|
+ indicates Government business.
Timings are indicative only.
House of Commons
Order of Business
|
At 11.30 a.m.
|
Prayers
|
| |
Ministerial Statements (if any)
|
Afterwards
|
Oral Questions to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
|
 1
|
|
Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on reducing social exclusion
in rural areas.
|
|
(195045)
|
2
|
|
Mr Jamie Reed (Copeland): What assessment he has made of the potential role of third sector organisations in providing public services.
|
|
(195046)
|
3
|
|
Mr Mark Lancaster (North East Milton Keynes): What assessment the Social Exclusion Taskforce has made of the likely effect of post office closures on social inclusion.
|
|
(195047)
|
4
|
|
Mr David Heathcoat-Amory (Wells): What assessment the Social Exclusion Taskforce has made of the effect of post office closures on social inclusion.
|
|
(195048)
|
5
|
|
Mr Andy Reed (Loughborough): What steps he is taking to reduce the administrative burden of volunteering in sport.
|
|
(195049)
|
6
|
|
Mr Mark Harper (Forest of Dean): What account the Social Exclusion Taskforce takes of child poverty in setting its workplan.
|
|
(195050)
|
7
|
|
Mr John Heppell (Nottingham East): What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of family intervention projects.
|
|
(195052)
|
8
|
|
Mr John Randall (Uxbridge): What plans his Department has to improve data security across Government.
|
|
(195053)
|
9
|
|
Jim Sheridan (Paisley and Renfrewshire North): If he will make a statement on the Grassroots Grants programme.
|
|
(195054)
|
10
|
|
Mr David Chaytor (Bury North): If he will make a statement on the role of the third sector in delivering public services.
|
|
(195055)
|
11
|
|
Mr David Jones (Clwyd West): Whether the Social Exclusion Taskforce has assessed the likely effect of post office closures on levels of social inclusion.
|
|
(195056)
|
12
|
|
John Robertson (Glasgow North West): What assessment his Department has made of the effect of the allocation of funding for the Olympic Games on the funding of
the voluntary sector.
|
|
(195057)
|
13
|
|
Mr Stewart Jackson (Peterborough): What work the Social Exclusion Taskforce has conducted on the level of child poverty.
|
|
(195058)
|
14
|
|
Mr Graham Allen (Nottingham North): What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families on the creation of a national
assessment centre for early intervention policies to tackle social exclusion; and if he will make a statement.
|
|
(195059)
|
At 12 noon
|
Oral Questions to the Prime Minister
|
|
Unless otherwise indicated the Members listed below will ask a Question without notice.
|
Q1
|
|
Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 19th March.
|
|
(195060)
|
Q2
|
|
Christine Russell (City of Chester):
|
|
(195061)
|
Q3
|
|
Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton):
|
|
(195062)
|
Q4
|
|
John Mann (Bassetlaw):
|
|
(195063)
|
Q5
|
|
Helen Southworth (Warrington South):
|
|
(195064)
|
Q6
|
|
Mr Robert Goodwill (Scarborough & Whitby):
|
|
(195065)
|
Q7
|
|
Albert Owen (Ynys Môn):
|
|
(195066)
|
Q8
|
|
Graham Stringer (Manchester, Blackley):
|
|
(195067)
|
Q9
|
|
Ms Celia Barlow (Hove):
|
|
(195068)
|
Q10
|
|
Mr John Leech (Manchester, Withington):
|
|
(195069)
|
Q11
|
|
Ben Chapman (Wirral South):
|
|
(195070)
|
Q12
|
|
Mr Martin Caton (Gower):
|
|
(195071)
|
Q13
|
|
Jessica Morden (Newport East):
|
|
(195072)
|
Q14
|
|
Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):
|
|
(195073)
|
Q15
|
|
Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South):
|
|
(195074)
|
|
At 12.30 p.m.
|
Urgent Questions (if any)
|
| |
Ministerial Statements (if any)
|
Preliminary Business
Ten minute rule Motion
|
1
|
LOCAL AUTHORITY POWERS (ELECTION CAMPAIGNS)
|
[Up to 20 minutes]
|
|
|
|
| |
That leave be given to bring in a Bill to impose restrictions on the types of decisions that local authorities can take during
specified periods prior to local elections; and for connected purposes.
|
|
|
The Member moving and a Member opposing this Motion may each speak for up to ten minutes (Standing Order No. 23).
|
Main Business
|
2
|
OPPOSITION DAY (7th allotted day)
|
[Until 7.00 p.m.]
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
That this House regrets the proposal to close up to 2,500 post offices; recognises the vital role post offices play in local
communities; notes the concern and unpopularity amongst the general public of closing such a large portion of the network;
has concerns that the access criteria laid down for the closures consultation do not adequately take into account local geographical
factors and public transport networks; is concerned that the consultation period is only for six weeks rather than three months,
as recommended by Cabinet Office guidelines; believes that post offices must move with the times in the services they offer
and that options for business expansion and developing business opportunities with local authorities should be explored further;
and calls upon the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform to instruct Post Office Limited to suspend
the compulsory closure of sub-post offices while these issues are re-assessed.
|
|
|
As Amendments to Mr David Cameron’s proposed Motion (Post Office Closures):
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Line 1, leave out from ‘House’ to end and add ‘recognises the vital social and economic role of post offices, in particular in rural
and deprived urban communities; notes the decline in post office customer numbers in recent years and the financial losses
of £174 million incurred by the network in 2007; further recognises the effect of changes such as direct debit facilities
and increased use of the internet for payment and communication; commends the Government’s action to support the post office
network with investment of up to £1.7 billion up until 2011, including an annual subsidy of £150 million; further notes that
this subsidy did not exist under the last government and that without it thousands more post offices would be under threat;
and urges the Government to continue working with Post Office Limited to ensure a viable and sustainable network for the future.’.
|
|
|
|
| |
Line 1, after ‘offices’, insert ‘in addition to the 4,000 post offices already closed by this Labour Government and the 3,500 post
offices closed under the previous Conservative government.’.
|
|
|
|
| |
Line 7, leave out from ‘believes’ to first ‘and’ in line 10 and insert ‘believes that if the Post Office is to survive it requires
de-merging from Royal Mail as well as significant investment for modernisation and the development of additional business
opportunities; further believes that the sale of 49 per cent. of Royal Mail shares would provide both this much-needed investment
funding for the post office network and the freedom for Royal Mail to borrow on a commercial basis;’.
|
|
|
The selection of the matters to be debated this day has been made by the Leader of the Opposition (Standing Order No. 14(2)).
|
|
Debate may continue until 7.00 p.m.
|
|
†
|
3
|
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
|
[No debate]
|
|
|
|
| |
That the draft National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Education and Training) Order 2008, which was laid before
this House on 6th February, be approved.
|
|
|
To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).
|
|
†
|
4
|
FEES AND CHARGES
|
[No debate]
|
|
|
|
| |
That the draft Department for Transport (Driver Licensing and Vehicle Registration Fees) (Amendment) Order 2008, which was
laid before this House on 18th February, be approved.
|
|
|
To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).
|
|
†
|
5
|
GOVERNMENT RESOURCES AND ACCOUNTS
|
[No debate]
|
|
|
|
| |
That the draft Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (Audit of Public Bodies) Order 2008, which was laid before this
House on 26th February, be approved.
|
|
|
To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).
|
|
†
|
6
|
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS AND SERVICES
|
[No debate]
|
|
|
|
| |
That this House takes note of European Union Document No. 15371/07, Commission Communication, Report on the outcome of the
Review of the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services in accordance with Directive 2002/21/EC
and Summary of the 2007 Reform Proposals; further notes the Government’s support for the European Commission’s objectives
and most of the Commission’s proposals to revise the regulatory framework for electronic communications and services in pursuit
of open competition; but acknowledges the Government’s intention to continue to analyse both the case for a veto on national
remedies and establishing a new EU Market Authority in order to consider whether alternative methods could better achieve
results.
|
|
|
To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 119(9)).
|
At the end of the sitting:
|
|
|
Proposed subject: Organ donation (Gordon Banks).
|
|
Debate may continue until 7.30 p.m. or for half an hour, whichever is later (Standing Order No. 9).
|
|
|
COMMITTEES
|
DELEGATED LEGISLATION COMMITTEES
|
|
1
|
Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee
|
2.30 p.m.
|
Room 10 (public)
|
|
To consider the draft Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cash Searches: Code of Practice) Order 2008, the draft Proceeds of Crime
Act 2002 (Investigations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: Code of Practice) Order 2008 and the draft Serious Crime
Act 2007 (Amendment of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002) Order 2008.
|
|
2
|
Ninth Delegated Legislation Committee
|
2.30 p.m.
|
Room 12 (public)
|
|
To consider the draft Tax Credits Up-rating Regulations 2008, the draft Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating Order 2008, the draft
Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 and the draft Child Benefit Up-rating Order 2008.
|
|
SELECT COMMITTEES
|
|
3
|
Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills
|
9.00 a.m.
|
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House (private)
|
| |
9.30 a.m.
|
(public)
|
|
Subject: Use of Government Statistics in Evidence-Based Policy Making.
|
|
Witnesses: Ms Karen Dunnell, National Statistician and Mike Hughes, Director, National Statistics and Policy Group.
|
|
4
|
Children, Schools and Families
|
9.15 a.m.
|
The Wilson Room, Portcullis House (private)
|
| |
9.30 a.m.
|
(public)
|
|
Subject: Looked-After Children.
|
|
Witnesses: Dr Roger Morgan OBE, Children’s Rights Director for England, Maxine Wrigley, Chief Executive, A National Voice,
Martin Narey, Chief Executive and Pam Hibbert, Assistant Director - Policy, Barnardo’s.
|
|
5
|
Work and Pensions
|
9.15 a.m.
|
Room 8 (private)
|
| |
9.30 a.m.
|
(public)
|
|
Subject: Health and Safety.
|
|
Witness: Professor Dame Carol Black DBE, National Director for Health and Work.
|
|
6
|
International Development
|
9.30 a.m.
|
The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House (private)
|
| |
10.00 a.m.
|
(public)
|
|
Subject: DfID and the African Development Bank.
|
|
Witness: African Development Bank.
|
|
7
|
Modernisation of the House of Commons
|
9.30 a.m.
|
Room 16 (private)
|
|
|
8
|
Northern Ireland Affairs
|
10.00 a.m.
|
Room 144, Parliament Building, Stormont (private)
|
| |
10.15 a.m.
|
(public)
|
|
Subject: Policing and Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland.
|
|
Witnesses: Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB, former Victims Commissioner; Healing Through Remembering (at 11.00 a.m.); WAVE Trauma
Centre (at 11.45 a.m.).
|
|
9
|
Foreign Affairs
|
2.00 p.m.
|
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House (private)
|
| |
2.30 p.m.
|
(public)
|
|
Subject: Global Security: Japan and Korea.
|
|
Witnesses: Dr John Swenson-Wright, University of Cambridge; Aidan Foster-Carter, University of Leeds, Professor Hazel Smith,
University of Warwick (at 3.30 p.m.).
|
|
10
|
Public Administration
|
2.00 p.m.
|
Room 16 (private)
|
| |
2.15 p.m.
|
(public)
|
|
Subject: Better Government.
|
|
Witness: Better Government Initiative.
|
|
11
|
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
|
2.15 p.m.
|
The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House (private)
|
|
|
12
|
Treasury
|
2.15 p.m.
|
The Wilson Room, Portcullis House (private)
|
| |
2.30 p.m.
|
(public)
|
|
Subject: Budget 2008.
|
|
Witnesses: Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer and HM Treasury officials.
|
|
13
|
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Sub-Committee
|
2.30 p.m.
|
The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House (public)
|
|
Subject: British Waterways.
|
|
Witness: Jonathan Shaw MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
|
|
14
|
European Scrutiny
|
2.30 p.m.
|
Room 19 (private)
|
| |
As soon as convenient after 2.30 p.m.
|
(public)
|
|
Subject: Scrutiny of European Documents.
|
|
15
|
Procedure
|
2.30 p.m.
|
Room 20 (private)
|
|
|
16
|
Transport
|
2.30 p.m.
|
Room 8 (private)
|
| |
2.45 p.m.
|
(public)
|
|
Subject: Delivering a Sustainable Railway: A 30-year Strategy for the Railways?
|
|
Witnesses: South West Regional Assembly and South West Regional Development Agency, West Midlands Regional Rail Forum, Transport
for London and The Northern Way; Tom Harris MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Department for Transport
(at 3.30 p.m.).
|
|
17
|
Public Accounts
|
3.30 p.m.
|
Room 15 (public)
|
|
Subject: DEFRA: Management of Expenditure.
|
|
Witness: Helen Ghosh, Permanent Secretary, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
|
|
18
|
Selection
|
4.45 p.m.
|
Room 13 (private)
|
|
|
19
|
Statutory Instruments
|
As soon as convenient after 4.00 p.m.
|
Room 7 (private)
|
|
|
JOINT COMMITTEE
|
|
20
|
Statutory Instruments
|
4.00 p.m.
|
Room 7 (private)
|
|
[The decision of a Committee to sit in public may be rescinded without notice.]
|
Written Ministerial Statements to be made today
|
|
1
|
Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer: Finance Bill publication.
|
|
|
2
|
Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families: 14-19 Education and skills–Outcomes of the Diploma Gateway 2 process.
|
|
|
3
|
Secretary of State for Defence: Ofsted agreement sign off.
|
|
|
4
|
Secretary of State for Defence: Review of UK reserve forces.
|
|
|
5
|
Secretary of State for Defence: Appointment of Director of Service Prosecutions.
|
|
|
6
|
Secretary of State for Defence: Armed forces retention measures.
|
|
|
7
|
Secretary of State for Health: Code of practice for the promotion of NHS-funded services.
|
|
|
8
|
Secretary of State for Wales: Proposals for a legislative competence order in the field of social welfare and other fields.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
