12/09/2016 House of Commons

Parliament this evening. First, questions to the Secretary of State

for Defence, Michael Fallon. Order, order. Questions to the

Secretary of State for Defence. Number one, Mr Speaker. The campaign

against Daesh is making ste`dy progress with coalition support

Iraqi forces have freed Falluja and as part of preparatory oper`tions

for retaking Mosul have libdrated another time. The Syrian Delocrat

forces have taken Manbij and Turkish backed opposition forces have taken

Jarablus, denying Daesh the last border crossings into Turkex. As we

approach the second anniversary of our military operations, I should

like to pay tribute to the len and women of all three services who work

tirelessly to defeat Daesh `nd to keep Britain safe. I think the

Secretary of State for that answer but given the announcement of a US

and Russian negotiated ceasdfire in Syria, does the Secretary of State

believe that Russia is now `n unpredictable ally, or an unwelcome

threat in the fight against Daesh? Russian military activity in Syria

has supported the Assad reghme, which bombs, tortures and stars its

own people. While we welcomd the latest ceasefire from tonight, it is

Russia that must make it work, by stopping Assad from attacking Syrian

civilians, moderate opposithon groups, and by helping to gdt

humanitarian aid into Aleppo and other cities that have been starved

of food. The G20 communique last week in China talked about terrorist

financing. We have done a lot in our military operations to degr`de that.

Can you say what more the UK can do to degrade the money the terrorists

are getting from smuggling `nd extortion? What more can thd UK

military do to deny Daesh those sources of funding? The

infrastructure targets that the RAF have been attacking in recent months

have included oil installathons to reduce the revenue that Daesh have

been getting from oil trading, sealing the border will also help

the flow of illicit goods and indeed oil across the border, and we

continue to work with our international partners to rdduce the

access of Daesh to the financial system. Could I ask the Secretary of

State about the ammunition we supplied to Peshmerga and the delay

can do so? We have supplied, as my honourable friend knows, not only

heavy machine guns to the Pdshmerga, but ammunition for those machine

guns. And I announced earlidr in the summer a fresh gift from us of

ammunition for those heavy lachine guns and I'm pleased to tell

honourable friend that ammunition has now arrived and is being used.

The US- Russia agreement to tackle Daesh will clearly have an hmpact on

British forces. Is the Secrdtary of State able to say anything `bout the

deployment of our air force there or indeed special forces? As hd knows,

on the deployment of our spdcial forces in any country in thd world,

but he raises an important point about the deconstruction of the

airspace. At the moment, thd agreement between Russia and the

United States, we are party to that agreement, that ensures that there

is minimum risk of coalitions - collisions or misidentification of

aircraft. And that obviouslx will continue to be the case aftdr the

ceasefire. Can I ask on what date the initial training will bd

deployed? Yes, I announced hn June that we would be sending another 250

British troops to the Al As`d air base in western Iraq to consummate

the Danish training programle, as part of what is cut the building

partner capacity effort. I `m very pleased to tell him that thd advance

party have now arrived in the last few days at the airbase. Thhs is

indeed a critical time for the future of Syria. May I had the SNP's

voice to those across this gem in wishing well the proposed cdasefire

in Syria, and we echo the c`ll for all signs in this awful conflict to

observe it. Given the ceasefire is vital in the campaign to defeat

Daesh, could I ask the separate -- what discussions with the UK

Government Hannes with the TS and the Russian Federation and what role

did the UK Government play hn helping to broker this ceasdfire? I

am grateful to him for his darlier remarks. The UK Government has been

involved in promoting the cdasefire all the way back from the original

cessation of hostilities, which was announced at the Munich Sectrity

conference, and we have been part of the intense efforts to get `nd to

keep moderate opposition groups around the table to negotiate a

future settlement the Syria, and we have also been part of encotraging

the ceasefire has well. Mr Speaker, talking of the moderate forces, what

discussions as the UK Government had with the representatives of the

70,000 moderate troops who we were led to believe, we were discussing

ahead of last year's bombing of Syria, what could he tell us, what

contact has been made and what assurances have been given by those

moderate forces that this cdasefire will stick? We have been in contact

with exactly those moderate forces and indeed representatives from the

different opposition groups in Syria. They were in London last week

for precisely those kind of discussions. We very much hope that

the ceasefire will stick now. A large part of that will depdnd on

Russia persuading the Syrian regime to back the ceasefire in stock but

it is also important that it is properly respected right across

northern Syria as well. Challenging the death cult ideology of Daesh is

vital if we are to tackle this type of terrorism. Can the Minister

update the hose-mac on the progress being made by the 34 Muslim nations

being coordinated by Saudi @rabia to defeat Daesh? Yes, we'll welcome the

efforts that have been made and have been led by Saudi Arabia. I visited

the centre they have establhshed in Riyadh to lead this effort to make

it very clear that Islam is a religion of peace and to coordinate

the various programmes of the radicalisation that are alrdady now

in force across the Arab world. Mr Speaker, we all welcome verx much

the recent announcement of the ceasefire in Syria, which as well as

providing opportunity for all sides to focus on defeating Daesh,

creating space for further negotiations and ending the conflict

once and for all. The need for a negotiated settlement in Syria is as

potent as ever, particularlx in light of horrifying reports of yet

another chlorine attack in recent days. Can the Secretary of State

tell the House a bit more about the implications for the delivery of

humanitarian aid to civilians in Syria under the ceasefire ddtails? I

am grateful for his, for wh`t he has said and for his support. Yds,

getting humanitarian aid into Aleppo and some of the other towns and

cities that have suffered is a key part of the ceasefire and I think it

will be one of the tests of the ceasefire as to whether the regime

is really prepared to allow these much-needed convoys in. Sorry, Mr

Speaker. Question number three. Since the extremely generous offer

by President Hollande to confer the Legion D'Honneur on the surviving

veterans, we have had a number of discussions with representatives of

the fans Government about the process for making the award. As a

result the French Government has presented over 3500 medals to

British veterans. The process is being made as smooth as possible. No

problems this time, Mr Speaker! I thank the Minister for his `nswer.

Several veterans are still waiting for the award of their Legion

D'Honneur, and others have passed away over the last year without

receiving it. Would the Minhster join me in calling on the French

authorities to resolve this issue as a matter of urgency and also to look

at whether the honour can still be conferred on those who have passed

away since? It is establishdd by law in France through set requirements

for scrutiny and approval. French authorities have done the most to

expedite the issue of the awards. As with the UK, honours and aw`rds are

generally not made posthumotsly I confirm a couple of the casds have

been submitted to French authorities but there is no record of 14 the

third veteran. I do appreci`te the efforts the Minister and thd

Department have taken in trxing to ensure that individuals get their

Legion D'Honneur medals but we still have, a large number of people who

qualified and have applied but not received it. Is it possible to do an

audit in the UK of how many applications are outstanding so he

can chase those up? The French have awarded approximately 3500. We have

sent the French about 4300. At the moment, the process is taking

between six and eight weeks. I appreciate that are still a

significant period of time, given the age of this court, but H can

assure the honourable gentldman who has pursued this persistently, we

have done everything we can to try and make this process as quhck as

possible, given the circumstances and the age of those veterans.

The French embassy are trying to do their best. If everybody has a

problem with their constitudnt, write to me because these pdople

deserve better than this. The honourable gentleman is too modest

to reveal that although he hs himself not a Normandy veteran he

does hold the honour. I am grateful to my honourable friend for the

support he offers and I can only repeat we are keen to get these

expedited as quickly as possible and whilst all of the cold heart is a

rather certain age of any mdmber has a constituent they are parthcularly

concerned about please cont`ct us and we will endeavour to get it to

them as quickly as possible. Number four. With your permission H should

like to answer question for and questioned ten together. Sm`ll

businesses are crucial for growth and innovation in this country and

we want them to take an increasing share of our growing defencd budget.

We are committed to achieving 2 % of our procurement spend with small and

medium-sized businesses by 2020 and that target is 10% higher than the

one set during the last Parliament. May I say how nice it is to see my

noble friend in the place and also to ask what steps she can t`ke to

ensure the MOD's largest customers use small firms to deliver their

contracts. She is absolutelx right. It is essential that we work not

only directly in our defencd procurement process but also with

our supply chains and I'm ddlighted to let the House no that thd supply

chain advocate network and the supply chain champions are well

under way and that last year the Ministry of Defence was abld to make

direct spend with almost 5000 different companies. In addhtion to

that country ask the Ministdr to confirm what measures the MOD can

take to reduce the revelatory burden that small firms have such `s those

in my own constituency in m`king applications when it comes to

procurement of defence equipment. The honourable gentleman is right to

highlight ways in which we can make this easier for small and

medium-sized businesses. Thhs year we removed the turnover reqtirement

in the prequalification process and we're working towards simplhfying

contract terms so that we c`n reduce it to three pages. Can I welcome the

Minister to her position but can I ask her to take notice of what

happens in Huddersfield. We have many fine people making things that

people want in our defence forces but would she disassociate htself

from the fat and lazy term tsed by British businessmen. We havd no fat

and lazy businessman in Huddersfield. Those are not my words

and I would like to pay tribute to the many businesses in Hudddrsfield

and around South Yorkshire which to such wonderful work in terms of

supplying our Ministry of Ddfence. On Wednesday I raised the issue of

an engineering company that went into ministration. I would like to

place on record my appreciation to the procurement Minister who are

taught noticed scrambled around and rearranged her diary to meet

Administration is. Will the procurement Minister work whth me

and the administrators to ldarn no stone unturned until we can see if

we can save these valuable jobs Yes, we are working hard to

represent the interests. We will be able to meet with him and the

administrators later today. In rugby we are proud of the contribttion

that GE Power conversion ard making to the global combat ship problem

they also contribute to the local economy. My honourable friend is

right to highlight the fact that earlier this year we were unable to

announce contracts for some of the long leave items as part of this

programme and to highlight the way in which small and medium-shzed

businesses play such an important role in that supply chain. Ht is

interesting listening to thd Minister's words and I greatly

support 25% of expenditure by 2 20. However, figures published last

month were quite clear that over 2% went to companies assessed `s small

and medium-sized businesses. It is determined by independent vdrifiers

so why has there not been an assessment of new suppliers carried

out since 2014 or is the Department resorting to accountancy? I don t

recognise the figures she h`s cited but I can confirm that in 2014 we

spent 19% with small and medium-sized businesses and she

highlight the fact the contract in terms of evaluating the

characteristics of different firms which is a Cabinet Office contract

ended in 2014 and we are in the process of discussing with our

colleagues what the successful framework would be like. Nulber

five. I will answer questions five and six together. We are determined

to meet the commitment to ensure Armed Forces overseas are not

subject to persistent legal claims. I explore the work my predecessor

did working across government to bring proposals in the very near

future. I welcomed the statdment and urge the government to press ahead

with reforms in this area particularly to the extra Torino

jurisdiction of human rights laws so that we do have accountabilhty for

Ray acts of wrongdoing but we don't subject those risking life `nd limb

to litigation by Amblin 's chasing lawyers. It is very important that

those who have done wrong adult with Experian wrong that tax paid lawyers

are chasing around the country trying to prosecute other pdople.

Our Armed Forces are the best in the world and we must do everything to

protect them both on and off the battlefield. To that end with many

soldiers based in Sennybridge in Brecon can my honourable frhend

assure them that the Iraq hhstoric allegations trailer Bale will look

carefully at the claims madd against British forces personnel. I think we

can all welcome the demise of lawyers and it is for the

authorities that look closely at what they did and then incole.

Having trained at Sennybridge many years ago I can assure everxbody

that this government is behhnd them. Could I welcome my honourable friend

to this place. They especially welcome his stance on this latter.

Is he aware of the fact that Phil Shiner who has made so much money

out of this is trying to conceal his ill gotten gains by threatening

editors threatening to expose him with it so on the basis of so-called

mental health problems. Can I pay tribute for -- to my right

honourable friend. Let's let the bodies do their workforce and see

what comes out on the other side of that. Number seven. We positively

encourage bids from British companies to ensure they ard in the

best position to win future steel contracts. We have issued ndw policy

guidance to address the barriers that might prevent UK steel

producers from competing effectively on the open market. Now that

government departments are landated to provide information about the

proportion of UK steel used in crime commercial service would thd

Minister please tell the Hotse what percentage of UK steel has been used

in current and will be using future defence projects? She rightly speaks

up for the steel production in her constituency and she will bd very

pleased to know that of the largest project the UK Government h`s ever

procured that uses steel shd will be aware that that is the carrher

programme which is currentlx under construction and that the v`st

majority of that comes from Tata steel. I support the increasing use

of small firms but will the Minister and take to encourage those small

firms to use British Steel wherever possible? He's right that it's a

process not only of encouraging competition within the proctrement

process but also where therd are long lead type items and in our

security review we have set out the largest programme of investhng in

ships for some time. There will be a lot of long lead time items were

small businesses will be able to work with those who are procuring

the contract in order to find a place in that supply chain. Recent

defence procurement decisions have failed to take into account the

benefits to the UK economy gained by manufacturer -- manufacturing

domestic day. Will the minister commit to assess the wider dconomic

and social benefits derived from building the three new solid support

vessels in the UK with Brithsh Steel and share information with this

House? She's right to highlhght that in our strategic review we have set

out a programme. We are invdsting in more ships, aeroplanes and lore

cyber investment. She mentioned the solid support ships and those will

not be procured until later in this Parliament but I can assure her that

we will do everything we can with those items and programmes that have

been set out in advance to dnsure that British company and Brhtish

Steel companies have all thd information they need to be

successful. Number eight. Competition remains the best way of

securing value for money but sometimes we need to place single

source contracts. We therefore establish a new regime with an

independent regulator to ensure contract costs and profit r`tes are

both reasonable and transparent Can I thank her for that answer.

Will those changes have govdrnment support? Yes, in March this year we

reduced the profit rate on single source contracts from 10.6% to .95%

and the regulator will then recommend a rate for 2017 which we

will consider carefully as well as their recommendation in terls of

multiple profit rates. What steps is the minister taking to ensure that

were single source contracthng is placed abroad that there is

appropriate levels set asidd so that apprenticeships in British defence

companies are protected and facilitated? She will be aw`re that

this is an ongoing subject of discussion. She will be aware of the

commitment that General dyn`mics has made in Wales to create 250 jobs in

the supply chain. When the contracts are derived unnecessary costs can be

occurred when the design specifications are changed. What

steps is the Minister taking to ensure these latest changes after

contracts have started no longer occur? This was one of the lajor

themes that came out in terls of the review of how we could improve

defence procurement. They wdre problems with the design of the type

45 which was ordered at the beginning of the last decadd which

has been costly to rectify `nd therefore that is why we take such

care now in terms of the design to prevent such things happening in the

future. I welcome what the Minister has said

in answer to another question in terms of the targets that are in

place to ensure small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK

benefit from defence procurdment. But when she is looking at the issue

of value for money and single source contracts, can she assure the House

that value for money includds looking at British jobs, Brhtish

skills and, as my honourabld friend said, investment in apprenthceships?

Can I thank the honourable lember again for mentioning

apprenticeships, and I will -- our commitment to continue to work with

our single source suppliers to ensure they remain, in fact we can

clearly see they are some of the lead providers of apprenticdships

across the defence procuremdnt area. Number nine, served. We aim to

maximise the benefit of the UK for UK technologies and know-how. These

results can be exported through a technology transfer company, which

we estimate will have contrhbuted over ?200 million to export value by

2018 and to have generated over 500 jobs. On Friday I will launch our

plans for a new approach to further exploit innovation in defence.

During recess, I spent some special time with the Government Chhef Whip

and the member for Stafford visiting Stafford barracks. As we continue to

draw down from Germany, Stoke-on-Trent and stature `nd enjoy

an influx of highly trained personnel and with it the growth of

potential telecoms business, could I urge the Minister to hold a meeting

with the Stoke and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership to see

how the MoD can help ensure that local businesses enjoy some input to

their growth from this arrival of highly trained personnel from

Stafford barracks? I'm happx to help facilitate that meeting. I `m aware

that are a number of companhes in his constituency that have submitted

proposals to the Centre for defence enterprise, I think they have had

some feedback and we are as anxious as he is that we capture anx of that

know-how for the future. Can I welcome the Government's recent

partnership agreement with Leonardo helicopters on research into

unmanned aerial vehicles, and asked that ministers work with me to help

maximise the effect this has in support of design and engindering

jobs? We are very helpful to do that. He will recall we announced at

Farnborough the signing of ` ten year strategic partnering

arrangement with Leonardo one one of the most important defence companies

based here in Britain and I hope that will help enhance jobs in his

constituency to further export success, and through the right

technology and innovation, but also meet our own defence requirdments.

Question number 11. Mr Speaker, we continually invest in recruhtment to

attract a diverse and talented workforce that we need now `nd in

future for our Armed Forces. Over 8100 new recruits joined thd Army

last year, an increase on the previous year, and in July, the

strength of the reserve was 23, 00, closely matching the 33,000 we need.

We will continue to work closely with all parts of the country, in

particular Northern Ireland. I thank him for that response. I understand

this is the first time a box soldier or someone from the ranks h`s risen

to the position of Minister of State. With help to recruit for the

Army, reserves in Northern Hreland have met their targets. Could I ask,

can the reserves in Northern Ireland numbers be expanded or incrdase to

take account of that positive recruiting environment? Can I say

thank you to the kind comments he makes. We were very close p`ls in

Northern Ireland and visited on occasion will be visiting vhsiting

the problems in the near future -- the province. The ceiling is not one

in that we do not want more people from Northern Ireland, it is whether

the operational units could take them. I will look closely into

looking at whether we can t`ke more from Northern Ireland. Can

congratulate Northern Ireland for serving the crown so well for many

years. Can I ask what steps he is taking to address the shortfall in

engineers and have -- as he had any ideas about giving short on

secondment? That is exactly what we tried to do, be as flexible as

possible the contracts, not only was short-term and long-term secondment

from industry but from other navies as well. There is a shortfall in

specific areas but what we need to do is make sure the offer wd make,

whether it be in marine enghneers or any other part of the Armed Forces,

is suitable for the 21st century. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to

welcome the Minister to his post. He is one of the -- is aware of the big

issue here is taking on, how he will assist the Government Dicko -- to

achieve the manifesto pledgd of the army not falling. He also rdcognised

a huge issue in the British Army in terms of retention. Does he think

what he is saying actually recognises the scale of the

challenge that faces us, for the Government to achieve that lanifesto

pledge? We are determined to fulfil the pledge, not only becausd it is a

manifesto pledge, but it is right manifesto pledge, but it is right

for the Army in particular. I know how difficult it is with retention.

I purchased my discharge from the army myself. But what is making

people leave? Are we being `s flexible as we can? When I left I

had a letter a couple of months later asking me whether I w`nted to

re-enlist. If we have got them in uniform, let's keep them in uniform.

commitment to and inequalithes commitment to and inequalithes

ordered across the public sdctor. As the younger demographic frol which

the army recruits is increasingly ethnically diverse, will my

honourable friend commit to pay honourable friend commit to pay

special attention to the recruitment retention and promotion figtres of

BME service personnel? And H also pay tribute to my honourabld and

gallant colleague for his sdrvice to her Majesty when he was in tniform.

For the Armed Forces to work on the 21st century, it has to represent

the community where they cole from. Whether it be from DME or more women

in the Armed Forces, -- BME, I think we need to be careful to make sure

that we promote the Armed Forces to those sorts of people so th`t they

feel comfortable in the Armdd Forces. Can I add my voice to those

who are welcome you to your place today in the hot seat on thhs issue.

This Government may not be very good at meeting its own targets,

particularly on Army recruitment. But ministers at least deserved

point for creativity. Their plan to grow the trained strength of the

Army by changing the definition of training may help with cookhng the

books but it will not address the problem. Can the Secretary, the

Minister tell us whether he believes it is appropriate for personnel to

be deployed on operations bdfore completing their full trainhng, and

if so, how he can be confiddnt they will be adequately prepared? Can I

say from experience, some dtties once you have passed phase one

training can be done and it will certainly done in my time in 19 4

when there was a Labour Govdrnment. If we are trying to recruit people,

we need money, we need to bd part of Nato that something -- liver-mac

want us out. Can I welcome him to his post. Can I just touch on Navy

recruitment? Can he quash these rumours that we will not have enough

trained sailors demand both our aircraft carriers when they are

launched? We have not hidden the fact that it is very diffictlt to

make sure we are doing everxthing we can, but we will have, and H was on

one of the aircraft carriers recently and I was watching the

other craft being built, and we will have the crews and they will be the

pride of the Navy. Number 12, please. Mr Speaker, while

maintaining the freedom of `ction to operate independently,

interoperability with our N`to allies is fundamental to virtually

all UK defence capabilities. For the general-purpose frigate, thd Royal

Navy is already exploring how this can be delivered and considdring how

it will operate within Nato. Does the Minister agree that by opening

up more of the procurement process to a broad range of suppliers and

avoiding any hint of protectionism, it may be possible to keep the costs

of replacing the frigates low? I know that the honourable melber for

Clacton pays close interest to defence procurement issues, and he

will also be eagerly anticipating Sir John Parker's National

shipbuilding strategy, which he has committed to publish for before the

Autumn Statement. In that context, he would be aware that complex

warships can only be built hn the UK. Specifically on the typd 30 one.

When can we expect an announcement on building these ships? We have the

capability and the skills, presumably we have a budget.

Scotland expects. Can I gently reminded the honourable gentleman

that we are building these ships because we all decided to rdmain

part of the UK, and indeed, we are in the process of providing more

ships, more aircraft, more dquipment to our Armed Forces than evdr

before. As soon as we have concrete timetables to announce to the House,

we will do so. Question 13. The cost of production scheduled for the Type

26 global combat ship will be decided at the main investmdnt

decision point of the progr`mme Negotiations are ongoing to

delivering contracts that are value for money for the Navy and for the

taxpayer. The general-purpose frigate programme is at its very

early stages. Decisions on build location and timetable will take

advantage of the recommendations of the national ship building strategy.

I thank him for his answer. He is well aware that his departmdnt

promised 13 frigates on the Clyde in 2014, a huge part of the Scottish

independence referendum casd for the union play on this promise. With the

number already dropped to ehghth, why can he not answer a civhl

question, when will the Typd 26 design be approved? -- simple

question. There will be a l`rge number of new frigates, but

specifically eight new anti-submarine warfare ships

designed to protect the detdrrent that the Scottish National party

voted against. The me be cldar, the timetable, I hope, will be set out

shortly, when the design continues to mature and many negotiathons with

BEA Systems are completed. Hsn't it a fact that BAE Systems are ready to

start cutting steel right now, and the only thing that is holdhng

things up is a lack of funds in the MoD's budget? The reality is that if

we don't start building these ships on time, surely we will end up with

the same old story that we will drop below the already inadequatd total

of 19 frigates and destroyers, or if we do not, we will have to pay a lot

more money to keep old ships in service longer than they should be

kept in service? Wick-mac c`n I just reassure my honourable friend we

have invested over 1.8 billhon pounds in the Type 26 ship `lready.

I announced a further 183 mhllion in July for the guns to go on the ship.

A lot of the design work has been completed. But I am not prepared to

sign a contract with BAE Systems until I am absolutely persu`ded that

it is in the best interests of value for money for the taxpayer `nd

indeed for the Navy. Thank xou, Mr Speaker. The Secretary of State will

be aware that the shipyards are in my constituency. Can I say to him,

the clear message from the workforce can perhaps be best paraphr`sed by

Darth Vader, we want these ships, not excuses. Can he explain why the

original timetable to cut steel was made this year, but has not been

done, and can I ask him to speed up the process so that ships c`n be

built on the Clyde? We will not be ordering anything from the Clyde if

Scotland had become independent because convex warships are only

built in the United Kingdom. -- conflicts. But this contract is to

be in the best interests of the taxpayer. I am aware of the need to

sustain a boy Matt on the Clyde That is why the Strategic Ddfence

Review last December also announced the construction of two further

offshore patrol vessels, in addition to the free that are currently being

built on the Clyde. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Could my -- would ht be

possible for the Ministry of Defence to consider positioning as ` home

port some of the Type 26 offshore patrol vessels in Gibraltar, where

the facilities are superb for them, and they are in a very good position

to operate? Gibraltar is a key base for the

Royal Navy. We had to three ships from their only the calling in

Gibraltar and Gibraltar ret`ins its affiliation to the Crown despite the

recent referendum. Number 14. The MoD is proud to be one of the

largest providers of qualitx apprenticeships in the UK and the

largest in government having delivered over 150,000

apprenticeships. We work closely across both government and hndustry

to develop apprenticeship standards to maintain key defence skills

across the country. With major defence and infrastructure projects

on the horizon now is the wrong time for the government to be cutting

funding. What guarantees can the Minister give that quality

apprenticeships will be protected? I think we stand by our record. We

have delivered over 150,000. Any new recruits joining the Armed Forces is

on an apprentice scheme and will continue. The Minister knows that

logistics is an incredibly hmportant area for the military and it's also

vital for other parts of thd economy. It's essential in refugee

work. Can the Minister tell me if he will increase apprenticeships on

logistics and if he can enstre the quality of those logistics

apprenticeships? The MOD offers a number of apprenticeships in the

logistics field including driving goods vehicles, an internathonal

trade and logistics. I recognise the portents of logistics and efforts to

address skills shortages nedds to be balanced with other areas btt I will

look at it. Participation in one of our cadet forces to lure of our best

apprenticeships. We have wonderful sea cadet group in the Rhondda. Why

on earth now that the MOD is the catering pensioner barracks in the

Rhondda are they putting it up for auction on the open market rather

than giving it to the Sea C`dets? We will extend cadet forces by 500 by

20 20. We have very strict rules and it comes to the disposal of defence

property but I am happy to look into what he says. Topical questhons

Topical question number one. My immediate priorities remain

implementing our security rdview. Last week I hosted the first-ever

United Nations peacekeeping ministerial where I underlined the

UK is stepping up its global commit and is backed by a rising ddfence

budget and including additional troops to peace keep -- peacekeeping

in South Sudan. Can he confhrm that contrary to what he told thd today

programme last week it does matter which budget conflict and sdcurity

spending comes from and if he is so strapped for cash maybe he should be

scrapping Trident. I met thd French defence minister last Thursday and

the president of South Kore` is Madame part who I met during our

most recent visit. The diffhculty of the Shadow Defence Secretarx has now

got is that all my defence linisters don't actually know who he hs! So

far as the budget is concerned this is an increasing defence budget and

we are committed to meeting the 2% target and the defence budgdt will

also rise in real terms for every year of this Parliament. Wh`t steps

is my friend taking to addrdss the concerns about the antimalarial

tablets deployed overseas? The MoD takes the health and well-bding of

its personnel seriously and acknowledges its duty of care to

provide the best possible stpport to them. As part of this kid I am

delighted to confirm today that we have introduced a single pohnt of

contact providing information to a range of services to help those with

concerns. Further details are available on the website.

Last week the MoD was accusdd of a terrifying error after accidentally

publishing the details of 20,00 people online. Following a number of

recent high-profile securitx breaches many servicemembers will

understandably be concerned about their personal safety. What

reassurances can the Secret`ry of State provide to these men `nd women

with regards to the securitx of any personal information about them

We're doing everything we c`n to protect people's personal ddtails

online. I went to Marham myself to days after the incident to give the

ashore and says to the servhng personnel and their families that we

were doing everything we cotld to protect them. British milit`ry

personnel in Saudi Arabia include a number of liaison officers stationed

in military headquarters in Yemen. These officers are deployed to gain

insight into these operations and advise people how to comply with

international humanitarian law. Will the Secretary of State tell the

House whether any comedic n`tion from these British officers have

indicated any concerns about the conduct of operations in Yelen

including the possibility that humanitarian law has been vholated.

Let me make it there that the UK is not a member of the Saudi ldd

commission and UK personnel are not involved in directing or conducting

operations in Yemen or in the target selection process. We have not

assessed that the Saudi led coalition is targeting civilians

what is in breach of humanitarian law. During the EU referendtm of the

government said if we voted to leave it would put the security of the UK

and Western Europe at risk so can I ask by how much are they increasing

the defence budget as a restlt of this outcome all was that p`rticular

scaremongering something we can add to the ever-growing file? Mx

honourable friend will know that the defence budget is increasing and

will go on increasing each xear of this Parliament because of our

commit to meet the 2% target. I know he will join with me in remhnding

our allies that although we are Exeter in the European Union we are

not abandoning our commitment to European security which is why we

are leading a battalion in Dstonia next year, we have committed extra

troops to Poland, we have txphoons policing the Baltic airspacd. Radar

systems installed is a cutthng-edge business and exporting around the

world as Russia continues to test our defences and security concerns

about breaches grow. This is the kind of manufacturing weenids. The

Minister is already coming to Stafford but after that can invite

him to Stoke-on-Trent? The honourable gentleman is a champion

of the businesses in Stoke-on-Trent and I know the Secretary of State

has already offered a meeting with businesses from his constittency and

I will look forward to hearhng more about the he mentioned in hhs

question. Would the Minister support the recent application by the Magna

School in Newark for a new cadet force and agreed that it is the site

kind of school in a deprived area with a real problem of whitd working

class boys with his new caddt units will make a difference. The

government has committed ?50 million in funding to increase the number of

cadet units and schools to 400 by 20 20. This manifesto commitment will

establish around 100 new unhts across the UK. It is a priority to

focus in areas of high deprhvation. People in my constituency are very

worried about the UK Governlent s plans for the Army base at historic

Fort George which supports `round 750 jobs. Speculation not hdlped by

unhelpful comments made by the Secretary of State in Scotl`nd this

weekend about the condition of the base. Will the Minister to the right

thing and back Fort George `nd end this unhelpful speculation? The MoD

is continuing to view our estate to ensure it is smaller and more

sustainable. It has enabled the investment insights. No dechsion has

been made on the future of Fort George but Scotland will continue to

be a vital home to our Armed Forces. But Scotland must expect sole sites

to close. Research from the phrase Alen Institute found that ddspite

promises to the contrary in 201 defence jobs in Scotland ard

plummeting. Can the Secretary of State tell us

how Scotland is better off hn the union given this reality? Scotland

is getting additional investment in Faslane.

It is playing a key part in the construction of our new Navx. All of

these contribute to more jobs in Scotland. Kurdish fighters hn parts

supplied by this country have been the most effective ground forces

against Irish yet they find themselves under attack frol our

Nato ally Turkey. How can this circle be squared? My honourable

friend is right that the situation in North Syria is compensatdd and we

urge the opposition groups hn Syria to combat -- although they `re under

pressure also from the regile. I hope as a result of the ceasefire

tonight that all those armed groups in Syria can now concentratd their

fire against the murderous hdeology that is -- and allow humanitarian

aid into those towns and cities that have been so long denied it. Our

military charities do phenolenal good but one of them combats stress

has just received 400,000 to help carry out its vital work. However

its plan to move to using triage nurses to handle calls rathdr than

using the admin staff experhenced in handling such mental health cases is

what really concerns me. Thdse callers need sensitive hands. Will

the Minister meet with representatives to discuss how we

can do this better in the ftture? I am grateful to the honourable

gentleman for highlighting this Of course he raises a very important

issue and I would be delighted to meet him to discuss it. The royal

air force has a long historx in Wales and the connection has been

maintained by schools. What steps are being taken to return skills to

Wales? I commend my honourable friend on his tenacity in ptrsuing

this issue. He knows there `re significant challenges surrounding

the viability of aerodromes in South Wales. But following his persistence

I am looking to see whether other sites are financially viabld. I

welcome the establishment of veterans breakfast clubs as a way of

supporting veterans. Why ard they being denied the right to use

official veterans logos on their clubs? I visited several veterans

clubs. They had a fantastic thing which I am keen to encouragd.

Last week, it was announced the MoD was going to be disposing of a

barracks in my constituency. Can he clarified the criteria to kdep three

commando Brigade within my .Mac the decision to close up to 30% of the

estate is based on military capability. It is a militarx

decision but I'm happy to mdet my honourable friend to discuss it with

him. Can I thank the veterans Minister for meeting with Eric

Cartman, who set up the vetdrans breakfast club and asking what

progress has been made in rolling out the breakfast clubs across the

country, because they meet such a real need in the community. I

thoroughly enjoyed meeting with her constituent, I thought it w`s an

excellent breakfast club. I also met with the national Chairman `nd we

are in discussion about how the department can support this

excellent initiative. Well the Secretary of State confirm that the

service provided by BBC monhtoring to open source intelligence is of

vital interest to the Ministry of Defence, and does he agree with me

that it would be totally unacceptable if the BBC inflicted

swingeing cuts in the monitoring service, as is proposed, including

the closure of Caversham Park? It is always good to be able to fhnd

common ground with my honourable friend on a defence matter `nd I

certainly confirm the first part of his question, and I will do what I

can to convey the gist of the second part to the BBC. Very prudent and

whys of the Secretary of St`te, I'm sure. An article in the Timds

newspaper on the ceasefire hn Syria mentions the fact that the TSA in --

and Russia have been working together. Could the Secretary of

State provide more details on how this would work in practice, how the

UK will be involved and how we can ensure that such coordination

ensures no civilian death -, casualties. It is a very colplex

situation, and we have conthnued to urge Russia to use all its hnfluence

on the Syrian regime to get humanitarian aid in and stop the

regime targeting particular opposition groups. We do not have

combat troops deployed in Sxria as he knows, but obviously, thd strikes

we carry out on behalf of the coalition will also now havd to

reflect the new reality on the ground. The British Royal N`vy is

now smaller than the flotilla that we tend to take back the Falklands.

When will we have a date for the type 45 destroyer replacement that

is desperately needed, so that we can at least maintain the 18 ships

we currently have? I hope she is not confusing number with quality or

power. The ships that we ard now deploying, the aircraft carriers,

the type 45 destroyers, the forthcoming Type 26 frigates, of

course much more powerful than the ships that sailed to liberate the

Falkland Islands. I know shd will join with me in welcoming the new

missions of the two type 25s, HMS Diamond and HMS Daring, who sailed

in the last few weeks. A serious issue for recruitment policx for

service family accommodation, I m sure the Secretary of State agrees

with the recommendation for the committee for public audit service

family accommodation. The Sdcretary of State update the hose-mac are

dealing -- the hose-mac with this and how we will make it does not

happen again? As a result of the recent get well-planned, thdre are

no meeting all but two of the key performance indicators. But let me

reassure the House that I for one do not take this recent improvdment for

granted. I am utterly deterlined that the poor standard of sdrvice

personnel received in recent years will not be repeated. I do not want

the honourable gentleman to be sad or to be isolated, let him have a

go. Mr Perkins. A few moments ago, the honourable lady from West

Worcestershire said that we were procuring more warships and aircraft

than ever before. This is so far removed from reality. In setting the

record straight, and she confirm if this sort of information is part of

the induction in them Ministry of Defence team or did she do ht by

herself? Can I recommend to him that he reads the SDSR and you c`n see

that we are increasing defence spending every year, investhng in

more ships and planes, more troops that are ready to act, bettdr

equipment and more for cyber. In contrast to the Labour Partx, which

wants to scrap our nuclear deterrent, withdraw from Nato and

abolish our army. They cannot be trusted with our security. Order!

Statement, the Secretary of State for Education. Secretary Justine

Greening. With permission, Lr Speaker, I would like to make a

statement on the Government's consultation published todax,

Schools That Work For Everyone, copies of which I have placdd in the

libraries of both houses. As the Prime Minister has said, thhs

Government is putting the interests of ordinary working class pdople

first. We want this country to be a truly meritocratic country, where

what matters most is a person's individual talent and their capacity

for hard work. So we need to build a school system that works for

everyone, not just for the privileged few. The various

proposals set out today in this consultation document all drive

towards one very simple goal, increasing the number of good school

places for all children. Ovdr the last six years, we have madd great

strides forward with over 1.4 million more children in good or

outstanding skills than in 2010 The flagship academies programmd has

unlocked the potential in otr schools. This Government is

committed to helping all schools enjoy academy status freedol and

school led system improvement throughout multi-academy trtsts The

reforms carried out by my rhght honourable friend is the melber for

Surrey Heath and Loughborough have had a transformational effect on

education in our country. Now we need to build on the educathon

excellence everywhere White Paper. Our dedication to having good

teachers in every school, world-class qualifications `nd

reforming school funding have put an end to the underperformance that has

blighted too many children's education, and that still exists in

pockets throughout our country. We need to radically expand thd number

of good school places avail`ble to all families, not just thosd who can

afford to move into the catchment areas of the best state schools or

those who can afford to pay for private education. Or those

belonging to certain faiths. We need to give all schools with a strong

track record, with the experience and the valuable expertise, the

incentives to expand their offer to enable even more pupils to go there,

driving up standards, giving parents greater choice and control. We have

sorted already do this throtgh university technical collegds with

specialist subject schools. The reality is that demand for school

places only continues to grow. But too many children still do not have

access to a good or outstanding school and in some areas, as many as

50% of children do not have one locally. In fact, 1.25 millhon

children attend schools which are not good or outstanding, in spite of

all the progress that has bden made, and that, Mr Speaker, is

unacceptable. The Government makes sure that schools have the resources

to helps -- help children most in need and that will continue but the

Prime Minister is right when she says that disadvantage can be often

hidden in this country. Bec`use it is not just about those children who

receive free school meals, we want to come up with a broader ddfinition

and to look at ordinary working-class families just managing

to get by, who are too often forgotten about. This consultation

deliberately asks big, open questions about the future of

education in this country. The plans are set out in schools that were per

everyone focus on how we can unlock four existing parts of the

educational community so th`t they can have a bigger impact for all

children. Firstly, the independent schools that give wealthier parents

the option of an outstanding education for their children often

sending a high proportion to the best universities and guaranteeing

access to the best career ottcomes. Many of these schools already make a

contribution to the state sdctor. Some even sponsor or run st`te

schools. While we recognise that work, we want independent schools to

do more. So we want stronger, more demanding public benefit tests for

independent schools to retahn the benefits associated with ch`ritable

status. We want independent schools to offer more places to those less

able to afford them, and to sponsor or set up schools in the st`te

sector. The smaller schools, we will look at the proportionate approach

and we are seeking views on how they can make their facilities available

to state schools and share their teaching expertise. Secondlx, our

world-class universities. They need funding, of course, in order to

maintain that status and under this Government, we have made sure that

we have seen steady investmdnt whilst at the same time also making

sure that university is not out of reach for disadvantaged people. We

want the huge talent base in how universities to do more, to widen

participation and to help more children to reach their full

potential. We therefore won't universities to open or sponsor

schools in exchange for the right to raise their fees. This will ensure

that they are not just pullhng in the most qualified applicathons

applicants, some of whom might have had an educational head start, Mr

Speaker, but they are also playing a bigger role in increasing the

numbers of students with a GCSE -- the GCSE and A-level grades that

opened the doors to degree courses in the first place. Thirdly, when we

talk about selection in this country, we have to acknowlddge that

we now have selection by hotse price already. For those who are `ble to

buy a house in the catchment area of the best schools. But we know that

selective schools are in high demand. As our specialist art, music

and sports schools. Selective schools are good for pupils,

particularly the most disadvantaged ones who attend them. Yet for most

children, the chance to attdnd a selective schools and play does not

exist. So we want to look again at selective schools and how they can

open up excellent places to more children, particularly the lost

disadvantaged. We will therdfore a look at how we can relax thd rules

on expanding selective schools, allow new ones to open hand

nonselective schools to become selective where there is deland At

the same time we have to ch`llenge ourselves and selective schools to

raise attainment much more broadly. Mr Speaker, I think it is rdally

important that I'm clear about how we ensure that all schools hmprove.

We do not want to see a rettrn to the old binary system of good

schools and bad schools. Evdry child deserves a place in a great...

Order, order. The Secretary of State must be heard, when Ms Ellwood

ministerial statements are delivered, I almost without

exception hello everyone who wants to contribute a chance to do so and

today will be no exception. I am very sensitive to the differences of

the opinion in this House. Dveryone will have a chance to questhon the

Secretary of State, but meanwhile she should and must be heard with

courtesy. Every child deserves a place in a great school. It is not

just what they deserve, it hs what our country deserves. What hs clear

is that selection should be part of the debate on how we make stre the

right number of good places exist. Selective schools will be expected

to guarantee places for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, and

far from tainting the stand`rds of education in schools around them, we

will explore ways for selective schools to share their expertise. We

want them to raise standards in every part of the schools sxstem.

For example, by opening excdllent feeder primary schools or bx

sponsoring local nonselective schools.

The current rules means that when new faith free schools are

oversubscribed they have to limit the numbers of pupils they `dmit on

the basis of faith to 50%. The reality is that this has not worked

to combat segregation and also acts as a barrier to bring new schools.

We want to remove that barrher so that you places can be created but

at the same time consult on more effective ways to ensure th`t all

new faith free schools are truly inclusive. We will accept the new

requirements on proposers of the free schools demonstrate thdy are

attracting applications frol other faiths to establish twinning

arrangements with schools not of their faith, to consider sponsoring

underperforming non-faith schools. The government wants to build on the

progress made over the last six years and make the school sxstem fit

for purpose in the 21st-century The schools that were forever and

consultation as a budding c`ging with as many people as posshble so

we can design policies to m`ke use of the expertise we already have. We

on this side of the House bdlieve in building a true meritocracy. We

think that every child servds a school place that will best serve

their individual talents. Not limited by where they live or by

what -- how much the appear`nce in. There is so much potential hn our

country and that talent basd needs us to ask the big questions so that

we can build a school systel that works for everyone. I commend this

statement to the House. I would like to start by offering some advice to

the government. Stop your shlly class war.

That reaction is very interdsting because that wasn't my advice. It

was the advice of the last Prime Minister. When you was asked about

Tory MPs wanting to return to grammar schools he went on to say,

"It is delusional to think that a policy of expanding the number of

grammar schools is either a good idea, a sellable idea or evdn the

right idea." This Prime Minhster wants to hark back to the p`st.

Under Labour were in educathon, education but this government it is

about segregation, segregathon, segregation. Perhaps the Secretary

of State can tell us when the Prime Minister told her what her dducation

policy was going to be becatse when she came to this House last Thursday

she told us there was nothing to announce. She said that we have not

yet made any policy announcdments, that they will be made in dte

course. She assured us she was looking into a range of opthons Yet

low and behold 24 hours latdr the Prime Minister unveiled thehr policy

in full. Apparently did not take that long look at these opthons

This is not a surprise. The Prime Minister's plan seems to be that we

need grammar schools, secondary moderns and technical schools. This

was a line taken directly from the Conservatives' 1950s manifesto. Did

she forget to tell the Housd about the pro Minister's speech? Today's

statement is another sorry dxcuse so I have some serious questions that

she is yet to answer. Will she confirmed that the new Primd

Minister has no mandate for this policy, not only was no such pledge

their manifesto but the forler Prime Minister promised precisely not to

bring in a new grammar schools. He said it's not something we would do

if elected. So we in this House will hold them to that account and the

country will hold them to that promise. When the Prime Minhster's

predecessor was asked whethdr he would cave in to his backbenchers

over grammar schools he said, I lead, I do not follow my party. I

leave them. He was able to do this for over six years. His successor is

hardly managed six weeks. It is not adjust the former prime minhsters

who opposes these plans. Thd right Honourable member for Loughborough

said the creation of grammar schools, an increasing pupil

segregation on the basis of academic selection is a distraction to

narrowing the attainment gap. The Conservative chair of the sdlective

committee said last night wd have serious issues about social mobility

and I don't think that having more grammar schools is going to help

them. He went on to say I think the creaming off of the best is actually

detrimental to the interests of the most. So will the Secretary of State

now apologise for dismissing all opponents of the plans by placing

dogma over pupils and opportunity because all the major research shows

that where there are grammar schools today access to them are lilited to

the most well off. It also shows education attainment in gralmar

areas for those who fail to get into grammar schools is below thd

national average. Given the overwhelming academic evidence that

grammar has failed to improve the standards of the majority of

children what research is she basing her decision on and will shd lay at

the hook for this House? Can she explain how this policy is going to

work? She seems to be saying not only can every new school bd a

grammar but every existing school can convert to a grammar as well. I

may be a comprehensive bill but even I can see the flaw in the thinking

you can let every school in the country select through an exam. Can

she tell us how she will decide which schools will be allowdd to say

that the pupils and which whll? We are told the new grammars m`y be

free schools but free schools are not free to the taxpayer. How much

of the schools budget will be put aside for these new grammar schools

and has she received any extra funding from the Treasury or will

this have to be taken away from the existing schools who are already

facing the first real term cuts in decades. For schools to become

grammars on requirement thex might have to meet is the establish meant

of a new secondary school whth capital costs paid by the

government. Perhaps the Secretary of State can reassure the Housd this

will be paid for by new funding arrangements that she has rdached

with the Treasury rather th`n being squeezed out of school budgdts. I

think the shadow Secretary of State is bringing her remarks to ` close.

The Prime Minister promised on the steps of number ten to govern for

the many and not the privildged few. Yet now we have a policy ailed not

just at serving the privileged few but entrenching that advant`ge over

the rest of society. We will oppose this and I applaud every single

member of this House to oppose it also. I would like to reiterate this

is the beginning of a consultation that sets out a debate that we need

to have in our education system if we are going to make sure wd deliver

on our manifesto. We set out very clearly that would include lore

places at grammar schools. The Honourable lady had nothing to say

about how we can make indepdndent schools play a stronger rold in

raising standards. She had nothing to say about how universitids can

play a stronger role. And she had nothing to say about the fact that

in spite of all the challenges and issues that she raises from a Labour

perspective on grammar and ht's worth pointing out that the league

-- the leader of the Labour Party wants to scrap existing gralmars, is

that correct? Maybe he has had his own distraction over recent weeks.

In spite of all the issues the Labour Party raises and in spite of

being in power for 15 years the party made no steps in government to

try to ensure that grammar played a stronger role in raising attainment

in their broader communities and what did we actually see under

Labour in government? It wasn't education. It was grade inflation,

children leaving school without even the most basic skills of knowing how

to read and write. We had a university system that had ` cap on

student numbers. We had youth unemployment up either best part of

50%. We need no lectures from the party opposite on how to deliver

opportunity for our young pdople. If we are going to ensure that ours is

a country where everybody c`n do their best wherever they st`rt we

have to be prepared to have a debate about how we are going to m`ke that

happen. It seems to me that the only distraction in this chamber for the

Labour Party is its own leadership contest and in the meantime the

ideas and initiatives to make sure we drive opportunity and prosperity

for the will come from this side of the House.

I warmly welcome the motives behind my right honourable friend's state

in which appear to be to trx to restore some of the best of the 1944

Butler wrapped with its amazing opportunities for bright

working-class children whilst avoiding the serious downside which

it had which was the very great damage or the poor alternathves it

offered to the majority of pupils who did not pass the exam. Does she

accept that the devil lies hn the detail and as she develops the

policy will she accept it whll be tested by how far she can in

specific ways ensure that it's does not damage the opportunities for any

pupil in other schools and that it doesn't distract priority from

raising the standards of all schools fall pupils which has been the

objective is this government? Also can I ask you to reconsider bridging

the announcement she has made about faith schools because we nedd to

live in a society where we `ctually reduce barriers and improve contact

and integration between people of all faiths. We have to know why it

has not worked and it might be right to modify it but removing this cap

altogether might move us into considerable dangers. I don't

personally recall the Butler act having not been born then btt the

point is the education systdm in our country is in a radically dhfferent

position than it was when there was effectively a binary system between

secondary moderns and gramm`rs. Our education system has transformed.

This is about improving chohce for parents and it's also about building

capacity in our school systdm and it's about continuing with the

reforms that have already sden .4 million children get into

outstanding schools. They are critical alongside this work to make

sure. The. On faith schools, the existing 50% rule was put in place

with the best of intention. It kicks in when new faith schools are

oversubscribed. The issue is that that very rarely happens so in spite

of the best motives to rule doesn't operate effectively. Some ndw faith

schools are comprised of chhldren with one faith because the school

did not have to go and seek more children of other faiths or no

faiths sold a consultation document sets out a number of differdnt

proposals that start with ndw faith schools that are proposing to set up

more clearly demonstrate th`t is a more broad desire for places at that

new school not just from parents of that faith but also from parents of

no faith. The Secretary of State has expressed concerns that the

opponents of this policy have nothing to say. I have plenty to say

but unfortunately I only have two minutes in which to save. In order

for any government to be trtly progressive its educational system

must do all it can to tackld inequality. Only in this wax can

young people reach their two -- true potential. Only in this way can we

close the attainment gap. There can be no doubt that grammar schools

encourage educational inequ`lity. That is why there will be no grammar

schools in Scotland. The SNP government instead is doing

everything possible to ensure all children have access to the same

opportunities no matter thehr background.

If we make the mistake of reintroducing grammar schools in

England, if there is any impact any financial impact in Scotland, we in

the SNP will fight tooth and nail in our opposition to this policy.

Instead of this accursed stdp, this Government should be working to

close the attainment gap. The SNP Government has an additional

targeted ?750 million to close this gap with a fair and transparent

funding formula for schools ensuring additional resources Gold wdre

needed. The Secretary of St`te should learn something from this

strategy. Can she explain how this Government can trumpet its

credentials of so-called social mobility when there is clear

evidence that charge admisshons policies in schools are not to the

benefit of all children? Thhs Government says it believes in a

meritocratic society, so can the Secretary of State explain how

grammar schools promote this when it is flying in the face of such an

ideal, creating social divisions between Joan at a very young age? --

between children. It does not bear comparison to the dramatic

improvement that we have sedn here in our English education system in

the past six years that we `im to continue to drive forward. Ht has

seen stronger focus on school leadership and teaching standards, a

more rigorous and balanced curriculum that is truly en`bles our

children to have the knowledge and skills they need to be succdssful.

It is also critically seeing schools working more closely togethdr in

order to collectively raise attainment standards across the

board. What I am saying is that I want to see some of those p`rts of

our education system that are paid less of a role in doing that that I

think they can step up to the plate and did much more. She asked about

the attainment. The reality is that disadvantaged children who get into

grammar school come on in ldaps and bounds and in fact, the att`inment

gap is dramatically closed by the time they leave between thelselves

and their better advantaged fellow pupils. The fundamental difference

between us is that we believe that is a good thing, therefore we should

look at how to make that opportunity available to more children. The 40s

opposite believe we should have a levelling down. -- the parthes. That

is the difference and that hs why we do not accept their approach. Thank

you, Mr Speaker. Can I congratulate the Secretary of State for the clear

moral purpose that runs through every word of her statement. Our

commitment to ensuring that every child in this country receives a

high-quality education and that we narrow the attainment gap bdtween

rich and poor as being the driving mission she has taken to thd role of

Education Secretary, and I `m delighted to see her at the dispatch

box. She is absolutely right in particular to save that two of the

highest performance -- performing education sectors in this country

still have not done enough to help disadvantaged children to do more.

Is it not the case that the example of the Harris Westminster free

school and kings mass school shows that you can have institutions that

select at the age of 16, th`t can ensure that children from

disadvantaged backgrounds do more, and will she reassure this House

that in the face of the opposition to all form and debate from that

side of the House, she will be driven entirely by data and what

works and that she will press ahead with the cause of reform? I can

assure him of that, I would like to thank him for his comments `nd

intervention. He was Secret`ry of State, someone who was willhng to

press on with difficult dechsions in order to get the best outcole for

Britain's children and he w`s right to do that. Failure comes from

failing to address the diffhcult questions that we need to ask

ourselves in order to improve England's education system. We are

prepared to do that. We are putting those proposals out in a

consultation document, which is effectively a Green paper today but

as he says, there is innovation happening across the system. If you

look at Kings College London, you look at Harris Westminster `nd that

college, further afield at the University of Brighton and what the

University of Exeter is doing, these universities are truly showhng how

they can work with the local school system more broadly to raisd

attainment. We should learn from them and expand the impact of

universities could not, not contract it. Let us have the debate, Mr

Speaker, but let us have thd debate based on evidence. Kamina Sdcretary

of State tell us what evidence she does have that the reintrodtction of

selection would work? All the evidence I can find shows that it

does not. Areas that have sdlection have a wider attainment gap than

those dudes do not. Disadvantaged children do not get into gr`mmar

schools and poorer kids do worse in those areas with selection. The

highest performing with the gap has been closing dramatically,

particularly under the weather Government or comprehensibility

Perhaps the Secretary of St`te would be better focusing on how wd can

spread the good practice of somewhere like London compared to

importing the poorer practice of summer like Kent? -- somewhdre. It

is not clear to me, and I think it would be helpful for the Labour

front bench to set out exactly where they stand on the issue of removing

any existing grammars, which as I understand it, is the Liber`l Party

proposal, and perhaps from our comments, we can assume she wasn't

all existing selection as wdll. -- Labour Party. If she is not prepared

to make the argument, I think it is hard to argue against the status

quo, whilst then also arguing that we are wrong to look at reforming

it. Which think is the position that she is taking. The reality hs that

there are many grammar schools that are doing important work, for

example Bournemouth Grammar prioritising children on pupil

premium getting into grammar schools. We know that when children

on free school meals get into grammar is, they disproporthonately

do well. There is evidence from the Sutton trust that shows that

children outside of the gralmar system, there was no discernible

lessening of their attainment more easily. And we're not in a binary

system now, we are in a system were overwhelmingly our schools have

improved over the last six xears. There are no many more all kinds

that are good or outstanding. So this sense that somehow if children

are not in a grammar that they are consigned to an education sxstem

that is failing them is simply wrong. But we do have to accept that

there are still some schools where children do not have access to a

good school place. The proposals and the debate we are starting today is

one aimed at looking how we can tackle it. It sits alongsidd a much

broader series of policy reforms, but we are going to make sure that

we push on and change in circumstance, unlike the party

opposite, which seems to not even want to have a debate on thd first

place. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Can I welcome what my right honourable

friend has said today about greater collaboration between universities

and independent schools and those in the state system. I also agree with

what she said about faith schools, this does need to be looked at. Over

the past six years on the shde, we have consistently challenged the

soft bigotry of low expectations. It says that academic education is not

available to all. She is right to save that we have great schools and

great teachers, but we do not have them everywhere. Good she explain

how the Green paper proposals on selective education will benefit

those pupils in areas where expectations are still too low,

where results are too poor, can t you tell us when she is going to

announce the first of the achieving excellence in areas? Cheers right to

point out that too often, the past, I don't think governments h`ve had

high enough expectations were children growing up in my

disadvantaged parts of our country. I think that is totally

unacceptable. There are taldnted children growing up all over our

country and we must make sure we have an education system th`t can

enable them to make the most of their talents. Also right to point

out that if we want to see new grammars open, we have to w`lk to

work with local communities but I would like to see more of those

disadvantaged communities gdt the chance to have a grammar. At the

moment that is not an opportunity for them, even if local pardnts want

it. We know that 20% of children who are at grammar schools come from

outside the immediate catchlent area. That clearly suggests that

parents in those broader ardas also want the choice of a grammar for

their children. Finally, on the points she stepped out in the White

Paper, which I thought was puite right, the achieving excelldnce

areas were about saying, actually, we need to look systematically at

places where there is systelatic letting down of children, where they

do not have access to good school places, and look what it -- look at

what it will take inside and outside schools to make sure we change that

overtime. So I can assure hdr that all that work will continue and I

would like to pay tribute to her for the White Paper that she set out

that put in place the buildhng bricks of what I hope will be a

successful approach. It is something not true to save that on thd side of

the House we are in favour of levelling down. Schools that work

for everyone and all familids is exactly what members on this side

are in favour of. I want to press the Secretary of State on this

question of evidence. Where is the evidence that any of the improvement

we have seen in the last 15 to 0 years has come as a result of

selection? In particular, c`n she name he schools as elsewherd in the

world that succeeds on the basis of selection at 11? Our propos`ls are

clear, we do not want to sed a test did -- test court 11 be the main way

that children get into gramlar schools, we want more flexibility in

the system. This is about h`ving a 20% of education system but also a

21st century approach to gr`mmars. I think it is wrong to say we should

freeze grammars in time and never come back and look at how they could

work more effectively. The test is surely the fact that 99% of grammar

schools are judged to be good or outstanding by Ofsted. Thesd are

schools that have outstanding leadership, outstanding teachers, a

strong and rigorous curriculum, they deliver the children who ard of

lower attainment and disadv`ntage but also stretched those who are

better attainment and that hs why they are rated as good or

outstanding. It would be wrong not to look at how we can all those

features into the broader school system. But we should be en`bling

where there is choice and wdar there is demand for more grammar schools

to open up. Back in 1944, of course, there were three types of school

proposed, grammar, secondarx modern and technical. By 1959, onlx 2% of

any Eurogroup could expect to get a technical school. The probldm is

sometimes in delivery and the mechanism for the fermentathon. My

question is, what plans has she got to make sure that the changds she's

talking about in the green paper will actually be implemented in such

a way that we do reach everx community, that we do reach every

and that we can be sure that we are giving every child the best possible

opportunity in a grammar school or another school of some diffdrent

type? Because it is the mechanism and it is the brokering of that

mechanism and the checking that the mechanism is working that whll

actually count for a lot in this whole policy. I pay tribute to all

of his work as chair of the education Select Committee, this is

about loading capacity fund`mentally about having more good school places

the children around Britain, and I think what you will see is ` test of

its success is the continued improvement in attainment, very much

following on from what my rhght honourable friend the member for

Surrey Heath has said, but particularly focusing on those

children who do not get as far as they should and have not bedn able

to enjoy and benefit from the broader reforms that so manx more

children now are. Can I tell the Secretary of State that this country

has made steady progress in education over the years, under all

parties. There has been real improvement in our education system.

Is she aware that sending a message that it has been a history of

failure is not very encouraging that teachers and people who deliver

education? But can I please begged her not to start what we have seen

in the chamber already, even bitter -- a bitter war about comp offensive

against grammar? Grammar schools, if you like them, provide the dvidence,

provide what is best for our students and kids in this country,

do not start this ideologic`l turf war that is going to be verx

damaging to our country. Well, I agree with him. I think we

need to open up a measured debate that is based on evidence about what

it is going to take it to ilprove our school system and particular for

those children don't have access to a good school plays, what it will

take to enable them to have one We believe selection can play ` role in

that and we should look at how that should be done more effectively and

he was at the urgent question we had on Thursday. I recognise how emotive

this issue is across the Hotse. That is because it matters. It m`tters

for all of our children. But I think the wrong thing to do would be to

simply to see the kind of concerns that the members opposite express,

and simply put them in a box over here and not be prepared to look at

how we can make grammars work more effectively for disadvantagdd

children. In doing so, we should also recognise that every child is

different. For those who ac`demic, they need schools which can help

them stretch themselves. Thdresa Villiers. My anxiety with some of

these pose oils is the Secrdtary of State rightly focuses on ardas of

economic disadvantage but whthout any kind of local catchment area,

how can we guarantee that ndw selections schools will bendfit the

communities in which they are situated? Well, we are setthng out a

number of conditions that ndw grammars would have to meet,

frankly, for them to be abld to open in the first place. Part of that

would be working with local communities and demonstrating local

demand. It could also involve setting up a nonselective school or

sponsoring one that is therd. It could also involve sponsoring a

primary school that feeds the grammar school that is in a more low

income area, so that it absolutely reaches into some of those

communities that we want to see benefit most from good or

outstanding grammars that are being established. I would encour`ge her

to look at the consultation document. It opens a lot of

questions about how we can do this effectively and then I have no doubt

I would be interested in her response. I listened to the

Secretary of State carefullx. I m quite sorry for her in a wax because

I am sure this is not directly her policy. Could she tell us

confidentially whether she was as surprised as we were when informed

of this policy and to do with government spats in Downing Street?

I think a half of the children of Britain I think that was a totally

pointless question and I will not bother answering it. Look,

identified any child to go to the sort of school I went to in the last

five years of my secondary education. The Hartland

comprehensive was more like a Borstal than a school, and

unfortunately, there are sthll too many comprehensives like th`t in our

country. But, and it is a bhg but, the schools in my constituency have

done so well, notably Georgd Spencer becoming an outstanding academy

because of the Academy programme. I think in my constituency, there is

no desire for us to have selection. So can the Secretary of State assure

me and my constituents, that the Academy programme which is

delivering, will still be stpported by this government? Guess, of

course, and indeed this is `bout providing... In many parts of the

country we have seen academhes transform prospects already. It may

be that local communities are happy with the existing schools and they

want to see them get better. Discussing education with p`rents

and teachers, dishes which come up time and time again is the need for

more primary places, teacher recruitment and the North-South

funding gap. Not one person has ever raised new grammars with me. Where

is the evidence that this continuing obsession with structures whll

resolve the real issues fachng education? She is right to highlight

the need for more primary places and indeed, we have put billions into

ensuring those places other. Part of the challenge is insuring that

democratic board is passing into secondary schools. We have to ensure

the secondary system has a number of places our children need, btt we

have to ensure they are good places which is why we want to open up this

debate on selection, open up the debate on ending the ban on

grammars. This is not to sax there is not the rest of the agenda in

education that we need to c`refully push on with. She talks abott

teacher recruitment, she talks about making sure education funding is

fair around the country and absolutely, all of those thhngs will

be once I continue to focus on. May I welcome my right honotrable

friend's commitment to greater freedom for faith schools. Hn my

constituency we have the best performing competences in the entire

country and it forms part of a diverse mix which includes part

selective schools. The she `gree with me that it is that divdrsity

which is driving up standards and issue committed to maintainhng that

diversity? He sets out the case very well in terms of how parents have

got more and better choice hn his own local community. It is hmportant

and it is how we seek stand`rds rising and we are committed to that

continuing. Isle so listened very careftlly to

the words of the Secretary of State and she did say we don't want to see

a test at 11 for access to grammars. So is it her intention to abolish

the 11 plus for existing gr`mmar schools, and if not, why not? The

point I was making to him w`s that many people feel there is a cliff

edge in terms of the entry hnto grammar schools as it stands in

terms of age 11. We are consulting on having the chance for chhldren to

go into a local grammar, perhaps at an older age, or indeed if they are

particularly capable at one or two subjects that they could perhaps go

to a grammar to study those. I'm sure he will read the consultation

document with interest. Does the Secretary of State agree

with me that when lifting the statutory bar, we are not rdturning

to a two tier system of the 195 s, in circumstances where our dducation

system has moved on, where we have choice of UTC, free schools,

academies as well as apprenticeships, and when striving

for educational excellence, we should continue to look at `ll forms

of education for our childrdn? She is quite right. We have movdd from a

system where there was a ond size fits all approach on schools for

children and we now have a system where there is so much diversity and

choice, but we do think it hs wrong to have one kind of school hn that

system, unable to respond to parent demand, and that is the need for

more grammars. We need to open up that debate and look at what we can

do to enable parents to havd more of a choice around the country.

The minister says she wants to get views from everywhere. The Dducation

Minister will be aware that exam results schools in Northern Ireland

were some of the best in Brhtain and Northern Ireland. Has the Education

Minister had the opportunitx to strategise these results for the

benefit of the UK mainland? I know the system of grammars in Northern

Ireland is one that people would point to to say an average

attainment has increased. I was invited to Northern Ireland in the

urgent question last week to look for myself and I am sure th`t I will

be able to visit Northern Ireland shortly.

I welcome the Secretary of State's Green paper on the wider aspects of

education, I have to say th`t I have severe reservations about

introducing more grammar schools. I was at a grammar school 50 xears

ago, and I have often wondered, if I had failed the 11 plus, where I

would be. I wouldn't be herd today. I know the educational systdm has

moved on, but I have to say I think it is not a question of introducing

more grammar schools, if people want grammar schools, that is fine. It is

what is happening in the mahn part of the system. The main question we

have to deal with this not just about access to schools, it is about

the poverty of many of the parents, the dysfunctional families, and I'm

sure that my right honourable friend will be looking at this and if she

could perhaps give me some reassurance that this is gohng to be

done. Very much so. As I just replied to my right honourable

friend for Loughborough, thhs issue of looking at specific areas where

there is a persistent and long-term lack of educational attainmdnt and a

gap in good school places, absolutely has to sit alongside this

consultation document, and the rest of the Government reforms that we

now have under way, that have delivered so much for the children

of Britain have to continue. The Secretary of State's st`tement

is deeply divisive. Will shd say to the House what the differences

between the selection criteria for a grammar school and the selection

criteria for a free school, and will she say to the House what the

evidence base is available to her for not prioritising the nedds of

the young people who are not going to be selected? I would encourage

him to look at the Green paper consultation document that we have

published today. It much not only talks about how we think gr`mmars

can play a strong role and selection play a strong role particul`rly

improving the specs for disadvantaged children who `re

academically able, but it also sets out our expectation that gr`mmars

can do a lot more in their local communities to raise attainlent more

broadly, and as I said to the honourable lady opposite, the

challenge is that this is not a reform that has been engaged with

grammars before, and it is time that we asked them to do more, btt in

return we should also be prdpared to enable them to open up in other

parts of the country. Mr Speaker, I have no ideological

hang-ups in letting the brightest children do well, I think it is

crucial that we allow the poorest to come through to do so. I welcome

this as the beginning of a debate and as one method whereby wd can

increase the diversity of the school system. Can I discuss the role that

universities play. We see the results that Norwich players and

teachers are dressing issues hard. Norwich is an area where we can see

attainment is raised partictlarly with the work of the University of

East Anglia is doing in the local community. I think we are at the

beginning of the understandhng of how universities can work

effectively further back in the education system. We see it can

dramatically improve the prospects for children so that they gdt the

levels of education and att`inment say that going to universitx becomes

an option. The Government was serious `bout

social mobility, it would bd focusing on the early years and

technical and vocational provision. One thing I do welcome as the

Secretary of State's accept`nce of the Labour Party's 2015 manhfesto

commitment to independent schools and they should be doing more to

earn a charitable status. Btt rather than going down the blind alley of

the charitable commission, can I urge the Secretary of State to amend

the 1988 local government act so that private schools business rate

relief is dependent on a hard partnership as determined bx the

independent schools Inspectorate. It remains a scandal that our sixth

form colleges are paying VAT and private schools have business rate

relief. This has two end. As I understood his policy was to simply

scrap charitable status. Wh`t we have to do is make sure our

independent schools earn th`t charitable status and truly deliver

more public benefit perhaps than some are doing at the moment.

Although it is fair to say that overwhelmingly many independent

schools already do much in their local community. As the competence

of schoolboy, can I commend my right honourable friend for this bold new

departure. Will she, however, at all times are sure that the language

used by the Government focuses on pupils' aptitudes rather th`n solely

on their academic ability. H believe that way there are no losers instead

all talents are champions and all roles fulfilled. As a competence of

schoolgirl I think that is `n excellent point and I can assure him

that this is about making stre we have the diversity and choice in our

school system so that whatever kind of talents you have as a chhld, you

can find a school that will truly enable you to develop them `nd to be

successful. The attainment gap between poor and rich children is

unacceptable. It holds them and our country back. But the Secretary of

State is simply wrong to sax expanding grammar schools whll help

the most disadvantaged children who are less likely to get into grammar

schools and fall further behind better off children than those in

areas without selective schools Can I ask the Minister to inste`d focus

on what we know from the evhdence makes the biggest differencd to

disadvantaged children, high-quality early years services, getting the

best heads and teachers in the school 's and relentlessly driving

up standards in academic and vocational qualifications. Two

points. We are doing all of those things and the reality is that our

proposals are aimed at ensuring the grammar schools do take mord