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Session 1999-2000
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Summary Agendas and Orders of Business

Order of Business Wednesday 12th April 2000

Here you can browse the House of Commons Order of Business for Wednesday 12th 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.

Further Consideration of Bill, as amended

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

Mr John McDonnell
Mr Harry Cohen
Mr Andrew Mackinlay
Mr Jeremy Corbyn

        On Further Consideration of the City of London (Ward Elections) Bill, as amended, to move, That the Bill be further considered upon this day six months.

[For Amendments, see pp 102 to 111 of the Notice Paper relating to Private Business.]


Afterwards
Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
*1 Mr Roy Beggs (East Antrim):    How Northern Ireland schools and colleges will benefit from the additional funding for education announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement.
( 117340 )
*2 Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    What progress has been made in re-establishing the Northern Ireland Executive.
( 117372 )
*3 Mr Patrick Nicholls (Teignbridge):    If he will make a statement on the security situation in Northern Ireland.
( 117373 )
*4 Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down):    What recent discussions he has had with the petrol retail industry in Northern Ireland concerning the level of tax on fuel; and if he will make a statement.
( 117374 )
*5 Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    What progress has been made in re-establishing the Northern Ireland Executive.
( 117375 )
*6 Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South):    What is his assessment of the impact of the minimum income guarantee on pensioners in Northern Ireland.
( 117376 )
*7 Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury):    If he will make a statement on the future of the name and insignia of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
( 117377 )
*8 Mrs Linda Gilroy (Plymouth, Sutton):    What assessment he has made of the impact of the minimum income guarantee on pensioners in Northern Ireland.
( 117378 )
*9 Mrs Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside):    If he will make a statement on employment at the port of Belfast.
( 117379 )
*10 Mr Stephen Day (Cheadle):    If he will make a statement on the security situation in Northern Ireland.
( 117380 )
*11 Jane Griffiths (Reading East):    If he will make a statement on the future of the port of Belfast.
( 117381 )
*12 Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West):    If he will make a statement on the progress of decommissioning under the Belfast Agreement.
( 117382 )
*13 Shona McIsaac (Cleethorpes):    If he will make a statement on arms decommissioning.
( 117383 )
*14 Mr Paul Goggins (Wythenshawe and Sale East):    If he will make a statement on developments in the treatment of young offenders.
( 117384 )
*15 Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby):    How many soldiers were on duty in the Province on (a) the date on which he assumed office and (b) over the Christmas period in 1999.
( 117430 )
*16 Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    If he will make a statement on political developments in Northern Ireland.
( 117431 )
*17 Mrs Ann Winterton (Congleton):    If he will make a statement on the security situation in Northern Ireland.
( 117432 )
*18 Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    If he will make a statement on the peace process in Northern Ireland.
( 117433 )
*19 Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock):    If he will make a statement about the administrative difficulties arising from restoring direct rule and from a reduced ministerial team.
( 117434 )
*20 Mr Andrew Hunter (Basingstoke):    How much funding organisations claiming to support victims of violence have received (a) from the Government and (b) from EU sources in the last five years; and if he will make a statement.
( 117435 )
*21 Dr Nick Palmer (Broxtowe):    What further discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland political parties regarding the implementation of the Patten Commission's recommendations on policing in Northern Ireland.
( 117436 )
*22 Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    What is his latest assessment of the prospects for decommissioning.
( 117437 )
*23 Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East):    If he will make a statement on recent political developments in Northern Ireland.
( 117438 )
*24 Mr Bill Tynan (Hamilton South):    What support he is giving the shipbuilding industry in Northern Ireland.
( 117439 )
*25 Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst):    If he will make a statement on the prospects for decommissioning of terrorist arms and explosives in Northern Ireland.
( 117440 )
*26 Dr Tony Wright (Cannock Chase):    If he will make a statement on the prospects for decommissioning of illegally-held terrorist weapons.
( 117441 )
*27 Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    If he will make a statement on the prospects for decommissioning of illegally-held arms and explosives in Northern Ireland.
( 117442 )
*28 Mr David Trimble (Upper Bann):    If he will make a statement on the current application of the European Convention on Human Rights in Northern Ireland.
( 117443 )
*29 Maria Fyfe (Glasgow, Maryhill):    Under what conditions he would recommend that the Northern Ireland Assembly should have its suspension lifted.
( 117444 )

At 3.00 p.m.
Oral Questions to the Prime Minister
*Q1 Ms Sally Keeble (Northampton North):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 12th April.
( 117445 )
*Q2 Rosemary McKenna (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 12th April.
( 117446 )
*Q3 Mr Bowen Wells (Hertford and Stortford):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 12th April.
( 117447 )
*Q4 Mrs Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 12th April.
( 117448 )
*Q5 Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 12th April.
( 117449 )
*Q6 Mr Alex Salmond (Banff and Buchan):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 12th April.
( 117450 )
*Q7 Bob Russell (Colchester):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 12th April.
( 117451 )
*Q8 Sir Archie Hamilton (Epsom and Ewell):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 12th April.
( 117452 )
*Q9 Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 12th April.
( 117453 )
*Q10 Mr Stephen Day (Cheadle):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 12th April.
( 117454 )
*Q11 Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 12th April.
( 117455 )
*Q12 Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 12th April.
( 117456 )
*Q13 Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 12th April.
( 117457 )
*Q14 Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 12th April.
( 117458 )
*Q15 Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 12th April.
( 117459 )
*Q16 Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 12th April.
( 117460 )
*Q17 Mr Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North):    What policies are being taken forward by Her Majesty's Government to increase the supply of affordable rented housing in inner London.
( 117461 )
*Q18 Mrs Marion Roe (Broxbourne):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 12th April.
( 117462 )
*Q19 Judy Mallaber (Amber Valley):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 12th April.
( 117463 )
*Q20 Mr Michael Fabricant (Lichfield):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 12th April.
( 117464 )

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

Preliminary Business

Ten minute rule Motion

  1  

REGISTERED FAIR RENTS    [Up to 20 minutes]

Mr Adrian Sanders

        That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the Rent Act 1977 to limit the maximum fair rent registrable in respect of regulated tenancies.

        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 [9th allotted day]    [Until 10.00 p.m.]

  

FUTURE OF SUB-POST OFFICES

Mr William Hague
Mrs Angela Browning
Mr Alan Duncan
Mr Richard Page
Mr Nick Gibb
Mr James Arbuthnot

        That this House condemns the Government's failure to provide a coherent strategy for the future of sub-post offices; expresses concern that nearly a year has elapsed without any solutions to the problems created by the arbitrary announcement to withdraw income from community post offices in return for the payment of benefits; believes that the acceleration of post office closures in 1999-2000 will continue as a result of the Government's policies; applauds the determination of the last Conservative Government to maintain a national network of post offices; supports the computerisation project started by the last Conservative Government to tackle fraud and improve technology available in post offices without cutting their income; calls upon the Government to recognise the social value of post offices to local communities; and now requires the Government, as a matter of urgency, to identify new income streams for sub-post offices in the future and to end the confusion for benefits recipients about the future payment arrangements at local level.

        As Amendments to Mr William Hague's proposed Motion (Future of Sub-Post Offices):

The Prime Minister
Mr Secretary Prescott
Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer
Mr Secretary Darling
Mr Secretary Blunkett
Mr Secretary Byers

        Line      1,      leave out from `House' to end and add `welcomes the fact that the Government is committed to a national post office network and is taking steps to secure this; welcomes the Government's moves to plan the introduction of automated credit transfer; welcomes the Postal Services Bill which will enable the Post Office to modernise, so building up new business for the network; welcomes the investment of #500 million to ensure the network is computerised, so enabling a successful and modern network to emerge; welcomes the Government's introduction for the first time of criteria for access to Post Office services; welcomes the commitment to give benefit recipients the choice of having benefits paid in cash via a post office even after the switch to automated credit transfer is complete in 2005; and applauds the work of the sub-postmasters and postmistresses and condemns those who make their lives harder by talking down the network.'.

Mr Charles Kennedy
Mr A. J. Beith
Dr Vincent Cable
Mr Brian Cotter
Norman Baker
Mr Paul Tyler

        Line      6,      leave out from `policies' to `calls' in line 10.

  

ASYLUM SEEKERS

Mr William Hague
Miss Ann Widdecombe
Mr David Lidington
Mr Oliver Heald
Mr Nick Hawkins
Mr James Arbuthnot

        That this House believes that the United Kingdom should continue to offer a safe haven to genuine refugees in fear of persecution; is concerned that the right to claim asylum in the United Kingdom is at present subject to widespread abuse; believes that the large proportion of unfounded asylum claims harms the interests of genuine refugees who are fleeing from persecution; notes that in 1999 there were over 71,000 claims for asylum in the United Kingdom, compared with fewer than 30,000 in 1996; further notes that the backlog of unprocessed applications stands at over 103,000, double the levels of 1997; further notes that the vast majority of asylum applicants are refused and are neither granted asylum nor exceptional leave to remain; further notes that fewer than 8,000 failed asylum seekers leave the United Kingdom annually as a result of Government action; deplores the `soft touch' message sent out by the Government and condemns the Government for its failure to address the root causes of the present crisis; supports the abolition of cash benefits for asylum seekers but deplores the Government's incoherent and ineffective attempts to implement new arrangements for their support and the continued burden on local authorities; and calls on the Government to implement common sense solutions, including the increased use of detention and more removals of failed asylum seekers, to discourage bogus applications and address the current crisis, which is causing great concern to the people of the United Kingdom.

        As Amendments to Mr William Hague's proposed Motion (Asylum Seekers):

The Prime Minister
Mr Secretary Prescott
Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer
Mr Secretary Straw
Mr Secretary Darling
Mr David Lock

        Line      1,      leave out from `House' to end and add `approves the Government's comprehensive, integrated strategy to modernise the immigration and asylum system to make it fairer, faster and firmer; welcomes the provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 which will overhaul the inadequate legislative framework created by the previous Government and will replace the chaotic asylum support arrangements introduced in 1996 which have imposed an intolerable burden on local authorities; is astonished that the Official Opposition voted in the other place to restore cash benefits to asylum seekers at a cost of #500 million per year; approves the measures being taken to tackle the smugglers and traffickers who profit from illegal immigration; approves the new civil penalty for drivers and others who bring illegal immigrants to this country concealed in their vehicles; welcomes the substantial additional investment that the Government is making to increase the volume and speed of asylum decisions; congratulates the staff of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate on achieving record numbers of asylum decisions; and supports the Government's commitment to protecting genuine refugees while dealing firmly with those who seek to evade the control.'.

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 `affirms that the United Kingdom has international asylum obligations; notes the UNHCR estimates of 11.5 million refugees worldwide of which 1 million are the result of European conflicts, that there is no co-ordinated asylum policy across the EU and that now no clear route exists for those wishing to come to the United Kingdom legitimately to seek asylum; notes that last year the number seeking asylum in the UK was proportionately less than in seven other EU countries and between 40 and 50 per cent. of those cases were decided were allowed to stay; believes that with the liberty of free speech comes the responsibility not to misrepresent facts and figures, in particular not to use language likely to cause fear or foster prejudice; expresses concern about the language used over recent months in some of the press and by some politicians, in particular Conservative spokesmen; commends this week's call from the Prime Minister for all politicians to avoid playing the race card and notes how this contrasts with the alarmist contributions of the Conservative Shadow Home Secretary and the inaccurate assertions of the Leader of the Opposition who are both partly responsible for the consequences of the backlog of undetermined applications and their consequences; and calls on the Government to appoint further caseworkers urgently to process existing and new claims, to ensure dispersal is only to appropriate places and that local councils who have borne the burden of the pressure are fully recompensed for the additional costs they have had to bear.'.

        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  

IMMIGRATION    [No debate]

Mr Secretary Straw

        That the draft Immigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) Order 2000, which was laid before this House on 30th March, be approved.

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

At the end of the sitting:

  4  

ADJOURNMENT

        Proposed subject: Payments for foreign nationals residing in bail hostels (Miss Ann Widdecombe).

        Debate may continue until 10.30 p.m. or for half an hour, whichever is later (Standing Order No. 9).


COMMITTEE MEETINGS

STANDING COMMITTEES

1Standing Committee C10.30 a.m.
4.30 p.m.
Room 9 (public)
(public)
Further to consider the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Bill.
2European Standing Committee C10.30 a.m.
Room 10 (public)
To consider European Union Document No. 5761/00 Relating to Food Safety.

SELECT COMMITTEES

3Education and Employment: Education Sub-Committee9.30 a.m.
10.00 a.m.
Room 18 (private)
(public)
Subject: Higher Education.
Witnesses: Dr Roger Brown, Southampton Institute, and Professor Robin Middlehurst, University of Surrey.
4Treasury Sub-Committee9.30 a.m. Room 6 (private)
5Defence10.00 a.m.
10.30 a.m.
Room 15 (private)
(public)
Subject: The Lessons of Kosovo.
Witnesses: Vice Admiral Sir Jeremy Blackham, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Equipment Capability), Air Vice Marshal Steve Nicholl, CBE, AFC, Capability Manager (Strike), Mr Carl Mantell, Director Capability, Resources & Scrutiny, Brigadier Andrew Figgures, CB, Director Equipment Capability (Direct Battlefield Engagement), Brigadier Ian Rees, Director Defence, Physical Supply Chain, Ministry of Defence.
6Social Security10.00 a.m.
10.45 a.m.
Room 19 (private)
(public)
Subject: Housing Benefit.
Witnesses: Professor John Hills, Professor Peter Kemp and Professor Christine Whitehead.
7Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs10.30 a.m.
10.45 a.m.
Room 8 (private)
(public)
Subject: Proposed Urban White Paper.
Witnesses: Mr Stephen Timms MP, Financial Secretary, and officials, HM Treasury (at 10.45 a.m.); The Lord Falconer of Thoroton, QC, Minister of State, and officials, Cabinet Office (at 11.40 a.m.)
8Public Administration10.30 a.m.
10.45 a.m.
Room 21 (private)
(public)
Subject: Changes to Serps.
Witness: Rachel Lomax, Permanent Secretary, Department of Social Security.
9Environmental Audit1.45 p.m. Room 20 (private)
10Education and Employment: Employment Sub-Committee3.45 p.m. Room 18 (private)
11Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs: Transport Sub-Committee3.45 p.m.
4.00 p.m.
Room 15 (private)
(public)
Subject: Funding of London Underground.
Witnesses: Professor Steven Glaister, University of London Centre for Transport Studies, Mr Declan Gaffney, University College London and Dr Jean Shaoul, University of Manchester; London Transport (at 4.30 p.m.); Professor The Lord Currie of Marylebone, London Business School (at 5.00 p.m.).
12Northern Ireland Affairs3.45 p.m.
4.15 p.m.
Room 6 (private)
(public)
Subject: Public Expenditure—Inward Investment in Northern Ireland.
Witnesses: CORE and Into the West.
13Public Administration3.45 p.m.
4.00 p.m.
Room 21 (private)
(public)
Subject: Public Participation.
Witness: The Rt. Hon. Ian McCartney MP, Minister of State, Cabinet Office.
14Science and Technology3.45 p.m.
5.00 p.m.
Room 8 (private)
(public)
Subject: Cancer Research—A Fresh Look.
Witnesses: The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry.
15European Scrutiny4.00 p.m. Room 19 (private)
16Selection4.15 p.m. Room 13 (private)
17Public Accounts4.30 p.m. Room 16 (public)
Subject: Inland Revenue/EDS Strategic Partnership: Award of New Work.
Witnesses: Mr Nick Montague, CB, Chairman, Mr John Yard, CBE, Director of Business Management Services, Inland Revenue; Mr Alan Stevens, Managing Director, Government Accounts, Electronic Data Systems Ltd.

[The decision of a Committee to sit in public may be rescinded without notice.]

 
 

Written Questions tabled on Tuesday 11th April for answer today++

1 Angela Smith (Basildon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what effect the contaminated land regime which came into force for England on 1st April will have on the programme of financial support to English local authorities and to the Environment Agency to meet the costs of dealing with contaminated land.
( 118940 )
2 Mrs Jackie Lawrence (Preseli Pembrokeshire): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what New Zealand investment exchanges have been recognised this year as overseas investment exchanges in the UK under sections 37 and 40 of the Financial Services Act 1986.
( 118941 )
3 Mr Gareth R. Thomas (Harrow West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, which roads are to become the first Greater London Authority roads and Greater London Authority side roads; and if he will make a statement.
( 119094 )
4 Mr Barry Gardiner (Brent North): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what arrangements have been made following the expiry of the terms of appointment of the members of the Intelligence Service Tribunal on 15th December 1999; and if he will make a statement.
( 119095 )
5 Christine Butler (Castle Point): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if she has concluded her review of the Government Car and Despatch Agency.
( 119096 )
6 Mrs Linda Gilroy (Plymouth, Sutton): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what performance targets have been set for the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency for 2000-01.
( 119122 )
7 Mrs Linda Gilroy (Plymouth, Sutton): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made by his Department in its strategic environmental appraisal of the Strategic Defence Review; and if he will make a statement.
( 119123 )
8 Mr Bill Olner (Nuneaton): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will accept the recommendations made in the report of the Advisory Group on Openness in the Public Sector.
( 119124 )
9 Mr Phil Hope (Corby): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what are the most recent statistics available for the police use of firearms.
( 119125 )
10 Mr Chris Pond (Gravesham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what arrangements have been made following the expiry of the terms of appointment of the members of the Security Service Tribunal on 18th December 1999; and if he will make a statement.
( 119126 )
11 Kali Mountford (Colne Valley): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he has received the recommendations of the inquiry into the machinery for determining firefighters' conditions of service.
( 119127 )
12 Mr Tony McWalter (Hemel Hempstead): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he has reached a decision on the bids for notional credit approvals under the second round of the private finance initiative for the Fire Service.
( 119128 )
13 Mr Stephen McCabe (Birmingham, Hall Green): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to make kerb crawling an arrestable offence.
( 119129 )
14 Mr Christopher Leslie (Shipley): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if the Lord Chancellor has completed his review of the terms of service of part-time judicial office-holders in England and Wales following the judgement of the High Court of Justiciary in Scotland in the STARRS case.
( 119130 )
15 Mr Ivan Lewis (Bury South): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, when the review of the Crown Office List will be published.
( 119131 )
16 Mrs Jackie Lawrence (Preseli Pembrokeshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what previous political activity will make a person unsuitable to be appointed as an electoral commissioner.
( 119147 )
17 Dr Desmond Turner (Brighton, Kemptown): To ask the Prime Minister, what arrangements have been made to appoint a Commissioner under section 4 of the Security Service Act 1989 following the expiration of Lord Justice Stuart-Smith's appointment on 13th December 1999; and if he will make a statement.
( 119148 )
18 Dr Desmond Turner (Brighton, Kemptown): To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list the members of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments; and if he will make a statement.
( 119149 )
19 Mr Shaun Woodward (Witney): To ask the Prime Minister, what arrangements have been made to appoint a Commissioner under section 8 of the Intelligence Services Act 1994 following the expiration of Lord Justice Stuart-Smith's appointment on 15th December 1999; and if he will make a statement.
( 119150 )
20 Mr Colin Burgon (Elmet): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to prevent water pollution from oil stores.
( 119203 )



 

 
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