0:00:00 > 0:00:00Majesty has signified her Royal assent to the following act.
0:00:00 > 0:00:09European Union approval is at 2017. -- approvals act. Business question,
0:00:09 > 0:00:19Valerie Baz. -- Vaz.The Leader of the House please update the house on
0:00:19 > 0:00:28the forthcoming business?Andrea Leeds.-- Andrea Letson. It will
0:00:28 > 0:00:33include Monday the 11th of December, second reading of the Finance Bill.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37Tuesday the 12th of December, continuation and committee of the
0:00:37 > 0:00:42European Union withdrawal bill Day six. Wednesday the 13th of December,
0:00:42 > 0:00:46continuation and committee of the European withdrawal bill day seven.
0:00:46 > 0:00:50Thursday the 14th of December, debate on a motion of equality
0:00:50 > 0:00:54pension provision for women followed by a debate on hormone pregnancy
0:00:54 > 0:00:58tests. The subject for these debates were determined by the backbench
0:00:58 > 0:01:01business committee. Friday the 15th of December, the house will not be
0:01:01 > 0:01:06sitting. The provisional business for the week commencing the 18th of
0:01:06 > 0:01:10December will include, Monday the 18th of December, consideration in
0:01:10 > 0:01:14committee of the Finance Bill Day one. Tuesday the 19th, consideration
0:01:14 > 0:01:19in committee of the Finance Bill Day two. Wednesday the 20th of December,
0:01:19 > 0:01:24conclusion of continuation in committee of the European withdrawal
0:01:24 > 0:01:28Bill Day eight. Thursday the 21st of December, a general debate on
0:01:28 > 0:01:33Russian interference in UK politics in society followed by a general
0:01:33 > 0:01:37debate on matters to be raised before the forthcoming adjournment.
0:01:37 > 0:01:42Friday the 22nd of December, the house will not be sitting. Mr
0:01:42 > 0:01:45Speaker, today is a day of celebration. I'm sure colleagues
0:01:45 > 0:01:48across the house will join me in congratulating our fellow
0:01:48 > 0:01:55parliamentarians down under, who have today legalised gay marriage.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59Australia becomes the 23rd country to recognise that marriage is a
0:01:59 > 0:02:03celebration of all love and it has been wonderful to see such happy and
0:02:03 > 0:02:08celebratory scenes in their parliament. In further good news,
0:02:08 > 0:02:13today is the commissioning of the UK's new aircraft carrier HMS Queen
0:02:13 > 0:02:16Elizabeth, where Her Majesty herself will be guest of honour at the event
0:02:16 > 0:02:21and we hope it is a huge success. Mr Speaker, I would also like to wish
0:02:21 > 0:02:24good luck to the five cities who will this evening find out which one
0:02:24 > 0:02:31of them will be crowned the UK City of Culture. It is a tough choice
0:02:31 > 0:02:33between Stoke-on-Trent, Swansea, Sunderland, Coventry and Paisley but
0:02:33 > 0:02:39I know the successful city will do the entire country proud. And
0:02:39 > 0:02:43lastly, Mr Speaker, my final bit of good news is for the Right
0:02:43 > 0:02:47Honourable member for Walsall South, the lady opposite, and I'm sure the
0:02:47 > 0:02:52whole house will join me in wishing her a very happy birthday today. I
0:02:52 > 0:02:55look forward to our catch-up later, where I am sure we will be having a
0:02:55 > 0:03:04piece of cake together.Thank you, Mr Speaker. Follow that, as they
0:03:04 > 0:03:09say. Just I think the numbers were printed incorrectly for my age, but,
0:03:09 > 0:03:17anyway... Reverse it. Can I thank the Leader of the House for updating
0:03:17 > 0:03:20the house on business for the next few weeks. It is more or less
0:03:20 > 0:03:24settled, I suspect subject to a few phone calls because clearly we were
0:03:24 > 0:03:26expecting a statement from the Prime Minister earlier this week. We have
0:03:26 > 0:03:30the business for the 11th of January, the R and R debate is fixed
0:03:30 > 0:03:33and I wonder if the Leader of the House could update us on the
0:03:33 > 0:03:38business for that week and on R and R, does she agree with me that given
0:03:38 > 0:03:42the recent action by Unite and the GMB, she will know more than £10
0:03:42 > 0:03:47billion was paid out last year to over 250 working people who had been
0:03:47 > 0:03:50denied a job because their name appeared on a blacklist. I'm sure we
0:03:50 > 0:03:55will look at any future contracts under R and R to ensure this illegal
0:03:55 > 0:04:00activity doesn't take place because it has ruined lives. I don't know if
0:04:00 > 0:04:04she is in a position, the Leader of the House, to publish the motion
0:04:04 > 0:04:08before Christmas so members can have a chance to amend it? Can I ask the
0:04:08 > 0:04:12Leader of the House to correct the record, the Chancellor, and I have
0:04:12 > 0:04:16notified him that I would raise this today, he said in his budget
0:04:16 > 0:04:19statement we have heard a lot of talk recently about the opposition
0:04:19 > 0:04:23and about what they would do to crack down on tax avoidance, but the
0:04:23 > 0:04:27truth is that they did not and he was doing the job the Labour
0:04:27 > 0:04:32Government failed to do in office. That is totally incorrect. I have
0:04:32 > 0:04:37asked the House of Commons library what a Labour Government did and
0:04:37 > 0:04:42they have set out measures in the 14 budget reports of all the tax
0:04:42 > 0:04:46implications that were set out by the Labour Government to protect our
0:04:46 > 0:04:49tax revenues. I will write to the Chancellor and the Leader of the
0:04:49 > 0:04:54House and place that on record and also on my website, but I think it
0:04:54 > 0:04:59is important to say tax measures to protect our revenues did take place.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02It is important because the deficit is the difference between what the
0:05:02 > 0:05:08Government spends and what it receives. If it is reducing the tax
0:05:08 > 0:05:11base and cutting jobs in hey Jim is it, it is hard to know where they
0:05:11 > 0:05:15are going to get the money from and that is why there have been cuts to
0:05:15 > 0:05:21public services and people living in poverty -- cutting jobs in HMRC. 75
0:05:21 > 0:05:28years of the Beveridge report the commission resigns en masse,
0:05:28 > 0:05:33including the former Secretary of State for Education now in the Other
0:05:33 > 0:05:38Place, because they say the Government seems unable to commit
0:05:38 > 0:05:41the necessary energy to the social mobility agenda and the Joseph
0:05:41 > 0:05:46Rowntree then reduced its 2017 report and found that nearly one in
0:05:46 > 0:05:56three disabled people are living in poverty. 36% of children at and
0:05:56 > 0:05:59pensioners live in relative poverty. So when will we have an urgent
0:05:59 > 0:06:03debate on the state of poverty in the UK? And when will there be new
0:06:03 > 0:06:08appointments to the board? We turn now to the invisible papers, as I
0:06:08 > 0:06:15call them. I have a few questions, the who, where, what and why? We
0:06:15 > 0:06:18know who, because the motion was very clear. The Secretary of State
0:06:18 > 0:06:27had to give papers to the exit committee. In 2016, they were called
0:06:27 > 0:06:31assessments, in December 2016, they were set some analyses, and it is
0:06:31 > 0:06:33highly bizarre, members have do make an appointment, arrived five minutes
0:06:33 > 0:06:37early and the new Den get escorted to look at the papers with a
0:06:37 > 0:06:42Government official. You cannot take your mobile phone, you have to take
0:06:42 > 0:06:45a notebook and perhaps we are given a stubby pencil or a pen with
0:06:45 > 0:06:49invisible ink. That is bizarre, we are elected representatives and
0:06:49 > 0:06:53entitled to see the papers. And if there is nothing in the papers, why
0:06:53 > 0:06:57is it so secretive? But the bigger why is why has the Government is not
0:06:57 > 0:07:00conducted the impact assessments when it is affecting 88% of our
0:07:00 > 0:07:09economy. I join the Leader of the House in celebrating gay marriage in
0:07:09 > 0:07:13Australia, but more importantly, on Sunday is human rights Day, Amnesty
0:07:13 > 0:07:17International asks us to remember our actions that freed Albert would
0:07:17 > 0:07:23Fox, who was held in the USA for 43 years in solitary confinement and
0:07:23 > 0:07:28others in Burma and Mexico. They have all said when they were
0:07:28 > 0:07:33released it was a result of the role of Amnesty International and you, Mr
0:07:33 > 0:07:42Speaker, launched yesterday in the speakers has the Write for Rights.
0:07:42 > 0:07:50They want us to write for amnesty, their chair and director, 49
0:07:50 > 0:07:55defenders of Turkish rights. I know the whole house will join in
0:07:55 > 0:08:03thanking the Burgundy town of Avignon that named one of its
0:08:03 > 0:08:07streets Rue Jo Cox, which reads "British MP killed for her
0:08:07 > 0:08:11convictions." We condemn those who support his killer and their group
0:08:11 > 0:08:14and we stand with those who opposed them and of course, salute the
0:08:14 > 0:08:19silence breakers. And finally, Mr Speaker, can I congratulate you on
0:08:19 > 0:08:27your wedding anniversary, you and Sally.Thank you, Mr Speaker. I was
0:08:27 > 0:08:33not aware it is your wedding anniversary, congratulations. I
0:08:33 > 0:08:38would also like to share with the honourable lady in remembering Jo
0:08:38 > 0:08:43Cox and in congratulating that community in France who have sought
0:08:43 > 0:08:50to recognise her memory and for the work that she did to promote human
0:08:50 > 0:08:54rights and cohesive communities. She will never be forgotten and I think
0:08:54 > 0:08:57all honourable members would want to remember her. She has raised the
0:08:57 > 0:09:04specific issue of blacklisting and she will be pleased to know that it
0:09:04 > 0:09:09has been made very clear in all of our procurement contracts that
0:09:09 > 0:09:14blacklisting may not form a part of any of our suppliers' activities and
0:09:14 > 0:09:19we have received that assurance in the work and contract for the
0:09:19 > 0:09:24restoration of Big Ben and Elizabeth tower, so I share her concern about
0:09:24 > 0:09:29that issue. On the matter of tax avoidance, she sought pleads that
0:09:29 > 0:09:35the Labour Government did a lot to try and ensure measures to avoid tax
0:09:35 > 0:09:41avoidance but the facts are that since 2010, HMRC have generated £160
0:09:41 > 0:09:46billion of tax revenues from measures to stop avoidance and
0:09:46 > 0:09:50evasion. That is an extraordinary and strong achievement that we
0:09:50 > 0:09:56should congratulate HMRC for but also this Government, because all
0:09:56 > 0:10:00too often, the opposition talks the talk but do not walk the walk. They
0:10:00 > 0:10:04simply do not achieve what they promise and now under this
0:10:04 > 0:10:11Government, the top 1% are paying 27% of all taxes. The top 5% nearly
0:10:11 > 0:10:16half of all taxes. People who earn more have never been taxed more than
0:10:16 > 0:10:21under this Government, so progressive taxation is a feature of
0:10:21 > 0:10:24our Government's achievement, far more so than when the Labour
0:10:24 > 0:10:30Government is work in office. She talks about the social equality
0:10:30 > 0:10:33commission and, yes, she is absolutely right to point out that
0:10:33 > 0:10:39Alan Milburn did a great show and downs of resigning on a job that was
0:10:39 > 0:10:43actually coming to end -- made a great song and dance of resigning.
0:10:43 > 0:10:48What I would like to point out to the honourable lady is the amazing
0:10:48 > 0:10:51achievement just this week of children's literacy in our schools
0:10:51 > 0:10:57in England, where England is joint eighth in the world for our reading
0:10:57 > 0:11:02as a result of this Government's changing to phonics and the amazing
0:11:02 > 0:11:07dedication of teachers across the country. Also, how Green paper on
0:11:07 > 0:11:12mental health, where we on this side of the house are determined to
0:11:12 > 0:11:15ensure there is parity of esteem between mental and physical health.
0:11:15 > 0:11:20There are more than 600,000 disabled people now in work compared to 2010,
0:11:20 > 0:11:24that is a record of achievement that we on this side of the house are
0:11:24 > 0:11:29proud of and, of course, there are 600,000 fewer children in workless
0:11:29 > 0:11:34households than there were in 2010. All things designed to support young
0:11:34 > 0:11:38people that are measures this side of the house have put in place and
0:11:38 > 0:11:42have been determined to make progress on. Finally, she talks
0:11:42 > 0:11:46about the impact assessments. May I say to the house that the opposition
0:11:46 > 0:11:49have absolutely caused enormous headlines and publicity over this
0:11:49 > 0:11:53issue. The house will be interested to know that the sum total of 16
0:11:53 > 0:11:57members of this House and members of the House of Lords have taken the
0:11:57 > 0:12:03trouble to go and see that analysis that has been made available. And of
0:12:03 > 0:12:08course, it is very important, as all honourable member should respect,
0:12:08 > 0:12:12that the freedom of civil servants to discuss freely and give advice
0:12:12 > 0:12:17freely to ministers must be upheld and that is why it is important that
0:12:17 > 0:12:21these reports are held in a confidential and secure way, so that
0:12:21 > 0:12:25those who have a need and an interest in reading them can do so.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29But I say again, only 60 members across both houses have availed
0:12:29 > 0:12:37themselves of that opportunity.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40we have outlawed forced marriages in this country, but could we have a
0:12:40 > 0:12:46debate on children of 16 still being able to be married with the consent
0:12:46 > 0:12:49of their appearance, instead of waiting until the 18, because that
0:12:49 > 0:12:58seems to be an anomaly we should be fixing.I think the honourable lady
0:12:58 > 0:13:01raises a question that many people have concerns about, which is about
0:13:01 > 0:13:08the safety of our children until they reach an age they can reach
0:13:08 > 0:13:12decisions for themselves. It has been a long-standing law that young
0:13:12 > 0:13:19people can marry from the age of 16, and I do not think that is likely to
0:13:19 > 0:13:24be reviewed in the near future.And I thank the House for announcing the
0:13:24 > 0:13:32business. Can I wish the honourable lady happy birthday, and U2, Mr
0:13:32 > 0:13:36Speaker, a happy wedding anniversary. What a dramatic week,
0:13:36 > 0:13:41when you think that this Brexit chaotic cluelessness could not get
0:13:41 > 0:13:46any worse, the government surprises you all over again. I am now
0:13:46 > 0:13:49embarrassed that my nation of Scotland is caught up in this
0:13:49 > 0:13:53disaster. We did not go looking for this, we certainly didn't vote for
0:13:53 > 0:13:57it, but the institutions of my nation are caught up in the
0:13:57 > 0:14:07collateral of it. The government is in thrall to the DUP, I hope they
0:14:07 > 0:14:12business has been given in advance, in case they have to hastily
0:14:12 > 0:14:25withdraw. The analysis papers are still going on, detailing 50 to 60
0:14:25 > 0:14:33impacts, while not existing at all! What is coming clear is that there
0:14:33 > 0:14:36was never such papers, and for some reason the government took it upon
0:14:36 > 0:14:44itself to boast about the existence regarding papers that didn't even
0:14:44 > 0:14:50exist on a binding vote! Is that not contempt of Parliament? The
0:14:50 > 0:14:58Secretary of State needs to consider his position. This week everyone
0:14:58 > 0:15:04noticed the repeal Bill is not fit for purpose and damages the
0:15:04 > 0:15:09settlement, but today the clauses of the bill still remain in place.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11Yesterday the Secretary of State for Scotland said he would bring
0:15:11 > 0:15:16amendments at report stage and he will be held to that, but can he
0:15:16 > 0:15:20ensure they are tabled early so they Scottish Government can assess
0:15:20 > 0:15:29whether they are sufficient? Can I also congratulate the cities in the
0:15:29 > 0:15:37city of culture, but you will forgive us if we give an extra bit
0:15:37 > 0:15:40of support for the city of Paisley to become the first-ever city of
0:15:40 > 0:15:50culture for the UK?We will always be very understanding of his desire
0:15:50 > 0:15:56to support his own local contender, that is acceptable to all, but
0:15:56 > 0:15:59nevertheless in the Westminster Parliament we do congratulate all of
0:15:59 > 0:16:06them and wish them luck. He asks about the claim that the should
0:16:06 > 0:16:09continue to be contempt of Parliament, but I must utterly
0:16:09 > 0:16:16refute that. The government has satisfied a motion covering 68
0:16:16 > 0:16:20sectors of the economy. We were always clear that the analysis did
0:16:20 > 0:16:24not exist in the form the Parliament requested, but the department has
0:16:24 > 0:16:31taken time to bring together the analysis in a way that meets the
0:16:31 > 0:16:35request of Parliament, which is to provide it with the respect it is
0:16:35 > 0:16:38due, and you have now had recognition from the Brexit select
0:16:38 > 0:16:45committee that they consider that matter has been closed. The
0:16:45 > 0:16:50honourable gentleman also asks about devolved administrations, and it has
0:16:50 > 0:16:56been made clear that there will be close consultation with all the
0:16:56 > 0:17:01consultations including Scotland on all subjects relating to the bright
0:17:01 > 0:17:04future that we believe lies for the United Kingdom once we leave the
0:17:04 > 0:17:15European Union.Will he find time for a debate on nuisance telephone
0:17:15 > 0:17:20calls made randomly by cold callers? Yesterday I was driving along the
0:17:20 > 0:17:24day 13 hands-free when a young lady came on the phone to say she had
0:17:24 > 0:17:28heard I had been involved in a road accident, to which I replied, if I
0:17:28 > 0:17:36get one more call I will be involved in a road accident.I am pleased
0:17:36 > 0:17:40that he always drives carefully, and also T here he was using a
0:17:40 > 0:17:45hands-free device. But he raises a very important point of concern to
0:17:45 > 0:17:49many constituents. In the past the information Commissioners office had
0:17:49 > 0:18:02to prove that an office had to -- a company had to cause distress before
0:18:02 > 0:18:09they could step in. Now there is a new law we're friends can be made.
0:18:09 > 0:18:14He might want to seek a Westminster Hall debate are is the issue at DCS
0:18:14 > 0:18:27questions.Winter is beginning to bite, and up and down the country
0:18:27 > 0:18:33accident and emergency is struggling to cope with the demand. Report this
0:18:33 > 0:18:38morning, 1 million people have not been served within four hours in
0:18:38 > 0:18:42accident and emergency. In Huddersfield we have closure of AMD
0:18:42 > 0:18:52threatened. Can we have a debate on it, the shortage of beds, the
0:18:52 > 0:18:56shortage of doctors?He will be aware that, thanks to the hard work
0:18:56 > 0:19:00and dedication of staff, alongside record levels of funding, the NHS
0:19:00 > 0:19:06has prepared for a winter this year more than ever before. We know that
0:19:06 > 0:19:10the NHS is facing increased pressure, which is why it has robust
0:19:10 > 0:19:14plans in place supported by an extra 335 million and announced in the
0:19:14 > 0:19:19autumn budget on top of the previously announced 100 million to
0:19:19 > 0:19:22support accident and emergency departments. Nationally there are
0:19:22 > 0:19:27more than 1000 extra beds freed up since February by reducing delayed
0:19:27 > 0:19:30transfer of key, and areas continue to work to increase that number to
0:19:30 > 0:19:41more than 3000 extra beds over the winter period.Would the Leader of
0:19:41 > 0:19:45the House consider holding a debate on access to NHS dentists in rural
0:19:45 > 0:19:50areas? Oral health in children is reaching crisis levels with almost a
0:19:50 > 0:19:58quarter of five-year-old suffering from tooth DK, and in my
0:19:58 > 0:20:01constituency with a population of 12000 and growing, but not a single
0:20:01 > 0:20:05NHS dentist. I believe this should be debated to ensure everyone,
0:20:05 > 0:20:09irrespective of where you live, should have access to good dental
0:20:09 > 0:20:21care.She's quite right to raise this. NHS England has a legal duty
0:20:21 > 0:20:25to commission primary care NHS dental services to meet your needs.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29Access has improved in recent years, but there is more that needs to be
0:20:29 > 0:20:39done and I encourage her to seek an adjournment debate so she can raise
0:20:39 > 0:20:51this.Happy wedding anniversary. And a happy birthday to my collie, and I
0:20:51 > 0:20:55am happy to see that she is at an age where the candles do not cost
0:20:55 > 0:21:04more than the cake! It is a very fine line! Could I ask the Leader of
0:21:04 > 0:21:17the House for early indications of taming is over Christmas. I am
0:21:17 > 0:21:21hoping we will get some time on the following Thursday because we had a
0:21:21 > 0:21:36deferred debate... We're getting indications regarding important
0:21:36 > 0:21:43matters. On the sectoral analysis and impact assessments, the
0:21:43 > 0:21:45north-east of England has a particular set of problems when it
0:21:45 > 0:21:51comes to the economy of the United Kingdom. There is no sectoral impact
0:21:51 > 0:21:53assessment for anywhere else. We would like one for the north-east of
0:21:53 > 0:22:00England. We are part of a country that has a balance of payments
0:22:00 > 0:22:07surplus in manufacturing at the moment, and it is a great deal of
0:22:07 > 0:22:10concern if there is nothing outlined in terms of what our future would be
0:22:10 > 0:22:19as a region.I am sympathetic to his request for more time backbench
0:22:19 > 0:22:25business debates, particularly the he mentioned that was rescheduled
0:22:25 > 0:22:31for the RBS restructuring group. He mentioned the impact assessment and
0:22:31 > 0:22:36issues specifically for the north-east, and I am sure he will be
0:22:36 > 0:22:44reassured since 2010 unemployment is down 41% in the north-east, 44,000
0:22:44 > 0:22:47more children in good or outstanding schools, but he makes a good point,
0:22:47 > 0:22:50and I can assure him the government is committed to making a success of
0:22:50 > 0:22:59leaving the EU for all parts of the United Kingdom.Order, could I
0:22:59 > 0:23:01indicate to the House there are 34 colleagues seeking to contribute,
0:23:01 > 0:23:07that we really should finish this set of exchanges by midday, because
0:23:07 > 0:23:10there is a statement from the parliamentary undersecretary of
0:23:10 > 0:23:15state the Department of Health to follow, and thereafter two very well
0:23:15 > 0:23:19subscribed backbench business committee debates. So, there is a
0:23:19 > 0:23:26premium on brevity. If colleagues have prepared too long text, please
0:23:26 > 0:23:31have for others that would be represented, by cutting that, and if
0:23:31 > 0:23:37you cannot, don't bother with the question because the debates that
0:23:37 > 0:23:41follow are very important and I have to respect the interests of those
0:23:41 > 0:23:48who want to content -- contribute to the debates. I was hoping Sir
0:23:48 > 0:23:50Desmond was going to help out because he is always the master of
0:23:50 > 0:23:59brevity. His questions do not take much time anyway.Simple question,
0:23:59 > 0:24:07we're going to build more houses, we welcome that, but can we have a
0:24:07 > 0:24:11debate to stop estate agents abusing their position with price-fixing
0:24:11 > 0:24:17Western Mark I agree we want to build more houses -- your position
0:24:17 > 0:24:26with price-fixing?.There are DC L questions next year, but my
0:24:26 > 0:24:32honourable friend, I will suggest that he writes to me on that point
0:24:32 > 0:24:40and I will take it up with them. Last week I raised with the Leader
0:24:40 > 0:24:43of the House the possibility of having a debate about the position
0:24:43 > 0:24:49of Muslims in Pakistan, particularly those sentenced to death because of
0:24:49 > 0:24:56the beliefs. Now we understand that a captain, the parliamentarian who
0:24:56 > 0:25:03raised the issues is about to visit the UK. Can we have a debate to see
0:25:03 > 0:25:10what the government will say to him about their plight?I'm sure she
0:25:10 > 0:25:13will be in touch with ministers and the Foreign Office to make sure she
0:25:13 > 0:25:16has reflected her views to them and I'm sure they will be happy to
0:25:16 > 0:25:21respond to her request on what the official line will be when he
0:25:21 > 0:25:30visits.My constituent had an offer on his House of £200,000 before fees
0:25:30 > 0:25:36to part of HS2 was announced. They have now valued it at £185,000. Can
0:25:36 > 0:25:43we have a statement on how HS2 Ltd are instructing these valuations?I
0:25:43 > 0:25:47thank him for raising this very important matter, which has been of
0:25:47 > 0:25:54great concern to my own constituents and yours. I continued to challenge
0:25:54 > 0:25:57them on a number of constituents House purchase matters that have
0:25:57 > 0:26:02been outstanding, and I urge my honourable friend to seek an
0:26:02 > 0:26:05adjournment debate or a Westminster Hall debate to get a further
0:26:05 > 0:26:11response from ministers on what more can be done to ensure HS2 and
0:26:11 > 0:26:18addressing all the concerns of the Association of medical research
0:26:18 > 0:26:28charities has published its report large all concerns girly.Can we
0:26:28 > 0:26:38have a debate on how to increase access to cross blatant dogs?All
0:26:38 > 0:26:52members have issues within their constituencies about OFT
0:26:52 > 0:26:55-- off patent drugs. I'm sure there will be support for a debate on the
0:26:55 > 0:27:03subject.I am concerned about the way the boundary commission is
0:27:03 > 0:27:10operating its consultation because 5957 respondents, which is 96% of
0:27:10 > 0:27:17all people consulted in my constituency put on a response that
0:27:17 > 0:27:21was substantial to say they wanted to keep Morecambe and Lunesdale
0:27:21 > 0:27:26intact. Both parties agree that both communities should be kept separate,
0:27:26 > 0:27:33and since then over 1000 more submissions have been put in.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36Well, my honourable friend is raising a very important point. The
0:27:36 > 0:27:40boundary commission for England, Scotland and Wales publicised
0:27:40 > 0:27:46Bakkali to publish provisos and the consultation does not end until
0:27:46 > 0:27:54September -- published revisions. It is right to come forward before the
0:27:54 > 0:27:58closure.Last month, I met my constituents Margaret and Richard in
0:27:58 > 0:28:06Parliament at an event organised by CRY, and sadly they were there
0:28:06 > 0:28:10because they lost their son, Tom Hartmann, who was a talented local
0:28:10 > 0:28:15cricketer who died of sudden cardiac death, so can we have a debate on
0:28:15 > 0:28:21the work done by CRY and how we can prevent the 600 deaths every year?
0:28:21 > 0:28:25I'm so sorry to hear about that, that is a really tragic case and
0:28:25 > 0:28:29there are too many of those. As she says, 600 cases a year. I do think
0:28:29 > 0:28:33it is absolutely right to raise these issues in the chamber and
0:28:33 > 0:28:38encourage the honourable lady to seek an adjournment debate on it.I
0:28:38 > 0:28:42received an e-mail this week from two of my constituents, whose mother
0:28:42 > 0:28:47is a former member of the women's auxiliary air force and was
0:28:47 > 0:28:52stationed at Bletchley Park in World War II and is being cared for at the
0:28:52 > 0:28:54Royal British Legion care home, Dunkirk Memorial house in Taunton
0:28:54 > 0:28:56Deane and they wanted to express their immense praise and thanks for
0:28:56 > 0:29:01the fantastic care their mother has got, and other veterans get, in
0:29:01 > 0:29:05these homes, so would the Leader of the House joined me in praising the
0:29:05 > 0:29:09staff at Dunkirk as an pass on the message perhaps to the Ministry of
0:29:09 > 0:29:11Defence about how important these Royal British Legion care homes are
0:29:11 > 0:29:18to our veterans.Well, I'm delighted to join my honourable friend in
0:29:18 > 0:29:22praising the excellent work carried out by the staff at the Royal
0:29:22 > 0:29:25British Legion's Dunkirk Memorial house in her constituency. All six
0:29:25 > 0:29:28of the Legion's care homes around the country make an enormous
0:29:28 > 0:29:31difference to the lives of ex-service men and women and their
0:29:31 > 0:29:36families and I know my colleagues in the defence team recognise that.A
0:29:36 > 0:29:41recent joint police and DVLA operation in Bradford on uninsured
0:29:41 > 0:29:49or taxed vehicles showed 540 taxed vehicles identified and vehicles
0:29:49 > 0:29:53seized because of drivers with no insurance. It is highest tax evasion
0:29:53 > 0:29:56rate forever decade. But the whole house join me in congratulating
0:29:56 > 0:30:01Yorkshire police in their innovative operation to tackle dangerous
0:30:01 > 0:30:03driving in Bradford and with the Leader of the House grand
0:30:03 > 0:30:08Parliamentary time to discuss this issue?Well I certainly share the
0:30:08 > 0:30:13honourable lady's congratulations to her local police force on tackling
0:30:13 > 0:30:17this, that sounds like an enormous achievement. I again encourage her
0:30:17 > 0:30:20to seek an adjournment debate to raise specific points and share best
0:30:20 > 0:30:25practice in catching this type of evasion.I'm hoping that somebody
0:30:25 > 0:30:31might perhaps, just conceivably, manage a single sentence question?
0:30:31 > 0:30:43Mr Stephen Curry...
0:30:44 > 0:30:48-- Kerr.Lastly, RBS which is owned by the taxpayer and as branch
0:30:48 > 0:30:53closures and the loss of jobs, including the branch in my
0:30:53 > 0:30:56constituency. Can the Leader of the House, in Government time, provide
0:30:56 > 0:30:59for us a debate on the announcement of these closures and the future of
0:30:59 > 0:31:04retail banking in this country? Well, my honourable friend is a
0:31:04 > 0:31:08strong champion for his constituency and raises a very important point.
0:31:08 > 0:31:12All banks must now comply with the access to banking standard that
0:31:12 > 0:31:16requires consultation and careful thought before closures and he will
0:31:16 > 0:31:21be aware that the Post Office now provides access to basic banking
0:31:21 > 0:31:24services for all retail banks, but nevertheless, he raises a very
0:31:24 > 0:31:28important point that I do encourage him to pursue, perhaps with the FCA
0:31:28 > 0:31:34or the bank themselves.In recent weeks, I've noticed an increase in
0:31:34 > 0:31:37immigration casework and I'd previously written to the Home
0:31:37 > 0:31:41Office regarding the effect delays are having my constituents. Data
0:31:41 > 0:31:46published by the Department last week showed only 62% of MPs' letters
0:31:46 > 0:31:50and 72% of e-mails are responded to within their standard service
0:31:50 > 0:31:54timescale. Could you please have a debate on the modernisation of Home
0:31:54 > 0:31:56of his correspondence so members and their constituents can receive
0:31:56 > 0:32:01responses in a timely fashion?Well, the honourable lady raises an
0:32:01 > 0:32:05important point that, for many others, we all have constituency
0:32:05 > 0:32:09cases with regards to these challenges. I know from speaking to
0:32:09 > 0:32:12the Home Office, quite often the problem is slow responses from
0:32:12 > 0:32:17overseas countries to enquiries, so it is quite difficult to totally be
0:32:17 > 0:32:20in control of response times but she raises an important point that she
0:32:20 > 0:32:25might want to bring about Home Office questions.This is an
0:32:25 > 0:32:31important week in the taxing trade -- taxi trade because the world's
0:32:31 > 0:32:37first purpose-built electric taxi is being made in Anstey Park in my
0:32:37 > 0:32:42constituency and has been certified for use in London. Can we have a
0:32:42 > 0:32:49debate on how these initiatives can meet environmental objectives?I
0:32:49 > 0:32:52congratulate him on that achievement in his constituency, that is great
0:32:52 > 0:32:57news for London and it is certainly great news for rugby. The Government
0:32:57 > 0:33:01is fully committed to reducing the carbon footprint of our transport
0:33:01 > 0:33:04system and this is a great new step and it will certainly provide relief
0:33:04 > 0:33:12for many people living in London. Research carried out by the citizens
0:33:12 > 0:33:16Project at Goldsmiths in my constituency show that pollution in
0:33:16 > 0:33:20south-east London reached six times the world health limit on several
0:33:20 > 0:33:24occasions during the last year. Can we have a debate on this important
0:33:24 > 0:33:30public health issue?Well, the honourable lady will have no doubt
0:33:30 > 0:33:35been delighted by the mention of the first London certified electric taxi
0:33:35 > 0:33:38being built in his constituency. She raises something that matters
0:33:38 > 0:33:44enormously to all of us, the problem of air pollution in London but right
0:33:44 > 0:33:48around the country, it is something the Government is determined to
0:33:48 > 0:33:51tackle and we are taking strong steps to encourage and to help local
0:33:51 > 0:33:57authorities to pay for new pollution free zones, but, equally, she should
0:33:57 > 0:34:01speak to the Mayor of London, who does of course have the challenge in
0:34:01 > 0:34:05London are putting in place measures to reduce the poor air quality in
0:34:05 > 0:34:12our great city.Having come eighth in the international Reading test
0:34:12 > 0:34:16only this week, can we have a debate on phonics and the underlying
0:34:16 > 0:34:19teaching of literacy in order that we can make all children great
0:34:19 > 0:34:26readers?Well, I completely agree with my honourable friend. This is a
0:34:26 > 0:34:29great achievement that demonstrates just how far the Government's
0:34:29 > 0:34:34teaching reforms have taken us and I would like to again praise all
0:34:34 > 0:34:38teachers for their amazing dedication. And also the pupils
0:34:38 > 0:34:40themselves, congratulations to all those children on England delivering
0:34:40 > 0:34:46its best result since 2001, in no small part thanks to our increased
0:34:46 > 0:34:53emphasis on phonics.Mr Speaker, many Conservative MPs said Monday
0:34:53 > 0:34:56that Clause 11 of the EU withdrawal bill was deficient and yet voted for
0:34:56 > 0:35:00the cause. The Secretary of State that Scottish questioned yesterday
0:35:00 > 0:35:02said the committee stage of this House was merely to listen. Can we
0:35:02 > 0:35:06have the urgent debate on what the stages of bills are supposed to be
0:35:06 > 0:35:14at this House?As has been made clear so many times, included by
0:35:14 > 0:35:17myself, we are determined to get the best possible deal for the United
0:35:17 > 0:35:21Kingdom and for the EU 27 as we leave the EU and an important part
0:35:21 > 0:35:27of that is listening to all views, constructive views, that seek to
0:35:27 > 0:35:30amend and improve the legislation. That is what we have been doing and
0:35:30 > 0:35:37that is what we will continue to do. Reports suggest that some 800
0:35:37 > 0:35:40British citizens may have gone to fight for the evil death called
0:35:40 > 0:35:45Daesh in Iraq and Syria my right honourable friend the Defence
0:35:45 > 0:35:50Secretary and indeed the Ministry of State at the Foreign & Commonwealth
0:35:50 > 0:35:56Office have both indicated those individuals not be allowed to be --
0:35:56 > 0:36:00to return to the UK and may be hunted down and kill. Am I right
0:36:00 > 0:36:02honourable friend arrange restatement to be made before
0:36:02 > 0:36:05Christmas, because clearly this is a matter of great importance for
0:36:05 > 0:36:10policy for members across the house? My honourable friend is right to
0:36:10 > 0:36:15raise this issue and I would like to pay tribute to the amazing work of
0:36:15 > 0:36:19our counterintelligence people in this country who we have just heard
0:36:19 > 0:36:24recently have been able to thwart multiple terror efforts in this
0:36:24 > 0:36:29country. It is important that we continue to support them and we are
0:36:29 > 0:36:32continuing to invest in counterterrorism. Equally, my
0:36:32 > 0:36:35honourable friend raises the question of what we do to stop
0:36:35 > 0:36:38terrorists from coming back to this country from overseas and it is
0:36:38 > 0:36:43clearly the case that we need to use every means at our disposal to do
0:36:43 > 0:36:48so.Could the leader do something or could we have a debate about the
0:36:48 > 0:36:53Government publishing routine information? I have been trying for
0:36:53 > 0:36:5815 months to get the library's task force dataset published and have had
0:36:58 > 0:37:01various answers that it will be published in due course or the near
0:37:01 > 0:37:04future. If the Government can publish papers that don't exist,
0:37:04 > 0:37:08surely they can publish papers that do exist and honourable members of
0:37:08 > 0:37:12the public can see them.If the honourable gentleman wants to write
0:37:12 > 0:37:20to me, I will take that up on his behalf.Mr Speaker, when I visited
0:37:20 > 0:37:23the excellent Trinity high school in Redditch just recently, I had the
0:37:23 > 0:37:26privilege of speaking to the wonderful people there and asked
0:37:26 > 0:37:30them about their experience of being a teenager in today's world and they
0:37:30 > 0:37:34did indicate to me some of the pressures that they face due to
0:37:34 > 0:37:37social media and their lives today. So would she joined me in welcoming
0:37:37 > 0:37:41the massive boost to children's and young people's mental health
0:37:41 > 0:37:44services and will she work with the Department of Health to make sure
0:37:44 > 0:37:50this funding gets to work on the ground in Redditch and elsewhere?My
0:37:50 > 0:37:54honourable friend is quite right, there are huge challenges facing
0:37:54 > 0:37:57young people, unique challenges from social media, from cyber bullying
0:37:57 > 0:38:02and so on and the Government's Green paper on mental health does seek to
0:38:02 > 0:38:07alleviate that and to address the problem at its core. For me
0:38:07 > 0:38:09personally, in the very earliest years, building that robust
0:38:09 > 0:38:13emotional strength that children can then rely on for the rest of their
0:38:13 > 0:38:21lives.The Leader of the House will have seen that virgin care have sued
0:38:21 > 0:38:25the NHS and this is familiar to me because they threaten to me when I
0:38:25 > 0:38:28raised their dubious practices in this House previously. Would she
0:38:28 > 0:38:38consider the debate and make it clear that she will consider
0:38:38 > 0:38:40protecting from corporations like virgin question mark absolutely, the
0:38:40 > 0:38:43NHS is something that right across this House we share a commitment to,
0:38:43 > 0:38:48we share a commitment to service is being free at the point of delivery
0:38:48 > 0:38:52and we will always defend the NHS against any external threats to it,
0:38:52 > 0:38:58including from private providers.-- private providers. Some private
0:38:58 > 0:39:04provision has been incredibly beneficial to patients and the NHS
0:39:04 > 0:39:08and we shouldn't overlook that.My constituent recently received a
0:39:08 > 0:39:16demand for payment of £160 from parking contractors on behalf of his
0:39:16 > 0:39:19local Lidl supermarket while he shot better about 50 minutes and writing
0:39:19 > 0:39:24to the chief Executive, he was distinctly disinterested -- while he
0:39:24 > 0:39:28was shopping there for about 50 minutes. Can we have a debate about
0:39:28 > 0:39:33the abuse parking charges by certain companies?I think we can all share
0:39:33 > 0:39:38my honourable friend's frustration about some of the appalling abuses
0:39:38 > 0:39:43of this type of activity by private parking enforcement organisations
0:39:43 > 0:39:47and I certainly share his concern, I am very sympathetic to that and he
0:39:47 > 0:39:50should, I'm sure, seek an adjournment debates so other members
0:39:50 > 0:39:55can also hear about this situation. The British Association of social
0:39:55 > 0:39:58workers issued advice to their workers this week saying they
0:39:58 > 0:40:01consider it unethical and grading to subject a woman to disclosure of an
0:40:01 > 0:40:06incident of rape to a third party just to access benefits. They join a
0:40:06 > 0:40:12listing including the Scottish Government, Unison and RBN. Can we
0:40:12 > 0:40:18join them in a condemnation of this policy and the Clause?What I say to
0:40:18 > 0:40:21the honourable lady is we fully recognise this is a very difficult
0:40:21 > 0:40:28and sensitive issue but can I assure her a mother -- another will never
0:40:28 > 0:40:35be questioned by a member of HMRC or staff, they will simply take the
0:40:35 > 0:40:37claim and seek professional third-party evidence. There will not
0:40:37 > 0:40:40be any requirement for evidence of a criminal conviction or judicial
0:40:40 > 0:40:46finding. We have adjusted our approach to make sure women are
0:40:46 > 0:40:49getting the support they need and additional financial support is
0:40:49 > 0:40:56going to those to whom it was intended.Mr Speaker, I am afraid of
0:40:56 > 0:41:01a steelworker's pension scandal brewing. Constituent of mine are
0:41:01 > 0:41:05worried about making the wrong decision for pensions transfer. The
0:41:05 > 0:41:09Financial Conduct Authority is, I think, providing insufficient
0:41:09 > 0:41:15support to steelworkers at this crucial time, so can we have a
0:41:15 > 0:41:19ministerial statement and an action plan from the NCA to support
0:41:19 > 0:41:25steelworkers trying to do the right thing for their families? -- FCA.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29Pensions is of course a complex subject and for anybody who is
0:41:29 > 0:41:32trying to make decisions, they do need the right advice for that. The
0:41:32 > 0:41:36honourable gentleman is right to raise it in this chamber and I do
0:41:36 > 0:41:40encourage him to seek further guidance from the FCA so that he can
0:41:40 > 0:41:45provide support to his own constituents.When are we going to
0:41:45 > 0:41:49have a statement on the rights of EU nationals, in particular Irish
0:41:49 > 0:41:53citizens, many of whom have lived in this country for decades. Even if
0:41:53 > 0:41:56the Government can't sort out anything else on the EU withdrawal,
0:41:56 > 0:42:00please can we have a statement on this, which is causing anxiety to
0:42:00 > 0:42:06millions of people in this country? Well, I'm surprised to hear the
0:42:06 > 0:42:08honourable gentleman seek that reassurance. The Prime Minister has
0:42:08 > 0:42:13made very clear on numerous occasions, including in her Florence
0:42:13 > 0:42:17speech, that all EU citizens will be able to carry on living their lives
0:42:17 > 0:42:21as before and we have committed to incorporating our agreement on
0:42:21 > 0:42:29citizens rights fully into UK law. Can we have a statement from the
0:42:29 > 0:42:33Home Office regarding a constituent of mine who lost his passport but
0:42:33 > 0:42:36has indefinitely to Remain. He has been stuck for three months even
0:42:36 > 0:42:39with a replacement passport. His wife is pregnant, can the Minister
0:42:39 > 0:42:43look into this?
0:42:43 > 0:42:48I am sure the honourable gentleman is already in contact with UK BA,
0:42:48 > 0:42:52and I am happy to look into it on his behalf if he wants to write to
0:42:52 > 0:42:59me.Can I gently say to the honourable gentleman, the Leader of
0:42:59 > 0:43:04the House is not to the best of my knowledge the chief Executive of the
0:43:04 > 0:43:08citizens advice Bureau. And although the honourable gentleman was allowed
0:43:08 > 0:43:11to continue with his question, questions should be about the
0:43:11 > 0:43:16business for next week, so my little hint to him if he should seek to get
0:43:16 > 0:43:24into his enquiry referenced to a request for a statement or debate.
0:43:24 > 0:43:28That is very much the correct form for business questions, not, will
0:43:28 > 0:43:33you have a look into something and let me know? It is not quite the
0:43:33 > 0:43:38same thing. Nevertheless we let him off on this occasion, and I see that
0:43:38 > 0:43:44in the friendliest possible spirit. From the current city of culture,
0:43:44 > 0:43:50can I say that we send our very best wishes to those bidding to be the
0:43:50 > 0:43:55next city of culture. This week radio Humberside is reporting that
0:43:55 > 0:44:00there has been an upsurge in the roof of mopeds to commit anti-social
0:44:00 > 0:44:09behaviour. -- in the use of mopeds. What practical steps can we take to
0:44:09 > 0:44:14deal with this, and why is it happening? It is not just in Hull,
0:44:14 > 0:44:20and beyond the side of decent people against this yob culture.Yes, we
0:44:20 > 0:44:26can all share in her concern in this. We have seen a rise in more
0:44:26 > 0:44:30bed crying, we are concerned about this and the Home Office. I am sure
0:44:30 > 0:44:33the chairman of the backbench business committee would be
0:44:33 > 0:44:37delighted to hear from her with the suggestion that there be a
0:44:37 > 0:44:41cross-party debate on it.Will the Leader of the House make time
0:44:41 > 0:44:44available for a debate on why the government have conducted an impact
0:44:44 > 0:44:54assessment into gravity fell sewers and games, but not into the UK
0:44:54 > 0:45:01leaving the European Union.We're back to the government smells, are
0:45:01 > 0:45:09we? Here's being quite deliberately flippant. As he will know, the
0:45:09 > 0:45:12government has produced sectoral analysis, which has been provided in
0:45:12 > 0:45:17a form that is useful to Parliament in accordance with requirements of
0:45:17 > 0:45:21the motion passed. Therefore the government has fulfilled the request
0:45:21 > 0:45:26made and I sincerely hope the honourable gentleman is enjoying
0:45:26 > 0:45:33looking at that analysis and learning from it.It has been two
0:45:33 > 0:45:37years since the Glasgow city deal was announced, but in recent days we
0:45:37 > 0:45:42have heard the Scottish Government agency transport Scotland is
0:45:42 > 0:45:46backsliding on their commitment to deliver the Glasgow Airport rail
0:45:46 > 0:45:50link, having sabotaged the project a decade ago. Could we call a debate
0:45:50 > 0:45:54or make a statement on the delivery of the Glasgow city deal to ensure
0:45:54 > 0:46:00it delivers the infrastructure needed for Britain's second city?
0:46:00 > 0:46:04I'm extremely sympathetic to his call for further progress. The
0:46:04 > 0:46:10government is fully committed to these city deals, and perhaps make
0:46:10 > 0:46:14like to seek an adjournment debate to discuss what more can be done to
0:46:14 > 0:46:23make this happen faster.Increasing the number of live exports of
0:46:23 > 0:46:29animals has been suggested to cope with the expected 80% collapse in
0:46:29 > 0:46:33meat exploits post Brexit, increasing the number of animals
0:46:33 > 0:46:41exported on the hoof rather than on the hook. Will Brexit be paid for in
0:46:41 > 0:46:50increased suffering by defenceless animals?I can see that we are proud
0:46:50 > 0:46:56of having some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world, and
0:46:56 > 0:47:00it is in fact the EU that prevents the UK from looking at curbing
0:47:00 > 0:47:06further measures to export live animals. But if I can just say to
0:47:06 > 0:47:10him, the movement of live animals is not the export, it is the distance
0:47:10 > 0:47:16they have to travel without proper care for food and drink undressed
0:47:16 > 0:47:20and so on, that is the issue he should be concerned with, not the
0:47:20 > 0:47:25export or the distant travel of those animals. We remain absolutely
0:47:25 > 0:47:29committed to doing everything we can to further improve the welfare of
0:47:29 > 0:47:37animals as we leave the EU.Last week Her Majesty's inspector didn't
0:47:37 > 0:47:48of Constabulary announced the police force is not fit for service, with
0:47:48 > 0:47:58people in my constituency waiting over an hour for a response.I think
0:47:58 > 0:48:03we are always extremely grateful to our police forces for the work they
0:48:03 > 0:48:07do, the honourable gentleman is raising a point I am not aware of,
0:48:07 > 0:48:11but he may wish to raise it in Home Office questions or through an
0:48:11 > 0:48:18adjournment debate to get further information.Since 2012, and two
0:48:18 > 0:48:23thirds of Britain's total waste plastic exports are being shipped to
0:48:23 > 0:48:27China and Hong Kong. From January that has to stop, China is banning
0:48:27 > 0:48:31the imports. Can we have a statement as to where we will send plastic
0:48:31 > 0:48:39waste come the New Year?I am sure she will appreciate that this
0:48:39 > 0:48:42government has been totally committed to doing as much as
0:48:42 > 0:48:46possible to protect our environment, particularly marine environment
0:48:46 > 0:48:48through the introduction of the Bluebell and protected areas around
0:48:48 > 0:48:54the coastline, our proposal to ban micro beads and face cleansing
0:48:54 > 0:49:03products, this government has banned plastic bag use without charge
0:49:03 > 0:49:07against them, and we're fully committed to doing what we can to
0:49:07 > 0:49:10protect our environment. Should she wish to seek an adjournment debate
0:49:10 > 0:49:14on this matter, I am sure ministers will be delighted to discuss that
0:49:14 > 0:49:20with her.Nepal has passed a new criminal Court Bill criminalising
0:49:20 > 0:49:27so-called blasphemy and the conversion of others. Widespread
0:49:27 > 0:49:33concern... With the Leader of the House agreed to a statement on this
0:49:33 > 0:49:42issue?I agree about the importance of international freedoms and
0:49:42 > 0:49:45looking after the rights of minorities such as he mentions, and
0:49:45 > 0:49:55I encourage him to seek a debate on that subject.On the Royal Bank of
0:49:55 > 0:49:59Scotland and small business customer treatment, could we have a debate as
0:49:59 > 0:50:03soon as possible, but certainly before the government flogs off its
0:50:03 > 0:50:09shares and avoids accountability?I think he will be pleased to have
0:50:09 > 0:50:12seen that RBS is recovering and detox about the government flogging
0:50:12 > 0:50:20off its shares. Because the government's intention to return it,
0:50:20 > 0:50:24and recoup the money the taxpayer used to bail them out. He is
0:50:24 > 0:50:29absolutely right, the debate was the important one about the
0:50:29 > 0:50:33restructuring that it. I know his honourable friend, the chairman of
0:50:33 > 0:50:36the backbench committee, is seeking to the schedule it as soon as he
0:50:36 > 0:50:44can.Amongst the spin of how powerful the new Scottish Tories are
0:50:44 > 0:50:49and how they secured a £40 million VAT exemption for police and Fire
0:50:49 > 0:50:54Services, yesterday I highlighted that has come at a cost of 265
0:50:54 > 0:50:59million Scottish Tory. If they genuinely did so much work in terms
0:50:59 > 0:51:02of the VAT exemption, could she make a statement outlining why the
0:51:02 > 0:51:06Chancellor was not able to give me in writing a date of one meeting
0:51:06 > 0:51:13with any one of the 12 backbench Scotty Tories on exemption?I am
0:51:13 > 0:51:20delighted he recognises the amazing work done by my honourable friends
0:51:20 > 0:51:25the Scottish Conservatives. I share the enthusiasm for looking after the
0:51:25 > 0:51:28interests of their Scottish constituents, and I am sure the
0:51:28 > 0:51:31honourable gentleman will be delighted that in our budget a
0:51:31 > 0:51:37couple of weeks ago the Chancellor was able to confirm a £2 billion
0:51:37 > 0:51:47consequential budget boost for the Scottish Parliament.Eight months
0:51:47 > 0:51:56ago I informed the HSBC bank is closing, no others are closing,
0:51:56 > 0:52:01leaving my constituents with one bank. What can ministers do to
0:52:01 > 0:52:14address the issue of banks closing? There is a new protocol that banks
0:52:14 > 0:52:20must take to properly consult. As he will be aware, the footfall in bank
0:52:20 > 0:52:28branches has resumed -- reduced significantly. But any areas where
0:52:28 > 0:52:38there are older people who are not so able, post offices and now
0:52:38 > 0:52:42offering basic banking services for all high street banks, which in some
0:52:42 > 0:52:45cases means better opening hours and a better service for constituents.
0:52:45 > 0:52:49But he is right to raise this and I would encourage him to seek an
0:52:49 > 0:53:03adjournment debate.We will hear today who will be the winner of the
0:53:03 > 0:53:06UK city of culture, and Paisley is now one of the favourites after a
0:53:06 > 0:53:10difficult start to the campaign. Can we have a statement on the
0:53:10 > 0:53:17competition to raise awareness of the winner and the campaign?We wish
0:53:17 > 0:53:20all of those competitors the best of luck and it is great to see the
0:53:20 > 0:53:24honourable gentleman sticking up for his own local applicant, and I wish
0:53:24 > 0:53:28you every success with it. I am sure there will be plenty of
0:53:28 > 0:53:31opportunities for him to raise his issue directly with the Prime
0:53:31 > 0:53:38Minister should they be successful. On the 9th of November last year,
0:53:38 > 0:53:43seven people lost their lives and many more were injured in the
0:53:43 > 0:53:49Croydon tramp hash which was the largest of its kind in 50 years.
0:53:49 > 0:53:51Today there rail accident investigation Branch are publishing
0:53:51 > 0:53:57their findings into the causes of the accident, and I have had early
0:53:57 > 0:54:01site, and it is clear the findings will apply across all of the
0:54:01 > 0:54:05different tram networks of the UK. For the sake of those who died, many
0:54:05 > 0:54:11of whom were just going on their way to work, never to return again, to
0:54:11 > 0:54:15the Secretary of State come to this place and make a statement about how
0:54:15 > 0:54:20he's going to ensure the findings of the investigation will be
0:54:20 > 0:54:26implemented as quickly as possible so this never happens again?All
0:54:26 > 0:54:31members, I think the whole country was horrified by what happened, it
0:54:31 > 0:54:35was an absolute tragedy, and I think we all send our great condolences to
0:54:35 > 0:54:41families and friends those who died, and it is right that we learn the
0:54:41 > 0:54:45lessons from that report, and we will be very happy to discuss what
0:54:45 > 0:54:48kind of feedback we