1023
Business of the House
4.37 pm
Business of the House
20 OCTC
The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. John Wakeham): With permission, Mr. Speaker, I should like to make a statement about the business for next week:
MONDAY 24 OCTOBER-Consideration in Committee of the European Communities (Finance) Bill.
Motion relating to the Local Government (Prescribed Expenditure) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations.
TUESDAY 25 October Opposition Day. There will be a debate on an Opposition motion entitled "The State of the Econony".
Second Reading of the Road Traffic Bill [Lords], the Road Traffic (Consequential Provisions) Bill [Lords], and the Road Traffic Offenders Bill [Lords], which are consolidation measures.
WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER-Consideration of Lords amendments to the Housing (Scotland) Bill.
Motions relating to Scottish community charge regulations. Details will be given in the Official Report.
THURSDAY 27 OCTOBER-Remaining stages of the European Communities (Finance) Bill.
Motion on the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order. FRIDAY 28 OCTOBER-There will be a debate on the disposal of radioactive waste on a motion for the Adjournment of the House. The Environment Committee's first report Session 1985-86 on radioactive waste (HC 191) and the Government's second stage response (Cmnd. 9852) will be relevant to the debate.
MONDAY 31 OCTOBER-Second Reading of the Rate Support Grants Bill.
The House will wish to know that it is proposed that Government business will be taken in the week beginning 14 November. The new Session will open on Tuesday 22 November.
[Debate on Wednesday 26 October 1988: Abolition of Domestic Rates (Domestic and Part Residential Subjects) (Scotland) Regulations 1988; Community Water Charges (Scotland) Regulations 1988; Community Charges (Registration) (Scotland) (No. 2) Regulations 1988; Standard and Collective Community Charges (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1988; Personal Community Charge (Exemption for the Mentally Impaired) (Scotland) Regulations 1988; Community Charges (Registration) (Scotland) (No. 2) Amendment Regulations 1988.]
Mr. Menzies Campbell (Fife, North-East): In view of events during the summer Olympic games, and certain remarks attributed to the Minister of State, Home Office, since then, will the Leader of the House find an early date
for a debate on drugs in sport? When he is considering that, will he bear it in mind that 179 hon. Members, in the current Session, have signed an early-day motion supporting in principle the proposal that anabolic steroids should become controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971?
[That this House notes with concern the evidence of mounting use of anabolic steroids by sportsmen and women which is recognised as having dangerous medical side-effects including the risk of death; is concerned that such drugs are freely available in the United Kingdom and are a source of temptation to naive competitors, unscrupulous coaches and over-ambitious parents; and expresses its support for the principle of making anabolic steroids controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.]
Mr. Wakeham: That is a suitable subject for debate. I cannot promise an early debate on it, but I shall certainly bear the hon. Gentleman's suggestion in mind.
Sir Philip Goodhart (Beckenham): There has been considerable anxiety about the Government decision to repatriate 9,000 Vietnamese boat people who are now in Hong Kong, can we have an early debate or a statement by the Foreign Secretary so that we can probe the assurances that have been given that those unfortunate people will not face punishment or starvation?
Mr. Wakeham: I recognise the concern expressed by my hon. Friend. It is an important matter. I cannot promise an early debate, but I know of occasions in the near future when such matters could be raised when the Foreign Secretary will be taking part in a debate in the House.
Mr. Julian Amery (Brighton, Pavilion): Would my right hon. Friend arrange for a general debate on Northern Ireland before the summit meeting between our Government and the Government of the Republic of Ireland to review the Anglo-Irish Agreement, so that Her Majesty's Government will have the benefit of the views of the House on the matter?
Mr. Wakeham: I fully recognise my right hon. Friend's concern, and the force of his argument. I shall have to look into whether I can provide time, but of course there will be occasions when Northern Ireland issues can be raised. I shall look into the matter for my right hon. Friend.