Business of the House
4.3 p
The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Tony Newton:) With permission. I should like to make a business statement. The business for next week will be as follows:
MONDAY 15 FEBRUARY-Until seven o'clock, private Members' motions.
Proceedings on the Consolidated Fund (No. 2) Bill. Consideration of Lords amendments to the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Bill.
Remaining stages of the Judicial Pensions and Retirement Bill (Lords].
Tuesday 16 FEBRUARY-Progress on remaining stages of the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Bill. Motion relating to the Hill Livestock (Compensatory Allowances) (Amendment) Regulations.
WEDNESDAY 17 FEBRUARY-Until about seven o'clock. completion of remaining stages of the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Bill.
Motions on the Revenue Support Grant (Scotland) Order and the Local Government Finance (Scotland) Order.
Motion on the Housing Support Grant (Scotland) Order.
THURSDAY 18 FEBRUARY-Second Reading of the Foreign Compensation (Amendment) Bill [Lords.]
Motion on the Appropriation (Northern Ireland) Order.
Friday 19 FEBRUARY-Private Members' Bills. MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY-European Communities (Amendment) Bill-progress in Committee, 12th day.
The House will also wish to know that European Standing Committee A will meet on Wednesday 17 February at 10.30 am to consider European Community Document No. 8412/92 relating to a Council regulation on feeding stuffs for particular nutritional purposes. [Wednesday 17 February:
European Standing Committee A: Relevant European Community document-8412/92, feeding stuffs intended for particular nutritional purposes; relevant report of the European Legislation Committee-HC 79-vi (1992-93).]
Mrs. Beckett: I thank the Leader of the House for his
statement.
Given the many stories about deteriorating national health service waiting lists, there is considerable anxiety in the House, especially on the Opposition Benches, that there should be an early statement on the Tomlinson report. I hope that the right hon. Gentleman will convey that message and perhaps even indicate to us whether he expects a statement in the near future.
I press the right hon. Gentleman again to seek a statement from the Home Secretary on what he may have in mind for the reorganisation of the police. The right hon. Gentleman will be aware that there is considerable concern both about levels of crime and about the impact of what the Home Secretary has in mind on police morale.
I ask the right hon. Gentleman to consider again a debate on public spending, for which we have pressed and to which we believe the House is entitled.
Finally, when does the right hon. Gentleman think that we are likely to have another Opposition Supply day?
Mr. Roger Sims (Chislehurst): Some months have elapsed since the new Governor of Hong Kong took office and subsequently put forward proposals for constitutional development in Hong Kong which have led to a good deal of discussion in many circles, including a useful debate in another place before Christmas, but this House has not had an opportunity to discuss Hong Kong for some time. Will my right hon. Friend remedy that omission fairly soon?
Mr. Newton: Without making any commitment at all, I can only say that I shall bear in mind my hon. Friend's request.
Mr. Phillip Oppenheim (Amber Valley): Bearing in mind the recent imposition by the United States of grossiy unfair anti-dumping duties on European steel producers. that the European Community itself uses equally flawed anti-dumping rules to impose duties on east European steel producers, and that the GATT round seems to be bogged down and is three years overdue for completion. is not it about time that the House had a debate on the GATT round and on trade in general? That would, not least, give our Ministers a chance to tell us what they are doing to use their influence to reduce intensive protectionist measures in the European Community to ensure that the world trading system does not descend into 1930s-style tit-for-tat protectionism?
Mr. Newton: There have been several references in the past few minutes to debating foreign affairs and defence. I should have thought that some of my hon. Friend's points might be relevant were I able to find time for such a debate. I cannot find time for a specific debate on GATT at present.
As my hon. Friend will be aware, Sir Leon Brittan, the European Community Commissioner responsible. is meeting the new United States trade representative in the United States today. I believe. I am sure that he will be anxious to overcome the difficulties to which my hon. Friend referred, as I know equally well will my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister when he visits the United States to see President Clinton and others later this month.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.