0:00:23 > 0:00:25Hello there and welcome to Thursday in Parliament.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28Coming up on this programme: the Government says it's scrapping
0:00:28 > 0:00:31stage two of the Leveson enquiry into press standards, claiming
0:00:31 > 0:00:35the media landscape has changed.
0:00:35 > 0:00:41But the news gets a furious response from Labour.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45A breach of trust and a bitter blow to the victims of press intrusion.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48Questions on the Beast from the East to the transport secretary as snow
0:00:48 > 0:00:50causes chaos across the UK.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53Also on this programme: peers call for more regulation on the use
0:00:53 > 0:00:57of facial recognition technology.
0:00:57 > 0:01:03These techniques are extremely powerful but they are out of the
0:01:03 > 0:01:12bag. The train has left the station, whichever metaphor you want to use.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14And after 81 countries add folic acid to food
0:01:14 > 0:01:18to try to prevent birth defects - questions as to why the UK hasn't.
0:01:18 > 0:01:24Isn't it a disgrace that we haven't gotten to the point of preventing
0:01:24 > 0:01:26that suffering in our own country.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28But first: The government is to abandon the next stage
0:01:28 > 0:01:30of the Leveson enquiry into press intrusion.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33The Culture Secretary, Matt Hancock, also told MPs that he would repeal
0:01:33 > 0:01:36an existing law which would make newspapers pay the legal costs
0:01:36 > 0:01:40of people claiming libel - even if the case was thrown out.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43The announcements were greeted with dismay by Labour, who said
0:01:43 > 0:01:46the decision was a "bitter blow" to the victims of press intrusion.
0:01:46 > 0:01:54The Conservatives opposed the second stage in their election manifesto.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56Matt Hancock reminded MPs that the first stage had cost
0:01:56 > 0:02:02£48 million.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06We do not believe that reopening this costly
0:02:06 > 0:02:08and time-consuming public enquiry is the right way forward.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12So, considering all of the factors in the House today, I have informed
0:02:12 > 0:02:16Sir Brian that we are formally closing the enquiry but we will take
0:02:16 > 0:02:21action to safeguard the lifeblood of our democratic discourse
0:02:21 > 0:02:31and tackle the challenges our media face today, not a decade ago.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38He felt the new Salfit illiterates I was working better than the previous
0:02:38 > 0:02:46system. Any overturned a court act which would see media paying cost in
0:02:46 > 0:02:50libel cases whether they lost or won. He quoted one response to a
0:02:50 > 0:02:57consultation on the matter.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00He want on to say section 40 risks, and I quote,
0:03:00 > 0:03:03damaging the future of the paper that you love and that the impact
0:03:03 > 0:03:06will be to make it much more difficult for papers to survive.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09These are not my words, Mr Speaker, what the words of Alastair Campbell,
0:03:09 > 0:03:11talking about the chilling threat of section 40.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13And if anybody knows about threats to the press,
0:03:13 > 0:03:15it's Alastair Campbell.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18At national and local levels, a press that can hold the powerful
0:03:18 > 0:03:23to account remains an essential component of our democracy.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26We need high-quality journalism to thrive in the digital world.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29We seek a press and a media that is robust and independently
0:03:29 > 0:03:39regulated and that reports without fear or favour.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52The Leveson enquiry was triggered by the phone hacking scandal
0:03:52 > 0:03:54and cases such as that of the murdered schoolgirl,
0:03:54 > 0:03:56Millie Dowler, whose mobile phone was accessed by reporters.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59Part two was supposed to cover unlawful press activity
0:03:59 > 0:04:00and relations between journalists and the police.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02Labour's spokesman, Tom Watson, has campaigned on press intrusion,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05and his office has received around half a million pounds
0:04:05 > 0:04:07from his fellow privacy campaigner, Max Mosley.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09Labour has said it will receive no more money from Mr Mosley,
0:04:09 > 0:04:11after a row about a racist by-election leaflet
0:04:11 > 0:04:12he published in 1961.
0:04:12 > 0:04:19Tom Watson referred to that at the beginning of his remarks:
0:04:19 > 0:04:22If I thought for one moment he held those views contained in that
0:04:22 > 0:04:24leaflet 57 years ago, I would not have given
0:04:24 > 0:04:28him the time of day.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31He is a man, though, who in the face of great family
0:04:31 > 0:04:34tragedy and overwhelming media intimidation, chose to use his
0:04:34 > 0:04:44limited resources to support the weak against the strong.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51He said the announcement was a breach of trust to families,
0:04:51 > 0:05:00like Millie Dowlers.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03Let me close with the words of former Prime Minister David Cameron
0:05:03 > 0:05:05to the love and enquiry in June 20 12.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08"I will never forget meeting with that family in Downing Street.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10"To run through the terms of this enquiry with them,
0:05:10 > 0:05:13"and to hear what they had been through and how it had redoubled,
0:05:13 > 0:05:16"trebled the pain and agony had been through over losing Millie.
0:05:16 > 0:05:17"I'll never forget that."
0:05:17 > 0:05:20And that is the test of all of this.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23It's not, do the politicians or the press feel happy with what we get.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26It is, are we really protecting people who have been caught up
0:05:26 > 0:05:29and absolutely thrown to the wolves by this process?
0:05:29 > 0:05:34That's what the test is.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36The Secretary of State will prosper politically
0:05:36 > 0:05:43from his statement today, but he's failed that test.
0:05:43 > 0:05:49What if it is for the victims of phone hacking and press abuse? What
0:05:49 > 0:05:55does the secretary say to the countless victims of massive use --
0:05:55 > 0:06:02of press abuse? There is nothing in this of any promises that will be
0:06:02 > 0:06:06made to them by a conservative Prime Minister in legislation that was
0:06:06 > 0:06:09voted on on by the Secretary of State. Times have not changed for
0:06:09 > 0:06:14the victims and there is nothing in this war them.What I've said and
0:06:14 > 0:06:19what I will say to them is that we have to make sure that the media and
0:06:19 > 0:06:25news industry that we have in the UK and hold the powerful to account and
0:06:25 > 0:06:34can respond to today's challenges. Whilst newspapers make the life of
0:06:34 > 0:06:40an elite intolerable, they make complacency impossible.
0:06:40 > 0:06:40Journalists, Secretary of State, are utterly
0:06:41 > 0:06:43dismayed by your statement.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46I value freedom of the press, but does the Secretary of State not
0:06:46 > 0:06:49see the sad irony in talking about how the press has held
0:06:49 > 0:06:55the powerful to account and then closing the door on our opportunity
0:06:55 > 0:07:00to hold the powerful voices of the press to account
0:07:00 > 0:07:07on behalf of of the victims?
0:07:07 > 0:07:09Now more than ever, newspapers play a vital role
0:07:09 > 0:07:12in holding both government and opposition to account
0:07:12 > 0:07:13and he is absolutely right that rather than looking backwards
0:07:13 > 0:07:16at the events of ten years ago, and adding to the cost
0:07:16 > 0:07:18of local newspapers, we should be supporting newspapers
0:07:18 > 0:07:20in meeting the challenges of the internet giants.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24John Whittingdale.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26Now to transport questions, where unsurprisingly, the impact
0:07:26 > 0:07:29of the current wintry weather was on the agenda.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32The "Beast from the East" and Storm Emma have led to trains
0:07:32 > 0:07:36being cancelled across the UK.
0:07:36 > 0:07:37Alongside commuter chaos, flights have also been
0:07:37 > 0:07:40delayed or cancelled, while driving conditions have been
0:07:40 > 0:07:43treacherous on many roads, with Scotland and the north east
0:07:43 > 0:07:47of England among the worst affected.
0:07:47 > 0:07:48Forecasters are warning of more disruption to come
0:07:49 > 0:07:52as the freezing weather continues.
0:07:52 > 0:07:57Well, one MP wanted an investigation into why some
0:07:57 > 0:08:06One MP wanted an investigation into why some services had struggled.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08I wonder if my right honourable friend would come
0:08:08 > 0:08:11after the snow event is over, ask some serious questions or even
0:08:11 > 0:08:14review why it is that when we have an event like this,
0:08:14 > 0:08:17we still are not in any way, in some cases, prepared.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20For example, I discovered yesterday that Heathrow is busy off-loading
0:08:20 > 0:08:22flights because they can't cope with it, whereas...
0:08:23 > 0:08:28It is regional flights.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31What I am saying to my honourable friend is that, given all of that,
0:08:31 > 0:08:36if places like Gatwick and other airports are able to cope,
0:08:36 > 0:08:39does he not think it is ridiculous that at some airports
0:08:39 > 0:08:42are simply unable to cope and others in the UK can?
0:08:42 > 0:08:45Mr Speaker, of course I know a number of members are here today
0:08:45 > 0:08:51because flights to regional airports were not able to go and I hope
0:08:51 > 0:08:56and would expect us to be able to sort that out today as quickly
0:08:56 > 0:09:05as possible, though it's really important
0:09:05 > 0:09:06system is run safely.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09Of course, one of the benefits of the expansion of Heathrow Airport
0:09:09 > 0:09:11is that that airport will become more resilient to difficult
0:09:11 > 0:09:14situations like this week, and it will mean that connections
0:09:14 > 0:09:15to regional airports are more reliable.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17This week of all weeks, rail passage want up-to-date information
0:09:17 > 0:09:19up-to-date information about delays and cancellations.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21South Eastern trains' website has failed to provide any live time
0:09:21 > 0:09:24update in any single rush hour of this week, today included.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27Will my right honourable friend bear that in mind when the franchise
0:09:27 > 0:09:28comes up for renewal?
0:09:28 > 0:09:33My honourable friend is a powerful champion for constituents in Bromley
0:09:33 > 0:09:36and Chislehurst and he's right to expect accurate and prompt
0:09:36 > 0:09:38and timely information so that passengers can have the journey
0:09:38 > 0:09:48quality that they deserve.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51Questioning then focused on the East Coast Mainline
0:09:51 > 0:09:53and the decision to end early the rail franchise run
0:09:53 > 0:09:56by Stagecoach and Virgin.
0:09:56 > 0:10:02He said he knew about a problem with the stagecoach finances and had been
0:10:02 > 0:10:06talking about the Department of Finance with it for two years. Then
0:10:06 > 0:10:12why did he not put a contingency plan forward given that his
0:10:12 > 0:10:17department... Mr Speaker, the Secretary of State has had two years
0:10:17 > 0:10:20to sort this mess out and is it not simply incredible that he still does
0:10:20 > 0:10:34not know what to do?Let's be clear. I've been Secretary of State for 18
0:10:34 > 0:10:44months, Mr Speaker, and since I became aware, we have been doing
0:10:44 > 0:10:46careful contingency planning so we have a long-term plan for this route
0:10:46 > 0:10:50and we have short-term options am a but you can't actually put those
0:10:50 > 0:10:55short-term options into place until the appropriate moment arrives when
0:10:55 > 0:10:58they are necessary, and we are prepared for that moment when it
0:10:58 > 0:11:06arises and we will deliver the alternatives.Given that the
0:11:06 > 0:11:10taxpayers Arty lost out on over £2 billion of payments, tender
0:11:10 > 0:11:17secretary advised the House whether the ramifications and termination of
0:11:17 > 0:11:21the franchise are fully concluded? What sums of money are earmarked to
0:11:21 > 0:11:28settle any further demands of misters Branson and Souter through
0:11:28 > 0:11:40litigation?We have no more written off £2 billion then they rode off,
0:11:40 > 0:11:44because the reality is this is up being a profitable railway that will
0:11:44 > 0:11:49whatever happens continue to generate a substantial return for
0:11:49 > 0:11:53the taxpayer and it is about time they did their sums properly rather
0:11:53 > 0:11:55than misrepresenting reality.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57You're watching Thursday in Parliament, with me,
0:11:57 > 0:11:58Alicia McCarthy.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02Still to come, a chance for MPs to show off their language skills -
0:12:02 > 0:12:07as the Commons celebrates the national day of Wales.
0:12:07 > 0:12:16A happy Saint David's day.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19Before that, in the Lords, there was a call for better
0:12:19 > 0:12:21regulation for the use of facial recognition technology
0:12:21 > 0:12:22by the security service and police.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Biometric software can identify someone by comparing a photo
0:12:25 > 0:12:28or video to a stored face-print.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32It's used for security but also increasingly by private companies.
0:12:32 > 0:12:37One peer, who said she'd been arrested but not charged
0:12:37 > 0:12:47while attending a peaceful protest, raised concerns.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53I'm very concerned that this technology is being used
0:12:53 > 0:12:56with a database of illegal images of innocent people and I include
0:12:56 > 0:12:58myself in that number.
0:12:58 > 0:12:59It seems that the facial recognition technology
0:12:59 > 0:13:01is using the Police National Database, which contains tens
0:13:01 > 0:13:04of thousands of people who were never charged or convicted
0:13:04 > 0:13:05of an offence.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08It is six years since the High Court ruled that the policy of retaining
0:13:08 > 0:13:10the mugshots of innocent people was unlawful,
0:13:10 > 0:13:12but the police still do it and they still upload them
0:13:12 > 0:13:13onto the Police National Database.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16The Government's solution in 2017 was to allow individuals to write
0:13:16 > 0:13:19to the police asking to be deleted.
0:13:19 > 0:13:27That just isn't good enough.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30Although it's still in a very early stage of development,
0:13:30 > 0:13:33as far as its use in the criminal justice system is concerned,
0:13:33 > 0:13:35I have no doubt that it will eventually be accepted
0:13:35 > 0:13:39by the police and the courts as a quick and reliable method
0:13:39 > 0:13:41of eliminating the innocent from suspicion as much
0:13:41 > 0:13:51as for identifying and convicting the guilty.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54But he added there were no national or international standards to
0:13:54 > 0:14:00implement their use.The train has left the station or whatever
0:14:00 > 0:14:11metaphor you wanted to use on this concern.
0:14:13 > 0:14:20The Chinese alibi beside as a way where you can smile to pay. I don't
0:14:20 > 0:14:23know if a similar system is being adopted in the UK or other Western
0:14:23 > 0:14:26countries, but the technique is there and it is actually only a
0:14:26 > 0:14:32matter of time before none stagers actors start to use these techniques
0:14:32 > 0:14:37are far more widely than is currently the case.While the PM of
0:14:37 > 0:14:44former and white -- and my five cheap... Is going into rebuilding
0:14:44 > 0:14:52the other day and there was a facial recognition at the door.Ended at
0:14:52 > 0:14:57that -- it is merely identified me as myself. And it was a 12-year-old
0:14:57 > 0:15:02photograph taken from the Internet. This is not just the police custody
0:15:02 > 0:15:05records. You can do without any of that stuff. A lot of people are
0:15:05 > 0:15:11doing so in the private sector.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14For example, the Durham Police force are now wearing body worn image
0:15:14 > 0:15:16cameras to create a troublemakers database, which is totally
0:15:16 > 0:15:19against the principles of data protection and against the spirit
0:15:19 > 0:15:23of using this kind of technology for intelligent gathering tools.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26As there is no legal status and no proper regulations and no
0:15:26 > 0:15:36independent oversight, they're getting away with it.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41experienced The Home Office Minister said biometric data was critically
0:15:41 > 0:15:42important in law enforcement.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44She also said the government was committed to creating
0:15:51 > 0:15:57We commit to ensuring that the use of biometrics and those provided to
0:15:57 > 0:16:01law enforcement partners are legal and robust.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03She also said the government was committed to creating
0:16:03 > 0:16:06a framework so that organisations could innovate with biometric data
0:16:06 > 0:16:08in an ethical and transparent way.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11Staying in the Lords the Government was accused of intentionally
0:16:11 > 0:16:15delaying a decision on putting folic acid in flour and bread to help
0:16:15 > 0:16:18prevent some birth defects.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21One in every five hundred to a thousand pregnancies in the UK
0:16:21 > 0:16:25is affected by neural tube defects - like spina bifida -
0:16:25 > 0:16:27which damages the nervous system.
0:16:27 > 0:16:3181 countries have introduced mandatory folic acid
0:16:31 > 0:16:33fortification in food.
0:16:33 > 0:16:34A recent study by universities in London found that there was no
0:16:40 > 0:16:45The original study for this was published in 1991. There were four
0:16:45 > 0:16:50small children issued in maternal health. In the intervening time, I
0:16:50 > 0:16:56now have four small grandchildren. 81 countries have acted on this
0:16:56 > 0:17:04British publicly funded research which has saved untold suffering
0:17:04 > 0:17:08throughout the world. Isn't it a disgrace that we haven't got to the
0:17:08 > 0:17:11point of preventing that suffering in our own country?
0:17:11 > 0:17:14A recent study by universities in London found that there was no
0:17:14 > 0:17:16need for an upper limit on the amount of folate
0:17:16 > 0:17:21which could be put in flour.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25I think the noble lady is completely right in what she says and I think
0:17:25 > 0:17:30going forward one of the reasons perhaps that has not been movement
0:17:30 > 0:17:34up until now is because of the problems with the upper level which
0:17:34 > 0:17:39clearly this report says is not a problem. If the upper level has no
0:17:39 > 0:17:43longer needed, it provides reassurance on the safety of
0:17:43 > 0:17:49mandatory fortification and I think proceedings should go ahead.There
0:17:49 > 0:17:55are two main reasons by the Government may feel resistance this.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59One is the dosage level is not toxic at all. The second is we don't want
0:17:59 > 0:18:06to be described as a nanny state. If the noble lady would take a tune and
0:18:06 > 0:18:11sweetcorn sandwich at the Bishop of the bar, she will find that the week
0:18:11 > 0:18:23that we already add, calcium, iron, preservatives 8282, H and E 300,
0:18:23 > 0:18:32nanny state? This before as it is very vital, when she agree?I think
0:18:32 > 0:18:35the nanny state does come into it. Not as far as we're concerned are
0:18:35 > 0:18:40anyway. Health officials told me that the Department of Health mailed
0:18:40 > 0:18:46back apparently has been from the general public that they don't want
0:18:46 > 0:18:50mass fortification in their food. But that will all be part of any
0:18:50 > 0:18:53proceedings going forward in discussions. That isn't what is
0:18:53 > 0:18:55holding us up at the moment.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57Lady Chisholm added the Government was not intentionally
0:18:57 > 0:19:00delaying a decision on this, it was waiting to get approval
0:19:00 > 0:19:04from several of its departments before it could proceed.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07Ministers have been warned that urgent action is needed to ensure
0:19:07 > 0:19:10foreign fruit and vegetable pickers can continue to work
0:19:10 > 0:19:13in the UK after Brexit.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15MPs from all parties have called for clarity on the rules that
0:19:15 > 0:19:19will apply to seasonal migrants after March next year,
0:19:19 > 0:19:24and many called for a new visa scheme for agricultural workers.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27Kirstene Hair, who secured today's debate, said an estimated 80,000
0:19:27 > 0:19:31seasonal pickers came to work in the UK last year
0:19:31 > 0:19:36and it was expected that 95,000 would be needed in 2019.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39But she said it was getting increasingly difficult
0:19:39 > 0:19:46to recruit workers.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49Without sufficient farmers, cops -- crops are left to rot in the field,
0:19:49 > 0:19:52a scene which was unfortunately witnessed last year. Some farmers
0:19:52 > 0:19:57for the first time -- for some had to watch their programmes waste away
0:19:57 > 0:19:59in the fields. As the war for slightly in the season had
0:19:59 > 0:20:07dispersed. A research conducted between January and February of this
0:20:07 > 0:20:11year had startling outcomes which I hope will convey the seriousness of
0:20:11 > 0:20:16the current situation. 100% of those who were contacted said they were
0:20:16 > 0:20:19concerned or very concerned about the impact labour shortages would
0:20:19 > 0:20:25have on their businesses in 2018 and beyond.One farmer I spoke to that
0:20:25 > 0:20:28yes, he had always sought British workers to come and work on his
0:20:28 > 0:20:37farm. And in six years, he did have one moved by. And blessed to the
0:20:37 > 0:20:43half weeks. We are not going to find the UK market that people will come
0:20:43 > 0:20:47to replace all of the people who are working in a seasonal capacity at
0:20:47 > 0:20:53the moment.The production of fruit and vegetables is a great success
0:20:53 > 0:20:56story for our country. It is a growing industry that we should be
0:20:56 > 0:21:06supporting. But unless we fix this labour shortage, prices will go up.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10Fewer people will be able to afford British fruit and vegetables. That
0:21:10 > 0:21:16growth may well reverse. And we will see a share of the fruit and
0:21:16 > 0:21:20vegetables that we consume that we currently consume, British produce,
0:21:20 > 0:21:27be replaced by imports.The strong feeling I had during these
0:21:27 > 0:21:31discussions was that an ideological fervor of Brexodus among certain
0:21:31 > 0:21:36Ministers and with that unbending support for freedom of movement, are
0:21:36 > 0:21:41completely overridden any common sense approach to this problem. That
0:21:41 > 0:21:44the response was very much we voted for Brexit and to stop freedom of
0:21:44 > 0:21:49movement, we have to get on. That is my approach -- that is our report no
0:21:49 > 0:21:53matter what -- a brochure and what. What we have seen in an agriculture
0:21:53 > 0:21:57business is this has become collateral. This is becoming root
0:21:57 > 0:22:02issue for this, which is now set in the very -- threatening the very
0:22:02 > 0:22:07viability of so many farms. And I tried to figure out why I did so
0:22:07 > 0:22:10resistant about putting forward a seasonal agricultural worker scheme?
0:22:10 > 0:22:14Eight can only be about immigration. It is not, then the honourable Lady
0:22:14 > 0:22:17could get up why is there a reticence to put in place a scheme
0:22:17 > 0:22:20was that it is all about immigration, isn't it?
0:22:20 > 0:22:21Kirstene Hair called
0:22:21 > 0:22:23for the urgent introduction of a Seasonal Agricultural
0:22:23 > 0:22:25Workers scheme.
0:22:25 > 0:22:35Why do we need this urgently? Harvest 2018. Our first cannot plan
0:22:35 > 0:22:39that will be harvested. This is an industry in turmoil.Is critical to
0:22:39 > 0:22:48that those are last certainty that can stay long-term. We have clearly
0:22:48 > 0:22:52stated throughout negotiations that we value EU citizens and the
0:22:52 > 0:22:56contribution they make to the economic and social fabric of the
0:22:56 > 0:22:59UK. Our offer is that those EQ citizens and their family members
0:22:59 > 0:23:04who arrived our resident and have registered during the period will be
0:23:04 > 0:23:08eligible after the acute donation of five years continual and unlawful
0:23:08 > 0:23:09status.
0:23:09 > 0:23:10Caroline Nokes.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13March the first is the meteorological start of spring.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16Hard to believe right now, it's also St David's Day
0:23:16 > 0:23:19and a chance for a few non-Welsh speakers to have a go
0:23:19 > 0:23:25at the traditional greeting.
0:23:25 > 0:23:32Can I wish all members... I am told that as happy Saint David's Day for
0:23:32 > 0:23:39all of the nine Welsh speakers amongst us.D... And happy Saint
0:23:39 > 0:23:40David's day.
0:23:40 > 0:23:45And how about with a Scottish accent?
0:23:45 > 0:23:50Here's my go... I hope I impressed my honourable member.
0:23:51 > 0:23:56And this is how it should be done.
0:23:56 > 0:24:02Happy Saint David's day. Congratulations to the leader and
0:24:02 > 0:24:07the shadow leader in the S and P Leader of the House for using the
0:24:07 > 0:24:09wealth -- watch language. Which we were allowed historically to use
0:24:09 > 0:24:12recently in the Welsh grand committee in this House and I was
0:24:12 > 0:24:15pleased to make a speech in the Welsh language. As the leader
0:24:15 > 0:24:21considered whether that very welcome extension could be extended into the
0:24:21 > 0:24:26chamber now that technology makes it perfectly possible to have a House
0:24:26 > 0:24:31of Commons debate using translation equipment?
0:24:31 > 0:24:32But there was some bad news
0:24:32 > 0:24:34for those wanting more
0:24:34 > 0:24:40talk of St David's Day.
0:24:40 > 0:24:46When the base of the East makes star Anna, at the request of Welsh
0:24:46 > 0:24:50drivers, the schedule debate on Welsh affairs has been cancelled so
0:24:50 > 0:24:52that they can travel home safely.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54The weather intruding
0:24:54 > 0:24:56on Commons business once more, something Pete Wishart was keen
0:24:56 > 0:25:00to explore, sort of.
0:25:00 > 0:25:05I suppose there are only two real items of business, and the bees of
0:25:05 > 0:25:08the East and the Foreign Secretary. One is a white at delivering havoc
0:25:08 > 0:25:13and chaos and whatever touches. And the other is of course the beast of
0:25:13 > 0:25:13the East.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16Pete Wishart with an entirely spontaneous gag.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20And that's it from us for now but do join me at 11pm on Friday night
0:25:20 > 0:25:23on BBC Parliament for our round up of the week in Parliament.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26We'll be looking back at the big events of the last few days
0:25:26 > 0:25:28here at Westminster, and looking at Brexit
0:25:28 > 0:25:29and devolution.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32As Wales and Scotland ramp up the pressure on the Westminster
0:25:32 > 0:25:35government to make sure powers over things like food and fishing go
0:25:35 > 0:25:38to them after Brexit.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42But for now from me, Alicia McCarthy, goodbye.