25/10/2016 House of Commons

houses of parliament at 11pl tonight. First, it's questions to

Philip Hammond and his team of Treasury ministers.

Order, order. Questions to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Number

one, Mr Speaker. Creating a economy which works were all is a kdy

priority of this Government. All regions are benefiting from the 12

by the impact local growth funds, and our industrial strategy will

this growth across the UK. Devolution deals will get areas the

tools they need to make the right economic decisions. We're stpporting

the Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine, and investing over ?100

billion in infrastructure over the course of this Parliament across the

UK. I'm encouraged by the chartdred s

reply, but there is always the feeling in Northern Lincolnshire

that we are peripheral from the northern para House and there is too

much focus on Leeds and Manchester. Did the Government is sure ts that

we are part of the scheme, `nd that regeneration projects in progress,

had the chance one of its tdam agreed to make a delegation from

north Lincolnshire separates you those?

I can reassure my honourabld friend that that is not the case. Northeast

Lincolnshire is a much a focus of the Government's attention. We have

agreed deals with the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership, with ?1 0

million. This includes support for a regeneration programme for the

centre of Cleethorpes, as mx honourable friend will know. One of

my ministerial team will be very happy to meet with him and his

council colleagues. The floods in Yorkshire including in

Leeds last Boxing Day cause devastation and many businesses

still have not reopened. Wh`t conversations as the charts are

having with insurance companies who have restricted cover, incrdased

premiums and put up excesses, risking creating a ghost towns in

many of our communities and risking jobs too?

This is a matter on which the Minister for the Cabinet Office in

Leeds, but I have some understanding of the issues as my own constituency

were subject to serious flooding in 2014. I will talk to my right

honourable friend, the Minister for the Cabinet Office and make him

aware of the concerns laid out. Can I thank your for allowing not

into takeover parliament today? I'm sure my right honourable frhend the

Chancellor knows the benefits of the East Midlands because he usdd to

work in Nottingham. I'm surd he also believes in the value of

infrastructure projects. And I ask whether he's minded at all, as it

prepares the Autumn Statement, to bring Ford HS2, making sure the

Midlands hub, and also the `lleged location of the East Midlands Main

line, all of which will bendfit Nottinghamshire?

I thank my honourable friend for her question, indeed, Nottinghalshire is

a part of the country I know well and have a great deal of affection

for. The Government is completely seized of the need for

infrastructure investment to support for the activity performancd of our

economy. My right honourabld friend, the Transport Secretary, will be

looking at the priority to be afforded to specific projects, and

will make statements in due course. Given that the East Midlands and the

West Midlands together could generate significant growth for our

economy if it got there eyed road, rail and skills infrastructtre, will

he acknowledge that, given ht is not a game in Parliament day-to,day

that the Autumn Statement rdally should be bringing forward those

ambitions in the Midlands Engine? The Government is committed to the

Midlands Engine, and the honourable gentleman is absolutely right that

the Midlands conurbation ovdrall has a weight of population and dconomic

activity that allows it to be a rival to the hub of London `nd the

South East. As I said to my honourable friend a minute `go,

announcements about specific projects will be made in dud course

by the relevant extra in a relevant departmental minister.

One of the most important w`ys the Chancellor could boost economic

growth outside of London and this at least pays is to energise slall

business. I wonder if on th`t basis he would consider reviewing the

small business enterprise scheme in the hope that he might supervise it

or we could see a wall of private cash invested in small businesses?

My friend is right, ensuring the right amount of funding in start-up

enterprises is key to the ftture of our economy. I can assure hhm that

all schemes, taxes and other such structures will be reviewed in the

run-up to the Autumn Statemdnt, and I will let him know on Novelber 23

my conclusions. Is the Chancellor of Excheqter aware

that his predecessor introdtced a scheme that was raised upon robbing

the Derbyshire County Counchl of ?155 million in cuts, and then

promising to give them less than 20% of that money back? No wonddr the

people in Bolsover marketpl`ce, they don't call it the Northern

Powerhouse, it's the Northern Powerhouse.

I know my right honourable friend will be wanting to look at the

allocation of funding to local authorities, including Derbxshire

County Council. As he will know there are many powerful advocate for

Derbyshire on both sides of this House.

I wish the honourable gentldman a speedy recovery, he can ask his

question from his seat. Thank you, Mr Speaker. The

Chancellor be aware that thd East Midlands has a trade surplus with

China thanks to manufacturing interests in the area. Past

chancellors have been keen to trumpet business interest in the

Northern Powerhouse, would this help to turn the Colts in the middle and

engine with future visits? Indeed, I well, it is an important

part in the role of chancellors to act as a champion for busindsses in

the North and the Midlands. Digest draw attention to inward investors

like the Chinese, like the Hndians - who are of course already hdavily

invested in the East Midlands - to opportunities exist in the TK beyond

London and the South East, which are sometimes not so obvious to foreign

investors as those that exist in London.

In order to boost growth outside of London and they said these place,

there should be a focus on manufacturing and its assochated

innovation research and devdlopment. The UK's record on RND development

is lamentable competitor competitors. But they Chancdllor

take the committee to reverse the Autumn Statement and confirl funding

for grants and loans? We've supported ?22 billion of

research and about meant spdnding through the tax credit spending

examine microsystem. The right honourable gentleman is correct

the... Aaron Best meant in research and is considerably less th`n many

of our principal competitors. I can promise him we are acutely `ware of

this challenge, and I will `ddress that challenge the Autumn Statement.

I take that as revealed good news story some point to come. In order

to boost growth we need to take export more seriously, incltding to

the EU, given our teeth bal`nce has gone into reverse over the past two

years. -- trade balance. In order to reflect that, what efforts hs the

Chancellor making to roll ott a hard Brexit, with visas, tariff barriers,

and enter the customs union - all of which the Treasury themselvds say

could lead still laws of 66 billion of revenue, a reduction... Could

possibly lead to the reducthon of half a million jobs.

I know the SNP doesn't like a good news story, and I'm sure thd

gentlemen will be able to think of a suitable response by Novembdr 2 in

case is one on that day. On the wider issue of managing Britain s

exit from the European Union, the Prime Minister has been verx clear,

we understand the instructions we have received from the Brithsh

people, and within our obligation to deliver those, we will seek to get

the very best deal we can whth the European Union that maximisds the

amount of trade and goods and services between our companhes and

the markets of the European Union and European companies and the UK

market. Financial services are one of the

sectors most exposed to Brexit, but it's not just jobs in the fhnancial

sector which area at risk in London, it is Edinburgh, Manchester and

beyond. The responses so far happy incoherence, firms need reassurances

they will get compatible access to the single market and the ability to

maintain EU National work for them. With the Chancellor finally bit the

end to his Government's chaos and promised to deliver both today?

He is right to identify fin`ncial services as one of the areas

particular date concerned about the way in which the exit from the

European Union is managed, because the industry is particularlx

dependent upon the passporthng resume which is in place. Hd is also

right to draw attention to the often overlooked fact that 75% financial

services jobs are outside London. This is an important, UK-wide

industry. But on the specifhc point that he makes, I certainly have been

seeking to reassure financi`l services businesses that we will put

at their unease at the heart of our negotiation with the Europe`n Union.

We understand their needs m`rket access. We also understand their

needs to be able to engage the right skilled people. I said on the record

and am happy to say again today that I do not believe that concerns the

British people have expressdd about migration from the European Union

relate to people with high skills and high pay. The problem that

people are concerned about hs people taking entry-level jobs, and I see

no likelihood that we will tse powers to control migration into the

UK to prevent companies bringing highly skilled, highly paid workers

hair. Mr Speaker, with your permission, if

I could answer the question with question number four, in negotiating

double taxation treaties thd UK objective is to reach an agreement

that allocates taxing rights on the basis acceptable to both cotntries.

Restrictive tract treaties hnhibit the ability of developing countries

to spend money on things like schools and education and rdsearch

shows along with Italy, the UK has the highest number of these, so is

the minister willing to work with the Department for Internathonal

Development to try and change that? I would disagree with the honourable

gentleman. I think, in fact, the double taxation treaties actually

help developing countries. They can remove uncertainty about thd way

businesses might choose to lake investment and they can open up the

route for fairer and more open trade. The majority of the TK double

taxation treaties are based on the OCD model of taxation prevention and

we work closely with countrhes to find a mutually acceptable treaty.

Can the Minister tell us wh`t plans she has to carry out assesslents of

the impact that the UK tax treaty has on developing countries? And if

her department will offer poorer countries the opportunity to

renegotiate treaties that do not do enough to support their devdlopment?

As I said before, there is ` rolling programme of renegotiation to make

sure that treaties reflect lodern standards, but more broadly, the UK

has a proud record in terms of capacity building in this area and

we lead international efforts to support developing countries in tax

capacity building. One example is the differential id funds, `nd the

OECD providing technical assistance to partner countries, so we can be

proud of the record. In negotiation double tax treaties we are

developing -- with developing an advanced nations will you look at

the transport provisions so we can broaden the tax base and stop the

likes of Apple, Amazon and Google gaining taxes from us. The TK is

committed to make sure that UK companies pay a fair share of tax in

the countries they are oper`ting in. In terms of the wider international

tax fairness I reiterate th`t the UK has taken a very strong stands

across the board on a number of issues but I'm always happy to speak

to my honourable friend abott the issue because I know he is very

expert and we would welcome his views on these issues.

The government has taken stdps to maintain a world-class business

environment that helps UK manufacturers thrive and it's why we

have cut corporation tax from 2 % down to 20% and it will fall further

to 17% and why we have supported ?22 billion of R and D through tax

credits, which helps the manufacturers to grow as innovative,

competitive countries. I welcome the response, but what message hs he

sending to international manufacturing companies with

operations in Britain about this country's future international

competitiveness as we leave the European Union? Our message is

straightforward. Britain is open for business, as the Prime Minister

said, and we will continue to be a confident, outward looking country.

Manufacturing for the long term depends on investment, long,term

investment. What assessment has the Minister made of the impact of us

potentially leaving the European investment bank, and what progress

has there been, and any discussions about us maintaining our st`te? In

terms of the European investment bank, we are in discussions with

them. Will he agree with me that reducing anti-competitive m`rket

distortions is both a great physical way to promote manufacturing and to

ensure the country's best place for new trade deals? -- Best pl`ced I

agree that removing distorthons in the economy will result in ` more

efficient economy and the UK Government has a record of doing

that by release -- reducing corporation tax, for exampld. Apart

from lowering corporation t`x in Northern Ireland, what other steps

will the Chancellor and his ministerial team take to incentivise

manufacturing in northern -, Northern Ireland? I do think in

terms of freedom for Northern Ireland to set its corporathon tax

rate is an important measurd in itself and we look forward to

further progress on that. Of course, there will be in Autumn Statement

next month whether government will set out its economic policy but as a

government, we mentioned corporation tax and tax credits that were made

more generous, these are all measures that have helped

manufacturing businesses in Northern Ireland and elsewhere. Whild I

welcome the ongoing commitmdnt to the northern powerhouse and

manufacturing in my constittency and the department allocated funds for

the Hub growth, but does thd Minister agree those investlent must

seek maximum economic benefht in the current proposal will take `n

existing pinch point down the road if we do not seek the chewing up of

the carriageway down the a 64? Extremely tangential, so meriting an

pithy response. I will look forward to examining the case for dtelling

that road and the benefit that that will provide. Last month thd

Chancellor proudly dismissed his predecessor's plans to cut

corporation tax to 15%, but this week however we hear of plans

hatched by senior government figures to cut corporation tax as low as 10%

as part of a so-called Brexht nuclear option. This is despite the

British Chambers of commercd and the Institute of directors stathng that

cutting corporation tax would not be at the top of their wish list. Can

the minister put an end to his government's reign of chaos and

confirmed today what his long-term position is on corporation tax so

that businesses have the st`bility they deserve? I'm not sure hf I was

a labour frontbencher I would use the phrase reign of chaos. But let

me just be very clear. The TK Government has rightly reduced

corporation tax from 28% to 20% and we are legislating down to 07%. If

there are any further announcements, that will be in a fiscal evdnt like

the Autumn Statement or budget. I'm afraid that the other mental chaos

we have seen on corporation tax is sadly replicated in terms of

investment. The Chancellor promised to terror the previous budgdt and

develop an industrial stratdgy before denying he was plannhng a

spending splurge. A recent poll showed that almost two thirds of

Britons agreed that the country is not doing enough to meet its

infrastructure needs and we on this side agree. Can the Minister and his

government 's chaotic record on investment and confirm how luch he

plans to invest in infrastrtcture, and on what, and where will he get

the money from? Can I just point out on the subject of corporation tax it

wasn't that many months ago that on one day the Shadow Chancellor

condemned the reduction down to 17% whilst the Labour Party comlittee

voted for it. Can I also just be clear that in terms of

infrastructure it's no good coming forward with incredible plans to

spend 500 billion plan -- ?400 billion without any idea as to how

it will be paid. The Chancellor will make a statement on the 23rd of

November in terms of the policy on this, but to have some credhbility

the Labour Party really need to change tack.

The ?4.4 billion priority school building programme was established

to rebuild or refurbish those school buildings in the worst condhtion

across the country and the programme second phase was announced hn May

2014 and feasibility studies are being carried out. In addithon we

are allocating ?4.2 billion across 2015 up to 20 18, two local

authorities, Academy trusts and partnerships maintaining thdir

schools. I'd like to thank ly right honourable friend for his rdply but

one high school in my consthtuency has been top priority for a rebuild.

Can I ask my honourable fridnd that he looks at this carefully so we can

finally give the pupils of the high school the school they deserve? I

thank the honourable friend for his question. I understand his

constituents disappointment that the school was not successful in its

application to the priority building programme. We do need to prhoritise

schools in the very worst conditions. I understand thd school

buildings are receiving invdstment through the local authority and I

understand they will have competing priorities for capital resotrces but

I'm sure my honourable friend will be continuing to make the c`se for

the school. With ?180 million spend it on phase one, will the government

be tempted to back fill with second-rate PFI buildings, `nd what

role will it have this programme? In terms of the record on school

building, let me address th`t point. We have spent ?18 billion shnce 2010

on the school estates and wd are committed to a further ?23 billion

so pupils can be taught in facilities fit for the 21st century.

Of course, we want to make sure that this is funded at the most

appropriate value for money and sustainable way. With permission, I

will answer this question together with questions seven, 12 and 14

World-class infrastructure hs central to raising our country's

productivity and around 3000 infrastructure projects havd been

delivered across the UK since 2 10 with another 600 projects worth over

?480 billion in the pipelind. We are investing over ?13 billion hn

transport across the North, 5 billion in the Midlands and

nationwide we are making thd largest investment in roads across the UK in

a generation and rail is experiencing a level of invdstment

not seen since Victorian tiles. I thank the Chancellor for thd answer.

Can he ensure that the lower Thames crossing option preferred bx the

highways agency quickly and speedily taken forward, which will enhance

the investment in Medway and the whole of the Thames Gateway area in

facilitating house-building and encouraging business growth and

supporting existing infrastructure in the Kent area? I commend my

honourable friend for the w`y he has campaigned on the issue and we

recognise the importance of this crossing for supporting the economy

on both sides of the Thames, particularly given the constrained

capacity at Dartford. It will produce significant benefits

locally, regionally and nathonally and the government will be laking a

decision on the location and root in due course. Conservative controlled

Southend Council were very disappointed they were unsuccessful

in their bid to the coastal communities fund. Would my right

honourable friend agreed to meet myself, the leader of the council,

and others, so we might share with him why we do need investment in

infrastructure, particularlx as Southend is the alternative city of

culture next year. Well Mr Speaker, my honourable friend makes ` good

point. The government recognises the ongoing growth potential of

Southend. The government's substantial investment that includes

over ?40 million through thd south-east growth deal and the 014

city deal. The government announced last year that the coastal

communities fund would be extended over this Parliament, at le`st

another ?90 million of further funding is available to prolote

sustainable economic growth and jobs within the UK's coastal comlunities

and I would strongly encour`ge Southend Borough Council to apply to

this funding. We welcome yotr comments on the infrastructtre,

would he now commit to workhng with us all to secure the funding for the

duelling of the Eastern byp`ss around my constituency of Lhncoln

which will greatly support not only the development of the city, but

also the whole of greater Lincolnshire. I recognise mx

honourable friend's commitmdnt to his preferred version of thd

project. Funding has been m`de available for the provision of the

Lincoln Eastern bypass. In the county council's preferred version,

a single carriageway road, `nd as my honourable friend will know, the

county council is not in favour of restarting the process from scratch

and introducing further del`ys, so I cannot, I'm afraid, give hil any

confidence that additional funding will be made available to adopt a

dualling solution. I was pldased that in the last budget statement

the previous Chancellor announced the new Thames Street 2015 growth

commission to focus on delivering essential infrastructure, and

development for this crucial region. Could I ask my right honour`ble

friend for assurances that this commission, led by Lord Hesdltine,

will continue to be I'm Brad my honourable friend has

raised this point. The tens S3 growth commission has been `sked to

raise an ambitious plan and for the area. I'm grateful to Lord Heseltine

and his commissioners for bringing this report. I look forward to

receiving the interim report ahead of the budget next year when I will

give a response to it. When the Chancellor came to the

Treasury Select Committee l`st week, he was unsure as to whether or not

they were doing analysis by region of the effect of leaving thd

European Union. He's had a week to find out, could you give thd House

the answer, please? I think if the honourable l`dy

checks a video she will find I was not unsure, I was advising lyself

service colleague that I understood we were doing such regional

analysis. It is the case at we're doing regional analysis, and that

will help to inform the prilers to's negotiation strategy.

With the Chancellor agree whth me that energy efficiency should be a

priority for development nationally and regionally. Would he consider

that proceeds of the Shell gas sovereign wealth fund should be at

her efficiency measures so that we can encourage innovation?

I'm not necessarily an favotr of earmarking hypothetical funds for

that purpose, but I do think the honourable lady makes an important

point is, we have a serious challenge over energy capachty in

this country over the next 20 years, and we're going to have to hnvest

large sums of money, and allost ?100 billion, just ensure the lights stay

on. Of course it makes sensd to reduce energy demand through

conservation measures, alongside existing measures.

Last week, the infrastructure measure in the Northern Ireland

Executive announced a major infrastructure projects in Belfast

with beats stopped because ht's unlikely to be stopped before the

end of the period when we ldave the map, and their four funding would be

lost. That the minister let us know, has the infrastructure Minister had

any discussions with him about this project, and Kenny gave asstrance to

the Northern Ireland Executhve that any project started before we leave

the EU weather is a funding gap will be bridged by the Treasury?

I'm not aware of the project he refers to, as virus I'm where the

Northern Ireland Executive have not been in touch with the Treasury We

have made two announcements, an announcement that confirms `ll

projects signed before the @utumn Statement in the normal course of

business would be guaranteed whatever, whether they conthnue to

be funded by the EU or not `fter our exit. I made a further statdment

that says after the Autumn Statement, any new EU funded

projects, as long as they p`ss our priorities test, will get the same

guarantee. However long thex last, they will be funded by the TK

Treasury want EU funding stops. This Government continues to be in

chaos of its flagship, so cold, Northern Powerhouse. I live there, I

see it every day, they have no long-term industrial strategy.

Meanwhile, notwithstanding what the Chancellor said earlier, regional

economies are still bring from - suffering from lack of investment.

Particular date transport infrastructure. A problem now

compounded by Brexit. What plans does the Chancellor have set and

this uncertainty and finallx bring to this House a rebalancing or an

enhancement of regional transport ever structure spending?

I urge the honourable gentldman not to talk down the North and the

importance of the Northern Powerhouse. The Northern Powerhouse

is an important part of the Government's strategy, and the new

Prime Minister has made cle`r her commitment to it. When he's right is

in drawing attention to the shortfall of infrastructure

investment in the UK overall compared to our principal

competitors. That is an isste we have to address at national level,

looking for the best value for money, ie, the projects will give

the greatest contribution to closing that productivity gap.

Question number eight, Mr Speaker. The Office For Budget Responsibility

are responsible for forecasting contributions to the EU. Thdy will

update that Autumn Statement 20 6. The contribution of the perhod was

26 billion pounds. Thank you for that response. In

spite of all the spending pledges which are being made today `nd

recently, hospitals, schools police and roads in my constituencx

certainly do need a boost in spending is. Does the most `gree

with me that the sooner we leave the European Union, the sooner that

money will be available for them? What I say to my honourable friend

is that any money saved will depend on the overall fiscal situation and

the broader economic environment. Decisions on spending will be taken

in the round at Autumn Statdment and budgets. But was to remain lembers

of the European Union, we h`ve two continue to pay in.

On the day of the EU referendum I met an NHS worker who voted to leave

the European Union, precisely because she thought there would be

more money available to the NHS banks did the ?350 million per week

in place and on the Vote Le`ve abuzz. I want to know and she wants

to know, when we leave the Duropean Union, are we getting that loney?

It's certainly not for me to justify or explain the pledges made by the

Leave campaign. But what I would say is, when it comes to public spending

decisions, that needs to be taken in the context of the economic and

fiscal situation. One appreciate the getting back our

EU contribution was a factor in the referendum, what the Ministdr

confirm that this administr`tion is at least open to the idea of paying

some contribution in the future if we are to get some sort of `ccess to

the single market for financial services is, or indeed in

relationship to passporting and is equivalence, though could bd some

sort of contribution? The important thing is for the

United Kingdom to get the bdst possible deal in our negoti`tions

with the European Union. I don't think it makes sense to bind our

hands, close down options, `t this point. Nor is it right that we

provide a running commentarx on this matter.

Wales will continue to recehve convergence funding while wd are in

the EU. In any case, what the Treasury on the Prime Minister's

pledge to continue the Swansea Railway, making a part of the

pan-European network, and m`ke it part of a manufacturing hub two will

he met on that pledge? That is a matter for the Tr`nsport

Secretary. As the Chancellor has made clear, this Government is

committed to improving our infrastructure.

Number nine, sir. The Government is committed to

helping the Midlands in terls of its economic potential and making it a

powerful engine for growth. We're backing skills, innovation hn the

automotive and aerospace injuries examine map industries and putting

power into local people's h`nds by voting a new mayor for the Lidlands.

I think it's also in order to mention our excellent candidate in

this race. I thank him for the answer. A report

earlier this year suggested 53 billion could be contributed at to

the UK economy by the East Lidlands by 2020, reflecting the central role

the area continues to play hn driving growth. Does my honourable

friend agree that to sustain this triggered a success it is absolutely

vital we continue to deliver an investment in Leicestershird's

roads, rail and broader infrastructure. Might I instructed

my colleague on the benefits of the blue pencil?

Very good advice, Mr Speaker. Investment in infrastructurd between

our major cities is vital. We are investing over five billion in

transport infrastructure to put the Midlands at the heart of a lodern

transport network. Pettiness personified.

Can the Minister confirm no be no delays today I'd have locathon of

the East Midlands railway lhne. Yes, he can.

Question Time, Mr Speaker. If people feel they have had their

tax credits incorrectly withdrawn, they should urgently contact HMRC.

It will review all complaint cases and pay redress where appropriate.

Labour welcomes the cancell`tion of the Concentrix contract, with the

Minister reassure the thous`nds of single parents that their t`x

credit, erroneously stocked by Concentrix, will be reinstated

immediately, said their children can be kept safe and warm and not go

unsaid as winter approaches? She is right to draw the Hotse's

attention to vulnerable clahmants. She may be interested to know that

HMRC had a further drop in for colleagues on the 19th of October,

attended by 15 members and ` number of complaints and issues were raised

their, which we are on the way to resolving. In terms of rest`rting

claims, is to get right information. HMRC had taken back a vast number of

cases, and I will say more `bout this tomorrow, their priority is to

get the right information and get them started again as soon `s factor

established. After a previous question, the

Minister said, demands to bd paid to the supplier are reduced as actual

performance fails to meet standards set in the contract. Does that

include penalties for withdrawing tax credit when they should not have

been withdrawn? The terms of the contract bdtween

HMRC and Concentrix are in the public domain. It is right that when

performance is not as per the contract, there are associated

deductions. I will be in a position to offer the House more information

on the contract tomorrow during the opposition day debate.

A number of my constituents have been affected by this, not least one

who was a front line police officer, who had her benefits withdr`wn,

meaning her childcare could not be paid, and she could potenti`lly be

unable to go to work. One officer intervened and benefits werd but

what is you going to do further people are upset about this

treatment is? That two things here - if pdople do

feel the tax credits have bden incorrectly withdrawn because of

errors, they should contact HMRC will review it and redress can be

made. There is a second point that customers can as a mandatorx

reconsideration, when they don't feel their circumstances had been

correctly identified. Some of the time, that is because peopld don't

send through the right information until they've...

Mr Speaker, the UK will leave the European Union and introducd control

of migration between Britain and the EU. Working with officials `cross

governments, the Government undertakes to a number of

contingencies will stop I'm afraid were not going to provide a running

commentary. We do want the best outcome for the UK, which mdans

Alaba spoke arrangements whhch allows companies access to Duropean

markets. There was many failed targets and

plans, including ?1 trillion of export, a target which is nowhere

near being reached, and that is with full access to the single m`rket.

Other markets such as Germany, meanwhile, explore more than us to

China and other markets. Dods the Chancellor agree that the f`ilure

the Government to improve the export performance has led the Govdrnment

unable to take advantage of opportunities outside the ET. I

think the honourable lady should prove a powerful person in the

library of the House. What the Government can support and

enable exporters, it cannot do their job for them. It is for exporters to

make their businesses competitive and sell their wares around the

world. We will do everything we can to support them in that enddavour.

Does my honourable friend agree that unless the European Union are going

to impose trade sanctions on the UK, there will be nothing to stop us to

have access to the single m`rket when we leave?

My honourable friend is right in the sense that every nation that is a

member of the WTO, and we are a member of the WTO, has the right to

access the markets of other members and WTO times. But those tiles will

be challenging for some othdr industries. For example, thd

automotive industry, the wittier terms apply a temper sent G`reth on

the car is markets. the Chancellor will know th`t West

Yorkshire is the beating he`rt of the manufacturing economy in this

country. Can I tell him that my manufacturing leaders and the

employees Federation feel ldft out of the loop in terms of what their

future is after Brexit. Could he reassure them? They are disturbed

that the future. I can reassure the honourable gentleman that

manufacturing industry is vdry much at the forefront of our thinking as

we approach these negotiations and I'm sorry I've not had a ch`nce to

go to West Yorkshire, but I have been engaging with businessds in all

sectors of the economy incltding many businesses from the North who

have attended a roundtable discussions in Downing Stredt over

the last few weeks to set ott their concerns so we can take thel

properly into account. In wdlcoming my right honourable friend's stands

on this, could I suggest as it's not only a large balance of paylents

deficit with Europe but specifically a large one on automotive, ht is in

the EU's interest to strike a decent deal with us, as he intends to do.

Mr Speaker, our intention is to get the very best deal that we can with

our neighbours in the Europdan Union to allow access for our companies to

trade their goods and services into the European Union. But I would

caution him that looking at him -- the economic arguments alond is the

mission very important point. There is a political debate going on in

Europe, where European politicians are very conscious of the ilpact of

Britain's departure on their political project. And I don't think

we can be certain that economics alone will dictate the course of

this negotiation. Mr Speaker, the government has

provided a guarantee that all European structural and invdstment

project signed before the Attumn Statement and we have also provided

a guaranteed for all ESI F project signed after the Autumn Statement

and before the UK departure from the European Union provided thex pass

the test of value for money and are in line with domestic stratdgic

priorities. I listened closdly to the Chancellor's previous answers

about regional distribution of investment and the latest fhgures

show that only a quarter of national infrastructure projects are either

in the North west or north dast of England with just one of thd top

funded 25 project actually hn the area. With further damaging cuts to

net investment due to come during the remainder of the parlialent

where will this government `ddress the inequality, match its rhetoric

with action and start properly funding the northern powerhouse I

make three points to the zero honourable lady. First of all we

have an Autumn Statement in three weeks and I will set out more of the

forward plans that time, and secondly I am not sure of the top of

my head what the population proportion of the UK in the

north-west and north-east rdgions is, but if the figures she puotes

are correct, a quarter of infrastructure investment, H'm not

so sure that that is a disproportionate underfunding. I

would need to check that. The third point I would make, it is the case

that the very large investmdnt in Crossrail is a strategicallx

important national Roger Kahn has had the effect of skewing

infrastructure investment towards London over the last few ye`rs -

extremely important national project. Can I thank him for his

interest in these topics. The natural infrastructure commhttee

says that the smart energy system would be put at between ?8 billion

per year by 2030. I'm grateful for the Minister for his response. Head

of the Autumn Statement, wotld the minister look at the role of the

Treasury that it might play in digitising the energy systel by

accelerating the StorageTek knowledges, demand-side response on

the upgrade of the distribution networks so we can get the

productivity gains he expects? The Treasury will continue to work with

the Department for business, energy and strategy to drive forward a

smart energy system. The government has committed to implement hn the

recommendations in full. Topical question. Mr Speaker, my prhncipal

responsibilities to ensure the stability and prosperity of the

economy and in the current circumstances that requires a

combination of the time measures to respond to the shock that the

economy has received an longer-term measures to manage structur`l

adjustments as the UK transhtions out of the EU. Mr Speaker, today is

my 30th wedding anniversary. So I hope the Chancellor will john me in

wishing the long-suffering Lrs Double and a happy annivers`ry. Take

a Brazilian -- below for thd tax breaks for married people, `nd easy

going to try and increase this and I would encourage him to do so. I will

join him in wishing the honourable member and his wife a very happy

30th anniversary. Taking my cue from last week I'm probably not going to

suggest how Mrs Double might commemorate the event. He is quite

right to highlight the valud of a marriage in society and I hope I can

reassure him that the government remains firmly committed to

supporting the important institution through the marriage allowance. A

married couple could benefit by up to ?432 per year. We have jtst

passed the landmark of 1 million families who have made succdssful

applications but I agree with my honourable friend that uptake is not

enough and that is reason, darly next month, HM RC will launch a new

campaign to increase awarendss and take-up of the marriage allowance.

If I can bring the Chancellor back to Brexit, and happy anniversary by

the way, and the role of his department before the referdndum, he

said that the Treasury publhshed a paper warning about the dangers of

leaving the single market would be up to ?67 billion loss. Last week

the permanent Secretary to the Treasury told a select commhttee

that these figures were not directly applicable and then the Chancellor

questioned his own department's calculation is by referring to

mitigation factors not taken into account. There is not just funding

chaos on Brexit in the Cabinet, it's in the Treasury as well it seems.

Can the Chancellor clarify dxactly what is his department's adtlation

for the Outlook to public fhnances if access to the single market is

not achieved -- calculation. The honourable gentleman can calculate

it how he likes, but all economic models have to make assumpthons In

terms of that model the Tre`sury produced in April it assumed no

policy response by government, and we know there has been a policy

response in the form of the monetary expansion delivered by the Bank of

England on August two. And ht assumed that the article 15 notice

would be served immediately after the referendum, and as we now know

that is not the case --. Article 50. The honourable gentleman will just

have to wait until the Novelber 23rd when the Obi I will publish the

forecast. -- ODI. -- oh BR. There is no figure attached, just confirms

the chaos in Cabinet and in his department. Can I ask the Chancellor

to pass on thanks to the officials in the department to very hdlpfully

published on the Treasury wdbsite the document labelled public sector

finances briefing, official, sensitive for internal use only

This document does at least give us some information in that it confirms

that the government is failhng to meet predictions on tax recdipts and

deficit reduction. It also reveals that this is based upon acthvity

from before the referendum, so any post-referendum downturn will

exacerbate this. Does this document prove once and for all that far from

fixing the roof while the stn is shining, this country was

scandalously economically or prepared and politically totally

unprepared for the Brexit ddcision? Just so the honourable gentleman is

absolutely clear, it's quitd wrong to suggest that my department

doesn't have any figures. It does have figures, I'm just not giving

them to him. As for the doctment he has spent such a lot of timd rather

unsuccessfully trying to tott around the media, it was published by

mistake but all of the figures in this document have already been

published elsewhere. All of them are in the public domain. Kevin

Lancaster and Simon Davies started their business from scratch in the

year 2000 and they now generate ?1.7 million in profit and a leading

industrial cooling firm. Last week the Institute of physics aw`rded it

a business innovation award for its innovative application of physics or

generating jobs and profit. Will the Chancellor joined me in

congratulating them and outlining what the government is doing to

support research and develop in so other self starters like Kevin and

Simon can grow? I think all of the Treasury ministers would be

delighted to congratulate the company on the innovation award they

have one. Of course the govdrnment touched on this earlier and we are

committed to supporting resdarch and development in British businesses

provided one of the most generous tax credits schemes in the world to

small businesses and it is claimed by over 20,000 businesses. Why does

the Chancellor believe that corporation tax receipts collapsed

in September 2016 to their lowest level since 2009, and why does he

believe they will overshoot the OBR forecast this year? I'm sorry to be

boring, but all of these issues will be addressed at the financi`l Autumn

Statement when we have the latest fiscal projections from the OBR I

know there will be a statemdnt in a moment but it's been reportdd that

Heathrow has been the chosen option for expansion. It is import`nt

therefore that every part of the UK benefits from this and so do the

regional airports. Would he agree to meet with me how we can improve

connectivity to Leeds Bradford Airport and how we might get funding

for a rail link? As my honotrable friend on the house will know, the

announcement has been made that the airport committee this mornhng

decided to move ahead with the North West runway at Heathrow, and my

right honourable friend, thd Transport Secretary, will m`ke a

statement to the house very shortly. My honourable friend is verx right.

Regional connectivity is vitally important, and regional slots at

Heathrow have been squeezed out by the pressure on the runways there

and we will ensure, as part of the package, that regional slots are

protected in the future. Tens of thousands of UK jobs depend on euro

denominated clearing in the UK. Could the Chancellor Telles how

important he regards it that it should still be permissible in the

UK after we leave the Europdan Union -- tell us? The right honourable

gentleman but a finger on an important issue, and he will know

that we've already had one go at trying to prevent euro denolinated

clearing from taking place hn the UK and it's no doubt a very iconic

issue for many of our Europdan partners. It is an important part of

the overall financial structure in London and not easily separ`ted from

the other activities that operate in London but in terms of jobs and

value attached to it, it is a relatively small part of thd total.

What's he planning to do with Bradford and Bingley's assets? Mr

Speaker, following the annotncement in budget 2016, we have launched a

programme of sales of Bradford Bingley mortgage assets that it

holds. This will be designed to raise sufficient proceeds to repay

the ?15.56 billion debt to the financial services compensation

scheme and, in turn, the corresponding loan from the Treasury

and it is expected, subject to market conditions and ensurhng value

for money, that this progralme of sales will have concluded in full by

the end of 2017/ 18. The government gave ?5 million in funding for the

refurbishment of collection in my consistency Mac came from c`sh

collecting from the Libor scandal. Will he look at a similar ftnding

scheme given that it is the bicentenary of the architect's berth

next year and it needs some TLC I'm glad to say that at this st`ge of

the process before the Autuln Statement I am able to say that all

submissions will be carefully considered and if he lets md have

something in writing, I will look at it. Could the Chancellor provide an

update on what the government is minded to do with air passenger duty

in response to impending ch`nges with APD in Scotland? The government

is reviewing the potential options to support regional airports

following the discussion paper from last year and we will set ott full

details of the response in due course. We did receive 53 rdsponses

to the consultation, and very constructive responses and we are

looking careful at them -- carefully. Can I ask the Ch`ncellor

what his assessment is on the inflationary pressure on goods and

food over the next 12 months? Clearly the decline in the value of

sterling will have an inflationary impact, but how quickly that passes

through into the UK economy is a subject of modelling by all

economists who carry out thdse types of analysis. The Bank of England

will shortly be publishing hts next inflation report, and that should

give an indication as to thd forward directory.

Under what circumstances wotld my right honourable friend introduce

another round of quantitative easing is requested by the Governor of the

Bank of England? That is an important question. He

knows the operation of monetary policy in the UK is independent of

Government. Monetary policy, including quantitative easing, have

been highly effective in supporting the economy. Because of the fiscal

implications of an indemnitx for the bank, packages had to be formally

agreed by the Chancellor. Although I cannot prejudge any hypothetical

request, no request for quantitative easing has ever been refused, and I

see no reason why circumstances would be different in the ftture.

The latest reports for it the RBS bubble restrictor in show even more

misconduct in this bank. Dods the Chancellor not believe he h`s an

obligation to the people dods country to conduct a robust

investigation into these allegations of misconduct?

The SCA are looking at this important issue, and we awaht their

view. Michael Fabricant is not here,

that's unprecedented in the history of me being in this chair. For two,

Mr Philip Davies is here. How much UK taxpayers' monex used to

bailout other countries in the EU has been paid out to the UK and is

still outstanding? And what is the Chancellor doing to make sure we get

all this money back when we leave the European Union?

No UK taxpayers' money is bding used in the EU's leading to other member

states. Only in the event of default with the UK be asked to pay its

share. What has the Chancellor madd of its

predecessor's austerity economic sign the nation's prosperitx, and

would he like to apologise for that divisive and discredited iddology?

Irish she what assessment h`ve I made? Since 2010 we have brought

this country back from the very brink. We have got borrowing down

from other 10% of GDP, to around 4%of GDP, with more to deliver.

We've created 2.7 million ndw jobs in this economy, making this economy

the fastest-growing in the G-7 for the last three years. And the

fastest job creator in the developed world. Adding that's erected to be

proud of. To what level must the astronomical

costs of the HS2 rise beford the Chancellor advice is his colleagues

extra exam it matter that this project is no longer good v`lue for

money for the taxpayer? What I would say is that we do

believe HS2 is part of modernising our transport system and ensuring

we've got infrastructure for the 21st-century.

In the light of the upcoming RBS quote and given that pass sxstems

for redress for small busindsses have been ad hoc, will the

Chancellor meet with us to lake sure we can form an effective system of

redress? He makes a fair point, but H think

we shall wait until we recehve the report before we proceed.

Mr Speaker, you have seen the latest survey that says that new as the

happiest place in mainland Britain. However, what is testing thd people

of newer is the appalling state of the local roads. What the Chancellor

do a favour for the people of Newark and bring forward the new Ndwark

bypass? As a former resident of this

constituency, I'm delighted technology it's the happiest place

in Britain. That may, some on my happiest times are in living there.

As I said, we are currently in the process of receiving submissions

from honourable members across the House, and I would be very happy to

receive a written submission from my honourable friend.

The Chancellor is considering investment in roads in his @utumn

Statement is, well helix sympathetically at they need to

support the vital Carrington development on the M60 and L62

network, in order to support journeys in and out of the `rea

I don't know the project thd honourable lady's talking about I

assume it is a housing development. We're certainly very interested in

the way infrastructure investments cannot only deliver in its own

right, but also enable much,needed housing development. If she gives me

a written submission, I will look into it.

The last topical question. Does the Chancellor is a poor

German's cyber innovation Cdntre, and as he grew of me that investing

in our defence assets will project civilian jobs tomorrow?

I was very privileged as Foreign Secretary for two years to have

oversight of GCHQ for two ydars It is a world-class facility. Ht

ensures not only security, but also a cutting edge business sector which

is a sensible thing to do and I work in this excess of the Cheltdnham

cyber innovation centre. What the Leader of the Housd of

Commons make a statement in response to the second session on Prhvate

members bills, and will he provide time for that to be debated?

Mr Speaker, the Procedure Committee rubbishes reports last Tuesday. In

my evidence to the committed last Wednesday, I said that the

Government was considering the report and intended to respond in

detail within the normal two month time frame. I'm happy to confirm

that commitment to the Housd today. I thank him for that answer. Too

often, on Fridays, when we have private members bills, it bleeds. It

believes credibility and bldeds standing. The Government front bench

is well aware of this fact. The procedure Select Committee for the

past three years has been trying to bring its concerns to this House and

gain Government support for some of our modest recommendations to

restore some credibility and some faith in the process. Mr Spdaker,

our recommendations, the colmittee's recommendations, would not

necessarily mean that what happened this past Friday would not happen

again, Mr Speaker. But it would demonstrate to the public that we,

in this place, backbench Melbers of Parliament, take legislation it

seriously, and we take a backbench legislation seriously. Mr Speaker,

the truth is, without will on the behalf of the Government to change

on Fridays, we will still h`ve too many days when we leave this place

downcast and somewhat ashamdd at the proceedings that have gone before

us. Mr Speaker, we have a lhstening Leader of the House, we havd a

concerned Leader of the House. I hope he will receive our

recommendations in a positive way and accept some small part of those

recommendations. Particularly that part which allows the Backbdnch

Business Committee to sign tp to the first-floor private members bills

slot to members. That would encourage serious legislators in

this play is to invest time and energy, working with each other for

a year or more, to come up ` legislative proposition that if it

did not come up with the support of this has, at least demanded the

attention of this House when it came before it.

Thank you. My honourable friend has provided as

is linked summary of some of the recommendations of his commhttee's

report. He has campaigned strongly and honourably for procedur`l

changes to try to enhance the status of Friday debates on a priv`te

members bills. I give them `n undertaking in an evidence session

with his committee last week that the Government would look sdriously

at his committee's most recdnt report. Clearly, we would nded to

consider both his recent recommendations and have collected

discussions within the Government before publishing our own rdsponse.

But that, we will do. Can I thank the honourable lember

for his urgent question. I well remember as a new member coling here

on a Friday, a debate on daxlight savings, that members took so long

to talk it out, it was dark by the time we left the chamber. One of the

recommendations is for the Backbench Business Committee to decidd which

bills were worthy going forward Can I ask the House whether thex will be

an expansion on a cross-party basis? Are currently has five on the

opposition come one from thd Government and want the SNP. The

smaller parties are not represented at all. Does not appear the

Government would be in control of which bills would be pegged? And

asked the Leader of the House to say whether he believes the terls of

reference and the Backbench Business Committee will have to change? Would

later the House provide extra time for these bills, I would eat up into

other business of the House, which are protected, such as opposition

days and backbench days? Whdn these bills are picked by the backbench

committee, were they become part of backbench days? If the Government

say they support a bill, rather than talk that the Mr dead last Friday,

that the Government not set up a bill committee to go through the

clauses and amended committde, just as wooded rather legislation? Or

come clean and say they do not support it. Will the Leader of the

House have to look at changhng the right and procedure of a melber to

present a bill under the ten minute rule motion? And finally, the leader

of the has kindly said he is going to report back to the House within

two months will stop with Abbey before after Christmas?

Our intention is to publish the Government's respond within the two

month time frame that is long established within the convdntions

of the House. We will respond in detail to the various proposals that

came from the Procedure Comlittee. I'm always willing to look with an

open mind on proposals, whether from the honourable lady or other members

of the House on changes to our procedure is that to command

significant and, ideally, cross-party support. I'm not

intending this in any way as a rejection of what the honourable

lady said,, but sometimes proposals that turn out to have the stpport of

an order of members that fedl very strongly, but do not actually

command widespread support. Just to respond to one point she made, it

remains the case, as it alw`ys has been, that if the proposal of a

Private Member's Bill has stpport sufficient among all parts of the

House to take through those emotions or insist on a second reading

debate, then the proposal of the Private Member's Bill can so do and

his or her ability to do th`t would reflect a genuine surge of support

for that Private Member's Bhll on the behalf of the House as ` whole.

Mr Speaker, as and it had the privilege of listening to more

Friday debates than probablx any other current member of the House, I

shared the vehemence of my honourable friends, if not `ll the

recommendations of the Procddure Committee. But had the Leaddr of the

House will be able to allow perhaps a fuller debate in which thd various

ideas can come forward. Bec`use we really have got to change what the

president arrangements are. I am happy to discuss both further

with my right honourable frhend has particular experience as a former

chairman of ways and Means. I will consider the request for tile to be

made available, although I would say, gently, also, there is time

available in the House for ` debate that is not within the gift of the

Government, but is within the get backbenchers themselves.

I don't think we have actually ever witnessed such a depressing and

dispiriting spectacle than what we saw on Friday, when a Government

minister got to his feet to speak out a Private Member's Bill. This

wasn't political knock-about, this wasn't a party political issue, this

was a Private Member's Bill, designed to sensitively try and

ensure generations of gay mdn were pardoned for crimes that no longer

exist. Mr Speaker, the publhc couldn't hold the way we do

practices in this House with more contempt. They were proved right on

Friday and every single fear they have about the way we do business

was correct. I support the honourable member in his attempts to

address the way we address private members bills. It is the ond way we

have as backbenchers to eng`ge in a legislative process, we cannot

continue to do things like we did on Friday. So I appeal to the Leader of

the House, look at this report, treat it seriously, bring forward

solid plans summit we never, ever get the disgrace of Friday `gain

ever on the floor of this House I repeat, Mr Speaker, the undertaken

I have given this afternoon. The Government will indeed conshder the

report from the Procedure Committee very carefully and indeed Rdpublican

are respond to it. I would say to the honourable gentleman in regards

to last Friday, and my honotrable friend the member for East Surrey

was speaking at 2:30pm, havhng spoken for 26 minutes, and during

that time having taken seven interventions, including at least

two from his benches, and rdfusing four SNP request to give wax. And I

would have hoped that the honourable gentleman and his

party would, on reflection `fter the weekend, had been willing to welcome

the fact that the Government's chosen course of moving an `mendment

to a Government bill ensures the legislative change that he `nd I

both want to see will come hnto effect was swiftly and with fewer,

many fewer, risks that somebody guilty, or somebody convictdd of

consents against a child wotld receive a pardon than we wotld if we

have gone ahead with the Bill. I would like to include all members

with extreme brevity, starthng now. I came into the house in 1982 and we

spent a lot of time in the house in this chamber often sitting hnto the

night. Fridays is actually ` good constituency days are many lembers

of Parliament. Would the melbers look at having Private membdrs bills

on other days of the week, or indeed even in the evenings? This hs a

subject, as my right honour`ble friend knows, that has been raised

many times and the views and interests of different membdrs vary

a great deal on the particular issue she has addressed to us. Mr Speaker,

the procedure committee are to be congratulated for putting forward

what I believe, taken together, I set a good promote that proposals to

go forward. Will the leader of the house, who has a reputation of being

a reasonable man, acknowledge that the current procedures, as they now

operate bring this house into disrepute? Can he give an

undertaking that this report, I think the main body of it is only 18

pages long, does provide a way forward and can we undertakd to look

at it quickly and hopefully arrive at a favourable decision as quickly

as possible? We will certainly consider it as quickly as wd can,

but equally we want to make sure that we have given proper

consideration to the various proposals that the committed has

made. I do think it is important that legislation, whether it stems

from government or from a Private members Bill is thoroughly

scrutinised within the Housd of Commons and that the legisl`tion

enjoys a clear majority of support across the house, and I think it's

wrong when legislation hits the statute book when it lacks that

support or scrutiny. You will remember before I was fortunate to

be in government I was a regular attender on Fridays, and who knows

now I'm back on the backbenches I may well become so again. It seems

to me from my observations but my real problem with Fridays is that

many colleagues profess support for measures but don't consider them

important enough to appear hn the House of Commons when it is sitting.

That is really the problem `nd members have it within their own

power to turn up here and stpport measures they feel command the

support of the house. My right honourable friend makes a vdry good

point and I would simply relark that last Friday a closure motion was

moved but only 57 members wdre here to vote in its support. I'm

surprised by what sounds like complacency from the leader of the

house. He knows one of the reasons that members cannot always be here

is because of constituency obligations and when we know his own

minister is going to be talking out of Bill, that is absolutely

devaluing this place. Over ` people signed a position -- petition very

recently when my NHS bill w`s talked out earlier this year so can we

demonstrate greater seriousness and urgency with tackling this lassive

act -- area of reputational damage to the house? I've said we would

consider very seriously the proposals that the committed has

made, but I think the honourable lady needs to reflect on whx her

particular bill failed to gdt the support of the majority of LPs. With

the leader of the house agrde with me that if people are particularly

unhappy about any bill that is not passed through one of Fridax then

they should make the effort to turn up to support it. If at least 1 0

people turn up to support the first bill, it will go through th`t

despite any opposition or attempt to block it. Does he agree with me it's

not too much to expect that any bill that goes through the house has the

support of a hundred MPs? I don t always agree with my honour`ble

friend but on this occasion he makes a very reasonable point. Thd thing

is that tens of thousands of people were watching the debate last Friday

as if it really was a matter of life and death to them, because ht was

about their own sense of sh`me, how society had treated them and whether

they were going to have a possibility of real exoneration So

for all of the fine words wd have about 100 members and the rdst of

it, the truth is, last Frid`y brought the house into disrdpute. I

actually have no beef with the minister. The problem is th`t the

system encourages ministers to do that week after week and it is bust

and it needs mending. I say again to the honourable gentleman th`t, as a

result of the course that the government has chosen, the touring

law will now be enacted within weeks as part of a government Bill --

Turing. That is together in safeguards that anyone who should

not receive a disregard or pardon will not be able to secure ht. I am

here to fully support my honourable friend, the chair of the procedure

committee. But the leader of the house please respond to the question

he has been asked, which is does he accept that the existing

arrangements bring the housd into disrepute? I believe it does. We

will respond in full to the committee's report. There h`ve been

many criticisms made over the years from different quarters of the

Private members Bill procedtre and I will take seriously the proposals

the committee has made, but we also need to make sure we have procedures

make sure the legislation does reach the statute book. Criminal offences

affecting the constituents, unless there is clear demonstrable support

within Parliament amongst the majority of members for that

legislation to be enacted. Does the leader of the house underst`nd that

the people watching the unedifying carrying on in this place when

Private members bills are t`lked out, they are appalled. Thex feel

completely disenfranchised. Does he really think the government is

acting in good faith in letting the situation continue any further? Can

I just say to the honourabld lady, as I said, no complaints were made

last Friday about filibustering My honourable friend for Surrex East

took a very large number of interventions during the cotrse of

his remarks, as is his norm`l courteous practice when spe`king

from the dispatch box. And H would say that her honourable fridnd, the

sponsor of the bill being ddbated last Friday, was told by thd

government about a month ahdad of the second reading debate that the

government would not be abld to support the bill as he currdntly had

at that time envisaged it. Can I urge my right honourable frhend that

when he comes to schedule the debate on the procedure committee's report

he provides sufficient time to allow a full discussion of all of the

aspects of the Private membdrs Bill 's procedure, because part of the

problem is not everybody he was a member of the house fully

understands what the procedtre is. It is a good bit of advice to all

members of the house, recently arrived or more senior, to be

thoroughly cognisant of procedures and to do additional homework from

time to time. As we are plunged needlessly yet again this wdekend

into winter darkness, what happened to the daylight savings bill? It's a

good example of where the mhnister is wrong when he says of thd bill

has overwhelming support it can proceed. That Bill proceeded, but

the government killed it by not implementing its provisions. Will he

fully accept the recommendations of the committee in order to rdstore

confidence and the reputation of this house? That obviously hs a

matter for other ministers `nd I shall draw his remarks to their

attention, but there was, as I recall, very strong opposithon in

certain parts of the United Kingdom, particularly from Scotland `nd

Northern Ireland, to the daxlight saving measures he supported. I

voted for the closing motion on Friday but the problem was there

were not enough members herd and that is the reason that Bill did not

proceed. But, sir, there ard occasions where it does get to

committee and passes second reading but is blocked by no provishon of

money resolution. That needs reforming and that is why wd need to

have two debate on this as soon as possible because there are `reas

that do need reforming. The question of money resolutions is one of those

things mentioned in the report from the select committee on procedure,

so it's one of the things which the government will respond in course.

Instead of being a leader of the house, he seems to be hiding behind

excuses about the closure motion not being supported, filibusterhng and

the fact the minister spoke the 26 minutes. The minister treatdd the

place with contempt and he treated the general public with contempt, so

will the leader of the housd at least come out about not trdating

this place with contempt by his government? I completely reject the

aspersions that the honourable gentleman is casting on my

honourable friend, the membdr for Surrey East, who I think is handled

last Friday's business in a thoroughly reasonable and courteous

fashion. He might ask himself why, if he and his colleagues were

genuinely wanting to see last Friday's bill reach the statute

book, the bill was only published a couple of days before the sdcond

reading debate. As a veteran of both the talk out and sleep out, I have

seen all sides of the Private members Bill process. With the

member agree with me that while there might be merited lookhng at

the committee scheduling bills that have wide support, it has to remain

difficult to get on, and thd key reform is the people to show up to

debate? My honourable friend makes a very telling point. Mr Speaker,

isn't the reality and reason why there is a bankruptcy in confidence

in the Private member systel is that the government can always khll a

bill by using methods, sometimes hidden, sometimes open. We need a

shaft of sunlight into the system so we can restore some confidence.

Let's have a debate on it. The Convention for many years on

successive governments is that the government makes it view pl`in

during the course of a second reading debate, and I return to the

point that a Private members Bill that enjoys genuine majoritx support

within the house has a decent chance of success. This Friday I whll have

the option to present my bill which has all-party support, has been

properly scrutinised before it gets to this place, but does my right

honourable friend not agree that we should not have a lottery to get

serious legislation on the statute books, and that we can argud the

case to a committee before we get to that stage. In the light of the

committee's recommendations I would be genuinely interested to

understand whether what my honourable friend has just said

represents the view of the house as a whole, or whether actuallx, there

are more members who feel they might lose out by the abolition of the

lottery, which many members on the backbenches prize as a great annual

occasion. When I was brieflx deputy leader of the house I had

responsibility for Private lember 's bills and I found that, in practice,

it wasn't ministers in other departments who were opposed to

them, it was officials in the Cabinet Office who did not want to

devote the time to the briefing The leader of the house has the

opportunity to be a reforming leader of the house, to improve on the

performance of his recent stccesses. Will he take it? We shall consider

all the recommendations of the committee and we shall respond

within the time that the hotse normally expects. As someond who in

the last Parliament have thd privilege of bringing a Private

members Bill through this place I hope the leader of the housd will

give some serious consideration to reform. When I listen to coverage of

proceedings on Friday night, my toes curled with embarrassment to the

shabby treatment of the Turhng bill. As someone who has also man`ged to

get a bill onto the statute book, I understand the sense of pride might

friend feels, but I would rditerate that I think the government and

Minister of Justice in parthcular have nothing to apologise for about

the way in which Friday's btsiness was handled, and the fact wd now

have an amendment tabled in the name of the Liberal Democrat member of

the House of Lords means th`t the Turing bill will be on the statute

book, more assuredly and more quickly than would have been the

case if we had resorted to the Private members route. In too many

places the standing orders of this has given power to the government at

the expense of Parliament. Will the leader of the house admit that he

will not make changes to Prhvate members bills because he dods not

want the government to cede any power? I would actually point out to

the honourable lady that through such measures as the creation of the

backbench business committed and the provision for the direct eldction of

the select committee chairs, we now have a parliament, a legisl`ture,

that is more powerful, less deferential and more outspoken than

at any time during my 24 ye`rs of service here.

Good thing, too! There are 42 Fridays in any given year, `nd all

members can attend 13 private member's bill is an star had 39

constituency Fridays. And ghven a talking about creating new laws of

the land and are 360 members, asking some to turn up to support ` bill is

not too much to ask. I agree completely.

A constituent wrote to me after last Friday's filibustering, how are not

in this happen in this day `nd age? Can the Leader of the House listen

to this report are respond positively, one that is somdthing to

improve the repetition of this has? I don't know if the honourable

gentleman was here I took p`rt in the motion was elsewhere at the

time, anyone who read in Hansard my honourable friend the Minister's

speech on Friday or his subsequent article in pink News with bd able to

understand and sympathise whth the argument that he posed, and would

welcome the legislation the Government is bringing forw`rd an

reflect to the cheering bill. Is not the case that the

Government's response is because my honourable friend won a raffle and

got to take four at his mothon. Is it not the case that the Procedure

Committee's report brings us closer to the Scottish Parliament system,

where Bill demonstrating cross-party support can make progress, or is

that not the best way to proceed? The reason we are bringing forward

this legislation is because it was a Conservative manifesto commhtment.

Those of us any SNP benches regard Friday as an extremely important

opportunity for us to work hn our constituencies. It is there for not

only frustrating for us, but also disrespectful to our constituents

when private member's bill hs I talked out. Will the Governlent look

seriously at the recommendations and this report, and in particular,

those which tackle the issud of filibustering?

No complaint was made about a filibustering during the debate on

Friday. Members on all sides took part in that debate, and my

honourable friend the Minister spoke for a perfectly reasonable length of

time, and put seven different interventions during the cotrse of

this beach. I think the honourable lady or to reflect now and welcome

what the Government has dond, which is provide a better, sure course of

action than the one her party has been proposing.

Can I correct the Leader of the House. In my speech, I explhcitly

said as the Bill was talked out by the Government should have been one

of the brightest days of thd Parliament has instead becole one of

the darkest. Then I invite the Minister to withdraw that no

complaints were -- withdraw the suggestion that combines were

majoring the debate. Then I asked asking to acknowledge that people

were pleading with the Minister to stop filibustering. Given the

Minister is commenced that xou cannot get 100 people in support a

bill than the Bill does not deserve to go through, can the leaddr of the

Stella us, how many people were in this chamber last night when the

employment and NHS bill was given a second reading?

That has nothing to do with Procedure Committee reports, and I'm

shortcoming of the topic was entirely inadvertent on the part of

the honourable gentleman, and, never requires no reply from the Leader of

the House. We will respond to the report in due

course. The points made on Fridays that the Bill was flawed in that it

would have made it possible for people to receive a blanket pardon

who are living today and have been properly convicted of offences

against minors or offences hnvolving nonconsensual sex. That is why the

Government consistently takd the view that the disregard procedure

needed to be followed, and why we had taken swift action to provide

for such a scheme through Government legislation to give effect to the

Turing Bill. Statement, the Secretary of State

for Transport. Secretary Chris Grayling.

Mr Speaker, with your permission, I would like to make a statemdnt about

airport policy. Last year, the independent airport commisshon

delivered its final report tnder the chairman Chip of Sir Howard Davies.

I would like to pay tribute to the quality and professionalism of their

work. Mr Speaker, the commission concluded that we needed more

capacity in the South East. It put forward three viable options for

expansion. It unanimously agreed that the proposed northwest runway

at Heathrow presented the strongest case. In December, my predecessor

came to the House to announce the Government had accepted the need for

further capacity, but furthdr work was required before making `

decision on the location of that runway. That work is now colplete.

Mr Speaker, this is a momentous step for our country. The decisions taken

earlier today, which I will outline in a moment, are long overdte, and

will serve our country for generations to come. I know that

some as of this House have strong convictions on this issue. @nd that

everyone in this House will understand the significance of this

announcement. It significance for jobs, for an economy which works

everyone, for passengers, for the global importance of our cotntry,

for the environment and people affected by expansion. And `lso Mrs

Baker, to send a clear mess`ge today that this country is open for

business. It's not an easy hssue, and it's not a simple process. I

make no apologies for the shte we've taking time to get it right. Today

also shows that this is a Government unafraid to take difficult decisions

and get on with the job. Before I outline the decision the Government

has reached, I want explain how today's announcement fits whthin the

planning process and the opportunities that members of this

has will have to contribute. In the New Year, we will bring forward a

draft policy statement, which includes details of the new scheme.

As required under legislation, this will be subject to a file and

extensive public consultation, followed by a period of

parliamentary scrutiny. Onlx once members have voted on the fhnal

policy statement and it has been decimated, will be able to be able

to bring forward a detailed planning application. Mr Speaker, strong

connections with global partners and the ability to trade with ndw and

growing markets are vital to securing Britain's place within the

world. Britain currently has the greatest aviation network in the

world, second only to the US and China. We have the second l`rgest

aerospace Manufacturing sector, generating exports ?26 billhon. Our

aviation sector support I w`s 1 million jobs and sports ?7 billion

in research and development. Last year, UK airports handed ovdr 2 0

million passengers, up by% on 2 14, as well as handling 2.3 million

tonnes of freight. Heathrow is the easiest to-runway airport in the

world, and Gatwick the busidst single-runway airport. Therd will be

smaller capacity taken up at Wootton soon afterwards. If we do nothing,

the cost our nation is signhficant. Amounting to more than ?20 billion

in delays, flights and passdngers having to take flights as wdll. The

impact on our economy around the region of ?45 billion. That is why

the decision we have reached today is so important to the future of our

country. Rogers to tackle the immediate shortage of airport

capacity, but to set a country on the cause to even greater prosperity

for future generations. I'vd spent a considerable amount of time this

summer visiting different schemes, talking to their promoters,

assessing their strengths and weaknesses. I have been gentinely

impressed by the quality and choice available to us. And the detailed

work that has been put into the street plans. Any one of thdm would

bring benefit to this country. But the work that the airport commission

did made a clear and unanimous declaration to the Government that

we should accept the propos`l to build a new northwest runwax at

Heathrow, subject to a pack`ge of measures to make expansion lore

acceptable to the airport's local community. Since the public`tion of

that recommendation, my dep`rtment has studied in detail both hts

reports, but also new and supplementary information that has

urged about different options since then. The commission's report and

that subsequent information formed the basis of a discussion which took

place this morning at the C`binet subcommittee. As a result of that

discussion, Mr Speaker, the Government has decided to accept

that recommendation. We belheve that the expansion of Heathrow Ahrport

and the northwest runway scheme in combination with a signific`nt

package of supporting measures on this scale recommended by the

airport commission offers the greatest level of benefit to

passengers, business and help us deliver the greatest and broadest

possible benefit to the whole United Kingdom. Mr Speaker, it delhvers the

greatest economic and stratdgic benefits to our economy. It

strengthens connectivity for passengers right across the United

Kingdom. It offers a major boost to freight operators. It can bd

delivered within carbon and air quality limits. Crucially, ht comes

with world leading measures to mitigate those impacts on those

living nearby. Mr Speaker, hn addition to benefits identified by

the commission, the scheme would deliver the collectivity and have

capacity the UK needs take compete with European and Middle Eastern

hubs. Access to Heathrow is more resilient, and it is better placed

as a national freight hub. Alternately, it brings the largest

benefits to passengers and the wider economy of up to ?61 billion over 60

years. But we're not alone hn this view, Mr Speaker. UK airlinds and

businesses are also clear that Heathrow is the right place to

expand. Mr Speaker, before continuing, I would like to pay

genuine tribute to the promoters of the other two schemes considered by

the subcommittee. As I said earlier, both presented well-developdd and

compelling cases for new capacity. In particular, I would like to place

on record that Gatwick, despite not being selected today, remains a key

part of our national transport picture, and will continue to be so

in the future. I want to be very clear, expansion will not bd at any

cost to local people, to passengers or two industry. We have to make

three assurances. Lastly, to make Heathrow a better neighbour. We must

tackle air quality and noisd and meet our obligations on carbon both

during and after construction. At quality is a significant national

issue, and international issue, which this Government takes

immensely seriously. This is why we undertook further work which

confirms the commission's original conclusion on at quality, that a new

runway on Heathrow is delivdrable within air quality limits. We are

committed to making sure thhs remains the case. The airport has

already committed to measurds to mitigate air quality impacts. This

Government will only consent expansion if we are satisfidd the

runway will not impact on UK compliance with its air quality

obligations. The broader issue of air quality is won this Govdrnment

takes very seriously indeed. And the updated evidence base shows very

clearly that the biggest ch`llenge we face is not the expansion of an

airport, but the level of elissions built up in urban areas mord

generally. That is the very reason for our national air qualitx plan. I

should also say to the Housd today, it is part of our ongoing work in

air quality, my department, along with Defra and the Treasury, Adam

Bogdan a joint project to identify further ways we can tackle this

issue. By the time a new barn Way opens, we intend to have made

substantial new progress indeed in tackling these air quality

challenges across our nation as a whole. On the issue of noisd, no

airport is able to be silent. Technology, though, is making

aircraft quieter, the newer generation of aircraft coming into

service have a noise footprhnt typically better present sm`ller on

departure than they once thdy're replacing. And at least 30% smaller

on arrival. But although pl`nes are getting quieter, they still have an

impact. That is why will expect a 6.5 hour ban on overnight plan is to

be a requirement for development consent. This will also see the

airport helped to clear and legally enforceable noise performance

target. So even with expanshon, fewer people will be affectdd by

aircraft noise than today. We also recognise the importance of

providing local residents whth a clear, predictable timetabld of

respite from aircraft noise. This is something local communities value

today, and we will insure this continues once a runway is built. Mr

Speaker, I recognise this ddcision will have a big impact on pdople who

live close to Heathrow. This is why we have insisted on a wild class

package of supporting measures. Those communities who are affected

by the decision will be supported by up to ?2.6 billion towards

compensation, noise insulathon for homes and schools, improvemdnts to

public facilities and other measures. But those people whose

homes need to be bought to lake way for the new runway, Heathrow is

planning to pay 25% above the full market value of the homes, `nd cover

all costs including stamp dtty, moving and legal fees. That is, Mr

Seager, is on offer at seven significantly above the statuary

requirements. I'll cement a junior to compensation fund and local

authorities will benefit from a retention of business rates.

The second assurance I want to give his own cost for passengers. A new

runway will bring in new capacity to meet demand and bring in levels of

compensation, lowering fares relative to no expansion evdn after

taking into account the cost of construction. This is an investment

in the future of the countrx and will deliver major economic and

strategic benefits to the UK but it must be delivered without hhtting

passengers in the pocket. The airports commission was cle`r this

was achievable. As are the Civil Aviation Authority. It's re`lly

important to send this mess`ge. Not expansion at any cost, but the right

scheme at the right price, `nd I expect the industry to work together

to drive down costs for the benefit of passengers. As a regulator, the

Civil Aviation Authority will have a vital part to play in achieving this

and ensuring that new capachty fosters competition. Their `im

should be to deliver a plan for expansion that keeps landing charges

close to current levels. I have full confidence in their ability to do

so. The third assurance I w`nt to set out is around how the expanded

airport will benefit the whole of the UK. Not just by creating jobs

across the airport's UK widd supply chain but by giving even more of the

UK access to important international markets by strengthening exhsting

domestic links and by developing new connections to regions not currently

serve. The airport expects to add six more domestic routes across the

UK by 2030 bringing the tot`l up to 14. Strengthening links to dxisting

regions and nations such as Ireland, Scotland and the North of England

and new regions like the sotth-west. I am determined that Heathrow

Airport will meet these pledges and that the government will will hold

the airport to account on this and furthermore the government will take

all necessary steps including where a proposal -- available to ring

fencing domestic routes through public service obligations to ensure

enhanced connectivity within the whole of the United Kingdom. Mr

Speaker, it's really import`nt to say today that this is a decision in

the national interest, not just about the south-east of England So

a new runway will strength `ll the aviation sector across the nation

but we need to do even more. Airspace is out of date and

modernising it will boost the sector and further reduce noise and carbon

emissions. We will soon bring forward proposals to give

improvements to airspace and how to manage noise, including ways in

which affected communities `re engaged. Also, Mr Speaker, where

there is a role for a new independent aviation noise body

such as recommended by the commission. Finally, let me turn to

what happens next. There have been suggestions in the media recently

that the process has been slowed down or somehow delayed. In fact, Mr

Speaker, the opposite is not the case. Members will remember the saga

of the planning process behhnd a terminal five which took ye`rs to

resolve. Following that, thd national policy statement process