Questions for the Prime Minister. Mister mister speaker, i have been asked to reply. My right honorable friends, the Prime Minister, is in China Building on ties between our two countries and accompanied by the largest business delegation this government have yet led. Mister speaker. A number of employees live in my constituency and an apprenticeship, some uncertain future. Will the Government Act on future corporate theft where they are siphoned off hundreds of millions of pounds in pension contributions for dividends and assistance to themselves, what options the government purports . Mister speaker, the anxiety must be affecting the apprentices and their families, the honorable gentlemens consistency, in last weeks debate, the Construction Industry training board, taken responsibility for finding alternative employers to enable all those apprentices with karelian to continue and complete their qualifications. And i shall certainly ensure the particular concern he expressed is brought to their attention. On the broader question the house to understand it would be wrong for live me to preempt findings by independent by the official receiver, and publishing proposals later this year to stop directors siphoning off pensions, the way he described. My right honorable friend will be aware the country faces significant cyberthreats from other countries and nonstate actors. He will also be aware we are protected from those by our security and Intelligence Services including the men and women at gc hq in gloucestershire. When the security review is published, will he confirm we will continue as we have since 2010 to invest in those capabilities to keep our country safe . My right honorable friend is correct and i am happy to give that assurance on behalf of the government. The sad truth is in this country we face a growing threat of cyberattacks from states the mysterious crime games and hacking groups. We have a robust Security Strategy to protect critical Services Including our democratic processes underpinned by nearly 2 billion pounds of government investment. Let me start by welcoming the minister back to his role. Last time he did so was in december 2016 when his party was 17 points ahead in the polls and the labour party was, quote, quarreling like a mutiny on the bounty, you may carry on. What a difference a year makes. [shouting] im not going to intrude further on the governments public grief because i genuinely hope we can reach consensus across the house today on an important issue. Next tuesday, women gaining the right to vote in britain followed later in 1918 by the right to stand for parliament. Im sure the minister will agree we have a long way to go with regards to the second right. Im the only emily elected since 1918 and he is one of 155 davids. The women behind me represent one quarter of all the women elected in the last 100 years but it is still not good enough. Does the minister, will the minister tell us how we can best increase fema representation in this house . Mister speaker, can i, first of all, thank the right honorable lady for her works of welcome and previous remarks struck a chord the way they clearly have and it is a delight for me to see the right honorable lady still in her place, no fewer than 97 members have been sacked resigned. [shouting] credit to her sticking power, she must sometimes whisper to herself. The point that she raised his a serious one and all Political Parties represented here, she is right to make this consensual, went to encourage more women candidates to come forward. I am pleased since i was first elected, my party has made very considerable progress but i also accept there is more to be done. I hope she for her part will accept we have had two Women Leaders and Prime Ministers so they have a bit of catching up to do. I have got to say, mister speaker, the Party Opposite is so proud of having a female leader, why are so many of them trying to get rid of her . Why has she had to run away from china to get away from them but i thank him for that answer and totally agree. But let me ask him also about the second right, the first right that i mentioned, the rights of millions of women received 100 years ago this week, the basic right to vote originally restricted to women with property over the age of 30, 90 years ago was extended to all women over 21 and almost 50 years ago extended to all men and women over the age of 18. Can i ask the minister a simple question. How many more years do we have to wait until the vote is extended to everyone over 16 . Mister speaker, the age of 18 rather than 16 is recognized as the age at which one becomes an adult, when full Citizenship Rights are attained. Only handful of countries in the world have a nationwide voting age below 18 and we believe it is right at the age of majority, 18, should be the age at which people become eligible to vote. The honorable gentlemen makes comparisons but this country and the labor government led the way in europe and the englishspeaking world reducing the voting age in 1969 and where we lived, others followed and it will be the same here. Let me move to a second question for the honorable gentlemen. I did not hear a logical explanation, 16yearolds in this country. At 16, we could leave home, we can pay taxes, join forces and can the minister give us a logical explanation why 16yearold should not have the right to vote . I have to say slightly baffled by the honorable ladies comment, what the party did in office, was the last labor government that raised the legal age for buying cigarettes to 18, raised the age to 18 and using a sunbed to 18. I think an inconsistency, she might examine the mirror. We have until the age of 18, Public Safety and crime. Not the same as the basic right to vote on issues that affect your life, and to make other independent decisions about your life like leaving home, getting married, let me give a specific example. I am sure it will not have escaped Public Notice it is rather a sad irony that when a woman is addressing the house, quite a lot of noisy and rather stupid individuals trying to shout the right honorable lady down. Cut it out. I want to give a specific example to illustrate what im talking about. The number of 16, 17yearolds looking at disabled relatives at home has risen by 50 in the past four years. Last year 2016 and 17yearolds gave up their schooling, how can it be fair, logical, to expect to take on that responsibility because of failures of the state and deny them a say on how it is run . Mister speaker, the logic of the honorable lady of the argument is she wishes to lower the age of majority from 18 to 16 and she listed a number of areas in which she supported the age at which activities are allowed to 18 on the grounds that always been could people be expected to have sufficient responsibility to have those rights. My argument to her is the age of majority should be set matching rights and responsibility. It is perfectly reasonable to say from the age of 18 we entrust young men and women to exercise those rights and responsibilities in full. The final point she made, it is right that sensible local authorities have particular care, local authorities, whichever party runs make every effort to do that. I am genuinely surprised at the ministers response. This is what he said two years ago. And the decisions that make young people of lies that they have not always i agree with the minister, why does he agree with himself . If she had been with me at the youth parlor, and a significant number of young men and women are over voting age. And the role that members do throughout the country, getting young people used to the idea of democratic responsibility, excellent training for the full adult responsibilities they inherit when they are 18 and i hope to encourage more young people to go out and vote. Mister speaker, under 18. There is no logical objection. That is why the Scottish Government supported it, every single Political Party help support it except the conservative party. Once again joined in opposition to change, they are not the coalition of chaos but the coalition of cavemen. Does the minister, does the minister does the minister not realize order, order. One member who thinks he knows what he is talking about, the answer is blindingly obvious and shouldnt escape somebody of great intelligence. Emily thornberry. Talking about cavemen. Why doesnt the minister realize lesson women taught predecessors 100 years ago when change is right it cannot be resisted forever and this is a change whose time has come. My advice is not to wean herself, watching old versions of the flintstones on the cartoon channel. I just think we ought to salute the fact not just the Youth Parliament but many schools and youth organizations throughout the country are working hard to get young people used to the idea that as they grow up they should take an interest in Current Affairs and when they reach the relevant age recognize the responsibilities by participating in elections and political campaigning. The situation we have here with the National Voting age of 18 and one that is followed by 26 out of 27 other members of the European Union by the united states, canada, new zealand and australia. Unless she is going to denounce all of those countries, somehow it adequate, and not to grow up and treat the subject with greater degree. Mister speaker, the governments policy made the uk one of the most competitive places confirmed by the recent growth figures. My right honorable friend agree this will damage the uk economy. As we have seen in scotlands, fallen behind the rest. Happy to agree with my honorable friend. It is obviously for the Scottish Government to determine how to use them. And penalize aspiration in scotland. We increase the Scottish Government spending power by 2 billion pounds. So the s p has no excuse for hiking the taxes of hardworking people including Public Service and penalizing businesses. The leader of the scottish nationalists used to champion Wealth Creation and free enterprise. I hope he urged the minister of scotland to think again. Thank you. Can i welcome the minister . May sending out mister speaker. The minister previously said that the Single Market is essential to the governments agenda for trade and competitiveness. Since those feed directed the analysis does the minister recognize the Single Market is essential for jobs and prosperity . When we leave the European Union next march, we will as a matter of legality leave the Single Market and the eu customers unit. The Prime Minister and the entire government elect the house, making it clear we are seeking a new partnership with our neighbors in the European Union, that ensures we continue to have frictionless trade, not just in the interest of our people but people, every one of the 27 other eu countries. Ian blackburn. Not a question like that. We are in a transitional deal in the central market. Mister speaker, this is a government in crisis, and an international embarrassment. The scottish conservatives, the home secretary have all supported memberships of the Single Market. The government is self prepared to make everyone burn. Where is the leadership . Mister speaker, the leadership was set out very clearly at lancaster and then again in florence and my right honorable friend the Prime Minister will be making further speeches in the weeks and months to come but can i say to the right honorable gentlemen that the most important Single Market to the people of scotland was the Single Market of the United Kingdom which is worth nearly 50 billion pounds every year to the scottish economy, four times more than trade with the European Union. It was our deep and special partnership with the eu in the future that will deliver prosperity to scotland, not the separatist politics. My right honorable friend shares my passion for ensuring all children get the opportunity regardless of who they are or where they come from. Can you confirm what progress the government made with the achievement gap between less welloff secondary school peoples and given positive impact when the next round of applications will open. Mister speaker, my honorable friends is right. The governments clear ambition and purpose is to ensure that our School System works for every child in every community in this country. Our reforms of already raised standards, we are seeing 2 million children attending good and outstanding schools, and disadvantaged pupils and their peers shrunk by 10 , and 10 of stage 2 since 2011. Im glad to talk about their plans to improve standard in schools. In my constituency, we are delaying 17 with life changing results. And is not being driven by young people, it is driven by gangsters, organized criminals and dirty money. Cocaine alone, 12 billion pounds, and tons crossing our borders. I asked the minister why we are cutting our borders . Why are we cutting, why has london been offered only in their Violence Reduction strategy a Community Fund . Mister speaker, can i first say i, like every other member of the house, nothing but heartfelt sympathy for his family and friends, the most appalling, my honorable gentlemen is right to say there are complex causes to what we are seeing. There is no doubt organized crime is contributing to this and exploiting young people who may try to attract criminal gangs and the government is to publish later this year a Violent Crime strategy, not just the criminal Justice System but how we work effectively with all other agencies to ensure young people are diverted away from the activity in the first place. It is also true if you carry a knife you can expect an end up in jail. We toughened the sentences and protected Police Budgets a quarter of all police in london. Forecast to grow by 20 in overcoming years. Proposals have been delayed because of concerns with the Funding Agency with the planning application process and on behalf of the Prime Minister my right honorable friend to discuss the concerns local parents have . The education secretary, happy to talk to him, the purpose of the Funding Agency informed an approach to funding covering both schools, colleges and other providers. I do note, has increase primary and secondary School Capacity by 6300 places since 2010 and delivering 9 schools and more work is to be done and ministers will talk to my honorable friend about that. Recent Research ShowsInternational Students are worth 20 billion pounds to the uk economy blues that was commissioned by nick hillman, Parliament Tree candidate in cambridge in 2010 and 4 advisor to lord willett. The Prime Ministers policies decreased the number of students coming to our country. Does the secretary of state agree with me, the Prime Minister to escort billions of pounds that could be available to our stores and hospitals . Mister speaker, what the facts actually say is we are the second most popular destination in the world and University Applications are up by 1 5 since 2010. What he alleges, we are doing a good job in attracting that. The most beautiful constituency in the United Kingdom. So improving infrastructure is difficult to create jobs and prosperity. What we can do is improve the salisbury line to get faster trends to waiver. Will my right honorable friend reassure my constituents and me that the government is behind the scheme to do what the government wants to create more wealth and prosperity. As my honorable friend will know, the chancellor last year set aside considerable sums of money, 20 billion pounds, to finance infrastructure improvements, railroad and broadband to generate growth around the country and facilitate Housing Development. My honorable friends constituency has seen considerable Housing Development in recent years, i we should transfer ministers talked to him about the concerns he has . 25 january 1985 the conservative government promised no nuclear waste, and the promise still stands . He will have to forgive me if i say my memory for statements given in 1985, it was seven years before i was first elected to this house but i will look into the that he has raised. Important new initiative to get universities to work very closely with business to develop specialist coding skills. The government is investing 84 Million Pounds to deliver comprehensive program to improve the teaching of the computer curriculum. We look forward to working closely close with university and the institute. Thank you, mr. Speaker. After ten years in the country my constituent [inaudible] to attend her fathers funeral and broke her leg making are unable to return. She just been told you have to a further ten used to reapply. That nietzsche meet you be unat the child which may be going when she can start a family in this country. Will the mr. Raise this issue with the Prime Minister and have meeting when she returns . Mr. Speaker, obvious i dont know more about the detail of the case than the honorable gentleman has just described in the house, but like many members i have immigration casework so untimely with the type of problem he has described it if youd like to write to me after these exchanges setting out the details, i will discuss that with my right honorable friend the home secretary and the relevant minister will certainly meet him. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Last week i visited the armed forces parliamentary, great Outreach Program the sales were doing to promote s. T. E. M. Skills to local command. Does my friend agree this initiative to inspire the skills both our armed forces and the country will need to succeed in the future is a huge credit to their approaches should be highly commended . My right honorable friend raises a very important point. I didnt know about the Important Role that they play in the life of cornwall. But what he is highlighted is the way which the work they deserve more of a National Spotlight as well, and we need to build the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics ability for growing and rapidly changing economy. That was highlighted in the strategy. And what my honorable friend has described happening will contribute to the success. It is an extraordinary fact this year, last year, every year over a decade, one london borough, the london borough of islington has received more funding than the entirety combined of the midlands and northern cornfield communities. Who is going to be brave enough to reverse this inequity so my constituents, and especially my young constituents, can a fair and equitable access to funding . [shouting] well, i am not sure whether that was mentioned, meant as an attack for islington north or islington south. [laughing] but what i can say, i can say to the gentleman that obviously its a particular bid, but he feels was unfairly treated. He is welcome to take that up with the nuanced ministry window will want to examine that case carefully. But in general terms, more than half of the arts funding in england is awarded to arts activity outside great london. Holiday homes are a mixed blessing. They provide important support to our local economy but they also take up vitally needed housing and push up prices beyond the reach of many local people. In addition to this many of them avoid paying council tax by switching to business use and been enjoying the benefits of Small Business rate relief. Does my right honorable friend agree with me that this situation is unacceptable . Would use his good offices to help find a way closing this loophole . My honorable friend brings a valid point. Holiday ownership pay the correct tax. Whether the property should they council tax or Business Rates rests with the valuation of his agency that operates independently of ministers, and rightly so. But if a a property is availabe for rent for one of the 40 days or more a year, and will be subject to Business Rates. If it does not meet this test, council tax will be due. If an individual provides false information in order to seek business rate relief, a person is liable to summary conviction or a fine, or both. Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister once to bring forward Domestic Violence and abuse but her government is taxing the same survivors for using [inaudible] for survivors of Domestic Abuse using that service is not a matter of choice. Its a matter of safety. Will he asked the Prime Minister commit to using this just scrap the tax for survivors of Domestic Violence . Mr. Speaker, there is a government consultation on this eminent, and i would urge the honorable lady to make representations to that but also directly to the uk minister of concern. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Here, here. Following pilasters terrorist attack in manchester and has committed 24 Million Pounds to the city come and with the effective stilbene felt across my area and we they give assurance to support manchester . We will certainly continue to support manchester right across government through the various agencies and spending programs that government has available. And i think that the manchester demonstrated last year its resilience and its strong sense of Community Identity and purpose. That i think will serve it well, both economically and socially on the other hand,. Mr. Speaker, the whole house will warmly welcome the fantastic news which is saved thousands of jobs in Northern Ireland, and we should pay tribute to the management of bombarding both in belfast and canada. The workforce and the unions which worked very well together. Honorable members in this particular the honorable member for east belfast and the government which really ruled in very strongly to support the company. But cannot urge the chancellor of the duchy of lancaster to document approving manufacturing in Northern Ireland . To final decisions that are outstanding. Can i gently urge the government which are no always listens very, very carefully to get on with it . Try to connect first of all thank the right honorable gentleman for his words and although he is a few years ago now since i had the opportunity to visit bombardier in belfast, introduced to remain, rim of her home port that enterprise the provision of high quality wellpaid skilled work in the city and were widely in Northern Ireland. Hes right to say that the government work close with Northern Ireland, leaders and politicians. The Prime Minister raise this question person more than once with President Trump and with Prime Minister trudeau. My right honorable friend the business secretary has been very active on behalf of bombardier. Were pleased by the outcome. I think you can rest assured the government will remain a strong supporter of business in Northern Island, but i would perhaps add the sooner we can get back to divulge government in Northern Island the easier it will be to ensure that practical benefits flow back to Northern Ireland. Thank you very much, mr. Spe. I put highspeed is critical in critical towns with his been a market since 1310. In this age of internet shopping with my right honorable friend confirm the Government Support for traditional markets and policies that will boost our high street . Mr. Speaker, my friend is right to speak up on behalf of his constituents. I know hes a tireless campaigner, and markets like the one are part of the local fabric and tradition of towns right across this country. What together wants to do is to help those markets and town centers to prosper and what is at the same time and rapidly changing retail environment and assure my right honorable friend the Community Secretary will be happy to write to him with the details. [inaudible] inconsistent and insufficient Service Provision in place to initiate the closure. My question is, will the minister passed on to the Prime Minister my request for her to meet me to both discuss and review that closure . If she would like to set up a bit more detail than she had the time to do today, ill ensure that a minister does see her about this. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Next wednesday we will be assessing and voting on the local government settlement. A group of us from the shy counties are very concerned that theres not enough money for road counties like ours where Adult Social Care costs are spiraling out of control. And my own county, where facing a black t Million Pounds because of Adult Social Care costs. What is the message i should take back to the leader of my counsel . Mr. Speaker, i think one message to say to my honorable friend is that the government has made an extra 2 billion pounds funding available to local authorities, particularly for social care. Local authorities obviously are deciding at this moment whether they use the more flexible powers that they have with respect to social care. I know my honorable friend met my right honorable friend the Community Secretary a few days ago, and i would encourage him to continue to talk to the secretary and other ministers in that department about what particular circumstances instruct him. Dichotomous magazine carries an article says hostile takeover bid to gkn quote cast on the phone on the survival, britains thirdlargest independent aerospace and defense firm, but a much of the rest of the industry, too. The honorable gentleman knows that were National Security issues are involved, ministers have the power to intervene to protect the public interest. Will they do so in this case . As i understand it the bid is being examined by the relevant independent authorities. Clearly, this is also something that the appropriate ministers in defense and business departments will be monitoring very closely. I think would be wrong for me to speculate in more detail about this case. Mr. Speaker, my constituency is a very popular place to live. This week with the very good news that there are more firsttime buyers than anytime in the past decade. Can my right honorable friend update us on the progress the government is making to help people to buy a house . Mr. Speaker, i am pleased to be able to say that the number of firsttime buyers is now highest level for about ten years, and that is a tribute to the various initiatives that both the chancellor of the exchequer put in place to encourage firsttime buyers, things like the cat in stamp duty. That will benefit about 95 of firsttime buyers. But we also need to improve housing supply, and constituencies like hers and mine i think are shown the way to melt with the rest of the company about the need to build houses to meet the legitimate demands and expectations of young people are working currently hard and want to get a foot on the housing matter. Order. [inaudible conversations] youve been watching Prime Ministers questions. Question time is live every wednesday at 7 00 eastern on cspan 2 and airs again sunday nights on cspan. Watch anytime online at cspan. Org. The house returns monday to consider bills dealing with military sales to jordan and combating russian cyber attacks. Votes are possible on a temporary spending bill to keep the governmentfunded. The senate will have to take up the measure before thursday, but first senators return monday at 3 00 p. M. Eastern to consider the nomination to the under secretary of commerce for intellectual property and director of the u. S. Patent and trademark office. A vote on the nomination will follow at 5 30. Watch the house live on cspan and the senate live on cspan 2. Tuesday morning, we are live in jackson, mississippi for the next stop on the cspan bus 50 capitals tour. Mississippi attorney general jim hood will be our guest during washington journal starting at 9 30 a. M. Eastern. Cspan, where history unfolds daily. In 1979, cspan was created as a Public Service by americas Cable Television companies, and is brought to you today by your cable or satellite provider. On washington journal, we discussed the