Tuesday 28 November at 2.30pm

*Oral questions, 30 minutes

*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.

†*Lord McNally to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will consult the Office of Fair Trading or OFCOM on whether the recent stake taken by Sky Television in ITV is compatible with the competition provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 or the public interest provisions of the Communications Act 2003.

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]

†If the bill is read a second time, Lord Warner to move that the bill be committed to a Committee of the Whole House.

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

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Future Business

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.

†*The Countess of Mar to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their approach to the proposed amendment of European Union regulations relating to the slaughter of animals linked by cohort to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) infection to allow more flexibility in implementation.

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

Parliamentary Broadcasting Unit Limited (PARBUL) The Chairman of Committees to move that, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members be appointed as members of the Parliamentary Broadcasting Unit Limited (PARBUL):

Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) The Chairman of Committees to move that, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following Lords be appointed to serve as members of the Board of the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST):

Tax Law Rewrite Bills The Chairman of Committees to move that a Select Committee of six members be appointed to join with the Committee appointed by the Commons to consider tax law rewrite bills, and in particular to consider whether each bill committed to it preserves the effect of the existing law, subject to any minor changes which may be desirable;

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

That the Committee have power to agree with the Committee appointed by the Commons in the appointment of a Chairman;

That the quorum of the Committee shall be two;

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

That the Committee have power to appoint specialist advisers;

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

That the procedure of the Joint Committee shall follow the procedure of select committees of the House of Commons when such procedure differs from that of select committees of this House, and shall include the power of the chairman to select amendments.

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]

†If the bill is read a second time, Baroness Ashton of Upholland to move that the bill be committed to a Grand Committee.

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.

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

†Information The Chairman of Committees to move that a Select Committee be appointed to consider information and communications services, including the Library and the Parliamentary Archives, 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.

†Consolidation etc. Bills The Chairman of Committees to move, in accordance with Standing Order 52, that, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following Lords be appointed to join with a Committee of the Commons as the Joint Committee on Consolidation etc. Bills:

†Human Rights The Chairman of Committees to move that a Select Committee of six members be appointed to join with the Committee appointed by the Commons as the Joint Committee on Human Rights:

To consider:

(a)   matters relating to human rights in the United Kingdom (but excluding consideration of individual cases);

(b)   proposals for remedial orders, draft remedial orders and remedial orders made under section 10 of and laid under Schedule 2 to the Human Rights Act 1998; and

(c)   in respect of draft remedial orders and remedial orders, whether the special attention of the House should be drawn to them on any of the grounds specified in Standing Order 73 (Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments);

To report to the House:

(a)   in relation to any document containing proposals laid before the House under paragraph 3 of the said Schedule 2, its recommendation whether a draft order in the same terms as the proposals should be laid before the House; or

(b)   in relation to any draft order laid under paragraph 2 of the said Schedule 2, its recommendation whether the draft Order should be approved;

and to have power to report to the House on any matter arising from its consideration of the said proposals or draft orders; and

To report to the House in respect of any original order laid under paragraph 4 of the said Schedule 2, its recommendation whether:

(a)   the order should be approved in the form in which it was originally laid before Parliament; or

(b)   that the order should be replaced by a new order modifying the provisions of the original order; or

(c)   that the order should not be approved;

and to have power to report to the House on any matter arising from its consideration of the said order or any replacement order;

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

That the Committee have power to agree with the Committee appointed by the Commons in the appointment of a Chairman;

That the quorum of the Committee shall be two;

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

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

That the Committee have power to appoint specialist advisers;

That the evidence taken by the Human Rights 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.

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)

†Lord Bowness to move that this House takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on the European Union and Africa: Follow-up report. (49th Report, HL Paper 269, Session 2005-06)

†It is expected that the two motions in the name of Lord Bowness will be debated together.

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 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.

†*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.

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.

Grand Committee in the Moses Room at 3.30pm

Compensation (Claims Management Services) Regulations 2006 Consideration in Grand Committee [Lord Evans of Temple Guiting]

Compensation (Specification of Benefits) Order 2006 Consideration in Grand Committee [Lord Evans of Temple Guiting]

Compensation (Regulated Claims Management Services) Order 2006 Consideration in Grand Committee [Lord Evans of Temple Guiting]

Association of Law Costs Draftsmen Order 2006 Consideration in Grand Committee [Lord Evans of Temple Guiting]

Representation of the People (Combination of Polls) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 Consideration in Grand Committee [Lord Evans of Temple Guiting]

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

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.

Legal Services Bill [HL] Second Reading [Lord Falconer of Thoroton]

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

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 Colwyn to call attention to the current situation in the National Health Service; and to move for papers.

Lord Bruce-Lockhart to call attention to the funding of local authority adult social services and the consequences for the rising numbers of elderly people; and to move for papers.

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.

†*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.

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 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.

†*Lord Geddes to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they seek to encourage loyalty and dedication in the workplace; and, if so, whether the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 promote that objective.

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

*The 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.

The 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.

Lord Hylton to call attention to the human consequences of current immigration and asylum law and practice and to possible improvements in the system of assessment; 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.

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

The 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 various Palestinian political organisations.

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.

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.

Lord Taverne to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will withdraw financial support so as to encourage farmers to convert to organic farming.

†Viscount Montgomery of Alamein to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the development of the Central American Integration System.

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Questions for Written Answer

Tabled on 27 November and due for answer on 11 December.

Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty’s Government why they will not make an exception to the general policy of not assisting non-British nationals in the case of the former British residents held for a long time without charge or trial at Guantanamo Bay; and whether they have made an assessment of the effect that offering to accept the return of some or all of these detainees might have on the early closure of the detention centre. HL370

Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have authorised the export to the Sudan of mobile helipads, made by Vaughan’s of Leicester (Aerosystems) Ltd; if so, why, in view of the use of helicopters to attack civilians in Darfur, this export licence has been granted; and whether sanctions against Sudan have been contravened. HL371

Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty’s Government what practical and financial help they and their international partners are providing to Iraqis who have fled to Syria and Jordan; and whether the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees are able to assist those who wish to move to third countries. HL372

Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty’s Government what information they have about the relative effectiveness of residential and day centres for the rehabilitation of drug and alcohol addicts. HL373

Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any residential centres for the rehabilitation of addicts now have spare capacity; and, if so, what plans they have to make full use of this capacity. HL374

Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many unaccompanied children arrived in England and Wales, for whom an asylum claim has been made, in each quarter or month of the last two years for which figures are available; and which were the principal countries from which they came. HL375

Lord Janner of Braunstone to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact that the proposed removal of the sibling criterion for certain state schools will have for parents and children, in terms of (a) the number of school journeys; (b) the length of travel time of those journeys; and (c) any logistical difficulties in relation to different schools having different term dates and inset days. HL376

Lord Janner of Braunstone to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there is a contradiction between paragraphs 2.10 and 2.13 of the Draft School Admissions Code; and what assessment they have made of any potential problems families of children at certain state secondary schools will face if paragraph 2.13 is implemented in its current form. HL377

Lord Janner of Braunstone to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the concerns of partially selective state schools which wish to retain their family ethos through the retention of the sibling criterion for admissions; and whether, in light of these concerns, they will reconsider their proposal contained in the Draft School Admissions Code to remove the sibling criterion for such schools. HL378

Lord Garden to ask Her Majesty’s Government what action is proposed for restructuring the Eurofighter/Typhoon four-nation partnership; and what effect such changes will have on the date of introduction into service of a variant optimised in the air to ground role. HL379

Lord Garden to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Royal Air Force personnel, broken down by rank and specialisation, applied for redundancy under Tranche 3 of the redundancy scheme; and how many will be allowed to leave under redundancy terms. HL380

Lord Garden to ask Her Majesty’s Government what factors caused the deficit in Royal Air Force personnel strength to increase from 350 to 2,720 over the six months to 1 October. HL381

Lord Garden to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many extra United Kingdom military personnel are required to man the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps Headquarters in Afghanistan compared to any other headquarters where the United Kingdom is not the framework nation. HL382

Lord Garden to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, bearing in mind that detailed cost variation data since approval for Typhoon remains commercially sensitive, the financial position of the Typhoon project has grown worse, remained static or improved over the past twelve months. HL383

Lord Clement-Jones to ask Her Majesty’s Government when the British Consulate in Kirkuk, Iraq, will relocate to Erbil. HL384

Lord Clement-Jones to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether suitable premises have been identified for the British Consulate in Erbil, Iraq; and, if so, which premises have been identified. HL385

Lord Clement-Jones to ask Her Majesty’s Government when they reviewed the travel advice issued to British businesses for travellers to Iraqi Kurdistan; on what basis the security assessment was made; who made the assessment; and whether they plan to review the advice issued. HL386

Lord Clement-Jones to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to establish a trade office in Erbil, Iraq, to assist in the promotion of British business. HL387

Lord Clement-Jones to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to review their visa policy for business people and students with S1 visas for entry to Iraq. HL388

Lord Clement-Jones to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the aid package for Iraq recently announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer will include funding for infrastructure in Kurdistan. HL389

The Earl of Sandwich to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assistance they have given to the Kurdish Regional government for the protection of the Christian minorities in the region, and in particular for the resettlement programme for the Assyrians in the Nineveh Plain. HL390

The Earl of Sandwich to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made representations to the government of Iraq about the influence of militias and their alleged links with individuals and groups in government, and about the need to control and disarm these militias; and, if so, with what results. HL391

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask the Chairman of Committees, further to his Written Answer on 31 October (WA 20), whether there are any plans to offset carbon emissions from the Parliamentary Estate other than those caused by aviation. HL392

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Environment Agency’s decision to remove online access to water abstraction is (a) necessary for national security; and (b) in accordance with the principles of the Aarhus Convention; and for how long it will be necessary to deny online access to this information. HL393

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask Her Majesty’s Government when reviews have been held following refusal of information under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004; and what was the nature and subject matter of the information held. HL394

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made an assessment of the number of children whose learning is negatively affected by aircraft noise. HL395

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask Her Majesty’s Government which airports run voluntary noise insulation schemes. HL396

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made an assessment of the conclusion published in The Lancet in 2005 regarding the negative effects of (a) road traffic, and (b) aircraft noise on children’s cognition; and, if so, whether they will take steps to ensure that aircraft noise does not have a negative impact on children’s education in (i) schools; (ii) play areas; and (iii) homes. HL397

Lord Morris of Manchester to ask Her Majesty’s Government why the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Consultation was not followed by the Ministry of Defence in respect of the Pensions Appeal Tribunals (Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme) (Rights of Appeal) Amendment Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/2892); and whether, since the proposed legislation directly affected existing rights of appeal, the head of the tribunals policy division of the Department for Constitutional Affairs was formally consulted by the department; and, if so, when this consultation took place. HL398

Lord Morris of Manchester to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many current beneficiaries there are of the Blue Badge scheme for parking concessions for entitled disabled people travelling either as drivers or as passengers; and what recent assessment has been made of how well the scheme is working. HL399

Lord Morris of Manchester to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many of the marmosets involved in the studies referred to in the Written Statement by Lord Drayson on 19 October (WS 87-8) on the findings of the Vaccines Interactions Research Programme, sponsored by the Ministry of Defence at Porton Down, were exposed to the range of insults, including uncontrolled spraying of organophosphate pesticides, DEET, low-level sarin, oil-well fire residues and depleted uranium which were experienced by 1990-91 Gulf War service men and women in addition to vaccines and pyridostigmine bromide. HL400

Lord Pearson of Rannoch to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Statement by Lord McKenzie of Luton on 20 November (WS 18), what are the “popular myths about fraud and corruption in the European Union” dispelled by the House of Lords European Select Committee’s report on Financial Management and Fraud in the European Union (HL Paper 270, Session 2005-06). HL401

Lord Bradshaw to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 23 November (WA 19), what evidence the Fixed Penalty Procedures Working Group has taken on (a) the number and frequency, and (b) the cost of enforcement of, weight restrictions offences; and what comparison the Working Group has made of the fixed penalty for ignoring weight restrictions with more recent fixed penalties such as the £80 fixed penalty for anti-social behaviour. HL402

Lord Stoddart of Swindon to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they authorised the criticism of the President of the Russian Federation by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr Peter Hain, on the BBC’s Sunday AM programme on 26 November; and what assessment they have made of the impact of those criticisms on diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation. HL403

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many staff of grade five and above are employed in Invest Northern Ireland; and what is their total current salary bill. HL404

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether pension arrangements have been agreed for civil servants working in Cross Border Implementation Bodies. HL405

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government what involvement they have had with the 41st annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Northern Ireland at the Smithsonian; whether they were involved in the decision regarding selection of items for the exhibition; and, if so, what consultations were carried out prior to the selection. HL406

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government why the police were withdrawn from security duty at Stormont Parliament Buildings, Belfast; and what consultations took place prior to the decision being made. HL407

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government what employment legislation governs civil servants from the Republic of Ireland who work in the United Kingdom in Cross Border Bodies. HL408

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government how they evaluate whether Inter Trade Ireland is meeting its strategic objective to increase the number, effectiveness and value of all-island trade and business development. HL409

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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 Monday 27 November 2006

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

1   Lord Peyton of Yeovil The Lord Speaker informed the House that Lord Peyton of Yeovil, a member of the House, had died on 22 November 2006.

Private Business

2   Petitions for private bills The following petitions for private bills were deposited on or before 27 November 2006 in accordance with Private Business Standing Orders:

Public Business

3   European Union: non-metric terms A question was asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch and answered by Lord Truscott.

4   Children and young people: bullying A question was asked by Baroness Massey of Darwen and answered by Lord Adonis.

5   Allotments A question was asked by Baroness Sharples and answered by Baroness Andrews.

6   Prisoners: foreign nationals A question was asked by Lord Waddington and answered by Baroness Scotland of Asthal.

7   Concessionary Bus Travel Bill [HL] Lord Davies of Oldham presented a bill to make provision about travel concessions; and for connected purposes. It was read a first time and ordered to be printed. (HL Bill 13)

8   Concessionary Bus Travel Bill [HL] The Explanatory Notes on the bill were ordered to be printed. (HL Bill 13-EN)

9   Disabled Persons (Independent Living) Bill [HL] Lord Ashley of Stoke presented a bill to impose duties upon certain persons and bodies in respect of disabled persons; to confer certain rights upon disabled persons for independent living; to amend the Mental Health Act 1983; to amend the Care Standards Act 2000; and for connected purposes. It was read a first time and ordered to be printed. (HL Bill 14)

10   Administration and Works The Chairman of Committees moved 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;

The motion was agreed to.

11   Liaison The Chairman of Committees moved 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;

The motion was agreed to.

12   Procedure of the House The Chairman of Committees moved 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:

The motion was agreed to.

13   Works of Art The Chairman of Committees moved 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;

The motion was agreed to.

14   Queen’s Speech The debate was resumed 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.”;

after further debate, the motion was agreed to, and the Lord Chamberlain was ordered to present the Address to Her Majesty.

The House adjourned at 9pm until Tuesday 28 November at 2.30pm.

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.

Instrument Withdrawn

The following instrument, laid before the House on 23 November, was withdrawn:

Draft Films (Definition of “British Film”) (No. 2) Order 2006.

Command Paper

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

European Union—Protocol drawn up on the basis of Article K.3 of the Treaty on European Union, on the scope of the laundering of proceeds in the Convention on the use of information technology for customs purposes and the inclusion of the registration number of the means of transport in the Convention. (24 November)   (6986)

Statutory Instruments (Standing Order 71)

The following negative instruments, having been laid before the House on 24 November, were ordered to lie on the Table.

1   Occupational Pensions (Revaluation) Order 2006, laid under the Pension Schemes Act 1993.   (3086)

2   Social Security (Incapacity Benefit Work-focused Interviews) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2006, laid under the Social Security Administration Act 1992.   (3088)

3   (1)   Local Authorities (Categorisation) (England) Order 2006   (3096)

   (2)   Local Government (Best Value Authorities) (Power to Trade) (Amendment) (England) Order 2006      (3102)

laid under the Local Government Act 2003.

4   Single European Sky (Functions of the National Supervisory Authority) Regulations 2006, laid under the European Communities Act 1972.   (3104)

5   Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006, laid under the Northern Ireland Act 2000.   (—)

Negative Instruments

The following instruments were laid before the House:

1   Occupational Pension Schemes (Levy Ceiling—Earnings Percentage Increase) Order 2006, laid under the Pensions Act 2004.   (3105)

2   Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2006, laid under the European Communities Act 1972.   (3106)

3   Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2006, laid under the Civil Procedure Act 1997.   (3132)

4   Transformational Grants Joint Scheme (Revocation) Order 2006, laid under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993.   (3146)

Instruments not subject to parliamentary proceedings

The following instruments were laid before the House:

(1)   Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions (Hong Kong Locally Engaged Ratings’ Service Gratuities and Attributable Disablement and Death Awards) Order 2006   (—)

(2)   Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions (Maltese Naval Locally Engaged Personnel Disablement Awards) Order 2006   (—)

laid under the Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions Act 1865.

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Judicial Business

Monday 27 November

1   Boss Holdings Limited (Petitioners) v. Grosvenor West End Properties and others (Respondents) The petition of Boss Holdings Limited praying for leave to appeal notwithstanding that the time limited by Standing Order II has expired was presented and referred to an Appeal Committee.

2   Appeal Committee The following Order was made pursuant to the 135th Report (Session 2005-06):

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited (Petitioners) v. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (Respondents) That leave to appeal be refused; that the respondents be at liberty to apply for their costs in accordance with direction 5.1(d); and, if the application is granted, that the amount thereof be certified by the Clerk of the Parliaments if not agreed between the parties.

3   Appeal Committee The 4th Report from the Appeal Committee was agreed to and the following Orders were made:

MS (by his father and litigation friend) (Respondent) v. London Borough of Tower Hamlets (Petitioners) That leave to appeal be refused; that the respondent be at liberty to apply for his costs in accordance with direction 5.1(d); and, if the application is granted, that the amount thereof be certified by the Clerk of the Parliaments if not agreed between the parties.

McLoughlin (Petitioner) v. Jones and others (t/a Grovers (a firm)) (Respondents) That leave to appeal be refused; that the respondents be at liberty to apply for their costs in accordance with direction 5.1(d); and, if the application is granted, that the amount thereof be certified by the Clerk of the Parliaments if not agreed between the parties.

Condé Nast Publications Limited (Respondents) v. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (Petitioners) That leave to appeal be given; and that the petition of appeal be lodged by 11 December.

Stewart (Petitioner) v. Scottish Widows plc (Respondents) That leave to appeal be refused; that the respondents be at liberty to apply for their costs in accordance with direction 5.1(d); and, if the application is granted, that the amount thereof be certified by the Clerk of the Parliaments if not agreed between the parties.

Department for Transport, Environment and the Regions (Respondents) v. Mott Macdonald Limited and others (Petitioners) That leave to appeal be refused; that the respondents be at liberty to apply for their costs in accordance with direction 5.1(d); and, if the application is granted, that the amount thereof be certified by the Clerk of the Parliaments if not agreed between the parties.

McKittrick (AP) (Petitioner) v. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (Respondents) and one other action (AP) (Northern Ireland) That leave to appeal be refused; that the costs of the petitioner be taxed in accordance with the Legal Aid, Advice and Assistance (Northern Ireland) Order 1981; and that the respondents be at liberty to apply for their 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.

Cadbury Schweppes plc and others (Petitioners) v. Williams (Her Majesty’s Inspector of Taxes) (Respondent) That leave to appeal be refused; that the respondents be at liberty to apply for their costs in accordance with direction 5.1(d); and, if the application is granted, that the amount thereof be certified by the Clerk of the Parliaments if not agreed between the parties.

Marsh and others (Respondents) v. Maggs (t/a BM Builders) (Petitioner) That leave to appeal be refused; that the respondents be at liberty to apply for their costs in accordance with direction 5.1(d); and, if the application is granted, that the amount thereof be certified by the Clerk of the Parliaments if not agreed between the parties.

Tuesday 28 November at 10.30am
In Committee Room No. 1

Further hearing by the Appellate Committee in the cause:

Mainstream Properties Limited (Appellants) v. Young and others and another (Respondent)