(12 years, 1 month ago)
Commons Chamber Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo)
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo) 
        
    
        
    
        Order. There is a seven-minute time limit on Back Bench contributions. It may be necessary to revise that time limit down, depending on how we proceed.
 Madam Deputy Speaker
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Madam Deputy Speaker 
        
    
        
    
        When the occupant of the Chair stands, Members are supposed to sit. Now that I have finished speaking I will sit down, the hon. Gentleman can stand up and I will call him.
(14 years, 11 months ago)
Commons Chamber Richard Harrington (Watford) (Con)
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Richard Harrington (Watford) (Con) 
        
    
        
    
        The point needs to be made that the Minister has explained that a significant extra cost would be involved in making this a national programme. As the Member of Parliament for Watford, an area that faces significant unemployment problems, I would say that it would be very nice to have this programme, but the Minister has explained that the cost involved would be more £660 million. I am pleased to see this principle being used, because I believe that selective regional policy can be used in the future. I hope that the Government’s localisation agenda will mean that holidays and similar tax benefits for rates will be extended to specific areas. But for the moment, because of the mess that the Labour Government left us with—
 Madam Deputy Speaker
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Madam Deputy Speaker 
        
    
        
    
        Order. The hon. Gentleman will resume his seat. Interventions are supposed to be brief.