0:00:00 > 0:00:00has a remix to look at all taxpayers' money and it will
0:00:00 > 0:00:03scrutinise any financial settlement with the EU. The first report is due
0:00:03 > 0:00:12in the spring.Business question. Could the Leader of the House please
0:00:12 > 0:00:20update the House on the forthcoming business?Thank you, Mr Speaker. The
0:00:20 > 0:00:26business for the week commencing 29th of January will include Monday
0:00:26 > 0:00:3029th of January remaining stages of the Armed Forces flexible working
0:00:30 > 0:00:35bill, followed by remaining stages of the automated and electric
0:00:35 > 0:00:39vehicles built. Tuesday 30th of January, second reading of the
0:00:39 > 0:00:43high-speed rail West Midlands to crooks bill, followed by motions
0:00:43 > 0:00:47relating to the high-speed rail West Midlands to crew bill. Wednesday the
0:00:47 > 0:00:5331st of January, an allotted half day subjectively announced. Followed
0:00:53 > 0:00:57by a debate on motions relating to the restoration and renewal of the
0:00:57 > 0:01:02Palace of Westminster. Thursday the 1st of February, a debate on a
0:01:02 > 0:01:06motion on baby leave for members of Parliament followed by a debate on
0:01:06 > 0:01:15the motion on hospital parking charges. Friday 2nd of February,
0:01:15 > 0:01:18private members bills. The provisional business for the week
0:01:18 > 0:01:22commencing 5th of February 2008 team will include on Monday the 5th of
0:01:22 > 0:01:27February motions relating to the draft Social Security benefits
0:01:27 > 0:01:33operating order 2018 and the draft guaranteed minimum pensions increase
0:01:33 > 0:01:39order 2018, followed by remaining stages of the smart metres bill. Mr
0:01:39 > 0:01:45Speaker, we all remember those that suffered such tremendous atrocities
0:01:45 > 0:01:49during the Holocaust as we mark Holocaust Memorial Day this weekend
0:01:49 > 0:01:53and I think we are united in our desire to eradicate such evil acts
0:01:53 > 0:01:58from our world. Next week, the House will have the opportunity to discuss
0:01:58 > 0:02:02the restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster. This must be
0:02:02 > 0:02:07a decision made by Parliament itself. It is not one for
0:02:07 > 0:02:17government. I do urge all colleagues to take a basement tour to see the
0:02:17 > 0:02:21challenges that lie ahead. Members may also wish to read the reports by
0:02:21 > 0:02:25the joint committee, the Public Accounts Committee, the Treasury
0:02:25 > 0:02:28Select Committee, and the financial memoranda to the motions to acquaint
0:02:28 > 0:02:32themselves with issues raised in these. They are all available online
0:02:32 > 0:02:36on the Parliament website and my door is always open to any member
0:02:36 > 0:02:41who wants to discuss this in advance of the debate. Finally, I would like
0:02:41 > 0:02:47to wish everyone a very happy Burns Night celebration tonight,
0:02:47 > 0:02:54particularly Scottish colleagues on both sides of the House.Can I thank
0:02:54 > 0:02:57the Leader of the House for the business and also for the letter she
0:02:57 > 0:03:02sent to me about the new list of ministerial responsibilities. Her
0:03:02 > 0:03:06letter states it is scheduled for March but the new list may be
0:03:06 > 0:03:11available soon. I don't know of the Government are waiting for changes,
0:03:11 > 0:03:17whether the Foreign Secretary will now become the Health Secretary, but
0:03:17 > 0:03:21he was reminded he is the Foreign Secretary. Ministers must know their
0:03:21 > 0:03:26responsibilities by now so can we have an update sooner rather than
0:03:26 > 0:03:31later? Can we also have the date Parliament will rise in July. We
0:03:31 > 0:03:36have the date we will return, but I have been summoned for jury service
0:03:36 > 0:03:41and I would like to give them a date when I'm available. I thank the
0:03:41 > 0:03:45Leader of the House for tabling the motions and for the debate on
0:03:45 > 0:03:49restoration renewal. We have those two motions which complicates the
0:03:49 > 0:03:56debate in the three hours and last week the Leader of the House of
0:03:56 > 0:03:59Lords of the seriousness of the decision, they will not be
0:03:59 > 0:04:04amendable. It will either be a case of the first motion or if that
0:04:04 > 0:04:10falls, the second motion. Erskine may says if the amended notice does
0:04:10 > 0:04:20not exceed the scope of the original notice and the Speaker provides it
0:04:20 > 0:04:25is proper for the motion to be tabled, it can move forward. Hurrah
0:04:25 > 0:04:31for democracy and for you, Mr Speaker. It is important, and I
0:04:31 > 0:04:35concur I have been down to the basement, it is important for
0:04:35 > 0:04:39members to no costs are being incurred every day while a decision
0:04:39 > 0:04:43is not being raised. I raised on many occasions at business
0:04:43 > 0:04:46questions, and the honourable member for Gower raised a point yesterday,
0:04:46 > 0:04:53on the issue of the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon. Can the Prime Minister
0:04:53 > 0:04:57respond to Carwyn Jones' letter, which he sent seven weeks ago
0:04:57 > 0:05:04offering financial help for this project. The Government should be
0:05:04 > 0:05:10working with the Welsh government. His democratically elected very
0:05:10 > 0:05:14clever First Minister. We know the Government is committed to the
0:05:14 > 0:05:20environment because they said so in their document, but amazingly there
0:05:20 > 0:05:23was no mention of fracking so can I draw the attention of the Leader of
0:05:23 > 0:05:28the House to a new study, the inability of UK shale gas in
0:05:28 > 0:05:34comparison with other electricity options. The study examines economic
0:05:34 > 0:05:38and social sustainability of fracking so can we have a statement
0:05:38 > 0:05:42on why exploratory drilling is going ahead in Lancashire when the study
0:05:42 > 0:05:46ranked shale gas seven out of nine different energy sources and could
0:05:46 > 0:05:49we have a statement on the data which shows the number of people
0:05:49 > 0:06:02applying to be teachers has fallen by a third in the past year. Sadly,
0:06:02 > 0:06:07Mr Speaker, we need a statement on why teachers have been asking for
0:06:07 > 0:06:13financial support from the charity Education Support Partnership. We
0:06:13 > 0:06:17need a statement from the new Secretary of State for Education
0:06:17 > 0:06:23because we are asking our teachers, we want them to teach our children
0:06:23 > 0:06:29personal social health and economic education. The leader would have
0:06:29 > 0:06:32heard from the honourable member for Yardley on the events at the
0:06:32 > 0:06:43Presidents club. Members called for the expedition so could the Leader
0:06:43 > 0:06:48of the House tells us when that will be expedited. The Leader of the
0:06:48 > 0:06:51House also tell the House if the visit by the Minister to the
0:06:51 > 0:06:57Presidents club was an official visit or a private visit. Whether it
0:06:57 > 0:07:01is the Presidents club or all the Presidents men, either way it is an
0:07:01 > 0:07:05abuse of power. And it is important to have opposition days because
0:07:05 > 0:07:08yesterday the debate was on Carillion and the number of
0:07:08 > 0:07:14questions I and others asked, the Minister came to the House to answer
0:07:14 > 0:07:17the questions and he actually is following up what the TUC have asked
0:07:17 > 0:07:21for and that is a task force but the opposition look forward to the
0:07:21 > 0:07:28delivery of the documents so could the Leader of the House say when
0:07:28 > 0:07:34those will be delivered? When we had a debate on human rights. The Leader
0:07:34 > 0:07:37of the Opposition reminded us to sign the book of a commitment which
0:07:37 > 0:07:41are still available to be signed outside the members cloakroom
0:07:41 > 0:07:46between 2pm and 4pm and it's a reminder every right in the European
0:07:46 > 0:07:51Convention on human rights, which was then enacted into UK law in the
0:07:51 > 0:07:55Human Rights Act, every one of those rights was systematically abused and
0:07:55 > 0:08:01violated in the Second World War. Human rights and dignity should be
0:08:01 > 0:08:12at the core of our society.Thank you, Mr Speaker, and I'm grateful to
0:08:12 > 0:08:17the honourable lady for her series of questions. On the subject of the
0:08:17 > 0:08:21ministerial list, I have written to her on that saying it will be
0:08:21 > 0:08:25available as soon as possible. On the rise of the House in July I am
0:08:25 > 0:08:30appraised of the fact she needs time for her jury service, I wouldn't
0:08:30 > 0:08:35dream of delaying that unduly and I will absolutely seek to ensure we
0:08:35 > 0:08:39give that consideration to inform the House as soon as we possibly
0:08:39 > 0:08:43can. She asks about the motions for the restoration and renewal of the
0:08:43 > 0:08:48Palace. As I said last week and as I think the honourable lady agrees,
0:08:48 > 0:08:55what we want is for this House to be able to take a decision and so what
0:08:55 > 0:09:00I wanted to see is what sorts of amendments came forward and I think
0:09:00 > 0:09:04I made clear last week that what we need is some sensible alternatives
0:09:04 > 0:09:08for the House to be able to discuss, and there are some very sensible
0:09:08 > 0:09:13amendments that have been tabled, and I certainly commit to
0:09:13 > 0:09:16undertaking to ensure those are included in the options available to
0:09:16 > 0:09:21the House, but nevertheless the important point is that this House
0:09:21 > 0:09:27is able to make an informed decision next week. She asked about the
0:09:27 > 0:09:30Swansea Bay lagoon. As we have exchanged several times in this
0:09:30 > 0:09:34chamber, it is a very expensive projects, extremely expensive
0:09:34 > 0:09:38compared to other forms of renewable energy, it requires a careful
0:09:38 > 0:09:43decision and I know that is still under consideration. On fracking, it
0:09:43 > 0:09:48is clear that natural gas provided by fracking with some of the world's
0:09:48 > 0:09:53strongest and most careful regulation anywhere is a way forward
0:09:53 > 0:09:59for the UK as we move towards zero carbon targets for our electricity
0:09:59 > 0:10:04generation. We cannot do that from where we are today, going through
0:10:04 > 0:10:10getting rid of coal from the system which we hope to do from 2025 and
0:10:10 > 0:10:14moving straight to lower carbon forms. Gas will continue to be an
0:10:14 > 0:10:19important part of our transition towards the low carbon future and
0:10:19 > 0:10:24natural gas through fracking is one option open. She raises the issue of
0:10:24 > 0:10:31teacher applications. There are 15,500 more teachers now in our
0:10:31 > 0:10:35classrooms since 2010. The number of teachers returning to the classroom
0:10:35 > 0:10:41has increased 8% since 2000 tenths which is good news. And there are
0:10:41 > 0:10:45more teachers with first-class degrees, so really highly qualified
0:10:45 > 0:10:51teachers able to impart information to our young people, that is vital.
0:10:51 > 0:10:56I share her disgust at what took place at the Presidents club. There
0:10:56 > 0:11:01is absolutely no place for that type of activity men only club
0:11:01 > 0:11:06effectively abusing young women in the way that this story has been
0:11:06 > 0:11:08reported, is absolutely unacceptable. And as she will be
0:11:08 > 0:11:15aware from the urgent question quite rightly raised yesterday, that the
0:11:15 > 0:11:20issue of when we will be introducing sex and relationship education in
0:11:20 > 0:11:23schools is currently still subject to consultation with young people
0:11:23 > 0:11:27themselves and it is vital we don't guess at what it is they want to
0:11:27 > 0:11:34learn about, but that we ask them, so we need to take the time further
0:11:34 > 0:11:39consultation. On Carillion, I can assure the House the request of the
0:11:39 > 0:11:42House will be absolutely upheld and that the documents will be made
0:11:42 > 0:11:46available but as she will know, the Public Accounts Committee and
0:11:46 > 0:11:52already has the means to ask for such documents to be to them.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55Finally, I share her desire to reflect the importance of human
0:11:55 > 0:12:01rights in everything we do, not just in remembering the appalling actions
0:12:01 > 0:12:06in the Holocaust but in all of the appalling civil wars and problems we
0:12:06 > 0:12:11see in our own lifetime. Human rights must be upheld.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16THE SPEAKER: Many members are seeking to catch my eye in these
0:12:16 > 0:12:22exchanges. I remind the House there is a statement by the Secretary of
0:12:22 > 0:12:24State for Defence to follow, in which I imagine there'll be
0:12:24 > 0:12:31interest. That will be followed by two well subscribed debates to be
0:12:31 > 0:12:41taken under the auspices of the backbench. Mr Douglas Ross.The
0:12:41 > 0:12:46excellent employment figures released this week.
0:12:46 > 0:12:55Mr Speaker, a perfect example of Bev vetty, is it not? My honourable
0:12:55 > 0:13:01friend has raised this issue. There are 32.1 million in work. 415,000
0:13:01 > 0:13:06more than for a year earlier. The number of people in employment has
0:13:06 > 0:13:09increased by 3.1 million since 2010. That is more than the entire
0:13:09 > 0:13:16population of Wales. Over 70% of this rising employment has been in
0:13:16 > 0:13:20higher skilled jobs and unemploymentment hasn't been lower
0:13:20 > 0:13:24since 19716789 it is a great news for our economy, Mr Speaker.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28THE SPEAKER: I am reminded there is a Select Committee statement, which
0:13:28 > 0:13:32won't absorb a great deal of time, but which is important. So all of
0:13:32 > 0:13:38that adds to the pressure of time. Mr Speaker, can I thank the Chief
0:13:38 > 0:13:48Superintendent tan of the House for announcing the business of the House
0:13:48 > 0:13:54and announcing the importance of Holocaust Day. Today we celebrate
0:13:54 > 0:14:02the birth of Scotland's greatest poet. He said of mice and men, who
0:14:02 > 0:14:07started with this Brexit scheme a few months ago. Now is not the time,
0:14:07 > 0:14:11and we need the Leader of the House to be braver on restoration and
0:14:11 > 0:14:17renewal. What we cannot have is a curtailment of any debate and the
0:14:17 > 0:14:22closing down of option on these critical matters W the huge costs
0:14:22 > 0:14:26involved our constituents expect us to have time to debate these issues
0:14:26 > 0:14:29and we must sure we must have them. All the options are fully considered
0:14:29 > 0:14:37and we have to hear there'll be no attempt to curtail debate by having
0:14:37 > 0:14:44amendments rejected. I hope that the whole House joins me and the SNP's
0:14:44 > 0:14:50campaign to reclaim our time, to end a ridiculous farce of wasting days
0:14:50 > 0:14:54of the parliamentary deal by standing in packed lobbies simply to
0:14:54 > 0:15:00vote. The fallout of the President club's dinner continues to develop
0:15:00 > 0:15:04and appal. Can we have a debate about these clubs and see what more
0:15:04 > 0:15:08can be done to challenge the laws that sustains them and the culture
0:15:08 > 0:15:13which thinks they are acceptable. We are in a new era of "zero tolerance"
0:15:13 > 0:15:18for this type of behaviour. Now is the time to make real and
0:15:18 > 0:15:22substantial progress and stamp out this pathetic behaviour. As our
0:15:22 > 0:15:26devolution settlement is passed on to the great and the good to the
0:15:26 > 0:15:32House of Lords, let's remember what Burns said about the petty pomposity
0:15:32 > 0:15:36and the sense of entitlement of those who consider themselves our
0:15:36 > 0:15:42better. Who struts and stands, the man of
0:15:42 > 0:15:50independent mind, he looks and laughs at all that.
0:15:50 > 0:15:55Mr Speaker, I can't possibly hope to emulate that brilliant portrayals of
0:15:55 > 0:16:00Robbie Burns, some of his finest words. What I can say is in the
0:16:00 > 0:16:05context of his urge to me to be brave, is when I was growing up, my
0:16:05 > 0:16:12wonderful step dad who is a Scott, would say if you are sitting around,
0:16:12 > 0:16:18that will not get the piece. I hope that is adequate, we want the jelly
0:16:18 > 0:16:23pieces to be happening. He's right to raise the issues for restoration
0:16:23 > 0:16:29and renewal. We need a decision. We look forward to that next week. He's
0:16:29 > 0:16:34right to raise the issue of the President's club. It is unacceptable
0:16:34 > 0:16:43this kind of thing still goes on. My honourable friend who answered the
0:16:43 > 0:16:45question yesterday, she is astonished to hear this type of
0:16:45 > 0:16:48thing is still happening. How ridiculous is it that anyone thinks
0:16:48 > 0:16:53that is appropriate? I would like to pay tribute to his excellent efforts
0:16:53 > 0:16:57on the working group that I chair on behalf of the Prime Minister that is
0:16:57 > 0:17:01looking into issues of bullying and harassment in this place. He has
0:17:01 > 0:17:05been a stalwart champion of getting this work done, as have other
0:17:05 > 0:17:11members of his party. I am very grateful for that. We have to agree
0:17:11 > 0:17:16to disagree about the other place. In my view, they do provide a very
0:17:16 > 0:17:20important revising role, for which we are vital. They do have some
0:17:20 > 0:17:25expertise that in this House we benefit from.
0:17:25 > 0:17:30Mr Speaker, what more can the Leader of the House do to help millions of
0:17:30 > 0:17:38consumers currently being ripped off by rip off energy prices?My
0:17:38 > 0:17:40honourable friend raises a point that is incredibly important to so
0:17:40 > 0:17:45many people. The issue of energy prices for some people comes down to
0:17:45 > 0:17:50whether they can afford to heat or eat. It is a fundamental desire that
0:17:50 > 0:17:55the Prime Minister has expressed to sort out the rip off prices that are
0:17:55 > 0:17:58charged by some energy companies towards their most loyal clear
0:17:58 > 0:18:01customers. In other words, if you stick with us, you will get ripped
0:18:01 > 0:18:08off. The bill we will bring forward will seek to put a cap on those
0:18:08 > 0:18:11standard variable tariffs to ensure that rip off energy prices are a
0:18:11 > 0:18:17thing of the past.Could I thank the leader for the business statement?
0:18:17 > 0:18:22We are open for business and I would just ask the members to remain, to
0:18:22 > 0:18:29think ahead in terms of memorial and celebration days. I am anticipating
0:18:29 > 0:18:33applications about women's international days and about St
0:18:33 > 0:18:36David's Day, in our Welsh debate. If members can think ahead to those
0:18:36 > 0:18:40important dates in the diary and bring forward their applications in
0:18:40 > 0:18:44a timely way so we can get them planned well ahead and then I am
0:18:44 > 0:18:50glad to say that the haggis is not yet an en dangered species. Even the
0:18:50 > 0:18:54clockwise one I understand with their legs being longer on one side.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58Still run around the hills very happily in all of the Highlands. I
0:18:58 > 0:19:03think on the Burns day that we should all think about the very sage
0:19:03 > 0:19:08words of Robert Burns when he said, while some power to see ourselves as
0:19:08 > 0:19:14others see us. Well, as ever, I do assure the
0:19:14 > 0:19:18honourable gentleman we do take into account the needs of the Backbench
0:19:18 > 0:19:21Business Committee. I know they are holding popular and important
0:19:21 > 0:19:27debates. We will continue to provide dates as early as we can. I do share
0:19:27 > 0:19:31his concern about the endangered nature of the haggis. I think the
0:19:31 > 0:19:36opportunities for cloning them in future, according to today's press,
0:19:36 > 0:19:40it could be possible to clone haggis in the future. But the honourable
0:19:40 > 0:19:44gentleman is right to raise the importance of getting timely
0:19:44 > 0:19:49notification of available days and we will make sure that happens.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53Mr Speaker, the Government has made great strides in recent months on
0:19:53 > 0:19:59bearing down on unnecessary plastic waste. At airports like Gatwick, in
0:19:59 > 0:20:03my constituency, of course, as people go through security a lot of
0:20:03 > 0:20:07plastic bottles are discarded. Could we have a statement from our Right
0:20:07 > 0:20:10Honourable friend the Environment Secretary on ensuring that there are
0:20:10 > 0:20:15water refilling points in many places like airports so that we can
0:20:15 > 0:20:20reduce plastic waste, which is so unnecessary?Well, my honourable
0:20:20 > 0:20:25friend raises a point that I think all members across the House will be
0:20:25 > 0:20:29delighted to see some of the initiatives there are water
0:20:29 > 0:20:32fountains and drinking water taps made available in all key points
0:20:32 > 0:20:35across the UK. We have seen some progress towards that. I think it
0:20:35 > 0:20:39would be very welcomed, not least of which because it will save costs to
0:20:39 > 0:20:43consumers as well as the enormous amount of plastic that finds its way
0:20:43 > 0:20:48into our marine areas.Thank you, Mr Speaker. With Government figures
0:20:48 > 0:20:52released today showing the levels of rough sleeping is at the highest on
0:20:52 > 0:20:56record, can we expect a statement from a minister next week about the
0:20:56 > 0:21:01serious issue which is affecting all parts of our country?The honourable
0:21:01 > 0:21:10lady is right to raise the appalling homelessness issue which nobody on
0:21:10 > 0:21:14this, in this Parliament accepts, as a way forward at all. What the
0:21:14 > 0:21:18Government has done is to sign up to the bill of my honourable friend,
0:21:18 > 0:21:25the member for Harrow East, a very important bill, to ensure that we do
0:21:25 > 0:21:29everything possible to eradicate homelessness by 2027 and to half it
0:21:29 > 0:21:34by 2022. There are a number of homeless reduction task forces going
0:21:34 > 0:21:38ahead to look at what more can be done. The reasons for homelessness
0:21:38 > 0:21:44can be complicated and it's not just necessarily about the housing but
0:21:44 > 0:21:48about mental health issues and addiction issues and so on and is a
0:21:48 > 0:21:53very complicated issue.Could we have a statement on the boundary
0:21:53 > 0:21:55review recommendations for constituencies, so that they can
0:21:55 > 0:22:01come if before the house and for us to ratify them. Some of us are very
0:22:01 > 0:22:04much in favour of the proposals to reduce the cost of running this
0:22:04 > 0:22:11Parliament. My honourable friend raidses a point
0:22:11 > 0:22:14that is quite contentious across this place, but he may want to seek
0:22:14 > 0:22:17a debate on this through the backbench committee so that
0:22:17 > 0:22:27colleagues can discuss it. With £3 billion set aside for Brexit
0:22:27 > 0:22:32contingency planning. £2 million lost as a result of slower growth
0:22:32 > 0:22:37and £300 million being spent on new civil servants, can the Leader of
0:22:37 > 0:22:39the House make time available for the Foreign Secretary to come to the
0:22:39 > 0:22:44House and explain where he's going to get the £350 million a week for
0:22:44 > 0:22:52the NHS?Well, I don't accept any of the numbers that the honourable
0:22:52 > 0:22:57gentleman is ban ding about. The fact is he should be delighted, as
0:22:57 > 0:23:02we are on this side of the House, at the employment numbers that belie
0:23:02 > 0:23:08all of the claims by those who sought to keep the UK within the EU,
0:23:08 > 0:23:13that said that our economy would be in disastrous straights that
0:23:13 > 0:23:17unemployment would rise, that we would be in recession. None of those
0:23:17 > 0:23:21things have happened. The economy economy is growing. More people than
0:23:21 > 0:23:25ever have the security of a pay packet and the ability to feed
0:23:25 > 0:23:32themselveses and their family. I wonder if I can have a debate
0:23:32 > 0:23:37about the state of top-class sporting facilities. Football
0:23:37 > 0:23:41supporters are concerned that Coventry city are nine games away
0:23:41 > 0:23:47from homelessness and speedway fans can no longer watch at bran Dan
0:23:47 > 0:23:52because it has got into a state of disrepair.Well, I am sorry so hear
0:23:52 > 0:23:56that and I understand the frustration of Coventry City
0:23:56 > 0:24:00supporters. Football clubs are valuable assets and every care
0:24:00 > 0:24:04should be taken to protect their long-term future. It is not the
0:24:04 > 0:24:09place of Government to intervene in the fortunes of any claub. It is for
0:24:09 > 0:24:11the footballing authorities to administer their sport. In this case
0:24:11 > 0:24:15it is a matter for the English Football League.Thank you very
0:24:15 > 0:24:21much, Mr Speaker. I am sure you'll be as appalled as I am to know half
0:24:21 > 0:24:27of all table wear bought by the House was not made in England, never
0:24:27 > 0:24:34mind, not made in Stoke-on-Trent. Can we have a debate on public
0:24:34 > 0:24:38procurement post of Brexit so we can ensure that we are actually buying
0:24:38 > 0:24:44British?Well, I share the honourable lady's enthusiasm for
0:24:44 > 0:24:47buying British wherever possible. She will be aware that when we leave
0:24:47 > 0:24:52the European Union we will be able to look at our own procurement rules
0:24:52 > 0:24:55and wherever possible, where British goods are equal and in many cases
0:24:55 > 0:25:01the best, then we will be able to purchase them for ourselves.
0:25:01 > 0:25:08Thank you, Mr Speaker. On the day we rightly celebrate the lights of
0:25:08 > 0:25:13Burns, another of Scotland's cultural iconic centres the sterling
0:25:13 > 0:25:18Smith museum is threatened by closure by the local SNP council in
0:25:18 > 0:25:24sterling. Can we have a statement to confirm the Scottish budget is
0:25:24 > 0:25:28protected in real terms and therefore it is political choice and
0:25:28 > 0:25:35not necessity for the Scottish Government to impose spending cuts
0:25:35 > 0:25:41on local councils?I know my friend is, woing the friends of the museum
0:25:41 > 0:25:47to save this valuable asset. I understand it has the world's oldest
0:25:47 > 0:25:53football as one of its exhibits. He will be aware of the result of the
0:25:53 > 0:25:58budget a further £2 billion is part of the settlement for Scotland and
0:25:58 > 0:26:06they can safe this asset should they choose.ment no proper consultation
0:26:06 > 0:26:13councillors reducing the paid councillors meaning they'll have
0:26:13 > 0:26:16fewer voluntary councillors than smaller councils. Can we have a
0:26:16 > 0:26:22debate between district and town councils? The honourable gentleman
0:26:22 > 0:26:26raises a very important issue about local democracy and we would all
0:26:26 > 0:26:30like to see greater decision making at the local level and good people
0:26:30 > 0:26:36coming forward to take up those posts. It seems it would be a good
0:26:36 > 0:26:39candidate for an adjournment debate to raise the issues.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51Today's rural vulnerability day, so could you join me in celebrating
0:26:51 > 0:26:57this to shine a light in areas like Taunton Deane and what the Leader of
0:26:57 > 0:27:02the House fine time for debate on this issue? I would welcome the
0:27:02 > 0:27:06Speaker to this event taking place in the Palace today.Of course I am
0:27:06 > 0:27:12happy to share in my honourable friend's pleasure at this new focus
0:27:12 > 0:27:16on rural vulnerability. For many people living in rural areas access
0:27:16 > 0:27:20to transport and other services can be difficult, and of course the
0:27:20 > 0:27:24issue of loneliness can be more acute so it is rightly look more
0:27:24 > 0:27:31specifically these issues and I'm happy to support her her campaign.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35The reason we need an urgent debate on homelessness and rough sleeping
0:27:35 > 0:27:39is because it exploded over the past few years, not just in major cities
0:27:39 > 0:27:45but even in towns like Dudley and is being made worse by benefit cuts and
0:27:45 > 0:27:48reductions to social care, health and support services. That's why we
0:27:48 > 0:27:55need an urgent debate on this issue. I say again to the honourable
0:27:55 > 0:27:59gentleman, homelessness is an appalling situation for anyone to
0:27:59 > 0:28:04find themselves in. The Government is dedicating over £1 billion to
0:28:04 > 0:28:08tackling homelessness and rough sleeping, as well as supporting the
0:28:08 > 0:28:12Homelessness Reduction Act, and we are looking at what more councils
0:28:12 > 0:28:16can do to avoid homelessness in the first place. The Government is
0:28:16 > 0:28:21investing now in our affordable homes programme over £9 billion in
0:28:21 > 0:28:31making sure we provide homes for people who are vulnerable.Carol
0:28:31 > 0:28:35Shields in Glasgow has highlighted to me the difficulties in transition
0:28:35 > 0:28:39between young people's benefits and adult benefits within the Social
0:28:39 > 0:28:43Security system so can we have a debate about this important issue?
0:28:43 > 0:28:51Because people should not have to wait for a 12 week transition in the
0:28:51 > 0:28:56circumstances as her son was.It is an important constituency issue and
0:28:56 > 0:29:00if she wants to write to me about it I will happily take up that specific
0:29:00 > 0:29:04case with the relevant minister on her behalf but this seems to me like
0:29:04 > 0:29:10the sort of issue she should raise at the next question is opportunity.
0:29:10 > 0:29:15I'm still waiting for an answer to my question, what caused the
0:29:15 > 0:29:20Grenfell Tower fire, which I was told was imminent last autumn. Could
0:29:20 > 0:29:29we hear from ministers on fire safety, especially of domestic
0:29:29 > 0:29:32appliances? Last Sunday they announced a new office of product
0:29:32 > 0:29:38safety, this appears to be a new name for business as usual.I would
0:29:38 > 0:29:42like to say again that we continue to be appalled by what happened at
0:29:42 > 0:29:46Grenfell. The honourable gentleman will be aware we have been working
0:29:46 > 0:29:49since then to make sure people living in high-rise buildings are
0:29:49 > 0:29:54safe through a series of checking and testing which includes
0:29:54 > 0:29:58identifying ACM cladding and also larger scale tests to establish how
0:29:58 > 0:30:01different combinations of cladding and insulation materials behave in a
0:30:01 > 0:30:06fire but there are reviews of the rules around fire safety and the
0:30:06 > 0:30:14honourable gentleman is right to raise the importance of it.Mr
0:30:14 > 0:30:17Speaker, as the roll-out of Universal Credit accelerates,
0:30:17 > 0:30:22ministers will be is soon confronted with the task of transitioning
0:30:22 > 0:30:26people on tax credit to Universal Credit. Ministers must say soon how
0:30:26 > 0:30:34people will be informed of the changes and whether the draft will
0:30:34 > 0:30:45be laid. There have been a number of statements, urgent questions, and
0:30:45 > 0:30:49ministers coming to this House to explain change is Universal Credit,
0:30:49 > 0:30:55as quite rightly we need to learn all of the lessons to improve this
0:30:55 > 0:31:00system. Universal Credit is designed to ensure work always pays. There is
0:31:00 > 0:31:05evidence that this working, people on Universal Credit spend more time
0:31:05 > 0:31:08seeking work and are being more successful at finding work. We have
0:31:08 > 0:31:12also ensured people who are transitioning to Universal Credit
0:31:12 > 0:31:17can receive a transitional payment for housing, that they can have
0:31:17 > 0:31:22their housing benefits paid directly to the landlord, where necessary,
0:31:22 > 0:31:25that people can get their payments on day one of their claims should
0:31:25 > 0:31:30they need to have that. So we have listened, we have made changes to
0:31:30 > 0:31:37the system and the transitional is now significantly improved. When can
0:31:37 > 0:31:41we take advantage of the pragmatic and progressive views of the new
0:31:41 > 0:31:44prisons minister who has acknowledged that the crisis we have
0:31:44 > 0:31:49in our prisons of overcrowding and self harm is the result of 50 years
0:31:49 > 0:31:54of error by all parties, and camera compared the crisis we have now here
0:31:54 > 0:31:58with the one in the Netherlands where they have a crisis of a
0:31:58 > 0:32:02shortage of prisoners and they have had to close down 19 of their
0:32:02 > 0:32:09prisons. Isn't this the kind of problem we would like to have here.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12I absolutely agree with the honourable gentleman, that is the
0:32:12 > 0:32:17kind of problem we want to have. He's right to mention my honourable
0:32:17 > 0:32:22friend the new Justice Minister's commitment to clean and safe
0:32:22 > 0:32:28prisons, which places of discipline and rehabilitation, not places of
0:32:28 > 0:32:32harm and violence. It was this Government that last year gave
0:32:32 > 0:32:36greater powers to Her Majesty's Inspectorate of prisons so specific
0:32:36 > 0:32:46issues in prison could be raised immediately. We have recruited 2500
0:32:46 > 0:32:50new prison officers and should be at the full complement by the end of
0:32:50 > 0:32:552018 so there is more to do but we have made progress.I am waiting for
0:32:55 > 0:33:03a reply to my question about the anti-corruption tsar. Who is the
0:33:03 > 0:33:10current anti-corruption tsar or has won not yet been appointed?I'm
0:33:10 > 0:33:19happy to write to the honourable lady with a response.The Leader of
0:33:19 > 0:33:23the House, unlike your good self, has never had the advantage of
0:33:23 > 0:33:31visiting the National Centre of textiles in Huddersfield, she
0:33:31 > 0:33:39comments on the crisis of productivity skills?Productivity
0:33:39 > 0:33:44rise was greater in the last quarter than it has been since the financial
0:33:44 > 0:33:48crisis so there is a long way to go. Productivity has lagged since that
0:33:48 > 0:33:53financial crisis and it is essential that government focuses on
0:33:53 > 0:33:57everything we can do to invest in greater productivity, and we have
0:33:57 > 0:34:02that national productivity plan worth £31 billion to make sure we
0:34:02 > 0:34:09improve productivity right across the UK.I'm sure everyone will agree
0:34:09 > 0:34:16police dogs are an effective tool in policing yet following years of cuts
0:34:16 > 0:34:20to police budgets across England and Wales we have seen forces reduce the
0:34:20 > 0:34:27number of police dogs between 50 and 80% over the last six years. Can we
0:34:27 > 0:34:30have time in the chamber for parliamentarians to outline their
0:34:30 > 0:34:37support for the amazing work of police dogs and their handlers.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41Police dogs do a fantastic job, there's no doubt about that, and I
0:34:41 > 0:34:46share her enthusiasm for them. She may wish to seek a debate for
0:34:46 > 0:34:49colleagues to give their experiences and what more can be done to improve
0:34:49 > 0:34:54the resources available to policing such as police dogs to help tackle
0:34:54 > 0:35:00crime.I'm sure the Leader of the House will know this week that a
0:35:00 > 0:35:03full analysis was published of transport investment over the next
0:35:03 > 0:35:07four years which showed her head London will get five times what
0:35:07 > 0:35:13Yorkshire and the Humber will receive. With Crossrail 2 already so
0:35:13 > 0:35:16far advanced, there's nothing in Transport For The North's advisory
0:35:16 > 0:35:21capacity that can change that underfunding over the next few years
0:35:21 > 0:35:24and I wondered if we could have a statement from the Transport
0:35:24 > 0:35:29Secretary about what exactly he has got against the north, and rather
0:35:29 > 0:35:35than denying the underfunding he actually addresses it?The
0:35:35 > 0:35:41Government is absolutely committed to the northern powerhouse, and to
0:35:41 > 0:35:45giving the great towns and cities of the north of England much more say
0:35:45 > 0:35:51over transport investment through Transport For The North. We are
0:35:51 > 0:35:53spending over £13 billion to transform transport across the north
0:35:53 > 0:35:57which is the biggest transport investment in the region for a
0:35:57 > 0:36:02generation.Could she confirm whether there will be the
0:36:02 > 0:36:08opportunity for votes on the amendment is being made to the R&R
0:36:08 > 0:36:15motions, particularly on the one on introducing electronic voting.
0:36:15 > 0:36:22Surely now is the day and now is the hour.I share his enthusiasm for a
0:36:22 > 0:36:27certain decision to be taken by this House and as I think I have made
0:36:27 > 0:36:31very clear, we are determined to ensure there are some clear
0:36:31 > 0:36:35decisions to be taken. As to amendments being selected, that is a
0:36:35 > 0:36:39matter for the chair and not myself but we are looking carefully to make
0:36:39 > 0:36:44sure there are proper proposals put forward for the House to make a
0:36:44 > 0:36:47decision on.This month in Nottingham Councillor David Mellon
0:36:47 > 0:36:52is reading to 2018 Nottingham children to raise money for the
0:36:52 > 0:37:01library scheme. I wondered if she would join me in congratulating
0:37:01 > 0:37:05councillor Mellon.Of course I'm very happy to congratulate his
0:37:05 > 0:37:09constituents who was a councillor who was looking at this very
0:37:09 > 0:37:13important programme. Anything we can do to prepare young people for
0:37:13 > 0:37:18adults hold and for a successful and emotionally secure life is vital.
0:37:18 > 0:37:23For my own part, I strongly favour even earlier intervention in the
0:37:23 > 0:37:30perinatal period.I'm delighted the Leader of the House thinks there is
0:37:30 > 0:37:33a very sensible amendment, her words, that has been tabled, which I
0:37:33 > 0:37:40take to mean the one tabled by myself and 11 chairs of select
0:37:40 > 0:37:43committees including several Conservatives. I hope that means she
0:37:43 > 0:37:48will be able to vote for it because it will be a free vote, ministers
0:37:48 > 0:37:53can do exactly what they want, so they make the right decision for
0:37:53 > 0:37:57this country. Can she say what time the votes will be next Wednesday?
0:37:57 > 0:38:01I'm grateful to the honourable gentleman for putting thoughts into
0:38:01 > 0:38:05my mind about how I might vote. I will be looking at what motions come
0:38:05 > 0:38:11forward and making my decision to that we do come forward with the
0:38:11 > 0:38:15best solution that suits the desires of most members of this place.
0:38:15 > 0:38:20That's what we are seeking to do. With regards to the timing next
0:38:20 > 0:38:24week, we cannot say categorically what the timing is, we can never do
0:38:24 > 0:38:28that, but it will be the second debate next Wednesday 31st of
0:38:28 > 0:38:35January.Can we have a statement on the sale of high caffeine energy
0:38:35 > 0:38:45drinks, which can be harmful to under 16s.He's absolutely right to
0:38:45 > 0:38:48raise the fact these drinks can be very harmful to young people. I
0:38:48 > 0:38:52would urge him to seek an adjournment debate, that's the
0:38:52 > 0:38:58appropriate debate for that sort of subject, or to question ministers in
0:38:58 > 0:39:03health at next Oral Questions. Cardiff airport has announced its
0:39:03 > 0:39:072017 results showing nearly 50% growth since it was taken into
0:39:07 > 0:39:11public ownership. Can we have a debate in Government time on reform
0:39:11 > 0:39:16of air passenger duty so are publicly owned airport can continue
0:39:16 > 0:39:23to thrive?Firstly I congratulate Cardiff airport on its increasing
0:39:23 > 0:39:27passenger numbers, that's great news, and certainly always the
0:39:27 > 0:39:31Treasury will be looking at ways to improve economic growth in the four
0:39:31 > 0:39:35nations in this great country of ours and I encourage her to raise it
0:39:35 > 0:39:39at the next Treasury questions. Official figures released this week
0:39:39 > 0:39:47reveal there are 22,000 fewer police officers in England and Wales than
0:39:47 > 0:39:54in 2010. My Dewsbury constituency is suffering a plague of car crime and
0:39:54 > 0:39:57anti-social behaviour and the police don't have the resources to manage
0:39:57 > 0:40:02this. Can we have an urgent debate on police numbers.The honourable
0:40:02 > 0:40:06lady will be aware that overall police funding has remained steady
0:40:06 > 0:40:12in real terms and that there are opportunities next year to increase
0:40:12 > 0:40:16if the police and crime commission is use the precept of levy that will
0:40:16 > 0:40:21enable them to do that. Specifically, the way policing is
0:40:21 > 0:40:25managed needs to reflect the new threats from cyber crime and other
0:40:25 > 0:40:32types of criminal activity, yet the front line policing across the
0:40:32 > 0:40:36country as a whole has not changed and in fact has slightly increased
0:40:36 > 0:40:44since 2010.Can I have a statement on today's ONS figures that show a
0:40:44 > 0:40:4921% increase in knife crime from last year and does the Leader of the
0:40:49 > 0:40:53House support my call for an immediate cross-party, across
0:40:53 > 0:40:58government departments inquiry into the root causes of youth violence
0:40:58 > 0:41:03and not just the symptoms?The honourable lady often raises issues
0:41:03 > 0:41:08around youth violence and she's absolutely right to do so. Tackling
0:41:08 > 0:41:12knife crime absolutely as a priority for this Government. It has
0:41:12 > 0:41:17devastating consequences on victims, families and our communities. There
0:41:17 > 0:41:21is an initiative operation sector which the Government continues to
0:41:21 > 0:41:25encourage police forces whereby they undertake a series of co-ordinated
0:41:25 > 0:41:29national weeks of action to tackle knife crime. We host a briefing
0:41:29 > 0:41:34event on the 23rd of January and a record 38 police forces have signed
0:41:34 > 0:41:39up to take part in the next week of action planned for February. The
0:41:39 > 0:41:43operation includes targeting habitual knife carriers, weapons
0:41:43 > 0:41:48weeps, test purchases of knives from identified retailers, and the use of
0:41:48 > 0:41:53surrender bins. The Government has also launched a consultation on the
0:41:53 > 0:41:5614th of October 2017 and it is now closed and we are looking at what
0:41:56 > 0:42:07more can be done to get rid of this appalling crime.
0:42:07 > 0:42:14Two years ago today a Cambridge researcher had gone missing, he had
0:42:14 > 0:42:18been murdered. It calls into question very basic academic
0:42:18 > 0:42:23freedoms. Could we have a statement from the minister on what is being
0:42:23 > 0:42:29done to mark the event and what pressure is been exerted on the
0:42:29 > 0:42:34Egyptian Government to find out what had happened to Julio.That was an
0:42:34 > 0:42:38appalling case. Everybody who readn't knit the press was
0:42:38 > 0:42:41horrified. May I suggest he takes it up at Foreign Office Questions,
0:42:41 > 0:42:47where he can get a proper answer to that question.Thank you. Moss on
0:42:47 > 0:42:53the gate is a fine example of how an old building has been brought back
0:42:53 > 0:42:59to life. Planning permission has not been granted, despite the best
0:42:59 > 0:43:05efforts, to do so. Can we have a debate on what can be done to bring
0:43:05 > 0:43:09irresponsible developers to task? The honourable gentleman is raising
0:43:09 > 0:43:13something which is very important in his constituency. I do urge him to
0:43:13 > 0:43:20seek an adjournment debate so he can get a reply from a minister.NGOs
0:43:20 > 0:43:27working with religious refugees, they have not had the same access to
0:43:27 > 0:43:30humanitarian access as a majority of religious groups and other
0:43:30 > 0:43:36nationalities. Jordan and Turkey needs to do more to ensure that they
0:43:36 > 0:43:40have equal access to humanitarian assistance and recent opportunities.
0:43:40 > 0:43:45Will the Leader of the House agree to a statement or a debate on this
0:43:45 > 0:43:51matter?Well, the gentleman raises a very important point. What the UK
0:43:51 > 0:43:54Government's approach is to look at need rather than at religious faith.
0:43:54 > 0:43:56He raises a very important issue.