Member News
By Lesley Foottit - 12th October 2009
As parliamentary business resumes after the summer recess, ministers have published a series of written statements.
HM Treasury set out a statutory instrument under the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008.
It states the UK financial services sector must cease all business with the Iranian Bank Mellat and the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines.
Financial secretary Stephen Timms also confirmed to MPs that a new protocol to the double taxation convention with Austria, signed on September 11, has been agreed.
The text of the double taxation agreement between the UK and Malaysia will also be scheduled to a draft Order in Council and presented to the Commons.
Housing minister Ian Austin confirmed that the government will not amend the thresholds for Home Loss payments, which compensate people who have their land or property compulsorily purchased.
Minister for business Pat McFadden has announced that the government has contacted the Low Pay Commission, setting out the non-economic evidence on the national minimum wage.
The Apache AH Mk1 is providing vital capability in support of the UK and coalition forces on operations in Afghanistan, said minister for defence equipment Quentin Davies, who announced details of a new contract.
The government also set out its latest plans to introduce the Carbon Reduction Commitment programme next April.
Copies of the annual Defra report on the number of incidents of fly-tipping recorded by local authorities in 2008/09 are also being published.
And Defra has also released the progress report of the TB Eradication Group for England. The UK has also submitted a TB Eradication Plan for 2010 to the European Commission.
Defra has also released its guidance on how to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions.
In the Foreign Office, minister Chris Bryant announced that an Order in Council has suspended the constitutional right to trial by a jury in former Turks and Caicos Islands.
Minister of state in the Department of Health Gillian Merron confirmed that the girl who died following an injection of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine passed away from a large malignant tumour in her heart and lungs.
There is no indication that the inoculation was a contributing factor to her death.
Home secretary Alan Johnson meanwhile published the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary report into the lessons learned from the Metropolitan Police Service's investigation into Home Office leaks.
Justice secretary Jack Straw has announced that approval for additional resources for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority of £1.1m will be sought in a winter supplementary estimate.
The expenditure is currently being met by a repayable cash advance from the Contingencies Fund.
The latest Freedom of Information Act statistics have also been published, and the director of public prosecution's policy for assisted suicide was also drawn to the attention of MPs.
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd