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Order of Business Tuesday 21 October 2008

Here you can browse the House of Commons Order of Business for Tuesday 21 October 2008.

+ indicates Government business.
Timings are indicative only.


House of Commons
Order of Business

 
At 2.30 p.m.
  Prayers
 
  Ministerial Statements (if any)
Afterwards
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.
Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport
 1
Mr Brian Binley (Northampton South): What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the effects of recent changes to the rating system in ports on the operation of those ports.
(228325)
 2
Andrew Rosindell (Romford): What recent discussions he has had on the possibility of development of a new airport to the east of London.
(228326)
 3
Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): What progress has been made on the conversion of Waterloo International for the use of London surburban rail services.
(228327)
 4
Paddy Tipping (Sherwood): What highway improvements are planned on the A46 between Newark and Widmerpool.
(228328)
 5
Gwyn Prosser (Dover): When his Department last held discussions with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on the application of the national minimum wage to seafarers.
(228329)
 6
Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering): What steps are being taken to raise line speeds and reduce train congestion on the Midland main line.
(228330)
 7
Willie Rennie (Dunfermline and West Fife): If he will bring forward proposals for legislation to prevent convicted sex offenders from becoming driving instructors.
(228331)
 8
John Mann (Bassetlaw): What estimate his Department has made of the extent of the rail network infrastructure in 2038.
(228332)
 9
Miss Julie Kirkbride (Bromsgrove): How much his Department plans to spend on (a) new railway stations in England and (b) a new railway station in Bromsgrove over the next three years.
(228333)
 10
Danny Alexander (Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey): What plans he has for high speed rail links between England and Scotland.
(228334)
 11
Graham Stringer (Manchester, Blackley): What progress has been made on the development of Manchester airport as a hub; and if he will make a statement.
(228335)
 12
Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): What plans he has for high speed rail links between England and Scotland.
(228336)
 13
Ms Katy Clark (North Ayrshire and Arran): What discussions his Department has held with trades unions and HM Treasury on the Seafarers' Earnings Deduction.
(228337)
 14
Mrs Linda Riordan (Halifax): What progress has been made in providing a direct rail link between Halifax and London.
(228338)
 15
Mr Mark Lancaster (North East Milton Keynes): What steps he plans to take to reduce overcrowding on the rail network; and if he will make a statement.
(228339)
 16
Bob Russell (Colchester): When he expects work to start on a junction between the A12 and the Northern Approach Road at Colchester.
(228340)
 17
Philip Davies (Shipley): What plans his Department has to fund transport links in West Yorkshire.
(228341)
 18
Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire): What plans he has to reduce overcrowding on the rail network; and if he will make a statement.
(228342)
 19
Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire): Whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to revise the law on mobility scooters.
(228343)
 20
Mr David Evennett (Bexleyheath & Crayford): What progress has been made on the introduction of the new motorcycle driving test; and if he will make a statement.
(228344)
 
At 3.05 p.m.
Topical Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport
The Members listed below have been selected by ballot to ask a Topical Question.
 T1
Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.
(228345)
 T2
Andrew Rosindell (Romford):
(228346)
 T3
Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):
(228347)
 T4
Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton & Cheam):
(228348)
 T5
Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):
(228349)
 T6
Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):
(228350)
 T7
Tony Baldry (Banbury):
(228351)
 T8
Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland):
(228352)
 
At 3.15 p.m.
Oral Questions to the Minister for Women and Equality
 1
Mr Mark Harper (Forest of Dean): When she expects the Equality Bill to be ready for introduction.
(228315)
 2
Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering): What discussions she has had with the Equality and Human Rights Commission on organisations which discourage people from ethnic minority backgrounds from seeking employment in public services.
(228316)
 3
Paul Rowen (Rochdale): If she will review the adequacy of the leave entitlements of those about to adopt children.
(228317)
 4
Miss Anne Begg (Aberdeen South): What the objectives are of the Equality Panel; and if she will make a statement.
(228318)
 5
Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough): What discussions she has had with Ministerial colleagues on the number of places made available in refuges to women who have been trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
(228319)
 6
Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills on the proportion of university entrants of each sex.
(228320)
 7
Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes): What arrangements are in place to provide a recovery and reflection period for women who are found to have been trafficked into the UK.
(228321)
 8
Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East): What plans the Government has to reduce demand for prostitution.
(228322)
 9
Mr Henry Bellingham (North West Norfolk): What plans she has to increase the number of women entrepreneurs.
(228323)
 10
Julie Morgan (Cardiff North): What steps she is taking to consult young people on the provisions of the Equality Bill.
(228324)

At 3.30 p.m.
  Urgent Questions (if any)
 
  Ministerial Statements (if any)

Preliminary Business
Ten minute rule Motion
1
DRIVING INSTRUCTORS CONVICTED OF SEXUAL OFFENCES (SUSPENSION)
[Up to 20 minutes]
Willie Rennie
 
   That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision for the immediate suspension from the Register of Approved Driving Instructors of driving instructors convicted of sexual offences; 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
  indicates Government Business
2
OPPOSITION DAY (19th allotted day)
[Until 10.00 p.m.]
 
CONTROLS ON IMMIGRATION
Mr David Cameron
Mr Dominic Grieve
Damian Green
Mr David Ruffley
James Brokenshire
Mr Patrick McLoughlin
 
   That this House notes that the Government’s immigration policy has resulted in a quadrupling of net immigration since 1997; further notes that the European Commission predicts that the UK population will reach 77 million by 2060; further notes that the Select Committee on Communities and Local Government said in July that the pressure on resources as a result of this level of immigration ‘increases the risk of community tensions escalating’; further notes that the Chairman of the House of Lords Committee on Economic Affairs said in April that ‘the argument put forward by the Government that large-scale immigration brings significant economic benefits for the UK is unconvincing’; and calls on the Government to introduce a limit on economic migration from outside the EU, to ensure that immigration remains a real benefit to the country’s economy and its public services and to reform the marriage visa system to encourage better integration into British society.
   As an Amendment to Mr David Cameron’s proposed Motion (Controls on immigration):
The Prime Minister
Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer
Secretary Jacqui Smith
Secretary Jack Straw
Secretary Hazel Blears
Phil Woolas
 
   Line 1, leave out from ‘House’ to end and add ‘welcomes the actions of the Government in undertaking the biggest shake-up of the immigration system in decades; supports the introduction of the points based system for migration, which will ensure that only those with skills the UK needs can come to work or study; endorses the proposals set out in the Earned Citizenship Green Paper for newcomers to speak English, obey the law and pay their way; looks forward to the issuing of the first identity cards for foreign nationals next month, which will enable those who are here legally to prove it, helping to reduce identity abuse and prevent those here illegally from benefiting from the privileges of life in the UK; is committed to taking tough action against employers who exploit illegal workers knowingly; supports the removal of record numbers of foreign national prisoners; notes the Government’s doubling of the UK Border Agency’s enforcement budget within three years from 2006; pays tribute to the work of the single UK Border Agency; and welcomes the introduction of the electronic border system that will check every visitor against immigration and security watchlists and count them in and out of the UK.’.
 
ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND BUSINESS
Mr David Cameron
Mr Alan Duncan
Mrs Theresa May
Mr Mark Prisk
Mr John Baron
Mr Patrick McLoughlin
 
   That this House notes that, despite inheriting a strong economy and presiding over 10 years of growth, the Government has raided pension funds, increased taxation, reduced savings, encouraged debt, increased government borrowing and that 1.7 million people are now unemployed; further notes that inflation is at a 16-year high, unemployment is rising at the fastest rate for 17 years and property sales are at a 30-year low; regrets the pain that is now being caused to business by the severe financial turmoil and the Government’s failure to prepare the British economy for any downturn; further notes with concern the Ernst & Young Item Club’s report that the UK economy has deteriorated dramatically in the past three months and is already in recession; further notes that the number of British businesses in distress has more than doubled since the start of the year; expresses concern that the limited availability of credit and the predatory behaviour by both banks and HM Revenue and Customs risks exacerbating the detrimental effects on business; calls on the Government to introduce an urgent package of measures to alleviate business pain, including allowing small and medium sized enterprises to defer their VAT bills for up to six months and cutting small business National Insurance contributions by 1p for at least six months; and endorses these measures as a first step towards alleviating business pain.
   As an Amendment to Mr David Cameron’s proposed Motion (Economic performance and business):
The Prime Minister
Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer
Secretary James Purnell
Mr Secretary Woodward
Secretary Jim Murphy
Mr Secretary Murphy
Mr Pat McFadden   
Mr Gareth Thomas
 
   Line 1, leave out from ‘House’ to end and add ‘notes that in the 1980s Britain experienced two recessions with unemployment reaching three million on both occasions, a thousand businesses were lost and that interest rates reached 15 per cent.; further notes that the roots and effects of the current financial crisis are global and unprecedented in recent decades; believes that at such a time it is essential that the Government acts to restore stability and confidence and therefore supports the action the Government has taken to inject liquidity into the banking system, to recapitalise the banks and to make funds available to resume the medium term lending essential to small businesses; further notes that the UK is better placed than in the past to get through the economic downturn with an economy that has produced three million more jobs over the past decade and enjoyed strong growth and low inflation; supports Government measures such as the Prime Minister’s announcement to reduce to 10 days the payment period from central government to small businesses and to bring forward funding for small businesses available through the European Investment Bank; and believes that the Government should reject public spending cuts at this time and continue working with the banks to ensure the availability and competitive pricing of lending to the small and medium sized business sector.’.
   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 10.00 p.m.
3
DELEGATED LEGISLATION
[No debate after 10.00 p.m.]
Ms Harriet Harman
 
   That the Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2424), dated 10th September 2008, be referred to a Delegated Legislation Committee.
If opposed, this item cannot be taken after 10.00 p.m.
4
VALUE ADDED TAX
[No debate]
Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer
 
   That the Value Added Tax (Finance) (No. 2) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2547), dated 29th September 2008, a copy of which was laid before this House on 29th September, be approved.
To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).
5
COMPETITION
[No debate]
Mr Pat McFadden
 
   That the Enterprise Act 2002 (Specification of Additional Section 58 Consideration) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2645), dated 6th October, a copy of which was laid before this House on 7th October, be approved.
To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).
6
CAP ‘HEALTH CHECK’ AND COMMUNITY ACTION ON RISING FOOD PRICES
[No debate]
Jane Kennedy
 
   That this House take note of European Union Documents No. 9656/08 and Addenda 1 and 2—Draft Council Regulation establishing common rules for direct support schemes for farmers under the Common Agricultural Policy and establishing certain support schemes for farmers, and Draft Council Regulation on modifications to the Common Agricultural Policy by amending 320/2006, 1234/2007, 3/2008 and an unnumbered document relating to the Common Market Organisation for wine, and Draft Council Regulation 1698/2005 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), and Draft Council Decision amending Decision 2006/144/EC in the Community strategic guidelines for rural development (programming period 2007 to 2013) and European Union Document No. 9923/08, Commission Communication—Tackling the challenge of rising food prices—Directions for EU action; supports the Government’s negotiating aims that the ‘Health Check’ should cut further the trade and market distorting nature of the CAP, reduce regulatory burdens, give farmers greater control over their business decisions, and direct more public spending towards delivery of targeted public benefits; and considers that the separately proposed measures to tackle rising food prices are adequate and proportionate to the scale of the problem.
To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 119(9)).
 
 
At the end of the sitting:
8
ADJOURNMENT
 
   Proposed subject: Energy policy in Scotland (John Robertson).
   Debate may continue until 10.30 p.m. or for half an hour, whichever is later (Standing Order No. 9).

COMMITTEES
PUBLIC BILL COMMITTEE
1
Banking Bill Committee
10.30 a.m.
The Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House (public)
 
4.30 p.m.
(public)
   To take evidence on the Bill.
   Witnesses (a.m.): HM Treasury (Until no later than 12.00 noon); Bank of England, Financial Services Authority and Financial Services Compensation Scheme (Until no later than 1.00 p.m.).
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE
2
European Committee C
4.30 p.m.
Room 10 (public)
   To consider EU Document Nos. 11327/08 and Addendum 1 and 11307/08 and Addenda 1, 2 and 3 relating to Cross-border Healthcare.
SELECT COMMITTEES
3
Standards and Privileges
9.30 a.m.
Room 13 (private)
4
Environmental Audit
9.45 a.m.
Room 16 (private)
 
10.20 a.m.
(public)
   Subject: Reducing CO2 and Other Emissions From Shipping.
   Witnesses: Peter Lockley, Head of Transport, WWF-UK; Dr Andre Stochniol, International Maritime Emissions Reduction Scheme (at 11.00 a.m.).
5
Communities and Local Government
10.00 a.m.
The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House (private)
 
10.20 a.m.
(public)
   Subject: Tenant Services Authority.
   Witnesses: Anthony Mayer, Chair-designate, and Peter Marsh, Chief Executive-designate, Tenant Services Authority.
6
Defence
10.00 a.m.
Room 8 (private)
 
10.30 a.m.
(public)
   Subject: UK National Security and Resilience.
   Witnesses: Rt Hon Bob Ainsworth MP, Minister for the Armed Forces, Ministry of Defence and Admiral Lord West of Spithead GCB DSC, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Security and Counter-Terrorism, Home Office.
7
Business and Enterprise
10.15 a.m.
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House (private)
 
10.30 a.m.
(public)
   Subject: Departmental Annual Report/ Current Economic Situation.
   Witnesses: Rt Hon Lord Mandelson of Foy and Hartlepool, Secretary of State, and Sir Brian Bender, Permanent Secretary, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
8
Culture, Media and Sport
10.15 a.m.
Room 15 (private)
 
10.30 a.m.
(public)
   Subject: Channel 4 Annual Report 2007.
   Witnesses: Luke Johnson, Chairman, Andy Duncan, Chief Executive, and Anne Bulford, Group Finance Director, Channel 4.
9
Home Affairs
10.15 a.m.
The Wilson Room, Portcullis House (private)
 
10.30 a.m.
(public)
   Subject: Human Trafficking.
   Witnesses: Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre.
10
Justice
4.00 p.m.
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House (private)
 
4.15 p.m.
(public)
   Subject: (i) Ministry of Justice Departmental Annual Report 2007-08,
   (ii) Appointment of Chairman of the Office for Legal Complaints.
JOINT COMMITTEE
11
Human Rights
1.30 p.m.
The Wilson Room, Portcullis House (private)
 
1.45 p.m.
(public)
   Subject: Policing and Protest.
   Witnesses: National Union of Journalists, Huntingdon Life Sciences, and Social Affairs Unit; Climate Camp, Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases, and Justice not Vengeance (at 2.30 p.m.).
[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: Double Taxation Convention between the UK and the Kingdom of the Netherlands and agreements between the UK and the Isle of Man.
2
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Environment Council 20th to 21st October 2008.
3
Prime Minister: Intelligence and Security Committee.
4
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: Publication of the Annual Report by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the Social Fund 2007-08 and the Social Fund Commissioner’s annual report.

 

 

 
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Prepared 21 October 2008