Week in Westminster: July 15th – 19th
By Phoebe Cooke
It's the last week of parliament before a lengthy summer recess, with the Commons convening next on September 2nd. But in the meantime both houses have a lot to pack in, with the final pre-break Prime Minister's Question Time on Wednesday at 12pm hopefully as explosive as the last. With Miliband's historical union revelations, Cameron will want to dig deep once again to find more than anti-McCluskey jibes to put the Conservatives back in the rhetorical driving seat before school's out.
Foreign secretary William Hague discusses developments in UK Foreign Policy in a select committee on Tuesday afternoon, and on the same day a ten minute rule motion has Jeffrey M. Donaldson bringing up the laden question on victims and survivors in Northern Ireland. Fellow Cabinet member Theresa May will be talking about what her job entails in a select committee (unsurprisingly) entitled 'The Work of the Home Secretary'.
A legislation-heavy Monday has the third reading for the marriage (same sex couples) bill, whilst the finance (no.2) bill passes through four separate stages. Lord Saatchi will also be discussing the impact of medical litigation on medical innovation.
The Congo conflict is due to be introduced by Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale and Baroness Warsi in a short debate on Tuesday, and on Wedneseday the Lords debate British troops in Afghanistan after 2014, introduced by Lord Windermere.
House of Commons
Monday July 15th
Oral Questions (2.30pm) – Home Office, including Topical Questions
Motion – 2014 Justice and Home Affairs Opt-Out Decision (Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union)
Motion – Opt-in decision on the proposed Europol regulation
Adjournment – New media and personal data – Helen Goodman
Tuesday July 16th
Oral Questions (11.30am) – Health, including Topical Questions
Ten Minute Rule Motion – Victims and Survivors (Northern Ireland) – Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson
Legislation – Defence Reform Bill – Second reading
Motion – To approve a Money Resolution relating to the European Union (Referendum) Bill
Adjournment – Future of fishing quotas – Peter Aldous
Wednesday July 17th
Oral Questions (11.30am) – International Development, including Topical Questions
Prime Minister's Question Time – 12pm
Ten Minute Rule Motion – Electoral Register (Access to Public Services) – Siobhain McDonagh
Debate – Opposition Day (5th allotted day) Subject to be announced
Debate – Trident Alternatives Review
Adjournment – Government policy on selection and allocation of organs for transplant – Kate Green
Thursday July 18th
Oral Questions (9.30am) – Business, Innovation and Skills, including Topical Questions
Business Statement – Leader of the House
Backbench Business – (i) Private Rented Sector (ii) Revisiting 'Rebuilding the House': The Impact of the Wright Reforms (iii) Economic implications for the UK of an EU-US Trade and Investment agreement (iv) Matters to be raised before the forthcoming adjournment
Adjournment – Prosecution of Henry Thorley by HM Revenue and Customs and the quashing of his conviction – Mr William Cash
Friday July 19th
The House of Commons will be in recess. The House will next sit on Monday 02 September 2013.
House of Lords
Monday July 15th
Introduction(s) (2.30pm) – Ian Livingston Esq
Oral Questions – Boosting independent retailers – Lord Naseby
Impact of medical litigation on medical innovation – Lord Saatchi
How many passengers used the UK’s main airports in May 2013 and May 2012 – Lord Clinton-Davis
Government plans for adults to acquire the skills to make use of digital services – Baroness Lane-Fox of Soho
Legislation – Supply and Appropriation (Main Estimates) Bill – Second reading – Lord Deighton
Legislation – Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill – Third reading – Baroness Stowell of Beeston
Legislation – Local Audit and Accountability Bill [HL] – Report stage – Baroness Hanham
Legislation – Finance (No.2) Bill – Second reading – Lord Deighton
Legislation – Finance (No.2) Bill – Committee of the whole House – Lord Deighton
Legislation – Finance (No.2) Bill – Report stage – Lord Deighton
Legislation – Finance (No.2) Bill – Third reading – Lord Deighton
Debate – Economic Affairs Committee report on the Draft Finance Bill 2013 – Lord MacGregor of Pulham Market/Lord Deighton
Tuesday July 16th
Oral Questions (2.30pm) – Developing and specifying aid effectiveness indicators – Lord Chidgey
Rents being charged by private landlords and their impact on housing benefit – Baroness Turner of Camden
Progress of NHS Trusts becoming NHS Foundation Trusts – Lord Warner
Legislation – Care Bill [HL] – Committee of the whole House (Day 6) – Earl Howe
Short Debate – Conflict in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo – Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale/Baroness Warsi
Wednesday July 17th
Oral Questions (3pm) – British troops in Afghanistan after 2014 – Lord Clark of Windermere
Developments since the publication of the Government's response to the report of the Independent Panel on Forestry – Baroness Royall of Blaisdon
Whether the Government has any plans to close Territorial Army Centres – Baroness Seccombe
Legislation – Mesothelioma Bill [HL] – Report stage – Lord Freud
Legislation – Local Audit and Accountability Bill [HL] – Report stage (Day 2) – Baroness Hanham
Orders and Regulations – Civil Legal Aid (Financial Resources and Payment for Services) Regulations 2013 – Motion to Regret – Lord Bach/Lord McNally
Thursday Jul 18th
Oral Questions (11am) – Commemorating the 304 British soldiers who were executed by the British Government in WWI – Lord James of Blackheath
Releasing the records and files of the 1963 Profumo inquiry – Lord Lexden
Visitor QR Scanner installed at Peers’ Entrance – Lord Campbell-Savours
Debate – Role of government in generating economic prosperity and employment – Lord Haskel/Lord Newby
Debate – Future of civil society – Baroness Prosser/Lord Wallace of Saltaire
Short Debate – Health inequalities highlighted by the 'Confidential Inquiry into premature deaths of people with learning disabilities' – Baroness Hollins/Earl Howe
Friday July 19th
Legislation (10am) – Littering from Vehicles Bill [HL] – Second reading – Lord Marlesford
Legislation – Alan Turing (Statutory Pardon) Bill [HL] – Second reading – Lord Sharkey
Legislation – Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment (Amendment) Bill [HL] – Second reading – Lord Selsdon
Pick of select committees
Monday July 15th
Public Accounts (3.15pm)
Subject: Duchy of Cornwall Accounts
Witness(es): William Nye, Principal Private Secretary to the Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, Keith Willis, Finance Director of the Duchy and Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, HM Treasury
Location: Room 15, Palace of Westminster
Communities and Local Government (4.15pm)
Subject: Knight Review of Fire and Rescue Service
Witness(es): Sir Ken Knight, former Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser, author of the Knight review of fire and rescue authorities
Location: The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
National Security Strategy (4.30pm)
Subject: National Security Strategy
Witness(es): Dr Fatih Birol, Chief Economist and Head of the Economic Analysis Division, International Energy Agency
Location: Room 3
Tuesday July 16th
Culture, Media and Sport (10.30am)
Subject: Channel 4 Annual Report
Witness(es): David Abraham, Chief Executive, Channel 4 and Lord Burns, Chairman, Channel 4
Location: The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
Foreign Affairs (2.15pm)
Subject: Developments in UK Foreign Policy
Witness(es): Rt Hon William Hague MP, First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs , Sir Simon Fraser KCMG, Permanent Under-Secretary, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and David Quarrey, Director, Middle East and North Africa, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Location: The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
Home Affairs (3.15pm)
Subject: Undercover policing: follow-up
Witness(es): Mick Creedon, Chief Constable, Derbyshire Police
Location: The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Home Affairs (3.45pm)
Subject: The Work of the Home Secretary
Witness(es): Rt Hon Theresa May MP, Home Secretary
Location: The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
European Union (4pm)
Subject:
Witness(es): (at 4.05pm) evidence will be heard from The Rt Hon David Lidington MP, Minister for Europe. Subject: 27-28 June European Council
Location: Committee Room 4, Palace of Westminster
Wednesday July 17th
Draft Voting Eligibility (Prisoners) Bill Joint Committee (9.30am)
Subject: Draft Voting Eligibility (Prisoners) Bill
Witness(es): (at approximately 9.30am) evidence will be heard from Rt Hon David Davis MP and Rt Hon Jack Straw MP
Location: Committee Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Science and Technology (9.30am)
Subject: Climate: Public understanding and policy implications
Witness(es): David Jordan, Director of Editorial Policy and Standards, BBC, Ralph Lee, Head of Factual, Channel 4 and Fiona Ball, Head of Environment and Engagement, BSkyB Limited; Ros Donald, Carbon Brief, Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill Blog and James Painter, Head of the Journalism Fellowship Programme, Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism
Location: Room 15, Palace of Westminster
Draft Voting Eligibility (Prisoners) Bill (9.40am)
Subject: Draft Voting Eligibility (Prisoners) Bill
Witness(es): The Rt Hon Jack Straw MP and The Rt Hon David Davis MP
Location: Room 8, Palace of Westminster
Work and Pensions (9.45am)
Subject: The role of Jobcentre Plus in the reformed welfare system
Witness(es): Chris Johnes, Director UK Poverty Programme, Oxfam GB, Robert Trotter, Public Policy Advisor (Employment and Skills), Scope, Niall Cooper, National Coordinator, Church Action on Poverty, Seyi Obakin, Chief Executive, Centrepoint and Fiona Weir, Chief Executive Officer, Gingerbread
Location: The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Thursday July 18th
Political and Constitutional Reform (10am)
Subject: Pre-appointment hearing for the Chair of the Lords Appointment Commission
Location: The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
Political and Constitutional Reform (2pm)
Subject: The Government's lobbying bill
Witness(es): Miss Chloe Smith MP, Minister for Political and Constitutional Reform, Cabinet Office
Location: The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
