05/11/2015 Business Questions

Peninsula, and has pledged its allegiance to eyes -- Isil, and they

are... Is this question, Mr Chris Bryant. Will bid Leader of the House

give us business for next week? On Monday the ninth, we will do the

remaining stages of the Scotland Bill. On Tuesday it will be the

remaining stages of the trade union Bill. The House will then rise for

the short November recess at the end of business on Tuesday, returning

Monday the 16th of November. The Monday the 16th of November. The

business for the week Mensing 16th November, -- commencing. Monday,

business for the backbench committee, following by private

business for consideration. Tuesday, David two for the government

devolution Bill. Wednesday, an opposition day on a subject to be

announced. Thursday, business nominated by the backbench business

committee. On Friday the 20th of November we will consider the

private members bills. I remind honourable members that Parliament

week, the 16th to the 22nd of November, is a programme of events

seeking to connect to people across the UK with parliamentary democracy.

Organisations across the UK are taking part, and arranging

exhibitions in support of this. I know that members on all sides will

as support the institution. On as support the institution. On

Sunday, we will stand with our heads bowed in memory of the fallen. I

will be at the Cenotaph, which has had one name added, John Murray, who

enlisted aged 17 and was killed in enlisted aged 17 and was killed in

action along with other Welsh people two years later. Wheel them all an

enormous debt of gratitude. Can the leader confirmed that the

government's plans to cut working tax credits will leave a level one

Private in the British Army with two children earning 18,000 a year, even

including the increase in personal allowance and free childcare, ?2000

worse off per year? Is it not a disgrace that the government is

letting down 28,000 soldiers? Yesterday the Prime Minister and

last week pointedly refused to guarantee no one will lose out when

the Chancellor revises his plans on working tax credits on the 25th of

November. And I repeat my request for a three-day debate on the Autumn

Statement so that we can all Statement so that we can all

properly scrutinise his plans? This is National trustees week so

can we also have a debate to celebrate the contribution people up

and the country make to the 10,000 are so national charitable trusts

and no many honourable members do their bit for charity as well and

the leader of the house is an ex-trustee of the National portrait

Gallery and we'll look forward to his portrait appealing there soon.

There was a massive public demand. Five members ran the London Marathon

this year and I gather the shadow secretary is running next year. I

have run three times and I was rather depressed the last time I ran

as we were just getting to the final moments outside Buckingham Palace

and I was then overtaken by two men dressed as custard tarts. It is

probably not the first time that an MP has chased a tart down The Mall.

Which brings me to Movember when we raise awareness of prostate and

testicular cancer. Has he noticed that the Honourable member of

Huntington has sprouted a nasty moustache and is beginning to look

like an extra in 1970s pawn movie. That is according to the Honourable

member of Braintree. Earlier this week driving instructors in

Pontypridd were informed that local driving test centre was being closed

by the government will so far not a single member -- because many do not

see a difference between a hasty U-turn and legal break time and on

the issue on Channel 4 the culture secretary said quite categorically

at the 26th of August that the ownership of Channel 4 is not

currently under debate yesterday the Prime Minister make clear that he is

going to sell it off. This did not realise the only way that Channel 4

would be worth selling as if you strip it of all is public service

remit and that would be a profound mistake. That brings the question of

fracking in a national parks. Last week regulations were considered in

committee and eagle like to be trained on the order paper to see

when it might appear in a vote for the whole House. These measures that

we will harm our world Heritage sites such as the North moves in the

South Downs and endanger wildlife drinking zones. Will he tell us with

a measure too and will they explain why the department yesterday

announced publicly a consultation on the very subject that is

theoretically in mid-passage through the size without even bothering to

tell the House? Has the government learnt nothing? It is pushing

through enormous wealth for changes which will slash the work allowance

from ?9,000 to ?5,000 and will provide a real disincentive to work

for more than 12 hours a week. These regulations will not even get a 90

minute debate unless the leader allows it. So will he do so now

following on from the motion tabled in the name of the Leader of the

Opposition and of others. I know he is tempted to emulate Guy Fawkes by

blowing up the House of Lords but will he confirm that their Lordships

are preferably in total to bow to them even if we're not about you?

Several Honourable members have been striving to end gay conversion

therapies. Being gay is not a disease and it is not an illness.

Not a single medical body supports the concept of a gay cure so will

the government please now move to end conversion and aversion

therapies? Can I urge is the leader, himself personally, to backtrack on

something that he said last week? Speaking of the Freedom of

Information Act, he said that it is on occasion issues by those who use

it as you search tool -- a research tool to generate stories to the

media and that is not acceptable. I gather from from one conservative

friend that when they were in opposition they practically drowned

the office with freedom of information requests. The truth is

that countless public interest stories have only come to light

because of Freedom of information. It is an essential part of a free

press today and if there is one of the recovered does not like it is

legitimate opposition. Can I start by echoing the words of the owner

gentleman about the events on Sunday and he is utterly right to pay

tribute to the veterans of past wars and indeed are current Armed Forces.

I might be unusual in my constituency of having a cemetery

marking the lives number of Commonwealth soldiers who came to

Europe to fight the war and to Gloucester lies. They are often

forgotten as we celebrate those who gave their lives from this country.

I would like to data pay tribute to those around the world who came to

Europe to fight a war in the defence of freedom and lost the lies. It is

also ported to remember the Indian soldiers who lost lives here. We are

looking to receive this building next week by Minister of India, the

largest democracy in the world and our friend of the United Kingdom and

look very much forward to the speech he will give to the size of this

House is in recess it is very much my hope is that Honourable size and

peers from the other place will be able to come here and listen to the

words that he addresses to us. -- Honourable members. It was mentioned

that this House should always be good celebrate anniversaries that

surely will join me today in celebrating the 20th anniversary of

passing the disability discrimination act. I'm proud to be

part of a party that is the true -- that has steered through some of the

great reforms in this country. We were the first party to deliver a

disco - -- disability discrimination form. I'm sad that he does not feel

able to join me in celebrating when this House the right thing. But we

were the party who elected the first woman Prime Minister as well. He

asked the question about working tax credits and I reiterate what the

premises said yesterday which is we will have to wait to the Autumn

Statement and we will provide opportunity this hosted question the

Chancellor and the way that has spotted at 313 years in government.

He mentioned issue of our Armed Forces and I would remind them that

we're the party in government that has strengthened military

government. -- the military. He asked about driving test centres. It

is still very clear to me that he has not got over his last brief that

if I were talking about driving test centres, having seen the complete

inability of the Labour Party the summer to do emergency stop in its

leadership contest before drove into a war I would not be arguing that

side of the House they know all about driving test procedures. He

the question of fracking and we have statutory instruments passing

through this House in the normal way and it will be voted on the normal

way and the department yesterday lost a technical consultation. We

are government did not simply stop talking to people when the matter

has been considered by the people. This House boats and every measure

that comes through House. And that will be no different. It will come

through this House in due course. -- this House boats. --Votes. This will

be no exception. He mentioned National trustees week and I will

this afternoon be attending a meeting of the trustees of the

National portrait Gallery and I pay tribute to those who serve our

greatest addition and other institutions and local trustees of

other charities and they do a great job of work for this. Finally I wish

everybody who is going out tonight to enjoy a great night on bonfire

night. This place can be slightly cruel sometimes about it was very

unfavourable of our colleagues a few days ago suggest the honourable

gentleman will be spending the 5th of November at a bonfire of the

vanities. Can we have a debate on helping people to save on the use of

energy, on boosting triggers and on cutting the number of accidents on

our roads? Is he aware that all of these could be achieved if and on

cutting the number of accidents on our roads? Is he aware that all of

these could be achieved if it went? Is it not about time in winter we

stop closing plunging this country into darkness and misery by

mid-afternoon? This is being brought before the size of a number of

occasions and I assume the my piece a difference of opinion between the

benches. This issue will return to the size on a number of occasions

and will be subject to continual debate to make sure we get this

right. I also thank the leader of the house and associate this party

with the remarks about Remembrance Day on Sunday and all of my

colleagues will be services around their constituencies in Scotland. I

have laid a wreath at the post-war graves in Perth and this

demonstrates the people fleeing Nazi persecution came to this country and

went back to ensure that Europe was made free. Can I hope there will be

our bonfire reserved for the callous Tory welfare referrer reforms stoked

by their plans for the trade unions. Last week I suggested to the leader

of the house without any great expectation if you could reserve

more time for the Scotland Bill which will be in front of the House

on Monday. It looks like we will something like five hours to discuss

the debate on over 100 amendments to the Scotland Bill which are critical

to the resolution of the Scottish revolution settlement. --Devolution.

We had four days on that bill were no amendments were accepted by the

government and they made no amendments of their own. Is this

just stage? -- a listening stage? Surely we must have real-time to

have real debates about real legislation and this is just a

listening stage we will have to rethink how we do business through

this House. There was a historic vote of the Scottish Parliament this

week when in a boat from 96 to 17 voted against renewal of Trident. We

saw the SNP combining with most of Scottish Labour to vote down Trident

which will defile our beautiful country and how it will be placed

there. They join 57 out of 59 members of the Scottish Parliament

who are resolutely opposed to spending billions of pounds on these

obscene weapons of mass destruction. How will the hosts respond to this

very clear call from Scottish parliamentarians? Will we see

supporting the Labour Party West mark we know that the playwrights

have difficulty with Trident renewal. -- Blairites. We have heard

all sorts of panic in the office of the clerk and nobody has a clue

about how this weird legislative rookie cookie will be played out.

--Hokey-cokey. You said that this experiment has

become a dogs breakfast. Will he would drop his Evel from the House?

The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not conclude

until 12:16pm, leaving less than half of the available time for the

rest of us to ask questions. If prime ministers questions will be so

slow, will Leader of the House look at how we discuss them, or perhaps

limit the time available to the opposition to ten minutes. You can

ask as many questions as you want from whoever he wants to ask them on

behalf of, but they're not that point, they will have the

opportunity to questions to the Prime Minister. This would light up

the prospects of backbenchers. I did forget to respond to the shadow

leader on the subject of gay conversion therapy. It might be

unusual to pay tribute to your PPS, but the honourable member has done a

good job in raising this issue. He has now established himself as one

of the foremost champions of LGBT writes. I think gay conversion

therapy is an insult to that community and it has no place in

society. Ahead of the National Health service, -- the head of the

National health service said it has no place in the NHS. You spoke about

the time given to the Scotland Bill. It has been debated extensively and

will be debated next week. But does he not think that this bill will

give his colleagues are substantial additional range of devolved powers,

and what I cannot understand is why are they so keen in carrying on the

debate rather than getting it through and using them? Surely this

is about the extra power of responsibility, and I would want to

get my teeth into that and get on with the job. Why they want to delay

it further I cannot understand. I have great sympathy with him because

he is right to identify that the Labour Party is all over the place.

I am at a loss to understand them saying nuclear deterrent is

necessary, but his party leader does not support this. It is the view of

the government and the settled view of the United Kingdom Parliament in

the majority that at a time when the world is potentially dangerous and

unstable, the worst and we could do is get rid of independent nuclear

deterrent. We have seen a bit of a return of his faux outrage. He sees

no reason privately by the English should not have a Evel type system.

That is what we have now got. I think he is uncomfortable with the

decisions you have taken over the certification of the Evel measures.

In this House, my view is that your word is final, and whether we like

it or not we do have to take your judgment when it comes to matters

like Evel as the defining word about how they will be handled. He may not

like it, but that is the way it is going to

But the reality is it is for the Speaker to decide whether the

session is running too long, and he does that.

Will he consider holding a debate on what more can be done to help

educate people with diabetes and how to manage the condition? The

question of diabetes has become much more of an issue, there is greater

awareness of it and the implications it has for the health of

individuals, and the work done by organisations like Diabetes UK, and

teams of local volunteers and those who have experienced it, they are

input is valuable. It is something regularly brought up in the

adjournment debates we hold in the chamber and Westminster Hall, and I

would encourage her to think about that and make sure this issue stays

in the forefront of ministers and society. Many people across the

north-east will be disappointed by the report of the quality contract

scheme board into the future of local bus services. This report puts

at risk key devolution commitment given less than a fortnight ago to

give powers again. Will he cleared up this by arranging a statement to

be made and offer reassurance that the devolution deal is worth the

paper it is written on? It is very much worth the paper it is written

on and it is our intention to move power away from Whitehall. Regarding

buses, when we're ready to make further announcements we will do so.

On page 14 of the manifesto agreement, it says we have improved

Parliament, strengthening its ability to hold the government to

account. We have reformed select committees. It goes on to say, we

will reform Parliament. Could the Leader of the House provided at

least a written statement next week with all the reforms he proposes for

Parliament? I will consider the request, but I would say to him that

I tend to want to wait for procedures like -- committees like

the procedure committee to bring forth proposals so that anything we

by Parliament itself. And number of by Parliament itself. And number

committees are looking at committees are looking

recommendations about how Parliament recommendations about how Parliament

works and I am looking forward to see what they suggest. The Leader of

the House can be sure that the backbench business committee has

enough stocks to fill the time allocated to us, but once again I am

afraid to say that the communication lines are not brilliant because I

was first informed we had been allocated Monday the 16th by my own

Chief Whip on Monday night last week, so I really wish we could get

that line of communication working that line of communication working

better so that backbench business committees can become aware first

and foremost of the time allocated to it. Last Saturday I had the

privilege of attending the unveiling privilege of attending the unveiling

of a permanent memorial to Corporal of a permanent memorial to Corporal

Stephen Dunn and Rifleman Mark Turner. Batters in Gateshead, where

we also had the opening of the north-east Field of Remembrance last

Saturday. This marked remembrance week. The Royal British Legion have

end of the First World War, and the end of the First World War, and the

north-east Field of Remembrance will have across every north-east member

of personnel who died. Could the Leader of the House comment on the

support given to the Royal British Legion in its endeavours all over

the country? I would pay tribute not just to those involved in what is

clearly an important symbol of remembrance in the north-east, but

to all of those around the country who will be playing a support role

in the commemorations will we will all be taking part in. This is a

really important moment in the national calendar, and I would pay

great tribute involved in making it happen. I would take note in the

points he makes about communication. Can we have a debate about the right

to wear medals? One of my constituents who is serving with her

majesties forces is the proud recipient of the natal Africa medal,

and he has been told by the Foreign Office that this is a keepsake and

he is not allowed to wear ripped. It seems to me extraordinary that at

this time we can wear poppies with pride, and people such as my

constituent who have won the natal Africa medal against anti-piracy and

not able to do that. I do not see anyone being denied the opportunity

to wear a medal, and I will make sure they are aware of his concerns.

I would like to raise the question of fire safety, which is appropriate

given the history of these buildings. I have written to the

Leader of the House raising the very disappointing number of

parliamentary colleagues and staff parliamentary colleagues and staff

who have completed their online fire safety training available on the

intranet, which takes less than ten minutes, for the safety of ourselves

and visitors and guests. What can the leader do to encourage

colleagues to do more training and encourage their staff to do the

same? Can I commend him for his work. When I took on this role, I

did the tour of the seller. As we will now go Fox and his team did not

hang out there, it has all been rebuilt. -- Guy Fawkes. It is an

enormously complex and fire safety enormously complex and fire safety

should be a priority for all of us. I would in courage people to take

his advice today. Can we discuss Freedom of Information because I

honourable member regarding this. We honourable member regarding this. We

could perhaps highlight the situation where Labour-controlled

West Yorkshire Fire authority have done a deal where they gave up two

existing sites for one new site which most people think... They

so taxpayers can tell whether their so taxpayers can tell whether their

money is being used in an money is being used in an

have a debate on Freedom of have a debate on Freedom of

whether or not local taxpayers are whether or not local taxpayers are

being ripped off by the West being ripped off by the West

Yorkshire Fire authority? There will be no changes to Freedom of

this House, and I'm sure he will this House, and I'm sure he will

constituents are concerned about the constituents are concerned about the

National Grid being able to keep electricity supply over the winter.

Can he bring forward his own plans to assure us that the lights will be

This is an important issue and we This is an important issue and we

are dealing with a lack of investment for the past decade, but

it is something we take seriously and we monitor closely. We are

trying to find the right Alan is between ensuring we have capacity in

this country, and we fulfil our this country, and we fulfil our

obligations and we will provide updates. Last week the delegated

Legislation committee on fracking was voted through, and while

protections have been looked at for UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as

Bath, the water that feeds into the Bath, the water that feeds into the

area goes into these zones. -- UNESCO. I would say to him that

provisions for fracking include tight rules around a level -- the

level at which they can take place. Through the Health and Safety

Executive we have probably the finest regulators of safety in the

energy industry and he should have confidence that they will ensure

that any fracking that takes place is done with the utmost

technological carer. Following business questions last week there

was a point of order raised by my right honourable friend. Many of us

expected a statement on the delays expected a statement on the delays

of the publication of the Chilcott enquiry so members could express the

views of our constituents. Given allegations that there are delays

beat -- can a statement be made so beat -- can a statement be made so

we can debate this further? The much regret that delays have

taken place. We want to see it happen as soon as possible and the

Prime Minister is offered so John additional resource to bring forward

publication date and we will continue to inform the House is we

don't want republish the correspondence between the premise

and St John last week. Can we have a debate on the education funding

formula in England? My local authority, west Sussex, is the

second lowest funded despite there being some considerable pockets of

deprivation? That is a debate on school and education funding in

Westminster Hall this afternoon and I would encourage them to take part

in that. It is an issue around the country is something we endeavour to

get right and ensure the education system responded properly the

schools budget is one of the idiots we have striven to protect. -- one

of the alias we have striven to protect. --Areas. This week it is

emerged that the private provider of Ambulance Services in the Manchester

area has wrongly stated its figures. Will he provide government time on a

debate in the scandal and whether there will be a police

investigation? As she will know I take allegations of corporate fraud

against torment enormously seriously and when I was Secretary of State at

the Ministry of Justice I referred our providers to the Serious Fraud

Office is secured tens of millions of pounds for events and well

recorded at the time. I was eating her to make sure that the Health

Secretary is aware of the contentions raised and he is and

he's on the size to take questions on Tuesday week and I will make sure

that he is available to take the question then. Last week I had the

pleasure of speaking at the new opening of a new studio at a theatre

and would they agree that theatres bring life to Terence and cities? I

would agree under tight bodice local performers but performers from all

around the country then surely will take advantage of the many options

that he has to make sure that they stay in the public eye will stop

this week is living wage work. Will the leader of the house join me in

congratulating Cardiff University which has won the 2015 living ways

Champion award for Wales? It is the only university in the UK to receive

this recognition and Billy advise the counsellor -- will he advise the

Chancellor that his living wage is not wage? -- not a living wage? I

would commend Cardiff University and say to the party of opposite that

they were in power for 13 years and did not seek to introduce a living

wage and we have the first time brought forward proposals that will

lead to dramatic increase in the living wage to more than ?9 per hour

by the time of the next general election. Another great Conservative

social reform. On Sunday I will be attending a very solemn Remembrance

Sunday remembrance service on the Ho end Plymouth. This year we have not

had the chance to pay tribute to those who fought during the course

of both world war. My grandfather served in Jutland. Can we have a

debate so that we make sure that next year we can pay tribute to

those servicemen and gave their lives to defend our freedoms? It was

traditionally the case in the south that we are five day set aside for

debates on various aspects of defence and our Armed Forces and

veterans. That has been allocated to the backbench business committee and

I think it is something that should be part of our calendar. Can you put

that the understatement of local government funding? On arts and

museums? It is tougher for those in public sector to run services than

there has been because we've had to eliminate the largest deficit in

is up and down the country we are is up and down the country we are

seeing local authorities adapt to those changing circumstances and

still deliver high-quality services and I feel quality that in -- I feel

confident that in his constituency that will be true. Could the Leader

of the House of Lords think about having a debate in government time

about how it is being implemented into the UK parliamentary process to

ensure fair and effective public participation in the preparation of

infrastructure projects? We could perhaps have the same time examined

by the government has yet again called for a postponement of the

Army Convention compliance committee Army Convention compliance committee

relating to HS2. Perhaps we could make sure this takes place before

the passage of the HS2 phase one bill has completed its course in

this House. She is as ever powerful advocate for her constituency. I'm

not certain of the current state of play with regard to that complaint

but I will ask the Secretary of State to write with the response to

the issues she has raised today. Last weekend the Metropolitan Police

had to apologise following the disproportionate and heavy policing

of a demonstration during which one of my constituency was beaten to the

ground and had his turban removed and suffered concussion. He was

released without charge like others on a demonstration. Given the recent

questions about the China demonstration today asked the Home

Secretary to cheer our review on the placing of demonstrations and make a

statement to this oh so we can get the balance right between security

and protecting the freedom of our citizens and also including the

liberty and freedom to protest? It is thusly a difficult challenge for

the police to deal with demonstrations and I would always

cancel them to try and be as measured and careful as possible in

dealing with them. I would say of course that the job was made

difficult -- made more difficult when we have people in our society

who encourage race hatred. The UK is facing a critical shortage it would

be unfair to delay the delivery of the question from North West

Leicestershire. We are facing a critical shortage of heavy goods

vehicle drivers and the average age of drivers of each TV is now 53. --

HGV can we have a debate on how we get more people at the logistics

industry possibly through an HGV apprentice scheme? This is a matter

that is a priority for this government and I would encourage

them to either use the German debate are the backbench committee and we

will return to this matter and government. -- or the backbench

committee. -- in government. The honourable member for Westmorland

asked if I minister would support the campaign to bring children to

the UK. No that it has been confirmed that all of those children

did not have identifiable family, has the leader had a request from

the Prime Minister to come to the size to explain that he is no

willing to take those 3000 children as requested by save the children?

The programme is being coordinated by the Home Office and the Home

Secretary will be here Monday week to take questions and we are working

closely with the UNHCR to bring to this country some of the vulnerable

refugees University and she will be able to answer detailed questions

about the state of these ago stations which addresses this House

in ten days' time. As we await a ministerial decision on increasing

runway capacity and the south-east can we have it debate on night

flights? While Boris from Uxbridge sleeps soundly each night, someone

in Edenbridge wakes me up regularly to complain about the flights. We

need to consider the issues for committees who live under night

flight flight path. With the emperors commission report I have no

doubt that the report on the runway capacity in the future for this

country will be debated when the government response to the

conditions of the airports authority and no night flights will be part of

that. The government recently issued a call for evidence on this review

to the secondary ticketing market and it is pressed by the chair of

the ticketing society that I have had conversations with ticketing

agencies who have informally I am the first one to bring this to

attention. May I request that when calls to evidence about for what

they are publicised fully otherwise any recommendations that arise out

of will be put as a consequence? The Minister will be here next week and

I would encourage her to make that point directly to him. On the 31st

of December, the Equitable Life payment scheme will close to new

claimants. We have not yet had a chance to debate this in the course

of this Parliament and the number of us that have gone a cross-party

basis and met with victims of that scandal on Tuesday and the member

for Harrow East is attending the annual general meeting today. Can we

have a debate that scheme soon so that in particular the case can be

made that once the number of claimants has been crystallised in

the 31st of December we can ensure that any surplus funds are eager to

identify claimants rather than returned to the Treasury? The

Treasury has sought to broaden the support it provides to Equitable

members as far as it can do and it is operated in line with the

recommendations of the ombudsman. This remains a matter of concern to

members on different sides of the House and may well be we're

allocating sick of -- significant amounts of time to it. Will the

leader of the house ask is right honourable friend the Secretary of

State for business innovations and skills to update the House on the

progress made by the three groups that were set up after the UK steel

summit at rather? They were set up to find ways to support the UK steel

sector at this time. It is reflected in my Motherwell and Wishaw after

they recent announcer of closure of works and Clyde bridge. --

Rotherham. --Clydebridge? I would urge her to put this to the Minister

directly in the House next Tuesday. I have been contacted by one of my

constituents concerned about the avalanche some years ago of the 15

year long stop rule for claims against IFAs.

It is important they brought certain way but sometimes with the full

facts emerge after a period of time and seek a have a deadline that is

too quick either. I'll make sure his concerns are drawn to the attention

of my colleagues in the Treasury and ask that he responds to them. Will

Leader of the House have a debate regarding what discussions have been

made regarding the changes in the steel industry. Many aspects of this

support provided is devolved to Wales, but it is a matter of the UK

Government to provide leadership in the future of the steel industry,

which is what we are looking to do. which is what we are looking to do.

I will be making sure that the ministers will be ready to discuss

this next week. Successive people have been in courage to buy diesel

cars. But can we find time to debate what can be done about the fuel

additives to reduce emissions because millions of people cannot

suddenly buy petrol cars instead. This issue is shocking. Those of us

who are believers in free enterprise argue that the case is not help when

you see corporate malpractice of the kind we have seen with bulks widen

and the diesel sector. I hope the issues can be resolved as quickly as

possible, and clearly individuals who lose out as a result should be

compensated. The industry has a duty to be open and honest, and when

things like this happen it damages confidence in their corporations and

makes the life of the public more difficult. It should never have

happened, it is shocking. Four times happened, it is shocking. Four times

in my constituency -- happens have lost banks in the high Street of

their town. Can we have a debate on the retreat of the high-street

banking companies from rural areas, particularly because many of those

areas cannot access Internet banking as they do not have adequate road

band. This is one of the topics being considered by backbench

business committee. The banks are cod by the fact that more of us are

simply banking online, and increasingly cashless systems are

available whether it is through your phone or the card in your wallet.

Banks are finding it more difficult to sustain banking networks, but we

do not want to lose key services in rural areas, and I would ask him to

bring this to the host to the relevant minister to discuss the

matter. In my constituency, a band has celebrated recording history of

years. Can we discuss funding for arts venues? I congratulate the band

on its centenary. There are some great bands in the country. The

reality is that we celebrate the work done in local communities for

musical groups up and down the country, local bands that add value

to this country, and I know that local authorities and grant giving

bodies will do their best to sustain these bands. Can we have a debate on

business rates, specifically the time it takes for the valuation

office agency to consider appeals? office agency to consider appeals?

There is a brewing business located There is a brewing business located

in my constituency that has been waiting ten months. We should have a

debate so ministers can assert some pressure on the valuation to support

small and medium enterprises to have small and medium enterprises to have

this heard in a timely matter. this heard in a timely matter.

Clearly we do not want barriers to businesses operating successfully.

Where problems arise we will seek to Where problems arise we will seek to

address them. Next Tuesday as business questions and I

will take advantage of the will take advantage of the

the department are well aware of the the department are well aware of the

a debate on the relative a debate on the relative

place and the other place place and the other place

particularly regarding cuts the tax credits. I think the party opposite,

if it is concerned about the appointments to the Lords should

look in the mirror. Goes over the years in government, the rate of

were far higher than it is under were far higher than it is under

this government. I did say last week that I would ensure that a statement

would be made about the Strathclyde review, and that was brought forward

just a day before releasing it to the public. -- yesterday. As a

former local councillor I am generally supportive of the

government's devolution agenda so long as it follows responsibility.

But given the lack of public negotiations, does the Leader of the

House not think there is a role to consider agreements are consistent,

transparent and fair? There are many opportunities to question ministers

about the agreements they are reaching, and it is not a matter of

the resources, it is about making better use of money. There are many

parts of public money that tend to do the same thing, and part of the

devolution agenda is making better use of the resources available,

giving greater power to local authorities to deliver high quality

services to the public. Now that the Leader of the House has prosecuted

Evel on this place, by creating second-class MPs, head of the debate

Scottish laws? Will he make sure Scottish laws? Will he make sure

that English Tory MPs do not exercise a veto against us? Of

Scottish laws, it is called a Scottish laws, it is called a

Scottish Parliament. I keep listening to the outrage from the

benches opposite. I will remind them that firstly there is no vote in the

chamber that they will be excluded chamber that they will be excluded

from in future, and secondly, when from in future, and secondly, when

they discuss the matters away from here, they are less outraged as they

of the 11 million Britons to suffer of the 11 million Britons to suffer

with hearing loss. There was a parliamentary reception yesterday

for actions on this, which reveal there are no health of solid --

health authorities no longer health authorities no longer

prescribing hearing aids for people with minor hearing loss. One in six

debate about how health resources debate about how health

can be used to ensure that people can be used to ensure that people

with hearing loss do not suffer unnecessary isolation? Can I pay

tribute to him for the work he does. This is one of these issues that

transcends party lines, and we're good work is done on all sides of

the House, raising awareness and challenges of those facing hearing

loss. Commissioning decisions and spending decisions on health care

matters have been devolved. I hope his advocacy will ask those parts of

the country to change their views. Yesterday I attended a parliamentary

event, where businesses who pay the real living wage showcase their

products, from microbreweries to organic food suppliers they all

spoke about the benefits of being a living wage employer, from better

staff morale to improved applicable as a. How can we encourage more

employers to sign up to the real living wage as set by the living

wage foundation, thus achieving the high pay economy the government

speak so much about? Clearly we want to see wage levels rise, so we have

debated constantly hear, with the debated constantly hear, with the

introduction of our own national living wage, with different economic

debates, so she will have plenty of opportunity to raise this. I would

encourage employers to look hard at the challenges faced by their

employees, and the more we can see in ploy is paying a higher rate, the

better it is for the country. That can only happen if the economy is

growing strongly, which is what it is doing now. Could we have a debate

on the use of children as suicide bombers? I recent had a Westminster

Hall debate on this, and the situation continues to deteriorate,

not least for orphaned children who are often kidnap in places such as

Syria, and it is estimated that Syria, and it is estimated that

somewhere close to 1000 children are now training as suicide bombers. Can

we have a debate on this? The Minister responsible is behind me

and has taken note of his comments. It is completely shocking. It is a

sign of a barbaric ideology which has no place in the modern world,

which is what we are seeking to resist in the north-west of Iraq and

the East of Syria, particularly. The kind of extremist views that sends a

child with a bomb attached to them, to blow themselves up in pursuit of

an ideology that is perverse is something we should all continue to

find up rent and do everything we can to resist. Can we do meet --

debate prime ministerial hubris, the symptoms include strutting like

Napoleon and speaking in the language of Churchill, and it makes

prime ministers susceptible to this give War a chance party. It also has

an effect on Prime Minister is because writing their own bloody

page in history often unhinge is the balance of the mind, and while the

permanent, to leave tens of permanent, to leave tens of

thousands of soldiers ordered into battle, it can be lethal in fighting

unaffordable wars. It is an unaffordable wars. It is an

interesting fact that we celebrate interesting fact that we celebrate

the Prime Minister who led us to three general election victories,

but the other side of the House like the airbrush him out of history. It

has transpired that last winter the south-east ambulance trust has

trialled a new system which put in trialled a new system which put in

danger 25,000 patients. It could have led to the loss of life of up

to 25 people. Could he bring to the to 25 people. Could he bring to the

House health ministers to answer House health ministers to answer

questions of what they knew, when questions of what they knew, when

they knew, and make sure this is not they knew, and make sure this is not

occurred anywhere else in the occurred anywhere else in the

and I share his concern. The and I share his concern. The

Secretary of State will be here on Tuesday week, and I urge him to put

that point to him. The government that point to him. The government

has chosen to exclude... This condition will severely undermined

the growing energy sector across the country. Will he agreed to allocate

government time to debate this perverse decision? Of course we have

tried to take a range of decisions to encourage and support the growth

of renewable energy, to make sure we keep the lights on, and meet the

financial challenges. I understand the point he is making. The Energy

Secretary will be here the week after next. The European order

business paper lists details of legislation and other documents

sourced from the European Union, but has been deemed political importance

to merit debate either by the House or committees. As of today, the

documents awaiting debate, and only documents awaiting debate, and only

one of them has a provisional date allocated to it. Could the Leader of

the House tell us who is responsible for this lack of respect to the due

process? This is something the chairman of the scrutiny committee

raised recently, and the government has just written to him setting out

plans for a serious op -- series of other debates. There are many

demands for the use of time for debates on a variety of subjects,

and we take the issue seriously, making additional time available.

Are determined to deliver a higher wage, lower welfare economy.

Although George Osborne has been forced into a U-turn of swords were

he says he is determined to push through with reform to tax credits

but the resolution foundation which deals with policy issues that affect

those on low incomes says the Chancellor should strap his plan to

cut tax credits -- scrap as planned. Personnel is the director of the

resolution foundation and joined by the Chief Executive of the taxpayers

Alliance. We have heard about freaks being made, things will be done to

mitigate cuts to tax credits, so how can you say that he should drop the

idea altogether, we don't know what he is proposing. The state of the

debate we are at, the something must be done stage. Options that would

take the distinct changes and tweak them a little will not deliver

critically economically for the Chancellor. He can do that while

maintaining his fiscal objectives. You are saying there is not money

that could be spent that would make a dramatic enough change to tax

credit cuts or make the savings that he wants? We should be clear that we

welcome his raising the minimum wage and that will benefit some people

who are losing in the tax credit changes but further increases to the

minimum wage for tax cuts will not compensate the losers of tax cuts

because they are fundamentally different people. You have five ways

of changing the system and offering an alternative, why did the

government not come up with that, if they were so obvious and pain free,

why did the Chancellor not come off of them? Very few changes are not

pain-free. He will revisit his decision on 25 November. We wouldn't

say they were pain-free, it is a choice of whether you have a large

amount of pain or a small group of working people on tax credits.

Therefore easing the pressure. Before we come onto what you are

proposing, EU except that cuts to tax credits morally whether right or

wrong thing to do? I wouldn't have started from here. Lu there are a

lot of other things the government should look at before it looked at

cutting tax credits, not least the benefits and pensions received by

pensioners and has reminded us that if -- inflation is 0%. Your pension

goes up by 2.5%. That is unsustainable. The government should

be looking at that kind of thing, winter fuel payments are given to

every pensioner. Even millionaire pensioners. Lu despite that the

government has stopped giving child benefit to families, still living

winter fuel payments to the richest pensioners. There are other ways in

which the government could be finding the