Budget Leak Inquiry Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: HM Treasury

Budget Leak Inquiry

Baroness Burt of Solihull Excerpts
Thursday 22nd March 2012

(12 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts

Urgent Questions are proposed each morning by backbench MPs, and up to two may be selected each day by the Speaker. Chosen Urgent Questions are announced 30 minutes before Parliament sits each day.

Each Urgent Question requires a Government Minister to give a response on the debate topic.

This information is provided by Parallel Parliament and does not comprise part of the offical record

David Gauke Portrait Mr Gauke
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I am not sure that there was a question there, but I thank the hon. Gentleman for his views. The Government clearly authorised some information to be put out in advance of the Budget. For example, there was a speech by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister makes speeches from time to time; I am not sure that people should be getting upset about that.

Baroness Burt of Solihull Portrait Lorely Burt (Solihull) (LD)
- Hansard - -

Does my hon. Friend agree that it is rank hypocrisy on the part of Opposition Members to accuse this Government of leaking? Can my hon. Friend remember how many times the Labour Government held inquiries into leaks about their Budgets?

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

Order. Let us be absolutely clear about this. The hon. Lady can make a general charge. She cannot and will not make a personal charge against an individual Member in any part of the House. I trust that the hon. Lady is not accusing the hon. Member for Nottingham East (Chris Leslie) on the Opposition Front Bench of hypocrisy.

Baroness Burt of Solihull Portrait Lorely Burt
- Hansard - -

indicated dissent.

David Gauke Portrait Mr Gauke
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I, too, want to be very careful and not accuse the hon. Gentleman of hypocrisy, but there are dangers of inconsistency.