Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

Ian C. Lucas Excerpts
Tuesday 10th December 2013

(10 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Gauke Portrait Mr Gauke
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My hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is irresponsible to future generations if we do not take action to reduce the deficit. The approach we had from the party—[Interruption.] The shadow Chancellor has just said that the deficit is going up. He has been saying that all along, and I am afraid he is just plain wrong.

Ian C. Lucas Portrait Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab)
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In 2010, the Chancellor of the Exchequer told us that the deficit would be gone by 2015. Why should we believe him this time?

David Gauke Portrait Mr Gauke
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This is coming from the party that has opposed every single measure we have taken to reduce the deficit. If we had taken the approach that the Labour party advocated, we would have borrowed a further £200 billion. That is not responsible or fair on future generations; that would put our economy at risk.