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At-a-glance: Wednesday at Westminster At-a-glance: Wednesday at Westminster
(about 23 hours later)
WEDNESDAY'S AGENDADOWNING ST PRESS BRIEFING YESTERDAY IN PARLIAMENTDAILY POLITICSWEDNESDAY'S AGENDADOWNING ST PRESS BRIEFING YESTERDAY IN PARLIAMENTDAILY POLITICS
TODAY IN PARLIAMENTTODAY IN PARLIAMENT
The main points from Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons from 1200.The main points from Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons from 1200.
  • Prime Minister Gordon Brown sent his condolences to the family and friends of a serviceman killed in Afghanistan on Tuesday.
  • Prime Minister Gordon Brown sent his condolences to the family and friends of a serviceman killed in Afghanistan on Tuesday.
  • Responding to a question from Brian Binley, (Conservative, Northampton South), Mr Brown repeated his offer of talks on reforming party funding.
  • Responding to a question from Brian Binley, (Conservative, Northampton South), Mr Brown repeated his offer of talks on reforming party funding.
  • Conservative leader David Cameron added his condolences to the family of the soldier killed in Afghanistan.
  • Conservative leader David Cameron added his condolences to the family of the soldier killed in Afghanistan.
  • Mr Cameron asked why it had taken so long to appoint a new chairman for the Committee for Standards in Public Life.
  • Mr Cameron asked why it had taken so long to appoint a new chairman for the Committee for Standards in Public Life.
  • Mr Brown said a new chairman would be announced today.
  • Mr Brown said a new chairman would be announced today.
  • Mr Cameron said it had taken seven months to "make one of the most important appointments in politics". He asked if an inquiry into the proxy donations issue, led by Lord Whitty, was partially suspended.
  • Mr Cameron said it had taken seven months to "make one of the most important appointments in politics". He asked if an inquiry into the proxy donations issue, led by Lord Whitty, was partially suspended.
    • Mr Brown said Lord Whitty continued to collect information, adding that interviews would be at the discretion of the Metropolitan Police. He repeated his call for cross party talks.Mr Brown said Lord Whitty continued to collect information, adding that interviews would be at the discretion of the Metropolitan Police. He repeated his call for cross party talks.
  • Mr Cameron produced minutes of a meeting of Labour's ruling National Executive Committee which he said showed Lord Whitty's inquiry had been put on hold.
  • Mr Cameron produced minutes of a meeting of Labour's ruling National Executive Committee which he said showed Lord Whitty's inquiry had been put on hold.
  • Turning to defence, Mr Cameron asked why Britain had a "part time" defence secretary.
  • Turning to defence, Mr Cameron asked why Britain had a "part time" defence secretary.
  • Mr Brown said it was clear Mr Cameron "does not want to enter the debate" on party funding. He paid tribute to the defence secretary as "hard working, conscientious and doing his duty". He said the idea of making the defence secretary Scottish Secretary as well was in the 2001 Tory manifesto.
  • Mr Brown said it was clear Mr Cameron "does not want to enter the debate" on party funding. He paid tribute to the defence secretary as "hard working, conscientious and doing his duty". He said the idea of making the defence secretary Scottish Secretary as well was in the 2001 Tory manifesto.
  • Mr Cameron, quoting former defence chief, Lord Boyce, said it was "seen as an insult" to the armed forces to have a defence secretary with another job.
  • Mr Cameron, quoting former defence chief, Lord Boyce, said it was "seen as an insult" to the armed forces to have a defence secretary with another job.
  • Commenting on Speaker Michael Martin's rebuke of Labour MPs, Mr Cameron said: "They don't like it when they can see their government falling apart in front of their eyes."
  • Commenting on Speaker Michael Martin's rebuke of Labour MPs, Mr Cameron said: "They don't like it when they can see their government falling apart in front of their eyes."
  • Turning to prisons, Mr Cameron said "sentencing should fit the crime not the number of prison places".
  • Turning to prisons, Mr Cameron said "sentencing should fit the crime not the number of prison places".
  • Mr Brown said the early release scheme was introduced by the Conservatives and there were plans for 1,200 more prison places. He attacked the Tories for pledging to create more prison places by scrapping ID cards.
  • Mr Brown said the early release scheme was introduced by the Conservatives and there were plans for 1,200 more prison places. He attacked the Tories for pledging to create more prison places by scrapping ID cards.
  • Mr Cameron said Mr Brown's answer was "frankly pathetic," adding: "I know you want us to think that like the man in the canoe, you haven't beenaround for the last five years."
  • Mr Cameron said Mr Brown's answer was "frankly pathetic," adding: "I know you want us to think that like the man in the canoe, you haven't beenaround for the last five years."
  • He added: "It took Tony Blair ten years before confidence in his administration collapsed. Hasn't this Prime Minister managed it in six months?".
  • He added: "It took Tony Blair ten years before confidence in his administration collapsed. Hasn't this Prime Minister managed it in six months?".
  • Mr Brown said crime was down, there were more police officers and there were plans for 20,000 extra prison places, which was down to a "successful economy not a failed economy we inherited from the Conservatives".
  • Mr Brown said crime was down, there were more police officers and there were plans for 20,000 extra prison places, which was down to a "successful economy not a failed economy we inherited from the Conservatives".
  • Acting Lib Dem leader Vince Cable asked about Northern Rock, asking what guarantees taxpayers had "beyond vague assurances offered by Richard Branson and assorted hedge fund sharks" that they would get their money back.
  • Acting Lib Dem leader Vince Cable asked about Northern Rock, asking what guarantees taxpayers had "beyond vague assurances offered by Richard Branson and assorted hedge fund sharks" that they would get their money back.
  • Mr Brown said the government had taken the necessary steps to ensure the failed bank was rescued.
  • Mr Brown said the government had taken the necessary steps to ensure the failed bank was rescued.
  • Mr Cable said the "common sense" solution was to take Northern Rock into temporary public ownership, a move he said was advocated by the Financial Times and economists. "Are they too left wing or is he paralysed by indecision," asked the acting Lib Dem leader.
  • Mr Cable said the "common sense" solution was to take Northern Rock into temporary public ownership, a move he said was advocated by the Financial Times and economists. "Are they too left wing or is he paralysed by indecision," asked the acting Lib Dem leader.
  • Mr Brown said: "I am beginning to think he is better at the jokes than he is at his economics."
  • Mr Brown said: "I am beginning to think he is better at the jokes than he is at his economics."
  • He said the government was looking for a private buyer for Northern Rock, as it would be if it was taken into temporary public ownership.
  • He said the government was looking for a private buyer for Northern Rock, as it would be if it was taken into temporary public ownership.
  • Philip Dunne (Conservative Ludlow) asked why school closure programmes had been "fixed" to favour Labour controlled areas.
  • Philip Dunne (Conservative Ludlow) asked why school closure programmes had been "fixed" to favour Labour controlled areas.
  • Mr Brown said spending per pupil had doubled under Labour.
  • Mr Brown said spending per pupil had doubled under Labour.
  • Greg Hands (Conservative, Hammersmith and Fulham) asked, in the light of police inquiries into proxy donations, if that was what Mr Brown meant when he described himself as a "conviction politician".
  • Greg Hands (Conservative, Hammersmith and Fulham) asked, in the light of police inquiries into proxy donations, if that was what Mr Brown meant when he described himself as a "conviction politician".
  • Mr Brown repeated his offer to the Conservatives to discuss the future of party funding.
  • Mr Brown repeated his offer to the Conservatives to discuss the future of party funding.
  • In response to a question from Patrick Mercer, the Tories' former Homeland Security spokesman, who has been advising Mr Brown, the prime minister pledged "more resources" to speed up inquests of service people killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
  • In response to a question from Patrick Mercer, the Tories' former Homeland Security spokesman, who has been advising Mr Brown, the prime minister pledged "more resources" to speed up inquests of service people killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
    • OTHER NEWS FROM PARLIAMENT
    The government's chief scientific adviser Sir David King has claimed that Downing Street attempted to "muzzle" him over his worries about the threat of climate change. Sir David, who is stepping down after seven years in the job, said the incident took place in 2004 when Tony Blair was prime minister. Sir David King made his revelation while giving evidence to the Commons Innovation, Universities and Skills Committee. He told its members that in 2004 he wrote an article for the magazine Science in which he warned that global warming was an even more serious threat to mankind than global terrorism. Soon after, he said, it became clear that "some people in government thought he had overstepped the mark." Reeta Chakrabarti
    The Acting Chairman of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has said that there have been seven incidents of "some significance" relating to data security over the past two and a half years. Speaking to a Commons committee, David Hartnett said that HMRC's IT partner had lost a disc containing banking information in 2006 which had later been found. Asked whether these security breaches indicated systemic failure, Mr. Hartnett said "I think chairman it may well do." Mr Hartnett also said that the HMRC helpline was getting an extra 60 thousand calls a day as a result of the loss of the Child benefit discs. Gary O'Donoghue
    The Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas, has criticised the planned ID scheme, saying that keeping a massive database with records of every time an ID card was swiped was "distinctly unattractive". He was speaking in the light of HMRC's loss of millions of people's personal information. Richard Thomas said he questioned why the planned ID card system needed to collect data every time someone passed through Heathrow, or accessed public services. Appearing before MPs on the Justice Committee, Mr Thomas agreed that it hadn't yet been finally decided how much information would be retained in the system. But he added that there was still a lot of debate to be had about the primary purpose of the ID scheme - and how much data needed to be kept. Susan Hulme
    COMING UP IN PARLIAMENTCOMING UP IN PARLIAMENT
    Wednesday Commons: International Development questions. Prime Minister's questions at noon. Statement on benefit uprating. Estimates debate on standards of conduct in public life. Estimates debate on benefits simplification. Short debate on scallop dredging in Lyme Bay. Westminster Hall: 0930 - 1100: Impact of Christianophobia on communities 1100 - 1130: Identity fraud 1430 - 1600: Sentencing for hit and run accidents 1600 - 1630: ITV regional programmes 1630 - 1700: Mid Dorset planningLords: Debate on Lisbon European Council. Oral questions at 1430 including: Lord Judd to ask what the government's target date is for the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Human Trafficking; and what progress has been made on their action plan.Thursday Commons: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs questions. Statement on local authority allocations. Topical debate. Debate on fisheries. Short debate on rail services to Enfield North. Lords: Debates on Environment Department's role in supporting farming and school standards.Friday Commons: Not sitting. Lords: Not sitting.Watch live Westminster coverage online at BBC ParliamentFull list of select committeesWednesday Commons: International Development questions. Prime Minister's questions at noon. Statement on benefit uprating. Estimates debate on standards of conduct in public life. Estimates debate on benefits simplification. Short debate on scallop dredging in Lyme Bay. Westminster Hall: 0930 - 1100: Impact of Christianophobia on communities 1100 - 1130: Identity fraud 1430 - 1600: Sentencing for hit and run accidents 1600 - 1630: ITV regional programmes 1630 - 1700: Mid Dorset planningLords: Debate on Lisbon European Council. Oral questions at 1430 including: Lord Judd to ask what the government's target date is for the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Human Trafficking; and what progress has been made on their action plan.Thursday Commons: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs questions. Statement on local authority allocations. Topical debate. Debate on fisheries. Short debate on rail services to Enfield North. Lords: Debates on Environment Department's role in supporting farming and school standards.Friday Commons: Not sitting. Lords: Not sitting.Watch live Westminster coverage online at BBC ParliamentFull list of select committees
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    WEDNESDAY'S DOWNING STREET LOBBY BRIEFINGWEDNESDAY'S DOWNING STREET LOBBY BRIEFING
    The prime minister's official spokesman said it had not yet been decided whether Gordon Brown would attend the European summit to sign the EU reform treaty, because he has a liaison committee session on the same day. The spokesman said past EU treaties had often been signed by ministers other than the prime minister of the day.Downing St briefingsThe prime minister's official spokesman said it had not yet been decided whether Gordon Brown would attend the European summit to sign the EU reform treaty, because he has a liaison committee session on the same day. The spokesman said past EU treaties had often been signed by ministers other than the prime minister of the day.Downing St briefings
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    DAILY POLITICS: 1130 BBC TWODAILY POLITICS: 1130 BBC TWO
    Andrew Neil, Jenny Scott and the team look at a range of issues including children's literacy and political sleaze. Prime Minister's Questions live from noon. Latest show Daily Politics website Andrew Neil, Jenny Scott and the team look at a range of issues including children's literacy and political sleaze. Prime Minister's Questions live from noon. Guests Hazel Blears and David Ruffley. Latest show href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/nol/newsid_7120000/newsid_7129000?redirect=7129059.stm&news=1&nbram=1&bbram=1&nbwm=1&bbwm=1&asb=1" onClick="javascript:newsi.utils.av.launch({el:this});return false;">Michael Rosen on phonics href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/nol/newsid_7120000/newsid_7129000?redirect=7129028.stm&news=1&bbwm=1&bbram=1&nbwm=1&nbram=1&asb=1" onClick="javascript:newsi.utils.av.launch({el:this});return false;">PMQs plus analysis from Nick Robinson Daily Politics website
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    YESTERDAY IN PARLIAMENT: RADIO 4YESTERDAY IN PARLIAMENT: RADIO 4
    Radio 4's expert team report on Tuesday's events in the Commons, Lords and committees every weekday night at 11.30pm. Yesterday in Parliament looks back on the previous day's events from 8.30am to 9am each weekday on Radio 4 long wave.Listen to the latest programmeRadio 4's expert team report on Tuesday's events in the Commons, Lords and committees every weekday night at 11.30pm. Yesterday in Parliament looks back on the previous day's events from 8.30am to 9am each weekday on Radio 4 long wave.Listen to the latest programme
    The information watchdog Richard Thomas has said that since the uproar over the missing HM Revenue and Customs computer discs, a number of private and public bodies have come to him on a "confessional basis" to say they think they have found a security problem in their own organisations. He said none seemed to be on the same scale as the HMRC breach. But, he told MPs on the Justice Committee, he thought there was still "more to come out in the wash". Susan HulmeThe information watchdog Richard Thomas has said that since the uproar over the missing HM Revenue and Customs computer discs, a number of private and public bodies have come to him on a "confessional basis" to say they think they have found a security problem in their own organisations. He said none seemed to be on the same scale as the HMRC breach. But, he told MPs on the Justice Committee, he thought there was still "more to come out in the wash". Susan Hulme
    Dolly Parton has been given recognition at Westminster... for helping tackle illiteracy in America. Two Liberal Democrat MPs have tabled a Commons motion praising the Country and Western singer for her "Imagination Library" which has given away 12 million free books to pre-school children over the last 12 years. John Barrett and Paul Holmes say the scheme has helped encourage reading in the US, and they are welcoming the launch of a UK version. Paul RowleyDolly Parton has been given recognition at Westminster... for helping tackle illiteracy in America. Two Liberal Democrat MPs have tabled a Commons motion praising the Country and Western singer for her "Imagination Library" which has given away 12 million free books to pre-school children over the last 12 years. John Barrett and Paul Holmes say the scheme has helped encourage reading in the US, and they are welcoming the launch of a UK version. Paul Rowley
    Shadow Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude called on the government to push for "long-term comprehensive reform" in party funding. The Conservatives called a Commons debate on the issue, after it emerged a property developer donated more than £650,000 to Labour under other people's namesParty funding row 'a sorry tale'Shadow Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude called on the government to push for "long-term comprehensive reform" in party funding. The Conservatives called a Commons debate on the issue, after it emerged a property developer donated more than £650,000 to Labour under other people's namesParty funding row 'a sorry tale'
    The former Sports Minister Richard Caborn is condemning the decision to stop England's women's football team representing Britain in next year's Olympics in Beijing. The idea had the support of the Government, but moves to enter an England team were blocked by the Football Associations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. A fresh attempt will be made to ensure there is a U-K representative when the Olympics comes to London in 2012. Richard Caborn told MPs that it was a "national scandal". Paul RowleyThe former Sports Minister Richard Caborn is condemning the decision to stop England's women's football team representing Britain in next year's Olympics in Beijing. The idea had the support of the Government, but moves to enter an England team were blocked by the Football Associations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. A fresh attempt will be made to ensure there is a U-K representative when the Olympics comes to London in 2012. Richard Caborn told MPs that it was a "national scandal". Paul Rowley
    One of Britain's top City Academies is being condemned for offering cut price carpets to its teachers. The Harris group of colleges was founded by the Conservative peer Philip Harris, the chairman of Carpetright. Labour MP Ken Purchase says he's "dismayed" at the practice, which he claims has been made to "recruit and retain staff". He has tabled a Commons motion, saying it "demeans the ethos of the education service". He describes it as "a regrettable consequence of handing over the ownership and management of schools to people unsuited to the serious responsibility of educating young people". Paul RowleyOne of Britain's top City Academies is being condemned for offering cut price carpets to its teachers. The Harris group of colleges was founded by the Conservative peer Philip Harris, the chairman of Carpetright. Labour MP Ken Purchase says he's "dismayed" at the practice, which he claims has been made to "recruit and retain staff". He has tabled a Commons motion, saying it "demeans the ethos of the education service". He describes it as "a regrettable consequence of handing over the ownership and management of schools to people unsuited to the serious responsibility of educating young people". Paul Rowley
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