Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Jesse Norman Excerpts
Wednesday 19th June 2013

(11 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Nick Hurd Portrait Mr Hurd
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I am puzzled by the hon. Gentleman’s question, particularly in relation to exactly whom the RDAs were accountable to. I do not think that anyone is weeping for their absence, and I think that he should give LEPs a chance. My impression is that they are doing increasingly valuable work. We have new city deals and a whole new era of localism, with more and more decisions being taken locally and accountable to the communities they serve. I hope he will welcome that.

Jesse Norman Portrait Jesse Norman (Hereford and South Herefordshire) (Con)
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6. What steps he is taking to encourage co-operatives and mutuals to provide public services.

Lord Maude of Horsham Portrait The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General (Mr Francis Maude)
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The Government are committed to supporting public service mutuals in providing public services. We know that mutuals can bring significant efficiencies that benefit not only public service users and the taxpayer, but the staff who form them. Our mutuals support programme is tracking more than 120 emerging and established public service mutuals across 13 different sectors.

Jesse Norman Portrait Jesse Norman
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Does my right hon. Friend share my view that, in line with the original Rochdale principles, co-operatives should be politically neutral and not make contributions to political parties?

Lord Maude of Horsham Portrait Mr Maude
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I hear what my hon. Friend, who is extremely knowledgeable on this topic, says. He is a passionate supporter of mutuals and co-operatives, and his point deserves further scrutiny and study.