Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Oral Answers to Questions

James Gray Excerpts
Monday 3rd June 2013

(11 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Mark Prisk Portrait Mr Prisk
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My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The key—it was referred to by the planning Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Grantham and Stamford (Nick Boles)—is the strength of local civic and business leadership. That is what we are seeing in the pilots. On the grants, the key is ensuring that the money is spent wisely, not quickly, but I take the point about disputes that block activity on the ground.

James Gray Portrait Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire) (Con)
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I very much welcome the Minister’s strong support for the Portas principles and that of the planning Minister. Does he agree that one sure-fire way of wrecking high streets is to allow local authorities to allow out-of-town shopping centres?