Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Jacob Rees-Mogg Excerpts
Tuesday 27th July 2010

(14 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Mark Harper Portrait Mr Harper
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Clearly, the hon. Lady has not read the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill, which we published last week. We are actually extending the consultation period for local people from one month to three months, to give local people, local organisations and political parties more opportunity to comment on the boundary commission proposals, not less.

Jacob Rees-Mogg Portrait Jacob Rees-Mogg (North East Somerset) (Con)
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In considering this matter, will the Minister bear in mind the fact that people have historic loyalties to the traditional counties of England, not to administrative regions? In particular, will the people of Somerset be allowed their historic county, not some monstrous, vague, administrative nonsense?

Mark Harper Portrait Mr Harper
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If he has looked at the Bill, my hon. Friend will know that the boundary commissions are able to take into account local ties, but only to the extent that we can still have equal-sized constituencies. They are able to look at those things, but we think that the principle of equal-sized seats is most important and should take priority.