House of Lords
Parliament

Health Minister Lord Prior of Brampton replies that the undiagnosed HIV rate has fallen to from 17 % to 13% over the course of the last year.

He adds that it is "extraordinary" how HIV has been transformed from being a fatal disease to a "chronic" one. 

Lib Dem Baroness Walmsley raises concern that the undiagnosed rate outside of London is far higher than the rate inside the capital. 

Lord Prior replies that he was unaware of the difference and says he will look into it. 

House of Commons
Parliament

SNP Commons business spokesperson Pete Wishart asks for a debate on cake and the "perennial question" of whether it can be kept and eaten simultaneously - a reference to photographed notes in Downing Street.

This conundrum is at the very heart of this government's "clueless" Brexit strategy, he says.

Meanwhile "over a generous slice of Battenburg", Mr Wishart says the foreign secretary is simultaneously for and against freedom of movement. 

He muses that the Leader of the House and the prime minister might like the foreign secretary to "have his cake and possibly choke on it too".

Mr Wishart also uses one of his favourite words to describe government policy - "shambles" to describe the "English votes for English laws" provisions in the Commons, saying that he, a Scottish MP, holds the record for contributions in the new Legislative Grand Committee stage. 

House of Lords
Parliament

Image source, Science Photo Library

Baroness Gould of Potternewton opens oral questions by asking how the government is ensuring that people with undiagnosed HIV are reached.

A BBC investigation in October found that hospitals and GPs were failing to carry out recommended HIV checks.

According to public health figures, an estimated 1100,000 people have HIV but 17% are unaware of it.

Today is World Aids Day, which raises awareness for those suffering from Aids, a consequence of untreated HIV.

In the UK, most people now diagnosed with HIV have a normal life expectancy.

House of Commons
Parliament

Leader of the House David Lidington responds to the comments of his shadow and accuses her of "playing to the gallery" when she talks about benefit sanctions, saying that the current system has existed since 1996.

"The Labour Party in government realised that a benefits sanction system was necessary," he says, and accuses the party of "flinching" from this in opposition.

On the issue of science, he says the government recognises that links with universities and scientific institutions in Europe and around the world are "critical" in maintaining the "strength and vitality" of UK Science. 

This will be a "very important element" of the UK government negotiations, he says.

House of Commons
Parliament

Shadow Leader of the House Valerie Vaz is now responding to the business statement outlining future business of the Commons, that has just been given by Leader of the House of Commons David Lidington. 

She calls for a government statement on evidence that benefits sanctions work and for a vote on the Boundaries Bill. 

Ms Vaz also calls for more commitment to UK science, saying that unlike our competitors "we are standing still - frozen by Brexit", warning that research and development in science relies on "networks of cooperation" with partners in the EU.  

She says the government needs to protect "our shared culture and intellectual heritage".  

The shadow leader also praises the anniversary of a "Labour success" of keeping museums free, and quotes figures that demonstrate the increased use of museums that this policy enabled. 

Sean Curran
Parliamentary correspondent

The UK could continue to pay into the EU budget, after Britain has left the European Union, in return for access to the single market, the Brexit Secretary, David Davis, has told the Commons. 

Labour MP Wayne David, asked the minister if the government would "consider making any contribution, in any shape of form, for access to the single market?" 

David Davis said that the government wanted to get the best possible access for goods and services to the European market and told MPs, "if that is included in what he's talking about then of course we would consider it".

House of Commons
Parliament

Eurosceptic Conservative MP Peter Bone says that in the referendum the British people voted to leave the EU -  "no ifs, no buts".

He asks if the secretary of state agrees with him that whether it is done by royal prerogative or by legislation, "Article 50 will be triggered by the 31st of March".

"Yes," is the one-worded reply from David Davis.

Tory MP David Nuttall follows this by asking the government to "reject advice" for a second referendum as it seeks to "reverse the decision" of the British people.

Such a referendum he argues would "only serve to undermine public trust in this House and in our democracy".

Minister David Jones says "there will be no second referendum".

House of Lords
Parliament

Oral questions will begin at 11am. Topics include three questions on HIV (today is World Aids Day) and one on flood defences.

The rest of the afternoon is taken up with three debates.

The first is on the UK's future relations with the EU following Brexit. The second looks at proposals for longer term reform of the system.

Finally we have a debate which address ways to keep children safe online.

House of Commons
Parliament

On a question relating to conversations with the science and technology sector on priorities for its negotiations on the UK leaving the EU, Conservative MP Cheryl Gillan asks the minister to clarify an issue about the European Space Agency, external (ESA).

Ms Gillan says the UK has been "one of the leaders and most successful exploiters of space technology" and says it is vital that this support continues. 

She asks the minister to clarify that the ESA is entirely independent and not an EU organisation and that UK membership and participation will continue as will UK involvement in space research. 

Exiting the EU Minister Robin Walker says the UK space industry is a "global success story" and says the government wants the industry to captures 10% of the global market by 2030 creating 100,000 new jobs.

He also confirms that the UK will remain a member of ESA.

Key quotes from non-UK figures on Britain's decision to leave the EU.

House of Commons
Parliament

The SNP's Europe spokesperson Stephen Gethins and the shadow secretary for Exiting the EU Sir Keir Starmer both mention the reported comments by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on the UK's negotiating position.

Mr Gethins refers to "bumbled diplomacy" and Sir Keir says there is an unofficial running commentary on the UK's negotiating position in the form of leaked memos, notes caught on camera and "the near constant comments of the foreign secretary to anyone who'll listen to him". 

David Davis says that the foreign secretary believes "some immigration is useful" but thinks there is "a problem" with current free movement arrangements.

Mr Davis also accuses Remain supporters of "scaring people".

Claims that the foreign secretary told at least four EU ambassadors that he supports freedom of movement, external have been dismissed as a “total lie” by sources close to the Foreign Secretary, according to the Independent, external.

Several high-ranking diplomats said Mr Johnson had indicated he was personally in favour of allowing free work and travel for all EU citizens.

House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative MP Alistair Burt says that between the phrase "Brexit means Brexit" and a full detailed dossier of negotiation, "there is quite a bit of room".

He asks the government for some clarity to deal with the current uncertainty, such as the publishing of the government's "high level objectives".

Exiting the EU Secretary David Davis says "Brexit means Brexit" was "an interesting phrase at the beginning of this exercise" and is a long way short of what has now been said.

He says that the government aims to achieve maximum possible access to the single market and that the government want the replicate current arrangements with the EU on justice and home affairs. 

Mr Davis says it is important to respect all of the implications of the referendum and pledges to keep MPs "at least as well informed as the European Parliament" will be.

House of Commons
Parliament

Shadow exiting the EU minister Jenny Chapman says that the minister must have "mispoken" in the answer to an earlier question when he called the regions of England "a European construct". 

The MP for Darlington says: "I can assure him that where I come from In the North East they are something of which we are very proud."

Ms Chapman says the government is suffering from a "special kind of narcissism"  in thinking it can negotiate without involving regional players. 

"If there will be so much money flowing post-Brexit, why is it that the government refuses to guarantee every penny of regional funding now?" she asks. 

Minister David Jones agrees it is important to consult people, and says this is "precisely what we are doing". He goes on to say the government is aiming for a "proper reasonable Brexit" rather than the "hasty Brexit she is advocating".  

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, PA

Labour MP Chi Onwurah asks the first question of the morning on further devolution of power and resources from Whitehall to local communities as part of the department's preparations for the UK exiting the EU.

Minister David Jones says the referendum result was a "vote to take back control", and says the government "continues to champion" devolution to local government. 

Ms Onwurah tells MPs that Newcastle, her seat, voted to Remain but the North East voted Leave. But, she says, "no one voted to replace regional EU support with centralised Whitehall neglect".

David Jones says the government is making "huge strides" towards rebalancing the economy and the empowering of local government through devolution of powers away from Whitehall. 

House of Commons
Parliament

MPs start bright and early at 9.30am this morning with questions to ministers from the Department for Exiting the European Union.

The weekly statement on upcoming business in the House of Commons from Leader of the House David Lidington will come after that at 10.30am.

The main business of the day is two backbench business debates; the first on transgender equality, and the second on the future of the UK fishing industry.

The adjournment debate will be led by Conservative MP Christopher Chope on the proposed abolition of Christchurch and East Dorset councils.