Wednesday 22 November 2006 at 3.00pm

*Oral questions, 30 minutes

*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.

*Baroness Howe of Idlicote to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to OFCOM’s proposals to limit the advertising of unhealthy foods to children.

The Chairman of Committees intends to move the following four motions en bloc: but if any member objects the motions must be moved separately to the extent desired

Deputy Chairmen of Committees The Chairman of Committees to move that, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members be appointed as the panel of members to act as Deputy Chairmen of Committees for this session:

Economic Affairs The Chairman of Committees to move that a Select Committee be appointed to consider economic affairs and that, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members be appointed to the Committee:

That the Committee have power to appoint a sub-committee and to refer to it any of the matters within the Committee’s terms of reference; that the Committee have power to appoint the Chairman of the sub-committee;

That the Committee have power to co-opt any member to serve on the sub-committee;

That the Committee have power to adjourn from place to place;

That the Committee have power to appoint specialist advisers;

That the Committee have leave to report from time to time;

That the evidence taken by the Economic Affairs Committee or any sub-committee in the last session of Parliament be referred to the Committee;

That the evidence taken by the Committee shall, if the Committee so wishes, be printed.

Constitution Committee The Chairman of Committees to move that a Select Committee be appointed to examine the constitutional implications of all public bills coming before the House; and to keep under review the operation of the constitution;

That, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members be appointed to the Committee:

That the Committee have power to appoint specialist advisers;

That the Committee have power to adjourn from place to place;

That the Committee have leave to report from time to time;

That the evidence taken by the Constitution Committee in the last session of Parliament be referred to the Committee;

That the evidence taken by the Committee shall, if the Committee so wishes, be printed.

Refreshment The Chairman of Committees to move that a Select Committee be appointed to advise on the refreshment services provided for the House, within financial limits approved by the House Committee;

That, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members be appointed to the Committee:

That the Committee have leave to report from time to time.

†Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Bill Second Reading (and remaining stages) [Lord Rooker]

†Royal Assent

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Future Business

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.

†*Lord Avebury to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they propose to make any changes to the Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy following the publication of a report by National Statistics showing that alcohol-related deaths had more than doubled between 1991 and 2005.

†The Chairman of Committees intends to move the following four motions en bloc: but if any member objects the motions must be moved separately to the extent desired

House Committee The Chairman of Committees to move that a Select Committee be appointed to supervise the general administration of the House and guide the work of the Management Board; to agree the annual Estimates, Supplementary Estimates and the three-year spending forecasts; to approve the House of Lords Annual Report; and to approve changes in employment policy;

That, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members be appointed to the Committee:

That the Committee have leave to report from time to time;

That the Reports of the Select Committee shall be printed, regardless of any adjournment of the House.

Merits of Statutory Instruments The Chairman of Committees to move that a Select Committee be appointed to consider the Merits of Statutory Instruments.

(1)   The Committee shall, subject to the exceptions in paragraph (2), consider—

(a)   every instrument (whether or not a statutory instrument), or draft of an instrument, which is laid before each House of Parliament and upon which proceedings may be, or might have been, taken in either House of Parliament under an Act of Parliament;

(b)   every proposal which is in the form of a draft of such an instrument and is laid before each House of Parliament under an Act of Parliament,

with a view to determining whether or not the special attention of the House should be drawn to it on any of the grounds specified in paragraph (3).

(2)   The exceptions are—

(a)   Orders in Council, and draft Orders in Council, under paragraph 1 of the Schedule to the Northern Ireland Act 2000;

(b)   remedial orders, and draft remedial orders, under section 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998;

(c)   draft orders (including draft subordinate provisions orders) under section 1 of the Regulatory Reform Act 2001, subordinate provisions orders under that Act and proposals in the form of a draft order under that Act;

(d)   Measures under the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act 1919 and instruments made, and drafts of instruments to be made, under them.

(3)   The grounds on which an instrument, draft or proposal may be drawn to the special attention of the House are—

(a)   that it is politically or legally important or gives rise to issues of public policy likely to be of interest to the House;

(b)   that it may be inappropriate in view of changed circumstances since the enactment of the parent Act;

(c)   that it may inappropriately implement European Union legislation;

(d)   that it may imperfectly achieve its policy objectives.

(4)   The Committee shall also consider such other general matters relating to the effective scrutiny of the merits of statutory instruments and arising from the performance of its functions under paragraphs (1) to (3) as the Committee considers appropriate, except matters within the orders of reference of the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments.

That, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members be appointed to the Committee:

That the Committee have power to appoint specialist advisers;

That the Committee have power to adjourn from place to place within the United Kingdom;

That the Committee have leave to report from time to time;

That the Reports of the Select Committee shall be printed, regardless of any adjournment of the House.

Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform The Chairman of Committees to move that a Select Committee be appointed to report whether the provisions of any bill inappropriately delegate legislative power, or whether they subject the exercise of legislative power to an inappropriate degree of parliamentary scrutiny; to report on documents and draft orders laid before Parliament under the Regulatory Reform Act 2001; and to perform, in respect of such documents and orders and subordinate provisions orders laid under that Act, the functions performed in respect of other instruments by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments;

That, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members be appointed to the Committee:

That the Committee have power to adjourn from place to place within the United Kingdom;

That the Committee have power to appoint specialist advisers.

†Regulators The Chairman of Committees to move that a Select Committee be appointed to consider the regulatory process and that, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members be appointed to the Committee:

That the Committee have power to appoint specialist advisers;

That the Committee have power to adjourn from place to place;

That the Committee have power to report from time to time;

That the evidence taken by the Committee shall, if the Committee so wishes, be printed;

That the Committee do meet on Tuesday 28th November at ten o'clock.

†The Lord President (Baroness Amos) intends to move the following five motions en bloc: but if any Lord objects the motions must be moved separately to the extent desired.

†Compensation (Claims Management Services) Regulations 2006 The Lord President (Baroness Amos) to move that the Regulations be referred to a Grand Committee.

†Compensation (Specification of Benefits) Order 2006 The Lord President (Baroness Amos) to move that the Order be referred to a Grand Committee.

†Compensation (Regulated Claims Management Services) Order 2006 The Lord President (Baroness Amos) to move that the Order be referred to a Grand Committee.

†Association of Law Costs Draftsmen Order 2006 The Lord President (Baroness Amos) to move that the Order be referred to a Grand Committee.

†Representation of the People (Combination of Polls) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 The Lord President (Baroness Amos) to move that the Regulations be referred to a Grand Committee.

†Business of the House The Lord President (Baroness Amos) to move that the following motions be referred to a Grand Committee—

Baroness Byford to move that the Grand Committee do consider the Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) (England) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/2362). 46th Report from the Merits Committee

Baroness Byford to move that the Grand Committee do consider the Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/2522). 46th Report from the Merits Committee

†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 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 1 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.

*Baroness Sharples to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many allotments have been closed over the past five years; and whether any new allotments have been established in the same period.

*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.

†The Chairman of Committees intends to move the following four motions en bloc: but if any Lord objects the motions must be moved separately to the extent desired.

†Administration and Works The Chairman of Committees to move that a Select Committee be appointed to consider administrative services, accommodation and works, including works relating to security, within financial limits approved by the House Committee;

That, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members together with the Chairman of Committees be appointed to the Committee:

That the Committee have leave to report from time to time.

†Liaison The Chairman of Committees to move that a Select Committee be appointed to advise the House on the resources required for select committee work and to allocate resources between select committees; to review the select committee work of the House; to consider requests for ad hoc committees and report to the House with recommendations; to ensure effective co-ordination between the two Houses; and to consider the availability of members to serve on committees;

That, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members together with the Chairman of Committees be appointed to the Committee:

That the Committee have leave to report from time to time;

That the Committee have power to appoint specialist advisers.

†Procedure of the House The Chairman of Committees to move that the Select Committee on Procedure of the House be appointed and that, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members together with the Chairman of Committees be appointed to the Committee:

And that the following members be appointed as alternate members:

†Works of Art The Chairman of Committees to move that a Select Committee be appointed to administer the House of Lords Works of Art Collection Fund; and to consider matters relating to works of art and the artistic heritage in the House of Lords, within financial limits approved by the House Committee;

That, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members be appointed to the Committee:

That the Committee have leave to report from time to time.

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.

Mental Health Bill [HL] Second Reading [Lord Warner]

National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) (No. 2) Order 2006 Lord Evans of Temple Guiting to move that the draft Order laid before the House on 19 October be approved. 36th Report from the Statutory Instruments Committee, Session 2005-06

Big Lottery Fund (Prescribed Expenditure) Order 2006 Lord Davies of Oldham to move that the draft Order laid before the House on 11 October be approved. 35th Report from the Statutory Instruments Committee, Session 2005-06

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.

†Liaison The Chairman of Committees to move that the 3rd Report from the Select Committee be agreed to. (HL Paper 251, Session 2005-06)

Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill [HL] Second Reading [Baroness Ashton of Upholland]

†Lord Filkin to move that this House takes note of the Report of the Merits of Statutory Instruments Committee on the Management of Secondary Legislation. (29th Report, HL Paper 149, Session 2005-06)

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.

†Lord Avebury to call attention to the role of the international community in the forthcoming elections in Bangladesh; and to move for papers. (Balloted debate, 2½ hours)

†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. (Balloted debate, 2½ hours)

†Lord Bowness to move that this House takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on the European Union and Africa: Towards a Strategic Partnership. (34th Report, HL Paper 206, Session 2005-06)

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.

†Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill [HL] Second Reading [Lord Truscott]

†Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendment No. 2) (England and Wales)Order 2006 Baroness Scotland of Asthal to move that the draft Order laid before the House on 16 November be approved.

†Asylum (First List of Safe Countries) (Amendment) Order 2006 Baroness Scotland of Asthal to move that the draft Order laid before the House on 16 November be approved.

†Compensation Act 2006 (Contribution for Mesothelioma Claims) Regulations 2006 Lord McKenzie of Luton to move that the draft Regulations laid before the House on 2 November be approved.

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

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.

†Lord Triesman to move that this House takes note of developments in the Middle East and Afghanistan.

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.

*Lord Bradshaw to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have for the development of rail freight through the Channel Tunnel.

†Curd Cheese (Restriction on Placing on the Market) (England) Regulations 2006 Lord Willoughby de Broke to move to resolve that this House calls upon Her Majesty’s Government to revoke the Regulations laid before the House on 17 October (SI 2006/2787). 47th Report from the Merits Committee

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

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.

†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.

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.

*Lord Teverson to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have for the future of regional assemblies in England, outside London.

Monday 18 December at 2.30pm

*Lord Clement-Jones to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the current estimate of the costs of the building programme for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

*Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many outstanding single farm payments are still to be made for 2005; and what proportion are for full or part payment.

*Baroness Byford to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to protect fish stocks around United Kingdom shores.

†*Lord Bishop of Liverpool to ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the ecological principles behind the Building Schools for the Future Programme.

Tuesday 19 December at 11.00am

*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.

*Lord Ashley of Stoke to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the impact of bullying on disabled and other vulnerable children.

†*Lord Renton of Mount Harry to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will introduce a review of the standards set by the Health and Safety Executive in view of its assessment of the risks posed by trees on National Trust land.

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Motions for Balloted Debate

†Ballot on 28 November for debate on 14 December. Time limit 2½ hours

†Lord Chidgey to call attention to the present franchising system for the railway industry; and to move for papers.

Lord Wright of Richmond to call attention to the prospects for a lasting peace settlement in the Middle East; and to move for papers.

Lord Fowler to call attention to the Government’s policy on HIV/AIDS and sexual health; and to move for papers.

Earl of Listowel to call attention to issues relating to the social care workforce; and to move for papers.

†Baroness Warwick of Undercliffe to call attention to the economic impact of higher education institutions; and to move for papers.

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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.

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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 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.

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.

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 fund 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.

Baroness Tonge to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase provision of contraceptive services, prevent the closure of specialist community clinics and increase the availability of training in contraceptive services and sexual health.

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

†Baroness Massey of Darwen to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to develop the education of young people in custody.

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Questions for Written Answer

Tabled on 21 November and due for answer on 5 December.

Baroness Masham of Ilton to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether in the interests of patient safety doctors and nurses from other European Union member states are required to demonstrate their competence in the English language before working in the community or in hospitals in the United Kingdom. HL214

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether care standards require that fresh drinking water is available to care residents throughout the day and that it is offered to them regularly. HL215

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will take further steps to ensure that fresh water is a required element of the nutritional standards for older people in care. HL216

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have commissioned research into the potency of (a) methane as a greenhouse gas, and (b) nitrous oxide as a greenhouse gas compared to carbon dioxide; and, if so, what were the results of this research. HL217

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask Her Majesty’s Government how much methane has been lost by leakage from gas transmission and distribution systems in the United Kingdom in each of the last four years; and what measures are in place to reduce the loss. HL218

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask Her Majesty’s Government how much nitrous oxide is emitted by the agricultural sector in the United Kingdom; and what policies are in place to reduce those emissions. HL219

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask Her Majesty’s Government what research the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is funding to reduce the contribution agriculture makes to greenhouse gas emissions of nitrous oxide. HL220

Baroness Noakes to ask Her Majesty’s Government when the regulatory impact assessment for the Terrorism (United Nations Measures) Order 2006 (SI 2006/2657) was signed by a Minister from H M Treasury. HL221

Baroness Noakes to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of the costs for businesses of compliance with the Terrorism (United Nations Measures) Order 2006 (SI 2006/2657), and the assumptions on which their costs estimates are based. HL222

Baroness Noakes to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will quantify the amount by which the benefits of the Terrorism (United Nations Measures) Order 2006 (SI 2006/2657) exceed its costs, which forms the basis of the Minister’s declaration in the regulatory impact assessment. HL223

Lord Turnberg to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to validate reports that arms for Hezbollah are being transported from Syria into Lebanon in contravention of United Nations resolutions. HL224

Lord Turnberg to ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they are giving to proposals for an independent regulatory body for psychologists working within and without the National Health Service. HL225

Lord Turnberg to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the rationale behind the decision of H M Revenue and Customs not to allow recovery of VAT by National Health Service trusts on professionals employed through agencies, including doctors, radiographers and physiotherapists, while continuing to allow such recovery for nurses and administrative and clerical staff. HL226

Lord Lester of Herne Hill to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will set up an independent inquiry in accordance with the recommendations by Mr Justice Girvan concerning the intervention by the Northern Ireland Office in the course of judicial review proceedings in Northern Ireland challenging the appointment of Bertha McDougal as Victims Commissioner. HL227

Lord Mason of Barnsley to ask Her Majesty’s Government which departments are involved in the consideration of some form of recognition for the conscripted coal miners who served in the mines during the Second World War; and when the report is expected. HL228

Lord Mason of Barnsley to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Drayson on 1 November (WA 29), whether there is a register of the conscripted coal miners who served in the mines during the Second World War. HL229

Lord Skelmersdale to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will state the number of claimants of incapacity benefit by age decile. HL230

Lord Avebury to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the average cost of a deportation appeal before the tribunal where the Home Office is represented by (a) a Presenting Officer; (b) the Treasury Solicitor; and (c) Treasury Counsel. HL231

Lord Avebury to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the average cost of detaining a person under immigration laws in (a) an immigration removal centre, and (b) prison. HL232

Lord Avebury to ask Her Majesty’s Government how they identify prisoners early in their custodial sentences who are European Economic Area (EEA) nationals and in particular long-term resident EEA nationals who enjoy special protections from expulsion; and what steps they have taken to ensure that decisions to deport in weak cases involving those nations are withdrawn. HL233

Lord Avebury to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of all guidance, circulars or instructions issued during 2006 concerning—

(a) the release of foreign prisoners on completion of the custodial part of their sentence or on licence;

(b) the re-detention under immigration laws of foreign nationals who had previously been released from prison; and

(c) the identification of prisoners who are foreign or liable to be deported. HL234

Lord Avebury to ask Her Majesty’s Government in how many cases since 1 May 2006 the Home Office has accepted liability or offered to pay damages to settle a claim for unlawful detention by a person against whom a decision to deport had been made. HL235

Lord Avebury to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many persons have been detained under immigration laws in the belief that they were foreign nationals liable to deportation, where the person was subsequently found to be British or otherwise exempt from deportation respectively from 1 January to 26 April and from 25 April to the latest convenient date respectively. HL236

Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty’s Government what actions the United Nations peace-keeping force in south Sudan is taking to contain and, if possible, disarm rebel troops and marauding members of the Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army and generally to assist the Southern Sudanese forces to keep order. HL237

Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty’s Government what safeguards exist to ensure that international aid contributions and the South Sudan’s share of oil revenues are protected and only spent for proper purposes; whether a World Bank Trust Fund is in operation for these funds; and, if so, who is responsible for its expenditure. HL238

Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, as outlined in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, they expect a national petroleum commission for the whole of the Sudan to be established in the near future. HL239

Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty’s Government what international action is being taken to protect the people and government of Chad from externally organised attacks; and whether they have made an assessment of the risk to the Central African Republic from such externally organised attacks. HL240

Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty’s Government what reasons they have for not signing the European Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. HL241

Lord Tebbit to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord McKenzie of Luton on 1 November (WA 31) which indicated that they supported the European Commission’s stated objective to strive for a positive statement of assurance concerning the accounts of the European Union, whether they expect that ambition to be achieved. HL242

Lord Tebbit to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 8 November (WA 197), whether their research into the causes of crime indicates that the disparity of two-to-one in the propensity of males and females to commit crime arises from social or from biological factors. HL243

Lord Tebbit to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have received any representations relating to the desecration or destruction of Christian churches in Kosovo. HL244

Lord Tebbit to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the United Kingdom’s share of the cost of European Union subsidies for tobacco farmers. HL245

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 1 February 2005 (WA 29-30), what progress has been made since Turkish Cypriots voted to accept the Annan plan to end the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’s international isolation in respect of (a) direct flights, and (b) direct exporting facilities; and what progress they have made towards honouring specific undertakings to end Turkish Cypriot isolation given at the time of the referendum. HL246

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 21 February 2005 (WA 149-50), what progress has been made since the Turkish Cypriots voted to accept the Annan plan towards obtaining the legal clarification necessary to allow direct flights to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. HL247

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by the Lord President (Baroness Amos) on 24 February 2005 (WA 221-2), 1 March 2005 (WA 9), and 7 April 2005 (WA 126-7), and by Lord Rooker on 13 July 2005 (WA 153) relating to the £26 million Northern Bank robbery, how much money has been recovered; under what circumstances and where the money was recovered; how many people have been arrested, charged or awaiting trial; how many people have been convicted; and what sentences have been imposed. HL248

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the £26 million Northern Bank robbery has been discussed in talks between Government Ministers or officials and provisional Sinn Fein leaders. HL249

Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the implications for energy consumption of the switchover from analogue to digital signals for television and radio receivers. HL250

Lord Campbell-Savours to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether further advice is being given to the judiciary on section 41 applications in rape cases following the Criminal Cases Review Commission’s referral of the Leslie Warren case to the Court of Appeal. HL251

Lord Campbell-Savours to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the application for compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme in the case of the accuser in the Warren Blackwell case was applied for as a victim of sexual assault or rape; and on what basis compensation was paid. HL252

Lord Campbell-Savours to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will publish statistics on the reporting of rape which identify the total number of accusations (a) treated as false accusations following an enquiry by the police; and (b) which are withdrawn by the accuser. HL253

Lord Campbell-Savours to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will review the statutory guidelines on minimum sentences for the crime of rape following the comments of Judge Hewitt in the case of Regina v Walsh. HL254

Lord Campbell-Savours to ask Her Majesty’s Government in how many cases concerning rape referred by the Criminal Cases Review Commission to the Court of Appeal for review DNA has been taken or taken and retained relating to the accuser. HL255

Baroness Harris of Richmond to ask Her Majesty’s Government, given the history of problems faced when completing large-scale information technology projects, what consideration has been given to using off-the-shelf solutions to the problems raised in the Bichard Inquiry. HL256

Baroness Harris of Richmond to ask Her Majesty’s Government what consultation they have had with the current intelligence providers to law enforcement agencies regarding the delivery of a shared police intelligence system. HL257

Baroness Harris of Richmond to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the extent to which the implementation of the Cross Regional Information Sharing Project is stalling the final implementation of the IMPACT programme recommended by the Bichard Inquiry. HL258

Baroness Harris of Richmond to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the latest timetable and budget for the delivery of Recommendation 1 of the Bichard Inquiry. HL259

Baroness Harris of Richmond to ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in ensuring the delivery of the Bichard Inquiry recommendations before 2010. HL260

Lord Howarth of Newport to ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the responsibilities of the local authority Heritage Champions; how many of them have so far been appointed; what benefits are expected to accrue from their appointment; what guidance they receive on engaging with others who have significant responsibility for heritage assets in their areas; whether they will place in the Library of the House a current list of local authority Heritage Champions’ contact details; and whether in future they will maintain an up-to-date list on a website. HL261

Lord Luke to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have ruled out the use of the London Olympic stadium for professional football after the Olympic Games in 2012. HL262

Lord Luke to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have consulted the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games about the possible use of the Olympic stadium for professional football after the Olympic Games in 2012; and whether they are in favour of or against such a proposal. HL263

Lord Luke to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Minister for Sport has held discussions with either of the Premier League Football Clubs West Ham or Tottenham Hotspur about a possible move for the clubs to the Olympic Stadium after 2012; on which dates such meetings, telephone calls or discussions took place; and what was the outcome. HL264

Lord Luke to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many British coaches have qualified through their Elite Coach Programme; and which Olympic Governing Bodies of Sport have contracted these coaches. HL265

Lord Luke to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the target number of coaches to complete the Elite Coach Programme by 2012. HL266

Lord Luke to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the budget for the Elite Coach Programme for each of the years 2006-12. HL267

Lord Stoddart of Swindon to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 24 October (WA 231) and 2 November (WA 66), whether they will now reconsider their answer to the original question asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon (HL7569) concerning attendance of Ministers at the Bilderberg Conference in Ottawa between 8 and 11 June. HL268

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect to have all the costing for Rally Ireland in 2005 and 2006. HL269

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will ensure that, in any review of the centrally-administered holiday pay schemes included in the Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 3) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/597), the dispensation for the construction industry will not be abandoned. HL270

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they propose to move civil service jobs from the Strabane area of County Tyrone over the next five years; if so, where the jobs will move to; why the jobs will move; and what consultation will be undertaken. HL271

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have estimated the annual cost of implementing an Irish Language Bill for Northern Ireland as envisaged in the 2006 St. Andrews Agreement. HL272

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any proposals to ban Northern Ireland civil servants from smoking while in a static position within 50 yards of the entrance to public buildings. HL273

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there will be a further consultation process for the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006. HL274

Lord Dykes to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will offer any support to the initiative of Spain, France and Italy for peace in the Middle East announced on 18 November. HL275

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Bills in Progress

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Affirmative Instruments in Progress

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

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Negative Instruments

Instruments reported by the Merits of Statutory Instruments Committee

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Regulatory Reform Orders in Progress

The Regulatory Reform Committee has reported on Orders in the reports indicated

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Committees

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

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Minutes of Proceedings of Tuesday 21 November 2006

The House met at 2.30pm
Prayers were read by the Lord Bishop of Southwark

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Select Committee Report

1   Merits of Statutory Instruments   
The First Report from the Select Committee was made and ordered to be printed. (HL Paper 4)

Public Business

2   Asian tsunami A question was asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno and answered by the Lord President (Baroness Amos).

3   Health: dentistry A question was asked by Baroness Gardner of Parkes and answered by Lord Warner.

4   Health: syphilis A question was asked by Baroness Seccombe and answered by Lord Warner.

5   Health: flu vaccine A question was asked by Baroness Knight of Collingtree and answered by Lord Warner.

6   Business of the House The Lord President (Baroness Amos) moved that, in the event of the Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Bill being brought from the Commons, Standing Order 47 (No two stages of a bill be taken on one day) be dispensed with tomorrow to allow the bill to be taken through all its stages that day. The motion was agreed to.

7   European Union The Lord President (Baroness Amos) moved that a Select Committee be appointed to consider European Union documents and other matters relating to the European Union.

That the expression “European Union documents” shall include the following documents:

(i) Any proposal under the Community Treaties for legislation by the Council or the Council acting jointly with the European Parliament;

(ii) Any document which is published for submission to the European Council, the Council or the European Central Bank;

(iii) Any proposal for a common strategy, a joint action or a common position under Title V (provisions on a common foreign and security policy) of the Treaty on European Union which is prepared for submission to the Council or to the European Council;

(iv) Any proposal for a common position, framework decision, decision or a convention under Title VI (provisions on police and judicial co-operation in criminal matters) of the Treaty on European Union which is prepared for submission to the Council;

(v) Any document (not falling within (ii), (iii) or (iv) above) which is published by one Union institution for or with a view to submission to another Union institution and which does not relate exclusively to consideration of any proposal for legislation;

(vi) Any other document relating to European Union matters deposited in the House by a Minister of the Crown.

That, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members be appointed to the Committee:

That the Committee have power to appoint sub-committees and to refer to them any matters within its terms of reference; that the Committee have power to appoint the Chairmen of sub-committees, but that the sub-committees have power to appoint their own Chairmen for the purpose of particular inquiries; that the quorum of each sub-committee be two;

That the Committee have power to co-opt any member to serve on a sub-committee;

That the Committee have power to appoint specialist advisers;

That the Committee and its sub-committees have power to adjourn from place to place;

That the Committee have leave to report from time to time;

That the Reports of the Select Committee shall be printed, regardless of any adjournment of the House;

That the evidence taken by the European Union Committee or any sub-committee in the last session of Parliament be referred to the Committee; and

That the evidence taken by the Committee shall, if the Committee so wishes, be printed.

The motion was agreed to.

8   Science and Technology The Lord President (Baroness Amos) moved that a Select Committee be appointed to consider science and technology and that, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members be appointed to the Committee:

That the Committee have power to appoint sub-committees and that the Committee have power to appoint the Chairmen of sub-committees;

That the Committee have power to co-opt any member to serve on the Committee or any sub-committee;

That the Committee have leave to report from time to time;

That the Reports of the Select Committee shall be printed, regardless of any adjournment of the House;

That the Committee and its sub-committees have power to adjourn from place to place;

That the Committee and its sub-committees have power to appoint specialist advisers;

That the evidence taken before the Science and Technology Committee or its sub-committees in the last session of Parliament be referred to the Committee; and

That the evidence taken by the Committee shall, if the Committee so wishes, be printed.

The motion was agreed to.

9   Queen’s Speech The debate on the motion that a Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty was resumed and, after further debate, was again adjourned until Thursday 23 November.

The House adjourned. The House resumed.

10   Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Bill A bill to make provision for preparations for the restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland in accordance with the St Andrews Agreement; to make provision as to the consequences of compliance, or non-compliance, with the St Andrews Agreement timetable; to amend the Northern Ireland Act 1998; to make provision about district policing partnerships; to amend the Education (Northern Ireland) Orders 1997 and 2006; and for connected purposes was brought from the Commons. It was read a first time and ordered to be printed. (HL Bill 8)

11   Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Bill The Explanatory Notes on the bill were ordered to be printed. (HL Bill 8-EN)

The House adjourned at 10.27pm until Wednesday 22 November at 3.00pm.

Paul Hayter

Clerk of the Parliaments

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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 were presented to the House by command of Her Majesty.

1   Courts—Government Response to the Report of the House of Commons Constitutional Affairs Committee on Family Justice: The Operation of The Family Courts Revisited.   (6971)

2   Broadcasting—

   (1)   The BBC’s Management of Risk—a review by the National Audit Office and response by the BBC.      (—)

   (2)   BBC Independent Television Commissioning: Value for Money study—a review by Deloitte & Touche LLP and response by the BBC.   (—)

Affirmative Instrument

The following instrument was laid before the House for approval by resolution:

Draft Accession (Immigration and Worker Authorisation) Regulations 2006, laid under the European Communities Act 1972.

Negative Instruments

The following instruments were laid before the House:

1   Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Sewage and Garbage) Order 2006, laid under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.   (2950)

2   Transfer of Functions (Third Sector, Communities and Equality) Order 2006, laid under the Ministers of the Crown Act 1975.   (2951)

3   Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2006, laid under the European Communities Act 1972.   (2984)

4   Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2006, laid under the Education and Inspections Act 2006.   (2991)

Papers not subject to parliamentary proceedings

The following papers were laid before the House:

1   Report and Accounts for 2005-06 of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, laid under the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

2   Report and Accounts for 2005-06 of the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers’ Superannuation Committee, laid under the Northern Ireland Act 2000.

3   Treasury Minute dated 21 November 2006, directing the application of certain amounts as Appropriations in Aid of the Estimates for 2006-07, laid under the Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000.

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Judicial Business

Tuesday 21 November

1   R (on the application of Countryside Alliance and others and others (Appellants)) v. Her Majesty’s Attorney General and another (Respondents) (England) The appeal of Francis Derwin, Shane William Flavin, Diana Gillian Amanda Johnson, Susan Lanigan-O'Keefe, Hughes Le Hardy de Beaulieu, Gil José Guedes de Queiroz de Mendia, Barbara Rich, Marion Isabel Knoche, Kevin John Lamacraft and Brian Divilly was presented and it was ordered that notwithstanding Standing Order VIII the statement and appendix thereto be lodged on or before 15 January.

2   R (on the application of Countryside Alliance and others (Appellants) and others) v. Her Majesty’s Attorney General and another (Respondents) (England) The appeal of the Countryside Alliance, Donald Summersgill, Lesley Joan Drage, Roger George Richard Bigland, Colin Richard Dayment, Kim Yvette Gooding, Joseph Cowen, William Rhys Kenneth Jones, Richard Frederick May, Giles Rufus Joseph Bradshaw and Jason Edward Vickery was presented and it was ordered that notwithstanding Standing Order VIII the statement and appendix thereto be lodged on or before 15 January.

3   R (on the application of Al-Jedda) (FC) (Appellant) v. Secretary of State for Defence (Respondent) The petition of the appellant praying that the time for lodging the statement and appendix and setting down the cause for hearing might be extended to 4 December (the agents for the respondent consenting thereto) was presented; and it was ordered as prayed.

4   Saber (AP) (Original Appellant and Cross-respondent) v. Secretary of State for the Home Department (Original Respondent and Cross-appellant) (Scotland) The petition of the original appellant praying that the time for lodging the statement and appendix and setting down the cause for hearing might be extended to 3 January (the agents for the respondent consenting thereto) was presented; and it was ordered as prayed.

Wednesday 22 November at 10.30am
In Committee Room No. 1

Further hearing by the Appellate Committee in the cause:

Douglas and another and others (Appellants) v. Hello! Limited and others (Respondents)