the period to be allotted to the proceedings on any matter or matters which have been referred to the Committee for consideration at a particular sitting, those proceedings shall be brought to a conclusion no later than three hours after their commencement.
	(8) At the commencement of business at any sitting of the Committee, the Chairman may permit Ministers of the Crown, being Members of the House, to make statements on any matter or matters referred to the Committee for consideration at that sitting, and may then permit members of the Committee to ask questions thereon.
	(9) No question on a statement by a Minister of the Crown shall be taken after the expiry of a period of one hour from the commencement of the first such statement, except that the Chairman may, at his discretion, allow such questions to be taken for a further period not exceeding half an hour.
	(10) The Committee shall, following any such statements and questions, consider each matter referred to it on a motion `That the Committee has considered the matter'; the Chairman shall put the Question necessary to dispose of the proceedings on each matter at the time, or after the period, specified in accordance with paragraph (6) or paragraph (7) of this Order, and the Committee shall thereupon report to the House that it has considered the matter or matters without any further Question being put.
	(11) Any period allocated to the consideration of any matter or matters shall include any time spent on statements by Ministers of the Crown and questions thereon, except when otherwise provided by any Order of the House made in accordance with paragraph (6) above.
	As Amendments to Margaret Beckett's proposed Motion (Standing Committee on Regional Affairs):
	Mr Charles Kennedy Mr A. J. Beith Mr Don Foster Mr Robert Maclennan Mr Andrew Stunell Mr Paul Tyler
	Line 6, leave out `thirteen' and insert `twenty-four'. (a)
	Line 10, leave out `composition of the House' and insert `party representation of Members of the House sitting for English constituencies'. (b)
	Line 12, at end insert—
	Line 22, leave out from beginning to `any' in line 23 and insert `The Committee, when matter or matters have been referred to it, shall meet to consider such business on the day and at the hour and at the place (within England) named by the Member appointed Chairman of the Committee in respect of those matters. The Chairman shall specify.'. (d)
	Leave out line 26. (e)
	Leave out lines 29 and 30. (f)
	Line 30, at end insert— `(7) The Committee shall be dissolved on 31st December 2005 or when devolution to democratically-elected regional assemblies has been enacted, whichever shall be the sooner.'. (g)
	The unnumbered Paper from the Leader of the House, entitled Regional Standing Committee, which is available in the Vote Office, is relevant.
	Debate may continue until any hour if the 10.00 p.m. Business Motion is agreed to.
At the end of the sitting:
10	ADJOURNMENT
	Proposed subject: Government policy on tackling poor behaviour in schools* (Mr Vernon Coaker).*
	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 A	10.30 a.m. 4.30 p.m.	Room 11 (public) (public)
	Further to consider the Utilities Bill.
2	Standing Committee B	10.30 a.m. 4.30 p.m.	Room 9 (public) (public)
	Further to consider the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill.
3	Standing Committee D	10.30 a.m.	Room 5 (public)
	To consider the Race Relations (Amendment) Bill [Lords].
4	Standing Committee F	10.30 a.m.	Room 10 (public)
	To consider the Learning and Skills Bill [Lords].
5	Standing Committee G	10.30 a.m. 4.30 p.m.	Room 12 (public) (public)
	Further to consider the Criminal Justice and Court Services Bill.
6	Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation	4.30 p.m.	Room 10 (public)
	To consider the draft Immigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) Order 2000.
SELECT COMMITTEES
7	Agriculture	10.00 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 21 (private) (public)
	Subject: Government Proposals for Organophosphate Sheep Dips.
	Witnesses: Baroness Hayman, Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mr Ray Anderson, Director of Policy, Veterinary Medicines Directorate, MAFF, and Professor Ian Aitken, Chairman, Veterinary Products Committee.
8	Foreign Affairs	10.00 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 15 (private) (public)
	Subject: Weapons of Mass Destruction.
	Witnesses: Professor Malcolm Dando, Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford, Professor Graham S. Pearson, Visiting Professor of International Security, Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford and Dr Tom Inch, Royal Society of Chemistry; Colonel Terry Taylor, Assistant Director, The Institute for Strategic Studies and Dr Trevor Findlay, Executive Director, Verification Research, Training and Information Centre (at 11.30 a.m.).
9	International Development	10.00 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 6 (private) (public)
	Subject: After Seattle—The World Trade Organisation and Developing Countries.
	Witnesses: Representatives to the United Nations Office at Geneva: Mr Abdul Mannan, Economic Minister, Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of Bangladesh; H.E. Ambassador Mr Ransford Smith, Jamaica; H.E. Ambassador Mr N. Benjelloun-Touimi, Ambassador, Morocco.
10	Trade and Industry	10.00 a.m.	Room 8 (public)
	Subject: UK Space Policy.
	Witnesses: Professor Pillinger; Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council; Royal Astronomical Society; Mr Mark Hempsell, University of Bristol, Mr Alan Bond, Managing Director, Reaction Engines Ltd and Mr David Ashford, Managing Director, Bristol Spaceplanes Ltd.
11	Home Affairs	10.15 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 16 (private) (public)
	Subject: The Work of the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
	Witnesses: Sir Frederick Crawford, Chairman and Mrs Glenys Stacey, Chief Executive, Criminal Cases Review Commission.
12	Standards and Privileges	10.30 a.m.	Room 13 (private)
13	Treasury	10.30 a.m.	Room 7 (private)
14	Welsh Affairs	10.30 a.m. 11.00 a.m.	Room 17 (private) (public)
	Subject: Social Exclusion in Wales.
	Witnesses: Equal Opportunities Commission; Council of Mortgage Lenders.
15	Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs: Environment Sub-Committee	2.15 p.m. 2.30 p.m.	Room 16 (private) (public)
	Subject: The Planning Inspectorate and Public Inquiries.
	Witnesses: Advisory Panel on Standards for the Planning Inspectorate; Planning Inspectorate (at 3.30 p.m.).
16	Education and Employment	3.45 p.m.	Room 18 (private)
17	Finance and Services	4.00 p.m.	Room 15 (private)
18	Trade and Industry	4.00 p.m.	Room 8 (private)
19	Statutory Instruments	Immediately after the meeting of the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments	Room 7 (private)
JOINT COMMITTEE
20	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 10th April for answer today++
1	Mr Jim Dobbin (Heywood and Middleton): To ask the Solicitor General, when he expects the Law Officers' Department's departmental report to be published.
	( 118810 )
2	Gillian Merron (Lincoln): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, when he will make an announcement about the payment of winter fuel payments following the European Court judgement of 16th December 1999.
	( 118811 )
3	Mr Malcolm Savidge (Aberdeen North): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make an announcement on the appointment of a United Kingdom member to the Council of Europe Venice Commission.
	( 118863 )
4	Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what plans the Government has to change legislation to enable local authorities to charge recipents of working families' tax credit for the childcare they provide.
	( 118893 )
5	Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, when the Lord Chancellor will announce his proposals for the reform of the Public Trust Office.
	( 118894 )
6	Mr Phil Woolas (Oldham East and Saddleworth): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what consideration he has given under the provisions of the Redundancy Payments Regulations 1965 to advice from the Government Actuaries Department in the case of Robert Fletchers (Greenfield) v Peter Blakeman.
	( 118892 )