Live House of Commons House of Commons

testing of anti-cancer treatments and levering a real benefit to

patients including those with rarer cancers and it is one example of how

we can work together. Order! I am pleased to be able to announce to

the house that following fair and open competition Her Majesty The

Queen has graciously accepted my recommendation for the person to be

appointed to the post of Sergeant at Arms as of the 1st of February. He

has been the head of front of house and VIP relations at the Ministry of

Justice since 2000 and he has also held a number of administrative and

security roles in the Department of Constitutional affairs and the

Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Justice since 2001. He is trained

in the martial arts. He is a recipient of the British Empire

Medal. He will be the first person of a BM M E background to hold the

post of Serjeant at Arms. Order! Statement: the Prime Minister. With

permission I would like to make a statement on the European Council

meeting that took place before Christmas. The council focused on

three issues migration terrorism and the UK renegotiation and I I will

take each in turn. On migration even in winter there are still many

migrants coming to Europe with over three arriving via the eastern

Mediterranean route each day. Britain is not part of the Schengen

open border arrangements and we will not be joining. We have our own

border controls and they apply to everyone attempting to enter the UK

and every day border controls help to keep us safe. Let me repeat these

controls apply to all including EU citizens and we have stopped on 90

people at our Borders since 20 including six EU national 's who

were not allowed to come in. Schengen countries are trying to put

in place a pale imitation of what we already have. What they do is a

matter for them but it is in our interest to help our European

partners secure their external Borders so we have provided more

technical expertise to the European Asylum support office than any other

European country. It includes practical support with

fingerprinting migrants when they arrive and we have focused on the

root causes not just the consequences of the migration

crisis. We continue to play a leading role in the efforts of the

international serious support group to enter the conflict through a

political process and we have backed an agreement recently in Morocco

that should pave the way for a new, United National government in Libya.

We have HMS Enterprise in the Mediterranean to go after people

traffickers. We provided one point in humanitarian assistance. We are

second only to America. The donor conference that I am hosting next

month will help further in raising significant new funding to help

refugees in the region this year. They council focused on implementing

the previously agreed measures on refugee resettlement. In Britain we

said we would resettle 20 Syrian refugees in this parliament and take

them directly from the camps. I can say is that as promised many

refugees from camps have been resettled here in time for

Christmas. These people are now in homes and their children are

starting this new year in our schools and they can look forward to

building a new life here in Britain. I know that many in this house have

called for us to take many more refugees and take part in the EU

relocation and settlement schemes but the reality is we have

significantly done more than most of our EU partners in this regard. By

the time of the December council only 200 and had been re-united in

the UK -- EU. We said what we would do and we said

we would get on and do it. Turning to terrorism. The latest appalling

video from Daesh is a reminder of their brutality and their barbarism.

It is desperate stuff from an organisation that hates us not for

what we do but for what we are. We are I democratic and multi-faith

nation that is built on tolerance and respect for human rights.

Britain will never be cowed by terror. We will stand up and defend

our values and our way of life. With patience and persistence we will

defeat the extremist and eliminate the organisation. The whole house

will want to join with me on paying tribute to the British servicemen

and women who spend this Christmas and New Year away from their

families. In the last month at RAF aircraft have conducted many strikes

in Iraq and. Syria. We made important contributions through S

strike is Kurdish forces have repelled major Daesh counter attacks

in northern Iraq. There have been attacks against oil structure and

terrorists near Raqqa. We continue to fly surveillance and

reconnaissance missions and provide support to our coalition partners.

We have a clear agreement on rules to share passenger name records. It

is a vital breakthrough but we still need to go further. The council

agreed to take forward urgent proposals on systematic data sharing

stepping up our corporation on aviation security and working

together to do even more to staff Daesh of money and resources choking

off the oil and clamping down on firearms and explosives and stopping

them get into the hands of terrorist 's. We said we would do more across

Europe to campaign against terrorist propaganda and clamp down on the

root of the terrorism that we face. The Daesh threat is a threat to us

all and we stand together to defeat it. Returning to the UK

re-negotiation, I have set out the areas where Britain is seeking

significant and far reaching forms. Britain must not be part of an ever

closer union and we want a greater role for national parliaments.

Competitiveness, the EU must add to our competitiveness rather than

detract from it by cutting regulation is completing the single

market. On fairness for countries in and outside the EU zone where the EU

must protect the integrity of the single market and ensure that there

is no disadvantage, discrimination or additional costs for a country

like Britain that is not in the euro and in my view will never join the

euro. On migration we need to tackle abuses to the right of free movement

and deliver changes that ensure our welfare system is not an artificial

draw for people to come to Britain. This is the first time that a has

tried to re-its membership of the EU from a standing start. Many doubted

it was even possible. We have had a negotiation for several hours with

almost every leader contributing and I will be happy to go into detail

but these are the key points. There was strong support for Britain to

stay in the EU and European leaders are Gamay remarks by saying that

Britain is not better in Europe but that Europe would be better with

Britain's staying in it. All are prepared to address the points that

we have made and it have been raised about all for areas and the most

difficult issues were around three movement and welfare but there was a

great deal of good and at the end of the discussion they council agreed

and I quote directly from the conclusions that we would work

closely together to find mutually satisfactory conditions in all of

the four areas. It is significant that the solutions are talked about

not compromise and these will be legally binding and irreversible.

While these areas will require hard work I believe there is now a

pathway to an agreement. Later this week I will continue my efforts to

secure that agreement with further discussions in Germany and Hungary

and I hope that we can reach full full agreement when the council

meets next month. What matters is not getting the substance -- is

getting the substance right, not the speed of the deal. If we succeed we

will succeed in changing the UK relationship with the EU and

addressing the concerns that the British people have over our

membership. If we cannot then as I have said before, I will nothing

out. My intention is that at the conclusion of the re-negotiation the

government should reach a clear recommendation and then an agreement

will be held. It is in the nature of the referendum that it is the people

are not the politicians that decide and as I indicated before Christmas

there will be a clear government position which will be open to

individual ministers to take a different personal position while

remaining part of the government. Ultimately it will be for the

British people to decide this country's future by voting in or out

of eight reform European Union. It was something we promised and

only something which we could deliver. I would like to thank the

Prime Minister for his statement. I received a copy of it as short time

ago. I would like to wish the Prime Minister and the hosts are very

happy New Year and I hope the Prime Minister will not misinterpret the

greeting and take it in the spirit it is meant. Last month I travelled

to Brussels to meet European leaders to discuss the issues the Prime

Minister has raised today. I went a lot. I went that the Prime Minister

has botched his negotiations with European ministers and also learnt

that many of our European colleagues have a very intuitive understanding

of politics. They know the Prime Minister has asked for help so that

he can win the referendum he did not want to hold. Does the Prime

Minister no accept that his attempts to bludgeon leaders into accepting

his reforms have field and he has come right with very little? And can

he be surprised that he has failed to work with his European partners

and in the European refugee crisis. To deliver change, you need

effective and clever diplomacy and make friends.

We all value our friends. But the Prime Minister is not interested in

that. He is playing politics rather than putting forward the interests

of the people of this country. Can he never explained whether the

people will have a clear choice in the referendum and will that be

expressed? What has he had to see to Lord Heseltine, leaders across

Europe can see that they are able off for Conservative Party politics.

Does the Prime Minister accept that his bluff has no been called? He

wanted to secure more changes within the European Union. He has achieved

nothing on that. Does he believe also what experts have said, the

change in migrant benefits, are likely to not only be ineffective

but discriminatory and unfair and could be legally challenged? Could

he know confirm he is abandoning these plans altogether? Could he

also confirmed that he has dropped his disgraceful plans to weaken

workers protection in this country, compared to protection offered

another European countries? Essentially, the Prime Minister

proposals are a distraction. The real issue is about delivering a

more cohesive and more democratic and progress of Europe that promote

security, protection for workers, delivers investment, produces

productive economies and sustained growth. That is why in the upcoming

referendum, we will be ensuring to ensure these things are about any

progressive European agenda. Kelly as can more about the refugee crisis

and what he is doing to help this growing crisis? I want to pick them

recognise thanks to the Royal Navy another service personnel working in

the Mediterranean trying to save lives, because they have done a

great job and seized a large number of people who were desperately

trying to cross the Mediterranean to gain a place of safety. Could I ask

him what funding he is offering to assist in this collective effort. It

is a very serious crisis in many countries and many countries for

many in Europe, as well as the situation in France at the present

time. On the question of Soviet, could he confirmed that Britain is

fully part and signed up for negotiated political process to try

and bring about a ceasefire in the Serbian civil war and Izzy in a

position to update and anything to do with that quote? -- Syrian. Could

he also tell us about the status of all refugees and offer support. The

government is not going far enough to help those in need. He has could

he commit to 20,000 refugees coming in in the next two years, rather

than the next five? Could he also taken unaccompanied children, who

are in a desperate position. It is making more difficult for us to work

with our European partners when we do not do this. He is putting the

politics of as one party across those of the national interest. Will

he join me in seeking a more progressive union across Europe. One

that delivers on welfare for our workers rather than the agenda he is

bidding for work today? Let me wish the right honourable gentleman a

very happy New Year. Can I apologise for interrupting the longest

reshuffle in her study. I have watched the entire run of Star Wars

movies but we do not know who has been taken over to the dark side.

There is no sign of a Rebel Alliance emerging either. He had the temerity

to see this as a referendum I did not want. This is a referendum

likely to the British people in our manifesto. He has got the Foreign

Secretary he does not want. He asked a number of questions. Like me and

them. Will the government make a clear recommendation? Yes, we roll.

He asked whether the national parliaments measures are still in

place? Yes, the hour. They had the warm reception from many countries.

I said I am very happy to look at other proposals but I will not take

mine of the proposal until I see something equally effective come

forward. I would note that in the last election, it was Labour policy

to ask people coming to this country to live here and worked here for

several years before getting benefits. You can all call out about

what a great policy was to be abandoned by the new leader. You

have all worked out you have an albatross at the head of your party.

He asked about refugees. He is right to please the Royal Navy for the

work the dead. This is underfunded. We believe the European Union can do

more. It has a generous budget to which we are a significant

contributor. In all these conversations, we asked the European

Union to use its existing budget, knowing that we have already made a

huge contribution it with budget. The only other country that was as

generous as ours to ease this crisis. We have given ?1.2 billion.

We are one of the leading players in the process. More meetings are

necessary to bring about the ceasefire and political discussion

and talks which are necessary. I will keep the who's updated. He

asked about whether we would take more migrants. I think 20,000 is the

rate number. I would stress again, we are delivering what we said we

would do. This is in stark contrast to many policies of other countries.

He mentioned about the 3000 orphans. There are problems. We can look at

helping more people. But we are keen not to remove people from their

wider family, so it is not just about people who have maybe lost the

appearance. He then said we were isolated in Europe with regard to

the debate on Syria. We are leading the debate. When other prime

ministers and presidents when asked about terrorism or migration or

British negotiations, they were all saying, the other question, what on

offers happen to the British Labour Party? Will the Prime Minister

obtain the full British opt out from the ever closer union, which has

been the principal demand of Europe, who saw it as the perceived threat.

Note that many people are taking an unaccustomed interest in benefit

rules, will he confirm that his benefits -- proposals are

stimulating discussions in other countries. They are trying to find a

solution which will not prevent people legally coming here in a wave

which helps the British economy? The ever closer union does matter. It is

not just symbolic. It gets used in European law and has driven

something of a ratchet through the European Union. He is right about

this. It is a controversial issue in Europe. Many other countries she our

concerns. Many of the countries where people are leaving are also

concerned, with so many young people leaving. Britain is benefited hugely

from migration and we would support it, but it is the extra artificial

drop that our benefit system brings which needs to be addressed. It is

our first day back in Parliament, so the first day to see our hearts go

out to the many people throughout the country who are suffering from

the ongoing problems of flooding, with regard to the houses and

businesses. We should put our appreciation for the response of the

emergency services then incredibly difficult circumstances. The biggest

challenge is not negotiations of the Prime Minister and his position with

regard to this split which was displayed by the Swedish Prime

Minister is bizarre. It is the instability in the Middle East and

the threat of terrorism. The European Union member states have

opt outs with regard to immigration. Two of these are part of the

European refugee programme. Given me overwhelmingly warm welcome and

positive humanitarian response in the UK to people affected by Syria

the conflict, with the Prime Minister reconsider his position?

Would he at least help more refugee children just as they did with

Jewish children in the past. With regard to the instability in the

Middle East, how is he going to step up support for the Vienna process

and look for a ceasefire Syria in and is he worried about the

increasing tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran? The resume, who

shoot and crucify those they disagree with, is it not time for

concrete action? On European reform, three of the four Prime Minister 's

demands were so limited the work so uncontentious. When UK citizens

working with them -- European citizens without working within the

United Kingdom, Friday we not hear about the positive contribution they

have made in terms of the contribution and via tax

contribution to the United Kingdom? It massively agrees any abuses of

the system. Will he finally, because he has made many opportunities to do

this, if Scotland remains in the European Union, it will stay. The

public at home will hear the noise from the Conservative benches. They

want to know if they are going to be taking note of the European Union

against the will. Taking his last point, Scotland and a referendum on

whether to remain part of the United Kingdom. The leader -- the First

Minister, knowing member of Parliament, signed with needy and

the agreement, which said that both sides would respect the author

referendum. That is the only answer he needs. I also paid tribute to the

emergency services for the incredible work they have done

during the recent flooding. Our hearts go out to those who have

homes, businesses and shops flooded. Also pay tribute to the amazing

spirit of the British people who have come together at Christmas

time, giving up huge sacrifice to help each other. It is remarkable

what communities have done. We believe our resettlement

programme is better run by ourselves. We have done it better

and quickly brought more people into Britain and other countries have

been able to resettle out of Syria and we have wrought in our own

safeguarding check on those people. The point being made about three of

the four things that we are asking for being under is simply not true.

I would encourage him take more time to talk to European colleagues about

how difficult these things are to achieve. On the issue of the Vienna

process, if we have a very clear view that we do not support the

death penalty where ever it takes place Saudi Arabia included we have

to find a way to get Iran and Saudi Arabia into the room at the same

time to negotiate what will happen in terms of a transition. I think we

have to be clear that is our greatest priority dealing with the

Syrian crisis is the source of so much of the terror that we face and

the crisis in Europe has to be top of mind. Does the Prime Minister

agree that the success of his re-negotiation and attention from

issues of greater substance such as issues for Britain's place in the

world whether we stay or leave and the cost of benefits as part of a

free EU labour market were introduction of a Living Wage will

dwarf the effect of any benefited title manse as a draw for people

into the United Kingdom. I would say to my honourable friend that once

the negotiation is completed people have to asked the big question of

whether Britain is better off inside or outside a reformed European

Union. The question of whether we are safer or more prosperous I

believe the re-negotiation will make a difference. There is also the

issue of migration. People are asking the bigger question about the

position of Britain in Europe and I am making sure that the choice that

people wait -- faces not between the status quo and leaving altogether

between an important amendment to the status quo and it is important

that we get it right. Before Christmas I met 11 year and

12-year-old to living in the jungle in Calais and they are similar ages

to my children and to his children but they are alone and separated

from their parents and folder to exploitation as well as the cold and

still. The longer he looks at the proposal to help three children the

more disappear. Can I urge urge him that this proposal has cross-party

support to agree to to work with Save The Children on a plan for

Britain to help 3000 and children from across Europe. Just agree to

the principle today. We are going to consider this in a very proper way

during the Syria debate. There are different views amongst the NGOs

about whether this is the right approach to take. In terms of people

at Calais we are very clear that we will do everything we can to help

the French were border security and at the end of the day people do not

have the right to try and break into Britain against our rules and those

people in Calais showed the properly processed by the French and dealt

with by the French. My right honourable friend has just stated

that his package would require changes that are legally binding and

irreversible. As there is no treaty change on offer or what grounds can

my right honourable friend legitimately and honestly contend

that an international agreement registered at the UN would be

legally binding and irreversible, and on which voters which is what

matters, could absolutely rely when they cast their votes? Will it be a

cast-iron guarantee? Before countries have voted a referenda and

we have voted in this house on treaty proposals before they are

adopted and implemented by every country country and I have said that

what we need is changes that are legally binding and irreversible and

those are the changes that I seek. The Prime Minister said that he will

do nothing out. If he loses this referendum will he resigned? This

referendum is the government policy and the country will decide whether

we stay in the European Union or leave the European Union. What I am

doing is giving the country the very best choice that can be by an

amendment are vital amendment to the status quo that we face but in the

end it will be the choice of Britain. Will the council discuss

how free societies with free media should react to terrorist

propaganda. The latest Daesh atrocity video seems to feature a

well-known British extremist and a brainwashed child. Does the Prime

Minister agree with the that once the broadcast media seem to have

handled this material with appropriate restraint some of the

press in its big Tory coverage has been playing into the hands of the

terrorist propagandists? First of all, in terms of what Britain is

doing in the E you to counter terrorist propaganda yes we have

taken the expertise we have built up here and we are sharing it with

other European countries as we sat up some new organisations. I think

it is very important to win this battle of ideas and in some ways it

is like a battle of ideas as we faced in the cold War. I am not sure

I go all the way with him about what he said about television or

newspapers. Television have been responsible but I do not think it

would be right to have a blanket ban on showing any parts of these

videos. Shoving a part of these videos and how ghastly and brutal

the organisation is in the way it is using children reminds everybody not

least those who might be tempted by this radical organisation just what

are sick organisation it is. On the whole the media have been fairly

responsible about it and I think it is much better to have that form of

self restraint rather than anything else. The Prime Minister in his

statement said that in relation to Europe and non-euro countries he was

looking for node disadvantage or discrimination or additional cost.

That is a pretty low bar for ambition. Should he not be looking

for a quality and parity between euro countries and non-euro

countries and non-euro countries? If you have non-discrimination and no

disadvantage and no cost ' gives you the comparison that you seek I take

people back to the summer away euro zone countries used in Eurozone bond

to buy Greece to which we were a contributor. If people think this

does not matter it absolutely does matter. We must have these

principles clearly written down and implemented. What treaty and other

changes does the United Kingdom need so that the Prime Minister can

implement is extremely popular policy of cutting migration by more

than two what we need to do is address migration from within the

European Union and outside the European Union. If we look at the

figures it is about half coming from each. My view is that I do not want

us to get out of the idea of free movement. British citizens benefit

from being able to live and work and retire into other European countries

we should be able to do summing about the artificial draw that our

benefits system provides that is now widely recognised in Europe Europe.

We have to take further steps. The Prime Minister has indicated that

the nation must not be part of an ever closer union. At some point

shortly we will agree the date for people to vote on this issue. What

guarantee can he give that if the people were to accept his promise

and a that we would never, ever be part of the closer union in Europe

that subsequent to that, if they accepted his promise, that Europe

would not undermine that and eventually agree to a closer union

that he has promised we would not be part of and that people might accept

that is a very good question. I am seeking a legally binding and

irreversible change that carbs people out of an ever closer union.

The way I explain it to my European colleagues is that we do not all

want the same destination. There are some countries in Europe that do see

an ever closer union but Britain is not one of them. We want to be there

for trade and cooperation. There are a lot of areas where we do share our

resources and ideas and even our sovereignty sometimes to get things

done that we need we do not want to be part of an ever closer union and

that should be clearly set out and legally binding and irreversible. I

completely agree with my right honourable friend am at that point.

The European Court has reference European Union 50 times since 19.

How will we accept this if we are not excluded from judgments clearly

if you have a legally binding and irreversible is suggestion that

Britain is not part of an ever closer union and the courts cannot

use that to provide a ratchet against Britain in terms of future

court judgments. It is very important. It is a symbol and I

would accept it is a symbol. Symbols matter in politics politics is full

of symbols. The symbol of being outside this ever closer union

speaks to the British desire that we join the Common market and not a

political union. It has a practical application as we have set out.

Given that the dire terrorists are up responsible for the latest

disgusting video and cold-blooded murders in Syria and they jumped

bail in Britain, should we be claiming control? The experts have

said our controls are every bit as powerful as those that they

replaced. The control orders were increasingly knocked down in court

decision after court decision so it is right if you listen to the

experts in the security services or the police they are content with the

approach that we have. Given that the Prime Minister has

optimistically shared with us is hoped that he can reach full

agreement when the council meets at the end of the month. With the Prime

Minister also like to share with us on his forward planning what states

he is considering for the referendum. I think we would all

like to know. I would love to fill in my right honourable friend's

diary so I know when it is happening. I cannot guarantee we

will have an agreement in February and what they council agreed is that

we would try to reach agreement in February on all for issues so that

is the eighth. If it is possible that I am keen to get on and hold a

referendum. We should not do it precipitately and I have looked at

previous precedents and I know that when Labour held a referendum in 19

there was only one month between the completion of the legislation and

the and I do not think think that is enough. When we had the referendum

on the alternative vote I think it was less than three months and I do

not think that was enough so I think we should be looking for a period

longer than that. By the time we get to the end of the referendum

campaign I think everyone will have had enough of the subject. The Prime

Minister made only one very brief mention of the principle of free

movement in the original statement. Has he come abandoned negotiations

on free movement or is it still a table table? If it is still on the

table what changes is he looking for? People in European countries

can travel to different countries and live and work in those countries

and retire and that is a principle that I support. Where we have

goblins is to areas. One is the abuse of free movement where people

have used the free movement legislation to bring criminals to

the United Kingdom or take part in immigration practices that are

against our rules and those abuses need to be dealt with. Our welfare

system has provided an unnatural draw to the UK and we need to

further control immigration inside the EU are addressing that problem.

Could we just pause a moment to remember that it is only because

this Prime Minister is in place and backed by all of us that we have

this referendum at all. When my right honourable friend was having

discussions with his colleagues, was there any recognition that if any of

us turned up in Warsaw we would not be entitled to benefits for years

because they had a contributory system and the E was about free

movement for workers, not benefit seekers. Is there any thought about

us moving to a contributory system? This is a very good point. One of

the reasons that this problem arises is because we have a system to which

there is immediate access because if you live in some other European

countries you would have to pay in and contribute four many years

before getting your benefits. I am open to all sorts of suggestions

including the one that he made. I think we really do need to achieve

something that cuts the draw of migrants to Britain through the

welfare changes that I have set out. You feel about terrorism then the

Middle East. We forget about the atrocities in Northern Ireland.

Today is the 40th anniversary of the massacre in which ten Protestants

were massacred because of their religion. Those responsible fled

across the border into the Republic of Ireland. He is right to make the

point that many victims of terrorism, many families who lost

loved ones in Ireland. There are still a terrorist campaign in part

of the United Kingdom and we need to pay tribute to the police and

security services who work hard to prevent that. It is important that

when over our borders are, we can police them effectively to stop

criminals and terrorists. The Conservative Party manifesto said we

will insist that European Union Reagan to want to claim tax credits

and Child benefits must love here for a minimum of four years, while I

am clear I will be voting to leave the European Union when the

referendum comes, there are many of my constituents waiting to see the

outcome of the renegotiation. I would be great for my right

honourable friend could tell is that we are still insisting on that or is

it simply a basis for negotiation? I very much stand by what we put in

the manifesto. The issues we are renewal were cheating are clearly

set up. We need to go over in each of these areas. We are quite right

to have a free vote, as Harold Wilson did likewise in 1975. This is

all about trust. Why should the British people trust anything he

brings about dealing with the European union, as they did not have

a proper worked out treaty change? I think people can see this is a

process in which they can trust. We promised the referendum and promised

the renegotiation. That is well on course. We said we would cut the

European Union budget. No one believes does, but be dead. We said

we would bring back the biggest amount of power since Britain joined

the European Union and we did that. We have a track record, but in the

end, it will be the British people who make the decision about where

our future should live. It is sadly clear that forces which heat our

democracy are amassing in a larger number of countries. The ability of

democratic countries to take measures on a daily basis to fight

against terrorism is a key contribution to helping British

citizens remain safe on the street. My honourable friend is absolutely

right. And a lot of the debates about Europe we have heard in the

last couple of decades, most of them are focused on economic questions.

No, a lot is focused rightly on security. While there are many

differences in the week border controls and the exchange of

information works, there is no doubt we will doubt -- benefit greatly

from the new light legislation. It tells you where the passengers

bought the ticket, really have the credit card was used, and this is of

vital information Bridge. As letting these terrorists get into our

country. The security argument is going to be absolutely crucial with

regard to our future. Many of those who argued for us to leave the

European Union suggest we can be part of the single market in spite

of leaving, without having to abide by the negotiations that go with

that. Can I ask the Prime Minister whether he knows of any known

European Union members who enjoy free trade in a single market but

are not part of the free movement that comes with it? The honourable

gentleman makes an important part, but my argument is not going to be

that Britain cannot succeed out with the European Union. Of course we

can. We are the world's fifth largest economy. The argument is

going to be how are we more secure and prosperous within the European

Union a roadside? To answer the question, and it did when asked, if

you look at countries like Iceland and Norway, they have to be all the

rules of the single market, including all the free movement

rules on people, without having any say on what the rules are. The fewer

as democracy by fights because the rules come through from Brussels. It

will be from the campaign is responsible to make the arguments

about what life would be like oak with the European Union and that is

what they will have to answer. Yesterday, grassroots boat was

launched and politicians from different parties working together

at grassroots level no to come out of the European Union. With the

Prime Minister say that ministers are free to campaign? With the Prime

Minister still say there are significant difficulties and he may

eventually recommend not staying in the European Union, witty considered

joining up? I will carefully look at what happens when you pass go. We

are getting closer to an agreement on Britain's negotiation and at that

point, of course, as I have said, ministers will have a clear

recommendation and ministers will be able to campaign on different sides

regardless of it clear recommendation but there needs to

happen after negotiations take place. Members on all sides of the

house, the public and business want to know what the renegotiation

tabbing to. We want to go for we bring back, but in the end, it will

not be any of us, it will be the people of Britain who decide. It is

not only a number of unions who are urging the Minister to give the

positive with regard to the unaccompanied refugee children. Some

of them already have relatives in the United Kingdom. Would he not be

in a stronger position if he has already established that? We have

done more than any other country in with the United States with regard

to the funding of the refugee crisis. As well as the 20,000

pledge, we are in the process of implementing it in very good order.

I said we will look very closely at the issue of orphans. There are

different views about how best to handle this issue. We want to make

sure is genuinely helpful for the people involved. We know the

families we are taking note of the refugee camps because we can fit

them. We want to help the most vulnerable. Of course, the

referendum will revolve around the political and economic strength of

the European Union will bring, but in terms of the renegotiation, does

he agree that our competitiveness will depend on the free trade

opportunities which the European Union represents? If we were not in

the single worker we would not be able to argue for the trade deals or

the completion of the single market services energy legislation. The

calculations people will have to make is, I be better off in the

single market making a contribution and a sea on its future, but only

better on the outside having no see. That is the argument which needs to

take place. The Prime Minister clearly needs to negotiate a good

deal with our European Prime Minister and does not want to be the

British Prime Minister who takes it out of the European union. I then as

he suspended the elected responsibility adviser not possible

for him to persuade his one ministers on an issue which is so

vital to our national interest? The entire government is signed up to

the position of holding a referendum and having it legal renegotiation, a

successful one and holding a referendum and everyone backs that.

Clearly, there are people who have long-standing views about the

European issue and it has never been my intention to stronger people into

voting for a position they do not agree with. So, I think this is the

right approach. It does not come practice until a deal is done

because we do not know what this renegotiation will be I hope it

could take considerably longer. When you are negotiating with 27 other

countries, anything can happen. But I think talk from the opposite

benches about party unity is a bit rich. He has berated us about giving

up our rebate and getting nothing in return. Why did he not as thorough

rebate to be reinstated? Is it because he does not think we should

have the rebate back or is it just that purely that he was worried that

it may not give him something to try off about? I would make the point

that we negotiated the cut in the budget, but that cut across seven

years of what is known as the European Union financial

perspective. We also protected our rebate, which is immensely powerful

and saves British taxpayers an enormous amount of money. When you

are sitting round a table with $27 and see at showing that is not the

case. I am not claiming elder statesmanship. I would argue that

the NBC gauge is what we have achieved. Hundreds of my

constituents had a terrible Christmas because of the terrible

flooding in the area. Councils will have to make up the infrastructure

costs. It would be unforgivable to boot posturing on Europe ahead of

the national interest. When is the dominant going to apply the

solidarity here? Firstly, his constituents have my sympathy and we

will do everything we can to make sure his council is fully reimbursed

for all the emergency measures they have to take. We've also put in the

flood prevention measures. Ray thought very carefully at this

question of the European Union funding. We were previously at in

2013 and it takes a long time to get hold of any money, it is uncertain

when you will get and you end up paying for it in many ways, as well.

It is quicker and better to give people the help they need from our

own resources. Beyond the talks which my right honourable friend is

co-hosting next month, what other discussions has government and the

other European Union governments having with functioning government

around the Mediterranean to inhibit refugees who disguise themselves as

tourists from other countries. My right honourable friend is right to

raise this issue, which is why there is a defence cooperation being

undertaken in the Mediterranean, in which we are playing a leading

product, which is to go after the people smugglers and when that is

the proper government in Libya, we need a proper agreement that we can

stop boats and tumble back really think these people should be

properly dealt with in Libya, to try and break this link between getting

settlement from getting in a boat in Libya.

Can I commend the Prime Minister for demonstrating to the Leader of the

Opposition that he is not the only one leading a hopelessly divided

Cabinet. Can he tell us that peek thinks the majority of his Cabinet

colleagues will join him in the remainder of the Euro campaign? The

government is behind the strategy of holding a re-negotiation of having a

referendum and we have discussed repeatedly what those issues that

need to be renegotiated R. It is interesting that across the other

side of the House of Commons, there was not one single thing they want

to re-negotiate will stop they do not want welfare changes or ever

closer union changes. They are not asking for competitiveness changes

but they just wanted a cop at someone who is getting the job done.

I welcome the Prime Minister's commitment to end the imposition of

ever closer union, if that can be achieved on a binding way for the

long-term future but what my constituents want to know is what is

being reversed and what is happening to the ever closer union we have

been subjected to for the last few years and what power was coming back

to this parliament? We have achieved the biggest ever return of powers

where a hundred measures came back to Britain and we have seen exactly

the same and we will see the same with respect to the euro and we want

to be sure we will not suffer any disadvantage and we cannot be

involved in bailout schemes and the British position is protected. It is

a return of power. If you look at the return of deregulation where we

say we need deregulation targets and cuts in regulation that is about

powers is coming back to Britain. If you look at the subsidiarity test

where every year the council should be asking if these powers are still

necessary and can they be returned? Hole aim of the re-negotiation is to

say that we are part of the European Union that has reformed and can

achieve greater prosperity and security for Britain but we are

doing it as a proud nation state with institutions that serve the

people who put us here. Elections in Spain have seen parties

losing power and is their concern about these developments? We are all

democracies so we accept the results in each other's elections. I am

happy to say that here a government that took difficult decisions over

the economy and the death achieved a higher share of the vote at the

election than it did at the previous one and I think there are benefits

from spelling bees things out but I am committed to working with the new

Portuguese Prime Minister and we will see what happens in Spain I

work very closely with their Prime Minister who did a very good job for

the country in very difficult circumstances. What the election

results show was how we need reform in Europe and we need a

competitiveness and the jobs in the ability to compete against the rest

of the world so we can create jobs and wealth here. Does the Prime

Minister agree that it is neither understand nor I inappropriately

discriminatory to place restrictions on those who come here from other

member states. It is evidenced by the fact that the original EU treaty

granted a right to residents but only to those who came to pursue an

economic activity. My honourable friend is absolutely right. One of

the problems that had emerged is because of the legal changes that

have been made, that have defined free movement in more and more more

generous way, used to be the case that it was free movement to take a

job for which you had applied but I think I am right in saying that 60

of those who have come to Britain are job applicants and they do not

have a job when they come. We also need to address the welfare issue

because those people will be particularly affect Tidd by the

un-natural draw to. We need to make sure that the arrangements reduce

the unnatural poll of written as the honourable lady set out. The Prime

Minister has said that the EU referendum will reflect the choice

of the British people but it the choice of the British people does

not reflect the choice of the Prime Minister will he resign the? This is

the choice of the British people? Our aim is to set for wood to add --

set forward a choice to the British people for the Europe that they

want. They can either stay in the European Union or leave the European

Union and I will continue to run the government, as I have. I salute the

decision to allow ministers to exercise their freedom of choice on

this very important matter. This is not a sign of personal weakness but

a final personal strength top we in this party can have a sensible

debate about a fundamental issue of serious importance to the British

people but the Prime Minister has just mentioned that the negotiations

may come to fruition in month. If they do when would the premise to

envisage the referendum taking place I make it a policy not to answer

questions that game with the word if even when they are put quite

charmingly. If we can achieve a result of February I do not think we

should delay the the referendum, we should get on and hold the

referendum and, as I have said it shouldn't be done in any unnatural

haste. It needs to have a proper number of months for people to

consider all of the arguments and that is exactly what will happen.

The common agricultural policy puts the price of food to people in this

country and it is an unnecessary burden on taxpayers. Will the

primaries to try to renegotiate that if you look at the fact surround it

is, the days of wine lakes and butter mountains have by and large

gone. I do not think it is possible to argue in the way that it was in

the past that it is adding hugely to bills for families and that is not

what is happening. There has been significant reform and some fairly

significant reform to the common fisheries policy. In all of these

areas are deregulation targets in subsidiarity tests would apply.

Could I invite my right honourable friend to make a list of the

European laws and the European Court rulings he believes depend primarily

on the ever closer union phrase in the treaties? I do not have the list

on me I do not carry it around to remind me but I think by his and my

right honourable friend said it had been sighted in the 50 different

actions. He was one of the people who in the past said how important

it was to get out of ever closer union and I would say to colleagues

who are considering this issue that this has been raised time and again

by people like me who were concerned about the ratchet of the European

Union and wanted to get this really negotiation right and if we can

deliver this then let us all men arms and celebrated. The Prime

Minister has heard a call from the Labour Party and then the SNP and

the SDLP and now the Liberal Democrats for the government to act

on the question of the three unaccompanied children. I hope his

colleagues will listen rather than laughing. These sorry if vulnerable

children are vulnerable now. At what point will he tell the house if he

will finish the consideration because these children are

vulnerable now. I cannot give an exact time frame but it will not

take ages to consider the issue. I appreciate that while there are very

important issues in favour of taking the action forward we have to

consider all of the issues including the people who are tragically

orphaned that have a order and wider family around them with currently

are. As the RAF seeks to destroy Daesh and Syria and Iraq does the

Prime Minister agree that our commitment to the two Nato defence

budget really helps our ability to strike those who threaten Britain?

My honourable friend is absolutely right. This provides the resources

we need and also sends a signal about Britain's lace in the world

and the intention to play a full role in trying to safeguard our

world and it has been recognised by our allies and our enemies. However

the Prime Minister wishes to characterise ever closer union is it

the case that most people accept that the European Union as it is two

is moving in the direction of the union of European state, rather than

the United States of Europe? This is an important argument. Forces are

going in both directions. On the good side than widening of the

European Union to include the Baltic states in the northern countries and

the Balkan states I think it has been a great advance for British

agenda and we are focusing Europe on doing trade deals with the fastest

parts of the world rather than looking inwards and it is a great

advance to the agenda but proposal still come forward for more

Federalist it approaches and what Rittenhouse done successfully is

calve ourselves out of those things so if Europe wants to have a border

force to help police is external Borders -- Borders that is something

for them and we will not take part in it. With the Eurozone wants to

pass a series of laws to have a fiscal union mutual debt obligations

then that is a matter for them as long as we are not involved. What I

aim to get in this re-negotiation is the best of both worlds for Britain.

In Europe where it is for our benefit but not involved in those

things that would be the wrong passage of sovereignty to others.

The Prime Minister tells us that other EU heads of government say the

EU needs Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Doesn't it show the

strength of our negotiating position they need our money and our economic

strength. Hasn't the time come to screw his courage to the sticking

point and to say to Chancellor Merkel when he next sees her that

great to be Berlin please we want some more. I will bear that in mind

when I go and see her in the snows of Bavaria on Wednesday evening. Of

course we have negotiating a and a strong position because we make such

a huge contribution to this organisation. What I have set out is

the right approach for our country. The recent British /Irish parliament

Assembly there were huge concerns expressed by parliamentary

colleagues why across the British Isles about the possible exit from

the European Union by this country. Can I ask the Prime Minister what,

if any, work has been done about the specific impact on Northern Ireland

and the Republic and our closest neighbour if this referendum is

lost? The right honourable gentleman makes a very important point out one

of the strongest voices of support for the British re-negotiation was

the Irish leader and a who made a brilliant speech at the European

Council. -- Enda Kenny. The Republic of Ireland wants Britain to stay

because many issues will arise because of the border and other

things it we were outside. Of course the Republic of Ireland sees Britain

as a strong voice in Europe for many of the things that it believes in.

We have to get this deal right and bring all the arguments to bear on

both sides of the case and what those in the Republic and Northern

Ireland say will make a very big determination. On the issue of

security one of the safeguards for the United Kingdom against terrorism

is not foolproof, one of the safeguards is the lack of access to

small arms and light weapons and in particular semiautomatic rifles. Can

I commend the Prime Minister in his efforts at the council meeting to

ensure that we get more work done across Europe working with the

Western Balkan countries to stop the smuggling of illegal weapons from

the Balkans into Europe? Honourable friend is absolutely right about

this issue. I raised the issue personally at the European Council

not just about small arms but also semiautomatic weapons and there is

more action being taken in Europe and some of the countries

particularly the Nordic countries have a particular issue with it

because of the way their citizens defence forces are setup. We have to

go to all of those problems to do more bust stopping the arms coming

from the Balkans is absolutely key. Britain is taking great leadership

in a environmental policy in Europe and beyond. Will the Prime Minister

use the climate conference to press the EU to ensure the imperatives

from climate change from that conference are fully integrated into

the US/EU free trade agreement so that countries do not find

governments when they pass legislation on emissions targets?

I think the honourable gentleman raises an important point. It is

important that we implement these things agreed, either within the

United Kingdom or the European Union. I do not see the detail

providing any particular problems at this moment. European Union migrants

who can claim up to 700 pounds per month in tax credits, almost double

what they could claim in Germany. Germany is now changing its rules so

they could not claim. Does my honourable friend not agree that

this sort of reform is possible in this country and what impact would

it deliver? My honourable friend is right to reason that. The

requirement on these welfare changes has stimulated something of a debate

in Europe. Germany, I do not want to speak for the Chancellor, they are

trying to deal with this issue as this in time as we do. They have a

more contributory system. I am convinced we can come to a good

answer and countries across the north of Europe understand how much

this needs to be done. Given that the ballot paper for the referendum

makes no mention of the renegotiation is, can he answer the

simple question, does he believe in principle we should stay in the

European Union or leave it. There are a thing to do is to wait for the

Renate renegotiate renegotiation to see if we can stay in it when it is

be amended. But is all about giving people more choice. I do not want

the false choice of staying in a organisation that needs reform or

leaving it. I want a better choice than that. That is what is being

said in all four countries. That is why we are putting that place. Given

the importance of the question of the economic impact on this country

on whether we stay or go, can we get an assurance that he will try and

push for what a fear situation who get the best of both worlds by being

part of the European market but not a member of the single currency. We

believe you should not suffer disadvantage if you are not in the

single currency. We have been part of helping out and bailing out

countries who have been in trouble within the Eurozone. On a number of

occasions, the importance of this has been shown. It is central to our

renegotiations. Being part of the single European market is obviously

very important to 's remaining a vibrant economy. Will he publish a

report showing the impact on the British economy of as withdrawing

from it? I believe that documents do need to be published. I believe the

other place insisted on what documents needed to be published. I

think the bowl set over what they renegotiation has accomplished of

what the benefits or otherwise are. This is what was decided by the

other place and has not been decided by others. My right honourable

friend rightly told us about discussions with regard to passenger

data sharing. Could he tell us whether they are also discussions on

the equally important discussion on people who come to work here, but

just back-to-back -- checks on the likes of whether people turned up to

work? The aim is to have far more collaboration and cooperation

through Europe. One of the situation that the aeroplane attack in cattle

showed that while we have good airport security, you need to keep

on your toes, wondering how could the terrorists get access to any

aeroplane in that way. The Foreign Minister from Paul and saying they

will support the Prime Minister on and work benefits if he will back

the of the man's folly needle bees. As he had the discussions on this

with his counterparts in Poland -- Nato. That has not been discussed

but we do believe that more Nato forces should be deployed in eastern

European countries, so that we sure that we are standing by our

obligations. It is important that when Russia look over the borders,

VC soldiers from not just these countries, but from Nato countries,

as well. The German Chancellor said it was important that Britain found

a solution. The tool is encouraging. The crux note is converting music

into substance? There is goodwill towards Britain. Many of the

contributions were not just about Britain benefiting from being in

Europe, which you not benefiting from Britain being part of the

European Union. They do not want us to leave. I wish the Prime Minister

well in the renegotiations. I will be campaigning for Britain to stay

in the European Union whether he is successful or not. It means a lot to

us that we can campaign on the basis of an honest and transparent case,

but it is difficult for them seeing the changes are irreversible. A

future government of Prime Minister could change the way in which we are

going. Could he withdraw the idea that what he is campaigning for will

be irreversible. I am campaigning for changes which are legally

binding and irreversible. Should the future 28 people represented wish to

take the European Union in a different direction, that would be

concerning. But we passed through this house the referendum lot 's of

any future Labour Prime Minister or anyone else trying to give away

powers that we already have or give back, there would be another

referendum. I do not think we need to worry about that. In his

well-received speech during the debate on Syria, the Shadow Foreign

Minister topped to the Kurdish minister and talked about the

importance of ear strikes within Syria by the Royal Air Force we are

crucially important. If we believe in shrinking and eradicating IS we

need to do and both sides of the border. Most of the concentration of

us has been concentrated on Iraq. We can no pursue people across the

border and take action against the oil wealth that IS has built up is

important. In his remarks, the Prime Minister discussed the four pillars

as his proposals. He has here and colleagues sating the Conservative

manifesto. Can he explain what has been the difference between a

four-year proposal on four four-year demand? The United Kingdom has put

its proposals on the table on each of the four areas. The only thing,

we talked about Child benefit, benefit abuse, criminality and

migration rules. I have said that my proposal remains of the table until

something equally good is put in his place. I am happy to listen to other

suggestions. But people need to know this is absolutely crucial. It is

crucial and is getting the right deal. In the event of Switzerland

effectively restricting freedom of movement, with migrate an honourable

friends position change as a result and would what's good for

Switzerland good for the United Kingdom? I am watching for it

closely the attempts by Switzerland to renegotiate the position they

have asked the referendum that the hilt. I think the difficulty of the

position is, of course, the European Union is seen to Switzerland that we

are happy to talk to you about free movement of people, but, of course,

everything else is up for grabs that is no guarantee of Switzerland

having access to any part of the single market unless there can be an

agreement on the Celia. I think this is worth thinking about carefully,

in terms the relationship between a small country do with the European

Union and the rest of the European union. He has asked for other ideas

today, with the support my parties call for greater influence for

devolved government for decision-making to make more

accountability and democracy within the European Union. I think we have

made great steps in that regard. We continue to do that. As well as our

Armed Forces, will be Prime Minister also paid tribute to the Tisch

police officers, such as the Chief Constable of Leicestershire police,

who is the lead on the present strategy to prevent radicalisation

and two works so hard with other police officers to protect us all

from terrorists. It is a good moment to pay tribute to the police. They

worked incredibly hard over Christmas, with the hating concern

there has been over the Palace italics. -- hated. Paris attacks. I

cannot believe the Prime Minister believes that 3000 children who want

to come to this country are trying to break in. It is what you said.

Can we put the record straight. It is not acceptable to say that

because there is some disagreement about how to help the children that

it is a argument for doing nothing. I am asking is a commitment to help

3000 children. Will he just do that? I did not in anyway mislead the

house. The rate honourable lady said she had been to the and seen the

state of it. I was making the point that we will do everything we can to

help the French deal with people via, but the people in the camp they

are, they did not have a right to come to the United Kingdom. They

should be, under international rules, claiming asylum in the first

safe country the reach. On the issue of unaccompanied children, of course

we will look very carefully at this. We are taking people from the camps,

that is the 20,000, which includes many vulnerable people. We are

looking at the 3000 people in good faith. There are issues which have

to be worked through, but I have the opportunity to separate these two

issues and they will come that. I commend the statement on the

European Union Council. Would he confirmed that United Kingdom

personnel will not take part in any sort of area patrols and would he

agree that that would go against the principles of moving away? There is

no prospect of us being part of a European external border force. Our

forces well protected and we need to look up what more we can do. But if

other European countries want to do more, should we not help? I do not

think so. We want to see a better protected European border system.

But the route we would cooperate or help any future force I do not know.

That could be looked at in the future. We have got more people

working on the European Asylum support office than any other

European country. We recognise that protecting our border is in our

interest. We have the best of both worlds. Keep our border controls and

encourage others to do more. Help Wear it is appropriate and necessary

but make sure we maintain our own security.

Are people would stay in the European Union and began that if the

majority of people in England look to leave. From most of 2040 by Mr

told us that being part of the UK was only way to guarantee our

membership of the EU. Tell us how it is possible to reconcile those

directly contradictory statements? Very easily. If Scotland had voted

to leave the UK, which, wisely, the people of Scotland rejected, they

would have been a very long queue to get back into the EU. Having met

with the Spanish Prime Minister several times, I'm not sure there

are many circumstances where the Spanish would ever let an

independent Scotland back into the European Union. That is the answer

to the first questions. The answer to the second is we had a referendum

on whether Scotland should remain part of the UK. Scotland voted to

stay in the UK and his party vowed to abide by the decision that was

taken. One United Kingdom. Thank you. Does he remain the case that by

forcing -- focusing our efforts in the region, by helping in those

areas we can help 20 people from one person we would bring to Britain and

isn't that the most effective way of the British people helping these

people who find themselves in such difficult situations? My friend is

right about that. The figures to speak for themselves. They said we

will take 20,000 people from the camps and do 1000 by Christmas and

get on with it and thanks to the excellent work of my honourable

friend from Watford we have fulfilled our pledge. If you look at

the resettlement and relocation schemes the EU spend a lot of time

discussing, so far they have not amounted to as much as the thousand

people we have done. I'm sure they will over time. The point I make is

that Britain is a country that prides itself on signing agreements

and implementing them and doing the things that is agreements set out.

Let us examine what we've done with Syrian refugees. Doesn't that is

exactly. As the Prime Minister discussed his renegotiation efforts

with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar and does he recognise the growing

anxiety of Gibraltarians at the prospect of British exit from the

EU, not least on the prospect that a currently impartial commission and

other member states might take side in future deliberations between

Britain and Spain? I have not discussed the issue recently with

an very good terms with him. People an very good terms with him. People

into bottle will have a vote. In the Gibraltar. In the week before

Christmas I was fortunate to meet a Syrian family resettled in this

country in my constituency and speaking to the parents it was

obvious how grateful they are and what the tears well up in the little

girl's eyes, whose game age as my daughter, a reminder of what a

1000 by Christmas was the big ask 1000 by Christmas was the big ask

but we did it but because the British Red Cross will get these

people come caseworker and interrupt it was in an example and reminder

that doing it properly and bringing them under the right terms and

making sure they had the services they need, we have done this right

way around. I'm grateful to my honourable friend. I think it is the

right way of doing it. We got keep on and make sure we devil is meant

to live on the 20,000 we promised, I want to pay to beat the local

authorities who have offered housing and support and the model we have is

the right one. -- paid tribute. This afternoon the parameters spoke about

the national security being a compelling reason for staying in the

year, can the Prime Minister explain to me how it will work if his Home

Secretary then decides to campaign to leave the EU? I set at the

position that we will make a recommendation following the

conclusion of the renegotiation. The Government will have a position and

I set out what I want a position to be but I have to conclude

successfully my renegotiation first. In that circumstance, a cabinet that

has repeatedly discussed this issue and gone through the areas of

renegotiation will come to a clear position. Of course, ministers that

have long-standing strong views on this who wants to campaign on a

personal capacity will be able to do so. That is the sensible and mature

and right thing to do and comes into force once we have completed the

renegotiation and I look forward to that moment coming. As chair of the

Danish party Parliamentary group I noted with interest the Danish

people voted against moves to make it opt out on justice and of affairs

in the recent referendum. Due in large part to concerns about

migration. Can my honourable friend confirm this was was at -- discussed

at the council and does he agree that this result further underlines

the importance of the EU responding positively to either reform agenda

and also to making sure it has better controls over its own

borders? I think my honourable friend is right. Europe has to

address individual concerns of individual countries. I think that

is what it's doing with respect to Britain. The Danish Government to

the particular approach of Waddington told this referendum,

that is a matter for Denmark. I hope everyone can be creative and helpful

in trying to make sure that Denmark can benefit from the security that

is available to institutions like Europol, and I'm sure they want to

go on cooperating in and working in that and we will have to find a way

of week of making that happen. The UK helped to draft the UN refugee

conventions after the Second World War when we promised that never

again would refugees be left out in the cold and as the first child of

2016, their body was washed up on Greek shores this weekend, refugee

charities have written to the Prime Minister and said the Colin Tizzard

to slow, and too narrow and will he show leadership and shows what

refugees in working with EU partners to establish safe and legal ways to

reach the EU? -- and said the reaction was too slow. I have just

replied to that very powerful letter and made a number of the points we

discussed here today, including the point that we made our promise of

20,000 and are delivering that stands in contrast to some of these

schemes that are not yet up and running in the way that ours is. The

one of the key points about the UN rules is people should claim asylum

and refugee status in the first safe country they reach. That is

important we try and reinforce that in the work we do. I welcome what

the Prime Minister has said that the Commissioner's proposal on firearms.

Some of the measures are to be welcomed in this but some other of

the proposals are causing great concern amongst re-enactment and

living history group to prop -- across the UK for the Kenya surely

you will look carefully at the details of these proposals to ensure

there are not any unintended consequences? I have had some

letters as a constituency MP from people who are indeed reactions and

we do need to look carefully at this. There has been a problem with

replica guns that get converted to be guns that can kill people. We

have to be careful, while showing sympathy to those who have replicas

or other things like that, we must make sure they are not a genuine

danger. Just before Christmas in the media there were reports that some

tens of thousands of blank EU passports had been stolen. If that

is true it has great consequences for our security at our immigration

and everything else. Is it true? And if it is true, what are we doing

about it? I am not aware of that report, I will look into it and

perhaps write to the honourable gentleman. Does my friend Mark agree

with me that the cost to burst -- controversial decisions to grant

asylum to Abdul-Rahman in her room, the man who infamously broke into

and ran through the Channel Tunnel, sends the wrong signal when -- and

risks seriously undermining public in the EU and our border controls?

These decisions made independently according to the asylum rules and

let's be clear, we should do everything we can to secure the

tunnel and making sure that it is not possible for people to access

our country by breaking into it. Nato strategy and priorities must

not be completed with his EU negotiation so I would like the

Prime Minister to give us that categoric assurance that in all the

discussions with the Polish Government, giving them a permanent

and Poland will not be discussed as part of their support for this

agreement? No one has spoken about a base in the way that he puts it. I

strongly support as part of the Nato strategy already agreed that we

should be contributing to the high readiness forces and we should be

taking part in the Baltic air policing mission, for example, and

we should be making sure British soldiers exercise on Polish soil, as

they do, and of their proposals did more of those things I would welcome

them. Does the Prime Minister agree there is nothing progressive or

noble about handing over more and more powers to unelected,

unaccountable overseas bodies? And does he agree with my constituents

that the importance of the principle of ever closer union is there

because it sets out a clear direction of intent? My honourable

friend is right about that. That is why, as I said, Britain's engagement

is about Europe is not half-hearted when it comes to the single market,

we are its greatest champions for the point comes to putting sanctions

against Putin's Russia because of Ukraine, were the ones in the

vanguard and when it comes to wanting to sign deals with the

fastest-growing parts of the world were making the argument we never

believed in an ever closer union, in a political superstate, that is not

what we want and I want to give the British people a clear choice that

we can be in Europe for the trade ankle operation and security that we

require, but we do not want to be part of a federalising project out

of the euro, out of Schengen, not having to be part of these

supranational things, I think we will get a good deal. Statement, the

Home Secretary. Theresa May. With permission, I would like to make a

statement about our work to counter the threat we face from terrorism in

light of the latest propaganda video from Daesh. This weekend Daesh

released a video depicting the sickening murder of five men who

they had accused of spying for Britain. The video also featured a

young boy. I would like to echo the Prime Minister's worst that this is

a barbaric and appalling video. Daesh seek to intimidate and spread

hateful propaganda, but in doing so they only expose their own depravity

and the emptiness of their proposition. The house will

understand this is an ongoing police investigation and I cannot comment

further about that investigation continues. To do so could prejudice

the outcome of any future judicial process and for the same reason I

cannot comment on the alleged identities of the man or a child in

the video. Since the start of the conflict in Syria, more than 800

people from the UK who are of national security concern I thought

I've travelled to the region and we believe that around half of those

have returned. Those who have travelled including young women and

families. We have seen deadly Daesh inspired terrorist attacks in Europe

and other countries, including the attacks last year in Paris, Lebanon,

Turkey, Kuwait, and Tunisia, where 30 British nationals along with

others were murdered at a tourist resort. It is imperative the police

and security is evidence that the resources and powers they need to

keep us safe. Since 20 we have protected the counterterrorism

policing budget and we announced in November through strategic defence

and Security review we have made new funding available to the security

and intelligence agencies. This will provide for an additional 1900

officers, an increase of 15% at MI5, MI6 and GCHQ. To better respond to

the Fayette we face from international terrorism from cyber

attacks and other global risks. -- the thread. We've increased the

powers available to the police and security and intelligence agencies.

In 2013I booted the criteria regarding use of the Royal

prerogative that allows the Government to cancel passports of

those trapped planning to travel to engage in terrorist rated activity

overseas and in doing the 14 I removed 24 passports from people

intending to travel for terrorism related activity. Last year the

counterterrorism and security act provided new powers to deal

specifically with the problem of foreign fighters and prevent

radicalisation. This included a new power to temporarily seize the

passports of those suspected of intending to leave the UK in

connection with terrorism related activity. These powers have been

used on more than 20 occasions and in some cases have led to longer

term disruptive action such as use of the world prerogative

term disruptive action such as use of the world prerogative

to permanently cancel a British passport. In November, we published

the draft investigatory Powers bill that is currently undergoing

pre-legislative scrutiny. Since April last year, exits checks have

been in place on all international commercial scheduled air, sea and

rail services using the UK. The information is provided supporting

our intelligence work, enabling us to make progress interventions. In

addition, the UK has joined the European watchlist system, meaning

we are now alerted when any individual is stopped at a border

checkpoint or by police anywhere in Europe and is checked against the

system. Through our prevent and channel programmes, we are working

to protect people from being drawn into terrorism in partnership with

industry, we are working to secure the removal of extreme videos

through the counterterrorism internet referral unit. They are

currently securing the removal of around 1000 pieces of unlawful

terrorist related content every week.

We must not let that happen and we stand with all of those who want to

stop them. Time and again we have seen people of all faiths and

backgrounds join together and demonstrate their opposition to

terror and their stand for democracy and freedom. Britain will not be

intimidated by Daesh and together we will defeat them. Andy Burnham.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. As the Home Secretary has said, people will have

been sickened to see images from the latest Daesh video on their TV

screens last night. Even more disturbing is the British voices in

the video. And reports that one of them is a UK national who absconded

to Syria whilst on police bail for terror related offences. Something

has clearly gone seriously wrong, people will rightly want to know how

on earth this could happen and reassurance that steps are at hand

to prevent that repeating. The Home Secretary has not provided that

today. I appreciate there is a limit to what she can say but she is only

saying anything at all because we applied for an urgent question. I

believe the public are owed more than that and I want to set out

today the questions she will need to answer, if not today then over the

coming days and weeks on the specifics and the wider implications

of this case. First, on the case itself and the reports concerning

Siddhartha Dhar, whether or not he is the person in the video doesn't

matter. The system has failed because it allowed him to abscond to

Syria. It is those failings I want to focus on rather than the

identities of people in the video. He was well-known to the authorities

having been arrested six times on terror related offences before being

placed on police bail in 2014 and requested to surrender his passport.

It is when he failed to comply that it emerged he had absconded and it

brings me to my first question. Can the Secretary tell the House when

she was first made aware that this individual absconded? Did she order

an enquiry at that time? And if she did, it can she say what -- can she

say what action occurred? And if she didn't can she say why? Was he

placed on a watchlist and if so when? If not, why not? At the heart

of this case is the system of police bail for people arrested terrorism

related activity will stop and whether or not it offers that the

ten shall for loopholes. Can the Home Secretary tell the house

whether the authorities followed the correct procedures between arrest

and the bail hearing? Even if they were followed I have evidence they

were far too weak. I have here the letter sent to Siddhartha Dhar

setting out his bail conditions after he was bailed on the 26th of

September 20 14. It reminds him that he was due to surrender travel

documents by the 3rd of October, but the letter was sent over a month

later on the 7th of November. Let me quote from it. It has come to our

notice that condition number three has not been complied with or so our

records suggest. Are there need changes to your circumstances that

the police need to be aware of? Could you contact the police on the

telephone number listed as a matter of urgency? Does this in any way

sound adequate to the seriousness of the charges concerned? It is clear

that he had left the country long before this letter was sent.

Regardless of the individuals in the video, this individual absconded and

the Home Secretary needs to provide and sewers. How many other

individuals are currently on bail for terror related offences? Is she

satisfied that the bail conditions and monitoring of those individuals

is adequate? Is this the only example of an individual absconded

whilst on police bail or are there others? On the passport, can the

Home Secretary say whether it should be seized immediately rather than

being surrendered voluntarily? Can the Home Secretary say whether

individuals in terrorism related cases should immediately be placed

on the watch list at the point of arrest? There are wider implications

about border checks. Anecdotal reports that people continue to be

waved through at seaports. The Government committed to check all

passports on exit from the UK by the end of the last parliament. Has that

been implemented? If it is not currently every passport when will

it be 100%? Even if his passport was not checked here, it should have

been checked on arrival in the Schengen area. But the time he went

through the border the UK was not party to the Schengen information

system which allows the sharing of our watchlist across Europe because

the Home Secretary delayed our participation. In retrospect that

she now except that there was a mistake and it weakened security

arrangements? Can she now confirm we are playing our full part? We know

the border force has undergone upheaval since 2010, losing staff

and is today facing further cuts. Will further cuts leave us exposed?

In conclusion, whilst we appreciate that this is an ongoing police

investigation, the fact that this individual could abscond when facing

major charges raises serious questions about counterterrorism

policy. We need a commitment from her today that there will be an

enquiry into this episode that will be made available to this House.

There has clearly been a major security lapse and the onus is now

very firmly on the Home Secretary to demonstrate that she is taking all

necessary action to strengthen our systems of monitoring people who

pose a risk to our country. Well, obviously the Shadow Home Secretary

has asked a number of questions and he is right as I indicated that I

won't comment on individual reports that are in the papers in relation

to the Daesh video, that is an ongoing investigation. Initial

assessment has been made and work continues. On the general points

about the whole question of police bail, the conditions for police bail

and issues around border checks, first of all, as the Shadow Home

Secretary and would issue mad he does note that the decision as to

whether someone would be placed on police bail and the conditions

relating to that is an operational matter which is undertaken, a

decision undertaken by the police. I seem to recall that in the past when

terrorism, counterterrorism legislation was going through this

house and proposals were made by organisations outside this House

that more use should be made of police bail for terrorist offenders

the official opposition supported the concept. He asks about the whole

question of border checks and whether those procedures have been

tightened and as I indicated of course we have introduced the exit

checks. They are taking place at the various ports on exit. Those take

place in a variety of ways in terms of how the permission about

somebody's exit is being held and taken. But we have introduced those

checks and as I said in my statement, those checks are now

supporting and providing support for intelligence operations. He also

talked about the border system that I referred to, suggesting somehow it

was this Government that delayed joining the system. Actually it was

first proposed when the Labour Party was in Government and actually it

was this Government, the Coalition Government followed by this

Government that ensured that the UK went into it and are now able to

make use of it. We are of course looking across Europe and I talk

with my European counterparts about how we can continue to enhance its

use because it is an important tool. There are ways we can make use of it

and we are discussing those and we will be ringing those into place. We

do look for any necessary moves to make in order to deal with these

issues. You can see the counterterrorism legislation we have

introduced and we are continuing to do that because we recognise our

role and responsibility as a Government to keep people safe. May

I ask the Home Secretary, it seems to me that the one key issue that

arises from this story is whether she is satisfied that at present

there is an adequately rapid notification procedure between the

time that somebody is granted police bail including the withdrawal of

their passport, or for that matter in the event of somebody having

their passport requested that they should surrender it if they appear

in court. As long as those two things are now happening

expeditiously, I would venture to suggest that the problem being

talked about today is unlikely to recur through a mechanism of failure

of notification. I would simply add, listening to the exaggerating froth

coming from the opposition bench this afternoon, that the sink is

they -- the sink is big -- the single biggest change are the exit

checks. My honourable friend is right and he asks the question of

notification in relation to when the surrender of a passport is

requested. Of course because there are different powers under which

passports will be surrendered and different circumstances, the whole

process will be on a case-by-case basis. For example when a royal

prerogative is being exercised that will be a different process,

potentially, to when a decision on police bail has been undertaken when

it is up to the police to determine the speed with which it is necessary

to remove that passport. The contents of this video are utterly

apparent and we hope appropriate measures are taken to clarify the

identity of this individual as quickly and accurately as possible.

A reasonable and proportionate response is essential and the SNP

are committed to supporting all efforts to counterterrorism and work

to safeguard the citizens of this country. I would ask the Home

Secretary to tell us, if someone has a passport removed as a condition of

their bail, are there are additional options open to a judge in order to

prevent that person fleeing the country and what more could have

been done or can be done in similar circumstances? I thank the

honourable lady for her comments about the video, echoing the remarks

I made and the Shadow Home Secretary made about the appalling and

barbaric nature not just of the video but the organisation of Daesh.

She asks about the issues of Judge bail. Of course they'll ordered by a

judge, very often it will be ordered by the police, if somebody has not

been charged with an offence than it is the police that will determine

somebody's bail and they are to return on a particular date to

determine the conditions applied. There are of course as I have

indicated a number of processes whereby other measures can be taken,

for example if the police determine that under the new powers we have

introduced that passport should be temporarily removed it can be, that

is for further investigation and can lead to permanent removal through a

royal prerogative being exercised or indeed other action being taken. The

exercise of terrorism prevention investigatory measure can have

measures aimed to prevent an individual from travelling but all

of these decisions as to which powers should be exercised are taken

on a case-by-case basis. I formed an impression from media coverage which

may not be accurate, that a disproportionate number of violent

Islamist extremists are converts to the Muslim faith. Is there any basis

for this impression and if there is, has any analysis been done about the

way in which these people were converted in the first place? Well,

I say to my honourable friend that I'm not aware of any figures that

show overall what proportion of those who are jihadists have

previously been allied to another faith and have converted to Islam.

It is certainly the case that there have been reports in the press

obviously recently but also previously of individuals who have

converted to Islam. On the whole question of how people are triggered

into radicalisation and into terrorist activity of course, a lot

of work is constantly being done on that and it has been done in the

past. And it continues to be done. I would say that I think it's the case

that in most cases you will see a number of factors coming together

which lead to that individual becoming radicalised and potentially

to the point of undertaking violence. Of course what we do with

counter radicalisation programmes, prevent and channel particularly, is

aimed at stopping people who started down the route to radicalisation.

I'm not asking her about the vile video which she has rightly

condemned, the Shadow Home Secretary raised factual questions about

seductive door. Can she tell the house when she was told he had

absconded, whether she asked for an enquiry and also whether the Home

Office olds figures on the number of people who had scorned while on

police bail for terrorist offences. -- who had scorned. I indicated I

was not speaking about the individual named in the press. The

question, and I apologise because the Shadow Home Secretary did ask me

about the number of people who had absconded on police bail related to

terrorism offences, those figures are not collected, figures are

collected for the number of people who are convicted of failing to

surrender from a bail, but those are not separated into those who have

undertaken terrorist offences. My honourable friend has been working

closely with her opposite numbers within the EU, ministers of the

interior etc, but can she update the house on what further cooperation is