19/01/2017 Business Questions

shall now redouble our efforts in the coming years to improve further

upon it. In order, business question, Valerie

vows. Thank you Mr speaker. World Leader

of the House please give us the forthcoming business?

Did business for next week will be as follows. Monday the 23rd of

January, second reading of the local government Finance Bill.

consideration of Lords amendments to consideration of Lords amendments to

the Wales Bill. Followed by a motion relating to the charter of budget

responsibility, and Wednesday the 25th of an opposition day, there

will be a debate on prisons, followed by debate entitled the

detrimental effect on disabled people from government plans on

employment and universal credits. Thursday the 26th of January,

debates determined by the backbench business committee, the first one on

a motion relating to the statutory pubs code, and the pubs code

adjudicator. Followed by a debate on a motion relating to access to

breast cancer drugs. The provisional business for the

week commencing the 30th of January will include Monday the 30th of

January, second reading of the pension schemes Bill. Tuesday the

31st of January, second reading of the bus services Bill Lords,

Wednesday the first of debris, opposition day, 20th allotted day,

debate on an opposition motion subject to be announced. The second

fabric, business to be put forward by the backbench committee. I would

also like to inform the House the business in Westminster Hall for the

remainder of January will be: Monday the 23rd of January, a debate on an

EU petition relating to the banning of non-recyclable and

non-compostable packaging. Thursday 26th of January, General debate on

protecting civil society space across the world. Monday the 30th of

January, debate on an EU petition relating to pay restraint for a

agenda for change NHS staff. Thank you Mr Speaker. Can I thank

the Leader of the House for his statement and we still don't appear

to have a date for the summer recess. Could I ask him if he could

think about it very carefully and perhaps come back next week. And

also a date for parochial of Parliament and the State Opening of

Parliament. Mr Speaker, can I wish you were very happy birthday. I am

afraid the House can't sing to you. As a tennis fan, as a tennis fan I

don't know if your presents included new balls... But we all know how

well you handle a racket both inside and outside the chamber. And also an

inspired choice for Speaker's chaplain. Great pastoral support for

MPs. At the Leader of the House will join us in a doubles match for

Charity! Mr Speaker, sadly this house is

losing MPs and we have lost a former Prime Minister. I want to know how

many members made an incredible contribution you can do things for

the backbench. The member for Dewsbury amended the Finance Bill.

The member for Cheltenham increased a ten minute rule Bill on stalking

and the Government has extended the sentenced to ten years. The on the

member for North Ayrshire, I don't know if she is in her place, when

speaking on her own experiences on the loss of her baby reminded us

that in England we should allow coroners to investigate stillbirths,

so care can be addressed. There are many other honourable members across

the House that do great work. That is why many of us cannot understand

why the Prime Minister, on a major policy announcement that affects the

whole country, refused to come and tell the House and its elected

representatives about those 12 points of principle, which should

have been 12 paragraphs in a white paper, as they are government policy

initiatives. As the honourable member for New Forest West said last

week, my pleasure is magnified when I addressed the chair and you, sir,

are occupying it. I wish he would tell that to the Prime Minister. Mr

Speaker, these 12 clauses in the white paper should have been set out

last September, and that would have ended the speculation and

uncertainty that has engulfed us that the last six months. I can see

why the Prime Minister didn't want to come to be questioned about it

because we still need clarity on a number of issues. Principal four,

maintaining the Common travel area with Ireland is welcome. The Prime

Minister said the joint administration will be consulted,

but given their Iraqi elections in Northern Ireland, could the Leader

of the House confirm who will be sitting on the joint ministerial

committee? -- given there will be committee? -- given there will be

elections. Gibraltar voted 96% to remain. What consultation does the

Government intend to have with Government intend to have with

Gibraltar? And Spain have already threatened to plant their flag in

Gibraltar. The Prime Minister talks of a global Britain yet principle

five sets out the Government's proposals to keep the world out. The

Prime Minister said because we are no longer members of the single

market we will not be required to contribute huge sums to the EU

budget. Printable ten, she wants the UK to continue to be the best place

for science and innovation, forgetting the UK received 8.8

billion euros, the fourth largest share in the EU for research and

develop men. The private sector were perceived ?1.4 billion in 2013 for

research and development. That is just one sector. We get but we give

something back. As we wait the judgment from the Supreme Court, on

a point of law, on the 24th of January, next Tuesday, let's remind

the people that judges are on the people side, upholding the rule of

law. Can the Leader of the House confirm whether whatever the Bill

that comes out after the judgment, it won't be a cynical, one line

Bill, as suggested by government? The Prime Minister wants to do this

pariah children and grandchildren but our children between the age of

18-24 voted overwhelmingly, 75%, to remain in the EU. They already feel

let down. As we remember Martin Luther King

day this week and Holocaust Memorial Day next week, let us remember the

words of Martin Luther King, and a Holocaust survivor who died last

year, let us remember that the European Union was formed for

nations to come together in peace, not hatred. We must remember that we

are interdependent on each other, we do not live in isolation, whether as

individual countries, nations. We want economic and social justice

here and in Europe in the months and years ahead. Let those speeds are

guiding principles. Mr Speaker, in terms of the dates of summer recess

and prorogation, while I would hope to oblige the House as soon as I am

able to do so, I think the honourable lady and others will

understand there are uncertainties about how long it is going to take

to transact business before the House in the weeks to come, so I'm

not able to give firm dates as yet. She made a of criticisms about the

government's handling of the forthcoming EU negotiations. I have

to say the Secretary of State gave an oral statement and answered

questions from about two hours, and I rather detected in her strictures

on the Prime Minister is, a sense of frustration that I sensed her

frustration. On the question of Northern Ireland, the ministers who

have not resigned from the executive in the way that Mr Martin McGuinness

has stepped down as First Minister, remain as Acting ministers until the

new executive can be appointed, so the government is able to talk to

them and officials from the Northern Ireland Executive continue to attend

meetings. In the days when I used to chair committees on Europe, I can

remember a previous occasion after last Stormont elections when it took

awhile for the next executive to be formed, and they attended joint

meetings to ensure Northern Ireland was represented. On Gibraltar, in

line with the undertaking that the Prime Minister gave following the

referendum, ministers and officials are in regular contact with the

government of Gibraltar from the Chief Minister Darren. More broadly,

on the question of European Union and the honourable lady's concluding

words, I think the Prime Minister made it very clear during her speech

that the last thing that she and the government was seeking was a

weakening or dismantling of the European Union, the Prime Minister

said she wanted the European Union to succeed. And my right honourable

friend and the entire government are very aware of the fact that for much

of Europe, the mid-20th century was an utterly scarring experience. And

that many governments, many people in those countries, still look to

European institutions as a safeguard against anything like that happening

again. And we respect that view, that outlook, which terms from --

stems from their historical experience in the last century. And

so we will go forward respecting and determined to implement the

democratic verdict of the British people last June, but also in a way

where we will be seeking to achieve a future relationship with our

closest neighbours, which is based on mutual trust, friendship and

continued alliance and cooperation on a whole range of policy measures.

Finally, I would join the honourable lady in wishing all the best to you

and also the Speaker's Chapman on your birthdays today, and I would be

happy to accept the honourable lady's challenge, but I have to say,

knowing your prowess on the tennis court, I would regard the outcome is

something of a foregone conclusion! It is a bit rich coming from the

shadow Leader of the Commons complaining about parliamentary

scrutiny matters announced in the media, when I lived through the Tony

Blair and Gordon Brown years, when they never turned up to answer

anything! Yesterday, though the opposition claim they want to

discuss Europe, the debate on Europe finished early. There were not

enough speakers from them! So will be excellent Minister continue to

schedule general debate, but to those be seen debates, and each of

the 12 points the Prime Minister mentioned, be one of the debates, so

they can have as much time as they like to discuss it? Finally, I want

to put to rest a live. The leader of the Liberal Democrats claimed I

might have written to reason may's speech. I am afraid I had nothing to

do with it, it was her own work. Mr Speaker, I do not know of that last

comment was a bid to join ministerial speech writing teams in

the future. On the point about debates, there will be ample

opportunities for the House to continue to debate all aspects of

the forthcoming negotiation on the European Union. Thank you. Can I

also wish you a happy birthday. Lang may your lum reek. This has been a

bad week for Parliament. The Leader of the House should be ashamed. The

Prime Minister made about the most important statement about the future

of this country not here where elected members are, but in an

assembly full of press and diplomats. We know now it is almost

certain that a bill will be required in order to trigger Article 50, so

will he ensure this is subject to scrutiny, and thoroughly debated in

this House? Can we have a debate about to win friends and influence

people? The Fallen secretary is touring Europe like a dodgy

character doing his utmost to upset the very people that global Britain

needs to negotiate with to get a good deal about Brexiting the

European Union. We now know that this government's predominant

obsession, everything that underpins Brexit is immigration and freedom of

movement. Can the Leader of the House do what the Prime Minister

failed to do yesterday, and that is to confirm that English votes for

English laws procedure will not be applied to the great repeal bill?

This will cross across many devolved areas, it will be very complicated,

and there will be so many jurisdictions involved. So will he

do what the Prime Minister said Andrew outback today? We lost about

half of our opposition day on Tuesday, and it was necessary to

have the opportunity to question ministers about an important

statement. Will he pledged to give us that half day back in the future?

I cannot promise him to give the SNP that additional day, and I recognise

the pressure that there was on the limited time because of what he

himself acknowledge where two important statements. I will reflect

on that request but he will understand that there are other

pressures on the parliamentary timetable as well. He asked two

particular points about European Union legislation, and on the first

point, clearly, until the Supreme Court has ruled, we do not know

whether any bill will be required or not. But any bill, if it is to

become law, has two goals to the full parliamentary process in this

chamber and in the other place. That is the only route available to

change primary law in this country. So I hope that gives him some

reassurance. The extent to which amendments are in order, that

clearly depends upon the rules of the House and the interpretation of

the chair. On his question about the English votes for English laws

arrangements, it might be helpful if I remind the House for any matter to

be subject to the Evel arrangement, it must be subject to tests, it must

revert to a matter which is devolved in Scotland, the legislation here

must refer only to England or to England and will, and there must be

a certification from Mr Speaker that the clause or the bill or the

statutory instrument meets those tests. We have not yet published or

determined the final shape of the bill that will give effect to our

excerpt from the EU, the repeal Bill, but those tests would continue

to be the ones that would have to be met in any case. And I think it is

very clear to me that if, for example, we look at a measure that

is repealing the communities act 1972, clearly that has UK wide

implications, and not just applying to one part of the United Kingdom.

Can I also wish you a very happy birthday. Yesterday the youth

employment APPG heard from a number of youth employment ambassadors, and

these young people with inspirational but their achievements

were not going to the careers advice they achieved, but self belief and

determination. Can we have a debate about how careers advice can be

improved as currently there are examples of where we are potentially

letting people down. That sounds to me like an important issue which

might be in any area of the backbench committee debate. This is

also something to which my right honourable friend the Secretary of

State for education is getting very close attention. Many happy returns.

Can I thank the Leader of the House for notifying us of the business on

the backbench business. Provisionally we have tabled a

six-hour debate on the Armed Forces covenant for the 2nd of February.

This Monday, the House adjourned at 7:40pm, which frankly was rather

predictable, given the business on the day, and I wonder if this leader

could yet again consider working with us to consider backbench

debates which would take second place should government business run

its full course on such days in future. I am also asking the Leader

of the House to resolve thorny problem. We have had an application

for the debate on International women's Day, which is the 8th of

March, which is also scheduled for the spring statement. I wonder if we

can work with the Leader of the House to get a debate on

International women's Day is close to the 8th of March, probably before

hand, if possible? I will do my best to meet the honourable gentleman's

request on the last point. I take seriously and I will see whether we

can do anything more to accommodate the problem he identified regarding

last Monday. Difficulty for business managers is that you cannot tell by

the day -- until the day whether there will be questions that will

take up time, or how many members on each side will participate and for

how long they which bid wish to speak. I can remember previous

occasions in the House, when it was backbench business that came under

enormous pressure, resulting in a debate that had to be abandoned or

drastically curtailed, which was understandably immense frustration

to the backbenchers who had altered their arrangements so they were in

their places to participate in the debate. It is trying to strike a

balance. Would he find time for a debate on

national schools funding formula, because of the proposals go ahead,

every single school in South Bend will be worse off, and we will rank

84th out of the 533 constituencies in England, worst affected? I

understand his concern, and a new he is always a formidable active

champion of his constituents' interests. What I advise him is the

consultation, run by the Department for Education, is live now. It

doesn't end until the 22nd of March. What I would urge to do is to make

sure that he, on behalf of his constituents and perhaps

constituents individually, makes strong representations to that

consultation. I am always willing to offer breathtaking saturation is to

young people, be it yourself or your chaplain. Can I ask a Leader of the

House This question? Why is this constant delay and evasion in the

government bringing a motion before the House on the renewal of the

Parliamentary building? I know about the debate in Westminster All next

Wednesday, but why is there this delay? Isn't it essential that a

decision is reached, so that ever general election is going to take

place in 2020, those elected will now they would be sitting in this

building, for the work will be carried out without members of staff

being present, and hopefully will be completed much shorter than if

evacuation doesn't take place. When are we going to have a government

recommendation on this very important issue? He will be in his

place in his birthday, which if memory serves me correctly, is the

26th of June. We look forward to that and to the honourable gentleman

undertakings interrogation on that day. I understand his urgency to get

on with this. It's a feeling I share. Its possible additional

legislation will be needed after a court ruling next week. But there is

pressure on government time. I hope we can come forward with a clear

date as soon as possible. In addition to your birthday today,

maybe slightly less illustrious, last week saw the 70th anniversary

of Crawley being declared a new town. I appreciate it is obviously

for her Majesty to convert city status, but would the Leader of the

House speak with the Communities Secretary to see what process that

Crawley may be able to start to initiate, to explore that

possibility? I am happy to pass that request on to the Communities

Secretary, and I think the whole House will wish the people and civic

leaders of Crawley congratulations on this achievement, and their work

over the decades in building a thriving and successful community.

I'm sure he will agree that community pharmacies are very

important part of taking the pressures of overstretched casualty

Matt at the moment. Despite cuts to their funding just last month. The

government had introduced a pharmacy access scheme, to help deal with

some of the cuts and communities. I was really surprised to see, that in

the Prime Minister's constituency, 37% of our pharmacies will be able

to apply for that additional funding. In the three constituencies

in my city, only 1% of pharmacies can apply. The debate about Wyatt is

that the most disadvantaged communities still suffer the biggest

cuts this government? I am happy on the particular points you raise, I

clearly don't know the detail of the situation in Hull to ask the

relative health minister. I will ask them to write to you about this. The

principle is that there are now 15% more pharmacies in existence than

there were just a decade ago. Two fifths of pharmacies are within ten

minutes of two or more other pharmacies. The average pharmacy

receives roughly 220,000 a year in NHS funding. Even after changes, the

community pharmacies budget is going to be 20% more than it was a decade

ago. So I think the government is demonstrating it remains committed

to community pharmacies. For disabled people, achieving a job can

be a life changing experience. Last Friday, I was privileged to promote

a disability event in Cleethorpes to encourage local employers to take on

more disabled people. Could the leaders of the house join me in

congratulating Lorraine Alexander and her team from Grimsby job

centre, who did a great deal of work to stage the event, and also all the

voluntary and charitable groups? And could we find time to debate the

role and opportunities for disabled people in the workplace? I am very

happy to congratulate his constituents on this successful

event. I think it's been a really important step forward that we've

now got a record number of people with disabilities in work. I am the

first to acknowledge there is more that still needs to be done, but I

am heartened by the fact we are making progress, and that the risk

that kind of local and using a sum that he has described, which is

helping to highlight the opportunities for people with

disabilities. In contrast to just about every one of his predecessors

for the last 30 years, the leader shows no inclination to defend the

wider interests of the House, as to really progress on government

business. While his disgraceful treatment of the Parliamentary

Boundaries Bill is an example of that. What representations does he

make when a parliamentary select committee recommended the White

Paper before the implication of Article 50? What representations to

team-mate to secure that in the wider interests of the House, as

opposed to a prime ministerial statement, not even me there? Will

he indicate to the House, across the House, that he will see his job as

executing effective parliamentary scrutiny of a major constitutional

decision, however long it might take? I am absolutely committed to

their being full parliamentary scrutiny. Indeed, I have the delight

of appealing for the first time in my current responsibilities before

the European scrutiny committee yesterday in order to give evidence

to them on one aspect of that subject. I think that he makes

incorrect assumptions about the role of the Leader of the House in

relation to individual select committee reports. It is for select

committees individually to come to make their recommendations to

government. It is then primarily for the department to which those

recommendations are addressed to recommend to government colleagues

what that response should be. Then there is a collectively approved

government response to that select committee report. If the right

Honourable gentleman believes that any government of any political

colour is likely to agree with absolutely every recommendation of

every select committee, then I do think he has read many select

committee reports responses from governments to them over the years.

It is a perfectly fair, transparent way that we operate. With the

decision of the backbench business committee not to schedule a debate

on settlements and the destruction yesterday, is the other possibility

of a government statement on what seems to be a shift in government

policy over recent days as because he up to the incoming American

administration in granting complete impunity to Israel? The government

policy on Israel and Palestine has not changed. We remain committed to

a two state solution, involving you soften viable Palestinian state

living alongside Israel, with mutually agreed land swaps where

appropriate and with Jerusalem as a shared capital of both states. Our

view on the settlements remains that they are illegal in international

law and it is that which is at the heart of the United Kingdom's

policy. Thank you to the honourable member for putting me right earlier.

I should have realised that the honourable member would never write

such an extreme speeches that. I wonder if I could ask the Leader of

the House, on the matter of flood hit communities, not least mine in

Cumbria after the devastating floods in December 20 15th, if there will

be debate for financial support for those communities, in particular in

the light of the government decision in recent days to spend the entire

amount of the ?15 million we have now got, in respect of the December

flooding is from the European Solidarity Fund, to spend the whole

money, not giving support to the communities it was for, but to pay

the historic fine incurred in 2007 by a previous government. Whoever's

fault it was that the fine was incurred, for certain, it was not

the fault of communities such as mining Cumbria, and will he commit

at all of that money should come to those communities, or at the least

whether to be a debate on that matter? I think the best way forward

on this issue as it affects his constituency. In fairness, Defra

ministers have tried to make sure the money has been made available

more rapidly than has sometimes been the case in the past when

communities have been badly hit by floods. I will look into that

particular point about the European Solidarity Fund money that he has

raised, since I'm not sited on that, and one of the Defra ministers will

write to him on that. We have a football stadium that is still fully

usable, but demolition notices have been issued. Would you join me in

urging the owners to sit down with the local authority and the local

football club and community, to have one last look at whether a solution

can be found that retains all or parts of the stadium? Once it is

gone, it is gone. Can we have a statement on this next week? This

strikes me as a natural adjournment debate opportunity, but I very much

hope that organisations in Corby are able to come together and find a way

to maintain what is clearly a much loved community sports facility.

Notwithstanding that many of us were disappointed with the result of the

referendum, we recognise that the people have spoken. Nevertheless,

it's not just whether government to decide the detail of that. It's very

important this house gets a say. The Leader of the House has indicated

there will be ample opportunity for debate, but can he be specific about

how many days this House will get to debate and influence government

thinking on how we progress these negotiations, so our constituencies

and businesses are concerned, that they have their concerns aired in

this House? There has, as she knows, been a number of debates already on

aspects of our leading European union, and I fully expect there will

be that such debates related to additional specific topics in the

months to come. What ever happens doesn't happen next week, we will

have a bill in the new parliamentary session to repeal the European

communities act 1972, that will provide plenty of opportunities as

well. There were also, at my last kind, more than 30 different select

committee enquiries into different aspects of our leaving the European

Union, being conducted by committees either in this place or the House of

Lords. Mechanisms do exist are bringing those select committee

reports to the House for debate as well. This week of all weeks, it is

absolutely right that we see in this House of Commons that we want to

proceed with the building of a Holocaust Memorial Museum. But as

the Leader of the House is responsible, at least in part, for

the environment of the Palace of Westminster, will he accept there

may be merit in debating the siting of the new museum. There is a view

among many people that the best place for this museum to be would be

in or outside the Imperial War Museum, so that the many visitors to

that museum can see the link between the Holocaust and war and teachers,

rather than siting it in Victoria Tower Gardens, which is one of the

last green spaces here, visited by many thousands of people a year. As

this museum will be two stories underground, there may be a flood

risk. There is a need for debate on the location.

This may be a subject on which my honourable friend wants to seek a

Westminster Hall debate. The previous Prime Minister gave a

commitment to the site, something reactivated by the current Prime

Minister. Ultimately the planning matters to which he alluded are

going to be the responsibility of Westminster City Council to

determine. Congratulations, as you approach the prime of life and the

halfway point of your speakership. You may be surprised to know that

all but two up your 54 years, the Severn Bridge users have been used

as a cash cow, suffering double taxation of paying for the National

road system and the local tolls. Can this rip-off now be ended as the

bridge comes into public control? Mr Speaker, I sometimes heard Welsh

people say that you have to pay to come to Wales because it is a

privilege to come here, whereas everyone wants to get out to England

in a hurry! Steady on excavation mark no, they

say it in the nicest possible way! -- steady on!

Mr Speaker, the point I did not make clearly enough is that if you try to

charge people to get back into England, they would stay in Wales

and never leave. To take the point the honourable

gentleman made, I will take that up with transport ministers. Clearly

the tolls help to pay for the cost of the crossings, and that is

important, but I will get the Transport Minister to write to him.

Could he give consideration to the time allocated to questions in

DEFRA, the environment committee and the European Union. Having 30

minutes for oral questions and ten for topical, particularly with the

relevance of these departments, I am asking to get more time allocated to

them. I am happy to discuss that proposal through the usual channels

because these matters are agreed by consensus, if possible. I have two

also say that if we add time to these departments, it means one of

two things has to happen, either we take time off other departments or

we extend the cycle of departmental question times to six weeks, rather

than five, which leads a longer gap before members can question the

Secretary of State. This week saw the release of the extremely damning

National -- National Audit Office reports into the centric scandal,

which showed neglect at the heart of all agencies in this. The vast

majority of victims of the scandal have not received compensation. I

have written to the Prime Minister to urgently intervene in this matter

and hope that the Leader of the House will support me in this. But

we really must have a debate in the House around this gamble because

people receiving money back which they should have had in the first

place are receiving it in instalments rather than one lump

sum, affecting their ability to claim other benefits to which they

are entitled. We would like the opportunity to tell ministers across

the House how much constituents are being affected so justice can be

done, because this is embarrassing for the government which requires

immediate rectification. We are clear to the response that the

service provided by Concentrics was poor, and HMRC has apologised and

knows that it has to learn lessons from that contract. When it became

clear that their customer service could not be rectified by then, HMRC

took back 100,000 incomplete cases and redeployed hundreds of its own

staff to deal with this. They then also had to deal with monetary

reconsideration request, of which 36,000 have been received, and

allocated additional staff to this work. That means requests could be

dealt with quickly and payments restored we're big claimants were

entitled to them. There may be an opportunity for a Westminster Hall

or backbench debate, but I think HMRC was right to give priority to

the incomplete cases and deal with those first. It is now proceeding as

rapidly as it can to sort out remaining monetary reconsideration

requests. Could we have a debate on dementia? I am sure the Leader of

the House would like to join me in congratulating the social housing

provider for Bradford in my constituency for training their

staff for supporting residents with dementia, and in such a debate

perhaps we could encourage other organisations to do the same and

find out what more the government can do to help people who suffer

from dementia, estimated to be 6500 people affected in the Bradford

district, and what more support can be given to their families who have

a difficult job of caring for them. I hope he will have that

opportunity, but I would like to add my salute to his two those groups

and individuals in his constituency and many others who have been both

highlighting the challenges posed by dementia, but also encouraging more

people to become dementia friends, and ensure we treat people living

with dementia with the respect and dignity to which they are entitled

and they get the solidarity and support from their fellow citizens

that they are entitled to expect. Can we have a debate on bravery? In

March 1936, a young, gay conservative member of Parliament

celebrated 3 million -- demilitarisation. When he visited he

went to the first concentration camp, and saw such horrific violence

to Jewish people and homosexuals that when he came back here he

campaigned relentlessly against anti-Semitism and appeasement. He

was spat at when he raised such matters in this chamber at the

Carlton club last night -- that night. He was killed in the Second

World War, and should -- should we not do everything we can to put an

end to anti-Semitism here? I agree with every word that he said. And I

think the tribute he has just paid was a most appropriate one, as we

come towards the Holocaust Memorial Day. I hesitate to spoil your good

humour on such a day, but you will be aware that Tottenham Hotspur are

rebuilding White Hart Lane. As a result we have defined a new home.

The current proposal is that Stadium will be used for them for a season,

which will increase our national stadium by 60%. It is an important

issue for my constituents which becomes the car park for Wembley

Stadium on such event days. Worse still, Chelsea football club are

intending to come to Wembley for three years hereafter. So can we

have a debate on the use of our national stadium and the uses to

which it has been put so we can put on record our concerns about

potential abuse of our national treasure? I think he has put his

constituents' concerns on the record effectively, but there might be an

opportunity to voice this further. The Emirates is a very, very special

place in London, if I could put that on record. It seems appropriate that

we not only have an amazing exhibition of photographs on Syria

by William Winter cross, a brilliant photographer, and hope people will

be able to see it, but also having a debate on Holocaust Memorial Day.

Could we also think about a debate on a report that came out in July

2008, I believe, and it was called the Bercow report on children and

young people. Because of cuts by the government, young people are in

dreadful ginger. Child protection is becoming very difficult to maintain.

-- in dreadful danger. Could we see what progress has been made since

those recommendations? I cannot promise a debate in government time,

but the backbench committee time as they are for the honourable

gentleman. As it is a double birthday today, may we have a pair

of statements, one on the long-term future of HMS Albion and Bull work,

two of the most versatile and essential ships in the Navy, whose

future is threatened by a shortfall in the budget, and another offering

the same legislation protection to our veterans sue -- who served in an

order in Ireland, that is currently offer two terrorists who fought

against the welfare of the community that the veterans fought to defend?

-- HMS Bulwark. On his second point, the Northern Ireland Secretary has

already said he feels disquiet at some of the reports of proposed

prosecutions, and he is working actively to try to secure an

agreement in Northern Ireland to legislate on the legacy of the

troubles in a way that settle this issue as well as a number of others.

On his point about the two naval vessels, I will ask the relevant

defence minister to contact him about the detail. The UK's last

independent savings bank is to end all business activities after 182

years and the loss of 70 jobs. Secured loans and mortgages will be

transferred to the TSB, and customers will be helped to find

alternative banking providers. Unite, the trade union, has said the

Airdrie savings bank has become yet another innocent victim of casino

bankers. Can we have a debate in government time to discuss the state

of UK banking? While I completely understand the concern of the

honourable lady and those constituents who have accounts at

the bank at the loss of this historic institution, I think most

important thing -- the most important thing is their savings are

protected and that a banking service that is accessible to them remains

in being. We have seen over the years a number of mergers of

different banks and building societies, we have also seen a shift

towards many more customers making use of online banking. Those are

going to drive change, but it is having the service available that is

the key thing we have to preserve. Can I thank my right honourable

friend for providing time for the approval of the name for the

candidate of the new parliamentary and health service ombudsman which

was approved by the health -- health select committee yesterday. Can I

also point out that this is the day, Tuesday the 24th, that the Supreme

Court is delivering its judgment. Can I suggest to my right honourable

friend that it would be expedient of a government to a statement

immediately on the future implications for business, even if a

substantive statement on the implications of such a judgment

needs to be made at a later date? Clearly I and other ministers will

want to come forward and brief parliament on the substance and

implications of the judgment, once we know what that is. We do not yet

know its content or complexity. We are unlikely to get, or at most a

very brief prior knowledge of what the judgment contains.

I can't make a promise about specific timing, but the principle

he has at the heart of his question is one I completely endorse. Can we

have a debate on the future of the Crown Post Office network? Crown

Post offices break even, unlike the post office network as a whole, but

the government is forcing through a programme that will put scores of

post offices across the country, including one in my constituency, at

risk of closure. We need a guarantee that those services will stay. Can

we have a debate about it? The key point is that the services remain,

whether they are carried out in a Crown Post Office or whether they

are continued in a sub post office, and of course the sub post office

network provides post office services to the overwhelming

majority of our constituents throughout the country. So I would

certainly hope that his constituents will continue to get better

services. In my own constituency where the Crown Post Office closed,

those services continued but at a different location. Many happy

returns for today. As chair of the disability all-party Parliamentary

committee, I am extremely concerned by a report that disabled people are

much less likely to be able to access affordable credit and that

therefore been plunged into the hands of payday loans and loan

sharks. Can we have a debate on equitable access to affordable

credit, so that the most vulnerable in our society are not left open to

financial exploitation? I can't offer an immediate debate. I think

she makes a reasonable point. I think the banking industry has a

social responsibility to make sure that its services are accessible to

people with disabilities, to people on low incomes and others who do

quite often find in the experience that it is quite difficult for them

to get access to conventional banking. That does need something of

a cultural shift. Could the Leader of the House arrange for an urgent

debate before the Budget on school funding? Across the country, many

schools over the next two years faced a crisis in their budget.

Teachers will be sacked, and spending per pupil is going to go

down. Nottingham county council by 2019 will lose ?40 million. It's not

good enough, schools deserve better and so do the children of this

country. Of course, the government had to take some very difficult

spending decisions as a result of the need to continue to reduce the

inherited deficit, but I am pleased that the government has, despite

that difficult fiscal environments, been able to protect the core

schools budget. When you look at the money that is going to be paid to

schools, coupled with rising pupil numbers that we are expecting, that

should make sure that most schools, depending on whether they are

gaining or losing pupils, that the overall core schools budget should

be protected in cash terms. Can I declare an interest as a crofter on

the Isle of Skye? On the 23rd of November last year, the farming

Minister and Defra stated we would have a review of the allocations of

funding before the end of the year. I put down a written statement which

had a reply to yesterday, which indicated that an update will be

provided shortly. Mr Speaker, this is unacceptable. Can the leader of

the host make sure that the Minister makes a statement on the urgent

review of the convergence funding? This is an important matter for a

and farmers throughout the and Islands. Over 200 million of Euro

funding was given to the government on the understanding that I could go

to those in most need of it. That has not happened. He has raised

exactly this point during the debate on their rural economy on Tuesday

this week. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State

replied to him that he -- she recognise this point and that she

would keep up-to-date on progress. I think it had a very clear

undertaking from the Secretary of State. Twice this week, I have

raised the issue of the concerns of my constituents on cuts to council

services and ministers have swatted. Can he take this opportunity to

address those concerns and to demonstrate the impact these Tory

cuts are having on local people, that it's been taken seriously by

this government? We have confirmed a settlement for local councils that

his flat in cash terms, I completely accept that. But we have also

delivered what local authorities are asking for in terms of certainty

over a four-year period of funding. We are planning legislation now

being before Parliament very soon, that will enable local government to

keep all of the business rates that it collects by the end of this

Parliament. And we have provided the power of local councils to levy a

social Keo precept in order to help them with the challenges they face

in dealing with social care. The terms of your earlier statement mean

that happy birthday isn't your wish, but obviously an observation of

fact. Can I also in passing mention yesterday's 80th landmark birthday

of landmark statesman John Hume, co-founder of our peace process. Can

the leader tell us if he will Doctor the National Audit Office and

Treasury ministers to confirm that there is an investigation about the

tobacco scheme in Northern Ireland? There is also concern about the

period were regulations ran out and spending continued, not covered by

the Northern Ireland budget. Did the Treasury budget funded during that

period? Can I first joined her in sending belated birthday wishes to

John Hume? And I think we would all salute the heroic role he played in

helping to start and then drive through the peace process in

Northern Ireland. On his point about food renewable heat incentive

scheme, the Northern Ireland scheme is fully devolved to the Northern

Ireland Executive and is now the subject of an opening quietly by the

Northern Ireland Public Accounts Committee and therefore, it is

within their re-meet to investigate. -- we met. If the honourable

gentleman has evidence that Treasury money was in some way involved in

supporting the Northern Ireland scheme, and that money was

misplaced, I would urge him to write with the detail of that to Treasury

ministers, and I am sure they will respond. Like many members and like

the Leader of the House himself, I have been quite appalled by the

comments of the Foreign Secretary. The Prime Minister has three

options. She can either sack him, she can gag him or she can educate

him. If she decides to educate Kemp, can we be involved in that process?

When I think about our relationship with France, I think about how we

stood with France, with the Free French Forces and the Resistance

fighters against Nazism. I think about how we in France did together

against Soviet tyranny. I think about the very act of work we carry

out with France today against international terrorism. And we look

for a relationship after we leave the European Union that enables us

to build on those historic strengths and enables us and France to

continue to work as very active, complimentary partners on a whole

range of issues. In yesterday's Scottish questions, I counted 13

non-Scottish MPs answering. It was a humiliating exercise, could we have

a debate to ask the secretaries of state for Scotland to answer to

Scotland? The Secretary of State for Scotland, like every other Secretary

of State, answers to the House of Commons. It has always been the case

that it is open to members from any part of the United Kingdom to

participating questions to any Secretary of State. It is the

honourable gentleman's party who are frequently complaining about any

arrangements for English votes for English laws. It strikes me as a bit

bored by him to come now complaining that members from other parts of the

UK want to aspirations of the Scottish Secretary. On the 16th of

December, a post office in my constituency closed without warning.

It is a rural village and it's not easy for residents to travel

elsewhere. I understand the closure was unavoidable, but we have no real

timetable for the opening. Can we have a debate on what can be done to

speed up this process? I can see this may be an adjournment debate

opportunity for the gentleman. The reasons for delay vary, I know from

my own experience, it is sometimes not easy to get a new manager who

wants to take over the franchise to operate that sub post office. I hope

very much for his constituents' sake, that the Post Office is able

to open as swiftly as possible. A Christian convert from Islam was

accused of publishing pictures and comments on Facebook and arrested in

Algeria. He was given the maximum punishment for blasphemy of five

years imprisonment and a large fine. On the 8th of January a Court of

Appeal upheld his conviction, sentenced him to one year in prison.

Can I ask if we can have a statement on how we can encourage Algeria and

other nations to repeal blasphemy laws? While I don't know the details

of the particular case, it is my view and the government's view, that

we should champion religious freedom everywhere in the world. We pride

ourselves on being a plural society that respects people of different

faiths and people of no faith. And that view of the world, those values

influence our foreign policy and will continue to do so. Every

weekend, Parkland volunteers make it possible for thousands of people to

take part in five kilometre runs. I myself completed a run on Christmas

Eve. Can we have a debate on that contribution that part run makes to

our communities? I am happy to join him in paying tribute to those who

organise the part run. I have completed the Aylesbury one myself.

I think it's remarkable as a demonstration of how voluntary

grassroots initiative is helping not just to get people more active, but

to change attitudes towards activity, by making people, who been

shy about getting involved in organised sports, feel that they are

welcome to come along and participate. Debating with this

government that has forsaken all reason Re: Brexit is proving to be a

bit like administering medicine to the dead. Nonetheless, can we have a

debate in government time on Scotland's place in Europe? I think

that Scotland's place in Europe is going to be prosperous and secure

through its continued membership of the United Kingdom, which while it

leaves the European union, will be forging a new partnership on trade,

on security, on cooperation against crime, that will work to the benefit

of everyone in Scotland, as well as everyone else in the United Kingdom.

The Leader of the House has previously told me and this Carries

that the reason the boundaries Bill couldn't proceed to committee stage

was because it didn't have a money belt attached. But I've just

finished serving on the homelessness reduction committee, which went

through without such a resolution. So why is it one rule for one bill

and one rule for another? When is the boundaries Bill going to go

through to committee stage? I am not in a position to announce

anything further on that. Clydesdale bank's latest closures includes gift

Mac in my constituency, and as well as causing difficulty for causing

problems and high streets, it is difficult for people who have

trouble getting about. -- Giffnock. Can we have our debate about these

latest closures and the roles and responsibilities of high-street

banks? I think it is right that the banks do stick to their own code,

which requires particular attention to be paid when the last banking

outlet in a community is scheduled for closure. But it is also the case

that these are independent businesses and that they are facing

a future in which many more of their customers are choosing to bank

online, rather than in person at a local branch. So it is a challenge

on them to get the balance right and ensure that everyone in her

constituency has the access to banking services they need. Happy

birthday. This government commissioned a report on electoral

fraud, but what is needed is a review into the behaviour of

political parties in election periods and the punishments

available. The Lib Dems were fined ?20,000 for non-declaration of

?200,000 of spending, which is money down the drain. But Labour was also

fined and an investigation went on into its own party. The electoral

committee have said a fine of ?20,000 alone -- no longer enough of

a deterrent to ensure the rules are followed. Can we have a debate about

this? We have an independent investigators and legal system that

can look into political parties that can ensure expenses are checked, but

I have to say, for members of the Scottish National Party to give

lectures about good practice during election campaigning is a little bit

rich, and I think there are plenty independent journalists who objected

to the kind of bullying they were subjected to during the last

campaign and referendum. Prior to the Christmas tree service I served

in a European committee on asylum with two glaring problems. Firstly

all of the deadlines involved had passed already, and eyes had already

decided the motion the previous week. Can the leader tell us what

steps he is taking to make sure this does not happen again? I dealt with

this to some extent yesterday, but there was an error on the part of

the government in the handling of that business, for which an apology

was given to Mr Speaker and the European scrutiny committee

chairman, and steps have been taken to ensure we do not get repetition.

Point of order, very briefly, Mr Ian Blackford. I will be brief. I am

seeking your guidance on the response I had from the Leader of

the House on the question I put. If I can quote from Hansard, on the

23rd of November, when the farming minister said, we will provide an

update on the review of cap allocations before the end of this

year. We have not had an announcement from the government on

this. If