Local Government Finance

Debate between Lindsay Hoyle and Dennis Skinner

Tuesday 5th February 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) (Lab)]

It is even worse than that. This ever diminishing cake has now been subject to the Prime Minister—not the Secretary of State, the Prime Minister—offering bribes to people who are going to—[Interruption.] This is part of the system, and it can affect any area—

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Sir Lindsay Hoyle)]

Order. [Interruption.] Order. Mr Skinner. Just one second. We cannot use the word “bribes”.

[Mr Skinner]

This will come out of local government—

[Mr Deputy Speaker]

Order. One of us has to sit down, and unfortunately I just need to say this. We have to make our point—I totally agree—and you always make a point very well, but we cannot use the word “bribes”.

[Mr Skinner]

This money will come out of local government—make no mistake—even though it is a bribe. That is why we on these Benches are not going to take it. We are not going to sully the amount of money going to local authorities that we understand—

[Mr Deputy Speaker]

Order. Mr Skinner, please.

[Mr Skinner]

If you don’t understand, you shouldn’t be in the job.

[Mr Deputy Speaker]

I am sorry that we have got to that level. I said that Members cannot use the word “bribes”, because I do not believe—

[Mr Skinner]

That is what it is.

[Mr Deputy Speaker]

I am explaining that that is not the case.