29/06/2017 Business Questions

amendment G in the name of the honourable member of Streatham and

others. I hope that is helpful to the House. Business question. Could

the Leader of the House please give us the forthcoming business? The

business for next week will be Monday the 3rd of July to reading of

the air travel organisers licensing Bill, Tuesday the 4th of July the

second reading of the European Union approval is built, followed by

motion relating to the allocation of select committees, followed then by

a general debate on the Chris Gibb reports, improvements to southern

railway. At 7pm the House will be asked to agree all outstanding

estimates. On Wednesday 5th of July proceedings on the supply and

appropriation Main Estimates Bill followed by a motion to approve the

Justice on security Northern Ireland act of 2007, extension of

generational nonjury trial provisions order 2017, followed by a

general debate on Israel and Palestinian talks. Thursday 6th of

July, a general debate on exiting the European Union and global trade.

On Friday 7th of July, the House will not be sitting. I would also

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

6th of July will be on Thursday the sixth debate on global education

before the G20 Summit followed by a debate on seasonal agricultural

workers scheme. Thank you. Can I thank the Leader of the House for

the business but I'm not sure she's aware that allocated a debate on the

tube report on Tuesday but there's also a Westminster Hall debate on

Wednesday at 9:30am on the same report. I'm not sure if that is a

typo or if she wants to punish the backbenchers. Can I start by sending

Her Majesty 's opposition condolences to all the honourable

members for the SNP on the death of their former leader, Gordon Wilson,

the leader from 1979-1990 and was an MP for Dundee East from 1974-1987.

We send our condolences to his family and friends. It was a great

get-together in the chamber on Saturday as Jo's family and friends

unveiled that beautiful black. I thank your office for making this

such a memorable day, and to all members from all sides who turned

up, and thank you to the member of Wirral South who organised it.

Brendan was right when he said it is noisy at PMQs and when there are

children in the chamber. The males of the Parliamentary digital service

who staved off the cyber attack over the weekend but could the Leader of

the House tell the House what the position is on restoration and

renewal if there is time for debate, and also if the tube report will be

debated on two separate days, could she allocate a date of the

opposition on the Tuesday? Mr Speaker, the Secretary of State said

he hoped we would not be a single opposition support him but I say it

is not the job of Her Majesty 's opposition to Sellotape a minority

government. Erskine May has helpfully pointed out the

opposition's task is to direct criticism of the Government's policy

and Administration and to outline alternative policies. It is this

Government that is unpatriotic and who have caused uncertainty.

Letters remember the Prime Minister resigned and walked away, the

current Prime Minister wanted a majority and now has a smaller

Government. They said that they would lift the cap on public sector

service pay, and number ten refutes that. The Chancellor has to set out

his position because it is opposite to the Foreign Secretary. But we on

this side have an alternative. We will take the country's result and

turn it into a new relationship with the new -- EU which puts opportunity

for our citizens at its core. That is Europe, but what about here?

Local Government finance faces uncertainty, the revenue support

grant will be phased out in 2020, but the consultation on business

rates ended on the 3rd of May 2017, and given the next Queen's Speech is

in 2019, could the Leader of the House say how we will find out what

the policy is and when we will scrutinise local government finance?

Local government needs to but the tea. Then there are two judgments in

the High Court. The High Court has ruled that the benefit cap was

unlawful. Mr Justice Collins said it was causing extreme hardship. 20,000

children and many single parents have been hardest hit by this

heartless policy. Irrespective of whether the Government is going to

appeal or not, could we have an urgent debate on the judgment? And

when will the Government report back on the quick and review on the state

pension age? The Government Osman plans also does not meet the court

order to cut air pollution in the shortest possible time. 40,000

people die prematurely from air pollution. Don't we deserve time for

this debate on this failure of Government policy? And Mr Speaker,

there is nothing about fair funding for schools or how much would be

available. A school governor told me during the election they managed to

stave off making a school teacher redundant, making a teacher

redundant, that is for this year. What will happen next year? And the

heads told me that she needs extra funds to make way for young people

to go to their school even though they actually live in the same

street as the school. When will the Government bring forward new

proposals on the discredited funding formula? Mr Speaker, that is why

this minority government has become a minority government, because it is

so far removed from the reality of people's lives. Finally, Mr Speaker,

I know you will be busy next week because it is Wimbledon fortnight.

You must be pleased you have got your deputies elected! It is the

20th anniversary of the first Harry Potter book, Harry Potter And The

Philosopher's Stone, but I don't know if you know there is a new book

out, Harry Potter And The Magic Money Tree! That was a Tordo falls

across a whole range of areas, I thank the lady for that. I had a

note from my honourable friend the member Bexhill only this morning

saying that at last week's business questions he asked for time to

discuss the Gibb reports, and many colleagues have raised this with us,

so I understand he will be withdrawing his request for time in

West Mr Hall, so that is a happy outcome for all colleagues who want

to discuss the severe problems that many rail commuters have had in

Southern and across other areas, too. I join the lady in sending

commiserations to the Scottish on this and all of those friends and

family of Gordon Wilson, a man who really did serve his country well.

Likewise on the subject of the unveiling of the plaque for Jo Cox,

I would like to add my thanks for the wonderful opportunity to be in

the state apartments yesterday on the Jo Cox loneliness commission. I

have a project in my own constituency to bring communities

together in coffee mornings to try and stem the tide of low --

loneliness, and I'm delighted that in her memory we are renewing our

efforts to tackle it. I would also like to add my congratulations to

the Parliamentary digital service. They really did work 20 -- 24 /7

over the weekend, and I understand they did about six months of IT

development work in about three days, so they have put us in a

stronger position than we were before, and I know all colleagues

will want to send their thank yous for the way in which they prevented

a serious harm being done. On the restoration and reveal, has

commissions are looking at those proposals and what is to be done,

and we hope to make announcements in new course. Then the honourable lady

came onto her opposition to this Government and her sense that it is

not a legitimate Government. I would just like to point out that the

Conservatives won the general election. It is not only our right

but it is our constitutional duty in the interests of the country to

bring forward a strong Government with support from colleagues in the

DUP, and this Government has a very strong programme, not only...

SHOUTING It has a strong programme for a

successful Brexit that will create job opportunity and be a global

force for free trade. But we also have measures that we intend to

bring forward to improved and restore mental health in this

country and to protect people from domestic violence and to protect

people from stalkers, very important social legislation. Some of the

industries of tomorrow to make this country a world leader in electric

vehicle technology, in autonomous vehicles and of course in space

flight, something that for many in the devolved administrations,

building spaceport and being at the heart of new satellite technology,

absolutely vital, and then finally, on the subject of security, keeping

people safe, the first Yuji of Government will be bringing forward

more measures to stamp out extremism, and to enhance global

working on counterterrorism. Very many good and worthwhile pieces of

legislation that I hope all colleagues will be able to support.

Can we have time for a debate on accident and emergency services,

specifically the service in Southend, and assure constituents

that any decision will be clinically led? Ayanna boyfriend is quite right

to raise the issue of accident and emergency services. He will know

that the decisions about A are clinically led. -- my honourable

friend is quite right to raise the issue. I thank the Leader of the

House, and I am grateful on these benches for the very kind words

expressed about Gordon Wilson. He is somebody who love this place and the

words expressed here will be comfort of his family and friends. Scanning

the business, it looks as though there will be no votes at all this

week, and given that the Government only secured a majority small

majority, we can see why they don't want to test it too often. This is

already a zombie government. And there is much to debate, but

primarily and particularly the grubby deal that has been stitched

up with the Democratic Unionist Party, which demonstrates the worst

excesses of pork barrel politics. You decided that I couldn't secure

an emergency debate, but you would think the Government would be

rushing to the House to debate this particular deal, and members must be

able to scrutinise, to ask questions, to debate what is going

on. It is a deal that turns the normal funding arrangements totally

on their head. It is unbelievable that a deal of such significance and

importance could be passed through this House without any debate and

scrutiny, and we urgently need a debate about the role of the

Scotland Office in all of this. This is now run by the Secretary of State

without any shred of credibility who has failed to stand up for vital

Scottish interests, who says one thing about the funding arrangement

on the Barnett Formula wonder and is contradicted the next, someone who

is as much use as a Emu without what Hull.

Where to start, Mr Speaker? First of all, Under-Secretary of State for

Scotland, he is a legend advocate for Scotland. He speaks up for

Scotland in every Cabinet meeting. He is the strongest advocate for the

Barnett Formula. He called for transparency, as have the Scottish

Nationalists on the deal with the DUP, and let's just be clear about

this, the honourable gentleman in his desire to see Scotland walk away

from the United Kingdom wishes to walk away from the Barnett Formula,

so it is extraordinary that he is now calling for the arrangements

with the DUP to be treated the same way. The Scottish national Swann to

walk away from it, that is not in the interests of Scotland at all,

and unfortunately the Scottish Government appear to spend all its

time talking about the breakaway rather than getting on with the job

that they have been asked to do by the Scottish people. And turning to

the issue of money for Scotland, he will be very much aware that the

Barnett Formula supports funding for the devolved administrations, it is

by no means everything. The UK Government has invested in city

deals, 500 million in Glasgow, 125cc in Aberdeen, 53 million in

Inverness, 5 million to the Victoria and Albert in Dundee, the list goes

on, they really do need to be clear. Are they only interested in

Independence, are they interested in governing Scotland properly and

contributing to the United Kingdom? There is no evidence of the latter.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Can we have a statement from the Secretary of

State for Education for school funding in Cheshire? There is a

great deal of concern at the moment amongst parents, governors and

teachers on funding in their schools, and hopefully a statement

will provide them and me with the reassurances we seek. Can I first

really welcome my honourable friend back to her place, it is fantastic

to see her back here, and we look forward to talking with her across

the House in the future. She raises a very important point, and I'm sure

that the Secretary of State for Education will have heard that and

will be keen to come to this House. Nevertheless, in terms of fairer

funding for education, it is vital and carries the support of many

across the education sector that we do look at fair funding so that all

pupils have the same level of funding, that a is absolutely key.

Mr Speaker, I thank the Leader of the House for the letter she sent me

in the correspondence from my post as chair of the backbench business

committee in the last Parliament. I do express some concern about a

particular line. We were looking to see how the arrangements for

backbench time would be allocated given that it is a two-year

Parliament on the standing orders guarantee us 35 days, 27 of which

should be in this chamber within a session, but because it is a

two-year session, that wouldn't work. And there is a line in her

letter that says, in the first instance, discussions about how this

town will be allocated will take place through discussions in the

usual channels. I'm afraid to say that concerns me. The backbench

business committee was established to circumvent the usual channels,

Leader of the House, and therefore I would ask that the discussions would

take place with the committee once it is established. But I also thank

her for allocating time for the residual back into committee debate

from the last Parliament on Israel and Palestine. Thank you.

I thank the honourable gentleman, he raises an important point and what I

tried to make clear in my letter is that we are very sympathetic to his

request that we bring forward debates held over in the last

session into this session. He will be aware that standing orders set

out the amount of time allocated to different types of debates including

backbench debates but we are sympathetic to that and we will be

discussing that and I am personally very sympathetic to his request.

When will the Government be making a statement on access to abortion in

Northern Ireland? It's wrong that women in Northern Ireland don't have

the same access to abortion as women in England, Wales and Scotland and

the High Court has ruled this contravenes human rights law which

is the responsibility of the UK Government and not devolved matter.

When will the Government be issuing a statement? This is an incredibly

sensitive and important issue, and it is my personal view that every

woman should have the right to decide what happens to her own body.

That is very clear. This question of women from Northern Ireland

accessing abortions in England is not one of whether they should have

that access, it is a question of devolution and the fact that help is

devolved to Northern Ireland and are therefore it's the question of who

should pay for it. What I can tell honourable members is the Department

for equalities and the Department for health are discussing and

looking closely at this issue today. This week it was announced that

surgery for my constituents who smoke or who are overweight will be

restricted for some for up to a year. Can we have a debate in

Government time regarding the potential impact of this decision on

my constituents' health, mental health, and the legacy of the NHS

rationing such as this. The honourable lady raises a very

important point and she may well want to apply for an adjournment

debate to raise this issue which is very important. She will appreciate

this is a commission led but I urge her to take that forward in an

adjournment debate. In recent days there has been absolute misery for

thousands of motorists in my constituency caused by work being

carried out by highways England. I wrote to Mr Jim O'Sullivan, the

chief executive of highways England for an explanation and it has taken

a week to receive a standard acknowledgement letter saying that I

by which time the works will be will get a substantive response in

over. Mr Speaker, given that the decisions taken by highways England

impact on millions of people... As to whether this couldn't care less

attitude is an acceptable way to go forward? I can well imagine what an

irritation this is for his constituents and I would not be

happy with an acknowledgement and a pledge of a proper reply within two

weeks. Many public sector organisations to respond quickly to

request from members of Parliament and I hope highways England will

have heard his remarks and give him a quick answer. Last week rumours

circulated in Wallasey that the Kingsway Academy was going to be

closed. We have now managed to establish that there are plans to

close it, in some cases perhaps by the end of July, so this will throw

the whole of our education system in Wallasey into disarray and there are

400 pupils whose future is currently completely obtuse and we don't know

where they will be. New parents don't know whether they can buy

uniforms for the school. This is part of a multi-Academy trust who

have just not communicated any of this at all so can we have a debate

on public accountability amongst multi-Academy trusts? If this had

been a local authority school there would have to have been a two year

consultation period instead of this chaos. I'm quite sure the right

honourable lady will have raised this very loudly in her own area,

which is right that she should, and again in order to bring forward the

question very quickly, I suggest that she should seek an adjournment

debate. Can we have an early debate about the importance of police

stations in local communities? They are place of security, safety and

sanctuary for many people and the importance of being able to drop

into the police stations is vitally important. In Lancashire there are

proposals to close ten police stations including my own Clitheroe.

Please can we have an early debate in order to say how important it is

to keep these police stations open? My honourable friend raises another

important point about what expectations are in local areas. I

have certainly in my own area seen closures of police stations which

the police have made a very strong case that people don't tend to drop

into police stations very much and therefore they can use their time

better by not having manned police stations, but I completely

sympathise with the reaction of local people, it is never good, and

I do encourage him to seek an early Westminster Hall or adjournment

debate. In particular the ones to write to me I will pass on his

concerns to the right department. To the apparent envy of some of his

honourable friends, I call Mr Alan Brown. Thank you, Mr Speaker. In my

short time in this place, so far I have seen the Secretary of State for

Scotland failed to get money for opencast coal restoration. Now we

have seen Scotland completely bypassed in a deal with the DUP. We

think the Secretary of State for Scotland should resign, could she

say why she thinks he should continue Secretary of State for

Scotland? The Secretary of State for Scotland is a huge advocate for

Scotland. Having myself being an energy minister, I can assure

honourable members that he has spoken up for energy in Scotland, he

was certainly very diligent in looking at measures for oil and gas

sector, it was important in the city deals for Glasgow and Aberdeen, he's

been an enormous advocate for the fisheries sector and that's just

from my own personal experience. He's a superb advocate for that

nation and they should be delighted have him. May we have consideration

of a debate on the issue of toxic cabin air syndrome which has

reportedly killed and caused serious illness to many crew on aircraft,

both my constituents and others around the country? Yes, my

honourable friend raises a point that I think we have all but about

in the newspapers and that would certainly be worthy of debate and I

encourage him to seek an adjournment debate, a backbench debate in the

first instance would be very important. My postbag has been

swollen this week by a large number of well written letters by the

people's of a primary school in Shetland who have been studying the

topic of slavery across the world. Given that general debates seem to

be finding fashion with the business managers, can the leader make time

available to say how we might be doing more to tackle this across the

globe? Of course it is this Government that has introduced an

act about human slavery that seeks to stamp this out and take a world

leading role in stamping out modern slavery, and he's right to point out

that we do commit to overseas development aid which again goes in

great part to supporting efforts to stamp out human slavery. He raises

an incredibly important point and I'm certainly sympathetic to that

and will raise that with Chief Whip. There are many honourable and right

honourable members on all sides of the House who await the Government's

25 year plan for the environment. I know it's a matter of interest to my

right honourable friend and I hope she will tell the House that it will

be published under statement will be made in the House when it is

published. I absolutely praise my honourable friend for his

contribution to the whole area of protecting and enhancing our

environment, and he will have seen that commitment of the 25 year plan

for the environment is part of our manifesto. We remain fully committed

to it. There is a clear through the Great Repeal Bill intention to bring

all EU legislation that relates to the environment into UK law, from

there we have the ambition to be the first generation leaves the

environment in a better state than we found it, and I'm proud that we

remain committed to that outcome. Today's Times says that thousands of

people die each year breathing air that is officially considered safe.

The BMA think we should have air pollution monitors at the roadside

so can we have a debate on improving air quality standards please? The

honourable gentleman is right to raise what is a very serious public

health issue, and he will be aware that there is a consultation under

way right now on measures to improve air quality, but of course that is

to reach a certain level of air pollution. What this Government's

longer term aims to have almost all vehicles zero carbon by 2050, that

is a real solution and in the short and medium term we will be setting

out measures to try to tackle the problem of air quality. Following on

from the opposition leader's comments, I look forward to

welcoming you to the best constituency in England in the next

fortnight. Can the Secretary of State come to this House and make a

statement on Crossrail 2? The constituents of Wimbledon and across

London on clean to understand the commitment of this project. I will

certainly be happy to write to my right honourable colleague on that

subject on his behalf. I'm personally very interested to know

if it is true that the strawberries for Wimbledon are being grown

underground in Clapham. He's right that Crossrail 2 will be a very

important measure to get people in London moving and I am personally

supportive of it. I was shocked by was a complete lack of clarity from

the Secretary of State for Education on schools funding on Tuesday and

the Leader of the House's comments that the funding formula for schools

simply won't ring true in my constituency, where schools have

seen their budget squeeze year-on-year and our fantastic

Forest Hills School has a deficit of 1.3 million. Can we please now have

a proper statement and a debate before the summer recess on schools

funding? Can I welcome the honourable lady to her place and

wish her every success in her new role. Of course we are proud of the

topline achievement that there are now 1.8 million more children in

good and outstanding schools than there were in 2010 but she's right

to point out there are pressures on school budgets. It is being closely

looked at by my right honourable friend in the education Department

and I will happily take up the issue she raises her. Given the Prime

Minister's commitment to more capital spending in the NHS, can we

have a statement on capital spending because whilst the Alexandra

Hospital has excellent staff, we are in desperate need of a new hospital

because of sewage coming into the operating theatres and a failure in

infrastructure. My honourable friend is raising an important point in his

constituency which I think would be worthy of raising in an adjournment

debate but if he wants to write to me I would be happy to take it up

with the Department of Health. When can we debate holiday in motion 85

which congratulates the Scottish Government on introducing

legislation so that Scotland can share the benefits that Wales have

enjoyed in having presumed consent for organ donations. We are at the

worst record in Europe on the number of consents in the UK. It's been a

brilliant life-saving success in Wales, isn't it time England and

Scotland enjoyed the benefits? Yes, this is a very sensitive and there

are very strong views on all sides of this argument. I share the

honourable gentleman's view that presumed consent would be life

changing for many people waiting for organ donations. I will raise that

issue but he could call a Westminster Hall debate which would

highlight its and I'm sure that's will be in his mind. Can we have a

debate on the need to restrict postal voting? Not only does it --

not only has it helps people vote more than once in elections, it has

also in certain parts of Bradford been known to be abused for a

considerable amount of time, including I might add effectively

depriving many women of the vote in those communities. It is very good

how these people speak of women's rights are happy to be silent when

it clashes with another politically correct shibboleth. These are issues

people asked concerned about, can we have a debate about the abuse of

postal voting in this country? My normal friend is exactly right to

speak up for democracy in this country, and I hear members on the

opposite benches pooh-poohing his comments, but it behoves us all to

stand up to democracy. Nobody should want the availability of double

voting or indeed for one person to vote on behalf of their entire

family or on the half of people who are no longer with us. So I

absolutely agree with my honourable friend that we should have a debate

on this subject, we should take this forward and ensure that democracy

continues to prevail. The M62 would be the great Northern Powerhouse

project, connecting Lancashire and Yorkshire, so when the Government

going to recognise the importance of this project and start talking about

it and talking it up and talking the Northern Powerhouse Arp and funding

it likes the Northern Ireland powerhouse that they seem to be

funding? The honourable gentleman has raised the point loud and clear.

You will know that it was this Government who created the term the

Northern Powerhouse, but more importantly have funded it with

hundreds of millions of pounds, and continue to support it, so his words

are now on the record, and I'm sure that my right honourable friend will

be interested to hear it. Yesterday at PMQs, the Member for South East

Cornwall bravely raised the personal impact of both online abuse and the

direct effect during her campaign and many other female candidates

across the UK suffered. As the previous chair of the all-party

women in Parliament group, could the leader make time for a debate on

this issue so that this House can express its discussed at this kind

of direct abuse, so that it does not put off the women leaders of the

future coming to this House? I completely agree with my honourable

friend. This matter was a total disgrace during the recent general

election. The number of colleagues who were genuinely scared for their

personal safety, and for the appalling, disgusting behaviour of

defacement of offices, of posters, the constant tearing down in social

media terms of the efforts of colleagues to try and get elected.

It is an appalling indictment of our society that that has been allowed

to happen, and I think that this House will want to take that matter

further. Can the Leader of the House gives some Government time for the

development and a statement on the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon? This was

omitted from the Queen's Speech, and she knows about this project, and it

is no use blaming previous energy or environment Ministers, for that what

she. I will accept the involvement in the Hendry review, which was

designed to make sure that Swansea Bay tidal lagoon gets a fair

hearing. That report has made its findings clear, and the Government

is looking at it carefully. He will be aware that it is a significant

expense, it also has enormous potential and it is right that it

should look at it carefully for value for taxpayers' money, and

there will be a statement about it in due course. I gave notice to the

Leader of the House and I hope she has done her homework on this

question, but I'm not going to ask that question because something more

important has come up. It has been brought to my attention that at the

general election, people can be registered in two places to vote, I

am registered in London and my constituency, but an social media, a

number of students are bragging about the fact that they voted not

only where they live but also where they go to university. That is an

abuse of the situation, and could we have a statement next week at the

Cabinet office on that matter? I am always delighted that my honourable

friend likes to throw in a googly, so I thank him for that, but he

raises what is again an incredibly important point for our democracy.

We do need to get to the bottom of people deliberately voting twice,

which I understand is in fact illegal, so we do need to

investigate this, we do need to ensure the Parliamentary democracy

that this country has been famous for and is the mother of all

Parliaments, is absolutely upholding the rights of one person, one vote.

Given there are no Welsh questions before recess, can we have an

opportunity on the floor of the House to question the Secretary of

State for Wales on what he has been doing since the Government's

announcement of the deals and the DUP to ensure that Wales is not

short-changed? The honourable lady will be aware that Wales has also

benefited from a number of projects outside of the Barnett Formula, and

I will certainly pass on her comments to my right honourable

friend, and seek some sort of opportunity for her to do that. Mr

Speaker, in recent years, my Cleethorpes constituency has

benefited from government support, but as my right honourable friend

will be aware, coastal communities continue to face particular

challenges. Could we have a debate about those particular challenges at

how the Government will continue support for coastal areas? He is

exactly right that coastal areas do suffer some unique problems, and we

have had in the past some very fruitful Westminster Hall debates on

the particular issues facing coastal communities. I am delighted that

they also have the advantage of fabulous fish and chips, which I was

very pleased to come and enjoying Grimsby with him during the recent

general election campaign. But he raises a good point, and I think he

should certainly apply for a Westminster Hall debate to be able

to raise those issues properly. Mr Speaker, for the third time in a

fortnight, my constituents are having to put up with the noise and

nuisance and litter and mess caused by illegal traveller camps on parks

and public open spaces in Dudley, and this is completely unacceptable.

When I talk to the council and police about it, they tell me they

need more powers to deal with this. So can we have an urgent debate in

government time so we can get to the bottom of this issue and provide

local authorities with the position they need to provide provision so

that local constituents and their children can start to use parks and

play areas once again. The honourable gentleman might have

raised this last week, it was raised very recently, and I think we all

share the same concern about the impact on our own local areas of

this particular problem. If he would like to write to me, I would be

happy to take this forward, and I would be sympathetic to Beijing

Government time or a Westminster Hall debate. Mr Speaker, following a

meeting with the constituent, I have learned that the number of children

home-schooled in workshop is more than doubled since 2012, and there

is a consensus that this is on the rise across the country, leading to

concerns that the checks on quality may not be as rigorous as they might

be, and some children may not be getting the education they deserve.

I wonder if we might have a debate on the future of home-schooling. Of

course what this Government has sought to do is to provide in order

to get standards up a wide range of schooling options, and I would like

to pay tribute to the many families who do provide excellent

home-schooling for their children, where there are particular issues

perhaps around bullying or particular needs, but he is right to

raise the fact that checks need to be carried out to ensure that

children don't drop out of sight. Local authorities do have a

statutory duty to check that all children are receiving a proper

education, and they do have a course to the law if that is not found to

be the case. But I certainly think my honourable friend could raise

that in a Westminster Hall debates to good effect. On the 23rd of June,

just last week, 84 people in Pakistan were killed, the third on

this year, hundred and 15 people noted. Families remain in the

streets with their deceased, unable to bury them. Another is that is a

very real risk. Pakistan quite clearly are trying to restrict what

is happening and not let the world outside no. Could I ask, could we

have an urgent statement on this matter to see how we can help the

people of the local area and give them the help that they need right

now? He raises a very important issue that is affecting, as he says,

three attacks in recent past. What I can tell him is that the UK and

Pakistan have a shared interest in addressing and reducing the threat

of terrorism. We are committed to working together to combat the

terrorist threat and this is tree -- and the extremism that sustains it.

I think if he would like to write to me on this point, I will certainly

take it up with the relevant department. My right honourable

friend is absolutely right widget talks about the portents of keeping

people safe. Could we therefore have a statement regarding the threat to

commercial and military aviation from use of drones by private

individuals or commercial organisations? I think we have all

seen recent press reports of close shaves, and it is certainly

something that seems to be an increasing challenge. If my

honourable friend would like to write me on that point, I will take

it up with the Department of Transport. The National Audit Office

says it will cost nearly ?7 billion to get existing school buildings up

to scratch, yet the Government is spending money hand over fist to

develop preschool site including four in London that have cost over

?30 million each. Isn't it time that we had a debate in Government time

about how to manage the capital budget for schools so that all our

schools and pupils are in schools with decent sports facilities rather

than old office blocks not fit for purpose? I would have to remind the

honourable lady that since 2010 1.8 million more children are in good

and outstanding schools than before 2010. Members offers it -- opposite

tut, but her parents, a good education is very important, the

fabric of building is important, but not as important as the quality of

education the children are getting. I would be happy to take that point

for her if she would like to write to me on it. I welcome the debate

next week, can my right honourable friend try to secure a statement

from the Secretary of State for Transport to ensure that my line

that runs to my constituency and supports East Sussex and Kent is

electrified and sure is that all of our network is up-to-date? I will

happily take up that point with my right honourable friend. The debate

next week will enable colleagues to make some very key points about the

quality of rail transport, and I encourage her to attend that. Can we

have a debate in Government time on the injustice of the mineworkers'

pension scheme, which has seen Government offers swelled by

billions of pounds due to the 50/50 unfairness? More money needs to go

to miners and their widows. This has been debated a number of times in

Parliament, and there was a long-standing agreement for the

sharing of the surplus. If she would like to write to me, I will happily

take it up again. Reversing the 20 13th downgrade of night-time A at

Cheltenham General Hospital is something that I'm passionate about,

but the trust makes clear that recruiting middle grade A doctors

is difficult. Can we have a debate on improving incentives and

conditions of such staff so that my constituents can have the hospital

they deserve? My honourable friend raises another very important matter

for his consistency, but of his A, and I do encourage him to apply for

an adjournment abate to discuss the specifics there. Yesterday I asked

the current Prime Minister to confirm that all services in

Dewsbury and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary would remain open,

including full aid e-services. She replied that it would stay open, but

strangely ignored the significant downgrade and Huddersfield Royal

Infirmary. Could she provide Government time for the Prime

Minister to come to the House and reassure the local people services

are safe, or apologise for her scaremongering comments when we just

highlighted that services were under threat? I'm not sure I fully

understand what the honourable lady is saying. She is saying that the

Prime Minister gave reassurance to what... What I heard the Prime

Minister say is that Dewsbury A was not under threat. So if the

honourable lady would like to write to me on that point, I can try to

understand exactly what she would like to happen, thank you.

Could we have a debate in Government time on the disposal of local

authority assets? Shortly after the election was called, it emerged that

Harrow Council had sold the freehold of the hide to Barnet football club,

Barnet football club ride roughshod over local people and nobody was

consulted. Barnet football club is illegally -- illegally play their

football matches at the hive and impose misery on match days. So

could we have a debate in Government time on this issue? Sounds like he

has had a pretty tough time with a local issue there which is ideal of

course for an adjournment debate. On the 2nd of December 2015, the House

passed a motion concerning air strikes in Syria which were

specifically about targeting Daesh assets, it did not involve targeting

any other actor in that region, so it was with some surprise that I

heard the Defence Secretary this week claim his unwavering support

for US air strikes to target the Syrian regime. The Foreign Secretary

in April stated the assumption of Parliamentary approval needed to be

tested. So can the Leader of the House provide us with an urgent

statement on government thinking on changing the nature of this

conflict, and can she also ensure that a debate and vote in this House

happens before the mission creep sets in? The honourable gentleman

has raised some important questions which are for the MOD, and I can

draw his attention to the fact that we have oral questions for the

defence on Monday the 10th of July. Following very welcome announcement

from the Government that farm payments will continue until 2022,

can we have a debate on how they will be allocated as many farmers in

Brecon and Radnor share are concerned about the mechanism that

will be put in place and whether the administration of the payment will

ensure they are paid on time. Of course the farm payments are subject

dear to my heart as an ex-Secretary of State and I worked closely with

the honourable gentleman who was a great spokesman for the farmers in

his constituency. I can tell him the importance of the continuation of

the single farm payment is to ensure a smooth transition for farmers

across the UK to a new agricultural policy when you leave the EU so the

arrangements for that transition will be consulted on and discussed

but I cannot give him the specific outcome as yet. Notwithstanding our

view of the Government's relationship with the DUP, can the

Leader of the House assure the House that next week, at the earliest

opportunity, either the Prime Minister or Secretary of State for

Northern Ireland will make a statement about the outcome of the

talks taking place today in Northern Ireland which are of crucial

importance to the whole of the UK, where if it fails we will see a

restoration of direct rule and if they are restored, which we all hope

they are, there will still be serious questions to be asked and

this Parliament needs to discuss it as a matter of urgency. Yes, this is

a key issue and as he points out, today is the deadline for new

ministers to be appointed. The Secretary of State for Northern

Ireland is flat-out working, trying to encourage along with Irish

politicians and of course members of the Northern Ireland potential

executive, so all parties in Northern Ireland are working very

hard to try to ensure we get an arrangement signed today. The real

impact of police cuts can be measured by the rise and tide of gun

crime across Merseyside where we have had 100 shooting incidents in

the last 18 months, ten this month alone, and the Chief Constable in

Merseyside has said he's never known a situation where the police force

are stretched to the limit they are today. Proper funding is needed for

the police, and can I ask whether we can expect a statement for the Home

Secretary or a debate to rid our streets of gun crime? He raises an

incredibly important point about policing. As the Prime Minister said

yesterday, police budgets have been protected and there has been a big

increase in investment in intelligence and counterterrorism

and attacking cyber crime and so on to try to ensure the police have all

the tools they need to do the job. But of course the Home Office will

be listening carefully to particular issues and it sounds as though in

Merseyside there is a specific issue which you might want to raise with

them at Department oral questions. After the former member for the

brought before the House evidence of criminal behaviour in the

contaminated blood scandal, can we have a statement from the Secretary

of State for Health as to what action he will be taking now the

evidence has come to light, and when a full inquiry will be set up? I

think that sounds... Again, I am sorry to ask for further detail but

I would be happy to take that up with the Department for health if

the honourable lady would like to write to me about it. Like many

members, I've had occasion to sign off referrals to the ombudsman

service, and in most instances their determinations which can only be

accepted or rejected are sufficient for the constituents but they cannot

be appealed. Can we have a debate in Government time on the workings of

the ombudsman service and in particular what recourse the

constituent might have if they believe full or essential detail

concerning the case was not fully taken into consideration when the

determinations were reached? Yes, I have a lot of sympathy for what the

honourable gentleman says, having come across cases myself where it

seems an extraordinary outcome. It seems to me that that would be an

ideal sort of inquiry for a select committee. It's the sort of thing

where there really does need to be evidence provided. I'm also

conscious there are different ombudsmans looking at different

types of activity so it seems ideal for a select committee inquiry, but

I am happy to talk separately with the honourable gentleman if he

thinks another route would be better. Generally have a debate in

Government time or a statement because residents certainly in the

Coventry and Warwickshire area are concerned about building on the

green belt. Can we find out what the Government's policy is and the

planning regulations are in relation to the green belt because there is a

blame game going on. One group blamed the local authority and the

local authority blames central government. By the way I have

applied for an adjournment debate. Excellent, I'm so glad the

honourable gentleman has done that, it saves the laughter of the House

if I were to suggest it. It is a very thorny issue because of course

what we all want to see is more people able to live in and own their

own homes and there is that balance between building and protecting the

green belts but also making sure people have homes that are fit for

purpose and can aspire to do that so this Government is committed to

protecting the green belt and I'm glad he's arranging for an

adjournment debate because I think that's the ideal venue to raise

those issues. Trussell Trust research has indicated that mental

health problems affect almost one third of households using food banks

whilst 50% were classed as having a disability. May we have a debate on

cuts to disability benefits and the terrible impact this is having,

plunging our most vulnerable into extreme food poverty. I would like

to start by saying I think we all applaud the work of food banks. I

have a couple in my own constituency and they do a fantastic job with

volunteers. The honourable ladies raising an important point, it would

lend itself to a Westminster Hall debate on that very important topic.

Of course the issue of the use of food banks is a complex one, the

reasons why people go to food banks, and it would be very important and I

think valuable to get to the bottom of all of the factors that lead up

to it so I encourage her to do that. The Government shook their magic

money tree to find a ?1 billion on for Northern Ireland so can we have

an urgent statement about when that money tree will blossom again so my

constituents can benefit from the full funding of the Edinburgh city

regional deal? It is this side of the House that have said there is no

magic money tree, it is that side of the House that was expecting their

crock of gold at the end of the rainbow, so what this Government is

seeking to do... Gold. What this Government is seeking to do is

create an economy that is booming, that takes us away from the problems

we were left with by the profligate spending of the last Labour

government followed by a financial global crisis that left this

Government with the worst economic situation since the Second World

War. And the reality is that we are making progress, but the job is not

yet done. It is far from done. We can either choose to sort out the

deficit and live within our means, or we can choose to leave the

enormous debt that results from that deficit to our children and

grandchildren. This Government chooses the sensible and fairness

between the generations of dealing with our deficit and then tackling

that mountain of debt in a fair way. This week is breast-feeding week and

last week was breast-feeding in Scotland week, can have a debate on

the societal barriers to breast-feeding and how the

Government can better support and invest in support services for

families so they can make informed feeding choices? It is a topic that

I'm extremely sympathetic to. I think breast-feeding is

unquestionably best for the baby. However it is equally important that

all mothers have the opportunity to choose with informed decision-making

and information given to them. I completely support the honourable

lady's ambition to remove barriers to breast-feeding and I would

certainly take it up with the chief but it is an ideal subject for a

Westminster Hall debate too. I am somewhat concerned, Mr Speaker, that

friends of the Leader of the House appear to have told business insider

today that dozens of Conservative MPs are appealing to her to run for

the Conservative leadership again. I hope this doesn't distract her from

her duties as Leader of the House, including looking at how we can

improve private member's bill procedures. I was once again

unsuccessful in today's ballot for the 20 MPs who were, it is a

importer may get a fair chance to air the issues without being

subjected to the juvenile filibustering tactics of Tory

backbenchers. In answer to her first point, it is absolutely right for

this country and party that we get behind Theresa May, who is doing a

great job as Prime Minister, and I am absolutely committed to her

remaining as leader of our country for as long as she wishes to do so,

so just to be very clear about that. As to her second point, as I

mentioned to the previous leader of the backbench business committee,

the standing orders set out the number of private member's bill in

any session and then it is for the usual channels to discuss whether

there is the possibility to flex that. I am sympathetic to her view

that we should enable members to have a fair hearing. She will be

pleased that there is a number of colleagues of hers but have got

private member's bill to the top, we are looking forward to that, and I

congratulate those members and look forward to working with them.

Dunwoody has the busiest food bank in Scotland and we have seen almost

10% increase in the use of food banks in Scotland last year alone.

Even Tory MSP Brian Whittle last week admitted this Government's

benefits rules are forcing families to turn to food banks. Please come

have an urgent debate on the UK Government's cruel and callous

security system which is pushing more families into ever more

desperate situations? Again, I would like to thank all of those who work

in food banks for what they do, it is important we recognise the amount

of volunteering and the generosity of people who donate to food banks.

I say again to the honourable gentleman, the reasons that push

people to food banks are complicated. I think it would be a

valuable debates to try and get some of the evidence around that and I

would be very supportive of him seeking to hold such a debate.

SPEAKER: Nic Dakin. North Lincolnshire and gall hospital trust

is not receiving the support it needs to bring about the changes

required. Can we have a statement about the performance of HSI about

bringing about improvements in the health service? The honourable

gentleman is raising another important point for his own local

hospital service and I encourage him to seek an adjournment debate on

that. As to the broader point about the performance of the inspectorate,

if you would like to write to me I could raise that with the Department

for health. Daniel Zeichner. The Speaker of the House has heard from

both sides of the House on the need for the Secretary of State to come

here and explain what she's doing on funding for schools. When that

happens could you talk the accountability procedures for

education, particularly the Regional Schools Commissioners? In a country

where the government has abolished regional structures, this is an

anomaly. He is right and a number of

colleagues have raised concerns about education which the Secretary

of State will have heard and I will certainly discuss this with her.

She's looking very closely at some of these issues. This government is

determined to ensure more children have the opportunity of a good

school and decent education. She is looking very closely at the funding

formula to make it fairer, but also to ease burdens on schools and I am

sure she will be making statements or all of those issues in June

course. Rachael Maskell. I thank my Right Honourable friend for giving

way. It is being punished further by

being put in the cap expenditure progress, meaning further cuts to

services have to be made. Can we have more information about the cap

expenditure process by the Secretary of State for Health? The Honourable

Lady raises a very important local matter for her constituency, which

if she applies for an adjournment debate she will have a health

minister respond to that which should give her the answer she

seeks. The members opposite have quite rightly been quick to praise

the efforts it's dumb much of the emergency services responding to the

Grenfell Tower disaster and terrible attacks across the country in the

last few months. However, yesterday we saw a public sector pay Pokey

Coakley in Downing Street and the Scottish Tory MPs giving the Prime

Minister a majority to stop efforts to end the pay cap happening in

Scotland. Can we have an urgent debate in government time on fairer

public sector pay? The government has been consistent on this subject

of public sector pay that the decisions on public sector pay will

be taken in light of the recommendations from the independent

pay bodies. SPEAKER: Martin Docherty-Hughes. Thank you, Mr

Speaker. Nice to see you back in your position, congratulations on

your election.. Times are usually accompanied by dark money. Will the

Leader of the House agree it is time to shine a light on political

funding by supporting the publication in full of all political

donations made in Northern Ireland? If this is a union of equals it's

time to publish or be damped. Damned. The Right Honourable

gentleman is making some accusations there but I'm not absolutely sure

what he is referring to. Will the Leader of the House ensure we have

an urgent debate in government time on ensuring councils like Lewisham

which receive adequate funding to cover the costs of appropriate fire

safety checks, removal of cladding, installation of sprinkler systems

and any other associated costs to ensure our residents remain safe?

The Honourable Lady raises the absolutely key priority for this

government, which is of course at the moment to deal with the horrors

that have ensued at Grenfell Tower, and to ensure that all residents who

live in similar towers or other buildings that could suffer from the

same problems with cladding are inspected and properly looked after.

What we need to do is to allow the fire inspections officers to do

their work, make recommendations on what is required for each building.

It won't be a one size fits all but she can rest assured the government

remains absolutely committed to keeping all residents in high-rise

towers safe. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Can we have a debate on the issue of

anti-social behaviour related to off-road bikes and mopeds and quads,

some of the states in Sheffield are like scenes from Mad Max with riders

riding around masked and blighting the lives of locals. Can we have a

debate on whether the police have the resources to tackle this issue?

I am sympathetic to the local nuisance. I have experienced that in

my own local area and have every sympathy for what the Honourable

Lady says. It lends itself to a Westminster Hall or adjournment

debate but she has raised it in this House and people will have heard her

support for that. Chris Stephens. I would be successful in raising a

Westminster Hall debate, can I ask for a statement or a debate on the

future of Glasgow's job centres and across the UK. Given the public

consultation has closed, does the Leader of the House agree we should

end seven months of uncertainty for users of social security services?

The honourable gentleman will be aware that in order to give a more

efficient service and cost-effective service, that the issue of where job

centres are located is being very carefully taken into account the

travel needs of users but we are trying to review job centres.

However, the honourable gentleman will know that he can apply for

Westminster Hall and adjournment debates every week so he gets lots

more opportunities to keep trying for such a debate. David Hanson.

Next month sees the first parliamentary by-election of this

Parliament, the tenth Earl of Walpole will be replaced. The

electorate for the by-election is 31 people. Could we have an early

debate on how to stop this nonsense? Will the government support the Bill

to do just that? The House of Lords are looking at their own procedures

and they have their own review into their own practices and I think we

should allow them to continue with that. Matthew Pennycook. Years of

destruction as a result of the London Bridge station rebuild.

Figures published recently suggest my constituents will not see the

service promised following completion. Can we have a debate

about what is needed to give rail passengers in south-east London the

service and franchise they deserve? The honourable gentleman raises yet

another very good point about the service to rail passengers who do

seem to have a very tough time. I am sure he will no doubt use the

opportunity of a debate next week to raise that matter then. Can we have

an urgent statement from the government on the National Audit

Office report on Hinkley Point C nuclear power station development.

The damning report says it is risky and expensive, not value for money,

a cost to the consumer, taxpayer and other energy developments. Doesn't

she agree it's time the public saw an end to this overcharging white

elephant? I absolutely don't agree with the honourable gentleman. I

think it's absolutely right we have transparent discussion in this place

but he will be aware, as he knows quite a lot about energy matters,

that around 20% of our electricity is always provided by old nuclear

power stages, many of which use the Mac and their useful lives in the

next ten years and it's important to have in place a new nuclear power

station to replace that. Nevertheless, the honourable

gentleman may well wish to raise that in a Westminster Hall debate.

Chris Bryant. It's great what the Leader of the House said only about

a Private Members Bill and as one who has a minor interest in this it

would be good to know when we are going to start doing the Private

Members Bills. Surely since the government has nothing in this

programme and is allowing itself to years to do it, shouldn't we have

double the number of days allowed for Private Members Bills in a

single session. Would like 26 please in this session. The honourable

gentleman knows far better than I do about the standing orders of this

House so he would be aware that the standing orders set out the number

of Private Members Bills. I'd like to congratulate him on drawing the

number one spot and look forward to working with him on that. I would

like to say, however, that this government, as I said in my opening

replies to the Shadow Leader of the House, has a very full programme.

Not just on Brexit but on social reform, on economic progress command

prevention of extremism. So there is a lot of work to do. This government

will remain focus on that but we are sympathetic to the requests of

colleagues for further Private Members Bills time to be given. Mr

Gavin Newlands. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Saturday marks a

celebration of the town's radical past, particularly political

battles, between its weavers and employers. The first festival will

celebrate Paisley's distinct political and cultural entity. Can

we have a debate on the UK City of Culture 2021 competition to learn

more about why Paisley's bid should and will win? I think he has just

helped his own bid, so I congratulate him for that. It lends

itself to an adjournment debate or a Westminster Hall debate. My

constituents came to the UK as a child refugee from Afghanistan, he

saw his father murdered by the Taleb and. The Home Office tried to

forcibly remove him back there last year and are attempting to do so

again this year. Can we have a debate on the inhumane government

policy on child refugees when they reach the age of 18? I'm sure the

Honourable Lady will have raised this with the Home Office already. I

encourage her to continue to do that. I completely understand

support for child refugees is absolutely vital. This government

has provided a home for many child refugees and will continue to do so

but on the specific case she raises I liaise directly with the Home

Office. In recent weeks I've been proud to become the President of my

hometown football club. I have seen first-hand the word volunteers do,

particularly with young people. Can we have a debate on the contribution

that grass roots football makes to our communities? Congratulations to

him for his elevation. I am sure that is great news. The Secretary of

State is here and will have heard exactly what he had to say and I

encourage him to seek adjournments or a Westminster Hall debate on the

subject if he would like to progress the issue of grassroots sport, which

is very important for all of us. On Friday I visited a very vulnerable

constituent who, on the advice of the Home Office, the child benefit

agency, removed their child benefit. The only way to get it back is to

get her passports, which are being held by the Home Office. Can we have

a debate in government time about the bureaucracy and lack of internal

communication? The honourable gentleman is raising a very specific

case which he needs to do with the Home Office and possibly with UK BA

if there is an issue of where their passports are. We all deal with

similar issues in our constituencies and I know that right across

government officials and ministers are very sympathetic to these cases

and do try to expedite them as quickly as possible.