Order of Business for Tuesday 23rd May 2000

House of Commons

Session 1999-2000
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Order of Business Tuesday 23rd May 2000

Here you can browse the House of Commons Order of Business for Tuesday 23rd May 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.

Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland

*1 Mr Brian H. Donohoe (Cunninghame South):    If he will make a statement on the impact of the New Deal on the level of youth unemployment.

( 121870 )

*2 Mr John McFall (Dumbarton):    What representations he has received from political parties on publicising the working families tax credit in Scotland.

( 121872 )

*3 Mr Michael Connarty (Falkirk East):    If he will make a statement on the Government's plans for the future regulation of electricity supply, generation and distribution in Scotland.

( 121873 )

*4 Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford and Southend East):    If he will meet the Scottish Executive to discuss the implications for the Scottish economy of devolved tax raising powers.

( 121875 )

*5 Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    What representations he has received about the honours system in Scotland.

( 121876 )

*6 Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries):    If he will make a statement on the most recent figures on the take-up of the New Deal in Scotland.

( 121877 )

*7 Mr Tony Worthington (Clydebank and Milngavie):    If he will make a statement on the impact of the New Deal on employment in Clydebank and Milngavie.

( 121878 )

*8 Mr Bill Tynan (Hamilton South):    What recent representations he has made to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions regarding ferry services between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

( 121879 )

*9 Mr Jim Murphy (Eastwood):    What discussions he has had about the application of New Deal programmes in Scottish football clubs.

( 121880 )

*10 Mr Desmond Browne (Kilmarnock and Loudoun):    What steps he is taking to assist the unemployed in Scotland to take up available jobs.

( 121881 )

*11 Mr David Marshall (Glasgow, Shettleston):    What recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive on fuel poverty issues in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

( 121883 )

*12 Mrs Ray Michie (Argyll and Bute):    What discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive on the tender of Caledonian MacBrayne's ferry services under article 87.1 of the EC Treaty and the 1992 European Regulations on Maritime Transport (Council Regulation 3577/92); and if he will make a statement.

( 121884 )

*13 Rosemary McKenna (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth):    How many enforcement actions have been taken in Scotland to ensure that employers meet their obligation to pay the national minimum wage.

( 121885 )

*14 Maria Fyfe (Glasgow, Maryhill):    What discussions he has had with bodies in the shipbuilding industry on raising the competitiveness of the industry.

( 121886 )

*15 Mr Eric Clarke (Midlothian):    What meetings he has held with EWS Railway Freight Company to discuss the shortage of freight trains to meet the contracts with the Scottish coal companies over the last year.

( 121887 )

*16 Mr Archy Kirkwood (Roxburgh and Berwickshire):    What discussions he has had with representatives of manufacturing interests on the areas in Scotland to be covered by regional selective assistance; and if he will make a statement.

( 121888 )

At 2.55 p.m.

Oral Questions to the Advocate General for Scotland

*17 Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    What recent advice she has given on the introduction into Scots Law of the European Convention on Human Rights and its implications for practising (a) lawyers and (b) judges.

( 121890 )

*18 Mr Desmond Browne (Kilmarnock and Loudoun):    What steps she is taking to anticipate the incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights into Scots Law in October.

( 121892 )

*19 Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    How many meetings she has held with honourable Members in order to give guidance about the exercise by her of her powers.

( 121893 )

At 3.00 p.m.

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

*20 Mr Nigel Waterson (Eastbourne):    What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department regarding transferring the licensing justices' powers to local authorities.

( 121894 )

*21 Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    What plans he has to make further reforms in the field of family law.

( 121895 )

*22 Mr Tony Colman (Putney):    If he will make a statement on progress on reform of the Public Trust Office.

( 121898 )

*23 Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West):    If he will make a statement on the level of court fees.

( 121899 )

*24 Dr Doug Naysmith (Bristol North West):    If the Public Trust Office Executive Agency has met its key performance targets for 1999-2000; and if he will make a statement.

( 121900 )

*25 Mr David Ruffley (Bury St. Edmunds):    What recent representations he has received regarding the closing of Crown Courts in rural areas.

( 121901 )

*26 Bob Russell (Colchester):    If he will make a statement on progress towards building a new courthouse at Colchester.

( 121903 )

*27 Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    If the Lord Chancellor was consulted by the Scottish Executive over proposals to establish a Judicial Appointments Commission in Scotland.

( 121904 )

*28 Fiona Mactaggart (Slough):    What discussions he has held with the Home Office about its policy in relation to recommendations by immigration adjudicators.

( 121905 )

*29 Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central):    What steps are being taken to reduce the time taken in bringing action for enforcement of payment to the county courts.

( 121907 )

*30 Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):    If he will make a statement on the future of rural magistrates' courts in Buckinghamshire.

( 121908 )

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

*31 Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the President of the Council, how often the Appointments Commission has met; and if she will make a statement.

( 121909 )

*32 Mr John Bercow (Buckingham): To ask the President of the Council, if she will bring forward proposals to the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons to place time limits on Ministerial responses to oral questions.

( 121910 )

*33 Mr Michael Jack (Fylde): To ask the President of the Council, if she will bring forward proposals to the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons for the adaptation of committee rooms to enable honourable Members to use the PDVN system during standing committees sittings.

( 121911 )

*34 Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West): To ask the President of the Council, if she will make a statement on the experimental sittings in Westminster Hall.

( 121912 )

*35 Helen Jackson (Sheffield, Hillsborough): To ask the President of the Council, if she will make a statement on proposals for reform of the voting methods of the House.

( 121913 )

*36 Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the President of the Council, if she will propose to the Modernisation Committee a more even distribution of the sitting days throughout the parliamentary session.

( 121914 )

*37 Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford): To ask the President of the Council, what plans she has to ensure that the dates of future parliamentary recesses coincide with school holidays.

( 121916 )

*38 Fiona Mactaggart (Slough): To ask the President of the Council, what consultations she has held about terms of reference for the Joint Committee on Human Rights.

( 121917 )

*39 Angela Smith (Basildon): To ask the honourable Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, when the Commission last met representives of the recognised trade unions in the House.

( 121918 )

*40 Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the President of the Council, what recent representations she has received on proceedings in Westminster Hall.

( 121919 )

*41 Jean Corston (Bristol East): To ask the President of the Council, if she will make a statement on proposals for reform of the voting methods of the House.

( 121920 )

*42 Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome): To ask the President of the Council, if she will recommend to the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons that it examines the benefits of reducing the period between tabling oral questions to Ministers and the date for answer.

( 121921 )

*43 Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire): To ask the President of the Council, if she will make a statement on the (a) capital and (b) running costs of the Westminster Hall experiment to date.

( 121922 )

*44 Dr Tony Wright (Cannock Chase): To ask the President of the Council, if she will make a statement on the progress made to date on reforms proposed by the Modernisation Committee.

( 121923 )

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

Preliminary Business

Ten minute rule Motion

  1
GENETIC TESTING (CONSENT AND CONFIDENTIALITY)    [Up to 20 minutes]

Mr Nick Harvey

    That leave be given to bring in a bill to require that genetic testing and genetic test results and other information derived from such tests may be used only for medical and clinical purposes, after informed consent of the patient has been given; to prohibit the giving of such information to other parties; and to prohibit insurance companies, banks, mortgage providers and employers from requiring genetic tests to be taken or insisting on disclosure of the results or of information derived from such tests.

    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
CROWN PROSECUTION SERVICE INSPECTORATE BILL [LORDS]:      Second Reading.    [Until 10.00 p.m.]

Debate may continue until 10.00 p.m.

+  3
CROWN PROSECUTION SERVICE INSPECTORATE BILL [LORDS] [MONEY]:       Queen's Recommendation signified.    [No debate]

Mr Stephen Timms

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

(1)    sums in respect of salary, pension, allowances and compensation for Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service; and

(2)    expenditure incurred by the Chief Inspector in the discharge of his functions under the Act.

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

+  4
LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIPS BILL [LORDS]:      Second Reading.    [Until any hour]

    The Fourth Report from the Trade and Industry Committee, Session 1998-99, on the draft Limited Liability Partnerships Bill, HC 59, and the Government's response thereto, HC 529 of Session 1998-99, are relevant.

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

+  5
LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIPS BILL [LORDS] [WAYS AND MEANS]    [No debate]

Mr Stephen Timms

    That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Limited Liability Partnerships Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise—

(a)    the making of provision about the taxation of limited liability partnerships and their members, and

(b)    the imposition by regulations under the Act of fees payable into the Consolidated Fund.

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

At 10.00 p.m.

+
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE    [No debate]

The Prime Minister

    That, at this day's sitting, the Limited Liability Partnerships Bill [Lords], the Motion on Insurance for Members and the Motion on Legal Costs incurred by the honourable Member for Mid Worcestershire may be proceeded with, though opposed, until any hour.

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

+  6
DEFENCE    [No debate]

Mr Secretary Hoon

    That the draft Army, Air Force and Navy Discipline Acts (Continuation) Order 2000, which was laid before this House on 4th May, be approved.

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

+  7
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT    [No debate]

Mr Secretary Byers

    That the draft National Minimum Wage (Increase in Development Rate for Young Workers) Regulations 2000, which were laid before this House on 4th May, be approved.

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

+  8
TRADE UNION AND LABOUR RELATIONS    [No debate]

Mr Secretary Byers

    That the draft Code of Practice: Access to Workers During Recognition and Derecognition Ballots, which was laid before this House on 8th May, be approved.

                     To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6) and Order of 11th May).

+  9
INSURANCE FOR MEMBERS

Margaret Beckett
Sir George Young
Mr Paul Tyler

    That, in the opinion of this House,—

    (1)    provision should be made for the insurance of Members of this House in relation to the performance of their duties as Members under arrangements (including financial limits to the cover provided) made from time to time with the approval of the Leader of this House and the Speaker;

    (2)    subject to the terms and conditions of any policy effected under the approved arrangements, the insurance for which provision is made under paragraph (1) of this Resolution may cover the following—

(a)    travel;

(b)    personal accident;

(c)    personal accident in respect of employees of Members;

(d)    employers' liability and public liability;

(e)    the cost of defending a civil claim for defamation and of payment in respect of any award made by a court in such a claim, where the act complained of was not covered by parliamentary privilege but arose from a Member's duty as a Member; and

    (3)    arrangements made for insurance of the type mentioned under paragraph (2)(a) and (b) above may provide for the spouses of Members to be covered as well as Members themselves.

+  10
LEGAL COSTS INCURRED BY THE HONOURABLE MEMBER FOR MID WORCESTERSHIRE

Margaret Beckett
Sir George Young
Mr Paul Tyler

    That, in the opinion of this House, provision should be made to reimburse Mr Peter Luff, honourable Member for Mid Worcestershire, for legal costs incurred in respect of his duties as a Member of this House in defence of an action for libel in the High Court of Justice (Queen's Bench Division) which was dismissed and the Plaintiff's statement of claim struck out by Order dated 16th April 1999.

    The Speaker will put the Questions necessary to dispose of the Motions relating to Insurance for Members and Legal Costs incurred by the honourable Member for Mid Worcestershire not later than 1½ hours after the commencement of proceedings on the first of those Motions (Order of 18th May). This period may continue or commence after 10.00 p.m. if the 10.00 p.m. Business Motion is agreed to.

At the end of the sitting:

  11
ADJOURNMENT

    Proposed subject: Post offices in the Lewes constituency (Norman Baker).

    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 12 (public)
(public)

Further to consider the Local Government Bill [Lords].

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 14 (public)

To consider the Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) (No. 2) Bill.

4 Standing Committee E 10.30 a.m. Room 5 (public)

To consider the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill.

5 Standing Committee F 10.30 a.m.
4.30 p.m. Room 11 (public)
(public)

Further to consider the Learning and Skills Bill [Lords].

6 Standing Committee H 10.30 a.m.
4.30 p.m. Room 10 (public)
(public)

Further to consider the Finance Bill.

7 First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation 4.30 p.m. Room 5 (public)

To consider the draft Scotland Act 1998 (Modification of Functions) Order 2000, and the draft Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to Scottish Ministers Etc.) Order 2000

SELECT COMMITTEES

8 Education and Employment 9.00 a.m.
9.30 a.m. Room 16 (private)
(public)

Subject: DfEE Funding: Departmental Report 2000.

Witness: The Rt. Hon. David Blunkett, MP, Secretary of State for Education and Employment.

9 Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs: Environment Sub-Committee 9.45 a.m.
10.00 a.m. Room 6 (private)
(public)

Subject: UK Biodiversity.

Witnesses: The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds; World Wide Fund for Nature (at 10.40 a.m.); The Woodland Trust (at 11.20 a.m.).

10 Culture, Media and Sport 10.00 a.m. Room 21 (public)

Subject: Cultural Property: Return and Illicit Trade.

Witnesses: Major General Roberto Conforti, Head of Protection of National Heritage Command, Italian Carabinieri; Metropolitan Police and National Criminal Intelligence Service (at 11.00 a.m.); Mr Simon Taylor, Deputy Managing Director, Sotheby's, Mr Edward Dolman, Chief Executive, Christie's, Mr Christopher Elwes, Chief Executive, Bonhams and Mr Paul Whitfield, Director, Phillips (at 11.40 a.m.).

11 Foreign Affairs 10.00 a.m. Room 7 (private)

12 International Development 10.00 a.m.
10.30 a.m. Room 15 (private)
(public)

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

Witnesses: The Rt. Hon. Clare Short MP, Secretary of State for International Development, and Mr John Roberts, Acting Head of the International Economic Policy Department, Department for International Development.

13 Environmental Audit 10.30 a.m. Room 19 (private)

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

15 Treasury 10.30 a.m.
10.45 a.m. Room 8 (private)
(public)

Subject: The Bank of England May Inflation Report.

Witnesses: The Governor of the Bank of England and Members of the Monetary Policy Committee.

16 Agriculture 1.50 p.m.
2.00 p.m. Room 15 (private)
(public)

Subject: Action Plan for Farming.

Witness: The Rt. Hon. Nicholas Brown, MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

17 Finance and Services 4.00 p.m. Room 13 (private)

18 Defence 4.15 p.m.
4.30 p.m. Room 8 (private)
(public)

Subject: Annual Major Procurement Projects Review.

Witnesses: Sir Robert Walmsley, Chief of Defence Procurement, Vice-Admiral Sir Jeremy Blackham, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Equipment Capabilities), and Mr Nick Witney, Director General, Equipment, Ministry of Defence.

19 Foreign Affairs 4.30 p.m. Room 16 (private)

20 Administration 5.00 p.m. Room 17 (private)

21 Statutory Instruments Immediately after the
Meeting of the
Joint Committee on
Statutory Instruments Room 7 (private)

JOINT COMMITTEES

22 Statutory Instruments 4.15 p.m. Room 7 (private)

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

Written Questions tabled on Monday 22nd May for answer today++

1 Mr Lawrie Quinn (Scarborough and Whitby): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the Western Sahara.

( 123648 )

2 Mr Terry Rooney (Bradford North): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the report of the first evaluation of the People's Panel will be published; and if she will make a statement.

( 123708 )

3 Angela Smith (Basildon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on progress towards the introduction of the new financial framework for local authority housing.

( 123709 )

4 Mr Neil Turner (Wigan): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement about the competition to find a strategic partner for the management of the Army's training areas and ranges.

( 123710 )

5 Mr Colin Burgon (Elmet): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he intends to publish the criminal justice system business plan.

( 123l711 )

6 Mr Chris Pond (Gravesham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will announce the results of the consultation process on the design of a pilot study for financial bonds for visitors under sections 16 and 17 of the Immigration and Asylum Act.

( 123712 )

7 Dr David Clark (South Shields): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the deployment of British forces in the area of Sierra Leone.

( 123714 )

8 Mr Huw Edwards (Monmouth): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what performance targets have been set for the Logistic Information Systems Agency for 2000-01.

( 123715 )

9 Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will publish summary information on his Department's recruitment for calendar year 1999 and the use of permitted exceptions to the principles of fair and open competition and selection on merit, as required by the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Code.

( 123767 )

10 Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will make a statement regarding dismissals by British Coal during the 1984-85 miners' strike.

( 123768 )

11 Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what was the outcome of the first statutory review of the British Potato Council.

( 123769 )

12 Mr Douglas Alexander (Paisley South): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what performance targets have been set for Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland in 2000-01.

( 123784 )

13 Mr Phil Hope (Corby): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he will invite councils to apply for beacon status.

( 123785 )

14 Mrs Linda Gilroy (Plymouth, Sutton): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the Merchant Navy Reserve.

( 123786 )

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 COMMITTEES

Written Questions tabled on Monday 22nd May for answer today++

Main Business
+ 2	CROWN PROSECUTION SERVICE INSPECTORATE BILL [LORDS]: Second Reading. [Until 10.00 p.m.]
	Debate may continue until 10.00 p.m.
+ 3	CROWN PROSECUTION SERVICE INSPECTORATE BILL [LORDS] [MONEY]: Queen's Recommendation signified. [No debate]
	Mr Stephen Timms
	That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of—
	(1) sums in respect of salary, pension, allowances and compensation for Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service; and
	(2) expenditure incurred by the Chief Inspector in the discharge of his functions under the Act.
	To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 52(1)(a)).
+ 4	LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIPS BILL [LORDS]: Second Reading. [Until any hour]
	The Fourth Report from the Trade and Industry Committee, Session 1998-99, on the draft Limited Liability Partnerships Bill, HC 59, and the Government's response thereto, HC 529 of Session 1998-99, are relevant.
	Debate may continue until any hour if the 10.00 p.m. Business Motion is agreed to.
+ 5	LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIPS BILL [LORDS] [WAYS AND MEANS] [No debate]
	Mr Stephen Timms
	That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Limited Liability Partnerships Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise—
	(a) the making of provision about the taxation of limited liability partnerships and their members, and
	(b) the imposition by regulations under the Act of fees payable into the Consolidated Fund.
	To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 52(1)(a)).

At 10.00 p.m.
+	BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE [No debate]
	The Prime Minister
	That, at this day's sitting, the Limited Liability Partnerships Bill [Lords], the Motion on Insurance for Members and the Motion on Legal Costs incurred by the honourable Member for Mid Worcestershire may be proceeded with, though opposed, until any hour.
	To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 15).

+ 6	DEFENCE [No debate]
	Mr Secretary Hoon
	That the draft Army, Air Force and Navy Discipline Acts (Continuation) Order 2000, which was laid before this House on 4th May, be approved.
	To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).
+ 7	TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT [No debate]
	Mr Secretary Byers
	That the draft National Minimum Wage (Increase in Development Rate for Young Workers) Regulations 2000, which were laid before this House on 4th May, be approved.
	To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).
+ 8	TRADE UNION AND LABOUR RELATIONS [No debate]
	Mr Secretary Byers
	That the draft Code of Practice: Access to Workers During Recognition and Derecognition Ballots, which was laid before this House on 8th May, be approved.
	To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6) and Order of 11th May).
+ 9	INSURANCE FOR MEMBERS
	Margaret Beckett Sir George Young Mr Paul Tyler
	That, in the opinion of this House,—
	(1) provision should be made for the insurance of Members of this House in relation to the performance of their duties as Members under arrangements (including financial limits to the cover provided) made from time to time with the approval of the Leader of this House and the Speaker;
	(2) subject to the terms and conditions of any policy effected under the approved arrangements, the insurance for which provision is made under paragraph (1) of this Resolution may cover the following—
	(a) travel;
	(b) personal accident;
	(c) personal accident in respect of employees of Members;
	(d) employers' liability and public liability;
	(e) the cost of defending a civil claim for defamation and of payment in respect of any award made by a court in such a claim, where the act complained of was not covered by parliamentary privilege but arose from a Member's duty as a Member; and
	(3) arrangements made for insurance of the type mentioned under paragraph (2)(a) and (b) above may provide for the spouses of Members to be covered as well as Members themselves.
+ 10	LEGAL COSTS INCURRED BY THE HONOURABLE MEMBER FOR MID WORCESTERSHIRE
	Margaret Beckett Sir George Young Mr Paul Tyler
	That, in the opinion of this House, provision should be made to reimburse Mr Peter Luff, honourable Member for Mid Worcestershire, for legal costs incurred in respect of his duties as a Member of this House in defence of an action for libel in the High Court of Justice (Queen's Bench Division) which was dismissed and the Plaintiff's statement of claim struck out by Order dated 16th April 1999.
	The Speaker will put the Questions necessary to dispose of the Motions relating to Insurance for Members and Legal Costs incurred by the honourable Member for Mid Worcestershire not later than 1½ hours after the commencement of proceedings on the first of those Motions (Order of 18th May). This period may continue or commence after 10.00 p.m. if the 10.00 p.m. Business Motion is agreed to.
At the end of the sitting:
11	ADJOURNMENT
	Proposed subject: Post offices in the Lewes constituency* (Norman Baker).*
	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 12 (public) (public)
	Further to consider the Local Government Bill [Lords].
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 14 (public)
	To consider the Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) (No. 2) Bill.
4	Standing Committee E	10.30 a.m.	Room 5 (public)
	To consider the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill.
5	Standing Committee F	10.30 a.m. 4.30 p.m.	Room 11 (public) (public)
	Further to consider the Learning and Skills Bill [Lords].
6	Standing Committee H	10.30 a.m. 4.30 p.m.	Room 10 (public) (public)
	Further to consider the Finance Bill.
7	First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation	4.30 p.m.	Room 5 (public)
	To consider the draft Scotland Act 1998 (Modification of Functions) Order 2000, and the draft Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to Scottish Ministers Etc.) Order 2000
SELECT COMMITTEES
8	Education and Employment	9.00 a.m. 9.30 a.m.	Room 16 (private) (public)
	Subject: DfEE Funding: Departmental Report 2000.
	Witness: The Rt. Hon. David Blunkett, MP, Secretary of State for Education and Employment.
9	Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs: Environment Sub-Committee	9.45 a.m. 10.00 a.m.	Room 6 (private) (public)
	Subject: UK Biodiversity.
	Witnesses: The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds; World Wide Fund for Nature (at 10.40 a.m.); The Woodland Trust (at 11.20 a.m.).
10	Culture, Media and Sport	10.00 a.m.	Room 21 (public)
	Subject: Cultural Property: Return and Illicit Trade.
	Witnesses: Major General Roberto Conforti, Head of Protection of National Heritage Command, Italian Carabinieri; Metropolitan Police and National Criminal Intelligence Service (at 11.00 a.m.); Mr Simon Taylor, Deputy Managing Director, Sotheby's, Mr Edward Dolman, Chief Executive, Christie's, Mr Christopher Elwes, Chief Executive, Bonhams and Mr Paul Whitfield, Director, Phillips (at 11.40 a.m.).
11	Foreign Affairs	10.00 a.m.	Room 7 (private)
12	International Development	10.00 a.m. 10.30 a.m.	Room 15 (private) (public)
	Subject: After Seattle—The World Trade Organisation and Developing Countries.
	Witnesses: The Rt. Hon. Clare Short MP, Secretary of State for International Development, and Mr John Roberts, Acting Head of the International Economic Policy Department, Department for International Development.
13	Environmental Audit	10.30 a.m.	Room 19 (private)
14	Standards and Privileges	10.30 a.m.	Room 13 (private)
15	Treasury	10.30 a.m. 10.45 a.m.	Room 8 (private) (public)
	Subject: The Bank of England May Inflation Report.
	Witnesses: The Governor of the Bank of England and Members of the Monetary Policy Committee.
16	Agriculture	1.50 p.m. 2.00 p.m.	Room 15 (private) (public)
	Subject: Action Plan for Farming.
	Witness: The Rt. Hon. Nicholas Brown, MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
17	Finance and Services	4.00 p.m.	Room 13 (private)
18	Defence	4.15 p.m. 4.30 p.m.	Room 8 (private) (public)
	Subject: Annual Major Procurement Projects Review.
	Witnesses: Sir Robert Walmsley, Chief of Defence Procurement, Vice-Admiral Sir Jeremy Blackham, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Equipment Capabilities), and Mr Nick Witney, Director General, Equipment, Ministry of Defence.
19	Foreign Affairs	4.30 p.m.	Room 16 (private)
20	Administration	5.00 p.m.	Room 17 (private)
21	Statutory Instruments	Immediately after the Meeting of the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments	Room 7 (private)
JOINT COMMITTEES
22	Statutory Instruments	4.15 p.m.	Room 7 (private)
[The decision of a Committee to sit in public may be rescinded without notice.]


	Written Questions tabled on Monday 22nd May for answer today++
1	Mr Lawrie Quinn (Scarborough and Whitby): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the Western Sahara.
	( 123648 )
2	Mr Terry Rooney (Bradford North): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the report of the first evaluation of the People's Panel will be published; and if she will make a statement.
	( 123708 )
3	Angela Smith (Basildon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on progress towards the introduction of the new financial framework for local authority housing.
	( 123709 )
4	Mr Neil Turner (Wigan): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement about the competition to find a strategic partner for the management of the Army's training areas and ranges.
	( 123710 )
5	Mr Colin Burgon (Elmet): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he intends to publish the criminal justice system business plan.
	( 123l711 )
6	Mr Chris Pond (Gravesham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will announce the results of the consultation process on the design of a pilot study for financial bonds for visitors under sections 16 and 17 of the Immigration and Asylum Act.
	( 123712 )
7	Dr David Clark (South Shields): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the deployment of British forces in the area of Sierra Leone.
	( 123714 )
8	Mr Huw Edwards (Monmouth): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what performance targets have been set for the Logistic Information Systems Agency for 2000-01.
	( 123715 )
9	Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will publish summary information on his Department's recruitment for calendar year 1999 and the use of permitted exceptions to the principles of fair and open competition and selection on merit, as required by the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Code.
	( 123767 )
10	Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will make a statement regarding dismissals by British Coal during the 1984-85 miners' strike.
	( 123768 )
11	Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what was the outcome of the first statutory review of the British Potato Council.
	( 123769 )
12	Mr Douglas Alexander (Paisley South): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what performance targets have been set for Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland in 2000-01.
	( 123784 )
13	Mr Phil Hope (Corby): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he will invite councils to apply for beacon status.
	( 123785 )
14	Mrs Linda Gilroy (Plymouth, Sutton): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the Merchant Navy Reserve.
	( 123786 )