The week in Westminster: January 31st – February 4th
Liam Fox, William Hague and Caroline Spelman are all appearing before the despatch box to answer questions this week.
That’s in addition to the usual prime minister’s questions at lunchtime, in a Commons week which also sees the health and social care bill and European Union bill under scrutiny.
In the Lords, the misery of the parliamentary voting system and constituencies bill continues. Labour filibustering seems more and more likely to scupper plans for a May referendum – unless a political solution can be found.
COMMONS
Monday
Questions – defence
Legislation – health and social care bill
Adjournment debate – government policy on use of umbilical blood cord
Tuesday
Questions – Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Ten minute rule motion – NHS acute medical and surgical services
Legislation – European Union bill
Adjournment debate – proposed reductions in funding of enrichment activities for post-16 students
Wednesday
Questions – Wales, PMQs
Ten minute rule motion – Tony Lloyd
Opposition day debate – (i) Performance of the Business, Innovation and Skills Department (ii) The Public Forest Estates in England
Motion – To approve European Union documents relating to Court of Auditors’ 2009 Report
Adjournment debate – NHS funding for hospice care
Thursday
Questions – environment, food and rural affairs
Business statement – leader of the House
Backbench business – motion relating to consumer credit regulation and debt management; general debate on reform of legal aid
Adjournment debate – STV bid for independent television company status
Friday
Private members’ bills – anonymity (arrested persons) bill; coinage (measurement) bill; and others
Adjournment debate – witness anonymity and the case of Don and Anita Horton
LORDS
Monday
Introductions – Baroness King of Bow, Jennifer Randerson and Sir Gulam Noon
Questions – Heathrow delays in December 2010, employment law, MPC’s inflation target, cluster munitions exceptions
Tuesday
Introductions – Claire Tyler, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, Ruth Lister
Questions – road pricing for lorries in the UK, RBS bonuses, Religions for Peace
Legislation – budget responsibility and national audit bill, parliamentary voting system and constituencies bill
Wednesday
Introduction – Bryony Worthington
Questions – multiple sclerosis patients, Japanese whaling, talks with eurozone representatives
Legislation – parliamentary voting system and constituencies bill
Thursday
Introduction – David Gold, Michael Storey
Questions – stability in Rwanda, recognising Palestine, interest charged by loan and credit companies
Debate – role of good parenting in preparing a child for success in school
Debate – public funding for the arts
Orders and regulations – Investment Bank Special Administration Regulations 2011; Investment Bank (Amendment of Definition) Order 2011
PICK OF THE COMMITTEES
Wednesday
14:30: Calman commission report author Professor Sir Kenneth Calman, before Scottish affairs committee, on: the Scotland bill
15:00: business secretary Vince Cable, before environmental audit committee, on: Green investment bank
Thursday
10:05: defence secretary Liam Fox, before Lords EU sub-committee on foreign affairs, defence and development policy committee
