0:00:19 > 0:00:23Hello there and welcome to Thursday in Parliament.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25On this programme: Coming up: A former Labour minister tells
0:00:25 > 0:00:28of her battle with a brain tumour and calls for more
0:00:28 > 0:00:35innovative international working to tackle cancer.
0:00:36 > 0:00:42So that we can do live well together with cancer. Not just dying of it.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45The Defence Secretary announces a new review of the Armed Forces
0:00:45 > 0:00:49and faces calls for more spending.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53Could he please ensure that we do not repeat the nonsense of when
0:00:53 > 0:00:57people say, you can modernise but what they mean is you cut.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59And: the government's told to do more to stop the revolving door
0:00:59 > 0:01:02of former ministers and civil servants moving into lucrative jobs
0:01:02 > 0:01:05in the private sector.
0:01:05 > 0:01:11If nothing is done by government to strengthen business rules we risk of
0:01:11 > 0:01:13further undermining trust and integrity in politics.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16But first: There was a prolonged standing ovation
0:01:16 > 0:01:19in the Lords for Tessa - now Lady Jowell - as she called
0:01:19 > 0:01:21for greater global cooperation to help beat cancer.
0:01:21 > 0:01:30Lady Jowell was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
0:01:30 > 0:01:37On the 24th of May last year I was on my way to talk not for the first
0:01:37 > 0:01:47time in East London. I rot into a taxi but I couldn't speak. I had two
0:01:47 > 0:01:54powerful seizures. I was taken to hospital. Two days later, I was told
0:01:54 > 0:02:06that I had a brain tumour. A week later, the tumour was removed by an
0:02:06 > 0:02:12outstanding surgeon at the national Hospital in Queens Square. I then
0:02:12 > 0:02:20had the standard treatment of radio and chemotherapy.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24She told peers what had happened: Now she was backing a scheme called
0:02:24 > 0:02:28the eliminate cancer initiative -- or ECI.
0:02:28 > 0:02:35It aims to do three main things. The first, link patients and doctors
0:02:35 > 0:02:45across the world through a clinical trial network. Secondly, speed up
0:02:45 > 0:02:56the use of active trials. Thirdly, build a global database to improve
0:02:56 > 0:02:58research and patient care.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01It was she said about sharing knowledge at every level --
0:03:01 > 0:03:06and quoting Seamus Heaney she said she was not afraid
0:03:06 > 0:03:12So many cancer patients collaborate and support each other every day.
0:03:12 > 0:03:19They create the community of love and determination that they find
0:03:19 > 0:03:26each other every day. All we now ask is that doctors and health systems
0:03:26 > 0:03:33learn to do the same and for us to work together. To learn from each
0:03:33 > 0:03:45other. In the end, what gives life meaning? Is not only how it is left.
0:03:45 > 0:03:53But how it draws to a close. I hope that this debate will give hope to
0:03:53 > 0:04:00other cancer patients like me so that we can live well together with
0:04:00 > 0:04:19cancer. Not just dying of it. All of us for longer. Thank you.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34To a packed public gallery and with MPs crowding at the bar
0:04:34 > 0:04:37of the lords a fellow former cabinet minister paid tribute
0:04:37 > 0:04:42to his friend of 40 years.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45We are all of us privileged to be here this afternoon and to have
0:04:45 > 0:04:52heard her speak and to give us a clarion call to pick up the cudgel
0:04:52 > 0:05:00into work tirelessly to ensure words she seeks is carried forward for
0:05:00 > 0:05:08others and the future and that our NHS, scientists, innovators,
0:05:08 > 0:05:11consultants, can jot down and experience from across the world and
0:05:11 > 0:05:15can remember Tessa giallo is the all well and we are privileged to have
0:05:15 > 0:05:18heard this afternoon.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20The minister praised Lady Jowell's speech.
0:05:20 > 0:05:25I would like to praise the normal lady for the determination she has
0:05:25 > 0:05:34shown. I think it's fair to say she is inspired us all and many cancer
0:05:34 > 0:05:40sufferers as well. I suppose we should expect nothing less from the
0:05:40 > 0:05:43women who brought us the most wonderful Olympic and her Olympic
0:05:43 > 0:05:48Games in 2012. On of the wonderful things about the NHS is is here for
0:05:48 > 0:05:56all of us all the time. One of the quirks is that it has an unrivaled
0:05:56 > 0:06:01data set on patient's medical experiences and that is invaluable
0:06:01 > 0:06:06to the research community. We all know that we have a God policy rate
0:06:06 > 0:06:11in this area always or brought the public with us about the benefits of
0:06:11 > 0:06:15sharing data but the earth keep decisions coming up so that we can
0:06:15 > 0:06:20access and create a data set for research purposes. The noble lady
0:06:20 > 0:06:27has offered hope. With her ever for tile mind making suggestions for how
0:06:27 > 0:06:31we can improve cancer care she races our sites and demands that
0:06:31 > 0:06:34collectively we work harder to offer hope to people affected by the
0:06:34 > 0:06:39terrible disease she suffers with such dignity. It is the right
0:06:39 > 0:06:43challenge and one I'm prepared to accept on behalf of the government.
0:06:43 > 0:06:48In doing so, I promise her that our efforts will not waver until the
0:06:48 > 0:06:51scourge of cancer no longer robs us of the ones we love.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53The Defence Secretary has hinted he'll ask for more money
0:06:53 > 0:06:55for the UK's Armed Forces when he carries out
0:06:55 > 0:06:58a defence review.
0:06:58 > 0:07:03Making a statement to MPs he said it would not be "fiscally neutral'
0:07:03 > 0:07:05There's been much speculation in recent weeks
0:07:05 > 0:07:08that there could be cuts on the horizon, specifically
0:07:08 > 0:07:11the potential loss of amphibious assault ships and reports that
0:07:11 > 0:07:15full-time army numbers could fall from their current level
0:07:15 > 0:07:17of about 78,000 to 70,000 - well below the government's
0:07:17 > 0:07:22target of 82,000.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26The review was being overseen by the National Security Council -
0:07:26 > 0:07:29the NSC, but Gavin Williamson successfully argued for it to be
0:07:29 > 0:07:34carried out within the MOD.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38The world is becoming a more dangerous place. We cannot afford to
0:07:38 > 0:07:42shy away from this reality. Nor can we take our security for granted.
0:07:42 > 0:07:49But even more than back, and a post Brexit world, pretend must continue
0:07:49 > 0:07:54to champion the global good. It must continue to reach out to seize
0:07:54 > 0:07:59global opportunities in deal with global threats.If this review
0:07:59 > 0:08:02identifies additional spending is necessary for the security of our
0:08:02 > 0:08:08nation, will the government step up to the plate? Surely he must agree
0:08:08 > 0:08:12that it would be pointless to have a review that finds we need additional
0:08:12 > 0:08:15equipment or increase personnel only for the government to ignore that
0:08:15 > 0:08:21recommendation. You cannot do security on the cheap and it's high
0:08:21 > 0:08:26time that the government recognise this. And yet, this statement makes
0:08:26 > 0:08:29reference to further efficiencies being carried out as part of this
0:08:29 > 0:08:35review. Raising the spectre of you further cuts.The honourable lady
0:08:35 > 0:08:41asked if this is aiming to be fiscally neutral. No, it isn't. It's
0:08:41 > 0:08:46looking at how we can actually get the Armed Forces that we need in
0:08:46 > 0:08:52order to deal with the threats that we face.Could he ensure that we do
0:08:52 > 0:08:55not repeat the nonsense of when people say, you can modernise but
0:08:55 > 0:08:59what they actually mean is you can't.If it is not to be fiscally
0:08:59 > 0:09:09neutral, Kenny confirm that the departure... If not, can members of
0:09:09 > 0:09:12the armed forces expect a pay rise?
0:09:12 > 0:09:14Gavin Willliamson repeated it was not aiming to
0:09:14 > 0:09:17be fiscally neutral.
0:09:17 > 0:09:22He will have the second part of that whole house if he manages to secure
0:09:22 > 0:09:28additional funding. But then put the defence budget on a more sustainable
0:09:28 > 0:09:31footing that allows our armed forces to tackle the increased threats that
0:09:31 > 0:09:38they face without these demoralising rumours of deep cuts. The words here
0:09:38 > 0:09:41are interesting and they are important. But what matters in the
0:09:41 > 0:09:48end is money.We have seen rumour after rumour and speculation
0:09:48 > 0:09:52undermining not only our global reputation but the confidence of our
0:09:52 > 0:09:56serving personnel about their futures. Rumours about the parachute
0:09:56 > 0:09:59Regiment merging with the rail Marines, all of this has been
0:09:59 > 0:10:01nonsense.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03There'd been much criticism during the statement
0:10:03 > 0:10:05of the way it was made, with the timings being
0:10:05 > 0:10:06repeatedly changed.
0:10:06 > 0:10:11But a Conservative reckoned he understood the pressures.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14I have every sympathy with the Secretary of State in terms of over
0:10:14 > 0:10:23the last two days when this was going to be announced.
0:10:23 > 0:10:24Keith Simpson.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27The minister said the aim of the review was for the Armed Forces
0:10:27 > 0:10:33to set out their case for the resources that they needed.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36Last year, the Supreme Court ruled that the law which has allowed
0:10:36 > 0:10:39people to be convicted of murder even if they did not inflict
0:10:39 > 0:10:44the fatal blow has been wrongly interpreted for more than 30 years.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47In recent years, what's known as Joint enterprise has been used
0:10:47 > 0:10:50to convict people in gang-related cases if defendants "could" have
0:10:50 > 0:10:54foreseen violent acts by their associates.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58But it's very controversial because, many believe, it lowers the burden
0:10:58 > 0:11:01of proof and allows people to be swept up in a prosecution
0:11:01 > 0:11:07and convicted on the basis that they were all "in it together".
0:11:07 > 0:11:11With hundreds of what's known as lifers in prison convict did
0:11:11 > 0:11:17underwent the Supreme Court viewed as a wrong application of the law,
0:11:17 > 0:11:21this is potentially one of the biggest and most widespread
0:11:21 > 0:11:24miscarriages of justice ever to face our justice system. As such, I fear
0:11:24 > 0:11:30that the cosy club of the criminal justice establishment is closing in
0:11:30 > 0:11:37on itself to prevent this from fully ever being exposed.If you look at
0:11:37 > 0:11:42statistics, 37% of those were serving long sentences for joint
0:11:42 > 0:11:46enterprise are black. That is 11 times the proportion of black people
0:11:46 > 0:11:54the population. I think it underlines why it's absolutely
0:11:54 > 0:11:59essential that we have the review that my honourable friend has called
0:11:59 > 0:12:04for which I fully support. Secondly, surely we're seeing a case given the
0:12:04 > 0:12:11uncertainty here where the courts are in effect acting as legislators.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14That is wrong. Where there's uncertainty in the law it is for
0:12:14 > 0:12:18this host to tidy and cleared up particularly when it's visiting in
0:12:18 > 0:12:23on people the way we're seeing. There's been a failure to
0:12:23 > 0:12:26distinguish between gangs and groups. The house will understand
0:12:26 > 0:12:29that not all members of groups have a criminal purpose and not all
0:12:29 > 0:12:36members of or groups join in when there's an incident. Humans are by
0:12:36 > 0:12:40nature social animals. People hang around and groups or sports teams.
0:12:40 > 0:12:45It doesn't mean if an incident occurs that everyone in the group
0:12:45 > 0:12:49intended whatever happened to happen.We know of this harassment
0:12:49 > 0:12:53honourable members have picked up the maze. Former leader of the SMP,
0:12:53 > 0:12:58the honourable member Lord Haseltine, if you picked up the mace
0:12:58 > 0:13:02and an older member of Parliament got the mace was coming towards them
0:13:02 > 0:13:05and had a heart attack and died, he would be in serious Thomas serious
0:13:05 > 0:13:11trouble. But if you discussed it with your colleagues beforehand, you
0:13:11 > 0:13:16two would be in serious, serious trouble. At the whole political
0:13:16 > 0:13:20party. And this occasion, the S and P that might have been heading.
0:13:20 > 0:13:28That's how ridiculous this has come and why we need urgent review.
0:13:28 > 0:13:33August 2013, Alex Henry went shopping with three friends. A
0:13:33 > 0:13:37confrontation took place that lasted just over 40 seconds. It's not clear
0:13:37 > 0:13:41why the confrontation took place. It may have been triggered by a stare.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45One young man used a knife from within a bag and stop two brothers
0:13:45 > 0:13:50one of whom tragically lost his life. On the sixth day of the trial,
0:13:50 > 0:13:55the man with a knife pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 20
0:13:55 > 0:14:04years. While Alex Henry received 19 years. Despite never touching the
0:14:04 > 0:14:10knife or even being aware of its existence. Only four years class.We
0:14:10 > 0:14:13can seek to actually bring an end to this rent is, a disproportionate
0:14:13 > 0:14:18nightmare, this and British jurisprudence and this appalling
0:14:18 > 0:14:25situation in which 40 seconds and laid to 12 years. For someone who
0:14:25 > 0:14:29happens to be with a group of people can find themselves facing the best
0:14:29 > 0:14:32part of their young life in prison for something that they cannot stop
0:14:32 > 0:14:38even they wanted to. And it is often said that the house is at its worst
0:14:38 > 0:14:46when it's unanimous but I think this is the exception to that.I
0:14:46 > 0:14:50recognise the importance of the law and joint enterprise. The impact
0:14:50 > 0:14:53that it can have on those such as the constituents of the honourable
0:14:53 > 0:14:58member for Manchester Centura and others who have come before the
0:14:58 > 0:15:02house today. Up for the reasons set out, the government does not believe
0:15:02 > 0:15:06that time is currently writes for any changes to the law and joint
0:15:06 > 0:15:11enterprise. It is for the courts to interpret the law as laid down by
0:15:11 > 0:15:16the Supreme Court. I very much hope that the revised guidance on
0:15:16 > 0:15:19secondary liability will provide a clear direction and guidance for
0:15:19 > 0:15:23prosecutors on this area of law. I'm happy to keep the matter under
0:15:23 > 0:15:26review.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28You're watching Thursday in Parliament, with me,
0:15:28 > 0:15:32Alicia McCarthy.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36A senior Conservative, has made a stinging criticism
0:15:36 > 0:15:39of the "revolving door" which allows former ministers, to take up
0:15:39 > 0:15:42highly-paid jobs linked to their previous ministerial
0:15:42 > 0:15:47responsibilities.
0:15:47 > 0:15:48There was criticism of the Conservative former
0:15:48 > 0:15:51Chancellor, George Osborne, who took a job with the financial
0:15:51 > 0:15:53firm BlackRock shortly after leaving office and later took
0:15:53 > 0:15:59on the editorship of London's Evening Standard Newspaper.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01Bernard Jenkin, who chairs the Public Administration and
0:16:01 > 0:16:06Constitutional Affairs Committee, also said he was disappointed
0:16:06 > 0:16:09in the government had responded "evasively" to his committee's
0:16:09 > 0:16:16report on the issue.
0:16:16 > 0:16:27For example, it includes every department. The will finish up
0:16:27 > 0:16:32working in the industry. A similar situation occurs in our departments.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35No one should assume that there is automatically anything wrong with
0:16:35 > 0:16:40this. That there needs to be an adequate system of assurance. That
0:16:40 > 0:16:44there is indeed nothing wrong, and that we are not fostering it commits
0:16:44 > 0:16:45an attitude.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47He described the official watchdog, ACOBA, as a toothless regulator,
0:16:47 > 0:16:49which had failed to change the environment around
0:16:49 > 0:16:54official appointments.
0:16:54 > 0:17:01If personal observation, the magazine Private Eye, frequently
0:17:01 > 0:17:05appears to be doing a better job than the advisory committee itself.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07The SNP, said the government's response smacked of complacency
0:17:07 > 0:17:09and self interest.
0:17:09 > 0:17:15Alison Thewliss pointed to the former Chancellor, George Osborne.
0:17:15 > 0:17:22The actions of the former Chancellor, had respected, if
0:17:22 > 0:17:29nothing is done, buy this house, the risk further undermining trust and
0:17:29 > 0:17:41integrity.Our port does mention, George Osborne as, first of all, dad
0:17:41 > 0:17:48it was striking in starkly, the fact that he appeared to give a blank
0:17:48 > 0:17:56check to the former Chancellor to join at a very inflated salary. So
0:17:56 > 0:18:02shortly after he had left his office. George Osborne also
0:18:02 > 0:18:09completely bypassed the appointment as editor of the evening standard,
0:18:09 > 0:18:16prior to accepting his appointment. And a very glaring example, not
0:18:16 > 0:18:22necessarily of a particularly his honour of an individual, but --
0:18:22 > 0:18:24dishonor.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27A Labour mp, said George Osborne had been invited to give evidence to
0:18:27 > 0:18:33the public administration committee.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37To explain why had five meanings, he altered the law in their favour and
0:18:37 > 0:18:47when he lost his office, took a job with them for £650,000 for a one day
0:18:47 > 0:18:51a week of work. If that is not an egregious example of the abuse of
0:18:51 > 0:18:58the revolving door, it is hard to see what is.If they have not
0:18:58 > 0:19:01already done so, to take a look at the government response that has
0:19:01 > 0:19:07been laid to the committee, in which we clearly stated, to maintain the
0:19:07 > 0:19:13highest standards of conduct, including special advisers under the
0:19:13 > 0:19:18rules and procedures we have in place. We look forward to work with
0:19:18 > 0:19:19the committee to do more though.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21A response Bernard Jenkin described as disappointing.
0:19:21 > 0:19:27The present arrangements he insisted were not adequate.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29The Prime Minister says she's "appalled" by the reports
0:19:29 > 0:19:32of the groping and sexual harassment of women at a men only
0:19:32 > 0:19:36charity fundraiser.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, she said "I thought that
0:19:39 > 0:19:43sort of approach to women, that objectification
0:19:43 > 0:19:45of women, was something we were leaving behind.
0:19:45 > 0:19:50The Children and Families minister Nadhim Zahawi attended the evening
0:19:50 > 0:19:55organised by the Presidents Club, but says he left early.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59Mps had expressed their fury about the women's treatment
0:19:59 > 0:20:03in the Commons on Wednesday and kept up the pressure at
0:20:03 > 0:20:04business questions.
0:20:04 > 0:20:11One shadow minister wanted to know.
0:20:11 > 0:20:18Was it a official visit, or was a private visit? Where all the
0:20:18 > 0:20:24Presidents men is neck either way, it is an abuse of power. There is
0:20:24 > 0:20:35absolutely no place for that type of activity. A men only club, abusing
0:20:35 > 0:20:41women in this way, is absolutely unacceptable.It continues to
0:20:41 > 0:20:47develop to appal, to be possibly have a debate about this? Canmore
0:20:47 > 0:20:50begun to challenge the laws that sustain them in the culture that
0:20:50 > 0:20:56still thinks that they are acceptable? We're in an area of zero
0:20:56 > 0:21:02tolerance of behaviour, and it has to be substantial progress to tackle
0:21:02 > 0:21:03this pathetic behaviour.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06Plastic waste has made the news again as water companies announced
0:21:06 > 0:21:09plans to set up water refill points across England.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11In an attempt to reduce the amount
0:21:11 > 0:21:13of plastic bottles sold, shops, cafes and businesses
0:21:13 > 0:21:17will provide the refill points and public fountains will be found
0:21:17 > 0:21:19via an app.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22This was welcomed by the Environment Secretary
0:21:22 > 0:21:25in the Commons as he spelled out how the government is trying
0:21:25 > 0:21:33to stick to its twenty-five year environment plan
0:21:33 > 0:21:40We have already banned these products, single use plastics, and a
0:21:40 > 0:21:44return scheme as well as production of plastic food eyelets by
0:21:44 > 0:21:59retailers.Can you tell why it is, that he allowed 20 years for the
0:21:59 > 0:22:01elimination of nonessential plastics. If they're not essential,
0:22:01 > 0:22:08surely we can do better than that. The nature of betrayed five-year
0:22:08 > 0:22:16plan was, it covers a wide array, and they're more ambitious ways to
0:22:16 > 0:22:20reduce these plastics which the government is bringing forward. But
0:22:20 > 0:22:23he sadly right to encourage us in the government and all of us to be
0:22:23 > 0:22:28more.A number of times the importance of recycling. So I'm very
0:22:28 > 0:22:33concerned that the government has been opposing the new EU targets.
0:22:33 > 0:22:41Can they explain why the government is opposing?Across the EU that we
0:22:41 > 0:22:46have the right targets. One of the flaws with the EU system is that it
0:22:46 > 0:22:51relies on measuring through weight, sometimes it signifies the wrong
0:22:51 > 0:22:55approaches. But our country has gone further than the European Union as
0:22:55 > 0:22:59requested, or suggested on everything from banning micro
0:22:59 > 0:23:04plastics, to indeed introducing a charge on plastic bags, that all of
0:23:04 > 0:23:08these areas, that we've gone further and faster than the EU. That is the
0:23:08 > 0:23:12ambition of this government for a claim Brexit.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14And away from pollution and recycling, after being wished
0:23:14 > 0:23:17a happy Burns day by a Scottish colleague, Mr Gove told
0:23:17 > 0:23:19the Commons that he was hopeful of a breakthrough with
0:23:19 > 0:23:22the United States over its ban on haggis from 1971 because of its
0:23:22 > 0:23:28key ingredient: sheep's lung.
0:23:28 > 0:23:37On the subject of, I've had recent discussions with the Department of
0:23:37 > 0:23:43Agriculture, if he can lift the ban on haggis. He has one virtue is that
0:23:43 > 0:23:48he has, I hope that he may listen sympathetically.
0:23:48 > 0:23:49Michael Gove.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51Controversial plans to build a zip wire tourist attraction
0:23:51 > 0:23:53across the Thirlmere Reservoir in the Lake District have faced
0:23:53 > 0:23:56strong opposition in the Lords.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59At question time the scheme was described as a "very bad idea"
0:23:59 > 0:24:00and an "inappropriate" for a National Park
0:24:01 > 0:24:04and World Heritage site.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06Concerns were also raised over the potential threat to RAF planes
0:24:06 > 0:24:13who use the area for training.
0:24:13 > 0:24:23Zip wires across there are a very bad idea. Intrusion into the
0:24:23 > 0:24:26national Park, where fundamental policies include the conservation of
0:24:26 > 0:24:30the landscape. Together with recreational uses, how would that
0:24:30 > 0:24:38landscape.Has he nominated the national Park for heritage site
0:24:38 > 0:24:46status. That is primarily about our cultural landscape in beauty. It
0:24:46 > 0:24:50would be inappropriate for the tourist industry to see it is mainly
0:24:50 > 0:24:58a way to create another Disneyland. I am not in a position to comment on
0:24:58 > 0:25:02what is a very light application in which I think will be considered by
0:25:02 > 0:25:09the national Park Authority, on the 7th of March.The preservation of
0:25:09 > 0:25:13natural beauty of this country. Should properly have a very high
0:25:13 > 0:25:18priority. The governments first obligation is to provide for the
0:25:18 > 0:25:23defence of this country. The proposed zip line would be a highly
0:25:23 > 0:25:34dangerous, and pediment of our crews in low-level flying.The register of
0:25:34 > 0:25:36defence, this will be a matter that is considered by Lords by the
0:25:36 > 0:25:38planning authority.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41And that's it from me for now, but do join me on BBC Parliament
0:25:41 > 0:25:44on Friday night at 11 for a look back at the last week
0:25:44 > 0:25:45here at Westminster.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48But for now from me, AM goodbye.