HC Deb 21 March 1996 vol 274 cc509-12 4.15 pm
The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Tony Newton)

With permission, I should like to make a statement about the business for next week:

MONDAY 25 MARCH—Second Reading of the Family Law Bill [Lords].

TUESDAY 26 MARCH—Opposition Day (8th allotted day). Until about 7 o'clock, there will be a debate entitled The Problems Presented by the Privatisation of Nuclear Power, followed by a debate entitled Government Cuts in Health and Safety Provision. Both debates will arise on Opposition motions.

WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH—Until 2 o'clock, there will be debates on the motion for the Adjournment of the House.

Progress on remaining stages of the Finance Bill.

THURSDAY 28 MARCH—Until about 7 o'clock, conclusion of remaining stages of the Finance Bill.

FRIDAY 29 MARcH—Private Members' Bills.

MONDAY 1 APRIL—Opposition Day (9th allotted day). There will be a debate on an Opposition motion. Subject to be announced.

I am not yet able to give details for Tuesday 2 April and Wednesday 3 April, but I expect that it will be necessary to take Government business on both days. The morning business on Wednesday 3 April will include the usual pre-recess three-hour general debate on the Adjournment. As previously announced, the House will rise for the Easter recess at the close of business that day until Tuesday 16 April.

The House will also wish to know that European Standing Committee B will meet at 10.30 am on Wednesday 27 March to consider European Community document No. 9674/95 relating to Border Controls.

[Wednesday 27 March: European Standing Committee B—European Community document: 9674/95, Border Controls. Relevant European Legislation Report: HC 70-xxvi (1994–95).]

Mrs. Ann Taylor (Dewsbury)

I thank the Leader of the House for that information. First, he will know that yesterday the Secretary of State for Health said—the Prime Minister repeated it today—that the Government are awaiting further evidence from their advisory committee on the risks of eating beef products, and that that committee is meeting this weekend to consider the specific issue of giving advice to parents. Will the Leader of the House ensure that the House is kept fully informed on this matter, and, if necessary—it may well be necessary—will he make arrangements for a further statement to be made on Monday by the Secretary or State for Health so that questions can be asked about that further advice?

When does the Leader of the House expect to be able to find time for a full and informed debate on the latest information about bovine spongiform encephalopathy and what has happened in recent years, so that the issues explored briefly in questions on the statements yesterday can be given the full attention that they deserve and require?

Secondly, the Leader of the House announced that on Monday the House will debate the Second Reading of the Family Law Bill. There has been speculation as to how the Government might subsequently deal with that Bill—assuming, of course, that it is granted a Second Reading on Monday.

When will the Leader of the House be in a position to make an announcement about any steps that he intends to take in dealing with certain clauses of the Bill—its Committee stage—on the Floor of the House? The Government's attitude towards that might influence certain hon. Members when they come to vote on Second Reading. In particular, can the Leader of the House tell us what the Government propose to do about split pensions? It is a vital issue for thousands of women who are waiting to learn what the Government intend, given the vote in another place a short time ago.

Finally, as the House has not exactly been overwhelmed by the weight of business since Christmas, and as the Leader of the House said at the turn of year that he was willing to consider further the workings of Parliament, will he find time soon after the Easter recess to debate possible changes to our procedures, so as not only to make Parliament work more efficiently but to make it more effective?

Mr. Newton

Further advice from the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee, as has been said on a number of occasions, is expected shortly after its meeting this weekend, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health would expect to come to the House promptly to make a statement on it. It is a matter of observation that my right hon. Friend was here to make a statement yesterday at an early stage after previous advice was received.

I cannot be absolutely precise, but good faith has been shown by the way in which the Government have dealt with the matter. It would be premature for me to make a commitment to a debate, as the hon. Lady requested, at the Dispatch Box this afternoon, especially in advance of receiving further advice. I will bear the request in mind, and we may be able to discuss it further through the usual channels.

On the Family Law Bill, the hon. Lady will know that discussion on those matters is proceeding in the usual channels at the moment. The Government certainly expect to make provision for the discussion of appropriate clauses—the so-called conscience clauses—on the Floor of the House. On pension splitting, I cannot add to what I said last week about the Government having under consideration the amendment passed in another place, but my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster would expect to make the position clear in his speech on Second Reading next week.

I continue to bear in mind the hon. Lady's request for a debate on parliamentary procedures and related matters. I have to say that, on my observation, we are not at all short of business. The hon. Lady may be thinking of a slack week that we had two or three weeks ago, but that was a pause before legislation started to arrive here from another place.

Mr. John Wilkinson (Ruislip-Northwood)

My right hon. Friend will be aware that, halfway through the period for which he has announced the business, the intergovernmental conference will open in Turin. Will my right hon. Friend and the Government ensure that the negotiating Ministers come back to report to the House and to give progress statements, to allow hon. Members to question them and to ensure that the Government are making progress in the direction of a Europe of nations?

Mr. Newton

As always, I will bear in mind what my hon. Friend says, but there will be a long and complex process and it would not facilitate that process—or be practicable—for full statements to be made every time there was some kind of meeting connected with the process.

Mr. John Austin-Walker (Woolwich)

May I draw the attention of the Leader of the House to the use of bovine serum—that is, serum derived from cattle—in the production of vaccines for immunisation? I was advised this morning that the Department of Health stopped the use of bovine serum from British cattle in 1989, and that no vaccines have contained it since 1990. Will the Leader of the House make arrangements for the Secretary of State for Health to come to the House next week to say whether that is so, and, if it is so, what was the scientific advice available when the Department of Health took that decision?

Mr. Newton

I cannot comment on the scientific advice in relation to the point that the hon. Gentleman raises, but I will draw it to the attention of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health.

Mr. Jacques Arnold (Gravesham)

Has my right hon. Friend noticed that it has become an odd practice of the House that, when we have motions for the Adjournment on subjects such as Europe and the Scott report, the House mysteriously divides with the intention of embarrassing the Government? Does the Leader of the House think that the reason why there will not be such a vote tonight is perhaps to cover up massive splits among Labour Members?

Mr. Newton

I hope, think and believe that the reason is that everyone is anxious to have a calm and constructive debate.

Mr. Harry Barnes (North-East Derbyshire)

May we have a debate on the subject covered in a letter that I have just received from a nine-year-old constituent, Louise Orrill of Wingerworth? She is being taught in a class of 37 children, in accommodation intended for only 20. Her school, Hunloke primary, is due to lose another teacher as well, which will only add to the problem.

Why do these difficulties persist, when there was supposed to have been an improvement in the standard spending assessment? The problem is that it did not take account of the growth in the pupil population. That needs serious consideration, because the problem is widespread in Derbyshire and throughout the country.

Mr. Newton

The hon. Gentleman will know that I am not in a position to comment on a particular local authority's position, let alone on a particular school. He has, however, with characteristic ingenuity, found a way—fairly speedily—of making sure that his constituent's representation is drawn to the attention of the Education Secretary.

Mr. Edward Leigh (Gainsborough and Horncastle)

With regard to the Family Law Bill, my right hon. Friend will be aware that many hon. Members feel strongly, as a matter of personal conscience—it has nothing to do with party political controversy—that the Bill is misguided, in that it introduces no-fault divorces, and the waiting period is too short. Does he accept our view that, on a matter of such enormous importance, all the contentious issues relating to no fault and the waiting period should be discussed on the Floor of the House? In that way, members of both parties, including Ministers, will be able to vote freely and exercise their consciences on a vital social matter.

Mr. Newton

I hope that my hon. Friend was here a moment ago when I said that it was the Government's intention to propose that what might be called the conscience clauses be debated on the Floor of the House. I cannot add to that, but I hope that what I have said will give my hon. Friend the sort of assurance that he seeks.

Mr. Roy Hughes (Newport, East)

When will the order under the negative procedure relating to eyesight tests for heavy goods vehicle drivers be brought before the House? Have the Government had any change of attitude over this controversial measure, which is causing such concern throughout the country—especially to those immediately affected?

Mr. Newton

I cannot say anything about the timing at present.

Mrs. Alice Mahon (Halifax)

Further to the question raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Woolwich (Mr. Austin-Walker) about bovine serum used in vaccines, may I help the Leader of the House by repeating the request for an early debate? I understand that the chief medical officer has issued a letter to the medical profession, reassuring its members that only foreign bovine serum has been used since 1989, so it is a matter of some urgency that we have a statement from the Secretary of State for Health.

Mr. Newton

I have already promised to draw the earlier question to my right hon. Friend's attention—and if I remember correctly, it was a request not for a debate but for further information.