family. >> when did your father die? >> 62. >> of what? >> of a combination of things. >> on that note, we are out of time. senator tom coburn, thank you for joining us. >> for free transcripts or to give us your comment about this program, visit us at q&a.org. >> next, british prime minister david cameron taking questions from the house of commons. then for montana and are bernie sanders at a town hall meeting. attorney general eric holder testifying in front of a house judicial committee.

on the next "washington journal" a report showing that the number of stay-at-home mothers is on the rise here in than a "washington post" reporter looks at the challenges facing the next secretary of health and human services. then a discussion about the u.s.'s contribution to the u.n. peacekeeping operations. you can join the conversation on facebook and twitter. "washington journal" live at 7:00 a.m. eastern. reddish prime minister david cameron answered questions wednesday about the resignation of the culture secretary arena miller. she resigned over allegations of excessive spending and expenses. minister cameron believes that she should

have been able to apologize and carry on with her job. this is just over 30 minutes. off the ground. >> order. questions to the prime minister. >> number one, mr. speaker,. >> prime minister. >> thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, this morning i had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others, and in addition to my duties in this house, i shall have further such meetings later today. >> turn to the prime mr. promised by the end of this parliament to reduce net annual migration to uk tens of thousands. will that policy be met? yes or no? >> we've made good steps forward on migration outside the eu where it is down by a third. that is a success and we've seen net migration overall come down by around a fifth. we haven' have seen is what we w under labour which is

2.2 million people come in debt over 10 years. that was unacceptable. we are getting the situation under control. >> speaking recently with a constituent of mine who has been diagnosed with dementia, she's frightened about what the future might hold for her. will be prime minister give his personal assurances that a new dimension framework will be put in place as soon as possible to help my constituent and of those, other people as well? >> i can certainly get my honorable friend that assurance and i can add in terms of our dementia challenge which is about doubling the research going into dementia and treating it like a disease as cancer or heart disease, that will continue. the work we're doing to make sure that local to reduce our do more dementia friendly, that must continue and also improving the care that elderly people get in care homes, nursing homes and hospitals, that final piece of work must continue as well.

we will push for this issue globally as well. >> ed miliband. [shouting] >> mr. speaker, the events of last week of course deep concern and angst the public or what lessons has the prime minister learned from his handling of the situation? >> first of all i agree with them, there is still very deep concern, public concern that is very raw about the expensive scandal that rocked this parliament in the last parliament and the biggest lesson i learned, that, that anger is still very raw and it needs to be acted on. i hope the one lesson that won't be learned that the right thing to do is see that someone has to answer allegations is to just instantly remove them rather than give them a chance to clear the name and get on with their job. >> ed miliband. >> i was asking but his handling of the situation and lessons he

learned and he had no answer. now, he wrote in his letter for the cultural secretary today and i quote, i think it is important to be clear that the committee on standard cleared the unfounded allegations made against you. so can you explain what in his view the cultural secretary did wrong? >> the cultural secretary set out the reason for her rates is nation in her letter, but he does make an important point which is the culture secretary was accused of a very serious offense, which was by a member of parliament she was accused of housing her parents at the public expense. she was cleared of that allegation and i thought it was right, other people will be able to take a view, i'm telling about my view, i thought it was right in those circumstances to allow her to make her apology and continue with her job. that is the way i think is the right way to handle it. of the people can take their own view. i think if people clear themselves of a serious offense can you let them get on with the job, you let them try to do the

job. that is actually the right thing to do. >> ed miliband. >> i've got to say who -- at stake him, mr. speaker, it is unclear for the country why the culture secretary is not still in her job if he thinks she did nothing wrong. let me explain, let me explain -- >> order, order. this section will be conducted in an orderly way however long it takes. i happen to know there are children here today observing our proceedings who would like to thank the house would show a good example. let's see if we can. ed miliband. >> mr. speaker, what she did wrong was she refused to cooperate with inquiry. she breached the code of conduct for mps and she gave an inadequate apology to the south. he said six days ago she hasn't done the right thing and we should leave it at that. does he now recognize this was a terrible error of judgment?

>> as i said i think it was right to allow the chance to get on with the job but there is one weakness in the right honorable gentleman's argument. if he thinks this was the case, why didn't he call on her to resign? he seems to be, in my view, the first leader of the opposition, probably in history, to come to this house and make the first suggestion that someone should resign after they have already resigned. >> mr. ed miliband. >> i've heard everything but it's my job to fire members of his cabinet. [shouting] this is about him. this is about him and the fact he still doesn't understand what she did wrong. the reason the public was so appalled was that if it'd happened in any other business, they would have been no question about been staying in their job. why was he the last person in the country to realize her position was untenable?

>> it's very clear. she did do some things wrong and that's what she was asked to apologize, and she did apologize. and it wasn't right not to cooperate probably with the committee, and she apologized for that but i have to say it is rather extraordinary to ride on will jump in now coming here having not said she should resign is saying she should have resigned. i think it shows all the time of someone being a political bandwagon. [shouting] >> he is jumping on this bandwagon after the whole circus has left town. but where i agree, where i agree with the right honorable gentleman is that there is still more that needs to be done to deal with the problems of expenses that we suffered in the last parliament. now, we've made some big steps for. i'm not sure everybody knows this, but any expense complaint from 2010 onwards is now dealt with by an independent body and not dealt with by mps.

that is right. the committee of mps that does the work on the past cases now has members of the public sitting on it. it is right, but i accept, let us do more to reach of the public about the scandal expenses and how we're dealing with the. i'm very happy to hold meetings with party leaders, with the authorities of this house. i think it is right we should do everything we can to show that this is a good and honest parliament with good and hard-working people in it. that is the assumption that i stand for and i make no apology for that. [shouting] >> ed miliband. >> the prime minister describes it as a bandwagon and the circus. let me -- let me actually -- [shouting] this is about the members of this country absolutely appalled by the conduct of his government over the last week. that is what it is about. it is about members of the public who cannot understand why he did not act. he said in his ministry of tone,

the british people expect a higher standard of conduct, we must not let them down. does he not realize that his failure, even now his failed to recognize what went wrong, has undermined trust? not only in his government but in politics? >> what we see is absolute transcript o are taking a today determined to put politics in every single way that he could. absolutely clear. [shouting] since 2010 -- >> prime ministers answer must and will be heard. the prime minister. >> i think members across this house would know since 2010 and since the last parliament a lot of changes have been made, independent members on the parliamentary committee, publication of all meetings, visits and gives for ministers, publication of all special adviser salaries, publication of government spending, but is there more to do? yes, there is more to do. and if he serious about doing it he will sit down with other

party leaders with the authorities of this house and let us ask what can we do to put the on doubt that this is a good and honest parliament with hard-working people? if he wants to put politics and the ones -- carry-on. if you're serious, get a serious. >> ed miliband. >> mr. speaker, i will have meetings with them anytime about how we reform the systems of the south. of course, i will, but he just doesn't get it. that is what he is showing today. he needs to learn profound lessons about how he runs this government. the culture secretary went not because of her bad conduct because of her bad press. he promised in opposition to be an apostle for standards and he spent the last week being an apologist for unacceptable behavior. spent i think what this shows is the right honorable gentleman think his leadership to fire someone at the first sign of trouble rather than actually

giving someone a chance to get on with their job, that is absolute and not leadership. that is weakness. if that is his recommendation of leadership, i don't think the country will have any of it. >> with the prime minister agree with me, with the prime minister agree with me people living -- >> order, order. shouldn't be a collective groan. [laughter] spent the honorable gentleman -- order. the house will hear the honorable gentleman. mr. tim barron. >> thank you, mr. speaker. with the prime minister agree with me people living in rural britain have as much right to decent only and safe health and hospital services as anybody else? and if he does, if he does, will he help intervene directly and help me personally to ensure the hospital trust will not downgrade, sell off all her

clothes the general hospital? >> i do representing a row constituency i know how important it is people have access to good health services to idle not important it is -- i know how important it is, the key to success in so many of our areas. he asked me to look into the specific case and i'm happy to do that. >> thank you, mr. speaker. in the light of this week's historic visit by the average person, building on the legacy on her majesty's historic visit to ireland in 2011, will be prime minister agree with me that irish relationships have ever been stronger and effort to build lasting reconciliation across these items we need to -- the full commitment of his government along with the irish government to ensure that the prospects, potential prospect are delivered and implement the? >> first of all can i strongly agree with the honorable

gentleman that it is a landmark visit of the irish president to this country, coming three years after the queens extorted visit to the public of ireland. i agree with him and global irish relations are at an all time high and we are absolutely committed to building on that relationship and all the time are thinking of new things that britain and ireland can do as good neighbors and good friends. in terms of the house talk i do think it would be good if we could make some progress on the issue did something parties in northern ireland started themselves and i would urge them to continue it. >> on the day when bbc radio -- [inaudible] i'm pleased to mind the prime minister the challenge in front of policies to address the damaging a long-standing reputation of women in science and engineering careers. [shouting] spend so what is his response to the thoughtful --

>> order, order. the honorable gentleman will be heard. sir peter. >> that's all they did. what is his response to the report published last week? >> canopy tribute to my right honorable friend campaigning and working so hard on this issue but it is important for the future of our country also not just for gender equality but for our economic future to get more women into stem subjects and into engineering. i should support the national center for universe and businesses target of doubling the numbers of fema engine and grudges by 23 to forward with employers, professional bodies and academic institutions but i think what most powerful things is role models like the role model he mentioned in his question. >> did the prime minister or any of his staff ask the right

audible member to resign her position, and if not, should he have? >> the right audible member, my friend is set out the reasons for her resignation in a letter she sent out today and i think people should accept that. i've given the fullest possible answers i could about my attitude of working with colleagues and giving them the chance to get on with their jobs. that's the right approach. >> thank you, mr. speaker. thanks to this governments long-term economic pride -- [shouting] youth unemployment has been slashed by 42% in my constituency. does the prime minister think that the opening of a new university technical college and a new free college and sells very will enhance the ability of young people to compete in the global raise?

>> my honorable friend is entirely right in every word, because what we do see is a decline in youth unemployment. the figures in salisbury and in the southwest are quite remarkable. these long-term youth claimant count has come down by 37% over the last year. what we need to do to further drive down youth unemployment is make sure the training opportunities and education is there, and that's what the university technical colleges are so important youth unemployment is still too high when we strip of those that are in full-time education. it's 8.7%, much lower than france or italy or spain or the eu average but it still do it and we're committed to get it down. >> thank you, mr. speaker. my constituent is to los loose s home after raising concerns about overcharging by solicitor. this solicitor from hell found a loophole by which he could soothe my constituent for complaining to the solicitor's

regulation authority described it as morally reprehensible who say they're powerless to act. will the prime minister look at this case and intervene to stop the solicitor's running roughshod their regulators a? >> i'm happy to look into this case, as the honorable gentleman will no the regulators and the ombuds men which were improved over previous year, they are independent of government so it's not possible to into being directed but what i can do is arrange for a meeting between him and the minister for legal services to discuss what remedies are open to his constituent. if it would be helpful than absorbing put that in place. >> thank you, mr. speaker. the prime minister from pakistan is due to visit later this month. will be prime minister specifically discuss with him to reform the blasphemy laws in pakistan which often used to persecute and prosecute minority communities including the christian committee? will the prime minister urge --

[inaudible] including a british national? >> i can reassure my friend i will certainly raise the issue with prime minister sharif when he comes to the united kingdom. i think it is important in the run up to easter to remember how many christians are still persecuted around the world, including the persecution of christians under things like the blasphemy laws. i will raise the. i look forward to meeting with the pakistani leadership. >> thank you, mr. speaker. is the prime minister to wear that for 3 million low income families, for every three pounds they came to the personal tax loan, they will lose two pounds straightaway for universal credit? isn't the prime minister giving with one hand by taking away with the other? >> i actually think the audible john is quite profound because the whole point about universal credit is that you will always keep a reasonable share of every extra pound earned.

the difference between universal credit and the systems put in place by the last government is that you often face people with over 100% marginal tax rates effectively when they were in work but that is what universal credit will change and that's what i thought the party opposite was in favor of universal credit. if they've changed their mind about that as they often do about other things perhaps they should tell us. >> thank you, mr. speaker. the number of apprenticeship starts to my constituent is now at a record high, next week i'm holding the second rally a package of their. with the prime minister agree with me that investing in apprenticeship and skills is a critical part of our long-term economic plan to get local people in the flat country the skills they need to get a good quality jobs and to secure their futures? >> i certainly join my honorable friend in what he says. we've seen 185,000 apprenticeships start in the west midlands under this

government. we have now got. we have no go 1.6 million nationwide tour on target for 2 million during this parliament to i want to make sure we continue to grow apprenticeships and we continue to see an increase in the quality of apprenticeships. and also better information for young people in school about the sudden the pathway they want to take whether they want to take an academic pathway to university or the want to look at apprenticeships. we will be doing more on this front. >> despite all of the progress achieved in northern ireland, a recent poll finds 67% of 65 and 24 think the future life -- 70% citing local politicians were not capable -- [inaudible] as the prime minister agree that this ought to act as a wakeup call to those who continued to indulge in politics discussion and fear to start showing real leadership to inspire young people and get them hopefully start for a better future in northern i'm?

>> anyone who believes that change is impossible or politicians can't raise rights to a challenge in northern ireland i think would've been very struck, i was. people have, a huge weight and we need to continue with that vital work, including the work to fight racism and sectarianism wherever it arises. above all what we need is politicians in northern ireland to build a shared future to take down those piece walls, to make sure the economy can grow and opportunities are there for everyone in northern ireland. >> thank you, mr. speaker. 35,000 runners in lester's london marathon raised -- raised 539 pounds for good course of the i will be running again this sunday -- [shouting] for the forget-me-not children's hospital. will be prime minister join me wishing all the runners,

including the children's minister and the shadow chancellor? >> i, over the -- i saw an attractive picture of my honorable friend in his shorts, and the shadow chancellor in a true spirit of black leggings. [laughter] and i know, i'm over a number of colleagues in this house, i to say i bow down to you in my bread become 26 is a very long way to go. i certainly couldn't manage it but i'm full of admiration and full of admiration for the money that you raised her excellent et causes and that be treated to all members on all sides of the house that are taking part. >> thank you, mr. speaker. my constituent sue martin has been waiting over nine months for personal independence -- she now has to borrow from or 84 year-old mother just to get by. why does the prime minister think this is acceptable? >> all delays in the sort of payment are not acceptable to read make sure benefits are paid

on time to what we try to do is to introduce it gradually so we make sure the quality of decision-making is good. >> thank you, mr. speaker. last week i was privileged to meet a holocaust survivor. is the prime minister aware of another appalling persecution occurring today that is the ethnic cleansing in afghanistan and pakistan? a gentle religious islam is tolerant people who educate their sons and their daughters. when the need with a member of the ap pg concerned with it, chaired by the audible member, to discuss the situation? >> we should absolutely clear that the afghanistan that we have been supporting and will continue to support must be a multiracial and multiethnic afghanistan. that includes pashtuns, uzbeks and the many nationalities that make up that country but it's

vital for its future. i'm happy to look at the evidence that he has and perhaps arrange any appropriate meetin meetings. >> 2400 jobs have been destroyed, and last friday 650 in newport by one single firm that specializes in buying up firms, degrading the pay and conditions of the staff, and then abandoning them to unemployment. what protection is the government planning to give to those blameless people, hard workers who suffer from the scourge of this new vulture capitalism? >> i'm very happy to look at the individual case that he raises, but what i would say about the situation in terms of jobs in uk right now, if you look at the last week we've had 8000 jobs from birmingham city airport, we got 12,000 jobs and over

thousand jobs in what we are seeing is businesses wanting to locate in britain, take people on in britain and grow in britain. it as an example of a practice of very happy to look at it. >> thank you, mr. speaker. in 1967, the abortion a term limit was set in 28 weeks. in 1990, this was reduced to 24 weeks. giving it is now 2014, a quarter of a century onwards, and given recent breakthroughs in anti-natal and neonatal care, does the prime minister agree with me it is now time to reduce the abortion term limit to 22 weeks? >> i've always made my own personal views on this clear and there have been opportunities recently in parliament to vote on this issue but it is always open to members of parliament to bring forward legislation, to amend existing bills and for the house to debate it. that's happened relatively recently. it will continue on this a

passenger on the other side to be an entirely free vote issue. >> thank you, mr. speaker. does the prime minister or any member of his cabinet after -- to re-sign? >> my right honorable friend took her own decision and has communicated a decision in a letter. i really think for members opposite should respect that decision. >> nigel adams. >> a cloud hangs over the job prospects of 700 mine workers in my constituency. could the prime minister usher the house of the government is doing everything he can to ensure the future for their livelihoods of? >> i can get my honorable friend that assurance. i think it is important despite the difficulties uk coal faces that the government should do everything it can within the rules that are lay down to look at whether there's help and

assistance that we can do. that's exactly what is happening. i'm being kept up-to-date with this on sometimes a daily basis and i can assure him it's getting the government's attention. >> in the spirit of a new positive case for the union produced this week, can be prime minister perhaps give us his view as to which of the apocalypse -- [inaudible] >> my view it is entirely positive one about what this united kingdom has achieved together in the past and what we can achieve in the future. i think the ones that take a narrow inward looking rather selfish here about the future are sitting on the benches over there. >> the surgeon general of the armed forces has raised concern of the impact of longer nhs waiting times on soldiers based in wales. does the prime minister agree that nhs, including soldiers, or

so but not good enough? the welsh government could be undermining the operations of the armed forces and are potentially in breach of the military covenant? >> i think my honorable friend makes an important point. we see 8% cut to the budget in wales to the nhs. the last time a&e targets were met was 2009. the last time cancer treatment targets were met was 2008, over 30 people miss out on access to diagnostic services within eight weeks. there is a truly dreadful record when it comes to labour's nhs in wales. you see a huge contrast now with the nhs in england properly funded, well run, beating the key target and they shamble in wales. >> five years ago in one of the worst things since the good friday -- my constituent and his

colleague, mark quincey, were shot and killed outside their barracks. their families still await justice. will be prime minister look at this case and also -- [inaudible] in northern ireland? >> first of all can i take this opportunity to express my send it to the families. this is a despicable terrorist attack and i fully share the desire that perpetrators are brought to justice. just because we're trying to do with the legacies of the past does not mean that crimes that have been committed should not be properly prosecuted and those responsible convicted. i know my right honorable friend the sectors they were northern ireland met the parents to discuss their concerns. the trial system in northern ireland was abolished in 2007 and replaced by provision allowing non-jury trials only in

specific sets of circumstances. these provisions lapse every two years and in consideration be given to whether they ought to be renewed for a further two years in 2015. >> people would've been reassured this week that the imf of credit countries gross -- [shouting] however, what my right honorable friend agree that they would be more reassured to know that our long-term economic plan -- [shouting] is working in east like a sure by the announcement this week that they've also graded 30 new apprenticeships? >> i think my friend makes an important point. would look at what's been happening in britain this week we can see the imf is saying that the uk will grow faster than any g7 country to exit jobs, extra partnerships he talks about, the trade deficit

is falling. employment is rising. britain is on its way back. >> thank you, mr. speaker. during the committee stage of the legal aid offenders act, the prime minister assure the committee those who would refuse legal aid is still under the new exceptional funding scheme. he said, the minister, this was a vital safeguard. 617 family law applications have been made, and eight have been allowed. what kind of safeguard is that? >> i will at the close of the cases he raises a key thing is this, that we have to make sure our legal aid system is is affordable and where we can bear our legal aid system with similar common law countries, we still spend far more per head in countries like australia or new zealand or others. he shakes his head but, frankly, it's no good for members apartment to come department every week and vote against every single spending decision

but not to recognize we have to get our deficit down in order to help our economy recover. >> thank you, mr. speaker. will be prime minister take a few minutes over the easter days -- [inaudible] in economic affairs which was announced last night? because if he does i am sure it will get my -- some good ideas as to why leaving the european union should become part of our long-term economic plan. [laughter] >> well, my honorable friend and i agree on many things, but i'm afraid this isn't one of it. isn't one of the i will have a look at the incident pamphlet, as a potential piece of holiday reading and see how it competes with other alternatives but -- that is another choice for this