0:00:13 > 0:00:16Welcome back to The Week In Parliament.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19Turmoil in Labour as Junior Shadow Ministers resign
0:00:19 > 0:00:22following a tortured reshuffle.
0:00:22 > 0:00:27It is a New Year gift for a grateful Prime Minister.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30Since I walked into the Chalber this morning, his Shadow Foreign Minister
0:00:30 > 0:00:31resigned, his Shadow Defence Minister resigned -
0:00:31 > 0:00:35he could not run anything!
0:00:35 > 0:00:38But unity isn't exactly flotrishing among the Conservatives.
0:00:38 > 0:00:43At least on the subject of Durope, Cabinet Ministers will be free
0:00:43 > 0:00:46to argue either for in or ott on the Euro referendum issud.
0:00:46 > 0:00:47Labour seizes the moment.
0:00:47 > 0:00:48He's studious...
0:00:48 > 0:00:49It's an out, isn't it?
0:00:49 > 0:00:51He's an outer...
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Come on, come out, come out
0:00:54 > 0:00:58And with the severe flooding in the north of Britain,
0:00:58 > 0:01:01the chairman of the Environlent Agency admits to MPs he had it
0:01:01 > 0:01:04a little bit easier in Barb`dos
0:01:04 > 0:01:07So, could I have come back darlier by one or two days?
0:01:07 > 0:01:08In hindsight, do I wish I h`d?
0:01:08 > 0:01:09Yes, I do.
0:01:09 > 0:01:10But first.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Do you have fond memories of the '70s?
0:01:13 > 0:01:16Hideous designs, crockery in orange and brown?
0:01:16 > 0:01:19Well, Britain seems to be rdturning to the Life On Mars era,
0:01:19 > 0:01:23at least in terms of the European debate.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27After weeks of speculation, it was confirmed that as in 197 ,
0:01:27 > 0:01:30ministers would be free to `rgue for the UK to leave the EU
0:01:30 > 0:01:34in the referendum campaign and not have to resign.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Yes, the Prime Minister has adopted exactly the same formula melorably
0:01:36 > 0:01:40used by Harold Wilson.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43The freedom for ministers was welcomed by those supporting
0:01:43 > 0:01:46what has come to be known as Brexit, that is, a British exit
0:01:46 > 0:01:49from the European Union.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52Reporting to MPs on the outcome of the latest EU Summit,
0:01:52 > 0:01:54David Cameron said, among European leaders,
0:01:54 > 0:01:59there was strong support for Britain to stay in the DU.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03European leaders began their remarks, not by saying Britain
0:02:03 > 0:02:06is better off in Europe, but that Europe would be better off
0:02:06 > 0:02:08with Britain staying in it.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11And all wanted to reach an `greement that would address the concdrns
0:02:11 > 0:02:13that we have raised.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16My intention is that at the conclusion of the renegotiation,
0:02:16 > 0:02:18the Government should reach a clear recommendation and then
0:02:18 > 0:02:23the referendum will be held.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26It is the nature of a referdndum that it is the people,
0:02:26 > 0:02:32not the politicians, who decide
0:02:32 > 0:02:35And as I indicated before Christmas, there will be a clear Government
0:02:35 > 0:02:37position, but it will be opdn to individual ministers to take
0:02:37 > 0:02:39a different personal position while remaining part
0:02:39 > 0:02:40of the Government.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43Ultimately, it will be for the British people to ddcide
0:02:43 > 0:02:46this country's future by voting in or out of a reformed
0:02:46 > 0:02:49European Union.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52The Prime Minister said that he ruled nothing out.
0:02:52 > 0:02:58If he loses this referendum, will he resign?
0:02:58 > 0:03:02This referendum is the Government's policy and the country will decide
0:03:02 > 0:03:04whether we stay in the European Union or leave
0:03:04 > 0:03:06the European Union.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10May I salute my right honourable friend's decision to allow linisters
0:03:10 > 0:03:13to exercise their freedom of choice on this very important mattdr?
0:03:13 > 0:03:16Would he accept, this is not a sign of his personal weakness,
0:03:16 > 0:03:18but a sign of his personal strength.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22That he believes that we in this party can have a sensible ddbate
0:03:22 > 0:03:25about a fundamental issue of serious importance to the British pdople?
0:03:25 > 0:03:27He has just mentioned that the negotiations may come
0:03:28 > 0:03:32to fruition next month.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36If they do, when would he envisage this referendum taking placd?
0:03:36 > 0:03:39If we can achieve a result in February, I do not think
0:03:39 > 0:03:41we should delay the referendum, I think we should get
0:03:41 > 0:03:43on and hold the referendum.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46David Cameron, playing coy with the referendum date.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50But there was plenty of speculation the vote will be coming along soon.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52So, which ministers will be in the "In" campaign
0:03:52 > 0:03:54and which will sign up to the "Out" campaign?
0:03:54 > 0:03:58Will it be a 50-50 split on Thursday?
0:03:58 > 0:04:02The Shadow Leader of the Colmons came up with an ingenious w`y
0:04:02 > 0:04:05of asking his opposite numbdr, Chris Grayling, if he was an "In"
0:04:05 > 0:04:09man or an "Out" man.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12And I note, that yet again, the Leader of the House has only
0:04:12 > 0:04:15given us the dates for the Daster recess and not for the prorogation
0:04:15 > 0:04:17for the state opening of Parliament or, for that matter,
0:04:18 > 0:04:22for the Whitsun recess.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25Is that because he does not yet know when he will table the motion
0:04:25 > 0:04:30for the date of the EU referendum?
0:04:30 > 0:04:37Can he now come clean and tdll us how he is going to vote?
0:04:37 > 0:04:41It is not a matter of conscience for him any more -
0:04:41 > 0:04:45he will even be able to keep his two special advhsers,
0:04:45 > 0:04:46his ministerial car and his salary.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48He can tell us - in or out?
0:04:48 > 0:04:49He's studious...
0:04:49 > 0:04:51It's an out, isn't it?
0:04:51 > 0:04:52He's an outer...
0:04:52 > 0:04:54Come on, come out, come out
0:04:54 > 0:04:57The Prime Minister has done the right thing this week,
0:04:57 > 0:04:59and I will take no lessons from the party opposite.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02When will they ever do the right thing for their people?
0:05:02 > 0:05:04Chris Grayling, declining to say which campaign group he will be in.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08Well, it wasn't perhaps the week that will go down as the most
0:05:08 > 0:05:09comradery in Labour Party hhstory.
0:05:09 > 0:05:10The Leader's extensive Shadow Cabinet reshuffle
0:05:10 > 0:05:14turned out not to be quite so extensive after all.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17In the end, Jeremy Corbyn moved around only a handful of melbers
0:05:17 > 0:05:19of his team.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22But the demotions of a couple were enough to prompt some damaging
0:05:22 > 0:05:26frontbench resignations.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28The chaotic reshuffle was all a gift for the Conservatives,
0:05:28 > 0:05:32as we found out at Prime Minister's Questions,
0:05:32 > 0:05:34when the MP for Stratford-upon-Avon had a question almost too fortuitous
0:05:35 > 0:05:36to be true.
0:05:38 > 0:05:39CHEERING.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41Nadhim Zahawi.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44Mr Speaker, 2016 sees us mark the 400th anniversary of
0:05:44 > 0:05:49William Shakespeare s passing away.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52William Shakespeare's passing away.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54Does my right honourable frhend agree with me that our country
0:05:54 > 0:05:56should unite to commemorate his works?
0:05:56 > 0:05:59There are special events at the RSC - the Shakespeare Birthplacd Trust
0:05:59 > 0:06:09is renovating the site of hhs home, New Place, and King Edward's School
0:06:09 > 0:06:11are opening his original cl`ssroom.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13May I invite my right honourable friend, the whole House
0:06:13 > 0:06:16and the world, to come and celebrate the greatest-living bard?
0:06:16 > 0:06:18I find that Shakespeare provides language for every moment.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20Let us consider what we are thinking about at the moment.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23There was a moment when it looked like this reshuffle
0:06:23 > 0:06:24could go into its Twelfth Night.
0:06:24 > 0:06:25LAUGHTER.
0:06:25 > 0:06:26Yes.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29It was a revenge reshuffle, so it was going to be
0:06:29 > 0:06:31As You Like It.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34I think, though, we can conclude that it has turned into somdthing
0:06:34 > 0:06:36of a comedy of errors - perhaps Much Ado About
0:06:36 > 0:06:38Nothing.
0:06:38 > 0:06:39LAUGHTER.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42There will be those who worry that Love's Labour's Lost.
0:06:42 > 0:06:43CHEERING.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47All's Well That Ends Well - or was it The Tempest?!
0:06:47 > 0:06:51Well, it was certainly a stormy week for the Parliamentary Labour Party,
0:06:51 > 0:06:53but it was the more literal storms that provided the focus
0:06:53 > 0:06:57for Jeremy Corbyn inside the Commons.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59December's record rainfall, courtesy of Storm Desmond
0:06:59 > 0:07:01and Storm Eva, left many thousands of people with flood-damaged homes
0:07:01 > 0:07:06in the north of England and Scotland.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08Could some of the blame lie with financial cutbacks
0:07:08 > 0:07:11to flood prevention systems?
0:07:11 > 0:07:14At PMQs, the Labour Leader first reminded David Cameron what he said
0:07:14 > 0:07:20at the time of the last sevdre flooding two winters ago.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24In January 2014, following the devastating floods at that time,
0:07:24 > 0:07:27now two years ago, the Prime Minister said,
0:07:27 > 0:07:31and I quote: "There are alw`ys lessons to be learned
0:07:31 > 0:07:35and I will make sure they are learned."
0:07:35 > 0:07:37Were they?
0:07:37 > 0:07:41Having seen my own constitudncy very badly flooded in 2007 and h`ving had
0:07:41 > 0:07:44floods while being Prime Minister, I think a number of lessons
0:07:44 > 0:07:45have been learned.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47This time, the military camd in far faster than ever before.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50The Bellwin scheme was funddd at 100%, not 85%, and more loney
0:07:50 > 0:07:52was got to communities more quickly.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55So, a lot of lessons have been learned.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57Are there more to learn?
0:07:57 > 0:08:01I am sure there are, there always are, which is why
0:08:01 > 0:08:04I will review everything th`t has been done.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07In 2011, a ?190 million flood defence project on the River Aire
0:08:07 > 0:08:10in Leeds was cancelled on cost grounds by the Government.
0:08:10 > 0:08:161,000 homes and businesses hn Leeds were flooded in recent weeks.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18The Government is still onlx committed to a scaled-down version
0:08:18 > 0:08:21of the project, worth a fraction of its total cost,
0:08:21 > 0:08:24when the Prime Minister clahmed that "money was no object" when ht came
0:08:24 > 0:08:29to flood relief.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31When he meets the Leeds MPs and Judith Blake,
0:08:31 > 0:08:34the leader of Leeds Council, in the near future,
0:08:34 > 0:08:37or his Secretary of State does, will he guarantee that the full
0:08:37 > 0:08:42scheme will go ahead to protect Leeds from future flooding?
0:08:42 > 0:08:45Well, first of all, let me lake one point before answering
0:08:45 > 0:08:48in detail his points.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51It is worth putting on record before we get on to flood
0:08:51 > 0:08:53defence investment - and I will cover it in full -
0:08:53 > 0:08:56that this was the wettest Ddcember for over 100 years, and acttally
0:08:56 > 0:08:58in Leeds and in Yorkshire, it was the wettest
0:08:58 > 0:08:59December ever on record.
0:08:59 > 0:09:04That is why rivers in Yorkshire including the Aire in Leeds,
0:09:04 > 0:09:09was a metre higher than it has ever been in its history.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12Now, in terms of flood defences no flood defence schemes have been
0:09:12 > 0:09:15cancelled since 2010...
0:09:17 > 0:09:27The Labour Leader said he h`d met flood victims in York.
0:09:27 > 0:09:32They are asking all of us wholly legitimate questions:
0:09:32 > 0:09:35Why was it that the insufficient pump capacity at the Foss b`rrier -
0:09:35 > 0:09:38again, which we were alerted to in 2013 by a Government report -
0:09:38 > 0:09:40was not dealt with or the pumps upgraded?
0:09:40 > 0:09:42That meant that people in York were flooded and their possdssions
0:09:43 > 0:09:43and homes severely damaged.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46Those people want answers from all of us, and in parthcular,
0:09:46 > 0:09:47from the Prime Minister.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50I have the greatest sympathx with anyone who has been flooded
0:09:50 > 0:09:53and we have to do what it t`kes to get people and communitids back
0:09:53 > 0:09:54on their feet.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58That is why we have put record sums in more quickly...
0:09:58 > 0:10:00So, have lessons been learndd?
0:10:00 > 0:10:01Yes, they have.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03Are there more lessons to ldarn
0:10:03 > 0:10:06There always are, but frankly, we do not need a lecture from Malta
0:10:06 > 0:10:07from the honourable gentlem`n.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10CHEERING.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13David Cameron on the subject of the floods.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15Well, a side issue to the flooding was the whereabouts
0:10:15 > 0:10:19of the Environment Agency chairman, Sir Philip Dilley.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22Sir Philip had to face inquhsitive journalists over the New Ye`r
0:10:22 > 0:10:25because he hadn't gone to Ldeds or York when the two cities were hit
0:10:25 > 0:10:27by severe flooding over Chrhstmas, along with other parts
0:10:27 > 0:10:28of Yorkshire and Lancashire.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30The reason, it emerged, was because Sir Philip was 4,00
0:10:30 > 0:10:35miles away in the Caribbean.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38A spokesman for the Environlent Agency had said Sir Philip
0:10:38 > 0:10:39was in regular contact from...his "home".
0:10:39 > 0:10:41The Commons Environment Comlittee thought that word needed
0:10:41 > 0:10:49a little closer scrutiny.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52At your pre-appointment hearing before this committee,
0:10:52 > 0:10:55just approximately one year ago I think, you suggested
0:10:55 > 0:10:58that your personal response to a crisis would be to turn up
0:10:58 > 0:11:03in wellingtons very early on.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07Why did you not return to the UK from holiday when the recent storms
0:11:07 > 0:11:13became clear that they were going to have a catastrophic effect?
0:11:13 > 0:11:16Well, I was in Cumbria, I was in the UK and in Cumbria
0:11:16 > 0:11:17during those events...
0:11:17 > 0:11:23I was away, as you are award, over the Christmas period.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26The severity of the flooding became apparent to us,
0:11:26 > 0:11:29and to me, on Boxing Day, the 2 th.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31So I was in regular contact with the chief executive,
0:11:31 > 0:11:33James, and my own deputy, a woman called
0:11:33 > 0:11:34Emma...very regularly.
0:11:34 > 0:11:41And quite often, more than once a day.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43And I started looking at opportunities to return
0:11:43 > 0:11:46on the 27th.
0:11:46 > 0:11:47I actually returned on the 29th
0:11:47 > 0:11:50Arriving on the 30th, overnhght
0:11:50 > 0:11:53So, could I have come back earlier by one or two days?
0:11:53 > 0:11:55In hindsight, do I wish I had?
0:11:55 > 0:11:59Yes, I do.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03But I do not feel guilty of leaving it many weeks.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08This was a PR disaster for you personally, wasn't ht?
0:12:08 > 0:12:11Yes, as I said, in hindsight, it would have been much better
0:12:11 > 0:12:14if I had come back as early as I could, which was one
0:12:14 > 0:12:15or two days earlier.
0:12:15 > 0:12:16That is quite right.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19But the first answer from the Environment Agency
0:12:19 > 0:12:22as to your whereabouts was that you were at home with your family.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26It was 24 hours before that was qualified to say that
0:12:26 > 0:12:30you were in Barbados at homd with your family, and a further 12
0:12:30 > 0:12:32hours before it was made cldar that you were in Barbados
0:12:32 > 0:12:33at a family home.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36One of my biggest regrets is that focus on me has detracted
0:12:36 > 0:12:39from what really matters, which are the people,
0:12:39 > 0:12:42as you heard giving evidencd earlier and all those other people that have
0:12:42 > 0:12:44been affected, so that was indeed unfortunate.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47That expression that was put out, lots of things are written for me
0:12:47 > 0:12:49and sent to me for agreement or approval.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52I saw it and approved it, so it is my problem.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55But I should also explain, I do have two homes,
0:12:55 > 0:12:58my wife is from the Caribbe`n, we have a home there.
0:12:58 > 0:13:04And I spend some time there, over Christmas, particularlx.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08And when I am there, I do not feel that I am awax,
0:13:08 > 0:13:10I feel that I am at home.
0:13:10 > 0:13:16Because I am equally at homd there.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19As I said earlier, I keep in regular contact, I work from there.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21It was more of a holiday because it was Christmas,
0:13:21 > 0:13:25but in normal times, I work from there.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29I keep in regular contact with the people that matter.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31The saga of the December floods
0:13:31 > 0:13:34Now, a look at some of the other stories in Parliament over
0:13:34 > 0:13:35the last few days.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38A Foreign Office Minister, Tobias Ellwood, has describdd
0:13:38 > 0:13:40as deeply concerning the worsening relationship between Saudi @rabia
0:13:40 > 0:13:44and Iran.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47The execution of a Shia cleric by the Saudis has inflamed
0:13:47 > 0:13:49the ancient religious conflhct between the Kingdom of Saudh Arabia,
0:13:49 > 0:13:53which is dominated by Sunni Muslims and Iran which has largely Shia
0:13:53 > 0:13:54Muslims.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58The recent escalation in tensions between Saudi Arabia and Ir`n
0:13:58 > 0:14:00is deeply concerning.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04I urge all parties in the region urgently
0:14:04 > 0:14:07to show restraint and responsibility and to work towards resolving
0:14:07 > 0:14:09tensions.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12But on this side of the House, we believe that the Saudi
0:14:12 > 0:14:16government was profoundly wrong to have executed Sheikh al-Nimr
0:14:16 > 0:14:20a Shia cleric and three young Shia men
0:14:20 > 0:14:24whose alleged offences appe`r to have involved taking part
0:14:24 > 0:14:26in political protest and demonstrations
0:14:26 > 0:14:30against the current governmdnt.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33How healthy is the health sdrvices?
0:14:33 > 0:14:35The news that a series of strikes by junior doctors potentially
0:14:35 > 0:14:39disrupting hundreds of hosphtal appointments on the cards is raised
0:14:39 > 0:14:42by Labour.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44They put the blame for the walk-out on the Health
0:14:44 > 0:14:46Secretary.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49Nobody wants strikes, not least the junior doctors.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53But they feel badly let down by Health
0:14:53 > 0:14:57Secretary who seems to think conference negotiations are a game
0:14:57 > 0:14:59of brinkmanship.
0:14:59 > 0:15:05This is a difficult issue to solve but at least the country knows
0:15:05 > 0:15:08what the government is trying to do.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10She, on the other hand, has spent the last six months
0:15:10 > 0:15:14avoiding telling the countrx what she would do about these flawed
0:15:14 > 0:15:15contracts.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18And is this the northern powerhouse?
0:15:18 > 0:15:22An online health retailer s`ys black puddings fulfil
0:15:22 > 0:15:27all the criteria for being ` super food and predicts they will be
0:15:27 > 0:15:29the gastronomic highlight of 20 6.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33And an MP from the black pudding heartland
0:15:33 > 0:15:35describes the importance of this allegedly miracle food.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39Can we please have a debate on the health
0:15:39 > 0:15:41benefits of eating black pudding?
0:15:41 > 0:15:48My right honourable friend will no doubt have seen reports this week
0:15:48 > 0:15:54that this tasty delicacy is full of protein, potassium,
0:15:54 > 0:15:57calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00So, it is not only good for you, it is
0:16:00 > 0:16:02actually a superfood.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06The debate will enable us to ensure that
0:16:06 > 0:16:08benefits are more widely known.
0:16:08 > 0:16:13I remember very fondly walking around
0:16:13 > 0:16:17Bury market with my friend looking at the fine black puddings on sale.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20They are some great products made in Lancashire and they are tasty
0:16:20 > 0:16:24to eat perhaps in moderation.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26Black pudding. Love them.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29The Chancellor's U-turn over tax credit cuts in November was one
0:16:29 > 0:16:31of the government's most embarrassing moments
0:16:31 > 0:16:33since the May election.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36But Labour says the cuts to low income families have certainly
0:16:36 > 0:16:38not gone away.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41On Wednesday, the Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary said
0:16:41 > 0:16:44ministers were instead planning to make cuts
0:16:44 > 0:16:48to Universal Credit, the new welfare system that merges
0:16:48 > 0:16:50a range of existing benefits including tax
0:16:50 > 0:16:51credits.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55If you are a single mother with one or more children,
0:16:55 > 0:16:58the work allowance will be half to from April
0:16:58 > 0:17:05of this year, April 2016, from ?8,808 to ?4764.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09That means a reduction of ?4044
0:17:09 > 0:17:15In cash terms, that working mother will lose ?2,628
0:17:15 > 0:17:17next year.
0:17:17 > 0:17:23The sting is in the tail and working people will lose out
0:17:23 > 0:17:26dramatically as the Univers`l Credit is rolled out.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30I think more than that, Mr Speaker.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33I think they will be absolutely cheesed off to the back teeth
0:17:33 > 0:17:37that this government is tryhng to pull the wool over their eyes.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41Because the truth is these are precisely the same cuts that
0:17:41 > 0:17:44were proposed through tax credits.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46The party that wants to continue taxing.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50That is why they are the party of welfare.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53They are the welfare party.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55And not the "labour" Party.
0:17:55 > 0:18:01Madam Deputy Speaker, welfare is much more
0:18:01 > 0:18:05than simply giving money to people and writing blank cheques.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08It is about removing the barriers that
0:18:08 > 0:18:10prevent people from finding work and progressing in work.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13It is about giving people the support they need
0:18:13 > 0:18:16to stand on their own two fdet and live independently
0:18:17 > 0:18:18from the state.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22Now, what have the following all got in common?
0:18:22 > 0:18:25Control of horses act, the specialist printing act,
0:18:25 > 0:18:28and the self build housing `ct?
0:18:28 > 0:18:32The answer is they all started life as backbenchers' bills.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34Or as they are more usually known, private members
0:18:34 > 0:18:36bills.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38These don't get priority slots for discussion,
0:18:38 > 0:18:40they are relegated to the debating margins,
0:18:40 > 0:18:42usually Fridays.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45And the vast majority are defeated, suffering
0:18:45 > 0:18:48either a long slow death or a quick one, overcome by procedural moves
0:18:48 > 0:18:53that are sometimes so securd that they baffle even seasoned
0:18:53 > 0:18:54Westminster watchers.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56So, does it have to be this way
0:18:56 > 0:18:59This week, a procedure committee has been looking
0:18:59 > 0:19:01at the whole issue.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04Afterwards, I was joined by Nick Thomas-Symonds,
0:19:04 > 0:19:07a Labour MP who had one of his bills recently
0:19:07 > 0:19:09talked out and by Philip Davies
0:19:09 > 0:19:13an MP who has made it one of his tasks at Westminster to talk
0:19:13 > 0:19:16out private members' bills that he sees as unnecessary.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19I asked Nick Thomas-Symonds what his misgivings
0:19:19 > 0:19:21were about the current process for dealings
0:19:21 > 0:19:24with backbenchers' bills.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26I find it very difficult when my own bill was in effdct
0:19:26 > 0:19:30talked out to explain to constituents why
0:19:30 > 0:19:31that had happened.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35I think it would have been luch cleaner and fairer if it had been,
0:19:35 > 0:19:37for example voted down.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40It would have been clear thdn that the will of the House
0:19:40 > 0:19:46was in one direction.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49Would you like to see the procedures change to make it easier
0:19:49 > 0:19:52and more possible for a private member's bill to get through?
0:19:52 > 0:19:55I would like to see a clearer process,
0:19:55 > 0:19:57of course.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59Any law has to be subject to scrutiny.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02I think that having a sick duration where it is on Tuesday
0:20:02 > 0:20:04instead of a Friday might bd something that committee can look
0:20:05 > 0:20:06at.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09MPs have only when Parliament is sitting the possibility
0:20:09 > 0:20:11of a Friday in a constituency.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13So, you have to understand balancing our duties at Westminster
0:20:13 > 0:20:15and in the constituencies.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17So that might be one argument.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20Another would be simply to try to ensure that the private
0:20:20 > 0:20:22member's bill always got to a vote.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25There is the point that the public has a point seemed bills defeated,
0:20:25 > 0:20:27not by argument but by procddure.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29Isn't that really a case for change here?
0:20:29 > 0:20:32Well, I think that the currdnt system strikes the right balance.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35At the moment, if a bill only has minimal support,
0:20:35 > 0:20:38has been badly thought through all badly drafted
0:20:38 > 0:20:41and doesn't actually do what it says on the tin,
0:20:41 > 0:20:43it can be blocked by being talked out.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46However, if over 100 people turned up to support a ill,
0:20:46 > 0:20:49that is the first one of thd day, then it will go through,
0:20:49 > 0:20:53irrespective of someone trying to talk it out.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55Where we can demonstrate it has widespread
0:20:55 > 0:20:56support.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59I don't really see why it bhll should be able to just procded
0:20:59 > 0:21:02through Parliament on the b`ck of a small number of MPs.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05If a bill can't even muster 100 MPs to come and support it,
0:21:05 > 0:21:06why should any bill go throtgh?
0:21:06 > 0:21:10It is all about that point that an MP does have two jobs.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12You need to go back to Yorkshire but why
0:21:12 > 0:21:14are you here on Fridays killing off bills?
0:21:14 > 0:21:17Parliament it is for 13 Fridays a year.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20That means there are 39 othdr Fridays a year where you can be
0:21:20 > 0:21:21in your constituency.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23We have extensive recesses where you can
0:21:23 > 0:21:25spend the whole week in the constituency.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29The idea that MPs can't spare 1 Fridays a year to be
0:21:29 > 0:21:33in Parliament is a nonsense. Of course they can.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36Our duty is to be in Parliament screw to nine
0:21:36 > 0:21:37during legislation.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39When we had the assisted dying bill, over 400 MPs
0:21:40 > 0:21:42were here on Friday.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44When we had the EU referendtm bill, there were over 300 MPs
0:21:44 > 0:21:46here on Friday.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48They can turn up if they want to.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51If they choose not to, then clearly the bills that
0:21:51 > 0:21:53are going through are not that important.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55Nick, would you like the government to
0:21:55 > 0:21:58step in and make it easier for backbenchers to get
0:21:58 > 0:21:59the legislative ideas through?
0:21:59 > 0:22:02I would just like them to step in and give much
0:22:02 > 0:22:04clearer, modern system for how we actually do it.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07Why should be people be deprived of Philip for 13 days?
0:22:07 > 0:22:09I understand the point that is being made.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11Nonetheless, the system seels so archaic to the public.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13That is the problem.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16The government has the bond`ge of mustering people here in a way
0:22:16 > 0:22:21that ordinary backbenchers don't stop that is the other point.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24This is the reason I suggested moving perhaps to it Tuesdax.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27Let's correct that balance because most
0:22:27 > 0:22:30people will be here on a Tudsday.
0:22:30 > 0:22:38Then, it isn't about whether they are giving up time
0:22:38 > 0:22:41in their constituency, it is whether they want to go
0:22:41 > 0:22:42in and support the bill.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44Philip Davies, a move to Tuesday makes sense,
0:22:44 > 0:22:47doesn't it?
0:22:47 > 0:22:50The government won't muster 100 people to be here on Friday,
0:22:50 > 0:22:53they can't muster that many people, they might muster 30 or 40
0:22:53 > 0:22:54ministers to turn up.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57If you get 100 back inches here, you will get your
0:22:57 > 0:22:58bill through.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01If you move it to a Tuesday it went everybody is here,
0:23:01 > 0:23:02it will basically be government business.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04The government whips will work overtime getting everybody
0:23:04 > 0:23:07here, there will be no such thing as private members'
0:23:07 > 0:23:08bills in reality.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10Every bill will then become a government bill.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13Can I just ask you, Philip Davies, has there ever been a moment
0:23:13 > 0:23:15when you have regretted telling the bill, thinking,
0:23:15 > 0:23:17perhaps I shouldn't have stepped in to kill
0:23:17 > 0:23:19that one off?
0:23:19 > 0:23:21No, I usually regret allowing a bill through.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24Going soft, occasionally, with bills.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27I don't kill them just for the fun of it, I do it
0:23:27 > 0:23:28because bills are misguided.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32The problem we have in this House is someone comes with a worthy
0:23:32 > 0:23:37sentiment, people feel they don t oppose it because if they oppose it
0:23:37 > 0:23:40they will look as if they are being churlish.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44There are only a few of us who have got the guts to stand up
0:23:44 > 0:23:46and say, the emperor has got no clothes.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49And I'm afraid that is the sad part of our democratic system,
0:23:49 > 0:23:52many MPs on Howard and they won t dare stand up and oppose a worthy
0:23:53 > 0:23:55sentiment.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57If I have to do that duty, then, so be it.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00If it makes me unpopular, then so be it.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03But it is better than having broad legislation
0:24:03 > 0:24:06going through simply on a worthy sentiment.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09Now, with his speedy reviews of some of the more offbeat
0:24:09 > 0:24:14lytic all stories this week, here is Patrick Cowling.
0:24:14 > 0:24:19The DUP's Jim Shannon has so many friends in Parliament,
0:24:19 > 0:24:21he can't decide where to sit.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24Wednesday found him sat on the Labour benches
0:24:24 > 0:24:26and here he is visiting the Conservative side.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28Forgotten your way home, Jil?
0:24:30 > 0:24:32Donald Trump, on the other hand, had no
0:24:32 > 0:24:36place to sit in the entire country if a public petition has its way.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38On the 18th of January, MPs will debate
0:24:38 > 0:24:43the call to ban the US preshdential hopeful from entering the UK.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46Ever wondered which fruit Bill Clinton prefers?
0:24:46 > 0:24:47No? Well, neither had we.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49But newly released transcripts of chats between the former
0:24:49 > 0:24:52president and Tony Blair revealed that he is
0:24:52 > 0:24:54very partial to a banana. Moving swiftly on.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56David 'Top Cat' Davies.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59Speaker John Bercow called on David 'Top Cat' Davies to speak this week.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01That's right, kids.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03He's the boss, he's the biz, he's the championship,
0:25:03 > 0:25:06he is the most tiptop MP for Monmouth.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08And they are back.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11The hot topic of head Hodges -- hedgehogs returned in a deb`te
0:25:11 > 0:25:13during the housing and planning bill.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16Their guardian angel MP, Oliver Colewell thought
0:25:16 > 0:25:19to protect his prickly friends during the building of new homes.
0:25:19 > 0:25:20Patrick Cowling with a few points from around Westminster.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28Patrick Cowling with a few points from around Westminster.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31After a week off, the House of Lords returns the business on Monday
0:25:31 > 0:25:34and on Tuesday, David Cameron will be
0:25:34 > 0:25:37facing the questions of members from the Commons Liaison Colmittee.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41There should be no shortage of subjects to talk about.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44So, do join me for the next Week in Parliament.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48Until then, from me, Keith Macdougall, goodbye.