29/10/2015 House of Commons

Hello and welcome to BBC Parliament's live coverage from the

House of Commons. In an hour the leader of the house Chris Grayling

and will announce the forthcoming business in the chamber and take

questions from backbenchers. The main business is a backbench

business debate on the effects of the government proposed reforms to

tax credits. Remember to join me for a round-up of the day in both Houses

of Parliament at 11pm this evening. First, we have questions to the

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and his team of

ministers. Order. Transport the London bill,

Lords revival motion. I beg to move. Motion to be taken what day? Very

appropriately Thursday, the 5th of November. Thursday the 5th of

November. Order, questions to the Secretary of State the transport.

Question number one. The current difference between laboratory

testing and real emissions. The agreement we secured in Brussels to

introduce real-world testing in 2017 is an important milestone. We will

continue to press the EU for a comprehensive approach on emissions

testing that restores confidence and the livers climb it -- and delivers

climb it objectives -- climate. The UK's managing director said the

target of 2016 might not be deliverable. How can he assure the

house that this can be achieved by 2016? Volkswagen have acted

disgracefully in this whole episode. I will be looking to them

to ensure they live up to the expectations they promised

originally and will be working to make sure that happens. Does he

agree that Volkswagen has shattered trust in motor vehicle testing and

we need to move at pace to real-world testing to restore

confidence in the public? I do agree. I think both when I appeared

before the Select Committee, just a few weeks ago, I made that position

abundantly clear. I think progress made yesterday is progress made

yesterday is progressing the right direction. The still unfolding

scandal of Volkswagen has lifted the lid on the more widespread problem

about emissions testing which was known about for a long time. Why

didn't the Department act sooner in doing something about it? It has two

B said that's the honourable lady says it was known about a long time,

but in truth if one looks at the amount of diesel sold in 2001, it

was 460,000, 17%. In 2009, -- 815,000, if it was known about for

some time it is not this government but the previous that is culpable.

The new London taxi is zero. I have travelled in one of those taxes.

That is part of the answer we will continue to support our programme of

support for some 1.2 million cars have been affected across the UK and

it is important to be mindful of drivers, they are facing a higher

road tax. Does he agree the financial implications should we

give in to Volkswagen and Audi for this disgraceful thing that

happened? I do not think there will be an increase in taxes, we have

made that clear. But it is something that VW will have to addressing

course. Is the reality, though, that Biddestone's statements are leaving

motorists concerned about air quality number wise. Can he clear

the air on one point and that is what happened at the EU technical

committee yesterday. It was not just about setting a timetable for new

cars to conform with existing emissions, did it not also involve

permission to breach those limits by 50%, that being open ended

permission, and isn't that what the UK representative voted for? What

was important was because agreement for real-world emissions testing

across Europe and this was something... This has been objected

to the pass. We pressed for it and I am pleased we achieved it. He said

it is not as much or as fast as he would like, but I would say we have

made more progress in the six months of this new Conservative government

than ever made in the last government. The government remains

committed to delivering the vital benefits these projects will provide

to passengers as part of the replanning of this programme I

expect Sir Peter Hendy to ensure schemes deliver value for money.

With the minister agree the tripling of costs to over 2.5 billion pounds

is breathtaking and will he take the time to learn lessons from Scotland

where major capital projects are coming in on time and budget largely

as a result of proper planning and good contract negotiation, so

further public money is not thrown away in this cavalier fashion? I am

always willing to learn lessons from wherever they are valid, be that

Scotland or anywhere else and I will not look for advice on providing

tram systems! What I would say is some of these programmes and the

honourable lady is a member of the PAC, and therefore was in the

position of hearing evidence by Mark Carne and the Permanent Secretary

and some have run over budget that they are huge schemes, very

important schemes, and making the railway system modern for the 21st

century is important. As regards value for money of the great Western

mainline, would he agree electrification is one factor that

makes the reopening of the station a more valuable project that needs to

remain high on the agenda. I am sure it will remain high on the agenda as

long as my honourable friend presses for it.

I look forward to discussing it with my honourable friend and see if we

can help my honourable friend get what she wishes. Electrification of

the great Western and Valley lines are two sides of the same coin, with

both meaning a great deal to the South Wales economy. What

discussions as he had with the Welsh Government counterpart on the

delivery date for electrification of the Valley lines? We made money

available to the Welsh Assembly, 125 million. I have met with Edwina Hart

and discuss the programme and I am in contact with my right honourable

friend the Secretary of State for Wales and it is a matter for the

assembly to come forward with their plans. I congratulate him for

confirmation the Midland Main line will be electrified to Kettering by

2019. Can he assure the house the lessons learned from the great

Western electrification will be applied to that line so it can be

delivered quickly and efficiently? A neat body swerve to ensure his

question is in order. The textbook example to colleagues!

Was that the answer, Mr Speaker?! I have now forgotten what the

question was! Mr Speaker, I certainly agree with

my honourable friend. It is very important to re-establish the

Midland mainline electrification. It is a line I use regularly. Lessons

need to be learned. Work had already started. What was important about

the plan that is being developed is that we look at the whole line

development because there are certain things on the Midland Main

line that can be done to increase speed and that is important as well.

One reason for extra cost is compensation. Is it in the public

interest to publish those payments, and those spent on infrastructure

not those lining the pockets of shareholders? We make the best we

can with the huge investment we put into railways and I am proud of the

improvements that have taken place on the great Western.

Electrification is part of it. Completion of the station and the

flyover that happens so the line is no longer held up by freight trains

has been an improvement and serves his those in the south-west

incredibly well. Question three, if you please, Mr Speaker. Network Rail

assesses risks on crossings. The UK has the best level crossing safety

record in the EU. There is work to reduce that risk still further.

What a lot of waffle after the Beech Hill tragedy in 2012 Network Rail

said it would get rid of all level crossings in Bassetlaw on the East

Coast mainline. The public consultation on the schemes in order

to ensure it had taken place. And what has happened is the money has

been pulled. Will the minister meet Network Rail along with the

Chancellor to ensure that money is put back in. It is good for

business, the economy and safety and good for the people of Bassetlaw.

The honourable gentleman had the tragic accident that resulted in a

loss of life. After that the rail accident investigation board made

clear recommendations so that accident could not happen again and

I am told they have been implemented. He is referring to the

plan to close the 73 crossings on the East Coast mainline, and that

work has been progress. You cannot just shut off communities who rely

on those. He shakes his head. He should be in my job and have people

campaigning to keep crossings open. The work will happen and it is right

to focus on this and we will continue to fund the work, there is

no shortage of money for this and money will be spent on making the

crossing safer. We have committed to setting out the

government's plan for the HS2 phase to route and update the House before

the end of the year. I thank him for that answer and for the times he and

his officials have spent with me on the link. The initial justification

of the link was the depot in Wigan. That will not now be the. The only

justification that remains is a ten minute journey time saving two

trains north of Wigan. Will he confirm that if that stand-alone

link goes ahead it will be subject to a separate business case? We are

considering all of the recommendations made by Sir David

Higgins and his report, and he believes that the link to the West

Coast Main line is necessary, sooner rather than later. The alternative,

which would mean linking into the West Coast mainline, would mean

upgrading it to take these additional services, which can be

costly and disrupt, and would incur those dreadful words, replacement

bus services. Can I beg the team for bus services. Can I beg the team for

the moment of sanity in terms of HS2. Isn't it time, where we know

the latest evaluation says the cost will rise to ?116 billion, in a

country that can't even keep its National Health service running,

isn't it about time we look at this in a ruthless way, speak to Lord

Adonis, to get his act together. He calls himself the Godfather of HS2.

Let's invest in things that really work. That is not what huge was

saying when he was Secretary of State. -- what he was saying. I am

pleased Lord Adonis is engaging with the government. I think he needs to

ask themselves what are the costs of not progressing HS2 because it is

about the capacity and the great cities of the North, who are crying

out for the additional capacity and the wealth it will bring. HS2 should

have started and then or. On phase two, can I also appeal for sanity

and ask them to review the hybrid Bill process and the cruel and

unfair compensation scheme. The hybrid Bill process for phase one

has been convoluted, and painful. Not just for the MPs on the

committee but for the people affected by the project. It is

ironic we should be using such a snail-like process for something

that is supposed to be high-speed. It is not fit for purpose, and we

should be modernising it. I would pay tribute to the members who have

doggedly sat on the hybrid Bill committee and listened to petitions

brought before them in an admirable way. Many petitions did not reach

the committee because we reached agreement before it. As far as

building it from the North first, it would still end in London, which the

end it started the capacity is between Birmingham and London, as a

matter of urgency. Can the proposals be discussed to mitigate the impact

of HS2 on local residents and businesses in and around Donington?

We have not finalised that right, so we will be getting the House and up

date before the end of the year, when it would be appropriate to meet

with a number of communities. I will answer this question together with

number 11. We have made significant progress on increasing access. By

the end of the year we expect around 75% of rail journeys to start or end

at a step three station, and the programme will deliver 100 and 50 --

150 step three station 's. I would like to thank the Minister. Every

member of the House would want to congratulate the friends of my local

station for the massive investment in the station, meaning it will be

totally accessible for disabled people from the end of next month.

That many of us are concerned about the slashing in funding by 42% of

very basic, providing ramps and very basic, providing ramps and

this? Why have they not changed this? Why have they not changed

their mind? I am aware of the new footbridge at the station that will

vastly improve facilities. I do not recognise what she says. The

and we are building upon the success and we are building upon the success

of it launched by the previous government. 1200 stations

benefited from the smaller scale benefited from the smaller

improvements, and to build on the improvements, and to build on the

success ?160 million of additional success ?160 million of additional

will extend the scheme to a further will extend the scheme to a further

68 stations. I'm sure you will join 68 stations. I'm sure you will join

University on its new Chancellor, University on its new Chancellor,

Taney Grey Thompson. She has to get herself up the impossibly deep

station, which Network Rail say they cannot do. Is this is what we should

expect by slashing the grant by 40%? The University will benefit from her

involvement. The bottom line is that the Department for Transport, and I

will look into this. The Department for Transport is committed, and we

are backing this programme, rolling out more disability access onto the

buses. This is a real measure of success on the programme has

generated a positive response. If we look at the findings of research at

stations which have benefited from the programme, those passengers with

physical impairment say they have a better travelling experience as a

result, going up considerably for people with wheelchairs. The

Minister will know that around 60% of disabled people live in a

household without a car, and disabled people use buses 20% more

than others. He will also know that 70% of local authorities have cut

funding since 2010, and more are on the way. Does he really understand

what impact these cuts will have on disabled people, and what proper

assessment has he done on the potential impact? May I welcome him

to his place. I am acutely aware of how important buses are afforded

disabled people and also -- buses are for disabled people, and also

others. Of course the implications for all bus users are considered

when planning budgets. I will answer this with questions 14 and 16. Since

2010 my Department has overseen the successful delivery of 50 miles of

electrified track. Construction is under way between Ealing Broadway

and Acton Main line, to remove the slow-moving freight trains of the

lines to enable high-frequency electric Crossrail trains. From

Paddington and through her constituency to Bristol, on the

Cardiff, Network Rail have installed a quarter of 14,000 Poles needed to

turn the centuries-old great Western line into a railway fit for the 21st

century. Can you ensure that the century. Can you ensure that the

electrification goes ahead on time, along with other improvements, to

deliver benefits quickly, as my constituents cannot wait until 2019

and the start of Crossrail. I am sorry they cannot wait, they waited

for 13 years between 1997 and 2010, with nothing happening. Teesside has

had a hammering in this place over the past several weeks. But we are

resilient bunch, illustrated by the victory at Old Trafford last night!

We are top of the league on the elect of the nation task force list

from Northallerton to Middlesbrough. When might we see progress on this?

Can I congratulate him because I am also a football supporter,

supporting Derby County, so he has done incredibly well as far as that

is concerned. He makes a fair point, there is a huge amount of steel used

by Network Rail, and I know that by Network Rail, and I know that

helps his own constituency as well. I will look into the point he makes.

The Chancellor visited North Wales in July and said, he will look at

the case for electrification of the North line from Crewe to Wales. Can

fine for me what look at -- can he defined for me what look at means?

During 13 years, ten miles was achieved! So we will certainly look

at this. It is the way to go forward as far as railways are concerned. I

want to look at that along with other plans for CP six. As I

witnessed again last Monday, travellers going between Bolton and

Manchester at the quickly squashed like sardines. Can the Secretary of

State update the House as to how the engineering works on the line are

coming along, particularly as far as boring the tunnel? He is right as to

what we need to do, and I was going to refer to Farnworth tunnel. It has

had problems but has been completed. That will help to increase the

capacity on the line, and the changes he is calling for, the

increased capacity he is wanting is increased capacity he is wanting is

going to take place and I would like to pay tribute to all those people

who worked tirelessly to do the tunnel, which is coming in on time.

As most of the mainline will go on to the next period, can he make sure

the line is extended to improve services? He took evidence a few

weeks ago from the chief executive of Network Rail, and the pointy

makes about looking at the lines in total is important, and I will be in

mind his comments. I very much welcome the news that the

electrification of the trans-Pennine route is now full on track. -- a

contract. What are the new, improved benefits that it will bring the

looking substantial improvements as looking substantial improvements as

main cities in the North, main cities in the North,

Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield and Newcastle are concerned, and we will

bring more seats, more capacity, and it is

Is Network Rail to blame for the delay? Is it a symptom of the

privatised structure of our railway that causes the kind of

fragmentation that makes disasters like this inevitable? Can I stop my

welcoming him to his position. When he talks about privatised -- I

start. This is an example of where somebody who has not held

ministerial office can rightly forget everything that happened in

the past. I remember the Labour candidate for the Mayor of London

next year is said that one reason, we are able to invest record sums is

the revenue rail franchises bring in and premiums they pay. We are seeing

record investment in railways because of the way we are currently

running it. At the time it was nationalised we saw a declining

railway, a useless railway, not fit for purpose, something which the

party opposite wants to go back to. Question number seven.

Mr Speaker, I regularly meet with senior officials of Network Rail to

discuss key issues facing the company and recent meetings have

focused on this beta Hendy review and finance programme. Will he also

reiterate the commitment to the recommendation of the great Eastern

mainline task force that rings benefits to all counties and will he

ensure Network Rail delivers the necessary improvement? Yes, I am

glad to say we have been able to issue the invitation to tender as

far as the East Anglia franchise is concerned, something she has been

persistently should do. In seeing that we get services to Norwich in

90 minutes and Ipswich in 60 and that forms part of that tender. She

is right about the other improvements we need to look at and

she can take my assurance I will raise those with Sir Peter Hendy.

What recent discussions has he had with Network Rail regarding the

electrification of the Liverpool and Manchester line passes through

witness in Warrington? I think I need more direction as to the

question. There has been electrification between Liverpool

and Manchester and that is welcome and we have electric trains running

on that and soon there will be more running on that line. If he has a

more specific point perhaps he would like to write to me. During the

great storms in the West Country in 2014 we found our mainline route to

Cornwall floating in the sea. Can I ask him whether the peninsula

proposals, including the Okehampton link, whether they have come up with

any conclusions because it would add benefits to our economic potential

in Cornwall. I do remember this and I also remember the valiant way in

which Network Rail restored that link. They did an exceptional job in

difficult situations. Even at this stage I would like to add my thanks

to all who worked on that scheme in restoring that link. He is right

about the task force the Peninsula group have brought forward and we

are looking at their report and will have more to say on it once the

planning of CP five is undertaken. The welcome creation of the national

academy for a rail will help plug some of the skills shortage behind

many of the delays in electrification. What concerns does

he have earned does he share my concern the proposed 40% court to

this budget will undermine the ability of the Academy to deliver on

skills shortages? He is right about the academy at Northampton. I was

there some months ago and the minister from rail I it a few weeks

ago and it will play an important role in skills. It is up skilling

about what the whole industry has to do and bring it together and that is

one reason I asked the chairman of Crossrail to coordinate across the

transport sector about apprenticeships. Number eight, Mr

Speaker. On the 21st of August my right honourable friend the

Secretary of State announced the appointment of Terry Morgan the

chair of Crossrail to develop a transport and infrastructure skills

strategy. It will help ensure the industry has the right people and

skills to deliver the programme of transport infrastructure and

investment. I was recently fortunate to visit a college in basalt and

that has created a unique partnership between engineering and

construction companies to train the next generation of technicians. Can

I invite him to look at their model and perhaps visit with a view to

widening the range of opportunities across the whole country to give

young people the skills to deliver our plans? I will look at the

approach used by them and would like to visit. It is vital colleges and

universities work with employers to get the skills industry needs. It is

crucial in transport as more people are required. I would highlight the

work of the college to Terry Morgan as he develops the strategy. An

important element of the transport infrastructure is the road haulage

industry that helps the economy and the government. Driving up exports.

They reported a recruitment shortage of 54,000 in drivers which is likely

to increase because of the ageing population. What plans and

discussions has the minister had to ensure young people are encouraged

to take up opportunities? The industry has a responsibility to

bring new people in and I am aware of the recruitment challenges. There

is a retention issue. I have met with the industry and will continue

to do so. It is important this industry brings people into it. If

we did not have it performing to a high level of the country would

grind to a halt in a couple of days. Number nine, Mr Speaker. The

Chancellor announced in the 2015 budget report the government will

commission a study into the possibility of reopening Plymouth

airport. I am keen to determine the final form of the study and how best

to take it forward. As he knows Plymouth will be the focus of global

attention in relation to in five years' time Mayflower 2020, when the

Mayflower set sail to found the American colonies. Does he agree

that to be a major tourism area we need to make sure people can get to

Plymouth which means improved roads and railways and air links? That new

colony worked out quite well, certainly! He is right that

investment in this is vital to the south-west which is why we have

committed ?31 million on the great Western route. We heard about the

?40 million to fix Dawlish and the long overdue investment on the 830

and a 303 which has long been a scourge of tourists and business

people driving to the south-west -- a 30. Recent improvements to

security measures include fencing, additional security guards, dogs,

improved CCTV including thermal imaging. In addition, the French

government has committed significant police resources to Calais. On a

summer business tour I met exporters having trouble getting goods into

Europe. Can he assure me and reddish businesses his department is doing

everything he can to make sure my businesses prosper in the future?

The channel link is vitally important to the whole UK economy

and particularly the haulage industry. I was at Folkestone and

saw some of the problems first-hand, in particular issues regarding

just-in-time delivery of parts to the motor industry for steel rails

produced in Scunthorpe which are exported to the continent and

lobster produced in my constituency that travels in trucks to France and

Spain. This summer the 23 my constituency was close for 32 days.

I'm grateful for the attention the ministerial team is giving to this

problem. Can he update me on the progress to avoid a repeat of the

closures this summer next summer. The key to preventing a recurrence

of the problems this summer is sorting out issues in France. I am

pleased to say the industrial dispute has been solved and we do

not have that additional problem. The government put in place a

contingency plan at Manston. It would have been there to relieve the

problem. It is important to look at how we can improve the situation

where we have disruption on the channel. Thank you Mr Speaker. I

have no representations on this topic. I look forward to a

productive engagement with all devolved administrations on this

subject. The minister may not be aware that part of the expensive

lobbying campaign undertaken on both sides, passengers using Scottish

airports are deliberately targeted. If the decision goes the wrong way

Scotland will be cut off from the rest of the world, it has been said,

which is scaremongering and will not happen. Depending on how the

decision goes, the potential of bringing benefit to Scotland and the

potential to cause damage to Scotland. Will he give an assurance

that when the time comes he will make representations to make sure

all members of this House play an equal part in the debate? The rest

-- the representations I have received underlines the importance

is of having good connectivity to international routes and that may be

through an improved additional runway capacity in the south-east.

We have been helped to that extent by giving help to the Dundee service

to allow passengers reach the capital. Would he agree that

expanding connectivity with the Scottish airports is one of the best

things we can do to strengthen the United Kingdom? The government will

be making an announcement in due course with response to the report

and it would be premature to comment on this stage. On the subject of

regional airports, agreeing about the commercial and economic and

social connectivity required, he said, and his words were, the slots

needed by Scottish airports and other airports that have lost them.

I hope we can address that. I want to reflect on that while considering

the whole report. Does he still agree about the development's

importance to Scotland's regional airports such as Dundee and has

there been progress on his thinking about root development and public

service obligations? I have always made it clear how important I view

the local airports. The regional international airports and how big a

part they play in the economic development of areas particularly in

Scotland. We need to look at aviation as a whole but the

representations I get is how important it is to get connectivity,

whether through Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, or indeed to slots

available in the south-east. Given this recognition and importance, can

he confirm any decision on the development of a third runway at

Heathrow or development at Gatwick would not have to go through an

additional stage in the legislative process, a veto on Scottish MPs, as

suggested by the honourable member for Milton Keynes, and will... What

will he do to make sure this subject will be delivered from evil? It is

premature to enter that discussion. I am always in favour of jumping

one's fences when one reaches them. Could the minister tell me how many

of the 47 recommendations ignored by the Airport Commission would have

benefited Scotland? And whether those recommendations would have

increased the domestic flights on likely option at Heathrow which

would decrease them. One of the concerns I have picked up

around the country outside the south-east is a pressure for slots

at Heathrow and Gatwick at peak times means there are always

concerns about those connecting flights coming in from other parts

of the country, which we need to -- we are very well aware of Anthony to

address. -- need to address. We're making great progress in upgrading

the railway in the south-west, including delivering new trains to

carry more people on faster journeys carry more people on faster journeys

and improving resilience to make sure the region can stay connect it.

The task force recently published its interim report on a 20 year plan

for Devon and will. Can he confirm that the primary aim is to secure

the resilience to South Devon, and any other options will be

additional, not alternatives. The other options would indeed be

impact will overruns and the cost impact will overruns and the cost

have on the investment she has mentioned? -- the overruns. Can he

repeat the question? She was chuntering to her colleague!

Scandalous disregard! What impact will overruns and the cost have on

the investment she has mentioned? Apologies. I was misspeaking on the

double-check. The roots will be double-check. The roots will be

additional, not alternative. He knows that there is an enormous

south-west, in terms of Brazilians, south-west, in terms of Brazilians,

they hundreds new trains. I wish he would get behind the attempt to the

government to connect the vital region, rather than keep shouting

about things. He will be delighted to know that the first section of

the rail line was opened this Monday, allowing people to travel

from Oxford to London Marylebone. I welcome this new service running

along the first stage. It is a very along the first stage. It is a very

strong business case, as is the project as a wall. Will she do

everything to make sure the Hindu review does not delay this? Yes, and

we will know more about it in the next few weeks. I want to pay

tribute to these MPs who have left us in no doubt of the importance of

this East to West rail link. Topical questions. I have seen first hand

the work Network Rail are doing, including a ?44 million regeneration

of Manchester Victoria station, making it a station Manchester can

be proud of. It was voted the worst station in Britain in 2009. The

rebuilding of Birmingham new Street station, transforming it. And the

reconstruction of bandwidth tunnel, allowing trains to travel from

Manchester to Bolton. This will allow diesel trains to be used in

the north-west, providing 30,000 more seats per week. This will help

to build a Northern Powerhouse. I will not refer to Sheffield

you will be pleased to hear. I will you will be pleased to hear. I will

refer to Sir David Higgins' report, where he described transport links

between Sheffield and Manchester as a matter of national concern. Will

he give serious consideration that HSV should link Manchester and

Sheffield, and secondly that consideration is given to a route

under the Pennines as the only serious way to link Sheffield and

Manchester without damaging the Manchester without damaging the

national park? Harsh HS3. Can I agree that more needs to be done to

improve the links between Sheffield and Manchester, and I hope that when

we announced the new franchise for trans-Pennine and Northern Rail,

will go some way to meet the will go some way to meet the

demands. The two projects he talks about are huge. Work is being done

by Colin Matthews on whether a tunnel is the right way forward, and

we expect more up dates that next we expect more up dates that next

year. On HS3, I understand the year. On HS3, I understand the

Figures released by male honourable Figures released by male honourable

Severn Bridge is generating more Severn Bridge is generating more

profit... It is a great opportunity for the government to slash the toll

prices on the bridge, and still have enough money to pay for the

maintenance. -- generating more profit than the costs. The toll

prices set by others to repay the construction, finance, maintenance

and operation costs. We expect the costs to be recovered in 2018, and

Government. We're working on the Government. We're working on the

future of their son I have heard future of their son I have heard

what he has said and I will keep updated. We have always supported

Labour councillors on time and we are, including when they were

subjected to appalling abuse. I subjected to appalling abuse. I

cause of bust tendering. But does he cause of bust tendering. But does he

agree with me that the bill must be available to all communities that

want them, including rural and isolated communities? -- bus

tendering. She knows what will come next, I have been doing this job for

three years, the fourth -- she is the fourth shadow Secretary of State

I have seen. We will see whether I have seen. We will see whether

there is more to come. She asks me and asserts she knows what is in the

bus bill. It has not yet been bus bill. It has not yet been

published, so I am interested to know how it has been achieved. The

simple point is that we're there are elected mayor is, there will be

opportunities for those areas to opportunities for those areas to

take advantage of. I was hoping for a straight answer to a straight

question. With more than 2000 routes lost and downgraded, and fares up by

25%, will he rule out any plans to slash support for buses even

further? Well, I am not in a position to announce the Spending

Review. Like every other member of the House, she will need to wait

until the Spending Review is announced by my right honourable

friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on the 25th of November.

I hope that as a straight answer. Is he aware that added to the many

defects in the rolling stock which operates on the West Anglia line,

there occurred this week a case of trains stopping, screeching to a

halt near Bishops Stortford, apparently for lack of air. Surely

more support should be given to this franchise which can offer more

assurances for rolling stock. I will make enquiries into this, I do not

know about the specific case but I will do by later on today, I assure

him. He is absolutely right about the need to improve rolling stock

availability, and I hope the invitation to tender on the line

will do this. Can the Secretary of State tell the House what measures

Network Rail are taking to ensure that skilled rail jobs no longer

appear on the cheers -- level two skill shortages list. 95% is brought

from UK production, but if I have got the wrong part of his question,

perhaps he can write to me and I will write back to him. The

Secretary of State mentioned the success of the Norwich campaigns.

Worcester is six miles further from London as the crow flies, but my

constituents take 150 minutes to reach the capital from Worcester.

Can he do everything he can to lean on great Western and Network Rail to

get the service down to under two hours? My honourable friends have

campaigned on this issue. There is work going on on ways to improve

journey time, and we have started the work on delivering it. Commuter

routes into Manchester are soon to lose trains to London Midland,

raising memories of the raising memories of the

trans-Pennine rolling stock to buckle, which cost ?20 million and

let the services being downgraded. The Secretary of State, did he have

an option in the latest cased, and is this not another example of

fragmented railway is letting them passengers? He should just wait and

see what comes out of the two franchises. In 2004, it is worth

remembering that when the franchise was last let, it was done on a no

growth basis. That is what the last government thought of the Northern

Powerhouse. I invite him to wait and see the announcements made shortly.

Can I seek assurances from the Minister that the new stations fund

will be accessible to applications from councils, as the rail Minister

knows a new station in my constituency has one of the

strongest business cases in the North Devon, of which my

constituents which hugely benefit. constituents which hugely benefit.

The new station 's fund announced in The new station 's fund announced in

applicants. The Derbyshire Dales is applicants. The Derbyshire Dales is

a hub for manufacturing in regard to the rail industry. Does he agree

that this is a real opportunity for forward planning on getting

manufacturers to come together to prepare bids for the work of HS2?

Much as this causes me pain, I will Much as this causes me pain, I will

agree with the honourable member! The point he makes is absolutely

not only companies within the not only companies within the

position of taking advantage of it, position of taking advantage of it,

but others as well. -- at in the but others as well. -- at in the

the government has made ?6 billion the government has made ?6 billion

roads, how can we encourage local roads, how can we encourage local

repairs? We are supporting local repairs? We are supporting local

authorities with financial support, which is a record ?6 billion

now and 2021 for highways now and 2021 for highways

maintenance. We are also encouraging maintenance. We are also encouraging

them to look at how they manage their programmes, and 20% of local

authorities have signed up to an authorities have signed up to an

efficiency programme. What we're efficiency programme. What we're

talking about here is a significant talking about here is a significant

investment, and if the deal with 18 investment, and if the deal with 18

able to deal with 18 million able to deal with 18 million

industry is likely to suffer greatly industry is likely to suffer greatly

with the latest announcements of steel closures. Will he persuade his

honourable friend the Prime Minister honourable friend the Prime Minister

to end his policy of gifting British to end his policy of gifting

jobs to Chinese workers? I am all jobs to Chinese workers? I am all

too aware of the importance of ports in getting exports out of the

country and imports in. I was in Bristol yesterday which will benefit

from developments in the nuclear industry, financed partly by the

Chinese. I am going to Felixstowe today to see developments. The

government's commitment to join the M 45 and improvements to a

roundabout were warmly welcomed by East North Hampshire residents. Can

he provide us with an update? I will check progress on this and

back to the honourable gentleman. back to the honourable gentleman.

Many constituents of mine rely on the number 44 bus to get the

Southport Hospital, and the service has been cut as a result of cuts by

his department. He spoke earlier his department. He spoke earlier

about the opportunity of having directly elected mayor is, but if

the cuts continue, the additional powers will be meaningless and of no

help to my constituents. I want to help to my constituents. I want to

see the widening of services to all our constituents, which is why the

government is supporting transport investment to a record amount in

this Parliament. The motorway that are restricted to

50 mph. The work should be done for the convenience of the road users

and not the highly agency. I entirely agree with my honourable

friend and I think the wrong stretches of road works frustrate

riders, especially as the new completion. - long stretches. We

want stretches which are shorter in length and a reduced time. He will

be reduced down from one third to one half of the current size. You

will be evening and weekend working. If the Minister can get it sorted,

who knows, he might be carried aloft in the House. The award is linking

of the great cities of the North but it did not include Hull. Now we have

come to the electrification of routes when will be secretary give

the green light to the initiative to electrify the line all baby to hold?

I do apologise to the honourable lady. - Hull. The honourable lady

says they are not that many but I think there are a number of eight

cities in the north. If I named them all I would get into trouble. -

great cities. I have been able to move forward with infrastructure

investment. As far as giving the extra money we gave to take the

scheme she is talking up to HS2 I am waiting for talk is about that

particular scheme. Yesterday there was an important point of order from

a wide commie member when he pointed out how excellent the transport

department was in answering questions and hopefully the Treasury

Department is in answering questions. As the Secretary Of State

been contacted by the Chancellor to find out how it is done? I am sure

that is meant a helpful question. In the run up to the spending review,

it is not. I think chartered engineer and as a member of the IEE

G I was horrified to learn that software engineering had an sleep

and used to cheat legitimate regulation and possibly undermine

public health. What discussions has he had with the professional bodies,

the skills Minister and the automotive industry to ensure the

whole swag and sort of dark engineering has now place here? The

industry across the East is very embarrassed by what has happened and

I am sure they will take proper action on the measures. I wonder if

my honourable friend could update the house or more progress is being

made to bring Crossrail to through Harold Wilson's station? We are out

to consultation but I would expect my honourable friend to have said

what a great job we are doing as far as Crossrail one has been done. But

I have come to learn no sooner do you complete one project and people

are talking about the second. Last week the pilot was Mike union wrote

to the management at Albany who operates selfless as to the

Highlands and Islands about that concern where cases are being

returned to the line despite being unserviceable. They brought in some

cases a craft contain defects that in some cases affect safety and in

other cases affect the aircraft to be an usable. These are lifeline

services to some of the most economically fragile communities in

the country. What can the aviation Minister do to ensure, through his

department or the CE, our local communities can retain full

confidence in these crucial services? I regularly meet with that

union. It is a good example of how unions can work with government to

promote their members. Safety is our top priority for air travel in the

UK. We have two meet strict maintenance requirements. I

understand that the CAA is aware of the difficulties and is taking care

of safety requirements. This matter will be under review. I want to hear

from a member of the select committee. Thank you. In recent

weeks passengers on the Cleethorpes to Manchester rail routes have had

to the top with cancellations due to driver shortage. Customers do not

care if this is the company problem or union problem but can the good

offices be used to sort this out, please? I will be delighted to do so

and will try to do so. This is why the new into regions to end have

customary expedience right at the heart of them. Business question,

Chris Bryant. I wonder whether the leader of the house could give as

the business for next week. The leader of the house. The business

for next week, on Monday second November we will have the second

reading of the Housing and planning Bill, on Tuesday November, second

reading of the European approvals will Lord's. All by the remaining

stages of the national insurance contributions Bill followed by a

motion to improve the money resolution for access to medical

treatments innovation bill. On Wednesday 4th of November will be

the ninth opposition day including a debate on policing. Thursday fifth

November a debate on the stake in the bank of Scotland and the future

of UK banking followed by a debate on the motion relating to the dog

meat trade as determined by the backbench business committee. Friday

7th of November will be private members bills. The provisional

business for the week commencing 9th of November will include, on Monday

the ninth, the remaining stages of the Scotland Bill and on Tuesday the

remaining stages of the trade unions bill. The business for Thursday

fifth November will be a general debate on funding for schools. Mr

Speaker will wish to be reminded as well colleagues that the house will

rise for the end of business on Tuesday ten November and return on

Monday 16th November. I should add that hearing that need we are

expecting a visit from the Indian PM to this house and I hope those

colleagues who are around and able to be soap will be part of that

visit. Mr Chris Bryant. Yesterday set latter admitted the award of the

World Cup to Russia had been decided long before England had in its bed

and yesterday the select committee will World Cup sponsors on that

complicity in blatter's kleptocratic rule. Can we have a debate on the

sink of corruption that is a fact? British taxpayers and football fans

have been diddled out of millions. - Fifa. Talking of stitch up jobs, can

these eco-explain something he said yesterday, the review from the

second Baron of Strathclyde into the privileges of we the Commons, the

reader club members that is absolutely essential we do not rush

into this and for that matter we should not rush headlong into

unfortunately, undermine the leader unfortunately, undermine the leader

of the house by telling the world that one yesterday all of this could

be done and dusted white Christmas. How can this be right? If the risen

issue shouldn't this house a debasing it? It is not a review at

all, it is a Fifa style stitch up. I am not sure the government has got

over its tantrum of losing in the Lord's on Monday. He has said

several times now he will make substantial changes to his plan in

the Autumn Statement on November 25. The reader will know the Autumn

Statement is precisely that, a statement and no more, it does not

actually do anything legislatively. I asked the reader again, will he

allow a three-day debate on the effects of the Autumn Statement this

year? On Tuesday the chairman of the National Cleese chief counsel and

the Deputy Commissioner of the Met police said if the Home Secretary or

Chancellor of the Exchequer get their way with the police budget it

will be the end of the year of bobbies on the beat. Is that

something to be proud of? Officers have already gone and it looks

likely more than 20,000 more officers will be lost by the end of

this Parliament. We should be devoting our opposition day next

week to this. Can the Home Secretary herself answered this debate so we

can take her to task? Can we have a debate on the ministerial code of

conduct? Deviously this has made clear that there was an overarching

duty on ministers to comply with law including international law and

treaty obligations. Last week it was revealed that the GM has insisted it

Attorney General and conservative Attorney General and conservative

Attorney General says it is impossible to understand how this

change has been carried out and cover was broken as the head of the

contempt for international law. legal service accused number ten of

contempt for international law. Surely to goodness a minister's word

is still his wand when he signs a duty. Does he still crosses fingers

behind his back when he signs treaties? Why on earth was the Ford

of conduct issued any ministerial statement to the Lords and still not

to the House of Commons? Mr Speaker, many parts of this country as many

members have said still have terrible mobile telephone coverage.

Last year the government had to withdraw its hourly drafted

telecommunications code which was intended to deal with these spots

around the country. He promised to bring any new electronic code as a

matter of urgency but they've is still no sign of it so can the

reader tell us when this will appear? Mobile phone coverage is

every bit as much a public utility as water and electricity so will be

government get a move on? Mr Speaker I confess I am worried about the

state of health of the Chancellor, he looked really appeal earlier this

year and I thought. He has, did I see it, something of the night about

him. With Halloween upon him can the reader as sure as he will be staying

at home on Saturday night when it is dark. It is one thing to scream

along with order but quite another to encounter the Chancellor in a

dark alley and his form of trick or treat is to suck family finances

dry. Talking of Halloween, in Scotland it is the time for guising

when people go around in fancy dress but has the member for South

Cambridgeshire will expose the fact that however hard the PM has tried

to dress the Tory party up, hugging the gays and marrying huskies,

conservatism is dead, all that is left is a fake skeleton costume. We

should be debating a motion next Thursday on the dog meat trade, I

wondered whether this was the debate of the dogs wrecked first the

Chancellor has made of the tax credit fiasco but today is award the

award the Westminster dog of the year. I wish my deputy's badly

behaved Rottweilers well in the competition but I gather that the

member for helmet and Rockwell has two dogs called Boris and Maggie. A

found bodices behaviour improved significantly when he was castrated.

Well this advice be passed on to the Chancellor, Home Secretary and other

candidates for the Conservative Party leadership? Leader of the

house, Mr Chris Grayling. Can I start by delivering some good news

to my honourable friend the member for Kettering who sadly is not in

his ways today. I shall also informed the house that you, after

receiving positive feedback, have authorised that the new alphabetical

meetings will be kept in place for the rest of Parliament. The new warm

relationship that exists between the Fs and Gs is getting on well. In all

the old terms it has worked well and we will be continuing it. Can I

associate myself with the remarks of the honourable gentleman about Fifa?

He works hard on the brief and I am reliably informed he was

disappointed to move away from that. He knows very well how

shocking the developed and sat Fifa have been. It is no excuse

whatsoever for what has taken place. I would commend all of those who

have been involved in pursuing the investigation to the stage we have

reached no. It does look likely that prosecutions will fall and rightly

so. It is of absolute importance in a game that is seen around the world

as a region for young people that it should be absolutely clean. Those

who have left it in a position with it has been this marched by

corruption should be dealt with by the full force of the law and

changes essential, I completely agree with him on that.

Regarding the Strathclyde review into the House of Lords, there will

be a full statement about the terms of reference when he is ready to

publish those details, which is right and proper. He will take the

time necessary, given the scope of the work he intends to do, and he

will make clear how that will work. On the tax credits point, I will

remind the honourable gentleman that remind the honourable gentleman that

we will be using for the Autumn Statement the same procedure is that

operated in 13 years of Labour Government. Now they are in

change how the House works. We will change how the House works. We will

continue to operate the way we have, debating issues fully. We have

already had extensive debates on the tax credits issue, and no doubt we

will have more. Under Conservative leadership of government and

Coalition, and under this government, crime has fallen. We

have had to take some difficult decisions, and they are challenges

facing the police. He made a point about the ministerial code. I would

simply say that under the new ministerial code, listers are still

required to uphold the law. We would expect that. -- ministers are still

required. We spoke about the Department of Culture, Media and

Sport. Just to remind them that the former Secretary of State, now the

Business Secretary, secured a deal to secure five Ilion pounds of

investment in mobile telephony. We do not just a published. --

published documents, we do things. We have watched with interest the

pale faces on the side of the House, the huddles of pallid people asking

how we get ourselves out of this mess. My worry is for the health of

him and his colleagues, not for the him and his colleagues, not for the

Chancellor, who I can assure him is in great form. He made reference to

the point that this weekend as Halloween. My sympathies today are

with the children of the Rhondda. It is my hope that he is not planning

to go trick or treating, because can you imagine the horror of a small

gentleman is out trick or treating? gentleman is out trick or treating?

76-year-old joint Iranians citizen has been held in Iran's notorious

where his health deteriorates. -- where his health deteriorates. --

the Iranian and British citizen. Has Sun and grandchildren are in the

gallery today with a simple message, please let grandpa come

his constituent's family and for the his constituent's family and for the

work he is doing. Given the obvious urgency of this, I will make a point

of ensuring this is communicated immediately after the session to my

colleagues in the Foreign Office and I will ask them to ensure that

respond as quickly as possible. Can respond as quickly as possible. Can

announcing business for next week. announcing business for next week.

Our thoughts are very much this morning with the school community

their pupils in Aberdeenshire. One their pupils in Aberdeenshire.

of my honourable friends was a pupil of my honourable friends was a pupil

at this school. This was an at this school. This was an

appalling tragedy witnessed appalling tragedy witnessed

yesterday. It is Dave four of The Great War of the nobles, and it is

starting to get ugly. -- day for. They have released their not so

secret weapon, codenamed big boy, to go to the House and sort them out.

He is going down there to emasculate the House of Lords and ensure that

they never do anything like this again. Of course they can. The House

of Lords is without a shred of democratic legitimacy, it represents

absolutely no one. I am certain the Tories will get their way when it

sensing is a real desire amongst the sensing is a real desire amongst the

Conservative benches to deal decisively with the House of Lords.

I get the sense they have had enough of that unelected chamber with the

Lords, baronets, earls, dancing around like Santa Claus, having a

stake in this democracy. I appeal to the Conservative members to join us

Let us have a proper enquiry into Let us have a proper enquiry into

the role of that place. We get the Scotland Bill back in a couple of

weeks, and there is only one day set aside for the remaining stages and

third reading. We had four days were not one amendment was made, even

though they were backed by every member of Parliament who represented

a Scottish constituency. The Secretary of State said he would

spend the summer reflecting, and said he would try to bring back

Bill in line with what was promised Bill in line with what was promised

in the Smith Commission. Surely we need more than one day looking at

this. This is the first is in his questions I have had an opportunity

to speak of a second-class member of this House. Groaning

I am certain the Leader of the House has recognised the sheer anger put

forward in Scotland about Scotland's member of -- members of

Parliament being told not to leave the union, but as soon as we get

here things change. Is this going to be subject to an English veto, and

if it is, how will it work out? We are grateful to you, Mr Speaker, for

backing the call we have been making about getting rid of the ridiculous

that we abandon business for that we abandon business for

participating in a voluntary organisations association. I would

ask you to use your considerable authority to make sure the summer

recess covers all parts of the UK, there school holidays. A new

tradition has been taken up by the children of Scotland, where the goal

disguised as Conservatives because they are so unusual Andre. The only

problem is when they turn up to the door, there is real fear that this

people who open the doors that they will get any treats because they are

Conservatives. I have a confession to make. Until last week I had not

previously heard any of the work of that distinguished band MP four, of

which he is a great part. I did not realise what great showman he was.

He does bring a bit of that showbiz to this House. A little bit of fake

outrage on some theatre. He showed a chink a couple of weeks ago when he

said nice things about the House of Lords, but he is back to his usual

form. I know where he is coming from, I am confident that we will be

able to find a resolution under the guidance of Lord Strathclyde. The

fake outrage has been there on the Scotland Bill as well. The Law

Society of Scotland emphasised we are delivering what we committed to.

I would not expect a group of politicians whose mission is to

secure independence for Scotland to do anything else but have fake

outrage. We are delivering what we promised. If ever there was an

example of that little bit of showbiz that he brings, it is over

the issue of English votes. He describes himself as a second-class

citizen, which he will never be anywhere. Having listened to all of

his arguments, I would remind them about what he said on the 14th of

October last year, which is I sympathise totally with English

members. Of course they should have English votes for English laws. They

have every right to demand English-only legislation. I admire

him for this, but on occasion he has a habit of delivering slightly mixed

messages. Regarding Conservatives in Scotland, I think people have the

reason to be skewered this autumn, come Halloween and the weeks ahead,

-- to be frightened. Are the Labour Party. They have been done over by

the SNP colleagues, and we intend to do them over as well. The nice

quality standard of autism calls for waiting times between referral and

initial appointment for assessment to be no longer than three months.

-- NICE. Currently these targets are not being met. Could we have a

debate on research from the National Autistic Society, which has shown

that on average the wait for children is 3.5 years and adults

raising concerns the diagnosis. As raising concerns the diagnosis. As

every member of this House has every member of this

approximately 1000 people in their approximately 1000 people in their

constituency suffering from autism, these long waiting times are

to crisis point. She makes a very to crisis point. She makes a very

important point. As constituency MPs all of us have experience of the

autistic child face and the autistic child face and the

importance of doing everything we can to give those children the

opportunities in life. I am sure opportunities in life. I am sure

interest in this area, sheer concern interest in this area, sheer concern

is shared by the Secretary of State, is shared by the Secretary of State,

and I will raise the concerns with. I would ask her to continue bringing

these issues to the House. Does the House and government think that once

again, just looking at the House of Lords, is like looking at one

on the bicycle. Not looking at the on the bicycle. Not looking at the

person driving. Should we have a person driving. Should we have a

comprehensive review to bring this comprehensive review to bring this

into the 21st century? There are many ways about how the whole of the

constitutional arrangements should work. The constitutional committee

is engaged in this at the moment. The chair of the committee is hard

at work looking at the constitutional arrangements and I'm

interesting ideas. As you know the interesting ideas. As you know the

credentials of the current UK delegation to the parliamentary

assembly to the Council of Europe expire next week. As the membership

of the new delegation is the responsibility of Parliament and not

the government, will he make time next week for this House to express

its opinion? I am aware of the motion down on his order paper --

the order paper. This is a matter that I have no doubt the House will

give careful consideration to, and the point of a backbench business

committee is to ensure there is time available to members of the host to

allocate time to debate. -- the Leader of the House to allocate time

to debate. Can I thank the Leader of the House for the business

statement. For the avoidance of doubt, next Thursday we have two

debates from the backbench business committee. One on this taken because

Bank of Scotland, and the other is the trade in dog flesh. Could the

Leader of the House gives the backbench business committee and

early indication if there is any possibility for time in the week

beginning 16th November? I cannot give that undertaking, but my

expectation is there will be time. I have no reason to believe it will

not be available. He is picking interesting subject for debate which

will command great attention, and I think particularly the debate on dog

meat happening as it is. It is a sign of how much concerned there is

across the House about the welfare of dogs. Also the fact this is a

trade that most people in this country do not support at all.

Steve eco. Communications this week seemed to suggest some members of

the public might have even confused about the finance will weave aborted

on on Monday. Could we have a statement from the reader that makes

clear what the true position is and can we also understand from him what

keep hands to do to counter the occasional misrepresentation of

business of this House? - voted on. There is no clarification of the

nature of a division on the website. I have listened to colleagues and do

intend to write to that website asking them to write some degree of

explanation on issues of this kind. Given this was a debate about and

civil, not substance, it is not possible under the current treaty

arrangements for this House to cut VAT to zero. That decision had to be

taken in Brussels. There is strong interest in securing change. It is

utterly unacceptable to have a situation where party groups are

misrepresenting the vote as a 0 rate for tampons, it is completely

unacceptable. There should be a 0 rate for a product that is clearly

not a luxury. The minister gave a commitment he would raise that has

in Euro and he has done so. The Cannes of the House has promised to

negotiate at European level to achieve a 0 rate of the 80 on

women's products. This should go alongside the court demands in the

forthcoming Wii negotiation. Women's rights are not a

second-class issue, can he confirm that? Women's rights will never be a

second-class issue. The party in power opposite for 13 years and

never secured anything of this sort. Since the debate on Tuesday we have

already seen the vice chairman of the mission say this is an issue

that are willing to consider. We are taking a step in the right

direction. If a minister gives a commitment to this has the will do

so, they will find it through. Devolution is something we all

expire to and my county in Somerset wish to embrace revolution. We wish

to embrace it so that the money follows the devolution coming from

the centre which is fantastic, we want to do it. In this House can be

debate this so there is a clear message going out to district and

unity is for how they can get involved in maximising their return

for taxpayers? This is what the government is seeking to do and

there will be no one size fits all for different settlements in

different parts of the country, it depends on the circumstances and

different geography and nature of the economy. I would encourage my

honourable men to make this point to other ministers. It is a great

opportunity for counties like Somerset to be involved in

defamation to give them greater control over matters that affect

their area. There is a real opportunity for local authorities

and local communities. Given the difficult financial circumstances

that the NHS finds itself in, is it not time for a debate on a national

tariff for the treatment of IVF given that CCG 's are paying fees as

varied as ?2500 to ?6,000 per cycle? We have a choice in the NHS, we can

either devolved responsibilities to local lactation is keep everything

at the centre. The moment we start to say we do not like different

areas where different CCG 's make different decisions we start to be

centralised again. I want decisions taken by local doctors. I would eat

reluctant to reverse that. With my honourable friend consider having a

debate on the future of the House of lords in the near future purely and

simply because of the events of this week and also I have been doing some

work and had a successful debate in West and start all on a particular

oppose all that was met and welcomed on all sides of the House. Part

Westminster Hall. I have no doubt be will have such a debate in future

but can I encourage him to talk to Lord Strathclyde as well as he

dubbed his review? The scope of the review will be out shortly but I

suggest he takes any ideas for change to the noble lord who will

wish to hear the views of people in this House? The approach of another

Parliamentary recess and no indication whatsoever that the

government intends to seek a mandate for military intervention in Syria.

Isn't it he can play obviously there is no appetite across this chamber

for a second goal through military venture. Can we look at the

financial initiatives which might actually contribute to bringing

peace and stability to that country? I would simply say to the right

honourable gentleman, there will be no statement or debate about

military intervention in Syria unless we have an intention to

intervene voluntarily in Syria. The reason we do not have another

statement about that is because no decision has been taken to intervene

militarily in Syria and should that happen we will come to this House

and discuss it fully. We have debated this extensively in we said

weeks, the Foreign Secretary was before this House regularly. They

will be plenty opportunities to debate what is an difficult

situation, something we all of us wish to see the resolution but it is

difficult to see a path to that resolution given how complex the

situation is. I feel sure he reader of the House is a Downton at the fan

and will have been as alarmed as me by what happened two weeks ago.

Fortunately Lord Grantham is recovering well what it is pointed

out that survival from upper gastrointestinal bleeding in this

country lags behind those countries with which we could reasonably be

compared. I wonder if we could have a debate on how we could configure

endoscopy services in this country to bring us up among the best in

Europe rather than the worst? She makes a very important point in his

customer Blake light-hearted but also serious weight. I did not see

the particular scene in Downton Abbey but I believe it was

eye-catching to say the least comment he makes today I think are

important ones and I will make sure they are forwarded to my colleagues

in the Department of Health. My honourable friend from the front

bench quite rightly lead on the issue of Fifa which he described as

a sink of corruption but football is still the beautiful game and will be

readers of the House on behalf of the government join me in paying

tribute to a happy birthday to a former Derbyshire player who was the

first black professional footballer in the world. We are very proud of

him. Years and adopted son of Darlington and will be Cannes what

the House join me with say happy birthday to him? The beautiful game

is tarnished because of the penalty shoot out at all Trafford last

night. I will join her and also pay tribute to all of the black leaders

Huebner Pathfinders in the game and opened it up to evil generation of

young people. I would like to see young people. I would like to see

more black coaches in this country as well and I think that should be a

minority for the game. I congratulate him for all he has done

to contribute to the sport. My hard-working constituents who use

Kingston and Surbiton station 's art forced to pay for zone six tickets

when logic and fairness dictates they should be in zone five. 26

stations are in zone five yet further from their London terminus.

I know there are other reasoning campaigns in London yet houses

certainly the most compelling. We make time for a debate on the zoning

of stations in London? I would not go as far to say... He may be the

most campaigning campaign in London but the campaign to get Epsom in

zone six which is outside London may be a great important. There are

zoning concerns and I have drawn this to the Department for Transport

was my attention. I hope we can make regressing what we are doing and our

constituents can see that. It is something I know people in still are

looking forward to him succeeding in due course in. A cross-party support

for a series of appeals. Open up family courts is something a

succession of governments have promised to reform. Will there be a

debate on how we can break open the cartels that surround the family

courts system? Having been Secretary Of State for just as I am aware of

this and sympathetic. We have two be careful there are some deeply

distressing stories take place within the family courts and we must

not open them up in a way that exposes family heartache to the

tabloid media. He is right to say there is no reason for the agree of

closed environment that exists around those family courts. I know

this is a matter of concern to my colleague the Secretary Of State

today. He will be here again on Tuesday and I would encourage him to

re-raised this point. As my right honourable friend knows, I am

running a campaign to save the hedgehog. Will my right honourable

friend 's urge every member and right on rubble member to ensure

there are safety measures in place within one fires next Thursday which

is Guy Fawkes night? Thank you. I share his concern about the

hedgehog. We have seen a really distressing fall in our hedgehog

population in the last few decades. When I was a child you would find

one in every garden, it will would feed them outside the door and it

now does not happen to any degree like it used to. I would say to

members on all sides of the House and anyone listening to this debate,

bonfire night is a period of great danger to hedgehogs. If you drive

around the country you will already see large piles of wood setup. It is

all too common that a hedgehog finds refuge in those bonfires in the next

few days. I would ask anyone to double-check before they like them

to make sure there is not a hedgehog nesting inside, we cannot afford to

lose any more. Young people are being killed on our streets.

Tragically, in my constituency, there have been two youth deaths in

as many months. This is not isolated. A boy stabbed to death in

Aberdeen, shooting in Hackney, Alford, even machine-gun fire in

Willesden. This had to stop. With the government continuing to cut

front line services, young people are turning to crime and violence in

bigger and bigger numbers. Is it not time to call an urgent debate

looking at how all parties can work together to stop the rise of youth

violence? Mr Speaker, firstly, let us be clear, knife crime is a blight

on our society as our knife murders and I would endorse the comments

made earlier about the tragic events in Aberdeen yesterday. They are

fortunately rare in this country that makes them even more shocking

when they do happen. I send my condolences and good wishes not only

to the family but also those in the school for whom it would have aimed

a deeply traumatic experience. On the streets of London any death

through knife crime is too much, we have taken measures to toughen the

law around carrying knives but it is important to support those

organisations that try to take young people away from crime and carrying

by a couple who set it up after the by a couple who set it up after the

death of their son. The number of young people entering the criminal

justice system for the first time is balding and has continued to fall

for a number of years. That is a great step forward. The challenge of

the offending is a good news story that fewer people are entering the

justice system for the first time, long may that continue.

British farmers who successfully applied for environmental

improvement grants are being told that unless they put up all boards

indicating the money came from the EU, they could lose part or all of

and net contributors to the EU, and net contributors to the EU,

isn't it akin to me taking my money from my bank to do a home

improvement, and putting up a billboard saying, thank

Barclays? Could we have a statement Barclays? Could we have a

from an agricultural Minister saying from an agricultural Minister saying

the British countryside by this the British countryside by this

propaganda? The countryside here is around the most -- among the most

beautiful anywhere in the world. I have some sympathy with him, and I

do not want to see anything detracting from its natural beauty

full stop DEFRA questions are next Thursday, so he can put it to him

directly. But keep the countryside pure and natural. Will the

government make a statement on the situation of employees pensions and

the Commonwealth War Graves Commission? He will not allow them

to make a decision on closing... Does he agree that staff working

harder than ever due to the centenary commemorations at cutting

committee staff pensions while the Director-General gets a 50% pay rise

is utterly inappropriate? I understand the point he is making. A

range of organisations have had to make decisions about final salary

pensions. I will make sure they concerns he has raised will be

passed on to my ministerial colleagues. Following the comments

from the honourable member for Perth and your excellent article this week

Mr, Mr Speaker, will he arrange for a debate on whether this House

should continue to have a conference recess, or whether the

party should sort themselves out and party should sort themselves out and

arrange their confidence at the arrange their confidence at the

weekend, like the SNP do. We would be able to work out which MPs are

able to do the job in their -- their able to do the job in their -- their

job in this House and hold the government to account. There is

growing interest in this area. Particularly given the fact that

there are perhaps fewer Liberal Democrats than there used to be for

the confidence week. This has been raised through the usual channels.

Confidence became take place some years in advance. This is something

that needs to be dealt with carefully. I am pleased to hear

there will be a debate on policing, but I am concerned at the lack of

reality in the Leader of the House's responses on police

150 plus uniformed presence from the 150 plus uniformed presence from the

street and seen a 22% increase in violent crime in the last year. It

is a connection between these things. Will the Leader of the House

ensure that when the government come to this House to pretend there --

present the debate on policing, that they face the facts as we do in our

communities? I can only reactivate that the crime survey shows that

notwithstanding some of the difficult challenges the police

force has had to face up to, crime has continued to fall. There is

scope for police officers and police forces to deliver new ways of

working, bringing down cost without affecting front line support to the

community 's. Labour run Kirklees Council have written off ?850,000 in

section 106 cash which was allocated to improve local infrastructure by

house-builders and developers. Can be debate how appalling situations

like this is seeing local communities lose confidence in

planning opportunities? I am aware of the issue. Begs questions about

credit control and bringing money when it is due. Local authorities

have the power to set timelines even to get money in advance for the

payments they receive. Can I suggest to him, it is a matter of concern,

that he raises this with the department concerned, perhaps

through an adjournment debate or the next time they are in this House for

questions? Can he share his current understanding of when legislation

regarding the Stormont House regarding the Stormont House

agreement may be brought forward? With the government continue a draft

committee from both houses, dealing committee from both houses, dealing

with the sensitive issue of legacy, which there has not been due

consultation with victims for a consultation with victims for a

variety of reasons and excuses, and this Parliament has been asked to

legislate in lieu of the assembly. With the government give that period

of special legislative scrutiny? I will discuss that with the Secretary

of State. We have been involved in discussions with all parties in

Northern Ireland, and those are continuing. We will bring it to this

House as soon as we can. But I will make the Secretary of State of the

issue he has raised. I was delighted to hear that others it will be

taking place on the 12th to 14th of November, and there will be an

opportunity for Parliament to receive him properly. That takes

place between the November recess of this place and during Hindu New

Year. Can I take the opportunity to invite the Leader of the House to

wish a happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year, but equally can

we have a statement as to the trade Guilds and educational arrangements

and other arrangement is taking and other arrangement is taking

place during that visit? I echo the happy New Year wishes he has made

reference to, and I hope everyone reference to, and I hope everyone

has an enjoyable, relaxing, successful set of New Year festival

's. No doubt we will all wish you, Mr Speaker, and I will make

House aware of the details of the House aware of the details of the

visit shortly. India is one of the biggest allies and it is a great

democracy. This is a great opportunity. We were guests last

night for the club the London Tigers, a sports club which does

amazing work with young people from all different communities, and it

would be appropriate to place on record our appreciation for the

call for the debate on families who call for the debate on families who

have autism in the family? I'm sure have autism in the family? I'm sure

recent news of more diversity in the recent news of more diversity in the

boardroom, it is welcome but needs boardroom, it is welcome but needs

to go further. Could we have an early debate on diversity, and

shouldn't this House be an exemplar? If you look at the photograph in the

corridor, it has 64 photographs of corridor, it has 64 photographs of

people who run the House at the senior level. Everyone is white and

absolutely agree, and I would say absolutely agree, and I would say

about the photographs out the back, about the photographs out the back,

we have made great progress over the we have made great progress over the

like in 2001 when I was elected, and like in 2001 when I was elected, and

what it looks like today, there is a what it looks like today, there is a

continue this and encourage the continue this and encourage the

recruitment process. I want a society that is reflected in this

House, and it has two reflect the society outside in all aspects of

its working. The plans for the station in Torbay, the first one for

therefore can we have a statement on therefore can we have a statement on

when the next tranche of station funding will be available to bid for

the complete this project? Unfortunately we have just had

transport questions, so he will have to wait before the Secretary of

State is back again, but his comments will have been noted. But

if you look around this country, 20 years after the privatisation of

railways, we have new railway lines opening, the start of a new service

from Oxford to London, something that would never have happened in

the days of British Rail. We have a party opposite who think we would be

better off renationalising everything. It would be disastrous.

The way we have it now, we are seeing innovations and long may that

continue. Last week the Prime Minister said he did not want anyone

relying on food banks, but this week the Work and Pensions Secretary told

the select committee that he planned to station job advisers and food

banks. Is it right that extreme food poverty should become an accepted

element of GWP National planning? Could we have a debate on this? She

has got this plain wrong. If we have people who are in need of food

banks, and I would remind her that we have a lower use of food banks in

this country than in countries like Germany, so it is simply not true

-- link it to public policy. That we -- link it to public policy. That we

should be helping these people into work and out of poverty. Making sure

the Jobcentre is aware of what is going on in food banks seem

sensible. It was an honour to present certificates recently to

some of the 1500 graduates of the National Citizen Service scheme.

real government success story and real government success story and

will he allow time for a debate on how we can roll out this to more

people every year? This has been a huge success story, this is one of

the things that will have the most lasting impact on the country. It is

growing and developing and proving a great success. It is changing the

lives of young people in different parts of the countries, bringing

together people from different backgrounds in a way that can only

be positive for the future. Long may it continue. The shadow leader of

the House was right to raise the ministerial code. Could we have an

urgent statement on who made the decision on changing the code, the

reasons for doing so? The honour of the ministerial code is the Prime

Minister, so there will be plenty opportunities for the honourable

lady to ask. On page 29 of the day's order paper there is a motion

about the UK dedication to the alimentary assembly of the Council

of Europe. It goes on to page 30 because it is signed by 58 members

of this House from all the major political parties. It commends the

work of the honourable member work of the honourable member

Christchurch, his years there, and I wonder if the Leader of the House

but put it on the order paper next but put it on the order paper next

week. There is not a business of the House committee, so we're relying on

the government to bring this motion forward. Would he bring this

forward? I have spotted the degree of support for this motion. I am

aware of the desire to debate it. What I would say is that there is

quite a lot of time allocated through backbench business committee

to debate in this House. He will return to the issue shortly, but

there is a simple allocation available to debate this. The chair

is sitting over there. The Minister may be aware of the case of 26 you

will transmit and who been sentenced to serve her prison sentence in a

men's prison. The good news I heard today is that she is to be

transferred to a women's prison. -- a 26-year-old trans-women.

in detail of this tend to be out in detail of this tend to be out

with the metal ministers, but the Ministry of Justice will always want

decisions of this nature to be taken sensitively and carefully. There are

questions for the House on Tuesday, and they will listen to her concerns

then. Can we have a debate on how to tackle cyber crime? I have received

complaints from constituents in the complaints from constituents in the

past, and there is another report in the local newspaper today, one of my

convincing and genuine looking convincing and genuine looking

e-mail purporting to come from a high street bank asking for

details which could lead to people details which could lead to people

number of quite worrying cases number of quite worrying cases

highlighted in recent weeks and highlighted in recent weeks and

months of people losing large chunks of life savings to some

complex and sophisticated scams. The complex and sophisticated scams. The

message we should give out is to be very careful. This should send

messages to the people we represent that they are criminal groups out

there who are trying to rip you off there who are trying to rip you off

all of the time. I keep saying to my honourable friend, keep bringing up

I hear the usual chuntering from a I hear the usual chuntering from a

sedentary position from the shadow sedentary position from the shadow

leader. This is a really serious leader. This is a really serious

issue. On television this week there was a woman who had been swindled

for ?35,000 by a gang who persuaded her to go to the bank and transfer

her money to a different account. It is not a laughing matter. Does the

concern being expressed in concern being expressed in

Birmingham and by the Birmingham Post and mail over the threat

Freedom of Information and will he Freedom of Information and will he

agree to an urgent debate on what is a threat to the cornerstone of our

democracy? The irony is that the person who

said they regretted the Freedom of Information Act most was Jack Straw

who introduced it and looked upon it as one of the things he got wrong.

The Freedom of Information Act is something this government is

committed to. We want to make sure it works fairly and cannot be

misused but it is misused by people who use it as EV search tool to

generate stories for the media. It is a legitimate tool for those who

understand how this government has taken decisions. It is not the

intention of this government to change that. I know from my

family's on experience just how devastating pancreatic cancer can be

and whether November being pancreatic awareness month can we

see what is being done to help those suffering from this disease? My

honourable friend makes an important point and of course all forms of

cancer, particularly pancreatic cancer, are deeply distressing for

the families of those involved and those who suffered from the

different varieties of cancer. One of the things that is encouraging at

the moment is that we really seemed to be making some significant steps

forward in treatment and research for treatment in future. One of the

things I am pleased we have done as the government is not withstanding

the financial pressures we face. We have continued to keep up our

budgets going into the search which open up a better future for those

who are sufferers and I hope that what continues. Since the session

started this morning welcome news has emerged from China that they are

to end their one child policy. Will the leader of the house for a debate

on the government's to child policy with particular reference to the

Greek clause? The boot them please fill details and I am a wee of the

issue she has raised and the fact she has continued to make this

concern will be conveyed to my colleagues. -- rape clause.

Anti-Muslim rape right -- anti-Muslim hate crime will be

recorded separately. Can we therefore have a debate on heat

crime in all of its forms and what we can do to eradicate this from our

society? Mr Speaker, heat crime in any form is unacceptable. I am very

much aware that although we have seen he's beat of anti-Semitic

attacks in recent months the also see in this country regularly

attacks on mosques and Muslims. The steps the government are taking is

right. We should not tolerate heat crime against any of our communities

in this country. We should be dealt with with the full force of the law

wherever that occurs. This House should remind us of obligations in

that direction. Can we have the debate on defence attunement and

buying British? Why are the three new royal navy ships and the 500

last armed vehicles from the army not been built with British Steel?

On occasions when the Lizzie specialist metal requirement we have

two source the specialist metal from wherever it comes from. 90s percent

of the steel being put into Crossrail is coming from British

sources. It is disappointing in Scotland the Scottish Government has

not done the same. The steel going into our aircraft carriers is also

British Steel. The question I would ask him, he talks about defence

procurement and the question I would ask about defence procurement and

British jobs, if he is so concerned about the use of British Steel and

jobs in Britain, why does his party now support a policy that would

scrap the plans for Trident submarines to be built in Barrow in

Furness? When can we debate the convention that serving time

ministers are not invited to give evidence to select committees? There

is compelling evidence now that three prime ministers were

unwittingly but directly involved in an enterprise that cost the

taxpayers many millions of pounds. Isn't it important, too, that we

understand why three prime ministers were infatuated by the delusional

fraudsters of Kicks Company dinar two points to make. Everyone on both

sides of the House are concerned about what happened with Kicks

Company understanding what went wrong in that charity was not the

fault of some people involved in it. In my view the Beagle he is looking