Appointment of Sir Roger Scruton

Philip Hollobone Excerpts
Monday 12th November 2018

(5 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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James Brokenshire Portrait James Brokenshire
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The short answer is probably very few, which is the point my hon. Friend is making. We need people who are prepared to come forward to advise Government and provide support. It is important that we continue to attract skilled, talented people to do that, and the Government will continue to champion freedom of expression and speech.

Philip Hollobone Portrait Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)
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I congratulate the Government on attracting a world-leading expert in architectural aesthetics to this position, and I thank Sir Roger for accepting unpaid public service. Will the Secretary of State join me in deploring the Opposition’s tactics which seem to be based on soundbite misquotations generated on social media?

James Brokenshire Portrait James Brokenshire
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As I said in my initial response, this has been misjudged. Professor Sir Roger Scruton is one of the most qualified people in this field to do this job, and that is why I am so grateful that he has said yes. I look forward to working with him.