0:00:00 > 0:00:02of the leading fish processors this week. Obviously very strong in his
0:00:02 > 0:00:05constituency to talk about some of the issues that are concerning them
0:00:05 > 0:00:09at the moment. THE SPEAKER: Questions to the
0:00:09 > 0:00:13representative representing the Church commissioners and for charl
0:00:13 > 0:00:16shall on the and Wallington representing the House of Commons
0:00:16 > 0:00:22commission and the honourable member for how on the and Sunderland South,
0:00:22 > 0:00:27representing the speaker's question on the Electoral Commission. Mr
0:00:27 > 0:00:29Peter Grant.
0:00:31 > 0:00:35Thank you, Mr Speaker. I hope it will be convenient to answer
0:00:35 > 0:00:40questions three and ten. The commission has given no formal
0:00:40 > 0:00:44consideration to the costs of introducing electronic voting in the
0:00:44 > 0:00:52House. Its responsibility in this matter is limited to any financial
0:00:52 > 0:00:55staffing implementations the present system were a change to be agreed be
0:00:55 > 0:01:02I the House. Such a change would follow a report by the procedure
0:01:02 > 0:01:04committee who would welcome representations from him and his
0:01:04 > 0:01:08honourable friends.Thank you. I am grateful to The Right Honourable
0:01:08 > 0:01:11gentleman for his answer. I accept it is not a matter for the
0:01:11 > 0:01:18commission to decide. Wed do not agree that before we spend
0:01:18 > 0:01:21astronomical sums refurbishing this place we should build in the
0:01:21 > 0:01:24capacity for electronic voting and in future should the House at some
0:01:24 > 0:01:30point to decide to move itself into the 20 thd century before the rest
0:01:30 > 0:01:31of the world.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37Clear I set out for him the most effective way he could voice his
0:01:37 > 0:01:44concerns. Clearly, there may well be an opportunity shortly with a
0:01:44 > 0:01:48contingency chamber, where of course it would be open to the House to
0:01:48 > 0:01:52decide to implement an electronic voting system if that is what the
0:01:52 > 0:01:57House felt was appropriate. Thank you, Mr Speaker. We do read
0:01:57 > 0:02:02these reports of a contingency chamber. I wonder if he can tell us
0:02:02 > 0:02:05whether assessments have been made between installing voting lobbies
0:02:05 > 0:02:10which would have to include toilets at the end that people could hide in
0:02:10 > 0:02:15if they made their way into the wrong lobby, verses an electronic
0:02:15 > 0:02:19system, would that not be a more sensible use of public funds?I
0:02:19 > 0:02:23thank him for that. I suspect we are not at the stage of planning for
0:02:23 > 0:02:28instance whether the provision of toilets will be needed for that
0:02:28 > 0:02:32contingency chamber or whether any man shall assessment has been made
0:02:32 > 0:02:36of the installation of electronic voting. However, there have in the
0:02:36 > 0:02:40past been figures which have been produced in previous debates where
0:02:40 > 0:02:45the cost might be of the order of up to £500,000.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49Thank you very much. Unlike the Scottish Parliament where there is a
0:02:49 > 0:02:54seat for every member and voting takes two seconds and not 20
0:02:54 > 0:03:00minutes, electronic voting is very effective. Is he aware that in 2012
0:03:00 > 0:03:05and 2014 there were over 500 votes that took over seven days, seven
0:03:05 > 0:03:10complete days to have them? Given what is coming down the line with
0:03:10 > 0:03:14Brexit, does he not think it is a perfect time to install electronic
0:03:14 > 0:03:18voting in the House of Commons?I am aware of the electronic voting that
0:03:18 > 0:03:22takes place in the Scottish Parliament and clearly in my
0:03:22 > 0:03:25personal view that is a more effective way of dealing with votes
0:03:25 > 0:03:28and members who have not perhaps been there as long as me will
0:03:28 > 0:03:34remember that back in 1997 there was an attempt to reform a number of
0:03:34 > 0:03:38ways in which the House operated, which I did indeed support but they
0:03:38 > 0:03:43were blocked by the House.Is it not the case there are advantages of
0:03:43 > 0:03:48going into the lobby. One can meet leagues and do things? If you list
0:03:48 > 0:03:52on the the SNP all together Mr Speaker, why don't we go the full
0:03:52 > 0:03:58hog? Why don't we sit at home, watch it on Parliament channel and vote on
0:03:58 > 0:04:07our iPhones? !I did not hear in any of the earlier contributions we
0:04:07 > 0:04:11should stay at home to do our voting. I am sure the SNP
0:04:11 > 0:04:18representatives here today would not in fact favour that approach either.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21As a minister in the previous coalition Government and now as a
0:04:21 > 0:04:24backbencher, The Right Honourable gentleman will appreciate one of the
0:04:24 > 0:04:29advantages of voting in person for backbenchers is that ministers have
0:04:29 > 0:04:33no escape from backbenchers who want to collar them to raise national and
0:04:33 > 0:04:36local issues with them. THE SPEAKER: I am sure ministers
0:04:36 > 0:04:41love to meet the hom gentleman in the lobby. They have good
0:04:41 > 0:04:45conversations that are probably one way.I have nothing to add to what
0:04:45 > 0:04:49the speaker has said.
0:04:56 > 0:05:01Mr Speaker, the Church is committed to being a living wage employer and
0:05:01 > 0:05:06for many decades has paid the same level of minimum, regardless of
0:05:06 > 0:05:12gender or geography. I can only answer for church policy, but
0:05:12 > 0:05:15obviously, Bishops particularly do speak to relevant ministers in the
0:05:15 > 0:05:19Treasury and others about the impact of their policies.
0:05:19 > 0:05:24Earlier this month the Archbishop of Canterbury wrote a powerful article
0:05:24 > 0:05:28for the Financial Times on our how economic model is broke and no no
0:05:28 > 0:05:31longer working for everyone. Does The Right Honourable lady agree with
0:05:31 > 0:05:36him. I appreciate she said she cannot answer for everyone, but for
0:05:36 > 0:05:40the need on a fairer tax system. Does she believe the Government is
0:05:40 > 0:05:47listening?The Archbishop of Canterbury has been involved in the
0:05:47 > 0:05:51IPPR commission on economic justice and the article was written off the
0:05:51 > 0:05:55back of that report which I would commend to the House. Indeed it does
0:05:55 > 0:05:59focussing on things which need to be fixed. Things that need to be
0:05:59 > 0:06:03improved. But the Church itself is trying to do its bit and it
0:06:03 > 0:06:08recognises we need to start right at the beginning of life by teaching
0:06:08 > 0:06:12financial literacy to our children so, they are able to avoid the
0:06:12 > 0:06:17perils of debt, which is a scourge on this nation.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21Mr Speaker, the Church has a very strong role. The guidance of others.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25So does the Church commission agree that the glass celling is still in
0:06:25 > 0:06:31place? And the honourable lady referred to that. How can we
0:06:31 > 0:06:37encourage SNPs to play their part in bringing that down?I thank the
0:06:37 > 0:06:40honourable gentleman for his question. Certainly speaking to a
0:06:40 > 0:06:45female, I am very sympathetic to the inequality caused by glass ceilings
0:06:45 > 0:06:49which are still very much in place. That goes beyond the policy of just
0:06:49 > 0:06:57the Church. It is certainly trying to do its bit to make sure that its
0:06:57 > 0:07:05male and female employerees are treated we quality.TheThe Church
0:07:05 > 0:07:09regrets the decision to close the grants for places of worship scheme
0:07:09 > 0:07:13and indeed the Church buildings council is in close discussion with
0:07:13 > 0:07:17HLF as to how we can try and find a way forward. It has received
0:07:17 > 0:07:20assurances from the chairman of the Heritage Lottery Fund that the
0:07:20 > 0:07:25amount of funds that it spends on places of worship will continue as a
0:07:25 > 0:07:33percentage, comparable to the levels of distribution in 2016.
0:07:33 > 0:07:41Parishioners at St Mary the Virgin in tease deal and were disappointed,
0:07:41 > 0:07:45given that half the listed buildings in the country and indeed
0:07:45 > 0:07:48three-quarters of church of England buildings are listed, will the
0:07:48 > 0:07:53Church go back to HLF to make rerepresentations on this important
0:07:53 > 0:08:03matter?I am aware of the decision by the heritage Lottery funds
0:08:03 > 0:08:07North-East committee to reject the two referrals. There was competition
0:08:07 > 0:08:13for those funds. Bo et the unsuccessful projects are invited to
0:08:13 > 0:08:18a heritage grants workshop on 1st December at offices to look at other
0:08:18 > 0:08:23ways of applying through its open programme for funds.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27Question five, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, the Church of England is
0:08:27 > 0:08:33well on its way to reaching its target in 2020 where we hope to see
0:08:33 > 0:08:3850% of women in the priesthood and indeed we have the highest level of
0:08:38 > 0:08:45or Dans for ten years, an increase of 14% since laster and a particular
0:08:45 > 0:08:49increase, 19% increase in women entering training, continue paired
0:08:49 > 0:08:55to 2016. -- compared to 2016.I thank my honourable friend for her
0:08:55 > 0:09:00answer. What steps are the Church taking to ensure diversity for those
0:09:00 > 0:09:03considered for ordination better reflects the country as a whole?
0:09:03 > 0:09:12Would my Right Honourable friend join me in congratulating John Davis
0:09:12 > 0:09:19Archbishop of beckon to become the 13th Archbishop of Wales?I do
0:09:19 > 0:09:27certainly welcome the new Archbishop of Wales alongside The Right
0:09:27 > 0:09:31Reverend June osborne. One would say the Church of Wales is doing its
0:09:31 > 0:09:36very best to progress diversity, but also we shouldn't overlook the need
0:09:36 > 0:09:43to draw people from different ethnic backgrounds. There are strategies
0:09:43 > 0:09:48looking to increase the number of black and ethnic minorities. The
0:09:48 > 0:09:51number is 3.3% of clergy. THE SPEAKER: I am glad to hear there
0:09:51 > 0:09:55are such plans. Ought to get on with it.
0:09:55 > 0:10:00Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am sure The Right Honourable member will agree a
0:10:00 > 0:10:05vocation for the priesthood is based on a call from God. That never just
0:10:05 > 0:10:09went to white men of a certain age. This work is about making people
0:10:09 > 0:10:14feel able to take up that call, not about setting a target to increase
0:10:14 > 0:10:19the number of calls God makes?A vocation is gender-blind. Think I
0:10:19 > 0:10:22the evidence of the 19% increase in the number of women coming forward
0:10:22 > 0:10:27for ordination is evidence that it is an attractive vocation to enter
0:10:27 > 0:10:32and the Church strives to make training programmes more accessible
0:10:32 > 0:10:38to women and people from diverse backgrounds.
0:10:38 > 0:10:46Number six, Mr Speaker.Thank you I will answer question six and 12.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49Substantial progress has until now been hampered by the lack of
0:10:49 > 0:10:53decision in principal by the two Houses on the preferred way forward
0:10:53 > 0:10:56T report of the joint committee on the Palace of Westminster was
0:10:56 > 0:11:00published September last year. I am pleased that the leaders of both
0:11:00 > 0:11:04Houses have indicated they will make time for a debate before the end of
0:11:04 > 0:11:14this year.Replacement of media systems in the palace has been due
0:11:14 > 0:11:23for more than a decade. Despite warnings that delays, has the
0:11:23 > 0:11:28commission made an estimate of how much longer it will delay the time
0:11:28 > 0:11:37line of work?Well the expectation is that once the shadow sponsor
0:11:37 > 0:11:42board and the delivery has been established it may take 12-18 months
0:11:42 > 0:11:47to consider the options for decan'ting and therefore that does
0:11:47 > 0:11:51add -- decnating and therefore that adds to the timescales. I clearly
0:11:51 > 0:11:54welcome the fact we will have the debate by the end of this year. We
0:11:54 > 0:12:00really do need that. Of course meanwhile the fabric of the building
0:12:00 > 0:12:04continues to deteriorate and the very high maintenance cost that we
0:12:04 > 0:12:10incur as a result also continues a pace.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14Thank you, Mr Speaker. Does my Right Honourable friend agree that the
0:12:14 > 0:12:19public might be somewhat puzzled at the fact there'll be a further 12-18
0:12:19 > 0:12:24month delay while options discussed have been discussed again. While the
0:12:24 > 0:12:27work is urgent for structural reasons we should choose the option
0:12:27 > 0:12:33which would maximum the ability to carry out the work effectively while
0:12:33 > 0:12:38minimising the cost to the public purse without any further delay?
0:12:38 > 0:12:42What has happened since the original joint committee report was for
0:12:42 > 0:12:47instance the idea of creating a contingency chamber and perhaps more
0:12:47 > 0:12:54works around the northern estate have changed the picture slightly.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58And therefore, the sponsor board and the delivery authority will be
0:12:58 > 0:13:01established, according to the timescale set out. What I hope she
0:13:01 > 0:13:06and others will do is take advantage of the engagement programme that the
0:13:06 > 0:13:10Government have launched, with three separate dates on the 14th, 21st and
0:13:10 > 0:13:1328th November. And indeed that members may want to avail themselves
0:13:13 > 0:13:17of the opportunity to go on the tour of the basements to see why these
0:13:17 > 0:13:23works are needed. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I maybe wrong
0:13:23 > 0:13:27but I got the impression that the Treasury would much rather spend
0:13:27 > 0:13:31money over a long period rather than a shorter period S The Right
0:13:31 > 0:13:38Honourable gentleman aware that the Treasury would prefer to spend £5-£6
0:13:38 > 0:13:44billion over six years rather than over 20 or 30 years?As the
0:13:44 > 0:13:47spokesman of the House of Commons commission, I am somewhat loathed to
0:13:47 > 0:13:52express a Treasury view. I think they are better equipped to do that
0:13:52 > 0:13:59than I am. In terms of the risk profile associated with doing these
0:13:59 > 0:14:03works over a 30-year period as opposed to a shorter period of time,
0:14:03 > 0:14:11there is a risk of some catastrophic failure if these works take place,
0:14:11 > 0:14:15while we are in it is tu in either chamber or here working.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24The member says we are hampering the decision because the houses have not
0:14:24 > 0:14:30come to agreement, that is because the consultation was only agreed
0:14:30 > 0:14:34last year by the then Leader of the House who said there was an
0:14:34 > 0:14:42impending crisis we cannot ignore. It is downright irresponsible of the
0:14:42 > 0:14:45government, consistently to delay. The next edition of the Oxford
0:14:45 > 0:14:54English dictionary will say procrastination means this Tory
0:14:54 > 0:14:59Government misunderstanding the impending crisis meaning.I support
0:14:59 > 0:15:05what he has said in terms of the need for urgent action to be taken
0:15:05 > 0:15:08for the reasons I set out earlier than in terms of risk profile
0:15:08 > 0:15:13associated with the services in this building, but I might not echo the
0:15:13 > 0:15:21town he has used. Lowe I thank him for his attempted imitation. I
0:15:21 > 0:15:31usually have the copyright on the phrase get on with it, man, but I am
0:15:31 > 0:15:36obliged to him.That has no copyright, as you well know!
0:15:36 > 0:15:41Nevertheless I'm going to bank the compliment from him, it might be the
0:15:41 > 0:15:49only one I ever get! Mr Alan Brown. Given the attitude to change in this
0:15:49 > 0:15:55place, including electronic voting, does he think consideration should
0:15:55 > 0:16:01be given to turn this place into a museum?When the matter has been
0:16:01 > 0:16:04looked at in the past by the commission and the Lord's
0:16:04 > 0:16:10equivalent, I have to tell him that there was no desire to turn this
0:16:10 > 0:16:21place into a
0:16:21 > 0:16:25museum, and it was able to remain a significant world headed -- World
0:16:25 > 0:16:34Heritage building.In case those attending did not hear, the
0:16:34 > 0:16:38honourable gentleman says he wants to be an exhibit. He should be
0:16:38 > 0:16:50careful for what he wishes for. Theresa Villiers.Question seven.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54Tomorrow marks a belief day, and the Church of England has been
0:16:54 > 0:17:01supporting a number of events, not least the one held by you Mr
0:17:01 > 0:17:10Speaker, yesterday. We continue to assist the International panel of
0:17:10 > 0:17:17parliamentarians for religion or belief regarding attacks on people
0:17:17 > 0:17:21for the believes.What is the church doing to help displaced Christians
0:17:21 > 0:17:26return to their homes in Iraq?I have raised with the Department for
0:17:26 > 0:17:36International Development a number of people to return to their
0:17:36 > 0:17:41homeland. The reconstruction committee which is that
0:17:41 > 0:17:47collaboration of Syrian churches has so far restored 1700 properties,
0:17:47 > 0:17:55enabling just over 4700 Christian families to return home.Next week
0:17:55 > 0:18:00marks the 500th anniversary of Reformation. What is the church
0:18:00 > 0:18:04doing to promote and celebrate an event which led to major religious
0:18:04 > 0:18:10and social freedom in this nation? There are already a number of events
0:18:10 > 0:18:15to mark the Reformation. Indeed, you can hardly fail to turn on the radio
0:18:15 > 0:18:23and hear this great occasion been commemorated. But in the spirit of
0:18:23 > 0:18:28this question, I would like to share something that was said yesterday in
0:18:28 > 0:18:34your House, it is incumbent on us all, all of us of faith and no
0:18:34 > 0:18:45faith, to speak up for the tolerance to hear each other. The doctrine
0:18:45 > 0:18:52remains set out in canon law, explicitly to recognise by the
0:18:52 > 0:18:56marriage, same-sex couples act that the marriage is between one man and
0:18:56 > 0:19:00one woman, that is the doctrine of the church, but I'm sure honourable
0:19:00 > 0:19:05members will be aware that they heard a resolution was passed by
0:19:05 > 0:19:17this an -- the Synod.Given that many Anglican churches including my
0:19:17 > 0:19:26own wonderful cathedral in Exeter already perform ceremonies for
0:19:26 > 0:19:30same-sex marriages, would it be better for the church to just get on
0:19:30 > 0:19:36with this, rather than carry on what is effectively institutionalised
0:19:36 > 0:19:43hypocrisy?It is open to his own diocese to follow the same process
0:19:43 > 0:19:50at Hereford has undertaken, but the church is active in this area. Two
0:19:50 > 0:19:55initiatives, a pastor advisory group has been set up -- setup by the
0:19:55 > 0:20:00Bishop of Newcastle, and a major teaching document is being produced
0:20:00 > 0:20:06on marriage and sexuality.When so many gay people are being persecuted
0:20:06 > 0:20:10throughout the world particularly in Commonwealth countries, does she not
0:20:10 > 0:20:13believe that a loving gay people to marry in churches in this country
0:20:13 > 0:20:19would send the right signal?A very important step forward was made by
0:20:19 > 0:20:24the Anglican Church worldwide, in accepting a new doctrine against
0:20:24 > 0:20:31homophobia, and that is part of trying to cross the wider union to
0:20:31 > 0:20:40try to stamp out the persecution he refers to.The Electoral Commission
0:20:40 > 0:20:45provides guidance for returning officers and monitors and reports on
0:20:45 > 0:20:47their performance. It targets monitoring and support in areas
0:20:47 > 0:21:00needed, including whether a change in the team. A report on the
0:21:00 > 0:21:03performance of returning officers will be published in November.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06Shortage of trained returning officers was identified as one of
0:21:06 > 0:21:15the factors as to five thousands of votes were missed out or not sent.
0:21:15 > 0:21:23What more can be done? Is that in relation -- in relation to Plymouth,
0:21:23 > 0:21:28a review was offered, the Electoral Commission fully supported the
0:21:28 > 0:21:33investigation and continues to support the City Council to deliver
0:21:33 > 0:21:38the improvements required. On the issue of the decreasing number of
0:21:38 > 0:21:40election and registration specialists, the Electoral
0:21:40 > 0:21:45Commission is working with the Association of Electoral
0:21:45 > 0:21:54Administrators on this.Does she know whether returning officers have
0:21:54 > 0:21:58commented on the fact that people voted in more than one parliamentary
0:21:58 > 0:22:03constituency at the last general election? And do they have a view in
0:22:03 > 0:22:08supporting my Private members Bill which will only allow voters to be
0:22:08 > 0:22:15registered from one parliamentary seat?He will know that in certain
0:22:15 > 0:22:19circumstances it is possible for someone to be lawfully registered to
0:22:19 > 0:22:23vote in more than one place, including members of Parliament. The
0:22:23 > 0:22:26commission take seriously any reports of claims that individuals
0:22:26 > 0:22:33voted twice. The Minister has informed the House that police
0:22:33 > 0:22:35forces are investigating several allegations, and the commission
0:22:35 > 0:22:39urges anyone with evidence around individuals to bring forward those
0:22:39 > 0:22:43allegations to bring them forward to the relevant police force.We're out
0:22:43 > 0:22:51of time, but one more question. Question 11.The House awards
0:22:51 > 0:23:00contracts on the basis of the most economically advantageous tender.
0:23:00 > 0:23:06This involves the evaluation of bids using criteria including service
0:23:06 > 0:23:10levels quality and other environmental or social aspects to
0:23:10 > 0:23:14ensure the principles of transparency, non-discrimination and
0:23:14 > 0:23:20equal treatment, meaning tenders are assessed in conditions of
0:23:20 > 0:23:30competition.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36Awards are being -- contracts are being given to people who are
0:23:36 > 0:23:42blacklisted, isn't it time we change this, and take into account social
0:23:42 > 0:23:47responsibility in awarding future contracts?I understand his question
0:23:47 > 0:23:51and he may be aware that prequalification criteria contains
0:23:51 > 0:23:55grounds for mandatory exclusion where a potential supplier has been
0:23:55 > 0:24:01convicted for breaching any relevant legislation, including employment
0:24:01 > 0:24:03relations act 1999, the blacklisting regulations. However the critical
0:24:03 > 0:24:07matters is them having been convicted for breaching that
0:24:07 > 0:24:14legislation. The other difficulty I would add is that there are
0:24:14 > 0:24:18unfortunately a very large number of major contractors in the UK who were
0:24:18 > 0:24:22involved in blacklisting, and an approach which involved offering no
0:24:22 > 0:24:27work to any of those including those who perhaps settled out of court
0:24:27 > 0:24:27would