London round-up: 22 January 2010
22 January 2010 (updated on 22 April 2010)
Parliamentary business relating to London for the week ending 22 January 2010.
Written questions
- Commons Hansard: Swimming in the Serpentine
- Commons Hansard: Housing in Bexley
- Commons Hansard: Businesses in Bexley and the 2012 Olympic Games
- Commons Hansard: Health care policy in Vauxhall since 1997
- Commons Hansard: Education policy in Vauxhall since 1997
In addition to oral questions, MPs and Peers can ask government ministers questions for written answer. These are often used to obtain detailed information about policies and statistics on the activities of government departments.
Early Day Motions
- EDM 645: Richmond and Bushy Parks and car parking charges
- EDM 678: Southeastern trains new timetable
Early Day Motions (EDMs) are formal motions submitted for debate in the House of Commons. However, very few EDMs are actually debated. Instead, they are used for reasons such as publicising the views of individual MPs, drawing attention to specific events or campaigns, and demonstrating the extent of parliamentary support for a particular cause or point of view.
Debates
An adjournment debate is a way of having a general debate without requiring the House to vote. The MP who tabled the relevant adjournment debate is called to speak and a Minister will reply.
Oral questions
- Video: Questions to the Minister for the Olympics
- Commons Hansard: Questions to the Minister for the Olympics
Question Time in the Commons takes place for an hour Monday to Thursday after prayers. Each government department answers questions according to a rota called the Order of Oral Questions. The questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the government department concerned.
London Regional Select Committee
The remit of the London Regional Select Committee is to examine the Government's regional policies for London and the Government's relationship with the Greater London Authority and regional bodies.