"Thank God you’re here, Mr Deputy Speaker. I was very happy to address the hon. Lady, but you were absolutely right to pull me up on that point of etiquette.
The plans are there; they are published. If the hon. Lady cannot be bothered to look at the plans and …..." Lord Pickles - View Speech
"I think the hon. Lady should address her constituents directly rather than doing so through the Chair.
Our large sites programme has already unlocked the construction of more than 100,000 houses. We have now extended support for a site at Northstowe near Cambridge, which will benefit from 10,000 new homes …..." Lord Pickles - View Speech
"I do not really understand why that was. Labour’s solution to this brings to mind their solution of garden cities. They promised five but could not deliver five, so they promised 10 and never delivered 10. The London Land Commission is indeed a good thing.
"I just want to finish a couple of points, but then I will gladly give way to my old friend.
During the last five years, councils have built more homes than in the previous 13. Council house building is now at a 23-year high. We shall now start working with …..." Lord Pickles - View Speech
"I am always happier when I am on the same page as my right hon. Friend, who was an immensely distinguished Minister in the Department for Communities and Local Government. He should take considerable credit for keeping us focused on affordable houses, and he should share in the triumph.
"Absolutely. My hon. Friend was a distinguished Minister in my Department. Right from the very beginning, all this was envisaged under the Localism Act 2011. Rather than trying to move all local government at the same speed, we will of course devolve this power to those councils that are capable …..." Lord Pickles - View Speech
"It is very straightforward; it is the same scheme that has existed since the retention scheme was introduced. It is the growth in the business rates. If a council goes out of its way to bring in new investment, it is only right that it should not be penalised for …..." Lord Pickles - View Speech
"In a moment. The right hon. Gentleman is a very distinguished Member, but he should wait for his turn like the rest of us.
That devolution of powers to Greater Manchester is the most historic development in civic leadership for a generation, and it will enable Manchester to support business …..." Lord Pickles - View Speech
"The right hon. Gentleman is a very distinguished Member of this House and no doubt has many things on his mind, so perhaps he has temporarily forgotten that we created a combined authority for Newcastle last year, which I understand is flourishing. Indeed, I anticipate that it will be the …..." Lord Pickles - View Speech