LAST WEEK IN PARLIAMENT

Tuesday 6th May
Following the Bank Holiday Monday, MPs returned to discuss Lords Amendments to the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill. David Howarth spoke in support of Lords amendments on suspended sentence orders, but supported the Government on proposals for an offence of hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation (as did Evan Harris). Mr Howarth welcomed government concessions in response to a Lords amendment to strengthen data protection laws, and spoke in support of proposals to abolish the law of blasphemy (as, again, did Evan Harris). At health questions Norman Lamb asked about bed occupancy levels. In Westminster Hall Norman Lamb and Steve Webb spoke on flood defences in Norfolk, and Paul Rowen on welfare to work city strategies. In the Lords Lord Dykes asked about taxation of oil companies, and peers continued debating the European Union (Amendment) Bill, the Bill bringing the Lisbon Treaty into UK law, taking it through its third day of committee stage.

Wednesday 7th May
At Prime Minister's Questions Nick Clegg asked about compensation for those hit by the doubling of the 10p rate. Chris Huhne responded to a statement on reclassification of cannabis. Bob Russell proposed a 10 Minute Rule Bill, the Immigration (Discharged Gurkhas) Bill. The Conservative Opposition Day today was on the subject of Safeguarding the Impartiality of the Civil Service (Susan Kramer spoke for the Liberal Democrats). It was followed by consideration of the Norfolk Broads Authority Private Bill, on which Norman Lamb spoke. In Westminster Hall Willie Rennie spoke on RAF Aldergrove, and there was a debate on the Democratic Republic of Congo (Development), in which John Barrett spoke. Annette Brooke obtained a short debate on green belt policy. In the Lords, peers debated amendments to the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill sent back to them by the House of Commons. Lord Thomas of Gresford spoke in support of retaining Lords amendments on suspended sentence orders, and Peers voted to retain them, defying MPs. Lord Lester of Herne Hill spoke against retaining a Lords amendment which it was argued would weaken a new offence of hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation, however this was also retained. The Bill then returned to the Commons, where the Government gave in and accepted both the Lords amendments. David Howarth welcomed the concession on suspended sentence orders but regretted the one on homophobic hatred, on which Evan Harris also spoke. The Lords also began debating the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Bill at report stage.

Thursday 8th May
Today's main debate was a general debate on Defence in the World. Nick Harvey spoke for the Liberal Democrats. It was preceded by a statement on the cyclone disaster that has hit Burma, to which Jo Swinson responded. In Westminster Hall there was a debate on a report from the Health Committee on the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Sandra Gidley spoke. In the House of Lords, the two topics for debate were the Children's Plan and Poverty.

Friday 9th May
MPs debated a Private Member's Bill, the Planning and Energy Bill, at its report stage and third reading. Julia Goldsworthy welcomed the Bill for the Liberal Democrats. At the end of the day's business, Vince Cable obtained a short debate on care home charges. The House of Lords did not sit today.

The Parliamentary section of this website is updated by the Liberal Democrat Political Information and Communications Section. Any comments on them should be emailed directly to us at comms@libdems.org.uk.
George Crozier, Lib Dem PICS