23/03/2016

:00:08. > :00:27.Statement, the Secretary of State I would like to make a statement about

:00:28. > :00:31.the terrorist attacks in Brussels, and the threat we face in the United

:00:32. > :00:34.Kingdom. The cold-blooded attacks from yesterday morning have shocked

:00:35. > :00:39.and sickened people from around the world. 14 people were murdered and

:00:40. > :00:44.106 wounded when two bombs exploded at Brussels airport. A further

:00:45. > :00:51.attack at Maelbeek Metro Station one hour later killed 20 and wounded

:00:52. > :00:55.more than 100 others. As the Prime Minister has just said, four British

:00:56. > :00:58.nationals are among the injured, and we are concerned about one missing

:00:59. > :01:01.British national. Their families have been informed and they are

:01:02. > :01:06.receiving regular consular assistance. We are working urgently

:01:07. > :01:09.to confirm if any other British nationals have been caught up in

:01:10. > :01:13.these attacks. The investigation into these attacks is still ongoing.

:01:14. > :01:21.These figures may change and it will take some time for a fuller picture

:01:22. > :01:24.to emerge. But we know that Daesh has claimed responsibility. Mr

:01:25. > :01:28.Speaker, these were ordinary people going about their daily lives -

:01:29. > :01:32.family is going on holiday, tourists visiting the city, workers making

:01:33. > :01:36.their way to their offices. They have been attacked in the most

:01:37. > :01:41.brutal and cowardly way. I am sure the whole house will want to join me

:01:42. > :01:44.in sending our thoughts and prayers to the victims, their families and

:01:45. > :01:49.those who have been affected by these events. In Belgium, the

:01:50. > :01:54.authorities have increased the country's terrorist threat level to

:01:55. > :01:57.four, the highest level, meaning that the threat is serious and

:01:58. > :02:02.imminent. Yesterday I spoke to my Belgian counterpart to offer my

:02:03. > :02:08.condolences and to make clear that the UK stands ready to provide any

:02:09. > :02:12.support that is needed. Belgium is a friend and an ally, and we work

:02:13. > :02:17.closely together on security matters. Following the attacks in

:02:18. > :02:19.Paris last November, we deployed police and intelligence service

:02:20. > :02:23.resources to Belgium to support the insulin investigation, which last

:02:24. > :02:31.week resulted in the arrest of Salah Abdeslam. This is the 14th attack in

:02:32. > :02:37.Europe since the start of 2015. In January last year, gunmen killed 17

:02:38. > :02:41.people at the office of Charlie Hebdo and a Jewish supermarket in

:02:42. > :02:48.Paris. In February, two people were shot dead at a synagogue and cafe in

:02:49. > :02:53.Copenhagen. In August, an attack was prevented on a train en route to

:02:54. > :02:56.Paris. In November, 130 people were killed and many more injured in a

:02:57. > :03:01.series of concerted attacks in Paris. There have been further

:03:02. > :03:05.attacks in other parts of the world, including in Bangladesh, Saudi

:03:06. > :03:12.Arabia, Lebanon, Kuwait, Egypt and in Tunisia, where 30 British

:03:13. > :03:15.holiday-makers were murdered. More recently a suicide bomber killed at

:03:16. > :03:21.least five people and injured more than 30 in an attack in the heart of

:03:22. > :03:24.Istanbul. And there continues to be a threat from Northern Ireland

:03:25. > :03:30.related terrorism. The murder of prison officer Adrian Ismay, who

:03:31. > :03:35.died on the 15th of March, is a stark reminder of the many forms of

:03:36. > :03:39.terrorism we face. In the UK, the threat from international terrorism,

:03:40. > :03:42.which is determined by the independent joint terrorism analysis

:03:43. > :03:48.centre, remains at severe, meaning that an attack is highly likely. In

:03:49. > :03:52.the last 18 months, the police and security services have disrupted

:03:53. > :03:55.seven terrorist plots to disrupt the UK. All were either linked to or

:03:56. > :04:01.inspired by Daesh and its propaganda. We also know that Daesh

:04:02. > :04:04.has a dedicated external operations structure in Syria, which is

:04:05. > :04:09.planning mass casualty attacks around the world. Mr Speaker,

:04:10. > :04:12.following yesterday for the attacks in Belgium, the Government took

:04:13. > :04:14.precautionary steps to maintain the security of people in this country.

:04:15. > :04:19.This morning, the Prime Minister chaired a second meeting of Cobra,

:04:20. > :04:23.where we reviewed those measures and the support we are offering to our

:04:24. > :04:26.partners in Europe. Border force has intensified checks at border

:04:27. > :04:30.controls in Belgium and France, increased the number of officers

:04:31. > :04:34.present at ports and introduced enhanced searching of inbound

:04:35. > :04:38.vehicles. Further measures include security checks on some flights and

:04:39. > :04:42.specialist search dogs at certain ports. The police also took the

:04:43. > :04:46.decision to increase their presence at specific locations, including

:04:47. > :04:51.transport hubs, to protect the public and provide reassurance. In

:04:52. > :04:54.London, the Metropolitan Police have deployed additional officers on the

:04:55. > :04:58.transport network. I can however tell the House that neither

:04:59. > :05:04.deployment is in response to specific intelligence. As I have

:05:05. > :05:07.informed the House on previous occasions, since 2010, the

:05:08. > :05:10.government has undertaken significant work to bolster our

:05:11. > :05:14.response to the threat we face from terrorism. Last year, the

:05:15. > :05:17.Counter-Terrorism and Security Act provided new powers to deal

:05:18. > :05:20.specifically with the problem of foreign fighters and prevent

:05:21. > :05:23.radicalisation. We extended our ability to refuse airlines the

:05:24. > :05:30.authority to carry people to the UK who pose a risk, and we introduced a

:05:31. > :05:33.new power to temporarily seize the passports of those travelling to

:05:34. > :05:37.engage in terrorism. This power has now been used on more than 20

:05:38. > :05:41.occasions, and in some cases has led to longer term disruptive action,

:05:42. > :05:42.such as the use of the royal prerogative to permanently cancel a

:05:43. > :06:01.British passport. Investigatory Powers Bill will

:06:02. > :06:05.ensure police have the powers they need to keep people safe in a

:06:06. > :06:06.digital age. We are working to safeguard people at risk and

:06:07. > :06:09.challenged the twisted narratives that support terrorism. This

:06:10. > :06:14.includes working with community groups to provide support to deliver

:06:15. > :06:15.counter narrative campaigns. Are channel programme works with

:06:16. > :06:19.vulnerable people and provides an with support to read them away from

:06:20. > :06:22.radicalisation. As part of the strategic defence and Security

:06:23. > :06:27.review in November last year, this year we will update our

:06:28. > :06:29.counterterrorism strategy contest. In addition we have protected the

:06:30. > :06:35.counterterrorism policing budget and over the next five years will invest

:06:36. > :06:38.an extra 2.5 billion in a bigger and more capable global security and

:06:39. > :06:46.intelligence network including deploying over 1900 additional staff

:06:47. > :06:50.at MI5, MI6 and GCHQ and strengthening the network of

:06:51. > :06:55.computers experts in different places in the world. There is

:06:56. > :06:57.measures announced to a significant strengthening of our domestic

:06:58. > :07:02.response but as the thread continues to adapt and to morph we must build

:07:03. > :07:06.on joint work with international partners. Is this House is aware the

:07:07. > :07:12.UK enjoys the longest lasting security relationship in the world

:07:13. > :07:16.to our allies United States, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

:07:17. > :07:21.That relationship allows us to share information, best practice and vital

:07:22. > :07:25.intelligence to disrupt terrorist activity, event the movement of

:07:26. > :07:29.foreign fighters and stop messages of hate spreading. Following the

:07:30. > :07:33.attacks in Paris last November by security and intelligence agencies

:07:34. > :07:35.have strengthened corporation with their counterparts across Europe

:07:36. > :07:38.including through the counterterrorism group which brings

:07:39. > :07:43.together the heads of all domestic intelligence agencies of EU member

:07:44. > :07:47.states, Norway and Switzerland. Through this for the UK has been

:07:48. > :07:51.working to improve cooperation and coordination in response to the

:07:52. > :07:56.terrorist threat and to exchange operational intelligence. We are

:07:57. > :08:01.also working bilaterally to increase aviation security in third

:08:02. > :08:04.countries. As I told the five country ministerial in debris,

:08:05. > :08:09.defeating terrorism requires a global response and we will not

:08:10. > :08:12.succeed by acting in isolation. The UK has intelligence and security

:08:13. > :08:15.services that are the envy of the world. And some of the most enduring

:08:16. > :08:20.international security relationships. Together with our

:08:21. > :08:24.allies around the world we must act with greater urgency and try to

:08:25. > :08:28.resolve than we have before. We must continue as we already do to share

:08:29. > :08:32.intelligence with our partners, be proactive in offering our expertise

:08:33. > :08:38.to help others and encourage them to do likewise. We must organise our

:08:39. > :08:41.own efforts more effectively to support vulnerable state and improve

:08:42. > :08:45.their ability to respond to the threat from terrorism. And we must

:08:46. > :08:51.do more to counter the poisonous and repugnant narrative peddled by Daesh

:08:52. > :08:55.and expose it for what it is, a perversion of Islam built on fear

:08:56. > :08:58.and lies. This is the third statement to the House that I have

:08:59. > :09:03.given following a terrorist attack in just over a year. Each horrendous

:09:04. > :09:07.attack brings pain and suffering to the victims and their loved ones.

:09:08. > :09:15.Each time the terrorist attack, aiming to divide us but each time,

:09:16. > :09:18.they fail. Today all around the world, people of all faiths and

:09:19. > :09:23.nationalities are standing in solidarity with Belgium, just as

:09:24. > :09:27.they stood together after the other appalling attacks. In the UK people

:09:28. > :09:32.of all backgrounds and communities, Muslim, Sikh Jewish, Hindu,

:09:33. > :09:36.Christian and people of no faith, are united in our to defeat

:09:37. > :09:40.terrorism. The terrorists sought to strike at the heart of Europe. They

:09:41. > :09:47.seek to attack our values and they want to destroy our way of life, but

:09:48. > :09:51.they will not succeed. These attacks occurred away from the shores of the

:09:52. > :09:55.UK. But we should not forget that our own threat level remains at

:09:56. > :10:01.severe which means an attack is highly likely. We will remain

:10:02. > :10:04.vigilant this. The police and security services will continue in

:10:05. > :10:09.their dedication to keep up people safe and the public should remain

:10:10. > :10:14.alert. Together we will defeat the terrorists. This is the challenge of

:10:15. > :10:19.our generation. And is the challenge that we will win. I commend this

:10:20. > :10:26.statement to the House. Andy Burnham.

:10:27. > :10:30.On this side of the House we support everything the Home Secretary has

:10:31. > :10:36.said today. And assure her of our continued full support in

:10:37. > :10:40.confronting this threat. Today our thoughts are with the families of

:10:41. > :10:44.those killed or injured, of the British person missing, and with the

:10:45. > :10:48.people of Brussels. We think of all the people who have suffered in all

:10:49. > :10:52.of the attacks that the Home Secretary mentioned including last

:10:53. > :10:58.week in Istanbul and Ankara. This was more a ban an attack on Belgium.

:10:59. > :11:04.It was an attack on the heart of Europe and on all of Europe. A

:11:05. > :11:07.statement of intent from the terrorists which must now be met

:11:08. > :11:12.with a raised and renewed determination to defeat them. Let me

:11:13. > :11:15.start with immediate advice to UK citizens, we welcome the support

:11:16. > :11:19.being provided to those caught up in the chaos that as we approached

:11:20. > :11:24.Easter, many families may have travel plans that include travelling

:11:25. > :11:28.to or through Belgium. Will the government consider issuing more

:11:29. > :11:31.detailed travel guidance to them so people can make informed decisions

:11:32. > :11:37.based on the best available information. We turn to

:11:38. > :11:40.international collaboration, can she say more the nature of the immediate

:11:41. > :11:44.support that has been provided to Belgium for the people will have

:11:45. > :11:50.seen reports suggesting the suspects were links to the attacks in Paris

:11:51. > :11:54.and known to Belgian police. This raises the question of whether the

:11:55. > :11:58.Belgian authorities have sufficient capability to deal with the extent

:11:59. > :12:02.of this problem. Is there more that can be done to support them on a

:12:03. > :12:06.longer term basis, more broadly, can I say that given the global nature

:12:07. > :12:10.of this thread, the Home Secretary was entirely right to talk about

:12:11. > :12:17.deepening our collaboration with all European partners. Border security,

:12:18. > :12:21.we are learning more about the extent of terror networks in

:12:22. > :12:27.Belgium. As we do, this raises questions about travel between the

:12:28. > :12:31.UK and Belgium. Britain has extensive air, sea and rail borders

:12:32. > :12:35.with Belgium. We welcome the immediate steps taken yesterday to

:12:36. > :12:41.strengthen the presence at our borders but is now a case for a

:12:42. > :12:43.longer term review? Border Force operates juxtapose controls and six

:12:44. > :12:49.locations in France however, in respect of Belgium, juxtapose

:12:50. > :12:53.controls only apply in respect of Eurostar and not at the ferry

:12:54. > :12:56.terminal. Will the Home Secretary immediately initiate a review of our

:12:57. > :13:01.borders with Belgium with a view to strengthening them. She knows of the

:13:02. > :13:04.concerns I have raised for about UK terror suspects on police bail who

:13:05. > :13:08.have fled the country through seaports. We are proposing an

:13:09. > :13:12.amendment to the policing and crime bill to close the loophole. Will she

:13:13. > :13:16.give her commitment today to work with us on that. More broadly on

:13:17. > :13:19.borders, I have concerns about further cuts that are coming

:13:20. > :13:24.following the spending review. The Border Force has faced years of cuts

:13:25. > :13:27.and stretched to limit. The new financial year starts in one week

:13:28. > :13:31.but I noticed the Home Office has yet to publish a budget for the

:13:32. > :13:35.Border Force. Will the Home Secretary, that today so there can

:13:36. > :13:38.be a debate about whether that budget is enough. Surely now is the

:13:39. > :13:46.time to strengthen the borders and not to cut them. UK preparedness, we

:13:47. > :13:49.know that seven terror plots have been foiled in the past 12 months

:13:50. > :13:52.and we thank all those in the police and security services who are

:13:53. > :13:56.working to keep us safe. We must keep our own arrangements under

:13:57. > :14:00.review, the public want reassurance about our ability to cope with Paris

:14:01. > :14:06.or Brussels bar multiple simultaneous incident designed to

:14:07. > :14:10.cause maximum fear and confusion. We know plans are on hand to improve

:14:11. > :14:14.firearms capability in London and we welcome those but there is a concern

:14:15. > :14:18.about the ability of cities outside London to cope. A Home Office report

:14:19. > :14:22.on firearms capability published in July 2015 found the number of armed

:14:23. > :14:27.officers had fallen by 15% since 2008 including a fall in Greater

:14:28. > :14:32.Manchester and in Merseyside. There was a report in the Observer last

:14:33. > :14:35.year that Scotland Yard had briefed the Home Secretary about their fears

:14:36. > :14:39.of the lack of capacity in regional forces to respond to terror attacks.

:14:40. > :14:43.Is this true and can she say more about this. As she reviewed the

:14:44. > :14:47.ability of major cities to respond and can she provide assurance that

:14:48. > :14:51.if there were to be a Paris or Brussels bar attack outside London,

:14:52. > :14:55.that police and Fire Services have the necessary capability to respond.

:14:56. > :15:00.In conclusion, while we think of the Belgium people today we remember

:15:01. > :15:04.also that many victims of the world are indeed Muslims suggesting that

:15:05. > :15:10.this terror is not about Islam. We also know at moments like this trait

:15:11. > :15:13.anxiety will be felt in the British Muslim community with fears of

:15:14. > :15:16.reprisal attacks, rising Islamophobia and hate crime. You

:15:17. > :15:20.should recognise those concerns and will she today sent a message to

:15:21. > :15:24.anyone who seeks to promote division or hate on the back of these attacks

:15:25. > :15:29.that they will be dealt with severely. Will she condemn the ill

:15:30. > :15:33.informed comments on UK television today by Donald Trump and take this

:15:34. > :15:36.opportunity to distance the UK Government from them. They play into

:15:37. > :15:41.the hands of the terrorists. They want to drive a wedge between the

:15:42. > :15:46.Muslim community and the rest of society. Who are united in revulsion

:15:47. > :15:49.at what happened yesterday. Daesh called the innocent people who died

:15:50. > :15:53.and injured crusaders, they're nothing of the sort. They were

:15:54. > :15:58.ordinary innocent people of all faiths and none living side-by-side

:15:59. > :16:02.in one of Europe's great cities. This is the moment not for division

:16:03. > :16:07.but maximum unity amongst peoples of all faiths and none. A moment to

:16:08. > :16:11.reject those who preach Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and all

:16:12. > :16:14.forms of extremism. Let this unanimous message go from this House

:16:15. > :16:18.today that we stand together across it as a united country, that we

:16:19. > :16:24.stand with our neighbour Belgium in their hour of need and that whatever

:16:25. > :16:31.it takes and however long it takes, we will face and defeat this threat

:16:32. > :16:34.to our way of life together. Thank you Mr Speaker and I thank the

:16:35. > :16:40.right honourable gentleman for his comments and the way in which he has

:16:41. > :16:44.adopted that tone. Everyone in this House condemns the terrorist attacks

:16:45. > :16:50.and anybody who seeks to try to divide our communities we will stand

:16:51. > :16:54.against. He mentioned a number of issues. On the issue of travel

:16:55. > :16:56.guidance, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have updated

:16:57. > :16:59.their website, they will continue to do so, they will monitor the

:17:00. > :17:05.situation and update the travel advice on the website as becomes

:17:06. > :17:10.necessary. I would say to these, on those travelling this weekend, we

:17:11. > :17:15.have extra checks in particularly for example the Channel ports, so

:17:16. > :17:18.maybe people may experience delays that they otherwise would not have

:17:19. > :17:21.done and people should perhaps look at making sure they have ample time

:17:22. > :17:27.when they are travelling this weekend. In relation to the

:17:28. > :17:31.immediate support to Belgium, we had as I said earlier following the

:17:32. > :17:36.Paris attack last November, already given support both in policing and

:17:37. > :17:40.in Taligent services, to the Belgian government. -- intelligence

:17:41. > :17:48.services. We are building on that and have made specific offers, but

:17:49. > :17:51.the Prime Minister and myself. Areas where we believe we have an

:17:52. > :17:54.expertise which could be of benefit to the Belgians and we look forward

:17:55. > :17:58.to working with them in relation to that. On the issue of the borders

:17:59. > :18:01.with Belgium at the Immigration Minister has already been having

:18:02. > :18:06.some discussions prior to the attack taking place with a lot of ministers

:18:07. > :18:12.about how Border Force operates at certain ports and how we can enhance

:18:13. > :18:19.and increase our ability to act in those areas. Border Force is a more

:18:20. > :18:26.flexible organisation now, it is able to draw on resource more easily

:18:27. > :18:30.from around the country when it needs to surge capacity in certain

:18:31. > :18:33.ports and that is exactly what it has been doing. On the firearms

:18:34. > :18:37.capability, the uplift that we announced would take place in

:18:38. > :18:42.firearms capability is not just about London. It is about looking

:18:43. > :18:45.across England and Wales and the firearms capability that police

:18:46. > :18:50.forces have. And the programme that has been put in place by the police

:18:51. > :18:55.actually covers not just London but other areas, other cities and also

:18:56. > :19:00.looks crucially at where it is felt there is most need to ensure that we

:19:01. > :19:03.uplift firearms. When looking at uplifting the armed response

:19:04. > :19:08.vehicles but also the specialist trained counterterrorism specialist

:19:09. > :19:14.firearms officers as well. In relation to working with the other

:19:15. > :19:19.emergency services, one of the measures we brought in, we started

:19:20. > :19:23.this work a couple of years ago, it has been brought to fruition but

:19:24. > :19:27.continues, that is the joint emergency services programme which

:19:28. > :19:30.enables, brings the ambulance, fire and police together to enable them

:19:31. > :19:38.to work better in terms of communication and more coordinated

:19:39. > :19:41.maze of working. -- ways of working. He was right to raise the issue of

:19:42. > :19:47.those in the Muslim community in the UK. The transport and Home Office

:19:48. > :19:51.Minister has been speaking to a number of imams and other faith

:19:52. > :19:57.leaders today about these issues. There are many people in the Muslim

:19:58. > :20:00.community here in the UK who once again are standing up and condemning

:20:01. > :20:05.the atrocities that have taken place in Brussels. He refers to the

:20:06. > :20:10.comments I understand Donald Trump has made today. I understand he said

:20:11. > :20:16.Muslims were not coming forward in the UK to report matters of concern.

:20:17. > :20:25.This is absolutely not the case. He is just playing wrong. -- plain

:20:26. > :20:27.wrong. That has been confirmed by the Deputy Assistant Commissioner

:20:28. > :20:33.from the Metropolitan Police this morning.

:20:34. > :20:37.There are people in Muslim communities around the United

:20:38. > :20:42.Kingdom who are as concerned as everybody else's in the UK both

:20:43. > :20:45.about the attacks but also about the perversion of Islam which underlines

:20:46. > :20:50.the ideology which has led to violence. And we work with and we

:20:51. > :20:53.will continue to work with them to ensure that everything that we do is

:20:54. > :21:00.about uniting our communities, not about dividing them.

:21:01. > :21:04.Thank you, Mr Speaker. I share entirely the Home Secretary's

:21:05. > :21:11.sentiments in commenting on this appalling attacks. In explaining the

:21:12. > :21:13.level of security co-operation that we can achieve with Belgium and

:21:14. > :21:19.indeed with other European countries, my right honourable

:21:20. > :21:22.friend rightly drew attention to the co-operation which can be achieved

:21:23. > :21:27.with the European Union mechanisms. Does she agree with me that it was

:21:28. > :21:31.somewhat strange, the recent suggestions that those mechanisms

:21:32. > :21:36.some way endanger our security wallet does she agree with me that

:21:37. > :21:41.in fact they greatly enhance them and provide means by which that

:21:42. > :21:43.co-operation can be improved coverage I thank my right honourable

:21:44. > :21:48.friend for his comments and I do agree with him. I think there are a

:21:49. > :21:52.number of mechanisms which we are a part of it in the European Union

:21:53. > :21:57.which to enhance our security. As I said, we need to be operating in

:21:58. > :22:02.defeating these terrorists on a global basis. And the co-operation

:22:03. > :22:05.that we have with other countries is important as well. But there are

:22:06. > :22:11.mechanisms that we can use within the European Union which are

:22:12. > :22:17.benefiting our security. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I welcome the tone of

:22:18. > :22:21.the Home Secretary's statement and I thank her for advance notice of it.

:22:22. > :22:24.I wish to associate myself and the Scottish National Party with the

:22:25. > :22:27.comments of the Home Secretary and others condemning outright these

:22:28. > :22:30.appalling, devastating attacks in Brussels. Our thoughts are with

:22:31. > :22:34.everyone affected in Brussels and across the globe. Like many other

:22:35. > :22:37.honourable members of this House, I have spent time in the beautiful

:22:38. > :22:42.city of Brussels over the years, and I have friends and colleagues there,

:22:43. > :22:46.and my heart goes out to its many diverse citizens. We must not also

:22:47. > :22:49.forget those affected by the outrages in Turkey. I add the

:22:50. > :22:52.condolences of members on these benches to those of the rest of the

:22:53. > :22:56.House, to all those across Europe who have lost loved ones in these

:22:57. > :23:01.terrible atrocities. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those

:23:02. > :23:04.affected, most particularly with the family of the missing British

:23:05. > :23:08.national in Brussels. We sincerely hope that his father and her sister

:23:09. > :23:12.will find success in their efforts to locate him. I also wish to

:23:13. > :23:16.associate myself with the comments of the Shadow Home Secretary and

:23:17. > :23:20.others about the gratitude we feel across this House to all of those

:23:21. > :23:22.who strive to keep us safe in the United Kingdom, whether it be the

:23:23. > :23:29.police or the intelligence services. I would wish to reach eight the

:23:30. > :23:33.comments of Scotland's First Minister that these terrorists must

:23:34. > :23:36.not succeed and that we must unite as a community in order to negate

:23:37. > :23:39.such threats across the United Kingdom and Europe. The Scottish

:23:40. > :23:43.National Party is committed to protecting the people of Scotland

:23:44. > :23:47.and keeping our community safe. Whilst we are aware of the

:23:48. > :23:50.challenges we face from increasingly sophisticated, laws and terrorists,

:23:51. > :23:55.the government in Scotland is committed to working with the UK

:23:56. > :23:58.Government to fight against these threats against the freedoms we

:23:59. > :24:02.value so dearly. I know that whilst the UK threat level has not been

:24:03. > :24:05.changed, and we are reassured that there is no specific threat in

:24:06. > :24:09.Scotland, the Scottish Government has taken swift action to place

:24:10. > :24:14.police patrols at airports and rail stations to increase reassurance.

:24:15. > :24:20.The frightening statement from Daesh promising further attacks, saying,

:24:21. > :24:23.what is coming is worse and more bitter, is where I turn to the Home

:24:24. > :24:26.Secretary for reassurance. People right across the UK will be sitting

:24:27. > :24:29.at home worried for their families and their communities. What

:24:30. > :24:34.reassurances can the Home Secretary give the House today about how safe

:24:35. > :24:38.we are in the United Kingdom? What action is her department taking to

:24:39. > :24:44.ensure that we are protected from and capable of dealing with any

:24:45. > :24:46.future attempt at attack? I note that during her statement, the Home

:24:47. > :24:50.Secretary referred to the fact that all seven plots which have been

:24:51. > :24:56.disrupted in the UK were either linked to or inspired by Daesh

:24:57. > :25:02.propaganda. Does she accept the importance of undermining Daesh's

:25:03. > :25:06.propaganda capabilities, especially online, and what is she doing to

:25:07. > :25:10.address that? Finally, as I have said many times before in this

:25:11. > :25:14.House, what is of the utmost importance when faced with such

:25:15. > :25:17.serious kernel and terrorist attacks is to ensure that our response is

:25:18. > :25:23.proportionate, targeted and effective. The terrorists aim to

:25:24. > :25:26.instil fear and to divide us and destroy our freedoms and civil

:25:27. > :25:30.liberties, and we must not give into that narrative. We must ensure that

:25:31. > :25:37.additional measures are taken keep our communities safe and united. I

:25:38. > :25:40.am very reassured about what the Home Secretary has said about

:25:41. > :25:44.remaining united with our Muslim brothers and sisters in Britain. I

:25:45. > :25:48.would associate myself with what the Shadow Health Secretary said and

:25:49. > :25:52.invite her to condemn Donald Trump's comments in the British media today.

:25:53. > :25:59.Will the Home Secretary finally assure me that she will keep our,

:26:00. > :26:01.the importance of having a united community across the UK at the core

:26:02. > :26:08.of her efforts in fighting terrorism? Thank you, Mr Speaker.

:26:09. > :26:13.The honourable lady has referred specifically to the issue of threat

:26:14. > :26:17.and safety and security here across the whole of the United Kingdom. As

:26:18. > :26:21.I said and as she will know, the threat level from international

:26:22. > :26:26.terrorism is not set by ministers, it is set independently by the joint

:26:27. > :26:32.terrorism analysis centre. And they have maintained that at severe.

:26:33. > :26:38.Which means that an attack is highly likely. Against that background, as

:26:39. > :26:41.I also said in my statement, the police have increased their presence

:26:42. > :26:47.at certainty locations, notably at certain transport hubs. And we have

:26:48. > :26:53.increased the action which is taken by border force at various ports.

:26:54. > :26:58.And that is right. Obviously, we will keep those levels of activity

:26:59. > :27:02.under observation. We will monitor that according to the nature of the

:27:03. > :27:09.threat that we see. But it is for us all to be vigilant. I think the

:27:10. > :27:14.public should be alert, not alarmed. We do everything that we can to keep

:27:15. > :27:21.the public safe and secure. But of course, underlying this is the need

:27:22. > :27:26.for us to ensure that particularly our security and intelligence

:27:27. > :27:30.agencies are able to access the intelligence which enables plots to

:27:31. > :27:33.be disrupted. That doesn't mean them having the powers that we believe

:27:34. > :27:39.are right for them to have in order to be able to do that well. She

:27:40. > :27:44.talked about the counter narrative. It is absolutely right that as part

:27:45. > :27:47.of the work that we do, we should be dealing with the poisonous ideology

:27:48. > :27:53.which is leading people to violence. That work is being done. We do work

:27:54. > :27:57.through the counter-terrorism internet referral unit, to ensure

:27:58. > :28:02.that pieces are taken down from the internet. The speed at which that is

:28:03. > :28:06.happening is now something like 1000 piece is getting taken down each

:28:07. > :28:11.week. It has increased significantly in the last year or so. We have been

:28:12. > :28:14.leading for the establishment of such a unit at Europol, which is now

:28:15. > :28:18.enabling that capability to be available not just in the United

:28:19. > :28:22.Kingdom but across the European Union.

:28:23. > :28:27.Thank you, Mr Speaker. One of the most effective weapons that the

:28:28. > :28:32.police and security services have infighting Daesh terrorism is a

:28:33. > :28:38.constant flow of information and intelligence from within the various

:28:39. > :28:42.Muslim communities in this country. Will the Home Secretary be able to

:28:43. > :28:46.assure the House that she and the government will continue to make

:28:47. > :28:53.every effort to ensure that in all those communities, there remains the

:28:54. > :28:58.instinctive habit of co-operation with the police and security

:28:59. > :29:03.services, so that this vital flow of information is maintained? My right

:29:04. > :29:08.honourable friend is right to refer to this as a vital flow of

:29:09. > :29:12.information. And from time to time we do look to make sure that the

:29:13. > :29:16.opportunities are available to people to come forward in a variety

:29:17. > :29:23.of ways with information that they feel is important. So, for example,

:29:24. > :29:25.the Metropolitan Police have on occasions undertaken campaigns of

:29:26. > :29:29.encouraging people to come forward with information. We did this

:29:30. > :29:34.particularly in relation to people who might be travelling to Syria. We

:29:35. > :29:37.continue to look to make sure that every opportunity is available for

:29:38. > :29:40.people in Muslim communities and others who feel that there are

:29:41. > :29:44.concerns which they need to express to the government through various

:29:45. > :29:51.forms, that they are able to do so. As he says, that intelligence is

:29:52. > :29:56.absolutely vital. Can I commend the Home Secretary's

:29:57. > :30:01.statement and the unity of all parties in support of what she has

:30:02. > :30:05.said? She was right to protect the counter-terrorism budget last

:30:06. > :30:12.November. At least two of the Paris attackers had gone to Syria to fight

:30:13. > :30:17.and then had return to Europe. 800 British citizens have now gone

:30:18. > :30:22.abroad. 400 have return to. I accept her assurances about the borders

:30:23. > :30:25.between our countries and other EU countries. -- returned. But my

:30:26. > :30:32.concern is the external border of the EU. Anecdotal evidence suggests

:30:33. > :30:35.a come from Turkey into Greece. Will she assure the House that the Greek

:30:36. > :30:38.government is given all the support it needs in order to be able to

:30:39. > :30:43.track people when they return to Europe in the first place? Once they

:30:44. > :30:46.get inside, the Schengen free area means they can travel anywhere they

:30:47. > :30:52.like. It is that external border which is so critical. The right

:30:53. > :30:57.honourable gentleman is right that the external border is important.

:30:58. > :30:59.That's why within the European Union we have been arguing with others for

:31:00. > :31:04.a strengthening of that external border. It will also be aware that

:31:05. > :31:10.this is an issue which pertains in relation to the migration crisis in

:31:11. > :31:14.Europe, and of course, at the European Council last week,

:31:15. > :31:18.decisions were taken about enhancing our ability to strengthen that

:31:19. > :31:23.border. We have already given significant support to Greece in

:31:24. > :31:27.their way in which it is able to deal with those people coming across

:31:28. > :31:32.the border. We are looking to enhance that support to Greece and

:31:33. > :31:37.we stand ready with others to make sure that the work that takes place

:31:38. > :31:41.at that border is appropriate, in order to identify people and ensure

:31:42. > :31:44.that those who should be returned to Turkey are. He then referred to the

:31:45. > :31:49.Schengen border free zone. Of course the United Kingdom and has its own

:31:50. > :31:55.border, where we are able further to check people coming across into the

:31:56. > :31:59.UK. Will the Home Secretary at knowledge that this is now the

:32:00. > :32:05.existential threat of our times, and our people are in danger? But will

:32:06. > :32:08.she acknowledge that now, as in all of the 1000 years of our island

:32:09. > :32:13.history, the channel is our best boardwalk. Therefore, following on

:32:14. > :32:20.from that last question of jihadist, and Schengen, being able to access

:32:21. > :32:27.all parts of Europe, with European passports, will she Institute

:32:28. > :32:31.vehicle checks, checks on all vehicles, entering the United

:32:32. > :32:36.Kingdom from Continental ports? And will all passports of people

:32:37. > :32:38.entering our airports or ports be checked against intelligence

:32:39. > :32:43.sources, whether or not they have European passports? I can say to my

:32:44. > :32:46.honourable friend that as I indicated in my statement, border

:32:47. > :32:52.force has increased the checks it is making at certain ports. But I think

:32:53. > :32:56.there is a misunderstanding in the question that he asks me. We do have

:32:57. > :33:02.checks at our borders. We are able to check passports of people at the

:33:03. > :33:07.borders when they come through. That is an important part of the

:33:08. > :33:14.structure that we have in the UK. It is an important part of our security

:33:15. > :33:22.and we will retain it. Does the Home Secretary agree with me that groups

:33:23. > :33:27.like Daesh no longer distinguish between the near enemy and the far

:33:28. > :33:35.enemy? And will she also accept that the twisted ideology she refers to

:33:36. > :33:43.includes European values such as religious freedom, human rights and

:33:44. > :33:51.democracy as an offence against God? The honourable gentleman is right

:33:52. > :33:54.that Daesh is obviously indiscriminate in those who it would

:33:55. > :33:57.choose to attack. And of course, we should never forget that in the

:33:58. > :34:03.terrorist attacks which have taken place, if you look at the operations

:34:04. > :34:06.of Daesh, it is not only attacks in Europe, in Turkey, elsewhere in the

:34:07. > :34:12.countries which I referred to, but of course, nearer to where they are

:34:13. > :34:17.in Syria and Iraq, many Muslims have died as a result of attacks by

:34:18. > :34:20.Daesh. So they are indiscriminate in the people that they are attacking.

:34:21. > :34:26.And they are attacking our values, which as he you are fundamental

:34:27. > :34:30.values of democracy, of freedom of religion, of law and order, which

:34:31. > :34:36.underpin our society. That is why it is so important for our society to

:34:37. > :34:39.say once again, and why I welcome all the comments made from around

:34:40. > :34:48.this Chamber, which go out from this House today, that we will not let

:34:49. > :34:51.the terrorists defeat us. On a recent visit to Europol, the Home

:34:52. > :34:59.Affairs Select Committee viewed one of the horrific videos on the

:35:00. > :35:01.internet created by Daesh. The propaganda which they used to

:35:02. > :35:05.recruit people to their hideous cause. Does my right honourable

:35:06. > :35:10.friend agree with me that the security services and police need

:35:11. > :35:12.modern, digital powers, including bulk powers, to destroy these

:35:13. > :35:21.criminals and keep us safe? Those powers are necessary for

:35:22. > :35:26.police and security services. It is precisely why we are putting the

:35:27. > :35:29.Investigatory Powers Bill through the House which includes those

:35:30. > :35:38.powers to ensure those whose job it is to keep us safe have what they

:35:39. > :35:41.need to do that job. It is the duty of government or

:35:42. > :35:46.political leadership to protect citizens. The global list of

:35:47. > :35:52.atrocities that the Home Secretary has cited shows this is a worldwide

:35:53. > :35:57.jihadist ideology, the fight against which we cannot opt out of in the

:35:58. > :36:02.hope that if we leave them alone, they will leave us alone. Can I

:36:03. > :36:07.implore the Home Secretary to make this battle not just one of the

:36:08. > :36:12.critical public safety which is essential but also of the values

:36:13. > :36:17.that my honourable friend spoke about of democracy, human rights,

:36:18. > :36:21.equality between men and women and the freedoms that we enjoy in this

:36:22. > :36:27.country and in others. I absolutely agree. He is absolutely right that

:36:28. > :36:31.this is not something that we can walk away from foot. We can't say if

:36:32. > :36:37.we do nothing we will be safe and secure. We need to fight this

:36:38. > :36:41.ideology, fight these terrors, we need to ensure that the values that

:36:42. > :36:44.underpin our society are maintained. These are the values that they are

:36:45. > :36:50.attacking, that they're trying destroy. It is one of the reasons

:36:51. > :36:54.why the government has not -- looks not just as a counter terrorism

:36:55. > :36:59.strategy but also a counter extremism strategy and promote the

:37:00. > :37:03.values underpinning what makes this country such a great base to live.

:37:04. > :37:10.Values which are shared across the UK and across all communities.

:37:11. > :37:14.The Home Secretary referred to the fact that they're shabbily dedicated

:37:15. > :37:17.external operation structure in Syria which is planning a mass

:37:18. > :37:23.casualty attacks around the world. It is self-evident that it is easier

:37:24. > :37:26.for Daesh to progress both attacks against us if they have an area of

:37:27. > :37:31.territory the control from which to project that force. Now there is a

:37:32. > :37:36.cessation of hostilities in Syria was the Home Secretary agree that it

:37:37. > :37:40.is absolutely our priority to assist those Syrian forces who have ceased

:37:41. > :37:48.hostilities, to assist them to recover the territory now controlled

:37:49. > :37:50.by Daesh in Syria. I thank my honourable friend for his comments

:37:51. > :37:54.and he was right to draw the attention of the House to the fact

:37:55. > :37:57.that in this fight against this brutal terrorist group, this is not

:37:58. > :38:02.just about what we are able to do in terms of our own security or

:38:03. > :38:05.security with partners, but about what happens in Iraq and Syria and

:38:06. > :38:10.the action being taken against Daesh there. It is also important of

:38:11. > :38:13.course that we see a solution being brought to the conflict in Syria and

:38:14. > :38:18.that is why the government is looking at the issue not just in

:38:19. > :38:22.terms of the protective security in the UK or intelligence sharing but

:38:23. > :38:26.also the action it is necessary to take in Iraq and Syria and of course

:38:27. > :38:30.the action in terms of the diplomatic effort to bring about

:38:31. > :38:41.that Lydia Ko solution and stability to Syria. -- political solution. I

:38:42. > :38:43.want to stand with the Home Secretary and the people of Northern

:38:44. > :38:49.Ireland will stand with the people of Belgium in this time, given we

:38:50. > :38:55.endured three decades of this type of terror. The Home Secretary also

:38:56. > :38:58.referred to Adrian Ismay who was murdered last week and she will be

:38:59. > :39:03.aware of the necessity of cross-border cooperation on the only

:39:04. > :39:07.land bordered the UK has with the Irish Republic. What levels of

:39:08. > :39:13.increased corporation are they going to be now in the face of this, in

:39:14. > :39:16.order to prevent any further ingress by international terrorists who may

:39:17. > :39:20.use the Irish Republic as a base from which to launch attacks in the

:39:21. > :39:26.UK? We are working closely with the Irish government to look at those

:39:27. > :39:30.areas where it is possible for us to work more closely, to enhance our

:39:31. > :39:35.collective security across Ireland and the UK. Of course there are

:39:36. > :39:41.measures that we are able to use which helped that security in terms

:39:42. > :39:43.of cross-border arrangements between the Republic of Ireland and Northern

:39:44. > :39:47.Ireland and other parts of the UK. We do talk to the Irish government

:39:48. > :39:53.about how we can enhance our level of corporation to ensure that we

:39:54. > :39:59.keep both the Republic of Ireland and also the UK as safe and secure

:40:00. > :40:04.as we can. On the question of security at

:40:05. > :40:08.ports, my right honourable friend will know that Holyhead is the

:40:09. > :40:11.second busiest ferry port in the country and as such are

:40:12. > :40:15.significantly important point of entry from within the Common travel

:40:16. > :40:18.area. Ishii satisfied that the security arrangements at Holyhead

:40:19. > :40:22.are adequate to address the terrorist threat as she perceives

:40:23. > :40:31.it, especially in terms of checks on vehicles and foot passengers? The

:40:32. > :40:34.extent to which Border Force operate checks at various ports and

:40:35. > :40:37.something that is constantly kept under review. And looked at in

:40:38. > :40:42.relation to the threat and the perceived risk. He refers to the

:40:43. > :40:46.Common travel area and that is one of the issues we have been working

:40:47. > :40:50.with the Irish government on looking at how we can enhance our collective

:40:51. > :40:52.external border security to ensure that internal border security within

:40:53. > :41:01.the Common travel area is also improved. Our unique intelligence

:41:02. > :41:05.capability helped first identified that it was terrors that brought

:41:06. > :41:07.down the Russian plane in Egypt at a time when it was being denied by the

:41:08. > :41:13.Russians themselves. Can she assure the House that there are no

:41:14. > :41:16.unnecessary obstacles in us sharing such vital information with our

:41:17. > :41:20.European partners and allies in a timely fashion to help them fight

:41:21. > :41:26.this scourge? I can assure the right honourable gentleman that we are not

:41:27. > :41:31.only sharing information and intelligence with our European

:41:32. > :41:34.partners, we are encouraging others within the European member states

:41:35. > :41:37.and others to share intelligence so we can build that collective

:41:38. > :41:41.picture. The terrorists know no boundaries or borders we need to

:41:42. > :41:47.work together to ensure we can deal with them.

:41:48. > :41:52.Issuing advice on travel to the public, which they will rely on to

:41:53. > :41:57.make an informed choice, will the Home Secretary make sure that we

:41:58. > :42:01.have safety first of course but it is important that we do not allow

:42:02. > :42:06.terrorist to close down our way of life and also that we are mindful of

:42:07. > :42:12.the impact of that advice on partner nations. I think particularly of

:42:13. > :42:18.North Africa in recent times and the impact advice has had on Tunisia

:42:19. > :42:23.specifically. My honourable friend is right to point out that of course

:42:24. > :42:27.when an attack takes place such as took place in Tunisia where we saw

:42:28. > :42:31.the murder of the many British holiday-makers and of course action

:42:32. > :42:34.was taken in relation to travel advice and working with the Tunisian

:42:35. > :42:37.government. If people do not travel of course it has an impact on the

:42:38. > :42:43.economy of the country such as that but I can assure him in looking at

:42:44. > :42:46.travel advice and issuing its guidance on travel, the Foreign and

:42:47. > :42:51.Commonwealth Office looks at a range of issues but of course what must

:42:52. > :42:55.come first is our desire to ensure the security and safety of British

:42:56. > :43:00.citizens. I would like to echo the Home

:43:01. > :43:03.Secretary condolence. Belgium in Brussels have suffered a severe blow

:43:04. > :43:06.and we stand in solidarity with them. I would also like to echo what

:43:07. > :43:12.you said about the Muslim community is here and the most council for

:43:13. > :43:17.Britain have been quick and forthright in condemning these

:43:18. > :43:21.attacks. -- Muslim Council of Britain. After Paris the

:43:22. > :43:26.Metropolitan Police said they were recruiting an extra 600 and police

:43:27. > :43:34.officers. Is that a programme that now needs to be accelerated? I think

:43:35. > :43:39.there is absolute unanimity around this House in combination of these

:43:40. > :43:45.terrible attacks. In relation to the armed response from the Metropolitan

:43:46. > :43:50.Police, there are two elements to the upgrade in terms of the number

:43:51. > :43:54.of firearms officers. 600, that figure is not the recruitment of new

:43:55. > :43:57.firearms officers of the training of officers who already exist in

:43:58. > :44:01.certain parts of the Metropolitan Police to be able to carry firearms.

:44:02. > :44:06.That training as I understand it is underway. We are also offers

:44:07. > :44:11.including underway the uplift in armed response vehicles across the

:44:12. > :44:16.country that I referred to earlier. The event yesterday underlined that

:44:17. > :44:19.this is an international threat which requires an international

:44:20. > :44:25.response. Domestically taking every effort to strengthen our domestic

:44:26. > :44:30.capability in the Investigatory Powers Bill. Can the Home Secretary

:44:31. > :44:32.assure the House that in talking to international partners, she is

:44:33. > :44:37.ensuring that the bill can be practical and swiftly enforced

:44:38. > :44:41.elsewhere benchmark I'm happy to give that reassurance. Once the key

:44:42. > :44:49.issue is of course in the bill has been the question of being able to

:44:50. > :44:54.exercise and issue lawful warrants against internet servers providers

:44:55. > :45:00.located elsewhere, especially in the US. We have continued to assert the

:45:01. > :45:05.extraterritorial jurisdiction that we have always asserted in this Bill

:45:06. > :45:10.in relation to those powers but we are also discussing with the US

:45:11. > :45:14.Government the possibility of an agreement that will ensure that

:45:15. > :45:18.there is a solid basis on which such exchange of information can take

:45:19. > :45:23.place. If the Home Secretary satisfied with

:45:24. > :45:31.security at international airports with flights to the UK? We have a

:45:32. > :45:34.programme and were working with the Department for Transport, looking at

:45:35. > :45:38.airports across the world and assessing the security arrangements

:45:39. > :45:41.that are necessary and there are occasions when we ask airports to

:45:42. > :45:47.increase their security arrangements. That is a regular

:45:48. > :45:51.programme that takes place. Obviously when a particular incident

:45:52. > :45:56.takes place such as the attack in Tunisia, then we provide a very

:45:57. > :46:01.particular focus on security available there, not just in tourist

:46:02. > :46:07.resorts but the airport as well. I welcome the statement and indeed

:46:08. > :46:10.the cross-party condemnation of these terrible acts that have taken

:46:11. > :46:14.place in Belgium. Sadly these two German terrorists have got

:46:15. > :46:19.sophisticated digital communication capabilities. Can she tell the House

:46:20. > :46:24.would support she is receiving from intranet service providers to help

:46:25. > :46:30.support in this battle against these extremists? Our interaction with

:46:31. > :46:38.intranet service providers is of different types. There is the

:46:39. > :46:45.question of access, interceptions in exchange of the issue of a lawful

:46:46. > :46:51.warrant. This is an issue where we are looking at an agreement with the

:46:52. > :46:54.US particularly in relation to that. But intranet service providers have

:46:55. > :46:59.also been involved in the work we have been doing to look at how we

:47:00. > :47:02.can ensure that the vile propaganda that has put out by Daesh and other

:47:03. > :47:06.terrorist groups can be taken down from the intranet. At how companies

:47:07. > :47:11.can use their own terms and conditions to ensure that propaganda

:47:12. > :47:20.is not there to infiltrate the minds of those who could be radicalised.

:47:21. > :47:24.Could I add my party was my deepest sympathy with all the people who

:47:25. > :47:27.suffered in Brussels yesterday. Could the secretary of state

:47:28. > :47:31.reassurance soccer fans travelling from Wales and other UK nations to

:47:32. > :47:33.the Uefa European Championships this summer that every step will be taken

:47:34. > :47:44.to ensure their safety at football stadiums? There is a very well used

:47:45. > :47:46.method of cooperation that we have with other countries when they're

:47:47. > :47:52.hosting major events such as the European football. And police have

:47:53. > :47:56.already been discussing with their counterparts what arrangements are

:47:57. > :47:59.in place and of course we will continue to monitor those

:48:00. > :48:02.arrangements. We want people to be able to go and have a good time,

:48:03. > :48:06.enjoy the football and be able to have the confidence in their

:48:07. > :48:11.security. My right honourable friend is quite

:48:12. > :48:15.right to identify the importance of digital and signals intelligence.

:48:16. > :48:20.She will be aware of the recent conflict if that is the word between

:48:21. > :48:26.Apple and the FBI over the San Bernardino terrorist attack. What

:48:27. > :48:32.steps is she taking to talk with companies like Apple, Samsung and

:48:33. > :48:37.blackbery, to try to make them cooperate for the safety of all our

:48:38. > :48:42.people in the UK and elsewhere? We have regular meetings both

:48:43. > :48:47.artificial and ministerial level with a variety of the internet

:48:48. > :48:50.companies and communication service providers generally to discuss their

:48:51. > :48:54.interaction with the legislation the government is introducing and the

:48:55. > :48:58.Investigatory Powers Bill and how the powers that law enforcement and

:48:59. > :49:05.security services have in relation to access to this information. It is

:49:06. > :49:12.important, as more and more people are communicating across the tenet

:49:13. > :49:15.go -- the internet, we need to make sure powers are available to

:49:16. > :49:20.agencies and police. And that is what we're doing in the

:49:21. > :49:24.Investigatory Powers Bill. Can I thank the Home Secretary for

:49:25. > :49:28.her statement. It was clear following the Paris attack that

:49:29. > :49:30.there were deficiencies in intelligence and policing and

:49:31. > :49:35.linking to what was going on in Belgium. Is she happy with the

:49:36. > :49:38.lessons and they have been carried forward to intelligence services in

:49:39. > :49:45.this country? Intelligence services in this country have obviously been

:49:46. > :49:48.looking at any attack that takes place elsewhere in the world, they

:49:49. > :49:51.look of the information available about that and see what lessons we

:49:52. > :49:57.need to learn in relation to that. The key issue that has been this

:49:58. > :50:00.increase in cooperation and intelligence sharing that impossible

:50:01. > :50:05.and has come off the back of these attacks. But it is important that we

:50:06. > :50:10.learn lessons when things happen. What happened here in the UK sadly,

:50:11. > :50:13.because of the attacks we have suffered from in the past, we have

:50:14. > :50:19.developed the way in which we deal with these issues, particularly post

:50:20. > :50:20.7/7 and we work with others so we can share our experience with other

:50:21. > :50:30.people. I very much welcome the statement by

:50:31. > :50:36.the Home Secretary and all that she has said. Does the Home Secretary

:50:37. > :50:40.agree with the comments made by the Archbishop of Canterbury, that

:50:41. > :50:46.Europe needed to regain the capacity to use the logical language to

:50:47. > :50:50.counter terrorism? And linked to that, one has to take down the

:50:51. > :50:54.poisoned propaganda online, but what steps are being taken to work with

:50:55. > :50:58.faith communities to put up a counter narrative online? I was not

:50:59. > :51:02.aware of the comments of the Archbishop of Canterbury. But I

:51:03. > :51:08.think he is right, it is important that that narrative... It is a

:51:09. > :51:12.perversion of a theology, but it is important that theological argument

:51:13. > :51:17.is used in countering that perverted ideology. And that is exactly what

:51:18. > :51:21.is happening. The Home Office does work with people in communities in

:51:22. > :51:27.relation to this. As I am sure he is aware, there are many imam is who

:51:28. > :51:30.themselves to put on the internet and elsewhere a counter theology, to

:51:31. > :51:37.try to make sure that this perversion of Islam is not the one

:51:38. > :51:40.which winds through. Can I thank the Home Secretary for her statement?

:51:41. > :51:46.She will know that the key to defeating this evil is to

:51:47. > :51:51.understand, disrupt and defeat their Terra networks. A key element of

:51:52. > :51:54.this is their funding. Can I ask her to give an assurance that she is

:51:55. > :51:56.working closely with colleagues in the Treasury and across government

:51:57. > :52:03.to target the funding for this murderous activity? Yes, we are

:52:04. > :52:07.doing that. We are looking to see what more we can do to enhance the

:52:08. > :52:10.ability to deal with terrorist funding. But it is also the case

:52:11. > :52:16.that the United Nations came together last year for the first

:52:17. > :52:21.time I think, finance ministers from 70 countries, to look at this whole

:52:22. > :52:26.question of financing of serious crime and terrorism, to see what

:52:27. > :52:31.more action could be taken globally. Within moments of these atrocities,

:52:32. > :52:34.constituents of mine in GCHQ will have deployed resources towards

:52:35. > :52:39.assisting their Belgian counterparts. GCHQ is a vital and

:52:40. > :52:42.unique Cape ability. Can the House be assured that it will continue to

:52:43. > :52:47.have the resources it needs to meet what is regrettably a growing

:52:48. > :52:51.threat? My honourable friend is absolutely right. Of course, the

:52:52. > :52:57.people in GCHQ will have responded in support of the authorities in

:52:58. > :53:01.Belgium, but also date in, day out, are doing their work to keep us

:53:02. > :53:05.security and intelligence agencies security and intelligence agencies

:53:06. > :53:08.and law enforcement response that we have here in the United Kingdom. I

:53:09. > :53:16.think it is world leading. It is respected around the world and long

:53:17. > :53:21.may it continue. Our thoughts are with the victims of the terrorist

:53:22. > :53:25.attacks and their families. Can I ask the Home Secretary, she will be

:53:26. > :53:30.aware that racist incidents and Islamophobic incidents will up

:53:31. > :53:37.following terrorist attacks, and far right and extremist groups seek to

:53:38. > :53:41.exploit that space. And that takes up a huge amount of policing

:53:42. > :53:44.resources. Will she gave an assurance that there will be the

:53:45. > :53:47.support to the police to make sure that we have proper security and

:53:48. > :53:53.support and reassurance in communities like mine? Yes, and we

:53:54. > :53:58.have supported the police in that work. But we have also done more, we

:53:59. > :54:01.are trying to make sure, through the commitment we have for example to

:54:02. > :54:05.identify clearly when hate crime takes place, which has a rigid look

:54:06. > :54:10.religious element, that we are able to record that, so that we get a

:54:11. > :54:15.much better picture of what is happening. And she is right that we

:54:16. > :54:21.often see after a terrorist attack, we do see an increase in ante-

:54:22. > :54:24.Muslim incidents taking place to and the police at local level will be

:54:25. > :54:33.doing everything to make sure that they can deal with those. We are all

:54:34. > :54:37.shocked and saddened by the attacks in Brussels, but understandably,

:54:38. > :54:39.members of the Jewish community in my constituency are especially

:54:40. > :54:44.concerned about the risks facing them. Can the Home Secretary update

:54:45. > :54:48.the House on her assessment of those risks and the steps the Government

:54:49. > :54:51.are taking to deal with them? I can understand what my honourable friend

:54:52. > :54:55.is insane. Of course the Jewish community here in the United Kingdom

:54:56. > :55:01.incidents over the last year, indeed incidents over the last year, indeed

:55:02. > :55:05.couple of years. It is a great cause for concern for us. The Government

:55:06. > :55:09.is working in a number of ways to ensure that there is the proper

:55:10. > :55:12.response to those incidents. And that we give the message

:55:13. > :55:15.collectively, and it is an important message from this House as well,

:55:16. > :55:20.given by the Prime Minister as well, over the last few days, that we

:55:21. > :55:25.condemn anti-Semitic incidents which take place. The Jewish members of

:55:26. > :55:34.our community are every bit as much part of our British community as the

:55:35. > :55:42.Muslim members, the Sikh members, the Hindu members, and those of no

:55:43. > :55:47.faith, and the Christian members. Mr Speaker, further to the previous

:55:48. > :55:51.question, does she accept that the best people to make the point that

:55:52. > :55:57.Daesh is perverting the true face of Islam is not herself or the Prime

:55:58. > :56:02.Minister or any nor Muslim, but any and all Muslim groups here and

:56:03. > :56:06.abroad who reject violent jihadism? So is she prepared to make the

:56:07. > :56:11.sometimes difficult calls to empower and back those groups here and

:56:12. > :56:18.potentially regimes abroad who do that, despite the fact that they may

:56:19. > :56:21.not accord sometimes to all of the liberal, secular, democratic values

:56:22. > :56:29.which we hold dear, rightly, in This Place? As a government, we do work

:56:30. > :56:32.with those who wish to give that message and to counter that

:56:33. > :56:37.narrative of the perversion of Islam which comes from the ideology which

:56:38. > :56:39.underpins this terrorism. We do that through a variety of community

:56:40. > :56:45.groups here in the United Kingdom. But also as I indicated, there are

:56:46. > :56:50.many imams here in the United Kingdom and around the world, and I

:56:51. > :56:54.have met some of them, who are actively working to spread the

:56:55. > :56:58.theological message which is different - and that is important

:56:59. > :57:03.work. My right honourable friend will be well aware that, very sadly,

:57:04. > :57:09.a large number of British citizens have gone to join IS in Syria. A

:57:10. > :57:14.large number have return to. Does represent a potential terrorist

:57:15. > :57:17.risk, but also they may poison other people is minds. What assurance can

:57:18. > :57:21.she give the House that those people returning will be apprehended and it

:57:22. > :57:25.will be made sure that they do not represent a threat to our security?

:57:26. > :57:30.Obviously, we gave some extra powers to the police and the authorities in

:57:31. > :57:35.the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act which was passed last year. But

:57:36. > :57:43.what I can say to my honourable friend is, over and above that, when

:57:44. > :57:46.somebody is returning, to make sure that they are look at on a

:57:47. > :57:48.case-by-case basis. There are some people for whom certain

:57:49. > :57:52.interventions will be necessary and will be put in place. That that will

:57:53. > :58:00.be determined on a case-by-case basis. Regrettably I stand again to

:58:01. > :58:07.condemn these barbaric attacks in Brussels and in Turkey. And to say

:58:08. > :58:11.that these people are not of my faith, nor should they be considered

:58:12. > :58:15.by anybody to be linked to that faith. I congratulate the Home

:58:16. > :58:19.Secretary on what she is putting into the intelligence services, but

:58:20. > :58:22.will she look at the Border Agency, where there are a number of issues

:58:23. > :58:25.that we have to deal with, especially people with a passports

:58:26. > :58:29.who come through, not checked properly to make sure where they

:58:30. > :58:35.have been? There does need to be also funding look at in local

:58:36. > :58:39.policing, where, especially the local police community support

:58:40. > :58:43.officers, who contribute hugely towards tackling radicalisation and

:58:44. > :58:48.dealing with intelligence? And finally, can she look at the issues

:58:49. > :58:51.of hate crime, of all communities, and ensure that local authorities

:58:52. > :58:57.and police are able to deal with that? In relation to the last point

:58:58. > :59:01.on hate crime, he is absolutely right. This is an issue which we

:59:02. > :59:05.police. By looking at the recording police. By looking at the recording

:59:06. > :59:08.of these hate crimes, we have done that. We are hoping to identify a

:59:09. > :59:15.better picture of what is happening. And can I commend the honourable

:59:16. > :59:19.gentleman for the resolute stance that he has consistently taken. This

:59:20. > :59:22.is sadly not the first time that he has stood up in this Chamber

:59:23. > :59:27.following an attack to say that these attacks will not take place in

:59:28. > :59:33.his name. That is a message which will be echoed in Muslim communities

:59:34. > :59:43.throughout the United Kingdom and I commend him for his resolute stance

:59:44. > :59:49.on that issue. In relation to the e-gates, we do look at the number of

:59:50. > :59:52.Border Force staff who are available to support those people going

:59:53. > :59:59.through the e-gates, but in itself, it is part of our security

:00:00. > :00:03.resilience at the border. Can I pass my sympathy and solidarity to all of

:00:04. > :00:06.those in Belgium impacted? The Government has published its stay

:00:07. > :00:09.safe principles to guide the public in the event of attacks in this

:00:10. > :00:13.country, particularly those in mass transit. Can I ask on yes, more can

:00:14. > :00:19.be done by the rail operators and airline companies to ensure this is

:00:20. > :00:24.prominently displayed? Whilst the message is bleak, we would all be

:00:25. > :00:27.the better for reading it. It is an interesting suggestion which I will

:00:28. > :00:39.take up with the Secretary of State for Transport. Mr Speaker, it is

:00:40. > :00:44.believed that one man responsible for the Paris attack comes from the

:00:45. > :00:47.Molenbeek district of Brussels. I understand he was able to visit

:00:48. > :00:55.Birmingham last October. Can the Home Secretary confirm that he did

:00:56. > :00:58.visit the UK? Does she know who accompanied him, and can she ruled

:00:59. > :01:03.out that it was anyone associated with the present atrocity? I can say

:01:04. > :01:06.to the honourable gentleman, he asks me to refer to people who were

:01:07. > :01:10.involved in the current atrocity which has taken place in Brussels.

:01:11. > :01:13.Obviously, this is an ongoing investigation and we are working

:01:14. > :01:16.very closely with the Belgian authorities to ascertain as much

:01:17. > :01:21.information as possible about the individuals who were involved. Mr

:01:22. > :01:25.Speaker, local media in West Yorkshire this lunchtime are

:01:26. > :01:32.reporting that the family of one of my constituents believe that he is

:01:33. > :01:36.the Daesh terrorist Richard online, responsible for a recent suicide

:01:37. > :01:39.bombing in Iraq which is claimed to have killed and injured more than a

:01:40. > :01:43.dozen people. It is clear that local families have deep concerns about

:01:44. > :01:46.the radicalisation of family members. How can we support these

:01:47. > :01:55.families and tackle terrorism together? My honourable friend has

:01:56. > :01:59.raised a very important point. It is precisely the need to ensure that

:02:00. > :02:03.people do not move down this path of radicalisation, which underpins the

:02:04. > :02:07.Prevent strategy which we have in place, the use of the Channel

:02:08. > :02:11.programme, and through that, at local level, we want to support

:02:12. > :02:16.those who have concerns within their family or community about what is

:02:17. > :02:19.happening within their family or community in relation to these

:02:20. > :02:25.matters. But also ensure that where there is somebody who is at risk of

:02:26. > :02:28.radicalisation, action can be taken to ensure that that individual does

:02:29. > :02:34.not follow that path. I think it is important we have put Prevent on a

:02:35. > :02:37.statutory basis now, which I think strengthens that ability to act

:02:38. > :02:41.within communities. I would say to anybody who has any concerns about a

:02:42. > :02:46.member of their family or any individual, to contact the

:02:47. > :02:51.authorities at a local level so that appropriate support and help can be

:02:52. > :02:56.given. I want to be associated, as does my party, with the comments of

:02:57. > :03:01.the Home Secretary in relation to the terrorist attacks in Belgium,

:03:02. > :03:07.but also in relation to the murder of the prison officer Adrian Ismay

:03:08. > :03:12.in Belfast. Does the Home Secretary believe that the European Convention

:03:13. > :03:17.on Human Rights gives any additional protection to those who may be

:03:18. > :03:23.intent on carrying out terrorist activity? The honourable gentleman

:03:24. > :03:25.might know that I have had my own interactions with the European

:03:26. > :03:32.Convention on Human Rights when it has been used to try to prevent me

:03:33. > :03:36.from deporting from the united -- deporting people from the United

:03:37. > :03:41.Kingdom. In certain cases we were able to ensure that extradition of

:03:42. > :03:45.individuals who we thought were a danger here... But I think the

:03:46. > :03:48.operation of the European court and the European Convention is something

:03:49. > :03:51.which should be look that. That's why the Government is looking at the

:03:52. > :03:57.possibility of a Bill of Rights and its interaction with the European

:03:58. > :04:04.Court of Human Rights. An important section of the UK border exists in

:04:05. > :04:06.my constituency at Gatwick airport. Can I therefore seek assurances from

:04:07. > :04:10.my right honourable friend that Border Force has been strengthened

:04:11. > :04:17.at that location? Particularly as it accepts many flights from the vast

:04:18. > :04:21.Schengen area, and we need to ensure of course that terrorists who might

:04:22. > :04:27.have made it into Europe can't then make it into the British Isles? Yes,

:04:28. > :04:31.Border Force have looked across airports and seaports at where they

:04:32. > :04:36.need to enhance the checks that are taking place. They are very

:04:37. > :04:40.conscious of the fact that over the coming weekend, it is a particularly

:04:41. > :04:43.busy weekend for Gatwick in relation to the holiday period, and will be

:04:44. > :04:56.taking action accordingly. I commend her for her courage and

:04:57. > :04:59.fortitude in this difficult time. At this stage of the investigation it

:05:00. > :05:05.would seem those who activated the bombs at Brussels airport did so

:05:06. > :05:09.before getting through security. Can I ask is that any intention to

:05:10. > :05:13.upgrade or have spot checks for instance outside the security system

:05:14. > :05:19.we presently have because it clear something more needs to be done.

:05:20. > :05:24.That is an interesting point and a has-been commentary on this issue in

:05:25. > :05:30.the media. The practical problem is if you instigate security at an

:05:31. > :05:34.earlier stage then you simply create a crowd in a different place. So

:05:35. > :05:42.that is why it does not necessarily solve the issue of removing the

:05:43. > :05:45.ability to mount an attack which would attack a large number of

:05:46. > :05:49.people. The police presence at certain ports and airports has been

:05:50. > :05:56.increased, the visible security presence there. But I think the kind

:05:57. > :05:58.of measure he talks would not necessarily remove the opportunity

:05:59. > :06:06.for terrorists to attack a large number of people.

:06:07. > :06:08.The appalling events in Brussels underlines the vital work done by

:06:09. > :06:15.our security services to keep us safe and in recent debates on the

:06:16. > :06:19.Investigatory Powers Bill all parties are -- adopted a celebrity

:06:20. > :06:25.tone. I would welcome that tell and I hope in the committee stage we can

:06:26. > :06:31.arrive at a bill that all parties can support.

:06:32. > :06:41.I would hope that we can do that, I believe we have put a bill, that

:06:42. > :06:43.response to the forts from three Parliamentary committees, we have

:06:44. > :06:46.revised the bill accordingly so the bill now before the House has had

:06:47. > :06:51.those revisions. It is now of course in committee stage. The security

:06:52. > :06:58.minister and the Solicitor General will take the bill through from

:06:59. > :07:05.committee stage and I would hope that given the tone adopted in the

:07:06. > :07:09.debate and today in interventions that have been made, that we could

:07:10. > :07:12.see a constructive process going through the media stage and when the

:07:13. > :07:15.bill comes back to this House, that we can see a bill on the statute

:07:16. > :07:21.book which delivers the safety and security for the people in this

:07:22. > :07:25.country that it needs to. It is urgent that we increase the number

:07:26. > :07:29.of armed officers to rapidly responds -- respond to an incident

:07:30. > :07:33.as happened in Brussels. It would be ashamed of that was the late anyway

:07:34. > :07:40.because police officers had to make decisions about committing demands

:07:41. > :07:46.on their resources. -- competing demands.

:07:47. > :07:53.We have made extra money available for the upgrade in armed response.

:07:54. > :08:00.I welcome the tenor of the statement and it clear reason and resolve. In

:08:01. > :08:05.terms of firearms capability what discussions has she had with the MoD

:08:06. > :08:09.about the potential availability of military support to civilian law

:08:10. > :08:16.enforcement especially outside major metropolitan areas M there are

:08:17. > :08:19.arrangements in place for military assistance to the civil power which

:08:20. > :08:24.can be operated in certain circumstances. Following the attacks

:08:25. > :08:27.that took place in January in Paris last year we looked at enhancing

:08:28. > :08:32.that capability for the military to support the police were multiple

:08:33. > :08:37.attack to take place and those arrangements are in place. So there

:08:38. > :08:40.is greater ability for the military now to be able to be called on art

:08:41. > :08:48.and earlier stage if necessary by the police. -- at an earlier stage.

:08:49. > :08:53.The Secretary of State has provided welcome reassurance about the

:08:54. > :08:58.tracking of terrorist movements. Could she explain more about what is

:08:59. > :09:03.underway here and across Europe to stop the flow of weapons and

:09:04. > :09:08.explosives? We have been clear within the European environment that

:09:09. > :09:12.we need to do more across Europe in relation to firearms in particular.

:09:13. > :09:16.And I'm pleased to say that following representations the

:09:17. > :09:21.European Commission has produced a new draft directive in relation to

:09:22. > :09:23.firearms. I'm clear that we should ban dangerous semiautomatic weapons,

:09:24. > :09:29.that the session is taking place, but we are very clearly pushing for

:09:30. > :09:35.a much greater ability across the EU to deal with the movement of

:09:36. > :09:40.firearms. Having worked in Brussels for

:09:41. > :09:44.several years, my thoughts naturally are with friends and former

:09:45. > :09:51.colleagues in Belgium as well as with the families of those murdered

:09:52. > :09:54.and maimed yesterday morning. Whilst effective security cooperation with

:09:55. > :09:58.other European Union countries is vital, would my right honourable

:09:59. > :10:06.friend also look at how we can it effectively exchange appropriate

:10:07. > :10:07.security information analysed through membership of other

:10:08. > :10:15.international organisations like Nato? Well we need to make sure we

:10:16. > :10:20.are using every available opportunity where it is appropriate,

:10:21. > :10:25.to exchange security information, support, intelligence and to work

:10:26. > :10:38.together. That is why as I said we have Corporation, and we work within

:10:39. > :10:40.the EU and also other areas in response to within the United

:10:41. > :10:45.Nations there has also been a greater understanding of some of the

:10:46. > :10:54.measures that need to be taken. Order.

:10:55. > :11:01.Point of order. I am most grateful. I would like your advice, Mr

:11:02. > :11:04.Speaker, on a select committee report that has only just been

:11:05. > :11:09.published this morning. I'm afraid it relates specifically to some of

:11:10. > :11:14.the business that is before the House today. In the public

:11:15. > :11:20.administration and constitutional select committee report, into a

:11:21. > :11:27.complaint against HS2 Ltd, in fact it was upheld by the ombudsman who

:11:28. > :11:33.find HS2. The committee have been in receipt of published a large of

:11:34. > :11:36.evidence that is highly critical of HS2 Ltd. After investigation, the

:11:37. > :11:41.select committee has declared that the culture of defensive

:11:42. > :11:45.communication and misinformation within HS2 is not acceptable. And

:11:46. > :11:51.unless the people responsible for delivering HS2 understand that first

:11:52. > :11:53.and foremost they serve the public and take action to reflect this,

:11:54. > :11:57.then they will continue to be vulnerable to the criticism that

:11:58. > :12:04.they have disregard for the public who are impacted by HS2. Obviously

:12:05. > :12:08.only been published this morning, it has been impossible to table

:12:09. > :12:12.amendments to the bill today, relating to this report and relating

:12:13. > :12:16.to this poor communication and disregard for people affected by

:12:17. > :12:20.HS2. Could you advise me whether it would still be possible in this

:12:21. > :12:24.House to call for a separate debate on this report and look into the

:12:25. > :12:32.continuing disrespectful behaviour of HS2 Ltd and its management. My

:12:33. > :12:38.response to that point of order is twofold. First as I'm sure that she

:12:39. > :12:42.will be aware, it will not satisfy her but I say it is a matter of

:12:43. > :12:47.fact, the report which is referred is tagged to the third reading

:12:48. > :12:55.debate on the bill. That is to say, it is highly germane to that debate.

:12:56. > :13:03.Secondly, when the right honourable lady asks if she can call for a

:13:04. > :13:08.separate debate on that report, the answer is that most certainly she

:13:09. > :13:13.can seek such a debate and she may well be successful in obtaining such

:13:14. > :13:17.a debate, at this point I do not know. But that of course will not

:13:18. > :13:23.assist her in terms of the schedule business for today. The matter that

:13:24. > :13:30.are up for debate in the House today will naturally proceed. And must do

:13:31. > :13:35.so in terms of good order. Nevertheless the right honourable

:13:36. > :13:41.lady who is a wily operator, has made her point in her own way and it

:13:42. > :13:48.clearly on the record. That seems to bring a warm smile to the face of

:13:49. > :13:54.the honourable gentleman, the member for The Cotswolds. Who's birthday

:13:55. > :13:59.allegedly it is. Always useful to have a bit of information! I wish

:14:00. > :14:03.the honourable member for The Cotswolds are happy birthday and

:14:04. > :14:08.look forward to hearing his point of order. Thank you for the good wishes

:14:09. > :14:11.and he will know that I very rarely make points of order in this House.

:14:12. > :14:18.But on this occasion I would seek your advice as to how I might not be

:14:19. > :14:21.the business managers on this HS2 report and a third reading,

:14:22. > :14:26.inadequacy of time, because millions of people up and down this line and

:14:27. > :14:31.this highly complex large project are affected by this bill. And I

:14:32. > :14:35.think that three hours for report and third reading is not sufficient

:14:36. > :14:39.to give Members of Parliament on behalf of their constituents and to

:14:40. > :14:44.make representations on this complex project. Let alone those members of

:14:45. > :14:50.the select committee, who some of them spent 160 working days sitting

:14:51. > :14:53.on the select committee and some of whom may not get the chance to give

:14:54. > :14:56.the House the benefit of their wisdom as to how the hybrid select

:14:57. > :15:02.committee procedure could be improved. In response to the point

:15:03. > :15:09.of water first, let me acknowledge and pay tribute to the extremely

:15:10. > :15:17.unselfish and consciences work that he and others did on the committee

:15:18. > :15:22.under the distinguished and stoical chairmanship of the honourable

:15:23. > :15:24.gentleman, the member for pool. Secondly I would say to the

:15:25. > :15:28.honourable gentleman that if the government Chief Whip were here, he

:15:29. > :15:33.would have heard the honourable gentleman's point of order but he is

:15:34. > :15:39.not, so he will not. That said I feel sure that the thrust of it will

:15:40. > :15:44.be conveyed to the Chief Whip Annalong. As members now, and I will

:15:45. > :15:51.of course come to the right honourable lady, as members know,

:15:52. > :15:56.these are not matters for the Chair. Members are ventilating their real

:15:57. > :16:00.sense of grievance and unhappiness. These are matters of course for the

:16:01. > :16:06.business managers to determine. They make their own judgment. And people

:16:07. > :16:16.operate at their own level. What they judged to be a proper treatment

:16:17. > :16:22.of business and of the thoughts on these matters of members. Including

:16:23. > :16:27.minorities. But those are not judgment that I can second guess. We

:16:28. > :16:37.will have views, but I think I should probably leave it there. I

:16:38. > :16:40.rarely make a point of order in this House but I'm grateful that you have

:16:41. > :16:45.understood the frustration that we feel as members representing the

:16:46. > :16:52.affected constituencies. The fact is with the roughly 50 amendments, if

:16:53. > :16:55.we put them in the time available, one hour for the first group, two of

:16:56. > :17:01.the second group, there would be no time even to discuss them. A lot of

:17:02. > :17:06.work has gone in, a lot of excellent assistance from the clerks, has gone

:17:07. > :17:10.into creating amendments. Could you use your good offices when you speak

:17:11. > :17:12.to the Lord Speaker to draw her attention to the fact that whilst

:17:13. > :17:20.amendments were tables, have had little opportunity to debate and

:17:21. > :17:26.push them. That is an extremely well chosen and thoughtful point of order

:17:27. > :17:33.from the right honourable lady. Again I acknowledge what she said,

:17:34. > :17:38.she rarely raises of order. And her seriousness of purpose is I think

:17:39. > :17:44.respected in all parts of the House. I will indeed convey that sentiment

:17:45. > :17:51.to the Lord Speaker. I think the unhappiness is well known. It is a

:17:52. > :18:00.matter of fact that amongst those affected, there will be a real

:18:01. > :18:05.consternation about this. That the individuals affected are a minority

:18:06. > :18:08.of the electorate is not in doubt, but they will be very unhappy about

:18:09. > :18:13.this. That is not something that should be lightly dismissed by the

:18:14. > :18:18.executive branch of our political system. There will be those who

:18:19. > :18:22.think all you do is get the business through and that is all that

:18:23. > :18:27.matters. I'd quite hard-headed and perhaps even cynical about it. But

:18:28. > :18:33.people ought to have regard to the views and interests of minorities.

:18:34. > :18:38.They might on a particular issue one-day be in that position

:18:39. > :18:42.themselves. And they will then want the very protection that the right

:18:43. > :18:52.honourable lady and right honourable gentleman are seeking. I will relate

:18:53. > :18:57.the concern to the Lords Speaker. It was always my understanding that

:18:58. > :19:02.if one wish to add 1's name to amendments, as long as one did it

:19:03. > :19:06.the day before, the day on which the order paper was to be published,

:19:07. > :19:11.that that was sufficient. So I was surprised on reading the order paper

:19:12. > :19:16.today for consideration of the bill that the personal visit I made to

:19:17. > :19:19.the private ill office yesterday to do that, where no one had suggested

:19:20. > :19:23.to me that I was too late in order to add my signature to a number of

:19:24. > :19:28.the amendments on the order paper, my name does not appear at all. And

:19:29. > :19:37.I wondered if that was a matter on which you could shed any light. I

:19:38. > :19:41.have just been advised by the way, we have been extremely well served

:19:42. > :19:45.as always by our clerks, who do their business with great commitment

:19:46. > :19:53.and power. I have just been advised on this matter. And that advice is

:19:54. > :19:58.that I will cause the matter to be investigated. The truth is off the

:19:59. > :20:01.top of my head I have no idea why the honourable and learning

:20:02. > :20:07.gentleman posmack name has not been added to the amendment. One would

:20:08. > :20:10.seem lower lip -- ordinarily it would be. His understanding of the

:20:11. > :20:15.normal practice is as usual quite correct. We will have the matter

:20:16. > :20:18.looked into but I hope it will be trumpeted to the good people of the

:20:19. > :20:22.Beaconsfield constituency that the honourable and Leonard gentleman

:20:23. > :20:25.sought to have his name added to the amendments and the work in progress

:20:26. > :20:32.is he may yet succeed in that mission.

:20:33. > :20:38.Mr Speaker, I hope I am not trying your patience too much by a further

:20:39. > :20:42.point, but I did want your advice on the matter, not least for this House

:20:43. > :20:46.but for the people watching these proceedings outside the House, it

:20:47. > :20:52.may be of interest to know the Channel Tunnel Bill went through the

:20:53. > :20:56.House. It was not guillotined and lasted until 1:50am and only after

:20:57. > :21:00.that it was followed by a third reading. Mr Speaker, could you

:21:01. > :21:05.confirm that on the timetable motion, as it sits, on the order

:21:06. > :21:11.paper today, that if any member of the House chose to push an amendment

:21:12. > :21:16.to a vote, in either the first or second group, that it would eat out

:21:17. > :21:20.of the time that would be allowed for members to discuss, because

:21:21. > :21:24.constituents are not going to understand why members in this House

:21:25. > :21:29.do not press these amendments to the vote, but if we press the amendments

:21:30. > :21:33.to the vote, the Government has engineered this is that it means we

:21:34. > :21:36.would have no time to discuss it. For example, there may be members

:21:37. > :21:40.here who wish to have their amendments voted on but if they did

:21:41. > :21:45.so they would rob the opportunity for people across both sides of the

:21:46. > :21:50.House affected by this Bill of speaking, and as you pointed out

:21:51. > :21:54.yourself, Mr Speaker, it is only a very small minority because both the

:21:55. > :22:02.main parties in this House are whipped to vote for this Bill. Are

:22:03. > :22:04.in is correct. Again I always appreciate our proceedings are

:22:05. > :22:09.intelligible to people beyond this place and so let it be stated on the

:22:10. > :22:12.wreck that these exchanges have not eaten into the time for debate at

:22:13. > :22:17.all. Indeed they have only caused the member with the Ten Minute Rule

:22:18. > :22:20.Motion to be obliged to wait patiently before being able to speak

:22:21. > :22:27.to it but it has not in any way detracted or ticking time from the

:22:28. > :22:31.debate on the High Speed Rail (London-West Midlands) Bill. But the

:22:32. > :22:36.honourable lady is correct that if members seek a division on a

:22:37. > :22:39.particular amendment, that will eat away at the remaining time available

:22:40. > :22:44.for debate. A lot of people will feel that is a very regrettable

:22:45. > :22:47.state of affairs, to put it mildly. I hope what the honourable lady says

:22:48. > :23:00.about President of the Channel Tunnel Bill... -- precedent. And as

:23:01. > :23:04.far as I am aware he is a person of robust constitution and perfectly

:23:05. > :23:09.capable of staying in the chamber for that public policy and I have

:23:10. > :23:11.never had reason to suppose his Parliamentary Undersecretary of

:23:12. > :23:19.State who has taken charge of the proceedings today... No discourtesy

:23:20. > :23:24.is intended to the honourable gentleman but I have heard no reason

:23:25. > :23:28.to question him on strenuous endeavour over a period. Patsy will

:23:29. > :23:35.add to that now. Further point of order. Could I point out last

:23:36. > :23:43.night's Has Bush was not objected to -- perhaps he will add to that now.

:23:44. > :23:51.As part of the process -- last night's proceedings. Indeed the

:23:52. > :23:55.right honourable lady herself attended three times for a total of

:23:56. > :24:01.two hours and ten minutes in total. That is a matter... We will come

:24:02. > :24:06.back to it but that is a matter of indisputable fact and I thank the

:24:07. > :24:13.Minister of State for taking his opportunity to make that point. So

:24:14. > :24:18.far as last night is concerned, that also is a matter of fact. It was not

:24:19. > :24:23.objected to. The business of the house motion appertaining to this

:24:24. > :24:28.matter was of course subjected to on Monday evening by the right

:24:29. > :24:33.honourable lady. If it had been objected to last night there would

:24:34. > :24:37.have been a requirement for a debate today on members' concerns and that

:24:38. > :24:43.would have eaten into the available time. The absence of an objection

:24:44. > :24:47.last night and the fact I have just mentioned -- facts have just

:24:48. > :24:51.mentioned are of course I would say causally linked. To that point of

:24:52. > :24:55.order and the courteous contribution from the dispatch box by the

:24:56. > :24:59.Minister of State, I would like to confirm I did object to this motion

:25:00. > :25:03.but on discussions with the business managers and was informed if I

:25:04. > :25:07.objected the second night it would come back and eat into the time for

:25:08. > :25:11.the debate today which of course would be completely self-defeating.

:25:12. > :25:15.I think the point was made on the first day when the objection was

:25:16. > :25:20.made and the Minister should really understand the procedure in that

:25:21. > :25:24.sense. The right honourable lady has put the matter fairly and squarely

:25:25. > :25:27.on the record. I am always happy to hear points of order and respond to

:25:28. > :25:32.them. I think it is there to say that for now we have exhaust that

:25:33. > :25:36.the rain and we should move on to the ever patient honourable

:25:37. > :25:44.gentleman, the member for North Norfolk. Ten Minute Rule Motion, Mr

:25:45. > :25:48.Norman Lamb... -- we have exhausted that ground. I beg that leave be

:25:49. > :25:54.given to bring in a bill to amend the misuse of drugs act 1971 to

:25:55. > :26:00.provide for the Lawful Production, Packaging The Packaging, Market,

:26:01. > :26:02.Sale And Consumption Of Herbal Cannabis, In Specific Circumstances

:26:03. > :26:08.By Certain Persons And For Connected Purposes. Mr Speaker, it is long

:26:09. > :26:12.overdue we call time on the so-called war on drugs, launched 45

:26:13. > :26:16.years ago by the then president of the United States of America,

:26:17. > :26:20.Richard Nixon. In that time billions of dollars every year go straight

:26:21. > :26:23.into the hands of organised crime, governments around the world have

:26:24. > :26:27.been corrupted by the drugs trade, thousands upon thousands of people

:26:28. > :26:35.have lost their lives in countries like Mexico and a warm beer, profits

:26:36. > :26:39.from the drug trade have funded terrorism, as recognised by the

:26:40. > :26:43.United Nations Security Council, and thousands of our fellow citizens

:26:44. > :26:50.every year -- like Mexico and Colombia. There is an urgent and

:26:51. > :26:56.compelling case for a more rational approach. Thankfully, around the

:26:57. > :26:59.world fence is breaking out. In the United States Colorado, Alaska,

:27:00. > :27:03.Oregon, Washington and the District of Columbia have all the lies

:27:04. > :27:07.cannabis, introducing a regular tree market. They have done the same

:27:08. > :27:11.thing in Uruguay. In Portugal, they have decriminalised drug use, and

:27:12. > :27:17.move which now has cross-party support from right to left. Instead,

:27:18. > :27:22.they take a health -based approach. Drug related deaths and sexually

:27:23. > :27:26.transmitted diseases due to drug use have dramatically decreased as a

:27:27. > :27:31.result of that change. And now in Canada the new liberal government

:27:32. > :27:37.there has been elected on a manifesto which commits them to

:27:38. > :27:42.legislative or the legalisation of cannabis. My plea is that in this

:27:43. > :27:48.country we should base our approach on evidence and on reducing harms

:27:49. > :27:53.rather than on fear and anxiety about public reaction. My sense is

:27:54. > :27:58.that the public are in many respects are way ahead of the politicians on

:27:59. > :28:03.this subject. My starting point, Madame Deputy Speaker, is that I am

:28:04. > :28:07.instinctively hostile to drugs, legally and illegal. Tobacco kills

:28:08. > :28:13.about 100,000 people in our country every year. Alcohol causes untold

:28:14. > :28:16.damage to so many families, including its association with

:28:17. > :28:20.domestic violence, and it leads to violence on our streets. The most

:28:21. > :28:26.potent strains of cannabis also carry health risks, including

:28:27. > :28:30.psychosis and memory loss. But do we really think that we best protect

:28:31. > :28:36.people by leaving the supply of cannabis in the hands of organised

:28:37. > :28:40.crime? No criminal is interested in your welfare. They have no idea what

:28:41. > :28:45.they are buying when people choose to buy cannabis. They have no idea

:28:46. > :28:50.how potent the product is they are buying. So-called skunk is widely

:28:51. > :28:55.available on the criminal market in every town and city across our

:28:56. > :28:59.country. Any idea we can protect people by keeping it illegal is

:29:00. > :29:08.fanciful. No one now believes we can actually win the war on drugs. So

:29:09. > :29:11.public policy, intended to protect people from harm, actually achieves

:29:12. > :29:16.precisely the opposite. And we put billions of pounds every year into

:29:17. > :29:22.the pockets of organised crime. What a spectacularly stupid

:29:23. > :29:27.self-defeating policy. Now, some people raise the legitimate anxiety

:29:28. > :29:31.about people moving from cannabis to harder, more dangerous drugs. But

:29:32. > :29:35.that risk is self evidently far higher when you are buying from a

:29:36. > :29:41.criminal, who has no interest or who has a direct interest in persuading

:29:42. > :29:45.you to do just that. On top of that, we criminalise tens of thousands of

:29:46. > :29:50.people every year for the use of cannabis, blighting their careers,

:29:51. > :29:55.damaging their life chances and restricting their ability to travel.

:29:56. > :30:01.Cannabis would be sold... I apologise. We know that many people

:30:02. > :30:05.with mental ill health resort to cannabis as a relief from the pain

:30:06. > :30:13.that they suffer. And then we criminalise them. What a cruel

:30:14. > :30:16.unjust policy. And we criminalise multiple sclerosis sufferers and

:30:17. > :30:22.many others who use cannabis to relieve pain. So I strongly support

:30:23. > :30:28.the End Our Pain campaign. And there is a real hypocrisy here. Whilst all

:30:29. > :30:32.those people are knocked back by criminal conviction, there is

:30:33. > :30:37.usually more privileged go on to build successful careers. How many

:30:38. > :30:42.members of this Government have smoked cannabis, whilst maintaining

:30:43. > :30:45.their support for the conviction of their fellow citizens? The Prime

:30:46. > :30:50.Minister was a reformer. It was also reported he and others were caught

:30:51. > :30:56.smoking cannabis at Eton. He has gone on to do quite well, yet having

:30:57. > :31:02.signed up to a Home Affairs Select Committee report in 2002 Colin for

:31:03. > :31:06.the then Labour Government to initiate a discussion on alternative

:31:07. > :31:14.ways, including the possibility of legalisation and regulation --

:31:15. > :31:19.calling for. He then retreated, once elected Conservative leader, and now

:31:20. > :31:22.seems implacably opposed to reforms. Why has the Prime Minister changed

:31:23. > :31:27.his mind? Why continue to a lower our fellow citizens to be put at

:31:28. > :31:31.risk with the possibility of criminal convictions for doing

:31:32. > :31:36.exactly what he did -- allow I've fellow citizens. My party, the

:31:37. > :31:40.Liberal Democrats, commissioned an expert panel to advise on a more

:31:41. > :31:44.rational approach. The panel was made up of experts and included the

:31:45. > :31:48.retired Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire, Tom Lloyd, and the

:31:49. > :31:52.current serving Chief Constable of Durham, Mike Barton. They know

:31:53. > :32:00.better than anyone the drain on police time in dealing with

:32:01. > :32:03.possession of drug offences. Their advice is rational, wise and valid

:32:04. > :32:07.and points to a very different approach. This Bill seeks to

:32:08. > :32:12.implement their approach. The framework they propose is based on

:32:13. > :32:14.the primary goal of enhancing and protecting public health and

:32:15. > :32:18.community safety with a particular focus on the health and well-being

:32:19. > :32:24.of vulnerable and marginalised groups. It is guided by evidence, it

:32:25. > :32:28.is deliberately cautious and proposes regular reviews. It sets

:32:29. > :32:34.out plans to establish a cannabis regulatory authority, producers and

:32:35. > :32:37.products and sales would be licensed. Cannabis would be sold

:32:38. > :32:42.through licensed outlets. They would be mandatory provision of health

:32:43. > :32:46.advice to consumers at the point of sale. Cannabis would be sold in

:32:47. > :32:50.plain packaging. There would be a minimum age of 18 for purchase and

:32:51. > :32:57.consumption. Critically, there would be controls on potency, there would

:32:58. > :33:01.be a minimum requirement of 4% CBD, which is important in reducing risk

:33:02. > :33:07.of the pendants, psychosis and memory loss. No such safeguards of

:33:08. > :33:10.course are available on the current criminal controlled market. The

:33:11. > :33:17.expectation is that sales could raise up to ?1 billion in tax. That

:33:18. > :33:22.would be... There would also be significant savings of police time

:33:23. > :33:25.so they can focus on serious and violent crime. Limited amounts of

:33:26. > :33:31.home growing for personal use would be per -- permitted with an

:33:32. > :33:35.enforceable limits of plants per household. The scheme would also

:33:36. > :33:39.permit small-scale licensed production for membership -based

:33:40. > :33:43.cannabis clubs, similar to those that have existed for years in

:33:44. > :33:49.Spain. These would have to be operated on a not-for-profit basis

:33:50. > :33:53.and subject to limiting of the size of clubs to less than 100 adult

:33:54. > :33:58.members and limiting per member production and supply. It would also

:33:59. > :34:03.remain a serious criminal offence to drive whilst in period by cannabis.

:34:04. > :34:08.Madame Deputy Speaker, I understand why, for many people, the first

:34:09. > :34:16.instinct might be to be fearful of the consequences of legalising

:34:17. > :34:18.cannabis. Yet thinking through the disastrous consequences of

:34:19. > :34:24.maintaining prohibition of this drug the profiting -- like the profiting

:34:25. > :34:28.of criminals, the health risks because you don't know what you're

:34:29. > :34:33.buying, the Chronicle Isa of so many people, including those with mental

:34:34. > :34:39.ill health and multiple sclerosis -- criminalisation of so many people.

:34:40. > :34:44.It leads to the view that a new and more rational approach is needed.

:34:45. > :34:47.The question is that the right honourable member have to in the

:34:48. > :34:49.Bill. As many as are of the opinion, say 'aye'. To the contrary, 'no'.

:34:50. > :35:02.That ayes have it. Who will repair and bring in the

:35:03. > :35:06.bill? Tim fell, Nick Clegg, Alistair Carmichael, Caroline Lucas, Paul

:35:07. > :35:11.Flynn, Michael fabricant, Crispin Blunt, Peter Lilley and myself.

:35:12. > :35:46.Norman Lamb. Cannabis legalisation and regulation

:35:47. > :35:55.Bill. Friday, 22nd of all a second reading. -- April.

:35:56. > :36:01.The clerk will now proceed to read the orders of the day. High-speed

:36:02. > :36:05.rail, London to West Midlands Bill, as amended in the select committee,

:36:06. > :36:13.not amended in public bill committee, to be considered.

:36:14. > :36:28.We begin with new clause 19 with which it will be convenient to

:36:29. > :36:37.consider new courses 1-4. Mr Robert Goodwill. I beg to move the new

:36:38. > :36:42.clause 19 B read a second time. I must confess I feel a bit of a queue

:36:43. > :36:47.jumper, Ione added my name to this new clause and amendment 15 last

:36:48. > :36:53.night. I will be brief, I know the honourable member opposite will want

:36:54. > :36:57.to expand on these and explain why his case was so compelling and

:36:58. > :37:01.convincing to the government. I think it is another example of how a

:37:02. > :37:06.new railway will be delivered on a cross-party basis and also with

:37:07. > :37:13.support of the great cities of the Midlands and the North. I welcome

:37:14. > :37:15.new clause 19 on vocational qualifications but I believe in the

:37:16. > :37:19.importance of ensuring we utilise the opportunities HS2 will create

:37:20. > :37:25.for skills and jobs. This is while we invested in a national College

:37:26. > :37:30.for high-speed rail. This new clause would bolster the importance of

:37:31. > :37:33.delivering skills as part of the development of HS2 and so the

:37:34. > :37:41.government supports the amendment being part of the bill.

:37:42. > :37:47.It is important that the national construction College are involved in

:37:48. > :37:54.this skills initiative. I look forward to soon be in Doncaster with

:37:55. > :37:59.the opposition Chief Whip to cut the first sod in that. It is important

:38:00. > :38:03.we look at skills across the board. And the hub and spoke arrangement we

:38:04. > :38:08.wish the college to be will allow other qualifications and educational

:38:09. > :38:11.establishments to fully engage. I also welcome amendment 15 from the

:38:12. > :38:15.opposition relating to clause 40 eight. The purpose of that is to

:38:16. > :38:21.ensure the regeneration opportunities resented by HS2 are

:38:22. > :38:25.maximised in a timely way. This is a backstop power and expect local

:38:26. > :38:29.authorities using existing powers will be these opportunities. In the

:38:30. > :38:34.event that there are issues impeding development this para gives the

:38:35. > :38:37.ability to step in and ensure development aggressors. It is

:38:38. > :38:41.clearly important that such development takes into account

:38:42. > :38:45.relevant development plans and the amendment has been tabled by the

:38:46. > :38:51.honourable member for Nottingham South. I urge all members to support

:38:52. > :38:56.this amendment. Turning to other proposed changes, a number of new

:38:57. > :39:09.clauses and amendments have been proposed. Constituents affected by

:39:10. > :39:16.HS2, these amendments have been proposed before. This process has

:39:17. > :39:23.delivered clear benefits to the constituency affected including a

:39:24. > :39:27.2.6, during tunnel extension meaning almost 86% of the route in her

:39:28. > :39:33.constituency is in a tunnel under arrest in cutting. Her consistency

:39:34. > :39:37.also benefited from the removal of an area of sustainable placement and

:39:38. > :39:40.noise barriers. I acknowledge the points made but do not believe these

:39:41. > :39:45.causes should be added to the bill. I would also like to address new

:39:46. > :39:51.clause 20 about nationalisation of rail services. An area of

:39:52. > :39:55.ideological difference between the government and the opposition. And

:39:56. > :39:58.therefore something I am unlikely to limits on and I suspect vice versa.

:39:59. > :40:03.It is clear to the government that the franchise process delivers

:40:04. > :40:07.better services, better value for money and a better railway. Since

:40:08. > :40:10.privatisation the railway industry has been transformed with passenger

:40:11. > :40:16.journeys more than doubling over the past 25 years. We believe this is

:40:17. > :40:21.the right approach overall for UK railways. In any case the amendment

:40:22. > :40:25.is unnecessary as under existing legislative and work as possible for

:40:26. > :40:28.the state to operate rail services as happened temporarily on the east

:40:29. > :40:33.Coast mainline. It is possible and indeed quite likely in my view that

:40:34. > :40:36.the state could run HS2 initially to prove certainty of operation and

:40:37. > :40:41.passenger numbers. The long-term successful future of HS2 is a

:40:42. > :40:51.privately operated franchise in my view is the best way forward.

:40:52. > :40:59.Given that this amendment is a promise of power, it means it is

:41:00. > :41:06.available going forward. What is the objection to a proposal of this

:41:07. > :41:12.kind? This part is already available and therefore this amendment is

:41:13. > :41:15.superfluous. I very much doubt the members on the opposition benches

:41:16. > :41:22.will agree that nationalisation of railways is not the way forward.

:41:23. > :41:26.They seem to be stuck in the 1970s. But I hope my explanation may have

:41:27. > :41:29.provided sufficient explanation as to why this power is not required.

:41:30. > :41:35.We have given consideration to the other opposed amendments tabled in

:41:36. > :41:39.this grouping. I do not believe they belong on the face of the bill as

:41:40. > :41:45.they have already been considered in the select committee process. So to

:41:46. > :41:51.conclude I hope the members will support the inclusion of new clause

:41:52. > :41:57.19 and amendment 15 to clause 40 eight. I urge the withdrawal of

:41:58. > :42:04.others that I do not believe are required. The question is the

:42:05. > :42:11.government new clause 19 B read a second time. Andy McDonald. I'm

:42:12. > :42:13.delighted to be able to contribute to this important debate and play a

:42:14. > :42:18.part in the progress of this bill. We fully appreciate the importance

:42:19. > :42:21.of this vital piece of infrastructure and the benefits it

:42:22. > :42:26.will bring to the country for generations to come. It is not

:42:27. > :42:29.common to find such consensus in the House but I'm pleased that the

:42:30. > :42:33.government and the opposition understand the need for this

:42:34. > :42:38.high-speed railway. HS2 was of course the brainchild of the

:42:39. > :42:40.previous Labour government but I readily acknowledge the work the

:42:41. > :42:44.current government has done in the project. It is to be very much

:42:45. > :42:47.welcomed by the country that we have such consensus across the House on

:42:48. > :43:01.such important national infrastructure projects. In the same

:43:02. > :43:10.vein I turn to new clause 19. It concerns vocational qualifications.

:43:11. > :43:14.In case it might be thought this not still entrenched opposition to these

:43:15. > :43:19.proposals, could I say that speaking not only for myself but for many of

:43:20. > :43:23.my friends, honourable friends and in Staffordshire where we get no

:43:24. > :43:29.benefit from this at all in terms of the damage it is doing to our

:43:30. > :43:35.countryside, I wish to register my opposition to this in its entirety.

:43:36. > :43:42.I'm grateful for the intervention. I think I used the word consensus and

:43:43. > :43:46.not unanimity! I do sincerely thank the Minister, the member for Whitby

:43:47. > :43:51.and Scarborough for his constructive approach to the issue and adding his

:43:52. > :43:54.name to mine by way of support. There is agreement across the House

:43:55. > :44:00.that both jobs and skills are a core part of the case for HS2 and I know

:44:01. > :44:05.the recent report calls for much deeper strategic engagement with

:44:06. > :44:08.trade unions across the railway industry and accordingly I take this

:44:09. > :44:13.opportunity to congratulate the minister and HS2 Ltd for the

:44:14. > :44:16.positive engagement with the TUC in securing an agreement to make sure

:44:17. > :44:21.trade unions, it and their suppliers, work together to maximise

:44:22. > :44:29.HS2's economic and labour market potential.

:44:30. > :44:34.Is he worried about the possible job impact on the existing railway, as

:44:35. > :44:37.most passengers will come from journeys they would otherwise have

:44:38. > :44:41.made on existing trains. Presumably there would be a decline of fairs

:44:42. > :44:47.and revenues and job opportunities on the existing railway.

:44:48. > :44:52.I think he misses the point, this is about impacting positively on

:44:53. > :44:57.capacity issues. That is the singular and most important purpose

:44:58. > :45:04.of this development. With your indulgence, and I just carry on a

:45:05. > :45:07.bit longer. In the words of the magnificent France's O'Grady, it is

:45:08. > :45:13.clear that trade union engagement is vital to ensuring that HS2 is

:45:14. > :45:17.delivered to time and to budget. That is delivered in a manner that

:45:18. > :45:23.reflects the best of socially responsible development. The

:45:24. > :45:26.agreement makes the commitment to pay the voluntary living wage and

:45:27. > :45:29.voluntary London living wage and to offer a minimum number of

:45:30. > :45:33.apprenticeships and workforce skills development amongst other things.

:45:34. > :45:37.The agreement is a great example of how industrial relations should be

:45:38. > :45:41.approached from the outset in project of this magnitude and indeed

:45:42. > :45:43.throughout the construction industry I hope this can be the template for

:45:44. > :45:49.good practice throughout the industry. The construction of such

:45:50. > :45:53.infrastructure projects faces demands on the nation to provide the

:45:54. > :45:58.skilled workforce necessary for construction, creating opportunities

:45:59. > :46:02.for people and younger people in particular, to equip themselves with

:46:03. > :46:04.not just the vocational qualifications to assist in the

:46:05. > :46:09.construction of this railway but the tools necessary to forge careers

:46:10. > :46:14.which will be of benefit to both themselves and the nation long after

:46:15. > :46:20.the completion of HS2. On the side of the House we welcome the fact

:46:21. > :46:23.that following on from the success of the King's Cross construction

:46:24. > :46:28.skills centre, a national college for high-speed rail will be located

:46:29. > :46:32.in Birmingham and Doncaster, which will provide specialist vocational

:46:33. > :46:39.training to the next generation of engineers, working on HS2 and

:46:40. > :46:49.beyond. And we also welcome HS2 Ltd, providing ?4.1 million towards a

:46:50. > :46:53.Houston construction skills centre. I'm sorry to break the cosy

:46:54. > :46:58.consensus of the frontbenchers who seem to be conspiring to spend

:46:59. > :47:02.possibly 100 billion of taxpayers money on what I believe is a white

:47:03. > :47:05.elephant. Does the Shannon then is to have no concern about supporting

:47:06. > :47:08.the government in a major infrastructure projects with the

:47:09. > :47:18.cost benefit ratio as low as ?1 40 for every pound spent. I would just

:47:19. > :47:23.clarify this is not a matter of consensus but about rigorous

:47:24. > :47:25.examination and has been frantic examination of this matter to a

:47:26. > :47:32.lengthy select committee and Bill committee. He is wrong about the

:47:33. > :47:38.cost- benefit ratio. That is 2.3. I must make some progress. The

:47:39. > :47:41.government estimates as many as 2000 apprenticeships opportunities were

:47:42. > :47:46.created by HS2 and around 25,000 people employed during construction.

:47:47. > :47:52.This is something that has welcomed on all sides of the House. Because

:47:53. > :47:56.of the importance of the creation of vocational qualifications in

:47:57. > :47:58.connection with HS2 construction, we feel it is appropriate that

:47:59. > :48:02.Parliament is given proper oversight on progress in this regard. That is

:48:03. > :48:08.why we tabled new clause 19 which would impose a duty on the Secretary

:48:09. > :48:11.of State to prepare an annual report on vocational qualifications

:48:12. > :48:18.obtained in each financial year in connection with HS2 construction. It

:48:19. > :48:22.seems to us to be sensible for the secretary of state to report

:48:23. > :48:23.annually on the progress of the creation of vocational

:48:24. > :48:29.qualifications and I'm grateful that the government accepts new clause 19

:48:30. > :48:34.as part of the bill. I'm grateful to him for giving way

:48:35. > :48:41.and I support this new clause. I could just ask, will the annual

:48:42. > :48:44.report capture not just people gaining qualifications through HS2

:48:45. > :48:51.Ltd and the key construction companies, but further up the supply

:48:52. > :48:56.chain as well? The cause is focus principally on HS2 but he makes a

:48:57. > :49:00.very important point. I think, I'm sure the Minister and Secretary of

:49:01. > :49:03.State are listening to that and the intention must be to embrace all

:49:04. > :49:12.those within the supply chain. I will move on. I have tabled an

:49:13. > :49:16.amendment, it is an amendment that simply seeks to insert a requirement

:49:17. > :49:19.that as and when the secretary of state considers there is an

:49:20. > :49:22.opportunity for regeneration development, and land is be acquired

:49:23. > :49:28.for that purpose, that regard be had to the relevant development plans

:49:29. > :49:31.obtained in respect of that particular location. I'm grateful

:49:32. > :49:36.that such a modest and reasonable amendment finds favour with the

:49:37. > :49:42.government. I will turn my attention to new clause 21. Dealing with

:49:43. > :49:48.financial reports. The new clause would impose a duty on the Secretary

:49:49. > :49:52.of State to prepare an annual report on expenditure under this act. In

:49:53. > :49:59.relation to each financial year. Each report would contain details of

:50:00. > :50:02.any overspend or underspend against the budget for such expenditure for

:50:03. > :50:08.the year. As well as the likely effect on the total budget. Labour

:50:09. > :50:11.have been consistent in seeking to hold the government to account over

:50:12. > :50:15.the cost of HS2 and this new clause would put greater transparency into

:50:16. > :50:21.the process and ensure Parliament has proper oversight of expenditure.

:50:22. > :50:26.Of course I'm aware that expenditure under the bill would also be

:50:27. > :50:30.reported as part of the annual report of accounts by the

:50:31. > :50:35.Department. We believe that a project of the cost and scale of HS2

:50:36. > :50:38.once proper and more detailed oversight of expenditure from

:50:39. > :50:43.Parliament. Considering that much of the opposition to HS2 has been owing

:50:44. > :50:48.to the cost of the project, and concerns about ballooning prices, it

:50:49. > :50:52.would be prudent of the government to allay some of these concerns by

:50:53. > :50:57.ensuring parliamentarians and public can keep a keen eye on the cost of

:50:58. > :51:02.high-speed two. The Prime Ministers previously stated that sunshine is

:51:03. > :51:06.the best disinfectant. And if the government likes such sentiments to

:51:07. > :51:10.be accepted as more than empty sloganeering and hopefully they will

:51:11. > :51:13.support this new clause which introduces a greater degree of

:51:14. > :51:23.transparency over expenditure into this process. I will move on to

:51:24. > :51:32.remarks about new clause 20. I can only hope our new clause about

:51:33. > :51:38.public sector operators, allowing but not requiring four HS2 passenger

:51:39. > :51:46.services to be run in the public sector. I hope the spirit of

:51:47. > :51:48.consensus continues. I'm delighted Labour is committed to public

:51:49. > :51:52.ownership of the railways. Public opinion on the issue is clear.

:51:53. > :51:58.Around two thirds of the public support the nation railways and one

:51:59. > :52:05.in the public sector with fewer than one in five opposing the policy.

:52:06. > :52:11.This is back across the political spectrum by Labour, Tory, Lib Dem

:52:12. > :52:14.and Ukip voters, although unfortunately not by the latter

:52:15. > :52:18.three parties in this place. When one looks back at the history of

:52:19. > :52:22.real privatisation and its impact on the community and the public it is

:52:23. > :52:24.not difficult to understand why there is an overwhelming public

:52:25. > :52:28.support to bringing railway services back into public ownership. Quite

:52:29. > :52:32.simply the Tory privatisation of British rail was a rushed, botched

:52:33. > :52:37.job that had more to do with ideology than any clear plan for the

:52:38. > :52:43.railways -- British Rail. The legacy we are left with is a fragmented and

:52:44. > :52:52.expensive network... I will make some progress, if I may. I will

:52:53. > :52:55.crack on. In a moment... According to the McNulty Report, the

:52:56. > :53:03.fragmentation of our rail network has left us with an efficiency gap

:53:04. > :53:07.that between 30 and 40% compared to other European networks which means

:53:08. > :53:10.that that money which should be used for the cost of travel and to fund

:53:11. > :53:16.much-needed investment is wasted. I will give way. I thank the

:53:17. > :53:19.honourable gentleman for giving way, because of course we have this

:53:20. > :53:22.litany from him just as eloquently upstairs in the committee, but I

:53:23. > :53:29.will ask this point. If the privatisation of the railways was

:53:30. > :53:35.such a disaster and their service to the travelling public, can I ask him

:53:36. > :53:41.to mac questions? One, why do we now have record levels of people using

:53:42. > :53:46.the railways -- two questions. And, secondly, during 13 years wide of

:53:47. > :53:52.the last Labour Government not renationalise it? The last Labour

:53:53. > :53:58.Government put record investment into the railways and made it the

:53:59. > :54:04.safest railway in Europe, and we are clearing up the mess of that botched

:54:05. > :54:09.privatisation which cost people's lives. We made the network safe, so

:54:10. > :54:13.we have been left with a ticketing system which is the most expensive

:54:14. > :54:20.and confusing picketing structure in Europe. Indeed, computers' fares are

:54:21. > :54:24.up by a quarter since 2010, having risen three times faster than wage

:54:25. > :54:30.growth -- commuters'. What the public clearly do not accept is that

:54:31. > :54:33.private and many foreign state owned companies receive subsidies from the

:54:34. > :54:36.UK taxpayer and make significant profits at the expense of rail

:54:37. > :54:42.passengers. I will carry on, if I may, because I know people want to

:54:43. > :54:46.contribute. In illustrating the benefits of publicly owned

:54:47. > :54:51.operators, one could hardly ask for a better example than the recent

:54:52. > :54:56.East Coast. The last Labour Government took the important step

:54:57. > :55:00.of bringing East Coast back into public operation, after the private

:55:01. > :55:08.operator reneged on its obligations in 2009. East Coast proved itself to

:55:09. > :55:12.be one of the most efficient operators, returning over ?1 billion

:55:13. > :55:16.to the taxpayer in premium payments as well as investing every penny of

:55:17. > :55:23.profit back into the service. In addition, fares were kept down in

:55:24. > :55:28.real terms. In 2014, when no privately run franchise took the

:55:29. > :55:33.same step. East Coast had record passenger satisfaction and engaging

:55:34. > :55:37.with the workforce was an unparalleled success. I will give

:55:38. > :55:42.way. I'm grateful to the honourable member. I am the Shadow Ministry of

:55:43. > :55:46.the interior welcomes the new service that will start from

:55:47. > :55:49.Middlesbrough as a result of the verge in franchise which will serve

:55:50. > :55:55.his constituency directly our new trains. Of course I will welcome it,

:55:56. > :55:59.it would be churlish not to! Why would I not welcome that? It does

:56:00. > :56:06.not mean the system is right, that the trains are getting to the right

:56:07. > :56:09.places! Goodness. It is difficult to see how East Coast delivering so

:56:10. > :56:14.brilliantly for the taxpayer and commuter can be seen as a failure,

:56:15. > :56:20.in any way, or undesirable. It simply does not make any sense for

:56:21. > :56:24.the UK taxpayer to subsidise foreign state owned companies saw the

:56:25. > :56:28.citizens of Germany, Holland, France and elsewhere can enjoy cheaper and

:56:29. > :56:32.superior services -- so that the citizens. Quite simply the rejection

:56:33. > :56:37.of even the possibility of public ownership is driven by an outdated

:56:38. > :56:40.ideology and is totally out of kilter with the views of a large

:56:41. > :56:44.majority of the public, including many conservative voters which is

:56:45. > :56:47.why I am so pleased Labour is committed to publicly owned railway

:56:48. > :56:56.services which put the passenger rather than the profits of private

:56:57. > :56:59.and foreign state owned companies first, as is the case. I will move

:57:00. > :57:00.on. We have heard the Prime Minister, the Chancellor, the

:57:01. > :57:04.Secretary of State for Transport, all speaking in glowing terms about

:57:05. > :57:08.HS2, that when completed it will be a proud national achievement, and I

:57:09. > :57:12.completely agree. The scale of the project, the amount of talent used

:57:13. > :57:16.in its design and construction, and the dedication over the years ahead

:57:17. > :57:19.will be a mark of pride and represent a proud feat of British

:57:20. > :57:25.engineering and ingenuity. Madame Deputy Speaker, it is my contention

:57:26. > :57:28.that if we, as a nation, are good enough to build a world-class

:57:29. > :57:33.high-speed railway then we are good enough to run it as well. From the

:57:34. > :57:37.initial privatisation to the Government's re-franchising of the

:57:38. > :57:42.East Coast mainline, Tory policy has also been for too focused on its

:57:43. > :57:47.private good, public bad ideology, but the new clause 20 would not

:57:48. > :57:52.require the sort of damaging conversion we witnessed from the

:57:53. > :57:56.Right Honourable member earlier this week. It would only ask the

:57:57. > :58:02.Government keep an open mind. New clause 20 would allow, but not

:58:03. > :58:06.require, HS2 passenger services to be run in the public sector. A

:58:07. > :58:11.similar clause, Madame Deputy Speaker, was part of the Crossrail

:58:12. > :58:17.Act 2008, leaving open the option to run passenger services in the public

:58:18. > :58:23.sector. Indeed, we worded this new clause so it was similar to section

:58:24. > :58:29.26 of the Crossrail Act 2008, as similar as possible. I will remind

:58:30. > :58:34.the House the Conservative Party did not keep the idea of an open mind on

:58:35. > :58:38.who make run Crossrail or even the Elizabeth Lane in future years. It

:58:39. > :58:42.would be disappointing to see the party opposite move from a position

:58:43. > :58:47.of pragmatism to one of sheer ideology. It would be talking

:58:48. > :58:51.Britain down to suggest private companies and the state owned rail

:58:52. > :58:57.companies of the Netherlands, France and Germany are able to successfully

:58:58. > :59:02.run our passenger services and we are self doing ourselves are not. I

:59:03. > :59:05.hope the party opposite do not have such a pessimistic view of our

:59:06. > :59:15.capabilities as a nation and will vote in favour of new clause 20.

:59:16. > :59:19.Madame Deputy Speaker, can I just say it was very disheartening to

:59:20. > :59:24.hear the Minister business the amendments I have down on the order

:59:25. > :59:27.paper and that I rise to move this afternoon, before he had even heard

:59:28. > :59:31.what I have to say, although I will say to him I am grateful for him and

:59:32. > :59:35.bulging that over the past six years that I have tried to fight for my

:59:36. > :59:42.constituent of them and they and interests in the face of opposition

:59:43. > :59:46.# Grateful for him at acknowledging that over the past six years. The

:59:47. > :59:50.causes I moved to the practical and sensible and I think will assist my

:59:51. > :59:54.constituents, and others up and down the line. The first is new clause

:59:55. > :00:01.one, which is about local authority finance. Local authorities, up and

:00:02. > :00:05.down the length of HS2, have received no extra help to support

:00:06. > :00:10.their work on this major infrastructure project, and the

:00:11. > :00:15.burden on my two local councils, particularly Buckinghamshire County

:00:16. > :00:20.Council and children sure, has been enormous and this will also apply to

:00:21. > :00:22.other councils. Buckinghamshire County Council is naturally

:00:23. > :00:26.concerned their costs will only keep escalating without central

:00:27. > :00:29.government intervention and helped and if the last six years are

:00:30. > :00:34.anything to go by, this will certainly be the case. The county

:00:35. > :00:41.council's outturn figure for 2015 and 16 is currently nearly ?520,000.

:00:42. > :00:45.With these costs relating to the legal petitioning process,

:00:46. > :00:48.engagement with HS2 Limited, and getting the best deal from

:00:49. > :00:53.Buckinghamshire residents. The council has just admitted the

:00:54. > :00:55.recharge the company mac Limited on the current memorandum of

:00:56. > :01:02.understanding and can only recoup their early ?2000 for the last --

:01:03. > :01:05.the HS2 Limited. Why should these constituents not only pay for the

:01:06. > :01:10.railway to be built but also have to pay again through their council tax

:01:11. > :01:12.and a local authorities to carry out inescapable pre-and

:01:13. > :01:18.post-construction work for which they get very little help or no help

:01:19. > :01:22.whatsoever? Over the past six years, the District Council has spent

:01:23. > :01:28.nearly ?1.18 million on complying with company mac requirements, a

:01:29. > :01:32.huge requirement for a district authority. Over the past six years

:01:33. > :01:37.councils across have literally paid billions on this will only grow

:01:38. > :01:43.during the construction phase -- HS2 requirements. These authorities will

:01:44. > :01:46.appreciate a queer legally enforceable commitment from the

:01:47. > :01:56.Government that this extra burden would be recognised -- clear legally

:01:57. > :02:00.enforceable. My own constituency was heavily affected and it was only

:02:01. > :02:03.through the help of myself and other Buckinghamshire MPs who made very

:02:04. > :02:09.strong representations that we had some increased money for this local

:02:10. > :02:12.-- these local authorities. I've think this would ensure that for

:02:13. > :02:15.authorities along the whole route were service agreement is do not

:02:16. > :02:22.provide additional funding received by the end of the year. I also think

:02:23. > :02:26.the Minister should appreciate that I am asking for statutory and

:02:27. > :02:31.legally enforceable requirements because there is great distrust of

:02:32. > :02:34.this process so far, and I think it is essential to enshrine it in

:02:35. > :02:43.statute so that it is legally enforceable. New clause to is again

:02:44. > :02:48.to give statutory Rizwan to the -- two. To the invention to read the

:02:49. > :02:58.link reimburse authorities for highway repair I thank the

:02:59. > :03:08.honourable lady for giving way on clause to. We did push HS2 very hard

:03:09. > :03:15.on this point about reimbursement of highway authorities on the whole

:03:16. > :03:20.issue of damage, damage to drain expections etc and they did get a

:03:21. > :03:25.very positive response -- inspections. Would she agree that

:03:26. > :03:29.this is sort of belt and braces, this new clause. Would she agree

:03:30. > :03:32.they have already given quite firm commitments? I appreciate my

:03:33. > :03:37.honourable friend and the work you did on the committee. He is correct.

:03:38. > :03:41.There are undertakings, but they are not enforceable. I am afraid HS2

:03:42. > :03:44.does not have a very good track record for either keeping good

:03:45. > :03:47.records, being accurate with information, or following through on

:03:48. > :03:52.their promises, hence these clauses put down today. If they are in good

:03:53. > :03:56.faith going to keep those undertakings, then they would have

:03:57. > :03:59.no fear of putting them on the face of the Bill and that is why I do not

:04:00. > :04:05.think it is unreasonable to exciting to be on the face of the Bill today.

:04:06. > :04:10.I will give way. My honourable friend might write the bright out

:04:11. > :04:15.there are 65 pages of fraud and footpath closures scheduled in the

:04:16. > :04:22.Bill -- my right honourable friend might point out. This is absolutely

:04:23. > :04:23.massive in skill and office live all those involved will need

:04:24. > :04:29.competition. # In scale. He is correct in this

:04:30. > :04:34.and perhaps this gives the scale of the battle going forward. Over six

:04:35. > :04:38.years, where local people are trying to defend their environment and

:04:39. > :04:42.their locality, or if they cannot defend it and have the whole project

:04:43. > :04:46.cancelled, they can at least get the best possible deal for their

:04:47. > :04:50.locality. I will give way. I thank the honourable lady for giving way.

:04:51. > :04:53.In my constituency we have had significant problems engaging with

:04:54. > :04:56.HS2, not just me as a Member of Parliament but also the county

:04:57. > :04:59.council and the District Council, they have simply not had their

:05:00. > :05:03.letters answered, and this gives us absolutely no insurance they will

:05:04. > :05:09.engage with those who have to use those roads on a daily basis and in

:05:10. > :05:12.a timely fashion. My honourable friend makes a point which is

:05:13. > :05:15.entirely familiar to me and many other people along the line of the

:05:16. > :05:20.writ, and that is why I am seeking these assurances which are not

:05:21. > :05:26.unreasonable, I think, to be placed on the face of the build -- route.

:05:27. > :05:31.It seems strange the government will not accept these amendments. The

:05:32. > :05:36.history of statutory undertakers doing work to highways shows without

:05:37. > :05:40.any difficulty the shoddy restoration which takes place

:05:41. > :05:46.afterwards. In this case were talking of a project involving many

:05:47. > :05:50.miles of roads which are going to require repair but she may agree

:05:51. > :05:56.with me that the assurances which are being given or to be reinforced

:05:57. > :06:09.by statutory powers. The thing to add anything to that point with the

:06:10. > :06:15.superfluous. He's correct. Issue where of the damning on the batsmen

:06:16. > :06:19.'s report which came out last night with regard to the attitude of HS2,

:06:20. > :06:24.-- issue aware of the damning ombudsman report which came out last

:06:25. > :06:29.night. It was merely a box ticking exercise. I drew the attention of

:06:30. > :06:34.the House to that report earlier on, it is appended to the debate today

:06:35. > :06:37.but of course there was no opportunity of placing any

:06:38. > :06:41.amendments with any reference to that report, trying to get an

:06:42. > :06:48.alteration in behaviour from HS2. The new clause is designed to ensure

:06:49. > :06:52.that all local authorities are properly compensated for any damage

:06:53. > :06:57.to roads as result of HS2 construction. As I think other

:06:58. > :07:01.members have confirmed, I think this is a vital safeguard that should be

:07:02. > :07:07.added to the bill. The Secretary of State who is now on his face in the

:07:08. > :07:11.front bench visited my constituency this month saw first hand some of

:07:12. > :07:14.the problems faced my constituents. I'm grateful for that visit. He also

:07:15. > :07:24.saw the problems we had with potholes in Bucks. I'm concerned for

:07:25. > :07:26.the roads in and around great Whittington, and they had

:07:27. > :07:32.maintenance actually during his visit. Bucks county council highways

:07:33. > :07:36.authority estimate they will spend roughly ?7.5 million on pothole

:07:37. > :07:42.maintenance over the next five years which takes no account of patching,

:07:43. > :07:46.resurfacing, drainage, road sweeping and other related costs. I believe

:07:47. > :07:50.there will be considerable additional costs when you look at

:07:51. > :07:55.the large numbers of heavy goods vehicles that are going to be

:07:56. > :08:02.pounding the way up and down some of the fragile birds in Bucks. They may

:08:03. > :08:07.well be reimbursed for these costs but what a reasonable costs, I want

:08:08. > :08:11.to make sure that they reimbursed fully. And I would like to see this

:08:12. > :08:18.enshrined in statute. I want to make sure that it is both sufficient and

:08:19. > :08:24.so that is the reason for the one thing that clause in the bill. New

:08:25. > :08:28.clause three is intended to increase the amount allocated by the

:08:29. > :08:32.Department of Transport to the business and local economy fund and

:08:33. > :08:38.community environment fund and to raise it from 30 million to 150

:08:39. > :08:43.million. The announcement of the original 30 million for business and

:08:44. > :08:47.local economy fans and environmental funds to assist those affected by

:08:48. > :08:50.HS2 has been felt across the board to be meagre and insufficient

:08:51. > :08:56.especially as it is intended to cover the entire route of phase one

:08:57. > :08:59.of HS2. The select committee in work recognised the significant shortfall

:09:00. > :09:03.of this sum and the government response to their final report

:09:04. > :09:07.stated that this would increase to 40 million. I contend that this is

:09:08. > :09:11.not enough. The impact of this project will be long-standing and

:09:12. > :09:17.severe for the environment, local authorities and communities and I'm

:09:18. > :09:21.proposing through this new clause that these funds are increased to

:09:22. > :09:24.?150 million to give those affected the compensation they deserve and

:09:25. > :09:31.make sure that adverse effects are minimised.

:09:32. > :09:38.I just draw attention because both of us have signed new clause 33 on

:09:39. > :09:43.the question of compensation by reference to property. I want to get

:09:44. > :09:49.that on the record. I do not want to have to take up time in the House. I

:09:50. > :09:56.know she agrees with me on this and it is on the record. I'm grateful to

:09:57. > :10:02.the honourable gentleman and grateful for the support I have

:10:03. > :10:06.received from colleagues. Can I just say, currently there is no

:10:07. > :10:09.information on how the funds would be divided, which areas would be

:10:10. > :10:13.prioritised or how the money will be spent. And no clarification whether

:10:14. > :10:17.for example a fund that has been allocated will include the money

:10:18. > :10:23.they have for example already been allocated to the Thames Valley.

:10:24. > :10:26.There's also been a suggestion that this money will be delivered locally

:10:27. > :10:31.through local enterprise partnerships. But I think that would

:10:32. > :10:38.be most unsuitable, in Bucks for example we have overlapping areas. I

:10:39. > :10:43.think the money should be kept separate. And I think it should be

:10:44. > :10:49.given to local groups. So they can decide how best to distribute the

:10:50. > :10:52.funds. So I urge the Minister to increase these funds and provide

:10:53. > :10:58.further details on how they will be administered. The last new clause I

:10:59. > :11:07.move in this group is new clause four. That is about compensation. I

:11:08. > :11:11.think I can honestly say all the MPs who have constituencies along the

:11:12. > :11:14.route will know that compensation issues have caused great worry and

:11:15. > :11:21.stress to our constituents. And many of the recommendations of the HS2

:11:22. > :11:24.group built select committee, whilst welcome, are yet to translate into

:11:25. > :11:30.changes to the schemes. To quote from the select committee report in

:11:31. > :11:35.February 2016, the government has said it would work to implement a

:11:36. > :11:38.revised process for the valuation of properties for need to sell that

:11:39. > :11:42.will allow more local value is to be used. This report previously

:11:43. > :11:48.promised for autumn last year, we're still waiting. The Department of

:11:49. > :11:52.Transport response to the select committee report is silent on the

:11:53. > :11:55.valuation point and although response was promised before third

:11:56. > :12:01.reading, when I last looked I had yet received this. Of course if I'm

:12:02. > :12:07.wrong, because HS2 tend to sell about the documents on the same day

:12:08. > :12:14.as debates or just-in-time, I think that is poor practice. But this poor

:12:15. > :12:17.practice is affecting people's lives because in implementing a fair

:12:18. > :12:24.valuation process for the property owners receiving an acceptably low

:12:25. > :12:29.offers from HS2, I believe it is of paramount importance. I have a large

:12:30. > :12:32.number of constituents negotiating with HS2 for months now to get a

:12:33. > :12:36.fair price for their property and I know from colleagues it is a similar

:12:37. > :12:40.story up and down the road. I have been appalled at the treatment of

:12:41. > :12:44.individuals who had to employ expensive lawyers to even get timely

:12:45. > :12:49.and rational answers from those employed by HS2 or HS2 themselves.

:12:50. > :12:53.My colleagues and I have raised these points for years and yet there

:12:54. > :13:00.continues to be a litany of errors from HS2. They have been internal

:13:01. > :13:05.e-mails that are rude and disrespectful about constituents,

:13:06. > :13:15.and the public administration report referred to published earlier today

:13:16. > :13:23.which frowned on the report accusing a two been of maladministration, --

:13:24. > :13:26.accusing HS2 I believe that has characterised the HS2 has dealt with

:13:27. > :13:34.people who have lost their houses and businesses and their land.

:13:35. > :13:38.One of my concerns, my most real concern about going forward without

:13:39. > :13:43.the select committee, who have been of enormous help to those of us who

:13:44. > :13:47.have constituents affected, if there is no one to help of mediate with

:13:48. > :13:52.HS2 Ltd and to encourage them to respond in a timely fashion. There

:13:53. > :14:01.is no transparency about the way they do business. The honourable

:14:02. > :14:08.gentleman who speaks for the opposition at the dispatch box today

:14:09. > :14:12.said that transparency was going to be the watchword for HS2. I'm afraid

:14:13. > :14:16.that I agree with my honourable friend that transparency has not

:14:17. > :14:20.been a watchword for HS2, right from the beginning when the major project

:14:21. > :14:24.authorities reports were withheld from this House and deep from the

:14:25. > :14:28.select committee who have considered the bill. I think it has been the

:14:29. > :14:33.reverse of transparency and that is what is so distressing about this

:14:34. > :14:39.project, it probably handle so much better and I feel it has led many

:14:40. > :14:46.people down. -- it could have been handled. The amendment is designed

:14:47. > :14:52.to ensure that valuers with local knowledge are included on HS2 and

:14:53. > :14:57.all compensation applications are responded to in a timely fashion. I

:14:58. > :15:03.started by saying I was disappointed that the Minister dismissed my

:15:04. > :15:08.amendments before even hearing what I had to say today so I'm not

:15:09. > :15:11.expecting any positive response. But hey have always learned to walk in

:15:12. > :15:16.hope even on the impossible project of HS2. And I invite the Minister to

:15:17. > :15:20.accept my amendments today and add them to the face of the bill.

:15:21. > :15:24.Thereby showing he has the respect that I believe this House should

:15:25. > :15:35.have for the people whose lives are affected so drastically by HS2.

:15:36. > :15:46.High Speed Two is extremely important and necessary to expand

:15:47. > :15:51.capacity on an ever increasing in popularity railway. But I think

:15:52. > :15:53.where communities are adversely affected they should be treated

:15:54. > :15:59.properly and they should be adequate compensation. What ultimately that

:16:00. > :16:04.is is a matter for judgment and some of the amendments put forward today

:16:05. > :16:10.address that. It is also important that the potential for jobs and

:16:11. > :16:16.economic development created by the building of HS2 are maximised and

:16:17. > :16:19.indeed this was one of the key points the transport select

:16:20. > :16:28.committee emphasised when we first looked at HS2 back in 2011. Indeed

:16:29. > :16:33.be put this forward in a report since then. Back in 2011 point

:16:34. > :16:39.considered in new clause 19 was emphasised when we supported HS2.

:16:40. > :16:43.But said it was important that the job opportunities would be

:16:44. > :16:49.maximised, whether jobs in construction of the high-speed

:16:50. > :16:53.network or jobs opened up potentially by economic development

:16:54. > :17:01.in the areas in which HS2 would pass through. And in the beyond that. So

:17:02. > :17:10.I mixed -- extremely pleased to see this new clause. This is all about

:17:11. > :17:13.putting the focus on jobs. I'm grateful to the honourable lady

:17:14. > :17:19.for giving way. But she agree with me that a possible opportunity for

:17:20. > :17:24.jobs might read a link between Euston and St Pancras because my

:17:25. > :17:28.constituents thought they would be able to get on the train in

:17:29. > :17:31.Birmingham and end up in Paris but instead they have to cross London

:17:32. > :17:41.with all the heavy bags. And possibly a link between Curzon

:17:42. > :17:48.Street and new Street. I think the honourable member makes some

:17:49. > :17:53.important points. We certainly are worthy of consideration. Indeed I

:17:54. > :17:59.believe the decision that is likely to be taken later this evening will

:18:00. > :18:05.be the beginning of a very important HS2 network which may well expand

:18:06. > :18:09.after more people see the benefits of having the network. If I can

:18:10. > :18:15.return specifically to new clause 19, that clause talks about the need

:18:16. > :18:20.to look at qualifications which are achieved by people who are being

:18:21. > :18:26.trained and indeed are working in construction of HS2 of the I agree

:18:27. > :18:31.with that. But I would like that to be extended and for there to be a

:18:32. > :18:33.specific look at the perversity of qualifications and employment

:18:34. > :18:42.opportunities that can be offered in the construction. -- diversity. And

:18:43. > :18:50.look at attracting a diverse range of people who can benefit. I hope

:18:51. > :18:54.that that can be extended tonight in the wake in which that is carried

:18:55. > :19:01.out. I'm pleased to see plans for a college at Birmingham and Doncaster

:19:02. > :19:05.and I hope those plans can extend the top I think it is implicit with

:19:06. > :19:11.some of the amendments here that economic development in the areas

:19:12. > :19:18.and regions in which HS2 passes is indeed maximised working with local

:19:19. > :19:21.enterprise partnerships, local authorities and businesses. It

:19:22. > :19:26.should only be, not only stations that benefit at the regions around

:19:27. > :19:33.it. That is important. I would also like to support the proposals to

:19:34. > :19:45.monitor expenditure for HS2. I think it is important and indeed must keep

:19:46. > :19:50.within budget. It is a lot of money over 20 years but I would like to

:19:51. > :19:55.make a comment to people who I think have become unduly focused on what

:19:56. > :20:00.is currently seen as the benefit - cost ratio. There is specific ways

:20:01. > :20:06.in which that is worked out. And looking at the network overall,

:20:07. > :20:12.looking at wider economic benefits, that ratio is likely to expand to at

:20:13. > :20:19.least 2.3. That is cultivated in quite way.

:20:20. > :20:25.Under the current regulations, that benefit can only be calculated for

:20:26. > :20:30.67 years. An assumption is made that the number of passengers on the line

:20:31. > :20:37.will increase by 2.2%, and then stopped at 2036 - a most unlikely

:20:38. > :20:40.scenario. I think it is very likely that that benefit cost ratio will be

:20:41. > :20:44.increased and we will need some vision of what is needed for the

:20:45. > :20:51.future - more capacity on a very popular and important railway, an

:20:52. > :20:55.essential part of public transport, affect on jobs and economic

:20:56. > :20:59.development in the regions around the country, not just at the

:21:00. > :21:04.stations. For those reasons, Madame Deputy Speaker, I support a number

:21:05. > :21:08.of the amendments put forward today. I trust that honourable members will

:21:09. > :21:15.now be very brief, as we have only 15 minutes left in this part of the

:21:16. > :21:20.debate. Thank you, Madame Deputy Speaker, and I shall be brief. It is

:21:21. > :21:23.a pleasure to follow the honourable member for Liverpool Riverside. In

:21:24. > :21:27.promoting this scheme, the Government can make a powerful and

:21:28. > :21:34.perfectly rational case for it. And indeed she highlighted some of the

:21:35. > :21:36.points raised. The difficulty I have as a constituency MP who is directly

:21:37. > :21:42.affected by this scheme is that throughout the whole of the process

:21:43. > :21:47.of engagement between HS2 and my constituents, consistently, HS2's

:21:48. > :21:52.behaviour towards my constituents seems to me to have been wanting

:21:53. > :21:56.both insensitivity and in its levels of engagement. Echoes of that, I

:21:57. > :22:02.have to say that my levels of trust in HS2 and its management -- because

:22:03. > :22:06.of that -- in dealing with perfectly reasonable objections I people who

:22:07. > :22:11.are very anxious about the future of their communities, throughout all of

:22:12. > :22:19.that, I have felt a sense of deep anxiety as to how this will actually

:22:20. > :22:22.work out in practice. That's why in presenting this particular batch of

:22:23. > :22:25.amendments, it seems to me that my right honourable friend the member

:22:26. > :22:29.for Chesham and Amersham has been highlighting some key areas where,

:22:30. > :22:34.if some greater reassurance could be provided by the Government, it would

:22:35. > :22:40.go a considerable way, not to satisfy everybody, obviously, some

:22:41. > :22:43.people will remain dissatisfied, inevitably, that goes some way

:22:44. > :22:48.towards providing the reassurance that some of their worst fears as to

:22:49. > :22:59.the way this is going to pan out in practice are misplaced compensation

:23:00. > :23:02.procedures, for example. Has been a considerable amount of debate about

:23:03. > :23:07.the way in which compensation is calculated, and arguments about a

:23:08. > :23:14.failure to take account of local features. I give way. I intervene

:23:15. > :23:18.because I wanted to speak on this new clause but I am not going to

:23:19. > :23:22.have time. We heard cases in the select committee where it was quite

:23:23. > :23:26.clear that the lack of local valuers was doing an injustice to the people

:23:27. > :23:29.who were having their homes acquired. Would my right honourable

:23:30. > :23:33.friend not agree that the Government must put right this injustice? The

:23:34. > :23:39.select committee made very strong recommendations in relation to this.

:23:40. > :23:42.I am so grateful. Guess these are precisely the areas where government

:23:43. > :23:45.intervention would be valuable. Even at this late hour, I would urge my

:23:46. > :23:48.right honourable friends and honourable friends on the front

:23:49. > :23:52.bench to give this careful consideration. And similarly, with

:23:53. > :23:58.the issues about the relationship with local authorities, most of our

:23:59. > :24:02.local authorities, like all local authorities in this country, in the

:24:03. > :24:06.difficult conditions which we have because of the continuing economic

:24:07. > :24:12.rubble is besetting our planet, are short of money to carry out

:24:13. > :24:17.important local projects. So the prospect of having their

:24:18. > :24:20.infrastructure whipped up in the course of the construction process

:24:21. > :24:30.is inevitably a subject of legitimate concern to them. --

:24:31. > :24:33.ripped up. And there is no proper reason why they and the local

:24:34. > :24:37.council taxpayer should have to bear the end cost, of any description, on

:24:38. > :24:41.this project, going ahead. Here again is an opportunity, if I may

:24:42. > :24:46.say to my honourable friends on the front edge, to brief this up and

:24:47. > :24:55.provide the necessary tools to make sure that in fact in practice, HS2

:24:56. > :25:00.honours these amendments. I do not know why they have been so, in my

:25:01. > :25:04.view, deficient in their approach to dealing with local communities, but

:25:05. > :25:07.that is the reality. I note from the most recent report of the public

:25:08. > :25:10.administration committee that they say that they have learned their

:25:11. > :25:14.lessons and will do things differently in future. I very much

:25:15. > :25:18.hope that that is the case. But until I see it with my own eyes and

:25:19. > :25:22.witness it through the comments of my constituents, I have to say, I

:25:23. > :25:26.have reason to continue to doubt that that will in fact happen. All

:25:27. > :25:28.the more reason therefore why these amendments, which are

:25:29. > :25:32.straightforward in their nature, should not add to the cost of HS2 or

:25:33. > :25:41.the burden of the carrying out of this project, ought to be accepted.

:25:42. > :25:45.I rise to speak in support of amendments 26 and 32. Paradoxically,

:25:46. > :25:51.I agree with most of what has been said. I think it is possible to be

:25:52. > :25:54.pro-infrastructure investment,. Brand-new trains and progress and

:25:55. > :26:00.the concept of high-speed rail, that I am not pro-HS2 Limited and the

:26:01. > :26:04.rather cavalier way that the right honourable member before referred to

:26:05. > :26:10.it. The way that they operate. In the select committee, their QC

:26:11. > :26:15.called my residents tedious, which I think shows a complete contempt for

:26:16. > :26:18.them. This particular clause is about protecting vulnerable

:26:19. > :26:22.businesses and about the time given for relocation. I have spoken to

:26:23. > :26:27.some of these businesses in the park royal area and they are quite mixed

:26:28. > :26:29.in nature. A lot of them are food preparation companies, supplying all

:26:30. > :26:34.lives to restaurants in the West End. They need to be near the A40.

:26:35. > :26:37.They are family businesses. They have been told that when it happens,

:26:38. > :26:44.they will be given three months to relocate. They have got combined

:26:45. > :26:47.turnovers of millions. They are all extremely concerned that they will

:26:48. > :26:51.be four to close and this would not be enough time for them to start

:26:52. > :26:58.again. Another one was a prop hire company. It was thousands of square

:26:59. > :27:01.feet of warehouse space with things like antiques and even big fat

:27:02. > :27:06.televisions in wooden cabinets which they supply for films like Star

:27:07. > :27:09.Wars. They would find it very difficult to find alternative

:27:10. > :27:14.premises very quickly. They would like an assurance of 100%

:27:15. > :27:18.compensation for their sites, not the 90% on offer. And the party

:27:19. > :27:26.opposite is the party of business, surely. The party of SMEs. And it is

:27:27. > :27:28.deeply concerning... Yes, I think this has genuine cross-party

:27:29. > :27:34.support, if you see who has signed up to this amendment. It is worrying

:27:35. > :27:38.that these firms are being forced to move towards what is called

:27:39. > :27:46.extinguishment. Apparently on their balance sheet is, they do not show

:27:47. > :27:50.enough turnover. HS2 consider use -- considers their turnover value to be

:27:51. > :27:55.too small. This is an insult to those hard-working family

:27:56. > :27:59.businesses. She is doing a brilliant job as she always does of

:28:00. > :28:05.representing her constituents. Would she agree that often, the businesses

:28:06. > :28:10.in urban areas are some of the worst of the, some of the most fragile

:28:11. > :28:14.businesses, but that the levels of compensation is actually the worst

:28:15. > :28:21.that is being offered? We do not have time for long interventions. My

:28:22. > :28:25.honourable friend puts it very well. He almost anticipated my next

:28:26. > :28:29.clause, new clause 32, which is about the fairness of the rural

:28:30. > :28:32.support zone. The right honourable member for Chesham and Amersham,

:28:33. > :28:38.whose seat I know very well because we were on the same ballot paper in

:28:39. > :28:43.2005, she represents a rural constituency, but the urban and

:28:44. > :28:47.suburban constituencies such as my honourable friend has, and mine, are

:28:48. > :28:54.not treated the same way as the rural support zones. There was one

:28:55. > :28:58.house in my constituency that had a zero valuation. You could not make

:28:59. > :29:03.this up. Somebody wanted to remortgage a house in this road and

:29:04. > :29:07.the mortgage value came up with zero. This would not happen

:29:08. > :29:11.elsewhere. For the sake of fairness, this should be looked at. And there

:29:12. > :29:17.does seem to be this wrong assumption that if you live

:29:18. > :29:22.somewhere... Sorry. I am about to say my last sentence - that we

:29:23. > :29:26.should not accept that suburban or urban dwellers should simply put up

:29:27. > :29:34.with art. I urge members to support these two clauses. I rise to put

:29:35. > :29:37.forward the amendments in my name and also the case for my

:29:38. > :29:41.constituency in North Warwickshire, which is arguably the most blighted

:29:42. > :29:45.part of HS2 outside of London. I would like to use the short time

:29:46. > :29:53.available to make a final case to the government for vital protections

:29:54. > :30:01.to my local community. This includes several areas, as set out in the

:30:02. > :30:03.three amendments shot put forward. A recurring theme which my

:30:04. > :30:09.constituents have faced is the lack of engagement from HS2 during the

:30:10. > :30:14.process to date. Many questions asked remain unanswered and their

:30:15. > :30:17.credibility locally is in tatters just those affected by HS2 have

:30:18. > :30:19.little confidence that during because Froch and phase, this

:30:20. > :30:24.communication will get better. Unsurprisingly, should it be

:30:25. > :30:28.approved by this House, the fear is that actually it will get worse.

:30:29. > :30:32.Fat, Madame Deputy Speaker, is why I am seeking greater protection for

:30:33. > :30:35.North Warwickshire residents. We have been given assurance by HS2 due

:30:36. > :30:41.to the impact on our area that we are a special case. Sadly, despite

:30:42. > :30:43.numerous requests to them, they have neglected to advise what this

:30:44. > :30:48.protection actually is, what the benefits are, or even the scope that

:30:49. > :30:52.it covers. After what my constituents have had to endure over

:30:53. > :30:57.the last six years, they deserve better than that. They deserve some

:30:58. > :31:00.kind of certainty in their future and acknowledgement that HS2 and the

:31:01. > :31:04.Government are sympathetic to their cases. That is why I have introduced

:31:05. > :31:09.new clause 30, which is seeks to set up a community fund to protect local

:31:10. > :31:13.communities from unintended consequences which could arrive from

:31:14. > :31:16.the construction phase. This would be supplemental to the community and

:31:17. > :31:22.environment fund and would address the adverse impact of the HS2

:31:23. > :31:26.construction on things such as impaired access ability, reduction

:31:27. > :31:31.in availability of community amenities and physical efforts of

:31:32. > :31:35.construction. A principal objective of the fund will be to remove the

:31:36. > :31:43.need for formal compensation claims and to provide an expedited means of

:31:44. > :31:45.claiming funding. It would only be available to certain communities and

:31:46. > :31:49.would not impact on individual households or businesses. Among the

:31:50. > :31:52.measures which May be considered as available for funding would be

:31:53. > :31:58.transport facilities such as shuttle services. The Kingsbury area and

:31:59. > :32:02.surrounding villages in my constituency are clearly a special

:32:03. > :32:06.case in the context of the HS2 skin. To that end there can be no

:32:07. > :32:10.argument. Engagement with our community needs to reach these

:32:11. > :32:16.requirements of special claims. My further amendments addressed this

:32:17. > :32:18.current lack of communication, including the referral, escalation

:32:19. > :32:23.and monitoring. Crucially it seeks to resolve the complaints from local

:32:24. > :32:26.people in a timely manner. There are further arguments that we will hear

:32:27. > :32:30.later today in this Chamber regarding the environmental impact

:32:31. > :32:35.of HS2. And it is hard to imagine a change to the landscape that the

:32:36. > :32:38.railhead in Kingsbury will bring, but this is a change which my

:32:39. > :32:43.constituents will be forced to live with. I urge the Secretary of State

:32:44. > :32:46.to consider amendments to this bill proposed by myself and other

:32:47. > :32:51.honourable and right honourable members which I have supported in

:32:52. > :32:53.the interests of our constituents. These are for common-sense

:32:54. > :33:03.initiatives to support and offer mitigation to those people along the

:33:04. > :33:06.proposed line that need it most. It is a very important issue for

:33:07. > :33:15.Wales, but time will defeat me. It is in relation, ministers will know

:33:16. > :33:19.my long-standing concerns in terms of the Barnet classification of HS2.

:33:20. > :33:24.Our perception has always been that this is an England only railway. The

:33:25. > :33:27.position of the UK Government has always been that it is a UK

:33:28. > :33:31.Government railway skin. But when it came to the statement of funding

:33:32. > :33:36.policy document accompanying the CSR, it is an England and Wales

:33:37. > :33:41.railway, because Scotland and Northern Ireland had a 100% Barnet

:33:42. > :33:46.rating for HS2, but Wales has 0%. The impact of that over a project

:33:47. > :33:52.which may cost more than ?80 billion over 20 years, will be severe for my

:33:53. > :33:59.country, not only in terms of HS2, but the precedent set for HS3,

:34:00. > :34:03.Crossrail 2, and the Sheffield-Manchester Road underneath

:34:04. > :34:07.the mountain, whatever you call it, subterranean road! Massive

:34:08. > :34:13.multi-billion pound projects, and Wales losing out. This is an issue

:34:14. > :34:17.of fairness. Unless the minister says that he will address the issues

:34:18. > :34:20.that I have raised in my amendment, my colleagues and I will be voting

:34:21. > :34:34.against the government at third reading. Thank you, I will be very

:34:35. > :34:39.brief. We in the SNP welcome this investment. Although as my colleague

:34:40. > :34:45.said, it is England only in terms of the route, we can see the benefits

:34:46. > :34:47.it can bring towards Scotland and we welcome the aspiration for a

:34:48. > :34:52.sub-3-hour journey time to Glasgow and Edinburgh. I welcome the fact

:34:53. > :35:00.that the minister says trains will run to Scotland on day one.

:35:01. > :35:03.Regarding Barnet, something I would ask the Secretary of State, the

:35:04. > :35:06.wider issue, Barnet consequential is and the estimates process, but I

:35:07. > :35:16.welcome the investment in HS2. The question is the Government

:35:17. > :35:20.clause be red as many times as needed? The ayes have it, the ayes

:35:21. > :35:24.have it. The question is that Government new clause 19 be added to

:35:25. > :35:31.the bill, as many of that opinion say aye. On the core tray no. The

:35:32. > :35:36.ayes have it. The ayes have it. Mr Andy McDonnell to move new clause 20

:35:37. > :35:43.formally. Question is new clause 20 be read a second time. Aye. On the

:35:44. > :37:27.contrary, no. No. Division. Clear the lobby.

:37:28. > :37:34.123450 order, the question is that new clause 20 be read a second time,

:37:35. > :37:42.adds many of that opinion say aye? Aye. On the contrary no. No. Tellers

:37:43. > :43:52.for the ayes, tell us -- tellers for the noes.

:43:53. > :48:09.Order. Order. The IAEAs to the right 184. The nos

:48:10. > :48:17.to the left, 273. -- ayes. The ayes to the right, 184, the nos

:48:18. > :48:24.to the left, 273, the noes have it. The noes have it. Up lock.

:48:25. > :48:29.Mr Robert Goodwill to move formally. The question is that Government

:48:30. > :48:37.amend. 15 be made. As many of that opinion say aye. Of the contrary no.

:48:38. > :48:42.The ayes have it. The ayes have it. We now come to the second group

:48:43. > :48:46.relating to the route and environmental issue, we begin with

:48:47. > :48:51.new clause six, with which it will be convenient to consider the new

:48:52. > :48:59.clauses, as lested on the selection paper. Mr Cheryl Gill on the move

:49:00. > :49:06.new clause six. I rise to move a series of amendment in this grouping

:49:07. > :49:10.that stand in my name and those of my honourable colleagues, new clause

:49:11. > :49:16.six is about the Chiltern review group. The Chiltern area is in fact

:49:17. > :49:23.the only AONB affected by phase one of HS2. It has been designated

:49:24. > :49:28.landscape for over 50 years. As it stands, 8.8 kilometres of the AONB

:49:29. > :49:32.is still exposed to the line and remains untunnelled and above the

:49:33. > :49:37.line. Above ground. It will be a permanent scar on the landscape and

:49:38. > :49:42.the effects will be irreversible. The Chilterns AONB review group

:49:43. > :49:44.would provide Local Authorities and key stakeholders with the

:49:45. > :49:48.opportunity to identify greater measures of mitigation and work

:49:49. > :49:52.collaboratively with the pro motor and ensure this area is protected to

:49:53. > :49:56.the highest level during construction and operation of the

:49:57. > :50:00.railway. When this project was first announced, I was assured that the

:50:01. > :50:04.local people would have a chance to input their views and expertise into

:50:05. > :50:08.the plans for HS2 but so far those opportunities have been limited.

:50:09. > :50:12.I think this group of amendment would make sure that local people

:50:13. > :50:17.and councils had genuine influence over the future of their area. Which

:50:18. > :50:23.I believe will be irretrievably damaged by HS2.

:50:24. > :50:31.New clause seven concerns trees. When I petitioned the select

:50:32. > :50:35.committee, one of my requests was to ensure that HS2 fulfilled the

:50:36. > :50:39.Government's promised a plant and maintain 2 million trees. The trees

:50:40. > :50:45.which were planted following HS1 were not properly maintained and as

:50:46. > :50:50.a result, many died. I asked for an undertaking from HS2 to this effect,

:50:51. > :50:56.but this has not been forthcoming. I will give way first of all to my

:50:57. > :50:59.honourable friend... I am grateful. Looking at new clause seven, isn't

:51:00. > :51:08.it actually defect tooth, because there does not appear to be any duty

:51:09. > :51:12.to replant trees that have died? -- defective. My honourable friend

:51:13. > :51:15.makes a very valid point. There are a large number of amendments on the

:51:16. > :51:20.order paper which stand in my name and I have not had the advantage of

:51:21. > :51:23.a Parliamentary draughtsman, but only some lawyers and friends of my

:51:24. > :51:28.own wits, and the clerks of this House to fall back upon. However, I

:51:29. > :51:32.think as a probing amendment, it will make its point. Doesn't my

:51:33. > :51:36.right honourable friend agree with me that this whole issue of trees

:51:37. > :51:41.and ancient woodland demonstrates not only a lack of commitment but a

:51:42. > :51:45.deep lack of understanding by HS2 on these particular environment of

:51:46. > :51:50.issues? My honourable friend makes a point and I remember a debate that

:51:51. > :51:54.we held in Westminster Hall, I think led by the member for Lichfield,

:51:55. > :51:58.looking at this. And he knows, and like me has been a passionate and

:51:59. > :52:02.long-term supporter of The Woodland Trust and the valuable work that

:52:03. > :52:09.they do to preserve our precious ancient woodlands and to create more

:52:10. > :52:13.native woods. I was at that debate, and another one, to which you refer.

:52:14. > :52:18.Does my Noble Friend agree that more ought to be done to try and protect

:52:19. > :52:21.these really, really precious ancient woodland habitats? I

:52:22. > :52:26.understand the economic reasons but what about the ancient woodland? The

:52:27. > :52:29.Honourable lady has already made a name for herself in this House

:52:30. > :52:34.defending our environment, and I agree with her entirely. The

:52:35. > :52:39.Woodland Trust wants ancient woodland to be removed from the no

:52:40. > :52:42.net loss calculation, and is disappointed that HS2 has not done

:52:43. > :52:48.everything it should or could to avoid the loss of ancient woodland.

:52:49. > :52:56.On that point, she would I am sure knowledge that the original estimate

:52:57. > :52:59.by HS2 of the amount of ancient woodland, when it was reviewed by

:53:00. > :53:05.The Woodland Trust, was actually increased by 78%. And that it was

:53:06. > :53:09.appalling that the initial environmental survey that was

:53:10. > :53:13.conducted by HS2 did not record accurately the amount of ancient

:53:14. > :53:19.woodland involved. I'm afraid the honourable member makes a point

:53:20. > :53:23.which is repeated throughout dealings with HS2 of inaccurate

:53:24. > :53:26.assessments. And this was a particularly bad one. The Woodland

:53:27. > :53:30.Trust petitioned HS2 for a minimum planting ratio of 30-one to

:53:31. > :53:34.compensate for the fact that irreplaceable habitats will be lost,

:53:35. > :53:38.and the planting of 2 million trees along the wider route I think is

:53:39. > :53:41.just a starting point. But I would hope that this could have been put

:53:42. > :53:45.on the face of the bill which would have meant that it was legally

:53:46. > :53:49.binding and at least some structured replanting and maintenance would

:53:50. > :53:54.take place. I now move to a very important grip of amendments. I

:53:55. > :53:59.thank my right honourable friend forgiving wage of code I underline

:54:00. > :54:02.our commitment to no net environmental loss and indeed our

:54:03. > :54:06.commitment to plant 2 million trees, which will be managed to the best

:54:07. > :54:11.standards. In terms of the assessment of ancient woodland, one

:54:12. > :54:15.problem we had was getting access to land to assess that. Some landowners

:54:16. > :54:19.would not give us access. That will not be a problem with further

:54:20. > :54:23.phases. We have taken those powers as part of the bill. I am grateful

:54:24. > :54:34.for his clarification. I have to say that I wish I could take that at

:54:35. > :54:37.face value. I am very grateful. The minister Lord and assurance that

:54:38. > :54:40.there will be no net loss, I am sure the right honourable lady would

:54:41. > :54:48.agree, is not worth the airtime it is given. Because of course ancient

:54:49. > :54:51.woodland is precisely characterised by Natural England as being

:54:52. > :54:55.irreplaceable. And therefore the idea that there can be no net loss

:54:56. > :55:00.of something which is irreplaceable is simply a contradiction in terms.

:55:01. > :55:04.The honourable gentleman makes a very valid point. Quite frankly, the

:55:05. > :55:09.thought that anybody could actually say they would replace ancient

:55:10. > :55:13.woodland just shows the ignorance of some of the people dealing with it.

:55:14. > :55:17.However, the minister is determined to get in again. As we have not

:55:18. > :55:22.heard a lot from him, I will give way. Just to make the point that

:55:23. > :55:26.translocation of ancient woodland soils is recognised by Natural

:55:27. > :55:31.England as an important mechanism for ecological viable woodlands, and

:55:32. > :55:35.can be an important element of compensatory measures where loss of

:55:36. > :55:39.ancient woodland is unavoidable. Can I just say, again I think the

:55:40. > :55:47.minister for clarification. I am very concerned about the protection

:55:48. > :55:50.of ancient pasture land. In one particularly egregious case in my

:55:51. > :55:55.constituency, HS2 limited suggested that they replace ancient woodland

:55:56. > :56:01.on some ancient pasture land, which is even more rare and more valuable.

:56:02. > :56:09.I think my honourable friend has had a similar experience! I am most

:56:10. > :56:13.grateful. She is absolutely right. I had somebody who was managing

:56:14. > :56:17.pasture land for wild flowers and was told somebody was going to stick

:56:18. > :56:22.a wood on it. After years of husbandry, HS2's reaction was that

:56:23. > :56:26.they simply wanted to find a bit of land on which to stick some trees. I

:56:27. > :56:32.make no comment, it speaks for itself. I do want to make some

:56:33. > :56:38.progress, because so many people want to speak in this section. I

:56:39. > :56:42.have got some amendments, one of which without think is especially

:56:43. > :56:46.important, drafted by a very senior lawyer, amendments about the

:56:47. > :56:50.adjudicator. I think this is of great importance and would improve

:56:51. > :56:54.this project in measurably. It provides for an independent

:56:55. > :56:57.regulatory bodies to regularly review and monitor progress during

:56:58. > :57:01.construction and to hold HS2 to account to deliver what has been

:57:02. > :57:06.promised in terms of environmental and other mitigations. The

:57:07. > :57:10.construction commissioner, or the complaints commissioner, proposed by

:57:11. > :57:14.the DFT, simply will not have the remote or the expertise to monitor

:57:15. > :57:19.such a large project. In addition, it can only cover claims up to

:57:20. > :57:25.?7,500. I believe what we need is a truly independent scrutiny by an

:57:26. > :57:29.independent body with a number of panel members with relevant

:57:30. > :57:35.expertise and most importantly with enforcement powers. The history of

:57:36. > :57:42.this project is full of errors and omissions and downplaying of the

:57:43. > :57:47.environmental impacts. Together with the it will be fine, and people on

:57:48. > :57:52.HS1 did not complain attitude of the promoter. We cannot trust what HS1

:57:53. > :57:55.is currently -- HS2 is currently offering. At the moment they are

:57:56. > :58:00.effectively responsible for policing themselves. The Government assures

:58:01. > :58:03.us the minimum environmental requirements and the code of

:58:04. > :58:08.construction practice will offer the necessary protections. But close

:58:09. > :58:12.examination of these documents does not give those reassurances. The

:58:13. > :58:16.devil is always in the detail. In practice this means that HS2 and its

:58:17. > :58:20.contractors, whilst required to adopt measures to reduce the

:58:21. > :58:24.environmental effects reported in the environmental statement, only

:58:25. > :58:30.have to do so provided that such measures are reasonably practicable

:58:31. > :58:35.and do not add unreasonable cost or delay to the construction or

:58:36. > :58:38.operation of the project. In effect, Madame Deputy Speaker, this will

:58:39. > :58:48.give the nominated undertaken in charge of monitoring itself a get

:58:49. > :58:53.out of jail card free. Is she as concerned as I am that if HS2 are

:58:54. > :58:55.their own policeman, that when the budget undoubtedly comes under

:58:56. > :58:59.further pressure, that callers will be cut and it is the local people

:59:00. > :59:03.and the environment which will suffer? I think it is, because once

:59:04. > :59:07.this project is on its way, it is going to be easy to say that this

:59:08. > :59:13.would delay it or this would cost more. Presumably it will be easy to

:59:14. > :59:21.say that almost any environmental mitigation would cost money and

:59:22. > :59:25.delays. It cannot be sensible to have a complaints process which ends

:59:26. > :59:29.up with the Speaker of this House being the adjudicator of last resort

:59:30. > :59:32.for dispute resolution, and most importantly in relation to the

:59:33. > :59:38.fermentation of environmental mitigation. I do not want to be

:59:39. > :59:41.fobbed off by the minister with these reassurances that the DFT has

:59:42. > :59:45.covered it all with the construction commissioner. It has not, be very

:59:46. > :59:50.sure, it has not. We owe the people burdened with this project and the

:59:51. > :59:52.communities which are being destroyed this extra level of

:59:53. > :59:58.scrutiny and protection and somebody they can go to immediately. The

:59:59. > :00:08.remaining amendments down in my name concerned the tunnels in my

:00:09. > :00:11.constituency and the look of this project in my constituency. I am

:00:12. > :00:15.going to summarise them very briefly because there are many people that

:00:16. > :00:20.want to speak. It is not fair to say that my constituency has not been

:00:21. > :00:25.protected at all by additional Talyllyn. As the minister said in

:00:26. > :00:29.his opening remarks, and I am very grateful, and I am told I have to be

:00:30. > :00:38.very grateful, but I have two thirds of my constituency now... But it

:00:39. > :00:43.still remains that there are eight tours which are outside tunnel. When

:00:44. > :00:47.we are doing such brilliant Talyllyn with Crossrail 2, when we know we

:00:48. > :00:52.have the Talyllyn expertise in this country, which leads the world, why

:00:53. > :00:55.aren't we using it to tunnel under a nationally protected piece of the

:00:56. > :00:59.environment? I think these amendments speak again and I have

:01:00. > :01:05.put them down just to remind the minister that we are not going to

:01:06. > :01:09.give up on this at any stage. And I hope the members of the other house,

:01:10. > :01:13.when they come to look at this, will give due consideration. I have an

:01:14. > :01:17.amendments down on traffic, which I think is important. The traffic

:01:18. > :01:25.assessments which have come from HS2 have been atrocious. And I have

:01:26. > :01:29.amendments on pylons, and the possibility that we will be able to

:01:30. > :01:33.take the opportunity of the construction phase of HS2 to make

:01:34. > :01:38.sure that if the pylons are above ground, that they are designed to

:01:39. > :01:41.fit in with the countryside, but if possible, they could be underground.

:01:42. > :01:43.I can see, Madame Deputy Speaker, you are getting anxious. The

:01:44. > :01:47.Government has not given us enough time to do justice to these

:01:48. > :01:50.amendments. I am sorry that I have not been able to deploy the

:01:51. > :01:54.arguments, but in the interests of allowing other people to speak, and

:01:55. > :01:58.knowing that we had time taken out of this debate by the opposition

:01:59. > :02:02.fording a vote on something which is not relevant now to my constituents,

:02:03. > :02:09.I will now move those amendments. -- forcing a vote. The question is that

:02:10. > :02:17.new clause six be read a second time. Thank you, Madame Deputy

:02:18. > :02:20.Speaker. New clause 22 deals with used in, which is in the middle of

:02:21. > :02:24.my constituency. It is not easy for me to convey to the House the

:02:25. > :02:30.devastating impact that HS2 will have on my constituency. But let me

:02:31. > :02:34.try. HS2 comes into Primrose Hill and crashes through to Euston,

:02:35. > :02:41.destroying everything in its path. That may give the House the sheer

:02:42. > :02:47.numbers in my constituency. 2986 people live within 60 metres of the

:02:48. > :02:55.construction site. A further 3186 live within 120 metres. 11,414,

:02:56. > :03:02.within 300 metres. That is 17,568 people in my constituency within 300

:03:03. > :03:06.metres of the construction site. 220 family houses will be demolished,

:03:07. > :03:11.affecting up to 1000 people who will lose their homes. Unless there is a

:03:12. > :03:15.plan which is integrated for Euston, there is a risk that a further 150

:03:16. > :03:23.family homes will be lost, affect another 600 people. That is 1600

:03:24. > :03:27.people at risk of losing their home of many of those family homes which

:03:28. > :03:34.are not destroyed will be affected by the noise. On HS2's own figures,

:03:35. > :03:40.1025 family homes will be affected by noise, which will require

:03:41. > :03:45.mitigation measures. That is again 4000 people. And there are already

:03:46. > :03:50.measures in place to consider another 850 homes, another 3400

:03:51. > :03:54.people. So that is 7000 people living in my constituency with noise

:03:55. > :03:57.mitigation measures necessary because of what will happen through

:03:58. > :04:03.HS2 at Euston. And that is not the end of it. For Euston to be

:04:04. > :04:07.redeveloped, if it goes ahead, 3.5 million tonnes of spoil needs to be

:04:08. > :04:14.removed from the site. If anybody needs to appreciate what that is, it

:04:15. > :04:17.is the equivalent of 26 miles of tunneling across well. All of that

:04:18. > :04:22.is to come out of Euston. And there is no assurance that that is going

:04:23. > :04:31.to come out by rail. The net effect for my constituency is is the risk

:04:32. > :04:39.of 800 two-way lorry movements a day to remove that spoil. 90% of those

:04:40. > :04:46.Lloris will be HD 's. -- of those lorries will be HGVs. Air-quality is

:04:47. > :04:50.particularly bad in the Euston area, and the HS2 environmental statement

:04:51. > :04:53.indicates that HS2 will cause a substantial impact on an O2 levels

:04:54. > :05:00.in a third of locations in the Euston area. If were not enough on

:05:01. > :05:01.its own -- nitrogen dioxide levels. Let me just throw in two further

:05:02. > :05:11.factors. The first is time. The original bill was premised on a

:05:12. > :05:19.station at Euston being completed by 2026. That seemed a long time for my

:05:20. > :05:23.constituents. In September 2015 last year, the Government lodged

:05:24. > :05:27.additional provisions three, their current plans for Euston. A new

:05:28. > :05:31.station is to be developed in three phases, stage A to the west of the

:05:32. > :05:36.existing station will involve the construction of the six platforms

:05:37. > :05:42.needed for phase one of HS2, that is intended to be constructed between

:05:43. > :05:47.2017 and 2026. Stage B2 within the existing station but not all of it,

:05:48. > :05:53.is intended to be completed, this is the further platforms need for the

:05:54. > :05:57.second phase. That intended to be completed by 20033, stage B2, the

:05:58. > :06:03.redevelopment of the existing station is unfunded and unplanned,

:06:04. > :06:12.and that may begin before or after 20033. So that is half the station

:06:13. > :06:16.in half the time. Let me just put in another factor, as if there were

:06:17. > :06:22.more than I could add to this litany of devastation, that is the result.

:06:23. > :06:28.Because even then, in 20033, having waited the best part of 20 year, and

:06:29. > :06:33.endured construction site, what will my constituents see in their

:06:34. > :06:39.constituency? Not a complete and integrated station, on the 1

:06:40. > :06:41.December 2015, Tim Mould QC HS2's counsel outlined to the Select

:06:42. > :06:44.ituents see in their constituency? Not a complete and integrated

:06:45. > :06:46.station, on the 1 December 2015, Tim Mould QC HS2's counsel outlined to

:06:47. > :06:48.the Select Committee and I quote him "A new integrated station at Euston

:06:49. > :06:53.is not deliverable within funding contrains. President there is no

:06:54. > :06:56.timetable for the Government to come forward with funding to complete the

:06:57. > :07:01.final phase." As a result of that lack of planning, that lack of

:07:02. > :07:06.integration, Crossrail 2, which hopes to be integrated, is planning

:07:07. > :07:11.now, on the basis it may have to build part of its station and take

:07:12. > :07:17.another 150 buildings and displace another 600 people, because' a lack

:07:18. > :07:21.of integrated station. So from my constituency, half a station in

:07:22. > :07:26.twice the time, with twice the damage. And that means for a child

:07:27. > :07:31.born next year in my constituency, they will grow up and leave home,

:07:32. > :07:35.knowing nothing else than construction works. For a pensioner

:07:36. > :07:40.who begins their retirement at 70 next year, they will live out their

:07:41. > :07:46.entire retirement with construction works, round them. There is no

:07:47. > :07:49.wonder that everywhere I go in my constituency, every meeting, there

:07:50. > :07:54.is anxiety etched on the face of everybody that talks to me about

:07:55. > :07:59.HS2. It is an appalling situation and it is wholly unacceptable, on

:08:00. > :08:07.any basis, just listing those factors. I was elected many dad

:08:08. > :08:09.Durham as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras to represent the people of

:08:10. > :08:15.that constituency. It is my privilege to represent them. It is

:08:16. > :08:21.my duty. I speak to every one of them, in saying I would stand with

:08:22. > :08:25.them and fight with them, to resist the wholly unacceptable damage that

:08:26. > :08:31.HS2 will bring to our communities. Thank you.

:08:32. > :08:35.Thank you many dad Durham. I will be very brief on the issue of the

:08:36. > :08:39.adjudicator, I listened care there to what the honourable member said

:08:40. > :08:44.and I have great sympathy with all the points he has made. This is why

:08:45. > :08:50.I am bound to say I find it so odd, that the Government won't accept the

:08:51. > :08:55.idea, a creative idea of having an office of the HS2 adjudicator. The

:08:56. > :09:00.scale of this project makes it desirable there should be an

:09:01. > :09:04.independent ash tram authority, to resolve the inevitable disputes that

:09:05. > :09:08.are going to arise over the way in which this scheme is carried out. If

:09:09. > :09:13.I may say so the minister, I would have thought it was very much new

:09:14. > :09:17.the Government's interests to accept this idea, because what is going to

:09:18. > :09:20.happen otherwise, is that the burden is going to fall on Members of

:09:21. > :09:26.Parliament, in this House, whose constituencies are affected. So the

:09:27. > :09:31.time of this House is going to be taken up with constant arguments,

:09:32. > :09:37.that HS2 is not observing its obligations and it is not carrying

:09:38. > :09:39.out the work in accordance with the intention, which it represented

:09:40. > :09:43.originally. So it is going to cause massive

:09:44. > :09:47.problems to my right honourable friend and his department and

:09:48. > :09:51.probably clog up some of the House's business time. All the more reason,

:09:52. > :09:55.for having an independent adjudicator who is approachable, in

:09:56. > :09:58.exactly the same manner as an ombudsman and can take on some of

:09:59. > :10:03.that burden and do it professionally, and do it in a

:10:04. > :10:07.manner which commands, gives reassurance to people, and commands

:10:08. > :10:10.respect. I would strongly urge my right honourable friend to accept

:10:11. > :10:14.this amendment, and I am sorry if the Government does not, because as

:10:15. > :10:19.I say, I think it is an extra burden than will fall on the Government's

:10:20. > :10:24.shoulders as the inevitable problems arise and there going to be many of

:10:25. > :10:31.them during the course of the construction of this project. Thank

:10:32. > :10:37.you Madame Deputy Speaker, I wish to speak to new clause 22. There have

:10:38. > :10:41.been many discussions and consultations between HS2 and Camden

:10:42. > :10:46.brushing council and the new clause draws on the assurances given to

:10:47. > :10:50.Camden and the thrust behind this long clause, reflects the fact that

:10:51. > :10:55.the redevelopment of Euston presents an enormous opportunity to build

:10:56. > :10:59.something of real worth, not only to accommodate to the west the current

:11:00. > :11:02.station but redevelopment of the main line station to take into

:11:03. > :11:07.account the requirements of phase one, and indeed phase two of HS2 in

:11:08. > :11:13.due course, but also, in anticipation of Crossrail to in the

:11:14. > :11:17.fullness of time. The honourable gentleman is right to

:11:18. > :11:20.talk about the integration between Crossrail and Euston and what might

:11:21. > :11:26.be possible at Euston, does he not agree with me that it really is

:11:27. > :11:31.completely mad, that HS2, which will be coming from the north,

:11:32. > :11:36.southwards, doesn't go to St Pancras or at least connect with HS1 to

:11:37. > :11:39.enable people to travel to the Continent? I am grateful. I mean

:11:40. > :11:44.that point has been raised on a number of occasion, there are of

:11:45. > :11:47.course, the, there is the intention to have a pedestrian connection

:11:48. > :11:54.between that and that exists on the face of the dock quemts. But if I

:11:55. > :11:58.continue, not only would the overarching approach to an

:11:59. > :12:01.integrated station take accounts of the works anticipated it would a

:12:02. > :12:05.secure the best possible outcomes for the residents of Camden and

:12:06. > :12:09.minimise the nor Moyes disruption they will suffer. Many properties

:12:10. > :12:12.will be demolished and other properties will be in close

:12:13. > :12:18.proximity to the work, there will be loss of public open space, fleets of

:12:19. > :12:23.heavy goods vehicles and commercial vehicles, there will be undoubtedly

:12:24. > :12:29.be noise pollution that will disrupt the peaceful enjoyment of so many

:12:30. > :12:34.properties, to places like co-burring street which has a quiet

:12:35. > :12:40.courtyard, not withstanding the close proximity to busy traffic,

:12:41. > :12:43.businesses and streets like Drummond Street will be disturbed. We are

:12:44. > :12:47.asking the people to make huge sacrifices for the benefit of the

:12:48. > :12:51.nation and we have tried to do all we can, here in new clause 22 and in

:12:52. > :12:54.committee to mitigate the impact upon the quality of life for the

:12:55. > :12:59.resident, and while we acknowledge and accept the sincerity of the

:13:00. > :13:04.minister and his colleagues to work to that objective, we take the view

:13:05. > :13:07.this is so important, that the assurances given ought properly on

:13:08. > :13:15.on the face of the bill and have the full force of law. In a little

:13:16. > :13:18.detail, we seek to keep to a minimum the amount of excavated materials

:13:19. > :13:23.transported to and round the site by road and to move as much as possible

:13:24. > :13:29.by rail. Camden have developed a Euston area plan and we propose that

:13:30. > :13:36.any designs for the enlarged Euston stage tasting cognisance of that

:13:37. > :13:40.frame and other documents and guidance, the assurances talk of

:13:41. > :13:44.various boards including the strategy board, the station

:13:45. > :13:47.redevelopment board and the Euston integrated programme board, bringing

:13:48. > :13:51.together number of prescribed partner, we seek to ensure that the

:13:52. > :13:56.nominated undertaker, the relevant body carrying out the work is

:13:57. > :14:05.obliged to participate in those bards as the assurances given by HS2

:14:06. > :14:12.so describe. Would he agree that actually this,

:14:13. > :14:16.if Euston Station were holistically designed and developed, it provides

:14:17. > :14:21.a huge opportunity for regeneration, in the Euston area, actually

:14:22. > :14:25.producing a lot of good quality local affordable housing, to replace

:14:26. > :14:33.some of the affordable housing at the moment which will be devastated

:14:34. > :14:35.by HS2. I entirely agree with the honourable gentleman's intervention,

:14:36. > :14:41.that is the thrust of the new clause. We are stipulating that the

:14:42. > :14:44.redevelopment board will advice the Secretary of State on the delivery

:14:45. > :14:47.of an integrated an comprehensive design for the enlarged Euston

:14:48. > :14:51.Station and it is for the programme board to make sure that that the

:14:52. > :14:55.designs and construction plans for Euston fit with proposals for other

:14:56. > :14:59.Euston schemes. Access is a real issue, and while the construction is

:15:00. > :15:03.under way, which it will be for many years, we want to ensure the

:15:04. > :15:08.pedestrians and cyclists have continuous access through the site s

:15:09. > :15:14.east to west and north to south, in so far as is reasonably practicable.

:15:15. > :15:18.A design panel will ensure that the relevant partners can ensure a

:15:19. > :15:24.design and whoever is appointed will be obliged to work with that panel,

:15:25. > :15:28.to ensure full buy into this design, and indeed there will be an

:15:29. > :15:33.obligation on the nominated undertaker to take proper notice of

:15:34. > :15:37.the recommendations made by the design panel, if for some reason

:15:38. > :15:43.they don't follow that, they can be required to explain why that is so.

:15:44. > :15:46.The clause makes sure that the community is properly engaged

:15:47. > :15:49.throughout the construction works at Euston, so they can be sure their

:15:50. > :15:54.concerns will be recognised and their voice heard. The provision is

:15:55. > :15:59.more important given the publication today of the Parliamentary Health

:16:00. > :16:03.Service ombudsman report, into a complaint about HS2 which concludes

:16:04. > :16:09.there are fundamental problems with the way that HS2 limited

:16:10. > :16:12.communicates with residents affected by their plans and how they handle

:16:13. > :16:17.complaint. The report deals with specific claims but it is worrying

:16:18. > :16:20.that the chairman of the public administration constitution

:16:21. > :16:23.alaffairs committee said there is still a culture of defensive

:16:24. > :16:28.communication and misinformation, within this public body, that is not

:16:29. > :16:32.acceptable. Unless those responsible for delivering HS2 understand that

:16:33. > :16:35.first and foremost they serve the public, they will continue to be

:16:36. > :16:40.criticised for having disregard for the people, some of the vulnerable

:16:41. > :16:44.who are impacted by this large-scale infrastructure project. If you

:16:45. > :16:51.wouldn't mind, I am very conscious of the time drifting away. We expect

:16:52. > :16:54.HS2 limited to prioritise its responsibility to the forthcoming

:16:55. > :16:57.recommendation on the communication engagement and on complaint

:16:58. > :17:01.handling. This is a matter of primary importance for HS2 limited

:17:02. > :17:07.and must be treated as such. I trust the minister will take onboard the

:17:08. > :17:11.criticisms of the committee, make sure that any necessary cultural and

:17:12. > :17:16.other changes are made, so there will be can be no repetition, I

:17:17. > :17:19.would urge him to consider at this late stage accepting our represent

:17:20. > :17:22.talk to the context of the clause. The clause provides when the

:17:23. > :17:27.Secretary of State sets out the Government's peer you tick railway

:17:28. > :17:32.investment plans, that he or she shall set out the costs and funding

:17:33. > :17:35.of the anticipated works and the planning period before the works

:17:36. > :17:41.start and the control period itself into which the works will fall. Yes,

:17:42. > :17:44.the previous infrastructure projects have had similar assurances woven

:17:45. > :17:49.into them, they have been observed. But this is a huge infrastructure

:17:50. > :17:54.undertanking, the likes of which has never been done before, in such a

:17:55. > :17:58.manner, on such a scale or of such a lengthy period of time. We believe

:17:59. > :18:03.that the people of Camden need to have more than just the assurances

:18:04. > :18:07.that have been given, on this occasion, we believe that we have to

:18:08. > :18:12.take the extra step working those assurances on to the face of the

:18:13. > :18:15.bill. The minister will not, won't need me to rehymn that throughout

:18:16. > :18:21.the Public Bill Committee Labour tabled a a this ber of amendments

:18:22. > :18:23.which probed the Government to justify the inclusion of

:18:24. > :18:26.wide-ranging blanket powers granted to the Secretary of State for the

:18:27. > :18:30.purposes of construction and operation of HS2. Each time the

:18:31. > :18:33.minister responded resisting our attempt to curtail the cope of the

:18:34. > :18:38.Secretary of State's powers on the basis that the Government was taking

:18:39. > :18:45.a belt and braces approach so as to be absolutely sure. So I am now

:18:46. > :18:50.asking for the loan of his belt and braces to protect the people of

:18:51. > :18:57.Camden, I don't intend to impugn HS2 or the minister and he knows that.

:18:58. > :19:01.In the light of those comments to the Public Administration Committee

:19:02. > :19:06.and the special set of circumstances we need they need to be enshrined in

:19:07. > :19:07.statute. I wish to test the will of the House and ask that the matter be

:19:08. > :19:19.put to the vote. Designed to help colleagues who

:19:20. > :19:23.along the line of route. I I would like to highlight, the adjudicator

:19:24. > :19:27.and to support right honourable friend in new clause seven. And

:19:28. > :19:32.impress on the Government that actually, as Secretary of State, at

:19:33. > :19:36.Defra when I published the natural environment white paper, it was made

:19:37. > :19:41.clear the objective is for a net positive outcome, from off setting,

:19:42. > :19:50.that is more ambitious than no net loss, and this can be achieved by,

:19:51. > :19:53.for example, combining off sets, and regenerating degraded land such as

:19:54. > :19:58.the Tame river valley where the spur to Birmingham station will be built.

:19:59. > :20:04.My number one ask remains for my constituency a tunnel, so as to

:20:05. > :20:07.avoid the 40 foot fly over that will she very the parish, separating the

:20:08. > :20:11.primary school from the secondary school. I impress on the minister

:20:12. > :20:16.the the opportunity that would create to approach the new station

:20:17. > :20:20.underground, preserving the flexibility above ground, in an area

:20:21. > :20:25.where the land will be high value. I speak in favour of new clauses 16,

:20:26. > :20:30.17, schedules two and three and amend 11, 12, and 13. New clause 16

:20:31. > :20:36.on speed noise limitation, ensures better protection from noise levels,

:20:37. > :20:57.for those living alongside the whole course of the line HS2.

:20:58. > :21:04.The schedules particular to my constituency, but a new schedule

:21:05. > :21:12.three would cover any designated area. These would see the designated

:21:13. > :21:19.Secretary of State exceeding more than eight tonnes in weight from

:21:20. > :21:23.using certain roads during the construction phase and help to ease

:21:24. > :21:26.the impact for local people. And then in 1260 give relevant parish

:21:27. > :21:30.and town councils a greater say over conditions in the localised planning

:21:31. > :21:33.applications to ensure the influence the design of what they have to live

:21:34. > :21:35.with. Amendment 13 is specific to my constituency, seeking to protect

:21:36. > :21:39.residents from a proposal that theoretically could turn a once

:21:40. > :21:45.quiet country lane into a rat run on the approach to the new station. I

:21:46. > :21:51.did submit a petition into this house with 746 signatures supporting

:21:52. > :21:56.that. This leads me to highlight a wider concern on the process behind

:21:57. > :22:01.the decisions that were made. With great respect to the select

:22:02. > :22:06.committee members, who listened for England over a 22 month period,

:22:07. > :22:11.there was a problem that if a deal could be cut in the corridor outside

:22:12. > :22:16.the select committee while one party was giving evidence, the other was

:22:17. > :22:21.excluded. The result of that is a lack of transparency, and I think in

:22:22. > :22:26.this day and age, it's unfair to some of the petitioners. New clause

:22:27. > :22:31.36 was not selected, unfortunately for me, but underlines the

:22:32. > :22:38.importance of integrating with the existing road and rail network with

:22:39. > :22:42.HS2. HS2 is a cross some of us are having to bear, laying heavy on our

:22:43. > :22:47.offices as parliamentarians and our staff have had to bear an extremely

:22:48. > :22:51.difficult period at the interface with our constituents. I'm still

:22:52. > :22:55.optimistic the hybrid bill will be amended in the other place. I do not

:22:56. > :23:02.feel the bill we are examining today is the final item. The two

:23:03. > :23:07.amendments I have taken, new clause 34 and 35, proposed to the

:23:08. > :23:12.destruction of Canterbury works and Alexandra Place in my constituency

:23:13. > :23:19.of hamster than Kilburn. I wish to note the environmental impacts, and

:23:20. > :23:24.the point that has been raised by members from the opposite benches.

:23:25. > :23:27.Last October I delivered letters, along with volunteers, to

:23:28. > :23:31.constituents living around Canterbury works, and it was the

:23:32. > :23:38.first time a lot of people had even heard of the plans, which is simply

:23:39. > :23:43.not good enough on HS2 part. The people who live around Canterbury

:23:44. > :23:48.works and the Alexandra and Ainsworth Estates, many speaking

:23:49. > :23:51.this as a second language, and poking indication from HS2 means

:23:52. > :23:55.they simply do not have an idea of what is coming along the tracks for

:23:56. > :23:59.them from this devastating team. The amendment I have tabled will change

:24:00. > :24:03.that situation and provide some information and assurance to the

:24:04. > :24:08.people whose lives will be blighted by this scheme. Canterbury works, in

:24:09. > :24:14.the Brent part of my constituency, a vent shaft will be built in a very

:24:15. > :24:19.deprived area next to a school playground. Parents at the school

:24:20. > :24:22.had reiterated to me over and over again how detrimental construction

:24:23. > :24:30.will be to their children's education, health and welfare. A

:24:31. > :24:34.pupil and parent at the school raised specific concerns about air

:24:35. > :24:38.pollution, and she said, children will be directly affected by the

:24:39. > :24:42.impact of noise levels from construction, causing disruption to

:24:43. > :24:45.their learning experience, in particular for the high percentage

:24:46. > :24:54.of pupils with special educational needs. Her concerns do not stand in

:24:55. > :24:56.isolation, but exist in a socioeconomic context that demands

:24:57. > :25:05.South Kilburn should be given a better deal in the upheaval in

:25:06. > :25:08.practice by HS2. Income deprivation affecting children, the surrounding

:25:09. > :25:14.areas of the vent shaft reposed in Brent is in the top 1% in the

:25:15. > :25:19.country. -- proposed in Brent. The other borough in my constituency, in

:25:20. > :25:25.Camden, Alexandra Place, another vent shaft will be built adjacent to

:25:26. > :25:29.crowded businesses and residential properties. 100 vehicles per day

:25:30. > :25:36.will be in knitting dangerous fumes within the confines of narrow roads

:25:37. > :25:40.surrounded on all sides by building apartments. -- will be emitting.

:25:41. > :25:44.Residents of a care home live there. Children living in apartments in

:25:45. > :25:49.Alexandra Place will face increased risks to their health for many

:25:50. > :25:52.years. A Sunday Times article in October said that pollution in

:25:53. > :25:56.London was stunting children's lungs. When the select committee

:25:57. > :26:03.report states that together these two sites I have named are the most

:26:04. > :26:07.sensitive locations for vent shafts in an urban area, their words should

:26:08. > :26:12.be taken seriously. I know there's not much time and I would like to

:26:13. > :26:15.finish wise saying I do not object to transport schemes and

:26:16. > :26:20.infrastructure projects without upmost consideration, but as the MP

:26:21. > :26:23.for Hampstead and Kilburn, and as somebody who is proud to call the

:26:24. > :26:28.constituency my home and where I grew up, the welfare of my

:26:29. > :26:32.constituents comes first stop this scheme will blight their lives,

:26:33. > :26:39.affect the most vulnerable and create years of upheaval for people

:26:40. > :26:42.already living in deprived communities. This is my reason for

:26:43. > :26:50.speaking out against the scheme that will affect the most vulnerable. I

:26:51. > :26:54.would like to add my support to the amendments relating to the office of

:26:55. > :26:59.the adjudicator which have moved so well this afternoon. It is critical

:27:00. > :27:04.for my constituents that we have somebody to intervene between them

:27:05. > :27:09.and HS2. I think the cross-party high-level legal support for those

:27:10. > :27:14.amendments should be noticed by the Secretary of State and this house.

:27:15. > :27:21.The amendment in my name is specific and I will deal with it briefly. New

:27:22. > :27:25.clause 23, the expected frequency of trains means the noise will be

:27:26. > :27:32.continuous in an unspoiled village where there are currently as many

:27:33. > :27:37.stables as housing. HS2 has failed to engage in this community about

:27:38. > :27:40.adequate noise mitigation. The community is so concerned that they

:27:41. > :27:46.are themselves considering fundraising among villagers to

:27:47. > :27:52.install noise barriers. I would liked the house to take notice of

:27:53. > :27:56.that. Caused 34, warding to and, like much of my constituency it has

:27:57. > :27:59.an existing traffic problem. HS2 turns a problem into a vision of

:28:00. > :28:11.hell. The select committee agreed the village would struggle to cope.

:28:12. > :28:16.This amendment asks the Secretary of State to commission a review of the

:28:17. > :28:20.problem. New clause 25 relates to bridleways. My constituency has been

:28:21. > :28:23.repeatedly dissected over the centuries by the Oxford- Birmingham

:28:24. > :28:30.Canal, and 29 years ago by the building of HS2 the M40. Both

:28:31. > :28:47.brought great benefits to the area, given the time, I will just speak to

:28:48. > :28:50.amendments 16 in my name, which seeks to give statutory protection

:28:51. > :28:59.to Wormwood Scrubs Common. I should say more protection, because it

:29:00. > :29:03.already has some protection. It hosts an extraordinary range of

:29:04. > :29:09.sports, pastimes, has a pony centre where thousands of disabled children

:29:10. > :29:17.ride with it every year. It is eight 200 acre area of semi-wilderness and

:29:18. > :29:21.is a substantial portion of my constituency where open space is at

:29:22. > :29:24.a premium. At the time that Tempo Mac has been proposed, we've been

:29:25. > :29:28.asked to put a viaduct across it, been told it will be turned into

:29:29. > :29:34.formal gardens, been told it will be amenity space for luxury flats built

:29:35. > :29:38.around HS2, and now it will be a transport way for hundreds of

:29:39. > :29:45.thousands of people to walk across, essentially destroying this London

:29:46. > :29:50.landmark for ever. Therefore I do think the select committee who

:29:51. > :29:58.recognise the representations I made, but also acknowledged that and

:29:59. > :30:04.I say to the government as well as HS2 that it would be a crime if this

:30:05. > :30:08.open space is to be spoiled over the course of this development. I wanted

:30:09. > :30:11.to make some general comments. I have more development than any other

:30:12. > :30:18.member in my constituency. I would not say I'm as at first the affected

:30:19. > :30:25.as other members, but if I can catch your eye in the third reading

:30:26. > :30:29.academic some points there. I support entirely what my honourable

:30:30. > :30:31.friends for Holborn and Saint pancreas, Amsterdam Kilburn, and

:30:32. > :30:42.acting, have these are some of the people whose

:30:43. > :30:49.homes will be blighted for many years to come. They are entirely

:30:50. > :30:54.surrounded by HS2 works. I could put forward a similar amendment to new

:30:55. > :30:57.clause 22, asking for the old Oak development to be regulated in that

:30:58. > :31:02.way. It should be regulated because we have a development commission to

:31:03. > :31:06.deal with that area. I say to the Minister that at the moment that is

:31:07. > :31:11.not working, and I hope with the new mare it will work. At the moment it

:31:12. > :31:14.is unregulated develop it and a huge opportunity cost occurring on that

:31:15. > :31:22.site that will not proper expectation and investment in that

:31:23. > :31:26.land. These new clauses and amendments are principally concerned

:31:27. > :31:32.with environmental issues and the government takes these issues very

:31:33. > :31:35.seriously indeed. The bill and environmental minimum requirements

:31:36. > :31:43.require robust environmental controls. In addition, many of these

:31:44. > :31:59.new clauses and amendments relate to issues we have already

:32:00. > :32:04.prided commitments made to Parliament by the Secretary of State

:32:05. > :32:07.and enforced by Parliament. This process has worked well for

:32:08. > :32:16.Crossrail and the Channel Tunnel rail Link. We do not need a belt

:32:17. > :32:20.when we have adequate braces. The select committee process has led to

:32:21. > :32:24.almost 400 alterations to the scheme, and provided around 1600

:32:25. > :32:29.assurances that the undertakings to those affected by HS2. I would

:32:30. > :32:39.specifically like to touch on proposed course 22 propose about the

:32:40. > :32:45.new integrated station at Euston. We share the ambition for an integrated

:32:46. > :32:48.development of Euston station. We have provided assurances to the

:32:49. > :32:52.London Borough of Camden on this and we met recently with the leader of

:32:53. > :32:55.the council to discuss these points. Work is already underway with

:32:56. > :32:59.respect to the commitments given in the assurances to Camden. Transport

:33:00. > :33:04.for London and the Greater London Authority on the issues of overall

:33:05. > :33:11.integration of works at Houston and the integration with Crossrail two.

:33:12. > :33:14.I can also confirm funding is available preparation of an outline

:33:15. > :33:22.masterplan for Euston station, which includes the classic element,

:33:23. > :33:26.Network Rail element of the station. Would he inform the house how many

:33:27. > :33:31.conventional rail platforms will have to be sacrificed at Euston

:33:32. > :33:36.station to accommodate HS2? We've made it clear that by phasing the

:33:37. > :33:40.developer. The high-speed platforms at Euston, that will give us the

:33:41. > :33:44.opportunity to carry out some of that work, and we have changed the

:33:45. > :33:48.way we have phased that to make it more possible to operate other

:33:49. > :33:53.services into Euston. We estimate that around a third of the

:33:54. > :33:56.passengers using HS2 will alight at old oak Common and use the Elizabeth

:33:57. > :34:02.line to access central London and Heathrow Airport. While I recognise

:34:03. > :34:07.the Honourable member's desired to recognise this issue, when progress

:34:08. > :34:13.has been and is being made on this issue. In terms of the issues of

:34:14. > :34:16.transparency, has raised by a number of members including my Honourable

:34:17. > :34:20.friend the member for Banbury, we have appointed a residents

:34:21. > :34:24.commissioner to hold HS2 to account for the way it communicates with

:34:25. > :34:26.residents, and have also committed to appoint a construction

:34:27. > :34:32.commissioner to deal with complaints that cannot be addressed by HS2

:34:33. > :34:35.Limited and contractors. I hope this also reassures my right honourable

:34:36. > :34:43.friend for Beaconsfield. We have already committed to a children's

:34:44. > :34:46.any other business group. I have to make progress because we only have a

:34:47. > :34:54.minute. In terms of residential demolitions we are committed and

:34:55. > :35:02.working with Camden Council, and in terms of the prohibition of

:35:03. > :35:05.vehicles, the bill already requires local authorities to approve local

:35:06. > :35:10.routes so this amendment is unnecessary. Overall many of the

:35:11. > :35:13.many new clauses and amendments will duplicate what is already put before

:35:14. > :35:16.Parliament and I do not think it is necessary to put them in the bill. I

:35:17. > :35:20.therefore urge members to reject these proposed new amendments and

:35:21. > :35:30.clauses. In the light of that unsatisfactory

:35:31. > :35:34.reply and the fact that he has relied on saying that his appointees

:35:35. > :35:39.are adequate for scrutinising his winding, I will have no other choice

:35:40. > :35:47.than to push new clause eight, concerning the office of the HS2

:35:48. > :36:00.adjudicator to the vote. Is it the wish of the House that new classics

:36:01. > :36:04.be withdrawn? IMac. New clause eight to be brought. The clause is that

:36:05. > :36:11.new clause eight be added to the bill. As many as are of the opinion,

:36:12. > :38:14.say "aye". To the contrary, "no". Division, clear the lobby.

:38:15. > :38:20.The question is that new clause eight be added to the bell. As many

:38:21. > :38:25.as are of the opinion, say "aye". To the contrary, "no". Tells for the

:38:26. > :47:30.ayes and the noes. Order, order. The ayes to the right,

:47:31. > :47:38.43. The nose back to the left, 245. The noes have it, the noes have it.

:47:39. > :47:44.Unlock. Andy McDonald to move new clause four of the formerly. The

:47:45. > :47:47.clause is that new frankly the added the bill. As many as are of the

:47:48. > :50:08.opinion, say "aye". To the contrary, "no". Division, clear the lobby.

:50:09. > :50:17.The question is that new clause 20 to be added to the bill, As many as

:50:18. > :50:27.are of the opinion, say "aye". To the contrary, "no". Tellers for the

:50:28. > :55:58.ayes and noes... Order. Order. The ayes to the right,

:55:59. > :59:11.190. The noes to the left, 254. The noes have it. Unlock.

:59:12. > :59:13.Consideration completed. Before we moved to the third reading I inform

:59:14. > :59:21.the house that the amendments have not been selected. Third reading.

:59:22. > :59:26.Queen's consent. Minister to move third reading. Madam Deputy Speaker,

:59:27. > :59:32.I beg to move that the bill be read a third time. Our railways and roads

:59:33. > :59:37.power our economy. It's almost two centuries since this house gave its

:59:38. > :59:40.backing to a pioneering railway between London and Birmingham, a

:59:41. > :59:46.line that changed our country and on which many of our great cities rely

:59:47. > :59:50.today. We could leave it as it is for another two centuries, congested

:59:51. > :59:53.and unreliable, and suffer the consequences in lost growth, lost

:59:54. > :59:57.jobs and lost opportunities, particularly in the Midlands and

:59:58. > :00:01.North. This house has already shown it can do better than that, by

:00:02. > :00:04.backing a new high-speed route alongside other transport

:00:05. > :00:09.investments in road and rail access across the country. In 2013

:00:10. > :00:14.Parliament passed the high-speed rail preparations act, paving the

:00:15. > :00:19.way for HS2. Backed by welcome support and cooperation from all

:00:20. > :00:24.parts of the house, for which I wish to thank all parties. We have made

:00:25. > :00:27.outstanding progress since then. It is contractors are bidding to build

:00:28. > :00:36.the line, British apprentices are waiting to work on the line, British

:00:37. > :00:41.cities are waiting to build on it. That is why today is so important. A

:00:42. > :00:46.lot of people here all afternoon, and this is a fairly short reading,

:00:47. > :00:50.short period for third reading, I don't want to give others the

:00:51. > :00:55.opportunity to speak. On what will be a great British railway. Phase

:00:56. > :00:58.one will be the bedrock of the new network, phase 28 will take it to

:00:59. > :01:04.Crewe, phase three onwards to Manchester and Leeds. The trains are

:01:05. > :01:08.more than twice as busy as they were 20 years ago and growth will

:01:09. > :01:12.continue. HS2 will help us cope. It will work, it will be quick,

:01:13. > :01:17.reliable, safe, and it will be clean. When it's finished we will

:01:18. > :01:21.wonder why it took so long to get around to building it. I know many

:01:22. > :01:25.members will want to speak, so I will keep my remarks short. I will

:01:26. > :01:29.touch on the detail of the bill. I will also set out the work that has

:01:30. > :01:33.been done on the environment, and then I want to describe what will

:01:34. > :01:38.come next, including what we are doing to build skills and manage

:01:39. > :01:41.costs. The bill before the house today authorises the first stage of

:01:42. > :01:46.Tempo Mac from London to Birmingham. The bill has undergone two years of

:01:47. > :01:53.intense parliamentary scrutiny since 2013. Even before phase one of the

:01:54. > :01:58.bill was introduced, the principles of HS2 were extensively debated on

:01:59. > :02:02.the floor of this house. In 2014 we had the second reading of phase one

:02:03. > :02:06.of the bill, and then there was a special select committee. I want to

:02:07. > :02:10.thank all members of the committee, particularly my honourable friend,

:02:11. > :02:15.the member for Poole who chaired it so ably. I want to give special

:02:16. > :02:18.tribute to my honourable friend, the members for North West Norfolk and

:02:19. > :02:23.Worthing West, who along with the member for Poole sat for the whole

:02:24. > :02:29.of the committee stage. The committee heard over 1500 petitions

:02:30. > :02:35.during 160 sittings, sitting for more than 700 hours and over 15,000

:02:36. > :02:40.pieces of evidence were provided. It published its second special report

:02:41. > :02:45.on the 22nd of February this year. The government published its

:02:46. > :02:49.response excepting the committee's recommendations. Many were related

:02:50. > :02:53.to environmental impacts. Building any road or rail link has impacts,

:02:54. > :03:01.but we will build it carefully and build it right. For example, HS2

:03:02. > :03:05.have today started to secure up to 7 million trees to plant alongside the

:03:06. > :03:10.line to help them blend in with the landscape. Changes at the select

:03:11. > :03:21.committee will mean less land take, more noise Arius and longer tunnels.

:03:22. > :03:24.Very briefly... I totally understand the economic reasons for the

:03:25. > :03:29.project, but could I put in a bid for nature, for ancient woodland to

:03:30. > :03:33.be given the reference it deserves. Much will be undermined and

:03:34. > :03:35.threatened, but please can the Minister ensure that this

:03:36. > :03:41.irreplaceable habitat is giving the due reference it requires. I can

:03:42. > :03:46.assure my honourable friend, I think given the time it has input before

:03:47. > :03:49.both select committees and procedures from the Woodland Trust

:03:50. > :03:53.have been put before the select committee to make its case, that

:03:54. > :03:56.will be taken into account. The planting of new trees is a very

:03:57. > :04:00.important part of the work that is being done. We have done it huge

:04:01. > :04:05.amount to assess the environmental impacts. More than 50,000 pages of

:04:06. > :04:08.environmental assessments have been provided and we have produced a

:04:09. > :04:15.statement of reasons setting out why we believe it's correct to pursue

:04:16. > :04:19.HS2. The house needs to ensure it makes the decisions to support this

:04:20. > :04:23.important object in light of environmental effects. I expect the

:04:24. > :04:28.commencement of construction to begin next year. To enable this HS2

:04:29. > :04:32.have today announced that nine firms have been short listed for the civil

:04:33. > :04:36.engineering contractor for the line. Those contracts alone will create

:04:37. > :04:42.over 14,000 jobs and we want those jobs to be British jobs. That is why

:04:43. > :04:45.the HS2 skills college with sites in Birmingham and Doncaster will open

:04:46. > :04:50.its doors next year to train our young people and take up this

:04:51. > :04:54.opportunity. It's not all about jobs, it's about materials as well.

:04:55. > :04:58.HS2 will need approximately 2 million tonnes of steel over the

:04:59. > :05:01.next ten years. We are already holding discussions with UK

:05:02. > :05:04.suppliers to make sure they are in the best possible positions to win

:05:05. > :05:07.those contracts. Later this year I will set out my decisions on HS2

:05:08. > :05:17.phase two. We must have a firm grip on the

:05:18. > :05:24.costs. The spending review confirmed the budget of ?55.7 billion at 215

:05:25. > :05:28.premises. HS2 is a major commitment of public money, but it is an

:05:29. > :05:35.investment that Britain must make and we can afford to make. The cost

:05:36. > :05:39.of HS2 account to about 1.4% of UK GDP in the spending review period. I

:05:40. > :05:41.respect the fact that there are those in the House who take a

:05:42. > :05:46.different view on this project, but it is about the future of our

:05:47. > :05:49.nation. A bold new piece of infrastructure that will open for

:05:50. > :05:54.passengers in just ten years' time. This is about giving strength, not

:05:55. > :05:56.just to the north but also to the Midlands. Today, I can get a

:05:57. > :06:01.high-speed train to Paris and other parts of Europe, but not to

:06:02. > :06:05.Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds or Scotland. This is about boosting the

:06:06. > :06:13.links to the Midlands manufacturing heartland. The connections to Leeds,

:06:14. > :06:17.York, and Edinburgh, Northwest, Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow,

:06:18. > :06:21.it is about making HS2 part of a national railway network such as at

:06:22. > :06:25.Euston. Here we are not only building a world-class high-speed

:06:26. > :06:31.railway station, but we are also funding work Network Rail to build a

:06:32. > :06:36.master plan produced in statement, able to forward in our plan for an

:06:37. > :06:42.integrated hub that will enhance the area. I have agreed to the transfer

:06:43. > :06:46.of land to the development corporation for new homes and safety

:06:47. > :06:51.5000 jobs. High-speed two is a measure of our ambition as a

:06:52. > :06:55.country. A measure of our ability to look beyond the immediate future and

:06:56. > :06:58.a hard-headed view of what we needed to succeed as a nation. This is

:06:59. > :07:02.every way which will unlock that future. I urge colleagues to support

:07:03. > :07:08.the bill at third reading as they have done to date for the carry-over

:07:09. > :07:11.motion saw the bill can continue its passage into the next session. Madam

:07:12. > :07:19.Deputy Speaker, I commend this to the House. In the question is that

:07:20. > :07:23.the bill will not read for the third time. We have only half an hour for

:07:24. > :07:28.all members wishing to speak so there will be a limit of three

:07:29. > :07:36.minutes for all backbench contribution. If you use less time,

:07:37. > :07:40.everyone will be grateful. Today's proceedings mark the end of a long

:07:41. > :07:44.process and I'm sure that the House will want to express its gratitude

:07:45. > :07:47.to all those who served on the bill's select committee, the clerks

:07:48. > :07:52.and although two petitions or assisted the petitioners in making

:07:53. > :07:55.their case. This project has undoubtedly been improved by

:07:56. > :07:59.parliamentary scrutiny that it has received. I would like to record my

:08:00. > :08:01.thanks to the honourable member for Middlesbrough who represented the

:08:02. > :08:08.opposition with great skill through the bill committee and report

:08:09. > :08:12.stages. HS2 is a Labour project and when the high-speed rail command

:08:13. > :08:16.paper was published in March 2010, the urgent need for greater capacity

:08:17. > :08:20.on our real network was at its heart. Since that paper was

:08:21. > :08:25.published, passenger numbers have grown by a third. Punctuality has

:08:26. > :08:29.declined as the constraints on our existing infrastructure grow. The