07/09/2017 Business Questions

conversation with the devolved administrations as to where they are

needed. It is a sensible approach to protect the interests of farmers and

businesses across the UK. Business question, Valerie vows. But the

Leader of the House please give us the forthcoming business.

The Leader of the House. Thank you Mr Speaker. The business for the

week commencing the 11th of September will be, Monday the 11th

of September, conclusion of the second reading of the European Union

Withdrawal Bill, day two. Tuesday the 12th of September, second

reading of the Finance Bill, followed by motions relating to

house business. Wednesday the 13th of September, Opposition Day, first

allotted day. There will be a date on an opposition motion, subject to

be announced. Thursday the 14th of September, a general debate on abuse

and intimidation of candidates and the public during the general

election campaign. Friday the 15th of September, the House will not be

sitting. The provisional business for the week commencing the 9th of

October will conclude on Monday the 9th of October, general debate on

the subject to be confirmed. Mr Speaker, I'm sure the whole house

will join me in sending our thoughts and prayers to those caught up in

Kane Erma -- hurricane Irma, causing devastation to areas of the

Caribbean. Today, the EU Withdrawal Bill will have the first of its two

days of reading in the House. It is a key piece of legislation which

paves the way for an orderly exit from the EU and fulfils the will of

the British people. Finally, Mr Speaker, select committees provide

vital scrutiny in this place. I have been working hard to make sure we

establish as soon as possible and I'm grateful for the cooperation of

colleagues right across the House who have worked quickly to bring the

names of elected members forward. I know delighted to draw the attention

of colleagues the motion in my name that will ensure the select

committees can begin their important work next week. Thank you, Mr

Speaker. Can I thank the Leader of the House for the forthcoming

business and tabling the motion on select committees. I think it was

drawn to my attention that the international select committee chair

is not on the list covers I hope that will be rectified soon. Just

say that Her Majesty is opposition has been ready since July with

getting the select committees are but I know they are taking evidence

next week, so thank you very much that. We have had rest and

relaxation, we have had rock and roll, although I didn't get an

invite to Glastonbury and all that is left now is restoration and

renewal, so could the Leader of the House please tell us when we are

likely to have the debate by are marked the House does need to

consider the proposals as soon as possible. Look what the Government

has done to our children. They were expelled because they missed out on

a few grades. We teach our children it is OK to fail, that is how we

learn from our mistakes and sometimes that is the spur that

leaves children to go on and do better things. We had the bizarre

situation of parents having to threaten judicial review just to get

their children back into education, so could we have a statement from

the Secretary of State for Education clarifying that every child can have

an education? Some of the headteachers don't appear to be

abiding by the law. Could you also ask the Chancellor to make a

statement on the fiscal rules. It seems that a six-month period from

October, increasing overtime rates for prison guards, whilst we would

agree, we need a statement on whether there are fiscal rules or

not. We could do with it on the NHS because our nurses need to be paid.

The cherry picking season is over. Look what they have done to our

Health Service. Secretary of State to help picking a fight with

professor Stephen Hawking, who rightly has told the Secretary of

State to stop the slide to privatising the Health Service. A

person who can explain a black hole against the Secretary of State who

can't even recognise our financial glycol. The STB's are now the second

reorganisation of the NHS under this Government. There is a crisis in

social care, ?100 million will be spent recruiting GPs from abroad and

the Health Service needs a cash boost of 350 million. After

yesterday's defeat in the House of Lords on the Government's decision

to abandon 18 weeks target for treatment, could the Secretary of

State come to the House to explain the shredding of Government policy?

We have had silence from the Secretary of State. Otherwise, what

is the point of the Secretary of State? More pain and distress Ragan

situates, as highlighted by the report from the United Nations on

disabilities -- for our concessions. The United Nations Convention on

People's rights is not reflected in current law. So will the House say

when the Government will respond to the report which says there is a

significant pay gap and treatment gap for disabled people. They

mention the Brexit bill, look what they have done to the Brexit

negotiations. The Government should have led the civil service to users

position papers to present the facts, otherwise we wouldn't be in

the position of seeing the whole thing unravelling. And with the

Withdrawal Bill, sections seven, eight and nine, it says the Minister

of the Crown may, by regulations, as the Minister considers appropriate.

Never before have ministers been giving these unfettered powers.

Could the Leader of the House confirm how many statutory

instruments will come before the House grudge about is it likely to

be over 500, less than a thousand? Anyone, on all sides of this House,

who believes in Parliamentary democracy, the sovereignty of

Parliament and the separation of powers, should be against this bill.

The Government are playing Genge with our economy and our rights. If

that is not enough, the Government want to fix the standing committees.

They don't have a majority in parliament but they want a majority

on standing committees, so can the leader confirmed that the Government

will not insult the British people who did not give the Government

majority by ensuring the result of the election is reflected on the

standing committees? Mr Speaker, I do want to touch on the people who

have recently died, eminent people. Lord Gary Hart, he was a leading

lawyer, property lawyer, planning lawyer, before he came to the Lords.

Michael Seaford, who sent his lawyers to give free legal advice to

people during the miners strike. Cardinal Cormac McCarthy O'Connor,

the former Archbishop of Westminster and Heather mayor, mown down in

Charlottesville first defending. And something doing the rounds, Dennis

Skinner, nature of the bees. What members will find is that the beast

of Bolsover, like this country of will endure. -- like the sovereignty

of Parliament, will endure. And the honourable gentleman is even

smiling. Marvellous. The Leader of the House. Thank you, Mr Speaker,

and may I thank the honourable lady for that sort of force. Excuse me.

And also to her honourable friend, having tried very hard to help

potential colleague of mine to unseat him, it was a great pleasure

to visit Bolsover and see first-hand an excellent job he has done over so

many years. And it's a great pleasure to see him here. But there

is always another election, that is the great thing about our democracy.

There is always another one. The honourable lady has raised quite a

broad number of issues, I will try and deal with them all in turn. The

first one she mentioned, which she caught me slightly unawares about, a

committee that may be missing from the list on the motion put forward

for Monday. I am checking that as we speak, but may I assure all

colleagues that all of the scrutiny committees will be established on

Monday at the close of business, following a decision by this House.

Just to be clear about that, if there has been an omission, that

will be rectified. She and I both played a part in the fast last night

running around like idiots trying to sort out the order. So I'm very

grateful to her for her help yesterday. She talks about education

and wanting to hear more about inclusion and may I just absolutely

assure her that this Government is determined to see a good education

for every child. And there is a lot to be proud of. We say this, but

there are 1.8 million more children in good and outstanding schools than

there were in 2010. That is really something to be proud of. Delivering

a good education to every child is vital. She talks about the fiscal

rules, there are very clear Treasury fiscal rules. She will be aware that

there have been some short-term support for prison officers because

there have been some difficulties with certain situations in prisons,

and I'm not aware of the complete details of watching mentions but I

will certainly take that away and look into that for her and write to

her on that. On the subject of Stephen Hawking, he is a very

eminent, very highly regarded person but I am afraid I absolutely agree

with the Secretary of State for Health, he is completely wrong to be

talking about privatisation of the NHS. This Government is fully

committed to a free Health Service at the point of delivery, as are all

parties across the House. On the United Nations' inquiry into the

rights of Persons with disabilities, we frankly very disappointed that

this report doesn't accurately reflected the evidence we gave to

the UN. The Government is working to improve accessibility, including

bettering the impact of building regulations and guidance to local

authorities, strengthening accessibility requirements for

transport and working right across Government services to improve the

accessibility of the information we provide for with disability. On the

EU Withdrawal Bill, very importantly, she talks about Henry

VIII powers. I do want to assure all members that what the withdrawal

bill is seeking to do is to bring into UK law the entire body of EU

law. The point of doing that is to provide continuity and certainty and

a smooth transition as we leave the EU. The powers that are used in

order to do that, I can give an example to the House, the psycho

abstinent -- psychoactive substances bill of 2015 where we can understand

that Henry VIII powers there are used so we can quickly update as any

new legal high is created, we can update the legislation to ensure it

is banned the people say. That is the use of Henry VIII powers, to

define the terms that are necessary. Half of the legislation in the last

parliament contain Henry VIII powers. There is nothing new or

unusual about the use of those powers and very specifically, they

are, of course, always subject to scrutiny either of a committee of

the whole house or by committees as a part of this House, so they are

absolutely subject to scrutiny. Finally, I would like to join with

the honourable lady in noting the passing of a number of eminent and

high profile people who have contributed a great deal to our

communities over many years. Thank you.

I thank her for the update of business. I think we should also pay

tribute to the passing of Edward Duchan, who passed away, an eminent

member of the House. Can I ask the Leader of the House if we can have a

debate in government time, and I noted as an opportunity for the

general debate when we come back in October, on housing policy. It is

the single biggest issue affecting the country right now, and the need

to get young people an opportunity for a home of their own is

absolutely crucial, and we need a strong debates we get answers from

the government as to how this will be implemented in the future. Yes,

he raises an important point, and we all agree that being able to get a

home of your own is crucial for every young person from everyone in

society to have their own home. I am pleased to tell him nearly 900,000

new homes have been delivered since 2010, including nearly 330 300,000

affordable homes. Annual housing supply is ?190,000 additional homes

between 2015 and 2016, which was an 11% increase from the previous year.

But I think you will know plenty of ways to bring this to a debate in

the House and I'm sure lots of colleagues will be interested in

taking part. Can I thank the Leader of the House for announcing the

business for next week. A pity the honourable member has just left the

House because we were looking forward to sequel after sequel, and

I am looking forward to Beast, the return. Today we have the first day

of eight two-day debate on the second reading of the repeal bill,

as we continue to address this delusional Brexit. Two days to

debate this unprecedented power grab, with all the horrors of the

Henry VIII powers. Members of Parliament will have only minutes to

air their concerns because of how busy it will be. Viverone eight days

for the committee of the whole House, eight days to negotiate the

setting up of a new legal framework for the UK to disentangle themselves

from an institution we have been a member of four decades, with all the

regulations, directives and treaties. In context, there were 41

days for the Maastricht Treaty, 39 days to enter the European Union

when it was just the Common Market. Eight days for leaving the European

Union. It is almost beyond a joke, and the Leader of the House has to

come back with a sensible programme and a sensible amount of time to

debate the thousands and thousands of amendments that will be tabled by

the time we come back in October. After all the faffing around we had

yesterday in supplying all the names for these committees, you you would

have thought that there would be something on the order paper today.

This means a lot of pressure for select committees to meet next week.

Then we have the thorny issue of the standing committees. The shadow

leader of the hoses this government has no means to expect to have a

majority in the standing committees of the House. They do not command a

majority. This is a House of minorities, and that reality has to

be reflected into the parliamentary standing committees of the House.

Does the Leader of the House understand and appreciate she is in

a minority in this House, and all the committees must recognise that

reality? The honourable gentleman has raised the issue of the

programme motion for the EU Withdrawal Bill. It is eight days

with eight hours protected everyday. Really importantly, I think

honourable members do need to appreciate that this Withdrawal Bill

is to provide a base for the UK's departure from the EU. There will be

a large number of subsequent bills relating to new policies, new

systems, new processes, that relate to the UK's departure from the EU.

There will be opportunities for all colleagues from across the House to

have their views taken into account, and as we said time and again, it is

clear that we want to be a consulting government, that we want

to take into account views across the House, and to provide sufficient

time for colleagues to make their views known. On his other points on

committees, I think it is rather churlish of home. We have absolutely

made every effort to establish the select committees as soon as we

possibly could. They have now been established faster than in the last

Parliament or the one before. It is extremely churlish. What it

demonstrates his opposition for the sake of it. He does not even have

the decency to recognise that this House is responding to a genuine

request from select committee chairs across the House to get a move on

and do it, and we have done it, and he does not have the grace to say

thank you or appreciate that fact. It is an important point, he just

wants to oppose for the sake of opposition. That is not

constructive. And at a time where this House needs to come together to

look at what we can agree on, and not simply make small, petty points.

It is a shame he takes this approach. Although this extensive

interest in always -- is always in business questions, there is a

ministerial statement to follow, and a approximately 60 members wish to

comment, and I have to take account of their business. It may not be

possible today to get everyone in, but my chance of doing so will be

greatly enhanced if the premium upon brevity is observed. Over the

summer, many constituents have had to endure rubbish and social

behaviour and noise caused by an authorised traveller encampments and

public open spaces and the Beach Commons. Even our local football

club has been affected. I am sure Mr Speaker understands the frustration

that this can cause. Can we have a debate in government time to look at

this, including the powers available to councils and police, and the

impact on the local communities? She raises an important point. I know

this is of great interest to members across the House, and I am sorry to

hear of these issues. The police and local authorities have a range of

powers available to address this, so they can direct trespassers to leave

the land, they can remove a vehicle as it is a suitable pitch elsewhere.

And failure to comply with police direction as a criminal offence. It

is really important that police and local authorities work together to

address this. I think the phrase that the Leader of the House was

looking for before was scalded cats, but I note that there are two days

of general debates in the business announced this morning next Thursday

and on the first day back after the recess, but the Leader of the House

will be aware that the backbench business committee has not yet been

established, but has elected chair, I am already receiving enquiries

from members about the availability of time. Could I ask the Leader of

the House to ensure that when committees are established on

Monday, that includes the backbench business committee. There are still

some vacancies, so can we make sure it is established notwithstanding

vacancies on the conservative side of the chamber? I am trying to get

every committee established as soon as possible and I will look at this

specific point later in the day. Can I thank the leader and her assiduous

PPS for responding so quickly to requests about getting those

committees up and coming from next week. And maybe take advantage of

the fact that there is a suspension of the usual arrangements in

Northern Ireland to get a statement from the government once and for

all, bringing forward a plan for a statute of limitations to protect

our veteran servicemen from prosecution for acts occurring

during the troubles many years ago, that have been investigated many

times in the past. It is not right that criminals and terrorists go

free, while veterans, service men, face the possibility of long-term

imprisonment. I am grateful for him reflecting your own role, Mr

Speaker, select committee forming. Yesterday the Prime Minister made

clear that there has been of bodies looking at legacy issues, and I am

sure my honourable friend will take it up separately with the Secretary

of State for Justice. I would be grateful if she is able to assure

that the House for development committee will be established on

Monday so that they can meet next week? He is right, it was an

administrative oversight and the last-minute running around, and it

will be rectified, and I can assure him that his committee and the

Brexit scrutiny committee will be on the order paper from Monday. The

honourable gentleman has never been and will never be forgotten. Can I

thank the Leader of the House for taking time out yesterday to attend

the launch of the manifesto to strengthen family supported by 44

backbench MPs. 18 practical policy proposals such as strengthening

family ties, supporting veteran families. Witchy agree that this

needs more consideration, and which she meet with those MPs to establish

how much more time can be given to this? -- would she agree? Can I

thank for all the work that has gone into this manifesto? A number of

investors are interested in it, and I would be delighted to meet with

her. Huddersfield Town of 's at a has won the global teaching

University of the year award. Also in the year that we won the

football, could you congratulate the university and team on their

successes? -- Huddersfield Town University. I would love to

congratulate them. Can I echo the request of the Member for Harrow,

calling for a general debate on housing, and such a general debate

to discuss leasehold reform. If that fails, I would request that

regeneration of town centres, particularly the town centre of

Winsford being included. She is raising a point that is raised with

the number of MPs by their own constituents. It is a very important

point, and I share her desire to the resolution of it and encourage her

to seek opportunity for a debate on the matter. The Leader of the House

may be aware of the anxiety on the part of organisations like mencap

who provide services to people with mental disability, that they face

back Bay for up to six years following a change of guidance on

sleeping shifts. They need the government to step in to support

them. Will she ensure that the Business Secretary comes to the

House to clarify the position to provide reassurance for the

organisation? I am well aware of the issues he raises, and the government

is looking at it. I will look at taking that away and seeking some

feedback from the Department. In the recess, the government made a

welcome announcement about action to counter the risk posed to aviation

by drones. What follow-up is there so we can see that action

implemented as soon as possible? I am grateful to him for an important

question. It is an exciting and innovative new industry, and we are

keen to harness it effectively, but he rightly raises concerns around

safety, which the government takes equally seriously. Registration and

testing will be introduced for users of drones of 250 kilograms and

above. Further measures, such as a ban on them flying certain distances

from the airports and certain heights are being considered, and we

will make further announcements on that in due course.

Months ago, a report commissioned by the Government and only released

after FOIA request found at the Ministry of Justice's and approved

methods of restraining children in secure institutions and training

centres can actually kill or leave children disabled. Can the Leader of

the House please ask her colleagues in the Justice Department to make a

statement explaining why the Government have continued to preside

over this and have failed to act on it yet? Well, the honourable lady

raises an incredibly important point. It's not something I'm

particularly aware of but if she would like to write to me, I will

certainly raise that with the Justice Department. I used to serve

on the joint committee on statutory instruments, little known in this

House, but it looks at statutory instruments to advise whether they

fall in within certain criteria. When EU directives came before that

committee, even if they made no sense at all and didn't comply, we

still had to pass them and let them go through or recommend to the House

that they were passed. Could the Leader of the House confirmed that

if we are going to use delegated Legislation committees to discuss

important EU matters that those committees will be open to any

member to attend and speak out, they will be voted on and more

importantly they will then come to the House, for the whole house to be

voted on, so it is getting scrutiny whatever the opposition like to

believe? My honourable friend from Northamptonshire as ever makes a

really important point, which is that this House will get to

scrutinise all legislation that relates to EU withdrawal and our

future policies post-EU in the usual way and that democratic oversight

will be continued for the duration of this period.

Despite serious underfunding and rationing in the Vale of York CCG

and the acute trust, they have been placed in the capital expenditure

process, but over the summer, it emerged that the process seems to be

changing day by day so can we have a statement from this Health Secretary

to say exactly what those processes and ensure the Health Service is

properly funded to meet local demand? Well, as the honourable lady

will be aware, NHS funding will be over half ?1 trillion from 2015-2020

and we have protected and increased health funding. As far as local

sustainability and transformation partnerships, where there is work

under way to change processes locally, there is broad consultation

and reconfiguration tests, where there must be support from clinical

commissioners, clinical evidence, patient and Public engagement and

support for patient choice. Colchester's Lib Dem and Labour run

borough council has recently introduced a very unpopular

fortnightly black bag collection scheme, which is leaving my

residence to deal with rats, other vermin, flies and maggots, it's

totally unacceptable. Will my right honourable friend allow Government

time debate to discuss where local councils ignore the wishes of

residence and failed to address their concerns? I think it's

interesting, as an ex-secretary of state for DEFRA, how will it is

always one of the biggest concerns of everybody in our country, it is

right up there and what happens to it is a vital issue. The honourable

gentleman shout "Rubbish" and he is quite right to shout that, very

important issue. Regular litter collections are incredibly important

and my honourable friend will absolutely take every chance, I'm

sure, to raise that with the DC LG. Although I was present to vote in

the first vote last night, I was not able to do so. I was locked, not in

the lavatory, but in the lift and were it not for one of the

researchers from the party opposite, I suspect I would still be in the

lift. I think it is very unsatisfactory in our first week

back after recess, the problems with the lift. So can I ask the Leader of

the House to ensure that all the maintenance men around, surely the

lifts all to be serviced. I am sure you will be as concerned as I am to

hear about that and we will certainly look into that situation

and I assure the honourable lady that I will take that up later

today. The situation is extremely irregular and my honourable lady has

my sympathies. I hope she will take it in good humour that I say I am

rather surprised the lift there. -- dead. The popular open green space

was invaded in the eyes large catering a state, theses and rotting

rubbish were left in the undergrowth on the local convenience store had

to employ a security guard and widespread alarm and distress was

caused to the local settled community. The police refused to use

the section 61 powers open to them to request the travellers to move

on. Can we have an urgent statement from the Home Office that it will

review the powers available to the police, so that we can have an

effective system to protect the settled community from the

intimidation caused by Gypsies and travellers? Well, this is an

incredibly important issue that is raised time and time again at

business questions and at other times and I know that all members

suffer from this problem of unauthorised travellers' camps and,

of course, the reality is that the powers do exist but the police and

local authorities need to work together to make sure that they use

them and use the enforcement possibilities open to them. We have

a debate on Labour markets and Labour shortages and yesterday the

all-party group on migration, which I chair, published a report

highlighting the concerns of employers in relation to so-called

low skilled jobs after Brexit, that they will no longer be able to

recruit EU workers to these roles and language stigmatises the rolls,

which means it is more difficult to recruit UK workers. Will the Leader

of the House read the all-party support and encourage a ministerial

colleagues to do so? I am always delighted to read all-party group

reports, I'm happy to do that. The honourable lady will be aware that

the Home Office will be coming forward with their proposals on new

immigration rules as we take back control of our borders and the Home

Secretary has made very clear that we ensure we have the right balance

between the excellent work done by many EU and other migrant

communities in this country, but at the same time we do take back

control of immigration and ensure there is the right balance between

what our country needs by way of immigration and that we are fair to

those who already live here. Almost 1,000 of my constituents are

travellers. I know many of them, they are good people, but their

reputation is being destroyed in our community by the actions of a small

minority who, over the course of this summer, have destroyed

gravestones, damaged village greens, intimidated residents and damaged

businesses. This can't go on. Nottinghamshire police are highly

constrained by the powers available to them and are looking to the

Government and a cross-party agreement to move this forward. Can

I echo the comments of members across the House today for a debate

in Government time about how we can move this issue forward for the

benefit not just of the whole community, but also the traveller

community whose reputations are at stake? My honourable friend is

looking at a different aspect, which is of course the legitimate and well

mannered travellers who do take account of local communities, who

are being run down by those who behave so appallingly and cause so

much heartache and mess and concern in so many other communities.

Hearing the mood of the House, I am happy to take it away and look at

whether we can provide time and of course, as the honourable gentleman,

the chairman designate and elect of the backbench business committee

will also be hearing this, and also will be prepared to make time in his

committee. Could the Leader of the House give us some Government time

to have an urgent debate about the quality of decision-making of the

DWP and Aptos, or the independent assessment services as they are now

known. I have a paraplegic constituent with schizophrenia who

was called for a medical and when I raised concerns with the NP

complaints team, I received the stock reply, PIP entitlement is

affected by how the disability at Faxon individual rather than a

diagnosis. Does the Leader of the House share my concern that the DWP

are devoid of compassion and common sense and how many paraplegic

schizophrenics does she think would not qualify for enhanced care in the

mobility components of PIP? Well, I have to say I think individual

members of the DWP are actually working incredibly hard and in very

difficult circumstances very often. We all do have a particular

constituency cases that we need to pursue with quite a lot of the

gutter make sure that they can get through a system that can sometimes

not be sufficiently attuned of the input -- to the individual needs of

particular constituent and I would encourage him to talk to DWP

ministers who I am sure would be interested in keen to help him.

Somebody who lost many, many relatives including my grandfather

in the Kashmir earthquake now the dire consequences of natural

disasters. Can I ask the Minister if we can have an urgent statement on

the floor of the House with regards to the floods in South Asia, which

are affecting 41 million people and have cost 1200 lives and it affects

a fellow Commonwealth members. I thank my honourable friend, I really

sorry to hear of his own sad personal experience. I can tell him

that in Nepal, David set aside 400,000 to the Red Cross and Nepal

Red Cross Society for monsoon flood response to help 30,000 people, most

of it is a marked the water sanitation and hygiene. In

Bangladesh, the contribution of 660,000 to the flood response will

help over 60,000 people and in India, the Government has not

requested international assistance, so the response has been to the

start fund global consortia of NGOs which respond to small and medium

emergencies, with a donation of 325,000 four Nepal and 400,000 for

India. At the end of this month, Sebring community Centre in my

constituency may well be closing its doors. This is after seven years of

an attempt at a community asset transfer, where local volunteers,

led by John ruddles, have worked tirelessly but have not received the

support they should have from the local authority. Can we have a

debate about what the big society really does look like now and what

support can be provided to volunteers in this situation? Well,

can I pay tribute to the excellent work of volunteers? I know a lot of

people worked tirelessly and find it frustrating to get things done.

Could I encourage her to talk to one of the DC LG ministers and see if

there is anything that can be done at this late stage to help it along.

Otherwise, perhaps organise an adjournment debate to get the

Minister to the floor of the sows. Would my right honourable friend

allow time for a debate on the proposals announced yesterday by

Babcock TSG to close three of their sites across the UK, including the

only military land support repair work shop in Scotland, in my

Stirling constituency, with the threatened loss of 56 highly skilled

jobs? We are always incredibly concerned to hear about the prospect

of job losses and my honourable friend will be aware that there are

very strict rules around consultation and working closely

with those who are affected to ensure that all decisions taken are

fair, but if you want to write to me specifically, I could see if I could

raise that to the attention of ministers. British Steel pensioners

are concerned that proposed changes will result in them losing out on

proper uplifting of their pre-1997 service. Can we have a statement

from the Government of the proposed changes to SPS and how the

Government will ensure pensioners are not short changed question mark

I am happy to take that up on his behalf of the department.

Mr Speaker, during the recess, I visited a Cray farm in my

constituency, where the owners have installed small-scale hydroelectric

schemes. These are outstanding examples, invisible to the eye in

beautiful National Park countryside, based on private investment and

provide much needing greed -- green energy. Can I ask for a debate on

how we can help rather than hinder the development of further hydro

schemes around the country? Well, I can say to my honourable

friend that I don't think we in any way hinder, we are very keen to

encourage the development of renewable electricity and it is

certainly something that this country has done extremely well at,

one of the top performers across the EU in terms of the speed at which we

are starting to use green electricity and I would be very

happy to talk to him further about what measures we can take, or he

might want to arrange an adjournment debate. We are now running very

short a time so I am looking for single, short sentence questions and

it is a matter of good faith. If people want to ask a single short

sentence question, fine, but if they want a preamble, keep it for the

long winter evenings that lie ahead. Can I ask for a debate in government

time about the impact on Highland -- education institutions regarding the

Brexit process and beyond. He raises an incredibly important issue which

is a great interest to all of us. There will be lots of opportunities

over the next few days during the Withdrawal Bill debate and also in

discussions later this year on immigration. Big Ben is silence. The

chains are loved by community and visitors. Can we have a debate why

it has happened under the -- by this has happened? She will be aware that

there are strong views. She can hear people on the opposition benches

shouting her down on the prospects for a debate. My own view is it is

an important issue, the committee met last night and agreed to

continue with the cessation of the bells for the moment but also

looking at if there were any alternatives. Can we have an urgent

debate on the issue of travellers? There have been real problems in my

own constituency and there is the need for a review of that

legislation. Yes, I can hear that there is a very important issue,

there have been big problems over the summer, and I will take this up.

Growth in the spirits market, particularly gin, whisky and other

spirits here and in exports are important to the economy. There is

no leader still be in Cumbria. Can we have a debate on the importance

of this sector, and reaching a sector deal, and which also agree

that such a deal must be UK wide. He is raising a very valuable point.

Travelling around Europe over the summer, seeing the fantastic

British, United Kingdom spirits that are available now, and increasing

the number of exports, it is a very important UK export, and I would

support efforts he wanted to make to ensure we give it the right level of

priority. In the next couple of months the new Mersey crossing will

open, and we are told contrary to promises given regarding tolls. This

government has been guilty of investing a amount of

infrastructure, particularly transport infrastructure, across the

country. I am not aware of the specific issue about broken

promises, but I can take it up a few rights to me. We are fully committed

to improving road and rail transport across the UK, and I record is

extremely strong. Can we have a statement from the Home Secretary on

the shocking and sickening revelations on BBC panorama about

Brickhouse immigration detention centre, which showed the shocking

behaviour of GeForce staff but also how the system is not working, with

criminals who have been convicted of crimes being held with asylum

seekers who have not been. -- Brook House. We would all agree there were

some shocking examples, and the honourable member may wish to raise

VAT at the next Home Office questions. Given that the Chancellor

says he leaves this week -- to have a discussion regarding

devolution. Can we have a debate regarding this? It is certainly

something we can debate during unadorned -- adjournment debate.

Menard reports of tower blocks being demolished -- many reports of tower

blocks being demolished, Saudi Arabia... Here's exceeding his one

question. Can we have a debate about this? He raises a very important

issue, and the Foreign Office will look at this. I am happy to look at

this, if he raises it through the Foreign Office. Many of my residents

tell me they will have to pay up to ?80 a month extra just to get to

work as a result of the Mersey crossing toll charges. Can we have a

debate on what the government is going to do to stop my residents

being penalised on what is effectively a job tax. I have to say

that this government has invested a huge amount in infrastructure. It

sounds like a question that needs to be put in transport questions, or if

he wants to write to me I can take it up with the Department on his

behalf. Will he make time for a debate on the successful campaign by

the British company to stir up racism in South Africa, working for

the corrupt Gutpa Brothers. Yes, it has been very concerning, and Al

Pottinger had been removed from the trade body as a result.

Bell Pottinger. The last bank in our town has been closed without

consultation. Why is the government saying nothing and wise parliament

not discussing this? I hope to give the honourable gentleman some good

news on this, which is, on the one hand there are very clear rules

around how banks can close. There must be broad consultation and

assessment, but importantly what not enough people know about is that the

Post Office now has an agreement with all major banks to provide

basic banking services, and very often because the post offices are

open at weekends and longer hours, that can provide a good alternative.

My constituent suffers with a tape of muscular dystrophy, and he has

lost his facility to mobility vehicle. Can have a debate regarding

the detrimental cost to the public purse regarding such changes? On the

face of it, that sounds like a bizarre decision, but he will of

course want to raise that directly through MPs's Hotline. We were told

the growth plan would be announced after parliamentary recess. Can she

make sure that when it is published we have a parliamentary debate on

it? As she will expect, there is normally some kind of statement,

written or ministerial, or she may wish to organise a backbench debate

when the plan comes forward. Over the summer months, the question of

shortage of nurses in Rochdale was raised, as it reflects the national

shortage. What is the government plan to do to increase nurses pay,

and also make sure we are training enough nurses? The number of nurses

on wards is up by almost 12,000, and we are increasing investment in the

NHS, increasing the number of training places and so on. The

specific issues are not -- if there are specific issues around Rochdale

he wishes to raise, he can raise those during health questions.

Community Care is causing concern to my constituents. Despite the

decision being referred to the Secretary of State for health under

the 2013 regulations, there has been no response. Could we have an urgent

debate on the accountability of clinical commissioning groups,

because those people who spend public money and commission public

services should not be outside a public scrutiny. I think it would

not be true to say clinical commissioning groups are not subject

to public scrutiny, the most certainly are. If he has particular

concern with the CCG, I'm sure ministers will respond to his

concerns. Could we have a debate on the shambolic Home Office Visa

system. Case after case of academics being denied, especially from Africa

and the Middle East, being denied access to the UK. Could the concerns

of summer my -- some of my constituents be addressed, as people

think this is a covert system. If he has concerns about individuals, he

can take that up with ministers, but there is no sense that there are

many travel bans operating in the United kingdom that are unjust or

inefficient. Drug policies in Holland have delivered a prison

crisis, in that they do not have enough prisoners to fill the

prisons.. Policies here have created chaos in our prisons and a record

number of drug deaths, including psychoactive drug deaths last year.

Can be debate which country has the policies right? In the UK we have

always been very clear, we do not believe that permission to use drugs

is of any benefit whatsoever. And we will continue to make every effort

to reduce drug offending and to try to encourage people to get clean

from drugs. Can we have a statement from the government of when they

plan to reconvene the committee is so devolved administrations can be

involved in the Brexit process? There is a great deal of

consultation going on between the devolved administrations and the

Westminster Government. There will be plenty opportunities in the weeks

and months ahead. When Tony Newton was we did in the House and a

Conservative government in 1995, he accepted that of the government lost

its majority in the House of Commons, it should not have a

majority in the committees of this House. Why on earth does this

Conservative leader think this government -- Conservative Leader of

the House think this government is any different? The House is speaking

through the usual channels about the business of the House, and there

will be more discussion about that next week. Motions will be on the

order paper in good time for the House to be able to consider it and

discuss it. During the recess I met with IME Scotland, a group trying to

tackle hate crime. Can we have a debate on the most heinous of

crimes, abuse against disabled people? It is an important point, it

is a horrible thing to see any abuse of individuals, particularly those

with disabilities. I encourage the honourable gentleman to seek an

adjournment debate at Westminster Hall debate on that. It was clear

from this week's statement on Grenfell Tower that little progress

is being made, particularly on rehousing residents. Can we have a

weekly update on this? I think that is really very unfair, ministers

have been very focused on trying to alleviate the suffering of those

victims of Grenfell the Secretary of State and the Prime Minister and

others have been to the House many times. What they do not want to do

is force residents into accommodation that they do not wish

to take. The offers have been made and there is a total focus on

ensuring we do everything we can for those people. Is a government

minister, the Leader of the House voted to give an additional ?60

million for Trident renewal, then a ?34 billion tax package for the

wealthiest. Did she make a statement explaining why she thinks that is

fear, and if the UK Government is going to follow the Scottish

Government's lead and scrap the cap. To be clear, what we have to do it

in any government is to have the right balance in priorities for

spending, and it has to be right for the people who are working and doing

the amazing work we do in public services, but also right for the

taxpayers who have to foot the bill. When we came into office, we had the

largest peacetime deficit ever, and in the following years we have tried

to get to living within our means. The alternative is that we leave the

debts but the Next Generation, which would be unfair. Balance in spending

priorities is absolutely key. In 2015 Wales introduced the opt out

system of organ donation, and in the next year there was a 19% increase

in kidney organ donations. Scotland is about to introduce a similar

system. Is it not time that those awaiting organ donations in England

were also given the right to live? The honourable lady raises a very

important point, I'm very sympathetic to that. Last year, we

saw the highest ever rates of organ donation but we do want that number

to rise further so everyone who needs a transplant has the best

chance of receiving one. It is organ donation week and the campaign

focuses on the importance of people talking about it and telling their

family their wishes. So we are committed to continuing campaigns

that raise awareness but we will be looking very closely at the

situation in Scotland and Wales and how that affects donation rate and

the just to highlight the need to encourage black, Asian and minority

ethnic donors and we are looking at more ways to do that. The Leader of

the House made the comment on including topical questions in the

devolved nations questions that fall before Prime Minister's Questions.

We seem to be short listed on a number of questions week in, week

out and we can hold no one to account for it. Well, the honourable

gentleman raises an interesting point and I'm happy to take it away

and discuss it with colleagues. Can we have a statement on the powers of

the Financial Conduct Authority? Their slowness in taking action

against sky-high interest rates in the rent to own sector has left

families paying through the nose. Well, it's incredibly important that

financial conduct is carried out meticulously and the regulator has

very strong powers to be able to ensure that people behave

appropriately. They're all sorts of around financial conduct at all

times and I think the SCA does a good job at of the honourable

gentleman wants to raise particular issues, I do recommend he tries to

arrange a Westminster Hall debate on that specific point. Two years on

from the images of the Syrian boy being washed up on the beach in the

Mediterranean, there is still a crisis for children in Europe. Can

we have an urgent debate on what can be done to speed up the process of

the child refugees sleeping rough in Calais to be reunited with their

families in Britain? Yes, I mean, this is incredibly harrowing, the

situation for children. This country has made huge strides to try to

unite refugee children with families and other relatives and people in

United Kingdom. We continue to be one of the most generous donors, to

try to establish safe havens the children in places closer to home to

avoid them getting into the hands of people traffickers making appalling

journeys, losing relatives on the way and so on. There is always more

to be done and the honourable gentleman may well want to arrange

for an adjournment debate on that subject. Statement, the Minister of

State for Europe and the Americas. Minister Sir Alan Duncan. I'm very

grateful to you for this opportunity to make a statement on hurricane

Irma, which is already affecting and is said to further Fed Caribbean

islands and the south-east United States with devastating effect. Much