Robert Halfon
Main Page: Robert Halfon (Conservative - Harlow)(14 years, 2 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text
Andrew Stunell
My assessment is that, like a lot of reporting of what the coalition agreement and the comprehensive spending review are about, it is purely speculative. What we have actually got is a programme for growth in the private sector and in small businesses, and we are putting the British economy back on its feet.
Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con)
Is the Secretary of State aware that hard-pressed taxpayers in Harlow and elsewhere are paying the East of England Development Agency chief executive a higher salary than the Prime Minister? When the Secretary of State gets rid of this unnecessary and wasteful bureaucracy, will he ensure that the new local enterprise partnerships no longer waste taxpayers’ money in this way?
Mr Pickles
Absolutely, and I will certainly be willing to go to the chief executive’s leaving party.