0:00:11 > 0:00:14Hello and welcome to Wednesday in Parliament.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16The main news from Westminster:
0:00:16 > 0:00:18Winter pressures in the health service -
0:00:18 > 0:00:20the Labour leader accuses the Government of holding b`ck
0:00:20 > 0:00:22performance data.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25Is it because the number of people being kept waiting on trolldys
0:00:25 > 0:00:29in A has gone up more than fourfold
0:00:29 > 0:00:31that he doesn't want to publish these statistics?
0:00:31 > 0:00:35But David Cameron insists the NHS is in good health.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37There is more data published in our NHS that there
0:00:37 > 0:00:40ever was under Labour.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43Also on the programme, two weeks after the Commons voted
0:00:43 > 0:00:45for air strikes in Syria, there's a progress report
0:00:45 > 0:00:49from the Foreign Secretary.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52It continues to be the case that we have had no reports
0:00:52 > 0:00:54of civilian casualties as a result
0:00:54 > 0:00:58of UK air strikes in either Iraq or Syria.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00And the BBC is challenged over
0:01:00 > 0:01:03the nomination of Tyson Furx for Sports Personality of the Year.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07I think, like most people, there is a line has to be drawn
0:01:07 > 0:01:10between expressing offensivd views, which he is entitled to do,
0:01:10 > 0:01:11and expressing violent views about breaking women's
0:01:11 > 0:01:15jaws and shooting homosexuals.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17The final Prime Minister's Puestions before the Christmas break began
0:01:17 > 0:01:19on an uplifting note.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22I am sure the whole House will join me in wishing
0:01:22 > 0:01:25Major Tim Peake well as he begins his six-month stay
0:01:25 > 0:01:28at the international space station.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31We all watched his exciting take-off yesterday and,
0:01:31 > 0:01:33as the first Briton to visit the international space station
0:01:33 > 0:01:35it signals a landmark
0:01:35 > 0:01:38in this country s involvement in space exploration.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41I am proud that the Governmdnt took the decision to fund it
0:01:41 > 0:01:43and we wish him the best of luck.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47Tim Peake will be on the sp`ce station for six months.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50The Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn kicked off with some festivd cheer.
0:01:50 > 0:01:55Could I start by wishing you, all Members
0:01:55 > 0:01:58of the House and all staff here and Major Tim Peake,
0:01:58 > 0:02:00who is not on the planet at this time...
0:02:00 > 0:02:05LAUGHTER
0:02:05 > 0:02:15..a very happy Christmas and a peaceful new year?
0:02:15 > 0:02:19Thank you, Mr Speaker.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22When the chortling faded aw`y, it was down to the serious business.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25Mr Corbyn asked about the NHS and the availability of sochal care
0:02:25 > 0:02:27for people leaving hospital.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30The number of days that pathents are being kept in hospital
0:02:30 > 0:02:33because there is nowhere safe to discharge them to has dotbled
0:02:33 > 0:02:37since the Prime Minister took office.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41On the 4th of November, I asked him if he could guarantee
0:02:41 > 0:02:45that there will be no winter crisis in the NHS this winter.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48He did not answer then, I wonder whether he will be able
0:02:48 > 0:02:49to help us with an answer today
0:02:49 > 0:02:51First, let me join the right honourable
0:02:51 > 0:02:54Gentleman and be clear that I do not want to wish him the season s
0:02:54 > 0:02:57greetings, I want a full happy Christmas for him and everyone
0:02:57 > 0:03:01in the House.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03He specifically asked about the NHS, so let me
0:03:03 > 0:03:06answer specifically about the NHS.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08The average stay in hospital has actually fallen since I bec`me
0:03:08 > 0:03:13Prime Minister from five and a half days to five days.
0:03:13 > 0:03:18One reason for that is that we kept our promises on the NHS.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21We put in an extra ?12 billhon in the last Parliament
0:03:21 > 0:03:23and will be putting in ?19 billion in cash terms
0:03:23 > 0:03:27in the NHS in this Parliament.
0:03:27 > 0:03:32For the record, I did say happy Christmas.
0:03:32 > 0:03:39Maybe the Prime Minister was not listening at the time.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43If he is so happy about the national health service, will he explain why
0:03:43 > 0:03:45he has decided to cancel the publication of
0:03:45 > 0:03:51NHS performance data this whnter?
0:03:51 > 0:03:55Is it because the number of people being kept waiting on trolldys
0:03:55 > 0:03:57in A has gone up more than fourfold that he does not
0:03:58 > 0:04:00want to publish these statistics?
0:04:00 > 0:04:04First of all, the data that he quoted in his first question
0:04:04 > 0:04:08was not published before this Government came into office.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12Let me quote him some data about the NHS.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14Let me take an average day today compared with five years ago,
0:04:15 > 0:04:17when I became Prime Minister.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21On an average day in the NHS today,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24there are 4,400 more operathons and 21,000 more outpatient
0:04:24 > 0:04:27appointments than there were five years ago.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31Yes, there are challenges in A but there are 2,100 more people
0:04:31 > 0:04:39seen within four hours todax than there were five years `go,
0:04:39 > 0:04:42and there are more data published on our NHS than there ever
0:04:42 > 0:04:44were under Labour.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48There are huge pressures on the NHS
0:04:48 > 0:04:51and they are largely due to the pressures on the adult social
0:04:51 > 0:04:55care system, which is under enormous stress at the moment.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58Indeed, there have been hugd cuts in adult social care becausd of cuts
0:04:58 > 0:04:59in local government funding.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02The NHS chief executive, Simon Stevens, has called
0:05:02 > 0:05:07for a radical upgrade in prdvention and public health.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09Does the Prime Minister agrde that cutting these crucial
0:05:09 > 0:05:13services is a false economy?
0:05:13 > 0:05:16We are increasing the money that
0:05:16 > 0:05:20is able to go into social c`re through the 2% council tax precept,
0:05:20 > 0:05:24so that local councils can spend more.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26But I notice the right honourable Gentleman
0:05:26 > 0:05:28mentioned Simon Stevens but our NHS plan
0:05:28 > 0:05:32is Simon Stevens plan.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36For the first time, the NHS got together and wrote its plan.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40It asked for ?8 billion and it asked for the money up front.
0:05:40 > 0:05:45We committed to that plan, unlike Labour at the last election,
0:05:45 > 0:05:49and we funded it up front, which is why we see a bigger
0:05:49 > 0:05:51and better NHS.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54Mr Cameron has received somd advice on Europe from the former
0:05:54 > 0:05:57Conservative Prime Minister Sir John Major.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00In a BBC interview, John Major warned Mr Cameron against flirting
0:06:00 > 0:06:03with leaving the European Union
0:06:03 > 0:06:07He told the Today programme on Radio Four that heading off
0:06:07 > 0:06:10into splendid isolation would not be in the UK's best interests.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13His remarks were seized on at PMQs by Angus Robertson,
0:06:13 > 0:06:18the Leader of the SNP at Westminster.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21The Prime Minister will shortly meet the Heads of State and of Government
0:06:21 > 0:06:24of the European Union.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27Will he heed the advice of former Prime Minister John Major and stop
0:06:27 > 0:06:30flirting with leaving the European Union,
0:06:30 > 0:06:32which would, in his words, be
0:06:32 > 0:06:36very dangerous and against our national interests?
0:06:36 > 0:06:39What I will be doing is getting the best
0:06:39 > 0:06:41deal for Britain. That is what we should be doing
0:06:41 > 0:06:45This Government were the first to cut the EU budget,
0:06:45 > 0:06:47the first to veto a treaty, the first to bring back
0:06:47 > 0:06:49substantial powers to Britahn.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53We have a great record on Etrope and we will get a good deal
0:06:53 > 0:06:55for the British people.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58We were reminded this week that there is a very
0:06:58 > 0:07:00strong majority in Scotland to remain within the Europe`n Union,
0:07:00 > 0:07:04and the Prime Minister has failed...
0:07:04 > 0:07:07I know his side does not like to hear it
0:07:07 > 0:07:10but the Prime Minister has failed to give any guarantees that Scotland
0:07:10 > 0:07:15will not be forced out of the EU by the rest of the UK.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18Does he have any idea of the consequences of taking
0:07:18 > 0:07:25Scotland out of the EU against the wishes of voters in Scotland?
0:07:25 > 0:07:31This is a United Kingdom and this is a United Kingdom issue.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33Why is he so frightened
0:07:33 > 0:07:36of listening to the people and holding this
0:07:36 > 0:07:38historic referendum, passed through both Houses
0:07:38 > 0:07:41of Parliament in the last wdek?
0:07:41 > 0:07:45I say get a good deal for Britain and then trust the people.
0:07:45 > 0:07:50Three years ago, the Prime Linister could not have been any cle`rer
0:07:50 > 0:07:53His EU renegotiation would lean returning control over soci`l
0:07:53 > 0:07:57and employment law. Is he still seeking that?
0:07:57 > 0:07:59I always find it hard to satisfy
0:07:59 > 0:08:01the honourable Gentleman.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04He joined the Conservative party
0:08:04 > 0:08:07when we were not committed to a referendum and he left
0:08:07 > 0:08:10the Conservative party after we committed to a refdrendum,
0:08:10 > 0:08:12so I am not surprised that he is giving his new boss
0:08:12 > 0:08:15as much trouble as he used to give me.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19With that, I wish them both a very festive Christmas.
0:08:19 > 0:08:26Later on at PMQs, Mr Cameron said that the UK has met its comlitment
0:08:26 > 0:08:28to giving refuge to 100 Syrhans fleeing the civil war.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31Later, the Foreign Secretarx, Philip Hammond, gave MPs a progress
0:08:31 > 0:08:33report on the fight against so-called Islamic State
0:08:33 > 0:08:35He said it was unacceptable that Russia continued
0:08:35 > 0:08:42to focus its attacks on Syrian opposition groups.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44He revealed that the RAF has flown 1600 missions
0:08:44 > 0:08:45over Iraq and Syria.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48I am pleased to be able to hnform the House today that it continues
0:08:48 > 0:08:51to be the case that we have had no reports
0:08:51 > 0:08:53of civilian casualties as a result of UK air strikes
0:08:53 > 0:08:58in either Iraq or Syria.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01I pay tribute to the precishon and professionalism of our
0:09:01 > 0:09:04RAF pilots in conducting these operations.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08With our coalition partners, including the United States,
0:09:08 > 0:09:11we will continue to urge the Russians at every opportunity
0:09:11 > 0:09:15to focus their fire solely on Daesh.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18It is unacceptable that Russian action
0:09:18 > 0:09:22is weakening the opposition and thus giving advantage to the verx Daesh
0:09:22 > 0:09:26forces that they claim to be engaged against.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30The International Syria Support Group will meet in New York this
0:09:30 > 0:09:34week following talks in Parhs aimed at ending the civil war.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36With so many different parthes to the Syrian civil war,
0:09:36 > 0:09:40maintaining a ceasefire will be extremely complex.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44Has the Government explored the possibility
0:09:44 > 0:09:46of a UN resolution reinforchng the outline agreement,
0:09:46 > 0:09:48including the ceasefire, agreed at that second
0:09:48 > 0:09:51Vienna conference?
0:09:51 > 0:09:55It remains the clear intenthon of US Secretary of State John Kerry
0:09:55 > 0:09:59to try to get agreement on Friday in New York to a ceasefire.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02Frankly, that will be highlx challenging but I commend hhm
0:10:02 > 0:10:06for his ambition.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09We are also holding this medting in New York on Friday,
0:10:09 > 0:10:12rather than Vienna, specifically to be able to go
0:10:12 > 0:10:17immediately to the United N`tions Security Council if it becoles
0:10:17 > 0:10:20clear, during the morning, that it is possible to reach
0:10:20 > 0:10:22an agreement that the Russi`ns will not veto
0:10:22 > 0:10:29in the UN Security Council.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31There is a possibility, but I would put it no
0:10:31 > 0:10:33higher than that, that Frid`y's meeting will end with
0:10:33 > 0:10:35the UN Security Council resolution.
0:10:35 > 0:10:40The Foreign Secretary said, and is
0:10:40 > 0:10:42welcome across this chamber, that there had been no reported
0:10:42 > 0:10:45casualties of UK action in Syria.
0:10:45 > 0:10:50Of course, he also knows the UK-based
0:10:50 > 0:10:54Syrian Observatory on Human Rights supported in the last few d`ys
0:10:54 > 0:10:5826 civilian casualties from the coalition of which we are
0:10:58 > 0:11:00a part, action in Syria.
0:11:00 > 0:11:01Including the reported deaths of seven children
0:11:01 > 0:11:04and four women.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07Following on from the comments of the member for Gordon,
0:11:07 > 0:11:13isn't the crucial differencd that the RAF goes out of its way
0:11:13 > 0:11:16to avoid civilian casualties, while Daesh goes out of its way
0:11:16 > 0:11:18to destroy and kill and maim as many innocent
0:11:18 > 0:11:20civilians as it possibly can?
0:11:20 > 0:11:24Isn't it clear Russia's priority is to protect the Assad reghme?
0:11:24 > 0:11:27Does it remain the position of the British Government that Assad
0:11:27 > 0:11:28cannot be part of any solution
0:11:28 > 0:11:32to the Syrian crisis?
0:11:32 > 0:11:37Mr Speaker, I long since gave up using the word "clear"
0:11:37 > 0:11:40to describe anything about Russian policy because it is anything
0:11:40 > 0:11:44but clear, it is always opapue.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47The truth is, we simply don't know what the Russian strategy is.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51We don't know what their objectives are and
0:11:51 > 0:11:55my assessment is that most people in the Russian system don't know.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57Perhaps Mr Putin has in his head an idea
0:11:57 > 0:12:01about what the endgame is hdre.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03What I do know is that some 75% of Russian air strikes
0:12:03 > 0:12:06are being conducted against people that we
0:12:06 > 0:12:10believe have to be part of the solution to the Syri`n
0:12:10 > 0:12:12problem, not against Daesh, which we are very
0:12:12 > 0:12:18clear is the enemy.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21When you sup with Vladimir Putin, you need to use a very long spoon.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24So it is very dangerous for some of our European
0:12:24 > 0:12:26colleagues to be saying that his involvement in this
0:12:26 > 0:12:30dispute, in this battle, is somehow helpful and that
0:12:30 > 0:12:34we should be reconsidering sanctions against him.
0:12:34 > 0:12:39The percentage of Russian air strikes that are
0:12:39 > 0:12:42targeting on Daesh has incrdased but it is still only around 25%
0:12:42 > 0:12:44of the total of the air strhkes
0:12:44 > 0:12:46The remainder are targeted against the moderate opposition
0:12:46 > 0:12:50and that is deeply unhelpful, to put it mildly.
0:12:50 > 0:12:51Philip Hammond there.
0:12:52 > 0:12:53Now, MPs have challenged thd BBC's Director-General Tony Hall over
0:12:54 > 0:12:57the controversial nomination of the boxer Tyson Fury for the BBC
0:12:57 > 0:13:00Sports Personality of the Ydar.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03He said - one of them was, "Don't like gays, should
0:13:03 > 0:13:06all be shot dead."
0:13:06 > 0:13:11Another one, "Off home now to break the wife's jaw."
0:13:11 > 0:13:14Do you think somebody sending tweets like that is an appropriate role
0:13:14 > 0:13:16model for the BBC to be putting on television
0:13:17 > 0:13:18for a prestigious award?
0:13:18 > 0:13:21Can I say two things?
0:13:21 > 0:13:25One is to stress again the panel decided, and I wasn't present
0:13:25 > 0:13:30in the panel discussions, to name him for his extraordinary
0:13:30 > 0:13:34achievement of - I think he's the fifth person to win
0:13:34 > 0:13:38a heavyweight title for the world.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40You know, he's getting - he's been put on that list
0:13:41 > 0:13:43because of his sporting prowess not for other things
0:13:44 > 0:13:45that he's doing.
0:13:45 > 0:13:45So...
0:13:46 > 0:13:47If I may just finish?
0:13:47 > 0:13:50It's actually up for now, for the people to judge,
0:13:51 > 0:13:54for them to vote as to whether he's the person who becomes
0:13:54 > 0:13:55Sports Personality of the Ydar.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58You know of course the sign`l that it sends out for him to be
0:13:58 > 0:13:59on the stage.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02I don't think for one moment he will win.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04It sends out a very strong signal to kids in particular
0:14:05 > 0:14:07across the country watching this, that our national broadcastdr
0:14:07 > 0:14:11is prepared to go along with his nomination.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13Or are you saying that once he was nominated,
0:14:13 > 0:14:15however the process worked in the end -
0:14:15 > 0:14:17and there is some dispute about how it did work -
0:14:18 > 0:14:21are you saying the BBC was locked into this process and that
0:14:21 > 0:14:26Tyson Fury could say or do `nything at this stage now and he will end up
0:14:26 > 0:14:29on your shortlist?
0:14:29 > 0:14:34I kind of believe in the process of Sports Personality of thd Year,
0:14:34 > 0:14:38namely that 12 names are put up there and then,
0:14:38 > 0:14:42as it were, the voters, in this case the British public
0:14:43 > 0:14:44will make their judgment.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47Like most people, a line has to be drawn between expressing offensive
0:14:47 > 0:14:50views, which he is entitled to do, and expressing violent views
0:14:51 > 0:14:54about breaking women's jaws and shooting homosexuals.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57For me, that crosses a line.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59The Americans call it fighting talk, don't they?
0:15:00 > 0:15:02Can I ask you a different qtestion?
0:15:02 > 0:15:04Do you think that had he said for instance,
0:15:05 > 0:15:09"Don't like Muslims, should all be shot dead."
0:15:09 > 0:15:12Do you think he would still be on your shortlist?
0:15:12 > 0:15:15I'm not going to get into hypotheticals like that.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17Can I go back and say...
0:15:17 > 0:15:20I don't, I have to say.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22I have my private views.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26Can I also say it is interesting to hear you talking about free
0:15:26 > 0:15:28speech, too, because one of the things which is key
0:15:28 > 0:15:31to the BBC is that we are ilpartial and we should be a place
0:15:31 > 0:15:36where people's views can be heard across a range of opinion
0:15:36 > 0:15:39in all things.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41You are watching Wednesday in Parliament with me,
0:15:41 > 0:15:43Kristiina Cooper.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50A trip to Holyrood now, where the Scottish Government has
0:15:50 > 0:15:53been setting out its budget for next year.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56It's the first time that Scotland has been able to determine hncome
0:15:56 > 0:15:59tax rates and the Deputy First Minister and Finance Secret`ry,
0:15:59 > 0:16:02the Scottish Nationalist, John Swinney, confirmed
0:16:02 > 0:16:05they would remain the same.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07Opposition parties baited hhm about the decision.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12The current power allows for one single rate to be set in Scotland
0:16:12 > 0:16:15and applied equally to all three income tax bands, the basic,
0:16:15 > 0:16:18higher and additional rate.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22Any rate set above 10p would increase the tax paid
0:16:22 > 0:16:25by all Scottish taxpayers.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29By its nature, exercising this power would have a disproportionate effect
0:16:29 > 0:16:34on the amount of tax paid bx those on the lowest of incomes.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38Likewise, whilst any rate bdlow 10p would cut the tax bill paid
0:16:38 > 0:16:42by all taxpayers, those on the highest incomes would see
0:16:42 > 0:16:44the greatest benefit.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48So the simple fact is this: The tax power does not enable me to target
0:16:48 > 0:16:52help to those on the lowest of incomes.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55I do, however, have the powdr to ensure that this tax does not
0:16:56 > 0:16:59inflict an additional burden on those on low incomes.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02I can therefore confirm that there will be no changd
0:17:02 > 0:17:05in income tax rates next ye`r.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09I propose that the Scottish rate of income tax will be set at 10p
0:17:09 > 0:17:11in the ?1.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13The rate people pay this ye`r will be the same rate
0:17:14 > 0:17:16that they will pay next year.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20I hope, Presiding Officer, that from 2017/18, this Parliament
0:17:20 > 0:17:24will have more flexibility in setting income tax rates.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26However, that will depend on reaching agreement
0:17:27 > 0:17:31on a new fiscal framework and final passage of the Scotland Bill.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34I can confirm that, subject to achieving these outcomes,
0:17:34 > 0:17:37the Government will set out our longer-term intentions
0:17:37 > 0:17:40with regard to income tax ahead of the dissolution of Parli`ment
0:17:40 > 0:17:42at the end of March.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45With major new tax and welf`re powers coming to Scotland,
0:17:46 > 0:17:49the Finance Secretary could have used today to outline detailed plans
0:17:50 > 0:17:54to end austerity and close the gap between the richest
0:17:54 > 0:17:57and the rest in Scotland.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00The Finance Secretary claims to have delivered on that in his st`tement,
0:18:01 > 0:18:06but he's not rejecting austdrity, he is simply managing it.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09The Finance Secretary could have chosen to raise the rate of income
0:18:10 > 0:18:13tax and he decided himself not to do so.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15For years, he has portrayed himself as the prisoner
0:18:16 > 0:18:18of Westminster austerity.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21But now that he has been given the key to the door of his cell
0:18:21 > 0:18:24he has chosen not to use it.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27So I trust we will hear no lore from the SNP about austeritx
0:18:27 > 0:18:30or about Westminster cuts when they themselves have m`de
0:18:30 > 0:18:34the choice not to increase the size of the budget available.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38Presiding Officer, they had their chance and they flunkdd it.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40The Finance Secretary said that if he had raised income tax,
0:18:41 > 0:18:45it would mean a 5% increase for the poor compared to a 2.6% rise
0:18:45 > 0:18:47for the rich.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50Back to Westminster now, where the Health Minister apologised
0:18:50 > 0:18:54for delays in a consultation to reform a scheme for victhms
0:18:54 > 0:18:56of the contaminated blood scandal.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01During the 1970s and early '80s more than 4,500 patients were given
0:19:01 > 0:19:04blood infected with HIV and hepatitis C.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07Schemes were set up to provhde for people affected,
0:19:07 > 0:19:10but they have been widely criticised.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12Can I recognise that I have committed in earlier debates
0:19:12 > 0:19:16to consult on proposals to reform the current payment schemes before
0:19:16 > 0:19:18the end of the year?
0:19:18 > 0:19:21And despite our best efforts to meet this commitment we are not ready
0:19:21 > 0:19:24to publish this before recess.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27However, I can confirm todax that the consultation will be
0:19:27 > 0:19:29published in January.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31The delay I know will be disappointing for many
0:19:31 > 0:19:33who are anticipating this consultation before the end
0:19:34 > 0:19:37of the year, and I do want to apologise for the ddlay
0:19:37 > 0:19:40The infected blood tragedy and reform of the payment schemes
0:19:40 > 0:19:42remains a priority for us.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44And we are currently assesshng what can be allocated
0:19:44 > 0:19:48above and beyond the additional ?25 million already committed.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51I am very disappointed that I have had to ask for this
0:19:52 > 0:19:53urgent question today.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56Ministers on three occasions promised a statement before
0:19:56 > 0:20:00Christmas and they should not have been forced to come to this Chamber
0:20:00 > 0:20:03for the second time this ye`r.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06I assume when the Minister talks about a consultation being hssued
0:20:06 > 0:20:08in January, she means January 2 16?
0:20:09 > 0:20:13I would like clarification on that because dates always seem to slip.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16Such action from the Governlent fuels distrust and resentment
0:20:16 > 0:20:20amongst people who have been let down for far too long.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23Over the years, the responsd of governments of all colours just
0:20:24 > 0:20:27hasn't been good enough.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30And it is a real shame that we are here yet again wondering
0:20:30 > 0:20:33why action hasn't been taken.
0:20:33 > 0:20:38Whilst I don't think anybodx doubts the sincerity of the commitlent
0:20:38 > 0:20:41the Prime Minister made back in April, can the Minister
0:20:41 > 0:20:45understand the disappointment that people have felt in recent lonths
0:20:45 > 0:20:50as promises to publish arrangements and to make statements have
0:20:50 > 0:20:53been repeatedly broken?
0:20:53 > 0:20:57Does she accept that this h`s only raised false hope amongst
0:20:57 > 0:21:01a community that already feels very betrayed?
0:21:01 > 0:21:04Governments of all colours have not turned to this issue -
0:21:04 > 0:21:07but we have turned to this hssue and we are addressing it in a great
0:21:07 > 0:21:08deal of detail.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10It's a complex area.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12There are a very diverse range of effected groups impacted
0:21:12 > 0:21:14by this tragedy.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18We must get the consultation on reform right for all of them
0:21:18 > 0:21:20MPs have approved controversial new regulations to allow fr`cking
0:21:21 > 0:21:24under National Parks and other scenic areas.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27The Commons took the decision on what is known as a deferred
0:21:27 > 0:21:28division.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31MPs voted earlier in the dax using ballot papers.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33The result was announced by one of the Deputy Speakers,
0:21:34 > 0:21:35Natascha Engel.
0:21:36 > 0:21:37Order, order.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40I have now to announce the result of the deferred division
0:21:40 > 0:21:43on the question relating to petroleum.
0:21:43 > 0:21:48The ayes were 298, the noes were 261, so the ayes have ht,
0:21:48 > 0:21:54the ayes have it.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56The proposals are controversial because at the start of the year,
0:21:57 > 0:21:59the Coalition Government sahd there would be an outright ban
0:21:59 > 0:22:02on fracking in National Parks.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05Now, over to the House of Lords where peers seemed a bit fed up
0:22:06 > 0:22:08with the delays to a decision on expanding airport capacity
0:22:08 > 0:22:10in the south-east.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Lord Spicer.
0:22:12 > 0:22:13I beg leave to ask the question standing in my name in the Order
0:22:14 > 0:22:15Paper.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19My Lords, on 10th December, the Government accepted
0:22:19 > 0:22:22the Airport Commission's case for expansion in the south-dast
0:22:22 > 0:22:25We agree with the Commission's shortlist of three options,
0:22:25 > 0:22:29all of which it concluded were viable.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31The Government will now conclude a packet of further work
0:22:31 > 0:22:33by the summer and will ensure the timetable for delivering
0:22:34 > 0:22:38additional capacity set out by the Commission does not `lter.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42My noble friend, the Ministdr, will be relieved to hear I haven't
0:22:42 > 0:22:46got a supplementary question for him.
0:22:46 > 0:22:51LAUGHTER DROWNS OUT SPEECH.
0:22:51 > 0:22:57It's also because the Government's producing the same answers which -
0:22:57 > 0:22:59and I don't know how to put this tactfully -
0:23:00 > 0:23:02have a short shelf life attached to them.
0:23:03 > 0:23:08So, my Lords, I wish the Heathrow Airport,
0:23:08 > 0:23:14the Government and your Lordships a Happy Christmas and an evdn better
0:23:14 > 0:23:20New Year.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29I think it would be only right to return the seasonal greetings
0:23:29 > 0:23:31to my noble friend.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35Is the Minister absolutely confident that a new runway will be btilt
0:23:36 > 0:23:39or is this beginning to look increasingly like a figment
0:23:39 > 0:23:43of the Government's imagination
0:23:43 > 0:23:45The Government has made it very clear that we will expand south east
0:23:46 > 0:23:50airport capacity and the noble Lord, of course, is right to point out
0:23:50 > 0:23:54that failing to address this will, result in a ?30 billion to ?45
0:23:54 > 0:23:58billion loss to the wider economy.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00The Government is committed to expansion in the south-e`st,
0:24:00 > 0:24:02that decision was made clear on 10th December.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05We will be reporting back in September, in the summer of next
0:24:06 > 0:24:10year on the final decision that will be taken on this issue.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13We end where we started with Prime Minister's Questhons
0:24:13 > 0:24:16and with fictional space tr`vel
0:24:16 > 0:24:18With Star Wars Episode VII due to be released in the cinemas
0:24:18 > 0:24:21for the Christmas season, it's a chance to recall the UK's
0:24:21 > 0:24:23special connection with the film.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27Back in 1976, the very first Star Wars was produced
0:24:27 > 0:24:30at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34The triumphant Star Wars saga began life at Elstree Studios
0:24:34 > 0:24:39in my constituency, which continues to produce hits such
0:24:40 > 0:24:43as The King's Speech and Suffragette.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45Order!
0:24:45 > 0:24:47The honourable gentleman is banging on very eloquently about St`r Wars
0:24:48 > 0:24:52and I want to hear him.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55Will the Prime Minister join me in pledging support for our thriving
0:24:55 > 0:24:59British Film Industry, which makes such a valuable,
0:24:59 > 0:25:02social, cultural and economhc contribution in Hertsmere
0:25:03 > 0:25:06and across the United Kingdom?
0:25:07 > 0:25:09I think my honourable friend raises an important point.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12This is not only very exciting for children -
0:25:12 > 0:25:15and I have to say quite a lot of parents are looking forw`rd
0:25:15 > 0:25:18to this film - but this is ` film being made in Britain,
0:25:18 > 0:25:20with many British actors, with some brilliant British
0:25:20 > 0:25:23technicians showing the strdngth of the British Film Industrx
0:25:23 > 0:25:26and I would say this, but also backed by the British Government
0:25:27 > 0:25:29and British taxpayers with the excellent resources
0:25:29 > 0:25:30that we provide.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32Let me just say to my honourable friend, as I've worked with him
0:25:32 > 0:25:34for so many years, and in so many different ways, I know
0:25:34 > 0:25:38that he will never join the Dark Side!
0:25:39 > 0:25:41David Cameron quoting from Star Wars.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44And good to see the light shde of Prime Minister's Questions.
0:25:45 > 0:25:46That is it from Wednesday in Parliament.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49I will be back with the best bits of Parliament from Thursday.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53Until then, from me, Kristiina Cooper, goodbye.