Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Graeme Morrice

Main Page: Graeme Morrice (Labour - Livingston)

Oral Answers to Questions

Graeme Morrice Excerpts
Monday 7th April 2014

(10 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Stephen Williams Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Stephen Williams)
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Approved building inspectors do, of course, have that duty to inspect buildings as they are constructed, often through spot checks. If the hon. Gentleman has a specific allegation, I suggest that he write to me so that my officials can look at it and advise him on the course of action that may be available.

Graeme Morrice Portrait Graeme Morrice (Livingston) (Lab)
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T2. Nine in 10 disabled people are cutting back on household bills in order to pay the bedroom tax, and many are now falling into rent arrears. If the Secretary of State were in their position, would he fall into debt or cut back on heating or even eating?

Lord Pickles Portrait Mr Pickles
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There is no evidence of any increase in arrears. A number of things can be considered, including taking in a lodger, obtaining a job and getting help from local authorities, which have, by and large, dealt with the issue in a reasonable way. The Labour party lumbered the taxpayer with an enormous bill as far as the growth in housing benefit was concerned, and it is entirely wrong to pretend that it would not have introduced similar constraints.