News

Cabinet Secretary for Finance John Swinney may be tempted to introduce himself as Daniel as he enters the Lion's Den of Glasgow's City Chambers today to give evidence to Holyrood's touring Finance committee on the Scottish Government Budget. Opposition politicians will be lining up to attack Mr Swinney on his perceived slights to Glasgow, but the Minister will have little fear of such public exposure in a by-election week, and he will no doubt recall that Daniel emerged from his den unscathed.

On Thursday the Glasgow North East by-election may well see people drawing more conclusions from the results of the runners up than the winner. An SNP victory would be perceived as a massive blow to Labour's core vote at a General Election, while second place for the SNP would be a result pored over for trends to be extrapolated to Holyrood's 2011 election. The SNP is certainly growing in confidence that the party will be successful, after the publication of a new opinion poll by TNS which shows that 40 percent of Scots still back the SNP at Holyrood, although support for Labour at a Westminster level appears to be rising in Scotland. The suggestion that the BNP might pip the Conservatives or Liberal Democrats to third place would be another headline-grabbing result on Thursday. Labour appears to be in pole position, but the media campaign in Glasgow North East still seems distant to the opinion on the ground in the constituency.

Gordon Brown's GOAT, or Government Of All Talents, sought to draw support from beyond the Labour movement and featured unexpected recruits such as Lord Digby Jones. Now it appears David Cameron is erecting his own "big tent" of people who can align with at least one aspect of Conservative policy. Will iconic socialists Tony Benn or Clare Short swing others towards the Tories with their limited endorsements? Only time may tell.

Europe, and indeed the rest of the world, will remember the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall this week, which prompted the reunification of Germany in a mass political action which reshaped the continent. Expect slightly less action on Europe this week, although by Thursday we may well see the convening of a summit by Sweden to fill the posts created by the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty which comes into effect on 1 December. A month ago, former Prime Minister Tony Blair may have been the overwhelming favourite for European President, but in the passing weeks he has been usurped by Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy. This has not however, dissuaded Mr Blair from launching a last ditch attempt for the presidency by last minute networking with EU leaders. However, even if these new posts are filled soon, it still may be another two months before the next European Commission is up and running.

The last of the formal round of negotiations prior to the UN Convention on Climate Change ended in a stalemate, with no consensus having been reached in defining emission-reduction targets for rich countries or on agreeing finance for developing countries. This has dampened the mood in Europe awaking fears that a pact to succeed the Kyoto Protocol will not be agreed at the UN summit.

Scottish Government News

Audit Scotland report on the Scottish Budget

Audit Scotland published its report on the Scottish Budget which identifies the significant challenges which face the Scottish Government following budgetary cuts. It anticipates a gap between the planned Scottish Government spending and actual money available of £1.2 and £2.9 billion by 2013/14, and anticipates that Ministers current 2% efficiency savings target will not be sufficient to meet the cuts required in public spending. Cabinet Secretary for Finance John Swinney welcomed the report as confirming the challenges ahead, and said it reinforced the need for fiscal autonomy and independence for full control of Scotland's finances.
Audit Scotland Report (5 November)
The Scottish Government (5 November)

St Andrew's Day celebrations

Culture Minister Mike Russell unveiled details of the largest ever St Andrew's Day celebrations with a series of events across the country planned around November 30. St Andrew's Day is also expected to see the publication of the Scottish Government's Independence Referendum Bill.
The Scottish Government (5 November)

Alcohol minimum pricing

Scottish Ministers welcomed research which indicated that the policy on minimum pricing for alcohol product per unit of alcohol would target cheap, high-strength products without affecting other brands including premium whisky.
The Scottish Government (5 November)

Renewable Heat Action Plan for Scotland published

The Scottish Government published its Renewable Heat Action Plan last week which emphasises the need for the industrial and commercial sectors to work on technological options to maximise the renewable potential of heat, which constitutes 50% of current energy demand in Scotland. The aim is to use technology to develop its potential in order to meet Scotland's 2020 Climate Change emissions reduction target.
Renewable Heat Action Plan for Scotland (5 November)

Review of Fatal Accident Inquiry Legislation published

The Fatal Accident Inquiry Legislation review has been published and makes recommendations in the following areas: role of sheriff courts, sheriffs, Crown office and Procurator fiscal; mandatory fatal accident inquires; accidents occurring over more than one sheriffdom; inquiries into deaths abroad; decisions against holding a fatal accident inquiry; delays; legal aid; restrictions on public access; Sheriffs's recommendations; fresh proceedings.
Review of Fatal Accident Inquiry Legislation (3 November)

Scottish Government Consultations

Scottish Planning Policy Environmental Report Annex A (Closing 12/11/2009)

Scottish Planning Policy - Proposed Policy Changes (Closing 12/11/2009)

Amendments to the Mental Health Legislation in the event of a Civil Emergency or Influenza Pandemic (Closing 13/11/2009)

High Hedges (Closing 13/11/2009)

Scotland's Zero Waste Plan Consultation - (SEA) Environmental Report (Closing 13/11/2009)

Scotland's Zero Waste Plan Consultation 2009 (Closing 13/11/2009)

Consultation on the Beef and Pig Carcase Classification (Scotland) Regulations 2009 (Closing 20/11/2009)

Draft Identity Management and Privacy Principles Consultation (Closing 23/11/2009)

The Scottish Parliament - The Week Ahead

Committees

Monday 9 November

Finance - Declaration of interests; Choice of Deputy Convener; Draft Budget Scrutiny 2010-11 (consideration); Draft Budget Scrutiny 2010-11: The Committee (evidence and consideration).

Tuesday 10 November

Justice - Declaration of interests; Subordinate legislation; Draft Budget Scrutiny 2010-11 (in private – report); Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill (in private – draft Stage 1 Report).

Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change - Draft Budget Scrutiny 2010-11 (in private – draft report).

Subordinate Legislation - Declaration of interests; Arbitration (Scotland) Bill (consideration after Stage 2); Marine (Scotland) Bill (consideration after Stage 1 Report); Instruments subject to annulment; Instruments not laid before the Parliament; Work programme.

Local Government and Communities - Home Owner and Debtor Protection (Scotland) Bill (evidence); Draft Budget Scrutiny 2010-11 (in private – draft Report).

Wednesday 11 November

Economy, Energy and Tourism - Draft Budget Scrutiny 2010-11 (in private – draft Report); The way forward for Scotland’s banking, building society and financial services sector inquiry (evidence).

Health and Sport - Draft Budget Scrutiny 2010-11 (in private – draft Report); Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill (Stage 2 Day 1); Draft Budget Scrutiny 2010-11 (in private – draft Report); Forthcoming legislation - alcohol.

Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture - School class sizes (evidence); Subordinate legislation; Proposed Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Bill - appointment of adviser; Draft Budget Scrutiny 2010-11 (in private – draft Report).

Local Government and Communities - Home Owner and Debtor Protection (Scotland) Bill (evidence – Stage 1); Subordinate legislation; Home Owner and Debtor Protection (Scotland) Bill (consideration): Child Poverty Bill (UK Legislation) (in private).

Rural Affairs and Environment - Subordinate legislation (evidence); Subordinate legislation; Fisheries Council (evidence); Fisheries Council and Common Fisheries Policy reform (evidence); Fisheries Council and Common Fisheries Policy reform (consideration).

In the Chamber

Wednesday 11 November

2.30pm Time for Reflection – Rev Air Vice-Marshal Peter W Mills, Royal Air Force.
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Scotland’s Historic Environment – A Unique Resource for our Economy and our People.
Followed by Business Motion.
Followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions.
5.00pm Decision Time.
Followed by Members’ Business – Sconestone (Linda Fabiani, SNP).

Thursday 12 November 2009

9.15am Parliamentary Bureau Motions.
Followed by Scottish Government Debate: Central Scotland Green Network.
11.40am General Question Time.
12noon First Minister’s Question Time.
2.15pm Themed Question Time - Justice and Law Officers; Rural Affairs and the Environment 2.55pm Scottish Government Debate: The Future of Community Fire Safety in Scotland
Followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00pm Decision Time
Followed by Members’ Business – Citizens Advice Scotland Debt Findings (Jackie Baillie, Labour)

Westminster – The Week Ahead

The House of Commons

Monday 9 November

2.30pm: Oral Questions: Culture, media and sport including topical questions.
Followed by Consideration of Lords amendments to the Coroners and Justice Bill.
Followed by Consideration of Lords amendments, if necessary.
Followed by Adjournment debate: Provision of acute mental health services for mental health patients (Charles Walker).

Tuesday 10 November

2.30pm: Oral Questions: Justice including topical questions.
Followed by Ten minute rule Bill: Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Bill (Andrew Rosindell).
Followed by Consideration of Lords amendments to the Welfare Reform Bill.
Followed by Consideration of Lords amendments to the Health Bill [HL].
Followed by Consideration of Lords amendments to the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL], if necessary.
Followed by Adjournment debate: Death of Mr Martin Green in HM Prison Blakenhurst (Mark Todd).

Wednesday 11 November

2.30pm: Oral Questions: Wales.
3.00pm: Prime minister’s questions.
Followed by Ten minute rule Bill: Mobile Network Roaming Bill (Angus MacNeil).
Followed by Consideration of Lords amendments to the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill.
Followed by Consideration of Lords amendments, if necessary.
Followed by Adjournment debate: Local authority adoption of new residential roads (Philip Hollobone).

Thursday 12 November

10.30am: Oral Questions: Business, innovation and skills including topical questions.
Followed by Consideration of Lords amendments, if necessary.
Followed by Consideration of Lords amendments to the Policing and Crime Bill.
Followed by Consideration of Lords amendments, if necessary.
Followed by Adjournment debate: Future of King George Hospital, Ilford (Mike Gapes).

Westminster Hall Debates

Tuesday 10 November

9.30am: Financial services regulation (David Heathcoat-Amory).
11.00pm: Cyprus (Andrew Dismore).
12.30pm: Rape crisis centres (Lynda Waltho).
1.00pm: Public transport and the disabled (John Randall).
1.30pm: Centre for Defence Medicine at Selly Oak (Gisela Stuart).

Wednesday 11 November

3.30pm: Application of sex discrimination legislation to religious organisations (Robert Key).
5.00pm: Prospects for a 2010 nuclear non-proliferation treaty review conference (Tony Lloyd).
6.30pm: Future of the South London Line (Simon Hughes).
7.00pm: Work of the Department for Work and Pensions (Linda Gilroy).
7.30pm: Reducing female mortality in Africa (Phil Willis).

Thursday 12 November

Debate on the health committee’s report on health inequalities.

House of Lords

Monday 9 November

2.30pm: Oral questions: Lord Ahmed - what assessment they have made of their visa services for Pakistani students and visitors in Abu Dhabi; Baroness Knight of Collingtree - why the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has altered its practice in respect of road tax charged on vehicles registered in other European countries; Baroness Byford - what progress is being made towards delivering broadband to rural communities; Baroness Cox - what is their response to recent developments in Burma.
Followed by Consideration of Commons amendments to the Health Bill [HL].
Followed by Consideration of Commons amendments to the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL].

Grand committee

3.30pm: Consideration of the following orders and regulations

• Scottish and Northern Ireland Banknote Regulations 2009
• Ministry of Defence Police (Conduct) Regulations 2009
• Ministry of Defence Police Appeals Tribunals Regulations 2009
• Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2009
• Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Networks) Exemption Order 2009

Tuesday 10 November

2.30pm: Oral questions: Lord Low of Dalston - what assessment they have made of the danger posed to pedestrians and cyclists by the near-silent operation of electric and hybrid vehicles; Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury - what plans they have for the future funding of the BBC; Lord Soley - whether they have had discussions with the government of Abu Dhabi about their commitment to the rule of law; Topical question.
Followed by Motion to approve the report from the select committee on parliamentary passes for UK members of the European Parliament.
Followed by Third reading of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill.
Followed by Motion to take note of the report of the Constitution Committee on Fast Track Legislation: Constitutional Implications and Safeguards (Lord Goodlad).
Followed by Motion to take note of the following reports (to be debated together):-

• Report of the European Union Committee on The future of EU financial regulation and supervision (Baroness Cohen of Pimlico);
• Report of the Economic Affairs Committee on Banking Supervision and Regulation (Lord MacGregor of Pulham Market).

Wednesday 11 November

3.00pm: Oral questions: Baroness Deech - what action they will take to make the Trades Union Congress aware of their position on boycotts of Israel; Lord Sheikh - what steps they are taking to reduce the level of domestic violence nationwide; Lord Naseby - how many websites have been closed under the Terrorism Act 2006; Topical question.
Followed by Consideration of Commons amendments to the Marine and Coastal Access Bill [HL].

Thursday November 12

11.00am: Oral questions: Lord Dubs - how many children and young persons are currently detained under immigration powers at Yarl’s Wood; Lord Ramsbotham - when they will announce the results of the second consultation on prisoners’ voting rights; Lord Marlesford - how many quangos exist; what is their total staff; and at what annual administrative cost; Topical question.