Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Here are all the questions Theresa May dodged at the first PMQs back after summer recess

The PM did not always give straight answers

Jon Stone
Wednesday 07 September 2016 17:02 BST
Comments
Theresa May at PMQs
Theresa May at PMQs (PA)

Theresa May took her first PMQs after the summer recess today, facing down backbenchers and Jeremy Corbyn.

The PM continued her run of dodging questions on a variety of subjects.

Here are the questions Ms May dodged, laid out in full alongside her answers.

Single market

Those who voted to Remain in the EU were more likely to live in areas that had received higher levels of public funding per capita, new research has found (AFP/Getty Images)

Angus Robertson: Does she want the UK to remain fully within the European single market?

Theresa May did not say whether she wanted the UK to remain in the single market.

“What I want for the UK is that we put into practice the vote that was taken by the people of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union, that we get the right deal for trade in goods and services with the European Union in the new relationship that we will be building with it, and that we introduce control over the movement of people from the European Union into the United Kingdom,” she said.

“I say to the right hon Gentleman that we can approach the vote that took place on 23 June in two ways. We could try to row back on it, have a second referendum and say that we did not really believe it, but actually we are respecting the views of the British people. More than that, we will be seizing the opportunities that leaving the European Union now gives us to forge a new role for the United Kingdom in the world.”

Boundary review

A polling station for the Referendum on the European Union in Etherow country park, Stockport (Reuters)

Jeff Smith: “Nearly 2 million people signed up to vote in the European Union referendum earlier this year. It is surely right that constituencies are based on the actual electorate who want to vote, so is the Prime Minister not concerned that the boundary review is going ahead next week without including those 2 million voters?”

Theresa May did not say whether she would support using the latest electoral roll figures for the boundary review.

“Parties from across this House supported the proposal that the Boundary Commission would follow this timetable and would bring forward these proposals, and that by 2018 those Boundary Commission proposals would be put in place. All parties supported that, and I continue to support it.”

Dualling the A2 to Dover

Lines of traffic queue to enter the port of Dover on the south coast of England on July 24, 2016. (AFP/Getty)

Charlie Elphicke: “Will she support my campaign to make sure that we get better infrastructure to the channel ports, starting with the lorry park and car park on the M20, dualling the A2 and getting some proper motorways to Dover?”

Theresa May did not say whether she would support dualling the A2 or not.

“On the possible dualling of the A2, he is right to say that we want to support local infrastructure to be able to handle the growth in traffic, particularly given that there are expansion plans for the port. I assure him that Dover will be considered as part of the planning for the next road investment strategy.”

School cuts

Up to 30 per cent of children are starting school with symptoms typically associated with dyslexia, dyspraxia, and ADHD – conditions which can be improved with the correct levels of physical activity, according to researchers (Getty)

Helen Hayes: “Will she … provide reassurance to my constituents and to children across London … that funding for schools in London will not be cut by up to 20 per cent?”

Theresa May would no guarantee that school funding would not be cut.

“We will be aiming to ensure that every child has the education that is right for them and the opportunities that are right for them. It is right that we look at the national funding formula, but that will be done carefully to see what the impact will be across all parts of the country.”

Hospital building

Doctors operate a patient at the one-day surgery department of the French hospital institut Curie specialized in cancer treatment, on November 4, 2014 in Paris. AFP PHOTO/DOMINIQUE FAGET (AFP/Getty)

Tom Brake: “Will she agree to earmark the first two weeks of the £350 million that will be available each week post-Brexit to spend on the reconstruction of my hospital?”

Theresa May did not pledge the money for St Helier hospital

“The right hon. Gentleman’s question tempts me to go down a number of routes in answering him. What I will say is that I recognise the importance of his local hospital trust, and I am pleased to say that, over the past six years, we have seen more doctors and more nurses in that trust able to provide more services and more facilities. Indeed, since 2010, the capital spend in the trust has been £72.7 million. We will be looking to ensure that we provide the health service that is right for everyone in this country.”

Dangerous driving law

A photo of police tape. (Larry W Smith/Getty)

Jim Dowd: “Is the Prime Minister aware of the widespread public concern that the law on causing death by dangerous driving is wholly inadequate? Will she undertake a review of both its suitability and its applicability as the courts implement it?”

The Prime Minister said only that the MoJ was looking at the issue but did not commit to a fully review.

“I am aware of the concern that there is about the law on dangerous driving. The daughter of constituents of mine was killed as a result of dangerous driving, and they have raised concerns with me specifically about their case. This is a matter which, I believe, the Ministry of Justice is looking at.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in