Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Mike Kane Excerpts
Tuesday 3rd May 2016

(8 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Sajid Javid Portrait Sajid Javid
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My hon. Friend is right to highlight the importance of trade with Iran. She will know that that is why the Government have announced a trade mission that will take place soon. If more people in the UK speak Persian, that will help. I will happily take up the matter with my right hon. Friend the Education Secretary.

Mike Kane Portrait Mike Kane (Wythenshawe and Sale East) (Lab)
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T4. I welcome the fact that BHS administrators have entered consultation with USDAW, the retail union, for the lack of consultation was in part to blame for the pension fund going from a £5 million surplus to a £571 million deficit. In the light of that, will the Secretary of State consider the case that there should be enhanced employee rights, in particular in this aspect of companies law?

Sajid Javid Portrait Sajid Javid
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As I said earlier, it would be wrong of anyone to jump to conclusions about the pension fund and the reason for the deficit. The right way forward is for independent regulators to take a look.