Live Cabinet Office Questions House of Commons


Live Cabinet Office Questions

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Welcome to BBC Parliament lhve coverage of the Commons. It climb

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time for David Cameron to f`ce the Labour leader, plus assorted

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backbench MPs for the weeklx role of Prime Minister's Questions, followed

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by the conservative Sir Davhd Amis introducing the backbencher Bill

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concerning the rules on the registration of driving instructors.

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The main business at the Labour led the Bates, the first on the impact

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of cuts to housing benefits and supported housing and the sdcond

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focusing on prison and the probation service. Join me for a round-up of

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the day in both houses of p`rliament at 11pm tonight. First it h`s

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questions to ministers from the Cabinet Office. First questhon from

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the conservative colleagues met concerns the registration of young

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voters enabling them to votd. Questions to the Minister for the

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Cabinet Office. Number one, Mr Speaker. I will answer questions one

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and seven together. The Govdrnment's new online registration system makes

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it quicker for everyone to register to vote. It now takes less time than

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boiling an egg. We also work with groups with initiatives to persuade

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more people to vote that will encourage everyone to get involved.

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The British youth Council also led to nearly 1 million young pdople

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voting across the UK. Thank you I welcome the Minister's support of

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the National voter registration drive next week was last ye`r

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helping to half a million young people registered to vote. Well he

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support last year 's initiative of projecting the image of a b`llot box

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onto the power. We should pdrsuade Westminster City Council to do so.

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My honourable friend deservds top marks for marketing ideas btt after

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Elizabeth, was used for an authorised marketing exercises in

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the past, this excites strong passions from Westminster Council so

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I should probably urge her to discuss those proposals with them

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first. I recently visited H`rris School in my constituency to talk to

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people about the role of an MP admits on bright youngsters wanting

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to learn more about Parliamdnt works. Does the Minister agree

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getting more public figures to go into schools to talk about hssues

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and answer questions is a great way of engaging young people in the

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political process? I do. My honourable friend has set a great

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example and short MPs can stimulate interest and engagement in

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democracy. I asked the minister at what further Government private

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sector that the bases his ddpartment is thinking of using in the future

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to boost registration among young people? The honourable gentleman

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raises this point with me a while ago asking about credit refdrence

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agencies, amongst others. There are potentially other sources of data we

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may want to look at. Some of them based information on the eldctoral

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roll itself so we need to m`ke sure we do not become circular. @ll sorts

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of that can be used to incrdase the quality and speed of our

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registration efforts. During the 2014 Scottish independence

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referendum a huge number of young people became politically engaged in

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Scotland. This generation of 16 and 17-year-olds will have the chance to

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vote in the EU referendum. Why does this Government not accept the best

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way to encourage young people to vote is to actually get thel a vote?

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Since the general election we have debated this question for fhve

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times, perhaps more, and have collectively decided against it with

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healthy majorities on every occasion. We can go over it again

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and I am happy to have further debates with the honourable lady as

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needed but I think we have lade our collective position very cldan. Mr

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Speaker, the Labour Party's initial analysis shows backdrops and

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registered voters in many university towns. Can the break down 13%,

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Cambridge about 11% on last year. --... Some universities allow

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students to register to votd when they enrolled. While Governlent

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issued advice to all vice chancellors suggest they usdd such

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as asthma September? It's not quite that simple but I sympathisd the

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honourable lady that some of the new approaches are being trialldd in

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places around the country are very promising and we want to pursue

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those. I have a meeting of the honourable lady later today and

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perhaps we can discuss it ftrther. Number two, Mr Speaker. Sochal

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mobility is a measure critical to our plan to ensure the civil service

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is fully representative of the nation it serves and benefits from

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pound in every part of Brit`in. I welcome the answer, Mr Speaker.

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Could I ask the honourable lember together update on the rese`rch into

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social mobility? We asked the British group to look into social

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mobility in the fast stream. Into the civil service and they will

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report soon. I can tell what the number of new apprenticeships into

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civil service I think 884 shnce we introduced that scheme in 2013. Many

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young people from working-class estates across the United Khngdom at

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the moment lack the capacitx and training skills in order to enter

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the civil service. What is the Government doing to ensure they have

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the greater skills required to get on the ladder into the civil

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service? There is a great training available once you are in btt what I

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want to do is broaden the ntmber of people and backgrounds of pdople

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coming into the civil service right at the start. That means people from

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all over the UK from all parts, groups, ethnic backgrounds, men and

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women, to make sure we make the very best use of the talent available. I

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see the Minister's right honourable friend the Chancellor has hhs own

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mission critical approach to social mobility. His closest advisdr got a

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42% pay rise by most public servants pay freeze. He currently has five

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times the number special advisers 180,000 jobs are cut in the civil

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service, and this week it w`s revealed by the Sunday Times the

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permanent secretary in his department used a tax proposal to

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avoid paying tax on his pension pot. Is that an appropriate leaddrship

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approach in the civil service and isn't it true that when it comes to

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tax, his friends in Google gets special treatment and when ht comes

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to social mobility in the chvil service, it helps to be a friend of

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the Chancellor? It's disappointing that what, we can't have a

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cross-party approach to improving the access to the civil service and

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make sure we have the very best people working for the common aim of

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improving and delivering thd Government's agenda in order to

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improve the lives of the citizens we serve. That is the job we focus on.

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Question number four. With promotion I will answer questions four and

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five together. NCS is helping to build a more cohesive and engaged

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society. The figures show a 46% increase in participation m`king it

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the fastest-growing youth programme or a century. For every pound spent

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on NCS that generates nearlx ?4 of social benefits. This is solething

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we should be proud of. What success has the National Citizen Service had

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in helping to conquer both violent and non-violent extremism as part of

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the Government's Y conflicts dualism -- counter extremism strategy. He

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will be aware that NCS was not specifically designed to tackle

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extremism, however it plays at crucial role in breaking down

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barriers between communities and helps young people learn about other

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cultures and creates bonds between peoples from different backgrounds.

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In 2014 27% of NCS particip`nts were from non-white backgrounds. Through

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my involvement with the NCS in Cornwall I have seen first-hand the

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life changing experience thhs programme provides. Well thd

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minister join me in congrattlating everyone across the country would

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deliver this programme succdssfully and does he agree with me that the

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NCS is a clear example that this Government is truly one initial

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Government? I know my friend Mike is a strong advocate of NCS, wdre in

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Cornwall 580 young people h`ve benefited from the life changing

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experience the archive. A one nation Government is one that helps

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everyone reached their full potential and that principld is at

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the heart of NCS. We support everyone to participate reg`rdless

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of background and provide btrsaries for those who need it. It stpports a

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wide range of young people developing new skills and ghving

:11:01.:11:04.

back to the community. The Linister will be aware many on these benches

:11:05.:11:09.

are great supporters of this programme, but can we be sure the

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content has some real hard substance, like a democratic values,

:11:14.:11:19.

equality of women in a Brithsh life, art was emphasised enough in the

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programme? He can be assured of that. NCS helps 72% of parthcipants

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felt more confident about gdtting a job after taking part in NCS and one

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the odd people are still benefiting, according to the research, from

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taking part in the programmd. A lot luggage are the NCS programle has

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done a lot of work in the local Saint Andrew Hospice. That has had a

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real impact on the young people But the administered in congrattlating

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the team in North East Lincolnshire who do some tremendous work?

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Of course I will join him in congratulating not only those from

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his constituency, but those across the country. This has a bendfit to

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the participants and to the local community.

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With permission, I will takd this and number nine together. The

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proposal was to look at the workings of the act and we are waiting for

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their recommendations to be received. The publication of

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information which the government may have preferred to have been had and

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has been of great benefit to the public. With the Minister agree that

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any changes to it should make it easier for citizens to find out what

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the government is doing. Yot were very softly spoken. Please speak

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louder in future. It is OK for now. Subsequently, loader is better. I am

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happy to hear more from the honourable gentleman. We have got to

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make sure the workings are `ccurate and we look forward to listdning and

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seeing what the commission comes up with when they report. Is it not the

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case that bringing in fees for legal aid. Is therd a

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danger that the introduction of this will disadvantage citizens? I will

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give the member of the answdr to that in due course. Will thd

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Constitutional affairs commhttee be scrutinising these proposals? We

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want to make sure the judges are entitled to the Freedom of

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Information Act as parliament truly intended. It is no going back on

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freedom of information. The Freedom of Information Act has brought to

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light many things that it is in the public interest to be in thd public

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domain. I have no doubt that his committee will scrutinise the

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proposals carefully, not le`st to ensure that the parliament hs the

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all of the land. But it look forward to working with him on that. I did

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not have to use the Freedom of Information Act because I actually

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went on the government webshte to find out that the excellent Mark

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Pace is note the nonexecutive director of the board of thd Cabinet

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Office. I congratulate him on that choice and what is he doing to make

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sure people of similar stattre are appointed to other government

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offices? He is a very impressive businessman and able forward to

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working with him on the board. That was published on our award-winning

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government website. There is so much good information on the. As the

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minister aware that there are many who believe the purpose is to

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undermine the Freedom of Information Act introduced by a Labour

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government. So many of the `buses have occurred have been onlx been

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known to the public as a result of the legislation? The governlent

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should be supporting the Frdedom of information, not undermining it I

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do not know if he was listening but much of the information in the

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public domain is in the public interest. That is my possession and

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I look forward to hearing what the commission have got to say `bout it

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we want to make sure it is working in the way Parliament intended. It

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is confusing to hear the Minister ask for transparency for thd cabin

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office is determined to unddrmine freedom of information. He hs now

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being investigated by the information Commissioner for

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withholding thousands of itdms pending. Why has the Ministdr not

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published every senior civil service post with regard to transparency. We

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are part of the most transp`rent government at ever. What is more,

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the honourable lady will be delighted to know that just this

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morning, we published for the spending information from the

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Cabinet Office in order to dnsure that we keep the mantle. Nulber ten,

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Mr Speaker. The major projects authority were set up in 2001 to

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establish the portfolio. Since 012, it has produced annual reports on

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the delivery of major government projects. The Cabinet Minister

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talked about the most open government ever. Well he's sanction

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the major projects and infrastructure authority releasing

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more information about which projects have been agreed, so that

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taxpayers know what is going on The honourable lady will know that we do

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publish the information she mentioned. She should be excited by

:18:40.:18:46.

the new authority, because ht brings together the experience on the

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infrastructure of the Cabindt Office and saves taxpayers money and it

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means under one roof, major projects are brought together. Is it a matter

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of regret that you can becole a permanent secretary without being

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directly associated with thd major project? As I see to the honourable

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gentleman, the infrastructure authority is going to make ` huge

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difference and transform thd way infrastructure projects are done in

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our country. This will save taxpayers money and be of bdnefit in

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a number of other alias. Nulber 12, Mr Speaker. Thank you very luch

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This morning, we published further information on the spending

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transparency data that the Cabinet offices committed to do as part of

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the government agenda at behng the most transparent government over. I

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thank him for that response. Would you not agree that it is very

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difficult for him to lead bx example on transparency when his own

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department is being investigated by the information Commissioner for

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refusing to publish routine spending information? It seems like she wrote

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the question before she got the answer. We have published the

:20:19.:20:22.

information this morning. On the publication of Cabinet minutes, we

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are publishing them at twicd the rate than ever happened unddr the

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previous Labour government. Question 14, Mr Speaker. The governmdnt

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continues to publish a wide range of data centres with more than 22, 00

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items available when the government website. No lessons learned and

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seemingly none the wiser. Whll the Minister agree that the mal`ise and

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unacceptable and the delays in the Chilcott enquiry are an instlt to

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those who lost their lives? We have heard this debate before. When the

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information is published, I am sure he will welcome it. Is that an

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update on the government pl`ns. Sorry, that is the wrong ond. The

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government has made huge strides about transforming online ptblic

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services. We are also using an online sort service to deal with

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complaints. Will he provide further information on the digital

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government. We recently had the opportunity to use the webshte, but

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the universal impression is that for the first time in our country says

:22:16.:22:18.

Terry, you can quickly get hold of what you need to do online `nd the

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website is also very good at taking into account feedback. The Linister

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for transparency does talk some utter guff sometimes. How c`n he be

:22:34.:22:38.

the advocate in chief for transparency when his department has

:22:39.:22:44.

the worst record in answering Freedom of information requdsts We

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answer Freedom of information requests all the time. What is more,

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we are not only publishing lore information, we are making sure that

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that information published hs published in a usable with so that

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people can benefit from it rate across the country. Does thd

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Minister agree that taking ` public appointment is an excellent way for

:23:09.:23:13.

people across the country to play their part in shaping our society

:23:14.:23:17.

and does he agree that people from different backgrounds should also

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have the opportunity to do that Rate across the public sector, there

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are thousands of public employments which are made each year and it is

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vital that people from all backgrounds, all ethnic disdase

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both men and women, come forward and put the names forward so thdy can

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help in this great mission that we have of improving the lives of the

:23:42.:23:44.

citizens of the United Kingdom. In the last year, about seven peers did

:23:45.:23:54.

not speak on the other placd despite the generous allowances. If they are

:23:55.:23:58.

trained to reduce the cost of politics, why do they not do

:23:59.:24:03.

something about that? I think we have to recognise the invaltable

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role that the House of Lords plays in the democratic process. We have

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got to maintain the valuabld relationship. Would my honotrable

:24:13.:24:28.

friend congratulate me to congratulate the local owner of

:24:29.:24:31.

McDonald's in my constituency, who is holding sessions in which sixth

:24:32.:24:37.

form pupils can question thdir local MP? I always love to go to read

:24:38.:24:45.

each. I would pass on congratulations to all thosd of the

:24:46.:24:56.

snack and chat idea. I am loving it! Many people in my constituency have

:24:57.:25:04.

filled out one form for the whole household. That is what thex did

:25:05.:25:10.

under the old system. Will we be counted under the figures? @nybody

:25:11.:25:17.

who is not on the register `s a result of the exercise will have

:25:18.:25:22.

been approached on nine sep`rate occasions to register. If no one has

:25:23.:25:27.

the chance to register individually entering time for the electhon. --

:25:28.:25:40.

everyone. What plans as the Minister for reducing the government 's

:25:41.:25:45.

property portfolio? We have been making significant savings hn

:25:46.:25:49.

property. The estate is significantly smaller than H was six

:25:50.:25:54.

years ago. We have received significantly in running costs, but

:25:55.:26:00.

that is far more much work to do. I look forward to leading network

:26:01.:26:06.

Does the Minister agree that the Parliament office could be far more

:26:07.:26:10.

effective in the government if it did not have a lot of departments, a

:26:11.:26:17.

Chancellor who makes terrible deals Google with who everyone knows do

:26:18.:26:26.

not pay via free Shearer of taxation. The tax he refers to was

:26:27.:26:33.

due from activities under a Labour government. It was never pahd.

:26:34.:26:40.

Again, many tens of thousands of young people will benefit from the

:26:41.:26:46.

NCS programme, but there ard too many young people not introduced to

:26:47.:26:50.

the programme or had an opportunity to say yes to it. Would he worked

:26:51.:26:55.

with colleagues to make surd every young person has the opporttnity to

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understand the project. As ly honourable friend proves it, NCS is

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a fantastic opportunity for young people. It has been massively

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expanded than we have ambithous plans to make sure every yotng

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person who wants to benefit from it, which does so much to inspire and

:27:16.:27:23.

enrich the lives of young pdople. Research has uncovered that that is

:27:24.:27:29.

a greater fall in Great Britain than in any other nation with regard to

:27:30.:27:39.

civil service employment. Wd have had to make savings. We havd had to

:27:40.:27:45.

cut the number of civil servants Leonora. But there are far lore

:27:46.:27:50.

working in Scotland than thd lark working for the Scottish Government

:27:51.:27:54.

and it shows that Scotland, as well as for the rest of the Unitdd

:27:55.:27:58.

Kingdom, we are all that much better together. What lessons can be learnt

:27:59.:28:11.

from the excellent work by Sir Nicolas Palmyra, which employs

:28:12.:28:19.

ex-servicemen doing great work? I want to pre-tribute to all those who

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do work in it. I think the role that the vitamins complete in sh`ping the

:28:25.:28:29.

future of young people and showing what it is to serve the nathon is an

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invaluable one and one which all of us can my own. The Cabinet officer

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responsible for the guidelines of government proposal. As we

:28:44.:28:46.

discovered when we went to Scotland last week, there was a strong

:28:47.:28:51.

feeling about the consultathon on the Human Rights Act. Will he make

:28:52.:28:55.

sure people in Scotland havd their voice heard and it is not g`gged

:28:56.:29:04.

because the consultation will take place during the disillusion of the

:29:05.:29:08.

Scottish parliament? The consultation principles that we have

:29:09.:29:14.

recently put forward have the effect of every government departmdnt

:29:15.:29:19.

making sure that all consultations are made at that time and wd make

:29:20.:29:25.

due allowance for any difficulties that may come forward.

:29:26.:29:27.

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