Thursday 23 November 2006 at 11.00am

*Oral questions, 30 minutes

*Lord Elton to ask Her Majesty’s Government why at the recent Review Conference of the States Parties to the Convention on Conventional Weapons 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 principal topics for debate will be Home, Legal and Constitutional Affairs.

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Future Business

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.

†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.

†Privileges The Chairman of Committees to move that a Committee for Privileges be appointed and that, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members together with the Chairman of Committees and any four Lords of Appeal be appointed to the Committee:

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

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

†Hybrid Instruments The Chairman of Committees to move that a Select Committee be appointed to consider hybrid instruments and that, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members together with the Chairman of Committees be appointed to the Committee:

†Personal Bills The Chairman of Committees to move that a Select Committee be appointed to consider personal bills and that, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members together with the Chairman of Committees be appointed to the Committee:

†Standing Orders (Private Bills) The Chairman of Committees to move that a Select Committee on the Standing Orders relating to private bills 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:

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. First Report from the Statutory Instruments Committee

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. First Report from the Statutory Instruments Committee

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 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.

†Lord Alton of Liverpool to call attention to conflict in Africa; 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.

†Lord Burnett to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have for the future of inheritance tax.

†Lord Jenkin of Roding to ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will announce their decision on the provision of Alternatively Secured Pensions.

†Lord Alton of Liverpool to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking, along with international partners, to secure peace in Darfur.

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Questions for Written Answer

Tabled on 22 November and due for answer on 6 December.

Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will formally request the International Committee of the Red Cross to re-convene the Conference of High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to consider how international humanitarian law should be implemented in the occupied Palestinian territories. HL276

Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty’s Government what specific measures they are taking to ensure that the European Union is implementing its guidelines (Heading III) on (a) compliance with international humanitarian law, and (b) the protection of human rights defenders, in respect of the occupied Palestinian territories. HL277

Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty’s Government what specific action they are taking to prevent violations of international law by Israel through attacks on civilians, house and property destruction, movement restrictions and the positioning of the separation wall and barrier, within occupied or allegedly annexed territories. HL278

Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they support the United Nations Human Rights Council’s proposals for a United Nations fact-finding mission to Gaza. HL279

Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made representations to the government of Israel about the case of Mr Ziyad Muhammad Shehadeh Hmeidan, a field-worker for the Al-Haq organisation, arrested on 23 May 2005 and since detained without charge, in Ansar III detention centre; and, if not, whether they will do so. HL280

Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made representations to the government of Israel concerning the positioning of the security wall in relation to existing settlements, together with the difficulties that Palestinian owners and their employees experience in gaining access to their land, situated east of the 1967 Green Line, but west of the wall and barrier; and what conclusions they draw. HL281

Lord Barnett to ask Her Majesty’s Government what has been the cost of non-medical consultants to the National Health Service in each year since 1997. HL282

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to promote the concept of Fair Trade in Northern Ireland. HL283

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether it is their policy to increase the rate of duty on tobacco in excess of the rate of inflation in order to decrease the percentage of smokers in the population. HL284

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the community background of the employees of Inter Trade Ireland. HL285

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the community background of Northern Ireland civil servants that work in the North South Ministerial Sectoral in Armagh. HL286

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many people are currently detained in Northern Ireland for immigration offences. HL287

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government why the recruitment advertisements which were placed in the Belfast Telegraph on 17 November for the Water Service in Northern Ireland did not outline the range of salaries and conditions concerned. HL288

Lord Alton of Liverpool to ask Her Majesty’s Government how they will respond to the proposal made by the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists that the deliberate intervention to cause the death of a disabled infant should be made legal through the enactment of laws; and what account they are taking of the opposition of the Disability Rights Commission and disabled people’s organisations such as RADAR: the Disability Rights Network. HL289

Lord Dykes to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any illegal extraordinary rendition flights organised by United States agencies and others are occurring over United Kingdom airspace. HL290

Lord Dykes to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to assist the European Commission’s fight against fraud by reinforcing procedures to reduce misuse of European Union and United Kingdom matching funds by United Kingdom recipients, following the auditor’s refusal to certify the European Union budget for the twelfth year running. HL291

Baroness Stern to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many hours per day young prisoners in H M Young Offenders Institution, Portland spend taking exercise in the open air. HL292

Baroness Stern to ask Her Majesty’s Government how much of young prisoners’ time in the open air at H M Young Offenders Institution, Portland is accounted for by walking between different parts of the establishment. HL293

Baroness Stern to ask Her Majesty’s Government how often in the past 12 months the Care and Control Unit (segregation unit) in H M Young Offenders Institution, Portland has been used to house young prisoners who are mentally ill. HL294

Baroness Stern to ask Her Majesty’s Government how often in the past 12 months the Care and Control Unit (segregation unit) in H M Young Offenders Institution, Portland has been used to house young prisoners who self harm. HL295

Baroness Stern to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many mentally disturbed young prisoners in H M Young Offenders Institution, Portland have been removed on a temporary basis to an adult prison for the purpose of constant observation in the past 12 months. HL296

Lord Inglewood to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, following the depiction of a red squirrel on the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Christmas card, they propose to increase commitment and the availability of additional funding to the work being done to save the native red squirrel in the United Kingdom. HL297

Baroness Verma to ask Her Majesty’s Government what sources and methodology they have used in 2005 and 2006 to determine the number of school hours dedicated to competitive sport in the school curriculum for primary and secondary school pupils. HL298

Baroness Morris of Yardley to ask Her Majesty’s Government what source of information they use to determine the social class background of students entering higher education. HL299

Lord Avebury to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many people were being detained under immigration laws in (a) prisons, and (b) immigration detention centres on the first day of each month in 2006 to date. HL300

Lord Avebury to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Triesman on 7 November (WA 130), whether they will now give the dates and cost of the visit by a member of staff from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and a member of staff from the Home Office to Nepal, with a separate estimate of the overheads incurred in planning the journey in both departments; and what public interest is served by this exercise. HL301

Lord Avebury to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 2 November (WA 49), why the average waiting time for citizenship applications under the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997 is the only category that is not tracked; and whether they will now do so and publish the average waiting time on the Applying for British Nationality website. HL302

Lord Higgins to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the level of financial support received by each of the 35 Olympic governing bodies to assist with their development and elite squad preparation during the last quarter of 2006. HL303

Lord Higgins to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the level of financial support budgeted to be sent to each of the 35 Olympic governing bodies to assist with their development and elite squad preparation during the last quarter of 2006. HL304

Lord Higgins to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many recipients in each Olympic sport received World Class Pathway Programme support in 2004, 2005 and 2006; how much the individual recipients received; and whether their funding is guaranteed for eight years. HL305

Lord Higgins to ask Her Majesty’s Government when they intend to move both UK Sport and Sport England out of London in line with their Olympic regions and nations policy. HL306

Lord Higgins to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have plans to amalgamate UK Sport and Sport England; and, if so, whether they will channel the savings generated direct to sport and recreation provision. HL307

Lord Higgins to ask Her Majesty’s Government, following UK Sport’s announcement of a target of 35 medals in the Beijing Olympics in 2008, whether they will break down the medal target on a sport-by-sport basis. HL308

Lord Jopling to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in view of NATO’s security role at the 2004 Athens Olympics, they have begun talks with NATO with regard to the 2012 Olympic Games. HL309

Lord Tyler to ask Her Majesty’s Government when, and in what form, they expect to publish the outcome of the review by the Department for Constitutional Affairs of electoral systems in the United Kingdom. HL310

Lord Vinson to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the net contributing cost of the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union after all rebates and funds received from the European Union for (a) the last full financial year, and (b) the last ten financial years. HL311

Lord Pearson of Rannoch to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Statement by Lord Adonis on 21 November (WS 40), whether they will place a copy of the draft resolution on implementing common objectives for young people to promote their active European citizenship in the Library of the House. HL312

Lord Pearson of Rannoch to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 21 November (WS 40), what is the estimated cost of implementing the draft resolution on implementing common objectives for young people to promote their active European citizenship; and how much of this estimated cost will be met by the United Kingdom. HL313

Lord Bradshaw to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will increase the amount of sponsorship given to the Community Rail Awards in 2007, bearing in mind that these are in recognition of largely voluntary effort. HL314

Lord Bradshaw to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether gross domestic product growth is as appropriate an indicator of real economic growth as evidenced passenger growth. HL315

Lord Janner of Braunstone to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will reconsider proposals in the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill, relating to looted antiquities and Nazi looted works of art, to ensure that they will not prevent the rightful owners of the works of art from recovering their stolen property if it is displayed in British institutions. HL316

Earl of Dundee to ask Her Majesty’s Government, for the last five years for which data are available, what is the number of deaths, serious injuries and slight injuries for drivers aged 17 to 19. HL317

Earl of Dundee to ask Her Majesty’s Government, for the last five years for which data are available, what is the death rate per 100,000 population among 17 to 19 year old drivers. HL318

Earl of Dundee to ask Her Majesty’s Government, based on their analysis of fatal crashes during the last five years, which are the three most common fatal crash types in which drivers aged 17 to 19 are involved. HL319

Countess of Mar to ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the terms of reference of the exercise currently being conducted on the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal by P A Consulting; and what is its cost. HL320

Countess of Mar to ask Her Majesty’s Government what were the recommendations which were implemented on the exercise conducted on the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal by P A Consulting in 2004, and what was the cost of that exercise. HL321

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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 Wednesday 22 November 2006

The House met at 3.00pm
Prayers were read by the Lord Bishop of Southwark

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Select Committee Reports

1   Statutory Instruments   
The following Report from the Joint Committee was made and ordered to be printed:

First Report on certain statutory instruments, including the following affirmative instruments:

Draft Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 (Consequential Provisions) (England and Wales) Order 2006

Draft Compensation Act 2006 (Contribution for Mesothelioma Claims) Regulations 2006

Draft Compensation (Claims Management Services) Regulations 2006

Draft Compensation (Regulated Claims Management Services) Order 2006

Draft Compensation (Specification of Benefits) Order 2006

Draft Extradition Act 2003 (Amendment to Designations) Order 2006

Draft Financial Assistance Scheme (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2006

Draft Mental Capacity Act 2005 (Loss of Capacity during Research Project) (England) Regulations 2006

Draft Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendment No. 2) (England and Wales) Order 2006

Draft Representation of the People (Combination of Polls) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2006

Draft Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) (No.3) Order 2006. (HL Paper 5)

2   Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform   
The following Report from the Select Committee was made and ordered to be printed:

First Report, on the following bill:

Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Bill. (HL Paper 6)

3   Science and Technology   
The First Report from the Select Committee, Ageing: Scientific Aspects—Second Follow-up Report, was made and ordered to be printed. (HL Paper 7)

Private Business

4   London Local Authorities and Transport for London Bill The bill was brought from the Commons. The declaration of the agent having been deposited in accordance with the resolution of 31 October, the bill was read a first time. It was then deemed to have been read a second time, reported from the Select Committee and re-committed to an Unopposed Bill Committee.

5   London Local Authorities and Transport for London Bill The Chairman of Committees acquainted the House that, in accordance with Private Business SO 121 (Committees on unopposed bills), he had selected the following Deputy Chairmen to join him on the Unopposed Bill Committee on the bill:

Public Business

6   Gulf War illnesses A question was asked by Lord Morris of Manchester and answered by Lord Drayson.

7   Transport: rail and air A question was asked by Lord Dubs and answered by Lord Davies of Oldham.

8   Roads: fatal accidents A question was asked by the Earl of Dundee and answered by Lord Davies of Oldham.

9   Children: healthy eating A question was asked by Baroness Howe of Idlicote and answered by Lord Davies of Oldham.

10   Deputy Chairmen of Committees The Chairman of Committees moved 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:

The motion was agreed to.

11   Economic Affairs The Chairman of Committees moved 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;

The motion was agreed to.

12   Constitution The Chairman of Committees moved 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;

The motion was agreed to.

13   Refreshment The Chairman of Committees moved 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;

The motion was agreed to.

14   Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Bill Lord Rooker moved that the bill be now read a second time. After debate, the motion was agreed to and the bill was committed to a Committee of the Whole House.

The House adjourned. The House resumed.

15   Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Bill The bill was considered in committee. Amendments 1 to 37 were considered. Amendment 1 was disagreed to (see division list 1). Amendments were withdrawn. Amendment 6 was disagreed to (see division list 2). Clause 8 was agreed to (see division list 3). The House resumed and the bill was reported without amendment. The report was received. The bill was read a third time and passed.

The House adjourned. The House resumed.

Royal Assent The Lord Speaker (Lord Haskel) notified the Queen’s Assent to the following Act:

Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act    c 53

The House adjourned at 10.20 pm until Thursday 23 November at 11.00am.

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 Paper

The following paper was presented to the House by command of Her Majesty.

Treaty Series—Second Supplementary List of Ratifications, Accessions, Withdrawals, Etc., for 2006.
            (6972)

Papers not subject to parliamentary proceedings

The following papers were laid before the House:

1   Report for 2005-06 of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Schools, laid under the Education Act 2005.

2   Report and Accounts for 2005-06 of the Churches Conservation Trust, laid under the Pastoral Measure 1983.

3   Report and Accounts for 2005-06 of the General Optical Council, laid under the Opticians Act 1989.

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Judicial Business

Wednesday 22 November

1   Boake Allen Limited and others (Appellants) v. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (Respondents) (England) The appeal of Boake Allen Limited, Bush Boake Allen Enterprises Limited, Bush Boake Allen Holdings UK Limited, Bush Boake Allen Inc, Acushnet Limited, Acushnet International Inc, NEC Semiconductors Limited, NEC Corporation and Gallaher Limited was presented and it was ordered that notwithstanding Standing Order VI the statement and appendix thereto be lodged on or before 15 January.

2   R v. Clarke (Appellant) (On Appeal from the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)) The appeal of Ronald Augustus Clarke was presented and ordered to be prosecuted subject to the procedures applicable thereto (lodged 21 November).

3   R v. McDaid (Appellant) (On Appeal from the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)) The appeal of James Andrew Francis McDaid was presented and ordered to be prosecuted subject to the procedures applicable thereto (lodged 21 November).

4   Oakfern Properties Limited (Petitioners) v. Ruddy (Respondent) The petition of Oakfern Properties Limited praying for leave to appeal was presented and referred to an Appeal Committee.

5   R (on the application of Mondelly) (Petitioner) v. Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis (Respondent) The petition of Norville Mondelly praying for leave to appeal in accordance with the Administration of Justice Act 1960 was presented and referred to an Appeal Committee.

6   United Utilities Water plc (Appellants) v. Environment Agency for England and Wales (Respondents) The appeal was set down for hearing and referred to an Appellate Committee.

7   Kola (FC) and another (FC) (Appellants) v. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Respondent) The petition of the appellants praying that the time for lodging the statement and appendix and setting down the cause for hearing might be extended to 15 January (the agents for the respondent consenting thereto) was presented; and it was ordered as prayed.

8   Birmingham City Council (Appellants) v. Walker (FC) (Respondent) It was ordered that the appellants be allowed to prosecute the appeal without giving the usual security for costs as required by Standing Order.

9   Appeal Committee The First Report from the Appeal Committee was agreed to and the following Orders were made

Ward (AP) (Petitioner) v. Police Service of Northern Ireland (Respondents) (Northern Ireland) That leave to appeal be given; and that the petition of appeal be lodged by 6 December.

Forbes (FC) (Petitioner) v. Secretary of State for the Home Department (Respondent) That leave to appeal be refused; that the costs of the petitioner be taxed in accordance with the Access to Justice Act 1999; and that the respondent be at liberty to apply for his costs in accordance with direction 5.1(c); and, if the application is granted, that the amount thereof be certified by the Clerk of the Parliaments if not agreed between the parties.

10   Appeal Committee The 2nd Report from the Appeal Committee was agreed to and the following Orders were made

Ashley and another (Respondents) v. Chief Constable of Sussex Police (Petitioner) That leave to appeal be given; and that the petition of appeal be lodged by 6 December.

Ashley and another (Respondents) v. Chief Constable of Sussex Police (Petitioner) That the petition of Christopher Sherwood that he might be heard or otherwise intervene in the said petition for leave to appeal be allowed.

Thursday 23 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)

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Divisions on 22 November 2006

Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Bill

Division No. 1

Lord Trimble moved amendment 1, in clause 3, page 3, line 4, at end to insert:

“(4)The final disapplication period for the purposes of sections 50 to 69 of, and Schedule 6 to, the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41), as amended by the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 33), shall end on 31 January 2007.

(5)Section 71B of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, as amended by the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006, is hereby repealed.” The Committee divided:

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Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Bill

Division No. 2

Lord Trimble moved amendment 6, in clause 8, page 9, to leave out lines 35 to 42. The Committee divided.

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Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Bill

Division No. 3

Lord Rooker moved that Clause 8 stand part of the bill. The Committee divided:

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