0:00:18 > 0:00:20Hello and welcome to the Week In Parliament.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23And it's been a week in which one argument has dominated: when exactly
0:00:23 > 0:00:25will Parliament be able to vote on the deal to leave
0:00:25 > 0:00:28the European Union?
0:00:28 > 0:00:30It will be after March 2019?
0:00:30 > 0:00:31It could be, yes.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34I'll be talking to a professor about the how Brexit
0:00:34 > 0:00:35is affecting this Parliament.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37Also on this programme: there's no Universal Credit
0:00:37 > 0:00:40for Universal Credit.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44Our local food bank is looking to collect 15
0:00:44 > 0:00:47tonnes of extra food to deal with the demand.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49And there's no shortage of advice for the Chancellor
0:00:49 > 0:00:53on the possibility of a no-deal outcome to the Brexit talks.
0:00:53 > 0:00:58You cannot agree a price until you know what
0:00:58 > 0:01:01you are paying for, and only a fool would write out a blank
0:01:01 > 0:01:02cheque of taxpayers' money.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05It was in February that ministers pledged to give Parliament
0:01:05 > 0:01:07a "meaningful" vote on the deal to leave the European Union
0:01:07 > 0:01:08before it was finalised.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11The concession was made to thwart an opposition attempt to add
0:01:11 > 0:01:14conditions to the Bill triggering Brexit.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18But little did AM realise it would be that vote
0:01:18 > 0:01:21which would dominate the week, when she stood up in the Commons
0:01:21 > 0:01:27on Monday to update MPs on her latest meetings in Brussels.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29-- Theresa May.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31I am ambitious and positive about
0:01:31 > 0:01:32Britain's future and these negotiations.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35If we're going to take a step forward together, it must be
0:01:35 > 0:01:37on the basis of joint effort and endeavour
0:01:37 > 0:01:38between the UK and the EU.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41But I believe that by approaching these negotiations in a constructive
0:01:41 > 0:01:44way, in a spirit of friendship and cooperation, we can
0:01:44 > 0:01:46and will deliver the best possible outcomes that
0:01:46 > 0:01:50works for all our people.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53And that belief was shared by other European leaders.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55I am now beginning to have a...
0:01:55 > 0:01:57Feel a very worrying sense of Groundhog Day here.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01Here we are again, after another round of talks,
0:02:01 > 0:02:05and we are still no clearer as to when negotiations on Britain's
0:02:05 > 0:02:11future with our largest trading partner will actually begin.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13But it was on Wednesday that the Brexit Secretary put
0:02:13 > 0:02:15the cat among the pigeons in an appearance before
0:02:15 > 0:02:17the Brexit Committee.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20It is no secret that the way the union
0:02:20 > 0:02:23makes its decisions tends to be at the 11th
0:02:23 > 0:02:28minute, the 59th minute of the 11th hour.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31That is precisely what I will expect to happen here.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33Labour MPs asked when the UK Parliament would get
0:02:33 > 0:02:34to vote on the deal.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36It could be after March 2019?
0:02:36 > 0:02:37It could be, yes.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39It could be.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41It depends when it concludes.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43Sorry, the vote of our Parliament, the UK
0:02:43 > 0:02:47parliament, could be after March 2019?
0:02:47 > 0:02:49Yes, it could be, could be.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51And it was that statement which dominated the debate
0:02:51 > 0:02:53for the next two days.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55In March 2019, the Prime Minister told
0:02:55 > 0:02:59this House that Parliament would be given a meaningful vote on the terms
0:02:59 > 0:03:02of the Article 50 withdrawal bill.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05This morning, in the Brexit select committee, the Secretary of State
0:03:05 > 0:03:10told us that that vote may not take place until after March 2019.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12Can the Prime Minister please explain
0:03:12 > 0:03:14how it is possible to have a meaningful vote on something
0:03:14 > 0:03:21that has already taken place?
0:03:21 > 0:03:23As the honourable gentleman knows, we are
0:03:23 > 0:03:25in negotiations with the European Union, but I am
0:03:25 > 0:03:27confident, we have a timetable under the Lisbon Treaty which does
0:03:27 > 0:03:31give time until March 2019 for the negotiations to take place,
0:03:31 > 0:03:33but I am confident, because it is in the interests of
0:03:33 > 0:03:37both sides and it is not just this Parliament that wants to have a vote
0:03:37 > 0:03:39on this deal, but actually there will be ratification
0:03:39 > 0:03:41by other parliaments that we will be able
0:03:41 > 0:03:43toachieve that agreement and negotiation in time for this
0:03:43 > 0:03:47Parliament to have the vote that we committed to.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49And the matter didn't rest there.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52After PMQs, a Labour MP took it up with the Speaker.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55It seems to me in this House and on behalf of the people we
0:03:55 > 0:03:59represent cannot take that control unless we have that vote.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01Can he advise on what we as a House of
0:04:01 > 0:04:06Commons do about that, at best contradiction and at worst false
0:04:06 > 0:04:12impression, given to the House during that debate?
0:04:12 > 0:04:14Later there was a clarification: it was "expected and intended"
0:04:14 > 0:04:17there should be a vote before.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20The next day, Labour put down an urgent question.
0:04:20 > 0:04:21What a mess.
0:04:21 > 0:04:28One thing one day, another thing the next.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32Yesterday the Secretary of State was asked in the Brexit committee,
0:04:32 > 0:04:34could the vote in our Parliament now be after March 2019?
0:04:34 > 0:04:37The answer, yes, it could be.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39Later in the day the Prime Minister had a go at
0:04:39 > 0:04:42correcting him, then his own spokesperson had to clarify
0:04:42 > 0:04:46his remarks.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49Today, he says, the vote will be before the deal is concluded.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51That is not good enough.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54The issue that I raised yesterday, because I take it as a
0:04:54 > 0:04:56responsibility always to be as forthright as I can
0:04:56 > 0:04:58with the select committee, was to go through what
0:04:58 > 0:05:03has happened in the past in treaty negotiations with the EU.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05This time there is an expectation by the
0:05:05 > 0:05:10commission, there is an incentive on the part of the various
0:05:10 > 0:05:14countries to get this done as quickly as possible.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17There is an expectation and intention by ourselves.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19So none of the undertakings given at the
0:05:19 > 0:05:22dispatch box have in any sense been undermined.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26The issue here is one of practicality on what we control.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29What we control, we will run and we will give Parliament a proper
0:05:29 > 0:05:33and meaningful vote.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35On Thursday, we finally found out when detailed
0:05:35 > 0:05:38consideration of the EU Withdrawal Bill would start -
0:05:38 > 0:05:42November 14th, if you want to make a note in your diary.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45MPs had expected the process to begin much sooner,
0:05:45 > 0:05:47and while they've been waiting for it, very few substantial
0:05:47 > 0:05:50bills have been discussed on the green benches.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54I've been speaking to Anand Menon, professor of European Politics
0:05:54 > 0:05:57at Kings College, London, about what's going on here.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59I began by asking him what Parliament had
0:05:59 > 0:06:01been doing with itself.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04Well, the fact is that since the election, Parliament has
0:06:04 > 0:06:06not had a lot to do, and that is partly
0:06:06 > 0:06:07a deliberate Government strategy.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09There are not many bills to be discussed,
0:06:09 > 0:06:12it is in the interest of the Conservatives not to have too
0:06:12 > 0:06:15many debates and votes in the House, as we have seen.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17What is interesting is you have two political parties
0:06:17 > 0:06:19acting on the basis of different timetables.
0:06:19 > 0:06:20Labour are on an election footing.
0:06:20 > 0:06:21They are all revved up.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24The Tories on the other hand are playing a very slow
0:06:24 > 0:06:28waitin game.
0:06:28 > 0:06:29-- waiting game.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32They want as little to happen as possible, they are focused on
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Brexit and so you have this weird sense in Parliament that no one
0:06:35 > 0:06:37is sure what is going on.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39Do Labour really want to have an election now?
0:06:39 > 0:06:42I think yes, they genuinely do, but above and beyond that it suits
0:06:42 > 0:06:45the leadership to be on an election footing, because it keeps the
0:06:45 > 0:06:46troops disciplined.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48It means there is no infighting and the divisions
0:06:48 > 0:06:51that we know exist do not come out into the open because the potential
0:06:51 > 0:06:54rebels do not want to be seen as rocking the boat.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57But it is not just the Conservatives who don't want an election, is it?
0:06:57 > 0:07:00No, the DUP do not want an election, they are where
0:07:00 > 0:07:01they want to be.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03They have a degree of influence over the Government,
0:07:03 > 0:07:04despite having very few MPs.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07The last thing they want is a Jeremy Corbyn Government.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09I don't, to be honest, think that, even though the
0:07:09 > 0:07:12SNP have said they will vote against the Government in the vote of
0:07:12 > 0:07:15confidence, I don't think they are in any great hurry
0:07:15 > 0:07:16to go to the polls again.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18Do you think the Government's problems with Brexit
0:07:18 > 0:07:20being delayed and these opposition debates that saw
0:07:20 > 0:07:23Conservatives abstaining, how much is that a problem of their
0:07:23 > 0:07:26own making?
0:07:26 > 0:07:30In a sense, it is all a problem of their own making.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33They called an election they didn't need to call, so in that sense.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35But given the arithmetic and the fact that
0:07:35 > 0:07:39there are all sorts of divisions in as well as between the political
0:07:39 > 0:07:42parties, it is a very difficult situation for the Government to deal
0:07:42 > 0:07:45with, hence why we are getting these weird situations.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47Couldn't they foresee with the opposition day
0:07:47 > 0:07:52debates that the Labour Party might force a vote and then you have to do
0:07:52 > 0:07:55something, and they have had to abstain?
0:07:55 > 0:07:57Which causes another problem, these statements that they
0:07:57 > 0:08:00are now going to have to have.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02It does, and it gives Jeremy Corbyn so much ammunition
0:08:02 > 0:08:05for Prime Minister's Questions, and it is why the opposition
0:08:05 > 0:08:07are setting the policy agenda in the country at the moment.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10Whilst I don't think the Conservatives have played this
0:08:10 > 0:08:14particularly well, it is very hard to see how they would manage
0:08:14 > 0:08:17a situation like this where they are at in danger
0:08:17 > 0:08:20of losing votes if they turn out and actually vote on things.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22Are we overlooking the problems that Labour are having,
0:08:22 > 0:08:26because they are quite a lot of problems with the Government side?
0:08:26 > 0:08:30Yes, I think Labour have the luxury of not being in power.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32If you take the Brexit issue for instance, the
0:08:32 > 0:08:36Labour Party in Parliament is profoundly divided.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38They can hide it because they don't have to make
0:08:38 > 0:08:43decisions and can continue forcing the issue by trying, as they did so
0:08:43 > 0:08:45effectively in the election, to appeal to both Leavers and Remainers
0:08:45 > 0:08:48by being profoundly ambiguous.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50-- fudging the issue.
0:08:50 > 0:08:51-- fudging the issue.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54The Government does not have that luxury because they are negotiating
0:08:54 > 0:08:56with the EU, they have to take decisions.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58Who is really holding the power in this Parliament?
0:08:58 > 0:08:59I think power is quite disbursed.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02At one level you can see the select committee having quite
0:09:02 > 0:09:04a degree of influence.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07They have got big personalities chairing them, it is a
0:09:07 > 0:09:09chance to make their mark.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12It is a chance to come out with bold statements on policy.
0:09:12 > 0:09:13They will be very influential.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15Backbenchers also, they are absolutely fundamental.
0:09:15 > 0:09:20There is an awful lot of horse trading going on and that is why
0:09:20 > 0:09:24the Whips are trying keep them in line.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26Every Parliament has a sort of unique or distinct complexion.
0:09:26 > 0:09:31Is this one much different to the others?
0:09:31 > 0:09:33Have there been other parliaments like this?
0:09:33 > 0:09:36Above and beyond the question of numbers, what
0:09:36 > 0:09:40makes this Parliament unique is Brexit.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43It is fair to say that Brexit is an unparalleled challenge.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46It haunts everything.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48It means that in the Queen's speech there was very
0:09:48 > 0:09:50little legislation that was not Brexit legislation.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53All eyes are focused on this process.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55We all know that it will determine the nature of
0:09:55 > 0:09:58our country for a while to come, depending on how it goes.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00That adds to the mix.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02We have had minority governments before, but never in
0:10:02 > 0:10:06this context of such a big issue going through Parliament and being
0:10:06 > 0:10:08negotiated at the same time.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11Thank you very much.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13Now you may remember the recent highly unusual spectacle
0:10:13 > 0:10:18of a Government defeat in the Commons by 299 votes to zero.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22The vote was on an opposition motion proposing a pause in the roll-out
0:10:22 > 0:10:24of Universal Credit, which combines a handful
0:10:24 > 0:10:27of benefits into a new payment.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30Conservative MPs were ordered to abstain.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32The opposition parties condemned the Government, saying
0:10:32 > 0:10:34Parliament was being ignored.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38So the Speaker granted an emergency debate.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41The decision on whether or not to vote is a matter for members and
0:10:41 > 0:10:44their parties.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46As you, Mr Speaker, noted last week, it is a legitimate
0:10:46 > 0:10:49one to take.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51Universal Credit was fully legislated for in the Welfare
0:10:51 > 0:10:55Reform Act 2012, and its subsequent SI and it was extensively debated
0:10:55 > 0:10:58by Parliament.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00The honourable lady.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02I just want to ask the minister, if he
0:11:02 > 0:11:05thought we had such a good debate last week, why did his party abstain
0:11:06 > 0:11:08from voting?
0:11:08 > 0:11:12Mr Speaker, I am going to come to many of the things that
0:11:12 > 0:11:15came out of the debate, and as I just said, it is legitimate
0:11:15 > 0:11:19decision to vote or otherwise in such debates, but it is much
0:11:19 > 0:11:22that you take from a debate like that, and I
0:11:22 > 0:11:27thought, as I said, it was a very high-quality session of this House.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30Strong leadership would have seen action last week.
0:11:30 > 0:11:31Strong leadership would have accepted the
0:11:31 > 0:11:34Parliamentary arithmetic, would have accepted the mood
0:11:34 > 0:11:36of the House and our constituents.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39It would have accepted it needed to act.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41Several MPs were angry about the continued
0:11:41 > 0:11:43roll-out of Universal Credit.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47The roll-out will begin halfway through November.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51Six weeks later, it is Christmas.
0:11:51 > 0:11:56The DWP will not be open on Christmas Day, which means many
0:11:56 > 0:11:58of my constituents will have to wait until the New Year for
0:11:58 > 0:12:01any assistance.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04That is why our local food bank is looking to collect 15 tonnes
0:12:04 > 0:12:09of extra food to deal with demand.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12It doesn't take a mathematician to work out that if you transfer 12
0:12:12 > 0:12:17days before Christmas and the payments take between 35
0:12:17 > 0:12:19and 42 days to appear in your bank account,
0:12:19 > 0:12:23there are going to be a lot of Swansea residents in dire straits at
0:12:23 > 0:12:26the worst possible time.
0:12:26 > 0:12:27If the Labour Party truly believe what they
0:12:27 > 0:12:31were saying, that they do indeed support the principle of Universal
0:12:31 > 0:12:35Credit, they would be working with Government to make sure
0:12:35 > 0:12:39the roll-out is a success.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41Rather than scaremongering and trying to block
0:12:41 > 0:12:48the good reform to our benefits system.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51So I think the Government is demonstrating it is listening and a
0:12:51 > 0:12:53key part of that has been the introduction
0:12:53 > 0:12:55of the free telephone service, so I don't want the
0:12:55 > 0:12:58roll-out to be stopped, but for it to go on,
0:12:58 > 0:13:01I think it needs reform.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04Now, we heard in the week the European Council President,
0:13:04 > 0:13:07Donald Tusk, telling MEPs that the UK's departure from the EU
0:13:07 > 0:13:09was the "toughest stress test", and if the EU failed that test,
0:13:09 > 0:13:13it would be a defeat for Brussels.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19The possibility of a no-deal outcome to the talks has
0:13:19 > 0:13:21been exercising MPs, and in the Commons, some attempted
0:13:21 > 0:13:24to pin down the Chancellor.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28The Chancellor knows the economic perils our country faces
0:13:28 > 0:13:30if there is no deal.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32He described it rightly as a worst-case scenario.
0:13:32 > 0:13:37Can I urge him, in the interests of our country,
0:13:37 > 0:13:39to have the courage of his
0:13:39 > 0:13:41convictions, stand up and face down his opponents in Cabinet
0:13:41 > 0:13:44and confirm today that like us, he will not
0:13:44 > 0:13:47support all vote for a no deal in Brexit.
0:13:47 > 0:13:55Mr Speaker, as the honourable gentlemen very well knows, our
0:13:55 > 0:13:58clear objective, our priority is to achieve a deal
0:13:58 > 0:14:00with the European Union.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04Our preference would be for a deal that a comprehensive trade,
0:14:04 > 0:14:11investment, and security partnership between the UK and the
0:14:11 > 0:14:13European Union in the future.
0:14:13 > 0:14:20Can I urge the Chancellor to reject the
0:14:20 > 0:14:23representation we've heard from the shadowed Chancellor.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26Would he not agree with me that you cannot pay a
0:14:26 > 0:14:28price until you know what you are paying for.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30Only if fool would write out a blank cheques from taxpayers'
0:14:30 > 0:14:35money.
0:14:35 > 0:14:36My honourable friend is absolutely right.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38We shouldn't be giving away our negotiating position
0:14:38 > 0:14:43when we're going into one of the most important negotiations
0:14:43 > 0:14:45is that this country has ever been involved in.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48And that is why we need to make sure we are prepared for all
0:14:48 > 0:14:50eventualities.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52The Chancellor, in his efforts to secure a good Brexit
0:14:52 > 0:14:57deal and a transition period, has the confidence and support not only
0:14:57 > 0:15:00of members on this side of the House but across the whole of
0:15:00 > 0:15:01British business.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03Unlike the party opposite which inspired complete fear with
0:15:03 > 0:15:05their Marxist mayhem which they would put upon us
0:15:05 > 0:15:07if they were elected.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09Mr Speaker, British business has made clear that it
0:15:09 > 0:15:12wants the earliest possible certainty of out the interim
0:15:12 > 0:15:19implementation arrangements.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21And it has also made very clear that it
0:15:21 > 0:15:22doesn't want any Marxist mayhem.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25And now for a round-up of some of the other news
0:15:25 > 0:15:26from Parliament in brief.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28MPs have called on ministers to do more to ensure people
0:15:28 > 0:15:31traffickers face prosecution.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34During a debate on tackling modern slavery, MPs heard some distressing
0:15:34 > 0:15:35testimony about the victims.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37It is not sex work.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40These people were slaves.
0:15:40 > 0:15:46I worked with women who were forced to have sex with over 50 men
0:15:46 > 0:15:50in a day.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52Her daily routine involves getting up at 5am to get the
0:15:52 > 0:16:00children ready for school, to collect them,
0:16:00 > 0:16:02to do the cleaning, to do the cooking.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06If she went out on an errand, the woman who was holding her would spit
0:16:06 > 0:16:08on the floor and tell her that she had to be back
0:16:08 > 0:16:11before the spit had dried or she would be beaten.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13She ran everywhere because she was frightened of being late.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16Peers were concerned about reports that the NHS in Essex may discharge
0:16:16 > 0:16:18people from hospital into rooms rented locally.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20The service would be based on Air B'n'B -
0:16:20 > 0:16:23the popular website which helps people rent out their spare rooms
0:16:23 > 0:16:25on a temporary basis.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29Vulnerable patients will be allocated to homes
0:16:29 > 0:16:34where the hosts have no medical expertise and for which they will be
0:16:34 > 0:16:40paid £1000 per month.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43Will the government not listen...
0:16:43 > 0:16:46This is my final question.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48Will the government not listen to the medical
0:16:48 > 0:16:50opinion and drop this preposterous scheme.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53That is, I should stress, a local pilot, that is being explored.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56I don't think it is even underway.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59It has been proposed by a local doctor, an emergency registrar.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02And for it to go ahead, it is clearly
0:17:02 > 0:17:05the case that any such pilot would have to abide by the various
0:17:05 > 0:17:07strict rules that exist in terms of safety,
0:17:07 > 0:17:14safeguarding, quality, and so on, in any care setting.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17The so-called Islamic State group, or Daesh, has been forced
0:17:17 > 0:17:18out of Raqqa in Syria.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21It was in January 2014 that the group took control,
0:17:21 > 0:17:22declaring the city its "capital".
0:17:22 > 0:17:24Later that year, America launched air strikes.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27The UK followed suit once Parliament had approved military intervention,
0:17:27 > 0:17:30after a fierce debate in the Commons.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34The liberation of Raqqa of this month follows the
0:17:34 > 0:17:36significant Daesh territorial losses in Iraq, including Mosul in July.
0:17:36 > 0:17:41Daesh has now lost over 90% of the territory it once
0:17:41 > 0:17:44occupied in Iraq and Syria.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46The Defence Secretary has urged MPs to stop attacking Saudi Arabia
0:17:46 > 0:17:49over its human rights record, because it might jeopardise
0:17:49 > 0:17:52a military deal.
0:17:52 > 0:17:57Sir Michael Fallon is in the middle of negotiations to sell a second
0:17:57 > 0:17:59batch of Typhoon fighter jets to the country.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01He was pressed by members of the Defence committee on why
0:18:01 > 0:18:03the deal hadn't yet been signed.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06I have to repeat, sadly, to this committee,
0:18:06 > 0:18:10obviously other criticism of Saudi Arabia in this Parliament is
0:18:10 > 0:18:12not helpful.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15Executives from one of the UK's largest supermarket chicken
0:18:15 > 0:18:17suppliers have apologised to a committee of MPs
0:18:17 > 0:18:21after an investigation allegedly exposed food safety breaches.
0:18:21 > 0:18:26But the company, the Two Sisters Food Group, rejected any suggestion
0:18:26 > 0:18:32that it operated "low standards".
0:18:32 > 0:18:34The Labour Party announced the suspension of one of its MPs
0:18:34 > 0:18:36while it investigates misogynistic and homophobic comments he's
0:18:36 > 0:18:38alleged to have made.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42Jared O'Mara beat the former Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg
0:18:42 > 0:18:46in the constituency of Sheffield Hallam.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48He's apologised for remarks made online in 2002 and 2004,
0:18:48 > 0:18:52but he denies a more recent allegation.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54The Prime Minister had this message:
0:18:54 > 0:18:58All of us in this House should have due care and attention
0:18:58 > 0:19:02to the way in which we refer to other people, and should show
0:19:02 > 0:19:09women in public life the respect that they deserve.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12On Friday in the Lords, a Conservative peer called
0:19:12 > 0:19:15for unpaid internships lasting more than four weeks to be banned.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17Lord Holmes reminded peers that Theresa May had
0:19:17 > 0:19:21said she wanted to build a nation that worked for everyone.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25But that nation will in no sense be working for everybody why
0:19:25 > 0:19:32we still have the perpetuation of pathways of privilege having nothing
0:19:32 > 0:19:36to do with merit, having nothing to do with talent,
0:19:36 > 0:19:41pathways of the village where people are able to to get unpaid
0:19:41 > 0:19:47opportunities on the basis of being fortunate
0:19:47 > 0:19:49enough to have family funding or indeed the
0:19:49 > 0:19:50family black book.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52The Minister supported the intention of the bill
0:19:52 > 0:19:55but argued that protections were already in place.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57Part of this issue is enforcement.
0:19:57 > 0:20:06It is enforcing existing legislation.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08So, to be clear, it is against the law to
0:20:08 > 0:20:11non-pay at least the minimum wage to workers.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13We want work to pay and have zero tolerance for workers
0:20:13 > 0:20:21opting out of their legal responsibilities.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23This is part of the reason why we increased HMRC's
0:20:23 > 0:20:27enforcement budget to a record level of £25 million in 2017 to 2018.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29And, at the age of 95, the Conservative Lady Trumpington
0:20:29 > 0:20:30has finally retired from Westminster.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33In a long and varied career, she worked at the Bletchley Park
0:20:33 > 0:20:35code-breaking centre during the Second World War,
0:20:35 > 0:20:39served as mayor of Cambridge, and was a minister
0:20:39 > 0:20:41in Margaret Thatcher's governments of the 1980s.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44She made a final appearance in the Lords in order to take her oath.
0:20:44 > 0:20:50I swear to Almighty God that I will give true and faithful
0:20:50 > 0:20:55allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen and the government.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57Amen.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00A minority Government cutting deals with Northern Irish MPs to survive?
0:21:01 > 0:21:02Sounds familiar?
0:21:02 > 0:21:06I'm talking about the late 1970s of course, and the challenges faced
0:21:06 > 0:21:09by Jim Callaghan's Labour administration.
0:21:09 > 0:21:15When playwright James Graham was researching his
0:21:15 > 0:21:18drama about that era - This House - he watched
0:21:18 > 0:21:20BBC Parliament's coverage of the wheeling and dealing at
0:21:20 > 0:21:21Westminster.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23So we asked him whether the current political situation might
0:21:23 > 0:21:24inspire a future play.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26Claire Gould reports.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28The British people have spoken and the
0:21:28 > 0:21:29answer is, we are out.
0:21:29 > 0:21:30BELL TOLLS.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32And what we are saying is that Conservatives are
0:21:33 > 0:21:34the largest party.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36No, they don't have an overall majority at this stage.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39But what about the challenges facing the current Conservative government?
0:21:39 > 0:21:43Could they inspire a future drama?
0:21:43 > 0:21:46It has the most extraordinary task ahead of it.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49The most nation changing piece of legislation to
0:21:49 > 0:21:57pass in the next few months in the form of the EU withdrawal bill.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00That's not going to be easy and if we know from the 1970s,
0:22:00 > 0:22:02to pass even the smallest and most incidental
0:22:02 > 0:22:12piece of legislation means you are
0:22:13 > 0:22:15subject to the whims and desires and flaws of your backbenchers.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17So, it is going to be very interesting.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20And I suppose with a distance of perspective, this House was often
0:22:20 > 0:22:21quite fun and quite farcical.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24It might not be like that in the coming
0:22:24 > 0:22:26weeks and months because this legislation is so serious task ahead
0:22:26 > 0:22:28of the government and the country is so huge.
0:22:28 > 0:22:33The games and the tricks and the politics that people play
0:22:33 > 0:22:35might not feel quite as light entertainment as it did
0:22:35 > 0:22:36previously.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39Yes, possibly, in ten years' time, we will look back on the
0:22:39 > 0:22:42parliament of 2017 to whenever this finishes and have good fun with it.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45And you can see more from James Graham on BBC
0:22:45 > 0:22:48Parliament on Sunday, October the 29th from 8pm.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51Now, let's take a look at some of the other stories of the week.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53Here's Patrick Cowling with our countdown.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00Should they stay or should they go?
0:23:00 > 0:23:03MPs and peers have recommended an exodus from the Palace of
0:23:03 > 0:23:06Westminster during essential restorations.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09But the government suggested further advice should be
0:23:09 > 0:23:11sought before parliamentarians pack their bags and say goodbye to the
0:23:11 > 0:23:12circus.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16Jeremy Corbyn is in the pop culture limelight this week, as
0:23:16 > 0:23:19Tracey Ullman revealed her new impression of the Labour leader.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21It was also announced that Mr Corbyn would appear
0:23:22 > 0:23:24on Channel 4's Gogglebox.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26Remember to switch over to the Week in Parliament, Jezza.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28The BBC's former head of political
0:23:28 > 0:23:31research put in an good word to a Lords committee for his former
0:23:31 > 0:23:33colleagues' integrity.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36It was that they sat there in the morning weather can
0:23:36 > 0:23:42of lager in one hand and a fag in the other,
0:23:43 > 0:23:44thinking what can we make up now?
0:23:44 > 0:23:46It tended to be much more practical stuff.
0:23:46 > 0:23:47PATRICK COWLING OPENS CAN AND DRINKS.
0:23:48 > 0:23:49Cheers, Dave.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51Conservative MP Sir Desmond Swayne slithered in a counter
0:23:51 > 0:23:54to a claim by Labour that there was a nest of vipers sitting
0:23:54 > 0:24:02behind the Minister on Thursday.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05How can I get it onto the record that I
0:24:05 > 0:24:07am in fact the parliamentary species champion for the smooth snake and
0:24:07 > 0:24:08not the viper?
0:24:08 > 0:24:10Thanks for shedding some light on that, Desmond.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13Parliament has always been the place where the really big
0:24:13 > 0:24:16questions are asked.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18This week, that question was, "Who's a good boy?"
0:24:18 > 0:24:20The hotly contested Westminster dog of the
0:24:20 > 0:24:21year contest was won by Rocky this week.
0:24:21 > 0:24:27Much to the joy of its friend, Labour MP Tracey Braeburn.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31Finally, in the Lords, peers were once again
0:24:31 > 0:24:34considering a matter very dear to their hearts - themselves.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38When a hereditary peer dies or retires, an election
0:24:38 > 0:24:39is held for a replacement.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43One Labour member bemoaned the lack of women and ethnic minority people
0:24:43 > 0:24:45who were eligible candidates.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47He beseeched the minister:
0:24:47 > 0:24:50Can I just ask him a very simple question, which, if he could just
0:24:50 > 0:24:53give a yes to, we can move onto next question.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56And it is this.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58Will the other meant do something that will
0:24:58 > 0:25:08hurt no one and cost nothing and back my bill
0:25:08 > 0:25:10which would scrap this whole ludicrous system?
0:25:10 > 0:25:15I'm grateful to the noble Lord for that question.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18Moving onto the next question would not help me at all as I have
0:25:18 > 0:25:23to answer that one as well.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26And Lord Young added that his line manager,
0:25:26 > 0:25:29the Deputy Chief Whip, was also a hereditary peer.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31And that's it from me for now.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34But do join Keith Macdougall on BBC Parliament on Monday night at 11
0:25:34 > 0:25:37for a full round-up of the day here at Westminster.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40But for now, from me, Mandy Baker, goodbye.