Next week's business
On Monday, we'll see an opposition day debate in the Commons on the "unfair distribution and impact of cuts to local government funding." It is likely to mean Communities Secretary Eric Pickles will be on his feet - will he be keeping up a recent spate of impressive puns?
The Lords will be hard at work on Monday - it's the second day of the committee of the whole house on the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill, followed by a short debate on the economic and security implications of the melting of the Arctic ice caps.
An interesting week on committee corridor next week: Robert Chope from the Office for Budget Responsibility will be appearing before the Treasury Committee to answer questions about the Autumn Statement economic forecasts -kicking off a busy week for that committee. There will also be a session on local authority publications - aka council freesheets - with the . There are a host of local newspaper interests represented, as well as officials from the Local Government Association and London Councils. Battle could be joined over one of Mr Pickles's bugbears: council newsletters.
And the will quizzing the Europe Minister David Lidington about the European Union Bill, on the eve of its second reading debate (see below.)
The committee, chaired by veteran eurosceptic Bill Cash, is working flat out to provide an authoritative analysis of the bill in time for the later stages of its Commons consideration.
And so to Tuesday, when we'll see that second reading of the European Union Bill. Expect some markers to be put down by Conservative eurosceptics, who're unconvinced that this measure will do what it says on tin, and provide a real 'referendum lock' on any future proposed transfer of powers to the European Union. The bill also sets out the circumstances under which transfers of competence and/or power to the EU will be subject to a referendum or will require an Act of Parliament. It will be a very bad sign for the coalition, if there's an actual rebellion, with possible rebels likely to be keeping their powder dry until they can put down amendments at committee stage...
The Lords will be discussing the Superannuation Bill and the Savings Accounts and Health in Pregnancy Grants Bill. There's an interesting question from Lady Boothroyd - on varying the Parliamentary oath of allegiance to enable MPs to take their seats at Westminster.
Another good session on offer from the : Eric Daniels, the Lloyds chief executive, and Stephen Hester, from the RBS, both giving evidence on competition and choice in the banking sector, along with the more upstart figure of Bernie Higgins of Tesco's Bank. The will be questioning the big six energy companies, and the will be starting a new inquiry on the future of CDC, the government body which aims to foster sustainable businesses overseas. Among the witnesses MPs will be calling is the magazine Private Eye - who have written for some time about the organisation.
And there's more. The will be conducting a one-off evidence session on police use of Tasers. The committee is questioning Sue Sim, Northumbria Police's acting Chief Constable, who was in charge during the search for gunman Raoul Moat.
Another witness is Kevin Coles, the managing director of Pro-Tect Systems - and the business partner of Peter Boatman, a former police officer and director of operations for the firm which supplied the Tasers used during the stand-off with Moat. Mr Boatman is believed to have committed suicide in October.
In the Commons on Wednesday, we'll see estimates day debates on police funding 2011-12 and DfID assistance to Zimbabwe. PMQs will go ahead as usual.
In the Lords, peers will be, once again, discussing the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill in a committee of the whole House.
George Osborne will reappear on committee corridor on Wednesday - this time to answer questions from the Treasury Committee on the Autumn Statement. The will be finding out from the esteemed Professor the Lord Hennessy of Nymphsfield, Attlee Professor of Contemporary British History at Queen Mary College, London (aka historian Peter Hennessy) and Lord Jay what the Foreign Office actually does.
The Public Accounts Committee revisits one of its favourite subjects - administrative errors in the benefits system. These are estimated at Β£3.1bn in overpayments and Β£1.3bn in underpayments. Department of Work and Pensions Permanent Secretary Sir Leigh Lewis will explain......
The will be examining the Common Agricultural Policy and UK agriculture, and the Procedure Committee will be looking at ministerial statements.
Thursday promises high drama in and outside Parliament. Not, perhaps, from the Proceedings on Consolidated Fund Bill, but on motions on increasing the tuition fees cap, which have emerged as a crucial test of the Coalition. Protests have been promised by groups who have been demonstrating in London in the past weeks - and we could see revolts from Lib Dem MPs too.
Their lordships will be debating the role of sport in the health and wellbeing of children and young people and the impact of cuts in grants to local authorities on the provision of social care and other public services.
Committees peter out towards the end of the week - and the two houses are not sitting on Friday. A quiet end to the Westminster week perhaps...
Update: I pointed out that the European Scrutiny Committee would be working flat out to provide an authoritative analysis of the European Union Bill. Well, I understand the committee is planning to rush out a report in time for the second reading tomorrow afternoon. Fast work.
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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