The main issue at stake is whether the release of prisoners will be linked to decommissioning. Decommissioning of weapons and explosives by republicans and loyalists is seen as a crucial step on the road to a peaceful democracy in Northern Ireland. But it is also one of the most thorny issues.

Sinn Fein anticipates the release of IRA prisoners within the two years specified in the agreement. However, there was no explicit link made in the agreement between decommissioning and prisoners' release. It simply states: "Prisoners affiliated with organisations which have not established or are not maintaining a complete and unequivocal ceasefire will not benefit from the arrangements."

The government has committed itself to seeking to enact this legislation by the end of June 1998. However, parties representing paramilitary organisations, particularly Sinn Fein, are likely to reject any attempt by the government explicitly to link the two issues through legislation.

Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam and Northern Ireland security Minister Adam Ingram will be speaking for the government. Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Andrew Mackay and Northern Ireland spokesman Malcolm Moss will be speaking for the Conservatives. Phil Willis will be speaking for the Lib Dems.

COMMONS

Morning Adjournment Debates

Leasehold Reform - Jim Fitzpatrick, Lab, Poplar and Canning Town 9:30 BST (8:30 GMT).

Preventive health care and home insulation - Dr Peter Brand, Lib Dem, Isle of Wight 11:00 BST (10:00 GMT).

Planning guidance on the use of sports grounds - Ian Pearson, Lab, Dudley South 12:30 BST (11:30 GMT).

The provision of magistrates' courts in Suffolk - Richard Spring, Con, Suffolk West 13:00 BST (12:00 GMT).

Mr Ray Herring and the Merseyside Police - Claire Curtis - Thomas, Lab, Crosby 13:30 BST (12:30 GMT)

Questions

Duchy of Lancaster. This is an ancient title which nowadays carries rather light, nominal duties in connection with the administration of the Duchy's estates and rents. However, the current Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is Dr David Clark, who has ministerial reponsibility for the Cabinet Office Secretariat and is in charge of matters such as dealing with the Millennium Bug.

Prime Minister's Questions 15:00 BST (14:00 GMT).

Business

Northern Ireland Sentences Bill - 2nd Reading 15:50 BST (14:50 GMT), vote expected 20:00 BST (21:00 GMT).

Ten Minute Rule Bill

Restoration of Damage to Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) - Candy Atherton, Lab, Falmouth and Camborne. The Bill proposes that land owners should be responsible for any damage to these sites. There are 6,000 SSSIs in the UK and up to a third have suffered damage.

Evening Adjournment Debate

Grantham Hospital - Quentin Davies, Con, Grantham and Stamford

Select Committees

Education & Employment, Education Sub-Committee: The Role of Headteachers 9:15am BST (8:15 GMT).
Witnesses: John Howson - Education Data Services; Geoff Lyons - East London Business School; representatives of Heads, Teachers and Industry, the CBI and Lloyds Bank, Coverdale.

Scottish Affairs: Government Housing Policy in Scotland 10:30am BST (9:30 GMT).
Witnesses: Calum MacDonald MP, Minister for Local Government and Housing at the Scottish Office.

Environment, Transport and the Regions, Transport sub-committee 4:30am BST (3:30 GMT).
Witnesses: Officials from DoE.

Public Accounts: Major Projects Report 1997 4:30am BST (3:30 GMT).
Witness: Robert Walmsley, Chief of Defence Procurement at the MoD.

LORDS

Starred Questions

Does government responsbility for the Falkland Islands include devising systems to licence exploration for oil and gas in the Falklands' exclusive economic zone? Lord Campbell of Croy.

Why, and at what cost, has the Department of Health dropped its logo which states "improving the health of the nation" from its stationery? Does that statement remain the policy of the Government? Lord Rowallan.

Does the government welcome the steps that local authorites are taking to encourge greater participation by the public in local government? Lord Bassam of Brighton.

Will the government use its power under the Ancient Monuments and Archaelogical Areas Act of 1979 to designate Spring Common, Huntingdon, as an area of archaeological importance and thus prevent the development of six of its remaining 20 acres as a site for building at least 90 houses? Lord Renton.

Business

Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Bill - Consideration of Commons Amendments.

School Standards and Framework Bill - Committee stage (Provisional).

Unstarred questions

What is the government's policy towards the European Commission's negotiating Directive for a post Lome agreement, with particular regard to the Caribbean? Baroness Young.

Lords Committee

Lords EC Agriculture & Food Sub-committee: EC Regulations of Genetic Modification in Agriculture 10:45am BST (9:45 GMT).