Oral Answers to Questions

John Bercow Excerpts

Thursday 24th May 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Prisk]

The element of the Beecroft report to which my hon. Friend refers is one of 23 separate measures. We want to ensure that we consider these matters on the basis of good evidence. That is why there is a call for evidence, and once we have had a look at it and weighed the pros against the cons, we will make a decision.

[Mr Speaker]

Before we continue these exchanges, let me say that ordinarily when the Secretary of State is absent, the fact of the absence is explained at the start of Question Time. I can hear Members inquiring about it. I know that the Secretary of State is absent because I have received a letter from him, but let me say for the record that it would be desirable to be told at the outset, and, in general terms, that it is of course highly undesirable for the Secretary of State to be absent on these occasions. It must not become a regular practice.

[Ian Lavery (Wansbeck) (Lab)]

Does the Minister believe that a person who has made a donation of more than £500,000 to the Conservative party and made more than £100 million from equity deals is a fit and proper person to determine Government policy and workers’ rights?

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[Mr Hayes]

I do not know, Mr Speaker, whether you have yet had the chance to see my hon. Friend’s local newspaper, the Burnley Express. In that paper, he says:

“Mentoring is a great way for business leaders to invest in and give back to their communities.”

The truth is that we intend in the short term—by the end of this year—to grow that number from 11,000 to 26,000 mentors.

[Mr Speaker]

We are obliged to the Minister.

[Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab)]

I am sorry to introduce a note of caution into this backslapping, but given that women make up only 12.5% of FTSE 100 boards, what steps is the Minister taking to get more women business mentors?

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[Mr Hayes]

The message is plain: further education has never been given the priority in the past that it has been given by this Government. It is about the flexibilities and freedoms to respond to need in the hon. Lady’s constituency and elsewhere. Further education, once the Cinderella sector, when I became the Minister found its Prince Charming.

[Mr Speaker]

I sometimes think that the Minister of State would like dedicated oral questions for himself alone, but I am not aware that the House has any plans to provide such, so I hope he can contain his disappointment at that news.

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

9. What support his Department is giving to small and medium-sized businesses to enable them to grow.

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[Norman Lamb]

I will rise above it, absolutely.

Exports to the far east are growing very significantly. UK exports to China have grown by 15% over the past year, for example, and we are working hard to secure a free trade agreement with Japan, which would deliver significant benefits to the UK.

[Mr Speaker]

Iain McKenzie. Not here.

[Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) (Lab)]

15. What recent assessment he has made of the contribution of the higher education sector to economic growth.

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[Mr Willetts]

That pre-prepared speech had nothing to do with the reality of the industrial strategy being pursued by this coalition, which is delivering big increases in exports to the big markets of the future. Exports to China are up 18%, exports to India are up 29% and exports to Brazil are up 11%. Employment is up, inflation is down and public borrowing is down. [Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr Wright) is usually such a measured and emollient fellow. He must calm himself.

[Mr Willetts]

We are committed to working with all our partners across the British economy, including business, to ensure that there is investment in the high-tech businesses of the future. The recent announcements of investments in General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover and GlaxoSmithKline show that the strategy is bearing fruit.

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[Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East) (Lab)]

T2. The Government have recently designated Tyneside a centre for offshore renewable energy. In welcoming that designation, I ask the Minister to set out the economic development advantages of such a designation. What assistance can the initiative expect from UKTI, which operates under BIS? Will Ministers urge senior officials to visit Tyneside, and to promote this Government initiative at home and abroad?

[Mr Speaker]

Even former Chief Whips are supposed to ask only one question.

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[Norman Lamb]

I can absolutely confirm that. It is always right to base policy on evidence—[Laughter.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The Minister is seeking to respond in a very professional way. Whether Members agree with him or not, they ought to hear him.

[Norman Lamb]

I am very grateful, Mr Speaker.

It is interesting to note that the evidence gathered from Germany suggests that there was very little change to the level of employment in small businesses after the reforms.

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[Mr Willetts]

Earlier this week we produced our energy strategy, which involves ensuring not just a fair deal for consumers, but sustaining investment in energy in Britain.

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I do not want the Minister to lose his handkerchief. It is about to fall out, but I am sure he can rescue it.

[Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab)]

May we have an answer to the question from my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham East (Heidi Alexander) from a Conservative Minister? Why is it easier to hire people if it is easier to fire them?