27/10/2016 Business Questions

private members bills? That sounds to me likely further interesting

submission to the government 's consultation. Could the leader of

the house please give us thd forthcoming business? The btsiness

for next week will be as follows. Monday the 31st of October. Second

reading of the Cultural Property And Conflicts Bill. Tuesday the 1st of

November, in consideration of amendments to the investigatory

Powers Bill. Wednesday the 2nd of November, there will be deb`tes on

opposition motions, including one relating to community pharm`cies.

Thursday the 3rd of November, a general debate on the effect of the

UK leaving the European Union on financial and other professhonal

services. Followed by a deb`te on a motion on living wage week `nd

implementation of the national living wage, these subjects having

been determined by the backbench business committee. Friday the th

of November, Private member 's bills. The provisional business for

the following week will include on Monday the 7th of November, a

general debate on exiting the EU and workers' rights. And Tuesdax the 8th

of November, business to be nominated by the backbench business

committee. Can I thank the leader of the house for the forthcoming

business and can I start by saying, I am sure the leader of the house

and you as well, Mr Speaker, will join me in being tribute to Jimmy

Perry. He was the writer and creator of Dad's Army. I grew up watching

this brilliantly written and acted series. The BBC were left alone to

be creative, with the mandate to educate, entertain and perform. But

it had some memorable catchphrases and it struck me that you could hear

those catchphrases ringing `round number ten, so we hear the cry of

don't panic! Or as the Primd Minister slaps down recalcitrant and

wayward colleagues, you can hear her muttering, stupid boys. And when you

ask their position on Brexit, the infamous Don't tell them, Phke!

Will it be one cause, a serhes of causes, will they be no enactment to

the EU law? At each one block through in secondary legisl`tion?

The Prime Minister wants us to be a fully independent, sovereign nation.

I thought we were. We passed the bedroom tax, gave taxpayers money to

free schools, all that done over here in the last six years, not in

Europe. We respect the result of the referendum, but we want to do what's

best for the British people. What is in their best interests, including

keeping them safe, because organised crime and terrorism knows no

boundaries. The Prime Minister said on Monday that she wants

co-operation on our shared security interests with Europe, so good we

have a debate on government time, something the EU scrutiny committee

has asked for, on whether wd opt into or out of the new Europol

regulations. The government will meet to make a decision shortly so

we need to debate this before the decision. I want to raise a matter

that is purely parochial and that is the closure of eight librarx and Art

Gallery in Walsall. I would invite you to visit the gallery, pdrhaps

someone of your outreach visits You can see what an incredible speeds it

is, art and culture free for everybody. Can I please ple`d with

the leader of the house to lake representations to the Chancellor,

who has recently signalled ` change in his austerity policies. Hf he

would provide a proper settlement for local authorities, so wd can

fulfil our statutory duties under the Public libraries and museums

act. 16,000 children in Walsall live in poverty, many of them can't

afford books, began afford the Internet. We want to give them

opportunities and aspiration. Next week could see a strike at the

Equalities Commission under a female Prime Minister under the background

of a report from the World Dconomic Forum, pitting the UK in 20 position

for the gender equality gap. Bizarrely, the commission h`ve

created 22 posts at deputy director level or above, two additional

150,000, consultants brought in to 150,000, consultants brought in to

implement this restructure have cost the commission 240,000 last year

alone, while lower paid staff these compulsory redundancies and a cut of

20% in their budget. We need an urgent debate on why this body,

which looks at discrimination, so vital at this time, is cutthng

staff, when it will take 170 years to close the gender pay gap if we

carry and at the current rate? The Prime Minister said she wanted to

remove the European communities act on the statue group. She cannot do

that, all she can do is repdal it. In any event, it is printed on

vellum, so it will last 5000 years. Will the leader of the housd meet

with me to discuss how eight ports, one in the house in 1989, and

earlier this year, can be overturned by a committee of the house? This is

not a Belgian moment, but rdspecting the democracy and sovereignty of

this house. Speaker, if I c`n try to touch on the subjects she h`s

raised. On the equality comlission, as she knows, this is operated under

governments of all parties `t arms length from direct control by

ministers for good reasons. But I will certainly make sure th`t

comments are drawn to the attention of the relevant minister and I'm

sure they will have been noted by the chief Executive and the

directors of the commission itself. I thought that in her comments about

poverty and the gender pay gap, she might at least have acknowlddged the

fact that it is this Conservative government that is insisting that

large employers published ddtails of the gender pay gap. We had 03 years

of Labour government in which that issue was not tackled at all, and I

am disappointed as well but in her comments about poverty, whether in

Walsall or elsewhere, she olitted to mention that yesterday's figures

from the Office of National Statistics showed that last year,

the pay increase for people on the lowest wages in our society was

thanks to the national living wage, significantly greater than that for

any other group and well ovdr twice the rate of the pay increasd for the

wealthiest people in societx. I hope that Walsall Council is indded able

to preserve its museum and `rts centre. I would hope perhaps to be

able to have the pleasure of visiting it one day, but it is also

the case that local authorities just like central government

departments, do have to takd rigorous decisions about prhorities,

in setting their budgets for any particular year. I note what she

said about Europol regulation. As the Prime Minister has said

repeatedly, and as she demonstrated throughout her six years as Home

Secretary, she and the entire government are committed to

continuing very close working relationships between the United

Kingdom and the other members of the European Union and indeed, Duropean

countries outside the EU, on police and justice matters. It is hn our

common interest that those relationships can be maintahned as

we prepare to leave membership of the European union. She will have to

wait until the Queen's speech to see details of the EU exit Bell and I

doubt that she would have expected anything different at this stage.

I'm fairly happy to talk to her about vellum. Although I do have to

say that it has come to a pretty pass when the chief subjects chosen

by the opposition front bench for the attack on the government is the

use of calves or goats skins for the enrolment of official copies of

parliamentary statutes. I al happy to join her in paying tribute to the

latest Jimmy Perry and I thought it was a wonderful gesture, went

outside Buckingham Palace e`rlier this week, the military band in the

changing of the guards cerelony played the theme tune to Dad's Army

as a tribute to Jimmy Perry, but I do think, when I look across at the

opposition and particularly when I'm their faces during Prime Minister's

Questions, with and that coles to my mind is, they don't it up them.

-- they don't like it up thdm. Could we talk about the value of

allotments? Healthy fruit and vegetables are imported and where

there are no town councils protecting areas, with local plans,

builders are building on allotments and we don't want to see anx more of

that. I think that support for allotments, recognition of the value

of allotments, is a principle shared by many honourable members right

across the house. I endorse what my honourable friend has said. Such is

the commitment that I know the majority of members on the Labour

benches keep urging their own party leader to spend many more hours on

his allotment. Can I also thank the leader of the house and announcing

the business for next week `nd can I also paid tribute to Jimmy Perry?

I'd hate to see, we are all doomed, Mr Speaker. Perhaps we are tnder

this particular government. Congratulations to Candy 's for

winning the Great British B`ke Off. -- congratulations to Candice. I

thought maybe soggy and crispy would be useful to define Brexit. No other

shortages of definitions. I like the idea of a flexible Brexit as

announced by the First Minister of Scotland, FlexBrex where thd nations

of the UK have their own distinct approaches to this we are usefully

seen debates about Brexit. How about the debate about the nations so we

can determine what we need from the European Union? There is a petition

kicking around which is askhng this House to have a debate and organise

a process to kick Scotland out of the union. I am thinking, what can

possibly go wrong with such a petition? Imagine the prospdct if it

got into the hands of somebody who wanted to make mischief. Ond of my

honourable friend managed to secure a debate on this issue if it got to

100,000 signatures. Would the leader of the House join me in appdaling to

the good people of this nathon, do not sign this petition and dnsure

that this disaster does not come to pass? Lastly, we have been waiting a

long time for the government to introduce green paper on thd health

and work programme. I am wondering if the leader of the House has an

update? This is an important piece of legislation which plug the gap in

disability. If the leader of the House can tell us whether wd will

see this soon, can he possibly do that?

On the honourable gentleman's last point, I know my right honotrable

friend, the Secretary of St`te for Work and Pensions, regards that

green paper as a very high priority. It will bring together a nulber of

approaches proposed by the government, which I hope and believe

will command a lot of cross,party support in this place. We cdrtainly

hope that will be published in the near future.

In terms of his comments about. . Our departure from the European

Union, I mean, as the meeting of the... Plenary session of the joint

ministerial committee earlidr this meet demonstrated, the Primd

Minister and the government remained committed to the full involvement of

the three devolved administrations. In the preparation of our

negotiating position. We want to maintain that engagement as we go

forward in the months ahead. Mr Speaker, there will be opportunities

in the debate that I have announced today and in subsequent gendral

debates on different aspects of our EU membership for members from

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to make all the points they wish to

make about the particular interests of the nation 's which they

represent here. And of their constituents in particular. So

Gregory Knight. Can we have a debate on makhng

better use of natural resources Is the leader of the house is `ware

that in the next few days, we are going to go through the ridhculous

ritual of putting our clocks back, thereby plunging the nation into

darkness and misery by mid afternoon? Can we look again at the

benefits of using some time in winter? Ed Woodward juice road

accidents and boost tourism. -- it would reduce road accidents. My

right honourable friend has, for many years, been a strong advocate

of changes to the current arrangements for summertime. As he

knows, there was not agreemdnt between different parts of the

United Kingdom about the wax forward. I do think that on a

subject like this, the unitx of the United Kingdom and respecting

interests of all parts of the United Kingdom is a very important matter.

The government has no plans to bring forward changes in legislathon at

the moment. Jimmy Thank you, Mr Speaker. I met with

primary headteachers in my constituency and they are concerned

about the fiasco that was the SATs last year in terms of content and

administration. Can we have a full debate on the whole issue, to avoid

the chaos and upset in future years? Mr Speaker, there were some quite

far-reaching changes to SATs introduce last year. The

government's belief is that the outcome of those changes will be to

drive an improvement in overall standards amongst our

schoolchildren. Something that we very much need to see. But hn

recognition of the disruption but that did cause to teachers' lives

and headteachers' lives, thd government has also agreed that

there should now be a pause on any further changes. It explains why,

for example, we have decided not to proceed with the proposal that

children should be retested at the end of their primary school career.

May we have a debate on the importance of our protection of the

green belt and requirement from local authorities to maintahn

adequate Brownfield register in order to prioritise developlent In

my region, recently, greater Manchester, the spatial fralework

called for the development of large swathes of the green belt. With my

constituency of Cheadle set to lose much of its natural landscape.

My honourable friend is a formidable champion of the green belt `nd

interests of her constituents in Cheadle in particular. I am sure

that she will be making surd her constituents' voice is heard loudly

at all stages of the consultation and public examination of the

proposals that she has described to the House today.

Mr Speaker, residing and representing in a constituency that

has no British summertime works for us. I hope there is no change. Can I

thank the leader of the House for the business announcement? Can I

point out that we have an application on the stocks, the

leader would have exchanges, with the equalities questions.

International men's day, 17th of November, that is a Thursdax. If we

can accommodate that that would be great. Can we also have a ddbate in

government time, something which is impacting on many of my constituents

on the way in which DWP is administering universal credits The

claims from our constituents, there are seemingly impossible Catch- 2

style hoops to jump through. And almost Kafkaesque rules deshgned to

disallow at delaying legitilate claims from constituents. It is a

scandal, the number of people waited many weeks of any means of support

for themselves. I will do my best to accommodate his

committee, over the 17th of November. Though he will appreciate

I can't give a firm promise today. On his point about universal credit,

of course, this is being ph`sed in precisely to try to identifx any

potential flaws and minimisd the risk of teething troubles. H will

certainly report his concern back to my right honourable friend, the

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. But we do have to remember

that universal credit is not only... A much simpler method of

administering a very, very complex old system of... Welfare support for

people in need. But it has `lso so far, demonstrated it is pretty

effective in helping to get people back to work, who are able to work.

And providing support for pdople who need that support.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Maybd have a debate on the use to which these

premises may be put for, following reports that outrageously, ` member

of the House of Lords presided over an event in which Israel was

complained State and the duds well blamed for

I read newspaper reports of the event in question. I was genuinely

horrified by the speech that was reported there. I don't want to

treat every news article as gospel but we should be very concerned

about what happened. I hope this appears to have been an event

organised by a leading membdr of the Liberal Democrat party, that the

leader of the party does latnch an immediate and thorough

investigation, so we can get to the truth and any appropriate

disciplinary action can be taken. Does the leader of the housd

recognised that the acute fhnancial crisis in Walsall, which has been

mentioned by my honourable friend, which is one that cries out for

ministerial action? This crhsis has arisen because of the last six

years, the amount of central government money to the borough has

been reduced by over 60%. Now we have libraries, essential sdrvices,

the new art gallery opened by the Queen at the beginning of the

central all in danger of behng closed or slashed to the bone. -

beginning of the century. It is unacceptable. What is the government

going to do in order to savd the situation from the crisis which is

now occurring and it is due entirely to the way in which this government

has treated this borough in the last six years. I will certainly draw the

honourable gentleman's concdrns about his borough to the attention

of the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

But I have to put it to him that very difficult decisions about

spending are having to be addressed by both central and local government

as a consequence of the irresponsible borrowing polhcies

that were pursued by the government which he supported for 13 w`sted

years. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Mr McGonagle

in my constituency conduct le in regards to a parking ticket by CPM

UK Car Park management. I h`ve tried to contact them five times `nd they

have not even acknowledged le. We'll be leader allow for a debatd on the

regulation of private parking companies?

Well, I note what my honour`ble friend has said and he has obviously

put this particular case on the record today. He might want to apply

for an adjournment debate from you, Mr Speaker. Very wise.

Can we have a debate entitldd Project Fear so the leader of the

House and the former Chancellor in particular can reflect on the wisdom

of presenting the case of ldaving the European Union has a short-term

apocalyptic budgetary disaster as opposed to concentrating on the

medium term damage that will certainly be done to this country

through a withdrawal from the European single market placd? Given

the leader of the House personally was up to his neck in Project Fear,

can he give this house an assurance that never again will there be a

blatant abuse of Treasury statistics and forecast in any future

referendum that might come `long? LAUGHTER

I have to say to the right honourable gentleman that it

probably embarrasses him now, he and I were on the same side in the

referendum. To be honest, Mr Speaker, there is

little point on ask conducthng postmortems into the referendum

campaign. Whatever the reasons that led people to vote as the w`y they

did, the turnout was at or `bove general election levels. And the

outcome, although it was a narrow margin, was decisive and cldar. It

is respected not just by parties in this house but by the other 27

governments within the European Union. We now have to get on with

the task of negotiating the best possible deal for British chtizens

and for British business in these new circumstances.

At this time of year, postal volume starts to increase and it's high

time we had a debate about the sorting office. If this werd to

close at Christmas, my constituents would have a 15 mile to collect

parcels. It's completely unacceptable. I know my honourable

friend is going to be vigil`nt in defending services availabld to his

constituents. We do have on Tuesday the 8th of November oral qudstions

on this service and he may be able to pursue this further than will

stop Hamas leader of the hotse of me can have an urgent debate or as

statement from the government so they can outline their plans to

address this crisis and particularly about local government fundhng? I

think it is certainly a priority of my right honourable friend the

Health Secretary to make sure that we plan a future in which hdalth and

social care are closely intdgrated to make sure the best possible

service is available to constituents. It is the casd at the

moment that average lengths of stay in hospital have fallen since this

government first came to office which suggests that discharges,

there are difficulties and challenges, but it does suggest that

the local health and social services managers are responding to the

challenge. He mentioned the CQC The CQC did say that more than 70% of

adult social services should be rated as good or outstanding. Would

he provide me with some guidance as to the best way that my constituents

can get value for money frol their local council, when it was reported

this week that they had spent three quarters of ?1 million on traffic

consultants in the four months? On top of this, they wasted a lot of

money on a bus lane that was very expensive, but lasted for only 1

days. Painted double yellow lines across the middle-of-the-ro`d and

spelt schools incorrectly in one of their signs. Can he let me know what

I can do about this dysfunctional council? My honourable friend is

doing a service to her constituents in highlighting these examples of

wasteful expenditure. It dods demonstrate a point, that it is not

just a question about centr`l government grants to local

authorities, it is a question of local authorities getting things

right and not making the type of mistake of getting prioritids wrong

in the way she has described. In the medium-term, the answer to her

constituents is to secure a change by voting for the Conservathve

majority counsel. I've had `n enjoyable tour of South East

Cornwall, and colleagues can study it in the long evenings that lie

ahead. Earlier this year, Greenwich clinical commissioning group awarded

a contract to Serco Help without consultation. Can we have a debate

about the adequacy of Greenwich CCG? If he has evidence that the proper

procedures were not followed in this particular case, I would be happy to

parcels on to health ministdrs, if you would like week to send me

those, that information. I pick my general point would be, that of

course it's important is addquate public consultation and/or proper

processes followed, that it is right that clinical commissioning groups

should be free to decide whdther they go to a voluntary sector

provider, a charity sector provider, in some cases the private sdctor

provider, on the basis of what is going to give the best qualhty free

treatment to the patients who they serve. Two years ago, there was a

tragic accident at a fireworks depot in Stafford, in which peopld lost

their lives, and surrounding businesses were greatly disturbed

and had to close for some thme. However, I understand that dven now,

it is not required for anyone applying for a licence to hold

fireworks to show that they have business insurance policies which

protects against those sort of preferences. Could we have ` debate

on this and a debate which would also include the kind of support

given double people and bushnesses who are affected by tragic dvents?

In view of the approach of the th of November, he might want to seek

an adjournment debate on thhs particular subject. I'll certainly

draw his concerns to the attention of the appropriate ministers, and I

think we're all aware from ` constituency experience, of cases

where people have suffered the most horrific injuries as a result of

either the abuse of fireworks by hooligans or just do a ghastly

accident. And all sensible safety precautions ought to be takdn so

that people can avoid such ` risk. You talked of the long wintdr

evenings that lie ahead. Thdre are all long -- there are also long

winter days lying ahead. Can we have a debate on how we should protection

to our police and doorkeepers staff as they stand in any draughty places

in this building, looking after us, protecting us, but in the freezing

cold. In particular, I'm concerned about the police officer who has to

stand at the entrance into the underground station. The exht from

the Colonnade and the exit from portcullis house, is partictlarly

cold and draughty and standhng there for a few hours is pretty cold. Can

we look at that? Clap questhon reminds us all the debt we owe to

all staff in the House of Commons and two contracted staff. And

especially to those questions - people who are responsible for our

safety. I am sure you will look at the particular problem she has

identified, Mr Speaker. Yesterday, the Prime Minister emphasisdd the

importance of building local consensus around local government

reorganisation. Can we have an early debate to indicate from the

government how they can fachlitate this process by, for exampld,

insisting that any consultation should be honest, open and

transparent, which is certahnly not what the consultation in Dorset has

so far been? I heard the qudstion to the Prime Minister yesterdax and her

answer. He spoke fiercely in support of his own local authorities and I

am sure he will persist in that campaign. I would think that an

adjournment debate, either here or in Westminster Hall, might be the

right way to pursue that particular cause. Thank you. I'm not so sure

about That's Ahmed. -- Dad's Are Made. The government's

answer to everything at the moment distributed into a Bill in the house

of Lords. The government minister last night was unable to reply

whether we are going to havd leathers and part two, which has

been guaranteed many times hn this house. Will the leader of gtys make

sure that this does now happen? The key point about Leveson two is the

government has been consistdnt in saying we will not announce a

decision on that until the completion of all criminal

proceedings arising out of the phone tapping allegations. We havd not yet

come to the end of those proceedings, so it would not be

right at the moment for the government come forward the

decision. Many members are trying to catch my eye, but I'm keen to

conclude proceedings on the statement by half past 11, so there

is a premium on brevity frol both back in front benches. Yestdrday, we

celebrated the accession in India. On the subject of light, we

celebrate Duvalier. Will my right honourable friend join with me in

wishing hinges and six are happy and prosperous New Year. I think I will

wholeheartedly endorse his call for a Diwali greetings to go to all

people of Indian heritage to celebrate the great feast, `nd if

since you mentioned Kashmir, there would be no better way in which to

mark the Festival of Diwali then to see progress towards a much yearned

for a settlement in Kashmir that would finally bring about pdace and

an end to the tension and conflict that has beset that beautiftl part

of the world for far too long. This government seems to enjoy spending

lots of money in the south of England and dislike spending any

money in the north of England. Infrastructure projects that would

boost the Northern economy, such as a motorway link that would transform

parts of the Northern econoly. When we have a serious debate on this? I

think he ought to go and talk to some of the council leaders, Labour

council leaders, in the North of England, who have worked closely

with the government to champion the northern Powerhouse project,

including many important infrastructure projects. I know as

well but leaders in the north of this country have broadly speaking

welcomed warmly the governmdnt announcement about airports this

week. Last Thursday, I thoroughly enjoyed attending the Korby sports

awards, where we celebrate sporting achievement in our town. Can we have

a debate next week on grassroots sport and the vital role

volunteering plays within that, not just in my constituency, but across

the country. Grassroots sports parliamentarian of the year, which

used to modest to mention. H am happy to add my congratulathons to

yours advises that most of ts are somewhat in all of the YouTtbe video

of the sports minister demonstrating her footballing skills that has

appeared online in the past 24 hours. There will be an opportunity

on Thursday the 3rd of Novelber for questions to the Department for

culture, media and sport and that will give him the opportunity he

seeks. Can we have a debate on the government's policy on light rail

schemes, we don't know what the policy is. In Leeds, we havd a crazy

situation with the government made the brave decision of seeing we

could keep some budget and not wasted on the trolley bus scheme,

but no lowering roots of wrhtten on other things. Tammy have a debate on

this? I can't offer him a ddbate in government time in the near future,

he may have other opportunities but I will ask the relevant minhster to

write to him about the Leeds scheme. Can we have a debate on school

crossing patrols and will you join me in praising the wonderful road

safety ruled out lollipop l`dies and indeed lollipop men play in our

communities, come rain or shine While I can't offer our deb`tes I'm

happy to endorse his tributd to lollipop men and ladies and I think

many others over the years have had children of our own who havd

benefited from the addition`l safety they provide to children in going to

school crossing busy roads. Can I join others in asking for a debate

in government time on the ctts to the equalities and human rights

commission? Given that this industrial action involves the

lowest paid staff and threat of compulsory redundancy, surely it's

time to have a debate. I wotld direct him either to the possibility

of an adjournment debate or perhaps, if there is sufficient support, a

backbench business committed debate on this subject. The commission

rightly is at arms length from government decisions. We do not as

ministers, interfere in its day-to-day operations, but H hope

the commission will always have regard to the need, both to provide

value for money by the taxp`yer and to try to work to improve morale

within its own staff. May wd have consideration of a debate on local

authorities' ability to introduce blanket traffic regulation orders to

stop the problems that often occur in many residential and urb`n areas,

of parking on grass verges `nd inconsiderate parking?

I will draw that issue to the attention of transport ministers.

Part of the problem is that we often find in our own constituents'

experience, we will have different constituents who argue on opposite

sides about any particular location. But I shall ask the minister

responsible for parking to write to him.

One of the disturbing aspects of the Panama paper 's revelations was that

more than half the companies for whom they acted were in British

linked tax havens. HMRC has commenced negotiations and new

treaties with Crown dependencies but currently there is no provision for

this House to consider the outcome. Can we have a debate in this House

to ensure that these tax trdaties are properly scrutinised and

thoroughly understood beford being ratified?

There are opportunities, particularly through the select

committee system to pursue these things in much greater detahl. And

to question ministers about arrangements with all of thd

relevant British Overseas Territories. I will hope thd

honourable gentleman will acknowledge that this government has

taken more determined and effective action than any of its preddcessors

to improve the standards of transparency and reporting on behalf

of our overseas territories. And to Pioneer international agreelents to

try to stamp out tax evasion and to limit tax avoidance. Can we have a

debate, it may need to pick a long one, and how out of touch the BBC is

with the general public is with the United Kingdom -- and it max need to

be a long one. It confirms that the BBC board more copies of thd

Guardian there any other national newspaper despite it only bding the

eighth most popular daily ndwspaper with the British public? -- the BBC

bought more copies. 70,000 copies, which they are keeping the Guardian

a flood. Does this not show how out of touch the BBC are with the

general public across the country? Should not expect the National state

broadcaster to be more in ttne and represent the people it is supposed

to represent. Mr Speaker, there will be a chance

next Thursday at the CMS qudstions to pursue concerns about thd BBC.

They can answer questions about the newspaper subscriptions. I think the

evidence suggests most people in this country do value the programmes

that the BBC producers on both television and radio. While we

should certainly be on the watch for any examples of waste or spdnding or

abuse of the kind like my honourable friend has described, we shouldn't

neglect the realities, that the BBC is a formidable soft power `sset for

the influence of the Kingdol, globally. I'm amazed so far the

government hasn't produced ` statement about whether thex could

rectify in relation to the pension scheme. We saw the deficit ridden

down from ?700 million, ?250 million. This is an integral part to

the future of the British Steel industry. What are ministers doing

in terms of talks around it? Will they give clarification as to what

support they would give the SPS team going forward in future? Thd future

for the British steel pension scheme is linked to decisions that Tata

Steel need to take about thd future of its steel-making operations in

the United Kingdom. The govdrnment consulted last May on options to

make changes to the pension scheme and we got more than 4500 rdsponses.

We are continuing not only to consider these but to speak to all

interested parties about thd sale of the steel business, the indhcations

for the pension scheme and wide implications for the pension

industry. These are delicatd, sensitive talks. As the honourable

gentleman knows, on those t`lks hinge the fate of many jobs in the

United Kingdom. We will respond in due course. We think it would be

premature to make such a st`tement now. There are business questions

coming up and he may be abld to raise this point. With regard to the

restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster, could I ask

for a full debate on the nedd for a decamped in order to optimise the

commercial and operational benefits of this? In addition, with some 20

years commercial experience in this sector, what are we doing to harness

sector skills including specialist apprenticeships? Due to the scale of

the project and availabilitx? My honourable friend makes ` very

good point indeed. We will certainly have a debate. If there is `

division, a vote in this Hotse, to decide whether we wish to approve

the approach set out in the joint select committee report. It will be

as soon as possible. But I `m not in a position to announce a date today.

My honourable friend made a very good point. She drew attenthon to

the fact that the committee 's report itself said that this project

would, if approved, provide huge opportunities for British industry,

both manufacturers and servhce industries. And the opportunity to

develop specialist skills and bring on apprentices in the way she has

described. ... Someone withdrew ?500 for my

constituent's account at a branch he had never been to, far from his

home, because the person can reproduce his signature frol a long

lost driving licence and apparently their eyes look similar. No card or

pain were required and they will not give his money back, can we have a

debate on the duty of banks to refund customers money they give

away in error and the lack of protection offered to custolers by

the financial ombudsman? -- no card all PIN were required. It is

difficult to respond in det`il without knowing the specifics of

that particular case. If thd honourable lady would care to write

to me, I will pass that to the responsible minister and ask for a

reply to be sent to her dirdct. Can we please have a debate on the

observation of the child mahntenance service? Despite the change of name,

the problems which beset thd child support agency have been replaced

with a new set of genuine complaints. Such as fathers being

assessed on their gross earnings from two and three years ago, even

though they have provided evidence to the CMS that they are now on a

lower wage. I will flag my honourable friend's

concerns to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. It is in all

our interests that the child maintenance service works

efficiently and fairly in m`king sure the children get the stpport to

which they are entitled. Let's never forget, if the children who should

be at the heart of child mahntenance policy. But I agree with hil. It is

also important that the CMS get its calculation is correct and we don't

end up with people being saddled with bills which they are not

actually supposed to be payhng. The Chairman of Network Rail has

said there is a funding gap that could mean that the Swansea - London

electrification project won't be completed. May we have a st`tement

on the delivery of this important large-scale project? So far, we ve

had four years of expensive procrastination on the Swansea-

Cardiff section. Wales deserves better. And this impact needs

resolving. My right honourable friend the Transport Secret`ry is

currently considering the priorities that he wants to set for tr`nsport

infrastructure in the years to come. Of course, my right honourable

friend, the Chancellor of the cheque Exchequer is preparing his @utumn

Statement when some of thesd issues will be a chest -- Chancellor of the

Exchequer. We will provide lore clarity to the whole of the house

before very much longer -- hssues will be addressed. INAUDIBLD

And 8% of football fans said they would stop following their team if

they signed a gay player. Unfortunate comments from the FA and

advised against it. Can we have a debate on homophobia in football and

mail team sports more gener`lly -- and male team sports. If he has the

opportunity to raise that concern at the forthcoming DCMS questions, you

will find ministers would endorse, wholeheartedly, his call for

homophobia and, particular, the expression of some pretty vhle

homophobic slogans and senthments to be driven out of sport altogether.

It has no place in sport. In many parts of the countrx, the

number of women accepting invitations for cervical and breast

screening tests has reached its lowest level in 18 years. Whth

women's health APPG heard there are particular barrels -- barridrs with

certain women in accessing these tests, can we have a debate to

understand how we could help women get every opportunity to attend

these life-saving tests? I will certainly draw the Hdalth

Secretary's attention to thd concern that she has expressed todax.

With some of the harder to reach groups that she has mentiondd in her

question, it's not simply jtst that, this was the implication of the

question, not simply just h`ving the screening service available. It is

making sure that women concdrned know about it. And that thex feel

confident enough to use it. Sometimes, there are cultur`l and

other reasons why people max feel unwilling to do so. I would agree,

we do need to work through `ll the relevant agencies to give women that

confidence to come forward. When we come back from a recess on ` day

that is not a Monday, we sit on Monday hours, 2:13pm to 10:30pm

showed a similar principle not apply when we rise from a reset? ,- from a

recess? Mr Speaker, I will give some rapid force to the point of the

honourable gentleman has made. At the moment, the plans are to

continue with the powers th`t we normally sit on that day. -, with

the hours. Does the leader of the House, American military colmentator

said this morning, said that President Putin is delighted about

the British decision on Brexit. And he likes to see our country and

Europe feckless and weak. If that is the case, could we have an darly

debate on the growing presstre from Russia and the fact that Russia is

clearly trying to intervene in American politics at the prdsent

moment? Did the Russians intervene hn the

Brexit vote in June? I agree completely with the right

honourable gentleman about... The aggressive approach taken bx the

Russian government at the moment. Which we have seen demonstr`ted both

in the cyber attacks that hd has described. But also on the ground in

Ukraine. And through the st`tioning of missiles.

I hope it will be some reassurance to the right honourable gentleman to

know that yesterday, Nato announced details of the rapid deploylent

forces to be stationed in the Baltic state and in Poland. And also to

know that the United Kingdol will be the lead nation in Estonia `nd a

supporting nation in Polish contingent. That really does

demonstrate this country's continuing commitment to European

defence and security. That will continue. Even as we prepard to

leave the European Union and after. Mr Speaker, my constituent, Kerry

Hamilton suffered a traumathc experience at the hands of her

Atlantis group landlord with men barging into her Stockton home and

bullying her. She is in her 70s they are hounding her for money

though she no longer lives hn their properties. Both had local council

interventions and recorded conversation which the wife of the

owner, John Sykes, tells Mrs no camp camp -- no one can prove bullying

because he ran a charity. C`n we have a debate about rogue l`ndlords

and how we can better protect tenants from such behaviour? -- he

tells Mrs Hamilton that no one can prove bullying. There are v`rious

legal rules that landlords have to follow, if they are seeking,

lawfully, to evict a tenant. In my experience, the courts to tdst the

argument that landlords put forward. -- the court do test. It max be that

the tenant felt so intimidated that they were not able to avail

themselves of those remedies. If he would like to write to me about

particular constituency casd, I will draw it to the housing minister

Mother Teresa said, alone I cannot change the world but I can cast a

stone to create ripples. In northern Iraq, people are living... HNAUDIBLE

They are not receiving rations or basic food or support. Many

Christians living across thd UNHCR in Turkey, Jordan or Lebanon, in

poor conditions. Would the leader of the House agree to a statemdnt or a

debate on this very important issue? The government is, through hts

international development and aid programme, giving assistancd to

people who are in need in northern Iraq, but of course, as he knows,

the reason those people are in such dire circumstances is because they

have fled the terrorist genocidal regime of Daesh in parts of the

North of that country, therdfore the sooner that the Iraqi forces are

able to re-establish control over Iraqi territory, the sooner we can

bring about some hope in thd restoration of normal life to those

people. London has several new real projects, a new runway at Hdathrow

and money wasted on at garddn bridge, while we have no colmitment

to investment like that in the north. Can we have a proper debate

on the fact that the governlent seems focused on the south-dast

while we in the North lose out? I don't blame him for wanting to get

more spending for his own constituency. But... It's a

perfectly proper thing for him to seek here. But I do think hd needs

to acknowledge the government's commitment to the Northern

Powerhouse, and I hope that when the Autumn Statement comes, he will find

that there is ample demonstration there of our continuing comlitment

to the prosperity and growth of our great Northern cities. The

government is proposing to close down and evil immigration and

removal Centre, not to improve immigration policy but as p`rt of a

flawed value for money exercise Half the workforce are in mx

constituency and they are fdeling left high and dry. Tammy have a

government debate over how the government is conducting thhs and

how they engage or don't engage with the and unions? -- can we h`ve a

debate? As I think he knows, the government intention is that done

gables or be replaced by a new centre located close to Glasgow

airport, that will be much lore convenient in terms of trying to

make sure that people who are in this country illegally and to have

been properly served deport`tion or removal motors as can be reloved to

the country of origin. -- Dtngavel Bowlby replaced. What opportunities

exist to debate and draw attention to this cause that seeks to

commemorate this renowned Scottish regiment in sterling? I'd lhke to

salute the proud record of the Argyll and Sutherland Highl`nders

and I think his tribute will receive unanimous support from membdrs

representing all political parties in this house. He has seized the

opportunity today, there might be another opportunity, either through

a forthcoming adjournment ddbate or questions to the Secretary of State

for Scotland. Point of order, Julian Lewis. Is there any advice xou can

give to me in my capacity as chair of the Defence Select Committee

Both my committee and the foreign affairs select committee have been

extremely worried about the forthcoming major cuts to BBC