Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Questions House of Commons

This is an important opportunity for the government to protect homes

around the Tonbridge and East Peckham area. I can say to my

honourable friend that as an ex-Tonbridge Grammar School girl

it's an area I know well. The Environment Agency is progressing

business cases to increase the capacity of the live flood storage

area on the River Medway. The agency have estimated the schemes qualify

for a ?15.5 million government grant in aid and if approved will better

protect over 1900 properties within the Medway catchment. Quite rightly

the Secretary of State has a responsibility to protect existing

buildings. In my constituency there is a lot of ex-industrial Brownfield

land which had protection from flooding which could provide homes

for thousands of people and stop building on greenfield sites. Does

the Secretary of State accept that as well as protecting existing

buildings, the government should be interested in protecting sites where

future buildings could be built? Absolutely, of course, it's very

important we take into account the issues around protection for new

hopes being built. That is what the Environment Agency do. It's our

intention to make sure that where there are new developments taking

place they are better protected. Given that there are over 5 million

homes that flood risk in Britain, is it not important that the department

continues the excellent work it's doing in not just building flood

defences, but also looking at how nature and land managers can be

incentivised to create greater protection for households? My

honourable friend is of course quite right. There are concrete barriers,

very important, we've had 130 new schemes since January this year. But

protecting 55,000 new homes. But also natural flood management,

slowing the flow and looking at ways to work with the contours of our

environment to better improve protection is vital. I can announce

we've been given a ?15 million investment for further projects to

be doing just that. Can I thank the Environment Agency in the West

Midlands whose regional director told me last week that 34 more homes

are going to be protected in the Blyth Valley in my constituency, and

could the Secretary of State confirm its constantly updating its

modelling for the constant records that are broken in rainfall? My

right honourable friend knows a great deal about this. And she will

be aware that in the resilience review that we undertook across

government, there was an enormous amount of remodelling of the likely

impact of the increasingly extreme weather events. And the Environment

Agency is always looking at what schemes can do to protect people

better, but also where the best types of flood protection can be

developed, whether it's through concrete barriers or natural flood

protection. I've just returned from being with my family in Devon, so I

have personally experienced the flooding caused by Storm Angus. I

would like to shared the thanks to all the emergency services and

everyone who helped. Yesterday's Autumn Statement gave little hope to

the residents of the 5 million properties at risk of flooding. In

the budget and additional capital expenditure for flood prevention and

programmes was announced. Can the Secretary of State tell us how many

of the schemes have seen a spade in the ground? In fact, as I've already

mentioned, this government has committed ?2.5 billion in the six

years to 2021 new flood defences. This year we've had 130 new Flood

schemes completed since January 2016, protecting a further 55,000

homes. We've also enormously increased our temporary flood

defences and all of the infrastructure capabilities

including incident control vehicles, like towers, pumps, sandbags, to try

to deal with the nature of the unpredictability of these extreme

weather events. But we are committed to doing more. Question number two.

Mr Speaker we remain committed to publishing a 25 year food and

farming plan but the context has changed significantly with the

decision to leave the EU which has created new opportunities to do

things differently and do things better. We will be developing the 25

year food and farming plan alongside our plans for leaving the EU and

will consult with both industry and the public. I thank the Minister for

that response which fills me with concern. I hope that he will bring

the report forward as soon as possible given that it was

recommended that it be published in April of this year. Can he give me

some indication of when we will see this important report? The

honourable lady is wrong to be concerned because we are committed

to publishing this. It is a manifesto commitment. There is a

commitment to do it in this Parliament. The context has changed

significantly. It is right I believe to develop this plan alongside our

plan to leave the European Union so that it bears resemblance and bears

relevance to the context we are now in. Weetabix is made in the

Kettering constituency, and the wheat for the Weetabix is grown on

farms within a 50 mile radius. What proportion of the nation's food do

we grow ourselves and what proportion with the minister like to

see us grow ourselves? The honourable gentleman will be aware

that of the food that we can produce in this country, we produce around

74% of the food that we consume. If you include food that we are unable

to grow here, clearly the percentage is lower. We've got a commitment to

have a vibrant, profitable farming industry. We want to grow more, we

want to sell more and we want to import less. If we achieve that we

will see our self-sufficiency improve over time. Given the impact

Brexit will inevitably have on the 25 year food and farming plan, which

has yet to be published, what discussions will the Minister have

with the Northern Ireland Executive on how the plan will accommodate

Brexit, particularly regarding the issue of agricultural exports upon

which the minister realises we rely on in order for the development of

our economy? I'd had meetings already with Michelle Michael Breen,

I've recently had a visit to Northern Ireland where I met the

Northern Ireland food and drink Federation. I'm already in close

negotiation with the Northern Ireland on these issues. The white

mark scheme are doing great work in promoting truly local produce. This

is an example of the small amount of money doing lots of for a growing

important part of the island 's economy. What step is the government

taking to highlight the benefits that such schemes have in rural

areas? My honourable friend makes an important point. The Wight Mark

celebrates the Isle of Wight's brilliant food culture by

accrediting local produce. It's an opportunity to showcase local and

sustainable food, can make a real contribution to local economies and

is in line with Defra's approach to strengthening our brand. Question

number three please, Mr Speaker. Rural areas account for a quarter of

all registered businesses in England and small businesses continue to be

an important part of the rural economy with 29% of those employed

in rural areas employed in small businesses. Leaving the EU gives us

an opportunity to have policies to support the rural economy that are

bespoke to the needs of this country. I thank the Minister for

her answer. Scotland's food and drink exports are worth ?2 billion

to the national economy and businesses in my constituency

contributes significantly to that total. Many of the agricultural

workforce are a seasonal workforce from other EU states who take

advantage of the single market's freedom of movement. Can the

Minister provide a guarantee to rob businesses that these seasonal

workers who come to Scotland for produce picking, food and fish

processing, will still be able to work here after the UK has left the

EU? My right honourable and honourable friends are very aware of

the issues. It's not an issue unique to her constituency and she will

recognise this will be part of ongoing discussions with

Does she agree that in addition to the effect on the rural economy,

leaving the EU will allow us to take back control over import products

without the regulations impinging, and we'll should look at stricture

regulations? In September... We have suspensions in place for some

countries where hunting cannot be considered sustainable, for example

we are refusing imports of Lions and import from Mozambique apart from

lions hunted in a reserve, weird it is sustainable. One of the things is

to boost those businesses, what assurances can she get that West

Wales will continue to have access to funding streams? The Chancellor

has already given an assurance that schemes signed an advance of the

Autumn Statement would be honoured. He also continued to give assurance

that where future funding schemes which are being developed, as long

as they offer value for money we will support all parts of the United

Kingdom. Will she confirmed that in the Brexit negotiations the

government will focus on promoting and efficient and competitive

British farming, enabling farmers to invest in the countryside and

environment, rather than funding what my chaser farmers call costly

and complicated bureaucratic schemes? We design policies bespoke

to the need of this country. We are actively engaged in developing those

options with my support, into what potential environmental schemes can

also be at the heart of any future agricultural support. Agriculture

and fisheries businesses across Scotland depend heavily on freedom

of movement and access to the single market. Why want ministers simply

guarantee that people will have their rights protected post Brexit,

to clean up the uncertainty and allow businesses to plan for the

future? The intention is to provide a smooth transition is the European

Union, but she will be aware that these matters are actively being

considered and will form any part of future negotiations. If we're going

to have a realistic attempt at becoming economically productive, we

have to make sure that infrastructure works, including

Internet. So, small businesses in rural areas will be able to thrive,

and rightly so. He is right to stress the importance of access to

the Internet and other mobile network operators. That is why the

universal service obligation is being enshrined in law, and that

will be in place by the end of this Parliament. Where is he? Number

four, please, Sir. LAUGHTER The Prime Minister set out

a vision in making as a world leader in innovation.

Food and drink is our largest manufacturing sector, bigger than

cars and aerospace combined, and 160 million strategy we outlined is

taking forward ideas like monitoring crops using the latest satellite

data. My surprise was merely that he has per annum related to a different

part of the chamber, but I will be sure we will enjoy the same

eloquence from him. I am glad you have spotted the different habitat I

am now in, as a real species! 80 years ago the number of fish landed

at British ports was 14 times the level we had no. The industry has

suffered grievously under the Common fisheries policy, and now that we're

leaving the European Union, can she say more about how investment and

innovation will ensure we bring prosperity back to the great fishing

ports? I would like to reassure him we will do everything possible to

deserve his habitat. -- preserved. He has great knowledge in the area

of fishing. In China, I signed an agreement on seafood worth 50

million to UK fishermen. And I met with a number of fishing trips to

get their ideas to make sure we can -- our fishing sectors develop in a

positive way once we have left the EU. Such innovation will be enhanced

and is necessary if we are to restore the water meadows of the

lower even Valley. Will she come and see what we can do? -- Avon. I am

delighted to accept the invitation of him. Certainly we will be

revisiting the scheme he mentions in the New Year. Although there are

limits to what government can do when there is global downturn in

commodity prices, over the past two years we have implemented a number

of measures including making the crisis payments to farmers at the

end of last year, making it easier to offset tax from good years, and

looking to the future we are working to develop futures markets,

supporting new producer organisations and opening new export

markets. I welcome efforts to increase exports in food and drink,

but concern still remains round the domestic market in milk. What

efforts are being made to ensure farmers are getting fair prices from

supermarkets and what assistance could the grocery code adjudicator

give? He makes a good point, and it has been two very difficult years

for dairy farmers. We should give credit where it is due, and

acknowledge that many major supermarkets offer their farmers I

linked contracts call linked to the cost of production, and those

farmers have got good prices over two years, but they are minority.

We're looking at ways to strengthen the negotiating position of farmers,

including reviewing the operation of the grocery code adjudicator,

strengthening the voluntary dairy Supply chain called, and considering

how we can strengthen recognition from producer organisations. What

assessment has the department made of the importance of the provision

of school and nursery milk in supporting dairy farmers? As he

knows, there is a small EU scheme to support school milk, which is a few

million pounds, dwarfed by the much larger, much more important nursery

milk scheme run by the DFD, and Department for Health, worth ?60

million a year. Will he take notice that one of the things causing great

concern to dairy farmers in the south-west is the government's

proposal to withdraw operating licences for approved finishing

units with grazing in calling areas. Has he assessed the impact it will

have on dairy farmers trying to sell the cards, and generally on the

market for livestock it is a matter that I urge the Minister to look

carefully at before introducing. I do consider these issues carefully,

he is right that approved fishery units have a important role to play

as we tackle the bovine TB. If we try to roll back the disease, the

risk associated with grazing on approved finishing units is greater.

It is still possible for housed finishing units, and there will

still be finishing units in other parts where there is no calling. The

Department's business survey showed that dairy farm income fell by 50%

due largely to lower milk prices. Will he consider a statutory code to

cover the primary producer's relationship with suppliers and

provide more stability for producers in the market? There is currently a

consultation running on the grocery code adjudicator, open until the

10th of January, I believe. We have invited a call for evidence from the

industry and others who have ideas on how we might be able to extend

this remote or consider it further. We predominantly deliver training

for new entrants and young people through the Sea Fish. They have run

97 courses and trained over 850 new fishermen. There is an increase in

fishing as a career. We are very positive about the future of the

fishing industry post Brexit. With my honourable friend find a date to

visit Plymouth, who manage the fish market, on the plans to open a

fishing Academy, to train fisher men and women of the future? As we

prepare to leave the EU, the mood among the fishing industry is

lifting. There will be opportunities to do things differently and better.

His constituency has a very proud maritime heritage. Last year I

visited the Marine biological Association, and I would have been

more than happy to visit Sutton Harbour -- would be more than happy.

Many coastal communities have suffered under the Common fisheries

policy. Can I ask him to look at an investment pot into the under ten

fleet to enable them when we leave the EU? As he knows we have the EMF

F fund, one of the EU structural funds, which will run until 2020.

Beyond that we will be developing and doing work to work out how best

to support the industry. We have also top sliced some of the uplift

of quota, linked to the band this year to give them more than they

had. We have completed 130 new flood schemes this year, protecting over

55,000 households. All but three of the 660 Environment Agency flood

defences damaged last winter have now been repaired with remaining

having contingents in place. We have launched an action plan on how

householders can better protect their homes from flooding, but also

measures that mean that if they are unfortunately flooded they can get

back to the Romans more quickly. Last year -- this year after the

devastation caused by three storms across the country, the government

on flood defence spending, but apart on flood defence spending, but apart

from saying that ?12 million of that would be spent on mobile flood

defences to protect electricity and infrastructure assets, there has not

been a clear plan about how it is going to be spent. The Environmental

Audit Committee made strong recommendations about the protection

of roads and railways, and with of roads and railways, and with

Devon and Cornwall Police and the north-east of Scotland suffering

landslips and ballast washed away in the recent flooding, is now the time

to set out a proper transport and infrastructure resilience programme?

About half of the money has already been allocated, but she may not be

away yet that it was announced in the Autumn Statement that a package

of ?170 million to be deployed, 150 million specifically to tackle road

and rail. She may recall that in December 2013, there was a tidal

surge which affected the Humber Estuary. Many of my constituents had

their homes flooded, and throughout the Humber hundreds were affected.

Can she reassured me that there will be no slippage in the future flood

defence spending on the Humber? The tidal surge in 2013 affected the

entire east coast, including my own constituency. I can assure him that

the schemes already planned will continue, given the record ?2.5

billion investment we are making. Eyewear recently that water

companies are not a statutory consultation, despite company such

as Devon Trent water wanting to be, and having a great deal of knowledge

on flooding areas and also whether storm drains can cope with

additional water created by a new building. -- new building. Will she

have a conversation with the Department of local communities, so

this can be statutory? What companies are not currently

statutory consultations, which does not stop them having conversation.

In 90% of planning applications, their advice is accepted. Many

farmers. Two number eight! LAUGHTER My top priority in becoming

DEFRA secretary was agreeing with the Treasury Secretary continuity of

support for fathers. -- farmers. We guarantee they will

receive the same level of pillar one funding, which provides certainty,

but we also guarantee pillar two, which shows we make every

opportunity to improve our environment. Many farmers in my

constituency I signed up to many schemes and have been for many

years. What contribution does she think these farmers and schemes are

making to improve the environment? I completely applaud the efforts of

farmers across the country, in the last five years our environment

schemes have delivered excellent long-term benefits such as 150,000

acres of habitat, the planting of more than 11 million trees on the

restoration of planting -- and planting of 150 miles of hedges.

This supports our long-term pledge to leave the environment and a

better place than when we find it. Will she commit to devolve

agricultural funding according to need and not through the unfit for

purpose Barnett formula? I can assure the honourable lady we

will be consulting in great detail with the devolved administrations on

the future of the policy once we've left the EU, to make sure it focuses

on what is best for our UK food and farming produces, rather than for a

28 EU member states. Topical Questions. Question number one Mr

Speaker. Mr Speaker, flooding is devastating to anyone who

experiences it. Wilbur -- I had spent a great deal of time ensuring

preparation for winter weather. There is an opportunity for all our

colleagues to play a part to make sure constituencies are as well

prepared as possible. For example getting our constituents to sign up

to the direct service, enabling people to check their own flood

risk. The EA will be hosting a drop-in session for parliamentarians

next Tuesday from 1-5 PM so that we can hear more about winter

preparedness. I thank the Secretary of State for the answer but I would

like to ask her about her department's UK food and drink

international action plan which suggests her department will seek

foreign direct investment to fill existing gaps in skills and

production. Can I ask her how she will ensure that food standards,

production rates and manufacturing skills will be maintained in the

event of foreign takeovers of existing companies? What I can tell

the honourable gentleman is that the UK has some of the highest animal

welfare, food safety and food traceability standards in the world.

We will always seek to maintain those, notwithstanding our

international food export action plan which seeks to promote great

British food abroad as well as to take advantage of foreign direct

investment to make our sector is even more successful. Is the fish is

Minister aware that the wash shall fisheries, the most prolific in

Europe, and we have recently seen record shrimp catches, however this

is a risk of a permit in system. We look at the situation, intervene and

make sure the Fisher goes on. My honourable friend has raised this

issue with me before but I am aware issue with me before but I am aware

of the issue he raced. I am aware that it is an issue for the local

inshore fisheries and conservation agency but Defra have a role in

working with them and signing off any proposals. I understand it's

that consultation stage so local fishermen should make their views

known. Secretary of State, the pound has fallen, the cost of imports has

risen, Brexit is costing the wine industry 430 million in imports

alone. We've had the rising prices across the food industry as

customers are paying more for food, while those working in farming and

food production have been hit even harder, and it's getting worse. What

is the Secretary of State doing to mitigate against this? The

honourable lady will be aware that we have an incredibly thriving food

and farming sector, that employs one in eight of us. It's worth over ?100

billion each year to our economy, our food innovation is second to

none. We produce more new food products every year than France and

Germany combined. Food inflation is low, it continues to be low, and we

are seeing a very thriving sector, improving on exports, up this year,

and doing everything we can to create a sustainable environment for

the future. The reality is, food is inflating at 5%. This is on her

watch, her responsibility, her crisis and people are struggling

now. The call from the sector is they need security, security of

labour, security in the market, security of trade and knowing the

plans are leaving the EU for the sector. Labour can give confidence

to the sector, we have a clear plan. Why when the Secretary of State

share her plan? Is it because there isn't one? That was rather nonsense

if I may say so. In fact, food prices have been dropping. They

peaked in 2008 and food prices move up and down. The points she is

making about the resilience of the food and drink sector, its

extraordinary our exports are well up on last year, we are seeing

booming growth in our food and drink sector. We are doing everything we

can on food innovation and getting young people into apprenticeships

and increasingly high technology jobs. This is a well-organised

sector with great potential. Over a number of conversations with the NFU

and farms insult your Root Wiltshire, complaints have been made

about the way the rural payments agency have been working. They

complain of unilateral changes to agreed eligibility calculations.

What is the minister going to do to make sure these issues are sorted

out so I don't have any more complaints from my farmers? Having

ironed out some of the difficulties we encountered in 2015 we believe we

are in a stronger position this year. Over 80% of bps claims were

submitted online which means the number of cases requiring manual

re-entry have reduced. In the incidence of the tee individual

cases he has, if he would like to give me further details I will

ensure those are investigated and will get back to him. Canny

Secretary of State tell us how much it will cost to replace the

agricultural subsidy when we leave the EU? -- can be Secretary of

State. The point I've made to the honourable gentleman is we have

committed to continuing to make all of the payments up until 2020. We

are already in engagement with industry and others to devise future

agriculture policy, and those plans would be announced in advance of

2020. In my fishing town there are now only seven boats licensed by the

Environment Agency. All will expire by 2022 ending Heritage fishing in

the town. With the Minister agree to meet with me to seek a solution to

secure the future of fishing in Filey? I understand this issue, he

is aware that the situation with salmon, while Simon is particularly

bleak at the moment which is why we are looking at additional measures

to reduce the captured through netting. However, I am quite

sympathetic to the arguments made around the sustainability of Tina 's

in particular which I understand I used along the shoreline in his

constituency and I would be more than happy to meet him -- tea nets.

The government argued there was no evidence available for businesses

floods. I have heard of businesses floods. I have heard of businesses

who have experienced this, what is the plan for helping businesses

affected by this? Businesses have received over ?6 million of direct

support from the government. I have met them recently and expect to be

launching new products next month so more businesses can get flood

insurance. My right honourable insurance. My right honourable

friend will be aware that the Conservative manifesto said we would

ban all ivory trade both in 2010 and 2015 full

kitschy update the House on what progress she had made towards this

-- could she update the House? It was a superbly successful conference

were some real steps were taken in improving the awareness of the

importance of preserving endangered species particularly the elephant.

But we have done in this country is announced our intention to ban the

trade in post-47 ivory, and we will be consulting on that shortly to

look at how we implement that but what further steps we can take to

meeting our manifesto commitment. Last month the Secretary of State

for exiting the couldn't offer an answer when asked whether powers

would be devolved to the Scottish Parliament. Defra said the

government would be devising a UK wide policy for these industries.

With the responsibility of agricultural and fisheries be

devolved to the Scottish Parliament? As I think we've been consistently

clear, in leaving the EU we will be seeking the best possible deal for

the United Kingdom. But that will involve is close coordination and

communication with all of the devolved administrations to make

sure that we absolutely understand what it means to get the best

possible deal for all of our sectors within the Defra family. Food and

drink production has flourished under my right honourable friend's

leadership. Record levels of hard cheese and sour grapes are emanating

from that side of the chamber! In my own constituency a very successful

microbe Drury is doing a roaring trade. -- micro-brewery. Some of the

amazing products, taking gin up to the Chinese were example was a great

experience, looking at the beers the Vietnamese are drinking from the

United Kingdom already, looking at market access, greater exports.

Seeing just yesterday a taste of Cheltenham beers. He is right to

raise his own constituents produce and I would be delighted to share a

knees up with him any time. Could be right honourable gentleman sitting

and reading Proust have a knees up! Arguing the case of Wales, can I ask

the Secretary of State what discussions she's had with Assembly

ministers on the case for post-2020 funding but both respects devolution

and gives us a fair funding settlement for Welsh farmers? I'm

meeting with a Welsh minister today on that very subject, and my

colleagues have met with a number of Welsh ministers in recent weeks. At

official level there are constant discussions, we had informal

stakeholder meetings and there will stakeholder meetings and there will

be four more consultations taking place in the net future. -- near

future. We've already had an exchange about the importance and

inadequacy of broadband in rural areas. Our ministers are aware that

HMRC have an absolutely crazy plan to make all businesses with a

turnover of more than ?10,000 submit tax returns four times a year

online, and... And it can't go fast enough! And this will be absolutely

impossible for my hill farmers in Teesdale. We'll ministers make

representations to Treasury ministers to stop this crazy idea? I

think we've all just felt the effects of slow broadband in that

question. LAUGHTER Nevertheless I am aware of my plans and I can ensure

you conversations have already been had with the Treasury. Thanks to the

Minister the sheep dip group have access to documents including

medical records on the poisons unit from Guy 's Hospital. There were

long-term impacts on health in sheep dip. The Minister Pete with us again

so we can act for those who still suffer? The honourable lady will be

aware I met her and others around a year ago and we looked at this issue

in depth. I subsequently went back through the submissions that came

through in the 1990s to establish precisely why we stopped using it

and it wasn't because of health concerns, it was because they did

not believe it was possible to tackle the disease. I noticed she

now has the documents but the committee on toxicity looked at this

issue exhaustively, looked up 26 different studies and concluded that

in the absence of acute poisoning there would not be a meaningful

long-term effect. Traffic hotspots in the Broomhill area of my

constituency create an acceptably high levels of nitrogen dioxide. The

council are frustrated by the government on issues like

deregulation of taxi licensing. We need joined up action across

government and as the High Court said, we needed urgently. When will

the government produce an effective and comprehensive air quality plan?

We have accepted the court's judgment and we now have a new

timescale for revising the plan. We've already said we would update

our plans on the basis of vehicle emissions. I hope he will contribute

to the consultation launched on the 13th of October, and we will

encourage councils who applied for an air quality grant which will have

decisions made upon in due course. But what breast-feeding trends

initiative published a report in the UK last week which identified zero

out of ten in terms of the government's plans for protecting

young child feeding in such incidents are flooding. When our

colleagues work with the Department of Health but when there are cases

of flood and power cuts, that there plans in place to protect infants

and child feel feeding? I've already had discussions with various

departments and there is a group next week at which the Department of

help will be represented and make sure they are aware of her question.

Questions to the cheer of the Public accounts commission, and

representatives for the church committees, and the House of Commons

commission. -- church commission. The national law office uses its

resources -- National Audit Office uses its resources... Order. I think

he wishes to group this with question four? Well done. I

apologise. I am not used to being a minister like this, I am sorry! I

hate to break it to you! It does not show! The national law office uses

resources to provide direct support to Parliament, and in my humble view

the should be more, not less parliamentary scrutiny of Brexit.

Keeping in close contact with all the departments will provide

additional work for the NAO. What matters on Brexit do the NAO intend

to examine? They will focus initially on the capacity and

capability of departments to deliver an effective and efficient Brexit

process. They will work with all departments to assess potential

impact on the financial performance and position of exiting the European

Union. They are already, the NAO, the new Department for exiting the

European Union, -- working with them, and will ensure efficiency.

Following the rather over pessimistic forecast we heard about

yesterday from the OBR, would he agree that it would be interesting

to have another independent assessment from the NAO which might

show an optimistic post Brexit forecast? The NAO will not assess

any economic effects of exiting the EU, but what they can do is ensure

the civil service carries out their task with due diligence and

efficiency. I am confident that our civil service will do the job

properly, and the NAO is one of the best offices in the world. We will

make this process work efficiently and smoothly, as best we can. The

Church of England remains concerned about a number of religious

minorities across the world, not just Christian ones. Recently the

Bishop of Coventry travelled to northern Iraq to visit Christians in

moles all, because it is clear that questions remain about the continual

safety, and the need to make homes and businesses safe of they are to

sustain themselves. -- Mosul. I am grateful for the answer. Will she

join with me in paying tribute to the open doors organisation, who do

so much to raise awareness of the persecution of Christians around the

world, and often courageously defend communities? There are a number of

excellent organisations, like Christian Solidarity worldwide,

working to support the Christian community overseas. I plan to attend

a reception for the launch of the 2017 world watch list in January,

and I would commend that honourable members also attend. What

discussions did the Archbishop of Canterbury have in Pakistan during

his recent visit about religious persecution? He made his second

Pastoral visit to Pakistan last weekend, meeting the victims and

bereaved of the recent suicide bomb attacks in Islamabad and Lahore, but

he also met with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, where the conversation

was constructive around a range of matters, but regarding the Christian

community and the suffering of many Muslims and Christians in the

struggle against terrorism. What representations has she received in

relation to the persecution of Christians in Tehran? Last week we

had a conference which several bishops attended, and concern was

there that Christians cannot even congregate and are subject to...

Several bishops visited Iraq, and there is no question for

of this House that clearly there are of this House that clearly there are

safety and security issues and we look to the Foreign Office to help

religious minorities in the region. religious minorities in the region.

If we made it a criminal offence for a Christian to become a Muslim,

there would be outrage across the world. Yet Christians in many Arab

countries face legal persecution and prosecution if they convert from

Islam to Christianity. What representations are the church

making to these Arab countries that have such rules on apostasy? Nations

are sovereign, and we know that in this country there is an appetite to

respect sovereignty, but that does not preclude government ministers

and church leaders speaking with force to the ministers of countries

where religious minorities are pressed to ensure that there is

tolerance towards those minorities in their society. The Church of

England provides advice and support to parish churches in the following

ways. Through dioscese and advisory committees giving free advice,

specific offices to advise parishes regarding the care of historic

churches, the national church care churches, the national church care

website providing guidance, and schemes operated by church care.

Earlier this autumn, the Ministry of Earlier this autumn, the Ministry of

Defence announced that the royal citadel which includes a royal

chapel, will be released back. I suspect it will need a great deal of

investment. Who should I speak to about the restoration, and what is

the status of Saint Catherine is once they are released? That is a

specific question about a specific type of church, but I can assure him

that I will take up this specific case on his behalf on how we can

assist this transition to take place, but obviously the community

is able of itself to look at the is able of itself to look at the

church care website and see what is available to assist the church. He

has seen the way in which the church has insisted a church in the

Plymouth constituency to transform itself to meet the student community

with services appropriate for their age group in a style of worship they

enjoy. Previously one of the biggest problem that face the church in

relation to conservation was not only the cost for elderly churches,

craft skills eligible to do the craft skills eligible to do the

work. Now that the head of the church of -- the work at Buckingham

time as this place, as well as time as this place,

churches across the country, isn't churches across the country, isn't

it time to have an industrial strategy to get people trained in

these skills? I am sure he knew what a struggle it is to maintain these

ancient buildings, which is why the church is participating in the

ongoing review by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to examine

England churches, but I'm sure the England churches, but I'm sure the

honourable gentleman will join with me in thanking the Treasury for the

assistance with the centenary cathedral repairs fund from World

War I, helping 42 cathedrals throughout the country make

significant repairs and encourage young people into jobs in the crafts

he would encourage. The Church of England welcomes the red Wednesday

initiative from the age of the church in need, which is a

multi-faith initiative, and I would like to thank you, Mr Speaker, for

agreeing that the Palace of Westminster should join with Mr Mr

Abbott and cathedral and Lambeth Palace in lighting the buildings

yesterday in the colour red, in solidarity of those facing

persecution for the faith -- should join with Westminster Abbey. Can I

join her in joining those who let the church and other buildings,

including Parliament. I live in hope that religious persecution will

diminish and one day end, but will she join me in encouraging all

buildings to take part in next year, to make a public statement of our

solidarity with those suffering persecution in the grounds -- on the

grounds of their religious faith? Yes, I very much hope that other

significant buildings will join with us, but also the fact that students

from schools in many parts of the UK marked red Wednesday by wearing an

item of red clothing, holding prayer services themselves, as an example

of how we extend the importance of acknowledging the suffering of

religious minorities. I wonder if she will join me in the grand

committee room at 11 o'clock this morning, where I sponsor an event

for the wonderful organisation age of the church in need. It is such an

important issue. Three quarters of the world's population live in

countries where there is some sort of religious persecution, so this is

an important issue. I hope we can all unite behind her to voice our

concerns. This event is being held just after this set of questions, so

if honourable members would like to go to the grand committee room, they

will indeed find this report being launched, when we could do well to

read. -- one we could do well to read. The Church of England takes

anti-Semitism seriously and is supporting the work of the Chief

Rabbi to tackle the extreme language in the report. Anti-Semitic attacks

rose in the first six months of this year, and with the rise of hate

crimes since the Brexit vote in June, what role does she think the

Church of England, as the established Church of England, could

do in the whole of England? I could not commend enough the home affairs

select committee report to lead, a very disturbing rise in

anti-Semitism, which is why the Archbishop of Canterbury and the

Chief Rabbi last week launched an arrangement called in good faith,

which is at its early stages, but it will involve a commitment to work

together to counteract anti-Semitism. The commission has

given no formal consideration to move to electronic voting in the

House. Its responsibility is limited to any financial or staffing

implications of any change to the present system, were changed be

made. The committee to which the honourable member has been a member

since 2015 will be well placed to come up with proposals. It is a

pleasure to ask a question on the same side of the House. During the

higher education Bill report stage on Monday, we spent nearly one hour

trooping through division lobbies. Have the ever made the cost -- and

assessment of the cost from that bedtime? Surely the restoration

process presents an opportunity to pilot electronic voting, as we

cannot copy every detail we have just now. In 1997, he may not be

aware that this House did consider substantial changes to the way we

voted, and I am afraid the House voted to keep things exactly as they

were. In relation to the restoration and renewal issue, I do hope that by

perhaps early next year in this place, we will have a substantive

debate on it, which would be the opportunity for him to raise that

point. Does he agree that the current system affords members an

they are breath of their heavies and they are breath of their heavies and

spin doctors? -- bereft. It is true when trooping through division

lobbies there are opportunities to nobble ministers, but those

opportunities are more frequent for members of government than the

members of the opposition. But does he not agree that for members of the

opposition it gives an opportunity for team-building, which is an

opportunity! Will he do everything he can to keep this at the bottom of

his interest! I thank her for her intervention and it gives me the

opportunity to underline how important it is for her party for

team-building in the lobbies. Yes... Could I thank the honourable member

for the most timely question as we prepare for the arrival of Advent

this weekend. The Church of England are launching a new website on the

1st of December to help 2.7 million members of the public who attend

church over Advent, and 2.5 million people who attend at Christmas, find

their nearest church service or celebration.

Can she say how churches are being encouraged to use social media to

share the message of Christmas, and what the take-up of social media is

in churches in constituencies like mine? Services have been added by

5000 parishes to this website. There are filters, so disabled

parishioners can find out how easily they can access the church and a

filter for those who wish to know whether mince pies and mulled wine

are being served. There is also a video, as part of the social media

campaign, in which your very own chaplain will be giving how

important contribution. I do recommend we all watch that. That's

very good news, because she is an excellent woman, as everyone in the

house can testify. If I can say so house can testify. If I can say so

myself, a fine appointment... By me. Business question. But the leader of

the house please give us a forthcoming business? The business

for next week will be as follows. Monday, the remaining stages of the

Digital economy