Tuesday 5 December 2006 at 2.30pm

*Oral questions, 30 minutes

*Lord Harrison to ask Her Majesty’s Government what actions they will take to ensure that the gas industry improves the United Kingdom public’s awareness of gas safety issues and in particular awareness of carbon monoxide poisoning.

*Baroness Wilcox to ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of passenger trains in the United Kingdom continue to discharge raw sewage on the tracks; and when they expect the practice to end.

*Lord Barnett to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider it appropriate to use the Parliament Acts to enact legislation on House of Lords reform.

†*Baroness Walmsley to ask Her Majesty’s Government on what grounds they based their decision to double the target for the number of schools to become academies.

Lord Triesman to move that this House takes note of developments in the Middle East and Afghanistan.

Grand Committee in the Moses Room at 3.30pm

Compensation (Claims Management Services) Regulations 2006 Consideration in Grand Committee [Lord Evans of Temple Guiting] First Report from the Statutory Instruments Committee and 2nd Report from the Merits Committee

Compensation (Specification of Benefits) Order 2006 Consideration in Grand Committee [Lord Evans of Temple Guiting] First Report from the Statutory Instruments Committee and 2nd Report from the Merits Committee

Compensation (Regulated Claims Management Services) Order 2006 Consideration in Grand Committee [Lord Evans of Temple Guiting] First Report from the Statutory Instruments Committee and 2nd Report from the Merits Committee

Association of Law Costs Draftsmen Order 2006 Consideration in Grand Committee [Lord Evans of Temple Guiting] 36th Report from the Statutory Instruments Committee (Session 2005-06)

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

Baroness Byford to move that the Grand Committee do consider the Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) (England) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/2362). 46th Report from the Merits Committee (Session 2005-06)

Baroness Byford to move that the Grand Committee do consider the Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/2522). 46th Report from the Merits Committee (Session 2005-06)

Personal Injuries (NHS Charges) (Amounts) Regulations 2006 Consideration in Grand Committee [Baroness Royall of Blaisdon] 2nd Report from the Statutory Instruments Committee and 2nd Report from the Merits Committee

Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 (Consequential Provisions) (England and Wales) Order 2006 Consideration in Grand Committee [Lord Evans of Temple Guiting] First Report from the Statutory Instruments Committee

Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) (No. 3) Order 2006 Consideration in Grand Committee [Lord Evans of Temple Guiting] First Report from the Statutory Instruments Committee

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Future Business

Wednesday 6 December at 3.00pm
Prayers will have been read

*Lord Faulkner of Worcester to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to protect the wrecks of HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse from the activities of foreign nationals undertaking penetration dives and disturbing the human remains which lie there.

*Lord Razzall to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in light of the ongoing Serious Fraud Office investigation, they have reassessed their view of the granting of an export licence for the sale of an air traffic control system from BAE to the government of Tanzania.

*Lord Bradshaw to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have for the development of rail freight through the Channel Tunnel.

†*Baroness Williams of Crosby to ask Her Majesty’s Government which recommendations of the Owers report on the Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre they intend to implement.

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

Curd Cheese (Restriction on Placing on the Market) (England) Regulations 2006 Lord Willoughby de Broke to move to resolve that this House calls upon Her Majesty’s Government to revoke the Regulations laid before the House on 17 October (SI 2006/2787). 47th Report from the Merits Committee (Session 2005-06)

Lord Dholakia to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will bring forward legislation to reform the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Thursday 7 December at 11.00am

*Lord Berkeley to ask the Chairman of Committees what progress has been made in the World Squares project for Parliament Square and Old Palace Yard and the consequent impact on security.

*Lord Livsey of Talgarth to ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to extending the period for Hill Farming Allowance payments for a further three years after 2006-07.

*Baroness Cox to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make representations to the State Peace and Development Council of Myanmar (Burma) over reports of continuing offensives against ethnic national groups.

Travel Expenses for Lords’ spouses, civil partners and children The Lord President (Baroness Amos) to move to resolve that this House approves the following proposals with respect to travel expenses incurred by spouses, civil partners and children of Members of this House on or after 1 January 2006—

(1)   The Resolution of 27 November 1996 is amended as follows.

(2)   In paragraph (1) after “spouse” insert “or civil partner” and after “18” insert “, or any child in full-time secondary education, during the academic year in which they become aged 18,”.

(3)   In paragraph (3) after “spouse” insert “or civil partner” and after “18” insert “, or any child in full-time secondary education, during the academic year in which they become aged 18,”.

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

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

Financial Assistance Scheme (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2006 Lord Hunt of Kings Heath to move that the draft Regulations laid before the House on 15 November be approved. First Report from the Statutory Instruments Committee

Films (Definition of “British Film”) (No. 2) Order 2006 Lord Evans of Temple Guiting to move that the draft Order laid before the House on 28 November be approved.

Lord Howarth of Newport to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase support for the conservation of historic places of worship.

Monday 11 December at 2.30pm

*Lord Dholakia to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they hold records relating to the ethnicity of those whose DNA is collected for the national DNA database.

*Lord Wallace of Saltaire to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to communicate to both Houses of Parliament on the United Kingdom contribution to the development of European Security and Defence Policy.

*Baroness Trumpington to ask Her Majesty’s Government why Bow Street Magistrates’ Court was closed.

*Lord Ezra to ask Her Majesty’s Government what further measures they have in mind to stimulate energy efficiency in households in the light of the recent report by the Energy Saving Trust.

Housing (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 Lord Rooker to move that the draft Order laid before the House on 20 November be approved.

Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 Lord Rooker to move that the draft Order laid before the House on 9 October be approved.

Investment Exchanges and Clearing Houses Bill Second Reading [Lord McKenzie of Luton]

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

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

Tuesday 12 December at 2.30pm

*Viscount Falkland to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they accept Commissioner Verheugen’s estimate that European Union regulation is costing €660 billion per annum to European Union member states’ economies.

*Lord Naseby to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether all the emergency services in London now have a radio system that operates below and above ground.

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

Concessionary Bus Travel Bill [HL] Second Reading [Lord Davies of Oldham]

Extradition Act 2003 (Amendment to Designations) Order 2006 Baroness Scotland of Asthal to move that the draft Order laid before the House on 7 November be approved. First Report from the Statutory Instruments Committee

Baroness Greengross to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the indirect social costs of clinical decisions are being met by Government departments other than the Department of Health.

Wednesday 13 December at 3.00pm

*Baroness Miller of Hendon to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Ministers giving evidence to committees of enquiry of foreign legislatures are bound by the Official Secrets Act 1989 and rules about the confidentiality of Cabinet discussions.

*Lord Sheldon to ask Her Majesty’s Government what arrangements they are making to allow special advisers to give evidence to select committees.

*Lord Lee of Trafford to ask Her Majesty’s Government what options they are considering in relation to the siting of regional or “super” casinos.

Further Education and Training Bill [HL] Second Reading [Lord Adonis]

Lord Renton of Mount Harry to move that this House takes note of the report of the European Union Committee on Managing Nuclear Safety and Waste: the role of the EU. (37th Report, HL Paper 211, Session 2005-06)

Grand Committee in the Moses Room at 3.45pm

Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill [HL] [Baroness Ashton of Upholland]

Thursday 14 December at 11.00am

*Lord Janner to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many cyclists were killed and how many injured in the United Kingdom in hours of darkness during each of the last three years for which records are available.

*Baroness Neuberger to ask Her Majesty’s Government why National Health Service trusts can recover VAT paid to employment agencies for nurses but not for other health professionals.

*Lord Teverson to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have for the future of regional assemblies in England, outside London.

Lord Fowler to call attention to the Government’s policy on HIV/AIDS and sexual health; and to move for papers. (Balloted debate, 2½ hours)

Lord Hylton to call attention to the human consequences of current immigration and asylum law and practice and to possible improvements in the systems of assessment, care and support; and to move for papers. (Balloted debate, 2½ hours)

Petroleum Act 1998 (Third Party Access) Order 2007 Lord Truscott to move that the draft Order laid before the House on 20 November be approved. 2nd Report from the Statutory Instruments Committee

Science and Technology Facilities Council Order 2007 Lord Truscott to move that the draft Order laid before the House on 20 November be approved. 2nd Report from the Statutory Instruments Committee

Technology Strategy Board Order 2007 Lord Truscott to move that the draft Order laid before the House on 23 November be approved. 2nd Report from the Statutory Instruments Committee

It is expected that the above two motions will be debated together.

Employment Act 2002 (Amendment of Schedules 3, 4 and 5) Order 2006 Lord Truscott to move that the draft Order laid before the House on 23 November be approved. 2nd Report from the Statutory Instruments Committee

It is expected that the Grand Committee on the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill will continue at 2.00pm in the Moses Room.

Friday 15 December at 11.00am

Cluster Munitions (Prohibition) Bill [HL] Second Reading [Lord Dubs]

Monday 18 December at 2.30pm

*Lord Clement-Jones to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the current estimate of the costs of the building programme for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

*Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many outstanding single farm payments are still to be made for 2005; and what proportion are for full or part payment.

*Baroness Byford to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to protect fish stocks around United Kingdom shores.

*Lord Bishop of Liverpool to ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the ecological principles behind the Building Schools for the Future Programme.

Tuesday 19 December at 11.00am

*Earl of Sandwich to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the current prospects for peace and multi-party democracy in Nepal.

*Lord Renton of Mount Harry to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will introduce a review of the standards set by the Health and Safety Executive in view of its assessment of the risks posed by trees on National Trust land.

*Baroness Wilkins to ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will publish their response to the report, Reviewing the disabled facilities grant programme, published in October 2005.

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Motions for Balloted Debate

Ballot on 12 December for debate on 18 January. Time limit 2½ hours

Lord Chidgey to call attention to the present franchising system for the railway industry; and to move for papers.

Earl of Listowel to call attention to issues relating to the social care workforce; and to move for papers.

Baroness Warwick of Undercliffe to call attention to the economic impact of higher education institutions; and to move for papers.

Lord Tombs to call attention to the mechanism for taking strategic decisions in the electricity supply industry; and to move for papers.

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Other Motions for Debate

Lord Dykes to call attention to the economic and social conditions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank; and to move for papers.

Viscount Montgomery of Alamein to call attention to developments in Latin America; and to move for papers.

Lord Northbourne to call attention to the rights of the child and to the role of stability and family life in the well being of children; and to move for papers.

Lord Alton of Liverpool to call attention to conflict in Africa; and to move for papers.

Baroness Stern to move that this House takes note of the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism, Cm. 6907, presented to Parliament on 24 July; and requests that Her Majesty’s Government do not ratify it until the Joint Committee on Human Rights has reported on its implications.

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Motions relating to Statutory Instruments

Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 Lord Morrow to move that a Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty praying that the Regulations, laid before the House on 24 November, be annulled.

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Questions for Short Debate

Time limit 1 hour or 1½ hours

Baroness Cox to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to efforts to eradicate contemporary slavery.

Lord Pearson of Rannoch to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they agree with the First Report from the Committee for Privileges, Code of Conduct and Members’ Interests, (Session 2003-04, HL Paper 69) in particular its recommendation that Members of the House in receipt of pensions from the European Union do not normally need to declare such pensions as a financial interest when taking part in debates on European Union matters; and, if so, why.

Lord Pearson of Rannoch to ask Her Majesty’s Government how they propose to honour their commitment that family carers of people with lifelong severe intellectual impairment should be at the heart of decision-making about their relatives’ accommodation, health care and support.

Lord Pearson of Rannoch to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make representations to the government of Botswana about its treatment of the bushmen of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

Earl of Sandwich to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assistance they are providing to meet relief and development needs in the Palestinian Occupied Territories.

Lord Blaker to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the current state of relations between the government of Israel and the various Palestinian political organisations.

Baroness Stern to ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they will take in response to the report by the Youth Justice Board, published on 2 November, on research into Anti-social Behaviour Orders given to young people between January 2004 and January 2005.

Viscount Montgomery of Alamein to ask Her Majesty’s Government what benefits are expected from the International Polar Year 2007-08 following the British hosting of the Antarctic Treaty consultative meeting in Edinburgh in June.

Baroness Jay of Paddington to ask Her Majesty’s Government how they assess the effectiveness of palliative care services; and on what basis decisions to fund additional services are taken.

Lord Alderdice to ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress they have made in the statutory regulation of the professions of psychology, psychotherapy and counselling in the past six years.

Lord Alderdice to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they would support moves towards developing an inclusive semi-permanent conference table to address the problems of the Middle East.

Lord Harries of Pentregarth to ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to further the independence of West Papua.

Lord Holme of Cheltenham to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the level of Chinese investment in Africa.

Baroness Northover to ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to combat AIDS across the world and its effect on children.

Lord Carlile of Berriew to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether physical restraints, including seclusion and strip searching, are used on children in custody.

Lord Carlile of Berriew to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the future of British architecture.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill to ask Her Majesty’s Government why civil justice costs must be recovered in their entirety from those who become suitors before the court.

Lord Bradshaw to ask Her Majesty’s Government how they propose to address the present problems facing the bus industry.

Baroness Scott of Needham Market to ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made on their capital building programme.

Baroness Neuberger to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to prevent malnutrition in hospitals, as highlighted in the Age Concern report, Hungry to be Heard.

Baroness Neuberger to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the British Medical Association’s report, Child and adolescent mental health—a guide for healthcare professionals, published in June 2006.

Baroness Sharp of Guildford to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether current or proposed methods of allocating research funds amongst universities are sufficient to support basic research infrastructures or to promote innovative and applied research.

Lord Hanningfield to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to alleviate the financial pressures facing local authorities in relation to adult social care and to minimise the impact that this has on the delivery of other services.

Lord Turnberg to ask Her Majesty’s Government what advice they will seek in formulating their response to the Chief Medical Officer’s report, Good Doctors, Safer Patients.

Baroness Tonge to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase provision of contraceptive services, prevent the closure of specialist community clinics and increase the availability of training in contraceptive services and sexual health.

Lord Dubs to ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures they are taking to help provide homes for homeless and overcrowded families.

Baroness Massey of Darwen to ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to develop the education of young people in custody.

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

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

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

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

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

Lord Woolmer of Leeds to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the contribution of the Yorkshire and Humber region to the United Kingdom economy.

Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the role and contribution of the creative industries to the economy and well being of the United Kingdom.

Lord Greaves to ask Her Majesty’s Government what provision they will make for the teaching of English for speakers of other languages in England in the next academic year.

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Questions for Written Answer

Tabled on 4 December and due for answer on 18 December.

Lord Alton of Liverpool to ask Her Majesty’s Government how they intend to communicate their concerns over the alleged human rights violations occurring in North Korea to the United Nations Secretary-General-designate, Ban Ki-Moon; whether they will invite him to give his public backing to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Vitit Muntarbhorn; and whether they will invite him to pursue the cause of human rights in North Korea at high levels within the United Nations. HL537

Lord Avebury to ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have received from the government of Saudi Arabia concerning the investigation by the Serious Fraud Office of possible corruption in relation to the Al Yamamah arms deals; and what was their response. HL538

Lord Avebury to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will ensure that all staff handling nationality applications at the Ethnic Minorities Citizenship Unit of the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong have received training covering part 3 of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Egram 31525/06, of 20 July. HL539

Lord Avebury to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 8 November (WA 166-7), and in light of the editor of the South China Morning Post agreeing to obtain approval before making any edits to the Government’s response, whether they will now publish a response to the letters published on 25 September and 23 October. HL540

Lord Avebury to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 9 October (WA 52), what recommendations were made by the end of October regarding the legal requirement for prisoners to provide evidence of their nationality; what is the timetable for implementing these proposals; and what effect the proposals will have on the average length of time a foreign prisoner is held in custody following the end of his sentence. HL541

Lord Greaves to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the 20 per cent minimum random check on postal votes must include a 20 per cent sample in each contested ward or division at a particular election in a local authority; and, if not, what advice or instructions will be given on how the wards to be sampled will be chosen and on the level of sampling in each. HL542

Lord Greaves to ask Her Majesty’s Government what are their estimates of the amount and proportion of commercial waste that is recycled in England, and where applicable in each waste collection authority, in the following categories (a) waste collected by local authorities; (b) waste collected by commercial organisations; and (c) waste disposed of directly. HL543

Lord Greaves to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of the amount and proportion of waste that is recycled (a) by schools in each local education authority in England, and (b) by each further education college in England. HL544

Lord Greaves to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the expected average council tax increase in England in 2007-08 of less than 5 per cent is an average across all local authorities or a cap on each of them individually; and, if the former, what provision will be made for increases that are above 5 per cent in some authorities to be offset by increases in other authorities of less than 5 per cent. HL545

Lord Greaves to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the statement by Baroness Andrews on 28 November (HL Deb, col 667) on the local government finance settlement for 2007-08, whether councils which publish three-year council tax figures will be able to later modify those figures in response to changes in local circumstances, such as changing needs, unforeseen events and the decisions of voters in local elections. HL546

Lord Greaves to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the cost of the Review of Electoral Systems to date; and what is the total expected cost of the review. HL547

Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have proposals (a) to support, or propose the earliest possible deployment of, a United Nations Force in Chad; (b) to call for the enforcement of a no fly zone over the whole of Darfur; and (c) to enforce existing and new sanctions against major officials in Khartoum. HL548

Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the reported adoption of the Arab League Peace Initiative by the Israeli Council for Peace and Security. HL549

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Northern Ireland Draft Planning Policy Statement of 16 March (PPS 14), Sustainable Development in the Countryside, defines any exception to the presumption against development in the countryside particularly with regard to the needs of severely mentally or physically handicapped. HL550

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have issued any specific advice to officials of the Northern Ireland Planning Service about the implementation of the Northern Ireland Draft Planning Policy Statement of 16 March (PPS 14), Sustainable Development in the Countryside, in relation to the needs of people who are severely mentally or physically handicapped; if so, when that advice was given; and when they intend to publish it. HL551

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have plans to provide a system whereby those persons who are severely mentally or physically handicapped can be provided with a dedicated advocate to guide them through complex multi- and inter-departmental and agency matters; and, if so, at what age they would be entitled to the services of a dedicated advocate. HL552

Viscount Montgomery of Alamein to ask Her Majesty’s Government why qualified persons need to hold requisite licences under the Licensing Act 2003 in order to run education courses on wines and spirits. HL553

Lord Lester of Herne Hill to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Chairman and other governors of the BBC are under continuing and legally enforceable duties, under the terms of their appointment or under the law of equity, not improperly to disclose confidential information obtained by them in that capacity when they cease to be governors. HL554

Lord Lester of Herne Hill to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there is a conflict of interest between Mr Michael Grade’s continuing duties as former Chairman of the BBC and his new duties as Chairman of ITV, notably in relation to the negotiation of the BBC’s licence fee. HL555

Lord Lester of Herne Hill to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are obliged to consult the Law Officers of the Crown about the compatibility with international law of any proposed use of force by the Armed Forces before engaging or participating in any act of war or military intervention. HL556

Lord Stoddart of Swindon to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will issue guidance to Ministers to ensure that statements are not made which imply that authorities of the Russian Federation were responsible for the death of Mr Litvinenko until such time as evidence is available. HL557

Lord Carlile of Berriew to ask Her Majesty’s Government on how many occasions physical restraint was used at Warrington Young Offenders Institution on, respectively, male and female clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November. HL558

Lord Carlile of Berriew to ask Her Majesty’s Government on how many occasions physical restraint was used at Wetherby Young Offenders Institution on, respectively, male and female clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November. HL559

Lord Carlile of Berriew to ask Her Majesty’s Government on how many occasions physical restraint was used at Hassock Field Secure Training Centre on, respectively, male and female clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November. HL560

Lord Carlile of Berriew to ask Her Majesty’s Government on how many occasions physical restraint was used at Medway Secure Training Centre on, respectively, male and female clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November. HL561

Lord Carlile of Berriew to ask Her Majesty’s Government on how many occasions physical restraint was used at Oakhill Secure Training Centre on, respectively, male and female clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November. HL562

Lord Carlile of Berriew to ask Her Majesty’s Government on how many occasions physical restraint was used at Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre on, respectively, male and female clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November. HL563

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government what proposals they have to assist first time home buyers in Northern Ireland. HL564

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the costs of buying, maintaining and staffing an ambulance in Northern Ireland. HL565

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, since 1970, they have had any contractual arrangements with the voluntary ambulance services in Northern Ireland. HL566

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether bonus payments are made to members of the Northern Ireland civil service; if so, in what circumstances; and what size are such bonuses. HL567

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the job description of Mr Phil Taylor, a political advisor in the Northern Ireland Office; and whether he is authorised to issue instructions to senior civil servants including the head of the Northern Ireland civil service. HL568

Lord Laird to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have issued guidance in relation to allegations of bullying of members of the Northern Ireland civil service by political advisors. HL569

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether (a) road blocks, and (b) warning signs qualify as obstacles for the protection of a site for the purposes of defining an outer perimeter for sites designated or protected under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. HL570

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether it is an offence to trespass on sites designated under sections 128 to 138 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 when the site is (a) under construction; (b) inactive; or (c) being decommissioned. HL571

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask Her Majesty’s Government how, if the ban on imports of wild birds is lifted, a veterinary officer supervising quarantine facilities will be updated about mortality in a consignment; and how regularly these updates will occur. HL572

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 27 November (WA 24), how they will ascertain cases where the welfare of birds has been compromised without identifying a threshold for acceptable rates of mortality. HL573

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 27 November (WA 24), whether a resumption of trade in wild birds without significant changes to the former regime would be consistent with the duty of care in the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to protect an animal from pain, suffering, injury and disease. HL574

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether an average mortality rate of 7 per cent in quarantine is consistent with good standards of animal welfare. HL575

Lord Campbell-Savours to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the false accusations made by the accuser in the Warren Blackwell case of—

(a) sexual assault by her father in 1989;

(b) rape against a boy in 1983;

(c) violent sexual assault in a police station in 1988;

(d) violent assault from behind with a knife in March 2000;

(e) violent sexual assault from behind with a knife in July 2000; and

(f) rape and sexual assault with a knife from behind in June 2001

were no-crimed. HL576

Lord Clement-Jones to ask Her Majesty’s Government what safeguards they have put in place to ensure that the process to award the licence for the first regional casino avoids potential conflicts of interest in the local authority’s role as issuer of the licence and planning authority. HL577

Lord Clement-Jones to ask Her Majesty’s Government how they will ensure that the licensing process for the first regional casino takes into account the impact of the development on local private interests. HL578

Lord Clement-Jones to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to ensure that the Casino Advisory Panel adheres to the primary criteria of best test of social impact when deciding on the location of the first regional casino. HL579

Lord Clement-Jones to ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the criteria for determining the location of the first regional casino; and what priority is attached to each criterion. HL580

Lord Clement-Jones to ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures they will put in place to monitor the impact of the new types of gambling due to be introduced in the first regional casino on gambling opportunities in the vicinity. HL581

Lord Clement-Jones to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the claims of economic benefits made by local authorities have been properly scrutinised ahead of the announcement from the Casino Advisory Panel next year. HL582

Lord Beaumont of Whitley to ask Her Majesty’s Government why they are delaying until 2010 at the earliest the prohibiting of flocks of hens greater than 2,000. HL583

Lord Astor of Hever to ask Her Majesty’s Government what follow-up mechanism will be put in place to ensure the full cooperation of Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, following their invitation to join the NATO Partnership for Peace. HL584

Lord Bradshaw to ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Oldham on 28 November (WA 50), how many British Merchant Navy officers and ratings are currently in training; and what intakes are proposed by the Merchant Navy Training Board of British Trainees for 2007. HL585

Lord Harrison to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the same standards of blood monitoring of diabetics will be maintained following the outcome of their consultation on Part IX of the Drug Tariff. HL586

Lord Ramsbotham to ask Her Majesty’s Government, following the abolition of the Office for Contracted Prisons, who is responsible for the direct operational management of each of the private sector prisons containing adult prisoners. HL587

Lord Ramsbotham to ask Her Majesty’s Government, following the abolition of the Office for Contracted Prisons, who is responsible for the direct operational management of the juveniles and young offenders in H M Young Offenders Institution, Ashfield. HL588

Lord Ramsbotham to ask Her Majesty’s Government, following the abolition of the Office for Contracted Prisons, what direct operational responsibility the Director-General of the Prison Service has for private sector prisons. HL589

Lord Marlesford to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made an assessment of the impact of the establishment of Sharia courts in the United Kingdom. HL590

Lord Marlesford to ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to record the passport details of all persons departing from the United Kingdom; and, if so, when the facility to do so will be complete. HL591

Lord Marlesford to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the equivalent purchasing power of £50 at the time of the introduction of the £50 note in 1981 at today’s prices; and why they have not introduced a £100 note. HL592

Lord Marlesford to ask Her Majesty’s Government how many farmers in England have yet to receive the single farm payment for 2005; and when they expect to start paying the single farm payment for 2006. HL593

Lord Marlesford to ask Her Majesty’s Government what saving to the Exchequer would result if the winter fuel payment to pensioners were made taxable to those pensioners whose income places them in the 40 per cent tax bracket; and how much the payment could be increased for all pensioners from that saving. HL594

Lord Hoyle to ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase safety at Gibraltar airport, given the increased traffic being created by more airlines flying there. HL595

Lord Hoyle to ask Her Majesty’s Government what findings they have made in relation to the incident between flight BA6906 at 4.45pm from Gatwick to Gibraltar on 22nd November and a stationary military helicopter on the runway. HL596

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Questions unanswered after 14 days

The questions asked on the dates shown in bold were due for answer by the dates in brackets The Government department responsible for answering each Question is shown in square brackets.

15 November (29 November)

HL24 Lord Morris of Manchester [MoD]

HL25 Lord Morris of Manchester [MoD]

HL26 Lord Morris of Manchester [DWP]

HL36 Lord Pearson of Rannoch [DoH]

HL46 Lord Newby [MoD]

HL57 Lord Laird [NIO]

HL65 Lord Luke [DCMS]

HL71 Lord Powell of Bayswater [DoH]

16 November (30 November)

HL123 Baroness Wilkins [DoH]

HL126 Lord Morris of Manchester [MoD]

HL127 Lord Morris of Manchester [MoD]

HL128 Lord Morris of Manchester [MoD]

HL142 Lord Laird [NIO]

HL146 Lord Laird [NIO]

20 November (4 December)

HL161 Lord Alton of Liverpool [DoH]

HL162 Lord Alton of Liverpool [DTI]

HL163 Lord Maginnis of Drumglass [NIO]

HL164 Lord Maginnis of Drumglass [MoD]

HL165 Lord Maginnis of Drumglass [HO]

HL166 Lord Turnberg [DoH]

HL167 Lord Turnberg [DoH]

HL168 Lord Turnberg [DoH]

HL169 Lord Turnberg [DoH]

HL170 Lord Turnberg [DoH]

HL173 Lord Morris of Manchester [DoH]

HL179 Lord Fowler [DoH]

HL180 Baroness Masham of Ilton [DfT]

HL181 Baroness Masham of Ilton [DfT]

HL182 Lord Patten [DfES]

HL184 Lord Ramsbotham [HO]

HL185 Lord Ramsbotham [HO]

HL186 Lord Ramsbotham [HO]

HL187 Lord Ramsbotham [HO]

HL188 Lord Ramsbotham [HO]

HL189 Lord Tyler [DoH]

HL190 Baroness Verma [DoH]

HL195 Earl Howe [DCMS]

HL200 Lord Luke [DCMS]

HL206 Lord Laird [NIO]

HL207 Lord Laird [NIO]

Number of questions allocated to each department which are unanswered after 14 days.

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Bills in Progress

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Affirmative Instruments in Progress

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

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Regulatory Reform Orders in Progress

The Regulatory Reform Committee has reported on Orders in the reports indicated

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Committees

Unless otherwise indicated, Committees meet in the Lords’ rooms in the Committee Corridor as indicated in the daily broadsheet

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Minutes of Proceedings of Monday 4 December 2006

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

Public Business

1   Schools: head teacher vacancies A question was asked by Baroness Perry of Southwark and answered by Lord Adonis.

2   Iraq: Basra attack A question was asked by Lord Astor of Hever and answered by Lord Drayson.

3   Schools: reading initiative A question was asked by Baroness Sharp of Guildford and answered by Lord Adonis.

4   Climate change: developing countries A question was asked by Baroness Rawlings and answered by the Lord President (Baroness Amos).

5   Sub judice A statement on the waiver of the sub judice rule was made by the Lord Speaker in connection with the Litvinenko case.

6   Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill [HL] Lord Evans of Temple Guiting, on behalf of Baroness Ashton of Upholland, moved that it be an instruction to the Grand Committee to which the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill has been committed that they consider the bill in the following order:

The motion was agreed to.

7   Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill [HL] Lord Truscott moved that the bill be now read a second time. After debate, the motion was agreed to and the bill was committed to a Grand Committee.

8   Future of the UK Nuclear Deterrent A statement was repeated by the Lord President (Baroness Amos).

9   Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendment No. 2) (England and Wales) Order 2006 Lord Bassam of Brighton moved that the draft Order laid before the House on 16 November be approved. After debate, the motion was agreed to.

10   Asylum (First List of Safe Countries) (Amendment) Order 2006 Lord Bassam of Brighton moved that the draft Order laid before the House on 16 November be approved. After debate, the motion was agreed to.

11   Accession (Immigration and Worker Authorisation) Regulations 2006 Lord Bassam of Brighton moved that the draft Regulations laid before the House on 21 November be approved. The motion was agreed to.

12   Compensation Act 2006 (Contribution for Mesothelioma Claims) Regulations 2006 Lord McKenzie of Luton moved that the draft Regulations laid before the House on 2 November be approved. After debate, the motion was agreed to.

13   Health: diabetes A question was asked by Lord Harrison and, after debate, answered by Lord Warner.

The House adjourned at 8.45 pm until Tuesday 5 December at 2.30pm.

Paul Hayter

Clerk of the Parliaments

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Papers

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

Command Paper

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

Defence—The Future of the United Kingdom’s Nuclear Deterrent: Government proposals.   (6994)

Statutory Instruments (Standing Order 71)

The following negative instruments, having been laid before the House on 1 December, were ordered to lie on the Table.

1   War Pensions Committees (Amendment) Regulations 2006, laid under the Social Security Act 1989.         (3152)

2   National Park Authorities (England) Order 2006, laid under the Environment Act 1995.   (3165)

Affirmative Instruments

The following instruments were laid before the House for approval by resolution:

(1)   Draft Police and Criminal Evidence (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007

(2)   Draft Street Works (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007

laid under the Northern Ireland Act 2000.

Negative Instruments

The following instruments were laid before the House:

1   Newfield School (Change to School Session Times) Order 2006, laid under the Education Act 2002.         (3147)

2   Non-Domestic Rating Contributions (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2006, laid under the Local Government Finance Act 1988.   (3167)

3   Rules of the Supreme Court (Northern Ireland) (Amendment No. 3) 2006, laid under the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978.   (SR486)

Paper not subject to parliamentary proceedings

The following paper was laid before the House:

Interim Report of Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland: The Management of Sex Offenders: in light of the murder of Mrs Attracta Harron, laid under the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002.

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Judicial Business

Monday 4 December

1   Fleet Mobile Tyres Limited (Petitioners) v. Stone and another (Respondents) The petition of Fleet Mobile Tyres Limited praying for leave to appeal was presented and referred to an Appeal Committee (lodged 28 September).

2   R v. H (Appellant) The appeal was set down for hearing and referred to an Appellate Committee.

3   R (on the application of Al-Jedda) (FC) (Appellant) v. Secretary of State for Defence (Respondent) The petition of the appellant praying that the time for lodging the statement and appendix and setting down the cause for hearing might be extended to 18 December next (the agents for the respondent consenting thereto) was presented; and it was ordered as prayed.

4   Boake Allen Limited and others (Appellants) v. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (Respondents) The petition of appellants praying that the appeal be restored and for leave to give security for costs notwithstanding that the time limited by Standing Order VI has expired (the agents for the respondents consenting thereto) was presented; and it was ordered as prayed.

5   R (on the application of Mondelly) (FC) (Petitioner) v. Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis (Respondent) The petitioner’s certificate of public funding was lodged.

6   Civil practice directions The 7th Report from the Appeal Committee was made and it was ordered that the practice directions applicable to civil appeals be revoked and that the new edition agreed by the Committee be promulgated by the Clerk of the Parliaments.

7   Criminal practice directions The 8th Report from the Appeal Committee was made and it was ordered that the practice directions applicable to criminal appeals be revoked and that the new edition agreed by the Committee be promulgated by the Clerk of the Parliaments.

Tuesday 5 December at 10.30am
In Committee Room No. 1

Further hearing by the Appellate Committee in the cause:

West Tankers Inc (Respondents) v. RAS Riunione Adriatica di Sicurta SpA and others (Appellants)