The week in Westminster: March 29th – April 2nd
There are just two days of parliamentary business this week, as MPs head off for the Easter recess.
Parliament is set to return a week on Tuesday (April 6th) and, with the prime minister not expected to call an election before then, this Tuesday is unlikely to be the final sitting of this expenses-ridden parliament.
As the wash-up continues it’s the personal care at home bill which the government is hoping to get through above all else. This hugely controversial legislation is likely to spark fierce debate.
The Budget hangover dominates proceedings in these two days, however. There are Budget debates taking place in the Commons on both Monday and Tuesday, but the real focus will be on John McFall’s Treasury committee – in what is expected to be the chairman’s last major grilling. Expect a virtuoso performance.
Commons
Monday
Questions – defence
Ten minute rule motion – second home ownership (regulation)
Budget debate
Adjournment – planning process and accountability
Tuesday
Questions – health
Ten minute rule motion – control of dogs
Budget debate
Legislation – personal care at home bill
Adjournment – aggregates levy sustainability fund
Lords
Monday
Introductions – Baroness Grey-Thompson and Lord Bichard
Questions – mortgage rescue scheme, active travel strategy, pageant of parliament
Legislation – anti-slavery day bill
Debate – Draft Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy; National Policy Statement for Nuclear Power Generation; Draft National Policy Statement for Gas Supply Infrastructure and Gas and Oil Pipelines; Draft National Policy Statement for Fossil Fuel Electricity Generating Infrastructure – Five separate motions to amend
Legislation – crime and security bill
Tuesday
Legislation – Bournemouth borough council bill; Manchester city council bill
Questions – aviation regulation; supporting banks; airport runways
Motions – Standing Orders (Public Business); Code of Conduct; European Union Documents: Scrutiny Reserve; European Union Proposals: Scrutiny of opt-in decisions
Legislation – mortgage repossession (protection of tenants) bill; sunbeds (regulation) bill
Orders and regulations – Parliament the Export Control (Iran) (Amendment) Order 2010
Pick of the committees
Monday
15:30: Institute for Fiscal Studies director Robert Chote, before Treasury committee, on: Budget 2010
Tuesday
09:45: Chancellor Alistair Darling, before Treasury committee, on: Budget 2010
