difficult situations. you want to flee the people who are keeping them in trapped in their homes. i am happy to take up the individual case. >> the shocking revelations of nhs management failure highlight what we need to modernize the nhs. >> i think my honorable friend is absolutely right. i am a huge believer in our nhs. it provides the best care in the world. incredible compassion for those who use it. we do not serve the nhs if we hide or cover up when there are difficulties in individual hospitals. there were in stafford and morecambe bay. that is why the reform of the cqc and the chief inspector post is so important. over time, i think it will make

a real difference. it is in stark contrast to what we had under the last government, where inspectors were told not to surface problems because it was somehow embarrassing for the government. >> when he sets up the office of police and crime omission errors, that a chief constable should have a career cut short by a vindictive bully who told her to resign or he would humiliate her. >> the point of having police and crime commissioners is to make sure there is proper accountability. police constables have to account to a local person. that is why a number of former labour members of parliament stood for this post. in some cases, like john prescott, the people of his region rejected him.

>> you been watching prime minister's questions. watch anytime at c-span.org or you can find video of past episodes. >> david cameron updated the house of commons on the outcome of his recent trip to afghanistan and his meeting with european leaders. following that statement, members asked about the european union. and european relations following the nsa surveillance stored. this is just over one hour. >> with permission, mr. speaker, i would like to make a statement on afghanistan and report after last week's european council.

i would like to pay tribute to the extraordinary men and women who risk their lives every day to serve our country. we should remember every day the 444 who have lost their lives in afghanistan. i will welcome the decision to use money from banking funds to build a permanent memorial in staffordshire so that our generation and every future generation can honor and remember the sacrifice they have made for us. mr. speaker, we are in afghanistan for one reason, to protect our national security by stopping that country to be used as a base from which to launch terror against our people and that of our allies around the world. that includes resisting taliban insurgent attacks, driving out al qaeda, and turning that forces to do this task themselves. it requires political support, supporting the afghans to build a more peaceful and prosperous future, including a peace

process. and it requires a diplomatic response, working in particular with pakistan, which has a vital role in fighting terrorism in the region. let me take the three in turn. home security, serious plot against the u.k. have been linked to afghanistan and pakistan. british and allied forces have stopped afghanistan from acting in a safe haven for al qaeda. an afghan forces have taken on security across the country. the british forces i met are absolutely clear about the capability, confidence, and leadership of the afghan forces. afghan forces are already delivering 90% of their own training, and the 1000 police controls -- patrols, an acting alone. it enables us to draw on our troops. our numbers in afghanistan have

already been reduced from 9500 to 7900. by the end of this year it will be around 5200. until recently, we were at 3700 different bases. we are now at -- we were at 37 different bases. we are now at 13. and by the end of next year, afghans will take on full security. there'll be nobody but their own troops in combat roles at all. we will also contribute 70 million pounds a year as part of the international financial support to afghan security beyond 2014. a strong security response will be accompanied by strong political response. in helmand, we been working for many years to support the battered government, local justice, plumbing services, and a chance for afghans to build sustainable livelihood's not involving drugs.

children are in school, including girls, something that would have been impossible under the taliban, and they% have health care. -- 80% have health care available. there will be the first peaceful succession of power following next year's elections. 50,000 new voters have registered, including 10,000 women. and britain is supporting this with 4.5 million pounds in aid, specifically targeted at increasing female pardiss patient. -- participation. the progress in the forces and on the ground indicates that the way to aid afghan future is only through engaging a political process. the peace process must be afghan

lead, but we should do what we can to support it. it does not signal any weakening of our security response. but if we can persuade people that there is a legitimate political path to follow, we should do so. we also know that the problems in afghanistan will not be secret -- not result in afghanistan alone. the support of neighboring countries like pakistan will be vital. on my visit to to pakistan, i was encouraged by the newly elected president. his election represents a sign of progress in pakistan. we agreed to work together in -- encountering extremism and radicalization, attacking poverty, investing in education, and giving with all of the issues of terrorism. by building a trilateral relationship with afghanistan and pakistan, i welcome working for the defeat of terrorism across the region.

we are rightly focused on sorting out europe's economy by doing what we're doing in britain, getting a grip on spending and supporting jobs and growth. on spending, the council finalized with the european parliament a seven-year budget deal that we successfully negotiated in february. this brings new flexibility is between different years and different budgets. but crucially, the deal delivers for the first time a real time cut on the credit-card spending for the next seven years. there was no change for the february deal that set total payments at 908.4 billion euros across the union. that compares with 43 billion euros in the last seven. -- seven years. in february, after repeated attempts to water down the rebate, we reached a clear deal that it would remain unchanged. this was reflected in what i

reported back to the house. this discussion that took place was not necessary, frustrating, and unacceptable that we had to go through it again. but the proposal was to remove our rebate on agricultural spending is on new member states and it would have cost taxpayers 1.5 billion pounds, and has been categorically rejected. we'll continue to get the rebate on the same basis that we do now. it is fair and right, and unlike the last government, this government will not agree to weaken it or give any part of it away. at the council, there was a particular focus on youth unemployment by creating private-sector support to create jobs. we agreed that the european investment bank would increase its lending by 40% with more finance for small and medium- sized businesses. we agreed to do more to help young people not working to acquire skills for proper education and training, very

much in line with britain's 1 billion use contract. -- youth contract. to give additional detail and urgency to the commission's work, we went to establishing a new task force with six of our best business leaders to look freshly at the impact of the you on british companies. it is vital that we expand our trade and investment into the uk. that is one of the reasons i was one of the first serving british prime ministers to visit kazakhstan on monday. this country has seen growth at an annual rate between 8% to 9% and the per-capita income has doubled. it has the potential to be the sixth largest will and gas producer in the world. over 700 million pounds will go toward creating jobs right here in the uk. finally, croatia became the newest member of the european union over the weekend.

we agreed to start negotiations with serbia and on the stability and association agreement with kosovo. when we have -- when we remember what happened the balkans within our lifetime highest remarkable that these countries are preparing to -- it is remarkable that the vendors are preparing to join the eu. it is in our national interest to get spending under control, to make europe more competitive, and to expand interest to the balkan states. these are vital element of the first element that is needed for the european union. we want more of a say in the national -- more of a say in the national parliament and for powers to flow back to the states. i'll introduce a referendum in the first half of the next parliament that will give the choices they want and the next

general election. it is a referendum for which my party will be voting for in this chamber on friday and i commend this statement to the house. >> mr. speaker, can i start by addressing the prime minister's remarks on afghanistan? i would like to join him in commending the extraordinary job they have done in the last decade. i join him in particular in remembering those who have lost their lives, and their families and loved ones as well. it is right for the government to study with state of withdrawal for our forces from afghanistan, but it is also important that the international community including the u.k., continues to make a contribution to afghanistan because the long- term stability through 2014. on the arrangement for 2014 and

after, can the prime minister provide a bit more detail on the specific nature of the u.k. forces' role, and can he say whether beyond officer trained there will be further responsibilities for any u.k. forces? and can the prime minister say at this stage what objective will determine the length of stay of an individual u.k. force? on political reconciliation in afghanistan, i agree about the importance of a proper political process. can he tell us what the prospect is in his view of getting it on track, including with the taliban that he mentioned in his statement? and in what timetable, given the 2014 deadline for our combat forces, what time table may be possible? i joined the prime minister in recognizing the vital bilateral relationship between pakistan and the u.k., and i also join him in the belief that the u.k. will need to build strong working relations with the newly elected leader of pakistan, especially with regard to

afghanistan there is wide support not just for inclusiveness in afghanistan, but regionally with its neighbors. at the summit five months ago, in that communique they are committed to building a peace settlement over the next six months. can the prime minister say what progress has been made since then and what more can be done to achieve this goal? let me turn to the european council, mr. speaker. can i join the prime minister in welcoming croatia into entry into the you, as well as the start of associations with serbia and kosovo. it is right to vote for real time last october. i think it would be a shame to let it pass without quoting the prime minister's lowrey words

from the press conference last week. -- floury words from the press conference last week. he said "you need to be prepared at any time and that means lock and load and have one at this about." let me turn to discussions on youth unemployment, which was supposed to be the main focus of the summit, but a small part of the statement. there are 26 million people looking for work in the european union, and nearly 6 million unemployed young people. nearly 1 million of those young people, one in six across the european union here in britain. does the prime minister really believe that the response will equal the challenge?

the prime minister said the council agreed to take action along the lines of britain's used contract, but that is worrisome news. last year, the prime minister launched the youth contract and said he would spend an enormous amount on youth unemployment. can he explain why of what was spent last week, knox -- not one single one has used the youth contract to hire a young person? that is not a solution to europe's unemployment problem. and frankly, this summit did not give direction -- the recognition that is long overdue to the current policy that is leaving millions of young people without prospect for the future. he should look at regulations, as he proposes, but does he propose that the solution to unemployment in britain? the british economy has not grown as they promised.

that is why there is nearly 1 million young people still looking for work here in britain. the long term young people and employment is up by 160%. the contract is failing. the prime minister can hardly argue effectively for action in europe when he is so transparently feeling here at home. -- failing here at home. >> i'm grateful for his response. let me take his questions in order. as far as a forces afghanistan, we have not taken any action beyond 2014. as far as the funding of forces, i would say that this country has played a very big part, but also paid a very big price. i think it is right to focus on the one thing we have been asked to do by the afghans and we take pleasure in doing, the officer training academy, rather than looking for ways to go beyond that. in terms of the timetable, that is urgent and what meetings to

take place as rapidly as possible. i spoke to the ip counsel, who is ready to meet with and speak to the taliban. but we have to speak to the office in doha with the way that was done. it has caused a second -- a setback and is deeply unpopular in afghanistan but the idea of getting them to talk is right and i believe will happen. in terms of what he's about pakistan and the democratic transition, i agree. i agree that the trilateral process has worked to try to move the agenda forward. there has been progress on the release of prisoners so that talks can put -- take place. other discussions on conferences and borders and police and military cooperation have also made some progress. he talked about the u.s. he said not my rather floury language. the point was trying to -- about the eu and he talked about my

flowery language . the point i was trying to make is that you have to get rid of the rebate. that's why you've got to make sure you take a tough approach and are ready for anything. we note his approach, you go in with your hands up and a white flog -- a white flag and that is what you get. that is why they gave so much of it away. he talks about youth unemployment. it is down 60,000 in the last year. he asked about many of the programs that have gotten them off of benefits and to work. 320,000 people as of yesterday getting work.

that is almost twice as except as successful as the new deal. use unemployment in britain fell faster than in germany, italy, and others. we think it is worthwhile. what i thought was interesting was there was not a word about the referendum. and i think i know why. he said he is not in favor of the referendum. the shadow chancellor said it is pretty stupid not to have a referendum. the chief adviser has said it is conceivable they might have a referendum. but his chief adviser thinks all sorts of things that are conceivable. they're not going to talk about a referendum. i think i can some of his policy in three words, weak, weak,

weak. >> may i ask the prime minister in question, which i have asked other ministers over the years? to which the central authority will the afghan national army of its allegiance? and as the army is led by the tadzhiks and pashtun is very unlikely. what is more likely, a civil war with the taliban after 2014? which will put afghanistan back into the chaos that existed when

they want russians withdrew. -- when the russians withdrew. >> in terms of the afghan security forces, which are getting toward that number of 340,000, which is a sizable investment the international community has made, he is right to say that we still need to work on the balance of the different ethnicities within the afghan national army. but that's -- but actually, as to pashtun being recruited to the afghan army, i was at a ceremony where there was an award given to a pashtun serving in the army. a splinter of afghan, we want to avoid that. he is absolutely right.

that is why we want to continue to fund the afghan national security forces. but we also continue to fund afghanistan. i think that if we do that and if the successor president properly balances and understands the different pressures that there are in this country, i do not see why they cannot stick together. >> the afghan forces have improved their capability, year on year. there are still challenges i and equipment logistics'. i am told there are no plans for us to give any equipment to the afghans. even some of the more fit, specific equipment that we acquired over the years. how are those challenges going

to be met after combat action? >> first of all we look at all of the equipment and see if it is something that can be made available. but he is absolutely right, it is very striking now when you talk to our forces in afghanistan and as chinos, you are often talking to people on their second or third tour seeing a radical improvement in what is available. the challenges are in making sure that the afghan army has the enablers and assistance that they need. what has been noticeable about the recent attacks is that they were entirely dealt with by the afghan national security forces. >> commend the prime minister for the decision to ensure a proper memorial will be created, which i am sure is a decision

here with the new prime minister of pakistan. was there any discussion of the problems caused by the border tribal areas? in the past they have been used as safe refuge with evidence of the taliban determined to thwart the efforts of nato in bringing down the karzai government. so long as the borders remain porous, they will be difficult indeed, achieving the objectives upon. >> i am grateful to my riflei think it is the right move and it is important that some elements of the very moving memorial are transferred to the arbor, there is an issue of

continuity. on the issue of tribal areas in pakistan, this problem has dog to that area for decades. i did discuss this with the afghan prime minister and the simple point is this, it is in both countries' interests that the danger of talibanization to both countries is real. there are pakistan taliban in afghanistan and it is a threat, there are taliban in pakistan. they need to recognize the importance of dealing with these things together. with a safe, stable, democratic afghanistan. >> when discussed of the leaders, did they mention on friday the referendum? particularly of what is it that they took in the requiring of private members?

[laughter] >> i did not explain the intricacies of parliamentary procedure, but in the very good debate that we had, one of the sessions of the european council, i made clear my view, that we need to have, just as the countries within the eurozone needs change and need to integrate more, so do countries like britain, who in my view should never joined eurozone, need to make changes as well. we need to make them flexible enough to include both country. there is a growing recognition that this is the case. >> given that they were originally proposing to have their names on the bill, it is probably just as well that the prime minister was not looking to explain the intricacies of parliamentary procedure to his colleagues. primeuite agree with the minister, the threat message to taliban stability is best

achieved not through violence, but through negotiation. pertinent to the question from the leader of the opposition, prospect for the talks actually are? what percentage of regional players will be involved? will pakistan be a part of that settlement? for talks between the taliban and the high peace council, the right body in of and the stand to have these talks, i think the prospects are good but we have to recognize that the way in which the office was established, the fact that it emirate of afghanistan, has caused a setback. but the sense -- and i discussed this with the sense that it is in the interest of afghanistan for all afghanistan people for the laying down of arms to stop fighting, that is in their

interest, a setback but also the underlying logic. >> when the right hon. gentleman was in islamabad, did the operation of the entry clearance office memo which is currently preventing the mother of a constituent of mine, dying of cancer, from visiting him in manchester before he dies? and did he discuss with noaz sharif the american drone attack on pakistan that violate sovereignty, killing very large numbers of people, violating international law? >> on the first issue, obviously i did not discuss with the high commissioner any specific cases, but i did

discuss with him the important operations of our visa processing and the important work that he does. it is an important way to pay tribute to the high commissioner and his staff. on the second issue there was nothing off the table in my discussions. i think that the right approach is to maintain a very tough security response to terrorism. there is no doubt that the presence of al qaeda in afghanistan and pakistan has been radically reduced over recent years. we need to make sure that that is accompanied by properly combating terrorism in all forms, making sure that we deal with the underlying narrative that it -- that the terrorists depend on and it is in that combined approach that we will succeed. >> mr. william cash. >> mr. speaker, on the proposed trade deal, what are the

contents and areas covered by the negotiating mandate agreed upon behind closed doors last weekend? the majority of voters, there is only exclusive competence controlled by the commission. security commission has not been supplied with this mandate? and when will we get it? >> what i can say to my hon. friend is that the discussions are going ahead on the basis of maximum level of inclusion of all topics. as has been announced before in this house. audiovisual matters, as there has been with all of the eu mandate talks. and there is the opportunity to opt back in.

anything i can do to help. >> rev. william mcrae. >> i welcome the visitor to afghanistan to pay tribute to our troops and fighting terrorism there. we must never forget the sacrifice of those who died in the conflict. can the prime minister make sure that those who returned under the troops returning home, many of them were wounded, body and mind. receive all the attention -- they needed. >> i think that if you look at the advances that have been made in recent years, what is available in afghanistan and in transport aircraft back to afghanistan and what is available back in the u.k., i think it is second to none. we also have to think of what happens next, which is what these centers of expertise around the country are all about.

continue the work of the presence in terms of military covenants. and continued to channel resources into these vital areas. >> james gray? >> there are 44 british deaths that the prime minister referred to. the people of britain are hungry in moving forward towards the regarding forward operating can the prime minister bring us up-to-date about what will happen once we leave afghanistan? will it remain some kind of strategic base? or will we be imagining it? ning it?o >> paying tribute to the people there and in my own constituency, who i think have

shown the best side of britain properly, those who have fallen in combat operations in afghanistan. it isnal decision has been likely that it could be used as one of the american lead bases for their continued presence in afghanistan. how that will of. -- that will be helpful. u.k. >> did they have the opportunity to discuss the zimbabwe? particularly as the you took away some of the restrictive sanctions. southe continue to urge africa to actually get some more international monitoring aso that country as soon possible? stolen election. >> great expertise about this

issue, i did not discuss it with the european council. we had a national security council meeting recently with the high commissioner present. what we have been doing is working out how best to have to get a proper election, proper democratic transition, which is why we have taken the steps referred to in the european union. we are making sure that we do everything we can to make the transition the company badly -- the country badly needs. >> for the work to not unravel after next year, one of two things has to happen. the need to be persuaded that they have made a terrible mistake, or the americans must keep one or more strategic bases to dissuade them from offering it in the future. does the house minister know if happened or are going to happen? >> more optimistic, i think

that those of the vote -- both of those things will happen. if you look at what the taliban has said through the statements, one of the reasons will be used to harm other countries. the decoupling of the taliban that is a positive. and the second thing is that i do not believe that america and nato, we will maintain the security forces. they will maintain a presence in that country, negotiated with the afghan government. the point that i make is this -- of course we want the peace process to succeed, but the security response of training the afghan national army is the

key part in making sure it will not fall back on taliban control. after seeing the effectiveness, they are capable of making sure it happened. takell the prime minister this opportunity to praise the persistence, dedication of the european union's representatives in getting the april 19 for normalization? explaining why many in his party want us to leave. >> let me pay tribute to kathy and the good work that she does in the european union. the have worked very closely together. some of the dossiers that they are responsible for must be

immensely frustrating, but there is no doubt that she can take huge credit in terms of negotiations in serbia and croatia. i made it clear for the european council. as for his comments about my body, i would make the point that everyone has been in favor of the widening of the european union. we have been arguing for that for decades. iteed, we were arguing for and delivering it in the 1980's. party stood on a different ticket. >> for many of us, there is the morphing of the nation-building mission. compounded by the fact that we should have been holding talks with the taliban a long time ago. the talks are truly

unconditional. this has been a plot in the americans. >> first of all, since becoming pursued the agenda of a peace process and political process taking office. and have been discussing it with the americans and others for all of that time. about whether the berlin peace conference of 2001 will deal with the here and now. i think if there is one important condition that is to come about. the understanding, the taliban will not allow -- do not that afghanistan should be used as a base for attacks.

>> the prime minister has already a knowledge the population is an independent member state of the union. there is good news that all sides of the house would agree on. curiously, the u.k. government has published a report suggesting somehow it will be in spot -- scotland. being sure i'll. -- being purile. and from his favorite conservative commentator as trite. will the prime minister addressed these pure i'll -- purile stories? >> the need -- a legal device is absolutely clear. clear from the government and the commission. they had absolutely none. the legal device is clear.

it scotland votes, it will have to line up behind serbia and kuntsevo in order to get back into the european union. >> my right hon. friend agrees that the country will understand if members of parliament failed to engage in the debate on the membership for the european union, letting the people decide in a referendum on whether or not they want to have membership being negotiated on that basis. this is not an issue in which parliament can run away from it. >> my friend has a long track record for his support for the european union and makes a sensible point. when it comes to this bill on friday, the issue of a referendum, you can either be in favor of holding a or b against holding the referendum.

surely, you must have an opinion. now, voting for that bill, voting for a lot is on friday. opposite goingty to do? isn't simply going to decide it does not want to talk about this issue? i think the whole of the country will find that completely feeble. expressed before over u.s. european countries, including eu offices in washington. this is the european council. surely there are announces that perhaps the prime minister can united states has been doing. >> i think the same thing. publicly and in the council, i do not comment on national- security matters.

it is important to remember that our services operate under the law and we do not use cooperation with foreign services to get around this in the u.k. and it is worth remembering that the intelligence and security gathering that we do is a huge benefit to those partners, including many in the european union that we cherish. it helps to keep them safe and us say. safe, and we should praise what they do on our behalf. >> how will the women in afghanistan be represented in talks with the taliban? advances in the right for education for girls and women will be sustained in the 2015 settlement and thereafter? >> the answer to the question is afghan government are not that any discussions need

to proceed on the basis of the constitution, which received some safeguards for otherit is important to note that in 2001 there were virtually no are 30,000. friend,swer to my hon. he is still a patriotic champion of enlargement, but does he agree with me that it is not just sufficient to welcome a company like croatia, we need to support them and make sure the they are a benefit to european union. rather than a burden. >> i agree, we should support croatia and have agreed to. the year -- the use of the european budget is to make sure that croatia gets its receipts from the european union and makes payment into the european union. i think the strength of widening the opinion is not only when those countries come

in, they have become greater britain. also the process of preparing to join, they have to put their ownwe have seen that in croatia and it is very welcome. >> speaker, last night i had a communication from my son in afghanistan and he wanted to express the views to this house how much the serving member of the region serving members appreciated the efforts of the prime minister to come out there and speak to them personally. will except those thanks. >> thank you for his service in afghanistan. we have been there for many years now. as i said, you do come across people who are on their second or third tour of afghanistan. people who have spent many months of their lives working under difficult conditions.

i think that what we can be proud of is that when you sit in a room and asked about the job they are doing, morrell as high. enthusiasm over afghan security forces, they are enthusiastic about the kits they received. there are still issues they need to deal with, access to wi- fi and other things, but generally speaking i found people in high morale. who are enthusiastic about the job they are doing. the prime minister's wife in uniform, when asked to reconsider the question of the use of drones in pakistan, there has been a consistent body of has killed far more civiliansit

was a violation, can we look at this properly? united states and pakistan. what i said about the huge damage done beyond a fact, when it comes to a afghanistan i think it is important that we that them all the protection is ready use of drones and cameras and the like have done a huge amount to keep the armed forces say. >> mr. richard drax. >> what does the prime minister renegotiation of our membership with the european union? >> setting out from the speech i made at the end of this year, i believe that we need to recognize changes taking place in the european union, meaning

that single countries will have to integrate further. to them. i gave one particular example in which i thought the phrase closer to the union should be to supply from the united kingdom. nevers something we really wanted to sign up to in the 1970's. i think that we do need that different sort of european union where we give people the choice to join or leave. >> jeremy korman. >> prime minister, help me in afghanistan really. we have been there for 12 years, lost over 400 soldiers, 700 billion pounds spent, and now there are talks of the taliban in qatar. does he not think it is time to reassess the question of intervention and what it does to this country and others

around the world and what it does to the world as a whole? >> where i take such a different view is this -- we know what non-engagement with that is what happened after the end of the fall of the previous regime. there was a process for the afghanistan and we paid the price of a civil war that went on for years in afghanistan. we went backwards in every bogart -- every regard. out qaeda extremists, killing people on our soil, in america, in other parts of the world. that is what happens when you do not in gauge. of course the state is the perfect, but the investment and sacrifice, this is a country where there are not active stocks being hatched, economic and social progress, a country that has elected a president looking forward to a democratic transition with security forces that have a good prospect of maintaining afghanistan into the future.

we know the results of disengagement. and i know which i think is better. >> thank you, mr. speaker. the regiment will be marching through later this month on a freedom parade. a fitting way for the community to pay tribute to their brave servicemen and women. new good point, there is a ways to recognize what our armed forces do and what they represent. for some years in the past, and this is not a political point, but for some years we really did not do enough. armed forces day is a good step forward. military covenant is

a good step forward. and i also think that the labor chief -- you will find that it was put into law by this government but i am attending not to make a political point. a great way on a cross-party basis of everyone turning out onto our streets and saying thank you. >> will you seek to change the rules of the house so that the names of the fallen can be honored by being read out in the chamber that send them to their deaths? what lasting achievements have there been in afghanistan that justify $37 billion in taxpayer money and 444 deaths? >> what i would say to the hon. gentleman is that we do read out the names of those fallen and rightly pay tribute to them because they have made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our country and security.

i am asking what this has achieved, the point i would make is that before 2001, afghanistan was a haven of people in this country and elsewhere. since 2001, he can ask services at this question himself if he wants, since 2001 there have not been serious plot hatched in afghanistan and carried out against us. i would argue that that is a big and important achievement. when need to look at the capacity they have today to continue to deliver that. when you went as i did in 2005, or 2006 was my first visit -- there were no afghan security forces. they were created from scratch. anyould not talk down in way to the extraordinary achievement. not to say that there is not more the should be done, but we need to engage in a legend and identify the good points and the points the still remain.

>> thank you, mr. speaker. tackling the focus on youth unemployment. what is the long-term and determined effort to defeat the surge? -- scourged. >> the package is important for spending in five regions of the u.k. with high rates of unemployment. recognitionwing that simply spending money on the old schemes, these are a structural changes. with it youth unemployment rates in spain going over 15%. -- 50% sen. it is the flexibility of the labor markets that also have to

be addressed. >> all of it heard in the direct talks of the house stands to increase the of female participation in afghanistan. can he say how that will be done to make sure that the women's voices will really be heard? >> a specific piece of money that is part of a dip in the budget is simply about getting women to register to vote. what happened this what is being passed. >> thank you very much, mr. speaker. i welcome the news that the investment bank has increased small and medium-sized businesses. the current prime minister -- at current, prime minister, is there more of an appetite for the market? >> first of all, we have support and our policy

has always been one saying that fiscal policy, we should be looking at all the ways we can get money from banks into other institutions. that is what funding is about. and they say that that is the expansion should be about. there has been progress, but it is an ongoing thing. thate prime minister said they would expand trade and investment. what does he think of the efforts on trade? will they be helped or hindered? 3,000 pounds of visitors from india or pakistan? >> what the home secretary is talking about is using them in some circumstances to make sure that we do what is necessary to be done. people to come here and study at university.

those who want to, your soup -- simply as economic migrants. we do need to have an immigration policy that has an emphasis on quality. one of the points i was able to make in pakistan, as i did i and has expanded, -- kazakhstan, and as i have made before in india, there are no limits on the number of students that can come to a british university. no limit at all. they just have to have an english language qualifications and a place at a british university. that is what is required. at the same time, we have shot down something like 180 bogus assisted the government. >> simon hughes. >> again paying tribute to our armed services, as many of us did over the weekend. against the background of the knowledge that there will be a conflict resolution, can the

prime minister discuss the role it pays for civilians and people from neighboring states? making sure that the elections are peaceful and democratic, respect that? >> my friend makes a good point about these elections. they are important. obviously as the security in afghanistan is dominated by these forces, they should be the ones predominately providing security amount -- around elections in 2009, which we were more a engaged in. as for making sure that they are as good a set of elections as they can be, we need to make sure that these elections are properly monitored. >> based in my constituency it has raised with the references from the foreign secretary where the minority speaks with hindus in afghanistan and the

hindus. sikhs and representation of women. what commitment was given in discussions with the prime representation and minority rights being maintained? >> the commitment being given on this issue is that he remains committed to the afghan constitution and he believes taliban should be taken on the basis of the constitution. >> henry smith. >> mr. speaker, last week's eu council will be seeing greater mobility of young people discussed. can i have assurances from my right humble friend that this will not lead to greater benefit tourism in the country? >> i can give that assurance, in gauging with others in europe at what we can do to make changes to the residence test so that people can come to work. it is worth making the point that this government will put in place transitional controls.

>> on both sides of the planted we should bring our troops home from afghanistan. one of the knox that ties the thereatlantic relationship are political implications to these allegations in the eavesdropping by the united states from the you -- you -- eu. what canpecifically britain do to heal the rift? between the united states and other countries in the european union. >> on the first point, i do not believe that the ending of combat operations in afghanistan will loosen the britain andn america.

appreciative of the fact that largestbeen the second contributing nation. they understand the high level casualty's we have taken and welcome the role we play at the heart of the command structure. you have the commander who is an american general. it was seen as a british general who i spent of the weekend with. on the second issue, i have said what i want to say. in this country we offer a clearly under a legal presence. >> king got -- can i congratulate the links that we share? it shows the close collaboration's that we share. were discussions had with the prime minister about reforming the religious group in pakistan, being a recruiting ground. does the prime minister agree with me that we need to make sure that there is a widespread spectrum of education in

pakistan? >> the discussions that i had with the prime minister, he may well say that his three prime minister -- history objectives -- his three objectives brought a need for a tough security response. swamp through reforming education. he was particularly praiseworthy of the work delivered in the putin jab and a well -- punjab has worked his program that means millions of pakistani children have had schooling that otherwise they never would have had. all down to his hard work. >> can i thank the prime minister?

in particular,n, where the peace recruits were. $6 million of gin in college. it might be rudimentary, but it is very, very important. can the prime minister give the house an update of how many are drinking each quarter? are they on target to deliver for all of afghanistan? figures for police officer training. see the police training and army training in the overall national security force training on those with retention numbers, a good way through northern ireland. all of those in britain. the role they play to train the trainers in these important programs. >> does the prime minister agree that the separation of croatia yesterday it will increase the burden on the european union budget because it

another net recipient? little bit of extra pressure the budget, reflective. it is a modest additional amount. i think it is in the british interest. the is adding croatia to world's already largest single market. there are all sorts of opportunities to increase the trade investment with croatia. let me add that we will be putting in place transitional controls. >> the commission has been worse than useless in the upstanding burdens on our smallest businesses. how do the 5 million sme's input into the new task force from last week?

>> i think that we have to recognize that the commission has made some progress. -- my tactic. they have for the first time committed to exempt micro businesses. those with less than 10 proposals, exempt from the you proposals. -- from e.u. proposals. they have also looked through the forthcoming regulation to solutions, but there is progress that is the going fast enough. i am setting up this regulation review panel while taking glenn cooper from what he is making from the angel investors. a very senior list of businessmen and women. they can send in their ideas of what they want change. >> they have established an

early and productive relationship with the new prime minister in pakistan. high on the agenda, the issue of the community, there is severe persecution. >> one of the a advantages of getting in their early is the first prime minister to have have a full strategic dialogues so that these can all be raised. >> i congratulate the prime minister, obviously following the first peaceful demonstration of power in 1947. lasting and stable peace in afghanistan cannot be achieved without trade, energy, relations with india, hire on the agenda. what can our prime minister do

to make sure that the momentum is not lost? >> my hon. friend makes a great point. fors an incredible moment pakistan and they can use this moment to get them to look afresh at this enormous population. making tougher necessary decisions. there will be many priorities. it is that last element prayer we need to work together, the addressed without addressing extremism as well. if we can achieve that joint work between the governments, that is the key. >> does my hon. friend agreed that the surge of youth

unemployment, companies like india and china, two fifths of the world's population live there. making europe and more competitive environment. >> i agree that the creation of private sector jobs are the absolute key. the decline of public sector jobs, we have seen it three times in the jobs created. meaning particularly that the european union was a low growth area. that is why we should be looking at countries like kazakhstan. we are the second-largest investor, but trade volumes are low. that is why we needed to compete

in this global race and forge partnerships around the world. >> labor opposition rightly mentioned youth unemployment, which has fallen 15%. in my constituency, since labour left office. one way to drive it down further is negotiations with serbia. do we agree that the long-term angle, if it is going to include more diverse countries? it needs to change fundamentally? >> i agree with my hon. friend. if we wanted to be that sort of europe, we would have to make changes and be more flexible. because the countries in the euro zone are going to need greater integration, attracted, and to be attractive, we have to be more competitive. >> i have been saving philip to savor him.

>> [yeas] >> there are for a national from eu countries. there is a compulsory transfer prisoner agreement with only the united kingdom and 12 other states have ratified it. if it was not discussed at this council, will the prime minister endeavor to ensure the agenda on the next council head of the removal of immigration controls from eu countries? -- from new entrant countries? >> my hon. friend makes a good point. this is absolutely in britain's interest. we have held specific discussions about prisoner transfers and foreign nationals, because i think we much better in getting people out of our jails and back to the countries that

they belong. it is hard work. also, by latterly with other countries to get them to sign and implement. and that is a program the government is very much working on. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2013] harpere minister stephen addressed the parliament. it is the first time since the prime minister in 1944. this is just over half an hour. >> if you can please rise for the prime minister. of canada. the right honorable mr. stephen harper. [applause]