Questions covered the global credit crunch; progress in implementing the Charities Act 2006; roof coverage for spectators at the Olympic Games 2012; and the Prime Minister's intention not to attend the forthcoming summit of African Union and European Union leaders should Zimbabwe's Mugabe attend.

The Committee stage of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill began. Further details of the bill and amendments can be found at http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2007-08/humanfertilisationandembryology.html.

There was a question for short debate taken in the dinner break (7.42 to 8.42) on Adult learners. (A subject in which I have to declare a personal interest - as a tutor for the Open University, I am obviously concerned that the measures being discussed are anticipated to cause the loss of 29,000 of the OU's 120,000 students).

The committee stage restarted at 8.42 and continued until the House rose at 9.52. The second day of the committee stage is due to be taken on 4th December.