Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Northern Ireland Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Ronnie Campbell Excerpts
Wednesday 6th July 2011

(13 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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The Prime Minister was asked—
Ronnie Campbell Portrait Mr Ronnie Campbell (Blyth Valley) (Lab)
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Q1. If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 6 July.

Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton Portrait The Prime Minister (Mr David Cameron)
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I am sure that the whole House will wish to join me in paying tribute to Highlander Scott McLaren of The Highlanders, 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland. This week I witnessed at first hand the sacrifice of our soldiers. I pay tribute to the bravery and dedication of this particular soldier, who was lost in such tragic circumstances. Our thoughts will rightly be with his family and his friends at this very sad time, but we pay tribute to him and all those like him who serve our country so magnificently in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall have further such meetings later today.

Ronnie Campbell Portrait Mr Campbell
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I echo the sentiments that the Prime Minister has expressed. As a father whose son is serving in the Royal Marines and doing his duty in Afghanistan, I can tell the House that those in my position dread the knock on the door saying that their son has been lost in action. Our sympathies obviously go to Scott’s father, mother and family at this time.

Is it right that yesterday we gave £10 billion to the bail-out of the banks in Greece, that we gave £7 billion to the bail-out in Ireland, and that we—the British taxpayers—give £100 billion a year to the banks in this country for insurance and other purposes? Why does the Prime Minister not get on his bike, go down to see his friends in the City, and sack a few spivs and speculators and bankers—

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. We are grateful to the hon. Gentleman. We have got the gist.