All 1 Debates between Vince Cable and Andrew Smith

Sunday Trading (London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) Bill [Lords]

Debate between Vince Cable and Andrew Smith
Monday 30th April 2012

(12 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text
Vince Cable Portrait Vince Cable
- Hansard - -

Undoubtedly, there are practical difficulties in defining geographical boundaries, but actually that is not the real reason. The reason is that we believe that the whole of the UK will benefit, and we want the potential benefits of flexibility in the retail sector to apply.

Andrew Smith Portrait Mr Andrew Smith (Oxford East) (Lab)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

In the light of that answer, what sort of assurance can the Secretary of State give the House that the Bill, or the experience of deregulated trading during the Olympics, will not be used as a Trojan horse to introduce wider deregulation measures? Will he promise the House that that will not happen?

Vince Cable Portrait Vince Cable
- Hansard - -

The Trojan horse was invoked several times in the earlier debate, but I can give the right hon. Gentleman an absolute assurance that this is not a precedent. I shall dwell later on how we will reinforce that absolute commitment.