Politics: The House

Speaker backs Hansard

THE Prime Minister was cleared by the Speaker, Betty Boothroyd, yesterday of having Hansard doctored.

Peter Robinson, deputy leader of the Democratic Unionists, had complained that a key pledge made by Tony Blair on arms decommissioning had been wiped from the official record by "someone acting for or on behalf of the Prime Minister".

Miss Boothroyd said the text had been edited by the editor of Hansard in the normal way and was an accurate reflection of Mr Blair's comments.

Liddell cleared

A POLICE investigation into the expenses of Helen Liddell, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, has been dropped. Ms Liddell, the MP for Airdrie and Shotts, was told there was no evidence of any criminal offence and no further action would be taken.Her agent, Karen Turnbull, was also cleared.

Today in the Commons

Questions to Scottish ministers and the Lord Chancellor's Department

Ten-minute debate on temporary classrooms

Conclusion of the remaining stages of the Crime and Disorder Bill

Adjournment debate: Operation of international law in Israeli-occupied territories (Richard Burden, Lab, Birmingham Northfield)