Business of the House

Alan Brown Excerpts
Thursday 3rd November 2016

(8 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I aim to move on to the next business at midday.

Alan Brown Portrait Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP)
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Will the Leader of the House make a statement explaining why the Government can give a £4.6 billion loan guarantee to Thames Water but will not provide loan guarantees to the oil and gas industry?

David Lidington Portrait Mr Lidington
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As the Prime Minister said yesterday, the Government provide a range of measures through the tax system that help to support oil and gas businesses in the United Kingdom. There is also the economic reality that the global price for hydrocarbons has fallen very sharply in recent years, and it is never possible to insulate any industry completely from that kind of movement.