†ROYAL COMMISSION
NO DAY NAMED
PART I
The Lord Simon of Glaisdale—To move to resolve, That the prolixity of the Statute Book has increased, is increasing and ought to be diminished.
The Lord Moynihan—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made on the institutional and financing reforms, including the re-weighting of votes in the Council of Ministers, necessary for European Union enlargement.
The Lord Barnett—To call attention to the prospects for the United Kingdom joining EMU in the foreseeable future; and to move for papers.
The Lord Paul—To call attention to the role of privately owned businesses in the British economy; and to move for papers.
The Lord Vinson—To call attention to the case for using nuclear energy to meet the United Kingdom’s Kyoto Conference obligations for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions; and to move for papers.
The Lord Rea—To call attention to the Report of the Independent Inquiry into Inequalities in Health chaired by Sir Donald Acheson; and to move for papers.
The Lord Avebury—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures they are taking to reduce the incidence of violent and disruptive behaviour by passengers on aircraft entering or leaving the United Kingdom.
The Earl of Gowrie—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the recent financial settlement for the arts constitutes a stable basis of arts funding for the early years of the forthcoming millennium.
The Earl of Northesk—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to their response to the 6th Report of the House of Commons Select Committee on Public Administration (Session 1997-98), whether they will clarify how the Strategic Communications Unit distinguishes between legitimate activity on behalf of the Government and activity which could unduly advantage the party of Government.
The Earl of Longford—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether their policy that an individual convicted three times of burglary should be sentenced to at least three years in prison was formulated with full regard to the alternatives to prison in such cases.
The Earl of Carlisle—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will arrange for a pardon to be granted to the 343 officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers from the United Kingdom and the British Empire, who, during the First World War, were “shot at dawn”.
The Lord Taverne—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are satisfied with the arrangements now in force to ensure the safety of genetically modified foods.
The Lord Marlesford—To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect to comply with their obligation under section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997, which came into force on 1st October 1997, to establish a central computerised register of persons who have applied for a firearm or shotgun certificate or to whom a firearm or shotgun certificate has been granted.
The Lord Alton of Liverpool—To call attention to the renewal of arms export licences for British companies selling arms to Indonesia; and to move for papers.
The Lord Kennet—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their view of the current divergences between the United States, Russia and China about the future of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, and their effect on the credibility of British nuclear forces.
The Lord Judd—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is now their policy towards a sustainable peace settlement in the Middle East five years after the signing of the Oslo Peace Agreement.
The Earl of Mar and Kellie—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have a strategy for the safe disposal of sewage sludge and waste in Scotland.
The Baroness Byford—To call attention to the contribution made by rural businesses to the United Kingdom economy; and to move for papers.
The Lord Chadlington—To call attention to the levels of suicide in the United Kingdom, particularly amongst the young, the elderly and those in high risk occupations such as farming; to consider ways in which such suicides can be reduced; and to move for papers.
The Lord Harris of High Cross—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they approve of the policy of the National Trust and Wealden District Council to permit the continuing erosion of the cliff at Birling Gap near Eastbourne which affects homes, local employment and tourism.
The Lord Rotherwick—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their policy regarding the planning provisions and facilities for General Aviation (GA).
The Earl of Clancarty—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what help is being given to artists (including writers, performing artists and visual artists) whose work in the field of culture is unable to generate a living income for them.
The Lord Methuen—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will consider revoking dormant mineral planning consents granted before 1960.
The Earl of Listowel—To call attention to the case for an increase in specialised high quality hostel provision for young homeless people addicted to drugs or alcohol; and to move for papers.
The Lord Ahmed—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will encourage India and Pakistan to sign the nuclear Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).
The Lord Ahmed—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they would support lifting of sanctions and debt relief for India and Pakistan if they resolve the Kashmir problem in accordance with the United Nations Resolutions.
The Baroness Anelay of St Johns—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what they consider will be the impact of the broadcasting revolution on the 8.7 million deaf and hard of hearing people who live in the United Kingdom.
The Viscount Waverley—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether it would assist future conflict resolution if United Nations principles were modernised by clarifying the criteria when the right of self determination can supersede that of territorial integrity.
The Earl of Clancarty—To call attention to the United Kingdom-wide effects of devolution, including the institution of the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly, on the arts and their administration; and to move for papers.
The Lord Chadlington—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what policies they are considering to realise the full potential of the Internet and prevent its exploitation.
The Lord Ewing of Kirkford—To call attention to the BBC’s reporting of the NATO operation in Kosovo; and to move for papers.
The Lord Thomas of Swynnerton—To call attention to the future sovereignty of Gibraltar; and to move for papers.
The Lord Bishop of Salisbury—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have considered the Women’s Institute report The Changing Village, and what is their response.
The Lord Paul—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what they are doing to encourage parents to play a more positive role in the education of their children.
The Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde—To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will take steps to end the present mandatory requirement on personal pension fund holders to purchase an annuity at the age of 75, in view of the present low return on such annuities.
The Lord Vivian—To call attention to H M Armed Forces and the measures required to reduce overstretch; and to move for papers.
The Baroness Lockwood—To call attention to the publication of Her Majesty’s Government’s strategy document Making a Difference and to the impact on university education of nurses; and to move for papers.
The Lord Ironside—To call attention to defence developments and their impact on the fighting efficiency and well-being of the United Kingdom Armed Forces; and to move for papers.
The Earl Russell—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the effect of the judgment in the Adimi case on the Immigration and Asylum Bill now before Parliament; and what changes, if any, they intend to make in the Bill as a result of the judgment.
The Baroness Young—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will ensure that those who have studied at British Schools elsewhere in the European Union can gain access to the student loan scheme.
The Lord Vinson—To call attention to changes in the influence and prestige of this House; and to move for papers.
The Baroness Park of Monmouth—To move, That the Offices Committee be instructed to report by 1st November its recommendations on what ancillary rights, if any, should be accorded to those hereditary peers who are likely to lose their right to sit in this House at the end of this Session, so that the House may consider such recommendations before the end of this Session of Parliament.
The Baroness Williams of Crosby—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are satisfied with the arrangements made to monitor North Korea’s nuclear missile programme.
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are their priorities for the effective protection of human rights in light of their annual report on Human Rights, Cm 4404, July 1999.
The Lord Smith of Clifton—To call attention to the number and nature of Task Forces and similar bodies created since May 1997; and to move for papers.
The Lord Dholakia—To call attention to the recently held General Election in India and the importance of upholding democratic principles in the election of governments; and to move for papers.
The Baroness Emerton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their policy on the education of nurses.
The Lord Ezra—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how Britain compares in its infrastructure with other developed countries.
The Baroness Thornton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to address the damage caused to the lives of young women with eating disorders.
PART II
SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS
[The date in brackets is that on which the Report was published]
The Lord Reay—To move, That this House take note of the Report of the European Communities Committee on A Reformed CAP? The outcome of Agenda 2000 (8th Report, HL Paper 61). [25th May]
The Lord Hope of Craighead—To move, That this House take note of the Report of the European Communities Committee on Prosecuting Fraud on the Communities’ Finances—the Corpus Juris (9th Report, HL Paper 62). [26th May]
The Earl of Cranbrook—To move, That this House take note of the Report of the European Communities Committee on Waste Incineration (11th Report, HL Paper 71). [21st July]
The Lord Wallace of Saltaire—To move, That this House take note of the Report of the European Communities Committee on Prospects for the Tampere Special European Council (19th Report, HL Paper 101). [7th September]
QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
[Tabled or amended on 10th November, or unanswered after 21 days]
29th July
The Lord Bruce of Donington—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Government Task Forces were in existence in May 1997, May 1998 and May 1999, together with the number of individuals comprised in them, distinguishing between civil service employees and non-civil service persons. (HL4084)
5th October
The Lord Roberts of Conwy—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many task force committees have been established since May 1997; and what is their total current membership and annual cost. (HL4121)
11th October
The Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the net benefit or cost to the agriculture industry from the proposed energy tax. (HL4165)
19th October
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are their reasons for sending members of the armed forces who are under 18 years of age into armed conflict. (HL4283)
The Lord Monro of Langholm—To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the life peerages to be offered to hereditary peers of first creation will be conferred and gazetted. (HL4286)
The Lord Monro of Langholm—To ask Her Majesty’s Government by when they intend to implement their manifesto pledge to appoint an independent Appointments Commission to recommend life peerages and to vet the integrity of political appointments. (HL4287)
20th October
The Lord Kennet—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many copies of the Halcrow Report on Stonehenge options are available; to whom they have been circulated; and whether this includes the Management Plan Working Group. (HL4325)
10th November
The Baroness Hilton of Eggardon—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure co-ordination of their policies affecting rural areas. (HL4683)
The Lord Monkswell—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to extend the opening hours of casinos in England and Wales. (HL4684)
The Lord Monkswell—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the outcome of the Justice and Home Affairs Council held in Luxembourg on 4th October. (HL4685)
The Lord Monkswell—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether consultation is taking place with carriers prior to the implementation of the passenger information provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Bill. (HL4686)
The Lord Monkswell—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how the Intervention Board performed against its targets for 1998-99. (HL4687)
The Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld—To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the bilateral Concordat between the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Scottish Executive will come into force. (HL4688)
The Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld—To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions to publish a concordat with the Scottish Executive. (HL4689)
The Viscount Hanworth—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress the Environment Agency has made in implementing its Action Plan in response to the Independent Report on the Easter 1998 floods (HL4690)
The Earl of Northesk—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they justify the view that the conclusions of the Code of Conduct Group on harmful tax competition will be on the one hand “not legally binding”, and on the other “an international commitment which [the United Kingdom Government] expects to honour and expects other people to honour” (HM Treasury evidence to European Communities Committee, Sub-Committee A, 20th April, Q151) (HL4691)
The Viscount Ridley—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will take any action to help the mineworkers who will become redundant when the coal mine at Ellington, Northumberland, closes next year. (HL4692)
The Lord Strathclyde—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will lay an Order under the House of Lords Act in order to ensure that peers excluded under the Act who are resident in the Kensington and Chelsea constituency and who are on the register for local or European elections are able to vote in the forthcoming Parliamentary by-election. (HL4693)
The Lord Kennet—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of the current situation in the former Yugoslavia, they agree with the United States Secretary of Defense that Operation Allied Force was an overwhelming success; whether this view is accepted as definitive by the NATO Council; and whether they will ensure that NATO always judges outcomes in broader terms than the purely military. (HL4694)
The Lord Kennet—To ask Her Majesty’s Government at what stage active support for and collaboration with the Kosovo Liberation Army was decided and by which Allies; whether it was with the agreement of (a) the whole NATO Council; (b) the Russian participant at Rambouillet; (c) the relevant United Nations authorities; and (d) West European police forces; and what response to this support by President Milosevic was expected. (HL4695)
The Lord Kennet—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether NATO has been regularly consulted by the United States about the United States global military plans, in which NATO is now intended to play a major role. (HL4696)
The Lord Kennet—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to increase the United Kingdom defence budget and to recommend increases in other European countries’ defence budgets, in order, through the Defence Capabilities Initiative (DCI), more effectively to collaborate globally with the forces of the United States; and whether the DCI requires NATO member states to participate in the funding and deployment of “Theatre” ballistic anti-missile defences. (HL4697)
The Lord Kennet—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the United States Secretary of Defense has consulted them about his proposals for the development of a “regional deterrent” for the Gulf States; and whether they understand this to mean a nuclear force. (HL4698)
The Lord Kennet—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 4th November (WA 104) on the subject of Article 1 of the Space Treaty, whether military espionage and other hostile military activities carried on in outer space are “for the benefit and in the interest of all countries” and are “the province of all mankind”; and whether all the relevant legal advisers concur with this interpretation of the Treaty. (HL4699)
BILLS IN PROGRESS
Waiting for Second Reading
Further and Higher Education (Scotland) (Amendment) [HL]
European Parliamentary Elections (Amendment) [HL]
Committed to an Unopposed Bill Committee
Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (Amendment of Rules)
Committed to a Committee of the Whole House
Freedom of Information [HL]
European Tax Harmonisation (Veto) [HL]
European Community Legislation (Impact) [HL]
Parliamentary Government [HL]
Northern Ireland
Time Zones and Summer Time (Devolution) [HL]
Waiting for Report
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty [HL]
Waiting for Third Reading
Medway Council [HL]
Kent County Council [HL]
City of Newcastle upon Tyne [HL]
Sent to the Commons
Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) (Amendment) [HL]
Births and Deaths Registration (Amendment) [HL]
European Parliamentary Elections (Gibraltar) [HL]
Scottish Parliamentary Constituencies [HL]
Road Traffic Regulation (Cycle Parking) [HL]
Obscenity [HL]
Academic and Academic-Related Staff Pay and Conditions [HL]
Road Traffic (Enforcement Powers) [HL]
Genetically Modified Crops [HL]
Road Traffic (Use of Mobile Telephones) [HL]
Alliance & Leicester plc (Group Reorganisation) [HL]
London Local Authorities [HL]
Baxi Partnership Limited Trusts [HL]
United Reformed Church [HL]
Returned to the Commons amended
Waiting for Royal Assent
Food Standards
Greater London Authority
Welfare Reform and Pensions
Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) [HL]
Mental Health (Amendment) (Scotland)
Immigration and Asylum
AFFIRMATIVE INSTRUMENTS IN PROGRESS
Waiting for Consideration by the Joint Committee
Draft Local Elections (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Order 1999
Draft Maternity and Parental Leave etc. Regulations 1999
Waiting for Affirmative Resolution
Draft Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1999
SPECIAL PROCEDURE ORDER IN PROGRESS
Referred to a Joint Committee
City of Stoke-on-Trent Tunstall Northern By-Pass Local Government Act Compulsory Purchase Order 1997
COMMITTEES
[Unless otherwise indicated, Committees meet in the Lords’ rooms
in the Committee Corridor as indicated in the daily broadsheets]
THURSDAY 11TH NOVEMBER
