:00:07. > :00:17.Questions to the Secretary of State for exiting the European Unhon. With
:00:18. > :00:21.permission, Mr Speaker, I whll answer questions one and ten
:00:22. > :00:25.together. The Chancellor and I are both determined to ensure wd get the
:00:26. > :00:28.best possible deal for our financial services sector. The crucial part of
:00:29. > :00:35.our economy. Not just solicht the London, but the country mord widely.
:00:36. > :00:40.-- not just for the City of London. Two thirds of financial services job
:00:41. > :00:48.are outside the capital, we are in terminal two ensure the indtstry
:00:49. > :00:50.thrives. We expect that in these negotiations, financial services
:00:51. > :00:54.will be in great importance, but we must remain in a good posithon to
:00:55. > :01:00.attract the artist and best talent, and seek the best possible terms for
:01:01. > :01:04.trade in financial services and the European market. We are working to
:01:05. > :01:08.go to maximise opportunities for financial services arising from the
:01:09. > :01:10.exit from the European Union. We have met representatives of the
:01:11. > :01:16.industry and expect to do so again as we shape our position. Whll he
:01:17. > :01:22.make securing agreement on ` transitional period for fin`ncial
:01:23. > :01:26.services and urgent prioritx for Brexit negotiations to avoid the
:01:27. > :01:30.risk that firms feel they h`ve to make decisions to change thdir
:01:31. > :01:33.business is now fit based on a worst case scenario, because complies the
:01:34. > :01:37.gay shaking to mean they cannot wait to see what the
:01:38. > :01:50.it would not be in the interests of either side for Britain or the
:01:51. > :02:19.European having London sitting in thd centre
:02:20. > :02:25.of the financial sector is not just in the interest of London btt the
:02:26. > :02:28.greater country. He talked `bout all possible options, yesterday I talked
:02:29. > :02:34.to the Chancellor about accdpting the transitional arrangements. Can
:02:35. > :02:47.he say whether or not he has met regulators, if those transitional
:02:48. > :02:51.measures put into place? We have been talking to European
:02:52. > :02:57.institutions and they take the same line. May I say to the Secrdtary of
:02:58. > :03:00.State first of all that we look State first of all that we look
:03:01. > :03:00.forward to hearing for him was the select committee has been
:03:01. > :03:14.established. He will be only too well aw`re that
:03:15. > :03:18.our future trading relationships including for the financial services
:03:19. > :03:23.industry is the major concern for business. Can he not give the House
:03:24. > :03:30.and assurance that if we have not been able to negotiate and larket
:03:31. > :03:34.access agreement by the end of the Article 50 process, that thd
:03:35. > :03:38.government will seek a transitional arrangement? If it does not say that
:03:39. > :03:41.now, that uncertainty on thd part of business will continue and
:03:42. > :03:45.businesses may begin to takd decisions because they do not know
:03:46. > :03:48.what the future holds. May H start by congratulating the Right
:03:49. > :03:54.honourable gentleman to his new post. I am very pleased that he is
:03:55. > :04:00.the chairman of the Brexit select committee, and I am looking forward
:04:01. > :04:04.to a great deal of discussion with him on the subject. He is qtite
:04:05. > :04:10.right, we have to treat as absolutely central to what we do,
:04:11. > :04:13.maintaining the stability of both the city and also the Europdan
:04:14. > :04:17.financial markets, and the Duropean financial markets are a little
:04:18. > :04:25.fragile over the last few ydars We will therefore do anything
:04:26. > :04:29.necessary. Let me make one point, in the financial sector as in other
:04:30. > :04:34.sectors, at the point of exht from the European Union, the standards,
:04:35. > :04:41.all the conventions, all thd regulations will be identic`l. So
:04:42. > :04:44.the transition should be capable of managed clearly, but we will do
:04:45. > :04:51.everything necessary to maintain stability. I wonder if the Secretary
:04:52. > :04:58.of State can confirm in rel`tion to press reports earlier this week that
:04:59. > :05:02.the government may in futurd pay to the European Union in some form or
:05:03. > :05:06.another for access this fin`ncial services. If the government's
:05:07. > :05:11.position that under no circtmstances will they in future pay for market
:05:12. > :05:15.access for financial servicds? Firstly, I do not comment on leaks,
:05:16. > :05:21.I will not comment on that particular newspaper report or
:05:22. > :05:31.indeed on its veracity or otherwise. I will also say, a point whhch came
:05:32. > :05:33.up last week in the debate, on accountability of government
:05:34. > :05:37.activity, is that I want to be as accountable and open as possible
:05:38. > :05:43.with the House of Commons. The Labour Party accepted the alendment
:05:44. > :05:49.to that, enthusiastically accepted the MM at which said that they will
:05:50. > :05:56.do nothing to undermine or prejudged our negotiating position. The
:05:57. > :06:00.Treasury did its best to pl`y a prominent role in the Remain
:06:01. > :06:06.campaign, including the reldase of a highly dodgy dossier predict in
:06:07. > :06:09.economic doom and gloom. If my right honourable friend that the Treasury
:06:10. > :06:15.has caught up with the result of the referendum and is singing off the
:06:16. > :06:21.same page as his department? I do not agree with my honourabld friend.
:06:22. > :06:25.The simple truth is the Tre`sury is looking at all the options just as
:06:26. > :06:31.we are. The forecast of the sort that he described our contingent
:06:32. > :06:36.entirely on the assumptions you put under them. If you make a lot of
:06:37. > :06:42.seriously deleterious assumptions, you get a delirious outcome. If you
:06:43. > :06:44.introduce serious policy to correct a risk and maximise opportunity you
:06:45. > :06:50.get a better outcome and th`t is what we will do. The Secret`ry of
:06:51. > :06:53.State has just stated that he does not want to discuss leaks btt it is
:06:54. > :06:56.important that we get factu`l information out there. According to
:06:57. > :07:00.the Financial Times, the government is to spend billions on keeping the
:07:01. > :07:03.City of London in the singld market. Can he confirm what steps hd is
:07:04. > :07:09.taking to ensure the people of Scotland get a similar deal? As I
:07:10. > :07:13.what I will say is this, I lentioned what I will say is this, I lentioned
:07:14. > :07:17.at the beginning when I was talking about the financial services, a very
:07:18. > :07:20.large number of financial sdrvices jobs are outside London, many
:07:21. > :07:26.concentrated in Scotland. It has been a fundamental part of
:07:27. > :07:29.Scotland's advantage down the years to have strong financial services
:07:30. > :07:33.and we will do every bit as much to protect Scotland as we will to
:07:34. > :07:40.protect London. Tens of thotsands of jobs in Britain and on euro
:07:41. > :07:48.denominated clearing. The US for secured equivalents for its clearing
:07:49. > :07:50.houses, how confident is thd Secretary of State that the euro do
:07:51. > :07:58.nominated clearing will be permitted in the UK after we leave thd EU It
:07:59. > :08:01.is certainly one of our major aims. I reiterate the point I mean to the
:08:02. > :08:06.new chairman of the Brexit committee, we start at the point we
:08:07. > :08:11.leave with absolute equivaldnts because we meet all of the
:08:12. > :08:19.requirements at that point. I would seek to insure that was maintained.
:08:20. > :08:21.The discussions on financial services are intended as I
:08:22. > :08:25.understand it to build consdnsus around the government's plans. Eight
:08:26. > :08:29.days ago at the dispatch box, the government gave a clear comlitment
:08:30. > :08:33.that, I cried, there should be transparent debate on the
:08:34. > :08:38.government's plans for leavhng the EU. Yesterday, I wrote to the
:08:39. > :08:43.Secretary of State to ask a very simple question. When will the plans
:08:44. > :08:46.be made available? That is `n important question because we need
:08:47. > :08:51.time to debate and scrutinise the plans before article 50 is hnvoked
:08:52. > :08:55.and no doubt the new Brexit select committee will want to see them The
:08:56. > :08:59.Secretary of State replied promptly to my letter but failed to `nswer
:09:00. > :09:03.that central question. So I am going to ask him again. When will the
:09:04. > :09:09.government plans for leaving the EU be made available to this house I
:09:10. > :09:15.could not have been clearer that I consider in Gate would of P`rliament
:09:16. > :09:19.and the process of exiting the EU of paramount importance. -- I consider
:09:20. > :09:23.in gauging Parliament. That was the thrust of my speech last wedk and
:09:24. > :09:27.the thrust of everything I have said previously to select committees and
:09:28. > :09:31.the House. That is why I was able to support the opposition's motion last
:09:32. > :09:34.week that there would be a full and transparent debate on the
:09:35. > :09:38.government's plan for leaving the EU. His wedding. It is alwaxs our
:09:39. > :09:45.intention that Parliament should be in gauge the rout -- his wording.
:09:46. > :09:51.But I think there is a vital caveat that this vision must support the
:09:52. > :09:53.decision to leave the EU and does not undermine the negotiating
:09:54. > :09:59.position of the plot governlent though there will be a balance to be
:10:00. > :10:05.struck between transparency and negotiation. Over the coursd of six
:10:06. > :10:08.months or less, the period before the triggering of article 50, much
:10:09. > :10:11.information will be put out about this and the House will be hn no
:10:12. > :10:17.doubt what our aims and str`tegic objectives are. The question was
:10:18. > :10:21.when will the plans be made available. That has not been
:10:22. > :10:26.answered the second time. These are important not just so the House can
:10:27. > :10:29.hold the government to accotnt but also provide certainty, and we have
:10:30. > :10:34.seen so much evidence of uncertainty. I met the council
:10:35. > :10:36.commission and Parliament in Brussels yesterday and it is
:10:37. > :10:40.absolutely clear that the Prime Minister's words at her party
:10:41. > :10:44.conference about Brexit havd been widely interpreted as an indication
:10:45. > :10:49.that she wants the UK to le`ve not just the single market but `lso the
:10:50. > :10:52.customs unit. No doubt this will come up in her discussions hn
:10:53. > :10:56.Brussels this evening but c`n the Secretary of State assure the House
:10:57. > :11:02.that this is not the governlent s starting position for the article 50
:11:03. > :11:07.negotiations? Actually, it hs a very good example of the reason we are
:11:08. > :11:14.taking our time to come to ` conclusion on this. These m`tters
:11:15. > :11:17.are... These matters are, h`ve very serious indications whichevdr way
:11:18. > :11:21.you go with them. Inside thd customs union you have some advantages but
:11:22. > :11:25.it cuts off to some extent free trade areas around the rest of the
:11:26. > :11:29.world, outside the union crdates some handicaps but also opens up
:11:30. > :11:31.those areas and that decision is not a part of what the Prime Minister
:11:32. > :11:48.has said to the European Unhon. Thank you, Mr Speaker, the
:11:49. > :11:53.Government continues to unddrwide a wide range of analysis covering all
:11:54. > :11:56.parts of the UK to inform the upcoming position with the Duropean
:11:57. > :12:00.partners A key part is the differences between the UK. The
:12:01. > :12:06.Welsh economy has particular strengths in're yes space,
:12:07. > :12:09.automotive, higher education, electronics, steel and agriculture,
:12:10. > :12:12.for example. It is important we understand the impacts and the
:12:13. > :12:18.opportunities for all parts of the Welsh economy. I visited Cardiff
:12:19. > :12:24.this week where I visited the Finance Minister. I also met with
:12:25. > :12:27.the university vice Chancellors Wales has a particular alli`nce on a
:12:28. > :12:32.range of EU funding, more so than much of the rest of the UK, on which
:12:33. > :12:39.the Chancellor's offered a number of guarantees.
:12:40. > :12:44.Mr Speaker, as he'll be aware the Welsh economy produces a substantial
:12:45. > :12:49.trade surplus of over ?5 billion per anum. As a result of the single
:12:50. > :12:55.market, the union and the associated 53 global trade deals. The TK on the
:12:56. > :12:58.other hand has a massive deficit of ?120 billion. Does he acknowledge
:12:59. > :13:04.that the favoured policy of his Government of leaving the shngle
:13:05. > :13:08.market, the customs union and the 53 global trade deals, a hard Brexit
:13:09. > :13:14.will have a significant effdct on Wales? No. Because the aim of the
:13:15. > :13:17.Government is to maintain the freest and most barrier-free access to the
:13:18. > :13:22.market we can obtain. That hs the aim and parts of the kingdol, like
:13:23. > :13:25.Wales, are very much at the forefront of our thoughts, hn that
:13:26. > :13:30.strategy. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Many
:13:31. > :13:35.businesses in Wales will be wondering how EU directives, which
:13:36. > :13:41.have been signed, but have not yet been enacted, some may not be until
:13:42. > :13:46.2017 or 2018, will impact on them? At what stage will the Government
:13:47. > :13:49.say that directives will no longer be applicable within the UK? Well,
:13:50. > :13:54.my honourable friend makes `n important point. It actuallx goes to
:13:55. > :13:58.the heart of the previous qtestions, to maintaining stability and
:13:59. > :14:05.confidence. What we have sahd in terms is that the great repdl act
:14:06. > :14:09.will put into domestic law `ll that exists at the point until wd depart.
:14:10. > :14:16.Until that point. Everything in European law at that point goes into
:14:17. > :14:23.British law therefore. Mr Speaker, in Gwent, the successful Dips
:14:24. > :14:27.company is facing a bigger bill to bring its ingredient into the
:14:28. > :14:32.country. With petrol prices going up, the falling pound is making
:14:33. > :14:36.every step to the dinner pl`te more expensive. What is the Government
:14:37. > :14:40.doing to help businesses who are faced with steep increase in costs
:14:41. > :14:45.and families who are faced with higher food bills? Well it hs not
:14:46. > :14:51.the part of the judgment to judge what is the right and wrong exchange
:14:52. > :14:54.rate. He is right, the exch`nge rate has gone down quite notably, but
:14:55. > :14:59.that gives advantages and disadvantages. The success of
:15:00. > :15:02.various industries and exports already and other domestic
:15:03. > :15:06.industries. We will hope th`t the balance, more than hope, we intend
:15:07. > :15:10.that the balance will work out to everybody's advantage in thd longer
:15:11. > :15:15.run. Yesterday I was delighted to have confirmed by the Welsh minister
:15:16. > :15:21.that the tresly would -- Trdasury would underwrite ?110 million that
:15:22. > :15:26.comes from the regional devdlopment fund into the electrification of the
:15:27. > :15:30.valley's line. In his discussions with the First Minister was he able
:15:31. > :15:35.to give him greater clarity around all the funds which come into Wales
:15:36. > :15:38.from the EU? Businesses really require that stable backgrotnd
:15:39. > :15:44.against which to operate. Well, she picks on a very ilportant
:15:45. > :15:47.point. Wales is more depend`nt on European funding at the momdnt than
:15:48. > :15:52.many other parts of the country And one of the things that the
:15:53. > :15:56.Government has done, a set of things Government has done, to protect
:15:57. > :16:03.people from instability, is to underwrite very, very quickly. In
:16:04. > :16:08.August, the Treasury undertook to underwrite the existing strtctural
:16:09. > :16:12.funds. And the Welsh Governlent was aware of that and welcomed ht.
:16:13. > :16:16.Particularly as it was, I vhsited on budget day, so they were able to
:16:17. > :16:20.make their budgets balance. I think from that point of view, thd
:16:21. > :16:26.Government will continue to look at any years where financial rhsk is
:16:27. > :16:29.induced as a result of our departure and the severance of EU funds as we
:16:30. > :16:37.leave. Number three.
:16:38. > :16:42.With permission I will answdr questions three and 14 together
:16:43. > :16:47.Since the referendum, the Government has met companies from everx sector,
:16:48. > :16:53.including tourism to discuss the risks and opportunities. I believe
:16:54. > :16:55.that as we build a more agile-forward facing economx, with
:16:56. > :16:59.firms trading widely across the world there is a potential for the
:17:00. > :17:02.UK to be in a better place to do business. We are meeting
:17:03. > :17:06.representatives of business regularly and a detailed an`lysis is
:17:07. > :17:11.preparing the negotiations for preparations. As for tourisl,
:17:12. > :17:17.foreign visitors contribute ?22 billion in our economy. And the
:17:18. > :17:23.industry supports 1.6 million jobs. We saw 3.8 million people vhsit the
:17:24. > :17:28.UK in July. The Culture Secretary has meet ministers and we ddbated
:17:29. > :17:31.this matter in Westminster Hall As the Prime Minister said, we are
:17:32. > :17:37.confidence our exit presents opportunities for growth in tourism.
:17:38. > :17:43.We will work closely with the industry to realise this.
:17:44. > :17:50.While deciding what investmdnt to make in the coming... Waiting
:17:51. > :17:53.two-and-a-half years for th`t will not be helpful. When does the
:17:54. > :17:59.Secretary of State think thdy'll be able to understand or at le`st the
:18:00. > :18:03.big-picture position will bd? At the strategic level that is unddrstood
:18:04. > :18:08.clearly now. We have clear strategic aims. Number one, we will rdspect
:18:09. > :18:14.the views of the British people I know he campaign on the sidd to
:18:15. > :18:19.bring back our laws and bring back control of immigration. We will
:18:20. > :18:25.maintain the consideration on security and on the market front, we
:18:26. > :18:30.seeking the most open possible market with the European Unhon.
:18:31. > :18:33.Thank you, Mr Speaker, I th`nk the Secretary of State state for his
:18:34. > :18:40.comments about engaging in the tourism industry. We are having
:18:41. > :18:45.record visits and spend. Dods he belief we can investigate m`rketing
:18:46. > :18:51.the UK more aggressively ovdrseas, taking advantage of the weak pound,
:18:52. > :18:55.by increasing visits to Visht Britain. His excellent debate and
:18:56. > :18:59.speech he had last week on this subject. He's right, the industry
:19:00. > :19:06.continues to thrive, with 3.8 million people visiting the UK. And
:19:07. > :19:09.I'm quite certain, and I am sure he will see the Hansard later, that my
:19:10. > :19:13.Right Honourable friend, thd Secretary of State for international
:19:14. > :19:18.trade, will take up his point on promoting Britain abroad as a place
:19:19. > :19:22.to visit. Does he agree with his international
:19:23. > :19:28.trade secretary that we shotld leave the European trades union or with
:19:29. > :19:32.the Chancellor that we shouldn't? I gave the answer to that somd moments
:19:33. > :19:35.ago. Thank you. The Secretary of State talks about a smooth
:19:36. > :19:41.transition, but the truth is, business are concerned that we are
:19:42. > :19:48.going to have to fall back on WTo rules. Our European partners have so
:19:49. > :19:53.far refused to say they will negotiate trade talks Article 5
:19:54. > :19:57.negotiations. Will what will the Government and the Secretarx of
:19:58. > :20:03.State do to avoid the cliff edge when we leave the EU possibly
:20:04. > :20:09.falling out of the EU singld market and possibly falling back on WTO
:20:10. > :20:12.rules? Some have said. That they are starting to read what Article 5
:20:13. > :20:16.says. It implies parallel negotiation. That is what wd'll do.
:20:17. > :20:23.She's quite right, we need to conclude this within the two years.
:20:24. > :20:28.My constituency is home to the Cambridge science park, a cdntre of
:20:29. > :20:34.innovation and technology. Last week I met the chief executive of Labour
:20:35. > :20:38.TTP. He said he's concerned about maintaining access to oversdas
:20:39. > :20:43.talent following the vote of Brexit. What steps is the Secretary of State
:20:44. > :20:47.taking to ensure we continud to attract international expertise
:20:48. > :20:53.helping to drive our sector in the UK? I said in my conference speech
:20:54. > :20:57.to take part in the global competition, global competitive
:20:58. > :21:01.economy, we have to win the global battle for talent too. My t`sk is to
:21:02. > :21:05.bring back to the UK the right to decide on who can come to Britain.
:21:06. > :21:09.And then the Government's t`sk will be to exercise that right in the
:21:10. > :21:13.international interest. Cle`rly that is not going to be in the n`tional
:21:14. > :21:17.interest to restrict the movement of talent. The free movement of brain
:21:18. > :21:24.power. You can be very, verx confident that we'll not be limiting
:21:25. > :21:28.people's, highly intelligent people's access to university.
:21:29. > :21:32.Thank you. I wonder if the Secretary of State can tell us what assessment
:21:33. > :21:36.his or other departments have made of the impact of leaving thd EU on
:21:37. > :21:42.the economy and when he'll lake it available to this House? We are
:21:43. > :21:46.currently, we have currentlx got in place a sectoral assessment of 1
:21:47. > :21:50.different sectors of the economy. We're looking at that on a, one by
:21:51. > :21:56.one basis. The aim is, at the end of it, is to be able to inform the
:21:57. > :22:01.negotiating approach so nobody gets hurt. We're doing it in a w`y which
:22:02. > :22:04.throws up whether it has an impact on the individual nations of the
:22:05. > :22:08.United Kingdom as well as the United Kingdom as a whole. I obviotsly
:22:09. > :22:12.welcome that new information from the Secretary of State. Alrdady we
:22:13. > :22:20.have been told it could cost up to 80,000 jobs in Scotland alone. The
:22:21. > :22:23.CBI, the chip per of commerce and Institute of Directors have warned
:22:24. > :22:27.about limiting the freedom of movement. You did not do yotr
:22:28. > :22:31.homework during the vote le`ve campaign when we have a blank piece
:22:32. > :22:36.of paper to campaign on. If the Secretary of State is going to go to
:22:37. > :22:41.Scotland he'll feed to do bdtter than that. When will this bd
:22:42. > :22:48.published? I have always done my homework. I strongly recent any
:22:49. > :22:52.suggestion to the country. If you did do your homework you
:22:53. > :22:57.wouldn't have it marked by the honourable gentleman. I havd not
:22:58. > :23:01.seen the report. I would be grateful if he could to it. They basd
:23:02. > :23:05.themselves on single assumptions, of course. We need to look at the
:23:06. > :23:09.assumptions and see if they are realistic. That is what we'll do. We
:23:10. > :23:15.have a large number of forecasts of the effect of Brexit. Some of them
:23:16. > :23:20.are very pessimistic about policy which we do not allow to happen ly
:23:21. > :23:25.look at it careful and -- c`refully and talk to him about after I have
:23:26. > :23:31.done so. The Chamber of Comlerce which represents can companhes with
:23:32. > :23:35.interests in the UK worth $600 billion. To attract those
:23:36. > :23:38.investments in the year Is ` head will require access to the single
:23:39. > :23:43.market. Can the Secretary of State tell the House whether he accepts
:23:44. > :23:46.that figure and if not how luch US business will be at risk if he does
:23:47. > :23:50.not secure access to the single market? Of course. One of the
:23:51. > :23:56.reasons, only one of the re`sons why we are seeking to maintain the most
:23:57. > :24:01.open and barrier-free possible access to the European markdt s to
:24:02. > :24:06.encourage foreign direct investment. We've had the discussions whth
:24:07. > :24:13.countries, including the US. I hosts a US congressional delegation, or a
:24:14. > :24:16.met a delegation which came here and they were very enthusiastic about
:24:17. > :24:22.Brexit. There are many views on this. Mr Speaker, the Chancdllor has
:24:23. > :24:25.already announced that the Government will guarantee ET
:24:26. > :24:32.structural and investment ftnding, signed before we leave the DU. In
:24:33. > :24:37.addition, projects where UK organisations bid directly for EU
:24:38. > :24:41.funding will be guaranteed by the Treasury ifs are won before our de--
:24:42. > :24:49.if the bids are won before our departure. The minister recorded in
:24:50. > :24:53.part what the Chancellor has said. The Chancellor has also said that
:24:54. > :24:57.finance would be guaranteed to bidders who projects meet UK
:24:58. > :25:01.priorities. Does that imply, therefore, that the UK Government
:25:02. > :25:07.will seek to change the agrded priorities for EU expenditure? Mr
:25:08. > :25:11.Speaker, over the coming months the Government will consult with all
:25:12. > :25:14.interested parties, including the devolved administrations whhch
:25:15. > :25:19.clearly have an interest in this policy to ensure that futurd funding
:25:20. > :25:24.commitments do represent value for money and are in line with our
:25:25. > :25:28.strategic priorities. Does ly Right Honourable friend agree that one of
:25:29. > :25:33.the great advantages of the UK leaving the EU is it will ghve us
:25:34. > :25:39.greater flexibility over how we spend our regional aid? As we are a
:25:40. > :25:45.net contributor we'll have `ctually more to spend on these scheles? My
:25:46. > :25:49.honourable friend is right. This particular area, as in many other
:25:50. > :25:53.areas of policies does give the UK the opportunity to assess these
:25:54. > :25:57.arrangements and to make sure they do meet with the priorities of the
:25:58. > :26:05.UK. Number five, Mr Speaker.
:26:06. > :26:12.Can I start by congratulating my honourable friend for his election
:26:13. > :26:14.to the chair of the science and technology committee. We had a very
:26:15. > :26:19.good debate on this matter xesterday and it was clear that members on all
:26:20. > :26:23.sides wanted to provide reassurance. The government fully intends to
:26:24. > :26:28.protect the status of EU nationals living here, the Prime Minister has
:26:29. > :26:31.been clear on this. We expect UK citizen's writes in other ET member
:26:32. > :26:35.states to be protected in rdturn. I find it hard to imagine a scenario
:26:36. > :26:38.where this is not the outcole. At every step we will seek to dnsure
:26:39. > :26:44.the best possible outcomes for British people at home and overseas.
:26:45. > :26:51.Following on from my honour`ble friend's question, the government
:26:52. > :26:55.has made it clear that it it has a desire to control borders and free
:26:56. > :26:58.movement cannot continue as it does now. Will he reiterate that a degree
:26:59. > :27:05.of free movement will be necessary to protect key areas of our economy
:27:06. > :27:08.such as science and technology and particularly research collaboration?
:27:09. > :27:13.I absolutely recognise the point he makes and the need to strikd that
:27:14. > :27:16.balance. As the Secretary of State said in his conference speech,
:27:17. > :27:20.pulling out of the UPN union does not mean pulling up the drawbridge,
:27:21. > :27:24.we will always welcome thosd of the skills, drive and expertise to make
:27:25. > :27:28.our nation better still. If we are going to win in the global
:27:29. > :27:32.marketplace, we will win thd global battle for talent. We will `lways be
:27:33. > :27:36.one of the most welcoming places on earth, and it will remain so. It was
:27:37. > :27:40.is particularly true in are`s such as science and technology, the UK is
:27:41. > :27:43.a science supervisor want to make it stay that where. As well as ensuring
:27:44. > :27:53.that British pensioners livhng in other EU countries retain the right
:27:54. > :27:58.to remain there, will he make sure that their pensions are protected on
:27:59. > :28:02.the terms they currently Receive them? This is something that we will
:28:03. > :28:06.want to secure through negotiations. want to secure through negotiations.
:28:07. > :28:09.We are working on the basis that what is fair for UK citizens in the
:28:10. > :28:18.EU will also be fair the other way round. The most recent censts
:28:19. > :28:22.indicates that 1588 of my constituents were born in other EU
:28:23. > :28:26.countries. From personal experience I know they include doctors,
:28:27. > :28:31.dentists, teachers, nurses, home care and residential workers,
:28:32. > :28:37.teachers and many more. White is the government not -- why the government
:28:38. > :28:45.able to give guarantees on the right of bankers but not my consthtuents?
:28:46. > :28:49.We are clear it is important to maintain the right of EU citizens in
:28:50. > :28:53.the UK and UK citizens in the EU and we will continue to do this to the
:28:54. > :28:56.negotiations. The minister hs seeking to brush away the concerns
:28:57. > :29:01.that exist on this issue. L`st month the British Chambers of Comlerce
:29:02. > :29:04.reported that 41% of companhes had said their staff had expressed
:29:05. > :29:10.uncertainty on their future, EU staff in our universities who make
:29:11. > :29:14.up 15% of academics are considering their position, and NHS England s
:29:15. > :29:18.Chief Executive has called darly reassurance for the future of EU
:29:19. > :29:24.workers. Will the government simply resolve uncertainty by commhtting to
:29:25. > :29:30.implement the decision on this house and say that EU nationals h`ve the
:29:31. > :29:37.right to remain? The governlent recognises the enormous contribution
:29:38. > :29:40.of EU citizens to our health service, business and we nedd to
:29:41. > :29:48.make sure they're rights at addicted but we need to do so through
:29:49. > :29:56.negotiation. -- their rights are protected. Why was the Chancellor
:29:57. > :30:00.yesterday in front of the sdlect committee able to give a solid
:30:01. > :30:05.guarantee for the travel right bankers but he is not able to do it
:30:06. > :30:11.for hard-working citizens? H think he might have been inadvertdntly
:30:12. > :30:15.misrepresenting the comments. The Chancellor was making clear that his
:30:16. > :30:19.role to advocate in the polhcy discussions to come on this with the
:30:20. > :30:28.Home Office and other departments, he was not doing as he says.
:30:29. > :30:33.Immigration is a reserved m`tter however we are working closdly with
:30:34. > :30:37.the Scottish Government and we will get the best possible deal for all
:30:38. > :30:41.part of the United Kingdom `s we leave the EU. We will give the
:30:42. > :30:47.Scottish Government every opportunity to have their s`y as we
:30:48. > :30:53.develop the negotiating str`tegy. After the referendum, the former
:30:54. > :31:00.Justice Secretary said that Scotland could decide its own immigr`tion
:31:01. > :31:05.policy in the event of Brexht. Was that proposal defender strahght it
:31:06. > :31:08.at the same time as the Minhster? -- what a proposal thrown out of the
:31:09. > :31:12.window at the same time as the Minister? We have indicated that
:31:13. > :31:16.immigration is a reserved m`tter but we will continue to have discussions
:31:17. > :31:18.with all of the devolved administration including thd
:31:19. > :31:22.Scottish Government, and thdre will be discussions in due coursd as to
:31:23. > :31:38.where powers should lie. London is a great global city and we
:31:39. > :31:42.expect it to continue its to be so. I am sure he will join me in
:31:43. > :31:45.welcoming the record-breaking jobs figures for London, the lowdst rate
:31:46. > :31:52.of unemployment in London in our lifetime will. The Secretarx of
:31:53. > :31:55.State has met with the Mayor of London and we expect to be leeting
:31:56. > :32:00.with regions across the UK to ensure that their views are taken hnto
:32:01. > :32:03.account. I am grateful for that answer. I am sure the Minister will
:32:04. > :32:07.welcome the London is open campaign led by the Mayor of London so can he
:32:08. > :32:12.give a commitment to with an open mind of the case being developed by
:32:13. > :32:17.London's business community for a work permit system for London which
:32:18. > :32:20.would enable us to continue us to recruit the best and brightdst
:32:21. > :32:24.talent around the world? Thd precise way in which the government will
:32:25. > :32:26.control the movement of EU nationals and people around the world is
:32:27. > :32:30.something we will be working on with the Home Office and certainly take
:32:31. > :32:34.into account representations from London and other devolved areas but
:32:35. > :32:40.clearly we need to come up with the policy that works alone of the UK. I
:32:41. > :32:44.am holding a Brexit for next month with local businesses in my
:32:45. > :32:48.constituency with interests from IT, creative industries, retail and
:32:49. > :32:52.property. What would the Minister's advice be the local businesses to
:32:53. > :32:55.engage with Brexit? Would it be to embrace the challenges and
:32:56. > :33:01.opportunities or follow the opposition leader which is full of
:33:02. > :33:08.pessimism and then I'll? My honourable -- denial? My honourable
:33:09. > :33:11.friend is right that we need to embrace the opportunities in the
:33:12. > :33:14.Brexit process and engage whth businesses so it is excellent that
:33:15. > :33:16.he is holding this forum and listening to businesses in his
:33:17. > :33:22.constituency, it is something that we will be doing around the country.
:33:23. > :33:26.The government's shocking rdcord on tackling air pollution is
:33:27. > :33:32.well-documented with almost 10, 00 associated deaths in London in just
:33:33. > :33:36.one year. Given that the government regularly flout EU regulation on air
:33:37. > :33:40.pollution now, what assurance can the minister give me that once we
:33:41. > :33:43.urge the exit the European Tnion, the government will not simply
:33:44. > :33:49.abandon all legal protection on revolution in the capital and the --
:33:50. > :33:53.on air pollution in the caphtal and country? The government is committed
:33:54. > :33:58.to air pollution cutting and we have committed ?2 billion as his 201 to
:33:59. > :34:01.increase the uptake of ultr` low emissions vehicles, support green
:34:02. > :34:05.schemes and set out a national town to tackle elution in towns `nd
:34:06. > :34:09.cities. I visited the Institute for Cancer Research and they want to
:34:10. > :34:13.develop a London cancer hub which I hope the government will support and
:34:14. > :34:17.they expect to be able to ddvelop two new cancer drugs in fivd years
:34:18. > :34:20.if that happens. One of thehr concern is that 30% of their
:34:21. > :34:23.postgraduate come from the DU. What guarantees can the Minister give
:34:24. > :34:27.that these essential London workers will be able to continue in post and
:34:28. > :34:33.recruit from the EU in the future? I would prefer him to the answer I
:34:34. > :34:36.gave earlier, I think this hs something where we want to continue
:34:37. > :34:39.to attract the brightest and best and we will be making sure, as I
:34:40. > :34:45.have already engaged with c`ncer charities and abide -- wide range of
:34:46. > :34:48.organisations, we take their concerns into account as we have
:34:49. > :34:52.conversations on immigration in the future.
:34:53. > :34:57.The Prime Minister is clear that we want the most open and free access
:34:58. > :35:01.possible. All countries havd access to the single market, the qtestion
:35:02. > :35:05.is on what terms and to what extent. We are seeking a bespoke outcomes
:35:06. > :35:09.with terms of trading with `nd operating within the Europe`n
:35:10. > :35:12.market. As one of the world's largest economies, we will
:35:13. > :35:16.confidently negotiate the rhght deals England, Scotland, Wales and
:35:17. > :35:18.Northern Ireland and we are acutely aware of the significant tr`ding
:35:19. > :35:26.links between Ireland and Northern Ireland and are intended to ensure a
:35:27. > :35:29.smooth transition. The Secrdtary of State's answers suggest that nothing
:35:30. > :35:33.has been set in stone. With that in mind, and given the importance of
:35:34. > :35:40.the single market membership to the island economy, will the Secretary
:35:41. > :35:44.of State commit to exploring ways in which Northern Ireland can remain in
:35:45. > :35:47.the single market in the evdntuality that but leaves because of the
:35:48. > :35:56.importance of that market to our business? I have already colmitted
:35:57. > :36:00.to extensive work to ensure that we keep an open border between the
:36:01. > :36:05.north and south, that we mahntain common travel areas and maintain the
:36:06. > :36:09.most effective possible open market that we can achieve. Within that, I
:36:10. > :36:16.do not intend at that point to specify any particular outcome. The
:36:17. > :36:19.Remain campaign were perfectly clear that we would have to leave the
:36:20. > :36:27.single market. On the important questions here whether the French
:36:28. > :36:30.wish to sell off wine withott Paris, whether the Germans wish to sell off
:36:31. > :36:34.Carl without tariffs, and whether or not all of Europe wishes to continue
:36:35. > :36:44.its current level of access to the city? My friend makes a verx
:36:45. > :36:46.important point and when thd Prime Minister is at the European Council
:36:47. > :36:50.tonight and tomorrow she will reiterate what you have said many
:36:51. > :36:54.times already, that we want an outcome which are successful both
:36:55. > :36:59.for the United Kingdom and the European Union. He makes thd point
:37:00. > :37:07.that if they do not achieve an open trading relationship, open, free and
:37:08. > :37:14.barrier free, that will be harmful for European countries and financial
:37:15. > :37:20.stability is no wants that. Were we to leave the customs union, the 44%
:37:21. > :37:24.of exporters who export into the EU would face extra costs complying
:37:25. > :37:29.with the rules of origin whhch the OECD estimates at 25%. Doesn't the
:37:30. > :37:32.Secretary of State feel that membership of the customs union is
:37:33. > :37:38.even more important than thd Bishop of the single market? -- melbership?
:37:39. > :37:41.These are matters which are being set a carefully. I will makd the
:37:42. > :37:45.point that if she looks at the various other countries, all of them
:37:46. > :37:54.smaller than us, they are not good models, around the unit European
:37:55. > :38:00.Union, we have got Turkey and Norway outside the customs unit whhch
:38:01. > :38:04.manage to trade. Switzerland is outside the custom unit and the
:38:05. > :38:08.single market. We are looking at the best balance to get the best
:38:09. > :38:11.outcome. Obviously the Minister cannot speculate on how the
:38:12. > :38:20.negotiations will go but ond thing we do know, we have already had a
:38:21. > :38:27.Brexit problem with the pound falling 15% because the Europe,
:38:28. > :38:34.exports cheaper and import lore expensive, that means more goods
:38:35. > :38:39.coming into the country -- lade in this country and that is crdating
:38:40. > :38:46.jobs. The pound has a disadvantage in effect of inflation but ht has
:38:47. > :38:54.advantages in trading. They are bigger than the tariffs that people
:38:55. > :38:59.talk about. The member for Rutherford is not standing... She
:39:00. > :39:05.is! Enlightenment has dawned! Leaving a single market in the hard
:39:06. > :39:13.Brexit will be catastrophic, and the Treasury estimates the cost of the
:39:14. > :39:17.UK economy could be ?60 billion wages hit by ?2000 and jobs in
:39:18. > :39:22.Scotland lost. Considering the Tory manifesto stated that we sax yes to
:39:23. > :39:29.the single market, can the secretary cast doubt aside and undert`ke to
:39:30. > :39:33.make good on this? I can undertake to make sure that we get thd freest
:39:34. > :39:40.and most open trading relathonship with Europe. That is not -- that is
:39:41. > :39:45.what matters, not hard Brexht or soft Brexit, these amazing terms, we
:39:46. > :39:49.want the maximum possible access which will encourage job growth and
:39:50. > :39:55.wealth growth and revenue growth in this country. Membership of the
:39:56. > :39:59.single market means accessing EU laws, home to accept rulings on the
:40:00. > :40:02.European Court of justice, still making conservation is to the EU
:40:03. > :40:06.budget and accepting free movement of people, all of which risd in the
:40:07. > :40:10.face of what the British people voted for in the referendum. If not
:40:11. > :40:15.the only question of principle at stake whether or not the EU want to
:40:16. > :40:22.carry on with tariff free trade in the UK or do they want to commit
:40:23. > :40:26.economic suicide? He makes ` good point and I reiterate what H said
:40:27. > :40:29.earlier, our aim is to come up with an outcome which is good for the
:40:30. > :40:31.United Kingdom and good for the European Union and that acttally is
:40:32. > :40:43.a free trade area with us. The UK has been a leading player on
:40:44. > :40:46.environmental policy, setting the international agenda on clilate
:40:47. > :40:49.change as demonstrated by a Prime Minister's commitment to ratify the
:40:50. > :40:53.Paris agreement as soon as possible. Britain will take back control of
:40:54. > :40:57.its laws through the greater appeal bill, any future changes to
:40:58. > :41:01.environmental changes will be for Defra and this has to decidd. The UK
:41:02. > :41:06.will continue to be a leader on international incremental
:41:07. > :41:12.Corporation. The European dhrective on bathing water has been p`rt of a
:41:13. > :41:16.very good environmental law that has meant that water have cleandd up our
:41:17. > :41:20.beaches around the country. Can be rest assured that we are not going
:41:21. > :41:24.to going to row back on environmental laws are good? Not all
:41:25. > :41:28.environmental laws from Europe are bad. I can see his point but it is
:41:29. > :41:32.in the UK interest to make sure we have the cleanest possible bathing
:41:33. > :41:36.water. It will be something for future debates. We will certainly
:41:37. > :41:40.make sure that we are maint`ining at least the standards that we have
:41:41. > :41:44.done in the past and I would remind him of our manifesto commitlent to
:41:45. > :41:49.leave the environment in a better state than we inherited it.
:41:50. > :41:57.Is the minister not aware that waste, energy, water, we have such
:41:58. > :42:03.close relationships across Durope and are depent dant on their levels
:42:04. > :42:10.with us. Many of the people involved in that sector have read thd article
:42:11. > :42:14.saying with the Brexit is the worst decision since Suez. Does hd agree
:42:15. > :42:18.with that view? I don't think now is the time to re-fight the referendum,
:42:19. > :42:22.on which he and I may have been on the same side. What I would say is
:42:23. > :42:25.that it will be absolutely hn our interests in the future to
:42:26. > :42:29.co-operate with our neighbotrs on matters of environment, which affect
:42:30. > :42:35.us all. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Amongst those
:42:36. > :42:40.who will be most affected bx changes to environmental regulations will be
:42:41. > :42:44.the agriculture community. Hs my friend aware of significant concern
:42:45. > :42:50.among that community at the prospect of leaving the single market with
:42:51. > :42:55.issues involving welfare as well as tariffs. It will not be used as a
:42:56. > :42:58.make-weight in negotiations with other interests and there'll be
:42:59. > :43:03.close co-operation with DEFRA colleagues in relation to that? I
:43:04. > :43:10.can assure my friend there hs close co-operation between our department
:43:11. > :43:14.and DEFRA and there have bedn meetings with the NFU and
:43:15. > :43:20.agricultural businesses frol around the UK. Number seven, Mr Spdaker.
:43:21. > :43:26.A large component of the people who voted to leave the European Union
:43:27. > :43:30.could be characterised as British industrial working class. It is not
:43:31. > :43:34.for me to undermine their rhghts. As a Government we will do nothing to
:43:35. > :43:40.undermine workers' rights. @ll law in this area at the time of exit
:43:41. > :43:45.will be brought under UK law ensuring continuity. I thank the
:43:46. > :43:51.Secretary of State for that answer. The part-time worker's regulations
:43:52. > :43:53.2000 implemented that EU directive that guarantees equal rights for
:43:54. > :43:58.workers with their full-timd colleagues. Will the Secret`ry of
:43:59. > :44:07.State guarantee that those rights will not be removed or di lhghted in
:44:08. > :44:12.anyway -- diluted in anyway when UK leaves the EU. All law, no
:44:13. > :44:18.exceptions. On that point, employment law is a devolved matter
:44:19. > :44:22.in Northern Ireland. Under the great repel bill, will that competent will
:44:23. > :44:26.automatically devolved or hdld in some holding room here before it is
:44:27. > :44:29.subsequently devolved? The honourable gentleman raises an
:44:30. > :44:34.important point. That is whx I said last week when talking about the
:44:35. > :44:38.great repel bill we'll have extensive discussions to ensure that
:44:39. > :44:47.each appropriate piece of l`w goes to the right place.
:44:48. > :44:52.Thank you. Number 15. We have engaged with a numbdr of
:44:53. > :44:58.higher educational instituthons including groups such as unhversity.
:44:59. > :45:04.Over the next few months we will engage with civil society, hncluding
:45:05. > :45:11.university through number of round tables. We want to create an
:45:12. > :45:17.environment in which the UK can be a leader in science and education
:45:18. > :45:23.There are 4512 students at The University of Edinburgh frol other
:45:24. > :45:26.EU countries and others involved in research, administration and
:45:27. > :45:30.teaching at the university do. They not realise this refusal to
:45:31. > :45:34.guarantee the status of these people in our community is placed hn
:45:35. > :45:39.jeopardy much of the work of that great institution and is catsing
:45:40. > :45:47.unnecessary anxious in our community I would refer the honourabld
:45:48. > :45:52.gentleman to the answers earlier, on the intention to my earlier
:45:53. > :45:57.comments. EU students applyhng for places in 2017 and 2018 will be
:45:58. > :46:01.eligible for loans and grants for the duration of their coursd. The
:46:02. > :46:10.Scottish Government has madd the same guarantees. Number 17.
:46:11. > :46:15.The Prime Minister has made clear that she will trigger Article 5 by
:46:16. > :46:19.the end of March 2017. It is in everyone's interests we takd time to
:46:20. > :46:22.establish a UK approach and clear objectives for negotiations. Equally
:46:23. > :46:25.the Prime Minister has been clear there'll be no unnecessary delay.
:46:26. > :46:30.We've been clear we will trhgger when the time is right for Britain.
:46:31. > :46:37.And that will certainly will, we will give certain where possible for
:46:38. > :46:40.businesses in Britain other Europeans countries time for
:46:41. > :46:44.themselves. Will the honour`ble gentleman agree with me this
:46:45. > :46:47.Government are right to delhver the Brexit that 17.2 million people
:46:48. > :46:49.voted ford and do it in a responsible fashion that will allow
:46:50. > :46:52.this to deliver the great ddal for this to deliver the great ddal for
:46:53. > :46:56.Britain that we know it will deliver? That is exactly right. It
:46:57. > :47:02.is what the Prime Minister said It is what we intend. I say I doubt it
:47:03. > :47:06.is what they intend. Has my Right Honourable friend aware that the
:47:07. > :47:13.house in the last 24 hours has reported that there should be a vote
:47:14. > :47:17.in this house to debate negotiating guidelines at least in outlhne. Will
:47:18. > :47:21.he accept that the Parliament as a whole, including the House of Lords,
:47:22. > :47:25.has to not only respect, but also to accept the verdict of the British
:47:26. > :47:28.people? And furthermore, it is this elected House to determine hts own
:47:29. > :47:32.procedures, standing orders and votes?
:47:33. > :47:35.The honourable gentleman is right. We should respect the will of the
:47:36. > :47:43.British people. I have not had a chance to look at the Lords report
:47:44. > :47:47.yet.ly comment on that when I do. As my Right Honourable friend will know
:47:48. > :47:52.there's been a very important court case heard in the High Court in the
:47:53. > :47:56.last week. What plans has mx Right Honourable friend drawn up,
:47:57. > :48:03.including legislation in thd event that he loses that case and that
:48:04. > :48:07.therefore that it will be this place, including the House of Lords,
:48:08. > :48:15.that will trigger Article 50, and not the Government using thd royal
:48:16. > :48:21.prerogative? Let me say gently to my honourable friend, ministers do not
:48:22. > :48:28.comment on court cases in progress. THE SPEAKER: Topical questions.
:48:29. > :48:30.Topical question two. Sir. Last week I updated the House on our progress
:48:31. > :48:35.towards leaving the European Union. I had been clear that the
:48:36. > :48:41.Government's overarching cl`ims are bringing back control of laws
:48:42. > :48:45.controls over immigration to the UK. Maintaining strong security
:48:46. > :48:47.co-operation we have with the EU and establishing the freest possible
:48:48. > :48:55.market with the EU and the rest of the world. The great repel bill will
:48:56. > :48:57.end the primacy of EU law. Litre turn sovereignty to the UK. That is
:48:58. > :49:01.what it was all about, taking control. We will work to ensure the
:49:02. > :49:05.UK's exit from the EU serves the interests of the whole country. From
:49:06. > :49:10.citizens to businesses. We will reap the opportunities exit provhdes all
:49:11. > :49:13.over the world and deliver `n orderly and smooth transition. I
:49:14. > :49:17.have been clear, as has the Prime Minister, that we will not provide a
:49:18. > :49:21.running commentary on the negotiations. That would not be in
:49:22. > :49:24.our interest. We want to build a national
:49:25. > :49:29.consensus around our position. Discussion our options and ` rieng
:49:30. > :49:34.of stakeholders. Last week H committed to debates so the House
:49:35. > :49:38.can air its views. We look forward to communities with the Seldct
:49:39. > :49:44.Committee. Congratulate the member for Leeds Central as the ch`ir on
:49:45. > :49:49.that committee. From the mill bakery next door to my office to Khngston
:49:50. > :49:54.Hospitals thousands of EU chtizens work and live in Kingston. They are
:49:55. > :49:59.very welcome. What process does my friend have in mind to ensure their
:50:00. > :50:04.rights are protected post Brexit as well as the British ex-pats living
:50:05. > :50:08.in the EU. Something which none of the heads of 27 states are xet to
:50:09. > :50:11.guarantee? As the parliamentary secretary has made very cle`r
:50:12. > :50:16.already we want to be able to guarantee the right of all those
:50:17. > :50:19.European migrants. I say for many of them they are in a position of
:50:20. > :50:24.having indefinitely to remahn or will have by the time we le`ve
:50:25. > :50:28.whenever it is in two-and-a,half years time or thereabouts. We are
:50:29. > :50:33.talking about a small fracthon of people. We take it incredibly
:50:34. > :50:36.seriously and we will seek to get the agreement with the other
:50:37. > :50:40.European countries that we will uphold their rights and British
:50:41. > :50:45.citizens rights abroad as soon as possible.
:50:46. > :50:50.Thank you, Mr Speaker. Now H don't know about you Mr Speaker, but the
:50:51. > :50:56.British people have had enotgh of this being misled over thosd issues.
:50:57. > :51:01.So, will the Secretary of State tell this House and the country whether
:51:02. > :51:05.his plan, as it is evolving, it seems, will involve the country
:51:06. > :51:14.agreeing to continue to makd payments to the European Unhon after
:51:15. > :51:18.we have left the European Union The honourable lady had a great deal of
:51:19. > :51:25.trouble keeping the straight face asking that question. She knows it
:51:26. > :51:29.is not one I am going to answer Mr Speaker, I look forward to being
:51:30. > :51:34.able to ask him a question with a straight face in anticipation of a
:51:35. > :51:40.straight answer. Could he perhaps try to tell this
:51:41. > :51:46.House and the country whethdr his plan how much he estimates will need
:51:47. > :51:50.to be spent on settling leg`cy commitments prior to the colpletion
:51:51. > :51:56.of Brexit because the FT estimates, and it is not a leak, this hs an
:51:57. > :52:02.analysis, they estimate that our historic liabilities could cost up
:52:03. > :52:10.to ?20 billion. Let me go, I mean, to an more
:52:11. > :52:14.authorive source. I have no trouble keeping a straight face. Wh`t they
:52:15. > :52:20.do is not to the country's hnterest from time to time. And the source I
:52:21. > :52:24.am going to quote is more authoritative than the Financial
:52:25. > :52:28.Times T European Commission talking about negotiating guidelines and how
:52:29. > :52:33.it handles negotiations and what it puts in the public domain. The
:52:34. > :52:36.negotiations and remember this is the commission "the negotiations and
:52:37. > :52:39.their text are not themselvds public. This is normal for trade
:52:40. > :52:44.negotiations, not just thosd involving the EU. There are several
:52:45. > :52:47.reasons for this. A certain level of confidentiality is necessarx to
:52:48. > :52:52.protect EU interests and to keep chances for a satisfactory outcome
:52:53. > :52:56.high. When entering into a game no-one is revealing his str`tegy to
:52:57. > :53:02.his counterpart. This is thd case for the EU." What the opposhtion are
:53:03. > :53:04.trying to do, Mr Speaker s to put us into a disadvantage position against
:53:05. > :53:12.the European Union. That is not in the national interest.
:53:13. > :53:14.Are opportunities being identified potential opportunities for British
:53:15. > :53:20.business which will arise from our departure? Mr Speaker, my Rhght
:53:21. > :53:23.Honourable friend raises an extremely important point bdcause
:53:24. > :53:26.whilst many honourable membdrs seek to identify the challenges of
:53:27. > :53:30.exiting the European Union, there are of course a great number of them
:53:31. > :53:36.not least because we will bd in charge of our own affairs and our
:53:37. > :53:40.own trade policy. For that reason my department and the department for
:53:41. > :53:42.international trade are eng`ging regularly with businesses, not only
:53:43. > :53:47.in the United Kingdom, but `round the globe.
:53:48. > :53:54.Thank you. In Camden, where I live, the bats of business and thd fast
:53:55. > :54:00.forward programme benefit from the social funds. They employ 400
:54:01. > :54:05.people, many of whom are disabled. Will the minister outline what plans
:54:06. > :54:11.he has to protect such fundhng programmes which promote such social
:54:12. > :54:15.inclusivity? Most EU funds will be guaranteed by the Treasury hn
:54:16. > :54:20.August, post departure. After that, the decision we will one
:54:21. > :54:23.for the British people, the Parliament and the relevant
:54:24. > :54:26.department. I am sure they will take on board what she says. Does the
:54:27. > :54:32.Secretary of State agree th`t the UK will continue to be a leading global
:54:33. > :54:36.finance centre outside of the E ? -- EU? Absolutely. We don't think
:54:37. > :54:43.there's any doubt of that whatsoever. London was rankdd as the
:54:44. > :54:47.number one finance centre in 20 6. The next highest ranked was not in
:54:48. > :54:51.the top ten. While being part of the EU market is part of this and we are
:54:52. > :54:55.looking to maintain the best terms of trade, it is not the onlx factor.
:54:56. > :55:01.London clearly leads the world in terms of the depth and expertise,
:55:02. > :55:05.the breadth of services and the links to marketses around the world.
:55:06. > :55:10.It is in the interests of the UK and the EU this should continue.
:55:11. > :55:14.Thank you, Mr Speaker. I didn't quite catch in the minister's
:55:15. > :55:19.response earlier, could he say what priority he's giving to enstring
:55:20. > :55:24.that university and research funding more broadly is not adversely
:55:25. > :55:28.affected by Brexit and that kurntd research protocols are protdcted?
:55:29. > :55:33.The honourable lady raises ` very important point. As I said darlier
:55:34. > :55:36.we want the UK to maintain ` scientific superpower. We h`ve
:55:37. > :55:43.significant guarantees from the Treasury in the lead up to 2020 It
:55:44. > :55:46.will be in the interest of future Governments to maintain we remain
:55:47. > :55:53.one of the scientific centrds of the world. Under Cornwall Counchl
:55:54. > :56:00.figures only 1300 jobs will be created from ?350 million spend
:56:01. > :56:04.between now and 2020. Does he agree a more tailored approach cotld
:56:05. > :56:07.create more jobs in a faster time for Cornwall? Well my honourable
:56:08. > :56:13.friend makes an extremely ilportant point. As I indicated the Chancellor
:56:14. > :56:17.has guaranteed structural ftnding efek tick live to 2020. It hs
:56:18. > :56:22.important that these progralmes deliver value for money. For that
:56:23. > :56:24.purpose the Government will liaise with the devolved administr`tions
:56:25. > :56:27.and local authorities such `s Cornwall.
:56:28. > :56:32.. Given the Secretary of St`te's answer to question one earlher, I am
:56:33. > :56:40.sure he's well aware that in financial services Merrill Lynch has
:56:41. > :56:46.1,000 staff in Cheshire but he only has staff in London and Brussels.
:56:47. > :56:50.Will he commit thod to having staff in his department based in dvery
:56:51. > :56:52.region of England, so that business can share their views directly with
:56:53. > :57:04.his staff? What we have done already, ht is not
:57:05. > :57:12.about the allocation of staff. The simple truth is we have been from
:57:13. > :57:16.Blackburn to Belfast to Port of Tilbury, very many places in the UK
:57:17. > :57:24.and we will continue to do so throughout this process and they are
:57:25. > :57:27.after. Yesterday's employment figures showed that this
:57:28. > :57:33.government's policies mean there are no people in employment than ever
:57:34. > :57:39.before. Because the NHS relhes on thousands of EU nationals, hncluding
:57:40. > :57:43.consultants, cleaners and porters, does the Secretary of State want to
:57:44. > :57:48.ensure the NHS that they will be able to continue to employ them The
:57:49. > :57:54.point to reiterate is that the point of my department is to bring the
:57:55. > :57:57.decision back to the UK so that the British Government and parlhament
:57:58. > :58:02.can make the decision in thd interests of the UK so you can be
:58:03. > :58:05.absolutely sure that it will not interpret that interest in somehow
:58:06. > :58:14.denying staff to the NHS, jtst the reverse. Earlier on the Secretary of
:58:15. > :58:20.State said there would be no running commentary on negotiations. They
:58:21. > :58:26.then announced plans to protect financial services. Is this not
:58:27. > :58:34.prove that the government h`s not a clue what they are doing? -, proof.
:58:35. > :58:38.As I have said a number of times, I will make as much information public
:58:39. > :58:54.as possible without prejudice and our negotiating position. Would my
:58:55. > :58:57.right honourable friend givd manufacturers in the West Mhdlands
:58:58. > :59:04.in my constituency reassurance that the smooth tariff free oper`tion of
:59:05. > :59:07.supply chains is of the utmost importance to them? In deed, and we
:59:08. > :59:13.have been studying in detail the effect on integrated operathons to
:59:14. > :59:19.make sure it does not jeopardise that. In a written answer to me
:59:20. > :59:25.yesterday the Secretary of State for Wales talked about the full
:59:26. > :59:30.engagement of the devolved administrations in the negotiations.
:59:31. > :59:37.Isn't it in the the best interests of Wales to have the Ministdr in
:59:38. > :59:41.negotiating team? I met the First Minister and the finance minister on
:59:42. > :59:51.Tuesday to talk about Wales's interest, that is how we will do it.
:59:52. > :59:55.Automotive industry in my rdgion have benefited from multinational
:59:56. > :00:07.industry, what will he do to make sure that that sector -- in that
:00:08. > :00:09.sector the UK is a great pl`ce to invest?
:00:10. > :00:13.People in Scotland are scardd of being left on a small island with
:00:14. > :00:22.perpetual Tory governments hn charge of employment law. Will this
:00:23. > :00:41.government committed to fully developing employment law? ,-
:00:42. > :00:51.devolving. We committed that we would not involve employment rights.
:00:52. > :00:57.I am meeting with my counterpart in Brussels to discuss this. Whll he
:00:58. > :00:59.make sure that in reviewing agricultural and environmental
:01:00. > :01:03.registrations they will havd at the front of their minds the nedd for
:01:04. > :01:15.our farmers to deduce the high-quality food they do profitable
:01:16. > :01:19.-- in a profitable way? One of the benefits of leaving the EU hs not
:01:20. > :01:26.only we will be able to adhdre to stringent environmental reqtirements
:01:27. > :01:30.but we will also be able to tailor them to our needs. Nissan and Jaguar
:01:31. > :01:34.Land Rover made it clear th`t access to the single market is crucial to
:01:35. > :01:40.their future investment dechsions in this country. What discussions have
:01:41. > :01:45.the Minister had with these companies to give them reassurance
:01:46. > :01:51.that access to the single m`rket is the government's highest prhority?
:01:52. > :01:55.The Prime Minister had a medting with Nissan this week and the
:01:56. > :02:00.communiqu that came out after that was extremely positive on both
:02:01. > :02:04.sides. Brexit has been widely welcomed by leaders in the fishing
:02:05. > :02:10.industry in the Cleethorpes area. The industry was badly let down in
:02:11. > :02:15.the negotiations in the 1970s. Can he assured me this will not be the
:02:16. > :02:21.case in this occasion? He m`kes an extremely important point. The
:02:22. > :02:24.interests of the British fishing industry are the forefront of the
:02:25. > :02:27.government's mind and we have had meetings with the Scottish fishermen
:02:28. > :02:35.and had round table meetings at effort. In Northern Ireland we have
:02:36. > :02:41.some of the best export bushness in our businesses for agriculttre food
:02:42. > :02:51.and fishing. With he speak to them and hear what they have to say? I
:02:52. > :02:58.will be delighted to do so. Can the Leader of the House please give us
:02:59. > :03:04.the forthcoming business. The business for next week will be as
:03:05. > :03:05.follows, Monday the 24th of October, second reading of the