sunday, august 7, on "book tv" on c-span2. >> c-span brings you an unfiltered view of government. our newsletter, "word for word" recaps the day for you, from the halls of congress to daily press briefings to remarks from the president. scan the q.r. code at the right bottom to sign up for this email and stay up to date on everything happening in washington each day. subscribe today using the q.r. code or visit c-span.org/connect to subscribe any time. >> british prime minister boris johnson took part in his final question time with members of parliament. the outgoing prime minister announced his resignation on july 7 amid several political scandals in recent months. he left the house of commons chamber to a standing ovation from members. from london, this runs about 50 minutes.

the speaker: welcome to the prime minister's questions. i'd like to point out the british sign language interpretation of proceedings available to watch on the parliament live tv. i'd also like to welcome lord mackay who is retiring today after many distinguished lord chancellor. years before i called to ask the first question. it's only fitting before i call kim. it's to ask the first question. it's only fitting to note this is likely to be the final time. the rightful member addresses the house as prime minister. i would like to wish him and his family all the best for the future. can i say? we've been through many dark times within this house and none more so than through the

pandemic and always will be remembered for what this house did and the way that you conducted those duties during those dark times. i understand that members will have different views about the prime minister's performance and legacy and those views will be sincerely and passionately held. but i remind members that our constituents, others around the worm watch these proceedings. let us conduct them in a respectful manner, focusing on issues and policies rather than personalities. i take this opportunity to remind members of the words of asking may good temporary moderation of the characteristics of the parliamentary debate. i expect to see that reflected today in the proceedings. i now call kim. >> question, mr. speaker. the speaker: mr. prime minister.

prime minister johnson: thank you, mr. speaker. today marks the 40th anniversary of the bombings in hyde park and regent park and tomorrow sees the 50th anniversary of bloody friday such terror by the provisional ira was barbaric and shameful, bringing untold grief to countless families. and our thoughts are with all those who lost loved ones during the troubles. we as a government, remain determined to help build a better shared future for all the people of northern ireland. mr. speaker, i've spoken to the chair of the national fire council last night and this morning about the heroic work of firefighters in recent days. i know the whole house will want to thank them and all our frontline services who've been working hard to keep us safe. my right honorable friend, the chancellor of the duchy of lancaster will be making an oral statement later. my colleague joins me wishing england's lionesses well in their quarterfinal match against spain in brighton this evening, and i know that the house will want to congratulate jake wightman, who produced a stunning run to take gold in the 1,500 meters in the world

championships in oregon. mr. speaker, as you rightly say, last week, i told the house that this was possibly last week was possibly my last p.m.q. this week. mr speaker probably certainly will be my last p.m.q.'s from this dispatch box or any other dispatch box. mr. speaker, this morning, i had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others and in addition to my duties in this house, i will have further such meetings. >> thank you, mr. speaker. summer recess gives all parliamentarians an opportunity to ekt reflect in our ability to uphold the seven principles of public life. selflessness, openness, objectivity, honesty, integrity, accountability, and leadership. these are fine principles. but public trust in politicians is at an all time low. will the prime minister be using the next few weeks to personally consider why this could be and

as the unedifying fight for his job continue -- those who are vying to replace him would draw on his wise counsel -- and why wouldn't they better than they have from this government? [indiscernible] prime minister johnson: well, mr. speaker, i'm afraid i didn't quite catch the last bit of the right honorable lady's question. but i will be using i will be using the next few weeks to do what i think the people of this country would expect. and that is drive forward the agenda on which we were elected in in 2019 of which i think the labor party particularly fear the conservative party and that is the agenda -- and that is the agenda of uniting and leveling up and making sure that we invest in places that for decades were betrayed by labor and left behind.

and that is what the conservatives are going to do. and that's why we're going to win again. >> russia's war in ukraine continues. now turkey has withdrawn its opposition to sweden and finland joining nato. so what assessment does my right honorable friend make about the short and long term securities of europe now this has happened? the speaker: prime minister. prime minister johnson: i thank my right honorable friend for that excellent question. expression of both countries i think will be good for them. i think it will encourage it will make all our allies safer and i think it will make the whole of the euro atlantic security area stronger. mr speaker. i'm proud of the role that the uk has played in that accession the speaker: the leader of the opposition. >> can i start by saying to the prime minister that i do know that the relationship between a

prime minister and leader of the opposition is never easy and this one's proved no exception to the rule. but i would like to take this opportunity to wish him, his wife, and his family the best for the future. can i also put on record our gratitude to the fire and rescue services for all their courageous work yesterday in extreme temperatures. all our thoughts are with those affected by the fires, particularly those that have lost their homes. i joined the prime minister and his comments about the bombings in hyde park and the ira bombings. i also join him in his comments about the lionesses. the coverage starts at 7:30 tonight on bbc 1 and i'm sure the whole country will be roaring them on. and for anyone that doesn't fancy football, eastenders is on. so if you'd rather watch outrageous characters taking lumps out of themselves.

you've got a choice albert square or the tory leadership debates on catch up. on that topic, mr. speaker -- why -- why does the prime minister think that those vying to replace him decided to pull out of the sky debate last night? the speaker: prime minister. prime minister johnson: well, mr. speaker, i'm not following this thing particularly closely but my -- my impression is -- my impression is there's been quite a lot of debate already and i think the public i think the public they're having an ample opportunity to view the talent mr. speaker, any one of wish -- which one of us which i say before like some household detergent would wipe the floor. i mean today happens to be just about the

anniversary of the exit from lockdown last year. and do you remember do you -- do you remember what he said? he said, i'm gonna remind him. he said it was reckless. it was because we were able to take that decision, mr. speaker, supported by every single one of those conservative candidates opposed by him that we had the fastest economic growth in the g-7. we're now able to help families up and down the country. if we had listened to him, it wouldn't have been possible, mr. speaker, and i don't think to him either. >> well, i'm impressed, you managed to get through that with a straight face actually. i think the truth is this they organized the tv debates because they thought it would be a great chance for the public to hear from the candidates first hand and then disaster struck because the public actually heard from the candidates firsthand. [laughter] but i am interested in what he makes of the battle for his job. so let me start with a simple one. does the prime minister agree with his former chancellor that plans put forward by the other

candidates are, in his words -- i got them here. nothing more than the fantasy economics of unfunded spending promises. prime minister johnson: well, mr. speaker, they know all about fantasy economics because they already they've already committed to 94 billion pounds in extra tax. every household in this country would have to pay for to the tune of about £2,100. it's thanks to the former chancellors management of the economy. thanks this government management of the economy, we had growth in may of north of 4.5%. we have more people in paid employment than at any time in the history of this country. mr speaker, i leave, i'm proud to be leaving office right now with unemployment at or near a 50-year low, mr. speaker,

at 8%. that's the difference between them and us. >> mr. speaker, every labor pledge made under my leadership is fully cost those buying to protect him. mr. speaker, those vying to replace him have racked up 330 billion pounds of unfunded spending commitments. but i do note that the prime minister didn't agree with his former chancellor. so what about his foreign secretary? she was withering about the government's economic record. she said again, her words here they are. if rishi has got this great plan for growth, why haven't we seen it in the last 2 1/2 years at the treasury? that's a fair question. is it, prime minister? prime minister johnson: i believe, mr. speaker, i think everybody would agree that what you saw in the last 2 1/2 years was because of the

pandemic. the biggest fall in output, the biggest fall in output for 300 years. which this government dealt with and coped with magnificently by distributing vaccines faster than any other european government, than any other major economy, which would not have been possible if we had listened to him. and that's why, mr. speaker, we have the fiscal firepower that is necessary to help families up and down the country making tax cuts for virtually everybody paying national insurance contributions. the difference between labor and the conservative speaker was a crucial philosophical difference under labor. -- under labor, families on low incomes get most of their income from benefits under us. -- under us, they get most of it from earnings. we believe that's the difference. mr. speaker, inflation is up again this morning and millions are struggling with the cost of living crisis and he he's

decided to come down from his gold wallpapered bunker for one last time to tell us that everything's fine. i am going to miss the delusion but his foreign secretary didn't stop there, mr. speaker. she also said that the former chancellor's 15 tax rises are leading the country into recession and the member for portsmouth's north was even more scathing. she said -- again, her words -- our public services are in a desperate state. we can't continue with what we've been doing because it clearly isn't working. has the prime minister told her who's been running our public services for the last 12 years? prime minister johnson: mr. speaker, this is -- again, he's doing this completely satirical. this is the government, this is the government that is investing 650 billion pounds in infrastructure, in skills, in technology. he talked about public services. what really matters in this country right now is getting their -- getting their

appointments, getting their operations, fixing the backlog, figuring -- fixing the ambulances, that's what we should be talking about. mr speaker and that's why we voted through and that's why we passed the 39 billion pound health care and levy, mr. speaker, which they opposed. >> something needs to be done. mr speaker, they try to oppose it is a great pointless human bollard. >> mr. speaker -- mr. speaker, if only it was satirical. it's what future candidates -- the speaker: we want to get through p.m.q.'s because there's quite a few of you wanting to catch my eye, it will be more helpful to get through in order to do that. >> i appreciate they may not want to hear what their future leader thinks of their record in government, but i think the country needs to know, if it only were satirical, prime minister, it's what the candidates think of the record.

but among the mudslinging there was one very important point because the member for saffron walden claimed that she warned the former chancellor that it was handing taxpayer money directly to fraudsters in covid loans. she says he dismissed her worries and that as a result he cost the taxpayers 17 billion pounds. does the prime minister think that she's telling the truth? prime minister johnson: this is one of the last blast from captain hindsight, mr. speaker, at least to me. because they were the party -- i remember, they were the party who were so desperate for us to be hiring their friends with p.p.p. they wanted a football agent to supply a theatrical costume mia to supply p.p.e. do you remember, mr. speaker?

we had to get that stuff at record speed. we produced 408 billion pounds worth of support for families and for businesses up and down the country, mr. speaker. and the only reason we were able to do it at such speed is because we've managed the economy in a sensible moderate way and labor every time they have left office is with unemployment higher, they're economically illit rate, mr. speaker, and they would wreck the economy. the speaker: i think the message coming out of this leadership contest is pretty clear. they got us into this mess and they have no idea how to get us out of it. the foreign secretary says, we can't go on with our current economic policy. the member for portsmouth's north bemoaned the fact that what we've been doing has not been good enough. and the member for saffron walden properly puts it best when she simply asks, why should the public trust us? we haven't exactly covered ourselves in glory. their words, their future leader's words. they've trashed every part of their record in government from

dental care and ambulance response times to the highest taxes in 70 years. what message does it send when the candidates be prime minister can't find a single decent thing to say about him about each other or their recording government? mr speaker, what does it say? prime minister johnson: what does it say about him when no one can name a single policy after three years of labor opposition apart from putting up -- he's one of those pointless plastic bollards you find around around a deserted road works on a motorway, mr. speaker. we got brexit done, he voted against it 48 times. we got this country faster out of covid in spite of everything when he would have kept us in lockdown. we're fixing social care, mr. speaker, when they have no plan and no ideas of their own and we're now bringing forward measures in the

face of strikes to outlaw wildcat strikes. mr. speaker, i can tell you to outlaw wild cat strikes -- i can tell you why he does that funny wooden flapping gesture. i tell you why does that funny wooden flapping gesture, mr. speaker, because he's got the union barons pulling his strings. that's the truth. 100 million pounds, mr. speaker. we've restored our democracy and our independence, we've got this country through covid and i'm proud to say that when it comes to tackling climate change or sticking up for ukraine, we have led the world on the international stage and i want to thank my friends and colleagues on these benches for everything. that they have done. >> mr. speaker, in september, it will be 25 years since the anniversary -- 25th anniversary

of the referendum on devolution in both scotland and wales. one in 20 people in england and the n.h.s. have been waiting for more than a year. in wales, that's one in five. and school leaders in wales, 75% of whom say that they don't have enough capital to maintain their existing buildings regardless of building any others. in his final opportunity at the despatch box, will the prime minister and the minister for the union agree that in terms of wales at least devolution has been a disaster? the speaker: prime minister. prime minister johnson: i want devolution to work, but i think -- and i've had some conversations with mark drakeford, but the devolved authorities particularly labor in wales need to do their job properly. >> thank you, mr. speaker. and can i join you in wishing all the best and his impending retirement to james mckay? and he's been a friend to many of us right throughout this house and we congratulate him

for his service. can i also join the prime minister and congratulating jake wightman for his success overnight and winning the 1,500 meters at the world champions, what a fran tastic achievement. mr. speaker, this week has seen historic records hit across the united kingdom. but let's look at the prime minister's record breaking efforts in office. his tony brexit slashed 31 billion pounds from the economy, the biggest fall in living standards since the 1970's. people's pay in real terms, falling at the fastest rate on record, with the worst economic growth forecast in the g-20 outside russia. and the highest inflation in 40 years. personally, i'd like to thank the prime minister in his capacity as minister of the union for driving support for independence to new heights. mr speaker, westminster is holding scotland back, the

economy is failing and this prime minister has driven us to the brink of a recession, isn't it the case that the prime minister's legacy of catastrophic mismanagement has paved the way for the end of the union? prime minister johnson: mr. speaker, that's not what i observed and he talks about records, i'll point to. the fastest vaccine rollout in europe. those unemployment as i said for at or near 50 years, the lowest youth unemployment, fastest growth in the g-7 last year, in spite of everything. as for the scottish nationalist record, look at where they are. i'm afraid to say scottish school standards are not what they should be because of the failure of the s.n.p. they're failing -- failing people who are tragically addicted to drugs, mr. speaker, in scotland, and the people of scotland are facing another 900 million pounds in tax because of the mismanagement of the s.n.p.

>> the prime minister might believe that nonsense. but the people of scotland don't because they know the reality that our nhs is the best performing in the united kingdom and education standards under the snp are moving in the right direction. >> well, mr. speaker, that's a that's a good look to the people of scotland. the disdain that the tories show for our country. mr speaker, i hope that the prime minister has time to reflect on his conduct in office with all his new spare time. and i genuinely hope that he finds some peace of mind. the fact is as well as a record breaker, the prime minister is a rule breaker, illegally shutting down parliament, partying through the pandemic, handing out p.p.e. contracts to cronies, unilaterally changing the ministerial code and let us not forget, mr. speaker, the prime minister is still under investigation

because he can't be trusted to tell the truth. shameful, disgraceful and a complete waste of scotland's time. this is how the people of scotland will remember this prime minister. isn't it the case that the prime minister and his government should have had its last day a long time ago? quite simply downing street is no place for a lawbreaker. prime minister johnson: well, i think on the points -- the personal abuse stuff, i think he's talking a lot of trash. but when he's retired his croft, may may be -- which may be all too soon, mr. speaker, i hope that he will reflect on his long running campaign to break up the greatest country in the world. and i hope he will reflect on the on the pointlessness of what he is trying to do. and think instead about the priorities of the people of scotland, which i think about all the issues that he thought were trivial about their education, about crime. mr. speaker, and about the burden, the taxation that they

are unnecessarily placing on the people of scotland. >> a long time ago when i trained as a pilot, i had the luxury of being able to fly around turbulence storms. but what i also had was the ability to rely on a team that kept my aircraft airworthy. as the prime minister prepares his new flight plans, could i suggest that he might reset his compass to true north and stops off in dudley, where he will always be welcomed with open arms, with sincere affection, and where he will be able to thank him for that renewed unhave i take? prime minister johnson: i thank him for that renewed invitation. as i spent many happy days with him in dudley. and let's hope that there are more to come. >> as the prime minister leaves office, i'm sure the whole house is looking forward to him completing his book on

shakespeare. we wait to read what he really thinks about tragic figures brought down by their vaulting ambition or scheming politicians who conspire to bring down a tyrannical leader. the candidates, mr. speaker, now plotting to take his place all profess that they will bring a fresh start, a clean break from his government. but does the prime minister not agree with me that a fresh start and a clean break would require a new mandate from the british people and before they strut and fret their hour upon the stage, there should be a general election. prime minister johnson: well, mr. speaker, i think that -- polonius -- that's who he is. what you need is more matter

with less art, mr. speaker. uh, the only thing, the only thing you need to know if there were to be a general election, of course, the liberal democrats would rightly get thrashed, because that is the moment -- that is the moment when the public actually looked with horror on what liberal democrat policies really are and all these rural voters would discover the massive green taxes that they would like to apply. the only risk is that there could be some kind of crackpot coalition between those guys and the scottish nationalists to put that into effect. that is what we must prevent. >> thank you, mr. speaker. my constituents feel very let down by the mayor of london. he is consulting on cutting 18% of london's buses. the met is in special measures. he's looking to sell notting hill police station to the highest bidder and he is looking to push through a completely

unwanted development of south kensington tube station. does my right honorable friend agree with me that londoners deserve way, way better? prime minister johnson: mr. speaker, london once had a mayor who cut crime by 35% and cut the murder rate by 30% and built twice as many affordable homes as the current incumbent and what london needs is another conservative mayor. >> thank you very much, mr. speaker. could i just add a personal note of thanks to lord mackay of class who is retiring? he's a highland gentleman and he's been very, very helpful to me for a number of years and i'm extremely grateful. mr. speaker, the prime minister knows that harnessing will power, wind power is crucial to the united kingdom. you're right. the prime minister also knows that the highlands have faced great historic difficulties over the years.

so i hope the prime minister agrees with me that a green freeport in the comedy firth is vital to harnessing wind energy. it has the full support of the industry and vital the prosperity of that region. prime minister johnson: i thank you very much. i can confirm that we're committed to funding to -- report a new green free ports in scotland to the tune of 52 million pounds wouldn't be possible, of course, if the s.n.p. got their way and we returned to the e.u. >> thank you, mr. speaker. can i congratulate my friend on his work to tackle regional inequality in this country through his leveling up agenda? and as he rightly reflects with pride this summer on the work of both himself and his government. will he also urge all candidates in this leadership election and all colleagues in this house to further drive forward that leveling up agenda to tackle inequality wherever it is found within this united kingdom?

prime minister johnson: i hardly agree with my honorable friend, mr. speaker, and it's not just my right honorable friend, it's not just inequality, inequality of opportunity and that's what levelling up addresses. >> thank you, mr. speaker. very few people in the north of england believe that the leveling up agenda has achieved anything at all. now, the prime minister has a few days left in office. can you use this to drive through the transportation rail system that we were promised would be finished in 2019 and will not be finished before 2030? it's a shambles and he is responsible. prime minister johnson: actually, mr. speaker, this government responsible for three new high speed lines, including northern powerhouse rail, which no previous government has done. >> thank you, mr. speaker. my right honorable friend rightly paid tribute to our hardworking firefighters dealing with the fires over the last few days in this unprecedented weather.

will my right honorable friend take action to make sure more fires can be prevented by getting rid of disposable barbecues and chinese sky atlanta earns? prime minister johnson: right. i thank my friend very much for her suggestions. i think the key thing is for people to behave responsibly first with the use of these things. it's clearly insane to take a disposable barbecue on to dry grass. >> thank you very much, mr. speaker. due to scottish government's investment in affordable housing, the scottish child payment and extended free school meals, scotland has the lowest level of child poverty in the u.k. in contrast to the northeast which has risen by 50% on the watch of this government. in contrast, the prime minister took over 1,000 pounds from the poorest families -- so much for leveling up -- and those fighting to replace him have been falling over themselves to

promise tax cuts to the wealthy. so if the u.k. is meant to be a voluntary union, does he not recognize that voters in scotland have the right to a referendum so they can choose a fairer future? prime minister johnson: actually, mr. speaker, we increased the living wage across the whole of the u.k. by $1,000. we -- 1,000 pounds. and we made sure that people on universal credit got their tax bills cut by 1,000 pounds and we've in the last couple of weeks we cut we cut national insurance contributions by an average of 330 pounds. and it was because of the union that we were able to support families up and down the country in scotland with the fellow and -- furlough and other payments to the tune of 408 billion pounds. >> mr. speaker, can i -- can i thank my right honorable friend for his commitment to scotland and the entire united kingdom and to him and my friend the secretary of state for scotland for improving and increasing the visibility and involvement of

the uk government in scotland over the past three years. and does my right honorable friend agree with me that whoever takes his job and whatever comes next, the united kingdom will always be stronger together than it ever would be -- together than it would ever be? prime minister johnson: i couldn't put it better myself. >> the wind rush compensation scheme was launched in april, 2019. in the time since, we've seen this prime minister come and go. meanwhile, just one in four applicants have received compensation so far and at least 28 have sadly passed away without receiving compensation, so isn't it about time for the government to make the scheme independent of the home office and finally provide justice to the victims before it is too late? prime minister johnson: actually, mr. speaker, i think more people have got compensation. i renew my apologies to the wind rush generation for what they have suffered, but we have greatly increased the

compensation available. we paid out more than 51 million pounds. we're working with voluntary groups to ensure people get what they're entitled to. but i may say that labor has never apologized for their own part in the wind rush scandal. >> mr. speaker, can i thank my right honorable friend, the prime minister, for all the work he's done, can you say particularly thanks to him for what he's done for -- the importance to this nation, he's kept every promise he's made to me on steel and i want to thank him very much for that. does he agree with me that the future of steel is always safest under a conservative government? prime minister johnson: yes, mr. speaker. and i thank her for everything she's done to champion u.k. steel, a vital industry. >> mr. speaker, this prime minister has been the very embodiment under the --

ministerial code. once trust is broken it's hard to rebuild. the good friday agreement between the peoples, between the governments of these islands has been systematically destroyed over the last six years. and people across the island of ireland whether unionist or nationalist or neither have looked on in horror at the degradation of the rule of law, at the deterioration of anglo irish relationships and at the bolstering of the far right many of us will work to try and restore those relationships and ensure the decent people of britain and ireland live entwined lives for many years to come. can i ask the prime minister if he is capable of any self-reflection? does he have any regrets of his legacy of damaging our fragile shared society and all the people? prime minister johnson: well, mr. speaker, i completely disagree with that. the whole objective of the northern ireland protocol bill that we passed it to support the belfast good friday arrangements, to support the balance of those and

symmetry of those original. i was very pleased that it passed its got its advance into the house of lords with no amendments, mr. speaker. >> mr. speaker, in recalling the in recording of a parliament with a majority determined to frustrate the results of the 2016 referendum led by a speaker who was just slightly partial, and a seemingly impossible situation, does my right honorable friend understand that he has the gratitude of my constituents that can identify the woods from the trees and myself for his leadership over the last -- [indiscernible] prime minister johnson: i'm very grateful to my right honorable friend. i think that will prevail in the next election.

>> [indiscernible] -- nothing in this report prevents scotland becoming an independent country. therefore does the prime minister believe even a democracy and will he respect the people of scottland's rightt to self-determination? prime minister johnson: i think the people of scotland do not frankly want to be talking about constitutional issues when another referendum, when the issues before the country -- cultivating the educational issues we discussed. i think other issues are far more pressing. >> thank you, mr. speaker. the prime minister spoke earlier about the atrocities carried out by the i.r.a. for decades many men and women had the courage to put on the queen's uniform and uphold law and order in north ireland on operation -- [indiscernible] -- one of the prime minister's

undoubted achievements is he brought in the northern ireland legacy bill so that those people who served their country can finally sleep safely in their beds. thank you for that, prime minister. if i may be so presumptuous on their behalf. you kept your word. prime minister johnson: i'd like to thank my friend for everything he did to campaign on that issue. for so long. and i'm glad that this government was indeed able to fulfill its promise not just to the veterans but for their families as well. i would like to renew my thanks to the security services who do so much to keep us safe, but also to all those who put on the queen's uniform. >> mr. speaker, prime minister, the forecast is usually -- [indiscernible] -- zeal growth and g.d.p. for 2023. probably the worst performance in the g-7. ireland, switzerland, norway,

denmark, finland and others are all -- why should scotland not be afforded the same opportunity to seek prosperity as a sovereign, independent nation. standing as an equal among other equal nations? prime minister johnson: mr. speaker, the u.k. -- last year the topic was returned to the top of the table. after covid. the people of scottland, don't forget, the people of scotland, the people of the whole of the u.k., are supported by the fiscal treasury. that is a great advantage. >> mr. speaker, can i place on record my thanks particularly to the firefighters of corn wal who are -- corn wall who are extremely busy. can i thank the prime minister for the support and the people of cornwall over the last few years, hoefgt the g-7 last year,

and i can also thank him for the investments for funds of $130 million pounds which a national of average, they saved money. his enthusiasm for letting up every pass of the united states needs to carry on in the future. prime minister johnson: the cornwall that we will continue with our program to support it, cornwall has a bright future with her as its representative. >> thank you, mr. speaker. people in scotland are suffering because of this cost of living crisis and we're paying a high price for this disastrous brexit that goes against the wishes of scottish military. some can't afford to stay shackled to this crumbling union

and government that we don't work for. does the prime minister not accept that scotland is a democracy? he has no right to overrule the vote of people in scotland and we will have the referendum -- [indiscernible] -- prime minister johnson: mr. speaker, this is the country that secured -- delivered the vaccine in the u.k. while they get on with overtaxing to the tune of $-9d00 million pounds. that's what they're overtaxing in scotland. we had a referendum, mr. speaker in 2014. speaker, in 2014. >> thank you, mr. speaker. i know my friend is aware of how important the seafood industry is. however, there is one cloud on the horizon and that is the recently imposed 35% tariff on whitefish which of course is an industry leader concern. and although they recognize that it's important to maintain

sanctions against russia, this is causing great concern. would my right honorable friend arrange meetings with me and my right honorable friend with the appropriate ministers so we can discuss measures how to mitigate the impact on the industry? prime minister johnson: yes. i think it is very important that we encourage our great fish and chips shops to make sure they're not just using russian fish and chips. >> thank you, mr. speaker. as the prime minister limps off into the history books, his name up there in the pantheon of greats alongside others, can he update us on the honors list? how many of his cronies will he ennoble? can we expect him to surpass carl wilson with a lavendar list of dodgy donors, court ears and

pinchers by nature? prime minister johnson: mr. speaker, i'm sure that everybody who has served this government loyally and well deserves recognition of some kind. as for the -- [indiscernible] -- i'm afraid he'll have to contain his excitement. >> can i just say, that's immoderate language. >> mr. speaker, i'd like to thank the prime minister for his support for the new city of south end. our brilliant hospital turned 90 next tuesday. they put on a heroic staff. conservative-led capital funding to expand the a & e department that was promised five years ago but has not quite raoeufbed. will my right honorable friend

give us the best birthday present ever? and in the words of cuba gooding jr., show me the money. >> i think the prime minister has the message. [talking simultaneously] prime minister johnson: i know the case is under review by the department. but never forget, it's only possible because of the money this country is investing. >> mr. speaker, the prime minister will be remembered as a man of his word. 200,000 deaths, the highest in europe. and business, -- this is the truth. even if you don't like it. there are lessons in the truth. 400,000 fewer people in jobs than before the pandemic. if you include the self-employed which the prime minister doesn't.

will he face to the 3.7 million people who have taken out student loans since this conservative government was in power, who now face inflation in terms of rent, in terms of heating, in terms of eating, who now must pay -- [indiscernible] -- listen to thatrable. listen to them -- to that r abble. listen to them. >> i want to get to the question. i know it's going right to the end, though. 3.7 million people who face 7% interest rates in september, as well as the inflation in rent, when mortgages are 2%. will he help those people in need or the city people who are, his friends, making all this money out of others in crisis? prime minister johnson: mr. speaker, i'll tell you what students want. they want to be able to have --

they don't want to pay back more than they borrow. they want to make sure also that they have a jobs market that will take them on, with high wage, high skill jobs. the difference between them and us is that we get people into high wage, high-skilled jobs, they're prepared to let them languish, mr. speaker. that is the difference. >> final question. >> on behalf of the house, may i thank the prime minister. on behalf of the house, may i thank the prime minister for his record of service. on behalf of some of the most vulnerable people in the country, can i thank him for his insistence on rolling out the astrazeneca which has saved thousands.

on behalf of 17.4 million people who voted brexit, may i thank him for restoring -- fouad -- -- [indiscernible] -- on behalf of northern towns, may i thank him for his commitment. and most of all, on behalf of the people of ukraine, may i thank him for holding high the torch of freedom and ensuring that that country -- with true determination. thank you. prime minister johnson: mr. speaker, i thank my right honorable friend. i want to use the last few seconds to give some words of advice to my successor, whoever he or she may be. number one, stay close to the americans. speak up for the ukrainians. speak up for freedom and democracy everywhere.

deregulate wherever you can to make in the greatest state to live and invest, which it is. remember that if we'd always listened to the treasury, we wouldn't have built the m-at25 r the channel tunnel. focus on the road ahead, but always remember to check the rear-view mirror. and remember, remember, above all, it's not twitter that counts. it's the people that sent us here. and the last few years have been the greatest privilege of my life. and it's true that i helped to get the majority for 40 years and a huge realignment in u.k. politics, mr. speaker. we've transformed our democracy and restored our national independence, as my right honorable friend said. we helped get this country through a pandemic and helped save another country from

basherrism -- barbarism. mission largely accomplished. for now, i want to thank you and i want to thank all of the staff, all my friends and colleague, my right honorable friends. mr. speaker, i want to thank everybody here and hasta la vista, baby. [cheers and applause] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2022] >> breached the line. we need backup.

>> the january 6 committee returns to primetime as they investigate former president trump's response following the initial breach of the capitol. live coverage begins tonight at 8:00 p.m. eastern on c-span, c-span now or online at c-span.org. you can also visit our website, c-span.org/january6, to watch previous hearings and other videos related to that day. c-span, your unfiltered view of government. >> american history tv saturdays on c-span2. exploring the people and events that tell the american story. at 11:00 a.m. eastern, we're marking the 75th anniversary of the c.i.a. with several programs, looking at the central intelligence agency's founding after president harry truman signed the national security act of 1947 into law. we'll feature lectures in

history about the c.i.a. and national intelligence agency during the kennedy administration. also former president george h.w. bush bidding farewell in 1993 to c.i.a. employees during the final days of his presidency. also airing this weekend, at 2:00 p.m. eastern, on the presidency, bob reel with his book, quest for the presidency, where he documents the stories of every presidential campaign from george washington to donald trump. exploring the american story. watch american history tv saturdays on c-span2 and find a full schedule on your program guide. or watch online any time at c-span.org/history. >> c-span now is a free mobile app featuring your unfiltered view of what's happening in washington, live and on-demand. keep up with the day's biggest events with live streams of floor proceedings and hearings from the u.s. congress, white house events, the courts,

campaigns and more from the world of politics. all at your finger tips. you can also stay current with the latest episodes of "washington journal" and find scheduling information for c-span's tv networks and c-span radio, plus a variety of compelling podcasts. c-span now is available at the apple store and google play, download it for free today. c-span now, your first row seat to washington, any time, anywhere. >> the house passed a bill guaranteeing an individual's right to access contraceptives. the final vote was 228-195 with eight republicans joining all democrats in voting yes. the legislation is in response to the supreme court's recent decision to overturn roe v. wade. it now heads to the senate for approval. up next, we'll show you floor debate prior to final passage. this runs about 90 minutes. rder. mr. pallone: madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i mayo