Debt Advice and Debt Management

Lindsay Hoyle Excerpts

Thursday 1st December 2011 Commons Chamber

[Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. In the previous debate, I raised the issue of the disgusting and disgraceful comments made by Jeremy Clarkson last night. My right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Camberwell and Peckham (Ms Harman) directly asked the Secretary of State to address the issue in his closing remarks, but he failed to do so. Is that in order?

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

That is not a point of order. It is for the Secretary of State to decide whether he will comment. The hon. Gentleman’s remarks have gone on the record, however.

--- Later in debate ---

[Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) (Lab)]

Does my hon. Friend share the concerns of Peter Hemmingfield, a debt team supervisor in my constituency who works, under the community legal advice contract, with the Legal Services Commission to provide specialist debt advice? He is very concerned that the service that he provides will practically disappear as a result of the intended legal aid cuts. He says in a letter to me:

“A substantial amount of our work is involved in helping many clients who have mental and physical health problems, who are aged”—

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

Order. Unfortunately, interventions have to be short; I am sure that the hon. Gentleman is just coming to the end of his.

[Paul Blomfield]

You are absolutely right, Mr Deputy Speaker; I was just coming to the end. Peter Hemmingfield talks about people who are unable to manage their debts alone. Should we not be concerned about the impact on the most vulnerable?