25/01/2017 House of Commons

Hello and welcome to BBC Parliament's live coverage from the

House of Commons. In half an hour, Theresa May will face the Labour

leader Jeremy Corbyn and also other people's questioned a Prime

Minister's Questions. Also the violins imprisons and the funding

arrangements for schools in the UK. Kearney at -- join me later. Also we

will talk to the Welsh Secretary Alun Kearns. But first the Speaker

will talk about the bill. Although, the clerk will now read the title.

Faversham Oyster fishery. The question is that the Bill be read a

second time. Everybody say I know. The iMac has it. Questions from the

Secretary of State for Wales. This Government recognises that

delivering world-class infrastructure in the ... I hold

regular meetings to issues relating to Wales. I think we should bring

together stakeholders for the better in fermentation for working in

partnership to improve more for businesses in Wales. The Mr Speaker.

I notice he fails to mention the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon report. The

six month independent review could not have been more conclusive.

Moving ahead with a pathfinder at Swansea Bay as soon as reasonably

practical is a no regrets policy. There may be much to digester nerve

review, but there are no grounds to delay that industry. Can he tell is

when the Government will give the green light to this? Thank you. I'm

delighted to say that Charles Henry is already in Swansea looking about

his report. The report was competitive and detailed in terms of

the issues regarding the tidal lagoon. I'm sure you will agree with

me that any decision must be good for the taxpayer and for the end

user as well. The Minister will be aware of the campaign by the daily

Post newspaper to improve mobile phone not spots. Clay ask what he is

-- can I ask what is to improve data for phones? I'm grateful for these

question. I would pay tribute to the daily Post a campaign in northern

Wales which has highlighted this issue. This is one of the reasons I

was keen to convene a summit of mobile opponent in the Mac phone

providers and find out how we can practically more providers. One of

the key issues for example is the planning regime in Wales which can

be much more flexible in relation to the money being invested in Wales

goes much further and deals with those not spots in all parts of

Wales, either rural city. Thank you. EU structural funding has really

helped improve key road routes across Wales. Once we have left the

European Union, can the Minister confirmed the equivalent funding for

projects like renewing the heads and the valleys road will continue?

Well, again I thank you for your question. In your constituency,

there has been clear impact in terms of the EU funding. Investments in

the road and relative. The metro scheme will be generating ?106

million in support from European funds. It should be remembered that

that scheme is also supporting ?500 million from the Government. The

assurance I can give is that it will put in place a framework to Wales

which will be fair and sustainable. It is for percent of Conservative

councillors, a former Conservative energy minister, both worlds energy

minister sitting opposite and the Conservative Party manifesto also

bought the Swansea tidal lagoon project. I notice that the Minister

failed to answer the question. I will give him another opportunity.

When will you kick-start the tidal lagoon project I'm grateful for the

question, but I will restate that this decision is a decision which

will be made across Government. There are other departments will

have to look at this issue. I'm sure that you will agree that in an age

where we are seeing industry in Wales worry about the cost of

energy, it must be good for the Swansea, the lagoon, the taxpayer,

the energy user in Wales. Last week and whence Mr Hall, -- Westminster

Hall, bank loans will be supported by guarantee from the Treasury when

we leave you. Can the Secretary of State or Minister tell the house

what benefit European investment bank has brought to Wales and how

much it has invested in Wales over the last ten years? I am sure the

honourable Lady will join me in highlighting the success of the

Swansea campus development in the investment bank context. I will sure

you will also join me to paying tribute to the Treasury and the

Chancellor of the Exchequer for securing and guaranteeing EU funding

is up to the point that EU funding -- departure from the union. This

Government has delivered a degree of protection for funding in Wales.

There will be further announcements made in relation to further funding.

With permission, I will answer questions two and five together. The

UK including Wales remains the same outward looking globally minded

country we have always been and to further support Wales's

International business links, I'm pleased to announce I will be

hosting a Wales business Summit in Cardiff during early March to ensure

businesses in Wales have full access to UK Government support. The

Republic of Ireland is of course one of Wales most important trading

partners with around 360,000 trucks passing through Welsh sports to

Ireland every year. Can I encourage my honourable friend to really get

involved in the discussions about future UK, Irish border and custom

controls to make sure that it upholds the peace process in the

north and also aids Wales with the lack of checks. You are a true

champion of the poor in Milford Haven. The benefits it brings to the

Welsh and the UK economy and it has paid a significant part in

developing it. As renegotiate our exit from the European Union and the

special situation between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Island,

the well situation is not ignored every joint ministerial committee

has recognised -- been recognised not only by the Secretary of State

but also by the Prime Minister. Given the first-class universities

in Wales including my own, will my right honourable friend confirmed

that he will highlight direct butties as part of their assessment

of international business links? That is an important point. I

mentioned that the joint ministerial committee involving the devolved

administrations plays an important part, but that does not mean that

universities themselves for example will have a part to play with the

negotiations of exiting European Union. I spoke to the Vice

Chancellor of Cardiff University last week and I'm happy to maintain

a close relationship with my honourable friend is to make sure

that all university to cross the whole of the United Kingdom have

their say as we negotiate to accept the European union. That response

was not good enough. We have had the same response of the question for

some time. We're going to have a common travel area. It is going to

impact heavily on Welsh ports. Will the Secretary of State but the case

for Welsh ports and Welsh members of Parliament so we can have a Welsh

dimension to this important trade? I'm grateful for the honourable

member for highlighting the issue relating to Holyhead, that has also

been taken into consideration in the discussions that we have cost about

half the honourable member and any colleagues he wishes to bring along.

The issue to Holyhead and Milford Haven is absolutely important to the

Welsh and the UK economy and it has common issues that relate to

Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. We want to make sure that

we get a deal that works for all situations. I'm through pleased that

the Secretary of State mentioned universities it is response about

international business links. Is he aware of the profound concern that

most value elite mag vice chancellors including the Wrexham

had has about the impact of changes of the migration rules are going to

have of students from within the EU and outside the EU and will he

discuss this in detail with them? And grateful to the honourable

member for the question. As well as the universities I have highlighted

already, I am in close engagements with universities in Wales are

reputable universities. I'm happy to read any of the Vice chancellors

about the situation. Many assumptions have been made around

migration controls, it is in our interests to ensure the universities

can prosper. Immigration or migration of international students

are an important part of their model. Controlling immigration does

not mean stopping immigration. I'm glad there is concentration on

universities and answers to this. You'll be aware that just after the

Mac before Christmas the Cardiff School of chemistry was formally

awarded the title of Regent Professor of chemistry. Recognising

exceptionally high quality of research done at Cardiff University.

What is he doing about making sure our institutions and professors get

these accolades and we can stand alone international stage? My

honourable friend makes an important point in relation to the success of

the role of universities. The UK Government has a part of their

recognising in championing that as well as using UK money. He is also

right to highlight the new professor Bill was awarded to Cardiff

University, that underlines how chemistry was successful. We are

keen to make sure that we play Nicole Lee Mack global stage. -- we

play on a global stage. Will he not rule out a trade defence mechanism

for steel if that is what is required for steel worker's jobs? I

think the honourable member for raising the steel industry. It is an

important industry for communities in Wales. It is of strategic

importance in the whole of the United Kingdom. Last week, I met all

of the unions relating to steal. We discussed the challenges that exist

and how the company and the pension trustees and the pensioners as well

as employees of the steelworks need to work their way through and the

Government stands ready to support the industry. We are determined to

find a long-term, sustainable future for the steel industry and I

recognise the importance of the delete Matt Wells and the UK.

This government has put in place and industrial strategy that will work

for all people in every corner of the UK. Wales is home to world

leading sectors. We are committed to building on our strengths to create

an economy where everyone can share the benefits of our economic

success. One of the most important themes of the government 's

industrial strategy is the determination to ensure all nations

and regions of the UK can benefit from economic prosperity. An

important aspect is science and research. It offers real potential

for businesses in Wales to prosper and create jobs. I absolutely agree.

In terms of the importance of investing in skills and high-tech

industries in the Welsh context. Our university sector, I know, stand

ready to support the Welsh economy to ensure we have those skills in

moving forward. What representations has the Minister made regarding

placing steel at the heart of its industrial strategy and how will the

UK Government support the innovative products and projects coming out of

Swansea University that picture -- future proofed steel-making for many

generations? I am grateful for the question. As my right honourable

friend stated previously, he recently met with the trade unions

in relation to the steel sector. One of my first visits as a minister was

to the Tata Steel plant in Deeside. We importance the importance of

steel to Wales. This government has been unyielding in its support of

the steel industry in Wales. The UK has lacked a strategic approach for

many years and Wales has suffered as a result. What specific message --

measures in the government 's industrial strategy will be brought

in to help Wales? I think it is important to state the industrial

straight win of the state must be a partnership between the two

governments that Wales has. Wales will see it self prosper if the two

governments work together. The two governments are working together to

ensure the best for Wales in terms of industrial strategy and

developing new opportunities for the people of Wales. As the Minister has

said, we have many employed -- important employers on Deeside but

we also have many important companies in the supply chain who

are very important and we have got to encourage those and four more to

come post Brexit. I agree entirely. Deeside is a great success story, in

terms of the UK economy, not just the Welsh economy but he is

absolutely right, we need to build on that success by drawing in more

investment and that is why the Secretary of State and myself will

be holding a summit in the near future. Will he make sure that this

is part of an industrial strategy for Wales because we don't have

enough people in this country to complete the work, we need to get

every academy in every constituency in the land to have young people to

work in this building? I will not comment on the issue of the

refurbishment of this palace. But I agree entirely in terms of the

importance of getting skills which are relevant to the fabric of

buildings in Wales, historic buildings especially and that is why

I pay tribute to the college which is training not just with building

skills by traditional skills as well.

We are determined to get the best deal on leaving the European Union

and we want a world leading food and farming industry and the cleanest

health environment for generations. Agriculture is a devolved sector.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Thank you for that. Can he confirm if once the UK

leaves the European Union that policy and funding aspects of

agriculture will be devolved to the regions or will that policy remains

here for the United Kingdom government? It is certainly the case

that agriculture policy is currently devolved. There will be repatriated

not powers from Westminster to bash from Brussels to West Mr. There is a

positive discussion between Westminster and Welsh Government in

relation to where powers will I. What I am saying quite categorically

is that partnership is essential for the success of agriculture and that

partnership must be constructive and objective in terms of what works for

the farming industry in Wales and the UK. Many of my constituents farm

cross-border and produce excellent high-quality British agricultural

produce. What steps has the Minister taken to make sure the widest

possible market access for that produce post Brexit? Again, I agree

entirely with my honourable friend who knows the agricultural sector in

North Wales and Cheshire extremely well and understands the

cross-border nature of any farming in Wales. I think the key point is

that we must be aware of the fact that we do have a great product to

offer the arrest of the world and it is essential that we go out and sell

the product. That is why we are forging a close relationship with

the Secretary of State for foreign trade. It is essential that we grow

the markets rather than be defensive about the issue. Isn't this

wonderful opportunity to reform agricultural subsidies, to decouple

Wales from the system in England, not as they are awarded in Wales for

producing food and shouldn't we end the system of paying millionaires

and billionaires up to ?1 million each a year while Welsh farmers have

to struggle with small subsidies? Should we have Welsh policies for

Welsh farmers? The aim of this government is to ensure that we have

a farming policy that will be right for the UK and right for Wales. I

have to say however that the honourable gentleman was much more

positive about our farming industry in the debate and I agreed with his

comments at that debate that it is essential that we support the

farming industry in Wales whilst moving forward following our

from the European Union. Does the from the European Union. Does the

Minister agree that Brexit gives us the opportunity to set a new

agricultural policy in Wales, starting with positive changes to

cap? I entirely agree with my honourable friend. In view of the

fact that we have decided to leave the European Union, it is essential

now that we develop an agricultural system which works for farmers in

Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom. One of the issues at the

Common agricultural policy was guilty of was the fossilisation of

Welsh farming because it was encouraging people not to retire. It

is essential that we look at some of the problems created by that policy

whilst we are designing a new system for Wales. As well as the Welsh

agricultural sector, 68% of Welsh exports go to the European Union, so

perhaps the Minister can tell is this afternoon how it is that

leaving the single market and the Customs unit will lead to a better

deal for Welsh exporters? The honourable gentleman is right in

terms of the percentage of Welsh exports which go to the European

Union but I think he should realise that access to the single market is

what is now crucial. It is very clear we will not be members of the

single market. That was apparent as a result of the European Union

leaving decision but we need to negotiate as good an access deal

with European Union as possible and I think that will be possible in due

course. Last Friday I visited a Farmers Union of Wales meeting. Only

three years from now, Welsh farmers as a sector face a perfect storm.

Can the Minister reveal what transitional arrangements have been

put in place to safeguard the rural economy? I thank the honourable lady

for her question and the use of the phrase perfect storm. I would have

to reassure the honourable lady that the issue should be about access to

the single market and whilst the Farmers Union of Wales have

expressed their concern at the decision to leave the single market,

my meetings with the farming unions in Wales have highlighted access to

the single market as being the crucial issue for Welsh farmers.

During Welsh questions last April, the Parliamentary undersecretary for

state for Wales said the... Shows how important that market is. 90% of

Welsh agricultural produce is exported to the European Union and

we should not risk that. Given those comments could he explain why his

government wishes to leave the single market? At risk of repeating

myself once again, the honourable member is right, 90% of Welsh

farming exports go to the European Union. He is correct in saying that.

This is why I have repeatedly stated that the issue that farmers in Wales

are concerned about is access to the single market. That is the issue

that will make a difference to Welsh farmers and that is what we will be

working towards. With permission, I will answer

questions six, seven and nine together. Since the vote to leave

the European Union, we have seen unemployment hit record highs and

there are now 4000 fewer people unemployed than six months ago.

Trade with European Union is important to Wales but it is clear

we need to increase our trade with the fastest growing markets across

the world. It is time for Wales like Britain to rediscover its role as a

great global training nation. -- trading nation.

Hopefully the whole chamber will celebrate Robert Burns today. This

week, Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Government published a white part --

White paper outlining their concerns on Wales leaving the European Union.

What actions will the UK Government take to address the concerns raised

by the two largest parties in the Welsh Parliament? The Prime Minister

was awaiting the document that came from the Welsh Government. It was

received on Monday. Of course, we will work through the detail and it

will be subject to a discussion at the joint ministerial committee of

European negotiations. That is the right place for it to be considered

and discussed. But much of the access in that language and

accessing the single market is not incompatible with that mentioned by

my right honourable friend, the primers. That's Prime Minister.

The Scottish parliament will also vote on... Doesn't the Minister

agree that any spirit of democracy, it is the devolved government the

best place to determine the future for the people living and working in

our nations? We would like to hear the reply. The legislative consent

motion of course should be a matter for the devolved administrations,

where they choose to table when or not. I would say that the approach

that my right honourable friend the Prime Minister and the government as

a whole is taking is to engage positively with the devolved

administrations, with the Scottish Government and Northern Ireland

executive, and rightly with the Welsh Government but of course we

will also want to engage with other stakeholders in the nations as well.

North Wales has been designated the central maintenance sector for all

European F 35 fighters. Can the Minister assure this house that the

aerospace companies in North Wales will be given the same assurances as

Nissan that leaving the single market will not result in the loss

of access to European skilled work? I am delighted that the honourable

member highlighted the success of Sealand in winning the F 35

contract. It will be the global repair her. I was there just on

Monday celebrating and recognising the effects and the impact that

employees had therein winning that global contract. The significance

should not be understated. It offers positive prospects for the supply

chain and for that centre for decades to come. The Prime Minister

has talked of a bold new trading relationship with New Zealand. Can I

ask the Minister to relate to the Prime Minister the concern of many

Welsh farmers, genuinely concerned that they are losing potentially

access to the biggest market on the continent in favour of a market on

the other side of the world, a direct competitor? Welsh produce,

Welsh lamb and beef in particular, is world leading and there are great

opportunities as we exit the European Union to explore and

exploit new markets. Her beaky Cymru recognises the ?20 million that can

be brought to from accessing the North American market. My right

honourable friend the Prime Minister will put Britain first in any

negotiations. I am not seeking a running commentary or any detail but

a special deal was cut for the car industry in the north-east. Did he

seek a similar deal for the car industry in Wales? I don't recognise

the basis of the question. The automotive sector is exceptionally

strong in Wales, partly as a result of the Nissan contract in Sunderland

where many of the supplier companies are based in Wales. I would also

draw attention to the great success at my right honourable friend the

Secretary of State for Defence played in bringing Aston Martin to

Wales. It is a fantastic success on that MOD base and something we

should recognise and celebrate. Up to 200,000 jobs in Wales depend on

our membership of the European Union and the single market and the

customs union. I am not going to go through every sector but will he be

seeking sectoral deals for important part of the Welsh economy as we

leave the European Union? Mr Speaker, it is clear we want to get

the best deal for the whole of the United Kingdom, we want to ensure

that the market within the United Kingdom works effectively. After

all, the most important market to Wales is the market from within the

United Kingdom but he can take confidence in that Wales has been

the fastest-growing economy outside London since 2010 and that is on the

back of this government 's policies and success. We are visited today by

the speaker of the Burnie 's parliament and he's

I am sure the whole House will wish to join me in welcoming Mr Speaker

and his colleagues. Order, questions to the Prime Minister, Helen Jones!

Number one, Sir. The Prime Minister. As the response from the whole House

showed, we do indeed all welcome the Speaker of the Burmese Parliament

and his colleagues to see our deliberations today. I am also sure

that the whole house will join me in sending our thoughts to the police

officer who was shot in Belfast over the weekend, and to his friends and

family. PSNI do a superb job in keeping us set and secure. Mr

Speaker, this morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and

others. In a addition to my duties in this house, I will further such

meetings, and later this week I will travel to the United States for with

President Trump. May I join the Prime Minister in sending good

wishes to the police officer who was shot in Belfast? They are the best

strikers on social mobility, 99% are rated good or outstanding, and 65%

of their places are in the most deprived areas of this country. So

why is the Prime Minister introducing cuts that threatened the

very existence of maintained nursery schools? When it comes to social

mobility, her actions speak far louder than her words. I want to

ensure, and this Government wants to ensure, that we see good quality

education at every age and at every stage for children in this country.

That is why we are looking at improving the number of good school

places, budget talks about my record, speaking louder than words.

Can I just point out to the honourable lady that I was very

proud, as chairman of an education authority in London in the 1990s, to

introduce nursery school places for every three and four -year-old whose

parents wanted one? The Prime Minister laid out a clear and bold

plan for Brexit in her speech last week. Honourable... Honourable

members... Honourable members, quite rightly, want an opportunity to

scrutinise that plan. Does the Prime Minister agree that the best way of

facilitating that scrutiny would be a government white paper, laying out

the vision for a global Britain, based on free trade, in goods and

services, that will be to the benefit of ours and other European

countries? Well, my honourable friend raises the question of

Parliamentary scrutiny. I have been clear, as have senior ministers,

that we will ensure that Parliament has every opportunity to provide

that scrutiny on this issue as we go through this process. By directing

nice, I set out that bold plan for a global Britain last week, and I

recognise there is an opportunity for a white paper. My honourable

friend's question, I can confirm to the House that our plan will be set

out in a white paper. Jeremy Corbyn! Mr Speaker, I joined the Prime

Minister in condolences, in expressing condolences, I am sure,

the whole House to the family of the police officer who lost his life

over the weekend in Northern Ireland. Mr Speaker, the Prime

Minister has wasted 80 days between the time of the original judgment

and the appeal, and is now finally admitting today, after pressure from

all sides, that there is going to be a date paper. Could we know when

this white paper is going to be available to us? And why it has

taken so long to get it? LAUGHTER

Prime Minister! Can I say to the right honourable gentleman, he asked

for debates, I was very clear there will always be debates in this

House, and there will continue to be. The asked for votes, the House

voted overwhelmingly for the Government to trigger Article 50

before the end of March this year. He asked for a plan, I set out, as

my honourable friend for Croydon South said, a clear plan for a bold

future for Britain. He and others ask for a white paper, I have been

clear there will be a white paper. But I am also clear that the right

honourable gentleman always ask about process, about the means to

the end. I and this government are focusing on the outcomes. We are

focusing... We are focusing on a truly global Britain, building a

stronger future for this country, the right deal for Britain and

Britain out of the European Union. Jeremy Corbyn! Mr Speaker, I

question wasn't complicated, it's just asked when the white paper will

come out! And will it be published before or at the same time as the

bill that is apparently about to be published? Mr Speaker, last week, I

asked the Prime Minister repeatedly to clarify whether her government is

prepared to pay to secure tariff free access to the single European

market. She repeatedly refused to answer the question, so I will ask

again. Is there a government ruling out paying a fee for tariff free

access to the single market, or the bespoke Customs union that she

outlined also in a speech? Than I first of all say to the right

honourable gentleman, in his reference to the timing issue, these

are two separate issues. The House has overwhelmingly voted that

Article 50 should be triggered before the end of March 2017,

following the Supreme Court judgment a bill will be provided for this

House, and there will be the proper debate in this chamber and another

place on that bill. There is then the separate question of publishing

the plan that I have set out, a bold vision for Britain for the future. I

will do that in a white paper, and the right honourable gentleman knows

that one of our objectives is the best possible free trade arrangement

with the European Union, and that is what we will be negotiating for.

Jeremy Corbyn! Some of this is very worrying too many people in this

House, but more importantly it is worrying to many others. For

instance, the chief executive of Nissan was given assurances about

future trade arrangements with Europe but now says they will have

to re-evaluate the situation about their investments in Britain. The

Prime Minister, Mr Speaker, is threatening the EU that unless they

give in to her demands, she will turn Britain into a bargain basement

stacks save and off the coast of Europe. -- bargain basement tax

haven. We on this side of the House are very well aware of the

consequences that would have, the damage it would do two jobs and

living standards and our public services. Is she now going to rule

out the bargain basement thread that was in his speech at Lancaster

House? Prime Minister! I expect us to get a good deal in trading

relationships with the European Union, but I am clear we will not

sign up to a bad deal for the United Kingdom, and as to the threats that

the right parable gentleman claims about what might happen, and he

often talks about this, he uses those phrases, talking about

workers' rights, perhaps he should listen to his former colleague, the

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who has today said, to give credit to the

Government, I don't think they want to weaken workers' rights, and he

goes on to say, I have Cena evidence from the conversations I have had

with senior members of the government that that is their

aspiration or their intention or something they want to do. -- I have

seen no evidence. As usual with Labour, the right hand is not

talking to the far left! Jeremy Corbyn! Mr Speaker... Mr Speaker,

the... The evidence of what the Tory party and this government really

thinks about workers' rights was there for all to see yesterday. A

private member's bill under the ten minute rule by a Tory MP to tear up

parts of the international labour organisation Convention, talking

down my friend the member for Grimsby's built to protect European

workers' rights that have been attained in this country. That is

the real agenda of the Tory party! Mr Speaker, what the Prime Minister

is doing is petted -- petulantly aiming threats about a bargain

basement Britain, is a priority the struggling NHS, those denied social

care, children having funding cut, or once again be the cuts in big

business taxation to make the rich even better off? Prime Minister! I

would simply remind the right honourable gentleman on the issue of

workers' rights that I have been very clear that this government will

protect workers' rights, indeed we have a review of modern employment

law to ensure that legislation is keeping up with the modern labour

market. One of the objectives I set out in my plan for our negotiating

objectives was to protect workers' rights, but he talks about threats

to public services. I will tell him what the threat to public services

would be, a Labour government borrowing 500 million extra! That

would destroy our economy and mean no funding for our public services.

Jeremy Corbyn! The threat to workers' rights, Mr Speaker, is

there every day. Six million and in less than the living wage, many

people, nearly a million, on zero hours contracts, no protection

offered by this government. They are offering, once again, the bargain

basement alternative. Will the Prime Minister, Mr Speaker, take this

opportunity today to congratulate the 100,000 people who marched in

Britain last weekend to highlight women's rights after President

Trump's inauguration and express their concerns about his misogyny?

Because many have concerns, Mr Speaker, that in her forthcoming

meeting with President Trump, she will be prepared to offer up. Five

is -- to offer up for sacrifice the opportunity for American companies

to take over part of our NHS or our public services. Will she assure the

House that in any trade deal none of those things will be offered up as a

bargaining chip? Prime Minister! Again, I would point out to the

honourable gentleman that this government introduced the national

living wage. This government has made changes to 0-hours contracts.

But on the issue of my visit to the United States of America, on the

issue of my visit, I am pleased that I am able to meet President Trump so

early in his administration. That is a sign of the strength of the

special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States

of America, a special relationship on which he and I intend to build.

But can I also say to the Leader of the Opposition, I am not afraid to

speak frankly to a President of the United States. I am able to do that

because we have that special relationship. A special relationship

that he would never have with the United States. Jeremy Corbyn! Mr

Speaker, we would never allow Britain to be sold off on the cheap.

How confident is she of getting a good deal for global Britain from a

president who wants to put America first, by American and build a wall

between his country and Mexico? Mr Speaker, Article 50 wasn't about a

court judgments against this government, what is signified was

the bad judgment of this government, the bad judgment of prioritising

corporate tax cuts overinvestment in national health and social care. The

bad judgment of threatening European partners whilst offering a blank

cheque to President Trump! The bad judgment of wanting to turn Britain

into a bargain basement tax haven. So will she offers some clarity and

some certainty and withdraw the threats to destroy the social

structure of this country by turning us into the bargain basement that

she clearly threatens? We will be out around the world with

the EU Americans and other countries negotiating good trade deals for

this country to bring prosperity. The right honourable gentleman wants

to talk about Brexit. I have to say to him, he is the leader of the

party, he can not agree with his Shadow Chancellor about Brexit. The

Shadow Chancellor can't agree with the shadow Brexit secretary, the

shadow Brexit secretary disagrees with the Shadow Home Secretary and

the Shadow Home Secretary has to read up the leader and tell him to

change his mind. He talks about us standing up for Britain, they can't

speak for themselves, they'll never speak for Britain. SHOUTING AND

JEERS Thank you Mr Speaker, on 27th

December, another young woman lost her life driving through the West

Country on the A303. In the past decade more than 1,000 people have

been killed or injured on that road. For 40 years governments have

promised to dual the lethal parts of the road where they become two and

three with no central reservation. The queues on the road are also

legendary. I know the Government is comuted to an upgrade but can the

Prime Minister assure us that the proposed tunnel at Stonehenge will

not hold up essential work elsewhere and we'll soon see cones on the road

and spades in the ground? Well my honourable friend raises an

important issue. He is absolutely right to do that. I can assure him

we are working generally to improve the safety of our roads. He refers

specifically to the issue of the A303 and the tragic incident that

happened on 27th December. We've committed to creating a dual

carriageway on the A303 from the M3 to M5. I understand highways England

have launched a a consultation into the route under Stonehenge and my

honourable friend will want to look closely at this issue. This is all

part of our ?2 billion investment in road improvement that will improve

connections in the south-west but I can assure him that we have road

safety at the forefront of our mind. I begin by wishing everybody a very

happy Burns Day and of course extending congratulations to the

Scotsman newspaper which is celebrating its by centenary today.

Yesterday ... To Brexit. So, in the spirit of progress for Parliament,

in advance of meeting President Trump, will the Prime Minister tell

Parliament what she wants to achieve in a UK-US trade deal? Can I join

the right honourable gentleman in his good wishes for a happy Burn's

Day to everybody and also in recognising the by centenary of the

Scotsman. I'm sure everybody in the house would join me in that. What we

want to achieve in terms of our arrangements with the United States?

It is very simple. We want to achieve an arrangement that ensures

the interests of the United Kingdom are put first and that is what I

will be doing, and we see a trade arrangement, as we will be looking

for, from other parts of the world, to bring prosperity and growth to

the UK and my aim for this Government is to ensure that economy

works for everybody in every part of the UK. ! The European Union, which

we are still part of, has amongst the highest food safety standards

anywhere in the world. And we are proud on our continent to have

public national health systems. The United States, on the other hand, is

keen to have health systems which are fully open to private

competition. They want to export genetically modified organisms, beef

raised with growth hormones and chicken meat washed with chlorinated

water. Will the Prime Minister tell President Trump that she is not

prepared to lower our food and safety standards, or to open health

systems for privatisation, or does she believe that this is the price

worth paying for a UK-US trade deal? We will be looking for a UK-US trade

deal Thame proves trade between our two countries that will bring

prosperity and growth to this country, that will ensure we can

bring jobs to this country as well. I can assure the right honourable

gentleman in doing, that we will put UK interests and UK values first.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, historic per capita spending in our region,

including Yorkshire, when compared to London is up to 40% lower for our

local authorities, up to 50% lower for our schools and up to 60% lower

for transport prospects. Does the Prime Minister agree that if we want

to build a country that works for everyone, we need a fair funding

deal that works for everyone? I see the issues my honourable friend has

raised. I can assure him our commitment in relation to the

northern parts of England, including Yorkshire, is absolutely clear. We

want business growth across the north. We are backing the northern

powerhouse to help the great cities and towns of the north pool their

strength and take on the world. Yorkshire LETs have received an

additional ?156 million in Government funding this week and we

are spending a record ?15 billion on transport across north. As a result

there are more people in Yorkshire in Humber this the work than

everybody before and employments rates are at a record high. Good

news for the region and for the economy as a whole The European

Medicines Agency provides a single drug licencing system for 500

million people and results in the UK having drugs licensed six to 127

months ahead of countries like Canada and Australia. Yesterday the

Health Secretary stated that the UK will not be in the EMA. Can the

Prime Minister confirm this and explain how she'll prevent delayed

drug access for UK patients? Well, there are a number of organisations

that we are part of as members of the European Union and as part of

the work that we are doing to look at the United Kingdom in the future

when we have left the European Union, we will look at the

arrangements we can put in place to relation to those issues. We want to

ensure that we continue to have, the pharmaceutical industry in this

country is a very important part ever of our economy as are the

ability of people to access these new drugs, I can assure the

honourable lady we are looking seriously at this and will ensure we

have the arrangements we need Too few British intren airs are

connecting with the capital they need to start and grow. As part of

her industrial sfreedge, which will be looking at access to capital,

will the Prime Minister order a view of the enterprise investment scheme

and the seed investment scheme in the hope they can be simplified,

helping to achieve the pools of buccaneering capital that British

industry needs? My honourable friend raises an important issue and he has

long been a champion of intren airships in this country. . I can

tell him we are committed to providing the best possible... There

is a panel that is looking at barriers that exist in long-term

investment and we are also increasing investment from venture

capital by the British business banks by ?4700 million and that will

un-- ?400 million which will unlock new finance. The Treasury will

publish a consultation in the spring looking at these issues I'm sure my

honourable friend willp wanted to sponchtsd four-and-a-half years ago

my constituents were on a family holiday on the Greek island of Zante

when their son Jamie was hit answer killed by a speeding motor bike. It

was his ninth birthday. The rider was convicted but has appealed

against his sentence and to date remains a free man. Will the Prime

Minister agree to meet with Chris and Lidya to discuss how they can

finally secure justice for Jamie? Can I say to the honourable lady I'm

very happy to look at this case. I mean it is a tragic case she has

described and our thoughts must be with Chris and Lidya at the terrible

loss that they have experienced. To the issues of what is happening in

terms of the Greek Criminal Justice System, of course that is a matter

for the Greek authorities. But we will, I will look seriously at this

case and see if there is anything that the Foreign Office can do in

relation to this. President Trump has repeatedly said

that he will bring back torture as an instrument of policy. When she

sees him on Friday, will the Prime Minister make clear that in no

circumstances will she permit Britain to be dragged into

facilitating that torture, as we were after September 11th? I can

assure my honourable friend that we have a very clear position on

torture. We do not sanction torture. We do not get involved with that and

that will continue to be our position.

Thank you Mr Speaker. 70% of my constituents voted Remain. 15% are

citizens of other EU countries and almost all don't trust her

Government to negotiate a deal that secures the future prosperity of

London and the UK. Will she give this House a veto on the deal she

does, or will she put that deal back to a referendum of the British

people? I say to the honourable gentleman, people voted differently

across the country. Parts voted to Remain and parts voted to Leave.

What we now do is unite behind the result of the vote that took place.

We come together as a country, we go out there, we make a success of this

and we ensure that we build that truly global Britain that will bring

jobs to his constituency and his constituents. Mr Speaker, this week

Milton Keynes celebrates its 50th birthday. We have been the most

successful of new cities and have one of the highest rates of economic

growth. Will the Prime Minister agree that Milton Keynes has a great

future and will be central to delivering this Government's

ambitious plans? Well, can I join my honourable friend, can I join my

honourable friend in marking Milton Keynes's 50th birthday and also I

understand he has secured a Westminster Hall debate. I

congratulate him on having done that. I think Milton Keynes is a

great example of what you can achieve with a clear plan and with

strong, local leader sh. We are providing, as he knows, additional

funding for the East-West rail prospect ject. I know he supported

that by chairing the APGG as well as a Oxfordshire express road emschoo.

We'll see a country that works for everyone. Milton Keynes has had not

just a great 50 years but I'm sure a great future as well. Last week a

freight train arrived at barking from China using the Chunnel and

demonstrating the massive protension of rail treat, but containtal rail

wagons and lorries on trains cannot be accommodated on Britain's railway

network. Would the Prime Minister consider giving positive support to

the GB gateway scheme which could link all the nations and regions of

Britain both to each other and to Europe beyond and would take 5

million lorry journeys off Britain's roads per year? The honourable

gentleman has raised an issue, a different gauge on the railways here

and on the continpent which has been an issue for some considerable time.

We want to encourage freight on rails. We have been encouraging that

and we'll continue to do so. Thank you, very much, Mr Speaker.

The ministry of Cake in my constituency, a ?30 million turnover

company has recently been bought by a French company. They trade across

Europe and into China. Does this not demonstrate, Prime Minister and

would you agree with me that it demonstrates the confidence in our

economy as a European company has bought in? It demonstrates that we

can unlock global trade and it demonstrates that the south-west is

a terrific place to do business? I absolutely agree with high

honourable friend. I think the investment that she has referred to

of the French company into a company in her constituency shows the

confidence that people have in our economy for the future T shows the

fundamental strengths of our economy. -- it shows. And it also

shows that we can unlock global trade and of course the south-west

is a very good place to do business. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Robert Burns

said whatever damages society or any least part of it, that is my measure

of inequity. Would the Prime Minister agree that that applies to

the tax system found to be illegal by British courts under which 10,000

asylum seekers were denied a fair trial and some probably unlegally

deported to death and torture? I say to the honourable gentleman the

issue of the detained fast track system in the asylum system I looked

at when I was Home Secretary and we looked at the a number of changes on

how we operate it but it was built on a strong principle - which is if

there is somebody whose case for asylum is such that they are almost

certain to be refused that asylum, then we want to be ensure they can

be removed from the country as quickly as possible, hence the

detained fast track. I would like to ask my friend the

Prime Minister if she would insist in trying to get an enterprise zone

in my constituency as part of the industrial strategy. It turns out

that the Labour Council and Labour county council, who are talking

about an enterprise zonesque project in the area, have not applied for

any funding whatsoever. Would my right honourable friend assist me in

this endeavour? Well, can I say to my honourable friend I know what a

champion for his constituency it is. And I'm sure that the Chancellor and

the Business Secretary will look at the issue that he has raised. I also

say how sad it is that Labour councils are not willing to put

forward proposals to increase the prosperity and economic growth in

their area. Closed question. Number 11. I will

meet the First Minister and leaders of the devolved administrations at

the joint ministerial committee on Monday, but we regularly engage with

the Scottish Government on a number of issues. When she meets with the

First Minister, will she confirm whether she supports the principle

of the Scotland Act that whatever is not reserved is devolved and will

she be able to tell what powers will come to the Scottish Parliament in

the event of Brexit? Can she confirm the Great Repeal Bill will not be

the great power grab? I have been very clear, echoed yesterday by the

Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, that no powers that

are currently devolved will be taken back to the UK Government. What we

will be looking at, and what we will be discussing with the devolved

administrations, is how we deal with powers which are currently in

Brussels when they come back to the United Kingdom, and what we want to

ensure, we want to ensure those powers are dealt with so we can

maintain the important single market of the United Kingdom. Thank you, Mr

Speaker. It is currently hand offence to assault a police officer,

an immigration officer way prison officer, but it is not a specific

offence to assault an NHS worker, doctor, nurse or paramedic. Does the

Prime Minister agree with me that we should consider extending a specific

offence to these people to make it absolutely clear that the public

will not tolerate violence towards our hard-working members of the NHS?

My honourable friend raises an important point, we condemn assaults

on anybody and any violence that takes place, but the Secretary of

State for Health has heard the KC has put and will be happy to look at

that issue. -- has heard the case that he has put. Will be Duke of

Westminster still received ?407,000 year, will Duke of Northumberland

still receive ?475,000 a year, and will the Earl of either still

receive ?915,000 a year from the British taxpayer? The honourable

gentleman seems to know a lot about these ducal matters, I will be

fascinated by the reply! One of the tasks that we will have, and the

honourable gentleman is right, when we leave the European Union, is to

decide what support is provided to agriculture as we are outside of the

Common Agricultural Policy. We are taking the interest of all parts of

the UK into account when we look into what the system should do in

the future. A Hampshire Nice, Sir Gerald Howarth! Last weekend, the

Secretary of State for Defence made a very welcome visit to Ukraine,

where he said that freedom and democracy are not tradable

commodities. As we mark the 25th anniversary of relations between our

two partners, could I invite my right honourable friend to declare

the support of the UK for the maintenance of an independent

sovereign state in Ukraine, which has been subjected to the most

outrageous annexation of part of its providence by Russia? I am very

happy to join my honourable friend in confirming our commitment to the

independent sovereign state of Ukraine. The Foreign Secretary has

been doing a lot of work with other Foreign Ministers on this particular

issue, we provide significant support to Ukraine, and I hope soon

to be up to meet the president and talk about the support we provide.

Pat McFadden. Last week the Prime Minister said that Parliament would

get a vote on the final deal between the UK and the European Union. Kuqi

set out what would happen if Parliament said no to the terms of

that deal? -- could she set out. Would she negotiate an alternative

deal, or would no deal option be falling back on WTO rules, which

mean 10% tariffs on cars, 20% on food and trick, and a host of other

barriers to trade, investment and prosperity in the UK? Prime

Minister. As I also said in my speech, I expect we will be but to

negotiate a good deal in terms of trade with the European Union,

because it would be in our interests and those of the European Union as

well. There will be a vote on the deal for this Parliament, but then,

if this Parliament is not willing to accept a deal that has been decided

and agreed by the United Kingdom Government with the European Union,

I have said that if there is no deal, we will have to fall back on

other arrangements. Mr Speaker, a great pleasure to welcome my

honourable friend the Prime Minister and her Cabinet to Khazri earlier

this week, and I welcome the Government industrial strategy to

bring high skill, high wage jobs to close the North-South divide, and

the message is that Britain is open for business. I and the whole

Cabinet were very pleased to be able to visit, pleased to be able to sit

down and meet with small businesses on that particular site to hear the

support they have for what the Government is doing in the

industrial strategy. Britain is open for business, we will be trading

around the world, a global leader in free trade, bringing jobs, economic

growth and prosperity to every part of this country. Thank you, Mr

Speaker. We are now aware of the hundreds of thousands of women who

marched in behalf of women's rights last weekend. In this House, we have

been lobbied by members of the women against state pension inequality,

and many MPs have lodged petitions asking the Government to act. Can

the Prime Minister tell us how many MPs have lodged such petitions? I

have to say to the honourable gentleman that I think the number of

petitions presented in this Parliament is a matter for the

authorities, but the Government has already taken action in relation to

the issue of women's pensions to reduce the changes that will be

experienced by women and putting extra money into that. Following her

excellent EU speech last week, will the Prime Minister consider

unilaterally guaranteeing the rights of EU citizens living and working in

the UK? This isn't just the decent thing to do, but by taking the moral

high ground, it will be a source of strength going forward in the

negotiations, and we can always return to the issue of

non-reciprocation and necessary later in those negotiations. I

recognise the concern that my honourable friend has raised in

relation to this issue, but my position remains the same as it

always has been. I expect and intend and want to be able to guarantee the

rights of EU citizens living in the United Kingdom, but as the British

by Minister it is only right that I should give consideration to the

rights of UK citizens living in the remaining 27 member states of the

EU, and that is why I wanted that reciprocal arrangement. As I said

last week, Ira Main open to this being an issue we negotiate at a

very early stage. -- I remain open. A number of other European bodies

want that, and I'm hoping we will be up to do it at an early stage. Dr

Lisa Cameron. Thank you, Mr Speaker. As chair of the all-party

Parliamentary group for disability, we recently compiled an important

report into the Government's pledge to halve the employment gap.

Research shows this pledge will not be met for 50 years. To date, no

minister has met with the group to discuss the report. Will the Prime

Minister place people with disability at the heart of policy

and ensure that her ministers engage with our recommendations? The Prime

Minister. The honourable lady raises an important issue about disabled

people in the workplace. It is one we are aware of, and as we see the

number of people in unemployed and going down, it does change the

ratios to select ten. The Secretary of State is looking at how we can

ensure that we are seeing more disabled people in the workplace,

and I am sure he will have seen that request. Can I welcome the Prime

Minister meeting with the president of Turkey on Saturday, when we can

show our solidarity in the fight against terrorism, deepen our

trading relationship, and the Prime Minister also seek support for a

united and independent Cyprus free from Turkish troops? I thank my

honourable friend for raising the important issues that I will be

discussing with President Erdogan, and with the Prime Minister of

Turkey when I meet them on Saturday. He raises the issue of Cyprus. I am

hopeful that the talks will be able to continue to come to a solution,

closer to a solution than we have been before. I have already spoken

to the Prime Minister and the President about the need to ensure

that we are creative in thinking and finding a solution for this, and I

had a further telephone call over the weekend about this very issue.

We stand ready, as a guarantor, to play our part in making sure we see

a successful conclusion of these talks, and see the reunification of

Cyprus, which people have been working for for some time. Thank

you, Mr Speaker. I joined the Prime Minister in wishing a speedy

recovery to the police officer who was shot and injured in my

constituency in north Belfast on Sunday night. Thankfully, he was not

killed, but that was not the intention of the terrorists, of

course. It is very clear, Mr Speaker, that the political

instability brought about by Sinn Fein's collapse of the assembly is

in no-one's interest, and it is also clear that their intention is to

rewrite the past. Will she make it very clear that the legal

persecution of police officers and soldiers who did so much to bring

peace to Northern Ireland will not be allowed to continue? I say to the

right honourable gentleman that, as he indicates, the political

stability in Northern Ireland has been hard earned over some

considerable time, and none of us want to see and thrown away. He

raises the issue of the current situation, where a number of

investigations by the PSNI into former soldiers and their activities

in Northern Ireland, and I think it is right that we recognise that the

majority of people who lost their lives did so as a result of

terrorist activity, and it is important that the terrorist

activity is looked into. That is why one of the issues that my right

honourable friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is

looking at is the legacy question and how that can take place in

future. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Social care provided by Labour led

council in my area is failing miserably. Serious errors in process

have led to, quite frankly, shameful consequences for some of my most

vulnerable constituents. It is clearly not about funding, as they

said on reserves of about ?233 million. Will my right honourable

friend instigate an urgent review of social care practice at the county

council, because the people of Derbyshire deserve better? Prime

Minister. My honourable friend has made an important point in relation

to this issue, which is that successful social care is not wholly

about funding, but the practice on the ground, and that is why we are

very clear that it is important to see that integration between social

and health care at a local level, and local authorities should be

playing their part in delivering that. And this is any stew that we

need to see addressed for the longer term as well. -- an issue. Frankly,

it has been ducked by governments for too long in this country, and

that is why we are determined to bring forward a sustainable

programme in the future. Ed Miliband. It brings... The right

honourable gentleman never knew he was quite that popular! Ed Miliband!

I was going to say, Mr Speaker, it brings back memories, actually! Can

I say to the Prime Minister, as the first foreign leader to meet

President Trump, she carries a huge responsibility on behalf not just of

this country but the whole international community in the town

that she sets? Can I ask her to reassure us that she will say to the

President that he must abide by and not withdraw from the Paris climate

change treaty, and in case it is helpful, can she offer the services

of UK scientists to convince the president that climate change is not

a hoax invented by the Chinese? Prime Minister! Well, I recognise

the role the right honourable gentleman has played in looking at

this issue of climate change, and I hope he recognises the commitment

this government has shown to be a stew of climate change with the

legislation we have put through, and the changes that we have brought

about in terms of the energy sector and users of different forms of

energy. The Obama administration obviously signed up to the Paris

climate change agreement, we have now done that, I would hope that all

parties would continue to ensure that the climate change agreement is

put into practice. Order...