"bobby kennedy, the making of a liberal icon." our guest has been the author. thank you for being here. guest: thank you for having me. ♪ >> for free transcripts or to give us your comments about this program, visit us at q&a.org. >> if you enjoyed this week's "q&a" interview, there are some

other programs you might like. rory kennedy talks about her movie, and about being the daughter of robert kennedy. mark shields talks about his life in all it takes, including in the robert kennedy campaign. and frank maker with talks about his life and politics. he was campaign manager for george mcgovern in 1972. you can watch these anytime or search our entire video library at c-span.org. journal"'s "washington live every day with news and policy issues that impact you. jimnews contributor pinkerton will join us and talk about his recent article about the foreign policy choices of

the trump administration. then, a senior fellow of the brookings institution will talk about marijuana legalization, which is on the ballot in five states. he will also discuss conflicts federal and state laws, especially in states where cannabis is legal. a constitutional law professor will join us to talk about the legal issues at play in the fbi's probe of hillary clinton's e-mail. be sure to watch c-span's "washington journal" monday morning. join the discussion. ministerbritish prime theresa may takes questions from members of the house of commons. then, hillary clinton at a rally in florida, followed by donald trump the to supporters in las vegas. at 11:00, another chance to see "q&a." >> during this week's question

time, british prime minister theresa may talked about the uk's decision to leave the european union, brings humanitarian role in syria, and how to improve mental health services. this is just over 40 minutes. that and look forward in the near future. >> order. questions to the prime minister. james morris. >> mr. speaker, i had meetings and i shall have further meetings later in the lay. >> mr. morris. >> we are proud of long industrial heritage. we are also very proud of the recent revial in the fortunes of the country with new jobs and investment in the local economy. would the prime minister agree with me that one of the ways to create the economy that works for everyone is to further

funding to combine that with a strong leadership in vision that only andy can provide? [shouting] >> thank you, thank you, mr. speaker. my honorable friend speaks for the black country and i'm please today -- pleased to echo and we have seen 55,000 more new businesses in the region but he's right, the evolution deal is important. it's the biggest, the evolution deal that's being done for the west midland part of that is crucially the election of a directly elected mayor and i think andy with his local knowledge and his business experience will drive economic growth. [shouting] >> thank you, thank you, mr. speaker. could i start by welcoming the child refugees that arrived in

britain in the last few days. they're obviously deeply traumatized young people and we should welcome them and love them and support them in the best way we can. mr. speaker, we reach out the hand of support in solidarity and friendship to them. i just want to pay tribute to the members in stanford for social media messages sent out this morning. shows amazing humor and bravery and it seems the prime minister counterparts are feeling the same sense of frustration as members of this house. the first minister for whales said there is a great deal of uncertainty but they are clear they need full access to single market. can the prime minister help the first minister of whales and the

other administrations by giving them some clarity? >> well, first of all, can i commend in response to the comments and ensuring that it is working carefully to look at the best interest of the child refugees so they are provided with the support that they need when they come here to the united court instructs the -- united kingdom. can i also commend him for being so open about the health problem that he has and we wish him all the very best for the future and for his place here in this house . in relation to the issue of clarity in relation to brexit, i have been very clear and will be very clear again. to-- i'm talking about ends,

what we want to see is the best possible arrangement for trade with an operation within the single european market for businesses in goods and services here in the united kingdom. >> i thought for a minute that the prime minister was going to say brexit means brexit again. [laughter] >> i'm sure she will tell us one day what she actually means. the mayor of london also adding unnecessary certainty but it's also important uncertainty, mr. speaker, it would be also very helpful if the prime minister could provide some clarity over the northern ireland border. will we continue membership of the customs union or are we going to see border checks introduced between northern ireland and the republic?

>> the leader of the opposition tries to poke fun at the phrase that brexit means brexit but the whole point is this brexit is this government that's listening to the voice of the british people. brexit means brexit and means that we are coming out the european union. now, in relation to northern irish border a considerable amount of work was already going on -- taking place with the iish government, that work is continuing, we have have been very clear. the government of the republic of ireland have been very clear, executive has been very clear but none of us want to see return to the borders and i would simply remind the right

honorable gentleman that the common travel area has been in place since 1923 which is well before either of us joined the european union. >> mr. speaker, on monday the prime minister said the customs union was not a bindery choice. there isn't a third way on that one. on monday her friend the honorable member expressed concerns of the air space industries while the british banking association said members are poised quivering and every day the prime minister over the chaotic brexit and em employees delay investment and rumors circulating about relocation. this cannot carry on until march of next year, when is the prime

minister going to come up with a plan. >> shows why it is important that it is this party that is in government and not his. he talked about the plan. i've been very clear that we want to trade freely with both within the european market. i want this country to be a global leader in free trade, the labour party is against free trade. i want to introduce control on free movement so that we have end on free movement. i want to deliver on the will of the british people. he's trying to frustrate the

will of the british people. >> mr. speaker, there was no answer on the board which was the question and on monday, mr. speaker, the prime minister told the house and i quote, we have a plan which is not to set out at every stage of the negotiation the details, i mean, thinking about this for a couple of days, mr. speaker, and i think -- i think when you're searching for the real meaning and the importance behind the prime minister's statement, you have to consult the great philosophers. can only one i can come up with -- [shouting] >> calm yourself. you're impairing your own health, man, which is a great concern with me. >> cutting plan is to have in plan.

[laughter] [shouting] >> brexit was apparently about taking back control but governments don't know the plan. businesses don't know the plan. parliament doesn't know the plan, when will the prime minister abandon and develop a plan that delivers for the whole country? [laughter] >> i'm interested to that the right honorable gentleman chose and he was member of the labour party. we are going to deliver on the vote of the british people. we are going to deliver the best possible deal for trade in goods and services both with and operation within the european union and we are going to

deliver free movement. that's what the british people want and that's what this government is going to deliver for them. >> mr. speaker, three years ago the united kingdom backed saudi arabia for membership of the un human rights council, on the 28 of october, un panel has warned that saudi arabia bombing of yemen has violated international law, amnesty international states, executions are on the increase, women are widely discriminated against with and will her government combating saudi membership for that committee? >> as the right honorable gentleman knows, we raise them in relation to the action in yemen, we have been clear that we want those -- the incidents

that have been referred to to be properly investigated and we want the saudi arabia if there are lessons to be learned to learn lessons from those. i will reiterate in the point that i have made before that our relationship in saudi arabia is an important relationship, it's a particular important relationship in relation to this country and counterterrorism and foiling activities for those who wish to do harm in the uk. >> mr. speaker, a yemen man who livers in liverpool told us that yemen has become the forgotten crisis. if people aren't being killed by bombs, it's the hunger that kills them. bombs exported from britain are being dropped on yes, yemeny children. if there are war crimes they must be investigated. isn't it about time the government suspended arms sales

to saudi arabia? >> the issues are being investigated, i say to the right honorable gentleman and we have taken action. he's right to refer to the humanitarian action and this country is one of those who is in the forefront of ensuring that humanitarian aid is provided. that is a record that we believe this country and government can be proud around the world in terms of the actions that are being taken. it is important. it was a period of 72 hours over a weekend. as i referred to in this house on monday i spoke to crown prince of abudabi, the issue of importance was to find a political solution in yemen and seeing in possible that could be continued. it hasn't been continued but we are very clear that the only solution that's going to work for the yemen is actually make sure that we have the political solution that will give

stability in yemen. >> mr. speaker, 20 years ago a conservative government agreed that christchurch and councils could retain sovereignty independence and control over their own destiny. [laughter] >> will my right honorable friend assure the house that will agree abolition against the will of my constituency? >> my right honorable friend is right to speak up for his constituents and he's also right that there isn't a single that's going to work in every part of the country. that's why we believe it's important for local people to come together and determine what is right for them. i know my right honorable friend is trying to build a consensus toos what the right way forward is. i think it's right that local

people are able to respond upon the consultation and -- [shouting] >> can i take the opportunity to praise all of the fundraisers, volunteers and the veterans involved and i'm sure colleagues and others will commend raise efforts and the rest of united kingdom as well, one of the biggest humanitarian catastrophes of our time is in syria specifically in aleppo where we expect to cease fire to end shortly and shawt -- slaughter to begin. >> first of all, may i join the right honorable friend in commending and praising the work of all those across the whole united kingdom who give time and

effort to raise money. it is very important that we never forget those through many conflicts who have given of themselves for the safety and security of us and it is important that we recognize that and give generously over the united kingdom. it is important to approach this in a number of tracks. we are involved, my right honorable friend has been involved in discussions with the united states secretary of state senator kerry about -- secretary of state kerry about particular issues, i raised the issue of russian actions in syria, particularly the bombing of aleppo at the european union council. it was on the agenda bauds the uk had raised and as a result of the discussion, the eu agreed should atrocities continue we will look at all available

options for taking action to put pressure on russia to stop their indiscrime nant bombing of innocent civilian. in recent years more than 60 russian naval vessels have refueled in spanish ports. would the prime minister join me and nato outlies calling on spain to refuse the refueling? [shouting] >> the honorable gentleman refers to the ship, when they went through the english channel they were accompanied by royal

naval vessels as they went through. but the -- what we have seen sadly is that the russians are already able to unleash attacks on innocent civilians in siria, what matters is that we put pressure on russia to do what everybody agrees is the only way that we are going to resolve this issue, which is to ensure that we have a political transition in syria and that's where we should focus our attention. >> wendy. >> mr. speaker, my constituency forms part of a new west midland combined authority, can the prime minister tell me how the new powers will help my constituent and bricks in ceramics. >> i can confirm that the deal

will provide west billion with one billion pounds to spend on local projects and this is the important part of the deal, that's why it's so important to have a mayor who understands the local area but has business expertise to ensure economic projects are being developed with the interest of the locality in the prime focus for them. i believe that the deal will deliver more jobs and economic prosperity across west midland, good for the rest of the country as well. >> thank you, mr. speaker. the independent inquiry on child sexual abuse was established to deliver long-awaited justice for victims and survivors and to do that it has to have confidence, represent more than 600 survivors of abuse which took place run children homes and erased serious concerns of changes to the inquiry. will the prime minister meet with me, the honorable member and representatives of the

survival association to discuss concerns and take action so that confidence can be restored? >> the only rational lady makes an important point. the whole purpose of this inquiry was to be able to provide justice for those whose voices had not been heard for too long and felt that people in positions of power and ipstitutions and other organizations had not heard their voice, not prepared for them to listen and properly investigate what had happened to them. it is important that victims and survivors have confidence in the inquiry because it's an independent inquiry and up to the chairman to ensure to work with survivors and victims which i know the chairman has been doing but i will certainly ensure the home secretary has heard representation that is the honorable lady has made and we will take what she has said to us and consider very carefully what he had said. we all want to work properly and work in the interest of survivors and victims.

>> the prime minister will be aware of nation's commitment of forces personnel and families by way and while we have made important moves there's still much more to do, will she take this opportunity to assure this house of personal commitment to the values and promises set out in the covenance -- >> my honorable friend is absolutely right. i know she has championed the covenant and is a great component of veterans in the armed services and it is absolutely right that everybody in this house should -- owes a great debt of gratitude of veterans and those serving in armed forces to what they do to keep us safe and secured.

that's why it's a national responsibility. we should all be work to go ensure that those who have served us and served us well do not face disadvantages. it's why we have been doing things like that putting x money to help with houses, in particular 200 million and we must continue to do this and i absolutely commit to ensuring that this is the government that continues to support our veterans and members of armed forces. >> thank you, mr. speaker. last year my 25-year-old nephew committed suicide after a short period of depression. warned him it would be at least six months before he got an appointment. mr. speaker, this treatment have very often dangerous waiting game and lottery. what is the prime minister doing

to solve this crisis out? >> can i first of all, recognize and commend the honorable gentleman for raising the personal experience that he has of the terrible tragedy that can occur whenment health problems are not properly dealt with. he raises a very serious issue and it's a serious issue for everybody in this house on how dnh treats mental illness, that's why we have established mental health and physical health and the national health service. it's why we are seeing record levels of funding. the question of talking therapies which are therapies, which are very effective and we have been introducing waiting time standards in relations to therapies but i accept that there is for us to do in this area to ensure that those with mental health problems are properly treated, are properly given the care and attention that they need. it is an issue not just for them, it's an issue for the our

society. >> my might honorable friend became prime minister in dramatic and extraordinary circumstances, in my judgment she has proved more than capable of rising to the many challenges , it was not my right honorable's friend fault that it took seven years or more than 10 million pounds in terms of cost. now that we know that parliament was misled, would my right honorable friend reassure me that she has a cunning plan to ensure the action is taken? [laughter] >> i thank my honorable friend for his -- his comments. it was -- what the report did was an important task but although it did look at and criticize the way information had been handled in a number of aspects, it did not say that

people had set out deliberately to mislead and i think it's important that we recognize that but it is important also that we learn the lessons from report and that's why the national security adviser is leading in piece of work and exercise to do precisely that. it was a long time coming. it was a serious report and ensure that we do learn lessons from it. >> question six, please. >> get in there. let's hear it. >> sorry. the prime minister would be aware that much of the foundation and elements of the settlement and peace agreement were referenced and eu approaches and processes of law and eu would destable -- destabilize and has considered

to withdraw in the political set million -- settlement and any plan to protect that settlement? >> i don't believe there's any reason to believe that the referendum will do anything to undermine the rock-solid commitment of this government and the people of northern ireland to the settlement set out and there is and remains strong support for the entirely peaceful future for northern ireland. that has been determined by democracy and consent. we remain commit today that and work with others to ensure that entirely peaceful future. >> manufacturing facilities in

red hill business park, would the prime minister meet with general electric and other west midland manufacturers to hear how important supply chains and markets free of tariffs and bureaucracy are to them in their hundreds of thousands of stocks? >> well, i'm delighted to hear the commitment ge has made but it's more than a commitment, a commitment to the united kingdom and future of the economy here in united kingdom. i understand my friend has already met with ge to discuss with them their interest in trade and what we can be doing to promote free trade as i've said earlier, i want to uk to be a global leader in free trade and we are listening to businesses around the country and the importance they place on free trade as we look at the negotiations for exiting the eu. >> thank you very much, indeed, mr. speaker. is the prime minister aware of the recent reports showing the

continuing and alarming increase in average alcohol consumption in the uk and in particular amongst women. given the numerous health risks associated with excessive alcohol consumptions, will her government re-examine the case on alcoholic products? >> i recognize what the honorable gentleman raises, recent in particularly to women and the rruis of alcohol, of course, i was part the development of the alcohol strategy that the government produced a few years ago and i'm please today to say that at the time we were working well with industry to encouraging them to ensure that they could take steps to have an impact on the drinking habits of the nation.

[inaudible] >> this will bring into the areas around the new station hubs, with this in mind, would my right honorable friend will be with my campaign -- >> i first met my honorable friend when she was campaigning and she's absolutely right. in order to support the rail infrastructure, we need to ensure that the right road infrastructure is there. that's why we are investing 15 billion in the road infrastructure. i understand they are looking at the issues and looking at bringing forward enhancements around the expected sites of the station and going forward looking at nordic and i trust that my honorable friend would

make her voice heard on this issue as in the past. ..

they have been chose to be successful in so many cases. this is something that the government is working on and we will continue to work on it, as we have said, mental health and physical health and national health services. >> could they show me that the government still supports cross rail to and could they set up the timetable. >> this is a commitment we continue to support. we are waiting to see a robust business case and proper funding proposal in regard to crossrail two. i don't know what the timetable is but i can assure my honorable

friend that we are well aware of his interest in wimbledon's well to do in this it is being taken into account. >> mr. speaker, in the indian occupied area over the last three months 160 people have died. 600 people people were blinded by pellet guns, 1600 were injured, unexplained disappearances, food and medical shortages. can we discuss the human rights abuses for these people and set up a resolution with the un in 1948. [inaudible] >> the hon. lady sets out her case in these issues that she's identified.

i take the same view this government has since it came into power and indeed previously which is the issue of cashmere is for pakistan to deal with, but the foreign secretary has heard her representations and will be interested in taking those issues up with her. >> thank you mr. speaker. >> several months ago i used the concern for increased medical services for the kurdish fighters. can we provide special medication here in the uk such as turn beds for seriously wounded to make sure the forces are on the ground are getting all the support they need like helmets and body armor. >> my honorable friend is right. i recognize this is an issue

that has been raised before. i've easily what we have seen is the coalition activity that is taking place is having some impact as we wish it to. there aren't plans underway to do what he suggested in terms of providing beds but we do continually monitor what we are doing. >> it's not a long-term solution to the humanitarian crisis. what is the government going to do to speed up access to vulnerable individuals. [inaudible] >> individuals are already being

brought to the united kingdom in addition to the resettlement of the syrians that we arty have in the 20000 that will be brought over the course of this parliament and the 3000 children children and others that will be bringing from africa. i remind the gentleman that in this country, the second biggest bilateral donor of humanitarian aid in the syrian region and we are able to support and provide for more people in the region and i think that's absolutely right. [inaudible] can the prime minister explain

how a third runway can be delivered and comply with solutions and legal requirements. does she agree. environmentally heathrow is not good enough and can't possibly be bigger and better. >> the government looks very closely of this issue of air quality impacts. all three schemes that were proposed which if you look at those, that was from the decision in the southeast. the evidence shows the air quality can't be met as required by all three of the schemes including the northwest runway at heathrow. it's more about the airport and air quality. it's also about road transport and we are looking to do more in

relation to what were doing for their quality. we have a leading edge in electric vehicles. >> the plan for the exit is to cut the deal for the city of london so the bankers avoid the consequences of leaving the economic union. [inaudible] will they cut a similar deal for well. >> i will be getting the best deal for the united kingdom. >> every year hundreds of people are diagnosed, suffer and die from rare diseases like cystic

fibrosis. will the prime minister joined me in welcoming the review which is strongly supported by patient demands and implemented speedily >> i do welcome the publication of review as this is important for patients to get quicker access to drugs and treatment. i think the united kingdom has a leading role with the life sciences. we will be doing so in light of recognition that if we have options through the health

system of encouraging new drugs that benefit the patients that we should do so. >> there are record levels of spending going into mental health services. they told us that the proportion of funding going into mental health should be increasing. why is it that 57%. [inaudible] >> the fact that ice set out that we are spending record level is absolutely right but we recognize there is more for us to do in mental health. >> thank you mr. speaker. there's not enough help for

mental health workers and i welcome the commitment to more research on mental health. when i ask what steps she is taking to make sure the funding for mental health are received. >> i'm pleased to say that's what we see, far from some of the questions. more people are accessing talking therapies and mental health services every day compared to 2010.