0:00:17 > 0:00:19Hello and welcome to Monday In Parliament,
0:00:19 > 0:00:22our look at the best of the day in the Commons and the Lords.
0:00:23 > 0:00:24On this programme:
0:00:24 > 0:00:28The Tory turf war over Brexit gets a full airing in the Commons.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32When is the Government going to stand up against
0:00:32 > 0:00:36the hard Brexiteers who mainly inhabit these benches -
0:00:36 > 0:00:40there's only about 35 of them - see them off?
0:00:40 > 0:00:44MPs debate the dangers of fireworks in the back garden.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46She says, I saw two groups of young people
0:00:46 > 0:00:48of various ages standing at either end
0:00:48 > 0:00:50of the street firing fireworks at each other
0:00:50 > 0:00:52as if they were guns.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54And is the latest history syllabus in schools
0:00:54 > 0:00:57biased against the Labour Party?
0:00:57 > 0:01:03Completely omits the 1945-51 Labour Government, asks candidates for
0:01:03 > 0:01:08Conservative strengths and Labour weaknesses and stops in 1997.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11But first, all the countries of the EU apart from Britain
0:01:11 > 0:01:13have agreed just what they're prepared to offer
0:01:13 > 0:01:16the UK in the so-called transitional period
0:01:16 > 0:01:21immediately after the UK's departure date from the EU.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24The declaration, made in Brussels, would require Britain to follow
0:01:24 > 0:01:28all relevant EU rules without the power to change them.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31The announcement followed a weekend of Conservative in-fighting
0:01:31 > 0:01:36with members of the new pro-Brexit group, the European Research Group,
0:01:36 > 0:01:40ERG, taking to the airwaves, while a Remain-supporting Tory
0:01:40 > 0:01:44accused Brexit supporters of being "the swivel-eyed few."
0:01:44 > 0:01:46The transition period is also sometimes called
0:01:47 > 0:01:49the implementation period.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52Whatever it's called, the Brexit Minister oultined to MPs
0:01:52 > 0:01:56the Government's latest thinking.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58For such a period to work, both sides must continue
0:01:58 > 0:02:01to follow the same stable set of laws and rules.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03Without compromising the integrity of the single market and
0:02:03 > 0:02:07the customs union to which we will maintain access on current terms,
0:02:07 > 0:02:10both sides should approach this period in the spirit
0:02:10 > 0:02:11of our future partnership.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13That means each side committing to not taking
0:02:13 > 0:02:16any action that undermines the other.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18And during this period, we will still make our voice heard.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21We will have to agree a way of resolving concerns if laws
0:02:21 > 0:02:25are deemed to run contrary to our interest and if we have not had our
0:02:25 > 0:02:28say and we will agree an appropriate process for this temporary period.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31So that we have the means to remedy any issues through dialogue
0:02:31 > 0:02:33as soon as possible.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36All of this will be provided for in the withdrawal agreement
0:02:36 > 0:02:38we reach with the EU which will have the status
0:02:38 > 0:02:42of a new international treaty between the UK and the EU.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46Given this document to which the Minister
0:02:46 > 0:02:48has just referred, which has just been issued by the UK -
0:02:48 > 0:02:50by the European Union to the UK -
0:02:50 > 0:02:54about two hours ago, can the Government reconcile its policy
0:02:54 > 0:02:56of leaving the European Union with its own implementation
0:02:56 > 0:02:59proposals during the transition period?
0:02:59 > 0:03:04Furthermore, would this apply when EU laws are to be
0:03:04 > 0:03:07imposed on us when we will have no say either in the European
0:03:07 > 0:03:15Council or the European Parliament and our courts would be obliged
0:03:15 > 0:03:18to apply European court case law without having a judge in the court?
0:03:18 > 0:03:20Will he reject that the European at key
0:03:20 > 0:03:23will apply in relation to the United Kingdom
0:03:23 > 0:03:26and reject the notion put forward in this document
0:03:26 > 0:03:32that during the transitional period European Union law will continue
0:03:32 > 0:03:36to apply to the UK with direct effect and primacy?
0:03:36 > 0:03:40I want to be very clear that the UK will be leaving the EU
0:03:40 > 0:03:42on March the 29th 2019.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45and we will then have a strictly time-limited implementation period
0:03:45 > 0:03:48which will be as short as is practical.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51We currently expect that to be in the region of two years.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54The answer to my right honourable friend's first question
0:03:54 > 0:04:00is yes, that we must make sure that we reconcile these issues
0:04:00 > 0:04:03through the negotiations to come and he would not expect me, I know,
0:04:03 > 0:04:06to speak on behalf of the European Union and their directives today.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08Mr Speaker, there is a majority in this House
0:04:08 > 0:04:11that wants a sensible approach to Brexit.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14So, would the Minister agree that it would be right to reach out
0:04:14 > 0:04:17to that majority instead of letting the European Research Group
0:04:17 > 0:04:20call the shots?
0:04:20 > 0:04:24Will he also confirm, as the Chancellor, Business
0:04:24 > 0:04:28Secretary and Brexit Secretary said in a letter on Friday,
0:04:28 > 0:04:32that during the transition period, our relations will, quote,
0:04:32 > 0:04:36continue on current terms, full stop.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39Mr Speaker, the CBI, which represents thousands of
0:04:39 > 0:04:43businesses across the United Kingdom of all sizes and from all sectors
0:04:43 > 0:04:46just over a week ago called on the Government to put
0:04:46 > 0:04:51the interests of the economy over and above ideology.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54Does the Minister agree, and if he does, when
0:04:54 > 0:05:00is the Government going to stand up against the hard Brexiteers
0:05:00 > 0:05:04who mainly inhabit these benches - there's only about 35 of them -
0:05:04 > 0:05:08see them off and make sure that we get a sensible Brexit?
0:05:08 > 0:05:13Because if we don't, we will sleepwalk into a disastrous Brexit
0:05:13 > 0:05:15for generations to come.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17Can I urge the Minister to resist the siren voices
0:05:17 > 0:05:20from his own backbenchers urging him onto the rocks a WTO,
0:05:20 > 0:05:26World Trade Organisation only deal?
0:05:26 > 0:05:29Isn't the real reason for Cabinet's sort of policy
0:05:29 > 0:05:31of destructive ambiguity because they are fatally split on
0:05:31 > 0:05:34ideological grounds and they're putting the unity of their own party
0:05:34 > 0:05:40before British jobs, the British economy and British public services?
0:05:40 > 0:05:42I'm afraid I completely disagree with the honourable lady.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45The Government has set out a clear strategy to deliver for the British
0:05:45 > 0:05:46economy through this process.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48We will deliver on their strategy and
0:05:48 > 0:05:52what I've seen in votes in this House time and time again is that
0:05:52 > 0:05:54the greatest split that exists is between the backbenchers
0:05:54 > 0:05:57of the Labour Party and their own front bench on these issues.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59Can the Minister confirm that from a practical point of view
0:05:59 > 0:06:02we shouldn't be too worried about new EU law
0:06:02 > 0:06:06during the two-year period because it takes more than two years
0:06:06 > 0:06:09for new EU laws to be put into place?
0:06:09 > 0:06:13But also, from a practical point of view, can he confirm that we will be
0:06:13 > 0:06:17setting up working groups and technical issues that
0:06:17 > 0:06:23are important, like data exchanges, as as soon as possible?
0:06:23 > 0:06:26I think our constituents would respect us all a lot more in
0:06:26 > 0:06:29this place if we stopped making comments about people being swivel
0:06:29 > 0:06:31eyed just because they have very firmly held opinions.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33Does the Minister agree that the purpose of
0:06:33 > 0:06:36an implementation period is to demonstrate very, very clearly that
0:06:36 > 0:06:40we have a realistic grasp of the scale and complexity of the task
0:06:40 > 0:06:41ahead of us?
0:06:41 > 0:06:44We are just over a year away from leaving the EU and the
0:06:44 > 0:06:47only thing that we can rely on from this Government is chaos.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50Now, it's been said in the past that the SNP
0:06:50 > 0:06:53is the real opposition to this failing Government, though I'd have
0:06:53 > 0:06:56to say we have been given a good run for our money from the Tory
0:06:56 > 0:06:58backbenchers at the moment.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00Now, the Scottish Government has published
0:07:00 > 0:07:03its analysis of what leaving the European Union will mean
0:07:03 > 0:07:05and have done so publicly.
0:07:05 > 0:07:10When will this Government published its analysis?
0:07:10 > 0:07:13Well, I say to the honourable gentleman if he seeks to provide
0:07:13 > 0:07:16real opposition, he might want a few more of his colleagues to turn up
0:07:16 > 0:07:17for debate in this House.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19Of course, the Government is going to continue
0:07:19 > 0:07:22to do all the analysis, all the work we need
0:07:22 > 0:07:24to prepare for this process, but we are going to stick
0:07:24 > 0:07:28to what this House has repeatedly voted for which is not to publish
0:07:28 > 0:07:31anything that could be prejudicial to our negotiating position.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33The Government has been pressed to set up an independent inquiry
0:07:33 > 0:07:38into the disclosure of evidence by the police in criminal cases.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41The demand follows the announcement of a review of all current rape
0:07:41 > 0:07:45and serious sexual assault cases in England and Wales
0:07:45 > 0:07:48after the collapse of several rape trials because evidence had not been
0:07:48 > 0:07:55shared with defence lawyers.
0:07:55 > 0:08:02Well and what is being done belatedly because confident in the
0:08:02 > 0:08:07criminal legal system in the Crown Court has been seeping away almost
0:08:07 > 0:08:11daily. Well the attorney join with the Home Secretary in studying what
0:08:11 > 0:08:16was done in 1998 when there was a failure to prosecute deaths in
0:08:16 > 0:08:22custody cases and I appointed a senior ex-circuit judge to do an
0:08:22 > 0:08:27independent review as he delivered a damning report into or three months?
0:08:27 > 0:08:34My boards, we recognise that complies with disclosure
0:08:34 > 0:08:37requirements is vital if there is ever to be a fair trial. As regards
0:08:37 > 0:08:44a review at present policy, the Attorney General's review will take
0:08:44 > 0:08:48account of recent reports from judges and Her Majesty's inspectors
0:08:48 > 0:08:52as well as gathering additional evidence from bodies including the
0:08:52 > 0:08:56judiciary, the bar Council, the Law Society, police representatives and
0:08:56 > 0:09:01prosecutors. Disclosure is an issue in all jurisdictions. It's a
0:09:01 > 0:09:04question of how it is actually handled and here we are concerned
0:09:04 > 0:09:08with a handling issue, not a resource issue.I don't think I
0:09:08 > 0:09:11could disagree with the minister more. We are dealing with the
0:09:11 > 0:09:18resource issue, quite simply. Law disclosure is as clear as daylight
0:09:18 > 0:09:23but it was written before iPhones and social media came into
0:09:23 > 0:09:27existence. Whatever guidance is offered, and I ask the Minister to
0:09:27 > 0:09:32agree with this, whatever guidance is issued to the police and their
0:09:32 > 0:09:36forensic IT investigators, there has to be some concern about whether
0:09:36 > 0:09:40they have the resources to do this in cases of rape when they also have
0:09:40 > 0:09:46cases of terrorism and organised crime to deal with.Clearly, the
0:09:46 > 0:09:53development of digital media has increased the demands made both on
0:09:53 > 0:09:56the police and the prosecution service in the investigation of
0:09:56 > 0:10:02crime and, indeed, in their most recent report, National disclosure
0:10:02 > 0:10:05improvement plan from the National police chief's Council, the College
0:10:05 > 0:10:08of policing and the Crown Prosecution Service, it was
0:10:08 > 0:10:13indicated that they will develop a joint protocol by March 20 18th at
0:10:13 > 0:10:19the examination of digital media.On the one hand, we have urgent crisis
0:10:19 > 0:10:24reviews of pending prosecutions for fear of potential nondisclosure and
0:10:24 > 0:10:28unsafe trials. On the other hand, we have various women's groups telling
0:10:28 > 0:10:33us that the existing law designed to protect women from degrading
0:10:33 > 0:10:37questioning on their sexual history is not being applied which causes
0:10:37 > 0:10:42severe. Addicott insult to injury, a notorious sex offender has been
0:10:42 > 0:10:46released on parole or will be without rhyme or reason or voice for
0:10:46 > 0:10:49victims of crime. Well the noble Lords the Minister please agree with
0:10:49 > 0:10:54me that it is time for the Government to give urgent attention
0:10:54 > 0:10:58if not resources to restore faith, trust and confidence in our criminal
0:10:58 > 0:11:04justice system?What is necessary is that a responsible Government should
0:11:04 > 0:11:07not an wave but instead respect the rule of law.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10A picture of sub-standard living conditions in rented housing
0:11:10 > 0:11:12in London has been given to MPs on a parliamentary committee.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15The Communities And Local Government committee has been investigating
0:11:15 > 0:11:18issues in the private rented sector.
0:11:18 > 0:11:25The Mayor of Newham has been the latest to give evidence.
0:11:25 > 0:11:35In Newham, it's now 46% private rental. That is not true. We do not
0:11:35 > 0:11:40know what it was 20 years ago. We know it is 46 now but we do not know
0:11:40 > 0:11:45what it was ten years ago because nobody knows I think, except us,
0:11:45 > 0:11:48what the extent of the private rented centre is because with a
0:11:48 > 0:11:55borough wide license system we are able to identify the problems and
0:11:55 > 0:11:58fraenulum the problem is simply shocking conditions, absently
0:11:58 > 0:12:06shocking conditions. 23 people in a three-bedroom houses not unusual.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10Harry Potter, we had a guy in a race I went on the sleeping under the
0:12:10 > 0:12:13stairs and if you have seen the film, there was more space in Harry
0:12:13 > 0:12:18Potter's cupboards than in this one. Two people living in a walk-in
0:12:18 > 0:12:26freezer. £500 for a bed in a bedroom with four beds, bunk beds. £500.
0:12:26 > 0:12:32Shocking conditions. A family living in a place that has been built with
0:12:32 > 0:12:38chipboard and their fridge and washing machine are in the garden
0:12:38 > 0:12:41powered from the kitchen because they are living in the garden. That
0:12:41 > 0:12:48is the problem we have got and we now know, 51,000 properties, we know
0:12:48 > 0:12:52we have 20,000 landlords and we have prosecuted 1200 so that tells you
0:12:52 > 0:12:56roughly how many good landlords we have for landlords who are trying
0:12:56 > 0:13:01and the scale of the problem. 1200, multiply that by how many people are
0:13:01 > 0:13:03in each proxy and it is absolutely shocking.
0:13:03 > 0:13:08He turned to how landlords acting illegally should be punished.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12The punishment needs to break the business model. The example I like
0:13:12 > 0:13:16to give, because it is nice and clear cut, if someone breaks a
0:13:16 > 0:13:20packet of cigarettes up to sell individual cigarettes to children,
0:13:20 > 0:13:24tell me why they should be permitted to retain their business? They are
0:13:24 > 0:13:27consciously doing something that we all understand is evil. It is the
0:13:27 > 0:13:31same with people who don't waste as part of their business model. They
0:13:31 > 0:13:35are Kotze, pay a fine, it's part of the business model. With landlords,
0:13:35 > 0:13:39they pay fines as part of the business model. If you have 25
0:13:39 > 0:13:48people in a home, which is not unusual, if you have 25 people in a
0:13:48 > 0:13:52property, 12 and a half thousand pounds a month, you will have to be
0:13:52 > 0:13:56pretty... We think confiscation of the property, a proper thing that is
0:13:56 > 0:14:01your business model will be broken if we catch you doing these things
0:14:01 > 0:14:04consciously, we will take your property. That way, the business
0:14:04 > 0:14:08model will work any more. We had to break the business model. There have
0:14:08 > 0:14:12to be fines that are properly substantial fines.
0:14:12 > 0:14:18And from inner London to the Lancashire coast.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21The particular issue that affects not as black rubber seaside towns in
0:14:21 > 0:14:28general and coastal resorts is the dramatic size of the convergence
0:14:28 > 0:14:32from four hotels and bed and breakfasts into poor quality private
0:14:32 > 0:14:39rental flats. Almost all of that has driven entirely by the amount of
0:14:39 > 0:14:42rentals can be obtained through the local housing allowance, housing
0:14:42 > 0:14:47benefit system and that is a particular challenge in terms of
0:14:47 > 0:14:50displacing people from metropolitan areas where rents are higher and it
0:14:50 > 0:14:58is harder to get housing at social rents but also in terms of the
0:14:58 > 0:15:01amount of issues which people living in that type of accommodation are
0:15:01 > 0:15:06likely to face and that can be anything from drug addiction, mental
0:15:06 > 0:15:09health problems, fleeing from domestic violence etc, etc. A
0:15:09 > 0:15:15significant drain on the local economy as a consequence.The debate
0:15:15 > 0:15:16over the private rented sector.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19You're watching our round-up of the day in the Commons and the Lords.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21Still to come, why a former Army commander changed his mind
0:15:28 > 0:15:29on the role of women in the army.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32The Government must avoid slipping into the rhetoric of a second
0:15:32 > 0:15:36cold war with Russia, a former British
0:15:36 > 0:15:37diplomat has warned.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39Sir Adam Thompson, who used to be a British Permanent Representative
0:15:39 > 0:15:42to Nato, was one of a group of former security bosses giving
0:15:42 > 0:15:45evidence to a committee on the review of National Security
0:15:45 > 0:15:46Strategy.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50He said the UK needed to engage with Moscow.
0:15:50 > 0:15:56We do also need to engage with Russia.
0:15:56 > 0:16:03So painting them as completely black doesn't really help our cause.
0:16:03 > 0:16:09And therefore, I think we need to avoid slipping into both
0:16:09 > 0:16:14the dynamics and the rhetoric and the institutionalization
0:16:14 > 0:16:17of a second Cold War, which would be not just very
0:16:17 > 0:16:24dangerous but also extremely costly.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26It's really important that we remain engaged with Russia.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29Being engaged doesn't mean being nice to them, it is a vehicle
0:16:29 > 0:16:35for having tough conversations.
0:16:35 > 0:16:41We need a form of tough, direct, clear-headed engagement with Russia
0:16:41 > 0:16:45to ensure there is proper understanding between the two sides.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48We've sort of developed it over Syria now because Western forces
0:16:48 > 0:16:51and Russian forces are operating in the same theatre and we have
0:16:51 > 0:16:54to go to great lengths to avoid a clash between the two.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56Frankly had we had that level of communication with the Russians
0:16:56 > 0:17:00over much of the last ten years, some of the activities that we see
0:17:00 > 0:17:02the Russians involved and may not have taken place,
0:17:02 > 0:17:04certainly not in the same way.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07MPs have been debating a ban on private fireworks displays,
0:17:07 > 0:17:09after more than 100,000 people signed an electronic petition
0:17:09 > 0:17:13calling for the law to be tougher.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16MPs from across the parties described traumatic experiences
0:17:16 > 0:17:20that people and animals in their constituencies had
0:17:20 > 0:17:29suffered as a result of private fireworks displays.
0:17:29 > 0:17:35Stephanie Daisy shared a moving video about her daughter Macy, who
0:17:35 > 0:17:40suffered serious injuries after a small, home firework display when
0:17:40 > 0:17:45wrong. A stray flare became stuck and Hirst Garth E for exploding. She
0:17:45 > 0:17:53suffered burns to her head neck and shoulders in when through five
0:17:53 > 0:17:59surgeries. Stephanie said my thoughts are and always will be that
0:17:59 > 0:18:03fireworks can be devastatingly dangerous, even when used safely and
0:18:03 > 0:18:09should only be used in organised displays. And Mr Walker, Stephanie
0:18:09 > 0:18:15is not alone in her views.I may read this from spam Thompson, this
0:18:15 > 0:18:19is an eyewitness statements. I saw two groups of young people at
0:18:19 > 0:18:22various ages standing on either end of the street, firing fireworks at
0:18:22 > 0:18:27each other up as if they were guns. They were holding the wooden
0:18:27 > 0:18:30launching sticks lighting them and putting them at each other. One
0:18:30 > 0:18:37young child was hit in the head, and fortunately it did not explode. I
0:18:37 > 0:18:43saw kids firing fireworks at passing cars and windows on were broken by
0:18:43 > 0:18:50straight fireworks.Perhaps more difficult and impossible to us as
0:18:50 > 0:18:55are the livestock in the fields. It may spook sheep as we heard before
0:18:55 > 0:19:01and they crowd in the corner and risk suffocation. Cattle become
0:19:01 > 0:19:06distressed and worse and I heard her fake big ears on the death of forces
0:19:06 > 0:19:12because of the responsible use of fireworks.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15In response, the Consumer Minister said the current regulations provide
0:19:15 > 0:19:17a balance between the concerns and the interests of those who enjoy
0:19:18 > 0:19:19celebrating with fireworks.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21But said he has created a new office for standards
0:19:21 > 0:19:22which will look into this.
0:19:22 > 0:19:27This is a new body that will receive some £12 million a year, central
0:19:27 > 0:19:33government funding. To ensure that we have access to the information
0:19:33 > 0:19:37nationally and to support local authorities in their work. The new
0:19:37 > 0:19:42office for product safety and standards will work with key
0:19:42 > 0:19:45stakeholders and enforcing authorities, to review the guidance
0:19:45 > 0:19:50materials available on the safe and responsible use of fireworks. It
0:19:50 > 0:19:53will also provide an intelligence handling function to improve the
0:19:53 > 0:19:54information.
0:19:54 > 0:19:55Andrew Griffiths, the Consumer minister.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57Perhaps the biggest loser in Theresa May's reshuffle
0:19:57 > 0:19:59at the New Year was Justine Greening.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02Having been offered the job of Work and Pensions Secretary, she said no.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05It became clear she wanted to stay as Education Secretary
0:20:05 > 0:20:08but wasn't allowed to.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10So, how's her replacement getting on?
0:20:10 > 0:20:12Damian Hinds has just done his first question session
0:20:12 > 0:20:15as Education Secretary.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18A Labour MP followed up reports that some academy trusts in England
0:20:18 > 0:20:26are concerned about the viability of their budgets.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29Mr Speaker, all this focus on structures takes us away from the
0:20:29 > 0:20:35real issue, even Tori party donors this weekend are talking about real
0:20:35 > 0:20:40terms cuts to funding which is what I am seeing in my constituency. Will
0:20:40 > 0:20:43this government please face up to the real crisis which is the real
0:20:43 > 0:20:49terms cuts in school funding.Mr Speaker that is more money going
0:20:49 > 0:20:53into these schools and our country than ever before in the history of
0:20:53 > 0:20:59the country. We know in real terms, for people across the sea some, it
0:20:59 > 0:21:02is increasing and with the national funding formula on the cash they
0:21:02 > 0:21:07says, for each individual school, at least a small cash increase.
0:21:07 > 0:21:13On to the financing of higher education.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17Thank you Mr Speaker, the secretary of state's predecessor admitted that
0:21:17 > 0:21:23they were wrong to abolishes Bell abolished maintenance grants.
0:21:23 > 0:21:29Variable fields will punish the poorest and it woke take the issue
0:21:29 > 0:21:34into the long grass rather than take decisions. Apart from that, she is
0:21:34 > 0:21:41very supportive. But she is right, isn't she?Mr Speaker, we have a
0:21:41 > 0:21:46system of higher education finance in this country which means that we
0:21:46 > 0:21:49have unprecedented levels of disadvantaged people being able to
0:21:49 > 0:21:54go to university. And means our universities are properly funded. In
0:21:54 > 0:21:59October, the prime Minister said we would be taking quick action with
0:21:59 > 0:22:03raising the threshold for repayment and freezing the top fees for the
0:22:03 > 0:22:08next academic year. It is also right that we have a full review, looking
0:22:08 > 0:22:13at all aspects of value for money for people going to university and
0:22:13 > 0:22:16the alternatives of university such as taking in an apprenticeship.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18Later the session moved on to whether history
0:22:18 > 0:22:22is biased against Labour.
0:22:22 > 0:22:32Visiting my own school, not only me but the ex-conservative MP, I found
0:22:32 > 0:22:42concern of the new A-level histories syllabus. It completely admits the
0:22:42 > 0:22:461945-51 Labour government, asks candidates for conservative strings
0:22:46 > 0:22:51and labour weaknesses and stopped in 1997. By deleting labour, are they
0:22:51 > 0:23:02trying to rewrite history?The A-level histories syllabus is widely
0:23:02 > 0:23:07consulted on before it was confirmed. The actual detail of the
0:23:07 > 0:23:12content of the exam boards is determined by exam boards for
0:23:12 > 0:23:16independence, as long as they could afford to the subject content which
0:23:16 > 0:23:18as I said was widely consulted a pond.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20Finally, it could be called an in-house conversion.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23The Conservative MP and one-time Commander of United Nations forces
0:23:23 > 0:23:26in Bosnia, Colonel Bob Stewart, has been describing how he was won
0:23:26 > 0:23:28over to supporting the cause of female soldiers fighting
0:23:28 > 0:23:31in close combat roles.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34He was contributing to the debate on the Armed Forces
0:23:34 > 0:23:42Flexible Working Bill.
0:23:42 > 0:23:47I was always, until recently, against women serving in close
0:23:47 > 0:23:54combat roles. I had to be convinced, myself, but society has changed,
0:23:54 > 0:24:01which is crucial to that change in me. And perhaps, my full support for
0:24:01 > 0:24:06it has come from within my own family. My wretched but beautiful
0:24:06 > 0:24:12daughter has said that she will only join the armed forces if she can
0:24:12 > 0:24:19serve in a column about role. I applaud her for that and at this
0:24:19 > 0:24:26moment she is on selection. -- in a combat role.In order to identify
0:24:26 > 0:24:32and fill potential gaps in capacity. As well to assess the effectiveness
0:24:32 > 0:24:38of this bill's aims. I welcome the front bench amendment requiring this
0:24:38 > 0:24:42information to be included in the armed forces diversity statistics.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44Why no female Defence Ministers, asked the previous
0:24:44 > 0:24:46Defence Secretary.
0:24:46 > 0:24:55I was delighted that my honourable friend, was appointed and I
0:24:55 > 0:24:58congratulate her on her promotion to the foreign and Commonwealth office
0:24:58 > 0:25:05but that does leave a gap. And it is a mistake, if I made put it as
0:25:05 > 0:25:12boldly as that. It is a mistake to have five defence Ministers and have
0:25:12 > 0:25:16them all male. If we could get more women and in the fullness of time
0:25:16 > 0:25:21more people from the ethnic minorities to join up, then we could
0:25:21 > 0:25:26show that it is there from the top. Sir Michael Fallon.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28And that's it for this programme.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31Alicia McCarthy will be here for the rest of the week.
0:25:31 > 0:25:36But for now, from me Keith Macdougall, goodbye.