:00:09. > :00:13.Order, order. Questions to the Secretary of State for business,
:00:14. > :00:24.innovation and skills. Mr Peter Aldous. We want to make the UK the
:00:25. > :00:30.best place in Europe to innovate and patents new ideas. That is why we
:00:31. > :00:36.are creating a supportive business environment, through innovate UK and
:00:37. > :00:40.with tax credits. I am grateful to the Secretary of State for that
:00:41. > :00:46.reply. The UK's position as the world leader in offshore renewables
:00:47. > :00:49.is underpinned by industry and academics from across the European
:00:50. > :00:55.Union working together on innovation projects and by funding from the
:00:56. > :00:59.European investment bank and other European or collaborative research
:01:00. > :01:02.and development funds. Can the Secretary of State give me an
:01:03. > :01:16.assurance that this number one position will not be put at risk by
:01:17. > :01:21.Brexit. The UK will be the world's largest offshore wind market by the
:01:22. > :01:27.end of the decade. Despite the decision to leave the EU, I am
:01:28. > :01:30.confident that we can cooperate with our European Union counterparts and
:01:31. > :01:37.I believe that will make sure that this sector remains very strong.
:01:38. > :01:40.Innovation and research are inextricably linked. Yesterday I
:01:41. > :01:46.asked the Prime Minister about the impact on our research institutions
:01:47. > :01:49.of the decision to leave the EU and he ensured us that existing
:01:50. > :01:53.contracts would be honoured. Researchers are applying for funding
:01:54. > :01:57.on a daily basis. What support can be put in place to deal with the
:01:58. > :02:01.uncertainty that is there today, tomorrow and next week? First of all
:02:02. > :02:05.I will tell the honourable gentleman that there is no immediate change,
:02:06. > :02:10.as he knows, for a least two years. Of course companies are concerned
:02:11. > :02:15.with what replaces that and that is what we are working on now with many
:02:16. > :02:18.researchers and businesses and others. My honourable friend the
:02:19. > :02:20.science Minister takes this very seriously and has already been
:02:21. > :02:29.speaking to a number of stakeholders. A vital component of
:02:30. > :02:35.innovation in business is a superfast broadband connection.
:02:36. > :02:39.Would the Minister consider allowing pooling of voters to enable
:02:40. > :02:46.community schemes such as fixed point wireless? I will certainly
:02:47. > :02:50.discuss that with my colleague, the culture Secretary. But when I was
:02:51. > :02:55.the culture Secretary, I was pleased to have introduced that scheme. It
:02:56. > :03:00.has been making progress and my honourable friend might like to know
:03:01. > :03:05.that the national innovation plan, to be published shortly, will be
:03:06. > :03:13.absolutely key. I met the textiles industry in my constituency last
:03:14. > :03:17.Friday. They are absolutely appalled by the decision to leave the
:03:18. > :03:22.European Union. Surely we should have more of the calm words this
:03:23. > :03:27.morning, that there should be an emergency package to deal with the
:03:28. > :03:33.real concerns of exporters and innovators in our country. Well
:03:34. > :03:36.said. Of course there will be a number of companies within the
:03:37. > :03:40.textiles or other sectors that will have concerns about the short-term.
:03:41. > :03:42.And that is why myself and my colleagues are already in touch with
:03:43. > :03:48.the number of companies and businesses around the country, today
:03:49. > :03:50.for example I will be holding a roundtable with businesses that
:03:51. > :03:56.represent every sector of the economy and we will be following up
:03:57. > :04:01.on those issues. The innovation that British industry needs is a range of
:04:02. > :04:04.innovative trade deals with super economies outside of the European
:04:05. > :04:10.Union. We need to do this now and not wait for exit to start. What
:04:11. > :04:13.steps is my honourable friend taking to supercharge the trade unit within
:04:14. > :04:19.his department to get crack trade officials working on these
:04:20. > :04:23.agreements straightaway? My honourable friend is absolutely
:04:24. > :04:26.right. What he highlights is that with this issue, and of course there
:04:27. > :04:31.are short-term challenges but they are also medium and long-term
:04:32. > :04:34.opportunities. Trade is one of those. It is something the
:04:35. > :04:41.department had already thought about in case the decision was Brexit. We
:04:42. > :04:45.will be putting that to use immediately. Scotland voted to
:04:46. > :04:52.remain within the EU and has secured around ?120 million from Horizon
:04:53. > :04:57.2020, the biggest EU research programme. Participation in these
:04:58. > :05:01.programmes have enhanced our scientific and business reputation.
:05:02. > :05:06.What will the Minister do to ensure similar supporting options are
:05:07. > :05:10.available post Brexit? The honourable lady may be interested to
:05:11. > :05:15.note that there are a number of countries that are part of these
:05:16. > :05:19.collaboration programmes and are not part of the European Union. Israel,
:05:20. > :05:24.for example. It is perfectly possible to continue if we choose to
:05:25. > :05:34.do so, working with our EU partners on science and research. Question
:05:35. > :05:37.two, Mr Speaker. I am implementing a package of measures to support a
:05:38. > :05:42.cultural change to tackle late payment including the small
:05:43. > :05:48.commissioner, a duty for large businesses to report on payment and
:05:49. > :05:52.support for the voluntary prompt payment code. I thank the Minister
:05:53. > :05:58.for his answer and welcome his work in this area. Not just late payment
:05:59. > :06:02.but lengthy term payment. I way of example, an SME in my constituency
:06:03. > :06:06.is negotiating with a multinational company. It is an excellent
:06:07. > :06:12.opportunity but the payment schedule would mean a 98 day weight for
:06:13. > :06:15.payment of a ?3 million project which is something of a
:06:16. > :06:20.disincentive, indeed a risk. We recognise that the market is opening
:06:21. > :06:23.up to SMEs but does my honourable friend agree that we need to keep
:06:24. > :06:29.working to inspire a more level playing field across all aspects of
:06:30. > :06:33.business practice is SMEs are going to compete? I absolutely agree with
:06:34. > :06:41.my honourable friend. These requirements would give small
:06:42. > :06:45.businesses the ability to negotiate terms and encourage companies to
:06:46. > :06:52.improve pay and packages. We are determined to change this type of
:06:53. > :06:57.bad behaviour. One of the worst performers for late payment with
:06:58. > :07:00.small and medium-size businesses are the public sector themselves. What
:07:01. > :07:09.is the Secretary of State is doing to ensure that government
:07:10. > :07:13.departments, agencies and businesses pay promptly? The honourable
:07:14. > :07:19.gentleman will be pleased to note that was the case in 2010. It was
:07:20. > :07:23.appalling practices throughout the public sector. There has been
:07:24. > :07:26.significant improvements throughout the government and beyond. In my
:07:27. > :07:35.department we take pride in paying almost all invoices within seven
:07:36. > :07:44.days. We welcome the move is to set up a small business Commissioner to
:07:45. > :07:51.help of late payment. But the proposals for the small business
:07:52. > :07:53.Commissioner are modest. Can the Secretary of State insurable small
:07:54. > :07:56.businesses out there who will be dramatically impacted by the
:07:57. > :07:59.downturn resulting from Brexiter that he will put additional support
:08:00. > :08:03.to them in the supply chain to deal with the consequences of any of
:08:04. > :08:13.their customers delaying payment to deal with the problems of Brexit. I
:08:14. > :08:20.can assure that the proposals are not modest. The Small Business
:08:21. > :08:24.Commissioner will have additional powers including providing direct
:08:25. > :08:27.advice and services for the smallest of all businesses. He will also be
:08:28. > :08:33.able to consider complaints and take super complaints from trade bodies.
:08:34. > :08:40.Number three, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, I continue to promote the
:08:41. > :08:44.engine which could add an extra ?34 billion to the local economy by 2030
:08:45. > :08:50.and create 300,000 new jobs. I am pleased that we have appointed chair
:08:51. > :09:01.of the Midlands Engine, to drive security and growth up across the
:09:02. > :09:07.region. Warrington's economy is a great contributing part of the
:09:08. > :09:11.region's economy. What efforts are being made to transform the wider
:09:12. > :09:18.Midlands engine from concept to reality? I recall visiting video
:09:19. > :09:21.games companies with my honourable friend and I know he does a great
:09:22. > :09:27.deal locally to help local businesses. The business engine is
:09:28. > :09:30.already delivering. We have a ?5 billion trade and investment
:09:31. > :09:40.package, ?60 million for research and a ?5 million award from Midlands
:09:41. > :09:49.Collector. -- Midlands connector. The results of the Brexit referendum
:09:50. > :09:53.show a deep divide in part of our country. What step will the
:09:54. > :09:57.Secretary of State take to ensure that the devolution agenda increases
:09:58. > :10:00.jobs, skills and infrastructure investment in some of these per
:10:01. > :10:07.referral economies, not just our great metropolitan cities? Well, the
:10:08. > :10:10.honourable lady will know that since 2010 we have seen considerable
:10:11. > :10:17.growth in every single region of the UK. That includes the Midlands.
:10:18. > :10:24.Because our focus is on the Midlands engine, we want to see even more.
:10:25. > :10:27.She is right to highlight the importance of devolution. The
:10:28. > :10:28.devolution of skills will make a big difference in my department, for
:10:29. > :10:42.example. One of the best way to bring jobs is
:10:43. > :10:45.exciting plans for an Institute of Technology which we were so
:10:46. > :10:49.delighted to welcome the Minister for schools to earlier this year and
:10:50. > :10:54.I think he was impressed with. Will he meet a delegation from Dudley to
:10:55. > :11:00.discuss these plans in detail? Mr Speaker, I am a big fan of Dudley
:11:01. > :11:05.and I would love to visit again. I was delighted to hear that my
:11:06. > :11:11.constituent was appointed as the head of the Midlands engine project.
:11:12. > :11:21.He is the founder of expedient and the chairman of Burberry. Will my
:11:22. > :11:24.right honourable friend assure me that the Midlands economy is
:11:25. > :11:32.prepared for Brexit over the next few weeks and months? Mr Speaker, my
:11:33. > :11:37.honourable friend is very right and he makes a powerful point. The
:11:38. > :11:44.Midlands is doing well, it could do better. I plan to read the first
:11:45. > :11:50.Midlands only trade Mission board to North America, in September, I would
:11:51. > :11:57.be honoured if companies from his constituency would join me. The
:11:58. > :12:06.insolvencies services investigation into B-eat H -- VHS continues. The
:12:07. > :12:11.proper regulation is in place to prevent abuses. We have lodged our
:12:12. > :12:15.consultation on a review of the corporate insolvency framework, not
:12:16. > :12:24.words that trip off the tongue, but importantly if there are any early
:12:25. > :12:32.emergency findings finding -- I will assure them they will be found out.
:12:33. > :12:38.The pensions black hole in this country has reached a high of ?900
:12:39. > :12:42.billion. Can the Minister assure this House, myself and my
:12:43. > :12:49.constituents who work in BHS and Clyde mag that they're doing
:12:50. > :12:55.everything in their power and to ensure their pension funds?
:12:56. > :13:00.Yesterday was a dreadful day. On the markets and we saw that two of banks
:13:01. > :13:06.had to stop trading. Today, according to the results is a better
:13:07. > :13:10.day. It is important, as the Prime Minister said yesterday, nothing has
:13:11. > :13:16.changed at the moment as we know. It is really a portent that we talk up
:13:17. > :13:22.great country and great economy, we instil confidence and stability on
:13:23. > :13:27.all sides. Thank you, Mr Speaker. The issue of pensions is very
:13:28. > :13:33.important in the context of BHS and in the context of Tata steel. The
:13:34. > :13:37.consultation finished on the 23rd of June. Could the Minister please give
:13:38. > :13:41.the House an update on where we are with the pension scheme and reflect
:13:42. > :13:46.the fact that the trade unions and others have said that booting the
:13:47. > :13:52.pension scheme into the PPF would be a complete disaster. The
:13:53. > :13:55.consultation has now finished. I think there were concerns on the
:13:56. > :14:00.side of the House that perhaps the other side of the House had been as
:14:01. > :14:04.supportive for the future plans of Tata as we would have liked. Our
:14:05. > :14:09.doors remained open to him, the great work he has done, to make sure
:14:10. > :14:16.we have a sustainable steel industry in South Wales. The many workers at
:14:17. > :14:21.BHS like those in my Livingston constituency will have been watching
:14:22. > :14:24.in horror as it events unfold. What further support and assurance can
:14:25. > :14:29.she gave to the staff to support them through this difficult time?
:14:30. > :14:35.And like the experience I had as many others have had, BHS would not
:14:36. > :14:39.engage with me as a local member. How can she make sure they will
:14:40. > :14:44.engage with local members? I would be quite surprised if they did not
:14:45. > :14:48.think age. We have ensured that the working with them to make sure that
:14:49. > :14:53.people are getting the support that they need and your opportunity is
:14:54. > :14:58.that they need to get jobs. So I am glad and pleased that that work
:14:59. > :15:05.continues. In fact government does continue in spite of last week's
:15:06. > :15:10.thought. Number five, Mr Speaker. Sorry, Mr Speaker, that is also one
:15:11. > :15:23.of mine. I nearly called the honourable lady the right honourable
:15:24. > :15:31.gentleman. The dedicated IP crime unit launched by the last Coalition
:15:32. > :15:36.Government investigates the sales of counterfeit goods. We introduced a
:15:37. > :15:45.criminal sanction to address intentional copy of product and
:15:46. > :15:49.design. Research has found that 64% of counterfeit products are no
:15:50. > :15:55.purchased online with sales via social media increasing by 15% every
:15:56. > :16:02.year. Has the government considered the impact of this trend on the
:16:03. > :16:04.consumers and industry itself? Can I just first savour the record, I
:16:05. > :16:09.would like to thank the honourable lady to give notice of
:16:10. > :16:15.supplementary. I can give for a proper and good answer. Otherwise
:16:16. > :16:18.she would have got, I will happily meets. The government industry and
:16:19. > :16:27.law enforcement are working together to tackle the threat of online
:16:28. > :16:31.counterfeit electrical goods. It has been targeting sellers of
:16:32. > :16:34.counterfeit goods on Facebook in particular and succeeded in removing
:16:35. > :16:43.thousands of listings and users profiles. Mr Speaker, in my
:16:44. > :16:48.constituency which is home to the headquarters of the Scottish Fire
:16:49. > :16:53.and Rescue Service, 214 House fires were caused by faulty electrical
:16:54. > :16:58.items in the past five years alone. Because trading standards is largely
:16:59. > :17:04.enforced on a local level, online sales may be harder to tackle. What
:17:05. > :17:10.is the government strategy on tackling theirs? She makes an
:17:11. > :17:14.important point about some of the real dangers from faulty goods,
:17:15. > :17:23.especially sold online. I was delighted that one campaigner has
:17:24. > :17:26.major that people are kept safe, she has been working with the
:17:27. > :17:30.government. She produced an excellent report and her work
:17:31. > :17:36.continues at the way we look at policy to see how we can make things
:17:37. > :17:45.better and safer. Questions six, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, I am surprised
:17:46. > :17:53.you have shortened my name today. The traineeship programme grew by
:17:54. > :18:01.over 85% in 2014-15. We showed positive progression rates. 17%
:18:02. > :18:11.going on to further learning. I am sorry to disappoint the honourable
:18:12. > :18:12.gentleman. Maybe we should say that his name is Nicholas called rich
:18:13. > :18:28.balls. -- called Reg balls. There is a risk perception that they
:18:29. > :18:33.are somehow second-class to other career routes. As a former
:18:34. > :18:39.apprentice myself, I know just how rewarding they can be. This summer,
:18:40. > :18:45.Mr Speaker, I will be a skilled trades school in my constituency to
:18:46. > :18:51.help young people in mechanical engineering. I wonder if the
:18:52. > :18:54.Minister will meet with me and members of the college in the
:18:55. > :19:01.constituency to talk about how we can raise the profile of those
:19:02. > :19:05.important trades. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to
:19:06. > :19:11.congratulate the honourable gentleman on his initiative. As an
:19:12. > :19:16.apprentice he can preach the reality of it. I have to confess to him I
:19:17. > :19:29.have never been to Oldham, I would love to come for the first time to
:19:30. > :19:31.join him. Traineeships ought to be linked to good quality
:19:32. > :19:36.apprenticeships, but we know there remains a gender pay gap over ?1 an
:19:37. > :19:40.hour. Can the minister suggests how traineeships can be developed to
:19:41. > :19:46.Anchorage girls and young women into career routes that with good
:19:47. > :19:50.prospects? I think it is an important challenge and she
:19:51. > :19:54.identifies and one that has been long in existence but nevertheless
:19:55. > :19:58.we have a long way to go to go to correct it. I think the key thing is
:19:59. > :20:10.to try and persuade young women of the kinds of jobs that are open to
:20:11. > :20:12.them that could be the much better rates, that is stem related careers,
:20:13. > :20:15.engineering related jobs. Traineeships are often a good way
:20:16. > :20:17.for people to get a taste of our profession, but we need to tackle
:20:18. > :20:24.the problem earlier in primary school, to shape the attitude of
:20:25. > :20:30.young girls, that a career in technology is open to them. Thank
:20:31. > :20:35.you, Mr Speaker. The chief executive of the CAPD has said if the
:20:36. > :20:37.government is serious about improving the quality of
:20:38. > :20:41.apprenticeships and skills as well as the quantity, it needs to
:20:42. > :20:48.completely overhaul the apprenticeship levy. Is he right? He
:20:49. > :20:52.is right to an extent that we want to massively improve the quality of
:20:53. > :20:56.apprenticeships as well as the quantity and they are not in
:20:57. > :21:00.conflict. But if you do both, you need to have more money to spend.
:21:01. > :21:05.That is why the apprenticeship levy is critical. It will allow us to
:21:06. > :21:11.take government spending from ?1.5 billion a year at the moment to ?2.5
:21:12. > :21:15.billion a year in England by the end of this Parliament. That is
:21:16. > :21:22.essential if we want to get the quality up as well as the numbers
:21:23. > :21:25.up. Mr Speaker, the Minister has tried to construct reassurance on
:21:26. > :21:34.apprenticeships, but facts tell a different story. Freedom of
:21:35. > :21:37.Information figures published say that just 9% of 19-24 -year-olds
:21:38. > :21:45.went on to traineeships from apprenticeships. The late party has
:21:46. > :21:50.consisted traineeships to get more people into quality apprenticeships.
:21:51. > :21:54.Why has the government wasted three years failing properly to promote
:21:55. > :21:58.and target them. Ten days ago the Minister warned about Brexit
:21:59. > :22:03.threatening apprenticeship grows and the levy. Will he know spell out new
:22:04. > :22:08.initiatives to tackle that increase in traineeships that is needed,
:22:09. > :22:14.including support to colleges and providers who are desperate to press
:22:15. > :22:19.ahead with them. And risk failing that generation? Can I congratulate
:22:20. > :22:25.the honourable gentleman on being one of the few people to resist the
:22:26. > :22:30.temptation to resign in the past 24 hours. They will go down in the
:22:31. > :22:36.history books as brave champions of modern opposition. On the point he
:22:37. > :22:40.makes, I am delighted he is an avid reader of FV week. It is an
:22:41. > :22:43.interesting publication. He will know that traineeships are not only
:22:44. > :22:49.about pre-apprenticeship programmes. The whole aim of traineeships is to
:22:50. > :22:54.take people into either apprenticeships or jobs, or further
:22:55. > :22:59.training, whatever is best for them. He would seek to narrow this
:23:00. > :23:08.programme whose great strength is its versatility. Number eight
:23:09. > :23:14.please, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, we are as has been often discussed, we
:23:15. > :23:19.are inducing an apprenticeship levy which will have two main outcomes.
:23:20. > :23:21.The first is that we will be increasing spending on
:23:22. > :23:26.apprenticeships and it will require large employers to either invest in
:23:27. > :23:31.apprenticeships or see their money used by someone else. I think he is
:23:32. > :23:37.seeking to group this question with number 12. I am grateful to my
:23:38. > :23:41.honourable friend for his ansa. He like I will be aware that certain
:23:42. > :23:45.employers have said they are not happy with the apprenticeship levy
:23:46. > :23:48.and have asked the government to rethink. Does my friend Makro agree
:23:49. > :23:54.with me that the levy is the best way to ensure that businesses invest
:23:55. > :24:01.in their apprenticeship skills and they are on a sustainable footing?
:24:02. > :24:07.Forgive me, Mr Speaker. I should have mentioned that I am seeking to
:24:08. > :24:13.do this question with a later one. My honourable friend is right. What
:24:14. > :24:16.we are trying to design with the apprenticeship levy is something of
:24:17. > :24:20.an innovation in government, which is a new tax but which the people
:24:21. > :24:24.who pay the tax, the companies that pay the tax, will have the ability
:24:25. > :24:29.to spend it on training that directly benefits them. It creates a
:24:30. > :24:34.huge incentive who pay the levy to get maximum benefit out of it by
:24:35. > :24:40.creating more apprenticeships. And I believe it will have a powerful
:24:41. > :24:46.impact in her constituency. The importance of home-grown skill is
:24:47. > :24:49.known and even more important given the result of the referendum last
:24:50. > :24:54.week. Considering the funding to British universities, how will he
:24:55. > :25:00.ensure that they will be equipped and supported given last week's
:25:01. > :25:08.thought? I do agree with the right honourable gentleman. We as a nation
:25:09. > :25:11.will have to do what we have done for hundreds of years, which is
:25:12. > :25:17.lived by a Whitsun talents. We need to develop those talents by
:25:18. > :25:20.investing in education and in science and in research and in
:25:21. > :25:24.skills trading. He is right about the crucial role that universities
:25:25. > :25:29.play. Obviously my honourable friend is leading on that. We are working
:25:30. > :25:35.very closely together to get more universities involved to agree on
:25:36. > :25:42.apprenticeships, so people can get a degree and rise to a high position
:25:43. > :25:45.through an apprenticeship. One of the messages that has come across to
:25:46. > :25:49.me campaigning in the referendum is that free movement between people in
:25:50. > :26:00.this country and the European Union is no longer desired. The honourable
:26:01. > :26:05.gentleman will know that there are no changes that will take place at
:26:06. > :26:08.any time soon in any of the arrangements with the European Union
:26:09. > :26:12.because we have made a decision we are going to leave the European
:26:13. > :26:18.Union. There will be a lengthy process of negotiation to establish
:26:19. > :26:24.what new positions will be put in place. One of the chief sources of
:26:25. > :26:28.concern in our communities is that free movement of people. He is also
:26:29. > :26:29.right that in his constituency as in my own, that would have been a
:26:30. > :27:26.motive for many people to vote. the key reasons why we have resisted
:27:27. > :27:31.pressure to make apprenticeships something only for young people and
:27:32. > :27:34.only for new recruits, because if you are 45 and you are perhaps
:27:35. > :27:39.returning to work after a career break or you have discovered in
:27:40. > :27:43.yourself a potential you did not know about, it is right that there
:27:44. > :27:46.is government support through apprenticeship training to enable
:27:47. > :27:54.you to develop those new skills and go a rewarding career. Local
:27:55. > :27:57.businesses in Worcester tell me they worry about skills shortages and
:27:58. > :28:02.they want to invest in young people. To do so, it is crucial that young
:28:03. > :28:06.people have information about apprenticeships. Does the Minister
:28:07. > :28:10.agree that we need to keep making sure that inspiring apprentices and
:28:11. > :28:15.employers get into our schools to talk about what they can offer? My
:28:16. > :28:19.honourable friend is right and I know that he will be playing our
:28:20. > :28:23.vital role in shepherding the bill through Parliament that will require
:28:24. > :28:28.all schools to give an opportunity to other providers of opportunity
:28:29. > :28:32.after the age of 16, whether further education colleges or apprenticeship
:28:33. > :28:35.employers, into the school, during school hours, to make young people
:28:36. > :28:44.aware of the range of opportunities out there. One of the ways in which
:28:45. > :28:49.skills gaps in the economy have been filled is with EU nationals, which
:28:50. > :29:00.is an opportunity that could be lost to Scotland, in particular
:29:01. > :29:06.geographically rural areas. Can the Minister guarantee that these skills
:29:07. > :29:16.are valued and they will be able to stay? I am very grateful to do that,
:29:17. > :29:20.and to give you -- to give that confirmation, not just in her
:29:21. > :29:26.constituency but across the country. There are skills locked in by very
:29:27. > :29:29.valued migrant workers, not just from the European Union, though
:29:30. > :29:34.importantly from the European Union, and the Prime Minister has been very
:29:35. > :29:37.clear that those people's position in our country is secure. They are
:29:38. > :29:43.working rights are secure and we remain a member of the European
:29:44. > :29:46.Union. It is not just that they are secured, they are valued and we
:29:47. > :29:58.welcome them. We want them to stay here and help make our society
:29:59. > :30:01.great. Question number nine, Sir. The higher education and research
:30:02. > :30:04.white paper and now the bill before Parliament set out on the steps we
:30:05. > :30:06.are taking to raise the quality of higher education and help ensure
:30:07. > :30:15.that students get the teaching experience that they expect from
:30:16. > :30:19.their time at university. The University of Winchester is
:30:20. > :30:22.exceptionally strong when it comes to degree partnerships, performing
:30:23. > :30:27.consistently well in the student satisfaction surveys. We are in the
:30:28. > :30:30.top 95% when it comes to graduate prospects. Does the Minister agree
:30:31. > :30:35.that these are key drivers for young people deciding to make a
:30:36. > :30:43.significant investment higher education, and in that, Winchester
:30:44. > :30:47.is well-placed. The University of Winchester is leading the way in so
:30:48. > :30:57.many areas, and I have been delighted to meet with the Vice
:30:58. > :31:00.Chancellor, Professor Joy, and Winchester is a great example of the
:31:01. > :31:04.university where students have excellent employment outcomes with
:31:05. > :31:13.95% going on to graduate employment or further study in a very short
:31:14. > :31:18.period of time. At the University of Sussex, there is ?9 million worth of
:31:19. > :31:21.funding from the European Union. The Leave campaign was clear that this
:31:22. > :31:25.funding would be replaced by the British Government funding after
:31:26. > :31:28.Brexit. Can the Minister get to his feet and guarantee that this funding
:31:29. > :31:33.will continue and if not, can he bring his brother down to Brighton
:31:34. > :31:39.to explain to students why the door of education is going to be slammed
:31:40. > :31:42.in their face? This government more than any other understands the
:31:43. > :31:45.importance of science funding and that is why we have protected
:31:46. > :31:50.science spending until the end of the Parliament, a decade of real
:31:51. > :31:58.terms protection. Our universities and institutions can continue to
:31:59. > :32:02.apply for EU competitive funding streams under Horizon 2020 and I'm
:32:03. > :32:09.sure they will continue to be successful as they are today. Can I
:32:10. > :32:23.praise the catapult programme that has been run by the department?
:32:24. > :32:30.And can he reassure me that it is going to be rolled out more wildly?
:32:31. > :32:33.Absolutely. We are committed to rolling out the catapult network,
:32:34. > :32:36.which provides resources to companies that they might otherwise
:32:37. > :32:39.not be able to construct and maximises the research coming out of
:32:40. > :32:47.our university system. We have already delivered on new catapults
:32:48. > :32:52.in Cambridge and Cheshire. It is an expanding and successful network and
:32:53. > :32:58.it will continue to be so. The Minister's white paper bangs on
:32:59. > :33:02.about how important high-level skills are but the skills white
:33:03. > :33:10.paper is not actually part of the new bill. With those that teach,
:33:11. > :33:26.manage or work in ... Should he not be prioritising these colleges? Why
:33:27. > :33:31.is he gambling on probationary degrees from probationary providers,
:33:32. > :33:33.risking our universities' reputation overseas and productivity at home? I
:33:34. > :33:41.am working closely with the skills minister who has a forthcoming white
:33:42. > :33:47.paper which will revive many of those answers you look for. But we
:33:48. > :33:50.are surprised to see the scepticism about the potential for new
:33:51. > :33:52.providers of higher education to enhance the range of high-quality
:33:53. > :34:20.higher education on offer in this country. Number Ten, Mr Speaker. A
:34:21. > :34:23.minister. Thank you, Mr Speaker. The government is fully committed to
:34:24. > :34:27.making the UK the best place in the world to do science and the number
:34:28. > :34:34.of full-time students accepted to study stem subjects in England is up
:34:35. > :34:40.17% since 2010. Initiatives such as the stem ambassadors programme and
:34:41. > :34:42.the polar Explorer programme are providing information for young
:34:43. > :34:50.people looking to consider these careers. To what extent can studio
:34:51. > :34:57.schools be used to promote the take-up of stem subjects later on in
:34:58. > :34:59.a student's career, during university or apprenticeship? Studio
:35:00. > :35:02.schools are pioneering a new and valuable approach to learning,
:35:03. > :35:07.focusing on equipping students with a wide range of employability skills
:35:08. > :35:15.and qualifications. Schools like those in Banbury and best, opening
:35:16. > :35:25.in September, gives students the opportunity to work with employers
:35:26. > :35:34.such as the UK Space Agency. As vice chair of the new killer APPG, I
:35:35. > :35:39.think it is important for us to get more women into these engineering
:35:40. > :35:43.positions. I was pleased to hear the Minister agree with them the Member
:35:44. > :35:47.for Stretford End Urmston about the need to get in much earlier, at
:35:48. > :35:52.Primary School level, if girls are going to take the subject through to
:35:53. > :35:56.higher education. Can I ask what specific action the government is
:35:57. > :36:00.taking to achieve that aim and how they will take into account the work
:36:01. > :36:06.that is already being undertaken in Cumbria? The government continues to
:36:07. > :36:12.work with all partners to range initiatives, including the science
:36:13. > :36:17.fund, launched with the Wellcome Trust, and stem ambassadors, a ?5
:36:18. > :36:23.million programme. As well as the industry led, your life campaign,
:36:24. > :36:26.providing information for young people considering stem careers. I
:36:27. > :36:36.am pleased to say that 50% of stem undergraduates are no women. The
:36:37. > :36:39.Minister will now how important EU funding is to our universities
:36:40. > :36:45.particularly in relation to stem subjects. -- 50% of stem
:36:46. > :36:51.undergraduates are now women. It was promised that no sector would lose
:36:52. > :36:55.as a result of Brexit. If I could push him on his earlier answer, what
:36:56. > :37:00.will he be doing to ensure that UK Government funds replace European
:37:01. > :37:06.funding, pound for pound, in supporting research in our
:37:07. > :37:09.universities. We remain members of the European Union and our
:37:10. > :37:16.institutions are able to apply for and win European competitive funding
:37:17. > :37:23.streams. They will continue to be able to do so until such time as we
:37:24. > :37:28.the relationship of our -- the nature of our relationship. Another
:37:29. > :37:35.equally important Johnson, Diana Johnson. We recently consulted
:37:36. > :37:39.options for the land Registry and this consultation closed on the 26th
:37:40. > :37:42.of May. We are currently reviewing responses and until this is
:37:43. > :37:49.completed, there will be no decision made. Having a land Registry office
:37:50. > :37:51.in Hull, I noticed that in 2014, in the July consultation when the
:37:52. > :37:56.coalition scrapped the plan is to set up a land Registry, only 5% of
:37:57. > :38:01.people consulted said it would be more efficient to sell it off. They
:38:02. > :38:07.admitted that the case for change had not been made. What has changed
:38:08. > :38:10.since then? As I say, no decision has been made but what is clear is
:38:11. > :38:16.that the land Registry has been moving increasingly to electronic
:38:17. > :38:20.means. This kind of modernisation and efficiency changes need to carry
:38:21. > :38:26.on so regardless of ownership, this is the kind of change we want to
:38:27. > :38:32.see. One of the strengths of the land registry is its transparency
:38:33. > :38:37.and independence but those proposing to buy the land Registry has links
:38:38. > :38:42.to offshore tax havens, places that do everything to avoid such
:38:43. > :38:45.transparency and independence. Mr Speaker, the sale to firms with
:38:46. > :38:51.links to tax havens will undermine the trust of homeowners. Isn't it
:38:52. > :38:55.the truth that the sale of family silver makes a mockery of government
:38:56. > :39:02.claims to be tackling tax avoidance and tax evasion? It would be
:39:03. > :39:09.entirely wrong to comment on any press speculation but as I said, no
:39:10. > :39:15.decision has been made. Question number 13, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker,
:39:16. > :39:21.we are working with employer groups to develop new apprenticeship
:39:22. > :39:25.standards such as Forest operative, and if I am seeking a new career, I
:39:26. > :39:32.could hardly think of a better one. And we're working on pilot between
:39:33. > :39:38.death trap and business to boost the number of businesses available in
:39:39. > :39:46.national parks. -- between DEFRA and business. I'm delighted that the
:39:47. > :39:49.horticulture Trailblazer initiative is successful. Can the Minister tell
:39:50. > :39:52.me what Roxie has had with the Department for Education to make
:39:53. > :39:55.sure that courses offered to students provide what businesses
:39:56. > :40:03.need so that a petition to really work? I will welcome the Minister to
:40:04. > :40:09.my constituency to talk about that. It is an excellent question and I
:40:10. > :40:11.have one advantage because I am also a minister in the Department for
:40:12. > :40:16.Education. I talk to myself worryingly often. The honourable
:40:17. > :40:21.lady makes an important point. When the skills plan is published, which
:40:22. > :40:25.will be soon, we will be guided very heavily by the review currently
:40:26. > :40:32.being undertaken, recently completed by Lord Sainsbury, looking to ensure
:40:33. > :40:37.that the course as people are offered in college are genuinely the
:40:38. > :40:43.courses that employers want. I am sure the people of Ponton are in a
:40:44. > :40:46.state of eager anticipation and high excitement at the prospect of a
:40:47. > :40:58.visit from the Minister. -- the people of Ponton. Wales also offers
:40:59. > :41:01.opportunities for apprenticeships in horticulture. But employers in Wales
:41:02. > :41:06.are worried about how the British or work. What discussions has he had
:41:07. > :41:08.with Julie James in Welsh government and when does he expect the scheme
:41:09. > :41:24.to be finalised? Lay Lady asks a reasonable question.
:41:25. > :41:29.There have been very intensive contacts both between HMRC and the
:41:30. > :41:34.Welsh and Scottish and other governments to discuss how the levy
:41:35. > :41:39.arrangements will work from a tax-raising view and to discuss how
:41:40. > :41:43.the levy will operate and we will be publishing more details before the
:41:44. > :41:50.summer recess. Number 14, Mr Speaker. My thoughts are very much
:41:51. > :41:55.whether workers and families at this difficult time. Jobcentre can
:41:56. > :42:06.support with local partners for others. I thank the Secretary of
:42:07. > :42:09.State for that answer. Could he take steps to tighten loopholes
:42:10. > :42:25.restricting companies from moving assets to third-party partners. My
:42:26. > :42:29.honourable friend will revert to my father's first job. It is sad what
:42:30. > :42:37.has happened. The current insolvency law allows assets to be disposed of
:42:38. > :42:40.before recovery. For action to be taken against directors of
:42:41. > :42:46.misconduct, it is possible if the administrators. I will look at that
:42:47. > :42:52.report carefully when it is published in three months' time.
:42:53. > :42:58.Number 15, Mr Speaker. Crossrail Europe's biggest project uses 7000
:42:59. > :43:05.tonnes of British Steel. Network Rail sources 96% of its steel from
:43:06. > :43:16.Britain and it is all made in Scunthorpe. That is 120,000 tonnes a
:43:17. > :43:20.year. It will give UK steel every chance to win contracts. It would be
:43:21. > :43:26.impossible not to buy British Steel. I thank the Minister for her
:43:27. > :43:32.response. We have intentionally to new proposals for branch lines. On
:43:33. > :43:37.the Okehampton link. Does my honourable friend welcome these
:43:38. > :43:43.proposals. There she thinking light of the referendum result, it can be
:43:44. > :43:47.used in all of our railway construction is across the whole of
:43:48. > :43:52.the country? We have changed the procurement rules in relation to
:43:53. > :43:57.government funded. There is really no excuse. We know how Britain --
:43:58. > :44:02.brilliant British Steel is when it comes to... Is specially when it
:44:03. > :44:07.comes to railway and the construction of railway lines
:44:08. > :44:09.because it is the best steel in the world and that is why so many people
:44:10. > :44:17.buy it when they are constructing railways. I welcome the Minister's
:44:18. > :44:23.comments on British Steel and Scunthorpe steel. What is she doing
:44:24. > :44:26.to insure there is a clear pipeline of infrastructure projects in trains
:44:27. > :44:32.so that the correct capacity for creating the steel for those
:44:33. > :44:37.projects is put in place? I am grateful as ever for his question.
:44:38. > :44:41.One of the things taking place today is the Secretary of State is leading
:44:42. > :44:46.an extremely large meeting with all the key players of the British steel
:44:47. > :44:51.industry. One of the things we have discussed is the need to make sure
:44:52. > :44:58.that huge infrastructure projects, if it is at all possible, whether it
:44:59. > :45:03.is HS2, incredibly important now and making sure we do the best in what
:45:04. > :45:08.has been a bad decision by the British public if I may so. A
:45:09. > :45:15.topical question for Lucy Allen. Number one, Mr Speaker. Following
:45:16. > :45:18.last week's referendum result, my department has in speaking to
:45:19. > :45:22.businesses are pinned down the country and we will continue talking
:45:23. > :45:28.with them in the weeks and months ahead. I am hosting a roundtable
:45:29. > :45:33.with business leaders to consider next steps. I would like to welcome
:45:34. > :45:41.Tim Peake back to earth after six months have brought the -- or the
:45:42. > :45:46.International Space Station. I spent last week visiting businesses across
:45:47. > :45:51.Telford and notwithstanding short-term market volatility, equity
:45:52. > :45:56.is back up today. Business leaders and Telford are confident about the
:45:57. > :46:00.future. Having visited Telford on several occasions, does he agree
:46:01. > :46:06.that Telford has a bright future and is a great place to do business? Mr
:46:07. > :46:11.Speaker, I absolutely agree with my honourable friend. I will visit
:46:12. > :46:15.Telford again and again. Unemployment in her constituency has
:46:16. > :46:20.fallen by 60% of the last three years, that is a testament to local
:46:21. > :46:29.businesses. I will work with her in every way to secure Telford boss
:46:30. > :46:33.Mike Bright future. Mr Speaker, despite the Secretary of State's
:46:34. > :46:38.complacency, this is a very difficult over British business.
:46:39. > :46:46.Over the past 24 hours we have lost triple a beating and seen 150
:46:47. > :46:52.billion wiped off the value of the FTSE 350. Can he be sure the many
:46:53. > :46:58.worried and businesses that unlike with Tata will, he will be in the
:46:59. > :47:04.boardrooms of innocent and Hitachi, Jaguar Land Rover work and across
:47:05. > :47:09.the country, sharing with them his plan for secure, economic exit as
:47:10. > :47:14.they make their investment decisions in the weeks and months to come? I
:47:15. > :47:20.was hoping to welcome the honourable lady as the Shadow Business
:47:21. > :47:25.Secretary. I believe she is not in that position yet. I would be happy
:47:26. > :47:32.to make some suggestions of the problems. What I can assure the
:47:33. > :47:34.honourable lady. Of course there are some short-term challenges were
:47:35. > :47:38.businesses, but we should also remember there are medium-term and
:47:39. > :47:43.long-term opportunity is business as well and that includes the
:47:44. > :47:46.automobile industry. It is clear that not only does he not have a
:47:47. > :47:52.plan, he does not have a plan to have a plan. He cannot say whether
:47:53. > :47:57.he personally wants to retain access to the single market for goods and
:47:58. > :48:03.services. Isn't the truth that the only plan the Secretary of State has
:48:04. > :48:07.is for his joint leadership bid and British businesses and jobs stand to
:48:08. > :48:15.lose from the economic uncertainty has party's divides have unleashed?
:48:16. > :48:20.Mr Speaker, I was hoping the honourable lady would not play party
:48:21. > :48:23.politics with something as straightforward as this. There are
:48:24. > :48:28.many businesses up and down the country that are reflecting last
:48:29. > :48:33.week's decision and my job is to reassure them that this decision can
:48:34. > :48:37.be made to work, as well as looking at challenges, there are plenty of
:48:38. > :48:41.opportunities. When I meet with businesses later this afternoon,
:48:42. > :48:46.that is the message I will be giving them. The Greater Manchester region
:48:47. > :48:51.is a huge supporter of apprenticeships with 30,000 starts
:48:52. > :48:57.last year alone. I have met with apprenticeships in my constituency
:48:58. > :49:02.doing work on the development of underwater sonar systems. Can he
:49:03. > :49:08.underline what additional support his department is giving to increase
:49:09. > :49:17.uptake? Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to congratulate Ray Teret
:49:18. > :49:21.Manchester on achieving 75% increase in apprenticeships since 2010. We
:49:22. > :49:25.have devolved the apprenticeship grant for employers which is an
:49:26. > :49:29.incentive payment to in Courage employers who have not previously
:49:30. > :49:34.employed apprentices, to do so. They can target it to particular types of
:49:35. > :49:45.employers they want to see apprenticeship grows come through.
:49:46. > :49:52.As we head towards Brexit, many EU directives will be under review. Can
:49:53. > :49:58.we have confirmation from the government but it -- to their
:49:59. > :50:05.intention to retain all elements of working time directive 's clash
:50:06. > :50:10.marked nothing changes for the next few years. All rights and
:50:11. > :50:15.obligations will be respected. In the longer term, work -- 's country
:50:16. > :50:21.has always been committed to workers' rights, and that will not
:50:22. > :50:25.change. Pendle is home to a number of excellent in this -based
:50:26. > :50:36.companies. What assurance can the government gave the sector in view
:50:37. > :50:39.of the referendum? Later on today we are meeting with the trade Council
:50:40. > :50:43.that represents the aerospace industry because we are committed to
:50:44. > :51:02.them. We will continue to work closely with them to tackle growth.
:51:03. > :51:09.Fire And Rescue Services are attending up to three fires a day as
:51:10. > :51:15.a result of faulty fires. Which the LGA electrical first aid first have
:51:16. > :51:18.always concerned with the world Whirlpool has handled this problem.
:51:19. > :51:24.Is the Minister comfortable that Whirlpool has issued a safety
:51:25. > :51:31.statement and not a total recall? Mr Speaker, I had a meeting with the
:51:32. > :51:36.honourable lady and she has led for consumers on this issue. There has
:51:37. > :51:40.been an investigation as I explained to her which suggested that the
:51:41. > :51:44.approach Whirlpool was taking was reasonable but the nature of the
:51:45. > :51:50.risk wasn't such that a total recall was required. She is right to say
:51:51. > :51:52.that they need to get a move on and that it is not right or reasonable
:51:53. > :51:56.to leave people waiting for months and months to have a faulty product,
:51:57. > :52:03.for which Whirlpool should be accountable, replaced. Would my
:52:04. > :52:07.right honourable friend agree that it is the duty of government
:52:08. > :52:11.ministers who are loyal to the crowd to promote the British economy and
:52:12. > :52:15.not talk it down. Would he agreed to a joint meeting with me to discuss
:52:16. > :52:21.how we can more effectively promote and develop defence industries such
:52:22. > :52:26.as those found in my constituency? I absolutely agree with my honourable
:52:27. > :52:31.friend. He is absolutely right. These are difficult times but it is
:52:32. > :52:35.important that we do not talk down a great British economy and that we
:52:36. > :52:40.instil that stability and confidence. He is right to point out
:52:41. > :52:45.our defence industry, we work and in glove with the MOD and we will
:52:46. > :52:55.continue to do that. I have already spoken to the minister responsible
:52:56. > :53:03.for procurement. Mr Iain Wright. I think that is the kindest thing
:53:04. > :53:05.anyone has ever said to me. The Secretary of State appreciates that
:53:06. > :53:10.uncertainty lasting months and years are draining business investment
:53:11. > :53:15.away from Britain. In the select committee this morning, Funding
:53:16. > :53:23.Circle told those that are ?100 million deal will not go ahead. It
:53:24. > :53:27.will not be the only one. Today's roundtable is a welcome gesture but
:53:28. > :53:31.in the face of this unprecedented uncertainty at 90, what tangible
:53:32. > :53:36.actions is he putting in place now to maintain and stimulate inward
:53:37. > :53:41.investment to maintain that funding gap and to steady business nerves?
:53:42. > :53:45.Mr Speaker, it is good to see that there is some leadership on business
:53:46. > :53:49.issues on that side of the House still. The honourable gentleman
:53:50. > :53:54.makes an important point. The roundtable we have today, it is not
:53:55. > :53:59.a gesture, it is genuinely listening to real businessmen and women about
:54:00. > :54:01.the issues that they face and also to listen to them about the
:54:02. > :54:05.opportunities that will be created to take advantage of those
:54:06. > :54:09.opportunity is as well. He will know that nothing changes were a couple
:54:10. > :54:14.of years and that will give us time to plan for the future, including
:54:15. > :54:18.inward investment opportunity is. I would be happy to meet with them and
:54:19. > :54:25.discuss it further. A significant amount of public money that is to
:54:26. > :54:32.bring broadband to rural areas. Because of a bureaucratic logjam, it
:54:33. > :54:37.remains unspent whilst a number of businesses in Cheltenham cannot
:54:38. > :54:40.grow. What can be done to unlock that money and get the remaining
:54:41. > :54:44.premises connected? May I say how pleased I am to see you in your
:54:45. > :54:47.chair. A rock of stability as the stormy seas of change crash around
:54:48. > :56:10.us. post office was ?439,000. This money
:56:11. > :56:13.was spent making significant changes in order to improve services to
:56:14. > :56:17.customers and hands the profitability of the Crown network.
:56:18. > :56:25.Given that the post office is... Moving to and non-successful and
:56:26. > :56:31.inadequate thing, can the Minister justify why the money was spent on
:56:32. > :56:35.refurbishment. Mr Speaker, I will keep it brief.
:56:36. > :56:40.The honourable member tabled a name they on this and I have replied to
:56:41. > :56:43.explain it is the matter for the Chief Executive. She has written a
:56:44. > :56:47.letter to the honourable member which is in the library for the
:56:48. > :56:54.house's benefit, I confirm that from the ?13 million investment in our
:56:55. > :56:59.crown, ?440,000 has been spent on the Paisley branch and through the
:57:00. > :57:06.Crown transformation plan, we have a post office which is more stable and
:57:07. > :57:11.closer to break even. 200,000 extra opening hours and 3800 branches open
:57:12. > :57:17.on Sundays. The people of Paisley have a strong and secure post
:57:18. > :57:23.office. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I commend the
:57:24. > :57:26.Ministers on the Treasury bench for their pragmatic approach to the
:57:27. > :57:30.result last week. We are all committed to the UK becoming an
:57:31. > :57:36.outward looking, global trading nation. With that in mind, will the
:57:37. > :57:40.ministers redouble their efforts to support the Australian Prime
:57:41. > :57:43.Minister, who said he has instructed his officials to work with New
:57:44. > :57:49.Zealand to prepare a train to deal with the UK very shortly?
:57:50. > :57:52.Mr Speaker, what my honourable friend highlights are the
:57:53. > :57:55.opportunities of Brexit, and we should absolutely start embracing
:57:56. > :57:59.those opportunities. Free trade agreements with many more countries
:58:00. > :58:05.is one of those. Australia is an excellent example of what we should
:58:06. > :58:10.be working on. Many of my constituents in Ealing
:58:11. > :58:15.and Southall have no of very little access to computers and internet. I
:58:16. > :58:21.hope this Government will continue to press on other key providers to
:58:22. > :58:28.maintain high street services open to customers to receive utility and
:58:29. > :58:33.other ills in paper form on request. -- other bills.
:58:34. > :58:37.It does not intervene in the individual billing arrangement of
:58:38. > :58:40.utilities or companies but there are arrangements in place to make sure
:58:41. > :58:43.those who need paper bills can require them. Those who have
:58:44. > :58:47.disabilities such as the blind have protections to ensure they get
:58:48. > :58:52.appropriate billing. If there are particular issues, I will look into
:58:53. > :58:58.them for you. Small and independent retailers in
:58:59. > :59:01.my constituency have recently experienced difficulty in accessing
:59:02. > :59:07.telephone and broadband services when moving into new premises. I
:59:08. > :59:13.have expressed this due to my new community office. Well they talk to
:59:14. > :59:18.the service providers to ensure we get those vital services in the
:59:19. > :59:22.21st-century, to be carried out in a reasonable time frame?
:59:23. > :59:25.I have made no secret of my concerns about open reach's quality of
:59:26. > :59:31.service, and while I think we have had a very successful rural group
:59:32. > :59:34.broadband programme, there is a particular unit which seems to
:59:35. > :59:40.target Members of Parliament in order to drive them completely...
:59:41. > :59:44.Make them angry. -- Openreach. They take it out on me and I take it out
:59:45. > :59:47.on Openreach but they have to read the terms and conditions. The new
:59:48. > :59:52.Chief Executive has made supplying businesses priority.
:59:53. > :59:56.We are blessed to have a second dose of the honourable gentleman this
:59:57. > :00:00.morning. The fermentation of the pubs
:00:01. > :00:06.coach... With licensees missing out due to business mistake and the
:00:07. > :00:10.delay. -- implementation. Will they ensure the code is retrospective
:00:11. > :00:14.from the original date as we clearly can't be?
:00:15. > :00:18.Mr Speaker, we have relayed the regulations and I am looking forward
:00:19. > :00:22.to passing through the stages so we can implement the pubs code as
:00:23. > :00:26.urgency. I hope it will be implemented by the time this house
:00:27. > :00:30.races. Thank you for giving me two bite at
:00:31. > :00:38.the cherry. I welcome the Government commitment to seek new universities
:00:39. > :00:41.coming forward, including Somerset, but given the recent developments
:00:42. > :00:44.regarding EU, will be ministry agree with me that it is even more
:00:45. > :00:49.essential that we provide universities to provide the skills
:00:50. > :00:55.to upgrade the workforce so we can maintain our world position?
:00:56. > :01:00.Yes, indeed, the productivity challenge we face as a country is
:01:01. > :01:05.grave and our universities are a part of the answer. New universities
:01:06. > :01:10.in cold spots such as Somerset are part of the solution.
:01:11. > :01:15.I understand that the UK Government is yet to confirm the allegation of
:01:16. > :01:21.apprenticeships in Scotland, whether it was based on the number of
:01:22. > :01:27.employees based in Scotland -- presentation. Can the Minister
:01:28. > :01:30.provide the clarification? Mr Speaker, as I indicated to the
:01:31. > :01:35.honourable lady representing the Welsh Government in this
:01:36. > :01:39.conversation, there have been discussions ongoing. It is a matter
:01:40. > :01:43.for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and not something I am
:01:44. > :01:45.directly responsible for. I know there have been intensive
:01:46. > :01:50.negotiations and discussions but I fear... I do not want to pass the
:01:51. > :01:53.buck but we will have two directly question to a Treasury Minister,
:01:54. > :02:00.because it needs the Treasury and HMR see to handle this discussion
:02:01. > :02:06.is. -- HMIC. Thank you, Mr Speaker. This month,
:02:07. > :02:11.it was announced that manufacturing exports from Northern Ireland
:02:12. > :02:19.increased by 24% to non-EU countries whilst they fell 4% to EU countries.
:02:20. > :02:22.What steps can the Minister take to help Northern Ireland firms exploit
:02:23. > :02:27.the opportunities in growing international economies, in order to
:02:28. > :02:32.promote growth in Northern Ireland, increase employment and help reduce
:02:33. > :02:36.UK payments deficits? It is great to hear and the
:02:37. > :02:38.honourable gentleman is right. Manufacturing is on the rise in
:02:39. > :02:43.Northern Ireland and throughout the UK. Volumes and exports are up,
:02:44. > :02:48.employment is up. There are further steps we can take. I was asked about
:02:49. > :02:51.free trade agreement and that is something we can do and exploit now
:02:52. > :03:03.we have RMT. Order. -- now that we have Brexit.
:03:04. > :03:07.I was led to believe that the Labour front bench were we requesting a
:03:08. > :03:15.statement on the further chaos we have heard this morning on HS2, in
:03:16. > :03:21.resources and preparations, but are now sucking up from our economy. Did
:03:22. > :03:24.you receive any indication for a statement on HS2? We have the
:03:25. > :03:31.Business Secretary here. Does he not realise British industry in chaos,
:03:32. > :03:39.and reeling from Brexit, once to see HS2 Stubbs now before it sucks up
:03:40. > :03:42.those resources? -- stopped now. I would not discuss on the floor of
:03:43. > :03:47.the house applications for urgent questions because colleagues will
:03:48. > :03:48.understand that as a long-standing convention, that those matters are