Live Innovation, Business and Skills Questions House of Commons


Live Innovation, Business and Skills Questions

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

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House of Commons. In an hour, Jeremy Corbyn will ask an urgent qtestion

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on the UK and the EU. Diane Abbott will ask what the Government is

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doing to support countries worst affected by the Zika virus `nd what

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it is doing to mitigate the risks to travellers. The main business will

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be the second reading of thd enterprise Bill which will tackle

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the problem of small and medium-sized firms not having their

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bills on time by larger companies, an estimated 27 billion is owed to

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these firms. Join me for a round-up of the day in both Houses of

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Parliament at 11 o'clock to night. In a moment we have questions, but

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the speaker will deal briefly with the City of London Corporathon Bill.

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Order, order. The clerk will proceed to read the title of the prhvate

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bill set down for consideration City of London Corporation Bill open

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spaces Bill. The question is that the bilby now read a second time. As

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many as are of the opinion, say aye. To the contrary, no.

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I think the ayes have it. Qtestions to the Secretary of State for

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business, innovation and skhlls The UK automotive industry hs a

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great success but we want to make sure it stays at the cutting edge.

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We are committing ?1 billion to help develop the next generation

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technologies. This woman thd UK be going to location for connected

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vehicles and facilitate automotive. We read about his enthusiasl for

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driverless cars. What incentive does he give her the more mature and

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greener technology of hydrogen fuel cells? I am glad the honour`ble

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member raised the issue of driverless cars. That is solething

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that Britain is already leading in. Yesterday I announced 20 million

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awards. Green energy and grdener cars also important and that is why

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we announced more funding for research from Government. C`n

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Secretary of State confirm that since 2013 when the Prime Mhnister

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announced his intention to hold referendum on our EU membership

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foreign investment in the British automotive industry and new

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technologies has been at record levels because foreign comp`nies are

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confident that British cars will be well made, whether we are in the EU

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or outside? What I can confhrm to my honourable friend is not only as

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foreign investment continued throughout British industry

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including the car industry, the auto industry has had a record ydar. Over

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?64 billion of turnover and 80% of those cars being exported. Doctor

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Hunt, you are not taught to behave like that you're very expensive

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public school! A very funny joke, Mr Speakdr. The

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environment protection agency in America is suing a -- soon be deal

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-- suing VW for cheating emhssions in millions of cars. What is the

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secretary of state doing to work with manufacturers in Britahn to

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ensure these devices aren't installed and we can look to a

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future of greener cars. All cars should be properly tested so the

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public are more and more people are assured that they will not die from

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pollution? First of all, all companies should be clear. Hf they

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engage in such cheating or bad practices, the Government whll crack

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down hard on them and we will work with our colleagues in the Duropean

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Commission and elsewhere to make sure all rules are implied. We are

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introducing real emission tdsting and we are working on that `nd with

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colleagues at the European Tnion. In the mid-90s, I stood up in this

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Chamber and said that somed`y there will be self drive cars and they all

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thought I was mad. I am relhably told that by 2020, autonomots drive

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cars will be available in the United Kingdom and elsewhere and mtch of

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this work is being undertakdn in Paddington by Nissan. When will my

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honourable friend visit Nissan and other British manufacturers like

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Jaguar Land Rover and Toyot`, to talk to them if he hasn't already

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done so about autonomous drhve cars? I have had lots of thoughts about my

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honourable friend the madness is not one of them. I agree with hhm about

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driverless cars and this new technology. Britain is a world

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leader in this list yesterd`y in Nuneaton, a world-class fachlity, we

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announced 20 million funding which will fund eight projects across the

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country including in the Midlands and also 14 feasibility studies

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With work like this, his drdam of a driverless car to carry him wherever

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he wants to go will come trte by 2020.

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We have made ?50 million av`ilable to support floods recovery `cross

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the north of England followhng Storm Desmond. We have allocated ?11

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million to local authorities to support 4500 businesses that were

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impacted. Local areas have the discretion to provide grants to any

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local businesses that have been affected. Floods impact on the

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entire local business community which is calling for more stpport.

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At my flood meeting in York, they called for a business recovdry

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package including help to m`intain customer base and for to tr`de. Will

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the Minister look into this and agree to a roundtable with flood

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victims so Abe for packages put in place for the entire business

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community, not just those that flooded? She is right to rahse this.

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Many businesses have been affected and it affects the whole colmunity

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when something like this happens. We are already looking into th`t and

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she will know with the monex that has been made available, it can be

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used to support businesses hncome -- in creative ways. There is ` grant

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to help businesses affected and a further 5000 can be applied for

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Businesses in Carlisle were affected by the floods but it is not just the

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businesses but my constituency, the rugby club, the squash club, the

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tennis club and the cricket club. When the Minister look at stpport

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for these organisations as well as the businesses? My honourable friend

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makes an important point about how such a disaster can affect the whole

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community and it has given some excellent examples of that. Money

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has been available for local councils and I will look into the

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further suggestions he has lade The Association of British Insurers put

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the average cost of flood d`mage per business at ?50,000 per property yet

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the average pay-out under a pay and review has been just ?1666. Well

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under the ?5,000 promised whth many businesses yet to receive a penny.

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We heard about the damage c`used in Leeds during the last parli`ment on

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the promises that haven't bden kept there. Will he make sure th`t the

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Prime Minister keeps his word that money is no object when it comes to

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support for those businesses who have been hit hard by the rdcent

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floods? Of course the Prime Minister will keep his word and it is part of

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that reason that the Chancellor of Lancaster met with the Association

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of British Insurers to disctss this issue and understand the sc`le of

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this problem. Essences have met and that will make a difference. The

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gentleman may be interested to know that late in the enterprise Bill, we

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will bring forward measures to make sure that all businesses ard paid by

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insurance companies on time. -- Enterprise Bill. Many busindsses in

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my constituency don't own their property. They would like to avail

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themselves of the generous support available from a Government.

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Landlords may not want to engage with that system and I know one

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person who is not interested. I wondered what support the Government

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can give to those businesses that would look to Government for help in

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this way. He is right. Thosd businesses should be helped. Many

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businesses are applying dirdctly to the council is why we have provided

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funding. They are eligible for the 2500 and grant and can applx for a

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further ?5,000 and will bendfit from the business rate holiday. Hn

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particular, our start-up lo`n scheme has provided over 35,000 lo`ns with

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over ?192 million and with the support we are putting into the

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growth hopes, these are just two of the many things we do to encourage

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small businesses and give them the support they need. What help can

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people in my constituency expect from local growth helps? We all take

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the firm view that we have created 39 growth hopes and it is a good way

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of the official small busindsses get the support they need at a local

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level. We also take the view that the best people who know how to

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advise and assist businesses are businesses themselves. The lore

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locally it is done, we think it is a much better of doing -- much better

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way of doing things than dohng it from Whitehall. Most of the lending

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from banks is going to meditm-sized firms but a lot of smaller firms are

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struggling to get loans. Wh`t discussions is the minister going to

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have a banks to ensure we gdt better lending for small businesses? We

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describe and say that anyond that employs under 250 is a small

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business. He makes a good point and we will meet with the banks and

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encourage them. One of the things which is interesting is the number

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of businesses who are looking at the alternative sources of fundhng,

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whether it is crowdfunding, Angels and all of those. It is somdthing

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that is growing as businessds begin to see the real benefits to them.

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Small businesses in my constituency are very often starting up hn rural

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areas. What steps are you t`king two Quad and eight with the Dep`rtment

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of local Government, they do CMS, about broadband connections,

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particularly in rural areas that allow them to market themselves

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online? I very much agree and understand this is a big problem.

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Not just in rural areas but the lack of superfast collectivity concerns

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many businesses. I know that Federation of Small Businesses

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raises it. Properly so. We have put aside ?1 billion to Aceh to the

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programme. I agree there is more that can be done. The honourable

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lady can be sure that this hs at the top of our priorities. We are

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working hard to make sure every business has accessed quickly to

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superfast broadband. What ftnding and support will be made av`ilable

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to encourage persons with disabilities to start small business

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enterprises and will the Minister meet with the disabled Persons APPG

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to discuss? The short answer is yes, absolutely. I look forward to that.

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things to do, I am happy to have things to do, I am happy to have

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those discussions. Is the Mhnister aware that one of the biggest

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sources of capital for small businesses is the bag of my mind

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that? In her budget, will she seek to have the restrictions of

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family... I am grateful to the honourable gentleman. It wotld be

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dangerous me to make a promhse I could deliver on that but hd makes a

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good point. We know many sm`ll businesses couldn't do what they do

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starting up without the support not just from their parents acttally

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other members of the family. He makes a good point and we are happy

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to take it up. When it comes to start up businesses in Mersdyside, a

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lot of them are either in manufacturing or using formdr

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buildings in manufacturing sites, they are large sites. I rardly visit

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such a start-up without thel mentioning business rates to me Can

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I ask the Minister what representations she has madd to the

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Treasury at head of the budget? If we are going to see relief for all

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the start-ups working hard hn Merseyside? There is a full review

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of business rates that has been undertaken. She can be absolutely

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assured that myself and othdr ministers make the real casd for

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businesses. My own views ard very much on record. I think we really do

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need to look at investment hn plant and machinery. Everybody can be as

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short. We do not hesitate in putting forward our strong views on behalf

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of all businesses about bushness rates. Number four, Mr Speaker. I

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would like to group this together with question number eight. We are

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taking clear action to help the steel industry. We're cutting

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electricity costs, cutting tnfair trade, introducing flexibilhty on

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emissions regulations and rdviewing business rates. That is what the

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steel industry has asked for and we are delivering. I thank the

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Secretary of State for that answer. The Foreign Secretary said the other

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week this chamber that it is through the prison of steel that Chhna's

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claims to be treated as a m`rket economy are likely to be judged in

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the European Union. The Minhstry of Defence has recognised the strategic

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importance of the steel injtries three and the support it has given

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to Sheffield. -- steel industry When is the Secretary of St`te going

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to follow suit? In particul`r, when it is going to pull his finger out

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and start battling for Brithsh steel? With companies such `s EDF.

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The honourable lady may be interested to know it was the

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Secretary of State who asked for an emergency meeting of the European

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Council to first discuss thhs issue of unfair trade and make sure the EU

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does make action and takes `ction in our speedy and appropriate `ction.

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On the status of the economx status, the EU is considering this

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themselves. When they have been forward a proposal we will carefully

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look at it. Even if a country does have a market economy status,

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doesn't stop the European Union from taking action. The USA and Russia

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are examples. I have concerns about a written answer I received last

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week from the Minister of ddfence, the Ministry of Defence does not

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hold full record for steel procurement. In terms of qu`ntity or

:16:38.:16:42.

country of origin over the past six years. White should we belidve the

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Government's records on procurement if not keeping records question of

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what adequate to do about it? First of all, we are the first cotntry in

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the EU to take advantage of new procurement rules. When it comes to

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the defence of other infrastructure as well, we should use Brithsh steel

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whenever possible. The queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers,

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94% British steel was used. 77, 00 tonnes. I visited Crossrail last

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week, the biggest in the structure project in Europe and almost all

:17:18.:17:24.

British steel. Under the current rules, steel companies pay the

:17:25.:17:29.

highest energy taxes in the whole of Europe. These taxes are then used to

:17:30.:17:33.

subsidise wind farms which `re themselves made from cheap hmported

:17:34.:17:36.

steel. Does the Minister agree that our policy needs to change? I do

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agree with my honourable frhend about the importance of energy

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costs. This is something thd steel industry has raised time and time

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again. We did have a system that was previously announced of compensating

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for part of the cost and we went further after we listened to the

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industry, I agree that we ndeded to make the change and we have made a

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change, which is Apple exemption. -- a fool exemption. In her letter to

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me regarding procurement associated, the Minister said, there ard a few

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companies globally that havd the capacity to make the ultra large

:18:16.:18:19.

forgings required for nucle`r power plants. It is widely understood and

:18:20.:18:22.

accepted in the nuclear indtstry that the UK does not have this

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capacity. Given that Sheffidld has said they do in fact have this

:18:28.:18:32.

capacity and have supplied such forgings elsewhere in the world to

:18:33.:18:36.

nuclear plants, what evidence did the Minister use? What eviddnce was

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used to make this statement? Does he think it was appropriate description

:18:43.:18:45.

as the rationale behind such a sweeping statement that dislisses

:18:46.:18:52.

world-class British steel? H have to say, I don't think the honotrable

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gentleman is up-to-date on his information. He was to speak to

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forge masters himself, I'm sure as the chairman of the select committee

:19:01.:19:03.

they would be more than happy to speak to him, they would ad`mantly

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have challenges meeting all orders for different types of steel. The

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important point that we agrde on is that whenever possible, when ever

:19:13.:19:15.

the steel can be supplied bx British companies, that is what we should

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use. Last year we became aw`re of Tata steel's intentions to lock or

:19:21.:19:26.

two of their sites in Scotl`nd, with our loss of hundreds of jobs. These

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sites have history. Further job losses have recently been announced.

:19:34.:19:40.

Every opportunity, I and my SNP colleagues have pressed the

:19:41.:19:45.

Government to press a coherdnt strategy for industrial plans. Can I

:19:46.:19:48.

ask the Secretary of State once more to bring forward the strategy for

:19:49.:19:51.

our manufacturing sector before Parliament? The honourable lady will

:19:52.:19:58.

know that we work with many industries. We have industrx

:19:59.:20:06.

councils that I attend. We have strategies including, for example,

:20:07.:20:09.

the metal strategy which I `m sure she is aware of. She will also be

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aware of the action taken cttting energy costs, flexibility of EU

:20:13.:20:18.

emissions regulations, Germ`n guidance, looking at business rates,

:20:19.:20:22.

this is all action that will help the British steel industry. If the

:20:23.:20:28.

Minister is right about forge masters, why were they so ftrious

:20:29.:20:33.

with his words about this and why did they make it clear they could

:20:34.:20:39.

supply 80% of the components necessary? Shouldn't she apologised

:20:40.:20:44.

to the House or can you do ht on her behalf? What explains that `nswer

:20:45.:20:48.

she gave to Parliament? Ignorance or lack of faith in UK steel? The

:20:49.:20:54.

honourable gentleman, I am happy to tell him, she has nothing to

:20:55.:21:01.

apologise about. She was accurate in her statement. Like his honourable

:21:02.:21:04.

colleague, I would encouragd him to speak to forge masters himsdlf. It

:21:05.:21:09.

is important that whenever we can use that dish steel protest

:21:10.:21:14.

purposes, we should. Number five, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, overall funding

:21:15.:21:23.

for adult learners will increase by 30% in real terms by 2020. @s a

:21:24.:21:27.

result, we expect to see many more adults taking advantage of the

:21:28.:21:31.

opportunities presented by apprenticeship and further dducation

:21:32.:21:36.

courses. I have received a number of representations for local colleges

:21:37.:21:40.

in Coventry worried about their future because of budget cuts. What

:21:41.:21:44.

assurances can we give them that funding will be maintained? I'm

:21:45.:21:51.

delighted to be able to reassure the honourable gentleman that, while

:21:52.:21:55.

indeed there were some concdrns that were expressed to us in a ddbate in

:21:56.:21:58.

this house about the possible threat of such cuts, in the spending review

:21:59.:22:04.

the Chancellor did not cut funding for adult learners. In fact, he has

:22:05.:22:09.

increased it. By the end of this Parliament, it will be 30% higher in

:22:10.:22:14.

real terms and at its highest level in cash terms ever in our hhstory.

:22:15.:22:20.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Does the Minister agree we have to c`refully

:22:21.:22:24.

understand local needs, indtstry needs, tourism in my own

:22:25.:22:28.

constituency, to ensure adult learners have the best opportunities

:22:29.:22:31.

they have to get the skills for employment in need? I do. I have an

:22:32.:22:36.

excellent meeting with my honourable friend and the leaders of hhs local

:22:37.:22:39.

college and it is very exciting and their plans. We do very much want to

:22:40.:22:44.

make a move towards greater local involvement in the commissioning of

:22:45.:22:48.

adult skills provision locally. So that local industries can bd

:22:49.:22:53.

supported. Is the Minister planning any particular response to the

:22:54.:23:01.

Government commissioned fordsight report of 2014 on lifelong learning

:23:02.:23:11.

and continuous training? If so, when are we likely to see that rdsponse?

:23:12.:23:18.

All of our policies are a rdsponse to that report and many othdr

:23:19.:23:22.

reports that have rightly highlighted the need for continuing

:23:23.:23:26.

investment in adult education through people's long and

:23:27.:23:28.

ever-changing working lives. One of the most significant measurds we are

:23:29.:23:34.

taking the introduction of `n apprenticeship levy, two dotble the

:23:35.:23:38.

apprenticeships available, apprenticeships available to adults

:23:39.:23:42.

in their 40s and 50s, not jtst for young people. The figures that the

:23:43.:23:50.

Minister has referred to, the 3 % increase he referred to, de`ls and

:23:51.:23:53.

covers quite a lot of apprenticeships but the poshtion for

:23:54.:23:57.

non-apprenticeships in highdr education and further education is

:23:58.:24:00.

not looking good. He has not been able to get the detail of those

:24:01.:24:04.

estimates in the next four xears. But in the last four years, adult

:24:05.:24:11.

learners in part-time higher education are down 42%, the equality

:24:12.:24:14.

impact assessment shows scr`pping maintenance grants will imp`ct badly

:24:15.:24:19.

on them. His own research shows that adult learners are often get

:24:20.:24:24.

adverts, which might own experience confirms. We welcome part-thme

:24:25.:24:29.

student loans for 2019 but why has nothing concrete been done to

:24:30.:24:34.

address the decline meanwhile? Can I add the Universities Ministdr

:24:35.:24:37.

through his honourable friend, the higher education green paper is

:24:38.:24:41.

currently a blank canvas on adult learners needs. Please make it good

:24:42.:24:45.

by addressing them and the dconomic benefits they will bring. It was a

:24:46.:24:53.

strange question from the honourable gentleman because he had to admit

:24:54.:24:56.

there were a lot of things he welcomed in order to try and sneak

:24:57.:25:01.

in a question. I thought it was puzzling he seemed to dismiss our

:25:02.:25:04.

investment in apprenticeships as if it doesn't provide opportunhties for

:25:05.:25:09.

adult learners. The truth is, apprenticeships provide the best

:25:10.:25:12.

opportunities for adult learners, better than any alternative, and we

:25:13.:25:16.

are also extending the posshbility of student finance to part-time

:25:17.:25:19.

learners and I hope he would welcome that. Number six, Mr Speaker. With

:25:20.:25:27.

permission, I will answer ntmber six and 11 together. Record numbers of

:25:28.:25:36.

students secured places at STEM courses this year. There is no

:25:37.:25:40.

longer any capital on peopld wishing to study STEM subjects. The number

:25:41.:25:51.

is up 70% since 2010. Thank you Will my right honourable frhend join

:25:52.:25:54.

me in celibate and the work and role of the science and discoverx sectors

:25:55.:25:59.

play in inspiring young scidntists and engineers. Can you tell how is

:26:00.:26:03.

what plans he has to improvd their reach, raise awareness of their

:26:04.:26:06.

existence and supports their important work? Yes, I can. Our

:26:07.:26:12.

science sectors do a fantastic job engaging with over 20 million people

:26:13.:26:15.

each year. This compliment the work we are doing to boost STEM hn

:26:16.:26:20.

schools. Last week I was delighted to announce a ?50 million inspiring

:26:21.:26:24.

science capital fund in partnership with the Wellcome trust. It will

:26:25.:26:30.

allow science centres to make.. It will reach all sorts of people who

:26:31.:26:37.

think science is not for thdm. Many small businesses in my constituency

:26:38.:26:41.

need STEM graduates. Can I `sk the minister what the Government is

:26:42.:26:46.

doing to try and connect STDM graduates with small businesses and

:26:47.:26:48.

to try and encourage them to start their own businesses as well? The

:26:49.:26:54.

Government's productivity plan set out its agenda for even gre`ter

:26:55.:26:58.

collaboration between universities and business. We are supporting a

:26:59.:27:01.

degree of apprenticeships, the first of which which were in STEM

:27:02.:27:07.

occupations. Small businessds are essential to this agenda. It was

:27:08.:27:11.

reported in 2015 by 60% of workplaces for students on STEM

:27:12.:27:16.

courses were in small busindsses. Mr Speaker, not just content whth

:27:17.:27:21.

having support people in terms of social could secure the, including

:27:22.:27:24.

those disabled people in work, the Government has moved on to on to cut

:27:25.:27:29.

to disabled students. In thhs case, the disabled student allowances

:27:30.:27:32.

What is the estimate of the number in terms of the reduction of

:27:33.:27:36.

disabled students in STEM stbjects and the impact on the disabhlity

:27:37.:27:42.

employment gap? Disabled sttdents allowance has continued to dxist and

:27:43.:27:45.

they are available to all students who need them. Universities must

:27:46.:27:49.

step up to their obligations in terms of the equalities act and make

:27:50.:27:53.

their learning environments fit for all sorts of disabled students and

:27:54.:27:57.

that will continue to be replaced. Pig the case.

:27:58.:28:03.

They propose that they should pay an annual charge of ?5,000 for every

:28:04.:28:10.

student brought in from outside Europe. There is a 40,000 annual

:28:11.:28:17.

shortfall of stand -- STEM skilled workers. What effect will this have

:28:18.:28:23.

on the science community and high-tech businesses? We ard

:28:24.:28:26.

considering the recommendathons and will be coming forward shortly with

:28:27.:28:30.

our response to them. I would like to point out that throughout Tier

:28:31.:28:36.

one exceptional talent fees, we are providing opportunities to

:28:37.:28:40.

scientists to work in the UK and contribute to our economy. Hn

:28:41.:28:48.

October of last year, my right honourable friend the Chief

:28:49.:28:50.

Secretary to the Treasury sdt up a group with Scottish Finance

:28:51.:28:54.

ministers to plan the implelentation of the apprenticeship levy. I am

:28:55.:28:57.

going to Edinburgh on Thursday to reach with Roseanna Cunningham and

:28:58.:29:02.

other people from the Adminhstration 's. It would apply to busindsses

:29:03.:29:07.

across the UK including in Scotland. Can I ask the minister if hd can

:29:08.:29:12.

clarify the means by which Scotland's share of funds r`ised

:29:13.:29:18.

will be calculated? This is a matter for the Treasury but she will be

:29:19.:29:24.

aware that there is a systel that will ensure that Scotland and the

:29:25.:29:27.

other devolved administrations will receive the share of the tax raised

:29:28.:29:32.

across the UK to support apprenticeships but any othdr policy

:29:33.:29:35.

that the Government in Scotland once. The Minister has underlined

:29:36.:29:41.

the advantages of apprenticdships for older people but it is striking

:29:42.:29:43.

that the number of younger people taking up apprenticeships w`s less

:29:44.:29:48.

last year that it had been three years previously. What is hd doing

:29:49.:29:52.

to draw the attention of yotng people to apprenticeships? The

:29:53.:29:57.

honourable gentleman is right that apprenticeships offer a fantastic

:29:58.:30:00.

opportunity to young people. I don't think we should be hung upon the

:30:01.:30:03.

question of whether people `re doing and a pension 16 or 17 or at 18 or

:30:04.:30:10.

19 and 20. We want them to do an apprenticeship when it is bdst for

:30:11.:30:13.

them in terms of the impact on our skills and future earnings but best

:30:14.:30:15.

for their employer. Apprenthceships are jobs and not all employdrs feel

:30:16.:30:21.

comfortable taking on a 16-xear old into some jobs. We want to lake sure

:30:22.:30:26.

those young people get an education college that enables them to make

:30:27.:30:28.

the best of an apprenticeshhp whenever they do it. The old party

:30:29.:30:34.

group on the visiting econoly is taking evidence into the whole area

:30:35.:30:37.

of apprenticeships in the c`tering industry. We have discovered that

:30:38.:30:42.

there is a dearth of apprenticeships in that area. How will the

:30:43.:30:46.

apprenticeship levy assist the recruitment of chefs and others

:30:47.:30:54.

within the catering industrx to applying for apprenticeships and

:30:55.:30:58.

training? The large employers in the catering industry will be p`ying the

:30:59.:31:01.

levy and will therefore havd a director must incentive to spend the

:31:02.:31:05.

money that is in their digital account on apprenticeships. There

:31:06.:31:11.

are issues in that industry with seasonal work where it is not

:31:12.:31:16.

possible for an employer to commit to a full 12 months to an

:31:17.:31:21.

apprentice. We are looking hnto the policy of polishing a rap and ship

:31:22.:31:25.

that could last 12 months after 15 or 16 months in order for it to be

:31:26.:31:31.

accessible for seasonal indtstries. I asked the Secretary of St`te on

:31:32.:31:39.

the effects of oil and gas on the apprenticeship levy. I'm gr`teful

:31:40.:31:45.

the Minister will meet with myself and representatives in but can I ask

:31:46.:31:50.

what research and what meethngs he has had with industry bodies about

:31:51.:31:55.

this and will he commit to ` date to produce that information? I am

:31:56.:32:01.

constantly having meetings with all sorts of business groups large and

:32:02.:32:05.

small and I know there have been representatives from various major

:32:06.:32:08.

oil and gas companies in those meetings. I'm happy to meet with her

:32:09.:32:13.

and the industry and to carry on meeting with any industry to

:32:14.:32:15.

reassure them that the apprenticeship levy is an

:32:16.:32:25.

opportunity, not a threat. H was delighted to help launch thd

:32:26.:32:28.

Midlands engine prospectus hn December setting out a programme of

:32:29.:32:33.

action to deliver a plan whhch AMs to add an extra ?34 billion to the

:32:34.:32:43.

Midlands economy by 2030. Excellent universities, a history of

:32:44.:32:45.

manufacturing and some world-class businesses make the Midlands a great

:32:46.:32:50.

place to set up a business. With those -- will they -- they still

:32:51.:32:55.

need to export more. What is he doing to help businesses such as my

:32:56.:33:03.

constituency to help them do better business abroad? UK DTI havd

:33:04.:33:11.

provided support for many btsinesses including companies like yotrs which

:33:12.:33:16.

have given support to help them export to India, Russia, Japan and

:33:17.:33:23.

other places. My noble friend has introduced a statement which talks

:33:24.:33:26.

about the new Government approach to exports and he may be interdsted to

:33:27.:33:31.

know that later this year I will lead the first ever Midlands

:33:32.:33:38.

business trade delegation overseas. A key driver of any age and will be

:33:39.:33:42.

good win engineering in my constituency. This is a world-class

:33:43.:33:47.

steel foundry business hit hard by the Government's massive

:33:48.:33:52.

incompetence over steel polhcy. They are very keen that a swift decision

:33:53.:33:58.

is made on the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon. Can we have news on that

:33:59.:34:03.

decision and something approaching an industrial policy? He can have

:34:04.:34:13.

news but not today. This is the decision that we need to do is -

:34:14.:34:18.

consider carefully. When it comes to major infrastructure, there is over

:34:19.:34:21.

?90 billion of infrastructure that is planned in the Government's in

:34:22.:34:25.

the structure plan and we g`y gas and we are getting ahead with it.

:34:26.:34:30.

One of the key drivers of rdgional growth in the Midlands has been the

:34:31.:34:35.

success of new small businesses They rely on getting access to

:34:36.:34:38.

telecommunications as swiftly as possible. Does my right honourable

:34:39.:34:44.

friend share my concern on the total impact of Midlands growth and the

:34:45.:34:47.

length of time that some businesses have to wait for telecoms sdrvices

:34:48.:34:52.

to connect them? Will he get them to speed up their act? I agree with my

:34:53.:34:58.

honourable friend. I have mdt many businesses from my constitudncy that

:34:59.:35:02.

have experienced the same problem. It is something both the business

:35:03.:35:08.

department and others have had discussions with Beatty and others.

:35:09.:35:11.

While there is improvement, a lot more needs to be done. -- BDT. -

:35:12.:35:32.

Tim. -- BT. We have to do everything we can to help that industrx. There

:35:33.:35:38.

is the crisis where there h`s been dropped -- job losses. We hope to

:35:39.:35:44.

protect some of those jobs. We are talking to a number of comp`nies in

:35:45.:35:48.

the supply chain to see what we can do with skills training to lake sure

:35:49.:35:53.

those skills are transferable. I can assure the House that the Mhdlands

:35:54.:35:57.

engine is firing on all sen`tors. It does need fuel in the tank. --

:35:58.:36:01.

firing on all cylinders. When he talks of venture capital, he

:36:02.:36:17.

talks about the importance of making sure we attract more investlent

:36:18.:36:21.

across the nation but also hn the Midlands. He will be interested to

:36:22.:36:28.

know that the GBA of the Midlands region has increased by 15%, ?2

:36:29.:36:32.

billion. The number of jobs have increased by 300,000. The qtestion

:36:33.:36:39.

about the creation of the Mhdlands engine, thousands of search engines

:36:40.:36:44.

are being built outside my constituency in Wolverhampton by

:36:45.:36:48.

Jaguar Land Rover. The levy is very welcome that there are still kinks

:36:49.:36:52.

to be worked out. Can he sax more about how the Government will be

:36:53.:36:56.

encouraging proper apprenticeships in manufacturing industries? In the

:36:57.:37:06.

West Midlands. Of course, in the West Midlands. There will bd new

:37:07.:37:08.

investment in apprenticeships because of the levy. Companhes like

:37:09.:37:13.

Jaguar Land Rover have welcomed this new initiative and intend to take it

:37:14.:37:21.

forward with a great deal of gusto. In terms of standards, we are having

:37:22.:37:26.

a new board which will be ldd by the industry and it is important in

:37:27.:37:30.

making sure that everyone t`kes part and we get the right outcomd in

:37:31.:37:35.

terms of the skills. The East Midlands has also been accolmodated,

:37:36.:37:43.

as colleagues will have nothced As the Chancellor has made cle`r, the

:37:44.:37:47.

Government continues to turn around the decline of manufacturing and the

:37:48.:37:51.

last Labour Government. That is why in the Autumn Statement and in his

:37:52.:37:56.

speech today, we are setting out our commitment to Manufacturing. ?3 0

:37:57.:37:59.

million for the high-value manufacturing catapult centre. 300

:38:00.:38:04.

million programme and seven centres around the UK. We have doubled

:38:05.:38:09.

capital allowances and we h`ve put ?1 billion into aerospace and

:38:10.:38:13.

automotive advanced centres including a range of measurds for

:38:14.:38:16.

small businesses. That would be way the all-party group said Brhtish

:38:17.:38:23.

manufacturing is currently seeing a resurgence along with a

:38:24.:38:30.

reinvigorated change on polhcy. That report was made before the last

:38:31.:38:36.

budget. We are astonished at the way in which the Secretary of State has

:38:37.:38:40.

waved the white flag at the Chancellor of the Exchequer. In that

:38:41.:38:46.

sneaking out the abolition of the business service, sneaking out the

:38:47.:38:50.

abolition of the manufacturhng advice service, sneaking up the

:38:51.:38:54.

growth accelerator programmd. Where is the industrial policy of this

:38:55.:38:58.

country and what happened to the march of the makers? The march of

:38:59.:39:03.

the makers is working and that is why we are leading the fastdst

:39:04.:39:08.

economy in Europe. It is whx unemployment in the honourable

:39:09.:39:12.

member's constituency is down 6 % and youth unemployment is down 0%.

:39:13.:39:17.

We continue to small businesses ?2.5 billion to the bank and 50 0

:39:18.:39:24.

loans as we have doubled thd small business rate relief. 5000

:39:25.:39:28.

businesses will pay no rates at all. That is why this Government is

:39:29.:39:32.

growing fastest and that's comes after 13 years in which

:39:33.:39:34.

manufacturing under a Labour Government got to a historic low.

:39:35.:39:40.

There are many barriers including energy cost and regular changes

:39:41.:39:45.

which stop manufacturing businesses starting up. What discussions has he

:39:46.:39:49.

had with the Chancellor reg`rding his policy of introducing four times

:39:50.:39:57.

a year, information to be rdturned by businesses to HMRC about taxes?

:39:58.:40:02.

Does he believe and share mx concern that this is to increase thd costs

:40:03.:40:07.

of business, put extra work on the businesses and avert them from the

:40:08.:40:13.

job of manufacturing things? I can assure the honourable member that

:40:14.:40:19.

the Chancellor and the Business Secretary and this ministerhal team

:40:20.:40:24.

take regulation and reducing regulation very seriously. The

:40:25.:40:29.

Chancellor is giving a speech to the Federation of Small Businesses

:40:30.:40:32.

today. I would point out th`t the track record honours for thd

:40:33.:40:36.

Government is incredibly strong We have increased small business rate

:40:37.:40:41.

relief taken 10 billion of red tape off small businesses and we are

:40:42.:40:45.

raising the rates of small businesses. That is why since 2 15,

:40:46.:40:54.

we have a record, 5.4 million new businesses. That is 25% mord

:40:55.:40:57.

businesses created since we came to power. We are giving employdes the

:40:58.:41:05.

opportunity to design high-puality apprenticeships that meet their

:41:06.:41:09.

needs and more than 1300 employers are already involved. We ard

:41:10.:41:12.

establishing the employer ldd Institute for print ships to prove

:41:13.:41:16.

-- to improve standards and safeguard quality. Businessds have

:41:17.:41:23.

welcomed the apprenticeship levy but many have concerns about how it will

:41:24.:41:29.

be lamented. Does my honour`ble friend think it will look at pilot

:41:30.:41:33.

schemes to ensure when it is rolled out, it is rolled out smoothly and

:41:34.:41:38.

efficiently? I want to thank my honourable friend for organhsing one

:41:39.:41:44.

of the most interesting meetings of the all-party Parliamentary group on

:41:45.:41:48.

the subject. I am doing manx meetings of that kind both privately

:41:49.:41:52.

and like that one publicly to discuss the implementation of the

:41:53.:41:57.

levy. We will be publishing later in the spring the details of how the

:41:58.:42:01.

levy will work and there ard questions and we are talking to

:42:02.:42:05.

businesses about them. It is timely for me to accommodate on thhs

:42:06.:42:11.

question. What my right honourable friend welcomed the 2580

:42:12.:42:14.

apprenticeships that have bden started my constituency since 2 15?

:42:15.:42:22.

Will he join me in welcoming the honourable member for

:42:23.:42:26.

Stratford-upon-Avon 100 campaign, encouraging MPs to go out there and

:42:27.:42:28.

get them to take on apprenthceships? I do welcome that and all the work

:42:29.:42:38.

of my honourable friend for Stratford is marvellous but this is

:42:39.:42:41.

a particularly marvellous aspect of his work. To all members on all

:42:42.:42:47.

sides of the House, it is a simple scheme to encourage employers in

:42:48.:42:51.

your constituency to create 100 apprenticeships in 100 days. I would

:42:52.:42:54.

urge all members of all parties to take it up and we will do everything

:42:55.:42:58.

we can to help. We will accommodate you on this question as well. Thank

:42:59.:43:05.

you. The six Cornish MPs ard also leading on this and my honotrable

:43:06.:43:10.

friend will be launching thd 10 and 100 campaign in Cornwall. C`n I

:43:11.:43:12.

thank my honourable friend for doing that? Can I ask the Minister to

:43:13.:43:17.

pledge his support to college campaigning for apprenticeships I

:43:18.:43:24.

certainly will and I look forward to visiting Cornwall during National

:43:25.:43:27.

apprenticeship week to celebrate that. In his constituency, there

:43:28.:43:32.

were 82.5% more apprenticeship starts in 2014-15 down in 2009- 0.

:43:33.:43:42.

I'm sure you can double it. In my constituency, I am working with UCAS

:43:43.:43:46.

to launch a apprenticeship pilot. This portal will make it easy for

:43:47.:43:51.

local S M Es to take on a school lever and end the divide between

:43:52.:43:56.

those leaving university and looking for an apprenticeship. Will my right

:43:57.:44:00.

honourable friend support md in backing the aspirations of North

:44:01.:44:05.

Yorkshire's young people? M`ny of the best policies are poliches

:44:06.:44:09.

designed by backbench members and piloted in their constituencies and

:44:10.:44:12.

I want to salute my honourable friend, so soon after arrivhng in

:44:13.:44:17.

this place, for creating thhs scheme. We will watch it carefully

:44:18.:44:20.

and look to see whether we can roll it out across the country. The

:44:21.:44:23.

honourable gentleman feels `ll warm glow. Number 16. Thank you very

:44:24.:44:35.

much. Officials met the TUC and GMB trade union in August and I am in

:44:36.:44:41.

favour of devolving down to local authorities the powers that if they

:44:42.:44:46.

wish and if it suits in thehr local area to extend Sunday trading laws.

:44:47.:44:49.

Perhaps it is coming we will hear more about later on from thd

:44:50.:44:52.

Secretary of State in the Enterprise Bill. In the ad reduction to the

:44:53.:44:57.

Enterprise Bill. I take it from that we can expect an announcement on

:44:58.:45:02.

Sunday trading very soon. Whth small traders worried their only `dvantage

:45:03.:45:08.

of the supermarkets is their ability to have convenience store Stnday

:45:09.:45:13.

hours and over 91% of shop floor workers saying they don't w`nt to

:45:14.:45:16.

work longer hours on a Sund`y, who is going to benefit from ch`nging

:45:17.:45:22.

the hours? Could I just say, what has been interesting in the

:45:23.:45:26.

consultation, is the large number of local authorities welcoming the

:45:27.:45:29.

ability for them to have powers to see what would suit at their area.

:45:30.:45:34.

If a local authority took the view that an extension of Sunday trading

:45:35.:45:38.

hours was not right for thel, for whatever reason, they wouldn't have

:45:39.:45:43.

to do it and that is the be`uty of this policy. It's devolves the

:45:44.:45:45.

powers down to local authorhties though they decide what is best for

:45:46.:45:49.

them and their areas. I can assure the honourable lady, there `re a

:45:50.:45:53.

number of Labour councils who welcome such a devolution down

:45:54.:46:01.

powers. Given that the Sund`y trading laws were relaxed in the

:46:02.:46:05.

run-up to the Olympics and given that the sky has not fallen in in

:46:06.:46:11.

Scotland where there are no restrictions, will be crack on and

:46:12.:46:15.

relax the Sunday trading laws as quickly as possible? I have made my

:46:16.:46:21.

position clear. Can I just say, what is the ideal is, it is not `bout

:46:22.:46:24.

Government imposing this on anybody, it is about giving the power to the

:46:25.:46:29.

local authorities to decide what is best in the area for all thdir

:46:30.:46:34.

shops, of whatever size and, of course, for their shoppers `nd

:46:35.:46:37.

consumers. If they don't want to do it it won't be mandatory. They have

:46:38.:46:40.

the choice, we take the view that they know best. Topical number one.

:46:41.:46:49.

Britain's height manufacturhng continues to lead the world. 20 5

:46:50.:46:54.

was the most successful year ever for our in aircraft industrx. Jaguar

:46:55.:46:59.

Land Rover is no Britain's biggest car maker. It is produced bx the

:47:00.:47:03.

hundred thousand cars last xear three times as many as 2009.

:47:04.:47:10.

Manufacturing output grew once again in January. Britain's high-dnd

:47:11.:47:13.

factory are working harder, more Britons are working ever th`n

:47:14.:47:20.

before. This Government's long-term economic plan is working. Wd are

:47:21.:47:23.

hearing that Lord Heseltine had a big plan for the steelworks plant on

:47:24.:47:31.

Deeside. What is it? I think it is absolutely right that we look at all

:47:32.:47:35.

options to generate more employment in the side. That is exactlx what

:47:36.:47:40.

Lord Heseltine has been working on, working with businesses and business

:47:41.:47:43.

leaders. I am sure he would welcome that. In his own constituency and

:47:44.:47:47.

noticed he has seen a sharp fall under this Government of

:47:48.:47:52.

unemployment, over 40% in the last five years and it is those kinds of

:47:53.:47:57.

policies that will continue. Despite progress that has been made, many

:47:58.:48:04.

small businesses, particularly rural small businesses, are struggling

:48:05.:48:09.

because of birds broadband speeds. Does my right honourable frhend

:48:10.:48:12.

think the time has come for Ofcom to consider splitting BT and open

:48:13.:48:18.

bridge or if it feels that ht can't do that, to repair the mattdr to

:48:19.:48:24.

competition. ? Mr Speaker, lany individuals sheer my honour`ble

:48:25.:48:31.

friend's frustrations. The concerns he has made about BT's percdived

:48:32.:48:35.

lack of investment and a perceived conflict of interest. I takd these

:48:36.:48:41.

issues very seriously. It is right that independent regulators look at

:48:42.:48:43.

this issue. Let me assure mx honourable friend that I have

:48:44.:48:48.

discussed this directly with Ofcom, ahead of Ofcom, I look carefully at

:48:49.:48:52.

their review and what findings they come up with and if we need to take

:48:53.:48:59.

action we well. Does the Business Secretary believed that the Google

:49:00.:49:08.

tax deal, is fair and proportionate? I think it was a very important

:49:09.:49:13.

deal. Not least because it leads to a change in behaviour. It sdnt a

:49:14.:49:17.

message that if you don't p`y your taxes properly and according to the

:49:18.:49:23.

rules, action will be taken. I'm not sure whether we thought it was there

:49:24.:49:29.

and proportionate from that answer. At the weekend you said it wasn t a

:49:30.:49:34.

glorious moment. The Chancellor has hailed it as a success. Which is it?

:49:35.:49:40.

It cannot be both. Doesn't he understand how unfair this cosy

:49:41.:49:43.

sweetheart deal with the colpany which seems to regard a ring if

:49:44.:49:48.

their share of taxes as a voluntary activity is to the millions of

:49:49.:49:51.

Britain's small businesses who are now expected to do their tax returns

:49:52.:49:56.

quarterly and have no opportunity to meet ministers 24 times and

:49:57.:50:00.

negotiate their own private tax rate? When her party were l`st in

:50:01.:50:08.

office, some companies were getting away regularly with 0% tax rates.

:50:09.:50:14.

They took no action whatsoever. Since the change in Governmdnt in

:50:15.:50:19.

2010, we have closed 40 of Labour's tax loopholes which in themselves

:50:20.:50:23.

have helped generate an addhtional ?12 billion in taxation. I know the

:50:24.:50:31.

Secretary of State and his department are working hard to

:50:32.:50:34.

support our steel industry but can I ask what specific steps thex have

:50:35.:50:39.

taken to ensure the sitting ability of Tata steel plant? Can I pay

:50:40.:50:48.

tribute to the great work and at the honourable gentleman is doing in

:50:49.:50:51.

helping to support those workers in his constituency that have been

:50:52.:50:55.

affected bilaterally's unfortunate announcement of redundancies at Port

:50:56.:51:00.

Talbot? Mr Speaker, as my honourable friend the Secretary of State has

:51:01.:51:02.

already outlined, we have ddlivered on boar of the five asks of the

:51:03.:51:06.

steel industry and we continue to work with Tata. When the consultants

:51:07.:51:10.

have finished their work at Port Talbot, Carter will come to us and

:51:11.:51:13.

we would finish the discusshon and we will make sure steel continues at

:51:14.:51:21.

Scunthorpe and Port Talbot. The Government has set a target of

:51:22.:51:31.

troubling exporter by 2020. And the Secretary of State if they had

:51:32.:51:33.

laying a decision on the UK's airport capacity supports this game?

:51:34.:51:39.

! Tripling. It is right that we make a decision on aviation capacity in

:51:40.:51:46.

the south-east. The Governmdnt was right to appoint an independent

:51:47.:51:49.

panel to look at this. They have come back with their findings and it

:51:50.:51:52.

is right and we look carefully at those. We made a statement recently

:51:53.:51:56.

on that. When a decision is made, no doubt it will be one of the

:51:57.:51:59.

contributing factors that whll help us meet that target. Question number

:52:00.:52:08.

seven, Mr Speaker. Your momdnt had arrived! You caught me off guard

:52:09.:52:15.

there. I apologise. Sorry to the front bench as well. The backbone of

:52:16.:52:22.

the Northwest economy is buhlt around FMEs. To the Secretary of

:52:23.:52:26.

State outlined what help his department is giving to help small

:52:27.:52:32.

businesses across the Northwest my honourable friend is absolutely

:52:33.:52:39.

right about talking of SMEs the lifeblood of the economy and the

:52:40.:52:42.

growth they produce. The nulber of measures we have taken, including

:52:43.:52:46.

cuts in taxation, cut and regulation, it on today I whll be

:52:47.:52:49.

opening the second reading of the Enterprise Bill and we will announce

:52:50.:52:56.

a number of new measures. The welcome new procurement guidelines

:52:57.:53:03.

for steel are worthless unldss the impact on procurement practhce. What

:53:04.:53:06.

will the Government do to ensure proper delivery of this and all

:53:07.:53:11.

Government departments and contractors follow these guhdelines?

:53:12.:53:14.

How will the Government assdss its impact? The honourable gentleman

:53:15.:53:19.

makes a very good point. He will know that British Network R`il, of

:53:20.:53:28.

its tracks, 98% I made in hhs constituency. He can be asstred we

:53:29.:53:32.

will make sure there is real delivery on those changes in

:53:33.:53:36.

procurement. Could I pay trhbute to the councils of Corby, Sheffield,

:53:37.:53:41.

Cardiff, Rotherham and his `ll in North Lincolnshire, all havd signed

:53:42.:53:46.

up to the acceptance and agreement that when it comes to their own

:53:47.:53:49.

procurement, they will make sure they use sustainable and brhlliant

:53:50.:53:57.

British steel. Over 4000 people started an apprenticeship shnce 2010

:53:58.:54:02.

in Iran, great news for people who want to learn a new skill and

:54:03.:54:12.

productivity. -- their hand. .. Encouraging people from Fairham If

:54:13.:54:22.

I would, I would spend everx day at an apprenticeship there in `

:54:23.:54:28.

constituency of one of my honourable friends. I was in Carlisle last week

:54:29.:54:33.

at a fantastic skill show and I encourage everyone in Fairh`m to

:54:34.:54:41.

attend the honourable lady's. The crucial industrial opportunhty for

:54:42.:54:47.

the Northern Powerhouse is available. Opportunities to redeploy

:54:48.:54:52.

skills should be seized with both hands before being lost to the

:54:53.:54:57.

region altogether. Port Talbot. . Fabrication. Does the Minister agree

:54:58.:55:03.

that when the British steel industry identifies a new market arotnd which

:55:04.:55:06.

they can bend a recovery, it is time they sat up and listened? Wd have

:55:07.:55:13.

been listening. There were five asks made, we have delivered on four The

:55:14.:55:17.

fifth is the subject of revhew. I hope we can see a delivery of that

:55:18.:55:21.

in due course. We are doing everything we can to ensure steel

:55:22.:55:24.

continues to be produced in Scunthorpe and at Port Talbot. I

:55:25.:55:31.

have to say more jobs were lost under Labour administrations than

:55:32.:55:37.

had been lost under conserv`tive. The proposed Tube strike thhs

:55:38.:55:39.

weekend will add misery to the Monday morning commute of m`ny of my

:55:40.:55:44.

constituents. It will be conducted on the basis of a mandate d`ting

:55:45.:55:51.

from June 2015. Does he agrde that such destructive action shotld only

:55:52.:55:54.

be undertaken on the basis of a fresh mandate from union melbers? On

:55:55.:56:00.

the side of the House we ard clear, it should not be possible to cause I

:56:01.:56:05.

strike, to call a strike, on the basis of an out of date mandate and

:56:06.:56:09.

we are legislating to stop ht. We are clear our candidate for the

:56:10.:56:13.

Mayor of London is clear, the party wants to oppose this measurd and

:56:14.:56:17.

support tube strikes that whll prevent people who are paid a lot

:56:18.:56:20.

less than tube drivers from getting to work over the weekend. C`n

:56:21.:56:27.

ministers confirm what meethngs it has had with the bold

:56:28.:56:30.

administrations, local authorities and other public bodies on this

:56:31.:56:35.

proposed and trade union Bill? Can they confirm the proposals,

:56:36.:56:40.

particularly in... Have no support across the public sector. Is it not

:56:41.:56:47.

time to dump those proposals? No, I am sorry to see yet another party of

:56:48.:56:51.

opposition standing up for illegitimate strike that catsed huge

:56:52.:56:57.

disruption for people who are trying to work hard and get their kids to

:56:58.:57:01.

school and get to work on thme. I am glad to see on the side of the House

:57:02.:57:05.

we will be standing up for working people, not for trade union bosses.

:57:06.:57:11.

Despite the Government's taxes on apprenticeships, disabled pdople

:57:12.:57:17.

face difficulties. Concerns have been raised about requirement of

:57:18.:57:20.

maths and English. Will my right honourable friend review concerns

:57:21.:57:24.

right to them to a sure bet he is taking bidder steps that disabled

:57:25.:57:28.

people are able to take part in apprenticeship opportunities?

:57:29.:57:39.

This is such an important issue I have had similar meetings whth other

:57:40.:57:45.

people and it is important that we get this right. Has the Secretary of

:57:46.:57:50.

State looked at the report which showed a large number of Brhtain's

:57:51.:57:56.

towns and cities are low skhll, low-wage economies? What is he doing

:57:57.:58:01.

to make sure that there is joined up thinking across Government to make

:58:02.:58:03.

sure we tackle not just the education and skills but thd

:58:04.:58:07.

transport links to access those new jobs? I haven't seen that rdport and

:58:08.:58:14.

now the honourable gentleman mentions it, I will be pleased to

:58:15.:58:18.

take a look. He is right to identify skills as a key issue to crdate

:58:19.:58:22.

those jobs and increase productivity and that is why we have introduced

:58:23.:58:26.

the apprenticeship levy and setting forward plans for that. It will make

:58:27.:58:35.

the difference he is looking for. Can I thank the Minister for

:58:36.:58:41.

supporting the apprenticeshhp awards at the Grosvenor house last week. We

:58:42.:58:45.

gave out and wants to small and large businesses and the brhlliant

:58:46.:58:48.

apprenticeships. Wouldn't it be great that next year we havd awards

:58:49.:59:01.

for the public sector? We could see the public sector gets really behind

:59:02.:59:05.

apprenticeships. You will h`ve noticed that my honourable friend

:59:06.:59:10.

has a badge with a capital @ in his lapel. I am sure we can think of

:59:11.:59:13.

many things that this could stand for but in his case, it stands for

:59:14.:59:20.

apprenticeship ambassador. He is a fantastic ambassador for

:59:21.:59:22.

apprenticeships and in the `wards next year, I'm sure the public

:59:23.:59:26.

sector will be able to show itself as supporters of apprenticeships

:59:27.:59:35.

also. Does the Minister agrde that the practice of cash for incentives

:59:36.:59:43.

in the construction industrx should cease? It was a great pleastre to

:59:44.:59:49.

take part in last week's debate The honourable gentleman has made some

:59:50.:59:52.

important points. We are having a review but it is a lengthy review

:59:53.:59:57.

and he knows that I am going to undertake and do everything I can to

:59:58.:00:01.

bring that forward and look at making sure we actually takd a

:00:02.:00:05.

modern look at what is really an outdated practice. With the US

:00:06.:00:13.

presidential elections exciting audiences-macro both sides of the

:00:14.:00:21.

order -- Atlantic, this year we may be able to sign a free tradd deal

:00:22.:00:26.

between the EU and India. Whll he welcomed the resumption of talks two

:00:27.:00:30.

weeks ago after two years of being stalled and do everything hd can to

:00:31.:00:37.

secure a deal this year? He makes an excellent point. The deal is worth

:00:38.:00:42.

?10 billion to this economy and it is surprisingly see the party

:00:43.:00:45.

opposite not supporting it lore loudly. When the Leader of the

:00:46.:00:52.

Opposition ask whether the Shadow Chancellor still campaigns for the

:00:53.:00:59.

overthrow of capitalism? Hartlepool air products, SSI Redcar and the oil

:01:00.:01:07.

and gas industry job losses. Teesside has been hit very hard Can

:01:08.:01:12.

I ask the Minister to meet with me to discuss the future of thd SSI

:01:13.:01:20.

sites. Between 99 to 71992, the Tory party sacked 20,000 steelworkers. I

:01:21.:01:26.

am more than happy to meet with the honourable gentleman and anx

:01:27.:01:33.

colleagues. He will know of all the action that we have taken and are

:01:34.:01:37.

taking to help the steel industry. He makes it sound that when Labour

:01:38.:01:44.

were last in office, they hdlped the industry. Production halved, the

:01:45.:01:48.

number of employees felt by thousands. That is Labour's record.

:01:49.:01:54.

It is left to this Government to support the steel industry. We are

:01:55.:01:59.

running out of time. Can he look into these workers where people s

:02:00.:02:03.

jobs are at risk. One of thd main reasons for closing the offhce was

:02:04.:02:07.

because the phones and comptters don't work properly. Is the Minister

:02:08.:02:11.

of innovation saying the department responsible for sending people to

:02:12.:02:14.

space cannot find a way to communicate properly with an office

:02:15.:02:18.

150 miles up the road and whll the Minister reflect on the way this

:02:19.:02:21.

farcical announcement was m`de and the lack of empathy shown for those

:02:22.:02:30.

workers? No one takes these decisions lightly. There ard a

:02:31.:02:32.

number of people and their families affected and we need to do

:02:33.:02:37.

everything we can to help. We do have an obligation on behalf of the

:02:38.:02:41.

taxpayers to make sure that we spend their money wisely and that means

:02:42.:02:45.

making sure that all Governlent departments are run efficiently and

:02:46.:02:50.

effectively. Even after this change in my department will have lore

:02:51.:02:53.

people come the vast majority of people outside of London and that is

:02:54.:02:59.

the right thing. Urgent question, Mr Jeremy Corbyn. The urgent qtestion I

:03:00.:03:08.

put is to ask the Prime Minhster if he will make a statement on the

:03:09.:03:15.

proposal for discussion of the United Kingdom's relationshhp with

:03:16.:03:18.

the European Union to be published later today by the President of the

:03:19.:03:20.

European Council, Donald Tusk. Mr Speaker, at about 11:35al, the

:03:21.:03:39.

President of the European Council published a set of draft text about

:03:40.:03:47.

the UK's wee negotiation. Hd has now sent

:03:48.:03:48.

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