Week in Westminster 20 October – 25 October 2008
Peter Mandelson, or to give him his new name, Lord Mandelson of Foy and Hartlepool, faces his first select committee grilling since returning from Brussels this week, with an appearance in front of the business and enterprise committee on Tuesday.
On the one hand, he hasn’t been in the post long enough to have done anything wrong yet, so MPs shouldn’t have too much ammunition to fire at him. On the other hand, Tory members will be looking to make him bleed, and he’ll face sustained questions about his plans to help the UK’s business community through the recession. OK, so it isn’t officially a recession yet, but the writing is firmly on the wall.
It should be our first opportunity to see which angle Lord Mandelson will approach the current crisis from. His time at the EU was marked by a ferocious commitment to free-trade but back in Westminster he will have to adopt the suspicious tones of government ministers trying to appease an increasingly angry public.
At exactly the same time, over in room 15, Luke Johnson and Andy Duncan, the chairman and chief executive of Channel 4 will have to go through the channel’s annual report with MPs on the culture, media and sport committee.
On the same day, a general committee will be poring over the government’s banking bill, with several banking groups and companies offering evidence. Whether they like it or now, they’ll have a tough time making any changes, with cross-party support guaranteed in the current climate.
If you’re looking for something to perk you up on Wednesday, look out for whether Ruth Kelly votes against the government for the first time since leaving the front bench during the debate on the human fertilisation and embryology bill.
She told friends she is searching her conscience for the vote, which has a three-line whip for all Labour MPs.
Monday
Commons
2.30pm
Oral Questions:
Work and Pensions; including Topical Questions
Legislation:
Political Parties and Elections Bill – Second reading
Adjournment:
Floods in Northumberland – Sir Alan Beith
Lords
2.30pm
Oral Questions:
Estimated balance of payments – Lord Sheldon
Iran’s uranium enrichment programme – Lord Janner of Braunstone
Co-payments for specialist NHS drug treatments – Baroness Gardner of Parkes
Revised European Security Strategy – Lord Wallace of Saltaire
Legislation:
Planning Bill – Committee stage (day 5) – Baroness Andrews
Orders and Regulations:
Fixed-term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 – Lord McKenzie of Luton
Select committees
3.45pm
The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
Children, Schools and Families
Subject: National Curriculum
Witness(es): Professor Bill Boyle, Peter Dudley, Director, Primary National Strategy, Roger Shippam, Ofsted, Professor Rosemary Webb and Dr Dominic Wyse; Sir Jim Rose, and Colin Seal, Rose Review (at 4.45 pm)
4.30pm
Room 15, Palace of Westminster
Public Accounts
Subject: Widening participation in higher education
Witness(es): Ian Watmore, Permanent Secretary, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, Professor David Eastwood, Chief Executive, Higher Education Funding Council for England, and Sir Martin Harris, Director, Office of Fair Access
General committees
4.30pm
Room 10, Palace of Westminster
European Committee A:
Subject: To consider EU Document No. 9656/08 and Addenda 1 and 2 and 9923/08 relating to CAP “Health Check” and Community action on rising food prices
4.30pm
Room 11, Palace of Westminster
First Delegated Legislation Committee:
Subject: To consider the Value Added Tax (Finance) (No. 2) Order 2208 (S.I., 2008, N0. 2547)
4.30pm
Room 12, Palace of Westminster
Second Delegated Legislation Committee:
Subject: To consider the Enterprise Act 2002 (Specification of Additional Section 58 Consideration) Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 2645)
Tuesday
Commons
2.30pm
Oral Questions:
Transport, Women and Equality, including Topical Questions
Ten Minute Rule Bill:
Driving Instructors Convicted of Sexual Offences (Suspension) – Will Rennie
Debate:
Opposition Day (19th allotted day) – i) Controls on immigration; ii) the Olympic Legacy
Adjournment:
Energy policy in Scotland – John Robertson
Lords
2.30pm
Oral Questions:
Forced return of failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe, Darfur and Iran – Lord Roberts of Llandudno
UK investment in science – Lord Harrison
Electricite de France’s proposed takeover of British Energy – Lord Renton of Mount Harry
Access to general practitioners following the recent Healthcare Commission report – Baroness Pitkeathly
Legislation:
Counter-Terrorism Bill – Committee stage (day 4) – Lord West of Spithead
Orders and Regulations:
Health Service Branded Medicines (Control of Prices and Supply of Information) Regulations 2008 – Motion to annul – Earl Howe/Baroness Thornton
Westminster Hall
9.30am – 11am
Future funding of higher education – Derek Wyatt
11am – 12.30am
Youth violence in Greater London – Simon Hughes
12.30pm – 1pm
Teaching of life skills to 11 to 16 year olds and the national curriculum – Mr Graham Allen
1pm – 1.30pm
Proposed national skills academy for rail in Crewe – Mr Edward Timpson
1.30pm – 2pm
Ex-servicemen in prison – Mr Elfyn Llwyd
Select committees
10.20am
The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
Communities and Local Government
Subject: Tenant Services Authority
Witness(es): Anthony Mayer, Chair-designate, and Peter Marsh, Chief Executive-designate, Tenant Services Authority
10.20am
Room 16, Palace of Westminster
Environmental Audit
Subject: Reducing CO2 and other emissions from shipping
Witness(es): Peter Lockley, Head of Transport, WWF-UK; Dr Andre Stochniol, International Maritime Emissions Reduction Scheme (at 11.00 am)
10.30am
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Business and Enterprise
Subject: Departmental Annual Report / Current Economic Situation
Witness: Rt Hon Lord Mandelson of Foy and Hartlepool, Secretary of State and Sir Brian Bender, Permanent Secretary, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
10.30am
Room 15, Palace of Westminster
Culture, Media and Sport
Subject: Channel 4 Annual Report 2007
Witness(es): Luke Johnson, Chairman, Andy Duncan, Chief Executive, and Anne Bulford, Group Finance Director, Channel 4
10.30am
Room 8, Palace of Westminster
Defence
Subject: UK national security and resilience
Witness(es): Rt Hon Bob Ainsworth MP, Minister for the Armed Forces, Ministry of Defence, Admiral Lord West of Spithead GCB DSC, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Security and Counter Terrorism, Home Office
10.30am
The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
Home Affairs
Subject: Human Trafficking
Witness(es): Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre
1.45pm
Room 5, Palace of Westminster
Joint Committee on Human Rights
Subject: Policing and Protest
Witness(es): National Union of Journalists, Huntingdon Life Sciences, and Social Affairs Unit; Climate Change Camp, Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases, and Justice not Vengeance (at 2.30 pm)
4.15pm
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Justice
Subject: : (i) Ministry of Justice Departmental Annual Report 2007-08 (ii) Appointment of Chairman of the Office for Legal Complaints
Witness(es): (i) Sir Suma Chakrabarti KCB, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice (ii) Elizabeth France CBE, preferred candidate
Lords committees
1.45pm
Joint Committee on Human Rights
Subject: Policing and Protest
Witness(es): Huntingdon Life Sciences; Richard North, NUJ; Climate Camp; Lindis Perry; and Milan Rai
General committees
4.30am
Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House
Banking Bill Committee:
Subject: To take evidence on the Bill
Witness(es): (p.m.): British Bankers Association, Building Societies Association, London Investment Banking Association (Until no later than 5.45 pm); Association of British Insurers, Investment Management Association, Citizens Advice Bureau, Which? (Until no later than 7.00 pm)
10.30am
Room 11, Palace of Westminster
Employment Bill [Lords] Committee:
Subject: To consider the Bill
10.30am
Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House
Banking Bill Committee:
Subject: To take evidence on the Bill
Witness(es): (a.m.): H M Treasury (Until no later than 12.00 noon); Bank of England, Financial Services Agency, Financial Services Compensation Scheme (Until no later than 1.00 pm)
4.30pm
Room 10, Palace of Westminster
European Committee C:
Subject: To consider EU Document Nos.11327/08 and Addendum 1 and 11307/08 and Addenda 1, 2 & 3 relating to Cross-border Healthcare
4.30pm
Room 11, Palace of Westminster
Employment Bill [Lords] Committee:
Subject: To consider the Bill
Wednesday
Commons
11.30am
Oral Questions:
Wales
Prime Minister’s Question Time:
Ten Minute Rule Bill:
Health and Safety (Education and Training) – Mr George Howarth
Legislation:
Human Fertilisation and Embryology [HL] Bill – Remaining stages
Adjournment:
British nuclear test veterans – John Baron
Lords
3pm
Oral Questions:
Energy supplies during coming winter – Lord Ezra
Current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Lord Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon
British farmers prosecuted under European Union rules – Baroness Boothroyd
Legislation:
Energy Bill – Report stage (day 1) – Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
Short Debate:
Major highway projects – Lord Bradshaw/Lord Adonis
Westminster Hall
9.30am – 11am
South East Plan – Anne Milton
11am – 11.30am
Support for victims of Libyan state-sponsored terrorism – Mr Nigel Dodds
2.30pm – 4pm
Banking services for small businesses during financial turbulence – Lorely Burt
4pm – 4.30pm
Sites for gypsies and travellers in Epping Forest – Mrs Eleanor Laing
4.30pm – 5pm
Recovery of tax credit overpayments – Michael Jabez Foster
Select committees
9.30am
The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
Children, Schools and Families
Subject: Draft Apprenticeships Bill
Witness(es): Jim Knight MP, Minister for Schools and Learners, Department for Children, Schools and Families and Siôn Simon MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
9.30am
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Work and Pensions
Subject: DWP’s commissioning strategy and the employment programme market
Witness(es): Social Market Foundation and Policy Exchange; Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations and Employment Related Services Association (at 10.45 am)
2.30pm
Room 19, Palace of Westminster
European Scrutiny
Subject: Scrutiny of European Documents
2.30pm
The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
Treasury Sub-Committee
Subject: Administration and Expenditure of the Chancellors’ Departments 2007-08
Witness(es): Nick Macpherson, Permanent Secretary, HM Treasury
2.45pm
Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Transport
Subject: School Travel
Witness(es): Sustrans, Living Streets, Yellow School Bus Commission and Siân Thornthwaite; Rural 14-19 Access to Learning Group, Association of Colleges and RAC Foundation (at 3.40 pm); National Youth Agency, National Children’s Bureaux and National Union of Students (at 4.20 pm)
3.30pm
Room 15, Palace of Westminster
Public Accounts
Subject: Defence Information Infrastructure
Witness(es): Sir Bill Jeffrey KCB, Permanent Under-Secretary of State, John C T Taylor, Chief Information Officer, and Bob Quick OBE, Ministry of Defence
Lords committees
10.30am
Communications
Subject: Government Communications
Witness(es): (a) Ms Teresa Perchard, Public Policy Director, Citizens Advice Bureau; and (b) Mr Michael Ellam, Director of Communications and Prime Minister’s Spokesman, Prime Minister’s Office; and Sir Gus O’Donnell, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Home Civil Service
10.40am
Science and Technology: Sub-Committee II
Subject: Genomic Medicine
Witness(es): (a) Prof Andrew Hattersley, Professor of Molecular Medicine, Peninsula Medical School; Prof Sir Bruce Ponder, Professor of Oncology and Director, Cancer Research UK, Cambridge Research Institute; Prof William McKenna, Professor of Cardiology, Universtiy College London and Director, Centre for Cardiology in the Young, the Heart Hospital; and Dr Kári Stefánsson, President and Chief Executive Officer of deCode; and (b) from Mr Brian Whitley and Dr Jenkins, Genetic Health; Mr Alistair Hall, Medichecks; and Dr Kári Stefánsson, President and Chief Executive Office of decode
11am
EU Sub-Committee D: Environment and Agriculture
Subject: The Revision of the EU’s Emissions Trading System
Witness(es): A representative of the Polish government
General committees
2.30pm
Room 12, Palace of Westminster
Third Delegated Legislation Committee:
Subject: To consider the Stamp Duty Land Tax (Variation of Part 4 of the Finance Act 2003) Regulations 2008 (S.I., 2008. No. 2338)
Thursday
10.30am
Oral Questions:
Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform including Topical Questions; Church Commissioners; Public Accounts Commission and Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission
Business Statement:
Leader of the House
Topical Debate:
Subject to be announced
Motion:
outstanding reports from the Public Accounts Committee
Adjournment:
License fees levied by the Performing Rights Society – Alison Seabeck
Lords
11am
Oral Questions:
Announcement that part-pedestrianisation of Parliament Square is not to proceed – Baroness Hamwee
Same-sex relationships and Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights – Lord Lester of Herne Hill
Small businesses – Lord Cotter
Legislation:
Planning Bill – Committee stage (day 6) – Baroness Andrews
Orders and Regulations:
Transfer of Tribunal Functions Order 2008; First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal (Composition of Tribunal) Order 2008; Appeals from the Upper Tribunal to the Court of Appeal Order 2008 – Lord Bach
Westminster Hall
2.30pm – 5.30pm
Debate on the 30th Annual Report of the House of Commons Commission, HC 710
Select committees
10am
The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
Health
Subject: Health Inequalities
Witness(es): Professor Peter C Smith, Director, and Professor Mark Sculpher, Professor of Health Economics, Centre for Health Economics, University of York, and Professor John Harris, Lord David Alliance Professor of Bioethics, The School of Law, University of Manchester; Christine Bidmead, Centre for Parent and Child Support, South London and the Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Professor Kaye Wellings, Professor of Sexual and Reproductive Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Professor Jane Sandall, Professor of Midwifery and Women’s Health, Division of Health and Social Care Research, King’s College London (at 10.45 am)
10am
The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
Public Administration
Subject: Good Government
Witness(es): Rt Hon David Blunkett MP, Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke MP, Rt Hon Nick Raynsford MP and Rt Hon Peter Lilley MP
Lords committees
10.10am
EU Sub-Committee G: Social Policy and Consumer Affairs
Subject: Inquiry into the EU Commission’s proposals for a directive on patients’ rights in cross border healthcare
Witness(es): PA Consulting Group
General committees
9am
Room 9, Palace of Westminster
Banking Bill Committee:
Subject: To consider the Bill
9.25am
Room 11, Palace of Westminster
Employment Bill [Lords] Committee:
Subject: To consider the Bill
1pm
Room 11, Palace of Westminster
Employment Bill [Lords] Committee:
Subject: To consider the Bill
1pm
Room 9, Palace of Westminster
Banking Bill Committee:
Subject: To consider the Bill
Friday
The Houses will not be sitting
