At Question Time ministers answered the questions of the members of the Riigikogu. A total of 8 items were deliberated.

Minister of Regional Affairs Jaan Õunapuu answered the questions about the fate of Petserimaa, the management of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the administrative reform, the compensation of storm damages and about the protection against natural disasters.

Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications Andrus Ansip answered the questions about Eesti Raudtee, about the supervising boards of state-owned companies and the structural funds.

Minister Paul-Eerik Rummo answered the question about the monument to the Estonian War of Independence.

The Riigikogu passed the following Acts and resolutions:

The Riigikogu passed with 71 votes in favour the Roads Act Amendment Act (501 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The purpose of the Act is to ensure the uniform development of the state and local roads. The Act stipulates the bases for keeping the road register and for financing local roads. Resources must form at least 5 per cent of the means prescribed for general maintenance of roads. The Act specifies the notions related to the above provisions.

The Support of Enterprise and State Loan Guarantees Act Amendment Act (508 SE, 459 SE and 460 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, Isamaaliit Faction and the Estonian Centre Party Faction, was passed with 72 votes in favour. The Act stipulates the bases, principles and organisation of the state enterprise support and the state guarantees to business and housing loans. The sum of valid guarantee contracts, concluded by foundations in accordance with law, must not surpass EEK 800 million in case of business loans, and in case of housing loans ? EEK 950 million. The Government has the right to decide, if necessary, the reduction of the maximum rate of the total amount of guarantee contracts of housing loans.

The Act on the Accession to the Convention based on Article K.3 of the Treaty on European Union, on the Establishment of a European Police Office (Europol Convention) and the Amending Protocols thereto (438 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, was passed with 63 votes in favour. The Act prescribes the accession to the Europol. The objective of the Europol Convention and the amending protocols thereto is to promote legal protection activities against crime in the Member States of the European Union, to help the Member States and to analyse crime and to harmonise investigative techniques in the Member States.

The Act on the Accession to the Convention drawn up on the basis of Article K.3 of the Treaty on European Union on the Use of Information Technology for Customs Purposes and to the Protocols Thereto (489 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, was passed with 55 votes in favour. According to the Convention, the objective for the establishment and functioning/use of the CIS is first of all to improve the cooperation between the customs agencies of the Member States through rapid and effective exchange of information connected with offences and making the information available to each other. The information will be used only in the prevention, investigation, proceeding of the violation of legal acts relating to customs, goods which are prohibited or subject to a restriction, excise duties and value added taxes, also drug trafficking, and in penalising such offences.

The Resolution of the Riigikogu On Amendments to the Resolution of the Riigikogu On the Formation of the Security Authorities Surveillance Committee of the Riigikogu (549 OE), presented by the Estonian Reform Party Faction, was passed with 53 votes in favour.

Peep Aru was appointed to replace the alternate member of the Committee Märt Rask.

The Resolution of the Riigikogu On Amendments to the Resolution of the Riigikogu On the Formation of the Riigikogu Select Committee on the Application of Anti-Corruption Act (550 OE), presented by the Estonian Reform Party Faction, was passed with 52 votes in favour. Helmer Jõgi was appointed to replace the alternate member of the Committee Silver Meikar and Toivo Tootsen was appointed to replace the alternate member Harri Õunapuu.

The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of the following Bills:

The Bill on Amendments to the Securities Market Act, Financial Supervision Authority Act, Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention Act, Credit Institutions Act and Estonian Central Register of Securities Act (492 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Bill on Amendments to the Metrology Act (548 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Bill on Amendments to the Unlawfully Expropriated Property Valuation and Compensation Act (529 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Blood Bill (417 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Riigikogu suspended

the second reading of the Liquid Fuel Stocks Bill (525 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The motion was made by the Estonian Centre Party Faction. The result of voting: 47 votes in favour, 16 against.

The Riigikogu Press Service