Oral Answers to Questions

Robert Smith Excerpts
Wednesday 5th December 2012

(12 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton Portrait The Prime Minister
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I am afraid the hon. Lady is wrong. We inherited a plan to raise £4 billion in taxes from the wealthiest people, and we raised that further. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor will make some further announcements in a moment.

Robert Smith Portrait Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD)
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The north-east of Scotland makes a major contribution to the UK economy through the offshore oil and gas industry. Will the Prime Minister commit to maximise investment in the industry so we get the maximum number of jobs and the maximum energy security and taxation for the future of this country?

Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton Portrait The Prime Minister
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My hon. Friend rightly speaks up for the North sea industry and for everyone who works in it in Scotland. I have been incredibly impressed when I have visited Aberdeen to see the health of, and the wealth generated by, that industry. What we have done, on decommissioning and on new field allowances, has helped to bring some certainty, and we should keep working on that to make sure that we recover as much oil and gas from the North sea as possible and make the most of this precious national asset.