European Summit Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

European Summit

Matt Hancock Excerpts
Thursday 24th March 2011

(13 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Mark Hoban Portrait Mr Hoban
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The only reason that this country is in a different place from Greece, Ireland and Portugal is the action that this Government have taken to sort out the mess left by Labour.

Matt Hancock Portrait Matthew Hancock (West Suffolk) (Con)
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Will the Minister confirm that the contingent liability under the scheme was set up after Labour had lost the election by the then Labour Chancellor? Does what is happening in Portugal, where interest rates have today risen above 8%, not provide the most eloquent lesson on what would happen here if we did not get a grip?

Mark Hoban Portrait Mr Hoban
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My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The decision taken by the previous Chancellor meant that we became part of the ESFM, and that is why the liability exists today. My hon. Friend is absolutely spot on: we have taken difficult decisions in this country. This Government have decided to tackle the deficit that Labour left behind, and we have a clear plan to do it. The Opposition have no ideas. Under a Labour Government, this country would be running out of steam.