13/07/2017 House of Commons

That apply to vehicles we might own and also hybrid vehicles and taxis

and I support what he has suggested. Order. Business questions. Valerie

Vaz. Can the leader of the House gave us the forthcoming business?

The leader of the House. Andrea Leadsom. Thank you, Mr Speaker. The

business for next week will be Monday the 17th of July, motion to

approve the statutory instrument relating to international immunity

and privilege, followed by a general debate on the abuse and intimidation

of candidates and the public in the general election campaign.

Thursday the 20th of July a motion relating to the appointment of the

new Parliamentary Commissioner for standards followed by a general

debate on matters to be raised before the forthcoming German.

Friday the 21st of July the house will not be sitting. Colleagues will

also wish to be aware that subject to the progress of business the

house will rise at the close of business on Tuesday the 7th of

November and return on Monday the 13th of November and for the

Christmas recess the house will rise at the end of business Thursday the

21st of December and return on Monday the 8th of January 20 18.

Finally, colleagues will also be pleased to note that the EU

withdrawal bill will be presented to the house today as the Brexit

secretary has said this is one of the most significant pieces of

legislation that has ever passed through Parliament and it is a major

milestone in the process of our withdrawal. It means we will be able

to exit the European Union with maximum certainty, continuity and

control. That is what the British people voted for and it is exactly

what we will do. Thank you. Can I thank the Leader of the House for

Commodore are calling business? I'm not sure. Quite frankly, I and other

opposition members are appalled, saddened and bewildered in equal

measures. We have asked the good citizens of this country to vote for

us and they have and they have given their consent to be governed to

enable MPs to form a government and hold ministers to account. We have

not been allowed to do that. This is not the end of term where we have no

lessons and have a light timetable, it is a time of critical importance

to this country and the clock is ticking. We have been back for 31

days and in that time we have had seven votes. The zombie Parliament

makes it sound amusing, but this is serious. It is a threat to our

Parliamentary democracy. Why does it take a standing order 24

application, which we had on contaminated ballades and then a

concession before the debate? There was no debate on personal payments.

Last week I raise questions about the interest rate on student loans.

The Leader of the House said the mood of many colleagues have been

hurt and I'm sure the Department for Education is considering the matter.

Could the Leader of the House say and confirm when and how the

government will be considering this matter and make a statement on those

regulations, or at least give us time to debate it said the minister

can come and explain why the most punitive interest rate is being

applied to students? To make matters worse last week the same debate was

scheduled on the gig report on two successes -- on the give report on

two successive days. We have two debates on the abuse and

intimidation of candidates. It is important, but would the same debate

be going ahead? Can we have an opposition day. The Leader of the

House did not give me an answer... Why has the Leader of the House not

responded to requests for an opposition day? The last one was on

the 23rd of February, granted to the DUP, but the opposition has not been

granted one since January. To be precise, the 25th of January. Why no

opposition day? Why can't we debate on issues relevant to our

constituents who only a month ago told us what they thought. I thought

the Leader of the House believed in sovereignty, that is what she

campaigned on. We do on this site, so let's have a debate on a potable

motion. The Leader of the House said that the elongated session will

allow us to consider the domestic agenda. Why has she allocated

private member's hills for one year of a two-year session. -- private

member's bills. Can she also explain her definition of what a session is.

On Tuesday at the Taylor review the Prime Minister said we may not agree

on everything, but through debate and discussion the hallmarks of our

Parliamentary democracy, ideas can be clarified and improved and a

better way forward found. Can the Leader of the House explain why

these debates are being stifled. Or is she an outsourced Prime Minister,

detach from what is going on here. She can be heard singing in Number

10 the song heartbreaker. I don't know if you know the words? Will you

join me and perhaps the Leader of the House will join me happy Black

Country day. I invite everyone to come to Walsall. Thank you, Mr

Deputy Speaker. I can agree with the honourable lady that that will be

from place to be today. She is raising some important points about

our Parliamentary democracy, but I do find it deeply disappointing that

the opposition are trying to make something of what is absolutely a

normal situation following the general election when the government

of the day is trying to take steps to bring back into place issues like

select committees. She admits herself the private members sitting

days are already on the order paper. We are making progress, I'd like to

congratulate all be select committee chairs that the appointment

yesterday. The individual parties need to get on to let the members

for the select committees. The chiefs of the opposition parties

have been talking about opposition days. I gather that there has been

an offer of an opposition debate in the next short sitting. We are

absolutely getting on with the business at pace and absolutely in

accordance with normal procedures. So what I am left to conclude is

that this is just gameplaying. Let me just refer back to what the Prime

Minister said on the anniversary of her leadership of this country. She

asked... The honourable lady is clearly not listening, but she asked

members to come together in the interests of our country to give

their ideas and input and support, as we seek to fulfil the democratic

will of people in this country to leaving the EU. And what did the

opposition do? They ridiculed it. They reject the concept of working

together in the interests of our country. Well 13 million people

voted for them and they should actually support those people in

their wish to see the democratic will of this country fulfilled.

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. As my right honourable friend see my early

day mentioned 155 about the potential closure of London Road in

Harlow. The decision granted by Harlow Council has caused problems

to residents and motorists. Then we have a statement on unnecessary road

closures as Harlow Council seems to be ignoring the wishes of complaints

and is rejection of planning applications. I would like to

congratulate my honourable friend for his selection as chairman of the

education select committee. ?1.8 million -- 1.8 million more children

are in better education. He is right to raise the frustrating issue of

unnecessary road closures and I am sure he will give it his full

attention, as he does with anything he turns his mind to. Can I

congratulate the select committee chairs on the election yesterday.

It's a great exercise in the democracy of this House. We need to

get the membership of these committees elected. The Speaker of

the House generously offered his facility to ensure that if they

would any issue with any of the parties that the Deputy Speaker

Speaker could help out. Did the leader take advantage of that

generous opportunity? If not, why not? We have passed 14 piece of

legislation through Parliament. We still have no standing committees in

place. Will the leader of the health endeavour to get this sorted before

the zombies leave the building. There has not been any single debate

about the perverse deal with the DUP which has altered the funding

allegations within the nations of the United Kingdom. They are

marching all the way to the bank, but they will be back demanding

another few hundred million. And the Great Repeal Bill is out today. It's

an invitation to is, Bob the battered jalopy as it clambers over

the cliff edge. We will continue to look after the

vital Scottish interests and fight for a single market. Leader of the

House. First of all, membership of committees I agree. We want to get

on with it and on the side of the house we are selecting members. I

hope his democratic election will be as clear as our own. On standing

committees I can assure him that through the usual channels there is

enormous amount of work going on to establish those committees. No one

wants that to happen more than we do. His remark about zombies is very

rude to his colleagues. A few of them are still here today. I would

like to remind him that when he talks about this government being

not democratically elected, we do get 56 more seats than the

opposition and therefore that does mean as a matter of fact in a

democratic place such as this that we do have the duty as well as the

rights to form a government. I hope he and his colleagues will

appreciate that fact. I also think it is a great shame that he

constantly talks about wanting to stay in the single market which he

knows for a fact he knows me is not leaving the EU. First is colleagues

and their own ends it undermines the will of the United Kingdom. It's

totally undemocratic on this side of the house I have on the opposition

benches. We will fulfil the will of the people. If the Leader of the

House aware of concerns regarding challenges to the democratic system

of government in... -- Hong Kong. This month marks the 20th

anniversary of the establishment of Hong Kong as a special

administrative region, on the principle of one country two

systems, but the leader consider debating the issue? My honourable

friend is raising an incredibly important point. The Foreign Office

minister for Asia and the Pacific met the Chinese ambassador on the

5th of July. He stressed the UK's strong commitment to the

declaration, a legally binding treaty registered with the UN which

continues to be in post today. As co-signatory of joint legislation,

the UK will stress to the Chinese government do need to faithfully

implement the one country, two systems arrangement that we have. We

don't yet know what the government have determined to be the allocation

for the backbench business committee in this parliamentary session. We

would hope that the 27 days allocated in the normal

parliamentary session will be doubled to 54 in a two year

parliamentary session. And I also asked the Leader of the House to

facilitate the membership of the business committee be brought

forward quicker than the rest of the select committees. It's hip to

determine business of this Chamber. Can I congratulate him on being

reappointed as Chairman? He did a great job in the last Parliament and

I am sure will do so again. We have tried to bring forward some of the

carry-over requests for debate from the last Parliament into this one.

As with opposition days, the allocation of backbench business

days is set out in standing orders. But in a longer than usual is

session it is customary to offer additional days. We fully intend to

do the same on this occasion and more will be said about that in due

course. Alex Schalk Brooke! Mr Deputy Speaker, in the last

Parliament I brought forward a Bill to ban unpaid internships. The

Matthew Taylor report outlines they are indeed damaging for social

mobility and an abuse of power by employees. Can we have a debate on

all the aspects of the Matthew Taylor report? In that private

members Bill, for all the crowing on the other side, none of them turned

up and debated it. My honourable friend has really pushed this issue.

I think he is exactly right to do so. It is a great interest across

this House, even when members opposite do not bother to turn up

and support it. The government position is clear. Employing unpaid

interns as workers to avoid paying the national minimum wage or

National Living Wage is exploitative, illegal and it does

represent a barrier to social mobility, by squeezing out

candidates from less wealthy backgrounds. Jessica Bond. Last week

I visited Shelley College, a school outstandingly rated in my

constituency. Stark explained the budget had been cut already to the

bone. Every school in my constituency faces more cuts. Can we

have a debate on the worrying plan to cut funding from local schools?

The honourable lady will know that actually this government has

protected cash spending on schools. And we have created many thousands

of new school places to meet demand. There has been a lot of investment

in the fabric of buildings. We do appreciate schools are under

pressure. She also knows we have accepted the recommendations of the

independent schools pay body and will do everything we can to make

sure, as I said, the 1.8 million children in good and outstanding

schools, more than in 2010, that this number increases and we do more

than ever in particular to help disadvantaged pupils. Mike Penning.

It has been a long time since I stood in the backbenches asking a

question on health. With that in mind I am sure the leader of the

House is aware Hemel Hempstead is the biggest town in Hertfordshire

but in 2006, we would assume which government was in power at the time,

acute services were closed at the Hemel Hempstead Hospital. We have

CCG is now. It costs ?10 million a year in our part of the world. Just

rubber stamping or closures for Hemel Hampstead Hospital. Can we

have a debate on the power of the CCG and its accountability or lack

of it? My honourable friend raises a very important point. I know there

are a lot of colleagues across the House very concerned about what

happens to hospitals in their area. He will be aware thereafter clear

rules about accountability and consultation with patients and any

decisions should be led by clinicians. In consultation with

users of the service. He raises an important point and might well wish

to raise this in a Westminster Hall or adjournment debate. Yesterday,

during the debate on the tragic events at rental tower, the minister

was asked a question in an injection on whether or not local authorities

like Coventry would be taking safety measures. They said they would cover

the process. Can we have a statement to clarify what help local will get,

bearing in mind the large number of cuts in the last seven years this

government inflicted on local authorities? Grand belltower is one

of the most appalling disasters ever to face this country. -- Grenfell.

We are focused on getting to the bottom of the causes. The top

priority is to try and help those people who suffered terribly. And at

the same time as the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State has made

clear, we want to make sure this cannot happen again. That includes

requiring other local authority areas to check what kind of fire

regulations and cladding and what other risks are being phased in

their areas. That is something the Government is giving as much support

to providing as possible. The public consultation on the future of the

children's congenital heart disease service at Royal Brompton closes on

Monday. If the proposal from NHS England go-ahead it means closing

all CHD services including the adult research Centre, children's

intensive care, and specialist respiratory services, such as for

asthma and muscular dystrophy. Can the Minister come to the dispatch

box and explain how these services will be provided for my constituency

and others in the south-east and London if these proposals go ahead?

My honourable friend raises a very important point which I know is of

huge interest across the House. There have been no final decision is

made. There is no plan to close at the Royal Brompton has a provider of

CHD services. NHS England is currently running a review of

congenital heart services across the country, before finally deciding on

and implementing changes. Just to be clear, this review is not about

cutting services, or costs. It is about making sure the patient has

the highest standard of care now and in future, regardless of where they

live or which hospital provides that care. Given the mess of the UK

government is making of the economy and Brexit and how successful the

Scottish government has been on recent economic measures, will the

leader of the House agreed to a debate on devolving further fiscal

responsibility to Scotland? The honourable lady raises a point where

I think it would be the hope of her to look carefully at what the

Scottish government is doing now. Its track record of managing current

dissolved -- devolved powers leaves something to be desired. She says

the cupboard is not doing well with EU withdrawal. I beg to differ.

Today we are introducing the withdrawal Bill which implements the

will of the people. -- government. The Scottish Nationalist party

clearly do not care about the will of the people. The Scottish people

decided they wanted to remain part of the United Kingdom and they

rather than trying to get on with the day job only focus on who makes

those decisions. That is not a democratic approach. Alderley Park

in my constituency is the biggest bio Centre in the UK and a true

world leader undergoing a 10-year transformation plan at the moment.

Can the Secretary of State give a statement on the country's

industrial strategy and how Alderley Park will fit into that? Isn't it

interesting that the members opposite chancer? They are not

interested in the strength of the economy. I congratulate my friend as

she read takes her seat and she is very welcome here back to this

place, to talk about jobs, economic growth and areas in which the UK can

lead the world. I am quite sure my honourable friend will be very keen

to talk about this government's industrial strategy, something we

are determined will make sure we have the high skilled and highly

paid jobs of the future right across the UK. Glenda Johnson. The Chief

Executive of the Royal infirmary left after putting the hospital into

a terrible state and moved to another which subsequently has moved

into special measures. In this time he was being investigated by the

antifraud body of the NHS. I understand he has retired and set up

a consultancy to offer his services to the NHS. I wonder if we can have

a debate on the revolving door of hails NHS managers and their role in

the NHS? The honourable lady raises what sounds like an extremely

concerning issue regarding one individual. But also that big issue

around the fact there is a kind of revolving door of people who failed

in one job and move another. Often at significant expense to the

taxpayer. She will be aware there have been a number of public

accounts committee report into this issue. She might want to raise it

herself in a Westminster Hall debate. I am aware the leader of the

House will be aware of the looming crisis facing the amount of plastic

entering the ocean where we will get to the point where we have more

plastic than fish in the sea. I welcome the comments made by the

environment Secretary that the Government is considering

introducing a plastic bottle deposit return scheme. Can we have a

statement from the Secretary of State so we can debate and promote

this scheme in this chamber? As my honourable friend will know this is

something I am absolutely passionately concerned about. I was

delighted with the results of the consultation on the banning of micro

beads in facial wash products. And with the letter strategy, which

looks at what else we can do to eradicate plastics from our oceans.

80% of the plastic ends up in the ocean coming from the land. It is

important we do with letter on the land, as well. I am sure the

Secretary of State for the environment will be keen to do that

and I am sure he will come to this House when he has something clear to

say. Can we have an urgent debate on role and remit of the communities

agency? I have two businesses under threat of closure after the agency a

triggered brick clauses in leases. The agency a have also damaged

communities in East Durham in their failure to act after the accident

Housing Association disposed of housing stock. Will the Government

take control of the public body, which has delivered little benefit

and caused no end of misery in areas like East Durham? He raises what

sounds like a very important and serious issue, which I'm sure he

would like to raise directly with the Secretary of State, or maybe at

questions to make sure a spotlight is shone on this particular issue.

He looks like a gentleman that enjoys a glass or two of English

sparkling wine. I invite you... Forgive me! I invite you and my

honourable friend to tour the many vineyards in my constituency where

you will meet the vineyards, award winners supporting jobs and the

local economy. Can we have a debate on the best of British produce,

including English sparkling wine and how we can best promoted into new

markets and harness the opportunity of Brexit? I have only ever seen him

have a cup of tea and a Chorley cake! Is that right, Mr Deputy

Speaker? She raises an important point. English sparkling wine is

taking the world by storm. We are winning prizes and competing with

famous brands. She is right to raise this valuable and growing sector. I

would be delighted to take up on her offer. I can assure you Mrs Hoyle

will be the one that will come. Can I ask the leader of the House if she

can arrange an emergency debate on re-routing HS2 in South Yorkshire?

At the briefing meeting last night the chairman of HS2 said the reason

they are not in favour of the Meadowhall station was the lack of

backing by Sheffield City Council and the Chamber of Commerce,

blatantly ignoring the wishes of the other three councils in South

Yorkshire. Can we have an urgent debate about these matters? The

honourable gentleman will know there has been wide consultation on routes

for HS2, as I discovered myself in phase one, now with Royal assent.

They will continue to be many opportunities for consultation. I

urge the honourable gentleman to take every opportunity to feed into

the process as early as he can. Can we have a debate on sharp

practices by private car parking companies? Smart parking have taken

over the car park behind the Co-op in Saltaire and have changed the

rules so that people have to get a ticket for the first 20 minutes that

they stay, even though it is free, when previously they didn't with

minimal and inadequate signage. There are Draconian fines of ?100

for anyone who does not meet the new requirement. This is not only

ripping off my constituents and their customers, but having a

terrible effect on local businesses. Can we have a debate to stop these

practices from rogue companies like Smart parking? I think all

honourable members will share his disgust that some of the activities

of rogue and unfair private parking operators and he will be pleased to

know that the government has taken steps to tackle this, including the

banning of wheel clamping and towing. It's simpler now for

consumers to seek compensation when they have been the victims of

aggressive or misleading debt collection practices. This is an

area we will come back to. The business she has announced the next

week, she says is business as normal. It is not. What is normal is

that select committees can meet and are able to quiz ministers. And

every second sitting week, a debate on motions. She won't allow that.

Will she admit that this government is terrified of this Parliament.

Will she commit to the leaders of the select committees being able to

sit? We are moving as exactly as quickly as any other new government.

We are trying to establish these committees as quickly as we can. She

says dash-macro he says we are not discussing anything of any value.

The discussion of Grenfell, the discussion of the abuse of MPs...

He's not even listening! Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. He is saying that

discussing the abuse of candidates which is putting people off from

standing... He will appreciate there has not been enough time and effort

given to a significant matter. People have had death threats,

people are being put off studied the parliament. OK, he doesn't care

about that. Next week on the order paper... I don't think that is the

case. I think every member cares about every other member here. Let

us be clear about that. The Metropolitan Police revealed that up

to 50,000 g a year are being committed by thieves on motorbikes

and pedal cycles. This is reflected in the correspondence I have

received from my constituents. Will the Leader of the House make time

for a debate to talk about whether police have all the powers they need

to deal with these crimes? I can confirm the Home Office is in

discussion with the Metropolitan Police about the problem of

motorcycle and mopeds set in London and will look very carefully at the

evidence and what more can be done to prevent it. How the police in

force the law and deploy it the resources is the responsibility of

individual chief officers, taking into account specific local problems

and the demands they with. On Tuesday the Foreign Secretary told

the south that the UK Government will work grossly under the joint

ministerial committee to bring in a devolved administration to make sure

the great Deal we are good to get has her endorsement and approval.

The GMC plena ree last met in January and there has been no GMC

agreement regarding triggering Article 50. Since the election, no

meeting date has been set. Company have a discussion about -- can we

have a discussion about this? It is fully the intention to consult very

widely on all matters regarding devolution. Those compilations have

indeed taken place before. It has been made clear that there will be

no powers that currently reside in devolved administrations will be

withdrawn and there will be opportunities for more devolved

powers. We are absolutely attempting to process, but what is very

important is the intention of this government and that is to consult

widely and seek the agreement of all colleagues right across the House as

we fulfil the will of the people of the United Kingdom. Could my right

honourable friend prime time for a debate on laws relating to the

unscheduled arrival of travellers. Last week a group of hostile people

arrived in a local park causing much damage to play equipment, not only

to mention the cost to Council officers and the police who had to

remove the people. It's an important point and this is of interest to

members right across the House. Travellers on an authorised land and

causing damaged an answer to local committees. Local authorities and

the police have a wide range of strong powers that enable them to

take action and the government really does want to see the working

together to address this issue. Mr Deputy Speaker, please allow me to

refresh the Leader of the House's memory. It was the 25th of January

this year that we last had an opposition Day debate. The Leader of

the House referred earlier to us on this side of the house needing to

represent our constituents. We wish to do that. Why when she commit to

granting opposition day debate and doubling the number of backbench

business debates? Why not, Mr Speaker? As I mentioned earlier,

there has been an opposition day propose for the next short session

of Parliament and that is going through the usual channels. Those

things are a matter of convention go through the usual conventions. There

are standing orders that set up the number of opposition days and

backbench days. It's also the concession that in longer sessions

to offer more days. It is absolutely the case we will do, as has happened

before, set up committees, offer more backbench and opposition days

than allocated to standing orders. I generally don't see why the

opposition are making such a big fuss about this. In the agreement

made with the DUP the government very generously and very wisely

offered a detailed study into the benefits of lower VAT on the tourism

industry. May we have a statement debate in government time on the

benefits of such a study elsewhere in the United Kingdom and

potentially in coastal communities such as the Isle of Wight and more

general measures to support coastal areas? We have half our GDP from

tourism and it is a self-contained area and would greatly benefit from

such a study into lower tourism VAT. Can I welcome my honourable friend

to his place and I think he will obviously be a very strong advocate

for the Isle of Wight and I'm sure all honourable members will be keen

to come there just as soon as the summer recess permits. He has

campaigned on the issue of tourism which is vital to the economy of the

Isle of Wight and I completely understand his desire to see more

effort for coastal communities. That is shared by this government and he

may well want to apply for a Westminster Hall or adjournment

debate to put forward his suggestions. When can be house

expressed its disdain and contempt for the group of decision made by a

gullible government in agreeing to buy the dearest electricity in the

world and guaranteeing that price for 35 years with a French company?

Already months after starting out the project is ?1.5 billion over

budget and a year behind schedule. Like all other EPR's reactors, there

will be vast cost overruns and long delays. None of them have ever

produced enough electricity to light a bicycle lamp. Can we debate this

before we have this continuing rip off of the taxpayers for the next 50

years? Well I have the greatest respect for the honourable gentleman

whose campaigned on antinuclear for a very long time and may I

respectfully say as an ex-energy Minister I disagree with him.

Nuclear energy provides on average around 20% of our electricity needs

at all times. Our ageing fleet of nuclear power stations must be

replaced if we want to continue to keep the lights on. We have to take

steps. This particular project protects taxpayers from the cost of

budget overruns. As I understand it the government will deposit the

phase two HS2 Bill next Monday. According to Parliamentary

procedures, that only leaves 56 days of consultation over the summer

holidays and summer recess. This is simply not enough. Can I ask my

right honourable friend to look at extending the period for six weeks

or delaying the deposit of the bill until we return in September? I

completely agree. Consultation is important and I will certainly take

up this issue on his behalf with the Secretary of State for Transport.

The Leader of the House has been asked several times about having an

opposition day debate that we can represent our constituents. Can I

ask a simple question and she can answer this yes or no. Can we have

an opposition day debate next week? Here, here! The honourable lady will

be aware that the business has already been announced for next

week. The exploitation of leasehold agreements by house-builders and

management companies is a national scandal which is leaving homeowners

in my constituency in financial difficulty. Could we have an urgent

debate to explore a solution which addresses the actions of these

companies across the board? Well, he is right to raise this, it's an

important issue. The government is working with partners who have an

interest in reforming residential leasehold, as outlined in our

housing White Paper to improve fairness and transparency. The White

Paper responded to leasehold can serve that were raised in a House of

Commons debate in December 2016 and we will be consulting on what more

needs to be done to promote greater transparency and fairness for

leaseholders, including whether all developers and managing agents are

acting in the best interests of those thinking of buying and living

in a leasehold property. Many families have been destroyed...

China has not provided any information. Would the Leader of the

House agreed to a statement or more importantly a debate on this issue.

The honourable gentleman raises a harrowing at issue and many

honourable members across the House are aware of it. It is something he

should be raising at the Foreign Office questions and it certainly

would be worthy of a debate in adjournment or in Westminster Hall.

It is my honourable friend looked at my blog she would see that Taunton

Deane has a secret land bank of houses. Multi million pounds are

involved in this. It smells and looks like corruption. Can we have

time in this place to discuss this before it gets out of hand? We need

a debate to look at local government and the way planning authorities are

working in this country. My honourable friend knows I spend most

morning doing nothing but reading his blogs, but he is raising what is

a very serious issue and something that I'm quite sure he will want to

take up directly with the Secretary of State for LG. Can we have a

debate on the National Audit Office's min report of HMRC office

closures, like the one in my Livingston constituency. I had a

letter from the Chancellor yesterday confirming a decision committing

public funds were made during the election which looks very much like

a breach of the ministerial code. This parliament must have the

opportunity to properly scrutinise these decisions before they are

made. As the honourable lady knows the consultation took place over a

long period of time and the decision on the closure was not taken against

the ministerial code and she will also be aware as we discussed in

this place last week that the decisions on closures have been

taken to try and maximise the best use of taxpayer resources. There are

more coaches being provided to help people to get back into work and

travel costs are being accommodated where those could be shown to be

further than would be reasonably expected.

We have a debate on the activities of rogue debt management companies.

-- can we have a debate? One company to cut hundreds of thousands of

pounds before liquidating. Isn't it kind of -- time Liz Kendall spiv Ray

was outlawed once and for all? I am sympathetic towards the point he

makes. There have been some pretty awful examples of debt management

companies. I encouraged him to take this specific case up with the F who

have the responsibility for looking at some of these issues. One of the

many casualties of this recent general election has been the

government's consultation on sentences and penalties for those

causing death by dangerous driving. The consultation finish this year.

My attempts to find out the results of the consultation have been met

with evasive answers. She raises an important point and I will certainly

look into that. I will write to her with any information I am able to

give her. Three weeks ago, I raised the issue of HMRC office contracts

being signed during the recession. The Chancellor has not responded.

Can impress upon the leader of the House the urgency of having a debate

or a statement, preferably a debate, on this issue which affects all

nations and regions in the UK, as to why this government was negotiating

contracts when four political parties in the general election were

opposed. I apologise that he has not had a reply. I have not seen his

letter. I will always try to reply within one week. I would like to

reassure him I specifically checked on this issue and there was no

breaking of the ministerial code. I just cannot find the note in here

that gives me the precise detail. I am aware the consultation took place

over a much longer period of time and in order to protect against

quite significant costs, the decision was taken to announce the

decision to close during purdah but that was not in breach of the

ministerial code. You will forgive me for not having the precise detail

but I will certainly write to him with it.

Can we have a debate on the contribution our community makes to

support families blighted by the terrible disease that is cancer? He

raises the point that all honourable members will be keen to support. We

all know someone who has been touched with cancer. It is a

frightening and horrible disease. It is fantastic to see the work of so

many volunteers to try to contribute to finding research so we can get on

top of cancer and really find ways to cure every aspect of it. Can I

congratulate his constituents for their efforts and hopefully enjoy

the really? The leader of the House will be aware of the terrible

neglect which has proved a national scandal in South Lake Safari zoo.

Can we have a debate about the lamentably inadequate national

regulations which is currently overseeing a situation where many of

the senior members of the organisation team who were in charge

of this neglect was happening have had to be granted a new licence by

changing the guy at the top? I certainly would call this particular

case he mentions from my time as Environment Secretary. It was

something I think the role very concerned about. I think it would

certainly be worth his while trying to have an adjournment debate or a

Westminster Hall debate to raise the issue. As I recall, the real

challenge is one of enforcement, not that the rules are inadequate, but

it may well be something worth debating to ensure we get to the

bottom of it. Last week, Barclays Bank announced the closure of a

branch in Neston. Following that, there will be no high street banks

left at all in the town. Can we have a debate about how we can prevent

ice and these being -- communities being isolated in this way? This has

been the situation across the UK. I am aware that the Post Office has

stepped up to the plate and now offers basic banking services I

believe for all main UK banks, certainly for Barclays. The

flexibility of post office opening hours means that for many

constituents they can get better banking services. One of the things

I'm pleased he raises this issue is making people aware of that fact. So

he will know that the banks have an agreed consultation process before

they decide to close, but nevertheless I urge him to look at

the prospects for post offices stepping into the gap. By September,

it will be a staggering seven and a half months since we had an

opposition Day debate. So, in the interim, can we not have a debate in

government time because I for one want to debate the cat expenditure

process which will lead to massive cuts in the NHS which is already

underfunded? This is obviously the subject of the day for the

opposition benches. I have explained several times that we are making

efforts to deal with all those normal re-establishment of

committees and dates for opposition day debates and so on. There will be

opportunities. Next Thursday, there is a pre-rest recess adjournment

debate. She will have the opportunity to raise the specifics

of the NHS in her constituency. I urge colleagues across the House to

try and understand this is normal following a general election and we

do need to focus on working together to try and deliver for the people of

this country. Last week, the leader of the House spoke of release

for oil and gas. She omitted to say that the oil and gas sector are

still waiting on late life asset guarantees promised in 2016? I want

the Secretary of State to spend weeks and months getting government

action. Can she advise what discussions the Secretary of State

had with her? Can I ask for the leader of the House to explain why

the Secretary of State date for Scotland always avoids answering my

questions? Will she speak to on this and will she once again list his

achievements for Scotland? He will appreciate I cannot possibly explain

to him why the Secretary of State for Scotland thinks or does

something. I'm sure he will realise that is not a question for me. I am

pleased he now acknowledges what I did say in some spirited fashion

last week, that I absolutely recall the Scottish Secretary standing up

for people and promoting oil and gas. I am sure he will be able to

speak for himself in his support for the people of Scotland. I am lucky

in my constituency to take part in a park run on a Saturday morning.

Hundreds of local people take part in the couch to 5K programme. Can we

have a statement on improving public health? Finally, I want the -- why

won't the government give us enough days for opposition debates? It is

absolutely vital that we do more to promote a healthy lifestyle. This

government has put a great deal of money into new cycling programmes,

new sports for children in schools and so on. All of the work of

volunteers to develop these programmes for running together

through the park. It's a lovely thing to do and it adds to the

health of the nation. I congratulate him for that. Could we have an early

debate on this week's report on the failure of the border force to

monitor properly small ports regarding smuggling and illegal

migration issues? Perhaps this is the sort of issue we could have an

opposition day debate on if we were granted one? The problem is that by

the Timmy gets an opposition day there will be about 20 different

subjects and none of them are going to be agreed on what exactly it is

that they want to debate. So let's get away from the focus on the

process and focus on the important subjects. I think he raises an

important subject and I'm quite sure he will want to put in for an

adjournment debate so he can discuss this very report. The Manchester

Royal Infirmary has had to stop types of heart surgery because staff

have been leaving due to uncertainty of the review she referred to

earlier. Patients are having to travel 150 miles for treatment. Can

we have a statement on how we can continue to deliver this type of

heart surgery in advance of the review? He raises an important

point. As I said earlier to my honourable friend, the NHS England

is running a review of congenital heart services across the country

before finally deciding on implementing any change. As I said

earlier, this review is not about cutting services or costs, it's

about making sure patients have the very highest standards of care. He

will appreciate as will all on board members that as improvements into

technology continue, we need to look at the best delivery to give every

child and adult the best outcome that we can. Can we have a debate in

government time about income equality? Research shows that we

have had the lowest wage growth for years. Currently, those under 25 are

discriminated against. Youth unemployment in this country has

dropped dramatically since 2010. It's been one of the enormous

achievements in this country. Another enormous achievement has

been the number of new apprenticeships taken up. And a

third achievement of this government has been the number of young

disadvantaged 18-year-olds going into higher education. I would say

to him that we are in a very strong positive track record for what we

are doing for the under 25 is. Much more to do but in terms of getting

them into work, getting them into apprenticeships, getting them into

higher education, there is a good track record. The planned closure

and relocation of PwC offices will have a negative impact on many

towns. As well as causing major travel difficulties for employees

with caring responsibilities. Can I ask the leader of the House to urge

the Secretary of State to carry out a full impact assessment and bring

the results of that assessment together with the result of any

consultation to the House as soon as possible? Perhaps during an

opposition debate. He will know that in looking at maximising the value

for taxpayers from managing the estate, always any government

department will look at ensuring that access is good enough and that

the service is at least as good as it was previously. You also I'm sure

appreciate we need to live within our means. We have taken huge steps

to getting back to a position where we are on spending what we take.

Instead of adding to the debt and deficit that was left by the last

Labour government. So it's vital that where we can we seize the

opportunity to get better value for the taxpayer out of our government

estate. Can we have a debate about the future of Durham Tees Valley

Airport? The promise made to buy it and whether or not nationalisation

plans will be funded from the public purse? Think we all welcome

additional air travel opportunities and the sounds to me like an ideal

opportunity for an adjournment debate. Point of order? Not today.

Many constituents may find themselves sending money abroad this

summer. Can we have a statement regarding recent research into

transparency of consumer decisions on foreign exchange transactions?

He is right to raise the important issue of everyone going on holiday

and wishing everyone embarking on the holiday is a good time, but the

specific point he raises, I think he should probably race at an oral

questions. I'm not sure he has given me enough information to be able to

respond on exactly what he is after. On this occasion, it is a special

point of order. I think it is in relation to something that needs

clarification. If it is relevant to that point, I would take it now.

Could I ask the Leader of the House if she could clarify under our point

of order, did she announce new business of an opposition day in the

short session and if so, what date that would be? What I said to be

House was that through usual channels I'm aware that an

opposition day debate is being offered in that short period of

sitting in September. I wonder if you could clarify that there is a

means for the Leader of the House to correct the record. She has

suggested today that it is utterly normal for us not to have opposition

day debate by this stage. In 2015 by the summary says after the general

election we had already had five opposition