Committee work
Is a touch of pre-electoral tension seeping into the select committees? A few of them are launching inquiries which could rub salt into some sensitive political issues.
The will be looking at the bankers bonuses paid by the considerable number of financial institutions now owned by the taxpayer, when John Kingman, chief executive of the state-holding company UK Financial Investments, comes before them on Wednesday. An inquiry that could be painful for someone.
Trouble looming?
And with the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty looming, removing the national veto from justice issues in the EU, the will begin an inquiry into plans to harmonise parts of member states' justice systems, which should keep the Lisbon pot bubbling nicely.
Backtracking to the Education Committee, which is also looking at Child Protection, I understand they may soon be hearing from Sharon Shoesmith, the former boss of children's services at Haringey Council who was sacked in the wake of the death of Baby P.
A scarcely noticed session of the Joint Committee on Human Rights where several board members have resigned. Their account of events .
But be warned, it isn't pretty. Trevor Phillips is due to give his account of events on 10 November. I imagine they're selling tickets....
Also - as MPs contemplate allowing cabinet ministers who are peers to answer questions in their chamber, eroding a jealously guarded rule that only they can speak there - Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis will submit himself to a Question Time with the .
His enthusiasm for the occasion is said to be "palpable."
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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