Transcripts For CSPAN3 British House Of Commons Debates Quee

Transcripts For CSPAN3 British House Of Commons Debates Queens Speech 20170623

Speech your majesty has addressed to both houses of parliament. I call the leaders of opposition mr. Jeremy corbyn. Thank you, mr. Speaker. As tradition we cumeterate the members we lost in the last year. Sadly, mr. Speaker this must also mark those weve lost in horrific events in recent days and weeks. The Grenfell Tower incident what makes it both a tragedy and outrage is every single one of those deaths could have been avoided. Something has gone horrifically wrong. The North Kensington community are demanding answers, and they deserve those answers. Many in the tower blocks around the country deserve our deepest respect and support. I also want to pay respect to my honorable friend who has demonstrated so clearly why our local community put their faith in her. Her determineitation to ensure every family is housed safely lessons must be learned, mr. Speaker, 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 took innocent lives, causing dozens of injuries and traumatized hundreds of people with willful and calcdisregard for human life. The attack in early hours of monday morning in my own constituency is a reminder to us all that hate has no creed, violence no religion and that we must stand up to hatred whoever the target and stand together against those who would drive us apart. And last night hundreds of people assembled alongside Finsbury Park mosque to give that message. Our communities and our country are strongest when were united. As our late colleague joe cox said, we have far more in common than that which divides us. It was just over a year ago that joe was taken from us by someone driven by hatred. Joe was driven by love and by an infectious energy. It was in the spirit of that energy and passion, for people, life and justice that so many events were held in her memory around the country last weekend, including one in modern housing in my constituency near the sight where the attack happened a day later. They held a great get together over the weekend. We should remember her and thank her and make sure these great get together events do continue year in, year out to unite our local communities. Earlier this year, mr. Speaker, we also lost a father of the house, mr. Coffman who had served for 40 years. He was an iconic and irascible figure. It was my pleasure to travel with him in that quest, to many countries in the region. And i loved the very many lengthy conversations we had with him. In fact, nobody ever had a short conversation with so gerald. Both will be fondly remembered by all who knew them and worked with them. I want to congratulate the mover of the third speech. My mother told me of the joy of freedom common because she was there, and i went to visit her there. And i hope he will understand the deep love of humanity that motivated all those men and women and others to go there all of those days. And i would like to thank him for taking time out. Looking after his extensive Property Portfolio and tending to his directship of the u. K. Partnership. I hope one day a labor government may soon be able to come to his aid of constituents by taking partner back into partnership and to the end of his tenants by ensuring theres a responsibility of landlords to ensure all homes are fit for human habitation. I know the honorable member will continue his street in parliament and rural affairs. And you agree of what part of he said for the need for us to speak up as a country for Climate Change in use all over the world. And thank him for that part of the speech. I turn now to the honorable lewis. He is a former winner of University Challenge, so he would be able to do that. He mentioned benjamin israeli, and i welcome that because benjamin israeli once said if i want to read a book, i write one. Well, mr. Speaker, it seems the honorable gentleman has taken the maxim to new levels. Writing or cowriting six books since hes been a pleb of this house. One book absolutely stands out. Its a mustread. I hope its reprinted. It came out in 2011 and the book said after the coalition. Now, i dont want to cut across any of his present literary representations but perhaps a sequel. Although i understand the latest coalition may already be in some chaos. And nothing would reemphasize that chaos more than the queens speech weve heard, a threadbare legislative program from a government thats lost its majority and apparently run out of ideas altogether. This would be a thin legislative program even if it was for one year. But for two years, two years . Theres not enough in it to fill up one year. Mr. Speaker, its therefore appropriate to start by welcoming whats not in the speech. Firstly, theres no mention of scrapping the winter fuel allowance for millions of persons. Through means testing, can the Prime Minister assure us the conservative plan has now been withdrawn . Mersefully, neither is there mention of withdrawing the dimensional lock. And all the people and their families might also be keen for some clarity around the governments policy on social care, whether its still what was originally setout to the conservative manifesto or whether its what was later amended to or whether its now Something Else entirely. And im sure its just a matter of historic record but im looking on a conservative website today and it manifesto has been taken down in its entirety. It apparently no longer exists. The Prime Minister might also like to confirm that food is not after all going boo be taken from the mouths of infants and that younger Primary School children will continue to receive universal free school meals. On the subjects of schools, mr. Speaker, there was nothing nothing about crammer schools in the greater speech. Does the Prime Minister now agree with her predecessor that it is now delusional that a policy expanding the number of grammar schools now a good idea, a sellable idea, or even a right idea . Mr. Speaker, the good news may even extend to our furry friends. Does the Prime Minister guarantee that fox hunting remain banned in this country . Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has recently embarked on very difficult negotiations concerning brektst that the whole house will want to scrutinize. Unfortunately, there have been some leaks with the other side in the process expressing dismay with the governments negotiating skills. But thats enough about coalitions of chaos with the union party. We must get on with the issue of brexit. The decision of the referendum has been taken. Were leaving the European Union. The question is how and on what terms . The government could have begun negotiations on a far better footing had this been accepted into the house of july last year and granted full rights of european nationals living in this country. I hope now that the minority government will indeed listen to the wisdom of this house a bit more and work in partnership with our european neighbors. It is during the Election Campaign he repeatedly refused to rule out a second election on our eu membership. Given now that theyve now commenced, will he take the i made it clear we would negotiate sensibly and fair with the European Union and bring the results of those negotiations back to this house. Its in all our interests 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. With each full access to the Single Market and a customs arrangement that provide britain as the brexit pledge with i quote, the exact same benefits as now. Either should target prioritization of the jobs and Living Standards of the people of this country. Lets decide our immigration policy on the basis of the needs of our communities and our economy. Not to the tune of dog whistle cynicism of linten crosby or hate campaigns or indeed, mr. Speaker, the hate campaigns of some sections of our press whose idea of patriotism is to base themselves in an overseas tax haven. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I thank the honorable gentleman for giving way. I would like to ask, can he confirm the contradiction of his own plans that he plans not to reduce immigration numbers yet also stopping employers recruiting overseas . Is it not the right honorable gentleman, that hes a bit wobbly . Mr. Speaker, we made it very clear throughout the Election Campaign and before that those employers that unscrupulously recruit low paid workers from overseas, exploit them in this country and run away with the profits at the same time creating Community Discord are wrong are making money of poverty and grossly exploiting very Vulnerable People on both sides of the channel. Majority position on the Single Market, whats the labor position on the Single Markets in the kucustoms unit . Again, mr. Speaker, our position has been absolutely clear. Our position is we need tarifffree access to the European Market to protect industries and jobs in this country. And lets have a little bit less from the other side of the dangerous threats of turning britain itself into attacks haven, which would threaten jobs and Public Services here far more than in mainland europe. We do not yet know the official title of the governments much trumpeted great repeal bill. But if were talking about taking back control, then Parliament Must be able to scrutinize legislation. Tha thankfully, mr. Speaker, the thin gruel of this gracious speech allows plenty of time for longer debates at greater scrutiny. That must include ensuring that the human rights act and our commitment to the European Convention on human rights and the human rights of everyone in this country remain completely and totally intact. And we will ensure they do. Its our determination that by working with administrations spaulkts such as agricultural andficiaries will be divulged to those administrations and not hoarded. Ask i also wish the Prime Minister every success in reconvening talks with all parties to restore the assembly in bellfast as soon as possible. We also very much hope that any done deal of the dup 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 oaf state was announced for july, but can the Prime Minister update . Just a question. Mr. Speaker, as i said earlier as i said earlier as i said earlier Public Service workers such as fire workers, police and others such respond when their are terrorist attack. But its not good enough to respond only in times of terrorism and disaster. They deserve 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. And when the police mr. Speaker, when the police raise this subject with the then home secretary, do you know what . She accused the Police Officers of crying wolf. I hope the current Prime Minister will correct the mistakes 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 demand is that they will have all the resources that they need. Order. Order. It is clear that at the moment the leader of the opposition is not giving way. Mr. Jeremy corbyn. Thank you, mr. Speaker, because what was briefed to the media yesterday about scrapping the changes to the Police Funding formula is insufficient as they will only move funding between its very pressed and very far forward sightings. As it will only move funding between rural and urban forces when the real issue is the 2. 5 billion cuts that have been made in Police Budgets in the past five years. Mr. Speaker, our firefighters did an outstanding job at the grenfell town fire, but those firefighters worked incredibly long shifts. In part because there are 600 fewer firefighters in london. Ten fewer fire stations in london, cuts and closures forced through by the previous mayor of london. And talking to those firefighters, mr. Speaker, kpautkpau exhausted from their work who went into a burning building to save people, i said why do you do it . Why did you go in when you know its so difficult and dangerous . They said because were firefighters. 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 of crises. Mr. Speaker, i welcome the fact theres a possible inquiry going on into grenfell, but i pay tribute to those councils for its commitment this week to install sprinklers on all tower blocks of ten stories or more. But so minimal Safety Standards cannot be left. So will the government make available Emergency Funds for council to check cladding and to install sprinklers . The government should also be committed to a Public Safety bill, to implement recommendations of the 2013 inquiry into the fire at lackana house and reverse the requirement to install sprinklers into new school buildings. It will still do so and do so at our support. I thank the gentleman for what he said about sprinkler systems on high rise flats. We have 116 high rise flats at my constituency. At the moment only eight have sprinklers. It will cost 30 Million Pounds for all of those flats. Will the honorable gentleman work with me . A friend raised a very similar point about the numbers of town blocks. And i dont suppose too many members of this house live in tower blocks. But just think for a moment of the sense of fear so many people had when they saw that house fire. Theyre living an the 16th, 17th floor knowing theres no helicopter than can reach them, nowhere they can land. We need to give everyone that assurance and local authorities that have seen massive cuts in their budgets over the past years need their resources now to install the necessary sprinkler systems and Fire Prevention smts. And you cannot just use the excuse the money isnt there. Am money has got to be there to ensure we save life in the future. And we will support the government if it is able to bring that forward. For the last time, ill gave way and then i must move on. On my own friend and myself, thank him for visiting the area and also for making this an absolute priority. Would i ensure he and the government assure that both the Disaster Relief in north ken sing tennessee and also pursuing this issue over the safety of people in tower blocks is made the absolute number one priority. Reporter thats right, andy. I thank my friend. Into thank him for the support hes given to my friend the member from kensington and the work done there. Because whats happened in Grenfell Tower is terrifying for all those there, and i have to say the problems that have ensued since then indicate just what happens when you cut local authority spending to the bone and local authorities cannot cope as a result. We need properly funded, good quality Public Services in this country. The Prime Minister says that Legal Support will be made available to the families affected by the gren if he tower fire. But they should have had access to legal aid beforehand. And when they were raising their desperate concerns about fire safety, they were ignored and again, ignored by a conservativecontrolled local authority. The lessons of the failed Austerity Program must urgently be learned. We cannot have Council Housing social housing on the cheap and we cannot have Public Services on the cheap. We have to invest in them. So will the Prime Minister now halt the cuts to the police, cuts that the former commissioner this week called an absurdity . Those cuts, those cuts have affected our prisons too, mr. Speaker. Her majestys chief inspector of prisons has expressed his concern at the lack of prisons and a courts refor bill one that could have implemented our election manifesto to employ 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 can she clarify to the house the status of the National Funding formula . Head teaches and teaches are going through incredible stress with oversized classes and the difficulties of maintaining employment of teachers. The gracious speech mentioned legislation to protect victims of Domestic Violence. But does that also include restoring legal aid in such case

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