Business Today: Chamber for Thursday 6 March 2014

9.30am Prayers

Followed by

 NoticeS of MotionS for Unopposed ReturnS

No debate or decision

Secretary Theresa May

That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, That she will be graciously pleased to give directions that there be laid before this House a Return of the Report, dated 6 March 2014, of the Stephen Lawrence Independent Review: Possible corruption and the role of undercover policing in the Stephen Lawrence case.

Secretary Theresa May

That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, That she will be graciously pleased to give directions that there be laid before this House a Return of the Report, dated 6 March 2014, of the Stephen Lawrence Independent Review: Possible corruption and the role of undercover policing in the Stephen Lawrence case, Summary of Findings.

 QUESTIONS

Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills

1Karen Lumley (Redditch)
What steps he is taking to raise awareness of export support services among small and medium-sized businesses. (902858)

2Robert Flello (Stoke-on-Trent South)
What recent assessment he has made of the availability of finance and the level of lending by banks to small businesses. (902859)

3Bob Blackman (Harrow East)
What steps he is taking to reduce the amount of EU regulation which affects businesses. (902860)

4Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East)
How many firms have been prosecuted for non-payment of the national minimum wage since May 2010. (902861)

5Alex Cunningham (Stockton North)
What recent representations he has received from small businesses on their consumer rights. (902862)

6Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South)
In how many of the last 24 months net lending to business by banks has risen. (902863)

7Mr David Hanson (Delyn)
What recent assessment he has made of the number of complaints and the level of consumer detriment relating to estate agents' practices in England and Wales. (902864)

8Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle upon Tyne North)
If he will make it his policy to better use procurement by his Department to increase apprenticeship opportunities. (902865)

9Mr Michael McCann (East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow)
If he will make it his policy to better use procurement by his Department to increase apprenticeship opportunities. (902866)

10John Mann (Bassetlaw)
On what date he plans to visit Bassetlaw to inspect and meet local businesses. (902869)

11Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire)
What his policy is on the future level of the national minimum wage. (902870)

12Mark Garnier (Wyre Forest)
What steps he is taking to support businesses affected by recent floods. (902871)

13Mr Mark Harper (Forest of Dean)
What recent assessment he has made of the competitiveness of the retail grocery market. (902872)

14Hugh Bayley (York Central)
What steps his Department is taking to encourage UK students to study for postgraduate qualifications at UK universities. (902873)

15Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
What recent estimate he has made of changes in the number of applications by (a) part-time and (b) mature students since changes in the level of student fees. (902874)

16Susan Elan Jones (Clwyd South)
What recent assessment he has made of the number of complaints and the level of consumer detriment relating to estate agents' practices in England and Wales. (902875)

17Andrew George (St Ives)
What assessment he has made of the effects on businesses of banks' lending practices. (902876)

18Stephen McPartland (Stevenage)
What support his Department is providing to apprenticeships. (902877)

19Ann McKechin (Glasgow North)
If his Department will make an assessment of the main causes of insecurity in the workplace. (902878)

20Oliver Colvile (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport)
What criteria are used by local authorities to allocate funding for those businesses affected by the recent storms. (902879)

21Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe)
How many firms have been prosecuted for non-payment of the national minimum wage since May 2010. (902881)

22Richard Graham (Gloucester)
What steps he is taking to raise awareness of export support services among small and medium-sized businesses. (902882)

At 10.15am

Topical Questions to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills

T1Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South)
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. (902883)

T2Eric Ollerenshaw (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (902884)

T3Susan Elan Jones (Clwyd South) (902885)

T4Mark Menzies (Fylde) (902888)

T5Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (902889)

T6Mel Stride (Central Devon) (902890)

T7Mr Michael McCann (East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow) (902891)

 URGENT QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS

10.30am

Urgent Questions (if any)

Business Question to the Leader of the House

Ministerial Statements, including on the Ellison Review

Select Committee Statement on the publication of the Ninth Report from the Defence Committee, on Future Army 2020, HC 576

 BUSINESS OF THE DAY

1. backbench business

Until 5.00pm (Standing Order No. 9(3))

Sir Robert Smith

Sir Malcolm Bruce

Fiona O’Donnell

Hugh Bayley

That this House recognises, ahead of critical presidential elections in April 2014, the essential contribution of Afghan human rights defenders to building peace and security in their country; further recognises the extreme challenges, including violent attacks and killings, that they face as a result of their peaceful work; believes that sustainable peace and security cannot be achieved in Afghanistan without women’s full participation; and encourages the UK Government to improve its support and protection for women human rights defenders in Afghanistan.

Relevant documents:

Sixth Report from the International Development Committee, Session 2012-13, on Afghanistan: Development progress and prospects after 2014, HC 403, and the Government response, HC 862

Albert Owen

Roger Williams

Mr Elfyn Llwyd

Glyn Davies

That this House has considered Welsh affairs.

Notes:

The Select Committee Statement and the subjects for both debates were determined by the Backbench Business Committee.

 ADJOURNMENT DEBATE

Until 5.30pm or for half an hour (whichever is later) (Standing Order No. 9(7))

Environment Agency regulation of carpet waste and fire at Thrunton, Northumberland: Sir Alan Beith

BUSINESS TODAY: WESTMINSTER HALL

 ORDER OF BUSINESS

The sitting will last for three hours (Standing Order No. 10(1))

1.30pm

Contribution of women to the economy: Mrs Caroline Spelman, Fiona Mactaggart

The debate will arise on a motion for the adjournment, to be moved by a Minister.

The sitting will be suspended and time added if divisions take place in the main Chamber (Standing Order No. 10(1)).

The subject for this debate was determined by the Backbench Business Committee.

WRITTEN STATEMENTS

 Statements to be made today

Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

1.Local Planning

Secretary of State for Defence

2.Routine Call–Out Order to Support Operations in Mali

3.UK Support to France in the Central African Republic

Secretary of State for Education

4.Initial Teacher Training Skills Tests

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

5.Publication of the National Pollinator Strategy for consultation

6.Winter Floods

Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

7.Diego Garcia: Lagoon Environment

8.Foreign Affairs Council: 3 March 2014

Secretary of State for the Home Department

9.Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill

10.Publication of Violence Against Women and Girls Action Plan 2014

Secretary of State for International Development

11.Ministerial champion for tackling violence against women and girls overseas (update)

Secretary of State for Justice

12.Reforms for Mesothelioma Claims

Leader of the House

13.State Opening of Parliament

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

14.Report by Lord Carlisle on the National Security Arrangements in Northern Ireland

Prime Minister

15.Appointment to the Organisation on Security and Co–operation in Europe

16.Appointment to the UK delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Secretary of State for Transport

17.Light Dues 2014-15

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

18.Aligning the Social Care System

19.Independent Review of the Work Capability Assessment Year 5

20.Mesothelioma Act 2014: Scheme Payments

21.Work Programme update

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.

 Public Bill Committees

Consumer Rights Bill

Further to consider the Bill

Room 10

11.30am (public), 2.00pm (public)

Deregulation Bill

Further to consider the Bill

Room 12

11.30am (public), 2.00pm (public)

 European Committees

European Committee B

To consider European Union Document No. 17432/13, a Commission Staff Working Paper: 2012 Report on the Implementation of the EU Plan of Action on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Development 2010–2015

Room 9

11.30am (public)

 DELEGATED LEGISLATION COMMITTEES

Second Delegated Legislation Committee

To consider the draft Automatic Enrolment (Earnings Trigger and Qualifying Earnings Band) Order 2014

Room 11

11.30am (public)

Third Delegated Legislation Committee

To consider the draft Warm Home Discount (Amendment) Regulations 2014

Room 14

11.30am (public)

Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee

To consider the draft Justices’ Clerks and Assistants Rules 2014, the draft Crime and Courts Act 2013 (Family Court: Consequential Provision) Order 2014 and the draft Access to Justice Act 1999 (Destination of Appeals) (Family Proceedings) Order 2014

Room 6

11.30am (public)

 Select Committees

Political and Constitutional Reform

Subject: Fixed-term Parliaments: the final year of a Parliament

Witnesses: Rt Hon Peter Riddell CBE, Director, and Akash Paun, Fellow, Institute for Government; Sir Jeremy Heywood KCB CVO, Cabinet Secretary, and Rt Hon Oliver Letwin MP, Minister for Government Policy, Cabinet Office (at 11.00am)

The Wilson Room, Portcullis House

9.45am (private), 10.00am (public)

 Joint Committees

Draft Modern Slavery Bill

Subject: Draft Modern Slavery Bill

Witnesses: Eva Biaudet, Finnish Ombudsman (via video conference)

Room 2

10.00am (private), 10.15am (public)

Draft Modern Slavery Bill

Subject: Draft Modern Slavery Bill

Witnesses: David Anderson QC, Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, Brick Court Chambers, and John Vine CBE QPM, Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration; Nadine Finch, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers, and Chief Inspector Colin Carswell, Metropolitan Police (at 2.45pm); Anthony Douglas, Chief Executive, Cafcass, and Andrew Webb, President, Association of Directors of Children’s Services Ltd (at 3.15pm)

Room 2

2.00pm (private), 2.15pm (public)

COMMITTEE REPORTS PUBLISHED TODAY

 COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

7th Report: Building Regulations certification of domestic electrical work, HC 906

Time of publication: 00.01am

 DEFENCE

9th Report: Future Army 2020, HC 576

Time of publication: 00.01am

 ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT

12th Report: Green finance, HC 191

Time of publication: 00.01am

 PRIVILEGES

1st Report: Actions of Sussex Police, HC 1021

Time of publication: 11.00am

 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

8th Special Report: Work of the European and UK Space Agencies: Government Response to the Committee’s Fourth Report of Session 2013–14, HC 1112

Time of publication: 11.00am

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 Future Departments Answering in Westminster Hall

Week beginning 17 March

Applications for General or Short Debates should be made in writing to the Table Office by 7pm or the rise of House, whichever is the earlier, on Tuesday 11 March. The Ballot will take place on Wednesday 12 March.

Attorney General; Business, Innovation and Skills; Cabinet Office; Culture, Media and Sport; Deputy Prime Minister; Education; Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Home Office; International Development; Treasury; Wales; Women and Equalities.

Week beginning 24 March

Communities and Local Government; Defence; Energy and Climate Change; Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Health; Justice; Leader of the House; Northern Ireland; Scotland; Transport; Work and Pensions.

Week beginning 31 March

Attorney General; Business, Innovation and Skills; Cabinet Office; Culture, Media and Sport; Deputy Prime Minister; Education; Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Home Office; International Development; Treasury; Wales; Women and Equalities.