Benefits: EU Nationals

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean Excerpts

Monday 7th November 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord Freud]

I have already made my position on that absolutely clear.

[Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean]

My Lords, everybody has sympathy with a Minister when they are taken off brief, but does the Minister understand that, in this House, he answers not just for his department but for the Government? I think we would all be grateful if he would undertake to give the noble Lord, Lord Forsyth, an answer, perhaps in written form at a later date. Is the Minister aware that he is accountable to this House and that, when he is asked a question which is reasonable, it is not up to him to say that he is just not going to answer it?

[Lord Freud]

My Lords, my responsibility is to answer questions in this particular area, which I am very happy to do. If noble Lords have a question in this area, I will be delighted to answer it.