At Question Time ministers answered the questions of the members of the Riigikogu.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Kristiina Ojuland answered the question of Enn Eesmaa about the continuity of the Estonian foreign policy, the question of Toomas Alatalu about the planning of foreign policy, the question of Tunne Kelam about the positions of the Estonian Government in the OSCE concerning the Moldova question, and the question of Eldar Efendijev about the relations between Estonia and Russia.

Minister of Finance Taavi Veskimägi answered the question of Helir-Valdor Seeder about the tax policy, the question of Heimar Lenk about the housing programme and the question of Kaarel Pürg about the programmes supporting Ida-Virumaa.

The Riigikogu passed the following Acts:

The Riigikogu passed with 90 votes in favour the Law of Obligations Act and Associated Acts Amendment Act (85 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The purpose of the amendment to the Act is to adjust the ambiguous provisions which have allowed different interpretations in the course of implementation of the Law of Obligations Act and associated private law acts.

The Imprisonment Act Amendment Act (88 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, was passed with 89 votes in favour. The amendments to the Act concern the resolution of challenges submitted on the activities of a prison and the regulation of granting permission for prison leave. The Act enters into force on January 1, 2004.

The Railways Act (7 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, was passed with 89 votes in favour. The Act harmonises the Acts regulating the Estonian railway sphere with the EU directives concerning railways. The Act regulates the rights and obligations of the owners of the railway infrastructure and rail vehicles upon the maintenance and use of the railway and rail vehicles, prescribes efficient measures for exerting influence on and supervising over the activities of the railway undertakings. The Act enters into force on March 31, 2004.

The Traffic Act Amendment Act (100 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, was passed with 90 votes in favour. The amendments to the Act concern driving licences issued in foreign states. Upon the entry into force of the Act, the driving licences issued in foreign countries to the diplomats, administrative workers, support staff, house servants and the members of their families, accredited to Estonia, remain in force in Estonia during the whole period of their mission and are not replaced. The driving licence issued in an EU Member State of a person settled in Estonia must not be replaced with an Estonian driving licence.

The Energy Efficiency of Equipment Act (111 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, was passed with 90 votes in favour. The Act establishes requirements for energy efficiency and energy-performance label for household appliances of certain kind, heat devices (henceforth equipment) and the bases and procedure for the assessment and attestation of conformity for more efficient use of energy and other resources.  The Act enters into force on January 1, 2004.

The Public Procurement Act Amendment Act (117 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, was passed with 87 votes in favour. Pursuant to the amendment to the Act, the Public Procurement Act, currently in force, is brought into conformity with the provisions stipulated in the Directives of the European Union. The Act enters into force on January 1, 2004.

The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of the following Bills:

The Consular Bill (114 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Bill on Amendments to the Code of Enforcement Procedure (115 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Bill on Amendments to the Product Conformity Attestation Act (144 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Bill on Amendments to the Money Laundering Prevention Act, Financial Supervision Authority Act, Credit Institutions Act, Police Act and Securities Market Act (103 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Bill on Amendments to the State Fees Act and State Fees Act Amendment Act (129 SE and 154 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Riigikogu suspended the second reading of the following Bills:

The Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act and Social Tax Act (132 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Finance Committee is 1 December, 12.00.

The Bill on Amendments to the Alcohol, Tobacco and Fuel Excise Duty Act and Fiscal Marking of Liquid Fuel Act (130 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Finance Committee is 1 December, 12.00.

The Bill on Amendments to the State Budget Act, Accounting Act, State Audit Office Act, Rural Municipality and City Budgets Act, Local Government Organisation Act, Use of Privatisation Proceeds Act (89 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Finance Committee is 1 December, 12.00.

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of the following Bills:

The Bill on Amendments to the Political Parties Act and Associated Acts (184 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Constitutional Committee is 3 December, 18.00.

The Bill on Amendments to the Family Law Act and to the State Fees Act Arising Thereof (145 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Legal Affairs Committee is 3 December, 18.00.

The Bill on Amendments to the Fishing Act (173 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Environment Committee is 26 November, 18.00.

The Organic Farming Bill (183 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Rural Affairs Committee is 3 December, 18.00.

The Bill on Amendments to the Aviation Act (170 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Economic Affairs Committee is 27 November, 12.00.

The Bill on Amendments to the Technical Regulations and Standards Act (172 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Economic Affairs Committee is 3 December, 18.00.

The Riigikogu Press Service