:00:00. > :00:11.Hello and welcome to BBC Parliament's live coverage from the
:00:12. > :00:18.House of Commons. In half an hour, Theresa May will face the Labour
:00:19. > :00:22.leader Jeremy Corbyn and also other people's questioned a Prime
:00:23. > :00:30.Minister's Questions. Also the violins imprisons and the funding
:00:31. > :00:35.arrangements for schools in the UK. Kearney at -- join me later. Also we
:00:36. > :00:41.will talk to the Welsh Secretary Alun Kearns. But first the Speaker
:00:42. > :00:51.will talk about the bill. Although, the clerk will now read the title.
:00:52. > :00:58.Faversham Oyster fishery. The question is that the Bill be read a
:00:59. > :01:12.second time. Everybody say I know. The iMac has it. Questions from the
:01:13. > :01:13.Secretary of State for Wales. This Government recognises that
:01:14. > :01:25.delivering world-class infrastructure in the ... I hold
:01:26. > :01:32.regular meetings to issues relating to Wales. I think we should bring
:01:33. > :01:36.together stakeholders for the better in fermentation for working in
:01:37. > :01:44.partnership to improve more for businesses in Wales. The Mr Speaker.
:01:45. > :01:49.I notice he fails to mention the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon report. The
:01:50. > :01:55.six month independent review could not have been more conclusive.
:01:56. > :01:58.Moving ahead with a pathfinder at Swansea Bay as soon as reasonably
:01:59. > :02:06.practical is a no regrets policy. There may be much to digester nerve
:02:07. > :02:12.review, but there are no grounds to delay that industry. Can he tell is
:02:13. > :02:21.when the Government will give the green light to this? Thank you. I'm
:02:22. > :02:26.delighted to say that Charles Henry is already in Swansea looking about
:02:27. > :02:31.his report. The report was competitive and detailed in terms of
:02:32. > :02:34.the issues regarding the tidal lagoon. I'm sure you will agree with
:02:35. > :02:41.me that any decision must be good for the taxpayer and for the end
:02:42. > :02:46.user as well. The Minister will be aware of the campaign by the daily
:02:47. > :02:54.Post newspaper to improve mobile phone not spots. Clay ask what he is
:02:55. > :02:59.-- can I ask what is to improve data for phones? I'm grateful for these
:03:00. > :03:02.question. I would pay tribute to the daily Post a campaign in northern
:03:03. > :03:06.Wales which has highlighted this issue. This is one of the reasons I
:03:07. > :03:10.was keen to convene a summit of mobile opponent in the Mac phone
:03:11. > :03:14.providers and find out how we can practically more providers. One of
:03:15. > :03:19.the key issues for example is the planning regime in Wales which can
:03:20. > :03:22.be much more flexible in relation to the money being invested in Wales
:03:23. > :03:29.goes much further and deals with those not spots in all parts of
:03:30. > :03:34.Wales, either rural city. Thank you. EU structural funding has really
:03:35. > :03:40.helped improve key road routes across Wales. Once we have left the
:03:41. > :03:42.European Union, can the Minister confirmed the equivalent funding for
:03:43. > :03:50.projects like renewing the heads and the valleys road will continue?
:03:51. > :03:53.Well, again I thank you for your question. In your constituency,
:03:54. > :04:00.there has been clear impact in terms of the EU funding. Investments in
:04:01. > :04:04.the road and relative. The metro scheme will be generating ?106
:04:05. > :04:09.million in support from European funds. It should be remembered that
:04:10. > :04:16.that scheme is also supporting ?500 million from the Government. The
:04:17. > :04:27.assurance I can give is that it will put in place a framework to Wales
:04:28. > :04:34.which will be fair and sustainable. It is for percent of Conservative
:04:35. > :04:38.councillors, a former Conservative energy minister, both worlds energy
:04:39. > :04:40.minister sitting opposite and the Conservative Party manifesto also
:04:41. > :04:45.bought the Swansea tidal lagoon project. I notice that the Minister
:04:46. > :04:53.failed to answer the question. I will give him another opportunity.
:04:54. > :04:56.When will you kick-start the tidal lagoon project I'm grateful for the
:04:57. > :05:00.question, but I will restate that this decision is a decision which
:05:01. > :05:05.will be made across Government. There are other departments will
:05:06. > :05:10.have to look at this issue. I'm sure that you will agree that in an age
:05:11. > :05:14.where we are seeing industry in Wales worry about the cost of
:05:15. > :05:20.energy, it must be good for the Swansea, the lagoon, the taxpayer,
:05:21. > :05:29.the energy user in Wales. Last week and whence Mr Hall, -- Westminster
:05:30. > :05:34.Hall, bank loans will be supported by guarantee from the Treasury when
:05:35. > :05:37.we leave you. Can the Secretary of State or Minister tell the house
:05:38. > :05:41.what benefit European investment bank has brought to Wales and how
:05:42. > :05:47.much it has invested in Wales over the last ten years? I am sure the
:05:48. > :05:52.honourable Lady will join me in highlighting the success of the
:05:53. > :05:55.Swansea campus development in the investment bank context. I will sure
:05:56. > :05:58.you will also join me to paying tribute to the Treasury and the
:05:59. > :06:03.Chancellor of the Exchequer for securing and guaranteeing EU funding
:06:04. > :06:11.is up to the point that EU funding -- departure from the union. This
:06:12. > :06:14.Government has delivered a degree of protection for funding in Wales.
:06:15. > :06:25.There will be further announcements made in relation to further funding.
:06:26. > :06:30.With permission, I will answer questions two and five together. The
:06:31. > :06:34.UK including Wales remains the same outward looking globally minded
:06:35. > :06:36.country we have always been and to further support Wales's
:06:37. > :06:41.International business links, I'm pleased to announce I will be
:06:42. > :06:45.hosting a Wales business Summit in Cardiff during early March to ensure
:06:46. > :06:51.businesses in Wales have full access to UK Government support. The
:06:52. > :06:54.Republic of Ireland is of course one of Wales most important trading
:06:55. > :07:00.partners with around 360,000 trucks passing through Welsh sports to
:07:01. > :07:02.Ireland every year. Can I encourage my honourable friend to really get
:07:03. > :07:07.involved in the discussions about future UK, Irish border and custom
:07:08. > :07:13.controls to make sure that it upholds the peace process in the
:07:14. > :07:22.north and also aids Wales with the lack of checks. You are a true
:07:23. > :07:26.champion of the poor in Milford Haven. The benefits it brings to the
:07:27. > :07:30.Welsh and the UK economy and it has paid a significant part in
:07:31. > :07:33.developing it. As renegotiate our exit from the European Union and the
:07:34. > :07:36.special situation between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Island,
:07:37. > :07:41.the well situation is not ignored every joint ministerial committee
:07:42. > :07:48.has recognised -- been recognised not only by the Secretary of State
:07:49. > :07:55.but also by the Prime Minister. Given the first-class universities
:07:56. > :07:57.in Wales including my own, will my right honourable friend confirmed
:07:58. > :08:02.that he will highlight direct butties as part of their assessment
:08:03. > :08:07.of international business links? That is an important point. I
:08:08. > :08:10.mentioned that the joint ministerial committee involving the devolved
:08:11. > :08:13.administrations plays an important part, but that does not mean that
:08:14. > :08:19.universities themselves for example will have a part to play with the
:08:20. > :08:22.negotiations of exiting European Union. I spoke to the Vice
:08:23. > :08:26.Chancellor of Cardiff University last week and I'm happy to maintain
:08:27. > :08:29.a close relationship with my honourable friend is to make sure
:08:30. > :08:33.that all university to cross the whole of the United Kingdom have
:08:34. > :08:39.their say as we negotiate to accept the European union. That response
:08:40. > :08:42.was not good enough. We have had the same response of the question for
:08:43. > :08:48.some time. We're going to have a common travel area. It is going to
:08:49. > :08:51.impact heavily on Welsh ports. Will the Secretary of State but the case
:08:52. > :08:56.for Welsh ports and Welsh members of Parliament so we can have a Welsh
:08:57. > :09:00.dimension to this important trade? I'm grateful for the honourable
:09:01. > :09:03.member for highlighting the issue relating to Holyhead, that has also
:09:04. > :09:07.been taken into consideration in the discussions that we have cost about
:09:08. > :09:13.half the honourable member and any colleagues he wishes to bring along.
:09:14. > :09:17.The issue to Holyhead and Milford Haven is absolutely important to the
:09:18. > :09:21.Welsh and the UK economy and it has common issues that relate to
:09:22. > :09:24.Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. We want to make sure that
:09:25. > :09:28.we get a deal that works for all situations. I'm through pleased that
:09:29. > :09:33.the Secretary of State mentioned universities it is response about
:09:34. > :09:37.international business links. Is he aware of the profound concern that
:09:38. > :09:43.most value elite mag vice chancellors including the Wrexham
:09:44. > :09:49.had has about the impact of changes of the migration rules are going to
:09:50. > :09:54.have of students from within the EU and outside the EU and will he
:09:55. > :09:57.discuss this in detail with them? And grateful to the honourable
:09:58. > :10:02.member for the question. As well as the universities I have highlighted
:10:03. > :10:05.already, I am in close engagements with universities in Wales are
:10:06. > :10:08.reputable universities. I'm happy to read any of the Vice chancellors
:10:09. > :10:13.about the situation. Many assumptions have been made around
:10:14. > :10:18.migration controls, it is in our interests to ensure the universities
:10:19. > :10:21.can prosper. Immigration or migration of international students
:10:22. > :10:27.are an important part of their model. Controlling immigration does
:10:28. > :10:31.not mean stopping immigration. I'm glad there is concentration on
:10:32. > :10:35.universities and answers to this. You'll be aware that just after the
:10:36. > :10:42.Mac before Christmas the Cardiff School of chemistry was formally
:10:43. > :10:45.awarded the title of Regent Professor of chemistry. Recognising
:10:46. > :10:49.exceptionally high quality of research done at Cardiff University.
:10:50. > :10:54.What is he doing about making sure our institutions and professors get
:10:55. > :10:58.these accolades and we can stand alone international stage? My
:10:59. > :11:02.honourable friend makes an important point in relation to the success of
:11:03. > :11:07.the role of universities. The UK Government has a part of their
:11:08. > :11:12.recognising in championing that as well as using UK money. He is also
:11:13. > :11:20.right to highlight the new professor Bill was awarded to Cardiff
:11:21. > :11:25.University, that underlines how chemistry was successful. We are
:11:26. > :11:34.keen to make sure that we play Nicole Lee Mack global stage. -- we
:11:35. > :11:39.play on a global stage. Will he not rule out a trade defence mechanism
:11:40. > :11:44.for steel if that is what is required for steel worker's jobs? I
:11:45. > :11:47.think the honourable member for raising the steel industry. It is an
:11:48. > :11:51.important industry for communities in Wales. It is of strategic
:11:52. > :11:57.importance in the whole of the United Kingdom. Last week, I met all
:11:58. > :12:02.of the unions relating to steal. We discussed the challenges that exist
:12:03. > :12:07.and how the company and the pension trustees and the pensioners as well
:12:08. > :12:10.as employees of the steelworks need to work their way through and the
:12:11. > :12:14.Government stands ready to support the industry. We are determined to
:12:15. > :12:18.find a long-term, sustainable future for the steel industry and I
:12:19. > :12:24.recognise the importance of the delete Matt Wells and the UK.
:12:25. > :12:29.This government has put in place and industrial strategy that will work
:12:30. > :12:38.for all people in every corner of the UK. Wales is home to world
:12:39. > :12:41.leading sectors. We are committed to building on our strengths to create
:12:42. > :12:45.an economy where everyone can share the benefits of our economic
:12:46. > :12:48.success. One of the most important themes of the government 's
:12:49. > :12:52.industrial strategy is the determination to ensure all nations
:12:53. > :12:55.and regions of the UK can benefit from economic prosperity. An
:12:56. > :13:00.important aspect is science and research. It offers real potential
:13:01. > :13:07.for businesses in Wales to prosper and create jobs. I absolutely agree.
:13:08. > :13:12.In terms of the importance of investing in skills and high-tech
:13:13. > :13:15.industries in the Welsh context. Our university sector, I know, stand
:13:16. > :13:20.ready to support the Welsh economy to ensure we have those skills in
:13:21. > :13:27.moving forward. What representations has the Minister made regarding
:13:28. > :13:31.placing steel at the heart of its industrial strategy and how will the
:13:32. > :13:36.UK Government support the innovative products and projects coming out of
:13:37. > :13:39.Swansea University that picture -- future proofed steel-making for many
:13:40. > :13:46.generations? I am grateful for the question. As my right honourable
:13:47. > :13:50.friend stated previously, he recently met with the trade unions
:13:51. > :13:55.in relation to the steel sector. One of my first visits as a minister was
:13:56. > :14:00.to the Tata Steel plant in Deeside. We importance the importance of
:14:01. > :14:03.steel to Wales. This government has been unyielding in its support of
:14:04. > :14:08.the steel industry in Wales. The UK has lacked a strategic approach for
:14:09. > :14:13.many years and Wales has suffered as a result. What specific message --
:14:14. > :14:17.measures in the government 's industrial strategy will be brought
:14:18. > :14:23.in to help Wales? I think it is important to state the industrial
:14:24. > :14:29.straight win of the state must be a partnership between the two
:14:30. > :14:38.governments that Wales has. Wales will see it self prosper if the two
:14:39. > :14:42.governments work together. The two governments are working together to
:14:43. > :14:45.ensure the best for Wales in terms of industrial strategy and
:14:46. > :14:48.developing new opportunities for the people of Wales. As the Minister has
:14:49. > :14:54.said, we have many employed -- important employers on Deeside but
:14:55. > :14:57.we also have many important companies in the supply chain who
:14:58. > :15:07.are very important and we have got to encourage those and four more to
:15:08. > :15:11.come post Brexit. I agree entirely. Deeside is a great success story, in
:15:12. > :15:14.terms of the UK economy, not just the Welsh economy but he is
:15:15. > :15:17.absolutely right, we need to build on that success by drawing in more
:15:18. > :15:23.investment and that is why the Secretary of State and myself will
:15:24. > :15:32.be holding a summit in the near future. Will he make sure that this
:15:33. > :15:35.is part of an industrial strategy for Wales because we don't have
:15:36. > :15:41.enough people in this country to complete the work, we need to get
:15:42. > :15:50.every academy in every constituency in the land to have young people to
:15:51. > :15:53.work in this building? I will not comment on the issue of the
:15:54. > :15:57.refurbishment of this palace. But I agree entirely in terms of the
:15:58. > :16:01.importance of getting skills which are relevant to the fabric of
:16:02. > :16:07.buildings in Wales, historic buildings especially and that is why
:16:08. > :16:13.I pay tribute to the college which is training not just with building
:16:14. > :16:20.skills by traditional skills as well.
:16:21. > :16:23.We are determined to get the best deal on leaving the European Union
:16:24. > :16:29.and we want a world leading food and farming industry and the cleanest
:16:30. > :16:45.health environment for generations. Agriculture is a devolved sector.
:16:46. > :16:50.Thank you, Mr Speaker. Thank you for that. Can he confirm if once the UK
:16:51. > :16:54.leaves the European Union that policy and funding aspects of
:16:55. > :16:57.agriculture will be devolved to the regions or will that policy remains
:16:58. > :17:03.here for the United Kingdom government? It is certainly the case
:17:04. > :17:09.that agriculture policy is currently devolved. There will be repatriated
:17:10. > :17:13.not powers from Westminster to bash from Brussels to West Mr. There is a
:17:14. > :17:16.positive discussion between Westminster and Welsh Government in
:17:17. > :17:19.relation to where powers will I. What I am saying quite categorically
:17:20. > :17:25.is that partnership is essential for the success of agriculture and that
:17:26. > :17:28.partnership must be constructive and objective in terms of what works for
:17:29. > :17:39.the farming industry in Wales and the UK. Many of my constituents farm
:17:40. > :17:42.cross-border and produce excellent high-quality British agricultural
:17:43. > :17:47.produce. What steps has the Minister taken to make sure the widest
:17:48. > :17:53.possible market access for that produce post Brexit? Again, I agree
:17:54. > :17:57.entirely with my honourable friend who knows the agricultural sector in
:17:58. > :18:01.North Wales and Cheshire extremely well and understands the
:18:02. > :18:04.cross-border nature of any farming in Wales. I think the key point is
:18:05. > :18:08.that we must be aware of the fact that we do have a great product to
:18:09. > :18:13.offer the arrest of the world and it is essential that we go out and sell
:18:14. > :18:16.the product. That is why we are forging a close relationship with
:18:17. > :18:19.the Secretary of State for foreign trade. It is essential that we grow
:18:20. > :18:29.the markets rather than be defensive about the issue. Isn't this
:18:30. > :18:37.wonderful opportunity to reform agricultural subsidies, to decouple
:18:38. > :18:41.Wales from the system in England, not as they are awarded in Wales for
:18:42. > :18:46.producing food and shouldn't we end the system of paying millionaires
:18:47. > :18:52.and billionaires up to ?1 million each a year while Welsh farmers have
:18:53. > :18:56.to struggle with small subsidies? Should we have Welsh policies for
:18:57. > :19:00.Welsh farmers? The aim of this government is to ensure that we have
:19:01. > :19:04.a farming policy that will be right for the UK and right for Wales. I
:19:05. > :19:08.have to say however that the honourable gentleman was much more
:19:09. > :19:13.positive about our farming industry in the debate and I agreed with his
:19:14. > :19:17.comments at that debate that it is essential that we support the
:19:18. > :19:18.farming industry in Wales whilst moving forward following our
:19:19. > :19:22.from the European Union. Does the from the European Union. Does the
:19:23. > :19:25.Minister agree that Brexit gives us the opportunity to set a new
:19:26. > :19:30.agricultural policy in Wales, starting with positive changes to
:19:31. > :19:33.cap? I entirely agree with my honourable friend. In view of the
:19:34. > :19:37.fact that we have decided to leave the European Union, it is essential
:19:38. > :19:39.now that we develop an agricultural system which works for farmers in
:19:40. > :19:43.Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom. One of the issues at the
:19:44. > :19:46.Common agricultural policy was guilty of was the fossilisation of
:19:47. > :19:50.Welsh farming because it was encouraging people not to retire. It
:19:51. > :19:54.is essential that we look at some of the problems created by that policy
:19:55. > :20:02.whilst we are designing a new system for Wales. As well as the Welsh
:20:03. > :20:05.agricultural sector, 68% of Welsh exports go to the European Union, so
:20:06. > :20:08.perhaps the Minister can tell is this afternoon how it is that
:20:09. > :20:13.leaving the single market and the Customs unit will lead to a better
:20:14. > :20:16.deal for Welsh exporters? The honourable gentleman is right in
:20:17. > :20:19.terms of the percentage of Welsh exports which go to the European
:20:20. > :20:24.Union but I think he should realise that access to the single market is
:20:25. > :20:27.what is now crucial. It is very clear we will not be members of the
:20:28. > :20:31.single market. That was apparent as a result of the European Union
:20:32. > :20:34.leaving decision but we need to negotiate as good an access deal
:20:35. > :20:40.with European Union as possible and I think that will be possible in due
:20:41. > :20:50.course. Last Friday I visited a Farmers Union of Wales meeting. Only
:20:51. > :20:55.three years from now, Welsh farmers as a sector face a perfect storm.
:20:56. > :20:59.Can the Minister reveal what transitional arrangements have been
:21:00. > :21:05.put in place to safeguard the rural economy? I thank the honourable lady
:21:06. > :21:10.for her question and the use of the phrase perfect storm. I would have
:21:11. > :21:15.to reassure the honourable lady that the issue should be about access to
:21:16. > :21:17.the single market and whilst the Farmers Union of Wales have
:21:18. > :21:23.expressed their concern at the decision to leave the single market,
:21:24. > :21:26.my meetings with the farming unions in Wales have highlighted access to
:21:27. > :21:34.the single market as being the crucial issue for Welsh farmers.
:21:35. > :21:41.During Welsh questions last April, the Parliamentary undersecretary for
:21:42. > :21:47.state for Wales said the... Shows how important that market is. 90% of
:21:48. > :21:51.Welsh agricultural produce is exported to the European Union and
:21:52. > :21:54.we should not risk that. Given those comments could he explain why his
:21:55. > :22:01.government wishes to leave the single market? At risk of repeating
:22:02. > :22:04.myself once again, the honourable member is right, 90% of Welsh
:22:05. > :22:09.farming exports go to the European Union. He is correct in saying that.
:22:10. > :22:13.This is why I have repeatedly stated that the issue that farmers in Wales
:22:14. > :22:17.are concerned about is access to the single market. That is the issue
:22:18. > :22:19.that will make a difference to Welsh farmers and that is what we will be
:22:20. > :22:36.working towards. With permission, I will answer
:22:37. > :22:40.questions six, seven and nine together. Since the vote to leave
:22:41. > :22:43.the European Union, we have seen unemployment hit record highs and
:22:44. > :22:48.there are now 4000 fewer people unemployed than six months ago.
:22:49. > :22:52.Trade with European Union is important to Wales but it is clear
:22:53. > :22:56.we need to increase our trade with the fastest growing markets across
:22:57. > :22:59.the world. It is time for Wales like Britain to rediscover its role as a
:23:00. > :23:07.great global training nation. -- trading nation.
:23:08. > :23:12.Hopefully the whole chamber will celebrate Robert Burns today. This
:23:13. > :23:16.week, Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Government published a white part --
:23:17. > :23:19.White paper outlining their concerns on Wales leaving the European Union.
:23:20. > :23:24.What actions will the UK Government take to address the concerns raised
:23:25. > :23:31.by the two largest parties in the Welsh Parliament? The Prime Minister
:23:32. > :23:36.was awaiting the document that came from the Welsh Government. It was
:23:37. > :23:39.received on Monday. Of course, we will work through the detail and it
:23:40. > :23:45.will be subject to a discussion at the joint ministerial committee of
:23:46. > :23:50.European negotiations. That is the right place for it to be considered
:23:51. > :23:53.and discussed. But much of the access in that language and
:23:54. > :23:56.accessing the single market is not incompatible with that mentioned by
:23:57. > :24:06.my right honourable friend, the primers. That's Prime Minister.
:24:07. > :24:14.The Scottish parliament will also vote on... Doesn't the Minister
:24:15. > :24:18.agree that any spirit of democracy, it is the devolved government the
:24:19. > :24:22.best place to determine the future for the people living and working in
:24:23. > :24:27.our nations? We would like to hear the reply. The legislative consent
:24:28. > :24:34.motion of course should be a matter for the devolved administrations,
:24:35. > :24:38.where they choose to table when or not. I would say that the approach
:24:39. > :24:42.that my right honourable friend the Prime Minister and the government as
:24:43. > :24:45.a whole is taking is to engage positively with the devolved
:24:46. > :24:48.administrations, with the Scottish Government and Northern Ireland
:24:49. > :24:51.executive, and rightly with the Welsh Government but of course we
:24:52. > :24:58.will also want to engage with other stakeholders in the nations as well.
:24:59. > :25:07.North Wales has been designated the central maintenance sector for all
:25:08. > :25:10.European F 35 fighters. Can the Minister assure this house that the
:25:11. > :25:15.aerospace companies in North Wales will be given the same assurances as
:25:16. > :25:23.Nissan that leaving the single market will not result in the loss
:25:24. > :25:29.of access to European skilled work? I am delighted that the honourable
:25:30. > :25:31.member highlighted the success of Sealand in winning the F 35
:25:32. > :25:36.contract. It will be the global repair her. I was there just on
:25:37. > :25:40.Monday celebrating and recognising the effects and the impact that
:25:41. > :25:44.employees had therein winning that global contract. The significance
:25:45. > :25:47.should not be understated. It offers positive prospects for the supply
:25:48. > :25:53.chain and for that centre for decades to come. The Prime Minister
:25:54. > :25:59.has talked of a bold new trading relationship with New Zealand. Can I
:26:00. > :26:02.ask the Minister to relate to the Prime Minister the concern of many
:26:03. > :26:08.Welsh farmers, genuinely concerned that they are losing potentially
:26:09. > :26:11.access to the biggest market on the continent in favour of a market on
:26:12. > :26:17.the other side of the world, a direct competitor? Welsh produce,
:26:18. > :26:21.Welsh lamb and beef in particular, is world leading and there are great
:26:22. > :26:28.opportunities as we exit the European Union to explore and
:26:29. > :26:30.exploit new markets. Her beaky Cymru recognises the ?20 million that can
:26:31. > :26:37.be brought to from accessing the North American market. My right
:26:38. > :26:42.honourable friend the Prime Minister will put Britain first in any
:26:43. > :26:47.negotiations. I am not seeking a running commentary or any detail but
:26:48. > :26:51.a special deal was cut for the car industry in the north-east. Did he
:26:52. > :26:58.seek a similar deal for the car industry in Wales? I don't recognise
:26:59. > :27:02.the basis of the question. The automotive sector is exceptionally
:27:03. > :27:05.strong in Wales, partly as a result of the Nissan contract in Sunderland
:27:06. > :27:10.where many of the supplier companies are based in Wales. I would also
:27:11. > :27:13.draw attention to the great success at my right honourable friend the
:27:14. > :27:17.Secretary of State for Defence played in bringing Aston Martin to
:27:18. > :27:24.Wales. It is a fantastic success on that MOD base and something we
:27:25. > :27:26.should recognise and celebrate. Up to 200,000 jobs in Wales depend on
:27:27. > :27:31.our membership of the European Union and the single market and the
:27:32. > :27:36.customs union. I am not going to go through every sector but will he be
:27:37. > :27:40.seeking sectoral deals for important part of the Welsh economy as we
:27:41. > :27:45.leave the European Union? Mr Speaker, it is clear we want to get
:27:46. > :27:49.the best deal for the whole of the United Kingdom, we want to ensure
:27:50. > :27:52.that the market within the United Kingdom works effectively. After
:27:53. > :27:56.all, the most important market to Wales is the market from within the
:27:57. > :28:00.United Kingdom but he can take confidence in that Wales has been
:28:01. > :28:03.the fastest-growing economy outside London since 2010 and that is on the
:28:04. > :28:15.back of this government 's policies and success. We are visited today by
:28:16. > :28:22.the speaker of the Burnie 's parliament and he's
:28:23. > :28:31.I am sure the whole House will wish to join me in welcoming Mr Speaker
:28:32. > :28:36.and his colleagues. Order, questions to the Prime Minister, Helen Jones!
:28:37. > :28:42.Number one, Sir. The Prime Minister. As the response from the whole House
:28:43. > :28:45.showed, we do indeed all welcome the Speaker of the Burmese Parliament
:28:46. > :28:49.and his colleagues to see our deliberations today. I am also sure
:28:50. > :28:54.that the whole house will join me in sending our thoughts to the police
:28:55. > :28:59.officer who was shot in Belfast over the weekend, and to his friends and
:29:00. > :29:04.family. PSNI do a superb job in keeping us set and secure. Mr
:29:05. > :29:10.Speaker, this morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and
:29:11. > :29:13.others. In a addition to my duties in this house, I will further such
:29:14. > :29:19.meetings, and later this week I will travel to the United States for with
:29:20. > :29:22.President Trump. May I join the Prime Minister in sending good
:29:23. > :29:30.wishes to the police officer who was shot in Belfast? They are the best
:29:31. > :29:36.strikers on social mobility, 99% are rated good or outstanding, and 65%
:29:37. > :29:39.of their places are in the most deprived areas of this country. So
:29:40. > :29:46.why is the Prime Minister introducing cuts that threatened the
:29:47. > :29:50.very existence of maintained nursery schools? When it comes to social
:29:51. > :29:56.mobility, her actions speak far louder than her words. I want to
:29:57. > :30:00.ensure, and this Government wants to ensure, that we see good quality
:30:01. > :30:06.education at every age and at every stage for children in this country.
:30:07. > :30:09.That is why we are looking at improving the number of good school
:30:10. > :30:13.places, budget talks about my record, speaking louder than words.
:30:14. > :30:17.Can I just point out to the honourable lady that I was very
:30:18. > :30:21.proud, as chairman of an education authority in London in the 1990s, to
:30:22. > :30:28.introduce nursery school places for every three and four -year-old whose
:30:29. > :30:34.parents wanted one? The Prime Minister laid out a clear and bold
:30:35. > :30:44.plan for Brexit in her speech last week. Honourable... Honourable
:30:45. > :30:48.members... Honourable members, quite rightly, want an opportunity to
:30:49. > :30:53.scrutinise that plan. Does the Prime Minister agree that the best way of
:30:54. > :31:00.facilitating that scrutiny would be a government white paper, laying out
:31:01. > :31:04.the vision for a global Britain, based on free trade, in goods and
:31:05. > :31:10.services, that will be to the benefit of ours and other European
:31:11. > :31:13.countries? Well, my honourable friend raises the question of
:31:14. > :31:17.Parliamentary scrutiny. I have been clear, as have senior ministers,
:31:18. > :31:21.that we will ensure that Parliament has every opportunity to provide
:31:22. > :31:26.that scrutiny on this issue as we go through this process. By directing
:31:27. > :31:30.nice, I set out that bold plan for a global Britain last week, and I
:31:31. > :31:39.recognise there is an opportunity for a white paper. My honourable
:31:40. > :31:45.friend's question, I can confirm to the House that our plan will be set
:31:46. > :31:53.out in a white paper. Jeremy Corbyn! Mr Speaker, I joined the Prime
:31:54. > :31:57.Minister in condolences, in expressing condolences, I am sure,
:31:58. > :32:01.the whole House to the family of the police officer who lost his life
:32:02. > :32:08.over the weekend in Northern Ireland. Mr Speaker, the Prime
:32:09. > :32:13.Minister has wasted 80 days between the time of the original judgment
:32:14. > :32:17.and the appeal, and is now finally admitting today, after pressure from
:32:18. > :32:22.all sides, that there is going to be a date paper. Could we know when
:32:23. > :32:31.this white paper is going to be available to us? And why it has
:32:32. > :32:38.taken so long to get it? LAUGHTER
:32:39. > :32:41.Prime Minister! Can I say to the right honourable gentleman, he asked
:32:42. > :32:44.for debates, I was very clear there will always be debates in this
:32:45. > :32:51.House, and there will continue to be. The asked for votes, the House
:32:52. > :32:54.voted overwhelmingly for the Government to trigger Article 50
:32:55. > :32:58.before the end of March this year. He asked for a plan, I set out, as
:32:59. > :33:04.my honourable friend for Croydon South said, a clear plan for a bold
:33:05. > :33:07.future for Britain. He and others ask for a white paper, I have been
:33:08. > :33:14.clear there will be a white paper. But I am also clear that the right
:33:15. > :33:19.honourable gentleman always ask about process, about the means to
:33:20. > :33:25.the end. I and this government are focusing on the outcomes. We are
:33:26. > :33:29.focusing... We are focusing on a truly global Britain, building a
:33:30. > :33:35.stronger future for this country, the right deal for Britain and
:33:36. > :33:38.Britain out of the European Union. Jeremy Corbyn! Mr Speaker, I
:33:39. > :33:44.question wasn't complicated, it's just asked when the white paper will
:33:45. > :33:49.come out! And will it be published before or at the same time as the
:33:50. > :33:54.bill that is apparently about to be published? Mr Speaker, last week, I
:33:55. > :33:59.asked the Prime Minister repeatedly to clarify whether her government is
:34:00. > :34:04.prepared to pay to secure tariff free access to the single European
:34:05. > :34:09.market. She repeatedly refused to answer the question, so I will ask
:34:10. > :34:14.again. Is there a government ruling out paying a fee for tariff free
:34:15. > :34:19.access to the single market, or the bespoke Customs union that she
:34:20. > :34:23.outlined also in a speech? Than I first of all say to the right
:34:24. > :34:28.honourable gentleman, in his reference to the timing issue, these
:34:29. > :34:31.are two separate issues. The House has overwhelmingly voted that
:34:32. > :34:35.Article 50 should be triggered before the end of March 2017,
:34:36. > :34:39.following the Supreme Court judgment a bill will be provided for this
:34:40. > :34:44.House, and there will be the proper debate in this chamber and another
:34:45. > :34:47.place on that bill. There is then the separate question of publishing
:34:48. > :34:52.the plan that I have set out, a bold vision for Britain for the future. I
:34:53. > :34:56.will do that in a white paper, and the right honourable gentleman knows
:34:57. > :35:03.that one of our objectives is the best possible free trade arrangement
:35:04. > :35:06.with the European Union, and that is what we will be negotiating for.
:35:07. > :35:10.Jeremy Corbyn! Some of this is very worrying too many people in this
:35:11. > :35:14.House, but more importantly it is worrying to many others. For
:35:15. > :35:19.instance, the chief executive of Nissan was given assurances about
:35:20. > :35:24.future trade arrangements with Europe but now says they will have
:35:25. > :35:30.to re-evaluate the situation about their investments in Britain. The
:35:31. > :35:34.Prime Minister, Mr Speaker, is threatening the EU that unless they
:35:35. > :35:38.give in to her demands, she will turn Britain into a bargain basement
:35:39. > :35:44.stacks save and off the coast of Europe. -- bargain basement tax
:35:45. > :35:47.haven. We on this side of the House are very well aware of the
:35:48. > :35:51.consequences that would have, the damage it would do two jobs and
:35:52. > :35:57.living standards and our public services. Is she now going to rule
:35:58. > :36:03.out the bargain basement thread that was in his speech at Lancaster
:36:04. > :36:06.House? Prime Minister! I expect us to get a good deal in trading
:36:07. > :36:12.relationships with the European Union, but I am clear we will not
:36:13. > :36:16.sign up to a bad deal for the United Kingdom, and as to the threats that
:36:17. > :36:20.the right parable gentleman claims about what might happen, and he
:36:21. > :36:23.often talks about this, he uses those phrases, talking about
:36:24. > :36:28.workers' rights, perhaps he should listen to his former colleague, the
:36:29. > :36:31.Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who has today said, to give credit to the
:36:32. > :36:36.Government, I don't think they want to weaken workers' rights, and he
:36:37. > :36:39.goes on to say, I have Cena evidence from the conversations I have had
:36:40. > :36:44.with senior members of the government that that is their
:36:45. > :36:51.aspiration or their intention or something they want to do. -- I have
:36:52. > :36:55.seen no evidence. As usual with Labour, the right hand is not
:36:56. > :37:04.talking to the far left! Jeremy Corbyn! Mr Speaker... Mr Speaker,
:37:05. > :37:07.the... The evidence of what the Tory party and this government really
:37:08. > :37:14.thinks about workers' rights was there for all to see yesterday. A
:37:15. > :37:20.private member's bill under the ten minute rule by a Tory MP to tear up
:37:21. > :37:24.parts of the international labour organisation Convention, talking
:37:25. > :37:28.down my friend the member for Grimsby's built to protect European
:37:29. > :37:32.workers' rights that have been attained in this country. That is
:37:33. > :37:46.the real agenda of the Tory party! Mr Speaker, what the Prime Minister
:37:47. > :37:50.is doing is petted -- petulantly aiming threats about a bargain
:37:51. > :37:55.basement Britain, is a priority the struggling NHS, those denied social
:37:56. > :38:01.care, children having funding cut, or once again be the cuts in big
:38:02. > :38:06.business taxation to make the rich even better off? Prime Minister! I
:38:07. > :38:09.would simply remind the right honourable gentleman on the issue of
:38:10. > :38:12.workers' rights that I have been very clear that this government will
:38:13. > :38:15.protect workers' rights, indeed we have a review of modern employment
:38:16. > :38:21.law to ensure that legislation is keeping up with the modern labour
:38:22. > :38:24.market. One of the objectives I set out in my plan for our negotiating
:38:25. > :38:28.objectives was to protect workers' rights, but he talks about threats
:38:29. > :38:33.to public services. I will tell him what the threat to public services
:38:34. > :38:40.would be, a Labour government borrowing 500 million extra! That
:38:41. > :38:47.would destroy our economy and mean no funding for our public services.
:38:48. > :38:51.Jeremy Corbyn! The threat to workers' rights, Mr Speaker, is
:38:52. > :38:55.there every day. Six million and in less than the living wage, many
:38:56. > :39:01.people, nearly a million, on zero hours contracts, no protection
:39:02. > :39:06.offered by this government. They are offering, once again, the bargain
:39:07. > :39:10.basement alternative. Will the Prime Minister, Mr Speaker, take this
:39:11. > :39:15.opportunity today to congratulate the 100,000 people who marched in
:39:16. > :39:18.Britain last weekend to highlight women's rights after President
:39:19. > :39:25.Trump's inauguration and express their concerns about his misogyny?
:39:26. > :39:28.Because many have concerns, Mr Speaker, that in her forthcoming
:39:29. > :39:38.meeting with President Trump, she will be prepared to offer up. Five
:39:39. > :39:41.is -- to offer up for sacrifice the opportunity for American companies
:39:42. > :39:46.to take over part of our NHS or our public services. Will she assure the
:39:47. > :39:51.House that in any trade deal none of those things will be offered up as a
:39:52. > :39:55.bargaining chip? Prime Minister! Again, I would point out to the
:39:56. > :39:58.honourable gentleman that this government introduced the national
:39:59. > :40:04.living wage. This government has made changes to 0-hours contracts.
:40:05. > :40:08.But on the issue of my visit to the United States of America, on the
:40:09. > :40:14.issue of my visit, I am pleased that I am able to meet President Trump so
:40:15. > :40:17.early in his administration. That is a sign of the strength of the
:40:18. > :40:22.special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States
:40:23. > :40:27.of America, a special relationship on which he and I intend to build.
:40:28. > :40:32.But can I also say to the Leader of the Opposition, I am not afraid to
:40:33. > :40:36.speak frankly to a President of the United States. I am able to do that
:40:37. > :40:40.because we have that special relationship. A special relationship
:40:41. > :40:47.that he would never have with the United States. Jeremy Corbyn! Mr
:40:48. > :40:52.Speaker, we would never allow Britain to be sold off on the cheap.
:40:53. > :40:57.How confident is she of getting a good deal for global Britain from a
:40:58. > :41:04.president who wants to put America first, by American and build a wall
:41:05. > :41:08.between his country and Mexico? Mr Speaker, Article 50 wasn't about a
:41:09. > :41:13.court judgments against this government, what is signified was
:41:14. > :41:18.the bad judgment of this government, the bad judgment of prioritising
:41:19. > :41:22.corporate tax cuts overinvestment in national health and social care. The
:41:23. > :41:29.bad judgment of threatening European partners whilst offering a blank
:41:30. > :41:35.cheque to President Trump! The bad judgment of wanting to turn Britain
:41:36. > :41:40.into a bargain basement tax haven. So will she offers some clarity and
:41:41. > :41:43.some certainty and withdraw the threats to destroy the social
:41:44. > :41:45.structure of this country by turning us into the bargain basement that
:41:46. > :41:55.she clearly threatens? We will be out around the world with
:41:56. > :41:58.the EU Americans and other countries negotiating good trade deals for
:41:59. > :42:01.this country to bring prosperity. The right honourable gentleman wants
:42:02. > :42:06.to talk about Brexit. I have to say to him, he is the leader of the
:42:07. > :42:10.party, he can not agree with his Shadow Chancellor about Brexit. The
:42:11. > :42:13.Shadow Chancellor can't agree with the shadow Brexit secretary, the
:42:14. > :42:15.shadow Brexit secretary disagrees with the Shadow Home Secretary and
:42:16. > :42:21.the Shadow Home Secretary has to read up the leader and tell him to
:42:22. > :42:25.change his mind. He talks about us standing up for Britain, they can't
:42:26. > :42:40.speak for themselves, they'll never speak for Britain. SHOUTING AND
:42:41. > :42:44.JEERS Thank you Mr Speaker, on 27th
:42:45. > :42:49.December, another young woman lost her life driving through the West
:42:50. > :42:54.Country on the A303. In the past decade more than 1,000 people have
:42:55. > :43:01.been killed or injured on that road. For 40 years governments have
:43:02. > :43:04.promised to dual the lethal parts of the road where they become two and
:43:05. > :43:07.three with no central reservation. The queues on the road are also
:43:08. > :43:12.legendary. I know the Government is comuted to an upgrade but can the
:43:13. > :43:16.Prime Minister assure us that the proposed tunnel at Stonehenge will
:43:17. > :43:21.not hold up essential work elsewhere and we'll soon see cones on the road
:43:22. > :43:23.and spades in the ground? Well my honourable friend raises an
:43:24. > :43:28.important issue. He is absolutely right to do that. I can assure him
:43:29. > :43:33.we are working generally to improve the safety of our roads. He refers
:43:34. > :43:37.specifically to the issue of the A303 and the tragic incident that
:43:38. > :43:42.happened on 27th December. We've committed to creating a dual
:43:43. > :43:47.carriageway on the A303 from the M3 to M5. I understand highways England
:43:48. > :43:50.have launched a a consultation into the route under Stonehenge and my
:43:51. > :43:55.honourable friend will want to look closely at this issue. This is all
:43:56. > :43:58.part of our ?2 billion investment in road improvement that will improve
:43:59. > :44:03.connections in the south-west but I can assure him that we have road
:44:04. > :44:09.safety at the forefront of our mind. I begin by wishing everybody a very
:44:10. > :44:16.happy Burns Day and of course extending congratulations to the
:44:17. > :44:26.Scotsman newspaper which is celebrating its by centenary today.
:44:27. > :44:30.Yesterday ... To Brexit. So, in the spirit of progress for Parliament,
:44:31. > :44:36.in advance of meeting President Trump, will the Prime Minister tell
:44:37. > :44:41.Parliament what she wants to achieve in a UK-US trade deal? Can I join
:44:42. > :44:47.the right honourable gentleman in his good wishes for a happy Burn's
:44:48. > :44:50.Day to everybody and also in recognising the by centenary of the
:44:51. > :44:55.Scotsman. I'm sure everybody in the house would join me in that. What we
:44:56. > :44:59.want to achieve in terms of our arrangements with the United States?
:45:00. > :45:03.It is very simple. We want to achieve an arrangement that ensures
:45:04. > :45:08.the interests of the United Kingdom are put first and that is what I
:45:09. > :45:12.will be doing, and we see a trade arrangement, as we will be looking
:45:13. > :45:16.for, from other parts of the world, to bring prosperity and growth to
:45:17. > :45:19.the UK and my aim for this Government is to ensure that economy
:45:20. > :45:24.works for everybody in every part of the UK. ! The European Union, which
:45:25. > :45:28.we are still part of, has amongst the highest food safety standards
:45:29. > :45:31.anywhere in the world. And we are proud on our continent to have
:45:32. > :45:34.public national health systems. The United States, on the other hand, is
:45:35. > :45:41.keen to have health systems which are fully open to private
:45:42. > :45:44.competition. They want to export genetically modified organisms, beef
:45:45. > :45:48.raised with growth hormones and chicken meat washed with chlorinated
:45:49. > :45:51.water. Will the Prime Minister tell President Trump that she is not
:45:52. > :45:56.prepared to lower our food and safety standards, or to open health
:45:57. > :46:02.systems for privatisation, or does she believe that this is the price
:46:03. > :46:08.worth paying for a UK-US trade deal? We will be looking for a UK-US trade
:46:09. > :46:11.deal Thame proves trade between our two countries that will bring
:46:12. > :46:14.prosperity and growth to this country, that will ensure we can
:46:15. > :46:18.bring jobs to this country as well. I can assure the right honourable
:46:19. > :46:25.gentleman in doing, that we will put UK interests and UK values first.
:46:26. > :46:30.Thank you, Mr Speaker, historic per capita spending in our region,
:46:31. > :46:35.including Yorkshire, when compared to London is up to 40% lower for our
:46:36. > :46:39.local authorities, up to 50% lower for our schools and up to 60% lower
:46:40. > :46:43.for transport prospects. Does the Prime Minister agree that if we want
:46:44. > :46:49.to build a country that works for everyone, we need a fair funding
:46:50. > :46:53.deal that works for everyone? I see the issues my honourable friend has
:46:54. > :46:57.raised. I can assure him our commitment in relation to the
:46:58. > :47:01.northern parts of England, including Yorkshire, is absolutely clear. We
:47:02. > :47:06.want business growth across the north. We are backing the northern
:47:07. > :47:11.powerhouse to help the great cities and towns of the north pool their
:47:12. > :47:14.strength and take on the world. Yorkshire LETs have received an
:47:15. > :47:18.additional ?156 million in Government funding this week and we
:47:19. > :47:23.are spending a record ?15 billion on transport across north. As a result
:47:24. > :47:26.there are more people in Yorkshire in Humber this the work than
:47:27. > :47:31.everybody before and employments rates are at a record high. Good
:47:32. > :47:36.news for the region and for the economy as a whole The European
:47:37. > :47:41.Medicines Agency provides a single drug licencing system for 500
:47:42. > :47:44.million people and results in the UK having drugs licensed six to 127
:47:45. > :47:49.months ahead of countries like Canada and Australia. Yesterday the
:47:50. > :47:54.Health Secretary stated that the UK will not be in the EMA. Can the
:47:55. > :47:59.Prime Minister confirm this and explain how she'll prevent delayed
:48:00. > :48:03.drug access for UK patients? Well, there are a number of organisations
:48:04. > :48:08.that we are part of as members of the European Union and as part of
:48:09. > :48:11.the work that we are doing to look at the United Kingdom in the future
:48:12. > :48:14.when we have left the European Union, we will look at the
:48:15. > :48:20.arrangements we can put in place to relation to those issues. We want to
:48:21. > :48:23.ensure that we continue to have, the pharmaceutical industry in this
:48:24. > :48:27.country is a very important part ever of our economy as are the
:48:28. > :48:31.ability of people to access these new drugs, I can assure the
:48:32. > :48:36.honourable lady we are looking seriously at this and will ensure we
:48:37. > :48:38.have the arrangements we need Too few British intren airs are
:48:39. > :48:42.connecting with the capital they need to start and grow. As part of
:48:43. > :48:48.her industrial sfreedge, which will be looking at access to capital,
:48:49. > :48:52.will the Prime Minister order a view of the enterprise investment scheme
:48:53. > :48:59.and the seed investment scheme in the hope they can be simplified,
:49:00. > :49:02.helping to achieve the pools of buccaneering capital that British
:49:03. > :49:07.industry needs? My honourable friend raises an important issue and he has
:49:08. > :49:17.long been a champion of intren airships in this country. . I can
:49:18. > :49:22.tell him we are committed to providing the best possible... There
:49:23. > :49:26.is a panel that is looking at barriers that exist in long-term
:49:27. > :49:30.investment and we are also increasing investment from venture
:49:31. > :49:35.capital by the British business banks by ?4700 million and that will
:49:36. > :49:42.un-- ?400 million which will unlock new finance. The Treasury will
:49:43. > :49:46.publish a consultation in the spring looking at these issues I'm sure my
:49:47. > :49:49.honourable friend willp wanted to sponchtsd four-and-a-half years ago
:49:50. > :49:55.my constituents were on a family holiday on the Greek island of Zante
:49:56. > :50:00.when their son Jamie was hit answer killed by a speeding motor bike. It
:50:01. > :50:04.was his ninth birthday. The rider was convicted but has appealed
:50:05. > :50:08.against his sentence and to date remains a free man. Will the Prime
:50:09. > :50:14.Minister agree to meet with Chris and Lidya to discuss how they can
:50:15. > :50:18.finally secure justice for Jamie? Can I say to the honourable lady I'm
:50:19. > :50:22.very happy to look at this case. I mean it is a tragic case she has
:50:23. > :50:28.described and our thoughts must be with Chris and Lidya at the terrible
:50:29. > :50:32.loss that they have experienced. To the issues of what is happening in
:50:33. > :50:36.terms of the Greek Criminal Justice System, of course that is a matter
:50:37. > :50:39.for the Greek authorities. But we will, I will look seriously at this
:50:40. > :50:43.case and see if there is anything that the Foreign Office can do in
:50:44. > :50:47.relation to this. President Trump has repeatedly said
:50:48. > :50:52.that he will bring back torture as an instrument of policy. When she
:50:53. > :50:56.sees him on Friday, will the Prime Minister make clear that in no
:50:57. > :51:00.circumstances will she permit Britain to be dragged into
:51:01. > :51:05.facilitating that torture, as we were after September 11th? I can
:51:06. > :51:08.assure my honourable friend that we have a very clear position on
:51:09. > :51:11.torture. We do not sanction torture. We do not get involved with that and
:51:12. > :51:17.that will continue to be our position.
:51:18. > :51:23.Thank you Mr Speaker. 70% of my constituents voted Remain. 15% are
:51:24. > :51:27.citizens of other EU countries and almost all don't trust her
:51:28. > :51:30.Government to negotiate a deal that secures the future prosperity of
:51:31. > :51:35.London and the UK. Will she give this House a veto on the deal she
:51:36. > :51:42.does, or will she put that deal back to a referendum of the British
:51:43. > :51:46.people? I say to the honourable gentleman, people voted differently
:51:47. > :51:50.across the country. Parts voted to Remain and parts voted to Leave.
:51:51. > :51:55.What we now do is unite behind the result of the vote that took place.
:51:56. > :51:59.We come together as a country, we go out there, we make a success of this
:52:00. > :52:03.and we ensure that we build that truly global Britain that will bring
:52:04. > :52:09.jobs to his constituency and his constituents. Mr Speaker, this week
:52:10. > :52:15.Milton Keynes celebrates its 50th birthday. We have been the most
:52:16. > :52:18.successful of new cities and have one of the highest rates of economic
:52:19. > :52:25.growth. Will the Prime Minister agree that Milton Keynes has a great
:52:26. > :52:29.future and will be central to delivering this Government's
:52:30. > :52:36.ambitious plans? Well, can I join my honourable friend, can I join my
:52:37. > :52:40.honourable friend in marking Milton Keynes's 50th birthday and also I
:52:41. > :52:42.understand he has secured a Westminster Hall debate. I
:52:43. > :52:46.congratulate him on having done that. I think Milton Keynes is a
:52:47. > :52:50.great example of what you can achieve with a clear plan and with
:52:51. > :52:54.strong, local leader sh. We are providing, as he knows, additional
:52:55. > :53:00.funding for the East-West rail prospect ject. I know he supported
:53:01. > :53:04.that by chairing the APGG as well as a Oxfordshire express road emschoo.
:53:05. > :53:09.We'll see a country that works for everyone. Milton Keynes has had not
:53:10. > :53:14.just a great 50 years but I'm sure a great future as well. Last week a
:53:15. > :53:19.freight train arrived at barking from China using the Chunnel and
:53:20. > :53:25.demonstrating the massive protension of rail treat, but containtal rail
:53:26. > :53:29.wagons and lorries on trains cannot be accommodated on Britain's railway
:53:30. > :53:33.network. Would the Prime Minister consider giving positive support to
:53:34. > :53:37.the GB gateway scheme which could link all the nations and regions of
:53:38. > :53:42.Britain both to each other and to Europe beyond and would take 5
:53:43. > :53:45.million lorry journeys off Britain's roads per year? The honourable
:53:46. > :53:50.gentleman has raised an issue, a different gauge on the railways here
:53:51. > :53:54.and on the continpent which has been an issue for some considerable time.
:53:55. > :54:01.We want to encourage freight on rails. We have been encouraging that
:54:02. > :54:07.and we'll continue to do so. Thank you, very much, Mr Speaker.
:54:08. > :54:13.The ministry of Cake in my constituency, a ?30 million turnover
:54:14. > :54:20.company has recently been bought by a French company. They trade across
:54:21. > :54:25.Europe and into China. Does this not demonstrate, Prime Minister and
:54:26. > :54:28.would you agree with me that it demonstrates the confidence in our
:54:29. > :54:32.economy as a European company has bought in? It demonstrates that we
:54:33. > :54:42.can unlock global trade and it demonstrates that the south-west is
:54:43. > :54:45.a terrific place to do business? I absolutely agree with high
:54:46. > :54:50.honourable friend. I think the investment that she has referred to
:54:51. > :54:53.of the French company into a company in her constituency shows the
:54:54. > :54:56.confidence that people have in our economy for the future T shows the
:54:57. > :55:01.fundamental strengths of our economy. -- it shows. And it also
:55:02. > :55:08.shows that we can unlock global trade and of course the south-west
:55:09. > :55:12.is a very good place to do business. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Robert Burns
:55:13. > :55:19.said whatever damages society or any least part of it, that is my measure
:55:20. > :55:24.of inequity. Would the Prime Minister agree that that applies to
:55:25. > :55:29.the tax system found to be illegal by British courts under which 10,000
:55:30. > :55:35.asylum seekers were denied a fair trial and some probably unlegally
:55:36. > :55:40.deported to death and torture? I say to the honourable gentleman the
:55:41. > :55:45.issue of the detained fast track system in the asylum system I looked
:55:46. > :55:50.at when I was Home Secretary and we looked at the a number of changes on
:55:51. > :55:54.how we operate it but it was built on a strong principle - which is if
:55:55. > :55:58.there is somebody whose case for asylum is such that they are almost
:55:59. > :56:03.certain to be refused that asylum, then we want to be ensure they can
:56:04. > :56:06.be removed from the country as quickly as possible, hence the
:56:07. > :56:10.detained fast track. I would like to ask my friend the
:56:11. > :56:14.Prime Minister if she would insist in trying to get an enterprise zone
:56:15. > :56:18.in my constituency as part of the industrial strategy. It turns out
:56:19. > :56:23.that the Labour Council and Labour county council, who are talking
:56:24. > :56:27.about an enterprise zonesque project in the area, have not applied for
:56:28. > :56:32.any funding whatsoever. Would my right honourable friend assist me in
:56:33. > :56:37.this endeavour? Well, can I say to my honourable friend I know what a
:56:38. > :56:40.champion for his constituency it is. And I'm sure that the Chancellor and
:56:41. > :56:45.the Business Secretary will look at the issue that he has raised. I also
:56:46. > :56:49.say how sad it is that Labour councils are not willing to put
:56:50. > :56:50.forward proposals to increase the prosperity and economic growth in
:56:51. > :57:03.their area. Closed question. Number 11. I will
:57:04. > :57:07.meet the First Minister and leaders of the devolved administrations at
:57:08. > :57:11.the joint ministerial committee on Monday, but we regularly engage with
:57:12. > :57:15.the Scottish Government on a number of issues. When she meets with the
:57:16. > :57:18.First Minister, will she confirm whether she supports the principle
:57:19. > :57:23.of the Scotland Act that whatever is not reserved is devolved and will
:57:24. > :57:27.she be able to tell what powers will come to the Scottish Parliament in
:57:28. > :57:32.the event of Brexit? Can she confirm the Great Repeal Bill will not be
:57:33. > :57:36.the great power grab? I have been very clear, echoed yesterday by the
:57:37. > :57:41.Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, that no powers that
:57:42. > :57:45.are currently devolved will be taken back to the UK Government. What we
:57:46. > :57:48.will be looking at, and what we will be discussing with the devolved
:57:49. > :57:52.administrations, is how we deal with powers which are currently in
:57:53. > :57:55.Brussels when they come back to the United Kingdom, and what we want to
:57:56. > :57:59.ensure, we want to ensure those powers are dealt with so we can
:58:00. > :58:06.maintain the important single market of the United Kingdom. Thank you, Mr
:58:07. > :58:11.Speaker. It is currently hand offence to assault a police officer,
:58:12. > :58:17.an immigration officer way prison officer, but it is not a specific
:58:18. > :58:22.offence to assault an NHS worker, doctor, nurse or paramedic. Does the
:58:23. > :58:25.Prime Minister agree with me that we should consider extending a specific
:58:26. > :58:29.offence to these people to make it absolutely clear that the public
:58:30. > :58:35.will not tolerate violence towards our hard-working members of the NHS?
:58:36. > :58:39.My honourable friend raises an important point, we condemn assaults
:58:40. > :58:42.on anybody and any violence that takes place, but the Secretary of
:58:43. > :58:50.State for Health has heard the KC has put and will be happy to look at
:58:51. > :58:58.that issue. -- has heard the case that he has put. Will be Duke of
:58:59. > :59:02.Westminster still received ?407,000 year, will Duke of Northumberland
:59:03. > :59:09.still receive ?475,000 a year, and will the Earl of either still
:59:10. > :59:12.receive ?915,000 a year from the British taxpayer? The honourable
:59:13. > :59:19.gentleman seems to know a lot about these ducal matters, I will be
:59:20. > :59:22.fascinated by the reply! One of the tasks that we will have, and the
:59:23. > :59:28.honourable gentleman is right, when we leave the European Union, is to
:59:29. > :59:31.decide what support is provided to agriculture as we are outside of the
:59:32. > :59:34.Common Agricultural Policy. We are taking the interest of all parts of
:59:35. > :59:40.the UK into account when we look into what the system should do in
:59:41. > :59:48.the future. A Hampshire Nice, Sir Gerald Howarth! Last weekend, the
:59:49. > :59:54.Secretary of State for Defence made a very welcome visit to Ukraine,
:59:55. > :59:56.where he said that freedom and democracy are not tradable
:59:57. > :00:01.commodities. As we mark the 25th anniversary of relations between our
:00:02. > :00:05.two partners, could I invite my right honourable friend to declare
:00:06. > :00:08.the support of the UK for the maintenance of an independent
:00:09. > :00:14.sovereign state in Ukraine, which has been subjected to the most
:00:15. > :00:17.outrageous annexation of part of its providence by Russia? I am very
:00:18. > :00:20.happy to join my honourable friend in confirming our commitment to the
:00:21. > :00:24.independent sovereign state of Ukraine. The Foreign Secretary has
:00:25. > :00:29.been doing a lot of work with other Foreign Ministers on this particular
:00:30. > :00:33.issue, we provide significant support to Ukraine, and I hope soon
:00:34. > :00:40.to be up to meet the president and talk about the support we provide.
:00:41. > :00:44.Pat McFadden. Last week the Prime Minister said that Parliament would
:00:45. > :00:49.get a vote on the final deal between the UK and the European Union. Kuqi
:00:50. > :00:54.set out what would happen if Parliament said no to the terms of
:00:55. > :00:59.that deal? -- could she set out. Would she negotiate an alternative
:01:00. > :01:06.deal, or would no deal option be falling back on WTO rules, which
:01:07. > :01:13.mean 10% tariffs on cars, 20% on food and trick, and a host of other
:01:14. > :01:16.barriers to trade, investment and prosperity in the UK? Prime
:01:17. > :01:21.Minister. As I also said in my speech, I expect we will be but to
:01:22. > :01:25.negotiate a good deal in terms of trade with the European Union,
:01:26. > :01:29.because it would be in our interests and those of the European Union as
:01:30. > :01:34.well. There will be a vote on the deal for this Parliament, but then,
:01:35. > :01:39.if this Parliament is not willing to accept a deal that has been decided
:01:40. > :01:43.and agreed by the United Kingdom Government with the European Union,
:01:44. > :01:48.I have said that if there is no deal, we will have to fall back on
:01:49. > :01:51.other arrangements. Mr Speaker, a great pleasure to welcome my
:01:52. > :01:57.honourable friend the Prime Minister and her Cabinet to Khazri earlier
:01:58. > :02:01.this week, and I welcome the Government industrial strategy to
:02:02. > :02:07.bring high skill, high wage jobs to close the North-South divide, and
:02:08. > :02:11.the message is that Britain is open for business. I and the whole
:02:12. > :02:16.Cabinet were very pleased to be able to visit, pleased to be able to sit
:02:17. > :02:20.down and meet with small businesses on that particular site to hear the
:02:21. > :02:23.support they have for what the Government is doing in the
:02:24. > :02:27.industrial strategy. Britain is open for business, we will be trading
:02:28. > :02:32.around the world, a global leader in free trade, bringing jobs, economic
:02:33. > :02:39.growth and prosperity to every part of this country. Thank you, Mr
:02:40. > :02:42.Speaker. We are now aware of the hundreds of thousands of women who
:02:43. > :02:48.marched in behalf of women's rights last weekend. In this House, we have
:02:49. > :02:52.been lobbied by members of the women against state pension inequality,
:02:53. > :02:57.and many MPs have lodged petitions asking the Government to act. Can
:02:58. > :03:01.the Prime Minister tell us how many MPs have lodged such petitions? I
:03:02. > :03:04.have to say to the honourable gentleman that I think the number of
:03:05. > :03:09.petitions presented in this Parliament is a matter for the
:03:10. > :03:12.authorities, but the Government has already taken action in relation to
:03:13. > :03:16.the issue of women's pensions to reduce the changes that will be
:03:17. > :03:21.experienced by women and putting extra money into that. Following her
:03:22. > :03:26.excellent EU speech last week, will the Prime Minister consider
:03:27. > :03:31.unilaterally guaranteeing the rights of EU citizens living and working in
:03:32. > :03:35.the UK? This isn't just the decent thing to do, but by taking the moral
:03:36. > :03:39.high ground, it will be a source of strength going forward in the
:03:40. > :03:43.negotiations, and we can always return to the issue of
:03:44. > :03:47.non-reciprocation and necessary later in those negotiations. I
:03:48. > :03:49.recognise the concern that my honourable friend has raised in
:03:50. > :03:53.relation to this issue, but my position remains the same as it
:03:54. > :03:58.always has been. I expect and intend and want to be able to guarantee the
:03:59. > :04:01.rights of EU citizens living in the United Kingdom, but as the British
:04:02. > :04:07.by Minister it is only right that I should give consideration to the
:04:08. > :04:11.rights of UK citizens living in the remaining 27 member states of the
:04:12. > :04:16.EU, and that is why I wanted that reciprocal arrangement. As I said
:04:17. > :04:21.last week, Ira Main open to this being an issue we negotiate at a
:04:22. > :04:25.very early stage. -- I remain open. A number of other European bodies
:04:26. > :04:32.want that, and I'm hoping we will be up to do it at an early stage. Dr
:04:33. > :04:37.Lisa Cameron. Thank you, Mr Speaker. As chair of the all-party
:04:38. > :04:40.Parliamentary group for disability, we recently compiled an important
:04:41. > :04:44.report into the Government's pledge to halve the employment gap.
:04:45. > :04:50.Research shows this pledge will not be met for 50 years. To date, no
:04:51. > :04:53.minister has met with the group to discuss the report. Will the Prime
:04:54. > :04:58.Minister place people with disability at the heart of policy
:04:59. > :05:03.and ensure that her ministers engage with our recommendations? The Prime
:05:04. > :05:09.Minister. The honourable lady raises an important issue about disabled
:05:10. > :05:13.people in the workplace. It is one we are aware of, and as we see the
:05:14. > :05:20.number of people in unemployed and going down, it does change the
:05:21. > :05:26.ratios to select ten. The Secretary of State is looking at how we can
:05:27. > :05:31.ensure that we are seeing more disabled people in the workplace,
:05:32. > :05:35.and I am sure he will have seen that request. Can I welcome the Prime
:05:36. > :05:40.Minister meeting with the president of Turkey on Saturday, when we can
:05:41. > :05:43.show our solidarity in the fight against terrorism, deepen our
:05:44. > :05:48.trading relationship, and the Prime Minister also seek support for a
:05:49. > :05:53.united and independent Cyprus free from Turkish troops? I thank my
:05:54. > :05:56.honourable friend for raising the important issues that I will be
:05:57. > :05:59.discussing with President Erdogan, and with the Prime Minister of
:06:00. > :06:04.Turkey when I meet them on Saturday. He raises the issue of Cyprus. I am
:06:05. > :06:08.hopeful that the talks will be able to continue to come to a solution,
:06:09. > :06:12.closer to a solution than we have been before. I have already spoken
:06:13. > :06:17.to the Prime Minister and the President about the need to ensure
:06:18. > :06:23.that we are creative in thinking and finding a solution for this, and I
:06:24. > :06:27.had a further telephone call over the weekend about this very issue.
:06:28. > :06:32.We stand ready, as a guarantor, to play our part in making sure we see
:06:33. > :06:35.a successful conclusion of these talks, and see the reunification of
:06:36. > :06:42.Cyprus, which people have been working for for some time. Thank
:06:43. > :06:45.you, Mr Speaker. I joined the Prime Minister in wishing a speedy
:06:46. > :06:50.recovery to the police officer who was shot and injured in my
:06:51. > :06:54.constituency in north Belfast on Sunday night. Thankfully, he was not
:06:55. > :06:58.killed, but that was not the intention of the terrorists, of
:06:59. > :07:01.course. It is very clear, Mr Speaker, that the political
:07:02. > :07:06.instability brought about by Sinn Fein's collapse of the assembly is
:07:07. > :07:09.in no-one's interest, and it is also clear that their intention is to
:07:10. > :07:14.rewrite the past. Will she make it very clear that the legal
:07:15. > :07:17.persecution of police officers and soldiers who did so much to bring
:07:18. > :07:24.peace to Northern Ireland will not be allowed to continue? I say to the
:07:25. > :07:27.right honourable gentleman that, as he indicates, the political
:07:28. > :07:30.stability in Northern Ireland has been hard earned over some
:07:31. > :07:34.considerable time, and none of us want to see and thrown away. He
:07:35. > :07:38.raises the issue of the current situation, where a number of
:07:39. > :07:42.investigations by the PSNI into former soldiers and their activities
:07:43. > :07:45.in Northern Ireland, and I think it is right that we recognise that the
:07:46. > :07:49.majority of people who lost their lives did so as a result of
:07:50. > :07:57.terrorist activity, and it is important that the terrorist
:07:58. > :07:59.activity is looked into. That is why one of the issues that my right
:08:00. > :08:01.honourable friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is
:08:02. > :08:08.looking at is the legacy question and how that can take place in
:08:09. > :08:12.future. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Social care provided by Labour led
:08:13. > :08:17.council in my area is failing miserably. Serious errors in process
:08:18. > :08:21.have led to, quite frankly, shameful consequences for some of my most
:08:22. > :08:25.vulnerable constituents. It is clearly not about funding, as they
:08:26. > :08:30.said on reserves of about ?233 million. Will my right honourable
:08:31. > :08:35.friend instigate an urgent review of social care practice at the county
:08:36. > :08:38.council, because the people of Derbyshire deserve better? Prime
:08:39. > :08:42.Minister. My honourable friend has made an important point in relation
:08:43. > :08:46.to this issue, which is that successful social care is not wholly
:08:47. > :08:50.about funding, but the practice on the ground, and that is why we are
:08:51. > :08:54.very clear that it is important to see that integration between social
:08:55. > :08:56.and health care at a local level, and local authorities should be
:08:57. > :09:02.playing their part in delivering that. And this is any stew that we
:09:03. > :09:07.need to see addressed for the longer term as well. -- an issue. Frankly,
:09:08. > :09:11.it has been ducked by governments for too long in this country, and
:09:12. > :09:14.that is why we are determined to bring forward a sustainable
:09:15. > :09:23.programme in the future. Ed Miliband. It brings... The right
:09:24. > :09:30.honourable gentleman never knew he was quite that popular! Ed Miliband!
:09:31. > :09:34.I was going to say, Mr Speaker, it brings back memories, actually! Can
:09:35. > :09:38.I say to the Prime Minister, as the first foreign leader to meet
:09:39. > :09:41.President Trump, she carries a huge responsibility on behalf not just of
:09:42. > :09:45.this country but the whole international community in the town
:09:46. > :09:51.that she sets? Can I ask her to reassure us that she will say to the
:09:52. > :09:55.President that he must abide by and not withdraw from the Paris climate
:09:56. > :10:00.change treaty, and in case it is helpful, can she offer the services
:10:01. > :10:06.of UK scientists to convince the president that climate change is not
:10:07. > :10:09.a hoax invented by the Chinese? Prime Minister! Well, I recognise
:10:10. > :10:13.the role the right honourable gentleman has played in looking at
:10:14. > :10:16.this issue of climate change, and I hope he recognises the commitment
:10:17. > :10:19.this government has shown to be a stew of climate change with the
:10:20. > :10:23.legislation we have put through, and the changes that we have brought
:10:24. > :10:27.about in terms of the energy sector and users of different forms of
:10:28. > :10:31.energy. The Obama administration obviously signed up to the Paris
:10:32. > :10:37.climate change agreement, we have now done that, I would hope that all
:10:38. > :10:39.parties would continue to ensure that the climate change agreement is
:10:40. > :10:43.put into practice. Order...