Business of the House Debate

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Department: Leader of the House
Thursday 23rd September 2021

(2 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Rosie Winterton Portrait Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Rosie Winterton)
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We need to speed up a little, in both questions and answers, if we are to get everybody in, as I would like.

Alexander Stafford Portrait Alexander Stafford (Rother Valley) (Con)
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I know the Leader of the House is an avid reader of the Worksop Guardian, so he will have been astounded to find out that South Yorkshire police underspent their budget by £2 million. Does he agree that the Labour police and crime commissioner has no excuse not to reopen Dinnington police station, which was closed to save £14,000 a year? Can we have a debate in Government time to ensure that happens?

Jacob Rees-Mogg Portrait Mr Rees-Mogg
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My hon. Friend knows that locally elected police and crime commissioners are responsible for their allocated budget. I am afraid that I am rather austere when it comes to public spending, and I think it is a good thing if people underspend rather than overspend, so I might not give him the most helpful answer. I would encourage him to campaign locally with the police and crime commissioner on the important issue of keeping police stations open.