0:00:00 > 0:00:00budget into law. Please join me for a round-up of all that at 11am --
0:00:00 > 0:00:0611pm, but first, David Lidington, and his team of ministers.Order,
0:00:06 > 0:00:13order, questions to the Minister for the Cabinet Office. And to the
0:00:13 > 0:00:17Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Minister Chloe Smith.
0:00:17 > 0:00:21With your permission I will take questions one and 11 together, we
0:00:21 > 0:00:27published the Democratic engagement plan last December, setting out
0:00:27 > 0:00:29engagement on unregistered groups, understanding of engagement
0:00:29 > 0:00:32barriers, and a commitment to tackling them. This year we are
0:00:32 > 0:00:36already developing a number of products focusing on young people
0:00:36 > 0:00:40and links to the Centenary celebrations.-- delivering. The
0:00:40 > 0:00:44electoral roll would be a good place to start a strategy like that,
0:00:44 > 0:00:48perfectly good at finding as when they want tax and yet, an estimated
0:00:48 > 0:00:546 million people, younger, urban voters, particularly those in ethnic
0:00:54 > 0:00:58minorities, missing from the electoral roll. Everyone in
0:00:58 > 0:01:01government registers do the benefits system, tax system should be on the
0:01:01 > 0:01:05electoral roll. Ben True change based on the flawed register,
0:01:05 > 0:01:09undemocratic sham, why is the government working to make it more
0:01:09 > 0:01:16difficult to vote rather than addressing this national scandal?To
0:01:16 > 0:01:21long, too long, Minister.He was not listening to my answer, we are not
0:01:21 > 0:01:24making it more difficult to register to vote, we have set out a full pint
0:01:24 > 0:01:29to make it easier to do so for those groups who need it most and I will
0:01:29 > 0:01:31take the opportunity to make clear, we have a number of record highs on
0:01:31 > 0:01:38the register, since the introduction in 2014, over 30 million people have
0:01:38 > 0:01:41registered to vote, head of the general election last year there was
0:01:41 > 0:01:45a record number of additional applications to register submitted.
0:01:45 > 0:01:50-- 13 million. The electoral register as reached a record level,
0:01:50 > 0:01:5540 million electors, and we should be proud about.The turnout of my
0:01:55 > 0:01:59constituency in Glasgow North East was 53% at the last election, well
0:01:59 > 0:02:02below the national average, also happens to be an area with some of
0:02:02 > 0:02:05the lowest incomes and highest unemployment in the country.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08Research as shown that low income workers and long-term unemployed
0:02:08 > 0:02:15people report more levels of radical knowledge and... Than those from
0:02:15 > 0:02:18other occupational background. Given that they are less likely to be on
0:02:18 > 0:02:24the...Order, order, sit down.What I want is a single sentence
0:02:24 > 0:02:29question, these prepared screeds... These prepared screeds are too long,
0:02:29 > 0:02:33forgive me, it is not fair to colleagues. Single sentence.Given
0:02:33 > 0:02:37they are less likely to be on the electoral register, what will you do
0:02:37 > 0:02:43to actively engage them and get them on the electoral register?A range
0:02:43 > 0:02:47of being set out as I say in the Democratic and Jake and plan, I look
0:02:47 > 0:02:51forward to working further with him and people across parties in this
0:02:51 > 0:02:55house and outside of it. -- democratic engagement band. To make
0:02:55 > 0:02:59sure that those eligible to vote will do so.Can the Minister confirm
0:02:59 > 0:03:04how she's ensuring survivors of domestic violence can participate in
0:03:04 > 0:03:11the elections?My honourable friend is absolutely right to raise this as
0:03:11 > 0:03:15a very important point, again, one which we should be proud of,
0:03:15 > 0:03:20cross-party, here we see, in this House of Commons, only last night,
0:03:20 > 0:03:23honourable members supporting ways to make it easier for survivors of
0:03:23 > 0:03:26domestic abuse to be on the register, that is something we
0:03:26 > 0:03:29should be proud of in this Centenary year.Would my honourable friend
0:03:29 > 0:03:34agree that by way of -- one way of increasing participation is by a
0:03:34 > 0:03:38care and trusted voting system, will the government look at how they can
0:03:38 > 0:03:45roll out first past the post in more English elections?My honourable
0:03:45 > 0:03:49friend reminds us that in the Conservative manifesto for 2017, was
0:03:49 > 0:03:53the commitment to maintain first past the post as the way that we
0:03:53 > 0:03:57vote in this country and to roll it out to additional elections and I
0:03:57 > 0:04:03look forward to speaking to him further about that.It is clear that
0:04:03 > 0:04:08disabled people are underrepresented in our democracy and politics but in
0:04:08 > 0:04:122015, her government abolished the access to a elected office fund
0:04:12 > 0:04:14which supported many disabled people in meeting extra costs in standing
0:04:14 > 0:04:19for office. How can the government claim that they are making democracy
0:04:19 > 0:04:22more accessible when these financial barriers are put in their place?
0:04:22 > 0:04:30Minister.The piece of evidence I am working on at the moment, is a call
0:04:30 > 0:04:36to evidence that came back from how to make voting in elections more
0:04:36 > 0:04:38accessible for those with disabilities and it is important to
0:04:38 > 0:04:41note that we would be talking about a range of disabilities, not just
0:04:41 > 0:04:46those that may be visible, that is something I am keen to focus on, I
0:04:46 > 0:04:51look forward to working further with her in ensuring that people with any
0:04:51 > 0:04:56disability, not only can feel able to participate in elections as
0:04:56 > 0:05:06candidates but crucially to register to vote.Isn't it right that despite
0:05:06 > 0:05:07concerns raised, individual electoral registration has increased
0:05:07 > 0:05:13the role and helps to reduce fraud? This is absolutely correct,
0:05:13 > 0:05:17according to a 2016 report from the Electoral Commission, both
0:05:17 > 0:05:20completeness and accuracy have risen and we should aim to keep it that
0:05:20 > 0:05:25way.Given the government's determination to end freedom of
0:05:25 > 0:05:28movement to and from this country might this now be an appropriate
0:05:28 > 0:05:32time to embrace the principle, everyone legally resident in this
0:05:32 > 0:05:36country should have a say in its governance? Would she consider
0:05:36 > 0:05:40bringing forward proposals to allow those who are born in other
0:05:40 > 0:05:43countries but who decide to stay and make this country there are home
0:05:43 > 0:05:54after Brexit to allow them the right to vote?I am considering this point
0:05:54 > 0:05:59because there are a number of points which needs to be taken into account
0:05:59 > 0:06:02as we complete an orderly exit from the European Union but the point
0:06:02 > 0:06:05more broadly around this, if somebody has citizenship in this
0:06:05 > 0:06:11country they have the right to vote and we think that is correct.
0:06:11 > 0:06:17Minister for the Cabinet Office. With your permission, I will take
0:06:17 > 0:06:20questions number two, number six and number seven together, the
0:06:20 > 0:06:23government stated in its manifesto commitment to maintain the voting
0:06:23 > 0:06:28age at 18, we therefore have no plans to lower the voting age in
0:06:28 > 0:06:32elections, we continue to believe the voting age should stay aligned
0:06:32 > 0:06:37with the age of majority at 18, the point at which many other the rights
0:06:37 > 0:06:41and obligations are acquired, and in line with international comparators.
0:06:41 > 0:06:47With growing support for both 16 on the government own benches,
0:06:47 > 0:06:49including two former Education Secretary is, the members for Putney
0:06:49 > 0:06:55and Loughborough, isn't the right honourable George Osborne right when
0:06:55 > 0:06:59he says the government does not have a majority to stop this anymore and
0:06:59 > 0:07:04it may as well get on and embrace it and get credit. -- including two
0:07:04 > 0:07:08former Education Secretarys.The responsible thing for the government
0:07:08 > 0:07:13to do is to stand by not just the policy that we stood on in the
0:07:13 > 0:07:16recent general election but on what we believe to be right and I think
0:07:16 > 0:07:21that it is right that the age of majority at 18 is the one where
0:07:21 > 0:07:26every man and woman in this country acquires both the full right and the
0:07:26 > 0:07:33full responsibilities of adult citizenship.Dick Steen and
0:07:33 > 0:07:3717-year-olds are too childish to vote, apparently, does that not all
0:07:37 > 0:07:42so apply in their ability to vote in preservative leadership elections?
0:07:42 > 0:07:47LAUGHTER -- if 16 and 17-year-olds.We are
0:07:47 > 0:07:52talking about a decision in electing the parliament and the government of
0:07:52 > 0:07:58the country, and while there are some 16 and 17-year-olds who
0:07:58 > 0:08:01exercise and demonstrate in their lives and enormous responsibilities,
0:08:01 > 0:08:08it is also the case that we make a general protection in our law for 16
0:08:08 > 0:08:12and 17-year-old, for example, through the criminal justice system.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16That is another way in which we recognise at 18 is on average the
0:08:16 > 0:08:22right point in time, to make the judgment.Last week, my local
0:08:22 > 0:08:26authority, Rochdale Borough Council, approved a motion, supporting votes
0:08:26 > 0:08:30at 16, that received cross-party support, when will the Minister drag
0:08:30 > 0:08:33himself into the 21st-century and get in line with the progressive and
0:08:33 > 0:08:36forward-thinking councillors representing the Borough of
0:08:36 > 0:08:42Rochdale?I'm always genuinely interested to hear what is happening
0:08:42 > 0:08:47in Rochdale Council, I would draw the honourable Lady's attention to
0:08:47 > 0:08:53the fact that 26 of 27 European partners, Canada, Australia, New
0:08:53 > 0:08:57Zealand and the United States all have a voting age that begins at 18,
0:08:57 > 0:09:01I don't think those countries can be fairly be said to not be in the
0:09:01 > 0:09:0821st-century.Can I encourage our right honourable friend to follow
0:09:08 > 0:09:13the wise examples of the Labour government, 13 years in office,
0:09:13 > 0:09:16radical constitutional changes but did not bring forward proposals to
0:09:16 > 0:09:22reduce the voting age to 16 for very good reasons.My right honourable
0:09:22 > 0:09:26friend is spot on, not only that but the last Labour government took a
0:09:26 > 0:09:31deliberate decision to increase from 16 to 18 the age at which somebody
0:09:31 > 0:09:40could buy cigarettes, purchase knives and even use a sunbed.Can I
0:09:40 > 0:09:43just agree so much with everything that my right honourable friend is
0:09:43 > 0:09:49saying, isn't the real answer to all of this to look at all of the laws,
0:09:49 > 0:09:53pertaining to the age of majority, and actually have laws that make
0:09:53 > 0:09:58sense because as he identifies, you are not deemed old enough at 17 to
0:09:58 > 0:10:02be able to use a sunbed, you can get married at 16 with the permission of
0:10:02 > 0:10:06your parents but you cannot buy a drink and celebrate it, and drive a
0:10:06 > 0:10:11car until are 17. The law is all over the place, it needs a proper
0:10:11 > 0:10:15review, isn't that the way forward? I think my honourable friend makes
0:10:15 > 0:10:21an interesting and valid point and I would add to that that of course we
0:10:21 > 0:10:26make specific protections in our law, in respect of criminal justice
0:10:26 > 0:10:29and asylum system, recognising that people under the age of 18 need
0:10:29 > 0:10:31special protection.
0:10:36 > 0:10:41Thank you. During a debate in 2015, the member from the original said, I
0:10:41 > 0:10:46am one of those who believes we should allow voting at 16. Since
0:10:46 > 0:10:50then, a range of other senior Conservatives have outlined their
0:10:50 > 0:10:53support, including the former councillor who said that the
0:10:53 > 0:10:57Conservative Party whisks being on the wrong side of history if it
0:10:57 > 0:11:01refused to back the measure. Will the Minister agree with his
0:11:01 > 0:11:11colleague and support a vote at 16? I stand by the manifesto that I do
0:11:11 > 0:11:19all in in 2017 and as has been made clear this afternoon, by the
0:11:19 > 0:11:23position of which the Labour Party to for the 13 years it was last in
0:11:23 > 0:11:34Government!Number three.Mr Speaker, we are working hard to make
0:11:34 > 0:11:40sure that United Kingdom adduces as you'll have enough chance to compete
0:11:40 > 0:11:44with winning contracts. I propose changes to the procurement
0:11:44 > 0:11:47guidelines to make sure that opportunity is greater for producers
0:11:47 > 0:11:53in the UK including those in Corby. As my honourable friend is very
0:11:53 > 0:11:57aware, in Corby, we produce brilliant quality steel tubes so
0:11:57 > 0:12:00what others of different that they believe those public sector
0:12:00 > 0:12:05procurement rules are making to our steel industry and will he join the
0:12:05 > 0:12:10outing the use of British Steel at every opportunity?I am happy to
0:12:10 > 0:12:14join him in history to be Steelworkers of Corby and the steel
0:12:14 > 0:12:19industry in the United Kingdom more generally. The guidelines they
0:12:19 > 0:12:23introduced mean that purchasing laboratories that you take into
0:12:23 > 0:12:27account the wider social economic benefits that UK producers can bring
0:12:27 > 0:12:31so that the contracts are not a lot of money basis of cost alone. It is
0:12:31 > 0:12:37also the case that every public authority is now required to
0:12:37 > 0:12:45incorporate criteria in all major projects.When Molly Government Gary
0:12:45 > 0:12:47at their commitments to publish the performance of the Department of
0:12:47 > 0:12:54Government?I hope we can do that later this year. The most recent
0:12:54 > 0:13:01information that I have a that the Government apartments are committed
0:13:01 > 0:13:04to following the guidelines but we are carrying out checks to make sure
0:13:04 > 0:13:12that is being followed through as well as the letter.The Art of my
0:13:12 > 0:13:14constituency, we produce a architecturally significant steel
0:13:14 > 0:13:20structures such as the 2012 Olympic Stadium and the orbits culture. Will
0:13:20 > 0:13:25my honourable friend do all they can to ensure the procurement buys
0:13:25 > 0:13:33British and from Bolton?We want to see both public and private sector
0:13:33 > 0:13:39customers by British Steel whenever possible anti-government has
0:13:39 > 0:13:44published a pipeline of future public procurement needing steel to
0:13:44 > 0:13:53make sure we can plan to take part in that.Question four.The
0:13:53 > 0:13:57Government is committed to ethical procurement, that is why the social
0:13:57 > 0:14:02value act considers the social benefit of the approach. The
0:14:02 > 0:14:09industrial strategy also consider the economic factors in design of
0:14:09 > 0:14:15the major Government contracts.With the response, with the whole report
0:14:15 > 0:14:20between ultra-processed foods and writing at the city, with adults not
0:14:20 > 0:14:25eating your five a day, what can need procurement process do to
0:14:25 > 0:14:29ensure a healthy, sustainable eating and source of the British producers?
0:14:29 > 0:14:33I think he honourable lady raises a very important point. As I said, the
0:14:33 > 0:14:37public services social value act actually enables patrollers to take
0:14:37 > 0:14:44into account those wider factors and also encourage a so-called approach
0:14:44 > 0:14:48of procurement that wouldn't wider factors and rolled it out for all
0:14:48 > 0:14:51contract over £10 million. We extend into the facilities management
0:14:51 > 0:14:58framework which again look to making this more available.What
0:14:58 > 0:15:04likeability will be yielded from Brexit in public comment?Minister.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08The lack one of the advantages of Brexit izzard provides a wide range
0:15:08 > 0:15:12of opportunities for us to tailor our procurement rules DD needs of
0:15:12 > 0:15:15the country and once we have left the EU, we will look at exactly
0:15:15 > 0:15:20those measures.What certainty that the minister have that there is no
0:15:20 > 0:15:24direct or indirect gender discrimination anywhere in this
0:15:24 > 0:15:31Government's Supply chain?In October of last year, the Government
0:15:31 > 0:15:36produced a code of conduct in relation to govern procurement which
0:15:36 > 0:15:42covered exactly those points and that is dealt with any document.
0:15:42 > 0:15:49Question five.Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. We are
0:15:49 > 0:15:52committed to supporting them in securing public sector contracts.
0:15:52 > 0:15:57Our aspiration remains to spend one third of our procurement spend with
0:15:57 > 0:16:05them by the end of 2022.I thank my honourable friend for his answer.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07Does he agree that the individual Government apartments are crucial
0:16:07 > 0:16:14roles to play in promoting small businesses and Gromit in order to
0:16:14 > 0:16:18deliver greater diversity any firms awarded Government contract?I
0:16:18 > 0:16:24completely agree. We are working with the departments to the Crown
0:16:24 > 0:16:27commercial SNE actions department by department, with every departure
0:16:27 > 0:16:34putting in place both a ministerial lead and a senior official with a
0:16:34 > 0:16:37role to champion small businesses and the figures so far showing that
0:16:37 > 0:16:40more than half of Government apartments have increased the
0:16:40 > 0:16:44proportion in our spend on SNE.When they start the major work on this
0:16:44 > 0:16:48building, which will be a massive multi-million pound infrastructure
0:16:48 > 0:16:52project, will be given to ensure small businesses all around the
0:16:52 > 0:16:58country get contract and not just the big corporations?I certainly
0:16:58 > 0:17:04hope that'll be the case and I believe our guidelines and approach
0:17:04 > 0:17:07to different Government apartments will encourage small business to
0:17:07 > 0:17:12secure those opportunities but it'll be a matter for the cancelled as
0:17:12 > 0:17:17well.Thank you. With your permission, I'll take questions
0:17:17 > 0:17:22eight and ten together. The Cabinet Office working in close partnership
0:17:22 > 0:17:26with all piloting local authorities to ensure each pilot have a tailored
0:17:26 > 0:17:30and brands of awareness raising campaign encouraging eligible voters
0:17:30 > 0:17:35to bring IDE duty-bound station. Reset conducted by the Royal
0:17:35 > 0:17:40National Institute for the Blind has found that the polling cards in the
0:17:40 > 0:17:44Government pilot are still inaccessible for blind and partially
0:17:44 > 0:17:48sighted people and often get mistaken for junk mail. What
0:17:48 > 0:17:53guarantee can the Government make that restrictive ID requirements
0:17:53 > 0:18:01will not disenfranchise disabled voters?This is an extremely good
0:18:01 > 0:18:05point and it is exactly the kind of thing I was referring to in my
0:18:05 > 0:18:09earlier and zany Culver evidence as to how there disabilities may be in
0:18:09 > 0:18:12some ways disempowered from using the registration of voting system.
0:18:12 > 0:18:17In this particular case, I'm exactly piloting local authorities to look
0:18:17 > 0:18:20carefully at that issue in their own work and I will undertake to do sell
0:18:20 > 0:18:26as well from the point of view of the Cabinet Office.What guarantee
0:18:26 > 0:18:35is can be made to those who cannot currently access photographic ID
0:18:35 > 0:18:42that they will now be able to without incurring a personal cost?
0:18:42 > 0:18:45Again, the local authorities involved in the pilot ensuring that
0:18:45 > 0:18:55maybe they will be excluded that the honourable gentleman may fear. They
0:18:55 > 0:18:59will be providing idea the voter does not have it, in the format of
0:18:59 > 0:19:08bar-coded posed card type voting polling cards. We have to make sure
0:19:08 > 0:19:14we do pilots to test this out.The election team and then another one
0:19:14 > 0:19:17of these pilot. But the Minister agree with me that it is staggering
0:19:17 > 0:19:20that Labour opposed to a change that is no different to collecting a
0:19:20 > 0:19:27parcel from the post office?I think that is absolutely right and I think
0:19:27 > 0:19:29anybody who may oppose these measures should think very
0:19:29 > 0:19:34carefully. We do already ask that people prove who they are many go to
0:19:34 > 0:19:39collect a parcel, rent a home, buy a home, rent a car, travel, it is a
0:19:39 > 0:19:46normal thing to do is to use IDE in everyday life.One sentence only.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50Short. Yell Magda Linette voter ID is required in Northern Ireland,
0:19:50 > 0:19:53will this be rolled out across the country as quickly as possible so
0:19:53 > 0:19:58that all actions are free and fair? I will be looking closely at the
0:19:58 > 0:20:01result of these pilots to evaluate whether it is possible to get
0:20:01 > 0:20:06further with them. My priority here is to do what we can to stand out
0:20:06 > 0:20:10eligible fraud. Fraud is not a victimless crime. You have your vote
0:20:10 > 0:20:15and used it to have it stolen and that is what I'm looking for here.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19Thank you. In the context of these trials forcing people to show ID to
0:20:19 > 0:20:22vote, any context of individual eligible registration seen 2 million
0:20:22 > 0:20:29people fall off the register and now it seems proposal is to make postal
0:20:29 > 0:20:32votes harder to obtain cover lies at every change the cover and bring in
0:20:32 > 0:20:42makes it harder for people to vote? Wireless gather people voting?Mr
0:20:42 > 0:20:45Speaker, the honourable gentleman is blowing something here out of all
0:20:45 > 0:20:50proportion. Let's not forget we already use IDE to register to vote.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54What we're talking about here is proving the person who is voting is
0:20:54 > 0:21:00the same on is that you registered. Let me return to an early answer.
0:21:00 > 0:21:05The accuracy and completeness of the register has increased. He is a
0:21:05 > 0:21:09misunderstanding his own point. Topical questions for the Chancellor
0:21:09 > 0:21:19and Minister of the Cabinet Office. Number one.I was pleased to be able
0:21:19 > 0:21:24to announce that Mr Justice lines that with service chair for the
0:21:24 > 0:21:28independent enquiry into the independent blood scandal. Even in
0:21:28 > 0:21:32experience Judge I'm confident will conduct a thorough enquiry over the
0:21:32 > 0:21:36coming weeks, speaking to those affected to set up rental terms of
0:21:36 > 0:21:39reference for the Government providing all the support he needs.
0:21:39 > 0:21:47The Minister's answer could hardly be heard. Amber Valley. Nigel Mills.
0:21:47 > 0:21:54Kenny confirm what plans he has two include democratic participation in
0:21:54 > 0:22:00relation to women's suffrage?During this year, we will host the first
0:22:00 > 0:22:03national democracy week, establishing a council to help
0:22:03 > 0:22:08deliver a unified programme events up and down the country. That will
0:22:08 > 0:22:11help have those who are not currently represented represented on
0:22:11 > 0:22:15the electoral roll and inspire young people and women in the story is
0:22:15 > 0:22:20offered in our democracy.All of us in the house will have been saddened
0:22:20 > 0:22:26last week by the tragic death of a homeless man yards away. Can the
0:22:26 > 0:22:31Minister tell class how the Cabinet Office is working with all
0:22:31 > 0:22:38departments to ensure this crisis is resolved quickly?Any such there is
0:22:38 > 0:22:43a tragedy. The Government had established an interministerial
0:22:43 > 0:22:50group to drive forward our objective of passing wrath sleeping by 2022
0:22:50 > 0:22:57and eliminating King altogether by 2027 and I am playing an active part
0:22:57 > 0:23:04in that. -- eliminating rough sleeping altogether.What Wright is
0:23:04 > 0:23:10to reversible is this outside of London and is Scotland not
0:23:10 > 0:23:12considered an excellent destination for this?The Government is
0:23:12 > 0:23:16committed to moving activities away from London and the south-east.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20There is a presumption that all new non-departmental body should be
0:23:20 > 0:23:23outside of London so we have created Government hubs across the UK,
0:23:23 > 0:23:26including Edinburgh and Glasgow and I think the honourable gentleman
0:23:26 > 0:23:32make a marvellous case for allegedly more such opportunities in Scotland.
0:23:32 > 0:23:40In my constituency, we are being decommissioned and I think the
0:23:40 > 0:23:44Government should work in harmony to encourage future employment for
0:23:44 > 0:23:49people in my constituency. Canada and Australia typify job working
0:23:49 > 0:23:52levels of Government, Willie Minister Gregory hardly to ensure
0:23:52 > 0:23:56the Scottish U and UK governments work together to a lady fears of my
0:23:56 > 0:24:00constituents and provide future employment?I completely understand
0:24:00 > 0:24:07the importance of this for the honourable gentleman's constituency.
0:24:07 > 0:24:12The environ. That he is about making sure all of the United Kingdom
0:24:12 > 0:24:18benefits from a new industrial opportunities now open to us. My
0:24:18 > 0:24:20honourable friend will work with the Scottish Government to make sure
0:24:20 > 0:24:29that is delivered.Too few of our small businesses applied to provide
0:24:29 > 0:24:33contract for Government because of the bureaucracy involved. What
0:24:33 > 0:24:38guarantees and feedback can be given for when they do?The honourable
0:24:38 > 0:24:41gentleman raise an important point. Small businesses are the engine of
0:24:41 > 0:24:46economy and we are dedicated to supporting them in public
0:24:46 > 0:24:51procurement. That is likely streamline these processes to
0:24:51 > 0:24:55abolish complex questionnaires and specifically in relation to too much
0:24:55 > 0:24:58bureaucracy, they can report such practices to the mystery shopper
0:24:58 > 0:25:06service.Thank you. On what date with our Government officials first
0:25:06 > 0:25:09instructed to work on draft amendments to clause 11 of the EU
0:25:09 > 0:25:13withdrawal Bill? Girl-mac work on clause 11 has been going on for a
0:25:13 > 0:25:18long time and to deliver on our commitment to table an amendment
0:25:18 > 0:25:21during the preceding ten House of Lords. If you only possible, with
0:25:21 > 0:25:27the agreement of the Scottish and Welsh Government.Will my honourable
0:25:27 > 0:25:31friend mark the centenary of women's suffrage by giving governments
0:25:31 > 0:25:34support to my horrible friend and neighbour, a member from the
0:25:34 > 0:25:38Derbyshire was an activity selected Bill to enfranchise those British
0:25:38 > 0:25:45citizens who have lost the right to vote?Yes, I intend to seek on the
0:25:45 > 0:25:52Governmentat the half on Friday in that bill. This is an important
0:25:52 > 0:25:56manifesto promise and I hope it will gather cross party support. Goal
0:25:56 > 0:25:58thank you for my colleagues in Edinburgh will be voting today to
0:25:58 > 0:26:03scrap the public pay cap. The 3% rise for those earning under
0:26:03 > 0:26:10£36,000. When the public service workers in England see a similar pay
0:26:10 > 0:26:13rise?Public service workers are among the most pounded and
0:26:13 > 0:26:16hard-working people in this side and we believe they should be fairly
0:26:16 > 0:26:20rewarded. In respect to the Cabinet Office, the budget confirmed the
0:26:20 > 0:26:23moving away from the 1% average public sector pay award and
0:26:23 > 0:26:30proposals will be issued later this year.Thank you. Can I wish my
0:26:30 > 0:26:34honourable friend every success with the forthcoming meeting he is having
0:26:34 > 0:26:37with the Scottish and Welsh Government this week?
0:26:43 > 0:26:52Will he invite them to be the same? My honourable friend is right to
0:26:52 > 0:26:57point to the importance of all parts of the United Kingdom are working to
0:26:57 > 0:27:01to deliver an orderly, smooth Brexit. We want to work in
0:27:01 > 0:27:05partnership with Scottish and Welsh Government to deliver a big increase
0:27:05 > 0:27:11in powers devolved to their parliaments and governments.Can I
0:27:11 > 0:27:15welcome the announcement about the appointment of Sir Brian Langstaff
0:27:15 > 0:27:22of the judge to the public proposal of looking at contaminated blood.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26Then we'll get a family 's first approach to the public enquiry and
0:27:26 > 0:27:30the lobby and outward facing secretary act to support all those
0:27:30 > 0:27:33affected and the meetings will be held around the regions and nations
0:27:33 > 0:27:34of this