01/02/2017 Prime Minister's Questions

legacy bodies and will continue to make representations to the Irish

government over a range of issues and I note that point he raced with

me this morning. Questions to the Prime Minister? Mr Peter Heaton

Jones. Question number one Mr Speaker... Thank you Mr Speaker. I

am sure that the whole house would join me in offering our condolences

to the families and friends of those who lost their lives and were

injured in the gun attack in Qu bec city on Sunday. And in paying

tribute to our former colleague. He was an outstanding

parliamentarian, I'm sure that our thoughts are with his friends and

family. I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others,

and I shall have further such meetings later today. Thank you, Mr

Speaker. I associate myself with the tribute paid to the victims in

Canada and to the family of Tam Dalyell. Mr Speaker, North Devon is

quite rightly concerned that the current review of health services

across the county may result in the loss of some acute services at our

hospital in Barnstable. For some residents, the nearest alternative

could be three hours away. Will my honourable friend assure me that she

will listen carefully to those concerns, because I want to be able

to say to North Devon that we are the party of the LHS? -- the NHS.

I thank my honourable friend for his question. I can reassure him that

this Government is absolutely committed to ensuring the best

possible health care for patients right across the country. I

recognise that there are concerns that have been expressed locally

about the North Devon District Hospital. I'd understand that there

are no specific proposals at the moment, but I know that the input of

local communities will remain crucial Robin Briars says. And I can

assure him that of course it is this party in Government that is putting

in the extra funding into the NHS and showing how we evaluate. Jeremy

Corbyn. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I joined the Prime Minister in

offering condolences to all those who died in the horrific attack,

fuelled by hate, in Qu bec. We should send our solidarity to

everybody in Canada in this sad occasion. I also associate myself to

the tribute for the former member for West Lothian, can DL. Former

father of the House, he probably thought to expose official

wrongdoing and cover-ups from the miners strike to a ruck. I'm sure

that the Prime Minister would agree with me that his scrutiny and

contributions made this House a better place. And can I recommend to

all members his autobiography, The Importance Of Being Awkward.

LAUGHTER And I'm quite happy, Mr Speaker, to

offer my copy to the Secretary of State for Brexit to have a good read

of it. I'm sure he's probably already read it. Mr Speaker, at last

week's Prime Minister is questions, the Prime Minister told the House,

I'm not afraid to speak frankly to the president of the United States.

What happened? Well, first of all, can I say to the right honourable

gentleman that I wasn't aware of the book that he referred to, but I

suspect, given the number of resignations he's had from his front

bench, that some of his colleagues have indeed read that book! I'm

happy to say to the right honourable gentleman that when I visited the

United States, I'm pleased to say that I was able to build on the

relationship that we have with our most important ally. And to get some

very significant commitments from President Trump. And crucial among

those was a 100% commitment to Nato. Nato, which keeps us safe and Europe

safe too. Mr Speaker, Downing Street has not denied that the Prime

Minister was told by the White House that the executive order on travel

to the US was imminent. So let's be clear, was the Prime Minister told

about the ban during her visit, and did she tried to persuade President

Trump otherwise? First of all, on the policy that President Trump has

introduced, this Government is clear that that policy is wrong. We

wouldn't do it. In six years as Home Secretary, I never introduced such a

policy. We believe it is divisive and wrong. If he's asking me whether

I had advanced notice of the ban on refugees, the answer is no. If he's

asking me if I had advanced notice that the executive order could

affect British citizens, the answer is no. If he's asking if I had

advanced notice of the travel restrictions, the answer is, we all

did, because President Trump said he was going to do this in his election

campaign. The question, the question is how you respond. The job of

Government, the job of Government is not to chase the headlines. The job

of Government... The job of Government is not a trait to the

streets in protest. The job of Government is to protect the

interests of British citizens, and that's exactly what we did -- not to

take to the streets. Mr Speaker, on the day after the executive order

was made to ban refugees and visitors from seven predominantly

Muslim countries, why did she three times refused to condemn the ban

then? I've made very clear, very clear, that we believe this policy

is divisive and wrong. It's not a policy that we would introduce. I've

also made very clear when asked about this that this Government has

a very different approach to these issues. On refugees, this Government

has a proud record of the support that we have given to refugees, and

long may it continue. Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister said the United

States is responsible for United States policy on refugees. But

surely it is the responsibility of all of us to defend the 1951 refugee

Convention, which commits this country, the United States, and 142

other states to accept refugees without regard to their race,

religion or country of origin. President Trump has breached that

convention. Why didn't she speak out? First of all, I've made

absolutely clear what the Goverment's view on this policy is.

Secondly, as I've just said, this Government has a proud record, and

this country has a proud record, of how it welcomes refugees. We have

over the last recent years, we've introduced the very particular

scheme to ensure that particularly vulnerable refugees in Syria can be

brought to this country, and something like 10,000 Syrian

refugees have come to this country since the conflict began. We are

also the second biggest bilateral donor, helping and supporting

refugees in the region. That is what we are doing. I have said that the

policy is wrong. We will take a different view on we will continue

to welcome refugees of this country. Mr Speaker, I also wrote to the

Prime Minister on this issue, and I received a reply this morning. I

hold in my hand her piece of paper. She makes no mention of the refugee

Convention, nor condemns the US actions in this respect. Mr Speaker,

last week I also asked the Prime Minister to assure the House that

any United States trade deal, she would not offer up our National

Health Service as a bargaining chip. She gave no answer when asked in the

US she also refused to rule it out, so let's might ask her a third time,

will she will out opening up our National Health Service to Private

US health care companies? Yes or no? Mr Speaker, I could give a detailed

answer to the right honourable gentleman's question, but I think a

simple and straightforward reply is what is required. The NHS is not for

sale, and it never will be. I hope, Mr Speaker, that includes not having

US health care companies coming in to run any part of our National

Health Service. Mr Speaker, President Trump has torn up

international agreements on refugees. He has threatened to dump

international agreements on climate change. He has praised the use of

torture. He has incited hatred against Muslims, he is directly

attacked women's rights. Just what more does the President Trump have

to do before the Prime Minister will listen to the 1.8 million people who

have already called for his state visit invitation to be withdrawn

the right honourable gentleman's foreign policy is to object to and

insult the democratically elected head of state of our most important

ally. Let's just see what he would have achieved in the last week.

Would he have been able to protect richest citizens from the impact of

the executive order? No. -- British citizens. Would he have been able to

lay the foundations of a trade deal? No. Would he have got a 100%

commitment to Nato? No. That's what Labour has two of this country. Less

protection for British citizens, less prosperous, let's save -- what

Labour has to offer. -- less safe. He can lead a protest, I'm leading a

country. Order, order. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Today, it is inconceivable that somebody would be prosecuted because

of who and what they are. Would my right honourable friend drawing me

and welcoming the posthumous pardon of some 49,000 men thanks to the

Goverment's Bill that was enacted yesterday, and encourage those who

are still alive to come forward so that there are injustices can be

overturned. I'm very happy to join my honourable friend in welcoming

what I believe is an extremely important change to the law. We made

a manifesto commitment to it and we have now delivered on it. Passing

this law has been a long-standing commitment for the Government. It is

momentous, it does take action to right the wrongs of the past, and

like my right honourable friend, I would certainly encourage those

still alive to applied the Home Office to have their references

disregarded. We on these benches associate ourselves with all the

comments thus far on the tragic deaths in Qu bec and on the passing

of time DL. The respect for him was held across the political parties.

He served with great distinction for more than 40 years. The Prime

Minister had a very successful international visit in this last

week. To Ireland. And there she spoke publicly about her commitment,

it's very important I think, the commitment not to have a hard border

on these islands. That there should continue to be free movement of

peoples on these islands, and trade should be protected and enhanced.

Given that people will be watching this not just in Britain but also in

Ireland, would she take the opportunity to explain how she will

deliver these sensible and important outcomes? These are absolutely the

outcomes that we want to see. I was very pleased to meet with the

Taoiseach and discuss with him the joint intent that of his government

and mine have two ensure that we don't see a return to the borders of

the past in Northern Ireland. And to say that of course we focus on the

land border that is between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland,

of course the issue of movements from Ireland does in effect other

places as well, such as port in Wales. It is an important issue for

us, and we have agreed the work we are going to do together to deliver

what I believe will be as frictionless as possible a border,

and also one of the objectives that I set out in my plan for our

negotiating objectives is to retain the Common travel area.

We welcome what the Prime Minister has had to say on these issues and

we welcome the intensifying of negotiations between the UK

government and the devolved administrations ahead of triggering

Article 50. So the Prime Minister is very helpfully explained that it is

perfectly possible for parts of these islands to be in the single

market, without Borders, with free movement of people and at the same

time protect and enhance trade with one another. This is very, very

welcome, Mr Speaker. Will the Prime Minister give a commitment to work

with the Irish government and a commitment to work with the Scottish

government to deliver all of these things? Or will we just have to get

on with it ourselves? First of all, the Right Honourable gentleman is

right, that following the meeting of the plenary session on Monday

morning we did agree to an intensification of discussion on

issues related to the bringing back of powers from Brussels, and as to

where those powers should lie within the United Kingdom, and to intensify

that in the run-up to the triggering of Article 50 and beyond. On the

other question, I'm afraid he really should listen to the answer that are

given because he's trying to imply something that isn't there. Yes. We

are very clear that we want to see a frictionless border between Northern

Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. I'm also clear that one of the

objectives of our negotiation is to see us frictionless a border as

possible between the United Kingdom and the rest of the European Union.

If he is so worried about having a frictionless border between Scotland

and the European Union, he shouldn't want to see Scotland independent and

take it out of the European Union. Order! We shouldn't have to allow

for the reaction to every answer from the SMB benches before we

proceed to the next question. Mrs Maria Miller. -- SNP. EU nationals

provide a vital and expert service in my hospital in Basingstoke. Along

with thousands of others they face an uncertain future. I know this is

something the Prime Minister wants to give priority to in sorting out,

will we be hearing more about it in the forthcoming White Paper? My

right honourable friend makes an important point. I would like to

confirm my intention and expectation that we will be able to offer that

reassurance. I do also want to see reassurance offered to UK nationals

in the EU. I will be working to ensure this is an issue we can deal

with at an early stage in the negotiations. It was one of the

objectives I set out in the plan. It will be referenced in the White

Paper. I can inform my right honourable friend and the House that

that White Paper will be published tomorrow.

Prime Minister, your responses today have been deeply unsatisfactory. The

president of the United States had -- has advocated torture, misogyny,

racial discrimination, sexual assault, isolationism. The leaders

of Canada and Germany responded robustly but your response was to

jump on a plane as soon as possible to hold his hand. Mr Speaker,

doesn't this country deserve our leader willing to stand up for

British values? Order! I have issued no response and

the honourable gentleman not only shouldn't breach Parliamentary

protocol, but he shouldn't tempt me. The Prime Minister. I will tell you

what standing up for British values is. I had this government introduced

the first modern slavery act in this country. I have ensured that stop

and search is reduced because I don't believe that anybody on the

streets of this country should be stopped and searched because of the

colour of their skin. And I ensured justice for the families of

Hillsborough. Despite the fact most of the country -- countries covered

by the Trump ban have total exclusion of Israeli visitors,

shouldn't the protestors be calling for that banned to be lifted? I

thank my right honourable friend for pointing this out. It is absolutely

right that this House should be aware of the discrimination and the

band that exists around the world, particularly for those who are is

really sad isn't -- citizens. We don't agree with that approach. And

it is not an approach we shall be taking. I wait for the day when the

right honourable gentleman opposite stance up and condemns it, too. Mr

Speaker, a constituent of mine suffered a bleed on the brain in

2012. She has struggled to work since but was due to disk -- to

retire in December. Due to changes to state pension retirement age, she

will not retire until 2022. This has short-changed 2.2 million women and

brought shame to this government. Will the Prime Minister look again

and support Diana and the millions of women who deserve fairness in

retirement? The issue of those who are known...

To refer the honourable gentleman to the fact we did commit over ?1

billion to lessen the impact on those affected, so no one will see

their pension age changed by more than 18 months. But we do have to be

realistic and looking at pension ages, but the fact that people are

living longer. If we want a sustainable pension system, we need

to equalise the state pension age faster and bring forward the rise. I

welcome the ?450 million announced in the Autumn Statement to fund a

trial for the pilot of the digital railway. Given the new fleet of

trains on the border and the economic growth opportunity that

exists for our region, does the Prime Minister agree that the main

line represents the most compelling case for that pilot? My honourable

friend is right about what he says about transport links. I understand

digital signalling could increase capacity by up to 40%. Hence the

investment he refers to. I know that the Department for Transport is

looking currently at where those trials should take place. But we

certainly recognise that the great Eastern and mainline is one of the

areas that could benefit. A few moments ago the Prime Minister tried

to claim credit for passing Stonewall's Alan Turing bill. She

didn't. The bill pardons all gay men found guilty of crimes no longer on

the statute book. So when will the Prime Minister follow the Scottish

government and pardon automatically the living as well as the dead? When

I was home Secretary the legislation was introduced that gives the

opportunity for those who are alive to apply to the Home Office to have

those events is no longer on the statute book expunged from their

record. The honourable gentleman says they are not doing it. My

honourable friend and I have both, in this chamber today, encouraged

people to come forward and make that application. That is a message we

should all give. At the White House my right honourable friend gain some

assurances from President Trump about his commitment to Nato, an

achievement welcomed by the governments the Czech Republic,

Latvia and Lithuania. Does my right honourable friend agree with me that

the way to engage with President Trump and win such agreements is by

not insulting our close ally, but by bringing him close, and not doing as

the leader of the is it and demands, that we reject our closest ally?

Would this not leave Britain and our European partners less safe and less

secure? My honourable friend is absolutely right in the points he

makes. We should never forget that America is our most important ally.

It is a long-standing relationship. American men and women served

alongside and died alongside UK men and women in two world Wars to

protect our security and the security of Europe. If we were not

able to have that relationship and see that commitment to Nato

particularly, we would see this country and Europe less safe.

Many were surprised that immediately after those cosy images with Donald

Trump, the Prime Minister chose to meet with the Turkish president, who

has been running an increasingly repressive regime since last summer.

Could the Prime Minister confirm whether she raised any human rights

concerns with President Cardigan? Will it be the policy of post-Brexit

Britain to put arms deals before human rights abuses? First of all, I

think the honourable lady should recognise that Turkey is an

important country in relation to both our security and the issue of

migration into Turkey and potentially into Europe. Turkey has,

and continues to host, 3 million refugees from Syria. I commended the

Turkish government on the welcome they have given those refugees. And

yes, I did raise and I suggest to the honourable lady she should just

have looked at the press conference I gave after my discussions with

President erred again, in which I made it clear that we had condemned

the coup but we also expected the Turkish government to support its

democratic institutions, to support international human rights and the

rule of law. I wholeheartedly congratulate my right honourable

friend in securing 100% for Nato from the US administration.

Cucchietti climb what she is to persuade our other allies the

importance of press -- their obligations? Can I thank my

honourable friend for the work he does on the Nato Parliamentary

assembly. I know he is fully engaged with that. There are commitments

that have been made. At the Nato Summit in 2014 Oliver Nato allies

committed to spending 2% on defence within a decade. We have seen

progress but I agree with President Trump that many allies need to go

further. I can assure my honourable friend that I and other ministers

across government raise our -- the issue regularly.

Last week's London air pollution was worse than that of Beijing. So will

the Prime Minister assure me and my constituents in Osterley, Brentford

and Chiswick, that the hugely expensive proposal to double the

capacity of the M4 as it arrives in London will be shelled forthwith? --

shelved. The issue of air quality is one this government takes seriously.

Quite a lot of work has been done since 2011. Over ?2 billion has been

committed to enable, for example, bus operators to upgrade their

fleets. But we do recognise that more needs to be done. We have seen

a reduction in nitrous oxide fumes in recent years but we will be

bringing forward proposals to ensure we can maintain the air quality that

we all want to see. As a fellow Bartra member of Parliament, will my

right honourable friend the show her support for brighter Bircher, the

campaign that is part of the 2017 Europe mental health, and give her

continued -- commitments to ensure we have parity between mental health

and physical health in this country? I am very happy to endorse the

campaign that my friend has referred to. I think it is important that we

continue to raise awareness of the issues around mental health. And the

fact the government has committed to this parity of esteem between mental

health and physical health is important. There is more to do a

mental health. I have set out some steps we need to take. But I commend

all those working to raise awareness of mental health and provide support

to those with mental health problems. The Association of

directors of adult social services have said that 4.6 billion has been

cut from social care budgets since 2010. Does the Prime Minister take

any responsibility for the pain and the distress that the Tories have

inflicted on poor vulnerable older people being denied their rightful

care? Yes, horror no? This government has taken a number of

steps to increase the funding from local authorities to provide for

social care. I also believe it is important that we do ensure best

practice is being developed and put into place across the country. There

are some parts of the country where the record on social care, the

interaction between hospitals, is better than others. There is a

longer term issue to ensure that we have a sustainable system for

delivering social care for people in this country. The Labour Party

ducked that issue for 13 years. We're addressing it. Will my right

honourable friend join me in congratulating the academy on the

recently received world-class schools quality mark award, and

indicate how awards such as this drive people excellence? I am happy

to join my friend in congratulating the whole team at Morley Academy. I

think it shows the work the trust is doing in driving up excellence and

improving outcomes for pupils. We are determined to drive up standards

in schools to ensure broad children have good school places, a good

school place for every child, so they can all be at the level we see

in the Morley Academy. How will the thousands of people who've lost

their jobs at BHS feel that it may take years before the case of Philip

Green, the disgraced and discredited businessperson, will have his

knighthood possibly withdrawn, taken away or otherwise? Isn't it

remarkable? People lose their jobs, they suffer all the consequences and

this man keeps his billions and his knighthood.

The honourable gentleman has raised an important issue. This has been

raised by many members of this house in terms of their concern about what

happened at BHS and the attitude and approach Philip Green talk. The

issue of whether a knighthood should be taken away from somebody is a

matter for the relevant committee. They will be looking at this. I

understand they have said they are waiting for the investigations to

complete, but this is an issue for an independent committee. Tonight

there will be an historic vote in this place. A vote that I never

thought I would see in my political lifetime. The British Parliament

voted to withdraw from the European Union under the excellent leadership

of the Prime Minister. Would the Prime Minister be surprised that

people on the opposite bench or demand time to discuss this and

debated, namely the Liberal Democrats, didn't even bother to

turn up last night? These benches or pack, both benches were packed, the

DV -- the DUP were here and there were some Labour members. Isn't that

surprising? Throughout my political career I

have fought -- nothing the Liberal Democrats do ever surprises me. But

I will join my honourable friend in commending the bill that is before

the House. This House has a simple decision. We gave the right of

judgment to the British people. They made their choice, they want to

leave the EU. The question every member must ask themselves as they

go through the lobbies tonight is, do they trust the people?

The right honourable gentleman is here now.

Let's here the fellow. Tim Farron. -- let's hear the fellow.

Who'd have guessed it, Mr Speaker? We are here now...

LAUGHTER. Asking the questions about the

future of our country on Brexit that a strong Leader of the Opposition

should be asking. Order! Order, Mr Knight! I'm very

worried about you. You recently suffered from a bad leg. With all

that shedding you will be suffering from a bad head. Calm yourself, man!

The Prime Minister will return... The Prime Minister will return at

some point with a deal with Europe that our people will have to live

with for decades to come. Especially our young people. 73% of whom voted

to remain. Nobody knows what that deal will look like. But someone,

someone will get to agree at. Should it be her government? Should it be

this parliament? Or should it be, as I believe, the British people?

I've already said they will be a vote on the deal in this Parliament.

Calm yourself. You are in a state of excessive excitement, even by your

standards. Nigel Adams. Quite difficult to follow that! Back in

the real world... LAUGHTER.

In December 2015, my constituency suffered some terrible flooding,

particularly the town of Tadcaster. The damage was made worse when the

bridge collapsed. Thankfully the Briton -- bridge will be reopened

this week. Willie Prime Minister thank all those involved in the

restoration of the bridge? Would you join me in thanking the residents of

Tadcaster who have had a terrible year? 5-macro I am very happy to

join my honourable friend both in commending and in thanking all those

who have worked so hard to see the restoration of the bridge at

Tadcaster, but also the people of Tadcaster who have had to put up

with this disruption and inconvenience for such a long period

of time. I'm sure they will all welcome the return of the bridge. We

commend all those involved. The News revealed yesterday that

Toshiba is reviewing its investment in the Moorside nuclear-power plant.

Not only does it put a cloud over jobs in Cumbria, but also over the

future of our energy and security. What does he do personally to make

sure the deal stays on track? I can assure the honourable gentleman that

in relation to a number of deals and potential deals around the nuclear

industry, both I and the Business Secretary are involved in these and

are very keen to ensure that these jobs are brought to the United

Kingdom, and we do see these deals keeping on track. So I can assure

him that the government's commitment is there.

This week, the Danish drug firm invested 115 million in the UK, in

order to further research into type two diabetes. With the Prime

Minister join me in welcoming the investment, welcoming those

academics and scientists, many from the EU and around the world, who

will appreciate that the surety she spoke of earlier? But also work with

me to ensure that new treatments get to patients as quickly as possible?

This is an issue that I do recognise particularly, personally, although I

am a type one diabetic rather than Type II. Any investment in research

for diabetes is to be welcomed. We do need to ensure that where there

are new solution is found, where there is support for diabetics

found, that we see that getting to people as quickly as possible. There

is a significant number of people who suffer from type two diabetes in

this country, and the figures show there is a great risk that number

will increase significantly in coming years. We need to do all we

can to prevent people becoming Type II diabetics in the first place, but

also to support those who are, so that we see that people suffer from

fewer complications in future and are able to manage their lives.

Today's is world hijab day. I wonder if the Prime Minister would join me

in recognising the right of Muslim Women's Network the hijab without

fear, if they wish? And the right of all women everywhere to wear what

they want, when they want. Willie Prime Minister also commit to

standing up for the right to refuge for men, women and children wherever

they may be, regardless of their religion? First of all, on the

second point of the honourable lady races, it is absolutely the case

that this country welcomes refugees to the United Kingdom. And we do so

regardless of their religion. There is no question of discriminating on

the religion. On the issue that she raises about the wearing of the

hijab, I am absolutely in line with her. What a woman wears is a woman's

choice. The Russian armed forces regularly

carry out large-scale exercises, including with nuclear capable

equipments, on the borders of eastern Europe. Would my right

honourable friend I agree with me that the American commitment to Nato

is absolutely pivotal in protecting the countries of eastern Europe from

going the same way as already has happened to eastern Ukraine? I

absolutely agree with my honourable friend. I think the commitment that

President Trump has given, 100% commitment to Nato, is crucial in

ensuring we can provide for the security of this country and others

in Europe, and particularly for those in eastern Europe on the

borders with Russia. I know that my honourable friend earlier referred

to the fact that the Czech republic, the Latvian government, the little

winning government, had welcomed that 100% commitment. -- Lithuanian

government. We have played our part. 300 troops will be going to

Lithuania and Estonia later this year.

In 2015, my constituent was lured to her death to Pakistan where she was

brutally raped and murdered. Willie Prime Minister join me in

reiterating the commitment of this House and this country, that we will

not tolerate violence against women, and to encourage the Pakistani

government to continue in its efforts for justice for our British

girl? Yes, can I say to the honourable lady that obviously she

has raised a very tragic case that has taken place. Our deepest

sympathies are with Samir's husband following her tragic death last

year. We don't interfere in the legal processes of another country.

But the Foreign Office, I understand from the Foreign Office the

Pakistani police have charged two people with murder. The Foreign

Office are provided assistance to Samir's husband and will continue to

do so. I understand the Home Secretary will be meeting the

honourable lady soon to discuss this issue.