Parliament & Politics: The House

Closer ties with Brussels sought

A COMMITTEE of senior MPs called for changes in the Commons which would strengthen ties with Brussels and lead to increased scrutiny of European legislation. The Select Committee on Modernisation urged the Government to set up a National Parliament Office in Brussels by autumn 1999.

`Exclude press from rights Bill'

TORIES SOUGHT to ensure that the Press Complaints Commission was excluded from the provisions of the Human Rights Bill. Sir Norman Fowler, shadow Home Secretary, said the Bill was "vague and uncertain" about the issue.

Ocean centre pounds 69m over budget

A NEW oceanography centre in Southampton opened 22 months late and cost pounds 69.3m - 40 per cent more than intended, a report from the Public Accounts Committee said.

Today in the Commons t Trade and Industry Questions

t Remaining Stages of Northern Ireland (Sentences) Bill

t Motion on the Church of England (National Institutions) Measure t Adjournment Debate: Closure of civic amenities sites in Northumberland (Peter Atkinson, Con, Hexham)