Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Hammond of Runnymede and Rob Marris

Tuesday 18th April 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hammond]

I am not going to take any lectures from the hon. Gentleman on regional awareness, but perhaps he should speak to the Mayor of London, who has a view on infrastructure investment and what should drive it. The Government are clear that we need to spread infrastructure investment around the country in a way that will tackle the productivity challenge. One of the ways we will tackle it is by harvesting the benefits of our city regions in the west midlands, in the northern powerhouse and elsewhere, which evidence across the developed world has shown can be major drivers of productivity improvement. That is what we have to focus on.

[Rob Marris (Wolverhampton South West) (Lab)]

5. What representations he has received on the Government’s proposals to increase probate registry fees.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Hammond of Runnymede and Rob Marris

Tuesday 28th February 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hammond]

I agree that when a man is tired of London he should visit Somerset. Although tourism growth across the UK is indeed very welcome, and the Government will look at all opportunities to support it, reducing VAT would cost up to £10 billion, which is money that is needed to underpin our public services and to help to deal with our deficit.

[Rob Marris (Wolverhampton South West) (Lab)]

I am glad that the Chancellor is in listening mode on the mess created by the Government on business rates. Can I urge him similarly to be in listening mode on the potential mess that will be created by the provisions of the Local Government Finance Bill on funding local authorities?

[Mr Hammond]

I will take the hon. Gentleman’s comments as a Budget submission, and I will pass them on to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.