27/04/2017 House of Commons

agreement between the UK and the EU. -- and comprehensive agreement.

We will hear from the fellows surely. I'm sure he knows his own

name. Sir Edward. In the interests of good governance, will the

Minister shot the permanent Secretary to make sure there are

worthwhile discussions with the possible future Government to ensure

how we are going to square the circle of staying in the single

market but controlling immigration, and being outside the customs union,

I don't know what they're going to do, and trying to make new trade

agreements. Could he square the circle? I congratulate my honourable

friend for his demonstration of the single transferable question. The

speech from the Shadow Secretary of State has been widely picked up as

being a confused position. Our permanent secretary is bright and

brilliant enough to be able to work his way through it. Mr Speaker, it

is nice to be here. The Government is committed to securing a deal that

works for the entire United Kingdom, including all parts of England. We

are working with the local Government Association and regional

partners to understand the problems and to identify any regional

differences. As my honourable friend will be aware, the Secretary of

State has already committed to bringing the mayor 's together for a

summit in the summer. The Secretary of State agreed to hold a meeting in

York for the mayor is off the north to make sure the region's interests

are properly represented. With Yorkshire's devolution deal is

proving challenging, with the Secretary of State agreed to invite

those areas that are not represented by a male? The Government is

committed to securing a deal that works for the whole of the United

Kingdom and every part of England. Ministers have visited Yorkshire on

a number of occasions, including the Secretary of State's visitor

November, and sure he will be willing to consider another visit

after the election. There has been investment in funding from the

European Union, counterbalancing the effect of this another Tory

governments. What guarantee will he offered that the repatriations of

powers from Europe will not mean further concentration and Whitehall

and that it will be devolved to the region 's? After the United Kingdom

lease the European Union will be giving full consideration to further

devolution to bring powers as close as possible to all parts of the

country, but we are committed to securing a deal that works for the

north-east and ministers have visited every part of England,

including a recent doesn't to Sunderland to talk to people about

manufacturing issues. On his visits around the regions of the UK, will

the Minister make it clear that in order to deliver and take back

control of our money, our laws and our borders, we must leave the

single market, leave the customs union, and establish sovereign

control of our borders and the maritime waters. He has set out the

Government position Abra boy. -- admirably visiting the Northeast is

always a good thing to do and we are happy to have him, but while he is

there he needs to listen. The engineering employers Federation has

warned that walking away with no warned that walking away with no

deal would condemn Northeast manufacturing to a painful and

costly Brexit. Instead of posturing, the engineering employers Federation

was the Government to focus on having a clear position on customs

and a sensible transition period. Why isn't the Government listening

to manufacturers in the north Christmas on the contrary, we

regularly deal with manufacturing industry. I had a meeting with the

EEF that was very successful. The fact of the matter is that we are

planning to seek the best possible free-trade agreement with the

continuing UDP union. Our position will be that no deal is better than

a bad deal and I find it extraordinary that the Government of

the opposition seems to think it is sensible to go to the negotiating

Chamber expecting to have no deal. Thank you, Mr Speaker. We have

regular discussions with ministers, including with the Attorney General.

We fully respect the convention and happy working with the devolved

administrations, through the joint ministerial Committee. Before what

is my last question in this House, can I thank you and your staff

across all areas in which colleagues across the House every success in

the coming months. Can the Minister confirm whether the Great Repeal

Bill will require consent from the dissolved assembly 's? Thank you for

her warm remarks. Could I express my best wishes to her for the future.

Whether or not legislative consent is required for the Great Repeal

Bill will depend on the form and content of that, which will be

published in the next Parliament. Has my right honourable friend

received a report on the visit on Monday and Tuesday this week of the

Scottish affairs Committee to Brussels? Does he share my delight

that it was made absolutely clear throughout those discussions that

the European Union is only interested in negotiating with the

United Kingdom Government and not with the Scottish Government? I did

note that, Mr Speaker, and the position is quite clear. It is

member states and negotiate with European Union and given that this

country voted as a single country to leave the European Union, we should

be expecting the support of the Scottish National Party are not what

they are doing at the moment. Scotland voted twice to remain in

the European Union, because they told us that brought against

independence was afoot to stay in the EU. Statutory instruments are

not normally subject to legislative consent, but will the Government

committed to ensuring that will be consent? It is very likely that the

necessary competences will be created to allow the dissolved

assemblies themselves to make those statutory instruments. On that

point, there have been many who have criticised the Government's plans to

make minor technical changes to legislation using the Henry VIII

powers, which is no more than the plans to use delegated legislation.

Does he agree with me that actually do use of delegated legislation is

an established part of the legislative procedures used in this

House? By honourable friend is entirely right. Any such statutory

instruments would be under statute that would go through this House and

the other place in the normal way. Thank you, Mr Speaker. The

Government is working hard to get the best deal for the United

Kingdom, are free-trade deal with the EU that is more ambitious than

any other yet struck. We are considering and analysing the impact

on future trading in all sectors of our economy, developing policies to

support our vision for a global Britain that is producing more,

selling more on exporting more. Could they Minister tried to

concentrate. Welsh farmers are saying that the door is open to New

Zealand competition which could clear welsh sheep off-the-shelf

because of the price and the door is not open to new markets in the

United States, although this was promised. The Minister will

understand the culture of priority of men training Welsh farms, where

one of the most ancient languages and the whole of Europe prospers in

its purest and best form. Is this not a major priority to the

Government, to give a guarantee to welsh farmers? I represent many more

welsh farmers than he does and I intend to do so and after the

general election. This Government is intent on ensuring the best possible

free-trade agreement for this country, which will benefit all

farmers including Welsh farmers, and we intend to ensure Welsh exports

continue as the general election. If she would like to contribute, she

was welcome to do so. Welsh sheep are important part of the

agricultural sector in Wales and the farming community as a whole

throughout the UK is looking for reassurance that they will be

supported and to relieve the European Union full up there is a

very high agricultural sector in my constituency and they would be

grateful of the protection as you leave the European Union. The

agricultural sector is very important in the forthcoming

negotiations. We have already increased the number of exports from

the British farming sector, we are currently in the process of

negotiating to open a market in Saudi Arabia and there are other

opportunities out there once we have left the European Union.

Excellent, I was hoping the Honourable Gentleman would beetle

into the House on time and he has done so. I reinstate number 13. Mr

Henry Smith. Thank you, Mr Speaker. With your permission I will and so

questions 1319 together. Engagement with industry is an essential part

of our plan to build a national consensus around a negotiating

position. We're been speaking to industry groups across the UK and

internationally, including Rolls-Royce and the aerospace growth

partnership. Thank you for your forbearance. Well my honourable

friend... And much more, Mr Speaker. Well my honourable friend welcome

Boeing's investment in a new hangar maintenance facility at Gatwick

Airport as proof of the expanding aviation sector, even post-Brexit?

Yes, indeed. Boeing have announced 100 new jobs of their facility at

Gatwick. Aviation and the space industry are vitally important parts

of our economy and we have no doubt that they will continue to thrive

after we have left the European Union. I am grateful to the Minister

for mentioning Airbus who have our location in my constituency. What

discussions has the Minister had with these companies to reassure

them that their supply chains are secure and that there will be

well-placed to make the most of a global, facing Britain. I have had

several discussions with various aerospace companies, including

Airbus, Blair met in Bristol recently. We understand that supply

chains across Europe are heavily integrated, but there is a mutual

interest in agreeing trading arrangements. The British aerospace

industry is the most important in Europe and there is a mutual

interest in ensuring the continued elation ships persist beyond Brexit.

-- the continued relationships. I think it is me again. This was the

question that was due to be linked with number ten. The ministerial

team have frequent discussions with colleagues across departments,

including the Department for International Trade, about our

future relationship with European Union. The Government wants to

secure and mutually beneficial customs agreement and a bold and

ambitious free-trade agreement on greater scale and ambition than any

before it. Does the Minister agree with International Trade Secretary

that it needs to be easier to hire and fire workers in the UK. Our

commitment to the security of workers' rights has been stated many

times. We called a debate in Government time to ensure that point

was well made and I am surprised that the Honourable Gentleman raises

the issue again. Car manufacturers a vital part of the Shropshire

economy. Could he commit that any free-trade agreement will protect

car manufacturer throughout the United Kingdom?

Clearly a agreement would not only be a huge benefit to Land Rover in

shops and many other motor manufacturers in the country. -- in

Shropshire. We are seeking an ambitious agreement that would

provide a host of opportunities for manufacturers across the world. The

Minister will no doubt paragraph 19 of the European Council draft

guidelines for the negotiations on the future EU UK relationship

declared there must be a level playing field for competition with

the same social and environmental standards. Does the Minister agree

with that principle and would he be happy to see it in bedded in the

agreement? Firstly these are draft guidelines, the final guidelines

will not be issued until the 29th of this month. These are the guidelines

under which the EU want us to operate the discussions, it remains

to be seen what our response to that is. Although we are of one mind that

we have to questions and only one knighthood! The government is right

to seek continuing free-trade agreement with the EU, it would be

in the interests of the EU as well as ourselves and it would be the

first, best outcome. They cannot admit to what is quite likely that

politics might, macroeconomics and there might be no deal. Can they

confirm that in those circumstances we will go to a good second-best

which is trading on most-favoured-nation terms as do the

European Union's most successful partners, the USA, China, Japan and

Russia? It would mean an average tariff of 4%, relatively small beer

competitiveness because of the competitiveness because of the

exchange rate and saving ?10 billion a year which is equivalent to a 7%

tariff on our exports. Let me say quite clearly that the ambition and

the intention of the government is to achieve the best possible

free-trade agreement with our EU partners. However, opposition also

is that we expect to negotiate toughly and unlike the opposition

our position will be made clear to the EU that we are prepared to walk

away from the negotiating table if it is not possible to achieve a deal

that suits us. The Secretary of State when he gave evidence to the

select committee told me the government had not undertaken any

economic assessment of the impact of Brexit Cynthia Bean in his post.

Could he update the house on whether there have been any progress and

will be also ensure that when it comes to publishing the government's

final deal that there is an economic assessment of the impact of that

deal, of the impact of no deal, so my constituents and the country can

about whether no deal is indeed about whether no deal is indeed

better than a bad deal? The department has carried out an

in-depth assessment right across 50 sectors of the economy. What we have

made clear is that it is not in the national interest for us to produce

a running commentary on how we are developing our negotiating position

and that will remain the case. Question number 15.

We're working closely with colleagues across government to

assess the impact that withdrawal from the EU overlap across sectors

in crosscutting areas and the environment sector is continuing the

best options for future agricultural and land use Halsey that can benefit

British farming, countryside and the environment. I'm grateful for his

answer and the UK exit from the EU could provide many new and exciting

opportunities for our farmers but in order to get the policy right, what

work is going on alongside Defra to engage fully with our farmers and

also with the sector more generally? also with the sector more generally?

And at any time A-listers would be welcome the company date with my

farmers in Corby and East Northamptonshire. We are presented

with an unprecedented opportunity to redesign agricultural policies to

suit the British agricultural industry. And we are meeting with a

number of interested parties and stakeholders from the agricultural

sector and we have had meetings with all the British farming unions, the

national pig Association, country land and business Association and

the International meat trade association to name but a few.

Question 16, please. We're working closely with

colleagues across government to assess the impact that withdrawal

from the EU will have a number of sectors in cost-cutting areas. I

have meetings with a number of stakeholders from the Scottish food

and drinks sector including NFU Scotland, the Scotch Whisky

Association, the Scottish fishermen Association, the Scottish fishermen

's Federation and the food and drink Federation. I'm grateful for the

answer, Stirling constituency has many world-class food and drink

companies. I wonder what assurances the Secretary of State or the

Minister could give me if any that during the Brexit negotiations

access to the important EU market for these excellent MPs can be

maintained unprotected? As I have said already, we are seeking a

free-trade agreement that would continue to secure such access but

might I also say that the Scotch Whisky Association has said that

there are enormous opportunities for the sector if the UK can secure

favourable bilateral trade deals across other export markets. India

is a growing market for Scotch whiskey but we are being held back

by a 150% tariff so the honourable gentleman should be looking for the

opportunities of Brexit and not being a wet blanket. Thank you, Mr

Speaker. Since the SNP government came into office, the value of

Scottish food exports has more than doubled with businesses in my

constituency enjoyed excellent levels of growth. What impact

assessment has his department carried out on the impact of Brexit

on such excellent growth or is it simply fingers crossed approach?

Morning I received a response from the Scotland Office in relation to a

question I posted to the Secretary of State for Scotland and we now

know that the Scotland Office has not made any assessment of the

impact of Brexit on Scottish trade. I'm surprised to hear that, Mr

Speaker. As I said a moment ago, in fact the Scotch was the association

itself has identified enormous opportunities from Brexit so maybe

when the honourable lady goes back to her constituency to do

campaigning, she might go to her nearest distillery and ask them what

they think. Number 17, please, Mr Speaker. The government has provided

assurances to EU student in the UK and are welcomed the announcement

that confirmed EU students applying to study at English universities in

2018 at the 19th will continue to remain eligible for undergraduate,

masters, and financial support even if the course concludes after the UK

exit the EU. The government want an environment in which the UK remained

a world leader in research and academia and continues to be home to

the best universities in the world. I would like to echo this sentiment

about international students and commend my honourable friend for all

this work on that campaign. I'm proud to have the award-winning

Huddersfield University in our town and I've visited the Institute for

railway research a couple of weeks ago and thanks to a business growth

fund they are working on innovative rail and tram projects around the

world including in Australia, so can the Minister and his deep make sure

what world-class universities will be Gavor heart of the opportunities

that Brexit will bring? My honourable friend is absolutely

right to champion our universities and along with my colleague I have

been meeting regularly with his higher education and innovation

Council which represents the views of the university sector and it is

clear that UK collaborative research both with EU partners and widely in

the world is a huge opportunity for improving this process.

Can I thank my honourable friend for his debate the other day in

Westminster Hall where we discussed this issue. A Conservative

government successfully secured the rebate in 1984 which was introduced

in 1985 and compiling an aggregate figure in real to the context matter

and the government has not published such figures but I know he has

estimated it at well over ?100 billion. Details of the most recent

rebate are published in a document and the latest edition was published

in February report that the UK received a rebate of ?3.9 billion

from the EU in 2016. A massive 117 billion pound total rebate since

Margaret Thatcher negotiated it in 1984 is testament to her resolution

and determination in getting the best deal for Britain and refusing

to take no for an answer. Will my honourable friend agree to emulate

her negotiating style and to swing the metaphorical handbag until we

get the deal that Britain needs? I can assure my honourable friend that

as both at the tap repetition of both our secretary of state and the

Prime Minister we'll be robust in defining our national interest

throughout this process. As the Prime Minister set out, the days of

Britain making vast contributions to the EU every year will end. A

strong, stable government will be best placed to secure the best deal

for the British taxpayer and just as our first lady prime ministers

secured the rebate and taxpayer Balliu, I am sure our second one

will fight our corner in these negotiations. Number one, please.

Before I answer that I start by thanking you for your forbearance

and indeed for ever because you have done for this house. We have a clear

plan for Britain, one that fosters a deep and a special new partnership

with the EU and serves the interests of all parts of the UK. We want that

partnership to be underpinned by a comp rancid free-trade agreement

that gives UK companies the maximum access to European markets and

European companies the same access to UK markets -- comprehensive

free-trade agreement. Membership of the single market involves

maintaining or four freedoms including free movement of people

which is inconsistent with our desire to take back control of our

borders. Britain is leaving the EU but not Europe and it has been in

both our interest to see the EU succeed socially, politically and

economically and it will be our policy. Would my right honourable

friend confirmed that as part of that plant is the government's

commitment to put the right to EU citizens to British law by the Great

Repeal Bill and nothing will affect those right and as has the consent

of this house? Indeed he is right and one of the things I think people

have missed and he has picked up in this is that any change in those

right would require primary legislation in this house in

addition to that our plan is to put through the Great Repeal Bill and

have subsequent consequential primary legislation which will

underpin those rights. I have made these points to many of my opposite

numbers but other member state and said this is obviously will be taken

at the same time as protection of British rights abroad and all

understood it and welcome it and I'm very confident that we can get a

deal which will protect all of the 4 million people in very short order.

Let me pick up on that theme because of the Secretary of State knows,

around 3 million EU nationals are very anxious about their status when

we leave the EU. Labour would unilaterally Danty their status from

day one. Under this government, or they can do is apply for

consideration for permanent residency. As the Brexit committee

warned in March, the current process for consideration a permanent

residency applications is not fit for purpose. He knows how important

it is. Have things improved? The thing I would say and I respect his

concern in this area and let me be clear about that, but I would say

that the system is not designed to deal with 3 million people and it

has been made plain, if you go on the Home Office website you will say

that it says you don't need to make an application and when we move the

primary legislation, I believe it will be very simple. As the

Financial Times reported yesterday, the Home Office is now saying don't

apply them is that the official government position for EU

nationals, don't apply for permanent residency? Is that how they are

going to deal with the anxiety? Don't apply? But that is about is

the reflection of what is on the website of the Home Office which is

that they don't need to apply for their rights to be underpinned. That

is the approach we are taking. Bear in mind, for the next two years

irrespective of anything the government does, all of the existing

rights and privileges continue to apply. There will be no change in

that respect. Before we come to the point of exit from the EU, we will

have made this very clear in primary legislation.

The Lincolnshire coast line is the best place in the country for a

traditional seaside holiday. But the coastline also has pockets of

deprivation and investment in infrastructure such as broadband,

traffic solutions and renovated beach huts are key to the local

economy. Can my honourable friend reassure my constituents that the

coastal economy and rural economy will be central in preparations for

our exit? I am grateful to the honourable lady for that question.

Her coastline, with the exception of the north Wales coastline, is one of

the most beautiful in the UK. Coastal communities do contribute an

important part to our economy. They are part of the study we have big

undertaking and we intend to ensure their interests are reflected

post-Brexit. The Prime Minister called the general election in the

name of unity to strengthen her EU negotiating position, but this is

the Prime Minister who said, -- sent Go Home vans around parts of

Britain. She aided and abetted the most disgraceful campaign against

the first-Muslim-macro back capital city and this is the Government

which we did had Brexit allies seeks to call anyone who calls into

question their negotiating strategy a bunch of saboteurs. He's not the

truth that far from uniting this country, this Government has been

dividing it since they took office? If the honourable gentleman wants an

answer, the first place he should start is on the streets of Britain,

where he will find a massive support for Prime Minister. A massive

respect for our Prime Minister, and a belief that she will deliver the

best outcome in the Brexit negotiations. Last week, I met staff

at Norwich manufacturing, they small but impressive company with links to

Ireland and the continent. Firms such as this need is free as

possible trade between the other member states. Will he look for

security, stability, and simplicity, for small firms up and down this

country? We fully understand the importance of these issues to SMEs

including those in her constituency, and let me repeat for the umpteenth

time, we are pursuing a bold and ambitious free trade agreement which

will be for the benefit of firms such as those and others around the

country. Thousands of my constituents work in Edinburgh's

financial sector, the second largest in the UK. Following the

announcement by the EU 27 this week that the intend to exclude the

financial services sector from any future trade deal with the UK after

Brexit, can the minister tell me what contingency planning he is

carrying out to protect my constituents' jobs? As I said

earlier, we seek a competitive trade deal which absolutely would include

comprehensive doublet financial services, but we have engaged with

the Edinburgh financial services sector, who have been very clear

with us that access to European Union market is in potent --

important to them but even more important to them is their access to

the rest of the UK and the relationship between Scotland and

the rest of the UK. As my right honourable friend proceeds with the

immense task of delivering a responsible and good Brexit for the

country and most especially at these difficult times for me to six, would

he agree with me that we cannot pretend to be a global player

without running an open economy with an orderly, and bureaucratic

immigration policy which will allow businesses and public services the

people and skills they need? Mid Sussex is in good hands. Of course

he's right. The balance that any Government strikes when it controls

its own immigration policy, controls its own borders, something which he

has fought for down the years, is one which is both... Provides proper

security and proper policy, in terms of delivery of social services and

delivering housing, that but at the same time, allows our businesses,

universities, our research centres, I financial centres, all to take

part in the battle for talent which actually makes our country one of

the greatest in the world. Can I thank you for putting up with me so

tolerantly for quite a long time? But can I also warn you I will make

every effort to be back and troublesome in future? And can

surprise you by asking a topical question? The fact is, I want to ask

the Secretary of State, people like me, we were remainders but we accept

for the will of the British people and we want a great deal for this

country and we are very worried that this election will get in the way.

GCC this morning's report from make pharmaceutical industry, by the

pharmaceutical industry will move out of Britain for two reasons, one

11, Brexit, and two, the fact we have not put sufficient resources

into our national health service. He's the one person who has actually

got me a rebuke from the Speaker in the past, so I look forward to him

coming back and continuing that tradition. We have had industries

relocated here. We have had people like GlaxoSmithKline increased

expenditure here. And as for the other aspect of the attempt by the

AP PI, it seemed to be pressure on the spending of the National health

service, which is something I think is more for the Health Secretary,

but I think he will make sensible decisions in the national interest,

not in individual industry's interest. We have outstanding are

space -- aerospace businesses in the UK, including Rolls-Royce. Would my

right honourable friend agree that it is a vital sector to the UK

economy, and assured this House that it will have a strong voice in the

negotiations? Pendle has a strong voice going into the next general

election. Aerospace is a key industry for this country and that

is why, as I said earlier, we have paid so much attention. We will make

sure we continue to have the most important are space industry in

Europe. Far from there being an extra ?350 million a week to be

spending on the NHS following Brexit, we are likely to face an NHS

staff crisis and slow access to cancer drugs and treatment because

of the loss of the European medicines agency. Is the Secretary

of State going to be putting that sign on a bus in the next few weeks?

One of the oddities of the position of the Labour Party is that on one

hand, it says, you must represent everybody, which is entirely proper,

but on the other hand, they want to revisit... I will answer when

Heckerling stops. Clearly the onboard gentleman is getting into

hustings at his constituency. It may be the last one he has. I will not

revisit the oddments of the past. I will work on delivering the best

outcome for the future. -- I will not revisit the arguments. As this

is the last day and other than points of order, we will be

suspending, my instinct is to hear colleagues who want to ask

questions, but I hope that they will be able to be heard. If colleagues

would like to put the questions forward to the Secretary of State

and his colleagues, I am open to that. With great brevity. Does he

agree that financial services in London, Edinburgh and throughout the

country will be able to benefit for equivalence and mutual recognition

as an alternative to pass porting to ensure that sector remained open and

thriving, as stated by the Governor of the Bank of England recently?

She's right and we will continue to work closely with the regulators to

ensure we have some of the best regulated financial services in the

world. The secretary of the state is a wise man and we all read his wife

article in the Irish Times on September the 5th last year, when he

said that Ireland did not have to choose between Ireland and the UK,

it could have extensive trade and commerce. Ireland is a big market

for England but not the biggest, so given his wise words in Ireland,

what patients does he have with those that somehow suggest that

England would like to have trade barriers with its largest market in

Europe and at ?50 billion its second largest export market in the world,

Scotland. Before I answer, I will say this, he's an old friend and

politics notwithstanding I wish him well. The answer to his question, I

don't want to see any trade barriers within the United Kingdom, which is

why I support the union. Whilst all of us in this place want a good

negotiating settlement, for some it is vital, not least the agricultural

sector, who do stand to lose significantly if there is no deal.

Could my right honourable friend continue to reassure that despite

the necessary shorthand of our approach to the negotiations, that

means the -- that the need for the agricultural sector to be secure is

uppermost in his mind? He is right that the agricultural sector is the

most sensitive to the issue of tariffs and indeed the issue of

customs, because of the nature of the product. Very often it is

biodegradable and so on. It is also true that this is true the other way

round, we are an enormous market for France, Bavaria and many other

agricultural areas of Europe. So we have dead centre the aim of getting

a frictionless trade in that sector and we are confident that it is in

the interests of the whole of the European Union, not just us. Will be

minister tell us why we are going into this premature election? Those

others who voted to remain have accepted fully the decision voted

for Article 50 as they did in the other house. That is not the reason.

Can he confessed today that the real reason that we are having this

election is that the Government want to escape from the promise they made

two years ago, the five-year promise not to raise taxes and to respect

the triple lock? And isn't it true that what lies ahead on the economic

front isn't a great -- is a great sink hole into which our economy

will fall in a tailspin? I note the attention to your call for a short

question, Mr Speaker. But I will give it a short answer. The Labour

Party throughout this has maintained its interesting schizophrenia. On

the one hand, saying, we respect the outcome of the referendum, and then

at every turn trying to thwart it. They say, you have a mandate to lead

but not on these terms. When the election is over, we will have a

mandate on those terms. Thank you. We'll be minister consider a West

Midlands Brexit summit with the new mayor of the West Midlands, who will

hopefully be Andy Street and with key regional businesses so that we

can ensure that the West Midlands' interests are considered in the

Brexit negotiations and Brexit delivers for the West Midlands as

well as the rest of the country? One of the best things that could happen

to the West Midlands is for Andy Street to be elected, and I will

make time to see him as soon as he is. London is the predominant

economic force in the country. I want assistance and cooperation --

what assistance and cooperation has my right honourable friend received

from the Mayor of London and the authorities in London to ensure a

smooth, clean Brexit that benefits the capital and the whole of the

country? He's dead right that the financial sector in London is the

largest, but not just London, remember Scotland is a major

financial sector, and so on. We have been in constant communication. All

of the ministers in the department and the relevant ministers in the

Treasury, with the whole sector, and representative groups of the sector,

and a large number of companies in the sector. And to give him his due,

I have also had representations from Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, and

useful, day since -- useful conversations with him and we

recognise we have the interests of London at heart. What kind of deal

does he think he will get if he and his Government refuses to pay their

dues in Europe? Surely negotiations are about give and take? It is

interesting that the Scottish National Party wants to give ?60

billion. My constituency in Bromley and Chislehurst welcome the emphasis

given to the financial services, our largest employer. Wilkie also

acknowledge that these are important to the Crown dependencies? And also

to the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar? Will he make sure those

two key areas also get the full benefit of our ambitious free-trade

deal? The honourable gentleman is just

about old enough to remember me defending Gibraltar before and we

defended it then and we will now. My constituency with the net

beneficiary from the EU is to boost our economy we need continuous

investment for jobs so will the Minister commit to the same high

levels of infrastructure investment for the future? The honourable

gentleman will know that the government has guaranteed structural

fund payments to 2020 and he must also understand that the

responsibility for delivering infrastructure in Wales is that the

Welsh Assembly government and no doubt he will be speaking to his

colleagues as soon as Parliament is risen. I thought we were about to

hear from the member of South Norfolk who has -- but we are

ratified we will hear from him. I'm grateful, I only wish to ask about

the pig industry, an important industry across is Anglia. Can you

tell us what prospect they see for the industry which is not happy

subsidy from the public purse but would have made huge gains

particularly in China where the pigs ear deal added ?5 per carcass, what

vast ecstasy to see for this important sector? I am sure that my

honourable friend will be declaring his interest, but can I assure him

that the government understands the importance of pig meat to the

economy. I have met with the National pig Association and that

the say that they are very positive about the future. Can the Secretary

of State name one power or policy area he can definitely guarantee

will be devolved to the Scottish Parliament in the event of Brexit?

All the ones they currently have. In an earlier question reference was

made to the English regions which are of course an EU construction.

They divide great counties like ligature between the East Midlands

and Yorkshire and the Humber. Would it be too much to expect a future

government when we regain our independence to scrap these regions

or at least ensured that linking to it in one of them? -- Lincolnshire.

Or I can say is that the honourable gentleman tempts me to much! In

relation to the preparation for the UK leaving the EU, can I ask how

Northern Ireland will be represented taking into account the state of

devolution and how does he believe he will be able to meet the needs of

Northern Ireland at this time? We continue to urge all parties to come

together so there can be a restoration of the devolved assembly

and we can engage with all parties in Northern Ireland to make sure

their views are represented in this period. I would say to him that

earlier this week I was attending the British and Irish chambers of

commerce where there was cute interest in maintaining strong and

positive relations between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland

and UK -- huge interest. How can any negotiator achieve any concession

from any other negotiator if it is known in advance that he will not

walk away if no concessions are given? My honourable friend is

absolutely right and he crystallises the point on no deal is better than

a bad deal and he demonstrates why the Labour proposal, apart from

being completely impractical, would never be deliverable. Then the

Secretary of State Guaranty regional aid for the West Midlands after

Britain leaves the EU and more importantly, we have a fine

candidate for the mayor's job. Certainly the West Midlands is one

of the powerhouses of this country that will be important for powering

the economy after we have left the EU. These will be matters discussed

in the fullness of time. And with the new mayor. Andy Street. Three

years ago David Cameron and I launched my first election campaign,

British Sugar in Newark, three years and approaching three elections

later, the sugar industry continues to employ hundreds of people in

Nottinghamshire and keeps the field of Nottinghamshire full of rich beet

crop. And the sugar industry is optimistic about the prospects for

Brexit. I know he has acquired a reputation as something of a bruiser

over the years but with 13 years of experience at Tate Lyle, will he

retain his sweet tooth as he approaches the negotiations? I must

admit I am wondering whether I should declare an interest on the

half my pension fund if nothing else! But of course we will fight

the interests of the sugar industry as much as anything else and will be

successful. Mr Speaker, in my constituency energy is the largest

sector, we have wind farms can nuclear power, gas even a panel

going under the day to fit a electrical cables from one end of

Cumbria into Lancashire. EDF energy is the largest employer and they are

continually reinvesting and have plans to expand. Would my honourable

friends agree with me that this is a sign of things to come? We have had

a number of meetings with the energy industry including with EDF and I

would be delighted to meet my honourable friend to discuss this

further because making sure we continue to have the energy to power

the British economy in the future is vital part of our considerations.

Can the Minister confirmed that Britain's withdrawal from the EU

will not affect the border controls and also the immigration controls

that people from the EU are currently subjected to as they enter

the UK? Clearly it is a part of our negotiating aims to have free and

frictionless travel as well as trade. There will honestly be in the

future more control of our borders but it will not be controlled the

signs to inconvenience people, but designed to deliver the national

interest and also keep this a free and open country that welcomes

people from all over the world in the way we have done for centuries

and will do for centuries to come. Is that the last question? Can I

just wish everybody in the house are happy six weeks and I look forward

to seeing some of them again! I thank the Right Honourable gentleman

for what he said and for kind remarks about me earlier. Thank you.

Points of order, I will start with Mr Alex Salmond. Have you had any

notification of statement from the Minister of the Cabinet Office or

the Prime Minister herself on the Channel 4 report of last evening

which suggests that the Crown Prosecution Service has 30

individuals they have to report on for possible prosecution between the

20th of May and the early part of June? Given these include many

members of this house and all of the implications that could have for

reporting of any such decision in terms of coverage or the position of

candidates during an election campaign, and given a court it would

be a scandal of enormous proportions if any attempt was made to influence

the timing of any such reports, but provision has surely been made as to

how to cope with such an eventuality if it occurs during an election

campaign. Given that the Prime Minister has decided to reappoint

all of the campaign team who have already been fined by the Electoral

Commission responsible for this Bhullar, we cannot get into our

souls up the position of that campaign team having successfully

bought one election being allowed to buy another. I thank him for his

point of order. My response is as follows, the rules governing the

conduct of elections are not a matter for the chair and I hope the

house will understand I have given him a full opportunity to register

his concerns but I hope the house will understand that I have no

intention of being drawn into this matter which would be quite

improper. What the police and the Crown Prosecution Service do and

when is a matter for them. Members with views on these matters can and

doubtless will express them. I will express no view on the matter. I'm

not sure that is but I will give him the benefit of the doubt. Mr Dennis

Skinner. When I raised this matter with the Prime Minister a week as

yesterday, as a matter for you, really, since I did not get an

answer from the Prime Minister, I was then fortunate enough to be

called by you to the Justice Secretary of State to raise the

matter again. And once more I did not receive a reply from the

government. What has emerged now is that you in the chair are saying it

is not a matter for me, the Prime Minister says, doesn't respond to my

accusation that the election should not have been called and she didn't

get a revelation, she called a snap election in order to try to beat the

Crown Prosecution Service. That is what this election is all about and

that is why it is a point of order for you, sir. The nature of the

system is as has been described and I think there will be a general

acceptance that the police and the prosecuting authorities have

responsibility in these matters. My responsibility is most certainly

lead to hear colleagues and two other on the side of latitude in

hearing colleagues who want to raise points of order and I think I have

done that very fairly. I have never ducked anything that is my

responsibility but I think I know that which is not. Point of order,

there are long-standing problems with academy sponsor AET. Yesterday

they unceremoniously sacked the Board of Governors at Sandown

Academy and there was a great deal of concern at local and

accountability being dispensed with immediately before this house is

dissolved. What steps can be taken before the 8th of June to make AET

accountable for the actions? I think there are two answers. I respect him

for raising a matter of real concern to him and many others. The first is

that the concerns he has can and doubtless will be expressed during

the election campaign, conversations do not cease to take place and the

honourable gentleman must avail himself of the opportunities that

will be forthcoming and will present themselves for which he will create.

Secondly, the constitutional point, the government of this country

continues. The government this country continues and if the

honourable gentleman wishes to raise his concerns relevant ministers, it

is absolutely open to him to do that but there is no further opportunity

for the matters to be aired in this chamber. The honourable gentleman,

to use a word deployed by the Right Honourable member for Chelmsford

yesterday, as demonstrated against his perspicacity, upon which I

congratulate him. The threat of deportation hangs over the head of

constituent of mine who originated from the Anglophone minority in

Cameroon. I have been in correspondence with the Home Office

about the lack of guidance with Cameron. They face a very specific

threat in that country and unconcerned as Parliament is

dissolved and the civil service is already in purdah, my options for

raising this case are extremely limited and with the threat of

deportation remaining something that he faces, can you advise me how I

will be able to ensure that his position is properly considered? The

short answer is that I can advise him and he should continue his

casework. Tasered continues to be conducted during election campaigns

-- casework continues. And in the politest possible way I say to him,

who I am sure is well capable of this, that he must balance whatever

activities he is undertaking in attempted pursuit of his

pre-election by knocking on doors or delivering leaflets or engaging with

public meetings, with his continued diligent attention to his casework

on behalf of constituents. That is what the honourable gentleman must

do. He is going to be a busy bee but he will not be alone in that regard!

Specialist delicacy must be kept until later. He will be aware that a

number of reports are going to be coming out from the various

committees of the house including the public house, he -- the public

has committee. What can he do does put me in my efforts to make sure

this house get the opportunity to properly scrutinise the report on

HMRC closures which will affect my constituents in Livingston and take

on board the point he makes about government continuing, but the

government must not put out its trash and be allowed not to be

properly scrutinised. What can he do to support me in the effort to make

sure no decisions are made about jobs in my constituency and those

are and decisions are paused until we return after the election? When

she says what can he do, if the honourable lady means me, I must be

honest with her and say that I can do absolutely nothing to assist the

honourable lady in the course of the election campaign for the simple

reason, and it is an inescapable fact and always has been, that when

the house has been dissolved, the house does not meet and when the

house does not meet there is no speaker in the chair and there are

no exchanges from these green benches. However, the documents to

which the honourable lady is referring are, or will be public

documents so the honourable lady will study them carefully and she

will marshal her arguments and she can write to ministers and if she

wishes to XP sheet on these important matters in her

constituency, it is perfectly open to her to do so and I have a feeling

she probably will. Point of order. Oh, I think I

mistake the honourable gentleman. In all my years in this House I have

never heard of a case of fleeing in this House of one member against

another. And I have just heard of a case. I wonder, as The House will

not be sitting for a while but you will be here, and I'm sure you would

not approve of one member acting in a bullying way to another. I will

not name names but it is a Government male MP against an

opposition female. I don't even want an inquiry on it but I want a set of

rules that verbal or any other sort of bullying of one member to another

is not allowed in this House, anywhere around this House. There is

a code of conduct and it binds all members. I manifestly cannot comment

on a particular case, not least because the honourable gentleman

cannot give me and I wouldn't ask him to give me the details of it,

but that principle, of the code of conduct, must be observed. It is

sacrosanct and if the honourable gentleman does know, as I'm sure he

does, of the personalities involved, it may be that as he is extremely

experienced, he can remind members of that code of conduct very well.

It was so serious that Wickes on both sides of the House were

involved, so I'm sure he could make inquiries to find out the facts of

the matter. Well, I am very happy to enquire of the respective whips

offices. The honourable gentleman has given me an indication that his

concern relates to a member of each of the two sides of the House. I am

happy to make that inquiry but I don't want to raise the honourable

gentleman's expectations, because it is not for me to act as arbiter in

the matter, unless the alleged conduct relates to proceedings in

the chamber, in which case I would take a very definite and distinct

interest. But I think the holding response I will give to the Oracle

gentleman, which I think is reasonable, is that I'm happy to

make limited but necessary inquiries of a kind that I think proper for me

to make. Point of order. On Tuesday, my honourable friend the member for

Brentford and Isil Worth raised the devastating case of a baby whose

family live in her and my constituency. Her question was met

with short shrift by the Government. This continues to be an incredibly

tough time for the family and our hearts go out to Connie, Chris,

their parents, the parents, as they continue the campaign supported by

the huge support of those known now as Charlie's Army. I appreciate that

Parliament is being cut short by this election but isn't it right

that the family continue to get the support that they need, that there

is clarity on entitlement to legal aid in such cases and, as I call on

the Justice Secretary also, to do all that she can that I would like

to put on record my support today for the family and my view that it

should, particularly in this complex case, it should be the parents that

have the final say on the treatment of their son. I hope the honourable

lady will understand if I feel that almost everything that could

properly be said on that matter today has just been said by the

honourable lady, and insofar as she requires any indication from me as

to what might usefully be done in the days or weeks ahead, I think my

counsel to her would be similar to that which I proffered to the

honourable gentleman the member for Sheffield Central, namely, casework

continues and the honourable lady should feel free and emboldened to

make representations in pursuit of justice and closure. For the family

concerned. I thank the honourable lady for raising this matter and

putting it on the record. I'm sure she'll want to share it with those

on whose behalf she has spoken. I want to raise a matter that strikes

right at the heart of the integrity of our democratic system. This is

based on two articles in the House magazine, one by a Conservative and

one by a Labour member, sounding notes of alarm that our electoral

system is at its most vulnerable at any time since 1818. There is

powerful evidence of foreign governments interfering in the

elections in America and possibly hear, and there is also overwhelming

evidence of money being paid in huge amounts, entirely invisible to the

system, by the use of methods and algorithms of artificial

intelligence, in a manner that nobody understands except those who

are participating in it, and we might well be vigilant in this

election because the Electoral Commission do not have the tools to

deal with the interference of this kind, and we are in a position where

we're trying to have a modern election with the tools of the 19th

century. Well, I'm grateful to the honourable gentleman for his point

of order. He has registered a strong and deeply felt concern and that is

now on the record. It is not, however, a matter for me, and I

don't say it flippantly. Algorithms are certainly not a matter for the

Chair and I am sure members will be reassured to hear me say that. The

wide issues are issues for all of us. But the honourable gentleman,

who has now served without interruption in this House for three

decades, the overwhelming majority of which by his choice has been as a

backbench member, has demonstrated once again, not least for the unfit

of members completing their first Parliament -- for the benefit of

members completing their first Parliament, that he has written the

textbook on how to be a backbencher. He has published a book, which I am

proud to have read. He has written the textbook in the sense that he

exploits every, and I use exploits non-pejorative leak, he X Deutz --

he exploits every opportunity to give raised to his concerns. He

gratuitously has been the last point of order and I hope that we can

leave it there. Order, order. The seating is suspended. Shortly before

the sitting resumes, I shall cause the division Bell is to be. Order.

-- I shall cause the division bells to be sounded.