Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Evans Excerpts

Wednesday 23rd November 2011 Commons Chamber

[Chris Evans (Islwyn) (Lab/Co-op)]

4. What recent discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the effects in Wales of the rate of inflation.

[The Secretary of State for Wales (Mrs Cheryl Gillan)]

I have regular discussions with the Chancellor and other ministerial colleagues on a range of issues affecting Wales. I welcome the latest fall in inflation, which was published by the Office for National Statistics last week.

[Chris Evans]

On this Government’s watch, average food bills have increased by 5%, putting more pressure on hard-working families. I have listened to the Secretary of State’s responses, but can she give a guarantee that she is really fighting Wales’s corner and fighting for hard-working families in Cabinet?

[Mrs Gillan]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for what I think was a question. There can be absolutely no doubt about whether I always fight Wales’s corner in Cabinet. I thought he would at least be encouraged that the Bank of England has forecast that inflation should fall rapidly over 2012. In the mean time, the Government are taking very strong action to help consumers with high costs. We all want to help households and the Government go to the last degree to do so.