Cyprus

Debate between Harriett Baldwin and Greg Clark

Monday 18th March 2013 Commons Chamber

[Greg Clark]

The Bank of England keeps the arrangements under constant review. I think it is fair to reflect that Cyprus is an infinitesimal part of the European banking system and an even smaller part of the world banking system. Although this is an extremely worrying time for citizens of Cyprus and our constituents who have investments or connections in Cyprus, in the wider context Cyprus does not have the systemic importance of other countries.

[Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)]

Whatever the Cypriot Parliament decides this week, this has been a torpedo across the European banking system. What advice would the Minister give to pensioners who live in Spain and Portugal about whether they should maintain large deposits in eurozone banks?

[Greg Clark]

I agree that this is a warning and that it is necessary to have more robust financial arrangements in place to prevent this sort of crisis from happening in other countries. However, I reinforce the advice of the ECB that this problem is unique to Cyprus, which is particularly exposed and is in a state of particular indebtedness.

National Planning Policy Framework

Debate between Harriett Baldwin and Greg Clark

Tuesday 27th March 2012 Commons Chamber

[Greg Clark]

I would never be influenced by any donation, and I am not aware of any such attempt ever having been made. It would certainly get pretty short shrift from me.

[Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)]

Today is a landmark for localism and for consultations being listened to, because the three points that I made in the consultation, about brownfield land, windfall and the localisation of the buffer, have all been adopted. I am absolutely delighted. Will the Minister clarify for my local councillors, who will now be in charge, how the transition process for the community infrastructure levy will work?

[Greg Clark]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for her contribution to the consultation. We have listened broadly. I know that people are cynical about consultation exercises, but I think they will find that practical and sensible suggestions have been listened to and incorporated. The community infrastructure levy will be introduced, and we are about to publish some regulations regarding the conduct of it. I will update her in a few days about when they will take effect. Among other things, the levy will provide funding for neighbourhoods for the first time, so that communities that host developments will get to share in the proceeds at a very local level.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Harriett Baldwin and Greg Clark

Thursday 8th December 2011 Commons Chamber

[Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)]

7. What steps he is taking to assist unemployed people to start new businesses.

[The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Greg Clark)]

The new enterprise allowance is now available nationwide and is providing access to business mentors and financial support to help unemployed people start their own businesses. On 14 November we launched My New Business, a service on the Business Link website, providing help for everyone looking to start a new business.

[Harriett Baldwin]

As QinetiQ in my constituency has restructured, many of the brilliant brains employed there have started new businesses in a range of different areas. May I invite the Minister to Malvern to help back my campaign for phase 4 of the Malvern Hills science park as a further incubator?

[Greg Clark]

It would be a delight to visit Malvern. I know that my hon. Friend is trying—successfully, given the number of high-tech businesses there—to market Malvern as a cyber-valley. We know that silicon valley has prospered because of the links between existing high-tech firms and new ones, and I know that that is what she wants to achieve.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Harriett Baldwin and Greg Clark

Monday 5th September 2011 Commons Chamber

[Greg Clark]

I noticed that my hon. Friend described some of the leaders of some of these organisations as “left wing”. If it is untrue, it is a great insult; and if it is true, it is a great shame. The hon. Gentleman is a passionate defender of the historic environment, but so too are we on the Government Benches, and we are determined to preserve the character of middle England—but young England needs a roof over its head too.

[Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)]

In those discussions with heritage organisations, was the Minister able to clarify whether local plans will be able to designate grade I agricultural land with a specific value?

[Greg Clark]

Prime agricultural land will continue to be protected under the NPPF.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Harriett Baldwin and Greg Clark

Thursday 15th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)]

22. What recent representations he has received on the effects on local authorities of the abolition of regional spatial strategies.

[The Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Greg Clark)]

I have received a large number of letters and e-mails, the vast majority of which have welcomed the end of top-down targets and the return of planning decisions to local communities so that they can shape their own areas.

[Harriett Baldwin]

I thank the Minister on behalf of residents in West Worcestershire. I can assure him that councillors in my local area feel the same way. What advice would he give to them about developers who are now taking things that were rejected on the basis of the Pickles letter to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate?

[Greg Clark]

The Planning Inspectorate has received guidance that the policy of the Government is clear and needs to be taken into account in planning appeals.