Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Harrington of Watford and Debbie Abrahams

Tuesday 8th January 2019 Commons Chamber

[Richard Harrington]

I certainly can, and I welcome the deal proposals that have been put forward by both the offshore wind and the offshore oil and gas sectors.

[Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddle- worth) (Lab)]

24. It is almost a year since Carillion collapsed, leaving losses to small business supply chains of more than £2 billion. My constituent, Neil Skinner, was among those affected. Will the Minister and the Government support my ten-minute rule Bill, which is coming to the House next week and would introduce project bank accounts for all public sector contracts in order to prevent such losses to small businesses?

[Richard Harrington]

I am sure that the hon. Lady will be delighted to know that we are working closely with the sector. I have some experience of project bank accounts in the construction sector and I have seen them work. We will look very carefully at this.