House of Commons
Business Today: Chamber for Wednesday 29 January 2014
11.30am Prayers
Followed by
QUESTIONS
Oral Questions to the Minister for the Cabinet Office
1Mrs Mary Glindon (North Tyneside)
What his policy is on offshoring of services which have been contracted out by the Government. (902233)
2David Rutley (Macclesfield)
What steps he is taking to improve commercial skills in the civil service. (902234)
3Julie Hilling (Bolton West)
What steps he is taking to maintain the level of youth services provision. (902235)
4Mr Graham Allen (Nottingham North)
What progress he has made on developing social finance. (902237)
5Jessica Morden (Newport East)
What assessment he has made of the efficacy of privatised shared services across central government departments. (902238)
6Mark Menzies (Fylde)
What steps he is taking to improve commercial skills in the civil service. (902239)
7Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire)
What steps he is taking to improve commercial skills in the civil service. (902240)
8Mark Pawsey (Rugby)
What plans he has for the National Citizen Service in 2014. (902241)
9David Mowat (Warrington South)
What steps he is taking to improve commercial skills in the civil service. (902242)
10Sarah Champion (Rotherham)
What steps he is taking to maintain the level of youth services provision. (902243)
11Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston)
What steps he takes to ensure the accuracy of Government statistics. (902244)
12Henry Smith (Crawley)
What progress he has made on digitising public services. (902245)
13Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch)
What progress he has made on opening up procurement of government contracts to the small business sector. (902246)
14Damian Hinds (East Hampshire)
What steps he is taking to encourage growth in the social investment market. (902247)
At 11.53 am
Topical Questions to the Minister for the Cabinet Office
T1Karen Lumley (Redditch)
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. (902263)
T2Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South) (902264)
T3Gemma Doyle (West Dunbartonshire) (902265)
T4Lorraine Fullbrook (South Ribble) (902266)
T5Andrew Percy (Brigg and Goole) (902267)
T6Laura Sandys (South Thanet) (902268)
T7Jessica Morden (Newport East) (902269)
T8Mr Henry Bellingham (North West Norfolk) (902270)
T9James Morris (Halesowen and Rowley Regis) (902271)
T10Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (902272)
At 12.00pm
Oral Questions to the Prime Minister
Q1Chloe Smith (Norwich North)
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 29 January. (902248)
Q2Andy Sawford (Corby) (902249)
Q3Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth) (902250)
Q4Laura Sandys (South Thanet) (902252)
Q5Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North) (902253)
Q6Clive Efford (Eltham) (902254)
Q7Mr Bernard Jenkin (Harwich and North Essex) (902255)
Q8Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (902256)
Q9Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (902257)
Q10Emily Thornberry (Islington South and Finsbury) (902258)
Q11Steve Rotheram (Liverpool, Walton) (902259)
Q12Richard Harrington (Watford) (902260)
Q13Lisa Nandy (Wigan) (902261)
URGENT QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS
12.30pm
Urgent Questions (if any)
Ministerial Statements (if any)
BUSINESS OF THE DAY
1. Local Government Boundary Commission (Public Representations): Ten Minute Rule Motion
Up to 20 minutes (Standing Order No. 23)
John Pugh
That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 to require the Local Government Boundary Commission to respond to public representations requesting principal area boundary reviews; 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 (19TH ALLOTTED DAY)
Until 7.00pm (Standing Order No. 9(3))
UK’s participation in the UNHCR Syrian Refugees Programme
Edward Miliband
Yvette Cooper
Angus Robertson
Dr Alasdair McDonnell
Mr Elfyn Llwyd
Caroline Lucas
Naomi LongLady Hermon
That this House welcomes the Government’s £600 million response to the unprecedented Syrian refugee crisis; further welcomes the UK’s leadership in the appeal for aid and supports calls for the rest of the international community to ensure the UN humanitarian appeal for Syria has the resources it needs to help those suffering from the conflict; is concerned about the plight of the most vulnerable refugees who will find it hardest to cope in the camps in the region, including victims of torture and children in need of special assistance; and calls on the Government to participate in the UNHCR Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission of Syrian Refugees Programme.
Teaching quality
Edward Miliband
Tristram Hunt
Ed Balls
Ms Harriet Harman
Kevin Brennan
Ms Rosie Winterton
That this House believes that no school system can surpass the quality of its teachers; and therefore resolves that all teachers in all state-funded schools should be qualified or working towards Qualified Teacher Status, be undertaking ongoing continuing professional development and have their skills and knowledge re-validated throughout their careers in order to support them to excel in the classroom, to improve learning outcomes for all children in all schools, to uphold discipline in the classroom, to tailor their teaching to children with special educational needs and to close the attainment gap between disadvantaged children and their peers.
Amendment (a)
The Prime Minister
The Deputy Prime Minister
Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer
Secretary Michael Gove
Mr David Laws
Elizabeth Truss
Line 1, leave out from ‘House’ to end and add ‘notes that the Coalition Government is committed to raising the quality and status of teaching; acknowledges the significant progress made since 2010 in achieving those aims; recognises that the part of the Coalition led by the Deputy Prime Minister believes that all state-funded schools should employ teachers with or working towards Qualified Teacher Status; also recognises that the part of the Coalition led by the Prime Minister believes that free schools and academies should retain the freedom to hire the best teachers regardless of whether they hold Qualified Teacher Status; and registers the fact that the number of teachers without Qualified Teacher Status has fallen under this Government.’.
Notes:
The selection of the matters to be debated has been made by the Leader of the Opposition (Standing Order No. 14(2)).
3. commons
No debate (Standing Order No. 118(6))
Secretary Eric Pickles
That the draft Commons (Town and Village Greens) (Trigger and Terminating Events) Order 2013, which was laid before this House on 9 December 2013, be approved.
Notes:
If this item is opposed after 7.00pm, the division will be deferred.
4. council tax
No debate (Standing Order No. 118(6))
Secretary Eric Pickles
That the draft Localism Act 2011 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2014, which was laid before this House on 7 January, be approved.
Notes:
If this item is opposed after 7.00pm, the division will be deferred.
5. income tax
No debate (Standing Order No. 118(6))
Mr David Gauke
That the draft Enactment of Extra-Statutory Concessions Order 2014, which was laid before this House on 6 January, be approved.
Notes:
If this item is opposed after 7.00pm, the division will be deferred.
ADJOURNMENT DEBATE
Until 7.30pm or for half an hour (whichever is later) (Standing Order No. 9(7))
Planning regime for solar PV panels in rural locations: Mr Brooks Newmark
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 No. 10(1)).
9.30am
Political and economic situation in Egypt: Kwasi Kwarteng
11.00am
Ofsted and standards in education: Mr Rob Wilson
Notes:
The sitting will be suspended from 11.30am to 2.30pm.
2.30pm
Government decision to apply sections 44 and 46 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 to mesothelioma cases: Andy McDonald
4.00pm
Elections in Bangladesh: Gavin Shuker
4.30pm
Changes to policy following the Morecambe Bay cockle pickers disaster: David Morris
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 Northern Ireland
1.Northern Ireland security situation
Secretary of State for Transport
2.DSA procurement
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.
Delegated Legislation Committees
Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee
To consider the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (Non-Domestic Rating Multipliers) (England) Order 2014 (S.I., 2014, No. 2)
Room 9
2.30pm (public)
Select Committees
Science and Technology
Subject: Antimicrobial resistance
Witnesses: Phil Sketchley, Chief Executive, National Office of Animal Health, John FitzGerald, Secretary General, Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance, Catherine McLaughlin, Animal Health and Welfare Adviser, National Farmers’ Union, and Cóilín Nunan, Principal Scientific Adviser, Alliance to Save our Antibiotics
The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
9.00am (private), 9.15am (public)
Education
Subject: Underachievement in education of white working class children
Witnesses: Conor Ryan, Director, Research and Communications, Sutton Trust, Charles Parker, Chief Executive, Baker Dearing Educational Trust, Keith Smith, Executive Director, Funding and Programmes Skills Funding Agency, and Professor Alison Wolf CBE, Sir Roy Griffiths Professor of Public Sector Management, King’s College London; Owen Jones, Author, Chavs: The Demonization of the Working Class, Alex Burghart, Director of Policy, Centre for Social Justice, Professor Denis Mongon, Visiting Professorial Fellow, Institute of Education, University of London, and Chris Wellings, Head of Programme Policy, Save the Children (at 10.30am)
The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
9.15am (private), 9.30am (public)
Work and Pensions
Subject: Support for housing costs in the reformed welfare system
Witnesses: Geoff Fimister, Policy Researcher, Citizens Advice, Yvette Burgess, Unit Director, Housing Support Enabling Unit Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland, Peter Tutton, Head of Policy, StepChange, Maria Zealey, Unit Manager, Surrey Welfare Rights Unit, and Joanna Kennedy, Chief Executive, Zaccheus 2000 Trust.
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
9.15am (private), 9.30am (public)
Defence
Room 6
2.00pm (private)
Environmental Audit
Subject: Invasive Species
Witnesses: Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, Angling Trust, Country Land and Business Association, and Anglian Water; National Trust, Royal Horticultural Society, and Horticultural Trades Association (at 3.15pm)
The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
2.00pm (private), 2.30pm (public)
European Scrutiny
Subject: The application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights in the UK
Witnesses: Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP, Secretary of State for Justice, Tim Jewell, Deputy Director, Legal Directorate, and Abigail Culank, Head, European Union Human Rights Policy, Ministry of Justice
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
2.00pm (private), 2.45pm (public)
Public Accounts
Subject: Programme to help families facing multiple challenges
Witnesses: Colette O’Brien, Director, Children and Young People’s Services, Liverpool City Council, David Holmes, Chief Executive Officer, Family Action, and Jim Hopkinson, Head of Targeted Services, Children’s Services, Leeds City Council; Sir Bob Kerslake, Permanent Secretary and Head of the Home Civil Service, and Louise Casey, Director General, Troubled Families, Department for Communities and Local Government, and Robert Devereux, Permanent Secretary, Department for Work and Pensions (at 3.00pm)
Room 15
2.00pm (private), 2.15pm (public)
Scottish Affairs
Subject: The Referendum on Separation for Scotland
Witnesses: Professor Hugh Pennington CBE, Emeritus Professor of Bacteriology, University of Aberdeen, Alistair Sim, Director, Universities Scotland, and Professor David Raffe, Professor of Sociology and Education, and member, Centre for Educational Sociology, University of Edinburgh
Room 8
2.00pm (private), 2.30pm (public)
Treasury
Subject: Banks’ Lending Practices: Treatment of Businesses in distress
Witnesses: Lawrence Tomlinson, Entrepreneur in Residence, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
2.00pm (private), 2.15pm (public)
Northern Ireland Affairs
Subject: The banking structure in Northern Ireland
Witnesses: Jim Brown, Chief Executive, Ulster Bank, and Ellvena Graham, Head of Ulster Bank Northern Ireland; Des Moore, Director, Personal and Business Banking, and Brian Gillan, Head of Business Banking, First Trust Bank (at 3.15pm)
Room 5
2.15pm (private), 2.30pm (public)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Subject: Food Security
Witnesses: Professor Sir John Beddington CMG, Special Adviser, Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford, and former Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government
Room 16
2.30pm (private), 3.00pm (public)
Procedure
Subject: Delegated legislation
Witnesses: Dr Ruth Fox, Hansard Society, and Joel Blackwell, Dods
Room 20
3.00pm (private), 3.20pm (public)
Statutory Instruments
Room 7
As soon as convenient after 3.45pm (private)
Selection
Room 13
4.45pm (private)
Joint Committees
Human Rights
Room 3A
9.30am (private)
Statutory Instruments
Room 7
3.45pm (private)
COMMITTEE REPORTS PUBLISHED TODAY
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
7th Report: Pre-appointment hearing with the Government’s preferred candidate for Chair of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), HC 989
Time of publication: 09.30am
EUROPEAN SCRUTINY
32nd Report: HC 83-xxix
Time of publication: 11.00am
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Forthcoming End of Day Adjournment Debates
Tuesday 4 February to Monday 10 February
Applications should be made in writing to the Table Office by 7pm or rise of the House, whichever is the earlier, on Wednesday 29 January. The Ballot will take place on Thursday 30 January.
Future Departments Answering in Westminster Hall
Week beginning 3 February
Applications for General or Short Debates should be made in writing to the Table Office by 7pm or rise of the House, whichever is the earlier, on Tuesday 28 January. The Ballot will take place on Wednesday 29 January.
Attorney General; Business, Innovation and Skills; Cabinet Office; Communities and Local Government; Culture, Media and Sport; Deputy Prime Minister; Education; Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Foreign and Commonwealth Office; International Development; Wales; Women and Equalities.
Weeks beginning 10 February and 3 March
Defence; Energy and Climate Change; Health; Home Office; Justice; Leader of the House; Northern Ireland; Scotland; Transport; Treasury; Work and Pensions.
Week beginning 24 February
Attorney General; Business, Innovation and Skills; Cabinet Office; Communities and Local Government; Culture, Media and Sport; Deputy Prime Minister; Education; Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Foreign and Commonwealth Office; International Development; Wales; Women and Equalities.
Determination of Business by the Backbench BUSINESS Committee
Tuesday 4 February in the Chamber
Debate on a motion relating to energy company charges for payment other than by direct debit: Robert Halfon