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Session 2003 - 04
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Order of Business 3 December 2003

Here you can browse the House of Commons Order of Business for 3 December 2003.

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 11.30 a.m.      Prayers
Afterwards
  

NOTICE OF MOTION FOR AN UNOPPOSED RETURN        [No debate]

      The Chairman of Ways and Means
  

SESSIONAL RETURNS: Returns for Session 2002-03 of information and statistics relating to—

        (1)   Business of the House;

        (2)   Closure of Debate; Proposal of Question and Allocation of Time (including Programme Motions);

        (3)   Sittings of the House;

        (4)   Private Bills and Private Business;

        (5)   Public Bills;

        (6)   Delegated Legislation and Regulatory Reform Orders;

        (7)   European Legislation, etc;

        (8)   Grand Committees;

        (9)   Chairmen's Panel; and

        (10)   Select Committees.

No debate

Afterwards
Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
*1 Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby):    If he will make a statement on the current state of progress on the Belfast Agreement.
( 141214 )
*2 The Reverend Martin Smyth (Belfast South):    What plans he has to bring forward legislation in the period following elections to the Assembly to deal with anti-social behaviour in Northern Ireland.
( 141215 )
*3 Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire):    What measures he is taking to halt the decline in numbers of the Irish hare.
( 141216 )
*4 Judy Mallaber (Amber Valley):    What plans he has to encourage the take-up of broadband services in Northern Ireland.
( 141217 )
*5 Helen Jackson (Sheffield, Hillsborough):    What assessment he has made of the prospects for reinstatement of devolved government in Northern Ireland following the elections to the Assembly.
( 141218 )
*6 Lady Hermon (North Down):    What steps he is taking to increase the availability of anti-TNF drug treatment for rheumatoid arthritis in Northern Ireland.
( 141219 )
*7 Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    What assessment he has made of the results of the Assembly elections.
( 141220 )
*8 Michael Fabricant (Lichfield):    If he will make a statement on the progress towards the restoration of self-government in the Province.
( 141222 )
*9 John Robertson (Glasgow Anniesland):    What progress has been made with the Reform and Reinvestment Initiative.
( 141223 )
*10 Mr Roy Beggs (East Antrim):    What recent discussions his Department has held with Belfast International Airports Authority regarding future policing arrangements at the airport; and if he will make a statement.
( 141224 )
*11 Mr Graham Allen (Nottingham North):    What steps religious schools have to take to teach ethical, moral and religious views other than their own faith; and if he will make a statement.
( 141225 )
*12 Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney & Shetland):    If he will make a statement on the peace process.
( 141226 )
*13 Ann Winterton (Congleton):    If he will make a statement on the resumption of power-sharing in Northern Ireland.
( 141227 )
*14 Mr John Grogan (Selby):    What discussions he has had on building a national sports stadium for Northern Ireland.
( 141228 )

At 12 noon
Unless otherwise indicated the Members listed below will ask a Question without notice.
Oral Questions to the Prime Minister
*Q1 Dr Andrew Murrison (Westbury):    If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 3rd December.
( 141229 )
*Q2 Bob Russell (Colchester):    
( 141230 )
*Q3 Mr Richard Bacon (South Norfolk):    
( 141231 )
*Q4 Mr Alan Duncan (Rutland & Melton):    
( 141232 )
*Q5 Mr John Taylor (Solihull):    
( 141233 )
*Q6 Mr Edward Leigh (Gainsborough):    
( 141234 )
*Q7 Alan Simpson (Nottingham South):    
( 141235 )
*Q8 Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    
( 141236 )
*Q9 Tony Cunningham (Workington):    
( 141237 )
*Q10 Mr Peter Lilley (Hitchin & Harpenden):    
( 141238 )
*Q11 Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay):    
( 141239 )
*Q12 Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham):    
( 141240 )
*Q13 Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury):    
( 141241 )
*Q14 Paul Farrelly (Newcastle-under-Lyme):    
( 141242 )
*Q15 Mr Simon Thomas (Ceredigion):    
( 141243 )

At 12.30 p.m.Urgent Questions (if any)
Ministerial Statements (if any)

Preliminary Business

Notice of Presentation of Bill

+  1  

HUMAN TISSUE

[No debate]

      Mr Secretary Reid
        Bill to make provision with respect to activities involving human tissue; to make provision about the transfer of human remains from certain museum collections; and for connected purposes.

Formal first reading: no debate or decision.


Main Business

+  2  

QUEEN'S SPEECH (MOTION FOR AN ADDRESS): Adjourned Debate on Question [26th November]

[Until 7.00 p.m.]

        Motion made, and Question proposed, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, as follows:

        Most Gracious Sovereign,

        We, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament—(Mr John McFall).

      Mr Alex Salmond
      Mr Elfyn Llwyd
      Pete Wishart
      Mr Simon Thomas
      Annabelle Ewing
      Adam Price
        As an Amendment to the Address, at end add—

        `But humbly regret that the Gracious Speech contains no proposals to protect workers' rights, help the fishing industry, properly address the pensions crisis or safeguard the historic Scottish military regiments, while at the same time proposes measures which will damage the Higher Education sectors in Wales and Scotland; further regret that it fails to provide any further transfer of powers to Wales and Scotland; and deplore the fact that it does not provide an adequate platform for the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales to tackle the pressing issues and problems of these nations'.

      Mr Michael Howard
      Mr Tim Yeo
      Mr Andrew Lansley
      Mr Tim Collins
      Mr Simon Burns
      David Maclean
        As an Amendment to the Address, at end add—

        `But oppose the proposals in the Gracious Speech that massively reduce the independence of universities in their admissions policy; deplore the inclusion of measures likely to burden the average student with £33,000 debt on graduation by 2010; regret the violation of the Government's 2001 manifesto pledge not to introduce top-up fees; call on Ministers to concentrate on raising standards, improving the credibility of qualifications and ensuring access to higher education on the basis of merit, not ability to pay; further regret the absence of measures to reduce the bureaucracy faced by school governors, head-teachers, teachers, doctors, nurses and NHS managers, and to extend patient choice and reduce the use of centrally-set targets, which prevent the NHS responding effectively to the needs of patients; further deplore the lack of progress on the Mental Health Bill in a form which would protect the rights of people with mental health problems and promote their access to treatment; further regret the lack of prior consultation on a draft of the Human Tissue Bill; and further deplore the absence of measures to promote freedom and decentralisation in the NHS.'.

        Proposed subjects for debate: Public Services, Health and Education.

Debate may continue until 7.00 p.m.

+  3  

DRAFT GAMBLING BILL (JOINT COMMITTEE)

[No debate after 7.00 p.m.]

      Mr Peter Hain
        That the Lords Message [1st December] relating to the draft Gambling Bill be now considered.

        That this House concurs with the Lords in the said Resolution.

        That, in accordance with the Order of the House of 10th July, as amended by the Order of 20th October, in the last Session of Parliament, a Select Committee of eight Members be appointed to join with a Committee appointed by the Lords, as the Joint Committee on the draft Gambling Bill, with the same terms of reference, powers and membership as in the last Session and that the proceedings of the Joint Committee on the draft Gambling Bill in the last Session of Parliament be referred to the Committee; and

        That the Committee do meet with the Committee appointed by the Lords on Thursday 11th December at half-past Nine o'clock in Committee Room 5.

If opposed, this item cannot be taken after 7.00 p.m.

+  4  

DELEGATED LEGISLATION

[No debate after 7.00 p.m.]

      Mr Peter Hain
        That the Horse Passports (England) Regulations 2003 (S.I., 2003, No. 2780), dated 4th November 2003, 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:

  5  

ADJOURNMENT

        Proposed subject:      Government policy on proportional voting systems at elections (Mr David Laws).

        Debate may continue until 7.30 p.m., or for half an hour, whichever is later (Standing Order No. 9 and Order of 29th October 2002).


COMMITTEES

SELECT COMMITTEES

1Education and Skills9.00 a.m.


9.15 a.m.
The Wilson Room, Portcullis House (private)
(public)
Subject: Ministerial Review.
Witnesses: Mr Alan Johnson MP, Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, and Mr Ivan Lewis MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Skills and Vocational Education, Department for Education and Skills.
2Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Cetacean By-Catch Sub-Committee2.10 p.m.


2.15 p.m.
The Wilson Room, Portcullis House (private)
(public)
Subject: Cetacean By-catch.
Witnesses: National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations; Linda Hingley, Brixham Seawatch; Mr Ben Bradshaw MP, Minister for Nature Conservation and Fisheries, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
3Treasury Sub-Committee2.15 p.m.


2.30 p.m.
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House (private)
(public)
Subject: Child Trust Funds.
Witness: Ruth Kelly MP, Financial Secretary, HM Treasury.
4Defence2.30 p.m.
3.00 p.m.
Room 15 (private)
(public)
Subject: Lessons of Iraq.
Witnesses: Rear Admiral David Snelson, Maritime Component Commander, Operation Telic, and Brigadier J B Dutton CBE ADC, Commander, 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines.
5Administration2.30 p.m.Room 18 (private)
6European Scrutiny2.30 p.m.Room 19 (private)
7Welsh Affairs3.00 p.m.Room 17 (private)
8Public Accounts3.30 p.m.Room 8 (public)
Subject: Tax Credits.
Witnesses: Sir Nicholas Montagu KCB, Chairman, Mr David Hartnett CB, Deputy Chairman, Director General (Policy and Technical), Mr Nicholas Lodge, Programme Director, Tax Credits, Inland Revenue, and Mr Bill Thomas, President, EDS Europe, Middle East and Asia, Mr Craig Wilson, EDS Enterprise Client Executive for the Inland Revenue, Electronic Data Systems Corporation.
9Environmental Audit3.30 p.m.
3.50 p.m.
Room 20 (private)
(public)
Subject: GM Food-Evaluating the Farm-scale Trials.
Witnesses: Professor Christopher Pollock, Chairman, Scientific Steering Committee for the Farm-scale Evaluations, and others.
10Selection4.45 p.m.Room 13 (private)

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


Written Ministerial Statements to be made today

1    Secretary of State for the Home Department:      Code of practice on the police use of firearms and less lethal weapons.
2    Secretary of State for Education and Skills:      Annual uprating of loans and grants for higher education students.
3    Secretary of State for Work and Pensions:      Draft Disability Discrimination Bill.
4    Secretary of State for Health:      Publication of Department of Health's 2003 Autumn Performance Report.

 
 

Written Questions tabled on Tuesday 2nd December for answer today++

1 Mr Tony McWalter (Hemel Hempstead): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what incentives he is providing to attract police officers who are of continuing value to the service to continue beyond 30 years of service.
( 142109 )
2 Mr Tony McWalter (Hemel Hempstead): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what help he can offer pensioners who have lost money because the occupational schemes of their insolvent employers have been administered under the Pensions Act 1995 since 6th April 1997.
( 142110 )

Standing Committee Notice

The Speaker has appointed 10 o'clock on Thursday 4th December and Committee Room 10 as the time and place for holding the Ballot for Private Members' Bills.




 

 
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Prepared 3 December 2003