Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

David Crausby Excerpts
Tuesday 16th June 2015

(8 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Crausby Portrait Mr David Crausby (Bolton North East) (Lab)
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T3. Given that the population of Greater Manchester is bigger than those of both Wales and Northern Ireland and not far short of the population of Scotland, why are the people of Greater Manchester being denied the opportunity to decide whether they want a directly elected mayor? What is wrong with a constitutional referendum in England for a change?

George Osborne Portrait Mr Osborne
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I am sorry to hear that the hon. Gentleman disagrees with the Labour civic leadership across the authorities of Greater Manchester. They are elected, of course, and the elected national Government put together this deal. It will increase accountability in Greater Manchester because there will be an elected mayor whom people can hold directly to account.