0:00:00 > 0:00:00service operations. Join me for a round-up at 11am tonight but first
0:00:00 > 0:00:09we have questions to the new team at the Cabinet Office.I pay tribute to
0:00:09 > 0:00:10predecessors in these roles, in particular my right honourable
0:00:10 > 0:00:17friend 's the member for Ashford and the member for Derbyshire Dales.
0:00:17 > 0:00:22They have done great service for their constituents, for this
0:00:22 > 0:00:26thousands for the country during their time in office. I want to but
0:00:26 > 0:00:30my thanks on the record to them. They also thank the right honourable
0:00:30 > 0:00:36friend the member for Kingswood for the work they did in the Cabinet
0:00:36 > 0:00:41Office before moving on to other responsibilities. The Electoral
0:00:41 > 0:00:43Commission 's report shows that overall the 2017 general election
0:00:43 > 0:00:48was successfully do that by a committed community of electoral
0:00:48 > 0:00:57administrators. We work with the commission to ensure that returning
0:00:57 > 0:01:04officers are effectively supported to run polls.I thank the Minister
0:01:04 > 0:01:09for that response and welcome him to his new role. But apart from this
0:01:09 > 0:01:15trap general election last year my global authority last year presided
0:01:15 > 0:01:18over the greater magister combined authority mayoral election is for
0:01:18 > 0:01:22which it received no central funding which is surprisingly considering
0:01:22 > 0:01:24that one of the functions is to replace a police and crime
0:01:24 > 0:01:29commissioners role which did receive central funding. What action will
0:01:29 > 0:01:31the government take to help local authorities like mine deliver
0:01:31 > 0:01:37well-run elections to these new rules?The Cabinet Office
0:01:37 > 0:01:43responsibility lies with reimbursing local authorities returning officers
0:01:43 > 0:01:46for the cost incurred in administration of national
0:01:46 > 0:01:52elections. The responsibility for life with local authorities for the
0:01:52 > 0:01:57cost arising out of local elections and local authority resources are
0:01:57 > 0:02:05going to be more than 200 billion over the current spending review
0:02:05 > 0:02:09period for both 2018, 2019 and 20 20.May I be the first to offer my
0:02:09 > 0:02:15right honourable friend from the 1992 intake congratulations on his
0:02:15 > 0:02:19latest appointment. Is your way of a landmark ruling in the United States
0:02:19 > 0:02:24of the Supreme Court which has said that the boundary changes in North
0:02:24 > 0:02:28Carolina are unconstitutional and gerrymandering and will he join me
0:02:28 > 0:02:33in praising the work of the boundary commissions despite their appalling
0:02:33 > 0:02:40recommendations ball a trail for at least being transparent and
0:02:40 > 0:02:47nonpartisan?It is always -- it has always been an accepted strength of
0:02:47 > 0:02:51our Constitution arrangements that we have Parliamentary boundary
0:02:51 > 0:02:56commission for each part of the UK that is wholly independent of party
0:02:56 > 0:03:03politics and party influence. I hope therefore that all parties in this
0:03:03 > 0:03:05House will rally behind the Parliamentary boundary commission
0:03:05 > 0:03:12recommendations.On behalf of the opposition front bench I welcome the
0:03:12 > 0:03:16Minister to his new role. The chair of the Electoral Commission has
0:03:16 > 0:03:21warned our system is facing a perfect storm due to funding
0:03:21 > 0:03:26pressures. 43% of local authority elections had experienced real term
0:03:26 > 0:03:31cuts since 2010 so can the Minister outlined why the government
0:03:31 > 0:03:35engagement plan fails to address these concerns and will be in short
0:03:35 > 0:03:39a full and conference review of the delivery and funding in services is
0:03:39 > 0:03:44limited as a matter of urgency?Can I thank the honourable lady for
0:03:44 > 0:03:49their welcome to me to many responsibilities but I have to
0:03:49 > 0:03:53repeat her what I said in my initial response that the Electoral
0:03:53 > 0:03:56Commission concluded that while there were problems that overall the
0:03:56 > 0:04:022017 general election was successfully delivered. The
0:04:02 > 0:04:04government is committed to strengthening our electoral
0:04:04 > 0:04:08processes and we are planning as part of that to run pilot schemes in
0:04:08 > 0:04:16a number of local authorities later this year. So we will look seriously
0:04:16 > 0:04:27at recommendations from the Electoral Commission.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30Every application to the electoral register is now subject to identity
0:04:30 > 0:04:36verification checks. In late December the government made that
0:04:36 > 0:04:45legislation aimed at improving the registration process further.Last
0:04:45 > 0:04:47month a 21-year-old man was convicted of voting twice, firstly
0:04:47 > 0:04:53by post and then by voting in person. He then bragged about it on
0:04:53 > 0:04:57Twitter. Over a thousand similar complaints have been dealt with,
0:04:57 > 0:05:02most relating to students. What steps is the government taking to
0:05:02 > 0:05:11deal with this?I am glad he has brought that example to life. I
0:05:11 > 0:05:17understand that following examination of these reports the
0:05:17 > 0:05:19Electoral Commission has stated there is a lack of evidence of
0:05:19 > 0:05:23widespread abuse but nonetheless we will continue to work with the
0:05:23 > 0:05:30police and the Electoral Commission to reduce the risk of double voting.
0:05:30 > 0:05:36I welcome the honourable lady to her position. Will she agree with me
0:05:36 > 0:05:40that the electoral process in Northern Ireland was severely
0:05:40 > 0:05:45corrupted eight months ago by thousands of proxy vote applications
0:05:45 > 0:05:52and the previous member lost his seat as a result of thousands of
0:05:52 > 0:05:57proxy vote applications that were approved without any electoral
0:05:57 > 0:06:04identification and any photographic identification.I struggled to hear
0:06:04 > 0:06:10the gentleman but what I would say to the honourable gentleman is that
0:06:10 > 0:06:17as he knows the electoral system in Northern Ireland is devolved and my
0:06:17 > 0:06:23colleagues at the Northern Ireland Office will be taking his concerns
0:06:23 > 0:06:36very seriously.Can I add my welcome to the front bench. I am delighted
0:06:36 > 0:06:39to see the strong team in the Cabinet Office. Can I ask the
0:06:39 > 0:06:44minister if she has given any consideration to restrict doing
0:06:44 > 0:06:50registration for elections to one address which may help with the
0:06:50 > 0:07:05problem of double voting?I think the points to refer to hear is the
0:07:05 > 0:07:09breadth of the pickles review into electoral fraud which gave us the
0:07:09 > 0:07:13basis for a number of reforms to our electoral system all designed to
0:07:13 > 0:07:18reduce fraud and improve its security. In that context I will be
0:07:18 > 0:07:21looking carefully at all of its recommendations and the government
0:07:21 > 0:07:26has already accepted and will be moving forward with a number of
0:07:26 > 0:07:35them.One of the ways in which the government could give more security
0:07:35 > 0:07:38is if they moved to automatic registration when National Insurance
0:07:38 > 0:07:46them as I given out. It would actually resolve any issues to do
0:07:46 > 0:07:53with registration.I am aware of the arguments although I confess that
0:07:53 > 0:07:57this point I have not yet had a chance to study the particular
0:07:57 > 0:08:01private members bill. I will be happy to do that and take up the
0:08:01 > 0:08:07conversation from that point.May I also welcome the minister to her
0:08:07 > 0:08:11post. She is the fourth that I have had the privilege of facing in the
0:08:11 > 0:08:15last two years. The biggest threat to the integrity of the electoral
0:08:15 > 0:08:18registration process is the fact there are millions of our citizens
0:08:18 > 0:08:23who are not on the electoral register. All of their predecessors
0:08:23 > 0:08:26promised they would bring forward proposals to address this problem.
0:08:26 > 0:08:31We were told they would be a plan in Easter last year, then the summer,
0:08:31 > 0:08:35then December and still nothing. When will she bring forward
0:08:35 > 0:08:38proposals to make sure we can increase the number of people on the
0:08:38 > 0:08:45register?He will know that we have near-record levels of participation
0:08:45 > 0:08:49in our democracy. For the turnout has risen. Completeness has
0:08:49 > 0:08:59improved. There are 30 million new registrations to vote since 20 14.
0:08:59 > 0:09:0475% of those use the website which I'm sure he will agree is a rip --
0:09:04 > 0:09:11an important reform. The electoral register for the 2017 election
0:09:11 > 0:09:14reached a record level. I don't agree with his assessment.Number
0:09:14 > 0:09:28three.Thank you to honourable members for that warm welcome. Small
0:09:28 > 0:09:31businesses are the backbone of our economy and this government is
0:09:31 > 0:09:36committed to supporting them in securing government contracts. We
0:09:36 > 0:09:40have already streamlined our procurement process to assist small
0:09:40 > 0:09:43businesses. Our small business panel is working to improve accessibility
0:09:43 > 0:09:47of government contracts and we've focus on breaking down the barriers
0:09:47 > 0:09:56that might deter SME's.Many small businesses are put off from trying
0:09:56 > 0:10:00to get contracts by the emotive information they have to go through.
0:10:00 > 0:10:05What can the government do to reduce that information they need to
0:10:05 > 0:10:13supply?I think he raises an important point. It is vital that
0:10:13 > 0:10:18small businesses can access government contracts so to achieve
0:10:18 > 0:10:22this we have taken action to ensure business business bidding process is
0:10:22 > 0:10:26a simple fight. Conflict prequalification crossing is
0:10:26 > 0:10:29abolished for low value contracts. We will continue to look at ways to
0:10:29 > 0:10:36reduce burdens for small businesses. What information does the Minister
0:10:36 > 0:10:40have that there has been an increase in the number of small and
0:10:40 > 0:10:46medium-sized businesses accessing contracts?I thank the member for
0:10:46 > 0:10:51that question as I would point to three pieces of information. Direct
0:10:51 > 0:10:58spend with SMEs is up 80% since the Conservatives came to power in 2010.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01More small businesses than ever are bidding for government business and
0:11:01 > 0:11:13government now spends directly around £5.6 billion for SMEs.
0:11:13 > 0:11:21Can I congratulate as a fellow Hertfordshire MP for his new role?
0:11:21 > 0:11:26Doing more to bring in the small to medium-sized businesses,
0:11:26 > 0:11:31particularly in specialist areas where Hertfordshire is so strong?I
0:11:31 > 0:11:35think my honourable Hertfordshire friend for his welcome. He raises an
0:11:35 > 0:11:41important point, I think there are two aspects. Firstly, the direct
0:11:41 > 0:11:46spend, 5.6 billion around. We also need we get spending in contracts
0:11:46 > 0:11:50lower down so the people who have Government contracts spend with
0:11:50 > 0:11:53small businesses and that is something we are committed to doing
0:11:53 > 0:12:04as a Government.Too often, rather than outsourcing to SMEs, large
0:12:04 > 0:12:12companies are employed. This is subject to an investigation by the
0:12:12 > 0:12:15FCA. Karelian remains a major supplier in terms of work
0:12:15 > 0:12:25procurement. -- Carillion. Does the Government have such a contingency
0:12:25 > 0:12:34plan and what is the likely cost to the taxpayer.We of course make
0:12:34 > 0:12:38contingency plans for all eventualities. If I could briefly
0:12:38 > 0:12:43update the House, as members will know, Carillion is a major supplier
0:12:43 > 0:12:46to the Government with long-term contracts. We are committed to
0:12:46 > 0:12:56maintaining a healthy supply markets. I can tell the House that
0:12:56 > 0:12:59Carillion's performance continues to move forward, including work on
0:12:59 > 0:13:05Crossrail over the Christmas period. The central question is not
0:13:05 > 0:13:09answered. The Government has been outsourcing public services to large
0:13:09 > 0:13:14companies on an industrial scale. When these massive outsourcing
0:13:14 > 0:13:19companies fail, does the Minister they failed that the costs stay with
0:13:19 > 0:13:24the taxpayer while the profits are going to the shareholders?Do not
0:13:24 > 0:13:29think there is anything wrong with profits. Profit is a reward for
0:13:29 > 0:13:32investment made by businesses. Perhaps of the honourable gentleman
0:13:32 > 0:13:37had recently has it he would not have do read the pre-scripted
0:13:37 > 0:13:41question previously. I would gently suggest that the honourable
0:13:41 > 0:13:45gentleman, this is something the Government take seriously and for
0:13:45 > 0:13:48the first time as a Government started measuring this, something
0:13:48 > 0:13:53that had not been done for 13 years before, measuring small and
0:13:53 > 0:13:57medium-sized enterprises with Government contract. We set a 25%
0:13:57 > 0:14:06target and have delivered, a record of success for this Government.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10Thank you, Mr Speaker. The first duty of Government is to safeguard
0:14:10 > 0:14:14the nation and we take the security and integrity of our democratic
0:14:14 > 0:14:21processes seriously. Other we have not seen evidence... We will not be
0:14:21 > 0:14:26complacent and will continue to protect ourselves.In order to
0:14:26 > 0:14:29protect ourselves, the Chair of the Electoral Commission has said we
0:14:29 > 0:14:34need new rules for online political advertising to combat political
0:14:34 > 0:14:37influence particularly by Facebook and Twitter. When will the
0:14:37 > 0:14:41Government bring forward legislation we need?One of the very first
0:14:41 > 0:14:45things to do in my new role is to meet the Commission and discuss that
0:14:45 > 0:14:53with them.I welcome the new Minister. Though she agree with me
0:14:53 > 0:14:57that one of the ways of reducing foreign influence in our democratic
0:14:57 > 0:15:03processes will be aged members of this House did not go on Russia
0:15:03 > 0:15:13today and Sputnik and be paid money for doing so?To hear from the right
0:15:13 > 0:15:16honourable member reminds me of the heady days in the Coalition
0:15:16 > 0:15:20Government where we served in the Cabinet office or thereabouts
0:15:20 > 0:15:24together. His question today reminds us that there are honourable members
0:15:24 > 0:15:31of this House here who seem to feel the need to do as he says. I think
0:15:31 > 0:15:35it would be more helpful if we recalled the words of the Prime
0:15:35 > 0:15:39Minister at Mansion House Speech, we should be well aware of what Russia
0:15:39 > 0:15:50seeks to do and seek to protect the UK from it.Question number five.
0:15:50 > 0:15:55With your permission, I will answer this and question eight together.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58The Government is considering the responses to our call to evidence on
0:15:58 > 0:16:02the accessibility of the voter registration system. We have
0:16:02 > 0:16:07recently released the plan for Democratic engagement which includes
0:16:07 > 0:16:11strategies for disabled electors. The Government has also implemented
0:16:11 > 0:16:13the findings of an accessibility review of the register to vote
0:16:13 > 0:16:20website.For those who are disabled physically and visually who want to
0:16:20 > 0:16:24carry out a normal role to vote like the rest of us, could the Minister
0:16:24 > 0:16:31outlined that those with wheelchairs can gain access to the polling
0:16:31 > 0:16:34stations and that papers in Braille are available to those who are
0:16:34 > 0:16:41visually disabled?Notwithstanding, Mr Speaker, the caveat that in
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Northern Ireland the system is devolved and in some ways different
0:16:44 > 0:16:50to that in GB, in general terms I will say certainly we should not
0:16:50 > 0:16:57regard people with disabilities, restricted to voting in one way or
0:16:57 > 0:17:01another, polling stations are equipped with tactile voting
0:17:01 > 0:17:05devices. More broadly there are some arguments as to whether Braille
0:17:05 > 0:17:11brings some opportunity to identify a voter but I welcome the question
0:17:11 > 0:17:17and welcome for the conversation.I would like to welcome my honourable
0:17:17 > 0:17:22friend to her new role. In Southport, my constituency, three
0:17:22 > 0:17:24excellent school specialising in teaching children with autism as
0:17:24 > 0:17:28well as behaviour and learning disabilities. Does my honourable
0:17:28 > 0:17:32friend agree with me that encouraging children with these
0:17:32 > 0:17:35conditions to learn about our political structure they will become
0:17:35 > 0:17:41more likely to engage with the electoral systems as adults?I do
0:17:41 > 0:17:46agree with my honourable friend and am glad he raises these points. My
0:17:46 > 0:17:52predecessor in this role, member for Kingswood, excellent work in the
0:17:52 > 0:17:58every voice matters project, social justice. It should be that any
0:17:58 > 0:18:02citizen should be at the heart of voting, their ability to cast their
0:18:02 > 0:18:13votes as a matter of public service. Thank you. In November 2017 we
0:18:13 > 0:18:17published the 20 15th-16th figures for central Government departments.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20The Government is fully committed to supporting our small businesses
0:18:20 > 0:18:26which are of course the engine room of our economy. We continue to make
0:18:26 > 0:18:29action to meet our targets of a third opportunity being the small
0:18:29 > 0:18:35businesses by 2022.Good to see the Minister looking in a state of high
0:18:35 > 0:18:46excitement, as well he might.In those 2015-16th figures the level of
0:18:46 > 0:18:53procurement to SMEs shown to be following from 17 to 24%. Direct
0:18:53 > 0:19:00procurement, the majority. Also changes needed to a Government
0:19:00 > 0:19:07procurement system that just delivers from large contractors to
0:19:07 > 0:19:14SMEs.This is a challenging target, that is right. We set a challenging
0:19:14 > 0:19:18target in 2010 and we met that challenging target by the end of the
0:19:18 > 0:19:22parliament. I am confident we will reach that target again and in
0:19:22 > 0:19:27particular taking the following further measures in relation to
0:19:27 > 0:19:31SMEs, we will use transparency to encourage large businesses to employ
0:19:31 > 0:19:38more SMEs and make prompt payments part of the selection process. I can
0:19:38 > 0:19:41tell the House we will be bringing forward proposals very shortly on
0:19:41 > 0:19:50that.Question number seven.The Cabinet office is responsible for
0:19:50 > 0:19:55coordinating action to increase social economic diversity. Within
0:19:55 > 0:19:59the civil service, delivering on all recommendations recommended in the
0:19:59 > 0:20:062016 report.The recent Social Mobility Commission 's report found
0:20:06 > 0:20:10the worst performing areas for social mobility are no longer in
0:20:10 > 0:20:15city areas but remote, rural and coastal areas and former industrial
0:20:15 > 0:20:18areas. What steps will the Government take to retrace the
0:20:18 > 0:20:26funding imbalance, North faces and tackle social mobility in
0:20:26 > 0:20:38post-industrial town such as leave. -- Leigh.Action on education and
0:20:38 > 0:20:42housing an appointment at the key steps to be taken, as the Prime
0:20:42 > 0:20:45Minister said. That is what the Government and the premise is giving
0:20:45 > 0:20:51priority to. We have 1.9 more children now in good or outstanding
0:20:51 > 0:20:55schools than we did in 2010.I am delighted to see the honourable
0:20:55 > 0:21:00gentleman has been promoted from the whips office. And cannot speak.
0:21:00 > 0:21:07CHEERING Would my right honourable friend
0:21:07 > 0:21:10agree that social mobility is essential to maximise the potential
0:21:10 > 0:21:16of individuals and our country. While the Government has achieved a
0:21:16 > 0:21:21great deal so far, does he agree that there is still more to be done?
0:21:21 > 0:21:25I completely agree with my honourable friend and the Government
0:21:25 > 0:21:32looks forward to delivering, in full, on the social mobility action
0:21:32 > 0:21:36plan for education that my right honourable friend the Member for
0:21:36 > 0:21:39Putney announced just before Christmas.Finally, briefly, Fiona
0:21:39 > 0:21:49Bruce.Cabinet Office ministers and officials meet regularly with
0:21:49 > 0:21:54colleagues across Government to discuss security of private and
0:21:54 > 0:22:01public sector organisations. Investing 1.9 billion as part of the
0:22:01 > 0:22:09cyber Security strategy.Protect themselves against attacks on their
0:22:09 > 0:22:17cyber security?The National Cyber Security Centre gives direct help
0:22:17 > 0:22:23and advice to public sector organisations and offers advice and
0:22:23 > 0:22:26guidance and help in responding to attacks to private sector
0:22:26 > 0:22:30organisations. I would encourage all to use its services.There is far
0:22:30 > 0:22:36too much noise in the Chamber. Very loud and persistent private
0:22:36 > 0:22:46conversations. Let's have a better order, topical questions.I intend
0:22:46 > 0:22:51to continue the work of the Cabinet office to deliver its purpose is to
0:22:51 > 0:22:55maintain the integrity of the union of the United Kingdom to coordinate
0:22:55 > 0:23:00the security of the realm, to sustain a flourishing democracy,
0:23:00 > 0:23:03ensure the delivery of the finest public services and help implement
0:23:03 > 0:23:10the Government 's pass policies and the Prime Minister pass priorities.
0:23:10 > 0:23:17The Government has put out a dozen documents related to its European
0:23:17 > 0:23:22policy in the early 1990s. What is the Government trying to hide? What
0:23:22 > 0:23:26embarrassment is the Tory party trying to cover up, and will the
0:23:26 > 0:23:32Minister released these documents?I am happy to look at the particular
0:23:32 > 0:23:37case if the honourable gentleman would like to write to me, but I can
0:23:37 > 0:23:47assure him that the documents are not withheld. Likely sometimes
0:23:47 > 0:23:54individuals, information still sensitive in diplomatic terms.The
0:23:54 > 0:24:02Dorset Knight himself, Sir Robert Simmons.One of the new
0:24:02 > 0:24:04responsibilities of the Secretary of State is important negotiations with
0:24:04 > 0:24:11the devolved assemblies and Parliament. When will the Secretary
0:24:11 > 0:24:15of state take meetings for the supporting -- important discussions
0:24:15 > 0:24:20for the future of our country.It is true that the Prime Minister has
0:24:20 > 0:24:24asked me to continue with my predecessor's responsibilities
0:24:24 > 0:24:29overall supervision of intergovernmental relations in the
0:24:29 > 0:24:33United Kingdom. I spoke last evening to the Deputy First Minister of
0:24:33 > 0:24:36Scotland and the First Minister of Wales and I assured them that I hope
0:24:36 > 0:24:40to visit both Scotland and Wales in the near future. I have very much to
0:24:40 > 0:24:50visit Northern Ireland as well.The other remark that the 20 17th snap
0:24:50 > 0:24:57election had been well run. But they felt the need to provide its members
0:24:57 > 0:25:01with a free counselling service following the election. What action
0:25:01 > 0:25:06will be Government take to address unsustainable workloads and staffing
0:25:06 > 0:25:13pressures experienced by our election staff?One of the challenge
0:25:13 > 0:25:17facing electoral staff this year is an unprecedented amount of people
0:25:17 > 0:25:20taking advantage of the opportunity to register online and the
0:25:20 > 0:25:25Administration had to sort out duplicate registrations. We are
0:25:25 > 0:25:31looking at the lessons to be learnt by that but we should not fail to
0:25:31 > 0:25:34acknowledge the fact that online registration has made it easier for
0:25:34 > 0:25:37people to register than in the past and a great boon to many of our
0:25:37 > 0:25:44citizens.With over 25% of overseas development being spent outside
0:25:44 > 0:25:50of... Is there a role for Cabinet Office encouraging more cross
0:25:50 > 0:25:57departmental spend and better reporting across all departments?My
0:25:57 > 0:26:00honourable friend with his expert knowledge of Africa makes an
0:26:00 > 0:26:07important point. The national security adviser based in the
0:26:07 > 0:26:12capital -- Cabinet Office responsible for £3.2 billion of
0:26:12 > 0:26:16cross departmental ODA spending and I am looking forward to discussing
0:26:16 > 0:26:19with them how that money can best be spent and will certainly take
0:26:19 > 0:26:26account of my honourable friend pass views.Lewisham has over 2000
0:26:26 > 0:26:28residents in temporary accommodation. Three quarters of
0:26:28 > 0:26:32those who have been in contact with me are not on the electoral
0:26:32 > 0:26:37register. I am not happy with this, is the Government? If you are not,
0:26:37 > 0:26:44what is the Government going to do about this?Despite the success of
0:26:44 > 0:26:47online registration, we accept there is more to do and think it is
0:26:47 > 0:26:50important we encourage all our citizens of this country to take
0:26:50 > 0:26:53advantage of the democratic rights they have to cast a vote locally and
0:26:53 > 0:26:58nationally.I have a number of constituents who have suffered
0:26:58 > 0:27:02terribly as a result of the contaminated blood scandal. Would my
0:27:02 > 0:27:05right honourable friend please update the House and the process
0:27:05 > 0:27:12towards an appointment of the chair and timescales of enquiry?The
0:27:12 > 0:27:20contaminated blood scandal was an appalling tragedy from which
0:27:20 > 0:27:26individuals and their families are still suffering. I regard this as a
0:27:26 > 0:27:34very high priority for me. We approached the Justice, asked him to
0:27:34 > 0:27:37nominate a judge to chair the enquiry and they had to make an
0:27:37 > 0:27:43announcement of the name of that judge soon.After the Prime Minister
0:27:43 > 0:27:47pass painful and protracted reshuffle clearly failed to ensure
0:27:47 > 0:27:52that the Cabinet reflects diverse and modern Britain, what steps is
0:27:52 > 0:27:57the Minister taking to increase diversity in the civil service?We
0:27:57 > 0:28:06are implementing in full and the report to which I alluded earlier.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09We are encouraging all Government departments to step up their work,
0:28:09 > 0:28:16to make sure that they are recruiting people, seeking to
0:28:16 > 0:28:20recruit people, from groups in society harder to reach than others
0:28:20 > 0:28:24in the past. Important that continues and I think the Prime
0:28:24 > 0:28:29Minister pass commitment to racial disparity project which in 14 years
0:28:29 > 0:28:32of Labour Government something we didn't see from the party
0:28:32 > 0:28:44opposite...Personal assurances given to me and colleagues about the
0:28:44 > 0:28:51Repeal Bill. Can he assure me Government remains committed to
0:28:51 > 0:28:57working with devolved administrations... I can give my
0:28:57 > 0:29:02honourable friend that commitment. When I spoke to the Deputy First
0:29:02 > 0:29:06Minister of Scotland last night I said we were disappointed we had not
0:29:06 > 0:29:09been able to reach agreement with the devolved administrations on the
0:29:09 > 0:29:16acceptable form of words for such an amendment but was committed to
0:29:16 > 0:29:25intensifying discussions with devolved administrations...By New
0:29:25 > 0:29:29Year pass Eve, and other four young people lost their lives to knife
0:29:29 > 0:29:35crime. We have failed to tackle the epidemic because we have the
0:29:35 > 0:29:43lowest...Order. The question is about knife crime. This is a matter
0:29:43 > 0:29:49of the utmost gravity. Please, it is the last question. And the answer.
0:29:49 > 0:29:56Sarah Jones.New Year pass Eve, another four people lost their lives
0:29:56 > 0:30:00to knife crime in London. We have failed to tackle the epidemic
0:30:00 > 0:30:05because we have failed to recognise the solutions span health,
0:30:05 > 0:30:10education, poverty and aspiration. What can he do in his role to get
0:30:10 > 0:30:12Government departments working together to fight a long-term
0:30:12 > 0:30:20solution?Can I first of all say and a half of myself I am sure the whole
0:30:20 > 0:30:23House will want to express an reserve sympathy and condolences to
0:30:23 > 0:30:29the families. Of those for young people who must be going through
0:30:29 > 0:30:37hell at this time. -- four young people. The Government stands on
0:30:37 > 0:30:42knife crime is tougher than ever before, and the latest figures show
0:30:42 > 0:30:52that more people are being sent to prison for knife crime. Like I
0:30:52 > 0:30:59accept this has to involve local government, the mayor in a big way.
0:30:59 > 0:31:03I know the Home Secretary is very committed to seeing further action
0:31:03 > 0:31:08taken to drive down the rates of these appalling crimes and I promise
0:31:08 > 0:31:09that I will