The week in Westminster: January 19th-23rd
Thursday looks like being the most interesting day in the Commons chamber this week.
Ed Miliband will be taking on the critics over the government’s decision to back a third runway at Heathrow in energy and climate change questions – but John McDonnell won’t be repeating his mace-wielding protest because he’s suspended for the week.
Later on we have members’ allowances to pick over – always a thorny subject, especially after MPs managed to win the battle to keep their expenses secret.
Elsewhere it’s the committee rooms which seem the most interesting, with four Cabinet ministers – count them – appearing for a grilling. Home secretary Jacqui Smith faces Keith Vaz and co on ‘policing process of Home Office leak inquiries’. Damian Green fans take note.
Commons
Monday
Questions – culture, media and sport
Legislation – policing and crime bill second reading; corporation tax bill second reading
Adjournment debate – revaluation of business rates at Port of Liverpool
Tuesday
Questions – communities and local government
Motions – to approve European documents relating to a European framework for action and a European economic recovery plan, to approve European documents relating to financial management, to approve a European document relating to EU-Russia relations
Adjournment – rail fare increases in the south-east
Wednesday
Questions – Northern Ireland, PMQs
Opposition day debate – access to emergency and urgent care in the NHS, plight of savers
Adjournment – coronary heart disease in East Lancashire
Thursday
Questions – energy and climate change, leader of the House, House of Commons Commission
Business statement – leader of the House
Motions – business of the house, freedom of information, members allowances
Adjournment – ministerial answers to parliamentary questions
Lords
Monday
Questions – international nuclear fuel bank; human rights in Iran; decline in the sterling exchange rate; use of passports of more than one country
Legislation – banking bill
Short debate – help to the automotive industry
Tuesday
Questions – eligibility for housing benefit – Zimbabwe, prisoner early release scheme
Legislation – banking bill
Short debate – funding agricultural and food research
Wednesday
Questions – bullying of pupils with learning difficulties, unemployment, violence against disabled people
Legislation – marine and coastal access bill
Short debate – humanitarian situation in Gaza
Thursday
Questions – consulations on Digital Britain Review, accuracy of images submitted for planning applications, capability of the Royal Navy to safeguard UK trade routes
Debate – UN declaration on countering the world drug problem
Debate – Challenges facing UK tourism industry
Orders and regulations – Freedom of Information (Parliament) Order 2009, European Parliamentary Elections (Amendment) Regulations 2009; European Parliament (Disqualification) (United Kingdom and Gibraltar) Order 2009; European Parliamentary Elections (Loans and Related Transactions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (United Kingdom and Gibraltar) Order 2004 (Amendment) Order 2009, Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 (Amendment) Order 2009
Friday
Legislation – House of Lords (Members’ Taxation Status) Bill [HL] – Second reading, Equal Pay and Flexible Working Bill [HL]
Pick of the committees
Monday
16:15: Commission for Equality and Human Rights before the work and pensions committee on the equality bill: What steps should DWP take to achieve greater equality?
Tuesday
11:30: Home secretary Jacqui Smith before home affairs committee on: Policing Process of Home Office Leak Inquiries
13:45: Justice secretary Jack Straw before joint committee on human rights on: A British Bill of Rights
Violence Reduction Unit before home affairs committee on: Knife Crime
Wednesday
09:30: Innovation, universities and skills secretary John Denham before IUSS committee on: Engineering
14:30: International development secretary Douglas Alexander before intl dvpt committee on: Aid Under Pressure: Support For Development Assistance in a Global Economic Downturn
Thursday
10:00: Guy Dehn, Maurice Frankel, Campaign for Freedom of Information, David Hencke, Professor Peter Hennessey, Sir David Omand, all before public administration committee on: Leaks and Whistleblowing in Whitehall
