Office. I quite agree that the cyber impact skills fund is a crucial driver of written out when it skills in this vital and growing area. I would like to commend the dcms officials and those at the National CyberSecurity Centre who have managed this fund. I would however ask him to look closely at the performance fun in relation to the grant given to hacker house in light of the information in a shed with the house this afternoon. I do think close scrutiny of what they are dealing with this money is of paramount importance. dealing with this money is of paramount importance. I think the honourable lady for her question, andi honourable lady for her question, and i pay tribute to her work as my predecessor, it is an honour to follow her this dispatch box. She is com pletely follow her this dispatch box. She is completely right, she will know that we asa completely right, she will know that we as a department routinely talk to those who are in receipt of grants, and that we make sure that there is as much oversight as they possibly can be. Process will continue. As i said, that is a review going on into this particular grant so that we can make sure it delivers maximum money for the taxpayer. I also welcome the minister to his place, i wondered when he was discussing the a cce pta nce when he was discussing the acceptance of his job he knew he would do in the pms bidding and cleaning up his mess. I think its fairto cleaning up his mess. I think its fair to pay tribute to the bravery and determination of those who fought through the courts to ensure that we are back here today and able to hold Less Government to account. My to hold Less Government to account. My honourable friend, we thank and salute them. They blame and lustre that has come out of this issue and the matter of what happened in the Supreme Court is ridiculous. The Prime Minister is under significant pressure to declare what interest he had and the relationship he had with the owner, there is no disputing that the work is important. When the minister talks about other members including her character, the reality is it is the Prime Minister imputing her character because of the lack of transparency and unwillingness to a nswer transparency and unwillingness to answer questions on that relationship. You will be aware that hacker has received £100,000 from the department of culture, media and sport. Already, members have raised the matter of where that business is domiciled. Will he tell us, in those discussions and process, does he think that it is appropriate, given the huge amount of public money spent, that his department is investigating itself . I would suggest that is highly inappropriate. Im extremely grateful to the honourable lady but im afraid she has exceeded her time by 50 already. Minister . Im afraid she has exceeded her time by 5096 already. Minister . Im glad the honourable lady welcomes the importance of this matter. I would say this, like all government grant giving processes, is conducted in a transparent way. I would also say that this review will not be the department marking its own homework, asi department marking its own homework, as i say, we will be putting any further updates to the house as they become available, which will be by the end of next month. Become available, which will be by the end of next monthli become available, which will be by the end of next month. I understand that the lady in questions mother has described the Prime Minister as her daughters sponsor. What kind of sponsor her daughters sponsor. What kind of sponsor does he provide . Her daughters sponsor. What kind of sponsor does he provide . |i her daughters sponsor. What kind of sponsor does he provide . I struggle to see how that question is directly releva nt to to see how that question is directly relevant to when i am here to answer. I would say as i have said before, the Prime Minister had no role whatsoever in this application but we are reviewing the process nonetheless. Can i congratulate my honourable friend for the support he is providing to smes in this area. Can he confirm the grants are made ona can he confirm the grants are made on a Business Case and adherence to criteria . And on a Business Case and adherence to criteria . And will on a Business Case and adherence to criteria . And will he agree that members opposite should probably live from the pass in terms of suspending wild allegations until a proper review has taken place . thank him for that question and for his kind words. He is absolutely right, that supporting smes in a sector like this is particularly important, it is something that we will continue to do. When it comes to the process, i refer to the bid earlier, this is the forum, several dozen pages that have to be provided to access government forum. But his right and proper. He is of course right and proper. He is of course right to say that we should all shy of making allegations that are unsubstantiated. Many of us will have missed the chance to represent companies who might bid for government funding, and have constituents who have concerns about this place and the probity of anything that happens. It was a former Prime Minister who said that sunlight was the best disinfectant. If the minister wants to defend the reputation of the Prime Minister, he has already said he wants to publish sensitive information. Why doesnt he save us all the s01 and commit to publishing all of the doubling station regarding this bid, including anything his officials received on this. Im sure those trainers could help him do that online, if you wanted to. We are doing a review into this. I would hope we will publish as much as we can as a result of that. She is author sunlight is the best disinfectant in many cases, its a policy the government uses widely, including in this department. Probity and ethics seem to have gone out of the window with this government so can the minister ensure is that the premise they will cooperate fully with the department was my inquiry . Will the Prime Minister cooperate with the greater londons Assembly Inquiry . If you want, isnt it only about the metropolitan police should open an inquiry as to whether there has been any misconduct in Public Office i think the honourable gentleman is obviously right to ask the question but the reality is of course the review will do whatever it needs to go. I have no indication whatsoever that anyone is not going to co operate with that, be it at the Prime Minister or anyone else. The minister insist on comment this a review, why is he shying away from referring to it as an inquiry . Can he tell the house what the scope and terms of this will be . I have orientated each out of the select committee at that we will write to providing more information on that. All i can say is that this is a review that would leave no stone unturned. I congratulate my honourable friend on his new position, and im sure he will also thank mr speaker for choosing this question from the 44 that were submitted. Can he tell the house how long ago this took place and how long ago this took place and how long we have had a laid back mayor of london who could have investigated this before . Labour mayor of london. As the honourable member alluded to, he is com pletely honourable member alluded to, he is completely right to say that this is a matter that to a company that was founded in 2016, refers to a process where the government was not hiding any of this, we were putting out press releases talking about it. Perhaps the mayor of london doesnt check the guv dot uk website as often as we might like. 47,000 of the 100,000. Has been awarded to have a house, it will the remaining unit 30,000 be held on to a review has been concluded . Unit 30,000 be held on to a review has been concluded . As with all processes like this, then that piocess processes like this, then that process will be pause. I would like to make sure that we get on with making sure that the good work done under this fund continues as rapidly as possible. The Prime Minister previously planned to set up a £100 million fund with the owner of hacker house. May i remind the house that as mayor of london the Prime Minister oversaw a project which had allegations of corruption and was riddled with conflicts of interest. Will the minister reassure the house there will be no other examples of friends with benefits funding from dcms or any other department . speakfor dcms or any other department . speak for dcms, but this is a piocess speak for dcms, but this is a process that is scrupulously transparent. It is a process that his rigorous and applied equally to all. She mentioned something about the garden bridge project, perhaps she is pre empting the secretary of state for transport you will be here shortly. The minister has said that this whole process has been rigorous, open and transparent. He is rightly putting the bid accessible for all mps to see in the library. Surely if he is completely confident that has been no issues with this process, why cant you put all correspondence relating to this bid in the library so that we can see instant of hiding behind his own government to review. Show us that the evidence. That is the point of having the review. I will encourage that a to make as much of its material as it is commercially possible under any circumstances as public as possible. I have agreed to the premise of her question, and we will do it. This is notjust about money, but it is also about influence because it has been alleged that the Prime Minister, former mayor of london, obtain access to trade missions for Jennifer Arcuri despite her party not meeting the criteria for these trips. How many occasions has the Prime Minister secured things for his pals . As i have said repeatedly, thatis his pals . As i have said repeatedly, that is no input from the Prime Minister at any stage of the process. Last weeks open letter from the committee on standards in public life to all Public Office holders describes the long established principles of selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness and leadership as a personal responsibility. Now with the Prime Minister seen disregard for conflict of interest, refusal to a nswer for conflict of interest, refusal to answer questions on this issue, would he agree with me that the Prime Minister has not got the character for leading this country . She talks about the Prime Minister, he will be here later on and she can put that question to him herself. I would say simply, she talks about the principles of public life, the thing i think the public cannot get their head around is how they have a parliament that is blocking the world that they express in a referendum. The minister will realise that this will not go away anytime soon, so doesnt he agree that only a full independent inquiry will be able to remove the stench of sleaze and scandal that is currently engulfing the Prime Minister, and that any inquiry has to investigate the circumstances of this use of public funds to check that it was legal, appropriate, there was no conflict of interest, and it was no time at the now Prime Minister abused his position or misused public funds . If that doesnt happen, then the stench of sleaze and scandal which currently engulfs him will linger long. It wont surprise you if i dont accept the vast majority of the premise of that question. He says this wont go away, he is right, we are having a review. We will leave no stone unturned. The minister has given assurances that no member of the house of commons was involved in lobbying for hacker house. Can he give the same assurance about the house of lords . As i have said, we are having a review. I have no indication whatsoever before me that there is a positive answer to her question, but of course, we are having a review and we will make sure that is covered. That are great numbers of people out there who are trying to get start up businesses off the ground, to these people, a grant would be hugely welcome. Can the secretary of state can at least see that the impression of money being lost out to mates is corrosive to Public Confidence in the grant system, and that in turn is damaging to the reputation of any government . I agree that impression is in part why we are having the review. I would also say that one of the thing is corrosive to Public Confidence in that process as people repeatedly making allegations when we have not had the review or any proof yet. There have been reports that the mayor of london, Prime Minister, had a close relationship with hockley, including receiving one to one Technology Lessons from her, can he give assurances to her that even if no direct representations were made directly from the Prime Minister, that no representations were made on behalf of the now Prime Minister . have said that, i am happy to say again that there was no undue lobbying to the best of my knowledge. We are having the review and we will make that public. I think his attempts to try and broaden the scope of this will not change the fact that there is no evidence whatsoever that the Prime Minister is up to do anything and properly. Has this company or its directors apply for any other government funds, and if so, over what period, successfully or unsuccessfully . The two other companies that are related to Jennifer Arcuri have not made any applications whatsoever to this department, we will be double checking that as part of the review and im sure the review will look at other Government Departments. As i say, this is whatever a process as scrupulous, transparent and vigorous and as independents whichever company is in receipt of government money. Im sorry that the minister is rattled, as evidenced by his dismissing questions over the Prime Ministers possible conflict of interest when he was london mayor as, tittle tattle, which. As yesterdays clock sure, the staggering. Will be minister concerned for the house that he believes that this parliament and the public are perfectly entitled to hold the Prime Minister and his government to account, i any hints or suggestions to the country about tittle tattle only show yet modest respect for the democratic process . Ethnic she tells me im rattled, im enjoying this db rather more than i thought. Its a lwa ys rather more than i thought. Its always a pleasure to answer prewritten questions. She shows me it has been prewritten, its very good to see. To be fair, she raises an important constitutional principle, and it is an important constitutional principle that this government absolutely respect and will continue to do so. government absolutely respect and will continue to do so. I think the honourable gentleman was to raise a point of order appertaining to these exchanges . Very well. In our exchanges, the manager suggested i register with hacker house. I looked at social media and there are many people on line who tried out in the getan people on line who tried out in the get an error message. Can he explain why hacker house appears to have disappeared . The honourable gentleman is under no obligation to come in on a point of order, but it is open to him if he so wishes. Come in on a point of order, but it is open to him if he so wishesm is open to him if he so wishesm is of course a part of this departments processes that we make sure the services we procure are delivered, we are very happy to look at that, and we will continue to do so. The secretary of state for transport, secretary grant shapps. Mr speaker, with your permission i like to make a statement about the steps the government has been taking to support those affected by the colla pse to support those affected by the collapse of thomas cook, in particular, the 150,000 passengers left a b roa d particular, the 150,000 passengers left abroad without a fight back. And also the 9000 people here who have lost their jobs and also the 9000 people here who have lost theirjobs in the uk. This isa have lost theirjobs in the uk. This is a very sad situation, with all parties considering options to avoid how this company can not be put into administration. Ultimately, thomas cook and its directors took the decision themselves to place this company into Insolvency Proceedings and ceased trading at 2am on monday the 23rd of september. I recognise this is a very distressing situation for all those involved, id like to ensure members of this house that the comment is committed to supporting those affected, including by providing repatriation flights free of charge to all of those people. We have been continuously planning for some time to prepare for this scenario, 0peration matterhorn. The government in the Civil Aviation authority have run operations in the past and have been working hard to minimise disruption to passengers and try to assist thomas cook staff. Even with our operations and previous experience with monitor, the task before us represents the largest peacetime evacuation ever taken in the uk. Some disruption and delay is therefore inevitable as we ask for understanding, critically for thomas cook staff, many of whom are still working alongside the government to try and help ensure the safe return of their customers. For example, the situation reported in cuba in the media overnight. That aircraft has not left this morning and all the passengers in cuba scheduled to come home today are on that flight. Normally, the caa is responsible for bringing back passengers, it would only extend to customers covered by the at all scheme. They would have been insufficient capacity worldwide in the Aviation Market for people to book tickets independently and bring themselves home for those who are non thing mac related. Some passages would have had to wait a week or more, others would have suffered personalfinancial week or more, others would have suffered personal Financial Hardship as they waited for another flight. This would have created, in my view, through other economic problems, with people to work and other to be reunited with their families. With tens of thousands of passengers abroad and no easy means of returning to the uk, i instructed the caa to ensure all those currently abroad were able to return ato l currently abroad were able to return atol ora currently abroad were able to return atol or a non thing mac. Currently abroad were able to return atol ora non thing mac. Due currently abroad were able to return atol or a non thing mac. Due to the size and complexity and geographical scope of this thomas cook business. It has not been easy to replicate their exact line and schedule. They caa were enough to source enough aircraft at the right size and types to closely match the airlines in aircraft with monarch. But with thomas cook, it is a much bigger airline and offers much bigger packages. It has been a lot more challenging. Some passengers are travelling home on commercial flights, while others have available seats. I know the whole house will wa nt to seats. I know the whole house will want to thank all the airlines and the ground staff who have offered assistance to thomas cook passengers in this difficult situation. I would like to update the house with the latest information and give honourable member is a sense of the scale of the operation that has been going on. We put arrangements in place to bring back 150,000 people across 50 different countries. This requires over 1000 flights by the caa over the next two week period. Passengers will be able to complete theirfull passengers will be able to complete their full holiday so they shouldnt be leaving early and should return on the day they intended to. In the first two days of this operation, we have not helped nearly 30,000 of the 150,000 passengers on over 130 dedicated caa flights. There is a further 16,500 passengers we hope to be parachuted day on Something Like 70 flights. It is proceeding according to these amended schedule. So far, 95 of people have been repatriated to their original points of departure. We have not been able to bring back everybody from the airport from which they left because of the difference of the size and shape of available aircraft. In the first two days, we have therefore provided on the travel for those passengers and arrays for additional flights from gatwick to glasgow to relocate passengers who were flown back to the wrong airport because of that schedule an issue. They caa has reached out to over 3000 hotels to make sure that british holiday makers can remain in the hotels in which they are booked. That has been followed up by calls and contacts by fco officials. There are over 50 overseas airports involved and 11 uk airports engaged in this programme stopped there have been over 100,000 calls to our Customer Service centres, and over 2 million visitors to the caa dedicated website. In total, there have been ten Government Departments and agencies involved in london and our extensive Diplomatic Network in those countries affected. I have been hugely impressed as this programme has been rolling out over the last couple of days. The response from everyone involved, including thomas cook passengers who had been generally positive, many praising the caa, even though there has been considerable disruption. For example, people havent been able to advance check in as they do these days, therefore causing some of the queues that you see on television. It has been extremely well organised and professional from all those involved. Despite all these robust plans and their success so far, this is an incredibly distressing situation for all those concerns. 0ne distressing situation for all those concerns. One of my Top Priorities involve helping those stranded abroad get back to the uk safely. In addition, we have also been working across government to ensure that the 9000 former thomas cook employs in the uk and overseas receive the report that they need as well. The decision by the Thomas Cook Group board has been deeply upsetting to employees who are losing theirjob, the dwp and Job Centre Plus a Rapid Response service is in place helping employees get back into work. They are ready to engage with the liquidators to start vital work. There are special arrangements in place for uk employees who are owed redundancy pay and notice pay back the insolvent employer, that is through the redundancy and Insolvency Service so much that you repay amounts owed to former employees can be made through the National Insurance fund. I want to say more about this later. My right honourable friend, the secretary of state of Business Energy and industrial strategy, is establishing a Government Task force to address impact on communities, helping to ove rco m e impact on communities, helping to overcome barriers, securing training, self employment, childcare costs, tools, travel costs. My collea g u es costs, tools, travel costs. My colleagues and i have been in contact with those members who constituencies have been hardest hit by these job losses and given assurances that we will build work with the industry to support what help we can. Pretty much every honourable members is the chintzy is affected in some way. My right honourable friend, has also written to the Financial Reporting council to the Financial Reporting council to ensure that they prioritise, as a matter of urgency, an investigation into both the causes of the companys into both the causes of the compa nys failure into both the causes of the companys failure and the conduct of its directors and of its auditors. I am also aware of the due to this government has to the taxpayer, and while effective passengers had been told they will not have to pay to be flown back to the uk, we have entered into discussions with third parties, with a view to recovering some of the cost of this large operation. Around 60 of passengers have ato l operation. Around 60 of passengers have atol protection, and they caas air travel trust fund will contribute to the cost of evacuation as well as refunding atol featured bookings. We will also look to recoup some of the cost from the releva nt recoup some of the cost from the relevant credit and debit card providers and travel insurers, and other travel providers through which passengers may have booked the thomas cook holiday free. We are also in discussion with the official receiver to understand what cost can be recouped through the companys assets as well. The final cost of repatriation for the monarch situation in 2017 was about £50 million, including atol contributions. The repatriation effo rts contributions. The repatriation efforts for thomas cook is now known to be twice the size and is more complicated for the reasons i explain. I have also seen it suggested in the press that the comic should have avoided the colla pse comic should have avoided the collapse with a bailout of up to £250 million for the company and its shareholders. Given the Princely State of the business, including the company wasnt only £41. 5 billion half year loss reported in may, followed by further profit warning in november, this simply was not the case that no guarantee that an injection would have scored the future of the company. In effect, our concern is that we would put £250 million risk throwing good money after bad, and then still have to pay for the cost of this repatriation. It is quite clear that in the last several years, the company ran intoa in the last several years, the company ran into a number of different problems of trying to expand it self out through investing more in the high street, rather than less, whilst the entire market was moving in at the opposite direction. The lost none the less of an iconic british band with 178 year history, one of the oldest travel companies in the world, is an extremely sad moment. However, they should not be seen reflection on