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0:00:00 > 0:00:01strategy, the agreed strategy in place that takes the sector with it

0:00:01 > 0:00:11in order to do that.Order. Business question. Valerie Vaz.Will the

0:00:11 > 0:00:18Leader of the House give us the forthcoming business?Leader of

0:00:18 > 0:00:23House of Commons.Thank you, the business for the week commencing

0:00:23 > 0:00:2812th March will be on Monday 12th, remaining stages of financial

0:00:28 > 0:00:33guidance and claims bill. Tuesday 13th, my honourable friend the

0:00:33 > 0:00:38Chancellor will deliver his spring statement. Followed by a debate on

0:00:38 > 0:00:42motions relating to universal credit, children and young persons

0:00:42 > 0:00:47and social security. Wednesday 14th, a general debate on European affairs

0:00:47 > 0:00:53day one. Thursday 15th March, conclusion of a general debate on

0:00:53 > 0:01:00European affairs. Friday 16th March, private members bills. The business

0:01:00 > 0:01:08for if week commencing #19th will include second reading of secure

0:01:08 > 0:01:13tenancies victims of domestic abuse bill. Today, Parliament is flying

0:01:13 > 0:01:16the flag for international women's day and this year is particularly

0:01:16 > 0:01:21special as we mark the centenary of some women getting the right to

0:01:21 > 0:01:26vote. We will be celebrating women's achievement and I hope all members

0:01:26 > 0:01:33will be hosting an equality in their constituency to celebrate democratic

0:01:33 > 0:01:38equality and the opportunity to have cake and eat it! We have achieved

0:01:38 > 0:01:42much but there is a long way to go. And today the Home Office has

0:01:42 > 0:01:48launched a consultation on proposals for a new domestic violence bill to

0:01:48 > 0:01:55tackle the plight of the nearly two million living with this problem. I

0:01:55 > 0:02:00feel lucky to have not one or two, but not even three, but four

0:02:00 > 0:02:06brilliant female apprentices in my private offices and my Parliamentary

0:02:06 > 0:02:13office. Many members are marking national apprenticeship week and I

0:02:13 > 0:02:16would encourage any member and every business to offer the valuable

0:02:16 > 0:02:23experience of an apprentice ship to young people. And lastly, this week

0:02:23 > 0:02:28marks the birthday of our own resident rock star, the member for

0:02:28 > 0:02:35Perth. I hear that he is 21 again! But actually I might be confusing

0:02:35 > 0:02:41that with his majority! But I'm sure... I'm sure he is not much

0:02:41 > 0:02:45older than that. And I hope the whole House will join me in wishing

0:02:45 > 0:02:52him a very happy birthday for form -- tomorrow.Can I thank the Leader

0:02:52 > 0:02:56of the House for the business and also for her speech and I wonder if

0:02:56 > 0:03:02that is going to happen every time. Debite telling me that -- despite

0:03:02 > 0:03:07telling me statements were not going to be made in the House I'm glad she

0:03:07 > 0:03:11has told us the date of spring statement. Is there any reason why

0:03:11 > 0:03:15the Leader of the House is announcing the business just one

0:03:15 > 0:03:20week and a day at a time. That seems to be a change. I asked about the

0:03:20 > 0:03:23legislation on restoration and renewal when is that likely to come

0:03:23 > 0:03:27back? There was a good turn out for the debate. Every day that goes by

0:03:27 > 0:03:33that we don't do something, further costs are incurred. I asked about

0:03:33 > 0:03:38the trade bill and she didn't answer. It seems like all the

0:03:38 > 0:03:42important legislation is delayed. Is think Government a no-business

0:03:42 > 0:03:52Government? I do thank the Leader of the House for finding time for the

0:03:52 > 0:03:57statutory instruments. There one missing about the regulations

0:03:57 > 0:04:02abolishing nursing bursaries. There has been a 33% fall in applications

0:04:02 > 0:04:06for nursing degrees and it helps women returners. Perhaps the

0:04:06 > 0:04:10Chancellor might make a concession in the spring statement on the

0:04:10 > 0:04:15bursaries. Because after that when we do debate the statutory

0:04:15 > 0:04:22instruments people will see cuts to free school meals, ending free child

0:04:22 > 0:04:27care to two-year-olds and universal credit regulations that will affect

0:04:27 > 0:04:35self-employed and disabled people. That what is you get with with a

0:04:35 > 0:04:39woman Prime Minister perhaps. The reports on plastic bottles which was

0:04:39 > 0:04:44push lished in December and disposable coffee cups on 5th

0:04:44 > 0:04:49January. Would the leader find time for that debate and find time for a

0:04:49 > 0:04:52debate on the announcement by the president of the United States on

0:04:52 > 0:04:59tariffs on our steel and aluminium? We have a sitting Friday on 16th

0:04:59 > 0:05:04March, I don't know if the leader is aware a leadure motion was moved

0:05:04 > 0:05:12after two hours of debate stopping our spokesman from speaking. She is

0:05:12 > 0:05:15stopped in mid speech. Is that going to be the normal case. In which case

0:05:15 > 0:05:19we need to warn the member for Glasgow South who is second on the

0:05:19 > 0:05:24list, because his bill will come up much more quickly than before. She

0:05:24 > 0:05:28promised the list of ministerial responsibilities in March and I

0:05:28 > 0:05:33think it is 8th March, could we have that please? And will there be a

0:05:33 > 0:05:40further day on, we have two debates on the UK's exit from the EU. Will

0:05:40 > 0:05:46there be further day or could the opposition dare to dream we have an

0:05:46 > 0:05:53opposition day? Despite setting ow our speech to the mansion house,

0:05:53 > 0:05:57only two thousand words to the house. I feel robbed. We need a

0:05:57 > 0:06:04third allotted day as we come up to the year of triggering Article 50.

0:06:04 > 0:06:10The Prime Minister said on Monday that the Government is looking at

0:06:10 > 0:06:16customs arrangements, including the border between the United States and

0:06:16 > 0:06:19Canada, but the Irish Prime Minister actually visited that border and

0:06:19 > 0:06:25said it is definitely not a solution that we could possibly entertain.

0:06:25 > 0:06:28What about if former Deputy Prime Minister who criticised the Prime

0:06:28 > 0:06:33Minister when he said, why haven't we got any closer with the issues.

0:06:33 > 0:06:40The answer is because no one has any answer about what to do. If you

0:06:40 > 0:06:44followed the speech and it was a recipe for a cake, you couldn't even

0:06:44 > 0:06:53bake a cake. It couldn't bake a cake, even if it was a double cherry

0:06:53 > 0:07:03Genoa cake. If it was a road map, it was a road map to nowhere. Mr

0:07:03 > 0:07:07Speaker you have been fantastic, you have your reference group for

0:07:07 > 0:07:14international women's day and you have had in 2010 before I came to

0:07:14 > 0:07:19the House I saw the conference on Parliamentary inclusion. But we have

0:07:19 > 0:07:25international women's day and women consultants in the NHS have earned

0:07:25 > 0:07:3114,000 a year less than men. The House of Commons library said that

0:07:31 > 0:07:39women are paying a price for balance the books. There may be a woman

0:07:39 > 0:07:43Prime Minister, but the leader of the opposition is a person of deeds,

0:07:43 > 0:07:47he has 50% of women in his Shadow Cabinet, the Government only have

0:07:47 > 0:07:5226%. The opposition party is leading the way with representation of

0:07:52 > 0:07:58women, we make up 45% of the Parliamentary partry. Could I ask --

0:07:58 > 0:08:07party. Could I ask if she could make representations to the Foreign

0:08:07 > 0:08:10Secretary for Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. Could she urge

0:08:10 > 0:08:14him to make representations on her release that could have been done

0:08:14 > 0:08:17before Christmas and there are schoolgirls that have been kidnapped

0:08:17 > 0:08:21again in Nigeria. On the day we have got the National Audit Office

0:08:21 > 0:08:26talking of cuts to services published today, almost 50% I want

0:08:26 > 0:08:32to thank all the public services for all their hard work over this

0:08:32 > 0:08:35inclement weather and they have protect us and made sure we are all

0:08:35 > 0:08:44safe. Thank you.

0:08:44 > 0:08:48Thank you, Mr Speaker, and I certainly will join with the

0:08:48 > 0:08:51honourable lady in thanking all those who worked so hard during this

0:08:51 > 0:08:56period of really difficult and challenging weather, and also all of

0:08:56 > 0:08:59those who had to bear the brunt of sitting on trains that couldn't move

0:08:59 > 0:09:04due to the weather. I think there was a real effort and community

0:09:04 > 0:09:08spirit which everyone should be congratulated on. She raised a

0:09:08 > 0:09:12number of legislative issues which I'm very glad she did because quite

0:09:12 > 0:09:22often she asks about policy issues which are not technically a matter

0:09:22 > 0:09:25for business questions. Chests about legislation on renewal. She knows

0:09:25 > 0:09:29that we will be bringing forward legislation on the establishment of

0:09:29 > 0:09:34a delivery authority and a sponsor body as soon as possible. On the

0:09:34 > 0:09:37trade bill with discussed last week the fact there are number of

0:09:37 > 0:09:41amendments being foot forward. The Government considers those

0:09:41 > 0:09:46carefully, is right we will always consider amendments put forward to

0:09:46 > 0:09:52try to improve legislation as we enter into this very important

0:09:52 > 0:09:56decision to leave the European Union and we make steps to prepare

0:09:56 > 0:10:00ourselves in the best possible way. I'm glad she's happy about the

0:10:00 > 0:10:08statutory instrument debates, which we will be having next week. Chests

0:10:08 > 0:10:11about nursing training places, she will be aware there is an increase

0:10:11 > 0:10:17in nursing training places of 25%, the biggest increase ever. She also

0:10:17 > 0:10:24raises the question of plastics and what we are doing there and I hope

0:10:24 > 0:10:29she as I have signed up to plastic free Lent trying to minimise the use

0:10:29 > 0:10:33of single plastics during the period as an opportunity for ourselves to

0:10:33 > 0:10:38really highlight the importance of reducing plastics. This Government's

0:10:38 > 0:10:42record is very good on that with the determination in our 25 year

0:10:42 > 0:10:45environment plans to be the first generation that leaves our

0:10:45 > 0:10:50environment in a better state than we found it. She asks about the talk

0:10:50 > 0:10:54about tariffs coming out of the United States on steel and

0:10:54 > 0:10:59aluminium. We are concerned about that. As she will be aware, in the

0:10:59 > 0:11:03UK we have ourselves made social and economic factors part of the

0:11:03 > 0:11:07consideration for public sector procurement of steel. We have

0:11:07 > 0:11:11commissioned research to identify high value opportunities for UK

0:11:11 > 0:11:16steel worth up to nearly 4 billion a year by 2030 and we have certainly

0:11:16 > 0:11:22made great steps to support our steel sector since 20 to the cost of

0:11:22 > 0:11:25renewables and climate change policies but she's right to raise

0:11:25 > 0:11:28concerns about US policy in this area and the Prime Minister has

0:11:28 > 0:11:33spoke with President Trump recently and raised a concern at his

0:11:33 > 0:11:37forthcoming announcement on steel and aluminium tariffs. Multilateral

0:11:37 > 0:11:42action is the only way to resolve the problem of global overcapacity

0:11:42 > 0:11:46in all parties' interests. Just again about ministerial

0:11:46 > 0:11:50responsibilities, that list will be forthcoming as soon as possible once

0:11:50 > 0:11:56those positions have been confirmed with all departments. She asks about

0:11:56 > 0:12:01the debate on the European Union. I think she's happy we are having

0:12:01 > 0:12:04those debates, this is in response to the request from many honourable

0:12:04 > 0:12:10and right honourable members to be able to talk in general terms about

0:12:10 > 0:12:13their ideas and proposals for how we leave the European Union. We have

0:12:13 > 0:12:17had a very important speech from the Prime Minister last week and of

0:12:17 > 0:12:22course we have the EU Council coming up soon where we hope to secure

0:12:22 > 0:12:26implementation period so now is a very good time for all honourable

0:12:26 > 0:12:32and right honourable members to put forward their thoughts and views.

0:12:32 > 0:12:47Finally she asks for representations about Mr Gary Ratcliffe.

0:12:53 > 0:13:06-- -- this Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.On the 2nd of

0:13:06 > 0:13:09February this year, my private member's bill, the parking code of

0:13:09 > 0:13:14practice bill received a second reading, thanks to support from the

0:13:14 > 0:13:17Government and support from the official opposition, and support

0:13:17 > 0:13:21from the Scottish National Party for which I'm obliged. However the bill

0:13:21 > 0:13:26cannot proceed any further until the ways and means notion is tabled.

0:13:26 > 0:13:31Will the Leader of the House speak to our mutual friend the patronage

0:13:31 > 0:13:35secretary, the Chief Whip, and hopefully agree with him this is a

0:13:35 > 0:13:42matter which should be tabled sooner rather than later?My honourable

0:13:42 > 0:13:46friend raises a very important issue. The Government has expressed

0:13:46 > 0:13:49support for a number of private member's bill is so far in this

0:13:49 > 0:13:53session and we continue to work with the relevant members in charge. That

0:13:53 > 0:13:58will include bringing forward money resolutions on a case-by-case basis

0:13:58 > 0:14:05in the usual way.Order. Offering my best birthday wishes for the

0:14:05 > 0:14:10honourable member for North Pole show tomorrow. Perhaps I can borrow

0:14:10 > 0:14:14the observation of the honourable gentleman the Member for Gateshead

0:14:14 > 0:14:18and apply it to the honourable gentleman. Fortunately he's not yet

0:14:18 > 0:14:23at the age at which the cost of the candles exceeds the cost of the

0:14:23 > 0:14:30cake.Thank you very much for that, Mr Speaker, and can I thank the

0:14:30 > 0:14:34Leader of the House for her kind birthday wishes. Birthdays are more

0:14:34 > 0:14:41to be noted then celebrated. Can I wholeheartedly also welcome

0:14:41 > 0:14:44International Women's Day and page rebuke to all of these incredible

0:14:44 > 0:14:47women throughout history who have contributed so much to the progress

0:14:47 > 0:14:51of other communities and acknowledge we still have so much to do to reach

0:14:51 > 0:14:57the truly equal society to which we should all aspire. Half the world

0:14:57 > 0:15:03saw that incredible speech from my honourable friend for Paisley

0:15:03 > 0:15:08yesterday on misogyny. A powerful, profound personal account of some of

0:15:08 > 0:15:12the misogynistic abuse she has suffered just for being a young

0:15:12 > 0:15:17woman in politics. On International Women's Day, can the Leader of the

0:15:17 > 0:15:21House consider making misogyny the hate crime and proactively legislate

0:15:21 > 0:15:25and ensure this is something we can start to make part of the history of

0:15:25 > 0:15:33the women's movement in this country? We are having a day of

0:15:33 > 0:15:36action on Saturday, an issue which continues to upset and concerned

0:15:36 > 0:15:41communities that we represent. The Scottish affairs committee which our

0:15:41 > 0:15:45chair has finally secured RBS CEO to come in front of the committee to

0:15:45 > 0:15:48answer questions about the closure programme, but the one group of

0:15:48 > 0:15:53people we have not heard from and who still refuse to speak to us are

0:15:53 > 0:15:56the majority shareholder, this Government. The Government is the

0:15:56 > 0:16:04steward of the public interest in this so will she join me in

0:16:04 > 0:16:08insisting they come to answer questions about what they are doing

0:16:08 > 0:16:12to represent our interests. Lastly, we made a statement on the emerging

0:16:12 > 0:16:16constitutional crisis on Brexit, the Government say it will push ahead on

0:16:16 > 0:16:19amendments in clause 11 without any agreement from the Scottish

0:16:19 > 0:16:26Government. The BBC say they have a letter in which the Government says

0:16:26 > 0:16:31it cannot counter the power grab claims. Perhaps they cannot counter

0:16:31 > 0:16:40the power grab claims because that's exactly what it is.Mr Speaker, to

0:16:40 > 0:16:47the honourable gentleman's first point, I'm very appalled, as I think

0:16:47 > 0:16:53all honourable members are, to hear of the experiences of his honourable

0:16:53 > 0:16:57friend and I sincerely apologise to her own behalf of everybody here for

0:16:57 > 0:17:01the appalling abuse she has received. It is utterly unacceptable

0:17:01 > 0:17:05and of course in my role as Leader of the Commons if she wanted to talk

0:17:05 > 0:17:11to me I would be very happy to do so and see if there's anything specific

0:17:11 > 0:17:17I can do. As you know, we have worked tirelessly cross-party to put

0:17:17 > 0:17:21in place or independent complaints procedure. Whether that would, if it

0:17:21 > 0:17:26were up and running today, have gone some way to improving the honourable

0:17:26 > 0:17:30lady's situation I'm not sure, but I certainly hope that our commitment

0:17:30 > 0:17:35across this House and the other place to stamping out abuse and to

0:17:35 > 0:17:40making our Parliament one of the best places to work and to be

0:17:40 > 0:17:45employed is going to stand us in good stead for the future. To his

0:17:45 > 0:17:48second point about RBS, I'm very aware of the grave concerns

0:17:48 > 0:17:52expressed in a number of occasions by honourable members on his side of

0:17:52 > 0:17:56the House about buying closures and he will be aware these are

0:17:56 > 0:18:00commercial decisions, there are procedures to go through before a

0:18:00 > 0:18:04bank decides to close in terms of consultation with local communities

0:18:04 > 0:18:07but I would just point out to him that one of his honourable friend

0:18:07 > 0:18:11has an adjournment debate on banking in Scotland next week on the 14th of

0:18:11 > 0:18:17March and I'm sure that he will want to take part on that. Finally, the

0:18:17 > 0:18:25honourable gentleman raises the issue of the Scottish party's

0:18:25 > 0:18:31continuity bill. The EU Withdrawal Bill will provide consistency across

0:18:31 > 0:18:35the UK to middle all parts of the UK are ready for our departure from the

0:18:35 > 0:18:39EU and we are still hopeful we can reach agreement with the default of

0:18:39 > 0:18:46the decisions on the bill in coming weeks.In a recent debate on the

0:18:46 > 0:18:52family test in the Lords, probably better called family impact

0:18:52 > 0:18:54assessment, there was good cross-party support for the private

0:18:54 > 0:18:58member's bill promoting a more satisfactory application of this

0:18:58 > 0:19:02test than currently appears to be the case from several questions I've

0:19:02 > 0:19:05asked across government departments recently. Would the leader

0:19:05 > 0:19:09facilitate the safe passage of this bill in the other place by liaising

0:19:09 > 0:19:13with the leader of there so it can be brought to this House for

0:19:13 > 0:19:19consideration as possible?I would first of all like to really commend

0:19:19 > 0:19:25and congratulate my honourable friend for the amazing work she does

0:19:25 > 0:19:27cross-party and Crosshouse on supporting families. I totally share

0:19:27 > 0:19:34her desire to see the strengthening families of all types and salts, and

0:19:34 > 0:19:37in particular I know she shares might have for the importance of

0:19:37 > 0:19:42early attachment and giving every baby the best start in life I

0:19:42 > 0:19:47absolutely support her desire to see the family test carefully applied

0:19:47 > 0:19:50and would be delighted to meet with her to discuss how I can

0:19:50 > 0:19:58specifically help her.Very grateful, Mr Speaker, and I note

0:19:58 > 0:20:00from the business statement leader that backbench business committee

0:20:00 > 0:20:07has been given a holiday from backbench business debate. We do

0:20:07 > 0:20:10have a number of outstanding applications waiting for time

0:20:10 > 0:20:13allocation and I would therefore hoped would get some time before the

0:20:13 > 0:20:20Easter recess in order to get some of those debates timetabled. I'm

0:20:20 > 0:20:24afraid the chickens have come home to roost with regard to the

0:20:24 > 0:20:27membership of the backbench business committee, despite the fact we had

0:20:27 > 0:20:40three members present on Tuesday that is not... Where we the choir

0:20:40 > 0:20:49four whereas we currently only have six members.

0:20:55 > 0:20:59I would just gently like to point out to the honourable gentleman that

0:20:59 > 0:21:04there is government by next week for a Welsh affairs debate and we were

0:21:04 > 0:21:07all very disappointed on Saint Davids Day when, due to the awful

0:21:07 > 0:21:11weather and the need for members to get home before the train station is

0:21:11 > 0:21:16closed and so on, not only I was at the Number Ten reception for St

0:21:16 > 0:21:21David's Day and very sadly we missed out on the Welsh schools choir who

0:21:21 > 0:21:24couldn't get there and that was a great shame so we are delighted to

0:21:24 > 0:21:28offer government time for that debate to continue to take place

0:21:28 > 0:21:34notwithstanding its under government time, and I will of course ensure I

0:21:34 > 0:21:38make representations where necessary for his outstanding applications. I

0:21:38 > 0:21:42have raised with colleagues what we can do to facilitate extra

0:21:42 > 0:21:45Conservative members on the backbench unity and will continue to

0:21:45 > 0:21:50press for that. If he would like to write to me on the subject, I'm

0:21:50 > 0:21:58happy to look at that matter very seriously.You will notice how works

0:21:58 > 0:22:04if conventions are followed and as my right honourable friend said

0:22:04 > 0:22:08earlier about private member's bill 's, my private member's bill passed

0:22:08 > 0:22:16on the 1st of December, also another private member's bill about

0:22:16 > 0:22:21constituencies passed on Monday. Both were unopposed. Unfortunately,

0:22:21 > 0:22:24this is more than three months later, no money resolutions have

0:22:24 > 0:22:34been forthcoming. That means there can only be one bill at any one

0:22:34 > 0:22:38time, there is none in committee because of this. This looks to be an

0:22:38 > 0:22:44obstruction of the private member's bill system by the Government. I'm

0:22:44 > 0:22:48sure that's not the case, well I'm not sure that's not the case, but

0:22:48 > 0:22:52will the Leader of the House arrange for an urgent statement next week so

0:22:52 > 0:23:01this can be discussed?Earlier question was asked about migratory

0:23:01 > 0:23:05speeches and in the course of the question a number of members on the

0:23:05 > 0:23:08opposition benches noted the honourable gentleman has migrated

0:23:08 > 0:23:13from his usual seat to his new seat. I don't think any significance need

0:23:13 > 0:23:16be read into that and I can assure the House even if it is thought to

0:23:16 > 0:23:20be unusual I don't think it means he is suddenly broke the European

0:23:20 > 0:23:28Union.

0:23:28 > 0:23:32The Leader of the House.Thank you Mr Speaker and I I'm slightly

0:23:32 > 0:23:36disappointed my honourable friend is a bit suspicious, how could he

0:23:36 > 0:23:40think, particularly of me, since we are very much honourable friends.

0:23:40 > 0:23:48What I can say to him, as I did to our other honourable friend, the

0:23:48 > 0:23:52Government has supported private members bills and indeed the

0:23:52 > 0:23:55Government does support the health and social care bill that my

0:23:55 > 0:23:58honourable friend is bringing through as a private member's bill

0:23:58 > 0:24:03and we will bring forward money resolutions on a case by case basis

0:24:03 > 0:24:12in the usual way.I appreciated the comments the honourable lady made

0:24:12 > 0:24:18about the President Trump's announcement on steel tariffs I

0:24:18 > 0:24:24think we need the Secretary of State to make a statement. 10% of UK steel

0:24:24 > 0:24:31is exported to the US. It has huge implications. Particularly

0:24:31 > 0:24:35post-Brexit.The honourable lady raises an important issue, as I

0:24:35 > 0:24:38mentioned to the shadow leader, the Prime Minister has spoke within

0:24:38 > 0:24:44President Trump and raised our grave concern at his proposals. I can also

0:24:44 > 0:24:47tell the honourable lady that my honourable friend the Secretary of

0:24:47 > 0:24:54State for international trade is speaking with Wilber Ross, the US

0:24:54 > 0:24:59Commerce Secretary and this and she hay be aware there has been an

0:24:59 > 0:25:04overnight briefing that tariffs may not apply to allies. This a moving

0:25:04 > 0:25:11issue. And we will continue to take every step to protect the UK's steel

0:25:11 > 0:25:16and aluminium sectors.On Monday, my honourable friend the Secretary of

0:25:16 > 0:25:20State for housing, communities and local government made a welcome

0:25:20 > 0:25:25statement on housing and planning. Sadly, this coincided with the

0:25:25 > 0:25:29select committee meeting so, those of us that have a degree of

0:25:29 > 0:25:36expertise on this were unable to question him on the new policies.

0:25:36 > 0:25:44Equally, the estimate day we had on homeless was oversubscribed, which

0:25:44 > 0:25:49meant colleagues could only make short contributions. Could we find

0:25:49 > 0:25:53time for a general debate on housing and planning so members on all sides

0:25:53 > 0:25:57can express their views and tease out some of the policies that the

0:25:57 > 0:26:03Government is proposing?Well my honourable friend will be aware that

0:26:03 > 0:26:06the Prime Minister has been very clear that sorting out or broken

0:26:06 > 0:26:11housing market is one of her top priorities. She is determined to see

0:26:11 > 0:26:16young people able to aspire to a home of their own and that means

0:26:16 > 0:26:21building more houses, changing planning and protecting tenants and

0:26:21 > 0:26:28sorting out things like leases on new homes. They are part of my

0:26:28 > 0:26:32honourable friend the Secretary of State's new policies. I would also

0:26:32 > 0:26:36like to pay tribute to my honourable friend for his homelessness

0:26:36 > 0:26:40reduction act which the Government has implemented and is part of our

0:26:40 > 0:26:43determination to deal with the problem of homelessness and rough

0:26:43 > 0:26:49sleeping in this country.Mr Speaker, cancer research UK say

0:26:49 > 0:26:53obesity is the second most preventible cause of cancer. The

0:26:53 > 0:26:58Government is reviewing it is childhood obesity strategy, may we

0:26:58 > 0:27:03have a debate on stopping junk food adverts before the 9 o'clock water

0:27:03 > 0:27:10shed to help reduce childhood obesity.I share the honourable

0:27:10 > 0:27:14gentleman's concern at childhood obesity. It appears we have a

0:27:14 > 0:27:19growing problem. He may well want to seek an adjournment debate to talk

0:27:19 > 0:27:31to ministers about his own ideas.Mr Speaker, as we are aware we need

0:27:31 > 0:27:36more housing to be built and we can say that is good. I can name and I

0:27:36 > 0:27:40won't name councils who have used private companies and estate agents

0:27:40 > 0:27:44to further their aims. My council has been dragged into one of these

0:27:44 > 0:27:49situations, can we have a debate on making sure there is a clear

0:27:49 > 0:27:53understanding between developers, estate agents, planners and

0:27:53 > 0:28:00companies, because if we don't, with can see situations that won't help

0:28:00 > 0:28:05us in the future.My honourable friend is right to raise the

0:28:05 > 0:28:09importance of keeping good boundaries. Ultimately the aim is to

0:28:09 > 0:28:14produce more aims so more people can aspire to a home of their own. He

0:28:14 > 0:28:18may want to raise his concerns at questions to the department on

0:28:18 > 0:28:31Monday 12th March.As one of my favourite feminists can I wsh wish

0:28:31 > 0:28:37you a happy international women's day. Would she consider a debate on

0:28:37 > 0:28:43gender pricing. Consumes have to pay 31% more to pay for goods that are

0:28:43 > 0:28:50aimed at women. This isn't just limited to toiletries, it can be

0:28:50 > 0:28:55toys and stationery and clothes. We need to put pressure on retailers to

0:28:55 > 0:29:00top the pink tax.I think the honourable lady raises an issue that

0:29:00 > 0:29:07we, that many of us would be equally concerned about and it is obvious in

0:29:07 > 0:29:12the case of for example toiletries that men get their face care

0:29:12 > 0:29:16products cheaper than we do. I would support the honourable lady in

0:29:16 > 0:29:23seeking a debate to raise this with ministers.Following the bout of

0:29:23 > 0:29:28storms, we have seen a significant cliff fall in Newquay. This is a

0:29:28 > 0:29:32short distance from a site that has been granted planning permission for

0:29:32 > 0:29:38the development of houses. This is causing concern with locals, could

0:29:38 > 0:29:41the Leader of the House arrange for a ministerial statement to make sure

0:29:41 > 0:29:46to local authorities and the planning inspectorate the position

0:29:46 > 0:29:51on coastal development, particularly in areas that are prone prone to

0:29:51 > 0:29:55coastal erosion.I'm sorry to hear of this incident, of course he is

0:29:55 > 0:30:03right to raise it as a real local champion for the area. Local plans

0:30:03 > 0:30:07determine the allocation of land for development and planning permission

0:30:07 > 0:30:12should take account of risk of erosion and the policying framework

0:30:12 > 0:30:16sets the expectation of planning authorities establishing coastal

0:30:16 > 0:30:20change management areas that encourage development that is suited

0:30:20 > 0:30:26to the area's changing coastline. The planning rules are probably

0:30:26 > 0:30:32there but he may want to seek an adjournment.What the leader said

0:30:32 > 0:30:37about facial products, I can only say I'm not experienced in these

0:30:37 > 0:30:51matters, I concluded long time I'm long beyond redemption.Worldwide

0:30:51 > 0:30:57there about one and a half million knocks on the door, where families

0:30:57 > 0:31:03are told your mother is dead, your daughter, your son, the family will

0:31:03 > 0:31:07be destroyed, there is a common wealth meeting in London, could we

0:31:07 > 0:31:14have a debate focussing on this scourge, the greatest epidemic of

0:31:14 > 0:31:18our time and not enough concentration on these avoidable

0:31:18 > 0:31:23deaths being removed.I think the honourable gentleman is speaking

0:31:23 > 0:31:29about sort of violent deaths... Deaths on the roads. I beg his

0:31:29 > 0:31:34pardon. I didn't hear deaths on the road. I think he raises an

0:31:34 > 0:31:40incredibly important point and right across the world we see every day

0:31:40 > 0:31:44tragic and avoidable deaths. In the United Kingdom our track record is

0:31:44 > 0:31:49good and improving and we seeing reduced numbers of road deaths, but

0:31:49 > 0:31:54he might like to seek perhaps a backbench debate to talk about road

0:31:54 > 0:32:01safety or an adjournment debate if he wants to cover an issue.My

0:32:01 > 0:32:05honourable friend knows well of the serious concerns of people of

0:32:05 > 0:32:11Redditch after the centralise of paediatric emergency services,

0:32:11 > 0:32:16because I have raised it so many time. Will she call on the CCJ and

0:32:16 > 0:32:25the trust to speed up their plans to bring forward the GP-led urgent

0:32:25 > 0:32:28centre and can we have a debate about the services in

0:32:28 > 0:32:33Worcestershire.I commend my honourable friend for raising this.

0:32:33 > 0:32:36Local commissioners are reviewing the national guidance that has been

0:32:36 > 0:32:41issued with regard to urgent care centres. Prior to to commissioning a

0:32:41 > 0:32:44revised model for the hospital. I understand they're expecting to

0:32:44 > 0:32:48implement the new service in the next 12 months as planned and she

0:32:48 > 0:32:52might like to seek an opportunity to raise this directly with health

0:32:52 > 0:32:57ministers.The beast from the east brought red danger to life weather

0:32:57 > 0:33:02for the first time last week, I welcome that organisations such as

0:33:02 > 0:33:08Renfrewshire council and the local McDonald's as of one ago Port

0:33:08 > 0:33:14Glasgow are paying employees unable to travel to work. Can we have a

0:33:14 > 0:33:20debate on employers responsibility to their staff and ensuring no

0:33:20 > 0:33:25workers is left out-of-pocket during severe weather.Can I join him in

0:33:25 > 0:33:29congratulating those who tried to keep people safe and keep transport

0:33:29 > 0:33:34open. What I can say is there are all key transport operators

0:33:34 > 0:33:38including airports and local authorities and train companies and

0:33:38 > 0:33:44highways England and Network Rail have winter contingency plans as I'm

0:33:44 > 0:33:47sure do their equivalents in Scotland. While we pay tribute to

0:33:47 > 0:33:53all those who have put in that extra work at the same time it is for

0:33:53 > 0:33:57their employers to ensure they take the right decisions to have the

0:33:57 > 0:34:06right balance of keeping services open and protect ing their

0:34:06 > 0:34:14employees. I oo ICan we have a debate about the review of the

0:34:14 > 0:34:20housing complaints system?Yes I'm grateful to my honourable friend for

0:34:20 > 0:34:25an excellent question. It is vital that consumers have swift routes

0:34:25 > 0:34:29through which to complain. People need to know where to go and to be

0:34:29 > 0:34:32clear about what they can expect. And he is right that at the moment

0:34:32 > 0:34:36existing routes can be confusing. So he will be pleased as I am that on

0:34:36 > 0:34:4018th February we published a consultation on strengthening

0:34:40 > 0:34:44consumer redress in the housing market. And we are looking at the

0:34:44 > 0:34:49options on how to ensure people whether tenants or owners can have

0:34:49 > 0:34:55access to quick and effective redress including looking at whether

0:34:55 > 0:35:04a single housing ombudsman could simplify that access.The issue is

0:35:04 > 0:35:11drivers who receive reimbursement for patient transport. They are hit

0:35:11 > 0:35:17very hard and by definition by constituency people have to travel

0:35:17 > 0:35:20huge distances to hospital. Would the leader agree it would be helpful

0:35:20 > 0:35:26if we could have a debate on this in this House?Well the honourable

0:35:26 > 0:35:30gentleman raises a very particular issue which I can well understand is

0:35:30 > 0:35:35a real concern to his constituents and to others, where there are long

0:35:35 > 0:35:40distances to travel. I suggest that he raises the subject at an

0:35:40 > 0:35:43adjournment debate to hear from ministers what they can do for those

0:35:43 > 0:35:51who have to travel particularly long distances.Very good idea.Can we

0:35:51 > 0:36:00have a debate on local businesses who are also global brands to alight

0:36:00 > 0:36:03the Walker's shortbread from my constituency. A company what has

0:36:03 > 0:36:07been subjected to unacceptable and despicable abuse from nationalists

0:36:07 > 0:36:11in Scotland, because just one of their many products featured a Union

0:36:11 > 0:36:17Jack. Does my honourable friend agree we should condemn these

0:36:17 > 0:36:22attacks and instead celebrate the success of Walker's shortbread who

0:36:22 > 0:36:29have been established for many years, employ hundreds locals and

0:36:29 > 0:36:34are a great credit to the area.As ever, my honourable friend raises a

0:36:34 > 0:36:39significant issue for his constituency and he is a great

0:36:39 > 0:36:51champion for Mo pray. I agree that Walker's shortbread lishs and a

0:36:51 > 0:37:01vital -- delicious and a vital product. And many products are

0:37:01 > 0:37:12marked with the... They're a delicious snack only to be eaten in

0:37:12 > 0:37:18small amounts. It is a great UK and Scottish product.The Leader of the

0:37:18 > 0:37:22House is right in answer to my honourable friend from Redcar and

0:37:22 > 0:37:24the shadow leader to say that the threat by the United States

0:37:24 > 0:37:30administration to put huge tariffs on steel is a moving issue. The fact

0:37:30 > 0:37:35it is a moving issue, underlines the need for a statement as to what the

0:37:35 > 0:37:41Government is doing. When will we have a state on this and when will

0:37:41 > 0:37:47the official opposition again get an opposition day debate?Well, I think

0:37:47 > 0:37:54I've said as much as can I about the Prime Minister's determination to

0:37:54 > 0:37:59protect UK interest and she has made views clear to President Trump. As I

0:37:59 > 0:38:02have mentioned, my honourable friend the Secretary of State for

0:38:02 > 0:38:05international trade has raised the mat we are the United States

0:38:05 > 0:38:11Commerce Secretary and as I also have said, over night, the White

0:38:11 > 0:38:19House has indicated there may be exemption s from tariffs for allies

0:38:19 > 0:38:24of the United States. We have to look after global trade. We wish to

0:38:24 > 0:38:33be a world leader in promoting free trade. In term of opposition days

0:38:33 > 0:38:44the, as I said, those will be brought forward in the usual way.

0:38:44 > 0:38:47European Union structural and social funds have benefited local

0:38:47 > 0:38:50authorities across the UK. Can I request we have Parliamentary time

0:38:50 > 0:38:59to debate what will replace these funds post Brexit.My honourable

0:38:59 > 0:39:04friend is quite right to raise this matter and he will be pleased that

0:39:04 > 0:39:09we have committed to replacing European structural funds with the

0:39:09 > 0:39:13UK shared prosperity fund after we leave the European Union. The new

0:39:13 > 0:39:18fund will be designed to raise productivity and reduce inequalities

0:39:18 > 0:39:22between communities across all four nations of the union and we will be

0:39:22 > 0:39:26consulting on this later in the year.Its 20,000 elephants are

0:39:26 > 0:39:33slaughtered every year simply for their ivory. What the Leader of the

0:39:33 > 0:39:36House in form us when we could have a debate about the results of the

0:39:36 > 0:39:39consultation that finished a couple of months ago about the Government

0:39:39 > 0:39:46plans to ban the sale of ivory as soon as possible.I'm so glad the

0:39:46 > 0:39:50honourable gentleman has raised this issue because it is vital the UK

0:39:50 > 0:39:54continues to be at the forefront of clamping down on the illegal

0:39:54 > 0:40:01wildlife trade and in particular on the poaching of ivory. When I was

0:40:01 > 0:40:07Defra secretary I was proud to be part of that consultation. It

0:40:07 > 0:40:10received over 70,000 responses which was one of the largest in the

0:40:10 > 0:40:17history of Defra and it's clear and overwhelming majority support a ban.

0:40:17 > 0:40:21We have a conference later this year and I can absolutely assure him we

0:40:21 > 0:40:26will be doing everything we can to bring forward legislation as soon as

0:40:26 > 0:40:32possible.Yesterday Babcock announced 500 defence jobs would be

0:40:32 > 0:40:34lost at Devonport dockyard

0:40:34 > 0:40:37announced 500 defence jobs would be lost at Devonport dockyard,

0:40:37 > 0:40:38announced 500 defence jobs would be lost at Devonport dockyard,. With

0:40:38 > 0:40:42uncertainty, can we have a statement from ministers about what support

0:40:42 > 0:40:46the Government can offer to those workers who are losing their jobs in

0:40:46 > 0:40:52Plymouth?My first say I'm sorry to hear about those prospective job

0:40:52 > 0:40:57losses -- come I first say. As he points out Babcock International

0:40:57 > 0:41:04have announced 500 job losses. 100 of those posts are filled making the

0:41:04 > 0:41:09reduction of the headcount potentially 400. Whilst the

0:41:09 > 0:41:13restructuring is a commercial matter for that company, nevertheless there

0:41:13 > 0:41:18is a consultation period with staff and trade unions under way which is

0:41:18 > 0:41:23expected to conclude in mid April. In the meantime government is

0:41:23 > 0:41:28monitoring the situation and DWP are on stand-by to provide support for

0:41:28 > 0:41:35those affected via Jobcentre plus's rapid response service.May I also

0:41:35 > 0:41:38wish a happy birthday to the honourable member for Perth and

0:41:38 > 0:41:44North Perthshire and say he shares that would someone who has every

0:41:44 > 0:41:51intention of continuing to be 21 again. Mr Speaker, on Friday the 2nd

0:41:51 > 0:41:54of March several busy south Eastern trains were stranded for hours

0:41:54 > 0:42:01outside Lewisham station due to severe weather conditions. Many

0:42:01 > 0:42:05passengers self evacuated from these trains and we were extremely lucky

0:42:05 > 0:42:10no one died. Can we have a debate on updating guidance for stranded

0:42:10 > 0:42:16commuter trains to keep our passengers safe?As she so often

0:42:16 > 0:42:21does, she raises a really important and topical matter and I encourage

0:42:21 > 0:42:25her to seek an adjournment debate so she can discuss this matter with

0:42:25 > 0:42:32ministers. I think we were all concerned to hear about the risks

0:42:32 > 0:42:36and people deciding to evacuate themselves from trains, and we do

0:42:36 > 0:42:41need to put a stop to that. It is vital people abide by safety plans

0:42:41 > 0:42:50for their own safety.I was the honourable lady's page once but I

0:42:50 > 0:42:59must admit I don't remember it, it was too long ago. Such kindness from

0:42:59 > 0:43:05the honourable lady who makes an analogy with fine wine, you say all

0:43:05 > 0:43:08of the right things.Following on from that question and the serious

0:43:08 > 0:43:14travel disruption last week, can we please have a debate about putting

0:43:14 > 0:43:18passengers first. So for example when train services are cancelled,

0:43:18 > 0:43:22there's an automatic entitlement that passengers can use other train

0:43:22 > 0:43:27services. In Hull we've had severe disruption to services and it's come

0:43:27 > 0:43:31to my attention the east Coast Main Line has not been willing to

0:43:31 > 0:43:35automatically allow Hull trains passengers who cannot go all the way

0:43:35 > 0:43:38to London to use their service and I think that needs to be looked at in

0:43:38 > 0:43:45terms of putting the passenger first.Again, the honourable lady

0:43:45 > 0:43:50raises an important point. She will be aware train operating companies

0:43:50 > 0:43:57now are moving towards an automatic reimbursement for people whose

0:43:57 > 0:44:04experience train delays and so on. We all know that they tend to

0:44:04 > 0:44:07announce it at some point but often when you've already turned up for a

0:44:07 > 0:44:11train that is not there and then you have to move stations so I

0:44:11 > 0:44:15sympathise with her point entirely and recommend she seeks an

0:44:15 > 0:44:19adjournment debate.I wish my honourable friend happy birthday

0:44:19 > 0:44:23too, I'm sure he will be celebrating with a slice of shortbread. Can we

0:44:23 > 0:44:29have a debate on the... Chlorinated shortbread for the United States.

0:44:29 > 0:44:33Can we have a debate on the relationship between pip reviews and

0:44:33 > 0:44:41the motability scheme. When will the Minister come to this House and

0:44:41 > 0:44:44explain why people's cars are taken away even before the appeal has been

0:44:44 > 0:44:51heard?The honourable gentleman raises a very important and

0:44:51 > 0:44:54concerning constituency issue, and as I have always said, if he wants

0:44:54 > 0:44:58to raise this with me in writing I can take it up with the Department

0:44:58 > 0:45:04on his behalf. In a more general policy sense, we spend over £50

0:45:04 > 0:45:07billion per year on benefits to support disabled people and people

0:45:07 > 0:45:11with health conditions. We are seeking to enable more disabled

0:45:11 > 0:45:14people into work and we are seeing significant increase in the number

0:45:14 > 0:45:18of people able to get away from their disability and get into work,

0:45:18 > 0:45:26which is a great way to get into a more productive and enjoyable