05/05/2016 House of Commons

to investments. Business for next week please.

The business for next week. On Monday the 9th of May we will have a

debate on a motion related to the Sheffield proposal and Government

departments outside London. Subject for the debate chosen by the

backbench business committee. Following that, we will have

consideration of Lords amendments to the energy Bill, consideration of

Lords amendments to the housing and planning Bill, and followed by that

we will have consideration of Lords amendments to the immigration bill.

On Tuesday, if necessary, we will have consideration of Lords

amendments followed by business to be recommended by the backbench

business committee. On Wednesday, we will have consideration of Lords

amendments, followed by consideration of Lords amendments to

the Armed Forces Bill, followed again if necessary by further

consideration of Lords amendments and after that we will add further

business to be recommended by the backbench business committee. And

then again if necessary later in the day we will have further

consideration of Lords amendments. On Thursday, we will again have

consideration of Lords amendments, once those are done, Mr Speaker, the

house will continue. I shall inform the house that ministers will bring

forward a quarterly update on Syria before prorogation.

Talk of the fag end of a parliamentary session. The Smiths

just announced as these sludgy, slimy foul smelling trashy drags of

politics. Yesterday's prime ministers questions showed to me, to

nobody else, that the reins now got a low enough for the Prime Minister

to slop around in. That's kind of despicable smear ring of 1's

opponents I think degrades the whole of politics. And I would say gently

to the Government that those who live by the gutter, die in the

gutter. I am absolutely certain that kind of politics is not welcome to

the British voters. What a year it has been. Every single economic

target missed. Great forecast chasm we downgraded. Get up, homelessness

art, the use of food bags up by 19%. Absolute tile property set to rise.

NHS waiting lists up, libraries closed. Might migration up higher

than it has been before. One Budget in which the Chancellor attacked

working tax credits and another in which he attacked welfare payments.

Morale at rock bottom. In the NHS, in the teaching profession and in

the police. Election rules bent develop that the Tories in marginal

seats. Financial rules rigged to give more cash to the richest

councils. Standing orders change to benefit the Tories in this house.

Was it just a cruel joke last year to make Her Majesty say, my

Government will adopt a one nation approach? Come bit. This is not a

one nation Government. It is a nasty, vindictive Tory Government,

balancing the books on the back of the poor and vulnerable and I hope

voters today will say, enough now. Go. And they will vote Labour in

London, Wales, England and across the whole of the United Kingdom. And

Northern Ireland is in the United Kingdom. You can tell that the State

opening is coming. The warnings are going up. Outside the Lords. The

doorkeepers have been bubbling up their brasses. Countess is up and

brushing of 30 RS, the clerk had a haircut. You can't star but

underneath the wiki is that a haircut. And I gather you have even

had your annual Bath. So, Mr Speaker, should we introduce...

Don't do that mock outrage look, it doesn't suit you. Could be

introduced in innovation this year in the state opening? I know the

leader of the house doesn't want to listen to the president of the dates

of America, but could we have a roll call of all the ambassadors High

Commissioner is just to check which of our allies want us to stay in the

European Union. As far as I can see, it includes not just our oldest

ally, Portugal, and every other EU country, but the Commonwealth

countries', Canada, New Zealand, as Africa and doubtless many more.

Perhaps they will be adding Japan later on today and of course Norway.

So the Norway model is that we should stay in. The only

international bigger but wants us to leave as Donald Trump. Grayling with

a hairpiece. So how on earth can the leader of the house argue that we

would increase includes in the world by leaving the European Union? Can

we have a debate on the BBC? The culture secretary says that he

relishes the demise of the BBC. He wants to ban strictly and the boys

and force the BBC to make deliberately unpopular programmes.

He is even said that if he does not review the charter by the end of

this year, it may well be that the BBC will cease to exist. Those are

his words. Something he calls a tempting prospect. I don't want to

get into the cauldron secretary's temptations at all at when will

ministers get it into their fat heads that the British people love

the BBC. They are proud of both and they don't want some right-wing

minister pursuing a personal agenda and handing British broadcasting

over to his charm, Murdoch. Will they published a White Paper next

week? Will they stand by the financial deal they signed with the

BBC last year and will they guarantee that there will indeed be

a new 11 year BBC charter in place this autumn? In recent years some of

the most destructive in powerful people in the land have done their

level best to avoid appearing before select committees of this house. The

Maxwells, Rebecca Brooks, Rupert and James Murdoch, Philip Green, Matthew

Elliott, they all English and a refused to attend and had the

formally summoned persuaded to attend. Rosenfeld, the Chief

Executive 's of Kraft Foods, refused to appear to discuss the takeover of

Cadbury and got away with it. That not the clear contempt of Parliament

but a contempt of the British public as well. Our constituents want them

to hold the powerful to account and we should not be shy of doing so.

Some people think our powers are unclear and witnesses are beginning

to call our bluff so we have to do something. In 2013 the joint

committee on parliamentary privilege recommended changes to standing

orders to make it absolutely clear that Parliament can arrest publish

and buying offenders and said that, if the problems we have identified

not resolved, todayParliament should stand ready to legislate. The

committee said, doing nothing was not an option. But that is

effectively what the comment has done. Absolutely nothing. So surely

it is time to make it a criminal offence to bail to appear refused to

appear without reasonable excuse before a committee of this house?

And finally, the male role collection and is today. So will be

fined a decision on Heathrow? In the words of boxes, in their epic

Eurovision winning number, making your mind up, before they memorably

tore off their scars, don't let your indecision take you from behind.

Trust your inner vision. Don't let others change your mind. And

incidentally, good luck to Joe and Jake next week. Let's hope the UK

agrees with them that you are not alone in the European referendum on

the 23rd of. Can I start by congratulating you on

your indulgence and patience? I am sure you have powers to take much

moral bust action. What a load of twaddle just heard from the shadow

leader. Let's be clear. What we spent the last 12 months doing this

are filling the trust public prisoners at the general election

last year when we defeated the Labour Party. Mr Speaker, if you

look at that thing is that this Government has actually done, we've

introduced new powers to turn around failing schools, we have paved the

way that this Government has actually done, we've introduced new

powers to turn around failing schools, we have paved the way for

the Northern powerhouse, we had passed the EU referendum out, we

have provided substantial new powers of devolution to Scotland, we have

paved the way for the national living wage. We passed English votes

for English laws. We had passed a childcare act which doubles the

amount of free childcare each week and taking further important steps

to consolidate peace in Northern Ireland. These are real

achievements. This part of the house is proud of them. And he talks about

a one nation party. I am proud to be part of the Government that has seen

unemployment fortress lowest levels since the 1970s and is worth

remembering there is never yet been a Labour Government laptop is with

unemployment lower than it was and it started. We are living in a

nation where we now have more than half a million fewer children

growing up in workless households than there were in 2010. A legacy of

poverty we inherited from the last Government in which we are turning

around. Mr Speaker I wait with interest to see. He talks about the

language of politics. I hear the lemon to politics on that side of

the houses they fight desperately working out to do with a leadership

crisis and to do with the endemic problem of anti-Semitism in their

party. It is worth saying today, that this week marks the dirty

seventh anniversary of a great step forward in our society. The moment

we elected a first woman Prime Minister. Ensure everyone would

agree it was a really crucial moment in our political history and one

that we should mark unreservedly. He mentioned the BBC. Once again he is

making the mistake that I'm surprised he does make, always

bleeding of the new beats in the papers. You need to wait for the

White Paper on the BBC. It will be brought forward shortly. He and his

colleagues will have the opportunity to question that paper when it comes

as I would say simply, we on the side of the house expect the BBC dab

a strong future in this country. He made a serious point about attending

select committees and on this point he and I do agree. It is essential

for the workings of this house that if people are summoned to appear

before a Select Committee that they do so. I'm very happy in session we

have cross-party discussions on how we ensure that happens. He asked the

question about Heathrow. I am surprised, people are raising

questions about air quality. The time we're taking over this is

precisely to address error quality, emissions around Heathrow, they were

in Government they would be doing exactly the same thing. As the

honourable gentleman said, it is local elections day. I think with

this send our thanks to everyone involved in those elections, the

officials, the counting agents and police, and everybody is regardless

of their political persuasions. Without them standing for election

we would not have a democracy in this country. Obviously, I want

Conservatives to win. I will watch with great interest after the Labour

leader said he was going to lose no seats at all of these local

election. We will see if his forecast is fulfilled. Mr Speaker, I

think the next few days are big ones for the shadow leader. Because we

know how much disquiet there is on those benches about their leader. We

know that members of the shadow frontbencher seriously considering

quitting ever next few days the cause of their despair about their

leader. Mr Speaker, we know that the shadow leader has other targets in

mind. You know he has a campaign group set up. We know he has been

courting support on our side of the house for his planning due course

when you decide to hang up your hat to take over from you. If the other

different goal, if his front bench position does not matter and if he

really does approve of his party leader, will you join those people

looking to be principal before career over the next few days and

resign after these elections? I wonder if he were consider a short

debate on the Government's 2014 review section 135 and 136 of the

Mental Health Act? I am concerned that the application of section 136

in private places, the police intervening, even in an emergency,

is pitifully limited? He makes an important point. The issue of mental

health causes concern on both sides. I will make sure the Health

Secretary is aware of the comments he has made. We have health

questions next week, I would be happy to make sure the secretary is

aware. It is also a matter for the Home Secretary. I will make sure she

is aware. I wish to thank him for what is left of next week's

business. It is great to have support for my colleagues who have

in Scotland fought to ensure we get this third term of SNP Government

and a majority SNP Government in a parliament designed to ensure it

would not happen. I wish to thank everybody involved in today's

elections and congratulate them on their efforts. And attention turns

to what happens now they are good clue did, because it is hard to

believe the Conservatives have been quite constrained thus far to try to

ensure they have the best possible result today. After today, I see the

prospect of them tearing lumps out of each other, friendships forged in

the playgrounds of eating well and that for nothing as they get riled

up into this gladiatorial contest, it will be the greatest show on

earth, and we should look at the peacekeepers coming, as Labour ten

lumps out of each other as well. We need a statement on what is going on

with the campaign spending rule break from the Conservative Party.

The claims are extraordinary and centre around Conservative

candidates, 28 of them, failing to register the use of a battlebus for

local campaigning, ?38,000 of accommodation for local campaigns.

If anybody is found guilty of such a charge it could result in one year

in prison and an unlimited fine. We must now hear what the Government

view is Tom and there must emote suggestion that this Government

cheated its way to power. We welcome the apparent U-turn by the Prime

Minister yesterday around child refugees in response to the

questioning from the member for Murray. It would be useful to know

what the Government's intention is from Monday, whether they will

accept the amendment without any amendment of its own, and it would

be good if the leader could announce that today so the nation knows. It

would be worthwhile to acknowledge what has happened in terms of

business. The biggest innovation that we have had has been English

votes for English laws. Something so divisive and useless and in

compensable has to find the parliament in the last session. I

think our urgent review is required and I hope that English votes for

English lords is hopelessly consigned to the dustbin of history

and we become one member of this has again. I wish to echo the comments

around the elections, they extend to my comment about today's elections,

they extend to those in Scotland, I am grateful to everybody who makes

these elections a success. I suspect we have a shared interest in today's

elections in Scotland, because we both want to see the Labour Party do

badly. I am confident that in the leadership of Ruth Davidson we have

every chance of consigning the Labour Party to third place in

Scotland, where they belong. He talked about Civil War in political

parties. He is looking in the wrong direction, because even though the

shadow leader is not going to put principle before career, many of his

front bench colleagues are profoundly unhappy with their party

leader. I expect to see all kinds of trouble in that party, we will both

watch with interest, but he will not see anything like it on our benches,

because the hostility will be on that side. On the subject of issues

related to electoral and other activities, it is for proper

authorities to address issues whenever they arise. I have been

careful to say that that is the case where those issues affect the SNP as

well. On the subject of child refugees, the Prime Minister has set

out our position carefully yesterday. On the subject of English

votes for English laws, we have had this debate. Today in Scotland

people are electing a new administration that will have more

power to govern Scotland than ever before. It is for the SNP to decide

how to use those powers if they are successful to date. They will find

it is much tougher than they expect to take decisions, rather than

talking about things. We stand by our view that England should have a

share in the devolution settlement, and that is what we did. Can we have

a debate so we can be of noxious and rude about connecting Devon and

Somerset with broadband? It has been a fiasco. The two people that have

caused more trouble are John Hart and Peter Doyle, it is beyond a

joke, they are not connecting the counties. Could we then our spleen

in this place to make sure they get the message that they should just go

and let somebody get on with it who can get Devon and Somerset

connected? He made his points are singly. As he does in customary

style when he faces challenges in his constituency, he brings panache

to his role as MP for Bridgwater, and I commend him for it.

I thank the leader of the house for the business and at the next week.

Members will have noted there is time allocated for backbench

business committee debates on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Because of

the uncertainty of the timing of business for next week, the

backbench committee had to make some contingency plans, so we have

prioritised outstanding applications for the remainder of this session

for the 10th and 11th, and we hope to secure debates on the effect of

the implementation of Universal Credit on children and on frozen

pensions of UK pension recipients residing abroad. Which debate will

be on which day is a matter for negotiation with the primary

sponsors of those applications, so we will hopefully be able to inform

the house as early as possible will stop --. I add my thanks to the

support staff of the backbench committee for their professionalism,

patience and humour in terms of our dealings. Thank you. It is

appropriate to thank the chair of the backbench committee for the work

he has done over the last few months and to thank the other members of

that committee for the work they have done. And express my good

wishes. It is a nervous time for him. A few days before he learns the

truth, we keep our fingers crossed he is --. He is just above the

relegation zone, he will be keeping his third and -- his fingers

crossed, but not in the same way as the former Shadow Chancellor in

Norwich. I would echo the points he has made, and I would say that I

hope very much that over the coming session he will see greater

participation from members of this house, bringing forward more

thoughtful debate. There has not been as many subjects brought

forward as they would wish, and my message would be, this is a large

slice of parliamentary time, and members should try to use it as well

as possible. I echo the words of other members about the elections

today. I have -- I hope people will vote Conservative, but the amount of

effort that has been put in, there will be far more losers than winners

today, and we should have a statement next week on how our

parliamentary democracy and our local Government elections are

working so well. I wish to take the opportunity to thank both the leader

of the house and the Shadow leader for how they have conducted business

questions in this session. I wish the Shadow leader all the best for

the future. That does not refer to his alleged

effort to take your place, which I hope you will be there for a very

long time to come! I was thinking in other directions. Could we have a

statement next week on whether we are going to go forward with changes

to the relationship tween this house and the other place's if we are, can

we make sure we have Robert and lengthy consultation first, because

it is clearly a constitutional matter. I thank him for his kind

words. I did not say, because next Thursday is when we are to break,

but I am grateful to him for his comments today and for being such an

assiduous attender of these sessions. And bringing colour to the

occasion, if nothing else. The Shadow leader says he has not been

here for weeks, you and I will remember his tie has been a regular

attender. We could not miss him. In terms of changes that have a

constitutional impact, I would always assure him they would never

be brought before this house without proper time for consideration about

the imprecations and purpose. In defence of the Shadow leader, unlike

other members in this place, he is going to be safe in his constituency

for as long as he wishes to stay there. Time after time, he has one

of the largest majorities in Britain. I have been here over 30

years. I have never felt so devalued as I was in the vote earlier this

week will stop --. My vote on the housing bill was not counted in the

total votes. I think it is outrageous, and I would hope that

the House of Commons will look at this again, because we have always

believed we are of equal value, wherever we come from, England,

Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales, and it appears we no longer are. If

I may stretch your patients a moment longer, can I also say to the

leader, on the subject of the child refugees, I do not think the Prime

Minister made the situation clear. All the commentators are saying it

was much too vague. Who are they, when are they coming, in what

numbers, where are they going to go, what preparation is going to be made

on their behalf? I already feel... We have felt over the months to be

totally distressed by the failure to deal with these child refugees, in

fact, all refugees, in the way we should have done. This country has

always had a proud tradition, but the present Government has devalued

that. She wants a statement on the matter. I am slightly surprised,

although I don't doubt, with his popularity in Wales, it is secure

for the future, but she is cancelling other Labour MPs about

not being here in the near future. In terms of the counting of her

vote, it is never acceptable for any vote not to be counted, mistakes

sometimes happen, but I am sure you will have listened to the point she

is making. Within the rules of the house, everybody participates in all

divisions that take place, except in English grand committee. In terms of

child refugees, I not only disagree, but her comments are the be

disparaging to those who are working in the camps in and around Syria,

supported by British money, helping bring refugees from those camps to

the UK. We are doing more than virtually any other country in the

world to provide support to those refugees. She should be proud of

that. A criminal in Bradford, somebody who was on licence from a

four under half year prison sentence, who evaded arrest by

throwing acid in the face of a police officer, was given just a 20

month sentence for the assault. To the disgust of the Police

Federation. This was not actually the fault of the judge, who was

doing his best within the sentencing guidelines. Assaults on police

officers and other public servants is an aggravating factor when

sentencing, there is no guidance given as to how much longer a

sentence should be given for such an assault. Can we have a debate on

this so we can consider the length of sentence which should be added as

an aggravating factor on assaults on police officers and other public

servants so that they can be treated in the court as seriously as they

should be, and make sure those public servants are given the

protection they deserve? Are you a burner I legislated to --

you will remember I instigated a proposition. I'm sure the Justice

Secretary will have heard the comments he has made. We should

always work to providing maximum possible support for our public

servants and give judges the power that they need to do with appalling

situations like the one he describes.

Can I add my voice to the many members who have already

congratulated Leicester City on their Premier League win? To bring

the title is truly remarkable. I am a regular member of the parliament

to football team and I'm sorry to say, also about 5000-1 Arbeit fires

to just win a match. But members are welcome to come around and watch our

next game on the 23rd of May for we will... Can raise the question of

football supporters? The average age is now well into the 40s of a ticket

holder and young people are being priced out of the game. Can we have

a debate please what more can be done to enable the next veneration

of football fans to be able to regularly attend Premier League

football matches? Can I echo his comments about

Leicester City? Extraordinary achievements. One that will live in

the annals of sporting history in this country for a long time to

come. We will cheer them on in the Champions League next year. Can I

also say, think would be appropriate to say, we have also expressed our

congratulations and condolences to Tottenham Hotspur. No one would

expected them to be the top two and I think it is worth marking that as

well. He makes a very important point about Premier League prices. I

would commend those clubs that are doing work to try and make cheaper

tickets available to young people. It is of paramount Porton 's that

footballers are family occasion and today's work. If we look back to the

terrible events of Hillsborough, that was described in this house a

few days ago, it was a different world then. Football has become a

much more family friendly place. A much more open place. We would not

want that to change to high prices. Can we have a debate on the future

of the UK's military partnerships? Nato has been the cornerstone of our

defence since 1949 and has helped keep the peace in Europe and yet now

Germany and other members of the European Union wants to see an EU

army. This gives me an opportunity to

speak to the Government and for the leave campaign. It is everyone's

view on both sides in the Government and I would hope in the other side

as well that we absolutely do not want to seem the creation of a

European army and I were Armed Forces subsumed into a European

army. That is something that is a uniting factor in our side of the

house. To ask the leader of the house that

given the seriousness of the election fraud allegations, made by

Channel 4, that the response to my honourable friend was sadly not good

enough. Does he not agree that it is incumbent upon this Government to

take action to work with any investigation, police or otherwise,

or to instigate one, especially given that the allegations were made

against the party in Government? I repeat my point earlier. When

allegations are made there are proper authorities to investigate

them. There seems to be some confusion out

of the country regarding people needing to reregister to vote in the

EU referendum on the 23rd of June. I would never seek to pass comment on

these matters of course, but I'm being led to believe that some of

this confusion is emanating from the Government's pro-EU propaganda. Can

we have a statement next week to set this matter beyond doubt and to

clarify the situation? Let me set the matter to break the

straight today. Anyone who is currently on the electoral roll does

not need to reregister for the referendum.

A Kent burners bought the football community pub in Rochdale and IB

backs of the landlord, landlady and big Les is now time to turn it into

a veterinary surgery. I accept the Government has done some good work

in terms of protecting pubs, perhaps we need a debate on whether planning

powers need strengthening further to protect excellent pubs like The

Bill's Head? Do the changes to planning tools we

have given local authorities greater control. I understand the point he

makes. We've seen a distressingly large number pubs disappear around

the country. Of course, local communities do have greater powers

than they did. And I would share his view. It is a great shame of a much

loved local pub disappears and I hope that that does not continue in

this country. Lost too many already. The SNP manifesto for today's

Scottish Parliament elections commits to examining the feasibility

of extending the Borders railway which was opened last year and is

proved to be a huge success and I supported extension to Carlisle.

Will the leader of the house agreed to hold a debate on there so we can

hear and discuss how the UK Government would propose to support

such a significant and exciting national infrastructure project?

Of course, one of the things that the new administration in Scotland

will be able to do, which ever political persuasion it is, is to

pursue matters like transport, which are double. Crosses the border into

England I have no doubt that my honourable friend the Secretary of

State for Transport will wish to discuss carefully and constructively

with the new Scottish administration how we can ensure that was

completed. And we have a debate on the future

of the Crown Post Office network, the Post Office Limited that is

looking to franchise Betty nine of the Crown post offices including

Lancaster in my constituency? The that MPs have with the Post Office

Limited too many MPs will agree have found them very difficult work with

and get clear answers from. I'm sure comments will be noted by

the Post Office. I would simply say to her that although we have been

through big changes to the post office in this parliament we have

now finally reached a point where it is much less of a drain on the

public purse and we can spend the money on other priorities. It is in

all of our interest in today's world that we spend money where it is best

useful. Last week we had a 60 minute debate

on Westminster wall on East Anglia and evolution. It was massively

oversubscribed, reflecting the unhappiness that members across the

house have about what was going on and I suspect would find similar

disquiet in other members of the country. We thousand people standing

for election to local councils today. A complete mess in terms of

what is being created in this country. Can the leader allow proper

discussion in this house as to what reactionary doing?

And what we're actually doing? We just heard from the backbench

business committee that they've not necessarily got enough applications

for business at the moment and that will carry through into new session.

Weather will be more time available in the start of the new session. You

will find a central body is therefore such a debate.

We now come to the debate on the contribution of faith organisations

to the voluntary sector in local communities. To move the motion our

call Fiona Bruce. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Christians

possess a rich heritage of social reform and charitable care. Which is

alive today. In the 19th century