18/01/2012 am.pm

Good morning and welcome to the programme. We've got our first

Westminster Happy Hour of 2012 for you coming up. In a moment we'll

take you to the Commons for Prime Minister's Questions and Welsh

Questions. You can get in touch with us while were on air via

Twitter. The address is @walespolitics or you can send an

Before we go off to Westminster, a quick chat with my guests. The

Labour AM Mark Drakeford and the Conservative, Nick Ramsay.

Good morning. Before we go over to the Commons, let's start with the

monthly unemployment figures out this morning. A headline figure,

coming from someone who doesn't really understand statistics,

unemployment has fallen slightly on the quarter. In Wales it stands at

8.9% compared to 8.4% across the UK. An intimate going down has to be

good news. -- unemployment going down.

If it was true, that would be good news for Wales. If you look behind

the monthly figures, you find unemployment in Wales is growing

year on year, the trend is upwards. Vacancies are down.

Unemployment is up 7,000 on the year.

The rate of unemployment is growing over the year as well. Very sad to

say because these are dreadful consequences for individuals and

families. The Edward for unemployment is bleak in Wales. --

the outlook. Nick, we wouldn't necessarily

expect Mark to consider that positive? Let's have an alternative

view from new? On the face of it, any drop in

unemployment is a good thing. Mark is right, you have to look at the

long-term picture. Let's not forget that the bells government itself

has a role to play in unemployment. We need to have an advance on

things like enterprise zones in Wales and we keep up with England.

There is a debate on the wing about when we will hear more about

enterprise zones. Carwyn Jones says he doesn't have all of the fact so

we can't make the announcement. Andrew RT Davies, you would leader,,

said he was not convinced. At the end of the day, the Welsh

government does have tools at its disposal. We think it to be doing

more than it is to alleviate the problems we are facing.

Mark Drakeford, enterprise zones aren't going to be the only cure.

The biggest problems is youth unemployment. What can the Welsh

government do to contribute to erasing that?

That is where the Welsh government is doing something intensely

practical. The Welsh jobs growth fund which the government has put

in place. The coalition government scrapped across the UK and it is

trying to reinvent it all over again. You look at the figures and

youth unemployment over the UK is well over a million and it's almost

a quarter of all young people in the UK are now unemployed. In Wales,

we have a plan which will eat into that, it won't solve the whole

problem but it is a very active, very practical and focused scheme

that will bring thousands of young people off the dole and into work

in Wales and that wouldn't be happening if it wasn't for the

Welsh government plan. Your party will probably been -- be

in a bit of a pickle. Do you support things like this the Welsh

government are doing when the UK government scrapped the future jobs

fund? Listening to mark, there, he does

say a lot of things which do resonate but I think on that

broader picture, things like the jobs fund which has gone in the UK,

we've got to remember the legacy which was inherited by the

Westminster government. I regret certain things had to go but we had

to deal with the economic situation. The UK government is getting on

with doing that and it is for the boss government to play its part

with them. We will be back to you within the

hour. Let's cross over to Westminster, now.

Figures show some encouraging signs but there is much to do to insure

the session does not leave a legacy of worthlessness in Wales. The

government could remains committed to creating the right conditions

for the private sector to grow. 46% of the workers in my

constituency, 45% of my workers in the Honourable Member's

constituency, work in the public sector. The coalition sacked the

public sector workers and the private sector jobs would increase,

that was the theory. Can the Minister ask me how many private

sector jobs were created in his constituency in the last six months

and also in my constituency. The Honourable Gentleman repeatedly

raises the issue of public sector jobs in Wales. He will know that it

is generally agreed that Wales is at over-dependent on the public

sector and and are dependent on the private sector. The creation of

private sector jobs is largely the responsibility of the Welsh

Assembly Government which is, of course, his party is in control of.

The potential risks of jobs in relation to peacocks is a worry to

all in South Wales and well beyond in the United Kingdom. What action

can the Minister take with his colleagues here in Westminster and

in co-ordination with the Welsh government? Will he pledged to do

everything possible to help them find a funder to secure these jobs

over the long term? Yes, Mr Speaker. The issue of

Peacocks is one of great concern, not just to Wales but to the whole

of the UK. 10,000 people are employed by Peacocks. The Secretary

of State has been in communication with the Secretary of State for

business to discuss this issue and understand that the Welsh

government minister has been in contact with the Minister of State.

Figures published yesterday by the TUC estimate that between now and

2017, another 40,000 public sector jobs will be lost in Wales. What is

his department during to stem that loss and generally, what is his

department doing to assist the economy of Wales? The Honourable

Gentleman is right, the old BR figures do project there will be a

loss of public sector jobs. At the same time, the figures predict

there will be a gain of 1.7 million private sector jobs doing the same

period and my department is strongly engaged with the

Department of business very, very closely indeed to do all we can to

ensure that the private sector grows in Wales.

The Secretary of State and the Minister will know, and you just

referred to the awful news about Peacocks. Taxpayers' money,

billions of pounds of taxpayers' money pumped into the bank's wasn't

pumped in so that those banks can now pull the plug on companies like

Peacocks. Can I ask him and his right on will print -- Right

Honourable friend to save this company?

The Right Honourable Gentleman makes a very important point which

is quite correct. He will understand, I'm sure, at this is

very early days in this unfortunate saga. Our department is liaising

with the Department of business to do all we can to insure those jobs,

if possible, can be saved. Number two.

I've had a range of meetings with what government ministers and look

forward to meeting the minister for business on 6th February when they

plan to discuss, amongst other things, inward investment.

She will know that RBS are blaming a lack of investors for their

decision to pull the plug on a deal to save Peacocks, threatening

thousands of jobs. My constituents can't understand why they were

expected to bail out RBS but RBS are refusing to help them in their

hour of need. What is she doing to talk to RBS about their

responsibilities in this matter? Mr Speaker, can I say first of all

at the moment I heard about Peacocks, I discussed it with the

Secretary of State for business, innovation and skills. The minister

for business has spoken to the Minister of State for the

Department of business, innovation and skills. I have the greatest of

sympathy. I have shopped in Peacock's myself and I know how

many jobs depend on Peacocks. It's important weak export every

possibility but I won't stand in this dispatch box and make any

false promises. We are going to look at what we can do for Peacocks

but it will involve the Welsh government, as he well knows.

What the Secretary of State agree that inward investment eight N

important part in the economy of Wales but to have an impact, we

have to work together with Westminster and Cardiff. Is it not

disappointing the Welsh Assembly seems reluctant to speak to the

department to provide growth? My Honourable Friend is right. I

was disappointed in the article in the Western Mail today to see that

no reference was made to working with the Department of business,

innovation and skills on an interview on this very subject.

I've always advocated that we should be working together. I was

delighted to see that my Honourable Friend, Lord Greene, who is

responsible for UK TI, has opened an invitation to every single MP to

get together with UK TIA and host a seminar in a constituency together

with MPs from neighbouring constituencies and I think that is

a great innovation where we can all work together whether it is

government, Assembly Members, MPs and members of this house.

Worrying news of Peacocks, especially for the constituents of

the Cardiff West MP and represented by the Honourable Member for

Pontypridd. There are implications across the country, including my

own constituency, where many people work in retail sectors. Will she

directly intervene to keep these 10,000 vital jobs, not least as the

joblessness numbers are now rising inexorably in the UK. Implement his

fact-finding and consumer confidence is plummeting.

-- implement his flat lining. He knows that a direct intervention

would not be appropriate until more details are out about this reported

failure of Peacocks. Can I also say because there are so many jobs

depending on this, if there are any redundancies or job losses that

come out from this, JobCentre plus would absolutely be there to

provide individual support, as they have done in other instances. Can I

assure him that all those people be on this table whose jobs depend on

Peacocks, all of us together will do what we can.

To follow up further on the terrible situation facing Peacocks.

Given that Assembly ministers have been slow off the mark to take

action to help out with this situation facing the company, it

will the Secretary of State insure that ministers on both ends of the

M4 will work together to put pressure on the banks to make sure

we say this important Welsh company?

I think my Honourable Friend is absolutely right. This is a very

important company and their Rahmani jobs, as I said before. I cannot

say it too often that we will look at doing all we can but I cannot

stand here and make any promises at this stage before we have any

further particulars and we know the outcome of the current knitters

emissions taking place between Peacocks and the banks. She should

be comforted that the Welsh government, the business Secretary

of State in our government and myself have all been in contact on

this matter. Number three, Mr Speaker.

Unemployment for disabled people. The Government is analysing the

responses to the Sayce report and will consider the implications

before publishing a statement on future policy.

Wrexham Remploy has made good progress in the last four years on

providing jobs for people in the Wrexham and North East Wales. The

Sayce review and its contents threatens Remploy across Wales. The

Minister for Disabled People is refusing to give any detail of the

financial position of Wrexham Remploy until this review is

completed. Will the Minister please work with me to obtain those

in my constituency will know what their future is and the government

isn't threatening them? The Honourable Gentleman will know

that the Sayce review in fact did commit that existing employees in

Remploy should be offered the opportunity for business support

over a decent period of time to develop businesses. The Sayce

report shows commitment to Remploy. I hear what the gentleman has to

say about his communications with the Minister for Disabled People

and if he would care to write to me, I would certainly pursue the matter.

Find you, Mr Speaker. The way in which the government proposes to

abolish disability living allowance will take �105 million away from

disabled people in Wales, many they desperately need to help them cope

with the extra cost of living with a disability. What meetings has the

Minister or the Secretary of State had with disabled people in Wales

on the Welfare Reform Bill and how do they intend to address people's

The Government is committed to supporting disabled people, and

this will be targeted at people who need most help. As she will know,

the new independence payment will be an objective, fair and strongly

evidence-based assessment, which will enable accurate assessments of

individuals to determine who will visit -- benefit most from

additional support. The office has regular discussions

with the Transport Office regarding transport issues which affect we

else. Will the great Western rail line -- the First Great Western

wine improve prices of houses along the route? I am not in a position

to comment on electrification of the writ. I would expect all

householders to well can this. Ministers have been campaigning for

a direct route into London, and a service from Aberystwyth to

Shrewsbury. Can I urge the minister to help take action on both fronts?

He will be assured that the Wales Office does what it can to improve

transport links with in Wells's the stop we have a great -- with in

Wales. We should take the opportunity to buy a home and in

The issue of my right honourable friend's living arrangements and a

matter for her, and that has been positively vindicated by the recent

letter from the Prime Minister, to his Honourable Friend the Minister

of Hemsworth. We're on the subject of the Great Western franchise!

Some of the services run on the line that suffers from severe

crowding. Will the Welsh Office be supporting the call for greater

capacity on the cross-border route under the new franchise? He may be

aware that extra capacity is being provided this year, with an extra

48 carriages, which will add 4,500 extra seats at peak times between

London and South West else. -- South Wales.

There will statement confirmed that the Welsh government will receive

an extra... This is an opportunity for the Welsh government to act in

areas they are responsible for, to ensure Wales has a bright future.

In... Schools and Wales will be better resourced, closing the

education funding gap between England and Wales. I constituency

will receive an extra �34,000 a year. Does the Secretary of State

agree that this will help the children and young people of Wales,

after the underfunding of education? I do agree because it

was the extra funding that went from the Treasury to the Welsh

government that enabled the leader of the Welsh Democrats in the

assembly. -- in the assembly to negotiate extra funding into

pupils' deprivation fund. That was following what we had introduced,

and I think it was worth the -- was worth mentioning that the gap

between spending in England and Wales between pupil has remained at

�600. In the Autumn Statement was the capital investment programme,

Overall it has been a good settlement for Wales, and the

additional money announced in the autumn financial statement has made

a great difference to the way in which the Welsh government is

budgeting. I meet regularly with Welsh government ministers and my

colleagues and the Treasury, and I will ensure, if he wishes to no

further, that we talked together on further development.

On funding, why does the new high- speed drill plan not follow the

original route, through a Heathrow hub, galloping track -- travellers

direct access to the airport? knows, that was the previous Labour

Government's writ, but can I say to him that matters concerning high-

speed rail, HS2 and Wales are handled by the Under-Secretary of

State and Mike department. I will ask my colleague to write to him.

know we're on the subject of funds -- now we're on the subject for

funds to the National Assembly. find that astonishing. She has a

duty, and the whole of the Wales Office has a duty, to advance the

interest of Wales. were lost a great opportunity. Is it the truth

that she has spent the last 18 months demanding expensive funding

concessions for her Buckingham constituents, rather than advancing

Wales'' interests? Is she not more concerned with building tunnels

than worrying about helping Wales? I am surprised that the right

honourable gentleman, because in all the years that he was the

Secretary of State for Wales, he did not achieve the electrification

of one inch. Whereas we have already announced the

electrification of the line to Cardiff. It is still open to us one

day, which has unfinished business, and as he well knows, we are

working on the electrification of the Valley's line. -- it is still

open to Swansea. There are too many private conversations taking place.

The Secretary of State met the anti Human Traffic co-ordinator in Wales

for December. This is a key priority for the Government, and we

recognise the importance for tackling this. I thank the Minister

for that, and the -- we have been warned about the internal problem.

But the minister recommend to the Prime Minister that we have a

similar tzar for the rest of the United Kingdom? The Government is

supportive of the introduction of the co-ordinated in Wales. -- co-

ordinator. I am sure he will make his own strong representation in

Madrid are tough. Can you sure the house that

staffing levels in terms of immigration and security will be

maintained at a proper level? He makes an extremely important

point, which I raised when I was on the other side of the house.

Holyhead is an extremely important port, and the Wales office is in

close co-ordination with the Home Office on that particular issue.

I am delighted to say that despite having a small department of around

60 staff, two apprentices were recruited to the Wales office last

year. Both are doing very well. I know that their teams are already

impressed with their professional attitudes and levels of competence,

as a mine. -- am I. We should consider encouraging suppliers to

the Welsh Office to higher apprentices? This is being done by

the Department of work and pensions. I know of the great work that my

honourable friend has been doing in this area, and although we are a

small department, and we rely on the Ministry of Justice for many of

her services, I will try to ensure what I can to make sure that the

suppliers are encouraged to adopt similar practices. He might also be

pleased to know that the Welsh government has recruited 24 new

apprentices in 2010, and 66 in 2011, and I'll write to the Welsh

government to ask if they can ensure their suppliers do the same.

While admiring the work of my close comrade, the Member for Harlow,

isn't there a danger that apprenticeships that are being

relabel dashing labelled to work experience, without a job or skill

at the end, is likely to increase their -- the disillusionment among

young people? I would hope that he would be pleased to know that all

the apprentices at the Welsh government undertake business

administration N V Q's, and they are recruited through a fair and

open process. I think that shows that the apprentice programmes are

helping young people to take up jobs in the future. We are

discussing matters of interest, especially to the people of Wales.

Order. A forecast of public sector job

losses was published in November by the Office of budget responsibility.

This forecast was based upon UK white economic data, and no

regional breakdown is available. is not just public sector jobs at

risk in Wales. Does the Minister agree that the jobs in jeopardy in

my constituency, at Peacocks, and at risk because of the economic

decisions taken by the Government to stave off consumer demand?

share the honourable gentleman's concern about their plight. As far

as I can see, it is nothing a told to do with the inept -- economic

policy of this government, but everything to do with the banking

arrangements they have had. This is a matter that the Wales Office is

concerned about, and will continue to express concern. They understand

that the it -- the effect that non- payment of work undertaken can have

one small businesses, and the Government is determined to tackle

this standard of late payment which exist across all businesses.

The Secretary of State will be aware of a number sub-contractors

working on the Pembroke power station who have not been paid as a

result of the dispute between the contractors. Could she help but as

put pressure on the companies to resolve these differences and get

the sub-contract has paid? -- sub- contractors. I have always

supported the rights of workers over late payment. In 1994, I

signed an early-day motion, so I have been consistent in my support

for a long time. I am happy to meet with him, to see if I can tell.

have regular discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on

issues affecting Wales. minister will be aware that both

the English region and Wales lose out because the allocation is not

based on need, and in the case of Wales it is around �300 million per

year. What indication can the Government give us that there will

be reform? Governments of all political complexions for many

years have recognised the need for some parts of the UK to be funded

differently from others. There have been concerns expressed about the

Barnett formula, but the priority is to reduce the deficit, and any

changes to the system must take place once the public finances have

been stabilised. The Welsh Assembly have funded the initial development

of a motorsport, bent -- complex. Will he ensure the Government gives

of refunding support possible to get this project off the drawing

board and onto the track. I commend the honourable gentleman on the

word he has put in, in respect of the project. This is a matter that

the wills office is very interested Questions to the prime minister.

This is about David Cameron's engagements.

This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others

and in addition to my duties in this house, I shall have further

such meetings later today. The Prime Minister will be aware of

the very strong uptake of academy status of schools in

Gloucestershire but is he aware of the enormous differences in funding

which puts those schools at the bottom of the league table in terms

of the funding? I welcome the Government's move to a national

formula but in the meantime, will he look at the very serious

situation with regards to those schools in Gloucestershire?

By Honourable Friend is quite right. We need to sort out this problem

even before looking at a national funding formula. It is a former low

we inherited I believe it is flawed and that is why we are or reforming

it. I will happily discuss with him how we can deal with this problem.

I think the growing evidence is that Academy Schools are not only

good for the peoples that go to these schools but also by raising

standards and aspirations in those areas, they are raising standards

of all schools and the same time. Ed Miliband.

Mr Speaker, Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister told us that unemployment

would fall in each year of this Parliament. Today, unemployment

rose for the six months in a row. Does he think it has anything to do

with his government? The government takes absolute

responsibility for everything that happens in our economy. I take

responsibility for that. Any increase in unemployment is

disappointing and it is a tragedy for the person who becomes

unemployed and can lead to difficulty for that family and that

is what we are taking so much action to help people back into

work. If you look at the figures today, it is noteworthy that while

the increase in unemployment is hugely and welcome, there is still

an increase in the number of people employed. Another 18,000 people in

work. What that shows his we need more private sector employment, we

need to move further and faster on that agenda. It is also worthy to

note that there is a small decrease in long-term unemployment and I

hope that shows schemes like the work programme we are introducing

are beginning to have an effect. We need to go further and faster.

There is not an ounce of complacency in this government and

we will do everything we can to help people back to work.

Doesn't the Prime Minister understand when he boasts about

rising employment, it shows how out of touch he is? In some parts of

London, 100 people are chasing three vacancies. That is the

situation people are facing. Can he confirm that under his policies,

far from things getting better over the coming year, he expects things

to get worse and unemployment to rise to 2.8 million.

Forecasts are no longer set out by the government, they are set out by

the Independent office of budget responsibility and unlike in his

day, these forecasts are not fixed and fiddles by ministers, they are

set out. The Government should do everything it can to help people

into work. That is what we have the work programme helping 3 million

people, the youth contract which will get subsidised private sector

jobs for young people, work experience for 250,000 young people,

and half of those of benefits within two months. That is 20 times

better value than the future jobs fund. There is no boasting about

anything. What we have here is growth in the private sector,

contraction in the public sector but we need to get the economy

working and key to that is low interest rates his plans were put

at risk. He doesn't seem to understand the

reason the figures matter is that they show next year unemployment

will get worse not better on his policies. Nothing he can say can

deny that. That long list of policies, according to the

independent study, will make no different. Let us talk about young

people. In the last year, can he confirm we have 147,000 young

people out of work for more than six months? That's double what it

was a year ago. An increase of one engine 2%. Why has he allowed it to

happen? -- an increase of 102%. Unemployment amongst young people

is up by 7%. That is far too high. It is not a 40% increase we had

under Labour but it is far too high. What we need to do is help those

young people into work and that is what our programmes are doing. Let

me make this point, there is a fundamental difference between the

way this government measures youth unemployment and the way the last

government did. This is important. His government counted young people

who were on jobseeker's allowance but in any form of steam as not

unemployed. This Government is saying, until you get a permanent

job, we will measure you as unemployed. That is frank,

straightforward and what we never got from them.

Mr Speaker, it really is back to the 1980s. A Tory government, a

Tory, a Tory government, a Tory government blaming unemployment on

the figures. No wonder he has rehired Lord Young, Mr Speaker, the

and employment secretary in the 1980s. On long-term youth

unemployment, which has the scarring effect on our young people,

desperate for work, out of work for more than six months, that has

doubled, that has doubled in the last year. However he twists and

turns about the figures, can he confirm it is up by 102% in the

last year? I have explained the figures. If

you look at the number of young people who have been out of work

for longer than 12 months, that number has started to go down. That

is not nearly enough. Far more needs to be done but that is what

the work programme is all about. There is a context to all of this.

If we want to get unemployment down, we need interest rates to be kept

down. We've had a reminder in recent days what happens when you

don't have a plan to get on top of your debts and get the economy

working. That's what he doesn't understand. You have a government

clear about his plans and an opposition that have absolutely no

idea. Last year he marched against the cuts, now he tells us he

accepts the cuts. -- now he tells us he excepts the cuts. He is so

incompetent, he can't even do a U- turn properly.

Mr Speaker,... The house must try to calm down and

contain itself. Ed Miliband. Mr Speaker, I know he doesn't want

to talk about the young people out of work in this country because he

is embarrassed by his record on what's happening but he owes it to

them to tell the facts as they are about what is happening to them. I

come back to this point. The Prime Minister said in his answer that

long-term unemployment amongst young people is going down. It is

not, Mr Speaker, it is going up. He mentions the work programme. He

introduced the work programme with great fanfare in June. What has

happened to long-term youth unemployment since he introduced

his work programme? Let me give him the figures. I will

give him the figures exactly. There are far too many people long-term

unemployed. There are 246,000 young people unemployed for over a year

but that is down 11,000 on the last quarter. That is not enough. We

want to do more but it is because we have the work programme, the

youth contract, 400,000 apprenticeship schemes, 250,000

people coming into work experience, we are making a difference. Why

doesn't he come up with something in a constructive instead of

knocking everybody down? I'll tell him what he should do, he

should change course. Yeah, yeah. Because why he is unemployment

rising? Why he has unemployment rising? Because he is cutting too

far and too fast. It's his record, however much he twists and turns,

it his record, that's why unemployment is going up. What we

have Mark -- what we have, Mr Speaker, is women's unemployment

the highest since the last Tory government, youth unemployment the

highest since the last time there was a Tory government. Isn't the

truth for the defining characteristic of this government

is it stands the Fide and does nothing as thousands of people find

themselves unemployed? To be fair to the Honourable

Gentleman, he does actually changed course every day. He is an expert

in changing course. Labour's Shadow Chancellor said two days ago, my

starting point is we are going to have to keep all the cards. That's

what he said. The deputy leader said yesterday, we are not

excepting the cuts. He is flip flopping on a daily basis. The

founder of a Labour's business forum said this, Labour offers

nothing. The pro-business, pragmatic approach to 12 and

Enterprise have gone. Rule instead there is a vision and leadership

My Right Honourable Friend will be aware that I'd recently made a case

for my late constituents, the armed forces minister, he will be aware

of the fighting fit report written by my Honourable Friend the Member

for South West Wiltshire. Due to the stigma often attached to mental

illness, many soldiers wait years before seeking help. I hope my

Honourable Friend can tell the House what will be done about this?

I think my Honourable Friend is entirely right to raise this issue.

The mental stars -- the mental scars of people who serve this

country can be every bit as steep as the physical scars and it is not

something we have always understood properly. That is why I think the

report by my Honourable Friend is so important, as someone with real

experience in this. We have accepted and implemented almost all

of its recommendations, we have lodged a stress helpline and we are

introducing advanced services. With a tragic accident involving the

cruise ship Costa Concordia and liners the same size or bigger that

will visit the Clyde in the coming months ahead, does the minister

think it is the right decision to close the coastguard station? The

case in Italy is clearly a tragic case and our heart goes out to

people who have lost loved ones across the world. We need to wait

and see what the exact cause of the accident was before we jump to

conclusions about changes in regulation or other things. If

There are changes that need to be made, including to the issue he

raises, we will make them. The prime minister has very kindly

undertaken to bring a comprehensive bill early in the next session.

Will he end the uncertainty for water customers by publishing the

draft Bill now so we can have proper parliamentary scrutiny?

I can say to my Honourable Friend that we will be publishing a draft

water bill for the coming months. As she knows, there are many

important parts to this Bill. One part that stand out is the promise

we've made and funding supplied to help cut water bills in the south-

west of the country from 20th April 13. This addresses a historic and

fairness. People have felt they have paid unfair charges to provide

clean beaches. In America, directors from the

baled out companies have been taken to court for gross mismanagement.

They say they can't bring action against the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Will the Prime Minister consider introducing a legal sanction of

strict liability in the Financial Services Bill so that those

responsible for the banking crisis will be taken to task because after

all, we are already in this together.

The Gentleman makes an important point. This gives us an important

opportunity to look at the best of the world, CU has tougher penalties

and see if we can introduce them to our system. That is what will be

introducing this with a major overhaul in dealing with a rickety

I knew ago, the Prime Minister told me that the reason for the new

health bill was because simply the country has European levels of

health spending, but does not have European levels of success. now we

know that is not the case, will he shelf the disruptive Belgium -- the

destructive bill? I have great respect for him, but I do not agree

on this. With the Health Bill, an exercise was taken, in which the

Deputy Prime Minister and I played a larger role. We listened to

health professionals, doctors, to understand what they most wanted to

see in the NHS reform bill, and that is what we are delivering. He

says it is not the case that we have outcomes batter not as good as

to Europe, and in some cases we could be doing a lot better. But to

argue that the NHS needs money and not reform is not correct.

In the north-east, unemployment among women is rising at twice the

rate of men. Where does the Prime Minister think the women's places?

In the home, the workplace for the JobCentre? -- or the JobCentre?

want to see more women in the workplace. There is a disappointing

increase in unemployment amongst women, but since the election there

are 59,000 more women in work today, than there were at the time of the

last election. I am not satisfied with that, so we have helped with

child care, we're introducing universal credit, support for all

women who work, not just those who work more than 16 hours, and

lifting the threshold on income tax. I met a couple in Redditch who were

appalled that a family in their area were getting more and benefits

than they earned working full-time. Does he think that is right, or

fair? She makes an important point. I think we owe it to people who

work hard, who do the right thing and pay their taxes, to make sure

there are some limits on welfare. What we are seeing with the benefit

cap is that a family can get up to �26,000 in benefit. You would have

to earn �35,000 to achieve that standard of living. That is why we

are introducing a benefit cap. Some of the most vulnerable people

in society will undoubtedly be financially penalised as a result

of the measures going through the Lords. Is it any wonder that people

say it is the same old Tories, and they are a nasty party? I do not

accept what he is saying. The point of Employment and Support Allowance

is that there are two groups. There are those who cannot work, who need

help, and many people will go straight into that group, and will

receive the benefit for as long as they needed. If you look at what we

have said, and that report by Professor Harrington, there will be

more cancer sufferers getting benefits, and fewer people facing

the face-to-face interview. He should look at the evidence before

asking the question. I was shocked to discover that

mainstream terrestrial television carries adverts for online bingo at

5pm, 31 hours is dedicated to live casino and gaming, which is classed

as shopping. At a time where there is trillions of pounds worth of

debt in the country, we should be encouraging people to be moderate

in their expectations and behaviour. Will the Prime Minister please

protect consumers and the vulnerable from this kind of

activity, by asking for a review. Order! The question was too long.

The honourable lady raises an important issue about gambling

advertisements on television. I am in favour of deregulation and

trying to allow businesses to get on and succeed. Gambling programmes

and advertising are strictly regulated by Ofcom and the

Advertising Standards Authority, but what I would say to the

honourable lady is it is not just a question of regulation, it is a

question of responsibility of the advertisers themselves. I think the

companies have got to ask themselves whether they are

behaving responsibly. On the subject of gambling, in

Hackney we have 90 bookmakers, three times the national average.

Will the Prime Minister listen to the bait that took place yesterday,

and take action this Friday, and instruct his ministers to push

forward with this? I will look at the debate, and I am all for it. I

would like the local authorities to have greater powers in this. I will

look at her suggestions the stock will the Prime Minister agree with

me that in this, the 30th here of the Falklands war, the actions of

the Argentine government are deplorable? Will he remained

Argentina that they lost the Falklands war, and it has up to the

islanders to determine their own future? It is important that we

commemorate the Falklands war of this year, the 30th anniversary,

and we remember all of those who served and fought so hard, and

those who gave their lives and have not come home. We should remember

all of these people this year. The vital point is we are clear that

the future of the Falklands Island is a matter for the people

themselves. As long as they want to be part of the United Kingdom, they

should be able to do so. I am determined we should make sure the

defences are in order, which is why the National Security Council

discussed it yesterday, but the key point is that we support the

Falkland Islanders rates. Those people want to remain British, and

the Argentinians want them to do something else.

Mr Speaker, we have seen a rise in unemployment today, to over 3,000

in my constituency. This is a 16% increase. -- in the past year. When

does the Prime Minister expect unemployment to start falling?

forecasts have been set out by the of Office for Budget Responsibility.

They expected to be a law that the end of this Parliament, and

employment to be higher. -- they We're keeping interest rates low,

so the economy can grow, and we do not fall into the mistakes that

others in Europe have fallen into. Closed questions. The honourable

lady raises an important issue regarding the working-time

directive and its effect on the NHS. No one wants to go back to the time

when junior doctors were working 18 or 19 -- 80 or 90 hours a week. But

we can see that the Working Time Directive has had an adverse effect

on the NHS, and that is why the government is discussing this issue

to make sure we have flexibility in this area. Does he share widespread

concerns coming largely from the medical profession themselves, but

while we wait for lengthy processes to consider the directive across

Europe, it has not even been decided what it is there going to

be discussing, but we're seeing a critical undermining of junior

doctors. We're seeing an eroding of the future of the NHS, and we're

putting patient care and lives at risk. I think she is right. This

has nothing to do with the single market. This has to do with how we

run the health service, and in particular training programmes for

junior doctors. What we can do to sort this out is that the health

and business secretaries are discussing the directive to give

the NHS they help it needs to deliver the best, safest service to

patients. Is the Prime Minister aware that

every single medical problem at a hospital in my constituency is

related to weekend working by exhausted junior doctors, far from

this directive being a problem, it is a solution to the fact that we

have had far too many exhausted doctors in charge of patients.

cannot believe that every problem in his hospital is down to that

problem, but I can say that the local hospital has serves my

constituents was threatened with massive downgrading, partly because

of the Working Time Directive because they could not supply the

training modules for junior doctors. This seemed a classic example of

the card being put in front of the horse. We ought to be determining

what hospitals we want, but this time directive was getting in the

way for -- getting in the way. Does the Prime Minister agree that

opportunities are helped in Asia, regarding the talks between the UK

and Hong Kong, showing that this country is open for business?

makes a vitally important point, clearly the markets in Europe are

going to be difficult. 50% of what we export goes to the EU, and we

see a freezing effect across the European Union. But the rest of the

economy is growing, and we need to get out there and sell to these

markets. Exports to China were up by 20% last year. The arrangements

that the Chancellor has come to, which is going to make London one

of the great trading centres, is one important breakthrough, but we

need many more. Could the Prime Minister clarify what the coalition

government's position is on inheritance-tax? Like its --

constituency received correspondence from the junior

party in the coalition government stating, if the Tories were

governing alone, they would be cutting inheritance tax for

millionaires, and they would pay for it by reducing public spending

even more. Is this true? It is covered in the coalition agreement.

Last week on the Syrian border, I met Syrian army deserters who had

refused to tell their fellow- citizens and a small child winded

by the regime. If things are to get better, the world must stop selling

arms to Syria. What evidence does the Prime Minister have of

countries selling arms to them? makes an extremely. Important point.

We need to tighten the sanctions. In terms of who is helping the

Syrian government to oppress their people, there is growing evidence

that Iran is helping them, and there have been intersections of

shipments from Turkey, which are interesting in this regard. But

organisations are standing up against this Rector tyrant whose

killing his own people for. -- wretched tired and.

A warning has been made that a similar crisis as in the Horn of

Africa is now threatening western Africa. What will the Government do

to try to help prevent this? raises an important point. I will

study the report carefully. My understanding is the British effort

was swifter in getting aid into the Horn of Africa, leading the pack,

in terms of the extent of the response, the money committed, and

also the speed at which it went in. Clearly the Horn of Africa and is a

difficult place to deliberate to, not least because of the control --

place to deliver to, not least because of the control that is over

Somalia, but I will be read the report carefully. In it over row

raised the case of my constituent, 14-year-old, who was killed outside

her home by a driver under the influence of drugs. Could the Prime

Minister meets her family to discuss a change to the long, --

the Prime Minister met her family to discuss a change to the long,

can you beat us? It is issue we take the issue of drug driving very

seriously. Equipment to test for this will be available in police

stations very short-lived. We are examining this closely in

government, and we need to look at whether there would be an

opportunity in the second legislative session to take forward

the measures I know he will be campaigning for.

Does the Prime Minister share my concern that yesterday's ruling by

the European Court of Human Rights at Aber could have a can of beer a

-- deported? How could the court operates more proportionately, so

that rights are respected, but the safety of the public is always

I agree wholeheartedly with what the Right Honourable Gentleman has

said. I think this judgement is difficult to understand, frankly,

because huge efforts have been going to buy the British government

to have a deportation with assurances agreement with Jordan to

make sure people wouldn't be mistreated. In this case, the

European Court of Human Rights has found he wasn't going to be

tortured but they were worried about the process of the court case

in Jordan. It's immensely frustrating. I think a country like

Britain, which has a long tradition of human rights, should be able to

deport people who mean best harm. I'm going to Strasbourg next week

to make the argument that as we are chairing the Council of Europe,

this is a good time to actually make reforms to the European Court

of Human Rights and make sure it acts in a proportion that way.

A young boy he was kidnapped from his home in Canning chase and taken

to Thailand by his mother. Six months later, his father tracked

him down in a remote village, finding his son couldn't speak, his

teeth were broken and he was bruised. He said had he not got him

then, he would have been sold. Each year in the UK over 500 children

are kidnapped in similar circumstances. Will the Prime

Minister meet with me and the boy's father, who has set up a charity

and is in the gallery today, to discuss what the government can do

to help parents of abducted children?

You are right to raise this case. It is a simply appalling case and

any parent can't help but be chilled to the bone about what

happened to this poor boy. I think it's vital that we put in place the

best possible arrangements as he knows that the child exploitation

and Online Protection system will be put into the National crime

agency. I hope will be able to legislate for the crime agency and

make sure it is properly resourced Pickles as he says, it's vitally

important that we get on top of these acts right away. The early

effort is vital achieve -- in saving these children.

When do the prime minister expect to be cross examined by the club is

an inquiry? Doesn't he agree that he British people deserve an answer

as to why he appointed one of Murdoch's top lieutenants, Andy

Coulson, to the heart of the British government?

I will be delighted to appear at the Levinsen inquiry whenever I am

invited and I'm sure other politicians will have the same view

and I would answer all the questions when that happens. It's

good to see the Honourable Gentleman on good form. I will tell

my children, no need to come to the National Museum to see a dinosaur,

come to the House of Commons at 12:30pm.

And on that bombshell, the speaker brings an end to Question Time,

dominated, really, by jobs. The latest unemployment figures and the

threat to jobs at Peacocks in South Wales. Plenty to talk about in

Cardiff. A we will deal with what we have

just seen in chronological order. Going back to Welsh questions with

our guests, Nick Ramsay and Mark Drakeford. Let's go back an hour.

If we can remember that far back. David raised some of the points we

heard about to ring Channel:'s questions. It's no surprise that --

we heard during Cheryl Gillan's questions. It's no surprise that

high-speed rail came up. She seemed a glum figure today?

I usually tell people to give her a break but it was no surprise it

came up. The Labour Party have very Pickles to say on a lot of issues.

If you look at what Cheryl Gillan has delivered, the referendum on

powers for the Assembly, the electrification to Cardiff, I think

there is a lot of positive things that Cheryl Gillan has done and I'm

not surprised Peter Hain and others don't want to talk about it.

We will go on to talk about Peacocks but can we get a response?

I think she did look down in the mouth and a bit thin skinned when

some of these points were being made. The business about her

selling her house is neither here nor there. The real important issue

is the fact that here is a government prepared to commit

billions of pounds to dig a tunnel underneath her constituency in

order to deal with problems. The Transport Secretary says it

will save money overall. You know, I haven't found anyone

else who can read that announcement in that way. At the same time, they

are not willing to commit the millions of pounds we need to take

the line to Swansea. I was interested and pleased to see the

Secretary of State said that there wasn't a closed question and she

would come back to it. She also kept up in the er the

electrification of the valleys line, which is vitally important to us

here in Wales. Underneath the froth, I think there were some important

things being said. Let's deal with the Peacocks

announcement. There was a question related to the conduct of RBS, who

basically have the power over the future of the store. A suggestion

came from Jennie will it yesterday that made the the Bank should show

compassion since it is a publicly owned bank, to Peacocks.

We are on the Royal Bank of Scotland and jobs in Peacocks are

really important in Wales. It's not a trivial point being made. There

is a public interest being made and this is a publicly owned bank. In

the background there is a bigger picture. Peacock's trades at a

profit every week, every month. What it can't do is service the

debt saddled round its neck for the equity by out that went on a few

years ago. In that sense it is a classic story of what is happening

in the British economy over the last five years. I thought here in

the chamber yesterday, the economy must -- economy minister, Edwina

Hart, answered questions for a carefully.. She was clearly very

careful not to say anything that might prejudice a better outcome

for Peacocks than might otherwise be the case. We are not at the end

of the story yet. There were some important things said today but I

think we should let this carry on in the hope that we will yet have a

conclusion that protects the majority of the interests of people

that work at the company. We will get nicked's years before

we carry on. Where do you stand on the role of the bank in this case?

I heard somebody on the radio yesterday, a banker, saying that a

bank should behave like a bank, deal on a commercial basis and no

other basis. I agree with what Marx said. We are

not dealing with banks in the normal sense. There is a public

interest within RBS and we need, at the moment, companies to get the

support they need. We had an urgent question on Peacocks and a quarter

of Assembly Members spoke on that question, showing the level of

concern. I really hope the minister is talking to cap its letter

peacocks, I think she is, and talking to the Westminster

government. -- talking to Peacocks. If banks were treated as commercial

organisations, RBS wouldn't be a bank today. It would have gone to

the wall. Let's go to unemployment, I think

you have a point to make. We hear from the Government that the vision

went reducing the number of people employed in the public sector, the

private sector would take up the slack. You were just mentioning

something of a. The proposition that the public

sector jobs would be picked up by private sector employment. It is

certainly not working. If you look at the last quarter, there were

160,000 jobs lost in the public sector and 8,000 jobs created in

the private sector. That is hardly a commensurate number. The point I

was making was to do with RBS and Lloyds Bank. The Office for

National Statistics now counts those organisations as public

sector organisations. When I am giving those figures, 160,000

public sector jobs lost and 8,000 private sector jobs created, as

they counted those banks as private sector, there wouldn't have been a

single job created in the home of the private sector across the whole

of the United Kingdom across the whole of the last quarter. The idea

this government has got it right by saying private sector growth will

take up the slack in the economy, it simply doesn't stack up.

I thought we were getting on too well there. I always have a rule in

my speeches and a don't mention more than two statistics. You can

use them to say whatever you want but I think the issue here is about

growth of the private sector in Wales. I understand what was just

said that there is a concern that if you blink -- lose public jobs,

you can lose the balance. But the government said the private

sector would take up the slack. Do you think it is?

I don't think it will happen very quickly but I think the UK

government got it right in trying to put the right mechanisms in

place to grow the private sector. We will be back with you before we

head off for lunch but coming up on the programme we will hear from

Brian Taylor, BBC Scotland's political editor, on the

independence referendum. First let's have a look at what is

going on in Cardiff Bay today. Hello. Another interesting

afternoon in the Senedd. We have questions as usual on a Wednesday

to ministers. This week it is the finance minister, Jane Hutt, and

Edwina Hart. AMs will raise the issue of Peacocks, as they did

earlier today. Find out what the latest is from the business

minister. Then we move on to the Conservatives, using their big

debate to talk about how we treat our youngest and most vulnerable

children. There is a programme designed for zero-three-year-old in

our most disadvantaged communities. Their valuation of that programme

showed it was having most difficulty in helping the families

it was intended to help in those circumstances. That should be

interesting. They also want to follow up on the foundation days.

People might remember that, learning through play at schools.

They are worried the training to practitioners of the addition phase

was inconsistent. Pyecombe we want to talk about local health boards.

-- Plaid Cymru. They don't think they are accountable or transparent

enough. The Lib Dems want to talking their debate about

broadband. They want to highlight the fact the Chancellor is giving

almost �57 million to roll-out the next generation in Wales. They want

to raise the issue of what the Welsh government is doing. They

want to see them doing more to tackle the areas where broadband is

not available. That can be damaging if you have a business in rural

Wales. This afternoon, Darren Millar, Clwyd West am, is reminding

us that older people have rights as well. And sure that would go down

well with the older people in his constituency.

I thought you are going to say that it would go down well with our

guests! Thank you, we will see you later.

With over 90 recommendations, the publication of Plaid Cymru's review

into its poor performance in last year's Assembly election will be

required reading for am as. The document also said the party should

consider adopting the Welsh National Party of its English name.

We will be hearing from one of its authors. The party is looking for a

new leader. We heard from Adam Price, who is backing Leanne Wood.

This week a reporter has been speaking to of an MP, Howell

Williams. Who will be played Cymru's next

leader? Who will follow Ieuan Wyn Jones? Of one MP has made his

choice -- of one MP. Who are you backing?

I am backing Elin Jones. For lots of reasons. I think she has the

presence as being an ex-minister and I think she is a brave

politician. She is prepared to nail her colours to the mast and pursue

a policy, as we saw when she was Minister of Agriculture. I also

think she has the vision to be a leader and also a potential First

Minister, if we get into government, as we sincerely hope to do some

time in the next few years. Why have you chosen Elin Jones over

any of the other candidates? There are four candidates in total. Why

not Simon Thomas, Dafydd Ellis- Thomas or Leanne Wood?

I am so glad we have such a calibre of candidates. Any of those could

be a leader of the party and they all bring different things to the

table. Looking across them, I think Elin Jones combines political

courage and vision with her experience and enthusiasm for the

job. I think she is the best of the You know Elin Jones pretty well. If

you were going to sell her to potential voters, what would you

say about her? She is someone who has been committed to the cause of

the party and constituency for many years. I have known her since the

mid- 90s. She has an expertise in economic matters. She has expertise

on having been a former minister. That is very good. People cannot

acquire that expertise without having something that Elin Jones

has. She has a vision for the party and country. She has determination

to press the cause. I would be happy on Monday morning to see her

leading the party. I would be confident that she would be leading

the party and possibly leading Wales, if we get in the position

where she would be First Minister. What about her as a person? How

would she won the hearts of Welsh voters? It is fair to say that she

is not a huge personality among large groups of people, but she is

a very kind, warm and funny person when you know her personally. She

has a very attractive personality. Her workmates recommend her vision,

as I said, her bravery, and it is those sort of qualities that made

me think that Elin Jones would be the person to lead the party and

potentially to be the first minister of.

Simon Thomas and Dafydd Elis-Thomas are also standing for the leader of

the Plaid Cymru party. We will hear from their supporters and the

coming weeks. At the moment we will go over to the boil.

I am joined by Jocelyn Davies, the You have published a report on the

party, and the issue is that you want to change your name. We had

disappointing results in the last assembly election. They were

looking at her vision, communication, membership,

structure, a whole range of things. There was also a recommendation

that the National Executive should think about whether the party

should think about having another name. At the moment we are

questioning whether we should have a bilingual name, and there

suggestions are being floated around that we have a Welsh

National Party, as there is an English equivalent. We are handing

back to the national executive to think about it. There will be a lot

of debate about the name change, but there is a lot of stuff on the

report. There are 95 recommendation is. It is only the second part of

the name that will change, isn't it? That is to try to reach out to

non-speaking Welsh voters. I wonder why they would be more likely to go

with the Welsh National Party, than Plaid Cymru the party of where else.

It is a bit of a mouthful. It was the official name, but that has

been shortened to Plaid Cymru Bridge. -- Plaid Cymru. There is a

stereo type and a misconception that is held about Plaid Cymru

members that not only are we the party that stands up for the

language and champions the language, that we and our party for Welsh

speakers. I am not a Welsh speaker, so I know it is not true. Every

Plaid Cymru member will say that a voter will say to them, I cannot

vote for you because I speak what - - I do not speak Welsh. The name is

only one tiny bit of that. What else are you going to do to engage

people who have not traditionally voted for you? Everyone will know

that our long-term aim for Wales is to have an independent country.

That is a very topical discussion, and the debate is moving on fast.

Things have changed since we have written the report, and it is

changing by the day. We're saying that what we need to do is better

articulate the message and explain to people what it all means, and

what it would mean to them, in terms of things that affect them of

the day, so not just a constitutional issue, but things

that affect them, such as health, education and the economy. We're

saying we cannot now seriously say that we can have a coherent body of

policy developed by 15 minutes of debate at the conference once a

year. So we must have a better way of doing it and involving the

members much earlier, better communications. This would include

a slimmed-down leadership team, so we are better able to support the

new leader, which we will be electing shortage. Time is against

us, and next thing we will ask you about the leadership team.

For the past couple of weeks, the issue of a referendum on Scottish

independence has been big political news. We have heard the news of the

Prime Minister, the Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond and Carwyn

Jones. The journalist across at all is in Cardiff today, and he has

been talking to a loss. I am delighted to say I have been

joined by BBC Scotland's political editor, Brian Taylor. Let us take

this from the beginning. There seems to be disagreement between

the governments, about whether Scotland has a legal right to hold

this referendum. There are fundamental disputes about the

nature of the referendum. We're talking about process and rules,

and some people might say that it is dull. It is detail, and it may

be dull, but it matters. We're talking about the future of the

United Kingdom, which has survived for 300 years. The National see it

has run its course, another say it should be defended. It might be a

smart idea to get it right with regard to the rules! It is not

settled and not decided. The constitution as an issue is

reserved to Westminster, but Alex Salmond says he cannot hold a

legally-binding referendum, but has the mandate and authority to

consult the people as to whether there should be negotiations with a

view to Scotland being independent. It is also a question about the

timing. Alex Salmond favours 2014. David Cameron does not fit for that.

He wants a referendum earlier than that. They wanted as soon as

possible. Alex Salmond said it is wise to take time, given the

severity of it all. He said during the election campaign, the Holyrood

election campaign, and I cannot see a way that the UK government can

force him to change his hand, because the referendum is being

organised by the Scottish parliament. The UK government could

call a referendum of their own tomorrow if they want, but they do

not want to do so. They fear there may be a backlash against their

position and the Scots may see this as unwarranted interference. Alex

Salmond has not want to call it tomorrow, because he fears he may

lose. He feels that economic circumstances may not be propitious.

I guess is that that Alex Salmond will win. I cannot see how the UK

government can force his hand. he win on the question of what the

question will be? Because that is not straight for what.

government say they are prepared to hand over the power on a permanent

-- temporary basis to the Scottish Parliament to run a legally binding

referendum, but only if they get assurances. One is on timing, but

they will not get that. The other was on the questions. They want a

straightforward yes or No to independence, which is difficult to

get the wording right. Alex Salmond says he wants the option for devo

max, which is Scotland controlling tax and revenues, but not foreign

affairs. He wants this as a fall- back, to divide the Unionist camp.

For the same reason the Unionists do not wanted on the ballot paper.

The issue, to me, it is the absolute core of the dispute. Not

timing, not whether it is the electoral commission, not where

there are 16 or 17 year-olds can vote, it is the question of

questions to be asked. If you think about it, does it really matter if

it is 2013 or 2014 when the decision is taken? What really

matters is what the question to be asked would be. Has the Alex -- has

Alex Salmond played a blinder, and if he does not get independence he

would get devo max, which has a long way along that road. Yes,

there are some in the SNP who have a worry about having devo max on

the ballot paper, and think it may be a temptation or cul-de-sac. Alex

Salmond says no, he has take all along, and people said there would

never be a Scottish parliament or SNP administration, all of these

things have come to pass. Now he says he believes independence will

come to pass. But he has a back-up. He is beginning to exasperate his

rivals in the Unionist camp with regard to that. But I wondered if,

once the dust of the argument settles down, if the Unionist

argument can be more persuasive and reasonable, perhaps this might put

Alex Salmond on the back foot a little bit. There is a long wait to

go. Very briefly, what happens next? The Scottish government

publish a consultative paper next Wednesday. We have already had a

consultation paper from the UK government, and then it is a battle

between the governments about who wins. It is going to be fascinating.

Thank you very much. Before we go we will have a chat

with the guests. Brian Taylor said the Unionists need to perhaps make

a more reasonable argument. Can I call you a Unionist? I'm a

devolutionist, within the union, so I suppose you could put it away.

What is going on with the SNP is more important to the future of

Wales and what is going on with Plaid Cymru. What happens would

have a profound importance on Wales' relationship with the rest

of the United Kingdom. People who are run Wales who... As a

devolutionist, there is a devo max option, does that appeal to you

that regard to will? I do not think the devolution process in Wales has

finished. There are things in Wales that we might have that we do not

currently have. What did you make a Brian Taylor's comments? You can

call me a Unionist. I agree that Brian Taylor made excellent points,

and the issue about the United Kingdom that has survived for 300

years. We have all benefited as different countries in the union so

much but I think it would be a tragedy if that was lost. This

sounds like a Unionist are doing reasonably. I do have my reasonable

moments! I think he is right -- David Cameron is right and getting

the sorted out. But it is wrong to tell Alex Salmond what he should be

doing. That is not a case of telling him what to do. We have a

Scottish parliament, we accept there is a Scottish parliament, and

it is for the Scottish people to decide what to do. The timing of

the referendum affect us all, and the uncertainty has gone on for too