Business Today: Chamber for Monday 17 June 2013

2.30pm Prayers

Followed by

 QUESTIONS

Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence

1 Neil Carmichael (Stroud)
What recent assessment he has made of the security situation in and around the Falkland Islands. (159635)

2 Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon)
What assessment he has made of the effect on NATO's defence capabilities of the US strategic realignment towards Asia. (159636)

3 Michael Fabricant (Lichfield)
When he next plans to visit the National Memorial Arboretum and Armed Forces Memorial. (159637)

4 John Glen (Salisbury)
What assessment he has made of progress in development of the B-variant of the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft; and how many countries have expressed an interest in its procurement. (159638)

5 Richard Graham (Gloucester)
What compensation is given to employers to reflect the additional cost incurred by them through the call-up of a reservist. (159639)

6 Martin Horwood (Cheltenham)
What recent discussions he has had with representatives of former Gurkhas; and if he will make a statement. (159640)

7 Hugh Bayley (York Central)
What the outcome was of the recent NATO Defence Ministers' meeting; and if he will make a statement. (159641)

8 Mr Edward Leigh (Gainsborough)
What plans he has for his Department's facilities in Lincolnshire and the East Midlands. (159642)

9 Lorely Burt (Solihull)
What proportion of his Department's budget was spent on official development assistance in the latest period for which figures are available. (159643)

10 Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon)
What steps his Department is taking to engage with those affected by the closure of Claro Barracks, Ripon. (159644)

11 Gavin Williamson (South Staffordshire)
What assessment he has made of progress in development of the B-variant of the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft; and how many countries have expressed an interest in its procurement. (159645)

12 Mark Menzies (Fylde)
What reports he has received on future developments in the capability of the Typhoon aircraft. (159646)

13 Damian Collins (Folkestone and Hythe)
What assessment he has made of the value of the European Defence Agency. (159647)

14 Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire)
What recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer about his planned spending review. (159648)

15 Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish)
What support his Department provides for veterans' travel. (159649)

16 Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal)
What estimate he has made of the minimum number of submarines required to maintain a continuous-at-sea nuclear deterrent. (159650)

17 John Howell (Henley)
What assessment he has made of the potential effect that a reduced number of nuclear-armed submarines would have on the UK's ability to maintain a continuous-at-sea deterrent. (159651)

18 Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering)
How many destroyers the Royal Navy has on deployment at sea at any one time; and what the equivalent figure was in (a) 2003 and (b) 1993. (159652)

19 John Pugh (Southport)
In which RAF bases asbestos contamination is a health issue. (159653)

20 Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife)
What recent assessment he has made of the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter development programme. (159654)

21 Peter Aldous (Waveney)
What progress his Department has made in reducing the UK's military base footprint in Afghanistan. (159655)

22 Stephen Phillips (Sleaford and North Hykeham)
What recent progress his Department has made in improving the quality of service housing. (159656)

23 Mr Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East)
What assessment he has made of the British Army's stabilisation activities in Helmand; and if he will make a statement. (159657)

24 Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire)
What assessment he has made of current clothing procurement for members of the armed forces. (159658)

25 Alex Cunningham (Stockton North)
What recent representations he has received on his Department's compensation policy; and if he will make a statement. (159659)

At 3.15pm

Topical Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence

T1 Mr John Baron (Basildon and Billericay)
If he will make a statement on his Departmental responsibilities. (159660)

T2 Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (159661)

T3 Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (159662)

T4 Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (159663)

T5 Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (159664)

T6 Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (159665)

T7 Simon Hughes (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) (159666)

T8 Peter Aldous (Waveney) (159667)

T9 Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (159668)

T10 Henry Smith (Crawley) (159669)

 

 URGENT QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS

3.30pm

Urgent Questions (if any)

Ministerial Statements (if any)

 BUSINESS OF THE DAY

1. Pensions Bill: Second Reading

Until 10.00pm (Standing Order No. 9(3))

Relevant documents:

Fifth Report of the Work and Pensions Committee, Session 2012-13, The Single-tier State Pension: Part 1 of the Draft Pensions Bill, HC 1000, and the Government’s response, Cm 8620

2. Pensions Bill: Programme Motion

No debate (Standing Order No. 83A(7))

Secretary Iain Duncan Smith

That the following provisions shall apply to the Pensions Bill:

Committal

(1) The Bill shall be committed to a Public Bill Committee.

Proceedings in Public Bill Committee

(2) Proceedings in the Public Bill Committee shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion on Thursday 11 July 2013.

(3) The Public Bill Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the first day on which it meets.

Consideration and Third Reading

(4) Proceedings on Consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour before the moment of interruption on the day on which those proceedings are commenced.

(5) Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption on that day.

(6) Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees) shall not apply to proceedings on Consideration and Third Reading.

Other proceedings

(7) Any other proceedings on the Bill (including any proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments or on any further messages from the Lords) may be programmed.

3. Pensions Bill: Money

No debate (Standing Order No. 52(1)(A))

Greg Clark

That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Pensions Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of:

(1) any expenditure incurred under or by virtue of the Act by the Secretary of State; and

(2) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable under any other Act out of money so provided.

Notes:

Queen’s Recommendation signified

4. Pensions Bill: Ways and Means

No debate (Standing Order No. 52(1)(A))

Greg Clark

That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Pensions Bill, it is expedient to authorise:

(1) the imposition of charges to income tax in respect of benefits payable under or by virtue of the Act;

(2) the levying of charges under the Pension Schemes Act 1993 for the purpose of meeting expenditure of the Secretary of State under or by virtue of the Act;

(3) the imposition of levies under or by virtue of the Pensions Act 2004 in respect of past periods;

(4) the imposition of levies under or by virtue of the Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Act 2004 towards the expenses of grant-aided bodies concerned with preparing guidance for pensions illustrations; and

(5) the payment of sums into the Consolidated Fund.

5. Representation of the People

No debate (Standing Order No. 118(6))

The Deputy Prime Minister

That the draft Elections (Fresh Signatures for Absent Voters) Regulations 2013, which were laid before this House on 25 April 2013, in the last Session of Parliament, be approved.

6. Representation of the People

No debate (Standing Order No. 118(6))

Secretary David Jones

That the draft National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) (Fresh Signatures for Absent Voters) Order 2013, which was laid before this House on 8 May, be approved.

7. International Development

No debate (Standing Order No. 118(6))

Secretary Justine Greening

That the draft Asian Development Bank (Tenth Replenishment of the Asian Development Fund) Order 2013, which was laid before this House on 8 May, be approved.

8. Immigration

No debate (Standing Order No. 118(6))

Secretary Theresa May

That the draft Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Application to immigration officers and designated customs officials in England and Wales) Order 2013, which was laid before this House on 25 April 2013, in the last Session of Parliament, be approved.

9. Financial Assistance to Industry

No debate (Standing Order No. 118(6) and Order of 21 May)

Secretary Vince Cable

That this House authorises the Secretary of State to undertake to pay, and to pay by way of financial assistance under section 8 of the Industrial Development Act 1982, sums exceeding £10 million and up to a cumulative total of £300 million in respect of investments to support lending to small and medium sized enterprises.

10. 2012 Salary Adjustment for EU staff

No debate (Standing Order No. 119(11))

Mr David Lidington

Greg Clark

That this House takes note of European Union Documents No. 17322/12 and Addenda 1 and 2, a draft Regulation adjusting with effect from 1 July 2012 the remuneration and pensions of the officials and other servants of the European Union and the correction coefficients applied thereto, and No. 17360/12 and Addendum, a draft Regulation adjusting from 1 July 2012 the rate of contribution to the pension scheme of officials and other servants of the European Union, together with European Union Documents No. 11964/12, Opinion No. 5/2012 of the European Court of Auditors on the draft Regulation amending the Staff Regulations of Officials and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union, No. 13327/12, Commission Report on the Exception Clause (Article 10 of Annex XI of the Staff Regulations), and No. 13270/12, Special Report No. 10/2012 of the European Court of Auditors: The effectiveness of staff development in the European Commission; questions the European Commission’s conclusion that recent and challenging economic conditions do not warrant the application of the Exception Clause; regrets that the Commission has not modified the salary adjustment method this year; stresses that consequent increases in EU staff pay, proposed by the Commission, are completely unacceptable; welcomes the findings and recommendation of the two reports from the European Court of Auditors; encourages the Commission to act upon these reports; rejects the Commission’s proposals on salary and pension adjustments and pension contribution rates; and emphasises the continuing need for genuine reform both to the Salary Adjustment Method and to the Staff Regulations in general in the context of the UK’s overarching goal to achieve real budgetary restraint in the EU institutions.

11. Written Statements by Members who answer on behalf of Statutory Bodies

No debate after 10.00pm (Standing Order No. 9(6))

Mr Charles Walker

Mr Andrew Lansley

Ms Angela Eagle

Thomas Docherty

That:

(1) this House approves the recommendation of the Procedure Committee contained in paragraph 6 of its Fifth Report, Statements by Members who answer on behalf of statutory bodies (HC 1017), that the ability to make written statements should be extended to Members answering on behalf of statutory bodies; and

(2) Standing Order No. 22A be amended accordingly as follows:

(a) in the title, leave out ‘by Ministers’;

(b) in line 2, after ‘House,’, add ‘or other Member of the House to whom written questions may be addressed’;

(c) in line 2, leave out ‘his’ and insert ‘an’;

(d) in line 2, leave out ‘ministerial’.

12. European Scrutiny

No debate after 10.00pm (Standing Order No. 9(6))

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, on behalf of the Committee of Selection

That Jim Dobbin be discharged from the European Scrutiny Committee and Mr Joe Benton be added.

13. Health

No debate after 10.00pm (Standing Order No. 9(6))

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, on behalf of the Committee of Selection

That Chris Skidmore be discharged from the Health Committee and Charlotte Leslie be added.

 ADJOURNMENT DEBATE

Until 10.30pm or for half an hour (whichever is later) (Standing Order No. 9(7))

UK policy on lethal autonomous robotics: Nia Griffith

 

 

WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

 Statements to be made today

Secretary of State Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

1. Ushakov medals

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

2 . Northern Ireland: Building a prosperous and united community

Secretary of State for Transport

3 . EU Transport Council

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

4 . Child Support (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2013

Notes:

Texts of Written Ministerial Statements are available from the Vote Office and on the internet at http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/hansard/commons/todays-written-statements/.

 

COMMITTEES MEETING TODAY

The decision of a Committee to sit in public may be changed without notice.

 European Committees

European Committee A

To consider European Union Document No. 7935/13, a draft Regulation on fixing an adjustment rate to direct payments provided for in Regulation (EC) No. 73/2009 in respect of calendar year 2013

Room 10

4.30pm (public)

European Committee B

To consider European Union Documents No. 8660/13, a Commission Communication: Results of in-depth reviews under Regulation (EU) No. 1176/2011 on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances, and SWD(13) 125, a Commission Staff Working Document: in-depth review for the United Kingdom in accordance with Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No. 1176/2011 on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances, together with No. 16513/12, a Commission Staff Working Document: Completing the scoreboard for the Macroeconomic Imbalance Procedure: Financial Sector Indicator, No. 16671/12 and Addenda 1 and 2, a Commission Report: Alert Mechanism Report 2013, prepared in accordance with Articles 3 and 4 of the Regulation on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances, and No. 16669/12 and Addenda 1 to 2, a Commission Communication: Annual Growth Survey 2013

Room 9

4.30pm (public)

 Select Committees

Business, Innovation and Skills

Subject: Implications of Scottish Independence on business, higher education and research, and postal services

Witnesses: Business for Scotland, and CBI Scotland; NUS Scotland, Universities Scotland, and University and College Union Scotland (at 11.00am); Consumer Futures, Communication Workers Union, National Federation of Subpostmasters, Post Office Ltd, and Royal Mail (at 11.45am).

Senate Room, Glasgow University

10.00am (public)

Public Accounts

Subject: Clinical trials–Tamiflu

Witnesses: Dr Ben Goldacre, Wellcome Research Fellow in Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; Una O’Brien, Permanent Secretary, Department of Health, Sir Andrew Dillon, Chief Executive, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Professor Sir Kent Woods, Chief Executive, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, and Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health (at 4.00pm).

Room 15

3.00pm (private), 3.15pm (public)

Communities and Local Government

Subject: (i) Greater London Authority Act 2007; (ii) Planning Issues

Witnesses: (i) Darren Johnson AM, Chair, London Assembly; (ii) Nick Boles MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Department for Communities and Local Government (at 5.00 pm).

The Wilson Room, Portcullis House

4.00pm (private), 4.10pm (public)

Science and Technology

Subject: Digital by Default

Witness : Rt Hon Francis Maude MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General.

The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House

4.00pm (private), 4.15pm (public)

Transport

Subject: Cost of motor insurance: whiplash

Witnesses: James Dalton, Assistant Director, Head of Motor and Liability, Association of British Insurers, Dominic Claydon, Director of Claims, Aviva UK, David Fisher, Catastrophic and Injury Claims Technical Manager, Axa Insurance, and Steve Maddock, Director of Claims, Direct Line Group; Desmond Hudson, Chief Executive, Law Society of England and Wales, Matthew Stockwell, President, Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, Nigel Teasdale, Forum of Insurance Lawyers, Craig Budsworth, Chairman, Motor Accident Solicitors Society, and Andrew Ritchie QC (at 4.45pm); Darren Werth, Chairman, Claims Standards Council, Russell Atkinson, Managing Director, National Accident Helpline, and Peter Gradwell, Owner and Managing Director, Exchange Insurance Services (at 5.25pm).

The Grimond Room, Portcullis House

4.00pm (private), 4.05pm (public)

Administration

Room 16

4.30pm (private)

 Joint CommitteeS

National Security Strategy

Subject: National Security Strategy

Witnesses: Professor Michael Cox, London School of Economics, Xenia Dormandy, Senior Fellow, Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, and Professor Anatol Lieven, King’s College London.

Room 3

4pm (private), 4.30pm (public)

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS TO BE PUBLISHED

 Defence

2nd Special Report: Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts 2011–12: Government Response to the Committee’s Ninth Report of Session 2012–13, HC 292

Date and time of publication: Friday 14 June 1 1 .00 am

 Environmental Audit

1st Report: Embedding sustainable development: An update, HC 202

Date and time of publication: Friday 14 June 00.01am

2nd Report: Outcomes of the UN Rio+20 Earth Summit, HC 200

Date and time of publication: Friday 14 June 00.01am

 International Development

1st Special Report: Pakistan: Government Response to the Committee’s Tenth Report of Session 2012–13, HC 325

Date and time of publication: Monday 17 June 11.00am

 Joint Committee on Human Rights

2nd Report: Legislative Scrutiny: Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, HC 157

Date and time of publication: Friday 14 June 11.0 0am

 Political and Constitutional Reform

2nd Report: The impact and effectiveness of ministerial reshuffles, HC 255

Date and time of publication: Friday 14 June 00.01 am

 Scottish Affairs

1st Special Report: The Referendum on Separation for Scotland: How would Separation affect jobs in the Scottish defence industry?: Government Response to the Committee’s Eighth Report of Session 2012–13, HC 257

Date and time of publication: Friday 14 June 00.01 am

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 FORTHCOMING END OF DAY ADJOURNMENT DEBATES

Tuesday 25 June to Monday 1 July

Applications should be made in writing to the Table Office by 7.00pm or rise of the House, whichever is the earlier, on Wednesday 19 June. The Ballot will take place on Thursday 20 June.

 FUTURE DEPARTMENTS ANSWERING IN WESTMINSTER HALL

Tuesday 25 June and Wednesday 26 June

Applications for General or Short Debates should be made in writing to the Table Office by 7pm or the rise of the House, whichever is earlier, on Tuesday 18 June. The Ballot will take place on Wednesday 19 June. Members may submit applications to the Table Office in person or send a signed application through the post.

Following Departments to answer:

Business, Innovation and Skills; Cabinet Office; Culture, Media and Sport; Defence; Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Health; Home Office; International Development; Justice; Wales; Work and Pensions

Week beginning 1 July

The following Departments will answer:

Attorney General; Communities and Local Government; Deputy Prime Minister; Energy and Climate Change; Education; Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Leader of the House; Northern Ireland; Scotland; Transport; Treasury; Women and Equalities

Week beginning 8 July

The following Departments will answer:

Business, Innovation and Skills; Cabinet Office; Culture, Media and Sport; Defence; Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Health; Home Office; International Development; Justice; Wales; Work and Pensions

Week beginning 15 July

The following Departments will answer:

Attorney General; Communities and Local Government; Deputy Prime Minister; Energy and Climate Change; Education; Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Leader of the House; Northern Ireland; Scotland; Transport; Treasury; Women and Equalities

 Notices of Meetings of General Committees

A Public Bill Committee will meet on Tuesday 18 June at 9.10am and 2.00pm and Thursday 20 June at 11.30am and 2.00pm further to consider the Finance Bill (except Clauses 1, 3, 16, 183, 184 and 200 to 212, Schedules 3 and 41 and certain New Clauses and New Schedules).

A Public Bill Committee will meet on Tuesday 18 June at 8.55am and 2.00pm and Thursday 20 June at 11.30am and 2.00pm to consider the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill.*

European Committee A will meet on Monday 17 June at 4.30pm to consider European Union Document No. 7935/13, a draft Regulation on fixing an adjustment rate to direct payments provided for in Regulation (EC) No. 73/2009 in respect of calendar year 2013.

European Committee B will meet on Monday 17 June at 4.30pm to consider European Union Documents No. 8660/13, a Commission Communication: Results of in-depth reviews under Regulation (EU) No. 1176/2011 on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances, and SWD(13) 125, a Commission Staff Working Document: In-depth review for the United Kingdom in accordance with Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No. 1176/2011 on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances, together with No. 16513/12, a Commission Staff Working Document: Completing the scoreboard for the Macroeconomic Imbalance Procedure: Financial Sector Indicator, and No. 16671/12 and Addenda 1 and 2, a Commission Report: Alert Mechanism Report 2013, prepared in accordance with Articles 3 and 4 of the Regulation on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances, and No. 16669/12 and Addenda 1 and 2, a Commission Communication: Annual Growth Survey 2013.

The First Delegated Legislation Committee will meet on Tuesday 18 June at 2.30pm to consider the Motion in the name of Secretary Vince Cable relating to Financial Assistance to Industry in respect of early stage venture capital funds investing in small and medium-sized enterprises.

The Second Delegated Legislation Committee will meet on Tuesday 18 June at 2.30pm to consider the draft Child Support and Claims and Payments (Miscellaneous Amendments and Change to the Minimum Amount of Liability) Regulations 2013.

The Third Delegated Legislation Committee will meet on Wednesday 19 June at 8.55am to consider the draft Water Industry (Specified Infrastructure Projects) (English Undertakers) Regulations 2013.

The Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee will meet on Wednesday 19 June at 8.55am to consider the draft Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (Referral Fees) Regulations 2013.

The Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee will meet on Wednesday 19 June at 8.55am to consider the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Temporary Class Drug) Order 2013 (S.I., 2013, No. 1294).

The Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee will meet on Wednesday 19 June at 2.30pm to consider the draft Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications, Deemed Applications, Requests and Site Visits) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013.

The Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee will meet on Wednesday 19 June at 2.30pm to consider the draft Education (Amendment of the Curriculum Requirements for Second Key Stage) (England) Order 2013.

*Subject to the committee agreeing the programme.