29/06/2016 Prime Minister's Questions

Thank you. I know the House will enjoy me in condemning the terrorist

attacks in Turkey last night. Our thoughts and prayers are with those

who were killed and those who were injured. There are no reports of any

UK casualties but the Foreign Office are working with the authorities to

establish the full facts. I spoke to the President this morning to

express the UK's condolence, detailseses are still emerging but

we stand as one in our defiance against these barbaric act, this

week marks the sensory of the battle of the Somme there will be a two

minute silence on Friday morning. I will attend a service at the

memorial near the battlefield and it is right the country pauses to

remember the sacrifices of those who lost their lives. This morning I had

meetings with ministerial colleagues and I shall have further such

meetings later today. Can I associate myself with the

Prime Minister's remarks of condolence to those who have been

affected by this dreadful attack in Istanbul. Can I offer him my

personal best wishes to himself and his family for life after Downing

Street. He has served his country but he has not done it alone, it is

right we should acknowledge the support he has had as we all have,

from our families and public service, before he goes, though,

will he... Will he attend to one matter, that when he was in

opposition he described as doing enormous moral damage to the moral

authority of our country and that is the involvement of our security

services in rendition. Now that the CPS have decided they are not going

to prosecute Sir Mark Allen for what he did, will he reinstitute,

reconstitute the Gibson inquiry to, so we can know what was done in our

name and on whose authority. Can I thank the right honourable gentleman

for his generous remarks, and and I am proud to have served this country

and for the first Prime Minister to get to Shetland and Orkney to look

into his constituency. He raises an important point about the Libya

rendition issue, the Government co-operated fully with the police

investigation into these case, the CPS set out their position concludes

there was insufficient evidence to prosecute. I would say and I can say

it now, I think there are few countries in the world that would

have an such and independent an thorough investigation into an issue

like this, I think the right approach, as Sir Peter Gibson

finished the report is the ISC has agreed to look at the issues raised

in the report and I think they should continue to do so. Thank you

Mr Speaker. As my right honourable friend has

said and put current events in perspective, at 7.30 this Friday we

will start the process of commemorating the 100th anniversary

of the Battle of the Somme. Will he join me in thanking those involved

in organising the forget never project who have done so much to

ensure young people will learn the lessons of the past and forgetting

our current challenges will he join me in encouraging everyone to

remember, Sam Lieutenant and commemorate those who made the

ultimate sacrifice. I join him in commending all those organise

nighing these events particularly that in his constituency. I think it

is important not only because this appalling slaughter, 57,000 people

killed or wounded on the first day of this battle, but also because so

many people are learning so much about their own families

involvement, and I would say in many ways there is a link between the

current events with are discussing and what happened 100 years ago, is

the importance of keeping peace and stability on our continent. It was

noticeable at last night's European Union dinner that the French

President mentioned the Somme commemorations and how proud he was

we would be standing together and remembering the sacrifices all those

years ago. . Thank you Mr Speaker. I would like to echo the words of the

Prime Minister concerning the 36 who died and the 100 injured in the vile

terrorist attack in Turkey, I am sure our consular services will be

doing everything they can to assist those that have been affected. I

would like to thank him for referring to the memorial for the

some on Friday and I look forward to being with him there at the memorial

service of those who died in that battle. I think it would be

appropriate if we paid tribute to Lord Patrick Mayhew who died last

weekend. As Northern Ireland Secretary, he was the driving force

behind the Downing Street declaration in 19th 3, that dead

lead to the first ceasefire, and I think the relative peace we have now

is in part thanks to him and of course his successor Mo Mowlam lamb

for all she achieved. What people are worried about is the extra

insecurity to their living standards, jobs, wages and pensions

following the referendum. In recent days we have heard words about the

future of some of the major companies in Britain like see mans

which has been here for a long time. What meetings has the Chancellor had

with major companies to stabilise the situation? First of all, he is

right to mention Patrick Mayhew, he did play a huge role in the delivery

of the peace process, he was also a brilliant touring and someone who

exuded a belief in public service and the national interest and was a

kind and goodly man, and I was very sad to hear of his pass, I sent a

message to him via his wife shortly before he died, and I know there are

many people this this House who want to send their good wishes to his

family. The Leader of the Opposition asks what conversations we are

having with business and what preparations with are making to deal

with the economic challenges we make, we are in a strong position to

meet his challenges, because we have paid down so much of our deficit. We

have had strong growth and job creation but I don't belittle the

consequences will be difficult. There are going to be some very

choppy waters ahead, I don't resile from any of the warnings I made

during the campaign, but we have to pined the best way through this, one

of the things we must do is talk with businesses and reassure them

about the stability there is today and the strength of the British

economy, the Business Secretary has met with a range of businesses

already. Tomorrow I have the meeting of my business advisory group and I

am inviting other companies to that, including see mans who play a huge

role in the British economy, what we need to talk about the the

reassurances about stability we can give now, the fact our circumstances

don't change until we leave the European Union, and then, I want to

hear from them, as we draw up the possible blueprinters for Britain's

future about what they think would be the right answer. Thank you Mr

Speaker, the credit rating agencies have cut the UK credit rating to AA

from AA plus, the Chancellor pledged to keep a triple-A rating. What

estimate has the Government made of the cost to the Exchequer of this

downgrade, in terms of borrowing costs, and, of the risks to pension

fund Well, the Leader of the Opposition is right that the credit

ratings by one agency has been taken down by several points and another

has put it on watch, the answer to his question is the cost to the

Exchequer and the taxpayer will depend on what happened to the

interest rates in the market at which Britain can borrow, and he is

right to draw attention to that, look, as I said, head of the ECB

confirmed this, all of the warnings was if we voted to leave the EU,

there would be difficulties in terms of our own economy, and growth

rates, and instability in markets, we are seeing those thing, we are

well prepared in term of the reaction the Bank of England and the

Treasury but there is no doubt in my mind, these are going to be

difficult economic times we must make sure we maintain our strong

economy so we can cope this them. We shouldn't belittle the channels,

they will be difficult and we will have to meet them. Thank you Mr

Speaker. Everyone across the House should be concerned that the

indications from business and investors are the UK is less

attractive, thus putting current and future jobs at risk, in the

circumstances will the Prime Minister consider suspending the

Chancellor's fiscal rule which is in effect preventing investment from

taking place? I don't believe that would be the right approach. I

think, look, what business needs to hear, what consumers and investors

and people concerned about our economy want to hear, is that we

have taken huge steps over the last six years to get the deficit down,

to make the British economy more attractive, to make it an attractive

destination for investment. They want it to continue. Of course if we

see economic difficulty, one of the ways we have to react to that is to

make sure that our public finances, and our economy remain strong. We

shouldn't have taken all the steps of the last six years to get the

deficit down, in order to see us get on to a more difficult path. I don't

think it would be right to suspend fiscal rule, as I say, there are

three phases to this, the first is the volatility we see, which the

Bank of England and the Treasury must cope with, the second is the

uncertainty about Britain's future status, which we need to bring to an

end as fast as possible but examining the alternative models and

my successors choosing which one we should go for, then we need to bear

in mind the long-term damage to the British economy, is based on how

good our trading relationship will be with the European Union. Now for

my part I think we want the closest possibly relationship in terms of

trading with the European Union, and that is something that can be

discussed and debated in this House, as well as by the next Government.

Thank you Mr Speaker, this week sadly there has been more evidence

that racist incidents are increasing, evidence collated by

monitoring groups shows in the last threeer four days attacks an abuse

from Stoke to Stockton, Dorset to the Clyde. Can I ask the Prime

Minister what monitoring systems he and the Home Secretary have put in

place, what reports he has received from the police, and what extra

resources are going to communities that have been targeted in these

vile racist attacks that are taking place? Let me agree with him. These

attacks are appallling and they need to stop. It is right that everyone

in this house and everyone on all sides of the referendum debate

utterly condemns this them, that is not what we do in Britain, let me

say I reassured Prime Minister's countries such of Romania and the

Czech Republic who are concerned about this at the meeting we had

last night. So we do monitor these attacks and the Home Secretary gets

regular report, we will be publishing a new action plan on

tackling hate crime shortly to step up our response, we want new steps

to boost reporting of hate crime and supporting victims, new CPS guidance

to prosecutors on racially aggravated crime, a new fund for

protective security measures at potentially vulnerable institution

and additional funding to community organisation so they can tackle hate

crime. Whatever we can do we will do to drive these appalling hate crimes

out of our country. I thank the Prime Minister for that answer. Last

Thursday, was a rejection of the status quo, that clearly isn't

delivering. There are now 13 point 5 million people living in poverty in

Britain. Up 300,000 in the last year, 4.5 million people in England

and Wales are in insecure work and two thirds of children in poverty

are living in households, where at least one adult is in work. The

Prime Minister has two months left. Will he leave a one nation legacy,

and will that one nation legacy and will that one nation legacy be the

scrapping of the bedroom tax, the banning of zero hours contracts and

cancelling of the cuts to Universal Credit? Where I would are-with the

right honourable gentleman is of course we need to do more to tackle

poverty, we need to do more to spread wealth and opportunity, but

to pretend that last Thursday's vote was a result of the state of the

British economy is complete nonsense, the British economy

stronger than it was six years ago, we all have to reflect on our role

in the referendum campaign, I know the honourable gentleman says he put

his back in to it. It. All I would say I would hate to see him when he

is not trying. Mr Speaker, Government figures

released yesterday show the number of children living in poverty has

jumped by 200,000 in a year. To a total now, a disgraceful total of

3.9 million children in this country, living in poverty. Does he

not think he should at the very least apologise to them, and the

parents that have been failed by his Government, and do something about

it, so that we do reduce the levels of child poverty, in this country?

If he wants to deal with the figures let me give them to him. Income and

inequality has gone down, average incomes have grown at the fastest

rate since 2001. He asks about poverty, there are 300,000 fewer

people in relative poverty since 2010. 500,000 fewer people in

absolute poverty since 2010. If he is looking for excuses about why the

side he and I were on about the referendum frankly he should look

somewhere else. I have to say to the honourable gentleman, he talks about

job insecurity and my two months to go, it might be in my party ice

interest for him to sit there, it is not in the national interest and I

would say for heavens sake, man, go. Quinn. My constituents have been

struggling over who gets to press a button. Will my right honourable

friends condemn this in the strong possible terms? My honourable friend

is right. Outcome sport infrastructure is a crucial part of

our economy. I condemn any industrial action that disrupts the

travelling public, and they will not thank the RMT for their recent

disruption. The performance of Southern has been unacceptable and

passengers deserve better. The Transport Secretary will be

announcing further details of compensation soon. Angus Robertson.

On the terrorist tragedy in Turkey, we in these benches join with the

Prime Minister and the leader of the official opposition in our

condemnation and condolences to the people of Turkey. Mr Speaker, a

strong majority voted for Scotland to remain in the European Union.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is in Brussels today, where she is meeting

with the President of the European Commission, the president of the

European Parliament. Yesterday, there was a standing ovation in the

European Parliament when the case was made to protect Scotland's place

in Europe. What will the UK Government do to protect Scotland's

place in Europe? Firstly, let me thank the right honourable gentleman

for what he says about the terrorist attacks and how we should stand

against them. On the issue of the UK's future and our relationship

with the European Union, we need to negotiate the best possible deal for

the United Kingdom and the closest possible relationship. That will

also be the best possible deal for Scotland. That is what needs to be

done. On the contrary, the Prime Minister is wrong on that issue.

Yesterday, the Scottish Parliament passed a motion across the

Parliament including the Labour Party, the Scottish Liberal

Democrats and the Greens, were all mandated the Scottish Government to

have discussions with the UK Government, other devolved

administrations, the EU institutions and member states to explore options

for protecting Scotland's relationship with the EU, Scotland's

place in the single market and the social implement and economic

benefits that come from that. Every party in the Scottish parliament

voted for that, except the Conservative Party, who abstained.

When will the Conservatives finally join all other parties in Scotland

in protecting Scotland's place in Europe? The best way to secure

Scotland's place in the single market is for the United Kingdom to

negotiate the closest possible relationship with the European

Union, including in my view, the closest relationship with the single

market. Our membership with the European Union is a UK membership

and that is where we should take our negotiating stance. Market traders

in Rossendale make a huge contribution to our local economy.

With that in mind, would my right honourable friend call with me and

literally thousands of others to stop Blackburn Council going ahead

with its plan to bulldoze Darwin's three-day market? I join him in

paying tribute to all the hard-working market traders across

the country, who provide us with excellent goods, often locally

produced and sourced. I know how important these markets are. I hope

the local council will listen to my honourable friend's campaign and

make sure this historic market is not lost. The Prime Minister will

recall visiting the Vauxhall car plant in my constituency as part of

the referendum campaign. Now we have voted to leave the EU, we face a

fight to keep those jobs in this country, so I will be urging General

Motors to recognise their responsibility to build vehicles

where many are bought. Can the Prime Minister ensure there are early

talks with the voter industry and that they are given the reassurance

needed that motor vehicles will still be able to export it to the EU

at a competitive price? The honourable gentleman is right. The

story of the automotive industry in Britain over the last decade has

been a positive one. There are 150,000 people directly employed.

There are another 300,000 people in the supply and components industry,

more of which has been coming onshore in recent years. We need to

secure the best possible deal for Britain to make sure we have full

access to the single market, because many companies, General Motors,

Toyota and Nissan included, one of the reasons they invested in Britain

was because of access to that market. I would urge General Motors

and others to make their voices heard, and we will listen.

Yesterday, a former member of my staff was verbally abused and

attacked while out shopping in London because of the colour of his

skin. He is of Pakistani origin. He was chased down the road by a lady

shouting that they have voted out and that people like him should

others and blow up people. Can I ask the Prime Minister to reiterate the

commitment he has given this morning to do everything in his power to

eradicate this evil hatred and reiterate that leaving the EU should

not be used to breed racism but the opposite, and provide us with an

opportunity to be much more international rather than just

European? In this country we have many imperfections, but we are one

of the most successful multi-faith, multiethnic democracy is on Earth,

and we should do everything to safeguard that. That means the

clearest possible statements from all our political leaders, which you

have heard today. More to the point, we want action by the police and

prosecuting authorities. The laws are therefore these people to be

prosecuted. They should be used. We are going to strengthen the guidance

and we should not put up with this in our country. Alex Salmond.

Turning now to the Chilcot report, is the Prime Minister satisfied with

the arrangements announced for prior access for service families of

soldiers who died in Iraq? Given that Mr Blair has had months to

prepare his PR defences, given that he has seen the relevant passages?

And what are the parliamentary arrangements for secure prior access

so that this House can properly examine the findings and express any

relevant views concerning the future suitable accommodation for Mr Blair?

First of all, in terms of members with service personnel families, we

have made sure they will not face the cost that they originally were

in terms of accessing the report. I will check the details for the time

they get to access the report and perhaps write to him. The

parliamentary process, I can again put in a letter to him so that we

are clear about what time the statement will be, how much time

people will have to study the report in advance, and other right

honourable gentleman. I remember how important this was when I was Leader

of the Opposition, having access. As for those who could be criticised in

the report, he will know that there is a process where matters have to

go out so that people have a chance to respond to what is in the report.

That is entirely independent of the government. That has been dealt with

by the Chilcot report under long-standing conventions, but I

shall put that in my letter to the the ayes to the right. Sir Alan

Duncan. Moving to watch for matters, would my right honourable friend

educate the house from his experience as Prime Minister on how,

in terms of the country's reputation and success, he would compare the

undemonstrative competence and dignity of Angela Merkel with the

theatrical and, colliding ticks off Silvio Borisconi? -- the theatrical

antics of Silvio Borisconi? Neureuther of the people he is

talking about our candidates in this election, and election I will stay

out of -- neither of those he is talking about our candidates in this

election. One piece of advice I was given was not to go to a party with

Silvio Berlusconi, and that is advice I have taken. I thank the

Prime Minister for giving us last week's exercise in democracy.

BOOING. Order. The honourable gentleman will

be heard. It is about us and this place that he will be heard. Mr

Douglas Carswell. I thank the Prime Minister for giving us last week's

exercise in democracy. We on the Leave side recognise that although

we won, it was a narrow mandate with decent, patriotic people voting for

Remain. Does the Prime Minister agree with me that both sides now

need to come together to achieve a new, post-EU national consensus,

whereby we have close links with our friends and allies in Europe and

beyond, while reclaiming our sovereignty? First of all, I thank

the honourable gentleman for making the point that there were people

with a deep sense of Patrick is on both sides of the argument. I also

agree that it is time for people in our country to come together -- a

deep sense of patriotism. He is also right that we now have to work on

what the alternatives are. These were debated in the referendum

campaign, but they were hypothetical alternatives. They are now real

alternatives. One of the roles the government can play in the next few

months is to set out these different blueprints, the Canada blueprint,

the Swiss blueprint and the Norway blueprint and any other blueprints,

and looked at the costs and benefits so people can make a reasoned

assessment now that this is a real choice rather than a hypothetical

one. I know all of them to's members of Parliament would wish to be

associated with the tribute paid by my right honourable friend to Paddy

Mayhew. He was a scholar and gentleman and he was a great friend

to his younger colleagues. Mr Speaker, there are thousands of

expat United Kingdom citizens living around Europe who did not vote in

the referendum. Many of them are elderly and frail. They live on UK

pensions and UK benefits. Will my right honourable friend seek to

insure that his successor defends their interests? Thirsty, let me add

to what he said on Sir Patrick Mayhew, who was a wonderful man and

a great public servant. I know he meant a lot to me honourable friend

and many others. On this issue of British citizens living overseas, we

should reassure people that until Britain leaves the EU, there is

absolutely no change in their status. One of the things that this

unit at the heart of Whitehall can do in the coming weeks is to go

through these issues methodically and work out what might need to

change in all the different scenarios to give these people

certainty about their futures. Mr Speaker, London is the greatest city

in Europe and in the world. Order! I have enjoyed listening to the

honourable gentleman for 25 years and I want to continue to hear him.

Its prosperity and tax revenue are vital for the whole United Kingdom.

London voted Remain. Does the Prime Minister agree with the Mayor of

London that a Labour winner, Sadiq Khan, that London now need to remain

in the European single market and needs devolved additional powers to

deal with the problems caused by the vote last week? I certainly agree

with the Merit London not only that London is the greatest city on

earth, but London needs to make its voice heard in these Butel

negotiations. Obviously, there are many vital industries for London,

but financial services, it is the capital not only of the UK's

financial services, but Europe's financial services, and securing the

best possible access to the single market is going to be an important

challenge in these negotiations. So London should have its voice heard.

This is a UK negotiation, and we should listen to the nations of the

Benatia kingdom, but the cities and regions as well. -- of the United

Kingdom. I pay tribute to my right honourable friend, his premiership

and the many achievements of his government. Of which we can be

proud. May I also commend his condemnation of the racist attacks

that have been reported from all over the country, and would he take

this opportunity also to condemn the ridiculous and revolting behaviour

of a certain MEP in the European Parliament yesterday, and make clear

that he does not represent this country and he does not represent...

Order. I will not have people adding their own take on these matters. The

honourable gentleman has the floor and does not need help from the

Scottish National Party benches. The honourable gentleman will be heard,

and that's all there is to it. He does not represent this country, and

he does not even represent the vast majority of patriotic and

law-abiding people who voted Leave in the referendum. I thank my

honourable friend for his kind remarks and congratulate him for the

role he played in the campaign. As for what MEPs and others have said,

people should judge them by the remarks they make. I have made clear

what I have felt about Nigel Farage and that appalling poster in the

campaign. I think the motive was absolutely clear and everyone can

see what he was trying to do. My constituency has received

substantial amounts of EU funding. The Leave campaign in the referendum

promised that funding would continue even if we left the European Union.

Does the Prime Minister agree that if my constituency loses a penny

piece of its funding under his successor, that will be a gross

betrayal? It is the case that Wales as a whole is a net beneficiary of

EU funds. And as I said throughout the campaign, if the vote was a Novo

to, I would want to do everything I could to make sure we continued to

help disadvantaged regions and our farmers. Obviously, it is difficult

for anyone to give guarantees, because you don't know what will

happen to our economy in the event of a Leave vote, and our economy

does face challenges. But it will be a matter for my successor as we

leave the EU to make good on what they said at the time. I am pleased

to announce that residents across error wash have chosen the rocking

horse nursery entry as the winning card for my design a birthday card

for the Queen competition. Will the Prime Minister congratulate the 207

children who entered the competition?

Order! I want to hear about these pupils, who should be congratulated.

Let's hear the honourable lady. Will the Prime Minister congratulate the

207 children who entered the competition with their amazing

designs, and would he agree to present the card to Her Majesty at

his next audience? There are many ways in which members of Parliament

or able to interact on a more human level with our constituents, and

getting them to do birthday cards is an excellent idea. Having Brize

Norton in my constituency, someone once did a Christmas card with Santa

letting presents out of the back of a sea 17, which I thought was

excellent but some felt it was carpet bombing rather than handing

out la Jess! I think it is a good idea with a proviso and I am sure

Her Majesty will be delighted to receive them. Sheffield city region

was set to receive ?180 million in European structural funds through to

2020. That money is now at risk. Those leading the Leave campaign did

give guarantees that no area would lose out as a result of Brexit. Now,

we know those promises were worthless, but will the Prime

Minister join with me in urging his access to ensure that Sheffield city

region is compensated by the UK Government for every pound of

funding lost as a result of last Thursday's decision? As we negotiate

our way out of the EU, a range of decisions will have to be made.

Future governments must make sure we help our universities and sciences

and disadvantaged parts of the country and we continue to support

farmers. There will be a challenge, but we will be able to judge for

ourselves about whether we have more money to do this because we have

left the EU, or less because of the impact on the economy. That is

something we will judge for ourselves in the years ahead.

Unfortunately earlier this morning, the Supreme Court ruled against a

right to return of the Chagos Islands to their homeland. I know

that my right honourable friend will be pleased that I will not pester

him much more on this issue, but I suggest that a fine legacy of his

premiership might be to allow these British citizens to return to their

homeland. The national Security Council has been considering this

issue. We have looked at the alternative options, the costs and

benefits of the various things we could do. And we will make an

announcement in the coming months. Grade one listed Rochdale town hall

has been described as a rare, picturesque beauty. A bid to

renovate this iconic building was rejected by the Heritage Lottery

Fund in April. Of the five projects awarded grants, all five are based

in the south of England. Would the Prime Minister consider supporting

the renovation of this fantastic municipal building? It is a

beautiful building and it is a historic town that he represents. In

terms of the Heritage Lottery Fund, here's a little unfair in focusing

on those last five projects. More broadly, he would find at the

Blackpool museum received a grant of over 13 million. So I believe it is

fairly balanced across the country, but I will look further and perhaps

write to him about the general point and issue of his town hall. As well

as Brits living abroad in the EU, there are a number of EU nationals

living in this country and my constituency were working hard and

paying taxes entirely legitimately. What reassurance can the Prime

Minister give them that their position is secure? A number are

very concerned. First of all, we must praise the contribution they

make to our country. There are 50,000 EU nationals working in our

NHS, 60,000 working in our care sector, looking after our overly.

Many work in education -- looking after our elderly. As I said on

Monday, we can obviously say that all rights are guaranteed of members

of the European Union. In the future, I have heard members of the

Leave campaign make this point that people who are already here, already

studying and working, must have their rights and their access

guaranteed. But we can't say that now, we have to say it is part of

the negotiations that will shortly take place. Can I join with the

tributes to you, Prime Minister, for all you have done in your time of

office? Does the Prime Minister agree that whatever the

disagreements about the European Union, you were in the Remain come,

I and my party were in the Leave campaign, but the union that matters

is that of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, and that should be

of the utmost importance. What is being done to make sure we stay

together in your remaining time in office? I agree with the honourable

gentleman that keeping the UK together is the paramount interest

for our country because of the decision that has been made about

Europe. We need to have exhaustive conversations between officials in

Whitehall and Northern Ireland, and strong relations with the Republic

of violence that we keep the benefits of the Common travel area.

The honourable gentleman has always supported one blue team, Leicester

City, and one day I hope he supports another blue team. As members of the

single market for over four decades, many businesses have deeply embedded

supply chains and customer relationships across the EU. Does

the Prime Minister agree that any future deal with the EU but include

access to the single market? My honourable friend is right.

Obviously, the term access to the single market has many potential

different meanings. Many countries outside the EU have access to the

single market, from Sue -- some through a trade deal, some through

World Trade Organisation rules. The best access is to be a member of the

single market, and the next Prime Minister will have to decide what

sort of access we want, what the costs and benefits are of having

that sort of access, and I am sure we will talk about that in a moment

when I give my statement on the European Council. The Prime Minister

will be aware that staff in my unions are being consulted this

week. The company has approached the government for support, but has only

received a guarantee to the value of one of its trucks. Will he commit to

meet with me to discuss this perilous decision for the company

and its workforce and what support his government can provide? I am

aware of the recent announcement about these further job losses. This

will be a difficult time for the workers and their families. I

understand that the Scottish and UK Government have been working with

the company over the past couple of years as part of the partnership

action for continuing employment scheme. The Secretary of State for

Scotland is also keeping an eye on the situation and I am happy to

arrange a meeting between him and the honourable gentleman to talk

about what more can be done. I would like to make a statement on

yesterday's European Council. This is the first bid since we decided to

leave the European Union. We wanted to ensure how we could have a strong

union. Let me touch on the other items in the agenda. The council

noted the very significant reductions in the legal crossings

from Turkey to Greece, as a result of