0:00:31 > 0:00:34We are going to leave but we are going to do it
0:00:34 > 0:00:36in a smooth and orderly way.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39But smooth and orderly was not how it turned out in the Commons.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42But I have to say, it is too late, I'm sorry, you cannot treat
0:00:42 > 0:00:43the House in this fashion.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46Also on the programme, one MP pleads for better refuges
0:00:46 > 0:00:47for victims of domestic violence.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49I want to see caring, well-paid support workers
0:00:49 > 0:00:51sitting over there clients who are so traumatised
0:00:51 > 0:00:55they cannot eat.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57I want lives to be rebuilt.
0:00:57 > 0:00:58It started off so well.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01Theresa May took her place in the Commons on Monday having
0:01:01 > 0:01:03secured agreement with the EU that talks could move
0:01:03 > 0:01:04on to the next stage.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07She seemed to have pleased all factions of her party, no mean feat.
0:01:07 > 0:01:13At the despatch box she commended the settlement.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17This is good news for the people who voted leave who were worried
0:01:17 > 0:01:20that we were so bogged down in the negotiations,
0:01:20 > 0:01:22that tortuous negotiations, that it was ever going to happen.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25It is good news for people who voted remain who were worried
0:01:25 > 0:01:29we were going to crash out without a deal.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33We are going to leave but we are going to do
0:01:33 > 0:01:36so in a smooth and orderly way, securing a new, deep,
0:01:36 > 0:01:38and special partnership with our friends while taking back
0:01:38 > 0:01:41control of our borders, money, and laws once again.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43That is my mission, this is my government's mission,
0:01:43 > 0:01:47and on Friday, we took a big step towards achieving it, and I commend
0:01:47 > 0:01:50this statement to the House.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52The Labour leader was grudging.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55And ultimately, we saw a rather fudged agreement late last week.
0:01:55 > 0:02:00So, has this experience given the Prime Minister a reason
0:02:00 > 0:02:05to consider dropping the unnecessary exit date deadline of
0:02:05 > 0:02:12the 29th of March 2019 from the EU withdrawal bill?
0:02:12 > 0:02:16Because I am sure Mr Speaker, the whole House, and indeed probably
0:02:16 > 0:02:21the whole country would rather get the best possible deal a little bit
0:02:21 > 0:02:25later if that meant a better feel for peoples jobs and the economy.
0:02:25 > 0:02:31Last week, we had the humiliating scene of the Prime Minister league
0:02:31 > 0:02:37forced out of the original deal by the DUP, rushing back to London,
0:02:37 > 0:02:41the government had to rewrite the agreement so as to reach
0:02:41 > 0:02:43the DUP's approval.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46We really have to wonder who is running the UK.
0:02:46 > 0:02:51Is it Arlene Foster the right honourable member for Maidenhead?
0:02:51 > 0:02:55Would she confirm that the text of this agreement now takes clear
0:02:55 > 0:02:59that in the event of a deal, Northern Ireland will not be
0:02:59 > 0:03:03separated legally, economically, or by any regulatory requirements
0:03:03 > 0:03:04for the rest of the UK.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07Along with the aim of no hardboard and the island of Ireland.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11But in the event of no deal, no overall deal, nothing is agreed.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15Can I suggest to the Prime Minister that in order to strengthen her
0:03:15 > 0:03:18leave originally next stage of negotiations, she might
0:03:18 > 0:03:28want to suspend tribal politics and invite Keep channel please hold
0:03:34 > 0:03:36bench colleagues to join her negotiating team
0:03:36 > 0:03:37since whatever their tactical differences, they agree
0:03:37 > 0:03:40with her on the fundamentals of Brexit and withdrawal
0:03:40 > 0:03:42from the single market and customs union, disastrous as though
0:03:42 > 0:03:46that might be.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48After all the prophecies of doom and gloom, the Prime Minister
0:03:48 > 0:03:52is showing that Brexit can and will be done.
0:03:52 > 0:03:57And we congratulate her for that.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59When people like me, Brexiteers, look at the alternative,
0:03:59 > 0:04:03namely that the Labour other meant staying in the single market
0:04:03 > 0:04:05for ever and having no control over immigration,
0:04:05 > 0:04:08it is amazing how our minds are concentrated in support
0:04:08 > 0:04:10for the Prime Minister.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12So the Government was in the ascendancy,
0:04:12 > 0:04:14what could possibly go wrong?
0:04:14 > 0:04:16Well, Parliament really.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20Tuesday saw a slight wobble: MPs once again took up their detailed
0:04:20 > 0:04:23scrutiny of the EU Withdrawal Bill.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26The day was dominated by Henry VIII powers.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28Nothing to do with chopping off heads, but measures which allow
0:04:28 > 0:04:33ministers to repeal or amend legislation without the usual levels
0:04:33 > 0:04:34of parliamentary scrutiny.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37Some MPs didn't approve.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40It is not an exaggeration to say that this is a massive potential
0:04:40 > 0:04:46transfer of legislative competence from Parliament to government.
0:04:46 > 0:04:51And it is a sweeping power that would certainly make Henry VIII
0:04:51 > 0:04:56blush if he were to see it today.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59My amendment proposes deleting the sweeping nature of that
0:04:59 > 0:05:02particular sub-clause because ministers have not
0:05:02 > 0:05:05ensured that there powers are as limited as possible,
0:05:05 > 0:05:07quite the contrary, they have assured that they are
0:05:07 > 0:05:10exceptionally wide as possible.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12The Government agreed to the creation of a committee
0:05:12 > 0:05:15to sift all legislation that won't be subject to the usual
0:05:15 > 0:05:17parliamentary scrutiny.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19But would that committee have teeth?
0:05:19 > 0:05:24The political cost to this front bench, to my front bench,
0:05:24 > 0:05:28of going against a recommendation of the sifting committee
0:05:28 > 0:05:30will be significant.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34It will have to give a reason why it is in disagreement.
0:05:34 > 0:05:41The Minister will be summoned to explain his or her
0:05:41 > 0:05:43department's position.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45The Brexit minister denied there was any power-grabbing going on.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49It is the case that the government wishes to take the minimum powers
0:05:49 > 0:05:53necessary, the minimum powers required to do the job before us,
0:05:53 > 0:05:56which is to deliver a working statute book by exit date.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00We do not intend to make any major changes of policy beyond those
0:06:00 > 0:06:06which are appropriate to deliver a working statute book
0:06:06 > 0:06:11where the law after exit day is the law before exit day.
0:06:11 > 0:06:16So the public, individuals and businesses can rely on it.
0:06:16 > 0:06:17So no defeats on Tuesday.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20But then came day seven of the debate, and the small
0:06:20 > 0:06:25matter of amendment seven and a vote at 7pm.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27Inauspicious.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31The ayes to the right, 309, the noes to the left, 305.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34CHEERING.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36The Government was defeated.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38So how had the day unfolded?
0:06:38 > 0:06:42Well it all boiled down to the concept of the 'meaningful
0:06:42 > 0:06:44vote', should Parliament have a legal guarantee of a vote
0:06:44 > 0:06:47on the final Brexit deal struck with Brussels?
0:06:47 > 0:06:50The amendment was tabled by the former Conservative Attorney
0:06:50 > 0:06:52General Dominic Grieve.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55It was a stormy debate.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58We are recovering from a situation where as members of the
0:06:58 > 0:07:00European Union we had handed over all these
0:07:00 > 0:07:02decisions lock stock and
0:07:02 > 0:07:04barrel to the European Union.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06So this is a massive improvement and to
0:07:06 > 0:07:13dress this attempt to reverse Brexit about an argument...
0:07:13 > 0:07:15In favour of parliamentary sovereignty is nothing
0:07:15 > 0:07:18but count.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21Oh, my, what Stalinism is this?
0:07:21 > 0:07:27Somehow, any attempt to disagree with which the way in which
0:07:27 > 0:07:29this bill is drawn up is somehow a betrayal of Brexit.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33What rubbish.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36It's not a question, I may say to my desperately paranoid
0:07:36 > 0:07:43Eurosceptic friends, that somehow I am trying in
0:07:43 > 0:07:46some surreptitious remain away to put
0:07:46 > 0:07:48a spoke in the wheels of the
0:07:48 > 0:07:53vast progress of the United Kingdom towards the declaration to which we
0:07:53 > 0:07:55are going.
0:07:55 > 0:08:01They won't know what leave means.
0:08:01 > 0:08:06The amendment seven, it is very well drafted, I don't think
0:08:06 > 0:08:10it is deficient, we will definitely supported and withdrawal new clause
0:08:10 > 0:08:1366 if he pressed it to a vote.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16I will conclude by saying...
0:08:16 > 0:08:19I am happy to give way.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21This amendment have to either be accepted by my
0:08:21 > 0:08:28honourable friends on the Treasury bench or it will be put to the vote.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30I'm very pleased to hear that and we will support
0:08:30 > 0:08:33him and the amendment in that eventuality.
0:08:33 > 0:08:38Critically, the power only endures until exit day.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42It is shorter than the operation of the clause
0:08:42 > 0:08:44seven and in practice, on
0:08:44 > 0:08:45the government's current expected timetable,
0:08:45 > 0:08:47it would in practice only
0:08:47 > 0:08:50be used for around six months so this is not the open-ended power
0:08:50 > 0:08:53that some have suggested.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57So the Government was standing firm, no concessions.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00But just as the eleventh hour was approaching.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02I can tell my honourable friend that we are
0:09:02 > 0:09:06willing to put an amendment on the face of the ill, making crystal
0:09:06 > 0:09:10clear that statutory instruments under clause nine will not enter
0:09:10 > 0:09:14force until we have had a meaningful vote in Parliament.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17But was it enough?
0:09:17 > 0:09:19I have to say, it is too late.
0:09:19 > 0:09:20I'm sorry.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22You cannot treat the House in this
0:09:22 > 0:09:24fashion.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26And she may agree with me
0:09:26 > 0:09:27that the best way of actually
0:09:27 > 0:09:30getting progress in this area is by moving amendment seven
0:09:30 > 0:09:33and there after we can cooperate with the other meant
0:09:33 > 0:09:35to try and achieve it.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37The Government lost by four votes.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39With Parliament in febrile mood, the Prime Minister
0:09:39 > 0:09:41headed to Brussels.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44She was applauded by other leaders after she stressed her desire
0:09:44 > 0:09:46for a 'smooth' departure.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49And then on Friday it was official: EU leaders agreed to move Brexit
0:09:49 > 0:09:57talks on to the long-term relationship between the UK and EU,
0:09:57 > 0:09:59But there's one more Parliamentary hurdle
0:09:59 > 0:10:02for the the Prime Minister, day eight of the Brexit
0:10:02 > 0:10:03Bill on Wednesday.
0:10:03 > 0:10:04It could be a long day!
0:10:04 > 0:10:06You're watching the Week in Parliament with me,
0:10:06 > 0:10:10Mandy Baker and my cold!
0:10:10 > 0:10:12Well, this week Prime Minister's Questions was a bit overshadowed
0:10:12 > 0:10:13by all the Brexitry.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15But the main topic was homelessness.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18Jeremy Corbyn condemned the Government's record.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21Since this government came to power, homelessness is up by 50%,
0:10:21 > 0:10:27rough sleeping has doubled, homelessness and rough sleeping have
0:10:27 > 0:10:31risen every single year since 2010.
0:10:31 > 0:10:36Will the Prime Minister pledge today that 2018 will be the year
0:10:36 > 0:10:42when homelessness starts to go down?
0:10:42 > 0:10:45Across this House, we don't want to see anybody who is homeless
0:10:45 > 0:10:47or who is sleeping rough on our streets.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51That is why the government is putting 500 million pounds
0:10:51 > 0:10:54into the question of homelessness, it is why we backed the bill
0:10:54 > 0:10:57that was brought forward by my honourable friend
0:10:58 > 0:10:59the member for Brent.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01I'm sorry, for however.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05And it is why we have ensured that we are putting into place
0:11:05 > 0:11:08a number of jokes that will deal with this issue of rough sleeping.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12I asked the Prime Minister for a pledge to be choosy
0:11:12 > 0:11:15about of homelessness next year.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18The pledge was not forthcoming.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22128,000 children will spend Christmas without a home
0:11:22 > 0:11:23to call their own.
0:11:23 > 0:11:2660% up on 2010.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30It is too late for this Christmas, but will the Prime Minister promised
0:11:30 > 0:11:34that by Christmas 2008 team, the way children will be
0:11:34 > 0:11:44without a home to call their own?
0:11:48 > 0:11:53We of course want every child to wake up in their own home. It is
0:11:53 > 0:11:56incredibly boring, people know they can keep a roof over their heads
0:11:56 > 0:11:58even in the most desperate circumstances. That is why we are
0:11:58 > 0:12:02making sure they can place families, if they fall into these
0:12:02 > 0:12:04circumstances.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06Theresa May.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08The Home Affairs Committee has been examining what action the Government
0:12:08 > 0:12:10could take to stop demonstrations taking place directly
0:12:10 > 0:12:11outside abortion clinics.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13Abortion providers complain that women are being harassed.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15But anti-abortion protesters insisted they're simply 'pavement
0:12:15 > 0:12:17counsellors' helping women in desperate situations
0:12:17 > 0:12:26to make a 'true choice'.
0:12:26 > 0:12:34We have seen an escalation in the size and tactics used. We have seen
0:12:34 > 0:12:45across the UK now, protests and other harassment. Not only outside
0:12:45 > 0:12:53dedicated centres, but also outside GP surgeries, and NHS properties. We
0:12:53 > 0:12:56have one service user recently say she was greeted outside the clinic
0:12:56 > 0:13:04by a protester, or counsellor with money please don't kill me. I love
0:13:04 > 0:13:10you mummy. They are told that they will die of cancer. God will punish
0:13:10 > 0:13:19them. They have holy water thrown them. Young God help me. I just hope
0:13:19 > 0:13:23the people on the panel will ask for very concrete evidence of this. And
0:13:23 > 0:13:26that none of you ever had to sit and listen to somebody producing
0:13:26 > 0:13:33evidence like you just because they say it to be so. There are two
0:13:33 > 0:13:37cameras trained on the gates. Just so they can have a better look. All
0:13:37 > 0:13:44the time. Yet we are blocking with an entry. We are grabbing hold of
0:13:44 > 0:13:48women, with Facebook lien stripping women, all these things are
0:13:48 > 0:13:55happening, but there is no evidence of it. Why is there no evidence?
0:13:55 > 0:13:57Where there have been cases, whoever it was, where there have
0:13:57 > 0:14:00been cases of somebody standing in front of a clinic entrance
0:14:00 > 0:14:03or following somebody who has left the clinic was sending threatening
0:14:03 > 0:14:05messages to staff, do you agree that that is intimidation
0:14:05 > 0:14:07and that it should not happen?
0:14:07 > 0:14:09To the best of my knowledge, none of those incidents
0:14:09 > 0:14:13exist and I believe that they should not happen.
0:14:13 > 0:14:14The debate about abortion clinics.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17Plans to change the way refuges for victims of domestic violence
0:14:17 > 0:14:19are funded have been strongly criticised by MPs.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21In Westminster Hall, one Labour MP related some
0:14:21 > 0:14:23of the experiences she had had when she worked for
0:14:23 > 0:14:26the organisation Women's Aid.
0:14:26 > 0:14:31I remember a woman coming into the refuge where I worked.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33She couldn't speak or eat because she had been starved
0:14:33 > 0:14:35as part of her control.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38I will never forget watching a refuge worker sit with her
0:14:38 > 0:14:41for hours gently feeding her son Luke warm baked beans, teaching her
0:14:41 > 0:14:43how to feed herself again.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46I remember another family with another had been so belittled,
0:14:46 > 0:14:49so dehumanised by her abuser that she could not
0:14:49 > 0:14:53help her kids any more.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56She had no power or influence over them at all.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59She criticised the proposal to fund refuges via local council.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02The bare minimum is that someone should be no more
0:15:02 > 0:15:04than a phone call away.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07These people are at risk, they are in danger.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09How is the government going to check that councils
0:15:09 > 0:15:11are spending this money and what they are spending it on?
0:15:11 > 0:15:14What audit function will they put in place to make sure that quality
0:15:14 > 0:15:19refuge services commissioned actually help people?
0:15:19 > 0:15:25Because local need, what has been outlined,
0:15:25 > 0:15:31means very different things.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34I want to see little girl is given back their childhood.
0:15:34 > 0:15:42I want to see caring well-paid support workers sitting over
0:15:42 > 0:15:44their clients who are so traumatised they cannot eat.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46I want lives to be rebuilt.
0:15:46 > 0:15:47I don't want a bed for the night.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50Within my own family, there have been several members that
0:15:50 > 0:15:52have been the direct victims of quite extreme domestic abuse.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55And I have seen through luck, through their own strength, energy,
0:15:55 > 0:15:57and determination have they been able to change that trajectory
0:15:57 > 0:16:01and make sure it wasn't something that was repeated
0:16:02 > 0:16:04in future generations.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07But I think it is down to their character and luck
0:16:07 > 0:16:10that they have been able to do that and that is not something
0:16:10 > 0:16:12that is afforded to everyone, and that is where government must
0:16:12 > 0:16:13intervene.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17A new funding model will see all housing costs, core rent,
0:16:17 > 0:16:20and eligible service charges funded by a ring-fenced grant to be
0:16:20 > 0:16:23distributed by local authorities.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27And we intend that ring fenced to remain in the long term.
0:16:27 > 0:16:34We also intend to use grant conditions to make sure the funding
0:16:34 > 0:16:38is spent where it is intended.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40And what I would like to do is invite the honourable lady
0:16:40 > 0:16:46for Yardley to meet with myself and my honourable friend to discuss
0:16:46 > 0:16:49some of these issues in more depth, particularly in terms of appropriate
0:16:49 > 0:16:51accommodation and some of the examples that she mentioned
0:16:51 > 0:16:56in that sense, and the wider issues that she raised.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00As members have pointed out as well, there is a consultation
0:17:00 > 0:17:04on the funding model which closes on the 23rd of January
0:17:04 > 0:17:08so there is still time for organisations to have their say
0:17:08 > 0:17:13and I would encourage them to come forward and do that.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15Marcus Jones.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18In the House of Lords, there was a call for a change
0:17:18 > 0:17:21in the Lord to allow child refugees in the UK to be reunited
0:17:21 > 0:17:25with members of their family.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28A Liberal Democrat peer wanted child refugees who had arrived at the UK
0:17:28 > 0:17:31to have the right to be joined by other members of their family.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35In 2016, the UK received 3% of asylum applications made in the EU.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37Per head of population, the UK ranked 18th in the EU
0:17:37 > 0:17:39with 0.6 applications per 1000 people.
0:17:39 > 0:17:47In the same year, globally, 20 people became displaced every
0:17:47 > 0:17:51minute of every day.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53I believe on this issue, in the bill, public opinion
0:17:53 > 0:17:55is certainly on our side.
0:17:55 > 0:18:12All we have to do is explain to the public what the position is,
0:18:12 > 0:18:13how individuals are affected.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16They won't all come around, I've had a few abusive tweets
0:18:16 > 0:18:18and things, but on the whole, public opinion is supportive.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22No one but no one could fail to be moved by the thought of close family
0:18:22 > 0:18:26living in conflict zones or dangerous it duration
0:18:26 > 0:18:29is and that is why this meant strongly supports the principle
0:18:29 > 0:18:31of family unity, and we already have a comprehensive framework
0:18:31 > 0:18:33for family members of refugees to be reunited here.
0:18:33 > 0:18:39This is set out in the immigration rules and our Family Reunion policy
0:18:39 > 0:18:41rather than primary legislation.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43Lady Williams.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46The Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has repeated his pledge to leave no
0:18:46 > 0:18:50stone unturned to secure the release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been held in Iran since April 2016,
0:18:54 > 0:18:58on charges of spying, which she denies.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02She was arrested as she attempted to return to the UK after visit
0:19:02 > 0:19:07to relatives with a young daughter.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09Boris Johnson was updating MPs following a series
0:19:09 > 0:19:10of meetings in Iran.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13He said his first priority had been the plight of dual
0:19:13 > 0:19:14nationals being held there.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17These are complex cases involving individuals considered by Iran
0:19:17 > 0:19:20to be their own citizens.
0:19:20 > 0:19:25I do not wish to raise false but my meetings in Tehran well
0:19:25 > 0:19:33worthwhile and while I do not believe it would be in the interests
0:19:33 > 0:19:35of the individuals concerned and their loved ones to provide
0:19:35 > 0:19:41a running commentary, the House can be assured
0:19:41 > 0:19:44that the government will leave no stone unturned in our efforts
0:19:44 > 0:19:45to secure their release.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47Boris Johnson provoked a storm of criticism earlier this autumn
0:19:47 > 0:19:51when he told the Commons committee that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe had been
0:19:51 > 0:19:54training journalists, a comment he later withdrew.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57I have no wish to go over old ground concerning
0:19:57 > 0:19:59the Foreign Secretary's remarks to the Foreign Affairs Select
0:19:59 > 0:20:01Committee and it is right that he has finally apologised
0:20:01 > 0:20:03for those remarks and finally admitted he was wrong
0:20:03 > 0:20:06and it is right that he has finally met Richard Ratcliffe.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09And it is right that he has spent the weekend in the region attempting
0:20:09 > 0:20:11to return for his mistake and get Nazanin released.
0:20:11 > 0:20:17And we welcome that tentative progress that the Foreign Secretary
0:20:17 > 0:20:20has made in that regard, as Richard Ratcliffe himself put it,
0:20:20 > 0:20:23it doesn't change the fundamentals but it makes a change
0:20:24 > 0:20:25in the fundamentals more likely.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27Several Labour MPs pressed the Foreign Secretary over
0:20:27 > 0:20:30whether he tried to see Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe himself.
0:20:30 > 0:20:36Did he request to see Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe personally
0:20:36 > 0:20:42in order to judge her mental and physical well-being?
0:20:42 > 0:20:49I must just remind the honourable gentleman opposite that the Iranian
0:20:49 > 0:20:54government does not recognise the dual national system
0:20:54 > 0:21:00that we have, and therefore the two not give consular access.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03What response did he get from the president of Iran and other
0:21:03 > 0:21:08authorities when he pressed for the release of my constituent
0:21:08 > 0:21:10Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe?
0:21:10 > 0:21:13And does he have any indication of what the authorities think
0:21:13 > 0:21:16about the recent prison health assessments made of Nazanin and her
0:21:16 > 0:21:20fitness to remain in prison in Iraq?
0:21:20 > 0:21:27Yes, of course I've raised these humanitarian concerns in a number
0:21:27 > 0:21:29of consular cases and those concerns were taken on board but it
0:21:29 > 0:21:32would be wrong, I think, to give a running commentary
0:21:32 > 0:21:37of report about exactly what the Iranian side said in each case.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39Boris Johnson.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42Now it was exactly six months ago on Thursday since the horrific fire
0:21:42 > 0:21:43at Grenfell Tower in London.
0:21:43 > 0:21:52A memorial service was held in honour of the 71 people who died.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55Members of the Royal family, Theresa May, survivors and families
0:21:55 > 0:21:57the victims attended the service at St Paul's Cathedral.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59In the Lords, the government was asked about new housing
0:21:59 > 0:22:01for those left homeless and traumatised by the fire.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05Six months is a very long time in these circumstances to be living
0:22:05 > 0:22:11in hotel accommodation and no way to spend Christmas.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Vulnerable, unsettled, and traumatised.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18Can the noble Lords tell the House what specific action that government
0:22:18 > 0:22:22are taking to get these families into accommodation in the New Year?
0:22:22 > 0:22:28To bring the House up to date, 151 homes were lost in the fire.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32Some of those homes were overcrowded, others had
0:22:32 > 0:22:34multi-generational households who now wish to divide.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38So, 210 households that formerly lived in Grenfell power
0:22:38 > 0:22:41in Grenfell Walk need to be rehoused.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44144 households have accepted an offer of either temporary
0:22:44 > 0:22:48or permanent accommodation.
0:22:48 > 0:22:5399 have moved in, 54 into temporary, and 45 into permanent housing.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56So, 111 are in emergency accommodation, of whom 66 are yet
0:22:56 > 0:23:00to accept an offer of either permanent or temporary
0:23:00 > 0:23:01accommodation.
0:23:01 > 0:23:06The noble Lord asks quite rightly what action is being taken.
0:23:06 > 0:23:11The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea claimed to have acquired
0:23:11 > 0:23:13by Christmas 300 homes, set against the 210 that
0:23:13 > 0:23:16were needed, they are requiring two homes a day.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19I quite agree with you that Christmas is no time to be spending
0:23:19 > 0:23:22in emergency accommodation.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26The government is acutely aware of that.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29And in the four hotels where most of the families are,
0:23:29 > 0:23:31specific arrangements are made for the families to have space
0:23:31 > 0:23:34of their own to meet each other, to entertain their wider families
0:23:34 > 0:23:37if they want, a lot of services are being put on by voluntary groups
0:23:37 > 0:23:40and faith groups over the Christmas period to help them
0:23:40 > 0:23:42support those families.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45We very much hope that by June next year, everyone will have moved
0:23:45 > 0:23:46into permanent accommodation.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49But families need to move in their own time.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Some are in emergency accommodation not wanting to move in temporary
0:23:52 > 0:24:02accommodation because they might have to move twice.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05The Royal are of Kensington and Chelsea is doing intensive work
0:24:05 > 0:24:06alongside the families, finding out what accommodation
0:24:06 > 0:24:09they need, where they need it, and seeking to match that
0:24:09 > 0:24:11with the 300 houses they are acquiring.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13Could I remind the Minister that the government statement
0:24:13 > 0:24:19on the Grenfell fire on the 19th of October said they were expected
0:24:19 > 0:24:27to be 300 suitable local permanent properties by Christmas,
0:24:27 > 0:24:29and yet, only 45 households have actually moved in.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32Could I ask the Minister whether he has confidence
0:24:32 > 0:24:34in the local council to deliver or whether it may be
0:24:34 > 0:24:40time for the other meant to intervene more directly?
0:24:40 > 0:24:42The government has no plans to put commissions into the Royal Borough
0:24:43 > 0:24:44of Kensington and Chelsea.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47They have a new leader, they have a new Chief Executive,
0:24:47 > 0:24:51and the government has established a task force to make
0:24:51 > 0:24:53sure the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea live up
0:24:53 > 0:24:58to the expectations that everyone has because of what they plan to do.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00That is it for this EU dominated week.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03Important though the Brexit bill is, it can be a bit, well, dry.
0:25:03 > 0:25:13References to the European Parliament, references to future EU
0:25:13 > 0:25:15obligations including new EU obligations implemented under
0:25:15 > 0:25:18the ECA, references to EU law as a generic term,
0:25:18 > 0:25:19and harmonisation members.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23Thirdly, references to specific EU directives which are set out
0:25:23 > 0:25:26in the paper, and finally, references to the UK
0:25:26 > 0:25:27as part of the EEA.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29Welcome to my world.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31The Minister Steve Baker they're taking dryness
0:25:31 > 0:25:33to a whole new guy mentioned.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36And that is it from me, Mandy Baker, no relation.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40We will be back on Monday, but for now, from me, goodbye.