TUESDAY 13TH OCTOBER
The Lord Ahmed
*The Lord Ashley of StokeTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will review the NHS medical drug pricing system.
*The Lord Renton of Mount HarryTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will put forward specific proposals for the restructuring of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
*The Lord HackingTo ask Her Majestys Government what steps they are taking, in furtherance of their environmental policies for the reduction of traffic in London, to introduce bicycle lanes in central London and otherwise to make London safer for cyclists.
The Lord BarnettTo move, That this House take note of the Report of the European Communities Committee on the European Central Bank (24th Report, HL Paper 112).
The Baroness Hilton of EggardonTo move, That this House take note of the Report of the European Communities Committee on Sustainable Landfill (17th Report, HL Paper 83).
The Lord Ponsonby of ShulbredeTo ask Her Majestys Government what steps they are taking to promote family-friendly working practices to enable people to balance the responsibilities of family life with the demands of paid work.
WEDNESDAY 14TH OCTOBER
The Lord Bell
*The Lord Pearson of RannochTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they expect to be outvoted in the Council of Ministers over their resistance to the European Unions proposed Directive on Takeovers; and, if so, whether they will be able to maintain the United Kingdoms independent system of mergers and acquisitions.
*The Lord Wallace of SaltaireTo ask Her Majestys Government what attitude they are taking to the reinstatement of Maltas application to join the European Union.
*The Baroness Thomas of WalliswoodTo ask Her Majestys Government when they expect the Swanwick Air Traffic Control Centre to come into operation.
*The Baroness LockwoodTo ask Her Majestys Government what was the outcome of the scheme to pilot the good practice guidelines for dealing with child prostitutes, drawn up by the Association of Chief Police Officers together with Non-Governmental Organisations and social services; and when the new guidelines will be available.
The Baroness Jay of PaddingtonTo move, That this House take note of Her Majestys Governments proposals for reform of the House of Lords, as set out in the Labour Party Manifesto.
THURSDAY 15TH OCTOBER
*The Lord Campbell of CroyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they have been consulted about the rearrangement of the examination for entry to the European Union civil service which was declared to be invalid owing to serious irregularities.
*The Lord Morris of ManchesterTo ask Her Majestys Government when the outcome of their investigations in relation to the undiagnosed illnesses among servicemen and women who served in the Gulf War is likely to be announced.
*The Lord IslwynTo ask Her Majestys Government what steps they are taking to offset the increasing incidence of factory closures and redundancies in Wales.
[It is expected that the debate on House of Lords reform will be continued this day]
MONDAY 19TH OCTOBER
The Lord Lamont of Lerwick
and
The Baroness Sharp of Guildford
*The Lord JuddTo ask Her Majestys Government what discussions they have had in the past two months with the BBC on the future of its Overseas Service.
*The Earl of CarlisleTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will define the phrase Open Door policy in relation to the nations of Central Europe which have applied to join NATO.
*The Earl of LongfordTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they accept the conclusions of the 3rd Report (Session 1997-98) of the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee Alternatives to Prison Sentences (HC 486-I).
*The Lord Morris of ManchesterTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their estimate of the number of people entitled to Disability Living Allowance who have yet to apply for the allowance.
Northern Ireland BillCommittee [The Lord Dubs]
The Lord Bishop of LincolnTo ask Her Majestys Government what plans they have to amend current mental health legislation in order to facilitate positive intervention to assist the mentally ill living in the community.
TUESDAY 20TH OCTOBER
The Lord Clarke of Hampstead
and
The Lord Evans of Watford
*The Lord JuddTo ask Her Majestys Government what action they are taking bilaterally and multilaterally, including action through the European Union, the Commonwealth and the United Nations Security Council, to promote political solidarity to the problems of the Democratic Republic of Congo and to prevent the escalation of instability and conflict across the region and the African continent.
*The Lord Stanley of AlderleyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will take steps to start a national dog register when they alter the regulations for quarantine for pets entering the United Kingdom.
*The Lord Renton of Mount HarryTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will seek to persuade the United States to pay the money it owes to the United Nations.
*The Lord Campbell of CroyTo ask Her Majestys Government what action they are taking in order to counter the possible increase in fraud, if the scheme for working families tax credit is continued in the form at present proposed.
City of Westminster Bill [HL] Third Reading
Competition Bill [HL] Consideration of Commons Amendments [The Lord Simon of Highbury]
The Earl of LongfordTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they are continuing a policy of cutting expenditure in real terms per prisoner, and of cutting the total expenditure in real terms on the probation service and on prisoner education.
WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER
The Lord Christopher
*The Lord Dean of BeswickTo ask Her Majestys Government what advice they have taken in connection with further substantial computerisation of the National Health Service to avoid a repetition of past experiences such as in the Wessex Regional Health Authority.
*The Earl RussellTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they are taking any steps to encourage the provision of more refuges for children under 16 under the provisions of section 51 of the Children Act 1989.
*The Lord IslwynTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they have made any representations to the public utilities about granting financial concessions to old age pensioners.
*The Lord Beaumont of WhitleyTo ask the Chairman of Committees whether pork served in House of Lords restaurants is of British origin.
The Lord Janner of BraunstoneTo ask Her Majestys Government what plans they have to ban or restrict smoking in restaurants, other eating places and other public places.
[It is expected that the Committee stage of the Northern Ireland Bill will be continued this day]
THURSDAY 22ND OCTOBER
*The Baroness Castle of BlackburnTo ask Her Majestys Government when they hope to publish the reports of the nine pilot schemes they have set up to identify and remove the reasons why one million pensioners are not claiming the income support to which they are entitled.
*The Lord CalverleyTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their response to the laying off of 450 workers at the Vickers tank factory in Leeds.
*The Baroness Turner of CamdenTo ask Her Majestys Government why, when a woman becomes entitled to Widows Benefit, she automatically loses the Invalid Care Allowance, even though her caring role for a disabled relative may continue.
Scotland BillReport [The Lord Sewel]
MONDAY 26TH OCTOBER
The Lord Haskins
*The Baroness CoxTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their response towards recent developments in Burma (Myanmar).
*The Lord McCarthyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they have any plans to develop a long-term strategy for pay in the public sector.
*The Lord BeloffTo ask Her Majestys Government what steps are being taken to enforce the implementation of section 407 of the Education Act 1996 (Duty to secure balanced treatment of political issues).
*The Lord AveburyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether, in the course of their discussions with the Iranian authorities on improving the relations between the United Kingdom and Iran, they have raised the persecution of the Bah( ís.
TUESDAY 27TH OCTOBER
The Lord Bishop of Southwark
*The Baroness CoxTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they are satisfied with the quality of care in the community for people with mental health problems.
*The Lord Monro of LangholmTo ask Her Majestys Government what discussions they have had with the National Farmers Union about the present plight of agriculture.
*The Baroness SharplesTo ask Her Majestys Government what are their present and future plans for the funds generated by the National Lottery.
*The Lord Dormand of EasingtonTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they are satisfied with the progress being made with the National Professional Qualification for Headship.
WEDNESDAY 28TH OCTOBER
The Lord Bragg
*The Viscount WaverleyTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their reaction to the speech by the President of Kazakhstan on 30th September to the people of that country and what practical measures they could support in relation to that speech.
*The Earl of KinnoullTo ask Her Majestys Government what steps they are taking to restore ewe and lamb prices to hill farmers.
*The Lord GoodhartTo ask Her Majestys Government how they propose to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the adoption by the United Nations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10th December 1948.
THURSDAY 29TH OCTOBER
*The Lord Clinton-DavisTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they propose to take any further steps to alert drivers and passengers in motor vehicles to the liability that may arise, by reason of contributory negligence, through a failure to wear seat belts when the vehicle in which they are travelling is involved in an accident.
TUESDAY 3RD NOVEMBER
The Lord Brookman
NO DAY NAMED
PART I
The Viscount Montgomery of AlameinTo call attention to the opportunities for trade with and investment in Latin America; and to move for papers.
The Lord Ashley of StokeTo call attention to the need for full, enforceable civil rights for chronically sick and disabled people; and to move for papers.
The Baroness Perry of SouthwarkTo call attention to the importance of higher education policy for the social, economic and intellectual welfare of the United Kingdom; and to move for papers.
The Lord BarnettTo call attention to the prospects for the United Kingdom joining EMU in the foreseeable future; and to move for papers.
The Lord Armstrong of IlminsterTo move, That a Select Committee be appointed to undertake an inquiry, and within three calendar months to make recommendations, as to how a procedure might be implemented whereby the House would nominate approximately one hundred peers by succession to be voting peers and whereby the remaining peers by succession would renounce their rights to vote but would retain their rights to speak in the House or Committees of the House.
The Lord MoynihanTo call attention to the current situation in Algeria; and to move for papers.
The Earl of NortheskTo call attention to political and economic developments in the South Atlantic; and to move for papers.
The Earl of CarlisleTo call attention to the number of people from ethnic minorities in senior positions in public life; and to move for papers.
The Lord SandbergTo ask Her Majestys Government what effect the financial crisis in the Far East is likely to have on the British economy.
The Lord HoosonTo call attention to plans to restructure the United Nations for the next century; and to move for papers.
The Lord KennetTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they consider that the Charter of the United Nations permits, and the international rule of law can survive, claims by individual member states to a right of unilateral interpretation of UN Security Council Resolutions, and a right to engage in military operations under such unilateral interpretations.
Succession to the CrownThe Lord Alderdice to move, That an Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty praying that Her Majesty may be graciously pleased to allow that Her undoubted Prerogative and interest may not stand in the way of the consideration of Parliament during the present session of any measure to remove the bar on a person who is not, or who is married to a person who is not, a protestant to succeed to the Crown.
The Lord KennetTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will take steps to replace measurements of gross domestic product and gross national product, both within the United Kingdom and in international bodies, with measurements that are being developed by the Office for National Statistics which are able to take into account economically significant unpaid and unrecorded work and the reduction through consumption or otherwise of irreplaceable natural resources.
The Earl of CarlisleTo call attention to the long-term future of Central and Eastern Europe, with particular reference to the three Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania; and to move for papers.
The Earl of OnslowTo call attention to the science of genetically-modified organisms, and its implications for the breeding of plants and animals; and to move for papers.
The Viscount HanworthTo call attention to the need to encourage teachers in primary and secondary education, and to the role of OFSTED; and to move for papers.
The Lord Bishop of OxfordTo call attention to the commitment in the Labour Party manifesto to a fairer, faster and firmer asylum procedure; and to move for papers.
The Lord AcknerTo call attention to the case for effectively monitoring the operation of conditional fee agreements; and to move for papers.
The Lord DholakiaTo call attention to the need for a national strategy for dealing with paedophiles; and to move for papers.
The Lord BirdwoodTo call attention to changes in the duties of back-bench members of both Houses of Parliament in the last thirty years; and to move for papers.
The Baroness Linklater of ButterstoneTo call attention to the implications for rural communities of the closure of their local school; and to move for papers.
The Lord Hardy of WathTo call attention to the apparent increase in cruelty to animals; and to move for papers.
The Earl of ClanwilliamTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they support the industrialisation of farming practices in the United Kingdom.
The Lord HyltonTo move to resolve, That this House deplores the attempted murder of Mr Akin Birdal, President of the Turkish Human Rights Association, on 12th May; the refusal by the Turkish Government to admit United Nations Rapporteurs on Human Rights, or representatives of the OSCE or ICRC; the imprisonment and exile of members of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey; and the banning and dissolution in Turkey of numerous bona fide political parties.
The Lord RowallanTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their long-term policy towards help lines in the field of health services.
The Lord Morris of ManchesterTo ask Her Majestys Government what further consideration they are giving to improving Service Pensions and War and War Widows Pensions; and when they expect to announce any improvements.
The Lord RotherwickTo ask Her Majestys Government what are their intentions for taxing pesticides, and what will be the implications of such a tax for farming and the countryside.
The Viscount ChelmsfordTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they are satisfied that the link between the United Kingdoms Balance of Payments and the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) by the nations leaders and managers is sufficiently understood.
The Lord Cocks of HartcliffeTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their view of the economic and business opportunities presented by the information age, which was the subject of a Government paper published in April by the Central Office of Information.
The Lord VinsonTo call attention to the case for using nuclear energy to meet the United Kingdoms Kyoto Conference obligations for the reduction of CO2 emissions; and to move for papers.
The Lord BorrieTo ask Her Majestys Government what plans they have to modernise the regulation of the utility industries so as to provide a fair deal for consumers in general and vulnerable consumers in particular.
The Lord HayhoeTo call attention to the case for establishing an Independent Statutory Commission responsible for the conduct of referendums, their organisation and administration along the lines proposed by the Commission on the Conduct of Referendums chaired by Sir Patrick Nairne which reported in November 1996; and to move for papers.
The Duke of AbercornTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they are considering a request to the European Union for additional funding to ensure that the Londonderry-Strabane-Ballygawley A5 road is upgraded to the required modern standard.
The Lord McNallyTo ask Her Majestys Government what discussions they have had with the Press Complaints Commission about the outcome of their respective inquiries into the events surrounding the publication of Cries Unheard concerning Mary Bell.
The Lord IronsideTo call attention to the strengths of the Armed Forces and the investments needed to sustain their capabilities for deployment and intervention in defence of the United Kingdoms sovereign interests; and to move for papers.
The Lord BlakerTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the cost of converting Kensington Gardens to a memorial park for the late Diana, Princess of Wales, will be met from public funds if the proposal is proceeded with.
The Lord AcknerTo call attention to the Governments consultation paper Rights of Audience and Rights to Conduct Litigation in England and Wales: The Way Ahead (June 1998); and to move for papers.
The Baroness OCathainTo ask Her Majestys Government what steps they are taking to encourage marketing and its contribution to business success.
The Lord Sefton of GarstonTo call attention to the case for a review of income tax (especially at the top levels) in order to ensure a fairer distribution of resources; and to move for papers.
The Baroness Gould of PotternewtonTo call attention to the discrepancies in the provision of abortion under the National Health Service; and to move for papers.
The Earl RussellTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their response to the open letter from members of the Social Policy Association published in The Guardian of 29th July.
The Earl RussellTo ask Her Majestys Government what will be the responsibilities and the objectives of the Minister for Women.
The Baroness Gould of PotternewtonTo ask Her Majestys Government what action they have taken, following the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985, in relation to education, prevention and prosecution under the Act.
The Lord Lloyd-WebberTo call attention to the workings of the licensing system governing the export of art and cultural goods; and to move for papers.
The Lord PalmerTo call attention to the present state of agriculture in the United Kingdom with particular reference to Scotland; and to move for papers.
The Viscount WaverleyTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their policy on the use of sanctions.
The Lord Gordon of StrathblaneTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they believe that a reduction in VAT on hotel accommodation might boost tourist traffic and so increase exchequer revenues.
The Baroness MaddockTo ask Her Majestys Government what action they propose to take to improve the quality of the housing stock following the recent publication of the English House Condition Survey for 1996.
The Lord Morris of ManchesterTo ask Her Majestys Government how many servicemen and women who served in the Gulf War have illnesses still awaiting diagnosis; and what progress is being made in their investigations in relation to these illnesses.
The Viscount WaverleyTo ask Her Majestys Government what measures they are implementing to improve bilateral and trading links with Iran.
The Baroness CoxTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their policy towards recent developments in Sudan.
The Lord Mackie of BenshieTo ask Her Majestys Government what steps they are taking or intend to take to deal with the serious crisis facing British farmers.
The Lord Mayhew of TwysdenTo ask HMG what representations they have received about their proposals for a modern system for corporation tax payments following the abolition of advance corporation tax in April 1999.
PART II
SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS
[The date in brackets is that on which the Report was published]
The Lord KingslandTo move, That this House take note of the Report of the European Communities Committee on Enhancing Parliamentary Scrutiny of the Third Pillar (6th Report, HL Paper 25). [12th September]
The Lord Slynn of HadleyTo move, That this House take note of the Report of the Select Committee on the Public Service (HL Paper 55). [19th January]
The Lord Soulsby of Swaffham PriorTo move, That this House take note of the Report of the Science and Technology Committee, Resistance to Antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents (7th Report, HL Paper 81). [23rd April]
The Lord HoffmannTo move, That this House take note of the Report of the European Communities Committee on Acquired Rights Revisited (22nd Report, HL Paper 98). [18th May]
The Lord Wallace of SaltaireTo move, That this House take note of the Report of the European Communities Committee on Student Mobility in the European Union (27th Report, HL Paper 116). [3rd July]
The Lord HoffmannTo move, That this House take note of the Report of the European Communities Committee on Europol: Third Country Rules (29th Report, Session 1997-98, HL Paper 135). [29th July]
The Lord BarnettTo move, That this House take note of the Report of the European Communities Committee on the Reform of the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund (30th Report, HL Paper 138). [3rd August]
The Lord Wallace of SaltaireTo move, That this House take note of the Report of the European Communities Committee on Incorporating the Schengen Acquis into the European Union (31st Report, HL Paper 139). [8th September]
QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
[Tabled or amended on 8th October]
The Lord HoosonTo ask Her Majestys Government what steps they intend to take, in the light of the Eurostat survey of poverty and income distribution in thirteen European Union countries, to lower the inequality in income between the richest 10 per cent in the United Kingdom and the poorest 10 per cent who respectively receive 26.1 per cent and 3 per cent of national income. (HL3381)
The Lord Alton of LiverpoolTo ask Her Majestys Government what representations were made to the Chinese Government during the Prime Ministers visit to China about their coercive one-child policy, and their pursuit of forced sterilisation and forced abortion of women who have more than one child. (HL3382)
The Lord GoodhartTo ask Her Majestys Government what plans they have to ratify the treaty establishing the International Criminal Court; and whether, upon ratification, they will not exercise their right to opt out of the Courts jurisdiction over war crimes. (HL3383)
The Lord Russell-JohnstonTo ask Her Majestys Government when the United Kingdom will sign the Unidroit Convention. (HL3384)
The Lord Russell-JohnstonTo ask Her Majestys Government how many people to date have been fined £100 for failure to comply with the income tax self assessment legislation since its introduction; how many have been fined £200; and how many £300. (HL3385)
The Lord Russell-JohnstonTo ask Her Majestys Government what discussions the Contact Group has had with President Rugova about the future of Kosovo. (HL3386)
The Lord AshbourneTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they intend to clarify the constitutional status of the Union Flag before its bicentenary in 2001. (HL3387)
The Lord Clement-JonesTo ask Her Majestys Government what proportion of directly or indirectly government funded research into myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) has used the Oxford or the Centre for Diseases Control criteria as opposed to the Dowsett or London criteria to define the condition. (HL3388)
The Lord Clement-JonesTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Hayman on 3rd September (WA 27), why the Department of Health is not contemplating further research into myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) in the light of the 1994 report of the Task Force (which received 83 per cent of its funding from the Department of Health) which called for research to clarify the differences between the various chronic fatigue syndromes. (HL3389)
The Lord Clement-JonesTo ask Her Majestys Government whether a new management plan has been received from the new Chairman of the National Blood Authority and when it will be published. (HL3390)
The Lord Clement-JonesTo ask Her Majestys Government, following the recent consultation, when it is anticipated that the Department of Health will publish its Nursing Midwifery and Health Visiting Strategy. (HL3391)
The Lord Beaumont of WhitleyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether applications for national seed listing for genetically modified varieties will be proceeded with in the absence of a marketing consent for such modified varieties. (HL3392)
The Lord Beaumont of WhitleyTo ask Her Majestys Government when they expect to make a decision in respect of each application for national seed listing of genetically modified varieties. (HL3393)
The Lord Beaumont of WhitleyTo ask Her Majestys Government what are the corresponding genetically modified release consents in respect of each of the national seed list applications received, indicating the application and consent numbers and dates; and, if different from the national list applications, the applicants name. (HL3394)
The Lord Beaumont of WhitleyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will list, in respect of any tests and trials which are being or have been conducted in respect of each of the national seed list applications, the names of the persons conducting the tests, the dates thereof and which tests have been completed. (HL3395)
The Lord Beaumont of WhitleyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they have received an application for the use of glufosinate ammonium on genetically engineered crop varieties as a broad spectrum herbicide on the growing crop; and, if so, which company made the application and for which crop varieties; and when the decision will be announced. (HL3396)
The Lord Beaumont of WhitleyTo ask Her Majestys Government what will be the remit of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides when assessing applications for the use of herbicide on crops genetically engineered to be resistant to the herbicide. (HL3397)
BILLS IN PROGRESS
[The date in brackets is the date for which the bill is set down]
Waiting for Second Reading
Prime Minister (Ecclesiastical Functions) [HL]
Energy Efficiency (No. 2) [HL]
Recommitted to an Unopposed Bill Committee
London Local Authorities [HL]
Committed to a Committee of the Whole House
Pharmacists [HL]
Waste Minimisation
Criminal Appeal (Amendment) [HL]
Northern Ireland [19th October]
Registration of Political Parties
Waiting for Report
Lord Chancellor (Tenure of Office) (Amendment) [HL]
European Parliamentary Elections [12th October]
Regional Development Agencies
Scotland [22nd October]
Waiting for Third Reading
City of Westminster [HL] [20th October]
Sent to the Commons
Coordinated Universal Time [HL]
Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons (Amendment) [HL]
Geneva Conventions (Amendment) [HL]
British Nationality (St. Helena) [HL]
Human Rights [HL]
Local Government (Experimental Arrangements) [HL]
Business Improvement Districts [HL]
Electricity Generation [HL]
Mental Health (Amendment) (No. 2) [HL]
Building Regulations (Energy Rating Information) (Amendment) [HL]
Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) (Amendment) [HL]
Sexual Orientation Discrimination [HL]
Statute Law (Repeals) [HL]
Pensions (Amendment) [HL]
Bodmin Moor Commons [HL]
Alliance & Leicester plc (Group Reorganisation) [HL]
Waiting for consideration of Commons amendments
Competition [HL] [20th October]
Returned to the Commons amended
AFFIRMATIVE INSTRUMENTS IN PROGRESS
Waiting for Affirmative Resolution
Draft Security for Private Road Works (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1998
Draft Health and Safety at Work (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998
Draft Local Government (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998
Draft Meat and Livestock Commission Levy (Variation) Scheme (Confirmation) Order 1998
DEREGULATION PROPOSALS IN PROGRESS
Proposals reported from the Deregulation Committee
Draft Deregulation (Pipe-lines) Order 1998
Draft Deregulation (Occasional Licences) Order 1998
COMMITTEES
[Unless otherwise indicated, Committees meet in the Lords rooms
in the Committee Corridor as indicated in the daily broadsheets]
TUESDAY 13TH OCTOBER