Oral Answers to Questions

Philip Hollobone Excerpts

Monday 22nd January 2018 Commons Chamber

[Rishi Sunak]

I gently point out to the hon. Lady that core spending power per dwelling in the 10% most deprived local authorities is actually 23% higher than that in the least deprived, and indeed in her local authority, it is 11% higher than the national average.

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Can the hon. Member for Kettering (Mr Hollobone) write the brevity textbook?

[Mr Hollobone]

I welcome the Government’s best value inspection of Northamptonshire County Council. Will the Minister ensure that the transfer of the fire service out of the council to the police and crime commissioner is not delayed by this inspection?

[Rishi Sunak]

As my hon. Friend knows, the Secretary of State has asked Max Caller to look at the authority, and we await his findings eagerly. It is difficult for me to comment further at this time, as I am sure my hon. Friend appreciates.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

Will the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government work with the libraries taskforce at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to see how Northamptonshire’s public libraries can all be kept open?

[Sajid Javid]

Yes.