Oral Answers to Questions

Philip Hollobone Excerpts

Tuesday 14th October 2014 Commons Chamber

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

I would not support, as I am sure the hon. Lady would not—I doubt anyone on either side of the House would—the TTIP negotiations if there was any risk that in doing so we might undermine our right to run our NHS in the way we want, as voted on in this Parliament. I am absolutely confident that we are able to do that, but if we need to make that even more clear and put it beyond any reasonable doubt, clearly we should set out to do so. It is important that we debunk some of the myths that somehow suggest that TTIP is undermining our sovereign right to run the NHS in the way we want.

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

T14. Does the Deputy Prime Minister support televised election debates for the three main political parties? Does he feel that he should be invited?

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

I am looking forward to the debates, as they were a really good innovation and people want them next time. I can understand the concerns of parties with only one MP in this House, but as a leader of a party with 55 MPs I do not want any of the larger parties to use the angst among the very small parties with only one MP to serve as an alibi for foot-dragging. Let us get on with it and have these debates.