Economic Affairs and Work and Pensions

Debate between Lord Darling of Roulanish and Claire Perry

Tuesday 8th June 2010 Commons Chamber

[Richard Harrington]

rose—

[Claire Perry (Devizes) (Con)]

rose—

[Mr Darling]

I shall give way to the hon. Lady. It might be a mistake, but I will.

[Claire Perry]

I thank the shadow Chancellor for giving way. May I say that as a bystander, rather than a participant, in the last Parliament, I was always struck by his excellent manners? As a mother of three children, I am very hot on manners. In particular, when my children make a mess that I have to clear up, I encourage them to say sorry. Would the shadow Chancellor like to apologise to the Government and the people of Britain for the mess he has left for this Government to clean up?

[Mr Darling]

I am glad that I gave way to the hon. Lady for at least the first part of her intervention. I do not agree with her on the second part, but I should like to address that point now. It is true that our borrowing has risen very substantially—