Its about 2 30am and youre up to date on the headlines. Now on bbc news, thursday in parliament. Hello and welcome to thursday in parliament. Coming up as four people in scottish hospitals are tested for the new strain of coronavirus, the Health Secretary updates mps. The chief medical officer has revised the risk to the uk population from very low to low. In a special debate to mark Holocaust Memorial day, mps share harrowing family experiences. I learnt that my own great grandmother, raina sevilla, was deported from the vel dhiv via drancy to birkenau concentration camp, where she was murdered in the gas chambers. And a labour former transport secretary says the High Speed Two rail project must go ahead because the alternative is worse. Conventional upgrades that will be required which are huge because you are conducting open heart surgery on a moving patient. But first, a second chinese city has gone into lockdown in an effort to control the spread of a new flu like virus. The Health Secretary updated mps on measures being taken in the uk. Nearly 600 cases have been reported and 17 people have died. The chinese authorities have suspended planes and trains in and out of wuhan, a city of 11 Million People. Similar measures are taking effect in nearby huanggang. New yearfairs have been cancelled in beijing. Matt hancock said the risk in the uk had been revised from very low to low. While there is an increased likelihood that cases may arise in this country, we are well prepared and well equipped to deal with them. The uk is one of the first countries to have developed a world leading test for the new coronavirus. The nhs is ready to respond appropriately to any cases that emerge. Clinicians, both in primary and secondary care, have already received advice covering initial detection and investigation of possible cases, infections prevention and control, and clinical diagnostics. He said travel advice had been updated. To advise against all but essential travel to wuhan city. We are working closely with our counterparts in the devolved administrations, and the public can be assured that the whole of the uk is always well prepared for these types of outbreaks and we will remain vigilant and keep our response under constant review in the light of emerging scientific evidence. Labour were grateful for the department of healths response, but had a question. A passenger arriving from wuhan yesterday said he had gone through virtually no screening at all but was given a leaflet. So, does the secretary of state have any response to that . Its important that we get the enhanced monitoring right and the challenge here is that symptoms for the wuhan Novel Coronavirus do not usually appear until 5 7 days and sometimes up to 14 days. And therefore, the advice is that the most important part of the monitoring is to ensure that Everybody Knows what to do if the symptoms arise because often, the symptoms wont be there for somebody on the flight. A dup mp also felt there was confusion. The same flight arrived, three different opinions of those coming off that plane. One said it had no advice or discussion whatsoever. The second one got a leaflet. The third one said they had some tests done before they left china. So, it seems there is mixed messages coming out and its important we have a clear policy for everyone flying in here and every person here feels that they can be assured. Secretary of state. Well, hes absolutely right, and we have that flight diverted in that place that it went to a part of heathrow where there are. The procedures. And processes to be able to deal with this issue. There was enhanced monitoring of that flight. Not all that is immediately obvious to the passengers themselves, but crucially, we understand that the Chinese Government has stopped future fights but of course, should that. We will keep all of that under review. In the event of an outbreak here which of course we all hope does not happen, could he just tell the house what is the current advice to members of the public about the use of facemasks . Because one of the things about these outbreaks is that people look at what measures are being taken and what people are doing in countries where the disease has taken hold, and then ask the authorities here, well, why arent we doing the same . And it would be helpful to know in anticipation presumably, this will be guidance given by the chief medical officer. We try very much only to put forward proposals which are clinically appropriate. And the wearing of facemasks is not deemed quickly necessary now. Of course, we keep that under review and we will be guided by the science. I have a number of constituents as we probably all will have, chinese constituents, and many of them, english is difficult. So, when we are talking about giving information to chinese communities within the uk, is it being done in different languages . The Health Secretary replied that the advice was available in madarin and cantonese. A conservative wanted to know about the support being given to british people in china. Can i ask what consular assistance is being provided to british nationals caught up in affected areas in china and other areas . Its a very important question. There are approximately 11 Million People in wuhan city including british nationals. As far as we know, we have two uk staff in consular in wuhan and 15 locally employed. Staff of course we are ensuring they get all the support they need and they are available to provide consular assistance to british nationals who are in wuhan city. We know scientists are already working very hard to find a vaccine for this newly identified strain of coronavirus. And given the importance of vaccines in combating diseases potentially such as this, would the secretary of state agree that education about vaccines is more important than ever in this age of disinformation and what conversations he has had with colleagues to combat fake iiews oii vaccines . The honourable lady makes an incredibly important point on which i wholly concur in the round that vaccines are incredibly important and valuable and we have a long established process for working out where we should vaccinate. In this case because the nature of the virus, it is unlikely that a vaccine is going to be available, there isnt one now. And so that isnt the route that we should be looking at but of course we will keep that under review. But the general point that she makes which is that when advised to take a vaccine like the flu vaccine for the winter or like mmr for children, then people should vaccinate because it is both good for you and your neighbour. And later it emerged that four patients are being tested for the virus in scottish hospitals. Britain is to press ahead with a tax on Technology Firms like google and facebook despite warnings it could lead to the us retaliating with tariffs on british exports. The Trump Administration has suggested that any taxes levied on american Digital Companies would lead to washington imposing tariffs on british Car Companies in return. France has delayed its own version of a so called google tax until the end of the year but the uk plans to introduce one this april. That prompted a few questions for the International Trade secretary in the commons. The statement from the Trump Administration that well be subject to retaliatory tariffs if we proceed with the Additional Services tax thats set to come in in april. It seems this will be an early test of how we will fare in independent trade talks, could the secretary of state tell us if the government intends to concede to emerging pressure . Let me be absolutely clear. Uk tax policy is a matter for the uk chancellor. It is not a matterfor the us, its not a matterfor the eu, or anybody else and we will make the decisions that are right for britain whether it is on our regulatory standards, whether it is on our tax policy or whether its on anything else. But conservative mps were keen to talk about the advantages of a new trade deal with the us after brexit. What i will be keen to know is will these steps make a visible difference to the businesses in wolverhampton that trade globally . Well, by lowering barriers, what it will mean is it will mean lower costs for businesses, it will mean more choice for consumers. So, in wolverhampton and the West Midlands overall, one in five of all the exports we send are to the United States. Getting a trade deal with the us would mean a removal of tariffs on products like cars, on products like textiles, on products like steel. So, there are huge opportunities there for those businesses to grow. The snp said the government should be focusing on existing american tariffs on scottish goods. A distillery in my constituency is threatened by the tariffs imposed on Scotch Whisky by President Trump. Given the decision to leave the eu and seek a trade deal with the usa, and given threats about changes to the definition of Scotch Whisky, what assurances can the minister give that we wont be washing down chlorinated chicken with a glass of american rye . I would gently say to the honourable gentleman that if we are to de escalate these tariff disputes, a tax on the administration and on the president are unwise, are unwise and unwelcome. Attacks. We are working across government to persuade the United States that these tariffs are damaging to the scots whisky sector. If the snp wouldnt chunter and get behind us, we might have more chance of getting. Remove these tariffs. We will seek to stand up for the scots whisky sector, persuade the United States to remove these tariffs, my right honourable the secretary of state has been in touch with trade representative lighthizer. We will work for the scots whisky industry. Get behind the government youre watching thursday in parliament with me, mandy baker. A former transport secretary has warned the government against the curse of starting and stopping the high speed 2 rail project, while other peers called for hs2 to be scrapped. Ministers are considering whether to press ahead with the scheme, designed to run fast trains from london to birmingham, and eventually further north. A leaked report has suggested the cost of hs2 could almost double from the £56 billion expected in 2015 to more more than £100 billion. Some peers felt the money would be better spent improving local Rail Services across the north of england. Hs2 will do very little to help these long neglected commuters travelling into cities in the north. In fact, the main beneficiaries of the relief of hs2, when its finished, will be london commuters, who use the west coast mainline. Chris stokes, an independent rail consultant, described hs2 as, and i quote, a very expensive way of dealing with the Milton Keynes euston commuter peak. Simply put, hs2 project is a poor reflection of the uks rail investment needs. A member of the hs2 review team explained the problem as he saw it. Im not for or against hsz, im against the cost, which i think is unnecessarily high, and i also dont believe it delivers what it says on the tin. I dont think it helps the people in the centres of birmingham, manchester, leeds, sheffield commute to work any better to these towns from the towns outside in the villages outside, although they will get the mds and us politicians to london more quickly. Which is more important for the economy . I suggest its the commuters. But a former transport secretary, lord adonis, completely disagreed. If we are going to proceed with this scheme, to pull it up by the roots now, have another big evaluation, add further to costs, is simply, as i say, to repeat the curse of british infrastructure planning, which is the reason why we have such a substandard infrastructure, compared to so many other advanced industrialised countries. Of starting projects, stopping them, starting them again, stopping them and starting them again, and that is an accurate description of whats happened to the h52, my lords, because this is the fifth review thats taken place on hsz since 2010, and the third since parliament voted by 10 1 in favour. The divorce deal negotiated by Boris Johnson and the european union, has now become law, paving the way for the uks departure from the eu at the end of next week. The news was announced in the commons by the deputy speaker, nigel evans. I have to notify the house, in accordance with the royal assent act 1967, that her majesty has signified her royal assent to the following act. European Union WithdrawalAgreement Act 2020. Order, order. And now for something completely different. We now come to all questions for the first ever time to a secretary of state, to a secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport. Nicky morgan stood down as an mp at the general election. But she kept herjob as culture secretary and will be running the department from the house of lords. And so we had a moment of parliamentary history when peers took part in a mini question time. During the exchanges, lady morgan confirmed that the government is thinking about whether failing to pay the Television Licence fee should still be a criminal offence. In december of last year, the Prime Minister said that we are looking at the possibility of decriminalising. We will set up next steps in due course. We do believe that its right to look again at whether criminal sanctions are appropriate for tv licence fee evasion giving ongoing concerns about whether the criminal sanction is unfair and disproportionate. A former bbc governor wasnt convinced. Does the noble lady, the minister, recognise that taking people to court is in fact the very last resort in these cases, and even then, people are given an opportunity to pay, even at court. And although its true, it is a criminal conviction, and perhaps the noble lords dont know that it is not recordable in a dbs check. So, there is a difference there. Im aware of the comments that have been made, but i hope that in any further review of the role of the bbc and also the way the licence fee is applied, that we will recognise the importance of the organisation and the services that it provides. They are still very good value for money. I take what the noble lord has said about the way that the tv licence evasion prosecutions are handled, it is right though that in 2018, 121,203 people were prosecuted and sentenced for non payment of a licence, and i think this came up yesterday, but broadcasting landscape is changing. People out across the country are concerned about the payment for licence fee, and i think its right that the government should look at the system, overall, with lots of consultation. What assurances can the secretary of state give that no steps will be taken, including the decriminalization of licence fee offences, which would cost £200 million a year to the bbc, that would threaten and undermine the bbcs ability to fulfil all of its charter requirements. Bbc is a very Important Institution to this country, producing some outstanding programming. But, as i say, the changing landscape of broadcasting means this will need to be looked at again, the funding model. Decriminalization requires primary legislation, this could be done under the existing royal charter, and as i say, any changes would require significant consultation, and im sure that would involve many thousands of people, including the bbc employees and management having their say. The other big issue was of free tv licenses for over 755. The bbc now has to pay for the licences. The corporation has said only low income households would get the benefit. What is the government doing to ensure the continuation of free tv licenses for all people over 75 . I think its fair to say that the issues that have just been raised are not matters that are the direct responsibly of the new secretary of state, whom i welcome, but she certainly has to inherit responsibility for them. Putting in your manifesto that there will be, that the government would fund, find the funds for those over 75 and then withdrawing that is certainly something that i dont think the Party Opposite will escape with for very long. Well, this is an issue i discussed very regular with Senior Management of the bbc. The government is, of course, remains disappointed that despite the settlement agreed with the bbc over the licence fee in 2015, which was welcomed by the bbc at the time, that this step has been taken. Discussions continue, but we think this is a matter that the bbc should be funding free tv licenses for the over 755. And lady morgan has said she will be stepping down as culture secretary when boris john reshuffles his cabinet next month. Now, the governments been accused of unforgivable behaviour over the case of Nazanin Zaghari ratcliffe, whos been in prison in iranforfouryears. Mrs zaghari ratcliffes husband richard had a meeting with borisjohnson to discuss efforts to secure her release. His wife was detained when she took her british born daughter gabriella to iran to visit her parents. She was sentenced to five years in prison for spying allegations she denies. Her local mp raised the matter during questions to the leader of the commons. My minister, later today will meet my constituent, Richard Ratcliffe and at the same time, they are representatives from the iranian authorities in london today to observe that ims limited court case in the courts of appeal. This case relates to the £400 million that we owe iran as a country, and anyone with a passing interest in my constituents case will know that the debt is linked to her imprisonment. The leader of the house said that the behaviour of the iranian government is unforgivable, and i agree with him. But the behaviour of our government is also unforgivable, because we have not paid the money that we owe them. Can we have a debate, please, i plead you, mr speaker, in government time, to discuss how we repay this money back to iran so that my constituent Nazanin Zaghari ratcliffe can be safely back to westhampton where she belongs after four long years. Safety back to westhampton, where she belongs, after four long years. Leader of the house. Thank you, mr speaker. I thank the honourable lady for standing up for her constituent, which is obviously right to be doing, and she has the whole support of the house in doing that. On all sides. The issue she raises, however, is an extraordinarily difficult one. The British Government cannot and must not pay or appear to pay either in fact or in reality money to allow people who have been illegally detained to be released. The risk that would cause to other britons travelling abroad would be very considerable. The law must take its course in relation to the money that is deposited here, but it would be absolutely wrong to connect the two issues. Jacob rees mogg. The 27th of january is Holocaust Memorial day. This year its all the more significant because its 75 years since the liberation of the auschwitz death camp. Over a0 World Leaders gathered at israels yad vashem Holocaust Memorial to remember more than a Million People who were murdered in the camp. The president s of russia, france and germany were there, alongside the american vice president. Britain was represented by prince charles. The organisers said the focus was fighting anti semitism. To mark Holocaust Memorial day, mps shared their stories and the first concerned a survivor called lily ebert. In 1944, when she wasjust14 years old, the nazis deported her and her family from her hungarian hometown to auschwitz. She was with her mother, brother and three sisters. Upon her arrival, they were split up, either directed left or right. Lilys mother, brother and sister were told to go right, and they were taken to the gas chambers and crematorium. Lily and her two sisters were directed the other way. They never saw the others again. The only possession lily was able to keep with her on herjourney was a gold pendant can be given to her by her mother, which remarkably survived the camp with her hidden in the heel of her shoe. 75 years have passed since liberation. Lily is now a proud great grandmother. She still wears the tiny gold pendant, and shares its remarkable story with all of those who will listen. A labour mp discovered his personal connection to the holocaust only recently. I learnt that my own great grandmother, raina sevilla, was deported from the vel dhiv via drancy to birkenau concentration camp, where she was murdered in the gas chambers. A direct personal connection to the holocaust itself. Some members of his family did survive, something his own father only realised 40 years after the end of the war. We laid out on the coffee table, the photographs that they thought they would never see again, that my dad had kept, which i have now electronically scanned. And i heard, at the age of 30, for the first time in my life, a first hand account of life in a concentration camp. Its something i shall never forget, nor should any of us ever forget. A conservative mp said hed visited the site of a concentration camp outside lublin in eastern poland. When i went there on a glorious spring day, there were lots of flowers around in the concentration camp. Those flowers were growing because they were built on the bodies of people who had been cremated and murdered in the concentration camp. Of course, all genocides are remembered on Holocaust Memorial day. Bob stewart was the british commander in bosnia. He described his very personal experience of genocide. We had to dig a mass grave. We your soldiers did that. In that mass grave, we put over 100 bodies, mainly women and children. Mainly, well, they were all muslims, bosnian muslims. An snp mp recalled her visit to yad vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre in jerusalem. They were people, just like you or i. They were ordinary people, torn from their everyday lives into unimaginable horror. And it was the everyday things that were there to be seen. Id lost my own mum just before i visited yad vashem, and i was utterly shattered to see on display a pair of glasses that somebody had kept that had belonged to their own mum who had died in a concentration camp. And shed kept her mums old broken glasses with her, shed kept them on her person until the end of her own life, because that was all she had of her. And these wee things, i think, are of the big thing in a way. Because they remind us that this is all about those individual people, wiped away by the holocaust. All these people. Ajewish labour mp accused the hard left of weaponising the holocaust on social media. They are trying to fuel modern anti semitism and i think they are trying to silence manyjews in public life. I regularly receive images which, for example, have piles of dead bodies from nazi death camps, swastikas alongside israeli flags. Im likened to ss guards, and i have seen online remarks calling for a final solution to my sort of politics. Does my honourable friend agree with me that the internet remains an under regulated and unchecked medium, in which these attitudes can grow . And does she agree with me that we should be taking action to both rid of it better and check better what is allowed on social media . And thats all weve got time for. Ill be back at the same time tomorrow with a round up of the week in parliament. But for now from me, mandy baker, goodbye. Welcome to bbc news, im mike embley. Our top stories chinese authorities impose further travel restrictions in hubei province, where a previously unknown respiratory virus has killed 25 people. Day two of the Us Senate Hearing the case against President Trump in the impeachment trial, as he mocks the idea of trading witnesses. World leaders join Holocaust Survivors to mark 75 years after the liberation of the nazi death camp at auschwitz. Humanity is closer to annihilation than ever before scientists alter the Doomsday Clock due to concerns over Climate Change and global tensions