The week in Westminster: November 14th – November 18th
MPs are only sitting for two days this week, after the government decided a long weekend might be a good idea.
The unexpected half-term break, which caused a few eyebrows to be raised when it was announced, is supposed to be compensation for parliament having been recalled for two days during the summer recess.
With the current eurozone crises dominating headlines, this might not be the best week to take time off, however.
Still, at least the Commons is going to be busy when it is sitting. The big highlight of the parliamentary week will be ex-UK Border Force chief Bodie Clark, who is up before the home affairs committee on Tuesday morning. Theresa May had better watch out.
COMMONS
Monday
Questions – defence
Legislation – education bill
Adjournment debate – Leeds bid for the HQ of the Green Investment Bank
Tuesday
Questions – deputy prime minister
Ten minute rule motion – metal theft (prevention)
Backbench business – fisheries, fuel prices
Adjournment debate – Independent Police Complaints Commission
LORDS
Monday
Questions – Sure Start closures, food prices, cancer drug fund, BSkyB takeover bid
Legislation – health and social care bill
Debate – competitiveness of the UK egg industry
Tuesday
Questions – journalists' sources, Heathrow flights to Northern Ireland, student visas
Legislation – Bank of England (UK) plc bill
Legislation – terrorism prevention and investigation measures bill
Legislation – London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (amendment) bill
Debate – report of EU committee on sovereign credit ratings
Wednesday
Questions – youth unemployment, system of appointing president of supreme court, fair retrial for doctors and nurses detained in protests in Bahrain
Legislation – health and social care bill
PICK OF THE COMMITTEES
Monday
14:15 – blogger Paul Staines (Guido Fawkes), before joint committee on privacy and injunctions
Tuesday
11:00 – former head of the UK Border Force Bodie Clark and UK Border Agency chief executive Rob Whiteman, before home affairs committee, on: Border checks during Summer 2011
