0:00:21 > 0:00:24Hello, and welcome to Thursday in Parliament, our look at the best
0:00:24 > 0:00:26of the day in the Commons and the Lords.
0:00:26 > 0:00:33Once again, the issue of harassment looms large in Westminster.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36We will work with any colleagues across the House to make sure that
0:00:36 > 0:00:41we seize this opportunity to get it right once and for all.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43MPs are told the Brexit impact studies, which were the centre
0:00:43 > 0:00:45of debate on Wednesday, will be made available
0:00:45 > 0:00:46as soon as conceivable.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49And are you desperate for a copy of the bible
0:00:49 > 0:00:55of parliamentary procedure?
0:00:55 > 0:00:58The people of this country are demanding it be made available
0:00:58 > 0:01:03without having to buy a copy of the book.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05But first, MPs were back at Westminster a little over 12
0:01:05 > 0:01:07hours after the surprise news that the Defence
0:01:07 > 0:01:08Secretary had resigned.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11Sir Michael Fallon said his past behaviour may have "fallen short"
0:01:11 > 0:01:13of the standards expected by the British armed forces.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15The new Defence Secretary was named
0:01:15 > 0:01:17as Gavin Williamson, who had been in charge of party
0:01:17 > 0:01:18discipline as Chief Whip.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22He's been described as a rising star, who's trusted by Number Ten.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24As Gavin Williamson was settling himself in at the Ministry
0:01:24 > 0:01:27of Defence, in the Commons the issue of harassment was still
0:01:27 > 0:01:29a main talking point.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32At her weekly question session, the Leader of the House again
0:01:32 > 0:01:33broached the subject.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36This has been a difficult week for Parliament.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40But it has been even harder for those who have come
0:01:40 > 0:01:42forward to report their experiences of inappropriate behaviour,
0:01:42 > 0:01:46harassment or abuse.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49Their experiences are why we need to change.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52As I said on Monday, it is a right, not
0:01:52 > 0:01:54a privilege, to work in
0:01:54 > 0:01:58a safe and respectful environment.
0:01:58 > 0:02:03The Prime Minister has written to all party leaders,
0:02:03 > 0:02:06and I'm pleased to say they have all agreed to meet
0:02:06 > 0:02:16to discuss a common, transparent and independent
0:02:20 > 0:02:22But a change of culture could take longer.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24That must be done by education and training.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26Every member, every employee, should go on an equality
0:02:26 > 0:02:27training course.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30For new MPs it could be part of the induction process.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32Existing members of staff should also undergo this.
0:02:32 > 0:02:38There are outside organisations who do this.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40Will the Leader of the House confirm
0:02:40 > 0:02:43measures for the House and ensure that the equalities and human rights
0:02:43 > 0:02:53commission have the resources to support this education and training?
0:02:53 > 0:02:55Can I congratulate the Leader of the House for her
0:02:55 > 0:02:58leadership that she has shown on the sexual harassment issue?
0:02:58 > 0:03:00We will work with her to put together this
0:03:00 > 0:03:02independent grievance procedure so that everybody will have a safe
0:03:02 > 0:03:03place to raise these complaints.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05It is encouraging to see people now coming forward,
0:03:06 > 0:03:07and firm and decisive
0:03:07 > 0:03:08action being taken.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10Does she agree with me this is a real opportunity
0:03:10 > 0:03:12to effectively tackle the in-built patriarchal hierarchy in this
0:03:12 > 0:03:14institution and the unsavoury entitlement culture that still
0:03:14 > 0:03:21pervades these corridors of power?
0:03:21 > 0:03:23Any review should carefully consider
0:03:23 > 0:03:26other legislatures and what the HR processes, hiring processes, and
0:03:26 > 0:03:28staff grievance processes of other legislatures around the world are
0:03:28 > 0:03:30and we can maybe learn from them?
0:03:30 > 0:03:32My honourable friend is raising a very
0:03:32 > 0:03:39interesting point and of course as we look at how best we can improve
0:03:39 > 0:03:43taxpayers' value for money, at the same time as using best practice
0:03:43 > 0:03:47from around the world in HR processes, we will of course look at
0:03:47 > 0:03:48other legislatures, and in particular
0:03:48 > 0:03:51regard to resolving the
0:03:51 > 0:03:54issue around keeping people safe at work
0:03:54 > 0:03:55it would be essential that we
0:03:55 > 0:03:57look at what is done elsewhere.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59On the issue of standards, I am deeply
0:03:59 > 0:04:02concerned about the bullying culture within Parliament.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06It is an issue that was dismissed by Mr Speaker
0:04:06 > 0:04:09when I previously have raised it with him, determining it
0:04:09 > 0:04:11to be a woman's issue.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15It clearly isn't.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18This is vital that in this opportunity that we address the
0:04:18 > 0:04:20issue of bullying and that we bring forward mandatory training for
0:04:20 > 0:04:24everyone in this House.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27Can I say I absolutely agree with the honourable
0:04:27 > 0:04:32lady, and will happily work with any colleagues across the House in
0:04:32 > 0:04:37making sure that we seize this opportunity to put things right and
0:04:37 > 0:04:41get it right, once and for all, and that there is nobody left out of
0:04:41 > 0:04:42that.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46So all political parties, those with no political party, all
0:04:46 > 0:04:49those who work in this place, and who come here to help us,
0:04:49 > 0:04:52as perhaps temporary work placements,
0:04:52 > 0:04:59interns, and so on, so that we get this right, once for all.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02The Brexit Secretary David Davis has said the Government intends to be
0:05:02 > 0:05:05"as open as we can be" over the release of its
0:05:05 > 0:05:08Brexit impact studies.
0:05:08 > 0:05:13On Wednesday Labour used an arcane parliamentary procedure to pass
0:05:13 > 0:05:15a motion calling for them to be released to the Commons
0:05:15 > 0:05:18committee on exiting the EU.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20The 58 studies show the potential effects of Brexit on different
0:05:20 > 0:05:30industrial sectors.
0:05:36 > 0:05:45When will the papers be handed over? The Right honourable gentleman was
0:05:45 > 0:05:49present for yesterday's debate. I said that we would respond
0:05:49 > 0:05:58appropriately and we will do as soon as possible.
0:05:58 > 0:05:59A Labour MP raised the issue
0:05:59 > 0:06:00with the Brexit Secretary.
0:06:00 > 0:06:05Quoting Conservative backbencher, Jacob Rees-Mogg.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09Does he agree that the papers must be given to the Select Committee, or
0:06:09 > 0:06:13does he not trust the Select Committee?I missed a very good
0:06:13 > 0:06:21debate yesterday. I have already spoken to the chairman of the Select
0:06:21 > 0:06:27Committee. He sends his apologies for not being here today. I am
0:06:27 > 0:06:32organising to talk to him about how we handle confidentiality of the
0:06:32 > 0:06:36documentation or handover. I will reiterate what was said by my
0:06:36 > 0:06:41honourable friend, these documents are not some sort of grand plan,
0:06:41 > 0:06:45they are data about regulations and markets of individual sectors, and
0:06:45 > 0:06:51of course we will be as open as we can be with the Select Committee.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53But later the shadow Leader of the Commons pressed
0:06:53 > 0:06:58for a definite date for the release of the studies.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02The minister yesterday said members of the Government are first and
0:07:02 > 0:07:05foremost parliamentarians, but they don't want to listen to Parliament.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09He said, in the cool light of tomorrow we will revisit exactly
0:07:09 > 0:07:13what was said in Hansard. In the cool later today the Minister got up
0:07:13 > 0:07:18this morning and said, in due course.It is accepted that the
0:07:18 > 0:07:23motion passed by the House yesterday as binding and the information will
0:07:23 > 0:07:26be forthcoming, but as has been made very clear, it is the case that it
0:07:26 > 0:07:33is difficult to balance the conflicting obligation to protect
0:07:33 > 0:07:39the public interest through not disclosing information that could
0:07:39 > 0:07:43harm the national interest and the public interest, whilst at the same
0:07:43 > 0:07:46time ensuring that the resolution that the House passed yesterday is
0:07:46 > 0:07:56adhered to.Deeply unsatisfactory, that has brought shame on this House
0:07:56 > 0:08:00once again. There is no doubt that this is binding and I am grateful to
0:08:00 > 0:08:03see the leader of the host confirming that today. To we
0:08:03 > 0:08:07therefore need today is a clear and an ambiguous statement from the
0:08:07 > 0:08:11Government that that accepts what was decided last night, without
0:08:11 > 0:08:18qualification. Just hand the papers over the committee. If it does not
0:08:18 > 0:08:22do this, as you said, Mr Speaker, the Government will be in contempt
0:08:22 > 0:08:26of this House. But that happens we will be bringing proceedings to hold
0:08:26 > 0:08:28them to account on that very basis.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31Well, a short time later, peers asked if the impact
0:08:31 > 0:08:33assessments would also be made available to the House of Lords
0:08:33 > 0:08:39European Union Select Committee.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43David Davis has appeared before us on the European Union Select
0:08:43 > 0:08:47Committee three times since the Brexit fought and on more than one
0:08:47 > 0:08:51occasion he has promised parity of information for as and also the
0:08:51 > 0:08:56committee in the House of Commons. We have now published 20 reports and
0:08:56 > 0:09:01there are more in the pipeline, therefore we are in a high state of
0:09:01 > 0:09:05knowledge about sectoral issues. Can I ask the Minister to go further in
0:09:05 > 0:09:10saying he will have a discussion with our chairman about things, but
0:09:10 > 0:09:14actually to undertake that we will receive the same information as the
0:09:14 > 0:09:19committee in the House of Commons? As I said, we still need to have
0:09:19 > 0:09:23further discussions with the chairman of the Brexit Select
0:09:23 > 0:09:27Committee in another place. We will of course reflect further following
0:09:27 > 0:09:30those discussions on what information we will want to provide
0:09:30 > 0:09:34to comply with the motion. I have undertaken to have a similar
0:09:34 > 0:09:37discussion with the chairman of the committee in this place. I do not
0:09:37 > 0:09:39want to go further than that at the moment.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42Lord Callanan.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44You're watching Tuesday in Parliament, with me, Mandy Baker.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47If you want to catch up with all the news
0:09:47 > 0:09:49from Westminster on the go, don't forget our sister programme,
0:09:49 > 0:09:51Today in Parliament, is available as a download
0:09:51 > 0:09:57via the BBC Radio 4 Website.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00Prosecutors in Madrid have jailed eight sacked members of Catalonia's
0:10:00 > 0:10:02regional government over their role in October's disputed
0:10:02 > 0:10:08independence referendum.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11Spain has been gripped by a constitutional crisis
0:10:11 > 0:10:14since a referendum on independence was held on October 1st in defiance
0:10:14 > 0:10:18of a constitutional court ruling that declared it illegal.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20In the Commons, a Plaid Cymru MP asked an urgent question
0:10:20 > 0:10:25about the situation.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27In this situation the UK Government has a responsibility and an
0:10:27 > 0:10:28opportunity.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31Firstly it must do all it can to ensure the safety and
0:10:31 > 0:10:39security of UK citizens living in Catalonia.
0:10:39 > 0:10:45Secondly, as a leading European power, member
0:10:45 > 0:10:49of the Council of Europe, of the EU, of Nato, and the United Nations
0:10:49 > 0:10:50Security Council, this is happening in our neighbourhood.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53Thirdly, the UK Government has recent experience of
0:10:53 > 0:10:56an independence referendum carried out here in Scotland largely by
0:10:56 > 0:10:57agreement.
0:10:57 > 0:10:58We have some advice to offer.
0:10:58 > 0:11:08And of course, the hard-won peace agreement in Northern Ireland,
0:11:10 > 0:11:13rests partly on the opportunity for all to have their say in a
0:11:13 > 0:11:14referendum.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16In the debate on Catalonia on the 10th of October,
0:11:16 > 0:11:18the minister replying said that no request
0:11:18 > 0:11:20for advice had been made by
0:11:20 > 0:11:22the Spanish government and none offered by the UK Government.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24I ask that that offer be made.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28Mr Speaker, I do not share the honourable
0:11:28 > 0:11:30gentleman's view of how Britain should take an interest in the
0:11:30 > 0:11:31internal affairs of Spain.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33It is an internal matter.
0:11:33 > 0:11:38It is a legal matter.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42In the same way as we held an independence referendum, it was
0:11:42 > 0:11:47within the law, whereas in the case of Spain it is not.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51In respect of UK citizens, I believe I am right in saying
0:11:51 > 0:11:53that we have had no reported consular problems
0:11:53 > 0:11:55and I hope that remains the case.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58We are currently in a very dangerous position.
0:11:58 > 0:11:59The future of Catalonia
0:11:59 > 0:12:02has been turned into a binary choice.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05That is a false choice, an impossible choice, between on the
0:12:05 > 0:12:07one hand, a unilateral declaration of independence, and on the other,
0:12:07 > 0:12:10direct rule from Madrid.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12I do not believe that either of these choices offers
0:12:12 > 0:12:14a satisfactory solution to this
0:12:14 > 0:12:15crisis.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18And I do not believe that either choice is what the majority
0:12:18 > 0:12:20of Catalans or Spaniards actually want.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23I believe that what the majority want to see is a peaceful,
0:12:23 > 0:12:25sensible dialogue between the parties to try
0:12:25 > 0:12:28and find a resolution.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31That is what the Socialist party of Catalonia supports and the Socialist
0:12:31 > 0:12:34party of Spain.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38We support our sister parties in that endeavour.
0:12:38 > 0:12:44But what we are currently seeing, both in the Government of Spain, and
0:12:44 > 0:12:46the Government of Catalonia, is far from peaceful and sensible
0:12:46 > 0:12:48dialogue as it is possible to get.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51We call on both sides to step back, to ease the
0:12:51 > 0:12:52confrontational rhetoric and heavy-handed tactics, and start
0:12:52 > 0:12:56listening to what the majority of people in Spain and Catalonia
0:12:56 > 0:13:00actually want, which is peace, dialogue and an end to division.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04What is the UK Government doing to promote this?
0:13:04 > 0:13:07Or does Brexit suck such life from our ability to make
0:13:07 > 0:13:11any influence in Europe that the honest answer is not a lot?
0:13:11 > 0:13:15I agree with the second part of the right
0:13:15 > 0:13:21honourable lady's response, which is as usual, not a lot,
0:13:21 > 0:13:23which is that this was illegal, and against the
0:13:23 > 0:13:25rule of law.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28But I do however disagree with her in the way she portrays
0:13:28 > 0:13:30this as a choice.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32This is not a binary choice, as the right
0:13:32 > 0:13:33honourable lady describes.
0:13:33 > 0:13:38It is a binary choice between upholding the
0:13:38 > 0:13:44rule of law or not.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47MPs have urged the Government to offer sanctuary to more
0:13:47 > 0:13:50unaccompanied child refugees in Europe - in time for Christmas.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53Concerns were raised about children living in the "Jungle"
0:13:53 > 0:13:57migrant camp in Calais, which has since been cleared.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00Under the Dublin III European Agreement the UK accepts refugees
0:14:00 > 0:14:01who have relatives in Britain.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04In another scheme, the UK promised to take
0:14:04 > 0:14:06children who'd arrived - alone - in places such
0:14:06 > 0:14:08as Greece or Italy.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10MPs had hoped that 3,000 children would be resettled,
0:14:10 > 0:14:14under what's called the Dubs scheme.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18But the figure so far is 200 and ministers say the UK can only
0:14:18 > 0:14:20accept a further 280 youngsters.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23In Calais, still, children are sleeping outdoors.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27At the mercy of the elements and, dare I say, the police.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Because the official shelter that the French government have
0:14:29 > 0:14:31provided can only have 60.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33In Greece, over 1800 children are waiting
0:14:33 > 0:14:35for space in such a shelter.
0:14:35 > 0:14:41And, when they make it, they'll actually find
0:14:41 > 0:14:43it is actually a disused prison.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46In Italy, the situation is even more chaotic.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48Whilst I understand our ability to influence local arrangements
0:14:48 > 0:14:51in those countries is limited, we do have a responsibility to set
0:14:51 > 0:14:53clear parameters with our foreign counterparts to allow them
0:14:53 > 0:14:59to rapidly identify every child who might be eligible
0:14:59 > 0:15:01for Dubs or Dublin.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04She said the remaining 280 places under the Dubs scheme should be
0:15:04 > 0:15:05filled as soon as possible.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07Can we aim for the end of the year?
0:15:07 > 0:15:10Call me sentimental, but can we aim for Christmas?
0:15:10 > 0:15:12But this debate isn't just about Dubs.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15I'm also seeking reassurance on what happens to Dublin III once
0:15:15 > 0:15:18we leave the EU and its legislation.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21Despite textbook policy suggesting our domestic asylum
0:15:21 > 0:15:23legislation should already allow unaccompanied child refugees to be
0:15:23 > 0:15:26reunited with their wider family, their grandparents, siblings,
0:15:26 > 0:15:29uncles, aunts, in practice this is not happening.
0:15:29 > 0:15:34What the concern is today is that Britain is still falling short
0:15:34 > 0:15:37on what it can do for these children and it is nine-year-olds sleeping
0:15:37 > 0:15:47in bushes, in Calais, sleeping without shelters,
0:15:48 > 0:15:50in Greece, in Italy that are paying the price.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52These are our children to take responsibility for,
0:15:52 > 0:15:54to work with the Greek authorities to work with the
0:15:54 > 0:15:55Italian authorities.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57The minister is shaking his head.
0:15:57 > 0:16:02Is he really saying he can be proud of the country that looks
0:16:02 > 0:16:04at children sleeping under the bushes without proper shelter
0:16:04 > 0:16:08and care and says it's somebody's else's problem,
0:16:08 > 0:16:10nothing to do with us.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12I understand that honourable members of this house who, like me,
0:16:12 > 0:16:14are deeply concerned about the plight of all refugees
0:16:14 > 0:16:17across the whole wide world, 50 million people have been
0:16:17 > 0:16:18displaced by conflict.
0:16:18 > 0:16:19Yes, we've taken 3000.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23But what is the right number of children to take if it's not 3000.
0:16:23 > 0:16:24Is it 30,000?
0:16:24 > 0:16:25Is it 300,000?
0:16:25 > 0:16:27Should we take all the children across the whole of Europe?
0:16:27 > 0:16:29Or just children who have a connection to Britain?
0:16:29 > 0:16:33And I think the right policy, is that we should do our bit
0:16:33 > 0:16:34particularly on reunification.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38I don't agree that we can be responsible for all the refugees,
0:16:38 > 0:16:40all the children across the whole of Europe.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42We can't take in every child.
0:16:42 > 0:16:47I'll tell you why.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50I get complaints from my constituents in Kent that we have
0:16:50 > 0:16:52about a quarter of the unaccompanied asylum seeking children
0:16:52 > 0:16:55in the whole of this country.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57And they are concerned about the pressure on public
0:16:57 > 0:16:59services that that places on Kent.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01The Minister said the UK was working with France
0:17:01 > 0:17:06to implement the Dubs scheme.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09We do work closely with France to deliver and transfer 480
0:17:09 > 0:17:13unaccompanied children from Europe to the UK under section 67
0:17:13 > 0:17:16of the 2016 immigration act, quite the opposite of what some
0:17:16 > 0:17:18members this afternoon said about that process having stopped.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21It hasn't.
0:17:21 > 0:17:22It never has.
0:17:22 > 0:17:31It is still open.
0:17:31 > 0:17:38Will he then agree now to contact local councils across the country
0:17:38 > 0:17:42and ask them what further places they could provide under the Dubs
0:17:42 > 0:17:49scheme for next year.As I've just said, the court has outlined that
0:17:49 > 0:17:54the process used is lawful. Children have arrived in recent weeks from
0:17:54 > 0:18:00France and we've been working with Greece as well for that safe
0:18:00 > 0:18:04transfer of eligible children to the UK and Rishi expect further
0:18:04 > 0:18:06referrals in the coming weeks.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08He added that the UK couldn't
0:18:08 > 0:18:09simply remove children
0:18:09 > 0:18:11from other countries - it had to respect their sovereignty
0:18:11 > 0:18:13and child protection laws.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16Next year it will be the centenary of the first British
0:18:16 > 0:18:18women to get the vote.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21It was in 1918 the Representation of the People Act was passed,
0:18:21 > 0:18:24allowing women over the age of 30 who met a property qualification
0:18:24 > 0:18:26to have a say in General Elections.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29The Government has already established a five million pound
0:18:29 > 0:18:31fund to support projects to mark the anniversary.
0:18:31 > 0:18:37Have the government got any more broad ideas,
0:18:37 > 0:18:40both here in Parliament about how they will celebrate the role
0:18:40 > 0:18:43of women in public life over the last 100 years,
0:18:43 > 0:18:47perhaps to encourage more to come forward.
0:18:47 > 0:18:53Well, on that last point the government will certainly be
0:18:53 > 0:18:55thinking about how they can celebrate the role of women
0:18:55 > 0:19:01both in Parliament and more broadly in public life.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05A former Conservative cabinet minister was in mischievious mood.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07Would we take the opportunity of the centenary to reflect
0:19:07 > 0:19:10on the fact that the bending government refuse to give women
0:19:10 > 0:19:14the vote because they were worried that they would lose the votes
0:19:14 > 0:19:16the votes of the men.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19My noble friend is absolutely correct.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21Lady Williams.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23The Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary has criticised
0:19:23 > 0:19:26the Prime Minister for not taking a greater role in brokering
0:19:26 > 0:19:29a deal to restore power-sharing at Stormont.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32Northern Ireland's executive collapsed in January over
0:19:32 > 0:19:35the handling of a botched renewable energy scheme.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39Since then, talks between the Democratic Unionist Party
0:19:39 > 0:19:42and Sinn Fein have failed to reach an agreement on the restoration
0:19:42 > 0:19:43of devolved government.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46The Northern Ireland Secretary, James Brokenshire, said the impasse
0:19:46 > 0:19:48meant the Government would have to set a budget
0:19:48 > 0:19:50for Northern Ireland.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53While important progress has been made, the parties have not yet
0:19:53 > 0:19:56reached an agreement.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00I'm not in a position to bring before the house the legislation
0:20:00 > 0:20:03necessary for an executive to be formed this week.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06The consequence of this is that it is now highly unlikely
0:20:06 > 0:20:09that an executive could be in place within a timetable to be insured
0:20:09 > 0:20:14of passing a budget before the end of November.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17Which is the point at which we and the Northern Ireland
0:20:17 > 0:20:19civil service assessed that Northern Ireland will begin
0:20:19 > 0:20:23to run out of resources.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26No government could simply stand by and allow that to happen
0:20:26 > 0:20:28and we would you shirking our responsibilities to the people of
0:20:28 > 0:20:32Northern Ireland were we to do so.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34James Brokenshire's opposite number used the opportunity
0:20:34 > 0:20:37to attack Theresa May.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41We believe that the Prime Minister of Great Britain
0:20:41 > 0:20:44and Northern Ireland could get stuck into this problem and try and bring
0:20:44 > 0:20:47about a resolution over the impasse.
0:20:47 > 0:20:53It is, in my view, inexcusable and completely
0:20:53 > 0:20:57inexplicable that she's
0:20:57 > 0:21:00only visited Northern Ireland once during her 15 months in office and
0:21:00 > 0:21:03that for a 15 minute photocall during the elections at an
0:21:03 > 0:21:05agricultural show.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07James Brokenshire insisted Theresa May had been
0:21:07 > 0:21:08talking to the parties.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11The DUP's deputy leader predicted that direct rule wasn't far off.
0:21:11 > 0:21:12We would set the government up tomorrow.
0:21:12 > 0:21:13Sinn Fein are blocking it.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16So, the Secretary of State is perfectly right to come
0:21:16 > 0:21:19to this house, as we have been urging, to get the budget set and I
0:21:19 > 0:21:22would also say to them that we cannot allow
0:21:22 > 0:21:23the drift to continue.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26That, at some point in the very near future, we will need to have
0:21:26 > 0:21:28ministers and if they are not Northern Ireland executive
0:21:28 > 0:21:31ministers, which is what we want and other parties want, but Sinn Fein
0:21:31 > 0:21:40are blocking that, then it will have to be ministers from here.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42Earlier this week , the Justice Secretary,
0:21:42 > 0:21:44David Lidington, indicated that the government
0:21:44 > 0:21:46was about to make a concession on prisoner voting and bring
0:21:46 > 0:21:48to an end a long running legal battle.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50In 2005 the European Court of Human Rights ruled
0:21:50 > 0:21:53against the UK's blanket ban on allowing prisoners to vote.
0:21:53 > 0:21:58David Lidington returned to the Commons to announce his plans.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01We will amend guidance to address an anomaly in the current system
0:22:01 > 0:22:06where offenders who are released back in the community on licence
0:22:06 > 0:22:10using an electronic tag, under the home detention curfew
0:22:10 > 0:22:14scheme, can vote under the present arrangements but those
0:22:14 > 0:22:19who are in the community on temporary licence cannot vote.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23Release on temporary licence is a tool typically used to allow
0:22:23 > 0:22:28offenders to commute from prison to employment in the community
0:22:28 > 0:22:34and so prepare themselves for their return to society.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37We believe that reinstating the civic rights of voting
0:22:37 > 0:22:41at this point is consistent with that approach.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44I think we need to know what these discussions
0:22:44 > 0:22:49and what assurances the Minister, Secretary of State, has had
0:22:49 > 0:22:51with lawyers to ensure that his proposal today does bring
0:22:51 > 0:22:58us in line with human rights law because the last thing
0:22:58 > 0:23:05that his house wants is a Secretary of State having to come back
0:23:05 > 0:23:08to the house at some point in the future and explain that,
0:23:08 > 0:23:11unfortunately, this hasn't satisfied the test and isn't fulfilling our
0:23:11 > 0:23:12international obligations.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14May I add my congratulations to my right honourable friend who,
0:23:14 > 0:23:17after many years, has arrived at what I think is an elegant
0:23:17 > 0:23:18and sensible solution.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21He will be aware that in the Council of Europe it caused great
0:23:21 > 0:23:24consternation that the UK was unable to comply with these judgments
0:23:24 > 0:23:27and it led to talk of the UK even leaving the Council of Europe,
0:23:27 > 0:23:31which after all we were a founding member of by the Treaty of London.
0:23:31 > 0:23:36Can he just confirm that we now leave the company
0:23:36 > 0:23:43of the countries of Armenia, Bulgaria, Estonia, Jordan,
0:23:43 > 0:23:45Hungary and Russia that remain the only countries
0:23:45 > 0:23:48in the Council of Europe that still have a blanket ban.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50The government has instituted a system of Universal Credit
0:23:50 > 0:23:53on the basis that it mirrors the world of work so, why then,
0:23:53 > 0:23:56not use the same logic and consider that prisoners should be prepared
0:23:56 > 0:23:58for life outside of prison by maintaining their
0:23:58 > 0:24:04civic right to a vote?
0:24:04 > 0:24:07A very tiny concession by the government is the bare
0:24:07 > 0:24:10minimum it could get away with and I believe that
0:24:10 > 0:24:12when you imprison somebody, you deprive them of their liberty,
0:24:12 > 0:24:19you don't deprive them of their rights.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22I don't understand, perhaps the Minister can tell me why
0:24:22 > 0:24:23he feels so threatened by that.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26The act of depriving someone of his or her liberty
0:24:26 > 0:24:28when they are sentenced to custody, I would have thought by definition,
0:24:28 > 0:24:31deprives them of some absolutely vital civic rights.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35I think giving the vote to any prisoners is idiotic, unjustifiable,
0:24:35 > 0:24:38and is about as popular with the general public as finding
0:24:38 > 0:24:41a rattlesnake in a lucky dip.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Philip Davies, not mincing his words.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48And finally, you may not have heard of Erskine May but -
0:24:48 > 0:24:51and you can trust me on this - it is considered to be the most
0:24:51 > 0:24:54authoritative reference book on parliamentary procedure.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58The question exercising MPs was - is it available online?
0:24:58 > 0:25:00One Labour MP - who's interested in this sort
0:25:00 > 0:25:02of thing - had the answer.
0:25:02 > 0:25:08It is available on the intranet in a 1000 page PDF which expresses
0:25:08 > 0:25:12that it is not to be used for the public.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14What I'm asking, and I hope that the commitment from the leader
0:25:14 > 0:25:17of the house is clear, that we will now be making it
0:25:17 > 0:25:22available to the whole of the country because the people
0:25:22 > 0:25:24of this country are demanding Erskine May be made available
0:25:24 > 0:25:27to them without having to buy a copy of the book.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30And the good news is the Leader of the House is looking into it
0:25:30 > 0:25:33and perhaps in the not too distant future we'll all be able
0:25:33 > 0:25:35to read up on parliamentary procedure on the go.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38That's all we've time for, but do join me on Friday night
0:25:38 > 0:25:41at 11, for our round up of the week at Westminster.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45But for now from me, Mandy Baker, goodbye.