28/02/2018 House of Commons


28/02/2018

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statesman-like demeanour which

colleagues should seek to imitate.

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Order. Urgent question, Emily

Thornberry.

To ask the Secretary of

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State for common and -- for

Commonwealth affairs for future

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arrangements for border arrangements

for the republican violence.

Where

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is he?

Mr Speaker, I have been asked

to reply. This government has been

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consistent in its commitments to

Northern Ireland as the United

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Kingdom leaves the European Union.

First, we will never accept any

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solutions that threaten the economic

or constitutional integrity of the

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United Kingdom. Second, we will not

accept a hard border between

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Northern Ireland and Ireland which

will reserves the considerable

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progress of the political process

over the recent decades. That is

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consistent with the Prime Minister's

Article 50 letter through to our

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paper published last summer and the

Prime Minister's Florence speech at

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last autumn. Most recently, the

government enshrined both of these

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commitments quite clearly in the

joint report we agreed with the

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European Union in December. I

preserve our commitment to

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preserving the integrity of our

internal markets with Northern

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Ireland. It also guaranteed an

avoidance of a hard border between

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Northern Ireland and Ireland

including any checks and controls.

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These agreements were approved

collectively by the entire Cabinet.

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Those commitments have not changed

nor will they.

Thank you, Mr

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Speaker, for granting the urgent

question. I am always pleased to

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hear from the Minister of State, I

have to say it is an absolute

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disgrace and a huge discourtesy to

this House that the Foreign

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Secretary is not hear himself to

answer the questions of his memo.

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Especially as we saw him in London a

few hours ago jogging in the snow

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and answering questions from the

media. If he can answer their

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questions he really should be

prepared to answer ours. What is he

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afraid of? Perhaps it is this, these

questions go to the very heart of

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his credibility and the credibility

of previous statements that he is

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made in this House. On November the

21st I asked the Foreign Secretary

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at this dispatch box whether he

stood by the statements he made in

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frippery 2016 that a vote for Brexit

would lead the border arrangements

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in Northern Ireland absolutely

unchanged. That is what he told the

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House just three months ago. I

repeat exactly that pledge. There

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can be no return to a hard border,

that would be unthinkable. It would

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be economic and political madness.

Everybody understands the

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ramifications of allowing such a

thing to happen. But last night, Mr

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Speaker, despite the clear a big

statement from the Foreign

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Secretary, we discovered his private

memo to the Prime Minister on the

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same subjects. And on that, he

wrote, it is wrong to see the task

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as maintaining no border. The

government 's task, he said, is to

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stop the border becoming

significantly harder, but even if,

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he wrote, a hard border is

reintroduced, we would expect to see

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95% plus of goods past the border

without checks. So let us be clear

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what this memo reveals. Contrary to

the Foreign Secretary 's previous

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statements, he except that there

will have to be changes to the

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current border arrangements. He

accepts that there will need to be

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border controls that do not exist at

present. The only debate is their

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degree of hardness. But surely the

Foreign Secretary has learned by now

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that you cannot just be a little bit

pregnant. Either there is a border

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or there is not. So my first

question for the Minister is this,

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the Foreign Secretary told this

House that there would be no new

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border arrangements and no changes

to the status quo but this memo says

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the exact opposite. So which is the

truth? What the Foreign Secretary

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said three months ago in public what

he said three weeks ago in private?

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Now, the Foreign Secretary has

already said what we have heard so

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many times on this issue, that there

is some magical, technical solution

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which will allow goods to be checks,

smuggling to be prevented and points

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of origin proved as easily as paying

the congestion charge. But here is

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the truly magical parts, without

even the installation of cameras.

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And as I pressed the Foreign

Secretary repeatedly to tell us how

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on earth is this possible? Or is it

just another addition to his ever

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growing list of fantasy from Boris

Island to the Channel bridge. I

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welcome the fact that the Foreign

Secretary has already promised the

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media to his leaked memo in full and

I hope that will provide some

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answers but can I ask the minister

now for the benefit of this House

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and so that's my colleagues can

question him on his answer to spell

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out in detail how this proposed

invisible border will actually work

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in practice? Because if he cannot

provide that the tell, Mr Speaker,

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we are left with the conclusion that

all of us on this side and

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increasing number on his side accept

that the only way to avoid a hard

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border in Northern Ireland is by

staying in a customs union. The fact

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is the government knows that.

We are

extremely grateful to the Shadow

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Foreign Secretary but she has now

exceeded her time. We must leave it

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there.

I have one further sentence

and I am done.

Well, very well. Or

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that! I will be the judge of these

matters. I'm grateful to you for

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your offer of services but I feel

able to cope without one. And the

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Minister will have suitable time to

respond. One sentence.

The truth of

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this memo is that they are saying

one thing in public what they are

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preparing for the reality in private

and it is about time that this

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deception was ended.

Forgive me. I

don't wish to be discourteous to the

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honourable lady and certainly not to

the Minister either, but the

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Minister of the Cabinet officer is

not a Minister of State, he is a

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member of the Cabinet.

It's so

confusing as to who was going to be

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answering to this. I do apologise

for having drafted one script and

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they're being somebody else.

That

was a nice try. It was very generous

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of me to allow her to make it.

Mr

Speaker, anybody would have thought

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that the right Honourable lady was

nervous about facing me across the

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dispatch box again. Now, she did

start by just questioning my

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credentials to be here. Can I just

say this, since I both have Cabinet

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responsibility for Constitutional

affairs, including for the

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implementation of devolution

throughout the United Kingdom, and

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since I also chair the Cabinet amity

on the domestic implementation of

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our Brexit arrangements, it seems to

me perfectly reasonable that I

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should be responding to the

questions. She asks about the

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position of my right honourable

friend the Foreign Secretary, my

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right honourable friend like every

other member of the Cabinet stands

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behind our support for the Belfast

agreement and for the December

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agreement reached between the United

kingdom and the European Union. We

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are now at the very start of a

negotiating period during which we

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will be discussing with our partners

in the European Union Howell to give

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practical effects of the commitments

that were entered into. Both to

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ensure that there was no north -

south border between Northern

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Ireland and Ireland is and to ensure

that there is no border customs

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between Northern Ireland and the

rest of the United Kingdom. The

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Prime Minister and the tsar have

both said publicly that they believe

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-- Taoiseach. The ambitious and deep

and special partnership that we are

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seeking with the European Union in

the future. My right honourable

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friend, the Prime Minister, will be

setting out my details to this on

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Friday.

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Mr Speaker, we have just heard the

Prime Minister reconfirm her

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commitment to keep the Irish border

open.

I didn't wholly understand the

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second half of high reply to me.

Does my right honourable friend

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really believe it will be possible

to negotiate a position where the

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British Government decides what

regulatory convergence it has and

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the British Government decides what

regulatory convergence it will not

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have and the British Government is

free to change its mind and move

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those boundaries at any time? What

does he think the prospects of

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agreeing that with 27 other

sovereign governments?

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I do not think there is the need for

any misunderstanding about what the

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Prime Minister was saying. On the

date when we leave the European

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Union, the treaties in the words of

Article 50 cease to apply to the

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United Kingdom. The effect of the

withdrawal bill, currently before

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the House of Lords, is that the

direct effect of European Union law

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and diplomacy of European law in the

United Kingdom will be

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distinguished. What we are now

seeking is an agreement for the

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future which will take the form of a

treaty governed by international law

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between United Kingdom and the

continuing entity of the European

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Union. That is what we are seeking

to do. The Prime Minister will be

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speaking about this with more detail

on Friday.

We know from leaked

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government figures that they will

play fast and loose with jobs and

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the economy in trying to prevent

another Tory civil war and there are

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concerns they may be doing the same

thing over the Good Friday peace

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process to prevent Tory civil war.

Will the Minister tell us, is it

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wrong to say the Foreign Secretary

Tasker is maintaining no order? Will

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he tell us that if the

implementation BDO is based on the

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principles, what impact it will have

on the border? And finally, it is

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good to see the minister here, I

enjoy a game of where is Wally, it

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is astonishing that the Foreign

Secretary is not yet.

Mr Speaker,

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the entire government is committed

to their being no border between

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Northern Ireland and Ireland, or

between Northern Ireland and the

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rest of the United Kingdom. Both

those elements were central to the

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December joint report. Those are

both firm commitments of the entire

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United Kingdom Cabinet and

government. I would say to the

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honourable gentleman, that I think

his strictures about the

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government's approach to jobs and

employment stands somewhat in

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contrast to the reality, which is

that within the United Kingdom at

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the moment, we have unemployment at

a 40 year low.

Has he seen the

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report prepared by the European

Parliament's policy Department first

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citizen 's right and Constitutional

affairs which concludes that a

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technical solution that will allow

free movement of persons under the

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Common travel arrangement is

possible and that we, there is no

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reason that we cannot implement it

straightaway?

I haven't had the

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pleasure of reading that report from

the European Parliament yet but I

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will add to my reading list I think

what my honourable friend has said

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is that there is evidence that there

are people both here and in the

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Brussels institutions and in the 27

national governments of our EU

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partners who are keen to work

constructively together to find an

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outcome that actually brings

benefits in the future to resolve.

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Instead of complaining that the

draft withdrawal agreement published

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this morning proposes to keep

Northern Ireland in the customs

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union, subject to the single energy

market and subject to EU rules on

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the environment and agriculture, is

it not time that ministers finally

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accepted that it is their continuing

failure to explain how they are

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going to keep an open border while

leaving the customs union and the

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single market that is the cause of

this problem? So will -- when will

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ministers explain when the proposed

to achieve this?

I drive the right

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honourable gentleman attention that

there were three different options

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to ensure that there is no hard

border between Ireland and Northern

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Ireland. The first of those, and the

one that the government of Ireland

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as well as this government is

strongly committed to and wants to

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see as the option we are able to

deliver, is the one that settles

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this matter in the context of the

overall future economic partnership

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between the UK and the European

Union. We are looking forward to

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beginning the negotiating process

which I hope we'll start off the

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publication today.

Mr Speaker, we

are coming up to the 20th

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anniversary of the Good Friday

Agreement which allowed people of

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this nation to have their own

identity and yet be citizens of the

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United Kingdom. That agreement also

mocked and three conditions. It

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could only change with the agreement

of the citizens of Northern Ireland,

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the government had to agree, and

that the United Kingdom had to

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agree. Can you agree with me that

this agreement must not be

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undermined and those who voted

against it in the past should hang

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their heads in shame because it is

an agreement that has kept the peace

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for 20 years?

Mr Speaker, I am proud

of what the Belfast agreement has

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achieved in making possible a period

of peace and reconciliation with the

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Northern Ireland. I think none of us

would claim that process is complete

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yet. But I think that the Belfast

agreement was an historic start and

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it was attributed to hard work by

successive governments to John Major

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and to Tony Leer both. I am happy to

pay tribute to both of them. -- Tony

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Blair. I think my honourable friend

made the important point in talking

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about the principle of consent. The

principle of consent including the

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status of Northern Ireland was also

written into the joint report and

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signed up to not just by the UK

Government by the European Union as

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well.

Can I welcome what the

Secretary of State has said in this

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statement and also what the Prime

Minister said very clearly at Prime

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Minister's Questions. It is ironic

is it not that some of those people

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who complained Harrod is about

creating a hard border between

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Northern Ireland and the Irish

Republic have today welcome proposal

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from the EU which would create a

hard brother between Northern

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Ireland and the rest of the United

Kingdom. The fact of the marker is

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there is a border between North and

South. There are different

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currencies, different economic

policies, but it is managed in a way

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that is sensible and pragmatic. The

same can be done in relation to the

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future relationship. It has already

been spelt out in the government's

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paper last August to use the Belfast

agreement, more despicably to use

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the peace process to shave it in the

way that some people want is quite

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frankly outrageous and disk visible.

Let's back the arrangements that are

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in place but let's go forward and

pragmatic and sensible way not

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create things that are not there.

I

welcome what the right honourable

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member for Belfast has said. Yes,

there is of course a Judas diction

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order which gives rise to tax and

other differences as well. -- Judas

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diction. Those are managed in a way

that allows people to go about the

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lives on either side of that border

without any kind of hindrance or

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delay whatsoever. Both we and the

Irish government are determined to

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try and ensure that that state of

affairs continues but also

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respecting the integrity of the

United Kingdom.

Of all the areas of

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the Brexit negotiations which give

rise to high emotion, perhaps the

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one that most needs to be treated

calmly, rationally and unemotionally

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as the Irish border. Can my right

honourable friend assured me that

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they will continue to deal with this

issue in that calm and rational way,

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and in doing that, can they perhaps

persuade the commission 's

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negotiating side that they should

concentrate, not just on one area of

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the December joint report, but on

all three areas that were put

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forward by the British government

originally.

I agree wholeheartedly

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with what might honourable friend

for Ashford says. His emphasis on

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all three strands is correct. It is

important they should be no cherry

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picking between the different

elements of the December joint

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report and I think it is important

that we tried to approach these

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matters in the kind of calm,

pragmatic way that he urged.

The

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Foreign Secretary has claimed that

congestion technology is the answer

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to border checks outside of a

customs union. We know that the

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congestion charge checks fear is not

what is inside them and includes 197

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camera sites around London that no

one notices because they are in

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built-up areas and no one cares

because the last time I looked there

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had been a long history of peace

between inner and no to London. In

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Northern Ireland, there were four

attacks on the lives of police

0:20:010:20:06

officers. 58 shooting incidents and

the PSN I have warned that any

0:20:060:20:13

infrastructure at the Borders is a

threat. So will you confirm that

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ministers rule out any physical

infrastructure at the border, that

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cameras are physical and tell us, do

they rule out new cameras at the

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border, yes or no?

We stand by the

words we committed to ourselves in

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December, which includes no physical

infrastructure at the border.

Can I

0:20:350:20:41

support everything that has been

said by my right honourable friend

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and the comets from my right

honourable friend from Ashford. We

0:20:450:20:54

are not going to rip our nation

further apart. We not only have to

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have a pragmatic approach to browse

about an honest approach to Brexit.

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The only solution to a hard border

is membership to the customs union.

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They will get there in the end. My

question is this, does he share my

0:21:090:21:17

concern about democratic deficit. We

know that 56% of people in Northern

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Ireland voted Remain. I wonder why.

In the absence of the executive,

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given the composition of those Right

Honourable members who sit in this

0:21:270:21:33

place to represent Northern Ireland,

where is the voice of the 56% in all

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of this?

Mr Speaker, it is the

government's hope that the political

0:21:380:21:49

parties in Northern Ireland can

agree to reconstitute the executive

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and the assembly as soon as

possible. There is agreement across

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all the parties in Northern Ireland,

that is what they do want -- that

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that is what they want to do. I hope

any differences can be overcome.

Why

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does the Secretary of State think

that the Foreign Secretary wrote

0:22:090:22:14

this letter? Was it because he did

not know that the government had

0:22:140:22:18

committed in paragraph 49 of the

December agreement to its guaranteed

0:22:180:22:24

of avoiding a hard border? Or was it

because any commitment can be set

0:22:240:22:30

aside in the service of the cause

that the Foreign Secretary really

0:22:300:22:34

cares about, which is the

furtherance of his own career? Or

0:22:340:22:38

was it something more sinister than

Boris's self-love, which is now

0:22:380:22:45

faced with the incompatibility of

red lines around the customs union

0:22:450:22:49

and the single market and the

commitment to no hard border. There

0:22:490:22:55

is a concerted ideological attack on

that commitment to no hard border.

0:22:550:22:59

And indeed to the Good Friday

Agreement itself.

Mr Speaker, I

0:22:590:23:06

don't think I could have been

clearer than I have been so far in

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these exchanges that the government

is absolutely resolved to stand by

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both the Belfast agreement and all

parts of the joint report of last

0:23:150:23:19

December.

Can I see how encouraged I

am that everybody seems to want to

0:23:190:23:32

avoid a hard border in Northern

Ireland. The only people who seem to

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be threatening a hard border are

people who are trying to leveraged

0:23:360:23:40

their political advantage in

domestic politics and the Republic

0:23:400:23:46

of Ireland, trying to blackmail the

whole of the United Kingdom into

0:23:460:23:51

substantially changing the

referendum result. Far more

0:23:510:23:55

constituencies voted Leader of the

House than Remain. It would be

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politically unsustainable for the

issues around Northern Ireland to

0:24:000:24:03

leveraged the whole of the United

Kingdom into some kind of customs

0:24:030:24:07

union as to correct any un-wholly

unnecessary infrastructure at the

0:24:070:24:12

border at Northern Ireland.

We are

at the start of the negotiations

0:24:120:24:17

about the detail of the withdrawal

agreement and then of the creation

0:24:170:24:20

of the future, deep and special

partnership we are seeking with a

0:24:200:24:26

utopian friends and neighbours. --

European. And the economic

0:24:260:24:34

partnership is something the Prime

Minister will talk about on Friday.

0:24:340:24:39

This is supposed to be a question

and answer session, not debate. I am

0:24:390:24:46

getting is years the Astec nods. --

I am getting enthusiastic nods. What

0:24:460:24:54

is required is not an oration, but

enquiry, which will either be

0:24:540:24:59

brilliantly exemplified by Lady

Hermon.

What a task and I will keep

0:24:590:25:09

to it. May I ask the secretary to

take a few moments to confirm to the

0:25:090:25:15

House that the Irish government has

accepted that there will be no hard

0:25:150:25:20

border and just as importantly, that

the Irish government has accepted

0:25:200:25:25

there will be no border down the

Irish Sea?

0:25:250:25:34

The Irish government like the rest

of the EU signs up to and support

0:25:340:25:38

its joint report in its entirety of

last December and paragraph 42 of

0:25:380:25:42

the joint report commits both

parties, the UK and the EU, to

0:25:420:25:50

uphold the totality of relationships

embodied and expressed by the

0:25:500:25:55

Belfast agreement. The totality of

relationships embraces East- West,

0:25:550:26:00

every bit as much as North- South.

What lies behind the commission's

0:26:000:26:08

partial decision to develop the

options?

I'm afraid that is not a

0:26:080:26:16

question I can readily answer. I

would just say to my right

0:26:160:26:20

honourable friend that I think it is

important that the commission

0:26:200:26:25

recognises, as the Prime Minister

said earlier, that's as far as the

0:26:250:26:28

government is concerned, which ever

side those of us round the Cabinet

0:26:280:26:36

table voted or campaigns for during

the referendum on the EU, our

0:26:360:26:41

commitments to the union of the

United Kingdom is absolute. There is

0:26:410:26:47

no division whatsoever on this

matter and I hope that our

0:26:470:26:52

negotiating partners will understand

that.

I understand the Minister's

0:26:520:26:59

clear frustration at the Foreign

Secretary that it is not his task to

0:26:590:27:03

try and defend the border but the

Foreign Secretary did say this

0:27:030:27:07

morning after his joke that he was

going to publish the memo. When?

We

0:27:070:27:16

don't publish internal ministerial

correspondence.

Mr Speaker, can I

0:27:160:27:25

congratulate my right honourable

friend are not being provoked by the

0:27:250:27:29

ridiculous statements coming from

the European Union on this subject.

0:27:290:27:32

Can I commend my right honourable

friend the wise words of the right

0:27:320:27:38

honourable member for North Belfast

because that shows that you can have

0:27:380:27:42

a border weather is regulatory

divergences as there is at the

0:27:420:27:45

moments, and why can't continue in

the future?

We are certainly seeking

0:27:450:27:51

no hard border and hopefully the

government of Ireland is committed

0:27:510:27:56

to that objective as well. Having

served six years for Minister for

0:27:560:28:01

Europe, I'm used to trying to avoid

provocation wherever it comes from.

0:28:010:28:10

The Foreign Secretary's absence does

us all we need to know about how

0:28:100:28:13

accountable he feels he should be to

this House, so I must ask the

0:28:130:28:17

Minister instead, why was the

Foreign Secretary speculating about

0:28:170:28:23

the Northern Ireland - Ireland

border becoming more difficult. --

0:28:230:28:26

harder. What was he considering on

the border?

The right honourable

0:28:260:28:33

gentleman served in the coalition

government. He knows that the way we

0:28:330:28:36

do government business is that

ministers right and conversed with

0:28:360:28:42

each other all the time but the

policy of the government is the

0:28:420:28:45

policy that has been at collectively

agreed by the Cabinet. That is what

0:28:450:28:53

I am the promised that set up this

afternoon.

Can I welcome the

0:28:530:28:59

Minister's commitment to the joint

report. Can I ask him to confirm

0:28:590:29:04

that it is Her Majesty's government

intention to stick by the agreement

0:29:040:29:09

that were outlined in paragraph's 49

and 50 of the joint report and there

0:29:090:29:18

is no intention to renege on any

part of them?

I can give my right

0:29:180:29:23

honourable friend that assurance.

Will the Secretary of State 's

0:29:230:29:29

confirm for the benefit of his

backbenchers and perhaps the DUP

0:29:290:29:32

that the Northern Irish border

backstop provision embodied in

0:29:320:29:38

today's draft EU withdrawal

agreement is exactly what the Prime

0:29:380:29:42

Minister agreed to as he backstop in

December 2017? And if he disagrees

0:29:420:29:48

with me, if he disagrees with me,

will his government produced an

0:29:480:29:58

alternative text explaining what he

did agree?

What we have today is

0:29:580:30:03

something that Mr Barnier has

described as not necessarily the

0:30:030:30:10

final version because this is a

draft that the commission is not

0:30:100:30:13

tabling for negotiation. The

commission is tabling before

0:30:130:30:16

discussion amongst the EU 27 Head of

State and the European Parliament.

0:30:160:30:20

When text comes to the table for

negotiation, we will obviously

0:30:200:30:25

consider that but I think, as the

Prime Minister said earlier, it is

0:30:250:30:29

important that there is not cherry

picking and that the text of the

0:30:290:30:34

withdrawal agreement when it is

eventually concluded reflects all

0:30:340:30:37

the paragraphs of the joint report

equally and, at the moment, my

0:30:370:30:46

feeling on the brief reading I've

had so far, is that the current

0:30:460:30:49

draft does not do that.

Mr Speaker,

can I welcome what my right

0:30:490:30:57

honourable friend has said in

pointing back to the joint report

0:30:570:31:00

from just before Christmas which

underlined both the commitments to

0:31:000:31:04

the UK and EU to the Belfast Good

Friday Agreement but also the

0:31:040:31:10

constitutional settlement of the UK.

In that regard, can he confirm that

0:31:100:31:16

the joint report highlighted that

primarily we need to focus on

0:31:160:31:19

dealing with the Northern Ireland

border through the broader

0:31:190:31:22

negotiations and in that regard that

he will encourage colleagues to

0:31:220:31:27

focus on the August reports that the

government published, setting out in

0:31:270:31:31

detail how we should do that?

My

right honourable friend give some

0:31:310:31:36

very good advice. We are certainly

committed to taking the negotiations

0:31:360:31:39

forward in that spirit.

If the

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

0:31:390:31:47

really wants a united United Kingdom

as we move forward in a situation

0:31:470:31:51

where the nation is facing some of

the most congregated decision it is

0:31:510:31:55

hard to make the best part of 100

years, is he not going to have to

0:31:550:32:00

build a bigger consensus than just

around the Cabinet table? Does that

0:32:000:32:03

not mean he is going to turn round

to his colleagues and say, yes, you

0:32:030:32:12

will come to Parliament and explain

to Parliament what your views are

0:32:120:32:16

and yes, Prime Minister, just

sometimes you're not going to make a

0:32:160:32:19

speech somewhere else, you're going

to make a speech about the European

0:32:190:32:24

Union, the most important issue

facing this in this chamber.

Just

0:32:240:32:29

before the Minister offers his

replies I should just advise the

0:32:290:32:31

House of what I have been advised,

namely that the Prime Minister will

0:32:310:32:37

be making a statement on Brexit

policy in this chamber on Monday.

0:32:370:32:44

That I think is extremely welcome. I

should just say in the name of the

0:32:440:32:50

intelligibility of our proceedings

to people who are not Members of the

0:32:500:32:52

House that the decision as to

whether to grant an urgent question

0:32:520:32:57

is a matter for me, the Speaker, to

have been granted today because I

0:32:570:33:03

judge that they warranted the

attention of the House, but as

0:33:030:33:06

colleagues also note and others

might not, the matter of who the

0:33:060:33:12

government fields to respond to a

question is a matter for the

0:33:120:33:16

government. That is the situation.

Minister for the Cabinet Office.

Mr

0:33:160:33:21

Speaker, I am always someone who

will welcome Parliamentary consensus

0:33:210:33:25

where that can be built. If the

gentleman looks at the Prime

0:33:250:33:29

Minister's records in being here and

giving statements after her main

0:33:290:33:36

European meetings and answering

questions at length, he should agree

0:33:360:33:39

it is a pretty good one.

Mr Speaker,

does my right honourable friend

0:33:390:33:47

agree with me that the European

Union continues to put the cart

0:33:470:33:50

before the horse on this aspect?

Surely we cannot know with any

0:33:500:33:55

degree of certainty what

arrangements will be needed on the

0:33:550:33:59

Ireland border if any at all until

we know what kind of trade agreement

0:33:590:34:03

were going to strike.

My honourable

friend makes an important point and

0:34:030:34:08

that is precisely why that's not

only the Prime Minister, but the

0:34:080:34:12

Taoiseach believe that the best

option is to settle the border in

0:34:120:34:17

the context of the overall economic

partnership between ourselves and

0:34:170:34:21

the European Union.

By leaving the

European Union we are taking control

0:34:210:34:28

of our borders such as that at

Holyhead, the government has also

0:34:280:34:33

committed to no border between the

Republic and Northern Ireland. Can

0:34:330:34:37

the minister name any pair of

countries that is regulated by two

0:34:370:34:44

difference customs regimes?

This is

exactly the point I was making to

0:34:440:34:49

the right honourable member for

chicks free. The right way forward

0:34:490:34:53

is to resolve these matters on the

future of economic partnership.

It

0:34:530:35:02

is rightly the determination of the

government to deliver the openly

0:35:020:35:07

effective border with the

qualifications made by the right

0:35:070:35:10

Honourable member for North Belfast,

surely all of the people of the

0:35:100:35:13

island of Ireland have the right to

that same practical determination to

0:35:130:35:19

be shared by the same EU 27 with out

being taking hostage by conditions

0:35:190:35:26

that would in effect override the

decision of the British people to

0:35:260:35:30

leave the European Union and the

agenda which is quite transparently

0:35:300:35:35

on display today.

We are at the

start of a process of negotiation,

0:35:350:35:40

not at the end of it. I do think the

Prime Minister could have been

0:35:400:35:47

clearer. No Prime Minister of any

party who has served up until now

0:35:470:35:50

including her good countenance an

agreement which led to a Customs

0:35:500:35:58

border between one part of the

United Kingdom and another.

The

0:35:580:36:04

Minister has said he wants no border

between Ireland and Northern Ireland

0:36:040:36:08

but he is also said he does not want

the border between the integral part

0:36:080:36:12

of the United kingdom and the rest

of Ireland. Well, I tell you this,

0:36:120:36:20

Wells has two borders, one with

Northern Ireland through the port of

0:36:200:36:23

Holyhead and one with Ireland. What

will happen with that arrangement?

0:36:230:36:27

That is precisely why this needs to

be settled when the overall

0:36:270:36:31

arrangement. The right honourable

gentleman will have noted in the

0:36:310:36:36

endorsements of the continuation of

the Common travel area between the

0:36:360:36:39

United Kingdom and Republic of

Ireland and also the fact that

0:36:390:36:43

that's commitments was reflected

today's draft text from the

0:36:430:36:46

commission.

Would it not be more

sensible and logical if Michel

0:36:460:36:56

Barnier focused more on the trade

arrangements on the United Kingdom

0:36:560:37:04

and the European Union where they

have a 70 billion pounds surplus

0:37:040:37:08

with the united kingdom rather than

focusing just on one part of the

0:37:080:37:12

United Kingdom? If they do that we

may only need to focus on one part

0:37:120:37:19

of the United Kingdom.

Well, the

trade surplus that the EU 27 enjoy

0:37:190:37:24

with the United Kingdom,

particularly in trading goods, is

0:37:240:37:28

just one more compelling reason why

it is to our mutual advantage to

0:37:280:37:34

negotiate a future economic

partnership which allows trades to

0:37:340:37:37

be as frictionless as possible.

The

Secretary of State is doing his

0:37:370:37:42

level best to fudge the principal

question, if we go into negotiations

0:37:420:37:49

that there will be no hard border

between the Republic and the

0:37:490:37:55

Northern Ireland, and no hard border

down the Irish Sea, how do we begin

0:37:550:37:58

to negotiate? What is the mechanism?

The mechanism is set out in the

0:37:580:38:04

joint report and in the government's

various speeches and publications

0:38:040:38:08

over the last 12 months. The latest

of which the Prime Minister will

0:38:080:38:12

deliver this Friday.

Thank you, Mr

Speaker. I wonder if my right

0:38:120:38:20

honourable friend has pointed out

that the Irish government that the

0:38:200:38:24

biggest loser if there is not a

sensible agreement on tariffs are

0:38:240:38:29

imposed on Irish goods coming into

the United Kingdom, that the Irish

0:38:290:38:32

economy, there will be huge

devastation to the Irish

0:38:320:38:38

agricultural economy particularly. I

wonder if he is suggested to their

0:38:380:38:41

Prime Minister the question of

whether his is willing to sacrifice

0:38:410:38:45

the interest of the Irish economy on

the high altar of European political

0:38:450:38:50

integration?

The economies of

Ireland and of the United Kingdom

0:38:500:38:58

are indeed intertwines but I would

reassure my honourable friend that

0:38:580:39:05

the Irish government and the

Taoiseach are themselves committed

0:39:050:39:10

in trying to resolve these matters

an option A in the joint report,

0:39:100:39:18

mainly through the means of an

overall economic agreement between

0:39:180:39:21

the United Kingdom and the European

Union.

Does he share my astonishment

0:39:210:39:36

that is when four years his

leadership and assess watchtowers

0:39:360:39:44

and closed roads. Would he not agree

with me that first of all there are

0:39:440:39:49

clear practical proposals to avoid a

hard physical border and this

0:39:490:39:58

concern about Northern Ireland and

the Irish Republic is more about the

0:39:580:40:02

referendum result and keeping them

in the customs union.

The

0:40:020:40:13

interventions on the front spent

about this week have been about more

0:40:130:40:18

about political opportunities than

principle. The way forward is in a

0:40:180:40:28

calm pragmatic spirit to take

forward the negotiations that will

0:40:280:40:29

shortly commence.

Given that goods

and services are routinely traded

0:40:290:40:40

across land borders elsewhere in the

European Union is it not possible

0:40:400:40:43

that given the political will to

achieve the desired outcome that is

0:40:430:40:47

always needed? Will my right

honourable friend ensure that we do

0:40:470:40:51

not sign up to what the European

Union dictate now but we look at the

0:40:510:40:56

creative solution that has been used

elsewhere in EU borders?

0:40:560:41:06

Mr Speaker, this House has received

assurance after assurance from the

0:41:060:41:10

government that there will be no

hard border in Ireland. Why then did

0:41:100:41:14

the Foreign Secretary right in his

memo that there was the possibility

0:41:140:41:17

of such a hard border coming about?

The policy of the government is the

0:41:170:41:25

policy that has been agreed by the

Cabinet, set out in error agreement

0:41:250:41:30

to the joint report last December

and expressed in the speech as the

0:41:300:41:35

Prime Minister has given in the last

12 months.

-- in error agreement.

0:41:350:41:43

The European Union approach to

sequencing these negotiations means

0:41:430:41:46

that the commission at the moment

only has a mandate to negotiate the

0:41:460:41:50

implementation phase and therefore

these issues cannot be dealt with

0:41:500:41:53

until after the end of March. So as

my honourable friend agree that

0:41:530:41:58

during this period, the guiding star

for all of us as to be that the

0:41:580:42:03

United Kingdom, the Republic of

Ireland and European Union are

0:42:030:42:06

agreed that there will be no art and

physical border and that this debate

0:42:060:42:10

is about the Foreign Secretary spar

with our Foreign Secretary more than

0:42:100:42:16

anything else.

I think our

honourable friend is spot on.

It

0:42:160:42:24

seems the government is happy to

contemplate the hard border with

0:42:240:42:27

Ireland, which would be a disaster

for Northern Ireland. Is it clear

0:42:270:42:32

now that the government has been

negotiating in bad faith with

0:42:320:42:36

Northern Ireland and the other

countries of the EU? I think the

0:42:360:42:43

lady's party would be happy with a

hard border. The government... I

0:42:430:42:48

don't want her or anyone in the

House to be under any

0:42:480:42:53

misapprehension, the government is

absolutely committed to what it

0:42:530:42:56

agreed in the joint report and we

have ever since the referendum made

0:42:560:43:00

it clear that we are not going to

support our hard border on the

0:43:000:43:05

island of Ireland. Can my right

honourable friend confirm that trade

0:43:050:43:13

between Northern Ireland and Great

Britain is far greater in volume

0:43:130:43:17

than between Northern Ireland and

the Republic of Ireland, Northern

0:43:170:43:22

Ireland and the European Union,

Northern Ireland and indeed the rest

0:43:220:43:25

of the world?

Not only is that true,

but it is also the case that trade

0:43:250:43:32

between Ireland and the great

Britain is more important than trade

0:43:320:43:41

from south to north, between Ireland

and Northern Ireland. Which

0:43:410:43:45

reinforces the point it is the

mutual interests of all parties to

0:43:450:43:50

agree on an ambitious economic

partnership for the future.

Can the

0:43:500:43:56

Minister confirm that cameras

counters infrastructure. Can he

0:43:560:44:00

point to an example anywhere in the

world of an international border

0:44:000:44:04

with no customs union and no border

infrastructure, just one example

0:44:040:44:08

anywhere?

The language of the joint

report is very clear, the associated

0:44:080:44:16

physical infrastructure is ruled

out.

The success of modern Northern

0:44:160:44:25

Ireland can be seen in the fact my

friends whose parents used to dread

0:44:250:44:31

the school run can with the kids off

without a second thought. All these

0:44:310:44:37

agree that there will be a full

security assessment.

There will be a

0:44:370:44:42

proper analysis of security will be

undertaken by the appropriate

0:44:420:44:48

agencies in any and all

circumstances where that is

0:44:480:44:51

required. My honourable friend is

right to say that one of the great

0:44:510:44:56

achievements of constitutional

politics in Northern Ireland, over

0:44:560:45:00

the last 25 years, has been to bring

about a measure of peace and

0:45:000:45:08

security after decades when people

lived under the threat of terrorism.

0:45:080:45:12

And we should welcome and rededicate

ourselves to making sure that

0:45:120:45:16

process continues.

He is forgetting

the reason he is in the chamber this

0:45:160:45:23

afternoon is because of the memo the

Foreign Secretary wrote and no other

0:45:230:45:26

reason. Can you answer the question

and tell us why the Foreign

0:45:260:45:32

Secretary wrote the memo to the

Prime Minister?

As I said to the

0:45:320:45:36

Right honourable gentleman earlier,

in any government, ministers, write

0:45:360:45:45

letters and memoranda, have

conversations from time to time. The

0:45:450:45:49

policy of government under our

system is the policy that is agreed

0:45:490:45:52

collectively by the Cabinet and the

policy of the Cabinet and government

0:45:520:45:56

is what I have set out today.

Can I

also add... Does he agree that the

0:45:560:46:09

evidence given that two -- two tier

system could help to avoid the

0:46:090:46:19

physical infrastructure we all want

to avoid?

Those where items that

0:46:190:46:25

were also mentioned in the

government's position paper that was

0:46:250:46:29

published last summer about the

Irish border. And I am not saying

0:46:290:46:36

those were necessarily provide a

comparison of solution, but it is

0:46:360:46:42

evidence of goodwill in seeking

pragmatic and sizeable ways forward.

0:46:420:46:49

It has been deeply irresponsible. I

would like to ask again, the Foreign

0:46:490:46:59

Secretary wrote, if a hard border is

introduced. He has been clear about

0:46:590:47:06

their foreign -- Cabinet position

was.

Ministers, when they have

0:47:060:47:12

private correspondent, engage in all

sorts of speculative thinking to

0:47:120:47:17

test out ideas before they are

brought for collective discussion

0:47:170:47:22

and decision. The government

collectively is accountable to this

0:47:220:47:28

House or the policies that the

government has adopted. The

0:47:280:47:33

government has ruled out both a hard

border between Northern Ireland and

0:47:330:47:38

Ireland, and border in the Irish

Sea.

How dare the EU propose a

0:47:380:47:49

break-up of the United kingdom into

two trading zones. Both levers and

0:47:490:47:57

Remainers are increasingly angered

by this stroppy petulant and

0:47:570:48:01

unreasonable approach to these

negotiations by the European Union.

0:48:010:48:06

Will my honourable friend tell the

EU in these negotiations they have

0:48:060:48:09

not got off to a good start?

I think

that... What we learnt at the end of

0:48:090:48:18

2017 was that despite all the

predictions about the imminent

0:48:180:48:25

collapse of the negotiating process

at that time, that with political

0:48:250:48:30

will, both from London and from 27

partners, and the European

0:48:300:48:35

Commission, that an agreement could

be reached. And I think that provide

0:48:350:48:39

a very good process -- basis from

which to move forward now.

Sir John

0:48:390:48:45

Major and Tony Blair warned you in

the EU referendum campaign that this

0:48:450:48:49

would be it an issue. What he has

said today in the dispatch box is

0:48:490:48:55

simply impossible. We are not

talking about a backbencher or a

0:48:550:48:59

backbencher Ora Parliamentary

undersecretary. We are talking about

0:48:590:49:02

the Foreign Secretary who has a

central role in the heart of

0:49:020:49:07

negotiations, who is entertaining

the prospect of a hard border that

0:49:070:49:10

he says that Tasman ruled out. The

only question is, is this the

0:49:100:49:16

settled position of the government,

is the Foreign Secretary says he is

0:49:160:49:21

going to publish a memo Ireland when

is he going to do it? Is it not the

0:49:210:49:26

case that the Foreign Secretary

should have had the guts to come

0:49:260:49:29

here and answer for themselves and

clean-up up his own mess if he

0:49:290:49:32

cannot answer for him?

The

government was my policy is what I

0:49:320:49:36

have set out. What we're doing at

the start of the negotiating process

0:49:360:49:41

is to bring forward ideas and

develop those internally in

0:49:410:49:44

government about how we would wish

to give practical application to the

0:49:440:49:49

commitments we have entered into.

The Prime Minister will see more

0:49:490:49:52

about on Friday.

The differences in

tax, economic strategy and currency

0:49:520:50:00

has proven to be no hindrance to

that free and open land. We give an

0:50:000:50:06

absolute declaration that the UK

will not, under any circumstances,

0:50:060:50:12

implement and new Northern Ireland

and Republic border. If the EU

0:50:120:50:17

requires a new hard border, it is a

matter for them and the republic to

0:50:170:50:24

decide and implement. We,

unilaterally if necessary, will

0:50:240:50:29

honour the Belfast agreement and

indeed strengthen our union of the

0:50:290:50:32

UK.

I think... My honourable friend

was right to talk about the

0:50:320:50:40

resolution of the United Kingdom

government. In fairness, we do need

0:50:400:50:45

to acknowledge that the government

of Ireland, too, is committed to try

0:50:450:50:49

and make sure that no hard border is

created and the Taoiseach and his

0:50:490:50:56

government are committed to working

constructively as part of the EU 27

0:50:560:50:59

with us to find a way forward in

terms of a future economic

0:50:590:51:04

partnership.

There is a member of

the House that lives closer to the

0:51:040:51:11

Northern Ireland border than anyone

else in the chamber. Can I ask this

0:51:110:51:15

focus of a hard border, does the

government and all his colleagues in

0:51:150:51:20

the government, the Irish government

and the EU negotiators understand

0:51:200:51:24

that any top on a principle of a

hard border is irrelevant because it

0:51:240:51:28

would be totally impossible to

police 310 crossing points and

0:51:280:51:35

everyone locally would how to

circumvent them if they tried!

0:51:350:51:38

Particularly conscious that in

County Londonderry people are

0:51:380:51:44

commuting to and from work,

businesses are supplying customers,

0:51:440:51:49

people are travelling to and from

the doctors across the international

0:51:490:51:55

jurisdictional border. It is very

important in terms of people being

0:51:550:51:57

able to go about their everyday

lives that we reach the kind of

0:51:570:52:02

agreement to which the government

here and the Irish government are

0:52:020:52:05

committed.

Would he just define for

the House what the government meant

0:52:050:52:13

work he said a guaranteed no hard

border, what does that actually

0:52:130:52:17

involved?

It is exactly what we said

in a commitment to the joint report

0:52:170:52:27

in December and in the position

papers that we published back last

0:52:270:52:30

summer.

Last night in the other

place we had the second reading of

0:52:300:52:40

the roads, trailer registration

bill. It is the first piece of

0:52:400:52:45

contingency planning. Can he clarify

how the government will make sure no

0:52:450:52:51

checks on the registration between

the Republic of Northern Ireland and

0:52:510:52:54

Northern Ireland and how this will

be consistent with its current

0:52:540:53:00

legislation on holiday?

We do

believe that the bill is completely

0:53:000:53:04

compliant with our commitments under

the joint report. But I will as the

0:53:040:53:08

Transport Secretary to write to them

with detail.

The Good Friday

0:53:080:53:14

Agreement is an international

multiparty agreement, endorsed by

0:53:140:53:18

referendums on both sides of the

Irish border. The decision to leave

0:53:180:53:22

the customs union and single

market... Does he accept it is the

0:53:220:53:29

responsibility of his government to

bring forward detailed workable

0:53:290:53:33

proposals as to how his government

unilateral headlines can be made

0:53:330:53:38

compatible and can he tell is how

much longer we have to wait until we

0:53:380:53:42

see those proposals in print?

We are

at the start of a process of

0:53:420:53:46

negotiation. The honourable

gentleman would not want me to go

0:53:460:53:55

into entire detail. I hope when he

sees what the Prime Minister says on

0:53:550:54:00

Friday and when he has the

opportunity to question her after

0:54:000:54:03

her statement last Monday, that he

will feel reassured.

Thank you.

0:54:030:54:10

Normally points of order come after.

But this relates to these exchanges

0:54:100:54:14

so I will take it now.

Mr Speaker,

would it be in order for it to be

0:54:140:54:20

recorded that you quite rightly

acknowledged a number of hours in

0:54:200:54:23

that recent session that we had the

urgent question for speaking too

0:54:230:54:28

long. And not asking the short

questions of course some honourable

0:54:280:54:33

members are good at. But not all of

us. The reason for that and you will

0:54:330:54:38

correct me if I am wrong, is because

we have never add a proper

0:54:380:54:42

meaningful debate, or indeed a vote,

on this or any other Brexit matter

0:54:420:54:49

that would indeed help the

government in its negotiations and

0:54:490:54:55

indeed the uniter country. And this

is just one of many examples, Mr

0:54:550:55:01

Speaker, where Parliament's voices

profoundly lacking in the whole of

0:55:010:55:04

the Brexit process.

There have been

debates in the committee of the

0:55:040:55:14

whole House report stage on the

withdrawal bill. But outstayed of

0:55:140:55:21

legislation, if memory serves me

correctly, what the right honourable

0:55:210:55:27

lady says is factually correct. She

will know that I have an unbridled

0:55:270:55:35

enthusiasm for debate, for votes,

and for sitting in the chair for

0:55:350:55:43

extended periods, listening to the

intellects of Einstein and the

0:55:430:55:53

eloquence of Demosthenes, which are

so regularly on display, from my

0:55:530:55:59

colleagues. In all parts of the

House. And I cannot get enough of

0:55:590:56:07

it. It may seem eccentric on my

part, but I love listening to my

0:56:070:56:14

colleagues. And the more debates,

and the more votes, the better. I am

0:56:140:56:22

most grateful to the right

honourable lady on whose point of

0:56:220:56:26

order I had only a moment's notice,

but which I enjoyed. If there are no

0:56:260:56:34

further points of order at this

stage, we come now to the urgent

0:56:340:56:38

question, Stephen Twigg.

0:56:380:56:39

Can I ask the Minister of State for

the foreign & Commonwealth Office to

0:56:440:56:48

make a statement to the House on the

Burmese government's failure to

0:56:480:56:51

issue visas to the members of the

international select committee?

May

0:56:510:57:01

I thank the honourable gentleman for

local West Derby for his question,

0:57:010:57:08

i:e., like him and deeply

disappointed that the government of

0:57:080:57:14

Burma have not granted visas. This

displeasure has been communicated to

0:57:140:57:19

the Burmese authorities. I accept

that they do vital work providing

0:57:190:57:24

important oversight of UK aid

programme in Burma and beyond. The

0:57:240:57:33

aid committee was due to travel on

the 27th and 20th of February, when

0:57:330:57:41

no decision on visas was received in

the early morning of yesterday, it's

0:57:410:57:49

then cancelled the Burma leg of its

visit. I understand they will

0:57:490:57:54

continue at the second part of that

trip, travelling to Bangladesh,

0:57:540:57:59

supporting the Rohingya refugees

replace in those facilities. Burmese

0:57:590:58:11

officials have indicated three

reasons for the refusal. First,

0:58:110:58:14

there is an extended public holiday

in Burma. Secondly, access to rack

0:58:140:58:23

kind state is restricted for

security reasons. And finally, they

0:58:230:58:30

were unhappy that individual members

had signed a letter calling for the

0:58:300:58:38

senior general of the Burmese army

being called to account for the

0:58:380:58:42

military's behaviour. It is right, I

think, Mr Speaker, that this House

0:58:420:58:49

takes a close interest in this sort

of crisis and I know all members

0:58:490:58:52

here will continue to do so. The

government fully supports the work

0:58:520:58:57

of the committee. A conference about

in a tree was developed but the

0:58:570:59:09

British ambassador in the country

pressed repeatedly for visas to be

0:59:090:59:15

approved both in Burma and in the

Burmese embassy in London. I myself

0:59:150:59:19

spoke yesterday morning over the

telephone with the Burmese

0:59:190:59:22

ambassador to raise the status of

visas demonstrating just how

0:59:220:59:26

seriously the FCO takes this matter,

not least, as a courtesy to the

0:59:260:59:31

House. I understand you also read to

the Burmese ambassador, Mr Speaker,

0:59:310:59:36

and he intends to reply formally

setting out the reasons for the

0:59:360:59:39

refusal. Through DFID, ... The first

chance of UK funding is providing

0:59:390:59:53

emergency food and safe water and

hygiene for more than 180 thousand

0:59:530:59:59

people. The UK's emergency medical

team was deployed to save lives.

0:59:591:00:06

This decision to deny visas is

highly regrettable and will prevent

1:00:061:00:10

the committee from seeing some of

its work first hand. However, this

1:00:101:00:15

government must and will remain

committed to supporting Burma's

1:00:151:00:19

poorest and most vulnerable people.

Working with DFID, we will ensure

1:00:191:00:25

the committee has all the access

needed.

In democracies,

1:00:251:00:37

parliamentarians to criticise

governments. This is a lesson that

1:00:371:00:40

the Burmese government will have to

learn.

Thank you for granting this

1:00:401:00:47

urgent question. Can I thank the

Minister for his response. First of

1:00:471:00:53

all, I would like on behalf of the

entire committee to thank all of

1:00:531:00:56

those who have worked incredibly

hard over the last few days to try

1:00:561:01:00

and sort this matter out, including

you, Mr Speaker, as the Minister

1:01:001:01:05

rightly pointed out, you wrote

personally to the Burmese ambassador

1:01:051:01:08

in London. The Minister himself for

his intervention of which I'm very

1:01:081:01:13

grateful. And the team in Burma

particularly, the British

1:01:131:01:20

ambassador. Sadly, it was all to no

avail. The committee should write

1:01:201:01:23

now be on its way to Burma where we

were planning to look at some of the

1:01:231:01:27

fantastic work that DFID funds in

that country. We were told last week

1:01:271:01:33

that our visas had been approved

here in the United Kingdom, they had

1:01:331:01:38

been processed and they were ready

but the Burmese embassy in London

1:01:381:01:42

was awaiting final approval from

their government. Yesterday, our

1:01:421:01:46

passports were returned to us

without visas and clearly the

1:01:461:01:49

failure of the Burmese government to

grant these visas simply prevents us

1:01:491:01:55

from doing our job as a select

committee which is to oversee how

1:01:551:02:00

overseas developer and assistant is

spent in countries. I have no doubt

1:02:001:02:05

that a major part of the reason this

has happened is direct retaliation

1:02:051:02:10

for the report that we published

last month on the Rohingya crisis. I

1:02:101:02:14

believe there is a direct connection

between our report and these

1:02:141:02:19

actions. I thank the Minister for

shedding some light today in his

1:02:191:02:23

response to this urgent question

about the reasons that the Burmese

1:02:231:02:27

have now given for denying our

visas. I understand, Mr Speaker,

1:02:271:02:31

that it was Aung San Suu Kyi herself

who blocked the approval of our

1:02:311:02:36

visas. Some will argue and some have

argued this overnight on social

1:02:361:02:43

media that as a result of this we

should stop United Kingdom aid to

1:02:431:02:47

Burma. I agree with the Minister

that it would be a major mistake to

1:02:471:02:51

stop supporting programmes that help

the poorest, health programmes,

1:02:511:02:55

education programmes that make a

difference to the very poorest

1:02:551:02:58

people. We should not punish them.

However, with the Minister agree

1:02:581:03:03

with me that it is now the time for

us as a parliament and for the

1:03:031:03:07

government to review the programme

for Democratic change which is

1:03:071:03:13

working with the Burnley 's

parliament's? If we as

1:03:131:03:17

parliamentarians are not permitted

to go to that country and meet their

1:03:171:03:22

political leaders and look at how UK

aid is being sent whether it is

1:03:221:03:25

right that our taxpayers resourced

as is being spent on Parliamentary

1:03:251:03:31

strengthening in Burma. -- Bernie 's

parliament. Finally, I believe this

1:03:311:03:43

is to silence the treatment of the

Burmese government of the Rohingya.

1:03:431:03:49

Does he agree that we must double

our efforts on behalf of the

1:03:491:03:53

Rohingya people so they get the

justice they deserve?

I thank the

1:03:531:03:59

honourable gentleman for his

thoughtful contribution as ever. And

1:03:591:04:02

thank you for the kind words about

the intervention of the Foreign

1:04:021:04:05

Office. I think it is direct

retaliation, I accept that. I would

1:04:051:04:11

not like to speculate whether there

has been a personal interception by

1:04:111:04:14

Aung San Suu Kyi but we may learn

more in the days to come and we will

1:04:141:04:18

discuss matters then. May I say that

I agree with much of what he has to

1:04:181:04:22

say and please rest assured that

particularly my right honourable

1:04:221:04:26

friend the Secretary of State for

DFID is working very closely to try

1:04:261:04:33

and reorganise programmes that we

have in Burma to take into account

1:04:331:04:36

many of the concerns that he has but

above all that we want to keep the

1:04:361:04:41

interest of the most vulnerable

closely in our minds. As I mentioned

1:04:411:04:46

earlier on, we are one of the

biggest single donors in this

1:04:461:04:48

terrible crisis. We have provided

money to both the Red Cross and the

1:04:481:04:54

world food programme to provide

assistance in the Burmese side of

1:04:541:04:59

the border. To be honest, given the

very severe humanitarian impact that

1:04:591:05:06

heavy rain and cyclones could have

on the population, we are heading

1:05:061:05:11

into the cyclone season in the next

month, this is something we will

1:05:111:05:14

keep under very open review. I would

also say, if I may, Mr Speaker, I

1:05:141:05:20

was in Brussels deputising for the

Foreign Secretary on Monday and we

1:05:201:05:23

agreed at that point with the EU

Council that the conclusions

1:05:231:05:30

initiating an work Sue introduced

targeted sanctions on elements of

1:05:301:05:35

the Burmese military. This work is

ongoing. You will appreciate some

1:05:351:05:42

difficulties we face, not least

because of the potential veto of

1:05:421:05:47

some of the permanent members of the

Security Council but we are doing a

1:05:471:05:51

lot at the EU level as well.

Having

seen what is going on in Burma, it

1:05:511:06:03

is imperative that we continue to

assist the Rohingya people in their

1:06:031:06:06

hour of need. I would urge the

Minister to summon the Burnley 's

1:06:061:06:15

ambassador -- their ambassador for

Burma to spell out formally. Mr

1:06:151:06:23

Speaker, for those of us that

followed events in that country for

1:06:231:06:26

some time now, our policy was to

support Aung San Suu Kyi where we

1:06:261:06:31

could and were told that the

problems were with the military. If

1:06:311:06:34

it is now the case that she is no

longer part of the solution but is

1:06:341:06:39

indeed in some way part of the

problem, I do believe this is a time

1:06:391:06:44

to reassess our relationship with

the parliament, with the army in

1:06:441:06:52

Burma and the training and

assistance we have tried to give

1:06:521:06:55

them to make them a more democratic

military and indeed the range of

1:06:551:07:02

bilateral relations where fibre that

country. We simply cannot allow them

1:07:021:07:06

to away with this kind of behaviour.

I thank my right honourable friend

1:07:061:07:10

and obviously he was the predecessor

in the role that I now hold. And

1:07:101:07:15

must, very depressing given the high

hopes he had when he was in office.

1:07:151:07:24

I gather given the number of visits

he made to Burma at that time that

1:07:241:07:28

we were moving toward some sort of

democracy. In many ways, there are

1:07:281:07:32

some lessons we have learned is

perhaps in that time, as a small

1:07:321:07:39

amount of democracy, the Rohingya

will not included in the census, not

1:07:391:07:43

allowed to vote in elections, in

many ways we are seeing elements of

1:07:431:07:47

the consequences of that. Major say

in relation to his initial point

1:07:471:07:54

about the Burmese ambassador, we

will of course summon him over the

1:07:541:07:59

course of the next week to express

our deep displeasure at his

1:07:591:08:03

government's actions.

The refusal of

visas for the international

1:08:031:08:16

development committee by the Myanmar

government is obvious the shocking.

1:08:161:08:18

It seems to be a response to their

critical report on the treatment of

1:08:181:08:29

the Rohingya. It might be on the

tightening of a use sanctions as the

1:08:291:08:33

Minister mentions. Banning people is

their stock response to criticism.

1:08:331:08:37

They have also banned the UN

fact-finding mission, the special

1:08:371:08:41

rapporteur, the UN refugee agency.

The UK has a £100 million aid

1:08:411:08:50

programme and significant

development investments. We have our

1:08:501:08:53

own Parliamentary strengthening

programme. It is completely

1:08:531:08:55

reasonable for the international

double in committee to visit Myanmar

1:08:551:08:59

and see how these are going. I think

the chair is right to say we need to

1:08:591:09:04

think again about the Parliamentary

strengthening programme but what I

1:09:041:09:08

would like to ask the Minister is

what is the Foreign Office going to

1:09:081:09:11

do to secure access both for British

parliamentarians and for the United

1:09:111:09:18

Nations agencies?

The Right

Honourable lady will appreciate that

1:09:181:09:27

these are very difficult issues. We

are doing our best to work both

1:09:271:09:32

bilateral and then the international

community to try to secure that sort

1:09:321:09:36

of access. We are also working

quietly behind-the-scenes. There are

1:09:361:09:42

individuals known to Aung San Suu

Kyi over many years who have paid

1:09:421:09:48

visits and at least advise her at

the displeasure and concerns of the

1:09:481:09:53

international community. And the

reality is that the truth really is

1:09:531:09:59

that the military do have a whip

hand to very large extent on what is

1:09:591:10:06

going on in Burma. We will continue

to work tirelessly to and ensure

1:10:061:10:11

that we move forward. We want to see

some accountability for the crimes

1:10:111:10:16

that have been committed and I hope

that at some point when the UN

1:10:161:10:21

fact-finding mission can enter a

report that we will have a statement

1:10:211:10:26

in the House setting out our

position about the issue of impunity

1:10:261:10:29

for the future.

1:10:291:10:33

It is my strong belief that going

back to my initial point and the

1:10:331:10:36

point made by a the honourable

gentleman from Liverpool West Derby

1:10:361:10:40

we always have to remember that

frustrating though it is and she

1:10:401:10:45

rightly points out we have spent 100

win pounds a year on aid within

1:10:451:10:52

Burma, that actually the work being

done for the most vulnerable must

1:10:521:10:56

continue. It is very easy for us to

walk away. We want to be honest and

1:10:561:11:01

try and find within the military in

so far is that I'm more moderate

1:11:011:11:05

elements we can begin to work with

and that is why we have stock

1:11:051:11:10

programmes of training for the

military but we feel there are

1:11:101:11:13

individuals there who we should try

to keep lines of communication open

1:11:131:11:17

with and we will continue to do

that. This is one of the

1:11:171:11:20

frustrations in many ways of

democracy and diplomacy but we will

1:11:201:11:23

continue patiently but with some

urgency for the reasons I have said

1:11:231:11:28

that given the humanitarian

catastrophe taking place on the

1:11:281:11:31

Bangladeshi side of the border to

continue that.

Mr Speaker, your own

1:11:311:11:38

role was instrumental in setting up

the Parliamentary strengthening

1:11:381:11:41

programme. The purpose of which is

to make their parliament more like

1:11:411:11:46

ours. Therefore it would be folly to

stop it no matter how insulted we

1:11:461:11:51

properly feel.

I do share the right

honourable gentleman's concerns on

1:11:511:12:01

this and I in a previous ballad I

was on the business foundation for

1:12:011:12:05

democracy I played a role in trying

to work together and have integrated

1:12:051:12:08

programmes and they think I'm a

cross-party basis we would not I

1:12:081:12:10

think to begin desert in the biggest

hour of need some elements within

1:12:101:12:18

Burma reveal strongly about this

matter but equally Aphibarnrat

1:12:181:12:22

honourable friend will recognise

that there is a deep concern that we

1:12:221:12:29

cannot continue as though it is

business as usual in all our

1:12:291:12:32

relations with the Burmese

authorities but they very much hope

1:12:321:12:35

there will be some individuals who

will be able to work with to make

1:12:351:12:38

that country a better and more

democratic place in the years to

1:12:381:12:40

come.

It goes without saying how

deeply disappointed I am to be in

1:12:401:12:49

this chamber along with my

International Development Committee

1:12:491:12:51

colleagues when I am supposed to be

on a plant like to Burma to see the

1:12:511:12:55

good work that they are doing in

areas also bitter disappointment

1:12:551:13:00

that I find out just now that Aung

San Suu Kyi is personally

1:13:001:13:03

responsible for blocking the visas

to give the essential work that we

1:13:031:13:07

are providing to her citizens in her

nation who are of the poorest and

1:13:071:13:14

most fundable. Difficult as a

substantial aid programme in Burma

1:13:141:13:17

and our job is to go out there to

see the good work being done and I

1:13:171:13:20

would want to put on record as the

member of Parliament for Dundee city

1:13:201:13:27

currently considering whether or not

to withdraw the freedom of the city,

1:13:271:13:30

with heavy heart I feel I will be

recommending that withdrawal of the

1:13:301:13:34

freedom after hearing what I have

heard today. Can the secretary tell

1:13:341:13:37

me that what assurances he would

give or indeed the Minister, what

1:13:371:13:40

assurances can be given for future

visits to Burma to see the essential

1:13:401:13:44

work being carried out in the

regions which include Bracken state

1:13:441:13:50

and can he give us an opportunity to

give a further explanation given the

1:13:501:14:00

fact we are a democracy here and

support democracy in Burma in

1:14:001:14:04

particular Aung San Suu Kyi and

widely very remarks, I sang that and

1:14:041:14:08

I endorse anyone else to sign up

later, if there are war crimes and

1:14:081:14:15

mass atrocities being carried out in

Rakhine state, I hope Aung San Suu

1:14:151:14:22

Kyi is listening to this message

today because she should also be

1:14:221:14:27

speaking out. I would like to hear

there will be further explanation

1:14:271:14:30

and if there has been anything we

have lost in this Parliament, is

1:14:301:14:36

asked to be rebranded and lastly to

have an apology from the Burmese

1:14:361:14:39

authorities.

May I think the

honourable judgment but Andy West we

1:14:391:14:45

were able to speak before the

disappointment became apparent the

1:14:451:14:49

refusal was in place and I wish him

and the rest of the Committee all

1:14:491:14:53

the rest and be able to see is much

as they can in Bangladesh, but I

1:14:531:14:56

think it is depressing and it would

be more worthwhile to be able to go

1:14:561:15:00

into Rakhine State to sit where I

know is whether intended to be. I

1:15:001:15:05

don't want to spend the time, to

defend Aung San Suu Kyi but we have

1:15:051:15:14

a bilateral relationship and we want

to try to keep lines of medication

1:15:141:15:17

open. The recognition has to be to

the Burmese military who have been

1:15:171:15:21

responsible for many of the

atrocities that have taken place in

1:15:211:15:24

the aftermath of the 20th of August

and I think we should not forget

1:15:241:15:29

that amidst great disappointment

that was shared by many members of

1:15:291:15:31

Parliament given the great high

hopes they had with the new regime

1:15:311:15:35

when it came into play only a couple

of years ago. That we just say this

1:15:351:15:40

about issues of accountability. The

immediate task I think will be to

1:15:401:15:43

support those who are building

evidence and testimony. The task of

1:15:431:15:47

been ongoing over the past six

months. A number of organisations

1:15:471:15:51

will be left collecting that

testimony and we will be considering

1:15:511:15:56

how best we can support that range

non-governmental organisations. If

1:15:561:16:01

it is Burma is not a party to the

statute of the International

1:16:011:16:05

criminal Court, Cosmo see PIC will

not have jurisdiction, or it would

1:16:051:16:09

only have jurisdiction over the

alleged crime if Burma was to revert

1:16:091:16:13

to accord, an unlikely scenario, or

there was a referral to the UN

1:16:131:16:18

Security Council which I think is

unlikely. So we are working and hope

1:16:181:16:24

to come back to the hazard some

point before too long and working to

1:16:241:16:27

a strategy of how impunity can be

and account ability, can be put to

1:16:271:16:34

those to some who have committed

some of these terrible crimes.

As a

1:16:341:16:40

member of the Committee I'm a bit

disappointed we are not going.

1:16:401:16:43

Mainly because we were trying to see

both sides, but the Burmese side and

1:16:431:16:51

the Bangladeshi side, to see how

these terrible -- terribly burnable

1:16:511:16:56

people are being treated on either

side and I think the Bangladesh side

1:16:561:16:59

were doing a magnificent job --

terribly vulnerable people. We

1:16:591:17:08

recognise it was a Bank Holiday, it

was quite dangerous to go up there

1:17:081:17:13

but we were prepared if we could

possibly go to go and now we have

1:17:131:17:17

been thwarted and I do think, I

don't know whether there was truth

1:17:171:17:22

in the fact that Aung San Suu Kyi

did have a hand in it, but I hope

1:17:221:17:27

the Minister will ask and find out

and report back to this House

1:17:271:17:31

because I think that this incredibly

serious because someone who has her

1:17:311:17:37

before, as many millions of people

in this country have, the shine will

1:17:371:17:43

definitely have gone off her halo if

that is the case.

I think I

1:17:431:17:51

honourable than for what she says we

will do our level best to try to get

1:17:511:17:54

the bottom of exactly what has

happened and who is responsible.

1:17:541:17:58

That media say this. I know it is

often felt when parliamentarians

1:17:581:18:02

visit other countries that they all

get teased by our constituents that

1:18:021:18:07

say this is all one big jolly that

we are heading off, I had to sit on

1:18:071:18:15

my own part as many know I was

speaking in these notes tragically

1:18:151:18:22

in September, it has made a

difference to my understanding to

1:18:221:18:25

the situation and the two sides have

happened, and my opportunity to go

1:18:251:18:33

visit Bangladesh and I think it is

invaluable work that is done and

1:18:331:18:38

gives a real sense of perspective

and certainly a Committee such as

1:18:381:18:41

this rightly is holding a government

department to account and needs to

1:18:411:18:47

be able to see on the grounds the

work that is being done. May I also

1:18:471:18:51

take some tribute, not perhaps for

me to pay tribute, hopefully the

1:18:511:18:57

Committee, for my right honourable

friend the Secretary of State, I

1:18:571:19:01

think she has expended huge amount

of time and energy and passion on

1:19:011:19:05

this particular issue. They think

she is very much on top of the issue

1:19:051:19:09

to recognise that we have to have

some fundamental changes in the way

1:19:091:19:12

in which we look at programmes

particularly within Burma and I know

1:19:121:19:16

that we are much respected across

the globe for the tremendous

1:19:161:19:19

contribution we have made since the

row up prices came to pass. --

1:19:191:19:25

Rohingya crisis.

This is hugely

disappointing for the Select

1:19:251:19:31

Committee and shocking if it is true

what the honourable member the

1:19:311:19:34

Liverpool West Derby said that Aung

San Suu Kyi may have been

1:19:341:19:38

responsible for blocking the betas

although it will not dampen the

1:19:381:19:42

effort and determination to the

Committee to keep the pressure on.

1:19:421:19:45

Is it a clear signal that the

diplomatic relationship is breaking

1:19:451:19:47

down which is frankly understandable

and in some way even reassuring

1:19:471:19:52

because a regime that commit ethnic

cleansing is no ally of hours. The

1:19:521:19:55

Minister is absolutely right that we

must continue to help support the

1:19:551:20:02

most vulnerable people in May on my

particular the Rohingya but can I

1:20:021:20:06

press him for accountability for

those in the military, a discussion

1:20:061:20:15

with the security Council for the

possibility to refer those who both

1:20:151:20:20

for the responsibilities --

atrocities to the criminal court.

1:20:201:20:26

The UK continues to work to maintain

the UN Security Council's focus on

1:20:261:20:33

Rakhine State and she will be very

aware that in recent weeks, the

1:20:331:20:36

Syrian issue has been very important

and clearly last autumn a lot of

1:20:361:20:40

focus on what was happening on the

Korean Pincher but that is not to

1:20:401:20:44

say we aren't persistent to try and

get this as high-profile as possible

1:20:441:20:50

and our own request the Security

Council held Google briefing on the

1:20:501:20:53

13th of to focus on the very

specific issue of returns and the

1:20:531:20:58

likelihood of returned happening.

The UN security council statement,

1:20:581:21:05

first decade, last year, the UK was

that and focusing attention on what

1:21:051:21:14

is happening in Burma. We are

providing a response to the

1:21:141:21:18

fact-finding report of the human

rights Council which is due in March

1:21:181:21:21

and be co-sponsored the UN human

rights Council General Assembly

1:21:211:21:26

resolutions. I have to say to the

honourable lady however that the

1:21:261:21:31

notion that we have a headlong rush

to a UN Security Council resolution,

1:21:311:21:35

the feeling on the ground from

representatives is that almost

1:21:351:21:38

certainly would be vetoed by the

Chinese and probably by the Russians

1:21:381:21:42

as well. That is not to say that at

some point we might not test that

1:21:421:21:47

further but I believe there are

other avenues that we wish to pursue

1:21:471:21:50

and one of the reasons that I have

been so pleased to be able to work

1:21:501:21:54

together with our colleagues in the

European Union is that actually to

1:21:541:21:57

get sanctions from that quarter as I

think will make some progress

1:21:571:22:03

particularly against leading lights

within the military.

I am

1:22:031:22:10

pro-pleased that the Minister is in

his place because his work on the

1:22:101:22:14

question of Burma has been

impressive over these many months

1:22:141:22:17

and the work of the Ambassador

country and has been impressive and

1:22:171:22:22

none of this, I am sure he couldn't

have done more. This is a very

1:22:221:22:27

distressing scene. I have however

torn between the desire to ensure we

1:22:271:22:34

have oversight of the enormous on

the money we're spending and that we

1:22:341:22:37

promote cause of democracy and here

I speak with an interest because one

1:22:371:22:42

of the clerks who has been to make

the door is the second clerk of the

1:22:421:22:48

Foreign Affairs Committee and the

clerk who is going... If they have

1:22:481:22:54

learnt 1% of the knowledge that

these two fabulous individuals can

1:22:541:22:58

impart it would be a huge blessing

to the Burmese people and a great

1:22:581:23:03

blessing to do a Sinjar between the

United Kingdom and Burma.

I thank

1:23:031:23:08

him for his insights and I will pass

the message on. It is worth pointing

1:23:081:23:16

out a little bit about the bilateral

action that continues to take place.

1:23:161:23:20

Many members will be aware the

Foreign Secretary was in Burma

1:23:201:23:22

during the most recent recess and

that Aung San Suu Kyi then stressing

1:23:221:23:27

refugees must feel to returning home

and need to be supervised at the

1:23:271:23:32

UNHCR. Aung San Suu Kyi was spoken

to no fewer than five times since

1:23:321:23:38

the crisis began last August. I met

her last September and the Defence

1:23:381:23:42

Minister and Deputy First Minister

-- deputy Foreign Minister, in

1:23:421:23:47

Ecuador in November. I will, that

work will continue to bring as many

1:23:471:23:55

options as possible to be able to

discuss as far as we can but there

1:23:551:23:59

is some fantastic expertise that we

need to try to channel into and keep

1:23:591:24:03

the pressure on as far as possible.

The United Nations High Commissioner

1:24:031:24:12

for human rights has described what

has been happening to the Rohingya

1:24:121:24:15

as a textbook case of ethnic

cleansing. Isn't the withholding of

1:24:151:24:20

visas from myself and other members

of the International Development

1:24:201:24:22

Committee a textbook case and with

an authoritarian regime with

1:24:221:24:27

something to hide trying to shield

itself from legitimate international

1:24:271:24:31

scrutiny. And if Aung San Suu Kyi is

indeed responsible for that, that it

1:24:311:24:37

is nothing short of disgraceful.

With the Minister agree with me that

1:24:371:24:42

all this points to the fact that the

international community has to be

1:24:421:24:45

far more assertive in rising for

unimpeded humanitarian access to

1:24:451:24:51

Rakhine State?

I would agree with

that. I don't want to cast judgment

1:24:511:24:58

until we know the facts about any

involvement of Aung San Suu Kyi or

1:24:581:25:03

other senior members in relation to

the future but I think he is right

1:25:031:25:06

that this is something that is a

textbook case of the worst elements

1:25:061:25:11

of an increasingly close regime but

I would repeat to him as I have said

1:25:111:25:16

at the outset, in the midst of our

displeasure, anger, frustration at

1:25:161:25:23

not being able to visit there,

please remember the interests of

1:25:231:25:27

those millions in Burma and so

desperately need our help and

1:25:271:25:31

support.

1:25:311:25:42

Thank you for your letter, which was

well received. When she was here,

1:25:421:25:50

she said when she saw us discussing

it, they were moving towards

1:25:501:25:56

democracy, but unfortunately the

country is heading in the wrong

1:25:561:25:58

direction. Since I saw you cheered

the parliamentary group in 2005, I

1:25:581:26:05

always wanted to help move

democracy, and that is what I intend

1:26:051:26:10

to do as the coach here. --

co-chair. We will also look at the

1:26:101:26:26

health for all of the ethnic groups.

Does the Minister agree with me that

1:26:261:26:31

now the International development

committee is going to be carrying on

1:26:311:26:35

its work, it will only be speaking

to people which gives a one-sided

1:26:351:26:42

view that the Bernd government could

take some time to reply, but makes

1:26:421:26:49

the work harder for those of us who

want to take a holistic view of

1:26:491:26:53

Burma as a country. -- a one-sided

view that the Burmese man government

1:26:531:26:58

could take.

I do not know where he

gets the time to do all of this

1:26:581:27:05

work. Joking aside, please may I say

this, I agree with everything he has

1:27:051:27:15

to say, and we need to look at all

sides to see what extent there is

1:27:151:27:19

efficacy in being able to return to

Burma at the earliest opportunity.

1:27:191:27:24

Please keep the faith with Burma and

by means. However, -- the Burmese

1:27:241:27:35

man. Remember this is important work

being done, and we have a lot of

1:27:351:27:49

commitment going to historic

reasons, but keep the faith.

I am

1:27:491:27:55

disappointed as one of the committee

members refused if these are. I am

1:27:551:28:00

also disappointed as a member of

Parliament that represents a city

1:28:001:28:03

that gave Aung San Suu Kyi not only

the freedom of the

1:28:031:28:24

city, but... Will the government

look at convening an emergency

1:28:281:28:37

summit to put sanctions in place not

only against Burma, but possibly

1:28:371:28:41

even considering Aung San Suu Kyi's

family assets here in the UK. We

1:28:411:28:50

will also immediately review some of

our other aid products including the

1:28:501:28:54

£500 million we have given to a

university on a project with Oxford

1:28:541:28:59

University last month to make sure

that money is not being used for

1:28:591:29:06

academic work which undermines the

Rohingya.

He is right to identify

1:29:061:29:25

the fact that the issue around the

Rohingya, terrible how it is, is on

1:29:251:29:30

a different scale than other

minorities, which have suffered for

1:29:301:29:35

many decades. I think I have covered

some of the issues about why we have

1:29:351:29:40

not gone for the UN Security Council

resolution at this stage, and I hope

1:29:401:29:46

whatever investment is being made

between Rangoon and Oxford is being

1:29:461:29:53

done for positive reasons and we

should not necessarily except, but

1:29:531:29:59

need to get to the bottom of it.

I

was very depressed to learn last

1:29:591:30:03

night that the visas had not come

through. I do not know what the

1:30:031:30:08

Hermes authority think we're going

to do now, give up and shrug our

1:30:081:30:12

shoulders? -- Burmese authority.

We're not going to do that, we are

1:30:121:30:22

democratically elected select

committee. Within our parliament we

1:30:221:30:25

do not have a quarter for the

military, everyone is elected in the

1:30:251:30:29

same matter. -- Manor. It is

important to stress the money we

1:30:291:30:35

give is the for the people and it

does go to the military regime and

1:30:351:30:39

it doesn't go through the military

regime. The reason it is so month is

1:30:391:30:43

the -- the reason it is so much is

because of the militaries team. And

1:30:431:30:48

I thank you, Mr Speaker, for

everything you have done. You were

1:30:481:30:51

one of the champions of Aung San Suu

Kyi to get her freed from House

1:30:511:30:57

arrest, and it was through you that

you are able to get her to address

1:30:571:31:00

both Houses of Parliament in

Westminster Hall, a unique privilege

1:31:001:31:05

for someone who is not officially

head of state. Can I ask you, Mr

1:31:051:31:09

Speaker than the Minister of State,

to carry on with your work because

1:31:091:31:14

the Rohingya problem is not going to

go away but we do want to go to

1:31:141:31:20

Burma and we want to see exactly how

our money is being spent, so can I

1:31:201:31:25

implore both of you to carry on and

see if that can be done this year?

1:31:251:31:32

Great pleasure to speak on the half

of the Speaker on this matter. I

1:31:321:31:46

should thank him for letting me get

a word in. Sorry, this is not a

1:31:461:31:54

subject for allegedly. We will keep

in mind what is happening to

1:31:541:31:57

Rohingya and other minorities, but

also those of us who have the

1:31:571:32:00

interest of Burma and Burmese people

at heart.

Can I associate myself

1:32:001:32:12

entirely with my honourable friend's

comments and share my horror of what

1:32:121:32:14

we have seen in selecting the

Rohingya people. Many of my

1:32:141:32:19

constituents have written to me and

rely on committees to shine a light

1:32:191:32:25

on these dark situations. Can I urge

the Minister and Secretary of State

1:32:251:32:29

to look at examples from the past,

such as our relationship with

1:32:291:32:34

Zimbabwe, where we continued to

support people in Zimbabwe while

1:32:341:32:44

they had despotic regime. This is a

very unusual case for visas to be

1:32:441:32:49

denied in this way. Is he aware of

any other examples of them being

1:32:491:32:54

denied to politicians in a similar

way?

Thank you very much from the

1:32:541:33:01

contribution. I must confess, it

seems unique circumstances

1:33:011:33:08

contribution. I must confess, it

seems unique circumstances, it may

1:33:081:33:08

not be but I will write to him

regarding the situation of what is

1:33:081:33:12

the situation of refusal of these as

of this sort.

Can I get assurances

1:33:121:33:18

from Her Majesty's government that

not a single penny of taxpayer money

1:33:181:33:24

will go to the regime in Burma, who

is increasingly not only a regime

1:33:241:33:30

that practices genocide but also is

becoming a rogue state?

May I thank

1:33:301:33:42

him for his contribution. I think

all of us recognise we do not wish

1:33:421:33:46

to do anything that props up a

regime. May I put in a slight

1:33:461:33:51

caveat, which is that we need to

keep lines of communication open,

1:33:511:33:59

and if it is felt not least by our

ambassador Andrew Patrick on the

1:33:591:34:05

ground, if it is felt there are

individuals who need to keep the

1:34:051:34:14

lines of communication open, I not

rule it out.

Despite the

1:34:141:34:21

government's attempts to conceal the

fact, the Burmese military actions

1:34:211:34:26

look a lot like ethnic cleansing.

Isn't it time that the international

1:34:261:34:31

community started treating it as

ethnic cleansing?

Please be assured

1:34:311:34:37

that the work does continue.

Difficult to do this through the

1:34:371:34:45

usual context, which would be a UN

Security Council resolution because

1:34:451:34:48

it would be retold. We had a meeting

in November, and whilst

1:34:481:34:55

understandably and rightly much of

the world's focus must be on the

1:34:551:34:59

humanitarian catastrophe that is

happening and could get worse on the

1:34:591:35:02

Bangladeshi side of the border,

equally there is no an increasing

1:35:021:35:06

focus, and I have had many meetings

over the previous weeks and months,

1:35:061:35:13

with the focus on diplomatic and

political solution, not least the

1:35:131:35:18

issues he points out.

I visited the

Rohingya refugee camp last year with

1:35:181:35:28

the Commonwealth Parliamentary

Association, and two nurses from

1:35:281:35:32

Kettering General Hospital have

returned from the Rohingya camps,

1:35:321:35:36

successfully combating the spread of

disease. Can I draw his attention to

1:35:361:35:41

the problem on the Bangladeshi side

of the border? Bangladesh has been

1:35:411:35:46

incredibly generous in hosting the

Rohingya refugees and going out of

1:35:461:35:50

its way to assist them. But the

Bangladeshis are overwhelmed with

1:35:501:35:56

applications for visas from aid

workers and the like, and they are

1:35:561:36:00

having difficulty processing them in

a timely way, holding up some of the

1:36:001:36:06

aid. Can we help them in overcoming

this problem?

He is absolutely

1:36:061:36:12

right, it is something we have

identified and we are working

1:36:121:36:15

together with DFID to get it sped

up, and our own embassy in

1:36:151:36:24

Bangladesh has made and will

continue to make representations to

1:36:241:36:26

ensure that NGOs and others,

particularly relating to medical

1:36:261:36:34

help, at able to get people on the

ground in Bangladesh.

Point of

1:36:341:36:44

order, Jonathan Ashworth.

We all

heard at prime ministers questions,

1:36:441:36:48

the Prime Minister rightly speak of

the importance of early diagnosis

1:36:481:36:51

when it comes to cancer. Yet, in

today's newspapers we have learned

1:36:511:36:57

that some CCGs are offering cash

incentives to GPs not to refer

1:36:571:37:02

patients to hospitals including

cancer patients. We believe this is

1:37:021:37:10

totally unacceptable. Has the

Secretary of State for health given

1:37:101:37:12

any notice that he intends to come

to the House to make a statement to

1:37:121:37:16

tell us how extensive this scheme

is, so we can call upon the

1:37:161:37:21

Secretary of State to rule out this

an acceptable practice?

Lowe, but it

1:37:211:37:31

is open to the shadow Leader of the

House today is this matter that the

1:37:311:37:34

business question tomorrow, and I

feel sure that having registered his

1:37:341:37:41

concerns today, the honourable

gentleman will articulate them in

1:37:411:37:47

subsequent days until he elicits a

ministerial response. Chris Bryant.

1:37:471:37:54

You have always concerned yourself

with the issue of political

1:37:541:37:57

prisoners but I have discovered

there is one in our own country

1:37:571:38:01

because the Foreign Secretary

declared this morning on television

1:38:011:38:04

that he was desperate to be able to

publish a letter to the Prime

1:38:041:38:10

Minister referred to earlier, but

now apparently the Prime Minister

1:38:101:38:13

will not let him. So, the poor chap

is languishing unable to fulfil his

1:38:131:38:20

stated intention and desires. I just

wonder, because obviously he wants

1:38:201:38:23

to keep the House informed, he wants

to be able to tell us what is going

1:38:231:38:29

on. I do not know whether he has

written two letters, and only one

1:38:291:38:33

has got into the public domain, but

I wondered if that is a way to free

1:38:331:38:38

the Foreign Secretary so he is no

longer a political prisoner in this

1:38:381:38:42

way?

I read what he said in

reference to his correspondence and

1:38:421:38:48

the activities of the Foreign

Secretary, but not entirely for the

1:38:481:38:52

first time and not

uncharacteristically, I rather fear

1:38:521:38:56

that the honourable gentleman might

have invested me with powers I do

1:38:561:39:01

not possess. I do not have power

over responsibility for or the

1:39:011:39:14

capacity to free the Secretary of

State for following Commonwealth

1:39:141:39:19

affairs. The Foreign Office One, he

calls from a sedentary position.

1:39:191:39:33

Some people might think it is a good

thing I am not responsible for him,

1:39:331:39:37

and other people may think it a bad

thing. But it is a fact that I am

1:39:371:39:45

not responsible for him other than

in regard to his responsibilities to

1:39:451:39:50

appear here. Shame, says the

honourable gentleman! We must leave

1:39:501:40:01

it there for no. We now come to the

ten minute rule motion in the name

1:40:011:40:04

of the honourable gentleman, the

Member for Bassetlaw. Ten minute

1:40:041:40:09

rule motion, John Mann.

1:40:091:40:15

I rise to propose what I would

suggest of the House is a very

1:40:151:40:19

important legislative proposal that

in the three weeks subsequent to me

1:40:191:40:25

laid this proposed Bill before the

public Bill office, to an incidence

1:40:251:40:32

of occurred directly impacting me,

my staff, my family, there are

1:40:321:40:39

specific examples apply the powers

we have in this country with

1:40:391:40:44

internet companies are too weak and

why this Bill would transform the

1:40:441:40:49

situation. In those two weeks I have

received a series of violent threats

1:40:491:40:58

on Twitter directed to myself and my

family and stop they are rightly in

1:40:581:41:05

action by the police in the

appropriate way. I immediately on

1:41:051:41:14

receiving these series of tweets

registered them in the Twitter style

1:41:141:41:20

with Twitter, removes them from the

public domain. The police will

1:41:201:41:29

require the precise time that these

tweets were sent. Not the tone with

1:41:291:41:36

which I can provide them, where they

go onto the Parliamentary system via

1:41:361:41:43

e-mail but the precise time. Twitter

refuses to provide these to me.

1:41:431:41:51

Second example is in relation to

Facebook. Whereby that is the

1:41:511:41:59

gentleman I believe still in prison

who was convicted in prison for a

1:41:591:42:03

series of very aggressive internet

attacks on other members of

1:42:031:42:10

Parliament and myself. I was

referred to directly in the court

1:42:101:42:17

proceedings. A repeat has been last

week put out through Facebook and

1:42:171:42:24

immediately then this fake account,

which is in my name with my face

1:42:241:42:32

which could best be described as an

century, and of course statements

1:42:321:42:38

none of us in here including myself

would never dream of making, and

1:42:381:42:43

intend to incite violence against me

which when originally done, at that

1:42:431:42:50

impact with extremists, nicking

directorates and specific threats in

1:42:501:42:56

my locality. Facebook with that

refused to assist and provide

1:42:561:43:07

immediately deleted Facebook

message. And yet again I could

1:43:071:43:13

present that to the police because

the individual originated it may

1:43:131:43:17

still be serving a custodial

sentence for precisely this form of

1:43:171:43:26

activity with this example are part

of the case taken against him. The

1:43:261:43:32

purpose of this Bill was, if this

was the broadcast media, television,

1:43:321:43:35

if this was radio, but this was

newspapers, and they failed to

1:43:351:43:43

cooperate -- if this was newspapers,

then I would be free to take civil

1:43:431:43:48

action against them. Government

could take action against them.

1:43:481:43:52

Please could take action against

them. To take action the courts

1:43:521:43:58

would potentially be complicated but

the fact it is possible would and

1:43:581:44:04

does mean that newspapers with

broadcast media, with radio, that

1:44:041:44:10

they are cooperative. Both with

individuals and with the police.

1:44:101:44:16

When it comes to the internet

company we have no such powers. Our

1:44:161:44:23

law comes from the 1896 United

States communications decency act

1:44:231:44:34

section 2:3.0. -- 19 96. It says

explicitly community is conferred

1:44:341:44:42

upon the operators of internet

services who are not to be deemed

1:44:421:44:47

publishers of and therefore not

legally liable for the words of

1:44:471:44:50

third parties who use their

services. In our law this comes from

1:44:501:44:58

the European Commission and the

European Union, the European

1:44:581:45:05

directive 2000-31 of the European

Parliament and Council of the 8th of

1:45:051:45:12

June 2000 which was harmonised into

UK law by an electronic commerce EC

1:45:121:45:17

directive predilections 2002. It

again gives publishers immunity

1:45:171:45:26

explicitly to the internet companies

which is not there in a free and

1:45:261:45:32

competitive market for newspapers,

television, radio. In other words a

1:45:321:45:38

specific community only solely

exclusively for internet companies.

1:45:381:45:44

I am not seeking, and indeed I am

sure Parliament would not seek, to

1:45:441:45:54

interfere with the rights of free

speech and the rights of a free

1:45:541:45:58

internet. But the Democratic

internet in exactly the same way we

1:45:581:46:02

have a democratic media and free

press has to have the ability that

1:46:021:46:10

if there are criminal acts being

carried out that directly impact on

1:46:101:46:16

us, and these two examples do

potentially in relation to me, my

1:46:161:46:20

staff, my family. And indeed one has

had a criminal prosecution and

1:46:201:46:26

imprisonment. We ought to have the

right to use that format. What would

1:46:261:46:32

happen if we did? Internet companies

would cooperate immediately. It is

1:46:321:46:39

absurd that the police in this

country cannot force Twitter or

1:46:391:46:44

Facebook or Google or any of the

others to provide evidence required

1:46:441:46:50

for criminal prosecutions, criminal

prosecutions. It is done on

1:46:501:46:56

goodwill. And successive governments

have attempted, are attempting, to

1:46:561:47:04

get good codes of conduct, the

internet companies have their

1:47:041:47:07

conditions of service where they say

what they will do. Well, let me give

1:47:071:47:11

an example where I would consider

taking action. It would be precisely

1:47:111:47:17

where those terms and conditions

have been broken and the internet

1:47:171:47:21

company has failed to act

appropriately. That is precisely an

1:47:211:47:26

example where their own terms and

conditions are being broken but they

1:47:261:47:29

are failing to act. It cannot be

right that our place with Twitter

1:47:291:47:35

for example can wait very many weeks

and are not guaranteed evidence they

1:47:351:47:42

require, it could be to do with

terrorism, other violent threats,

1:47:421:47:48

but criminality cannot get that.

This simple removal from exemption,

1:47:481:47:55

equalising the markets with the

television companies, with radio,

1:47:551:48:02

the free newspapers, would create an

equal playing field in the media

1:48:021:48:10

market and would get rid of some of

the absurdities which mean that the

1:48:101:48:14

same thing can be impacted on, say,

media, but run simultaneously with

1:48:141:48:23

that those powers with the internet.

There are countless examples. The

1:48:231:48:28

House of Lords, there was a very

good debate initiated by Baroness

1:48:281:48:32

Kidron, I haven't got the time to go

through that and I recommend that to

1:48:321:48:40

the House, but she went through

precisely a social media companies

1:48:401:48:47

are commissioning, editing and

curating content for broadcasting

1:48:471:48:49

and our publishing. It affects our

societal values. For example the

1:48:491:48:57

spreading of fake news. We have seen

it on the internet with the

1:48:571:49:02

potential outbreak of measles from

big news about inoculations, nothing

1:49:021:49:07

government could do in relation to

that if the internet company fails

1:49:071:49:14

to act, public health in this

country could be a threat. Should

1:49:141:49:17

government choose to do that? That

is a different set of questions.

1:49:171:49:21

Different set of decisions. But

government cannot do that because

1:49:211:49:25

government doesn't have the power to

do that. We are seeing mounting

1:49:251:49:29

pressure. Germany has adopted a

fairly modest system in terms of the

1:49:291:49:37

potential to applying for a failure

to remove content within 24 hours.

1:49:371:49:41

Australia has built-in and ease

safety Commissioner. This Bill

1:49:411:49:46

suggests a similar thing could

happen in this country. But at its

1:49:461:49:52

core we need to treat the internet

companies in exactly the same way as

1:49:521:49:59

other media, whereby a free media

can be taken to court if they are

1:49:591:50:04

failing to cooperate on criminality.

What is good enough for TV, radio

1:50:041:50:10

and newspapers is good enough for

social media and the internet. I

1:50:101:50:14

recommend this proposed Bill to the

House, Mr Deputy Speaker.

As many of

1:50:141:50:23

the opinion say aye. I come to who

will prepare to bring in your Bill?

1:50:231:50:34

Ruth Snead, Lucy Birdsall, Lillian

Greenwood, Anna Turley, Nicky

1:50:341:50:39

Morgan, Andrew Percy, Liz Seibel

Roberts, Lisa Cameron, and myself.

1:50:391:50:47

Excellent. John Mann.

LAUGHTER

1:50:471:50:57

Very important!

1:50:571:51:08

Social media service providers...

Second reading what they? Friday,

1:51:191:51:26

April 27.

On a Friday? Excellent.

Keep going, while you can.

1:51:261:51:44

The working group was convened by

the Prime Minister last November,

1:52:341:52:39

supported by all party leaders.

The

question is as order paper. The ayes

1:52:391:52:56

have it. When I come to the motion

on the Independent complaints and

1:52:561:53:03

grievance policy, I have selected it

in the name of Kevin Byron. I now

1:53:031:53:11

call the Leader of the House to move

the motion.

Thank you, a bit of

1:53:111:53:20

Groundhog Day here. I beg to move

the motion standing on the order

1:53:201:53:23

paper in my name and those of my

working group colleagues. The

1:53:231:53:27

working group was convened by the

Prime Minister last November

1:53:271:53:30

supported by all party leaders. To

address serious allegations of abuse

1:53:301:53:37

and harassment in Parliament. I

announce the publication of the

1:53:371:53:40

group's report before February

recess, and I hope members have

1:53:401:53:50

considered the more detail. We're

all at the bid is no place for

1:53:501:53:54

harassment, abuse and misconduct in

Parliament. We need to ensure there

1:53:541:53:59

are robust procedures in place so

everyone is able to work with the

1:53:591:54:03

dignity and protection that they

deserve. I believe the working group

1:54:031:54:09

proposals do that. During the course

of its work, the group took

1:54:091:54:13

extensive evidence in person and

writing from a wide variety of

1:54:131:54:19

stakeholders including parliamentary

officials, staff of MPs and peers,

1:54:191:54:23

trade unions, academics, authorities

and sexual violence and legal

1:54:231:54:27

professionals. The group also

conducted a survey open to a wide

1:54:271:54:31

range of people including a number

of pass-holders who had not been

1:54:311:54:37

asked for the experience of bullying

and harassment. Many people have

1:54:371:54:42

devoted a considerable amount of

time to this work, and after more

1:54:421:54:45

than 100 hours of discussion,

consultation and consideration, I

1:54:451:54:52

believe we have proposals for the

House to consider today that will

1:54:521:54:55

fundamentally change the working

culture in Parliament for the

1:54:551:54:58

better. I would like to turn to

these proposals, and briefly set

1:54:581:55:04

them out for the House. They are as

follows. Firstly, Parliament will

1:55:041:55:10

agree a shared behaviour code, which

will apply to everyone on the estate

1:55:101:55:14

or engaged in parliamentary business

regardless of location, and will

1:55:141:55:20

underpin the new policy. It will

make clear the expectations for the

1:55:201:55:25

behaviour of everyone in the

parliamentary community and will be

1:55:251:55:28

consulted on and on that basis.

Secondly, the new complaints and

1:55:281:55:32

grievance procedure will be

independent from political parties.

1:55:321:55:38

Thirdly, it was acknowledged that

sexual harassment and violence are

1:55:381:55:42

different from other forms of

inappropriate behaviour, such as

1:55:421:55:47

bullying and intimidation.

Therefore, separate procedures will

1:55:471:55:49

be agreed for those looking to raise

a complaint regarding sexual

1:55:491:55:53

harassment to those with a complaint

of bullying. This is an important

1:55:531:55:59

distinction, and while everyone has

acknowledged the significance of

1:55:591:56:03

complaints of sexual harassment,

evidence from staff made clear that

1:56:031:56:06

instances of intimidation and

bullying are more prevalent. So, MPs

1:56:061:56:17

staff need HR advice, which has been

lacking, and this will go to a long

1:56:171:56:21

-- go a long way of resolving

workplace grievances. Importantly,

1:56:211:56:27

the new system will be based on the

principles of equality, it will be

1:56:271:56:32

confidential and fair to all

parties, it will be in line with the

1:56:321:56:36

laws of natural justice, and it will

command the confidence of those who

1:56:361:56:41

will use it. The working group took

advice at an early stage that rather

1:56:411:56:47

than reinvent the wheel, we should

work with and build on the many

1:56:471:56:52

sound processes and systems already

in place here. Today we are bringing

1:56:521:56:58

forward a motion that will enable

the House commission to authorise

1:56:581:57:03

House officials to take forward the

recommendations of the group and

1:57:031:57:06

implement proposals in full. This is

a big step towards creating a more

1:57:061:57:14

professional environment and the

Parliament among the best in the

1:57:141:57:16

world in treating people with

dignity and respect at work.

I'm

1:57:161:57:24

grateful to her forgiving way and

want to commend her for her work on

1:57:241:57:28

this report. She will agree that

Parliament should be a for Best

1:57:281:57:32

practice rather than playing catch

up, so we need to make sure the

1:57:321:57:39

procedures relate to everyone,

including crucially extending to

1:57:391:57:42

constituency officers, and visitors

to offices as soon as possible. Can

1:57:421:57:48

she reassure us that this is a real

priority for her going forward?

I

1:57:481:57:55

would like to pay tribute to the

honourable lady who is an assiduous

1:57:551:57:59

contributor to the work of the

working group, and I thank sincerely

1:57:591:58:03

for her dedication. We can recall

these happy hours debating that

1:58:031:58:09

point, and we concluded in the end

that this is a priority to make sure

1:58:091:58:15

the behaviour code will extend

protection to all those coming into

1:58:151:58:24

Parliament, but in the immediate

future we should focus on bedding in

1:58:241:58:29

a new complaints procedure dealing

with the Palace of Westminster and

1:58:291:58:33

our work in parliamentary duties,

and that as soon as possible, once

1:58:331:58:36

it is bedded down through a review

six months after its operation of

1:58:361:58:41

how we should deal with others who

come into contact with MPs, where

1:58:411:58:45

there is the tricky grey area about,

where is your public life and we

1:58:451:58:49

lose your private life? I hope she

is reassured once again by

1:58:491:58:53

committing that we must look at

that, she is exactly right.

I

1:58:531:59:00

appreciate her giving way. Can I

ask, going into the definitions of

1:59:001:59:06

bullying, why are the older

versions... The most recent version

1:59:061:59:13

takes away the issue of

1:59:131:59:17

intentionality, because often

perpetrators hide behind that.

What

1:59:171:59:19

I can say is that the work on the

detailed procedures including

1:59:191:59:26

definitions will be finalised once

the authorities get under way to put

1:59:261:59:33

the proposals in place, and if she

wants to propose a different

1:59:331:59:36

definition, I am very pleased to

look at it and will take into

1:59:361:59:41

account all views in the area. So, I

am committed to ensuring that work

1:59:411:59:48

proceeds apace over the next few

months, and I am pleased to report

1:59:481:59:52

the House authorities have already

begun preliminary work on several

1:59:521:59:57

work streams needed to implement

these policies. Members will also

1:59:572:00:01

want to know that the following four

interim steps have already been

2:00:012:00:05

taken to improve services available,

and I have mentioned these

2:00:052:00:08

previously because we wanted to

ensure we had immediate steps

2:00:082:00:13

following the serious allegations

that we all heard about last

2:00:132:00:18

November, so firstly, enhanced

support arrangements have been

2:00:182:00:21

provided through the extension of

the employee assistance programme

2:00:212:00:24

helpline run by health are sure to.

Secondly, face-to-face counselling

2:00:242:00:29

sessions can be offered with

appropriate. Thirdly, an interim

2:00:292:00:34

service providing HR advice for

member staff was launched in

2:00:342:00:38

January, and fourth, political

parties have all updated the

2:00:382:00:41

behaviour codes and published them

on the parliamentary intranet. This

2:00:412:00:47

demonstrates we have already taken

urgent action, but the new

2:00:472:00:50

procedures will go much further. For

the benefit of members not present

2:00:502:00:58

at my last statement, I will turn

briefly to the process of making a

2:00:582:01:02

complaint or raising grievance

against a member of the House. As

2:01:022:01:06

colleagues will appreciate, the

process for raising complaints

2:01:062:01:09

against other members of the

parliamentary community such as

2:01:092:01:14

peers, members and peers staff, and

contractors, will each differ

2:01:142:01:18

according to the role. All

procedures are designed for the

2:01:182:01:22

protection of staff and

parliamentarians alike, and have

2:01:222:01:25

their own is at the heart. So, it is

intended that the House authorities

2:01:252:01:32

will procure two independent

services. 12 consider allegations of

2:01:322:01:40

violence, and 12 consider workplace

bullying. Where a resolution is not

2:01:402:01:50

possible and a complaint is upheld,

it will be referred to the

2:01:502:01:54

parliamentary commission. The role

of the commission will be expanded

2:01:542:02:05

and reformed, she will be able to

impose a new range of sanctions

2:02:052:02:09

which may include a written apology,

mandatory training or future

2:02:092:02:14

behaviour agreements. The

commissioner will be able to review

2:02:142:02:17

any finding by the independent

investigator, and where she does so,

2:02:172:02:20

she will ensure that have

investigations are also strictly

2:02:202:02:25

confidential, that both the

complainant and alleged perpetrator

2:02:252:02:27

have access to all evidence, and

crucially, each has a right to

2:02:272:02:33

representation or to represent

themselves. These measures will

2:02:332:02:37

ensure fairness. In the most serious

of cases, the Commissioner will

2:02:372:02:42

refer her findings to the committee

on standards. The committee can

2:02:422:02:46

recommend to the House that an

individual is suspended and the

2:02:462:02:49

House will vote on the

recommendation. It is to this route

2:02:492:02:54

that the existing procedures under

the recall of MPs after 2015 could

2:02:542:02:59

be invoked. The trigger for a recall

remains the same as it is now, and

2:02:592:03:02

it is no plan for changes to primary

legislation. The working group

2:03:022:03:09

recognised the fact that those who

work in this place are often in the

2:03:092:03:13

media spotlight and that vexatious

and malicious complaints at a risk.

2:03:132:03:17

The new procedures will therefore

ensure checks and balances are in

2:03:172:03:21

place to guard against complaints,

while also making sure complainants

2:03:212:03:24

can come forward in a safe and

confidential manner. I will turn

2:03:242:03:32

into more detail in individual work

streams to implement these streams.

2:03:322:03:38

We expect six major work streams to

be established, and I would like to

2:03:382:03:41

address these individually. It is

the intention that most of these

2:03:412:03:45

work streams will be completed in

three months' time more or less.

2:03:452:03:49

Firstly, and importantly, a new

behaviour code for parliament will

2:03:492:03:54

be developed. This was a key

recommendation of the working group

2:03:542:03:58

report. It will ensure that we're

all aware of and able to promote the

2:03:582:04:03

high standards expected in the

parliamentary community. It will

2:04:032:04:06

cover all those working in

Westminster and constituency offices

2:04:062:04:10

and all pass-holders. With the

approval of the House we will

2:04:102:04:16

consult on the new behaviour code.

It is important that those who would

2:04:162:04:19

be subject to the code will have the

opportunity to contribute to its

2:04:192:04:24

development. This code must be

something that underpins us all, it

2:04:242:04:31

will be able to investigate and

resolve allegations of bullying,

2:04:312:04:36

harassment and sexual harassment. It

will also be the cornerstone of

2:04:362:04:40

cultural change... It is our

intention the behaviour code will be

2:04:402:04:48

brought forward within three months.

Secondly, there will be an

2:04:482:04:54

implementation work stream around

the bullying and harassment

2:04:542:04:56

procedure. This will develop

detailed policies and procedures,

2:04:562:05:02

and commission a new reporting

helpline and workplace dispute

2:05:022:05:05

resolution service. The new helpline

will signpost new available

2:05:052:05:13

services, and they will investigate

independently allegations of

2:05:132:05:17

bullying and intimidation. Dedicated

emotional and practical support for

2:05:172:05:20

all those involved in a complaint

will be an important aspect of the

2:05:202:05:25

new services. Thirdly, there will be

a separate work stream... Could I

2:05:252:05:31

just finished this point then I will

give way? Thirdly there will be a

2:05:312:05:34

work stream commissioning a new

independent specialist service

2:05:342:05:39

around sexual harassment and

violence. A single point of ongoing

2:05:392:05:43

support will be provided for

complainants by an independent

2:05:432:05:47

sexual violence adviser.

Investigations of misconduct will be

2:05:472:05:53

able to be conducted by an

independent investigator with a

2:05:532:05:58

specialist qualification in

understanding sexual harassment. I

2:05:582:06:00

will give way.

Thank you for being

generous with your time. Could I

2:06:002:06:06

just caution the media once again

about the issue of mediation due to

2:06:062:06:12

the inequalities of power regarding

billing and sexual harassment, --

2:06:122:06:17

bullying. We want to ensure there

are clear processes that ensure

2:06:172:06:22

equality of power, and often

mediation has the reverse effect.

I

2:06:222:06:27

hope I can reassure her that the

issues she raises really was at the

2:06:272:06:32

core of all of the evidence we took

and all of the discussions we had

2:06:322:06:36

done the determination of the

working group to address the issue

2:06:362:06:42

of imbalance of power, to make sure

at the heart of the whole procedure

2:06:422:06:48

is the interest of the complainant,

so it is very much complainant lead,

2:06:482:06:52

to ensure people do feel safe and

able to come forward in a safe space

2:06:522:06:59

without the fear of being

intimidated further. So, I think I

2:06:592:07:03

can reassure her on that point, but

I am very happy to speak to her

2:07:032:07:08

separately about that, if she wants

further the assurance. Fourthly, new

2:07:082:07:14

training is already available to

help people understand more clearly

2:07:142:07:18

what types of behaviour might be

considered bullying or harassment

2:07:182:07:21

and the impact it can have on

individuals. This is the first step

2:07:212:07:27

towards implementing the working

group's recommendation that the new

2:07:272:07:31

independent grievance and complaints

policy needs to be supported by a

2:07:312:07:34

comprehensive training programme.

Training will be a significant work

2:07:342:07:40

stream and will include learning

opportunities for members and their

2:07:402:07:44

officers. A new induction programme

has also been introduced, with the

2:07:442:07:51

first session this week in response

to the working group's request.

2:07:512:07:57

Other individual areas of work,

including the fifth work stream, are

2:07:572:08:01

already underway, including work to

prepare for a third-party supplier

2:08:012:08:09

of HR advice. This will be supported

by a new member staff bit, and the

2:08:092:08:14

first draft has already been

compiled by IPSC and the House

2:08:142:08:17

authorities. Finally, the working

group has been clear back to

2:08:172:08:23

implement a number of the proposals,

the sixth work stream will develop

2:08:232:08:26

the Met and processes of the

parliamentary -- the re-met and

2:08:262:08:32

processes of the parliamentary

processes in each House. This means

2:08:322:08:40

liaising with each other as

necessary. Changes will also be

2:08:402:08:43

likely to be needed at the end of

these processes to the existing

2:08:432:08:48

parliamentary codes, not least to...

I welcome the clarity given by the

2:08:482:08:56

order paper, and I can assure

members that having recently met

2:08:562:09:04

with the new commissioner of the

standards myself and Shedlock --

2:09:042:09:08

scheduled a meeting with the

standards committee, I can give the

2:09:082:09:11

assurance that consultation will

continue and will form a key part of

2:09:112:09:15

the next age of our work. It is

important that the development of

2:09:152:09:23

these work streams is underpinned by

fairness, confidentiality and add a

2:09:232:09:27

key ignition of the unique

environment in which these

2:09:272:09:30

procedures are being implemented.

The new arrangements must be

2:09:302:09:34

monitored and reviewed and embedded

as part of a wider change in

2:09:342:09:39

culture. I would like to pay tribute

in this regard to the political

2:09:392:09:46

affairs committee. Unfortunately the

letter was omitted from the list of

2:09:462:09:55

written submissions, for which I

apologise. One of the suggestions

2:09:552:09:58

made in the submission was the

importance of the review and

2:09:582:10:03

scrutiny of the working group's

proposals. It is our attention --

2:10:032:10:06

intention that once the proposals

have been implemented, a Crosshouse

2:10:062:10:11

body order group will assess the

operation of the new processes. In

2:10:112:10:16

the meantime a steering group whose

membership will be based on the

2:10:162:10:22

composition of the working group

will oversee the implementation

2:10:222:10:24

period.

2:10:242:10:31

I am

period.

2:10:312:10:32

I am confident

period.

2:10:322:10:32

I am confident the

period.

2:10:322:10:32

I am confident the measures

period.

2:10:322:10:32

I am confident the measures the

period.

2:10:322:10:32

I am confident the measures the

working group has recommended will

2:10:322:10:34

provide the basis with the

significant and sustainable changes

2:10:342:10:36

to which we all aspire. A parliament

that provides dignity and work for

2:10:362:10:42

all. We need to make sure that our

Parliament is among the best in the

2:10:422:10:48

world, demonstrating our commitment

to equality, justice and fairness. I

2:10:482:10:56

hope the House will interest the

working group's recommendations

2:10:562:10:58

today.

The question is as on the

order paper.

Then I think the Leader

2:10:582:11:10

of the House but opening the debate,

it is now the fourth time this

2:11:102:11:14

matter has been before the House and

it is good we can continue to debate

2:11:142:11:18

this important topic. We have had

three statements and know this

2:11:182:11:23

motion. If we cast our minds back it

was to the first meeting the Prime

2:11:232:11:27

Minister and leaders of other

representatives of the party, that

2:11:272:11:31

was on Monday the 6th of November 20

17. The report was published on the

2:11:312:11:37

8th of February 20 18. I certainly

have passed it on to every member of

2:11:372:11:43

the opposition. I want to place on

record my thanks to all the staff

2:11:432:11:48

involved putting together the report

and all colleagues involved in the

2:11:482:11:56

working group. All this motion does

is set out the works at the House

2:11:562:11:59

authorities have to undertake. There

needs to be time at how to put the

2:11:592:12:03

processes and procedures in place

and of course the working group

2:12:032:12:08

can't do that. To pick up the point

of my friend the honourable member

2:12:082:12:12

for York Central who worked on this

sector previously, what happened to

2:12:122:12:22

the full-time permanent person who

feeds into the some of the leader

2:12:222:12:25

has outlined in detail the work that

needs to be done so I will confine

2:12:252:12:35

myself to very two reef areas. As to

training, and any programme, I don't

2:12:352:12:44

consider to be, it is not the

judgment of people's views but just

2:12:442:12:51

to ensure everyone is in the same

place, and it will be useful for all

2:12:512:12:56

members to update with the latest

and behaviour in a working place.

I

2:12:562:13:05

am grateful. Can we not ensure that

training is mandatory, face-to-face

2:13:052:13:14

and also we don't have to wait until

the next Parliament but it is

2:13:142:13:18

brought in within this year.

I think

the honourable friend for her

2:13:182:13:24

comments and I've would want to see

this from any training programme. I

2:13:242:13:29

think we expect something to be put

in place after three months when the

2:13:292:13:33

permanent person has looked at all

the details of what they have to do.

2:13:332:13:40

The Leader of the House knows that a

few people have been asked and were

2:13:402:13:47

allowed to join the group, but in my

view I think the steering group

2:13:472:13:52

should be a bit more representative

and perhaps include other groups and

2:13:522:13:56

unions. I would support the

inclusion of the House trade union

2:13:562:14:02

side to widen the representation

slightly but maybe the numbers on

2:14:022:14:06

the steering group need to be

reduced. But most importantly to

2:14:062:14:10

wear number of new initiatives set

up and when those events first hit

2:14:102:14:16

us in November Mr Speaker acted very

swiftly and extended the helpline to

2:14:162:14:24

24 hours and seven days a week from

health assured and it would be

2:14:242:14:29

useful to have those figures and how

that is used, perhaps at the next

2:14:292:14:33

commission meeting because it would

be six months it would have been

2:14:332:14:36

extended to every single person

working on the estate. I don't

2:14:362:14:43

underestimate the amount of work

that these to be done by the House

2:14:432:14:46

authorities and while it is useful

to get updates from time to time

2:14:462:14:49

they do need to be left to get on

with the work. Consulting with the

2:14:492:14:57

member programmes Valley and his

Committee and Essex and his

2:14:572:15:04

Committee and all members of the

other have something to offer. It is

2:15:042:15:08

only when processors are in place

and usable we know if they are

2:15:082:15:12

robust and command the sport of

those who seek to use them. The

2:15:122:15:17

opposition support the motion is

tabled and amended and look forward

2:15:172:15:21

to be updated. We thank the staff

are taking on this task so we have a

2:15:212:15:27

truly modern Parliament where

everyone knows the boundaries of

2:15:272:15:30

acceptable behaviour in a safe and

secure workplace.

2:15:302:15:43

It is just a few months since

Parliament faced a wave of

2:15:432:15:48

allegations and bullying and sexual

harassment, and atmosphere in richer

2:15:482:15:53

times it was hard to distinguish,

serious cases from the proliferation

2:15:532:15:57

accusations and rumours. It exposed

a lack of credible and transparent

2:15:572:16:06

and robust system for existing

complaints and periods is about

2:16:062:16:11

bullying and sexual harassment. It

led to the establishment of the

2:16:112:16:14

working group and their report which

I fully support and it is carefully

2:16:142:16:19

drafted and reflect a great deal of

thought and discussion. The working

2:16:192:16:23

group has proposed to burst the

adoption of a new shared behaviour

2:16:232:16:27

code for all who work in Parliament

and its members. Secondly the

2:16:272:16:31

introduction of a new independent

complaints and grievance policy to

2:16:312:16:38

reflect this. There's not

unsurprisingly concentrates on

2:16:382:16:41

creating new rules and the

procedures for investigating

2:16:412:16:45

incidents and complaints by police

to try to address the present

2:16:452:16:49

hodgepodge arrangements from which

different categories of people and

2:16:492:16:53

the glaring gaps of this system of

how we employ and care for our

2:16:532:16:59

staff. The working group has rightly

spent a lot of time discussing and

2:16:592:17:06

defining what constitutes the bad

behaviours that must be called out.

2:17:062:17:10

But there is also a need to address

how Parliament arrived at this

2:17:102:17:15

situation. How a culture of

tolerance towards bullying and

2:17:152:17:19

sexual harassment became embedded

and let substantially unchallenged

2:17:192:17:23

until now. Very few people who come

into political life at whatever

2:17:232:17:28

level and would have the capacity in

this building to work in Parliament,

2:17:282:17:34

very few are bad people and most are

appalled about the culture that has

2:17:342:17:40

been exposed. So how have we let

this happen close like after all,

2:17:402:17:48

MPs are already subject to the House

of Commons code of conduct will stop

2:17:482:17:52

as employers we are already covered

by employment law and there is the

2:17:522:17:56

respect policy there to protect

staff of the House. It is clear

2:17:562:18:00

however that there needs to be a

wider and continuing discussion

2:18:002:18:04

about the positive attitudes and

kinds of behaviour that we want to

2:18:042:18:09

promote in Parliament and in public

life and what the values and

2:18:092:18:15

principles are upon which those

positive attitudes and behaviours

2:18:152:18:17

should be based. The remit of the

public administration Constitutional

2:18:172:18:24

affairs Committee which I chair

includes oversight of the Committee

2:18:242:18:30

and public web, ministerial code,

civil service code and special

2:18:302:18:32

advisers code and the workers

concerned with leadership and

2:18:322:18:38

governance in the civil service and

public bodies so we have done a lot

2:18:382:18:42

of work on this area. In December

they submitted evidence to the

2:18:422:18:47

working group showing drawing on

work it has carried out in other

2:18:472:18:52

areas. This was in the form of the

letter to the Leader of the House

2:18:522:18:57

which might right honourable friend

very kindly acknowledged was not

2:18:572:19:00

included amongst the record of

written submissions received by the

2:19:002:19:03

group and I know it was

substantially discussed and I'm

2:19:032:19:06

grateful to the spokesman for the

opposition for drawing attention to

2:19:062:19:12

it. Some of the reasons for our

failures are practical and

2:19:122:19:18

procedural. The working group has

made great strides to address these.

2:19:182:19:22

However it is also clear that there

is confusion among MPs and others

2:19:222:19:29

about the behaviour should be

subject to public scrutiny. And what

2:19:292:19:32

should be regarded as entirely

private. As we argued in our

2:19:322:19:37

submission to the Parliamentary

commission standards review of the

2:19:372:19:42

House of Commons code of conduct

last year this commission is not

2:19:422:19:46

resolved by our own current Commons

code. Far from it. As PACAC set out,

2:19:462:19:52

in fact, I was there is a

fundamental ambiguity as to whether

2:19:522:20:01

our Commons code of conduct is

intended to function as a set of

2:20:012:20:06

principles which govern the whole of

members behaviour which would

2:20:062:20:09

naturally extend to a degree into

private sphere of MPs conduct or

2:20:092:20:14

whether it is intended simply as a

set of regulations which are mostly

2:20:142:20:21

about financial disclosures relating

only to an MP's public role. And in

2:20:212:20:26

fact the 2015 code states that it

does not seek to regulate what

2:20:262:20:30

members do in their private and

personal lives and yet it is clear

2:20:302:20:35

from these recent controversies that

it is not always possible to keep

2:20:352:20:37

the two are separate as many of us

would like. The risk is now that

2:20:372:20:44

this new behaviour code will be once

again mainly concerned with rules

2:20:442:20:50

and regulations and new procedures

for enforcement and that this is

2:20:502:20:55

just patched onto the present system

which has manifestly failed in at

2:20:552:21:00

least one of its main objectives,

which is to promote public

2:21:002:21:02

confidence in the standards we

observe in Parliament we should not

2:21:022:21:06

be surprised if problems continue to

rise. The working group is right to

2:21:062:21:13

promote a system of training to

support the new behaviour code. I

2:21:132:21:18

think there is going to be some

problems persuading some of our

2:21:182:21:21

colleagues that they should be

subject to such training and I will

2:21:212:21:23

come to that point in a moment. It

is easy to put into a document like

2:21:232:21:29

this but the practicalities of

persuading people to participate,

2:21:292:21:34

but what about extending that to

training about what the seven

2:21:342:21:38

principles of public life are

actually intended to mean in our

2:21:382:21:44

lives and of all the public figures

in this place? I give way.

I can't

2:21:442:21:51

quite keep waiting until he tells

you whether or not he will agree

2:21:512:21:54

that in order to persuade colleagues

to undertake some training, some

2:21:542:21:58

kind of sanctions might concentrate

people's minds. For example having

2:21:582:22:01

paid out or something similar.

I am

so much more in favour of persuasion

2:22:012:22:08

than coercion. And in the end can I

just tell the honourable lady you

2:22:082:22:14

can lead a horse to water but you

cannot make them drink. You could

2:22:142:22:20

force MPs to attend a training

session but what kind of attitude

2:22:202:22:24

would they have two words that

training if they did not feel it was

2:22:242:22:28

something they wanted to do. Just

take a step back and think about how

2:22:282:22:34

we want to do this. I do agree with

her. Unless we promote conversation

2:22:342:22:40

and understanding about the

principles and values that should

2:22:402:22:45

guide behaviour, the risk is

confusion about what is acceptable

2:22:452:22:48

or not will persist. Rules and

regulations are of course important

2:22:482:22:56

but PACAC's work has shown so often

that when rules are not underpinned

2:22:562:23:00

by clear principles and values which

are understood, discussed and talked

2:23:002:23:02

about, the outcome is a

preoccupation with compliance with

2:23:022:23:08

the rules rather than upholding but

reflects the values and principles

2:23:082:23:13

that we want to see upheld. The road

to damnation, the road to damnation

2:23:132:23:19

is all too congested these days with

people who argue as conduct was,

2:23:192:23:25

could, within the rule, unquote.

I

am very much enjoying his comments

2:23:252:23:33

and it is what we can do to improve

the culture of this place and I

2:23:332:23:39

wholeheartedly endorse his

suggestion of training on the simple

2:23:392:23:42

principles of public life. I think

we probably need some sanctions in

2:23:422:23:49

training but we need a different way

of looking at it, there is an

2:23:492:23:52

arrogance people have and they seem

to take the view that they didn't

2:23:522:23:54

need training as a learning should

be something that we stop at the age

2:23:542:23:58

of 18 when we leave full-time

education rather than something we

2:23:582:24:01

should continually aim to find out

more and work out how to do our job

2:24:012:24:06

and fulfil responsibilities better,

continual learning and continual

2:24:062:24:08

training.

I couldn't agree more with

the honourable lady and they so much

2:24:082:24:16

want there to win this argument and

hearts and minds with this idyllic

2:24:162:24:20

rather than have to resort to

coercion which would be so

2:24:202:24:28

counter-productive in terms of what

she really wants to be achieved,

2:24:282:24:32

because to avoid just being

preoccupied with compliance in the

2:24:322:24:40

future, but the regulations and the

principles and values that we won't

2:24:402:24:44

behaviour to reflect must be clearly

set out and adjudicated. Perhaps

2:24:442:24:49

only a breach of the rules attracts

sanction but nevertheless there

2:24:492:24:53

needs to be some authority and we

suggest in respect of MPs the

2:24:532:24:58

Parliamentary Commissioner for

standards who will at least call

2:24:582:25:01

that people who are failing to live

up to the principles and values we

2:25:012:25:04

have all signed up to. They also

argued in our submission that the

2:25:042:25:08

rules should be adjudicated by a

separate person with appropriate

2:25:082:25:13

legal expertise and the appointment

of legal advice the Parliamentary

2:25:132:25:17

Commissioner for standards is a

really good step in that direction

2:25:172:25:21

and in fact the Parliamentary

Commissioner for standards has one

2:25:212:25:24

of the thought leaders is perhaps

one of the more important than her

2:25:242:25:28

role as adjudicator of rules.

2:25:282:25:33

The working group recognises the

need for comprehensive training for

2:25:332:25:36

MPs, peers and staff to help them

understand harassment and sexual

2:25:362:25:41

abuse and to assist professional

practice and members in their

2:25:412:25:48

positions and employers. It is

essential to

2:25:482:26:00

who will not have the authority to

carry out that kind of training that

2:26:032:26:08

the honourable lady referred to

earlier. The culture of an

2:26:082:26:13

organisation is the responsibility

of its leaders. We parliamentarians

2:26:132:26:19

must be the champions of change or

will not happen. And we must be held

2:26:192:26:25

accountable for its success. We

cannot delegate this vital

2:26:252:26:28

government's function to anyone

else, and normal parliament secure

2:26:282:26:32

public trust if we seem incapable of

exercising effective governance. I

2:26:322:26:39

give way.

I wondered what his

concerns are about the standards

2:26:392:26:46

committee and the role of the

standards committee when it comes to

2:26:462:26:50

identifying what is relevant

sanction? Because the standards

2:26:502:26:54

committee is made up of some MPs are

least, it could be open to the

2:26:542:27:00

accusation of MPs marking their own

Hallmark, is essentially it is MPs

2:27:002:27:04

who will make your own decision over

whether a colleague is expelled long

2:27:042:27:13

enough.

All of these are good ideas,

in terms of marking our own

2:27:132:27:20

Hallmark, I think this is an

unavoidable consequence of the

2:27:202:27:24

constitutional position of this

House and the other place. But what

2:27:242:27:29

must be much more explicit is the

advice on which we are marking our

2:27:292:27:37

own Hallmark, and that is why I

think having legal advice for the

2:27:372:27:41

parliamentary commission over

standards is important, and in the

2:27:412:27:45

end having someone who simply

adjudicates or provides an

2:27:452:27:49

adjudication on far clearer legal

principles by someone who has

2:27:492:27:53

juridical experience of judging

evidence and drills, someone like a

2:27:532:28:00

judge, rather than this vague

arrangement we have at the moment.

2:28:002:28:04

That is not to criticise any past or

present parliamentary commissioner

2:28:042:28:08

for standards, it is just we asked

the person to take on the

2:28:082:28:11

responsibility to adjudicate on

rules and evidence they may not

2:28:112:28:18

actually have much training and

experience to do so. It is not a

2:28:182:28:22

qualification for the job, it is

only one of them, rather than the

2:28:222:28:28

qualification. I hope that answers

the question. On the instruction of

2:28:282:28:34

an independent complaints and

grievance policy to underpin the

2:28:342:28:36

behaviour code, I am delighted the

working group has recognised the

2:28:362:28:42

need to make sure behaviour can be

addressed effectively. They have

2:28:422:28:46

also recognised appropriate support

is available for complainants and

2:28:462:28:51

alleged perpetrators and crucially

the need for an HR service for MPs

2:28:512:28:55

and peers staff. I would like to

endorse the conclusions, the latter

2:28:552:29:00

of which was included in the working

group. -- submission to the working

2:29:002:29:05

group to the recent scandal is in

large part about a failure of our

2:29:052:29:16

own governments. This stems from a

degree of a field by Parliament to

2:29:162:29:20

establish means by which we can be

more mindful of ourselves as an

2:29:202:29:25

institution. As always, every action

there is are crying for more

2:29:252:29:31

comprehensive rules and tougher

sanctions against those who break

2:29:312:29:35

them, which is undoubtedly

important. Good governance is also

2:29:352:29:39

however about much more than this,

and we now have an opportunity to

2:29:392:29:42

have a much more positive

conversation about what values we

2:29:422:29:47

want to promote and that we expect

public leaders to live by them. They

2:29:472:29:53

hope the proposed behaviour code

will clearly set out these

2:29:532:29:56

principles and values and that the

review and scrutiny of the new

2:29:562:30:01

system's success will assess how

successfully the principles and

2:30:012:30:09

values are embedded in attitude and

behaviour. This reform also needs to

2:30:092:30:14

be properly integrated into reformed

House of Commons code of conduct,

2:30:142:30:19

and I know my right honourable

friend has said there will be

2:30:192:30:23

changes to the code as a consequence

to this. My right honourable friend

2:30:232:30:30

the Leader of the House emphasised

how the working group agrees that

2:30:302:30:32

there should be a review of the

recommendations once implemented.

2:30:322:30:38

The recommendation is that this

should be overseen by a joint

2:30:382:30:42

committee of both houses, which

should also include representatives

2:30:422:30:45

of unions and employees,

organisations like the working

2:30:452:30:49

group, and it should cover the codes

of conduct of both houses. If such a

2:30:492:30:55

review is not conducted and we fail

to integrate the new arrangements

2:30:552:30:59

fully with the existing arrangements

in both houses, I feel we will not

2:30:592:31:03

have established a robust system for

the future that we all wished to

2:31:032:31:08

see.

Thank you, it is a pleasure to

follow the honourable gentleman. I

2:31:082:31:16

always seem to follow him with

debates in this House, which is

2:31:162:31:21

probably how it should be given his

thoughtful contributions. I want to

2:31:212:31:25

give about -- discuss a couple of

the issues. Can I thank the Leader

2:31:252:31:32

of the House and congratulate her

for the state leadership she offered

2:31:322:31:35

throughout the working group, she

mentioned 100 hours, and I looking

2:31:352:31:40

at my colleagues behind me and I

have to say it was not the most

2:31:402:31:45

peaceful 100 hours throughout the

sessions, and there was a fractious

2:31:452:31:48

debate around some of the issues,

but I think this is a solid

2:31:482:31:53

cross-party piece of work, and I

have to concede, I do not think in

2:31:532:31:58

my 17 years in the House but I have

been involved in a piece of work

2:31:582:32:05

that is so comprehensively looked

at, which is tribute to all members.

2:32:052:32:10

Mainly those in the chamber here

today, in the way they diligently

2:32:102:32:15

approach the work underway it is

done. It is a privilege to be part

2:32:152:32:18

of this working group and I hope to

have played some part in designing

2:32:182:32:23

this hugely important report. I also

want to pay thanks to the many

2:32:232:32:28

witnesses that came in front of the

working group and the staff that

2:32:282:32:32

played a vital role in helping

provide testimony to the working

2:32:322:32:36

group. I want to thank the

Secretariat, some of whom are here,

2:32:362:32:43

regarding this debate and produced

what is a very readable report. It

2:32:432:32:54

is also a new way of working, and

possibly they most innovative

2:32:542:32:58

feature is we have the staff from

the House on the working group, and

2:32:582:33:07

I think what that does is give added

legitimacy to this report and

2:33:072:33:11

hopefully go a long way to ensure it

is taken up with a great deal of

2:33:112:33:18

confidence from the staff who worked

on the report. I hope that in the

2:33:182:33:26

future we involve the staff in the

work, particularly when it comes to

2:33:262:33:31

House issues. We need to hear the

voices of the staff because as we

2:33:312:33:34

found out in the report, they have

solid contributions to make about

2:33:342:33:39

how the House functions. I believe

this is a significant and ambitious

2:33:392:33:46

piece of work which will hopefully

help to redefine the culture in the

2:33:462:33:52

Westminster workplace, and for me

the most important part of this

2:33:522:33:55

report is the first sentence of the

first paragraph which reads, all

2:33:552:34:01

those who work for or with

Parliament have a right to dignity

2:34:012:34:05

at work. Something you would feel

does not need to be said, but it

2:34:052:34:10

underpins everything throughout this

report, and I believe it cannot be

2:34:102:34:14

said enough and reiterated enough as

we go forward. If we look at the

2:34:142:34:22

parliamentary state, -- estate,

50,000 people work in and around the

2:34:222:34:25

estate. You have we are done

demanding members of parliament,

2:34:252:34:31

even weirder House of Lords, and the

staff who provide support so we can

2:34:312:34:36

stand here and make these grand

speeches and impress our

2:34:362:34:40

constituents. It is our staff that

provide us. So it is full of very

2:34:402:34:45

diverse and sometimes we're done

strange people, we would have to

2:34:452:34:47

conclude and concede. There is one

thing in common that should unite

2:34:472:34:55

everyone in this estate, and that is

the conviction that everyone who

2:34:552:34:58

works here has the right to expect

an environment free from bullying

2:34:582:35:06

and harassment, especially sexual

harassment. There should be zero

2:35:062:35:09

tolerance for any inappropriate

behaviour. And this report was not

2:35:092:35:16

created in a vacuum, it was a

response to some very serious

2:35:162:35:21

allegations that emerged at the end

of last year, when all parties got

2:35:212:35:27

together and decided something had

to be done and this had to be

2:35:272:35:29

addressed. It was such an issue that

something had to be done. It is also

2:35:292:35:37

part of the wider part of debate

going on following the Hardy when

2:35:372:35:47

steam allegations in Hollywood. We

are at a critical juncture about the

2:35:472:35:56

debate. -- Harvey Weinstein. Have to

decide what is and is not acceptable

2:35:562:36:05

and make an important contribution

to dignity in work. It is absolutely

2:36:052:36:10

essential that Parliament leads the

way. This is the forum of national

2:36:102:36:20

debate, and we would be shirking in

our responsibility if we did not put

2:36:202:36:24

out the strongest possible statement

that it is not acceptable in this

2:36:242:36:27

place as it should be unacceptable

in any workplace across the United

2:36:272:36:34

Kingdom. If we did not lead the way

and put in place procedures and

2:36:342:36:37

processes to deal with our own

issues, we would be letting down the

2:36:372:36:43

people we serve across this country.

We should set the example and I

2:36:432:36:46

believe this document does that. It

sets out clearly our commitment to

2:36:462:36:53

put our own House in order. We have

sort of got a sense of how big scale

2:36:532:36:59

this problem is in our particular

work place because as part of our

2:36:592:37:05

work in the working group we

commissioned a short survey asking

2:37:052:37:09

people in Parliament about the

experiences, and we got a very solid

2:37:092:37:14

response from members of staff who

worked across the estate, when asked

2:37:142:37:19

about the experiences regarding

bullying. 1377 responses. The

2:37:192:37:26

results of the survey, combined by

the survey done by Unite gave us a

2:37:262:37:40

sense of what was going on, and some

results were shocking. It revealed

2:37:402:37:45

that the bullying, harassment and

sexual harassment had been a feature

2:37:452:37:48

in the lives of so many people who

work in Parliament. 39% of all

2:37:482:37:57

respondents have reported an

experience of sexual harassment or

2:37:572:38:00

bullying in the past year. 19%

reported experience of sexual

2:38:002:38:03

harassment including sexually

inappropriate behaviour. I have

2:38:032:38:11

received an e-mail from the young

woman's trust, an important e-mail

2:38:112:38:16

which I saw too late to include in

this part of my speech, but it

2:38:162:38:20

emphasised clearly that there are

issues in workplaces right across

2:38:202:38:23

the country, and the figures the

sound in the workplace is that young

2:38:232:38:27

women currently work in is similar

to what we found in the House of

2:38:272:38:36

Commons. What we have heard is a new

shared code of behaviour which will

2:38:362:38:47

underpin the new complaints and

grievance policy. What we will have

2:38:472:38:50

is a new transparent system that

will apply natural justice at its

2:38:502:38:57

core. It will be independent of the

political parties, and that is a key

2:38:572:39:05

feature. There have been concerns

raised about the political parties'

2:39:052:39:11

ability to do this, and I think all

parties are just bad at doing this

2:39:112:39:17

stuff. What we have several

unresolved cases of people who have

2:39:172:39:22

been charged with all sorts of

activities, who have still not had

2:39:222:39:26

this how to properly, -- had it

heard properly, and there is a lot

2:39:262:39:32

of discussion about the failure to

take this up because of the fear

2:39:322:39:37

that the political parties will try

to defend and protect their own

2:39:372:39:42

political interest, so an

independent route is therefore

2:39:422:39:44

absolutely essential. Partied it

will still be available for people

2:39:442:39:48

who feel it is more important for

them, but I feel that the

2:39:482:39:54

independent route will be the one

routinely used, and if anyone raises

2:39:542:40:01

concerns it will be through the

independent route that it will be

2:40:012:40:04

taken. Another feature I found

helpful is the proposal that all our

2:40:042:40:08

staff secure... I was quite shocked

there was not that facility

2:40:082:40:15

available for members of staff, and

it is essential, given we are going

2:40:152:40:19

to go forward with new codes of

behaviour and procedures about

2:40:192:40:25

grievance resolving, that the

supporters going to be given to

2:40:252:40:28

stuff. I think this is an important

new innovation which I am certain

2:40:282:40:33

will be warmly received by members

of staff throughout the House.

2:40:332:40:40

It is the concerns about sexual

harassment that led to this group

2:40:412:40:43

being set up will stop in a report

we recognised that sexual harassment

2:40:432:40:49

is for the bleak different to other

forms of inappropriate behaviour and

2:40:492:40:54

requires and definitions, deceive

you as. This new confidential steam

2:40:542:41:02

will provide practical and emotional

support to any complainant and

2:41:022:41:04

respect absolutely that complainants

have confidentiality and have no

2:41:042:41:11

obligation to report criminal

offences to the police although they

2:41:112:41:13

will be supported if they feel it is

appropriate to do so. All reports

2:41:132:41:18

will be handled by a specialist

independent sexual violence adviser

2:41:182:41:24

who will be a single point of

contact throughout the seedings and

2:41:242:41:27

I think the way this has been

designed will give confidence to

2:41:272:41:30

anybody who wants to bring forward

and respect confidentiality and the

2:41:302:41:36

proper road mapping of how

complaints are going to be conducted

2:41:362:41:39

and progressed. Sanctions are

important. I was disappointed when

2:41:392:41:46

over Christmas a draft report was

leaked to the press and the way that

2:41:462:41:52

the press sought to portray present

this was nothing overdone and

2:41:522:41:56

apology that slap on the wrist that

members if they were found to be

2:41:562:42:02

guilty in respect of any

transgression committed, but there

2:42:022:42:05

was never anything of the sort. We

have put forward a range of

2:42:052:42:09

sanctions which will be in place

from resolution dispute resolving

2:42:092:42:14

where there might be necessary for

an apology but it goes on and

2:42:142:42:20

includes right up to the possibility

of recall of an MP and expulsion of

2:42:202:42:26

a member from the House of Lords and

the full range of sanctions is

2:42:262:42:30

included in the report. Lastly I

want to talk about the culture of

2:42:302:42:36

that house because this issue has

come up again and again and it is

2:42:362:42:40

really important that we have a look

at this. I hate the culture in this

2:42:402:42:44

House. I could never been bond of

being in the Commons. I know some of

2:42:442:42:49

my friends think it is a fantastic

place to live and work but I was

2:42:492:42:53

buying it a little bit

uncomfortable. It is maybe the

2:42:532:42:56

Scottish nationalist in me that

creates a little bit, that grew

2:42:562:43:01

grapes. This House has a peculiar

historic culture that practically

2:43:012:43:06

loses patriarchy and abuse of power.

I had a female friend in the House

2:43:062:43:12

just a few months ago and was very

conscious of these issues and she

2:43:122:43:15

told me that the portraits in this

place were practically seeming to

2:43:152:43:19

harass you because the way the

images are all set up and the

2:43:192:43:23

defining feature of this has are

embedded in this historic patriarchy

2:43:232:43:28

that we have in this place. Our

workplace is a weird bastion of

2:43:282:43:32

privilege where we call friends and

strangers and the legislation is

2:43:322:43:39

designed in a sea of blues with the

bar is that we have and the...

He is

2:43:392:43:49

making a good point about the sea of

alcohol in this place and witty

2:43:492:43:54

share my concerns, I was in an event

at one o'clock this afternoon and

2:43:542:43:59

wine was being served, does he

consider the appropriate?

I am

2:43:592:44:04

grateful for her to raising this, I

want to come evidence that is

2:44:042:44:09

compelling that we came across and

that is from Sarah child who --

2:44:092:44:14

Sarah Giles. A fantastic report that

somehow got to the part about how

2:44:142:44:20

this plays does business, the

environment we work and made some

2:44:202:44:27

practical suggestions about how this

is, don't try to suggest to me that

2:44:272:44:34

it is good working practice, that it

allows people getting home to their

2:44:342:44:41

families, it is nonsense, we do it

because we are committed to doing

2:44:412:44:46

it, I don't think anybody would

convince me that this would be good

2:44:462:44:49

practice. Dates back to the example

of this place, we should lead the

2:44:492:44:55

way in terms of good normal working

practice. In Scotland we have

2:44:552:44:59

designed our Parliament round the

normal working day and if we should

2:44:592:45:01

do it so could we, as we go forward

I think we will continue to engage

2:45:012:45:07

the work of Sarah, I couldn't

commend her report another when it

2:45:072:45:10

comes to having a look at the

culture and environment of this

2:45:102:45:13

place.

I think the member but giving

way and he is making some very

2:45:132:45:21

powerful points. With the number of

me that everyone in this chamber, we

2:45:212:45:26

are here today are very important

job and responsible job, we are

2:45:262:45:30

making the laws which dictate and

set the parameters for people right

2:45:302:45:35

across the United Kingdom and is the

knot at the very heart of this we

2:45:352:45:39

can talk about the culture and

environment and the bars, but there

2:45:392:45:44

is an important issue about personal

responsibility, the individuals

2:45:442:45:47

across all of the parties should

know better, take personal

2:45:472:45:52

responsibility and should act in an

appropriate and respectful way to

2:45:522:45:56

everybody regardless of the working

hours and regardless of the bars and

2:45:562:45:58

the restaurants.

I must take that as

a personal chastisement. Sometimes

2:45:582:46:10

enjoy a pint of the guest ales in

the strangers bar. The honourable

2:46:102:46:16

lady is right, it is all about

personal behaviour but we have an

2:46:162:46:19

unusual workplace. I don't know any

other Mac workplace in my

2:46:192:46:23

constituency which would have six

buyers as a feature of its normal

2:46:232:46:27

business, I think we have to

recognise that because of the way

2:46:272:46:31

this is setup, the way the whole

designed it can lead to difficult

2:46:312:46:35

issues and we begin to see in the

course the past year, the member per

2:46:352:46:40

Essex and Harwich and West Essex

remembered how historically we got

2:46:402:46:43

to this place but it is a little to

do with how this is as had been

2:46:432:46:49

constricted and designed in the way

we do business so I think all these

2:46:492:46:52

things are perhaps, I am glad I had

got onto this because you mentioned

2:46:522:46:56

training in his contribution and we

spent hours and hours discussing the

2:46:562:47:01

issue of training and I think we got

to a reasonable place where a

2:47:012:47:05

consensual view started to emerge

about how we should report this in

2:47:052:47:09

the working group report. I am of

the view that the should be

2:47:092:47:13

compulsory training and I actually

supported the idea that they would

2:47:132:47:17

be a kitemark given to members of

Parliament who have been the

2:47:172:47:22

training, members of staff who are

looking round about who they should

2:47:222:47:26

work for will see a kitemark

attached to a member of parliament

2:47:262:47:28

knowing they had been through

training and they would have a

2:47:282:47:33

better expectation of a good

workplace environment as opposed to

2:47:332:47:36

somebody who rejects draining out of

hand and weather might be issues, as

2:47:362:47:43

figure was a good suggestion I

couldn't convince the House. It

2:47:432:47:45

actually came from the staff

represented on the group. I think as

2:47:452:47:50

a way forward, training would be

mandatory for new members of

2:47:502:47:56

Parliament, the honourable gentleman

makes a good point. Most members of

2:47:562:48:00

parliament here have never been

employed as before. I was never an

2:48:002:48:02

employer. Those of us who come from

a more modest background when it

2:48:022:48:12

comes to these issues are perhaps

never been employers before. I

2:48:122:48:15

didn't know how to manage staff. He

had to learn through experience and

2:48:152:48:19

do it on the job. I think there is

something really helpful and useful

2:48:192:48:23

about being given that training, not

just about issues to do with quality

2:48:232:48:28

but issues to do with out to be a

good employer and I think there is

2:48:282:48:31

nothing wrong with that and they

welcome the recommendation that in

2:48:312:48:34

the next Parliament members will be

obliged to go through training.

2:48:342:48:40

Sometimes the people who will rush

to go to training who are those of

2:48:402:48:42

us who are interested and I have no

issue about taking training and I

2:48:422:48:47

look forward to it but is how about

how we dragged the old dinosaurs and

2:48:472:48:51

those who have a more traditional

view of the workplace environment

2:48:512:48:55

that might go to influence some of

their approaches to play members of

2:48:552:48:58

staff and it is how we get them and

maybe that kitemark issue would be

2:48:582:49:01

the way that divides people who are

prepared to have important quality

2:49:012:49:06

planning...

I think he may, to

encourage them because I know we

2:49:062:49:13

have been so many draft of this

report on this issue but the good

2:49:132:49:17

employer standard idea is is in

paragraph 81 and 79 and I was very

2:49:172:49:23

happy we did get to the place of

saying until such time training is

2:49:232:49:28

mandatory, records will be publicly

available which might help focus

2:49:282:49:32

minds before compulsion is actually

there.

There is a kitemark related

2:49:322:49:39

issue, may be slightly different to

what was eventually agreed but they

2:49:392:49:42

do accept that. I think it is a

welcome addition to this report.

2:49:422:49:50

This is a really important report

and I think it was certainly worth

2:49:502:49:57

spending 100 hours in the course of

those last few months and I see this

2:49:572:50:01

as being more than just a report for

this House, a think this could be a

2:50:012:50:05

blueprint for complex workplaces red

Prosser country and possibly be the

2:50:052:50:11

start -- right across the workplace

and the culture of this place. There

2:50:112:50:17

is no going back. I will give way.

I

thank him very much. I am fascinated

2:50:172:50:23

by his remarks on training and I

agree with about 99% of what he is

2:50:232:50:29

saying but I wonder if he could

comment further for us on what his

2:50:292:50:32

thoughts about when training is

being taken how often people should

2:50:322:50:36

renew and undergo that training

because we all know that workplaces

2:50:362:50:40

change very fast and legislation

changes faster was considered

2:50:402:50:43

acceptable maybe ten or 15 ago isn't

any more and I would be interested

2:50:432:50:46

in those comments.

It is not

something we consider and she is

2:50:462:50:52

right that such is the fast changing

and evolving workplace environment

2:50:522:50:56

that the should be a requirement for

people to come back and refreshed

2:50:562:50:59

because we are seeing new

innovations and I look at colleagues

2:50:592:51:03

and I can see any real objection to

that and I think as we go forward it

2:51:032:51:08

might be something we consider as we

do a bold with this report. I will

2:51:082:51:12

give way.

Surely if we look outside

this place, along with almost every

2:51:122:51:20

other industry, there is something

called continual professional

2:51:202:51:22

development and of the dinosaurs

don't like being dragged into that

2:51:222:51:24

they know what the alternative is.

A

useful contribution. My workplace

2:51:242:51:30

background was in a rock band so I

am not all that familiar with some

2:51:302:51:34

of the things that maybe have gone

on in an industry before but I will

2:51:342:51:38

take lessons from the honourable

gentleman who nobody what he is

2:51:382:51:40

talking about. I will conclude --

who seems to know what you're

2:51:402:51:45

talking about. This is a helpful and

worthwhile document. I believe there

2:51:452:51:48

is no going back in the quest for

equality. We have reached the

2:51:482:51:52

defining point last year when all

these issues starting to emerge in

2:51:522:51:58

the range of societal campaigns

online, people who just decided they

2:51:582:52:03

had had enough, there is no going

back and I hope that this report

2:52:032:52:09

were maybe mark the beginning of the

end of some of the horrible and

2:52:092:52:14

appalling practices we have seen in

this House over the years.

I am

2:52:142:52:20

grateful, it is a great pleasure to

follow the honourable gentleman in a

2:52:202:52:23

more reflective mood and sometimes

displays and has, as I think if it's

2:52:232:52:30

the serious subject matter and he

dealt with it very seriously and

2:52:302:52:35

that is a great pleasure to follow

his comments. I also want to admire

2:52:352:52:41

support -- add my support to the

motion that the leader mood that is

2:52:412:52:44

before us and they report that backs

it up and the proposals. I just had

2:52:442:52:49

a few things I wanted to add to the

debate. Several colleagues have

2:52:492:52:54

referenced the events of last year

that triggered this particular set

2:52:542:52:59

of proposals and work but I just

want to put on record that actually

2:52:592:53:06

when I became government Chief Whip

in 2015, shortly after that there

2:53:062:53:11

were a number of issues and has and

this was an area of work which I had

2:53:112:53:17

started in training on a cross-party

basis working with all the parties

2:53:172:53:22

in the House looking to see if we

could improve the way this has dealt

2:53:222:53:25

with some of these issues. Initially

parties obviously have their own

2:53:252:53:31

processes and for various reasons

they don't command the confidence, I

2:53:312:53:37

think either of members and I think

members of my party weren't entirely

2:53:372:53:41

comfortable processes that were

controlled by political parties, and

2:53:412:53:46

I think that was also the view that

was expressed by people who worked

2:53:462:53:50

in the House and those outside they

didn't the confidence that a party

2:53:502:53:56

run process even if it was a

fantastic process it simply wouldn't

2:53:562:53:59

have commanded the confidence and it

was very clear from the views that

2:53:592:54:03

were expressed to me both by

colleagues, the conversations I had

2:54:032:54:07

with members of other parties, and

indeed the representatives of

2:54:072:54:12

members of our staff that came to

see me, but a house process covering

2:54:122:54:18

all members of Parliament on a

cross-party basis would be the best

2:54:182:54:23

way of proceeding and we started, Mr

Deputy Speaker, to set some of those

2:54:232:54:30

processes in train and it was to my

disappointment that the European

2:54:302:54:36

Union referendum intervened and

terminated the career of David

2:54:362:54:40

Cameron and indeed myself in

government and we weren't able to

2:54:402:54:43

bring those processes to fruition,

so I was actually very pleased, I

2:54:432:54:50

wasn't pleased about why the leader

of the House had to put these

2:54:502:54:53

processes in place but I was very

pleased that she responded so

2:54:532:54:57

strongly to the events that took

place last year. Both in parliament

2:54:572:55:02

and outside it and actually put

those processes and train and I was

2:55:022:55:08

pleased it was done on a cross-party

basis and I was pleased that all the

2:55:082:55:11

parties took part in the process and

we have come up with the

2:55:112:55:15

comprehensive report which I have

taken the trouble to study and I

2:55:152:55:19

think that would be a step forward.

2:55:192:55:31

I would like to thank the honourable

member for gold Ford, who served as

2:55:312:55:35

my executive, and working with me,

she led many of these issues as part

2:55:352:55:41

of the office. -- the honourable

member for Gilford. Colleagues on

2:55:412:55:44

this side of the House and the other

side know

2:55:442:55:56

that... She made it clear how

strongly she takes these matters,

2:56:022:56:06

and I wanted to make sure it was on

the record that my banks were

2:56:062:56:14

expressed for her efforts when she

was deputy Chief Whip. Although it

2:56:142:56:18

is clear from the things that have

been talked about publicly and the

2:56:182:56:22

responses to the survey that the

honourable member mentioned,

2:56:222:56:27

bullying and harassment affects all

members of staff. It is indeed the

2:56:272:56:34

case that it does affect female

members of staff more severely than

2:56:342:56:42

others, and if we are to get more

women to be members of Parliament

2:56:422:56:47

and work in this House and be

treated as equals in dealing with

2:56:472:56:52

this is incredibly important, but

we're working to try to get more

2:56:522:57:05

female members of conservative, and

I am behind this because I think it

2:57:052:57:09

will have that effect. I wanted to

talk about furnace. When the report

2:57:092:57:13

was first produced, there was some

comment outside the House. -- about

2:57:132:57:18

fairness. There was some comment

about how the proposals mean the

2:57:182:57:28

investigations take place in private

without everything being published,

2:57:282:57:32

but I think that is like most

workplaces. In most places when

2:57:322:57:38

someone makes a complaint about

another employee, in the workplace

2:57:382:57:40

the matters are not published in

national newspapers, and I always

2:57:402:57:45

thought in this House that it was

true when we were going through the

2:57:452:57:48

difficulties on expenses but a good

test for members of Parliament is

2:57:482:57:52

for us to be judged at least by the

standards we expect of everyone

2:57:522:57:59

else, so the processes that would be

used for us to deal with complaints

2:57:592:58:05

about bullying and harassment should

be the same processes exist in

2:58:052:58:11

up-to-the-minute workplaces, and

those are ones you would not expect

2:58:112:58:16

everything to be published in a

national newspaper, but I do welcome

2:58:162:58:21

the fact it refers in the report to

the fact you have to recognise that

2:58:212:58:25

sometimes when there are examples

bullying and harassment, there

2:58:252:58:30

patterns of behaviour and sometimes

people need the confidence to come

2:58:302:58:41

forward, and sometimes it is only

when people are aware that there is

2:58:412:58:43

an issue with someone's behaviour

that they are willing to come

2:58:432:58:47

forward. It is a difficult balance

to get right, to protect the

2:58:472:58:54

confidentiality and those who might

be unfairly accused, but also for

2:58:542:58:58

members of Parliament, we employ

large numbers of staff, and if a

2:58:582:59:03

member of Parliament has a complaint

made against them and they are

2:59:032:59:07

identified, it would not be

difficult for newspapers to identify

2:59:072:59:10

which of the members of staff had

probably made the complaint, so

2:59:102:59:15

having a disciplinary process... It

is not helpful. The report is very

2:59:152:59:27

welcome. I wanted to say something

in response to what the honourable

2:59:272:59:32

member said about the standards

committee, I do think that her issue

2:59:322:59:37

about marking our own homework would

have been a reasonable point before

2:59:372:59:44

lay members were added to the

standards committee, but I think for

2:59:442:59:47

members of the public, the fact that

they are utterly members on the

2:59:472:59:52

standards committee should give them

the confidence that the members of

2:59:522:59:55

Parliament on the standards

committee cannot just decide things

2:59:553:00:01

by standards they consider

appropriate, and it is important

3:00:013:00:07

they bring an outside valuable

perspective.

I am not 100% sure of

3:00:073:00:14

my facts, but I am sure the lay

members do not actually thought, so

3:00:143:00:18

although I would agree that it is a

great step forward that there are

3:00:183:00:22

there, I have concerns that it will

be MPs who are seen to be voting on

3:00:223:00:26

the colleagues, even if we have had

an independent and good procedure

3:00:263:00:31

until that point, I still think it

is a weakness.

If you are talking

3:00:313:00:36

about a serious sanction, and if we

were talking about expelling the

3:00:363:00:43

member of Parliament or suspending

them for a period where conditions

3:00:433:00:47

would kick in, that is a decision

for the House, not the standards

3:00:473:00:54

committee. The House would be

furnished with a report from the

3:00:543:00:58

parliamentary commissioner, and the

report of the standards committee,

3:00:583:01:01

and I think the change that was very

valuable when we introduced lay

3:01:013:01:05

members was members of the House

would be aware that even if the

3:01:053:01:10

member of Parliament on the

committee had had a view, the lay

3:01:103:01:14

members are able to have their views

expressed in my report of the

3:01:143:01:19

committee, and I see the chairman of

the committee I think was nodding to

3:01:193:01:22

that. Let me just complete the point

and I will give way.

3:01:223:01:36

So it is not just the views of

members of Parliament going before

3:01:363:01:40

the House, it is the views of the

lake committee, so that can affect

3:01:403:01:46

our views of what is and is not

acceptable.

He is right that lay

3:01:463:01:53

members present when decisions are

made gives the standards committee

3:01:533:01:56

more authority, but there is

something odd about the committee

3:01:563:02:04

itself adjudicating about rules and

evidence when that is something that

3:02:043:02:10

should be done by a lawyer.

3:02:103:02:21

To be told, this is the judgment,

and if you overturn it your

3:02:263:02:31

overturning a respectable opinion,

on your head be it.

I listen to do

3:02:313:02:36

what he says, and I put a fair bit

of weight on it given that he chairs

3:02:363:02:41

the committee, I do not entirely

agree, though. I have taken the

3:02:413:02:44

trouble over the years with

standards committee reports,

3:02:443:02:49

particularly serious ones and to

read the report of the parliamentary

3:02:493:02:57

commissioner, and the thing that

always struck me, I have often

3:02:573:03:04

looked at how thorough the

parliamentary commissioner has

3:03:043:03:06

looked into, particularly serious

allegations, and I have often

3:03:063:03:11

thought to myself, if you were ever

tempted not to uphold the standards

3:03:113:03:16

of behaviour, you would not want to

be subject to that level of scrutiny

3:03:163:03:22

because it is fairly exacting. I do

not know how many people have looked

3:03:223:03:28

at this, but it has been looked at

in some considerable detail. The

3:03:283:03:34

report put before the committee are

far and detailed, and when I have

3:03:343:03:46

read the reports of the committee on

standards, I have felt that they

3:03:463:03:50

have been very balanced, tough and

fear, and it is not clear when you

3:03:503:03:55

read the reports of any bias coming

into them from a particular party

3:03:553:04:03

view of members of Parliament, I

have always got the system is pretty

3:04:033:04:07

good. I think the only gap was

rectified by the addition of lay

3:04:073:04:24

members I had a situation where

there was one view, but the judge in

3:04:343:04:40

court give a much harsher view,

which completely undermines the

3:04:403:04:43

authority of the system

3:04:433:04:54

we have.

I do not entirely agree,

but I do not want to deviate from

3:04:583:05:03

the debate on this into a wider

debate about standards. My final

3:05:033:05:08

point was actually about training

and culture. I think the Member for

3:05:083:05:18

Perth made a sensible point when he

spoke about the backgrounds of

3:05:183:05:22

members of Parliament. I will pick

up slightly on his comments about

3:05:223:05:32

assuming everyone on this side has a

privileged background, which is not

3:05:323:05:37

true, and I will not or him with the

fact I was the first person to go to

3:05:373:05:43

university and my father was a

labourer, and we have not had any

3:05:433:05:46

members of parliament in the family

before. He makes a sensible point

3:05:463:05:54

that members of Parliament have a

very varied set of backgrounds. Some

3:05:543:05:59

of us have employed significant

amounts of people, some will have

3:05:593:06:04

worked in a business grabbers, and

experience of management teams, and

3:06:043:06:10

others will have come -- in a

business for others, and experience

3:06:103:06:18

of management teams, others will

have come in without that

3:06:183:06:20

experience. Often mistakes are made

not because of ill intent, but as my

3:06:203:06:30

honourable friend said, members come

with the best of intentions, but

3:06:303:06:35

often do not have the skills, but it

is about the expectations you have,

3:06:353:06:48

and managing HR supports you can be

better trained and better supported,

3:06:483:06:51

but you also have to have someone to

ask -- you also have someone to ask

3:06:513:06:55

questions that they are challenging

issues you're not comfortable

3:06:553:06:57

dealing with, I think that is very

valuable. I welcome the training in

3:06:573:07:07

part of the induction process for

new members of Parliament, and I do

3:07:073:07:11

not think there was a massive gap

between the honourable lady and my

3:07:113:07:16

honourable friend, I do think

everyone should go through the

3:07:163:07:20

training, but the challenge is this,

you can mandate that everyone goes

3:07:203:07:24

through a training course, but you

cannot mandate that the people who

3:07:243:07:32

turn up will listen attentively and

change their behaviour having

3:07:323:07:35

attended the training, and it seems

to me that the people least likely

3:07:353:07:40

to go to the training of those most

in need of it, so the challenge is

3:07:403:07:45

to do what the honourable lady said,

which is to persuade people that

3:07:453:07:52

they should go on the training and

listen to the training, change their

3:07:523:07:56

behaviour. I do think the proposals

set out about publicising whether

3:07:563:08:03

people have been on the training, so

the is peer pressure that people

3:08:033:08:07

feel they should go, and the staff

they might want to hire puts

3:08:073:08:14

pressure on them is a good sign, but

for new members of parliament, it

3:08:143:08:18

should be the standard set of

training that every Parliament

3:08:183:08:23

undertakes solely undertake the

expectations correctly. That leads

3:08:233:08:29

to my second half of the point,

which is about the culture of this

3:08:293:08:32

place. On the debates we have had, I

was perhaps fortunate in having

3:08:323:08:46

worked for two businesses which took

management and how they treated

3:08:463:08:49

their people very seriously, and I

went on training courses about how

3:08:493:08:53

you manage people, how you set

expectations and what was expected,

3:08:533:08:57

and staff members were empowered to

speak up and it was recognised

3:08:573:09:05

speaking up was the right thing to

do about a range of issues, whether

3:09:053:09:09

it was about how they ran the

business or behaved, and that set

3:09:093:09:14

the right sort of culture. That is

not always the case. I was thinking

3:09:143:09:18

through some of the things that have

happened over the last few months,

3:09:183:09:23

and there have been examples of

behaviour, and people have said

3:09:233:09:28

things like, this sort of behaviour

was acceptable a few years ago, and

3:09:283:09:32

things seem to have changed. I was

thinking back to when I started my

3:09:323:09:37

working life when I left university,

which tragically is a lot longer ago

3:09:373:09:41

than I care to remember, 1991, and I

was thinking through some of the

3:09:413:09:48

specific examples we have read

about, whether it is members of this

3:09:483:09:51

House or outside, and you have heard

people say that this sort of

3:09:513:09:56

behaviour used to be acceptable, and

I got back to when I started 27

3:09:563:10:02

years ago, and all sort of things

were not acceptable 27 years ago.

3:10:023:10:06

The difference was that 27 years ago

and more recently, people used to

3:10:063:10:10

get away with behaving like that.

The thing that has changed is not

3:10:103:10:15

that the behaviours are no longer

acceptable, actually they never wear

3:10:153:10:19

acceptable, the difference now is

people cannot get away with them,

3:10:193:10:25

which is right, and that is an

improvement. What we are trying to

3:10:253:10:29

deliver with the training and the

change of culture is that everyone

3:10:293:10:32

accepts that not only are those sort

of behaviour is not acceptable, no

3:10:323:10:37

one is going to let them get away

with it.

3:10:373:10:53

It changes the culture it will have

taken a huge step forward. I am very

3:10:533:10:58

happy to support the motion. And

coming into the House.

Can I just

3:10:583:11:04

say I still want to make sure that

we get equal time. We are going to

3:11:043:11:08

20 26. If we all work for about ten

minutes. It will be very helpful.

3:11:083:11:14

Could I first of all say that the

Committee on Standards has discussed

3:11:143:11:22

the report and authorised me to

write to the Leader of the House

3:11:223:11:26

setting up their unanimous views

that the committee welcomes the

3:11:263:11:31

report strongly. It supports its

commitment to zero tolerance on

3:11:313:11:38

sexual harassment, bullying and

harassment in the Parliamentary

3:11:383:11:42

community. Members will have seen...

A member of a table that was signed

3:11:423:11:51

by all that people. We were a little

surprised, I have to say not to have

3:11:513:12:03

been mentioned in the motion. Could

I say to the Leader of the House,

3:12:033:12:14

I'm sure I could say this on behalf

of all members of the committee, I

3:12:143:12:18

welcomed what was said earlier in

relation to the Standards Committee

3:12:183:12:23

and the Parliamentary commission

being involved in future work. The

3:12:233:12:29

House ought to take note that we are

currently performing a long planned

3:12:293:12:33

review of the code of conduct which

will be announced in due course.

3:12:333:12:38

Obviously the current review will be

informed by the working groups

3:12:383:12:41

report. As members have said, the

committee is unique in that it

3:12:413:12:50

contains lay members. Can I just

react to one or two exchanges that

3:12:503:12:58

have taken place? It is true to say

that the lay members are not allowed

3:12:583:13:01

to vote. It was the wish of this

House. My understanding is that this

3:13:013:13:12

House did not want to bring the law

inside this House and its

3:13:123:13:17

committees. The honourable member

for North Essex are talking about

3:13:173:13:23

printing the law and peered that

would be a big step as I understand

3:13:233:13:27

it. I'll get you in a minute. The

reason that the lay members have not

3:13:273:13:32

been involved is because I

understood we were advised that we

3:13:323:13:35

could not take them on without

breaking the law into the committee

3:13:353:13:40

system. I still think if we are

going to legislate in any state,...

3:13:403:13:44

I'm going to give way, but just let

me say this. I don't understand that

3:13:443:13:50

Casey talked about there. About the

judge taking a hard line on the case

3:13:503:13:56

and what the committee did. We don't

get involved in taking our

3:13:563:14:01

judgements in terms of the law. The

law is a completely different

3:14:013:14:04

process. From time to time, we will

send members there if it is felt

3:14:043:14:08

that it is a matter for the law. I

will give way.

I am grateful to the

3:14:083:14:15

honourable gentleman for giving way.

I'm not going to name the case I was

3:14:153:14:21

referring to because it is too

tiresome. It was a case where the

3:14:213:14:25

committee adjudicated on someone who

then tried to make the same case in

3:14:253:14:29

a court of law under a completely

separate jurisdiction, he lost his

3:14:293:14:34

case and he was criticised. The

point is, these proposals is not

3:14:343:14:44

about bringing the judiciary into

our own proceedings. It is not about

3:14:443:14:48

that. It is about the House of

pointing our own legal person to

3:14:483:14:53

make these adjudications on behalf

of the House, on behalf of this

3:14:533:14:56

committee so that he has a far more

unimpeachable judgement handed to

3:14:563:15:01

his committee on which to act then

what he is compelled to work with at

3:15:013:15:06

the moment.

I think I know the case

with the honourable member talks

3:15:063:15:12

about now. He did not agree with

what happened with him and he went

3:15:123:15:15

to the courts and got nowhere with

it. In that respective if it's a

3:15:153:15:20

case that I'm thinking about, the

court agrees with what the committee

3:15:203:15:24

had said. Anyway, the current system

is a series of merely reactive

3:15:243:15:33

measures. Initially this scandal in

the 1990s. It was arguably skewed

3:15:333:15:46

too much towards the issues of

financial impropriety. Important as

3:15:463:15:52

they are. It neglects other aspects

of members's conduct in their

3:15:523:15:57

behaviour towards other people.

Would he consider financial

3:15:573:16:06

impropriety, but the challenge that

we face moving forward in for

3:16:063:16:10

finding the balance between the

personal life of members and when

3:16:103:16:14

actually conducting their

Parliamentary duties, particularly

3:16:143:16:17

in relation to sexual harassment.

Does he foresee any questions about

3:16:173:16:20

that and the way we implement

policies?

I think that is the issue

3:16:203:16:25

that has to be looked at. I think

the honourable member was there when

3:16:253:16:28

I gave evidence. It was around

October of last year that this House

3:16:283:16:34

will have to come to a decision on

what is a personal and private

3:16:343:16:39

activity and what is not. That is

something that you may be asked to

3:16:393:16:43

do in the coming months. Over the

years, the independent cylinders

3:16:433:16:50

commission has done its best to try

to address the imbalance and look at

3:16:503:16:55

ways to update the current coat of

paint -- current code of conduct.

3:16:553:17:05

The House in the past resisted

attempts to incorporate some of

3:17:053:17:08

these changes. But I am glad that

the working groups report has now

3:17:083:17:13

given fresh impetus to developing a

new comprehensive system of

3:17:133:17:16

standards and behaviours. The

committee contains a pool of

3:17:163:17:22

expertise on the part of collected

and lay members which we believe

3:17:223:17:26

will be of real value for developing

the new process. We are keen to be

3:17:263:17:30

in the system and are in the process

of setting up a meeting with the

3:17:303:17:34

Leader of the House to discuss how

we can help. I understand that is

3:17:343:17:37

now in the diary, I am pleased to

say. I comment as is inevitable with

3:17:373:17:45

such ambitious and far-reaching

proposes, there are a number of

3:17:453:17:48

challenges concerning details on

process as well as some issues of

3:17:483:17:52

principle which will need to be

addressed as part of the

3:17:523:17:55

implementation. My letter sent out

what these are so I will not detain

3:17:553:18:00

the House long and summarising them.

We will need to consider how the new

3:18:003:18:05

arrangements will work alongside the

existing system. It is crystal that

3:18:053:18:09

the new system should be seen to

operate fairly and impartially, due

3:18:093:18:14

process is important because it

secures the rights of everyone

3:18:143:18:18

involved. One proposal in the report

might proceed in parallel will

3:18:183:18:24

police inquiries. This would

represent a clear breach with the

3:18:243:18:28

current existing practise which is

set out in a memorandum of

3:18:283:18:31

understanding between the committee,

the commissioner and the

3:18:313:18:34

Metropolitan Police. And this will

require careful consideration. Also,

3:18:343:18:38

the implications of the report

proposals of other anomalies. One of

3:18:383:18:48

these is for future discussion. The

six work stream that the Leader of

3:18:483:18:53

the House mentioned is going to be

an area that the committee and the

3:18:533:18:56

Commissioner are likely to be

involved in. Today I simply want to

3:18:563:19:02

express the committee's support for

what is trying to be achieved. And

3:19:023:19:06

as for the House that my colleagues

and I and the Commissioner are

3:19:063:19:09

committed to working closely with

this group to turn the new system

3:19:093:19:13

into a reality as soon as possible.

Could I just finished on this? There

3:19:133:19:19

was comment about the lay members

earlier not having a vote in the

3:19:193:19:23

committee. It is many years since

there has been a vote in the

3:19:233:19:27

committee. We work on the basis of

getting an agreement by all people

3:19:273:19:32

in there. But each one of those

seven lay members of the committee

3:19:323:19:36

are asked when we create a report if

they have got anything they want to

3:19:363:19:42

put down outside of what the report

has come to. That has never happened

3:19:423:19:47

yet. They have far more power each

one individually then the seven

3:19:473:19:51

elected members have together. And I

hope the House begins to understand

3:19:513:19:55

that and stop repeating some of

these remarks that this is a

3:19:553:20:00

committee that is murky one

another's homework. It is not. It is

3:20:003:20:04

a committee was lay members, we

should be looking at having lay

3:20:043:20:07

members on other committees as well.

I have argued for this for many

3:20:073:20:11

years before we actually got it. I

served on another council as a lay

3:20:113:20:17

member overseeing doctors and

medical professionals. And we should

3:20:173:20:23

not be afraid to do that. It is

independent, notwithstanding the

3:20:233:20:27

absence of a vote.

The question is

that the amendment be made.

Thank

3:20:273:20:37

you. It is a great privilege and

pleasure to contribute to this

3:20:373:20:42

debate to follow the right

honourable gentleman. And all the

3:20:423:20:46

contrary the other contributions

that have been made. I have some

3:20:463:20:51

short points. I am very lucky to be

elected to record I've are

3:20:513:20:58

interested in this debate. This year

women entering into Parliament is

3:20:583:21:01

something we want to support and see

more of. I pay tribute to this for

3:21:013:21:05

my honourable friend. Also I know

that there are many champions of

3:21:053:21:16

women on all sides of the House. Of

course the Member for North Mercer

3:21:163:21:23

talked about these issues. I think

that we ought to be proud that we

3:21:233:21:30

have a number of incredibly

competent women in this House. I see

3:21:303:21:34

them sitting on all sides and are

more than capable of holding their

3:21:343:21:38

own despite the patriarchy. It is

important that we signal to other

3:21:383:21:42

people who wish to enter this plays

that they are going to be welcomed

3:21:423:21:44

when they get here. So, I just want

to touch on the issue of culture.

3:21:443:21:51

And my own experience is also from

running my own business. I don't

3:21:513:21:55

come from an exotic or privilege

background. I got there from hard

3:21:553:21:59

work. By experiencing many failures

and setbacks. It is an misconception

3:21:593:22:07

that people who have a business are

somehow privilege. I did learn about

3:22:073:22:12

managing teams. And the one thing

that I did learn from a mentor is

3:22:123:22:16

that culture eats strategy for

practise. It is about the culture.

3:22:163:22:20

It is about the leadership. You can

have as many reports or practises or

3:22:203:22:25

training as you want. If that is not

followed through, if that is not

3:22:253:22:30

lived and breathed, by deeds not

words, I'm afraid we might as well

3:22:303:22:34

all give up go home. I think that

what we have seen is a fantastic

3:22:343:22:39

response to this issue and I do pay

to breathe -- I do pay tribute to

3:22:393:22:46

everyone who has played their part.

This is a issue that has gone on for

3:22:463:22:50

such a long time. It is long

overdue. The bull has been taken by

3:22:503:22:55

the horns and I really do hope it

came go up the very highest level of

3:22:553:23:01

all political leaders on all sides

of this House. All of us need to

3:23:013:23:05

live and breathe it. The reason why

it is so important is because our

3:23:053:23:08

staff are very vulnerable. They are

relatively speaking, maybe not all

3:23:083:23:13

of them, some of them are quite

young. They don't come from a lot of

3:23:133:23:19

experiences of other workplaces. For

some of them it is the first place

3:23:193:23:22

they have actually worked. If you

have a young woman, on an older man

3:23:223:23:28

or... There is an issue of the

gender imbalance here that is very

3:23:283:23:33

sensitive issue. I think that can be

very difficult for a young woman or

3:23:333:23:37

a young man in their first job to

tackle that and to have the

3:23:373:23:42

confidence to raise that and to know

that it will be taken seriously. I

3:23:423:23:47

really do think the consideration

that has been placed on this point.

3:23:473:23:52

It goes back to the root of the

issue. The root of the issue is

3:23:523:23:55

about power and the abuse of power.

How easily that can be very

3:23:553:24:00

detrimental for young people, for

honourable people who are vulnerable

3:24:003:24:04

because they are working in this

unique workplace and supporting us

3:24:043:24:07

in our challenging duties. I think

we have reduced the issue of

3:24:073:24:15

leadership. That is absolutely

critical and essential. I hope we

3:24:153:24:20

can all do our part by holding our

colleagues to account in however we

3:24:203:24:25

do that. I think this issue of

training needs to be taken forward.

3:24:253:24:29

It is not enough to just train once.

I have the great delight of actually

3:24:293:24:36

having 2 degrees I worked in HR for

many years and like my honourable

3:24:363:24:41

friend, I had a lot of training. I

was asked to the person giving the

3:24:413:24:46

training. And I recognise it is one

thing to

3:24:463:25:01

Change is difficult organisational

change is really, really hard, to

3:25:013:25:05

make it stick. We need to have close

attention to that, we need to be

3:25:053:25:10

united in our determination to drive

this through for the benefit of all

3:25:103:25:13

the people who work here and all the

people looking at us to be examples.

3:25:133:25:18

I end by thanking very much again

for the work that has been done and

3:25:183:25:23

hope it'll lead to a change.

Jo

Swinson.

It's a delight to follow

3:25:233:25:28

the honourable member for Redditch,

sounds like she's got some excellent

3:25:283:25:32

skills and perspectives that will be

important in the consultation as we

3:25:323:25:35

go forward about how to make this

organisational culture change stick.

3:25:353:25:39

I very much welcome the motion and

the debate today is a member of the

3:25:393:25:44

working group. As well as some

specific comments on what we put in

3:25:443:25:48

the report I also wanted to talk

about the wider context that we are

3:25:483:25:52

facing here because we've come at

this issue in Parliament from the

3:25:523:25:57

events of the end of last year, but

that followed hot on the heels of

3:25:573:26:01

the Weinstein scandal, we've had in

recent weeks the issues in the

3:26:013:26:05

charity sector. An important point

for us to remember is, this is not a

3:26:053:26:09

problem in any one specific

industry, this is a problem that is

3:26:093:26:13

endemic across society, across every

sector. And therefore it's important

3:26:133:26:18

we get our whole house in order with

our own procedures, but we also need

3:26:183:26:23

to understand that wider perspective

on it and that wider societal

3:26:233:26:27

cultural change that as parliament

we have a goal in leading. That is

3:26:273:26:31

why it's vital what we do is of an

excellent quality, and it can act as

3:26:313:26:39

a beacon to other organisations and

institutions that are trying to

3:26:393:26:42

grapple with similar issues. For all

that we've seen these cases in

3:26:423:26:49

politics hit the headlines, I'm

painfully aware of how many women

3:26:493:26:54

are in positions of so much less

power than those connected to this

3:26:543:26:58

place, where this doesn't even hit

the headlines, women working low

3:26:583:27:02

paid jobs. We saw the briefing for

the young woman's trust saying three

3:27:023:27:05

in ten young women have experienced

sexual harassment at work. This is

3:27:053:27:11

something happening all over the

country. The working group was

3:27:113:27:16

generally positive, and occasionally

frustrating experience, but partly

3:27:163:27:19

because we were grappling with

difficult issues. I'd like to praise

3:27:193:27:22

the contribution of the staff,

particularly the three

3:27:223:27:26

representatives of staff who work

for members in the various parties,

3:27:263:27:30

and also the experts that advise the

group. I for one learned a huge

3:27:303:27:34

amount from listening to what they

had to offer and in part in terms of

3:27:343:27:40

their wisdom. These issues are not

easy to deal with, we all say we

3:27:403:27:44

want to deal with this and get it

right but there are sensitive issues

3:27:443:27:47

to work through. The Forest of Dean

number talked about the issue of

3:27:473:27:53

confidentiality, on the one hand if

names are published that might

3:27:533:27:58

encourage others to come forward you

might spot more patterns, but at the

3:27:583:28:01

same time, it might discourage

people from coming forward because

3:28:013:28:05

of fear their own anonymity will be

breached. We had a lot of

3:28:053:28:10

discussions about how you work

through their systems, how you deal

3:28:103:28:14

with historical allegations, how you

deal with people who have gone

3:28:143:28:16

through a different process and are

very upset with how that went. There

3:28:163:28:20

are no easy answers to some of

these. The issue of the interplay

3:28:203:28:26

with the criminal justice system we

also discussed at length and while

3:28:263:28:29

we want to make sure support is

there for people who want to take a

3:28:293:28:34

criminal conviction weather has been

sexual assault, we recognised from

3:28:343:28:38

the survey we did that a tiny

proportion of people said in no

3:28:383:28:41

circumstances would they feel

comfortable to go to the police, I

3:28:413:28:45

think it was 2%. We looked clearly

at how we could provide people with

3:28:453:28:49

the support if they wanted to do

that, but also to give them control

3:28:493:28:52

so if they wanted this to be pursued

as a grievance, a case of

3:28:523:28:57

professional misconduct, it could be

dealt with as unemployment issue

3:28:573:29:00

rather than necessarily them being

forced to have faith in the criminal

3:29:003:29:04

justice system, which they may not

do. That is why because this is not

3:29:043:29:09

easy the review clauses we suggested

are so essential. What we're

3:29:093:29:13

proposing today I am very confident

will make things much better. I'm

3:29:133:29:19

also confident it won't be perfect

and will only improve if we can

3:29:193:29:23

review it regularly, learn from what

works well, but there may well be

3:29:233:29:26

cases where it doesn't work well and

we need to be able to make sure we

3:29:263:29:29

can take those lessons on board and

not be overly defensive about that.

3:29:293:29:33

I also wanted to touch on the issue

of gender. Harassment, bullying,

3:29:333:29:40

sexual harassment happens to men as

well as women but we know from the

3:29:403:29:43

server it happens more to women. The

Right Honourable member for

3:29:433:29:50

harrowing of Essex said, how did we

let this happen? This is an

3:29:503:29:57

institution that was designed by

men, built for men, and for the

3:29:573:30:01

large part of its existence has been

run by men and almost exclusively

3:30:013:30:06

men. And therefore the place of

women within the institution, in

3:30:063:30:12

this chamber itself, or within the

stuff that support the work we do,

3:30:123:30:16

is not necessarily been viewed on an

equal basis. I think it's

3:30:163:30:22

interesting if we speak to women in

Parliament, we know, we all have

3:30:223:30:25

these experiences of being talked

over in meetings. Being questioned

3:30:253:30:29

about whether you are allowed to be

somewhere. Whether you've got the

3:30:293:30:33

right to be on the terrace or in a

particular lift during a division,

3:30:333:30:37

whether or not you are a researcher

or clean instead of a member of

3:30:373:30:40

Parliament. -- cleaner. The way

women journalists, bravely, reported

3:30:403:30:47

somebody said to her here comes the

tarty. How many other women

3:30:473:30:52

journalists have had similar

experiences and worse? In terms of

3:30:523:30:56

the way they've been treated by

people in this place. I remember

3:30:563:30:58

when I was a minister learning about

a former minister from the House of

3:30:583:31:02

Lords who had basically engaged with

his female, with his male private

3:31:023:31:07

office staff, but wouldn't speak to

the female private office staff or

3:31:073:31:10

take them seriously because they

happen to be women, even if they

3:31:103:31:14

were more senior. These things do

happen, we know these things happen.

3:31:143:31:17

I was really struck by the young

woman's trust briefing that said 89%

3:31:173:31:23

of women MPs and 58% of men MPs say

sexism still exists in Parliament.

3:31:233:31:29

That golf is significant, almost all

women now say there are still

3:31:293:31:36

instances of sexism but just over

half of men recognise that is the

3:31:363:31:39

case and that golf is part of the

problem we have and part of the

3:31:393:31:42

complacency that still exists. We

are only talking about gender, but

3:31:423:31:48

race, LGB PT, socioeconomic, all

these barriers. -- LGBT. It's not

3:31:483:31:55

every man that does this, but this

kind of behaviour is present in

3:31:553:31:59

every single political party and we

all experience it and see it from

3:31:593:32:02

time to time. It's not just a few

bad apples, it's cultural. In fact

3:32:023:32:07

women as well, we'll have the

capacity to make these assumptions,

3:32:073:32:11

to make thoughtless comments. When

we're somebody with a position of

3:32:113:32:14

power, those comments have so much

more force, so we have an extra

3:32:143:32:18

responsibility to be aware of this.

I would just say to all members of

3:32:183:32:22

the house, I say it myself as well,

often when we see these things

3:32:223:32:26

happen they are tolerated or

somebody rolled their eyes or they

3:32:263:32:29

are embarrassed, but it's not always

called out, because it might feel

3:32:293:32:33

uncomfortable or inconvenient or

it's easier not to rock the boat.

3:32:333:32:36

Part of what we need to do is to be

challenging and tackle that culture

3:32:363:32:39

through the work we do in this

place. In terms of specific issues

3:32:393:32:44

on the report I want to touch on a

couple very briefly. On the

3:32:443:32:49

behaviour code, this will be the

foundation of what we do, and the

3:32:493:32:52

widest possible involvement of

members of staff of those who are

3:32:523:32:56

not in those categories is vital to

make sure it is built on that shared

3:32:563:32:59

sense of values and it has,

therefore, the resonance we need it

3:32:593:33:03

to have, that people really buy into

it. There has been discussion about

3:33:033:33:07

training. I do think it's essential.

Certainly anyone employed, it should

3:33:073:33:12

be part of what they have to do in

order to be able to access funds

3:33:123:33:16

from trips to pay somebody. But also

on harassment and the issue of

3:33:163:33:22

content. When I did an interview on

the day of the release of this

3:33:223:33:25

report, I was challenged by John

Humphrys on the today programme.

3:33:253:33:29

Surely MPs know what is appropriate

behaviour. You know, if that were

3:33:293:33:33

universally the case we wouldn't be

in this situation in the first

3:33:333:33:36

place. And I think that there is no

room for complacency. The #MeToo

3:33:363:33:46

movement shows us that. We need

relationship and sex education in

3:33:463:33:52

schools for all peoples, I'm

dismayed at the government rolling

3:33:523:33:56

back on that. I'll give way to the

Right Honourable gentleman.

Such a

3:33:563:33:59

good speak, particular the point

about assumptions because if you

3:33:593:34:04

want to change culture, everyone has

to stop making assumptions about

3:34:043:34:08

your own beliefs and what other

people's beliefs are. You need to

3:34:083:34:11

talk about that and get it into the

open without judgment. The other

3:34:113:34:15

thing I would agree with her

wholeheartedly on is about training

3:34:153:34:20

for MPs who employ staff. Ultimately

if you haven't been through a basic

3:34:203:34:24

training package, well then why

should the taxpayer allow you to

3:34:243:34:27

employ your own staff?

I would

certainly welcome his support for

3:34:273:34:32

those points. I would say some of

what we experience in these issues

3:34:323:34:37

of harassment, some are undoubtedly

deliberate, with the intent to do

3:34:373:34:42

what is being done, entirely with

knowledge, but I think some of it is

3:34:423:34:46

also inadvertent. It is to tackle

that complacency that the training

3:34:463:34:50

is so essential. There will be

people who don't understand the

3:34:503:34:53

impact of all of the words that they

use. I attended a recent session on

3:34:533:34:58

anti-Semitism which was a

fascinating session by the Holocaust

3:34:583:35:02

educational trust. I think the more

we can listen and learn to the

3:35:023:35:06

experience of others, it helps us to

engage in a more mature weight on

3:35:063:35:09

these issues. That cultural change

is important. Sarah Childs is the

3:35:093:35:14

member for Perth and North

Perthshire, she recommended ways we

3:35:143:35:21

could change the culture and gave

evidence and talked about

3:35:213:35:25

challenging the exceptionalism of

MPs, that we think we're in a unique

3:35:253:35:28

scenario. Yes, there are many

elements of our job that are unusual

3:35:283:35:31

but it should be some kind of excuse

for not having basic professional

3:35:313:35:35

standards whether in terms of good

implement relationships, which if we

3:35:353:35:39

had good employment practice that

would deal with large part of the

3:35:393:35:43

problems we are experiencing here,

not entirely, but a large part. Or

3:35:433:35:47

whether it's evenly match your

approach to late-night sittings as

3:35:473:35:50

if it's a badge of pride. It's the

equivalent of having your jacket on

3:35:503:35:54

the back of the chair in the office.

It's not how modern are effective. I

3:35:543:36:02

also agree with the member for

Brighton Pavilion that we need to do

3:36:023:36:05

it as fast as possible, extend the

behaviour code to the behaviour of

3:36:053:36:09

members of Parliament and staff of

Parliament. Wherever they are. When

3:36:093:36:13

they are in that role, carrying out

duties, whether in the constituency,

3:36:133:36:17

office or at some event or here in

Parliament. I know others want to

3:36:173:36:22

speak so in conclusion the problems

we are facing are not unique to

3:36:223:36:25

Parliament but we all have a part to

play in dealing with them. This

3:36:253:36:28

motion today and this report is an

important first step, it will lead

3:36:283:36:33

to a real improvement and hopefully

help us to get our own house in

3:36:333:36:35

order.

Jess Phillips.

I like

everybody else want to commend the

3:36:353:36:42

work done by the leader, Shadow

leader and everybody on the working

3:36:423:36:46

group. 100 hours sounds... I would

definitely have lost the will to

3:36:463:36:51

live halfway through I think in the

negotiations. I think everybody

3:36:513:36:54

worked really, really hard. I think

it has been done relatively quickly

3:36:543:37:00

for this place. I mean, it's the

quickest thing I've known go through

3:37:003:37:03

since I've been here. There are just

a few points I wanted to raise.

3:37:033:37:10

Slight concerns about how we might

take this forward. By and large I

3:37:103:37:14

think it is brilliant, where there

are not often easy answers to

3:37:143:37:19

anonymity, privacy, this isn't easy.

People who are outside of this

3:37:193:37:24

building can say these things are

easy but when you're actually here

3:37:243:37:28

it is quite different. I also want

to place on record, we talk about

3:37:283:37:32

the events of last November and this

being the reason we are all here, I

3:37:323:37:37

want to say thank you to Lex Baillie

and Kate Maltby... And others, who

3:37:373:37:48

all have the guts to come forward

and say people who were powerful had

3:37:483:37:55

not always behaved the best with

them and they deserve huge praise

3:37:553:37:59

and merit. One of my concerns around

the issue of representation during

3:37:593:38:08

any process in the sexual harassment

and leader of the house said both

3:38:083:38:15

parties would be entitled to

representation, which is absolutely

3:38:153:38:17

as it should be. Fair in every

system in the land, whether trade

3:38:173:38:25

union representation union

representation. I do have a concern

3:38:253:38:29

about how we will make sure in this

place there is an equality of arms

3:38:293:38:33

in that representation, because if

you are a case worker working in one

3:38:333:38:37

of our offices and somebody sexually

harasses you and the person who's

3:38:373:38:42

actually you is a very wealthy peer

for example, I worry that one person

3:38:423:38:50

has a really good representation and

can frighten people with legal

3:38:503:38:55

letters. I've received some myself

in these past few months. That

3:38:553:39:00

worries me greatly, that there will

be an unfair imbalance. If the

3:39:003:39:08

Weinstein issue teaches us anything,

it's that rich men know how to use

3:39:083:39:13

the law to get away with murder. And

that, I think, we need to make sure

3:39:133:39:21

we are addressing that all the way

through this process. Also I have

3:39:213:39:25

one slight issue about the

independence of MPs being

3:39:253:39:29

decision-makers. Not with regards to

their marking their own homework,

3:39:293:39:33

I'm satisfied, I didn't know

anything about the numbers till

3:39:333:39:35

today. I'm satisfied actually with

the explanations I've heard. In the

3:39:353:39:41

report one of the decision-making

lines is, if a member of our staff

3:39:413:39:49

perpetrate sexual harassment or

bullying and harassment, that we are

3:39:493:39:54

one of the decision-makers. So I as

the employer would be the

3:39:543:39:57

decision-making. It seems completely

acceptable, that's what it would be

3:39:573:40:00

like in the world, the member for

Forest of Dean it's the same

3:40:003:40:07

standard as their employer. Except

in this place we are in close

3:40:073:40:11

quarters with our employees, I

employ only one person here. She is

3:40:113:40:16

very, very close to me and I feel

incredible loyalty towards her. I

3:40:163:40:22

walk around this building and see

people's children who are members of

3:40:223:40:28

Parliament who work in this

building. People's partners work in

3:40:283:40:31

here, people's families. I'm not

entirely sure that a member of

3:40:313:40:37

Parliament could be completely and

utterly without bias in a case

3:40:373:40:42

against a member of their staff. And

I think that definitely needs to be

3:40:423:40:46

looked into, because... I'll gladly

give way.

3:40:463:40:53

I hope to be able to assure reassure

her. We didn't come up against this

3:40:533:41:00

as she rightly says, there are some

very close, unusually close

3:41:003:41:04

relationships in this place. But

when there is a finding that there

3:41:043:41:09

is something against in the way of

an... And a member fails to take

3:41:093:41:15

action, it is been up on that

claimant to take the MP. I hope that

3:41:153:41:24

reassures you.

That does reassure me

to some degree. My only concern is

3:41:243:41:34

that complainant having to do an

awful lot of work in making sure

3:41:343:41:42

that they are supported all the way

through that. I get going back to

3:41:423:41:45

the equality of arms to make sure

that... We are much more hopeful

3:41:453:41:51

than most people and much more

frightening than most people. -- we

3:41:513:41:55

are much more powerful than most

people. I'd like to think that I

3:41:553:42:03

could recognise that and try to

employ it with appropriateness. The

3:42:033:42:09

truth is, I still worry that there

will be a power imbalance. Although

3:42:093:42:15

I think the Working Group has done

everything that they could possibly

3:42:153:42:19

to find -- to do a very difficult

thing. I will finish by doing

3:42:193:42:28

just... All. I mean, I will give

way.

I am grateful to the honourable

3:42:283:42:39

Lady because I think she rightly

points to the necessity that MPs as

3:42:393:42:46

employers because we are public

figures must be held to a much

3:42:463:42:49

higher standard than we would expect

of an ordinary small businessman. We

3:42:493:42:57

are accountable and we are expected

to be accountable and we Ards

3:42:573:43:01

leaders and example setters. And I

think the report addresses that and

3:43:013:43:09

her concern. There is going to be HR

support from outside for the staff

3:43:093:43:13

of members of Parliament so they get

the support of counselling they need

3:43:133:43:17

to take a complaint against their

employer in a way that has not

3:43:173:43:21

existed before.

I totally recognise

that and as I say, not even broadly,

3:43:213:43:28

I am very happy with the progress

that has been made and I personally

3:43:283:43:32

felt very listened to. I think the

shadow leader for that. The system

3:43:323:43:42

will need to be tested as we go

through it. And lots of people have

3:43:423:43:47

talked about review. It will be

strength tested by those who go

3:43:473:43:52

through it. What we have to make

sure in this place is that we don't

3:43:523:43:56

do is when the first case comes and

and it is not as it should've been,

3:43:563:44:03

that we close ranks with each other

and that certainly I will always

3:44:033:44:08

commit to being the person who

closes ranks with the people on the

3:44:083:44:13

outside. So I commend the report.

Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker. It

3:44:133:44:23

feels almost like Christmas is upon

us. Nearly all men can stand

3:44:233:44:28

adversity, but if you want to test a

man's's character, give him power.

3:44:283:44:33

That is something that Abraham

Lincoln said. What we have been

3:44:333:44:35

talking about today is what happens

when it does tend to be mainly men

3:44:353:44:41

have power and how power can be

missed misused. I want to pay

3:44:413:44:48

tribute to all those people who work

for a hundred hours for working at

3:44:483:44:52

this issue through that vein and

recognising it is about many

3:44:523:44:55

different ways that power can be

abuse. This place is powerful and

3:44:553:44:59

full powerful people. I took part in

an assembly on sexual harassment.

3:44:593:45:07

And it is a very sobering moment

when you think what to tell young

3:45:073:45:11

women of our country about sexual

harassment now in 2018 in the

3:45:113:45:16

environment of the MeToo Movement

and the environment of Harvey

3:45:163:45:21

Weinstein and the environment of

what we have seen and our charity

3:45:213:45:24

sector. Each individual is

responsible in terms of this motion

3:45:243:45:29

and what happens next but we know we

have a wider unit. It is not enough

3:45:293:45:35

to simply pay lip service and save

this should not be happening. It is

3:45:353:45:40

to ask what are we all doing to make

sure that it never happens again.

3:45:403:45:44

And the messes that we send out

through Parliament to this work and

3:45:443:45:47

we know this work must continue has

wider ramifications because it sets

3:45:473:45:51

the bar for other agencies. None of

us can claim that Parliament has

3:45:513:45:55

covered itself in glory. We have

been too slow. It is like leaving a

3:45:553:46:01

horse to water, instead of

recognising that some of those

3:46:013:46:05

donkeys have no place in our

political process. Now is our

3:46:053:46:09

opportunity to say that we are going

to make a stand not just Parliament

3:46:093:46:13

by a crossed Public life because it

matters to those girls. The freedom

3:46:133:46:17

that we would want all those girls

to be able to acknowledge their

3:46:173:46:20

potential. In the run-up to it

International Women's Day. I just

3:46:203:46:26

want to say four point that I hope

the Leader of the House will take on

3:46:263:46:30

board. Bearing in mind that some of

us have been called sheltie feminist

3:46:303:46:33

today. First and foremost, the

question about training. I

3:46:333:46:41

understand where he is coming from.

We have been inspiring each other in

3:46:413:46:47

issues around gender equality and

feminism. Either stand his point

3:46:473:46:51

about catching more flies with honey

than vinegar, but it is something

3:46:513:46:54

like this that people who are least

resistance are the most likely to

3:46:543:46:58

need to change. We cannot simply

keep asking nicely and then

3:46:583:47:04

apologising to the people would have

to do with the consequences. That is

3:47:043:47:08

why it matters we have six and

relationship education for every

3:47:083:47:12

young person in this country. And I

hope we'll all renew our resolve not

3:47:123:47:16

to backslide now. That is my second

point to the leader. I think this

3:47:163:47:23

does have to fit into this wider

context. We know it is not by

3:47:233:47:28

accident that people end up as

pass-holders. How do people get

3:47:283:47:35

involved whose matter how do people

get employed? Inevitably it is one

3:47:353:47:41

part of the puzzle of the jigsaw

about how to become involved in

3:47:413:47:47

public life. I want to pay tribute

today to the women who have come

3:47:473:47:49

forward as part of a labour of

campaign and given their stories. It

3:47:493:47:54

tells us that we have work to do

within our own political movement. I

3:47:543:47:58

think it is across political

parties. This process will only be

3:47:583:48:02

as good as the people were coming

into political activism and

3:48:023:48:06

political activism will only be as

good for the environment as we

3:48:063:48:10

create. How do we fit that in

without broader work about making

3:48:103:48:14

sure there is no hiding for those

people who to abuse power. My third

3:48:143:48:20

point is what happens when we find

people who behaved inappropriately.

3:48:203:48:25

I have been consistently asking

about recall. And I'm so pleased to

3:48:253:48:29

see that this is the agenda. I

believe we need to have the sanction

3:48:293:48:34

that none of us want to admit to but

know that it needs to be in the

3:48:343:48:38

process when someone is found to

have behaved in these ways. We have

3:48:383:48:41

heard today about whether standards

will come into it and if there is a

3:48:413:48:46

case of taking the initial question

about sections out of the commission

3:48:463:48:53

and giving it to a independent

third-party who would then advise us

3:48:533:48:57

so we can take out any suggestion of

political favour or fear of the

3:48:573:49:01

constant to the consequences. If

recall is the right course of

3:49:013:49:06

action, it should be on the table

because the transgression is serious

3:49:063:49:10

enough that the local community that

that person represents needs to have

3:49:103:49:14

the right to say something. None of

us would want to send one of those

3:49:143:49:17

young girls to go and see their Adam

Peaty knowing that that person has

3:49:173:49:21

behaved in a way we would not

tolerate in any other workplace. And

3:49:213:49:26

the fourth thing I want to say is we

know that this is just another

3:49:263:49:31

staging posts. This is the fourth

time that we have debated this. We

3:49:313:49:34

know that there is much more work to

do. I want to pledge my support in

3:49:343:49:40

keeping going. I fear there are

some, particularly some of his

3:49:403:49:44

plays, who may have even been

accused of things who are hoping

3:49:443:49:47

that after the title and subsides,

this issue will go away and life

3:49:473:49:51

will go back to normal. Let us not

make 2018 like 2017. Let's make 2018

3:49:513:49:59

the point when the fans really did

shift. That means we have to keep

3:49:593:50:03

going and see these cases through.

As awkward and difficult as it is.

3:50:033:50:09

We all those young women I spoke to

today so much more, but that is at

3:50:093:50:13

least something we can promise them.

As one of the members of the Working

3:50:133:50:23

Group. I really do wish to

congratulate everyone involved.

3:50:233:50:27

Everyone who undertook this timely

long and drawn out and demanding

3:50:273:50:30

task. I think it is worth stating

the obvious fax. This process has

3:50:303:50:40

come up in cooperation for all the

people who sit in this House and

3:50:403:50:44

representatives of people employed

here and trade unions. I want to

3:50:443:50:48

commend the many witnesses who spoke

to us and particularly the

3:50:483:50:52

specialist adviser of sexual

harassment. I would also like to

3:50:523:50:56

commend the Leader of the House for

her patient work. This is a critical

3:50:563:51:05

step in transforming Westminster

into a 21st-century workplace. Again

3:51:053:51:10

let us take a moment to state an

obvious thing. Consider how

3:51:103:51:16

ineffective all of us would be here

without the staff. They balanced the

3:51:163:51:23

conflicting demands and enable us to

show composed face to the public.

3:51:233:51:34

And the flip side of that is this is

a tiring and pressurised

3:51:343:51:38

environment. There is a toxic mix of

power, ambition and vulnerability.

3:51:383:51:42

Much of which of course has played

out behind closed doors. Again, the

3:51:423:51:50

decentralization of this and any

workplace it is a matter of

3:51:503:51:56

equality. I think much of our

discussion is out of fear of where

3:51:563:52:03

we draw the lines. The unique nature

of terms of MPs staff who are

3:52:033:52:11

employed by MPs directly who could

only go to that an MP or the MP

3:52:113:52:21

party. That is why the independent

nature of this policy is so

3:52:213:52:24

significant. While of course

political parties must endeavour to

3:52:243:52:32

ensure that their policies are fair

without prejudice, the question of

3:52:323:52:36

whose interests are best served wall

was remaining in those woods. There

3:52:363:52:42

is an amount of work again for my

discussion today I think this is

3:52:423:52:48

obvious, that still needs to be

done. Over and above the

3:52:483:52:51

recommendations that have been

brought here today. There has been

3:52:513:52:55

quite as sophisticated discussion on

this. Another point I would like to

3:52:553:53:00

raise, is a matter of how we include

visitors to constituency offices

3:53:003:53:06

which needs to be addressed as a

matter of urgency. Also, how to

3:53:063:53:11

decide when and where elected

members or to whom the supplied and

3:53:113:53:17

their staff are engaged in

Parliamentary duties, be that

3:53:173:53:21

hearing once Mr on visits or abroad.

We need clarity on this to ensure

3:53:213:53:29

fairness. This will of course be a

semi judicial process. There has

3:53:293:53:41

been some discussion, I would draw

attention to the fact that this

3:53:413:53:48

report does anticipate changes in

clues and changes to the voting

3:53:483:53:52

arrangements with in the committee.

We are of course doing our best to

3:53:523:53:57

merge together the structures that

we have in this House alongside

3:53:573:54:01

cultural change. This will be

challenging, but I think we have the

3:54:013:54:05

balance as best we can and we will

be moving ahead with that. I would

3:54:053:54:10

urge that there is a campaign to

inform staff of the new human

3:54:103:54:16

resources facilities. I know it is

there and I know we have talked

3:54:163:54:19

about it, but we need to remind

people that this is their when they

3:54:193:54:24

needed. The independent complaint

policy in itself and I think the

3:54:243:54:34

particular emphasis for our staff to

constituency officers who are not

3:54:343:54:39

necessarily part of the same

discussion that we have here. The

3:54:393:54:44

process of forming new staff could

go into the future. It is not a one

3:54:443:54:50

event. Just as the size, I think

affective human resources facilities

3:54:503:54:54

being available to MP staff, these

will address the minor and mundane

3:54:543:55:03

problems and in doing so they will

prevent the problem from escalating.

3:55:033:55:09

Quite a bit of discussion about

training as well today, it's

3:55:093:55:13

important we depersonalise this.

There has been an individualistic

3:55:133:55:17

approach to this matter as a whole.

This isn't a threat to individuals

3:55:173:55:21

but anyway we bring about change as

an entire body, the training we

3:55:213:55:28

participate, not as a threat to

individuals, it's part of the

3:55:283:55:31

bringing about a change, this is our

corporate leadership to do that. To

3:55:313:55:36

close, and what I would like to

commend with this document in

3:55:363:55:40

particular, how politicians have

been able to rein in that

3:55:403:55:45

inclination to console as

individuals, to overemphasise the

3:55:453:55:49

potential for political motivation

in the complaints. This final report

3:55:493:55:53

has kept the balance between

supporting complainants and

3:55:533:55:57

resisting and overemphasis on

vexatious complaints. The success of

3:55:573:56:06

how these initiatives will be

measured will be from a culture of

3:56:063:56:10

deference and outmoded power

structures to a culture of respect

3:56:103:56:13

among equals working together in our

many Parliamentary workplaces

3:56:133:56:17

wherever they may be. The future

success will require rigorous

3:56:173:56:24

monitoring and implementation just

as the contribution of staff and

3:56:243:56:27

union representatives acted on a

number of occasions, frankly, as the

3:56:273:56:31

glue which held the working group

together. So it's essential there is

3:56:313:56:34

a full role. , representatives of

unions, or unions who have staff

3:56:343:56:41

here in the house. That they are

represented. These policies are not

3:56:413:56:48

complete. They will evolve in

practice and in review. But I am

3:56:483:56:53

confident they are catalysts of

change.

Caroline Lucas.

Thank you

3:56:533:57:00

very much Madam Deputy Speaker. I

think there is a sad irony that on

3:57:003:57:05

this hundredth anniversary of the

time when the first women won the

3:57:053:57:08

vote Parliament has been under the

spotlight as a place in which women

3:57:083:57:11

in particular do face so much

harassment and mistreatment. As we

3:57:113:57:15

know, one in five people working in

Westminster report experiencing or

3:57:153:57:20

witnessing sexual harassment in the

last 12 months, twice as many women

3:57:203:57:24

as men record incidents. It was a

real privilege to serve on the

3:57:243:57:28

cross-party working group set up to

respond to this routine sexual

3:57:283:57:32

misconduct, and indeed the

concurrent routine failure to handle

3:57:323:57:35

complaints either fairly or in some

cases at all. I want to join others

3:57:353:57:39

in paying particular tribute to the

leader of a house for her leadership

3:57:393:57:42

and commitment to seeking consensus

for the recommendations from the

3:57:423:57:46

working group. The report we

produced I think we'll set up a

3:57:463:57:51

support system where previously

there was none. It also establish an

3:57:513:57:57

independent framework in which

complaints can be heard and,

3:57:573:58:01

crucially, anybody who report sexual

misconduct will have access to a

3:58:013:58:04

complaints procedure that

specifically is designed to

3:58:043:58:07

differentiate between those cases

and bullying. That was the first and

3:58:073:58:11

arguably most important change the

working group pressed for.

3:58:113:58:14

Complainants will have access to

somebody with expertise in

3:58:143:58:18

supporting those who experience

sexual misconduct, somebody who

3:58:183:58:20

understands the complainant has to

be in control about the next steps

3:58:203:58:23

and who will fight for their rights

to be upheld. Parliament should lead

3:58:233:58:28

by example, not take it more power

away from those who make complaints,

3:58:283:58:33

as happens repeatedly elsewhere. I'm

very pleased this has been reflected

3:58:333:58:36

in the working group

recommendations. That is progress,

3:58:363:58:41

and it was possible due to having

one of the country's best qualified

3:58:413:58:45

expert in sexual harassment in an

advisory role on the working group,

3:58:453:58:49

meaning our work and decisions were

informed by evidence and best

3:58:493:58:52

practice. Thanks must go to her, but

also to the whole secretariat for

3:58:523:58:57

their tireless work, to all the

experts who supported us, and I

3:58:573:59:00

would echo the words of the

Honourable member for Perth and

3:59:003:59:05

North Perthshire about the

importance of staff representatives

3:59:053:59:07

in our negotiations, it really did

make our process far more effective

3:59:073:59:11

and inclusive. A complaint centred

approach is just the start. The next

3:59:113:59:19

steps are of equal importance,

especially the question of

3:59:193:59:21

sanctions. To some extent, that

question of sanctions is in the

3:59:213:59:27

hands of political parties, and I

welcome the commitment all parties

3:59:273:59:30

have made to reviewing and improving

their own processes. At the Green

3:59:303:59:34

party we've committed to referring

cases to an external body, which is

3:59:343:59:42

how we will ensure independence and

transparency. I'd like to make the

3:59:423:59:45

case that smaller parties are at a

disadvantage when it comes to

3:59:453:59:47

resource in those more robust

systems for training and constant

3:59:473:59:52

evaluation. I would ask Parliament

might be encouraged to look at this

3:59:523:59:55

on the grounds that I believe there

should be some element of funding

3:59:553:59:57

for political parties, and this

would be a good place to start. I

3:59:574:00:02

made that point at the working group

meeting. I've had previous

4:00:024:00:08

complainants and MPs tell me they

have zero confidence in their

4:00:084:00:11

parties to deal with cases fairly,

or take appropriate action against

4:00:114:00:15

perpetrators. That's the threat of a

by-election would be enough to kill

4:00:154:00:18

off the prospect of sanctions. A

vast amount of work must be done to

4:00:184:00:25

undo the years of sweeping under the

carpet that have taught us to a

4:00:254:00:29

place of distrust and despair. No

political party is perfect and I'm

4:00:294:00:33

certain my own party will have it's

an ongoing learning to do as

4:00:334:00:37

confident in procedure and more

vocal discourse on harassment right

4:00:374:00:40

encourages more people to come

forward. Today I want to pay tribute

4:00:404:00:44

in particular to labour and all of

the women with the coverage they've

4:00:444:00:46

shown in terms of raising that

within the Labour Party. The

4:00:464:00:50

challenge for political parties will

be to be brave enough to accept no

4:00:504:00:56

party, no organisation, no one, is

exempt from this. But that together

4:00:564:01:00

we can work together to challenge

that culture of harassment, and that

4:01:004:01:04

it can change if we are committed

enough to do that. And we must

4:01:044:01:08

prioritise the voices of those

coming forward over party

4:01:084:01:11

reputation. However, the working

group is clear many of those

4:01:114:01:17

experiencing sexual misconduct would

not be protected by party policies,

4:01:174:01:21

even if those were the best

possible. That is why we've

4:01:214:01:24

recommended the development of a

shared and binding behaviour code

4:01:244:01:27

that covers everyone working in

Parliament including all MPs, peers

4:01:274:01:30

and Parliamentary staff. That code

which will be developed in detail in

4:01:304:01:34

the coming months is crucial.

Volunteers, staff employed by

4:01:344:01:39

political parties, contractors,

officials working in Parliament, all

4:01:394:01:42

of them will be entitled hand-held

to the high standards of treatment.

4:01:424:01:45

It'll cover behaviour in any

designated place of work, or in the

4:01:454:01:51

cause of Parliamentary duties or

activities at home and crucially

4:01:514:01:54

also abroad. The working group

wasn't able in the timescale

4:01:544:01:59

involved to reach agreement on how

best to protect visitors to

4:01:594:02:03

constituency offices and I was

reassured by what the leader of the

4:02:034:02:07

house and said earlier in our

debate, saying it would be a

4:02:074:02:10

priority for her going forward.

We've had quite a bit of debate

4:02:104:02:14

about the role of the standards

committee, and while I do appreciate

4:02:144:02:19

that the inclusion of lay members on

that committee does improve the

4:02:194:02:23

situation, I do think the

recommendations in this report about

4:02:234:02:26

looking again at how the standards

committee works are going to be

4:02:264:02:30

important. I do think there is risk

of how this looks to outside this

4:02:304:02:34

place, to looking inside. If it

seems to them as if the outcome of a

4:02:344:02:39

complaint is in the hands of people,

politicians, who may have a vested

4:02:394:02:43

interest in not taking it any

further, I think it will undermine

4:02:434:02:47

all the good work we've done to

date. I think there is a risk we

4:02:474:02:51

could be perceived to leave the

system open to abuse by political

4:02:514:02:56

string bowlers and other career

makers or breakers. It flies in the

4:02:564:03:00

face of what constitutes best

practice and is utterly at odds with

4:03:004:03:04

the stand-up principle of an

independent system which underpins

4:03:044:03:07

the working group report. They risk

perpetuating the lack of trust

4:03:074:03:12

keenly felt by the staff these new

procedures are supposed to protect

4:03:124:03:16

and risk further reputational damage

by opening a sub, rightly, to

4:03:164:03:21

accusations we are dragging our feet

were letting perpetrators off the

4:03:214:03:25

hook. We've made huge strides in the

last hundred years but still have a

4:03:254:03:29

patriarchal political culture that

is, negates against woman and

4:03:294:03:33

bodies. A complaints mechanism fit

for purpose work to transform things

4:03:334:03:37

overnight but will make a big

difference and send a loud signal

4:03:374:03:40

that we recognise the problem. But

that difference and that signal

4:03:404:03:46

will, themselves, be seriously

undermined if MPs are left deciding

4:03:464:03:51

on recall and other sanctions. I

want to say a few last words about

4:03:514:03:56

culture change and I have been very

heartened by the number of people on

4:03:564:03:59

both sides of the house if stressed

the importance of culture change. It

4:03:594:04:04

was not formally within the remit of

our working group but I'm very glad

4:04:044:04:08

we did stray into it. It's very

right that we did. I think it does

4:04:084:04:12

show we have an opportunity to start

to dismantle the power inequalities

4:04:124:04:16

that exercise such a damaging grip

on politics and to replace them with

4:04:164:04:20

a culture founded on dignity,

equality and safety from harassment.

4:04:204:04:24

One that goes further than

sanctioning those who haven't yet

4:04:244:04:28

grasped why grabbing somebody's knee

without permission is a problem, one

4:04:284:04:32

that also seeks to educate. I'm

sorry that we didn't manage to get

4:04:324:04:36

agreement for compulsory content

training in this Parliament, though

4:04:364:04:39

I'm glad we had the famous kite mark

by any other name, we decided not to

4:04:394:04:43

call it a kite mark. The Honourable

member for Perth and North

4:04:434:04:47

Perthshire will be glad there is

still the idea of a naming and

4:04:474:04:51

shaming device. It could still mean

that proper compulsory content

4:04:514:04:53

training might not start happening

until 2022. I do think it's not

4:04:534:04:59

right that staffers and visitors to

the parliamentary estate have to

4:04:594:05:03

wait another five years to be

guaranteed safety in the workplace.

4:05:034:05:07

But I want to put on a record

formally now I believe we will have

4:05:074:05:11

failed all of those of experience

sexual misconduct and who

4:05:114:05:15

experienced it in future if we don't

continue the momentum started in

4:05:154:05:18

this working group to take radical

steps when it comes to culture

4:05:184:05:21

change. The immunity once enjoyed by

the powerful and influential is

4:05:214:05:25

starting to wear off, but perhaps

only because we are under a

4:05:254:05:28

spotlight and right now there are

loud, strong voices for change. It

4:05:284:05:31

has to continue, those loud voices

need to continue to be heard. This

4:05:314:05:36

issue must not be allowed to be

kicked into the long grass.

4:05:364:05:40

Arguments like only those who employ

staff should have to participate in

4:05:404:05:45

training, nor should those kinds of

arguments be allowed to gain

4:05:454:05:48

traction. Every single peer and MP

must learn about consent, bullying,

4:05:484:05:52

to understand the power they hold

and the weight of their actions.

4:05:524:05:56

That education has to be ongoing and

delivered by experts attacking

4:05:564:06:01

misconduct and bullying. Crucially,

I do believe, sadly, that this

4:06:014:06:04

training does need to be accompanied

by a system of financial penalties

4:06:044:06:08

imposed on those who fail to

cooperate, it's been recommended by

4:06:084:06:12

the Public Administration and

Constitutional affairs committees

4:06:124:06:15

and could include withholding pay

and allowances. The systems and

4:06:154:06:18

processes have to have teeth or they

will be rendered meaningless. Madame

4:06:184:06:24

Debord is bigger, unfortunately,

serious sexual harassment and

4:06:244:06:26

bullying is endemic in Westminster.

-- Madam Deputy Speaker. The

4:06:264:06:32

behaviour in this chamber is part of

the problem. I knows you and your

4:06:324:06:36

colleagues will continue to show

leadership in that respect as well

4:06:364:06:38

as demanding much more from

colleagues. Finally I want to echo

4:06:384:06:43

those Honourable members who have

already talked about the importance

4:06:434:06:46

of ongoing evaluation review and

development. We must make sure as we

4:06:464:06:52

go along we're tracking to see how

effective our new procedures are.

4:06:524:06:56

That must also include those cases

not taken forward. We need to devise

4:06:564:07:02

mechanisms for trying to capture

ones that don't even come into

4:07:024:07:06

contact with the system. I disagree

profoundly with the witnesses

4:07:064:07:10

evidence to the working group was

that we don't have a problem because

4:07:104:07:12

no one ever reported one. A final

few words about complainants wishing

4:07:124:07:17

to remain anonymous. We've protected

that right and reflected the

4:07:174:07:21

importance of building up a picture

that includes those cases, for

4:07:214:07:24

example, if an individual is accused

by a number of different people,

4:07:244:07:28

that is a pattern of behaviour that

can be investigated further, whether

4:07:284:07:32

or not formal complaints are made.

Of course we must uphold data

4:07:324:07:35

protection laws but I'm pleased I

think we found ways within the

4:07:354:07:39

framework to pay attention to cases

where the complainant wishes to

4:07:394:07:42

remain anonymous. Madam Deputy

Speaker, though the working group

4:07:424:07:46

doesn't go as far as I would have

liked in some areas, I'm proud of

4:07:464:07:49

the extent to which we've signalled

a 0% tolerance to sexual misconduct,

4:07:494:07:55

making politics a world genuinely

attractive, accessible and safe for

4:07:554:08:00

irrespective of gender, race,

sexuality or background is a prize

4:08:004:08:04

from which society as a whole can

only benefit. I'm reassured with the

4:08:044:08:08

kind of response we've had from all

sides of the house today that is

4:08:084:08:11

something we can do, that we can

make a real difference.

Thank you

4:08:114:08:17

Madam Deputy Speaker.

Today marks a

positive step forwards towards

4:08:174:08:24

achieving a working environment that

treats everyone with the dignity and

4:08:244:08:27

respect they deserve when they come

to work. Further work is needed but

4:08:274:08:30

I do want to take this opportunity

to thank all those who have helped

4:08:304:08:33

us get to this point. So can I first

thank all members of the working

4:08:334:08:38

group, the Honourable members for

Walsall South, Brent Central, Perth

4:08:384:08:44

and North Perthshire, East

Dunbartonshire, Brighton Pavilion,

4:08:444:08:46

Belfast South... My noble friend

Baroness Evans of Bowes Park, Lord

4:08:464:08:53

Hope of Craighead and our staff

representatives Max Friedman,

4:08:534:08:57

Georgina Koester and Emily

Cunningham, for all of their

4:08:574:09:02

dedication and perseverance over the

last few months. I'd also like to

4:09:024:09:06

thank the amazingly hard-working

members of the secretariat, Nick

4:09:064:09:10

Beach, Andrew Boro, Christopher

Clarke, Ian Hook, Justine Henin,

4:09:104:09:14

Alex Langley, Helen Mott, Anna

Murphy, Sophie Sommerville and Kate

4:09:144:09:18

Emms, as well as my own leaders of

his team. Their help, support and

4:09:184:09:23

advice has been invaluable and I

sincerely thank them for their drive

4:09:234:09:27

and determination. I'm very grateful

to all those who gave written or

4:09:274:09:30

oral evidence to the group and for

colleagues or sides of the house and

4:09:304:09:35

in the other places given their own

thoughts and advice. Adam Deputy

4:09:354:09:41

Speaker, this Parliament must lead

by example. It is a right not a

4:09:414:09:44

privilege to be treated with dignity

and respect at work. This place must

4:09:444:09:49

set the best example of a workplace

that protects and support all those

4:09:494:09:54

working in it. So can I assure all

those who contributed and who care

4:09:544:09:58

deeply, as I do, about changing the

future for all who work here, that

4:09:584:10:04

I'm 100% committed to seeing this

through. No rolling back, no

4:10:044:10:08

watering down, and no delay. Madam

Deputy Speaker, I hope the house

4:10:084:10:12

will support this motion.

The

question is that the amendment be

4:10:124:10:17

made. As many as are of that opinion

say aye. The ayes have it, the ayes

4:10:174:10:27

have it. The motion as amended, as

many as I wrote that opinion say

4:10:274:10:32

aye. On the contrary know. The ayes

have it, the ayes have it.

4:10:324:10:42

The title of the private build sent

down for consideration today.

Middle

4:10:424:10:47

level Bill.

No.

We will take new

clause one which will it will be

4:10:474:10:57

convenient to consider. Sir

Christopher choke.

I bake to move

4:10:574:11:09

new clause one, minimum debt

requirements. The Commissioner much

4:11:094:11:13

assured that the water in the

waterways must be a minimum depth of

4:11:134:11:18

three feet. In the event that the

depth is not maintained, no boaters

4:11:184:11:25

should be required to pay any

charge. And the background to this

4:11:254:11:31

new clause is the principle of quid

pro quo. Because the petitioners are

4:11:314:11:44

concerned that new charges and

obligations are being brought in

4:11:444:11:49

without them getting anything in

return. But before I expand on that.

4:11:494:11:54

Can I say that because all of these

new clauses and amendments are being

4:11:544:12:01

grouped together in one, we are

effectively discussing the Bill as a

4:12:014:12:05

whole. I think every single part of

the Bill is included in one or other

4:12:054:12:12

of the amendments. And I'm grateful

to my friend for confirming that

4:12:124:12:16

that is the situation. I must make a

few introductory remarks by saying

4:12:164:12:23

that I know I am the petitioners

much appreciate the way in which the

4:12:234:12:30

promotion of this Bill have

responded positively to the points

4:12:304:12:34

made. As a series of good points

that out in the promoter's statement

4:12:344:12:42

and the people who worked on the

committee I think that everybody

4:12:424:12:51

agrees that this is to a credit to

this House that this Bill has been

4:12:514:12:56

looked at in such detail. Obviously,

when we had the Second Reading

4:12:564:13:04

debate, number of points were made

and the petitioner and the

4:13:044:13:07

commissioners responded to those and

some of those responses were

4:13:074:13:13

reflected in amendments that were

brought forward at the Committee

4:13:134:13:16

Stage and at the same time when the

petitioners had a chance to be

4:13:164:13:21

heard, over I think three days, many

of their points were accepted. I

4:13:214:13:26

think the stage where we are now is

the amendments were put forward as a

4:13:264:13:32

result of those were representation,

question whether those amendments go

4:13:324:13:39

far enough, could beach week in some

way. -- could beach week in some

4:13:394:13:45

way. I am sure that when the Bill

does go to the Other Place, there

4:13:454:13:54

will be a petition against it and we

will be able to see the extent to

4:13:544:13:57

which the petitioners arguments are

accepted today prior to the Bill

4:13:574:14:06

going to the Other Place. Because

obviously it is open at any stage of

4:14:064:14:12

the promoter of the Bill to say, I

think that is a good point, we have

4:14:124:14:15

not thought of that. I'm behalf of

the promoters, he is a very good

4:14:154:14:25

listener. And I am sure that will go

well for the future. So this is a

4:14:254:14:32

Bill that has been never objected

to. I think it is now much better

4:14:324:14:43

Bill, but although much better, it

does not mean it is not capable of

4:14:434:14:47

further improvement. That is the

whole purpose of putting forward

4:14:474:14:53

these new clauses and amendments

this afternoon. Paragraph 2.3 of the

4:14:534:15:00

statement on behalf of the promoter

of the middle level commissioners in

4:15:004:15:05

support of the Bill makes clear that

the commissioners currently do not

4:15:054:15:13

receive any income from the

navigation of the waterways. With

4:15:134:15:17

the passage of this Bill they will

see income. New clause one is

4:15:174:15:22

designed to ensure that the quid pro

quo is that if the waterway is not

4:15:224:15:33

navigable, those charges should not

be applied. The petitioners believe

4:15:334:15:37

that under case law that means the

commissioners must provide something

4:15:374:15:49

beyond what is already provided in

return for making additional

4:15:494:15:52

charges. I think you accept that is

a reasonable proposition. The march

4:15:524:15:59

cruising club specifically are of

the opinion that if you are able to

4:15:594:16:05

charge the boaters to use the system

of navigation, it is essential that

4:16:054:16:09

voter facilities are available and

also there is adequate depth of

4:16:094:16:18

water and that is maintained or

introduced at a minimum standard and

4:16:184:16:21

where that does not apply, then

there should be a waving of any

4:16:214:16:27

requirement to pay any charges. Yes,

of course I would.

As you would be

4:16:274:16:36

aware. This does affect my

constituency because without the

4:16:364:16:40

middle level commissioners, we

wouldn't have many thousands of

4:16:404:16:48

farmland. The key point here is that

the money that was previously spent

4:16:484:16:57

on navigation unlocks, on these

waterways, if it is actually funded

4:16:574:17:01

through this charge, there will be

more money for flood defenses. And

4:17:014:17:06

flood defenses are absolute key

issue and a priority in this part of

4:17:064:17:11

my constituency. Do you agree that

the principle of the Bill is

4:17:114:17:15

actually really fit for purpose? Now

he has got his involvement with

4:17:154:17:21

these various amendments, but the

principle is still very strong.

I

4:17:214:17:29

think the principle is that if the

farmers and I know that my

4:17:294:17:36

honourable friend has a significant

interest in farming, if farmers are

4:17:364:17:40

going to benefit from this type of

scheme that I don't see why they

4:17:404:17:46

should not have to pay for the

benefit that they are getting. From

4:17:464:17:50

that scheme. And that is what this

is all about. I don't hold myself

4:17:504:17:56

out as an expert on anything, but

certainly not on this. I am told

4:17:564:18:03

that if if there was no longer any

land drainage, then the navigation

4:18:034:18:09

would be actually a much wider, more

effective, deeper and so on. So in a

4:18:094:18:17

sense, the land drainage which

enables the farmers to make their

4:18:174:18:20

profits off the land is of direct

benefit to the farmers, as the

4:18:204:18:28

navigation would be there anyway. I

don't know if you except that sure

4:18:284:18:36

analysis of it. Maybe he is a better

student of geography than I am. That

4:18:364:18:42

is what I am informed. In that

sense, Mr Deputy Speaker, when the

4:18:424:18:49

commissioners were first given their

role, it was on the basis that they

4:18:494:18:52

would recover charges from the land

owners rather than the users of the

4:18:524:19:00

navigation. And so if there are

going to be charges introduced for

4:19:004:19:07

the use of the navigation, then the

argument is those charges should be

4:19:074:19:13

in respect of enabling the

navigation to be kept open and

4:19:134:19:16

usable by those who are being

charged for using it. That seems a

4:19:164:19:24

perfect and equitable way to do it.

That is the background to the first

4:19:244:19:32

Amendment of the new clause.

Before

he moves on, will he give way? I am

4:19:324:19:40

very grateful to him. I apologise

for missing his opening statement.

4:19:404:19:44

But could he... Could he tell me how

many times that this depth of water

4:19:444:19:54

is not maintained to this level? Is

this a solution looking for a

4:19:544:19:59

problem or is this a genuine

problem?

I'm afraid I am not brief

4:19:594:20:06

to have an answer to that particular

question. All I can say is that is a

4:20:064:20:11

general comment that this is a point

which has been raised by the March

4:20:114:20:15

cruising club and I imagine they

would not be concerned about this if

4:20:154:20:20

it was not a problem. That is all I

can say to my honourable friend. The

4:20:204:20:26

March cruising club believe that

this is a very important issue for

4:20:264:20:31

them. There should be this adequate

depth of water to make sure the

4:20:314:20:35

navigation is available. That brings

me onto a new clause two which is a

4:20:354:20:46

requirement to provide specified

facilities. That would require the

4:20:464:20:51

commissioners within 12 months of

the day of the act coming into force

4:20:514:20:57

providing facilities at those locks.

Including a laboratory, freshwater

4:20:574:21:02

point, beings, etc. They should also

provide a minimum of ten moorings

4:21:024:21:10

for up to seven days capable of

accommodating a boat up to 50 feet

4:21:104:21:14

in length. This is, again, a quid

pro quo. If the commissioners want

4:21:144:21:20

to make money out of the navigation,

it would be sensible for them to be

4:21:204:21:29

able to make sure that there are

proper facilities for those vessels,

4:21:294:21:35

which are using the navigation and

will be paying significantly for

4:21:354:21:38

that privilege. A similar point is

raised a new clause three. By the

4:21:384:21:51

March cruising club to say that the

commissioners must within 12 months

4:21:514:21:55

of the day this act comes in to

force and of course... I understand

4:21:554:22:08

the commissioners have more or less

guaranteed that this is what they

4:22:084:22:10

are going to do provide these

facilities, but what the

4:22:104:22:16

petitioners, understandably, want to

ensure is that those undertakings

4:22:164:22:20

and expression of good intention are

properly reflected on the face of

4:22:204:22:26

the legislation rather than just

being left as a matter of good will.

4:22:264:22:30

I will give way.

Shortly there is

very few precedents for putting this

4:22:304:22:39

on the face of the Bill, specific

infrastructure. I think it would

4:22:394:22:45

some way cheapen the Bill and I

think make it... The voting interest

4:22:454:22:57

what they want above all else they

want really good navigable waters,

4:22:574:23:03

that are well maintained at the rate

depth so they can enjoy both at

4:23:034:23:09

different time peered and then if

there is a service of revenue that

4:23:094:23:18

means other facilities indeed can be

looked at in the future. I would

4:23:184:23:23

urge my right honourable friend

putting this on the face of a Bill

4:23:234:23:25

is not a good idea.

I am glad that

my honourable friend agrees that the

4:23:254:23:33

provision of these facilities is a

good idea, but I cannot understand

4:23:334:23:37

why he thinks requiring them to be

provided on the face of the Bill is

4:23:374:23:41

not a good idea. He says there is no

need. I suppose it is an issue of

4:23:414:23:52

trust as to whether or not the

undertakings can... Will be

4:23:524:23:57

honoured. We have had precedent in

other bills, private bills in this

4:23:574:24:05

House, for example, in the North

London cemetery Bill. Where the

4:24:054:24:09

promoters of the Bill giving an

undertaking which was then put on...

4:24:094:24:20

Put in the public domain and that

may be another way of resolving this

4:24:204:24:25

problem. It seems what my right

honourable friend is saying is that

4:24:254:24:31

everyone is in agreement that these

facilities are necessary and

4:24:314:24:35

desirable and should be provided.

So, that brings me onto new clause

4:24:354:24:43

four, which is saying the

commissioners must within 12 months

4:24:434:24:48

enable access of moorings under a

boot NT system. Operated by the

4:24:484:24:57

commissioners. Not an unreasonable

suggestion. This is a practise that

4:24:574:25:01

is commonplace in the boating

industry. Then I think the most

4:25:014:25:09

important of these five introductory

new clauses, Mr Deputy Speaker, is

4:25:094:25:15

new clause five, which would make

provision that no voter should be

4:25:154:25:19

required to pay any charges under

the provisions of this act until the

4:25:194:25:24

facilities and moorings specified in

the act are maintained in good

4:25:244:25:28

repair and in working order.

4:25:284:25:36

Should the users be required to pay

before they got the facilities or

4:25:364:25:40

should they only be required to pay

once facilities are there? It seems

4:25:404:25:44

to me that is an important issue.

I

particularly support new clause five

4:25:444:25:55

Mr Deputy Speaker because I struggle

to find a reason anybody couldn't

4:25:554:26:02

support new clause five because it

only seems to be fair. I wonder

4:26:024:26:06

whether or not my honourable friend

had had any discussions with either

4:26:064:26:10

the promoter of the bill or the

people behind it to find out if

4:26:104:26:14

they, too, thought it was just a

clause they would accept or what

4:26:144:26:21

logical reason they have for not

accepting it.

We haven't reached

4:26:214:26:23

that stage yet, I have to say, my

honourable friend. It may be my

4:26:234:26:28

fault because I haven't actually sat

down with the promoters of this bill

4:26:284:26:34

and discussed in detail these

particular issues. My understanding

4:26:344:26:37

is that there have been quite a lot

of discussions around this in the

4:26:374:26:43

context of the committee stage and

that the petitioners, for the

4:26:434:26:49

reasons I've set out, are still

unhappy and feel that there needs to

4:26:494:26:56

be a new clause incorporating this

particular condition. Of course I'll

4:26:564:26:59

give way.

I thank the Honourable

member for giving way and I am

4:26:594:27:03

finding his speech of some interest,

would he be interested to note

4:27:034:27:06

clause four was amended in the

committee to make clear revenue from

4:27:064:27:12

navigation would only be spent on

navigation purposes and this was

4:27:124:27:16

done in response to the petitioners

concern is to ensure the confidence

4:27:164:27:20

they could have, that effectively

whilst they are getting something

4:27:204:27:22

for nothing, they would get

something for what they pay and it

4:27:224:27:27

would be clear navigation fees would

go on navigational facilities and

4:27:274:27:30

costs.

I thank my honourable friend

for his intervention. We'll be

4:27:304:27:36

coming on to clause four and

amendments to clause four. I'm not

4:27:364:27:40

going to do anything other than say

the petitioners and I are very

4:27:404:27:45

pleased that new clause four was

introduced into the bill in the

4:27:454:27:49

committee stage in response to

concerns expressed. I mentioned at

4:27:494:27:53

the outset, because it was brought

in at that stage, doesn't mean it's

4:27:534:27:59

perfect. This is really why we've

got these new clauses, these

4:27:594:28:05

preliminary new clauses, and some

amendments to clause four which I

4:28:054:28:09

shall come to in due course. I think

it's much easier for people to

4:28:094:28:14

follow proceedings if we go, start

at the beginning and go clause by

4:28:144:28:19

clause.

Yes? And very grateful, but

would he agree with me that if new

4:28:194:28:26

clause five were not accepted it

would, in effect, mean people would

4:28:264:28:30

say it was absolutely fine for the

charges to be made, but the

4:28:304:28:34

facilities not to be in good repair

and working order and that would be

4:28:344:28:40

intolerable if that were not

accepted.

I hear the Honourable

4:28:404:28:46

friend speaking on behalf of the

promoters say in my honourable

4:28:464:28:50

friend would be wrong about that.

Let's wait until we get to

4:28:504:28:57

discussing clause four, which was

introduced at the committee stage,

4:28:574:29:01

to see whether we can tease more

information out on all the

4:29:014:29:06

implications. As far as... This

brings me on to the amendments, Mr

4:29:064:29:15

Deputy Speaker. Amendment number

one, page two clause one, line 24,

4:29:154:29:21

it basically says it's an

unreasonably short period of time

4:29:214:29:27

between this bill obtaining consent

and being implemented. It specified

4:29:274:29:37

it should only be 28 days, and it

seems to me that it would be

4:29:374:29:45

reasonable for that period to be six

months. It would come into force at

4:29:454:29:51

the end of six months beginning on

the day which it was passed. I would

4:29:514:29:59

not say it was the most important of

all the amendments but it would be

4:29:594:30:02

interesting to hear from the

promoters asked why they don't think

4:30:024:30:06

it's a reasonable position to have,

because we know under the provisions

4:30:064:30:10

of this bill they're going to have

to draw up bylaws and it doesn't

4:30:104:30:16

mean they can't start working on the

bylaws in advance of the bill being

4:30:164:30:23

passed into law and then leaving a

period of six months until it

4:30:234:30:29

implemented, bearing in mind the

fact we're dealing with a lot of

4:30:294:30:36

laypeople who are... Who will

probably need a lot of notice of the

4:30:364:30:41

changes that are going to be made

under the provisions of this bill.

4:30:414:30:49

So, amendments two, again, is, in a

sense, a drafting amendment. When we

4:30:494:30:54

get the definition of what is

polluting, it seems to me, it's much

4:30:544:31:06

easier to keep that as an objective

test and so I've got no problem

4:31:064:31:13

defining polluting matter as sewage

or any other injurious matter,

4:31:134:31:16

whether solid or liquid. We were let

our imaginations run to wild on all

4:31:164:31:23

that. What I find more difficult Mr

Deputy Speaker is what is meant by

4:31:234:31:28

the word offensive. What is added by

including that, because essentially,

4:31:284:31:35

what is offensive to one person may

not be offensive to another. It's a

4:31:354:31:40

subjective test. I'd be interested

to know from my honourable friend

4:31:404:31:44

what he thinks that subjective test

adds in that particular part of the

4:31:444:31:50

interpretation section on polluting

matter. In relation to amendment

4:31:504:31:59

three, I'm going through these quite

quickly but as I don't think there

4:31:594:32:02

is any need to spend a lot of time

on amendments to which there should

4:32:024:32:07

be a short and succinct answer

saying, yes, I agree with the

4:32:074:32:13

honourable gentleman, I think these

are good amendments and we'll be

4:32:134:32:16

happy to incorporate them in the

bill. As far as amendment three

4:32:164:32:20

goes, this is more of a probing

amendment. Because we are in the new

4:32:204:32:28

age of electricity. The definition

of power driven vessel here includes

4:32:284:32:35

a vessel propelled by detachable

outboard engine. But it doesn't

4:32:354:32:43

include a sailing boat, rowing boat,

or canoe. Fine. Now that we've got a

4:32:434:32:50

new generation of electric motors,

why don't we introduce in a bill

4:32:504:32:57

like this an incentive for people to

use electric power on these

4:32:574:33:06

waterways as photos? Because

electric power is a much less

4:33:064:33:12

polluting and better for the

atmosphere. -- use these waterways

4:33:124:33:19

as boaters. If it's quiet, as these

new cards seem to be, it would

4:33:194:33:24

hardly disturb anybody, as the boat

powered by an electric motor glides

4:33:244:33:32

down the route of the navigation. So

I'd be interested in the thoughts of

4:33:324:33:39

my honourable friend on that. And

indeed on recognising the minister

4:33:394:33:45

on the front bench, who's come along

to help us in our deliberations.

4:33:454:33:49

Maybe this is an issue as well which

the government might be interested

4:33:494:33:54

in thinking about introducing some

sort of incentive for the use of

4:33:544:33:58

electric motors rather than

outboards. I know that in my

4:33:584:34:05

constituency if there were more

electric driven vessels rather than

4:34:054:34:12

power driven vessels, a lot of my

constituents would be very happy.

4:34:124:34:17

That could be the opening up of a

much larger issue, but why not start

4:34:174:34:22

raising it on the first occasion to

today? Which takes me on to

4:34:224:34:29

amendment four Mr Deputy Speaker,

which is about the use. Are we

4:34:294:34:38

talking about the use of the

vessels. It says in use in relation

4:34:384:34:42

to any vessel on the waterway

includes launching the vessel onto

4:34:424:34:46

the waterway, keeping or mooring it

on the waterway. I've got no quarrel

4:34:464:34:52

with the rest of it, navigating

getting it on the waterway and

4:34:524:34:55

letting it for higher. But there

seems to be a lot of concern about

4:34:554:34:59

what happens when people have a

vessel which is kept at the side of

4:34:594:35:05

the waterway, even in a marina,

always used as a houseboat. Are we

4:35:054:35:15

really saying it is about using the

vessel on a waterway? Under this

4:35:154:35:25

definition, it would amount to using

the vessel on a waterway and it

4:35:254:35:29

doesn't seem to me that really fits

in with common sense, using a

4:35:294:35:35

waterway means, surely, using it,

navigating it, letting it for

4:35:354:35:38

higher. It doesn't include keeping

or mooring it on the waterway. That

4:35:384:35:45

is amendment number four. Number

five is a more extensive version of

4:35:454:35:57

the same concern, which has been

raised by a number of the

4:35:574:36:05

petitioners. Because the extension

of waterways, they say they find the

4:36:054:36:16

amended definition in this bill

compared with what it was like

4:36:164:36:21

before it went to committee is, I

quote, a move in the right

4:36:214:36:25

direction. But it still serves to

extend the jurisdiction and control

4:36:254:36:31

of the commissioners into privately

owned property, such as marinas,

4:36:314:36:35

which will usurp the rights of

property owners to decide who and

4:36:354:36:39

which boats can use the water over

their land. And the petitioners feel

4:36:394:36:44

this is an unwarranted interference

with the rights of private citizens.

4:36:444:36:48

And at the very least there should

be provision for boat owners whose

4:36:484:36:53

vessels remain permanently within

the marina to make an offer what a

4:36:534:36:59

declaration, a sort of waterway

4:36:594:37:08

the marina to make an offer what a

declaration, a sort of waterway, so

4:37:084:37:09

they are no longer reliable for the

charges. I think it's a very good

4:37:094:37:15

analogy. If you don't use your

vehicle, your motor vehicle, on the

4:37:154:37:18

road, you don't have to pay the tax,

the road tax. If you're not using a

4:37:184:37:23

houseboat on the water, why should

you have to pay for these charges

4:37:234:37:28

and why should you? That issue could

be resolved by having a narrower

4:37:284:37:35

definition of waterway and that,

indeed, is what amendment number

4:37:354:37:42

five six to do, because it says at

line 17, or is it lying 18... The

4:37:424:37:53

waterways mean... Including the

waterways set out in the schedule,

4:37:534:38:01

that is what we would understand

that the waterways. The banks of

4:38:014:38:06

those waterways and any water in the

middle level, which is what this

4:38:064:38:12

bill is about. What I take objection

to is... I don't see why it should

4:38:124:38:17

include a lake, pond, marina was

substantially enclosed water

4:38:174:38:23

adjacent to those waterways. And

from which any vessel may be

4:38:234:38:27

navigated, whether or not through a

lock or into the waterways

4:38:274:38:30

themselves. If a vessel is navigated

to the waterway, then it is in the

4:38:304:38:39

waterway and it is liable under the

provisions of this bill. But if it's

4:38:394:38:45

not navigated in there, doesn't seem

to me it is relevant to say it could

4:38:454:38:49

be navigated. So this, one way of

reducing the scope of the definition

4:38:494:38:57

of waterways, about which the

petitioners remain concerned, would

4:38:574:39:00

be to support amendment number five.

When we turn to amendment under six,

4:39:004:39:10

which is to clause three, this is a

new clause introduced as a result of

4:39:104:39:23

the work of the committee. That

dealt with this. It establishes a

4:39:234:39:28

navigation advisory committee. And

the petitioners are very pleased

4:39:284:39:33

about that. But they think this

needs further definition and that's

4:39:334:39:43

not a criticism of the people who

brought forward this amendment, but

4:39:434:39:48

I think, as we know, the way we deal

with legislation in our houses,

4:39:484:39:53

sometimes an amendment can be

improved when further considered.

4:39:534:40:01

And the concerns of the petitioners

are that the duty on the

4:40:014:40:07

commissioners, though it is a good

idea, it gives too much discretion

4:40:074:40:10

to the commission is over, for

example, the Constitution of the

4:40:104:40:14

proposed navigation advisory

committee.

4:40:144:40:21

They think that all many further

consideration and criteria as to the

4:40:214:40:25

election and effectiveness of the

committee's advice. The fact the

4:40:254:40:29

committee is to consist of persons

appointed by the commissioners who

4:40:294:40:32

appeared to be to the commissioners,

representatives put full control

4:40:324:40:37

over the membership of the proposed

committee, firmly within the

4:40:374:40:41

commissioner's discretion. And if I

looked at amendment number six, that

4:40:414:40:48

deals with that particular point,

because amendment number six would

4:40:484:40:53

change subsection number two of

section three so that instead of

4:40:534:41:01

saying the committee is to consist

of persons appointed by the

4:41:014:41:04

commissioners who appeared to the

commissioners to be taken to get a

4:41:044:41:08

representative, it would actually

say that who are representative.

4:41:084:41:12

What could be the problem was not

that straightforward English

4:41:124:41:16

language. Why aren't we going to

have a committee consistent --

4:41:164:41:19

consisted of burst and appointed who

are representative of recreational

4:41:194:41:23

motor boating interest in the

waterways, the interest of

4:41:234:41:27

individuals who use the vessels and

other navigation issues etc. Why

4:41:274:41:30

have such this expression when a

plain English would suffice?

I think

4:41:304:41:43

the honourable gentleman for the

speech he has given and the point

4:41:434:41:45

he's making but would he agree that

slight danger with this amendment if

4:41:454:41:49

it says are representative of all

the items meaning someone would have

4:41:494:41:52

to represent all those areas when

the whole point of a representative

4:41:524:41:54

committee without people who

represent the friend areas, the same

4:41:544:41:59

way as we all represent different

uncertainties even though we have

4:41:594:42:01

the same duty as a member.

The point

my honourable friend makes is a

4:42:014:42:06

brilliant one but is nothing to do

with this. Because actually, what it

4:42:064:42:11

says is it is not a question of what

they are representative of, because

4:42:114:42:16

that spells out. It's a question of

whether they are representative of

4:42:164:42:21

those groups set out or whether they

appeared to the commissioners to be

4:42:214:42:26

representative of. It seems to me

that it is here, you should be quite

4:42:264:42:31

easy to establish whether someone is

representative of these particular

4:42:314:42:34

interest, rather than appearing to

be commissioners to be

4:42:344:42:37

representative of them, but anyway

that is my response to my honourable

4:42:374:42:43

friend's intervention.

I had

intended to make a point of order

4:42:434:42:53

when he stopped speaking. On the

point of early -- order, earlier

4:42:534:42:58

today Toys "R" Us announced the

company has gone into

4:42:584:43:02

administration, ramifications in my

constituency. I spent majority of

4:43:024:43:08

the day time to get in touch with

administers with no success. Can I

4:43:084:43:11

ask if you have been given any

advancement of a statement now and

4:43:114:43:15

how can members of Parliament do

their job if they cannot get in

4:43:154:43:18

touch with the company to seek

security for the staff that for

4:43:184:43:20

them?

Normally I would not take the

point of order but as Christopher

4:43:204:43:27

has stopped I recognise that would

be a frustration not to get it.

4:43:274:43:30

First of all, it's on the record

now. I have been given no notice

4:43:304:43:36

from ministerial statement about

this series issue of Toys "R" Us but

4:43:364:43:39

I recognise you are representing

your constituents and I hope the

4:43:394:43:42

message has gone loud and clear that

Toys "R" Us should be waking up with

4:43:424:43:46

the member of Parliament to ensure

that you can represent the workers

4:43:464:43:48

right there. Sir Christopher.

Mr

Deputy Speaker, thank you.

4:43:484:43:54

Unfortunately my children are so old

that they don't benefit from visits

4:43:544:44:00

to Toys "R" Us, but anyway it's very

sad when any long-established

4:44:004:44:06

business goes into administration.

Mr Deputy Speaker... In terms of the

4:44:064:44:22

wording of this about the weather

people are representative or who

4:44:224:44:27

appeared to be to the commissioners

to be I wondered whether my

4:44:274:44:30

honourable friend thought the

commissioners might hear some kind

4:44:304:44:34

of legal action on the basis of

whether or not somebody could be

4:44:344:44:37

determined to be a representative

and how that might be the case and

4:44:374:44:41

that somebody might say I don't

think these people are

4:44:414:44:46

representative for X Y and Z and

therefore it puts the qualification

4:44:464:44:49

in to help them get out of a

potentially sticky situation. I

4:44:494:44:53

wonder if that was the explanation

for why it was worded as it was.

I

4:44:534:45:00

think it's a more plausible

explanation than the one being put

4:45:004:45:02

forward by our honourable friend. I

think we said enough about that. We

4:45:024:45:08

will hear what our honourable friend

thinks about it when he comes to

4:45:084:45:12

mind up a response to this debate.

-- wind up. As far as the other

4:45:124:45:20

amendment six, seven and eight are

concerned to clause three, the

4:45:204:45:28

petitioners are concerned that the

requirement that the commissioners

4:45:284:45:34

must take the committee's views into

consideration has limited use

4:45:344:45:39

because the commissioners could say

that they have taken those views

4:45:394:45:43

into consideration but found them to

be of no value. The only remedy for

4:45:434:45:47

in such failure to take the

committee's these properly into

4:45:474:45:51

account would be judicial review

which is strictly time-limited,

4:45:514:45:54

expensive and hugely unreliable.

With historic by as they think in

4:45:544:46:00

favour of authorities. I don't know

about that, but certainly they are

4:46:004:46:05

right in saying that judicial review

is a long and expensive way of

4:46:054:46:12

seeking redress. So, in the lives of

those concerns, I put forward

4:46:124:46:18

amendment number seven, which says

that instead of the commissioners,

4:46:184:46:22

this is in subsection six of clause

number three, instead of the

4:46:224:46:28

Commissioner requiring commissioners

must take into consideration any

4:46:284:46:30

matter, the commissioners must give

full consideration because there's a

4:46:304:46:36

difference between taking into

consideration and giving

4:46:364:46:38

consideration is seems to me, and

that if the commissioners give full

4:46:384:46:43

consideration to any matter that

would be useful and to reinforce

4:46:434:46:48

that point, at the end, amendment

number eight which would add at the

4:46:484:46:53

end, they give full consideration to

any matter, recommendation,

4:46:534:46:56

representation which may from time

to time be referred or made to them

4:46:564:46:59

by the committee and the Sobhi

amendment number eight and in the

4:46:594:47:01

advent of -- event of not accepting

such representation or

4:47:014:47:06

recommendation give full reason for

that decision. It seems to me that

4:47:064:47:09

what provide the sort of protection

that the petitioners are seeking and

4:47:094:47:15

would actually strengthen clause

three and make clause three and even

4:47:154:47:21

more effective addition to this bill

than it is currently. Turning now to

4:47:214:47:31

amendment clause four and amendment

nine, amendment nine would be to

4:47:314:47:39

leave out subsection number two of

clause four, and this is in essence

4:47:394:47:52

a probing amendment to draw

attention to this whole issue,

4:47:524:47:57

because as my honourable friend said

in an earlier intervention, this

4:47:574:48:01

whole issue of charges and

constraints upon the way in which

4:48:014:48:05

charges can be made is a useful

amendment to the Bill. But I'm

4:48:054:48:12

suggesting that it could be linked

more specifically with each of the

4:48:124:48:17

different uses for it which charges

will be recoverable, and therefore

4:48:174:48:24

in amendment number ten, I'm

suggesting that in exercising the

4:48:244:48:31

power and subs -- power under

subsection 18 rather than the will

4:48:314:48:35

of section one the commissioners

must aim to secure that taking

4:48:354:48:39

one... Does not exceed the

annualized cost incurred by

4:48:394:48:47

commissioners in respect of

navigation under the navigation act

4:48:474:48:49

and it seems that that is relating

to the use of any waterway by any

4:48:494:48:55

vessel. Those would be the charges

for the use of the waterway and they

4:48:554:48:59

would link indirectly with the

functions in respect of navigation

4:48:594:49:04

under the navigation act. I'm a much

more dubious about the linking in

4:49:044:49:11

the reasonable charges for the

provision of services and facilities

4:49:114:49:17

in respect of the waterways and

their banks because those... They

4:49:174:49:22

not linked in with taking... They're

not separated out from the more

4:49:224:49:30

general and nor is there a

requirement for registration of any

4:49:304:49:37

vessel under navigation bylaws. It

seems to me that those charges

4:49:374:49:43

should be separately identified and

accounted for and undergo the test

4:49:434:49:52

of taking one financial year with

another that the charges under those

4:49:524:49:55

subsections should not exceed the

annualized cost. So, this is a

4:49:554:50:02

refinement of clause four, but I

think it would actually improve

4:50:024:50:12

clause number four significantly.

And if one looks at amendment number

4:50:124:50:23

11... Again, this is dealing with

this issue, but that refers to the

4:50:234:50:37

annualized issue and then what I

wanted to do also was draw attention

4:50:374:50:46

to amendment number 12, which covers

that as well saying that

4:50:464:50:51

commissioners may revise, weight or

remove any charge pics under

4:50:514:50:53

subsection one AA in different

charges may be fixed for different

4:50:534:50:59

cases or classes. -- 1A. It would be

extending the discretion may have,

4:50:594:51:06

but making sure there were specific

to the different categories of

4:51:064:51:10

activity for which they can recover

charges. Amendment number 13 is

4:51:104:51:20

again a probing amendment. It is to

leave out subsection number four. I

4:51:204:51:28

was wondering whether we could hear

some more explanation as to why the

4:51:284:51:33

commissioners want to make use of

the services and facilities referred

4:51:334:51:36

to in subsection 1B subject to such

terms and conditions as may be

4:51:364:51:44

specified in writing and I'm sure

that it would be Fozz -- possible to

4:51:444:51:48

get an explanation of that. I think

the most radical amendment that I

4:51:484:51:55

put forward in relation to clause

number four, and I hope this will

4:51:554:51:59

find favour with members of the

House right across the House, and

4:51:594:52:04

that is amendment number 14 at the

end which we say no charge of the

4:52:044:52:11

parable in respect to these of a

waterway by a vessel being used by a

4:52:114:52:15

person whose registered disabled. Mr

Deputy Speaker, the reason I raised

4:52:154:52:22

it is because it's quite an issue

about disability and the use of

4:52:224:52:30

waterways and the use of powers

similar to the powers which are

4:52:304:52:35

being sought by the promoters of

this bill. And those powers have on

4:52:354:52:45

occasions than I think one can say

abused, and people who are disabled

4:52:454:52:53

have found themselves pillared and

discriminated against quite

4:52:534:53:03

severely. And why should it not be

possible to exempt disabled people

4:53:034:53:10

from the provisions of these

charges? There is a press cutting

4:53:104:53:17

that I've been sent from April 2015,

from Wiltshire, where a disabled

4:53:174:53:25

boat owner living on the canal was

faced with up to £76,000 in cost as

4:53:254:53:35

a result of action being taken,

which the people who are acting on

4:53:354:53:42

his behalf, the trust, they took the

view that it was a... Instead of

4:53:424:53:56

allowing this disabled individual

who was living on incapacity

4:53:564:54:04

benefits and disability living

allowance is, instead of allowing

4:54:044:54:07

him to repair his boat over a period

of time, they imposed strict

4:54:074:54:16

conditions of his license and

required him to vacate not only his

4:54:164:54:21

boat, but also what was his home and

insult was added to injury by the

4:54:214:54:28

fact that he was denied legal aid

and the legal officer of the

4:54:284:54:36

national chattels association

represented him instead -- national

4:54:364:54:42

travellers Association.

I'm just

waiting to see how it links in with

4:54:424:54:46

the Bill.

It linked in with

amendment number 14, because

4:54:464:54:51

amendment number 14 would exempt...

I'm more bothered about the canal

4:54:514:54:57

and that particular individual was

not actually on the middle levels or

4:54:574:55:01

affected by it, so I understand in

reference, but not in detail.

I

4:55:014:55:05

accept we don't want to go into

anymore detail than I've already

4:55:054:55:09

done, Mr Deputy Speaker. But the

analogy is that the powers that are

4:55:094:55:15

being sought in this bill by the

middle level commissioners are

4:55:154:55:18

almost identical to the powers which

have already been obtained by other

4:55:184:55:24

organizations such as the canal and

river trust which operates on the

4:55:244:55:31

Kenneth Navin canal. I get way.

4:55:314:55:36

Can you tell me, is there a serious

demand from disabled people from the

4:55:364:55:44

community to actually have this

extension? Because I have a number

4:55:444:55:47

of disabled constituents, and as I

have pointed out, Mr Deputy Speaker,

4:55:474:55:57

there are many versions of my

constituency who, I have not come

4:55:574:56:05

across any demand from disabled

people. We have great respect for

4:56:054:56:11

disabled community, but is he really

saying that the requirement, or

4:56:114:56:16

decide to give an exemption from the

charges, and make this much more

4:56:164:56:21

bureaucratic and also, they're very

proud and do they really want is

4:56:214:56:27

exemption?

They'd only get the

exemption if they apply for it.

4:56:274:56:34

Disabled people are proud and I have

a lot of disabled members of my

4:56:344:56:41

constituency. But that does not mean

that they don't benefit or cherish

4:56:414:56:44

the ability to park their cars using

the benefit of the parking permit.

4:56:444:56:54

But the answer, the direct answer to

my honourable friends intervention,

4:56:544:56:59

I have not received any

representations prior to the speech

4:56:594:57:03

from disabled constituents of his.

If I had, I would have preferred

4:57:034:57:07

them to him. The canal and river

trust dealing with this issue in

4:57:074:57:16

Wiltshire, they accepted in

principle, that they should not have

4:57:164:57:21

enforcement taken against them, as

they would taken against an

4:57:214:57:26

able-bodied person. But they have

not yet been very keen to

4:57:264:57:32

communicate that policy to disabled

people there. But, all I can say is

4:57:324:57:39

that, when one looks at the way in

which these pounds have been used in

4:57:394:57:43

other parts of the country, and

waterways, then there is a potential

4:57:434:57:51

issue here. I've insured that it is

discussed, as we know and the other

4:57:514:58:02

place, there is even more interest

in promoting the cause of disabled

4:58:024:58:09

people than there is in this house,

I think. And it may be that when

4:58:094:58:14

this bill gets to the other place,

that they will wish to pursue the

4:58:144:58:19

content of amendment 14 if it is

accepted today. So, Mr Deputy

4:58:194:58:28

Speaker, that takes on to the

amendments 15 and 16. And these are

4:58:284:58:39

amendments, not designed to leave

out clauses five and seven, and I

4:58:394:58:45

put them in order to enable us to

have a debate on the content of

4:58:454:58:53

those clauses should it be thought

desirable. But, having regard to the

4:58:534:59:00

time, it seems to me that probably

the best thing to do would be to not

4:59:004:59:07

speak to those amendments, but to

get on and go on to one or two... My

4:59:074:59:13

honourable friend says that that is

a shame, but... Anyway! One each on

4:59:134:59:21

that one!

He wanted to make a

very...

Because the river depending

4:59:214:59:35

on which part of my constituents you

are, flows into this. So what causes

4:59:354:59:41

a wider issue.

I think it's very

important that my honourable friend

4:59:414:59:57

has been able to put an interest in

this subject matter. In the way that

4:59:575:00:01

he has. We then get onto the

amendment number, let's turn the

5:00:015:00:10

right page over, amendment number

17, page eight clause nine, leave

5:00:105:00:19

subsection three. One can see that,

line 35, this is about when, this

5:00:195:00:37

the deal with clause nine, and what

it would do is add or remove the

5:00:375:00:44

provision that says whenever it

vehicles left, unless it is not

5:00:445:00:55

passable Centura, race and remove

the vessel. While it's quite clear,

5:00:555:01:08

and the other parts of the clause

that if a vehicle, the vessel is

5:01:085:01:13

abandoned in the waterway and is

absolutely interfering with the

5:01:135:01:18

navigation. Then obviously it needs

to be removed very quickly. But when

5:01:185:01:22

one takes into account, Mr Deputy

Speaker, the very wide definition

5:01:225:01:27

that there is of waterway, which

have already spoken, it seems to me

5:01:275:01:34

the inclusion of subsection three is

potentially oppressive. Because, it

5:01:345:01:43

means that the commission is going

to, for example, enter a Marina and

5:01:435:01:51

take action and remove the vessel at

a considerable cost. No more than 28

5:01:515:02:04

days of notice. So that amendment is

to leave out that power from the

5:02:045:02:10

bill. And clause... Can I just come

on out to close 11, which is to deal

5:02:105:02:27

with the requirements of

registration and clause page 12,

5:02:275:02:37

clause 11. It includes a very

important amendment, which is

5:02:375:02:47

promoted by the cruising club and

others, and this relates to the

5:02:475:02:52

level of charges that can be...

Increased in any one year. And what

5:02:525:03:04

it does is, it introduces a

requirement that such charges do not

5:03:045:03:09

increase above inflation. And the

reason for that is because many of

5:03:095:03:16

the people who are boaters and,

maybe some of them are represented

5:03:165:03:24

by my honourable friends here this

evening, many of those people are

5:03:245:03:29

not very well-off and financial

terms, and they need to be owed to

5:03:295:03:35

plan their budgets and cares and

what the costs are going to be of

5:03:355:03:41

having a vessel on the waterway,

they need to have a surgeon to for

5:03:415:03:48

example that the charges are going

to be level and cannot increase by

5:03:485:03:52

more than the rate of CPI index

every year. Mr Deputy Speaker,

5:03:525:04:00

counsel tenses, counsel

5:04:005:04:06

every year. Mr Deputy Speaker,

counsel tenses, counsel, they have

5:04:065:04:07

made some exceptions to that

recently, the general proposition is

5:04:075:04:12

that they can not be increased by

more than CPI. And then, I am going

5:04:125:04:21

to rush to the last amendment.

Because...

OnNet

5:04:215:04:32

that the bill doesn't state

initially what the themes are, would

5:04:355:04:41

you not preferred the bills stayed

with that should be?

As wise as I

5:04:415:04:51

would like to agree, I think the

level of fees, this got to be some

5:04:515:04:59

discretion. The level of the fees

needs to relate to the duties of the

5:04:595:05:04

game to be carried out. And funded

by the seas. -- fees. The money for

5:05:045:05:16

the fees has to be spent

particularly on navigation.

You do

5:05:165:05:26

not need to explain were very

discussed, and I know you're not

5:05:265:05:29

attempting to do the.

This is

amendment number 26, clause 15,

5:05:295:05:42

line... The protocol of removing

vessels, the commissioners must in

5:05:425:05:50

consultation with the navigation

adviser committee, publish and

5:05:505:05:54

maintain a protocol by virtue. In my

amendment is, instead of in

5:05:545:06:03

consultation with, in conjunction

with. Because it seems that the

5:06:035:06:09

advisory committee should be working

jointly with the commissioners,

5:06:095:06:14

rather than adjusting consultation

with the commissioners of this

5:06:145:06:18

important matter. So that, that that

amendment. And when we look at the

5:06:185:06:35

subparagraph on subsection four of

clause 14. That again is an

5:06:355:06:41

amendment to try and reduce the

powers conferred upon the

5:06:415:06:45

commissioners under way that they

have been exercise. As he said at

5:06:455:06:53

the beginning, this is a much and

improved bill compared to what it

5:06:535:07:00

was. It obviously would not be

possible to test the will of the

5:07:005:07:06

house on each one. And I'm glad that

you agree with me, Mr Deputy Speaker

5:07:065:07:16

on a proposition. But I know the

motives of the bill are worrying,

5:07:165:07:25

because you're discussing these

things today, whether night means

5:07:255:07:28

they'll be discussed further when

the bill gets to the other place.

5:07:285:07:35

And I my understanding, when the

bill goes into the other place,

5:07:355:07:38

there are many people will put in

petitions and I ensure that the

5:07:385:07:45

other place will build upon the

discussions that we are having on

5:07:455:07:53

this bill. So that eventually the

bill will be even better than it is

5:07:535:07:56

now. I beg to move clause one.

5:07:565:08:10

Thank you very much, Mr Deputy

Speaker. I am proud to respond, I

5:08:125:08:18

may not be the most conventional

way, the detailed reservation of the

5:08:185:08:24

honourable member for chair, it does

make sense, and we wish to support

5:08:245:08:32

the bill is it stands. While it is

narrow in scope, it has

5:08:325:08:38

satisfactory, and is taking place in

committee and stations at an end.

5:08:385:08:46

The mid-level of defence try to

retain

5:08:465:08:53

pass between 1663 and 1874, so we

appreciate that the legislative

5:08:585:09:05

framework want to pay the

commissioners is in need of an

5:09:055:09:07

update. Because all of the all of

the mainland is below sea level, the

5:09:075:09:17

waterways could pose a significant

risk to the estimated hundred

5:09:175:09:21

thousand people living and working

in the area. In the simplest terms,

5:09:215:09:25

this will allow the commissioners to

bring in revenue from boat owners,

5:09:255:09:31

which will be used to improve the

waterways. The agency denial which

5:09:315:09:35

are trust, all similar powers in

5:09:355:09:39

an line with his neighbours, it can

make a real difference and the

5:09:435:09:51

waterways, though I appreciate the

desire from local boat users from

5:09:515:09:56

facilities as he heard, this will

allow the commissioners to raise

5:09:565:09:59

revenue to deliver this. The chief

executive commissioners, has said

5:09:595:10:05

around 1500 vessels and use their

looks every year, and are on a

5:10:055:10:10

hundred bucks are hiding unlicensed

on the waterway. He believes that is

5:10:105:10:14

the largest reservoir in the

country. I cannot something

5:10:145:10:22

organisation but owners said they

should be done I cannot think bill

5:10:225:10:29

could be a money gathering excess of

the commissions. However there are

5:10:295:10:32

positions and the bill, as outlined

already which prevent the

5:10:325:10:40

commissioners from raising more

navigation revenue then they spend

5:10:405:10:43

on navigation. This is not simply a

matter of money gathering, and that

5:10:435:10:50

proper safeguards are in place. They

also noted that the waterways is

5:10:505:11:01

associated, the residential boat

owners Association, the Association

5:11:015:11:04

of waterway cruising clubs, would

support the bill, I understand they

5:11:045:11:10

remain in support. So the detailed

reservations, at some of the

5:11:105:11:16

interventions from others.

5:11:165:11:22

I wondered whether or not she had

any sympathy for any of the

5:11:225:11:26

amendments put forward by my

honourable friend and in particular

5:11:265:11:29

the one about the no charge being

payable for the use of the waterway

5:11:295:11:32

by a vessel being used by a person

whose registered disabled. Is that

5:11:325:11:36

not something that the Labour Party

would welcome?

And grateful for that

5:11:365:11:42

intervention. Andersen he makes a

valid point and we will want to

5:11:425:11:45

increase the accessibility so that

everyone can enjoy the waterways. It

5:11:455:11:49

is certainly something we would

consider further in later

5:11:495:11:51

discussions on the Bill but not

something that we will be seeing go

5:11:515:11:54

to a vote later today. Taking all

this into account, Mr Speaker, Mr

5:11:545:12:00

Deputy Speaker, we are satisfied

this bill is sensible in updating

5:12:005:12:04

the legal framework that sets out

the role of the middle level

5:12:045:12:07

commissioners bringing them into

line with what now standard practice

5:12:075:12:11

across comparable waterways. Despite

its unusual journey through

5:12:115:12:14

Westminster we have no problems in

supporting this bill this afternoon.

5:12:145:12:19

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. It's a

pleasure to get another opportunity

5:12:195:12:23

to speak in relation to this bill.

Given its already been through a

5:12:235:12:26

second readings I will focus my

remarks on the amendments we have

5:12:265:12:30

today and the changes made in

committee. As it's been referred to

5:12:305:12:35

by the honourable member for Halifax

there's been a number of positive

5:12:355:12:37

changes that were made in this bill

to respond to the petitioners

5:12:375:12:40

concern and I was grateful to hear

in the opening remarks from the

5:12:405:12:45

honourable member how he referred to

the fact that there have been

5:12:455:12:47

changes made in people had been

listening to what was said. But I do

5:12:475:12:52

think it's appropriate to briefly go

through and say why I don't think

5:12:525:12:56

it's appropriate for the amendment

and the New Clause is proposed to be

5:12:565:13:01

accepted. Briefly in terms of New

Clause one it sets a minimum

5:13:015:13:03

navigation that's lower than the one

under current legislation. New

5:13:035:13:13

Clause at number two, three, four

and five referred to specific

5:13:135:13:16

facilities that could be provided.

The thing is it was suggested in one

5:13:165:13:20

of the interventions made it does

not seem logical to pursue on the

5:13:205:13:23

face of statute where we have things

like a coin-operated water shower.

5:13:235:13:27

It also means we have dangers of

this legislation becoming completely

5:13:275:13:32

outdated if it fits on the front of

a primary piece of legislation. It

5:13:325:13:36

does also make sense for the uses by

the mechanisms proposed in the Bill

5:13:365:13:41

to be able to discuss what are the

appropriate facilities? And also for

5:13:415:13:45

example by including some of these

items it means that if they don't

5:13:455:13:49

get planning permission for example

it could render particular powers

5:13:495:13:52

any effective and therefore I would

urge the House to reject all the

5:13:525:13:56

Clause is proposed. Very briefly I

will give way.

I certainly take the

5:13:565:14:03

point he makes on the other specific

points, but New Clause five does not

5:14:035:14:08

actually have anything specific, it

just maintains that something should

5:14:085:14:13

be in good repair and working order

so I wondered if that New Clause was

5:14:135:14:17

not accepted, what with the

appropriate remedy be for the

5:14:175:14:22

boaters to make sure they were not

paying for something they weren't

5:14:225:14:24

able to actually use?

I think the

honourable member for his

5:14:245:14:28

intervention. I think what we are

clear about is the way New Clause

5:14:285:14:32

four was amended means that income

can only been used for navigation

5:14:325:14:37

purposes and income navigation

purposes, and ultimately there

5:14:375:14:40

becomes a chicken and egg situation.

If the commissioners are going to

5:14:405:14:44

provide the type of facilities

people want to see on the middle

5:14:445:14:47

level, in consultation with

navigation users, there will need to

5:14:475:14:50

be money raised to provide those

facilities. The alternative is to

5:14:505:14:55

ask those paying for drainage to

provide the secured -- the abilities

5:14:555:14:59

to be provided initially which is

neither a fair or applicable way of

5:14:595:15:03

looking to get the resources into

actually pay for the facilities to

5:15:035:15:07

be provided. This cannot be a money

raising exercise. It's absolutely

5:15:075:15:10

clear what the purpose of any money

raised by navigation are for. People

5:15:105:15:16

are already paying council tax in

terms of drainage and via a.

On the

5:15:165:15:23

question of navigation I wonder if

you could help me understand whether

5:15:235:15:29

this historical public right of

navigation by extending those powers

5:15:295:15:33

into privately owned waters and

private Marines, would that give the

5:15:335:15:36

middle level commissioners complete

control to charge boats with

5:15:365:15:43

licensed these?

I thank the

honourable member for Peterborough

5:15:435:15:47

for her intervention and an

amendment was made to the billing

5:15:475:15:50

committee to make clear that where

someone owns the waterways and

5:15:505:15:53

branded properties only there is

that would not extending the powers

5:15:535:15:57

to there. In terms of the marinas

themselves it's worth noting they

5:15:575:16:01

permitted that promoted the Bill the

marinas covered have wish to be

5:16:015:16:05

included within this. In case of the

marinas there is no definition

5:16:055:16:09

between the water. You're not

talking a lock or key, we are

5:16:095:16:13

talking there's no waterway so there

has been a wish to manage it as a

5:16:135:16:16

whole system. For example

registration applies across a lot to

5:16:165:16:20

me don't have different safety

standards are different insurance

5:16:205:16:23

requirements which should be a

benefit to her constituents. Coming

5:16:235:16:27

on to burst of the amendments,

amendment number one -- first of the

5:16:275:16:32

imminent. He talked about extending

the time period for bringing this

5:16:325:16:35

bill into effect. It's worth noting

that in terms of many of the

5:16:355:16:39

provisions around construction and

use -- he's their the month

5:16:395:16:44

transition period has been

undertaken but he does not make

5:16:445:16:46

sense to lay off all the provisions

of this bill for that link the

5:16:465:16:50

period. For example promoters of new

duty to have regard to the interest

5:16:505:16:53

of both dwellers bass boat dwellers,

that would not make sense to delay.

5:16:535:16:57

In relation to amendment number two,

I think it is quite clear, where did

5:16:575:17:05

the any other event that come from?

It is similar to the requirements

5:17:055:17:09

under the environment agency's

powers to control discharges into

5:17:095:17:12

water for work purposes under

section 163 of the water resources

5:17:125:17:17

act, 1991. If the well-established

definition I hope that will reassure

5:17:175:17:20

him. In terms of amendment number

three, he said it was a probing

5:17:205:17:26

amendment. The issue is adding

electric vehicles onto the end of a

5:17:265:17:29

provision that also includes power

vehicles under sail. I think does

5:17:295:17:34

not take account where technology

could go as he alluded to in the

5:17:345:17:37

fact that electric motors are

becoming much more powerful,

5:17:375:17:40

certainly far more powerful than a

sealed vessel ended up not make

5:17:405:17:43

sense for that to be excluded

although as I say I noted he said it

5:17:435:17:48

was a probing amendment. Amendment

number four, it would actually have

5:17:485:17:54

issues that the promoters would find

unacceptable as it potentially them

5:17:545:18:01

-- removes the need for a static

vessel to meet construction and

5:18:015:18:04

safety standards or insurance

requirements. I think given the

5:18:045:18:08

issues we have been debating over

the past year view left with a

5:18:085:18:11

indispensable that houseboats don't

have those. Moving on to amendment

5:18:115:18:16

number five. This extends the

commissioner's powers in an odd way

5:18:165:18:21

and could see them having to be

required to dig out virtually every

5:18:215:18:27

watercourse in the area, which is

not actually unnavigable course, so

5:18:275:18:30

again that's not an amendment would

suggest. The idea of having a

5:18:305:18:36

waterway sonnet does not really

reflect the fact that the idea that

5:18:365:18:40

taking care of by the change made

around someone's own boat in their

5:18:405:18:44

own property and only they use that.

I would be very different parking it

5:18:445:18:47

in a marina for example, the

equivalent of parking it in a public

5:18:475:18:50

car park. Coming onto some of the

other amendments. Number six, I made

5:18:505:18:59

the point in my intervention about

how this could require that this

5:18:595:19:05

would potentially allow challenges,

the honourable member pointed out

5:19:055:19:09

around who had been appointed, if

someone felt that they did not

5:19:095:19:13

represent them. We did not yield...

I don't feel that an appropriate or

5:19:135:19:16

helpful addition to the Bill and

that would potentially make it easy

5:19:165:19:21

to challenge the advisory committee

and frustrate its establishment.

5:19:215:19:26

Coming onto his further amendments,

nine, 16 and 22. One of the reasons

5:19:265:19:36

for not wishing to accept these

amendments is that the point of

5:19:365:19:41

making this a practical power is to

have a simple registration claim

5:19:415:19:46

that can be enforced. Getting into

an argument about whether a boat is

5:19:465:19:49

being used or not seems neither

sensible nor appropriate,

5:19:495:19:53

particularly if we are talking about

looking to have basic construction

5:19:535:19:57

and safety standards and insurance

standards. In exactly the same way

5:19:575:20:01

as if you park a car on a public

road it does not matter if you are

5:20:015:20:04

driving or not it needs to be

roadworthy and have a vehicle tax.

5:20:045:20:10

Therefore this is a president that's

similar in other areas of

5:20:105:20:14

legislation, so again I would

suggest that these amendments are

5:20:145:20:17

both unwelcome and unnecessary. In

terms of amendments ten and 11, the

5:20:175:20:25

Bill makes it very clear, the

provision and how the cost from

5:20:255:20:33

navigation would be used to fund

benefits for navigation. Therefore

5:20:335:20:37

again I don't believe either of

these are necessary. As for

5:20:375:20:41

amendments 12 and 13 then we do

not... It does not seem

5:20:415:20:48

unreasonable. For example allowing

the commissioners to set conditions

5:20:485:20:52

on use facilities such as clean

showers afterwards and not abusing

5:20:525:20:56

waste facilities, does not seem an

unreasonable thing for them to wish

5:20:565:21:00

to do and could completely

undermined the purposes of providing

5:21:005:21:03

those facilities if they are not

able to provide a basic regulation

5:21:035:21:07

system for how they are used, which

have been common in many, many other

5:21:075:21:13

environments. Amendment number 14, I

appreciate the honourable member's

5:21:135:21:17

process for ensuring disabled people

have a strong voice in this chamber

5:21:175:21:21

and I know along with the Member for

Shipley, he's a passionate advocate

5:21:215:21:25

around you quality had his pursuit

of the women and equality committee.

5:21:255:21:28

The one way I would make, it's quite

flawed because it refers to -- the

5:21:285:21:34

1.I would make, it refers to a

registered disabled when the

5:21:345:21:37

registered disabled person with a

polity by the disability act so as

5:21:375:21:43

the House would not be sensible to

bring that in. I would also urge the

5:21:435:21:48

House to reject... Very briefly.

I'm

very grateful. I appreciate his

5:21:485:21:54

ability to find a technical reason

why he should not accept the

5:21:545:21:58

amendment, but does he accept the

principle behind the amendment?

We

5:21:585:22:04

are in report stage and the jobs

look at the technical detail of the

5:22:045:22:10

Bill. Do I support the principle? I

think it's about my own counsel for

5:22:105:22:15

example or does not offer a parking

concession and fees to those who

5:22:155:22:20

hold a blue badge on the inability

to use reserved space is very close

5:22:205:22:25

so that principle is established in

many areas, so again I don't think

5:22:255:22:28

the principle of this is one to take

for. This is not about for example

5:22:285:22:33

someone needing an extra facility

because they are disabled. This is

5:22:335:22:37

about a boat on the navigation and

wherever they pay the same charge as

5:22:375:22:41

everyone else, that treated exactly

the same. -- effectively treated

5:22:415:22:46

exactly the same. It does not seem

to make any sense to remove the

5:22:465:22:50

ability to promote reciprocal

arrangements and could end up

5:22:505:22:53

costing boat owners more if they

have to have separate licenses and

5:22:535:22:59

separate registration and different

standards, so again I would urge the

5:22:595:23:02

House to reject amendments 15 and

16. Coming onto amendment 17, 18, 19

5:23:025:23:08

and 20, again there will be a

protocol put in place so I don't

5:23:085:23:11

accept the suggestion that the

existing powers would be oppressive.

5:23:115:23:16

Removal of the health boat would

only be done in the last result in

5:23:165:23:20

where it's proportionate to do so.

-- of a houseboat. Coming to a

5:23:205:23:24

conclusion, amendment number 23

seems to make little sense to only

5:23:245:23:28

apply to this particular cap to the

application fee and not the

5:23:285:23:33

registration fee, it could produce

reverse a long one and again suggest

5:23:335:23:38

it ejected. The same goes, he talked

about amendment number 26. My own

5:23:385:23:43

view is that this would confuse the

Bill as if things are being done in

5:23:435:23:51

conjunction with rather than

consultation. If someone wishes to

5:23:515:23:55

take legal action would've a ticket

against? They could take it against

5:23:555:23:59

members of the navigator a committee

-- and it could act as a deterrent

5:23:595:24:05

for anyone wanting to be involved.

Madam Deputy Speaker, there are many

5:24:055:24:10

good reasons for this bill to pass.

It's been examined in great depth in

5:24:105:24:15

opposed a bill committee and on the

floor of this House. I thank the

5:24:155:24:19

honourable member for Christchurch

where his great interest in the

5:24:195:24:21

scrutiny he put the scrutiny he put

this bill do but I would urge the

5:24:215:24:24

House and members here to reject all

the new clauses and all the

5:24:245:24:27

amendment is necessary to do so.

Thank you.

David Rydings.

Thank you,

5:24:275:24:33

Madam Deputy Speaker. I'm pleased to

make the very short speech in

5:24:335:24:36

support of the Bill on amended. I do

want to congratulate the honourable

5:24:365:24:42

member for Torbay and those who sat

in on the committee stage. They seem

5:24:425:24:47

to have done a great deal of clever

and thoughtful work. I know very

5:24:475:24:56

little about the middle level bill,

but I do know a lot about the canal

5:24:565:25:02

where we had similar issues about

leading to update and the

5:25:025:25:06

arrangements of who was able to more

the boat and who was able to

5:25:065:25:11

therefore be charged for facilities.

That was done without some

5:25:115:25:15

difficulty, because there was

opposition, but eventually people

5:25:155:25:19

have seen the sense and that does

include things like shutting the

5:25:195:25:22

canal on certain days when there is

very limited need for use of that

5:25:225:25:28

canal, to allow people to dare I

say, get easier passage over the

5:25:285:25:33

canal because we have lots of

bridges, and I think it is right and

5:25:335:25:38

proper that these particular

arrangements should be visited from

5:25:385:25:42

time to time to make sure that we

had a fit for purpose canal system

5:25:425:25:47

and the waterway system in general

so I would like to add my own

5:25:475:25:51

congratulations for the work you

have done and to make sure that this

5:25:515:25:54

passes through without amendment.

5:25:545:25:59

I had the pleasure of taking

evidence on this legislation, I and

5:25:595:26:09

colleagues and two from the

opposition have considered the

5:26:095:26:12

objections in great detail, and this

is made in response. I think the

5:26:125:26:17

honourable friend for their conduct

as well. Before the House strikes a

5:26:175:26:25

balance between a clear need, and

the legitimate concerns for those,

5:26:255:26:33

recommended the new middle level

bill to the house. I will give way.

5:26:335:26:38

Thank you very much for giving way.

Could they assure me that families

5:26:385:26:45

wouldn't suffer consequence and also

could you confirm that the licensed

5:26:455:26:52

the, the revenue acquired from

licence fee would be spent on their

5:26:525:26:59

facilities?

The interest taken in

this particular matter. I'll be

5:26:595:27:08

going in greater detail and review,

if the interest of how strollers are

5:27:085:27:12

not take into account. The other

matter was to deal with licence

5:27:125:27:18

fees. Also within the bill is that

effectively, the money that is

5:27:185:27:23

raised on this should be spent on

navigation. And as I understand it,

5:27:235:27:28

it's likely that actually that isn't

going to be enough to cover the

5:27:285:27:32

whole costs. I said it strikes the

right balance, and it is a case that

5:27:325:27:42

we located at a level, lay down and

mid-19th century. And do not reflect

5:27:425:27:49

the reality of the modern world.

This will bring it into line with

5:27:495:27:55

neighbouring systems, prevent the

diversion away from proper proper

5:27:555:28:03

prevention methods, and shall be

standard on all British waterways.

5:28:035:28:07

Some will reject to this bills,

because an ancient right offering

5:28:075:28:13

navigation, under close scrutiny my

constituents and I do believe

5:28:135:28:19

that,... When the previous middle

level was drafted, they were used by

5:28:195:28:25

commercial and industrial shipping.

The zones anomaly that respect. It

5:28:255:28:33

was sensible to concentrate the

navigations on commercial shipping,

5:28:335:28:38

of the today the situation entirely,

and see very little very commercial

5:28:385:28:45

traffic. It is lay right therefore

that we get... Than many of the

5:28:455:28:56

keeping the waterways now that

5:28:565:28:57

be only consideration, it also

raises concerns about the supposed

5:29:015:29:07

right to free navigation. Some can

be made not to levy, and naturally

5:29:075:29:14

when public funds may be laid out to

obtain an artificial navigation, it

5:29:145:29:20

is just those of benefit that should

pay. And remember the middle levels

5:29:205:29:25

are only navigable waterways. The

commissions are responsible for both

5:29:255:29:36

of these features, forgot their

ability to levy funds from those

5:29:365:29:40

using the waterways, we have no

choice but to maintain the right

5:29:405:29:43

diverting money for defenses. As

always basic fairness, they should

5:29:435:29:48

change. The committee heard another

important objection which I like to

5:29:485:29:56

address here. Those who paid the fee

will receive in exchange? This is a

5:29:565:30:01

perfectly reasonable concern, I like

to briefly explain how the bill has

5:30:015:30:04

entrusted. Get a commitment from the

commissioners they were not under

5:30:045:30:08

any circumstances, in fact I am told

that they will raise less than that,

5:30:085:30:16

does another they will only

undermine their own fund-raising

5:30:165:30:21

efforts and they said it to a level

that discourages the use of levels.

5:30:215:30:27

There were a man at a competitive

level and live the rest of the

5:30:275:30:30

network, and effective market. Those

using the navigations while

5:30:305:30:38

maintaining the navigations

themselves, the funds earned. A

5:30:385:30:46

president there are

5:30:465:30:47

at present, there only to public

facilities in the entire system. All

5:30:525:30:57

of these need to be paid for it does

not seem right that local taxpayers

5:30:575:31:03

are asked to fund these improvements

and the actual beneficiaries can

5:31:035:31:08

injure them free of charge. Another

objection heard by the committee

5:31:085:31:11

that the new rules in question are

the commissions power to move

5:31:115:31:18

vessels, without authority. Some

conditioners were worried that they

5:31:185:31:24

were too short a period. He even

alleged that the violated the human

5:31:245:31:31

rights of those that lived on the

level. This began a specific

5:31:315:31:44

exemption was written to have a

purpose. Beyond that, the bill

5:31:445:31:48

contains several additional methods.

It provides a clear definition of

5:31:485:31:55

the lawful authority to which

vessels can be removed and specifies

5:31:555:31:59

that any notices will be served to

the vessels in question. Plus 15

5:31:595:32:03

says protocol specifies that removal

of us will be a last result.

5:32:035:32:09

Moreover, of course their team, L

5:32:095:32:14

the middle level navigation will see

the best and most explicit

5:32:195:32:23

protection for owners and users of

dwellers, a part of this countries

5:32:235:32:26

waterways. I concluded that these

protections are more than etiquette

5:32:265:32:34

to -- adequate of moving abundant or

more vessels blocking the use of

5:32:345:32:46

this obstructing navigation of the

narrow waterways. Finally, I'd like

5:32:465:32:50

to mention bylaws and regulations.

Requiring vessels to be insured to

5:32:505:32:58

proper safety standards, while

providing a period of adjustment to

5:32:585:33:01

those using that to make sure

they're up to code. Some not only

5:33:015:33:09

for others, but before it became a

dumping ground for unsafe vessels

5:33:095:33:13

which are no longer legal under par

for the network. Furthermore, as

5:33:135:33:18

they will be adopting standards are

a soon to neighbouring areas,

5:33:185:33:23

minimal disruption for a winter in

these navigation as part of a

5:33:235:33:28

broader network, in short, this bill

will modernise by resuming any

5:33:285:33:33

enhancing its historical character,

and future generations.

This bill

5:33:335:33:45

affects my constituency along with

many others. About the modern

5:33:455:33:51

drainage bells brought in in the

18th century they would not have

5:33:515:33:54

homes and we would have nearly

200,000 prime land, so is vital to

5:33:545:34:00

my constituency, obviously, it's

important to boat owners as well.

5:34:005:34:08

Elected Frank my honourable friend,

I agree exactly with what he just

5:34:085:34:12

said. The nature of this bill, the

wikis within, I think what is real

5:34:125:34:25

important as we have a regime, that

is simple and transparent and not

5:34:255:34:31

too bureaucratic. And a great

respect of our, so the technical

5:34:315:34:37

amendments added to allow with the

sentence. But the high is not

5:34:375:34:43

telling what would complicate or

make it more bureaucratic. And what

5:34:435:34:48

we want is a simple bill with a

charging system that really fits the

5:34:485:34:54

purpose and we want to build up a

position of trust between the

5:34:545:34:57

commissioners they'll be playing

5:34:575:34:58

paying these navigation keys. It so

important my constituency.

Thank you

5:35:025:35:13

very much Madam Deputy Speaker, I

can be relatively brief. The

5:35:135:35:21

government supports this bill which

is promoted by middle level

5:35:215:35:24

commissioners. A stacked tree

constituted under the middle

5:35:245:35:29

the previous amendments that this

sought to put forward here, by

5:35:335:35:39

believe in all the points that have

been raised in doubt with a

5:35:395:35:45

particular by our honourable member,

who has a creep grasp of the details

5:35:455:35:49

of the bill.

5:35:495:35:50

-- deep grasp of the details of the

bill. These acts are considerably

5:35:545:35:58

out of date and do not align with

modern requirements or the statutory

5:35:585:36:03

framework applicable to other

navigation authorities. In

5:36:035:36:07

particular, at the current legal

framework, which covers the

5:36:075:36:10

commissioners does not include

adequate provision for the vessels

5:36:105:36:15

using the waterways of the levying

of charges and waterways for

5:36:155:36:19

centuries. As result, they do not

receive any income for navigation

5:36:195:36:24

waterways and this is meant that

money raised through drainage,

5:36:245:36:29

rather then flood defence purposes,

which is contradictory to policy. It

5:36:295:36:37

enabled them to find their waterways

-- fund their waterways, authorities

5:36:375:36:47

for example have the canal and

rivers, just and the authority. I

5:36:475:36:53

read the report this and hope that

it will pass an amended.

Madam

5:36:535:37:02

Deputy Speaker, we had a good

thoughtful debate, and I'm grateful

5:37:025:37:06

to everybody who has participated in

it. I like to think of friend who is

5:37:065:37:18

conceded to some of my minutes were

sensible and perhaps the new

5:37:185:37:22

clauses, is not accepted by

promoters tonight that they will be

5:37:225:37:30

taken forward and the other place as

it inevitably will be. This is a

5:37:305:37:43

considerable concern to the

petitioners them very grateful that

5:37:435:37:47

my I will friend having got to his

feet, it's quite than usual in these

5:37:475:37:54

debates for the person who is

actually gone to the detail, coming

5:37:545:37:59

care to explain his reasoning

ability did I like to thank my

5:37:595:38:05

honourable friend and other members

of the committee for the work that

5:38:055:38:07

they did in the courteous way in

which they dealt with the concerns

5:38:075:38:11

which are being confessed. Instead

of hiding under a Bush, they didn't

5:38:115:38:23

show

5:38:235:38:24

I'm also grateful to the member of

how facts showing some sympathy for

5:38:275:38:34

my amendment, even though she cannot

bring herself to support them yet.

5:38:345:38:40

There are a number of amendments out

there today can house because I

5:38:405:38:50

think people will be much better for

them to be dealt with and at the

5:38:505:38:57

other place, the head Pat has

developed the buses

5:38:575:39:01

can I say that I do think, that

amendment 14 is one in which bears

5:39:065:39:16

further consideration. Another 14

for the benefit of those who are

5:39:165:39:20

living in the debate, amendment 14

clause 11, at the end, and

5:39:205:39:29

respectively so our way to a driver

who is identified as disabled. In

5:39:295:39:37

response to that by my other friend,

thankful on all through my work. He

5:39:375:39:55

answers the point that he made, and

makes it much easier for someone up

5:39:555:40:01

for debate if they know that there

are parts of been answered. In

5:40:015:40:08

relation to disabled people, he sees

on the fact that registered disabled

5:40:085:40:14

is no longer with the R a D, a

category service and this amendment

5:40:145:40:21

would be for people registered as

disabled with a mid-level

5:40:215:40:28

commissioner. So in order to have

these boats, come its registration

5:40:285:40:35

system and that's that system will

include

5:40:355:40:46

I don't think the objection is a

valued one. If I put the amendment

5:40:465:40:51

with on the D perhaps it might have

been. I hope that we'd be able to

5:40:515:41:00

support this on the basis that it

is... There are a lot of people who

5:41:005:41:06

are disabled who got considerable

difficulties and I think it will be

5:41:065:41:11

a reasonable cross subsidy to be

paid by all other voters if they

5:41:115:41:18

were prepared to cross subsidize

those who register with the

5:41:185:41:23

commissioners as being disabled. The

only other issue I raise in

5:41:235:41:26

conclusion is that I note from

what's been said that there is a

5:41:265:41:33

move here to ensure that the vessels

which are substandard are

5:41:335:41:36

effectively going to be removed. I

hope that is not going to be done in

5:41:365:41:41

a way that's harassing, because as

the chairman of the all party

5:41:415:41:43

Parliamentary group on mobile phones

or park homes, I think there's a lot

5:41:435:41:50

of concern that largely elderly

people living in Park homes find

5:41:505:41:54

themselves harassed just because

their park home has not been updated

5:41:545:41:58

for 20 years or so, and I think

there a danger that in the drive for

5:41:585:42:04

what I might describe as

gentrification in the waterways,

5:42:045:42:09

that we may be working against the

interests of the people who have

5:42:095:42:13

been resident on those waterways for

many, many years and whose vessels

5:42:135:42:20

are not up to modern standards, but

are for their purposes perfectly

5:42:205:42:23

good vessels. I hope that the

commissioners and the promoters

5:42:235:42:29

won't abuse that power which we are

giving them. Madam Deputy Speaker, I

5:42:295:42:35

would seek to withdraw New Clause

one and ask the House to express its

5:42:355:42:41

opinion on amendment 14. In other

words, whether or not the House

5:42:415:42:46

would like to give disabled people

who are using these inland waterways

5:42:465:42:55

in vessels which are registered with

the commissioners, give them the

5:42:555:43:00

right to be able to do so without

having to pay charges. So, I would

5:43:005:43:04

like to move amendment 14.

Is it

your pleasure that New Clause one be

5:43:045:43:10

withdrawn? New Clause one with John.

We therefore come to amendment

5:43:105:43:20

number 14. Sir Christopher to move

formally.

They to move.

The question

5:43:205:43:28

that amended 14 boot. So many of

that opinion say iMac. Of the

5:43:285:43:34

contrary no?

5:43:345:43:36

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