A row broke out in the House of Lords over controversial anti-terrorism powers with angry Conservative peers today accusing the government of behaving in an "outrageous" fashion after it emerged that debate would have to be delayed briefly to finalise details of new amendments to the prevention of terrorism bill.
Peers eventually accepted government amendments for now but opponents are certain to try to force major changes to the legislation when they resume debate on the measures next week.
The bill is intended to introduce control orders for terrorist suspects enabling the authorities to impose curfews, tagging, bans on telephone and internet use, and, in the most serious cases, house arrest. The government is to give judges power to authorise the most severe orders but has ruled out a Tory call for a "sunset clause" limiting the life of the bill.
Kennedy missed terror vote
The Liberal Democrat leader, Charles Kennedy, was sharply criticised for missing a key vote on the controversial anti-terrorism powers. Mr Kennedy failed to take part in Monday's late-night vote in which the government majority was cut to 17, despite his party spearheading opposition to plans for house arrest. Tory Julian Lewis protested: "... for the government to have saved it by 14 votes and 17 Liberal Democrats, including their leader, not even turning up to vote - one third of their parliamentary strength - is absolutely disgraceful."
Call for Thatcher apology to miners
Former prime minister Margaret Thatcher was urged to apologise to miners and their families over her "oppressive treatment" of them during the 1984 strike. Labour's David Hamilton asked the Commons leader, Peter Hain, if he agreed she should apologise publicly. Mr Hain said: "I fully agree with you ... and fully acknowledge the suffering that miners' families suffered and that appalling treatment of the miners and their families."
Coal production
The UK's biggest coal producer faced calls for it to be removed from running pits after revealing heavy losses. Veteran Labour MP Dennis Skinner said the firm was "a property company in disguise" and urged ministers to bring the industry back under state control. The energy minister, Mike O'Brien, said the firm was investing £150m between 2004 and 2006 to access reserves and maintain employment in viable mines and the government had urged it to keep investment flowing.
Loan sharks
The government should have the power to impose a maximum interest rate on loans to help eliminate the menace of loan sharks, said the Plaid Cymru MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, Adam Price. He urged ministers to include the hard-hitting sanction in the consumer credit bill which later completed its Commons stages unopposed. The legislation, a shake-up of 30-year-old lending laws, will make it easier for consumers to take action against "unfair" credit agreements.
Age discrimination
The government renewed its commitment to tackling age discrimination against older people. The trade secretary, Patricia Hewitt, said new age discrimination laws would come into effect next year. Retirement enforced by an employer before the age of 65 for an employee would no longer be lawful, except in exceptional cases.
Royal wedding
The Prince of Wales is using the smokescreen of a looming general election to tinker with the constitution in the arrangements for his marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles, Labour MP Andrew Mackinlay claimed. He accused the prince of trying to alter the constitution without consulting parliament and urged MPs to challenge him. However, the Commons leader, Peter Hain, denied anything was being done by stealth and refused a debate on the subject.
Paedophile payout
A compensation payout to convicted paedophile Rupert Massey was condemned. Human rights judges in Europe decided to award the former barrister, who was jailed for six years in December 1999, more than £5,000 because of the length of his trial. Labour's Stephen McCabe (Birmingham Hall Green) angrily protested: "Surely this is human rights gone mad."
Commons leader Peter Hain replied: "I find it absolutely extraordinary that a convicted paedophile could have been put in this position and get this kind of compensation for stress when the stress caused to his victims is incomparably greater."
Post-16 training
A government move to boost financial help for young people who continue in education and training beyond the age of 16 was given an unopposed second reading in the Lords. The child benefit bill, which has already been passed by MPs, will extend child benefit entitlement to include young people who are on specified unwaged vocational training arranged by the government as well as those in full-time non-advanced education.
Female genital mutilation
Widespread ignorance about female genital mutilation was blamed for the lack of prosecutions under the law banning the practice. The attorney general, Lord Goldsmith, said there had been no prosecutions under the Female Genital Mutilation Act, which came into force on March 3 last year. Lady Rendell - Ruth Rendell the author - told him that part of the reason might be "the widespread ignorance among the public and some health professionals", about the practice, and the fact that it was illegal.
Tony Blair's travel costs
Tony Blair has visited 17 towns and cities since January 1 at a cost of £13,350 to public funds, it was disclosed in a written answer to Liberal Democrat Norman Baker. Mr Blair said the travel arrangements were in accordance with official guidelines under the ministerial code.
In parliament today
Backbench bills in the Commons due for second reading debate include the health and safety (directors' duties) bill, Sexual Offences Act 2003 (amendment) bill, armed forces (parliamentary approval for participation in armed conflict) bill, and succession to the crown (No 2) bill.
