Oral Answers to Questions

John Bercow Excerpts

Wednesday 17th July 2013 Commons Chamber

[Lynne Featherstone]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has met Stop TB UK, and I have just returned from South Africa, where I convened a round table on TB, particularly on the theme of TB and HIV in the mines. This is such an important issue that we want to move forward on it. Spending money to stop TB in other countries helps us to stop TB in this country.

[Mr Speaker]

We are extremely obliged to the Minister.

[George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con)]

4. What plans she has to support the application of agricultural science, research and innovation in developing economies.

--- Later in debate ---

[Justine Greening]

I was in Pakistan last week, when I had the chance to meet senior members of the Government and at the provincial level. We will be—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The Secretary of State is answering questions on extremely important matters, which have an impact on some of the most vulnerable people on the face of the planet. We ought to do her and the House a service by preserving some calm.

[Justine Greening]

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. We will continue to work with the new Government on stability in border areas. I am sure the House will be delighted to hear that I agreed a tax package with Pakistan’s Government that will see Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs going in to help them broaden their tax base and improve their tax collection.

--- Later in debate ---

[Justine Greening]

I had a chance to meet the Burmese President earlier this week, when I did raise those issues, particularly the importance of access for humanitarian support. I hope I managed to get his assurances that the Burmese Government will work with us as we try to improve the lot of those people and will play a leadership role in reducing ethnic tensions.

[Mr Speaker]

I might tell the hon. Gentleman that I met the President here yesterday and I conveyed some of those messages on behalf of colleagues.

[Mike Freer (Finchley and Golders Green) (Con)]

T7. The UK contributes £30 million a year to the Palestinian Authority’s general budget. Does the Secretary of State agree that the pooled and general nature of that budget means that it is impossible to track how all donor money is actually spent?

--- Later in debate ---

[The Prime Minister]

First of all, let me say that my hon. Friend fights a strong and noble campaign on this issue that she cares a huge amount about, and I respect that. What we are able to do—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The question has been asked; let us hear the answer.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) (DUP)]

Will the Prime Minister—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Let us have some order. Mr Campbell must be heard.

[Mr Campbell]

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Will the Prime Minister join me in wishing a speedy recovery to my right hon. Friend the Member for Belfast North (Mr Dodds), who was injured when seeking to resolve problems in his constituency during the recent unacceptable disturbances? Will he also join with many in Northern Ireland who want to see the initiative headed up by Dr Richard Haass from the United States of America, which will require considerable effort and good will to resolve all the outstanding parading issues, which have been plagued by violent opposition for far too long?

--- Later in debate ---

[Glyn Davies (Montgomeryshire) (Con)]

rose—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. We must hear the question from Mr Davies.

[Glyn Davies]

Q6. In my Welsh constituency, patients have to wait 36 weeks for elective treatment, while the figure in the English constituency of Shropshire next door is 18 weeks. What lessons does the Prime Minister believe the Government can learn about how the NHS has been managed in Wales over recent years?

[Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab)]

Will the Prime Minister—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Just as I said for Mr Davies, Mr Flynn should be heard with courtesy.

[Paul Flynn]

Will the Prime Minister study the precise meaning of the word “question” and the precise meaning of the word “answer”, and consider the need for a link between the two following the record number of unanswered questions and pre-prepared party-political jibes last week at Question Time, which was a demeaning spectacle that shamed him and his office? Will he make a start by giving me an answer to this question that is both relevant and courteous?

--- Later in debate ---

[The Prime Minister]

It is extraordinary that on a day when there has been a fall in unemployment, the Leader of the Opposition had nothing to say about it. In fact, I have done a bit of checking and he has not asked a full set of questions about the economy since February, because he knows that our policies are working and Britain’s economy is mending. My hon. Friend is absolutely right that the forecast was made that we would not make up for the loss of public sector jobs with jobs in the private sector—[Interruption.] I know that Labour Members are shouting. They are shouting because they do not want to hear good news about falling unemployment, but people want to hear about more jobs, more businesses and progress in our economy.

[Mr Speaker]

There is too much shouting on both sides of the House, not just on one side. That is the reality.

[Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck (South Shields) (Lab)]

How many of the Conservative party’s millionaire donors asked the Prime Minister to cut the 50p top rate of tax?

[The Prime Minister]

That was definitely a Whip’s handout—there is no doubt about that one. Let me explain to the hon. Lady an important distinction—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Let us calm down and hear the answer.

[The Prime Minister]

The top rate of tax will be higher in every year of this Government than it was in any year under the previous Government. Let me explain how it works in the hon. Lady’s party: the trade unions give Labour money and that buys the policies, it buys the candidates, it buys the MPs and it even buys the leader. I am not surprised if they are worried about the product that they have ended up with.

--- Later in debate ---

[Hon. Members]

Oh no!

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Mr Hughes’s question will be heard.

[Simon Hughes]

Q14. Many water companies in England have paid huge dividends to their shareholders, have avoided paying tax and are not properly accountable, and in this region are proposing an annual increase of £80 a year on water rates. Will the Prime Minister ensure that no public subsidy is given to Thames Water or any other water company that puts its profits and shareholders ahead of the interests of ordinary ratepayers and taxpayers in his constituency and mine?

--- Later in debate ---

[The Prime Minister]

We can run through this one again; let me have another go at explaining. Right, it works like this: the Conservative party gives Lynton Crosby money and he helps us to attack the Labour party, right? The trade unions give money to the Labour party—the other way around—and for that they buy your candidates, they buy your MPs, they buy your policies and they even give you this completely hopeless leader.

[Mr Speaker]

Last but not least, Mr Andrew Griffiths.

[Andrew Griffiths (Burton) (Con)]

My constituent, Kelly Bridgett, was diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of 25 when she had her first smear, and sadly she had to have a hysterectomy. Will the Prime Minister join me in congratulating Kelly on her “Drop your pants to save your life” campaign to raise awareness of cervical cancer, and will he talk to the Health Secretary about Kelly’s wish to bring the age at which young women can have a smear down from 25 to 20?