Sheffield Forgemasters

Paul Blomfield Excerpts

Wednesday 21st July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Prisk]

Just one moment, because I think that the letter to which we are referring is not something that all Members have seen. As the hon. Members for Sheffield South East, and for Penistone and Stocksbridge (Angela Smith), know perfectly well, I made sure that the letter was made available—they nod in assent—so that we could look at it in the debate. If I had something to hide, I would not have done that, and hon. Members have noticed that.

I also say to Opposition Members that it is peculiar logic to suggest that a Conservative party donor is the reason why a Liberal Democrat Cabinet member in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and a Liberal Democrat Chief Secretary, should support the proposal. If the Labour party’s argument is that somehow, a Conservative party donor is managing to twist events in the interests of that party, it has made a mistake, and that is the problem.

[Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) (Lab)]

Does the Minister therefore concur with the statement from Downing street that the decision was solely the responsibility of Liberal Democrat Ministers?

[Mr Prisk]

That is not actually what the statement says. The decision was taken by the Government as a whole, and rightly so, but nevertheless, it is one on which the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury obviously had the lead. As I made perfectly clear, the argument that somehow a Conservative party donor is twisting the arm of the Liberal Democrats does not make any logical sense.

--- Later in debate ---

[Paul Blomfield]

Will the Minister give way?

[Mr Prisk]

No, because it is important that I try to answer some of the other questions that were raised and I have only five minutes left. The hon. Gentleman asked some eminently sensible questions and I want to try to give him the answers.