House of Commons
Parliament

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Labour's George Howarth says the artificial pancreas has the potential to transform the lives of those with Type 1 diabetes, and he asks for ways to increase access to diabetes technology.

David Lidington says he recognises the work that Mr Howarth has put into campaigning on diabetes. The government is committed to providing the best possible care and treatment of people with diabetes, he says.

House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative Simon Hoare asks if the government will agree with the National Farmers Union that people should not use sky lanterns, especially during such a dry harvest.

David lidington says he salutes the incredible work of fire fighters dealing with wild fires in the last couple of weeks and encourages organisers of events to exercise caution and follow guidance to prevent risk of fire from lanterns and fireworks.

House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative Julian Sturdy says there is concern in his York Outer constituency over planning applications for fracking.

David Lidington says shale gas has the potential to boost energy output and create thousands of jobs. He says the government will open consultations on fracking sites over the summer and will ensure that communities and the environment are protected where fracking takes place.

House of Commons
Parliament

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The SNP's Westminster Leader Ian Blackford says that today is the 23rd anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide. He asks for a commitment from the government on a debate before the summer recess on not allowing genocide to happen again.

Mr Lidington says that this reminds us of the "horror" of 23 years ago. He says that the UK has moved "a long way in 23 years" but there is importance in "continuing work and effort".

Mr Blackford says that the world we live in today is a "dangerous one". He says that tomorrow the US President will "regretfully" have the red carpet rolled out for him. He asks for the prime minister to challenge him on human rights, his "repugnant" attitude towards women and his treatment of migrants.

Mr Lidington says that the UK's relationship with America is probably the closest between anywhere in the west. He says that due to security co-operation with the US, there are UK citizens who are alive today who otherwise may not have been. He says it is "right" that the UK welcomes the elected president of the US tomorrow.

House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative Andrew Rosindell says the mayor of London has failed to tackle crime and asks the government to intervene to make London the safest city in the world. He cites the increase in moped-related crime.

David Lidington says the police are using new tactics such as off-road bikes to tackle these new types of crime.

He says "It's not just a press release from the Mayor's office, action is what this government is delivering."

Mark D'Arcy
Parliamentary Correspondent

Emily Thornberry opens with a delicate swipe at Boris Johnson, praising the late Lord Carrington for his resignation as Foreign Secretary, in the wake of the Falklands invasion.

And she follows up with a nicely crafted comparison between the England football team and the UK cabinet….. "Reservoir Dogs remade by the Chuckle Brothers" was a nice, pre-prepared jibe too.

But she also slipped in outright support for a Customs Union….and in turn David Lidington gets into the detail of customs arrangements, to be met with the claim that the Chequers proposal is a “delusion” and amounts to a customs union in all but name.

She’s hammering away at Tory backbench (and indeed cabinet) sensitivities on post-Brexit customs, and Mr Lidington has to venture onto dangerous ground in response.

Everyone’s so engrossed, that she gets an extra question beyond the normal six.

Mark D'Arcy
Parliamentary Correspondent

Formidable from Thornberry – even though she is cut off by the Speaker before reaching her punchline in that last question.

David Lidington is too sure-footed to get into real trouble, but her questions may have stoked Tory disquiet about the Chequers deal… which was the aim of the exercise.

House of Commons
Parliament

Emily Thornberry says that David Lidington previously said that a yes-no referendum would not represent the "breadth of views" that people have in the UK on the EU.

She asks when he stopped "agreeing with himself," she says that the government has lost an opportunity to come up with a sensible plan. She says the government has made a "dogs' Brexit" of the proposals.

Mr Lidington says the government has a "comprehensive set of proposals" which will "deliver for British business" and deliver "what people voted for in the referendum".

He asks Labour to work together in the national interest "instead of carping from the sidelines".

House of Commons
Parliament

Emily Thornberry asks why China would accept a one way deal on services - and she says they would not.

It's a Brexit dream with no grip on reality, she says.

There is an alternative, she says: for the government to accept the alternative and instead of negotiating a half-baked version of the customs union, "get on and negotiate the real thing".

David Lidington says Ms Thornberry is silent about what the Labour party proposes. The plan to stay in the customs union prevents the UK striking new trade deals, because it binds the UK to the EU.

"The Labour party used to say that they respected the referendum result. But now they are toying with the idea of a second referendum.

"Nothing could be better calculated to undermine our negotiating position," he says.

"The country made a decision and we should now get on with the task in hand."

House of Commons
Parliament

Emily Thornberry says Mr Lidington "cannot admit the truth" that the Chequers proposal is a "delusion". She says it's a customs union in all but name.

She asks why a country would agree to import more from the UK under the arrangement.

Mr Lidington says the shadow foreign secretary has misunderstood and claims that flexibility matters most in services for future trading possibilities and the white paper proposals will reduce the risk of unwanted interference from Brussels.

House of Commons
Parliament

Emily Thornberry says the minister has said that the Chequers proposal requires no new technology and no tracking of goods. She asks how this is possible if there is no divergence with the EU on tariffs and regulation.

Mr Lidington says that "as a sensible government" the government is considering what new technologies can do for the border.

House of Commons
Parliament

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Emily Thornberry says she was hoping David Lidington would explain in practice how the customs agreement would work.

Every EU member state would have to apply the correct tariff to imports depending if they are destined for the UK - and then track every import, she says.

Who will pay and how much will it cost - and how will it work? she asks.

Mr Lidington says the customs arrangement would only affect imports to this country from non-EU member states.

House of Commons
Parliament

Emily Thornberry says even Donald Trump can see the government is in turmoil "and he hasn't even got to Britain yet".

The shadow foreign secretary describes the government's Brexit handling as "Reservoir Dogs remade by the Chuckle Brothers".

David Lidington says more Brexit detail will be given in tomorrow's white paper and businesses will be pleased.

House of Commons
Parliament

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Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry pays tribute to Lord Carrington "who served his country with such distinction". She says his resignation as foreign secretary would be remember as an act of "principle and great honour".

She wishes England the best at the World Cup, but admits that she will not be watching the match tonight. She says England works best together as a "team" and when there is a "clear game plan".

She asks what lessons the England team "could teach this shambles of a government".

Mr Lidington says that the England team does teach some "important lessons" such as having a "clear plan" for which the team captain has the full support "of the squad in delivering".

He says that tomorrow the government will publish its white paper on the plan for Brexit.

He asks for the Labour Party's plan for Brexit as it is "one of the best kept secrets" in British politics.

House of Commons
Parliament

SNP MP Chris Stephens brings up the issue of contaminated blood and says he is worried that the inquiry is being delayed. Mr Stephens raises the issue of Maxwellisation, the practice in English and Scots law that allows persons who are to be criticised in an official report to respond prior to publication.

David Lidington says he understands that there is a need for speed in the inquiry.

House of Commons
Parliament

PMQs is under way with David Lidington, the Cabinet Office minister, standing in for the PM.

Looks slightly less full than normal in the Chamber - but there are cheers for Mr Lidington as he stands to tell MPs that the prime minister is at the Nato summit.

And he pays tribute to Lord Carrington, who died this week. You can read about his life here.

He also pays tribute to those who rescued the boys in Thailand from the cave in which they were stranded.

Finally - he wishes the England team well and he offers to buy Labour Emily Thornberry a St George's flag.

House of Commons
Parliament

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Liberal Democrat Jamie Stone asks what discussions have been had with the culture secretary on improving telecommunications in rural Scotland.

Mr Mundell says he looks forward to working closely with the new secretary of state on this.

Mr Stone asks for Mr Mundell to consider working to allow other providers to access broadband infrastructure.

Mr Mundell gives him assurance that he will do that.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Chair Hilary Benn ties up this sitting with one last comment about the government's yet-to-be-published Brexit plans.

"If that's what we can do before the white paper, imagine what we'll be able to do after," he says.