House of Commons
Business Today: Chamber for Wednesday 2 April 2014
11.30am Prayers
Followed by
QUESTIONS
Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
1Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West)
What recent assessment she has made of the security situation in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. (903393)
2Mr William Bain (Glasgow North East)
What recent assessment she has made of the effect of the Government's economic policies on the cost of living in Northern Ireland. (903394)
3Iain McKenzie (Inverclyde)
What steps she is taking to promote a positive outcome for the Haass talks. (903395)
4Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough)
What steps her Department is taking to commemorate the sacrifice of Irish soldiers during the First World War. (903396)
5Nigel Mills (Amber Valley)
What recent discussions she has had with political parties in Nortern Ireland on dealing with the past. (903397)
6Rosie Cooper (West Lancashire)
What recent assessment she has made of the effect of the Government's economic policies on the cost of living in Northern Ireland. (903398)
7Kate Hoey (Vauxhall)
What progress has been made on gaining compensation from the Libyan government for the victims of terrorist acts perpetrated by the IRA. (903399)
8Dr Alasdair McDonnell (Belfast South)
What recent assessment she has made of the Haass process. (903400)
9Mr John Baron (Basildon and Billericay)
What progress has been made on the review of so-called letters of comfort issued to on-the-runs. (903401)
10Jim Shannon (Strangford)
What steps she is taking to increase the amount of government spending allocated to Northern Ireland. (903402)
11Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent)
What steps she is taking to promote a positive outcome for the Haass talks. (903403)
12David Mowat (Warrington South)
What assessment her Department has made of the role of the voluntary sector in dealing with the legacy of the past. (903404)
13Mrs Mary Glindon (North Tyneside)
What assessment she has made of the effect of reductions in the number of people employed in the public sector in Northern Ireland. (903405)
14Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire)
What recent discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on economic development in Northern Ireland. (903406)
15Damian Hinds (East Hampshire)
What recent discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on economic development in Northern Ireland. (903407)
At 12.00pm
Oral Questions to the Prime Minister
Q1Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North)
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 2 April. (903443)
Q2Chloe Smith (Norwich North) (903444)
Q3Anas Sarwar (Glasgow Central) (903445)
Q4Mr Jamie Reed (Copeland) (903446)
Q5David Rutley (Macclesfield) (903447)
Q6Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston) (903448)
Q7Kate Hoey (Vauxhall) (903449)
Q8Jim Dobbin (Heywood and Middleton) (903450)
Q9Chris Kelly (Dudley South) (903451)
Q10Roger Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire) (903452)
Q11Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham and Morden) (903453)
Q12Mr Alan Reid (Argyll and Bute) (903454)
Q13Ann McKechin (Glasgow North) (903455)
Q14David T. C. Davies (Monmouth) (903456)
Q15Guy Opperman (Hexham) (903457)
URGENT QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS
12.30pm
Urgent Questions (if any)
Ministerial Statements (if any)
BUSINESS OF THE DAY
1. Scotland (Independence) (Westminster Representation): Ten Minute Rule Motion
Up to 20 minutes (Standing Order No. 23)
Mr Angus Brendan MacNeil
That leave be given to bring in a Bill to provide that, in the event of a positive vote in the Scottish Independence referendum, Members of Parliament representing Scottish constituencies shall vacate their seats on the day on which Scotland becomes independent; that Scottish constituencies shall be abolished with effect from the same date; 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 (unallotted half-day)
Up to three hours (Order of 25 March)
Energy price freeze
Edward Miliband
Caroline Flint
Ed Balls
Mr Chuka Umunna
Tom Greatrex
Ms Rosie Winterton
That this House welcomes the decision to refer the energy market to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) for investigation; believes that this confirms that the energy market is broken; notes that this investigation could take up to 18 months and will not report until late 2015; further notes the decision by Scottish and Southern Energy to freeze electricity and gas prices until 2016; further believes that all households and businesses should be protected from any more unfair price rises while the CMA investigation is ongoing; and calls on the Government to freeze electricity and gas prices whilst the energy market is reformed to improve transparency, competition and accountability.
Amendment (a)
Mr Mike Weir
Angus Robertson
Pete Wishart
Mr Angus Brendan MacNeil
Dr Eilidh Whiteford
Stewart Hosie
Line 7, leave out from ‘ongoing’ to end and add ‘believes that the review should include an investigation into the impact of new nuclear power on energy bills; further believes that a price freeze would only give temporary relief; calls for household energy bills to be cut on a permanent basis, through the removal of the Energy Company Obligation and the Warm Homes Discount, with energy efficiency measures instead funded from central Government; and, pending the outcome of the review, calls on the Government to take action to reduce the charges to those on expensive tariffs and payment methods such as pre-payment meters.’.
Notes:
The selection of the matter to be debated has been made by the Leader of the Opposition.
3. POLICE
No debate (Standing Order No. 118(6))
The Deputy Prime Minister
That the draft Police and Crime Commissioner Elections (Amendment) Order 2014, which was laid before this House on 24 February, be approved.
Notes:
If this item is opposed after 7.00pm, the division will be deferred.
4. PREVENTION AND SUPPRESSION OF TERRORISM
Up to 90 minutes (Standing Order No. 16(1))
Secretary Theresa May
That the Terrorism Act 2000 (Proscribed Organisations) (Amendment) Order 2014, which was laid before this House on 31 March, be approved.
Notes:
The Instrument has not yet been considered by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments.
MOTION 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 in the name of Secretary Theresa May relating to the Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism.
PRESENTATION OF PUBLIC PETITIONS
No debate or decision (Standing Order No. 153)
On-shore wind farm developments in Winterton, North Lincolnshire: Andrew Percy
ADJOURNMENT DEBATE
Until 7.30pm or for half an hour (whichever is later) (Standing Order No. 9(7))
UK policy on promoting LGBT rights in Uganda: Pamela Nash
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
Elliott Review and food crime: Laura Sandys
Relevant documents:
Eighth Report from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Session 2012-13, on Contamination of Beef Products, HC 946, and the Government response, HC 1085
Fifth Report from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, on Food Contamination, HC 141, and the Government response, HC 707
Oral Evidence reported by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, on 8 January 2014, on the Elliott Review, HC 953
11.00am
Quality and affordability of childcare: Chloe Smith
Notes:
The sitting will be suspended from 11.30am to 2.30pm.
2.30pm
Future of English Heritage: Jenny Chapman
4.00pm
Treatment of Asian restaurateurs by immigration enforcement officers: Nia Griffith
4.30pm
Transparency of UK visa bans: Mr Dominic Raab
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.Improving public services
Secretary of State for Defence
2.Afghanistan Summer 2014 Roulement
Secretary of State for Health
3.Update to the 2010 Adult Autism Strategy for England
Secretary of State for Justice
4.Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
5.State Pension Top-up
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.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEES
European Committee C
To consider European Union Document No. 18719/11 and Addenda 1 and 2, a draft Council Regulation establishing for the period 2014–2020 the programme Europe for Citizens
Room 10
8.55am (public)
DELEGATED LEGISLATION COMMITTEES
Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee
To consider the draft Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Regulations 2014
Room 9
2.30pm (public)
Select Committees
Science and Technology
Subject: GO–Science Review of Science Advisory Councils 2013
Witnesses: Professor Sir Mark Walport, Chief Scientific Adviser to HM Government and Head of the Government Office for Science, Professor Chris Gilligan, Chair, Science Advisory Council, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Professor Les Iversen, Chair, Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, Home Office
The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
9.00am (private), 9.15am (public)
Education
Room B, 1 Parliament Street
9.15am (private)
Work and Pensions
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
9.15am (private)
Environmental Audit
Subject: Marine protected areas
Witnesses: George Eustice MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Farming, Food and Marine Environment, and Professor Ian Boyd, Chief Scientific Adviser, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
2.00pm (private), 2.30pm (public)
European Scrutiny
Room 19
2.00pm (private)
Finance and Services
Room 13
2.00pm (private)
Northern Ireland Affairs
Subject: Administrative scheme for “on-the-runs”
Witnesses: Norman Baxter QPM, former Detective Chief Superintendent, Royal Ulster Constabulary GC/Police Service Northern Ireland; Peter Sheridan OBE, former Assistant Chief Constable, Royal Ulster Constabulary GC/Police Service Northern Ireland (at 3.15pm)
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
2.00pm (private), 2.30pm (public)
Public Accounts
Subject: Increasing home ownership through equity loan schemes
Witnesses: Sir Bob Kerslake, Permanent Secretary, and Peter Schofield, Director General for Neighbourhoods, Department for Communities and Local Government, and Andrew Rose, Chief Executive, Homes and Communities Agency
Room 15
2.00pm (private), 2.15pm (public)
Scottish Affairs
Room 6
2.00pm (private)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Subject: Winter Floods
Witnesses: Rt Hon Lord Smith of Finsbury, Chair, and Paul Leinster, Chief Executive, Environment Agency; Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP, Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (at 3.45pm)
The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
2.30pm (private), 3.00pm (public)
Procedure
Room 20
3.00pm (private)
Communities and Local Government
Room 5
3.30pm (private)
Statutory Instruments
Room 7
As soon as convenient after 3.45pm (private)
Selection
Room 13
4.45pm (private)
Justice
Subject: The work of the Lord Chief Justice
Witnesses: The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Rt Hon Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd
Room 8
5.15pm (private), 5.30pm (public)
Joint Committees
Human Rights
Subject: Violence against women and girls
Witnesses: Rashida Manjoo, UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences
Room 3A
9.30am (private), 9.45am (public)
Statutory Instruments
Room 7
3.45pm (private)
Other Committees
Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission
Room 21
3.30pm (private)
COMMITTEE REPORTS PUBLISHED TODAY
DEFENCE
12th Report: UK Armed Forces Personnel and the Legal Framework for Future Operations, HC 931
Time of publication: 00.01am
EUROPEAN SCRUTINY
43rd Report: The application of the EU Charter of Fundamental rights in the UK: a state of confusion, HC 979
Time of publication: 00.01am
WORK AND PENSIONS
4th Report: Support for housing costs in the reformed welfare system, HC 720
Time of publication: 00.01am
LIAISON
1st Special Report: Civil Service: lacking capacity: Government response to the Committee’s First Report of Session 2013–14, HC 1216
Time of publication: 11.00am
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Forthcoming End of Day Adjournment Debates
Tuesday 8 April to Thursday 10 April
Applications should be made in writing to the Table Office by 7pm or rise of the House, whichever is the earlier, on Wednesday 2 April. The Ballot will take place on Thursday 3 April.
Future Departments Answering in Westminster Hall
Week beginning 7 April
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 1 April. The Ballot will take place on Wednesday 2 April.
Attorney General; Cabinet Office; Culture, Media and Sport; Defence; Deputy Prime Minister; Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Home Office; Treasury; Wales; Women and Equalities; Work and Pensions.
Weeks beginning 28 April and 12 May
Business, Innovation and Skills; Communities and Local Government; Education; Energy and Climate Change; Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Health; International Development; Justice; Leader of the House; Northern Ireland; Scotland; Transport.
Weeks beginning 5 May and 19 May
Attorney General; Cabinet Office; Culture, Media and Sport; Defence; Deputy Prime Minister; Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Home Office; Treasury; Wales; Women and Equalities; Work and Pensions.
EASTER Adjournment 2014
Members wishing to table questions in person may do so in the usual way through the Table Office until 5.30pm or the rising of the House, whichever is earlier, on Thursday 10 April. Thereafter, Members may table questions for oral and written answer electronically or by post. Questions for written answer received after 10 April and before 4.30pm on Friday 25 April will be treated as having been tabled on 25 April.
Questions for oral answer
Under Standing Order No. 22(6), the Speaker has made the following arrangements for tabling Questions for oral answer when the House returns:
Last date of tabling* | Date for answer | Departments etc. |
Thursday 10 April | Monday 28 April | Home Office (T) |
Thursday 10 April | Tuesday 29 April | Treasury (T) |
Thursday 10 April | Wednesday 30 April | Cabinet Office (T) Prime Minister |
Monday 28 April ** | Thursday 1 May | Culture, Media and Sport (T) Women and Equalities |
The results of the shuffles on 10 April will be published on 11 April. They will be available from the Vote Office and on the internet at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmfutoral/futoral.pdf
For further details of last tabling days for other departments and answering bodies, see the Order of Questions rota available from the Vote Office and on the internet at http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-table-office/order-of-oral-questions1.pdf
Notes:
* The latest time for tabling is 12.30pm on each of these days
** First sitting day after adjournment
Questions for written answer
The latest time for tabling a Question for written answer on a named day before the Easter Adjournment is 10.30pm or the rise of the House, whichever is earlier, on Monday 7 April (for answer on Thursday 10 April).
Time of tabling | Earliest date for named day answer |
Monday 7 April before 10.30pm or rise of House | Thursday 10 April |
Tuesday 8 April until 5.30pm or rise of the House on Thursday 10 April | Monday 28 April |
From rise of House on Thursday 10 April to 4.30pm on Friday 25 April | Wednesday 30 April (Each Member may table five named day questions during this period.) |
Monday 28 April | Thursday 1 May |
Determination of Business by the Backbench BUSINESS Committee
Thursday 10 April in Chamber
Select Committee Statement on the publication of the Thirteenth Report from the Public Administration Select Committee, Caught red-handed: Why we can’t count on Police Recorded Crime statistics, HC 760: Mr Bernard Jenkin
Pre-recess Adjournment debate