0:00:12 > 0:00:15Hello and welcome to Thursd`y in Parliament, our look at the best
0:00:15 > 0:00:17of the day in the House of Commons.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20On this programme: The equalisation of the state pension age
0:00:20 > 0:00:23is adversely affecting women, say MPs.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27I understand, I fully understand the question,
0:00:27 > 0:00:29where are you going to find the money?
0:00:29 > 0:00:32But I refuse to accept or bdlieve that it's got to come out
0:00:32 > 0:00:33of the pensions of older wolen.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36Labour attacks the government's decision to give extra support
0:00:36 > 0:00:38to diesel electricity gener`tors.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42In just one day in December, she agreed to subsidise highly
0:00:42 > 0:00:49polluting diesel generators to the tune of ?175 million.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51And putting a minister on the spot.
0:00:51 > 0:00:59A Shadow Cabinet member trids to find out if his opposite number
0:00:59 > 0:01:02wants Britain to stay in or come out of the European Union.
0:01:02 > 0:01:03It's an out, isn't it?
0:01:03 > 0:01:04He's an outer!
0:01:04 > 0:01:06Come on, come out, come out
0:01:06 > 0:01:09But first, it's been claimed that hundreds of thousands of wolen born
0:01:09 > 0:01:12in the 1950s are facing hardship following the decision to epualise
0:01:12 > 0:01:16the state pension age with len.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20In the 1990s, the government agreed that women and men should both
0:01:20 > 0:01:22retire at 65.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25The change was due to start until 2010.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28Ministers then raced the st`te retirement age to 66 and,
0:01:28 > 0:01:31in 2011, speeded up the change.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33In a Commons debate, MPs claimed that women born
0:01:33 > 0:01:38in the 1950s were not inforled in time to make other plans
0:01:38 > 0:01:41and that, for many, working until they are 66 or funding
0:01:41 > 0:01:45a private pension were not viable options.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49MPs asked for the government to make transitional arrangements.
0:01:49 > 0:01:54Women were not personally notified by anybody official until 14 years
0:01:54 > 0:01:56after the changes came in.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59That's 14 years less these women have to prepare and to try `nd make
0:01:59 > 0:02:02some alternative arrangements.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04Yes.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07She is making a very import`nt point but isn't the injustice to this set
0:02:07 > 0:02:17of women this in a nutshell - that they've not just had one change
0:02:17 > 0:02:20to the state pension age, they've had two, that that process
0:02:20 > 0:02:22has been accelerated and thdre is no transitional arrangements in place?
0:02:22 > 0:02:24Isn't that the real unfairndss here?
0:02:24 > 0:02:26The whole thing clearly became a total mess.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29That's quite evident and I don't know whether it wasn't reported
0:02:29 > 0:02:33deliberately, for political reasons or fear of ramification.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35I don't know whether it was a genuine accident.
0:02:35 > 0:02:36I don't know.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40But what I do know is women were not notified, it wasn't reported
0:02:40 > 0:02:42and they weren't given enough time to be able to make
0:02:42 > 0:02:44the appropriate arrangements.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47That then brings us on to the Pensions Act in 2007.
0:02:47 > 0:02:54And it increased the equalised SPA from 65 to 66 between 2024-26 and it
0:02:54 > 0:02:58gave all affected people, effectively, 17 years' notice.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00That's fair enough.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04But then we come onto what ly colleague has mentioned -
0:03:04 > 0:03:06the Pensions Act 2011.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09And that came along and that said, forget the 17 years' notice.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11We are going to rush this through.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14We need to do this right now.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16Those who are sitting up in that gallery right now -
0:03:16 > 0:03:19they did not cause the financial crash, they did not cause
0:03:19 > 0:03:22the state our economy is in and they did not make
0:03:22 > 0:03:24the irresponsible decisions that have got us here.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26I understand, I fully understand the question,
0:03:26 > 0:03:28where are you going to find the money?
0:03:28 > 0:03:32But I refuse to accept or bdlieve that it's got to come out
0:03:32 > 0:03:35of the pensions of older wolen.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39We all agree with equalisathon of the pension age but therd
0:03:39 > 0:03:43are large sums of money involved in this and there are difficult
0:03:43 > 0:03:45decisions that have to be m`de.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49But it is important, Mr Spe`ker that the rule of fairness is applied
0:03:49 > 0:03:52as much as possible and it's clear that a sizeable group of wolen
0:03:52 > 0:03:57seemed to be bearing the brtnt of these changes disproporthonately.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00I'll give way over there first.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04Thank you, Mr Speaker.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07The honourable gentleman is making an important speech.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11I would ask him, when he is talking about fairness, if he realises how
0:04:11 > 0:04:15this feels for women of my generation who owe evdrything
0:04:15 > 0:04:18to those women who were born in the 50s, who fought
0:04:18 > 0:04:21for the Equal Pay Act, and for all the advantages that have
0:04:21 > 0:04:23given us any chance?
0:04:23 > 0:04:29Does he feel that unfairness to those women, as I do?
0:04:29 > 0:04:33I've had representations from constituents who were in low-paid
0:04:33 > 0:04:41jobs with huge caring responsibilities for childrdn,
0:04:41 > 0:04:44for other family members, when they didn't have access to free
0:04:44 > 0:04:47childcare and other things, and we have them to thank for that.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49And yet it's those people, for whom I think there's now been
0:04:49 > 0:04:52a breach of trust, effectivdly, by these changes hitting thdm
0:04:52 > 0:04:54disproportionately, to whom we have a large dutx of care
0:04:54 > 0:04:57that I don't think we are going to be fulfilling.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00I do think, Mr Deputy Speakdr, that there is a risk today
0:05:00 > 0:05:04of overstating the case and my colleague in the Select Comlittee
0:05:04 > 0:05:08will not mind me, I hope, saying that when she said nobody
0:05:08 > 0:05:16was aware of the 1995 changds, there was no correspondence.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20That simply is an exaggerathon of the situation.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24We will never know exactly who was communicated to and who
0:05:24 > 0:05:28probably most importantly, noticed it and paid attention to it.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30Not yet, certainly not at the moment.
0:05:30 > 0:05:35But nonetheless, the argument that no transitional arrangements
0:05:35 > 0:05:38were made, which is what the honourable members are calling
0:05:38 > 0:05:41for today, is of course also wrong.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44There was a significant transitional arrangement and concession lade
0:05:44 > 0:05:49in 2011 which affected 250,000 people and cost the
0:05:49 > 0:05:51government ?1.3 billion.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54Some women born in the 1950s will have started their working
0:05:54 > 0:05:59lives without even the protdction of the 1970 Equal Pay Act.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03Many of those women will have carried out work at a lower rate
0:06:03 > 0:06:07than men for no other reason than that they were women.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10The gender pay gap is at its widest for many of the women
0:06:10 > 0:06:12who are under discussion today.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16And let's not forget either the time that many of them have taken,
0:06:16 > 0:06:20part-time or to bring up chhldren, and not even had the chance to
0:06:20 > 0:06:24contribute to occupational pensions.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27Does the government underst`nd the anger that there is that more
0:06:27 > 0:06:30transitional provisions havd not been considered,
0:06:30 > 0:06:35the over 100,000 signatures for a debate in this House,
0:06:35 > 0:06:41the online campaign that thdre has been in respect of this matter?
0:06:41 > 0:06:42The government listened to the concerns expressed
0:06:42 > 0:06:47at the time of the 2011 act and shortened the delay that anyone
0:06:47 > 0:06:52would experience in claiming their state pension relativd
0:06:52 > 0:06:56to the 1995 timetable to 18 months.
0:06:56 > 0:07:01This concession benefited almost 250,000 women who would othdrwise
0:07:01 > 0:07:04have experienced delays of tp to two years.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07It is regrettable that people have sought to make this on a political
0:07:07 > 0:07:14basis and have conveniently forgotten that after 1995,
0:07:14 > 0:07:17there were 13 years of Labour government.
0:07:17 > 0:07:22And I have here a list of some ten pensions ministers,
0:07:22 > 0:07:26all during the Labour administration, and they totally
0:07:26 > 0:07:30failed to do anything yet they conveniently seek to ptt
0:07:30 > 0:07:33the blame post-2010 onwards.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35And s motion calling for transitional funding
0:07:35 > 0:07:41arrangements to be made was passed by 158 votes to zero.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45The result is not binding on the government.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48The Energy Secretary has adlitted that household energy bills
0:07:48 > 0:07:54will rise because of a decision to award ?175 million of support
0:07:54 > 0:07:56to diesel electricity gener`tors.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59Amber Rudd conceded that the new subsidies for diesel
0:07:59 > 0:08:03would add a few pounds to family energy bills.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06The subsidies are paid to power plants to ensure they are
0:08:06 > 0:08:10on stand-by if extra electrhcity capacity is needed.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14The Shadow Energy Secretary took up the issue in the Commons.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17Last month, the Secretary of State agreed to hand out hundreds
0:08:17 > 0:08:23of millions of pounds in new public subsidies to diesel and coal power
0:08:23 > 0:08:26generators through her capacity market scheme.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Can she tell the House how luch family energy bills will
0:08:29 > 0:08:31rise as a consequence?
0:08:31 > 0:08:33We have needed to make sure the capacity market is in place
0:08:33 > 0:08:38to ensure that we don't havd any problem at all with energy security.
0:08:38 > 0:08:43Diesel will form part of thd future but only in very small amounts.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46Let us remember it is there as back-up and will be switched
0:08:46 > 0:08:48on occasionally when it is needed.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50The addition of the capacitx market to people's bills will be
0:08:50 > 0:08:52a matter of a few pounds.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56In just one day in December, she agreed to subsidise highly
0:08:56 > 0:09:02polluting diesel generators to the tune of ?175 million paid
0:09:02 > 0:09:06for by increasing family energy bills.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09Can she answer this, Mr Spe`ker - are those companies now expdcted
0:09:09 > 0:09:15to make returns of more than 20 at the expense of bill-payers?
0:09:15 > 0:09:17What is astonishing is the honourable lady's lack
0:09:17 > 0:09:22of understanding of the fact that the capacity market is needed
0:09:22 > 0:09:25because of Labour's woeful underinvestment in infrastrtcture
0:09:25 > 0:09:26under their government.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30We are left with the conseqtences of making sure that energy security
0:09:30 > 0:09:32is completely reliable.
0:09:32 > 0:09:37The capacity market is essential to ensure that that hole is filled
0:09:37 > 0:09:40and we are proud of the way it has delivered.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42The second auction has just completed.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45As I said to be honourable lady it is a few pounds.
0:09:45 > 0:09:46It will be under ?10.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50And we will ensure that energy security is never going to be
0:09:50 > 0:09:52a question under this government.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55Another Labour MP turned to the plans for a complete shutdown
0:09:55 > 0:10:00of all remaining coal-fired power stations by 2025.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04Everyone in this Chamber benefits this year from electricity,
0:10:05 > 0:10:10from coal burnt in power st`tions.
0:10:10 > 0:10:17What contingency agreement has been reached with EDF to ensure
0:10:17 > 0:10:22that in 2026 and beyond, when we don't have enough power
0:10:22 > 0:10:25available, the decision to close down coal-based power
0:10:25 > 0:10:31stations can be reversed?
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Mr Speaker, can I reassure the honourable gentleman
0:10:34 > 0:10:38that we are moving to a consultation on ending coal-fired power
0:10:38 > 0:10:40stations by 2025?
0:10:40 > 0:10:43I am sure that he will want to participate in it but thhs
0:10:43 > 0:10:46government is taking the long-term view on getting the right
0:10:46 > 0:10:50mix of decarbonising and having energy security.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54And that is why we are making this plan well ahead of time.
0:10:54 > 0:10:55It is ten years ahead.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57Onto the issue of nuclear energy.
0:10:57 > 0:11:02Outside Hinkley Point C, they are proposing a new nuclear
0:11:02 > 0:11:03power station.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05The government is considering having discussions with only a single
0:11:05 > 0:11:07supplier for each one.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10So this means, yet again, the government is going to be held
0:11:10 > 0:11:12hostage with no guaranteed programme, high profits
0:11:12 > 0:11:19for the suppliers and extortionate strike rates agreed.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Should the government not do the decent thing and rethink
0:11:21 > 0:11:26this nuclear policy?
0:11:26 > 0:11:28Mr Speaker, the government thinks that nuclear reactors
0:11:28 > 0:11:31are an important part of delivering on the low carbon future.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34There is a great opportunitx for making sure that we also develop
0:11:34 > 0:11:36skills, as my honourable friend has referred to,
0:11:36 > 0:11:38but on the particular example that he has referred to,
0:11:38 > 0:11:41I will ensure that my department looks carefully and comes b`ck
0:11:41 > 0:11:42to him with some answers.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44Caroline Lucas.
0:11:44 > 0:11:45Thank you, Mr Speaker.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48In her attempt to explain the hugely unpopular cuts to solar,
0:11:48 > 0:11:50the Secretary of State constantly pretends this is about reducing
0:11:51 > 0:11:53costs to householders.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Given that the industry analysis shows that solar costs around half
0:11:56 > 0:12:00the cost of Hinkley over 35 years and would save consumers around ?15
0:12:00 > 0:12:04billion, how can she keep jtstifying such blatant double standards
0:12:04 > 0:12:07when it comes to nuclear power?
0:12:07 > 0:12:10I'm sorry but the honourabld lady is just not dealing with thd facts!
0:12:10 > 0:12:15The facts are that the solar changes will still deliver a 5% yield
0:12:15 > 0:12:17to people who put them up.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21The fact is that nuclear provides important baseload when the sun
0:12:21 > 0:12:25isn't shining or in terms of wind, when the wind isn't blowing.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27The honourable lady can have her own views.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29She can't have her own facts.
0:12:29 > 0:12:30Amber Rudd.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34Well, is fracking the answer to Britain's energy needs?
0:12:34 > 0:12:35Not everyone is convinced.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39The controversial process of extracting gas from rocks deep
0:12:39 > 0:12:42underground by means of a high-pressure water mixture
0:12:42 > 0:12:44continues to divide opinion.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48At the end of 2015, MPs votdd to allow fracking the shale gas
0:12:48 > 0:12:53underneath national parks and other protected sites so reversing
0:12:53 > 0:12:55a decision they had taken 12 months before.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59But opponents of fracking are continuing their protests.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03In the Commons, an energy mhnister wondered why fracking
0:13:03 > 0:13:07was being viewed as some kind of disaster.
0:13:07 > 0:13:14She was responding to this puestion from a familiar Labour figure.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17Doesn't the minister accept that widespread opposition to fr`cking
0:13:17 > 0:13:21exists in all parts of Brit`in?
0:13:21 > 0:13:23Will she congratulate, as I have done, the residents
0:13:23 > 0:13:26in Bolsover for refusing to allow a drilling operation
0:13:26 > 0:13:32and getting it stop?
0:13:32 > 0:13:37Not only by the local authority but by her own inspectorate.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41Well, I think it is quite extraordinary, Mr Speaker,
0:13:41 > 0:13:45that honourable members opposite continually talk about the potential
0:13:45 > 0:13:49for shale gas as if it is some kind of disaster.
0:13:49 > 0:13:54The honourable gentleman hilself comes from a very honourabld
0:13:54 > 0:13:55and long-standing mining arda.
0:13:55 > 0:14:00Now, mining has a legacy that we will be dealing
0:14:00 > 0:14:02with for many years to come.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07The shale industry, on the other hand, offers the opportunitx
0:14:07 > 0:14:12to really create a new home,grown energy source that is vital
0:14:12 > 0:14:15for our energy security into the next decades.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18Andrea Leadsom.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20You are watching our round-tp of the day in the Commons
0:14:21 > 0:14:22and Westminster Hall.
0:14:22 > 0:14:23Still to come...
0:14:23 > 0:14:27MPs discuss an unlikely contender for classification as a supdrfood.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33Now, is the military covenant working successfully?
0:14:33 > 0:14:35It sets out the relationship between the UK, the Governmdnt
0:14:35 > 0:14:38and our Armed Forces, following the principle
0:14:38 > 0:14:41that the whole nation has a moral obligation to members of thd forces
0:14:41 > 0:14:44and their families.
0:14:44 > 0:14:49The military covenant has bden debated in Westminster Hall.
0:14:49 > 0:14:55Whilst the term "covenant" seems to imply some form of legally
0:14:55 > 0:14:57guaranteed contract, it is not as such enshrined in law.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00Over 400 years, though, the state has recognised sole
0:15:00 > 0:15:02obligation towards its Armed Forces.
0:15:02 > 0:15:09Queen Elizabeth I, for inst`nce providing by statute in 1593
0:15:09 > 0:15:12a weekly parish tax to support disabled army veterans returning
0:15:12 > 0:15:13to their homes.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16But it is very important we do not see the stories that occasionally
0:15:16 > 0:15:20we do see about servicemen having to sell homes to fund the ptrchase
0:15:20 > 0:15:26of prosthetic limbs, or when we see other veterans
0:15:26 > 0:15:31being forced out of the famhly home in search of medical help.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35We need to make sure that those duties are taken on by socidty.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39Not just because it is the right thing to do, the moral thing to do,
0:15:39 > 0:15:42the honourable thing to do, but actually because it is the best
0:15:42 > 0:15:44thing to do and the safest thing to do.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48And the most sensible thing to do.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50There is also no doubt that the military covenant has been
0:15:50 > 0:15:53a step forward by the UK Government in how we look
0:15:53 > 0:15:54after our servicemen and wolen.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56I welcome that.
0:15:56 > 0:16:02However, without teeth, without enforcement,
0:16:02 > 0:16:05whilst expecting servicemen and women or veterans to enforce
0:16:05 > 0:16:07the spirit and will of the covenant themselves,
0:16:07 > 0:16:09in some areas of the countrx, it is unfortunately felt
0:16:09 > 0:16:10to be empty promises.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12We have had reports where people are waiting,
0:16:12 > 0:16:18whether it is a transfer from one service to another
0:16:18 > 0:16:20because of relocation or whether or not it is being
0:16:20 > 0:16:22on waiting lists for far too long.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25And we need to make sure that the needs of veterans,
0:16:25 > 0:16:28as well as serving personnel, are expediated as fast as possible.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32And their families as well, to make sure that that takes place.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34The honourable member for North Wiltshire rightly pointed
0:16:34 > 0:16:38out that the covenant deals with a huge range of aspects
0:16:38 > 0:16:41of military and veterans' issues.
0:16:41 > 0:16:46One area where we may usefully ask further questions is on concerns
0:16:46 > 0:16:52health care might not be kedping up to speed with mental health needs.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54For example, what support is given to Royal Navy personnel
0:16:54 > 0:16:56who are currently operating in the Mediterranean on a d`ily
0:16:56 > 0:16:59basis and seeing young children and their parents drowning
0:16:59 > 0:17:00in desperate searches for a safer life?
0:17:00 > 0:17:03It must be incredibly distrdssing and it is our duty to consider
0:17:03 > 0:17:06the well-being of our forces as they go about this
0:17:06 > 0:17:07vital humanitarian task.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09We have managed to embed the principles of the coven`nt
0:17:09 > 0:17:11into the NHS Constitution in England.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15I think this is a very positive step.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18This will ensure that veter`ns and their families are hopefully not
0:17:18 > 0:17:21disadvantaged in accessing health services where they live.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23It remains the case that veterans should receive priority tre`tment
0:17:23 > 0:17:26subject to the clinical needs of others, in respect of trdatment
0:17:26 > 0:17:28relating to a condition restlting from their service in the Armed
0:17:28 > 0:17:30Forces.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33And I can only say again, if any honourable member has
0:17:33 > 0:17:38evidence that this is not h`ppening, then I would simply encourage them
0:17:38 > 0:17:41to get in contact because I would like to hear from them.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44David Cameron said this week that ministers will be allowed to argue
0:17:44 > 0:17:47on both sides of the debate on whether Britain should bd
0:17:47 > 0:17:50in or out of the European Union
0:17:50 > 0:17:53The national referendum is now possibly only months away.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56So, which ministers will be on the in campaign and which will be
0:17:56 > 0:17:58on the out campaign?
0:17:58 > 0:18:01Will it be more or less a 50-50 split?
0:18:01 > 0:18:04The Shadow Leader of the Colmons came up with an ingenious w`y
0:18:04 > 0:18:07of asking his opposite numbdr, Chris Grayling, if he was an in man
0:18:08 > 0:18:12or an out man.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15And I note that, yet again, the Leader of the House has only
0:18:15 > 0:18:20given us the dates for the Daster recess and not for the Statd Opening
0:18:20 > 0:18:25of Parliament or, for that latter, for the Whitsun recess.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29Is that because he doesn't xet know when he is going to table the motion
0:18:29 > 0:18:32for the EU referendum date?
0:18:32 > 0:18:34Can he now come clean?
0:18:34 > 0:18:43Can he tell us how is he going to vote?
0:18:43 > 0:18:46It is not a matter of conscience for him any more.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49He would even be able to keep his special advisers
0:18:49 > 0:18:50and his ministerial car and his salary.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52He could tell us, in or out?
0:18:52 > 0:18:53He is studiously...
0:18:53 > 0:18:55It is an out, isn't it? He is an outer.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57Come on, come out, come out
0:18:57 > 0:18:59On the European Union, the Labour Party has a leaddr
0:18:59 > 0:19:02who has changed his mind twhce in the last few months.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05They claim to support a reformed European Union but would not say
0:19:05 > 0:19:06what they wanted to reform.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08They did not even want a referendum.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11The Prime Minister this week has done the right thing.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15And I am not going to take `ny lessons from the party opposite ..
0:19:15 > 0:19:20When are they ever going to do the right thing for their pdople?
0:19:20 > 0:19:22Chris Bryant also wanted to have some fun over last month's
0:19:22 > 0:19:23flooding in Cumbria.
0:19:23 > 0:19:29Mr Speaker, could there be ` clearer symbol of how incompetent
0:19:29 > 0:19:31Conservative ministers are than the events of this Monday
0:19:31 > 0:19:36afternoon, when two Governmdnt ministers visited flood
0:19:36 > 0:19:40victims in Pooley.
0:19:40 > 0:19:46Not only did they arrive late, Mr Speaker, but they turned up
0:19:46 > 0:19:49at the wrong end of a bridgd that had been washed away
0:19:49 > 0:19:50a whole month ago.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54A farmer had to be dispatchdd on a quad bike to fetch the two MPs
0:19:54 > 0:19:58for the 30-minute ride, whilst their bewildered entourage
0:19:58 > 0:20:01of civil servants, bag carrhers and party hacks had to trundle along
0:20:01 > 0:20:02in a minibus.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05Now, I suppose you could just about understand the confushon if it
0:20:05 > 0:20:07weren't for the fact that the two ministers concdrned
0:20:07 > 0:20:09were the Transport Minister, who really should know when a bridge
0:20:09 > 0:20:16has disappeared, and the local MP!
0:20:16 > 0:20:18Who had already visited the bridge once before,
0:20:18 > 0:20:20since the bridge disappeared.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22Now, I gather there was somd signalling from the locals
0:20:22 > 0:20:24on the other side of the river.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27It is not quite clear what they were trying to suggest,
0:20:27 > 0:20:30but as Mr Leroy Fowler put ht, you really couldn't make it up,
0:20:30 > 0:20:31could you, Mr Speaker?
0:20:31 > 0:20:34Chris Grayling didn't see the floods as a humorous event.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38I am proud of the response this country has made to a devastating
0:20:38 > 0:20:48situation in so many parts of the country.
0:20:51 > 0:20:52Our emergency services, voluntary services,
0:20:52 > 0:20:54local communities,
0:20:54 > 0:20:56our Armed Forces have come together to deal with a dreadful sittation,
0:20:57 > 0:20:58I think, effectively and well.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00And we have committed as a government to provide financial
0:21:00 > 0:21:03support to all the communithes affected in a way that goes far
0:21:03 > 0:21:05beyond what has taken place in the past.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08So I am distressed at what has happened in this country but I am
0:21:08 > 0:21:10proud of the way this country has responded.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13And I am happy to say to the party opposite,
0:21:13 > 0:21:16I think we have done a bettdr job this time than has been dond
0:21:16 > 0:21:17in the past.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20We will learn the lessons for the future but it is absolutely
0:21:20 > 0:21:22imperative that we do the right thing when troublds
0:21:22 > 0:21:23like this strike.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26This week's business has of course been dominated by the floodhng.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28The flooding that has impacted on practically every constituency
0:21:28 > 0:21:30in this nation.
0:21:30 > 0:21:38And my constituency remains somewhat underwater,
0:21:38 > 0:21:41given that I have the biggest river system in the whole United Kingdom.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43But I think there is a masshve disappointment throughout this
0:21:43 > 0:21:45country about the tone of this debate.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47I think this nation expected a bit better.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50When we have tragedy like wd have observed in the course of these past
0:21:50 > 0:21:53few weeks, I think this House hasn't risen to this occasion.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55All the debates have been of the partisan point-scoring variety.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57Are we going to have so manx more...
0:21:57 > 0:21:58LAUGHTER
0:21:58 > 0:22:01There has been point-scoring and there will be many more debates
0:22:01 > 0:22:03like that in the future, Mr Speaker.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06And can I make an appeal th`t we try and debate this properly,
0:22:06 > 0:22:09consensually and constructively like what we have heard
0:22:09 > 0:22:11from the Scottish National Party when we have addressed thesd issues
0:22:11 > 0:22:13in this House?
0:22:13 > 0:22:17One MP wondered if Parliament was returning to the days of sleaze.
0:22:17 > 0:22:26Can we debate whether Parli`ment is slipping back into its b`d
0:22:26 > 0:22:28old ways that led to the expenses scandal?
0:22:28 > 0:22:31In recent cases involving Malcolm Rifkind, Jack Straw
0:22:31 > 0:22:34and Tim Yeo, very lenient ddcisions were made by bodies in this House
0:22:34 > 0:22:37but very harsh decisions were taken by independent voices outside,
0:22:37 > 0:22:43including, of course, Ofcom.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45In one case, the committee that adjudicated was chaired
0:22:45 > 0:22:49by Lord Sewel, who has his own difficulties now.
0:22:49 > 0:22:56If we don't look at how one of our bodies...
0:22:56 > 0:23:01It is meant to be a watchdog but is in fact a toothless pussycat.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04We should look at the uselessness of IPSA, which is an expenshve
0:23:04 > 0:23:10ornament.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12Isn't there a grave danger that we will slip back
0:23:12 > 0:23:14into new scandals in the future
0:23:14 > 0:23:19Mr Speaker, I think we prob`bly now have the most regulated system
0:23:19 > 0:23:21of operation for any Parlialent probably across the whole of Europe.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24The reality, Mr Speaker, is that there are always cases that
0:23:24 > 0:23:26can be made to improve the situation.
0:23:26 > 0:23:31I am not going to discuss individual members of the House of Lords,
0:23:31 > 0:23:34but what I would say to him is that there are proper processes
0:23:34 > 0:23:35in this House to make representations for change
0:23:35 > 0:23:40and improvement, particularly through the Standards
0:23:40 > 0:23:42and Privileges Committee, or the Standards Committee which has
0:23:42 > 0:23:44responsibility for deciding not only individual cases,
0:23:44 > 0:23:45but the overall approach as well.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47I am sure he will make representations to them.
0:23:47 > 0:23:48Chris Grayling.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52Finally, if asked what edible item deserves the title "superfood",
0:23:52 > 0:23:56I wonder how many people would plump for black puddings?
0:23:56 > 0:24:02But according to the online health retailer MuscleFood.com,
0:24:02 > 0:24:04Black puddings fulfil all the criteria for being just
0:24:04 > 0:24:08that, a superfood.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12It predicts that they are going to be an edible highlight of 20 6.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14An MP from the black pudding heartland just had to mention
0:24:14 > 0:24:15the subject in the Commons.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18Can we please have a debate on the health benefits
0:24:18 > 0:24:25of eating black pudding?
0:24:25 > 0:24:29My right honourable friend will no doubt have seen reports this week
0:24:29 > 0:24:34that this tasty delicacy is full of protein, potassium,
0:24:34 > 0:24:38calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41So it is not only good for xou, it is actually a superfood
0:24:41 > 0:24:46and a debate will enable us to ensure that benefits
0:24:46 > 0:24:50are widely known.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53Well, Mr Speaker, I think he is about to split
0:24:53 > 0:24:56the shadow front bench.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59Distinct nods of approval to black pudding from
0:24:59 > 0:25:01the Deputy Shadow Leader but not from the Shadow Leader.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04I am not sure they share the same view on this.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07I remember very fondly walkhng around the market with my honourable
0:25:07 > 0:25:12friends, looking at the find black puddings on sale there.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14There are some great products made in Lancashire and they are tasty
0:25:14 > 0:25:16to eat, perhaps in moderation.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19Chris Grayling and David Nuttall on the merits of black puddhngs
0:25:19 > 0:25:21No-one loves them more than me.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24Need to get them from a good butcher, though.
0:25:24 > 0:25:25That's it for now.
0:25:25 > 0:25:30More tasty items in our Week in Parliament programme.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33We'll not only look back at the last few days in the Commons but also
0:25:33 > 0:25:35discuss whether backbenchers' bills deserve a better
0:25:35 > 0:25:36hearing in Parliament.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40Until then, from me, Keith McDougall, goodbye.