Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Denis MacShane Excerpts
Thursday 13th January 2011

(13 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Vince Cable Portrait Vince Cable
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I can give my hon. Friend that assurance: indeed, we have already done so. In October my colleague the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions launched a new enterprise scheme to help precisely the category of people that my hon. Friend describes. It will provide mentoring and funding of up to £2,000, including a weekly allowance and access to a start-up loan.

Denis MacShane Portrait Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham) (Lab)
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Does the Secretary of State agree with Winston Churchill’s formulation that he would

“rather see finance less proud and business and industry”

more confident? Does he think that the grovelling capitulation of his Bullingdon club colleagues to the banks this week really upholds that principle?

Vince Cable Portrait Vince Cable
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Mr Churchill’s views have much to commend them, and they are still relevant in many ways. Certainly, we wish to see manufacturing promoted and finance working in support of it rather than against it.