0:00:00 > 0:00:03his advocacy that representatives will be coming in next Thursday and
0:00:03 > 0:00:06up we will make sure that they and their colleagues at the support they
0:00:06 > 0:00:11need for the future.All questions to the chairman of the Public
0:00:11 > 0:00:18accounts commission and the right Honourable member for those where
0:00:18 > 0:00:29presented the House of Commons commission.
0:00:29 > 0:00:35Representing the Church Commissioners. Gillian Keegan.Mr
0:00:35 > 0:00:41Speaker, I have had many recent discussions with Government
0:00:41 > 0:00:44departments, particularly the Home Office, not these because of my
0:00:44 > 0:00:49marriage registration bill which is in train and there is an identical
0:00:49 > 0:00:54one in the House of Lords which would achieve the same purpose which
0:00:54 > 0:01:02will allow them to sign the bill. I don't mind which a bill makes it
0:01:02 > 0:01:05first, we just need to get it done. She is seeking to group this
0:01:05 > 0:01:08question with numbers two and six. With your permission, I would like
0:01:08 > 0:01:16to do so.Thank you.I thank the Right Honourable member for your
0:01:16 > 0:01:23response and there is a feeling that this needs to change, so will she
0:01:23 > 0:01:27make... To use Government time to get one of the bills to get this
0:01:27 > 0:01:33matter past?Yes, many member is across this house have sought to
0:01:33 > 0:01:37achieve that end and I commend the honourable member for introducing an
0:01:37 > 0:01:43identical bill on a previous bill. Making sure it is cross-party. I
0:01:43 > 0:01:46have a letter in response to mine from the Prime Minister in April
0:01:46 > 0:01:52this year saying that she absolutely acknowledges the commitment made in
0:01:52 > 0:01:582014 by her predecessor to achieve this and recognises the need for
0:01:58 > 0:02:01primary legislation to make sure that both parents of the couple can
0:02:01 > 0:02:02be on the certificate.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10The signing of the register is currently a valued part of the
0:02:10 > 0:02:14marriage service in church across the country. Could she reassure me
0:02:14 > 0:02:21that this will remain unchanged? Yes, I can reassure the honourable
0:02:21 > 0:02:26lady that registers will remain in the vestry for the all important
0:02:26 > 0:02:31photo, but the reality is, under the new system proposed, the Church has
0:02:31 > 0:02:35consulted on it, Vickers will download a marriage certificate
0:02:35 > 0:02:42signed by the couple as it is now but the vicar will complete the form
0:02:42 > 0:02:46by filling the parents' names, including the possibility of mothers
0:02:46 > 0:02:57being on the certificate in the future.I am grateful. Can I ask,
0:02:57 > 0:03:01have she and the church -- will she and the Church of England will
0:03:01 > 0:03:08support my bill which includes exactly these requirements, and will
0:03:08 > 0:03:16be Church of England also agreed to back equal civil partnerships to
0:03:16 > 0:03:22extended to opposite six partnerships as well? -- opposite
0:03:22 > 0:03:26sex partnerships?In general, if the answer is stable, committed and
0:03:26 > 0:03:31long-lasting relationships, they are likely to be beneficial, especially
0:03:31 > 0:03:34where children are involved. Personally, I would support that,
0:03:34 > 0:03:40and for that reason I have rolled forward my bill beyond the date of
0:03:40 > 0:03:47the bill to give him an opportunity to proceed.I have three daughters
0:03:47 > 0:03:51with children, and many constituents, and wanted to ask
0:03:51 > 0:03:59today, why has it taken so long this simple step forward for equality?I
0:03:59 > 0:04:06ask myself the very same questions. There have been several attempts and
0:04:06 > 0:04:09undertakings including by the previous Labour government in 2002,
0:04:09 > 0:04:13so I would urge colleagues to do everything they can to make sure we
0:04:13 > 0:04:17achieve the change in the law, and give the went to the marriage
0:04:17 > 0:04:24registration Bill.It is good to hear what she says, but will she
0:04:24 > 0:04:27also topped the Church about making it easier for people to get married
0:04:27 > 0:04:35in church and to have their children baptised? That would be quality.In
0:04:35 > 0:04:38answering this, on previous occasions I have given examples of
0:04:38 > 0:04:44how the church does reach out to the surrounding communities, so that the
0:04:44 > 0:04:48thought of getting married is not intimidating, and doesn't need to be
0:04:48 > 0:04:52expensive. Getting married in church is the least part of what it
0:04:52 > 0:04:58actually costs to put on a wedding, but I can put him in touch for the
0:04:58 > 0:05:04materials required for people to be married in church.Taking into
0:05:04 > 0:05:08account the 25% of households are single-parent, and of these 90% of
0:05:08 > 0:05:12those are led by mothers, would she agree that the marriage certificate
0:05:12 > 0:05:18must take into account the large section of people who are overlooked
0:05:18 > 0:05:22and in real life watch over everything in the home?He makes a
0:05:22 > 0:05:27very important point. This really came out in the Westminster Hall
0:05:27 > 0:05:33debate that I secured. When a number of honourable members, who are
0:05:33 > 0:05:37themselves the children of a single parent, in most cases the mother,
0:05:37 > 0:05:41were really disappointed to find out that the moment they got married,
0:05:41 > 0:05:44the mum who had done everything possible to bring them up was not at
0:05:44 > 0:05:51this point in law able to be signing the certificate has the parent, and
0:05:51 > 0:05:58that is a very strong reason why it is needing changed.Her commitment
0:05:58 > 0:06:03on this issue is very well-known on both sides, and it is that both
0:06:03 > 0:06:09sides of the houses are supportive of what she is trying to achieve.
0:06:09 > 0:06:17Following on to her answer, can she reaffirm that the church as it was
0:06:17 > 0:06:23set out to me remain supportive of what we're trying to achieve?I
0:06:23 > 0:06:26would like to clear up any misunderstanding there might be that
0:06:26 > 0:06:31the church is in any way against making this change, the reverse is
0:06:31 > 0:06:36true. The church has consulted on the question of changing the
0:06:36 > 0:06:40marriage registration process. It will save money as a practical
0:06:40 > 0:06:50reality of moving to an electronic register. There is cross-party
0:06:50 > 0:06:57support, institutional support, let us just get it done.The National
0:06:57 > 0:07:02Audit Office's any all work programme is a number for the
0:07:02 > 0:07:07controller general, but it does not audit individual police forces. It
0:07:07 > 0:07:15published a report in June 15 about financial sustainability in police
0:07:15 > 0:07:23forces.An independent assessment of police Force funding would be very
0:07:23 > 0:07:28welcome, not just on an individual level, but as a whole. The NA all
0:07:28 > 0:07:33published an effective report two years ago but the governments have
0:07:33 > 0:07:41made claims that they have protected funding that has been protected, so
0:07:41 > 0:07:47an independent assessment would be welcome, and I would ask the NAO
0:07:47 > 0:07:53through the commissioner that he would make that request.I will pass
0:07:53 > 0:07:57on that request. She's quite right. Although police forces have reduced
0:07:57 > 0:08:04costs since 2011, the report referred to has recommended the Home
0:08:04 > 0:08:10Office work with other bodies on better information and early warning
0:08:10 > 0:08:20on when a force may fail.The NAO is continually looking at how it can
0:08:20 > 0:08:25save money. The most recent audited financial accounts show that the NAO
0:08:25 > 0:08:32has reduced its net resort cost by 21% in real terms against its
0:08:32 > 0:08:36baseline in 2010, 11. This is while taking on a much greater role in
0:08:36 > 0:08:44government at the request of Parliament.I have no doubt about
0:08:44 > 0:08:52the great work they do as the spending watch, but what can he do?
0:08:52 > 0:08:57We are urging the National Audit Office to reduce their costs. They
0:08:57 > 0:09:01have been very successful. The National Audit Office saves many
0:09:01 > 0:09:05times its own budget in looking at any other government department to
0:09:05 > 0:09:10make sure we get good value for money. He makes easier point. The
0:09:10 > 0:09:18NAO must lead the way in reducing its staffing costs.There is no
0:09:18 > 0:09:23direct financial subsidy on alcohol sales served in the House of
0:09:23 > 0:09:35Commons. It is sold at events, achieving 69% gross profit. --
0:09:35 > 0:09:40margin. This helps offset the cost of catering.I am pleased to hear
0:09:40 > 0:09:45there is no subsidy on alcohol sales. There have been recent well
0:09:45 > 0:09:51reported incidents of bad behaviour in bars on the estate. What steps
0:09:51 > 0:09:57are being taken to prevent such incidents in the future?He may be
0:09:57 > 0:10:00aware of the incident a couple of days ago in relation to the sports
0:10:00 > 0:10:04and social club, which is run by the House of Lords. There is an
0:10:04 > 0:10:10investigation underway into that, and clearly this is an issue under
0:10:10 > 0:10:22review for the reasons the honourable gentleman has set out.
0:10:22 > 0:10:29Professor Charles recommended a target of a press gallery, such that
0:10:29 > 0:10:34neither women or men should be in receipt of less than 40% of lobby
0:10:34 > 0:10:41passes by 2020. As of the 6th of December, 25.6% of the 246 valid
0:10:41 > 0:10:45lobby passes on issue were four women. As a result of his question,
0:10:45 > 0:10:50I will seek the best means of publishing these figures on a
0:10:50 > 0:11:00regular basis.They really will have to do better, won't they?Democracy
0:11:00 > 0:11:05matters appear in the press gallery, and I am glad the commission will
0:11:05 > 0:11:09look to publish the diversity data, but can I encourage them to
0:11:09 > 0:11:17implement dredges -- legislation by publishing data on gender but other
0:11:17 > 0:11:22characteristics, to break down the data and also to set clear target so
0:11:22 > 0:11:28that at least by 2020 no men and women have no fewer than 40% of the
0:11:28 > 0:11:35passes for the journalist lobby on the estate.She may be aware that
0:11:35 > 0:11:38currently neither the Commons reference group or the commission
0:11:38 > 0:11:44have considered the recommendation of the report, however following her
0:11:44 > 0:11:48intervention I will ensure that they do as soon as possible and look very
0:11:48 > 0:11:55specifically at making sure that the extensive level of detail she has
0:11:55 > 0:12:01requested is reflected in reports that we publish in future.The good
0:12:01 > 0:12:04Parliament report will come to be seen as a pivotal and seminal
0:12:04 > 0:12:07publication in the history of the free-form and modernisation of the
0:12:07 > 0:12:11place. Can he say a bit more about how the recommendations including
0:12:11 > 0:12:19those relating to the press gallery -- Gallery is making them considered
0:12:19 > 0:12:28other opportunities in this place? One of the measures being placed on
0:12:28 > 0:12:31this report is the emphasis the Speaker and House of Commons
0:12:31 > 0:12:35commission are putting on it. Members of Parliament are actively
0:12:35 > 0:12:38tracking this, therefore I am confident the Commons reference
0:12:38 > 0:12:46group and the commission will want to ensure that due priority is given
0:12:46 > 0:12:55and the implemented as soon as possible.The church supports
0:12:55 > 0:13:06ecumenical agencies like Embrace in the Middle East, including one for
0:13:06 > 0:13:09the Coptic Evangelical Association for social services in Cairo, which
0:13:09 > 0:13:21supports over 2 million Egyptians in rural communities.Can I ask what
0:13:21 > 0:13:24steps the church is taking to highlight the importance of cross
0:13:24 > 0:13:30departmentally approach to tackling the persecution of religious
0:13:30 > 0:13:32minorities, especially Christians abroad. Not simply because it is the
0:13:32 > 0:13:40right thing to do, but because it is also important for security at home.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43The church regularly facilitates the opportunity for church
0:13:43 > 0:13:46representatives to speak across different government departments,
0:13:46 > 0:13:52this week we facilitated a visit by the Bishop of Zimbabwe, who spoke to
0:13:52 > 0:13:55Foreign Office ministers. But I would draw your attention to a
0:13:55 > 0:14:00speech by the bishops Bishop of Peterborough this week who spoke
0:14:00 > 0:14:04about the hidden victims of persecution, and she will seek
0:14:04 > 0:14:08comfort in the Bishop's speech about being aware on how this plays at
0:14:08 > 0:14:15home.Does she agree that the displaced Middle East Christians
0:14:15 > 0:14:21need support to make sure they have a safe environment to love and
0:14:21 > 0:14:25flourish in, and hopefully time to return to their home communities,
0:14:25 > 0:14:33and would she join me in commending open doors further campaign?I
0:14:33 > 0:14:36certainly do commend them, and I commend to members present that next
0:14:36 > 0:14:42week, Wednesday afternoon, they are running an event called Hope for the
0:14:42 > 0:14:45Middle East, encouraging us to support the plight of those, and
0:14:45 > 0:14:49since it is the last question before Christmas for me, could I wish
0:14:49 > 0:14:54everybody happy Christmas and let us not forget that Jesus was carried in
0:14:54 > 0:14:59the arms of his mother all the way to Egypt, fleeing persecution, so
0:14:59 > 0:15:02while we celebrate, let us also remember those forced to flee from
0:15:02 > 0:15:14persecution.The Electoral Commission has experienced
0:15:14 > 0:15:18undertaking multiple investigations and is confident that its resourcing
0:15:18 > 0:15:23for this year is sufficient. Nevertheless it recognises its
0:15:23 > 0:15:26workload has increased. In 2018, the submission will submit its budget
0:15:26 > 0:15:31for the next financial year for scrutiny, and it is for the
0:15:31 > 0:15:37Electoral Commission to agree the estimate.I hope the Speaker's
0:15:37 > 0:15:40committee well insured the commission has the resources it
0:15:40 > 0:15:45needs to do this work. As well as investigating Russian interference
0:15:45 > 0:15:47which the Electoral Commission chairman John Holmes confirmed it
0:15:47 > 0:15:52was doing yesterday, can she comment on whether the commission is
0:15:52 > 0:16:00examining if there was collusion between Vote Leave, Labour leave,
0:16:00 > 0:16:04the DUP and veterans for Britain, and can she also comment on whether
0:16:04 > 0:16:07the role of the US hedge fund billionaire Robert Mercer is being
0:16:07 > 0:16:12investigated?
0:16:12 > 0:16:15I am grateful to my honourable friend and I know the commission has
0:16:15 > 0:16:20had useful and positive engagement with him in regards to these areas.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23Various investigations are under way and it will not be possible to
0:16:23 > 0:16:28comment further but I can assure my honourable friend at once any
0:16:28 > 0:16:31investigations are complete, the commission will decide whether any
0:16:31 > 0:16:34breaches have occurred and if so, what further action will be
0:16:34 > 0:16:37appropriate. The outcome of