>> and now to london for prime minister's question time, live from the british house of commons. every wednesday prime minister david cameron takes questions from members of the house of commons. prior to question time, the house is wrapping up other business. this is the first question time since returning from their summer recess earlier this week. this is live coverage on c-span2. >> taking for help with this. >> my honorable friend's absolutely right, without the finance, they can't take part, and i'm delighted to be able to tell him in the first half of the year, lending has almost lived up with a billion pounds of the target assessed for smes which is a major achievement. >> nicky morgan. >> thank you, mr. speaker. does my right honorable friend agree that the promotion of youth organizations often set up by churches should be a cornerstone of the government's response to the riots over the summer?

>> well, i'd certain hi like to join her in -- certainly like to join her in congratulating the local churches, pulling together to make use of an old facility, that's exactly the type of thing we're trying to encourage through the localism bill and the community first grant program. >> orderly. questions to the prime minister. ian austin. >> question number one, mr. speaker. >> thank you, mr. speaker. i'm sure the whole house will wish to join me in paying tribute to those who have fallen in afghanistan since we last met for prime minister's questions. paul watkins from ninth twelfth, corporal mark palin, marine james wright from 4-2 commando, lieutenant daniel clack and sergeant barry weston from kilo company, royal marines. we should also remember james

smart from number two mechanical transport squadron who die inside a road traffic accident in italy on the 20th of july while supporting operations in libya. i pay tribute to the outstanding courage and selflessness, they've each given their lives to making our world more safe. this week we also reached the tenth anniversary of the terrible atrocities of september 11th, 2011, so we should remember all those who lost their lives that day and all those who have lost their lives in pursuit of a safer world. in addition to my duties in this house, i shall further such meetings later today. >> mr. ian austin. >> the whole house will agree with the tribute the prime minister has just made to the armed forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice defending our country. mr. speaker, earlier this week the government pushed through

legislation which says terror suspects must be given access to mobile phones and the internet and which ends relocation orders so they can't be kept out of london in the runup to the limits without emergency legislation. with decent, law-abiding people out there be shocked to discover that weakening protection was putting through what many will think is a chance to -- [inaudible] for would-be terrorists? >> i don't agree with that. we consulted very carefully with the police and the security services in order to try to get to a better condition because, frankly, control orders didn't work in far too many cases, and the arrangements that we put in place will keep this country safe and have greater public confidence. >> guy offerman. >> can i thank all of the house and all of my constituents for their messages of support whilst i was temporarily in hospital. i am now fully recovered, thanks

to outstanding care of the hard working doctors and nurses. would the prime minister agree with me as many doctors and nurses did that it must be our mission to improve and reform the nhf so that the service we so cherish will improve with the challenges we face ahead? >> well, can i say how good it is to see my honorable friend back in his place and fully recovered. he's right. the point of our health reforms is to put doctors in charge, to give patients greater choice, to heal the divide between health and social care, and i believe will lead to a stronger nhs and better outcomes for patients. >> ed miliband. >> mr. speaker, can i start by joining the prime minister in paying tribute to our brave servicemen who have given their lives over the summer. lance corporal paul watkins, corporal mark palin from first battalion, the rifles, marine

james wright from juliet company, left tenant daniel clack from first battalion, sergeant barry weston from key row company, 4-2 commando royal marines and senior aircraftman james smart, number two mechanical transport squadron. mr. speaker, all of them demonstrated tremendous courage in the line of duty, and we sended our deepest condolences to their family and friends. let me also join the prime minister in remembering all of those who died in the terrorist attacks of september 11th, 2001. we all said at the time, mr. speaker, that we would never forget, and it is right that we pay particular attention on this, the tenth anniversary of september september 11th so that for the victims and the families we show we are true to the words we spoke in the aftermath of those terrible attacks. let me also, mr. speaker, as the house returns thank all our

policemen and women who did such a tremendous job in the riots over the summer. and it's on the subject of policing that i want to start my questions to the prime minister. we learned last night that the prime minister now wants to hold his elections for police commissioners not alongside local elections, but in november of next year. how much extra money does he expect this to cost? >> this will cost an extra 25 million pounds. this money will not, this money will not be taken from the police budget. >> [inaudible] >> mr. speaker, mr. speaker, so he is making a bad policy worse by wasting money. he could easily have decided if he wanted to postpone these elections to have them in may 2013, and it would be -- indeed, subsequent elections, mr. speaker, will be held in may 2016. can the prime minister tell us why he has decided to waste money in this way?

>> it's important to get this policy right and make sure it works. but let's be clear. first of all, first of all, why is the party opposite so frightened of an election? what have they got to fear? and on the subject, on the subject he called it, the right honorable gentleman calls it fair policy. let me tell him what his own shadow policing minister said. he said this, the honorable member: only direct elections based on geographic constituencies will deliver the strong connection to the public which is crucial. why is he so frightened of having an election and proper police accountability? >> ed miliband. >> mr. speaker, we know what people up and down the country know, this is the wrong priority for the country. what did we see during the riots? we saw visible, effective policing. now, the prime minister tells us the country cannot afford the current police budget, we've got to cut the number of police

officers by 16,000. but he tells the country it can afford 100 million pounds and more as a result of his decision to waste money, to waste money on 42 elected politicians earning over 120,000 pounds a year. mr. speaker, that could pay for 2,000 extra police officers. isn't the truth this is the wrong priority at the wrong time for the can country? is? >> as ever, the right honorable gentleman has got his figures completely wrong because the police authorities, only 6% of the country have actually heard of, are going to be abolished, and that will save money. but the other point -- let me put it to him again -- why is he frightened of direct elections so the police become accountable? he was responsible for the last labour manifesto, and this is what the last labour prime minister said. he said this: the home secretary will bring forward proposals for

directly-elected representatives to give local people more control of the policing. why the u-turn? >> mr. speaker, we know he's got the wrong priorities on the police, and he's refusing, and he's refusing to back down. and he hasn't just got the wrong priorities on the police, but on the health service as well. now, now, can the prime minister tell us, mr. speaker, why the number of people who have had to wait more than six months for an operations has gone up by more than 60% since he came to office? >> i'm not surprised he wants to change subjects. [laughter] because on policing, on policing he was having his collar felt. he's done a complete u-turn on the policy he used to be committed to. in our health service, as i said some moments ago, what we're seeing is more cancer patients get treatment, more doctors in our nhs, fewer bureaucrats, a

reduction in mixed-sex -- i know they don't like hearing -- >> there is far too much noise and what is beginning to sound like orchestrated heckling. it is -- order! it is profoundly discourteous, and it should stop. the prime minister. >> the trouble is, mr. speaker, they don't like hearing good news about what's happening in the national health service. and the fact is, if you look at waiting times for outpatients, they've actually fallen since the last election. >> ed miliband. >> the complete nonanswer, mr. speaker. he can't even answer the question. but, mr. speaker, we are talking about people up and down this country who have been waiting longer for their operation, and the chief whip, he should care about these people -- [inaudible] if they're waiting longer for their operation. and let me tell the government and the whole front bench, mr.

speaker, what we're talking about. the number of people, june 2011 to june 2010, the number of people waiting over six months for an operation, up by 42%. those waiting for heart operations, up by 62%. up by 62%. those working, waiting for orthopedic operations, up by 72%. those waiting -- mr. speaker, the country and i are just asking for a simple explanation from the prime minister, why are they happening? >> the explanation is, the demands of time people are waiting for an operation has actually gone down. that's what's happened. as he knows, we have targets for 90% of people to get their treatment within 18 weeks, and those targets are being met. he may not like the truth, but that is the truth. and i have to say to him, that is why you now see the royal college of gps, the royal

college of physicians, the royal college of nurses all supporting our health reforms. you even see lord darzai, the former health minister, supporting our reforms. labour have gotten themselves in a position of opposing extra money into the nhs. that is their position. >> ed miliband. >> mr. speaker, i think he's convinced the country he's on another planet. he's on another planet. he had his holiday interrupted, but he took time off his holiday to tell the western morning news, and you've just repeated it. what did he say? the whole health profession is now onboard for what is being done. mr. speaker, i have to ask, does he read the newspapers? because only on tuesday of this week the bma, the royal college of gps and the royal college of mid wives all rejected his bill, and that was only this week. the truth is, mr. speaker, under this government we are seeing true reckless and needless

reorganizations of our public services. police numbers down and waiting lists up. and under labour we saw police officers up and waiting lists down. why doesn't he do the right thing for the future of our public services and stop both these disruptive and dangerous plans? >> is it, isn't it interesting that he doesn't dare in six questions mention the economy? yeah, yeah. and when it comes, and when it comes to our health reform, when it comes to our health reform, let me quote him, what the man -- his government -- plucked from the nhs to run the department department of health says about these reforms. the proposals from the nhs future forum supported by the government has recast these reforms in the right direction and are to be welcomed. so now you've got the roy ideal

college of royal college of gps, people working in the health service supporting our positions and labour wanting to cut the money and the reform. isn't it a surprise that the health minister said this: it is a tough fact of life that what labour says matters less than what almost anyone else says? i couldn't have put it better myself. >> ellen grant. >> mr. prime minister, agree with me, does the prime minister agree with me that building stronger families and stronger communities is absolutely essential and key in dealing with antisocial and delinquent behavior? >> the honorable lady is absolutely right, and i think this is important. i'm sure there will be all-party agreement on this that as well as a tough response to the riots, and we've seen that tough response, some exemplary sentences handed out very rapidly by the court system, and

i praise all those who have been involved in speeding up the justice system. at the same time as that, we need to do more to strengthen communities, to strengthen families, to increase discipline in school, to make sure our welfare system supports responsible behavior rather than irresponsible behavior. we'll be bringing forth proposals along those lines, and i hope they'll have support from everyone in this house. >> before the summer the prime minister took part in a tv documentary which highlights crime and antisocial behavior in my constituency. in the prime minister's assessment, would he expect crime and antisocial behavior to increase or decrease when he cuts 200 police officers from the rolls? >> i want to see crime and antisocial behavior go down, and the point -- let me just remind the honorable gentleman. today only 12%, only one in ten of police officers are on the beat at any one time. there are 25,000 police officers in back office jobs, not on the

front line. so, look, we all have a responsibility to try and get our budget deficit under control. his party's committed to a billion pound cut in the police. what we have to do is recognize it's about getting officers onto the front line. that's the debate we should be engaged in. >> david -- [inaudible] >> thank you, mr. speaker. in the wake of the riots, can i commend the major of london's support for streets hike that in infield which were badly hit. is this not a good time to support the forthcoming day of prayer which in london will be taking place at wembley? >> i certainly appreciate what has been done to make sure there is money available for rebuilding our communities. and the good thing about the high street support team is that 29 local authorities have already registered for that scheme, and i hope we'll see the money being spent quickly to help rebuild our high streets.

>> [inaudible] >> thank you, mr. speaker. does the prime minister support the closure of local police stations? >> it is up to chief constables to work out how best to police their areas. but what i'm finding from talking with police constables up and down the country is they want to put the resources into visible policing on the streets, and they've got the support of a government that is cutting the paperwork, reforming the pay, reforming the pensions, taking the difficult decisions that will make sure we have more police on our streets than we ever would under labour. >> mr. john baron. >> thank you, mr. speaker. will the prime minister join me in sending a very clear message to the travelers at the illegal sales farm site? we all hope they move on peacefully in order to avoid a forced eviction. but be in no doubt the government supports reclaiming this greenbelt land on behalf of the law-abiding majority?

>> i certainly give my support to the essex police and to all the and district councils that have been involved, and i pay tribute to the honorable member for the very hard work he's put in on this issue. what i would say is it is a basic issue of fairness. everyone in this country has to obey the law including the law about planning permission and building on greenbelt land. and where this has been done without permission, it is an illegal development, so those people should move away, and i completely agree with the way he put his question. >> mr. john woodcock. >> thank you, mr. speaker. -- [inaudible] now he wants to weaken antiterror laws by scrapping relocation -- [inaudible] what will have to happen before he's prepared to admit that the mess he's replacing them with is putting national security at risk? >> i simply don't accept what the honorable gentleman says. when we looked in our review of control orders, we listened extremely carefully to mi-5, to

the security services, to the metropolitan police and all those involved. there was a full review process to make sure that we could have a system that was legal, that is vitally important because the courts unpicked so many of the last goth's changes -- last government's changes, and that will keep us safe. >> mrs. wheeler. >> thank you, mr. speaker. on the day when 200 people are here to hear whether we can change the arrangements for the -- [inaudible] contract, can the prime minister give us some hope about future contracts and changing arrangements? the mess we were left in from the last government? >> i certainly want to do everything i can to help an excellent company that employs people in darbyshire, that has done a brilliant job as an engineering service in this country for so many years.

but before people shout from the party opposite, let me just remind them this procurement process was designed and initiated by the previous government, and it's no good them trying to shuffle off their responsibility. it is their responsibility. >> [inaudible] >> the government, why does the government not agree with the police that children as young as 7 should be banned from having shotgun licenses? >> i think we should enforce proper rules on gun licenses including shotgun licenses. we always keep these rules under review. if they need toughening, i'll happily look at this. >> nadine dory. >> mr. speaker -- [inaudible] and yet they seem to be influencing our preschool policy -- [inaudible] >> order, order! order. order! the question from the honorable lady will be heard. nadine. >> does the prime minister think

it's about time he told the deputy prime minister who is the boss? >> this, um -- >> i wanted to hear the question, but i want to hear the prime minister's answer! >> i know the honorable lady is extremely us frustrated about -- [laughter] maybe i should start over again. look, i don't think -- i'm going to give up on this one. [laughter] >> [inaudible] >> thank you, mr. speaker. having -- [inaudible] young people not in education, employment and training are at a

record high of 18.4% on the prime minister's watch. when, mr. speaker, when are things going to get better for our young people? >> clearly, we face a very difficult situation in terms of youth unemployment. i mean, let's be clear, this is a situation that was getting worse when, during the economic good times, and there was a 40 percent increase in youth unemployment over the time to have last government. what you're seeing today is, yes, a disturbing increase in those not in employment, education and training over the age of 18, under the age of 18 it's actually coming down. the steps that we're taking, obviously, to improve schooling, to raise the participation age to 18 and massively to increase the level of apprenticeships to 360,000 starts this year. we're also introducing the work program which is the biggest back-to-work program that has taken place in this country since the 1930s, and it will also be made available to young people who are in danger of being left out of employment, education and training as well.

>> john stephenson. >> mr. speaker, and i've been working with local businesses, my councils and other organizations to help promote, expand and grow the carlyle economy. clearly, given the economic background it's imperative that we grow both the local and the national economy. can the prime minister tell us what new measures the government will introduce to help promote such growth? >> well, i'm grateful to the honorable gentleman, and i enjoyed seeing firsthand what is happening in terms of trying to get the local economy moving. the action we're taking, obviously, includes the cuts in corporation tax, the regional growth fund, the enterprise zones, but specifically i think the money we're investing for superfast broadband will really help that county, particularly the most rural and far-flung parts to make sure small businesses can benefit throughout that county. >> [inaudible] played a vital role in the --

[inaudible] in the protection of freedom still. >> we're not. >> oh! >> [inaudible] >> would my right honorable friend, the prime minister, consider next week's vickers report on the banks which have been rescued with fantastic amounts of taxpayers' money? will he are have no trouble with the banks' argument that they can't be reformed to prevent another crisis because they're having such a struggle coping with the crisis they've already created? surely never again should british taxpayers have to bail out banks which are too big to fail. >> my honorable friend is entirely right. this government must take action to reform the banks, and that is what we are doing. we've already set out how we're getting rid of the tripartheid structure that failed so badly under the last government, how we're putting the bank of england back in charge, how we're making sure we can't have these bank failures that cost

the taxpayer so dearly in the future. it seems there are two vital things we've got to secure; a safe and secure banking system for the future, but also proper bank lending including to small businesses right now in our economy, and that's what government policy will be aimed for. >> [inaudible] morris. >> thank you, mr. speaker. thank you. the prime minister will be aware that his government are consulting on their changes to housing benefit claims under the criteria of underoccupancy. this will adversely effect disabled people, 33,000 in the northeast alone who stand to lose an average 676 pounds a year. how does this policy meets his government -- [inaudible] >> we are making a specific exclusion to deal with people who have carers living in the home, but we do have to reform housing benefit. i think the whole house knows

that housing benefit was one of those budget items that was completely out of control n. some parts of london we had families claiming 60, 70, 80,000 pounds of housing benefit just for one family. it is, frankly, it is no good for the party opposite -- he says how many? frankly, too many. and it is no good for the party opposite to complain about every single reduction to public spending when they left us with the biggest budget testify sit in europe. >> mark reckless. >> the prime minister has listened to liberal democrats, colleagues by delaying the police elections until november next year. will he now listen to conservative colleagues and take that opportunity to hold a referendum on -- [inaudible] >> that's a genius way of putting the question. as i explained yesterday, i want us to be influential in europe about the things that matter to our national interests;

promoting the single market, pushing forward for growth, making sure we get lower energy prices. those are the things we'll be fighting for, but i don't see the case for an in-out refer dumb in europe. we're in europe, we've got to make it work for us. >> mr. dave watts. >> does the prime minister agree with his housing minister that due to the economic policies of the government that we now have a growth crisis, and when he does a u-turn, will he choose to -- which is labour's party, or will he choose to give tax cuts to the rich? >> well, the honorable gentleman obviously hasn't had time to read this which points out that increasing vat was labour's policy, and what he should focus on is the fact that the person responsible for labour's economic policy at the last election said they had no credible policy whatsoever. the problem for labour is absolutely nothing has changed. >> michael ellis. >> will the prime minister join

me in congratulating members from both sides of this house and in both houses of this parliament for their generosity in responding to the letter from mr. speaker and the lord speaker in support being a gift --? supporting a gift for her majesty, the queen -- [inaudible] from this parliament? >> i'm delighted to join the honorable gentleman and praising everyone who contributed to this very imaginative and, i think, sensible for her majesty's diamond jubilee, but perhaps i could pay a particular tribute to him because he has worked so hard to make this work, and i think it is something the country should focus on. a diamond jubilee is an extraordinary thing we're going to be able to celebrate in our lifetime. >> alec gardner. >> with electricity and gas bills going up by 20% and six million families in this country now facing fuel poverty, does

the prime minister still think it was right to cut the winter fuel payment to pensioners by 100 pounds? >> let's be clear, we are going ahead with the winter fuel payments set out by the last labour government in their budget. at the same time, we're actually increasing the cold weather payments on a permanent basis. so this government is being more generous than the louisiana government. than the last goth. >> simon wright! >> thank you, mr. speaker. in speaking to address the economic recovery, is it better to help those taxed on incomes as little as 150 pounds a week or those who take home ten times that amount? >> i think the honorable gentleman makes a good point, and let me just point out two things we've done totally in line with that. one is to lift a million people out of income tax altogether, something that is a coalition commitment that we've been delivering on. the second thing, when it