Thursday 16 November 2006 at 11.00am

†Prayers will have been read

†Queen’s Speech Adjourned Debate on the Motion that a Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty as follows:

“Most Gracious Sovereign,

We, Your Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, beg leave to thank Your Majesty for the most gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament.”

†It is expected that the principal topics for debate will be Local Government, Transport, Agriculture and the Environment.

Back to Contents

Future Business

Monday 20 November at 2.30pm

†*Lord Dykes to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are planning immediate steps to coordinate an early departure of coalition military forces from Iraq.

†*Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in light of the report from the European Food Standards Agency and opinion from bird welfare organisations, they will support the imposition of a permanent ban on the import of wild caught birds into the European Union.

†*Lord Jenkin of Roding to ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions have taken place between Ministers, including the Chancellor of the Exchequer, about the introduction and level of new green taxes.

†*Lord Corbett of Castle Vale to ask Her Majesty’s Government what legal protection broadcasters and the written media have in repeating statements made in Parliament which if made elsewhere would be in breach of the law.

†It is expected that the debate on the Address will continue and that the principal topics for debate will be Foreign and European Affairs, International Development and Defence.

Tuesday 21 November at 2.30pm

†*Lord Roberts of Llandudno to ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress is being made with the redistribution of funds generated by the 2004 Tsunami appeals.

†*Baroness Gardner of Parkes to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many of those dentists who previously provided National Health Service dental services have not signed the new National Health Service dental contract; and whether there is sufficient access to National Health Service dental treatment for all.

†*Lord Lamont of Lerwick to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the invasion of Iraq on the risks of terrorism activity within the United Kingdom.

†It is expected that the debate on the Address will continue and that the principal topics for debate will be Social Affairs, Education and Health.

Wednesday 22 November at 3.00pm

†*Lord Morris of Manchester to ask Her Majesty’s Government what further help they are considering for veterans of the 1990-91 Gulf War with still medically unexplained illnesses and the dependants of those who have died since the conflict.

†*Lord Dubs to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will take steps to make it more expensive to fly than to travel by train for journeys between London and Scotland or Northern England.

†*Earl of Dundee to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reduce the fatal accident rate among drivers aged 17 to 19.

Thursday 23 November at 11.00am

†*Lord Elton to ask Her Majesty’s Government why at the recent Review Conference of the States Parties to the Convention on Conventional Weapons currently in Geneva they opposed a negotiating mandate on cluster munitions.

†*Lord Trefgarne to ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the military objectives assigned to United Kingdom forces in (a) Afghanistan, and (b) Iraq.

†*Lord Trimble to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that all Government departments comply with the duty of candour in judicial review proceedings.

†It is expected that the debate on the Address will continue and that the principal topics for debate will be Home, Legal and Constitutional Affairs.

Monday 27 November at 2.30pm

†*Lord Pearson of Rannoch to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they support the European Union’s proposal to make the commercial use of non-metric terms a criminal offence from 15 January 2010.

†*Baroness Massey of Darwen to ask Her Majesty’s Government how they will implement their policies on combating bullying with regard to young people.

†*Lord Waddington to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many of the 1,023 foreign national criminals who were released from prison between February 1999 and March 2006 without the appropriate consideration of deportation or removal action had served sentences for crimes of violence; and how many have since been deported.

†It is expected that the debate on the Address will continue and that the principal topics for debate will be Industry, Economic and Consumer Affairs.

Tuesday 28 November at 2.30pm

†*Lord Selsdon to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many closed circuit television systems have been registered with the Office of the Information Commissioner.

†*Lord Blaker to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are making any changes in their policy towards the Middle East in light of the present foreign policy of the United States.

†*Lord Harries of Pentregarth to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they accept the recommendations of the High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change of December 2004 addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Wednesday 29 November at 3.00pm

†*Lord Northbourne to ask Her Majesty’s Government how the current level of prosecutions of young people compares with that of ten years ago; and whether more young people are receiving custodial sentences.

†*Baroness Masham of Ilton to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will take steps to ensure that the number of specialist nurses for long-term conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis will not be reduced within the National Health Service.

†*Lord Campbell-Savours to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the consultation on rape includes the issue of false accusations.

Thursday 30 November at 11.00am

†*Baroness Northover to ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made to fulfil the agreement made at the 2005 G8 Conference in Gleneagles to ensure that all those who have need for access to treatment for AIDS do so by 2010.

†*Lord Watson of Richmond to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their current view concerning the meeting of the five economic tests to join the Eurozone.

†*Lord Avebury to ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the United Nations Security Council concerning the threat of international conflict in Somalia.

Monday 4 December at 2.30pm

†*Baroness Perry of Southwark to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in view of the number of vacancies for the post of head teacher, particularly in primary schools, they will take urgent action to encourage more well-qualified applicants for these posts.

†*Lord Ezra to ask Her Majesty’s Government what further measures they have in mind to stimulate energy efficiency in households in the light of the recent report by the Energy Saving Trust.

†*Lord Astor of Hever to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the fatal attack on a British Armed Forces patrol boat near Basra on 12 November.

†*Baroness Sharp of Guildford to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the results of the 2005-06 evaluation of the “Every Child a Reader” initiative are yet available; and whether extra support is now being given to primary schools to help pupils catch up before the transition to secondary school.

Tuesday 5 December at 2.30pm

†*Lord Harrison to ask Her Majesty’s Government what actions they will take to ensure that the gas industry improves the United Kingdom public’s awareness of gas safety issues and in particular awareness of carbon monoxide poisoning.

†*Baroness Wilcox to ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of passenger trains in the United Kingdom continue to discharge raw sewage on the tracks; and when they expect the practice to end.

†*Lord Barnett to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider it appropriate to use the Parliament Acts to enact legislation on House of Lords reform.

Wednesday 6 December at 3.00pm

†*Lord Faulkner of Worcester to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to protect the wrecks of HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse from the activities of foreign nationals undertaking penetration dives and disturbing the human remains which lie there.

†*Lord Razzall to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in light of the ongoing Serious Fraud Office investigation, they have reassessed their view of the granting of an export licence for the sale of an air traffic control system from BAE to the government of Tanzania.

Thursday 7 December at 11.00am

†*Lord Berkeley to ask the Chairman of Committees what progress has been made in the World Squares project for Parliament Square and Old Palace Yard and the consequent impact on security.

†*Lord Livsey of Talgarth to ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to extending the period for Hill Farming Allowance payments for a further three years after 2006-07.

†*Baroness Cox to ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make representations to the State Peace and Development Council of Myanmar (Burma) over reports of continuing offensives against ethnic national groups.

Monday 11 December at 2.30pm

†*Lord Dholakia to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they hold records relating to the ethnicity of those whose DNA is collected for the national DNA database.

†*Lord Wallace of Saltaire to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to communicate to both Houses of Parliament on the United Kingdom contribution to the development of European Security and Defence Policy.

†*Baroness Trumpington to ask Her Majesty’s Government why Bow Street Magistrates’ Court was closed.

†*Baroness Rawlings to ask Her Majesty’s Government what percentage of projects funded by the Department for International Development address climate change concerns in developing countries.

Tuesday 12 December at 2.30pm

†*Viscount Falkland to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they accept Commissioner Verheugen’s estimate that European Union regulation is costing €660 billion per annum to European Union member states’ economies.

†*Lord Hoyle to ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the consequences to National Health Service patients of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence’s decision not to approve the drug Velcade.

†*Lord Naseby to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether all the emergency services in London now have a radio system that operates below and above ground.

Wednesday 13 December at 3.00pm

†*Baroness Miller of Hendon to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Ministers giving evidence to committees of enquiry of foreign legislatures are bound by the Official Secrets Act 1989 and rules about the confidentiality of Cabinet discussions.

†*Lord Sheldon to ask Her Majesty’s Government what arrangements they are making to allow special advisers to give evidence to select committees.

†*Lord Lee of Trafford to ask Her Majesty’s Government what options they are considering in relation to the siting of regional or “super” casinos.

Thursday 14 December at 11.00am

†*Lord Janner to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many cyclists were killed and how many injured in the United Kingdom in hours of darkness during each of the last three years for which records are available.

†*Baroness Neuberger to ask Her Majesty’s Government why National Health Service trusts can recover VAT paid to employment agencies for nurses but not for other health professionals.

Back to Contents

Motion for Balloted Debate

Ballot on 21 November for debate on 30 November. Time limit 2½ hours

†Baroness Scott of Needham Market to call attention to the present franchising system for the railway industry; and to move for papers.

Back to Contents

Other Motions for Debate

†Lord Dykes to call attention to the economic and social conditions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank; and to move for papers.

†Viscount Montgomery of Alamein to call attention to developments in Latin America; and to move for papers.

†Lord Northbourne to call attention to the rights of the child and to the role of stability and family life in the well being of children; and to move for papers.

†Lord Alton of Liverpool to call attention to the implications of North Korea’s decision to conduct its first nuclear test; and to move for papers.

Back to Contents

Questions for Short Debate

Time limit 1 hour or 1½ hours

†Baroness Cox to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to efforts to eradicate contemporary slavery.

†Lord Howarth of Newport to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase support for the conservation of historic places of worship.

†Lord Pearson of Rannoch to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they agree with the First Report from the Committee for Privileges, Code of Conduct and Members’ Interests, (Session 2003-04, HL Paper 69) in particular its recommendation that Members of the House in receipt of pensions from the European Union do not normally need to declare such pensions as a financial interest when taking part in debates on European Union matters; and, if so, why.

†Lord Pearson of Rannoch to ask Her Majesty’s Government how they propose to honour their commitment that family carers of people with lifelong severe intellectual impairment should be at the heart of decision-making about their relatives’ accommodation, health care and support.

†Lord Pearson of Rannoch to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make representations to the government of Botswana about its treatment of the bushmen of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

†Lord Harrison to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the United Nations resolution on diabetes.

†Lord Anderson of Swansea to ask Her Majesty’s Government what proposals they have for the future status of Kosovo.

†Earl of Sandwich to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the current prospects for peace and multi-party democracy in Nepal.

†Earl of Sandwich to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assistance they are providing to meet relief and development needs in the Palestinian Occupied Territories.

†Baroness Greengross to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the indirect social costs of clinical decisions are being met by Government departments other than the Department of Health.

†Lord Blaker to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the current state of relations between the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

†Baroness Stern to ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they will take in response to the report by the Youth Justice Board, published on 2 November, on research into Anti-social Behaviour Orders given to young people between January 2004 and January 2005.

†Viscount Montgomery of Alamein to ask Her Majesty’s Government what benefits are expected from the International Polar Year 2007-08 following the British hosting of the Antarctic Treaty consultative meeting in Edinburgh in June.

†Lord Dubs to ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures they are taking to help to provide homes for homeless and overcrowded families.

†Baroness Jay of Paddington to ask Her Majesty’s Government how they assess the effectiveness of palliative care services; and on what basis decisions to find additional services are taken.

†Lord Alderdice to ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress they have made in the statutory regulation of the professions of psychology, psychotherapy and counselling in the past six years.

†Lord Alderdice to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they would support moves towards developing an inclusive semi-permanent conference table to address the problems of the Middle East.

†Lord Harries of Pentregarth to ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to further the independence of West Papua.

†Lord Holme of Cheltenham to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the level of Chinese investment in Africa.

†Baroness Northover to ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to combat AIDS across the world and its effect on children.

†Baroness Northover to ask Her Majesty’s Government what proposals they are putting forward to promote the peace process in Israel and Palestine.

†Baroness Northover to ask Her Majesty’s Government what developments have been made in the reconstruction of Iraq.

†Lord Dholakia to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will bring forward legislation to reform the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

†Lord Carlile of Berriew to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether physical restraints, including seclusion and strip searching, are used on children in custody.

†Lord Carlile of Berriew to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the future of British architecture.

†Lord Lester of Herne Hill to ask Her Majesty’s Government why civil justice costs must be recovered in their entirety from those who become suitors before the court.

†Lord Bradshaw to ask Her Majesty’s Government how they propose to address the present problems facing the bus industry.

†Baroness Scott of Needham Market to ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made on their capital building programme.

†Baroness Neuberger to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to prevent malnutrition in hospitals, as highlighted in the Age Concern report, Hungry to be Heard.

†Baroness Neuberger to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the British Medical Association’s report, Child and adolescent mental health—guide for healthcare professionals, published in June 2006.

†Baroness Sharp of Guildford to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether current or proposed methods of allocating research funds amongst universities are sufficient to support basic research infrastructures or to promote innovative and applied research.

†Lord Hanningfield to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to alleviate the financial pressures facing local authorities in relation to adult social care and to minimise the impact that this has on the delivery of other services.

†Lord Turnberg to ask Her Majesty’s Government what advice they will seek in formulating their response to the Chief Medical Officer’s report, Good Doctors, Safer Patients.

Back to Contents

Questions for Written Answer

Tabled on 15 November and due for answer on 29 November.

Lord Campbell-Savours to ask Her Majesty’s Government why, and on what advice, the Attorney General sought in 2001 on appeal to increase the sentence originally imposed on Warren Blackwell in 1999. HL1

Lord Campbell-Savours to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Crown Prosecution Service intend to review the arrangements for the handling of disclosure issues in rape cases following the reports into Warren Blackwell and Leslie Warren by the Criminal Cases Review Commission. HL2

Lord Campbell-Savours to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will review the rules which allow accusers in rape trials to prevent evidence relevant under disclosure rules being drawn to the attention of lawyers for the defence. HL3

Lord Campbell-Savours to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the relevant background documentation disclosing the multiple identities and history of false accusations made by the accused in the Warren Blackwell case were made available to (a) the defence at the time of the original trial and conviction in October 1999; and (b) the Attorney General at the time of his request on appeal for an increase in sentence in 2001. HL4

Lord Campbell-Savours to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, prior to the appeal hearing at which the Attorney General sought to increase the prison sentence for rape imposed on Warren Blackwell, he had been made aware of—

(a) the eight different identities of the accused over 17 years;

(b) the accused conviction for robbery in 1986;

(c) the accused conviction for theft in 1989;

(d) the accuser’s false accusations of sexual assault by her father in 1989;

(e) the accuser’s false accusations of rape against a boy in 1983;

(f) the accuser’s false accusations of violent sexual assault in a police station in 1988;

(g) the accuser’s false accusations of violent assault from behind with a knife in March 2000; and

(h) the accuser’s false accusations of violent sexual assault from behind with a knife in July 2000.

HL5

Lord Campbell-Savours to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, following the successful application in March 2001 by the Attorney General for an increase in sentence at an appeal hearing in the case of Warren Blackwell, he was made aware of—

(a) the accuser’s false accusations of rape and sexual assault with a knife from behind in June 2001; and

(b) the accuser’s use of a new name;

and whether the Attorney General considered reviewing the Warren Blackwell case. HL6

Baroness Stern to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 2 November (WA 75-6), how many staff were in each tornado team; and how many of these were directly involved in the incident on 2 October at H M Young Offenders Institution Stoke Heath. HL7

Baroness Stern to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 2 November (WA 75-6), whether the restraining of six juveniles was carried out by members of a tornado team, by staff of H M Young Offenders Institution Stoke Heath or by other staff. HL8

Baroness Stern to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 2 November (WA 75-6), whether the staff who restrained six juveniles wore any form of protective clothing; and, if so, what protective clothing. HL9

Baroness Stern to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 2 November (WA 75-6), whether any of the six juveniles were injured whilst being restrained; and, if so, what was the extent of their injuries. HL10

Lord Whitty to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Ashton of Upholland on 9 October (WA 8-9), which indicated that 56.7 per cent of the land area of England and Wales is currently registered, whether the present level of accuracy, transparency and comprehensiveness of information on land ownership is of the same standard as the information now available online in the Domesday Book. HL11

Countess of Mar to ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total number of Asylum and Immigration Tribunal appeals heard between 1 August and 31 October 2006; how many were (a) appeals against a notice of intention to deport on the ground that deportation is conducive to the public good; (b) appeals involving unaccompanied minors; (c) appeals which have been designated as country guidance cases; and (d) appeals relating to asylum cases where further evidence was required at second-stage reconsideration; and how many of these cases have been heard by panels which have included a non-legal member. HL12

Lord Avebury to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will consider issuing guidance to Ministry of Defence police, that where a person trespasses on land in the open air with the intention of observing what takes place there, but without doing anything which is intended to have any of the effects specified in section 69(1) of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, they should not submit a case to the Crown Prosecution Service under that section. HL13

Lord Avebury to ask Her Majesty’s Government what statistics are available from the Planning Inspectorate of planning appeals in respect of Gypsy and Traveller sites, indicating the number and proportion of appeals which were successful in equivalent periods before and after the coming into force of Circular 1/2006; and, in each case, (a) how many pitches were granted and refused respectively; (b) whether in the cases where permission was granted, it was temporary or permanent; and (c) where the permission granted was temporary, for what period it was granted. HL14

Lord Avebury to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have proposals to develop a methodology for updating the estimate of £20 billion for the amount of harm caused by alcohol, given in the Cabinet Office’s Interim Analytical Analysis of September 2003, to take account of (a) alcohol-related deaths; (b) the amount of alcohol drunk per person; (c) admissions to hospital for alcohol-related diseases; and (d) any other related indices, each year since 2000-01 to which the figure of £20 billion related. HL15

Lord Avebury to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will amend the instructions given to immigration officers so that asylum applicants whose age is disputed, or whose claim to have been tortured has not been assessed, or who are seriously ill, are not fast-tracked. HL16

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask Her Majesty’s Government what statistics they have for the mortality rate of birds imported into the United Kingdom before the temporary ban (a) in transit, and (b) in quarantine. HL17

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bach on 9 November 2005 (WA 87), what they meant by the term “unexpected deaths” in a consignment of imported birds in quarantine; and how many deaths lead to a visit from a veterinary inspector. HL18

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask Her Majesty’s Government, in view of the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, whether they have established an acceptable rate of mortality for imports of birds which would apply if the ban on imports is lifted by the European Union. HL19

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the impact of the duties created by the Animal Welfare Act 2006 on the working practices for (a) traders of wild birds; and (b) quarantine facilities, should the trade in wild birds resume. HL20

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Environment Agency’s decision to remove online access to water abstraction information is (a) necessary for national security; and (b) in accordance with the principles of the Aarhus Convention; and what is their estimate of how long this removal will be necessary. HL21

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask Her Majesty’s Government on how many occasions reviews have been held following refusal of information under Environmental Information Regulations; and what was the nature and subject matter of the information withheld. HL22

Lord Morris of Manchester to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Drayson on 9 October (WA 47) and 22 June (WA 99), what information the Ministry of Defence has received from its liaison officer in Washington DC on the range, scope and cost in the current financial year of federally funded research at the Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas into Gulf War veterans’ illnesses; when the information was received; and what assessment the department has made of its possible relevance among British veterans of the conflict. HL23

Lord Morris of Manchester to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Statement by Lord Drayson on 19 October (WS 87-8), when the findings of the Vaccines Interactions Research Programme into the health effects of the combinations of vaccines administered to troops involved in the 1990-91 Gulf War first became known to the Ministry of Defence. HL24

Lord Morris of Manchester to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Drayson on 9 October 2003 (WA 67-79) and the Written Statement by Lord Drayson on 19 October (WS 87-8), whether and on what date the Written Answer by Lord Bach was drawn to the attention of those who conducted the study referred to in the Written Statement on 19 October; and whether full account was taken by them of the findings conveyed in the Written Answer by Lord Bach. HL25

Lord Morris of Manchester to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the replies by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 11 November (HL Deb, cols 592-5), what percentage of staff currently employed in each Government department are registered as disabled people; and what the comparable figures were for each of the last five years. HL26

Lord Morris of Manchester to ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to the report Opportunity Blocked on the employment experiences of deaf and hard of hearing people, published by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People; and what action they will be taking on its conclusion and recommendations. HL27

Lord Morris of Manchester to ask Her Majesty’s Government what response the Department for Constitutional Affairs is making to the representations from the Zacchaeus 2000 Trust for an internal review of the decision of H M Courts Service refusing to release a copy of the Enforcement Officers Guidance; and what actions are now being considered. HL28

Lord Vinson to ask Her Majesty’s Government, in view of their recognition that nuclear power has a role to play in the future United Kingdom generating mix alongside low carbon-generating options, whether they will instruct the Carbon Trust actively to promote nuclear energy. HL29

Lord Vinson to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether carbon sequestration in the form of dumping of carbon dioxide under the London Convention and the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR) is illegal. HL30

Lord Vinson to ask Her Majesty’s Government what efforts they are making to secure international amendment of the London Convention and the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR) to enable carbon dioxide to be dumped under the bed of the North Sea; and how long they expect this process to take. HL31

Lord Vinson to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have assessed the viability of dumping carbon dioxide under the North Sea as an effective means of locking up carbon dioxide indefinitely. HL32

Lord Vinson to ask Her Majesty’s Government by how much electrical generating costs will rise through the incorporation of carbon sequestration. HL33

Lord Acton to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the statement by the Secretary of State for the Home Department on 20 July (HC Deb, col 473) that vulnerable people and those for whom mental health treatment would be more appropriate should not be in prison, what is their estimate of the number of people in each category currently in prison. HL34

Lord Pearson of Rannoch to ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect to announce the BBC’s new licence fee. HL35

Lord Pearson of Rannoch to ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidelines or regulations cover the treatment of whistleblowers in the National Health Service. HL36

Lord Pearson of Rannoch to ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidelines or regulations cover the treatment of whistleblowers in the civil service. HL37

Earl of Sandwich to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many times they have asked the government of Israel to cease the expansion of settlements in the West Bank during the past six months; and with what results. HL38

Earl of Sandwich to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will propose to the European Union in December a review of the technical arrangements for settlement products made in Israel which come under the European Union-Israel Association Agreement. HL39

Lord Dykes to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the level of experience and competence of the United Nations teams responsible for investigating examples of the use of banned weapons in the Middle East by any military forces. HL40

Lord Dykes to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have proposals to cease using tribunals held in secret to handle terrorist suspect cases. HL41

Lord Dykes to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, following the Prime Minister’s comments made at the Lord Mayor’s banquet on 13 November, they will propose a meeting between the Prime Minister of Israel and the President of the Palestinian Authority to discuss peace issues. HL42

Lord Dykes to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have had any contacts with Mrs Judith Keshet, co-founder in Israel of Checkpoint Watch, to discuss daily problems of harassment for Palestinians passing through Israeli checkpoints in the Palestinian territories. HL43

Lord Dykes to ask Her Majesty’s Government what response they will give to the warnings by Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller on 10 November to examine the causes of Islamic terrorist behaviour as well as the symptoms and acts of terrorism. HL44

Lord Dykes to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will take measures to reduce the burden of United Kingdom consumer debt, currently measured at 17.4 per cent of gross domestic product, in comparison with 3.4 per cent in Italy, 7.5 per cent in Germany and 8.5 per cent in France. HL45

Lord Newby to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will provide, in tabular form, details of the current trained strength of (a) regular, and (b) reserve personnel in (i) the Army; (ii) the Royal Navy; and (iii) the Royal Air Force; and how many in each category are planned to be abroad on 15 December. HL46

Baroness Verma to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many additional specialist physical education staff are to be employed for each of the years 2006 to 2010 to meet the commitment to ensure that all United Kingdom school children have at least four hours sport inside the school curriculum each week. HL47

Baroness Verma to ask Her Majesty’s Government when their commitment for every school to have a sports day to celebrate sporting achievement will be in place; and in which sports competitive events on such sports days will be compulsory. HL48

Baroness Verma to ask Her Majesty’s Government when their policy that all schools in the United Kingdom should have sports teams playing in local leagues will be in place; and which sports these teams will play. HL49

Baroness Verma to ask Her Majesty’s Government why independent schools were not invited to send teams to the United Kingdom School Games in Glasgow in 2006. HL50

Baroness Verma to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many children in the state sector receive at least two hours of competitive school sport per week. HL51

Baroness Verma to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many state schools held a sports day, including competitive sports and a celebration of sporting achievement in 2006. HL52

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the issue of increased funding for victims was a feature of the St Andrews Agreement of 2006; and, if so, what was agreed. HL53

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government what extra funding is being made available to Northern Ireland as a result of the St Andrews Agreement of 2006. HL54

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase training for those in Northern Ireland who organise community festivals. HL55

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the retention of academic selection in Northern Ireland was a feature of the St Andrews Agreement of 2006; and, if so, what was agreed. HL56

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the removal of any religious discrimination in the recruitment to the Police Service of Northern Ireland was a feature of the St Andrews Agreement of 2006; and, if so, what was agreed. HL57

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the date for devolution of policing and justice to a Northern Ireland Executive was a feature of the St Andrews Agreement of 2006; and, if so, what was agreed. HL58

Lord Lester of Herne Hill to ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures are in place to prevent United Kingdom shell companies from being used to conceal the facilitating of bribery and corruption overseas. HL59

Lord Lester of Herne Hill to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the extent to which the corrupt looting of public assets in developing countries has been and is being facilitated by United Kingdom citizens and United Kingdom companies. HL60

Lord Lester of Herne Hill to ask Her Majesty’s Government what safeguards are in place to ensure the confidentiality of personal medical records on the National Health Service spine database. HL61

Lord Lester of Herne Hill to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the justification for including personal medical records on the National Health Service spine database without patients’ consent. HL62

Lord Lester of Herne Hill to ask Her Majesty’s Government what information is being provided to patients about how their personal medical records are retained and used by the National Health Service. HL63

Lord Lester of Herne Hill to ask Her Majesty’s Government in what circumstances confidentiality of personal medical records will be breached on grounds of serious crime and national security. HL64

Lord Luke to ask Her Majesty’s Government when they intend to publish their budget for the 2012 London Olympic Games. HL65

Lord Luke to ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the proposed terms and conditions for the national debate on sport and fitness announced by the Chancellor of Exchequer on 25 October. HL66

Lord Luke to ask Her Majesty’s Government why the Minister for Sport, Mr Richard Caborn, was not chosen to be one of the four Ministers in charge of the national debate on sports and fitness launched on 25 October. HL67

Lord Luke to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the estimated cost of the Olympic Transport Plan; and whether the plan is covered by the original estimate of £2.74 billion for the public cost of the building and infrastructure of venues to service the 2012 London Olympic Games. HL68

Lord Luke to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the estimated income from the Olympic scratch card lottery programme for each of the years between 2006 and 2012 inclusive. HL69

Lord Luke to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer will cost the new sports and fitness programme, announced on 25 October, in his pre-budget report. HL70

Lord Powell of Bayswater to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the European Union Commission sets safe upper levels based on robust toxicity data of vitamins and minerals in food supplements so that the rights of the United Kingdom food supplement and natural health industries to apply for authorisation of validated disease risk reduction claims under the European Union Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation are not prejudiced, and so that United Kingdom consumer choice is not unnecessarily limited. HL71

Lord Bradshaw to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, bearing in mind the lack of clarity as to whether heavy goods vehicles pay the full cost of access, and other costs, associated with road use and foreign registered vehicles may pay little or nothing, it is appropriate that the Office of Rail Regulation should consider doubling access charges for rail freight. HL72

Lord Bradshaw to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Oldham on 3 November (WA 78), how much sponsorship will be provided by the Department for Transport in respect of the Community Rail Awards this year. HL73

Lord Bradshaw to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 2 November (WA 74)—

(a) when the fixed penalty for ignoring weight restrictions was imposed by a local traffic regulation restrictions imposed by a local traffic regulation order set at £30; and

(b) why, bearing in mind that there is a fixed penalty procedure working group, this amount has not been raised in line with inflation. HL74

Lord Bradshaw to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 1 November (WA 42), about the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ immediate funding pressures, whether the British Waterways Boards canal development programme will receive any long-term funding. HL75

Lord Bradshaw to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Oldham on 7 November (WA 144), why, bearing in mind that passenger numbers are increasing at 7 per cent per annum, their forecasted increase for the use of trains in the North West region in the period between 2002-03 and 2031-32 is 2.1 per cent per annum. HL76

Back to Contents

Affirmative Instruments in Progress

The Merits of Statutory Instruments Committee has drawn attention to certain instruments in the reports indicated

Back to Contents

Negative Instruments

Instruments reported by the Merits of Statutory Instruments Committee

Back to Contents

Committees

Unless otherwise indicated, Committees meet in the Lords’ rooms in the Committee Corridor as indicated in the daily broadsheet

Back to Contents

Minutes of Proceedings of Wednesday 15 November

The House met at 11.30am

1   Queen’s Speech The Queen being seated on the Throne, and the Commons being at the Bar with their Speaker, Her Majesty was pleased to make a Most Gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, and then retired.

The House adjourned. The House resumed at 3.30pm.

Prayers were read by Lord Bishop of Truro.

2   Members of the House It was ordered that a list of members of the House, prepared by the Clerk of the Parliaments, be printed. (HL Paper 1)

3   Select Vestries Bill The Bill was presented by the Lord President (Baroness Amos) and read a first time pro forma.

4   Queen’s Speech The Lord Speaker reported the Queen’s Speech. Lord Giddens moved that a Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty as follows:

“Most Gracious Sovereign,

We, Your Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, beg leave to thank Your Majesty for the most gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament.”

The motion was seconded by Baroness Morgan of Drefelin, and the debate was adjourned till tomorrow.

5   Chairman of Committees Lord Brabazon of Tara was appointed to take the Chair in all Committees for this Session.

6   Principal Deputy Chairman of Committees Lord Grenfell was appointed Principal Deputy Chairman of Committees for this Session.

7   Stoppages in the Streets It was ordered that the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis do take care that the passages through the streets leading to this House be kept free and open and that no obstruction be permitted to hinder the passage of Lords to and from this House during the sitting of Parliament; or to hinder Lords in the pursuit of their Parliamentary duties on the Parliamentary estate; and that the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod attending this House do communicate this Order to the Commissioner.

8   Hereditary peers: by-elections The Clerk of the Parliaments laid before the House, in accordance with Standing Order 10(5), a register of hereditary peers (other than peers of Ireland) who wish to stand in any by-election for membership of the House held in accordance with section 2(4) of the House of Lords Act 1999; it was ordered that the register be printed. (HL Paper 2)

The House adjourned at 4.34pm until Thursday 16 November at 9.45am for judicial business, 11.00am for public business.

Paul Hayter

Clerk of the Parliaments

Back to Contents

Papers

All statutory instruments laid before the House are accompanied by an Explanatory Memorandum presented by command of Her Majesty, unless otherwise indicated.

Command Papers

The following papers, having been presented to the House by command of Her Majesty on the dates shown, were ordered to lie on the Table.

1   Debt—Implementation Agreement between the United Kingdom and Russia on the Prepayment of Certain Russian Debt Obligations. (13 November)    (6962)

2   Double Taxation—Convention between the United Kingdom and Japan for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital Gains. (15 November)   (6980)

3   Foreign and Commonwealth Office—Minute concerning a contingent liability for “Whistler in Moscow”. (15 November)   (—)

Statutory Instruments (Standing Order 71)

The following negative instruments, having been laid before the House on the dates shown, were ordered to lie on the Table.

1   Education (School Performance Information) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2006, laid under the Education Act 1996. (9 November)   (2896)

2   General Optical Council (Continuing Education and Training) (Amendment No. 2) Rules Order of Council 2006, laid under the Opticians Act 1989. (9 November)   (2901)

3   (1)   Royal Marines Terms of Service Regulations 2006 (9 November)   (2917)

   (2)   Royal Navy Terms of Service (Ratings) Regulations 2006 (9 November)   (2918)

laid under the Armed Forces Act 1966.

4   Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 6) Regulations 2006, laid under the Social Security Contribution and Benefits Act 1992. (9 November)   (2924)

5   (1)   Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (Public Authorities) (Statutory Duties) Order 2006 (10 November)   (2930)

   (2)   Draft Gender Equality Duty Code of Practice (10 November)   (—)

laid under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975.

6   (1)   Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels in Crops, Food and Feeding Stuffs) (England and Wales) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2006 (10 November)   (2922)

   (2)   Employment Equality (Age) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2006 (10 November)   (2931)

laid under the European Communities Act 1972.

7   Plant Protection Products (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2006 laid under the European Communities Act 1972. (13 November)   (2933)

Affirmative Instruments

The following instruments were laid before the House for approval by resolution:

1   Draft Petroleum Act 1998 (Third Party Access) Order 2006, laid under the Energy Act 2004.

2   Draft Personal Injuries (NHS Charges) (Amounts) Regulations 2006, laid under the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003.

3   Draft Financial Assistance Scheme (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2006, laid under the Pensions Act 2004.

Negative Instruments

The following instruments were laid before the House:

1   (1)   Fishery Products (Official Controls Charges) (England) Regulations 2006   (2904)

   (2)   Motor Cycles Etc. (EC Type Approval) (Amendment) Regulations 2006   (2935)

   (3)   Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Markets in Financial Instruments) (Modification of Powers) Regulations 2006   (2975)

laid under the European Communities Act 1972.

Papers not subject to parliamentary proceedings

The following papers were laid before the House:

1   (1)   Al-Qaida and Taliban (United Nations Measures) Order 2006    (2952)

   (2)   North Korea (United Nations Measures) Order 2006   (2958)

laid under the United Nations Act 1946.

2   Report and Accounts for 2004-05 of the General Osteopathic Council, laid under the Osteopaths Act 1993.

3   Accounts for 2005-06 of Public Income and Expenditure of Northern Ireland, laid under the Northern Ireland Act 2000.

Back to Contents

Judicial Business

Wednesday 15 November

1. Appeal Committees Two Appeal Committees were appointed pursuant to Standing Order.

2. Appellate Committees Two Appellate Committees were appointed pursuant to Standing Order.

Thursday 16 November at 9.45am

Judgment in the causes:

Standard Commercial Property Securities Limited and others (Respondents) v. Glasgow City Council (Appellants) and others (Scotland)

Standard Commercial Property Securities Limited and others (Respondents) v. Glasgow City Council and others (Appellants) (Scotland)

(Conjoined Appeals)

In re D (a child)

At 10.30am
In Committee Room No. 1

Further hearing by the Appellate Committee in the cause:

OBG Limited and others (Appellants) v. Allan and others (Respondents)

At 10.00am
In Committee Room No. 2

Further hearing by the Appellate Committee in the cause:

Robb (Appellant) v. Salamis (M & I) Limited (formerly known as Salamis Marine & Industrial Limited) (Respondents) (Scotland)