08/02/2017 Prime Minister's Questions

office numbers as members rightly expect. Order. Questions to be Prime

Minister. Mr Toby Perkins. In addition to my duties I shall

have further such meetings today Mr Speaker, the Government chose to

launch the pupil premium at a school in Chesterfield where 70% of people

receive free school meals. The headteacher, Dave Shaw was running

the Great North Run for a cancer charity. However, her new schools'

funding formula means that the junior school now face the biggest

cuts in all of Derbyshire. Running for cash is now the only alternative

to sacking staff. Will she go to the finish line and tell Dave Shaw how

this is a fairer funding formula? Well, I'm pleased to say that in the

local authority that covers the honourable gentleman's constituency,

we have seen an increase of over 17,000 children at good or

outstanding schools since 2010. That's down to Government changes

and the hard work of teaches and other staff in the schools. For a

very long time, it has been the general view - and I have campaigned

on this for a long time - that actually we need to see a fair

funding formula for schools. What Government has brought forward is a

consultation on a fairer funding formula. We look at the results of

that fairer funding formula and will bring forward our firm proposals in

due course. Over the course of the last 12

months, as part of the Defence Select Committee, I have' had the

opportunity to look into the historic Iraq team and how we as a

country deal with more historical allegations for our servicemen and

women, not only for us who serve but for many members across this House

it has been a deeply disturbing experience. I know the Prime

Minister gets it but will she double her and her Government's commitments

to get a grip on this historical process, so that never again, will

our servicemen and women be exposed... I'm sure the whole House

will want to join me in praising the bravery and commitment of all those

who Seb in our Armed Forces. I would like to thank my honourable friend

for the work he is doing on the Defence Committee because of course

he brings personal expertise to that work. Those who serve on the front

line deserve our support when they get home. I can assure my honourable

friend of the Government's commitment to that. All troops

facing allegations receive Legal Aid from the Government, with the

guarantee that this will not be claimed back. In relation to the

issue he has referred to, we are committed to reducing its case load

to a small number of credible cases as quickly as possible and I

recognise the action that has been taken in relation to the individuals

he has referred to, I think it is absolutely appalling when people try

to make a business out of chasing after our brave troops.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, nine out of ten NHS

Trusts say their hospitals have been at unsafe levels of overcrowding.

One in six Accident Emergency units in England are set to be

closed or downgraded. Could the Prime Minister please explain how

closing A departments will tackle overcrowding and ever-growing

waiting lists? First of all, can I extend my thanks and I'm sure that

of the whole House to the hard-working staff in the NHS who do

a great job, day-in and day-out, treating patients. Yes we recognise

there are heavy priors on the NHS. That's -- pressures on the NHS.

That's why, this year we are funding the NHS at 1.3 billion pounds more

than the Labour Party promised at the last election. He refers

specifically to Accident Emergency. What is your response in

Accident Emergency? We see 600 more A consultants. 1,500 more A

doctors and 2,000 more paramedics. It's not about standing up and

making a sound bite and asking a question, it is about delivering

results and that's what this Conservative Government is doing. Mr

Speaker, congratulating A staff is one thing, paying them properly is

another. I hope she managed to see the BBC reports on the royal

Blackburn A department which showed that pep had to wait up to 13

hours and 52 minutes to be seen. Shocking. A major cause of the

pressure on A is the 4.6 billion cut in the social care budget since

2010. Shocking. Earlier this week, Liverpool's very esteemed adult

social care director resigned saying, "Frankly, I can't see social

services surviving after two years". "That's the maximum." People are

suffering and we are really only seeing the tip of the iceberg. Mr

Speaker, what advice does the Government have to the people of

Liverpool in this situation? SHOUTING

THE SPEAKER: Order, order. It is bad enough that when members who are

within the curt ledge of the chamber shout. Those who are not, absolutely

should not do so. It is a discourtesy to the House of Commons.

Nothing more, nothing less. Please don't do it.

The Prime Minister. Well, he refers at an early stage in his question to

Blackburn oo. Imehappy to say compared to 2010 there are more

hospital doctors and more nurses in the Blackburn East Lang kashire

Hospital's NHS Trust. He went on to talk about waiting times and waiting

times can be an issue. Where is it that you wait a week longer for

pneumonia treatment? That you wait a week longer for heart disease

treatment? That you wait seven weeks longer for cataract treatment? 11

weeks longer for hernia treatment and 21 weeks longer for a hip

operation? It's not in England, it's in Wales. Who is in power in Wales?

Labour. Mr Speaker, my question was about the comments from the director

of social care in Liverpool and why the people of Liverpool are having

to suffer these great cuts. Liverpool has asked to meet the

Government on four occasions. The crisis is so bad that until

yesterday, Mr Speaker, David Hodge, the Conservative leader of Surrey

County Council, planned to hold a referendum for a 15% increase in

council tax. And at the last minute it was called off. Can the Prime

Minister tell the House whether or not a special deal was done for

Surrey? The decision as to whether or not to hold a referendum in

Surrey is entirely a matter for the local authority in Surrey. In Surrey

County Council. The right honourable gentleman has raised the issue of

social care, which we've exchanged on across this Despatch Box before

and as I've said before, we do need to find a long-term sustainable

solution for social care in this country. So I recognise the

short-term pressures. That's why we have enabled local authorities to

put more money into social care. We have provided more money over the

next two years, ?900 million more will be available for social care.

But we also need to look at ensuring that good practice is spread across

the whole of the country. We can look at places like Barnsley, North

Tyneside, St Helen's, Rutland, towards the end of last year, no

delayed discharges attributed to social care in those councils. We

need to look long-term and that's why the Cabinet is driving a review

w the relevant department, to find a sustainable solution, which the

Labour Party ducked for far too long. My question was, whether there

had been a special deal done for Surrey. The #4r50eder said they had

many conversations with the Government. We know they have

because I've been leaked copies of text be send by by the Tory leader

intended to somebody called Nick who works for ministers in the

Department for Communities and Local Government and this text reads "I'm

advised that DCLG officials have been working on a solution and that

you will be contacted me to agree a memorandum of understanding." Ah.

Will the Government now publish this memorandum of understanding and

while they are about it, will all councils be offered the same deal?

What we have given all councils is the opportunity to raise a 3%

precept on the council tax for that go to go into social care. He talks

about understanding. What the Labour Party fails to understand... THE

SPEAKER: Order. There is far too much noise. Mr Pound calm yourself,

you are supposed to be a senior statesman.

Order. And Mr Rotherham, you should reserve your shouting for the stands

at Anfield. Prime Minister. As I say, all councils have the

opportunity to raise the 3% precept to put that funding into the

provision of social care. What the Labour Party fails to understand is

that this is not just a question of looking at money, it is a question

of looking at spreading best practice and finding a sustainable

solution. And I have to say to him, that if we look at social care

provision across the entire country, the last thing social care providers

need is another one of Labour's bouncing cheques.

Mrnchts speaker, I wonder if it is anything to do with the fact that

the Chancellor and Health Secretary both represent Surrey

constituencies? Mr Speakerers there was a second text from Surrey County

Council leader to Nick and in the second text it says "The numbers you

indicated are the numbers that I understand are acceptable for me to

accept and call off the R." Now I've been reading a bit of John Le Carre,

and apparently R means, referendum. It's very subtle, all this.

He goes on to say in his text to Nick "If it is possible for that

info to be sent to myself, I can then revert back soonest. Really

want to kill this off." So, how much did the Government offer Surrey to

kill this off? And is the same sweetheart deal on offer to every

council facing the social care crisis, created by her Government?

I've made clear to the right honourable gentleman what has been

made available to every council, which is the ability to raise the

precept. And I have to say to him... THE SPEAKER: Order. As colleagues

know, I never mind how long Prime Minister's Questions takes. The

questions must be heard and the answers must be heard.

The Prime Minister. I have to say to him, he comes to the despatch broks

making all sorts of claims. Yet again what we get from Labour are

alternative facts. -- Despatch Box. What they really need is an

alternative leader. Mr Speaker, my question was - what

deal has been offered to Surrey that got them to call off a referendum

and will the same deal be offered to every other council going through a

social care crisis? Mr Speaker, hospital wards are overcrowded. 1

million people aren't getting the care they need. And family members,

mostly women, are having to give up work to care for loved ones. Every

day that the Prime Minister fails to act, this crisis gets worse. So will

she, finally, come clean and provide local authorities with the funding

they need to fund social care properly, so that our often elderly

and vulnerable people can be treated with the support and dignity that

they deserve in a civilised society? The deal that is on offer to all

councils is the one I have already set out. Let me just be very clear

with the right honourable gentleman, because as ever, he stands up and

consistently asks for more spending. More money, more funding. What he

always fails to recognise, what he fails to recognise is that you can

only spend money on social care and on the National Health Service if

off strong economy to deliver the wealth that you need. There is a

fundamental difference between us. When I... THE SPEAKER: Order. I'm

sorry there is still too much noise in the chamber. People observing our

proceedings here and on the outside what the questions heard and the

answers heard and they will be. Prime Minister.

There is a difference between us, when I talk about half a trillion

pounds, that's the money we will be spending on the NHS this Parliament.

When Labour talk about half a trillion pounds, tss the money they

want to borrow. Conservatives investing in the NHS, Labour

bankrupting Britain. Thank you, Mr Speaker, there are

significant challenges facing this great nafgs ours, Prime Minister,

one of which is tackling mental health, particularly for young

people. The pressures of juggling school life, family life and staying

safe and feeling valued online are more difficult than ever, would the

Prime Minister agree to meet with me and my team to discuss the Mental

Health Act that we have been working on and developing, an app to give

young people a tool box to help them in the times of crisis?

I am interested to hear of this. Mental health is an area where we do

need to put more of a focus and make progress. I am pleased to say that

something like 1400 more people are accessing mental health services

every day. But more needs to be done. We are putting ?68 million

into improving mental health care through digital innovation, which

sounds as if it fits right into what my honourable friend is looking at.

There will be a particular focus on that with children and young

people's mental health in mind. He might want to look out for the

Department of Health and the Department for Education joint green

paper that they will publish in October. Angus Robertson. Last

night, parliamentarians from across the chamber and across the parties

voted overwhelmingly against the UK Government's Brexit plans in the

Scottish Parliament. If the United Kingdom is a partnership of equals,

will the Prime Minister compromise like the Scottish Government and

reach a negotiated agreement before invoking Article 50, or will she

just carry on regardless? As the right honourable gentleman knows,

when the UK Government negotiates, it will be negotiating as the

government for the whole of the United Kingdom. We have put in place

the JNC arrangements through various committees which enable us to work

closely with the devolved administrations identify the

particular issues that they want to see represented as we put our views

together. We have said we will intensify the discussions within

that arrangement and that is what we'll do. Angus Robertson. When the

Prime Minister was in Edinburgh on the 15th of July last year, she

pledged that she would "Not trigger article 50 until she had an agreed

UK-wide approach. So given that the Scottish Parliament has voted

overwhelmingly against her approach, and all bar one MP representing a

Scottish constituency in this House of Commons has voted against her

approach, she does not have an agreed UK-wide approach. As the

Prime Minister knows, a lot of people in Scotland watch Prime

Minister's Questions. So will she tell those viewers in Scotland when

she intends to keep her word to Scotland or not? We are ensuring

that we are working with the Scottish Government and the other

devolved administrations as we take this matter forward. I would just

remind the right honourable gentleman of two things. First of

all, the Supreme Court was clear that the Scottish parliament does

not have a veto on the triggering of article 50. The bill that is going

through the House is obviously giving the power to the government

to trigger article 50. I would also remind him of this point, because he

constantly refers to the interests of Scotland inside the European

Union. An independent Scotland would not be in the European Union. Mr

Speaker, the people of Rossendale and Darwen warmly welcome

Government's housing White Paper. Will my right honourable friend

confirm that when it comes to providing more security for renters,

building more affordable homes and helping people buy their own home,

it is this party, the Conservative Party, that is fixing our broken

housing market? Am happy to agree with my honourable friend. Our

broken housing market is one of the greatest barriers to progress in

Britain today and the housing White Paper brought out by my right

honourable friend II for communities and local government sets out the

steps we will take to fix it and my honourable friend is right. It is

the Conservatives who are going to support local authorities to deliver

more of the right homes in the right places to encourage faster build-up

of developments. I'm sure everybody recognised the problem of planning

permission that are given and then not built out, and create the

conditions for a more competitive and diverse housing market. We are

setting out the response abilities of all parties in building the homes

that Britain needs. Does the Prime Minister agree that in a 21st

century parliament, the rules should not able any member to speak for

longer than 58 minutes in a three-hour debate? Does she agree

that the rules of the House should be changed to prevent filibustering

and French other members from all sides of the House get that our

share of the time available? I have to say, I find that a rather curious

question from the honourable gentleman. Last night, as it

happens, I was out of the House between the two votes. I switched on

the BBC Parliament channel and I saw the honourable gentleman speaking. I

turned over to something else. I switched back. I saw the honourable

gentleman still speaking! I switched over to something else. I switched

back and the honourable gentleman was still speaking. He is the last

person to complain about filibustering in this House. Mrs

Theresa Villiers. Mr Speaker,... Order! Mr Hughes, you seem to be in

a state of permanent overexcitement. Calm yourself, man, take some sort

of medication and it will soothe you. We must hear Mrs Williams. As

we prepare in this House to take back control over our laws on

agriculture, was she agree to use Brexit as an opportunity to

strengthen, not weaken the rules which safeguard the welfare of

animals? My right honourable friend raises an important point which is

of concern are many people in this house and outside. We should be

proud in the UK that we have some of the highest animal welfare standards

in the world. Indeed, one of the highest scores for animal protection

in the world. Leaving the EU will not change this. I can assure my

right honourable friend that we are committed to maintaining and where

possible, improving standards of welfare in the UK while ensuring

that our industry is not put at a competitive disadvantage. Last week,

the Russian Duma decriminalised violence against women and children.

I trust the government will encourage Russia to rethink this

aggressive approach which could realise a domestic violence. Does

she agree that ratify the Convention would send a message to Russia and

the world of the priority that should be placed on ending

gender-based violence? I am proud that in this country, we have

strengthened the law on domestic violence and violence against women

and girls. We see this as a retrograde step by the Russian

government, repealing existing legislation sends out absolutely the

wrong message on what is a global problem. We have joined others in

both the Council of Europe and the OSCE in criticising this decision.

Each year, the NHS reportedly spends ?80 million more than it needs to on

prescriptions for basic painkillers that can be sourced much more

cheaply. Yet at the same time, secondary breast cancer patients

face being denied life extending drugs. May I ask my right honourable

friend to review this poor allocation of resources and give

breast cancer sufferers the hope that they deserve? This is obviously

an important issue that my honourable friend has raised. I

understand that on the point of basic medication, it is in the fact

that the NHS pays more for basic painkillers than on the high street.

In fact, their prices are lower. In the case of the drug, it is right

that difficult decisions are made on the basis of clinical evidence. I

understand that Nice is undertaking a comprehensive assessment before

making a final recommendation and in the meantime, the drug is still

available to patients. Last month, a report was published on historical

institutional abuse in Northern Ireland. Given the uncertain

political institutions in Northern Ireland, if the executive is not up

and running within a month, will the Prime Minister commit to

implementing a report on historical institutional abuse in full? This

was obviously an important review and of course we have our inquiry

into historic child abuse taking place in England and Wales. I

recognise the point the honourable gentleman makes about looking ahead

to the future. We obviously have the elections on the 2nd of March. There

were then be a period of time for an executive to be put together. I

would encourage all parties to work to ensure that an executive can be

put together in Northern Ireland to maintain the devolved institutions.

I don't want to see the benefits that have come of progress being

undone at this stage. I am sure that looking ahead, whatever is necessary

will be done to ensure that the findings of that report are taken

into account and acted on. The Prime Minister has been clear in her

negotiating objectives as we prepare to leave the European Union. But

with the Prime Minister agree with me that regions like the West

Midlands, part of which I represent, needs a voice in those negotiations

to ensure that we take the opportunities presented by Brexit to

raise investment in education, skills and infrastructure in the

region to ensure that her vision of a global Britain represents the

interests of all the regions of England as well as the broader

United Kingdom? I agree with my honourable friend. When we negotiate

as a United Kingdom, we will be negotiating for the whole of the

United Kingdom and taking account of all parts of the United Kingdom. We

have ambition in terms of making the Midlands and engine for growth. It

is about growing the region's economy and more jobs. That is why

money has been put into funding the Birmingham rail hub, for example. Of

course, the West Midlands will be getting a strong voice nationally

with a directed irate elected mayor in May. I believe Andy Street will

be a very good mayor for the West Midlands. In welcoming the

honourable gentleman back again to the chamber, I call Mr Ronnie

Campbell. Looking pretty slim as well, Mr Speaker! Mr Speaker, I had

five months under the health service in Newcastle, under the auspices of

Professor Griffiths, a marvellous surgeon. He just about saved my

life. But there was a flip side. That is the best side of the

national health and it has been wonderful, the service I got. But

there is a flip side, which is what we are seeing today. We now have

dedicated nurses who are called corridor nurses. They are in the

corridor, looking after patients on trolleys. That is not the way we

want our health service to run. Get your purse open and give them the

money they want. As the Speaker said, I welcome the honourable

gentleman to his place again in this chamber. And I commend the surgeon

and all those who have treated him in the National Health Service that

has enabled him to be here today and to continue his duties. As we know,

there are surgeons, doctors, nurses and other staff up and down the NHS

day in and day out, saving lives. We should commend them for all that

they do. The north-east is a good example of some of the really good

practice that we see in the National Health Service. I want to see that

good practice being spread across the NHS across the whole country. Dr

Sarah Wollaston. I am not alone in hearing from family 's long settled

here in Britain who are deeply worried that they could be separated

after we leave the European Union. I know that the Prime Minister will

not want that to happen, and I wonder if today, she could reassure

all our constituents that those who were born elsewhere in the European

Union but settled here in the UK are married or in partnerships with

British citizens, will have the right to remain? My honourable

friend raises an issue that is of concern to members across this

House. As she says, it is of concern to many individuals outside of this

House who will want reassurance about their future. I want to be

able to give that reassurance, but I do want to see the same reassurance

for UK citizens living in the EU. But when I trigger article 50, I

intend to make it clear that I want this to be a priority for an early

stage of the negotiations so that we can address this issue and reassure

the people concerned. Just two weeks ago, a 15-year-old left school and

was stabbed four times and died. Three days earlier, a 19-year-old

was stabbed to death in Wembley. And just a few months earlier, two of my

young constituents were killed and the police said it was a case of

mistaken identity. They were 22-year-old and a 27-year-old. Next

week, I am eating the deputy Mayor of London to discuss this issue and

other issues. The Prime Minister meet with me, fellow MPs and my

borough commander to talk about this issue and the sycamore project which

we would like to see rolled out in London and beyond?

Can I express obviously the condolences of the whole House to

the familiar lanes friends to all of those she referred to in her

question who of been so brutally stabbed and attacked and suffered

from knife attacks she refers to. Obviously this is an important

issue. It is a particularly important issue for London but it is

one that we want to see addressed. A lot of good work that has been done.

I'm in the aware of the sycamore project she has referred to but

would be happy to hear more details of it.

From medics at Kingston Hospital to researchers at Kingston university,

and staff at growing electronics businesses, Kingston's workforce is

enriched by highly-skilled workers from abroad so. Can my honourable

friend refirm after we leave the EU we'll continue to welcome

highly-skilled worksers from the EU and beyond. I thank my honourable

friend for his question. We are very clear that we dop want to bring the

numbers of net migration down but we also want to ensure that the

brightest and best are still welcome here in the United Kingdom. And

that's why I think people want to see the UK Government making

decisions about people who are coming here from the European Union,

but we are very clear about the importance, as I said in my speech

in Lancaster House, there will still be immigration from the European

Union into the UK and we want to ensure that the brightest and best

are able to come here. Yesterday the Brexit minister

claimed that Parliament will have a meaningful vote on the final EU

deal. But account Prime Minister confirm that under her plans

Parliament will either have to accept what the Government offers or

fall back on WTO rules? And in the event there's no deal, there'll be

no vote at all? Isn't the reality this is just take it or leave it and

it is not a meaningful concession, it's a con? We have been very clear.

I said in my Lancaster House speech that there would be a vote on the

final deal. There were a number of questions on what exactly that

meant. We will bring forward o motion on the final agreement for

approval by both Houses of Parliament and before the final

agreement is concluded. We do expect. I know this has been an

issue for a number of honourable and right honourable members. We do

expect and intend that will happen before the European Parliament

debate before it votes and debates on the final agreement.

As the Prime Minister knows, Trafford Schools are the best in the

country. But they are also in one of the F40 worst-funded areas but

perversely the draft funding formula would actually cut funding to are

Trafford Schools not increase T when she reviews the draft proposals l

she look, please for a new formula that guarantees that all of the

worst-funded areas are increased in funding, not cut? My honourable

friend raises, again, an important point that I know is a matter which

is on the minds of a number of honourable and right honourable

friends. As I said earlier, I think the current system of funding is

unfair, it is not transparent. I think it is out of date. I want to

see a session at the that does support our aspiration to ensure

that every child has a good school place. But, in looking at these

reforms I can assure my honourable friend that we want to get this

right. It is why we are consulting and why we will look very closely at

the responses to that consultation. Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

Npower have announced a 9.8% increase on dual fuel bills which

even the former boss, the former tsar has described as shocking. EDS

announced a 8.4% electricity hike and it is reported that British Gas

is preparing its 11 million customs tomorrow Merse for a 9% increase.

Ofgem has moved to protect those on prepayment ministers with a cap on

energy bills. I ask the Prime Minister why doesn't she demand

similar protection for the majority of customs Merse who are being

ripped off as the CMA has said to the sum of ?1.4 billion. The Right

Honourable lady might have missed the fact that where we have said

that markets aren't working we will look at the measures needed and the

energy market is one we are looking at at the moment. In the spirit of

neutrality. The Prime Minister's Lancaster House was a call to put

the divisions behind us. Does my right honourable friend agree that

this is a vision that everyone in the House should support, that the

more united we are, the stronger our negotiating position will be. THE

SPEAKER: The honourable gentleman must be concerned. Does she share my

surprise that certain members opposite that disagreeing with their

current party leader, can cause headaches, that some may not have

learned. Can I say to my honourable friend,

he is absolutely right that I think the country wants us, in this House,

and everybody in the country, wants to unite behind the Government's

work to ensure that we get the best-possible deal for the UK, as we

leave the European Union, and I believe that we can get a deal that

actually is going to be in the interests both of the UK and of the

European Union. I had hoped that I was going to be able to welcome the

Shadow Home Secretary to the front bench in time for the vote that's

going to take place later tonight. Perhaps members of the Labour Party

are starting to realise the only real headache is their leader. Thank

you, very much, Mr Speaker. Does the Prime Minister agree with

the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation that if Britain

were to leave the EU on WTO terms, it would cost ?9 billion in lost

trade each year? What we want to do is to ensure that we negotiate a

deal with the European Union that enables us to have the best-possible

deal in trading with and operating within the European Union single

market in goods and services. I believe that's possible, precisely

because, as I have just said n response to my honourable friend the

member for Lincoln, I believe that is a deal that is good, not just for

but for the EU as well. The Prime Minister rightly argues

for true parity of esteem between mental and physical health but

parent in York have been sold that their children must wait up to a

year for an assessment by the child, now adolescent mentalhealth

services. As the Department of Health actually does not currently

record these figures, would the Prime Minister consider making the

monitoring fted waiting times a requirement? My honourable friend

has raised an important point. As I set out a few weeks ago, the

Government will be reviewing the separation of CAMs services across

the country because I recognise some of the concerns that honourable

members have made. We want to ensure that children and young people have

easy access at the right time to mental health because of the

evidence that a significant proportion of mental health problems

that arise later in life actually sta of children and adolescents. We

have made more money available to support transformation in children

and young peep's mental health but the Shadow Health Secretary - sorry,

the Health Secretary... -- young people's mental health.

He is in his place as well. I haute Shadow Health Secretary will

agree with me we need to review CAM services and are giving the right

support to children and young people, adolescents with mental

health problems and we'll look at the issue my honourable friend has

raised. Many honourable members in this

House have recently made the long journey up to West Cumbria for the

by-election and we've all experienced the states of our roads

and local railways. It's taken a by-election for transport ministers

to look seriously and show any real interest in this. Can I is ask, is

the Prime Minister planning a trip herself, so she too can experience

why we need proper investment from this Government into our transport

infrastructure in West Cumbria? We are putting more money, the

Government is putting more money into infrastructure investment

across the country but you have to say to her, the Labour Party had 13

years to improve transport in West Cumbria and didn't do anything about

it. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I recently visited a world class

coach-building manufacture based in my constituent and heard about their

exciting plans for the future. With my right honourable friend join me

in emphasising the importance of skills and manufacturing for our

economy, especially as we look to leave the European Union? Can I

thank my honourable friend for drawing our attention to the example

of Woodall Nicholson and say how pleased we are to hear they have

good plans for the future. Can I say he is right, as we leave the EU we

will be doing that from a position of strength. He is right that skills

and manufacturing are an important of our economy for the future that's

why in the industrial strategy we are looking at how we can develop

the excellence we already have in the UK, for the prosperous, growing

economy for the future. Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Prime

Minister's right honourable friend, the member for Rushcliffe last week

pointed out that her aspiration to achieve barrier-free tariff-free

trade with the single market, getting all the benefits but paying

none of the cost, was actually akin to disappearing down the rabbit hole

to wonderland. Mr Speaker, I think she makes a very interesting choice

for Alice. But, if she doesn't manage to achieve that Higham Biggs,

would she produce an analysis of what trading on WTO rules would

actually mean for our economy, so we can make a proper choice? Can I say

I commend my right honourable friend the member for Rushcliffe for the

significant service he has given to this House and his constituents over

the years. He and I have have worked well over a number of years although

I have to say when I was Home Secretary and he was Justice

Secretary, I used to say that I locked him up and he let them out.

Can I say to the Right Honourable lady, as far as this Government is

concerned, we believe it is possible within the two-year time frame to

get the agreement, not just for our withdrawal from the European Union,

but also the trade arrangements that will ensure that we have a strong,

strategic partnership with the European Union in the future.

In my right honourable friend's meeting with Binyamin Netanyahu this

week, did she press the only way to get a lasting peace settlement is

for young Palestinians and Israelis to look Ford to a job, a sharing

prosperity and a life without fear, does she agree the only way to

achieve this is face-to-face negotiations? And will she join the

Israeli Prime Minister in pressing the Prime Minister of the

Palestinian authorities for face-to-face negotiations? My right

honourable friend does make a very important point about this. We

continue as a Government a Conservative Government in the UK to

believe that the two-state solution is a right one. That means a viable

Palestinian state but also a safe and secure Israel. And, of course,

it is for the parties to negotiate. Obviously there are others on the

international arena who are doing their work to facilitate an

agreement in the Middle East. But, ultimately it is for the two parties

to agree a way forward. THE SPEAKER: Order.