Tuesday 6th May
The third (of six) Committee days of the EU (Amendment) Bill took place with the UKIP peers continuing to try the patience of not only our own front bench, but also the Tories’!   Sarah Ludford, clearly refuted their first point about whether the EU Parliament had a legislative function.    William Wallace disputed the research presented by the Eurosceptics on common foreign policy, saying “These benches see closer co-operation with France and Germany as central to British foreign policy and the EU as the most useful framework through which to work.” He was supported by Paddy Ashdown who said “I cannot work out whether I was more depressed or frightened by hearing the arguments put forward by those on the anti-European side opposed to closer European integration on foreign affairs and defence.”   Shirley Williams, speaking on the same subject, touched on the issue of nuclear proliferation and nuclear disarmament, probably the single greatest issue facing the world after that of climate change, she said.  A snap vote to do with the UK’s security interests was called by the Tory front bench which was easily defeated by the Europhiles.   John Lee spoke in a short debate on the value of hospitality and tourist industry to the economy of London, saying “At a time when the financial services industry, which is so important to us, is suffering a decline, thankfully we have tourism to sustain London’s economy.”

Wednesday 7th May
The Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill ‘ping ponged’ from the Commons, where five of the previous six Lords’ victories had been overturned.    The Government concession on the sixth victory was to Sue Miller and was a measure to strengthen the protection of personal data.    The first vote, where we joined the Tories and which was to continue to allow magistrates to impose suspended sentences, was won with a large majority. The second, moved by a Tory back-bencher, concerned freedom of expression of views about sexual conduct or practices, and was considered by us to be covertly homophobic. Although we joined the Government to vote against this amendment, it was unfortunately lost by 14 votes.   Because a three year no-strike agreement by Prison Officers was due to expire the following day, and new arrangements made in the bill had to come into force by then, the Government resisted further attempts to overturn either of these amendments and the bill became law very unusually with two Government defeats.  Jane Bonham-Carter spoke in a short debate on the problems faced by owner of listed places of entertainment in trying to provide modern facilities.   Archy Kirkwood  was involved in the first Report Day of the Child Maintenance Bill.

Thursday  8th May
Joan Walmsley spoke in a debate on the Children’s Plan and its implications for equality of opportunity, while Matthew Oakeshott spoke in the next debate on tackling poverty through helping people into work, and Margaret Sharp handled the Committee stage of the Sale of Student Loans Bill.