Economy: Public Sector Net Borrowing

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean Excerpts

Monday 14th July 2014 Lords Chamber

[Lord Newby]

My Lords, I agree with the noble Lord. The relationship between debt and GDP is set to rise for a number of years more, even as we continue to reduce the deficit.

[Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean (Lab)]

My Lords, given that the Minister answers for the whole House, and given that this Question is about savings and the economy, can he please tell us why a Statement has not been made to the House, yet the Prime Minister spoke this morning at the Farnborough air show about budgetary savings that have led, apparently, to extra expenditure on counterterrorism and cybersecurity? The Prime Minister said that these were very important announcements, and they were indeed. Should they not have been made to Parliament?

[Lord Newby]

My Lords, there are always questions when statements are made outside the House as to whether they should have been made inside the House. If the noble Baroness is concerned about it, she of course has the option of asking an Urgent Question.