Formal Minutes of the Committee

House of Commons Backbench Business Committee

Session 2012-13

The Backbench Business Committee

The Backbench Business Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to determine the backbench business to be taken in the House and in Westminster Hall on days, or parts of days, allotted for backbench business.

Current membership Natascha Engel (Labour, North East Derbyshire) (Chair) Mr David Amess (Conservative, Southend West) Mr David Anderson (Labour, Blaydon) Bob Blackman (Conservative, Harrow East) Jane Ellison (Conservative, Battersea) John Hemming (Liberal Democrat, Birmingham Yardley) Mr Marcus Jones (Conservative, Nuneaton) Ian Mearns (Labour, Gateshead)

Powers The Committee is established under Standing Order No 152J to determine the backbench business to be taken in the House and in Westminster Hall on days, or parts of days, allotted for backbench business. The powers of select committees are set out in House of Commons Standing Orders, which are available on the internet via www.parliament.uk.

Publications All publications of the Committee are on the internet at http://www.parliament.uk/bbcom

Committee staff The current staff of the Committee is Paul Evans (Clerk), Robert Cope (Second Clerk), Kevin Gardner (Committee Assistant) and Gary Calder (Media Officer).

Contacts All correspondence should be addressed to the Clerk of the Backbench Business Committee, Table Office, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. The telephone number for general enquiries is 020 7219 3754; and the Committee’s email address is [email protected].

Formal Minutes of the Committee, Session 2012-13

WEDNESDAY 13 JUNE 2012

Members present:

Natascha Engel, in the Chair

Mr David Amess John Hemming Mr David Anderson Mr Marcus Jones Bob Blackman Ian Mearns Jane Ellison

1. General discussion on the Committee’s working practices

The Committee considered this matter.

2. Representations from Members

The Committee had received the following representations:  Mrs Eleanor Laing: House of Lords reform  Damian Hinds and Hazel Blears: Social mobility  Guto Bebb: Mis-selling of interest rate swap products to small businesses  Guy Opperman: VAT on air ambulances  Mr Laurence Robertson and Paul Murphy: Work of the British-Irish Parliamentary Association  Penny Mordaunt: Minister for Older People (for which a petition had achieved 100,000 signatories)

3. Determination of business on 14, 21 and 28 June

The Committee determined that the following business would take place in backbench time:

 Thursday 14 June in the Chamber: General debate on mental health (Members in charge: Nicky Morgan and Mr Charles Walker)  Thursday 21 June in the Chamber: General debate on the work of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly (Members in charge: Mr Laurence Robertson and Paul Murphy); Motion on mis-selling of interest rate swap products to small businesses (Member in charge: Guto Bebb)  Thursday 28 June in Westminster Hall: Social Mobility (Members in charge: Hazel Blears and Damian Hinds)

[Adjourned until Tuesday 19 July at 12.55 pm

TUESDAY 19 JUNE 2012

Members present:

Natascha Engel, in the Chair

Mr David Amess John Hemming Bob Blackman Mr Marcus Jones Jane Ellison Ian Mearns

1. Representations from Members

The following Members made oral representations:

 Laura Sandys: Green economy  Sheryll Murray: Adoption  Mr Bernard Jenkin: Prime Minister’s Adviser on Minsters’ Interests  Iain Stewart and Dr Julian Huppert: Centenary of the birth of Alan Turing  Paul Flynn: Withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan  Richard Graham: Commonwealth Day

2. Determination of business on 28 June and 5 July

The Committee determined that the following business would take place in backbench time:

 Thursday 28 June in the Chamber: Debate on a motion relating to fiscal measures to strengthen the green economy (Member in charge: Laura Sandys) (first half); Debate on a motion relating to the Appointment of a Minister for Older People. (Members in charge: Penny Mordaunt, Margot James, Julie Hilling and Martin Vickers) (second half)  Thursday 5 July in the Chamber: Debate on a motion relating to the return of VAT on Air Ambulance fuel payments (Members in charge: Guy Opperman and Hugh Bayley) (part day)  Thursday 5 July in Westminster Hall: Debate on adoption (Member in charge: Sheryll Murray) (up to 90 minutes)

[Adjourned until Tuesday 26 June at 12.55 pm

TUESDAY 26 JUNE 2012

Members present:

Natascha Engel, in the Chair

Mr David Amess Mr Marcus Jones Bob Blackman Ian Mearns Jane Ellison

1. Representations from Members

The following Members made oral representations:  Mr Frank Field: Immigration and population  Mr Michael Meacher, Simon Hughes and Steve Baker: tax avoidance and tax evasion  Mr Bernard Jenkin, Greg Mulholland, Priti Patel and Lindsay Roy: Prime Minister’s Adviser on Ministers’ Interests  Robert Halfon and Guy Opperman: Petrol and diesel market in the UK

Written representations were received as follows:  Mr Greg Knight: Sittings of the House

2. Determination of business on 5 and 11 July

The Committee determined that the following business would take place in backbench time:

 Thursday 5 July in the Chamber: Debate on a motion relating to the Prime Minister's Adviser on Ministers' Interests (Member in charge: Mr Bernard Jenkin) (part day)  Wednesday 11 July in the Chamber: Debate on motions relating to Sittings of the House (Member in charge: Mr Greg Knight)

[Adjourned until Tuesday 3 July at 12.55 pm

TUESDAY 3 JULY 2012

Members present:

Natascha Engel, in the Chair

Mr David Amess John Hemming Bob Blackman Mr Marcus Jones Jane Ellison Ian Mearns

1. Committee working practices

Resolved, that the deadline for applications for debates will be 12 pm on the Friday before the Committee meets.

1. Representations from Members

The following Members made oral representations:  Mr David Davis, Mr David Lammy, Yasmin Qureshi and Gavin Barwell: Use of intercept evidence in courts and inquests  Robert Halfon, Guy Opperman and Jim Shannon: Petrol and diesel market in the UK  Daniel Kawczynski and Sheryll Murray: Future of the BBC  Andrea Leadsom, Mark Garnier, George Freeman, Penny Mordaunt, Tessa Munt and Teresa Pearce: Bank competition  Guy Opperman: VAT on air ambulances

2. Determination of business on 11, 12 and 17 July

The Committee determined that the following business would take place in backbench time:

 Wednesday 11 July in the Chamber: Debate on a motion relating to the return of VAT on Air Ambulance fuel payments (Members in charge: Guy Opperman and Hugh Bayley) (part day)  Thursday 12 July in Westminster Hall: Debate on bank competition (Members in charge: Andrea Leadsom, Teresa Pearce, Mark Garnier, Tessa Munt, George Freeman and Penny Mordaunt).  Tuesday 17 July in the Chamber: Debate on a motion relating to the Prime Minister's Adviser on Ministers' Interests (Member in charge: Mr Bernard Jenkin) (1 hour); Pre-recess Adjournment debate (part day).

[Adjourned until Tuesday 10 July at 12.55 pm

TUESDAY 10 JULY 2012

Members present:

Natascha Engel, in the Chair

Mr David Amess John Hemming Mr David Anderson Mr Marcus Jones Bob Blackman Ian Mearns Jane Ellison

1. Representations from Members

The following Members made oral representations:  Stuart Andrew, Fabian Hamilton, Greg Mulholland and David Tredinnick: Safe sustainable review of children’s congenital cardiac services  Dr Sarah Wollaston, Richard Drax, David Tredinnick, Rory Stewart, Dr Julian Lewis and James Morris: community hospitals  Thomas Docherty and Neil Parish: dairy industry

2. Determination of business on 13 September

The Committee determined that the following business would take place in backbench time:

 Thursday 13 September in Westminster Hall: Debate on the dairy industry (Member in charge: Neil Parish)

[Adjourned until Thursday 12 July

THURSDAY 12 JULY 2012

Members present:

Natascha Engel, in the Chair

Mr David Amess John Hemming Bob Blackman Mr Marcus Jones Jane Ellison Ian Mearns

1. Determination of business on 6 September

The Committee determined that the following business would take place in backbench time:

 Thursday 6 September in the Chamber: Debate on a motion relating to immigration (Members in charge: Mr Frank Field and Nicholas Soames); Debate on a motion relating to community hospitals (Member in charge: Dr Sarah Wollaston

[Adjourned until Tuesday 4 September at 12.55 pm

TUESDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2012

Members present:

Natascha Engel, in the Chair

Mr David Amess John Hemming Mr David Anderson Mr Marcus Jones Bob Blackman Ian Mearns Jane Ellison

1. Representations from Members

The following Members made oral representations:  Robert Halfon: Effects of the oil market on the price of petrol and diesel

2. Determination of business on 13 and 18 September

The Committee determined that the following business would take place in backbench time:

 Thursday 13 September in the Chamber: Launch of an inquiry by the Transport Select Committee into the Government’s aviation strategy (Member in charge: Mrs Louise Ellman); debate on a Motion relating to the Oil market in the UK (Member in charge: Robert Halfon); general debate on tax avoidance and tax evasion (Member in charge: Mr Michael Meacher)  Tuesday 18 September in the Chamber: Pre-recess Adjournment debate

[Adjourned until Tuesday 11 September at 12.55 pm

TUESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER 2012

Members present:

Natascha Engel, in the Chair

Mr David Anderson John Hemming Bob Blackman Mr Marcus Jones Jane Ellison Ian Mearns

1. Committee working practices

Resolved, that the Committee shall meet at 3 pm in public on Tuesdays from 16 October 2012, following the change in the House’s sitting hours.

2. Representations from Members

The following Members made oral representations:  Rosie Cooper: E-petition on the West Coast Mainline franchise decision  Mr John Baron and Mrs Mary Glindon: Disbandment of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers  Mr Iain Liddell-Grainger: Community benefit for infrastructure projects

3. Determination of business on 17 September and 18 October

The Committee determined that the following business would take place in backbench time:

 Monday 17 September in Westminster Hall: Debate on the e-petition relating to the West Coast Main Line franchise decision (Member in charge: Rosie Cooper)  Thursday 18 October in the Chamber: Debate on a motion relating to the disbandment of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (Member in charge: Mr John Baron); debate on a motion relating to the use of intercept evidence in courts and inquests (Members in charge: Mr David Lammy and Mr David Davis)  Thursday 18 October in Westminster Hall: General debate on Community benefit for major infrastructure projects (Member in charge: Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger)

[Adjourned until Tuesday 16 October at 14.55 pm

TUESDAY 16 OCTOBER 2012

Members present:

Natascha Engel, in the Chair

Mr David Amess John Hemming Bob Blackman Mr Marcus Jones Jane Ellison Ian Mearns

1. Representations from Members

The following Members made oral representations:  Alison McGovern, Caroline Lucas, Henry Smith and Mike Weatherley: Badger cull  Stephen Williams and Fabian Hamilton: Reducing the voting age to 16  Nadine Dorries: Lowering the time limit for abortions from 24 to 20 weeks  Sir Edward Garnier: E-petition on children’s cardiac surgery at the East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre at Glenfield  Priti Patel, Stewart Jackson and Henry Smith: Air passenger duty

3. Determination of business on 22 and 25 October

The Committee determined that the following business would take place in backbench time:

 Monday 22 October in Westminster Hall: Debate on the e-petition on children’s cardiac surgery at the East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre at Glenfield (Member in charge: Sir Edward Garnier)  Thursday 25 October in the Chamber: Launch of a Report by the International Development Committee: DfID’s work in Afghanistan (20 minutes); debate on a motion relating to the badger cull (Members in charge: Alison McGovern, Caroline Lucas, Henry Smith and Mike Weatherley)

[Adjourned until Tuesday 23 October at 14.55 pm

TUESDAY 23 OCTOBER 2012

Members present:

Natascha Engel, in the Chair

Mr David Amess John Hemming Mr David Anderson Mr Marcus Jones Bob Blackman Ian Mearns Jane Ellison

1. Representations from Members

The following Members made oral representations:  John Thurso: Medium-term financial plan for the House of Commons administration and savings programme  Jackie Doyle-Price: Regulation of claims management companies  Andrew Griffiths and Greg Mulholland: Beer duty escalator  Priti Patel and Henry Smith: Air passenger duty  Stephen Williams: Reducing the voting age to 16

2. Determination of business on 1 and 8 November

The Committee determined that the following business would take place in backbench time:

 Thursday 1 November in the Chamber: Debate on a motion relating to air passenger duty (Member in charge: Priti Patel); debate on a motion relating to the beer duty escalator (Members in charge: Andrew Griffiths and Greg Mulholland)  Thursday 8 November in the Chamber: Debate on a motion relating to the medium-term financial plan for the House of Commons administration and savings programme (Member in charge: John Thurso)  Thursday 8 November in Westminster Hall: Debate on the regulation of claims management companies (Member in charge: Jackie Doyle-Price)

[Adjourned until Tuesday 30 October at 14.55 pm

TUESDAY 30 OCTOBER 2012

Members present:

Natascha Engel, in the Chair

Mr David Amess John Hemming Mr David Anderson Mr Marcus Jones Bob Blackman Ian Mearns Jane Ellison

1. Representations from Members

The following Members made oral representations:  Jonathan Reynolds and Chris White: Industrial policy and UK manufacturing industries  Denis MacShane, Margot James, Nicola Blackwood and Ann Coffey: Sexual grooming  Mr Frank Doran and Ms Margaret Ritchie: Fisheries  Andrea Leadsom and Stephen Metcalfe: Stimulating growth through better use of the Prompt Payment Code  Mr Robert Buckland: Autism  Anne Marie Morris: Life-saving skills in schools

2. Determination of business on 8 November and 6 December

The Committee determined that the following business would take place in backbench time:

 Thursday 8 November in the Chamber: General debate on stimulating growth through the Prompt Payment Code; (Members in charge: Andrea Leadsom and Stephen Metcalfe)  Thursday 6 December in Westminster Hall: Debate on fisheries

[Adjourned until Tuesday 6 November at 14.55 pm

TUESDAY 6 NOVEMBER 2012

Members present:

Natascha Engel, in the Chair

Mr David Amess John Hemming Bob Blackman Ian Mearns Jane Ellison

1. Representations from Members

There were no representations.

2. Determination of business on 8 November and 6 December

The Committee determined that the following business would take place in backbench time:

 Tuesday 13 November in the Chamber: General debate on child sexual exploitation (Member in charge: Nicola Blackwood, Margot James and Ann Coffey) (full day)

 Tuesday 20 November in the Chamber: General debate on autism (Member in charge: Mr Robert Buckland) (following Government business on that day)

 Thursday 22 November in the Chamber: Debate on a motion relating to life-saving skills in schools (Member in charge: Anne Marie Morris) (for approximately 1.5 hrs); followed by General debate on industrial policy and UK manufacturing industries (Members in charge: Jonathan Reynolds, Chris White) (for approximately 3 hrs)

[Adjourned until Tuesday 20 November at 14.55 pm

TUESDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2012

Members present:

Jane Ellison, in the Chair

Mr David Amess John Hemming Bob Blackman Ian Mearns

1. Chair

Having given notice that she would be away, Jane Ellison took the Chair in place of Natascha Engel.

2. Representations from Members

The following Members made oral representations:  Alun Cairns: 30th anniversary of S4C  Shailesh Vara, Rehman Chishti, Fiona Mactaggart and Mr Brooks Newmark: 40th anniversary of the expulsion of Ugandan Asians  Mrs Eleanor Laing and Graeme Morrice: Scotland and the Union

2. Determination of business on 29 November

The Committee determined that the following business would take place in backbench time:

 Thursday 29 November in the Chamber: Motion on Scotland and the Union (Members in charge: Mrs Eleanor Laing and Graeme Morrice) (half day); Motion on the 40th anniversary of the expulsion of Ugandan Asians (Member in charge: Mr Shailesh Vara) (half day)

[Adjourned until Tuesday 27 November at 14.55 pm

TUESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2012

Members present:

Natascha Engel, in the Chair

Mr David Amess John Hemming Mr David Anderson Mr Marcus Jones Bob Blackman Ian Mearns Jane Ellison

1. Representations from Members

The following Members made oral representations:  Dr Julian Lewis, Paul Flynn, Caroline Lucas, Henry Smith, Jeremy Corbyn, Sheryl Murray, Mr Peter Bone and Jonathan Lord: Trident renewal  Mr Ben Bradshaw: Church of England Synod vote on women bishops  Bob Stewart and Thomas Docherty on behalf of the Defence Committee: defence personnel  Laura Sandys, Jim Fitzpatrick and Caroline Lucas: Live animal exports and animal welfare

2. Determination of business on 6 December and week commencing 10 December

The Committee determined that the following business would take place in backbench time:

 Thursday 6 December in the Chamber: Motion on the 40th anniversary of the expulsion of Ugandan Asians (Member in charge: Mr Shailesh Vara) (90 minutes) (this debate was rescheduled following the announcement of the publication of the Leveson Inquiry on Thursday 29 November); and a general debate on defence personnel.  Week commencing 10 December in the Chamber (date to be confirmed): General debate on the Church of England Synod vote on women bishops (Member in charge: Mr Ben Bradshaw)

[Adjourned until Tuesday 4 December at 14.55 pm

TUESDAY 4 DECEMBER 2012

Members present:

Jane Ellison, in the Chair

Bob Blackman Ian Mearns John Hemming

1. Chair

Having given notice that she would be away, Jane Ellison took the Chair in place of Natascha Engel.

2. Representations from Members

The following Members made oral representations:  Mr Peter Bone, Fiona Bruce, Mr Frank Field and Angie Bray: Inter- departmental Report on Human Trafficking  Mr Michael Meacher, Robert Halfon and Dan Rogerson: Atos work capability assessments  Graham Evans, Hazel Blears, John Mann and Stephen Lloyd: Holocaust Memorial Day

2. Determination of business on 13 and 20 December

The Committee determined that the following business would take place in backbench time:

 Thursday 13 December in the Chamber: General debate on live animal exports and animal welfare (half day) (Member in charge: Laura Sandys).  Thursday 20 December in the Chamber: Launch of a report and an inquiry by the Energy and Climate Change Committee (Member in charge: Mr Tim Yeo); Pre-recess Adjournment debate.  Thursday 20 December in Westminster Hall: Inter-departmental Report on Human Trafficking (Members in charge: Mr Peter Bone, Fiona Bruce, Mr Frank Field and Angie Bray).

[Adjourned until Tuesday 11 December at 14.55 pm

TUESDAY 11 DECEMBER 2012

Members present:

Natascha Engel, in the Chair

Mr David Amess John Hemming Mr David Anderson Mr Marcus Jones Bob Blackman Ian Mearns Jane Ellison

1. Representations from Members

The following Members made oral representations:  Ian Swales: corporate tax avoidance  Hazel Blears, Paul Burstow and Tracey Crouch: dementia  Andy Slaughter and Angie Bray: closure and cutes to A&E services in London and the South East

2. Determination of business

The Committee deferred the determination of new business until its next weekly meeting on 18 December, having previously allocated all the time available to it before Christmas.

[Adjourned until Tuesday 18 December at 14.55 pm

TUESDAY 18 DECEMBER 2012

Members present:

Natascha Engel, in the Chair

Mr David Amess John Hemming Bob Blackman Mr Marcus Jones

1. Determination of business

The Committee determined that the following business would take place in backbench time:

 Monday 7 January in the Chamber: General debate on Corporate tax avoidance (part day after Government business) (Member in charge: Ian Swales)  Thursday 10 January in the Chamber: General debate on Dementia (Members in charge: Hazel Blears, Paul Burstow and Tracey Crouch)

[Adjourned until Tuesday 8 January at 14.55 pm

TUESDAY 8 JANUARY 2013

Members present:

Natascha Engel, in the Chair

Mr Bob Blackman John Hemming Jane Ellison

1. Representations from Members

The following Members made oral representations:  Rory Stewart, Jess Norman, Tessa Munt, Simon Hart and Andrew Bingham: Support for broadband in rural areas

2. Determination of business

The Committee determined that the following business would take place in backbench time:

 Thursday 17 January in the Chamber: General debate on Atos work capability assessments (Member in charge: Mr Michael Meacher); general debate on the nuclear deterrent (Member in charge: Dr Julian Lewis).  Thursday 24 January in the Chamber: Debate on a motion relating to reducing the voting age to 16 (Member in charge: Stephen Williams); general debate on the subject of Holocaust Memorial Day (Member in charge: Graham Evans).

[Adjourned until Tuesday 15 January at 14.55 pm

TUESDAY 15 JANUARY 2013

Members present:

Natascha Engel, in the Chair

Mr David Amess Mr Marcus Jones Jane Ellison Ian Mearns John Hemming

1. Representations from Members

The following Members made oral representations:  Jeremy Lefroy, Mr William Cash and Mr Aidan Burley: Report of the Public Inquiry by Robert Francis QC into the Mid-Staffordshire NHS Trust Foundation Trust, and consequences for the NHS  Fiona Mactaggart, Amber Rudd, Tessa Munt, Valerie Vaz, Annette Brooke, Jessica Lee, Caroline Lucas and Karl Turner: One Billion Rising campaign: protecting future generations from violence against women and girls  Madeleine Moon: Military justice system

2. Determination of business

The Committee determined that the following business would take place in backbench time:

 Thursday 31 January in Westminster Hall: General debate on the 30th anniversary of S4C (Member in charge: Alun Cairns); general debate on the military justice system (Member in charge: Madeleine Moon)

[Adjourned until Tuesday 22 January at 14.55 pm

TUESDAY 22 JANUARY 2013

Members present:

Natascha Engel, in the Chair

Mr David Amess Jane Ellison Mr David Anderson John Hemming Bob Blackman Ian Mearns

1. Representations from Members

The following Members made oral representations:  Sir Alan Beith and Mr Bernard Jenkin: Liaison Committee Report on Select Committee effectiveness, resources and powers  Caroline Nokes, Mr David Burrowes and Mrs Mary Glindon: Eating disorder awareness  Mr Virenda Sharma, Patrick Mercer, and Stephen Lloyd: Closure of A&E services  Martin Horwood, Caroline Lucas, and Mike Weatherley: subsidies for new nuclear

2. Determination of business

The Committee determined that the following business would take place in backbench time:

 Thursday 31 January in the Chamber: Debate on a motion relating to the Liaison Committee’s Report on Select Committee effectiveness, resources and powers (HC 697) (Member in charge: Sir Alan Beith)  Thursday 7 February in the Chamber: Debate on a motion relating to subsidies for new nuclear (Members in charge: Martin Horwood, Caroline Lucas, and Mike Weatherley); general debate on the Closure of A&E departments (Members in charge: Mr Virenda Sharma, Patrick Mercer, and Stephen Lloyd)  Thursday 14 February in Westminster Hall: General debate on Eating disorder awareness (Members in charge: Caroline Nokes, Mr David Burrowes and Mrs Mary Glindon)

[Adjourned until Tuesday 29 January at 14.55 pm

TUESDAY 29 JANUARY 2013

Members present:

Natascha Engel, in the Chair

Mr David Amess Jane Ellison Mr David Anderson John Hemming Bob Blackman

1. Allocation of time to Members

Resolved, that where a Member has been allocated a general debate in Backbench time, they may not table a substantive motion on the subject for debate.

2. Representations from Members

The following Members made oral representations:  Nicola Blackwood, Fiona Bruce, Fiona O’Donnell, Brooks Newmark and Harriett Baldwin: Preventing sexual violence in conflict  Neil Parish, Fiona Bruce, Dan Rogerson, Graham Stuart and Geoffrey Cox: Local government finance settlement for rural local authorities  Gordon Birtwistle, Jason McCartney and Jonathan Reynolds: Careers advice in schools for 12 to 16 year-olds  Steve Brine, Annette Brooke and Jim Dobbin: Breast cancer  John McDonnell and Fabian Hamilton: Kesri Lehar Campaign for the abolition of the death penalty in India  Nadhim Zahawi, Robert Halfon, Meg Munn, Fabian Hamilton and Jason McCartney: 25th anniversary of the Kurdish genocide  David Mowat and Sheila Gilmore: Private pensions  Mrs Anne Main: Effects of planning policy on local communities and local engagement.

3. Determination of business

The Committee determined that the following business would take place in backbench time:

 Thursday 31 January in the Chamber: Launch of a report by the Education Committee, From GCSEs to EBCs: The Government’s proposals for reform (20 minutes, following opposed Private Business that day) (Member in charge: Mr Graham Stuart)  Thursday 11 February in the Chamber: General debate on the local government finance settlement for rural local authorities (Member in charge: Neil Parish) (part-day following Government business)

 Thursday 14 February in the Chamber: Debate on a motion on Protecting future generations from violence against women and girls. (Members in charge: Fiona Mactaggart, Amber Rudd, Annette Brooke, Valerie Vaz, Caroline Lucas, Tessa Munt, Jessica Lee and Karl Turner); General debate on preventing sexual violence in conflict (Member in charge: Nicola Blackwood)

[Adjourned until Tuesday 5 February at 14.55 pm

TUESDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2013

Members present:

Natascha Engel, in the Chair

Mr David Amess Jane Ellison Mr David Anderson John Hemming Bob Blackman Mr Marcus Jones

1. Representations from Members

The following Members made oral representations:  Mark Pritchard, Mr Nigel Dodds, Dr Hywel Francis, Kelvin Hopkins and Ian Swales: EU migration

2. Determination of business

The Committee deferred the determination of new business until its next weekly meeting on 12 February, having previously allocated all the time available to it before the February Adjournment.

[Adjourned until Tuesday 12 February at 14.55 pm

TUESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2013

Members present:

Natascha Engel, in the Chair

Mr David Amess John Hemming Mr David Anderson Mr Marcus Jones Jane Ellison

1. Representations from Members

The following Members made oral representations:  Caroline Lucas, Paul Flynn, Bob Stewart and Rory Stewart: 10th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq  Mr Lee Scott and Martin Vickers: Justice for the Tamil community in Sri Lanka and Diaspora  Alun Cairns, Martin Vickers and Bob Stewart: Nuisance phone calls  Lucy Powell, Andy Sawford and Steve Reed: Fairtrade promotion and proliferation in Fairtrade fortnight  John McDonnell: Kesri Lehar petition to abolish the death penalty in India

2. Determination of business

The Committee determined that the following business would take place in backbench time:

 Thursday 14 February in the Chamber: Launch of a report by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee on the contamination of beef products (for 20 minutes at the start of Backbench business)  Thursday 28 February in the Chamber: Debate on a motion relating to the Kesri Lehar petition to abolish the death penalty in India (Member in charge: John McDonnell and Fabian Hamilton); Debate on a motion relating to the 25th anniversary of the Kurdish genocide (Member in charge: Nadhim Zahawi)  Thursday 28 February in Westminster Hall: General debate on nuisance phone calls (Member in charge: Alun Cairns)

[Adjourned until Tuesday 26 February at 14.55 pm

TUESDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2013

Members present:

Natascha Engel, in the Chair

Mr David Amess Mr Marcus Jones John Hemming Ian Mearns

1. Representations from Members

The following Members made oral representations:  Caroline Dinenage, Graham Stuart, Anne McKechin: Improving levels of adult literacy and numeracy  Dominic Raab: Flood insurance  Guto Bebb and David T.C. Davies: St David’s Day

2. Determination of business

The Committee deferred the determination of new business until its next weekly meeting on 5 March.

[Adjourned until Tuesday 5 March at 14.30 pm

TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2013

Members present:

Natascha Engel, in the Chair

Mr David Amess Mr Marcus Jones Jane Ellison Ian Mearns John Hemming

1. Representations from Members

The following Members made oral representations:  Sir Alan Haselhurst: Commonwealth Day  Eleanor Laing, Graham Evans, Claire Perry and Bridget Phillipson: Women and Growth – Women’s role in the workplace and economy (in respect of International Women’s Day)  Charlotte Leslie, Philip Lee, Stephen Barclay, John Pugh: Accountability and transparency in the NHS  Caroline Lucas: 10th anniversary of the 2003 invasion of Iraq

2. Determination of business

The Committee determined that the following business would take place in backbench time:

 Thursday 14 March in the Chamber: Launch of a report from the Justice Select Committee on Youth Justice (Member in charge: Rt Hon Sir Alan Beith, Chair of Justice Committee) (for approximately 20 minutes); debate on a Motion relating to Accountability and Transparency in the NHS (Members in charge: Charlotte Leslie, Philip Lee, Stephen Barclay, John Pugh, Sarah Wollaston and Kate Hoey)  Thursday 14 March in Westminster Hall: General debate relating to Commonwealth Day (Member in charge: Sir Alan Haselhurst) (90 minutes)  Tuesday 26 March in the Chamber: Debate on a motion relating to Flood insurance (Member in charge: Mr Dominic Raab) (up to 2 hours); Pre- recess Adjournment debate

[Adjourned until Tuesday 12 March at 14.55 pm

TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013

Members present:

Natascha Engel, in the Chair

Mr David Amess Jane Ellison Mr David Anderson John Hemming Bob Blackman Mr Marcus Jones

1. Representations from Members

The following Members made oral representations:  Hugh Bayley, James Duddridge and Bridget Phillipson: Post-2015 development agenda  Steve Rotheram, Adrian Sanders, Hazel Blears, Michael McCann, Derek Twigg, Grahame M. Morris: Preventable cardiac deaths in Britain

2. Determination of business

The Committee determined that the following business would take place in backbench time:

 Thursday 21 March in Westminster Hall : General debate relating to the post-2015 development agenda (Members in charge: Hugh Bayley)  Monday 25 March in Westminster Hall: General debate relating to the e- petition on preventable cardiac deaths arising from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (Member in charge: Steve Rotheram)

3. Use of social media

The Committee considered this matter, and determined that it would open a Twitter account to publicise its decisions.

4. E-petitions

The Committee considered this matter.

[Adjourned until Tuesday 19 March at 14.55 pm

TUESDAY 19 MARCH 2013

Members present:

Natascha Engel, in the Chair

Mr David Anderson Jane Ellison Bob Blackman John Hemming

1. Representations from Members

The following Members made oral representations:  Paul Burstow, Mr Charles Walker and Madeleine Moon: Mental health  Jeremy Corbyn and Yasmin Qureshi: UK’s role in the Non Proliferation Treaty

2. Determination of business

The Committee determined that the following business would take place in backbench time:

 Monday 22 April in Westminster Hall: Debate on an e-petition relating to immigration from Bulgarians and Romanians in 2014 (Member in charge: Mark Pritchard)

[Adjourned until Tuesday 16 April at 14.55 pm

TUESDAY 16 APRIL 2013

Members present:

Natascha Engel, in the Chair

Mr David Anderson John Hemming Bob Blackman Mr Marcus Jones Jane Ellison

1. Representations from Members

The following Members made oral representations:  Mr Adrian Bailey, Paul Blomfield and Rebecca Harris: Student visas  Katy Clark (on behalf of Kelvin Hopkins): age-related tax allowances  Caroline Lucas: 10th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq  Joan Walley and Martin Caton: Pesticides and pollinators

2. Determination of business

The Committee determined that the following business would take place in backbench time:

 Monday 29 April in Westminster Hall: Debate on an e-petition relating to age-related tax allowances (Member in charge: Kelvin Hopkins)

Resolved, That, in the opinion of this Committee, the following are suitable subjects for debate in the next Session of Parliament, during the period prior to the re-establishment of the Backbench Business Committee in what would otherwise have been backbench time, in order of priority: (1) student visas (half day), (2) pollinators and pesticides (half day) and (3) mental health (full day).

[Adjourned until Tuesday 23 April at 14.55 pm

TUESDAY 23 APRIL 2013

Members present:

Jane Ellison, in the Chair

Mr David Amess John Hemming Mr David Anderson

1. Representations from Members

The following Members made oral representations:  Nigel Dodds, Kate Hoey, David Simpson: Expenses and allowances for Members who do not take up their seats  Hugh Bayley, Jason McCartney: NATO

2. Determination of business

Resolved, That, in the opinion of this Committee, if debating time in what would otherwise have been backbench time is made available in the next Session of Parliament on Thursday 16 May, a suitable subject for debate would be mental health (full day); and, if such time is made available on Tuesday 21 May, suitable subjects for debate would be student visas (half day) and pollinators and pesticides (half day).

Resolved, That, in the opinion of this Committee, the Backbench Business Committee in the next Session of Parliament should give consideration to the Committee’s list of subjects awaiting debate, as it stands at the end of the present Session of Parliament. [The Committee adjourned