News

The G20 Summit which starts in London on Wednesday is in the curious position of overshadowing all other business and yet at risk of being eclipsed itself. Gordon Brown's desire for a global recovery strategy appears to be undermined by Germany and Spain, while India and Brazil will lead the challenge to the perceived Western wisdom on the best route forward for fiscal policy on an international scale. Yet the diplomatic advance parties of President Obama et al will be met by headlines detailing precisely what films the husband of the Home Secretary watches at the taxpayer's inadvertent expense.

Beyond the G20 and Jacqui Smith's movie bill, visitors may also note the fury at the break-up of the Dunfermline Building Society and the emerging blame game being played out between the chairman of the failing society, the Chancellor and HM Treasury, the FSA, and of course the Scottish Government which has reluctantly been unable to play even a supporting role in the drama. The contrast between the presentation of the Dunfermline's demise at Scottish and UK level is striking.

On Wednesday, Holyrood will discuss a report by the Finance Committee which looked into methods of funding capital investment projects. A flagship policy of the SNP Government is the creation of a Scottish Futures Trust as an alternative to the PPP model, and although the Finance Committee in its report is not judging the merits of the SFT, the debate will undoubtedly provide opposition parties with another opportunity to criticise and highlight the lack of progress made under the new model.

As Transport Ministers meet in Brussels today to discuss a possible delay of the introduction of a congestion charge for lorries, MEPs are getting ready for their last mini-plenary before the elections in June. The Czech EU presidency finds itself in a slightly weakened place as the Czech Prime Minister was dismissed by his Parliament last week. While this doesn’t necessarily disturb the agenda of the EU institutions, it means that the presidency has little influence on decisions made in his home country, which is often used as leverage for compromises in the Council. More importantly, it’s not clear yet what it means for the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.

All in all, it’s likely that a sigh of relief will go through all three Parliaments when the coming week is over and parliamentarians can go home and enjoy Easter eggs and the recess period. Inside Politic will return on April 20.

Scottish Government News

Dunfermline Building Society
Reacting to the Treasury announcement that the Dunfermline Building Society is to be sold off, First Minister Alex Salmond said: "We welcome the indications that social housing finance is also a priority of the Treasury, but are deeply disappointed that the Treasury now believe it is not possible to sustain the society as an independent institution, given the importance to Scotland of HQ jobs and functions.” (28 March)

Deal to save wind turbine factory
First Minister Alex Salmond celebrated Skykon's takeover of the Vestas wind turbine manufacturing plant near Campbeltown, Argyll. Danish group Skykon, through its new company Welcon Towers, has acquired the plant based at Machrihanish. The deal includes private capital investment of £35 million to expand the plant by nearly three times its current size, and introduce new manufacturing techniques and equipment. (26 March)

New Health Bill to address alcohol problems
A new Health Bill that will bring together the Scottish Government's proposals to tackle alcohol misuse is to be introduced to the Scottish Parliament later this year. The Bill, which will harness measures that otherwise would have been introduced by a combination of secondary legislation and provisions within the Criminal Justice and Licensing Bill, will allow Parliament to scrutinise all the measures together. (24 March)

Scottish Government Consultations

Provision of equipment and adaptations by health and local authorities (31/03/09)

Implementing the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 (Closing 03/04/09)

Achieving smoke-free mental health services in Scotland (Closing 06/04/09)

Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Bill (Closing 12/04/09)

EC Marketing Standards for fresh fruit and vegetables (Closing 24/04/09)

New rules for the identification of Equidae in Scotland (Closing 24/04/09)

The Scottish Parliament – The Week Ahead

Committees

Monday March 30

Public Petitions Committee (meeting in Fraserburgh) – New petitions; Current petitions

Tuesday March 31

Justice – Subordinate Legislation; Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill

European and External Relations – Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution (evidence); European Commission’s Legislative and Work Programme 2009; Brussels Bulletin; EMILE (European Elected Members Information, Liaison and Exchange) group meeting

Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change – Subordinate Legislation; Climate Change (Scotland) Bill in private

Subordinate Legislation – Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Bill; Instruments subject to annulment; Instruments not laid before the Parliament; Response to Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

Wednesday April 1

Economy, Energy and Tourism  - State of the Scottish tourism industry

Health and Sport Committee - Inquiry into child and adolescent mental health services, proposed Palliative Care Bill, subordinate legislation

Local Government and Communities Committee - Scottish Local Government (Elections) Bill, proposed Control of Dogs (Scotland) Bill, subordinate legislation

Rural Affairs and Environment Committee - Subordinate legislation, pig industry, rural housing inquiry

In the Chamber

Wednesday April 1

2.30pm Time for Reflection – Rev Frank Campbell, Ale & Teviot United Church, Roxburgh
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Announcement of Appointment of Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner
followed by Finance Committee Debate: Inquiry into Methods of Funding Capital Investment Projects
followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill - UK Legislation
followed by Business Motion
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business – Supporting Conventional Plant Breeding (Rob Gibson, SNP)

Thursday April 2

9.00 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Ministerial Statement: Creative Scotland
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Hospital Waiting Times
11.40 am General Question Time
12 noon First Minister’s Question Time
2.15 pm Themed Question Time
Finance and Sustainable Growth
2.55 pm Scottish Government Debate: Antisocial Behaviour Framework
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business – Huntington’s Disease (Hugh Henry, Lab)

Westminster – The Week Ahead

The House of Commons

Monday March 30

2.30pm: Defence questions (topical questions at 3.15pm).
followed by General debate on Africa.
followed by Adjournment debate: Memorial for tsunami victims (Phil Willis).

Tuesday March 31

2.30pm: Foreign office questions (topical questions at 3.15pm).
followed by Ten minute rule motion: Council Tax Rebate Bill (Joan Ryan).
followed by General debate on the economy.
followed by Adjournment debate: UK aid to the Democratic Republic of Congo (Eric Joyce).

Wednesday April 1

11.30am: Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster questions.
12noon: Prime minister’s questions.
followed by Ten minute rule motion: Registration of Births and Deaths (Welsh Language) Bill (Hywel Williams).
followed by Second reading of the Geneva Conventions and UN Personnel (Protocols) Bill [HL].
followed by Motion relating to the Non-Domestic Rating (Collection and Enforcement) (Local Lists) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2009.
followed by Adjournment debate: Case of Nick Cousins (Paul Goodman).

Thursday April 2

10.30am: Environment, food and rural affairs questions (topical questions at 11.05am).
11.15am: Solicitor General questions.
11.30am: Business statement.
followed by Motion on the Easter recess (any subject may be raised without prior notification).
followed by Adjournment debate: Science and innovation in Sedgefield (Phil Wilson).

The House will rise for the Easter Recess on April 2; returning Monday, April 20 2009.

Westminster Hall Debates

Tuesday March 31

9.30am – 11.00am: Availability of non-invasive ventilation to persons with motor neurone disease (Mark Todd).
11.00am – 12.30pm: Nuclear energy (David Heathcoat-Amory).
12.30pm – 1.00pm: Closure of Anchor Nursing Homes (Jamie Reed).
1.00pm – 1.30pm: Value added tax on child seat bases (Bob Russell).
1.30pm - 2.00pm: Availability of land for renewable energy schemes (Natascha Engel).

Wednesday April 1

9.30am – 11.00am: National Dementia Strategy (Jeremy Wright).
11.00am – 11.30am: Photography in public places (John Randall).
2.30pm – 4.00pm: Stafford Hospital (David Kidney).
4.00pm – 4.30pm: Funding for home improvement agencies (David Drew).
4.30pm – 5.00pm: Future of Dunfermline Building Society (Willie Rennie).

Thursday April 2

2.30pm: Debate on the report from the science and technology committee on “Investigating the oceans”.

House of Lords

Monday March 30

2.30pm: Oral questions:
Baroness Rawlings - whether, following recent industrial unrest in Europe, they will provide additional security for attendees at the G20 London summit.
followed by Lord Higgins - to what extent they intend to fund the Government’s borrowing requirement.
followed by Lord Taverne - what progress is being made in the use of immunotherapy in the treatment of allergies.
followed by Lord Pearson of Rannoch - what is their response to the analysis in The Great European Rip-off, published by the Taxpayers’ Alliance, which maintains that United Kingdom membership of the European Union incurs a cost for each United Kingdom citizen of £2,000 per annum.
followed by Motion to establish a joint committee to consider the draft Bribery Bill.
followed by Motion to approve the following draft orders-

• Local Government (Structural Changes) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Other Provision) Order 2009;
• Cornwall (Electoral Arrangements and Consequential Amendments) Order 2009.

followed by Motion relating to the order of consideration, at report stage, of the Health Bill [HL].
followed by Committee stage (day 10) of the Marine and Coastal Access Bill [HL].
followed by Motion to approve the draft Mental Capacity (Deprivation of Liberty: Monitoring and Reporting; and Assessments-Amendment) Regulations 2009.

Tuesday March 31

2.30pm: Oral questions:
Lord Campbell of Alloway - whether, as the United Kingdom’s net contribution to the European Community Budget is projected to rise from £2 billion in 2008-09 to £6.5 billion in 2010-11, they will withhold a proportion pending a statement of assurance on the accounts by the Court of Auditors.
followed by Baroness Scott of Needham Market - whether they plan to review the criteria for counting rough sleepers.
followed by Lord Renton of Mount Harry - what future role they envisage for the Financial Services Authority.
followed by Topical question.
followed by Committee stage (day 2) of the Postal Services Bill [HL].
followed by Motion to approve the draft Access to Justice Act 1999 (Destination of Appeals) (Family Proceedings) Order 2009.

Wednesday April 1

3.00pm: Oral questions:
followed by Baroness Greengross - whether they plan to review how savings over £6,000 are assessed for pensioners receiving income-related benefits.
followed by Lord Clement-Jones - what assessment they have made of entry clearance procedures for Iraqi nationals.
followed by Lord Sheldon - how they intend to improve the economic competitiveness of the regions.
followed by Topical question.
followed by Motion relating to the order of consideration, in Grand Committee, of the Political Parties and Elections Bill.
followed by Report stage (day 2) of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill.
followed by Report stage (day 3) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill.

Thursday April 2

11.00am: Oral questions:
followed by Lord Harrison - what is their response to the report in a recent edition of the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health about the incidence of type 2 diabetes.
followed by Baroness Hollis of Heigham - whether they welcome and will consider promoting equity release schemes that are fully regulated, avoid negative equity and are underpinned by independent legal advice.
followed by Lord Tombs - what capacity of coal, oil and nuclear power stations is expected to be withdrawn from service by 2025; and what plans have been made for their replacement.
followed by Topical question.
followed by Short debate on the regulation, collection and retention of personal data and its impact on personal privacy, liberty and freedom; and to move for papers (Earl of Northesk).
followed by Short debate on the problems caused by online piracy in the arts and its impact on the development of Britain’s creative talent; and to move for papers (Lord Lloyd-Webber).
followed by Motion relating to the Church of England Pensions (Amendment) Measure and the Ecclesiastical Offices (Terms of Service) Measure.
followed by Motion to approve the draft Legislative Reform (Insolvency) (Advertising Requirements) Order 2009.

Grand Committee
Committee stage (day 1) of the Saving Gateway Accounts Bill.
The House will rise for the Easter Recess April 2, returning Monday, April 20 2009.