:00:00. > :00:00.of Parliament at 11pm tonight. First, we have questions to the
:00:00. > :00:11.Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Andes ministers.
:00:12. > :00:18.Order, order. On the front page of today's order paper, it is noted
:00:19. > :00:25.that on the 23rd of April 1916, the Honourable Michael Hicks-Beach,
:00:26. > :00:35.Viscount Quenington, Royal Gloucestershire Yeomanry, died of
:00:36. > :00:46.wounds received in action in Sinai, Egypt. We remember him today.
:00:47. > :00:52.Questions to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
:00:53. > :00:55.Might I begin by wishing Her Majesty The Queen are very happy birthday
:00:56. > :01:00.today. The whole country is celebrating. I am delighted to
:01:01. > :01:04.publish the first culture white paper for more than 50 years and I
:01:05. > :01:13.am pleased that the core of that white paper has that culture first.
:01:14. > :01:17.I join a minister in wishing Her Majesty The Queen are very happy
:01:18. > :01:21.birthday. Does the Minister agree that devolution combined with
:01:22. > :01:25.possibility of an elected Mayor, as we hope still having
:01:26. > :01:28.Gloucestershire, is a good thing to provide more score, leadership and
:01:29. > :01:34.resources for culture, media, music and everything else I did community
:01:35. > :01:38.needs to have? I do agree. It is clear that local leadership plays an
:01:39. > :01:45.absolutely crucial role in ensuring the power of culture can make a real
:01:46. > :01:49.impact on local communities. Is Government has implemented ?685
:01:50. > :01:55.million of cuts to Lancashire County Council, resulting in massive
:01:56. > :02:01.library and Museum closures. When this is Government going to get
:02:02. > :02:06.responsibility for this attack on our heritage and culture, making to
:02:07. > :02:11.treachery, when we lose these forever? Disgraceful. When will this
:02:12. > :02:14.Government take responsibility? Mr Speaker, the amount of cash going to
:02:15. > :02:21.local authorities is going up. The honourable gentleman should look to
:02:22. > :02:23.his own benches first, because Labour local authorities are
:02:24. > :02:28.overwhelmingly closing local libraries and it is conservative
:02:29. > :02:33.ones that are keeping them open. The honourable gentleman should not
:02:34. > :02:41.be expanding while exchanges take place. -- standing. I would like to
:02:42. > :02:53.join a minister in wishing her marriages are very happy birthday.
:02:54. > :02:58.-- her marriages. If leisure centres and libraries are closed, they will
:02:59. > :03:03.not have saved enough money to plug a financial black hole they face.
:03:04. > :03:09.That was the quote from the Tory chairperson of the Local Government
:03:10. > :03:13.Association. That is a black hole of the Government's making and local
:03:14. > :03:23.cultural institutions lose out the cause councils cannot get Arts
:03:24. > :03:28.Council grants. Our creative industries generate millions of
:03:29. > :03:34.pounds per year. The drivers of growth as well as inspiration and
:03:35. > :03:47.hope for future jobs. Why is this Government starving local Ritz? I
:03:48. > :03:58.don't agree. We I see examples of success all over the country.
:03:59. > :04:03.Looking at Hull as a City of Culture, for instance. She should
:04:04. > :04:08.have a word with her colleagues in the Labour Party and asked them to
:04:09. > :04:15.stop closing libraries! Can I have a sense of reality here? My local
:04:16. > :04:20.authorities desperately fighting to keep libraries open and museums
:04:21. > :04:23.going and it is a very tough call indeed. I know that there are
:04:24. > :04:29.problems. I'm not making a cheap point. But isn't it about time that
:04:30. > :04:33.we have more resources for local Government and universities to take
:04:34. > :04:36.given it is more seriously in terms of innovation and the arts? His
:04:37. > :04:40.point about universities is very well made and universities play an
:04:41. > :04:44.increasingly important role in local cultural provision. That is
:04:45. > :04:57.something they have driven and they are very important partners.
:04:58. > :05:00.Around half of Sir Brian Leveson's recommendations focused on press
:05:01. > :05:04.regulation. The Government has delivered orders in the process of
:05:05. > :05:11.delivering the majority of the other recommendations directed at them.
:05:12. > :05:16.The Secretary of State must realise that press abuse victims want him to
:05:17. > :05:20.implement section 40. Indeed, even the Prime Minister personally
:05:21. > :05:25.promised victims of press abuse and this House that it would be enacted.
:05:26. > :05:29.Why is a Secretary of State breaking the Prime Minister's promise? I have
:05:30. > :05:34.considerable sympathy with the victims of press abuse. I have had a
:05:35. > :05:36.number of meetings with some of those and with others who are
:05:37. > :05:45.rightly following this matter with great interest. I would say that
:05:46. > :05:51.having had my faith tested to the utmost, I still believe press
:05:52. > :05:54.freedom is a vitally important component of a free society and we
:05:55. > :06:00.should tread very carefully. However, the recommendations of the
:06:01. > :06:05.Leveson, some have been implemented and the new system is coming into
:06:06. > :06:11.effect. The exemplary damages provisions of section 40, he will be
:06:12. > :06:14.aware, have been enacted. The remainder are under consideration
:06:15. > :06:16.still. We do not yet have a recognised press regulator in place
:06:17. > :06:23.but we will continue to consider these matters very carefully. Can I
:06:24. > :06:28.ask, does the Secretary of State believe we have sufficient press
:06:29. > :06:36.regulation or would you like to see more regulation of the press? We do
:06:37. > :06:42.now have two potential press regulators, both of which are
:06:43. > :06:45.independent, self regulatory systems with sanctions and certainly
:06:46. > :06:50.represent considerable improvement on the Press Complaints Commission
:06:51. > :06:53.which went before. It is still early days. Beasley, we will watch very
:06:54. > :06:57.carefully to see how the new system operates and whether or not it is
:06:58. > :07:01.delivering the proper protection, which I think we want to see to
:07:02. > :07:07.ensure the abuses taking place in the past and not happen again. We
:07:08. > :07:11.support freedom of the press and broadcasters but in the case of the
:07:12. > :07:15.BBC, we also expect our national broadcaster to reflect the society
:07:16. > :07:19.in which we live. The Secretary of State airshow were seen highlights
:07:20. > :07:22.of the recent debate the House had on BBC diversity and all sides were
:07:23. > :07:27.in complete agreement that there is a striking shortage of black senior
:07:28. > :07:36.managers and an inexplicable lack of openly gay and lesbian presenters.
:07:37. > :07:41.There is a shocking absence of older women on screen anywhere. He's
:07:42. > :07:46.agreed the time for EBC studies at past and action is overdue. As it
:07:47. > :07:51.had chance to pass this debate the director general -- to the Director
:07:52. > :07:55.General? I have quite a lot of sympathy to his comments. We are
:07:56. > :07:59.still in the process of drawing up the new BBC Charter. I can give an
:08:00. > :08:02.assurance this is an issue that will feature in the white paper when we
:08:03. > :08:07.publish it, I hope quite soon. We take it very seriously. I don't
:08:08. > :08:11.believe in telling the BBC or setting quotas for the number of
:08:12. > :08:15.ethnic minority faces or older female faces are indeed Scottish
:08:16. > :08:20.faces that appear on screen behind the camera, but it is something
:08:21. > :08:23.we're all those groups and others who are currently underrepresented
:08:24. > :08:28.need to have better representation. That is what we are working to
:08:29. > :08:35.achieve. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Number three, please.
:08:36. > :08:38.Thank you, Mr Speaker. The department secured a very positive
:08:39. > :08:43.Spending Review settlement last year, and over this parliament, we
:08:44. > :08:48.will invest more money in grassroots sports than ever before. This
:08:49. > :08:51.settlement reflects the Government's support for the positive outcomes
:08:52. > :08:57.sport can bring and will be spent in line with the new Government
:08:58. > :08:59.strategy, Sporting Future, which encourages people from all
:09:00. > :09:07.backgrounds to engage in sport and physical activity. I thank the
:09:08. > :09:13.Minister for the response. What assessment has been made of any
:09:14. > :09:18.councils intervening and affecting grassroots sports participation,
:09:19. > :09:28.such as a park run, we're a pencil charges for wearing dear -- where a
:09:29. > :09:32.council charges for wearing dear? The decision to charge for an event
:09:33. > :09:36.that is the around the UK and across the world is one that we think
:09:37. > :09:38.should be reconsidered. We want to remove barriers to participation and
:09:39. > :09:42.encourage more people to get involved in sport. This is the key
:09:43. > :09:48.message Government was to get across. If my honourable friend were
:09:49. > :09:53.to speak to our right honourable friend, the Secretary of State, he
:09:54. > :10:00.would be aware that in Chelmsford there is thriving grassroots sport
:10:01. > :10:03.in the form of ice hockey. As the results of the Spending Review hold
:10:04. > :10:11.out any hole for ice hockey at grassroots to benefit from that. I
:10:12. > :10:17.am grateful to my right honourable friend for his question. Decisions
:10:18. > :10:22.on the budget for local authorities are their decisions and we welcome
:10:23. > :10:27.what is happening in jobs. I know are assiduous years in speaking up
:10:28. > :10:30.for his constituency. There are many examples across the country where
:10:31. > :10:33.local authorities are spending on sport, like Central Bedfordshire
:10:34. > :10:39.Council, which continues to invest in sport and physical activity
:10:40. > :10:45.provision. And that we encourage. Question number four, Mr Speaker. As
:10:46. > :10:51.I indicated a moment ago, no decision has been taken regarding
:10:52. > :10:56.commencement of the Crime and Courts Act. I am eating a variety of
:10:57. > :11:03.interesting parties with different views to discuss the issue. Thank
:11:04. > :11:09.you for taking us no further forward. Implementation of these
:11:10. > :11:13.cost incentives was promised by the then called researcher, the right
:11:14. > :11:17.honourable member for Basingstoke. They were promised as a key part of
:11:18. > :11:21.the Leveson forms the city were by the Prime Minister, not only by
:11:22. > :11:22.Parliament but to victims of press abuse, including the family of
:11:23. > :11:38.Madeleine McCann. The will of Parliament, breaching a
:11:39. > :11:41.cross-party agreement, but also breaking very firm, clear promises
:11:42. > :11:47.made by the Prime Minister and his colleagues?
:11:48. > :11:55.Well, I would just say first of all, I have not indicated that I have no
:11:56. > :12:00.intention, I simply said I was not minded which means that the matter
:12:01. > :12:05.is still under consideration and my mind and that of my colleagues is
:12:06. > :12:12.open on the matter which is why we are continuing to have meetings with
:12:13. > :12:17.those only this week, I had out meeting with some of the local
:12:18. > :12:20.publishers who have signed up with the Impress regulator who meets a
:12:21. > :12:25.very interesting comments and we will continue to listen to all those
:12:26. > :12:30.with an interest. We will in due course make a decision, however I
:12:31. > :12:36.would point out that of course section 40 will not come into effect
:12:37. > :12:40.fully until there is a recognised regulator even after the order is
:12:41. > :12:43.signed. There is not yet a recognised regulator so we are not
:12:44. > :12:51.yet at that position and we will continue to consider the matter. We
:12:52. > :13:00.consider that the Secretary of State's minded state was however
:13:01. > :13:07.meant. Question four. The first three things are remembrance, youth
:13:08. > :13:12.and education. We know that to date around 1.5 million young people have
:13:13. > :13:17.taken part including schemes like the battlefield twirls and legacy
:13:18. > :13:21.programmes, 14-18 now and protecting warmer morals. We are ensuring that
:13:22. > :13:27.young people are visibly catered for and take part in all of our national
:13:28. > :13:31.remembrance events. I thank him for that answer but it is important that
:13:32. > :13:33.young people understand the sacrifice made by earlier
:13:34. > :13:39.generations and I wonder if he would join me in congratulating pupils in
:13:40. > :13:42.my constituency who were given the opportunity to name a new fantastic
:13:43. > :13:50.recreation facility in their area and shows to Collett Newbould
:13:51. > :13:54.Centurion Park to commemorate the start of the First World War. I am
:13:55. > :14:04.honourable to my friend. We should perhaps be relieved that it was not
:14:05. > :14:08.called Parky McParkface. I join him in congratulating the pupils of that
:14:09. > :14:11.academy for choosing to commemorate those who give their lives in the
:14:12. > :14:15.First World War in choosing the name of the park. As I have said, there
:14:16. > :14:19.are hundreds of projects going on up and down the country and it is
:14:20. > :14:24.particularly important that young people have the opportunity to visit
:14:25. > :14:26.the First World War battlefields and it is extraordinarily encouraging,
:14:27. > :14:33.the enthusiasm and interest that they have shown in marking of this
:14:34. > :14:37.very important interior. Thank you, Mr Speaker. These matters are
:14:38. > :14:41.important but the department is also responsible for protecting children
:14:42. > :14:47.online. This morning, the Internet watch foundation said that child
:14:48. > :14:51.abuse images are appearing behind adult pornography sites. Could the
:14:52. > :14:57.Secretary of State explained to the House why he personally intervened
:14:58. > :15:02.to block the Tory party manifesto promise to enable Internet service
:15:03. > :15:10.providers to block websites where there isn't a proper age
:15:11. > :15:14.verification system? This is a very serious matter and could very
:15:15. > :15:18.properly be raised at topical questions but it is something of an
:15:19. > :15:21.abuse of the main thrust of this question. I let the honourable lady
:15:22. > :15:24.finished because I did not know where she was headed and I wanted to
:15:25. > :15:28.give her the benefit of the doubt but having given her the chance, I'm
:15:29. > :15:35.afraid if I may say so she was hanged by her own rope. We better
:15:36. > :15:39.move on. On Tuesday this week, I had the pleasure of attending your state
:15:40. > :15:45.rooms to celebrate the Sikh festival and I thank you for your general
:15:46. > :15:52.hospitality. -- generous. You know that Sikh soldiers made huge
:15:53. > :15:55.contributions to our First World War is an people now want a permanent
:15:56. > :15:59.monument in central London to commemorate that sacrifice. Can the
:16:00. > :16:08.Minister today promised the Government's support in principle
:16:09. > :16:12.for this project? We do have memorials to a number of the
:16:13. > :16:17.different communities who contributed in the First World War
:16:18. > :16:22.and many of whom lost many lives. I was privileged to attend a few weeks
:16:23. > :16:27.ago on Commonwealth Day, the ceremony but to close at the
:16:28. > :16:29.Memorial gates that marks the contribution of the Afro-Caribbean
:16:30. > :16:35.community and the Asian community in the First World War which was
:16:36. > :16:39.extremely important and perhaps doesn't always achieve recognition.
:16:40. > :16:43.We will of course keep an open mind. To some extent it would be a matter
:16:44. > :16:47.for other authorities but certainly if there are specific proposals I
:16:48. > :16:54.will of course look at them. I was very grateful to William Prichard
:16:55. > :16:58.and Billy Green from a school in my constituency who made a wreath in
:16:59. > :17:04.memory of my great grandfather who was killed on the first day of the
:17:05. > :17:08.Battle of the Somme in 1916. In this, its centenary year, can I
:17:09. > :17:12.encourage my friend to encourage school visits to the Somme
:17:13. > :17:19.battlefield memorials to remember those men who made so much sacrifice
:17:20. > :17:22.all those years ago? Well, my honourable friend illustrates what
:17:23. > :17:25.has become very clear which is that almost every person in this country
:17:26. > :17:30.will have have a relative who served in the First World War and many of
:17:31. > :17:34.whom died and I'm delighted to hear about to be attributed was paid to
:17:35. > :17:39.his own grandfather. It is incredibly important that young
:17:40. > :17:44.people to hear about and learn about the First World War and that is why
:17:45. > :17:48.we did put in place the school battlefields tour programme under
:17:49. > :17:52.which to pupils and one teacher from every state funded secondary school
:17:53. > :17:56.in England can visit the First World War battlefields and over 3.5
:17:57. > :18:06.thousand pupils have already been on that programme. Question number six.
:18:07. > :18:10.Mr Speaker, I have no plans to reform UK and in but following the
:18:11. > :18:16.Sunday Times allegation and independent review been launched
:18:17. > :18:19.into UK and the's handling of the information it received. It's
:18:20. > :18:24.important we allow that review to conclude before deciding what action
:18:25. > :18:27.to take. I thank the secretary for that answer but last week it was
:18:28. > :18:34.suggested that doping in sport could be criminalised in the UK. Has there
:18:35. > :18:39.been discussion in other departments regards to decriminalisation of
:18:40. > :18:43.doping. It is a matter that we are considering very actively. The
:18:44. > :18:48.allegations that were printed in the Sunday Times that suggested it may
:18:49. > :18:52.be that doping is taking place amongst UK sportsmen are very
:18:53. > :18:56.serious and something we want to examine very carefully but also
:18:57. > :19:00.urgently. If it becomes clear as a result of that that further action
:19:01. > :19:03.needs to be taken, possibly including the criminalisation of
:19:04. > :19:08.doping in sport, then we will not hesitate to act. Mr Speaker, does
:19:09. > :19:12.the Minister agree that we should be leading the way in terms of
:19:13. > :19:15.anti-doping and does he agree that sportsmen and sportswomen have at
:19:16. > :19:20.responsibility to be honest and clean especially as they inspire
:19:21. > :19:24.some any young people? What are they doing to work alongside the UK
:19:25. > :19:28.Anti-Doping Agency to tackle this problem? I completely agree with the
:19:29. > :19:32.honourable gentleman. It is essential that sport is seen to be
:19:33. > :19:37.clean and that is something that in this country we have until now has a
:19:38. > :19:40.very good reputation for and I hope that we still will have a good
:19:41. > :19:44.reputation. We are talking to all the UK sports bodies and do intend
:19:45. > :19:48.to draw up proposals which I hope all of them will adopt but beyond
:19:49. > :19:51.that, we are taking a lead internationally and the Prime
:19:52. > :19:53.Minister is holding anti-corruption summits next month and this is one
:19:54. > :20:02.of the issues that will be raised and discussed there. Thank you, Mr
:20:03. > :20:05.Speaker. The Prime Minister has said that his forthcoming anti-corruption
:20:06. > :20:09.Summit that he will consider whether doping in sport should be made a
:20:10. > :20:13.criminal offence but before anyone can be convicted, we have to have an
:20:14. > :20:21.effective tech Singh regime in place. Despite the billions that go
:20:22. > :20:24.in to sport -- testing regime, very little money is going into science
:20:25. > :20:27.to keep us ahead of the cheats. Will he join me in common upon the Prime
:20:28. > :20:33.Minister to discuss funding for research at his summit with an aim
:20:34. > :20:37.of setting up an independent funding body that would be independent of
:20:38. > :20:42.sports governing bodies so that we can have effective testing in state
:20:43. > :20:48.to keep ahead of the cheats? I agree that this is a very important matter
:20:49. > :20:52.which is why the Government does invest over ?5 million per annum in
:20:53. > :20:57.UK and in and that some is going up so that by the end of this
:20:58. > :20:59.Parliament, it will beat 5-point formally in pounds. National
:21:00. > :21:08.governing bodies in sport are doing quite a lot. For one example, I was
:21:09. > :21:10.with the horse racing authority, British horse racing authority to
:21:11. > :21:14.hear about the work they have been doing to ensure that their sport
:21:15. > :21:18.remains clean. Other sports are investing in it. Of course, there is
:21:19. > :21:23.more that we can do in this area and I would join with him in urging the
:21:24. > :21:26.national governing bodies of all our sports to give this the seriousness
:21:27. > :21:35.that it deserves and to invest more if required. Number eight, Mr
:21:36. > :21:38.Speaker. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I was delighted last month to work
:21:39. > :21:44.with the planning minister and the music venues trust to get changes in
:21:45. > :21:48.place to weaken protect our music venues. It is important we recognise
:21:49. > :21:53.the huge economic contribution that is made to the night-time economy
:21:54. > :21:57.and that take action where it is required. Thank you, Mr trigger.
:21:58. > :22:03.According to figures released by the industry body, the UK's restaurants,
:22:04. > :22:06.bars and music venues employ 1.3 million people and serve millions of
:22:07. > :22:09.Britons and tourists every year. Will the Minister join me in
:22:10. > :22:14.recognising the important role of this sector which contributes to our
:22:15. > :22:19.economy every year? Yes, I will. Not only an economic condition but a
:22:20. > :22:24.cultural echo contribute. In the light of the visit of the president
:22:25. > :22:27.of Indonesia, in Indonesia they count food and restaurant as part of
:22:28. > :22:31.their creative industries and I think from my own perspective, that
:22:32. > :22:39.is something we should take very seriously and perhaps consider.
:22:40. > :22:44.Question ten, please. We recently launched an appeal to encourage
:22:45. > :22:46.communities, businesses, organisations and individuals across
:22:47. > :22:51.the United Kingdom to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme
:22:52. > :22:54.on June 30 and July the 1st. We will continue to find ways to encourage
:22:55. > :22:59.commemoration of this most poignant brushwood war event through media
:23:00. > :23:02.activity and direct approaches. Guidance is available on the
:23:03. > :23:06.Government website and special information has been published by
:23:07. > :23:11.the Royal British Legion which contains information on hosting a
:23:12. > :23:14.sombre remembrance event. Thank you, Mr Speaker. The First World War was
:23:15. > :23:20.of course an enormous UK wide effort where millions of men and women
:23:21. > :23:23.served our nation. What additional information can the Secretary of
:23:24. > :23:26.State give a large Government so that the people of Wales and in
:23:27. > :23:30.particular young people can mark and honour the great sacrifices made in
:23:31. > :23:37.the First World War? I think my honourable friend thought that
:23:38. > :23:43.question. The wheels remembers 1914-1918 question was launched by
:23:44. > :23:47.the First Minister in January. It gives details of the commemorative
:23:48. > :23:53.events happening in Wales or further afield during 2016. There will be a
:23:54. > :23:56.vigil at the Welsh National Memorial in Cardiff to commemorate this and
:23:57. > :24:01.scenery of the Battle of the Somme and at Carmarthen car full, the
:24:02. > :24:08.poppies weeping window from the 11th of October to the 20th of November.
:24:09. > :24:13.On the 25th of June, Armed Forces Day, the national event is being
:24:14. > :24:18.held in Cleethorpes. Would my friend agree that this is an opportunity to
:24:19. > :24:21.not only mark the continuing bravery of our Armed Forces but also to make
:24:22. > :24:26.that with the sacrifices of the past? I think you make a very good
:24:27. > :24:30.points and we are so grateful for our Armed Forces and their continued
:24:31. > :24:35.service but one must never forget those who gave sacrificed in the
:24:36. > :24:42.First World War. Questionable 12, Mr Speaker. We published our action
:24:43. > :24:45.plan two years ago. We have lowered the threshold for what constitutes a
:24:46. > :24:48.nuisance call and also increased cooperation between the two
:24:49. > :24:56.regulars,, and the regulation office. Despite Government action,
:24:57. > :25:00.nuisance calls are a real concern to residents all over the country. What
:25:01. > :25:05.further steps can my right honourable friend take to ensure
:25:06. > :25:09.that we buy nuisance calls and prevent particularly elderly people
:25:10. > :25:13.from suffering this curse. Well, it is a very important issue and it
:25:14. > :25:17.annoys a greater number of people and also frightens particularly the
:25:18. > :25:22.elderly and vulnerable. We are working and have announced a fund to
:25:23. > :25:28.allow col barring equipment to be given to the elderly and fallible
:25:29. > :25:35.and we are considering our results for calling line identification.
:25:36. > :25:38.There is a real danger that increasing this small claims limited
:25:39. > :25:45.civil court cases will lead to more unwanted nuisance calls from claims
:25:46. > :25:48.management agencies. Well my honourable friend please liaise with
:25:49. > :25:53.ministers in the Ministry of Justice to ensure steps are taken to stop
:25:54. > :25:57.this from happening? Well, my friend takes a close personal interest in
:25:58. > :26:01.this issue and has been very supportive and makes an extremely
:26:02. > :26:04.important point. In my view, when Government is considering changing
:26:05. > :26:07.legislation in any department, they should consider the potential
:26:08. > :26:15.knock-on effect on nuisance calls so I will certainly take on his point
:26:16. > :26:24.Mr Speaker, the review reporting on the Government and regulation on the
:26:25. > :26:27.BBC in the 1st of March 20 16. Sir David's ideas for the principles of
:26:28. > :26:32.simpler Government structures and streamlined regulatory arrangements
:26:33. > :26:36.that have public sensitivity to market arrangements at heart would
:26:37. > :26:43.be difficult to overlook. We hope to set out plans for the future of the
:26:44. > :26:48.BBC governance in a white paper next month.
:26:49. > :26:56.And a recent YouGov poll commissioned, it showed 62% of the
:26:57. > :26:59.over 60s had no confidence in the Government to protect the BBC during
:27:00. > :27:06.charter renewal and over half for the BBC was the most trusted source
:27:07. > :27:11.of news. In light of that, how can this possibly increase confidence in
:27:12. > :27:17.the independence of the BBC? We do take the views of those who are
:27:18. > :27:25.submitted to a consultation seriously. -- who have submitted. It
:27:26. > :27:32.is the BBC's reputation for integrity and impartiality which we
:27:33. > :27:37.want to protect. There were very specific proposals about this that
:27:38. > :27:40.Sir David made. We are discussing this with the BBC and I hope we will
:27:41. > :27:47.be able to announce agreement on that in due course.
:27:48. > :27:52.Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. The BBC's 39 local radio stations raised
:27:53. > :27:57.the prospect of further cuts as part of the corporation's attempts to
:27:58. > :28:02.meet the 700 million cost of free TV licences. Regional radio is a unique
:28:03. > :28:07.and vital service, tackling issues caused hearts of listeners who feel
:28:08. > :28:11.a very long way from the London centric national news coverage. Will
:28:12. > :28:16.he oppose any cuts to BBC local radio and in particular, in the
:28:17. > :28:20.north-east? I would say to the honourable lady that it is not my
:28:21. > :28:23.job or indeed the job of the Government to tell the BBC how to
:28:24. > :28:30.allocate the resources available to them. But... But... But I would say
:28:31. > :28:37.that I completely agree with other BBC local radio is one of the areas
:28:38. > :28:44.of BBC activity which is hugely valued and which would not usually
:28:45. > :28:48.delivered I any other means. -- hugely delivered. I am less familiar
:28:49. > :28:53.with the BBC local radio in north-east but she is to praise it.
:28:54. > :28:58.I am a big fan of BBC Essex and I would be sorry if it suffered cuts.
:28:59. > :29:04.I don't think that is necessary within a generous funding the BBC
:29:05. > :29:10.receives. The BBC promised us that they were going to learn from the
:29:11. > :29:12.mistakes of the past. As the Secretary of State had any
:29:13. > :29:16.opportunity to assess our question the logic of those BBC bosses who
:29:17. > :29:24.have decided to appoint a recently released from jail sex offender to
:29:25. > :29:30.front a prime-time youth talent show on the BBC? What were they thinking
:29:31. > :29:36.in that appointment? Well, I hear what the right
:29:37. > :29:42.honourable gentleman says. It is of course a matter of editorial
:29:43. > :29:46.judgment for the BBC. Obviously, the BBC has a duty to set an example and
:29:47. > :29:50.behave responsibly. I would simply say that I am sure the senior
:29:51. > :29:55.editorial management of the BBC will have heard what he said and I would
:29:56. > :30:05.encourage him, if he has concerns, to express them directly to the BBC.
:30:06. > :30:08.Question 14, Mr Speaker. The Prime Minister's 5-point plan
:30:09. > :30:10.for tourism sets out how this Government will grow the tourism
:30:11. > :30:16.industry in England across Britain. In 2015, we saw 10% increase in the
:30:17. > :30:20.number of domestic overnight visits in England compared to the previous
:30:21. > :30:24.year. To further distinguished tourism, the Chancellor announced a
:30:25. > :30:32.new ?40 million Discover England's fund. This was what visitors to find
:30:33. > :30:38.even more of England's hidden gems. I thank the Minister for his answer.
:30:39. > :30:42.Alongside Government action, Trinity groups, like those in my
:30:43. > :30:51.constituency, play a key role in helping tourism. Will the Minister
:30:52. > :30:57.congratulate them? He makes a powerful point, which I agree with.
:30:58. > :31:04.The British Food Fortnight, which we had recently, has been a tremendous
:31:05. > :31:08.success. I congratulate the people in his constituency wholeheartedly
:31:09. > :31:12.for what they have done. This is the year of great British food, which we
:31:13. > :31:19.are highlighting the great British food that we have and showing that
:31:20. > :31:29.we are grateful nation. -- a great food nation. No, no, he consumed his
:31:30. > :31:33.dish earlier. He can't have a go now. You can always have a go at
:31:34. > :31:37.topicals. This is a useful lesson for new members to learn. Extremely
:31:38. > :31:44.fateful to the honourable gentleman. Topical questions. Patricia Gibson.
:31:45. > :31:49.Since the last oral questions, my Department has published the first
:31:50. > :31:53.cultural white paper in 50 years. Sadly, we have seen the passing of a
:31:54. > :31:59.number of distinguished figures, including Ted Grundy, the voice of
:32:00. > :32:05.Cornwall, the playwright Arnold Wesker, and National treasures
:32:06. > :32:09.Ronnie Corbett and Victoria Wood. On a happier note, we saw England reach
:32:10. > :32:19.the final of the men's cricket T20 cup and the semifinal of the womens
:32:20. > :32:23.and Danny will it -- Danny Willett was a winner at Gloucester. We look
:32:24. > :32:27.forward to commemorating the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death
:32:28. > :32:30.on Saturday. And at the London Marathon on Sunday, to which I
:32:31. > :32:35.understand eight honourable members will be participating. And Jamie
:32:36. > :32:41.Murray, we note, is the number one doubles player.
:32:42. > :32:46.The department has indicated it wants the BBC to allocate ?100
:32:47. > :32:51.billion of its annual budget for local news and children's TV to
:32:52. > :32:56.outside suppliers work outside suppliers is meant and what impact
:32:57. > :33:01.assessment has been done on that? The BBC at the moment is subject to
:33:02. > :33:06.the 25% independent production quarter. It is not specified which
:33:07. > :33:11.particular genres that should cover but there is a general requirement
:33:12. > :33:15.of 25%. The extent to which the BBC offers the rest of its schedule up
:33:16. > :33:20.for competition from outside independent producers is a matter we
:33:21. > :33:24.are considering very carefully. There are some very good independent
:33:25. > :33:28.production companies in the sectors she mentions and I would hope the
:33:29. > :33:31.BBC will take maximum advantage of competition to ensure that we have
:33:32. > :33:38.the best possible programmes available to the licence fee payer.
:33:39. > :33:41.Mr Speaker, my constituents in Crawley appreciate lower prices and
:33:42. > :33:46.improved service. So can my right honourable friend say what his
:33:47. > :33:50.department is doing to competition in the telephone and broadband
:33:51. > :33:54.markets? Well, while we're on anniversaries,
:33:55. > :34:00.might I also congratulate Charlotte Bronte on her 200 birthday, which
:34:01. > :34:12.falls today. I don't see anything wrong with congratulating her. Shall
:34:13. > :34:16.I get on with it, Mr Speaker? We have done a lot. I also want to
:34:17. > :34:21.welcome and congratulate Ofcom's digital communications review, which
:34:22. > :34:25.is not 200 years old. In fact, it is extremely fresh, straight out of the
:34:26. > :34:31.box. And it will promote competition. We have issued a very
:34:32. > :34:37.clear statement that we will back Ofcom all the way on this. I'm
:34:38. > :34:52.starting to realise why this department is known as the Ministry
:34:53. > :34:55.For Foreign. -- Fun. We all know he has been distracted by his
:34:56. > :34:59.moonlighting for the APPLAUSE League campaign.
:35:00. > :35:01.He said he would clarify EU law to label the playing field between
:35:02. > :35:10.online platforms and content providers. This hugely boost the
:35:11. > :35:15.single market will stop why has he allowed his department to renege on
:35:16. > :35:20.that promise this month? It is something which I attach great
:35:21. > :35:27.importance to. It is a matter I discussed with the vice president of
:35:28. > :35:30.the European Commission not liable and I was reassured his shield are
:35:31. > :35:34.concerned that action should be taken to ensure that the music
:35:35. > :35:40.industry does receive the returns it is vital to from intermediaries that
:35:41. > :35:43.are currently underpaying. I have to say that is not something from which
:35:44. > :35:45.my Department has backed away and indeed it is something I am
:35:46. > :35:54.determined we will continue to press upon the European Commission.
:35:55. > :35:58.I have the letter year from UK Music. It has fallen into my lap.
:35:59. > :36:04.After expressing surprise and concern about this turn of events,
:36:05. > :36:08.it seeks, and I quote, give explicit confirmation that the UK Government
:36:09. > :36:12.remains committed to a clarification of EU law and their liability of
:36:13. > :36:17.online intermediaries and the use of safe harbour... Hasn't he spent more
:36:18. > :36:20.time arguing that we should walk away, that Britain should walk away
:36:21. > :36:24.from the biggest single market in the world than we as looking after
:36:25. > :36:29.the interests of UK creative industries in these crucial
:36:30. > :36:36.negotiations? The answer to the right honourable lady is no. Whether
:36:37. > :36:39.we will be subject to the regulations and directives under the
:36:40. > :36:42.Digital single market and indeed any other measures of the European
:36:43. > :36:47.Commission is something that the British people will decide in two
:36:48. > :36:52.months. However, in the meantime, I can assure her that I discussed this
:36:53. > :36:57.matter on Tuesday evening with the chairman of UK Music. I reassured
:36:58. > :37:12.him that in Norway had we reduced or diminished our support for the UK
:37:13. > :37:15.music industry. -- that in no way. And if clarification on these rules
:37:16. > :37:21.is needed, we would be happy to provide it. In times of committee
:37:22. > :37:24.crisis, challenge of success, listening to your local BBC Radio 1
:37:25. > :37:32.station or indeed watching local TV is vital for many constituents. And
:37:33. > :37:35.it sometimes feels like service. Does the Minister agree that the BBC
:37:36. > :37:41.and indeed local commercial radio proves to be a crucial lifeline to
:37:42. > :37:47.rural communities and should be funded appropriately? As I indicated
:37:48. > :37:51.a little earlier, I do think that local radio plays an absolutely
:37:52. > :37:54.vital role in communities. I know that my Oracle friend has particular
:37:55. > :37:59.experience in this area and speaks with that knowledge. -- my
:38:00. > :38:05.honourable friend. To give our recent example, in the flooding
:38:06. > :38:08.crisis in the North of England, BBC local radio and commercial radio
:38:09. > :38:12.played a vital part in ensuring communities were kept away of what
:38:13. > :38:15.was happening and given advice as to what they should do about it. That
:38:16. > :38:18.is where local radio becomes incredibly important and of course I
:38:19. > :38:25.want to see sustained and maintained.
:38:26. > :38:29.Like the Secretary of State, I have had my experience of the press
:38:30. > :38:34.tested. Let me remind him, it is not about politicians celebrities. The
:38:35. > :38:37.years are rolling on. When should victims of press abuse expect the
:38:38. > :38:44.Secretary of State to make his mind up on deciding to protect them? We
:38:45. > :38:49.covered this a little bit earlier. As I said, I entirely agree with the
:38:50. > :38:58.honourable gentleman that it is the people who have not chosen to enter
:38:59. > :39:02.public life but find themselves the object of press abuse only
:39:03. > :39:06.protecting most. That is why we are extremely keen to new, independent
:39:07. > :39:11.and tough regulator should be put in place. We have to regulators that
:39:12. > :39:15.are being established and we will see how effective those are. We have
:39:16. > :39:24.already implemented part of the section 40 provisions of the Courts
:39:25. > :39:27.Act. We are keeping an open mind of when to implement the remaining
:39:28. > :39:31.section. That is something which I accept we will need to reach a
:39:32. > :39:34.decision about relatively soon and I will insure the houses kept
:39:35. > :39:43.informed. Mr Speaker, it is good to see the members for Newcastle,
:39:44. > :39:46.Paisley and Renfrewshire in their places this season, because they
:39:47. > :39:51.have turned out for the Commons and Lords rugby club, which has
:39:52. > :39:55.distinguished itself this season by winning a game! The club has raised
:39:56. > :40:03.substantial sums of money for charity and I wonder if the Minister
:40:04. > :40:06.would join me in congratulating the members for the money raised,
:40:07. > :40:12.particularly adept you's Injured Players Foundation In Trouble. I
:40:13. > :40:19.Congratulate Not Only The Honourable Member For The Work Is Done On The
:40:20. > :40:30.Rugby... Football My Game. I shall be supporting Crystal Palace on
:40:31. > :40:32.Sunday. They are my local team, unfortunate for the gentleman
:40:33. > :40:36.opposite. I congratulate him for the wiki is done under Parliamentary
:40:37. > :40:45.Rugby team for all their charitable work for winning a game. -- and the
:40:46. > :40:52.work he has done. To conclude very briefly, I would like to offer my
:40:53. > :40:54.good wishes to all those who have -- who are participating in the London
:40:55. > :41:03.Marathon on Sunday, particularly the members of this House. The
:41:04. > :41:06.responsible gambling trust indicate that receiving ?7 million from the
:41:07. > :41:11.betting industry is a voluntary donation. How much funding is
:41:12. > :41:12.provided for research, education and treatment into gambling related
:41:13. > :41:20.harm? I agree with the honourable
:41:21. > :41:24.gentleman that this is a very important matter. It is already a
:41:25. > :41:29.requirement upon all gambling licence holders to make an annual
:41:30. > :41:32.financial contribution to one or more organisations which perform
:41:33. > :41:37.research into prevention and treatment of gambling related harm.
:41:38. > :41:42.The vast majority choose to make this to the responsible gambling
:41:43. > :41:47.trust who raised money from the industry in 14-15 but I entirely
:41:48. > :41:53.agree that we need research in this matter and we need to take decisions
:41:54. > :41:58.based on the evidence. Thank you, Mr Speaker. As always, I appreciate
:41:59. > :42:03.your patience and guidance. On the occasion of Her Majesty's 90th
:42:04. > :42:09.birthday, will the Minister join me in recognising her contribution to
:42:10. > :42:15.the tourism industry? Absolute delight is not only to add my
:42:16. > :42:18.congratulations to Her Majesty on her birthday and took to commence
:42:19. > :42:29.the tremendous service she has done in so many fields including of
:42:30. > :42:36.course terrorism. Turner's -- tourism. Next to the huge European
:42:37. > :42:40.market, in the European market we influence the market and the rules
:42:41. > :42:45.over application stalls. What rules would we have we walked away from
:42:46. > :42:49.the table? I think it would be a disaster if we left the European
:42:50. > :42:57.Union and the video games industry thanks to the fantastic bringing in
:42:58. > :43:01.of our tax credits and are backing for East sports means that Britain
:43:02. > :43:08.is forging ahead in the video games industry but we must work with our
:43:09. > :43:15.European partners. Mr Speaker, you and I attended last night the 10th
:43:16. > :43:21.anniversary of Asian Like a new newspaper both online and inference.
:43:22. > :43:25.Would my honourable friend with me in congratulating Asian Liked on ten
:43:26. > :43:32.years of publication and look forward to at least another ten
:43:33. > :43:38.years of their celebrated works. -- Asian Light. I am very pleased to
:43:39. > :43:41.congratulate Asian Light. I have had meetings recently with reputations
:43:42. > :43:45.of Asian media organisations to talk about how we can support them and
:43:46. > :43:48.also work with them in tackling problems like extremism but is
:43:49. > :43:53.essential that those communities do have thriving medium and therefore I
:43:54. > :43:59.am pleased to hear about this latest edition and to wish them
:44:00. > :44:06.congratulations. The Conservative manifesto pledged to stop children's
:44:07. > :44:11.exposure to harmful sexualised content online by requiring age
:44:12. > :44:18.verification for access to all sites containing pornographic material and
:44:19. > :44:23.each rated for all music videos. Why did the Secretary of State excludes
:44:24. > :44:29.this from the consultation document on child safety online which he
:44:30. > :44:32.published in February? Well, I'm grateful to the honourable lady
:44:33. > :44:37.particularly for the warning given for her question but she's right,
:44:38. > :44:43.this is a serious matter. We made it clear that we do think that there
:44:44. > :44:47.should be age verification in place for adult pornographic websites.
:44:48. > :44:50.There is a big distinction between child abuse images which are
:44:51. > :44:54.absolutely illegal and which we need to take every measure to canter and
:44:55. > :44:59.I share her alarm about the figures today, but that is not the same
:45:00. > :45:02.thing as sites which are a beetle for adults but where we need to
:45:03. > :45:10.increase the protection for children. -- illegal. We will be
:45:11. > :45:14.introducing measures to ensure age verification and I hope of bringing
:45:15. > :45:26.those forwards very soon for legislation in the next session. --
:45:27. > :45:29.legal. Questions for the Leader of the House and the representatives
:45:30. > :45:40.for the Commons Commission. Number one, Mr Speaker. With permission, Mr
:45:41. > :45:44.Speaker, I will answer one and six together. The Government has brought
:45:45. > :45:49.in-state quake changes to standing orders. In 2015, the House will do
:45:50. > :45:51.to improve new standing orders for English was for English law is
:45:52. > :45:54.delivering on a key Government commitment by giving England and
:45:55. > :46:00.Wales more control and decisions that they alone are affected by.
:46:01. > :46:04.Standing orders undergo frequent revision and are monitored to ensure
:46:05. > :46:09.that they reflect our business in the House and how it is conducted in
:46:10. > :46:13.practice. Thank you, Mr Speaker. The procedure committee on which I sit
:46:14. > :46:16.published a report this week on Private members bills calling for
:46:17. > :46:22.amendments to standing orders as the procedure is has been brought into
:46:23. > :46:26.total disrepute due to the frequency of bills being talked about. Does
:46:27. > :46:32.the Leader of the House agreed that the procedure is in total dispute or
:46:33. > :46:37.does he think that filibustering is Democratic? In this case, he is a
:46:38. > :46:42.she, Mr Speaker but we debated this last week as she will be a winner
:46:43. > :46:47.and participated in Westminster Hall. I think it would be remiss of
:46:48. > :46:51.me to say before the publication of the response to this report and we
:46:52. > :47:00.will publish that in due course. Thank you, Mr Speaker. The deputy
:47:01. > :47:03.leader referred to English laws they wish books it's obvious that we will
:47:04. > :47:07.not be able to make them see sense on how unfair that is but since the
:47:08. > :47:11.Government will not budge on that, does the Minister not appreciate
:47:12. > :47:15.that this is unworkable and has managed to make the procedure of
:47:16. > :47:19.this has even more intractable than it was before simply because they
:47:20. > :47:23.took a significant change to the Constitution of this House and
:47:24. > :47:26.changed it as if it was on a Wednesday afternoon as if it was a
:47:27. > :47:31.minor change to spelling in the standing orders. Will the deputy
:47:32. > :47:33.Leader of the House tell us when the standing orders will be brought back
:47:34. > :47:37.so that at least if they are going to do the wrong thing, they will do
:47:38. > :47:40.it right? The Government informant at its manifesto commitment in which
:47:41. > :47:46.it referred to standing orders of the House in this process. I think
:47:47. > :47:48.the procedures are perfectly workable and I pay tribute to the
:47:49. > :47:53.clerks and the speakers were applying them appropriately. Thank
:47:54. > :47:58.U, Mr Speaker. My honourable friend has referred to the excellent report
:47:59. > :48:03.from the procedure committee I sit. On the issue of private members
:48:04. > :48:07.bill, when will the Government bring forward a response and when can we
:48:08. > :48:14.in this House have a debate and a decision on reforming private
:48:15. > :48:18.members bills? Well, you should be aware that it's the usual process
:48:19. > :48:27.for the Government to respond within two months and we intend to stick to
:48:28. > :48:32.that timetable. I wonder whether, in retrospect, the Government will look
:48:33. > :48:38.at Private members' bills in a dispassionate way because in 1987,
:48:39. > :48:42.the late Enoch Powell wanted to introduce a bill and nearly got it
:48:43. > :48:48.through to ban all stem cell research. I discovered that morning
:48:49. > :48:56.that I could move the writ for Brecon and Radnor and. I spoke
:48:57. > :49:03.nearly the whole of the day and every time on BBC, I hear about stem
:49:04. > :49:12.cell research saving somebody's life, I know that that filibuster
:49:13. > :49:15.wasn't a bad thing at all. Well, Mr Speaker, the honourable member talks
:49:16. > :49:18.about filibusters and I'm sure if he was filibustering at the time, this
:49:19. > :49:22.bigger of the day would have brought him to order but is nonetheless seen
:49:23. > :49:24.found away at the time to find a device that meant the business he
:49:25. > :49:31.thought was not appropriate did not make its way through the House. I
:49:32. > :49:35.thought the honourable gentleman wish to intercede on this matter? No
:49:36. > :49:44.doubt we will hear them at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr
:49:45. > :49:48.Speaker. As my friend made clear, we welcome the procedure committee's
:49:49. > :49:54.recognitions for changes to private members' bills. As the member for
:49:55. > :50:00.North action and Aaron has said, the majority of members of this House
:50:01. > :50:02.will be disappointed to hear that the Government have not yet
:50:03. > :50:07.committed to giving these proposals time to be debated because there are
:50:08. > :50:11.too many issues that people care about like hospital parking charges
:50:12. > :50:15.for carers or cheaper cancer drugs that have been talked out by the
:50:16. > :50:18.filibusters so will the Government follow the procedure committee
:50:19. > :50:22.recommendations and allow this to be debated on the four of the House? As
:50:23. > :50:26.I have just said, the Government will respond with in the time that
:50:27. > :50:31.is expected that as I made the point in the debate last week, these are
:50:32. > :50:35.important. Private members bills can be in important way to raise issues
:50:36. > :50:39.and they used to be the only way to get a debate on that matter. We now
:50:40. > :50:41.have many more ways to raise these issues that important pieces of
:50:42. > :50:47.legislation have gone through this House and also been stopped in
:50:48. > :50:56.highly appropriate ways that are allowed by the procedures of the
:50:57. > :51:01.House. Questionable too, please. With permission, I will answer to,
:51:02. > :51:05.three and eight together. The commission is committed to making
:51:06. > :51:11.the House family friendly so far as it rests within its remakes rather
:51:12. > :51:14.than being them matters for the House to debate such a setting hours
:51:15. > :51:20.and the debate calendar which I understand are to be addressed
:51:21. > :51:24.shortly. The diversion and inclusion strategy builds on opening of the
:51:25. > :51:28.nursery in 2012 and the recently introduced formalisation of flex
:51:29. > :51:32.temper staff offers one example of family friendly policies in
:51:33. > :51:37.accident. I thank the gentleman for his answer. The staff of this place,
:51:38. > :51:42.Mr Speaker, are often asked to work long hours at extreme is short
:51:43. > :51:46.notice. In addition, the Government has started on occasion releasing we
:51:47. > :51:49.says dates at brochure on notice. Have you received reputation is on
:51:50. > :51:56.how this might affect the family lives of the staff of this House?
:51:57. > :52:01.She raises important issues and as I feel vindicated in my room original
:52:02. > :52:05.response, this is an issue for the commission and for the House and of
:52:06. > :52:08.his Labour Leader of the House is here and has heard the concerns
:52:09. > :52:16.about the short notice that has been given in terms of recess dates. Then
:52:17. > :52:20.he, Mr Speaker. I wonder if honourable members of this House are
:52:21. > :52:29.parents of young children and are all from as to work along and
:52:30. > :52:32.offered it. Will the they consider following the example of the
:52:33. > :52:37.Scottish parliament in providing more services and ensuring that
:52:38. > :52:48.holiday is no longer fall within primary school -- fall in conference
:52:49. > :52:51.concision with members as decision was taken to set up a nursery rather
:52:52. > :52:57.than a creche because of the difficulties that arise as a result
:52:58. > :53:04.of the short notice that is given when children who need to use the
:53:05. > :53:08.crash crash want to make use of that facility. I will make sure that his
:53:09. > :53:11.concerns are passed on and I will make sure that they will consider
:53:12. > :53:19.the representations he has just made. -- creche. Thank you, Mrs
:53:20. > :53:22.vigour. Many workplaces are insuring employees on maternity and paternity
:53:23. > :53:27.leave are able to keep up-to-date with their work. What steps is the
:53:28. > :53:31.commission taking to ensure members of this House on maternity or
:53:32. > :53:39.paternity leave can continue to serve their constituents? Including
:53:40. > :53:46.issues like remote electronic voting for members on maternity leave? I
:53:47. > :53:49.thank the honourable lady for her question and again, I think it's a
:53:50. > :53:53.matter as much for the House as it is for the commission. Clearly, the
:53:54. > :53:58.commission through the IT provision can insure that this place is as
:53:59. > :54:05.accessible both to people who are here and also members who are way
:54:06. > :54:09.and I think the issue of voting for instance is something that needs to
:54:10. > :54:17.be considered by a much wider range of organisations than just the
:54:18. > :54:20.commission. Number four, please. The commission takes the learning and
:54:21. > :54:25.development needs of staff seriously. The House of Commons
:54:26. > :54:28.service is an investor in people and invest significantly in training to
:54:29. > :54:31.ensure that all staff have the skills needed for their jobs and to
:54:32. > :54:35.develop their careers. Our staff should agree a plan with their
:54:36. > :54:40.manager each and are able to select our wide range of learning
:54:41. > :54:43.opportunities including online, face-to-face training, coaching,
:54:44. > :54:49.mentoring and other events. My honourable friend knows that we
:54:50. > :54:52.benefit from fantastic and bent dedicated staff and over years I
:54:53. > :54:55.have those is that we have had people coming out quite a lowly
:54:56. > :55:00.grade actually going right through to senior management. I am afraid
:55:01. > :55:05.that I am seeing very talented people not getting that track into
:55:06. > :55:10.senior management. Can we make sure if there is talent, we give it the
:55:11. > :55:17.chance to grow? I would certainly echo that. Our staff are very
:55:18. > :55:19.dedicated and he will be aware of the training opportunities available
:55:20. > :55:24.that are originally publicised through learning News and the
:55:25. > :55:26.activities brochure and I think there are very significant
:55:27. > :55:30.opportunities is available for staff both to support them in terms of
:55:31. > :55:37.getting promoted but also retraining if that is something that they want
:55:38. > :55:42.to undertake. I want to put on the record my support and gratitude for
:55:43. > :55:45.the House employees as others have referred to. We are grateful to them
:55:46. > :55:49.and though we should do all we can to support them on any future path
:55:50. > :55:55.they want to take. Would the Minister boat believed that training
:55:56. > :55:57.opportunities should be a priority for those who want to progress
:55:58. > :56:00.within the House but outside of the House as well?
:56:01. > :56:09.Thank you for that. If he is aware of staff who put in particular
:56:10. > :56:11.requests for particular training not available currently, I would
:56:12. > :56:19.certainly like to know of that and be happy to pursue it.
:56:20. > :56:26.Mr Speaker, I have obviously now received a copy of the report, which
:56:27. > :56:32.I will study carefully. I can say, because we want to respond
:56:33. > :56:40.constructively, we'll take time to consider what it says. I am grateful
:56:41. > :56:43.for that reply. As he will be aware, some recommendations on the reporter
:56:44. > :56:47.more controversial than others. But as my observant right honourable
:56:48. > :56:52.friend will have noticed, there are 67 private members bills listed in
:56:53. > :56:56.the future business of today's order paper, which don't stand any chance
:56:57. > :57:01.at all of ever being given further time for consideration. So, as that
:57:02. > :57:07.is one of the proposals contained in the report, can I urge the Leader of
:57:08. > :57:10.the House to bring forward proposals to deal with at least the
:57:11. > :57:16.uncontroversial parts of the report as soon as possible?
:57:17. > :57:19.Members of the public are now looking at the list of private
:57:20. > :57:22.members bills and we believe there are still measures that can make
:57:23. > :57:25.progress. We know all, given where we are in the session, that is not
:57:26. > :57:29.now possible. I am very sympathetic to what my honourable friend says.
:57:30. > :57:33.There is a lot that is good report and I can give an assurance that we
:57:34. > :57:36.will respond carefully and thoughtfully to what it says. I pay
:57:37. > :57:45.tribute to him and my honourable friend who chairs the committee, for
:57:46. > :57:54.the excellent work he and his team have done this. I will assure the
:57:55. > :57:59.case a proper response. Departmental Question Time is on a
:58:00. > :58:01.valuable opportunity for members to scrutinise the Government. Topical
:58:02. > :58:07.questions add an element that means pressing and events -- press again
:58:08. > :58:12.then so the day can be answered. And the premised is here to answer
:58:13. > :58:16.questions from the I will try to stem the blight of planted
:58:17. > :58:23.questions, which has reached the present levels from both front
:58:24. > :58:29.benches. Being treated like a bazaar in Marrakesh, having questions
:58:30. > :58:38.thrust that you and then getting e-mails to remind us etc. Questions
:58:39. > :58:40.are meant to have a purpose where backbenchers, of all parties, hold
:58:41. > :58:49.Government to account. Not playing games between the two front benches.
:58:50. > :58:51.This is now going to planted backbench debates and planted
:58:52. > :58:56.Westminster Hall debates. And very soon, my honourable friend will find
:58:57. > :58:59.planted backbench debates if we're not careful. Could I ask the Leader
:59:00. > :59:03.of the House to meet with the Speaker and the chair of the
:59:04. > :59:08.procedure committee and have another look at this so that what should be
:59:09. > :59:13.backbench time actually becomes, once again, as it was when I started
:59:14. > :59:19.in this House, as much about backbenchers as frontbenchers. I
:59:20. > :59:27.don't think the Government should be interfering in... In the idea of
:59:28. > :59:35.what members can and cannot submit those questions. That is for members
:59:36. > :59:40.to decide. I can miss Lucy that I have never been handed a question by
:59:41. > :59:48.a whip, Mr Speaker. -- I can honestly say. Mr Speaker, dare I
:59:49. > :59:52.say, we have seen on today's order paper from the SNP the same
:59:53. > :59:56.question, two separate questions being submitted. And clearly, at
:59:57. > :59:59.times, members will work together because they want to pursue a
:00:00. > :00:03.particular theme. As such, I don't think it is right for the Government
:00:04. > :00:13.to try and tell backbenchers what questions they can cannot submit.
:00:14. > :00:17.Perhaps the most dysfunctional session we have had on departmental
:00:18. > :00:21.questions is on Scottish questions. English ports for English laws. I
:00:22. > :00:28.have written to the Leader of the House with a few modest reforms that
:00:29. > :00:31.can be worked on. Perhaps a little part of that session exquisitely
:00:32. > :00:35.devoted for Scottish members to ask departmental questions. I don't know
:00:36. > :00:44.they have had the opportunity to consider these modest reforms or
:00:45. > :00:46.that he is in a position to respond. The honourable gentleman oppose the
:00:47. > :00:51.proposals on English votes for English laws. This side of the
:00:52. > :00:55.House, the Government, Belize and the United Kingdom, and therefore
:00:56. > :00:59.matters which are not devolved to the Scottish Parliament Scottish
:01:00. > :01:03.Government, it is appropriate for any member to ask a question about
:01:04. > :01:05.Scottish matters, Welsh matters, Northern Ireland matters are indeed
:01:06. > :01:06.any