Business of the House of Commons
23 - 26 November 2004

Tuesday 23 November

State Opening of Parliament - The House of Commons was summoned to the House of Lords to hear the Queen's Speech at 11.30am. Among the proposals for legislation were:

A bill to streamline the regime of school inspections to help raise standards for every child in every school.

A bill to extend financial support for 16-19 year olds engaged in training and education.

A bill to introduce an identity card scheme.

A bill to establish the Serious Organised Crime Agency.

A bill to tackle the problem of drug abuse and the crime that flows from it and to tackle the disorder and violence that can arise from the abuse of alcohol.

A bill to further tackle anti-social behaviour.

A bill to help reduce further the numbers of those killed or injured on the roads.

A bill to reduce re-offending by improving the management of offenders.

A bill to reform the criminal defence service, making better use of legal aid resources.

A bill to combat discrimination in the provision of goods and services on the grounds of religion, as well as race, sex and disability. A single Commission for Equality and Human Rights will be established.

A bill to increase the rights of disabled people.

A bill to provide a statutory framework for dealing with the financial, health and welfare decisions of those people who might lack capacity through mental illness or disability.

A bill to improve standards of animal welfare and increase the penalties for abuse.

A bill to provide a modern and comprehensive framework for statutory inquiries into matters of public concern.

A bill to give effect to the Constitutional Treaty for the European Union, subject to a referendum.

A bill to integrate the Inland Revenue and Her Majesty's Custom and Excise.

A bill to streamline the organisation of the national rail system to improve performance.

A bill to authorise the construction of Crossrail.

A bill to allow local authorities to provide innovative and safe school transport.

A bill to consolidate the distribution of lottery money to good causes.

Draft legislation will be published and will include:

A draft bill to tackle juvenile crime through more effective rehabilitation and sentencing.

A draft bill to support those with legitimate civil claims and reform the system of tribunals.

A draft bill to introduce a new offence of corporate manslaughter.

A draft bill to safeguard the welfare of children in circumstances of parental separation and inter-country adoption.

A draft bill to modernise the management of common land and to create new arrangements to deliver rural policy.

The sitting was suspended until 2.30pm

Debate on the Address - General debate on a motion by Mr George Howarth to thank Her Majesty for the gracious speech. (1st day) (Seconded by Ms Meg Munn)

Adjournment - Government funding for learning-disabled athletes - Mr Martin Caton

The House rose at 8.53pm

Wednesday 24 November

The House sat at 11.30am

Bill Presented - Mental Capacity Bill (David Lammy) (Bill Carried over from Session 2003-04. Bill read a first and second time)

Bill Presented - Gambling Bill (Tessa Jowell) (Bill Carried over from Session 2003-04. Bill read a first and second time and recommitted to Standing Committee)

Bill Presented - Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill (David Blunkett)

Bill Presented - Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Bill (Gordon Brown)

Bill Presented - School Transport Bill (Charles Clarke) (Bill Carried over from Session 2003-04. Bill read a first and second time)

Debate on the Address (2nd day) - Foreign Affairs and Defence

Adjournment - UK relations with Iran - Sir Teddy Taylor

The House rose at 7.26pm

Thursday 25 November

The House sat at 11.30am

Business Statement - Leader of the

Bill Presented - Railways Bill (Alistair Darling)

Bill Presented - National Lottery Bill (Tessa Jowell)

Debate on the Address (3rd Day) - Environment, Transport and Local and Devolved Government Affairs

Adjournment - Work of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation - Tony Colman

The House rose at 6.26pm

Friday 26 November

The House did not sit

Written Ministerial Statements
23 - 25 November 2004

24.11.2004	Investment Trust Companies - Mr Stephen Timms
24.11.2004	Minerals Planning Policy and Good Practice Guidance - Keith Hill
24.11.2004	Private Rented Sector (Licensing) - Keith Hill
24.11.2004	National Policing Plan - Ms Hazel Blears
24.11.2004	Post Conflict Reconstruction Unit - Mr Hilary Benn
24.11.2004	Launch of the Electronic Parliamentary Community (ePC) - Mr Peter Hain
24.11.2004	Leader of the House of Commons Website - Mr Peter Hain
24.11.2004	Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross Foundation - Mr Paul Murphy
24.11.2004	Advantage West Midlands (Board Appointments) - Jacqui Smith
24.11.2004	Yorkshire Forward (Board Appointments) - Jacqui Smith
24.11.2004	Air Traffic Control (North Atlantic) - Charlotte Atkins
24.11.2004	Benefit Fraud Inspectorate (Herefordshire Council) - Mr Chris Pond
25.11.2004	Section 45 Code of Practice - Mr Christopher Leslie
25.11.2004	Queen's Counsel - Mr Christopher Leslie
25.11.2004	End-to-End Logistics Implementation: Air Depth Support - Mr Adam Ingram
25.11.2004	British Council Art Exhibitions Overseas - Mr Chris Mullin
25.11.2004	Iraq: Export Licence Application - Mr Bill Rammell
25.11.2004	Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority Annual Report - Miss Melanie Johnson
25.11.2004	National Health Service Estate Maintenance - Mr John Hutton
25.11.2004	Tackling Health Inequalities - Miss Melanie Johnson
25.11.2004	Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe/Assembly of Western European Union - Mr Tony Blair
25.11.2004	Low Pay Commission - Mr Gerry Sutcliffe
25.11.2004	Operating and Financial Review - Jacqui Smith