Next week's business
Some new select committee inquiries for next week: the has announced a short inquiry into the cost of motor insurance, focusing on the reasons for and consequences of recent increases in the cost of motor insurance, and in particular the impact on young people. They'll also cover the extent to which the cost of motor insurance is influenced by factors like the level of accidents, insurance fraud, legal costs and the number of uninsured drivers, and whether there are public policy implications from the rise in premiums and, if so, what steps the government might take.
The will be examining the procedures for revalidation of doctors. This follows recommendations about the regulation of doctors in the reports of the public inquiries into Bristol Royal Infirmary and Harold Shipman, which prompted the last government to produce a white paper, Trust, Assurance and Safety. The key issue was revalidation, ie ensuring that medical practitioners are still safe and competent.
The is looking at of services beyond the school/college day for young people aged 13-25. They will cover youth clubs, sporting, musical and cultural activities - and targeted services for vulnerable groups. But they won't include careers services.
Next week's Westminster highlights include:
Monday
In the Commons, Day 5 of the committee of the whole house on the Parliamentary Voting and Constituencies Bill - including Charles Walker's amendment on the number of ministers (see below).
The probe the government's recent decision to revoke and abolish regional spatial strategies (RSSs). The committee will be considering the impact of this change on the strategic planning system, focussing particularly on the implications for new house building. It will also consider the government's proposed new incentives for house building (the "New Homes Bonus").
Tuesday
In the Commons it's Nick Clegg's second question time as Deputy Prime Minister - an occasion at which Labour backbenchers and Tory awkward squaddies vie to land a blow on him.
On the committee corridor, the has a session on firearms control, with the Police Complaints Commission, the Countryside Alliance and others.
The will hold its second evidence session on public expenditure - witnesses: National Health Service Confederation, the Local Government Association and the Association of Directors of Adults' Social Services.
Business Secretary Vince Cable and Higher Education Minister David Willetts will give evidence on the effects of the Spending Review to the . And the is taking evidence on the funding of arts and heritage.
And watch out for the hearing on operations in Afghanistan, where the witnesses are two Ministry of Defence spin doctors talking about how they present operations to the media.
Wednesday
In the Commons PMQs is followed by the second reading of the Postal Services Bill - which would allow for the privatisation of the Royal Mail (the sorting and delivery part of the operation - not the Post Offices) and possibly for the mutualisation of the Post Offices - perhaps as some kind of cooperative. Former minister Pat McFadden, who worked on Labour's plans for part privatisation of the Royal Mail, said in an interview for Today in Parliament that colleagues who opposed his bill should realise that the result has been a Coalition Bill that they like even less.
In the Lords, there's a debate on the Independent Review of Higher Education Funding and Student Finance.
The will be looking at youth unemployment and the Future Jobs Fund, and the will continue its probe into the University of East Anglia's climate change e-mails saga.
And the Education Committee continues its examination into behaviour and discipline in schools, with evidence from head teachers and school governors. Finally, the Transport Committee will be quizzing Secretary of State Phillip Hammond on where the spending axe will fall within his department.
Thursday
The Commons will hold a general debate on George Osborne's Spending Review, and the Lords will debate the NHS.
The will begin its inquiry into the Spending Review with the former Cabinet Secretary Lord Turnbull - they're expected to focus on whether the Whitehall machine can deliver the savings required of it. The Political and Constitutional Reform Committee continues its inquiry into the practical and constitutional issues that emerged following the general election in May 2010. They'll question expert academic witnesses, following their earlier evidence sessions with David Laws, Lord Adonis and Oliver Letwin. Meanwhile the Public Administration Committee will be hearing from the head of the Civil Service, Sir Gus O'Donnell.
Friday
The Commons chamber is taken over by the UK Youth Parliament for a series of debates, chaired by the Speaker, on subjects including whether sex and relationships education be compulsory from primary school onwards? Should university tuition fees rise? Should the school leaving age be raised to 18 immediately in order to lower youth unemployment? And should we withdraw all British troops from Afghanistan by 2012?
I'm Mark D'Arcy and I'll be writing about what goes on in the chambers and committee rooms at Westminster.
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