Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Maude of Horsham and Kris Hopkins

Wednesday 19th June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Maude]

Repeated reports show that the best protection that can be given to individuals, households and businesses is basic online hygiene and safety. We have increased spending on cyber-security at a time of great financial stringency, and we are generally regarded as being well placed in the international rankings on cyber-security, but there is absolutely no room for complacency.

[Kris Hopkins (Keighley) (Con)]

T4. Keighley town council is currently running a £160,000 deficit and has a liability of £1 million. Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is no accountable body for town councils and therefore no one to protect taxpayers’ money? Will he look at this issue as a matter of urgency?

[Mr Maude]

I am sure that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government will have taken note of the concern that my hon. Friend raises, but I have always thought that town councils were meant to be accountable to the residents of the town.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Maude of Horsham and Kris Hopkins

Wednesday 6th February 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Maude]

We have regular discussions at official and ministerial level with the civil service unions, which, for the most part, have adopted a constructive approach and want the change to be introduced as smoothly as possible. Those discussions continue.

[Kris Hopkins (Keighley) (Con)]

9. What progress he has made on his plans for the National Citizen Service.

Party Funding

Debate between Lord Maude of Horsham and Kris Hopkins

Monday 26th March 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Maude]

Party funding needs to be reformed—we have all said that—and it now will be, I hope, if we can get genuine engagement addressing the issues that blocked reform last time.

[Kris Hopkins (Keighley) (Con)]

Will my right hon. Friend assure me that any review of party funding will seek to eliminate any influence that donors might have on selecting parliamentary candidates?

[Mr Maude]

I look forward to the Leader of the Opposition expressing wholehearted enthusiasm for that, but somehow I do not think it likely.