Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jim McGovern and Lord Maude of Horsham

Wednesday 21st March 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Maude]

Three providers are delivering more than 600 places across Lancashire this year. Those providers are Catch22, The Challenge Network and Fylde Coast YMCA. I strongly encourage young people and their parents in Rossendale and Darwen to find out more about the NCS through its Facebook page or the Cabinet Office’s NCS website.

[Jim McGovern (Dundee West) (Lab)]

T2. What progress has been made by the commission into the West Lothian question? Many Opposition Members, and I am sure many Government Members, do not want to see a two-tier system of hon. Members in Westminster. What progress has the Minister made on this matter? Will he assure Members that we will be allowed to make a contribution to the commission?

[Mr Maude]

I am completely confident that the members of the West Lothian commission will read the hon. Gentleman’s remarks with great interest.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jim McGovern and Lord Maude of Horsham

Wednesday 14th December 2011 Commons Chamber

[Jim McGovern (Dundee West) (Lab)]

4. Whether his Department has considered altering its guidance on the disposal of official Government documents.

[The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General (Mr Francis Maude)]

No.

[Jim McGovern]

According to Cabinet Office guidance, what would be the recourse if a civil servant in the Minister’s Department breached the Data Protection Act?

[Mr Maude]

I can provide a detailed answer to the hon. Gentleman if he requires. If he is concerned about classified Government documents going amiss, I suggest he raises the matter with his right hon. Friend the shadow Health Secretary, who in 2009 had to apologise for leaving a briefcase full of classified Government documents on a train.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jim McGovern and Lord Maude of Horsham

Wednesday 15th June 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Maude]

I do not have responsibility for industrial relations law; that rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills. We have made it clear that we do not rule out changes, and a number of proposals have been made from outside. We think that industrial relations law works reasonably well at the moment, but we keep it under review.

[Jim McGovern (Dundee West) (Lab)]

Does the Minister agree that pensions should be regarded as deferred wages, and that therefore, as my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall North (Mr Winnick) said, it should come as no surprise that pension scheme members are seeking to protect their future income?

[Mr Maude]

That is why we are engaging in discussions with the TUC at its behest. The discussions continue, and there is much still to be sorted out. I remind the hon. Gentleman that Lord Hutton, Labour’s Work and Pensions Secretary, recommended the reforms to make public sector pension schemes sustainable and affordable for the future. That is what we are determined to achieve. Any union or public servant contemplating strike action is jumping the gun. There is a long way to go yet.