The week in Westminster: April 27th – May 1st
After the furore and bedlam of Budget week, Westminster settles down once more to its regular business of the day-to-day running of the country, though there are still some loose ends to be tied up on the Budget debate on Monday and Tuesday.
And that may not be the end of the story, with Treasury officials set to face a select committee on Tuesday morning where they might face some tough questions about where all that recovery money’s going to come from. The man of the moment, whether he likes it or not, is Alistair Darling. He’s set to take the chair on Wednesday afternoon.
Thursday’s public administration committee will be having a look at a public sector pay row that’s slipped under the radar somewhat with all the coverage over MP’s expenses in recent weeks. With the public mood on inflated public salaries at boiling point after a gloomy Budget the 16 council chiefs who get paid more than the prime minister may find themselves the subject of a lot more attention after the committee looks into executive pay in the public sector.
Commons
Monday
Questions – children, schools and families questions
Ten minute rule bill – cheapest energy tariff (information) bill
Debate – continuation of the Budget debate
Adjournment – pedestrian crossing installations and Highways Agency costs
Tuesday
Questions – Treasury
Ten minute rule bill – protection of children (publicity)
Debate – conclusion of the Budget debate
Adjournment – hon members’ addresses and personal security
Wednesday
Questions – Wales; Prime Minister
Ten minute rule bill – prevention of excessive charges bill
Debate – opposition day (10th allotted day) – there will be a debate on a Liberal Democrat motion; the erosion of civil liberties and freedoms followed by a debate on the situation in Sri Lanka
Adjournment – Humberside probation service
Thursday
Questions – innovation, universities and skills
Business statement – leader of the House
Debate – House business
Adjournment – closure of Visteon factory in Basildon
Friday
The House will not be sitting
Lords
Monday
Questions – reform of the House of Lords; delays in the parole system; UK defense industry and the re-equipment of the Iraqi army; Gulf War illness
Legislation – postal services bill
Orders and regulations – Social Security (Flexible New Deal) Regulations 2009
Tuesday
Introduction(s) – Lord Collins of Mapesbury
Questions – Czech presidency of the EU and climate change; polygamous marriage; export credits guarantee department
Legislation – health bill
Short debate – United Nations acting in accordance with its charter
Wednesday
Questions – UK citizens supplying personal information and travel plans when leaving the UK; economic stimulus package and low-carbon economy; social care
Legislation – local democracy, economic development and construction bill
Legislation – welfare reform bill
Thursday
Questions – French membership of NATO; disarmament in Northern Ireland; European Union external action service
Debate – contribution made by British armed forces to defending the UK and peacekeeping
Debate – government’s public health agenda
Legislation – cohabitation bill
Friday
No business announced for this day
