House of Commons
Business Today: Chamber for Wednesday 16 October 2013
11.30am Prayers
Followed by
QUESTIONS
Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
1
David Mowat
(Warrington South)
What assessment her Department has made of the role of the voluntary sector in dealing with the legacy of the past. (900418)
2
Paul Goggins
(Wythenshawe and Sale East)
What recent discussions she has had with the Justice Minister of the Northern Ireland Executive on the remit of the National Crime Agency in Northern Ireland. (900419)
3
Lorraine Fullbrook
(South Ribble)
What discussions she has had with the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland about recent disturbances in Northern Ireland. (900420)
4
Andrea Leadsom
(South Northamptonshire)
What steps the Government is taking to strengthen the Northern Ireland economy. (900421)
5
Karl Turner
(Kingston upon Hull East)
What her policy is on the Northern Ireland economy; and if she will make a statement. (900422)
6
Neil Carmichael
(Stroud)
What assessment she has made of the recent meeting of the Northern Ireland Grand Committee. (900424)
7
Mr William Bain
(Glasgow North East)
What assessment she has made of the effects of social security reforms on levels of child and family poverty in Northern Ireland since 2010. (900425)
8
Guy Opperman
(Hexham)
How credit unions are being used to combat fuel poverty in Northern Ireland. (900426)
9
Julian Smith
(Skipton and Ripon)
What discussions she has had with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive on economic development. (900427)
10
Mark Lazarowicz
(Edinburgh North and Leith)
What recent assessment she has made of co-operation between the UK and Irish governments in relation to cross-border issues. (900428)
11
Steve Rotheram
(Liverpool, Walton)
What plans she has to support Derry/Londonderry following the city's year as UK City of Culture. (900429)
12
Rosie Cooper
(West Lancashire)
What assessment she has made of the Government's implementation of its responsibilities under the Good Friday Agreement. (900430)
13
Mr David Hanson
(Delyn)
What discussions she has had with (a) the Secretary of State for the Home Department and (b) the Justice Minister of the Northern Ireland Executive on the operation of the National Crime Agency in Northern Ireland. (900431)
14
Andrew Stephenson
(Pendle)
What recent assessment she has made of the security situation in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. (900432)
At 12.00 pm
Oral Questions to the Prime Minister
Q1
Paul Blomfield
(Sheffield Central)
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 16 October. (900498)
Q2 Mark Durkan (Foyle) (900499)
Q3 Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) (900500)
Q4 Clive Efford (Eltham) (900501)
Q5 Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (900502)
Q6 Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (900503)
Q7 Lorely Burt (Solihull) (900504)
Q8 Mr Dominic Raab (Esher and Walton) (900505)
Q9 Mr Virendra Sharma (Ealing, Southall) (900506)
Q10 Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow) (900507)
Q11 Glyn Davies (Montgomeryshire) (900508)
Q12 Ann McKechin (Glasgow North) (900509)
Q13 Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (900510)
Q14 Simon Kirby (Brighton, Kemptown) (900511)
Q15 Nick de Bois (Enfield North) (900512)
URGENT QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS
12.30pm
Urgent Questions (if any)
Ministerial Statements (if any)
BUSINESS OF THE DAY
1. gibraltar (maritime protection): TEN MINUTE RULE MOTION
Up to 20 minutes (Standing Order No. 23 )
David Morris
That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision to protect the seas around Gibraltar; and for connected purposes.
Notes:
The Member moving and a Member opposing this Motion may each speak for up to 10 minutes.
2. OPPOSITION DAY (7th ALLOTTED DAY)
Until 7.00pm (Standing Order No. 9(3) )
Zero hours contracts
Edward Miliband
Mr Chuka Umunna
Ian Murray
Ed Balls
Ms Harriet Harman
Ms Rosie Winterton
That this House notes the marked rise in the use of zero hours contracts with recent estimates that as many as a million employees are employed on them and that they are used in over a quarter of workplaces, contributing to growing insecurity for families across the UK; and therefore calls on the Government to initiate a full consultation and formal call for evidence on the use of zero hours contracts and on proposals to prevent abuses by employers of such contracts, for example, by stopping employees on zero hours contracts being required to work exclusively for one employer, stopping the use of contracts that require zero hour workers to be available on the off-chance they are needed but with no guarantee of work, banning the use of zero hours contracts where employees are in practice working regular hours and putting in place a code of practice on the use of zero hours contracts.
High streets and change of use orders
Edward Miliband
Hilary Benn
Roberta Blackman-Woods
Andy Sawford
Mr Chuka Umunna
Ms Rosie Winterton
That this House recognises that high streets and town and city centres are vital to local economies; acknowledges that many small businesses and retailers are struggling under the pressure of business rates rises; notes that since 2010 shop vacancy rates have remained at over 14 per cent but that there has been a 20 per cent increase in numbers of payday loan shops and a three per cent increase in numbers of betting shops in the last year; is concerned that recent changes to permitted development rights and use classes are likely to lead to an over-concentration of betting shops and payday loan companies in many areas, against the wishes of local people and businesses; and calls on the Government to give local communities a greater say over the shape of their own high streets and town and city centres, including control over use classes, to help encourage the more widespread use of neighbourhood planning and greater co-operation between local communities and businesses and to cut and then freeze business rates from 2015 to help small businesses on UK high streets and town and city centres.
Relevant documents:
Uncorrected transcripts of oral evidence taken before the Communities and Local Government Committee on 17 June 2013, HC 309-i, and 2 September 2013, HC 612-i.
Notes:
The selection of the matters to be debated has been made by the Leader of the Opposition (Standing Order No. 14(2)).
MOTIONS TO BE TAKEN AT 7.00PM
DEFERRED DIVISIONS
No debate ( Standing Order No. 41A(3))
The Prime Minister
That, at this day’s sitting, Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply to the Motion relating to Civil Aviation Safety.
BUSINESS OF THE DAY
3. CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY
No debate (Standing Order No. 119(11) )
Mr Robert Goodwill
That this House takes note of European Union Document No. 12864/13, a draft Commission Regulation (EU) No. .../… of XXX amending Regulation (EU) No. 965/2012 laying down technical requirements and administrative procedures related to air operations pursuant to Regulation (EC) No. 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council; notes that the Government recognises the importance of managing crew fatigue to support civil aviation safety; supports the Government’s view that the measures will establish safety improvements across the European Union and maintain safety in the UK; and further supports the Government’s view that the measures respect subsidiarity principles and help to deliver a level playing field across the EU.
4. NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE
No debate (Standing Order No. 118(6) )
Secretary Jeremy Hunt
That the draft National Health Service (Licence Exemptions, etc.) Regulations 2013, which were laid before this House on 4 July, be approved.
Notes:
If this item is opposed after 7.00pm, the division will be deferred.
PRESENTATION OF PUBLIC PETITIONS
No debate or decision (Standing Order No. 153)
Privatisation of the Probation Service: Mr Nicholas Brown
ADJOURNMENT DEBATE
Until 7.30pm or for half an hour (whichever is later) (Standing Order No. 9(7))
Ansford railway bridge and the closure of the A371: Mr David Heath
BUSINESS TODAY: WESTMINSTER HALL
ORDER OF BUSINESS
The first part of the sitting will last for two hours. The second part of the sitting will last for two and a half hours (Standing Order N o. 10(1))
9.30am
Improving access to psychological therapies: James Morris
11.00am
Tolling proposals and the A14: Dr Thérèse Coffey
Notes:
The sitting will be suspended from 11.30am to 2.30pm.
2.30pm
The practice of blacklisting: Glenda Jackson
4.00pm
Living standards in North Wales: Chris Ruane
4.30pm
Badger vaccines: David Morris
Relevant documents:
Second Report from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Session 2012-13, on Vaccination against Bovine TB, HC 258, and the Government’s response, HC 705, Session 2013-14.
Notes:
The debate will arise on a motion for the adjournment, to be moved by a Minister.
The second part of the sitting will be suspended and time added if divisions take place in the main Chamber (Standing Order No. 10(1)).
WRITTEN STATEMENTS
Statements to be made today
Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
1 . Private rented sector
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
2 . Foreign Affairs and General Affairs Councils: 21-22 October 2013
Notes:
Texts of Written 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.
Select Committees
Science and Technology
Subject: Women in STEM careers
Witnesses: Dr Bryn Jones, Visiting Fellow, School of Physics, University of Bristol, Jenny Marsden, Principal Physicist, Hull and East Yorkshire NHS Trust, and Dr Nicola Patron, Head, Synthetic Biology, Sainsbury Laboratory
The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
9.00am (private), 9.15am (public)
Education
Room 5
9.15am (private)
Justice
Subject: (i) Ministry of Justice measures in the JHA block opt-out; (ii) Transforming Legal Aid
Witnesses: (i) Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State, and Rebecca Stimson, Deputy Director, International Policy, Ministry of Justice; (ii) Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State, and Hugh Barrett, Director of Legal Aid, Commissioning and Strategy, Ministry of Justice (at 10.15am)
The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
9.15am (private), 9.30am (public)
Public Administration
Subject: Complaints: do they make a difference?
Witness : Rt Hon Oliver Letwin MP, Minister for Government Policy, Cabinet Office
Room 15
9.15am (private), 9.30am (public)
Work and Pensions
Subject: The role of Jobcentre Plus in the reformed welfare system
Witnesses: Citizens Advice, Local Government Association and London Councils
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
9.15am (private), 9.30am (public)
European Scrutiny
Room 19
2.00pm (private)
Finance and Services
Room 13
2.00pm (private)
Public Accounts
Subject: HMRC Standard Report Part 1
Witnesses: Lin Homer CB, Chief Executive and Permanent Secretary, Ruth Owen, Director General Personal Tax, Simon Bowles, Chief Finance Officer, and Nick Lodge, Director General Benefits Tax, HM Revenue and Customs
Room 16
2.00pm (private), 2.15pm (public)
Northern Ireland Affairs
Subject: The banking structure in Northern Ireland
Witnesses: Wilfred Mitchell OBE, Northern Ireland Policy Chairman, and Roger Pollen, Head of External Affairs NI, Federation of Small Businesses
Room 5
2.15pm (private), 2.30pm (public)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Subject: Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity
Witnesses: National Trust, Country Land and Business Association, and National Farmers Union; The Wildlife Trusts, Woodland Trust, and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (at 3.45pm)
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
2.30pm (private), 3.00pm (public)
Defence
Subject: The work of the Chief of the Defence Staff
Witness : General Sir Nick Houghton, GCB CBE ADC, Chief of the Defence Staff
Room 15
3.00pm (private), 3.30pm (public)
Health
Subject: Management of long-term conditions
Witnesses: Professor Alan Silman, Medical Director and Director of Policy and Health Promotion, Arthritis Research UK, Baroness Young of Old Scone, Chief Executive, Diabetes UK, and Dr Peter Aitken, Chair, Faculty of Liaison Psychiatry, Royal College of Psychiatrists; Liz McAnulty, Trustee, The Patients Association, and Don Redding, Director of Policy, National Voices (at 4.30pm)
Room 6
3.00pm (private), 3.30pm (public)
Statutory Instruments
Room 7
As soon as convenient after 3.45pm (private)
Selection
Room 13
4.45pm (private)
Joint Committees
Draft Voting Eligibility (Prisoners) Bill
Subject: Draft Voting Eligibility (Prisoners) Bill
Witnesses: Nick Hardwick, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons; Eoin McLennan Murray, President, Prison Governors Association, Paul McDowell, Chief Executive, NACRO, and Digby Griffith, Director of National Operations Services, National Offenders Management Service (at 10.15am)
Room 6
9.30am (private), 9.35am (public)
Human Rights
Room 3A
9.30am (private)
Statutory Instruments
Room 7
3.45pm (private)
Draft Deregulation Bill
Subject: Draft Deregulation Bill
Witnesses: Government Department Officials; Law Commission and Scottish Law Commission (at 5.10pm)
Room 2
4.00pm (private), 4.10pm (public)
COMMITTEE REPORTS PUBLISHED TODAY
COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
4th Report: Post-legislative scrutiny of the Greater London Authority Act 2007 and the London Assembly, HC
213
Time of publication: 00.01am
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS
20th Report: The BBC’s move to Salford, HC
293
Time of publication: 00 .01am
EDUCATION
3rd Special Report: School sport following London 2012: No more political football: Government Response to the Committee’s Third Report of Session 2013-14, HC
723
Time of publication: 11.0 0am
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
3rd Special Report: Vaccination against bovine TB: Government Response to the Committee’s Second Report of Session 2013-14, HC
705
Time of publication: 11 .00 am
4th Special Report: Managing Flood Risk: Government Response to the Committee’s Third Report of Session 2013-14, HC
706
Time of publication: 11 .00 am
NORTHERN IRELAND AFFAIRS
1st Special Report: Implementation of the Armed Forces Covenant in Northern Ireland: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report of Session 2013-14, HC
721
Time of publication: 11.00am
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FORTHCOMING END OF DAY ADJOURNMENT DEBATES
Tuesday 22 October to Monday 28 October
Applications should be made in writing to the Table Office by 7.00pm or rise of the House, whichever is the earlier, on Wednesday 16 October. The Ballot will take place on Thursday 17 October.
FUTURE DEPARTMENTS ANSWERING IN WESTMINSTER HALL
Week beginning Monday 28 October
The following Departments will answer:
Business, Innovation and Skills; Communities and Local Government; Defence; Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Health; International Development; Justice; Leader of the House; Scotland; Transport; Treasury; Wales
Determination of Business by the Backbench business Committee
Monday 21 October in the Chamber
General debate on the future of the BBC: Alun Cairns, Steve Brine and Dame Angela Watkinson
Motion relating to the state of natural capital in England and Wales: Mr Graham Stuart
Thursday 24 October in the Chamber
Motion relating to the FCA redress scheme for the mis-selling of interest rate swap derivatives: Guto Bebb, Mark Garnier and Mr Gary Streeter
General debate on aviation strategy: Mrs Louise Ellman
Thursday 24 October in Westminster Hall
General debate on planning, housing supply and the countryside: Mr Laurence Robertson, Mrs Anne Main and Nick Herbert.
Notes:
The subject for this debate was determined by the Backbench Business Committee; it replaces the previously scheduled debate on free school meals, which has been cancelled.