The Record Review

The debate in full

In this week's edition we focus on the government's timetabling of debate on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.

On Wednesday a programme motion was put forward that effectively meant Parliament would not have time to debate or vote on the new clauses that MPs had put forward relating to abortion.

The former senior Labour whip Graham Allen MP signed up to a number of pro-choice new clauses, including one that would extend abortion law to Northern Ireland.

Mr Allen joins us on the programme to explain how the House of Commons could be improved to allow MPs to get their views across.

Also with us is Liberal Democrat business spokesman Simon Hughes MP, who is furious that the government did not allow abortion to be discussed.

Mr Hughes insists that Commons Leader Harriet Harman assured MPs they would be able to debate the issue.

The Russian factor

Also on the programme, we review prime minister's questions - an uncomfortable experience for shadow chancellor George Osborne.

Labour MPs spent much of the session jeering and pointing at Mr Osborne over his relationship with the Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska and allegations he tried to solicit a donation from him, a charge Mr Osborne strongly denies.

Veteran Labour class warrior Dennis Skinner raised the matter with the prime minister.

Bringing back 'the trigger'

The programme will also have highlights from Monday's debate on how political parties should raise and spend money.

One of the most controversial aspects of the bill is the way the rules limiting election expenditure are triggered.

At the moment, no caps are put on spending until an election has actually been called and Parliament dissolved.

The bill would bring back a system whereby the spending cap is triggered as soon as someone is declared as a candidate.

Saving your local

And we find out what the all-party parliamentary group on beer are doing to try and save the British pub.

MPs lead the fight to save pubs

They launched their community pub report this week at the Red Lion pub in Whitehall following a two-and-a-half year inquiry.

They have found that 36 pubs a week are having to close down, an 18-fold increase since 2005.

Our reporter Andrew Wilson went along to find out what is behind the closures and what the all-party group want the government to do about it.

He spoke to the joint chairman of the Community Pub Inquiry, Nigel Evans MP, and landlord Keith Bannister from Staveley in Chesterfield.

For a full review of the week in Parliament watch The Record Review on BBC Parliament at 2300 on Fridays, 1100 on Sundays and 0900 on Monday.