For the anti-FDI campaigners, too, this came as something of a surprise for the same reason, although a joint parliamentary committee had underscored how small retailers had been hit by the coming of organized retail.

FORBES: A Backdoor That Leads Nowhere

The Lib Dem superlawyer was all but purring as he read the government's response to the work of a joint parliamentary committee, which has been scrutinising a draft bill on the issue.

BBC: Cheering the changes

And the two high priests of Parliament, Sir Robert Rogers, the Clerk of the Commons, and his Lords opposite number, David Beamish, Clerk of the Parliaments, stage a joint appearance before the Joint Committee on Parliamentary Privilege.

BBC: Week ahead in committees