The week in Westminster: January 17th – 21st
Nick Clegg and David Cameron both face sessions at the despatch box this week.
In addition to prime minister’s questions on the Wednesday we have the additional pleasure of deputy prime minister’s questions on the Wednesday, a treat for all concerned. Well – perhaps not for Mr Clegg.
It’s relatively quiet over on the committee corridors – but at least that gives us a chance of looking into Ken Clarke’s appearance before some well-respected peers on the Lords’ constitution committee, also on Tuesday morning.
COMMONS
Monday
Questions – communities and local government
Legislation – localism bill
Adjournment debate – future regulation of the mortgage market
Tuesday
Questions – deputy prime minister, attorney general
Ten minute rule motion – succession to the crown
Legislation – fixed-term parliaments bill
Adjournment debate – effects on young people in Birmingham of reductions in West Midlands Police services
Wednesday
Questions – Cabinet Office, PMQs
Ten minute rule motion – consumer protection (postal marketing)
Opposition day debate – educational maintenance allowance
Motion – to approve a statutory instrument relating to proscribed organisations
Adjournment debate – West Anglia rail fine
Thursday
Questions – culture, Olympics, media and sport
Business statement – leader of the House
Backbench business – horse racing levy future; improving life chances for disadvantaged children
Adjournment debate – air passenger duty changes and the effect on the Caribbean
Friday
Private members’ bills – Estates of Deceased Persons (Forfeiture Rule and Law of Succession) Bill; Sale of Tickets (Sporting and Cultural Events) Bill; and others
Adjournment debate – NHS counter-fraud service and relations with the Crown Prosecution Service
LORDS
Monday
Introductions – Lord Loomba, Tariq Ahmad and Howard Flight
Questions – cutting down legislation, local post offices, supporting tourism, EU external action service
Legislation – parliamentary voting system and constituencies bill
Tuesday
Introductions – Robert Edmiston, Sir Michael Lord, Stewart Wood
Questions – deficit reduction, Headley Court, farmland bird populations
Legislation – public bodies bill
Wednesday
Introductions – Sir Reg Empey, Monroe Palmer
Questions – inflation, stem cell research, police funding cuts
Legislation – parliamentary voting system and constituencies bill
Thursday
Introduction – Stanley Fink, Benjamin Stoneham and Elizabeth Berridge
Questions – Gaza imports, bus and coach passenger rights, UK assistance to St Lucia
Debate – constitutional and parliamentary effect of coalition government
Friday
Legislation – marine navigation aids bill
Legislation – rehabilitation of offenders (amendment) bill
PICK OF THE COMMITTEES
Tuesday
10:30 – director of public prosecutions Keir Starmer, before the justice committee, on: The work of the Director of Public Prosecutions
10:30 – justice secretary Ken Clarke, before the Lords’ constitution committee – annual meeting