Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Dennis Skinner Excerpts
Tuesday 13th May 2014

(10 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Greg Clark Portrait Greg Clark
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I do agree with that. Having cited the first mayor of Middlesbrough, Henry Bolckow, and noted that a statue erected by public subscription was made to him, I think that it would be good if we had a rash of them across the country in tribute to the leadership that mayors can play.

Dennis Skinner Portrait Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) (Lab)
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Does the Minister not realise that devolving power is useless—worthless—if, at the same time, this Government are cutting local government funds by 40%?

Greg Clark Portrait Greg Clark
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That is not the view of council leaders in the hon. Gentleman’s area, who have been extremely enthusiastic about the city deals that have been struck. The chair of the Sheffield city region, in which the hon. Gentleman’s constituency is involved, says that the powers that have been devolved through the city deal will

“drive forward real economic growth and create jobs”

for the whole region, including for the hon. Gentleman’s constituency.