MPs and ministers are still enjoying their official winter break so things are pretty quiet in The Hague. Nevertheless, there are a few issues around which could do with some government answers.

For a start, can anyone at the justice ministry explain why convicted killers and rapists are wandering around the streets as free men rather than serving their time in jail?
Amsterdam police have now resorted to establishing a website to try and track down the dozens of people convicted of serious crimes – crimes which carry a sentence of at least eight years – but who have not actually gone to prison.
There is obviously a logical explanation for this strange state of affairs. Perhaps justice minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin could oblige?
And health minister Ab Klink has a little explaining to do as well. Once again a health insurance company has popped up as part of a rescue package for a hospital which has run into trouble.
Hospitals are owned by the taxpayer and funded by the government but if they don’t manage their books well enough, the government appears to be quite happy for the private sector to come in and help take them over.
Somewhat ironic considering that insurance companies and banks which have run into trouble are being bailed out by the taxpayer.