Tabling questions to the Government can serve one of several purposes. One is is to ensure that an issue is drawn to the attention of a minister. The matter may be important but not one that has fully engaged the attention of ministers. The purpose is thus served before the minister has even come to the dispatch box.…
There have been two unusual features of the House this morning. After Question Time, there was a Private Notice Question – in effect, an emergency question – on the Government’s decision to ban the Dutch MP Geert Wilders from entering the UK. The minister, Admiral Lord West, faced a series of critical questions, but did…
The Counter-Terrorism Bill completed its Committee stage in the Lords on Tuesday. The proceedings included the removal of the clauses providing for ministers to determine that some inquests be held in secret. Lord Lester of Herne Hill, a member of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, spoke to outline some of the objections that would be…
