Oral Answers to Questions

James Duddridge Excerpts
Monday 5th June 2023

(11 months, 3 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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I will do everything in my power to ensure that there is at least six months between those regulations coming forward and any general election.

James Duddridge Portrait Sir James Duddridge (Rochford and Southend East) (Con)
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for levelling up, the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Dehenna Davison), has been generous with her time in discussing the future of Essex. Can she reassure the House that no plans for a combined authority will go forward without the support of the majority of Essex MPs, because at the moment I am pretty sure that none of us wants it?

Dehenna Davison Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (Dehenna Davison)
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We are absolutely clear that any devolution deals must be locally led with local consent. I have consulted my hon. Friend, and we will continue to have such conversations, but ultimately this is about getting the best for the people of Essex, and I know he shares my ambition to deliver that.