Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park Excerpts

Thursday 7th February 2013 Commons Chamber

[Zac Goldsmith (Richmond Park) (Con)]

I am sure my right hon. Friend agrees that it serves no good purpose at all in the context of certainty to delay airport decisions until way after the next election. Will he confirm that he has put pressure on his colleagues in government to use the opportunity of the interim report at the end of this year to provide clarity for businesses, residents and communities?

[Vince Cable]

I know that the hon. Gentleman shares many of my concerns about airport expansion. The wider national interest must be safeguarded and we have commissioned Sir Howard Davies to do a proper and thorough investigation into the extremely difficult issues associated with Heathrow expansion.

Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park Excerpts

Thursday 13th January 2011 Commons Chamber

[Vince Cable]

That is an utterly absurd question. The hon. Gentleman knows that after the massive banking crisis that happened under the last Government as a result of poor supervision of an overweight banking sector, this Government are trying to introduce measures to make it more stable and to contribute to the real economy. That will happen; it did not happen under the last Government.

[Zac Goldsmith (Richmond Park) (Con)]

Following the coalition’s commitment to phasing out fossil fuel subsidies via the Export Credits Guarantee Department, has any progress been made on agreeing a definition of such subsidies?

[Mr Davey]

I believe that officials are discussing the matter with other Departments that are involved in it. I will certainly write to the hon. Gentleman.