The Week in Westminster

The Week in Westminster: 15-19 April 2013

The Week in Westminster: 15-19 April 2013

The first full week back from the parliamentary recess after the recall, we find ourselves in a bleak, baron(ess) world without Margaret Thatcher, whose death is still looming over Westminster.

Questions are being asked about Prime Minister's Questions, with David Cameron lobbying to get it cancelled this week in light of Baroness Thatcher's funeral.

After MPs were relatively reserved in their criticism of the Iron Lady (Glenda Jackson being the obvious exception) last week, it will be interesting to see how long it will be before Westminster descends into its usual childish game of cheap shots and name calling.

The regulation of the press may have taken a backseat to the all-encompassing Thatcher coverage but the issue remains alive. Culture secretary Maria Miller will join Oliver Letwin and Harriet Harman in front of the culture committee this week.

House of Commons

Monday 15th April 2013

Oral Questions – Defence, including Topical Questions

Legislation – Finance (No.2) Bill – Second reading

Adjournment – Community pharmacies and NHS reorganisation – Stephen Pound

Tuesday 16th April 2013

Oral Questions – Health, including Topical Questions

Ten Minute Rule Motion – Abortion Statistics – Fiona Bruce

Legislation – Growth and Infrastructure Bill – Consideration of Lords amendments; Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill – Consideration of Lords amendments; Defamation

Bill – Consideration of Lords amendments; Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill [HL] – Consideration of Lords amendments

Adjournment – Visa restrictions and the Sergei Magnitsky case – Mr Robert Buckland

Wednesday 17th April 2013

Oral Questions – Scotland

Prime Minister's Question Time

Ten Minute Rule Motion – Co-operative Schools – Meg Munn

Legislation – Finance (No.2) Bill – Committee of the whole House

Adjournment – Franchising of Alloa Crown Post Office – Gordon Banks

Thursday 18th April 2013

Oral Questions – Culture, Media and Sport, including Topical Questions; Women and Equalities

Legislation – Finance (No.2) Bill – Committee of the whole House (Day 2)
Adjournment – Obstetric and paediatric services in East Sussex – Stephen Lloyd

Friday 19th April 2013

No business has been announced for this day.

House of Lords

No business has been announced for this week.

Pick of the select committees

Tuesday 16th April 2013

Culture, Media and Sport
Subject: Regulation of the press
Witness(es): Rt hon Maria Miller MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Rt hon Oliver Letwin MP; Rt hon Harriet Harman MP
Location: The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House

Home Affairs
Subject: Asylum
Witness(es): John Vine, Chief Inspector of Border and Immigration
Location: The Grimond Room, Portcullis House