Transcripts For CSPAN British House Of Commons Debates Queens Speech 20170623

And loyal subjects, the commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in parliament assembled. We give your thanks to your majesty for the gracious speech that your majesty. I call the leader of the opposition, mr. Jeremy corbyn. Mr. Corbyn we commemorate the members we have lost in the last year. Sadly, mr. Speaker, this year must mark the passing of those days e lost in horrific and weeks. A fire has killed at least 79 people. What makes it both a tragedy and outrage, every single one of those deaths could have been avoided. The community are demanding answers and entitled to those answers. Thousands of People Living in blocks around the country need reassurance and the Emergency Services, especially rescue Foreign Services deserve our deepest respect and support. I want to play a warm tribute to my members of ken sing ton. They have demonstrated while her local community put her faith in her, her determination to ensure that every family is rehoused locally is an exemplary work as a dedicated member of parliament. We welcome to her house. Lessons must be learned in the Public Inquiry and a disaster that never should have happened must never happen again. The terrorist attacks in manchester, London Bridge and Finsbury Park caused dozens of injuries and traumatized people with willful disregard for human life. The attacks in the early hours on monday morning is a reminder to us all that hate has no creed and violence has no religion and we must stand up to hatred to whoever the target and stand together against those who would drive us apart. And last night, hundreds of people assembled along the Finsbury Park mosque to give that message. Our communities and our country are strongest when we are united. As our late colleague joe cox said, we have far more in common than that which divides us. A year ago joe was taken from us. Joe was driven by love and by an imagery. It was in the spirit of that passion for peoples lives and justice that so many events were held in her memory around the country last weekend including one in my constituency near the site of the attack that was a day later. A great gettogether. We should remember that these events continue year end and year out. Earlier this year, we lost the father of the house who had served his constituents for 47 years and previously worked for harold wilson. Oe was an iconic figure in the labour party and campaigned to bring peace to the middle east. And it was my pleasure to travel with him to many countries in the region and i loved the conversations we had with him. Nobody had a short conversation with the joe. [laughter] mr. Corbyn he will be remembered. Mr. Speaker, i want to congratulate the mover and seconder of the queens speech. Rst, i do congratulate the newest member on his speech. And i went to visit my mom and i hope he will understand the deep love of humanity that motivated those who agreed to go to the common during those days. And i would like to thank him for taking time out for his responsibility looking after his extensive Property Portfolio and pending to his directorship of the u. K. Water partnership. I hope a Labour Government will be able to come to his aid by taking water back into public wnership and to the aid of his tenants by ensuring the responsibility of tenants that ll homes are has beentation. The member will pursue his other interests in parliament and his interest in defense and africa and Rural Affairs and i agree with part of what he said when he spoke of the need to adhere of all of the agreements on climate change. I thank him for that part of his speech. Thorn, the honorable whose speech was articulate and he is a form erwinner of the university challenge. So he would be able to do that. He mentioned benjamin. He once said, if i want to read a book, i write one. Well, mr. Speaker, it seems the honorable gentleman has taken it to new levels. Writing or cowriting six books during the Seven Members he has been a member of this house. And i have been looking through the back cat logs of his book and one book stands out. It is a mustread. I hope it is reprinted. It came out in 2011 and the book said, after the coalition. I dont want to cut across his liter rear representations but perhaps a sequel may be in the offing. The latest coalition may already be in some chaos. Nothing would emphasize that chaos more than the queens speech we just heard. A program from a government that has lost its majority and apparently run out of ideas all together. This wrob a thin legislative program even if it was for one year, but for two years . Two years. There is not enough in it to fill up one year. Mr. Speaker, it is therefore appropriate to stop welcoming from what is not in the speech. Firstly, there is no mention of crapping it. Can the Prime Minister assure us, the conservative plan is now being withdrawn . Notably, neither is any mention of ditching the triple lock. Brits will be grateful to know if that has been binned. All the people might be keen to some clarity around the governments policy on social care, whether it is still what was originally set out in the manifesto or what was later amended to or Something Else entirely. And a matter of historical record but looking on a conservative website the manifesto has been taken down entirely and no longer exists. The Prime Minister like to confirm that food is not after all going to be taken from the mouths of infants and younger children will continue to receive Universal School meals. Only subject to schools, mr. Speaker, there was nothing about grammar schools in the gracious speech. Does the Prime Minister agree with her predecessor that it is dilutional that expanding the number of grammar schools is a good idea or even a right idea . Mr. Speaker, the good news may even extend to our friends. If the Prime Minister can practice the barbaric of fox hunting will be banned. The government has embarked on very difficult negotiations concerning brexit which the whole house will want to scrutinize. Unfortunately, there have been some leaks where the other side in the process expressing dismay the weakness of the governments negotiating skills. But enough about coalitions of chaos for the democratic unions party. We must get onto the issue of brexit. Labour accepted that the decision of the referendum has been taken. We are leaving the European Union. The question is how and on what terms. The government could begin negotiations on a far better footing and accept what was in the house last year and granted full rights to European Union nationals living in this country. I hope now that the minority government would indeed listen to the wisdom of this house a bit more and work in partnership with our european neighbors. I thank the rightful gentlemen. During the Election Campaign he refused to rule out the second referendum on our e. U. Membership given that negotiations have commenced, will he rule out the second referendum now . Mr. Corbyn i dont think you have been my speeches. I made it clear we would negotiate sensibly and fairly with the European Union and bring the results of those negotiations back to this house. We get a brexit deal that puts jobs and the economy first. No deal is not better than a bad deal. Its a bad deal and not viable for this country. We need full access to the single markets and customs arrangement that provides britain with the exact same benefits as now. Neither must arbitrary targets for immigration be prioritized over the jobs and Living Standards of the people of this country. Lets decide our policy on the basis of the need of our communities and our economy, not o the tune of sin civil of crosby or the hate campaign or indeed, mr. Speaker, the hate campaigns of some sections of our press, whose idea of patriotism is to base themselves in an overseas safe haven. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I thank the honorable gentleman for giving way. And i would like to ask, can you confirm the contradiction where he plans not to refuse immigration numbers but also enjoy recruiting overseas. Is it not the right gentleman that he is a bit wobbly . Mr. Corbyn we made it very clear throughout the Election Campaign and before that those employers that recruit lowpaid workers from overseas exploit them in this country and run away with the profits are wrong and making money out of poverty and grossly exploiting very Vulnerable People on both sides of the channel. The majority position on the markets is clear. What is the position on the Second Market . Mr. Corbyn again, mr. Speaker, our position has been absolutely clear. R position is we need free access to the european markets to protect industries and jobs in this country. And lets have a little bit less from the other side of the dangerous threat of turning britain itself into a tax haven which would hurt jobs and private sectors here. We do not yet know the official title of the governments much trumpetted great repeal bill. But if we are talking about taking back control, Parliament Must be able to scrutinize legislation. Thankfully, mr. Speaker, the game grule of this gracious speech allows for greater debates and greater scrutiny. That must include ensuring that the human rights act and our commitment to European Convention on human rights and the human rights of everyone in this country remain completely and totally impacted and we will surely do. By working with the administrations, responsibilities such as agriculture and fisheries will be did he involved to those administrations and not the house will be in order. Ed in whitehall. And on the subject, i wish the Prime Minister every success in reconvening talks with all parties to restore the assembly in bell fast as soon as possible. We very much hope that any done deal with the d. U. P. In this place respects the overriding priority of the good friday agreement to maintain peace in Northern Ireland. Mr. Speaker, a state visit from the spanish head of state was announced for july, but can the Prime Minister update the house that she can expect the United States head of state to visit any time in the future . Just a question. Mr. Speaker, as i said earlier as i said earlier mr. Speaker, as i said earlier, Public Service workers such as fire service, Police Received huge praise when there were terrorist attacks. But, its not good enough to be grateful to our Public Service workers only at a moment of crisis and disaster. They deserve dignity, the dignity of fully funded services , the dignity of not seeing their jobs cut and Living Standards fall. There are now 20,000 fewer Police Officers than when the conservatives came into office in 2010. Mr. En the police speaker, when the police raised this subject with the then home secretary, do you know what . She accused the Police Officers of crying wolf. I hope that current Prime Minister will correct the mistake of the former home secretary. The gracious speech promises them all the powers they need. But what the police and Security Services deserve and the public demands is that they will have ll the resources that we need, all order. Order. It is clear that the member of the opposition is not getting way. For those firefighters worked incredibly long shifts, in part because there are 600 fewer firefighters in london. 10 fewer fire stations in london, cuts in closures forced through by the previous mayor of london and talking to those firefighters, mr. Speaker, exhausted from their work who went into a burning building to save people, i said why do you do it . Why do you go in because you know it is difficult . Its because we are firefighters and what we are trained to do. We need more of them. There needs to be greater security for all of them in the future. We have to properly fund our fire services, not just at a time in crisis. Mr. Speaker, i welcome the fact of the questionery, but can we take action now . And the council for its ommitment this week to install sprinklers. But such minimal fire Safety Standards cannot be left to a postcod lottery. Will you make emergency funds to councils and restore sprinklers . The government should be committed to a Public Safety bill to implement the recommendations of the 2013 inquiry into the fire and revert its guidance to remove a requirement to remove sprinklers. It could do so. Additional to any other recommendations that come from the tower inquiry. What he said about sprinkler systems to highrise flats. We have 116 in my city. At the moment, only eight knows the recommendations have sprinklers and 30 Million Pounds in all of those flats. Would the gentleman with me to provide the money for all local authorities to put sprinklers into high rises . Mr. Corbyn i thank my friend and during the discussion we held in westminster hall, my friend raises a similar point about the number of tower blocks and i dont suppose many members live in tower blocks. Just think of the sense of fear that so many people had. They are living on the 15th, 16th floors, no helicopter can land and reliance not able to get out or the fire to be contained. We need to give everyone that assurance and local authorities that have seen massive cuts in their budgets over the pass past years need the resources to install the necessary sprinkler systems and Fire Prevention systems and cannot use the excuse that money isnt there. The money has got to be there to ensure we save lives in the future. And we will support the government if it is able to bring that forward. Must move on. I want to thank him for visiting the area and making this an absolute priority. Will he ensure and the government ensure that Disaster Relief in North Kensington and the issue of people is made the absolute number one priority . Mr. Corbyn thank him for the support he has given and the work that has been done there. Because whats happened in the tower is terrifying for all those there and i have to say the problems that have been ensued since then and what happens when you cut local authority spending to the bone and local authorities cannot cope. We need properly funded good quality Public Services in this country. The Prime Minister says public support will be made available to those affected by the tower fire. They should have had access to aid beforehand. And when they were raising concerns about fire safety, they were ignored and ignored by a conservativecontrolled local authority. The lessons of the failed program must be learned. We cannot have social housing on the cheek and cannot have Public Services on the cheek. We have to invest in them. Will the Prime Minister now hold the cuts to the police, cuts that the former commissioner called an absurdity . Those cuts have affected our prisons, too, mr. Speaker. Her majesty inspector of prisons expressed his concern about the lack of prisons one that could have employed another 3,000 prison officers. Our childrens schools are facing budget cuts. Can the Prime Minister confirm whether cuts per pupil funding are going ahead . And could she clarify the status of the National Funding formula . Teachers are going through incredible stress and the difficulties of maintaining employment of teachers. The gracious speech mentioned legislation to prevent victims of Domestic Violence, but does that include restoringing legal aid or the funding to reopen the many refuges that have been closed . We welcome reform of Mental Health legislation to give it greater priority and welcome assurance that no Mental Health trust receives budget cusses this year. Will she call on the Public Service will she call time which means our nurses are 14 worse off today than they were 17 years ago . As the Prime Minister is aware, some nurses and other Public Service workers have been forced to resort to using food banks along side over a million other people in this country. Rising inflation, the effects of low pay, falling incomes are going to hit more families. The six million workers earning less than the minimum wage, those subject to benefits freeze and the 5. 5 million public servants. We owe them a lot better deal than has been given by this government in the past seven years. My party labor lost almost 13 million votes, mr. Speaker. And that was because, mr. Speaker, we offered hope and opportunity for all and a real change to our country. He Prime Minister, she began the Election Campaign saying if i lose just six seats, i will lose this election. When it came to it, she lost more than four times that many seats to labour alone. From stockton to kensington, people chose hope over fear. And they faced an unequivocal message, mr. Speaker, that austerity must be brought to an end. Seven years of conservative rule of wages falling, inflation rising, personal debt rising and the economy falling. By no stretch of the beginnings could any of that could be described as strong or stable. Three members on this side and this members on our side. I will conclude my speech. If you want to boost pay, the most effective means is through strong and independent trade unions. Workers collectively defending and improving their paying conditions. So we wouldnt appeal the trade union act and strengthen collective bargaining. People have shown believe there is a better way. In recent years, this government has thrown away tens of billions of pounds in tax giveaways to the very rich and to big business. And at the very same time, closing shore stocks, closing libraries and our National Health service into record deficits. Under conservative rule, School Budgets have been cut, College Courses closed, students being saddled with a lifetime of debt and set to fall for the first time in history. Our manifest to, for the many and not the few and popular policies sets outal very different part which caught the imagination of millions. Away from the public willing to take back control. To our utilities and rail ways are taken into Public Ownership and are youining not to pay the dividends of the few. We will end austerity by making very different choices, by asking the highest 5 of earners to pay a little bit more. While still keeping the top 10 Percentage Points allowed than was for margaret thatchers time in office. By asking to pay more by retaining a lower cooperation tax rate. Austerity and inequality are choices. Theyre not necessities. They are not unfortunate outcomes. They are a choice. They are a choice to make life work for the many to maintain the privileged of a few. If this government rejects austerity, challenges inequality and revitalize our economy, it would have our support. It continues down this path of deliberately making people worst ff, of deepening divisions, of deepening divisions and neglecting communities that deserve support and respect. And we will oppose them every step of the way if they continue with that. Mr. Speaker, this is a i will continue with my speech. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Speaker, this is a government without a majority, without a mandate, without legislative programs led by a Prime Minister who has lost her Political Authority and struggling even today to put together a deal to stay in office. Point of order. Lets hear the point of order. Mrs. Miller. Im seeking your advice of someone who has been in this house for 12 years. The members can be disappointed that the leader of the opposition is not perhaps you could advise what the usual format is. All i will say to the right honorable lady, im much touched by her assessment of the extent of my powers. Disappointment may be very regrettable but not a matter for the chair. Mr. Jeremy corbin. Labour is not an opposition. We are a government in waiting. We have policy programs. Mr. Speaker, with a policy program that ensues and engaged millions of people in this election, many for the First Time Ever in their political lives. We are ready to offer real strong and stable leadership. In the interests of the many, not the few. We will break this strategy and what legislation comes forward against that standard. Mr. Speaker, this election engaged more people than for generations, a tribute to our democracy. In the election, labour set out a vision of what this country could be, what it could be. It could be it could be more equal. It could be more prosperous. It could have opportunities for all. That is what we on this side will be putting forward in this parliament. What we will be fighting for in this parliament, what we will be demanding in this parliament. The people of this country deserve Something Better than very little when they have problems they demand answers to from this parliament. We will engage fully and make that their case for a more stable, more Cohesive Society in britain. Thank you, mr. Speaker. The Prime Minister Prime Minister may mr. Speaker, first of all, im sure the whole house will want to join me in sending our very best wishes to the duke of edinburgh following s news being admitted to the hospital. And we wish him a full and speedy recovery. Let me join the leader of the opposition in condemning the appalling attack in his constituency earlier this week and let me pay tribute for the work he did with his constituents on sunday. I know the thoughts and prayers are with the victims that died and all those that injured and im sure the whole house will want to pay tribute to the police and Emergency Services with courage that makes our country so proud of them. This was the fourth terrorist attack on our country in three months. Following the attacks here in westminster, manchester and London Bridge. This time it was an attack after they left their worship. It was a brutal and sickening reminder that terrorism, extremism and hatred can take many forms and our determination must be the same for whoever is responsible and this queens speech takes important steps in helping us to do so. We will review our Counter Terrorism strategy to make sure they have the powers they need and the length of cuss towedial offenses are sufficient to keep people safe. We will work to Reach International agreements to prevent the spread of extremism and terrorist planning and encouraging Tech Companies to remove harmful content from their network and establish a new commission for countering terrorism to fight hate and terrorism in the same way we fought racism because this is destructive to our values and will stop at nothing to defeat it. Mr. Speaker, i hope whatever our disagreements, we can welcome the focus on this queens speech i stamping out hateful hadiology. Like all terrorism in whatever rm, londonners want to break us apart and break the bonds that we share in this country and our response is to stand together more strongly than ever to show to show hatred and evil of this kind will never succeed and our values will succeed. Does she agree with me that we need to work with communities and engage with communities . That is all communities. They should play a leadership role in ensuring that we reject nce and for all terrorism . Prime minister may the right honorable gentleman and i was the k when i struck to see way the interfaith communities were coming together. I saw representatives from the muslim faith, Jewish Community and Christian Community coming together with one ambition, which is to drive extremism and hatred out of our society. This is the first time we come together after manchester, London Bridge and Finsbury Park. This must be a priority of our government and call on all members of our how house to give the security agencies the tools so they can do the job properly . Prime minister may im grateful to my honorable friend to the intersention he has made and i would hope across this whole house to deal with terrorism and drive out terrorism and extremism and all members of this house will support the government in measures that we ring forward to do just that. When she was home secretary, she took a decision to weaken the surveillance of intelligence will sheby abolishing, admit this is a mistake and will she review it and strengthen the powers of the police and the difficult task they have to do of monitoring suspects who have the intent of doing harm but have not committed a crime. Prime minister may what was happening with the previous orders they were being knocked down in the courts. We introduced the measures. We have subsequently enhanced those measures and we introduced the act that our police and our intelligence and security agencies have powers they need. What we have seen now is an increase in the tempo of attacks planning and remember, we have seen these terrible terrorist attacks that have taken place over the same time period five other plots have been foiled. It shows the increasing scale and tempo and we need to look at the powers for the future to ensure that there are Security Services and our police have the power they need. And i look forward that the gentleman ensure that we give those powers to our agency. I would like to say a few words about the disaster at the tower. We are providing funding for arms policing. We are also protecting police budgets, which is which of course is different to the view that was put forward by the former shadow home secretary, now the mayor of manchester who said the police could take 10 cuts in their budget. We didnt listen to that. Mr. Speaker, i would like to say a few words of the disaster at the tower. The country was heart broken about the loss of life and the devastation we have seen. Im sure the whole house will send our deepest condolences to the friends and families who lost loved ones and those who survived but lost everything. One lady ran from the fire. She had lost absolutely everything. So let me be absolutely clear. The support on the ground for families in the initial hours was not good enough. People were left without belongings, without roofs over their heads or basic information about what happened and what they should do and where they could seek help. That was a failure of the state local and national to help people when they needed it most. As Prime Minister, i apologize for that failure. As Prime Minister, i have taken responsibility for putting things right. Each family whose home is destroyed is receiving a down payment so they can buy food clothes and other eerbles. There will be an independent Public Inquiry chaired by a judge to get to the truth about what happened and who was responsible and provide justice for the victims and their families who suffered so ter apply. All those of an interest including survivors will be consulted and those protected will have their legal costs paid. And because it is clear that they have havent been able to cope, we will develop a new strategy which could include a civil Disaster Task force. And finally, mr. Speaker, we must learn some of the lessons from this and previous disasters where families have not had the support they need. An estimated 8 of londons population lives in terror blocks. London territories have lost 45 and that includes responsibilities for environMental Health. Will she today guarantee local authorities will be fully funded for an urgent review of block safety and reaction that is necessary including sprinklers where appropriate so they can proceed in a matter of days . And will you proceed with regulations that this is a necessary element . And she will legislate swiftly to ensure all highrise residents are safe . Prime minister may we all share a desire to ensure that people are safe and can have the confidence of being safe in their homes. The work started immediately by the department of the local government encouraging local communities to look at the issues in their tower blocks and assess those tower blocks. We do not yet know the absolute cause of the fire in the tower. That work is ongoing. We will take what action is necessary including learning the lessons that come out of it. She speaks about the issue of regulation. Of course, there is regulation in place. If there are requirements to change that that come out, if there are requirements to change that that come out of the investigation that is currently taking place, we will act and will do so swiftly. And just, so mr. Speaker and honorable and right members of this house are aware, there are a number of investigations. The police have opened it. They are investigating as quickly as post exact cause of the fire so any action that is required as a result of that can be taken and there is a Public Inquiry that i also announced. As i said, we must learn some of the lessons of this where amilies have not had the resources. A strong independent voice for victims acting on behalf of families and supporting them at public inquests and inquiries. I pay tribute to the two members of parliament that we lost in the course of the last year. Joe kaufman served this house and his constituents in manchester for incredible 46 years. We didnt agree on everything but as father of the house he was a source of wisdom and experience for members on both sides and will be greatly missed. D the murder of jo cox are shocked this. Jo was a campaigner and humanitarian Whose Mission in life was defined by hope and life. Her killer spread hate and division. But last weekend as part of the great together, i and many of hundreds of thousands together in her honor came together and stood together and pulled together to unite against that hatred and prove in her words that we have far more in common than what divides us. We pay tribute to her husband brend and for the extraordinary courage and strength he has dealt with and honoring jos memory in an inexpiring way. Whatever our disagreements, we are United Kingdom,. The house will know the first part of the successful queens speech. And it is intended to be a witty speech. The speech from my right honorable friend was today. From my point of view, a little too witty, because he took all the jokes that i had written in my speech. My right honorable friend over the years that he has been a member and in the years when he was fighting to take the seat has shown a great commitment and also to the important task of building a stronger economy and Fairer Society. And the fellow boxer m. P. And the work he has done that im particularly concerned about, the issue of Mental Health and made a significant contribution during his time as a minister. He mixed up his card and his skate. But im sure like the rest of us, he wont fail to welcome the of ce in this house today almon. Ght honorable friend what is the Prime Ministers reason for not welcoming the former honorable member. Prime minister may i have to say to the honorable lady, the reason is because he was beaten by a conservative. Right honorable friend, showed tenacity over his three years. It started with the u. K. As a minority of one and ended with the e. U. Supporting a reform agenda that will be at the heart of the fisheries bill. And he got support for the waterways one of the biggest and best in our country. He made an excellent speech today in the finest tradition of this house. And mr. Speaker, the queens speech was seconded by my honorable friend. My honorable friends is a distinguished political historian and Political Writer as the leader of the opposition pointed out. And my honorable friend has a particular interest in female Prime Ministers. Indeed, members may know that his most recent book profiles the most testing six months for our first female Prime Minister and ran 272 pages. I think his next book could be somewhat longer. My honorable friend is widely regarded for his good lucks. The telegraph once described as a tour toury heart throb, and i doubt that he even made it to page three of the sun. He cited the 1995 winning team which my honorable friend was a ember they were of the bbc program. I couldnt disagree more and the house has today seen my honorable talents on full display, a speech which declares substance and witt. He brings a historian wisdom to challenges and opportunities that our country faces and he will make contributions in the years ahead. Let me welcome the honorable members as the new leader. And im particularly pleased to welcome to the conservative ventures my 13 scottish conservatives. It is good that my honorable friends wont have jokes about pandas. Mr. Speaker, turnout at the election was higher than in 2015 including many more younger people. We would have preferred more of them to vote for us, more people going to the ballot box is something we should all welcome. Let me welcome the right honorable member north as the leader of the opposition. He had a Spirited Campaign and came in a good second. Both better than the pundits predicted and what the m. P. s hoped for. The Prime Minister giving way why she is celebrating her immense triumph. I couldnt help that the Prime Minister went off to listen to the humble address. When i went to school and they came back and thought, has she shrunk or has he grown . [laughter] mr. Speaker we are going to hear it from them. Normally there is a response. Prime minister may the fact that i didnt seek that intervention and required a justified response. Procedural terms, i believe it did. Prime minister may im trying to agree with you. I thank the Prime Minister. And according to which i 9,001. D my majority to young people increasing their vote. Why is she increasing Voter Suppression and people obliging to show identification before they vote . Prime minister may anybody in this house values democracy and also want to ensure that that democracy is fair and free of fraud. And it is in that spirit that we are introducing requirements for people to identify and people who are voting are those who are entitled to vote. I give way. If she supports young people involves democracy, i look forward Prime Minister may that is an sue on which the honorable gentleman and i will disagree. The election also shows that as it faces the big challenges of r future, our country is divided, red versus blue, old versus young. As i said last week, the test for us is reflect on divisions or help the country overcome them. This country will do the latter. We will do what is in the National Interests and work with anyone in any party that is prepared to do the same. I thank for your commitment. Could she talk about people being discriminated on race as well. Prime minister may i thank my honorable friend. This will reflect the outcome of the Racial Disparity which we introduced as soon as i became Prime Minister last year. We do test what is happening in relation to our home services. I was struck by the examples i saw. I took examples on stop and search because i thought it was important that nobody was stopped because of the color of their skin and other issues that we addressed. Our Racial Disparity audit will show us what is happening and we will be able to ensure truly that the approach that we are taking is a fair one and not that discrimination. Im going to make a little progress before i give way again. Mr. Speaker, we will work every day to earn the trust and confidence of the british people and make their priorities our priorities dealing head on with the major challenges that our country faces and that is what our queens speech is all about. Mr. Speaker, this queens speech is about recognizing and grasping the opportunities for every community in our country to benefit as we leave the European Union and the brexit deal that works for all its about building a new partnership with our european friends and neighbors. Because we are leaving the European Union, we are not leaving europe. And it is about seizing this moment of national change, to deliver a plan for a stronger, fairer britain. By strengthening our economy, tackling injustice, and promoting opportunity and aspirations for all. Because, as ive said many times before, the referendum vote was not just a vote to leave the European Union. It was a profound and justified expression that our country often does not work the way it should for millions of ordinary families. And this queens speech begins to change that. By putting fairness at the heart of our agenda. I thank my right honorable friend for giving way. She knows ive been a long Standing Campaign for improving Mental Health care in this country. And the truth is that there are many people across our country today not getting the care that they need, including many children who in very traumatized states are spending too long in queues to get the appropriate treatment. Account Prime Minister tell us what shes going do to convert warm words of the government into actual action on Mental Health . Prime minister may i commend my honorable friend who has, as he said, in this house and before been a champion of this issue of Mental Health. And has done important work on it. One plan is putting in place a Mental Health act. We will consult widely on that new Mental Health act. I also want to ensure that every school, every primary and secondary school, has a member staff who is trained to identify Mental Health problems and knows how to deal with those issues. I was very struck when i met the minds a few weeks ago. The issue of raising awareness of Mental Health problems, particularly among young people. The earlier we can address these issues, the better we can deal with them and the better life we can ensure that the people with these Mental Health problems have. Those are some of the issues that we will be putting into place. But i look forward to working with my honorable friend on ensuring that what were doing does indeed address the issues that we need to address. I will give way to the honorable lady. Its good to see her here. She turned up, which isnt always the case in the Election Campaign. The brexit bill, not one single one those bills covered the environment. Its her failure to propose a brexit bill on the greatest challenge we face. But because shes been influenced by the [inaudible] Prime Minister may im very conscious of the significant amount of legislation from europe which affects environmental matters and those ssues are being mr. Speaker. My party was elected by the people of Northern Ireland to represent the constituents who elected us here. Is it parliamentary for the honorable lady to describe us in the unparliamentary terms that she did . Which i regret. She does not understand the policy that my party has on the environment. She should go and read our manifesto. But we have the right to speak for the people of Northern Ireland. And in this parliament we will. Let me say two things in response to the im sure sincere point of order from the right honorable gentleman. First of all, the use of the word in question is not unparliamentary. Its a matter of taste as to its desirability or otherwise. And secondly, i know how robust the character the honorable gentleman, right honorable gentleman is, i would simply say that the word in question refers to a species that survived for many, many millions of years. Prime minister. Prime minister may thank you, mr. Speaker. As i said, the queens speech is about putting fairness at the heart of our agenda. About building a stronger economy, delivering a modern industrial strategy, so all parts of our country and all parts of our Society Share in the benefits of economic growth. Investing in the world leading infrastructure that can unlock growth in our economy and improve the quality of peoples lives across the whole country. And building a Fairer Society. Increasing the National Living wage. So that people who are on the lowest pay see their wages go up as the economy strengthens. And also ensuring that every child has access to a good school place. Creating a world class system. Im going to make a little propro little more progress before i give away again. Creating a world class system of Technical Education so all young people have the vital skills they need to do the jobs of the future. Fairer. O make markets by tackling unfair practices wherever they are found. I am grateful to you giving way. The Prime Minister fairer. By tackling mentioned opportunity. Does she agree that one of the opportunities we must deliver is allow young people to get on the housing ladder . And will she enforce the previous commitment to increase House Building to children 50,000 homes a year, which is much bolder and ambitious commitment than the Party Opposite . Prime minister may i have to thank my honorable friend. The very next sentence that i was going to say in my speech is tackling the housing crisis that knocks so many young people out of the housing market. We do indeed recognize the significance of the housing problem in this country. That is about building more houses. Its also about keeping schemes going which help people to get on the housing ladder and seeing a greater diversity in the housing market. Rent to buy, shared ownership. A whole variety of opportunities. For young people. And also we will be tackling discrimination on the basis of Mental Health, sexual assault, sexuality, faith, disability, gender or race. I give way to the gentleman. How is the interim Prime Minister going to convince [laughter] going to convince the country that she can negotiate a successful brexit within the time limit, with 27 other e. U. Countries, when she hasnt been able even to negotiate a deal with 10 democratic unionist members of this house in the time limit before the queens speech . Prime minister may can i thank the honorable gentleman for giving me the opportunity to welcome the work that the right secretary, mber, my secretary of state, secretary of the European Union, has undertaken in relate to preparing our negotiations and starting those formal negotiations on monday of this week. And i will be in the brussels for the e. U. Council later this week, taking that further forward. Im also grateful that the brexit talks have now started. As part of those talks, the ability for those people who come from the other 27 countries to live and work in the u. K. And for u. K. Citizens living and working within the other 27 countries is going to be vitally important. Youll be waiting to learn of their future. Will she give a guarantee to this house that she will come to this house as quickly as possible, not waiting until the discussions have finished, in order to give them the assurance that they will be able to live and remain in the countries where they have decided to live and work . Prime minister may im grateful to my friend. We have always said from the beginning of this that we want to address this issue at an early stage and then in the negotiations and that is indeed the agreement that has been reached. This is one of the very first issues that will be addressed in the negotiations. And i will make every effort and will guarantee to my right honorable friend that i expect to be able to come to this house to show the opportunities that the United Kingdom will be setting out for those e. U. Citizens who live here in the e. U. We of course want to see u. K. Systems in the European Union being treated fairly as well. We will soon be setting out our offer in relate to European Union citizens living here in he United Kingdom. The fact is that the gracious speeches being given today and the Prime Minister still cant tell us how our government will be composed or how it will be supported. And given that she asks for a very personal mandate during the general Election Campaign didnt get one, the only question is hys she still here . Prime minister may let me just point out a few facts to the honorable gentleman. Which party was it that got the highest percentage share of the vote . Labor or conservative . Conservative. Which party was it, which party was it that got more votes . 800,000 more votes than the other party. Labor or conservative . Conservative. And which party was it that got 56 more seats in the labor party . Order order i will not have the Prime Minister or the leader of the opposition or any member of this house shouted down. Order mr. Campbell. Im sure you order order. No obvious benefit or purpose. Im sure you mean well. Order. Im sure you mean well but i dont require your assistance at this time. [laughter] the Prime Minister. Prime minister may thank you, mr. Speaker. I was merely pointing out that the conservative party got 56 more seats than the labor party. We are doing but we are doing what is in the National Interest. Which is forming a government to address the challenges that face this country at the moment. T. S. A. Critical time. Its important that we have a government committed to the National Interest. I give way to my honorable friend. Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister just mentioned making markets work better and for everybody. She knows that the Energy Price Cap had wide crossparty support from all sides of this house. So i was delighted to see Energy Price Protection and proconsumer switching and transparency measures in the queens speech. Can she confirm that those measures mean the price cap to deliver 17 million customers the 100 pounds savings which we promised on our manifesto, rather than the narrower or moranity competitive counterproposals from the Big Six Energy firms . Prime minister may i can confirm to my honorable friend that we intend to take action on this issue. We recognize the problem that there is in relate to energy bills. We want to ensure that we get the best measure in place. That the going to do to deliver what we all want, which is to see people no longer being ripped off by the high energy ariffs that theyre given. Strengthening the i thank the Prime Minister for giving way. The Prime Minister has talked about the National Interest and the need for crossparty support. Prime minister agree with me that in her excellent proposal to have a commission for tackling extremism, for that to work it really does require the engagement not just of prim with me members on this side but of members on the other side of the house, that we stump out the evil ideology of extremism that drives terrorism in this country . Prime minister may my honorable friend is absolutely right. We have spoken a lot about the need to deal with terrorism. And of course we do need to look at the powers we have to deal with the terrorists. But we also need to ensure that we are dealing with the extremism and hatred that fueled that terrorism. And thats why the commission for countering extremism is so important. And i hope it is a measure, as i said earlier, that can be supported across all parts of this house. Because it is important, if we are going to ensure that we drive this extremism and hatred out of our society. Mr. No i have already taken three times as many interventions as the leader of the opposition. O i will make some progress on my speech. Mr. Speaker, we also want to build a more secure United Kingdom. Investing in our defense and National Security and enhancing our leading role on the world stage. Strengthening the social, economic and cultural bonds between england, Northern Ireland, scotland and whales. Delivering on our commitment to wales. Delivering in our commitment to devolution. And working with all the parties in Northern Ireland, to support the return of devolved government. Building a country that thank is stronger, fairer, safer and more secure for all our children and grandchildren, a country that works for everyone. That is our ambition and that is what this queens speech will help to deliver. The first part of this queens speech is of course about brexit. A brexit deal that works for every part of the country and commands the greatest possible public support. Over 80 of the electorate backed two major parties, both of whom campaigned on manifestos that said we should honor the democratic decision of the british people. So this government will respect the will of the british people and see brexit through. We will build we will seek to build a wide consensus arks we do this and as we take bills through this house. Which will include a trade bill, a repeal bill, an immigration bill, as has been referred to. And also, also bills to deal with control of access to our waters, for fishermen, and greatest ability to farmers with a new bill on agriculture. I would just make a little more progress and then i will take some more interventions. But you if were going to grasp the opportunities as we leave the European Union, we need to build a stronger economy. Thats right. Weve always understood, as conservatives on this side of the house, that sound money and fiscal credibility is the foundation for everything else. Thats why it was right to take the tough decisions we did after the financial crash. And it has paid off. He deficit is down by 3 4. Employment is up by 2. 9 million. And because of policies like the National Living wage and taking four million of the lowest paid out of income tax altogether, inequality has been reduced to its lowest level for 30 years. So in this queens speech, we will continue to improve the public finances and work towards getting our country back to living within its means. We will also invest in the worldleading Digital Infrastructure we need to benefit from the opportunities of new technology. And we will encourage businesses to grow and create jobs by continuing to cut corporation tax. Because thats how you raise more money, not less. I thank the Prime Minister for giving way. Does the Prime Minister recognize that the economys evolving and changing and therefore account Prime Minister concern that the government is confirm that the government is absolutely committed to the ensuring rights for people in the g gimbings economy who are on different gig economy who are on different types of contracts than have historically been the case. Prime minister may youre right. We asked Matthew Taylor to do a report on the changing workplace. The changing structure of employment that we see, particularly to the gig economy. And when that report is published we will obviously look at the sets that the government needs to take to support people with their rights. As i said in the past few weeks, we will enhance workers rights. We believe in protecting those rights and enhancing them. I would give way to my honorable riend. I thank the Prime Minister for giving way. Will my right honorable friend ensure that this legislation [inaudible] and other infrastructure investments, so we can rebalance the economy to make sure that the whole country benefits from [inaudible] Prime Minister may the very good to see my honorable friend in his place and to see him out on the campaign trail during the general Election Campaign. And i can absolutely confirm that we will put the legislation through for the next stage of hs2 and we will also ensure that we are continuing to invest, as my right honorable friend set out last year in Infrastructure Projects across the country. Because what i want to see is a country that works for everyone and every part of the United Kingdom. And infrastructure is an important way of helping to deliver that. Mr. Speaker, i will give way [inaudible] back to what she was saying about making brexit work for the entire United Kingdom. Can she tell the news to a legislative consent motion will be required in the Scottish Parliament for the great repeal bill . Prime minister may that is a matter which is currently being considered both here and in scotland. There is a possibility that a legislative consent motion may be required in the Scottish Parliament. That is a matter that is being considered currently between the westminster and the scottish government. Im not going to mr. Speaker, im conscious that i have take an significant number of interventions taken a significant number of interventions. And i will make progress so that other members are able to rise to speak. One thing that we will not do, ive said that we will protect rights and protect people at work as we leave the European Union. And indeed as we see changes in the Employment Structure in our economy. What we wont do is follow the economic prescriptions of the Party Opposite. Because there is absolutely nothing fair about punitive tax rises that lead to fewer jobs, lower wages and higher prices for ordinary working families. And there is nothing fair, there is nothing fair about racking up debt for our children and grandchildren to pay. The only government you can trust to build a stronger and fairer economy is a conservative government. Mr. Speaker, ive mentioned a Fairer Society and want britain to be a genuine great meritocracy, where everyone has a fair chance to go as far as their talent and hard work will take them. That is about ensuring everybody plays by the same rules. Its about ensuring every child has access to a good school place. Its about ensuring that that right to Technical Education is there. And for measures in the queens speech, well help to do that. But they will also deal with some of the injustices in our society. The draft of Domestic Violence abuse legislation, to provide the statutory definition of this hideous crime and ensure protective orders are available and that victims get the justice they deserve. I will give way to my honorable friend. But may i come on. I will just say this. This is a measure that i hope will be able to command support across the whole of this house. There are many in this house who have championed the cause of dealing with Domestic Violence. For many years. My hope, theyll be able to join us in supporting this legislation. Mr. Speaker, as the Prime Minister is very aware, victims of Domestic Violence are both the direct victims but also the often indirect victims such as children. Can she reassure us that steps will be taken to support those indirect victims too . Prime minister may my honorable friend makes a great point. One of the problems over the years is all too often people have looked at the immediate victim or survivors of domestic violent and forgotten, forings, that there have been been children involved in the house, its not just a question of whether theyve not seen something happening. They know whats happening and theyre affected by it. We will be looking at that issue of children. I will give way one time more to the honorable gentleman. Had house praised the Prime Minister for the inquiry. Today i met with the victims of contaminated blood. Will she take this opportunity now to have a full Public Inquiry to those affected and heir families . Prime minister may i note the point the gentleman has made about contaminated blood and i will speak to the secretary of state of health. I think this has already been look at and other ways of dealing with this issue have already been introduced and addressed. Mr. No. Mr. Speaker, we are building opportunity and aspiration. One to say just just more. We will also deliver a more secure United Kingdom. Because of the choices were making to prioritize our defense and National Security. Our Armed Forces Bill will give those who put their lives on the line in the service of our country the proper respect they deserve. With more security in the way they live and work. Our commitment to renew trident means this country maintains its continuous acts on Nuclear Terror as the ultimate guarantee of our safety and a Prime Minister who is prepared to use it. We will continue to play a leading role in International Efforts to tackle mass migration and climate change. To alleviate poverty and end modern slavery. We have always looked beyond europe to the wider world and we will continue to do so. No. I am actually able to say this is in conclusion. This has been a difficult time, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this has been a difficult time for our country. I know there are many patients who worry about the parents who worry about the kind of world their children are growing up in. And i recognize that and understand it. Its been an unsettling time, which has tested the spirit of our country. But we are a resilient country. Our response to disaster and acts of terror, which take the lives of innocent people, must be this. Compassion, unity, resolve. For were a great nation and a great people. We have been through and survived the toughest of times before and we thrived. Once again we can and will grow stronger from the challenges we face today. The queens speech on its own will not solve every challenge our country faces. Not every problem can be solved by an act of parliament. But it is a step forward. It is a step forward for building a more compassionate, more united and more confident nation. Thats what this government will aim to achieve. Its what this queens speech will deliver. And commend the queens speech to the house. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2017] Senate Republicans release their Health Care Law replacement bill yesterday. Its scheduled to come to the senate floor next week. We learned about key details and the Senate Timeline from a capitol hill reporter. Host Health Care Reporter for c q roll call. Senate republicans released a discussion draft of the Health Care Replacement measure. We expect a score from the Congressional Budget Office in the early part of this coming week. Whats the next step and when can we really see this bill on the floor . Reporter the next step for this bill is they release the discussion draft yesterday, as you said. Then over the weekend, next week, senators are reviewing it. Theyre talking with stakeholders, people in their states, their governors. Theyre going to come back next week and youre probably going to see some changes to