House of Lords Business

Thursday 8 July 2010 at 10.45am

†Lord Davies of Stamford, 
†Baroness Smith of Basildon and 
†Lord Prescott will be introduced.

*Oral Questions, 30 minutes

*Baroness Whitaker to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to meet the need for new housing.

*Lord Waddington to ask Her Majesty’s Government what proposals they have to restore individual freedoms and civil liberties.

*Lord Clinton-Davis to ask Her Majesty’s Government what will be the roles of Niall Ferguson and Andrew Roberts with regard to the history curriculum for schools in England.

*Lord Faulkner of Worcester to ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the United States authorities about reprieving Linda Carty.

Lord Chidgey to call attention to developments in regional post-conflict stabilisation in eastern and central Africa; and to move for papers. (Balloted debate, 2½ hours)

Baroness Ford to call attention to the level of affordable housing; and to move for papers. (Balloted debate, 2½ hours)

Future Business 

Friday 9 July at 10.00am

Defamation Bill [HL] Second Reading [Lord Lester of Herne Hill]

Dog Control Bill [HL] Second Reading [Lord Redesdale]

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

Monday 12 July at 2.15pm

Sir Michael Spicer, 
The Rt Hon Michael Wills and 
Dolar Popat Esq will be introduced as Barons.

*Lord Pannick to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they propose to increase the retirement age of Supreme Court judges to 75.

*Lord Dholakia to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the Chief Inspector of Prisons’ thematic review on Muslim prisoners’ experiences.

*Baroness Trumpington to ask the Chairman of Committees what steps are being taken to restore the frescos in the Royal Gallery.

*Lord Lloyd of Berwick to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will bring forward proposals for reforming the law of murder.

Lord Strathclyde to move that this House takes note of the case for reviewing the working practices of the House of Lords.

Tuesday 13 July at 2.15pm

†Baroness Liddell of Coatdyke will be introduced, 
Guy Black Esq will be introduced as a Baron, and 
Angela Browning will be introduced as a Baroness.

*Lord Fowler to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have for the BBC World Service.

*Lord Krebs to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have for improving the dietary health of the population. [I]

Category 10: Non-financial interests (a)

President, Campden BRI (advice to food, drink and allied industries)

*Lord Dubs to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have proposals to introduce biometric passports.

†Topical oral question. Ballot to be drawn on Friday 9 July at 2pm.

†Academies Bill [HL] Third Reading [Lord Hill of Oareford]

†Lord Krebs to move that this House takes note of the Report of the Science and Technology Committee on Nanotechnologies and Food (First Report, Session 2009–10, HL Paper 22). [I]

Category 10: Non-financial interests (a)

President, Campden BRI (advice to food, drink and allied industries)

Grand Committee in the Moses Room at 3.30pm

Legislative Reform (Licensing) (Interim Authority Notices etc.) Order 2010 Consideration in Grand Committee [Lord Shutt of Greetland] 8th Report, Session 2009–10, from the Regulatory Reform Committee

†National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Housing and Local Government) Order 2010 Consideration in Grand Committee [Lord Wallace of Tankerness] 12th Report, Session 2009–10, from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments

Lord Dubs to ask Her Majesty’s Government what proposals they have regarding prisons. (1 hour)

Wednesday 14 July at 3.00pm

Baroness Wheeler will be introduced.

*Lord Lee of Trafford to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the contribution of tourism to the United Kingdom economy.

*Lord Naseby to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to review the management and procedures of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to ensure that patients suffering from the most prevalent conditions of cancer and Alzheimer’s disease are properly treated.

*Lord Plumb to ask Her Majesty’s Government when the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ Task Force on Farming Regulations will make their recommendations.

Local Government Bill [HL] Committee [Baroness Hanham]

Lord Haskel to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage low carbon technologies in the market place. (Dinner break business, 1 hour)

Thursday 15 July at 10.45am

Wilfrid Stevenson Esq and 
John Shipley Esq OBE will be introduced as Barons, and 
Helen Newlove will be introduced as a Baroness.

*Baroness Gould of Potternewton to ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they will take to encourage more women to take up places on committees and on the boards of public bodies and listed companies.

*Lord Rix to ask Her Majesty’s Government who will be responsible for promoting opportunities in schools for students with special educational needs and disabilities to have access to new and innovative technologies, following the decision to close down Becta. [I]

Category 10: Non-financial interests (e)

President, Royal Mencap Society

*Lord Grocott to ask Her Majesty’s Government, following their proposal that Parliament could only be dissolved if 55 per cent or more of MPs vote in favour, what procedures would follow if a government lost a vote of confidence, but fewer than 55 per cent of MPs voted for a dissolution.

Lord Thomas of Gresford to call attention to the reform of the criminal justice system, in particular to the effectiveness of alternatives to custody; and to move for papers.

Lord Greaves to call attention to the future of rural communities, in particular those in the Uplands and more remote parts of the United Kingdom; and to move for papers.

Monday 19 July at 2.15pm

Timothy Boswell Esq will be introduced as a Baron, and 
Deborah Stedman-Scott OBE and 
Kathryn Parminter will be introduced as Baronesses.

*Baroness Royall of Blaisdon to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase general practitioners’ awareness of the symptoms of prostate cancer.

*Baroness Cox to ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the criteria used for nominating peerages for representatives of different professions, with particular reference to the nursing profession.

*Lord Ramsbotham to ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will respond to the Independent Commission on Youth Crime and Antisocial Behaviour.

*Lord Pearson of Rannoch to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take under Article 125 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to ensure that neither the European Union nor any member state shall be liable for or assume commitments of another member state.

†Terrorism Act 2006 (Disapplication of Section 25) Order 2010 Baroness Neville-Jones to move that the draft Order laid before the House on 24 June be approved. 3rd Report from the Merits Committee

†Child Trust Funds (Amendment No. 3) Regulations 2010 Lord Sassoon to move that the draft Regulations laid before the House on 29 June be approved.

†Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Contribution to Costs of Special Resolution Regime) Regulations 2010 Lord Sassoon to move that the draft Regulations laid before the House on 5 June be approved.

†National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999 (Amendment) Regulations 2010 Baroness Wilcox to move that the draft Regulations laid before the House on 6 June be approved.

†Armed Forces Act (Continuation) Order 2010 Lord Wallace of Saltaire to move that the draft Order laid before the House on 2 June be approved.

†Fishing Boats (Electronic Transmission of Fishing Activities Data) (England) Scheme 2010 Lord Henley to move that the Scheme laid before the House on 16 June be approved.

Tuesday 20 July at 2.15pm

Sir Ken Macdonald QC and 
The Rt Hon Michael Howard QC will be introduced as Barons, and 
Susan Nye will be introduced as a Baroness.

*Lord Willoughby de Broke to ask Her Majesty’s Government what are their intentions as regards the Large Combustion Plant Directive and the generating plants concerned.

*Lord Higgins to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will transfer responsibility for the Debt Management Office to the Bank of England.

*The Duke of Montrose to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the issues experienced with mapping in England and Wales within the Single Farm Payment scheme have been overcome.

Wednesday 21 July at 3.00pm

Anna Healy will be introduced as a Baroness.

*Lord Selsdon to ask Her Majesty’s Government how, in considering proposals for reform of the House of Lords, they define the present role of members of the House of Lords.

*Lord Harrison to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of illegal motorway advertisements; and whether they will issue revised guidance to local authorities on the matter.

*Baroness Andrews to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have for the strategy and work of the Office of Civil Society, now in the Cabinet Office.

Baroness Verma to move that this House takes note of the position of women in society in the United Kingdom and overseas and the advancements that can be made for the development of women’s potential.

Thursday 22 July at 10.45am

Matthew Taylor Esq and 
The Rt Hon John Reid will be introduced as Barons, and 
Dame Margaret Eaton DBE will be introduced as a Baroness.

*Baroness Stern to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the outcome of the Review Conference on the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court held in Kampala, Uganda, from 31 May to 11 June.

*Lord Dixon-Smith to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the practice of skin testing for bovine tuberculosis followed by the slaughter of reactors will eliminate the disease from the national herd.

*Lord Clement-Jones to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will review the impact of the points-based visa system on visiting artists and performers.

Monday 26 July at 2.15pm

The Rt Hon Beverley Hughes will be introduced as a Baroness, and 
Sir Ian Blair QPM and 
Richard Allan Esq will be introduced as Barons.

*Baroness O’Cathain to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have for the dairy industry.

*Baroness Gardner of Parkes to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will encourage the letting of residential properties by classifying them as businesses in the same way as holiday lettings. [I]

Category 5: Land and property

London property let at commercial rents

*Lord Faulkner of Worcester to ask Her Majesty’s Government how they are supporting England’s bid for the 2018 World Cup.

*Viscount Waverley to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to improve diplomatic relations and dialogue with Russia.

Tuesday 27 July at 2.30pm

Sir Jeremy Beecham and 
The Rt Hon Des Browne will be introduced as Barons.

*Baroness Massey of Darwen to ask Her Majesty’s Government what support they will provide for trafficked children.

*Lord Livsey of Talgarth to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have reached conclusions on the findings of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs-funded Dutch Agricultural Economics Research Institute (LEI) study of the likely impact on United Kingdom farmers if Common Agricultural Policy direct payments were removed by 2013.

*Lord Ashley of Stoke to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have discussed disability issues with the Royal Association of Disability and Rehabilitation.

Wednesday 28 July at 11.00am

Edward Faulks Esq QC will be introduced as a Baron.

*The Earl of Sandwich to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to use the aid budget for Ministry of Defence purposes in Afghanistan.

*Lord Roberts of Conwy to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the trend in net lending by banks to United Kingdom businesses.

*Lord Hunt of Kings Heath to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the advice from the Committee on Climate Change to extend the carbon capture and storage competition to include gas demonstration projects.

Motions for Balloted Debate 

Date of next ballot and debate day to be confirmed. Time limit 2½ hours

Lord Harrison to call attention to the standards and practices of public and private zoos in the United Kingdom and their relationship to European Union legislation; and to move for papers.

Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury to call attention to the contribution of creative and cultural industries to the economic and social wellbeing of the United Kingdom; and to move for papers.

Baroness Gould of Potternewton to call attention to reform of the law, and to the strategy and support services, in relation to violence against women; and to move for papers.

Viscount Waverley to call attention to developments in central Asia; and to move for papers.

Lord Desai to call attention to measures to alleviate poverty at home and abroad; and to move for papers.

Lord Fowler to call attention to Her Majesty’s Government’s plans for the BBC; and to move for papers.

Lord Alton of Liverpool to call attention to human rights abuses worldwide and to the recommendations of the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission on how the Foreign and Commonwealth Office pursues human rights questions; and to move for papers.

The Lord Bishop of Wakefield to call attention to the Strategic Defence and Security Review and the military covenant; and to move for papers.

Lord Norton of Louth to call attention to the case for reducing the size of the House of Lords; and to move for papers.

The Lord Bishop of Chester to call attention to the role of marriage and marriage support in British society 11 years after the report on Funding for Marriage Support by Sir Graham Hart; and to move for papers.

Lord Harries of Pentregarth to call attention to the situation of Dalits worldwide; and to move for papers.

Lord Hylton to call attention to Israel’s compliance with international law; and to move for papers.

Lord Bates to call attention to progress towards a United Nations Olympic Truce Resolution for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games; and to move for papers.

Select Committee Reports 

The date on which the report was published is in italics

Lord Fowler to move that this House takes note of the Report of the Communications Committee on Digital switchover of television and radio in the United Kingdom (2nd Report, Session 2009–10, HL Paper 100). 29 March 2010

Lord Vallance of Tummel to move that this House takes note of the Report of the Economic Affairs Committee on Private Finance Projects and off-balance sheet debt (First Report, Session 2009–10, HL Paper 63). 17 March 2010 [I]

Category 2: Remunerated employment, office, profession etc.

Member, Supervisory Board, Siemens AG (engineering and services)

Baroness Jay of Paddington to move that this House takes note of the Report of the Constitution Committee on Referendums in the United Kingdom (12th Report, Session 2009–10, HL Paper 99). 7 April 2010

Other Motions for Debate 

Lord Alton of Liverpool to call attention to human rights abuses worldwide and to the recommendations of the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission on how the Foreign and Commonwealth Office pursues human rights questions; and to move for papers.

The Earl of Sandwich to call attention to Her Majesty’s Government’s proposals for international development policy; and to move for papers.

Lord Lucas to call attention to the place of trust in society; and to move for papers.

Lord Alton of Liverpool to call attention to the 150th anniversary of the Opium Wars and to China’s role in the world in the 21st century; and to move for papers.

Lord Hylton to move to resolve that the European Union should use its powers to prevent access to the European Union without a visa by Israeli citizens and to remove duty-free access for Israeli goods if Israeli breaches of international law continue.

Lord Selsdon to call attention to the future role of non-departmental public bodies; and to move for papers.

Motion relating to Delegated Legislation 

Baroness Thomas of Winchester to move that this House takes note of the Employment and Support Allowance (Transitional Provisions, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit) (Existing Awards) Regulations 2010 (SI 2010/ 875). First Report from the Merits Committee

Questions for Short Debate 

Time limit 1 hour or 1½ hours

Lord Bew to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the report of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their approach to reform of the House of Lords.

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask Her Majesty’s Government how they will halt the decline in biodiversity in the United Kingdom; and what resources will be allocated to that work. [I]

Category 10: Non-financial interests (e)

Vice President, Wildlife Link

The Earl of Sandwich to ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress they have made with their review of dependence on, and withdrawal from, benzodiazepines and other prescribed drugs.

Lord Corbett of Castle Vale to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to moves by the United Nations Security Council to impose new sanctions upon Iran for its defiance of United Nations resolutions on its nuclear activities. [I]

Category 7: Overseas visits

Visit to Paris with wife, 20-21 June 2009, to speak at rally in defence of freedom in Iran; return rail fare, transport, meals and overnight hotel for self and wife paid for by members of the National Council of Resistance of Iran

Lord Chidgey to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of progress towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals.

Baroness Coussins to ask Her Majesty’s Government what importance they attach to the teaching of modern languages in schools and universities.

Baroness Sharp of Guildford to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the wider benefits of adult education; and what steps they are taking to support and encourage institutions which seek to promote lifelong learning.

Baroness Deech to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to ensure that fellow signatories to the Terezin Declaration on Holocaust Era Assets fulfil the obligations of the Declaration in relation to the restitution of wrongfully seized property.

Baroness Deech to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will introduce legislation to ensure that financial provision on divorce is determined on fair and settled principles.

Lord Grocott to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the operation of proportional representation for elections to the European Parliament.

Baroness Thornton to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the £420 million allocated for the Personal Care at Home Act 2010 to support the disabled and elderly will be used for that purpose.

Lord Bradshaw to ask Her Majesty’s Government what are their proposals for the bus industry.

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff to ask Her Majesty’s Government how they propose to preserve United Kingdom academic health partnerships.

Lord Harrison to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the Diabetes UK report Putting feet first.

Lord Crisp to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the principles of global health are taught at all levels of medical education.

The Lord Bishop of Bradford to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps are being taken to ensure the safety of children, especially children in the care of local authorities, from being groomed for sexual exploitation.

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.

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 Jay of Ewelme to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps are they taking to support African countries in their efforts to adapt to climate change.

Lord Greaves to ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures they propose for the future of the Uplands. [I]

Category 10: Non-financial interests (d)

Vice President, Open Spaces Society

Viscount Montgomery of Alamein to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the value of manufacturing to the United Kingdom economy.

Baroness Byford to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to reduce regulatory burdens on British agriculture.

Baroness Gale to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the recommendations of the report of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Parkinson’s Disease, Please mind the gap: Parkinson’s disease services today.

Lord Bates to ask Her Majesty’s Government what preparations they are making for declaring the Olympic Truce accompanying the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Viscount Waverley to ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress they have made in their relations with Azerbaijan.

Viscount Waverley to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have taken steps to promote civil society in Thailand; and, if so, how.

Viscount Bridgeman to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have for the future of hospices in England.

Baroness Greengross to ask Her Majesty’s Government what public procurement lessons they have learnt from the railways.

The Lord Bishop of Wakefield to ask Her Majesty’s Government how the military covenant will be covered by the Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Lord Berkeley to ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress they are making with the decennial review of the Civil List and grant-in-aid to the Royal Family.

Baroness Ford to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to increase the provision of epilepsy services.

Baroness Gardner of Parkes to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the role of allied health professionals in maintaining the health and social well-being of people with long-term neurological conditions.

Lord Norton of Louth to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase the number of bills subject to pre-legislative scrutiny.

Viscount Astor to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will consider changing the voting arrangements for British citizens residing abroad and members of the armed forces serving abroad.

The Lord Bishop of Salisbury to ask Her Majesty’s Government what they expect to be the effects on local parish churches of the ending of the listed places of worship grant scheme in March 2011.

Questions for Written Answer 

Tabled on 7 July and due for answer by 21 July.

Lord Taylor of Warwick to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reform the Standard Assessment Tests.   HL1071

Lord Taylor of Warwick to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to increase the number of science and mathematics teachers in the United Kingdom.   HL1072

Lord Taylor of Warwick to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to explain the reasons for switching from analogue to digital radio.   HL1073

Lord Tebbit to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have assisted, or intend to assist, the government of Kenya in paying for the costs of the detention and trial of alleged pirates and the imprisonment of those convicted; and, if so, how much they have paid.   HL1074

Lord Tebbit to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Shutt of Greetland on 28 June (WA 216) on the terrorist attack on The Grand Hotel, Brighton, whether they have established the identities of the members of the command structure of the IRA who planned and financed that bombing and supplied explosives to Mr Magee.   HL1075

Baroness Hamwee to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the context of their comments about mistreatment of detainees in other countries, they will investigate allegations of the mistreatment during their removal from the United Kingdom of persons who have been detained following failed applications for asylum.   HL1076

Lord Campbell-Savours to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the target number of registered electors in the average constituency under their proposal for a House of Commons of 600 seats.
   HL1077

Lord Campbell-Savours to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the statement by the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, on 5 July (HC Deb, cols 23–5), whether the boundary review by the boundary commissions will be based on electoral registers drawn up on the basis of individual registration, as defined under the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009.   HL1078

Lord Hoyle to ask Her Majesty’s Government what percentage of tickets at 2012 Olympic Games events will be reserved for the general public.   HL1079

Lord Hoyle to ask Her Majesty’s Government why only Visa credit cards will be accepted for booking tickets for 2012 Olympic Games events.   HL1080

Lord Hoyle to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure a fair distribution of tickets for 2012 Olympic Games events.   HL1081

Lord Myners to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether members of the Budget Responsibility Committee have been appointed for three months; and whether Mr Geoffrey Dicks and Mr Graham Parker will be standing down at the same time as Sir Alan Budd.   HL1082

Lord Myners to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether positions on the Budget Responsibility Committee will be advertised, as for positions on the Monetary Policy Committee, the Court of the Bank of England and the board of the Financial Services Authority.   HL1083

Lord Myners to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Sir Alan Budd and other members of the Budget Responsibility Committee have had access to information on the economy and public finances not made public.   HL1084

Lord Myners to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether employees of the Financial Services Authority will be entitled to join the pension schemes offered to employees of the Bank of England.
   HL1085

Lord Myners to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether employees of the prudential regulator will be on the same pay scales and remuneration policies as employees of the Bank of England once it becomes a subsidiary of the Bank of England.   HL1086

Lord Myners to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether steps will be taken to ensure that central clearing parties for derivatives apply common margining policies.   HL1087

Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance they issue to British embassies and high commissions about the role of international co-operation in reducing and preventing human trafficking.   HL1088

Lord Rooker to ask Her Majesty’s Government what recent discussions they have had about appointments to the Automotive Council.   HL1089

Lord Rooker to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage potential new entrants to motorsport to base themselves in "Motorsport Valley".   HL1090

Lord Rooker to ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they propose to promote the green initiatives under development in the aerospace and motorsport sectors.   HL1091

Lord Rooker to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will work with the motorsport sector to exploit the export potential of products and services with a high technological content.   HL1092

Lord Rooker to ask the Leader of the House whether he will make proposals for public evidence sessions in the Lords for bills which have not had pre-legislative scrutiny in the House of Commons.
   HL1093

Lord Rooker to ask Her Majesty’s Government which departments do not have a chief scientific adviser.   HL1094

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Neville-Jones on 29 June (WA 265), why it is not possible to distinguish between the numbers of visas issued to those coming to undertake shortage occupations and to those coming to fill other jobs.   HL1095

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Neville-Jones on 29 June (WA 265), by what criteria they judge there to be a shortage of social workers in children’s and family services, certain skilled senior care workers, and pre-registration and registered pharmacists in the National Health Service sufficient to include those professions on the shortage occupation list for tier 2 of the points-based system for entry visas to the United Kingdom from non-European Union countries.   HL1096

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government what percentage of tenants of private landlords are estimated to be in receipt of Local Housing Allowance; and whether they intend to make all tenants eligible to receive it.   HL1097

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether details of direct or indirect payments to landlords of Local Housing Allowance and Housing Benefit are available to HM Revenue and Customs; and, if not, whether they will consider deducting tax at source when direct payments of those benefits are made.   HL1098

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to continue the practice of granting honours automatically to civil servants occupying certain senior posts on their retirement.   HL1099

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many civil servants took sick leave from the Northern Ireland Office during March of each of the last eight years.   HL1100

Lord Jones of Cheltenham to ask Her Majesty’s Government what restrictions will be placed on those being investigated for corruption in the Turks and Caicos Islands on their candidature in elections to the Islands’ legislature.   HL1101

Lord Jones of Cheltenham to ask Her Majesty’s Government what advice they issue to investors wishing to develop tourist facilities on St Helena about the planned opening date of the island’s airport.   HL1102

Lord Jones of Cheltenham to ask Her Majesty’s Government what has been the cost of the Overseas Territories Environment Programme in each territory; and what assessment they have made of the success of the Programme.   HL1103

Lord Jones of Cheltenham to ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in eradicating and managing invasive species in British overseas territories.   HL1104

Lord Jones of Cheltenham to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their forecast of the timescale for St Helena to become financially independent following the opening of the island’s airport.
   HL1105

Lord Jones of Cheltenham to ask Her Majesty’s Government how much they have given in financial support to St Helena in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what support they will provide each year until 2015.   HL1106

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean to ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the full range of duties to be undertaken by the Minister of State for Business and Enterprise, Mr Mark Prisk.
   HL1107

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to appoint a trade minister with sole responsibility for the pursuit of overseas trade and inward investment.
   HL1108

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether as part of their plan for restoring "our economic competitiveness working with UKTI ... to use our global diplomatic network even more to support UK business in an interventionist and active manner", referred to by the Foreign Secretary in his speech on 1 July, they will appoint a minister with sole responsibility for trade.   HL1109

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean to ask Her Majesty’s Government how their plan to cut the funding for British overseas territories by 10 per cent this year will be achieved; which projects will be affected; and which territories will have their funding cut.   HL1110

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether their plans for communicating foreign policy in the way that the Obama administration has "grasped and articulated most effectively, communicating directly with citizens in the Muslim-majority world", referred to by the Foreign Secretary in his speech on 1 July, will be affected by cutting this year’s public diplomacy programme by £1.6 million.   HL1111

Earl Baldwin of Bewdley to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Thornton on 23 February (WA 282–3) and 6 April (WA 398) about the letter published by Professor Chester Douglass and the non-publication of his study on fluoride and osteosarcoma, whether it is normal scientific practice to cite as evidence studies which have not yet been published, and letters which report the results of those studies, without making clear the status of such documents.   HL1112

Lord Barnett to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Sassoon on 24 June (WA 205), what discussions the Chancellor of the Exchequer has had with the Governor of the Bank of England about the effect on staff levels in Government departments of the proposed expenditure cuts announced on 24 May.   HL1113

Lord Jopling to ask the Leader of the House whether he has studied the number of Questions for Written Answer which were not answered within the target answering time during recent years; and what proposals he has to ensure that the number of overdue answers is reduced.   HL1114

Lord Stoddart of Swindon to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 30 June (WA 284) concerning the state retirement pension, how much is the disproportionate cost referred to.   HL1115

Lord Stoddart of Swindon to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, following their decision to increase the personal income tax allowance for those under 65 but not the allowances for those aged over 65 or 75, they intend to phase out the differentials entirely.   HL1116

Lord Christopher to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many public sector workers in each Government department or body are employed within one hour’s travel of (a) Barnsley, (b) Blackpool, (c) Doncaster, (d) Grimsby, (e) Hastings, (f) Liverpool, and (g) Mansfield; and how many public sector vacancies there are in each of those places.   HL1117

Questions unanswered after 10 working days 

15 June (29 June)

HL502 Baroness Gould of Potternewton [GEO]

HL508 Lord Fearn [DCMS]

HL541 Baroness Stern [HO]

HL542 Baroness Stern [HO]

16 June (30 June)

HL552 Lord Greaves [HMT]

17 June (1 July)

HL587 Lord Hylton [HO]

HL588 Lord Hylton [HO]

21 June (5 July)

HL637 Lord Hylton [HO]

HL653 Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead [DfID]

HL658 Lord Ouseley [HO]

HL659 Lord Ouseley [HO]

HL660 Lord Ouseley [HO]

HL661 Lord Ouseley [HO]

HL673 Lord Forsyth of Drumlean [HMT]

HL675 Lord Corbett of Castle Vale [HO]

HL676 Lord Corbett of Castle Vale [HO]

HL678 Lord Maginnis of Drumglass [NIO]

HL690 Lord Myners [HMT]

HL691 Lord Myners [HMT]

22 June (6 July)

HL703 Lord Alton of Liverpool [CO]

HL707 Lord Myners [HMT]

HL728 Lord Laird [CO]

HL731 Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe [HO]

23 June (7 July)

HL747 Lord Hunt of Kings Heath [DfE]

HL766 Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay [CO]

HL769 Lord Laird [NIO]

Number of questions allocated to each department which are unanswered after 10 working days.

Bills in Progress 

Affirmative Instruments in Progress 

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

Negative Instrument 

Instrument reported by the Merits of Statutory Instruments Committee

Legislative Reform Orders in Progress 

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.

Minutes of Proceedings of Wednesday 7 July 2010   

The House met at 3.00pm.

Prayers were read by the Lord Bishop of Gloucester.

1 Lord Willis of Knaresborough George Philip Willis, Esquire, having been created Baron Willis of Knaresborough, of Harrogate in the County of North Yorkshire, for life by Letters Patent dated 18 June 2010, was introduced between Lord Wallace of Saltaire and Baroness Harris of Richmond, took and subscribed the oath and signed an undertaking to abide by the Code of Conduct.

2 Oath Richard Frederick Lord Vincent of Coleshill took and subscribed the oath and signed an undertaking to abide by the Code of Conduct.

Public Business

3 General election: voting deadline A question was asked by Lord Trefgarne and answered by Lord McNally.

4 Rural Payments Agency A question was asked by Lord Greaves and answered by Lord Henley.

5 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation: Equatorial Guinea A question was asked by Baroness Falkner of Margravine and answered by Baroness Verma.

6 Samantha Stobbart A question was asked by Baroness Scotland of Asthal and answered by Baroness Neville-Jones.

7 Live Music Bill [HL] Lord Clement-Jones presented a bill to amend the Licensing Act 2003 with respect to the performance of live music entertainment; and for connected purposes. It was read a first time and ordered to be printed. (HL Bill 12)

8 Afghanistan Lord Astor of Hever repeated a ministerial statement made in the House of Commons.

9 Academies Bill [HL] The report stage was continued, beginning with amendment 6. Amendment 9 was disagreed to (see division list 1). An amendment was agreed to. The report stage was adjourned.

10 National Health Service: pain management services A question was asked by Lord Luce and, after debate, answered by Earl Howe.

11 Academies Bill [HL] The report stage was continued, beginning with amendment 16. Amendment 26 was disagreed to (see division list 2). Amendments were agreed to. The bill, as amended, was ordered to be printed. (HL Bill 13)

The House adjourned at 12.02am on Thursday 8 July until 10.45am the same day.

Michael Pownall

Clerk of the Parliaments

Papers 

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

Negative Instruments

The following instruments were laid before the House:

1 Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2010, laid under the Education Act 1996.   (1725)

2 Firearms (Amendment) Regulations 2010, laid under the European Communities Act 1972. 
         (1759)

Papers not subject to Parliamentary Proceedings

The following papers were laid before the House:

1 Reports and Accounts for 2006–07 of the Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission, laid under the Access to Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2003.

  2 (1) Report and Accounts for 2009–10 of the Birmingham Women’s NHS Foundation Trust

(2) Report and Accounts for 2009–10 of the Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

(3) Report and Accounts for 2009–10 of the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

(4) Report and Accounts for 2009–10 of the Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

(5) Report and Accounts for 2009–10 of the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

(6) Report and Accounts for 2009–10 of the Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

(7) Report and Accounts for 2009–10 of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

(8) Report and Accounts for 2009–10 of the Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

(9) Report and Accounts for 2009–10 of the Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust

(10) Report and Accounts for 2009–10 of the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

laid under the National Health Service Act 2006.

3 Treasury Minute directing the application of certain amounts as Appropriations in Aid of the Estimates for 2010–11, laid under the Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000.

Divisions on 7 July 2010 

Academies Bill [HL]

Division No. 1

Baroness Massey of Darwen moved amendment 9, in clause 1, page 2, line 3, at end to insert "except that Personal, Social and Health Education shall be a curriculum requirement". The House divided:

Contents 156

Not-contents 245

Academies Bill [HL]

Division No. 2

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon moved amendment 26, after clause 3, to insert the new clause Consultation before Academy order. The House divided:

Contents 44

Not-contents 111