Oral Answers to Questions

John Bercow Excerpts

Wednesday 7th March 2012 Commons Chamber

[Several hon. Members]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. These are extremely serious matters, but we need to speed up the exchanges somewhat.

[Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con)]

When does my right hon. Friend expect to receive Sir Desmond de Silva’s final report?

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[Several hon. Members]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. There are far too many noisy private conversations taking place in the Chamber. As a matter of courtesy to the people of Northern Ireland, it would be good to have a bit of hush.

[David Simpson (Upper Bann) (DUP)]

I am sure the Minister will agree that inward investment into Northern Ireland is always welcome, but we must not forget small indigenous businesses that have been there for many years. [Interruption.] Will he join me in welcoming the £30-million investment by the Asda group in one site in my constituency, which is in an area that has not had investment for 35 years? [Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. It would be good if we could hear the reply. The House must come to order.

[Mr Swire]

Of course I welcome that investment. The hon. Gentleman is a doughty champion of business in his constituency, and I look forward to spending a day with him shortly. He will be aware of the growth fund, which will help small and medium-sized enterprises with strong potential for growth, particularly in the international markets. We believe these moves by the devolved Administration are the right ones.

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[Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con)]

Q5. On Friday—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I say to the hon. Member for Brighton, Kemptown (Simon Kirby) that he will stay silent. That sort of noise is not acceptable in this forum.

[Nadhim Zahawi]

On Friday, PC Trevor Hall and PCSO Claire Miller, two of the best from Warwickshire police, came to see me about the life-threatening effects of a new legal high called black mamba on the life of a 13-year-old in my constituency. I am informed that black mamba is the latest legal high being sold on our streets in the UK. Now that we have regulations that allow us to act swiftly to ban potentially dangerous legal highs, will my right hon. Friend act on this substance immediately and—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. We are grateful to the hon. Gentleman, who should resume his seat. The question is too long.

[The Prime Minister]

My hon. Friend raises an important issue. We are determined to stamp out these so-called legal highs. The Home Office is aware of this particular drug. We now have the drugs early warning system which brings these things to our attention, but as he says, a decision needs swiftly to be made and I will make sure that happens.

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[The Prime Minister]

Here we go: another change the right hon. Gentleman does not support. He seems to think that people on—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The question has been asked. The Prime Minister’s answer must be heard.

[The Prime Minister]

Does the right hon. Gentleman really think that people earning £25,000 should pay for his child benefit? I do not agree with that. We have to make savings, so not giving child benefit to the wealthiest 15% of families in our country—of course it is a difficult decision. Life is about difficult decisions. Government is about difficult decisions. It is a pity that he is just not capable of taking one.

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[Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con)]

Following—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Let us hear from Mr Mark Pritchard.

[Mark Pritchard]

Following last week’s statement on the use of wild animals in circuses, can the Prime Minister inform the House whether a ban will be introduced in this Parliament and before the next general election?

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[Louise Mensch (Corby) (Con)]

Q11. Labour-controlled Corby borough council—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I want the hon. Lady’s question to be heard in full with a bit of quiet and perhaps a bit of respect.

[Louise Mensch]

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Labour-controlled Corby borough council is trying to suppress a report into the scandal at the Corby Cube. Twenty-six million pounds of Corby people’s money has been wasted, and now councillors are being threatened with disciplinary action if they blow the whistle. Does the Prime Minister agree that the council should come clean with Corby people?