0:00:00 > 0:00:05customs union and depends on access in some form to the single market.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21Hello and welcome to Monday in Parliament.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24Coming up on the programme, The Prime Minister says it's highly
0:00:24 > 0:00:26likely Russia is to blame for the attempted murder of a former
0:00:26 > 0:00:29russian spy and his daughter.
0:00:29 > 0:00:33A military grade type of nerve agent developed by Russia was used
0:00:33 > 0:00:41in the attack in Salisbury.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43It was an indiscriminate and reckless act against the United
0:00:43 > 0:00:49Kingdom, putting the lives of innocent civilians at risk. And we
0:00:49 > 0:00:52will not tolerate such a brazen attempt to murder innocent civilians
0:00:52 > 0:00:56on our soil.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58A promise to stamp out all kinds of bullying
0:00:58 > 0:00:59in Westminster, after accusations against the Speaker
0:01:00 > 0:01:04and two other MPs.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07I am more determined than ever that we banish all kinds of harassment
0:01:07 > 0:01:11and bullying from this place. Because make no mistake, there is a
0:01:11 > 0:01:14need for change.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16And peers ask what's stopping the Government approving
0:01:16 > 0:01:21the medicinal use of cannabis.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25Doctors are allowed to prescribe heroin to addicts under certain
0:01:25 > 0:01:29circumstances. So how does he square that?
0:01:29 > 0:01:33But first...
0:01:33 > 0:01:36Theresa May was impatient for justice as you said it was highly
0:01:36 > 0:01:41likely that Russia was behind an attempt to present a former spy and
0:01:41 > 0:01:43his daughter.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46She told the House a military grade nerve agent was used on Sergei
0:01:46 > 0:01:48and Yulia Skripal in the cathedral city of Salisbury.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50They remain in a critical condition in hospital.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52Russia's ambassador has been summoned to the Foreign Office
0:01:52 > 0:01:53to provide an explanation.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56The Prime Minister said if Russia didn't provide a "credible response"
0:01:56 > 0:01:59by the end of Tuesday, the UK would conclude there had been
0:01:59 > 0:02:00an "unlawful use of force".
0:02:00 > 0:02:04an "unlawful use of force".
0:02:04 > 0:02:09It is now clear that Sergei Skripal his daughter were poisoned by
0:02:09 > 0:02:15high-grade military agent by Russia. Based on the positive identification
0:02:15 > 0:02:21of this chemical agent by world leading experts at the defence,
0:02:21 > 0:02:24science and technology laboratory, our knowledge that Russia has
0:02:24 > 0:02:29previously produced this agent and would still be capable of doing so,
0:02:29 > 0:02:34Russia Posner record of conducting state-sponsored assassinations, and
0:02:34 > 0:02:37our assessment that Russia views some of the vectors as legitimate
0:02:37 > 0:02:41targets for assassination, the Government has concluded it is high
0:02:41 > 0:02:45likely that Russia was responsible for the act against Sergei Skripal
0:02:45 > 0:02:48and his daughter.
0:02:48 > 0:02:49She added that there were only two plausible
0:02:50 > 0:02:52explanations for what happened.
0:02:52 > 0:02:57I did this was a direct act by the Russian state against our country or
0:02:57 > 0:03:01the Government lost control of its potentially catastrophically
0:03:01 > 0:03:04damaging nerve agent and allowed it to get into the hands of others.
0:03:04 > 0:03:09This afternoon, my right honourable friend, the Foreign Secretary, has
0:03:09 > 0:03:12summoned the Russian ambassador to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
0:03:12 > 0:03:18and asked him to explain which of these two possibilities it is.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21She went on to say this came against a backdrop
0:03:21 > 0:03:23of a well established pattern of Russian state aggression.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27And that the Government was ready to take more extensive measures.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31Mr Speaker, on Wednesday, consider in detail response in the Russian
0:03:31 > 0:03:35state. Should there be no credible response, we will conclude that this
0:03:35 > 0:03:38action amounts to an unlawful use of force by the Russian estate against
0:03:38 > 0:03:44the United Kingdom. And I will come back to this House and set out a
0:03:44 > 0:03:47full range of measures that we will take in response.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49Jeremy Corbyn called it a deeply alarming attack
0:03:49 > 0:03:52and paid tribute to the police officer who fell ill after attending
0:03:52 > 0:03:54to Sergei and Yulia Skripal.
0:03:54 > 0:04:00He remains seriously ill in hospital.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03The investigation into the shocking events in Salisbury must reach its
0:04:03 > 0:04:09conclusions. See both the evidence and a full account from the Russian
0:04:09 > 0:04:14authorities in light of emerging evidence the Prime Minister has just
0:04:14 > 0:04:18referred to. We need to continue seeking a robust dialogue would rush
0:04:18 > 0:04:23up on all the issues currently dividing our country, both domestic
0:04:23 > 0:04:28and international. Rather than simply cutting off contact and
0:04:28 > 0:04:32leading the tensions and divisions get worse and potentially even more
0:04:32 > 0:04:38dangerous. We're all familiar with the weight use your fortunes often
0:04:38 > 0:04:40acquired in the most dubious circumstances in Russia sometimes
0:04:40 > 0:04:46that it criminal elements have ended up sheltering in London and trying
0:04:46 > 0:04:51to buy political influence in the British party politics. Meddling in
0:04:51 > 0:04:59elections as the Prime Minister put it, there has been over £100,000
0:04:59 > 0:05:08worth of the Conservative Party from a Russian oligarchs and their
0:05:08 > 0:05:15associates. -- £800,000.I will say two things to them. Personal, as the
0:05:15 > 0:05:20Chancellor of the attackers did at the weekend, you should not harm who
0:05:20 > 0:05:25lives in this country of Russian extraction with the same brush, and
0:05:25 > 0:05:29secondly, there are rules on a party political donations and I can assure
0:05:29 > 0:05:34him that my party and I hope all parties followed those rules.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37There were then calls for party politics to put aside to support
0:05:37 > 0:05:41the government's action.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44May I commend my right honourable friend for rising to this occasion
0:05:44 > 0:05:50it, as if she should, many in his house would wish the leader of the
0:05:50 > 0:05:53evolution had abandoned party politics and done just the same.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57Those calls were also echoed on the Labour benches.
0:05:57 > 0:06:02There should be unity across the House in terms of what I feel is a
0:06:02 > 0:06:06proportionate and sensible approach that she has taken to analysing what
0:06:06 > 0:06:11is happening and coming back to report at the House. And can I also
0:06:11 > 0:06:16say there are circumstances, as if she does come up take part in
0:06:16 > 0:06:18political differences of opinion, but when our country is potentially
0:06:18 > 0:06:26under attack, that is just not appropriate.What he promised her
0:06:26 > 0:06:29not agree what are the most effective ways of punishing Russia
0:06:29 > 0:06:34for these appalling activities would be to seize the private property
0:06:34 > 0:06:37assets of members of the Vladimir Putin regime and their associates.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41And as a first step, to sheep arranged to publish a list of who
0:06:41 > 0:06:50they are and what they own the?The Prime Minister made clear she was
0:06:50 > 0:06:56aware of the financial system was not exported.It is clear the
0:06:56 > 0:07:00Russians were retaliating. We have to say resolutely and strongly, we
0:07:00 > 0:07:04are not backing down. This is an act of terrorism and all members of
0:07:04 > 0:07:09Parliament should stand together. Can I say to the honourable
0:07:09 > 0:07:14gentleman, he is absolutely right. When we take action, we must ensure
0:07:14 > 0:07:21that its action will continue to follow through.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23The Kremlin has denied any involvement in the incident
0:07:23 > 0:07:25and released a statement saying Theresa May's comments were a circus
0:07:25 > 0:07:27show and "another information and political campaign
0:07:27 > 0:07:28based on provocation".
0:07:28 > 0:07:31The Leader of the Commons says she's recommending an independent inquiry
0:07:31 > 0:07:33into allegations of bullying of Parliamentary staff.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35It comes after accusations on the BBC's newsnight
0:07:35 > 0:07:39about the Speaker John Bercow and two other MPs.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41All three deny the claims.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43Answering an urgent question, Andrea Leadsom said
0:07:43 > 0:07:46she was committed to stamping out all kinds of bullying
0:07:46 > 0:07:53and harassment in Westminster.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57The House commission next meets on Monday the 19th of March, next
0:07:57 > 0:08:02Monday. I have even noticed my fellow members that I will be
0:08:02 > 0:08:07recommending a short independently led inquiry by the House commission
0:08:07 > 0:08:11looking into allegations of systemic bullying of Parliamentary staff. I
0:08:11 > 0:08:16will propose that the inquiry should hear from past and current staff
0:08:16 > 0:08:20members about their experiences and help to provide them with closure
0:08:20 > 0:08:25wherever possible. I am more determined than ever that we banish
0:08:25 > 0:08:30all kinds of harassment and bullying from this place, because make no
0:08:30 > 0:08:33mistake, there is a need for change.
0:08:33 > 0:08:34The House of Commons commission is chaired
0:08:34 > 0:08:37by the Speaker John Bercow, leading the MP who'd put down
0:08:37 > 0:08:44the urgent question to ask.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47Will she acknowledged that the positive work she has let the date
0:08:47 > 0:08:51risks being undermined if it intended to allow stations to be
0:08:51 > 0:08:55determined by committee on which MPs effectively hold all the power. Will
0:08:55 > 0:08:58she agree the whole process, including sanctions, must be handled
0:08:58 > 0:09:05by an independent body?An inquiry led by the House commission cannot
0:09:05 > 0:09:09be independent which is why my work and the nation would be should be
0:09:09 > 0:09:15independently into allegations of bullying.Is it appropriate for Mr
0:09:15 > 0:09:19Speaker to remain in his place when there are allegations against him,
0:09:19 > 0:09:23which him is trying to suppress using taxpayer-funded money through
0:09:23 > 0:09:33sending out letters through speakers counsel.The Leader of the House.I
0:09:33 > 0:09:36think it is vital that all colleagues joined together in
0:09:36 > 0:09:40supporting the efforts being made by this House to stamp out all bullying
0:09:40 > 0:09:46and harassment wherever we see it. This is all just part of the
0:09:46 > 0:09:49normalisation of bullying and harassment continues to poisoned our
0:09:49 > 0:09:55politics. The grandeur and the subservience to which we conduct our
0:09:55 > 0:09:58roles as members of Parliament.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01Paul Farrelley was named in the Newsnight film.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03He denies any wrongdoing and spoke out the about the claims
0:10:03 > 0:10:07that had been made.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11I can assure you I have great respect for all staff I work with
0:10:11 > 0:10:16but I also was the guinea pig in 2012 after a difficult report for
0:10:16 > 0:10:22the original respect policy. I was delayed by selective leaking then,
0:10:22 > 0:10:26six years ago, and it has happened again now. So I would ask the Leader
0:10:26 > 0:10:31of the House amp members before they jump to judgement after what was a
0:10:31 > 0:10:34very one-sided BBC broadcast that they approach the case is being
0:10:34 > 0:10:39raised in a more balanced wine and they also consider the reasons why
0:10:39 > 0:10:43the original respect policy was scrapped in the first place and not
0:10:43 > 0:10:47fit for purpose. But they also give consideration to the disparities of
0:10:47 > 0:10:51MPs who are complaint against especially when complaints have been
0:10:51 > 0:10:56backing of the resource form First Division Association in particular.
0:10:56 > 0:11:01And perhaps I might say for the House to consider why his store:
0:11:01 > 0:11:05allegations like this are being recycled now and by whom because
0:11:05 > 0:11:10whatever is at play, this is not a game for petitions or families.
0:11:10 > 0:11:11Paul Farrelley.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15You're watching Monday in Parliament with me, Lucy Grey.
0:11:15 > 0:11:21After counter-terrorism police said they were treating letters
0:11:21 > 0:11:24encouraging people to take part in a "Punish a Muslim" day as a hate
0:11:24 > 0:11:27crime, MPs asked what the Government was doing to tackle such crimes.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31The letters were put through people's letter boxes
0:11:31 > 0:11:33in cities across England and Wales, including Bradford, Leicester,
0:11:33 > 0:11:35London, Cardiff and Sheffield.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39They encouraged recipients to carry out violent acts on a day in April.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41The Home Office Minister said the letters were part
0:11:41 > 0:11:43of an ongoing investigation so she couldn't
0:11:43 > 0:11:44comment specifically.
0:11:44 > 0:11:52But said they were being taken extremely seriously.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56The Government condemns the content of these letters as clearly
0:11:56 > 0:12:02unwarranted with no place in decent society. This government takes hate
0:12:02 > 0:12:07crime and photophobia extremely seriously, and the UK has a robust
0:12:07 > 0:12:10framework to respond to it.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14A Labour MP gave more details about the letters.
0:12:14 > 0:12:20The letter calling for an attack on Muslims on April three offer ten
0:12:20 > 0:12:25points for verbal abuse, up 50 points for throwing acid, 1000
0:12:25 > 0:12:33points for bombing a mosque, and 2500 points to nuke Mecca. Can I
0:12:33 > 0:12:37remind the House that millions of Muslims fought for us in the two
0:12:37 > 0:12:44world wars? Including members of my own family. Figures show the is
0:12:44 > 0:12:52homophobia and hate crime has increased by 40%. -- is photophobia.
0:12:52 > 0:12:561678 anti-Muslim hate crimes reported in London just up to
0:12:56 > 0:13:01January of this year. Can I has to Minister if she can explain why no
0:13:01 > 0:13:04Government Minister of the last eight years has ever made a speech
0:13:04 > 0:13:11on the right of Muslim hatred.The issue of anti-Muslim and far right
0:13:11 > 0:13:17action is of course a focus for the Government. The present strategy,
0:13:17 > 0:13:22which tackles extremism does not tackle him Muslim extremism in and
0:13:22 > 0:13:27of itself, it tackles extremism. . And it sadly, over a quarter of
0:13:27 > 0:13:33referrals in the prevent strategy in 2015-2016 concerned a far right
0:13:33 > 0:13:37activism. This tournament and in particular this Prime Minister with
0:13:37 > 0:13:41all the experience she brings to her position following her experience in
0:13:41 > 0:13:45the Home Office, all of this experience is focused on tackling
0:13:45 > 0:13:49extremism and a radicalisation, how it affects any part of our
0:13:49 > 0:13:52community, which is precisely why we are refreshing the hate crime action
0:13:52 > 0:13:55plan this year.
0:13:55 > 0:14:00The Minister added that the Government had committed more
0:14:00 > 0:14:02than £3 million to protect places of worship and support
0:14:03 > 0:14:04victims of hate crimes.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07The Labour chair of the home affairs committee wanted to know
0:14:07 > 0:14:10what the Home Office had done to get social media companies to remove
0:14:10 > 0:14:12illegal propaganda videos.
0:14:12 > 0:14:17We know that the former counterterror chief has warned of on
0:14:17 > 0:14:22-- online medicalization of the rise of far right extremism and our
0:14:22 > 0:14:26select committee has heard in our inquiry about the serious issues
0:14:26 > 0:14:30around Islamophobia and hate crime. She one know that we are allowing
0:14:30 > 0:14:33social media companies to collude with these far right extremists if
0:14:33 > 0:14:37action is not taken to take this kind of file, you little propaganda
0:14:37 > 0:14:40down.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43The Minister said the Government was working with large technology
0:14:43 > 0:14:45companies to ensure they remove offensive material more quickly.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47The International Trade Secretary has criticised President Trump's
0:14:47 > 0:14:49decision to impose tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium
0:14:49 > 0:14:52into the United States.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55Liam Fox told MPs he would be working with the European Union
0:14:55 > 0:14:58to win an exemption from the tariffs which he said had a "weak
0:14:58 > 0:15:01foundation in law".
0:15:01 > 0:15:02Labour accused Donald Trump of "bullying"
0:15:02 > 0:15:04and a "protection racket".
0:15:04 > 0:15:07Mr Fox said the 25% duties could harm US industries
0:15:07 > 0:15:13as well as those in other countries.
0:15:13 > 0:15:18That we do disagree with the US decision to implement tariffs on
0:15:18 > 0:15:24steel and aluminium imports based on national security considerations.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27These unilateral trade measures have weak foundations and international
0:15:27 > 0:15:32law, and they are not consistent with the Department of defence own
0:15:32 > 0:15:36judgement and an investigation that was conducted on the basis of
0:15:36 > 0:15:40national security. We are clear that it is right to seek to defend our
0:15:40 > 0:15:46domestic industries from the direct and indirect impact of these US
0:15:46 > 0:15:49tariffs, protecting jobs and capacity. We will also any response
0:15:49 > 0:15:54from the EU be measured and proportionate, it is important that
0:15:54 > 0:15:59the UK and EU response works within the boundaries of the rule space
0:15:59 > 0:16:03international trading system.The application of 25% tariff on steel
0:16:03 > 0:16:10and 10% on aluminium imports and US is unjust and unjustifiable! The
0:16:10 > 0:16:15suggestion that such tariffs are necessary under section 232 to
0:16:15 > 0:16:20mitigate a threat to American national security is patently false!
0:16:20 > 0:16:24Petitioning for exemptions from them is to act as if they have a
0:16:24 > 0:16:29legitimacy. This is precisely the trap that President Trump asset.
0:16:29 > 0:16:34Negotiate with us and we will not believe you further. And that part
0:16:34 > 0:16:38of Glasgow where I grew up, it was called a protection racket.And 1992
0:16:38 > 0:16:46House conservative government decimating 1200 jobs and livelihoods
0:16:46 > 0:16:49and it was the SNP government in Scotland who brought those still
0:16:49 > 0:16:55works and the aluminium back into production. We are fed up in
0:16:55 > 0:16:59Scotland of clearing up this government's mess.The free trade is
0:16:59 > 0:17:05about being free to trade with and the agreed rules, not about a
0:17:05 > 0:17:07free-for-all. Can I strongly encourage him to reiterate that
0:17:07 > 0:17:13message both to the United States and China?I will be concerned that
0:17:13 > 0:17:16the Government is putting all of his hopes on exemption, I do for the UK
0:17:16 > 0:17:20or European Union. There will still be substantial knock on effects of
0:17:20 > 0:17:22dumping on our shores by those countries was to behave badly when
0:17:22 > 0:17:28they are set out in the US. Ask the Secretary of State then a assessment
0:17:28 > 0:17:32of the knock on effects of further global overcapacity as a result of
0:17:32 > 0:17:36these tariffs?The Government has been slow to act in the recent parts
0:17:36 > 0:17:39during the still crisis, the secondary state assured my still
0:17:39 > 0:17:43working constituents that they would do everything they can to fight for
0:17:43 > 0:17:53our industry.Can they commit to support given that the core products
0:17:53 > 0:17:56produced there, Caterpillar, an American firm are not producing the
0:17:56 > 0:18:01US market in prose no threats to US jobs?My honourable friend makes an
0:18:01 > 0:18:08important points. The exports from skin roasted Caterpillar, about 25%
0:18:08 > 0:18:16of the/ output, is quite right that the US produces very capabilities in
0:18:16 > 0:18:21this product. Therefore, the application of tariffs is likely to
0:18:21 > 0:18:24result in a rising input costs, which is not really in anybody's
0:18:24 > 0:18:26benefit.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28The Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley has been accused
0:18:28 > 0:18:31of 'dithering' over the issue of the salaries that continue
0:18:31 > 0:18:33to be paid to Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly,
0:18:33 > 0:18:35a body that's been suspended since January last year.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37The MLAs, as they're known, receive annual salaries
0:18:37 > 0:18:39of £49,000.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42She said it was time to address what she called 'the public
0:18:42 > 0:18:48concern' over the issue.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52I think Trevor Rini, was instructed by my predecessor to produce an
0:18:52 > 0:18:54independent view and recommended a 2000 and half percent reduction to
0:18:54 > 0:19:00MLA pay. I will seek to introduce legislation to take a power to very
0:19:00 > 0:19:05MLA pay. Further to that I will reduce Pate in line with the
0:19:05 > 0:19:09recommendation but I will welcome full and final representation for
0:19:09 > 0:19:12the Northern Ireland parties before I make a final decision.I was
0:19:12 > 0:19:16actually disappointed that the Secretary of State continues to
0:19:16 > 0:19:23dither about cutting the salaries of MLAs. Doesn't the Secretary of State
0:19:23 > 0:19:29accept and recognise that it is merely indefensible that MLAs should
0:19:29 > 0:19:31continue to receive their full salary in the absence of a function
0:19:31 > 0:19:37assembly for 14 months?Morally indefensible. Mrs. McDivitt
0:19:37 > 0:19:43honourable ladies sums up the comments that have been made by
0:19:43 > 0:19:47members of the public. But I do want to make sure that everybody has the
0:19:47 > 0:19:52chance to make representation about this matter. So that the power that
0:19:52 > 0:19:57we can legislate forward and Westminster is used to
0:19:57 > 0:20:01appropriately.Can I say it is a very good move in terms of going to
0:20:01 > 0:20:04consultation about the MLA salary issue at the office cost allowance?
0:20:04 > 0:20:08Which he agreed it would be intolerable to move on that if the
0:20:08 > 0:20:14house were not also to move on the issue of MP's from Sinn Fein who
0:20:14 > 0:20:17deliberately boycott this House rather than MLAs who are prevented
0:20:17 > 0:20:23from doing a full job?Am sure none of us want to be here again but here
0:20:23 > 0:20:28we are, behind-the-scenes machinery of government thinking still I. --
0:20:28 > 0:20:32keep the lights on. We must at all times keep in mind that the
0:20:32 > 0:20:36restoration of the ball government in Northern Ireland is the
0:20:36 > 0:20:40principal.The gravity of the issue at hand and the scale of the
0:20:40 > 0:20:44decisions being taken really serve to underline what a grave crisis we
0:20:44 > 0:20:49face now in Northern Ireland. After 14 months of the Executive
0:20:49 > 0:20:53collapsing and power-sharing and big. I welcome very much the
0:20:53 > 0:20:56commitment the Secretary of State reiterated today to the Belfast
0:20:56 > 0:21:00agreement and the principles of consent and power-sharing that are
0:21:00 > 0:21:05independent in the light of the recent attempts by some to undermine
0:21:05 > 0:21:09that agreement.I welcome the series of measures that she has announced,
0:21:09 > 0:21:14and also welcome very warmly with her willingness to look at
0:21:14 > 0:21:18arrangements provided for local decision-making across community
0:21:18 > 0:21:22basis in the meantime, she can be assured of our full support and
0:21:22 > 0:21:26engagement in that process. We want devolution up and running, she knows
0:21:26 > 0:21:30we will form the Executive to mile on the basis of the agreed programme
0:21:30 > 0:21:34for government with Sinn Fein and we welcome all efforts to return proper
0:21:34 > 0:21:37decision-making to Northern Ireland.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39In the Lords, the Government was asked to urgently approve
0:21:39 > 0:21:41the use of medicinal cannabis to prevent the suffering
0:21:41 > 0:21:45of thousands of people in the UK who could allegedly be helped by it.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47It was a Cabinet office Minister, not a Health Minister,
0:21:47 > 0:21:50taking the questions.
0:21:50 > 0:21:57And first of all he admitted it wasn't his area of expertise.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00This is a bit like mastermind behind somebody else's specialist subjects.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04LAUGHTER -- mastermind's but on somebody else.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07But one veteran campaigner for drugs law reform wasn't deterred.
0:22:07 > 0:22:13When most of the Western world, and I recognise that cannabis does have
0:22:13 > 0:22:17significant medicinal value, and when Germany has just recently
0:22:17 > 0:22:23legalized cannabis for 57 indications, no less, in this
0:22:23 > 0:22:27country the UK, Miles behind everybody else, we have cannabis and
0:22:27 > 0:22:35schedule one and defined as a dangerous drug, with no outlined
0:22:35 > 0:22:39medicinal value. What will the Minister do in terms of working with
0:22:39 > 0:22:42his colleagues to bring this matter forward as a matter of urgency
0:22:42 > 0:22:48rather than waiting years for the WHO report? I know them somewhat and
0:22:48 > 0:22:53they do take a little time and order to save the incredible suffering, I
0:22:53 > 0:22:57have met so many people now suffering, tens of thousands if not
0:22:57 > 0:23:02hundreds of thousands of people up and down this country.I officials
0:23:02 > 0:23:06last week and I didn't press him very hard on the medical advice and
0:23:06 > 0:23:10I have to say that the professional advice of medical experts in this
0:23:10 > 0:23:14country is that cannabis in its raw form has no medicinal value. And
0:23:14 > 0:23:20that is why it's a schedule one drug. Subject to strict rules. I'm
0:23:20 > 0:23:25reluctant to second-guess those officials.Some 15 years ago, the
0:23:25 > 0:23:29technology and secretary which I was chairman at the time at a six-month
0:23:29 > 0:23:35inquiry on the use of medicinal cannabis. We found and reported
0:23:35 > 0:23:38overwhelming evidence that there was proof of a value of cannabis and
0:23:38 > 0:23:42that people who were taking cannabis do not get high on the stroke, they
0:23:42 > 0:23:46were not actually dependent on the job but it is their symptoms with
0:23:46 > 0:23:50neurological conditions and other result, we did get at least one drug
0:23:50 > 0:23:55which was licensed for market. I agree with the local lady come a
0:23:55 > 0:23:58great deal of urgency, or 15 years and it's about time the Government
0:23:58 > 0:23:59did something about this.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02The Minister said he would report back to the Home Office on the views
0:24:02 > 0:24:05raised and said he was awaiting a report from the World Health
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Organisation due next year.
0:24:08 > 0:24:13I welcome the fact the noble lord, the Minister, except that perhaps it
0:24:13 > 0:24:18should be a Health Minister Stanek at the despatch box, but even so, is
0:24:18 > 0:24:25the noble lord aware that in the UK, doctors are allowed to prescribe
0:24:25 > 0:24:31heroin to addicts under certain circumstances? So how does he square
0:24:31 > 0:24:38that with the fact that they are not permitted to prescribe most
0:24:38 > 0:24:41effectively cannabis medicines to patients in pain, even though these
0:24:41 > 0:24:46are available legally in many other countries in the world? Isn't it
0:24:46 > 0:24:53time we stop criminalizing patients? On the specific issue, the noble
0:24:53 > 0:24:56baroness raises, the Home Office would consider issuing a licence to
0:24:56 > 0:25:00enable trials of a new medicine including cannabis, subject to
0:25:00 > 0:25:04appropriate ethical approvals. There is a possibility of a specific
0:25:04 > 0:25:10licence indicates the noble baroness Ashton just raised. If necessary,
0:25:10 > 0:25:13the timetable could be expedited.
0:25:14 > 0:25:15Lord Young.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18And that's it from us for now, but do join us at the same time
0:25:18 > 0:25:21tomorrow for another round up of the day at Westminster,
0:25:21 > 0:25:24the Chancellor will present his spring statement to the Commons
0:25:24 > 0:25:25at lunchtime, which of course isn't a full-scale budget,
0:25:25 > 0:25:28but it should provide an insight into the current state
0:25:28 > 0:25:31of the nation's finances.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33Afterwards Philip Hammond will answer questions from MPs.
0:25:33 > 0:25:43But for now from me, Lucy Grey, goodbye.