Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Leslie Excerpts
Wednesday 23rd October 2019

(5 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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James Cleverly Portrait James Cleverly
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I have to confess that the details the right hon. Gentleman highlights are not known to me. If he would like to furnish me with that information, I am more than happy to look at it. The broader point I would make is that the Government are taking the appropriate action to ensure that we can leave without a deal if needs be. As I say, that has never been the Government’s preferred option and we could have been in a position to leave with a deal, widely welcomed by businesses and communities across the United Kingdom, if he and others had not voted to prevent it.

Chris Leslie Portrait Mr Chris Leslie (Nottingham East) (IGC)
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I wonder whether the Minister still has that clock on his wall, which he famously pointed at, counting down to 31 October. Is it still working? Did the Government pay for it, or did he provide for it himself?

James Cleverly Portrait James Cleverly
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I do not answer questions from the Dispatch Box in my capacity as chairman of the Conservative party, but if you will indulge me, Mr Speaker, the clock was not paid for out of public funds. Had Members across this House not voted to delay Brexit, we would have left on time with a deal and in good order.