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Contents
Motion relating to Delegated Legislation
Minutes of Proceedings Tuesday 24 November 2009
Items marked † are new or have been altered
Wednesday 25 November 2009 at 3.00pm
*Oral questions, 30 minutes
*Lord Lee of Trafford to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there is a manpower target for the Defence Medical Services; and, if so, whether it is being met.
*Lord Northbourne to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether a man who wishes to live with a woman who has one or more children living with her who are not his children will be obliged to get clearance from the Independent Safeguarding Authority.
*Lord Wallace of Saltaire to ask Her Majesty’s Government how they intend to consult Parliament on the reformulation of NATO’s strategic concept.
*Lord Harrison to ask Her Majesty’s Government, with reference to the Agreement of July 2006 between the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the BBC, what is their assessment of the extent to which the BBC has paid sufficient regard to the importance of reflecting humanism in its programmes recently broadcast.
City of Westminster Bill [HL] The Chairman of Committees to move that this House resolves that the promoters of the City of Westminster Bill [HL] which was originally introduced in this House last session on 22 January 2009 should have leave to proceed with the bill in the current session in accordance with the provisions of Private Business Standing Order 150B (Revival of bills).
Transport for London (Supplemental Toll Provisions) Bill [HL] The Chairman of Committees to move that this House resolves that the promoters of the Transport for London (Supplemental Toll Provisions) Bill [HL] which was originally introduced in this House in session 2006-07 on 22 January 2007 should have leave to proceed with the bill in the current session in accordance with the provisions of Private Business Standing Order 150B (Revival of bills).
Beverley Freemen Bill [HL] Third Reading [The Chairman of Committees]
The Chairman of Committees intends to move the following 21 motions en bloc: but if any member objects the motions must be moved separately to the extent desired.
Deputy Chairmen of Committees The Chairman of Committees to move that, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members be appointed as the panel of members to act as Deputy Chairmen of Committees for this session:
| B Anelay of St Johns L Bassam of Brighton L Brougham and Vaux L Colwyn B Fookes L Geddes B Gibson of Market Rasen B Gould of Potternewton B Harris of Richmond | L Haskel B Hooper B McIntosh of Hudnall C Mar L Paul B Pitkeathley V Simon V Ullswater. |
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 the strategic framework and 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:
| B Anelay of St Johns L Bassam of Brighton L Brougham and Vaux L Cameron of Dillington L Campbell-Savours B D’Souza | Bp Exeter B Harris of Richmond B McIntosh of Hudnall L Mancroft L Rowe-Beddoe L Shutt of Greetland |
That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers and records;
That the Committee have leave to report from time to time.
Communications The Chairman of Committees to move that a Select Committee be appointed to consider communications and that, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members be appointed to the Committee:
| B Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury B Eccles of Moulton L Fowler (Chairman) L Gordon of Strathblane B Howe of Idlicote L Inglewood L King of Bridgwater | L Macdonald of Tradeston B McIntosh of Hudnall Bp Manchester L Maxton L St John of Bletso B Scott of Needham Market |
That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers and records;
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 Reports of the Committee shall be printed, regardless of any adjournment of the House;
That the evidence taken by the 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 published.
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:
| L Acton L Campbell of Alloway L Carswell (Chairman) L Christopher V Colville of Culross E Dundee | L Eames B Fookes L Janner of Braunstone B Mallalieu L Methuen L Razzall |
That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers and records.
Constitution Committee The Chairman of Committees to move that a Select Committee be appointed to examine the constitutional implications of all public bills coming before the House; and to keep under review the operation of the constitution;
That, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members be appointed to the Committee:
| L Goodlad (Chairman) L Hart of Chilton L Irvine of Lairg B Jay of Paddington L Lyell of Markyate L Norton of Louth | L Pannick B Quin L Rodgers of Quarry Bank L Shaw of Northstead L Wallace of Tankerness L Woolf |
That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers and records;
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 Reports of the Committee shall be printed, regardless of any adjournment of the House;
That the evidence taken by the 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 published.
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 sections 14 and 18 of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006; and to perform, in respect of such draft orders, and in respect of subordinate provisions orders made or proposed to be made under the Regulatory Reform Act 2001, the functions performed in respect of other instruments and draft instruments by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments;
That, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members be appointed to the Committee:
| L Armstrong of Ilminster L Blackwell L Boyd of Duncansby L Butler of Brockwell V Eccles | L Goodhart (Chairman) L Haskel L Mayhew of Twysden L Razzall L Soley |
That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers and records;
That the Committee have power to appoint specialist advisers;
That the Committee have power to adjourn from place to place within the United Kingdom.
Economic Affairs The Chairman of Committees to move that a Select Committee be appointed to consider economic affairs and that, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members be appointed to the Committee:
| L Best L Currie of Marylebone L Eatwell L Forsyth of Drumlean L Griffiths of Fforestfach B Hamwee B Kingsmill | L Levene of Portsoken L Lipsey L MacGregor of Pulham Market L Moonie L Tugendhat L Vallance of Tummel (Chairman) |
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 and its sub-committee have power to send for persons, papers and records;
That the Committee and its sub-committee have power to appoint specialist advisers;
That the Committee and its sub-committee have power to adjourn from place to place;
That the Committee have leave to report from time to time;
That the Reports of the Committee shall be printed, regardless of any adjournment of the House;
That the evidence taken by the Committee in the last session of Parliament be referred to the Committee;
That the evidence taken by the Committee or its sub-committee shall, if the Committee so wishes, be published.
House Committee The Chairman of Committees to move that a Select Committee be appointed to set the policy framework for the administration of the House and to provide non-executive guidance to the Management Board; to approve the House’s strategic, business and financial plans; to agree the annual Estimates and Supplementary Estimates; to supervise the arrangements relating to Members’ expenses; and to approve the House of Lords Annual Report;
That, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members be appointed to the Committee:
| L Baker of Dorking L Brabazon of Tara L Bradley L Craig of Radley B D’Souza B Hayman (Chairman) | B Hollis of Heigham L McNally B Royall of Blaisdon L Strathclyde L Tordoff L Wakeham |
That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers and records;
That the Committee have leave to report from time to time;
That the Reports of the Committee shall be printed, regardless of any adjournment of the House.
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 74 (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) the order should be replaced by a new order modifying the provisions of the original order; or
(c) 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 the following members be appointed to the Committee:
| L Bowness L Dubs B Falkner of Margravine | L Morris of Handsworth E Onslow B Prashar |
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 send for persons, papers and records;
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 Reports of the Committee shall be printed, regardless of any adjournment of the House;
That the evidence taken by the 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 published.
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:
| L Campbell of Alloway B Fookes L Grantchester L Harrison | L Luke L Quirk L Sandberg |
That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers and records.
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 the strategic framework and financial limits approved by the House Committee;
That, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members be appointed to the Committee:
| B Billingham B Coussins E Erroll L Feldman B Gibson of Market Rasen L Haskel | L Kirkwood of Kirkhope L Rennard L Renton of Mount Harry (Chairman) L St John of Bletso L Selsdon L Taylor of Warwick |
That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers and records;
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:
| B Corston B D’Souza L Fellowes L McNally B Perry of Southwark | B Royall of Blaisdon L Strathclyde B Thomas of Winchester L Wakeham |
That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers and records;
That the Committee have power to appoint specialist advisers;
That the Committee have leave to report from time to time.
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:
| B Anelay of St Johns L Bassam of Brighton B D’Souza B Gould of Potternewton L Harries of Pentregarth B Hayman L Jopling L Low of Dalston L McNally | B Royall of Blaisdon B Shephard of Northwold L Shutt of Greetland L Strathclyde B Thomas of Winchester L Tyler V Ullswater B Wall of New Barnet |
That the following members be appointed as alternate members:
| L Dubs B Hamwee L Hunt of Wirral | L Palmer (alternate for the Convenor of the Crossbench peers) V Slim |
That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers and records;
That the Committee have leave to report from time to time.
Refreshment The Chairman of Committees to move that a Select Committee be appointed to advise on the refreshment services provided for the House, within the strategic framework and 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:
| L Brougham and Vaux L Davies of Oldham L Elder B Fritchie L Geddes L Glenarthur | B Henig L Lee of Trafford V Montgomery of Alamein B Rendell of Babergh L Skidelsky B Thomas of Winchester |
That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers and records;
That the Committee have leave to report from time to time.
Science and Technology The Chairman of Committees to move that a Select Committee be appointed to consider science and technology and that, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members be appointed to the Committee:
| L Broers L Colwyn L Crickhowell L Cunningham of Felling L Haskel L Krebs L May of Oxford | L Methuen B Neuberger E Northesk L O’Neill of Clackmannan B Perry of Southwark L Sutherland of Houndwood (Chairman) L Warner |
That the Committee have power to appoint sub-committees and that the Committee have power to appoint the Chairmen of sub-committees;
That the Committee have power to co-opt any member to serve on the Committee or a sub-committee;
That the Committee and its sub-committees have power to send for persons, papers and records;
That the Committee and its sub-committees have power to appoint specialist advisers;
That the Committee and its sub-committees have power to adjourn from place to place;
That the Committee have leave to report from time to time;
That the Reports of the Committee shall be printed, regardless of any adjournment of the House;
That the evidence taken by the Committee or its sub-committees in the last session of Parliament be referred to the Committee or its sub-committees;
That the evidence taken by the Committee or its sub-committees shall, if the Committee so wishes, be published.
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:
| L Geddes B Gould of Potternewton L Luke L Naseby | L Palmer V Simon B Thomas of Walliswood |
That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers and records.
Statutory Instruments The Chairman of Committees to move, in accordance with Standing Order 74 and the resolution of the House of 16 December 1997, that, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members be appointed to join with a Committee of the Commons as the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments:
| L Campbell of Alloway L Clinton-Davis B Jones of Whitchurch L Kimball | C Mar E Mar and Kellie L Walpole |
That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers and records.
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:
| L Blackwell L Goodhart B Goudie | L Haskel L Millett L Newton of Braintree |
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 send for persons, papers and records;
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 Committee shall, if the Committee so wishes, be published;
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.
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 the strategic framework and financial limits approved by the House Committee;
That, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members be appointed to the Committee:
| V Falkland (Chairman) B Gale B Howells of St Davids L Luke B Massey of Darwen E Shrewsbury | L Smith of Clifton L Stevenson of Coddenham L Thomas of Swynnerton B Trumpington B Valentine L Waddington |
That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers and records;
That the Committee have leave to report from time to time.
Parliamentary Broadcasting Unit Limited (PARBUL) The Chairman of Committees to move that, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members be appointed to the Board of the Parliamentary Broadcasting Unit Limited (PARBUL):
| B Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury L Brabazon of Tara | L Naseby L Paul. |
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 the Board of the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST):
| L Oxburgh L Sutherland of Houndwood | L Taylor of Warwick L Winston. |
†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 Business and Economic Affairs, Consumer Affairs and Culture.
Future Business
Thursday 26 November at 11.00am
*Lord Morris of Manchester to ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in the current internal review by the Ministry of Defence of the Armed and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme 2005; and when they expect it to report.
*Lord Geddes to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 13 June 2007 (WA 259) and the answer on 21 February 2008 (HL Deb, cols 270-72) regarding the abolition of game licences in England, what discussions they have had with the Scottish Executive about abolishing game licences for shooters in Scotland.
*Lord Lucas to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will use their powers to ensure that road markings and signs are compliant with regulations, particularly where markings or signs create dangers for road users.
†*Baroness Sharples to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the threat presented by dissident terrorists in Northern Ireland.
†Business of the House Baroness Royall of Blaisdon to move that Standing Order 41 (Arrangement of the Order Paper) be dispensed with on Tuesday 1 December to allow the motion in the name of Baroness Thomas of Winchester to be taken before the Second Reading of the Northern Ireland Assembly Members Bill [HL].
It is expected that the debate on the Address will conclude and that the principal topics for debate will be Equality, Social Affairs, Health, and Education.
Monday 30 November at 2.30pm
*Lord Warner to ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the two reports on NHS Pathology Services by Lord Carter of Coles and the report on Genomic Medicine by the Science and Technology Committee (2nd Report, Session 2008-09, HL Paper 107), what progress they have made on the consolidation of pathology services; and what savings they expect to achieve by April 2011.
*Lord Haskel to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage enterprise and entrepreneurship in British business and industry.
*Lord Dykes to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will discuss with the Press Complaints Commission proposals for a review of foreign and overseas based news media owners in Britain.
*Baroness Turner of Camden to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to assist industrial accident and disease victims whose employers’ liability insurance policies cannot be traced.
†Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Bill [HL] Baroness Royall of Blaisdon to move that the bill be referred to a Second Reading Committee. (Law Commission Bill)
The following two motions are expected to be debated together:
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon to move that this House takes note of the Report of the Leader’s Group on the Code of Conduct (HL Paper 171, Session 2008-09); and that Part 3 of the Report be remitted to the Committee for Privileges, with an instruction that it reports a Guide to the Rules on the Conduct of Members of the House of Lords to the House.
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon to move to resolve that this House adopts the following Code of Conduct for Members of the House of Lords to replace the present Code of Conduct for Members of the House of Lords with effect from 1 April 2010:
Code of Conduct for Members of the House of Lords
Introduction
1. The House of Lords is the second Chamber of the United Kingdom Parliament. As a constituent part of Parliament, the House of Lords makes laws, holds government to account, and debates issues of public interest.
2. Membership of the House is not an office, and does not constitute employment; most Members’ primary employment is or has been outside Parliament. In discharging their parliamentary duties Members of the House of Lords draw substantially on experience and expertise gained outside Parliament.
3. The purpose of this Code of Conduct is
(a) to provide guidance for Members of the House of Lords on the standards of conduct expected of them in the discharge of their parliamentary duties; the Code does not extend to Members’ performance of duties unrelated to parliamentary proceedings, or to their private lives;
(b) to provide the openness and accountability necessary to reinforce public confidence in the way in which Members of the House of Lords perform their parliamentary duties.
4. This Code applies to all Members of the House of Lords who are not either
(a) on leave of absence;
(b) suspended from the service of the House; or
(c) statutorily disqualified from active membership.
5. Members are to sign an undertaking to abide by the Code as part of the ceremony of taking the oath upon introduction and at the start of each Parliament.
General principles
6. By virtue of their oath, or affirmation, of allegiance, Members of the House have a duty to be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty The Queen, Her heirs and successors, according to law.
7. In the conduct of their parliamentary duties, Members of the House shall base their actions on consideration of the public interest, and shall resolve any conflict between their personal interest and the public interest at once, and in favour of the public interest.
8. Members of the House:
(a) must comply with the Code of Conduct;
(b) should act always on their personal honour;
(c) must never accept or agree to accept any financial inducement as an incentive or reward for exercising parliamentary influence;
(d) must not seek to profit from membership of the House by accepting or agreeing to accept payment or other incentive or reward in return for providing parliamentary advice or services.
9. Members of the House should observe the seven general principles of conduct identified by the Committee on Standards in Public Life. These principles will be taken into consideration when any allegation of breaches of the provisions in other sections of the Code is under investigation:
(a) Selflessness: Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.
(b) Integrity: Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.
(c) Objectivity: In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
(d) Accountability: Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
(e) Openness: Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
(f) Honesty: Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
(g) Leadership: Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.
Rules of Conduct
10. In order to assist in openness and accountability Members shall:
(a) register in the Register of Lords’ Interests all relevant interests, in order to make clear what are the interests that might reasonably be thought to influence their parliamentary actions;
(b) declare when speaking in the House, or communicating with ministers or public servants, any interest which is a relevant interest in the context of the debate or the matter under discussion;
(c) act in accordance with any rules agreed by the House in respect of financial support for Members or the facilities of the House.
11. The test of relevant interest is whether the interest might be thought by a reasonable member of the public to influence the way in which a Member of the House of Lords discharges his or her parliamentary duties: in the case of registration, the Member’s parliamentary duties in general; in the case of declaration, his or her duties in respect of the particular matter under discussion.
12. The test of relevant interest is therefore not whether a Member’s actions in Parliament will be influenced by the interest, but whether a reasonable member of the public might think that this might be the case. Relevant interests include both financial and non-financial interests.
13. Members are responsible for ensuring that their registered interests are accurate and up-to-date. They should register any change in their relevant interests within one month of the change.
14. A Member must not act as a paid advocate in any proceeding of the House; that is to say, he or she must not seek by parliamentary means to confer exclusive benefit on an outside body or person from which he or she receives payment or reward.
15. Members are not otherwise debarred from participating in proceedings in regard to which they possess relevant interests, financial or non-financial; but such interests should be declared fully. Members of the House should be especially cautious in deciding whether to speak or vote in relation to interests that are direct, pecuniary and shared by few others.
Enforcement of the Code of Conduct
16. A House of Lords Commissioner for Standards is appointed to investigate alleged breaches of this Code, or of the rules governing Members’ financial support or use of parliamentary facilities. Any such investigation is conducted in accordance with procedures set out in the Guide to the Rules.
17. After investigation the Commissioner reports his findings to the Sub-Committee on Lords’ Interests; the Sub-Committee reviews the Commissioner’s findings and, where appropriate, recommends a disciplinary sanction to the Committee for Privileges. The Member concerned has a right of appeal to the Committee for Privileges against both the Commissioner’s findings and any recommended sanction.
18. The Committee for Privileges, having heard any appeal, reports its conclusions and recommendations to the House. The final decision rests with the House.
19. In investigating and adjudicating allegations of non-compliance with this Code, the Commissioner, the Sub-Committee on Lords’ Interests and the Committee for Privileges shall act in accordance with the principles of natural justice and fairness.
20. Members shall co-operate, at all stages, with any investigation into their conduct by or under the authority of the House.
21. No Member shall lobby a member of the Committee for Privileges or the Sub-Committee on Lords’ Interests in a manner calculated or intended to influence their consideration of a complaint of a breach of this Code.
Advice and review
22. The operation of the Register is overseen by the Sub-Committee on Lords’ Interests, assisted by the Registrar of Lords’ Interests. The Registrar is available to advise Members of the House, and may consult the Sub-Committee when necessary.
23. A Member who acts on the advice of the Registrar in determining what is a relevant interest satisfies fully the requirements of the Code of Conduct in that regard. However, the final responsibility for deciding whether or not to participate in proceedings to which that interest is relevant rests with the Member concerned.
24. The Sub-Committee on Lords’ Interests reviews the Code of Conduct once each Parliament. Its findings, along with any recommended changes to the Code, are reported to the House.
25. The Sub-Committee also keeps the Guide to the Rules under regular review; recommended changes are reported to the House and will not take effect until agreed by the House.
Tuesday 1 December at 2.30pm
The Lord Bishop of Gloucester will be introduced.
*Lord Pannick to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will respond to the recommendation by English PEN and Index on Censorship that restrictions should be imposed on libel claims that do not have substantial connections to the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom.
*Lord Naseby to ask Her Majesty’s Government how they ensure that requests arising from the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 are proportionate.
*Lord Sheldon to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are giving further consideration to extending the state retirement age beyond the present age of 65 and 68 in 2044.
Baroness Cohen of Pimlico to move that this House takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on Developments in EU Trade Policy (35th Report, Session 2007-08, HL Paper 200).
Northern Ireland Assembly Members Bill [HL] Second Reading [Baroness Royall of Blaisdon]
†Baroness Thomas of Winchester to move to resolve that this House regrets that the Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2655), the Social Security Benefit (Computation of Earnings) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2678) and the Social Security Benefit (Computation of Earnings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (SI 2009/2679) apply only to public authorities required by law to involve service users and carers, and not to organisations so required by Government policy guidance, nor to charities and voluntary organisations.
Wednesday 2 December at 3.00pm
*Lord Harries of Pentregarth to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the Nuffield Council on Bioethics’ report on the ethical issues raised by dementia; and whether its recommendations will be incorporated into the National Dementia Strategy.
*Lord Teverson to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make the provision of energy displays compulsory alongside the introduction of smart meters to homes.
*Baroness Scott of Needham Market to ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad from 27 to 29 November, how they are building a constructive relationship between the United Kingdom and Caribbean Commonwealth countries.
Digital Economy Bill [HL] Second Reading [Lord Mandelson]
Grand Committee in the Moses Room at 3.45pm
†European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Stabilisation and Association Agreement) (Republic of Montenegro) Order 2009 Consideration in Grand Committee [Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead] 23rd Report, Session 2008-09, from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments
†The following two motions are expected to be debated together:
†Legal Services Act 2007 (Functions of an Approved Regulator) Order 2009 Consideration in Grand Committee [Lord Tunnicliffe] 23rd Report, Session 2008-09, from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments
†Legal Services Act 2007 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2009 Consideration in Grand Committee [Lord Tunnicliffe] 25th Report, Session 2008-09, from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments
†The following three motions are expected to be debated together:
†Transfer of Functions of the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal Order 2009 Consideration in Grand Committee [Lord Tunnicliffe] 23rd Report, Session 2008-09, from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments
†Transfer of Tribunal Functions Order 2009 Consideration in Grand Committee [Lord Tunnicliffe] 23rd Report, Session 2008-09, from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments
†Amendment to Schedule 6 to the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 Order 2009 Consideration in Grand Committee [Lord Tunnicliffe] 23rd Report, Session 2008-09, from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments
†Census (England and Wales) Order 2009 Consideration in Grand Committee [Baroness Crawley] 23rd Report, Session 2008-09, from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments and 29th Report, Session 2008-09, from the Merits Committee
Thursday 3 December at 11.00am
*Lord Palmer to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effects of new rates of air passenger duty on the United Kingdom tourism industry.
*Baroness Sharp of Guildford to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the contribution the cultural and creative arts make to gross domestic product; and what proposals they have to promote their further growth and development.
*Lord Walton of Detchant to ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to implement National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance on the management of epilepsy, with particular reference to the role of specialist nurses.
Baroness Coussins to call attention to the contribution of modern language skills to the United Kingdom economy; and to move for papers. (Balloted debate, 2½ hours)
Lord Fowler to call attention to the future of the BBC; and to move for papers. (Balloted debate, 2½ hours)
Lord Hunt of Wirral to move that this House takes note of the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Order 2009 (SI 2009/2748). 29th Report, Session 2008-09, from the Merits Committee
Monday 7 December at 2.30pm
*Lord Hannay of Chiswick to ask Her Majesty’s Government why the United Kingdom’s United Nations assessed peacekeeping contributions are no longer met from the contingency reserve.
*Baroness Miller of Hendon to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the report by the Office of National Statistics that the number in public employment in the second quarter of 2009 (including employees of the partly nationalised banks) had increased to 6.04 million, representing 10 per cent of the United Kingdom’s population.
*Lord De Mauley to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many people started apprenticeships in 2008-09; and how many in 2006-07.
*Lord Pearson of Rannoch to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will reconsider their decision not to allow Mr Michael Savage to enter the United Kingdom.
Tuesday 8 December at 2.30pm
*Lord Fowler to ask Her Majesty’s Government what proposals they have for the future of the BBC Trust.
*Lord Renton of Mount Harry to ask Her Majesty’s Government what legislation they propose to halve the fiscal deficit.
*Baroness Massey of Darwen to ask Her Majesty’s Government how they will evaluate the impact of Family Intervention Projects.
Cluster Munitions (Prohibitions) Bill [HL] Second Reading [Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead]
†Lord Hunt of Kings Heath to move that this House takes note of the Committee on Climate Change’s progress report: Meeting Carbon Budgets—the need for a step change.
Wednesday 9 December at 3.00pm
*Baroness Valentine to ask Her Majesty’s Government which major projects have benefited from an acceleration of public spending on infrastructure in the current and previous financial years.
*Lord Campbell-Savours to ask the Chairman of Committees what proposals regarding House of Lords procedure and practice are under discussion in the House of Lords Procedure Committee.
*Lord Roberts of Llandudno to ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made to ensure that all serving personnel are registered to vote and receive their ballot papers in time to vote in the forthcoming elections.
Bribery Bill [HL] Second Reading [Lord Bach]
Thursday 10 December at 11.00am
*Lord Soley to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have considered variable tax rates for alcoholic drinks.
*Viscount Waverley to ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress is being made on resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute.
*Lord Best to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made progress with their pledge to protect private tenants when their homes are repossessed because of their landlord’s mortgage arrears.
Lord Sheikh to call attention to the Commonwealth’s shared goals in democracy and development; and to move for papers.
Baroness Byford to call attention to the Royal Society report Reaping the Benefits and the contribution to be made by British agriculture; and to move for papers.
Monday 14 December at 2.30pm
*Lord Barnett to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the conclusion of the Governor of the Bank of England on the level of quantitative easing.
*Baroness Deech to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make proposals relating to the titles used by the husbands of women members of the House of Lords.
*Baroness Rawlings to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the Department for International Development’s aid in Afghanistan.
*Baroness Greengross to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that patients with dementia do not stay in hospital longer than is warranted by the condition that led to their admission.
Tuesday 15 December at 2.30pm
*Baroness O’Cathain to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether the levels of public debt and deficits in the public finances are due to the lack of a law preventing the Chancellor of the Exchequer from pursuing such policies.
*Lord Clement-Jones to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the cases cited by the National Campaign for the Arts and the Manifesto Club in which the points-based visa system for non-European Union visiting artists and academics denied entry for those wanting to carry out bona fide activities; and what action they propose in response.
*Lord Anderson of Swansea to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any proposals to amend the Barnett Formula.
Wednesday 16 December at 11.00am
*Lord Judd to ask Her Majesty’s Government what arrangements they have in place to further negotiations for a global arms trade treaty.
*Lord Roberts of Conwy to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the latest quarterly figure for total unemployment in the United Kingdom; and what is the latest monthly total number of claimants of unemployment benefit.
*Lord Tebbit to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many convicted criminals they have paid compensation to in respect of the denial by prison authorities of drugs such as heroin whilst in prison.
Motions for Balloted Debate
Ballot on 15 December for debate on 7 January. Time limit 2½ hours
Lord Alton of Liverpool to call attention to the role of China in relation to human rights, development and security; and to move for papers.
Baroness Cox to call attention to recent developments in Sudan and the Great Lakes region of Africa; and to move for papers.
Lord Harrison to call attention to the British Humanist Association’s reports Quality and Equality: Human Rights, Public Services and Religious Organisations and The Case for Secularism: A Neutral State in an Open Society; and to move for papers.
Lord Northbourne to call attention to the role and responsibilities of fathers in the United Kingdom in the 21st century; and to move for papers.
Lord Chidgey to call attention to the effectiveness of international sanctions on the military regime in Guinea following the signing of mining contracts with China; and to move for papers.
Lord Hannay of Chiswick to call attention to the prospects for multi-lateral nuclear disarmament and for strengthening nuclear non-proliferation; and to move for papers.
The Earl of Listowel to call attention to the progress made in implementing Care Matters, the policy for children in public care, and the responses of local authorities, the Local Government Association and voluntary and private service providers; and to move for papers.
Baroness Northover to call attention to the situation in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza; and to move for papers.
Lord Norton of Louth to call attention to the case for enhancing the means available to the House of Lords to scrutinise legislation and public policy; and to move for papers.
Lord Stone of Blackheath to call attention to the outcome of the Copenhagen conference on climate change; and to move for papers.
Select Committee Reports
The date on which the Report was published is in italics
Lord Renton of Mount Harry to move that this House takes note of the Report of the Information Committee on Are the Lords Listening? Creating connections between people and Parliament (1st Report, Session 2008-09, HL Paper 138). 15 July 2009
Lord Jopling to move that this House takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on Money laundering and the financing of terrorism (19th Report, Session 2008-09, HL Paper 132). 22 July 2009
Lord Sutherland of Houndwood to move that this House takes note of the Report of the Science and Technology Committee on Pandemic Influenza: Follow-up (3rd Report, Session 2008-09, HL Paper 155). 28 July 2009
Lord Filkin to move that this House takes note of the Report of the Merits of Statutory Instruments Committee on What happened next? A study of post-implementation reviews of secondary legislation. (30th Report, Session 2008-09, HL Paper 180). 12 November 2009
Lord Renton of Mount Harry to move that this House takes note of the Annual Report 2008-09 of the House of Lords Information Committee (2nd Report, Session 2008-09, HL Paper 179). 12 November 2009
Other Motions for Debate
Viscount Waverley to call attention to the role of central Asia; and to move for papers.
Viscount Montgomery of Alamein to call attention to recent developments in Latin America; and to move for papers.
Lord Hylton to call attention to the process for seeking political asylum in the United Kingdom and the management of detention centres and of methods of deportation; and to move for papers.
Lord Renton of Mount Harry to call attention to the language and terminology used in the House of Lords and their impact on public understanding of the work of the House; and to move for papers.
Lord Renton of Mount Harry to call attention to the ceremonial aspects of the House of Lords and their impact on public understanding of the work of the House; and to move for papers
Lord Dykes to call attention to the planned high speed train projects; and to move for papers.
The Earl of Sandwich to call attention to international development policies, and their effects on the poorest countries; and to move for papers.
Lord Alton of Liverpool to call attention to the social challenges facing the United Kingdom; and to move for papers.
Motion relating to Delegated Legislation
†The Earl of Onslow to move to resolve that this House notes with concern criticisms by the Chairman of the Police Federation of the powers contained in the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (References to Financial Investigators) (Amendment) Order 2009 (SI 2009/2707) laid before the House on 8 October and calls upon Her Majesty’s Government to revoke the Order. 31st Report, Session 2008-09, from the Merits Committee
Questions for Short Debate
Time limit 1 hour or 1½ hours
Baroness Thomas of Walliswood to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that pupils in school acquire a better understanding of the influence of the media.
Lord Dubs to ask Her Majesty’s Government how they intend to respond to the recommendations in the report of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly on Climate Change and Renewable Energy.
Lord Alton of Liverpool to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will assess and address the impact of party list electoral systems on voter turnout, voter alienation and the rise of extremist political groups.
Baroness Cox to ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures they are taking to ensure that citizens of the United Kingdom are guaranteed adequate protection to enable them to enjoy the fundamental freedoms in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Baroness Finlay of Llandaff to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effect of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Lord Morris of Manchester to ask Her Majesty’s Government what further consideration the Ministry of Defence has given to the implications for British veterans of the 1990-91 Gulf War of the findings of the Congressionally mandated and funded United States Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War illnesses on the toxic effects of exposure to organophosphates and of the Nerve Agent Pre-treatment Sets (NAPS) tablets given to British troops deployed to the conflict.
Lord Corbett of Castle Vale to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to requests by 3,400 Iranian dissident refugees in Camp Ashraf to resettle in the United Kingdom or another European Union country.
Lord Harrison to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the state of local and regional newspapers.
Lord Warner to ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to holding an independent inquiry to examine the evidence relating to a change in the law on assisted dying for terminally ill adults.
Baroness Gardner of Parkes to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effect on the National Health Service and patient care of making it mandatory for nurses to have a degree.
Lord Wallace of Saltaire to ask Her Majesty’s Government what rules and conventions govern whether the extent clauses of Acts of Parliament implementing treaties which the United Kingdom has signed extend to particular Crown Dependencies and British overseas territories.
Lord Low of Dalston to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the dangers in shared surface street designs for blind and partially sighted people and other vulnerable pedestrians; and whether they will request local authorities not to introduce such schemes until their research on shared space is concluded.
Lord Harries of Pentregarth to ask Her Majesty’s Government how they intend to counter discrimination on the ground of caste in the United Kingdom and overseas.
Baroness Murphy to ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to eliminate age discrimination in mental health services for older people.
Lord Chidgey to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the conflict in the eastern Congo.
Lord Chidgey to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the anticipated outcomes of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad.
Lord Dykes to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make representations to the government of Israel regarding its duties under international law and the road map for peace.
Lord Luce to ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to facilitate access to advice on pain management by those suffering from chronic pain.
Lord Mawson to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have considered co-locating public services in under-used church buildings.
Lord Palmer to ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to tackle the causes of the long-term decline of the British pig industry.
The Earl of Sandwich to ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress they are making with their review of the causes and effects of benzodiazepine addiction and withdrawal.
Lord Cotter to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to improve the provision of social care for children and young people.
Lord Anderson of Swansea to ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they propose, together with partner nations and international organisations, to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia.
Lord Judd to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the causes of social exclusion and to draw up an interdepartmental strategy to deal with them.
Lord Pearson of Rannoch to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the Centre of Policy Studies’ publication How to save the BBC by Sir Antony Jay.
Lord Pearson of Rannoch to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will sponsor a conference to consider how any justification for acts of violence or policies of religious or sexual discrimination by reference to the Christian, Islamic or Jewish religions can be discouraged.
Lord Carlile of Berriew to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the Howard League’s Commission on English Prisons Today.
Lord Jay of Ewelme to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the economic and security implications of the melting of the Arctic ice cap.
Lord Norton of Louth to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to enhance the teaching of citizenship.
Baroness Hooper to ask Her Majesty’s Government when they plan to review the work of the UK Border Agency, in particular the issuing of visas and passports.
Baroness Sharp of Guildford to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the wider benefits which come from adult education; and what steps they are taking to support and encourage institutions which seek to promote life-long learning.
Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the implications for the United Kingdom of future world population growth.
†Baroness Whitaker to ask Her Majesty’s Government what future developments they envisage in the Chagos Islands.
Questions for Written Answer
Tabled on 24 November and due for answer by 8 December.
Lord Vinson to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many foreign nationals in Iraq and Afghanistan have brought cases in the European Court of Human Rights against Her Majesty’s armed forces using legal aid paid for by the United Kingdom. HL175
Lord Vinson to ask Her Majesty’s Government how much legal aid was paid to the solicitor Phil Shiner or his associates for cases against Her Majesty’s armed forces brought by foreign nationals in Iraq and Afghanistan in the European Court of Human Rights using legal aid paid for by the United Kingdom. HL176
Lord Dykes to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the prospects of moves to ensure that bonuses in the financial sector are not linked to turnover, profits or short-term results. HL177
Lord Dykes to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the prospects for the full implementation of the Financial Services Authority’s draft code of practice for executive remuneration, especially by companies in which the taxpayer has a stake. HL178
Lord Dykes to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of responses to the provisions for marine policy statements in the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009; and what action they will take to secure compliance with marine policy statements. HL179
Lord Dykes to ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they will take to ensure compliance with the use of the precautionary principle to offset damage to marine life. HL180
Lord Dykes to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of progress to protect animal health in the United Kingdom. HL181
Lord Dykes to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to proposals from the retail sector regarding green infrastructure, skills and employment in United Kingdom retailing. HL182
Lord Pearson of Rannoch to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the remains of the British citizen Mr Alec Collett have been identified in Lebanon; and, if so, what plans they have for their return to his family. HL183
Lord Pearson of Rannoch to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have identified any of those responsible for the bombings on 7 July 2005 in London and any countries or organisations for which they worked. HL184
Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are assisting Brazil’s plans to conserve the Amazon rainforest; and whether they will encourage international support for re-using degraded former forest land. HL185
Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether revenue from the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme will be used to prevent destruction of rainforests. HL186
Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty’s Government what international action is being taken to reduce the amount of floating plastic in oceans. HL187
Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will seek to include aviation, aluminium and chemicals production in the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme. HL188
Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they support proposals for European Union legislation penalising imports of illegally produced tropical timber. HL189
Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will ensure that all purchases of imported timber by public sector bodies are derived from sustainable sources. HL190
Lord Jopling to ask Her Majesty’s Government what percentage of the land in each National Park and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is under the ownership, tenancy or other system of management of the National Trust. HL191
Lord Wallace of Saltaire to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon on 5 October (WA 435), what steps they are taking to ensure that lessons learnt from previous changes to the machinery of government are taken into account when making such changes in future. HL192
Lord Patten to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Office of Cyber Security will be fully operational by March 2010. HL193
Lord Patten to ask Her Majesty’s Government how they have encouraged or will encourage NATO to improve defences against cyber warfare aimed at its member states. HL194
Lord Patten to ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they have taken or will take through the European Union to improve its cyber security strategies. HL195
Lord Sheikh to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will assist other local authorities to introduce domestic violence schemes similar to the Living without Violence programme provided by Brighton & Hove City Council. HL196
Baroness Neville-Jones to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any (a) foreign intelligence agencies, and (b) foreign law enforcement agencies have authorised access to the National Identity Register; and whether they are considering granting such agencies access to it in future. HL197
Baroness Neville-Jones to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the capabilities and intent of (a) foreign intelligence agencies, and (b) foreign law enforcement agencies to gain unauthorised access to the National Identity Register; and whether they have assessed whether such agencies will have the capabilities and intent to gain unauthorised access to it in the future. HL198
Baroness Neville-Jones to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many people have been stopped under Schedule 7 (Port and Border Controls) to the Terrorism Act 2000 since 2004; and how many of those people have been (a) detained, (b) arrested, and (c) subsequently convicted of a terrorist offence. HL199
Baroness Neville-Jones to ask Her Majesty’s Government what were the ethnicity and religious backgrounds of persons stopped, detained and arrested since 2001 under the Terrorism Act 2000. HL200
Baroness Neville-Jones to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many students have been stopped, detained or arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 in the past five years. HL201
Baroness Neville-Jones to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they retain the DNA and fingerprints of those detained under the Terrorism Act 2000; and, if so, for how much longer they will continue to do so. HL202
Lord Dear to ask Her Majesty’s Government what changes they intend to make to the document Hate Crime: Delivering a Quality Service—Good Practice and Tactical Guidance of March 2005, in particular to the handling of complaints of homophobic conduct. HL203
Lord Bradley to ask Her Majesty’s Government how much each police authority in England charges an individual for the return of their car which has been stolen from their home, found by the police and taken to a police station compound. HL204
Lord Barnett to ask Her Majesty’s Government what level of Treasury official attends the monthly meetings of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee. HL205
Lord Barnett to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Treasury official attending the monthly meetings of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee is entitled to speak at those meetings; and, if so, whether he or she does so. HL206
Lord Campbell-Savours to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many new consents for combined sewage overflow pipes have been granted on the River Thames between Windsor and the source of the Thames in the last five years. HL207
Lord Campbell-Savours to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many combined sewage overflow pipes are located between the Thames Barrier and the source of the Thames; what are the locations of each of those pipes which relate to overflow at sewage pumping stations; and what are the locations of each of those pipes which relate to gravity-fed combined sewer overflows. HL208
Lord Campbell-Savours to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there are overflow pipes that discharge into the River Thames between the Thames Barrier and the source of the Thames in relation to which spills are not required to be reported to the Environment Agency. HL209
Lord Campbell-Savours to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Google has any contractual arrangements of a primary supplier nature or framework nature with any NHS organisations in the United Kingdom. HL210
Lord Berkeley to ask Her Majesty’s Government why three directors of Trinity House received benefits of £3,019,000, £5,008,000 and £6,341,000 in addition to their salaries for the year 2007-08, as reported in the accounts of the General Lighthouse Fund for 2007-08. HL211
Lord Morris of Manchester to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether members of Her Majesty’s armed forces would in any circumstances have their military careers affected by making a claim under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme or the courts for illnesses or injuries whilst in service. HL212
Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of the Republic of Ireland concerning the creation of a motorway from the border in Tyrone to Londonderry; and whether any arrangements have been put in place to fund such a project. HL213
Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 3 June (WA 81-2) concerning security at United Kingdom airports, which are the regulated airports to which the answer referred. HL214
Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government how the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland has proceeded with the cases of those who allegedly broke windows in the houses of Romanians and the City Church in University Avenue, south Belfast; and whether the decisions on how to proceed were assessed against standards of equality. HL215
Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Thornton on 2 November (WA 11-12), why the healthcare payment by the United Kingdom to Germany went from £0 in 2007-08 to £33.3 million in 2008-09; why the payment by Germany to the United Kingdom went from £1.1 million to £0.09 million over the same years; in respect of how many residents in each country the payments were made; and what are the annual average healthcare costs in each country used to decide on the level of those payments. HL216
Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon on 5 October (WA 47), how the community background of members of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is monitored; by whom; and how the person who does the monitoring deals with a member who declines to state their community or political background. HL217
Lord Elystan-Morgan to ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of statistics recently published by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service showing an increase in applications for university places for the academic year 2010-11, whether they will discuss with the Higher Education Funding Council the level of financial sanctions for over-recruitment. HL218
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock to ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations have been received by the Head of the Civil Service about the Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Executive; what is the nature of those representations; and what action has been taken as a result. HL219
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many officers of the rank of Lieutenant-General and above there are in the army; and what was the cost of the aggregate of salaries, official residences, official cars and other emoluments in the most recent financial year for which figures are available for all such officers. HL220
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many officers of the rank of Vice-Admiral and above there are in the Royal Navy; and what was the cost of the aggregate of salaries, official residences, official cars and other emoluments in the most recent financial year for which figures are available for all such officers. HL221
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many officers of the rank of Air Marshal and above there are in the Royal Air Force; and what was the cost of the aggregate of salaries, official residences, official cars and other emoluments in the most recent financial year for which figures are available for all such officers. HL222
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock to ask Her Majesty’s Government who is responsible for advising HM The Queen on the appointment of the Constable of the Tower of London; what remuneration he receives; what official accommodation is provided; and what is the annual cost of the appointment. HL223
Lord Avebury to ask Her Majesty’s Government why there has been a delay in confirming the appointment of the Buddhist chaplain nominated for HM Prison Bedford. HL224
Lord Avebury to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the average time between the nomination of a non-Christian, non-Muslim chaplain to an appointment in HM Prison Service and the start date of the appointment. HL225
Lord Avebury to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many persons not charged with a criminal offence but required to give biometric samples (a) under the Terrorism Act 2000, and (b) on being arrested, have applied to have their samples destroyed; and, in each case, how many of the applications have been accepted; and within what average length of time. HL226
Baroness Warsi to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord West of Spithead on 6 July (WA 98), how many foreign nationals were removed from the United Kingdom after serving a custodial sentence of more than 12 months. HL227
Baroness Warsi to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many illegal immigrants have been found working for the UK Border Agency in each of the last five years. HL228
Baroness Warsi to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many illegal immigrants have been found working for the Home Office in each of the last five years. HL229
Baroness Warsi to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many times the UK Border Agency has referred concerns over the delivery of citizenship examinations to the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator. HL230
Baroness Warsi to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many centres previously delivering the United Kingdom Citizenship Test have been barred from doing so for not complying with appropriate regulations. HL231
Baroness Warsi to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many National Insurance numbers have been given to individuals in error in each of the last three years. HL232
Bills in Progress
| Type of Bill | To be considered | |
| Waiting for Second Reading | ||
| Digital Economy [HL] | Government | 2 December |
| Cluster Munitions (Prohibitions) [HL] | Government | 8 December |
| Bribery [HL] | Government | 9 December |
| Northern Ireland Assembly Members [HL] | Government | 1 December |
| Contaminated Blood (Support for Infected and Bereaved Persons) [HL] | Private Member’s | |
| Marriage (Wales) [HL] | Private Member’s | |
| Live Music [HL] | Private Member’s | |
| Children’s Rights [HL] | Private Member’s | |
| Rehabilitation of Offenders (Amendment) [HL] | Private Member’s | |
| Building Regulations (Amendment) [HL] | Private Member’s | |
| Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies and Credit Unions [HL] | Private Member’s | |
| Powers of Entry etc. [HL] | Private Member’s | |
| Consumer Emissions (Climate Change) [HL] | Private Member’s | |
| Constitutional Reform [HL] | Private Member’s | |
| Marine Navigation Aids [HL] | Private Member’s | |
| Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) [HL] | Private Member’s | |
| Third Parties (Rights against Insurers) [HL] (Law Commission Bill) | Government | |
| Patient Transport [HL] | Private Member’s | |
| Health and Social Care (Independent Living) [HL] | Private Member’s | |
| Waiting for Third Reading | ||
| Beverley Freemen [HL] | Private | 25 November |
| London Local Authorities [HL] | Private | |
| London Local Authorities and Transport for London (No. 2) [HL] | Private |
Affirmative Instruments in Progress
The Merits of Statutory Instruments Committee has drawn attention to certain instruments in the reports indicated
| Merits Committee | To be considered | |
| Waiting for consideration by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments | ||
| Draft Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2009 | ||
| Draft Immigration (Biometric Registration) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2009 | ||
| Draft Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 (Designation of Participating Countries) (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) (No. 3) Order 2009 | ||
| Draft National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Welsh Language) Order 2009 | ||
| Draft Banking Act 2009 (Exclusion of Insurers) Order 2009 | ||
| Draft Climate Change Levy (Solid Fuel) (Revocation) Regulations 2009 | ||
| Draft Pharmacy Order 2010 | ||
| Draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (1996 Hague Convention on Protection of Children etc.) Order 2009 | ||
| Draft General and Specialist Medical Practice (Education, Training and Qualifications) Order 2010 | ||
| Draft Charities Act 2006 (Changes in Exempt Charities) Order 2009 | ||
| Draft Charities Act 2006 (Principal Regulators of Exempt Charities) Regulations 2009 | ||
| Draft Community Radio (Amendment) Order 2010 | ||
| Draft Local Government (Wales) Measure 2009 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2009 | ||
| Referred to a Grand Committee and waiting for Affirmative Resolution | ||
| Draft Legal Services Act 2007 (Functions of an Approved Regulator) Order 2009 | 2 December | |
| Draft Transfer of Functions of the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal Order 2009 | 2 December | |
| Draft Transfer of Tribunal Functions Order 2009 | 2 December | |
| Draft Amendment to Schedule 6 to the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 Order 2009 | 2 December | |
| Draft Census (England and Wales) Order 2009 | 29th Report, Session 2008-09 | 2 December |
| Draft European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Stabilisation and Association Agreement) (Republic of Montenegro) Order 2009 | 2 December | |
| Draft Legal Services Act 2007 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2009 | 2 December | |
| Waiting for Affirmative Resolution | ||
| Draft Social Security (Contributions Credits for Parents and Carers) Regulations 2009 | ||
| Draft Health Professions (Hearing Aid Dispensers) Order 2009 | ||
| Draft Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2009 | ||
| Draft Criminal Defence Service (Representation Orders: Appeals etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 | ||
| Draft Criminal Defence Service (Representation Orders) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 | ||
| Draft Criminal Defence Service (Contribution Orders) Regulations 2009 |
Negative Instruments
Instruments reported by the Merits of Statutory Instruments Committee
| Praying time expires | To be considered | |
| 29th Report, Session 2008-09 | ||
| Artist’s Resale Right (Amendment) Regulations 2009 | 4 December | |
| Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Order 2009 | 5 December | 3 December |
Legislative Reform Orders in Progress
| Report | To be considered | |
| Second-stage super-affirmative draft Order laid before the House and referred to the Regulatory Reform Committee | ||
| Draft Legislative Reform (Insolvency) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Order 2009 | ||
| Affirmative draft Order reported by the Regulatory Reform Committee and waiting for Affirmative Resolution | ||
| Draft Legislative Reform (Revocation of Prescribed Form of Penalty Notice for Disorderly Behaviour) Order 2009 | 13th Report, Session 2008-09 |
Committees
Unless otherwise indicated, Committees meet in the Lords’ rooms in the Committee Corridor as indicated in the daily broadsheet. Only the next meeting of each Committee is listed below. Further details of these meetings, and of planned further meetings, may be found in the House of Lords Committees Weekly Bulletin.
| Wednesday 25 November | ||
| European Union | Sub-Committee F Home Affairs | 10.30am |
| European Union | Sub-Committee D Environment and Agriculture | 10.30am |
| Statutory Instruments | Joint Committee | 3.45pm |
| European Union | Sub-Committee E Law and Institutions | 4.00pm |
| Ecclesiastical | Statutory Committee | 4.30pm |
| Thursday 26 November | ||
| European Union | Sub-Committee G Social Policy and Consumer Affairs | 9.30am |
| European Union | Sub-Committee C Foreign Affairs, Defence and Development Policy | 10.30am |
| Monday 30 November | ||
| European Union | Sub-Committee B Internal Market | 4.00pm |
| Tuesday 1 December | ||
| European Union | Sub-Committee A Economic and Financial Affairs, and International Trade | 10.30am |
| Human Rights | Joint Committee | 1.30pm |
| Merits of Statutory Instruments | Select Committee | 3.30pm |
| Wednesday 2 December | ||
| Constitution | Select Committee | 10.30am |
| Science and Technology | Select Committee | 3.30pm |
| Thursday 3 December | ||
| Audit | Domestic Committee | 2.00pm |
| Monday 7 December | ||
| Procedure of the House | Domestic Committee | 4.15pm |
| Tuesday 8 December | ||
| European Union | Select Committee | 4.00pm |
| Wednesday 9 December | ||
| Information | Domestic Committee | 3.45pm |
| Thursday 10 December | ||
| Refreshment | Domestic Committee | 2.15pm in Committee Room G |
| Monday 14 December | ||
| Administration and Works | Domestic Committee | 4.15pm in Committee Room G |
Minutes of Proceedings of Tuesday 24 November 2009
The House met at 2.30pm.
Prayers were read by the Lord Bishop of Manchester.
1 The Lord Bishop of Hereford Anthony Martin Lord Bishop of Hereford was introduced between the Lord Bishop of Manchester and the Lord Bishop of Lichfield; and took and subscribed the oath.
Select Committee Reports
2 Merits of Statutory Instruments
The First Report from the Select Committee was made and ordered to be printed. (HL Paper 4)
3 Human Rights
The following Report from the Joint Committee was made and ordered to be printed:
Business and Human Rights. (First Report, HL Paper 5)
Public Business
4 Sure Start A question was asked by Lord Dubs and answered by Baroness Morgan of Drefelin.
5 Health: diabetes A question was asked by Lord Harrison and answered by Baroness Thornton.
6 Children: adoption A question was asked by Baroness Gardner of Parkes and answered by Baroness Morgan of Drefelin.
7 Health: Green Paper A question was asked by Baroness Pitkeathley and answered by Baroness Thornton.
8 European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Stabilisation and Association Agreement) (Republic of Montenegro) Order 2009 Baroness Royall of Blaisdon moved that the draft Order be referred to a Grand Committee. The motion was agreed to.
9 Legal Services Act 2007 (Functions of an Approved Regulator) Order 2009 Baroness Royall of Blaisdon moved that the draft Order be referred to a Grand Committee. The motion was agreed to.
10 Legal Services Act 2007 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2009 Baroness Royall of Blaisdon moved that the draft Order be referred to a Grand Committee. The motion was agreed to.
11 Transfer of Functions of the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal Order 2009 Baroness Royall of Blaisdon moved that the draft Order be referred to a Grand Committee. The motion was agreed to.
12 Transfer of Tribunal Functions Order 2009 Baroness Royall of Blaisdon moved that the draft Order be referred to a Grand Committee. The motion was agreed to.
13 Amendment to Schedule 6 to the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 Order 2009 Baroness Royall of Blaisdon moved that the draft Order be referred to a Grand Committee. The motion was agreed to.
14 Census (England and Wales) Order 2009 Baroness Royall of Blaisdon moved that the draft Order be referred to a Grand Committee. The motion was agreed to.
15 European Union The Chairman of Committees moved that a Select Committee be appointed to consider European Union documents and other matters relating to the European Union.
That the expression “European Union documents” shall include the following documents:
(i) Any proposal under the Community Treaties for legislation by the Council or the Council acting jointly with the European Parliament;
(ii) Any document which is published for submission to the European Council, the Council or the European Central Bank;
(iii) Any proposal for a common strategy, a joint action or a common position under Title V (provisions on a common foreign and security policy) of the Treaty on European Union which is prepared for submission to the Council or to the European Council;
(iv) Any proposal for a common position, framework decision, decision or a convention under Title VI (provisions on police and judicial co-operation in criminal matters) of the Treaty on European Union which is prepared for submission to the Council;
(v) Any document (not falling within (ii), (iii) or (iv) above) which is published by one Union institution for or with a view to submission to another Union institution and which does not relate exclusively to consideration of any proposal for legislation;
(vi) Any other document relating to European Union matters deposited in the House by a Minister of the Crown.
That, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following members be appointed to the Committee:
| L Bowness B Cohen of Pimlico L Dear L Dykes L Freeman L Hannay of Chiswick B Howarth of Breckland L Jopling L Kerr of Kinlochard L Paul | L Plumb L Powell of Bayswater L Richard L Roper (Chairman) L Sewel B Sharp of Guildford B Symons of Vernham Dean L Teverson L Trimble |
That the Committee have power to appoint sub-committees and to refer to them any matters within its terms of reference; that the Committee have power to appoint the Chairmen of sub-committees, but that the sub-committees have power to appoint their own Chairmen for the purpose of particular inquiries; that the quorum of each sub-committee be two;
That the Committee have power to co-opt any member to serve on a sub-committee;
That the Committee and its sub-committees have power to send for persons, papers and records;
That the Committee have power to appoint specialist advisers;
That the Committee and its sub-committees have power to adjourn from place to place;
That the Committee have leave to report from time to time;
That the Reports of the Committee shall be printed, regardless of any adjournment of the House;
That the evidence taken by the Committee or its sub-committees in the last session of Parliament be referred to the Committee or its sub-committees;
That the evidence taken by the Committee or its sub-committees shall, if the Committee so wishes, be published.
After debate, the motion was agreed to.
16 Merits of Statutory Instruments The Chairman of Committees moved 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) remedial orders, and draft remedial orders, under section 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998;
(b) draft orders under sections 14 and 18 of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006, and subordinate provisions orders made or proposed to be made under the Regulatory Reform Act 2001;
(c) 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:
| B Butler-Sloss B Deech L Hart of Chilton L James of Blackheath L Lucas L Methuen | B Morris of Yardley L Norton of Louth L Rosser (Chairman) L Scott of Foscote B Thomas of Winchester |
That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers and records;
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 Committee shall be printed, regardless of any adjournment of the House;
That the evidence taken by the Committee shall, if the Committee so wishes, be published.
The motion was agreed to.
17 Queen’s Speech The debate on the motion that a Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty was resumed and, after further debate, was again adjourned until Wednesday 25 November.
The House adjourned at 9.56pm until Wednesday 25 November at 3.00pm.
Papers
All statutory instruments laid before the House are accompanied by an Explanatory Memorandum presented by command of Her Majesty, unless otherwise indicated.
Command Papers
The following papers were presented to the House by command of Her Majesty:
1 United Nations—Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel. (7733)
2 Nuclear Energy—Agreement between the United Kingdom and Jordan for Co-operation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy. (7734)
3 Information Management—Cross-Departmental Report: Archives for the 21st Century. (7744)
4 Defence—Supplementary Votes to the Ministry of Defence Votes A for 2009-10. (—)
5 Finance—Minute from the Department for International Development dated 24 November 2009 concerning the contingent liability arising in connection with the general capital increase for the Asian Development Bank. (—)
Affirmative Instrument
The following instrument was laid before the House for approval by resolution:
Draft Local Government (Wales) Measure 2009 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2009, laid under the Government of Wales Act 2006.
Negative Instruments
The following instruments were laid before the House:
1 Air Navigation Order 2009, laid under the Civil Aviation Act 1982. (3015)
2 Food for Particular Nutritional Uses (Addition of Substances for Specific Nutritional Purposes) (England) Regulations 2009, laid under the European Communities Act 1972. (3051)
3 M60 Motorway (Junction 25) (Speed Limit) Regulations 2009, laid under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. (3061)
4 Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Law Applicable to Contracts of Insurance) Regulations 2009, laid under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. (3075)
Papers not subject to parliamentary proceedings
The following papers were laid before the House:
1 Report for 2008-09 of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills, laid under the Education and Inspections Act 2006.
2 Treasury Minute directing the application of certain amounts as Appropriations in Aid of the Estimates for 2009-10, laid under the Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000.
ISBN 9780 108457449
| © Parliamentary copyright 2009 | Prepared: 25 November 2009 |