no west virginia versus barnett. the court held that the government could not compel schoolchildren to salute the flag. without independence, there is no steel seizure case, where the court held that president truman was subject to the constitution, even at a time of war. announcer 1: thanksgiving night on c-span, to events with supreme court justices. elana kagan at georgetown law and chief justice john roberts at the university of minnesota. courtbout policy of the and the importance of an independent judiciary, 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. on c-span. next, this week's prime minister's question time from the british house of commons. prime minister theresa may brexit-- addressed the proposal, causing some to hold a vote of no-confidence in the

state of ireland's border after the u.k. exits the european union. this is 45 minutes. [applause] order. questions to the prime minister. mr. andrew. >> question one, mr. speaker. >> thank you, mr. speaker. today is the centenary of the qualification of the women's act, where women were first allowed to stand public office. i am delighted that the first woman to take her seat in the house of commons was a conservative. women are coming from all over the u.k., with every party extending invitations to their constituents. this will be an inspirational day and we hope it will

encourage many other women to stand for office, both locally and nationally. it is appropriate that we are reminded of the significant contribution made to this house by female m.p.'s. i have had meetings with ministerial colleagues, and in addition to my duty, i will have further such meetings later today. >> the prime minister will know that what drives politics has always been a love of country. and a passionate belief in our united kingdom. so i have to tell the prime minister that i agree with the people who are deeply unhappy by the proposed e.u. deal, which they believe does not represent the brexit they voted for. will she now, even at this late stage, please think again and instead lead our country in a

new direction, completely cutting away the tentacles of the e.u. over our cherished island nation once and for all? >> i say to my honorable friend , i think the people across the country who voted to leave the european union voted to bring an end to free movement. they voted to bring an end of -- an end to the jurisdiction of the european court of justice. our deal ends that. they voted to stop sending vast sums of money to the european union every year so we could spend that money on our priorities, and we will be able to do that. priorities like the national health service. but, the european union remains a close trading partner to the united kingdom. as we leave, we want to ensure

we have a good trading relationship with the european union, and we will be able to have an independent trade policy that enables us to make decisions to trade around the rest of the world. my honorable friend is a passionate champion of the united kingdom, but he is also a passionate champion of the links that the united kingdom has around many parts of the world, including the common wealth which can be enhanced , when we leave the european union. >> jeremy corbyn. >> thank you, mr. speaker, and i think you for welcoming our guest to parliament today. a most welcome guest. on the 100th anniversary of the qualification of women's act, i join the prime minister in welcoming all women to parliament today. as part of the ask her to stand campaign. we need a parliament that truly represents the diversity of the whole of this country. now that a number of government ministers have confirmed this morning that leaving the e.u. with no deal is not an option,

does the prime minister agree there are no circumstances under which britain would leave with no deal? >> no. i have for say to the right honorable gentleman, i have consistently made clear on this point. but the point that has been made by a number of my colleagues in relation to the vote that will come before this house on a meaningful vote on a deal from the european union is very simple. if you look at the alternative to having that deal with the colleagues in relation to the vote that will come before this european union, it will either be more uncertainty, more division, or it could risk no brexit at all. >> jeremy corbyn. >> mr. speaker, the prime minister didn't answer the question. is this the final deal or not? the working pension secretary says this is a deal. it has been baked. well, it is half baked.

but other members of the cabinet want to amend the withdrawl agreement. the leader of the house said last week there is, and i quote, still the potential to improve on some of the measures. that's what i'm hoping to help with. can the prime minister clarify whether last week's withdrawl agreement is the final text, or is there another text that is on its way to us? >> i have to say to the right honorable gentleman that he won't get any different answer to this than he has had from me previously. the package of the deal we are negotiating with the european union has two parts to it. there is the leaving part, the withdrawl agreement and the future relationship, which is what is continuing to be negotiated with the european union. they go together as a package. yes, the withdrawl has been agreed in principle. the whole package will be what is brought before this house, will be what is considered at the european union council on sunday. and we continue to negotiate on that future relationship to get

the good deal that we believe is right for the united kingdom, a good deal that protects jobs, protects our union, and protect our security. >> jeremy corbyn. >> the prime minister is apparently heading off to brussels today, but the new brexit secretary is another non-traveling brexit secretary, who is apparently not going with her. i wonder if the post is now an entirely ceremonial one? [laughter] mr. speaker, the prime minister's agreement doesn't specify how much we would have to pay to extend the transition period. can she confirm the choice facing the country would either be the back stop or paying whatever the e.u. asks us to pay to prolong that transition period? >> the right honorable gentleman is wrong on that. the choice we would be facing

if it were the case -- let's just remind ourselves what we are talking about here. we are talking about the guarantee to the people of northern ireland that there would be no hard border between northern ireland and ireland. the choice -- first of all that , is best ensured by getting the future relationship in place by the end of december, 2020. in the event that was not the case for a temporary period and an interim agreement in place, the choice the right honorable gentlemen set out is not the choice before us. yes, there would be the backstop in the protocol. yes, there would be the extension of the implementation. , we have also negotiated that alternative arrangements be in place. the key is they guarantee no hard border between northern ireland and ireland. >> the truth is, the prime minister's idea of taking back control of our money is to hand the e.u. a blank check, and after 2020, no rebate for the u.k. mr. speaker, the e.u.'s trade

deal with canada took seven years to agree. the deal with singapore, eight years, the business secretary said this week, the transition will have to be extended until the end of 2022. outside the e.u., and with no leverage, does the prime minister think she is fooling anyone by suggesting there will be a free trade agreement finalized by december of 2020? >> the future relationship we are negotiating will set out the structure and scope of that deal that will be ensuring we can negotiate in legal text once we leave the european union. but the right honorable gentleman, i think people will have seen from his question previously has shown the problem he has with this deal. he hasn't even read it. he doesn't know what is in it. he says that the problem with the deal, and he would do it differently -- he wants to renegotiate the withdrawl agreement, but as i

say, he hasn't read it. he wants to oppose any deal no matter how good it is for the u.k., but he will accept any european union deal no matter how bad it is for the u.k. and then he wants to use the implementation period that he would vote against to renegotiate the treaty that delivers the implementation period. he said enough of a referendum isn't an issue. but it could be an issue for tomorrow. he doesn't know how he would vote, doesn't know what the issue would be, doesn't know what the question would be. that is not leadership. that is party politics. i am working in the national interests. >> mr. speaker, it is her government that has got us into this shambles, and she knows well, she knows full well that the new parliament -- speaker: order. nobody in this chamber will be shouted down. we have often heard it said

from the respected front benches, that that would be bad behavior. it is happening now. stop it. it won't work. jeremy corbyn. >> mr. speaker, the prime minister knowing full well with a new parliament in place next summer and a new european union commission at the same time, the negotiation of the agreement will have less than a year to do, if she can do what she claims she can. in february, the prime minister said that creating a customs and regulatory border down the irish sea is something that, and i quote, no u.k. prime minister could ever agree to. can the prime minister explain why the back stop agreement would create exactly that border? >> now i have to say to the right honorable gentleman, it would not create exactly that.

from february until in the last few weeks, the european union said that the only answer was a northern ireland customs territory. only answer in relationship to the guarantees of the people of northern ireland. we argued, and we resisted, and we made clear we would not accept the position of the european union, and a few weeks ago, they agreed with our position. they conceded to the united kingdom, so that there will not be a customs border down the irish sea. i think it has become even clearer that the right honorable gentleman doesn't actually know what is in the withdrawal agreement, what is in the outlying decorations. we talk about the second referendum. never mind a second referendum. he hasn't got a first clue. >> with the shambles this government has got into, it is a good idea that other people are not ruling out all options. mr. speaker, there is an entire

protocol, an entire protocol in the withdrawl agreement setting out regulations that apply only to northern ireland. she clearly didn't discuss this draft agreement with the d.u.p. because their brexit , spokesperson said, and i quote, we are clear. we will not be voted for this humiliation. mr. speaker, this deal is a failure. it fails the prime minister's red lines, fails labor six tests, and fails to impress the new northern ireland minister, the new northern ireland minister, who just hours before he was appointed said the deal is dead. instead of giving confidence to millions of people who voted both leave and remain, this half-baked deal fails to give any hope that can bring the country together again.

isn't it the case that parliament will rightly reject this deal, this bad deal? and if the government can't negotiate an alternative, then they should make way for those who can and will. >> the public gave an instruction to leave the european union, and we should all be acting to deliver that. all he wants to do is play party politics. speaker: order, order! you are a cerebral denizen of the house. just a kilis and and -- gesticulation and shouting is way beneath your

pay grade. calm yourself and develop a sense of repose. the senator should not be shouted at. the prime minister should not be shouted out. >> he is promising a deal he can't negotiate. ones telling leave voters thing and remain a voters another. whatever the right honorable gentleman will do, i will act in the national interests. in the national interests. >> prime minister, i am a great supporter of yours, along with the british people i accept what a difficult and tough job you have. there is much in the agreement that i agree with, especially on food and farming, but it is not good enough as it stands. the northern ireland back stop threatens the integrity of the united kingdom and weakens our negotiating position. my farming instincts tell me

i know you do not hand over 39 billion before we get the deal. please, can i ask you, prime minister, to listen to these concerns and renegotiate the deal before we put it on the floor of this house? >> to my honorable friend, he has mentioned the issue of paying over money to the european union. as i have consistently said, as i indicated, i hoped in the first answer i gave to the opposition nothing is agreed , until everything is agreed, and we remain negotiating on that future framework. in relation to the 39 billion pounds, which i would remind my honorable friend is significantly less than the 100 billion pounds the european union were first talking about needing to pay, these are about the legal obligations that united kingdom has. i hope that every member of this house will recognize that the united kingdom is a country that meets the legal obligations that we have.

>> thank you, mr. speaker. can i also welcome the anniversary of the act that gives women the right to be represented in parliament. it is the nationalists that first elected. we can only have success when women are properly represented inside this parliament. yesterday, the prime minister met with the first minister of scotland. the first minister made it clear that there are alternatives to her brexit plan. was the prime minister listening? >> i have to say to my honorable gentleman, of course i heard what the first minister said. the alternative is is for the united kingdom to stay in the single market and the customs union. that is what we will not do. >> and blackford. blackford. >> mr. speaker, this is exasperating. at least staying in the single market and the customs union has

some support. when we look at the report from the u.n. this week -- speaker: order, order. the leader of the scottish national party will be heard. i don't think members will want to hear the question again and again and again. but let's be absolutely clear that -- order! if they shout their heads off, they will have to hear it not once, not twice, but possibly three times. mr. ian blackburn. >> thank you mr. speaker. and the week here, up to a quarter of the people of the united kingdom are living in poverty, something the d.w.p. recognizes. why doesn't the prime minister recognize the scale of the challenge that brexit is only going to make worse? why doesn't the prime minister realize that she has a responsibility to protect jobs and communities in this country? for once, start to listen.

go back to brussels, recognize that we all have an interest in this. to makel work together sure we protect the interests of people in scotland and elsewhere in the united kingdom. make sure that you go back and negotiate. let's keep us in single market and the customs union. >> the right honorable gentleman sets let's work together on this issue. but the position he has and that his party has is one which would frustrate the vote of the british people in relation to leaving the european union. he talks about protecting jobs. that is exactly what the deal that we are proposing does. and he talks also about listening. well perhaps the s.n.p. should listen to the people of scotland, who gave a very clear view that scotland should remain in its most important economic market, the internal market of the united kingdom.

>> thank you, mr. speaker. 20-year-old tommy, and 18-year-old georgia jones were sold ecstasy at the music festival and lost their lives afterwards. as the inquest continues, will they tackle the things that need to be done on the drug dealers that attack our young people? as the inquest and also join me in sending the condolences of the whole house to their families? >> can i say to my honorable friend, i am sure that all members will want to join me to offer their deepest condolences to the families after these tragic deaths. am i right? drugs can devastate lives. it can ruin families. it can damage communities. what our comprehensive drug strategy does is set out a balanced approach of bringing together the police, the health community, and global partners to tackle the elicit drug trade and protect the most vulnerable in our society.

drug enforcement is a fundamental part of that. we are taking a smarter approach to restricting the supply, adapting our approach to reflect changes in criminal activity, using innovative data and technology, and taking coordinated partnership action to tackle drugs alongside other criminal activity. and of course the role of the national crime agency is a key element in dealing with the terrible aspects of drugs that can cause so much harm to people. but of course there is more that we need to do to prevent harm and to prevent tragic death such as those. >> thank you, mr. speaker. over the past three weeks, i have surveyed 42 schools in my constituency. more than 3.4 million pounds will be taken from them, and 6% of these schools have cut staff. the prime minister's claim that austerity is over is as credible as her brexit claim. will the prime minister get a

grip or step aside? >> the honorable gentleman will know we are putting extra money into school funding. he will know we have changed the national funding formula to make that fairer across the country. he would welcome the fact that in the northwest we now see over 895,000 children at good or outstanding schools. that is an increase of over 175,000 children since 2010. the honorable gentleman focuses on the money going into schools. he also needs to look at the outcomes from schools and the excellent work done by our teachers and the children now in good and outstanding schools who weren't under the last labor government. >> thank you, mr. speaker. will my right honorable friend welcoming a teacher

who is visiting us and watching from the public gallery? welcoming doesn't shrink with a grip me that it is not just a question of getting more women into parliament, but encouraging women from all walks of life, especially from disadvantaged and low-income backgrounds, and working-class backgrounds, and does my friend support the initiatives from the foundation to enable more women to access public lives? to my right honorable friend, i am very happy to welcome his constituent. i hope his constituent will consider stand standing for parliament. we talk about diversity in parliament. in relation to getting more women into parliament, but my right honorable friend is also right, we need to ensure we have people from a wide variety of backgrounds and with a wide variety of experience in this chamber. that is a way we get better decisions taken in this chamber. i am pleased that the conservative party has been taking action through work it has done in supporting people to get into politics, encouraging people with a wide range of backgrounds and

a wide range of experience to stand for parliament and represent constituents in this chamber. >> they give very much, mr. speaker. the prime minister has just repeated that voting down her deal risks no brexit at all. does she recognize that far from being a risk, recent polls show that actually a vast majority of people would like no brexit at all, in order to save jobs, protect the environment and ensure our standing in the world. will she acknowledge that the will of the people can change, the will of the people has changed? and will she therefore think that the way forward is a people's vote, or does she think democracy ended on june 23, 2016? >> i would say to the honorable lady that claim is absolutely ridiculous. this parliament gave people the right to choose whether to remain in the european union or leave the european union. people exercise to that boat. we saw numbers of people voting

that we had not seen before. it was a great exercise in democracy and i believe that gave this parliament an instruction we should ensure we leave the european union as the people voted. >> thank you, mr. speaker. there are no people more proudly and passionately british than the people of gibralter. the agreed with trial agreement -- the agreed withdrawal agreement gives important safeguard to them in the effects and protocol. will she make clear that under no circumstances that she permit that text to be reopened to put those safeguards at risk and under no circumstances to try to exclude the people of gibraltar from future agreements? >> we are steadfast as he is in our support for gibralter, its people and economy. we have always been clear that

gibraltar is covered by our exit negotiations and we are committed to fully involve them as we exit the european union. we are seeking a deal that works for the whole european family, and it must work for gibralter, too. we have agreed on a protocol that will form a wider package of agreements between the u.k., spain and gibralter setting out the party commitment to cooperation. i have been clear, we will not exclude gibraltar from the conversations. we want a deal that works for the whole u.k. family and that includes gibraltar. >> because the government snuck out changes to the police scheme, a constable has written to mps describing the impact as devastating. if the government doesn't change tack, it would cost the force 9.2 million pounds. it would mean doing away with 130 police officers or all 250 pcso's. is the prime minister worried about this, or is the chief

constable scaremongering and just crying wolf? >> the honorable gentleman says that the pension changes i think the phrase he used snuck out. that was not the case. this pension issue has been known of, has been known of for i think it is two years that this has been under consideration. so, it is not the case that this has been snuck out. >> thank you, mr. speaker. in all my time as a mortgage broker, when i had a remortgaging client, i never once recommended they stick with a standard variable rate. they had more freedom and could leave the deal without penalties. it was standard and nobody ever wanted it. given my right honorable friend is receiving representations to ditch the deal, will she explained putting aside the , worst-case scenario of no deal, in the very best scenario, they are

bog standard terms, far worse than the tariff taxes we currently enjoy, and which she has negotiated to maintain. >> can i say to my honorable friend, he is right that we want to negotiate a trading deal with european union that is on better terms than the w.t.o. there are many people across this house who want to see a united kingdom negotiating trade deals around the rest of the world, but that are on better than w.t.o. terms. that is best for the united kingdom's economy. if we are negotiating on better than wto terms with the rest of the world, it makes sense to be on better than wto terms with the european union. >> the prime minister said school funding is up, and it is. but pupil numbers are up. costs are up. the institute for fiscal studies says that since 2010 there has been 8% real term per pupil cut.

how can the prime minister expect anybody to trust her on anything when she can't get her numbers right? >> can i say to the honorable lady, as i have said before in this chamber, overall, per pupil funding is being protected in real terms by this government. the core schools budget this year at 42 billion pounds will be its highest ever level. we are protecting through the pupil premium this year. we are giving 2.4 billion to support those who need it most. the core cost is rising 2.6 billion this year to the next. what we have also done is introduced a fair and national funding formula, which ensures we see a fairer distribution of that money across the country. mr. speaker would my right

, honorable friend a firm to this house today and to the president of the commission tonight that as we move to honor the result of the referendum, it will remain our firmest intention to retain the closest possible relationships with our european friends and allies in the very best interests of both? referendum, it will remain our >> can i say to my right honorable friend that i am happy to give that commitment. i think it is important for us to recognize that while we are leaving the european union, we are not leaving europe. we do want to continue to have not just a good trading relationship and a close trading partnership with the european union, but actually we want to continue to have that close security and defense partnership that we have had with the european union and other countries across europe as well. this is what makes sense as my right honorable friend said not just for the u.k., but for all those european union member states as well.

>> speaker, since the modern slavery bill passed, the republic of ireland, northern ireland, and france have joined norway, sweden, and iceland for passing a law that makes us an even more lucrative market for sex traffickers. because we are surrounded by a -- by states that tackled the demand that drives commercial sexual exploitation. in responding to the independent review of her legislation five years on, will she now commit to look seriously at that? >> may i say to the gentleman, he raises a very important issue obviously, and having introduced the modern slavery act, between 2015 and 2017, we have seen a 52% increase in modern slavery offenses prosecuted. there is much to do, but we should respect the change that

authority taken place. he asked specifically about the law. home office has provided funds for research in sex work in england and wales. it will be completed next spring. we believe evidence is final any change in this area. >> can the prime minister assure the house today as she has done on many occasions that the u.k. will be leaving the eu on the 29th of march, 2019, come what may? >> can i thank my honorable friend for the work that she did, as secretary of state for worker pensions. and the work she has done as a minister previously, because the disability scheme had an impact, which she championed and continues to champion and has an impact on the lives of working

people. people who are disabled. and i can give her the assurance that the united kingdom that the united kingdom will leave the european union in the 29th of march, 2019. >> last friday during parliament i visited saint elizabeth's school in my constituency to meet with the school council. the children told me the rising crime levels and falling police officer numbers have made them fearful of using and enjoying their local parks. i visited sat elizabeth's school in my the one near their school. can the prime minister tell the council, and they may be listening today what strategy , the government is deploying to ensure that all young people are safe from crime on our streets and in our public spaces? >> the honorable lady raises an important we want young people point. to be able to feel secure walking to the streets or if they are in a

park and gathering with their friends. what we need to do looking at the concern that was expressed about crime, and particularly, the concern about knife crime and levels of knife crime is tackled in a number of different ways across the board. it is about ensuring we have the right powers for police, in providing education to children about the risks of carrying knives and providing alternatives that are tempted to join gangs. a lot of the crime we see is related to gang activity. this is something that needs to be addressed across the board and i recognize the importance of doing that to make sure people have the safety and confidence that they need. >> speaker, unlike the -- the many briefings, it is clear that the

prime minister and her cabinet to meet the demand of market continuity and market access today with freedom to diverge tomorrow. is it true that as drafted, if we were to exercise regulatory freedom, we would harden, allow the eu to harden the border between ireland. can the prime minister reassure me that this doesn't contain a trap? that if we do diverge, it's doesn't undermine our union. >> first of all, he will know that if it is the case that this , is necessary to have an interim arrangement, provide this guaranty for the border of ireland, there are a number of ways that can be achieved. the backstop is identified in the protocol. the extension of the implementation and alternative arrangements. work is being done on those. i would also say to my honorable friend the backstop is intended

, to be a temporary arrangement. and for that limited period of time, if we -- if you just casts his mind to a practical thought about what would happen, if we were in a situation where the back stop had to be in place for a number of months i think it would be , right for the united kingdom to give this commitment, that we would not have regulations during that period, that we would ensure that we kept that free access for the goods in northern ireland to come to great britain as we committed in the text that is set out. that would be a decision for us here. what is important is we have the means of ensuring that that remains temporary. the best means of doing that is proud we are negotiating the future agreements that will ensure that the backstop is, if it is ever used, remain temporary, and preferably, it is

never used at all. >> thank you, mr. speaker. the united nations has recently joined with radical organizations in condemning the government's failure to address the tragedy, which is poverty. which of the fundamental failures does the prime minister most regret? our failure to fund this fully or the decision to triple the time that those that need a safety net have to wait to receive payment for which they are fully entitled? >> the honorable lady will know that we made changes to the universal credit to make sure people are able to access 100% of their payments at the earliest possible stage. she raises the issue of poverty. let me just give her a few figures. there are one million people fewer in absolute poverty today. a record low. 300,000 fewer children in absolute poverty. a record low.

and there are 637,000 fewer children living in work less households, a record low. that is the impact of universal credit. >> thank you, mr. speaker. a university phd student was arrested when he was leaving the uae, having completed his research into the arab spring and foreign policy. he has now been sentenced to life imprisonment for spying for the united kingdom. a number of us know the irony of a former mi six officer that worked in the office of the hasctive ruler of the uae organized many of the excellent visits from this house to the uae. this is inconsistent with a nation with whom we have a mutual defense accord. will the honorable lady give

and if he is not released, i don't see why we should be committed to their defense. >> i thank you my honorable friend. we are deeply disappointed in the state verdict. i understand how difficult this is for matthew hedges and for his family. we are raising it at the highest level. honorable friend is urgently seeking a court with the foreign minister during his visit to the uae on november 12, he raised the issue with the crown prince, and we -- and the foreign minister. i can assure my honorable friend that the foreign office will remain in close contact with matthew, his family and his lawyer. we will continue to do all we can and to press this matter at the highest level. thank you, mr. speaker. the prime minister is having a rough time at the moment and i'm sure she recognizes -- until she

recognizes there are issues other than brexit we need to be basis, canh, on that i ask the prime minister, on behalf of my constituents, when we are going to get the promised domestic violence bill on the book before the end of the parliamentary session? >> can i send my deepest condolences to the honorable lady's constituent. toould like to pay tribute the fantastic work she does as an ambassador for women's aid. we are committed to transforming the sponsor to domestic violence. we received over 3200 responses. that shows the degree of concern people have about the issue of domestic violence and the recognition of the need to look carefully at the legislation of it. understand that the home office will be publishing a consultation with a draft domestic abuse later this session.

>> all of the evidence shows that diversity delivers better decision-making. over the last hundred years, and this place, 4,503 men have been elected, and just 491 women. i am proud that two of those women became prime minister. but can the right honorable friend share with me what she feels the parliament as well as political parties could be doing to help encourage more of the women with us today as part of campaign to go forward and to stand for elections and join us on these benches? championinger for this cause. this is so important. she is right that greater diversity means we get at her decisions. that is the same for parliament, a business, or any organization. can i also say that we can send

a very clear message from everybody across this house about the significance of the work that an individual member of parliament does. the change they can make to their community. i think being a member of parliament is one of the best jobs in the world and it gives us an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of people. it is an opportunity to be a real voice to those who otherwise would not be heard and it is a real opportunity to take decisions that will lead our country forward and provide a better future for people's children and grandchildren. it is a great job and i encourage all the women who are here today and thinking of the standing stand for parliament, , get elected, make a difference. >> thank you, mr. speaker. in the december joint report between the united kingdom and the european union, it was agreed that northern ireland would have the final stay on whether to diverge from the u.k. single market and was subject to single market european rules

with no say. why has the prime minister deleted all reference to that in the agreement? did she push the delete button? >> he is absolutely right about the report. the issue is what the process would be within the united kingdom to look at this issue of regulation, that would be a matter for the united kingdom to determine both our parliamentary roles, our parliamentary positions on that and what was expressed in the december joint report. as the right honorable gentleman will know, the december joint report referred to a decision being taken by the northern ireland executive and assembly, which we do not have in place today. >> on monday this week, i heard something i never want to hear again. a young woman in her 30's actively researching funeral

plans, because she has cystic fibrosis and there is no cure. this was an event organized by my honorable friend. conversation the -- for the last three years >> by honorable friend has raised an important question in this house before. i recognize the concern about the length of time this issue is being worked on.

the department of health and social care is working with the nhs. they have made the single company.ffer to the they need to work to get this approved, but i will ensure that the concern that she has -- that has been expressed, and i know it fits in relation to this matter, is fully made clear to the department of health and social care and the work they are doing with the pharma company to ensure the result is one which is of benefit to those patients who are looking desperately for this drug. this drug. the withdrawal agreement. it says that in the event of deadlock in the arbitration panel. they have the decisive vote. i know they are close to that industry.

the crucial decisions of natural importance. the things that you put in place. it does say in the withdrawal agreement are the names i think that they are given with five individuals. >> c-span's washington journal, live every day with news and policy issues that impact you. coming up thursday, thanksgiving morning, we are getting your reaction to our question -- what should be america's role in the world? join the conversation all morning with your phone calls, facebook comments, and tweets. . washington journal.

join the discussion. c-span,sgiving night on to events with supreme court justices. kagan at georgetown long and john roberts at the university of minnesota. they will talk about policy perceptions of the court and the importance of an independent judiciary a. that it's 8:00 p.m. here on c-span. who was martin van buren? good question. a lot of people probably need to ask that question. martin van buren was the eighth president of the united states and he is often forgotten. his presidency was only four years long. >> sunday on q&a, ted witmer on his biography of martin van buren. >> he would spend a lot of time with denver, hamilton's murderer, and there were even rumors, persistent throughout

the life of martin van buren, so persistent that gore vidal planted them in his novel that martin van buren may have been ,he illegitimate son of and are and you know, we don't know. john quincy adams once wrote in , that martinsaw it van buren looks a lot like aaron burr and acts a lot like aaron burr. always trying to organize factions and get southerners and northerners in political alliances together. >> sunday night at 8:00 eastern on c-span's q&a. next, dr. priscilla chan on the chan zuckerberg initiative. she spoke at the annual techcrunch disruptions for san francisco. dr. chan is a pediatrician and wife of mark zuckerberg.