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

Minister of Social Affairs Marko Pomerants answered the question of Siiri Oviir about pensions, the question of Tunne Kelam about the problems related to the education of and welfare services to the children with severe and profound mental disability, the question of Kaarel Pürg about social protection, the question of Eiki Nestor about the use of the EU Structural Funds for the development of hospitals network, the question of Mai Treial about the situation of pensioners and the pension policy, the question of Marika Tuus about the pension funds, the question of Vello Tafenau about the relocation of children?s homes and the question of Katrin Saks about the family policy.

Minister of Culture Urmas Paet answered the question of Ivari Padar about the Broadcasting, the question of Toivo Tootsen about the cinema for classic movies, the question of Trivimi Velliste about manor schools, the question of Evelyn Sepp about the financing of culture objects and the question of Mark Soosaar about the taxation of culture.

Minister of Justice Ken-Marti Vaher answered the question of Liina Tõnisson about the lawmaking.

The Riigikogu passed the following Acts:

The Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Act Amendment Act (62 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, was passed with 58 votes in favour.  The Act prescribes the repeal of § 33 of the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Act, because the register of integrated environmental permits will not be established.

The Riigikogu passed with 54 votes in favour the Place Names Act (96 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The Act regulates the determination and use of the Estonian place names and the supervision thereof. The purpose of the Act is to ensure the harmonised use of the Estonian place names and the protection of culturally and historically valuable place names. The Act enters into force on July 1, 2004.

The Customs Code Amendment Act (99 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, was passed with 53 votes in favour. The amendments to the Code are connected with the implementation of the Customs Code, entered into force on July 1, 2002, and also with the need to bring the Code into compliance with the amendments to the legislation, taken place in the meantime. Due to these amendments to the Code, the customs rules become more understandable, the possibility to perform customs formalities outside of official working hours of a customs office is also stipulated. The amendments to the Act enter into force on December 1, 2003.

The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of the following Bills:

The Bill on Amendments to the Law of Obligations Act and Associated Acts (85 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Railways Bill (7 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Bill on Amendments to the Imprisonment Act (88 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of the following Bills:

The Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu On the Formation of the Riigikogu Study Committee to Audit the Implementation of the State Budget (120 OE), submitted by the Estonian Centre Party Faction. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Constitutional Committee is 19 November, 18.00.

The Bill on Amendments to the Rural Development and Agricultural Market Regulation Act (152 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Rural Affairs Committee is 19 November, 18.00.

The Victim Support Bill (146 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Legal Affairs Committee is 19 November, 18.00.

The Bill on Amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure (of the ESSR) and Code of Criminal Procedure (147 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Legal Affairs Committee is 19 November, 18.00.

The Bill on Amendments to the Value Added Tax Act (131 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Finance Committee is 17 November, 12.00.

The Structural Fund Assistance Bill (148 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Finance Committee is 17 November, 12.00.

The Bill on Amendments to the Product Conformity Attestation Act (144 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Economic Affairs Committee is 12 November, 18.00.

The Bill on Amendments to the State Fees Act (154 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Finance Committee is 10 November, 18.00.

The sitting ended at 18.29.

The Riigikogu Press Service