News
The Clyde Valley Review of how West Central Scotland's local authorities can work together to improve the delivery of public services will be published this morning by author Sir John Arbuthnott. Its recommendation that a set of councils with a £6.5bn budget, a workforce of 76,000 people and a population of 1.75m to support should work together to achieve efficiencies and cut costs, may come as a disappointment to those 1.75m customers who may well assume that this is already happening. The Arbuthnott report stops short of calling for the old ideas of reform of local government or the recreation of Strathclyde Regional Council, but recommendations for closer co-operation, sharing properties and better partnerships with health boards to integrate health and social care services are not especially new or radical.
The first of the Calman Commission's recommendations on further devolution of powers from Westminster to Holyrood looks likely to be announced this week as Secretary of State for Scotland Jim Murphy intimated he believes the Scottish Parliament should have the power to ban airguns. The UK Cabinet is set to discuss a white paper based in part on Sir Kenneth Calman's report as the Scottish Government's own white paper on an independence referendum hits the printing presses for its St Andrew's Day launch. With further policy 'visions' expected this week on the future of Scotland's energy industry and supply, we may finally start to develop a clearer conception of the kind of Scotland the independence and unionist camps envisage for our future.
At UK level, Labour's attempts to win Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg's support at the next general election appear to have been in vain, as Mr Clegg revealed he would not enter into a coalition with the second-largest party after a General Election. However, as his comments came on the weekend the Conservative lead over Labour shrank to six points, there's still no certainty the Tories would be the largest party in Westminster by next summer. David Cameron, however, has reinvigorated the SNP's desire for a "hung parliament" by announcing that this would still be better than a Labour government. Meanwhile, David Cameron and Gordon Brown are set to be at loggerheads at the CBI annual conference as the Prime Minister advocates "going for growth" is the way forward to economic recovery whereas Mr Cameron is set on making tax cuts amidst promises to hold an emergency budget within 50 days of a Conservative election victory.
In Europe, Herman Van Rompuy's reaction to being elected the first president of the European Council was somewhat subdued, Mr Rompuy stating that he had "not sought this post or worked for it", but assumed it "with conviction and enthusiasm". However, the announcement that the Baroness Ashton of Upholland (or Catherine, if you prefer) is to be the high representative for foreign policy, subject to approval from the European Parliament, surprised many people, not least her. Now that the top posts have been decided, the race for deciding the new European Commission can begin. Current Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso is to hold intense talks this week with national leaders over the formation of his next administration and the hearings for the 26 commissioners-designate are scheduled for 11 January 2010.
Scottish Government News
Scottish Government Response to the Queen's speech
Following the Queen's speech on 18 November, in its formal response the Scottish Government has challenged the Labour Government to implement without delay the proposals of the Calman Commission. However, neither the Queen's speech nor Jim Murphy's Written Ministerial Statement indicated legislation which would be brought forward to implement the proposals. (18 November)
Forth Crossing Bill published
The Forth Crossing Bill has been published which will give Scottish Ministers the powers to construct the new crossing and any other associated works. Objections to the Bill must be lodged by 26 January 2010, and it will be considered by a specially-assembled committee of up to five MSPs with no direct constituency or commercial interest in the project. (17 November)
Flooding update
Environmental Minister Roseanna Cunningham has advised that the Scottish Government is continuing to monitor the flooding situation and the Scottish Government's Resilience Room (SGoRR) is liaising with the Met Office, SEPA, local authorities and the emergency services. (20 November)
Hydro-electric wave developments
First Minister Alex Salmond switched on the world's largest working hydro-electric wave energy device, connecting Aquamarine Power's 'Oyster' device, off the Orkney Islands, to the National Grid. The £975,000 grant is the largest Scottish Enterprise R&D funding package awarded to a marine renewables project. (20 November)
Arbitration Bill passed final stage
The Arbitration (Scotland) Bill, which will provide a statutory framework for arbitration to encourage greater use of arbitration domestically and hopefully eventually attract more international arbitration to Scotland, has been approved by the Scottish Parliament. (18 November)
Scottish Government consultations
Draft Identity Management and Privacy Principles Consultation (Closing 23/11/2009)
Consultation on Historic Scotland Guidance Notes - Managing Change in the Historic Environment (Closing 08/12/2009)
The Debt Arrangement Scheme - Improving Access (Closing 14/12/2009)
The Scottish Parliament – The Week Ahead
Committees
Tuesday 24 November
Finance - Draft Budget Scrutiny 2010-11 (in private – draft report); Subordinate legislation (evidence); Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill (in private – draft Stage 1 report); Home Owner and Debtor Protection (Scotland) Bill (in private – draft report).
Justice - Subordinate legislation (evidence); Legal Services (Scotland) Bill (in private)
Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change - Declaration of interests; Inquiry into active travel (evidence); Subordinate legislation; Petition on the cost of fuel; Inquiry into active travel - witness expenses.
Subordinate Legislation - Instruments subject to annulment; Instruments not laid before the Parliament; Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Bill.
Wednesday 25 November
Economy, Energy and Tourism - An inquiry into the way forward for Scotland’s banking, building society and financial services sector inquiry (evidence).
Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture - Autism in education (evidence); Subordinate legislation.
Local Government and Communities - Control of Dogs (Scotland) Bill (evidence – Stage 1); Subordinate legislation; Local Government Finance inquiry (draft report).
Rural Affairs and Environment - Declaration of interests; Subordinate legislation; Marine (Scotland) Bill (Stage 2(day 2)); Fisheries; Common Fisheries Policy reform (in private – draft report).
In the Chamber
Wednesday 25 November
2.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions.
Followed by Ministerial Statement: Renewable Heat Action Plan.
Followed by Scottish Government Debate: Learning About Scotland and its History.
Followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Child Poverty Bill – UK Legislation .
Followed by Business Motion.
Followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions.
5.00 pm Decision Time.
Followed by Members’ Business - World Aids Day and Annie Lennox (Jack McConnell, Motherwell and Wishaw, Labour).
Thursday 26 November 2009
9.15 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions.
Followed by Ministerial Statement: Local Government Finance Settlement.
Followed by Stage 1 Debate: Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill.
11.40 am General Question Time.
12 noon First Minister’s Question Time.
2.15 pm Themed Question Time - Europe, External Affairs and Culture; Education and Lifelong Learning.
2.55 pm Continuation of Stage 1 Debate: Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill.
Followed by Financial Resolution: Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill.
Followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions.
5.00 pm Decision Time.
Followed by Members’ Business – Votes for Women (Shirley-Anne Somerville, Lothians, SNP).
Westminster – The Week Ahead
The House of Commons
Monday 23 November
2.30pm: Debate on the Queen’s Speech (day 2) – foreign affairs and defence.
Followed by Adjournment debate: Cowboy builders (Vincent Cable)
Tuesday 24 November
2.30pm: Health questions including topical questions
Followed by Debate on the Queen’s Speech (day 3) – energy, climate change, environment, food and rural affairs.
Followed by Adjournment debate: Future of King George Hospital, Ilford (Mike Gapes).
Wednesday 25 November
11.30am: Scotland questions.
12noon: Prime minister’s questions.
Followed by Debate on the Queen’s Speech (day 4)- home affairs, work and pensions. Followed by Adjournment debate: Adoption and custody of children in Suffolk (Tim Yeo).
Thursday 26 November
10.30am: Church Commissioners; Public Accounts Commission; Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission; Solicitor General; Leader of the House of Commons; House of Commons Commission orals.
11.30am: Business statement and questions.
Followed by Debate on the Queen’s Speech (day 5) – treasury and business, innovation and skills.
Followed by Adjournment debate: Election of hon Members to membership of Select Committees (Graham Allen).
Friday 27 November
The House is not sitting.
Westminster Hall Debates
There will be no members’ debates in Westminster Hall until w/c Monday 30 November.
House of Lords
Lords Chamber
Monday 23 November
2.30pm: Oral questions: Lord Jenkin of Roding - whether they will review the Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees, published in December 2007, and the Code of Practice of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, last reviewed on 22 September; Lord Alton of Liverpool - what assessment they have made of the situation in North Korea, especially in relation to food shortages and the protection of human rights; Lord Corbett of Castle Vale - what representations they have made to the government of Iraq about their threat to use force to relocate 3,400 Iranian dissident refugees at Camp Ashraf to elsewhere in Iraq; Lord Chidgey - what assessment they have made of Rwanda’s progress toward meeting the Commonwealth’s shared core values.
Followed by Debate on the address (day 2): Home, legal and constitutional affairs (Lord Bach/Lord West of Spithead).
Tuesday 24 November
2.30pm: Oral questions: Lord Dubs - what assessment they have made of Sure Start in tackling poverty and disadvantage; Lord Harrison - what measures they propose to introduce following the increase in insulin-dependent Type 1 diabetes in children under 15 and the greater increase in those under 5, as recently report in The Lancet; Baroness Gardner of Parkes - what proposals they have to make it possible for children to be adopted at an earlier age; Topical question.
Followed by Debate on the address (day 3): Environment, energy, agriculture, local government and transport (Lord Adonis/Lord Hunt of Kings Heath).
Wednesday 25 November
3.00pm: Oral questions: Lord Lee of Trafford - whether there is a manpower target for the Defence Medical Services and, if so, whether it is being met; Lord Northbourne - whether a man who wishes to live with a woman who has one or more children living with her who are not his children will be obliged to get clearance from the Independent Safeguarding Authority; Lord Wallace of Saltaire - how they intend to consult Parliament on the reformulation of NATO’s strategic concept; Topical question.
Followed by Debate on the address (day 4): Business and economic affairs, consumer affairs, culture (Lord Mandelson/Lord Myners).
Thursday 26 November
11.00am: Oral questions: Lord Morris of Manchester - what progress has been made in the current internal review by the Ministry of Defence of the Armed and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme 2005 and when they expect it to report; Lord Geddes - further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 13 June 2007 (WA 251) and the answer on 21 February 2008 (HL Deb, cols 270-72) regarding the abolition of game licences in England, what discussions they have had with the Scottish Executive about abolishing game licences for shooters in Scotland; Lord Lucas - whether they will use their powers to ensure that road markings and signs are compliant with regulations, particularly where markings or signs create dangers for road users; Topical question.
Followed by Debate on the address (day 5): Equality, social affairs, health, education (Baroness Morgan of Drefelin/Baroness Royall of Blaisdon).
Friday 27 November
The House is not sitting.
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