Graham Allen MP
Parliamentary Briefing for the week ending 2 November 2006
Prepared in cooperation with the Trade Union Group of Labour MPs
This is the weekly Parliamentary Bulletin produced by the Trade Union Group of Labour MPs and sponsored by Thompsons Solicitors. It is intended to keep trade unionists and others aware of issues which are taking place in Parliament that are of importance to the trade union movement. See links below for further details. Please feel free to forward to colleagues and friends.
House of Commons
Legislation
Education & Inspections Bill: Lords amendments included General Duties of Government Body of Maintained Schools, LEAs in England: provision of travel arrangements and Collective Worship and Religious Education in Schools. Read more…
Debates
Fire and Rescue Services: the review of fire and rescue services. Read more…
Written Ministerial Statements
· Pensions Reform: two papers have been published this week. In May, the Government published “Security in retirement: towards a new pensions system”. The First paper provides a summary of the views that have been expressed. The Work and Pensions Select Committee published its report “Pension Reform” in July this year. The second paper is the Government's response to the conclusions and recommendations of that report. Read more… See copies of both papers here… · Trusting the Pensions Promise: The Government have published their response to the Select Committee's examination of the Parliamentary Ombudsman's report “Trusting in the Pensions Promise”. Read more…
Standing Committees
Welfare Reform Bill: amendments. Simplifies the benefits system for those whose health affects their capacity for work. Read more...
Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Bill: some amendments have been made with the removal of the senior manager test and its replacement with a senior management test. There were indications of a commitment to a range of penalties particularly the introduction of some form of corporate probation. Read more…
Select Committees
Trade and Industry: Royal Mail – 9th report. Follow-up to previous inquiries into the Royal Mail Group. Read more…
Early Day Motions (EDMs)
EDMs provide an opportunity for MPs to put on record their opinion on issues of concern. They give an important indication of the views of MPs and are watched carefully by Government. See the list of EDMs and in particular: · Future of UK Coal (No. 2874)
· People Affected by Occupational Pension Scheme Wind-ups (No. 2886)
House of Lords
Education and Inspections Bill: Third reading included Duties in relation to high standards and the fulfilment of potential, Invitation for proposals for establishment of new schools, Staff at foundation or voluntary schools with religious character, General duties of governing body of maintained school. Read more…
Road Safety Bill: Commons amendments. Making provision for a range of road safety matters. Read more… Lords disagreements: reasons and amendments. Read latest…
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill: considering Commons amendments. Read more… See Lords latest amendments …
Other Business
TUC: NHS Together lobby of Parliament this week. Read more…
