The week in Westminster: October 11th – October 15th
Ed Miliband’s first appearance at the despatch box as Labour leader will be the highlight this week.
The mood in the Commons will be very different now the party conference season is out of the way.
Labour’s new leader – and the new shadow Cabinet – bring the tumult of the general election process to an end as Westminster can now settle down to everyday business.
Almost. This is the week before the comprehensive spending review, giving Labour’s new frontbench team little time to settle into their new roles before the most significant political event of this parliament takes place next week.
COMMONS
Monday
Questions – education
Legislation – finance bill
Adjournment debate – postal services in Scotland
Tuesday
Questions – Treasury
Ten minute rule motion – Royal Commission (London)
Legislation – parliamentary voting system and constituencies bill
Adjournment debate – Yousaf family murders
Wednesday
Questions – international development
PMQs
Ten minute rule motion – public houses and private members’ clubs (smoking)
Legislation – superannuation bill
Private business – London local authorities bill
Motion – to approve an EU document relating to the Draft Budget 2011
Adjournment debate – Government policy on the validation of degrees and the University of London’s International Programme
Thursday
Questions – business, innovation and skills
Business statement – leader of the House
Backbench business – Motion relating to compensation for NHS blood contamination followed by a General Debate on Anti-slavery Day
Adjournment debate – future of the inshore fishing fleet on the East Coast
LORDS
Monday
Introduction – Lord Monks
Questions – child detention, dementia, HMRC mistakes, Argentina
Debate – purpose of the House of Lords
Debate – the Olympic truce accompanying the 2012 Games
Debate – long-term neurological conditions and allied health professionals
Tuesday
Questions – future of BBC licence fee, UK defence industry, appealed planning applications
Debate – constitution committee report on referendums in UK
Debate – communications committee report on digital switchover
Wednesday
Questions – foreign students, human fertilisation and embryology, cyclists and Highway Code
Debate – report of the Bloody Sunday inquiry
Thursday
Questions – Audit Commission, child welfare in Pakistan, Israeli settlers
Debate – government action to tackle human trafficking
Debate – availability of apprenticeships
Debate – EU select committee report on protecting Europe against cyberattacks
PICK OF THE COMMITTEES
Thursday
10:00 – Former chief secretary to the Treasury David Laws, before political and constitutional reform committee, on: Lessons from the process of government formation after the 2010 general election
14:15 – Business secretary Vince Cable, before business, innovation and skills committee, on: Sheffield Forgemasters
