Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Amber Rudd Excerpts
Thursday 31st March 2011

(13 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Vince Cable Portrait Vince Cable
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I would not presume to make that kind of differentiation: it is their choice and they will both be considered by OFFA in due course. I would, however, single out Oxford for compliment, because of its ambitious programme for fee remission.

Amber Rudd Portrait Amber Rudd (Hastings and Rye) (Con)
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Although I am irrepressibly optimistic about future growth in Hastings, I was stunned to find last week that, on the index of multiple deprivation, we had fallen from 31 to 19. May I therefore urge the Minister to give careful consideration to stimulating areas of the south-east that have particular deprivation problems, and not to concentrate all the tools from his toolbox on the north-east region?

Mark Prisk Portrait Mr Prisk
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That is an image that I will not pursue. I am well aware that coastal towns in particular often feel that they are at the end of the economic line. I would welcome the opportunity to talk to parliamentary colleagues about that to see how we can focus in on this important issue.