0:00:00 > 0:00:02Griffiths with contacts through Yemen will help the peace process
0:00:02 > 0:00:05which is necessary to end the conflict in Yemen both north and
0:00:05 > 0:00:20south.It's your lucky day.
0:00:24 > 0:00:28This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. I
0:00:28 > 0:00:37shall have further such meetings later today.Sheffield Young carers
0:00:37 > 0:00:40as a group supporting inspirational young people who balance all the
0:00:40 > 0:00:45normal challenges of their young lives with the demands of caring for
0:00:45 > 0:00:49a parent or sibling often with acute needs. People like John, who has
0:00:49 > 0:00:54been caring for his mother with fibromyalgia from the age of ten or
0:00:54 > 0:00:57Phoebe, supporting her father with mental health problems from age
0:00:57 > 0:01:00eight. They have practical ideas about what the Government can do to
0:01:00 > 0:01:04make their lives easier. Will the Prime Minister meet them and agreed
0:01:04 > 0:01:09to hear their proposals? I think it is absolutely right that he raises
0:01:09 > 0:01:15this issue.Many young people are caring for their parents, sometimes
0:01:15 > 0:01:21for siblings as well. All too often they go unseen and unheard and
0:01:21 > 0:01:24certainly one of the things we are doing is a government is trying to
0:01:24 > 0:01:27ensure that we do see more opportunities and ability to
0:01:27 > 0:01:31identify, to assess Young carers and their families and to support them
0:01:31 > 0:01:35and make the rights of young carers clear and I know the Department of
0:01:35 > 0:01:40Health and social care is intending to publish a plan setting out our
0:01:40 > 0:01:43targeted crosscurrents action on this area but I would be happy to
0:01:43 > 0:01:47meet with a group of young carers to hear directly from them.Mr
0:01:47 > 0:01:53Speaker... I believe in the global Britain and I want us to trade
0:01:53 > 0:01:57freely with the world so can my right honourable friend explain the
0:01:57 > 0:02:00difference between a customs union and a customs arrangement. There
0:02:00 > 0:02:06seems to be some confusion.Can I say to my honourable friend that he
0:02:06 > 0:02:09is absolutely right. We want to be able to have good trading
0:02:09 > 0:02:12relationships with the EU but we also want to be able to negotiate
0:02:12 > 0:02:15trade deals around the rest of the world with an independent trade
0:02:15 > 0:02:18policy and I was rather confused because I heard a speech earlier in
0:02:18 > 0:02:22the week which I believe was given by the Labour leader on this
0:02:22 > 0:02:25subject, where he said he wanted Labour to negotiate a new
0:02:25 > 0:02:32comprehensive customs union - that would mean we couldn't do our own
0:02:32 > 0:02:37trade deals - and it would betray the vote of the British people. And
0:02:37 > 0:02:41in about the next sentence he said he wanted a customs arrangement,
0:02:41 > 0:02:44meaning we could negotiate our new trade deals. That is the
0:02:44 > 0:02:49Government's position. So what does he want to do - let down the country
0:02:49 > 0:03:03or agree with the Government?Jeremy Corbyn.Shouting mangrove Good
0:03:03 > 0:03:08afternoon, Mr Speaker. I hope the whole house will join me in passing
0:03:08 > 0:03:11our deepest condolences to the families of those injured and who
0:03:11 > 0:03:15died in the explosion in Leicester in the constituency of my friend the
0:03:15 > 0:03:19member of the Leicester West. Could we say thank you to all the
0:03:19 > 0:03:22emergency services and hospital staff who worked to save lives in
0:03:22 > 0:03:28that terrible situation. The Prime Minister emerged from her away day
0:03:28 > 0:03:34at Chequers to promise a Brexit of ambitious, managed divergences.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38Could she tell the country what on earth ambitious, managed divergences
0:03:38 > 0:03:47will mean in practice?Can I first of all say to the right honourable
0:03:47 > 0:03:51gentleman that I join him, and I'm sure the whole house, in expressing
0:03:51 > 0:03:54our condolences to the family and friends of those who lost their
0:03:54 > 0:03:59lives in the explosion in Leicester, and I also agree with him that we
0:03:59 > 0:04:03should commend the actions and the work of the emergency services who
0:04:03 > 0:04:07day in, day out, do so much for all of us but in circumstances like that
0:04:07 > 0:04:12really showed the great job that they do in dealing with that issue.
0:04:12 > 0:04:19Give them a pay rise!He asked me about the Government's position on
0:04:19 > 0:04:24the EU. It is very simple. We want to deliver a proposal to the British
0:04:24 > 0:04:27people that will bring back control of our laws, our borders and our
0:04:27 > 0:04:32money. Of course that is in direct contrast with the Labour Party's
0:04:32 > 0:04:36position, who want to be in a customs union, have free movement
0:04:36 > 0:04:40and pay whatever it takes to the EU. That would mean giving away control
0:04:40 > 0:04:45of our laws, our borders and our money and that would be a betrayal
0:04:45 > 0:04:50of the British people. . I understand the Prime Minister is
0:04:50 > 0:04:54going to make a speech about this on Friday but I hope she will address
0:04:54 > 0:05:01the concerns of 94% of small and medium-size businesses who say the
0:05:01 > 0:05:06Government is ignoring their concerns about how we leave the EU.
0:05:06 > 0:05:12But who does she think might be better at identifying the business
0:05:12 > 0:05:16opportunities of the future - the Confederation of British Industry,
0:05:16 > 0:05:19the engineering employers Federation and the Institute of Directors, or
0:05:19 > 0:05:26the international trade secretary? The right honourable gentleman talks
0:05:26 > 0:05:30about the views of business and talks about the views of small
0:05:30 > 0:05:35business. Can I just refer him to what the Federation of Small
0:05:35 > 0:05:40Businesses has said about our position? The UK small business
0:05:40 > 0:05:48community sees the potential wins an independent global trade policy. We
0:05:48 > 0:05:54want trade kept as easy as possible with the EU 27 - that is our
0:05:54 > 0:05:58position. Small businesses are pushing to export to new growth
0:05:58 > 0:06:01areas, the US, English-speaking nations in emerging economies and
0:06:01 > 0:06:06the Commonwealth. A good trading relationship with the EU and free
0:06:06 > 0:06:08trade deals around the rest of the world under an independent sovereign
0:06:08 > 0:06:14nation.The international trade secretary says that business
0:06:14 > 0:06:18organisations and the TUC have got it all wrong, that they don't know
0:06:18 > 0:06:22best how to prosper or grasp opportunities. I just put it gently
0:06:22 > 0:06:27to her, it might be they have more of a clue than he has about the
0:06:27 > 0:06:32interests of business, jobs and living standards. Last week, the
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Health Secretary - and it is wonderful to see him here today. I
0:06:35 > 0:06:39assume he was speaking on behalf of the Government when he said there
0:06:39 > 0:06:44will be areas and sectors of industry where we agree to align our
0:06:44 > 0:06:47regulations. He seems to know the answer, so can the Prime Minister
0:06:47 > 0:06:52and light and the rest of us as to which sectors of the Government --
0:06:52 > 0:06:54which sectors the Government wants to remain aligned and which they
0:06:54 > 0:06:59plan to divert?First of all, The right honourable gentleman himself
0:06:59 > 0:07:02has said that I am going to be making a speech on these issues
0:07:02 > 0:07:21later this week, so he could... Just calm down! I've already set out in
0:07:21 > 0:07:24some detail the position that the Government is taking. I will
0:07:24 > 0:07:29elaborate on that further this week. What we want to ensure it is across
0:07:29 > 0:07:36a variety of sectors, the issues like financial services, which are
0:07:36 > 0:07:39such a crucial part of our economy, that we get the relationship that
0:07:39 > 0:07:44means we are able to ensure we can see that trade going across the
0:07:44 > 0:07:49borders between the UK and the remaining EU 27 members, and that we
0:07:49 > 0:07:52have no hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland and we are
0:07:52 > 0:07:57committed to delivering on that. But he talks about people not having a
0:07:57 > 0:08:01clue. I'll tell you who hasn't got a clue about business and jobs - that
0:08:01 > 0:08:05is a Labour Party that wants to borrow 500 billion and bankrupt
0:08:05 > 0:08:10Britain.The endless round of after-dinner speeches by the Prime
0:08:10 > 0:08:15Minister on Europe does not really substitute for negotiations as to
0:08:15 > 0:08:20what is actually going to result from these negotiations altogether.
0:08:20 > 0:08:25One of the sector already suffering very badly is that of health and
0:08:25 > 0:08:32social care. It is highly reliant, Mr Speaker, on migrant workers. We
0:08:32 > 0:08:36depend on them for our health and the care of those that need it.
0:08:36 > 0:08:41Isn't the Prime Minister just a little bit concerned that European
0:08:41 > 0:08:44Union workers with vital skills are leaving Britain in unprecedented
0:08:44 > 0:08:53numbers now?As the right honourable gentleman might have noticed from
0:08:53 > 0:08:56the last set of immigration figures, we actually still see more people
0:08:56 > 0:09:01coming into the UK from the EU than our going back to the European
0:09:01 > 0:09:08Union. But we do have a care about the number of nurses and GPs we have
0:09:08 > 0:09:14in the NHS. That's why we have set the highest levels of training,
0:09:14 > 0:09:19numbers of people in training, for both nurses and GPs. It is why we
0:09:19 > 0:09:22have significantly increased the opportunity is not just for people
0:09:22 > 0:09:27coming from the EU to work in our national health services but
0:09:27 > 0:09:30actually for those people here in this country who want to work in our
0:09:30 > 0:09:34NHS to get those training places and do the excellent job that we know
0:09:34 > 0:09:39they will do for patients in our National Health Service.From a
0:09:39 > 0:09:44government that has cut the nurse training bursary, that does not seem
0:09:44 > 0:09:49to understand it takes eight years to train a doctor and completely
0:09:49 > 0:09:52oblivious, apparently, to the fact that there are 100,000 vacancies in
0:09:52 > 0:09:59the NHS now, I suggest some members get a life and go and visit a
0:09:59 > 0:10:07hospital and see just how hard those people work in order to cover for
0:10:07 > 0:10:13the vacancies that are there. Surely we need to give immediate, real
0:10:13 > 0:10:19assurance to EU nationals that they have a future in this country. Mr
0:10:19 > 0:10:23Speaker, just three months ago the Foreign Secretary told the House
0:10:23 > 0:10:28with regard to Northern Ireland, and I quote, "There can be no hard
0:10:28 > 0:10:33border - that would be unthinkable". That is what he said. Yet in a
0:10:33 > 0:10:40leaked letter to the Prime Minister, he wrote, "Even if a hard border is
0:10:40 > 0:10:48reintroduced, we would expect to see 95 % plus of goods pass". He is
0:10:48 > 0:10:51shouting at the moment and is obviously big thing of the border
0:10:51 > 0:10:59with the Camden/ Islington border. LAUGHTER
0:10:59 > 0:11:07so, Mr Speaker... Can the Prime Minister confirm that she will not
0:11:07 > 0:11:12renege on commitments made in phase one to keep an open border in
0:11:12 > 0:11:18Ireland?Can I say to the right honourable gentleman, he actually
0:11:18 > 0:11:22raced through different issues in that question so I'll address all of
0:11:22 > 0:11:26them. He raised the issue of rights for EU nationals and, of course, a
0:11:26 > 0:11:31key part of the December joint report that we agree with the
0:11:31 > 0:11:35European Union was about the rights of EU citizens living here in the UK
0:11:35 > 0:11:39and the rights of United Kingdom citizens living in the EU 27. That
0:11:39 > 0:11:44was an important thing to have agreed on an early stage in the
0:11:44 > 0:11:49negotiations. We said we'd do it and we did just that. He talks about the
0:11:49 > 0:11:55number of nurses. There are now 13,900 more nurses on our wards than
0:11:55 > 0:11:57they were under Labour and while he is talking about the number of years
0:11:57 > 0:12:03that it takes to train doctors... He said it takes eight years to train a
0:12:03 > 0:12:06doctor. Well, if he is worried about the number of doctors there are now,
0:12:06 > 0:12:10eight years ago it was the Labour government deciding vote number of
0:12:10 > 0:12:14doctors that were going to be trained, so he could talk about
0:12:14 > 0:12:24that. And then... And... And just finally, because he referred to the
0:12:24 > 0:12:28position on Northern Ireland, the Foreign Secretary and I are
0:12:28 > 0:12:34absolutely committed to ensuring that we deliver on no hard border
0:12:34 > 0:12:36between Northern Ireland and Ireland. That is the position of the
0:12:36 > 0:12:41UK Government, it is the position of the parties in Northern Ireland, it
0:12:41 > 0:12:44is the position of the Irish Government and it was what we agreed
0:12:44 > 0:12:49in the December agreement on that drug reported talk we are all
0:12:49 > 0:12:52committed to ensuring there is no hard border between Northern Ireland
0:12:52 > 0:12:59and Ireland.If that is the case, why is the private secretary in
0:12:59 > 0:13:02private correspondence with the Prime Minister, talking about doing
0:13:02 > 0:13:07the opposite of that which was agreed in phase one? This is a
0:13:07 > 0:13:15government in disarray. Every time the Cabinet meets, all we get is
0:13:15 > 0:13:21even more bizarre sound bites. Remember when we had Brexit means
0:13:21 > 0:13:28Brexit? Then we had red, white and blue Brexit, which presumably
0:13:28 > 0:13:35appealed to the members opposite. Then we had liberal Brexit and now
0:13:35 > 0:13:41we have ambitious, managed divergences. The Government is so
0:13:41 > 0:13:46divided, the Prime Minister is incapable of delivering a coherent
0:13:46 > 0:13:52and decisive plan for Brexit. So, when is she going to put the
0:13:52 > 0:13:59country's interests before the outsized egos of her own Cabinet?
0:13:59 > 0:14:03Can I say to the right honourable gentleman, my priorities are the
0:14:03 > 0:14:07priorities of the British people. Yes, we are going to get Brexit
0:14:07 > 0:14:10write and deliver a good Brexit deal for them but we are also delivering
0:14:10 > 0:14:14the homes that the country needs so people can on their own home. We are
0:14:14 > 0:14:18raising standards in our schools so our kids all get a good education.
0:14:18 > 0:14:25We are protecting the environment for future generations. That as a
0:14:25 > 0:14:26Conservative Government delivering on people's priorities and giving
0:14:26 > 0:14:31them optimism and hope for the future, as opposed to a Labour Party
0:14:31 > 0:14:34that would bankrupt Britain, betrayed voters and drag this
0:14:34 > 0:14:39country down.
0:14:42 > 0:14:50Thank you, Mr Speaker...Mr Clarke, you are getting overexcited. I was
0:14:50 > 0:14:55calling Chris Davies, the honourable gentleman behind you.Thank you, Mr
0:14:55 > 0:15:02Speaker. May I start by wishing you, Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister and
0:15:02 > 0:15:09indeed the whole house a very happy St David's Day. Can I thank my right
0:15:09 > 0:15:14honourable friend for taking representatives of River Is Simple,
0:15:14 > 0:15:19a leader in the field of hydrogen powered automotive is and based in
0:15:19 > 0:15:24Brecon and Radnorshire on her recent successful trade visit to China.
0:15:24 > 0:15:29What is the Government planning to do to help regional SMEs to make the
0:15:29 > 0:15:32most of potential trade opportunities with emerging markets
0:15:32 > 0:15:38once we leave the EU?I can say to him that I was very happy to take a
0:15:38 > 0:15:42large business delegation with me on a trip to China, including
0:15:42 > 0:15:45representatives of that company. It was a very good trip and very
0:15:45 > 0:15:49positive in terms of the connections and the deals that were agreed as a
0:15:49 > 0:15:53result of that trip. I can assure him that the Department for
0:15:53 > 0:16:00International Trade is working hard to support SM ease across the UK to
0:16:00 > 0:16:02help exporters with buyers around the world and, of course, companies
0:16:02 > 0:16:08in the UK can access size -- access our network and a programme of
0:16:08 > 0:16:13international events and I would commend the work of colleagues who
0:16:13 > 0:16:15are trade envoys, including my honourable friend the Member for
0:16:15 > 0:16:20Gloucester who is the trade envoys are China and who accompanied me on
0:16:20 > 0:16:26that trip. I am pleased to say that last year UK Export Finance provided
0:16:26 > 0:16:31£3 billion in support, helping 221 UK companies to sell into 63
0:16:31 > 0:16:41countries. 79% of those companies were SMEs.In 2012, the Prime
0:16:41 > 0:16:47Minister talked about, and I quote, "A future in which Scotland, Wales,
0:16:47 > 0:16:50Northern Ireland and England continued to flourish in side by
0:16:50 > 0:16:57side as equal partners". Does the Prime Minister still stand by this?
0:16:57 > 0:17:02Of course I continue to stand by wanting to ensure that all parts of
0:17:02 > 0:17:06the UK continue to flourish. I think the best way of doing that is
0:17:06 > 0:17:12ensuring all parts of the UK remain in the UK.Of course, Mr Speaker,
0:17:12 > 0:17:16the emphasis was on equal and we are faced with a situation that there is
0:17:16 > 0:17:20a power grab by Westminster and it is no surprise that the Scottish and
0:17:20 > 0:17:26Welsh governments are putting forward continuity bills to stop the
0:17:26 > 0:17:31power grab by Westminster. The Foreign Secretary's leaked letter on
0:17:31 > 0:17:35the Irish border shows he can't get to grips with one of the most
0:17:35 > 0:17:41fundamental issues of Brexit. The Foreign Secretary compared crossing
0:17:41 > 0:17:46the Irish border to going between Camden and Westminster. Frankly, you
0:17:46 > 0:17:51could not make this stuff up. This is a UK Government that is prepared
0:17:51 > 0:17:56to put in jeopardy the Good Friday Agreement. Does the Prime Minister
0:17:56 > 0:18:00agree with the bumbling Foreign Secretary, who was making the UK a
0:18:00 > 0:18:06laughing stock?Can I say to the right honourable gentleman, first of
0:18:06 > 0:18:10all, this government is absolutely committed to the Belfast agreement.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14Indeed, we made sure that that agreement was included in the joint
0:18:14 > 0:18:20report that we agreed with the EU last December, so that commitment to
0:18:20 > 0:18:23the Belfast agreement stands and we are committed to the Belfast
0:18:23 > 0:18:28agreement and the institutions under the Belfast agreement. He refers to
0:18:28 > 0:18:33this issue of devolved powers which are coming back from the EU. That
0:18:33 > 0:18:41was his reference. We have also given an absolute commitment to
0:18:41 > 0:18:43amending clause 11 and that remains unchanged. My right honourable
0:18:43 > 0:18:45friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster hasn't recently met
0:18:45 > 0:18:49with representatives of the vol dub illustrations. He put forward a
0:18:49 > 0:18:52further proposal for them which ensured that more powers are
0:18:52 > 0:18:59directly devolved and with the Northern Ireland Executive and it
0:18:59 > 0:19:02was acknowledged that that was a significant step forward. I have to
0:19:02 > 0:19:06say to the right honourable gentleman, he talks about continuity
0:19:06 > 0:19:10bills. The proposals being put forward are necessary and would be
0:19:10 > 0:19:13rather more helpful if he was to concentrate on reaching an agreement
0:19:13 > 0:19:18in relation to the withdrawal agreement, because we want to ensure
0:19:18 > 0:19:21more powers are devolved to the administrations and that is what we
0:19:21 > 0:19:26will deliver.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29Back in the real world, last year Network Rail paid out £181 million
0:19:29 > 0:19:34in conversation to train operating copies the cancellations and delays
0:19:34 > 0:19:39yet only 74 million of that was passed on to passengers. Why should
0:19:39 > 0:19:42train operators benefit financially from failure to deliver a decent
0:19:42 > 0:19:47service when it's the passengers who suffer the aggravation,
0:19:47 > 0:19:49inconvenience and cost? What is she planning to do to make sure the
0:19:49 > 0:19:53money goes to the rightful place, the passenger?Can I say to my
0:19:53 > 0:20:00honourable friend, that yes, she is right, the rail opposite dot-macro
0:20:00 > 0:20:03operators are compensated when there is disruption on the tracks run by
0:20:03 > 0:20:07Network Rail. Compensation has happened not as a result of their
0:20:07 > 0:20:11doing but as a result of something Network Rail is doing. We do ensure
0:20:11 > 0:20:16there is also compensation available to those who suffer from the
0:20:16 > 0:20:20disruption, to the passengers who suffer from the destruction, and I'm
0:20:20 > 0:20:23pleased to say that automatic payments are available to many rail
0:20:23 > 0:20:29operators but not everybody can be automatically refunded. We are
0:20:29 > 0:20:33operating a delay repay scheme which means everyone regardless of the
0:20:33 > 0:20:36ticket I can have access to the compensation that they deserve. We
0:20:36 > 0:20:39want to ensure that passengers do get the compensation they deserve
0:20:39 > 0:20:46when their journeys are disrupted.I would ask the Prime Minister to
0:20:46 > 0:20:52reinforce her earlier comments. Given the imminent publication from
0:20:52 > 0:21:00the EU of draft rating from December's joint report. Will the
0:21:00 > 0:21:04Prime Minister confirmed that she will never agree to any trade
0:21:04 > 0:21:11borders between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK?Well, can I say
0:21:11 > 0:21:14that we continue to stand behind all the commitments mean made in
0:21:14 > 0:21:17December and my negotiating team will work with the commission to
0:21:17 > 0:21:20agree how they should be translated into legal form in the withdrawal
0:21:20 > 0:21:26agreement. But he is correct, the draft would, if implement it,
0:21:26 > 0:21:30undermine the UK Common Market and threaten constitutional integrity of
0:21:30 > 0:21:34the UK by creating a customs and regulatory border down the Irish
0:21:34 > 0:21:39Sea. And no UK Prime Minister could ever agree to it. I will be making
0:21:39 > 0:21:43it crystal clear to Jean-Claude Juncker and others that we will
0:21:43 > 0:21:48never do so. We are committed to ensuring we see no hard border
0:21:48 > 0:21:51between Northern Ireland and Ireland but the December text also made
0:21:51 > 0:21:55clear that there should continue to be trade between Northern Ireland
0:21:55 > 0:22:03and the rest of the United Kingdom, as there is today.Unemployment has
0:22:03 > 0:22:11fallen faster in the north-east than anywhere else in our country. The
0:22:11 > 0:22:17next step is to put rocket boosters under the economy in Tyneside would
0:22:17 > 0:22:24be to create a free port at the port. .Can I say to my honourable
0:22:24 > 0:22:30friend that when I visited Teesport, this was one of the proposals that
0:22:30 > 0:22:35they did put to me. I'm very happy to join with him in welcoming the
0:22:35 > 0:22:38fall in on climate we've seen in the north-east and there are a number of
0:22:38 > 0:22:42ways in which we are providing and ensuring we see that economic growth
0:22:42 > 0:22:46continuing in the north-east. That's why we are investing £126 million
0:22:46 > 0:22:52through the Tees Valley local growth deal. I know that the Chancellor has
0:22:52 > 0:22:55confirmed recently we do remain open to ideas that could drive growth and
0:22:55 > 0:22:59provide benefits to the UK and its people and so we'll keep all these
0:22:59 > 0:23:08options under consideration.Agents from the Shell gas company recently
0:23:08 > 0:23:14posted a premium contract to my closet, Alison Davies, asking her to
0:23:14 > 0:23:21agree to a geological survey on her farm. She rejected this request when
0:23:21 > 0:23:24she was doorstep a few days earlier. Does the Prime Minister know what it
0:23:24 > 0:23:29feels like to get an unsolicited letter from a group who won't take
0:23:29 > 0:23:36no for an answer? And will she join the Welsh and Scottish governments
0:23:36 > 0:23:46by saying no to fracking in England? Shale gas extraction could be a very
0:23:46 > 0:23:52important part of ensuring energy security in this country. I am sure
0:23:52 > 0:23:54all his constituents and the constituents of others represented
0:23:54 > 0:23:58in this house will want to ensure the government is doing everything
0:23:58 > 0:24:01it can to ensure we maintain our energy security. We don't see the
0:24:01 > 0:24:08lights being turned off.It's obvious that there will be concerned
0:24:08 > 0:24:12about the draft from the EU of the withdrawal agreement. Can the Prime
0:24:12 > 0:24:16Minister assure me that when she responds she'll have utmost in her
0:24:16 > 0:24:20mind the importance of both preserving and also strengthening
0:24:20 > 0:24:27the union of the UK of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?He raises an
0:24:27 > 0:24:31important point first of all, if I can reiterate the point that I made
0:24:31 > 0:24:35in response to an earlier question, we're very that we want to ensure
0:24:35 > 0:24:40that we are able to see that trading, that movement between all
0:24:40 > 0:24:45parts of the UK, that common single market within the UK, that all parts
0:24:45 > 0:24:49of the UK benefit from. We are committed to protecting and
0:24:49 > 0:24:54enhancing our British union of England, Scotland, Wales and
0:24:54 > 0:24:56Northern Ireland. The devolved administration should be fully
0:24:56 > 0:25:00engaged in preparations for the UK's exit. Discussions have been taken
0:25:00 > 0:25:07from them and as I said also in response to the leader of the SNP,
0:25:07 > 0:25:10it's our intention that the vast majority of powers returning from
0:25:10 > 0:25:14Brussels will start off in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast. Not
0:25:14 > 0:25:21in Whitehall. We will continue to talk to devolved administrations
0:25:21 > 0:25:23because we also need to ensure we maintain the single market of the
0:25:23 > 0:25:32UK.Last December's report, the joint report, guaranteed continuing
0:25:32 > 0:25:36unfettered access for Northern Ireland businesses into the UK into
0:25:36 > 0:25:41the market. Does the Prime Minister agreed with me that the EU appears
0:25:41 > 0:25:45now to be trying to cherry pick that agreement by ignoring such critical
0:25:45 > 0:25:50comments to our economy?Can I say to the honourable gentleman that it
0:25:50 > 0:25:55is absolutely clear? First of all, we stand by the commitments we made
0:25:55 > 0:25:59in December and we are going to work, the negotiating team will be
0:25:59 > 0:26:04working to agree how we put that into a withdrawal text. Part of that
0:26:04 > 0:26:08agreement was of course that we will see no hard border between Northern
0:26:08 > 0:26:14Ireland and Ireland. Another part was that there would be guaranteed
0:26:14 > 0:26:18access for Northern Ireland business to the UK market. As I said earlier
0:26:18 > 0:26:24and I am happy to repeat a legal text of the commission, if
0:26:24 > 0:26:28implemented, would undermine the UK Common Market and threaten the
0:26:28 > 0:26:32constitutional integrity of the UK by creating a customs and regulatory
0:26:32 > 0:26:36border down the Irish Sea. No UK Prime Minister could ever agree to
0:26:36 > 0:26:44it and I will be making that absolutely clear.Can I welcome the
0:26:44 > 0:26:46Prime Minister's very firm reaffirmation of her commitment to
0:26:46 > 0:26:50the Good Friday Agreement and the open border, and to the December
0:26:50 > 0:26:55agreement she made on the withdrawal terms, which included, if necessary,
0:26:55 > 0:27:01full regulatory convergence on both sides of the border. Does she accept
0:27:01 > 0:27:07that means, if necessary, that with full regulatory convergence between
0:27:07 > 0:27:14the UK and the European Union?Can I perhaps at this stage, prior to my
0:27:14 > 0:27:21speech and Freddie, referred him -- on Friday, to the speech I made in
0:27:21 > 0:27:27Florence last year which set out that we recognise the rest areas we
0:27:27 > 0:27:30will have the same objectives as the U and we want to achieve those
0:27:30 > 0:27:34objectives in the same way. There will be other areas we want to
0:27:34 > 0:27:39achieve objectives by different means and there will be other areas
0:27:39 > 0:27:42where our objectives will differ. What matters is that it is this
0:27:42 > 0:27:46United Kingdom that will be able to take the decisions about the rules
0:27:46 > 0:27:58it applies.My constituency roads are in a terrible state of repair.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02In all my life I've never seen such a mess. Small potholes are being
0:28:02 > 0:28:07left by Lancashire County Council to become big potholes. In several
0:28:07 > 0:28:14cases, these emerge to become trenches -- these are emerging. It
0:28:14 > 0:28:16is dangerous for pedestrians, cyclists take their life in their
0:28:16 > 0:28:21hands, motorists damage their cars or swerve to avoid them. Does the
0:28:21 > 0:28:25Prime Minister agree with me that this is an unacceptable state of
0:28:25 > 0:28:34affairs and not least because of the failure...Order! Sit down. This is
0:28:34 > 0:28:37very discourteous. The remainder of the honourable lady's question will
0:28:37 > 0:28:44be heard. It's as simple and unarguable as that. The honourable
0:28:44 > 0:28:47lady will be heard on her feet and that's the end of the matter.Thank
0:28:47 > 0:28:52you. Does the Prime Minister agree that this is an unacceptable state
0:28:52 > 0:28:56of affairs, not least because the failure to put one stitch in Time is
0:28:56 > 0:29:07a leading to far more expensive repairs?Can I say... Can I say to
0:29:07 > 0:29:10the honourable lady that we all recognise the issue of potholes and
0:29:10 > 0:29:14the important issue will stop it is why my honourable friend the member
0:29:14 > 0:29:20for Northampton North actually is this a while back and we put more
0:29:20 > 0:29:24money into the issue of dealing with potholes as a government. She talks
0:29:24 > 0:29:28about a stitch in time, I'm afraid I won't take any of that from a Labour
0:29:28 > 0:29:31Party that when in government failed to mend the roof while the sun was
0:29:31 > 0:29:44shining!Next week we celebrate International Women's Day.
0:29:44 > 0:29:49Celebrating the achievements of women globally. With a record of
0:29:49 > 0:29:53action on the gender pay gap, with more women in work, and more
0:29:53 > 0:29:57childcare to help them, doesn't the Prime Minister agree with me that
0:29:57 > 0:30:02it's the Conservatives while in government with two female prime
0:30:02 > 0:30:07ministers that I really delivering for women?Can I say to my
0:30:07 > 0:30:11honourable friend but she's absolutely right? I'm happy to join
0:30:11 > 0:30:13her in celebrating International Women's Day because I want girls who
0:30:13 > 0:30:17are growing up today to know that they can achieve anything they want.
0:30:17 > 0:30:22How far they go is about them and their abilities and their
0:30:22 > 0:30:25willingness to work hard. We do see female employment at a joint record
0:30:25 > 0:30:30high. There are 1.2 million women led businesses now, the highest
0:30:30 > 0:30:34since records began. The gender pay gap is at a record low for full-time
0:30:34 > 0:30:38employment. That is a Conservative Party in government that is
0:30:38 > 0:30:44delivering for women.Will the Prime Minister support the joint
0:30:44 > 0:30:51endeavours of 18 Conservative and Labour councils from Yorkshire, the
0:30:51 > 0:30:55Yorkshire CBI, the Yorkshire Institute of directors, the
0:30:55 > 0:30:58Yorkshire TUC, is grazed the Archbishop of York, in their efforts
0:30:58 > 0:31:03to get an all Yorkshire devolution settlement by 2020 with the first
0:31:03 > 0:31:08directly elected mayor from God's own county?Can I say to the
0:31:08 > 0:31:11honourable gentleman that we are committed to devolving powers to
0:31:11 > 0:31:16local areas where it will deliver at local services and greater value for
0:31:16 > 0:31:19money and clear accountability. I'm pleased to say we've already agreed
0:31:19 > 0:31:23an ambitious devolution deal with Sheffield city region which will
0:31:23 > 0:31:27bring around 1 billion of new investment to the area. I hear the
0:31:27 > 0:31:30enthusiasm he set forward for more devolution in Yorkshire and I'm
0:31:30 > 0:31:36pleased to say that I believe my right honourable friend the housing
0:31:36 > 0:31:39Secretary actually met with a group of councillors from Yorkshire
0:31:39 > 0:31:45yesterday to discuss these very ideas.Excellent to see the right
0:31:45 > 0:31:50honourable gentleman of Bexley and Sid got back in his place. James
0:31:50 > 0:31:57Brokenshire!Thank you, Mr Speaker. It is very good to be back. Last
0:31:57 > 0:32:03year I had the privilege to open the guys Cancer Centre at Queen Mary 's
0:32:03 > 0:32:08Hospital in Sidcup in my own constituency. Not knowing then how
0:32:08 > 0:32:15relevant that might be to me! I pay tribute to the NHS and the
0:32:15 > 0:32:18outstanding people who work within it and my own treatment has been
0:32:18 > 0:32:24absolutely outstanding. But I know that early diagnosis and early
0:32:24 > 0:32:29treatment is key. And therefore, with this in mind, will my right
0:32:29 > 0:32:35honourable friend see that the long health check programme announced by
0:32:35 > 0:32:43NHS England last November is implemented -- the lung check
0:32:43 > 0:32:46programme is intimated as speedily as possible. Will she do all she can
0:32:46 > 0:32:51to challenge the stigma attached to lung cancer and some of the false
0:32:51 > 0:32:56judgments that are made so that it receives the attention it deserves
0:32:56 > 0:33:03and those suffering with the disease receive the care that they need?Can
0:33:03 > 0:33:07I say to my right honourable friend that I am absolutely delighted to
0:33:07 > 0:33:12see him back in his place in this house? Can I also commend him for
0:33:12 > 0:33:15the interviews that he gave over the weekend and the way he spoke about
0:33:15 > 0:33:20his own experience? He's absolutely right about early diagnosis. I think
0:33:20 > 0:33:24the message that my right honourable friend gave from his experience
0:33:24 > 0:33:29needs to be one that we all promote around the country, which is, if
0:33:29 > 0:33:32there is the slightest doubt was on, if something happens that you think
0:33:32 > 0:33:37is potentially problematic and the sign of something, then please go to
0:33:37 > 0:33:42the doctor and get it checked out. There are many men particularly who
0:33:42 > 0:33:46think, oh, no, it's better not to, we'll just put up with it. Actually,
0:33:46 > 0:33:50go and get it checked out because, crucially, in cancer and in many
0:33:50 > 0:33:55other areas, but in cancer, like lung cancer, if that early diagnosis
0:33:55 > 0:34:00and early action can be taken, it means an enormous difference to the
0:34:00 > 0:34:06patient. I can assure him that we are looking very carefully and
0:34:06 > 0:34:07monitoring the effectiveness particularly of scanning of
0:34:07 > 0:34:10high-risk groups, and we'll be looking carefully at the results of
0:34:10 > 0:34:15that. As he says, we need to ensure we get rid of the stigma of lung
0:34:15 > 0:34:18cancer and that anybody who has the slightest suspicion of a problem
0:34:18 > 0:34:21actually goes to the doctor, get them self checked out and gets the
0:34:21 > 0:34:29treatment they need.For many young people in the north-east, employment
0:34:29 > 0:34:33is precarious and low paid. Since the introduction of the
0:34:33 > 0:34:35apprenticeship levy, youth unemployment in Gateshead, my
0:34:35 > 0:34:39constituency, has remained stubbornly constant, while
0:34:39 > 0:34:44apprenticeship recruitment has declined by 35%. Having a plan to
0:34:44 > 0:34:47develop a plan is not good enough. What does the Prime Minister
0:34:47 > 0:34:50actually want to do to resolve the problem of youth unemployment in the
0:34:50 > 0:34:58north-east of England?As I heard earlier from my honourable friend
0:34:58 > 0:35:00for Middlesbrough, actually what we have seen overall in the north-east
0:35:00 > 0:35:06is unemployment overall in the north-east has fallen faster than in
0:35:06 > 0:35:10many other parts of the country and that is something to be welcomed. We
0:35:10 > 0:35:16do need to ensure we are seeing the intended outcome of the
0:35:16 > 0:35:20apprenticeship levy, more opportunities for young people
0:35:20 > 0:35:26actually been put into practice and I'm sure that my honourable friend
0:35:26 > 0:35:29who is responsible for the apprenticeship issue will take up
0:35:29 > 0:35:31the particular reference that he's made to the apprenticeships in the
0:35:31 > 0:35:40north-east.Last Sunday, we celebrated the achievements of
0:35:40 > 0:35:44Chichester born astronaut Tim Peake by honouring him with the freedom of
0:35:44 > 0:35:47the city. Will the Prime Minister join me in congratulating Tim and
0:35:47 > 0:35:50give assurances that our significant investment in the European Space
0:35:50 > 0:35:56Agency, EU space programmes and research, will continue as we leave
0:35:56 > 0:36:01the European Union?Can I say to my honourable friend that this is an
0:36:01 > 0:36:06important issue? I was very pleased, one of the best receptions I hosted
0:36:06 > 0:36:10when I became Prime Minister was Tim Peake. And to see the enormous
0:36:10 > 0:36:14enthusiasm he generated among young people for space and science. The
0:36:14 > 0:36:19joint report we agreed with the EU in December made clear that through
0:36:19 > 0:36:22the multi-annual financial framework, we'll continue to
0:36:22 > 0:36:26participate in programmes funded by that and that includes space, but
0:36:26 > 0:36:29will also discuss with the EU how we can build on our successful
0:36:29 > 0:36:34cooperation on space as negotiations proceed. She will have seen some
0:36:34 > 0:36:37important developments including legislation in this house that will
0:36:37 > 0:36:40enable us to take a real forward position in relation to space in the
0:36:40 > 0:36:48future.The Prime Minister will be aware that the huge new Midland
0:36:48 > 0:36:52Metropolitan Hospital is currently halted by the Karelian collapse.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55It's already two thirds finished and the longer the restart on work is
0:36:55 > 0:37:00delayed the more the ultimate costs will rise. Only this week, more
0:37:00 > 0:37:04project management staff were laid off. Will the Prime Minister commit
0:37:04 > 0:37:08to getting this site back to work, instruct her ministers, especially
0:37:08 > 0:37:13in health of the Treasury, to get the work rolling again next month
0:37:13 > 0:37:21and complete this much needed hospital?I understand that over
0:37:21 > 0:37:248000 Karelian workers have had their jobs safeguarded but of course that
0:37:24 > 0:37:29is no comfort to those who have found themselves redundant and the
0:37:29 > 0:37:33families of those who have been made redundant. He raised the issue about
0:37:33 > 0:37:36the hospital. The department for health and social care and NHS
0:37:36 > 0:37:39improvement are working with the trust and the PFI company so that
0:37:39 > 0:37:43work can recommence as soon as possible.Will my right honourable
0:37:43 > 0:37:47friend agreed that is behind the smiling beard of the Leader of the
0:37:47 > 0:37:55Opposition lies the real threat to this economy? The Shadow Chancellor
0:37:55 > 0:38:00and his hard-line Marxism as Mark can you reassure the country and the
0:38:00 > 0:38:05house that this country will put jobs, prosperity and growth before
0:38:05 > 0:38:09ideology?Were not going to talk about beards, we'll talk about
0:38:09 > 0:38:17policy. We won't talk about the honourable gentleman's beard either.
0:38:17 > 0:38:21He is absolutely right that if we want to build a strong economy with
0:38:21 > 0:38:26high skill, high-paid jobs for the future, the way to do that is not to
0:38:26 > 0:38:28go out borrowing hundreds of billions of pounds and bankrupting
0:38:28 > 0:38:33our economy. The Labour Party will be a real threat to the economy of
0:38:33 > 0:38:36this country, but more than that they'd be a threat to the jobs of
0:38:36 > 0:38:42hard-working people up and down the country.
0:38:42 > 0:38:47This week is the seventh anniversary of the 2011 referendum in Wales,
0:38:47 > 0:38:51where the people of my country overwhelmingly supported full
0:38:51 > 0:38:57legislative solemn whoa sovereignty of devolved Lizzie. Despite
0:38:57 > 0:39:01concessions in this week's speech by the de facto Deputy Prime Minister
0:39:01 > 0:39:04the withdrawal bill will drive a sledgehammer through the Welsh
0:39:04 > 0:39:08constitution and it isn't it the reality that under her plans for
0:39:08 > 0:39:17Brexit Britannia Wales would be ruled Togo, a vassal country? -- a
0:39:17 > 0:39:21rule taker.He is wrong about what we're proposing in relation to the
0:39:21 > 0:39:25devolved administrations. We will be devolving far more powers to the
0:39:25 > 0:39:29devolved administrations. This is something the government has done
0:39:29 > 0:39:32only recently. In the Wales that we have seen new powers being devolved
0:39:32 > 0:39:37to Welsh Government. We are absolutely clear that we want to see
0:39:37 > 0:39:42the vast majority of powers returning from Brussels, starting
0:39:42 > 0:39:46off in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, not on Whitehall. But we
0:39:46 > 0:39:50are also clear that where powers are related to the UK as a whole, it
0:39:50 > 0:39:54makes sense for us to ensure that rules continue to apply across the
0:39:54 > 0:40:02whole of the UK in the same way.To celebrate world Budai tomorrow,
0:40:02 > 0:40:08would the Prime Minister join me in helping share a story of child
0:40:08 > 0:40:13literacy campaign to make reading for ten minutes with a child as much
0:40:13 > 0:40:20a part of a day as eating fruit and veg?I am very happy to join her in
0:40:20 > 0:40:24welcoming that campaign and to mark world but die which is the day to
0:40:24 > 0:40:27enjoy and celebrate reading. As a child I very much enjoyed reading
0:40:27 > 0:40:31and this idea of trying to make sure we see ten minutes of reading every
0:40:31 > 0:40:35day with a child becoming a natural habit for everybody is extremely
0:40:35 > 0:40:41important and I would certainly support that.Sunday's explosion in
0:40:41 > 0:40:45Leicester has been a terrible shock to the local community. I know all
0:40:45 > 0:40:48of our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who
0:40:48 > 0:40:54tragically lost their lives and those that have been injured. I
0:40:54 > 0:41:00thank the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition for
0:41:00 > 0:41:05praising our incredible emergency services, who are continuing to work
0:41:05 > 0:41:07in extremely difficult circumstances. Will the Prime
0:41:07 > 0:41:12Minister also pay tribute to our local residents, who have pulled
0:41:12 > 0:41:16together to support one another, showing great strength and courage,
0:41:16 > 0:41:21and will she make sure we get all the support we need to get to the
0:41:21 > 0:41:24bottom of what's happened and to help my constituents but their lives
0:41:24 > 0:41:34back together again?Can I say to the honourable lady, but as both I
0:41:34 > 0:41:37and the Leader of the Opposition said earlier, we express our
0:41:37 > 0:41:39condolences to the family and friends of those who were sadly
0:41:39 > 0:41:44killed in this tragedy but also we recognise the impact it has all the
0:41:44 > 0:41:48local community and I am very happy to pay tribute to local residents
0:41:48 > 0:41:50who have shown that, I think, the real value of community in the way
0:41:50 > 0:41:54they have come together on this and I assure her everything will be done
0:41:54 > 0:41:58to get to the bottom of why this happened and to ensure, as far as
0:41:58 > 0:42:01possible, depending on the cause, but it would not happen to anybody
0:42:01 > 0:42:07again.Mr Speaker, last year I attended a meeting the House of
0:42:07 > 0:42:11Lords organised by wonderful crossbench peer and human rights
0:42:11 > 0:42:16campaigner Baroness Cox, in which three very brave woman told us their
0:42:16 > 0:42:19harrowing tales of how they have been treated and discriminated
0:42:19 > 0:42:24against by Sharia councils. It is amazing how noisy feminists in this
0:42:24 > 0:42:28place are so quiet about this issue when women are being discriminated
0:42:28 > 0:42:36against so blatantly in this country. Isn't it time this
0:42:36 > 0:42:39alternative discriminatory form of justice was no longer tolerated in
0:42:39 > 0:42:46this country?Can I say to my honourable friend that we are very
0:42:46 > 0:42:50clear that there is one rule of law in the United Kingdom and that is
0:42:50 > 0:42:56British law. But he is right and I myself have also heard stories from
0:42:56 > 0:42:59individual women who have been discriminated, felt they have been
0:42:59 > 0:43:04discriminated and treated badly as a result of decisions by Sharia
0:43:04 > 0:43:07courts. That's why when I was Home Secretary I set up the review into
0:43:07 > 0:43:11sharia courts and that is a review which I believe has recently
0:43:11 > 0:43:15published its report and the Home Secretary will be responding to that
0:43:15 > 0:43:21shortly.Victims... Sorry, organisations working with the
0:43:21 > 0:43:26victims of Modern Slavery Bill report that tomorrow the
0:43:26 > 0:43:31Government's cutting their miserable daily living allowance. Will the
0:43:31 > 0:43:35Prime Minister stop that cut?Can I say to the right honourable
0:43:35 > 0:43:39gentleman... First of all can I commend him for the interest and
0:43:39 > 0:43:42work he has done in the interests of Modern Slavery Bill human
0:43:42 > 0:43:45trafficking and all our efforts to stop this terrible, horrendous crime
0:43:45 > 0:43:50that takes place. Our benefits system is there to provide a safety
0:43:50 > 0:43:54net for people. We have been putting changes in place to make sure we
0:43:54 > 0:43:58give more help to those who need it most. In relation to the specific
0:43:58 > 0:44:02issue he has raised, I'm not aware of the details but I know my right
0:44:02 > 0:44:05honourable friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions will
0:44:05 > 0:44:10want to look of the specific issue he has raised.A free independent
0:44:10 > 0:44:16press is vital to our country. Does she share my concerns about the
0:44:16 > 0:44:23links Max Mosley has with Impress and some of our leading politicians?
0:44:23 > 0:44:28Can I say to my honourable friend, I think some people will have been
0:44:28 > 0:44:33surprised to learn of those links with some leading politicians but
0:44:33 > 0:44:36can I also say to her that I absolutely, absolutely agree with
0:44:36 > 0:44:43her that a free press is very important. It underpins our
0:44:43 > 0:44:47democracy and whatever they say about us, whatever they write about
0:44:47 > 0:44:52us, actually, it is important that they are able to hold politicians,
0:44:52 > 0:44:56the powerful, to account and they are able to shine a light in some of
0:44:56 > 0:45:01the darkest corners of our society. And as far as I'm concerned, as
0:45:01 > 0:45:07Prime Minister, while I am Prime Minister, that will never change.
0:45:07 > 0:45:09Edinburgh airport has recently launched its noise abatement
0:45:09 > 0:45:15consultation process but given that aviation is a reserved matter, will
0:45:15 > 0:45:20the Prime Minister undertake and agree that her government will
0:45:20 > 0:45:24undertake an investigation as to whether the level of night flights
0:45:24 > 0:45:27at Edinburgh airport has now reached the same level as was reached at
0:45:27 > 0:45:33Stansted when it was regulated?Can I say to the honourable lady that I
0:45:33 > 0:45:37was not aware of the work that was being done at Edinburgh airport but
0:45:37 > 0:45:40I am very happy to as the Department for Transport a look at the
0:45:40 > 0:45:48particular issue she has raised.I am sure the whole house would agree
0:45:48 > 0:45:53that the value of peace is priceless. Can I ask my right
0:45:53 > 0:45:57honourable friend to confirm her support for and, indeed, the Good
0:45:57 > 0:46:02Friday Agreement is safe in her hands?My honourable friend has
0:46:02 > 0:46:07raised an important point and I should recognise that, of course,
0:46:07 > 0:46:11this April will mark the 20th anniversary of the historic Belfast
0:46:11 > 0:46:16agreement and that agreement has been fundamental, together with its
0:46:16 > 0:46:19successors, in helping Northern Ireland move forward to from its
0:46:19 > 0:46:24troubled past to a brighter future. I can assure my honourable friend
0:46:24 > 0:46:27that this government remains absolutely committed to the Belfast