Oral Answers to Questions

Stephen Kinnock Excerpts

Tuesday 5th March 2019 Commons Chamber

[Wes Streeting (Ilford North) (Lab)]

No chance.

[Stephen Kinnock (Aberavon) (Lab)]

No pressure there at all. Question 23, Mr Speaker.

[Mr Speaker]

Don’t look quite so surprised, man—it’s your question.

[Stephen Kinnock]

But may I blend it with topical question 1?

[Mr Speaker]

No, but you can blurt it out on the question with which we were dealing, if you want. Unburden yourself, man.

[Stephen Kinnock (Aberavon) (Lab)]

23. Thank you for setting the stage for me so well, Mr Speaker. I am proud to chair the all-party parliamentary group for post-Brexit funding for nations, regions and local areas. It is vital that we have a fair settlement for the regions that need it most as we transition from EU funding to post-Brexit funding. Will the Chancellor of the Exchequer or the Minister responsible meet the APPG to discuss this vital issue?

[Elizabeth Truss]

I would be delighted to meet the hon. Gentleman and colleagues to discuss this important issue.

[Mr Speaker]

Oh, I see what the hon. Gentleman was driving at in relation to topical questions. Jolly well done; what a prescient fellow. We now come to topical questions. I call Stephen Kinnock.

[Stephen Kinnock (Aberavon) (Lab)]

I cannot think of another question to ask, as my question has been responded to.

[Mr Speaker]

I know that the hon. Gentleman does not believe in the hereditary principle, but I do not think that those words would ever have come out of the mouth of his dad. I think he should have a go. Just say “Topical 1”, young man.

[Stephen Kinnock (Aberavon) (Lab)]

T1. Topical 1.

[The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr Philip Hammond)]

I have a sense that by the time I have responded, inspiration will have struck the hon. Gentleman.

My principal responsibility is to ensure economic stability and the continued prosperity of this country. At this juncture, the best way to achieve that objective is to support a negotiated Brexit ensuring a smooth and orderly departure from the EU through a transition period to a new relationship that allows our mutual trade to continue to flourish.

[Stephen Kinnock]

Since the introduction of the minimum wage, only 14 employers have been prosecuted by HMRC for failing to pay the minimum wage. Does the Chancellor agree that that is a completely unacceptable state of affairs? What action is he taking to boost the capacity of HMRC to go after those who are not paying the minimum wage?

[Mr Hammond]

HMRC does take action against errant employers. It is always pleased to receive information on suspected non-compliance and will investigate any such cases. I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman had difficulty thinking of a question. Anticipating this situation, I have at least four or five potential questions that he could have asked me, and I am happy to show them to him afterwards.