Business of the House Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Business of the House

Jim Fitzpatrick Excerpts
Thursday 22nd March 2018

(6 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Andrea Leadsom Portrait Andrea Leadsom
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Whether the source of taxpayer funding is central Government or local government, it is still taxpayer funding. We have been clear that £270 million of the up to £450 million increase would result from increased council tax precept income—something that police and crime commissioners have, for the most part, decided to take advantage of. [Interruption.] It is really important: this is all taxpayer funding, whether it comes from central or local government.

Jim Fitzpatrick Portrait Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Limehouse) (Lab)
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As chair of the all-party group on deafness, I have been trying to identify which Department is primarily responsible for British Sign Language. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport says it is the Department for Work and Pensions, as does the Department for Education. The DWP says, “Oh, no we’re not. We are going to be speaking to the DFE.” The Cabinet Office says there is no Department primarily responsible for BSL. Can the Leader of the House advise me to whom I should write to seek a meeting to discuss these important matters and to seek a statement to the House on BSL?

Andrea Leadsom Portrait Andrea Leadsom
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I can certainly offer to find out on the hon. Gentleman’s behalf and write to him.