Sessional Information Digest: 2002 - 03
Section A1
Sittings of the House and Dates of Session
The House sat on every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and all but 12 Fridays during the following periods (all dates inclusive):
13 November 2002 -19 December 2002
7 January 2002 - 28 February 2003
3 March - 22 May 2003
3 June - 17 July 2003
8 September - 18 September 2003
14 October - 20 November 2003
The total number of sitting days was 162. The House sat for 1,287 hours and 15 minutes, and the average length of the daily sitting (including Fridays) was 7 hours and 57 minutes.
The House sat on the following Fridays only: 31 January; 7 and 28 February; 7, 14, and 28 March; 4 April; 16 May; 13 and 20 June; 4 and 11 July.
Analysis of the time of the session
| Type of Business
| Total time spent
(hours:minutes) |
| | |
1
| Addresses, other than Prayers (including debate on Queen's Speech)
| 35.57
| |
| | |
2
| Government Bills
| |
| Second Reading debate (Bills committed to a Standing Committee)
| 127.06
| |
| Second Reading debate (Bills committed to a Committee of the Whole House)
| 30.01
| |
| Committee of the Whole House
| 34.47
| |
| Consideration (Report stage)
| 134.05
| |
| Third Reading
| 19.42
| |
| Lords Amendments
| 51.53
| |
| Allocation of Time Order (including Programme Motions)
| 14.57
| |
| Committal Motion
| -
| |
| | |
3
| Private Members' Bills
| |
| Motions for the introduction of Ten Minute Rule Bills
| 11.10
| |
| Second Reading
| 35.09
| |
| Other stages
| 27.23
| |
| | |
4
| Private Business
| 6.25
| |
| | |
5
| Government motions
| |
| European Community Documents
| 4.18
| |
| General
| 67.45
| |
| | |
6
| Opposition motions
| |
| Opposition Days (20 days)
| 130.10
| |
| Opposition Motions in Government Time (No Confidence Motions)
| 6.28
| |
| | |
7
| Adjournment
| |
| | |
| Government debates on motions for the Adjournment
| 88.46
| |
| Last day before Recesses
| 16.40
| |
| Emergency debates (SO No 24)
| -
| |
| Daily (at end of business)
| 81.21
| |
| | | |
8
| Estimates
| 15.13
| |
| | | |
9
| Money Resolutions
| 1.50
| |
| | | |
10
| Ways and Means Resolutions (including Budget Debate)
| 20.13
| |
| | | |
11
| Motions for Approval of Statutory Instruments (Affirmative)
| 18.12
| |
| | | |
12
| Motions to Annual or Revoke Statutory Instruments (Negative)
| _
| |
| | | |
13
| Oral Questions
| 134.10
| |
| Urgent Questions
| 6.08
| |
| Statements
| 89.26
| |
| Business statements
| 30.44
| |
| SO No 24 Applications
| 0.15
| |
| Points of Order and Speaker's Rulings
| 8.41
| |
| Presentation of Public Petitions
| 4.27
| |
| Miscellaneous
(including suspensions of the proceedings of the House)
| 13.34
(8.49)
| |
| | |
| Daily Prayers
| 13.30
| |
| | |
| Sessional Total
| 1,287.15
| |
| Note: | The time taken up by divisions is included with the class of business upon which the divisions were called |
Westminster Hall
The total number of sitting hours in Westminster Hall was 431 hours and 6 minutes.
Section A2
Parliamentary Questions
Statistics of Parliamentary Questions are available in two forms. The figures for each, which for various reasons (mainly owing to methods of counting and recording) are not exactly comparable, are as follows:
Questions appearing on the Order Paper calculated by the Journal Office
Appearing on the Order Paper for Oral Answer
| 4,118 1 |
Put down for priority Written answer
| 9,486 |
Put down for non-priority Written Answer
| 45,950 |
| |
Total
| 59,554 |
1 Of which 2, 206 received an oral answer in the House on one of the 224 days on which such answers were given
| Note: | Not more than about half of all questions put down for Oral Answer will receive such an answer - the rest are answered in writing |
Questions appearing in Hansard, and indexed in the Parliamentary On-line Indexing Service (POLIS)
Oral replies (including supplementaries)
| 6,272 2 |
Written replies
| 51,614 3 |
| |
Total
| 57,886 |
2 Number of tabled questions answered (excluding supplementaries) was 2,254
3 With POLIS, several written questions from the same Member, if answered together by the Minister, may have been treated as one question
The total number of Urgent Questions (excluding Business Questions) was 10.
Section A3
Opposition Days
Date
2.12.02
| Day Number
(a)
| Subject of Debate
Policing in Northern Ireland (DUP) |
| | |
8.1.03
| 1
| Foundation hospitals |
| | |
13.1.03
| 2
| 1) Criminal justice system
2) Drugs policy |
| | |
14.1.03
| (a)
| Future of education in Northern Ireland (UU) |
| | |
25.1.03
20.1.03
| 3
| 1) Occupational pensions
2) Food Supplements Directive |
| | |
30.1.03
12.2.03
| 4
| 1) Iraq: humanitarian contingency plan
2) Economy and public services |
| | |
29.4.03
| 5
| Community services |
| | |
15.5.03
5.11.03
| 6
| 1) School funding
2) Decommissioning in Northern Ireland |
| | |
4.6.03
| 7
| 1) Iraq
2) Pensions |
| | |
11.6.03
| 8
| 1) European treaty referendums
2) Post Office card accounts |
| | |
17.6.03
| 9
| 1) Government reshuffle
2) Community pharmacies |
| | |
23.6.03
25.6.03
| 10
| 1) Student finance (LD)
2) Government responsibilities for transport (LD) |
| | |
25.6.03
| 11
| 1) Tuition fees
2) Fair trade |
| | |
2.7.03
| 12
| 1) Road and rail transport
2) Small businesses |
| | |
7.7.03
| 13
| 1) Government targets
2) Tax credits |
| | |
16.7.03
| 14
| 1) Iraq
2) Vulnerable children |
| | |
9.9.03
| 15
| 1) Military situation in Iraq
2) Teacher shortages |
| | |
10.9.03
| 16
| 1) Fairness and security in old age (LD)
2) Role of the UN in Iraq (LD) |
| | |
16.9.03
| 17
| 1) Electricity supply |
16.9.03
| | 2) EU Constitution |
| | |
15.10.03
| 18
| 1) State pension reform
2) Neighbourhood policing |
| | |
22.10.03
| 19
| Iraq- call for judicial inquiry |
| | |
27.10.03
| 20
| 1) NATO and EU defence policy
2) Health care targets |
LD- Liberal Democrat
Unallotted day |
UU- Ulster Unionists |
DUP- Democratic Unionist Party |
Section A4
Use of Allocation of Time (Programme Motions)
The Guillotine, or Allocation of Time Motion (ATM), is used to timetable proceedings on a Bill. New Sessional Orders were introduced for Programme Motions in Session 2000-01, and modified versions of these Sessional Orders were agreed in October 2002 for the 2002-03 session. In the 2002-03 Session, Guillotine or Programme Motions were used 74 times on 29 Bills during the session. Factsheet P10, available from the House of Commons Information Office, contains more information. The details are as follows:
Bill title
and length
| Date of ATM/Prog
| Stages guillotined
| Progress before ATM/Prog
| Time allowed under ATM/Prog |
| | | | |
Regional Assemblies (Preparations) (29cl,1sch)
-ditto-
-ditto-
| 26.11.2002 (prog)
18.12.2002
(prog No 2)
23.1.2003
(prog No 3)
30.4.2003 (prog No 4)
| CWH (cl 1-4)
C
RS
CWH
RS
LA
| 1R, 2R
| CWH - 1 day
SC proceedings to conclude by 19.12
RS - 1 day
CWH - 6 hours
Programme motion of 26.11 confirmed
LA - 4 hours
|
| | | | |
Health (Wales) (10cl,4sch)
| 27.11.2002 (prog)
| C
RS
| 1R, 2R
| SC proceedings to conclude by 12.12.
RS - 1day |
| | | | |
Community Care (Delayed Discharges etc) (16cl)
| 28.11.2002
(prog)
19.3.2003
(prog No 2)
| C
RS
LA
| 1R, 2R
All stages
| SC proceedings to conclude by 12.12
RS - 1 day
LA - 1 day
|
| | | | |
Communications (395cl, 19sch)
| 3.12.2002
(prog)
10.2.2003 (prog No 2)
14.7.2003 (prog No 3)
| C
RS
RS
LA
| 1R,2R
1R, 2R, Comm
| SC proceedings to conclude by 6.2
RS - 1 day
RS - 3 days
LA - 7 hours
|
| | | | |
Criminal Justice (273cl,26sch)
| 4.12.2003
(prog)
6.2.2003 (prog No 2)
5.3.2003 (prog No 3)
2.4.2003 (prog No 4)
19.5.2003 (prog No 5)
18.11.2003
(prog No 6)
| C
RS
LA
| 1R,2R
| SC proceedings to conclude by 27.2
RS - 1 day
SC proceedings to conclude by 4.3
RS - 3 days
RS - Prog 3 amended
RS - Prog 3 amended
|
| | | | |
Extradition
(208cl, 1sch)
| 9.12.2002
(prog)
25.3.2003 (prog No 2)
13.11.2003
(prog No 3)
| C
RS
RS
LA
| 1R,2R
| SC proceedings to conclude by 21.1
RS - 1 day
Rep - 4½ hours
3R - 2 hours |
| | | | |
European Parliament (Representation)
(25cl, 1sch)
| 10.12.2003
(prog)
28.4.2003 (prog No 2)
| C
RS
LA
| 1R, 2R
| SC proceedings to conclude by 16.1
RS - 1 day
LA - 3 hours
|
| | | | |
Hunting
(53cl, 4sch)
| 16.12.2002
(prog)
12.2.2003 (prog No 2)
30.6.2003 (prog No 3)
1.7.2003 (prog No 4)
| C
RS
Rep
SC (re-commital)
| 1R, 2R
| SC proceedings to conclude by 13.2
RS - 1 day
SC proceedings to conclude by 27.2
Rep - 5.5 hours
SC proceedings to conclude by 7.7 |
| | | | |
Planning and Compulsory Purchase
(90cl, 6sch)
| 17.12.2002
(prog)
8.9.2003 (prog No.2)
| C
RS
SC
| 1R, 2R
| SC proceedings to conclude by 28.1
RS - 1 day
SC to report by 17.12.2003 |
| | | | |
Local Government
(123cl,7sch)
| 7.1.2003
(prog)
28.1.2003 (prog No 2)
25.2.2003 (prog No 3)
15.9.2003 (prog No 4)
| C
RS
LA
| 1R, 2R
1R, 2R, Comm, Rep
| SC proceedings to conclude by 6.2
RS - 1 day
SC proceedings to conclude by 13.2
RS - 2 days
LA - 1 day |
| | | | |
Electricity (Miscellaneous Provisions) (5cl)
| 27.1.2003
(prog)
30.4.2003 (prog No 2)
| CWH
RS
LA
| 1R, 2R
| CWH & RS - 1 day
LA - 1 hour |
| | | | |
Railways and Transport Safety (110cl, 7sch)
| 28.1.2003
(prog)
8.7.2003 (Prog No 2)
| SC
RS
LA
| 1R, 2R
| SC proceedings to conclude by 11.3
RS - 1 day
LA - up to 1 hour |
| | | | |
Police (Northern Ireland)
(40cl, 3sch)
| 10.2.2003
(prog)
4.3.2003 (prog No 2)
5.3.2003 (prog No 3)
26.3.2003 (prog No 4)
7.4.2003 (prog No 5)
| SC
SC
SC
RS
LA
| 1R, 2R
| SC proceedings to conclude by 4.3
RS - 1 day
SC proceedings to conclude by 6.3
SC proceedings to conclude by 11.3
RS - 2 days
LA - 2 hours
Any further LA - 1 hour |
| | | | |
Northern Ireland Assembly Elections (2cl)
| 17.3.2003 (ATM)
| All stages
| 1R
| All stages - 1 day |
| | | | |
Waste and Emissions Trading (38cl)
| 20.3.2003
(prog)
| SC
RS
| 1R, 2R
| SC proceedings to conclude by 29.4
RS - 1 day
|
| | | | |
Licensing [HL] (198cl, 8sch)
| 24.3.2003
(prog)
16.6.2003 (prog No 2)
24.6.2003 (prog No.3)
| SC
RS
RS
LA
| 1R, 2R
1R, 2R, RS
| SC proceedings to conclude by 20.5
RS - 1 day
RS - 6.5 hours
1 hour |
| | | | |
Crime (International Co-operation) [HL] (95 cl, 6 sch)
| 1.4.2003
(prog)
7.5.03
(prog No 2)
| SC,RS
SC
| 1R
| |
| | | | |
Anti-social Behaviour (61cl, 3sch)
| 8.4.2003
(prog)
24.6.2003 (prog No 2)
17.11.2003 (prog No 3)
| SC
RS
RS
LA
| 1R, 2R
1R, 2R, RS
| SC proceedings to conclude by 22.5
RS - 1 day
RS - 6 hours
3 hours
|
| | | | |
Finance (214cl, 43sch)
| 6.5.2003
(prog)
8.5.2003 (prog No 2)
13.5.2003 (prog No 3)
4.6.2003 (prog No 4)
1.7.2003 (prog No 5)
| CWH
SC
CWH
CWH
SC
RS
| 1R, 2R
| CWH - 2 days
SC proceedings to conclude by 12.6
Amendment of schedules committed to CWH
Amendment of schedules committed to CWH
SC proceedings to conclude by 17.6
RS - 9.5 hours |
| | | | |
Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) (181cl, 12sch)
| 7.5.2003
(prog)
8.7.2003 (prog No 2)
19.11.2003 (prog No 3)
| SC
RS
RS
LA
| 1R, 2R
1R, 2R, Comm, RS
| SC proceedings to conclude by 19.6
RS - 1 day
RS - 8 hours
3 hours
|
| | | | |
Fire Services (2cl)
| 8.5.2003
(prog)
3.6.2003 (prog No 2)
12.11.2003 (prog No 3)
| CWH
RS
LA
| 1R, 2R
1R, 2R, Comm, RS
| CWH & RS - 1 day
CWH & RS-6.5 hours
1 hour
|
| | | | |
Northern Ireland (Elections and Periods of Suspension) (7cl)
| 12.5.2003 (ATM)
| All stages
| 1R
| All stages - 1 day |
| | | | |
European Union (Accessions) (3cl)
| 21.5.2003
(prog)
11.11.2003 (prog No 2)
| All stages
LA
| 1R, 2R
RS
| All stages - 1 day
1 hour |
| | | | |
Courts (110 cl, 8sch)
| 9.6.2003
(prog)
17.11.2003 (prog No 2)
| SC
RS
LA
| 1R, 2R
1R, 2R, RS
| SC proceedings to conclude by 10.7
RS - 1 day
1 hour
|
| | | | |
Sexual Offences (140cl, 6 sch)
| 15.7.2003
(prog)
18.11.2003
(prog No 2)
| SC,RS
LA
| 1R,2R
1R,2R,RS
| |
| | | | |
Water [HL] (106cl, 9sch)
| 8.9.2003
(prog)
15.9.2003
(prog No 2)
5.11.2003
(prog No 3)
| SC, RS
| 1R, 2R
| |
| | | | |
Northern Ireland (Monitoring Commission etc)
| 17.9.2003 (ATM)
| 2R, Comm, 3R
| 1R
| 9 hrs |
European Parliamentary and Local Elections (Pilots) Bill
| 21.10.2003
(prog)
29.10.2003 (prog No 2)
| SC
RS
SC
| 1R, 2R
1R, 2R
| SC to conclude by 20.10.2003
RS - 1 day
SC to conclude by 30.1.2003 |
Section A5
Estimates Days
Standing Order No 52 provides that three days shall be allotted during each session for the consideration of Estimates (see Factsheet P6 on Financial Procedure). The subjects are set down by resolution of the Liaison Committee.
Date
| No. of Allotted Day
| Principal Subjects |
5.12.02
| 1st
| Government drugs policy |
11.3.03
| 2nd
| War against terrorism |
19.6.03
| 3rd (part 1)
| Children's homes investigation |
19.6.03
| 3rd (part 2)
| Waste management |
Section A6
Government Substantive Motions
Date
| Subject |
| |
13.11.02
| Sessional Orders |
21.11.02
| Commons Fisheries Policy |
21.11.02
| Committee of Selection |
25.11.03
| UN Security Council Resolution |
2.12.03
| Convention on the Future of Europe |
11.12.02
| On the retirement of Sir William McKay KCB |
12.12.02
| Environment, Food and Rural Affairs |
9.1.03
| House of Lords Bills |
27.1.03
| Lord Chancellor's Department Select Committee |
28.1.03
| Membership of the Lord Chancellor's Department Committee |
29.1.03
| Public Accounts Committee reports 2001-02 |
4.2.03
| House of Lords reform |
12.2.03
| Mid-term review of the Common Agriculture Policy |
26.2.03
| Iraq |
27.2.03
| Standards and Privileges ( 2nd Report 2002-03) |
3.3.03
| Intelligence and Security Committee Report on the Bali bombings |
18.3.03
| Iraq |
30.4.03
| Membership of Modernisation Committee |
26.6.03
| Standards and Privileges ( 3rd Report 2002-03) |
9.6.03
| Convention on the Future of Europe |
11.11.03
| Standards and Privileges ( 4th report 2002-03) |
30.10.03
| Pay for chairmen of Select Committees |
6.11.03
| Modernisation measures |
Section A7
Standing Order No 24
Standing Order No 24 allows Members to suggest that a specific and important matter should have urgent consideration and that an emergency debate be held upon it. It is for the Speaker to decide whether the matter is sufficiently specific, important, and urgent to warrant giving it precedence, and among other things to have regard to the probability of the matter being brought before the House by other means; the Chair in general gives leave very seldom. During the 2002-03 Session, there were 4 unsuccessful applications.
Section A8
Divisions
The total number of divisions during the 2002-03 Session was 390.
Section A9
Early Day Motions
The total number of Early Day Motions tabled during the Session was 1,939 of which 42 were prayers for the annulment of statutory instruments. Factsheet P3 on Early Day Motions is available from the House of Commons Information Office.
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