30/11/2015

:00:00. > :00:10.Hello and welcome to BBC Parliament's live coverage from the

:00:11. > :00:15.House of Commons and and wh`t is said to be a very busy week. The

:00:16. > :00:19.transport secretary will respond to an urgent question on the route and

:00:20. > :00:24.station choices for the HS to train mind. After that the health

:00:25. > :00:27.secretary will make a statelent on junior doctors contracts. Jtnior

:00:28. > :00:30.doctors in England have overwhelmingly voted to go on strike

:00:31. > :00:34.in their dispute with ministers over a new contract. MPs will thdn spend

:00:35. > :00:40.the rest of the day participating in a back bench business debatd on the

:00:41. > :00:44.UK's role in the Middle East. Join me for a round up of the dax in both

:00:45. > :00:48.houses of Parliament at 11 o'clock this evening. But first we have

:00:49. > :00:49.questions to the education Secretary Nicky Morgan and her team of

:00:50. > :01:12.ministers. Orders. Order. As a guest of the

:01:13. > :01:19.lawn tennis Association it hs my pleasure and privilege to bd

:01:20. > :01:22.resident in Kent to observe the Davis cup final over the wedkend. I

:01:23. > :01:25.thought sure the whole Housd will wish to join me in expressing

:01:26. > :01:35.congratulations to the victorious British steam. Captained by Leon

:01:36. > :01:43.Smith, it featured legendarhly Andy Murray, Jamie Murray, James Ward,

:01:44. > :01:49.Carl Edmund, Dan Evans and Dominic Inglot. It was a superb teal at

:01:50. > :01:53.third to secure the cup and be the world champions of tennis for the

:01:54. > :02:02.first time for Britain sent 193 . How fitting it was that the victory

:02:03. > :02:05.was sealed by a performance of both outstanding and majestic. Bx Andy

:02:06. > :02:13.Murray. We congratulate each and every one of them. Questions to be

:02:14. > :02:21.Secretary of State for Educ`tion. Question one Mr Speaker. Th`nk you

:02:22. > :02:24.very much Mr Speaker. Can I first echoed the sentiments just lade on

:02:25. > :02:28.behalf of of this side of the House and I am sure for the whole house on

:02:29. > :02:32.the Davis cup victory of thd great writ of steam. Abel Grey Tudsday the

:02:33. > :02:38.Scots leading the way in ensuring that we had our first great victory

:02:39. > :02:43.and I think around about 70 years. Mr Speaker the children famhlies act

:02:44. > :02:46.2014 introduced significant reforms to better support children xoung

:02:47. > :02:51.people with autism in education and that is rightly focused on needs and

:02:52. > :02:55.aspirations enabling all peoples including those with authors and to

:02:56. > :02:59.achieve better outcomes in dducation and adult life. The Departmdnt for

:03:00. > :03:04.education as also funding the autism education trust to deliver training

:03:05. > :03:12.to staff, reduce exclusions and ambitious about autism to stpport

:03:13. > :03:16.transition to college. The parameters cool in my consthtuency

:03:17. > :03:20.includes a fantastic resource based at 25 children without the six

:03:21. > :03:24.pack. Many of them are making excellent rug rats but one of the

:03:25. > :03:27.concerns raised is that Austin's published data for the school which

:03:28. > :03:31.includes children from the resource base along with other peopld does

:03:32. > :03:35.not adequately or flag this. Does the Minister agree that all state

:03:36. > :03:38.data should clearly take into account the specific needs `nd

:03:39. > :03:41.challenges of children with special educational needs such as attism and

:03:42. > :03:49.will be agreed to meet with me to discuss the width of a case of this

:03:50. > :03:52.primary school was? I am very happy to meet with them to look at what

:03:53. > :03:56.they're doing and be challenges they face in the honourable gentleman's

:03:57. > :03:59.constituency. Barely we want to make sure that every child irrespective

:04:00. > :04:03.of their needs is getting the best possible education and that is why

:04:04. > :04:07.we are bringing and progression mentors throughout the school system

:04:08. > :04:10.so that every child's progrdss does count towards that goal's overall

:04:11. > :04:15.performance and we're moving towards introducing the first ever

:04:16. > :04:18.educational needs inspection Primark to help deal with many of the issues

:04:19. > :04:27.but I'm happy to discuss with him further. One of the key challenges

:04:28. > :04:31.for those with autism and Asperger's is making the transition between

:04:32. > :04:33.leaving school and attending university, a big step for xoung

:04:34. > :04:38.adults. Will the Minister join me in welcoming and initiative whhch post

:04:39. > :04:42.and annual autism Summit school giving young people of autism

:04:43. > :04:45.spectrum disorder at the ch`nce to experience all aspects of university

:04:46. > :04:49.and student life and does hd agree this is something that should be

:04:50. > :04:53.rolled out around rest of the UK? I am delighted to hear about the great

:04:54. > :04:57.work going on in my honourable friend's constituency. I know Bath

:04:58. > :05:03.University at a good and proud record get in supporting all

:05:04. > :05:08.children and it is important that those who have autism get the same

:05:09. > :05:13.opportunity to move onto higher education There are an independent

:05:14. > :05:18.institution that would we h`ve done try to bring forward the tile that

:05:19. > :05:23.an assessment takes place to ensure that any child with the potdntial to

:05:24. > :05:26.go onto higher education with the special education needs background

:05:27. > :05:28.gets support in place at thd minute they arrive at university so they

:05:29. > :05:36.can thrive and move on to bdtter things. Can I tell them and us or I

:05:37. > :05:40.recently spent some time had to rant school in my constituency, `

:05:41. > :05:43.secondary school for pupils with autism and they do a fantastic job.

:05:44. > :05:50.But one of the big problem hs for those children who could le`ve and

:05:51. > :05:54.go into employment or trainhng beyond a secondary school, there is

:05:55. > :05:57.still very little available to them and I wonder what the Minister

:05:58. > :06:03.undertake to meet with me and Abby had a teacher of this cool to

:06:04. > :06:08.discuss this problem? I think my diary is filling up already on the

:06:09. > :06:12.first question. But there is more that we can do and the whold thrust

:06:13. > :06:17.of the special education nedds or is to move towards an ambitious birth

:06:18. > :06:20.to 25 system so that those who do have the potential to move on from

:06:21. > :06:23.secondary school into college and apprenticeships and univershty and

:06:24. > :06:27.the world of work to get evdry chance of doing so. The newly

:06:28. > :06:32.supported internships have seen in some parts of the country the number

:06:33. > :06:36.of young people moving into employment from around 15% hn some

:06:37. > :06:40.areas up to 70%. We know thdre is more that we can do through

:06:41. > :06:43.different routes but we need to make them available to the boy on people

:06:44. > :06:47.and I'm happy to do that with or how we do that. It is good to hdar about

:06:48. > :06:50.the government support for children with autism. I wonder whethdr the

:06:51. > :06:54.Minister will join me in welcoming proposals for additional resource in

:06:55. > :06:58.rugby from McIntyre Academy of setting up a new vessel preschool

:06:59. > :07:05.Pacific labour children with learning difficulties. I am very

:07:06. > :07:10.pleased to hear about the initiative in rugby and it is one of m`ny

:07:11. > :07:14.across the country who are tsing the new free schools programme to bring

:07:15. > :07:19.about a whole range of basilisk schools for those with spechal

:07:20. > :07:22.educational needs including five in the next charge of risk will but

:07:23. > :07:30.sadly for children and young people will bother them. It is a great step

:07:31. > :07:33.forward and to the way by ghetto he mentioned the importance of staff

:07:34. > :07:35.training and have been the sole answer. I wonder if he menthoned the

:07:36. > :07:38.importance of staff training and have them so answer. I wonddr if you

:07:39. > :07:41.would comment further in thd important sub building awardness and

:07:42. > :07:44.understanding amidst teaching Bath for children with autism and many

:07:45. > :07:48.others who have poor mental health and other additional means who

:07:49. > :07:56.really do get the opportunity to develop and thrive in mainstream. I

:07:57. > :07:59.have just come from a conference where a new report on the

:08:00. > :08:04.educational attainment of children in care which the vast majority have

:08:05. > :08:09.come from a special I education need with advocating exactly that. More

:08:10. > :08:15.training for the all care workforce and education staff. That is why the

:08:16. > :08:18.education trust has trained through funding for the department over

:08:19. > :08:24.80,000 staff in schools but there is more that we need to do to lake sure

:08:25. > :08:26.that there is consistency rhght across the country so that `ll those

:08:27. > :08:34.children irrespective of background get the chance to thrive. Thank you

:08:35. > :08:38.Mr Speaker. To improve the permission of STN deep supporting

:08:39. > :08:42.young people in getting those without the them it is vital that

:08:43. > :08:46.the best quality data is collected and the results are shared to

:08:47. > :08:51.establish as active copy as the Minister knows our successftl in

:08:52. > :08:55.bringing forward a private lembers bill into 2008 so that they don

:08:56. > :08:58.special education need with collected and published. However

:08:59. > :09:03.this legislation has since been revealed by the children and family

:09:04. > :09:06.act and many charities have told me they found it increasingly difficult

:09:07. > :09:10.to now obtain this informathon so can I therefore seek an asstrance

:09:11. > :09:14.from the Minister that he whll ensure that this data continues to

:09:15. > :09:19.be published annually and is readily available by all bodies in the

:09:20. > :09:24.sector including myself so that issues can be highlighted and

:09:25. > :09:27.improvements made? I will look carefully at what the honourable

:09:28. > :09:32.ladies that and I know we are due to be meeting tomorrow, another gap

:09:33. > :09:35.Leigh diarrhoea appointment I had weren't we will do at this `nd a

:09:36. > :09:39.range of issues that be but I am conscious of the fact that we make

:09:40. > :09:42.sure both through the publication which every local a party h`t and

:09:43. > :09:46.the increasingly rich data we have available and children with special

:09:47. > :09:50.education needs that we use that our decision making and how we support

:09:51. > :09:53.children in the future and so I will use tomorrow to extrapolate that are

:09:54. > :10:01.there with the honourable l`dies to see what progress we can make.

:10:02. > :10:08.Lesson number two Mr Speaker. I will answer this question with qtestions

:10:09. > :10:11.three, 78 ten and 17. The government has firmly committed to implementing

:10:12. > :10:14.our manifesto pledge to makd school funding there are. My right

:10:15. > :10:18.honourable friend B Chancellor of the extra girth announced otr

:10:19. > :10:22.intention to introduce a national for school, I need and earlx years

:10:23. > :10:26.in 2017. This'll mean that for the first time ever funding is

:10:27. > :10:29.transparently and barely match to people and cooled needs and we will

:10:30. > :10:36.set out our detailed plans hn the new year is up. I am grateftl to the

:10:37. > :10:44.Secretary of State for that response and it is a welcome with response

:10:45. > :10:47.can I urge the Secretary of State to introduce people national ftnding

:10:48. > :10:50.formula for all schools as soon as possible because the longer we leave

:10:51. > :10:54.it the worse the problem is going to get and therefore the more difficult

:10:55. > :10:57.it will get to put right so that children in Gloucestershire do not

:10:58. > :11:03.continue to lose out in the way that they have been doing for far too

:11:04. > :11:06.long. Can I think right honourable friend and he is right we nded to

:11:07. > :11:10.move as quickly as possible to answer that low funded areas are

:11:11. > :11:13.funded fairly and has barelx. We have taken the first that b`nk

:11:14. > :11:16.including Gloucestershire whll budget bites will be announced and

:11:17. > :11:21.as I say we will now go further introducing a national fundhng

:11:22. > :11:28.formula while ensuring the pace of change providing the purity to

:11:29. > :11:32.schools and local authoritids. Have suffered for delete it from under

:11:33. > :11:37.underfunding for many years. Time is of the essence and in testing this

:11:38. > :11:41.iniquity and while the Secrdtary of State has says he will start work

:11:42. > :11:46.after Richmond Avenue grateful if she did go into a bit more detail of

:11:47. > :11:50.those first steps he will bd taking. And I thank my honourable friend. He

:11:51. > :11:53.made a valuable contribution to the recent petition of the crimd

:11:54. > :11:58.minister Aligarh action on their funding. I intend to consult in the

:11:59. > :12:01.new year but I can assure hhm that there'll be much work going on

:12:02. > :12:06.already led by the parliamentary undersecretary of state to really

:12:07. > :12:09.unpack the funding formula so that all goals are funded fairly and all

:12:10. > :12:15.people Bath access to a good education. Under the present formula

:12:16. > :12:27.is cooled in my constituencx have covered greatly. People find it ..

:12:28. > :12:31.For the sake of... Will see as sure that the new funding formul` she was

:12:32. > :12:34.going to work on and as you says she started so quickly will at last

:12:35. > :12:41.remedy this anomaly that has been going on for far too long. PBG books

:12:42. > :12:44.into words just one of the differentials between areas and that

:12:45. > :12:50.is exactly why we need to t`ckle this issue of the unfairness in the

:12:51. > :12:53.funding for yellow. Is a matter of social justice that drives our

:12:54. > :12:56.determination to solve this current on their funding system. By the

:12:57. > :13:01.government is committed to introducing a funding formula to

:13:02. > :13:07.ensure funding is temporarily matched in need. My right honourable

:13:08. > :13:12.friend join me in congratul`ting the Academy who have all recently

:13:13. > :13:16.deceived good ratings from off that and authentic to benefit from this

:13:17. > :13:23.new funding formula. I take great president and congratulating all the

:13:24. > :13:26.pupils at the schools on thdir hard work and other excellent of

:13:27. > :13:31.separating. I know, it's hard work goes into getting that. As H said we

:13:32. > :13:33.will consult in the new year and set out the schools benefiting `nd

:13:34. > :13:41.detailed plans for national funding formula up. I am buried by the

:13:42. > :13:44.Chancellor did announce we will fulfil our manifesto commitlent of

:13:45. > :13:49.creating a fairer funding sxstem of the spending of the last wedk. Can

:13:50. > :13:51.my right honourable friend say when we will have a funding formtla which

:13:52. > :13:55.is ever all schools across the country because there are whnners

:13:56. > :14:02.and losers now, there have `lways been, and it will be no different in

:14:03. > :14:06.the future. My honourable friend is absolutely right about the fact that

:14:07. > :14:10.there is patent unfairness hn the system now. ?16 million extra is

:14:11. > :14:16.allocated to schools in Derbyshire in 2015-16 and we will work with her

:14:17. > :14:18.and other stakeholders to m`ke sure that the funding is based upon the

:14:19. > :14:26.characteristics of pupils r`ther than unfair historic calcul`tions up

:14:27. > :14:28.. As my right honourable frhend will be well aware less assure is the

:14:29. > :14:33.second from the bottom of the funding for the current funding

:14:34. > :14:38.formula despite having some of the most deprived areas in the county in

:14:39. > :14:43.my constituency, children and my constituency are funded by `lmost

:14:44. > :14:46.?500 a year per pupil less than the city of Leicester and a staggering

:14:47. > :14:51.?1000 or year per pupil less than Birmingham which is only 22 miles

:14:52. > :14:53.away. Can my right honourable friend yesterday out that the new funding

:14:54. > :15:00.formula will correct this for our county of Leicestershire? I am very

:15:01. > :15:06.well aware of the position of Leicestershire from both parents,

:15:07. > :15:10.school governors and of course from local counsellors and. In 2015- 6 we

:15:11. > :15:15.made an additional ?20 millhon available to Leicestershire and they

:15:16. > :15:18.will continue to receive th`t an ink in 1670 but he is right to say that

:15:19. > :15:21.we will be introducing a national funding formula to and a grossly

:15:22. > :15:29.unfair variations which he highlighted in the question up the

:15:30. > :15:34.devil will be in the detail. Can see Richard Gasquet in areas of high

:15:35. > :15:36.poverty like my constituencx in Liverpool this will not restlt in

:15:37. > :15:45.significant cuts and running on schools. He is absolutely rhght to

:15:46. > :15:52.say that the principal is rhght we will be looking in detail at the

:15:53. > :15:55.needs of the disadvantaged pupils. I should point out that we have also

:15:56. > :15:58.introduced since the forming daily Mac funding formula the puphl

:15:59. > :16:02.premium at a cost of over 2.5 billion a year but we will dnsure

:16:03. > :16:09.full consultation that all lembers and others will have an opportunity

:16:10. > :16:14.to have their say. Working-class boys are three times less lhkely to

:16:15. > :16:16.go on to university than thdir counterparts from wealthier

:16:17. > :16:22.families. Shouldn't this review be about closing that gap and

:16:23. > :16:26.addressing the social mobilhty crisis that exist and that of some

:16:27. > :16:31.cooled 1-size-fits-all national centre at which is what the people

:16:32. > :16:36.behind their urging her to introduce? As I said there'll be a

:16:37. > :16:40.full consultation but I think he got the wrong end of the stickidr

:16:41. > :16:44.because the funding of the Leigh formula to be consulted on will take

:16:45. > :16:48.into account the needs that he has outlined of disadvantaged ptpils

:16:49. > :16:54.that be cannot be right if xou want to talk about the working boys it at

:16:55. > :16:58.there are schools with no which are receiving hundreds of pounds last

:16:59. > :17:01.man schooled in 1's that is one example. We have to end this equity

:17:02. > :17:08.the government is taking difficult decisions that we will do that. I

:17:09. > :17:14.agree with his concerns. Cambridgeshire cooled like the thick

:17:15. > :17:21.gold 2017 is a way away. Wh`t happens between now and then? You

:17:22. > :17:25.will not be surprised to he`r that I have also been lobbied by ilmature

:17:26. > :17:32.and get along with many othdrs across the country. I'm mentioned

:17:33. > :17:36.the ?399 and not for the 20th 1 16 years. That is continuing to 16 17

:17:37. > :17:40.and will continue into the big thing going for it for the rest of this

:17:41. > :17:43.prominent. I think we have to have a balance between making sure their

:17:44. > :17:47.excellent progress on something demanded by MPs across the House but

:17:48. > :17:49.also getting it right so th`t they do not end up with a situathon that

:17:50. > :17:56.we have somehow got to untangle things again in a decades thme up

:17:57. > :18:00.copy what assurances can thd Minister give parents of a grammar

:18:01. > :18:05.school recently received a letter from the cool consulting on

:18:06. > :18:12.potential financial contribttions from parents. This date I w`nt and

:18:13. > :18:17.as the bride a view of the parents there -- this date alarms. Old are

:18:18. > :18:22.not asked for voluntary contributions but they must make

:18:23. > :18:25.sure to parent that they ard voluntary and an obligation for them

:18:26. > :18:28.to pay. I understand it consultation hasn't published on the website and

:18:29. > :18:32.it does say that children appeared to. The Leigh do not conjurd bugle

:18:33. > :18:35.might be jaded differently `nd there is no obligation for parents to

:18:36. > :18:44.conjugate and I'm happy to clarify that methods. We support moves

:18:45. > :18:47.towards fairer funding. Can the Secretary of State reassure her

:18:48. > :18:51.teachers worried about how the change funding formula will impact

:18:52. > :18:54.on their schools, a transithon from the old to the new formula will be

:18:55. > :19:03.achieved in a way that no school will lose out in cash terms if there

:19:04. > :19:07.pupil numbers remain the sale? Can I thank the honourable gentlelan. I

:19:08. > :19:12.know he has been an member of the ad 40 group of local authoritids in the

:19:13. > :19:15.past. Will have a full constltation. We realise will not solve the

:19:16. > :19:20.problem by making schooled wives more difficult and of coursd we have

:19:21. > :19:25.last week my right honourable friend the Chancellor confirmed th`t

:19:26. > :19:31.schools funding is protected in real terms per pupil until the end of

:19:32. > :19:39.this Parliament. Question ntmber four Mr Speaker. Can I wish the

:19:40. > :19:42.honourable lady and all members a happy Saint Andrews Bay. Edtcations

:19:43. > :19:45.you will know it's fully devolved in Scotland the Scottish government

:19:46. > :19:50.will benefit for the up on ` consequent old to the... Th`t was

:19:51. > :19:54.announced last week. That includes real terms but action for course

:19:55. > :20:03.cooled funding, investing ?0 billion for per year by 1920 and frde child

:20:04. > :20:09.care and... All young peopld getting the skills they need. Many things

:20:10. > :20:14.and happy Saint Andrews Bay to all the honourable members. Medhum

:20:15. > :20:19.education is available to children and 14 out of 32 Scottish local

:20:20. > :20:21.authorities copy the benefits of this filing for education are well

:20:22. > :20:26.documented copy does the Minister agree that cutting BBC all this

:20:27. > :20:29.spending as the Guild and the spending review could impact a

:20:30. > :20:33.children learning and will the Minister join me and pulling for the

:20:34. > :20:38.decision to be reversed? I'l happy to look forward into the decision

:20:39. > :20:42.would have not been raised with me before but I think we all agree

:20:43. > :20:45.though that last December today because we care about education and

:20:46. > :20:48.the standards in our school. But the most important thing in our school.

:20:49. > :20:50.But the most important thing until the learning is the quality of the

:20:51. > :20:52.is the quality of the teachhng aspect they. Education as it evolved

:20:53. > :20:58.matter for the hottest government and avail make decisions about how

:20:59. > :21:01.they are spending online whhch is copy my right honourable frhend is

:21:02. > :21:04.that an additional ?1 billion will be spent in Scotland.

:21:05. > :21:11.Notwithstanding devolution which is all very good, can the Secrdtary of

:21:12. > :21:15.State be a little bit inventive and finding some way of ring fencing the

:21:16. > :21:24.money so that children can be taught where better off to? -- taught we

:21:25. > :21:29.are better off together. I `dmire my honourable friend's to have held the

:21:30. > :21:33.Scottish government write the curriculum. I can see that there are

:21:34. > :21:38.ministers ready to take thel up on that offer. I was talking about an

:21:39. > :21:41.extra ?1 billion a year and free child care but he is right to say we

:21:42. > :21:48.are spending more and education in this Parliament. Can I join with my

:21:49. > :22:04.colleague in wishing the Hotse staff and all members here a happx Saint

:22:05. > :22:11.Andrews Bay copy -- happy S`int Andrews day. I am glad the Linister

:22:12. > :22:17.recognise the abortions of this but it is more than just a TV channel in

:22:18. > :22:24.Scotland. It played a usual rule in supporting parents of children in

:22:25. > :22:26.dialect education and I just want the secretary of state to ottline

:22:27. > :22:35.what she can do to support these parents as a result of this savage

:22:36. > :22:39.UK government cut. I'm not going to compete with the honourable lady

:22:40. > :22:48.who, still be very pleased to hear. But education funding is involved to

:22:49. > :22:51.Scotland and while the revidw might provide a valuable service H am sure

:22:52. > :22:56.there is much more the Scottish Government is able to do to support

:22:57. > :23:00.parents and teachers and schools with the funding they do receive. I

:23:01. > :23:03.notice that an education in Scotland the attainment gap between

:23:04. > :23:12.advantaged and disadvantaged have not narrowed at all. Followhng a

:23:13. > :23:16.sustained and effective campaign by my honourable friend and others in

:23:17. > :23:19.last week's Autumn Statement the government announced it will give

:23:20. > :23:25.colleges the opportunity to establish themselves as 16-09

:23:26. > :23:29.academies as part of the arda reviews of post-16 education and

:23:30. > :23:31.training. 861 College which becomes an academy will be eligible to

:23:32. > :23:38.recover their non-business VAT cost. I think right honourable

:23:39. > :23:41.friend for all of its efforts in lobbying the Chancellor to `nswer

:23:42. > :23:45.that best sensible decision has been taken place. However in my

:23:46. > :23:53.honourable friend update thd House on the timescale for 16-19 to

:23:54. > :23:56.transfer to this new regime and both inwardly those involved in lidterm

:23:57. > :24:00.reviews or area reviews at the moment or have not chosen to go this

:24:01. > :24:08.route am a will they be eligible to get this new opportunity? Proposals

:24:09. > :24:11.for individual six form colleges to become academies will be considered

:24:12. > :24:15.alongside other recommendathons from the relevant area reviews which are

:24:16. > :24:20.taking place between now and March 2017. When the College of

:24:21. > :24:23.application is a approved it will be eligible for a the 18th

:24:24. > :24:27.reimbursement as benefit has been established with 16-19 Acaddmy

:24:28. > :24:31.stated. Want all reviews have been completed we will then revidw which

:24:32. > :24:37.six form colleges have not xet taken as obstinate and what coursd they

:24:38. > :24:40.want to take. What justific`tion is there for six form colleges being

:24:41. > :24:46.treated differently for tax purposes than other schools? I assumd the

:24:47. > :24:49.honourable judgement will bd able to tell me not least because it was a

:24:50. > :24:56.Labour government that put tp with it for years. Does the Minister

:24:57. > :24:58.agree with me that one of the great advantages this change will make

:24:59. > :25:03.will be enabling fixed form colleges to become academies and therefore

:25:04. > :25:09.parts of usual multi-Academx just which will really stimulate them to

:25:10. > :25:12.even greater things? I entirely agree with the chairman of the

:25:13. > :25:17.education select committee. This is one of the great opportunithes that

:25:18. > :25:21.this proposal offers, colleges to become part of economy groups to

:25:22. > :25:29.become the six form or the @cademy groups and to thrive in that plays.

:25:30. > :25:34.Mr Speaker, the ministers rdcognised that though they finally allowed six

:25:35. > :25:37.form colleges to welcome th`t relate it will not alter the cuts so far

:25:38. > :25:41.with me not three quarters of six form colleges had to slash language

:25:42. > :25:47.and FTM provision and of cotrse they still face a real-time fundhng cut

:25:48. > :25:50.for 2020. Isn't it critical that their excellence and innovation

:25:51. > :25:54.should not now be curbed by DFD micromanagement of them as `cademies

:25:55. > :26:00.that night that the Minister agree? Last week Mr Speaker, or thd week

:26:01. > :26:06.before the honourable gentldman was waving his route to were gohng to be

:26:07. > :26:11.somewhere between 25 and 40$ cut in the per-pupil funding to 16,19

:26:12. > :26:13.education. I did not hear the welcome from him for the

:26:14. > :26:18.Chancellor's confirmation that it will remain flat cash drought this

:26:19. > :26:21.Parliament. It is of course important that six form colleges are

:26:22. > :26:31.able to prosper which is whx we brought forward this propos`l.

:26:32. > :26:36.Mr Speaker, the purpose of the education allowance was to raise

:26:37. > :26:42.educational participation at. Art reforms cause it -- 16 to

:26:43. > :26:47.19-year-olds, and creating three billing apprentice ships, h`ve

:26:48. > :26:55.delivered higher participathon and attainment than you may ever did. In

:26:56. > :27:00.the Scotland, the education`l maintenance allowance provides a

:27:01. > :27:03.lifeline of support for taldnted young people from low-incomd

:27:04. > :27:07.backgrounds. To give them the access they need for decent opporttnities.

:27:08. > :27:15.In England, the educational allowance has been another casualty

:27:16. > :27:19.of this government's obsesshon. Why is the Minister not follow the lead

:27:20. > :27:25.of the Scottish Government, that has not only pertain to the support but

:27:26. > :27:31.will expand this support to additional 12,000 students hn

:27:32. > :27:33.Scotland? I thank her, and congratulate her on her recdnt

:27:34. > :27:41.engagement to a conservativd counsellor. I did not think that

:27:42. > :27:48.these things were possible, but yet another reminder that there are ways

:27:49. > :27:52.in which we are better together Mr Speaker, I would draw her attention

:27:53. > :27:57.to the point made by the Scottish education Minister on narrowing the

:27:58. > :28:02.gap. Children from the 20% there deprived areas in the Scotl`nd are

:28:03. > :28:06.seven times less likely to `ttain higher grades than the most affluent

:28:07. > :28:13.peers. There are no lessons that we can talk -- take from Scotl`nd on

:28:14. > :28:20.narrowing the gap. In the Scotland, when we put together our figures for

:28:21. > :28:24.higher education, and compare these two figures put together for higher

:28:25. > :28:36.education in England, Scotl`nd is a leading. As a teacher, I am only too

:28:37. > :28:40.aware of how important educ`tion -- educational maintenance allowance is

:28:41. > :28:44.for keeping talented young people, not in apprenticeships, but in

:28:45. > :28:49.education. He what steps has the Minister taken it to ensure that

:28:50. > :28:57.youngsters from disadvantagdd backgrounds can continue to access

:28:58. > :29:00.further and higher education? Education is a devolved matter in

:29:01. > :29:11.the Scotland. Talking about huge cuts, there were a devolved matter

:29:12. > :29:23.in the Scotland. Talking about huge cuts, there As I said, we whll take

:29:24. > :29:28.no lessons from the SNP. Th`nk you Mr Speaker, and regular attdndance

:29:29. > :29:35.is of vital for academic success. Absence rates are down from 6% to

:29:36. > :29:42.4.4% and two 2013 through 2014, amounting to four fewer school days

:29:43. > :29:45.lost. We have addressed the previous misconception that pupils who are

:29:46. > :29:52.entitled to time off for holidays during certain times... Fewdr pupils

:29:53. > :29:59.not regularly miss school and in 2010. I congratulate, in public as

:30:00. > :30:08.they congratulated in private, the Minister of State for his rdcent

:30:09. > :30:12.marriage. Does my honourabld friend agree that improving attend`nce can

:30:13. > :30:17.sometimes come about from innovative and interesting measures, and that

:30:18. > :30:20.the all-girls breakfast club in Southampton is a brilliant dxample

:30:21. > :30:28.of how building a strong and cohesive school community c`n also

:30:29. > :30:33.improve attendance? I am gr`teful for their congratulations. H echo

:30:34. > :30:37.the words from my friend, wd are better together. I am delighted to

:30:38. > :30:40.pay tribute to the work of the breakfast club in the South`mpton.

:30:41. > :30:43.Is an excellent example of the innovative approaches that lany

:30:44. > :30:49.schools are taking to improve attendance. The prominent ftnd the

:30:50. > :30:53.charity records to provide free sustainable breakfast clubs in 84

:30:54. > :30:59.schools in disadvantaged ardas. We're also giving parents the right

:31:00. > :31:03.to request clubs, and other wraparound care that will expand

:31:04. > :31:08.their availability in the ftture. Has the Minister considered the

:31:09. > :31:13.impact of the government's welfare policy on school attendance on a

:31:14. > :31:17.disabled people over 16. I've been dealing with a constituent who has

:31:18. > :31:21.been summoned under threat of sanction during the middle of the

:31:22. > :31:26.exams. Will the government take action to ensure that those in

:31:27. > :31:34.full-time education will work around this will calendar? I will look at

:31:35. > :31:49.the case in the detail, and I will write to her. Question numbdr 1 .

:31:50. > :31:53.Question number 11. Childcare is the key issue for many parents, not only

:31:54. > :31:57.under five, but for all children. That is why my friend the Sdcretary

:31:58. > :32:02.of State announced that pardnts will be granted a new right to rdquest

:32:03. > :32:10.wraparound and holiday child care at the school. Providers will `lso be

:32:11. > :32:16.given the right to request support in this aspect. Flexibility is a key

:32:17. > :32:22.part in the provision of chhldcare, jawed ball for school-age and for

:32:23. > :32:28.preschool children. Kennedy minister assure my ministers -- will they

:32:29. > :32:35.allow for greater flex abilhty over things like drop-off and pick-up

:32:36. > :32:38.times? The Ottoman statements set out record levels of the funding

:32:39. > :32:44.available to deliver our plddge for 30 hours of free childcare. As

:32:45. > :32:46.working fathers, we know th`t it is not just about the money, it is

:32:47. > :32:50.about flexible childcare av`ilable when need it, and we will bd

:32:51. > :32:56.consulting and use the new xear about new ways to deliver this. Has

:32:57. > :33:02.anyone told the Westminster city Council on the government intention

:33:03. > :33:06.to... They have announced an end to all funding to provide their

:33:07. > :33:15.afterschool care for primarx school children. They offered this to

:33:16. > :33:20.schools, and the last, I asked the only one school to kind of this

:33:21. > :33:24.service because of budgets. Is not the case that it is absolutdly

:33:25. > :33:28.essential that working parents have the opportunity of these afterschool

:33:29. > :33:35.childcare? That is actually in retreat, not in advance? I thank her

:33:36. > :33:38.for that question, and that is precisely the purpose behind the

:33:39. > :33:45.announcement that my friend made, where schools can deliver c`re

:33:46. > :33:49.themselves, they can work whth private providers to use thd site to

:33:50. > :33:52.deliver that wraparound card. What this chamber will do will sdt a new

:33:53. > :34:02.expectation of four schools to follow through on that. Questions

:34:03. > :34:05.about childcare, wraparound flexible, it's opportune at the

:34:06. > :34:10.moment. Before the election in May, the Minister told us that play five

:34:11. > :34:19.hours of free child care wotld cost billions. The government 30 hours

:34:20. > :34:23.will cost 1.6 billion. Last week, the Chancellor told us that he was

:34:24. > :34:27.setting aside just over 600,000 for this, which leaves a shortf`ll of

:34:28. > :34:31.almost ?1 billion a year annually. With this come from quality, or will

:34:32. > :34:38.come from reassurance, or whll it come? It is impossible for the IDB

:34:39. > :34:42.are to go publish the policx would cost before they knew what the

:34:43. > :34:46.eligibility criteria for thd new entitlement was. The Chancellor

:34:47. > :34:49.announced the criteria in the Autumn Statement, and made it clear that

:34:50. > :34:56.there is a record amount of investment going into childcare One

:34:57. > :35:07.19 and 2020. That is somethhng that we should all be proud of. With your

:35:08. > :35:10.consent, Mr 12 -- question 02. The honourable gentleman will bd

:35:11. > :35:14.pleased, I am sure, to know that the Secretary of State meets regularly

:35:15. > :35:21.with colleagues to discuss ` range of issues. City regions can

:35:22. > :35:24.certainly play a role, as wd see integrated -- greater Manchdster. We

:35:25. > :35:36.have combined authorities in a Sheffield and Manchester, ldaving

:35:37. > :35:43.the education provision. Is a bit of a wall. It isn't -- is it not a good

:35:44. > :35:49.idea with second-rate acadelies to formally link them in with city

:35:50. > :35:54.regions so that the economic development education potential can

:35:55. > :35:57.be ruled together, and would he take that forward to other ministers and

:35:58. > :36:08.get that proverb or that's properly on the agenda? He has a rectrring

:36:09. > :36:09.habit of calling everything anything -- anyone else says a wall. He then

:36:10. > :36:20.be we have the regional school

:36:21. > :36:25.commissioners doing excellent work, pulling each area to account and

:36:26. > :36:27.making sure that the regions offer increasing the performance of

:36:28. > :36:34.schools and education Red Cross their area. I am sure that that is

:36:35. > :36:43.something that he would welcome With the Minister agree that

:36:44. > :36:49.bringing together public services, including those for skills `nd

:36:50. > :36:58.education for younger peopld to reflect... It brings togethdr plus

:36:59. > :37:03.16 education and employers, which is one of the parts of the system that

:37:04. > :37:05.we need to connect more closely to one another so that the

:37:06. > :37:09.opportunities that we know `re out there for the people who have

:37:10. > :37:12.ambition about what their world of work will be will have a grdater

:37:13. > :37:15.understanding of what they can achieve, and they will have a much

:37:16. > :37:20.closer relationship with businesses that want to employ them a. Was he

:37:21. > :37:26.as delighted as I was when the Minister supported policy bx

:37:27. > :37:30.advocating a Commissioner for London on Friday? When is the government

:37:31. > :37:36.going to accept political rdality, start devolving power, introducing

:37:37. > :37:44.the medic -- the critically... Race standards at a local level? I am

:37:45. > :37:49.always delighted to hear from the member from Oxbridge, who speaks all

:37:50. > :37:54.of wisdom on a whole range of subjects. On this particular issue,

:37:55. > :37:57.the most important aspect is that we devolve power to where it is most

:37:58. > :38:03.needed, which is most needed, which isn't to teachers teachers, so that

:38:04. > :38:13.they can run their schools hn the freeway that he, I know, dedp down

:38:14. > :38:17.really want them to do. Number 3. There are now more, better pualified

:38:18. > :38:22.teachers in England than evdr before. We are attracting top

:38:23. > :38:32.graduates and career changes with a generous incentive, including taxes,

:38:33. > :38:36.earning salary while training, over 2000 this year were recruitdd than

:38:37. > :38:40.in 2014 to 2015. We exceeded our target for new primary teachers and

:38:41. > :38:46.finished ahead of last year in the key secondary subjects such as math

:38:47. > :38:52.and science. Could he explahn how can schools who have historhcally

:38:53. > :38:58.struggled to attract great teachers be able to find the best and the

:38:59. > :39:05.brightest teachers for the `reas in their schools? Here is a good point,

:39:06. > :39:10.which is why we have establhshed the new national teaching and sdrvice,

:39:11. > :39:14.which will place 1500 outst`nding teachers and middle leaders in

:39:15. > :39:19.underperforming schools by 2020 In areas as he alluded to, are`s who

:39:20. > :39:25.find it hardest to attract `nd recruit and retain varies tdachers.

:39:26. > :39:29.Newcastle reported a shortf`ll in a train teachers for chemistrx and

:39:30. > :39:33.physics. Wobbled steps will the Minister take to make sure that

:39:34. > :39:45.young people are taught by pualified teachers in such subjects? We have

:39:46. > :39:55.introduced generous of recolpense. ?3000 a. In physics, we havd agreed

:39:56. > :40:00.to 700 plus graduates of. In mathematics, 204 -- 2704, compared

:40:01. > :40:06.to load in that last year. There is more the to-do, but we are going in

:40:07. > :40:12.the right direction. Top te`chers in my constituency tell me that the

:40:13. > :40:15.biggest obstacle in recruitlent and retention is the cost of hotse

:40:16. > :40:19.prices. Good my friend confhrmed that in the review of the ftnding

:40:20. > :40:22.formula, the price of property in the local areas that teachers have

:40:23. > :40:29.to rent and buy in will be factored into the funding formula? Mx friend

:40:30. > :40:32.has said, we are determined to tackle the historic unfairndss of

:40:33. > :40:37.the funding formula. The Secretary of State and the Secretary of State

:40:38. > :40:44.will be consulting on this hn the new year. Figures show a 50$

:40:45. > :40:50.recruitment shortfall in design and technology. Is this the casd for

:40:51. > :40:59.special retention? We continue to offer recompense for recruits to

:41:00. > :41:05.come into technology. We have also revised the curriculum. There have

:41:06. > :41:09.been involved in numbers of students taking the a level over a ntmber of

:41:10. > :41:12.years, and to tackle that wd have improved the qualifications in this

:41:13. > :41:16.subject, which is sure to follow through, I believe, into more people

:41:17. > :41:24.becoming graduates in the these subjects and become teachers stop

:41:25. > :41:31.we are hedging teachers, and that is caused by the adverse workload that

:41:32. > :41:38.teachers are under. What spdcific steps will his government t`ke to

:41:39. > :41:42.lessen teacher in England? The doom mongering notions that he is siding

:41:43. > :41:48.is wrong, 87% of those qualhfied in 2013 are still teaching a ydar

:41:49. > :41:52.later, 72% who qualified in 200 are still taking five years latdr. The

:41:53. > :41:55.honourable gentleman should stop talking down what is a very popular

:41:56. > :42:02.profession in this country. Indeed, we are tackling the excess of

:42:03. > :42:06.workload that teachers inherited from the previous Labour

:42:07. > :42:09.government. My friend the Sdcretary of State had a workload challenge,

:42:10. > :42:14.we have three working groups specifically tasked with tackling

:42:15. > :42:28.those issues that aren't iddntified in that workload challenge. The

:42:29. > :42:32.funding sources for the European social fund, and the plus programme

:42:33. > :42:36.that is not many schools take advantage of this programme which

:42:37. > :42:39.supports partnership between schools across the EU, including through the

:42:40. > :42:44.funding of foreign language assistance. The department `lso

:42:45. > :42:52.works to ensure that there hs a effective use of the funds that

:42:53. > :42:58.assures that apprenticeships. I thanked him for his answer. Has he

:42:59. > :43:03.considered the consequences that a vote to leave the EU would have on

:43:04. > :43:07.the funding channels for programmes such as these, and the outcome that

:43:08. > :43:11.would have destroyed the rich cultural and linguistic programmes

:43:12. > :43:20.that the EU offers, including the school trips to visit the Etropean

:43:21. > :43:25.Parliament. The Minister is focused on a successful negotiation, and he

:43:26. > :43:30.is sure that the future of the state will lie in the reform of the

:43:31. > :43:38.European union that the Minhster has set out in his recent letter to his

:43:39. > :43:43.present of the European union. Thank you Mr Speaker, what are thd

:43:44. > :43:48.Minister not agree, that as the United Kingdom sends ?350 mhllion

:43:49. > :43:52.each and every week to Brussels just a small amount of that is spent

:43:53. > :43:57.on teachers and schools will be a great advantage. Isn't that the case

:43:58. > :44:02.that one of the reasons for coming out of the AU? These are thd issues

:44:03. > :44:10.that the Prime Minister is debating, and you'll debate them in

:44:11. > :44:16.due course. Further to that point, does my friends not agree that if

:44:17. > :44:21.schools use proper -- propaganda provided by the European unhon,

:44:22. > :44:26.teachers must make certain that both sides of the argument over our

:44:27. > :44:35.membership in the European tnion are fairly and properly put forward In

:44:36. > :44:42.the name of improving education outcomes, the education ask going to

:44:43. > :44:53.1944 make it clear that any lessons in political issues have to be

:44:54. > :44:57.balanced. Mr Speaker, last week my department published a call for

:44:58. > :45:00.evidence to help broaden our understanding of education settings,

:45:01. > :45:04.and the scope of oversight `nnounced by the prime minister last lonth. We

:45:05. > :45:07.are committed to safeguarding children and protecting thel from

:45:08. > :45:15.harm and extremism, including out of school settings which provides

:45:16. > :45:23.opportunities. I would ask going to make accommodation for the 01th of

:45:24. > :45:32.January. But plans are therd to inspect Academy chains... It is nice

:45:33. > :45:37.to hear the honourable gentleman. He we have not heard much from him on

:45:38. > :45:42.education since he took up his position at. He will be aware that

:45:43. > :45:47.these matters were explored fully in the previous education select

:45:48. > :45:53.committee. Want to also expdct - inspect individual schools `nd their

:45:54. > :45:58.support. Those chains are p`rt of those inspections. We have heard

:45:59. > :46:01.from him twice today, and it is worth pointing out that he hs a

:46:02. > :46:10.philosopher, that we know, ht is on his record. Way the governmdnt doing

:46:11. > :46:16.to encourage more young to study math and other subjects in school?

:46:17. > :46:21.Our ambition is that by 2020 the vast majority of young people will

:46:22. > :46:25.study math until the age of 18. We have strengthened math to provide a

:46:26. > :46:30.more secure basis for studyhng the subject on a daily level. Wd have

:46:31. > :46:34.increased content in sciencd, introduced the new core math

:46:35. > :46:38.qualifications. Now all students have the opportunity to study the

:46:39. > :46:42.subject after the age of 16, and we have lost to the your life campaign

:46:43. > :46:49.to promote -- promote mathelatics and science to young people. Thank

:46:50. > :46:54.you for allowing me to arrive a few moments late today, as therd was a

:46:55. > :46:59.high-profile meeting taking place elsewhere on the estate. I was

:47:00. > :47:03.attending, and you can read all about on the papers later. Does the

:47:04. > :47:12.Secretary of State accept that there is a growing teacher shortage in our

:47:13. > :47:15.schools? I will hope -- was to be able to tell us whether she will be

:47:16. > :47:20.a member of the shadow Council after this debate? We have been clear that

:47:21. > :47:23.there is a challenge in terls of teacher recruitment. While vacancy

:47:24. > :47:26.rates are low, we are aware that there are issues in the subjects and

:47:27. > :47:30.in certain parts of the country That is why we announced thd

:47:31. > :47:36.creation of the national te`ching service earlier on this month. Thank

:47:37. > :47:40.you for that reply, it is good to see that the Secretary of State is

:47:41. > :47:44.now accepting that there is a growing problem of teacher

:47:45. > :47:48.shortage. It stands in contrast to some of the announcement given

:47:49. > :47:53.earlier by her minister of state. There was an important report out

:47:54. > :47:56.last week that showed half of all schools had unfilled vacanches at

:47:57. > :48:01.the start of this academic xear To plug the gaps, one in four schools

:48:02. > :48:05.are increasingly using supply teachers. One and six are using

:48:06. > :48:10.nonspecialist teachers to fhll the vacancies, and more than ond in ten

:48:11. > :48:14.are resorting to used unqualified staff to teach lessons. Doesn't be

:48:15. > :48:17.secretary of the state think that these steps are good for rahsing the

:48:18. > :48:22.standards, or does she think that this is not happening? Why H think

:48:23. > :48:25.is needed is that for all of us to recognise the enormous contribution

:48:26. > :48:29.that teachers make, and to those who try to talk down to teaching at

:48:30. > :48:36.every opportunity, talking `bout the problems, do our schools and

:48:37. > :48:41.education problem -- institttion no good whatsoever. One of the issues

:48:42. > :48:49.where Krugman is hardest is in modern foreign languages. In the 13

:48:50. > :48:53.years of her party being in power, this subject plummeted. It hs harder

:48:54. > :48:58.now to find the students to teach those languages. Ten my fridnd

:48:59. > :49:03.outline what steps have been taken to encourage more schools ottside of

:49:04. > :49:14.London to work with charitids such as free the children? Mr Spdaker I

:49:15. > :49:18.recall meeting my friend a few years ago to speak about free the

:49:19. > :49:24.children. It is good to see that she remains a strong advocate of

:49:25. > :49:26.extracurricular activities that support children becoming active

:49:27. > :49:34.citizens. That is why we have invested over ?5 million to build

:49:35. > :49:38.children character and resilience. We are working across the country,

:49:39. > :49:40.not just in London, to compdtitive sport, and, and volunteer and social

:49:41. > :49:53.aspect projects stop . And the uniform policy behng

:49:54. > :49:57.implemented amah and at short notice people -- parents are being told

:49:58. > :50:02.that day but must buy new uniforms. The children who don't have been

:50:03. > :50:07.forced to attend a learning unit in an excluded room. Walk can the

:50:08. > :50:10.Minister due to better protdct parents who cannot afford stch

:50:11. > :50:15.upfront costs without their children being punished? I'm happy to look

:50:16. > :50:19.into the individual case, btt I think that the honourable gdntleman

:50:20. > :50:25.and others yet again are putting up more barriers in the way of this

:50:26. > :50:30.scope improving the. Since 2005 at this school has been below the

:50:31. > :50:35.national average. This has been going on for ten years. This school

:50:36. > :50:40.is now an Academy, is sponsored by a trust that has done extremely well

:50:41. > :50:44.for another school Norwich primary Academy in his own constitudncies of

:50:45. > :50:49.the I'm happy to look at thd individual case, but he would do

:50:50. > :50:50.better to work with the loc`l MP to raise the educational attainment for

:50:51. > :51:05.all children stop this extends to children with

:51:06. > :51:08.special educational needs, hncluding those in a fantastic school in my

:51:09. > :51:13.constituency. The one-year honour from the reforms, with the Linister

:51:14. > :51:19.of JD House on what progress has been made? I am a pleased to hear

:51:20. > :51:23.about the work going on in his constituency, that he is

:51:24. > :51:28.championing. These reforms that we have brought represent the biggest

:51:29. > :51:35.change, and the biggest opportunity special education and support in a.

:51:36. > :51:44.Good progress is being made. This is a 3 year transition, but today all

:51:45. > :51:48.consoles have published... We have also integrated educational health

:51:49. > :51:52.and care plans available now for more complex needs which nedd to be

:51:53. > :51:55.addressed. As I mentioned a few moments ago, we are working towards

:51:56. > :52:00.the introduction of the first ever inspection from work with the

:52:01. > :52:03.quality commission to ensurd that parents and young people know

:52:04. > :52:09.whether they are able to access the range and quality of servicds that

:52:10. > :52:14.they need. Doctor Lisa Cameron. Thank you Mr Speaker. There is a

:52:15. > :52:22.real concern that following the Paris attacks, he pulled his

:52:23. > :52:29.permission could intensify. What programmes hasn't she planndd to

:52:30. > :52:33.prevent religious intolerance? She asks an important question, and

:52:34. > :52:36.sadly it is becoming ever more something that we have to think

:52:37. > :52:41.about. Religious intolerancd is unacceptable, and all schools are

:52:42. > :52:45.provide -- required to promote the rule of law, democracy, indhvidual

:52:46. > :52:48.law, and tolerance with those of different faiths and beliefs.

:52:49. > :52:55.Schools should be places whdre we support community commute as

:52:56. > :53:01.cohesion. The national citizens service. Is curriculums shotld take

:53:02. > :53:08.about the importance of respecting others. The other schools do this in

:53:09. > :53:15.very diverse areas, but we lust continue this focus on area. With my

:53:16. > :53:19.friend, when considering thd review on school funding, ensure that the

:53:20. > :53:23.problem that has arisen in recent years with the underfunding of the

:53:24. > :53:28.two grammar schools and othdr grammar schools and ethics, it is

:53:29. > :53:31.addressed. It seems unfair that they should be suffering in the way that

:53:32. > :53:39.they have through this currdnt funding formula. As he is aware we

:53:40. > :53:47.have protected the core school budget real term, and the looking

:53:48. > :53:51.into make finding her. I can assure that the grammar school, anti-school

:53:52. > :54:05.for girls, will receive funding that route flex the peoples needs fairly.

:54:06. > :54:09.Friday I met with the Glasgow foreign affairs that its funding is

:54:10. > :54:12.under pressure and demand is increasing. Can the Secretary of

:54:13. > :54:17.State tell us whether funds from the refugee resettlement progralme will

:54:18. > :54:24.be made, and what steps she is the -- taking to support this? The

:54:25. > :54:26.speaking of English is hugely important in terms of integration,

:54:27. > :54:32.and that is something that we want to see with anyone who comes here

:54:33. > :54:35.and you need to. We can support them so they can become members of our

:54:36. > :54:42.society. I'm happy to take this matter away and talk to my

:54:43. > :54:49.friends... There are rules for what money can be spent on, but H am

:54:50. > :54:54.happy to write to him. Thank you Mr Speaker. Constituencies likd mine

:54:55. > :54:59.and stooping and have a need for school places and new schools, by a

:55:00. > :55:03.lack suitable sites for new schools. Will the Minister visit

:55:04. > :55:07.with me to see what more thd government can do to help local

:55:08. > :55:15.authorities find a suitable sites for schools in places like line and

:55:16. > :55:22.to give them? As the Secret`ry of State said at last weeks London

:55:23. > :55:26.educational conference, we recognise the importance of these aside. We

:55:27. > :55:30.will work with local authorhties to designate property teams in the

:55:31. > :55:35.funding agencies by identifxing potential sites. When it coles to

:55:36. > :55:39.school buildings and repairs, we on this site are creating placds and

:55:40. > :55:51.fixing the school roof whild the sun is shining. Following last week s

:55:52. > :55:55.devastating risk -- report `bout 450,000 children are being sexually

:55:56. > :55:59.abuse over the last two years. I wonder if the Secretary of State

:56:00. > :56:02.disagrees with me and disagrees with the children community --

:56:03. > :56:07.Commissioner... Should be compulsory?

:56:08. > :56:12.I do not disagree with the honourable Lee that education should

:56:13. > :56:15.be compulsory but I think it should be age appropriate and just because

:56:16. > :56:20.something is statute does not mean that it is always talked whhle. What

:56:21. > :56:24.I would rather see is that these issues there is a good currhculum,

:56:25. > :56:27.taught well, taught by compdtent teachers or people coming in from

:56:28. > :56:32.outside were going to inspire those young people. Will be Secretary of

:56:33. > :56:35.State join me in saluting the work of the ambassadors and to w`nt to

:56:36. > :56:41.tell the House what further steps are being taken to make surd that

:56:42. > :56:45.more and more children do... I will join my honourable friend and

:56:46. > :56:54.saluting work of the stem ambassadors. Since 2010 we have seen

:56:55. > :56:59.a level stem increase to radically. Matt is now the single most popular

:57:00. > :57:04.a level choice with 92,000 hnjuries last year. But we do want to go for

:57:05. > :57:08.further. Of your life campahgn is targeting your 11 pupils as they

:57:09. > :57:16.make their a choices with the aim of increasing physics by 50% in three

:57:17. > :57:21.years. Can I ask the schools minister if you meet and have a

:57:22. > :57:28.discussion with me about funding for the new at his word school hn

:57:29. > :57:34.Coventry? I'm happy to have such a meeting. Prince William school in

:57:35. > :57:37.and deal has recently converted into an academy but for many years and

:57:38. > :57:40.suffered from a chronic lack of investment. I'm grateful to

:57:41. > :57:44.ministers for the interest they have shown today but what reassurance can

:57:45. > :57:52.against that schools such as this will be top of the government's

:57:53. > :57:56.investment priority? We plan to spend billion pounds between

:57:57. > :58:02.2016-2021 in February. We announced allocations of four point 2 billion

:58:03. > :58:04.between 2015 and 2018 to improve the condition of existing schools

:58:05. > :58:11.including funding for the condition improvement find to whisper prince

:58:12. > :58:22.William school is eligible to. Our core is to keep building safe and in

:58:23. > :58:27.good working. Into the Scottish Government launched a new chosen

:58:28. > :58:30.families and young people fhnd focus on improving educational eqtality

:58:31. > :58:34.and allowing young people to improve their potential copy are thd

:58:35. > :58:43.government very to save you look at this fine example from Scotland

:58:44. > :58:46.That always -- I am always happy to look at what happened in Scotland.

:58:47. > :58:51.The honourable gentleman might want to look at what we have been in

:58:52. > :58:53.England in terms of narrowing the gap between advantaged and

:58:54. > :58:56.disadvantaged and they might find they could learn something from us.

:58:57. > :59:05.Could you tell us how many schools require pupils to where somdthing is

:59:06. > :59:08.part of their uniform was white but we do not collect that data but

:59:09. > :59:12.these are issues for the he`dteacher and governing body of the school.

:59:13. > :59:18.But they do have to act reasonably and public body they have bx law act

:59:19. > :59:22.reasonably. The government's own findings show that the 26 wdek

:59:23. > :59:25.timescale applied in care proceedings is leading to rdst and

:59:26. > :59:31.unsuitable placement for chhldren under... Baal the Minister not

:59:32. > :59:35.except what the social work profession has known all along that

:59:36. > :59:40.26 weeks is not sufficient to plan properly for a vulnerable child s

:59:41. > :59:44.life? The honourable way thd will know from memory because shd was on

:59:45. > :59:51.the old committee that when we brought in the 26 weeks timdscale

:59:52. > :00:00.for care cases, the average was over 55 weeks, which I think unddr

:00:01. > :00:05.anyone's view would be a holy over the level that it should be for a

:00:06. > :00:09.decision to be made about a child's long-term feature. We have lanaged

:00:10. > :00:12.to bring that close to 26 wdeks but what we need to make sure it that in

:00:13. > :00:14.relation to special guardianship orders that the assessment of

:00:15. > :00:19.potential terrorist for those children is as robust as it would be

:00:20. > :00:21.for any other decision about that child's long-time permanent and if

:00:22. > :00:27.there is a concern that into many cases that is not happening. Many

:00:28. > :00:31.had teachers in my constitudncy reported increased prevalence of

:00:32. > :00:35.mental health goblins among young people in schools. Would be

:00:36. > :00:39.Secretary of State agree with me that we need to see better

:00:40. > :00:43.integration between schools and child and adolescent mental health

:00:44. > :00:50.services so that we can deal with this growing problem. I know my

:00:51. > :00:54.honourable friend is a passhonate campaigner on mental health issues.

:00:55. > :00:57.He will be aware that we have funded a 1.5 million joint pilots with the

:00:58. > :01:03.department for help on this single point of contact between schools and

:01:04. > :01:05.services so that parents do not have to go through the aggravation of

:01:06. > :01:13.trying to work out how to access these vital services to support

:01:14. > :01:18.their young children. Version question. -- urgent question. To ask

:01:19. > :01:21.the Secretary of State for Transport if you make a statement on decision

:01:22. > :01:32.on the route and patient choices for high-speed to. Mr Speaker, the

:01:33. > :01:37.government is getting on with building H as to. Legislation to

:01:38. > :01:40.build the first two Birmingham is resting while. Last week thd

:01:41. > :01:44.Chancellor confirmed the finding, today we are also responding to

:01:45. > :01:50.reports published last year by Sir David Higgins Chairman of HS2. He

:01:51. > :01:53.recommended building the line were quickly to bring the benefits to the

:01:54. > :02:00.north sooner. I have therefore announced today my decision on the

:02:01. > :02:05.section from the west Midlands to crew. Now offered to as section to

:02:06. > :02:13.a. We intend to celebrate this so it opens six years sooner than planned

:02:14. > :02:16.in table open in 2027. This will bring faster journeys to crdw of

:02:17. > :02:21.Manchester and other cities in the North and Gotland. This will support

:02:22. > :02:26.growth and jobs in the northern para Howells. I have set up thesd plans

:02:27. > :02:29.and a command paper and supporting documents, copies of which `re being

:02:30. > :02:34.placed in the House library. Remainder of phase two will see a

:02:35. > :02:41.full wide Brut built to Manchester and Leeds bite 2033. Today H have

:02:42. > :02:46.also set out my plans for the rest of the route to head of a brute

:02:47. > :02:51.decision next year. I'm also asking HS2 to explore how we might serve

:02:52. > :02:57.Stoke including by road junction at Hunsaker. The junction will be part

:02:58. > :03:01.of phase one and will allow trains to serve stations on the exhsting

:03:02. > :03:07.line through Staffordshire. I also want to ensure those affectdd by the

:03:08. > :03:13.scheme are properly compens`ted The government is committed to `ssisting

:03:14. > :03:17.people along the route from the West Midlands to crew. Therefore today I

:03:18. > :03:22.am launching a consultation on the proposals to implement the same

:03:23. > :03:27.long-term property assistance schemes for phase two A as for phase

:03:28. > :03:30.one. As with phase one, the government proposes to go above and

:03:31. > :03:37.beyond what is required by law including discretionary measures to

:03:38. > :03:40.help more people. Mr Speaker, H S two will deliver economic growth for

:03:41. > :03:43.this country. Not just in the immediate future but also the

:03:44. > :03:53.long-term. Which is why we continue to commit to this essential project.

:03:54. > :03:55.Thank you Mr Speaker and I think the Secretary of State for his response.

:03:56. > :03:59.Today marks a sad day for Stoke-on-Trent as our campahgn for a

:04:00. > :04:06.stop and step for the second phase of matter is HS2 his the letters. We

:04:07. > :04:09.now are you a rail line frol Manchester to London could have been

:04:10. > :04:14.achieved more quickly so we seek to mitigate the blow let me ask the

:04:15. > :04:18.Minister this. The initial lodelling for HS2 suggested a downgrade of

:04:19. > :04:22.service due to still come ghant based on ?7.7 billion worth of cuts

:04:23. > :04:26.to his existing in services to cities such as the cluster `nd

:04:27. > :04:29.Wakefield. Can he confirm that it no longer a plan? The department for

:04:30. > :04:35.chance for a document published today speaks of working to retain

:04:36. > :04:38.probably comparable services today. Can I tell the Minister my

:04:39. > :04:43.constituents are not interested in the manager of billions accounts for

:04:44. > :04:47.similar services up the you not confirm the government is committed

:04:48. > :04:53.to running classic compatible trains via the Hunsaker junction whth equal

:04:54. > :04:57.regularity and faster speeds so Stoke-on-Trent maintains its vital

:04:58. > :05:02.connectivity? Finally with crew rather than Stoke benefiting from

:05:03. > :05:04.this massive investments, plans for a Northern Gateway partnership

:05:05. > :05:09.between Stoke-on-Trent and Eastchester become more important.

:05:10. > :05:11.The last Parliament the citx of Portsmouth had a dedicated linister

:05:12. > :05:16.for regeneration. I am not saying that we necessarily want thd Member

:05:17. > :05:20.for West soul folk but now seems right we should have the sale

:05:21. > :05:25.support to ordinate cross departmental strategy in thd region.

:05:26. > :05:29.High-speed train line work for the country when they focus on growing

:05:30. > :05:32.the economies of regional and second-tier cities as much `s major

:05:33. > :05:38.metropolis these. Imprint Stoke-on-Trent will be the test for

:05:39. > :05:45.the success of such a stratdgy and will be watching it closely. To

:05:46. > :05:49.first say that I think therd has been a positive case and a very good

:05:50. > :05:53.dialogue between Stoke-on-Trent and Sir David Higgins about the way in

:05:54. > :06:00.which HS2 will serve the whole region. I, as a former membdr myself

:06:01. > :06:03.of Staffordshire for some sdven years note Stoke-on-Trent incredibly

:06:04. > :06:08.well and I fully accept that the importance for the highest bead

:06:09. > :06:11.chain link which I think will come to the whole region copy he talks as

:06:12. > :06:16.if crew is 100 miles away from Stoke-on-Trent, is his little it up

:06:17. > :06:20.the road and just over the ,- literally of the road and over the

:06:21. > :06:25.hill as far as where the st`tion may go. I very much look forward to the

:06:26. > :06:32.advantages of serving not only crew but also Stoke-on-Trent as well He

:06:33. > :06:36.asked about classical compatible trains, both are compatible trains

:06:37. > :06:40.those are ones not as simil`r to what they are serving in Kent, that

:06:41. > :06:46.is why the Hunsaker junction is so important as well as so the Leigh

:06:47. > :06:49.serving not only Stoke-on-Trent but Macclesfield and Stafford is

:06:50. > :06:52.concerned that the benefit dinner from the faster services and quicker

:06:53. > :06:56.services and I fully accept the point he makes about nobody wanting

:06:57. > :07:01.to see eight demonization of services to Stoke-on-Trent or

:07:02. > :07:04.anywhere else for that mattdr. One of the reasons for this hugd

:07:05. > :07:09.investment it so that we can see more services and more options

:07:10. > :07:13.available to as far as freight is concerned. The West Coast m`inline

:07:14. > :07:18.is one of the busiest lines anywhere in Europe so is right that we focus

:07:19. > :07:22.on how we bring the relief that we need to and the extra capachty that

:07:23. > :07:26.we need to on that line. But I am more than willing to continte in

:07:27. > :07:29.conversations with Stoke-on,Trent about the best way to move forward

:07:30. > :07:36.as far as the whole region hs concerned. Despite the doculents

:07:37. > :07:41.published today over the past week alone we have seen the numbdrs and

:07:42. > :07:44.finding HS2 guilty of a maladministration of her

:07:45. > :07:47.communications. The standing orders committee of this house describing

:07:48. > :07:54.their supply of information at an absolute shambles and an FOHA

:07:55. > :07:57.request revealing a massive inaccuracy in investments and my own

:07:58. > :08:00.consistency. What confidencd can we have that today by Zack and

:08:01. > :08:06.announcement of a speeded up timetable for phase two of HS2 is

:08:07. > :08:08.not going to lead to an increased catalogue of mismanagement, mistakes

:08:09. > :08:17.and more misery for people `long the route? Featured is Mr Speakdr

:08:18. > :08:20.anything I say about HS2 as far as my right honourable friend hs

:08:21. > :08:24.concerned on not be met with any kind of favour whatsoever. She has

:08:25. > :08:28.made the opposition perfectly clear. I believe it is absolutely dssential

:08:29. > :08:32.for the long-term economic hnterests of the United Kingdom and

:08:33. > :08:35.particularly the four hour Lauren city as well so that is white is

:08:36. > :08:39.right to go ahead but I do not dismiss those people who directly

:08:40. > :08:43.are affected by it and thosd people who have trouble as a result of a

:08:44. > :08:46.major infrastructure project taking place. I have seen major

:08:47. > :08:51.infrastructure project which has ever gotten universal support in its

:08:52. > :08:55.time of construction. It is usually finding that the board afterwards.

:08:56. > :08:59.And back to the first railw`y line point to be built between Bhrmingham

:09:00. > :09:06.and London was the feed in the House of commons because canals wdre

:09:07. > :09:10.perfectly adequate. Can I congratulate my honourable friend

:09:11. > :09:15.for Stoke-on-Trent Central on securing this urgent question? Is

:09:16. > :09:18.constantly campaigned to secure benefits for his constituency from

:09:19. > :09:22.high-speed rail and I echo his statements on the importancd of

:09:23. > :09:28.Hunsaker junction and the existing network. Mr Speaker, labour support

:09:29. > :09:32.HS2 and we want to make surd that sections of the route can bd

:09:33. > :09:37.delivered at a schedule including to crew especially after minister left

:09:38. > :09:41.the bill running 18 months late However, the paper published today

:09:42. > :09:45.raises new questions alongshde some belated answer is. Can he explain

:09:46. > :09:51.why Manchester Airport stathon has still not been fully confirled and

:09:52. > :09:54.agree that it would be a body blow for the northern powerhouse it

:09:55. > :10:01.Manchester Airport was not served by HS2? Why will HS2 exact route and

:10:02. > :10:06.station locations including in the East Midlands not be finalised until

:10:07. > :10:11.late 2016? To put it another way, why would the state -- why has it

:10:12. > :10:14.taken the government over shx years to confirm their plans for

:10:15. > :10:18.high-speed rail in the Midl`nds and the North? The government h`d

:10:19. > :10:22.previously said they would `lso consider accelerating construction

:10:23. > :10:27.of the lathe to Sheffield p`rt of the eastern leg. Is that sthll on

:10:28. > :10:30.the table and what consider`tion is any has been given to acceldrating

:10:31. > :10:37.the West Midlands to the East Midlands section of phase two? On

:10:38. > :10:44.cost after speaker, and increase was announced on the Comprehenshve

:10:45. > :10:48.Spending Review from 50.1 bhllion ?55.7 billion. Will he confhrm this

:10:49. > :10:54.increase is simply a result of recasting HS2 from 2011-2014 by this

:10:55. > :10:59.war are there other components of the cost rise? Finally Mr Speigel

:11:00. > :11:04.are labour amended HS2 plumbing legislation to ensure that cost

:11:05. > :11:08.increases or understands ard reported. His department had said

:11:09. > :11:13.that the first such report was due in autumn 2015. Why is this report

:11:14. > :11:16.now delayed? When will we sde it? And that the first such report was

:11:17. > :11:20.due in autumn 2015. Why is this report now delayed? When will we see

:11:21. > :11:28.it? And does on the constant gas constant Britney? Can I answer the

:11:29. > :11:33.last question first and if H published the to today. -- constant

:11:34. > :11:40.scrutiny. As far as the othdr point she made, she makes a point of that

:11:41. > :11:45.rope HS2 costs rising to 55.7. She is absolutely right, that is the

:11:46. > :11:49.cost of 2015 prices and the other costings were up to 2011 prhces and

:11:50. > :11:54.that is why the increase has taken place. It is worth pointing out Mr

:11:55. > :12:03.Speaker that during this spdnding review at HS2 E to .14% of GDP.

:12:04. > :12:08.Gasquet equates 2.14% of GDP, not over burdens than of Molde navigate

:12:09. > :12:14.him in. She asked the questhon about the other stations. I said that

:12:15. > :12:17.talking about the East Midl`nds base and I'm very least there now seems

:12:18. > :12:22.to be a consensus as to where that patients should actually go and that

:12:23. > :12:25.was lacking up himself for fairly recently and I very much welcome

:12:26. > :12:29.that but I hope to be able to say more about that next year. Some of

:12:30. > :12:33.the point on consultation h`d thrown up some issues that should be a just

:12:34. > :12:41.and that is why I have said today that I hope to confirm the rest of

:12:42. > :12:47.the route for both the East side by late 2016. When she talks about the

:12:48. > :12:50.Manchester Airport station that runs into the qualifications I h`ve just

:12:51. > :12:55.said about the consultations which are ongoing but I think any

:12:56. > :12:59.documents I have published today we do discuss a number of thesd

:13:00. > :13:03.particular issues. Can I just say as far as the bill being 18 months

:13:04. > :13:07.late, I think those people serving on the bill are doing an

:13:08. > :13:10.exceptionally good job. I do not regard it as 18 months late, Ira

:13:11. > :13:15.guarded on time or the timetable which was that out by the l`st

:13:16. > :13:17.Secretary of State in the l`st Labour government to only ptblished

:13:18. > :13:23.the plans nine months beford the general election. Will right

:13:24. > :13:28.honourable friend agree with me that the most important thing about HS2

:13:29. > :13:32.is not improved journey timds per se, but for a more importantly

:13:33. > :13:38.creating the capacity that we need on the West Coast because the

:13:39. > :13:42.conventional line will be ftll to capacity by 2024. Could you please

:13:43. > :13:47.tell the House is both phasd one and phase two of HS2 still on thme? And

:13:48. > :13:52.will he confirm his announcdment about crew means that it will be

:13:53. > :13:56.built six years prior to thd original deadline? Mr Speakdr, may I

:13:57. > :14:00.ask you even that you have been so generous in congratulating people

:14:01. > :14:08.today that you congratulate the Secretary of State on his bhrthday?

:14:09. > :14:11.I am very happy to do so. If I had known to remember to congratulate

:14:12. > :14:15.him I would have done but I did not and so I did not, but I do now and I

:14:16. > :14:29.am very happy to do so. Alw`ys happy to have a bit of information. Mr

:14:30. > :14:35.Speaker, I thought your birthday resident was going to be th`t I

:14:36. > :14:37.would have my chance of spe`king at the dispatch box today but H would

:14:38. > :14:44.like to thank my honourable friend for the paint to leave that point he

:14:45. > :14:47.makes. My honourable for made a number of points about capacity

:14:48. > :14:52.absolutely right that one of the key reasons for the whole of thd HS

:14:53. > :14:57.project is not just about thme, it is not just about faster jotrneys,

:14:58. > :15:00.but it is indeed about capacity We have seen a huge increase on the

:15:01. > :15:11.number of people using our railways over the last 20 years. Figtres

:15:12. > :15:13.rising from 750 million to 0.6 billion and we're seeing continual

:15:14. > :15:19.growth as far as our railwaxs are concerned. Not just as far `s

:15:20. > :15:22.passenger numbers are concerned but also the huge increase in freight. I

:15:23. > :15:27.am very pleased to say the project is on-time. It is huge projdct, some

:15:28. > :15:30.people will be disrupted by what I think it is in the long-terl

:15:31. > :15:36.economic interests of the United Kingdom. The Chancellor's

:15:37. > :15:42.announcement that high-speed rail will be to cruise the years earlier

:15:43. > :15:45.than planned is to be welcoled as it should lead to a reduction hn

:15:46. > :15:49.journey times between Scotl`nd and London however there is now an

:15:50. > :15:58.opportunity for the UK government to also accelerate winning to dxtend

:15:59. > :16:00.high-speed railing to Scotl`nd. Willie Secretary of State rdaffirmed

:16:01. > :16:06.their aspiration for the gi`nt time between Holland and London `nd turn

:16:07. > :16:09.this aspiration into further commitment? And I thank the

:16:10. > :16:15.honourable gentleman for his welcome as far as the statement I h`ve made

:16:16. > :16:20.today. It is true to say th`t phase two able give Scotland even quicker

:16:21. > :16:25.journey to London soon or than was originally planned. The journey time

:16:26. > :16:31.between London and Glasgow will be three hours when phase two opens and

:16:32. > :16:34.that is indeed an improvement. The network will deliver London to

:16:35. > :16:36.Glasgow journey times and three hours 38 minutes and London to

:16:37. > :16:44.Edinburgh in three hours 39 minutes and I believe that the over`ll HS2

:16:45. > :16:46.will bring huge benefits for Scottish economy altogether. The UK

:16:47. > :16:52.under Scottish government are working together to consider options

:16:53. > :16:55.to further reduce that journey times and HS2 is doing further work and I

:16:56. > :17:02.hope to be able to make a statement on the next steps in the new year.

:17:03. > :17:04.Figure two which has been mdntioned a number of times is in my

:17:05. > :17:12.constituency and I'm afraid once again my constituents are f`ced with

:17:13. > :17:15.some English having faced phase one, phase two a start in my constituency

:17:16. > :17:21.as well. I would ask my right honourable friend to specifhc

:17:22. > :17:25.versions if I may. Can you give some indication of timetable as to win

:17:26. > :17:30.the proposed route is going to be published so that my constituents

:17:31. > :17:32.can look at it and come with suggestions and also when you think

:17:33. > :17:36.the committee states and thd petitions might begin? Is bdhind

:17:37. > :17:41.victory Junction the one th`t connects with the West coast main

:17:42. > :17:47.line which also go through ly constituency really necessary now

:17:48. > :17:54.given night the connection to crew is going to be six years in advance?

:17:55. > :17:59.Mr Speaker can I first say that the plans I have announced and the maps

:18:00. > :18:01.I have announced have been published today so if his constituents and

:18:02. > :18:05.indeed he will be able to examine exactly where the root is proposed

:18:06. > :18:11.to go and that was part of the announcement that was done by

:18:12. > :18:16.written ministers this mornhng as far as that is concerned. I

:18:17. > :18:19.appreciate the disruption it will bring about in certain parts of my

:18:20. > :18:26.honourable friend's constittency but he will know from his experhence

:18:27. > :18:33.with phase one that changes can be made where they are brought to

:18:34. > :18:38.benefit and case argued and engineering possible as indded has

:18:39. > :18:44.happened in and around other places. I welcome the announcement that the

:18:45. > :18:48.benefits that will come to the north sooner than previously planned. But

:18:49. > :18:52.I do emphasise the point made by my honourable friend that

:18:53. > :18:57.Stoke-on-Trent and other ardas not directly on the line should benefit

:18:58. > :19:00.through improved connectivity and it is very important that things are

:19:01. > :19:08.arranged so that that happens but I asked the Secretary of Statd is the

:19:09. > :19:12.37% cuts to his Department of budget announced last week are compatible

:19:13. > :19:17.with the delivering of this important project on time? Can I

:19:18. > :19:19.thank the honourable Lady through her work as the chairman of the

:19:20. > :19:25.select committee she has always been supportive of the overall objectives

:19:26. > :19:29.as far as more train capacities and has made the case for a mord direct

:19:30. > :19:32.service directed to Liverpool which obviously is part of what I will be

:19:33. > :19:38.addressing when I come to adjust the full route towards the end of next

:19:39. > :19:40.year. I have to say my honotrable friend the Member for Crewe who

:19:41. > :19:43.joins me today on the front bench has also made the case as to why he

:19:44. > :19:48.believes that the announcemdnt I have me today is the right decision.

:19:49. > :19:53.But it is not just my decishon. It is a decision which has been based

:19:54. > :19:57.on what Sir David Higgins, chairman of HS2 has done in his over`ll

:19:58. > :20:02.structure reports and I think it is very important as to how thhs feeds

:20:03. > :20:05.into the rest of the question about national infrastructure which we

:20:06. > :20:11.have asked the national infrastructure committee to advise

:20:12. > :20:16.us on as far as eight Asburx or crossrail two as to how the future

:20:17. > :20:21.is concerned. She asked whether it is deliverable within the ddpartment

:20:22. > :20:28.of pinning changes announced yesterday last week and the answer

:20:29. > :20:35.to that is yes. The forecast revenue and losses in the first few years

:20:36. > :20:39.and what are the consequencds on revenue and subsidies on thd

:20:40. > :20:45.existing railway? We believd that the PCR for the lines I've `nnounced

:20:46. > :20:49.today are positive VCRs which will do ever turned for the country but I

:20:50. > :20:56.say to my old mobile friend it is not all about the CRs if thdy had

:20:57. > :21:01.been listened to the Jubiled line would never have been made. They

:21:02. > :21:23.have made huge defenses... HS2 Limited is not involved to any

:21:24. > :21:27.part of the UK. Can therefore explained why the statement of

:21:28. > :21:32.funding policy for the devolved executions provide for 100%

:21:33. > :21:38.consequences from HS2 to Scotland and Northern Ireland and 0% to

:21:39. > :21:44.Wales. I believe Wales is gdtting a benefit as far as the serving of the

:21:45. > :21:50.announcement I have made today to North Wales was to be very hmportant

:21:51. > :21:54.to a North Wales economy. The Secretary of State is well `ware of

:21:55. > :21:58.my views of HS2. Two weeks `go I have the HS2 phase to minister in my

:21:59. > :22:02.constituency and explained ht to him and showed him the devastathng

:22:03. > :22:05.affect the current route have on the elect and taking out the major

:22:06. > :22:06.employer of the south end of the constituencies topping a new housing

:22:07. > :22:11.development and requiring the building of new piece of thd 84

:22:12. > :22:14.will cause huge distraction. When will we have a definitive route and

:22:15. > :22:19.when will my constituents gdt the compensation they deserve? @s I have

:22:20. > :22:24.said to my honourable friend in the House I hope to be able to say more

:22:25. > :22:32.about the entire unit both the east and the West sections later next

:22:33. > :22:37.year. My opposition to HS2 will not come as a surprise to anyond with

:22:38. > :22:41.light and realised that thotsands of residents. Will the Minister clarify

:22:42. > :22:44.whether the announcement today about Crewe will impact the line of route

:22:45. > :22:51.coming into the used his face and the Western candidate and Brandt?

:22:52. > :23:00.Note the announcement I havd made today will have no impact at all --

:23:01. > :23:04.no. I note today that counsdl had been successful in their lobbying

:23:05. > :23:10.for the T station in the centre and that has also raised concerns for my

:23:11. > :23:15.constituents and as he knows myself about options being considered on

:23:16. > :23:19.the route into Leeds was I hope will include... Can I urge my right

:23:20. > :23:24.honourable friend to put prdssure on HS2 to publish as soon as possible

:23:25. > :23:29.to avoid remortgaging and found that mortgaging companies gave hhs house

:23:30. > :23:34.a ?0 rating. Can I say to mx honourable friend I am incrddibly

:23:35. > :23:37.sympathetic to cases like that that he has just made and I am also

:23:38. > :23:42.willing and my ministers ard always willing to look into individual

:23:43. > :23:46.cases. It is a huge project as I say I do regret that I am not able to

:23:47. > :23:51.say more at this exact moment in time as far as confirming the rest

:23:52. > :23:54.of the route but that is sthll being studied and all options being put

:23:55. > :23:59.forward by honourable members are being looked at. There'll also be a

:24:00. > :24:04.time once we have given the route for changes to be made subsdquent to

:24:05. > :24:07.that through the process whhch the build-up to go through the House of

:24:08. > :24:10.Commons but it is part of the difficulty I'm afraid that planning

:24:11. > :24:17.a infrastructure project thdre are long-term and do take a lot of time.

:24:18. > :24:20.I echo my honourable friend, but in addition to that the Secret`ry of

:24:21. > :24:28.State will know, and happy birthday to him, that Crewe might look on a

:24:29. > :24:33.map next door to Stoke-on-Trent but it is a good hour by car from my

:24:34. > :24:40.constituents constituents, by train when she got into Stoke the line at

:24:41. > :24:44.the line as he will know very well, the Crewe Derby line is app`lling. I

:24:45. > :24:48.think you need to look carefully at that line and bring that forward six

:24:49. > :24:52.years. I think these points are all points that need to be lookdd at and

:24:53. > :24:57.considered sappy what is absolutely essential I believe is that

:24:58. > :25:01.Stoke-on-Trent gets a benefht from HS2 as does the whole area of North

:25:02. > :25:04.Staffordshire and that solvd art of Cheshire. It is a very important

:25:05. > :25:11.part and we need to ensure that it gets the connectivity and whatever

:25:12. > :25:16.other issues of connectivitx that can take place in the plannhng

:25:17. > :25:20.process should be looked at. I endorsed the comment that the

:25:21. > :25:24.honourable member of Stoke-on-Trent said. It is vital that

:25:25. > :25:28.Stoke-on-Trent has this connectivity as indeed does that hurt and I

:25:29. > :25:31.welcome the Secretary of St`te Bath comments about a generous

:25:32. > :25:35.compensation scheme that nedds to be generous and with but managds asked

:25:36. > :25:39.him whether there are opportunities to look again at the alignmdnt or if

:25:40. > :25:43.not the alignment certainly the elevation of the Richter my

:25:44. > :25:47.constituency where everything the point we have made has been

:25:48. > :25:54.disregarded. Mr Speaker, wh`t I am announcing today is a line dxtension

:25:55. > :26:01.of basically 37 miles betwedn the West Midlands and Crewe. Of that 37

:26:02. > :26:05.miles 1.1 miles it entitles, three-time, and there will `lso be

:26:06. > :26:09.four miles of iodide but of course I am also willing to listen to

:26:10. > :26:13.representations from my honourable friend and other people who wish to

:26:14. > :26:16.make them. There will I be sleepy a process once the bill is published

:26:17. > :26:21.of people being able to pethtion the bill as well.

:26:22. > :26:32.Is there any chance of Liverpool being linked into HS2? As a result

:26:33. > :26:36.of the announcements I have made, it will be a faster journey as far as

:26:37. > :26:40.the high-speed link is concdrned. I think that we will see the benefits,

:26:41. > :26:47.and other people are making the case that we go even further, with the

:26:48. > :26:53.HS2 line. I asked the Secretary of State to reconfirm the commhtment to

:26:54. > :27:02.the root. To try to bring forward some of the... I have said that I

:27:03. > :27:06.welcome the fact that there is now a common agreement between thd

:27:07. > :27:12.councils, which there wasn't at one stage as to where the site would be

:27:13. > :27:15.a. As far as the case of making a faster decision, I will do what I

:27:16. > :27:19.can. I have outlined the rottes that we are going to take, and the

:27:20. > :27:30.process that we are going to go through. I will hold back bx wishing

:27:31. > :27:39.happy birthday... He knows that I have raised this many times. He said

:27:40. > :27:45.he intends to extend, can you give me some good news about that line? I

:27:46. > :27:48.am glad that he does not get comeback Mr Speaker. The

:27:49. > :27:53.announcements that have madd to date make no difference to the route that

:27:54. > :27:57.is already before house, and the line that is being investig`ted by

:27:58. > :28:01.the committee leading from the London to the West Midlands Route. I

:28:02. > :28:04.think that what we have dond is that we have improved the compensation

:28:05. > :28:15.arrangements for the whole of the root. To as he is aware, a number of

:28:16. > :28:17.my constituents will be bitterly disappointed as of today, bdcause

:28:18. > :28:22.they do not know what the route will be a. Willie -- will he use his

:28:23. > :28:27.influence to bring forward darly compensation to those peopld so that

:28:28. > :28:33.they can move on with their lives? I think that my honourable frhend

:28:34. > :28:39.should be pleased to note that the new consensus in the East Mhdlands

:28:40. > :28:44.is removed from her constittents the possibility of it being a

:28:45. > :28:49.stationary. I will listen vdry carefully to what my honour`ble

:28:50. > :28:52.friend says. We have got thd exceptional hardship payments for

:28:53. > :28:58.certain cases, and I am alw`ys willing to look and any indhvidual

:28:59. > :29:06.case study thank you Mr Spe`ker May I endorse the comments made by my

:29:07. > :29:13.neighbouring MPs. I want to share the dismayed that we are gohng to

:29:14. > :29:16.have a station in Stoke-on-Trent. I welcome the handshake or

:29:17. > :29:20.announcement, and ask for ddtails on the timing of the consultathon as to

:29:21. > :29:24.when we'll have a final dechsion? The hands acre is partially in the

:29:25. > :29:29.build that is currently before the house at the moment. It is being

:29:30. > :29:35.studied by a special committee looking into the first part of the

:29:36. > :29:40.root. As far as the other points which the lady makes, I refdr back

:29:41. > :29:45.to what I said before, and that I am keen to see that Stoke-on-Trent and

:29:46. > :29:50.Stafford also get benefit from the new train services which will be

:29:51. > :29:55.available as I said earlier on. Capacity is one of the most

:29:56. > :29:58.important reasons for this. We normally take a bump, but wd must

:29:59. > :30:12.move on because there is he`vy pressure on time. The Secretary of

:30:13. > :30:16.State for health, Jeremy Hunt. With permission of Mr Speaker, I would

:30:17. > :30:23.like to update the house on the junior doctor's strike a. E`rlier

:30:24. > :30:26.this month, the union represented doctors balloted for industrial

:30:27. > :30:30.action over contractor form. Because of the first strike is tomorrow I

:30:31. > :30:35.wish to update the house on a contingency plans being madd.

:30:36. > :30:39.Following the last week's spending review, no one can be in anx doubt

:30:40. > :30:45.about this government's comlitment to the NHS. Additional resotrces

:30:46. > :30:50.have to be matched with an dven stiffer surfaces -- save his data

:30:51. > :30:54.services for patients. On the back of a mounting academic eviddnce

:30:55. > :31:00.mortality rates are higher over weekends than during the wedk. We

:31:01. > :31:03.made a manifesto commitment to deliver Sunday hospital services for

:31:04. > :31:08.urgent and emergency care. However, it is important to note that Sunday

:31:09. > :31:14.services are not just about Junior Doctor contractor form. The Academy

:31:15. > :31:19.of medical role colleges noted that the weekend effect is very likely

:31:20. > :31:23.attributable to deficiencies in care processes linked to the absdnce of

:31:24. > :31:27.skill in inherent senior st`ff, and a system that is not configtred to

:31:28. > :31:32.provide a full diagnostic and support services seven days a week.

:31:33. > :31:39.Our plans will support the linute junior doctors who already work

:31:40. > :31:45.weekends, seven-day diagnostics and other support services. The ability

:31:46. > :31:51.to discharge on weekends, and other parts of the NHS and the social care

:31:52. > :31:55.system. Reforming both the consultants and Junior Doctor

:31:56. > :31:58.contracts is a key part of the mix. The current contracts have the

:31:59. > :32:03.unintended consequences of laking it too hard for hospitals to mtster

:32:04. > :32:08.urgent and emergency care evenly across seven days. Our plans are

:32:09. > :32:13.deliver early and tended to be good for doctors, they will feel more

:32:14. > :32:20.generous rates for weekend work then those offered to pleasd

:32:21. > :32:29.officers, fire officers, and pilots. They offer Junior contractors hours

:32:30. > :32:33.with a basic pay rise averaging 11%, and average be maintained. They

:32:34. > :32:39.reduce the maximum hours to eight doctor can work in any week from 91

:32:40. > :32:44.to 72 hours, and they stop altogether the process of asking

:32:45. > :32:49.doctors to work fine in row. Most of all, they will improve the

:32:50. > :32:53.appearance of doctors working over the weekend by improving thd care

:32:54. > :32:58.that they can deliver to thdir patients. Our preference has always

:32:59. > :33:03.been for a negotiated soluthon. The house knows that they have refused

:33:04. > :33:09.to enter negotiations since June. However, last week, I agreed with

:33:10. > :33:14.officials to meet them under the auspices... I am pleased to report

:33:15. > :33:18.to the house after working through the weekend, discussions led to a

:33:19. > :33:24.potential agreement early this afternoon between the BMA

:33:25. > :33:29.leadership, and the governmdnt. This agreement would allow a timd-limited

:33:30. > :33:34.agreement during which negotiations can't take place, and during which

:33:35. > :33:40.the BMA agrees to suspend the strike action, and the government `grees

:33:41. > :33:44.not to proceed unilaterally not to pursue new contract. This is now

:33:45. > :33:46.sitting with the BMA Junior Doctor's executive committed, will

:33:47. > :33:51.decide whether they are abld to support it later today. It hs

:33:52. > :33:59.important for the house to know right now, strikes are still planned

:34:00. > :34:03.to start at midnight. I will turned to the contingency plan. Thd

:34:04. > :34:08.government's first contingency is to keep its citizens set safe. This

:34:09. > :34:13.applies to those who need c`re in our hospitals. The we are m`king

:34:14. > :34:17.every effort to minimise risks caused by the strike. I havd chaired

:34:18. > :34:22.three contingency plan meethngs today, and will continue to chairs

:34:23. > :34:27.further meetings for the duration of the strike. NHS England are

:34:28. > :34:30.collecting feedback from all trusts, but currently we estimate that the

:34:31. > :34:37.planned action will mean up to 20,000 patients may have vital

:34:38. > :34:43.operations counseled, including approximately 1500 cataract

:34:44. > :34:48.operations, 900 skin lesion removal, 600 plus the operations, 400 spine

:34:49. > :34:55.operations, 250 gall bladder removals, and nearly 300 tonsil

:34:56. > :35:01.operations. NHS England has also written to all trusts, asking for

:35:02. > :35:03.detailed information on the impact of the strikes are planned for the

:35:04. > :35:08.eighth and 16th of December, which will involve not just the whthdrawal

:35:09. > :35:12.of a lecture of care, but the withdrawal of urgent and emdrgency

:35:13. > :35:18.care as well. We are giving up particular effort emphasis to the

:35:19. > :35:27.staffing at major trouble, sentences -- centres. We have concerns of

:35:28. > :35:30.vision safety. All trusts w`nt to consider safety care to provide more

:35:31. > :35:35.bad to. So far, the BMA has not been willing to provide our insurances

:35:36. > :35:40.they will ask their members to provide urgent emergency coverage in

:35:41. > :35:45.these areas. Will continue to press for such references. It is

:35:46. > :35:50.regrettable, Mr Speaker, th`t this strike was called even before the

:35:51. > :35:55.BMA had seen the government's offer. The whole house will hope today that

:35:56. > :36:00.the strike is called off so that strikes -- talks can resume. Whether

:36:01. > :36:03.or not there is a strike, providing safe services for patients will

:36:04. > :36:08.remain the priority of this government as we work toward our

:36:09. > :36:11.long-term ambition of making NHS care the safest and highest quality

:36:12. > :36:19.in the world. I commend this statement to the house. Thank you Mr

:36:20. > :36:22.Speaker, and can I thank thd Secretary of State for an advanced

:36:23. > :36:28.copy of his statements, and indeed for making the statement today. Mr

:36:29. > :36:31.Speaker, you will note that when we last debated Junior Doctor's

:36:32. > :36:36.contracts in this chamber, the house secretary was too busy to attend. I

:36:37. > :36:42.am glad that he has found the time today. First of all, can I start by

:36:43. > :36:48.saying that I strongly welcome what the house secretary has announced.

:36:49. > :36:52.Nobody wants to see industrhal action, not least the Junior

:36:53. > :36:57.doctors, and so hopefully common sense will prevail. However, I do

:36:58. > :37:04.have a number of issues I w`nt to press the house secretary on. First,

:37:05. > :37:09.on house services tomorrow light still be affected, second, `bout

:37:10. > :37:15.workforce morale, and third, about what happens next? First of all a

:37:16. > :37:21.week and a half ago, I wrotd to the Prime Minister suggesting

:37:22. > :37:27.independent talks to resolvd this dispute. My proposal was imlediately

:37:28. > :37:31.supported by the Academy of medical world colleges, and accepted by the

:37:32. > :37:39.British medical Association. But it took the government a furthdr five

:37:40. > :37:43.days to agree to enter talks. The issue is this Mr Speaker. Ghven a

:37:44. > :37:49.number of operations have already been cancelled, is it not the case

:37:50. > :37:54.that if the house secretary had agreed to this proposal when it was

:37:55. > :38:01.first put to him, he could have avoided, or at least medicated any

:38:02. > :38:06.disruption to patients tomorrow Mr Speaker, during my urgent qtestion

:38:07. > :38:11.into this house on the 20th of November, the Minister was `sked 12

:38:12. > :38:18.times about involvement, and 12 times he repeatedly refused to agree

:38:19. > :38:23.to talks. Can house secretary say very clearly why it took thd

:38:24. > :38:29.government so long to agree to talks, when the ministers initially

:38:30. > :38:32.appeared to rule out this proposal? Second, the house secretary will

:38:33. > :38:38.know that this dispute has been deeply damaging to workforcd morale.

:38:39. > :38:41.Many Junior doctors have already voted with their feet, or would have

:38:42. > :38:46.been planning to do so over the coming months. Has the department

:38:47. > :38:52.made any estimate as to the effect of a dispute on recruitment and

:38:53. > :38:56.retention? What action is hd taking to stop the brain drain of our

:38:57. > :39:02.brightest medics to countrids such as Australia and New Zealand? It was

:39:03. > :39:06.clear from my conversations with Junior doctors that they felt that

:39:07. > :39:13.they were the first line of defence in a fight for the future of the

:39:14. > :39:17.NHS. Whether that is rare wrong is a remarkable situation for junior

:39:18. > :39:22.doctors to find themselves hn the. Will he now sat out his approach to

:39:23. > :39:28.negotiations with other grotps of staff about pay and conditions? Does

:39:29. > :39:35.he accept that you cannot kdep asking our NHS workforce to do more

:39:36. > :39:39.for less? Finally, I would say gently to the house secretary, that

:39:40. > :39:47.his handling of these negothations has been a lesson in precisdly how

:39:48. > :39:51.not to do it. I trust that today's announcement will mark a ch`nge in

:39:52. > :39:54.tone, and a change in appro`ch on the parts of the government. With

:39:55. > :40:00.that that in mind, let me s`y this to the house secretary. Everyone in

:40:01. > :40:06.this house agrees that if you go into a hospital in an emergdncy on

:40:07. > :40:11.a Sunday, you should get thd same treatment that you would get on a

:40:12. > :40:16.Tuesday. The house secretarx has repeatedly failed to make the case

:40:17. > :40:20.for why reforming the Junior Doctor contract is essential to thd aim

:40:21. > :40:26.the. I make a genuine offer to the house secretary today. I am prepared

:40:27. > :40:33.to work with him on a cross party basis to do everything posshble to

:40:34. > :40:36.eradicate the so-called weekend effects, and we will support any

:40:37. > :40:42.necessary reforms to achievhng that end. In return, the house sdcretary

:40:43. > :40:47.needs to be absolutely clear about what needs to change in orddr to

:40:48. > :40:51.deliver that. As many studids have concluded, there needs to bd much

:40:52. > :40:56.more research into why therd is a weekend effect, so that we can make

:40:57. > :41:00.sure that we can focus efforts on the actual problem. With thd house

:41:01. > :41:05.secretary today committed to commissioning new independent

:41:06. > :41:09.research into power reforming staffing arrangements over the

:41:10. > :41:15.weekend might help improve the quality of weekend services? Does he

:41:16. > :41:21.understand that part of the problem has been that he has implied that

:41:22. > :41:24.junior doctors are to blame for differential mortality amongst

:41:25. > :41:30.patients admitted during thd weekend? Can he say what other steps

:41:31. > :41:35.he will be taking to ensure that we have consistent seven-day sdrvices,

:41:36. > :41:42.including making sure that social care is available outside of the

:41:43. > :41:45.working week. ? Can he update the house on the consultant negotiations

:41:46. > :41:49.which are separate to the Jtnior Doctor negotiations, and whdther

:41:50. > :41:52.there is a more -- where thdre is a more direct link to seven-d`y

:41:53. > :41:58.services. I welcome the fact that the house secretary finally agreed

:41:59. > :42:05.to talks last week. I welcole the news from those talks today. Nobody

:42:06. > :42:16.wants patients to suffer, and I hope now we can start to put this whole

:42:17. > :42:21.sorry Saugus behind us. What an interesting response from someone

:42:22. > :42:24.who has never championed seven-day services, and who has never been

:42:25. > :42:30.prepared to stand up for patients and do the right thing, howdver

:42:31. > :42:37.difficult it might be. Let le respond to her comments. Thd reason

:42:38. > :42:43.that we did not respond immddiately was nuts to rule out, to sax that we

:42:44. > :42:47.consider it. I made a private approach to the head of the British

:42:48. > :42:52.medical Association to see whether there was enough common grotnd to

:42:53. > :42:56.make an approach to make it worthwhile. I wanted to makd time

:42:57. > :43:03.for that private approach to bear fruit. She asked about the brain

:43:04. > :43:08.drain -- brain drain. Keybo`rd 8 billion of extra resources for the

:43:09. > :43:14.NHS next year. That is ?100 billion more than the Labour Party promised

:43:15. > :43:18.in the last election. That hs the promise we can make on the back of a

:43:19. > :43:21.strong economy, a promise that the Labour Party would never be able to

:43:22. > :43:26.deliver. She has repeatedly called for the government to removd the

:43:27. > :43:31.threat of contract -- contr`ct imposition. Let me tell you what we

:43:32. > :43:37.cannot do that. It would give the BMA a veto over a manifesto

:43:38. > :43:45.commitment that has been endorsed by the British people. What we have

:43:46. > :43:48.said, well we have actually said is that we will suspend proceeding to

:43:49. > :43:54.the new contracts during thd period in which negotiations happen, a

:43:55. > :44:00.short time limited period, `nd ate the BMA will suspend the threat of

:44:01. > :44:09.strikes that time limited pdriod. Removing the threat of an position

:44:10. > :44:12.permanently is not been agrded in any bar of the NHS or the ptblic

:44:13. > :44:16.sector. The government has to balance the needs of patients,

:44:17. > :44:21.doctors, and taxpayers. Givhng one of those groups a veto over any new

:44:22. > :44:29.contract would make it impossible to make that judgement. She talked

:44:30. > :44:35.about a sort of, the way to have approached this. Being intelperate

:44:36. > :44:40.and unreasonable is a quality that I appear to share with any Minister of

:44:41. > :44:47.health that the BMA has met. Not my words, but the words of the person

:44:48. > :44:52.who founded the NHS. Had he listened to the BMA, he would not have been

:44:53. > :44:59.able to listen -- set up thd NHS. It would have been up to the

:45:00. > :45:04.government. Let me say to hdr that this Junior Doctor's contract is not

:45:05. > :45:08.the only thing that we need to do to have seven-day services, but

:45:09. > :45:13.contract reform is what hospitals say is the most important thing of

:45:14. > :45:20.all. It is based on independent research. The 20 13th report from

:45:21. > :45:24.the Academy of real medical colleges is what we have based our proposals

:45:25. > :45:28.on the. We have also based on the seven studies that we have now had

:45:29. > :45:32.over five years. These talk about the problems over the weekend

:45:33. > :45:36.affect. We have also had thd independent research of the

:45:37. > :45:41.independent page on which wd base the bulk of our proposals. H want to

:45:42. > :45:46.say to her that, when he cale to the biggest issue of patient safety in

:45:47. > :45:49.the NHS in recent years, shd did not speak out against the strikd, she

:45:50. > :45:55.did not support the governmdnt support for Sunday services, and

:45:56. > :45:59.when the came to within mortality, she chose to pickles and thd data

:46:00. > :46:00.rather than to make calls for action. The British public have

:46:01. > :46:25.noticed. Bale may I congrattlate my the military tactics of the BMA To

:46:26. > :46:39.personalise any dispute agahnst the Secretary of State goes back when

:46:40. > :46:43.they were... Every Secretarx of State of every party since that time

:46:44. > :46:49.has had exactly the same experience in dispute. If he succeeds hn

:46:50. > :46:56.getting these negotiations tnder way on a time-limited basis, as he quite

:46:57. > :47:01.rightly says, will he appro`ch them in a reasonable way? Also insisting

:47:02. > :47:09.that the BMA make it clear that they do support a seven-day servhce which

:47:10. > :47:15.would obviously be a benefit to the country, that they are not going to

:47:16. > :47:18.turn this into large amounts of extra pay when they are still

:47:19. > :47:24.amongst the best paid medic`l professions in Europe, if not the

:47:25. > :47:30.best paid medical profession. What everybody should be concentrating on

:47:31. > :47:35.is how to raise the standards of service to ordinary patients up and

:47:36. > :47:42.down the country, and to get rid of these higher mortality rates over

:47:43. > :47:47.the weekends. I would like to thank him for his robust support. I seem

:47:48. > :47:50.to remember that when he was house secretary, there were posters bob

:47:51. > :47:54.all over the country saying that what you call a man who ignores the

:47:55. > :47:59.Doctor's advice, and it was a picture of my friend. He knows what

:48:00. > :48:07.this is all about. It is not just conservative health secretaries He

:48:08. > :48:12.is absolutely right, we will all be delighted if the strike is

:48:13. > :48:17.postponed. If it starts at dight o'clock tomorrow morning, not

:48:18. > :48:21.midnight. He is right, the focus from the government's point of view

:48:22. > :48:24.will be unremittingly about improving patient care. We lade it

:48:25. > :48:28.clear that any settlement h`s to be within the current pay envelope and

:48:29. > :48:32.the great sadness of this is that the vast majority of doctors are

:48:33. > :48:38.totally passionate about dohng something about a seven-day

:48:39. > :48:41.services. They only had the if only we had the opportunity to ndgotiate

:48:42. > :48:52.since June, we could have avoided this. Thank you Mr Speaker, I also

:48:53. > :48:56.welcome that the Secretary of State has changed plain errors th`t would

:48:57. > :48:59.have seen seven to ten o'clock on a Saturday all been touted as the same

:49:00. > :49:04.during a week. That would h`ve punished those who already work

:49:05. > :49:07.during the weekend, such as acute medical, and the doctors working in

:49:08. > :49:11.a any, the people that we nded to. I welcome that the Secretary of State

:49:12. > :49:17.has done this. I would be grateful if you replied to me and cl`rified

:49:18. > :49:21.whether the threat of imposhtion, if there is or isn't? The statdment

:49:22. > :49:28.says that it has been removdd, but his reply to the shadow secretary

:49:29. > :49:31.implies that it has hasn't. The talk about people dying over weekends. If

:49:32. > :49:36.I could do stress that it is not excess deaths during the wedkend,

:49:37. > :49:42.implying that hospitals... Ht is excess deaths of people admhtted on

:49:43. > :49:47.weekends from a guy on any day of the week. Junior doctors ard already

:49:48. > :49:52.covering weekends. It is thd additional services to diagnose and

:49:53. > :49:57.get people on their journey. If we could just focus on a that.

:49:58. > :50:00.Unfortunately, the Secretarx of State in previous statement has

:50:01. > :50:04.moved from talking about excess deaths, to talking about thd consult

:50:05. > :50:08.and opt out Clause, which only applies to new teamwork, and I am

:50:09. > :50:15.sorry that a toenail clinic will not save lives. We should actually focus

:50:16. > :50:19.on strengthening the seven-day service for urgent cases, c`ses that

:50:20. > :50:23.are ill, and the people who lead to these excess deaths. Hopefully we

:50:24. > :50:26.can make progress, and I do join him, and everyone in this house in

:50:27. > :50:36.hoping that there is not a strike tomorrow. She is right, this is an

:50:37. > :50:40.issue about the excess mort`lity rates admitted over weekends, not

:50:41. > :50:43.the people who are already hn the hospital on the weekends. She is

:50:44. > :50:47.mistaken into some of her characterisation of some of the rest

:50:48. > :50:51.of the government's position at The clinical standard is clear that

:50:52. > :50:58.people admitted over weekends should be seen, or anyone admitted at any

:50:59. > :51:04.time, should be seen in 40 hours a. This is true in only one of eight in

:51:05. > :51:08.our hospitals throughout all seven days of the week. Sorting ott the

:51:09. > :51:12.consultant contract for urgdnt and emergency care does matter, and

:51:13. > :51:16.although the opt out in the consult and contract only applies to all

:51:17. > :51:19.active work, it is the case that we have half as many consultants

:51:20. > :51:24.available in our A departlent on Sunday as during the week, dven

:51:25. > :51:29.though Sunday is one of the busiest days of the week. It is not just the

:51:30. > :51:32.two doctors. If he wants to make life better for junior doctors, we

:51:33. > :51:36.need to make sure that they have a more senior cover, that thex do not

:51:37. > :51:44.feel clinically exposed. Independent services said that they do `. With

:51:45. > :51:47.respect to the right that government on all sides have to have to set the

:51:48. > :51:53.terms and conditions of the employment contract, that is a right

:51:54. > :52:00.that has not been a part of the public sector. Is a vital rhght for

:52:01. > :52:05.all employers. I sadly say that I will not move towards any ndw

:52:06. > :52:10.contract while negotiations are happening during this time-limited

:52:11. > :52:15.period. Dazzle my statement said, and the BMA said that if thd under

:52:16. > :52:24.this agreement, then they whll remove the threat to strike during

:52:25. > :52:28.that period. Can I congratulate the Secretary of State on coming here to

:52:29. > :52:32.the house today on this verx important matter, and I think the

:52:33. > :52:36.all sides of the house support him on the try to find a negoti`ted

:52:37. > :52:43.solution to this problem. However, I was concerned that if the strike

:52:44. > :52:47.does go ahead, but we hope that the BMA will see sense and agred to the

:52:48. > :52:50.terms that put on the table, I understand that they have not been

:52:51. > :52:55.willing to pervert -- providing assurances that they will ask their

:52:56. > :52:59.members to provide urgency `nd present care. What more can the

:53:00. > :53:04.Secretary of State do to encourage the BMA to make that statemdnt,

:53:05. > :53:11.because that is what will bd wearing a patient out there? I would like to

:53:12. > :53:16.thank her for her question. In terms of the overall picture, we lust

:53:17. > :53:22.declare that this is not about Junior doctors to work a lot of

:53:23. > :53:27.extra hours for free. We do expect that, as we have increased `nd can't

:53:28. > :53:30.come over Sunday services, lore people working hours partictlarly on

:53:31. > :53:35.Sundays, that that might le`d to a higher pay bill. What we nedd to do

:53:36. > :53:40.is to make sure that the proposals for the workforce that we h`ve at

:53:41. > :53:43.the moment protect average pay, and as we move to seven-day services

:53:44. > :53:51.that there are affordable for hot hospitals. In respect to her

:53:52. > :53:54.question, we respect the right for doctors to strike, even thotgh it is

:53:55. > :54:00.disappointing when they choose to do so. They have said on this occasion,

:54:01. > :54:09.in a way that is quite a president... Unprecedented, that

:54:10. > :54:17.they will provide emergency care in December. If there are areas that we

:54:18. > :54:21.are not able to make altern`tive care arrangements, we would like

:54:22. > :54:25.their support in those spechfic areas, not across the whole country

:54:26. > :54:31.in asking Junior doctors to stop in on those cases for patient safety.

:54:32. > :54:38.We have not had those assur`nces, but we hope that we will get them.

:54:39. > :54:45.Command of an informative rdplies are appreciated. Progress so far,

:54:46. > :54:50.the length of questions has a been a bit slow. I would remind thd House

:54:51. > :54:54.that the next debate is verx heavily subscribed, so I would like to get

:54:55. > :55:03.to everyone if possible, but brief questions and brief replies if

:55:04. > :55:06.possible. When the Secretarx of State chaired his three continues

:55:07. > :55:16.the meetings, did he take into account the fact that last xear we

:55:17. > :55:21.had something like 43,900 excess... Largely caused by overcrowdhng

:55:22. > :55:30.medical Department. What provisions did he make to avoid this, `nd to

:55:31. > :55:34.make sure that it is not happening now? She is ready to be concerned

:55:35. > :55:39.about winter deaths that we have had, but I would not characterize

:55:40. > :55:43.her reason for those reasons for the excess deaths in the way th`t she

:55:44. > :55:47.did. We think that there were caused by the ineffectiveness of the flu

:55:48. > :55:50.vaccine, that was recommenddd by the World Health organisation l`st year

:55:51. > :55:56.that proved not to be as effective as it normally is. The earlx size is

:55:57. > :56:03.that this year's Vecsey will be more excessive -- and successful. The

:56:04. > :56:07.those deaths at home, we ard doing everything this winter, as we did

:56:08. > :56:08.last winter, to make sure that we demised the possibility of dxcess

:56:09. > :56:21.deaths. Can I very gently remind melbers

:56:22. > :56:24.that it is a good idea to continue to stand. One should not st`nd once

:56:25. > :56:29.and then as soon thereafter the chair is psychic. I had a htnch the

:56:30. > :56:32.honourable lady would wish to contribute, but keep standing. To

:56:33. > :56:39.help the chair and is also helpful in terms of exercise. Can I welcome

:56:40. > :56:44.that the BMA is returning to talk and there is a potential agreement

:56:45. > :56:47.on the table, the dispute h`s focused on pay and hours but I think

:56:48. > :56:52.actually it's roots may go deeper than that. For instance how'd

:56:53. > :56:55.juniors often do not feel v`lued or part of the team. Does my rhght

:56:56. > :56:59.honourable friend agree that the best way to improve the sittation

:57:00. > :57:03.for juniors is for them to dngage in talking rather than striking? And

:57:04. > :57:09.about talking as they are as a right choice by juniors for the ftture --

:57:10. > :57:12.who are the future leaders of the NHS. I do agree with my honourable

:57:13. > :57:16.front who has great knowledge on NHS matters and I we say to junhor.

:57:17. > :57:21.There's this is not just about contracts and pay it is also about

:57:22. > :57:23.their training and having consultants more available `t

:57:24. > :57:27.weekends will help improve their training but we also need to look at

:57:28. > :57:31.the issue of continuity of training which I think has been undermined

:57:32. > :57:36.over recent decades. It junhor doctors are looking for a vhsual

:57:37. > :57:39.reflection of this government's commitment to the NHS look `t the

:57:40. > :57:42.spending review statement of the last week, the extra resources we

:57:43. > :57:45.are putting in tag circumst`nces. This is a government battling the

:57:46. > :57:59.NHS and we are doing everything we can to back junior. There's. --

:58:00. > :58:02.junior doctors. A time-limited period during which the negotiations

:58:03. > :58:06.take place, could the secretaries say whether it is a day and week or

:58:07. > :58:12.a month and contract be imposed after that? I hope the honotrable

:58:13. > :58:16.lady will understand that bdcause I am area much over the executive

:58:17. > :58:19.committee of the junior doctors at the BMA will agree to go ahdad with

:58:20. > :58:24.this agreement we have made with their negotiators. I do not want to

:58:25. > :58:26.go into further details abott the contents of that agreement.

:58:27. > :58:31.Obviously as soon as that agreement is made it will be published but I

:58:32. > :58:35.think it would preempt that decision if I were to go into detail. It is a

:58:36. > :58:43.reasonable period of time for negotiations to happen. It `ppears I

:58:44. > :58:47.need to... I am very pleased to hear that all parties are possibly

:58:48. > :58:50.background around the table and I joined Secretary of State and hoping

:58:51. > :58:53.that the strike action is c`lled off. Following eight meeting with

:58:54. > :58:57.the bath junior doctors this week and it was clear they will `lso be

:58:58. > :59:00.delighted. Can he confirm as part of these negotiations that safdguards

:59:01. > :59:07.will be a central part of the we negotiation? Obsolete. We w`nt to

:59:08. > :59:12.reduce the number of doctors working unsafe hours, we want to make sure

:59:13. > :59:15.that we have binding ways of making sure that hospitals cannot hgnore

:59:16. > :59:20.the intention of any agreemdnt we make and ask doctors to work extra

:59:21. > :59:25.hours that they do not want to work that may be unsafe or indeed ask

:59:26. > :59:29.trade on the goodwill that leans that many doctors to work unpaid

:59:30. > :59:33.extra hours. It is a very ilportant part of discussions that I hope we

:59:34. > :59:37.will now be old to enter into. I have had a number of e-mails from

:59:38. > :59:42.constituents about this matter. What impact of the Secretary of State

:59:43. > :59:46.believe this fiasco will have over the long-term morale of staff in the

:59:47. > :59:50.National Health Service? I'l afraid I do not agree with her

:59:51. > :59:55.characterisation of this as a fiasco when we are making really ilportant

:59:56. > :59:59.changes that will save patidnt lives by eliminating the weekend of fact

:00:00. > :00:02.that we have had now for soletime in the NHS and that I think anx

:00:03. > :00:06.responsible government needs to deal with. I think the way you ilprove

:00:07. > :00:09.morale in the NHS is by makhng it easier for doctors to give their

:00:10. > :00:13.patients the care that they want to give. At the moment that it's very

:00:14. > :00:22.difficult at weekends in many places and we want to put right. Wd have

:00:23. > :00:25.heard about the 20,000 cancdlled operations and the inconvenhence

:00:26. > :00:27.caused to patients by the plant strikes but I wonder if my right

:00:28. > :00:31.honourable friend could report to the House house serving the needs of

:00:32. > :00:34.patients is featuring with negotiations of junior doctors so

:00:35. > :00:39.that the patient can give the same level of care seven days a week

:00:40. > :00:44.That is the reason why we h`ve had the whole dispute with the BMA and I

:00:45. > :00:47.think it is disappointing that rather than negotiate with ts on

:00:48. > :00:51.something and I think every doctor understands we do need to address it

:00:52. > :00:57.has had to come to the 11th hour like that. In the end, he is

:00:58. > :01:00.absolutely right to say that doing the right thing for patients is also

:01:01. > :01:03.doing the right thing for doctors because doctors go into medhcine

:01:04. > :01:13.because they want to look after patients. Thank you for your

:01:14. > :01:17.statement. At the same time minister none of us want to see a new contact

:01:18. > :01:21.impose upon the doctors that is the worst possible outcome. The NHS is

:01:22. > :01:25.very important we have the seven day a week Ross that. In Northern

:01:26. > :01:28.Ireland at the BMA represent many. Junior doctors were held as a

:01:29. > :01:34.default matter. What discussion has the Minister had with those in

:01:35. > :01:37.northern and discuss this? We are keeping in regular contact with our

:01:38. > :01:42.counterparts in the devolved assemblies and parliaments `nd it is

:01:43. > :01:46.up to them to decide what they do but I hope they will be encouraged

:01:47. > :01:53.by the progress that I think we are beginning to make in the argument

:01:54. > :01:57.for seven-day services. There are no winners on either side whendver

:01:58. > :02:01.there is a strike so I do whsh the Secretary of State well with the

:02:02. > :02:05.negotiations. What answer does he have for the doctors that I have met

:02:06. > :02:12.who believe that this contr`ct chains versus junior doctors to work

:02:13. > :02:15.even longer for less? I would like to categorically reassure those

:02:16. > :02:19.doctors that is not the intdntion of the changes that we are makhng. We

:02:20. > :02:22.have made it clear that we will protect the pay of anyone working

:02:23. > :02:27.within their legal contractdd hours, three three quarters of

:02:28. > :02:31.junior doctors will see thehr pay will rise as a result of thdse

:02:32. > :02:34.changes. We want to deliver safer care and if we are able to go ahead

:02:35. > :02:39.with negotiations that I hope we can put the BMA in the coming wdeks than

:02:40. > :02:43.I hope will be able to put hn place very strong safeguards at all sides

:02:44. > :02:50.that they agree will reassure his constituents. The Secretary of State

:02:51. > :02:55.has got to accept that his responsibility in bringing `bout the

:02:56. > :03:00.cancellation of operations, if he had been prepared to go to ` care at

:03:01. > :03:03.the out that this could havd all been avoided. Does he accept you

:03:04. > :03:05.will have to change of attitude towards negotiation with thdse

:03:06. > :03:11.junior doctors that we are going to get a satisfactory outcome that we

:03:12. > :03:14.all want to see? Let me say to the honourable gentleman that mx

:03:15. > :03:17.attitude is very straightforward. I need to do the things that will make

:03:18. > :03:22.patients and the NHS favour and I want to negotiate reasonablx with

:03:23. > :03:25.anyone where there is a contract shall issue that needs to bd

:03:26. > :03:28.resolved in order to do that. I think the government's position has

:03:29. > :03:34.been reasonable. The vast m`jority of doctors will see their p`y go

:03:35. > :03:37.up, the pay for everyone else working legal contracted hotrs will

:03:38. > :03:41.be protected. I think this hs a very reasonably off till -- reasonable

:03:42. > :03:45.offer that does a better job for patients but it has been difficult

:03:46. > :03:48.to get through the BMA. I would urge them to talk to his friends at the

:03:49. > :03:50.BMA and urge them to be reasonable and talk to the government `nd I

:03:51. > :03:57.think we could avoid some of these problems. Can I thank the Sdcretary

:03:58. > :04:01.of State and the BMA for thd work over the last two days in bringing

:04:02. > :04:04.that hopefully to a resoluthon and encourage that spirit going forward.

:04:05. > :04:09.Can I suggest that the main way in which bore out can be restorative is

:04:10. > :04:13.to see that both sides are `t thing in the interest of patients and in

:04:14. > :04:19.particular Asian safety which is so vital to both doctors and all of us

:04:20. > :04:22.-- patient safety. I think no one knows more about campaigning for

:04:23. > :04:25.patients that my honourable friend as he has done in his own

:04:26. > :04:28.constituency and I congratulate him for that. I think that is rhght

:04:29. > :04:32.There does not need to be an argument on a matter like it because

:04:33. > :04:35.it unites but the government, what we want to do to make the NHS the

:04:36. > :04:40.safest care in the world and what doctors themselves want to do. I

:04:41. > :04:44.think the best way forward hs to put aside suspicion and for both sides

:04:45. > :04:47.to recognise that actually we are trying to do the right thing for

:04:48. > :04:52.patients, the right thing for doctors and the right thing for the

:04:53. > :04:57.NHS. The Secretary of State has failed, he has failed patients, he

:04:58. > :05:01.has failed junior doctors and he has failed his government. You dat

:05:02. > :05:05.Secretary of State best to put aside suspicion, I suspect that the reason

:05:06. > :05:10.why the Secretary of State did not agree to meet in a care sooner was

:05:11. > :05:16.the cause -- so he could sndak in the announcement during the Autumn

:05:17. > :05:20.Statement. Let me tell the honourable Lady but the failure was

:05:21. > :05:25.here. And was to set up a contract for junior doctors in 2003 which has

:05:26. > :05:31.made it impossible for hosphtals to roster popper grayer at weekends. I

:05:32. > :05:34.think the duty of the secretary of state is to put right though this

:05:35. > :05:42.oracle wrong so that patients are safe. -- proper care at weekends. I

:05:43. > :05:46.am due to go to the hospital to meet some of the doctors on the picket

:05:47. > :05:51.line tomorrow. I am sure we would all agree is far better that the

:05:52. > :05:53.doctors are there working and their representatives are talking to

:05:54. > :05:57.government representatives tomorrow instead. What my right honotrable

:05:58. > :06:01.friend agree with me that in talking to the BMA their is genuine room for

:06:02. > :06:06.the negotiation and agreement on many of the details? I have always

:06:07. > :06:11.actually believed that this'll be better agreement for. There's

:06:12. > :06:15.patients and the NHS if it hs a negotiated agreement becausd I am

:06:16. > :06:18.sure the BMA have value that they can add in the negotiation process

:06:19. > :06:21.to make sure that we implemdnt the spirit of what the government wants

:06:22. > :06:25.to do and not just the lattdr of it. I would agree with what my

:06:26. > :06:31.honourable friend says and H hope we can answer constructive serhous

:06:32. > :06:41.negotiations. -- enter construct of serious negotiations. Mr Spdaker, I

:06:42. > :06:44.have watched my friend for lotion East fight night and day seven days

:06:45. > :06:49.a week for services and day seven days a week for services in of State

:06:50. > :06:54.against saying that she has not fought for seven-day week sdrvices.

:06:55. > :06:59.But can I help the Secretarx of State to restart this process with

:07:00. > :07:03.trust, will he confirm that he has heard as I have heard from junior

:07:04. > :07:09.doctors who in my constituency that their primary concern is for nothing

:07:10. > :07:14.else but patient state. -- they should state. I do think th`t is a

:07:15. > :07:19.primary concern of the vast majority of junior doctors which is why I

:07:20. > :07:22.think it was wrong for the BMA to refuse to even sit down and discuss

:07:23. > :07:26.with the government how we were going to implement a manifesto

:07:27. > :07:29.commitment amah but because I now hope we can get past that, H will

:07:30. > :07:33.not say anymore other than H think it is now possible to get a better

:07:34. > :07:41.agreement for the NHS and I hope we will now be able to do that. Having

:07:42. > :07:44.been fortunate enough to he`r book for my junior doctors and also from

:07:45. > :07:46.the Secretary of State, it hs clear to me that both parties are talking

:07:47. > :07:51.the same language but the communication has not quite filtered

:07:52. > :07:55.through via the BMA. Once this matter is hopefully resolve the will

:07:56. > :07:58.be Secretary of State think of ways in which dialogue can be improved

:07:59. > :08:05.directly between the Departlent of Health and junior doctors? Ly

:08:06. > :08:09.honourable friend is absolutely right. We have had some verx

:08:10. > :08:13.unfortunate megaphone diplolacy over the recent months, but let le just

:08:14. > :08:15.say I hope now we can put that behind us and I hope now lessons

:08:16. > :08:20.will be learned because as he rightly said we have never wanted to

:08:21. > :08:23.do anything other than what I think is good for. Or is as well `s what

:08:24. > :08:32.is good for patients and th`t is what these proposals were. He should

:08:33. > :08:37.not -- it should not have come to this and there'll be cost the

:08:38. > :08:40.ablation of that but I welcomed the want of a cat to get to the states

:08:41. > :08:47.and hope the strike would bd diverted. Could the secondary is

:08:48. > :08:49.state attorney that the specific concerns are taken into

:08:50. > :08:53.consideration considering they are on site all the time and have

:08:54. > :09:00.particular concerns and of course that is essential in making sure

:09:01. > :09:05.that hospitals are safe. Thdy have a vital role in providing proper

:09:06. > :09:07.seven-day services and indedd in the highest risk operations it hs

:09:08. > :09:12.obvious we very important to have consultants present as well to give

:09:13. > :09:20.their very important judgemdnt I can absolutely get them that assurance.

:09:21. > :09:24.If this do disaster is avoided we have an opportunity to move forward.

:09:25. > :09:26.The honourable Lady Bird prdventing the opposition has offered her

:09:27. > :09:31.support. One of the crucial failings at the moment is seven-day care is

:09:32. > :09:35.social care. Would it be possible for both sides of the House to work

:09:36. > :09:42.together to find the solution to this real problem? I hope wd can do

:09:43. > :09:47.that because the opposition has talked regularly about soci`l care

:09:48. > :09:49.and rightly so and the fact is that there are labour on councils and

:09:50. > :09:54.conservative by counsel both responsible for the social care

:09:55. > :09:58.system and being able to discharge into the social care system is a

:09:59. > :10:02.very important part of seven-day services. I think we are now about

:10:03. > :10:06.to enter into a period of ilportant reform in terms of the NHS `nd

:10:07. > :10:15.social care integrations so I see no reason why that could not bd. Last

:10:16. > :10:20.Friday 321 consultants gave their full support to the junior doctors.

:10:21. > :10:22.It was the latest indication that the Secretary of State calldd this

:10:23. > :10:27.dispute wrong from the start. Yes now had an opportunity to rdbuild

:10:28. > :10:31.trust, would he accept that is not helped by him coming to the House

:10:32. > :10:33.and delegating junior doctors and their representatives again as he

:10:34. > :10:35.accept that is not helped bx him coming to the House and deldgating

:10:36. > :10:38.junior doctors and their representatives again at thd routine

:10:39. > :10:44.seven-day services with mortality of raids which is just not helpful I

:10:45. > :10:48.am afraid he is as ever completely wrong. First of all I have not

:10:49. > :10:52.delegated junior doctors I have spent a lot of time praising their

:10:53. > :10:56.absolutely vital contribution as the backbone of the NHS and secondly I

:10:57. > :11:00.have not completed routine services with mortality rates, in fact I have

:11:01. > :11:04.done the opposite in answer to the honourable lady I confirmed that we

:11:05. > :11:08.are talking about urgent and emergency care and making stre that

:11:09. > :11:11.services are consistently ddlivered for urgent and emergency care across

:11:12. > :11:19.the week. That is our priorhty and that does link to mortality rates.

:11:20. > :11:23.As the chairman of the alternative dispute resolution can I confirmed

:11:24. > :11:28.that it is always right to try to seek the amount of common ground

:11:29. > :11:34.that exist before going into a negotiation with a cast and anyone

:11:35. > :11:37.should not underestimate thd amount of common ground he has achheved in

:11:38. > :11:41.getting the eight Gass talks to gather. Would you like to s`y what

:11:42. > :11:46.it will now take to get the BMA to call off the strike. He is

:11:47. > :11:49.absolutely right. Let me sax what is the common ground here betwden the

:11:50. > :11:52.government and a junior doctors We want to make sure they are working

:11:53. > :11:57.the hours, we do not want to cut their pay. Favourite care for

:11:58. > :12:01.services -- for patients and the many junior doctors who do work

:12:02. > :12:06.weekends to get proper and public support at weekend as well `s during

:12:07. > :12:12.the week I think that is enough to come to a deal on. The health

:12:13. > :12:16.secretary as an bird with hhs approach that junior contact

:12:17. > :12:21.arrangements currently compromised patients or the. Can you tell us

:12:22. > :12:28.which hospital TV executives have actually confirmed to him that that

:12:29. > :12:33.is the case? Actually I can tell it was NHS providers, NHS employers

:12:34. > :12:38.represent all NHS hospital just saying that trust are clear that the

:12:39. > :12:43.current contracts for both consultants and junior doctors must

:12:44. > :12:50.be reformed to provide it modernized and save seven-day services and our

:12:51. > :12:55.hospitals. What assessment hs the Secretary of State made both of the

:12:56. > :13:00.cost but also wasted NHS resources resulting from any strike action? I

:13:01. > :13:05.cannot provide that information this afternoon because we do not yet

:13:06. > :13:09.know. Whether the strike is going to go ahead tomorrow and also, the

:13:10. > :13:13.operations will end up being cancelled in advance of that because

:13:14. > :13:22.of late notice but I am happy to get an answer when I have noticdd. This

:13:23. > :13:25.Junior Doctor dispute is not just about that we are very forttnate

:13:26. > :13:29.that we have such marvellous junior doctors. My concern is and H know

:13:30. > :13:35.their concern is about the changes in the proposed imposed contract

:13:36. > :13:39.would have on the Junior Doctor and that that would have such a negative

:13:40. > :13:42.impact on research and development which makes our National He`lth

:13:43. > :13:48.Service greatest in the world. Would you comment on the change in the

:13:49. > :13:55.contact impacted on the resdarch? Is there any chance in that? If there

:13:56. > :13:59.is not would you please say that it is absolutely essential. I will do

:14:00. > :14:05.neither of those things. Will soon discover whether the Secret`ry of

:14:06. > :14:10.State wishes to do either. Thank you Mr Speaker. I hope she can be

:14:11. > :14:17.reassured by the offer that the government made in November which

:14:18. > :14:20.has specific reduction for staff who need to do research that thd NHS

:14:21. > :14:24.needs them to do to make sure that they are not disadvantaged H doing

:14:25. > :14:32.any of that research. I'm h`ppy to write to two. The plans we have

:14:33. > :14:34.outlined. Does the Secretarx of State agree that rather than

:14:35. > :14:37.treating this issue as a political football which the party opposite

:14:38. > :14:41.appear to want to do they should take the advice of my honourable

:14:42. > :14:44.friend and both sides should sit down and treat this statement for

:14:45. > :14:46.the advice of my honourable friend and both sides should sit down and

:14:47. > :14:49.treat this statement with a cautious welcome is not that the Secretary of

:14:50. > :14:53.State agree that my constittents and are more concerned about thhs in

:14:54. > :15:00.safety and ensuring adequatd 20 47 care by other than playing politics

:15:01. > :15:03.of our NHS? I agree with th`t and I agree that improving seven-day

:15:04. > :15:08.services across the NHS shotld unite all services across the House and

:15:09. > :15:11.the government and the radical per pass medical profession. It is

:15:12. > :15:13.unfortunate that we are at the position we have gone to but there

:15:14. > :15:19.is an opportunity to get thhngs right and I hope that happens. I

:15:20. > :15:22.welcome the statement and I very much welcome the conversations that

:15:23. > :15:26.are going on, but there are many vulnerable and is that be bothered

:15:27. > :15:30.let hat letters today from their local hospital saying that their

:15:31. > :15:35.operation for tomorrow has been cancelled. Should we get good news

:15:36. > :15:39.later this evening, is it too late to allow those operations to take

:15:40. > :15:40.place bearing in mind in many rural constituencies and city

:15:41. > :15:46.constituencies that transport has to be arranged for those patients to

:15:47. > :15:49.turn up? My honourable friend is right to bring it back to p`tients

:15:50. > :15:52.which is what we should alw`ys be doing and help the baby puppy sadly

:15:53. > :15:57.I fear the majority of patidnts even if the strike is called off which I

:15:58. > :16:01.hope it is it will be too l`te to rebook people in tomorrow. We in the

:16:02. > :16:06.NHS will do everything we c`n to rebook a people and as quickly as we

:16:07. > :16:09.can. But he is right and th`t is one of the very sad thing that happens

:16:10. > :16:15.if people do not sit around the table and talk. I am grateftl to the

:16:16. > :16:20.Secretary of State and colldagues. We now come to the backbench

:16:21. > :16:23.business debate on the UK's role in the Middle East. Just beford I

:16:24. > :16:27.called the honourable judgelent to move the motion I should pohnt out

:16:28. > :16:34.that there is a very large number of would-be contributors to thhs

:16:35. > :16:39.debate. Brad Barritt disturbing proportion of them are not xet in

:16:40. > :16:43.the chamber. -- rather disttrbing. I hope that that will be remedied

:16:44. > :16:53.before long. We do not want standards to slip. Every melber has

:16:54. > :16:57.a responsibility to keep an eye on the annunciator, the honour`ble

:16:58. > :17:01.gentleman says it started to zoom. It may have started too soon for

:17:02. > :17:04.them but not for the honour`ble gentleman who typically is hn its

:17:05. > :17:08.place at the appropriate tile and we are grateful to him as indedd are a

:17:09. > :17:15.great many others to move the ocean I called. Develop. Figure Mr Baker I

:17:16. > :17:20.would like to move the motion as it is stated on the order paper. Mr

:17:21. > :17:23.Speaker Pursley May I think the Backbench Business Committed for

:17:24. > :17:26.granting this debate and for the death Kevin de Bruyne three

:17:27. > :17:33.colleagues who supported me in securing this opportunity to discuss

:17:34. > :17:39.this more most important subject at this most critical at times. I would

:17:40. > :17:43.like to thank the members for their support. The importance of this epic

:17:44. > :17:47.to the House can be seen by the very fact the committee has seen fit to

:17:48. > :17:50.allocate a full day to its discussion and to the number of

:17:51. > :17:54.members who are present herd today and have indicated that thex would

:17:55. > :18:00.like to contribute. At the outset and innovating this debate H fear it

:18:01. > :18:04.the latest and comment on md to it knowledge ties to the Middld East

:18:05. > :18:07.and to state my belief that with this unique history companids pestle

:18:08. > :18:13.responsibility to continue to engage with the stiff cold yet crucial area

:18:14. > :18:18.of the world. I am sure the Minister will like to say more about the

:18:19. > :18:22.historic weeks links to the region later on. In the short time since I

:18:23. > :18:25.made my initial application to the Backbench Business Committed we have

:18:26. > :18:29.seen numerous developments relevant to the topic of today's deb`te. Ever

:18:30. > :18:33.Russian passenger planes blown out of the sky over the pineapple

:18:34. > :18:38.mantilla. A suicide terrorist attack in Beirut, more like walk in the

:18:39. > :18:43.Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the first full parliamentary eldctions

:18:44. > :18:52.in Egypt, a deadly bomb att`ck in Tunisia. Have delete my tragic event

:18:53. > :18:57.in Marat. The Downing of a Russian jet by the Turkish Air Forcd. The

:18:58. > :18:58.unanimous passing of the UN resolution 2249 as well as

:18:59. > :19:02.increasing anti-Semitic att`cks against Europe and violent clashes

:19:03. > :19:11.with UK Muslim community thhs weekend alone to attempt to towards

:19:12. > :19:15.mosque took place and this hs not an exhausting list. These events alone

:19:16. > :19:19.serve as a minor of challenges we and the international committee face

:19:20. > :19:23.when it comes to interest understanding issues and how to deal

:19:24. > :19:27.with them. Before and during my time serving this chamber I have child

:19:28. > :19:32.extensively in the region and worked as a doctor among Muslim colmunities

:19:33. > :19:35.in the UK for seeking to dedpen my understanding. I lay no clahm to the

:19:36. > :19:40.answers but one thing has always struck me as essential. That is the

:19:41. > :19:43.need to take a coherent and competence of approach across the

:19:44. > :19:48.Middle East as able and to recognise the shoots and roots of the threat

:19:49. > :19:53.emanating from that region which are growing in our own society. There

:19:54. > :19:58.are many such risk and thre`ts to confront and they are linked across

:19:59. > :20:03.the whole region and are colplex, tribal and ethnic loyalties, old

:20:04. > :20:07.world ties, religious differences, centuries-old conflict, both of

:20:08. > :20:12.which transcend national borders. These all be double the reghon. The

:20:13. > :20:16.consequent instability inevhtably build over into mass displacement of

:20:17. > :20:22.people and consequent humanhtarian need. The serious global war, the

:20:23. > :20:26.Yemen Civil War, the Libyan Civil War and the ongoing conflict between

:20:27. > :20:30.Israel and the Palestinians. As a consequence, many have been sucked

:20:31. > :20:35.and continue to be sucked in as global actors, proxy wars abound.

:20:36. > :20:42.Saudi versus Iran, US against Russia. A huge rain and back there

:20:43. > :20:46.is our involved in the Vienna process as evidence of this and

:20:47. > :20:50.there are also historical challenges, changing borders

:20:51. > :20:57.resulting in diverse communhties within national borders. Colonial

:20:58. > :21:00.powers are maligned influence, US Russia and since 1979 what `ppears

:21:01. > :21:07.to be a continuing battle bdtween Shia and Sunni. Within this complex

:21:08. > :21:10.situation, the House is soon to be asked to decide whether UK `ir

:21:11. > :21:15.strikes should be extended hnto Syria. Actually, I do not fhnd this

:21:16. > :21:20.a difficult question. We must be clear though as to why we are

:21:21. > :21:26.proceeding in this way. Firstly we must not. Must not declare war on my

:21:27. > :21:33.fifth. We must not legitimise these barbarians in that way. Unlhke them,

:21:34. > :21:39.we are not met Ito religious crusaders. What we should do is help

:21:40. > :21:43.eradicate the people anywhere who abuse authorities allege to be had

:21:44. > :21:49.children, systematically raped women, kill people whose religious

:21:50. > :21:51.views or ways of life are not the as their own, whose extortion of terror

:21:52. > :21:56.and hatred make it impossible for people to live in the territory they

:21:57. > :22:01.control. The commit murder `nd spread terror and other parts of the

:22:02. > :22:06.world. Such people are not worthy of whatever God in whose name they

:22:07. > :22:10.claim to act. This is why I support the Prime Minister's propos`l to

:22:11. > :22:14.extend air strikes into the ungoverned space of eastern Syria.

:22:15. > :22:17.For the record I would have supported military action to create

:22:18. > :22:22.safe havens for people in 2011 and they would have included Syria when

:22:23. > :22:27.air strikes against Isis Dydss began in 2014. As I regard the current

:22:28. > :22:33.circumstances where the RAF can find to flow and the not destroy it is

:22:34. > :22:37.nonsense. The threat from them is clear and present. The legal

:22:38. > :22:40.justification is strong and it is right that Britain should play a

:22:41. > :22:47.leading role with its allies Andy Roddick 80- Dyess from the face of

:22:48. > :22:52.the earth. -- eradicating Isis fast. Question is how we use military

:22:53. > :22:55.force to Bishop on the started and honest political point. I do not

:22:56. > :23:01.believe we yet have a sufficient answer. Military action nevdr have

:23:02. > :23:05.reliable outcomes and it's threads fear and chaos. Air strikes will do

:23:06. > :23:09.more harm than good as civilian casualties rise and infrastructure

:23:10. > :23:12.is destroyed. Strikes are not is beside the game changer. I believe

:23:13. > :23:18.they are an important part of a bigger effort. Air strikes lay be

:23:19. > :23:22.our only hope of getting and keeping parties in the theory and Chvil War

:23:23. > :23:28.around the table. But we must be clear about who we are fighting for

:23:29. > :23:32.and how military action in. Our focus must be on building the ten or

:23:33. > :23:37.20 years table and face and forced the need to generate B spacd needed

:23:38. > :23:39.for lasting solutions to be found. I suspect that we will have to

:23:40. > :23:45.contribute ground forces at some point and we must rapidly evolve a

:23:46. > :23:49.new sort of international action capability if we are to facd up to

:23:50. > :23:54.the immense task of social `nd physical reconstruction. Thhs needs

:23:55. > :23:57.people capable of building foundations which underpinndd

:23:58. > :24:03.stability. Political reform, economic development, legal systems,

:24:04. > :24:07.education and the the creathon of opportunity for young peopld

:24:08. > :24:10.engaging all people not just political elites. The government

:24:11. > :24:14.stabilisation unit is a start. It must be built into be sort of

:24:15. > :24:19.capability that the king of Jordan once described as an army of who

:24:20. > :24:25.overall not blue helmets. The scope of today's debate is delivered to be

:24:26. > :24:29.broad and there are three mdssages I hope it will convey to our country.

:24:30. > :24:35.Every individual, every comlunity here in the UK has a stake hn the

:24:36. > :24:38.direction the government chooses to take any Middle East and towards the

:24:39. > :24:44.threat and risk which emanate from there. This is not about thd

:24:45. > :24:48.immediate questions of forehgn policy or military action it is

:24:49. > :24:51.about our future way of lifd to How we educate our children, how we

:24:52. > :24:57.welcome and integrate refugdes, how we teach respect and loyaltx for our

:24:58. > :25:01.country, our values traditions and laws. All these things affect

:25:02. > :25:07.whether or not our generation will deal with the issues relevant to

:25:08. > :25:12.today's debate. It is also true that we are and will remain at hhgh risk

:25:13. > :25:17.of the fact -- attack rotting our bombing campaign against Ishs will I

:25:18. > :25:21.fear increase that risk. Th`t is not a reason not to act. I belidve that

:25:22. > :25:25.the majority of the British public understand that the front lhne

:25:26. > :25:30.against Islamic stream is hhm is not just in Raqqa but it is also here on

:25:31. > :25:36.the streets of Britain. Gond are the days of wars being fought in distant

:25:37. > :25:42.lands. The past could be a provincial shopping centre of

:25:43. > :25:45.tomorrow. Until we stop our society and new generations of radicalised

:25:46. > :25:48.young people, until we stop sheltering people who wish our

:25:49. > :25:55.society ill. Until we achieve a fully integrated society ond in

:25:56. > :25:58.which values are shared on the laws are respected and loyalty to Queen

:25:59. > :26:06.and country is separate frol loyalty to a religion. Will not be secure.

:26:07. > :26:11.The risk of atrocity will rdmain. Second point, we must act any Middle

:26:12. > :26:14.East. We must do so now and we must act much more decisively and comp

:26:15. > :26:19.rapidly than ever before. Recognising where we need to do more

:26:20. > :26:24.to achieve the long-term effects we want. Often in the past we have been

:26:25. > :26:28.too narrow and react to. In the West we have tended to suffer from

:26:29. > :26:32.chronic short-term -ism. Those who have travelled in the region can

:26:33. > :26:35.attest to the differences of time in our respective world. We have been a

:26:36. > :26:40.leader to the interconnected nature of the risk and threat and stiff

:26:41. > :26:46.engagement is just not an option. But our approach must changd. Of

:26:47. > :26:51.above all we must recognise the threat of Islamist extremisl and the

:26:52. > :26:57.conditions allowing it to flourish and illuminate them all. Not just

:26:58. > :27:00.its latest iteration Isis. We must remain credible consistent `nd

:27:01. > :27:05.reliable partners to our regional and international allies in the

:27:06. > :27:08.struggle. This must come with understanding that our allids are

:27:09. > :27:13.often imperfect. We must thhs thing was carefully between regional

:27:14. > :27:17.governments battling extremhsm and its regional supporters. We must

:27:18. > :27:23.deal where of the ever-changing balance of power across the region

:27:24. > :27:30.and that power is shifting `way from he leads to people on the street.

:27:31. > :27:33.Arabic social media is an extraordinary force. We also need to

:27:34. > :27:37.assess the relative power of religion, tribal loyalties `nd

:27:38. > :27:43.national identities which in some countries are still quite strong.

:27:44. > :27:48.For example, some have detected a reduction in legit adherencd

:27:49. > :27:52.especially amongst the young. Of accurate, this phenomenon would be

:27:53. > :27:57.hugely significant. We must accept that reform takes time on influence

:27:58. > :28:04.and patient engagement not hn position and insistence. We must be

:28:05. > :28:09.pragmatic treating the world as it is not as we wish to be. We must

:28:10. > :28:14.better recognise trends, we did not see the Arabs spring or Isis coming

:28:15. > :28:17.for to long we have played the equivalent of a child's gamd of

:28:18. > :28:22.whack a mole with threats and challenges emanating from the

:28:23. > :28:28.region. We deal or half deal with one symptom for another to pop up

:28:29. > :28:33.elsewhere. We are not yet on a path to defeat because as of tod`y's wars

:28:34. > :28:39.and instability were to deal with challenges fast coming down the

:28:40. > :28:41.line. Is canned and must ch`nge Our national and international lachinery

:28:42. > :28:47.of government must be strengthened to bring about that change. Our

:28:48. > :28:53.strategic focus must be a more scalable region, the Vienna process

:28:54. > :28:56.it a welcome sight that necdssary powers may wake up to the effort

:28:57. > :29:01.that a long-term solution in Syria will take. We must wake up hn the

:29:02. > :29:06.same way to the whole region. Is neighbourhood including the Gulf

:29:07. > :29:10.states Iran and Israel has ` vital role. It must become a biggdr part

:29:11. > :29:17.of the solution and stop behng part of the problem. This will not happen

:29:18. > :29:17.without much stronger institutional machinery and sustained

:29:18. > :29:28.international attention. This is not an excuse for not

:29:29. > :29:33.acting, but it should deterline our priorities. Finally, my third point,

:29:34. > :29:38.Parliament, this chamber, h`s an important constructive role, not

:29:39. > :29:42.just in holding successive governments to account what it is

:29:43. > :29:46.too late, but ensuring that it shapes policies in the first place,

:29:47. > :29:50.but during our nations and our constituents asked interest, our

:29:51. > :29:55.current range of interventions in the middle east are not yet on track

:29:56. > :29:59.to end well. In some cases, we have already seen the effects in Libya

:30:00. > :30:04.and the recent refugee crishs, others will play out over the coming

:30:05. > :30:10.decades, we must set ourselves up to succeed as a nation, and not to

:30:11. > :30:16.fail, we must consider our tent 20, indeed their two-year priorities

:30:17. > :30:20.as well as any immediate threats. The education of the next gdneration

:30:21. > :30:24.and the emancipation of womdn are crucially important, the Brhtish

:30:25. > :30:28.consulate is doing good work in these areas particularly within the

:30:29. > :30:33.refugee camps along the Syrhan border, work rank this must be

:30:34. > :30:36.better funded and expanded further throughout the region, for H have

:30:37. > :30:40.long believed that a deputy speaker that we need a maitre d' strategy

:30:41. > :30:45.similar to that and ready commissioned by the Gulf st`tes

:30:46. > :30:50.Here might Deputy Speaker I must declare an interest as my whfe

:30:51. > :30:55.wrote, a newly adopted UK strategy toward the goal. Developing such a

:30:56. > :31:00.comprehensive strategy towards the Middle East would have, of course be

:31:01. > :31:07.a large undertaking requiring proper funding, it would certainly be worth

:31:08. > :31:13.our while. Britain already off course contributes a great deal its

:31:14. > :31:20.humanitarian aid militarily dramatically, we support our allies

:31:21. > :31:24.we are strong and steadfast partner, this intervention, this

:31:25. > :31:28.military intervention that hs proposed once beat a game changer,

:31:29. > :31:32.but our brainpower, I would the dramatic clouds, and respect within

:31:33. > :31:38.which we are held throughout the region very well could be. Let me be

:31:39. > :31:41.clear, I believe that the most valuable role Britain can play in

:31:42. > :31:47.the Middle East is to give the world a plan, for peace and stability in

:31:48. > :31:52.the region. In closing, a word of caution from Winston Churchhll, want

:31:53. > :31:56.of foresight, unwillingness to act with action would be simple and

:31:57. > :32:00.effective, lack of clear thhnking, confusion of counsel until the

:32:01. > :32:06.emergency comes, and self preservation strikes, these are the

:32:07. > :32:12.features which constitutes the endless repetition of history. Of

:32:13. > :32:17.such a moment in the regions history, it is important th`t we

:32:18. > :32:19.step back, there is huge scope for miscalculation, it would be easy to

:32:20. > :32:33.sleepwalk into a new Back above all we must challenge

:32:34. > :32:39.ourselves. It is time he pahd more and attention to a way out of this

:32:40. > :32:43.chaos. The iPod was the Daesh state must be prevented. To this

:32:44. > :32:47.generation of political leaders about the responsibility of

:32:48. > :32:51.delivering a comprehensive, long-term strategy for two Liddle

:32:52. > :32:57.East. So as to achieve that noble goal. It will require patience,

:32:58. > :33:01.courage, and determination. By applying ourselves properly, I

:33:02. > :33:09.believe we can secure our children's future into our country

:33:10. > :33:12.and the wider world a great service. The question is that this House

:33:13. > :33:21.considered the UK's role in the Middle East.

:33:22. > :33:28.So, I will put a restriction on the backbench speeches to begin with, of

:33:29. > :33:34.seven minutes. Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker, it is a gre`t

:33:35. > :33:38.pleasure to follow that widd-ranging and comprehensive speech from the

:33:39. > :33:43.honourable member for Bracknell It is well set out the problems that we

:33:44. > :33:47.face, and the outrage that people feel when they look at the dvents

:33:48. > :33:53.that are created following the horrific actions of the death cult

:33:54. > :34:01.of Daesh. Decry it is something must be done. We are always being asked,

:34:02. > :34:09.how can Britain intervened, what can we do to put it right? One of the

:34:10. > :34:16.best writers I have seen an intervention, says intervention is

:34:17. > :34:21.unpredictable, chaotic, uncdrtain, often prevents local leaders from

:34:22. > :34:24.taking responsibility, does not put pressure on settlements between

:34:25. > :34:30.enemies, and are often crippled by the frequent changing aims of

:34:31. > :34:36.intervening governments. I have to say, I think that sums up what does

:34:37. > :34:41.happen when you intervened. It is from that reality based, th`t we

:34:42. > :34:48.have to decide, very soon, whether or not we as a country take over

:34:49. > :34:52.intervention from Iraq, and consider intervention in Syria. One of the

:34:53. > :34:58.things that worries me about this proposal, of intervention in Syria

:34:59. > :35:04.is about our capability. Not capability in terms of whether or

:35:05. > :35:09.not our Armed Forces are actually determined enough, whether they are

:35:10. > :35:16.skilled enough, but actuallx whether or not they have the capability in

:35:17. > :35:23.terms of platforms. If we look at the Gulf War, 1991, we had 36 fast

:35:24. > :35:32.jet squadrons, today we havd seven. Only three of which are tornado

:35:33. > :35:40.squadrons. We have eight tornado GR for aircraft in Cyprus, that have

:35:41. > :35:46.flown 1600 missions and carried 300 -- 360 air strikes. No one has told

:35:47. > :35:50.us how often in those missions, those aircraft had to turn back at

:35:51. > :35:56.the Syrian border. I would like some facts on that. We are saying we have

:35:57. > :36:02.to intervene, yet we do not know the facts. Let us get them back there.

:36:03. > :36:06.We carried out one strike in formations, a strikingly modest

:36:07. > :36:13.contribution. The tornadoes argued to be decommissioned in 2018, 2 19,

:36:14. > :36:17.the pain had a pilot in the navigator, but we have got ` limited

:36:18. > :36:22.number of planes, limited ntmber of pilots, and a shortage of n`vigators

:36:23. > :36:26.for the GR for. We originally had six brains in Cyprus, now wd have

:36:27. > :36:31.got eight, we need eight because they need considerable maintenance,

:36:32. > :36:35.and use of spare parts in the other pins to keep them flying, wd

:36:36. > :36:41.increased it to eight. Let ts be clear. We need eight planes in

:36:42. > :36:46.Cyprus to fly two. The torn`do is an incredibly liveable attack plane,

:36:47. > :36:54.capable of carrying 12 of the much talked about first, missiles, it is

:36:55. > :37:00.better which is where the tornado exhales. Where the top typhoon

:37:01. > :37:05.exhales, but the typhoon dods not carry it. We need to know, how many

:37:06. > :37:10.tornado pilots, navigators, and ground crew would be needed to

:37:11. > :37:15.maintain and armour planes to extend our mission into Syria. Is ht going

:37:16. > :37:19.to be the same eight planes? Or are we going to add to those pl`nes If

:37:20. > :37:25.so, where are those planes coming from? Where are the planes `nd crews

:37:26. > :37:31.currently deployed? What missions will we need to these? Or ddcrease

:37:32. > :37:38.to actually allow them to fly in Syria? And very importantly, will

:37:39. > :37:41.harm guidelines be breached for those crews because that is a vital

:37:42. > :37:47.question we need to know thd answer to. The Prime Minister told us last

:37:48. > :37:55.week that 70% of the territory held by Daesh in Iraq is still to be

:37:56. > :38:03.recaptured. Over 360 strike missions have only helped to regain 30% of

:38:04. > :38:08.the territory over the last year. On that point, she has made a very

:38:09. > :38:14.powerful speech. We went to Iraq, at the time it was clear to me that

:38:15. > :38:18.what we heard was that the Sunni tribes, we made a number of their

:38:19. > :38:23.leaders, wanted an army to take on ice. This was not happening, it was

:38:24. > :38:30.essential to bring about a proper solution here. Thank you for your

:38:31. > :38:36.intervention, you are right, the critical issue is how we engage the

:38:37. > :38:40.Sunni tribes in fighting for their own future, how we ensure the Sunni

:38:41. > :38:46.are an integral part of the change that is needed both in Iraq and in

:38:47. > :38:57.Syria. Without them, or intdrvention is a nonsense and a completd waste

:38:58. > :39:02.of time. I was also on the same trip, in the north of Iraq rather

:39:03. > :39:06.than the Shia in Baghdad, one of the greatest forces that we havd in Iraq

:39:07. > :39:14.and potentially also in Syrha are the Peshmerga. Thank you for your

:39:15. > :39:19.question, he says absolutelx valiantly on the defence colmittee

:39:20. > :39:27.with me, I know how much work he did on that trip, on that visit where we

:39:28. > :39:31.really delved deeply into why the capability and the success of the

:39:32. > :39:34.intervention was. Yes, of course the Peshmerga art tremendous assets

:39:35. > :39:40.they are a great fighting force they are not going to fight

:39:41. > :39:44.everywhere in Iraq. They want to focus on their own area, and they

:39:45. > :39:51.want to focus on protecting Kurdish lands and Kurdish people. They are

:39:52. > :39:56.not the Iraqi Armed Forces, they are the Kurdish Armed Forces. So the

:39:57. > :40:02.Prime Minister told us last week that we are going to regain Morstead

:40:03. > :40:09.territory. I don't want us to transfer our limited intervdntional

:40:10. > :40:12.divinity from Iraq to Syria, and December 2015, our military presence

:40:13. > :40:19.in Iraq outside of the Kurdhsh region was three individuals, we met

:40:20. > :40:25.them. Formations there are critical to preventing Daesh spreading across

:40:26. > :40:28.Iraq. I would urge everyone present to read the report that the defence

:40:29. > :40:34.select committee produced in January of this year, outlining the problems

:40:35. > :40:41.that we were facing in Iraq, and the capability that we had to intervene

:40:42. > :40:45.there. Reports state that wd saw no evidence of the UK Government

:40:46. > :40:51.seeking to analyse, question, or change Coalition strategy to which

:40:52. > :40:56.it is committed. Ministers, and officers failed to set out ` clear

:40:57. > :41:00.strategy for a rack a Christian definition of the operations. We saw

:41:01. > :41:04.no evidence of an energised policy debates, reviewing our arguhng

:41:05. > :41:10.options for deeper engagement. I will certainly give way. Is also the

:41:11. > :41:12.case that if you are going to do if an attack you need to be able to

:41:13. > :41:16.collaborate with forces on the ground to report to you the targets

:41:17. > :41:23.and whether you have been stccessful or not in attack? That is exactly

:41:24. > :41:27.the information that we need to Attacks have been made by otr

:41:28. > :41:31.planes. What we do not know is how badly they were. Were they

:41:32. > :41:35.successful, are they making a difference? Yet here we are talking

:41:36. > :41:38.about intervening somewhere else when we do not even know how

:41:39. > :41:45.successful our intervention has been in Iraq. The expensively tr`ined and

:41:46. > :41:51.equipped Iraqi Army fell ap`rt when confronted by Daesh come thd Army

:41:52. > :41:55.has to be structural issues, poor quality leadership, and a sdctarian

:41:56. > :42:00.divide which must be addressed before any real progress in

:42:01. > :42:07.combating Daesh is possible. The brutality of the fear Bale finishes

:42:08. > :42:12.force Sunni tribes into seehng Daesh as the safer alternative. That is

:42:13. > :42:19.never moved away that recognition. Senior record, it is possibly

:42:20. > :42:26.difficult that we cannot make this happen in Iraq, what chance do we

:42:27. > :42:30.have in Syria? What is the basis of the sectarian divide, is it simply

:42:31. > :42:33.region? Visit also the age-old strategy of divide and rule, get

:42:34. > :42:37.groups fighting between thelselves and I love the corruption, the

:42:38. > :42:42.repression of the autocratic regime to continue, the property to grow?

:42:43. > :42:48.Young men turn to jihad -isl when there is no work, no hope for the

:42:49. > :42:53.future? In Syria, there is no compelling image for the future and

:42:54. > :42:57.no leaders to rally behind, a state in the midst of civil war. @t least

:42:58. > :43:04.in Syria, there is nothing that will pull people together, in Ir`q we

:43:05. > :43:10.have potential. There is a Shia president I'm not a Sunni ddfence

:43:11. > :43:23.minister, and a wonderful Ktrdish president. I congratulate mx

:43:24. > :43:27.Honorable friend, the number for Bracknell on securing this debate

:43:28. > :43:34.and on his very thoughtful introduction to it. Hear, hdar! I

:43:35. > :43:40.share the outrage aroused bx the atrocities in Paris, Tunisi`,

:43:41. > :43:43.Sinai, and elsewhere. Any action necessary to protect Britain from

:43:44. > :43:49.similar horrors will have mx full support, especially if we c`n

:43:50. > :43:54.simultaneously deliver fellow Christians and other minorities from

:43:55. > :43:58.the temerity of the Isil regime But, I still need to be persuaded

:43:59. > :44:03.that the government's policx is likely to be effective and

:44:04. > :44:10.realistic. I want to be persuaded, but let me spell out my concerns and

:44:11. > :44:14.doubts. Above all, we must learn the lessons of experience, from

:44:15. > :44:19.Afghanistan, from Iraq, frol Libya, all of which continue to hatnt us.

:44:20. > :44:25.Albert Einstein said the definition of insanity is to keep on doing the

:44:26. > :44:31.same thing and expecting a different outcome. My colleagues are dminently

:44:32. > :44:38.sane, I hope they have learned what I believe are the three lessons

:44:39. > :44:43.three key lessons of recent history. First, it is comparatively dasy to

:44:44. > :44:47.destroy a regime, but second it is next to impossible to install a new

:44:48. > :44:52.regime or defeat an insurgency by air power alone without boots on the

:44:53. > :44:57.ground. Jokes prepared to stay there for long term, preferably bdcause it

:44:58. > :45:04.is their country, and third the only thing worse than a nickel rdgime, is

:45:05. > :45:09.chaos and anarchy that may replace it. Bashed to radical. I nedd

:45:10. > :45:12.persuading first, that if wd join the bombing campaign, it will be in

:45:13. > :45:18.support of forces capable of retaining ground that air power may

:45:19. > :45:23.hope clear. In Iraq we are supporting the Iraqi and Kurdish

:45:24. > :45:26.forces and if it is militarhly necessary to take action across the

:45:27. > :45:34.board in their defence that is fine by me. As far as Syria is concerned,

:45:35. > :45:37.the 70,000 opposition fightdrs Principi of the free Syrian army

:45:38. > :45:46.which do not belong to extrdmist groups. Is the Honorable melber

:45:47. > :45:53.aware that when the select committee was in Iraq we were told th`t there

:45:54. > :46:00.were one Shia fighters alond willing to combat Daesh? Do we not have a

:46:01. > :46:02.greater chance in Iraq and hn Syria? A very good points that the

:46:03. > :46:09.Honorable Lady made, she made an extremely good speech. But, I would

:46:10. > :46:15.like to believe this free Sxrian army is more than a label attached

:46:16. > :46:18.to a ragbag of travel trips and personal armies with no cohdrent

:46:19. > :46:23.command structure. I would like to believe that they are moder`te, when

:46:24. > :46:26.I was doing a study of the config any years ago, I examined m`ny

:46:27. > :46:31.similar situations that the world and concluded that it is ne`rly a

:46:32. > :46:35.law of human nature where pdople there at the disintegration of a

:46:36. > :46:39.state, they rally to the most forceful and extreme advocates of

:46:40. > :46:44.their group. In the circumstances, there are no moderates, so H this

:46:45. > :46:48.too will have to rely on sole pretty violent and unpleasant forcds. I

:46:49. > :46:54.would like to believe that there will be an effective fighting force,

:46:55. > :46:58.but in October, General Lloxd wasted, he reported to Senate that

:46:59. > :47:04.the programme to train some 540 moderate Syrians each year but it

:47:05. > :47:11.cost a $500 million, so far had produced just four or five fighters

:47:12. > :47:14.that could be counted on ond hand, I would like to be convinced that if

:47:15. > :47:19.these moderates fighting forces exist they can be persuaded to fight

:47:20. > :47:33.the Islamists rather than Assad who they consider their main endmy up

:47:34. > :47:35.until now. Isn't the issue for the government contemplating air

:47:36. > :47:41.strikes, the question who do they get in touch with on the ground that

:47:42. > :47:45.we would co-ordinate with? Ly Honorable friend is absolutdly

:47:46. > :47:48.right, it is far from clear that without trained forces, and we have

:47:49. > :47:55.seen nearly filled to in tr`ining any, we could do that. My sdcond

:47:56. > :47:58.area of concern is this aerhal bombardment in Syria, what ht

:47:59. > :48:04.actually help prevent terror on our streets in Britain. And not one of

:48:05. > :48:07.those who believe we should hold back from bombing Isil for fear of

:48:08. > :48:12.provoking more terrorism. Even if there were such a risk to allow a

:48:13. > :48:17.handful of terrorists to determine British policy would be cow`rdly in

:48:18. > :48:21.the extreme. In any case, the truth is that these extreme Islamhsts

:48:22. > :48:27.attack is not because of wh`t we do, but because of what we are. The

:48:28. > :48:32.preamble to the memorandum to the Senate committee states that it is

:48:33. > :48:36.from Raqqa that some of the main threads planned against this country

:48:37. > :48:42.are planned and orchestrated. I would like to believe it is as

:48:43. > :48:44.simple as taking out a comm`nd and control system to prevent the main

:48:45. > :48:50.threats of terrorism in this country. Yet, even in that document

:48:51. > :48:54.than detailing the seven plots foiled by Isil, security forces in

:48:55. > :49:01.the last 12 months, that cl`im is watered down to saying that those

:49:02. > :49:07.parts were merely linked to Isil, or inspired by Isil's Ogando the truth

:49:08. > :49:12.is the atrocities we have sden in Britain and France were also

:49:13. > :49:19.invariably carried out by home-grown terrorist, many of them werd

:49:20. > :49:23.inspired by our propaganda or a previous suicide bomber's and

:49:24. > :49:28.terrorists. I have not seen any evidence that they would control a

:49:29. > :49:33.long dispatch from Raqqa. Those parts were hatched in Brussdls, not

:49:34. > :49:36.in Syria. If French and Belgian security forces on the ground could

:49:37. > :49:41.not identify and stop them, it is pretty unlikely that any pl`ns being

:49:42. > :49:47.hatched in Syria could be prevented by precision bombing from 30 to

:49:48. > :49:50.about 30,000 feet. In any c`se, the fact that one horrifying atrocity

:49:51. > :49:54.photos another does not mean that they are directed and controlled by

:49:55. > :49:58.a single organisation. We h`ve seen horrifying school bombings hn

:49:59. > :50:04.America, one following another, example leading to another. That

:50:05. > :50:12.does not mean that there was a controlling mind to them. The third

:50:13. > :50:17.reason I have my concerns, hs that we are led to believe that there is

:50:18. > :50:22.a degrading and disrupting Hsil will reduce the flood of refugees. As I

:50:23. > :50:27.understand it, and I am open to correction, scarcely any of the

:50:28. > :50:31.refugees coming to us or evdn going over the border to Turkey come from

:50:32. > :50:39.the iso- controlled areas. Ly fear is if we bomb, reduce, and disrupt

:50:40. > :50:47.the area a month that would add to the flow of migrants into Etrope.

:50:48. > :50:53.The truth is, that the real reason that the government wishes to join

:50:54. > :50:59.the operations in Syria is that we want to join with our US allies It

:51:00. > :51:03.is the default position of friends that we should support Amerhca

:51:04. > :51:08.unless there is good reason not to. That is a default position which I

:51:09. > :51:13.hold, when there are doubts and reasons not to, we should argue and

:51:14. > :51:21.persuade our colleagues to change their strategy before we john in. We

:51:22. > :51:24.are celebrating this year, the 7th year of the birth of Howard Wolfson,

:51:25. > :51:29.his great achievement was to remain in the closest ally of the Tnited

:51:30. > :51:33.States not being drawn into the Vietnam War. I believe we should

:51:34. > :51:37.learn from that example, and if my doubts cannot be cleared up, hold

:51:38. > :51:43.back rather than join in with our friends and allies in their

:51:44. > :51:46.endeavors which possibly ard doomed to failure unless they have boots on

:51:47. > :51:56.the ground to support the bombs from the air. I will begin by also

:51:57. > :52:00.thinking the honourable gentleman for Bracknell in securing this

:52:01. > :52:06.debate. One of the first thhngs I was able to do in this housd was

:52:07. > :52:10.secure a debate in the case which I know the Minister understands my

:52:11. > :52:14.interest in. Since then, I have developed something of an insight

:52:15. > :52:19.into how the UK sees its relations with countries such as Audi Arabia.

:52:20. > :52:25.A country which indeed is cultivating a second Syria `nd

:52:26. > :52:28.Yemen. Madam Deputy Speaker, we are continuously given assurancds that

:52:29. > :52:33.Britain is working hard behhnd the scenes in ways which may not be

:52:34. > :52:37.immediately apparent in orddr to secure concrete and durable change.

:52:38. > :52:41.I do not doubt for a moment that this is the case, I stand hdre in

:52:42. > :52:46.what is possibly the most self-satisfied legislature hn the

:52:47. > :52:51.world. The mother of all parliaments, I have no doubt that

:52:52. > :52:54.people on these benches which to see concepts of democracy, civil

:52:55. > :52:59.society, and the rule of law. Things that they consider to be thdir own,

:53:00. > :53:04.exported to other countries in the Middle East. The problem is a

:53:05. > :53:08.reality in which the idea h`s yet to arrive. There are too many hn this

:53:09. > :53:13.house whose idea of intervention goes back to a previous timd, when

:53:14. > :53:19.asked to administer last wedk about the protection of minorities in the

:53:20. > :53:24.inevitable conflicts, I my puestion by competing the Middle East to the

:53:25. > :53:29.below you will pop up a century ago. I did so expressly, the fact is that

:53:30. > :53:33.there has been a small group of peoples from the wider region over

:53:34. > :53:40.that period and I cannot help but see this country own hand bdhind it.

:53:41. > :53:45.It was David Lloyd George who said the template for UK foreign policy

:53:46. > :53:48.in the modern era, financing, encouraging a disastrous Grdek

:53:49. > :53:55.invasion of Asia minor, an `ction which ended in flames and a Pontic

:53:56. > :53:59.Greek population which had predicted Homer was destroyed. Even the

:54:00. > :54:05.greatest leaders cannot seel to help but overstretch themselves. He

:54:06. > :54:09.thought he had no choice but to install them as regent in Iraq. A

:54:10. > :54:14.region which was to empower a possibly the greatest Jewish city on

:54:15. > :54:21.Earth, Baghdad, was cleansed of that Jewish population. Recently, with a

:54:22. > :54:28.strip by Minister has led us back to the often overlooked the war in Iraq

:54:29. > :54:33.was the setting to flight of one of the oldest Christian populations in

:54:34. > :54:36.the world. Madam Deputy Spe`ker I do not offer these examples as a

:54:37. > :54:46.reason as to why we should not intervene in Syria, if anything we

:54:47. > :54:50.do not demonstrate the inefficacy of UK intervention, only that tsed more

:54:51. > :54:55.often than not has unintenddd consequences. I do not doubt that

:54:56. > :54:59.there is a robust military plans, and the military forces which are

:55:00. > :55:04.surely the best in the world will have the vector of the Ashbx from

:55:05. > :55:07.the air or on the ground. It is what we are reiterating that we on these

:55:08. > :55:12.benches are not a pacifist party, the Prime Minister would do well to

:55:13. > :55:17.remember that. Of course, it goes without saying that something must

:55:18. > :55:22.be done, specifically to those who stop at the heart of Paris `

:55:23. > :55:25.fortnight ago, but the lesson we take of history is that it hs not

:55:26. > :55:31.enough to see that something must be done. I beseech the Prime Mhnister

:55:32. > :55:34.to show that he understands our unease and that he is unabld to put

:55:35. > :55:41.the immediate problem at hand into the wider context in which ht

:55:42. > :55:45.exists. Let us be in no doubt there is a wider problem facing as a

:55:46. > :55:52.result of the Europe of 1914, from West Africa to the background to the

:55:53. > :55:58.end of the Arabian Peninsul`, from the caucuses to Kashmir is ` series

:55:59. > :56:04.of insurgencies, civil wars, failed states, that we are often unable or

:56:05. > :56:09.unwilling to confront. My principle there is that in choosing D`esh in

:56:10. > :56:12.Syria and Iraq we will simply reappear elsewhere, the

:56:13. > :56:18.government's willingness to act in three out must be used not `s an end

:56:19. > :56:21.in itself, but as a means to seek solutions in the broadest context.

:56:22. > :56:25.What we need now is a modern Marshall plan for the region. The

:56:26. > :56:30.participation of as many nations as possible, and the determination to

:56:31. > :56:34.see that through. The most pernicious lie that too manx have

:56:35. > :56:39.fallen for us is that this hs the clash of civilizations, unddr any

:56:40. > :56:42.honours circumstance would be a series of local conflicts h`s been

:56:43. > :56:49.given greater resonance by the injection of jihadist and sdctarian

:56:50. > :56:51.rhetoric. A black and white distinction, drawn between the

:56:52. > :56:56.faithful and the crusaders `nd the ability of many to bring thd near

:56:57. > :57:04.war on the far war together, let us not forget this was denied hn's to

:57:05. > :57:07.teach extreme. Too often, the actions of our governments have

:57:08. > :57:11.exacerbated these problems, not from intentions for from its inability to

:57:12. > :57:17.think about what follows an initial Matera envisioned. That there be no

:57:18. > :57:21.doubt, have the Prime Minister come to this place with a plan not to

:57:22. > :57:25.just bomb Syria but to ensure that there were both funds and a

:57:26. > :57:29.rebooted, willingness to rebuild afterwards and give up its forces to

:57:30. > :57:32.occupy and pacify it, if he had come here with a plan to place their

:57:33. > :57:38.intentions in Syria into thd context of plans for the wider region, and

:57:39. > :57:42.show that he had the willingness to join or build a Coalition of states

:57:43. > :57:45.who are willing to spend a time untangling the myriad of regional

:57:46. > :57:51.disputes that have set this part of the world of claim.

:57:52. > :57:59.And the fact that the Prime Minister was able to come pretty close to

:58:00. > :58:02.answer bring the seven points of the Foreign Affairs Committee r`ised,

:58:03. > :58:06.there was a limitation on what he can actually say because crdating

:58:07. > :58:12.this entire national Coalithon is active workgroup in progress, which

:58:13. > :58:16.it wasn't back in September and October. That is the change and we

:58:17. > :58:20.need our government to be ftlly committed to that process. @nd air

:58:21. > :58:24.strikes on the one hand it's a small screen for the more substantial

:58:25. > :58:27.question, as how art can our government that should the

:58:28. > :58:31.international Coalition he hs talking about as either a 4 member

:58:32. > :58:42.of the Coalition or continuhng to be at non-belligerents. He makds an

:58:43. > :58:45.important point. They give ts the platform for the United Kingdom to

:58:46. > :58:51.show the leadership that we are all looking for. I would of been willing

:58:52. > :58:55.to support military action had the government met when I just like now.

:58:56. > :59:00.But the reality is the Primd Minister has not done so. Instead,

:59:01. > :59:05.what we have is a political version of virtue signalling. Afric` while

:59:06. > :59:10.may be appreciated by our allies, does nothing to address the deep

:59:11. > :59:14.misgivings of many in this house. Or amongst the wider public. The point

:59:15. > :59:20.is not to attack Isis, the point is to defeat them. And not the feed and

:59:21. > :59:25.Syria, but across the whole arc of insurgency. Walk our military forces

:59:26. > :59:29.have learned from decades of involvement at the bridging, this

:59:30. > :59:34.seems they are political masters have not. I think this final plea.

:59:35. > :59:39.Applied the lesson from history Show us what has been learndd and

:59:40. > :59:52.please give us a proper plan for reconstruction. For brilliant

:59:53. > :59:57.speakers, out of four. My whll be a bit more modest. I have two problems

:59:58. > :00:03.with the proposed interventhon in Syria. Is not to say that the

:00:04. > :00:07.government does not care and is not true that nothing has been done to

:00:08. > :00:15.engage the support of members on both sides of this house. This is

:00:16. > :00:23.the result of careful thought over a number of years not a concltsion to

:00:24. > :00:28.which we have come to over the last two or three weeks. We recognise the

:00:29. > :00:33.appalling major of the attacks in France, just as we had to rdcognise

:00:34. > :00:38.the attacks in the Lebanon the previous day as early attacks on a

:00:39. > :00:46.Russian aeroplane and beford that, on the beach in Tunisia. Thd

:00:47. > :00:51.question is not how can we deal with these attacks today or tomorrow And

:00:52. > :00:59.said how can we solve the problems of Isil on a long-term basis. First,

:01:00. > :01:06.we must not find ourselves tsing boots on the ground. Into something

:01:07. > :01:11.that which cannot be solved by Britz or indeed United States, Russians,

:01:12. > :01:18.or French. The PM has it cldar that our boots are not used in Sxria nor

:01:19. > :01:29.those of any Westerners with for the moment include Russia. Thank you. I

:01:30. > :01:34.am always extremely buried when you make definitive, when someone makes

:01:35. > :01:44.definitive statements that will not use our Armed Forces to defdnd our

:01:45. > :01:48.interests. Understand his fdar, but the Prime Minister himself said we

:01:49. > :01:55.should not have boots on thd ground. Where are the support is coling

:01:56. > :02:00.from? We are not speaking about one Army under one general, but several

:02:01. > :02:05.different factions, some of which are competing against each other. We

:02:06. > :02:10.cannot repeat what happened in Libya. It is not clear whether these

:02:11. > :02:15.factions with the 70,000 Syrian fighters are composed of, are

:02:16. > :02:21.organised and prepared to act. Whether they are able to move into

:02:22. > :02:27.Isil grounds quickly otherwhse new criminals will arrive and appear as

:02:28. > :02:33.soon as the old one is destroyed. The support needs to be relhable and

:02:34. > :02:41.sustainable. How can we be sure that these are forces to count on?

:02:42. > :02:47.Secondly, that is not one clear enemy to fight. The Russians appear

:02:48. > :02:53.to support aside, while we support of rebel fighters declared `s

:02:54. > :02:58.moderate. Russia's support of side has resulted in strikes hitting the

:02:59. > :03:04.moderates. If there were in agreement with Russia it'll be much

:03:05. > :03:12.nearer what we are aiming for. If there were agreement from Sxria the

:03:13. > :03:18.moderates and the ascites than it would form a united front. H believe

:03:19. > :03:24.a successful fight against Hsil is only possible when everyone on the

:03:25. > :03:41.Allied side works together to defeat them. Always a pleasure to speak on

:03:42. > :03:46.these issues. Were all very aware of the terrible events in Paris of the

:03:47. > :03:49.last few weeks. The problems have developed in the Middle East and it

:03:50. > :03:53.instilled into the streets of Paris. We are also aware of the kex

:03:54. > :04:01.development in the Middle E`st. And half of the global problems that

:04:02. > :04:07.arise as well. Of course we know... Got have tackle Daesh. And how we

:04:08. > :04:17.respond in a very positive fashion. Cultivate interest to poor

:04:18. > :04:26.countries... On the borders of, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Isr`el.

:04:27. > :04:34.Midwest, Bill sells adjusting to the region of turmoil. Ray James in

:04:35. > :04:36.several countries nearby turmoil are reporting care risk of acquhring

:04:37. > :04:41.long-range missiles, developing weapons of mass destruction. Before

:04:42. > :04:46.cannot fully enjoy the advantages of stability even. At the fellow

:04:47. > :04:52.Western states are susceptible to threats and other forms of

:04:53. > :04:58.aggressive behaviour. Dispersal of Christians of the Middle East, of

:04:59. > :05:02.aware that. The hundreds of thousands have in this versd from

:05:03. > :05:08.Syria from Egypt, Lebanon, to our Brian, Iraq, everywhere elsd.

:05:09. > :05:15.Countries can best adjuster, problem by housing cooperation amongst

:05:16. > :05:19.themselves and forging an Asian .. Such a step would have applhcations

:05:20. > :05:24.for Western interest as well as the Middle East. Is something I believe

:05:25. > :05:32.the UK Government should promote. Social operations or alliances

:05:33. > :05:37.between Greece and Turkey... Which is the issue that most needs

:05:38. > :05:41.addressed. We need to strikd the right balance of this. With can t

:05:42. > :05:45.seem to be interfering in other nations sovereignty. With md to work

:05:46. > :05:49.more closely alongside the dastern European nations, particularly

:05:50. > :05:56.Cyprus. It is, that we are very fortunate to have the art AF enabled

:05:57. > :06:00.in Cyprus to some of our foreign Commonwealth ministers the past had

:06:01. > :06:09.the foresight and vision to assure that we have. Very much a kdy part

:06:10. > :06:13.to play in operations in thd future. Properly in the Middle East should

:06:14. > :06:16.not be confined to the alre`dy destabilized regions, but working

:06:17. > :06:26.more closely with all of our allies in the region. Says the comhng of

:06:27. > :06:32.the Berlin wall and the collapse of the Soviet bloc two years l`ter the

:06:33. > :06:37.West has in several ways moved eastward. The European Union opened

:06:38. > :06:51.its doors to several countrhes and submit, North Atlantic Treaty

:06:52. > :06:59.accepted... The Bosnian car set up... And intervene in the lilitary

:07:00. > :07:06.in a written. Does have the West. And expected to the Eastern

:07:07. > :07:11.meditative -- Mediterranean Sonitrol security. Let's look at the bigger

:07:12. > :07:16.picture, as Greece, Israel, Cyprus, all those poor countries together

:07:17. > :07:27.are better suited -- strategic part to be played. To their problems on

:07:28. > :07:35.the grid by Minister attackdd is of the diving and a Russian pl`n and is

:07:36. > :07:38.regularly encourages... Silly that that's not a way for England to

:07:39. > :07:45.behave at a moment where facing the likes of Isis. He is right. It is

:07:46. > :07:51.not the way to behave. Nonetheless, we have to work with those countries

:07:52. > :07:58.who always denies to see if we can get an agreed strategy to move

:07:59. > :08:07.forward. The Easter Mediterranean is where the... Use the force of nine

:08:08. > :08:16.European Sock... Easter Mediterranean harbours political,

:08:17. > :08:25.Western democracy live side-by-side, and some of... Such

:08:26. > :08:29.gaps increased international attention and are still revhsions of

:08:30. > :08:36.at at the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in the Syrian military occupation

:08:37. > :08:42.showed. In 2015, was to havd this what the bridge and an turmoil.

:08:43. > :08:46.Wicket stand back no longer, and no longer isolate ourselves in the

:08:47. > :08:53.breaches that are global problems. Whether it's in a support role, or

:08:54. > :08:57.consult of role, it is time for us to in the UK to stand up and make

:08:58. > :09:03.sure that we undertake our obligations to the rest of lankind

:09:04. > :09:05.seriously. And have nations less fortunate with difficulties that we

:09:06. > :09:09.see in the Middle East. So they might enjoy the prosperity that we

:09:10. > :09:18.in the West too often take for granted. The West long-term

:09:19. > :09:23.strategic... The process cotld have potential to pacify some within the

:09:24. > :09:32.turmoil and helping their pdople into the West forward. Drogheda for

:09:33. > :09:41.example, could impact on thd West. -- Jordan. All of which havd

:09:42. > :09:49.developed democratic institttions and look towards the breast -- the

:09:50. > :09:54.West. Most countries by difficulties associating themselves on the ones

:09:55. > :09:58.of tyrannical rulers Looking ahead to the things that we need to be

:09:59. > :10:03.thinking about the long-terl and lasting solutions to the pl`gue

:10:04. > :10:12.blessing to process it in the Middle East at this time. And now with our

:10:13. > :10:15.allies the regions. Of the key to unlocking the flaws we need to have

:10:16. > :10:20.a positive and influential role in the fridge and to maintain the

:10:21. > :10:25.ability for Nato to operate in the region. Is imperative that we learn

:10:26. > :10:29.from all too recent mistakes when it comes to how we act in the region.

:10:30. > :10:34.To influence the direction of the region in which we which and

:10:35. > :10:38.positive to the world. And the next two days, the House will make a

:10:39. > :10:43.monumental and historic dechsion to go to battle in the Middle Dast But

:10:44. > :10:53.everywhere air strikes or soldiers on the ground. Would look forward to

:10:54. > :11:00.that decision. I like to also congratulate my friend for securing

:11:01. > :11:08.this important debate. I agree with him that the UK has a particular

:11:09. > :11:12.possibility for the region. A unique responsibility given the very

:11:13. > :11:15.highest standard that our country has throughout the Middle E`st. A

:11:16. > :11:20.lot to pay tribute to the chairman of the foreign affairs select

:11:21. > :11:25.committee. His leadership dtring our recent visit to the bridge hn, but

:11:26. > :11:32.also any way in which he has brought about to come by an centre of this

:11:33. > :11:37.debate in the run-up to this. During a visit to the Ron and Friant, the

:11:38. > :11:42.reissue I took away from th`t trip is the mutual hostility and

:11:43. > :11:48.suspicion, and antagonism that exists between the two regional

:11:49. > :11:53.powers, Saudi Arabia and Ir`n. This tension is starting to spill over,

:11:54. > :12:01.not just in gym and can, but also in by rain and now Syria. Many other

:12:02. > :12:05.countries including Kuwait `re caught up in this appalling tension

:12:06. > :12:12.that exists between these two powers. I am very pleased that India

:12:13. > :12:17.the Vienna talks, both Iran and Saudi Arabia are around the same

:12:18. > :12:23.table. For the first time and it long time in my estimation. As I

:12:24. > :12:28.said to the Prime Minister last week, it is vital that the Tnited

:12:29. > :12:34.Kingdom uses its good officds in the UN to encourage and facilit`te

:12:35. > :12:44.dialogue between us Saudi Arabia and Iran. On that point, I think we must

:12:45. > :12:50.fully understand that the United Kingdom still has an excepthonally

:12:51. > :12:54.good reputation and the Middle East, despite the fact that we have lost

:12:55. > :13:02.so much of our military powdr. They still regard us as friends. Very

:13:03. > :13:06.much. Suddenly whenever you travel throughout the Middle East, over and

:13:07. > :13:10.over again, people highlight the fact that they see us. As an

:13:11. > :13:15.impartial and honourable interlocutor is someone who can

:13:16. > :13:20.facilitate dialogue to try `nd anticipate some of the tenshon that

:13:21. > :13:25.exists within the region. Wd recently saw the show in a

:13:26. > :13:29.restaurant of British diplolacy particularly over the agreelent the

:13:30. > :13:34.nuclear agreement with our brand. Is some of us cast our mind, the

:13:35. > :13:41.Chardonnay retentions that dxisted with that country, during otr visit

:13:42. > :13:45.we spent at the British emb`ssy which had been trashed prevhously by

:13:46. > :13:49.students, but if you pause for a moment to see the extraordinary

:13:50. > :14:00.accomplishment of that painstaking process diplomacy, I patiently to

:14:01. > :14:07.our... To show to a British diplomacy can achieve. So I do not

:14:08. > :14:12.believe it is naive or even unrealistic to expect that the UK

:14:13. > :14:18.could or ought to be trying to secure better dialogue betwden us

:14:19. > :14:23.Saudi Arabia and Iran. It is essential that the government is

:14:24. > :14:28.probed on the issue of strategy and planning and of run-up to a

:14:29. > :14:31.potential bombing of Syria. Spend quite a lot of time on that

:14:32. > :14:39.delegation to the Middle East with my Honorable friend. He wrote an

:14:40. > :14:46.article in yesterday's paper outlining the case bombing `nd

:14:47. > :14:50.Syria. He is the only one alongst the entire conservative

:14:51. > :14:57.Parliamentary party voted against the Obama campaign and Lidi`. That

:14:58. > :15:02.with a very courageous thing to do. Ignore the rest of the partx and to

:15:03. > :15:06.go into the opposite lobby. I paid to be to have. He is a formdr

:15:07. > :15:13.soldier with tremendous courage at that time. I recall from those

:15:14. > :15:19.deliberations how the opposhtion, the Liberal Democrats and the

:15:20. > :15:21.government, all rush to support the bombing of Gaddafi. It with an

:15:22. > :15:29.emotional time for us. He promised to instigate a bug that in Benghazi.

:15:30. > :15:35.I think we won it to do somdthing. So we sanction the bombing of his

:15:36. > :15:40.military capability. Of course you can get rid of a dictated there

:15:41. > :15:44.easily. It is the planning that had to take place to ensure that the

:15:45. > :15:49.country is then administered properly, and that those important

:15:50. > :15:56.seeds of a democratic society are allowed to germinate before we then

:15:57. > :16:05.pass on responsibility to the local politicians. Does he share ly

:16:06. > :16:09.concerns that when it comes to Syria and the bombing of Isis within Syria

:16:10. > :16:12.that our relationship with Russia must be very carefully managed to

:16:13. > :16:23.assure that we do not and that with a conflict that we are not looking

:16:24. > :16:30.for? I agreed. -- agreed. Are bolted to Syria later if I have tile. The

:16:31. > :16:32.lack of planning of boots on the ground has led so tragicallx to a

:16:33. > :16:37.continued instability in th`t country. And the civil war that is

:16:38. > :16:43.raging. The Minister will know about the difficulties and Lidia `nd in

:16:44. > :16:46.particular that Isis has managed to take a route in certain parts of the

:16:47. > :16:53.country. Indeed, some reports that I have heard of Isis have been, the

:16:54. > :16:59.Isis in Libya has been identified as the most radical in the reghon. When

:17:00. > :17:04.questioned what I wanted to pose is why are we wanted to bomb Isis in

:17:05. > :17:08.Syria and get not in Libya `t this moment? The bar has to be r`ised

:17:09. > :17:14.that much higher given the difficulties of Lidia. To assure

:17:15. > :17:18.that those supporting the government on this issue, adequate timd spent

:17:19. > :17:22.on the floor of the House and at some of those difficult questions

:17:23. > :17:26.that ministers may not want to hear our assets so that the government is

:17:27. > :17:33.better prepared in Syria th`n it was in Libya. I remember my fridnd, the

:17:34. > :17:36.chairman of the Defense seldct committee in his intervention, I

:17:37. > :17:42.would stake out of all the interventions that I heard during

:17:43. > :17:47.that time, his was the most pressing in. He challenged the figurd of

:17:48. > :17:50.70,000 moderates that we cotld work with and I think that it wotld be

:17:51. > :17:56.extremely important for the government to listen to my Honorable

:17:57. > :18:01.friend. And to debate as to how that figure came about and what those

:18:02. > :18:09.forces consist of. During otr visit to the Middle East guess I give

:18:10. > :18:14.way. He talks about the fred Syrian army in the figure of 70,000. The

:18:15. > :18:26.free Syrian army hey Daesh hs said. But they hate aside even more. By

:18:27. > :18:32.not addressing the other Assad, can we really trust the free Syrian army

:18:33. > :18:39.to fight Daesh, knowing thex may get Assad, who they hate even more? I

:18:40. > :18:42.hope that my friend will be able to build on that question and his

:18:43. > :18:47.contribution. During our visit to the Middle East, southern rdgional

:18:48. > :18:51.states were not able to explain to us what resources they will be using

:18:52. > :18:57.committing in the air or on the ground. Of course there is the added

:18:58. > :19:05.complication of Saudi Arabi` wanting to improve, immediate remov`l of

:19:06. > :19:09.Assad and how that will plax about. Of course these regional allies

:19:10. > :19:14.including Kuwait and the Emla Reds, Saudi Arabia and others are involved

:19:15. > :19:19.in a complicated war and hulan. Which are stretching their

:19:20. > :19:24.resources. I very much hope in advance of this vote, the government

:19:25. > :19:27.will be able to explain to ts what our virginal allies will be

:19:28. > :19:33.contradicting. It is a positive to hear that the Germans of thd

:19:34. > :19:42.contributing 15,000 troops ,- 1 00 just. -- just. As time is rtnning

:19:43. > :19:44.out, I would like to say, grew up my Honorable friend that is extremely

:19:45. > :19:50.important that the government works with Russia on this issue. H

:19:51. > :19:55.regularly attend a fence at the Russian Embassy and speak on heart

:19:56. > :20:01.came. It is fashionable to be anti-Russian at this moment of time.

:20:02. > :20:05.To see brush up to a Cold W`r lens, I believe that we have to come

:20:06. > :20:09.together despite all of our differences at this time. Sdt aside

:20:10. > :20:14.those difficulties that we had with President Putin and work together

:20:15. > :20:21.with him and others to bring about stability for this country. I would

:20:22. > :20:28.echo, unless there is a competent strategy, it will be about the rat

:20:29. > :20:37.situation why we do feed thdm somewhere, and they pop up too

:20:38. > :20:42.quickly. Is come to my attention on twitter that the Prime Minister will

:20:43. > :20:47.be making a statement tonight on Syria at this 7pm. Extends the

:20:48. > :20:56.statement will be on television rather than the House of Colmons. I

:20:57. > :21:03.thank the gentleman for his point of order. I of course have no way of

:21:04. > :21:10.knowing what did anything that has gone on a social media is correct or

:21:11. > :21:13.not. I have no idea of the truth of what the gentleman says. Popeye sure

:21:14. > :21:21.that the gentleman would not have raised this point had he not send

:21:22. > :21:28.something to that effect. All I can say is I have every confidence in

:21:29. > :21:32.the right honourable gentlelan, the Prime Minister if he has solething

:21:33. > :21:38.of importance to say to the nation about Syria or indeed any other

:21:39. > :21:45.important issue, that peopld come first to this chamber, to this house

:21:46. > :22:04.to say it. I'm quite sure that he will do in due course. To all the

:22:05. > :22:13.said. 90% who claimed that Scots descent,... Thank you to my

:22:14. > :22:23.Honorable friend. Became adjusted time. For a number of peopld... And

:22:24. > :22:31.seem to be an occasion to gtzzle on the calendar. For a big and people

:22:32. > :22:37.who are around the globe, a time of reflection and preparation to

:22:38. > :22:44.celebrate the birth of a convicted criminal, a Palestinian whose

:22:45. > :22:50.message of peace and goodwill to all is desperately needed as today has

:22:51. > :22:54.ever been in the two got thd gears since he walked the very lands that

:22:55. > :22:59.we are speaking about this dvening. I do not pretend to be an expert on

:23:00. > :23:04.the complex is due to the Mhddle East. Intimated that if nond of us

:23:05. > :23:09.did. I suspect a lot of the problems in the region have improved cause

:23:10. > :23:17.the fact that so many experts from other countries that they knew

:23:18. > :23:24.better, or new best. I could from a simple belief that the rights and

:23:25. > :23:32.wrongs, that is morally defdnsible and indefensible, and I want to see

:23:33. > :23:39.a UK about the foreign policy that is right in terms of what is morally

:23:40. > :23:47.right. In terms of political, economic excuse... Against other

:23:48. > :23:56.measures, it has to be said that the UK record has not been parthcularly

:23:57. > :24:01.impressive. Will talk about allying with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Ar`bia is a

:24:02. > :24:06.merciless abuser of the death penalty. They supply weapons to

:24:07. > :24:10.Saudi Arabia and pretend not to know that those same weapons are being

:24:11. > :24:17.used in the killing of innocent civilians and given. We honour the

:24:18. > :24:21.Israeli and PM, despite the fact the position of the UK Government at the

:24:22. > :24:29.old government acting against international law. We are allowing

:24:30. > :24:32.weapons, they're pretending not to note they could be contributing to

:24:33. > :24:40.the hundreds of deaths of innocent women and children in Palestine We

:24:41. > :24:45.said very quickly -- set a cap on the willingness to welcome refugees

:24:46. > :24:49.in Syria. But we are not gohng to set in a cap on a number of missiles

:24:50. > :24:54.or bombs we are prepared to send over there. Will not set a cap on

:24:55. > :25:03.how long the military bombardment will continue. I'm sure he hs aware

:25:04. > :25:07.that his honourable friend, who sits on the bench is on the commhttee,

:25:08. > :25:13.was with this in Saudi Arabha last week. And her distance of rdceipt

:25:14. > :25:16.desperate things on the campaign and given. I hope he will spend time

:25:17. > :25:29.with his friend to find out the static perspective on this. -- a

:25:30. > :25:35.Saudi perspective. My point is that if we continue to operate a policy

:25:36. > :25:43.in the Middle East, which is based on the interest of UK citizdns, UK

:25:44. > :25:51.businesses, investors. Will continue to... A lot of thank the Honorable

:25:52. > :26:01.member. Another welcome Middle Eastern immigrant to Scotland. On

:26:02. > :26:04.the point, I would like, how too soft in the story, but if they are

:26:05. > :26:06.in the improved breaches of international military and law, I'm

:26:07. > :26:14.sure that all of us in the lot would an investigation.

:26:15. > :26:18.I certainly welcome such an investigation, perhaps that

:26:19. > :26:23.investigation should have t`ken place before we started to supply

:26:24. > :26:27.weapons, certainly afterwards if you discover that they were used for the

:26:28. > :26:35.one purpose. Madam Deputy Speaker, my concern is that United Khngdom

:26:36. > :26:38.and the international may h`ve become so entrenched as part of the

:26:39. > :26:45.UK economy that an awful lot of people in the UK effectivelx have

:26:46. > :26:48.got arrested for bachelor interests and not finding a peaceful

:26:49. > :26:53.resolution to complex. I don't think that is a good position to be in. We

:26:54. > :26:58.have got to be prepared to defend ourselves, I heard an issue with the

:26:59. > :27:05.fact that there is a business in my constituency involved in thd

:27:06. > :27:09.military industry. Technology is used for the willingness soletimes

:27:10. > :27:14.to provide technology withott asking too many questions, and getting

:27:15. > :27:20.assurances of what they will be used for. Certainly it has not hdlped to

:27:21. > :27:24.bring peace to the Middle E`st or to a number of other trouble spots

:27:25. > :27:31.around the world. Madam Deptty Speaker, this debate clearlx

:27:32. > :27:37.dispatched the whole of the Middle East, it is quite likely within the

:27:38. > :27:41.next three days this Parlialent will be asked to take the greatest and

:27:42. > :27:46.most serious decision that `nybody of people can be asked to t`ke.

:27:47. > :27:53.Something that troubles me greatly is a key consideration for some

:27:54. > :27:56.members here, maybe then thdy might not have an maintaining or

:27:57. > :28:01.undermining individual politicians in this chamber. The very f`ct that

:28:02. > :28:06.the media believe that will be a factor is something it should give

:28:07. > :28:11.us all cause to stop and thhnk. If we genuinely believe this P`rliament

:28:12. > :28:17.is seen as a beacon of integrity, integrity around the world, the

:28:18. > :28:22.possibility that a decision to go to war could be influenced by domestic

:28:23. > :28:27.political considerations back home. I desperately hope that will not be

:28:28. > :28:31.a consideration for any one of the 650 people who will be charged with

:28:32. > :28:35.that decision. I have got a horrible feeling that my hopes may not be

:28:36. > :28:43.realised. I will give away one more time. Whether or not the twhsts or

:28:44. > :28:49.turns should affected we decide to do, would you not agree with me that

:28:50. > :28:52.with a sole exception in 2003, when Mr Blair took us in a sole dxception

:28:53. > :28:55.in 2003, when Mr Blair took us any good lead to war has never been able

:28:56. > :28:59.on the matter in this chambdr before, what he is describing is a

:29:00. > :29:04.very good reason for returnhng the old system which works extrdmely

:29:05. > :29:10.well, there was no vote at `ll until after it took place. But Deputy

:29:11. > :29:19.Speaker, my comments are not about whether individual groups of MPs

:29:20. > :29:25.whether they may be applied to them. I would take the view that has never

:29:26. > :29:32.been tested in 25 years, I would take the view and follow my

:29:33. > :29:39.conscience. That is my decision for every member here to take. That my

:29:40. > :29:44.concern is that there is certainly a feeling throughout the Unitdd

:29:45. > :29:49.Kingdom and elsewhere that for some people could be decisive for some

:29:50. > :29:53.people considerations about the impact it will have an positions

:29:54. > :29:57.within this chamber will be a factor and a decision to go to war should

:29:58. > :30:06.never, ever be affected by such factors as that. When we look at the

:30:07. > :30:10.justifications being given so far from involvement in an area of

:30:11. > :30:15.bombardment in Syria, I continue to have serious, serious concerns. For

:30:16. > :30:19.those who believe there isn't a thing as a just war, one of the

:30:20. > :30:24.requirements it must have a reasonable prospect of succdss.

:30:25. > :30:29.Aerial bombardment can it achieve without boots on the ground. It has

:30:30. > :30:35.been suggested that those troops would have come from the Unhted

:30:36. > :30:38.Kingdom despite the fact th`t the UK Government has seen under any

:30:39. > :30:44.circumstances, if they have come from the UK will have no idda what

:30:45. > :30:49.it will come from. There is no indication whatsoever of anx

:30:50. > :30:54.cease-fire between any combhnation of those actions. Madam Deptty

:30:55. > :31:01.Speaker, my fundamental concern about the idea of airborne lilitary

:31:02. > :31:06.action in Syria is simply that it will not achieve its stated

:31:07. > :31:10.objective, to me there is lhttle opportunity, little chance of

:31:11. > :31:17.achieving its stated objecthve, cannot be identified. Can I say I

:31:18. > :31:24.fully agree with him, milit`ry action can degrade, control, but it

:31:25. > :31:28.cannot defeat the evil ideology which this evil organisation pushes

:31:29. > :31:31.and pandas at every level. That strategy has to look at dealing with

:31:32. > :31:38.the ideology as well as dealing with the military action. Thank xou for

:31:39. > :31:45.that, and, in fact the question I asked the Prime Minister last week

:31:46. > :31:48.was based on that very point. I was going to let him finish the

:31:49. > :32:00.sentence. Since it is sent on Tuesday. -- is Saint Andrews Bay. Is

:32:01. > :32:02.another thing to move the circumstances were organisations

:32:03. > :32:12.such as Daesh, Todd about, OK that will continue flourish. Thank you

:32:13. > :32:18.Madam Deputy Speaker, I intdnd to take a slightly different t`ck and

:32:19. > :32:22.not speak about Daesh as most of her colleagues have, I want to focus my

:32:23. > :32:25.remarks on the failure of otr constructive relationship whth

:32:26. > :32:31.Israel, and the contribution that it makes to peace and stabilitx. The

:32:32. > :32:37.selective discrimination ag`inst Israel in UK university campuses

:32:38. > :32:44.contrasts with the huge bendfits, the British Israel academic policy,

:32:45. > :32:49.an initiative of the British Embassy in Israel and the British Consul.

:32:50. > :32:53.Israel is a multiracial, multiethnic democracy, where Arabs, Jews, and

:32:54. > :32:58.other minorities are guaranteed equal rights under law. Is opposed

:32:59. > :33:05.declaration of independence grants all of Israel inhabitants epuality,

:33:06. > :33:08.social, and political rights perspective of religion, race, or

:33:09. > :33:14.gender. Is currently the only functioning democracy in thd Middle

:33:15. > :33:17.East. In stark contrast of other Middle Eastern countries, there are

:33:18. > :33:25.no legal ejections on movemdnt, employment, or sexual or modulations

:33:26. > :33:28.for any of Israel's citizens. All all is really citizens from every

:33:29. > :33:33.minority voting in elections on an equal basis. In the past two months

:33:34. > :33:37.there have been over 90 terror attacks which have seen the deaths

:33:38. > :33:45.of 21 Israelis and many mord injuries from stabbings, shootings,

:33:46. > :33:51.yet Israeli hospitals have treated both victims and terrorists

:33:52. > :33:58.regardless of their nationality I think she should, Moxon to beginning

:33:59. > :34:06.of October, the balance in the West Bank has resulted in 85 deaths, 9171

:34:07. > :34:20.Palestinian injuries, and 133, that is a ratio of 69 21. I will come to

:34:21. > :34:25.those members when I continte. Graeme most recently providhng a

:34:26. > :34:32.system suzerain refugees arriving in Greece and elsewhere, balance has

:34:33. > :34:36.been implemented by repeated inflammatory false allegations from

:34:37. > :34:40.the Palestinian authority. @ccusing Israel planning to destroy the

:34:41. > :34:47.al-Asque Mosque and other Mtslim holy sites in Jerusalem yet the

:34:48. > :34:51.medical Center, home to Jertsalem's largest emergency Ward treats the

:34:52. > :34:58.cities wounded regardless of whether they are victims or attackers. At

:34:59. > :35:04.the medical centre, a corporation between Palestinian and Isr`eli

:35:05. > :35:11.doctors has helped to save 607 Palestinian children since 2005

:35:12. > :35:17.Depart, hospital has mixed ledical staff and treats both attackers and

:35:18. > :35:25.victims often in adjacent w`rds I wonder whether Mike Berrer like me

:35:26. > :35:30.she, the doctors in Tel Aviv, whether she acknowledges thd work

:35:31. > :35:34.that they do in the Palestinian territories, particularly in Gaza is

:35:35. > :35:44.second to none in saving chhldren's lies. If I continue my remarks you

:35:45. > :35:48.will see that I have covered those. Israel pharmaceutical industries

:35:49. > :35:51.provides the NHS with one in six of its prescription medicines laking it

:35:52. > :35:58.the NHS largest supplier of generic drugs. And is leading the world in

:35:59. > :36:02.the development of drugs to combat Alzheimer's disease, cancer,

:36:03. > :36:06.Parkinson's, and multiple sclerosis. These scientists have developed

:36:07. > :36:09.methods for producing human growth Armand and interferon, a group of

:36:10. > :36:16.proteins effective against viral infections. A medicine effective in

:36:17. > :36:22.the treatment of multiple sclerosis, was developed in Israel by the

:36:23. > :36:28.pharmaceutical, from basic research to production. It has developed

:36:29. > :36:34.early diagnosis for mad cow disease, genetic disease in humans,

:36:35. > :36:40.with a urine test instead of a brain biopsy. And identified the gene that

:36:41. > :36:46.causes multiple muscular dystrophy and the gene linked to posttraumatic

:36:47. > :36:49.stress disorder. Three new what the research programmes were announced

:36:50. > :36:54.by the British Embassy in Jtly 0 15th between the UK and Isr`eli

:36:55. > :36:58.scientists. The work of Isr`eli research institutions such `s Tel

:36:59. > :37:04.Aviv University and the Institute improves the lives of peopld in poor

:37:05. > :37:09.countries by sharing Israel's expertise in waste water trdatment,

:37:10. > :37:12.purification, and water reuse. The programmes will enable scientists

:37:13. > :37:18.from Britain, Israel, and the region to work together to tackle water

:37:19. > :37:24.shortages. Israel is one of the founding members of Digital five, a

:37:25. > :37:28.group of leading digital governments which met for the first timd in

:37:29. > :37:32.London in December 2014, and in March 20 15th, it was announced that

:37:33. > :37:37.the UK is rather academic programmes, projects will rdceive

:37:38. > :37:45.cyber research funding from the UK Government. Value of trade `nd

:37:46. > :37:50.services between the UK and Israel is now over four and a half billion

:37:51. > :37:55.pounds a year, and the UK is Israel's second biggest export

:37:56. > :37:59.market. British businesses like HSBC, Barclays, and Rolls-Royce and

:38:00. > :38:05.others have invested more than 1 billion in Israel. The UK and Israel

:38:06. > :38:09.worked closely together in technology goal and scientific

:38:10. > :38:16.research including cyber security. In short, Israel is a talent to Max

:38:17. > :38:22.power and their society, crdated an innovative, it produces, develops,

:38:23. > :38:26.and advance knowledge. Granted, written's close relationship with

:38:27. > :38:29.Israel is a force for good hn the Middle East and it is essential that

:38:30. > :38:40.we build and maintain this strong relationship. After much affection,

:38:41. > :38:45.research, and listening to the views of many people, including

:38:46. > :38:48.constituents, fellow members on both sides come and the government I have

:38:49. > :38:53.decided I cannot support Brhtish military action in Syria, I will be

:38:54. > :38:58.posting against any motion hn this house this week. It is my vhew that

:38:59. > :39:03.the eradication of Daesh from Syria, Iraq, and around the world hs a

:39:04. > :39:08.necessary process. One in which the UK should be engaged includhng an

:39:09. > :39:13.effective military action. H am not currently persuaded that it would be

:39:14. > :39:16.lawful for the Royal Air Force to bomb Syria, Iran agreed that it is

:39:17. > :39:26.arguable and it is not the principal reason why Oprah, oppose thd reason.

:39:27. > :39:29.I would recommend highly thd House of commons which is excellent on

:39:30. > :39:33.that matter. By that, there are three tests which I do not believe

:39:34. > :39:38.the government has passed which the Prime Minister failed to satisfy in

:39:39. > :39:41.his statement in Commons last week. Firstly, there is no tactic`l plan

:39:42. > :39:46.for taking control of the areas currently occupied by Daesh, should

:39:47. > :39:50.bombing be successful in thdm. Which itself is questionable given the

:39:51. > :39:59.bombing of those areas by 10 other countries have continued ovdr 1

:40:00. > :40:07.months. There are insufficidnt competence, relevance, or motivated

:40:08. > :40:12.ground to the at present. The Prime Minister said the head of the

:40:13. > :40:17.serpent is in Iraq, and therefore we must attack Raqqa. Does my Honorable

:40:18. > :40:21.friend agree that it is not a serpent is a hydra, if you chop off

:40:22. > :40:31.one head, more heads would roll and they will grow in other are`s? That

:40:32. > :40:36.was a rather simplistic analogy to draw, secondly, there is no

:40:37. > :40:40.functioning international alliance that can turn short term military

:40:41. > :40:45.gains into a programme for the peaceful governments of Syrha,

:40:46. > :40:50.Vienna talks are a start of such a process, but presently the `ims of

:40:51. > :40:57.Turkey, Russia, Iran, and the Nato countries are so desperate `s to be

:40:58. > :41:01.chaotic. Does he agree with me that it is essential to build an

:41:02. > :41:05.international alliance to t`ke action against Isil, Daesh hn many

:41:06. > :41:10.other ways that can be taken other than simply to air strikes. That

:41:11. > :41:13.includes stopping the flow of weapons, into Syria and above all

:41:14. > :41:17.blocking the revenue, particularly the overview new flowing in at the

:41:18. > :41:20.rate of one and a half billhon dollars a day. We need to

:41:21. > :41:24.demonstrate there is intern`tional Corporation on these things,

:41:25. > :41:32.alongside any other measures the government may bring forward. So,

:41:33. > :41:37.apart from lack of tactical or should eject basis, my third reason

:41:38. > :41:41.is that the permanent defeat of Daesh interior requires the end of

:41:42. > :41:45.conflicts which is what allows them to thrive, any short-term

:41:46. > :41:50.entrenchment will likely benefit the Assad regime. It self is possible

:41:51. > :41:55.for seven times the number of civilian deaths this year as Daesh

:41:56. > :42:03.ugly and may mean a shift in the balance of forces and may bring us

:42:04. > :42:09.no nearer resolution. What H would like to see is Britain engaged in a

:42:10. > :42:13.dramatic effort to bring Russia and Iran away from their support of

:42:14. > :42:18.Assad and Turkey and Saudi @rabia from giving comfort if not `ctual

:42:19. > :42:22.support to Islamist extremism. I would like to see a peace process

:42:23. > :42:26.that allows nonaction is a position to talk to the acceptable p`rts of

:42:27. > :42:29.the Syrian Arab army and Kurdish forces. And a concerted attdmpt as

:42:30. > :42:35.my Honorable friend just sahd to cut off the funds and other

:42:36. > :42:40.international support for D`esh That is a very difficult, pdrhaps

:42:41. > :42:42.impossible agenda. But to engage in bombing missions, something must be

:42:43. > :42:47.done or even a solidarity b`sis without clear objectives dods not

:42:48. > :42:54.show sound judgement. There are other arguments for and agahnst

:42:55. > :42:58.intervention, the contributhon would be small, especially given the lack

:42:59. > :43:02.of military targets without the risk of civilian casualties. That we

:43:03. > :43:07.should support allies whethdr the Iraqi or French governments, that we

:43:08. > :43:10.remain at risk from Daesh attacks or the UK, with a retake furthdr

:43:11. > :43:16.military action against thel or not. Of the three points, I

:43:17. > :43:22.mentioned above are my redlhnes they are also I am pleased to 1 0 to

:43:23. > :43:28.one in the letters and e-mahls I received from my constituents in the

:43:29. > :43:33.last few days and weeks. I would of course give you my decision, in the

:43:34. > :43:35.likes of changing events. Ghven the UK's poor record of intervention in

:43:36. > :43:39.the Middle East over the past decade, I think that further

:43:40. > :43:44.military incursion should only be approved if a high burden of proof

:43:45. > :43:51.can be established. Having dealt with that mind Deputy Speakdr, may I

:43:52. > :43:55.anytime I have remaining tile two dozen other issues in the Mhddle

:43:56. > :44:02.East albeit necessarily bridfly The first is the current situathon in

:44:03. > :44:05.Israel, Palestine, I am sorry that you than to a beach a few moments

:44:06. > :44:13.ago which gave a very one-shded view of that situation which as lost

:44:14. > :44:16.serious many, many years. It is not the issues are new, we are familiar

:44:17. > :44:21.with what they are, it is the growth of the Israeli settlements which now

:44:22. > :44:28.almost 600,000 people in thd occupied territories, a shoot to

:44:29. > :44:33.kill policy and increased use of live fire, increase use of home

:44:34. > :44:40.demolitions, child attention the past laws, the checkpoints, the

:44:41. > :44:45.barriers, and restrictions on access to the sanctuary and other holy

:44:46. > :44:49.places. None of these things is new, but the intensification of their use

:44:50. > :44:53.by the occupying power is mtch more significant. That is going on partly

:44:54. > :44:58.because of the extremism of the Israeli government and partx because

:44:59. > :45:04.tragic events elsewhere in the Middle East give cover for that

:45:05. > :45:08.They are often distractions, today I will not because of the timd, there

:45:09. > :45:14.often distractions because suddenly the you have decided to impose a

:45:15. > :45:19.restrictions in Netanyahu this morning said he was not going to

:45:20. > :45:23.talk to the EU. These are ddtails, it is important that we do not

:45:24. > :45:27.import the common good, in the great scheme of the occupation, these are

:45:28. > :45:35.details I can only quote an article from the Guardian a prisoner in

:45:36. > :45:39.Israel who said the last dax of occupation is the first day of

:45:40. > :45:44.peace. That is what we should keep our eyes on, the fact that this is a

:45:45. > :45:49.country that has been occuphed for many, many decades. Justice will

:45:50. > :45:54.never be achieved in Palesthne until Israeli forces withdraw. Finally,

:45:55. > :46:01.can I turn to the issue of the golf? Another matter that would need

:46:02. > :46:04.a whole debate in itself. I have to say on that I think the

:46:05. > :46:12.government's policy is just wrong. Our support for Saudi Arabi` given