Forthcoming Business of the House of Lords
4 April - 7 April

Enquiries about Lords business may be put to the Lords Information Office on 020 7219 3107

Monday 4 April (2.30.pm)

Oral Questions - For how long is it proposed to continue to keep the option for nuclear generation open and what is the annual cost to public funds of doing so (L. Peyton of Yeovil); Whether during the United Kingdom's forthcoming Presidency of the European Union an agreement will be secured from other European states (both within and outside the European Union) to alter the date for the start of Summer Time from the last Sunday in March each year to the third Sunday so that clocks are not put forward on Easter Sunday (L. Monson); How many Chinese care workers have been recruited either directly or indirectly by agencies for work in the National Health Service or social services; and what qualifications are required of them (B. Gardner of Parkes); Whether the conservation of ancient cathedrals is a priority for their heritage funding (L. Clement-Jones).

Legislation - Railways Bill (report stage); Drugs Bill (second reading).

Tuesday 5 April (2.30.pm)

Oral Questions - Why immigrants and asylum seekers are not tested for HIV and tuberculosis (B. Sharples); What percentage of the manpower of the Corps of Army Music will be made redundant (L. Astor of Hever); Whether, in line with the commitment which was given during the passage of the Children Bill, that play and recreation in the guidance issued on the Children Act 2005 has been addressed (L. Pendry).

Legislation - Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill (committee stage 1st day); Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Bill (third reading).

Delegated Legislation - Employment Zones (Allocation of Contractors) Pilot Regulations 2005 (Motion for approval).

Wednesday 6 April (2.30.pm)

Oral Questions - What action is being taken in response to the Make Poverty History campaign; and how poverty is defined in that context (L. Judd); What assurances can be offered to British sugar beet growers that they will not be unfairly discriminated against in the forthcoming reform of European Union sugar policy (L. Bishop of Southwell); Why in implementing the proposed European Union Constitutional Treaty is it intended the Treaty's provisions for parliamentary control of the passarelle procedure to be exercised by the House of Commons alone (L. Marlesford).

Labour Debates - On The contribution made by the arts to urban regeneration (B. McIntosh of Hudnall); The role of science and technology in economic growth (L. Drayson).

Delegated Legislation - Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2005 (Motion for approval).

Thursday 7 April (11.00.am)

Oral Questions - Whether the National Standards for Better Health encompass commissioning skills, including specialised and mental health services; and how these skills will be assessed (B. Barker); Why the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has chosen words for the issuing of general licences for the killing of wild birds different from those used in the European Union Directive (B. Byford); What discussions have been held with the higher education sector on proposals to abolish the right of appeal for international students who are denied visas; and what prior research has been conducted on the likely effects of this proposal (B. Lockwood).

Legislation - Gambling Bill (committee stage 2nd day).