Oral Answers to Questions

John Bercow Excerpts

Wednesday 11th September 2013 Commons Chamber

[David Mundell]

I know that the people of Scotland are not buttoned up the back. They understand that the Scottish Government and the SNP say one thing in private and another thing in public. In private, John Swinney has made it absolutely clear that the affordability of pensions would be a serious issue in an independent Scotland. That is a fact. [Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Far too many noisy private conversations are taking place in the Chamber. I am sure that they will now end so that we can hear Mary Macleod.

[Mary Macleod (Brentford and Isleworth) (Con)]

7. What steps the Government are taking to protect workers in the oil and gas industry in Scotland.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Calm down. It will just take longer otherwise. It is very simple.

[The Prime Minister]

The right hon. Gentleman went to Bournemouth and completely bottled it—that is the truth. The fact is that in this economy business confidence is up, consumer confidence is up and exports are up. The point I would make about bonuses is that when he was sitting in the Treasury they were four times higher. Under this Government, the top rate of tax will be higher than in any year when he or the shadow Chancellor sat and advised the last, disastrous Labour Government. That is the truth of it. This Government are making good the mess that he made in government.