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.
| Oral Questions to Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer |
| *1 |
Ann Winterton (Congleton): What representations he received in advance of the Pre-Budget Report on the targets he has set for outputs from public spending.
|
|
|
(
85247
) |
| *2 |
Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham & Amersham): What estimate he made in advance of the Pre-Budget Report of the annual cost to businesses of new (a) taxes and (b) regulations introduced since May 1997.
|
|
|
(
85248
) |
| *3 |
Michael Fabricant (Lichfield): What he estimates will be the levels of (a) national debt and (b) borrowing in each of the next 5 years; and if he will make a statement.
|
|
|
(
85249
) |
| *4 |
Mr Bill Tynan (Hamilton South): What assessment he has made of the role of international trade in the reduction of poverty in the poorest countries.
|
|
|
(
85250
) |
| *5 |
Mr Kevan Jones (North Durham): What contribution the UK is making to meeting the 2015 targets for reducing world poverty.
|
|
|
(
85251
) |
| *6 |
Mr David Ruffley (Bury St Edmunds): What his assumptions are in arriving at his revised GDP forecasts announced in the November Pre Buget Report.
|
|
|
(
85253
) |
| *7 |
Mr Terry Rooney (Bradford North): What measures the G7 is taking to improve literacy in developing countries as part of tackling global poverty.
|
|
|
(
85254
) |
| *8 |
Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire): What recent representations he has received from or on behalf of policy holders in Equitable Life about the progress of the Penrose Inquiry; and if he will make a statement.
|
|
|
(
85255
) |
| *9 |
Brian White (North East Milton Keynes): If he will make a statement on how he monitors and measures the performance of the World Bank and IMF.
|
|
|
(
85256
) |
| *10 |
Mr Paul Goodman (Wycombe): What assessment he has made of the accuracy of Treasury growth forecasts over the last three years.
|
|
|
(
85257
) |
| *11 |
Tony Cunningham (Workington): What steps he is taking to protect small businesses from increases in insurance costs.
|
|
|
(
85258
) |
| *12 |
Mr Tony Lloyd (Manchester Central): If he will make a statement on his policy in respect of insurance against acts of terrorism.
|
|
|
(
85259
) |
| *13 |
Mr Andy Reed (Loughborough): How many sports clubs have successfully applied for tax exemptions for Community and Amateur Sports Clubs.
|
|
|
(
85260
) |
| *14 |
Mr Tom Harris (Glasgow, Cathcart): If he will make a statement on the role of the Treasury in pressing for co-ordinated international action to tackle world poverty.
|
|
|
(
85261
) |
| *15 |
Bob Russell (Colchester): If he will reduce the level of VAT levied on works to buildings owned by charities.
|
|
|
(
85263
) |
| *16 |
Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): What measures he is taking to support voluntary sector organisations.
|
|
|
(
85264
) |
| *17 |
Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire): Whether the Treasury was consulted by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister before the Office's response to the Transport, Local Government and the Regions Committee's Report, the New Towns: Their Problems and Future.
|
|
|
(
85265
) |
| *18 |
Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch): When he last met the director of Mapeley Steps Contactor Ltd to discuss the maintenance of accommodation occupied by Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise.
|
|
|
(
85266
) |
| *19 |
Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South): If he will make a statement on the £/Euro exchange rate.
|
|
|
(
85267
) |
| *20 |
Mr Hugo Swire (East Devon): What representations he received in advance of the Pre-Budget Report on Government policy and UK competitiveness; and if he will make a statement.
|
|
|
(
85268
) |
| *21 |
Dr Nick Palmer (Broxtowe): If he will make a statement on his discussions within the EU on reforms to the Stability and Growth Pact.
|
|
|
(
85269
) |
| *22 |
Ann McKechin (Glasgow, Maryhill): What assessment his Department has made of the impact of the HIPC debt relief initiative in delivering a sustainable exit from debt for all eligible countries.
|
|
|
(
85270
) |
| *23 |
Kali Mountford (Colne Valley): What progress has been made to relieve child poverty since 1997.
|
|
|
(
85272
) |
| *24 |
Mr John Baron (Billericay): If he will make a statement on measures he has taken to end the uncertainty facing policyholders of Equitable Life.
|
|
|
(
85273
) |
| *25 |
Mr John MacDougall (Central Fife): If he will make a statement on the impact of increases in public expenditure on the stability of the economy, with special reference to (a) employment and (b) inward investment.
|
|
|
(
85274
) |
| *26 |
Mr Julian Brazier (Canterbury): What representations he received in advance of the Pre-Budget Report from members of the manufacturing industry regarding competitiveness.
|
|
|
(
85275
) |
| *27 |
Mr Clive Soley (Ealing, Acton & Shepherd's Bush): If he will make a statement on the connection between his economic policy and welfare to work.
|
|
|
(
85276
) |
| *28 |
Mr David Kidney (Stafford): What further action he intends to take to promote the take up of new tax credits in April 2003
|
|
|
(
85277
) |
| *29 |
Mr Nigel Beard (Bexleyheath & Crayford): If he will make it his policy to make firm financial commitment to major transport infrastructure projects once they have been started.
|
|
|
(
85278
) |
| *30 |
Mr Paul Tyler (North Cornwall): What assessment he has made of the reasons for the change in investment by business in 2002.
|
|
|
(
85279
) |
| *31 |
Andy Burnham (Leigh): What further steps he is taking to help manufacturing industry in deprived areas.
|
|
|
(
85281
) |
| *32 |
Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam): What assessment he has made of trends in manufacturing output in the South East since January 2001.
|
|
|
(
85282
) |
| *33 |
Harry Cohen (Leyton & Wanstead): If he will make a statement on the additional contingency fund set aside in his pre-Budget statement for defence purposes.
|
|
|
(
85283
) |
| *34 |
Jeff Ennis (Barnsley East & Mexborough): If he will make a statement on what action he is taking to combat poverty in Africa.
|
|
|
(
85284
) |
| *35 |
Mr Peter Pike (Burnley): How much figures he estimates would be paid to the Treasury if the ceiling on national insurance contributions for employees were abolished.
|
|
|
(
85285
) |
| *36 |
Mr Neil Turner (Wigan): What the monthly interest payments on a standard rate mortgage of £40,000 over 25 years was in (a) June 1997 and (b) June 2002.
|
|
|
(
85286
) |
| At 12.30 p.m. | Urgent Questions (if any)
Ministerial Statements (if any) |
Main Business |
| + 1 | NORTHERN IRELAND [No debate]
|
| |
| That the draft Company Directors Disqualification (Northern Ireland) Order 2002, which was laid before this House on 25th November, be approved.
|
| To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).
|
| + 2 | NORTHERN IRELAND [No debate]
|
| |
| That the draft Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 2002, which was laid before this House on 25th November, be approved.
|
| To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).
|
| + 3 | ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS [Until 7.00 p.m.]
|
| The Prime Minister
Mr Secretary Prescott
Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer
Mr Robin Cook
Secretary Margaret Beckett
Secretary Clare Short
|
| | Ms Secretary Hewitt Mr Elliot Morley |
| That this House welcomes the Government's commitment to sustainable development, balancing environmental, economic and social aims both domestically and globally; commends its drive to promote thriving rural economies and communities, including a vibrant food and farming sector, that protects and ensures the sustainable use of the environment, as well as contributing to productivity; applauds the launch on 12th December of the Government's Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy; further welcomes the Government's commitment in its response to the Foot and Mouth Disease Inquiry reports to a massive programme of work and reform; recognises the substantial strides the Government is making in tackling climate change, and the leading role it played at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in securing global commitments to tackle poverty through sustainable development, such as halving the number of people without access to adequate sanitation; further welcomes its focus on the sustainable and efficient use of the urban and rural environment and the need to work with business to promote the country's competitive advantage by embracing and leading internationally on green technologies, landscapes and the countryside for all to enjoy and benefit from, its commitment to animal welfare and its focus on evidence-based policy-making and science; and urges the Government to make continuing progress in advancing global environmental priorities, including radical reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, not least as part of the UK's commitment to reducing poverty and hunger in developing countries, to the World Trade Organisation, and to further cuts in carbon emissions worldwide.
|
| | As Amendments to the Prime Minister's proposed Motion (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
|
| Mr Charles Kennedy
Mr A. J. Beith
Norman Baker
Andrew George
Andrew Stunell
Sue Doughty
|
| | Mr Roger Williams |
| (a)
|
| Line 1, leave out from `House' to end and add `welcomes the Government's intention to support sustainable development and rural communities, but regrets the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA's) failure to lead and to engage with other Government departments on the practical application across all areas of policy and its less than satisfactory record in meeting its self-imposed targets; is appalled that DEFRA has presided over a period when more farmers have been forced out of business than at any time since the Second World War; welcomes the conclusions and recommendations of the foot and mouth inquiry reports, but notes DEFRA's reservations about many of those findings; endorses DEFRA's aims and intentions with regard to climate change and the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, but notes the lack of consequent and practical application towards those objectives, including increases in carbon dioxide emissions in the last two years; approves of the measures taken towards improvements in animal welfare standards, but expresses regret at the delay in the introduction of consolidated legislation; notes DEFRA's commitment to using evidence-based policy-making and science, but regrets the intransigence adopted in its discussions with stakeholders; and supports the need for a radical overhaul of the Common Agricultural Policy to benefit British, European and third country producers and consumers, but notes the Government's failure to champion those and other related environment and rural concerns effectively in negotiations with fellow members of the European Union.
|
| Mr Iain Duncan Smith
Mr David Lidington
Mr John Hayes
Mr James Gray
Mr Jonathan Sayeed
David Maclean
|
| (b)
|
| Line 1, leave out from `House' to end and add `notes with concern the continuing recession in British agriculture; believes that a profitable farming and growing industry should be at the heart of a thriving rural economy; deplores the Government's mishandling of the foot and mouth epidemic and its failure to take effective action against illegal meat imports; calls upon the Government to reduce rather than increase the costs imposed on farmers and growers by unnecessary regulations; regrets the Government's failure to deliver on its promises to rural-proof its policies and to place sustainable development at the heart of policymaking and its failure to deliver on its own targets for recycling and carbon emissions; notes the repeated and trenchant criticisms made of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Environmental Audit Committees and believes that the time is now long overdue for the Government to turn fine words into effective action.'
|
| The Ninth Report of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Session 2001-02, on The Future of UK Agriculture in a Changing World (HC 550ļI), and the First Report from the Environmental Audit Committee, Session 2002-03, on Pesticides: The Voluntary Initiative (HC 100), are relevant.
|
| The following Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee are also relevant:
|
| Foot and Mouth Disease 2001: Lessons to be Learned Inquiry, 23rd July 2002 (Session 2001-02, HC 1144); The Royal Society Inquiry into Infectious Diseases in Livestock, 16th October 2002 (Session 2001-02, HC 1227); and Government Response to the Foot and Mouth Inquiry Reports and other matters arising, 21st November 2002 (Session 2002-03, HC 111).
|
| Debate may continue until 7.00 p.m.
|
| + 4 | SECTION 5 OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (AMENDMENT) ACT 1993 [No debate]
|
| The Prime Minister
Mr Secretary Prescott
Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer
Mr Robin Cook
Mr Secretary Straw
Ruth Kelly
|
| That this House takes note with approval of the Government's assessment as set out in the Pre-Budget Report 2002 for the purposes of section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993.
|
| To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6) and Order of 28th November).
|
| + 5 | PROCEEDS OF CRIME [No debate]
|
| |
| That the draft Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cash Searches: Code of Practice) Order 2002, which was laid before this House on 25th November, be approved.
|
| To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).
|
| + 6 | JUSTICE [No debate]
|
| |
| That the draft Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (Amendment of section 46(1)) Order 2002, which was laid before this House on 27th November, be approved.
|
| To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).
|
| + 7 | COMPETITION [No debate]
|
| |
| That the draft Supply of Beer (Tied Estate) (Revocation) Order 2002, which was laid before this House on 21st November, be approved.
|
| To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).
|
| + 8 | DELEGATED LEGISLATION [No debate after 7.00 p.m.]
|
| |
| That the Pet Travel Scheme (Pilot Arrangements) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2002 (S.I., 2002, No. 2850), be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.
|
| If opposed, this item cannot be taken after 7.00 p.m.
|
| At the end of the sitting
|
| 9 | ADJOURNMENT
|
| Proposed subject: School closures in Leeds (Mr George Mudie).
|
| Debate may continue until 7.30 p.m. or for half an hour, whichever is later (Standing Order No. 9). |
| |
COMMITTEES |
|
| 1 | Standing Committee B (Programming Sub-Committee) (Criminal Justice Bill) | 6.15 p.m. | Room 7 (private) |
| 2 | Standing Committee A | 8.55 a.m.
2.30 p.m. | Room 10 (public)
(public) |
| Further to consider the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill (Except Clauses Nos. 1 to 4). |
| 3 | Standing Committee B | 8.55 a.m.
2.30 p.m. | Room 11 (public)
(public) |
| Further to consider the Health (Wales) Bill. |
| 4 | Standing Committee D | 8.55 a.m.
2.30 p.m. | Room 9 (public)
(public) |
| Further to consider the Community Care (Delayed Discharges etc.) Bill. |
| 5 | Standing Committee E | 8.55 a.m.
2.30 p.m. | Room 14 (public)
(public) |
| Further to consider the Communications Bill. |
|
| 6 | Programming Committee: Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill | 5.35 p.m. | Chairman of Ways and Means' Conference Room (private) |
| 7 | Treasury | 9.30 a.m.
9.45 a.m. | The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House (private)
(public) |
| Subject: Economic and Monetary Union. |
| Witnesses: Mr Anatole Kaletsky, The Times, Mr William Keegan, The Observer, Mr Hamish McRae, The Independent, and Mr Andreas Whittam-Smith, The Independent. |
| 8 | Public Administration | 9.45 a.m.
10.00 a.m. | The Grimond Room, Portcullis House (private)
(public) |
| Subject: Public Appointments and Patronage. |
| Witnesses: Mr Martin Wainwright, Northern Editor, The Guardian, Janet Paraskeva, Chief Executive, The Law Society, Ms Linda Parkinson, Mr Andy Freeney, and Mr Martin Gray, National Lottery Community Fund; Ivy Cameron, Consultant (at approximately 11.15 a.m.). |
| 9 | Health | 10.00 a.m.
10.30 a.m. | Room 15 (private)
(public) |
| Subject: Sexual Health. |
| Witnesses: Dr Simon Barton, Consultant Physician, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Mr Simon Collins, Representative, HIV i-base, Ms Ruth Lowbury, Director, Medical Foundation for AIDS and Sexual Health, Dr Ade Fakoya, Consultant Physician, Newham Healthcare NHS Trust, Ms Chrissie Green, Clinical Nurse Specialist, West Middlesex University Hospital, Ms Heather Wilson, Senior Health Advisor, Barnet General Hospital. |
| 10 | Northern Ireland Affairs | 1.30 p.m. | Massey House, Stormont, Belfast (private) |
| 11 | Foreign Affairs | 6.30 p.m. | Room 16 (private) |
[The decision of a Committee to sit in public may be rescinded without notice.] |
| Written Ministerial Statements to be made today |
| 1 | Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department: Transsexual people. |
| 2 | Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: Review of employer's liability compulsory insurance. |
| 3 | Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: International Labour Conference. |
| 4 | The Prime Minister: Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Assembly of Western European Union. |
| 5 | Secretary of State for Transport: Revised National Travel Survey Data for Urban and Rural Areas. |
| 6 | Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: The Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy. |
| 7 | Secretary of State for the Home Department: Publication of the First Interim Report by the Race Monitor. |
| 8 | Secretary of State for the Home Department: Intrusive surveillance in prison cells during hostage incidents. |
| 9 | Secretary of State for the Home Department: Chairman of the Independent Police Complaints Commission. |
| 10 | Secretary of State for Education and Skills: The National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). |
| 11 | Secretary of State for Defence: Project Aquatrine Package A. |
| 12 | Secretary of State for Defence: The Army's Training Estate. |
| 13 | The Deputy Prime Minister: The Standards Board for England's Annual Report and Accounts 2001-02. |
| 14 | Secretary of State for Trade and Industry: Changes to Radiocommunications Agency service to investigate interference to business users of radio. |
| 15 | Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: The National Ambient Noise Strategy—Results of Consultation. |
| 16 | Secretary of State for Health: Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's 11th Annual Report and Accounts 2002. |
| 17 | Secretary of State for Health: Maximum price scheme for generic medicines. |
| 18 | Secretary of State for Northern Ireland: Review of Security Vetting Arrangements Operating in Northern Ireland. |
Standing Committee Notices |
| The Programming Sub-Committee of Standing Committee D in respect of the Extradition Bill will meet on Monday 16th December at 6.00 p.m.
|
| The Programming Sub-Committee of Standing Committee A in respect of the European Parliament (Representation) Bill will meet on Monday 16th December at 6.30 p.m.
|
| Standing Committee A will meet on Tuesday 17th December at 10.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. and Thursday 19th December at 8.55 a.m. further to consider the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill (except Clauses Nos. 1 to 4).
|
| Standing Committee B will meet on Tuesday 17th December at 10.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. to consider the Criminal Justice Bill.
|
| Standing Committee E will meet on Tuesday 17th December at 10.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. and Thursday 19th December at 8.55 a.m. to consider the Communications Bill.
|
| The Second Reading Committee will meet on Monday 16th December at 4.30 p.m. to consider the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Bill.
|
| European Standing Committee A will meet on Wednesday 18th December at 10.30 a.m. to consider European Union Document Nos. 5129/02 and 13312/02, relating to denied boarding compensation for air passengers.
|
| European Standing Committee B will meet on Tuesday 17th December at 10.30 a.m. to consider European Union Document No. 9759/02, relating to staffing needs of the Commission in the enlarged European Union .
|
| The First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation will meet on Monday 16th December at 4.30 p.m. to consider the draft Marriage (Northern Ireland) Order 2003.
|
| The Eighth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation will meet on Monday 16th December at 4.30 p.m. to consider the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 109) (House of Commons Paper No. 15) on Special Grant for addressing the costs of EC Regulation 2037/00 on substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Disposal of Refrigeration Equipment) 2002.
|
|
