Oral Answers to Questions

David Nuttall Excerpts
Tuesday 31st January 2017

(7 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I call Mr David Nuttall. I thought that he was interested in this question. Has his appetite diminished? [Interruption.] No? Go on. Get in there, man.

David Nuttall Portrait Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)
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I had not planned to stand for topical questions, but may I urge my right hon. Friend not to be swayed by the arguments from the Opposition to spend a specific amount of our GDP on research for scientific projects? If the private sector is unwilling to fund those projects, we should ask serious questions about whether the public sector and my hardworking taxpayers should be asked to foot the bill.

Greg Clark Portrait Greg Clark
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Happily, the private sector—British business —is an enthusiastic and increasing supporter of investment in science and research. Sometimes that is done jointly with important publicly funded institutions such as our universities, and that is one of our strengths as an economy.